"If you will suffer me to take the left-hand road I should like it greatly," said Melias. "My strength and skill need trial."
"It were better not. I fancy that I only should face the danger that there confronts us."
"Nay, my lord, I pray you let me have this adventure."
"Take it, then, in God's name," said Galahad; "and do your duty worthily."
So Melias rode forward and soon found himself in a forest, through which he passed for two days, seeing there neither man, woman, nor child. Then he came from the forest into a broad meadow, where stood a lodge built of green boughs. And in that lodge was a chair, on which lay a crown of gold wrought with rich and subtle skill. Also there were cloths spread upon the earth, upon which delicious meats were laid.
Melias beheld all this and thought it marvellous. He felt no hunger, but the crown of gold roused his covetousness, and he took it up and rode away with it. But not far had he ridden when a knight came after him, who said,—
"Sir knight, why have you taken that crown? It is not yours; therefore defend yourself."
Then Melias blessed himself, and said,—
"Fair Lord of Heaven, help and save thy new made knight."
Then they rode together at full speed, but Melias's prayer availed him naught, for the spear-head of the other went through his hauberk, and wounded him so deeply in the left side that he fell to the earth like a dead man. Then the victor knight took the crown and rode away.