but of the
crown of gold he took much keep; and therewith he stooped down and took
it up, and rode his way with it. And anon he saw a knight came riding
after him that said: Knight, set down that crown which is not yours, and
therefore defend you. Then Sir Melias blessed him and said: Fair lord
of heaven, help and save thy new-made knight. And then they let their
horses run as fast as they might, so that the other knight smote Sir
Melias through hauberk and through the left side, that he fell to the
earth nigh dead. And then he took the crown and went his way; and Sir
Melias lay still and had no power to stir.

In the meanwhile by fortune there came Sir Galahad and found him there
in peril of death. And then he said: Ah Melias, who hath wounded you?
therefore it had been better to have ridden the other way. And when Sir
Melias heard him speak: Sir, he said, for God's love let me not die
in this forest, but bear me unto the abbey here beside, that I may be
confessed and have my rights. It shall be done, said Galahad, but where
is he that hath wounded you? With that Sir Galahad heard in the leaves
cry on high: Knight, keep thee from me. Ah sir, said Melias, beware, for
that is he that hath slain me. Sir Galahad answered: Sir knight, come on
your peril. Then either dressed to other, and came together as fast as
their horses might run, and Galahad smote him so that his spear went
through his shoulder, and smote him down off his horse, and in the
falling Galahad's spear brake.

With that came out another knight out of the leaves, and brake a spear
upon Galahad or ever he might turn him. Then Galahad drew out his sword
and smote off the left arm of him, so that it fell to the earth. And
then he fled, and Sir Galahad pursued fast after him. And then he turned
again unto Sir Melias, and there he alighted and dressed him softly on
his horse to-fore him, for the truncheon of his spear was in his body;
and Sir Galahad stert up behind him, and held him in his arms, and so
brought him to the abbey, and there unarmed him and brought him to his
chamber. And then he asked his Saviour. And when he had received Him
he said unto Sir Galahad: Sir, let death come when it pleaseth him. And
therewith he drew out the truncheon of the spear out of his body: and
then he swooned.

Then came there an old monk which sometime had been a knight, and
beheld Sir Melias. And anon he ransacked him; and then he said unto Sir
Galahad: I shall heal him