(2.2) “Galahad and the Grail” – Sir Melias and the Elfin Knight

(2.2) “Galahad and the Grail” – Sir Melias and the Elfin Knight.

Book Two: “Adventures of the Quest“ (by “book” is meant a large section in this installment of Guite’s Arthuriad).

Stave Two: “Sir Melias and the Elfin Knight” (a “stave” is an old-fashioned term for the stanza of a poem, a verse in a song, or a chapter in a long story).

Why is Malcolm Guite retelling the King Arthur saga, no less in the form of English ballads? He has gone on record as saying… The KA mythical tales echo something real about sin, redemption, and the hope that was broken in us and in the world that can be made whole again… Every generation that asks good questions of King Arthur legends gets good answers… The modern world could use a resurrection of the ideal of chivalry and honor… Ancient myths and stories aren’t just relics of a pre-modern imagination, they are carriers of truth we’ve forgotten how to see with modern eyes… Legends like these don’t distract us from the real world, they reveal it… These stories restore the spiritual elements that have been shorn away, and they renew their deepest meaning. The English ballads were composed in a poetic form that were made to be sung or chanted out loud. They are rhythmic and musical, and one gets the sense that with ballads, “the poem on the page is lying asleep. And the job of the reader is to wake it up and breathe into its being by reciting it out loud, because that physicality of sound and breath and speech is what it’s made for… Above all, enjoy it. Poetry is meant to give pleasure.” It’s clear that composing this first installment of the King Arthur saga was a labor of love for Malcolm Guite, and that, as he put it, “This is the tale that makes my heart rejoice.”

Characters and Elements in this Chapter of Malcom Guite’s Retelling of the King Arthur Saga: 

(1.) Wisdom – In this particular story in the King Arthur legend, Dr. Guite has composed what could easily be called a self-contained wisdom tale. This little chapter in the Arthurian saga could be a stand-alone story about what wisdom and foolishness look like. From the traditional “Two Ways” theme of moral instruction, to Galahad’s fleshing out of wisdom in word and deed, to the priestly hermit’s “words of wisdom,” to the bottom-line truth that should be guiding all of us… God’s strength is most powerful in us through our weakness; when we offer our weakness to God, He takes it as an invitation for Him to strengthen us! So, the weaker we get, the stronger we become! A few working descriptions of biblical wisdom, then, seem to be in order before reading the story… sensible judgment; moral discernment; gifted insight; profound understanding; shrewd and righteous street smarts; spiritual intelligence; prudent decision-making; cleverly practicing the truth in daily life; the opposite of being gullible, naïve, foolish. In Scripture it also refers to being highly skilled in a particular area of expertise.

(2.) Sir Melias – Soon after Galahad picked up the Silver Shield that had been destined to him and only him, the squire of another knight, Melias, eagerly sought out Galahad and asked to be knighted by him, enabling Melias to join Galahad in the Quest and reach the very heights of chivalry. Galahad patiently explained to Mileas the true meaning of chivalry and the knighthood ideal, that kindness and humility is much more important than a royal bloodline, that a true knight reflects love and courtesy, that knighthood involves serving others and not lording their power over others. Galahad soon dubbed Mileas a knight, which involves tapping the flat part of his sword on both of the squire’s shoulders, making the sign of the cross over him, and inviting him to follow along on the Quest. Galahad then instructs Melias as to the Quest, that there is no map with directions as they travel. He claims that they must trust in God to lead them each part of the way as He wills, that they both need to depend on God’s guidance throughout their journey. Sure enough, their first challenge came soon after…

(3.) Two Paths. As they rode together, they came to a crossroad, literally, where an old stone cross marked a place where the straightforward path turned to two directions. Clearly, the travelers had to make a decision as to which direction to take. These words were inscribed on that ancient cross… “Choose now, adventurous knights. Who takes the left must prove his power, to win with might, or quail and cower, but he who trusts not his own power must pass unto the right.”  So it’s clear to Galahad that taking the path to the right acknowledges his dependence on God’s strength and not his own skills and strength. And it appears that the path to the left was for whoever wants to be a self-made man by force of will, an opportunity to prove one’s prowess and courage. In his bravado, Melias was tempted to make his mark as a knight, to feel the thrill of victory by his own efforts. Melias fell victim to the delusion of earning his own glory, choosing the path to the left.

TWO WAYS. The King Arthur legend is picking up on an important biblical method of moral instruction in the wisdom tradition… the presentation of a choice between one Way or the other Way, one Path or the other Path. Scripture is full of the challenge of making a choice to go in one direction or the other direction:

1. Here is Moses saying, “Today I have given to you the choice between life or death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your children might live! You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying Him, and committing yourself firmly to Him. He is the key to your life.” (Deuteronomy 30:19:20)
2. Another example is in Jeremiah 6:16: “This is what the Lord Yahweh says: Stop at the crossroads and look around. Make your choice. And ask for the ancient path, the old, godly way, and then walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls.”
3. “There is a path which seems right to a person, but at its end are the ways of death… A fool is reckless and overconfident.” (Proverbs 14:12, 16).
4. “The Lord God watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked are doomed.” (Psalm 1:6).
5. “When I took a long, careful look at your ways, I got my feet back on the trail you blazed. I was up at once, didn’t drag my feet, was quick to follow your orders.” (Ps. 119:59-60, MSG).
6. Or the traditional wisdom teaching of Solomon: “I have directed you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in upright paths. When you walk, your steps will not be impeded; And if you run, you will not stumble. Take hold of instruction; do not let go. Guard her, for she is your life. Do not enter the path of the wicked and do not proceed in the way of evil men. Avoid it, do not pass by it; Turn away from it and pass on. The path of the righteous is like the light of dawn that shines brighter and brighter until the full day. The way of the wicked is like darkness; they do not know over what they stumble.” (NASB). (Proverbs 4:11-14, 18).

The Way of Life vs. the Way of Death: Melias chose the wrong way because he had visions of self-glory. The way of wisdom means one has chosen the right way for the right reasons and continue to walk uprightly on that path once started. The two paths in this little story in the Arthur legend illustrates the choices we all need to make… the way of forgiveness vs. the way of judgment; the way of truth vs. the way of falsehood; the way of Thy Will be done vs. The way of My will be done; the way of obedience vs. the way of rebellion; the way of preservation vs. the way of self-destruction; the way of good vs. the way of evil; the way to a meaningful life vs. the way to a meaningless life; the way to a life with purpose vs. the way to a pointless life; the way to acquire wisdom vs. the way to remain stuck in foolishness; the way to a life that honors God vs. the way to a life that forgets God even exists; the way to a life of freedom in God vs. the way to a life of slavery to sin. This time-honored way of teaching moral behavior continued into the Christian tradition from its foundation in the Jewish faith. The first church manual ever written, that has been discovered, anyway, is called the “Didache,” or “The Teaching of the Apostles.” It was written by early, early church leaders who were earnest about keeping the fledgling church within the Christian faith. Written around 100 AD, it started right out with something very important to these faithful Christian leaders… “There are two ways: A way of life and a way of death; and the difference between these two ways is great.”

(4.) Galahad – The greatest knight of all advised against the path on the left, but Melias was determined to take that route, so Galahad graciously spoke a wise blessing over him before they parted ways: “God speed your choice, and may my fears prove wrong. Take the adventure as God sends, but lightly hold all that He lends. Let His deep mercy shape your ends and in His strength be strong.” Unfortunately, Melias was stubbornly insistent on taking his own way to prove his own power, and so he completely ignored Galahad’s parting word of wisdom… “and in His strength be strong.”

(5.) Sir Melias – After a couple of days of riding through the strange path through the woods, he comes upon a beautiful tent pavilion made of exquisite silk that contained a banquet table laden with rich foods, with a royal throne next to that table, and a golden crown resting on the throne. Melias wrongly assumed that all these unexpected treasures were a reward for choosing the right path, boasting that “the best things that this world could afford come to the bravest knight.” He claimed that he was entitled to these things, that he had somehow earned them. So he arrogantly placed the glittering crown on his head, sat on the kingly throne as if he owned it, and proceeded to gorge on the feast laid out before him.

(6.) The Elfin Knight – Suddenly, in the midst of making himself at home under a royal tent, a solemn voice rings out, asking who this is that takes what is not his and destroys “this bower of bliss!” Mounted on a green horse before Melias was a huge woodland elf, a living creature from Fairyland, wearing chainmail made of silver leaves linked together and sporting impressive green armor. This mysterious Elfin Knight then challenged Melias to a duel, because Melias had taken what was not his and will now have to face the consequences. The Elf demands that Melias stay where he is, put down the royal crown, and prepare to defend himself for being so impudent. After a quick rescue prayer to God above, Melias charges the Elf and is immediately struck down and severely wounded by the Elfin Knight. As the Elf was beginning his return to the dense woods nearby, he made sure that Melias understood that Melias did not act like a noble knight from King Arthur’s court. Arthur would never have assumed these treasures, since he feared God and was truly chivalrous. As the Elfin Knight began his departure from a stricken Melias, Galahad wanted to assure himself that Melias was progressing down the path, so he came upon Melias on the ground and bleeding badly. Melias pleaded with Galahad that he be brought to a nearby priestly hermit who would hear his confession and heal his broken body. Melias had learned from his foolish ways, telling Galahad, “My folly has brought this all to pass.” The Elfin Knight, though, happened to notice Galahad at that time and challenged Galahad to a duel. The greatest knight of them all, bearing the famous Silver Shield, promptly proved victorious by defeating the Elfin Knight, who accepted his defeat and told Galahad, “There is no quarrel here!” The Elf gave Galahad his blessing, recognizing that Galahad was the destined knight from the line of Joseph of Arimathea on a special quest. Graciously, the Elf then gave directions to the hermitage where they could find the priestly hermit who will heal the wounds of Melias and offer his words of wisdom. Sure enough, Galahad takes him to the priest, whose words were wise indeed, “Take heart, young man, be not afraid. I am ordained to be your aid and heal you by God’s grace. And in the space of seven days and seven, you’ll heal in body and soul. Experience will teach you well, and Love Himself will make you whole and fit your soul for Heaven.”

(7.) Galahad – We see shades of the Good Samaritan here at the story’s conclusion as Galahad, after rescuing the helpless and wounded Melias at the side of the road, remained with Melias and the hermit until he was assured Melias was on the road to recovery. Galahad then rode off at a swift pace, eager to continue his Quest for the Holy Grail.

(8.) A Word to the Wise – Here is a weaving together of the Message, the NIV, and the Amplified Bible versions of 2 Corinthians 12:8-10… “God told me in no uncertain terms, ‘My favor and lovingkindness are enough for you; My merciful love is all you need. In fact, my strength comes into its own in your weakness. My power shows itself most effective when you are weak.’ Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weakness and infirmities, so that the strength of Christ Jesus may pitch a tent over me and dwell upon me. Now I take limitations in stride and with good cheer, delighting in opposition, in bad breaks, in insults, in weaknesses, in perplexities, in distresses, after weak moments, and in all kinds of hardships. I just let Christ take over! For when I am weak in human strength, then am I truly powerful in divine strength. The weaker I get, the stronger I become!”