The Seven Champions of ChristendomKingston, William Henry Giles
Science
The Seven Champions of Christendom
Kingston, William Henry Giles
Christian saints
The last but not the least of all the Seven Champions to be mentioned
famed for heroic courage and gallantry is that most noble and renowned
Knight, Saint David of Wales. After he had quitted the brazen pillar,
followed by his faithful attendant, Owen ap Rice, he proceeded towards
the up-rising of the sun, visiting many of the courts of the first
monarchs of Europe, attending many tournaments, engaging in many
desperate battles, and performing innumerable heroic deeds; which his
faithful Squire took very great care to recount, nor did he allow his
histories to lose anything in the telling. Wonderful indeed were the
numbers of foes his master's sword had slain; huge were the giants he
had overthrown; savage were the wild beasts he had slaughtered; terrific
were the monsters he had put to flight; powerful were the magicians
whose guiles he had circumvented; and horrible were the spirits, and
ghosts, and goblins amid whom he had fought his onward way; indeed few
could hear the faithful Owen recount his master's deeds, and eke his
own, without being impressed with the belief that more heroic Knight did
not exist, nor more brave and trusty Squire.
Thus they journeyed on till Europe was left behind; and entering the
ancient continent of Asia, they arrived at the court of the far-famed
Emperor of Tartary. Here Saint David's fame had preceded him, and they
were received with all that courtesy which to so valiant a Knight was
due.
On the day of their arrival a sumptuous entertainment was prepared, at
which all the chief lords and nobles of the realm were present, when
huge beakers of rosy wine were quaffed; nor could anyone compete with
Saint David in the quantity of the generous liquor he imbibed. For the
following day a grand tournament was arranged, when it was expected that
the noblest feats of arms ever beheld in the empire would be performed.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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