The Seven Champions of ChristendomKingston, William Henry Giles
Science
The Seven Champions of Christendom
Kingston, William Henry Giles
Christian saints
His horse, an iron grey, was graced with a plume of gold-bespangled
feathers. Before him rode the faithful Le Crapeau, bearing his banner,
on which was designed the golden _fleur-de-lys_. Numberless were the
foreign knights with whom he tilted, every one of whom he overthrew.
Next day, Saint James of Spain, habited in silver armour, rode forth as
the Champion; his Squire, the faithful Pedrillo, bearing aloft four
banners, on each of which were inscribed his names and titles, and those
of his ancestors, so that not a spot of silk remained uncovered. Well
he behaved himself, to the admiration of all beholders.
Clad in blue steel, and called the Azure Knight, on the third day, Saint
Anthony of Italy rode forth as the chief Champion, attended by the
faithful Niccolo, bearing his standard, an eagle on a field of blue.
Above his tent was a smaller pavilion in the shape of a watch-tower, in
which was seated, as spectatress of the fights, the Georgian Princess,
the strong-minded Rosalinde, who had, by praiseworthy perseverance, and
allowing no trifles to stand in her way, completely won the heart of
Saint Anthony, and had become his bride. Well, also, did he, the
Italian Champion, acquit himself, and many valiant knights were by his
spear unhorsed.
On the fourth day, Saint Andrew of Scotland was the chief Challenger for
the tournament. His tent was framed in the manner of a ship swimming on
the waves of the sea, environed about with dolphins, tritons, and many
strangely-contrived mermaids; on the top stood a figure of Neptune, the
god of the sea, bearing in his hand a streamer, whereon, in one corner,
was wrought a cross in crimson silk. He was called the Red Knight, for
a blood-red cloth completely covered his charger. His worthy
achievements obtained such favour in the Emperor's eyes, that he threw
him his silver gauntlet, which was prized at a thousand portagues, and
the which Murdoch McAlpine, lifting it from the ground, bore with no
little satisfaction to his master's tent; where the Champion also
retired, and after his noble encounters enjoyed a sweet repose.
The fifth day, Saint Patrick of Ireland, as chief Champion, entered the
lists, mounted on an Irish hobby, covered with a green veil. He was
attended by the faithful Terence O'Grady, in sylvan habit, bearing on
his shoulder a blooming tree, his motto, _virtus semper viret_. His
tent resembled a summer bower, formed chiefly of the shamrock, and
beautified with wreaths of roses. He was named the Green Knight; but he
was green only in name, for no Knight proved himself more accomplished,
or performed nobler deeds.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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