The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1882-02-11
A Good Knight.


among the armies opposed to him good knight
named Rogere.
Do YOU know what is meant by "a good
knight" He was brave, manly gentleman,
who was dressed in shining armor, and rode on a
beautiful horse, up and down through the coun-
try, helping everybody who was in distress, and
always bound to protect any poor woman who
was in danger.
No good knight was ever afraid of any foe, and
every good knight would have scorned to tell a
lie When they helped others, these noble
knights had such fine and gracious manners that
everybody loved as well as admired them.
The best knights generally belonged to the
Christian army but there were some noble ones
among the Pagans; and Rogero was the noblest
Pagan of all.
He had been brought up by strange old man,
who was magician, and this old man loved him
very dearly, and was so afraid he might fall into
the hands Of the Christians, that he often kept
him for months together, in a strong castle,
perched on the top of mountain, whose sides
were smooth, shining rocks, which nobody could
climb
In spite of that, Rogero sometimes succeeded
in getting away for awhile, and going in search
of adventures.
One day, as he rode through the wood, he saw
a strange knight approaching, clad in glistening
white armor. and mounted on a coal black steed.
Now, it was the custom, when stranger knights
met, that they should joust with each other to
see which was stronger. He would have been a
base and craven knight who should have feared
to do this
But Rogero was no craven, nor was the stranger,
so they rushed toward each other at once, eager
for the combat.
Rogero usually conquered his enemies very
easily, but this time he was obliged to do his
very best, and for long while it was uncertain
which would win the victory.
At last, however, Rogeros lance struck the
helmet of the stranger such a blow that it fell
off, and with it cloud of beautiful golden hair
came ripping down over the armor OF the white
knight.
Rogero paused in bewilderment. The knight
before him was certainly a lady, and the most
beautiful lady he had ever seen.
Her face was covered with bushes at being
discovered, but Regero Immediately took of his
own helmet, and when she saw his noble. gener-
ous face she felt that it was no disgrace to be
CONQUERED by such knight, and, in fact the two
fell in love with each other Immediately.
The lady's name was Bradamant, and she was
a Christian, nearly related to Charlemagne. She
had taken arms to prevent the Pagans from
gaining a foothold in France, as they had in
Spain.
OF course she was very much troubled to find
Rogero was Pagan, and she talked to him sc
beautifully, and explained to him so well how
much better it was to be Christian that he was
soon quite convinced, and declared his intention
to be baptized.
But you know merely being baptized would
never make anybody Christian, though Charlie
magne used to think it would, when he told his
captives that they might choose among three
things-to be burnt, or hung, or baptized
Now. Rogero was really in earnest and hi
would have been glad to 90 and fight on the side
of the Christians, but he thought it would be
very mean and I'M Christian thing to desert hi
own king at a time when the Pagans were il
great peril and Distress especially as he knew h,
was one of their best knights, and that his de
sertion might turn the day against them.
So he was very much troubled, but he decided
to help his own king till he was fairly out o
danger, and then to tell him frankly that he wa
Christian, and if the Pagans chose to kee]
him prisoner, very well; if not, he would joil
the Christians.
Bradanant thought this was pretty hard. Still
she was glad to have her hero do what he though
his duty, although it would separate him fror
her, and they might even have to fight agains
each other.
They parted sorrowfully, yet full of high cou1
age, because each was going to do what SCENE
right.
Rogero went thoughtfully through tn
wood for many days, relieving the suffering an
oonquering every knight who opposed him, til
one day, he came upon whole group of knight
who were quarreling.
He rode in among them, and, having found GU
their difficulty, he began to lay about him wit
his sword to reduce them to good order.
He dealt some excellent strokes, and yet, l
spite of that, he was surprised to see them a
suddenly yield and fall down like dead men.
For moment he was proud of his success, bu
then, glancing down, he saw how he had game
it, and was covered with shame.