The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-07-07

did not the gods decree my death before
1 brought thee into the world?'
When the princess heard these sorrow
full words she fell at her fathers feet
and with tears, besought his blessing.
Weeping, he gave it, and folded her
last time in his arms. Then, followed
by her afflicted women and q great con-
course OF people, she was led like lamb
to the gate Of the city. Here she parted
from her companions, the drawbridge
was lowered across the deep moat, and
alone she passed forth and went toward
the lake to meet her destroyer.
Now it CHANGED that just then st.
George, in his shining armor, came riding
by, and seeing fair damsel alone and in
tears, he sprang from his horse and hast
ened to offer her his knightly service.
But she only waved him back and cried,
"Good sir, remount your steed and fly in
haste that you perish not with mel But
to this the saint responded, Tell me first
why thou art here with such sad mien,
and why this crowd of people on the city
walls gaze after us so fearfully." And the
princess answered him, Chou hast, see,
a great and noble heart; but make the
more haste to be gone, therefore. 1t lie
not meet that one 80 good should die I'M
worthily."
Il will not CO." returned the knight.
until thou tell me what I seek to know"
So she told him, weeping, all the woeful
tale; and st. George made answer with
brave heart, in voice that all the towns
folks on the walls could hear, Gear not,
fair maid; in the name OF Christ will do
battle for thee against this dragon.
Then the princess loved him and wrung
her hands and cried, "Brave knight, seek
not to die with me; enough that should
perish. There lis no man living that can
stand against this dragon. Thou canst
neither aid nor deliver me. Thou canst
but share my DOOM"
| AS she spoke the words, the waters of
the lake divided, and the monster rose
from its depths and espied its prey. At
that the virgin trembled and cried again,
oily fyl o knight stay not to see me
perish~
For all answer st. George flung him
self upon his steed, made the holy sign
OF the CROSS, and, commencing himself to
Christ, lowered his lance and rushed full
on the open jaws OF the hideous beast.
With such force he directed his aim that
the dragon was instantly overthrowD,
and lay, disabled and powerless, at the
feet of the saint. Then with the words
of a holy spell, st. George cast great
fear upon the monster, SO that it was
shorn of all its fury, and burst not lift
blessed knight beckoned the princess to
approach, and babe her loose her girdle
and without fear bind it about the drag
on's neck. And when this was done; be-
hold, the beast followed the maid, SPELL
bound, and thus they entered the city.
But the people, when they saw the
dragon approaching, fled tumultuously
on every side, crying out that they would
all surely perish. st. George, therefore,
struck off the monsters head with his
sword, and babe them take heart and
fear nothing, because the Lord had given
/ him grace over all evil things to deliver
the earth from plaques.
| So when the people saw that the drag
on was slain, they thronged about st.
George, and kissed his hands and his
robe; and the king embraced him joyful
| ly, praising his vslor and prowess above
| the fame of all mortal men. And when the
saint had preached to them the faith of
| Christ, the whole city was straightway
baptised; and the king thereafter built a
noble church to the honor Of our Lady
and of the brave st. George. And from the
foot of the altar flowed forth marvel
lous stream, whose waters healed all
manner of sickness; 80 that for many a
long year no man died in that city.
Such is the legeni of the patron saint
of England-a legend reproduced in
Sponsors poem of the "Fsery Queen"
wherein St. George appears as the Red
Gross Knight, and the princess as Una,
the mystical maid, who, after the over
throw of the dragon, becomes the bride
of her champion London Womdn's
World.