At last Una and the Knight came to Una’s kingdom, where her parents were
held captive, and all the land lay wasted by the terrible dragon. As
they drew near their journey’s end, Una began to cheer her companion
with brave words.
“Dear Knight,” she said, “who for my sake have suffered all these
sorrows, may Heaven reward you for your weary toil! Now we have come to
my own country, and the place where all our perils dwell. This is the
haunt of the horrible monster, therefore be well on your guard and ready
for the foe. Call up all your courage, and do better than you have ever
done before, so that hereafter you shall be renowned above all knights
on earth.”
At this moment they heard a hideous roaring sound, which filled the air,
and almost shook the solid ground. Soon they saw the dreadful dragon
where he lay stretched on the sunny side of a great hill. Directly he
caught sight of the glittering armour of the Knight, he quickly roused
himself, and hastened towards them.
The Red Cross Knight bade Una go to a hill at some distance, from where
she might behold the battle and be safe from danger. She had scarcely
done so when the huge beast drew near, half flying, and half running in
his haste.
He was a dreadful creature to look at, very big, covered with brazen
scales like a coat of steel, which he clashed loudly as he came. He had
two immense wings with which he could fly, and at the point of his
great, knotted tail were two stings, sharper than the sharpest steel.
Worse even than these, however, were his cruel claws, which tore to
pieces everything that came within their clutches. He had three rows of
iron teeth, and his eyes, blazing with wrath, sparkled like living fire.
Such was the terrible monster with whom the Red Cross Knight had now to
do battle.
All day they fought; and when evening came, the Knight was quite worn
out and almost defeated. As it chanced, however, close by was a spring,
the waters of which possessed a wonderful gift of healing. The Knight
was driven backwards and fell into this well. The dragon clapped his
wings in triumph, for he thought he had gained the victory. But so great
was the power of the water in this well that although the Knight’s own
strength was utterly exhausted, yet he rose out of it refreshed and
vigorous. The dawn of the next day found him stronger than ever, and
ready for battle.
The name of the spring was called the Well of Life.
All through the second day the battle lasted, and again, when evening
came, the Knight was almost defeated. But this night he rested under a
beautiful tree laden with goodly fruit; the name of the tree was the
Tree of Life. From it flowed, as from a well, a trickling stream of
balm, a perfect cure for all ills, and whoever ate of its fruit attained
to everlasting life.
The strength of the Red Cross Knight alone would never have been
sufficient to overcome the terrible Dragon of Sin, but the water of the
Well of Life, and the balm from the Tree of Life, gave him a power that
nothing could resist.
On the morning of the third day he slew the dragon.
“Ease after War”
The sun had scarcely risen on the third day, when the watchman on the
walls of the brazen tower saw the death of the dragon. He hastily called
to the captive King and Queen, who, coming forth, ordered the tidings of
peace and joy to be proclaimed through the whole land.
[Illustration:
“=And to the Knight his daughter deare he tyde
With sacred rites and vowes for ever to abyde.
* * * * *
His owne two hands the holy knotts did knitt,
That none but death for ever can divide.=”
]
Then all the trumpets sounded for victory, and the people came flocking
as to a great feast, rejoicing at the fall of the cruel enemy, from
whose bondage they were now free.
Forth from the castle came the King and Queen, attended by a noble
company. In front marched a goodly band of brave young men, all able to
wield arms, but who now bore laurel branches in sign of victory and
peace. These they threw at the feet of the Red Cross Knight, and hailed
him conqueror.
Then came beautiful maidens with garlands of flowers and timbrels;
troops of merry children ran in front, dancing and singing to the sound
of sweet music. When they reached the spot where Una stood, they bowed
before her, and crowned her with a garland, so that she looked—as indeed
she was—a queen.
The King gave goodly gifts of gold and ivory to his brave champion, and
thanked him a thousand times for all that he had done. Then the Red
Cross Knight and Una were brought in triumph to the palace; the trumpets
and the clarions sounded, and all the people sang for joy, and strewed
their garments in the way. At the palace everything was splendid and
beautiful, as befitted a prince’s court, and here a great feast was
held.
The King and Queen made their guest tell them all the strange adventures
and perils that had befallen him. They listened with much interest and
pity to his story. Then said the King:—
“Dear son, great are the evils which you have borne, so that I know not
whether most to praise or to pity you. Never has living man passed
through a sea of more deadly dangers. But since you have arrived safely
at the shore, now let us think of ease and everlasting rest.”
“Ah! dearest sovereign,” replied the brave Knight, “I may not yet think
of ease or rest. For by the vow which I made when I first took up arms,
I plighted myself to return to Queen Gloriana, and to serve her in
warlike ways for six years.”
The King, when he heard this, was very sorry, but he knew that the vow
must be kept.
“As soon as the six years are over,” said he, “you shall return here and
marry my daughter, the Lady Una. I proclaimed through the world that
whoever killed the dragon should have my only daughter to be his wife,
and should be made heir of my kingdom. Since you have won the reward by
noble chivalry, lo! here I yield to you my daughter and my kingdom.”
Then Una stepped forward, radiant as the morning star and fair as the
flowers in May. She wore a garment of lily-white, that looked as if it
were woven of silk and silver. The blazing brightness of her beauty and
the glorious light of her sunshiny face can scarcely be told. Even her
dear Knight, who had been with her every day, wondered at the sight.
So the Red Cross Knight and Una were betrothed. Every one, young and
old, rejoiced, and a solemn feast was held through all the land. Now,
indeed, the Knight thought himself happy. Whenever his eye beheld Una,
his heart melted with joy; no wickedness nor envy could ever again harm
their love.
Yet even in the midst of his happiness he remembered the vow he had made
to return to Queen Gloriana. His work was not yet done, and at last the
day came when he had to leave Una, and set forth again on his travels.
We know, however, that whatever new perils lay before him, he would be
able to overcome them all by the help of his heavenly armour, and that
in the end he would be restored to Una, to dwell happily with her for
ever.
[Illustration: Knight in armor standing next to a seated monk.]
“The Good Sir Guyon”