Now the Moon was much surprised when she heard of the remedy for Endymion’s long sleep, but finally she consented to kiss him, and—wonder upon wonders!—the sleeper of twenty years awoke. And so delighted was Endymion for the awakening that he immediately lost all traces of his twenty years’ sleep and stood before them a young man again. And so delighted was the Moon with this young man who had undergone so much because of his love for her that she said he might continue to worship her forever and ever.
And the writer of this story meant to represent by the Moon the Queen of England, Queen Elizabeth, whom all Englishmen loved and honored and some day when you study English history you will see what brave deeds these Englishmen performed for their Queen, the shining Moon, so bright, and beautiful, but so beyond their reach.
“GIVE ME LEAVE TO ENJOY MYSELF; THAT PLACE THAT DOES CONTAIN MY BOOKS, THE BEST COMPANIONS, IS TO ME A GLORIOUS COURT, WHERE HOURLY I CONVERSE WITH THE OLD SAGES AND PHILOSOPHERS; AND, SOMETIMES, FOR VARIETY, I CONFER WITH KINGS AND EMPERORS, AND WEIGH THEIR COUNSELS; CALLING THEIR VICTORIES, IF UNJUSTLY GOT, INTO A STRICT ACCOUNT, AND, IN MY FANCY, DEFACE THEIR ILL-PLACED STATUES.”—Beaumont and Fletcher.
The Story of Saint Christopher
As told by R. T. Wyche
The meaning and value of the story of Saint Christopher
St. Christopher, Memling
Royal Museum, Dresden
Reproduced by permission Braun et Cie.
The story of Saint Christopher is a story of the misunderstood boy. Many a child is misunderstood by parent and teacher, and, like St. Francis of Assisi, is driven from home and yet makes a great success in life.