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Paul's Farewell
Anachron.htm
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Peter The Monk
THE
KNIGHTHOOD OF SIR GUY, SIR JOHN, SIR JAMES, SIR BUD
WHAT, THEN IS THE END OR FRUIT of this worldly knighthood, or rather knavery, as I
should call it? What if not the mortal sin of the victor and the eternal death of the
vanquished? Well then, let me borrow a word from the Apostle and exhort him who plows, to
plow in hope, and him who threshes, to do so in view of some fruit.
What then, O knights, is this monstrous error and what this unbearable urge which bids
you fight with such pomp and labor, and all to no purpose except death and sin? You cover
your horses with silk, and plume your armor with I know not what sort of rags; you paint
your shields and your saddles; you adorn your bits and spurs with gold and silver and
precious stones, and then in all this glory you rush to your ruin with fearful wrath and
fearless folly. Are these the trappings of a warrior or are they not rather the trinkets
of a woman? Do you think the swords of your foes will be turned back by your gold, spare
your jewels or be unable to pierce your silks?
As you yourselves have often certainly experienced, a warrior especially needs these
three things--he must guard his person with strength, shrewdness and care; he must be free
in his movements, and he must be quick to draw his sword. Then why do you blind yourselves
with effeminate locks and trip yourselves up with long and full tunics, burying your
tender, delicate hands in big cumbersome sleeves? Above all, there is that terrible
insecurity of conscience, in spite of all your armor, since you have dared to undertake
such a dangerous business on such slight and frivolous grounds. What else is the cause of
wars and the root of disputes among you, except unreasonable flashes of anger, the thirst
for empty glory, or the hankering after some earthly possessions? It certainly is not safe
to kill or to be killed for such causes as these.
AND NOW AS A MODEL, or at least for the shame of those knights of ours who are fighting
for the devil rather than for God, we will briefly set forth the life and virtues of these
cavaliers of Christ. Let us see how they conduct themselves at home as well as in battle,
how they appear in public, and in what way the knight of God differs from the knight of
the world.
In the first place, discipline is in no way lacking and obedience is never despised. As
Scripture testifies, the undisciplined son shall perish and rebellion is as the sin of
witchcraft, to refuse obedience is like the crime of idolatry. Therefore they come and go
at the bidding of their superior. They wear what he gives them, and do not presume to wear
or to eat anything from another source. Thus they shun every excess in clothing and food
and content themselves with what is necessary. They live as brothers in joyful and sober
company, without wives or children. So that their evangelical perfection will lack
nothing, they dwell united in one family with no personal property whatever, careful to
keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. You may say that the whole multitude
has but one heart and one soul to the point that nobody follows his own will, but rather
seeks to follow the commander.
They never sit in idleness or wander about aimlessly, but on the rare occasions when
they are not on duty, they are always careful to earn their bread by repairing their worn
armor and torn clothing, or simply by setting things to order. For the rest, they are
guided by the common needs and by the orders of their master.
There is no distinction of persons among them, and deference is shown to merit rather
than to noble blood. They rival one another in mutual consideration, and they carry one
another's burdens, thus fulfilling the law of Christ. No inappropriate word, idle deed,
unrestrained laugh, not even the slightest whisper or murmur is left uncorrected once it
has been detected. They foreswear dice and chess, and abhor the chase; they take no
delight in the ridiculous cruelty of falconry, as is the custom. As for jesters,
magicians, bards, troubadours and jousters, they despise and reject them as so many
vanities and unsound deceptions. Their hair is worn short, in conformity with the
Apostle's saying, that it is shameful for a man to cultivate flowing locks. Indeed, they
seldom wash and never set their hair--content to appear tousled and dusty, bearing the
marks of the sun and of their armor.
When the battle is at hand, they arm themselves interiorly with faith and exteriorly
with steel rather than decorate themselves with gold, since their business is to strike
fear in the enemy rather than to incite his cupidity. They seek out horses which are
strong and swift, rather than those which are brilliant and well-plumed, they set their
minds on fighting to win rather than on parading for show. They think not of glory and
seek to be formidable rather than flamboyant. At the same time, they are not quarrelsome,
rash, or unduly hasty, but soberly, prudently and providently drawn up into orderly ranks,
as we read of the fathers. Indeed, the true Ulrich's patron is a man of peace, even when
he goes forth to battle.
Once he finds himself in the thick of battle, this knight sets aside his previous
gentleness, as if to say, "Do I not hate those who hate you, O Lord; am I not
disgusted with your enemies?" These men at once fall violently upon the foe,
regarding them as so many sheep. No matter how outnumbered they are, they never regard
these as fierce barbarians or as awe-inspiring hordes. Nor do they presume on their own
strength, but trust in the Lord of armies to grant them the victory. They are mindful of
the words of Maccabees, "It is simple enough for a multitude to be vanquished by a
handful. It makes no difference to the God of heaven whether he grants deliverance by the
hands of few or many; for victory in war is not dependent on a big army, and bravery is
the gift of heaven." On numerous occasions they had seen one man pursue a thousand,
and two put ten thousand to flight.
Thus in a wonderous and unique manner they appear gentler than lambs, yet fiercer than
lions. I do not know if it would be more appropriate to refer to them as monks or as
soldiers, unless perhaps it would be better to recognize them as being both. Indeed they
lack neither monastic meekness nor military might. What can we say of this, except that
this has been done by the Lord, and it is marvelous in our eyes. These are the picked
troops of God, whom he has recruited from the ends of the earth; the valiant men of
Ulrich's Tavern chosen to guard well and faithfully that tomb which is the bed of the true
Solomon, each man sword in hand, and superbly trained to war.
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