Saint George

II

Saint George’s banner, broad and gay,
Now faded, as the fading ray
Less bright, and less, was flung;
The evening gale had scarce the power
To wave it on the donjon tower,
So heavily it hung.
The scouts had parted on their search,
The castle gates were barred;
Above the gloomy portal arch,
Timing his footsteps to a march,
The warder kept his guard,
Low humming, as he paced along,
Some ancient Border gathering song.

The text above is from Walter Scott’s poem “Marmion”.  April 23^rd is Saint George’s Day.  George was a Roman soldier, and a Christian.  He was beheaded for opposing Emperor Diacletian's efforts to slay Christians.  George is now the patron saint of England and Catalonia.

Saint Cyprian the Magician

‘…"Poor brother Cyprian, at your Highness's command," said the father.

"Ay, ay, brother Cyprian," continued the Prince, "yes. Brother Cyprian shall let you out at some secret passage which he knows of, and I will see him again to pay a Prince's thanks for it."…’

It is not Saint Cyprian in Walter Scott’s “The Fair Maid of Perth”, but a namesake, at least.  And who would know about secret passages but a magician.  The former pagan magician converted to Catholicism, ultimately becoming a bishop.  Cyprian, and Saint Justina, with whom Cyprian had attempted to become intimate prior to his conversion, were both beheaded on September 26, 304 during a persecution imposed by Roman Emperor Diocletian.