Home › Ring Superstitions › Ring Superstitions: Saint

Ring Superstitions: Saint

French. to which the date of 1245 is ascribed, and written in Norman- The legend of the Confessor's ring is thus introduced :- The King was at the service Where was dedicated the church Of Saint John, who to God was dear, And whom the King could so much love :

No saint had he so dear except Saint Peter.

Lo, a poor man who was there, A stranger and unknown, When he saw King Edward, For the love of Saint John prays him That of his possession he would give him a part.

The King who hears his prayer, Puts his hand to his alms-chest, But neither gold nor silver does he there find.

He bids his almoner to be summoned, But he was not found for the crowd.

The poor man ceases not to beg And the King is in distress Because neither gold nor silver he finds at hand.

And he reflects, remains silent, Looks at his hand and remembers That on his finger he had a cherished ring Which was large, royal, and beautiful; To the poor man he gives it for the love Of Saint John, his dear lord ; And he takes it with joy, And gently gives him thanks; And when he was possessed of it, He departed and vanished.

But to this no one paid attention.