taly, between Gaul and
Aquitaine, and from thence in a straight line over Gascony, Bearne, and
Navarre, and through Spain to Gallicia, wherein till his time lay
undiscovered the body of St. James; when night after night he was wont
to contemplate it, meditating upon what it might signify, a certain
beautiful resplendent vision appeared to him in his sleep, and, calling
him son, inquired what he was attempting to discover. At which Charles
replied, "Who art thou, Lord?" "I am," answered the vision, "St. James
the Apostle, Christ's disciple, the son of Zebedee, and brother of John
the Evangelist, whom the Lord was pleased to think worthy, in his
ineffable goodness, to elect on the sea of Galilee to preach the gospel
to his people, but whom Herod the King slew. My body now lies concealed
in Gallicia, long so grievously oppressed by the Saracens, from whose
yoke I am astonished that you, who have conquered so many lands and
cities, have not yet delivered it. Wherefore I come to warn you, as God
has given you power above every other earthly prince, to prepare my way,
and rescue my dominions from the Moabites, that so you may receive a
brighter crown of glory for your reward. The starry way in the heavens
signifies that you, with a great army, will enter Gallicia to fight the
Pagans, and, recovering it from them, will visit my church and shrine;
and that all the people from the borders of the sea, treading in your
steps, will ask pardon of God for their sins, and return in safety,
celebrating his praise; that you likewise will acknowledge the wonders
he hath done for you in prolonging your life to its present span.
Proceed then as soon as you are ready; I am your friend and helper; your
name shall become famous to all eternity, and a crown of glory shall be
your reward in heaven."

Thus did the blessed Apostle appear thrice to the Emperor, who,
confiding in his word, assembled a great army, and entered Spain to
fight the infidels.

CHAPTER III.

_Of the Walls of Pampeluna, that fell of themselves._

The first city Charles besieged was Pampeluna; he invested it three
months, but was not able to take it, through the invincible strength of
the walls. He then made this prayer to God: "O Lord Jesus Christ, for
whose faith I am come hither to fight the Pagans; for thy glory's sake
deliver this city into my hands; and O blessed St. James, if thou didst
indeed appear to me, help me to take it." And now God and St. James,