The Legend of Julian
Various saints have been depicted with stags; notably,
Eustace, who is shown confronting a stag which bears a
crucifix between its antlers. When the stag bears no crucifix,
the saint is Julian the Hospitaller, patron of innkeepers,
boatmen, and travellers.

I
The hunter, in blackness, burning like a brand,
pierces the forest brain, and bursts at last
into a clear space of sunlight. From his hand
drops the slack rein. The hounds begin to cast
about for the scent of fear, while, in plain sight,
a few feet off, the hart of ten stands fast.
The air vibrates with summer, but the night
of woven branches silences the birds
even within this circle of green light.
...