 | The Poetical Works of Aubrey De Vere |  |
249
With kinsfold companied and many a knight;
The King received him in his palace chapel,
Vespers concluded but the aisles still thronged;
Embraced him; then stepped back, and, gazing on him,
Exclaimed, ‘Not knighted yet! My fault, my sin!
I must redeem the offence! Good kinsman, kneel!’
High up the bells renewed their silver clamour;
Ferrando knighted him: Ferrando's Queen
Led to the gate his charger: the Infanta
Girt him with spurs. Then gave the King command
Like bishop missioning priest but late ordained,
‘That gift now thine communicate to others!’
Straight to the chapel's altar moved the Cid
And lifted thence the sword of state. Before him
Three youthful nobles knelt. He with that sword
Their knighthood laid upon them.
| The Poetical Works of Aubrey De Vere | |