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 | The Poetical Works of Aubrey De Vere |  |
From a throng
Of courtly ladies in the glory clad
Of silver cloudland when a moon sea-born
To pearl that silver turns, Ximena moved
Calmly, not quickly without summoning sign,
A sister at each hand in weeds night-black
And stood before the King. No gems she wore
And dark yet star-like shone her large, strong eyes,
A queenly presence. All Castile that day
Held naught beside so noble. Reverently
The young man glanced upon her; glanced again:
At last he gazed: then, smiling, thus he spake:
‘Forfend it, Heaven, Sir King, that vassal knight
Should break his monarch's pledge!’ Ferrando next,
‘Maid, thou hast heard him: he demands thy hand.’
To whom, unchanged, Ximena made reply:
‘King! better far the whole truth than the half!
That youth should know it. I demanded his:
I deemed his hand my right. My rights have ceased;
Now wife, not maid, my rights are two alone,
Henceforth to love my Husband and obey.’
Of courtly ladies in the glory clad
Of silver cloudland when a moon sea-born
To pearl that silver turns, Ximena moved
Calmly, not quickly without summoning sign,
A sister at each hand in weeds night-black
And stood before the King. No gems she wore
And dark yet star-like shone her large, strong eyes,
A queenly presence. All Castile that day
Held naught beside so noble. Reverently
The young man glanced upon her; glanced again:
At last he gazed: then, smiling, thus he spake:
‘Forfend it, Heaven, Sir King, that vassal knight
Should break his monarch's pledge!’ Ferrando next,
‘Maid, thou hast heard him: he demands thy hand.’
To whom, unchanged, Ximena made reply:
‘King! better far the whole truth than the half!
That youth should know it. I demanded his:
I deemed his hand my right. My rights have ceased;
Now wife, not maid, my rights are two alone,
Henceforth to love my Husband and obey.’
She knelt, and, lifting, kissed her Husband's hand.
And next the King's; then rose and silent stood.
And next the King's; then rose and silent stood.
Ferrando spake: ‘The day's a youngling yet,
And I must see its golden promise crowned:
Your bridesmaids and your bridal robes await you:
Kings lack not foresight: all things are prepared.’
Ximena sighed: ‘So soon! Then be it so!’
An hour and she returned in bridal white
With countenance unshaken as before,
Yet brightened by a glad expectancy.
And I must see its golden promise crowned:
251
Kings lack not foresight: all things are prepared.’
Ximena sighed: ‘So soon! Then be it so!’
An hour and she returned in bridal white
With countenance unshaken as before,
Yet brightened by a glad expectancy.
The King gave sign: that company august
In long procession to the chapel passed;
Therein 'mid anthems sung, and incense cloud,
The nuptial Mass was solemnized. Ferrando,
Lowering his sceptre, gave the Bride away;
Her little sisters smiled and wept by turns;
The Cid adown her finger slipped the ring;
The Bishop blessed them, showering upon both
The Holy Water. From their knees they rose
Husband and Wife thenceforth. Leaving that church
Largess they showered on all.
In long procession to the chapel passed;
Therein 'mid anthems sung, and incense cloud,
The nuptial Mass was solemnized. Ferrando,
Lowering his sceptre, gave the Bride away;
Her little sisters smiled and wept by turns;
The Cid adown her finger slipped the ring;
The Bishop blessed them, showering upon both
The Holy Water. From their knees they rose
Husband and Wife thenceforth. Leaving that church
Largess they showered on all.
| The Poetical Works of Aubrey De Vere | |