SAINT PATRICK AND THE KNIGHT;
OR, THE INAUGURATION OF IRISH CHIVALRY.
I
‘Thou shalt not be a Priest,’ he said;
‘Christ hath for thee a lowlier task:
Be thou His soldier! Wear with dread
His Cross upon thy shield and casque!
Put on God's armour, faithful knight!
Mercy with justice, love with law;
Nor e'er except for truth and right
This sword, cross-hilted, dare to draw.’
II
He spake, and with his crosier pointed
Graved on the broad shield's brazen boss
(That hour baptised, confirmed, anointed
Stood Erin's chivalry) the Cross;
And there was heard a whisper low—
Saint Michael, was that whisper thine?
‘Thou Sword, keep pure thy virgin vow,
And trenchant shalt thou be as mine.’
