[Western] The Ordination of Knighthood [Part Three]

[Charlie Cain / Larkin O'Kane]

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THE ORDINATION OF KNIGHTHOOD (Cont'd)


WITH scarlet gown he clad him then
And marvelled Saladin again
Wherefore the Prince bedight him so.
"Hugh," said he, "now I fain would know
What this same gown betokeneth."
Then Hugh of Tabarie answereth:
"This gown in gift is given withal
That ye may know the sum of all
And fail not more your blood to give
In serving God the while ye live,
And Holy Church to fortify
That by no man it fare awry.
For all these deeds to Knights are meet
If they to God would make them sweet.
The scarlet gown betokeneth this."
"Hugh," said he, "much my marvel is."

SHOES on his feet he then did do
Of loose-wrought say all brown of hue,
And spake he: "Sir, withouten fail
For thy remembrance doth avail
This foot-gear that is shapen black,
That ne'er shalt thou the memory lack
Of death, and earth to lie in low,
Whence cam'st thou, whither thou dost go.
So ward ye then your eye, withal,
Lest into pride at last ye fall,
For never o'er a Knight should pride
Bear away or in his heart abide;
Of simpleness should he have heed."
"All this is good to hear indeed,"
Spake then the King, "nor grieveth me."

THEN upright on his feet stands he
And girds him with a belt withal
That white is and of fashion small.
"Lo Sire, this little belt doth mean
That thou thy flesh shalt hold all clean,
Thy reins and all the body of thee
And hold it ever steadfastly;
Yea, even as in virginhood
Thy body to hold clean and good,
And lechery to blame and ban.
For ever loveth knightly man
To hold his body free from stain
Lest he be shamed and honour wane.
For unclean things God hateth sore."
The King said: "Goodly is thy lore."
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