The rite, however, took place in the church, and it is possible that William followed the French custom of advancing to the altar with his sword hanging by a scarf about his neck; and that the priest took it off, laid it upon the altar, and blessed 5 it. William advanced to the king and knelt before him with hands clasped, and said, "I am come to you, King Henry of France, to ask that I may be armed as a knight, and that all forms may be fulfilled that are necessary to my having the right to 10 serve and command in all ranks."

The king asked: "To what purpose do you wish to become a knight? Is it because you seek to be rich, to take your ease, to be held in honor among men without doing that which shall make you de- 15 serving of honor?"

Then William answered: "I do not seek to become a knight for any honor save that of punishing those who do evil, of protecting the innocent and avenging their wrongs, and of maintaining 20 true religion. If I am admitted to the noble rank of knighthood, I will endeavor to perform its duties faithfully and well."

Then all the knights in their shining armor gathered about the young duke. Then, too, came 25 the ladies of the court in their most brilliant attire,

and together they put the young man's armor upon him, piece by piece; first the golden spurs, then the coat of mail, the cuirass, and last of all the sword. Then the ladies and the knights drew 5 back, and William, glittering in his flashing steel, advanced to the king and again knelt before him. The king unsheathed his own sword, a sword that had been reddened by the blood of many battles, and gave the duke the accolade, that is, three 10 light blows on the shoulder or the nape of the neck, saying: "In the name of God, St. Michael, and St. George, I dub thee knight. Be valiant, bold, and loyal."

Again the brilliant company gathered around 15 him. The knights flashed their swords over their

heads and embraced him and welcomed him among them. A helmet was brought for him and a horse was led up to the church door. The newly made knight sprang upon its back, disdaining to make 20 use of the stirrups, and galloped back and forth, poising his lance and brandishing his sword. One of the old chroniclers says, "It was a sight both pleasant and terrible to see him guiding his horse's career, flashing with his sword, gleaming with 25 his shield, and threatening with his casque and javelins."

After all this came a most elaborate feast, when every one drank to his health and every one rejoiced in his new honors. Generous gifts were made to the minstrels and to all that had helped to entertain the guests; and finally large sums of 5 money were distributed among the servants, that every one, even the humblest, might be glad in the young knight's gladness.

Adapted

recreations: sports. - maturity: full development. vassals: those who hold lands from an overlord. - feudal: relating to the feudal system, under which the king owned all the land and let it out to his lords on condition that they render him military service and certain dues. Normandy: a province in the northern part of France. liege lord: a lord on whom one was dependent. suzerain higher lord. - golden spurs: spurs given a young man when he became a knight. — rites: ceremonies. - absolution: forgiveness. cuirass: a breastplate to protect the body in battle. accolade: the embrace and slight blow on the shoulder used in conferring knighthood. St. Michael: one of the patron saints of

the church.
a piece of armor for the head.

St. George: the patron saint of England.

10

15

THE MOCKING-BIRD

JOSEPH RODMAN DRAKE

JOSEPH RODMAn Drake (1795-1820), an American poet, was a native of New York. His brief life gave promise of high poetic attainment. He was a warm friend of Fitz-Greene Halleck, and the two friends worked in literary partnership for a time. When 5 Drake died Halleck wrote the well-known elegy, beginning:

20

Green be the turf above thee,
Friend of my better days!

None knew thee but to love thee,
Nor named thee but to praise.

Early on a pleasant day,
In the poet's month of May,
Field and forest looked so fair,
So refreshing was the air,

That, in spite of morning dew,
Forth I walked where tangling grew

Many a thorn and breezy bush;
When the redbreast and the thrush

Gayly raised their early lay,
Thankful for returning day.

Every thicket, bush, and tree
Swelled the grateful harmony:
As it mildly swept along,

Echo seemed to catch the song;

But the plain was wide and clear,
Echo never whispered near.
From a neighboring mocking-bird
Came the answering notes I heard.

Soft and low the song began:
I scarcely caught it as it ran
Through the melancholy trill
Of the plaintive whip-poor-will, —
Through the ringdove's gentle wail,
Chattering jay and whistling quail,
Sparrow's twitter, catbird's cry,
Redbird's whistle, robin's sigh;
Blackbird, bluebird, swallow, lark,
Each his native note might mark.

Oft he tried the lesson o'er,
Each time louder than before;
Burst at length the finished song,
Loud and clear it poured along;
All the choir in silence heard,
Hushed before this wondrous bird.
All transported and amazed,
Scarcely breathing, long I gazed.

Now it reached the loudest swell;
Lower, lower, now it fell,