Chapter III

To eastward builded was the oratory:
There all the warm spring night,--while in the wood
The buds were swelling in the brooding dark,
And dreaming of a lordlier dawn the lark,--
Paced to and fro the youth, and dreamed on glory,
And watched his arms. Great knights in mailéd hood
On steeds of stone sat ranged along the aisle,
And frowned upon the aspirant: “Who is he
Would claim the name and join the company
Of slayers of Soldans swart and Dragons grim,
Not ignorant of wanded wizards’ guile,
And deserts parched, and waters wide to swim?”
He halted at the challenge of the dead.
Anon, in twilight, fancy feigned a smile
To curve the carven lips, as though they said,
“Oh, welcome, brother, of whom the world hath need!
Ere the recorded deed
We trembled, hoped, and doubted, even as thou.”

And therewithal he lifted up his brow,
Uplift from hesitance and humble fear,
And saw how with the splendour of the sun
The glimmering oriel blossomed rosy-clear;
And lo, the Vigil of the Arms was done!

IV

Now, mass being said, before the priest he brought
That glittering prophecy, his untried sword.
In some mysterious forge the blade was wrought,
By shadowy arms of force that baffle thought
Wrought curiously in the dim under-world;
And all along the sheath processions poured,
Thronged shapes of earth’s weird morn
Ere yet the hammer of Thor was downward hurled:
Not less it had for hilt the Cross of Christ the Lord,
And must thereby in battle aye be borne.

V

Cool-sprinkled with the consecrated wave,
That blade was blessed, that it should strike to save;
And next, pure hands of youth in hands of age
Were held upon the page
Of the illuminate missal, full of prayers,--
Rich fields, wherethrough the river of souls has rushed
Long, long, to have its passion held and hushed
In the breast of that calm sea whereto it fares:
And steadfastly the aspirant vow did plight
To bear the sword, or break it, for the Right;
And living well his life, yet hold it light,--
Yea, for that sovereign sake a worthless thing.

VI

Thereon a troop of maids began to bring,
With flutter as of many-coloured doves,
The hauberk that right martially did ring,
And weight of linkéd gloves,
And helmet plumed, and spurs ablaze with gold.
Each gave in gracious wise her guiding word,
As bade or fresh caprice, or usance old:
As, _Ride thou swift by golden Honour spurred_,
Or, _Be thou faithful, fortunate, and bold_.
But scarce for his own heart the aspirant heard.