Henry Wadsworth Longfellow — The Elected Knight

Sir Oluf he rideth over the plain,        &nbsp Full seven miles broad and seven miles wide, But never, ah never can meet with the man        &nbsp A tilt with him dare ride. He saw under the hillside        &nbsp A Knight full well equipped; His steed was black, his helm was barred;        &nbsp He was riding at full speed. He wore upon his spurs        &nbsp Twelve little golden birds; Anon he spurred his steed with a clang,        &nbsp And there sat all the birds and sang. He wore upon his mail        &nbsp Twelve little golden wheels; Anon in eddies the wild wind blew,        &nbsp And round and round the wheels they flew. He wore before his breast        &nbsp A lance that was poised in rest; And it was sharper than diamond-stone,        &nbsp It made Sir Oluf's heart to groan. He wore upon his helm        &nbsp A wreath of ruddy gold; And that gave him the Maidens Three,        &nbsp The youngest was fair to behold. Sir Oluf questioned the Knight eftsoon        &nbsp If he were come from heaven down; "Art thou Christ of Heaven," quoth he,        &nbsp "So will I yield me unto thee." "I am not Christ the Great,        &nbsp Thou shalt not yield thee yet; I am an Unknown Knight,        &nbsp Three modest Maidens have me bedight." "Art thou a Knight elected,        &nbsp And have three Maidens thee bedight So shalt thou ride a tilt this day,        &nbsp For all the Maidens' honor!" The first tilt they together rode        &nbsp They put their steeds to the test, The second tilt they together rode,        &nbsp They proved their manhood best. The third tilt they together rode,        &nbsp Neither of them would yield; The fourth tilt they together rode,        &nbsp They both fell on the field. Now lie the lords upon the plain,        &nbsp And their blood runs unto death; Now sit the Maidens in the high tower,        &nbsp The youngest sorrows till death.