XXXI
ROBERT OF SICILY
THERE is an old legend of a proud king, named Robert of Sicily. This legend tells of the greatest event of Robert’s life; and the poet, Longfellow, has written a beautiful poem about it, which every one should read. This is the story:
Robert, King of Sicily, was a very proud monarch and a very selfish one. He spent most of his time enjoying himself, and gave little heed to the wants of his people.
On St. John’s eve he attended vesper service with a great retinue of knights and lords and pages. He was dressed most magnificently, and proudly sat while the choir chanted some strange Latin words.
The king did not understand Latin, and turning to a learned clerk nearby, he said, “What do those words mean?”
The clerk answered, “They mean,
‘He has put down the mighty from their seat,
And has exalted them of low degree!’”