Accept the Crown of Thorns she proffers me!
And where but here, said Roderick in his heart,
Could I so properly, with humbled knee
And willing soul, confirm my forfeiture?...
The action follow’d on that secret thought:
He knelt, and took Pelayo’s hand, and cried,
First of the Spaniards, let me with this kiss
Do homage to thee here, my Lord and King!...
With voice unchanged and steady countenance
He spake; but when Siverian follow’d him,