Page:The Book of Orders of Knighthood and Decorations of Honour of All Nations.djvu/698

Rh His Majesty to elect the new Knight. The two sponsors, thereupon, conduct the postulant before the King, where he kneels down, and replies affirmatively, with a simple " Yes," to all the following questions: Does he promise before God and the King:

1. To honour, defend and preserve the laws and statutes of the Order?

2. To be ready to shed his blood for the Evangelical Lutheran religion, and for the welfare of the country?

3. To assist, by his courage, to sustain the ancient glory of the Swedish name?

4. To contribute, to the best of his power, to a life of peace and union amongst the Knights of the Order?

5. To watch over the honours and privileges now granted to him?

6. To do good to the poor, and protect widows and orphans?

On these questions being answered, the King hands the diploma to the Secretary from whom the Chancellor receives the document and reads it aloud to the assembly, after which the new Knight swears to defend with his life and property the Christian religion, to remain true to the King and the State, to protect the poor, widows and orphans, and to promote their welfare to the best of his power.

The King then takes from the Treasurer the chain of the Order, hangs it round the neck of the new Knight, and, dubbing him with the coronation sword, says: "We... . "King of Sweden, Gothia and Vandalia, receive thee as a brave and honourable Swedish and Gothian Knight of our Order of the Seraphim. Be worthy of it," and embracing him amid the sound of drums and trumpets, he concludes with the words: " May the Lord protect thee!" The Knight, thus elected, then thanks His Majesty, kisses his hand, and embraces all his new colleagues, whereupon each of them repeats the words: