San Luis Rey;
Saint Louis IX; King of France
He was the king of the great country, France,
Cared finely for his subject’s welfare.
The San Louis Rey, royal saint perchance,
One of few kings given holy fanfare.
The crown of spiky thorns from Jesus’ head,
Acquired by this young, lay Franciscan -
Then, built holy Sainte Chapelle, it was said,
To house this icon of crucifixtion.
Under his rule, Gothic Cathedrals grew,
The Sorbonne built, lit French foundations.
He left early in the brine-misty dew,
The Eighth Crusade - his last meditation.
1798, Mission San Luis Rey de Francia,
The Eighteenth of California’s missions,
Stands in San Diego marking Espagne;
Bourbon ties; of Spain and France’s traditions.
So goes the tribute, laid out in land’s name,
Over two hundred years, twice is the same.
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