knelt

Anyhow, as Kevin knelt and prayed, a blackbird mistook his outstretched hand for some kind of roost and swooped down upon it, laid a clutch of eggs in it and proceeded to nest in it as if it were the branch of a tree.

Nobel Lectures-Literature 1995 1996

Then Martin knelt down, and instead of lacing the left shoe unlaced the right one, and inside the yellow slipper found the sixth key just under the instep.

Martin Pippin in the Apple Orchard 1922

Then Martin knelt down, and instead of lacing the left shoe unlaced the right one, and inside the yellow slipper found the sixth key just under the instep.

Martin Pippin in the Apple Orchard 1921

He was holding the paper open in his hand, and without a word knelt down by the bed, offering it to her mutely.

The Squirrel-Cage Dorothy Canfield Fisher 1918

After tea Nadya went into Sasha's room and without saying a word knelt down before an armchair in the corner and hid her face in her hands.

The Schoolmaster Anton Pavlovich Chekhov 1882

Call knelt by the boy, helpless to do one thing for him.

The Lonesome Dove Series Larry McMurtry 1995

When the king nodded, each man Louddon called knelt before their leader and told their lies.

Honor’s Splendour Julie Garwood 1987

Call knelt by the boy, helpless to do one thing for him.

Lonesome Dove Larry McMurtry 1985

Immediately there was an almost noiseless step on the floor; and a figure emerged from a deep niche, that looked as if it might once have been an oratory, in ancient times; and the figure, too, might have been supposed to possess the devout and sanctified character of such as knelt in the oratories of ancient times.

Doctor Grimshawe's Secret — a Romance Nathaniel Hawthorne 1834

Most readers agree that moving "knelt" to a position of emphasis next to the period lends the sentence some added weight, some "gravitas" if you prefer.

Poynter Online 2009