ut the towns the blind received their sight,
Full many men upon the plains of earth
He woke from death by His almighty word;
And many another miracle He showed,
Royally famous, by His mighty strength.
Water He blessed before the multitude,
And bade it turn to wine, a better kind,
For happiness of men. Likewise He fed
Five thousand of mankind with fishes twain 590
And with five loaves; the companies sat down
With hearts fatigued, rejoicing in their rest,
All weary after wandering; on the ground
Where pleased them best the men received their food.
Lo, thou mayst hear, good sir, how, while He lived,
The Lord of glory by His words and deeds
Showed love to us-ward, led us by His lore
To that fair home of joy where men may dwell
Freely with angels in high blessedness--
Even they who after death go to the Lord." 600

Again the Ruler of the waves unlocked
The treasure of His words, and boldly spake:--
"That I may truly know, I pray thee tell
Whether thy Lord showed forth His miracles--
Which on the earth for comfort of mankind
Full many times He worked--before men's sight,
Where bishops, scribes, and princes held discourse
Sitting in council. For it seems to me
That out of envy they contrived this guile, 610
Led by deep error and the Devil's lore;
Those men foredoomed to death too readily
Gave ear to wicked traitors; their ill fate
Deceived, misled them, gave them counsel false;
Weary 'mong weary men they soon must bear
Torments and biting flames in Satan's arms."

Straightway did Andrew answer him again:--
"I tell thee truly that He ofttimes worked
Wonder on wonder in the sight of men, 620
Before their rulers; and in secret too
The Lord of men did deeds of public good,
Which he devised for their eternal peace."

Him answered then the sure Defense of kings:--
"Couldst thou, wise hero, warrior strong of heart,
Tell me in words the wonders that He showed
In secret, when, as oft, ye sat alone
In converse with the Lord who rules the skies?"

Straightway did Andrew answer him again:--
"Why dost thou question me with crafty speech,
My dearest lord, thou who dost truly know 630
By virtue of thy wisdom every hap."

The Ruler of the waves replied to him:--
"'Tis not in blame that I thus question thee,
Nor to insult thee on the ocean-road.[1]
My m