ay 185
From out of the tomb the Glory of heroes,
From death, arose, the Lord of all
The race of mankind, and to Heaven ascended.
So with cunning of mind in secrets of soul
They said to the victor as they by Sylvester[6] 190
Instructed had been. From him the folk-chief
Baptism received, and continued to hold it
For the time of his days at the will of the Lord.

[1] Lit. 'in like manner,' adv.

[2] Add 'at the work.'

[3] 'Diminished,' Gn.

[4] i.e., with precious stones. Kr. reads '(rattled strong
shields).'

[5] 'Gold,' Kr. 'Lord of the house,' Gn. Cf. W.

[6] The Bishop of Rome.

III.

Then was in bliss the giver of treasure,
The battle-brave king. To him was new joy 195
Inspired in his soul; greatest of comforts
And highest of hopes was heaven's Defence.
Then gan he God's law by day and by night
Through gift of the Spirit with zeal proclaim,
And truly himself devoted he eagerly, 200
Gold-friend of men, to the service of God,
Spear-famed, unfaltering. Then found the aetheling,
Defence of his folk, through learned men,[1]
War-brave, spear-bold, in books of God,
Where had been hanged with shouts of the host 205
On tree of the rood the Ruler of heaven
Through envy and hate, just as the old fiend
Misled with his lies, the people deceived,
The race of the Jews, so that God himself
They hanged, Lord of hosts: hence in misery shall they 210
For ever and ever punishment suffer.
Then praise of Christ by the Caesar was
In the thoughts of his mind[2] always remembered
For that great tree, and his mother he bade
Go on a journey with a band of men 215
To [land of] the Jews, earnestly seek
With host of warriors where that tree of glory
Holy 'neath earth hidden might be,
The noble King's rood. Helena would not
On that expedition be slow to start, 220
Nor that joy-giver's command neglect,
Her own [dear] son's, but soon she[3] was ready
For the wished-for journey, as the helmet of men,
Of mail-clad warriors, her had commanded.
Gan then with speed the crowd of earls 225
Hasten to ship.[4] The steeds of the sea
'Round the shore of the ocean ready were standing,
Cabled sea-horses, at rest on the water.
Then plainly was known the voyage of the lady,
When the we