and I saw it all.
Bitter the grief that I bore, but I bowed me low to their
hands;
60 My travail was grievous and sore. They took then God Almighty,
From loathsome torment they lifted him. The warriors left me
deserted,
To stand stained with blood. I was stricken and wounded with
nails.
Limb-weary they laid him there, and at their Lord's head they
stood.
They beheld there the Ruler of heaven; and they halted a while
to rest,
65 Tired after the terrible struggle. A tomb then they began to
make,
His friends in sight of his foes. Of the fairest of stone they
built it,
And set their Savior upon it. A sorrowful dirge they chanted,
Lamented their Master at evening, when they made their journey
home,
Tired from their loved Lord's side. And they left him with the
guard.
70 We crosses stood there streaming with blood,
And waited long after the wailing ceased
Of the brave company. The body grew cold,
The most precious of corpses. Then they pulled us down,
All to the earth --an awful fate!
75 They buried us low in a pit. But the loved disciples of Christ,
His faithful friends made search and found me and brought me to
light,
And gorgeously decked me with gold and with silver.
"Now mayst thou learn, my beloved friend,
That the work of the wicked I have worthily borne,
80 The most trying of torments. The time is now come
When through the wide world I am worshipped and honored,
That all manner of men, and the mighty creation,
Hold sacred this sign. On me the Son of God
Death-pangs endured. Hence, dauntless in glory,
85 I rise high under heaven, and hold out salvation
To each and to all who have awe in my presence.
"Long ago I was the greatest and most grievous of torments,
Most painful of punishments, till I pointed aright
The road of life for the race of men.
90 "Lo, a glory was given by the God of Creation
To the worthless wood --by the Warden of heaven--
Just as Mary, his mother, the maiden blessed,
Received grace and glory from God Almighty,
And