I.

Whén had elapsed in course of years Two hundred and three, reckoned by number, And thirty alsó, in measure of time, Of winters for th' world, since mighty God Became incarnate, of kings the Glory, 5 Upón mid-earth in human form, Light of the righteous; then sixth was the year Of Constantine's imperial sway, Since hé o'er the realm of the Roman people, The battle-prince, as ruler was raised. 10 The ward of his folk, skilful with shield, Was gracious to earls. Strong grew the ætheling's[1] Might 'neath the heavens. Hé was true king, War-keeper of men. God him strengthened With honor and might, that to many became he 15 Throughoút this earth to men a joy, To nations a vengeance, when weapon he raised Against his foes. Him battle was offered, Tumult of war. A host was assembled, Folk of the Huns and fame-loving Goths; 20 War-brave they went, the Franks and the Hugs.[2] Bold were the men [in battle-byrnies, Gn.], Ready for war. Bright shone the spears, The ringéd corselets. With shouts and shields They hoisted the standards. The heroes were there 25 Plainly assembled, and [host, Gn.] all together. The multitude marched. A war-song howled The wolf in the wood, war-secret concealed not; The dew-feathered eagle uplifted his song On the trail of his foes. Hastened quickly 30 O'er cities of giants[3] the greatest of war-hosts In bands to battle, such as king of the Huns Of dwellers-around anywhere might, Of city-warriors, assemble to war. Went greatest of armies,--the footmen were strengthened 35 With chosen bands,--till in foreign land The fighters-with-darts upón the Danube's Bank were encamping, the brave in heart, 'Round the welling of waters, with tumult of host. The realm of the Romans they wished to oppress, 40 With armies destroy. Thére was Huns' coming Known to the people. Then bade the Cæsar Against the foes his comrades in war 'Neath arrow-flight in greatest haste Gather for fight, form battle-array 45 The heroes 'neath heavens. The Romans were, Men famed for victory, quickly prepared With weapons for war, though lesser army Had théy for the battle than king of the Huns.[4] They rode 'round the valiant: then rattled the shield, 50 The war-wood clanged: the king with host marched, With army to battle. Aloft sang the raven, Dark and corpse-gréedy. The band was in motion. The horn-bearers blew,[5] the heralds called, Steed stamped the earth. The host assembled 55 Quickly for contest. The king was affrighted, With terror disturbed, after the strangers, The Huns' and Hreths' hóst they[6] observed, That it[7] on the Romans' kingdom's border 'Round the bank of the river a band assembled, 60 A countless crowd. Heart-sorrow bore The Romans' ruler, of realm he hoped not For want of force; had warriors too few, Trusty comrades, 'gainst th' overmight Of the brave for battle. The army encamped, 65 The earls 'round the ætheling nigh to the river In neighboring plain a night-long time, After force of their foes they first beheld. Thén in his sleep was shown to him, To the Cæsar himself where he slept 'mid his men, 70 By the victory-famed seen, a vision of dream. Effulgent it seemed him, in form of a man, White and hue-bright, some one of heroes More splendid appeared than ere or since He saw 'neath the heavens. From sleep he awaked 75 With boar-sign bedecked. The messenger quickly, Bright herald of glory, to him made address And called him by name (the night-veil vanished): "To thee, Constantine, bade King of the angels, Wielder of fates, his favor grant, 80 The Lord of Hosts. Fear not for thyself, Though thee the strangers threaten with terror, With battle severe. Look thou to heaven, To the Lord of glory: there help wilt thou find, A token of victory." Soon was he ready 85 At hest of the holy, his heart-lock unloosed, Upwards he looked as the messenger bade him, Trusty peace-wéaver. He saw bright with gems Fair rood of glory o'er roof of the clouds Adorned with gold: the jewels shone, 90 The glittering tree with letters was written Of brightness and light: "With this beacon thou On the dangerous journey[8] wilt the foe overcome, The loathly host let." The light then departed, Ascended on high, and the messenger too, 95 To the realm of the pure. The king was the blither And freer from sorrow, chieftain of men, In thoughts of his soul, for thát fair sight.

[1] Prince's.

[2] MS. '_Huns_,' but Z. reads '_Hugs_.' Cf. W.

[3] 'O'er land of Burgundians,' Gn.

[4] Z. has no point, W. puts (;), Gn. (.)

[5] 'Hurried,' Z.^3

[6] 'He,' W.

[7] 'Which,' Z.

[8] 'In the terrible danger,' Gn.