XII.

Thén was made known among that folk, Throughout that nation widely proclaimed, The great morning-news for a grievance to many 970 Of those who God's law wished to conceal, Announced in the towns far as waters embrace, In each of the cities, that the rood of Christ Once buried in earth had been discovered, Brightest of beacons, which since or before 975 Holy 'neath heavens had been upheaved; And it was to the Jews the greatest of sorrows, Unhappy men, most hateful of fates, That they 'fore the world were unable to change it, The joy of the Christians. Then bade the queen 980 'Mong the host of earls heralds to hasten, Quickly to journey; they should of the Romans O'er the high sea the lord seek out, Ánd to that warrior the best of tidings Say, to himself, that the victor-sign 985 Through Creator's favor had been recovered, Found in the earth, which ages before Had been concealed for sorrow to saints, To Christian folk. Then was to the king Through the glorious words his spirit gladdened, 990 His heart rejoicing. Then was of inquirers 'Neath golden garments no lack in the cities Come from afar. To him greatest of comforts It became in the world at the wished-for tidings,-- His heart delighted,--which army-leaders 995 Over the east-ways, messengers, brought him, How happy a journey over the swan-road The men with the queen successfully made To the land of the Greeks. The Cæsar bade them With greatest haste again prepare 1000 Themselves for the way. The men delayed not As soon as they had the answer heard, The words of the ætheling. Bade he Helena hail, The war-famed greet, if they the sea-voyage And happy journey were able to make, 1005 Brave-minded men, to the holy city. Bade also to her the messengers say Constantínus, that she a church On the mountain-slope for gain of both Should there erect, a temple of God, 1010 On Calvarý, for joy to Christ, For help to men, where the holy rood Had béen discovered, greatest of trees, Of those that earth-dwellers ever heard named Upon the earth. So she effected, 1015 After dear kinsmen brought from the west Over the ocean many loved tidings. Then bade the queen those skilled in crafts To seek out apart, the best of all, Those who most cunningly knew how to work 1020 In joinings of stones, on the open plain God's temple to build. As the Warden of spirits Her counselled from heaven, she bade the rood With gold adorn and gems of all kinds, With the most splendid of precious stones 1025 To set with skill, and in silver chest To enclose with locks. There that tree of life, Best of victor-trees, has since remained In nature eternal.[1] There 'twill be ever ready A help to the sick 'gainst every ill, 1030 Distress and sorrow. There soon will they Through that holy creation assistance obtain, A gift divine. Also Judas received After fixed time the bath of baptism, And cleansed became, trustful in Christ, 1035 Dear to the Life-warden. His faith became Firm in his heart, when the Spirit of comfort Made his abode in the breast of the man, To repentance him urged. The better he chose, The joy of glory, and the worse he refused, 1040 The service of idols, and error rejected, Unlawful belief. To him King[2] eternal, The Creator, was mild, God, Ruler of might.

[1] So Z.; 'The noble wood,' Gm. and Gn.

[2] Latin, _rex_.