XIV.

Then eagerly gan she with secrets of soul Seek in her spirit by soothfastnéss The way to glory. Now God of hosts 1150 His help bestowed, the Father in heaven, Almighty King, that the queen obtained Her will in the world. The prophecy was By sages of old sung long before All from beginning, as it afterwards happened 1155 In respect to each thing. The folk-queen began Through gift of the Spirit gladly to seek With greatest care how best the nails, And in manner most worthy, she might apply For joy to the folk, what was will of the Lord. 1160 Bade she then fetch a very wise man Quickly to counsel, him who wisdom Through clever might thoroughly knew, Wise in his heart, and gan him ask What in his soul seemed to him best 1165 To do about that, and his teachings she chose In respect to her conduct. Her boldly[1] he answered: "That is becoming that word of the Lord Thou hold in heart, holy counsel, Most excellent queen, and the King's command 1170 Gladly fulfil, now God has thee given Success of soul and craft of wit, The Saviour of men. Bid thou these nails For that most excellent of earthly kings, Of owners of cities, put on his bridle 1175 For bit to his horse. To many that shall, Throughout the mid-earth, become renowned, When with that in contest he may overcome Each one of his foes, when the brave-in-war On either side the battle seek, 1180 Sword-contenders, where they strive for victory, Foe against foe. War-speed shall he have, Victory in fight and everywhere peace, In battle success, who carries in front The bridle on horse, when the famed-in-fight 1185 At clashing of spears, the choicest of men, Bear shield and lance. To each one of men Against war-terror shall be invincible This weapon in war. The seer of it sang, Cunning in thought. Deep moved his mind, 1190 His wit of wisdom. This word he spake: 'That shall be known that the horse of the king Shall 'neath the proud with bit be adorned, With bridle-rings. That beacon to God Shall holy be called, and that one valor-blessed, 1195 Honored in war, who rides on that horse.'" With haste then that did all perform Helena 'fore earls, bade the ætheling's, Heroes' ring-giver's, bridle adorn, To her own son sent as a present 1200 O'er ocean's stream the blameless gift. She bade then together those whom as best Of men she knew among the Jews, Of the race of heroes, to the holy city, To the town to come. Then gan the queen 1205 The dear ones teach that love of the Lord And peace likewíse among themselves, The bond of friendship, they fast should hold Without reproach in time of their life, And they to the teacher's lore should hearken, 1210 The Christian virtues that Cyriacus taught them, Clever in books. The office of bishop Was fairly made fast. From afar oft to him The lame, the sick, the crippled came, The halt, the wounded, the leprous and blind, 1215 The lowly, the sad; always there health At the hands of the bishop, healing, they found Ever for ever. Yet Helena gave him Treasures as presents, when ready she was For the journey home, and bade she then all 1220 In that kingdom of men who worshipped God, Men and women, that they should honor With mind and might that famous day, With thoughts of the heart, whereon holy rood Had béen discovered, greatest of trees, 1225 Of those which from earth ever sprang up Grown under leaves. Then spring was gone Except six nights ere coming of summer On the kalends of May. To each of those men Be hell's door shut, heaven's unclosed, 1230 Eternally opened the kingdom of angels, Joy without end, and their portion appointed Along with. Mary, who takes into mind That one most dear of festal days Of that rood under heaven, that which the mightiest 1235 Ruler of all with arm protected. _Finit_.[2]

[1] Gn.'s emendation.

[2] Here properly ends the legend of the Finding of the Cross. The last canto contains reflections of the poet.