IV.

Bade she then order the dwellers-in-city Most skilled in lore, those far and wide Among the Jews, each one of men, For council-talk in meeting to come, Whó most deeply the secrets of God 280 By righteous law were able to tell. Then was assembled from distant ways No little crowd who Moses' law Were able to tell. In number there were Of thousands three of thóse [learned] men 285 Chosen for lore. The lovely woman The men of the Hebrews with words gan address: "I thát most surely have learnt to know Through secret words of prophets [of old] In the books of God, that in days of yore 290 Ye worthy were of the glorious King, Dear to the Lord and daring in deed. Lo! yé that wisdom [very, Gn.] unwisely, Wrongly, rejected, when him ye condemned Who you from the curse through might of his glory, 295 From torment of fire, thought to redeem, From fetters' force. Ye filthily spat On hís fair face who light of the eyes From blindness [restored], a remedy brought To you anew by that noble spittle, 300 And often preserved you fróm the unclean Spirits of devils. This one to death Ye gan adjudge, who self from death Many awakened 'mong host of men Of your own race to the former life. 305 So blinded in mind ye gan conjoin Lying with truth, light with darkness, Hatred with mercy, with evil thoughts Ye wickedness wove; therefore the curse You guilty oppresses. The purest Might 310 Ye gan condemn, and have lived in error, In thoughts benighted, until this day. Go ye now quickly, with prudence select Men firm in wisdom, crafty in word, Who yóur own law, with excellence skilled, 315 In thoughts of their minds most thoroughly have, Who to me truly are able to say, Answer to tell for you hencefórth Of each one of tokens that I from thee seek." They went then away sorry-in-mind, 320 The law-clever earls, oppressed with fear, Sad in their grief, earnestly sought The wisest men in secrets of words, That they to the queen might answer well Both of good and of ill, as shé from them sought. 325 Then théy 'mong the host a thousand of men Found clever in mind whó the old story Among the Jews most readily knew. Then they pressed in a crowd where in pomp awaited On kingly throne the Cæsar's mother,[1] 330 Stately war-queen with gold adorned. Helena spake and said 'fore the earls: "Hear, clever in mind, the holy secret, Word and wisdom. Lo! yé the prophets' Teaching received, hów the Life-giver 335 In form of a child incarnate became, Ruler of might. Of him Moses sang And spake this [word],[2] warden of Israel: 'To yóu shall be born a child in secret Renowned in might, though his mother shall nót 340 Be filled with fruit through love of a man.' Of him David the king a kingly psalm sang, The wise old sage, father of Solomon, And spake this word, prince of warriors: 'The God of creation before me I saw, 345 Lord of victories. He wás in my sight, Ruler of hosts, upon my right hand, Guardian of glory. Thence turn I nót Ever in life my countenance from him.'[3] So it again of you Isaiah 350 'Fore the people, the prophet, foretold in words, Thinking profoundly by spirit of the Lord: 'I raised upon high sons young in years, And children begat, to whom glory I gave, Heart-comfort holy: but théy me rejected, 355 With enmity hated, forethought possessed not, Wisdom of mind, and the wretched cattle, That on each day one drives and strikes, Their well-doer know, not at áll with revenge Bear hate to their friends who give them fodder. 360 And the folk of Israel never were willing Me to acknowledge, though many for them, In worldly course, of wonders I wrought.'[4]

[1] Lit., 'kinswoman.' The Elizabethan 'Kesar' would preserve the alliteration in this line.

[2] Gn. and Z. W. omits.

[3] Psalms xvi. 8, 9.

[4] Isaiah i. 2, 3.