VI.

"Then quickly I to mine own father, The old law-sage, answer returned: 455 'How might that happen on kingdom of earth That they on the holy their hands should lay For reaving of life, oúr own fathers, Through hostile mind, if they ere knew That he were Christ, the King in heaven, 460 True son of Creator, Saviour of souls.' Then to mé mine elder answer returned, Wise in his mind my father replied: 'Perceive, young man, the might of God, The name of the Saviour. That is to each man 465 Unutterable. Him may no one Upon this earth [ever] find out. Never that plan that this people framed Was I willing to follow, but I always myself Held aloof from their crimes, by no means wrought shame 470 To mine own spirit. To them earnestly often On account of their wrong I made opposition, When the learned-in-lore counsel were taking, Were seeking in soul how the Son of their Maker, Men's Helm,[1] they might hang, the Lord of all, 475 Both angels and men, noblest of children. They might not so foolish death fasten on him, Miserable men, as they ere weened, Afflict with pains, though he for a time Upon the cross his spirit gave up, 480 Victor-child of God. Then afterwards was Raised from the rood the Ruler of heavens, Glory of all glories, three nights after Within the tomb was he abiding Under the darkness, and then on third day, 485 Light of all light, he living arose, Prince of angels, and he to his thanes, True Lord of victories, himself revealed, Bright in his fame. Then did thy brother In time receive the bath of baptism, 490 Enlightening belief. For love of the Lord Was Stephen then with stones assailed, Nor ill gave for ill, but for foes of old Patient implored, prayed King of glory That he the woe-deed would not lay to their charge, 495 In thát through hate the innocent One, Guiltless of sins, by the teachings of Saul They robbed of life, as he through enmity To misery many of the folk of Christ Condemned, to death. Yet later the Lord 500 Mercy him showed, that to many became he Of people for comfort, when the God of creation, Saviour of men, had changed his name, And afterwards he the holy Paul Was called by name, and no one than he 505 Of teachers of faith, [no] other, was better 'Neath roof of heaven afterwards ever Of those man or woman brought into the world, Although he Stephen with stones them bade Slay on the mountain, thine own brother. 510 Now may'st thou hear, mine own dear son, How gracious ís the Ruler of all, Though we transgression 'gainst him oft commit, The wound of sins, if we soon after For those misdeeds repentance work 515 Ánd from unrighteousness afterwards cease. Therefore I truly, and my dear father, After believed [in the Giver of life, Gn.], That he had suffered, God of all glories, Leader of life, painful penalty 520 For mighty need of the race of men. Therefore I teach thee through secret of song, My dearest child, that scornful words, Hatred or blasphemy, never thou work, Fierce contradiction 'gainst the Son of God. 525 Then wilt thou merit that thee life eternal, Best of rewards, shall be given in heaven.' Thus mine own father in days of old Me unwaxen with words did teach, Instruct with true speech (his name was Simon), 530 Man wise in words. Now well do ye know What of that in your thought may seem to you best Plainly to tell, if us this queen Shall ask of that tree, now mine own mind And thought of heart ye [well] do know." 535 Him then in reply the cleverest of all In the crowd of men with words addressed: "Ne'er did we hear any of men Among this folk save thee just now, Another thane, declare in this manner 540 Of so secret event. Do as [best] seems thee, Thou wise in old lore, if thou be questioned 'Mong the host of men. Of wisdom has need, Of wary words and sage's cunning, Who shall to the noble one answer return 545 Before such a host among the assembly."

[1] i.e., 'defence, protector.'