With all His thanes from out the council-hall,
Strong in His might, to seek an unknown land.
By wonders manifold and mighty deeds
In deserts wild He showed that He was King 700
By right throughout the world, made strong with power,
Ruler and Author of bright majesty,
Eternal God of all created things.
Likewise He showed before the sight of men
Unnumbered other works miraculous.
Upon another journey then He went
With a vast throng, and in the temple stood,
The glorious Prince. The sound of words arose
Within the lofty building; sinful men
Would not receive the holy Savior's words,
Though He had shown so many tokens true 710
While they looked on. Upon the temple wall
On either side the Lord victorious saw
An image of His angels wondrous carved,
Brightly adorned and beautifully wrought;
Then to the multitude he spake in words:--
'This is the likeness of the angel-race
Most widely known to dwellers in this town.
In Paradise their names are Cherubim 720
And Seraphim; before the face of God
They stand, strong-souled, and with their voices praise
In holy song the might of Heaven's King,
And God's protecting hand. Here is carved out
The holy angels' form; the thanes of glory
Are chiseled on the wall by handicraft.'
The Lord of hosts, the Holy Spirit of heaven,
Spake yet again unto the multitude:--
'Now I command a sign to be disclosed,
A miracle before the throng of men, 730
That from the wall this image shall descend
All beautiful to earth, and speak a word,
Shall tell them truly of My parentage,
That men throughout the land may then believe!'
The ancient image durst not disobey
The Savior's words, but leapt from off the wall,
Stone cleft from stone; upon the earth it stood,
A wonder in the sight of all the throng;
Then came a voice loud sounding from the stone, 740
Rebuking them in words; and wondrous seemed
The statue's speech to those proud-hearted men.
With tokens manifest it taught the priests,
Warned them with wisdom; thus it spake in words:--
'Accursed are ye and wretched in your thoughts,
Deceived with tricks, or else with clouded mind
No better do ye know. Ye call God's Son
Eternal but a man--Him who marked out
With His own hands the sea and solid ground,
Both heaven and earth, the stormy ocean-waves,
The salt sea-streams, and the high firmament. 750
He is that self-same God all-powerful
Whom in the early days your fathers knew;
To Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob
He gave His grace, and honored them with wealth;
To Abraham He first declared in words
The covenant of his race, that of his seed
The God of glory should be born; this fate
Is now fulfilled among you, manifest;
And lo! your eyes can now behold the God
Of victory, who rules the heavens on high.' 760
After these words the crowd stood listening;
All silent were they through the spacious hall.
The elders then began again to say,
Those sinful men--the truth they did not know!--
That it was magic art and sorcery
That made the shining stone to talk to men.
Evil was blossoming in their hearts, and hate
Welled hot as fire within their wicked breasts,
A serpent, foe to joy, a poison dire; 770
And by their words of mocking were revealed
Their doubting hearts and thoughts of wickedness,
With murder girt about. Then did the Lord
Command the stone, that mighty work, to go
Along the way, from out the open place,
To tread the paths of earth, the meadows green,
To bear God's message into Canaan land,
And in God's name command that Abraham
And his descendants twain should rise again
From out their sepulchre, and leave their place 780
Of rest beneath the earth, take up their limbs,
Receive a soul again and youth's estate;
That those wise patriarchs should come once more
Among mankind, to tell the folk what God
It was that they had known by His own might.
It went and journeyed on the border-paths
As mighty God, Creator of mankind,
Commanded it, until it came to Mamre
All dazzling bright, as God had bidden it.
There had the bodies of those patriarchs 790
Long time lain hid. It bade them straight arise
From out the earth, those princes, Abraham,
Isaac, and Jacob, leaving their deep sleep
To meet their God; it bade them to prepare
To come before the presence of the Lord;
For they must tell the folk Who at the first
Brought forth this earth all-green, and heaven above,
And where that Ruler was who stablished firm
All that great work. They durst not long delay
Fulfilment of the glorious King's command. 800
So went those prophets three, those valiant men,
And trod the earth; they let their sepulchres
Stand open, for they would straightway proclaim
The Father of creation. Then the folk
With fear was stricken, when those Princes old
Honored the King of glory with their words.
The Lord of might bade them forthwith return
To blessedness, to seek a second time
The happiness of heaven in holy peace,
And there to live in bliss for evermore. 810
Lo, thou mayst hear, dear youth, how He performed
By His commands full many miracles;
Yet even so those people blind of heart
Did not believe His teachings. I could tell
Many more deeds which He, the Prince of heaven,
Wrought on the earth--a great and famous tale:
Such deeds as thou couldst never understand,
Nor comprehend in heart, though thou art wise."
Thus Andrew all day long showed forth the lore
Of holy Jesus in his words, until
A sleep came sudden o'er him as he sailed 820
Upon the whale's road nigh to Heaven's King.
The Lord of life then bade His angels bear
That saint beloved over the beating waves,
And gently carry him upon their breasts
Under the Father's care across the floods,
While sleep was on him weary of the sea.
So journeying through the air he reached the land
And came unto the city, which the King
Of angels bade him seek; the messengers
Departed joyful to their home on high. 830
They left the holy man, that gracious saint,
Beside the highway, 'neath the vault of heaven,
Peacefully sleeping near the city wall
And near his foes malignant all night long,
'Till God sent forth the candle of the day
Brightly to shine. Vanished the shadows dark
Beneath the welkin; then the torch of heaven,
The clear light of the sky, came forth and shone
Above the town. The warrior brave awoke
And gazed upon the fields; before the gates 840
Steep hills high towered; about the hoary cliff
Stood buildings wrought of many-colored tiles,
Great towers, and wind-swept walls. The sage straight knew
That he had reached the Mermedonian land,
E'en as the Father of mankind declared,
When He prescribed that journey. On the ground
He saw his own disciples, valiant men,
Beside him deep in sleep. He straight began
To wake the warriors; thus he spake in words:-- 850
"Lo, I can tell you one truth manifest,
That yesterday upon the ocean-stream
A noble Hero bore us o'er the sea.
The Glory of kings, the Ruler of mankind,
Was sailing in that ship; I knew His words,
Though He did hide the beauty of His face."
His noble followers answered him again,
Giving reply from out their inmost souls:--
"Our journey, Andrew, will we tell to thee,
That wisely thou mayst understand in heart:-- 860
A sleep came o'er us weary of the sea,
And eagles came across the struggling waves
In flight, exulting in their mighty wings,
And while we slept they took our souls away;
With joy they bore us flying through the air,
Gracious and bright, rejoicing in their speed;
And gently they caressed us, while they hymned
Continual praise; there was unceasing song
Throughout the sky; a beauteous host was there, 870
A glorious multitude. The angels stood
About the Prince, the thanes about their Lord,
In thousands; in the highest they gave praise
With holy voice unto the Lord of lords;
The angel-band rejoiced. We there beheld
The holy patriarchs and a mighty troop
Of martyrs; to the Lord victorious
That righteous throng sang never-ending praise;
And David too was with them, Jesse's son,
The King of Israel, blessed warrior, 880
Come to Christ's throne. Likewise we saw you twelve
All standing there before the Son of God,
Full glorious men of great nobility;
Archangels holy throned in majesty
Did serve you; happy is it for the man
Who may enjoy that bliss. High joy was there,
Glory of warriors, an exalted life;
Nor was there sorrow there for any man.
Drear exile, open torment is the lot
Of him who must be stranger to those joys, 890
And wander wretched when he goes from hence."
Exceeding glad was holy Andrew's heart
Within his breast, soon as he heard the speech
Of his disciples, that above all men
God should so high esteem them, and this word
Spake then the brave defense of warriors:--
"Lo, now I clearly see, Lord God, that Thou,
Glory of kings, wast very nigh to me
On the ocean-road, when on that ship I went;
Though on the beating sea I did not know 900
The Lord of angels, Savior of men's souls!
Be gracious unto me, Almighty God,
Bright King of mercy! on the ocean-stream
Full many words I spake; but now I know
Who bore me o'er the sea-floods on His ship
With honor high; He is for all mankind
A Spirit of comfort; there is ready help,
And mercy from the Highest unto all
Who seek of Him--the gift of victory."
Straightway before his eyes the Lord appeared, 910
The Prince of glory, King of all that lives,
Like to a youth in form, and thus he spake:--
"Hail to thee, Andrew, and thy faithful band;
Rejoice in heart, for I am thy defense,
That wicked foes may never harm thy soul,
Fierce-hearted workers of iniquity."
Then fell to earth that hero wise in words,
Begging protection, and he asked his Lord:--
"How did it happen, Ruler of mankind, 920
That, sinning 'gainst the Savior of men's souls,
I knew Thee not upon the ocean-way
Good as Thou art? there spake I many words,
More than I should in presence of my God."
Him answered straightway God all-powerful:--
"Thou didst not sin so grievously as when
Thou madest protest in Achaian land
That on far journeyings thou couldst not go,
Nor come unto the town, accomplishing
Thy way within three days, the time ordained, 930
As o'er the struggling waves I bade thee fare.
Thou knowest better now that easily
I can advance and further any man
Who is My friend whithersoe'er I will.
Quickly arise, and straightway learn My will,
Man highly blessed; so shall the Father bright
Adorn thee with His wondrous gifts, with strength
And wisdom unto all eternity!
Go thou into the town, within the walls,
Where bides thy brother; for I know full well 940
Matthew thy kinsman is afflicted sore
With deadly wounds at wicked traitors' hands,
Beset with cunning snares. Him shalt thou seek
And loose from hate of foes, with all that band
Who dwell with him in strangers' cruel chains
Balefully bound. Forthwith he shall receive
In this world recompense, and high reward
In heaven, as I have promised unto him.
Now, Andrew, thou shalt straightway risk thy life 950
Into the foeman's grasp; for thee is war
Ordained with grievous sword-blows; with sore wounds
Thy body shall be rent; thy blood shall flow
In floods like water. But those foes may not
Give o'er thy life to death, though heavy strokes,
The blows of sinful men, thou undergo.
Endure that grief; let not the heathens' might
Turn thee aside, nor bitter strife of spears,
That thou depart from God who is thy Lord.
Be eager aye for glory, bear in mind 960
How it was widely known to many men,
Through many lands, that sinners mocked at Me
Bound fast in chains, reviled Me with their words,
Struck Me and scourged Me; with their taunting speech
Those sinful men could not declare the truth.
When 'mong the Jews I hung upon the cross,
When high the rood was raised, a certain man
Let forth the blood from out My wounded side
Upon the ground. Full many grievous woes
I suffered on the earth; I wished to give 970
A high example to you by My grace,
Which shall be known 'mong men of foreign land.
Many there are within this famous town
Whom thou shalt turn unto the light of heaven
In My name, though they have in days gone by
Accomplished many deeds of violence."
The Holy One departed, King of kings,
In blessedness to seek the heavens above,
That purest home; there is for every man
Glory enow, for those who can attain. 980
That much-enduring man, brave for the fight,
Obeyed God's word; he went into the town
Forthwith, that steadfast warrior, with might
Endowed, courageous-hearted, true to God;
He walked along the street, the path his guide,
In such wise that no one could him behold,
No sinful man could see, for on the mead
The Lord victorious had covered him,
That chief beloved, with His protecting care
And His high favor. So the noble saint 990
Nigh to the prison pressed his way in haste,
The champion of Christ. He saw a band
Of heathens gathered, seven warders there
Before the gate; death snatched them all away;
They perished powerless; the fierce rush of death
Clutched them all bloody. Then the holy saint
Prayed to the gracious Father in his heart;
He praised on high the goodness and the power
Of Heaven's King. The door forthwith gave way
At holy Andrew's touch; then entered in 1000
The hero brave with thoughts of courage bold.
The heathens there were sleeping drunk with blood;
With their own blood they stained the field of death.
Matthew he saw within that murderous den,
The warrior stout, within the prison mirk,
Singing the praise of God, and worshiping
The angels' King. Alone he sat in grief
In that drear dwelling. On this earth once more
His brother dear he saw--a holy saint
Beheld a holy saint--and hope grew strong. 1010
Up rose he quick to meet him, thanking God
That 'neath the sun they had at last beheld
Each other hale and sound. New joy and love
Dwelt with those brethren twain; each in his arms
Enclosed the other; they embraced and kissed.
Unto the heart of Christ both saints were dear.
A holy radiance bright as heaven above
Shone round about them, and their hearts welled up
With joy. Then first did Andrew greet in words 1020
His noble comrade, that God-fearing man:
He told him of the battle that must come,
The fight of hostile men:--
* * * * *
After these words those brothers knelt and prayed,
Those thanes of glory, and they sent their prayer
Up to the Son of God; and Matthew too
Within the prison called upon his God, 1030
Sought from the Savior succor and relief
Before he should be slain by battle-might
Of heathen men. Then from the prison strong,
Freed from their bonds, protected by the Lord,
He led two hundred men and forty-eight
Rescued from woe; not one he left behind
Within the prison-walls fast bound in chains;
And women too, besides this multitude,
Fifty less one he saved, o'erwhelmed with fear. 1040
Glad were they to depart, in haste they went,
Nor waited longer in that house of woe
The outcome of the struggle. Matthew went
Leading that multitude, as Andrew bade,
Under God's keeping; on that longed-for way
He covered them with clouds, lest enemies,
Their ancient foes, should come to work them harm
With arrows' flight; there did those valiant saints
Take counsel with each other, faithful friends,
Before they parted; each of those brave men 1050
Stablished the other with the hope of heaven;
The pains of hell they warded off by words.
So did the warriors with them, battle-brave,
Tried champions, with their holy voices praise
The Lord of fate, whose glory ne'er shall end.
Glad-hearted, Andrew walked about the town
Unto the place where he had heard was met
A concourse of his cruel enemies, 1060
Until he found beside the border-path
A brazen pillar standing near the road.
He sat him by its side; pure love had he
And contemplation high, the angels' bliss;
There waited he, within the city-walls,
What deed of war should be vouchsafed to him.
Then gathered straight the leaders of the folk
Their mighty troops; unto the prison strong
The faithless host of heathen warriors
Came fully armed, where late their captive thralls 1070
Had suffered woe within the prison mirk.
They weened and wished, those stubborn-hearted foes,
That they might make those foreign men their meat,
Food for the multitude; their hope was vain,
For, coming with their troops, those spearmen fierce
Found prison-doors wide open, and the work
Of hammers all unloosed, the watchmen dead.
So back they turned, those luckless warriors,
Robbed of their joy, to bear the tidings sad;
They told the folk that of the stranger men, 1080
The men of foreign speech, not one they found
Remaining in that prison-house alive;
But there upon the ground all stained with gore,
Lifeless the watchmen lay, robbed of their souls,
Mere slaughtered bodies. At that sudden news
Dismayed was many a captain of the host,
Sad and cast down at thoughts of famine stern,
That pale guest at the board. No better way
They knew than on the dead to make their feast
For their own sustenance; in a single hour 1090
The bed of death was spread by cruel fate
For all those watchmen.
Then, as I have heard,
A gathering of the townsmen was proclaimed;
The heroes came, a host of warriors
Riding on horses, brave men on their steeds
Exchanging speech; skilled were they at the spear.
So in the meeting-place the people all
Were gathered, and they bade the lot decide
Among them, who should first give up his life 1100
For food unto the rest; they cast the lots
With hellish craft; before their heathen gods
They counted them. Behold, the lot did fall
Upon an aged chieftain, one who was
A counselor among the noble lords,
In front rank of the host. Soon was he bound
In fetters fast, despairing of his life.
Then cried that chieftain fierce with voice of woe,
Proclaiming he would give his own young son
Into their power as ransom for his life. 1110
With thankful hearts they took his offering,
For greedily they lusted after food,
Sad-minded men; no joy had they in wealth,
Nor hope in hoarded riches; they were sore
Oppressed with hunger, for the famine dire
Held cruel sway. Then many a warrior
And hero battle-bold was fired in heart
To struggle for the life of that young man;
The sign of woe was published far and wide
Throughout the town to many a hero brave, 1120
That they should seek in troops the young man's death,
That, young and old, they should receive their share
As food to keep their lives. The heathen priests
Straightway collected there a multitude
Of dwellers in that town; loud shouts arose.
Bound there before the throng the youth began
To sing with mournful voice a song of woe;
The wretched thrall begged succor of his friends;
But no relief nor mercy could he find
From that fierce folk to give him back his life. 1130
Those monstrous fiends had sought hostility;
It was their purpose that the sword's sharp edge
Made hard by blows, and stained with marks of fire,
In foeman's hand should take his life away.
But Andrew thought it grievous, hard to bear,
A public wrong, that one so innocent
Should forthwith lose his life. That people's hate
Was very fierce; the warriors, valiant thanes 1140
Lusting for murder, rushed upon the youth;
They wished straightway to break his head with spears.
But God, the Holy One, from heaven above
Defended him against the heathen throng;
He bade their weapons melt away like wax
In the fierce onset, that his bitter foes
Should scathe him not with might of hostile swords.
So from his woe and from that people's hate
The youth was loosed. To God, the Lord of lords, 1150
Be thanks for all, because He giveth might
To every man who wisely seeketh aid
From Him on high! There is eternal peace
Ever prepared for those who can attain.
Then in that town was lamentation heard,
Loud outcry of the throng; heralds proclaimed
And mourned the lack of food; there stood they sad,
Held fast by hunger; the high-towering halls--
Their wine-halls--all were empty; they possessed
No wealth to enjoy at that unhappy hour. 1160
The wise men sat apart in council sad,
Talked of their woe; no joy was in their land.
Thus would one hero oft another ask:--
"Let him who has good counsel in his heart,
And wisdom, hide it not! The hour is come
Exceeding woful; great is now the need
That we should hear the words of prudent men."
Then to that band the Devil straight appeared
All black and ugly, and he had the form
Of one accursed. The Prince of death began, 1170
The limping imp of hell, with wicked heart
To accuse the holy man; this word he spake:--
"A certain prince is come into your town,
A stranger journeying from a distant land;
Andrew I heard him called. He worked you scath
But lately, when he led a company
Great beyond measure from your prison strong;
And now these deeds of harm ye may with ease
Wreak on their author; let your weapons' point, 1180
Your hard-edged iron, hew his body down,
Doomed to destruction. Go now boldly forth,
That ye may overcome your foe in war."
Straightway did Andrew answer him again:--
"Why dost thou impudently teach this folk,
And urge them unto battle? Hast thou felt
The fiery torment hot in hell, and yet
Leadest an army forth, a troop to war?
Thou art a foe to God, the Lord of hosts;
Why dost thou thus heap up thy wretchedness?
Shaft of the devil, whom Almighty God 1190
Bent humble down and into darkness hurled,
Where the King of kings did cover thee with chains;
And they who keep the covenant of God
Have called thee Satan ever since that hour."
Again the Adversary by his words,
With fiendish craft urged on the folk to fight:--
"Now do you hear the foeman of your tribe,
Him who has wrought most harm unto this host!
Andrew it is, who thus disputes with me
In cunning words before the throng of men." 1200
Then to the townsmen was the signal given;
Up leaped they valiant with the shout of hosts,
And to the city-gates the warriors thronged
Bold 'neath their banners; with their spears and shields,
In mighty troops they pressed unto the fight.
Then spake the Lord of hosts, Almighty God,
And said these words unto His valiant thane:--
"O Andrew, thou shalt do a deed of might;
Shrink not before this host, but thy brave heart
Strengthen against the strong! The hour is nigh 1210
When these blood-thirsty men shall weigh thee down
With torments and cold chains. Reveal thyself,
Make firm thy soul, and strengthen thy brave heart,
That they may recognize My power in thee!
They cannot and they may not, crime-stained men,
Deal death unto thy body 'gainst My will,
Though thou shalt suffer many evil blows
From murderers. Lo, I abide with thee!"
After these words there came a countless throng,
False leaders with their troops of shield-clad men, 1220
Angry at heart. Straight rushed they out and bound
Saint Andrew's hands, soon as the joy of lords
Revealed himself, and they could see him there
Boldly triumphant. Many a warrior
Lusted for battle on that field of death,
Among the host of men. Little they cared
What recompense hereafter they should find.
They gave command to lead their hated foe
Over the country, and from time to time 1230
To drag him fiercely as they could contrive.
Savage, they haled him, cruel-hearted foes,
Through mountain-caves, about the stony cliffs,
Far as their stone-paved streets and highways stretched--
The ancient work of giants--through the town.
A tumult and a mighty outcry rose
Within the city from the heathen host.
With grievous wounds was Andrew's body pained,
Broken and wet with blood, which welled in streams 1240
All hot with gore; yet had he in his breast
Courage undoubting; and his noble mind
Was free from sin, though he was doomed to bear
Such bitter suffering from his heavy wounds.
Thus all day long till radiant evening came
Was Andrew scourged; and yet a second day
Pain pierced his breast, until the gleaming sun
With heavenly radiance to his setting went.
Then to the prison did those people lead
Their hated foe; yet to the heart of Christ 1250
Was he full dear; within his holy breast
His soul shone bright--a mind invincible.
So all night long the hero brave of heart,
That holy saint, dwelt 'neath the gloomy shades,
Beset with cunning snares. Snow bound the earth
In wintry storms; the air grew bitter cold
With heavy showers of hail; the rime and frost,
Those warriors hoary, locked the homes of men,
The people's dwellings; frozen were the lands
With icicles; the water's might shrank up 1260
Within the rivers, and the ice bridged o'er
The gleaming water-roads. The noble saint
Abode blithe-hearted, planning valiant deeds,
Bold and courageous in his misery,
Throughout the wintry night; nor did he e'er,
Dismayed by terror, cease to praise the Lord,
And ever worship Him, as at the first,
With righteous heart, until the radiant gem
Of glory rose.