(ll. 252-258) Then a herald rose before the warriors, a valiant
leader, and, lifting up his shield, he bade the captains of the
host make silence, that all the multitude might hear the words of
their brave lord. The shepherd of the kingdom fain would speak
with holy voice unto his legions. The leader of the host in
words of worth addressed them:
(ll. 259-275) "Be not afraid though Pharaoh leadeth hither this
mighty host of sword-men, a multitude of earls. Upon them all
this day Almighty God will give requital by my hand, that they
may live no longer to vex the tribes of Israel with woe. Ye
shall not dread doomed armies and dead men. Their fleeting life
hath run unto the end. The knowledge of God hath vanished from
your hearts. I give you better counsel, to serve the God of
glory, and pray the Lord of life for victory and grace and
safety, wherever ye may journey. He is the Eternal God of
Abraham, Creation's Lord, magnanimous and mighty, who with His
strong hand guardeth all this host."
(ll. 276-298) Then the lord of men spake with a loud voice before
the multitude and said: "Look now, dearest of people, with your
eyes and behold a marvel! In my right hand grasping this green
rod I smote the ocean depths. The waves rise up; the waters form
a rampartwall. The sea is thrust aside. The ways are dry: grey
army-roads, ancient foundations (never have I heard in all the
world that men before set foot thereon), shining plains,
imprisoned deep sea-bottoms over which of old the great waves
foamed. The south wind, breath of the ocean, hath driven them
back. The sea is cleft asunder; the ebbing waters spewed up
sand. Well I know Almighty God hath showed you mercy, ye
bronze-clad earls. Most haste is best now, that ye may escape
the clutch of foes since God hath reared a rampart of the red
seastreams. These walls are fairly builded to the roof of
heaven, a wondrous wave-road."
(ll. 299-309) And after these words the multitude arose, the host
of the valiant. The sea lay tranquil. Upon the sand the legions
raised their standards and shining linden shields. And over
against the Israelites the wall of water stood firm and upright
for the space of one whole day. Of one mind was that company of
earls. The wall of water shielded them with sure defence. In no
wise did they scorn their holy leader's counsels as the time for
deeds drew near, when the words of their well-loved lord were
ended, and the voice of his eloquence was still.
(ll. 310-318) The fourth tribe led the way, a throng of warriors,
marching through the sea upon the green sea-bottom. The tribe of
Judah trod that unknown road alone, before their kinsmen, and God
Almighty gave them great reward for that day's work, granting
them glory of triumphant deeds, that they might have dominion
over kingdoms and sway their kinsmen.