Chapter 4

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.

Then came a mighty troop, A throng of warriors thirsting after blood, 1270 With clamor loud unto the prison mirk. They gave command to lead the noble saint, That steadfast man, into his foemen's grasp; And once again he suffered all day long, Beaten with grievous blows; his blood welled out In streams o'er all his body.... ...Worn with wounds He scarce felt any pain. Then from his breast The sound of weeping issued faintly forth, A stream welled up, and thus he spake in words:-- 1280 "O God, my Lord, behold now mine estate, Ruler of hosts, Thou who dost understand And know the misery of every man; I trust in Thee, Thou Author of my life, That, in Thy mercy and Thy glorious power, O Savior of mankind, Thou never wilt Forsake me, everlasting God of might; So while my life shall last I ne'er will leave, O God, Thy gracious teachings! Lo, Thou art 1290 A shield against the weapons of the foe For all Thy saints, eternal Source of joy. Let not man's foe, the first-born child of sin, Revile me now, nor by his fiendish craft Cover with woe the men who spread Thy praise."

Then in their midst the ugly fiend appeared, That wicked traitor damned to torments sharp; Before the host he taught the warriors, The Devil of hell, and this word did he speak:-- "Come, smite the wicked wretch upon his mouth, 1300 The foeman of this folk; too much he talks!"

Then was the strife stirred up once more anew, And violence arose, until the sun Went to his setting 'neath the gloomy earth; Night shrouded all, and spread o'er mountains steep, A dusky brown. Then to the prison mirk Once more the brave and righteous saint was led, And all night long that true man had to dwell Within his wretched den, the house unclean. 1310

Then came unto the hall with other six That demon vile, mindful of evil deeds, The lord of murder, shrouded in deep gloom, The Devil fierce, bereft of majesty, And to the saint he spake reviling words:-- "Andrew, why didst thou plan thy coming here, Into the power of foes? Where is that fame Which in thy arrogance thou didst set up, When thou wouldst overthrow our gods' renown? Thou hast claimed all things for thyself alone, 1320 The land and people, as thy master did; He set up royal power upon the earth, As long as it might stand--Christ was his name. Herod, the king, deprived him of his life, He overcame the King of the Jews in war, Robbed him of power, and nailed him on the rood, That on the cross he might give up his life. So now I bid my sons, my mighty thanes, To vanquish thee, his follower, in the fight. Let javelin-point and arrow poison-dipped 1330 Pierce his doomed breast! Advance, ye bold of heart, That ye may humble low this warrior's pride!"

Fierce-souled were they, and quickly rushed they on With greedy hands; but God defended him, Guiding him steadfast by His own strong might. Soon as they recognized upon his face The glorious token of Christ's holy cross, They all were terrified in the attack, Sorely afraid, thrown headlong into flight. 1340

The ancient fiend, the prisoner of hell, Began once more to sing his mournful song:-- "What happened, O my warriors so bold, My shield-companions, that ye fared so ill?"

An ill-starred wretch, a fiend of wicked heart, Gave answer then, and to his father said:-- "We shall not quickly work him any harm, Nor slay him by our wiles; go thou to him; There wilt thou surely find a bitter fight, A savage battle, if again thou dar'st 1350 To risk thy life against that lonely man. Much better counsel in the play of swords We easily can give thee, lord beloved: Before thou shalt resort to open war And battle-rush, see to it how thou fare In that exchange of blows; but let us go Again, that we may mock him fast in bonds, And taunt him with his misery; have words Ready devised against that wicked wretch."

Then with a mighty voice cried out that fiend 1360 Weighed down with torments, and this word he spake:-- "Long time, O Andrew, hast thou been well versed In arts of sorcery; thou hast deceived And led astray much people; but thou shalt No longer now have power upon such works, For grievous torments are decreed for thee According to thy deeds. With weary heart, Joyless, degraded, thou shalt suffer woes, The bitter pangs of death. My warriors Are ready for the battle; they will soon Deprive thee of thy life by valiant deeds. 1370 What man on earth so mighty that he may Release thee from thy bonds, if I oppose?"

Straightway did Andrew answer him again:-- "Almighty God with ease can rescue me From all my grief--He who in days of yore Fettered thee fast with fiery chains in woe. There, shorn of glory, bound with torments fierce, In exile hast thou dwelt e'er since the day 1380 When thou didst set at naught the word of God, Of Heaven's King; then did thy woe begin, And to thy exile there shall be no end; But thou shalt still heap up thy wretchedness To everlasting life, and evermore Thy lot shall grow yet harsher day by day." Then fled that fiend who in the years long past Began a deadly feud against his God.

Then at the dawning, when the day first broke, A troop of heathens came to find the saint, A mighty throng, and gave command to lead 1390 That valiant-hearted thane a third time forth. They wished straightway to overcome the soul Of that bold saint--but it was not to be. Then was the battle stirred up once again, Cruel and very fierce. The holy man, Bound fast with cunning skill, was sorely scourged, Pierced through with wounds, until the daylight failed; And, sad of heart, he cried aloud to God Bravely from prison with his holy voice; Weary of soul, he spake these words with tears:-- 1400 "Ne'er have I suffered by God's holy will A lot more grievous under heaven's vault, In lands where I have had to preach His law! My limbs are wrenched apart, my body sore Is broken, and my flesh is stained with blood; My thews are torn and bloody. Lo, Thou too, Ruler of victory, Redeeming Lord, Wast filled with grief among the Jews that day When from the cross, Thou, everlasting God, Glory of kings, creation's mighty Lord, 1410 Called to the Father, and thus spake to him :-- 'Father of angels, source of light and life, Oh why hast Thou forsaken me, I pray?' Torments most cruel I have had to bear For three long days. I beg thee, Lord of hosts, That I may give my soul into Thy hands, Thy very hands, Thou Nourisher of souls! For Thou didst promise by Thy holy word, When Thou didst stablish us, the chosen Twelve, That we should ne'er be scathed by foeman's sword, 1420 No member of our bodies be destroyed, No bone nor sinew left beside the way; That no lock should be lost from off our heads, If we would keep Thy teachings faithfully. My sinews now are loosed, my blood is spilled My hair lies scattered wide upon the ground, And death were dearer far than this sad life."

Then spake a voice unto that steadfast man; The King of glory's words resounded clear:-- 1430 "Weep not, O man beloved, at this thy woe; Too hard it is not for thee; with My aid, With My protection, I will hold thee up, And compass thee about with My great might. All power is given to Me upon this earth, And glorious victory. Full many a man Shall bear Me witness at the judgment day, That all this beauteous world, the heavens and earth, Shall fall in ruin, before a single word Which I have spoken with My mouth shall fail. 1440 Look now where thou hast walked, and where thy blood Was spilled, where from thy wounds the path was stained With spots of blood. No more harsh injury Can they do unto thee by stroke of spears Who most have harmed thee by their cruel deeds." Then looked behind him that dear champion, Even as the glorious King commanded him; Fair flowering trees beheld he standing there, With blossoms decked, where he had shed his blood.

Then spake in words that shield of warriors:-- 1450 "Ruler of nations, thanks and praise to Thee And glory in heaven both now and evermore, For that Thou didst not leave me in my woe, Alone, a stranger, Lord of victory!" So to the Lord that doer of great deeds Gave praise with holy voice until the sun In glorious brightness went beneath the waves.

Then yet a fourth time those fierce-hearted foes, The leaders of the folk, brought back the prince Unto his prison; for they hoped to turn 1460 In the dark night the hero's mighty soul. Then came the Lord unto that prison-house, Glory of warriors, and with words of cheer The Guide of life, the Father of mankind, Greeted His thane and bade him once again Soundness enjoy:--"From henceforth and for aye Thou shalt no more bear woe from armed men."

Freed from the bondage of his grievous pains, 1470 The mighty saint arose and thanked his God. His beauty was not marred, nor was the hem Loosed from his cloak, nor lock from off his head; No bone was broken, and no bloody wounds Were in his body, and no injured limb Wet with his blood through wounding stroke of sword; But there he stood by God's most noble might Whole as before, giving to Him the praise.

Lo, I awhile the story of the saint-- The song of praise of him who did the deeds-- Have set forth here in words, a tale well known, 1480 Beyond my power; much is there yet to tell-- A weary task--what he in life endured, From the beginning on! A wiser man Upon the earth than I account myself Must in his heart invent it, one who knows From the beginning all the misery Which bravely he endured in cruel wars. Yet in small parts we further must relate A portion of that tale. It has been told Already how he suffered many woes 1490 From grievous warfare in the heathen town.

Beside the prison-wall set wondrous fast He saw great pillars, work of giants old, All beaten by the storms. With one of these He converse held, mighty and bold of heart; Prudent and wondrous wise, he spake these words:-- "Give ear, thou marble stone, to God's command, Before whose presence all created things-- The heavens and earth--stand trembling, when they see The Father with a countless multitude 1500 Visit the race of men upon the earth! Let streams well forth from out thy firm support, A gushing river; for the King of heaven, Almighty God, commands thee that straightway Upon this stubborn-hearted folk thou send Water wide-flowing for the people's death, A rushing sea. Lo, thou art better far Than gold or treasure! for the King Himself, The God of glory, wrote on thee, and showed 1510 His mysteries forth in words; Almighty God In ten commandments showed His righteous law, Gave it to Moses, and true-hearted men Kept it thereafter, mighty warriors, Joshua and Tobias, faithful thanes, God-fearing men. Now dost thou truly know That in the days of old the angels' King Decked thee more fair than all the precious stones. Now at His holy bidding thou shalt show 1520 If thou hast any knowledge of thy God!"

Then was there no delay; straightway the stone Split open, and a stream came rushing out And flowed along the ground; at early dawn The foaming billows covered up the earth; The ocean-flood waxed great; mead was outpoured After that day of feasting! Mail-clad men Shook off their slumbers; water deeply stirred Seized on the earth; the host was sore dismayed At terror of the flood; the youths were doomed, 1530 And perished in the deep; the rush of war Snatched them away with tumult of the sea. That was a grievous trouble, bitter beer; The ready cup-bearers did not delay; From daybreak on each man had drink to spare. The might of waters waxed, the men wailed loud, Old bearers of the spear; they strove to flee The fallow stream; they fain would save their lives And seek a refuge in the mountain caves, Firm earth's support. An angel drove them back, 1540 Compassing all the town with gleaming fire, With savage flames. Wild beat the sea within; No troop of men could scape from out the walls. The waves waxed, and the waters thundered loud; The firebrands flew; the flood welled up in streams.

Then easy was it in that town to find The song of sorrow sung, and grief bemoaned, And many a heart afraid, and dirges sad. The dreadful fire was plain to every eye, 1550 Fierce pillager, the uproar terrible; And rushing through the air the blasts of fire Hurled themselves round the walls; the floods grew great. There far and wide was lamentation heard, The cries of helpless men. Straightway began One wretched warrior to collect the folk Humble and sad, he spake with mournful voice:-- "Now may ye truly know that we did wrong When we o'erwhelmed this stranger with our chains, With bonds of torment, in the prison-house; 1560 For Fate is crushing us, most fierce and stern-- That is full clear!--And better is it far, So hold I truth, that we with one accord Should loose him soon as may be from his bonds, And beg the holy man to give us help, Comfort and aid! Full quickly we shall find Peace after sorrow, if we seek of him."

Then Andrew knew the purpose of the folk Within his heart; he knew the warriors' might, 1570 The pride of valiant men, was humbled low. The waters compassed them about, and fierce The rushing torrent flowed, the flood rejoiced, Until the welling sea o'ertopped their breasts, And reached their shoulders. Then the noble saint Bade the wild flood subside, the storms to cease About the stony cliffs. Straight walked he out And left his prison, valiant, firm of soul, Wise-hearted, dear to God; for him forthwith A way was opened through the spreading stream; 1580 Calm was the field of victory, the earth Was dry at once where'er he placed his foot. Blithe-hearted waxed the dwellers in that town, And glad in soul; for help was come to pass After their grief. The flood subsided straight, And at the saint's behest the storm was stilled, The waters ceased. Then was the mountain cloven-- A frightful chasm--into itself it drew The flood, and swallowed up the fallow waves, The struggling sea--the abyss devoured it all. 1590 Yet not the waves alone it swallowed up; But fourteen men, worst caitiffs of the throng, Went headlong to destruction with the flood Under the yawning earth. Then sore afraid Was many a heart at that calamity; They feared the slaughter both of men and wives, A yet more wretched season of distress, When once those sin-stained cruel murderers, Those warriors fierce, plunged headlong down the abyss. 1600

Straightway then spake they all with one accord:-- "Now is it plain to see that one true God, The King of every creature, rules with might-- He who did hither send this messenger To help the people! Great is now our need That we should follow righteousness with zeal."

Then did the saint give comfort to those men, He cheered the throng of warriors with his words:-- "Be not too fearful, though the sinful race Sought ruin, suffered death--the punishment 1610 Due to their sins. A bright and glorious light On you is risen if ye but purpose well." His prayer he sent before the Son of God, And begged the Holy One to give His aid Unto those youths who in the ocean-stream Had lost their life within the flood's embrace, So that their souls, forsaken by the Lord, Shorn of their glory, had been borne away To death and torments in the power of fiends.

Saint Andrew's prayer was pleasing unto God, 1620 Almighty One, the Counselor of men; He bade the youths, those whom the flood had slain, Rise up unscathed in body from the ground. Then straightway stood there up among the throng Many an ungrown child, as I have heard; Body and soul were joined again in one, Though but a short time gone in flood's fierce rush They all had lost their lives. Then they received True baptism and the covenant of peace, 1630 The pledge of glory, God's protecting grace, Freedom from punishment. The valiant saint, The craftsman of the King, then bade them build A church, and make a temple of the Lord Upon the spot where those young men arose By baptism, even where the flood sprang forth. From far and wide the warriors of that town Gathered in throngs; both men and women said That they would faithfully obey his word, Receive the bath of baptism joyfully 1640 According to God's will, and straightway leave Their devil-worship and their ancient shrines. Then noble baptism was exalted high Among that folk, the righteous law of God Established 'mong those men--a mighty boon Unto their country--and the church was blessed.