Chapter 3

"Lo! thát we heard through holy books, That the Lord to you gave blameless glory, 365 The Maker, mights' Speed, to Moses said How the King of heaven ye should obey, His teaching perform. Of that ye soon wearied, And counter to right ye had contended; Ye shunned the bright Creator of all, 370 The Lord [of Lords],[1] and followed error 'Gainst right of God. Now quickly go And find ye still who writings of old Through craft of wit the best may know, Your books of law, that answer to me 375 Through prudent mind they may return." Went then with a crowd depressed in mind The proud in heart, as thém the queen bade. Found they five hundred of cunning men, Chosen comrades, who craft of lore 380 Through memory of mind the most possessed, Wisdom in spirit. They back to the hall In little while again were summoned, Wards of the city. The queen them gan With words address (she glanced over all): 385 "Often ye silly actions performed, Accursèd wretches, and writings despised, Lore of your fathers, ne'er more than now, When ye of your blindness the Healer rejected, Ánd ye contended 'gainst truth and right, 390 That in Bethlehem the child of the Ruler, The only-born King, incarnate was, The Prince of princes. Though the law ye knew, Words of the prophets, ye wére not then willing, Workers of sin, the truth to confess." 395 With one mind then they answered her: "Lo! wé the Hebrew law have learned, That in days of old our fathers knew, At the ark of God, nor know we well Why thou so fiercely, lady, with us 400 Hast angry become. We know not the wrong That wé have done amid this nation, Chiefest of crimes[2] against thee ever." Helena said and 'fore the earls spake Without concealment; the lady proclaimed 405 Aloud 'fore the hosts: "Now go ye quickly, Seek out apart who wisdom with you Might and mindcraft the most may have, That each of the things they boldly may tell me, Without delay, that I from them seek." 410 Went they then from the council as the mighty queen, Bold in the palace, them had commanded, Sorry-in-mind eagerly searched they, With cunning sought, what were the sin That they in the folk might have committed 415 Against the Cæsar, for which the queen blames them. Then there 'fore the earls óne them addressed, Cunning in songs (his name was Judas), Crafty in word: "I surely know, That she will seek of the victor-tree 420 On which once suffered the Ruler of nations Free from all faults, own Son of God, Whom though guiltless[3] of every sin Through hatred hanged upon the high tree In days of old oúr own fathers. 425 That was terrible thought. There is now great need That we with firmness strengthen our minds, That we of this murder become not informers, Where the holy tree was hidden away After the war-storm, lest máy be rejected 430 The wise old writings and óf our fathers The lore be lost. Not long will it be[4] That of Israelites the noble race Over the mid-earth may reign any more, The law-craft of earls, if this be revealed: 435 That same long ago mine elder father Victory-famed said (his name was Zacchaéus), The wise old man, to mine own father, [Who afterwards made it known to his, Gn.][5] son, (He went from this world), and spake this word: 440 'If to thée that happen in the days of thy life, That thou may'st hear of that holy tree Wise men inquire and questionings raise Of that victor-wood on which the true King Was hanged on high, Guardian of heaven, 445 Child of all peace, then quickly declare it, Mine own dear son, ere death thee remove. Ne'er may after that the folk of the Hebrews, The wise in counsel, their kingdom hold, Rule over men, but _their_ fame shall live 450 And their dominion [be glorified ever, Gn.],[5] To world of worlds with joy be filled, Who the King that was hanged honor and praise.'

[1] Gn., Z., W.

[2] So W. 'Wrongs have committed,' Gm., Gn. and Z. [?]

[3] W.

[4] Add 'after that.'

[5] _Lacuna_ in MS., emended by Gn.

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.'

VII.

Words waxed in speech; men counsel took On every side; some hither, some thither, Considered and thought. Then came many thanes To the people's assembly. The heralds called, 550 The Cæsar's criers: "This queen you invites, Men, to the hall, that the council-decisions Ye rightly may tell. Of rede have ye need In the place of assembly, of wisdom of mind." Ready they were, the sad-in-mind 555 People's protectors, when they were summoned Through stern command; to court they went Craft's might to tell. Then gan the queen The Hebrew men in words address, Ask the life-weary of writings of old, 560 How ere in the world the prophets sang, Men holy in spirit, of the Son of God, Where the Prince [of the people] his sufferings bore, True son of Creator, for love of souls. Stubborn they were, harder than stone, 565 Would not that secret rightly make known Nor answer to her any would tell, Anger-provokers, of what she sought, But they of each word made a denial, Firm in their minds, of what she gan ask, 570 Said that in life they any such thing Nor ere nor since ever had heard of. Helena spake and angrily said: "I [now] in truth to you will say,-- And of this in your life there shall be no deception,-- 575 If ye in this falseness longer continue With treacherous lying, who stand here before me, That you on the mountain bale-fire shall take, Hottest of war-waves, and your corpses consume, The lambent flame, so for yoú shall that lie 580 To leaving of life [surely] be turned. Ye may not prove that word, which ye just now in wrong Concealed 'neath heaps[1] of sins. Nor may ye hide that fate, Obscure its deepest might." In thought of death they were Of pyre and life's end, and delivered then one 585 Well-skilled in songs (to him the name Judas Was given 'fore kinsmen);--him they gave to the queen, Said of him very wise: "He may truth to thee tell, Fate's secrets reveal, as thou askest in words, The law from beginning forth to the end. 590 He is before earth of noble race, Wise in word-craft and son of a prophet, Bold in council. To him 'tis inborn That he the answers clever may have, Knowledge in heart. He to thée shall declare 595 'Fore the crowd of men the gift of wisdom Through mickle might, as thy mind desires." In peace she permitted each one to seek His own [dear] home, and him alone took, Judas, as hostage, and earnestly prayed 600 That he of the rood would rightly teach, Which of old in its bed was long concealed, And she himself apart to her called. Helena spake to him alone, Glory-rich queen: "For thee two are ready, 605 Or life or death, as liefer shall be, To thee to choose. Now quickly declare To which of the two thou wilt agree." Judas to her spake again (he might not the sorrow avoid, Avert the ire of the empress.[2] In the power of the queen was he): 610 "How maý him befall who oút on the waste, Tired and foodless, treads the moorland, Oppressed with hunger, and bread and stone Both in his sight together[3] shall be, The hard and the soft, that he take the stone 615 For hunger's defence, care nót for the bread, Return to want and reject the food, Renounce the better, if both he enjoys?"

[1] Lit., 'under the lap (or bosom) of sins.'

[2] MS. _rex_ (Latin?), Z.; 'oppression of care' (_cearces_), Gn.; 'of hunger' (_ceaces_), Gm.; 'of smoke' (_rêces_), Schubert; _rex_ = _cyninges_, Sievers and W.

[3] Z.

VIII.

To him then the blessed answer returned, Helena 'fore earls without concealment: 620 "If thou in heaven willest to have Dwelling with angels and life on earth, Reward in the skies, tell me quickly Where rests the rood of the King of heaven Holy 'neath earth, which yé now long 625 Through sin of murder from men have concealed." Judas replied (his mind was sad, Heat in his heart and woe for both, Whether hope of heaven with [all] his soul He should renounce, along with his present 630 Kingdom 'neath skies, or show the rood): "How may I that find that long ago happened In course of winters? Now many are gone, Two hundred or more, reckoned by number; I may not recount, now the number I know not. 635 Now many have since departed this life, Of wise and good who were before us, Of clever men. In youth was I In later days afterwards born, A child in years. I cannot what I know not 640 Find in my heart that so long ago happened." Helena spake to him in answer: "How has it happened among this people, That ye so much in mind retain, Each one of all signs, just as the Trojans 645 In fight effected? 'Twas greater terror,[1] Well-known old war, than this noble event, In course of years. Ye that can well Quickly recount, how many there were In number of men in that murderous fight 650 Of throwers-with-darts fallen in death Under the shield-hedge. Ye have the graves Under the stone-slopes, and likewise the places And the number of winters in writings set down." Judas replied (great sorrow he bore): 655 "That work of war, we, lady mine, Through direful need remember well, And that tumult of war in writing set down, The bearing of nations, but this one never By any man's mouth have we heard 660 Made known to men except here now." The noble queen gave answer to him: "Thou resistest too much both truth and right Of the tree of life, and now little before Thou truly said'st of that victor-tree 665 To thine own people, and now turn'st to a lie." To her Judas said that he spake that in sorrow And doubt extreme, worse evil expected. Him quickly answered the Cæsar's mother: "Lo! that have we heard through holy books 670 Made known to men that there was hanged On Calvarý the King's free child, God's Spirit-son. Thou fully shalt Wisdom reveal, as writings tell, About the plain, where the place may be, 675 That Calvarý, ere misery take thee, Death for thy sins, that I afterwards may Purify ít at the will of Christ, For help to men, that holy God, Almighty Lord, the thought of my heart 680 My wish may fulfil, men's Giver of glory, Helper of souls." Her Judas answered, Stubborn in mind: "I know not the place Nor aught of the plain, nor the thing do I know." Helena spake with angry mind: 685 "This do I swear through the Son of the Maker The hangèd God, that with hunger thou shalt Before thy kinsmen be put to death, Unless thou forsake these lying tales And plainly to me the truth make known." 690 Then bade she with band him lead alive, The guilty one cast (the servants delayed not) Intó a dry pit, where robbed of joy, He lingered in sorrows seven nights' time Within the prison oppressed with hunger, 695 Fastened with fetters, and then gan he call, Weakened by pains, on the seventh day, Tired and foodless (his strength was exhausted): "I you beseech through heaven's God, That me from these sufferings ye maý release, 700 Humbled by hunger. Of that holy tree Shall I willingly tell, now longer I may not For hunger conceal it. This bond is too strong, Distress too severe, and this misery too hard In number of days. I may not endure it, 705 Nor longer conceal of the tree of life, Though with folly before I was thoroughly filled, And the truth too late I myself have perceived."

[1] Or, 'war,' Gn.; 'further oft,' Gm.

IX.

When she that heard, who men there ordered, The man's behavior, she quickly commanded 710 That him from confinement and out of his dungeon, From the narrow abode, they shóuld release. They hastily thát did soon perform And him with honor then led they up From out of the prison as them the queen bade. 715 Stepped they then to the place, the firm-in-mind, Upon the hill on which the Lord Before was hanged, heaven-kingdom's Ward, God's child, on the cross, and yet knew he not well, Weakened by hunger, where the holy rood 720 Through cunning of foe[1] enclosed in earth, 721-2 Long firm in its bed concealed from men, Remained in its grave. Now raised he his voice, Unmindful[2] of might, and in Hebrew he spake: 725 "Saviour Lord, thou hast power of rule, And thou didst create through the might of thy glory Heaven and earth and the boisterous sea, The ocean's wide bosom, all creatures alike, And thou didst measure with thine own hands 730 All the globe of the earth and the heaven above, And thou thyself sittest, Wielder of victories, Above the noblest order of angels, That fly through the air encircled with light, Great might of glory. There mankind may not 735 From the paths of earth ascend on high In bodily form with thát bright host, Heralds of glory. These wroughtest thou, And for thíne own service thém didst thou set, Holy and heavenly. Of these in the choir 740 In joy eternal six are named, Who are surrounded with six wings apiece, [With them are] adorned, [and] fair they shine. Of these are four who ever in flight The service of glory attend upon 745 Before the face of the Judge eternal, Continually sing in glory the praise, With clearest voices, of the King of heaven, Most beauteous of songs, and say these words With voices pure (their name Cherubím): 750 'Holy is the holy God of archangels, Ruler of hosts. Full of his glory Are heaven and earth and all the high powers With glory distinguished,' There are two among these, Victor-race in heaven, who Seraphím 755 By name are called. They sháll Paradise And the tree of life with flaming sword Holy maintain. The hard-edged trembles, The etched brand wavers, and changes its form, Firm in their grips. Thát,[3] O Lord God, 760 Ever thou wieldest, and thou the sinful, Guilt-working foes out of the heavens, The foolish, didst cast. The accursèd host then Under dwellings of darkness was forced to fall To perdition of hell. There now in the welling 765 Endure they death-pain in the dragon's embrace, Enclosed in darkness. [Thee] he resisted, Thy princely rule; therefore in misery, Full[4] of all foulness, he guilty shall suffer, Slavery endure. There may he not 770 Thy word reject: he is fast in torments, The author of sin, in misery bound. If thy will it be, Ruler of angels, That he may reign who was on the rood, And who through Mary upon the mid-earth 775 Incarnate became in form of a child, Prince of the angels (if hé had not been Thy Son free from sin, never so many True wonders in world would hé have wrought In number of days. Thou wouldst not from death 780 So gloriously him, Ruler of nations, Have awaked 'fore the hosts, if hé in glory Through the bright [maid] were not thy Son),-- Now, Father of angels, send forth thy sign. As thou didst hear the holy man, 785 Moses, in prayer, when thou, God of might, Didst show to the earl at the noble time Under the hill-slope the bones of Joseph, So, Ruler of hosts, if it be thy will, Through that bright form I'll pray to thee 790 That to me the gold-hoard, Maker of spirits, Thou wilt reveal, that has been from men [So] long concealed. Let, Author of life, Now from this plain a winsome smoke 'Neath heaven's expanse mount up on high 795 Playing in the air. I'll the better believe, And I'll the more firmly stablish my mind, Undoubting trust, upon the hanged Christ, That hé be in truth the Saviour of souls, Eternal, Almighty, Israel's King, 800 Forever may have glory in heaven, Rule without end the dwellings eternal."

[1] No _lacuna_ in MS. Gn.^1 inserted one line, but Gn.^2 one word (_fêonda_), which W. prefers. Text as Z. (_fêondes_), which Sievers approves.

[2] 'Mindful,' Gm. and Gn.; 'suffering,' Z. [?].

[3] Referring to the sword.

[4] Gn., or 'foul,' Z.

X.