Chapter 2

'And my parent gave answer unto me, wisely my father spake:--"Recognize, O youth, the surpassing power of God, the name of the Saviour which may not be expressed by any man. No man on 465 earth can search it out. Never would I visit the council which this people held, but I ever kept myself aloof from their sin, nor wrought shame 470 unto my soul in any way. Many times I earnestly withstood the unrighteous act when the wise men sat in council, and sought in their heart how they might crucify the Son of the Creator, the Bulwark 475 of men and Lord of all, of angels and of mortals, the most noble of heroes."

'"But these foolish and wretched men could not bring death upon Him as they weened, nor beset Him about with agony, though He, the victorious Son of God, for a little while yielded up His ghost upon 480 the cross. Then the King of the heavens, the Glory of all glory, was raised from off the rood, and abode three nights in the tomb, within the place of darkness; and upon the third day He arose living, Light 485 of all light and Lord of angels, and revealed himself unto His followers, the true Prince of victory, resplendent in glory. Then after a little space, Stephen, thy brother, received the bath of baptism, 490 the faith of joy, and for the love of the Lord he was stoned. Yet he gave not evil for evil, but in patient suffering made intercession for his ancient foes, and prayed the King of glory that He would not lay to their charge this evil deed, that they 495 deprived of life a man innocent and free from guile through hate and the teachings of Saul.

'"And this Saul in enmity was dooming many a follower of Christ to torture and death, yet the 500 Lord showed mercy unto him so that he became a solace for many men. And in after times the God of creation, Redeemer of men, changed his name, and he was called Saint Paul, and of the teachers of 505 the law no one of all those, or man or woman born into the world, was ever better than he beneath the span of the heavens, even though upon the hill he bade crush Stephen, thy brother, with stones. 510

'"Now thou canst understand, my dear son, how merciful is the Lord of all, if we straightway purge ourselves of our evil deeds and cease again from the unrighteous act, though many times we transgress 515 against Him, and wound Him with our sins. Wherefore I, in sooth, and in after times my dear father, believed that the God of all glory, Giver of life, suffered' bitter agony for the surpassing need 520 of mankind. And now I counsel thee in secret, my dear son, that thou never offer scorn, nor blasphemy, nor wrathful opposition to the Son of God. Then 525 shalt thou deserve that unto thee be granted eternal life in heaven, the best reward of victory."'

'Thus in days of yore, while I was still a youth, my father instructed me, and taught me with these true words, a man wise in sorrow--Simon was his 530 name. And now that ye know my heart and mind, ye perceive clearly what ye had best declare if the queen ask us concerning that tree.' 535

And the wisest spake together before the assembly in these words:--'Never heard we any other man save now thee declare thus among this people concerning 540 such a hidden thing. Act as thou thinkest, O thou wise in the lore of old, if thou art questioned among the multitude, for there is need of wisdom, of artful words, and the learning of a seer, that shall give answer to this noble woman before such a 545 throng met together.'

Then words increased: men thought, reflected, and pondered on either side, some this way and some that. And there came a band of thanes to the assembly; and heralds, messengers of Cæsar, 550 trumpeted:--'O ye counselors, the queen doth summon you unto the royal hall, that ye may show forth rightly the judgments of your synod. Ye have need of prudence in the council, of wisdom in mind.' And they, the leaders of the people, grieved 555 in soul, were ready as they were summoned by the bitter edict, and went unto the palace to show forth the power of craft.

Then the queen spake unto the Hebrews and asked them, their hearts sorely burdened, how once the 560 prophets, holy men, sang in the world concerning the Son of God; and where the Lord suffered, true Son of the Creator, for the love of souls. But they were obdurate and mute as stones, nor would they 565 show forth the true secret, nor in the hardness of their hearts would they give any answer to what she sought of them, but, set in purpose, they withstood each word that she asked, and said that never 570 in their lives had they heard, before nor since, one whit of any such thing.

Then Elene spake and answered them in anger:--'I shall say unto you truly, and never in your life will this be false, that if ye who stand before me 575 persist long in this falsehood with lying craft, ye shall be burned upon the hill in the hottest fury of fire, and leaping flames shall consume your flesh, so that for you this lie shall be changed into utter destruction. 580 Nor can ye prove those words which now in your guile ye cover up under the cloak of evil. Ye cannot hide the deed, nor conceal its mystic power.'

10. ELENE AND JUDAS.

Then were they in the fear of death, of the funeral-pyre, and the end of life; and there they 585 thrust forth one of exceeding wisdom in the lore of old, whose name was Judas, sprung from noble lineage; and they gave him up unto the queen, and called him a man of wondrous learning: 'He can show forth to thee the truth, unlock the secret of the fates, expound the just law from the beginning 590 even to the end, according as thou dost ask him. He is of noble race in the world, wise in speech, the son of a prophet, outspoken in council. And it is his nature to have sage answers and wisdom of soul. He shall show forth to thee before 595 the multitude with his great power the gift of wisdom, even as thy heart desireth.'

Then she let each man seek his own home in peace, and took Judas alone as hostage. And she earnestly 600 bade him tell the truth concerning the cross, which had been long buried in a secret place. Then Elene, the glorious queen, drew him aside by himself, and thus spake to the lonely man:--'Two ways 650 are ready for thee, either life or death, whichsoever thou shalt please to choose. Declare quickly now which one thou wilt accept.'

And Judas made answer unto her--nor could he rid himself of sorrow and turn away the wrath of his ruler, but he was in the power of the queen--: 610 'How shall it be with him who treadeth the moor in a desert, weary, without food, and tortured with hunger, if before his eyes a loaf and a stone together seem hard and soft, and he knoweth them not apart, but taketh the stone to ward off his 615 hunger, and marketh not the loaf, turneth to want and forsaketh the food, refuseth the better when he hath the choice of both?'

Then openly before the people the blessed Elene gave him answer:--'If thou wouldst have thy life 620 in the world and a home with the angels in the kingdom of heaven, the reward of victory in the sky, tell me straightway where the holy rood of the King of glory lieth under the earth, which ye 625 have hid now for a while from men because of the unrighteous murder.'

Judas answered, and his heart was heavy within him; there was grief in his soul, and woe either way, whether thus he forsook the joy of the 630 heavenly realm and this present kingdom beneath the skies, or disclosed the rood:--'How can I reveal that which came to pass so long ago in the course of years? Two hundred or more in number are now vanished away--I know not the sum of 635 them, and I cannot declare the event. Many of wisdom, of virtue, and of learning, who were before our time, are told among the dead. In days long after was I born, and in my childhood, and in my youth. I may not discover in my heart that which 640 I know not, and which came to pass so long ago.'

Then Elene bespake him in answer:--'Whence cometh it that ye bear in mind so many things, every wondrous deed, such as those which the Trojans 645 wrought in battle? That far-famed war of old was further in the course of years than this holy event, and yet ye know that fully, how to declare at once the number of all that were slain 650 there, and of the spearmen who fell in death beneath their shields. Ye set forth in writing the tombs beneath the rocky cliffs, and likewise the places and the tale of years.'

Then Judas answered--he suffered bitter grief:--'We 655 are mindful of that war from very need, my dear lady, and we set forth in writing the fierce strife and the deeds of the nations, but never have we heard this declared unto men from the mouth 660 of any save here and now.'

And the noble queen gave him answer:--'Too mightily dost thou withstand the truth and the right concerning the tree of life, insomuch as thou spakest 665 verily of the rood of victory before thine own people but a little time ago, and now dost turn to falsehood.'

Judas again spake unto her, and said that he uttered those words in sorrow and exceeding doubt, that he had weened bitter hardship for himself.

Quickly the kinswoman of Cæsar answered him:--'Lo! we have heard it declared unto men from 670 the holy book that the noble Child of the King, the Son of God, was crucified on Calvary. Thou shalt reveal thy knowledge perfectly concerning the field where this place Calvary is, according to the teaching 675 of the Scriptures, ere death and utter destruction snatch thee away for thy sins, that I may thereafter cleanse the cross to be a solace for men, according to the will of Christ. Thus shall the Holy God, the Lord Almighty, Glory-giver of hosts and Helper 680 of souls, fulfill for me my desire and my inmost longing.'

But with stubborn heart Judas answered her:--'I know not the place, nor aught of the field, nor know I the event.'

Then Elene spake with wrath in her heart:--'I 685 swear by the Son of the Creator, by the crucified God, that thou shalt be starved to death before the people of thine own race, save thou forsake this falsehood and fully declare unto me the truth.' 690

Then she bade men take him alive, and throw him, guilty as he was, into a dried-up well--nor did her subjects hesitate. And there, joyless and famished, weighed down with chains, was he to abide in his grief for the space of seven nights. And upon the seventh day, weakened by sorrow, weary, 695 and without food--his strength was broken--he began to call aloud:--'I beseech you by the God of the heavens that ye release me from this misery, 700 for I am brought low by the pangs of starvation. Joyfully will I show forth the holy tree--no longer can I hide it now by reason of my hunger. This durance is too fearful, this need too great, and this torture too bitter day by day. No longer can I 705 endure to suffer, and conceal my knowledge concerning the tree of life, though before I was filled with folly, and confess the truth too late.'

11. THE FINDING OF THE CROSSES.

When she who there held sway over the heroes understood the changed bearing of the man, she 710 straightway bade release him from his prison, his dungeon, his narrow cell. Then quickly they did so, and took him out of the pit with care, as the queen had bidden them. And they resolutely 715 took their way to that place upon the hill where the Lord was crucified on the cross, the Son of God and Prince of the heavenly realm. Weakened by hunger, he knew not yet clearly where through 720 the wiles of the devil the holy rood lay hid beneath the earth, nor where it rested in its tomb, safe in a secret place, long hidden from men.

After a little while he lifted up his voice with unwonted power and spake in Hebrew:--'O Lord 725 Jesus, thou who dost possess the power of judgment, thou who didst form the heaven and the earth and the sea, the broad expanse of waters, and all created things, by the might of thy glory; thou who didst measure out with thine own hands all the sphere of 730 this earth and of the firmament above; thou who dost sit in person, the King of victories, over the most glorious angel-kind; thou who in a mantle of light dost fare through space in surpassing majesty, the nature of man cannot rise in the flesh 735 from the earth-tainted ways unto the bright throng of the pure, the heralds of glory. Thou didst form that host, holy and heavenly, and didst ordain it unto thy service. Six of their number are called 740 by name in joy without end, and they are clothed about with six wings; they are adorned, and gleam brightly. And there are four of their number ever in flight that perform the service of glory 745 before the sight of the eternal Judge, and they continually sing in holiness with clear voices the laud of the King of heaven, fairest of songs, and they chant these words in pure tones--their name is 750 cherubim:--"Holy is the holy God of the archangels, the Lord of hosts. Heaven and earth are full of His majesty, and all His exceeding might is marked with His glory." And there are two among their number in the heavens, the victorious race, 755 whereon man bestoweth the name of seraphim. With flaming sword they are to keep sacred the field of Paradise and the tree of life. And fast in their grasp the drawn sword, sharp of edge, quivers, trembles, and changes its hue. For thou dost rule, 760 O Lord God, eternally, and thou didst hurl thy sin-stained foes, the workers of iniquity, from the heavens, and the unhappy host fell to the dark abodes, into the pains of hell. There now they suffer 765 the agony of death in a sea of fire, encompassed about with darkness, in the embrace of the dragon. He withstood thy kingly rule, and therefore in misery, abhorred, the vilest of the vile, shall he suffer and endure the servile yoke. He cannot there 770 neglect thy commandment; he is fettered in torture, bound in agony, the author of all sin. If it be thy will, O King of angels, that He who was on the cross, and was born of Mary into the world in the 775 form of a child, the Lord of the heavenly host, shall rule--and were He not thy Son, free from guile, never could He have wrought such a multitude of true miracles day after day in the world; 780 nor wouldst thou, O Lord of the peoples, so gloriously have raised Him from the dead before the nations, were He not thy Son in glory by that holy maid--then do thou, O Father of angels, now show forth thy sign. Even as thou didst hearken unto 785 the words of that holy seer, Moses, in prayer, when thou, O God of power, didst reveal unto the noble man in due time the bones of Joseph beneath the mountain-side, so would I, O God of hosts, if it be thy will, beseech thee in the name of that fair being 790 that thou, Creator of souls, wilt disclose unto me this treasure-house that long has been hidden from men. Do thou now, O Prince of life, let rise up beneath the span of the heavens from this smiling 795 field a misty smoke. Then shall I trust in thee better, and the more firmly establish my soul in undoubting joy upon the crucified Christ, that He is truly the Saviour of souls, eternal, omnipotent, and King of the Israelites, and that He shall rule 800 for ever in glory without end the everlasting dwellings in the heavens.'

Then from that place a mist rose up beneath the skies, like unto smoke. Thereupon was the soul of the man exalted, and he clapped his hands unto 805 the heavens, wise and blessed. And Judas spake, sage in thought:--'Now have I truly perceived in the hardness of my heart that thou art the Saviour of the world. Thanksgiving without end be thine, 810 O God of might, who sittest in majesty, that unto me in my misery and my sin thou dost uncover the secrets of the fates by thy glory. Now I would pray thee, O Son of God, Giver of gifts to men, inasmuch as I know thou art revealed and born the 815 Glory of all kings, that thou never more be mindful of my guilt, O my Creator, which I have wrought not a few times against thee. Let me, O God of power, dwell with holy joy among the number of 820 the kingdom in that fair city where my brother is exalted in glory, for he, Stephen, held covenant with thee, even though he was stoned. He hath the reward of the fight, joy unceasing, and the wonders 825 that he wrought are set forth in books.'

Then, glad and zealous, he digged in the earth under the sod for the tree of glory until he uncovered and came upon three crosses together in a mournful home, hid twenty feet below, concealed 830 in their dark grave beneath the steep cliff, and covered over with sand, even as in days of yore the 835 host of the sinful, the race of the Jews, had clothed them over with earth. They stirred up hatred against the Son of God, as they would not have done had they not hearkened to the teachings of the prince of evil.

And his soul was gladdened with great joy, and 840 his heart strengthened by that holy tree, and his spirit exalted within him as he beheld the holy sign in the earth. With his hands he seized upon the wondrous tree of glory, and in the midst of the people raised it aloft from its earthy grave. Then 845 strangers and heroes entered into the town.

12. THE MIRACLE OF THE TRUE CROSS.

Thereupon the glad and zealous man set forth the three trees of victory before Elene in open view. 850 The queen rejoiced in her heart at the deed, and asked on which of those trees the Son of the King, Giver of joy to men, was crucified: 'Lo! we heard it declared from the holy book that two suffered with Him, and He Himself was the third on the 855 cross. All the heavens grew dark in that woful hour. Say, if thou knowest, on which of these trees the Lord of angels and Prince of glory suffered.'

But Judas could not declare unto her fully concerning 860 that tree of victory, on which the Saviour, the conquering Son of God, was hung, for he wist it not assuredly. Then he bade set the crosses with tumult in the midst of the fair city, there to abide 865 until the King Almighty should show forth a miracle before the people through that tree of glory. With souls uplifted in their victory, they sat themselves down about the rood, and with earnest thought raised their voices in song until the ninth hour, when they had new joy, gloriously gained. 870 For many came there, no small multitude, and among the press of men close by on a bier they brought one who was dead, a young man, lifeless; and it was the ninth hour.

And there was the heart of Judas gladdened with 875 great joy. He bade them set down upon the earth him whose soul had fled, the body forsaken of life, the dead man, and he himself, wise and earnest revealer of truth, raised up in his arms two of those 880 crosses over the lifeless frame. But the body, fast on its couch, was dead as before. The limbs were cold, enwrapped with their dire fate. Then the third, the holy one, was raised aloft. The body 855 waited until the rood, the cross of the King of heaven, the true sign of victory, was laid upon the man; then he straightway rose up, restored in spirit, both body and soul together. And there was great 890 laud raised among the people; they revered the Father, and honored the true Son of the King in their speech. To Him be glory and thanksgiving without end from all creatures.

13. JUDAS AND THE DEVIL.

Then, as ever should be, was the miracle which 895 the Lord of hosts, Giver of life, had wrought for the salvation of mankind, impressed upon the minds of the people. But there the fiend, the devil from hell, dire monster mindful of evil, sinning with his 900 lies, rose up into the air, flying, and spake thus:--'Lo! what man is this who doth again in the ancient enmity destroy my following, swell the olden hatred, and waste my possessions? Continual 905 strife is this. No longer may the souls of them that work evil dwell among my possessions, since now a stranger hath come, whom I counted fast in his sins, and hath robbed me of my every right 910 and of all my wealth. This is not a just deed. The Saviour, who was raised up in Nazareth, hath done me many an evil, acts of deep hatred. As he grew up from childhood, he ever turned to himself 915 my possessions, nor now can any justice succeed [against him]. His kingdom is broad over the world, while my teaching is weakened beneath the heavens. I dare not despise this cross with scoffing laugh. Lo! the Saviour hath again shut me into 920 my narrow home, smitten with woe. Once I was filled with joy by a Judas: but now, again by a Judas, am I humbled, bereft of possessions, abhorred, and friendless. But I know how to discover 925 again by my sin a way of return hereafter from the home of the damned. I shall incite against thee another king who shall persecute thee, and shall forsake thy teaching and follow my ways of 930 evil; then will he cast thee into the darkest and worst of terrors, that thou, racked with pain, mayst vehemently renounce the crucified King, whom thou didst formerly obey.'

Then the wise Judas, daring hero in strife, 935 answered him (the Holy Spirit was granted unto him with strength, a love hot as fire, a knowledge welling up through the learning of a warrior); and he spake this word, filled with wisdom:--'Thou needst not so mightily, ever mindful of evil, renew 940 sorrow and enkindle strife, O sinful prince of murder, inasmuch as the mighty King, who hath awakened with His word many of the dead, doth thrust thee into the nether depths, thou worker of iniquity, 945 into the abyss of torture, bereft of joy. Know thou full clearly that thou in folly didst forsake the brightest of lights and the love of the Lord and that glorious faith, and that thou hast since dwelt in a 950 bath of fire, burdened with tortures and seared with flame, and that there, with hatred in thy soul, thou shalt ever suffer woe and misery without end.'

Elene heard how the foe and the friend struggled together, the glorious and the foul on opposite sides, 955 the sinful and the blessed. And she was the gladder in heart as she heard that the hellish enemy, the Prince of evil, was vanquished; she marveled at the wisdom of the man, how in so little time he was so filled with faith, and how he who had 960 ever been so ignorant was imbued with knowledge. And she thanked God, the King of glory, that through the Son of God the joy of both these things was come unto her--on the one hand at the sight 965 of the tree of victory, and on the other at this faith which she so clearly understood as a glorious gift in the breast of this man.