Andreas: The Legend of St. Andrew | Page 7

resplendent dawn,?Brightest of beacons, came upon her way,?Hasting from out the murky gloom of night,?And heaven's candle shone across the floods.?Three seamen saw he there, a glorious band,?Courageous men, upon their ocean-bark?Sitting all ready to depart, like men?Just come across the deep. The Lord himself?It was, the everlasting Lord of hosts,?Almighty, with His holy angels twain.?In raiment they were like seafaring men, 250 These heroes, like to wanderers on the waves,?When in the flood's embrace they sail with ships?Upon the waters cold to distant lands.
Then he who stood there, eager, on the shore,?Upon the shingle, greeted him and said:--?"Whence come ye, men in seamanship expert,?Seafaring on your ocean-coursing bark,?Your lonely ship? whence has the ocean-stream?Wafted you o'er the welter of the waves?"
Then answered him again Almighty God, 260 In such wise that the saint who heard His words?Wist not what one of speaking men it was?With whom he was conversing on the strand.?"From the land of Mermedonia are we come,?Borne hither from afar; our high-prowed ship?Carried us o'er the whale's road with the flood,?Our sea-horse fleet, all girt about with speed,?Until we reached the country of this folk,?Sea-beaten, as the wind did drive us on."
Then Andrew humbly answered him again:-- 270 "I fain would beg thee, though but little store?Of jewels or of treasure I can give,?That thou wouldst bring us in thy lofty ship,?Over the ocean[1] on thy high-beaked boat,?Unto that people; thou shalt meed receive?From God, if kindness thou but show to us?Upon our journey."
[Footnote 1: Lit. "whale's home."]
The Defense of kings,?Maker of angels, answered from His ship:--?"Wide-faring foreigners can never dwell?There in that country, nor enjoy the land; 280 But in that city they must suffer death?Who thither bring their lives from distant shores.?And dost thou wish to traverse the wide main,?That thou mayst spill thy life in bitter war?"
To him did Andrew answer give again:--?"Our hearts' strong hope and yearning drives us forth?To seek that country and that far-famed town,?If thou, most noble sir, wilt show to us?Thy gracious kindness on the wave-tossed deep."
Then from His vessel's prow, the angels' Lord, 290 The Savior of mankind, replied to him:--?"Gladly and freely we will carry thee?Across the ocean[1], e'en to that far land?Which thy desire doth urge thee so to seek,?When thou shalt give us the accustomed sum,?Thy passage-money; so upon our bark?We seamen will grant honor unto you."
[Footnote 1: Lit. "fish's bath."]
Then straightway Andrew spake to him in words,?That friendless saint:--"I have no beaten gold, 300 No treasures, neither wealth nor sustenance,?No golden clasps, no land, nor bracelets woven,?That thy desire I now may satisfy,?Thy worldly wishes, as thou sayst in words."?The Prince of Men gave answer where He sat?Upon the gangway, o'er the dashing surge:--?"How comes it thou wouldst visit, my dear friend,?The sea-hills, boundaries of the ocean-streams,?To seek a vessel by the cold sea-cliffs 310 All penniless? Hast thou no store of bread?To comfort thee upon the ocean-road,?Or pure drink for thy thirst? The life is hard?For him who journeys far upon the flood."
In answer then did Andrew, wise in wit,?Unlock to him the treasure of his words:--?"It is not seemly that with arrogance?And words of taunting thou demand reply,?When God hath given thee abundant wealth?And worldly fortune; better for each man 320 That with humility he kindly greet?A traveler bound to other lands far off,?As Christ commanded, Lord most glorious.?We are His thanes, chosen as champions;?He is the King by right, Author and Lord?Of wondrous glory, one eternal God?Of all created things; by His sole might?He comprehendeth all the heavens and earth?With holy strength, Giver of victory.?He spake the word himself, and bade us fare 330 Throughout the spacious earth, converting souls:--?'Go now to all the corners of the earth,?Far as the waters compass it about,?Far as the meadows lie along the roads,?And preach the glorious Faith throughout the towns?Upon earth's bosom; I am your defense.?No gold nor silver treasures need ye bear?Upon this journey. I will freely give?All things that ye may need.' Lo, thou thyself?Mayst hear the story of our journeying 340 With thoughtful mind. Right quickly shall I learn?What kindness thou wilt show us on our way."
The Lord eternal answered him again:--?"If ye are thanes of Him who did exalt?His glory o'er the world, as ye declare,?And ye have kept the Holy One's commands,?I'll gladly bear you o'er the ocean-streams,?As ye do beg me."
Then upon the bark?They went, bold, valiant men; the heart of each 350 Was filled with joy upon the tossing main.?Then Andrew, on the rolling of the waves,?Begged for that seaman mercy from the King?Who rules in glory; thus he spake in words:--?"May God, the Lord of men, give unto thee?Exceeding honor--happiness on earth,?Riches in glory--since thou hast made known?Thy goodness to me on my journeying!"?He sat him by the Guardian of the sea,?That noble saint beside