fled,?The folk of the Huns, when that holy tree?The king of the Romans bade raise on high,?Fierce in the fight. The warriors became 130 Widely dispersed. Some war took away;?Some with labor their lives preserved?Upon that march; some half-alive?Fled to the fastness and life protected?Behind the stone-cliffs, held their abode 135 Around the Danube; some drowning took off?In the stream of the river at the end of their life.?Then w��s of the proud ones the force in joy;?They followed the foreigners forth until even?From break of day. The ash-darts flew, 140 Battle-adders. The heap was destroyed,[3]?Shield-band of foes. Very few came?Of the host of the Huns home again thence.?Th��n it was plain that victory gave?To Constantine the King Almighty 145 In the work of that day, glorious honor,?Might 'neath the heavens, through the tree of his rood.?Went helmet of hosts home again thence,?In booty rejoicing (the battle was ended),?Honored in war. Came warriors' defence 150 With band of his thanes to deck the strong shield,[4]?War-renowned king, to visit his cities.?Bade warriors' ward the wisest men?Swiftly to synod, who wisdom's craft?Through writings of old had learnt to know, 155 Held in their hearts counsels of heroes.?Then th��t gan inquire chief of the folk,?Victory-famed king, throughout the wide crowd,?If any there were, elder or younger,?Who him in truth was able to tell, 160 Make known by speech, what the god were,?The giver of glory,[5] "whose beacon this was,?That seemed me so sheen, and saved my people,?Brightest of beacons, and gave to me glory,?War-speed against foes, through that beautiful tree." 165 They him any answer at all were unable?To give in reply, nor could they full well?Clearly declare of that victory-sign.?Th��n did the wisest speak out in words?Before the armed host, that Heaven-king's 170 Token it was, and of that was no doubt.?When they that heard who in baptism's lore?Instructed had been, light was their mind,?Rejoicing their soul, though of them there were few,?That they 'fore the C?sar might dare to proclaim 175 The gift of the gospel, how the spirits' Defence,?In form of the Trinity worshipped in glory,?Incarnate became, Brightness of kings,--?And how on the cross was God's own Son?Hanged 'fore the hosts with hardest pains; 180 The Son men saved from the bonds of devils,?Sorrowful spirits, and a gift to them gave?Through th��t same sign that appeared to him?Before his own eyes the token of victory?'Gainst onset of nations; and how the third day 185 From out of the tomb the Glory of heroes,?From death, arose, the Lord of all?The race of mankind, and to Heaven ascended.?So with cunning of mind in secrets of soul?They said to the victor as they by Sylvester[6] 190 Instructed had been. From him the folk-ch��ef?Baptism received, and continued to hold it?For the time of his days at the will of the Lord.
[1] Lit. 'in like manner,' adv.
[2] Add 'at the work.'
[3] 'Diminished,' Gn.
[4] i.e., with precious stones. Kr. reads '(rattled strong
shields).'
[5] 'Gold,' Kr. 'Lord of the house,' Gn. Cf. W.
[6] The Bishop of Rome.
III.
Th��n was in bliss the giver of treasure,?The battle-brave king. To him was new joy 195 Inspired in his soul; greatest of comforts?And highest of hopes was heaven's Defence.?Then gan he God's law by day and by night?Through gift of the Spirit with zeal proclaim,?And truly himself devoted he eagerly, 200 Gold-friend of men, to the service of God,?Spear-famed, unfaltering. Then found the ?theling,?Defence of his folk, through learned men,[1]?War-brave, spear-bold, in books of God,?Wh��re had been hanged with shouts of the host 205 On tree of the rood the Ruler of heaven?Through envy and hate, just ��s the old fiend?Misled with his lies, the people deceived,?The race of the Jews, so that God himself?They hanged, Lord of hosts: hence in misery shall they 210 For ever and ever punishment suffer.?Then praise of Christ by the C?sar was?In the thoughts of his mind[2] always remembered?For that great tree, and his mother he bade?G�� on a journey with a band of men 215 To [land of] the Jews, earnestly seek?With host of warriors where that tree of glory?Holy 'neath earth hidden might be,?The noble King's rood. Helena would not?On that expedition be slow to start, 220 Nor that joy-giver's command neglect,?Her own [dear] son's, but soon she[3] was ready?For the wished-for journey, as the helmet of men,?Of mail-clad warriors, her had commanded.?Gan then with speed the crowd of earls 225 Hasten to ship.[4] The steeds of the sea?'Round the shore of the ocean ready were standing,?Cabled sea-horses, at rest on the water.?Then plainly was known the voyage of the lady,?When the welling of waves she sought with her folk. 230 There many a proud one at Wendel-sea?Stood on the shore. They severally hastened?Over the mark-paths, band after band,?And then they loaded with battle-sarks,?With shields and spears, with mail-clad warriors, 235 With men and
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