women, the steeds of the sea.?Then they let o'er the billows the foamy ones go,?The high wave-rushers. The hull oft received?O'er the mingling of waters the blows of the waves.?The sea resounded. Not since nor ere heard I 240 On water-stream a lady lead,?On ocean-street, a fairer force.?There might he see, who that voyage beheld,?Burst o'er the bath-way the sea-wood, hasten?'Neath swelling sails, the sea-horse play, 245 The wave-floater sail. The warriors were blithe,?Courageous in mind; queen joyed in her journey.?After to haven the ring��d-prowed?O'er the sea-fastness had finished their course?To the land of the Greeks, they let the keels 250 At the shore of the sea beat by the breakers,?The old sea-dwellings at anchor fast,?On the water await the fate of the heroes,?When the warlike queen with her band of men?Over the east-ways should seek them again. 255 There w��s on [each] earl easily seen?The braided byrnie and tested sword,?Glittering war-weeds, many a helmet,?Beautiful boar-sign. The spear-warriors were,?Men 'round victor-queen, prepared for the march, 260 Brave war-heroes. They marched with joy?Into land of the Greeks, the C?sar's heralds,?Battle-warriors with armor protected.?There w��s to be seen treasure-gem set?'Mid that army-host, gift of their lord. 265 [Then] w��s the blessed Helena mindful,?Bold in her thought, of the prince's will,?Eager in mind, in that sh�� of the Jews,?O'er the army-fields with tested band?Of warriors-with-shields, the land was seeking, 270 With host of men; so it after befell?In little while that th��t force of men,?War-famed heroes, to H��erusalem[5]?Came to the city the greatest of crowds,?Spear-famed earls, with the noble queen. 275
[1] Lit., 'smiths of lore.'
[2] Z. supposes lacuna of one verse; W. thinks it
unnecessary.
[3] Lit., 'the woman.'
[4] Lit., 'to the sea,' or 'sea-journey.'
[5] A.-S. form retained for the sake of the accent and
alliteration.
IV.
Bade she then order the dwellers-in-city?Most skilled in lore, those far and wide?Among the Jews, each one of men,?For council-talk in meeting to come,?Wh�� most deeply the secrets of God 280 By righteous law were able to tell.?Then was assembled from distant ways?No little crowd who Moses' law?Were able to tell. In number there were?Of thousands three of th��se [learned] men 285 Chosen for lore. The lovely woman?The men of the Hebrews with words gan address:?"I th��t most surely have learnt to know?Through secret words of prophets [of old]?In the books of God, that in days of yore 290 Ye worthy were of the glorious King,?Dear to the Lord and daring in deed.?Lo! y�� that wisdom [very, Gn.] unwisely,?Wrongly, rejected, when him ye condemned?Who you from the curse through might of his glory, 295 From torment of fire, thought to redeem,?From fetters' force. Ye filthily spat?On h��s fair face who light of the eyes?From blindness [restored], a remedy brought?To you anew by that noble spittle, 300 And often preserved you fr��m the unclean?Spirits of devils. This one to death?Ye gan adjudge, who self from death?Many awakened 'mong host of men?Of your own race to the former life. 305 So blinded in mind ye gan conjoin?Lying with truth, light with darkness,?Hatred with mercy, with evil thoughts?Ye wickedness wove; therefore the curse?You guilty oppresses. The purest Might 310 Ye gan condemn, and have lived in error,?In thoughts benighted, until this day.?Go ye now quickly, with prudence select?Men firm in wisdom, crafty in word,?Who y��ur own law, with excellence skilled, 315 In thoughts of their minds most thoroughly have,?Who to me truly are able to say,?Answer to tell for you hencef��rth?Of each one of tokens that I from thee seek."?They went then away sorry-in-mind, 320 The law-clever earls, oppressed with fear,?Sad in their grief, earnestly sought?The wisest men in secrets of words,?That they to the queen might answer well?Both of good and of ill, as sh�� from them sought. 325 Then th��y 'mong the host a thousand of men?Found clever in mind wh�� the old story?Among the Jews most readily knew.?Then they pressed in a crowd where in pomp awaited?On kingly throne the C?sar's mother,[1] 330 Stately war-queen with gold adorned.?Helena spake and said 'fore the earls:?"Hear, clever in mind, the holy secret,?Word and wisdom. Lo! y�� the prophets'?Teaching received, h��w the Life-giver 335 In form of a child incarnate became,?Ruler of might. Of him Moses sang?And spake this [word],[2] warden of Israel:?'To y��u shall be born a child in secret?Renowned in might, though his mother shall n��t 340 Be filled with fruit through love of a man.'?Of him David the king a kingly psalm sang,?The wise old sage, father of Solomon,?And spake this word, prince of warriors:?'The God of creation before me I saw, 345 Lord of victories. He w��s in my sight,?Ruler of hosts, upon my right hand,?Guardian of glory. Thence turn I n��t?Ever in life my countenance from him.'[3]?So it again of you Isaiah 350 'Fore the people, the prophet, foretold in words,?Thinking profoundly by spirit of the Lord:?'I raised upon
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