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CYNEWULF'S 'ELENE' 
 
ST HELENA, THE MOTHER OF CONSTANTINE. 
 
CYNEWULF'S 'ELENE' 
 
 A METRICAL TRANSLATION FROM 
 ZUPITZA'S EDITION 
 
 JANE MENZIES 
 
 WITH A FRONTISPIECE 
 
 WILLIAM BLACKWOOD AND SONS 
 
 EDINBURGH AND LONDON 
 
 MDCCCXC V 
 
 All Rights reserved 
 
 \ I 
 

 >'^: 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 The poem of 'Elene,' or 'The Invention of the Cross,' 
 dates in all probability from the eighth century. Its 
 source is by some critics supposed to be the Latin Life 
 of Saint Cyriacus, the Judas of the poem. Others are 
 of opinion that it came to England in Greek form. The 
 story is briefly as follows : — 
 
 In the year 233, the sixth of the reign of Constantine, 
 the Roman empire was overrun by Huns, Hredgoths, and 
 Franks. The Romans, though well prepared, are inferior 
 in numbers. The Emperor, in a dream, sees in the clouds 
 a shining cross with the inscription, " In hoc signo vinces." 
 The next morning he orders a standard with a similar cross 
 to be prepared, and borne in front of his army. 
 
 After gaining the victory, he is baptised by Sylvester, 
 and having in vain made inquiries as to whence the vision 
 came, he requests Helena, his mother, to sail to Palestine, 
 and there find the true cross buried in the earth. Helena 
 at once departs thither by sea, and arrives in Jerusalem. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 She there questions the wisest Jews, without result. Judas, 
 one of the most sagacious of them, tells his friends in 
 private that his father and grandfather had declared that, 
 as soon as the cross of the Lord should be sought for, the 
 Jewish kingdom would perish. 
 
 Helena questions Judas in vain ; and not until he has 
 been starved in a dungeon for seven days will he reveal 
 what he knows. Brought out of his prison, he engages in 
 prayer, and the three crosses are found. Still it is uncertain 
 which of the three is the true cross of the Lord ; and this 
 is only determined by the restoration to life of a dead 
 youth on whose body the true cross is laid. The devil 
 appears, and complains of being defrauded of his rights ; 
 but Judas silences him. A joyful message is sent to 
 Rome ; and by order of Constantine, a church is erected 
 on the spot where the cross was found. Judas is baptised, 
 and, under the new name of Cyriacus, becomes Bishop of 
 Jerusalem. Afterwards, by the wish of Helena, the nails 
 which had pierced the hands and feet of the Crucified 
 One are also found, and worked into a bit for the bridle 
 of Constantine's war-horse. Lastly, Helena assembles the 
 Jewish people, and exhorts them every year to celebrate 
 the glorious day on which the Holy Cross was found. In 
 six days summer would begin ; ^ the cross was found on 
 the 3d of May.2 
 
 ' See note on p. 14. 
 
 ^ Though in such a tale some may expect to find symbolic truth rather 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 With regard to the authorship of the poem, it was dis- 
 covered by Grimm that the name of "Cynewulf" is em- 
 bedded in runes in the last canto. Kemble, Wright, Thorpe, 
 and other critics, agree with Grimm in supposing him to 
 have been the Abbot of Peterborough of that name, who 
 hved in the eleventh century. 
 
 The critics Dietrich and Leo, however, conclude — the 
 one from textual, the other from linguistic evidence — that 
 Cynewulf was a poet of the eighth century. Dietrich 
 supposes Cynewulf, in line 1277 of ' Elene,' to regret the 
 composition of his 'Riddles,' and adds : "From the 'Riddles' 
 it is evident that Cynewulf in his earlier years led a worldly 
 life, taking pleasure in battle and in arms, in music and 
 various amusements." 
 
 Dietrich ascribes to Cynewulf the " Dream of the Holy 
 Rood," a verse of which is carved in runes on the cross 
 at Ruthwell in Dumfriesshire. Since that cross must have 
 been erected about the year 764, he thinks it probable that 
 it was placed there at the command of some noble lord of 
 that region, as a memorial to the poet Cynewulf, then an 
 
 than fact, yet the following facts are important in connection with it. 
 Grimm tells us that it was not the Huns, but Maxentius, who crossed 
 the Danube to attack Rome, and the battle was at Pons Albinus 
 (Tiber). At the place where the cross lay under the earth, the heathens 
 had erected a temple of Venus, in order to prevent the Christians from 
 digging there, — a circumstance which the Anglo-Saxon poet conceals. 
 After Cyriacus has found the nails and given them to Helena, she gives 
 them to Constantine. (See Grimm's Introduction to ' Andreas and 
 Elene.') 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 old man. In this supposition Grein and Ten Brink agree, 
 and their theories together would furnish as good materials 
 for a memoir as many modern biographers have had. 
 
 Cynewulf, by their account, was born of a noble family 
 in the beginning of the eighth century. According to the 
 custom of the time, though not destined for monastic 
 orders, he was sent to a monastery school. His happy 
 youth and early manhood are described in the Rhyme-song, 
 and during this cheerful period the ' Riddles ' were pro- 
 bably composed. But the days of joy and youth passed 
 by. Cynewulf took holy orders, and began to write sacred 
 poetry. Raised to a bishopric in 740, this promotion, in 
 unquiet times, brought him only care and trouble. Having, 
 without any fault of his own, provoked the anger of the 
 Northumbrian king, he spent some time in prison, com- 
 forted and refreshed only by the writing of his poems, 
 till, bent with age and weary of life, he resigned his office 
 in 780, and died three or four years later in retirement. 
 
 And whither did he retire ? To Ruthwell. One of his 
 predecessors had during his own life caused a sculptured 
 cross to be erected as a memorial of himself, and it appears 
 not improbable that Cynewulf, on his resignation, retired 
 to the place of his birth, where his noble ancestors had 
 owned the land, and having chosen his tomb, caused a 
 cross to be erected there, with verses from one of his own 
 poems ; the more Ukely, since in the Rhyme-song he says 
 that fate had ordained that he should dig his own grave. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 Could we be sure indeed that the fragment in the Exeter 
 book named " The Ruined Castle " is Cynewulf s, we could 
 then trace the various steps in his history more clearly still. 
 The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle tells us that Northumbria was 
 laid waste by Ethelbald in 737, three years before the time 
 when Cynewulf became a bishop. The paternal castle of 
 Cynewulf at Ruthwell would certainly be destroyed during 
 this raid, so that to become a bishop was the only means 
 of soothing his grief. Spending the last years of his life 
 near the ruins of his ancestral halls, he sang in that poem 
 of the transitory nature of earthly things. 
 
 That poem was the " Dream of the Holy Rood," found 
 in the Vercelli Codex in 1832, along with ' Elene ' and other 
 poems ascribed to Cynewulf. One of these poems, the 
 'Elene,' and two in the Exeter book — namely, "Christ" 
 and "Juliana" — have the name Cynewulf embedded in 
 runic letters, which marks them out clearly as his. 
 
 But is the " Dream of the Rood " his also ? Dietrich 
 and Ten Brink have made of Cynewulf a kind of eighth- 
 century Bacon, to whom every good production of that 
 period must unfailingly be ascribed. In ' Elene ' he writes 
 of the Cross, and because the " Dream of the Rood " is on 
 the same subject, it must needs be by Cynewulf also. 
 When we try to realise how fresh and how enthralling a 
 subject Christianity then was to the minds of men, it is not 
 diflScult to admit that even in that dark period two or even 
 more may have written poetry about the Cross. The in- 
 
lO INTRODUCTION. 
 
 ternal evidence adduced by Wiilker in his ' Grundriss,' ^ 
 from the "Dream of the Rood" itself, is worthy of con- 
 sideration, and makes us hesitate before we assign to 
 Cynewulf the words carved on that time-hallowed monu- 
 ment, which has now been placed in replica in four cities 
 of the realm, and has thus brought nearer to us the art 
 and the religion of over a thousand years ago. 
 
 Translations of ' Elene ' have been made by Kemble in 
 his ' Poetry of the Codex Vercellensis,' and by Dr Garnett 
 of Boston. The first of these is literal, the second is also 
 metrical. There is also a metrical translation into German 
 by Grein ; and Dr Weymouth's English prose version has 
 valuable notes. In the present translation, rhyme and 
 alliteration have been employed, and by frequent change 
 of rhythm and the use of modern idiom, the translator has 
 aimed at an attractive rendering. The text of the original 
 has, however, been closely adhered to throughout. 
 
 The edition of Zupitza has been followed, and the 
 various collations which it gives from other authors have 
 been carefully considered. For the runes, Mr Gollancz's 
 able "Excursus," appended to his artistic translation of 
 CynewulPs ' Christ,' and his kind revision for these pages, 
 have been found invaluable. 
 
 To the Rev. Professor W. W. Skeat the warmest thanks 
 are due for many useful hints, and for valuable counsels 
 most kindly given during the final stages of the work. 
 ^ See Wulker's ' Grundiiss,' iii. §§ ii6, 117. 
 
INTRODUCTION. II 
 
 The frontispiece represents a bronze statue of St Helena, 
 which stands facing the altar, near the west door of Bonn 
 Cathedral, of which structure St Helena was the founder. 
 The statue was cast at Rome in 1756. 
 
 J. MENZIES. 
 
 Edinburgh, December 1894. 
 
NOTE. 
 
 Mr Gollancz's interpretation of the runes is as fol- 
 lows : — 
 
 [-^ = C. Cene, bold, or a warrior, 
 
 f^ = Y. Yfel, afflicted. 
 
 -}- = N. Nyd, necessity. 
 
 [V| = E. Eh, the horse. 
 
 [/ = W. Wynn, joy. 
 
 f] = U. Ur, our. 
 
 I = L. Lagu, water, 
 
 p = F. Feoh, fee, or wealth. 
 
"The ' Menologium,' or poetical Anglo-Saxon Calendar of 
 the tenth century, says that St Helen's day of Cross is May 3 ; 
 and then adds that six days afterwards comes ' sumor to tune.' " 
 — Skeat. 
 
 The passage runs thus : — 
 
 " With leafy trees and plants arrayed in splendour 
 Fair, dainty May comes tripping to the town ; 
 The selfsame day when in supreme surrender, 
 Philip and James their earthly lives laid down ; 
 'Twas love to God on high 
 Bade them thus bravely die. 
 
 Yet two days more, and by God's grace 'twas given 
 
 To Helena the best of trees to find, 
 On which the great Creator, Lord of Heaven, 
 Bore mortal anguish, so He loved mankind ; 
 His Father, throned on high, 
 Suffer'd Him thus to die. 
 
 And so, the first week after, but a day. 
 Glad summer to die town 
 Brings rays, that glancing down, 
 Shed genial warmth upon the chilly way." 
 
 — Translated from 'Menologium,' 
 Grein's edition, 11. 75-90. 
 
'elene; 
 
 N.B. — The numbering of the lines is according to the original. 
 
 I. 
 
 C WIFT in the tale of time had fleeted 
 
 Hundreds two and thirty-three 
 AVinters for the world completed, 
 
 Since heaven's Lord in low degree 
 In this mid-earth a man was born 
 To shed o'er faithful hearts a heavenly morn. 
 
 Six years the sceptre of the Roman 
 Had held the leader Constantine ; ^ 
 
 His spear and shield against the foeman 
 Guarded his folk with mood benign ; 
 
 ^ Constantine, a general in the Roman army, became Emperor in 
 306 A.D., seventy-nine years later than the date mentioned by the poet. 
 
1 6 cynewulf's 'elene.' 
 
 Great 'neath the skies his power grew, — 
 A prince of men, a righteous ruler true. 
 
 Through him God wrought with power wondrous. 
 
 In mid-earth ^ many men to aid ; 15 
 
 Vengeance to wreak, and weapons thunderous 
 Wield till the foemen fled afraid. 
 
 War waged the tribes ; with din earth trembled, 
 
 The Goths and Huns their heathen hosts assembled. 20 
 
 On came the Franks and Hugas streaming, 
 
 Girt for the onset ; sword and spear 
 And twisted war-links sternly gleaming, 
 
 With deafening shouts their flags they rear, 25 
 
 And clash of shields as they draw near ; 
 Huge hosts together ; all behold them ; 
 Onward the nations march ; who can withhold them.?_ 
 
 War in the wood the wolf was crying, 
 
 Hid not the secrets of the fray ; 
 On the foes' track the eagle flying, 30 
 
 With dewy feather sang his lay; 
 Quick from the cities all the warriors came. 
 The bravest whom the King of Huns for war might name. 
 
 ^ According to the Teutonic mythology, the earth occupies a place 
 mid-way between heaven and hell. 
 
cynewulf's 'elene.' 17 
 
 Marched the huge host, its line enforcing 35 
 
 With chosen legions, till it stood 
 Where, distant Danube's waters coursing, 
 
 The spearmen rest beside the flood ; 
 There, where the squadrons stay before the slaughter. 
 They hear the host's loud hum, the rushing water. 
 
 Proud Rome to quell, to sack and plunder 40 
 
 Was their design. Soon as 'twas known 
 That foemen lurked the ramparts under. 
 
 Came a swift message from the throne. 
 To summon out, against the foes assailing, 45 
 
 All who in warfare brave were and unfailing. 
 
 AVith warlike weapons soon the Roman, .g 
 
 Fight-famed, was ready for the fray ; 
 Rode round their leader, though the foeman 
 
 In greater numbers rode than they ; 50 
 
 Clashed then the shield ; the war-clubs rattle, 
 Onward the king rides with his host to battle. 
 
 O'erhead the dusky raven flying 52 
 
 With greedy croak pursued their course ; 
 Ran the horn-bearers, heralds crying. 
 
 The charger pawed the ground ; the force 55 
 
 Quick at the signal's sound, assembled. 
 The monarch, horror-stricken, trembled. 
 
1 8 cynewulf's 'elene.' 
 
 With dismal fear and dire dismay, 57 
 
 He saw the alien force 
 Of Huns and Goths who gathered lay 
 
 About the water's course ; 60 
 
 A countless host. His bosom heaved, 
 How e'er could victory be achieved. 
 Or such a monstrous force o'erthrown 
 By one so small and feeble as his own ? 65 
 
 But forward ! Ne'er from battle shrink ! 
 He camped beside the river's brink, 
 So near the foe throughout the night. 
 Since he had seen them pass in sight. 
 He lay amid his host that night. 
 
 And to his sense in dreaming 70 
 
 Appeared a vision of delight. 
 
 Of fair and beauteous seeming ; 
 Noble, in manly form it came ; — 
 A knight of old heroic fame 
 Thus might have awed him in his seeming. 
 Such had he never seen, awake or dreaming. 
 
 He saw, and straight from slumber started, 75 
 
 With boar-helm decked ; the shining guest 
 Spake quickly, him by name addressed ; — 
 
 (And lo ! the veil of night was parted : — ) 
 
CYNEWULF'S ' ELENE.' 1 9 
 
 Thee, Constantine ! so be it now revealed, 
 
 The Lord of Hosts, who fate alone can wield 
 
 The angels' King will covenant to shield. 80 
 
 " Let not the threats of foes distress thee, - 
 
 The alien hosts in battle-line ; 
 Look up to heaven, the Lord will bless thee. 
 
 Will send thee help, sure victory's sign.'' 85 
 
 Straight stood he ready at the heavenly hest. 
 He opened wide the treasure of his breast. 
 
 Just as the dear peace-weaver bade, 
 
 The herald who had made him glad. 
 
 Beyond the cloudy vault he looked, and shining 
 
 He saw the Tree of Glory decked with gold ; 90 
 
 Rare glittering jewels were the Rood enshrining. 
 And on it, writ in light, he could behold 
 
 In letters clear the words : " Thou with this sign 
 
 Shalt overcome in shock of battle dire. 
 
 Drive back the foe, and make the victory thine." 
 
 Back, as it came, then flashed the heavenly fire ; 95 
 
 The herald with it flew 
 Afar to join the sinless choir. 
 
 More bUthe the Emperor grew, — 
 Care in the leader's breast was quickly quelled, 
 When he that beauteous vision had beheld. 
 
 B 
 
20 cynewulf's 'elene.' 
 
 II. 
 
 SCARCELY was lost to sight the symbol glorious, 99 
 
 In highest skies revealed to Constantine, 100 
 
 When he, the warriors' ward, the chief victorious. 
 
 Bounteous ring-giver, king of lordly line, 
 Commanded straight a standard-cross to fashion. 
 Like that, an emblem of the Saviour's passion. 
 
 Bade then at dawn, ere yet the sun shone o'er them, 105 
 
 Waken the warriors, rouse the storm of swords ; 
 
 Bear high the standard with the cross before them. 
 Carry God's sign amid the hostile hordes. 
 
 Before the armies bid the trumpets blare 
 
 With clangour loud, as they for war prepare. 
 
 Rejoiced the raven at the battle coming, no 
 
 The dewy-feathered eagle saw them go ; 
 Howled the wild wolf, in farthest forest roaming, 
 
 Horror of bloodshed terrified the foe. 
 Forward they rushed, shields broke and arrows sped. 
 Flung lances till the field was strewn with dead. 115 
 
CYNEWULF'S 'ELENE.' 21 
 
 Showers of arrows on the death-doomed dashing, 
 
 Spears o'er the shield's bright rim their victims found, 
 
 And biting darts from fiery fingers flashing, 120 
 
 Daunted the foe, and dealt grim death around ; 
 
 On rushed the Romans, fearless on the field. 
 
 Splintered with swords fell many a glittering shield. 
 
 Then was the flag of victory high upholden. 
 
 Sounded the song of triumph through the air, 
 Glittered the plain with spears and visors golden, 125 
 
 While the fell foe sank down in dire despair, 
 And when the holy cross the Roman raised, 130 
 
 Fast fled the Huns, affrighted and amazed. 
 
 And far and wide the alien force was scattered, 
 
 Some on the war-path life had nearly left ; 
 Others the cities sought with senses shattered, 
 
 Rescued from ruin in the rocky cleft, 135 
 
 In forts that o'er the dashing Danube frown ; 
 While some the billowy waters swallowed down. 
 
 Joy filled the Roman ranks ; the heathens flying 
 
 They followed on from dawn till evening fell ; 140 
 
 Death-dealing darts, weapons with vipers vying. 
 
 Baffled the buckler-bearers all too well ; 
 Scarce of that Hunnish horde might one depart, 
 To seek his home, or cheer his broken heart. 
 
22 CYNEWULF'S 'ELENE.' 
 
 Thus in the conflict victory obtaining, 
 
 By God Almighty blessed was Constantine ; 145 
 
 Great 'neath the heavens, renown in mid-earth gaining, 
 
 He triumphed through the high and holy sign ; 
 The warriors' guardian richly now might deck 
 His shield with jewels from the battle's wreck. 150 
 
 Then bearing high that buckler bright, 
 
 By trusty thanes attended, 
 He sought for men who learning's height 
 
 Had valiantly ascended. 
 Men who, in ancient lore their mind-thoughts steeping, 155 
 
 Wisdom for warriors treasured in their keeping. 
 
 He scanned his gleaming cohorts, and challenged them to 
 
 tell 
 If old or young among them dwelt who could interpret 160 
 
 well, 
 Who was the Lord of Glory, the "God who with this 
 
 sign, 
 Himself to me revealing, has made the victory mine ; 
 And what this happy token, whence power flowed to me, 
 To beat the foemen backward, by that all-surpassing Tree." 165 
 
 All silent stood the swordsmen ; no answer could they 
 
 find. 
 To say for what the emblem victorious was designed. 
 
cynewulf's 'elene.' 23 
 
 Though they who were the wisest, before the ranks made 
 
 known, 
 That they without a doubt believed 'twas from Heaven's 170 
 
 King alone. 
 Then those on whom through baptism had shone the light 
 
 supreme. 
 Though few they were, grew light of heart, as in a blissful 
 
 dream, 
 
 For now before the Emperor they might tell the Gospel 175 
 
 story, 
 How He, the Lord of Spirits, throned in Trinity of glory. 
 Was born, the might of monarchs, and with many a pierc- 
 ing pang. 
 The blessed Son of God upon the tree of pain did hang, 180 
 
 In presence of the people ; such pity had he felt 
 For those who in the devil's bonds in hopeless misery 
 dwelt. 
 
 How He on men had grace bestowed, e'en by that emblem 
 
 high 
 Which to the Emperor had appeared, the sign of victory 
 Over the heathen hordes, and how, when laid within the 
 
 tomb 
 Rose the third day, no longer held within that place of 185 
 
 gloom. 
 
24 cvnewulf's 'elene.' 
 
 The Glory of the heroes, — the Lord of human kind, — 
 And into heaven ascended. Thus with a prudent mind. 
 
 In ghostly mysteries to the king spake they who all had 
 
 learned 
 Sylvester's lore.^ Thereat the heart of Constantine was 190 
 
 turned ; 
 Baptism he took, and from that hour his footsteps never 
 
 strayed 
 From walking day by day with Him whose will he now 
 
 obeyed. 
 
 ^ Sylvester I., Pope from 315. to 335 a.d. 
 
CYNEWULFS ' ELENE.' 35 
 
 III. 
 
 ■\J OW joyed the lordly treasure-giver, 195 
 
 He who in combat courage showed ; 
 Within his spirit, like a river, 
 
 A new and holy pleasure flowed ; 
 His hope grew high, his drooping heart was cheered, 
 By Him who reigns in highest heaven insphered. 
 
 And thus, that Ruler's spirit dwelling 
 Within his heart both day and night. 
 
 Led him for ever to be telling 
 
 The Ruler's law with deep delight ; 
 
 Thus the gold-friend of men, of warlike fame. 
 
 Took willing service in Jehovah's name. 
 
 So when the great spear-hurler, who the hosts to battle 
 
 led, 
 Had found through learned scribes, with whom the books 
 
 of God he read, 
 
26 cynewulf's 'ELENE.' 
 
 Where 'mid the clamour of the crowd, upon the tree of 
 
 pain, 
 The Ruler of the skies had hung, through fraud and malice 205 
 
 slain 
 (So the old arch-deceiver had misled the Jewish race, 
 To crucify the Lord Himself, the King of highest place, 210 
 
 And for that deed in misery to pass unending days 
 Condemned they were for ever) ; then the glorious Saviour's 
 
 praise 
 So filled the mind of Constantine, the foremost of the folk. 
 That of that glorious tree alone he ever thought and spoke, 
 And bade his mother o'er the flood depart with chosen 215 
 
 band 
 Of warriors brave, to seek with care in distant Jewish land 
 Where, hidden 'neath the holy soil, the tree of glory lay, 
 The cross of Him the noble King. No moment of delay 
 Brooked Helena. The welcome words she sought not to 220 
 
 gainsay. 
 But ready soon for pilgrimage which to her heart seemed 
 
 sweet, 
 She did the bidding of her son with ready, willing feet. 
 Then in hot haste the men prepare to cross the heaving 225 
 
 flood, 
 Sea-chargers bound and ready along the margin stood ; 
 And lo ! the queen comes nobly, her legions with her 
 
 come, 
 To tempt the bounding billows. The pride of lordly Rome 230 
 
cynewulf's 'elene.' 27 
 
 There by the Mid-sea standeth, and o'er the blooming 
 
 meads 
 Band after band is flocking, and loading the sea-steeds 
 With war-shirts, swords and bucklers ; while many a warrior 
 
 bold, 
 Full many men and women too the great sea-coursers 235 
 
 hold. 
 And o'er the homes of monsters the foamy vessels glide, 
 Steep-sided ships, that with a rush o'er wavy waters ride ; 
 Oft on the sounding gunwale smote a billow from the 
 
 surges. 
 Sang the wild sea, as o'er its face the bounding fleet it 
 
 urges. 
 Ne'er have I heard, before or since, that o'er the billows 24° 
 
 high 
 A woman led a force with power like that to charm the 
 
 eye. 
 Who saw them o'er the whale's path go, might see the 
 
 timbers racing. 
 Sea-coursers dancing under sail, the merry chargers 245 
 
 chasing. 
 Blithe-hearted were the heroes all, with hopes and courage 
 
 high; 
 The queen was fain to sail with such a gallant company. 
 And when the water-fastnesses the ringed prows had 
 
 passed, 
 And into port in Palestine had safely sailed at last, 250 
 
28 cynewulf's 'elene.' 
 
 They left their sea-beat ships to rock at anchor on the 
 
 tide, 
 The wave-worn vessels there the fate of heroes to abide, 
 Till homeward wending with her hosts, again the warrior- 
 queen 
 Might seek the old sea-dwellings. Then soon on shore 255 
 
 were seen 
 The splendid coat of mail, the woven corselet, blade of 
 
 might, 
 The visor strong, and boar-topped casque, the foe with fear 
 
 to smite. 
 Around their noble queen the cohorts gather with their 
 
 lances. 
 Fit for the fray, in set array, each warlike wight advances. 260 
 High swells with joy each valiant heart, the Emperor to 
 
 obey, 
 His legates bold, well-armed they hold through Palestine 
 
 their way.' 
 With glittering jewels set in gold, full many a man is 
 
 dight, 
 The Emperor's gift. And Helena dwells to her heart's 
 
 delight, 
 With courage high and steady mind, on th' Emperor's 265 
 
 command, 
 That she o'er many a battle-plain should seek the Jewish 
 
 land, 
 
cynewulf's 'elene.' 29 
 
 With warriors tried, a chosen troop ; shield-bearers, cham- 
 pions good ; — 
 
 And so not long they lingered, ere the countless multi- 270 
 tude 
 
 Of famed lance-warriors with their queen in high Jerusalem 275 
 stood. 
 
30 cynewulf's 'elene.' 
 
 IV. 
 
 TD ADE Helena the citizens, the wisest far and near, 
 
 Each man who words of wisdom knew, in council to 
 appear. 
 Those who the hidden things of God most truly could 280 
 
 impart. 
 Explain the heavenly mysteries with deep mind and faithful 
 
 heart. 
 Flocked then from far in mighty host a company of those 
 Whom, Moses' holy law to teach, the Jewish people 
 
 chose. 
 In number nigh three thousand ; and with words the noble 
 
 queen 
 Thus to these Hebrew sages spake : " I verily have seen 285 
 
 Through mysteries in the book of God written by holy 
 
 seers. 
 That to the King of Glory ye were precious in past years, 290 
 Doughty and to Jehovah dear. But ah! in froward 
 
 mood, 
 From wisdom's ways ye wandered, and in folly's pathway 
 
 stood. 
 
CYNEWULF'S ' ELENE.' 3 1 
 
 Him ye rejected, Him ye doomed, who came to bring release 
 By glorious power from fetters fast and flames that never 
 
 cease. 
 Foully ye spat upon His face who gave your eyes their light, 295 
 Sight after blindness gave anew, and from the baleful might 
 Of hellish spirits saved. And Him ye doomed to cruel 
 
 death. 
 Who many of the human race awoke to life and breath, 300 
 
 Giving for death that life primeval made at first for man ; 305 
 And so ye, blind of spirit, truth with lies to mix began. 
 Hatred with mercy, and in cruel baseness wrong devised ; 
 Henceforth in deep damnation dwell, ye who have God 
 
 despised. 
 His glorious majesty ye judged, and lived in errors vain, 310 
 
 And thoughts of darkness to this day. Go quickly back 
 
 again. 
 And seek out men of power, within whose souls are richly 
 
 dwelling 
 The holy word and righteous laws, who all your race ex- 315 
 
 celling, 
 Can truly tell and give to me answer before your face. 
 To each and all the signs whereof I ask them in this 
 
 place.'' 
 Silent and sad of mood each one, the law-learned men 
 
 depart. 
 With fear alarmed, by care o'ercome, to seek with anxious 320 
 
 heart 
 
32 cynewulf's 'ELENE.' 
 
 For men whose souls most deeply were by sacred writ 
 
 inspired, 
 That they might to the queen return the answer she 
 
 desired, 
 Nor good nor ill withhold; then through the concourse 325 
 
 searching wide, 
 A thousand earnest men they found, who deeply had 
 
 descried 
 The story of the Jews of old, and had in soul grown great. 
 Thronged these in troops around the throne, where high in 
 
 royal state 
 The warlike queen magnificent, in golden raiment, sate. 330 
 
 Before the men then Helena thus spake : " O heroes 
 
 wise. 
 Hear now the word and wisdom of the sacred mysteries ! 
 Lo ! ye have heard old prophets tell, how He from whom 335 
 
 life sprang 
 In child's estate was born, the Lord of might. As Moses 
 
 sang, 
 Israel's great guardian, saying thus : ' To you is born a 
 
 Child 
 In secret, great of might, whose maiden mother, meek and 
 
 mild. 
 Knew not the love of man.' Of Him King David, wisest 340 
 
 lord, 
 The sire of Solomon, the prince of warriors, spake this 
 
 word : 
 
cynewulf's 'ELENE.' 33 
 
 ' God, the beginning of all things, the Lord in battle 345 
 
 glorious, 
 On my right hand, before my eyes, the Lord of Hosts 
 
 victorious, 
 Glorious in countenance I saw, the Lord of Life and 
 
 Glory, 
 And from the sight I ne'er away have turned throughout 
 
 life's story.' 
 So too Isaiah, prophet deep, by breath of God inspired, 350 
 
 Among you to the many spake, in words with wisdom fired : 
 ' A tender branch have I raised up, a Child to me is given, 
 Whom I with happiness have blest, and holy peace from 
 
 heaven ; 
 And yet they scorned and hated me, no righteous thought 355 
 
 had they. 
 Nor wisdom, — e'en the weary beasts they drive and smite 
 
 each day. 
 Know their preserver, practise no revenge for suffered ill, 360 
 Nor hate the friends who give them food. But wayward 
 
 Israel 
 Hath ne'er considered me, nor known, my people void of 
 
 thought. 
 Though I throughout the ages past great things for them 
 
 have wrought.' 
 
34 cynewulf's 'elene.' 
 
 V. 
 
 " T O ! we through holy books have heard of stainless 
 
 glory gained 
 For you, and wealth of might, by that great God who Moses 
 
 trained 
 To teach how ye the King of Heaven in all things should 3^5 
 
 obey; 
 Yet, wearied soon of that, His glorious law ye did gainsay, 
 Despised the Lord of Lords, Him who had heaven and 
 
 earth created. 
 Forsook His law, and all your powers to error dedicated. 370 
 Go quickly now, and find again those who in ancient writ 
 Most deeply versed, by wisdom's power can best interpret it, 
 Your law — and give to me through knowledge wide an 
 
 answer iit.'' 
 Then went the mighty host of heroes, haughty, sad at 375 
 
 heart. 
 Five hundred of the wisest men they quickly set apart 
 From all the other people, those in knowledge deeply 380 
 
 learned. 
 Who in their spirit wisdom high most clearly had discerned ; 
 
CYNEWULF'S ' ELENE.' 35 
 
 These guardians of the city, men of wisdom one and all, 
 
 After a little space the queen then summoned to the hall. 
 
 She looked upon the men, and thus in flowing language 3^5 
 
 spake : 
 " Oh why, by folly led, do ye God's holy laws forsake ? 
 Why do ye wicked deeds so oft, ye men of misery, 
 And from the teaching of your sires each day yet farther 
 
 fiy? 
 Blindly repentance ye disdained, and far and wide ignored 390 
 That the Child born in Bethlehem was the Son of Heaven's 
 
 Lord, 
 The first among the princes, — and this though the law ye 
 
 knew. 
 The prophets' word, yet sinfully ye still denied the true." 395 
 
 Then in one breath they answered: " So we knew from days 
 
 of old 
 The Hebrews' law, which at God's ark was to our fathers 
 
 told; 
 But this we cannot understand, why thus in anger stern, 400 
 
 O lady, thou accusest us. What crime, we fain would 
 
 learn. 
 Have we committed in this place, 'gainst thee what wrong 
 
 have done ? " 
 Spake Helena before the men, concealment made she 405 
 
 none, — 
 Loud to the hosts the woman cried: " Haste, and be quickly 
 
 gone, 
 
 c 
 
36 CYNEWULF'S ' ELENE.' 
 
 And single out from all your ranks those who with wisdom 
 
 blest, 
 Of greatest strength in soul and mind among you are 
 
 possest, 
 That boldly and unfalteringly they may declare to me 
 All that I seek from them to know, in faith and verity." 4101 
 
 Forth went they from the council, as bade the mighty queen, 
 She who the cities boldly swayed, — and sad in heart and 
 
 mien, 
 With earnest thought and prudent mind, to name the deed 
 
 they sought, 
 Which they amid the people 'gainst the Emperor had 415 
 
 \vrought, 
 Thus earning blame from Helena. Then spake before the 
 
 throng 
 One Judas, who was wise of speech, and in the Scripture 
 
 strong : 
 " Well know I what she seeks : it is the Tree of victory. 
 On which the Prince of nations hung, as man from error 420 
 
 free, 
 Yea, God's own Son unsinning, whom our fathers hated 
 
 sore. 
 So that they hanged Him on a lofty tree in days of yore. 
 
 That was a deed of horror. And the time 425 
 
 Has come, when we our minds with courage guiding, 
 Must watch lest we betray that deadly crime, 
 
cynewulf's 'elene.' 37 
 
 And where the holy Tree in secret hiding 
 
 After the struggle fierce to rest was laid, 43° 
 
 Lest all the wise old Scriptures be o'erthrown, 
 The patriarchs' lore no longer hold its own. 
 
 No longer then might Israel's race in glory 
 
 Teach men her laws, and earth's dominions quell ; — 
 
 This secret known, she falls, as once the story 435 
 
 Zaccheus, my brave grandsire, used to tell 
 
 In ancient wisdom to my father bold. 
 
 Who, ere he left the world, his offspring told, — 
 
 And thus he spake : ' If in thy life-days here, 440 
 
 Questions of wise men, strife amid the sages 
 About the glorious Tree, should greet thine ear, 
 
 On which was hung the King of all the ages, 445 
 
 Heaven's Ruler, Lord of truth, the Son of peace, 
 Then say, ere yet thy pulse to beat shall cease : 
 
 " Should this be known, the fatal hour 
 
 Comes for the Jewish race. 
 When crafty foes, with hostile power 
 
 Shall hold a ruler's place. 450 
 
 But ever shall their glory, greater growing, 
 
 Their power with rolling ages stronger be. 
 World without end with joys eternal glowing, 
 Who praise the Crucified eternally." ' 
 
38 cynewulf's 'elene.' 
 
 VI. 
 
 ' ' 'X'HEN boldly to my sire I answer made, 
 
 E'en to the law-learned one, the ancient sage : 455 
 ' How could, within the region of this world. 
 Such thing e'er be, that on the Holy One 
 Our fathers impiously, to end His life, 
 Could lay their hands (so thwarted was their wit) 
 If they had known before. He was the Christ, 460 
 
 Lord of the Heavens, the Maker's very Son, 
 The Spirit's Saviour ? ' Answer then my sire. 
 My father, wise in mind, thus gave in words : 
 ' Knowest thou not, O youth, God's mighty power, 
 The Saviour's name ? It is unutterable 465 
 
 By man below, nor can on earth-way any 
 Search out the Lord. Never this nation's counsels 
 I sought to know, but from their sins I stood 
 Apart, lest shame my soul should overtake. 470 
 
 Yea, oft I earnestly their wrong withstood. 
 When subtle scribes I saw in council sitting. 
 Seeking how they the great Creator's Son 
 Might crucify. Guardian and Lord of all, 475 
 
CYNEWULF'S 'ELENE.' 39 
 
 Angels and men, the noblest of earth's sons. 
 
 And yet they could not do Him thus to death, 
 
 Unhappy men, as erewhile they had deemed. 
 
 Nor quite by sorrow slay, though He some time 
 
 His ghost upon the grievous tree gave up, 480 
 
 Victorious Son of God. After a space. 
 
 Creation's Lord from cruel cross was taken. 
 
 Glory of Glories, and within the tomb 
 
 Tarried three nights, to darkest dungeon doomed ; — 485 
 
 And the third day, living, the Light of Light 
 
 Again arose, and to His thanes appeared, 
 
 True Lord of Victory, Himself revealed 
 
 In glory great. Then after many days 
 
 Thy brother bold the bath of baptism took, 49° 
 
 Holding the faith. And for his love of the Lord, 
 
 Stephen was stoned with stones, yet rendered not 
 
 Wrong for that wrong, but for his fiercest foes. 
 
 In patience praying to the Lord of Glory, 
 
 Begged Him no vengeance on that crime to wreak, 49S 
 
 That they, by Saul incited, had of life 
 
 Bereft the Blessed One, from malice free, 
 
 As Saul so many of Christ's faithful folk. 
 
 In wicked hate, to pain and death had doomed. 500 
 
 Yet God had mercy on him afterward. 
 
 And when Creation's God, mankind's Redeemer, 
 
 Had changed his name, no longer Saul to be, 505 
 
 But holy Paul the preacher, he the source 
 
40 cynewulf's 'elene.' 
 
 Of blessing grew to many sorrowing souls. 
 
 And than Saint Paul no better was there found 
 
 'Mid teachers of the Gospel, 'neath the sky, 
 
 'Mid all of women born within the world. 
 
 Yea, though he bade them Stephen slay with stones. 
 
 Thy blessed brother, on yon mountain height. 510 
 
 " ' Now shalt thou hear, O hero mine beloved, 
 How full of mercy is the mighty Ruler, 
 Though oft we crimes commit 'gainst His command. 
 If we the wounds of sin again would heal. 
 Repenting of our wrong, to Him return, 515 
 
 And cease from sinful ways for evermore. 
 Thenceforth in truth, I and my father dear. 
 No longer doubted that the Lord of Life, 
 God of all Glory, leader of the living, 520 
 
 A loathly torment suffered for the need 
 Most woful of the wretched race of man. 
 Now bid I thee by secret lore to learn, 
 O dearest son, that never words of scorn, 
 Of spite or evil-speaking, thou may'st utter. 
 Or cruel contradiction 'gainst God's Son. 525 
 
 So shalt thou earn eternal life in heaven. 
 That boon most blessed shall be given to thee.' 
 'Twas thus my father, in the far-off days, 
 Me, young, unwitting, warned with wisdom's words. 
 Taught with true teaching (Simon was his name ; 530 
 
 A man of seasoned speech). Now ye have learned 
 
cynewulf's 'elene.' 41 
 
 What to your musing mind most fit may seem 
 To tell this queen, if of the Tree she ask you, 
 Now ye the spirit of my mind-thought know." 535 
 
 Answered him then the wisest 'mid the troop, 
 Speaking with words : " We never until now 
 Heard any hero 'mid this folk but thee. 
 Or other thane, such wondrous words make known 54° 
 
 Of hidden mysteries. Do what seems good, 
 O wise in ancient lore, if thou be asked 
 Amid the troop of men. He prudence needs 
 And weighty words, and wisdom of the wise. 
 Who to the noble queen shall answer give 545 
 
 Before the mighty host assembled here." 
 
42 cynewulf's 'elene.' 
 
 VII. 
 
 A WAR of words then waged the men, sought out on 
 either side, 
 Hither and thither weighed and thought, each way the 
 
 question tried; 
 Then come the learned troop to where the folk assembled 
 
 stand, 
 High rise the heralds' voices : " Hear the Emperor's com- 550 
 
 mand : 
 O heroes, to the lofty hall ye by this queen are bidden. 
 That of your council's wise decrees may nought from her 
 
 be hidden. 
 Then rightly to report, where stand the people all assembled. 
 With wisest prudence be prepared, O men, be naught dis- 
 sembled." 
 With solemn mien, soon ready to obey the hard behest, 
 The guardians of the people marched, by mighty power 555 
 
 possessed, 
 Wisdom to utter. Asked the queen, the heroes full of 
 
 woe, 
 About the ancient writings and the prophets, long ago, 560 
 
cynewulf's 'ELENE.' 43 
 
 Wise men of holy thought, who in the world had sung era- 
 while 
 Of God's own Child, and where the Prince had suffered 
 
 torments vile. 
 True Son of the Creator, so the souls of men He loved. 
 Harder than stone they stood, and stern, by naught to 565 
 
 answer moved; 
 Ne'er to their grievous foe would they the hidden truth 
 
 make known. 
 But with firm front her questions foiled and baffled, one by 
 
 one; 
 Said that through life they ne'er before aught like to this 57° 
 
 had heard : 
 Then haughtily spake Helena, her breast with anger stirred : 
 " Truth will I speak, a truth that shall for ever fixed remain ; 
 If ye who stand before me still make all my pleading vain 575 
 With your deceitful dealing, then shall fire your dwelling 
 
 shatter, 
 And seething, sword-like flames your bones to all the winds 
 
 shall scatter. 
 In flickering flames ye then shall feel that this one lie could s8o 
 
 sever 
 You, soul and body, from your place within the world for 
 
 ever. 
 In vain your words ye strive to prove, ye who in sin abiding, 
 Beneath the veil of vile deceit the truth have long been 
 
 hiding. 
 
44 cynewulf's 'elene.' 
 
 Such secret powers and dire events why seek ye to 
 
 conceal ? " 
 Then, seized with dread of death that should their doom 
 
 with horror seal, 
 One they gave up, who, well endowed, his words with 585 
 
 wisdom wielded. 
 Among his kinsmen Judas hight — him to the queen they 
 
 yielded : 
 Said, " He is wise o'er others, he will tell the truth when 
 
 bidden, 
 Answer thy asking, and unveil events that fate has 
 
 hidden ; — 
 Faithful from first to last. No man can boast of kindred 59° 
 
 higher. 
 Wise is he in the war of words ; a prophet was his sire. 
 Bold is he in the throng of men ; and from his boyhood's 
 
 day, 
 Answers adroit to all he gave, such power within him lay. 
 Him in the multitude of men, deep wisdom shall inspire 595 
 
 Things hidden to reveal, according to thy heart's desire.'' 
 In peace then bade she each man seek his home, and one 
 
 alone, 
 Judas, as hostage held, and begged the truth he would 
 
 make known. 
 About the cross that in dark cell so long had hidden been, 600 
 And so she bade him step aside, with solemn earnest 
 
 mien. 
 
cynewulf's 'ELENE.' 45 
 
 Then to the sohtary man spake Helena the queen : 
 
 "Two things I offer thee this day, which thou may'st 
 
 choose between. 
 Say, wilt thou life or death ? Be ready now at once to say 605' 
 AVhich of the two thou wilt elect to be thy lot this day." 
 Judas to her made answer (gnawing grief his soul devoured, 
 The sovereign's anger, for the queen his spirit overpowered) ; 610 
 " How shall the wanderer in the desert waste. 
 In want and weariness who treads the moor, 
 O'ercome by hunger, when before his eyes 
 A loaf and stone together he beholds, 
 
 The hard and soft, how can he with the stone 615 
 
 Vanquish his gnawing hunger, leave the loaf. 
 And, wooing want, the needed food forsake. 
 Despise the better, having both at hand ? " 
 
46 cynewulf's 'elene.' 
 
 VIII. 
 
 'T'HEN openly before the folk Helena answer gave : 
 
 " Wilt thou in heaven with angels dwell, on earth a 620 
 blessing have, 
 A victor's triumph in the sky? then quickly, truly 
 
 say, 
 Where lies the holy tree of God, under what spot of 625 
 
 clay, 
 That ye so long, with deadly wrong, from men have hid 
 
 away 
 
 ?" 
 
 Spake Judas (grief was in his mind, his heart by iire con- 
 sumed, 
 
 Woe was his portion, whether he to forfeit heaven were 
 doomed, 
 
 With all its joy, and also of the present suffer loss. 
 
 This realm beneath the skies, or whether he should show 630 
 the cross) : 
 
 " How can I find what many years have hidden as they 
 rolled ? 
 
 Over two hundred winters now the mystery enfold ; 
 
CVNEWULF'S 'ELENE.' 47 
 
 I cannot tell their number; there have lived on earth 
 
 since then, 
 Men who have gone before us, wise and good and prudent 635 
 
 men. 
 And I in later times was born a boy ; I nothing know, 640 
 
 Nor can I keep in mind what passed so very long ago.'' 
 Him answered Helena : " And how, amid such men of 
 
 might. 
 Have ye remembered all the deeds the Trojans wrought in 
 
 fight? 
 More ancient was the terror of that famous war of old, 645 
 
 Than of this dread event, brought nearer as the ages 
 
 rolled. 
 Well do ye know their number, who on gory battle-field. 
 Losing their lances, drooped and died beneath the shelter- 65° 
 
 ing shield. 
 And ye have marked their sepulchres upon each rocky 
 
 height. 
 What time and in what place they fell, ye have not failed 
 
 to write." 
 Spake Judas, sorrow-smitten : " Great the need, O lady 
 
 mine, 
 That we that stormy struggle set in writing line by line, 655 
 
 That fury of the nations ; but ne'er yet by man pro- 
 claimed 
 Have we that other wonder heard, which thou to us hast 
 
 named." 
 
48 cynewulf's 'elene.' 
 
 Answered him then the noble queen : " Too much thou 660 
 
 now deniest, 
 And falsely of the tree of life thou now to me repliest, 
 When thou a little while ago wert to thy people telling 
 The story of that wondrous Tree, in glory all excelling.' 665 
 
 Replied then Judas, that he half in sorrow had been 
 
 speaking, 
 And half in doubt and fear lest fate were vengeance on 
 
 him wreaking : 
 To him the Emperor's mother : " Lo, we read in sacred 670 
 
 story. 
 That on Mount Calvary hung the Son of God, the King of 
 
 Glory, 
 God's spiritual Son. Now shalt thou nothing from me 
 
 hide 
 That in the Scripture stands, but show where, in this re- 
 gion wide. 
 Is Calvary, ere torments dire thy soul and body sever, 675 
 
 Doom for thy sins, that by the will of Christ I may for 
 
 ever 
 Cleanse all that place to be a help to all of human 
 
 race. 
 That God, the inmost thought of life, the Lord of power 
 
 and grace, 
 The God who to His armies glory gives in danger dire. 
 Helper of spirits, may my will with heavenly power 680 
 
 inspire," 
 
CYNEWULF'S 'ELENE.' 49 
 
 Still stout of heart spake Judas : " Of the place I nothing 
 
 know, 
 Nor know I where it lies, or aught belonging thereunto." 
 In angry mood then Helena : " By God's own Son I swear. 
 The God by mortals crucified, that thou shalt hunger bear, 685 
 Till thou in pain shalt yield the ghost before thy kins- 
 men's eyes, 
 Unless at once thou turn to words of truth, and leave 
 
 these lies." 
 Bade then at once the thralls to lead the living man away, 690 
 And thrust into a dried-up well (no tardy thralls were they), 
 Where he seven nights in misery, all joyless must remain. 
 In dungeon dark, by hunger held, and clasped by cruel 
 
 chain. 
 Till the seventh day he cried aloud, by woful want laid 695 
 
 low, 
 " I do adjure you, by the God of Heaven, to let me go 
 From out this den of torture, gnawing hunger's hated prey, 
 That I the holy cross may show, the truth reveal this day. 700 
 So hard the hunger, and, so strong the chains that clasp me 
 
 here, 
 So dire the torment, and so sore the suffering I must bear, 
 I can no more endure it, can the truth no more withhold, 705 
 About the tree of life, though folly so my heart did fold, 
 That all the truth ye fain would hear, too long remains 
 untold." 
 
so cynewulf's 'KLENE.' 
 
 IX. 
 
 "LT IS earnest words heard Helena, his noble mien beheldj 
 And she who there held sovereign sway, and all the 
 heroes quelled. 
 Bade then undo the prison-doors, and ope the narrow cell, 710 
 That he no more in den of doom and dungeon dark might 
 
 dwell. 
 Quickly her bidding they obeyed, and at the queen's com- 
 mand. 
 From out the dungeon drew him, that he in their midst 
 
 might stand; 
 Then up the mount together marched, stalwart and strong 715 
 
 of mood. 
 Till where the King of Heaven, their Lord, was crucified, 
 
 they stood, 
 The Son of God, upon the tree ; still Judas could not say 
 (So weak he was through hunger) in what place in hiding 
 
 lay 
 The holy cross, that crafty foes beneath the ground con- 720 
 
 cealing. 
 Long in its lair had left to rest, no one its grave revealing. 
 
cynewulf's 'elene.' 51 
 
 Anon, as weak as water, spake the man in Hebrew thus : 
 " Saviour and Lord, man's Ruler, who by power glorious 725 
 
 Heaven and the earth hast made, and all the wide tumul- 
 tuous sea. 
 The boundless ocean vast, and all things everywhere that be, 
 And with Thy hands hast meted out the vast revolving 
 
 sky. 
 And who Thyself, of victory Lord, in state art throned on 730 
 
 high. 
 Above the noblest angel race, who flit in light through air. 
 And none of mortal kind may earth-ways leave and upward 735 
 
 fare' 
 In human form amid that host of glorious heralds bright. 
 Whom Thou hast holy, heavenly made, Thy service their 74° 
 
 delight. 
 There in eternal joy are six, in highest rank that shine. 
 And each is folded round about with glorious wings 
 
 divine. 
 Four of them, flying ceaselessly, watch o'er the service high 
 Of the great Judge eternal, who beholds them constantly. 
 And evermore, with voices clear, they praise in sweetest 745 
 
 hymn 
 The King of Heaven, and these the words (their name is 750 
 
 Cherubim) : 
 ' Holy is the archangels' Lord, Prince of the Hosts on 
 
 high. 
 The earth is of His glory full. His power shows the sky.' 
 
52 cynewulf's 'elene.' 
 
 Two are there in that lofty place who dwell, of race vic- 
 torious, 
 Their name is Seraphim, and they with flaming falchion 755 
 
 glorious 
 Must o'er bright Paradise and life's fair tree keep holy 
 
 guard ; 
 The sharp blade trembles, and the rich-wrought steel with 
 
 edges hard 
 Within their grasp shifts ever form and hue with horrid 
 
 force. 
 Thus Thou, good Lord, of ever-varying life dost guide the 760 
 
 course. 
 And from the skies didst headlong hurl Thy foes, the 
 
 fiends of sin ; 
 They fell to dwellings dark, doom and destruction found 
 
 therein. 
 There, wreathed in flames, they writhe in pain within the 
 
 dragon's claws. 
 In deepest misery sunk is he who would not keep Thy 765 
 
 laws ; 
 So full of vileness, exiled he, a bondsman must remain, 
 And since he sinned the first, must ever drag his cruel 
 
 chain ; 
 No more within that place of woe, dispute Thy word may he; 770 
 O God, the King of angels, if Thou wilt that Ruler be, 
 He who upon the cross did hang, and who in child's 
 
 degree 
 
cynewulf's 'ELENE.' 53 
 
 Of Mary in this earth was born, though King of angels 
 
 bright, 
 (And who, if not Thy sinless Son, ne'er had such works of 77s 
 
 might 
 In truth performed within the world, through all His earthly 
 
 days, 
 Nor hadst Thou willed, O Lord of Hosts, Him from the 780 
 
 dead to raise 
 Before the people, were He not Thy Son, as Thou hast 
 
 said ;) 
 Father of Heaven, let then Thy sign before us all appear, 
 And hear us, as of old Thou Moses in his prayer didst 785 
 
 hear, 
 When in that glorious day, O God, beneath the mountain- 
 head, 
 The bones of Joseph Thou to him didst show. And thus 
 
 I pray 
 That by that glorious sign, if so it be Thy will this day. 
 The great and priceless treasure, ages long from men con- 790 
 
 cealed, 
 O Maker of the souls of men, be now to me revealed. 
 Father of Life, bid from that place a gladdening smoke 
 
 arise, 
 Hovering in air beneath the spacious circuit of the skies. 
 More shall I thus believe Thee, and more gratefully 795 
 
 confide 
 Without a doubt in Him who is the Christ, the Crucified, 
 
54 CYNEWULF'S ' ELENE.' 
 
 That He is Saviour of the souls of men in very truth, 
 Almighty and Eternal King, who in unfading youth, 
 Ruling in yonder heavens that are for aye His glory telling, 800 
 World without end, has fixed on high His everlasting 
 dwelling." 
 
cynewulf's 'elene.' 55 
 
 X. 
 
 "D EHOLD then from the spot a cloud ascending, 
 
 Like smoke beneath the skies ; the wondrous sight 
 Joy to the law-learned hero's heart is lending, 805 
 
 With outstretched hands he hails it with delight. 
 
 He spake aloud : " Now I, the truth confessing, 
 
 Know that Thou art the Saviour verily 
 Of all the world. Be everlasting blessing 810 
 
 And thanks, glorious God of Hosts, to Thee ; 
 
 " That Thou to me, the weary and the erring. 
 
 Thy wondrous mysteries dost thus unfold. 
 O Son of God, men's best desires conferring. 
 
 Who kingly glory at Thy birth didst hold, 815 
 
 " I pray that Thou the faults, than which none greater, 
 
 Which I against Thy holiness have done, 
 No longer may'st remember, O Creator, 
 
 But let me of that glorious host be one. 
 
S6 cynewulf's 'elene.' 
 
 " Who live in light within that shining city, 820 
 
 Where dwells my brother Stephen in renown, 
 Because he held with Thee, nor asked for pity, 
 
 E'en 'neath the cruel stones that struck him down. 
 
 " His is the martyr's meed, unending glory, , 825 
 
 The wonders that he wrought are clearly written 
 
 In books, where all may read the famous story.'' 
 Then fell he straight, with eager gladness smitten, 
 
 I'o digging 'neath the turf, till far below 830 
 
 Full twenty feet, he found in space of gloom, 
 Down in a steep abyss there lurking low. 
 
 Three cross-staves hidden in a narrow room. 
 
 Heaped o'er with earth, as them the God-forsaken, 835 
 
 In days long vanished, had with earth o'erlaid, 
 
 The Jews, who 'gainst God's Son would hate awaken ; 
 They strayed in sin, nor righteous laws obeyed. 
 
 Then was his mind with joy uplifted greatly, 840 
 
 Strong grew his spirit through the holy tree. 
 Inspired his heart, when he the beacon stately 
 
 In its dark dwelling 'neath the earth could see. 
 Firm in his hands he seized the beacon holy. 
 And with the people raised it from its earth-grave lowly. 
 
cynewulf's 'elene.' 57 
 
 Strangers and princes now the city enter ; 845 
 
 Straightway the men, with bold and dauntless mien, 
 
 Plant the three crosses upright in their centre. 
 In face of Helena the kneeling queen. 
 
 She, glad at heart, the hero's work beholding, 850 
 
 Would have him say which was it of the three 
 On which the Son of God did hang, unfolding 
 
 New hope for man in dire extremity. 
 
 " Lo, we to books of sacred writ have hearkened. 
 
 That told us, by His side there suffered twain, 855 
 
 And He the third. The light in heaven was darkened 
 On that dread day. Oh ! couldst thou but make plain, 
 
 On which of these three roods His life did yield 
 
 The Prince of angels, glory's guard and shield." 
 
 But Judas, knowing not the symbol glorious, 860 
 
 Could give the queen no certain answer yet. 
 On which had hung the Son of God victorious. 
 
 The Saviour, till he bade his followers set 
 
 The trees, with tumult, in the city great, 865 
 
 There, in its midst, the wonder to await. 
 
 By which the King Almighty from His throne 
 
 The holy cross should to the hosts make known. 
 
S8 cynewulf's 'ELENE.' 
 
 Sat then the famed in fight, together singing ; 
 
 Round the three roods the redesmen pondered well, 
 Till the ninth hour, when a new joy upspringing 
 
 They found, and marvelled. Numbers none could syo 
 tell 
 Of people thronged, and on a bier were bringing 
 
 A youth from whom the soul had newly fled. ^75 
 
 Came then great gladness Judas' heart to cheer ; 
 
 'Twas the ninth hour. A brave troop bore the 
 bier; 
 He bade them on the ground to place the dead, 
 
 The lifeless one, the frame of breath bereft. 
 
 Then deep in thought, as who the truth unfoldeth, 
 Over the house of life that life hath left. 
 
 With outstretched hands two of the roods he 
 holdeth. 
 
 Dead on the bier see yet the body lie ; ^^° 
 
 Cold are the limbs, by mortal pangs o'erlaid. 
 
 Then the third holy cross is held on high ; 
 It was but for this sign the dead had stay'd. 
 
 Till, o'er his head upreared, the Rood divine 885 
 
 Of heaven's Monarch should all-conquering shine. 
 
cynewulf's 'elene.' 59 
 
 Straight he arose, with soul anew endowed ; 
 
 Body and spirit now have met again ; 890 
 
 Sang then the people praises long and loud, 
 Praising with words the Father of all men 
 And the true Son 
 Of the Highest One, 
 To whom from creatures all be thanks and glory 
 Through endless ages' never-ending story. 
 
6o cynewulf's 'elene.' 
 
 XI. 
 
 npHEN deeply in the people's thought, by wonder strongly gg^ 
 
 smitten, 
 The glorious wonders, as they ought to be, anew were 
 
 written, 
 Which the great Lord of Hosts had wrought, leader to life 
 
 unending. 
 Safety to find for human kind. Behold the foe ascending. 
 The lying fiend, on wings through air. Spake then the 
 
 prince of hell. 
 Monster of horrid mien, who every ill remembered well : 900 
 
 " What man is this, who ancient strife renews, my slaves 
 
 destroying. 
 Feeds former feuds, and plunders all my wealth for his en- 
 joying ? 
 This is a ceaseless warfare. Scarce had sinful souls 905 
 
 begun 
 To dwell within my power, when hither comes this hated 
 
 one. 
 Whom firmly bound by chains of sin I until now believed, 
 And me of every right and all my riches has bereaved. 910 
 
cynewulf's 'ELENE.' 6 1 
 
 Such action is unjust. The Saviour wrought me many 
 
 woes 
 And crushing wrongs, He who in Nazareth to manhood 
 
 rose. 
 No sooner was His childhood o'er, than He must master 915 
 
 be 
 Of all I once called mine. No claim to aught remains 
 
 for me. 
 Broad is His realm on earth, while 'neath the skies my 
 
 power is failing ; 
 Not even with laughter dare I mock the cross ; for bitter 920 
 
 wailing 
 Is now again my lot, shut up within this narrow prison 
 By Him you call the Saviour. Once through Judas hope 
 
 had risen ; 
 Another Judas fails me now, and I, a castaway, 
 Fall, friendless, of all good bereft. Could I but find the 92S 
 
 way 
 By wicked plots from out this land of exile to return ! 
 
 " Against thee I another will awaken, 
 
 A king who thee with torments shall pursue, 
 
 Thy doctrines all shall be by him forsaken, 
 My ends unrighteous he shall gladly do ; 
 
 " Thee shall he send into the worst and blackest 930 
 
 Terror of woe, where tortures manifold 
 
62 cynewulf's 'ELENE.' 
 
 Shall visit thee, until thou courage lackest 
 
 To own the King whom yonder cross did hold, 
 
 " Whom thou didst once obey." Then thus addressed him 
 Judas, the wise in mind, in battle brave 93S 
 
 (The Holy Ghost dwelt aye in him, and blessed him 
 With glowing love, wisdom that like a wave 
 
 Flowed from the warrior's wit) ; thus wisely speaking : 
 
 " Seek not," he said, " oh thou of evil lord, 
 Pain to renew, thus vilely vengeance wreaking 940 
 
 On the great King, who to the abyss abhorred 
 
 " Hath thrust thee down to torments for thy sinning. 
 
 Who oft the dead made living by His word. 94S 
 
 Know well, by folly thou, in the beginning, 
 
 Forsook'st the light and joy of love's great Lord, 
 
 " And hence, with hellish flames around thee shooting. 
 
 Hater of God, shalt bear an endless woe, 950 
 
 A doom eternal." Thus the loud disputing 
 Heard Helena, of friend and bitter foe. 
 
 Noble and base ; the sinful and the holy, 955 
 
 Heard with deep joy the hellish fiend refuted. 
 Parent of sin, — and wondered how so wholly 
 
 Wisdom and faith thus in brief space were rooted 
 
cynewulf's 'elene.' 63 
 
 In heart of simple man. The King all-glorious 960 
 
 She praised for double gift, both for the sight 
 
 Of that great tree, and of the faith victorious 
 
 That in the hero's breast shone true and bright. 965 
 
64 cynewulf's 'ELENE.' 
 
 XII. 
 
 nPHEN was told to all the people, 'mid the warriors 
 
 was spread wide 
 That glorious morning tale, though some who God's com- 
 mands would hide 
 Heard it with sorrow ; it was noised abroad where'er the 970 
 
 strand 
 The sea embraces, in each camp and city of the land, — 
 That Christ's dear Rood, buried of old in earth, had now 
 
 been found, 
 Most blest of signs e'er raised aloft 'neath Heaven's circuit 975 
 
 round. 
 And to the Jews, unhappy men, 'twas a woful weird to 
 
 dree. 
 Saddest of sorrows, from which naught on earth could set 
 
 them free. 
 But to the Christians joy. Then bade the queen send 980 
 
 forth in haste 
 Heralds from all the warrior- host o'er ocean's billowy 
 
 waste, 
 
CYNEWULF'S ' ELENE.' 65 
 
 To Rome's great lord himself the wished-for tidings near to 
 
 bring, 
 That the great sign of victory, by the grace of Heaven's 985 
 
 King, 
 Was found where it in earth for ages long had hidden 
 
 lain, 
 A sorrow to the saints, the Christian folk. The king was 
 
 fain, 
 Gleeful at heart, to hear the word that all his soul rejoiced, 
 Nor was there lack of men in gilded raiment, eager-voiced, ggo 
 To ask the news from far. What joy to him could 
 
 greater be 
 In all the world, than the glad heart, that leapt exultingly 
 At the long-wished-for tale which o'er the eastern ways had 995 
 
 brought 
 These heralds, lords of war, how they far Palestine had 
 
 sought, 
 And safely o'er the swan's path with their queen had 
 
 thither fared. 
 There to return the emperor bade them quickly be prepared. 
 Soon as they heard his answer, no longer might they stay, 1000 
 Hail to victorious Helena he bade them bring, if they 
 Safe o'er the billowy seas might pass, and happily attain, 
 Stout-hearted heroes, to the holy city once again. 1005 
 
 Bade Constantine the heralds then give Helena command 
 That she should build a church, there on the mountain- 
 height to stand, 
 
66 cynewulf's 'ELENE.' 
 
 On Calvary, a temple of the Lord, for Christ a shrine, loio 
 
 For their souls' weal and help to men, where once the 
 
 Rood divine 
 Was found, most glorious of trees e'er seen by mortal 1015 
 
 eyne. 
 This she performed, when loving friends had brought her 
 
 from the west 
 Their message o'er the sea. Those who in arts were skilled 
 
 the best 
 She bade seek out, and chiefly those for work in stone 1020 
 
 most famed, 
 To raise upon that place a house, God's temple to be 
 
 named. 
 Thus was her soul inspired from heaven ; she bade them 
 
 deck with gold 
 And gems the holy Tree, with jewels brightest to behold ; 1025 
 With highest art to deck, and then within a silver shrine 
 Lock fast. And there the Tree of life, vict'ry's most 
 
 blessed sign. 
 Dwelt evermore unperishing. And evermore dwells there 
 Help for the sick in every woe, in conflict and in care. 1030 
 
 There through that holy thing, the grace of help from 
 
 heaven descending 
 Uplifts their soul; thus Judas, at the appointed season's 
 
 ending, 
 In bath baptismal cleansed, and to his life's dear guardian 
 
 true, 
 
cynewulf's 'elene.' 6j 
 
 Confessed the Christ. Then strong the faith within his 1035 
 
 bosom grew, 
 Since in his heart the Spirit of all comfort took His dwelling, 
 Inspiring him to holiness. The better part excelling. 
 The joy of heaven he chose, the worse he cast aside, refusing 
 Idolatry, false doctrine, and the law of sin, and choosing 1040 
 The King Eternal, the Creator Infinite, 
 Merciful God, and Ruler of all power and might. 
 
68 cynewulf's 'ELENE.' 
 
 XIII. 
 
 T^HUS was baptised he who with strong endeavour 
 
 Full many a time ere now had sought the light ; 1045 
 Within his breast a longing urged him ever 
 On to the better life, to glory bright. 
 
 Was it not fate's decree 
 
 He thus should faithful be 
 
 To God within this earthly sphere, 
 
 And reverent to his Saviour dear ? 1050 
 
 Then to the folk straightway it was proclaimed. 
 
 When Helena had called to council grave 
 Eusebius, bishop of Rome (most famed 
 
 For wisdom in the meetings of the brave), 
 
 That he might Judas in Jerusalem place, jqc, 
 
 A bishop in that holy town to be, 
 God's chosen temple through the Spirit's grace, 
 
 By knowledge ; — and by wisdom's new decree 
 
CYNEWULF'S ' ELENE.' 69 
 
 Gave him the name of Cyriacus, henceforth 
 
 Within the city's gates to be his name, — 
 Vow'd henceforth to his Lord, — a name of worth. 1060 
 
 Still on the new-told tale of glorious fame 
 
 Mused Helena, and greatly had in thought 
 
 The nails that pierced the Saviour's hands and feet, 1065 
 
 Which the blest body to the cross had caught 
 
 Of Heaven's mighty Lord. Then 'gan entreat 
 
 Cyriacus the Christian's queen, that still 
 
 Once more by glorious gifts and Spirit's might 1070 
 
 About those wondrous things he would fulfil 
 
 Her bidding, and reveal them soon to sight. 
 
 Then to the bishop Helena the word 
 
 Spake boldly : " Thou, oh shield of men, hast done 
 Rightly, hast shown the rood on which the Lord 1075 
 
 Of heaven, mankind's helper, God's own Son, 
 
 " Hung, by the hands of heathen men fast bound. 
 
 Saviour of men. Still in my secret mind 
 The wish devours me, that beneath the ground 
 
 Those precious hidden things thou yet might'st find ; — 1080 
 
 " So deeply buried, so in darkness lost 
 
 Are they. Ah me ! my heart despairing droops, 
 
70 cynewulf's 'elene.' 
 
 Sadly complains, by waves of sorrow tost, 
 Until the Leader high of angel troops, 
 
 " Th' Almighty Father, holy from the height, 1085 
 
 Saviour of men, to me this blessing send, 
 To find the nails. Amid those beings bright. 
 
 Best messenger, oh ! let thy pray'rs ascend 
 
 " E'en now, and humbly beg the warriors' Strength, 1090 
 
 Glory's great King, that He to thee reveal 
 That treasure lying hid in earth, at length, 
 
 Which dark recesses still from men conceal." 
 
 Then he with heart inspired, the bishop holy, 1095 
 
 Began the people's mind to cheer and raise. 
 And with a band of men, in worship lowly. 
 
 Gladly went Cyriacus, with fervent praise, 
 
 His face o'er Calvary bent, nor strove to hide 
 
 His heart's desire, and in the Spirit's power iioo 
 
 With meekness to the Lord of angels cried. 
 
 That He would aid him in this trying hour, — 
 
 Unveil the hidden, and confirm his thought 
 Of where within that field the nails might rest. 
 
 Then as they looked, a wonder straight was wrought 
 
 By the great Father and the Spirit blest, — 1105 
 
cynewulf's 'elene.' 71 
 
 In form of fire from out the earth it came, 
 
 Where, hidden by men's craft and subtlety, 
 Deep buried lay the nails. A rushing flame 
 
 Sudden, with more than sunlight filled the sky. mo 
 
 The wonder-worker thus their wish had granted ; 
 
 The people saw, like stars in heaven that glow, 
 Or gold and gems in earthly soil new planted. 
 
 The nails from out their hiding-place below 
 
 Gleam brightly. Then the joyous crowd exulted, ni5 
 
 For wish fulfilled to God they glory gave ; 
 Now one in heart are they who once insulted 
 
 And turned from Christ, misled by error grave. "20 
 
 Yea, we ourselves, they said, have seen the token 
 
 Of victory, God's miracle most true ; 
 Of which erewhile we slightingly have spoken 
 
 With lying words. But now upon our view 
 
 New light hath dawned, and truly told the story 
 Of what has passed. For this in highest height 
 
 To the great God who reigns in heaven be glory; — 1125 
 
 Then glowed the heart anew with fresh delight 
 
 Of him, the people's bishop, who, believing 
 The Son of God, was led to life more holy; 
 
72 cynewulf's 'ELENE.' 
 
 With awe-struck mien the blessed nails receiving, 
 
 He gave them to the queen with reverence lowly. 1130 
 
 Thus, as the noble queen before had bidden, 
 
 Cyriacus all her sovereign will had done ; 
 Weeping was heard, the tears welled forth unchidden. 
 
 Flowed down the cheek, though sorrow there was none. 
 
 Glad tears fell o'er the gold threads intertwining, 113S 
 
 Granted now wholly was the queen's request, 
 And in unclouded faith her knee incUning, 
 
 She worshipped there, in bliss supremely blest. 
 
 The gift that soothed her grief; and with thanksgiving 
 
 She cried to God, the Lord of Victory, 1140 
 
 That what since time began had cheered the living 
 Often by words, she now might clearly see. 
 
 With wisdom's heavenly gift her soul abounded. 
 
 And in her noble breast came to abide 1145 
 
 The Holy Ghost, while all her ways surrounded 
 
 God's Son victorious, as her guard and guide. 
 
CYNEWULF'S ' ELENE.' 73 
 
 XIV. 
 
 nPHEN in her inmost soul the queen, in sacred mysteries 
 
 learned, 
 With holy zeal from heaven inspired, for heavenly glory 
 
 yearned. 
 For was it not the God of Hosts, the Father throned in 1150 
 
 heaven. 
 Who to her strivings on the earth such blessed end had 
 
 given ? 
 And had not ancient sages sung of old from first to last. 
 In all its order due, the wondrous thing that now had 1155 
 
 passed ? 
 Thus now began the people's queen, inspired by heavenly 
 
 grace. 
 With holy zeal and earnest care to seek in what high place 
 And splendid way, the sacred nails might to all eyes be 
 
 shown. 
 To gladden human hearts, yet by the will of God alone. 1160 
 
 Anon she bade to council call a sage of prudent mind. 
 Who, versed in runes, could render rede, by craft the truth 
 
 could find. 
 
74 CYNEWULF'S ' ELENE.' 
 
 And promised straight, if he to wisest deed would point 1165 
 
 the way, 
 She by his counsel meekly would abide, nor aught gainsay. 
 Bold speech he gave : " 'Tis fitting now, oh noble queen, for 1170 
 
 thee. 
 Within thy thought to hold God's word, the sacred mystery, 
 And do the king's behest, since happily thy soul and 
 
 earnest mind 
 Victory have gained, through grace of God, the Saviour of 
 
 mankind. 
 Bid thou the men, in honour of the greatest of earth's kings 
 And fortress-owners, fix the nails between his bridle-rings, 1175 
 With them to bit his charger, that this widely may be 
 
 known. 
 And all who ride against him may be surely overthrown. 
 Then in the shock of battle, when the bravest chiefs are 
 
 seeking 
 To fell their foes beneath the sword, sharp vengeance on 
 
 them wreaking. 
 He in the fight shall prosper, shall inherit peace victorious, n8o 
 Who in the front on milk-white steed shall show this bridle 11S5 
 
 glorious ; 
 When warriors famed together rush, swift spears the shield 
 
 assailing, 
 This weapon in the terror dire will prove a guard unfailing. 
 Thus did the prophet, wise in thoughts of deepest wisdom, ago 
 
 sing: 
 
CYNEWULF'S 'ELENE.' 75 
 
 ' Known it shall be, that 'neath the brave, the war-horse of 
 
 the king 
 Shall for its bit and bridle-rings be honoured. And the 
 
 sign 
 Shall holy be, and he in warlike fame shall ne'er decline ii95 
 Whom that blest steed shall carry.' " Soon this counsel 
 
 to obey 
 Bade Helena before the chiefs, adorn without delay 
 For the great prince, ring-giver of the men, a bridle rare. 
 And to her son o'er flowing seas she sent the offering fair. 
 Then all the best and wisest Jews of old heroic race 1200 
 
 She bade within the city's bounds assemble in one place ; 
 And there in gentle tones she spake, and taught the lieges 1205 
 
 dear 
 To love the Lord, and live in peace through all their life- 
 days here ; 
 Friendship to keep, and stainless live, their leader's voice 
 
 obeying, — 
 From Christian deeds, as Cyriacus had taught them, never 12 10 
 
 straying. 
 So stablished was the bishopric. And from afar there 
 
 came 
 Men weak and feeble in their limbs, the wounded and the 
 
 lame. 
 The halt, the leprous, and the blind, the lowly and the sad, 1215 
 And always from the bishop healing found, and freedom 
 
 had 
 
76 cynewulf's 'elene.' 
 
 From every woe for ever. And when to her native land 
 Return again would Helena, the bishop by her hand 1220 
 
 With richest gifts was honoured, while she the people all 
 Within the realm, both men and maids, who on God's 
 
 name did call, 
 Bade with their heart and strength and soul to keep that 
 
 day of grace. 
 On which the holy Rood was drawn from its dark hiding- 
 place. 
 Most famous of the trees that e'er 'neath leafy crown have 1225 
 
 grown 
 Fair from the earth. It was the time when spring had 
 
 nearly flown ; 
 Yet six days more, in May's glad month would dawn the 
 
 summer-tide. 
 Then closed be hell's dark portal, and heaven's gate thrown 
 
 wide. 
 And opened be the angels' endless realm, with joys eternal, 1230 
 There to all those a place be given with Mary, maid 
 
 supernal. 
 
 By whom forgotten never 
 
 Shall be that feast-day high 
 Of the dearest Rood that ever 
 
 Was found beneath the sky, 1235 
 
 Which the All-Ruler, keeping it from harm. 
 The Mightiest One, has covered with His arm. 
 
 The End. 
 
cynewulf's 'ELENE.' 77 
 
 XV. 
 
 TT was thus when age had reached me, and for death I 
 
 ready stood, 
 In the house where naught I trusted, pondered deeply 
 
 when I could, 
 
 Wove the wondrous web of song-craft with the threads my 
 
 wit could keep. 
 And in night's brief space of silence fed my thought with 1240 
 
 musings deep. 
 
 For 'twas little yet I knew about the finding of the Rood, 
 Until wisdom's heavenly power, which ever has man's 
 thought subdued. 
 
 Brought to view a wider knowledge. But, alas ! no inward 
 
 peace 
 Yet was mine, at war with God, by sins enthralled without 
 
 release, 
 
78 cynewulf's 'elene.' 
 
 Worn with carking Cares and troubles, bitterly by woes 
 
 oppressed, 
 Till the bounteous King of armies sent to give the old 1245 
 
 man rest. 
 
 Learning, ah ! the lasting treasure, in a glorious guise out- 
 poured. 
 
 Flooding all my mind with clearness, bringing thoughts 
 that widely soared, 
 
 From all pain released my body, and from woe my bosom 1250 
 
 freeing, 
 Gave to me the art of song, the joy thenceforward of my 
 
 being 
 
 In the world. Long had I mused already on the glorious 
 
 Tree, 
 Once, and yet again and often, ere the wonder dawn'd on 
 
 me. 
 
 When o'er books and ancient writings long I pored, until 1255 
 
 they told 
 All the story as it happened, of that mighty Rood of old. 
 
 Ne'er till then was aught but sorrow, aught but troubles 
 manifold, 
 
79 
 
 Cruel age oppressed the Champion, seas of sorrow o'er 
 
 him rolled, 
 Yea, though he within the mead-hall treasures took and 
 
 appled gold; 
 
 Mourning Yearned sad Need's companion, crushing sorrow 1260 
 
 secret kept. 
 While his Eagle-wingdd steed the mile-paths measured, 
 
 pranced, and leapt 
 
 Proud, with golden trappings. Ah ! life's Winsomeness 
 
 with years has fled ; 
 Vanished is the ancient splendour, youth has faded, joy is 1265 
 
 dead. 
 
 Ah ! the joy of youth primeval cheering Us in days of 
 
 yore; 
 Now the years their limit reaching, soon depart, Hfe's joy 
 
 is o'er ; 
 Past it wanders, like the Lake-flood, hurled by tempest 
 
 from the shore. 
 
 Fortune 'neath the skies is fleeting ; is the land in beauty 1270 
 
 drest, 
 Soon 'tis gone, as when the wind, beneath the clouds, in 
 
 wild unrest, 
 
8o cynewulf's 'elene.' 
 
 Seeks the welkin, raging passes, then all suddenly is 
 
 hushed. 
 Caged within a narrow prison, and by power oppressed and 
 
 crushed. 
 
 Even so this world shall vanish, and all children of her 1275 
 
 born 
 Shall be seized by flames devouring, when the Lord on 
 
 judgment morn 
 
 Comes with all the host of angels. Then each one who 1280 
 
 words can wield 
 Shall for every sinful action hear the fitting doom revealed 
 
 By the Judge's mouth, and for each word shall pay a 
 
 penalty, 
 Spoken here in folly, and for thoughts that soared in 
 
 surquedry. 
 
 Then shall in three divided be, in grasp of that fierce flame, 1285 
 All those who ever in all time into the wide earth came. 
 The men of truth within that fire the uppermost shall be. 
 All those who thirst for righteousness, a blessed company ; 1290 
 No heavier their torment than they easily can bear, 
 The army of the righteous ones. For them with gracious 
 care 
 
cynewulf's 'elene.' 
 
 The flame shall lose its fervent heat, and with a flickering 
 
 light 
 Make all their suffering savour less of torment than 
 
 delight. 
 In middle place are punished they who bear some stain of 1295 
 
 sin, 
 Men sad at heart, in waves of fire, a cloud of smoke 
 
 within. 
 In the third part, accursed foes, false tyrants, chained shall 
 
 lie, 
 Fast in the bottom of the flames, for old iniquity, 
 In fire's hot grasp the godless throng. From yonder place 
 
 of pain 
 Into the gracious mind of God they ne'er shall come again, 1300 
 Great King of Glory ; but from that fierce furnace shall be 
 
 thrown 
 Into the pit of hell, to reap the discord they have sown. 
 Not so the other two. They shall the God of Hosts 1305 
 
 behold, 
 The angels' Lord. From sin set free, and pure as beaten 
 
 gold, 
 From which in fiery furnace all its dross and every stain 1310 
 
 Is wiped away and melted. So from crimes of deepest 
 
 grain. 
 And from all sin for ever by the fire of doom made free 
 Shall be those blessed ones ; and peace eternal theirs 1315 
 
 shall be, 
 
82 cynewulf's 'klene.' 
 
 With everlasting weal. The Angels' Guard, with grace 
 
 excelling 
 Shall favour them, since every thought and deed of evil 
 quelling, 
 
 They ever, in the dust low lying, 
 
 To the Creator's Son were crying. 
 
 Therefore they shall, in fair adorning. 
 
 Shine like the angels of the morning. 
 
 Ever on them from Glory's King descending 1320 
 
 A rich inheritance in time unending. 
 
 Amen. 
 
 PRINTED BY WILLIAM BLACKWOOD AND SONS. 
 
I n^mmmmsmm 
 
 MittHlWtiii