Andreas is the first poetic text in the Vercelli Book (fol. 29b-52b), a late tenth-century compendium, consisting of mostly prose homilies with six poems mixed in throughout: Andreas, "The Fate of the Apostles," Elene (both believed to be written by Cynewulf), "The Dream of the Rood," "Soul and Body I" and one other poetic fragment. The volume is located in Vercelli, Italy, and it is a matter of speculation about how or why this volume arrived at that place.
Andreas is the story of St. Andrew's mission to save St. Matthew from being eaten by the cannibalistic Mermedonians, who dwell on an island far away from Achaia (Greece). The Mermedonians make elaborate preparations to consume their victims: blinding them, forcing them to drink a potion that deprives their victims of reason, and locking them in a prison for thirty days. St. Matthew is captured as soon as he arrives in Mermedonia, but is delivered from blindness and insanity through divine intervention. God promises Matthew will be delivered from his bonds and Andrew is sent from Greece.
Poetically, Andreas is a remarkable text, notable both for what seems to be a widespreade practice of quotation from earlier poems, as well as (and perhaps paradoxically) a powerfully unique poetic vocabulary and frequently hair-raising moments of descriptive and narrative power.
For more information on the poetic problems of Andreas, and what I wanted to communicate in the translation, please consult this post from the ASNPP main page.
This translation, as well as the Anglo-Saxon Narrative Poetry Project and its affiliated works, are copyrighted by Aaron Hostetter, and may not be published or reproduced on any other website without my express permission. Citation for scholarly review or critique, or other uses covered by the idea of fair use, are allowed, but since this work is in progress, you should ask me first for the most up-to-date version. I welcome and encourage all constructive criticism, and urge you to contact me if you find anything erroneous or improperly cited. Thank you.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Andreas I
What have we learned in former-days
of glory-blessed heroes, twelve under the stars,
the thegns of the Lord? Their force did not fail
in the war-reckoning when banners clashed together.
Afterwards they separated as the Lord himself,
Heaven’s High-King, had assigned their lot.* Those were
illustrious men upon the earth, bold folk-leaders
on the measuring-field, doughty warriors and battle-brave when shield
and hand defended their crown on the harrying-field. (1-11a)
Among them was a certain Matthew who, first among the Jews,
began to write the Gospel in words with wondrous skill.
Often he had encountered stoutly the hand of slayers
in the harrying-field.* Holy God had decreed the portion for him:
out to the island of Mermedonia where they did not allow
any strangers to enjoy the prosperity of their native land. (11b-18)
That whole march-land was wound in murder, the enemy’s deceit,
the dwelling-place of men, homeland of heroes. There was neither
bite of bread nor drink of water for Mermedonian men to enjoy.
Instead they consumed blood and skin throughout the nation
the flesh-homes of foreign-coming men. Such was their custom:*
that they made all strangers seeking their island from outside
into meat for the meat-lacking. Such was the peace-less token
of these people, the violence of the wretched, that the enemy,
sword-grim and sad-minded, destroyed the sight of the eyes,
the head-gems, with the point of spears. Afterwards their druids
bitterly mixed together* a frightful drink through error-craft for
their victim in order to pervert their wit, the conscience of men—
altering their mind, the heart in breast, so that their victims mourned
no longer for the joys of men,* but the heroes ravenously hungry,
exhausted, tormented by famine, would eat hay and grass instead.* (19-39)
When Matthew arrived at the city, that notorious fortress,
there was a great clamor throughout Mermedonia: a band of the wicked,
the defiled's tumult, after the devil’s thegns had learned of the noble
one’s arrival. Then they went against him swiftly under shield,
bristling with spears —none were late—
enraged ash-bearers towards the fight’s flame-point.* (40-47)
They bound the hands of the holy one there and fastened Matthew
by the fiend’s craft, those hell-hastening heroes. His head’s signs*
they burst with the sword’s edge. Nevertheless he honored
the guardian of the heaven’s realm in his breast, even though
he accepted the terrible drink of poison. Blessed and resolute,
Matthew with courage still worshipped the Prince of Glory wordfully,
the heaven-kingdom’s guardian with a holy voice from his prison.
For him Christ’s praise was wound up tightly in his soul-enclosure.* (48-58)
Then he, weeping with wearied tears, lamented unto his Victory-lord
with sorrowful speech, to the Lord of Men, the Giver of the People’s Good,
in a wretched voice, and he spoke in words so: “How the strangers
have prepared for me a treacherous net, a guile-chain! Always
I was on the paths, eager in heart, ever according to your purpose; now
through my sorrow I must perform deeds as those beasts deprived of speech. (59-67)
“You alone know all thoughts, Lord of Mankind—
you know the heart in breast. If it be your will,
Prince of Glory, that I am to sleep by pledge-breaker’s swords,
the weapon’s edges, I am immediately prepared
in this exile to endure what you wish to ordain, my Lord,
Bliss-giver of Angels, Deed-origin of Hosts. (68-75)
“Give to me your mercy, Almighty God, light in this life,
lest I must, blinded in this fortress after the sword-hate,
suffer at length their scorn-speak, by hateful sentence
of the blood-greedy, these malign man-harmers. I affix my heart
solely to you, guardian of middle-earth— and with the rooted love
of my soul, I wish to ask you, Father of Angels, Bright Bestower
of Fruits—do not tally me amid your guilt-foes, the weary
crime-wrights, in the worst death O Deemer of Hosts, upon the earth!” (76-87)
After these words came a sign of glory, holy from the heavens;
like a lucid banner into the prison cell. There it was revealed that
Holy God had effected help when the voice of the Heaven-King was heard,
curious under clouds, the eloquent noise of the famous prince.
Bright-voiced God announced cure and comfort from the battle-bold
to his retainer within the harm-coffer: (88-96)
“I give my peace to you, Matthew, under the heaven.
Do not be fearful in heart. Do not mourn in mind.
I abide with you and shall ransom you
from these limb-fetters, and all of that multitude
that dwells with you in doleful endungeon-ment.
For you, paradise is opened by holy powers, brightest of prosperities,
the fairest home of all weal, a hopeful and splendid home.
There you may enjoy glory and delight as long as you may live.* (97-106)
“Endure these people’s affliction! There is not much time
that the pledge-breakers, sinful through spiteful art,
will be allowed to afflict you with tormenting bonds.
I shall dispatch Andrew immediately as shelter and solace
for you in this heathen city. He shall redeem you
from this folk-hate. There is until that moment a finite number,
a space of time equal to seven and twenty counts of night
truly until you, one sorely aggrieved yet deserving of victory,
will be allowed to depart from your constraint,
from your humiliation into the hold of God.” (107-17)
Then from Matthew the Holy Helm of all beings* withdrew,
the Shaper of Angels, to his uppermost native realm—
He is by right the King, the Steadfast Steersman in any place.
Then Matthew was greatly inspired by the new voice. (118-23a)
The night-helm glided past,* swiftly slipping away.
Light came after, the rush of dawn. The multitude assembled,
heathen warriors crowded in heaps, armor ringing, spears shaking,
swollen-minded under shield-cover. They wished to prove
whether their victims, while they dwelt in that comfortless place,
remained alive in the prison, secured by chains—and which one could
soonest be deprived of spirit according to their appointed time
for eating.* They, slaughter-greedy, had inscribed in both secret
letters and computation, the conclusion of men* when their victims
should be made into food for the meat-lacking in that nation of men. (123b-37)
The cold-hearted cried out to their fierce leader—one band pressing
upon another. They heeded not the right nor mercy of the Creator.
Often their thoughts were taken by the devil’s edicts in the dark shadows,*
while they entrusted themselves to his miserable might. (138-42)
Then they found the holy hero wise-minded under the dark
enclosure, battle-strong, expecting what the Bright King, Source-Point
of Angels, wished to give. When time was nearly passed, the stipulation
of the time-mark save for three nights, as the slaughter-wolves had inscribed it—
they thought upon breaking apart his bone-rings, quickly separating body
and soul, and at that moment distributing the fated flesh-home to old
and young, a meal and a grateful repast for men. These greedy warriors
mourned not for life*—they did not care how the soul journeys by decree
after its death-throes. So they ordered a feast after every thirty counts of night.
There was much desire to swiftly break apart human flesh-homes
with bloody jaws for their own sustenance. (143-60)
Then God, who had established middle-earth with strong powers,
was mindful how Matthew dwelt in a strange people’s misery, locked up
with leg irons, he who had often suffered for God’s love before
the Hebrews and the Israelites—he who had withstood quite strongly
the magic arts of the Jews. (161-7a)
of glory-blessed heroes, twelve under the stars,
the thegns of the Lord? Their force did not fail
in the war-reckoning when banners clashed together.
Afterwards they separated as the Lord himself,
Heaven’s High-King, had assigned their lot.* Those were
illustrious men upon the earth, bold folk-leaders
on the measuring-field, doughty warriors and battle-brave when shield
and hand defended their crown on the harrying-field. (1-11a)
Among them was a certain Matthew who, first among the Jews,
began to write the Gospel in words with wondrous skill.
Often he had encountered stoutly the hand of slayers
in the harrying-field.* Holy God had decreed the portion for him:
out to the island of Mermedonia where they did not allow
any strangers to enjoy the prosperity of their native land. (11b-18)
That whole march-land was wound in murder, the enemy’s deceit,
the dwelling-place of men, homeland of heroes. There was neither
bite of bread nor drink of water for Mermedonian men to enjoy.
Instead they consumed blood and skin throughout the nation
the flesh-homes of foreign-coming men. Such was their custom:*
that they made all strangers seeking their island from outside
into meat for the meat-lacking. Such was the peace-less token
of these people, the violence of the wretched, that the enemy,
sword-grim and sad-minded, destroyed the sight of the eyes,
the head-gems, with the point of spears. Afterwards their druids
bitterly mixed together* a frightful drink through error-craft for
their victim in order to pervert their wit, the conscience of men—
altering their mind, the heart in breast, so that their victims mourned
no longer for the joys of men,* but the heroes ravenously hungry,
exhausted, tormented by famine, would eat hay and grass instead.* (19-39)
When Matthew arrived at the city, that notorious fortress,
there was a great clamor throughout Mermedonia: a band of the wicked,
the defiled's tumult, after the devil’s thegns had learned of the noble
one’s arrival. Then they went against him swiftly under shield,
bristling with spears —none were late—
enraged ash-bearers towards the fight’s flame-point.* (40-47)
They bound the hands of the holy one there and fastened Matthew
by the fiend’s craft, those hell-hastening heroes. His head’s signs*
they burst with the sword’s edge. Nevertheless he honored
the guardian of the heaven’s realm in his breast, even though
he accepted the terrible drink of poison. Blessed and resolute,
Matthew with courage still worshipped the Prince of Glory wordfully,
the heaven-kingdom’s guardian with a holy voice from his prison.
For him Christ’s praise was wound up tightly in his soul-enclosure.* (48-58)
Then he, weeping with wearied tears, lamented unto his Victory-lord
with sorrowful speech, to the Lord of Men, the Giver of the People’s Good,
in a wretched voice, and he spoke in words so: “How the strangers
have prepared for me a treacherous net, a guile-chain! Always
I was on the paths, eager in heart, ever according to your purpose; now
through my sorrow I must perform deeds as those beasts deprived of speech. (59-67)
“You alone know all thoughts, Lord of Mankind—
you know the heart in breast. If it be your will,
Prince of Glory, that I am to sleep by pledge-breaker’s swords,
the weapon’s edges, I am immediately prepared
in this exile to endure what you wish to ordain, my Lord,
Bliss-giver of Angels, Deed-origin of Hosts. (68-75)
“Give to me your mercy, Almighty God, light in this life,
lest I must, blinded in this fortress after the sword-hate,
suffer at length their scorn-speak, by hateful sentence
of the blood-greedy, these malign man-harmers. I affix my heart
solely to you, guardian of middle-earth— and with the rooted love
of my soul, I wish to ask you, Father of Angels, Bright Bestower
of Fruits—do not tally me amid your guilt-foes, the weary
crime-wrights, in the worst death O Deemer of Hosts, upon the earth!” (76-87)
After these words came a sign of glory, holy from the heavens;
like a lucid banner into the prison cell. There it was revealed that
Holy God had effected help when the voice of the Heaven-King was heard,
curious under clouds, the eloquent noise of the famous prince.
Bright-voiced God announced cure and comfort from the battle-bold
to his retainer within the harm-coffer: (88-96)
“I give my peace to you, Matthew, under the heaven.
Do not be fearful in heart. Do not mourn in mind.
I abide with you and shall ransom you
from these limb-fetters, and all of that multitude
that dwells with you in doleful endungeon-ment.
For you, paradise is opened by holy powers, brightest of prosperities,
the fairest home of all weal, a hopeful and splendid home.
There you may enjoy glory and delight as long as you may live.* (97-106)
“Endure these people’s affliction! There is not much time
that the pledge-breakers, sinful through spiteful art,
will be allowed to afflict you with tormenting bonds.
I shall dispatch Andrew immediately as shelter and solace
for you in this heathen city. He shall redeem you
from this folk-hate. There is until that moment a finite number,
a space of time equal to seven and twenty counts of night
truly until you, one sorely aggrieved yet deserving of victory,
will be allowed to depart from your constraint,
from your humiliation into the hold of God.” (107-17)
Then from Matthew the Holy Helm of all beings* withdrew,
the Shaper of Angels, to his uppermost native realm—
He is by right the King, the Steadfast Steersman in any place.
Then Matthew was greatly inspired by the new voice. (118-23a)
The night-helm glided past,* swiftly slipping away.
Light came after, the rush of dawn. The multitude assembled,
heathen warriors crowded in heaps, armor ringing, spears shaking,
swollen-minded under shield-cover. They wished to prove
whether their victims, while they dwelt in that comfortless place,
remained alive in the prison, secured by chains—and which one could
soonest be deprived of spirit according to their appointed time
for eating.* They, slaughter-greedy, had inscribed in both secret
letters and computation, the conclusion of men* when their victims
should be made into food for the meat-lacking in that nation of men. (123b-37)
The cold-hearted cried out to their fierce leader—one band pressing
upon another. They heeded not the right nor mercy of the Creator.
Often their thoughts were taken by the devil’s edicts in the dark shadows,*
while they entrusted themselves to his miserable might. (138-42)
Then they found the holy hero wise-minded under the dark
enclosure, battle-strong, expecting what the Bright King, Source-Point
of Angels, wished to give. When time was nearly passed, the stipulation
of the time-mark save for three nights, as the slaughter-wolves had inscribed it—
they thought upon breaking apart his bone-rings, quickly separating body
and soul, and at that moment distributing the fated flesh-home to old
and young, a meal and a grateful repast for men. These greedy warriors
mourned not for life*—they did not care how the soul journeys by decree
after its death-throes. So they ordered a feast after every thirty counts of night.
There was much desire to swiftly break apart human flesh-homes
with bloody jaws for their own sustenance. (143-60)
Then God, who had established middle-earth with strong powers,
was mindful how Matthew dwelt in a strange people’s misery, locked up
with leg irons, he who had often suffered for God’s love before
the Hebrews and the Israelites—he who had withstood quite strongly
the magic arts of the Jews. (161-7a)
Andreas II
Then from heaven a voice was heard in Achaia, where the holy
man Andrew was instructing the people in the life’s way, when
the King’s Glory, the Creator of Mankind, the Lord of Hosts, unlocked
his mind-hoard to Andrew, decision-bold, and said thus in words:
“You must travel, bearing your peace, and seek out a journey,
where the self-eaters* defend their domain, hold their homeland
through murder-craft. Such is the custom of that multitude
that they do not wish that any unkindred men be granted their lives
in that folk-land, after the malicious discover the miserable
in Mermedonia. Killed by wretched men, a life-parting must follow.
There I know your victory-brother to languish, in fast bounds
amid those citizens. There are now but three nights until Matthew
must yield up his soul to the spear’s grip for the sake of the hand-strife
of heathens, unless you, ready to depart, should come before.” (167b-88)
At once, Andrew gave him answer: “How can I, my Lord,
accomplish this so hastily across the deep waters, upon the far-flung
wave, before that moment, O Heaven-shaper and Wielder of Glory,
as your word instructs? That an angel can easily travel,
holy from the heavens, the course of waters known to him,
the salty sea-streams and the swan-road, the struggle of surf and
the water-terrors, the ways over the wide-lands. There are no friends
known to me there, these strange nobles—I do not know the thoughts
of those men, nor are the troop-roads over cold water familiar to me.” (189-201)
Then the Lord Eternal answered him: “Alas, Andrew,
that you would ever be sluggish to the journey’s path!*
There is nothing difficult for the All-wielding God
upon the earth-ways, so that that city, the king-throne renowned,
with all its inhabitants, could be planted into this very land
under the course of heaven—if the Owner of Glory decreed it in word.
You may not be slow to this journey, nor feeble in your wits,
unless you truly conceive contrary to your Sovereign,
and His true token. Be ready at the proper time—
there can be no delay of this errand! You must then set out
on a journey, bearing your spirit into the grip of furious men,
where a war-struggle will be offered to you through
the rushing crash of battle, through the war-craft of warriors.
You must mount a ship by necessity with the dawn,
even at next morrow, at the seashore—and on the cold water,
burst forth over the bath-way. Have my blessing across
my middle-earth wherever you go!” (202-224)
Then the Holy Holder and Wielder, the Source of High-Angels and
the Guardian of Middle-earth departed from him, and sought
his own country, that renowned home, where the souls
of the sooth-fast can brook life after their bodies are gone. (225-229)
When the message was declared to the champion of noble cities,
Andrew had no timorous mind, but was resolute
for valiant deeds, firm and stout-hearted—not at all battle-slow—
but readied by war for the contest of God. Then he himself
departed at dusk in the earliest morn, across the sandy dunes
to the sea’s shore, bold in mind, and with his thegns,
to walk upon the sand. The spear-waves* resounded, beating
the brim-streams. The warrior was hopeful after he discovered
on the shore a ship, broad-bosomed and high-spirited. (230-241a)
Then came the morning-shine, brightest of beacons,
over the water, holy from the darkness. The candle of heaven
gleamed over the sea-floods. Andrew found there
the ship-wards, proud and glorious men, three thegns
sitting in their sea-boat, such as they had come in over the sea.
That was the Lord himself, the Wielder of Multitudes, the Eternal
Almighty, with two of his angels. They were in the raiment
of seafarers, nobles in wave-sailors’ guise who bounce upon
the water’s embrace across the distant wave in ships upon the cold water. (241b-253)
Then Andrew, elated, greeted them and spoke,
standing on gravel, ready upon the strand:
“Whence do you come, sailing by ship, skillful men,
upon the sea-rusher, a lone water-float? Whence has
the water-stream over the rocking waves brought you?” (254-259)
In such a way that Andrew, there upon the shore,
realized not with whom, among those conversing,
he spoke, the Almighty God then answered him:
“From the nation of Mermedonia,* we have traveled far.
A high-prowed ship has borne us on the whale-road,
the swift ocean-horse, quickly encircled with water,
until we reached this land of men, driven by the sea
as the wind compelled us to do.” (260-269)
Humble Andrew then replied: “Although I can give
you few rings, treasure-worthy things, I wish
to ask you to bring us aboard that steep vessel,
the beaked ship, and over the whale’s home
to that same nation. There will be reward for you
with God, should you be gracious to us on this road.” (270-276)
Soon from the wave-ship the Helm of Princes,
Shaper of Angels, answered him: “Wide-faring men
cannot dwell there nor can strangers enjoy the land,
but in that city they suffer the killing, the foreigners
that bear their life to that place—and now you ask
to venture across the wide sea so that you might
spill out your life in this feud.” (277-284)
Then Andrew gave rejoinder: “Desire whets us
to that nation’s borders, a great hope of mind,
to that notorious city, dearest lord, if you make known
your mercy for us upon the ocean-flood.”(285-289)
The Prince of Angels, the Savior of Men, replied
from the ship’s prow: “We will ferry you
with us across the fish’s bath gladly and freely, even to that land
that desire urges you to seek, after you have given your fare,
the appointed price, as the ship-wards, my men
over the wave-board, would wish to be given.” (290-298)
Swiftly then Andrew, friend-wanting, wordfully spoke
to him: “I have no ornamented gold nor money-treasure—
nothing of wealth nor sustenance nor woven wire broaches,
lands nor locked rings,* that I can provide your desire,
your wishes in this world, as you have said in word.” (299-304)
Then the Lord of Warriors, where he sat on the gangway,
addressed Andrew over the tossing of the shore:
“How does it happen, dearest friend, that you should wish
to venture to the mountainous sea, to test the measure
of the sea-currents, deprived of wealth, seeking a ship
across the cold cliffs? You have nothing to comfort you
on the ocean-street, no bite of bread nor pure drink as befits you.
Is that a fruitful custom for them that know the long sea-way?” (305-314)
The Andrew, sage in his senses, unlocked
his word-hoard as an answer, for the sailor:
“It behooves you not, whom the Lord has given
money and meals and worldly success,
that you should now answer with arrogance,
attack us with sarcasm. It is more proper for every man
that he recognizes, humbly and certainly,
the man eager to depart, as Christ commanded it,
Glory-fast Prince. We are his thegns,
chosen as his champions. He is by rights the King,
Sovereign and Craftsman of Glory Majestic,
One Eternal God of All Creation, so he grasps all things
by singular craft, both heaven and earth, through Holy Might,
best of victories. He said that himself, Father of All Folk,
and he ordered us to travel through the spacious
earth and gather souls, saying: (315-331)
'Travel now throughout the earth's every corner,
even so wide as the water may contain or the fixed plains
lie down as a street. Proclaim through the cities
the bright belief across the embracing earth. I hold
my peace for you. You will need to bring no ornaments
on that journey, neither gold nor silver:
I will provide you a bounty of every sort of good,
according to your own wish.'* (332-339)
Now you, a thoughtful one yourself, can hear of our journey.
I must swiftly know what you wish to do to benefit us.” (340-342)
The Eternal Lord answered him then: “If you are
the thegns of the one that heaved up glory across
middle-earth, as you tell me, holding what the holy
one has commanded you, then I will carry you with joy
across the sea-currents, as you have requested.” (343-348)
man Andrew was instructing the people in the life’s way, when
the King’s Glory, the Creator of Mankind, the Lord of Hosts, unlocked
his mind-hoard to Andrew, decision-bold, and said thus in words:
“You must travel, bearing your peace, and seek out a journey,
where the self-eaters* defend their domain, hold their homeland
through murder-craft. Such is the custom of that multitude
that they do not wish that any unkindred men be granted their lives
in that folk-land, after the malicious discover the miserable
in Mermedonia. Killed by wretched men, a life-parting must follow.
There I know your victory-brother to languish, in fast bounds
amid those citizens. There are now but three nights until Matthew
must yield up his soul to the spear’s grip for the sake of the hand-strife
of heathens, unless you, ready to depart, should come before.” (167b-88)
At once, Andrew gave him answer: “How can I, my Lord,
accomplish this so hastily across the deep waters, upon the far-flung
wave, before that moment, O Heaven-shaper and Wielder of Glory,
as your word instructs? That an angel can easily travel,
holy from the heavens, the course of waters known to him,
the salty sea-streams and the swan-road, the struggle of surf and
the water-terrors, the ways over the wide-lands. There are no friends
known to me there, these strange nobles—I do not know the thoughts
of those men, nor are the troop-roads over cold water familiar to me.” (189-201)
Then the Lord Eternal answered him: “Alas, Andrew,
that you would ever be sluggish to the journey’s path!*
There is nothing difficult for the All-wielding God
upon the earth-ways, so that that city, the king-throne renowned,
with all its inhabitants, could be planted into this very land
under the course of heaven—if the Owner of Glory decreed it in word.
You may not be slow to this journey, nor feeble in your wits,
unless you truly conceive contrary to your Sovereign,
and His true token. Be ready at the proper time—
there can be no delay of this errand! You must then set out
on a journey, bearing your spirit into the grip of furious men,
where a war-struggle will be offered to you through
the rushing crash of battle, through the war-craft of warriors.
You must mount a ship by necessity with the dawn,
even at next morrow, at the seashore—and on the cold water,
burst forth over the bath-way. Have my blessing across
my middle-earth wherever you go!” (202-224)
Then the Holy Holder and Wielder, the Source of High-Angels and
the Guardian of Middle-earth departed from him, and sought
his own country, that renowned home, where the souls
of the sooth-fast can brook life after their bodies are gone. (225-229)
When the message was declared to the champion of noble cities,
Andrew had no timorous mind, but was resolute
for valiant deeds, firm and stout-hearted—not at all battle-slow—
but readied by war for the contest of God. Then he himself
departed at dusk in the earliest morn, across the sandy dunes
to the sea’s shore, bold in mind, and with his thegns,
to walk upon the sand. The spear-waves* resounded, beating
the brim-streams. The warrior was hopeful after he discovered
on the shore a ship, broad-bosomed and high-spirited. (230-241a)
Then came the morning-shine, brightest of beacons,
over the water, holy from the darkness. The candle of heaven
gleamed over the sea-floods. Andrew found there
the ship-wards, proud and glorious men, three thegns
sitting in their sea-boat, such as they had come in over the sea.
That was the Lord himself, the Wielder of Multitudes, the Eternal
Almighty, with two of his angels. They were in the raiment
of seafarers, nobles in wave-sailors’ guise who bounce upon
the water’s embrace across the distant wave in ships upon the cold water. (241b-253)
Then Andrew, elated, greeted them and spoke,
standing on gravel, ready upon the strand:
“Whence do you come, sailing by ship, skillful men,
upon the sea-rusher, a lone water-float? Whence has
the water-stream over the rocking waves brought you?” (254-259)
In such a way that Andrew, there upon the shore,
realized not with whom, among those conversing,
he spoke, the Almighty God then answered him:
“From the nation of Mermedonia,* we have traveled far.
A high-prowed ship has borne us on the whale-road,
the swift ocean-horse, quickly encircled with water,
until we reached this land of men, driven by the sea
as the wind compelled us to do.” (260-269)
Humble Andrew then replied: “Although I can give
you few rings, treasure-worthy things, I wish
to ask you to bring us aboard that steep vessel,
the beaked ship, and over the whale’s home
to that same nation. There will be reward for you
with God, should you be gracious to us on this road.” (270-276)
Soon from the wave-ship the Helm of Princes,
Shaper of Angels, answered him: “Wide-faring men
cannot dwell there nor can strangers enjoy the land,
but in that city they suffer the killing, the foreigners
that bear their life to that place—and now you ask
to venture across the wide sea so that you might
spill out your life in this feud.” (277-284)
Then Andrew gave rejoinder: “Desire whets us
to that nation’s borders, a great hope of mind,
to that notorious city, dearest lord, if you make known
your mercy for us upon the ocean-flood.”(285-289)
The Prince of Angels, the Savior of Men, replied
from the ship’s prow: “We will ferry you
with us across the fish’s bath gladly and freely, even to that land
that desire urges you to seek, after you have given your fare,
the appointed price, as the ship-wards, my men
over the wave-board, would wish to be given.” (290-298)
Swiftly then Andrew, friend-wanting, wordfully spoke
to him: “I have no ornamented gold nor money-treasure—
nothing of wealth nor sustenance nor woven wire broaches,
lands nor locked rings,* that I can provide your desire,
your wishes in this world, as you have said in word.” (299-304)
Then the Lord of Warriors, where he sat on the gangway,
addressed Andrew over the tossing of the shore:
“How does it happen, dearest friend, that you should wish
to venture to the mountainous sea, to test the measure
of the sea-currents, deprived of wealth, seeking a ship
across the cold cliffs? You have nothing to comfort you
on the ocean-street, no bite of bread nor pure drink as befits you.
Is that a fruitful custom for them that know the long sea-way?” (305-314)
The Andrew, sage in his senses, unlocked
his word-hoard as an answer, for the sailor:
“It behooves you not, whom the Lord has given
money and meals and worldly success,
that you should now answer with arrogance,
attack us with sarcasm. It is more proper for every man
that he recognizes, humbly and certainly,
the man eager to depart, as Christ commanded it,
Glory-fast Prince. We are his thegns,
chosen as his champions. He is by rights the King,
Sovereign and Craftsman of Glory Majestic,
One Eternal God of All Creation, so he grasps all things
by singular craft, both heaven and earth, through Holy Might,
best of victories. He said that himself, Father of All Folk,
and he ordered us to travel through the spacious
earth and gather souls, saying: (315-331)
'Travel now throughout the earth's every corner,
even so wide as the water may contain or the fixed plains
lie down as a street. Proclaim through the cities
the bright belief across the embracing earth. I hold
my peace for you. You will need to bring no ornaments
on that journey, neither gold nor silver:
I will provide you a bounty of every sort of good,
according to your own wish.'* (332-339)
Now you, a thoughtful one yourself, can hear of our journey.
I must swiftly know what you wish to do to benefit us.” (340-342)
The Eternal Lord answered him then: “If you are
the thegns of the one that heaved up glory across
middle-earth, as you tell me, holding what the holy
one has commanded you, then I will carry you with joy
across the sea-currents, as you have requested.” (343-348)
Andreas III
When the brave-spirited mounted into the ship, ,
the mind of each was blissful upon the mere-flood, eager to depart.
Then Andrew began to beg the Chief of Glory for mercy
for the sea-farers over the waves’ toss, and spoke in words thus:
“May the Lord give you honor-worthy things, your wishes
in this world and in the fruit of glory, the Maker of Man-kind,
as you have made your peace known to me on this voyage!” (349-358)
The Holy Helm-ward then sat near them, nobleman by noblemen—
I have never heard of a more comely ship laden with high-treasures.
The heroes sat therein, glorious princes and proud thegns.
Then the Prince of Dominion spoke, the Almighty Eternal,
and ordered his angel, renowned kin-servant, to go and give
foodstuffs to the comfort-bereft so that they could the more
easily endure their condition over the welling waves. (359-369a)
Then the whale-mere became vexed and agitated. The garfish
sported gladly through the spear-waves and the gull reeled,
grey and carrion-greedy. The weather-candle was obscured.
Winds swelled. Waves ground together. Currents
were stirred. The rigging creaked and the tackle was soaked.
Water-terror stood in the strength of its violence.
The thegns became timid-hearted upon the sea-currents—
none of those who had sought this ship with Andrew believed
that he would ever regain the land still living. They did not yet
know who guided that sea-floater upon the sea. (369b-381)
Then Andrew, the holy one on the sea-path, still
a thegn prince-loyal, spoke thanks over the oar-blending
to the counselor to kingdoms, when he was fed:
“May the Truth-fast Creator, Life’s Light-origin,
the Wielder of Hosts, make recompense unto you
for this provender and give you back heavenly bread,
as you have revealed your friendship in peace to me
over these mountainous waves. Now my servants,
these young battle-warriors, are afflicted. The spear-waves
are roaring, the ocean steaming. The sea floor is troubled,
the deeps disturbed, their multitude perturbed:
the strength of my mindful men is greatly oppressed.” (382-395)
The Shaper of Heroes replied to him from the helm:
“Now let our float ferry you to dry land,
the ship over the sea-fastness, and then bid
your servants to alight onto the earth until you soon return.” (396-400)
At once, those earls gave him answer, those thegns
toil-enduring, saying that they would not suffer to abandon
their beloved teacher at the ship’s stem, and choose the land
for themselves. They said: “Where would we turn,
lordless, sad-minded, starved for good, wounded by our sins,
if we should desert you? We would be hated in every land,
vile to every people, whenever the sons of man, courage-bold,
hold council and discuss which of them always attended
their lord the best in battle, suffering straits on the war-plain
when shield and hand are ground down by swords in spite-play.”* (401-14)
Then the Prince of Realms spoke, the pledge-fast King,
and heaved up a word at once: “If you are the thegns
of He that Sits in Majesty, the Glory-King, as your word claims,
then recite those mysteries, how he instructed the speech-havers
under the lofty sky. Long is the journey-path across the fallow waves:
comfort your servants in their hearts. There is now a great distance
yet to go over the ocean-stream—the land is so far to seek.
The sands are churned up, the ground with grit.
God can easily effect help for sea-voyagers.” (415-26)
Then Andrew wisely began to strengthen his disciples with words,
his glory-speedy men: “When you all mounted upon the sea,
you were mindful that you would conduct your life to a hostile people,
and for the love of the Lord might suffer death, giving up your souls
in the homeland of wholly evil men.* I myself know that
the Shaper of Angels shields us, the Lord of Armies.
Compelled and rebuked by the Might-king, these water-terrors,
the tossing ocean, must become more gentle. (427-37)
“So it happened once upon a time, that the Disciples ventured
a ford over the surging strife in a sea-boat. The water-ways
seemed horrible and fearsome—water-streams beat the shore-boards,
the sea-water often answered back, wave upon wave.
Sometimes the terror stood up from the ocean’s bosom
over the wave-ship, into the breast of the boat. (438-45a)
“The Almighty, the Maker of Man-kind, bright in the sea-rusher
expected this. His warriors were fearful in their hearts, desiring
peace, mercies for the famous ones. When the watery multitude
began chatter upon the ship, the king arose at once, the Blessing-giver
of Angels, and quieted the waves, the welling of the water.
The winds were chastened, the sea subsided, the boundaries
of the ocean-currents became tranquil again. Then our hearts laughed
since we had seen the wind and waves under heaven’s circuit
and the terror of the deep grow afraid for fear of the Lord.
Therefore I wish to say to you as truth: the living god
will never abandon an earl upon the earth, if his courage avails.” (445b-60)
Thus sounded the holy champion, mindful of his servants.
The blessed warrior taught his thegns; he strengthened his earls,
until they were bested by sleep forthwith, exhausted beside the mast.
The sea-storm abated; the endeavors of the waves, the tempest’s
sea-violence soon was transformed. Then Andrew’s spirit became
gladdened by that holy one, after the terror-spell . (461-8)
Then he began to speak, keen of counsels, wise in his wits,
to unfasten his word-chest: “It strikes me that I have never
met a better sea-farer, a robust rower, more counsel-prudent,
nor more learned in his speech. Now I would like to ask you
one further favor, as a nobleman un-notorious, even though
I am light in rings and golden riches, of things treasure-worthy
that I can give you. I wish to obtain, glory-fast prince,
your good friendship, if I might. After you will get a share
of holy joy in heavenly majesty, if you are generous with your lore
to those sea-weary ones. I want to discover one skill from you,
royal-famed hero, the power and glory—such as the King,
the Shaper of Men has now given you—how you direct the swimming
of this wave-floater, this sea-horse drenched by the sea. (469-88)
“It chanced that I have been some sixteen times, now and again,
on a sea-boat, with hands stirring the frozen ocean,* the water-currents—
this time is once more. Thus I have never seen any man,
no might-born hero the likes of you, no steersman over the stern.
The tide-swell roars, it beats the shore-boards.
This boat is so well equipped;* it fares foamy-necked,
very much like a bird, gliding on the ocean. I know for certain
that I have never seen such proficiency at sail-going
across the wave-trail. It is almost like the ship stood still on land,
where the storm nor the wind can not shake it,
nor the floodwaters break its sword-shining-prow—
yet the ship speeds on the sea, swift under sail. (489-505a)
“You are young yourself, a haven for war-faring men,
not at all advanced in winters—yet you, sea-tossed,
have in your soul the answer of a noble man.
You know the wise sense of every word for this world.” (505b-9)
To him replied the Eternal Lord: “Often it occurs
that we are on the sea-way in ships among sailors, when a storm
comes, breaking across the bath-way in watery horses.*
At times it goes laboriously with us among the waves,
upon the sea, though we escape and continue the terrible passage.
The flood-welling cannot hinder at once any men contrary to the grace
of the Maker: but He binds for Himself the power of life,
just as He binds the waters, and compels and rebukes the brown waves.
He must rule rightfully, He that heaved up the heavens and affixed
them with his own hands; that shaped and supported the bright
bounty-home filled with glory, thus was blessed
the homeland of angels through his sole might.” (510-25)
Therefore it is an evident and manifest truth, known
and understood, that you, Andrew, are the King’s own
pious servant, of He That Sits in Glory, because the sea-mound,
the course of the spear-waves, immediately recognized you,
that you held the favor of the Holy Ghost. The sea soon
retreated, the blending of the oar-waves. The terror was stilled,
the broad-bosomed wave.* The ford-waters were calmed
after they understood that God, who by strong power
established the gift of glory, was wound up in you.” (526-36)
Then the brave-souled champion exclaimed in a holy voice,
honoring the King, the Wielder of Glory, and thus spoke in words:
“Be blessed, Hero of Man-kind, Delivering Lord!
Ever shall your fame live! Both near and far is your holy name
beautified in glory across the human-nations, celebrated
for your mercies. There is no man under the heaven-vault,
none of the race of heroes, who could relate or may know
the count of how gloriously you deal out your favor,
Prince of Nations, Savior of Souls. Indeed it is apparent,
Preserver of Souls, that you have honored this young man
with such gifts, so he would be so loyal in his youth and wise
in his wits and word-sayings. I have never met among his
even-elders* one more wise in his mind-heart.” (537-54)
Then from the ship spoke the Glory of Kings to Andrew,
the Beginning and the End and boldly asked:
“Say, thegn wise in thought, if you know, how it happened
that among doubting men, those men wicked in deceitful
thought, the people of Judea heaved up harmful speech
against the Son of God. There men not unwicked—
angry and sad-minded—did not believe in their own Life-start,
that he was God, even though he made known many
wonders to the people, quite evident and manifest.
The sinning could not recognize the king-born, he that
was conceived as shelter and comfort to the race of men,
to all earth-dwellers. The noble one increased in word and wisdom,
but praise-having, he always revealed openly no small deal
of those wonders to those pride-eaten people.” (555-71)
Andrew then gave him a reply: “How could it happen
in a human-nation that you have not heard of the Savior’s power,
dearest of men, how he made known his gift throughout the wide world,
the child of the Sovereign? He gave the mute speech, the deaf hearing,
the blind sight, he made the spirits of the lame and the leprous
rejoice, those that had long been limb-sick, weary, weak of health,
bound in torments, throughout the city-sites. Just as he awoke
with a word many of the various kindred of men from death
in the ground-way. Likewise he, kingly-famous, also made known
many miracles through the power of his art. He consecrated
for his war-band wine from water and ordered it to change into a better sort,
to bring his men joy. Likewise, he fed from two fishes and five loaves
five thousand of the kindred of men. The walking troop sat down,
sad-minded, united at rest, weary after the wandering, and received
this meal, men upon the earth, as was most agreeable to them. (572-94)
“Now you can hear, dearest young man, how the Guardian
of Glory showed us love with words and deeds in this life,
and through his teaching urged us toward that joyous glory,
where at liberty and blessed with the angels, those that seek
the Lord after death can occupy the earth.” (595-600)
the mind of each was blissful upon the mere-flood, eager to depart.
Then Andrew began to beg the Chief of Glory for mercy
for the sea-farers over the waves’ toss, and spoke in words thus:
“May the Lord give you honor-worthy things, your wishes
in this world and in the fruit of glory, the Maker of Man-kind,
as you have made your peace known to me on this voyage!” (349-358)
The Holy Helm-ward then sat near them, nobleman by noblemen—
I have never heard of a more comely ship laden with high-treasures.
The heroes sat therein, glorious princes and proud thegns.
Then the Prince of Dominion spoke, the Almighty Eternal,
and ordered his angel, renowned kin-servant, to go and give
foodstuffs to the comfort-bereft so that they could the more
easily endure their condition over the welling waves. (359-369a)
Then the whale-mere became vexed and agitated. The garfish
sported gladly through the spear-waves and the gull reeled,
grey and carrion-greedy. The weather-candle was obscured.
Winds swelled. Waves ground together. Currents
were stirred. The rigging creaked and the tackle was soaked.
Water-terror stood in the strength of its violence.
The thegns became timid-hearted upon the sea-currents—
none of those who had sought this ship with Andrew believed
that he would ever regain the land still living. They did not yet
know who guided that sea-floater upon the sea. (369b-381)
Then Andrew, the holy one on the sea-path, still
a thegn prince-loyal, spoke thanks over the oar-blending
to the counselor to kingdoms, when he was fed:
“May the Truth-fast Creator, Life’s Light-origin,
the Wielder of Hosts, make recompense unto you
for this provender and give you back heavenly bread,
as you have revealed your friendship in peace to me
over these mountainous waves. Now my servants,
these young battle-warriors, are afflicted. The spear-waves
are roaring, the ocean steaming. The sea floor is troubled,
the deeps disturbed, their multitude perturbed:
the strength of my mindful men is greatly oppressed.” (382-395)
The Shaper of Heroes replied to him from the helm:
“Now let our float ferry you to dry land,
the ship over the sea-fastness, and then bid
your servants to alight onto the earth until you soon return.” (396-400)
At once, those earls gave him answer, those thegns
toil-enduring, saying that they would not suffer to abandon
their beloved teacher at the ship’s stem, and choose the land
for themselves. They said: “Where would we turn,
lordless, sad-minded, starved for good, wounded by our sins,
if we should desert you? We would be hated in every land,
vile to every people, whenever the sons of man, courage-bold,
hold council and discuss which of them always attended
their lord the best in battle, suffering straits on the war-plain
when shield and hand are ground down by swords in spite-play.”* (401-14)
Then the Prince of Realms spoke, the pledge-fast King,
and heaved up a word at once: “If you are the thegns
of He that Sits in Majesty, the Glory-King, as your word claims,
then recite those mysteries, how he instructed the speech-havers
under the lofty sky. Long is the journey-path across the fallow waves:
comfort your servants in their hearts. There is now a great distance
yet to go over the ocean-stream—the land is so far to seek.
The sands are churned up, the ground with grit.
God can easily effect help for sea-voyagers.” (415-26)
Then Andrew wisely began to strengthen his disciples with words,
his glory-speedy men: “When you all mounted upon the sea,
you were mindful that you would conduct your life to a hostile people,
and for the love of the Lord might suffer death, giving up your souls
in the homeland of wholly evil men.* I myself know that
the Shaper of Angels shields us, the Lord of Armies.
Compelled and rebuked by the Might-king, these water-terrors,
the tossing ocean, must become more gentle. (427-37)
“So it happened once upon a time, that the Disciples ventured
a ford over the surging strife in a sea-boat. The water-ways
seemed horrible and fearsome—water-streams beat the shore-boards,
the sea-water often answered back, wave upon wave.
Sometimes the terror stood up from the ocean’s bosom
over the wave-ship, into the breast of the boat. (438-45a)
“The Almighty, the Maker of Man-kind, bright in the sea-rusher
expected this. His warriors were fearful in their hearts, desiring
peace, mercies for the famous ones. When the watery multitude
began chatter upon the ship, the king arose at once, the Blessing-giver
of Angels, and quieted the waves, the welling of the water.
The winds were chastened, the sea subsided, the boundaries
of the ocean-currents became tranquil again. Then our hearts laughed
since we had seen the wind and waves under heaven’s circuit
and the terror of the deep grow afraid for fear of the Lord.
Therefore I wish to say to you as truth: the living god
will never abandon an earl upon the earth, if his courage avails.” (445b-60)
Thus sounded the holy champion, mindful of his servants.
The blessed warrior taught his thegns; he strengthened his earls,
until they were bested by sleep forthwith, exhausted beside the mast.
The sea-storm abated; the endeavors of the waves, the tempest’s
sea-violence soon was transformed. Then Andrew’s spirit became
gladdened by that holy one, after the terror-spell . (461-8)
Then he began to speak, keen of counsels, wise in his wits,
to unfasten his word-chest: “It strikes me that I have never
met a better sea-farer, a robust rower, more counsel-prudent,
nor more learned in his speech. Now I would like to ask you
one further favor, as a nobleman un-notorious, even though
I am light in rings and golden riches, of things treasure-worthy
that I can give you. I wish to obtain, glory-fast prince,
your good friendship, if I might. After you will get a share
of holy joy in heavenly majesty, if you are generous with your lore
to those sea-weary ones. I want to discover one skill from you,
royal-famed hero, the power and glory—such as the King,
the Shaper of Men has now given you—how you direct the swimming
of this wave-floater, this sea-horse drenched by the sea. (469-88)
“It chanced that I have been some sixteen times, now and again,
on a sea-boat, with hands stirring the frozen ocean,* the water-currents—
this time is once more. Thus I have never seen any man,
no might-born hero the likes of you, no steersman over the stern.
The tide-swell roars, it beats the shore-boards.
This boat is so well equipped;* it fares foamy-necked,
very much like a bird, gliding on the ocean. I know for certain
that I have never seen such proficiency at sail-going
across the wave-trail. It is almost like the ship stood still on land,
where the storm nor the wind can not shake it,
nor the floodwaters break its sword-shining-prow—
yet the ship speeds on the sea, swift under sail. (489-505a)
“You are young yourself, a haven for war-faring men,
not at all advanced in winters—yet you, sea-tossed,
have in your soul the answer of a noble man.
You know the wise sense of every word for this world.” (505b-9)
To him replied the Eternal Lord: “Often it occurs
that we are on the sea-way in ships among sailors, when a storm
comes, breaking across the bath-way in watery horses.*
At times it goes laboriously with us among the waves,
upon the sea, though we escape and continue the terrible passage.
The flood-welling cannot hinder at once any men contrary to the grace
of the Maker: but He binds for Himself the power of life,
just as He binds the waters, and compels and rebukes the brown waves.
He must rule rightfully, He that heaved up the heavens and affixed
them with his own hands; that shaped and supported the bright
bounty-home filled with glory, thus was blessed
the homeland of angels through his sole might.” (510-25)
Therefore it is an evident and manifest truth, known
and understood, that you, Andrew, are the King’s own
pious servant, of He That Sits in Glory, because the sea-mound,
the course of the spear-waves, immediately recognized you,
that you held the favor of the Holy Ghost. The sea soon
retreated, the blending of the oar-waves. The terror was stilled,
the broad-bosomed wave.* The ford-waters were calmed
after they understood that God, who by strong power
established the gift of glory, was wound up in you.” (526-36)
Then the brave-souled champion exclaimed in a holy voice,
honoring the King, the Wielder of Glory, and thus spoke in words:
“Be blessed, Hero of Man-kind, Delivering Lord!
Ever shall your fame live! Both near and far is your holy name
beautified in glory across the human-nations, celebrated
for your mercies. There is no man under the heaven-vault,
none of the race of heroes, who could relate or may know
the count of how gloriously you deal out your favor,
Prince of Nations, Savior of Souls. Indeed it is apparent,
Preserver of Souls, that you have honored this young man
with such gifts, so he would be so loyal in his youth and wise
in his wits and word-sayings. I have never met among his
even-elders* one more wise in his mind-heart.” (537-54)
Then from the ship spoke the Glory of Kings to Andrew,
the Beginning and the End and boldly asked:
“Say, thegn wise in thought, if you know, how it happened
that among doubting men, those men wicked in deceitful
thought, the people of Judea heaved up harmful speech
against the Son of God. There men not unwicked—
angry and sad-minded—did not believe in their own Life-start,
that he was God, even though he made known many
wonders to the people, quite evident and manifest.
The sinning could not recognize the king-born, he that
was conceived as shelter and comfort to the race of men,
to all earth-dwellers. The noble one increased in word and wisdom,
but praise-having, he always revealed openly no small deal
of those wonders to those pride-eaten people.” (555-71)
Andrew then gave him a reply: “How could it happen
in a human-nation that you have not heard of the Savior’s power,
dearest of men, how he made known his gift throughout the wide world,
the child of the Sovereign? He gave the mute speech, the deaf hearing,
the blind sight, he made the spirits of the lame and the leprous
rejoice, those that had long been limb-sick, weary, weak of health,
bound in torments, throughout the city-sites. Just as he awoke
with a word many of the various kindred of men from death
in the ground-way. Likewise he, kingly-famous, also made known
many miracles through the power of his art. He consecrated
for his war-band wine from water and ordered it to change into a better sort,
to bring his men joy. Likewise, he fed from two fishes and five loaves
five thousand of the kindred of men. The walking troop sat down,
sad-minded, united at rest, weary after the wandering, and received
this meal, men upon the earth, as was most agreeable to them. (572-94)
“Now you can hear, dearest young man, how the Guardian
of Glory showed us love with words and deeds in this life,
and through his teaching urged us toward that joyous glory,
where at liberty and blessed with the angels, those that seek
the Lord after death can occupy the earth.” (595-600)
Andreas IV
Then the Ward of the Way further unlocked his word-hoard,
the bold man upon the gangway, speaking: “Can you tell me,
so that I may know the truth, whether your Sovereign
made known the miracles, those he performed not a few times,
to comfort the people, openly upon the earth, where bishops
and scholars and elder-men sat conversing at council?
It seems to me that they out of envy plotted wickedness
through their deep heresy. These heroes listened too eagerly
to the devil’s instruction, to the wrathful pledge-breaker.
Their fate betrayed them, seduced them and perverted them.
Now they must quickly, wearied amongst the weary,
endure wrack, a bitter burning in the slayer’s bosom.” (601-16)
Then Andrew made reply: “I tell you truly that Christ very often
performed miracle after miracle openly for the counselors
of the people in the sight of men—so too the Lord of men
performed them secretly, so intending peace.” (617-22)
The Helm of Nobles answered him: “Can you, wise warrior,
powerful and valiant in mind, speak in words of the power he,
brave-minded, often revealed when he held counsel in secret
whispers with the Lord, the Ruler of the Heavens.” (623-7)
And so Andrew gave answer: “What are you asking me,
most beloved lord, in elaborate words, when you perceive
the truth of each word by the skill of the wise?” (628-31)
Then the Ward of the Way addressed him still: “I do not ask you
in detraction nor slander on the whale-road, but so my mind
may be elated, joyfully fettered through your word-eloquence,
perpetual in its nobility. I am not alone in that—but the heart
and spirit of every man will be joyous, consoled far or near,
who regard in their heart how that mighty one acted, the god-child
on earth. Their souls turn and seek the joys of heaven,
eager for the journey, the homeland of angels by that noble might.” (632-42)
At once Andreas gave back answer: “Now I perceive
the sense of wisdom and truth itself in you—
triumphant capability given you with miraculous skill,
the inward breast, bright in bliss flourishes from wise men—
now I wish to tell you alone of the beginning and the end,
ever as I heard that nobleman’s words and wisdom through
his own mouth in the moot of men. Often the wide-ranging band
gathered, a people unmeasurable, for the judgment of their lord,
where they hearkened to the teaching of the holy one. (643-54)
“When the helmet of those noble men, the bright profit-giver,
soon departed into another temple, there many came towards him
as he praised God, to that debate-court, hall-counselors of the wise.
Always they rejoiced, merciful men, at the coming of the City-Warden.
So it happened once upon a time that the victory-judge
went traveling, the mighty lord. There were no more people
of his own folk, on that journey-way except eleven struggle-tested men,
tallied among the glory-blessed— Jesus himself was the twelfth.
Then we entered into the capital city, where was timbered up
the temple of the Lord, high and horn-wide,* well-known to warriors,
beautified with glory. (655-69a)
"Yet scorn-speakingly and injuriously the high priest began
to mock with hostile intent; he unfastened his hoarded coffer
and wove a quarrel. He knew in his mind that we followed
the footsteps of the true one, and we endured
by the sentence of his teaching. The high priest quickly heaved
up a hostile cry, intermingled with woe: 'Harumph! You are wretched
over all men! You wade along wide wanderings, endure
a multitude of misfortunes. Now you heed the teachings of a stranger,
a man outside the people’s law, having no share in its blessing.
You testify for this prince, swear that you dwell every day
with the Creator’s son. But it is known to the people whence
this nobling’s origin is derived. Jesus was nourished in these borders,
begotten child-young amid his relations. Thus his father and mother
are native-dwellers named Mary and Joseph, as we have learned
by our thought. There are two others, men born in
noble brotherhood, the sons of Joseph, Simon and Jacob.' (669b-91)
"So exclaimed the counselors of warriors, a band eager
for judgment. They thought to conceal the creator’s might.
Sin, that endless evil, returned soon where it had arisen before.
Then the prince departed the heap of thanes from the counsel-place
comforted by his powers, the lord of multitudes, seeking
an unknown land. Through many wondrous works in the desert,
Jesus had made known that he was the king by right over middle-earth,
comforted with power, sovereign and artificer of the glorious majesty,
one eternal god of all creation. He made known such
innumerable other miracles in the sight of men. (692-705)
"On later occasion, Jesus soon set out with a great band,
that he might stand in the temple, the prince of glory.
A word-utterance was raised throughout the high-hall.
The sinning ones would not swallow the teaching of the holy,
though he made known so many true tokens, where they could be seen.
The Lord of Victory spotted a wonder graven most elegantly
in the likeness of his own angels on the temple wall, splendidly
adorning either side. He spoke by word: 'This is an image
of the most illustrious of angel-kind that there is,
among the citizens in that city. Cherubim and Seraphim
they are named in heavenly joys. They stand stiff-hearted
before the countenance of the Eternal Lord, praising with voices
and holy songs the glory of the Heaven-King, the Creator’s protection.
Here is demarcated the hue of holy ones, through hand-power
the servants of glory are written on the wall.' (706-26)
“Then further the Lord of Armies spoke a word, the heaven-holy soul,
before that handiwork: ‘Now I command a signal to be revealed,
a miracle to occur in this assembly of men, that this likeness
seek the earth, lovely from the wall, and speak a word,
talk in true-words, through which the nobles should believe
in my lineage, what my homeland is.’ (727-34)
“And then that wonder dared not conceal the Lord’s behest
before that host, but leapt up from the wall, the wise and ancient work,
so that he stood on the earth, stone out of stone. Its voice came thereafter,
loud through the hardness, a speech resounded,
and defiled itself with words. The stone’s first act seemed curious
to the stiff-purposed. It instructed the priests in clear signs,
witty it restrained them and spoke in words: ‘You are wretched
among the miserable minds, deluded by wiles—
you do not understand well, troubled in mind.
You will call the child of god eternal a man,
when he has delineated with his own hands
the ground and sea, the heaven and earth and the stormy waves,
the salty sea-currents and the upper heaven.
This is the same All-Wielding God that your fathers
knew in former days. He dispensed gifts to Abraham
and Isaac and Jacob, honored them with wealth,
and first spoke in words of noble Abraham’s destiny:
that from his kin must be conceived the God of Glory.
That fate is open and manifest among you—you can now
see with your own eyes the God of Victory, the Owner of Heaven.’ (735-60)
“After the host listened to these words throughout the wide hall,
all were stunned, when the eldest soon began to speak sinfully—
they did not recognize that truth—saying, that this was done with druid-craft,
with magical works, that that spectral stone spoke on behalf of men.
Evil flourished through the breasts of men, burning hot malice
welled in their thought, a worm hostile to glory, a poison wholly harmful.
There the doubting mind was evident through harm-speech;
these men’s mis-thoughts wrapped up in murder. (761-72)
“Then the Prince ordered this glory-work to travel, a stone onto the street
from that place, and go forth, treading the earth-way, to the green lands
of Canaan, to deliver the message of God by teaching within
that country’s borders, to command by the King’s word Abraham
and his two sons first to from their earth-grave, to lay down their land-rest
and gather up their limbs, to take up their souls and youth,
to come forth into the present immediately, sage elder-prophets,
and reveal to the people which god they had acknowledged
for their might. He departed then, as the mighty Lord, the Sculptor of Men,
had inscribed him, over the marking-roads, until he arrived at Mambre,*
dazzling brightly, just as the Maker had commanded him.
There the body-homes, the corpses of the high-fathers, had been
concealed for a long time. He ordered them to stand up at once,
Abraham and Isaac and the third noble called Jacob, from the dirt
into God’s destiny for them, immediately from the sleep that bound them.
He ordered them to gear up for the journey, to fare at the Lord’s decree.
They must reveal to those people who it had been at the first creation
that arranged the all-greening Earth and the Upper-Heaven,
where the Wielder was, that founded that work. (773-99)
"They dared not hinder any longer the Glory-king’s word.
Then those three wit-full witnesses treaded the border-land,
suffering their mould-home, their earth-grave, to remain open.
They wished to make known at once the Father of First-works.
Then the people became frightened with terror, wherever the noble
men praised in words the Prince of Glory. At last the Guardian of Realms
commanded them, to seek a second journey to the blessed-weal, the joys
of heaven, and after that to enjoy life there, far and wide, at their will. (800-10)
"Now you can hear, dearest lad, how he revealed a great number
of miracles, however mind-blinded men did not believe his own teachings.
I know many, very famous stories yet, which that man performed,
the Ruler of the Skies—these you, wise of mind-thought,
could not consider or encompass in your breast.” (811-7)
Thus Andrew the whole long day praised the teaching
of the Holy One in utterances, until sleep overcame
him suddenly on the whale-road, beside the King of Heaven. (818-21)
the bold man upon the gangway, speaking: “Can you tell me,
so that I may know the truth, whether your Sovereign
made known the miracles, those he performed not a few times,
to comfort the people, openly upon the earth, where bishops
and scholars and elder-men sat conversing at council?
It seems to me that they out of envy plotted wickedness
through their deep heresy. These heroes listened too eagerly
to the devil’s instruction, to the wrathful pledge-breaker.
Their fate betrayed them, seduced them and perverted them.
Now they must quickly, wearied amongst the weary,
endure wrack, a bitter burning in the slayer’s bosom.” (601-16)
Then Andrew made reply: “I tell you truly that Christ very often
performed miracle after miracle openly for the counselors
of the people in the sight of men—so too the Lord of men
performed them secretly, so intending peace.” (617-22)
The Helm of Nobles answered him: “Can you, wise warrior,
powerful and valiant in mind, speak in words of the power he,
brave-minded, often revealed when he held counsel in secret
whispers with the Lord, the Ruler of the Heavens.” (623-7)
And so Andrew gave answer: “What are you asking me,
most beloved lord, in elaborate words, when you perceive
the truth of each word by the skill of the wise?” (628-31)
Then the Ward of the Way addressed him still: “I do not ask you
in detraction nor slander on the whale-road, but so my mind
may be elated, joyfully fettered through your word-eloquence,
perpetual in its nobility. I am not alone in that—but the heart
and spirit of every man will be joyous, consoled far or near,
who regard in their heart how that mighty one acted, the god-child
on earth. Their souls turn and seek the joys of heaven,
eager for the journey, the homeland of angels by that noble might.” (632-42)
At once Andreas gave back answer: “Now I perceive
the sense of wisdom and truth itself in you—
triumphant capability given you with miraculous skill,
the inward breast, bright in bliss flourishes from wise men—
now I wish to tell you alone of the beginning and the end,
ever as I heard that nobleman’s words and wisdom through
his own mouth in the moot of men. Often the wide-ranging band
gathered, a people unmeasurable, for the judgment of their lord,
where they hearkened to the teaching of the holy one. (643-54)
“When the helmet of those noble men, the bright profit-giver,
soon departed into another temple, there many came towards him
as he praised God, to that debate-court, hall-counselors of the wise.
Always they rejoiced, merciful men, at the coming of the City-Warden.
So it happened once upon a time that the victory-judge
went traveling, the mighty lord. There were no more people
of his own folk, on that journey-way except eleven struggle-tested men,
tallied among the glory-blessed— Jesus himself was the twelfth.
Then we entered into the capital city, where was timbered up
the temple of the Lord, high and horn-wide,* well-known to warriors,
beautified with glory. (655-69a)
"Yet scorn-speakingly and injuriously the high priest began
to mock with hostile intent; he unfastened his hoarded coffer
and wove a quarrel. He knew in his mind that we followed
the footsteps of the true one, and we endured
by the sentence of his teaching. The high priest quickly heaved
up a hostile cry, intermingled with woe: 'Harumph! You are wretched
over all men! You wade along wide wanderings, endure
a multitude of misfortunes. Now you heed the teachings of a stranger,
a man outside the people’s law, having no share in its blessing.
You testify for this prince, swear that you dwell every day
with the Creator’s son. But it is known to the people whence
this nobling’s origin is derived. Jesus was nourished in these borders,
begotten child-young amid his relations. Thus his father and mother
are native-dwellers named Mary and Joseph, as we have learned
by our thought. There are two others, men born in
noble brotherhood, the sons of Joseph, Simon and Jacob.' (669b-91)
"So exclaimed the counselors of warriors, a band eager
for judgment. They thought to conceal the creator’s might.
Sin, that endless evil, returned soon where it had arisen before.
Then the prince departed the heap of thanes from the counsel-place
comforted by his powers, the lord of multitudes, seeking
an unknown land. Through many wondrous works in the desert,
Jesus had made known that he was the king by right over middle-earth,
comforted with power, sovereign and artificer of the glorious majesty,
one eternal god of all creation. He made known such
innumerable other miracles in the sight of men. (692-705)
"On later occasion, Jesus soon set out with a great band,
that he might stand in the temple, the prince of glory.
A word-utterance was raised throughout the high-hall.
The sinning ones would not swallow the teaching of the holy,
though he made known so many true tokens, where they could be seen.
The Lord of Victory spotted a wonder graven most elegantly
in the likeness of his own angels on the temple wall, splendidly
adorning either side. He spoke by word: 'This is an image
of the most illustrious of angel-kind that there is,
among the citizens in that city. Cherubim and Seraphim
they are named in heavenly joys. They stand stiff-hearted
before the countenance of the Eternal Lord, praising with voices
and holy songs the glory of the Heaven-King, the Creator’s protection.
Here is demarcated the hue of holy ones, through hand-power
the servants of glory are written on the wall.' (706-26)
“Then further the Lord of Armies spoke a word, the heaven-holy soul,
before that handiwork: ‘Now I command a signal to be revealed,
a miracle to occur in this assembly of men, that this likeness
seek the earth, lovely from the wall, and speak a word,
talk in true-words, through which the nobles should believe
in my lineage, what my homeland is.’ (727-34)
“And then that wonder dared not conceal the Lord’s behest
before that host, but leapt up from the wall, the wise and ancient work,
so that he stood on the earth, stone out of stone. Its voice came thereafter,
loud through the hardness, a speech resounded,
and defiled itself with words. The stone’s first act seemed curious
to the stiff-purposed. It instructed the priests in clear signs,
witty it restrained them and spoke in words: ‘You are wretched
among the miserable minds, deluded by wiles—
you do not understand well, troubled in mind.
You will call the child of god eternal a man,
when he has delineated with his own hands
the ground and sea, the heaven and earth and the stormy waves,
the salty sea-currents and the upper heaven.
This is the same All-Wielding God that your fathers
knew in former days. He dispensed gifts to Abraham
and Isaac and Jacob, honored them with wealth,
and first spoke in words of noble Abraham’s destiny:
that from his kin must be conceived the God of Glory.
That fate is open and manifest among you—you can now
see with your own eyes the God of Victory, the Owner of Heaven.’ (735-60)
“After the host listened to these words throughout the wide hall,
all were stunned, when the eldest soon began to speak sinfully—
they did not recognize that truth—saying, that this was done with druid-craft,
with magical works, that that spectral stone spoke on behalf of men.
Evil flourished through the breasts of men, burning hot malice
welled in their thought, a worm hostile to glory, a poison wholly harmful.
There the doubting mind was evident through harm-speech;
these men’s mis-thoughts wrapped up in murder. (761-72)
“Then the Prince ordered this glory-work to travel, a stone onto the street
from that place, and go forth, treading the earth-way, to the green lands
of Canaan, to deliver the message of God by teaching within
that country’s borders, to command by the King’s word Abraham
and his two sons first to from their earth-grave, to lay down their land-rest
and gather up their limbs, to take up their souls and youth,
to come forth into the present immediately, sage elder-prophets,
and reveal to the people which god they had acknowledged
for their might. He departed then, as the mighty Lord, the Sculptor of Men,
had inscribed him, over the marking-roads, until he arrived at Mambre,*
dazzling brightly, just as the Maker had commanded him.
There the body-homes, the corpses of the high-fathers, had been
concealed for a long time. He ordered them to stand up at once,
Abraham and Isaac and the third noble called Jacob, from the dirt
into God’s destiny for them, immediately from the sleep that bound them.
He ordered them to gear up for the journey, to fare at the Lord’s decree.
They must reveal to those people who it had been at the first creation
that arranged the all-greening Earth and the Upper-Heaven,
where the Wielder was, that founded that work. (773-99)
"They dared not hinder any longer the Glory-king’s word.
Then those three wit-full witnesses treaded the border-land,
suffering their mould-home, their earth-grave, to remain open.
They wished to make known at once the Father of First-works.
Then the people became frightened with terror, wherever the noble
men praised in words the Prince of Glory. At last the Guardian of Realms
commanded them, to seek a second journey to the blessed-weal, the joys
of heaven, and after that to enjoy life there, far and wide, at their will. (800-10)
"Now you can hear, dearest lad, how he revealed a great number
of miracles, however mind-blinded men did not believe his own teachings.
I know many, very famous stories yet, which that man performed,
the Ruler of the Skies—these you, wise of mind-thought,
could not consider or encompass in your breast.” (811-7)
Thus Andrew the whole long day praised the teaching
of the Holy One in utterances, until sleep overcame
him suddenly on the whale-road, beside the King of Heaven. (818-21)
Andreas V
Then the Dispenser of Life ordered his own angels to conduct
Andrew over the waves’ tumult, to bear the beloved man
in their bosoms across the sea-fastness with mildness
upon his Father’s sea, until sleep overcame the sea-weary.
By the tossing breeze he arrived at the land of Mermedonia,
to that city that the king of angels had ordained for him.
Having delivered him, then they arose, journeying blessed
on the high-path, seeking their homeland.* They left the holy one
by the war-street, dreaming in peace under the shelter of heaven,
waiting blithely near the city-wall, near his hate-foes, for a night’s-length,*
until the Lord released the day-candle to shine brightly.
The shadows abated, pale under the clouds. Then came
the breeze’s blazing, a clear heaven-light, sparkling over the houses. (822-38)
Then Andrew awoke, resolute for the fight, and looked upon the plain
before the city-gates. Lofty mountains and hillsides towered there,
and beyond a hoary stone,* tile-faced buildings and towers stood,
and windy walls. Then that wise man recognized that he had reached
the nation of Mermedonia by journey, just as the Father of Man-Kind
himself had commanded him, when he had assigned him this voyage.
Then he saw his disciples in the sand, battle-ready warriors, dreaming in sleep.
The war-farer at once began to awaken them and spoke by word:
“I can tell you a plain truth, that yesterday upon the stream of the sea,
across the oar-weal,* a nobleman ferried us. In that ship was the King of Glory,
the Wielder of Man-lands. I recognized his word though he had obscured his aspect.” (839-56)
Then these young noblemen answered him with spiritual mysteries
as reply: “We shall gladly reveal to you, Andrew, our journey,
so that you yourself can wisely understand it in your soul-thoughts. (857-61)
“Sleep overcame us, sea-weary.
Then over the welling of the waves
came angels—faring in flight, exultant in feathers,
and tore us by the soul from slumber,
with joy they ferried us, flying upon the breeze,
with joyful noises, bright and gracious. (862-8)
“They loved mildly and dwelt in praise—
there was song everlasting and the course of heaven—
a beautiful gathering of hosts and a press of glory.
The angels stood all about their homeland,
thegns about their prince, by their thousands—
they praised the Lord of Lords with sacred voices
on high. Joyous expectation was their pleasure. (869-74)
“We recognized there holy high-fathers
and no small force of martyrs, singing
praises to the Soothfast Victory-Lord,
a multitude judgment-ready. There was David
among them, the blessed warrior, Jesse’s son,
come before Christ, king of Israel. Likewise
we saw you all standing before the Son
of the Creator, twelve men all told,
eternal in your genius, glory-blessed heroes.
Holy arch-angels served you, majesty-sitting. (875-85a)
“It will be well for those heroes allowed
to brook that bliss. An ecstasy of glory was there,
a magnificence of war-faring, a noble beginning—
there was there no strife for any of them.
Banishment will be ordained and torment
revealed for him that should become the enemy
of those joys when they go hence—
they shall wander in abjection.” (885b-91)
Then was the heart-understanding of the holy one greatly elated
in his breast, after he had heard the story of his disciples,
how God wished to esteem them so much over all men—
and the shelter of war-farers spoke one word: “Now I have perceived,
Lord God, that you were never far upon the sea-road, Glory of Kings,
when I climbed into the ship, though on the wave-voyage I did not
know how to recognize you, Prince of Angels, Savior of Souls. Be
merciful to me now and be kind—Maker Almighty, O Bright King!
I spoke many a word upon the salt-stream, and afterwards now I know
who ferried me over the floods in a wooden ship with honors.
That one is the Spirit, the Comfort of Warrior-kind.
Help is ready there, mercy among the famous, the power
for victory will be given to everyone, those who seek him.” (892-909)
Then, at that same moment, before their eyes, the Prince revealed himself
to their view, the King of All That Lives, in the shape of a child.
Then he spoke a word, the Chief of Glory: “Hail to you, Andrew,
and your blessed band, exulting in spirit! I have held peace for you, so
that your wicked foes, these grim grief-smiths, can not harm your soul.” (910-7)
Andrew fell to the ground then, the wise warrior wordfully begging for peace,
and asked his cherished lord: “How I deserved it, sinning against your self
Wielder of Men, that I could not recognize one so good, the Savior of Souls,
upon the wave-journey, where I spoke about my Maker—
in many more words than I should have.” (918-24)
The All-wielding god answered him: “You have never committed
so a great sin as when you made refusal in Greece, saying that you did
not know how to fare on the far-waves; that you could not enter that city—
that you could not perform the task within the time-mark of three nights*
such as I ordered you to journey across the watery strife
to accomplish. Now you know very well yourself that I can easily
support and promote any one of my friends in any land—
wherever it pleases me most. (925-35)
“Arise now swiftly, and consider this counsel at once, blessed child,
so that the bright father will honor you with glory-gifts, skill and might,
for your life’s length. You must go into that citadel, beneath the city-locks,
where you brother is. I know Matthew is struck with sword-wounds,
your near-kin set about with crafty-nets. You must seek him,
release that dear one from hate of the hateful, and all the kin of men
dwelling with him, strangers in guile-chains, bound up in wickedness.
Readily there shall be remedy in this world, in the reward of glory—
such as I was telling those same men before. (936-49)
“Now you, Andrew, must venture at once into the grip of the ferocious.
Warfare is your lot, in hard sword-blows. Your carcass shall be doled
wounds, your blood shall flow in a stream much like water.
They will not be able to bestow your spirit death, though you will
suffer stripes, the blows of the sinning. You will suffer sorely—
do not let the force of the heathens move you, their grim spear-strife,
that you betray God, your Lord. Be eager for glory always!
Let it remain you in your mind how it became renowned to many men
throughout many lands, how holy-lacking men shamed me while
bound with wounds. They afflicted me with words, smote me and struck me—
the sinning could not reveal the truth by injury-speech. Then I was
stretched over the gallows, the rood reared up among the Jews,
where a certain man let out blood-sweat from my side, gore onto the earth.
I endured many miseries upon the earth. For this, I wanted you to
establish an example with a blithe heart, shown to these strangers.
There are many in this famous city whom you will turn toward heaven-light
through my name, although they have done many murders in days gone by.” (950-76)
Then the holy one departed from him, seeking the heavens,
the King of All Kings, that pure home, with humility upwards,
where there is mercy belonging to every man, to those that know
how to find them. Then Andrew, soul-patient and mindful, a warrior
hard for battle was improved in his courage; he went quickly
into the city, a single-minded contestant. Powerful and stout of mind,
and true to his creator, he stepped down the street,
the path guiding him—so no man could recognize him nor
the sinful see him. The Guardian of Victories had prudently concealed
the beloved folk-prince from sight inside the city with his hand.*
When noble Andrew had pressed inwards, Christ’s champion,
near to the prison, he saw a heap of heathens together, herdsmen
standing before the grated door, seven at once. Death took them all away,
they fell ingloriously—the death-rush seizing the sword-bloody warriors. (977-96a)
Then the holy one prayed to the merciful father from his inmost-thought,
praising the Heaven-King’s Majesty on high, God’s sovereignty.
The prison door buckled at once through the hand-grip of the Holy Ghost,*
and there he went in, mindful of courage, the beast-brave man. The heathens
slept, drunk in blood, reddening the death-place. He saw Matthew
in the murder-coffer, the stout-minded hero under the shadow-lock
telling his praise unto the lord, glory for the Prince of Angels.
He sat there alone, miserable for his cares in that sorrow-house. (996b-1008)
Then Matthew saw his dear companion under the sky — holy man
saw holy man—joy was restored. Then he arose to face him and thanked
God that they had ever been allowed to see each other unscathed
under the sun. Peace was mutual between both those brothers, bliss renewed.
Each covered the other with arms, they kissed each other and embraced.
Both were beloved by Christ at heart. Light shined around them,
holy and heaven-bright. Their breast within was welling with joys.
Then his breast was welling with delights, when, wordfully, Andrew
first began to greet his noble and god-fearing companion in the barred-coffer
with speech, and spoke to him about the battle-to-come, fighting
of hostile men: “Now there will be a yearning in this folk, heroes hither on…” (1009-24a)
[A leaf is missing from the Vercelli MS at this point, containing an unknown number of lines.]
After these words, the servants of glory, both brethren, kneeled to pray,
sending their prayers before the Child of God. Thus the holy man
in the harm-closure hailed his God and asked his Savior for succor
and assistance, before their flesh perished in front of the battle-power
of the heathens, and then lead the prisoners from their song-fetters,
out of the fastness into the Lord’s peace, one hundred and forty-two men
all told by count, delivered from the malice—he left none there
fixed in bonds under the city’s enclosure—and furthermore, he freed
the frightened women there, one less than fifty, as an increase of his host.
They were glad for the journey, quickly departed—not one waited
for long inside the sorrow-house, anticipating the battle. (1026-43)
Then Matthew departed, leading the many into the care of God,
as sainted Andrew had ordered him. He had covered the host with clouds
on their desired journey, lest the shield-haters should come shooting
with a flurry of arrows, their old foes. Then the headstrong men
held council there between them, faith-friends, before turning
their two ways. Either of those earls confirmed the hope for
the heavenly-realm in the other, and wordfully warded away
the torments of hell. So these war-farers, heroes stout-minded,
proven champions, honored the King with holy voices, the Wielder
of Fate, whose glory at the End of Time will never be grasped by men.* (1044-57)
Andrew over the waves’ tumult, to bear the beloved man
in their bosoms across the sea-fastness with mildness
upon his Father’s sea, until sleep overcame the sea-weary.
By the tossing breeze he arrived at the land of Mermedonia,
to that city that the king of angels had ordained for him.
Having delivered him, then they arose, journeying blessed
on the high-path, seeking their homeland.* They left the holy one
by the war-street, dreaming in peace under the shelter of heaven,
waiting blithely near the city-wall, near his hate-foes, for a night’s-length,*
until the Lord released the day-candle to shine brightly.
The shadows abated, pale under the clouds. Then came
the breeze’s blazing, a clear heaven-light, sparkling over the houses. (822-38)
Then Andrew awoke, resolute for the fight, and looked upon the plain
before the city-gates. Lofty mountains and hillsides towered there,
and beyond a hoary stone,* tile-faced buildings and towers stood,
and windy walls. Then that wise man recognized that he had reached
the nation of Mermedonia by journey, just as the Father of Man-Kind
himself had commanded him, when he had assigned him this voyage.
Then he saw his disciples in the sand, battle-ready warriors, dreaming in sleep.
The war-farer at once began to awaken them and spoke by word:
“I can tell you a plain truth, that yesterday upon the stream of the sea,
across the oar-weal,* a nobleman ferried us. In that ship was the King of Glory,
the Wielder of Man-lands. I recognized his word though he had obscured his aspect.” (839-56)
Then these young noblemen answered him with spiritual mysteries
as reply: “We shall gladly reveal to you, Andrew, our journey,
so that you yourself can wisely understand it in your soul-thoughts. (857-61)
“Sleep overcame us, sea-weary.
Then over the welling of the waves
came angels—faring in flight, exultant in feathers,
and tore us by the soul from slumber,
with joy they ferried us, flying upon the breeze,
with joyful noises, bright and gracious. (862-8)
“They loved mildly and dwelt in praise—
there was song everlasting and the course of heaven—
a beautiful gathering of hosts and a press of glory.
The angels stood all about their homeland,
thegns about their prince, by their thousands—
they praised the Lord of Lords with sacred voices
on high. Joyous expectation was their pleasure. (869-74)
“We recognized there holy high-fathers
and no small force of martyrs, singing
praises to the Soothfast Victory-Lord,
a multitude judgment-ready. There was David
among them, the blessed warrior, Jesse’s son,
come before Christ, king of Israel. Likewise
we saw you all standing before the Son
of the Creator, twelve men all told,
eternal in your genius, glory-blessed heroes.
Holy arch-angels served you, majesty-sitting. (875-85a)
“It will be well for those heroes allowed
to brook that bliss. An ecstasy of glory was there,
a magnificence of war-faring, a noble beginning—
there was there no strife for any of them.
Banishment will be ordained and torment
revealed for him that should become the enemy
of those joys when they go hence—
they shall wander in abjection.” (885b-91)
Then was the heart-understanding of the holy one greatly elated
in his breast, after he had heard the story of his disciples,
how God wished to esteem them so much over all men—
and the shelter of war-farers spoke one word: “Now I have perceived,
Lord God, that you were never far upon the sea-road, Glory of Kings,
when I climbed into the ship, though on the wave-voyage I did not
know how to recognize you, Prince of Angels, Savior of Souls. Be
merciful to me now and be kind—Maker Almighty, O Bright King!
I spoke many a word upon the salt-stream, and afterwards now I know
who ferried me over the floods in a wooden ship with honors.
That one is the Spirit, the Comfort of Warrior-kind.
Help is ready there, mercy among the famous, the power
for victory will be given to everyone, those who seek him.” (892-909)
Then, at that same moment, before their eyes, the Prince revealed himself
to their view, the King of All That Lives, in the shape of a child.
Then he spoke a word, the Chief of Glory: “Hail to you, Andrew,
and your blessed band, exulting in spirit! I have held peace for you, so
that your wicked foes, these grim grief-smiths, can not harm your soul.” (910-7)
Andrew fell to the ground then, the wise warrior wordfully begging for peace,
and asked his cherished lord: “How I deserved it, sinning against your self
Wielder of Men, that I could not recognize one so good, the Savior of Souls,
upon the wave-journey, where I spoke about my Maker—
in many more words than I should have.” (918-24)
The All-wielding god answered him: “You have never committed
so a great sin as when you made refusal in Greece, saying that you did
not know how to fare on the far-waves; that you could not enter that city—
that you could not perform the task within the time-mark of three nights*
such as I ordered you to journey across the watery strife
to accomplish. Now you know very well yourself that I can easily
support and promote any one of my friends in any land—
wherever it pleases me most. (925-35)
“Arise now swiftly, and consider this counsel at once, blessed child,
so that the bright father will honor you with glory-gifts, skill and might,
for your life’s length. You must go into that citadel, beneath the city-locks,
where you brother is. I know Matthew is struck with sword-wounds,
your near-kin set about with crafty-nets. You must seek him,
release that dear one from hate of the hateful, and all the kin of men
dwelling with him, strangers in guile-chains, bound up in wickedness.
Readily there shall be remedy in this world, in the reward of glory—
such as I was telling those same men before. (936-49)
“Now you, Andrew, must venture at once into the grip of the ferocious.
Warfare is your lot, in hard sword-blows. Your carcass shall be doled
wounds, your blood shall flow in a stream much like water.
They will not be able to bestow your spirit death, though you will
suffer stripes, the blows of the sinning. You will suffer sorely—
do not let the force of the heathens move you, their grim spear-strife,
that you betray God, your Lord. Be eager for glory always!
Let it remain you in your mind how it became renowned to many men
throughout many lands, how holy-lacking men shamed me while
bound with wounds. They afflicted me with words, smote me and struck me—
the sinning could not reveal the truth by injury-speech. Then I was
stretched over the gallows, the rood reared up among the Jews,
where a certain man let out blood-sweat from my side, gore onto the earth.
I endured many miseries upon the earth. For this, I wanted you to
establish an example with a blithe heart, shown to these strangers.
There are many in this famous city whom you will turn toward heaven-light
through my name, although they have done many murders in days gone by.” (950-76)
Then the holy one departed from him, seeking the heavens,
the King of All Kings, that pure home, with humility upwards,
where there is mercy belonging to every man, to those that know
how to find them. Then Andrew, soul-patient and mindful, a warrior
hard for battle was improved in his courage; he went quickly
into the city, a single-minded contestant. Powerful and stout of mind,
and true to his creator, he stepped down the street,
the path guiding him—so no man could recognize him nor
the sinful see him. The Guardian of Victories had prudently concealed
the beloved folk-prince from sight inside the city with his hand.*
When noble Andrew had pressed inwards, Christ’s champion,
near to the prison, he saw a heap of heathens together, herdsmen
standing before the grated door, seven at once. Death took them all away,
they fell ingloriously—the death-rush seizing the sword-bloody warriors. (977-96a)
Then the holy one prayed to the merciful father from his inmost-thought,
praising the Heaven-King’s Majesty on high, God’s sovereignty.
The prison door buckled at once through the hand-grip of the Holy Ghost,*
and there he went in, mindful of courage, the beast-brave man. The heathens
slept, drunk in blood, reddening the death-place. He saw Matthew
in the murder-coffer, the stout-minded hero under the shadow-lock
telling his praise unto the lord, glory for the Prince of Angels.
He sat there alone, miserable for his cares in that sorrow-house. (996b-1008)
Then Matthew saw his dear companion under the sky — holy man
saw holy man—joy was restored. Then he arose to face him and thanked
God that they had ever been allowed to see each other unscathed
under the sun. Peace was mutual between both those brothers, bliss renewed.
Each covered the other with arms, they kissed each other and embraced.
Both were beloved by Christ at heart. Light shined around them,
holy and heaven-bright. Their breast within was welling with joys.
Then his breast was welling with delights, when, wordfully, Andrew
first began to greet his noble and god-fearing companion in the barred-coffer
with speech, and spoke to him about the battle-to-come, fighting
of hostile men: “Now there will be a yearning in this folk, heroes hither on…” (1009-24a)
[A leaf is missing from the Vercelli MS at this point, containing an unknown number of lines.]
After these words, the servants of glory, both brethren, kneeled to pray,
sending their prayers before the Child of God. Thus the holy man
in the harm-closure hailed his God and asked his Savior for succor
and assistance, before their flesh perished in front of the battle-power
of the heathens, and then lead the prisoners from their song-fetters,
out of the fastness into the Lord’s peace, one hundred and forty-two men
all told by count, delivered from the malice—he left none there
fixed in bonds under the city’s enclosure—and furthermore, he freed
the frightened women there, one less than fifty, as an increase of his host.
They were glad for the journey, quickly departed—not one waited
for long inside the sorrow-house, anticipating the battle. (1026-43)
Then Matthew departed, leading the many into the care of God,
as sainted Andrew had ordered him. He had covered the host with clouds
on their desired journey, lest the shield-haters should come shooting
with a flurry of arrows, their old foes. Then the headstrong men
held council there between them, faith-friends, before turning
their two ways. Either of those earls confirmed the hope for
the heavenly-realm in the other, and wordfully warded away
the torments of hell. So these war-farers, heroes stout-minded,
proven champions, honored the King with holy voices, the Wielder
of Fate, whose glory at the End of Time will never be grasped by men.* (1044-57)
Andreas VI
Then Andrew turned back into the city, to a place where he had learned
would be a moot of the fierce, folk-muster of hostile men, going
glad-minded until he encountered by the border-road a brazen column
standing near the street. Then he sat himself beside its base—
he had pure love, an eternal high-thought for the bliss of angels.
Beneath the city-walls, he awaited there whatever war-deeds were his lot.
Then crowds gathered from afar, the first-spears of the people.
To the pens the faithless army had come with their weapons, those heathen
battle-men, to their captives that previously suffered under prison-shade. (1058-71)
The evil-thinkers expected and desired that they would obtain food
from the strangers ordained as their meal. That thought sailed away,
after the angry ash-bearers, with their band, found the prison door
wide open, the hammered work unclosed and the herdsmen all dead.
Then they soon turned, unhappy, deprived of their desire, to bear
the grievous news. They said unto their people that they did not
discover any of the far-comers, the foreign-speakers remaining there,
that were alive in the prison. Instead there the guards lay gory,
lifeless in the dust, deprived of breath, doomed flesh-houses.
Then many of the people’s leaders grew fearful from the horrible news—
abjected, sorrow-minded, expecting famine, that pallid dinner-guest.
They knew no better counsel than to devour the departed guards
as deathly life-bread. In a single moment, all of the door-watchmen
were stirred from their deathbeds by the solemn assembly. (1072-92)
Then I heard that the people, the city-dwellers, were summoned
together. Men came to hold council, a throng of war-farers,
coming on horses, bold on their steeds, exulting in spears. When
the entire nation was gathered together at the meeting-place,
then they cast lots to decide amongst them who one among them
should first offer his life unto the others for food-taking.
They cast lots by hell-craft, reckoned between them with idolatry.
Then the lot fell evenly upon one of the good old boys,* one noted
for his wisdom, an earl of the host, in the vanguard of the reavers.
He was quickly bound after by fetter-chains, hopeless of his life. (1093-1107)
Then the courageous heart called out with sorrowful voice, saying
he would give up his own son into their power—his young heir—
in exchange for clemency to his own life. Then they accepted this gift
in order to serve him up. The people were very desirous for food
with a sorrowful mind — there was no joy in treasure, no hope
in their hoards. They were severely oppressed by hunger,
that great despoiler tyrannized them so cruelly. Then there was
many a warrior, a war-hardy man, that burned in his breast
for that young body. The miserable sign of that battle-play was
widely known throughout the city, announced to many men
who sought for the child’s violent death, the life of the beloved
one, and took a portion for the multitude, the men and the boys. (1108-28)
The miserable boy could not find mercy, no peace among his people,
who wished his life and spirit be given to them. The wretches
had sought for strife. The edge of sword, sharp and beaten-hard,
stained by fire-marks, from the hand of harmers, must demand his life.
The deed seemed miserable to Andrew, a people-staining crime impossible
to abide — such that one so innocent of life must quickly stop it.
That folk-hate was bold and trouble-hard—the troops trembled, proud
and daring man-servants, in their desire for murder, they wished,
by any means, to bruise the head of the boy-child, to destroy him with spears.
God defended him, holy on height, from those heathenish folk.
Andrew ordered the weapons of the men in the vanguard to melt away
completely, much like wax, lest the shield-haters, those horrid
opponents, might harm the child with their panoply of blades. (1129-49)
So he was released from that folk-hate, the young man from grief.
Thanks be to God, entirely, the Lord of Lords, that gives judgment
of every man, whoever wisely seeks his aid. There will always be
eternal peace ready for those who can find it. (1150-4)
Then there was a war-cry in the cities of men, an army’s loud shout.
The heralds cried out, signifying their meat-lack—they stood weary,
captives of hunger. Their horned-halls and wine-houses stood empty:
the warriors had no need for riches to enjoy in that bitter hour.
The cunning-thoughted sat apart in consultation,* meditating upon
their miseries. There was no joy in their homeland for them.
Then one man often asked the other: “Let no one conceal good
lore that holds it in the pith of his prudence. Now the time
is come, this threat extraordinary—there is now great need
that we listen to the words of wise-fast men!” (1155-67)
At that moment, before that multitude, a devil appeared,
dark and uncomely,* having the shape of a man. This dispenser
of murder then began to inform against that holy man, the hell-hobbled
designing malice, and he said by word: “Here has fared over
the far wave, a certain nobleman within your city, a foreign-man
who I have heard named Andrew. He cut you closely when he led
out from your pens more of man-kind than was appropriate.
Now you can easily wreak grief-deeds in reply! Let the tracks
of your weapons, iron hard-edged, give his life-house a close shave,*
his fated soul-hoard! Go forth boldly and humiliate this foe of men!” (1168-83)
Andrew then gave the devil a response: “Harumph! You boldly
instruct these people, embolden them to battle! You know the torment
of fire, hot in hell, and still you hasten this army, these foot-soldiers
to the fight! You are guilty against God, the Deemer of Nations.
Listen you devil’s dart, you multiply your misfortunes.
The Almighty humbled you from on high, and cast you into darkness,
where the King of Kings laid you in fetters, and ever after,
those that knew the judgment of the Lord called you Satan.” (1184-94)
Then still the depraved one exhorted the people to the fight wordfully
through the fiend’s craft: “Now you hear the enemy of heroes, the foe
who has done the greatest harm to you all. That is Andrew, who strives
with me alone with wrought words before this host of men.”
When the sign was given to the city-dwellers, they leapt up,
with an army’s war-bold cry, crowding the war-farer
to the wall-gates, keen beneath their banners, with great
courage to the flame-point of battle, with spears and shields. (1195-1205)
Then the Lord of Hosts spoke a word, the Maker strong of might
said to his loyal servant: “You must, Andrew, perform
a courageous deed! Don’t conceal yourself from the multitude,
but set your inner thoughts fast against these strong men!
There is not much delay until the moment that the slaughter-cruel
will lay you in torments, in cold bonds. Reveal yourself,
harden your mind, confirm your heart, that they can recognize
my power in you. Those guilty of great vice cannot —
nor will they be allowed to— bestow death unto your body-house
against my grace, even though you may suffer stripes
and wicked blows. I am dwelling with you.” (1206-18)
would be a moot of the fierce, folk-muster of hostile men, going
glad-minded until he encountered by the border-road a brazen column
standing near the street. Then he sat himself beside its base—
he had pure love, an eternal high-thought for the bliss of angels.
Beneath the city-walls, he awaited there whatever war-deeds were his lot.
Then crowds gathered from afar, the first-spears of the people.
To the pens the faithless army had come with their weapons, those heathen
battle-men, to their captives that previously suffered under prison-shade. (1058-71)
The evil-thinkers expected and desired that they would obtain food
from the strangers ordained as their meal. That thought sailed away,
after the angry ash-bearers, with their band, found the prison door
wide open, the hammered work unclosed and the herdsmen all dead.
Then they soon turned, unhappy, deprived of their desire, to bear
the grievous news. They said unto their people that they did not
discover any of the far-comers, the foreign-speakers remaining there,
that were alive in the prison. Instead there the guards lay gory,
lifeless in the dust, deprived of breath, doomed flesh-houses.
Then many of the people’s leaders grew fearful from the horrible news—
abjected, sorrow-minded, expecting famine, that pallid dinner-guest.
They knew no better counsel than to devour the departed guards
as deathly life-bread. In a single moment, all of the door-watchmen
were stirred from their deathbeds by the solemn assembly. (1072-92)
Then I heard that the people, the city-dwellers, were summoned
together. Men came to hold council, a throng of war-farers,
coming on horses, bold on their steeds, exulting in spears. When
the entire nation was gathered together at the meeting-place,
then they cast lots to decide amongst them who one among them
should first offer his life unto the others for food-taking.
They cast lots by hell-craft, reckoned between them with idolatry.
Then the lot fell evenly upon one of the good old boys,* one noted
for his wisdom, an earl of the host, in the vanguard of the reavers.
He was quickly bound after by fetter-chains, hopeless of his life. (1093-1107)
Then the courageous heart called out with sorrowful voice, saying
he would give up his own son into their power—his young heir—
in exchange for clemency to his own life. Then they accepted this gift
in order to serve him up. The people were very desirous for food
with a sorrowful mind — there was no joy in treasure, no hope
in their hoards. They were severely oppressed by hunger,
that great despoiler tyrannized them so cruelly. Then there was
many a warrior, a war-hardy man, that burned in his breast
for that young body. The miserable sign of that battle-play was
widely known throughout the city, announced to many men
who sought for the child’s violent death, the life of the beloved
one, and took a portion for the multitude, the men and the boys. (1108-28)
The miserable boy could not find mercy, no peace among his people,
who wished his life and spirit be given to them. The wretches
had sought for strife. The edge of sword, sharp and beaten-hard,
stained by fire-marks, from the hand of harmers, must demand his life.
The deed seemed miserable to Andrew, a people-staining crime impossible
to abide — such that one so innocent of life must quickly stop it.
That folk-hate was bold and trouble-hard—the troops trembled, proud
and daring man-servants, in their desire for murder, they wished,
by any means, to bruise the head of the boy-child, to destroy him with spears.
God defended him, holy on height, from those heathenish folk.
Andrew ordered the weapons of the men in the vanguard to melt away
completely, much like wax, lest the shield-haters, those horrid
opponents, might harm the child with their panoply of blades. (1129-49)
So he was released from that folk-hate, the young man from grief.
Thanks be to God, entirely, the Lord of Lords, that gives judgment
of every man, whoever wisely seeks his aid. There will always be
eternal peace ready for those who can find it. (1150-4)
Then there was a war-cry in the cities of men, an army’s loud shout.
The heralds cried out, signifying their meat-lack—they stood weary,
captives of hunger. Their horned-halls and wine-houses stood empty:
the warriors had no need for riches to enjoy in that bitter hour.
The cunning-thoughted sat apart in consultation,* meditating upon
their miseries. There was no joy in their homeland for them.
Then one man often asked the other: “Let no one conceal good
lore that holds it in the pith of his prudence. Now the time
is come, this threat extraordinary—there is now great need
that we listen to the words of wise-fast men!” (1155-67)
At that moment, before that multitude, a devil appeared,
dark and uncomely,* having the shape of a man. This dispenser
of murder then began to inform against that holy man, the hell-hobbled
designing malice, and he said by word: “Here has fared over
the far wave, a certain nobleman within your city, a foreign-man
who I have heard named Andrew. He cut you closely when he led
out from your pens more of man-kind than was appropriate.
Now you can easily wreak grief-deeds in reply! Let the tracks
of your weapons, iron hard-edged, give his life-house a close shave,*
his fated soul-hoard! Go forth boldly and humiliate this foe of men!” (1168-83)
Andrew then gave the devil a response: “Harumph! You boldly
instruct these people, embolden them to battle! You know the torment
of fire, hot in hell, and still you hasten this army, these foot-soldiers
to the fight! You are guilty against God, the Deemer of Nations.
Listen you devil’s dart, you multiply your misfortunes.
The Almighty humbled you from on high, and cast you into darkness,
where the King of Kings laid you in fetters, and ever after,
those that knew the judgment of the Lord called you Satan.” (1184-94)
Then still the depraved one exhorted the people to the fight wordfully
through the fiend’s craft: “Now you hear the enemy of heroes, the foe
who has done the greatest harm to you all. That is Andrew, who strives
with me alone with wrought words before this host of men.”
When the sign was given to the city-dwellers, they leapt up,
with an army’s war-bold cry, crowding the war-farer
to the wall-gates, keen beneath their banners, with great
courage to the flame-point of battle, with spears and shields. (1195-1205)
Then the Lord of Hosts spoke a word, the Maker strong of might
said to his loyal servant: “You must, Andrew, perform
a courageous deed! Don’t conceal yourself from the multitude,
but set your inner thoughts fast against these strong men!
There is not much delay until the moment that the slaughter-cruel
will lay you in torments, in cold bonds. Reveal yourself,
harden your mind, confirm your heart, that they can recognize
my power in you. Those guilty of great vice cannot —
nor will they be allowed to— bestow death unto your body-house
against my grace, even though you may suffer stripes
and wicked blows. I am dwelling with you.” (1206-18)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
The way back...
Blog Archive
