people raised it aloft from its earthy grave. Then 845
strangers and heroes entered into the town.


12. THE MIRACLE OF THE TRUE CROSS.

Thereupon the glad and zealous man set forth
the three trees of victory before Elene in open view. 850
The queen rejoiced in her heart at the deed, and
asked on which of those trees the Son of the King,
Giver of joy to men, was crucified: 'Lo! we heard
it declared from the holy book that two suffered
with Him, and He Himself was the third on the 855
cross. All the heavens grew dark in that woful
hour. Say, if thou knowest, on which of these
trees the Lord of angels and Prince of glory suffered.'

But Judas could not declare unto her fully concerning 860
that tree of victory, on which the Saviour,
the conquering Son of God, was hung, for he wist
it not assuredly. Then he bade set the crosses with
tumult in the midst of the fair city, there to abide 865
until the King Almighty should show forth a miracle
before the people through that tree of glory.
With souls uplifted in their victory, they sat themselves
down about the rood, and with earnest
thought raised their voices in song until the ninth
hour, when they had new joy, gloriously gained. 870
For many came there, no small multitude, and
among the press of men close by on a bier they