arts of that doomed folk, that dread host named
aforetime, were sore afraid. They were smitten with terror
throughout their windy hall, and wailed aloud:

(ll. 385-397) "Bitter is this Storm that burst upon us, the Angel
Prince, the Warrior with His legions. Before Him shineth a
fairer light than ever our eyes beheld, save when we dwelt in
heaven among the angels. Now will He end, by power of His glory,
the torment we inflict. Lo! this Terror cometh, with thunders
before the face of God, and soon this wretched throng shall know
affliction. It is the Son of God, the Lord of angels. He
leadeth souls up out of hell, and we shall be abased hereafter by
His avenging wrath."

(ll. 398-407) By His might the Lord descended into hell, unto the
sons of men. For He was fain to lead forth countless thousands
to their native home. Then came the sound of angel legions, and
thunder at the blush of dawn. The Lord Himself had overcome the
Fiend; the deadly strife began at dawn when the terror fell upon
them. He let the blessed souls, the race of Adam, mount upward
unto heaven. Yet Eve might not see heaven until she spake:

(ll. 408-419) "I, only, brought Thy wrath upon us, Eternal Lord,
when we two ate the apple through the serpent's guile, Adam and
I, as we should not have done. The fiend, who now doth burn for
ever in his bonds, told us that so we should have blessing and a
holy home, and heaven to rule. And we believed the words of the
Accursed, and stretched our hands unto the holy tree and plucked
its shining fruit. Bitter the price we paid, when we must needs
sink downward to this flaming pit, and there abide for many
thousand winters, dreadfully burning.

(ll. 420-434) "Now I beseech Thee, Lord of heaven, by this host,
the angel legions which Thou leadest hither, that I may be
delivered out of hell, with all my kindred. Three nights ago a
servant of the Saviour came to hell. Now is he fast in bondage,
spent with pain, for the King of glory was incensed against him
because of his presumption. Thou saidest unto us in truth that
God Himself would come to all who dwell in hell. Then everyone
arose, and leaned upon his arm, and rested on his hand; though
racked with pangs of hell, yet in their torment they rejoiced
because their Lord was coming unto hell to bring them aid."

(ll. 435-440) And she lifted up her hands unto the King of
heaven, beseeching mercy of the Lord for Mary's sake: "Lo! Of my
daughter wa