en to
the lot of Matthew to preach the Gospel to the cannibal Mermedonians;
they seize him and his company, binding him and casting him into
prison, where he is to remain until his turn comes to be eaten (1-58).
He prays to God for help, and the Lord sends Andrew to deliver him
(59-234). Andrew and his disciples come to the seashore and find
a bark with three seamen, who are in reality the Lord and His two
angels. On learning that Andrew is a follower of Jesus, the shipmaster
agrees to carry him to Mermedonia (234-359). A storm arises, at which
the disciples of Andrew are greatly terrified; he reminds them how
Christ stilled the tempest, and they fall asleep (360-464). A dialogue
ensues, in which Andrew relates to the shipmaster many of Christ's
miracles (465-817). He falls asleep, and is carried by the angels
to Mermedonia. On awaking, he beholds the city, and his disciples
sleeping beside him. They relate to him a vision which they had seen.
The Lord appears and bids him enter the city, covering him with a
cloud (818-989). He reaches the prison, the doors of which fly open
at his touch, and rescues Matthew, whom he sends away with all his
company (990-1057). The Mermedonians, confronted with famine, choose
one of their number by lot to serve as food for the rest. He offers
his son as a substitute, but, as the heathen are about to slay their
victim, Andrew interposes and causes their weapons to melt away like
wax (1058-1154). Instigated by the Devil, they seize Andrew, and for
three days subject him to the most cruel torments (1155-1462). On
the fourth the Lord comes to his prison and heals him of his wounds.
Beside the prison wall Andrew sees a marble pillar, which, at his
command, sends forth a great flood, destroying many of the people
(1462-1575). Andrew takes pity upon them and causes the flood to
cease. The mountain is cleft and swallows up the waters, together with
fourteen of the worst of the heathen. The others are restored to life
and baptized. After building a church and appointing a bishop,
Andrew returns to Achaia, followed by the prayers of his new converts
(1575-1722).

THE LEGEND OF ST. ANDREW

Lo! we have learned of Twelve in days gone by,
Who dwelt beneath the stars, in glory rich,
Thanes of the Lord, whose courage for the fight
Failed never, e'en when helmets crashed in war,
From that time when they portioned each his place,
As God himself declared to them by lot,
High King o