ind is blithe and blossoming with joy
At thy most noble speech; not I am blithe
Alone, for every man is glad in heart
And comforted in soul who far or near
Remembers in his heart what that One did,
God's Son on earth. Souls unto Him were turned; 640
With eagerness they sought the joys of heaven,
The angels' home, by aid of His great might."

[Footnote 1: Lit. "whale-road."]

Straightway did Andrew answer Him again:--
"In thee I see an understanding heart
Of wondrous power, the gift of victory;
With wisdom blooms thy breast, with brightest joy.
Lo, I will tell to thee from first to last
The words and wisdom of the noble Lord, 650
As I have heard it oft from His own mouth
When He conversed with men upon the earth.
Oft did great multitudes, unnumbered throngs,
Assemble to the council of the Lord,
And hear the teachings of the Holy One.
The Shield of kings, bright Giver of all bliss,
Went to another house, where many men,
Wise elders, came to meet Him, praising God;
And ever men were joyful, glad of heart,
At the Lord's coming.

Likewise it befell 660
That once of yore the Lord of victory,
The mighty King, went on a pilgrimage;
Eleven glorious champions alone
Of His own people on that journey went;
He was Himself the twelfth. When we were come
Unto the kingly city where was built
The temple of the Lord with pinnacles
High towering, famous 'mong the tribes of men,
Beauteous in splendor--with reviling words
The high priest straight began to mock at Him 670
Insultingly, from out his wicked heart;
He oped his inmost thoughts and mischief wove;
For in his heart he knew we followed aye
The footsteps of our ever-righteous Lord,
His teachings we performed; straightway he raised
His baneful voice infect with wickedness:--
'Lo, ye are wretched more than all mankind;
Ye go upon wide wanderings, and ye fare
On many toilsome journeys; ye give ear
Unto a stranger's teachings 'gainst our law;
A prince without a portion ye proclaim; 680
Ye say, in sooth, that with the Son of God
Ye daily converse hold! The rulers know
From what beginning his high race is sprung.
In this land he was nourished, and was born
A child among his kindred; at their home
Thus are his father and his mother called--
As we have learned by prudent questioning--
Mary