lling of waves she sought with her folk. 230
There many a proud one at Wendel-sea
Stood on the shore. They severally hastened
Over the mark-paths, band after band,
And then they loaded with battle-sarks,
With shields and spears, with mail-clad warriors, 235
With men and women, the steeds of the sea.
Then they let o'er the billows the foamy ones go,
The high wave-rushers. The hull oft received
O'er the mingling of waters the blows of the waves.
The sea resounded. Not since nor ere heard I 240
On water-stream a lady lead,
On ocean-street, a fairer force.
There might he see, who that voyage beheld,
Burst o'er the bath-way the sea-wood, hasten
'Neath swelling sails, the sea-horse play, 245
The wave-floater sail. The warriors were blithe,
Courageous in mind; queen joyed in her journey.
After to haven the ringed-prowed
O'er the sea-fastness had finished their course
To the land of the Greeks, they let the keels 250
At the shore of the sea beat by the breakers,
The old sea-dwellings at anchor fast,
On the water await the fate of the heroes,
When the warlike queen with her band of men
Over the east-ways should seek them again. 255
There was on [each] earl easily seen
The braided byrnie and tested sword,
Glittering war-weeds, many a helmet,
Beautiful boar-sign. The spear-warriors were,
Men 'round victor-queen, prepared for the march, 260
Brave war-heroes. They marched with joy
Into land of the Greeks, the Caesar's heralds,
Battle-warriors with armor protected.
There was to be seen treasure-gem set
'Mid that army-host, gift of their lord. 265
[Then] was the blessed Helena mindful,
Bold in her thought, of the prince's will,
Eager in mind, in that she of the Jews,
O'er the army-fields with tested band
Of warriors-with-shields, the land was seeking, 270
With host of men; so it after befell
In little while that that force of men,
War-famed heroes, to Hierusalem[5]
Came to the city the greatest of crowds,
Spear-famed earls, with the noble queen. 275

[1] Lit., 'smiths of lore.'

[2] Z. supposes _lacuna_ of one verse; W. thinks it
unnecessary.

[3] Lit., 'the woman.'

[4] Lit., 'to the sea,' or 'sea-journey.'

[5] A.-S. form retained for the sake of the accent and