a crowd where in pomp awaited
On kingly throne the Caesar's mother,[1] 330
Stately war-queen with gold adorned.
Helena spake and said 'fore the earls:
"Hear, clever in mind, the holy secret,
Word and wisdom. Lo! ye the prophets'
Teaching received, how the Life-giver 335
In form of a child incarnate became,
Ruler of might. Of him Moses sang
And spake this [word],[2] warden of Israel:
'To you shall be born a child in secret
Renowned in might, though his mother shall not 340
Be filled with fruit through love of a man.'
Of him David the king a kingly psalm sang,
The wise old sage, father of Solomon,
And spake this word, prince of warriors:
'The God of creation before me I saw, 345
Lord of victories. He was in my sight,
Ruler of hosts, upon my right hand,
Guardian of glory. Thence turn I not
Ever in life my countenance from him.'[3]
So it again of you Isaiah 350
'Fore the people, the prophet, foretold in words,
Thinking profoundly by spirit of the Lord:
'I raised upon high sons young in years,
And children begat, to whom glory I gave,
Heart-comfort holy: but they me rejected, 355
With enmity hated, forethought possessed not,
Wisdom of mind, and the wretched cattle,
That on each day one drives and strikes,
Their well-doer know, not at all with revenge
Bear hate to their friends who give them fodder. 360
And the folk of Israel never were willing
Me to acknowledge, though many for them,
In worldly course, of wonders I wrought.'[4]

[1] Lit., 'kinswoman.' The Elizabethan 'Kesar' would preserve
the alliteration in this line.

[2] Gn. and Z. W. omits.

[3] Psalms xvi. 8, 9.

[4] Isaiah i. 2, 3.

V.

"Lo! that we heard through holy books,
That the Lord to you gave blameless glory, 365
The Maker, mights' Speed, to Moses said
How the King of heaven ye should obey,
His teaching perform. Of that ye soon wearied,
And counter to right ye had contended;
Ye shunned the bright Creator of all, 370
The Lord [of Lords],[1] and followed error
'Gainst right of God. Now quickly go
And find ye still who writings of old
Through craft of wit the best may know,
Your books of law, that answer to me 375
Through prudent mind