1220
In that kingdom of men who worshipped God,
Men and women, that they should honor
With mind and might that famous day,
With thoughts of the heart, whereon holy rood
Had been discovered, greatest of trees, 1225
Of those which from earth ever sprang up
Grown under leaves. Then spring was gone
Except six nights ere coming of summer
On the kalends of May. To each of those men
Be hell's door shut, heaven's unclosed, 1230
Eternally opened the kingdom of angels,
Joy without end, and their portion appointed
Along with. Mary, who takes into mind
That one most dear of festal days
Of that rood under heaven, that which the mightiest 1235
Ruler of all with arm protected. _Finit_.[2]

[1] Gn.'s emendation.

[2] Here properly ends the legend of the Finding of the Cross.
The last canto contains reflections of the poet.

XV.

Thus old and death-ready in this frail house
Word-craft I wove and wondrously framed it,
Reflected at times and sifted my thought
Closely at night. I knew not well 1240
The truth of the rood,[1] ere wider knowledge
Through glorious might into thought of my mind
Wisdom revealed to me. I was stained with crimes,
Fettered with sins, pained with sorrows,
Bitterly bound, banefully vexed, 1245
Ere lore to me lent through light-bringing office
For help to the aged, his blameless gift
The mighty King meted, and poured in my mind,
Brightness disclosed, widened with time,
Bone-house unbound, breast-lock unwound, 1250
Song-craft unlocked, which I joyfully used,
With will, in the world. Of that tree of glory
Often not once meditation I had,
Ere that wonder I had revealed
About that bright tree, as in books I found 1255
In course of events, in writings declared
Of that beacon of victory. Ay till then was the man
With care-waves oppressed, a nickering _pine-torch_[C],
Though he in the mead-hall treasures received,
Apples of gold.[2] Mourned for his _bow_[Y] 1260
The comrade of _sorrow_[N], suffered distress,
His secret constrained, where before him the _horse_[E]
Measured the mile-paths, with spirit ran
Proud of his ornaments. _Hope_[W] is decreased,
Joy, after years, youth is departed, 1265
The ancient pride. The _bison_[U] was once
The glad