Changed its clothing and color. At times it was covered with
blood
Fearful and grimy with gore. At times with gold 'twas adorned.
Then I lay and looked for a long time
25 And saw the Savior's sorrowful tree
Until I heard it lift high its voice.
The worthiest of the wood-race formed words and spoke:
"It was ages ago --I shall always remember--
When first I was felled at the forest's edge,
30 My strong trunk stricken. Then strange enemies took me
And fashioned my frame to a cross; and their felons I raised on
high.
On their backs and shoulders they bore me to the brow of the
lofty hill.
There the hated ones solidly set me. I saw there the Lord of
Mankind
Struggling forward with courage to climb my sturdy trunk.
35 I dared not then oppose the purpose of the Lord,
So I bent not nor broke when there burst forth a trembling
From the ends of the earth. Easily might I
Destroy the murderers, but I stood unmoved.
"The Young Hero unclothed him --it was the holy God--
40 Strong and steadfast; he stepped to the high gallows,
Not fearing the look of the fiends, and there he freed mankind.
At his blessed embrace I trembled, but bow to the earth I dared
not,
Or forward to fall to the ground, but fast and true I endured.
As a rood I was raised up; a royal King I bore,
45 The Lord of heavenly legions. I allowed myself never to bend.
Dark nails through me they drove; so that dastardly scars are
upon me,
Wounds wide open; but not one of them dared I to harm.
They cursed and reviled us together. I was covered all over
with blood,
That flowed from the Savior's side when his soul had left the
flesh.
50 Sorrowful the sights I have seen on that hill,
Grim-visaged grief: the God of mankind I saw
And his frightful death. The forces of darkness
Covered with clouds the corpse of the Lord,
The shining radiance; the shadows darkened
55 Under the cover of clouds. Creation all wept,
The king's fall bewailed. Christ was on the rood.
Finally from afar came faithful comrades
To the Savior's side,