Andreas: The Legend of St. Andrew Part 2

The candle of the sky grew straightway dark, The winds waxed strong, the waves whirled, and the surge Leapt high, the ropes creaked, dripping with the waves; The Terror of the waters rose, and stood Above them with the might of mult.i.tudes.

The thanes were sore afraid, not one of them Dared hope that he would ever reach the land, Of those who by the sea had sought a s.h.i.+p With Andrew, for as yet they did not know 380 Who pointed out the course for that sea-bark.

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

When he had eaten, then the faithful thane, Saint Andrew, thanked the n.o.ble Counselor, Upon the ocean, on the oar-swept sea:-- "For this repast may G.o.d, the righteous Lord, Ruler of hosts, who sheds the light of life, Grant thee reward, and give thee for thy food The bread of heaven, e'en as thou hast shown Good will and kindness to me on the deep. 390 My thanes, these warriors young, are sore afraid; Loud roars the raging, overwhelming sea; The ocean is all troubled, deeply moved; And weary is my band, my company Of valiant-hearted men, afflicted sore."

The Lord of men gave answer from the helm:-- "Our s.h.i.+p shall bear us back across the flood Unto the land, and there thy men can wait Upon the sh.o.r.e until thou come again." 400 Straightway those men gave answer unto him, Thanes much-enduring; they would not consent To leave alone upon the vessel's prow Their master dear, and choose themselves the land.

"O whither shall we turn us, lordless men, Mourning in heart, forsaken quite by G.o.d, Wounded with sin, if we abandon thee?

We shall be odious in every land, Hated of every folk, when sons of men, Courageous warriors, in council sit 410 And question which of them did best stand by His lord in battle, when the hand and s.h.i.+eld, Worn out by broadswords on the battle-plain, Suffered sore danger in the sport of war."

Then spake the n.o.ble Lord, the faithful King; Straightway He lifted up His voice and said:-- "If, as thou sayst, thou art indeed a thane Of Him who sits enthroned in majesty, All-glorious King, expound His mysteries, How 'neath the sky He taught speech-uttering men. 420 Long is this journey o'er the fallow flood; Comfort the hearts of thy disciples; great Is yet our way across the ocean-stream, And land is far to seek; the sea is stirred, The waves beat on the sh.o.r.e. Yet easily Can G.o.d give aid to men who sail the deep."

Then Andrew wisely stablished by his words His followers, those heroes glorious:-- "Ye did consider when ye put to sea That ye would bear your life unto a folk 430 Of foemen; ye would suffer death for love Of G.o.d, would give your life within the realm Of dark-skinned Ethiopians. I know Myself that there is One who s.h.i.+eldeth us, The Maker of the angels, Lord of hosts.

Rebuked and bridled by the King of might, The Terror of the waters shall grow calm, The leaping sea. So once in days of yore Within a bark upon the struggling waves We tried the waters, riding on the surge, And very fearful seemed the sad sea-roads. 440 The ocean-floods beat fierce against the sh.o.r.es; Oft wave would answer wave; and whiles upstood From out the ocean's bosom, o'er our s.h.i.+p, A Terror on the breast of our sea-boat.

There on that ocean-courser bode His time The glorious G.o.d, Creator of mankind, Almighty One. The men were filled with fear, They sought protection, mercy from the Lord.

And when that company began to call, The King straightway arose, and stilled the waves, 450 The seething of the waters--He who gives Bliss to the angels; He rebuked the winds; The sea subsided, and the boundaries Of ocean-stream grew calm. Then laughed our soul, When under heaven's course our eyes beheld The winds and waves and Terror of the deep Affrighted by the Terror of the Lord.

Therefore I say to you in very sooth, The ever-living G.o.d does not forsake A man on earth, if courage fail him not." 460

Thus spake the holy champion, wise of heart, He taught his thanes, that blessed warrior; He stablished his men, till suddenly Sleep came upon them weary by the mast.

The sea grew still, the onset of the waves Turned back again, rough tumult of the flood.

Then was the soul of that brave saint rejoiced, After that time of terror; wise in wit, In counsel prudent, he began to speak And thus unlocked the treasure of his words:-- 470 "I never found a better mariner, More skilled than thou in sea-craft, as I think, A stouter oarsman, one more wise in words, Sager in counsel. I will beg of thee Yet one more boon, hero most excellent; Though little treasure I can give to thee, Jewels or beaten gold, I fain would win Thy friends.h.i.+p, if I might, most glorious lord.

So shalt thou gain good gifts, and blessed joy 480 In heavenly glory, if of thy great lore Thou'rt bountiful to weary voyagers.

One art I fain would learn of thee, brave sir; That since the Lord, the Maker of mankind, Hath given might and honor unto thee, Thou shouldst instruct me how thou pointest out The course of this thy billow-riding s.h.i.+p, Thy sea-horse wet with spray. Though sixteen times, In former days and late, I've been to sea, 490 And rowed with freezing hands upon the deep, The ocean-streams--this makes one voyage more-- Yet even so mine eyes have ne'er beheld A mighty captain steering at the stern Like unto thee. Loud roars the surging flood, Beats on the sh.o.r.e; this sea-boat is full fleet; It fareth foamy-necked most like a bird, And glides upon the deep. I surely know, I never saw upon the ocean-road Such wondrous skill in any seafarer. 500 It is as though the s.h.i.+p were on the land, Where neither storm nor wind can make it move, Nor water-floods can break it, lofty-prowed; Yet on the sea it hasteth under sail.

And thou art young, defense of warriors, Not old in winters, rider of the surge; Yet in thy heart thou hast the n.o.ble speech Of princes, and dost wisely understand All words employed by men upon the earth."

Him answered then the everlasting Lord:-- 510 "Full oft it happens when we sail the sea That with our s.h.i.+ps, our ocean-coursing steeds, We break our way across the watery roads[1]-- We and our seamen--when the tempest comes, And many times we suffer sore distress Upon the waves, though sailing bravely on We end our journey; for the seething flood Can hinder no man 'gainst the Maker's will.

The power of life He holds--He who doth bind The billows, and doth threaten and rebuke The dusky waves. With justice He shall rule 520 The nations--He who raised the firmament, And made it fast with His own hands; who wrought And did uphold; and with His glory filled Bright Paradise--so was the angels' home Made blessed by His sole eternal might.

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

The truth is manifest and clear to all, That thou art thane most excellent of Him, The King who sits enthroned in majesty; Because the swelling ocean knew thee straight, The circuit of the raging ocean knew 530 That thou didst have the Holy Spirit's gifts.

The sea, the mingling waves, turned back again; Still grew the Terror, the wide-bosomed flood; The waves subsided straightway when they saw That G.o.d had girt thee with His covenant, He who did stablish by His own strong might The blessedness of glory without end."

Then spake with holy voice the champion Valiant of heart; he magnified the King Who rules in glory, speaking thus in words:-- 540 "Blest art Thou, King of men, Redeeming Lord; Thy power endureth ever; near and far Thy name is holy, bright with majesty, Renowned in mercy 'mong the tribes of men.

There lives no man beneath the vault of heaven, Ruler of nations, Savior of men's souls, No one of mortal race, who can declare How gloriously Thou dealest Thy good gifts, Or tell their number. It is manifest That Thou has been most gracious to this youth. 550 And hast adorned him with Thy holy grace, Young as he is; for he is wise in wit And in discourse of words. I never found A mind more prudent in a man so young."

The Glory of kings, the Source and End of all, Gave answer from the s.h.i.+p and boldly asked:-- "Tell, if thou canst, O prudent-minded thane, How on the earth it ever came to pa.s.s That faithless men, the nation of the Jews, Raised blasphemy against the Son of G.o.d 560 With hearts of wickedness. Unhappy men, Cruel, malicious, they did not believe In Him who gave them life, that He was G.o.d, Though many miracles among the tribes He showed full clear and manifest; but they, Guilt-laden men, knew not the Royal Child, Him that was born a comfort and defense Unto mankind, to all who dwell on earth.

In wisdom and in power of speech increased The n.o.ble Prince; and aye the Lord of might 570 Showed forth his wonders to that stubborn folk."

Straightway did Andrew answer him again:-- "How could it happen 'mong the tribes of men That thou, my friend, hast never heard men tell The Savior's power, how He made known His grace Throughout the world--Son of the Mighty One.

Speech gave He to the dumb; the deaf did hear; The halt and lepers He made glad in heart, Those who long time had suffered, sick of limb, Weary and weak, fast bound in misery. 580 Throughout the towns the blind received their sight, Full many men upon the plains of earth He woke from death by His almighty word; And many another miracle He showed, Royally famous, by His mighty strength.

Water He blessed before the mult.i.tude, And bade it turn to wine, a better kind, For happiness of men. Likewise He fed Five thousand of mankind with fishes twain 590 And with five loaves; the companies sat down With hearts fatigued, rejoicing in their rest, All weary after wandering; on the ground Where pleased them best the men received their food.

Lo, thou mayst hear, good sir, how, while He lived, The Lord of glory by His words and deeds Showed love to us-ward, led us by His lore To that fair home of joy where men may dwell Freely with angels in high blessedness-- Even they who after death go to the Lord." 600

Again the Ruler of the waves unlocked The treasure of His words, and boldly spake:-- "That I may truly know, I pray thee tell Whether thy Lord showed forth His miracles-- Which on the earth for comfort of mankind Full many times He worked--before men's sight, Where bishops, scribes, and princes held discourse Sitting in council. For it seems to me That out of envy they contrived this guile, 610 Led by deep error and the Devil's lore; Those men foredoomed to death too readily Gave ear to wicked traitors; their ill fate Deceived, misled them, gave them counsel false; Weary 'mong weary men they soon must bear Torments and biting flames in Satan's arms."

Straightway did Andrew answer him again:-- "I tell thee truly that He ofttimes worked Wonder on wonder in the sight of men, 620 Before their rulers; and in secret too The Lord of men did deeds of public good, Which he devised for their eternal peace."

Him answered then the sure Defense of kings:-- "Couldst thou, wise hero, warrior strong of heart, Tell me in words the wonders that He showed In secret, when, as oft, ye sat alone In converse with the Lord who rules the skies?"

Straightway did Andrew answer him again:-- "Why dost thou question me with crafty speech, My dearest lord, thou who dost truly know 630 By virtue of thy wisdom every hap."

The Ruler of the waves replied to him:-- "'Tis not in blame that I thus question thee, Nor to insult thee on the ocean-road.[1]

My mind is blithe and blossoming with joy At thy most n.o.ble 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, G.o.d'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 n.o.ble Lord, 650 As I have heard it oft from His own mouth When He conversed with men upon the earth.

Oft did great mult.i.tudes, unnumbered throngs, a.s.semble to the council of the Lord, And hear the teachings of the Holy One.

The s.h.i.+eld of kings, bright Giver of all bliss, Went to another house, where many men, Wise elders, came to meet Him, praising G.o.d; 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 G.o.d 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 and Joseph; other children twain Were born his brothers in that family, 690 Simon and Jacob--Joseph's sons they are.'

So spake the counsellors of men, the lords Ambitious, and they thought to hide the might Of G.o.d; their sin returned to them again From whom it rose, an everlasting bane.

Then did the Prince, the Lord of hosts, depart With all His thanes from out the council-hall, Strong in His might, to seek an unknown land.

By wonders manifold and mighty deeds In deserts wild He showed that He was King 700 By right throughout the world, made strong with power, Ruler and Author of bright majesty, Eternal G.o.d of all created things.

Likewise He showed before the sight of men Unnumbered other works miraculous.

Upon another journey then He went With a vast throng, and in the temple stood, The glorious Prince. The sound of words arose Within the lofty building; sinful men Would not receive the holy Savior's words, Though He had shown so many tokens true 710 While they looked on. Upon the temple wall On either side the Lord victorious saw An image of His angels wondrous carved, Brightly adorned and beautifully wrought; Then to the mult.i.tude he spake in words:-- 'This is the likeness of the angel-race Most widely known to dwellers in this town.

In Paradise their names are Cherubim 720 And Seraphim; before the face of G.o.d They stand, strong-souled, and with their voices praise In holy song the might of Heaven's King, And G.o.d's protecting hand. Here is carved out The holy angels' form; the thanes of glory Are chiseled on the wall by handicraft.'

The Lord of hosts, the Holy Spirit of heaven, Spake yet again unto the mult.i.tude:-- 'Now I command a sign to be disclosed, A miracle before the throng of men, 730 That from the wall this image shall descend All beautiful to earth, and speak a word, Shall tell them truly of My parentage, That men throughout the land may then believe!'

The ancient image durst not disobey The Savior's words, but leapt from off the wall, Stone cleft from stone; upon the earth it stood, A wonder in the sight of all the throng; Then came a voice loud sounding from the stone, 740 Rebuking them in words; and wondrous seemed The statue's speech to those proud-hearted men.

With tokens manifest it taught the priests, Warned them with wisdom; thus it spake in words:-- 'Accursed are ye and wretched in your thoughts, Deceived with tricks, or else with clouded mind No better do ye know. Ye call G.o.d's Son Eternal but a man--Him who marked out With His own hands the sea and solid ground, Both heaven and earth, the stormy ocean-waves, The salt sea-streams, and the high firmament. 750 He is that self-same G.o.d all-powerful Whom in the early days your fathers knew; To Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob He gave His grace, and honored them with wealth; To Abraham He first declared in words The covenant of his race, that of his seed The G.o.d of glory should be born; this fate Is now fulfilled among you, manifest; And lo! your eyes can now behold the G.o.d Of victory, who rules the heavens on high.' 760

After these words the crowd stood listening; All silent were they through the s.p.a.cious hall.

The elders then began again to say, Those sinful men--the truth they did not know!-- That it was magic art and sorcery That made the s.h.i.+ning stone to talk to men.

Evil was blossoming in their hearts, and hate Welled hot as fire within their wicked b.r.e.a.s.t.s, A serpent, foe to joy, a poison dire; 770 And by their words of mocking were revealed Their doubting hearts and thoughts of wickedness, With murder girt about. Then did the Lord Command the stone, that mighty work, to go Along the way, from out the open place, To tread the paths of earth, the meadows green, To bear G.o.d's message into Canaan land, And in G.o.d's name command that Abraham And his descendants twain should rise again From out their sepulchre, and leave their place 780 Of rest beneath the earth, take up their limbs, Receive a soul again and youth's estate; That those wise patriarchs should come once more Among mankind, to tell the folk what G.o.d It was that they had known by His own might.

It went and journeyed on the border-paths As mighty G.o.d, Creator of mankind, Commanded it, until it came to Mamre All dazzling bright, as G.o.d had bidden it.

There had the bodies of those patriarchs 790 Long time lain hid. It bade them straight arise From out the earth, those princes, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, leaving their deep sleep To meet their G.o.d; it bade them to prepare To come before the presence of the Lord; For they must tell the folk Who at the first Brought forth this earth all-green, and heaven above, And where that Ruler was who stablished firm All that great work. They durst not long delay Fulfilment of the glorious King's command. 800 So went those prophets three, those valiant men, And trod the earth; they let their sepulchres Stand open, for they would straightway proclaim The Father of creation. Then the folk With fear was stricken, when those Princes old Honored the King of glory with their words.

The Lord of might bade them forthwith return To blessedness, to seek a second time The happiness of heaven in holy peace, And there to live in bliss for evermore. 810

Lo, thou mayst hear, dear youth, how He performed By His commands full many miracles; Yet even so those people blind of heart Did not believe His teachings. I could tell Many more deeds which He, the Prince of heaven, Wrought on the earth--a great and famous tale: Such deeds as thou couldst never understand, Nor comprehend in heart, though thou art wise."

Thus Andrew all day long showed forth the lore Of holy Jesus in his words, until A sleep came sudden o'er him as he sailed 820 Upon the whale's road nigh to Heaven's King.

The Lord of life then bade His angels bear That saint beloved over the beating waves, And gently carry him upon their b.r.e.a.s.t.s Under the Father's care across the floods, While sleep was on him weary of the sea.

So journeying through the air he reached the land And came unto the city, which the King Of angels bade him seek; the messengers Departed joyful to their home on high. 830 They left the holy man, that gracious saint, Beside the highway, 'neath the vault of heaven, Peacefully sleeping near the city wall And near his foes malignant all night long, 'Till G.o.d sent forth the candle of the day Brightly to s.h.i.+ne. Vanished the shadows dark Beneath the welkin; then the torch of heaven, The clear light of the sky, came forth and shone Above the town. The warrior brave awoke And gazed upon the fields; before the gates 840 Steep hills high towered; about the h.o.a.ry cliff Stood buildings wrought of many-colored tiles, Great towers, and wind-swept walls. The sage straight knew That he had reached the Mermedonian land, E'en as the Father of mankind declared, When He prescribed that journey. On the ground He saw his own disciples, valiant men, Beside him deep in sleep. He straight began To wake the warriors; thus he spake in words:-- 850 "Lo, I can tell you one truth manifest, That yesterday upon the ocean-stream A n.o.ble Hero bore us o'er the sea.

The Glory of kings, the Ruler of mankind, Was sailing in that s.h.i.+p; I knew His words, Though He did hide the beauty of His face."

His n.o.ble followers answered him again, Giving reply from out their inmost souls:-- "Our journey, Andrew, will we tell to thee, That wisely thou mayst understand in heart:-- 860 A sleep came o'er us weary of the sea, And eagles came across the struggling waves In flight, exulting in their mighty wings, And while we slept they took our souls away; With joy they bore us flying through the air, Gracious and bright, rejoicing in their speed; And gently they caressed us, while they hymned Continual praise; there was unceasing song Throughout the sky; a beauteous host was there, 870 A glorious mult.i.tude. The angels stood About the Prince, the thanes about their Lord, In thousands; in the highest they gave praise With holy voice unto the Lord of lords; The angel-band rejoiced. We there beheld The holy patriarchs and a mighty troop Of martyrs; to the Lord victorious That righteous throng sang never-ending praise; And David too was with them, Jesse's son, The King of Israel, blessed warrior, 880 Come to Christ's throne. Likewise we saw you twelve All standing there before the Son of G.o.d, Full glorious men of great n.o.bility; Archangels holy throned in majesty Did serve you; happy is it for the man Who may enjoy that bliss. High joy was there, Glory of warriors, an exalted life; Nor was there sorrow there for any man.

Drear exile, open torment is the lot Of him who must be stranger to those joys, 890 And wander wretched when he goes from hence."

Exceeding glad was holy Andrew's heart Within his breast, soon as he heard the speech Of his disciples, that above all men G.o.d should so high esteem them, and this word Spake then the brave defense of warriors:-- "Lo, now I clearly see, Lord G.o.d, that Thou, Glory of kings, wast very nigh to me On the ocean-road, when on that s.h.i.+p I went; Though on the beating sea I did not know 900 The Lord of angels, Savior of men's souls!

Be gracious unto me, Almighty G.o.d, Bright King of mercy! on the ocean-stream Full many words I spake; but now I know Who bore me o'er the sea-floods on His s.h.i.+p With honor high; He is for all mankind A Spirit of comfort; there is ready help, And mercy from the Highest unto all Who seek of Him--the gift of victory."

Straightway before his eyes the Lord appeared, 910 The Prince of glory, King of all that lives, Like to a youth in form, and thus he spake:-- "Hail to thee, Andrew, and thy faithful band; Rejoice in heart, for I am thy defense, That wicked foes may never harm thy soul, Fierce-hearted workers of iniquity."