Then was the strife stirred up once more anew,
  And violence arose, until the sun
  Went to his setting ’neath the gloomy earth;
  Night shrouded all, and spread o’er mountains steep,
  A dusky brown.  Then to the prison mirk
  Once more the brave and righteous saint was led,
  And all night long that true man had to dwell
  Within his wretched den, the house unclean. 1310

    Then came unto the hall with other six
  That demon vile, mindful of evil deeds,
  The lord of murder, shrouded in deep gloom,
  The Devil fierce, bereft of majesty,
  And to the saint he spake reviling words:—­
  “Andrew, why didst thou plan thy coming here,
  Into the power of foes?  Where is that fame
  Which in thy arrogance thou didst set up,
  When thou wouldst overthrow our gods’ renown? 
  Thou hast claimed all things for thyself alone, 1320
  The land and people, as thy master did;
  He set up royal power upon the earth,
  As long as it might stand—­Christ was his name. 
  Herod, the king, deprived him of his life,
  He overcame the King of the Jews in war,
  Robbed him of power, and nailed him on the rood,
  That on the cross he might give up his life. 
  So now I bid my sons, my mighty thanes,
  To vanquish thee, his follower, in the fight. 
  Let javelin-point and arrow poison-dipped 1330
  Pierce his doomed breast!  Advance, ye bold of heart,
  That ye may humble low this warrior’s pride!”

    Fierce-souled were they, and quickly rushed they on
  With greedy hands; but God defended him,
  Guiding him steadfast by His own strong might. 
  Soon as they recognized upon his face
  The glorious token of Christ’s holy cross,
  They all were terrified in the attack,
  Sorely afraid, thrown headlong into flight. 1340

    The ancient fiend, the prisoner of hell,
  Began once more to sing his mournful song:—­
  “What happened, O my warriors so bold,
  My shield-companions, that ye fared so ill?”

    An ill-starred wretch, a fiend of wicked heart,
  Gave answer then, and to his father said:—­
  “We shall not quickly work him any harm,
  Nor slay him by our wiles; go thou to him;
  There wilt thou surely find a bitter fight,
  A savage battle, if again thou dar’st 1350
  To risk thy life against that lonely man. 
  Much better counsel in the play of swords
  We easily can give thee, lord beloved: 
  Before thou shalt resort to open war
  And battle-rush, see to it how thou fare
  In that exchange of blows; but let us go
  Again, that we may mock him fast in bonds,
  And taunt him with his misery; have words
  Ready devised against that wicked wretch.”