Andreas: The Legend of St. Andrew eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 73 pages of information about Andreas.

Andreas: The Legend of St. Andrew eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 73 pages of information about Andreas.
  When Thou didst stablish us, the chosen Twelve,
  That we should ne’er be scathed by foeman’s sword, 1420
  No member of our bodies be destroyed,
  No bone nor sinew left beside the way;
  That no lock should be lost from off our heads,
  If we would keep Thy teachings faithfully. 
  My sinews now are loosed, my blood is spilled
  My hair lies scattered wide upon the ground,
  And death were dearer far than this sad life.”

    Then spake a voice unto that steadfast man;
  The King of glory’s words resounded clear:—­ 1430
  “Weep not, O man beloved, at this thy woe;
  Too hard it is not for thee; with My aid,
  With My protection, I will hold thee up,
  And compass thee about with My great might. 
  All power is given to Me upon this earth,
  And glorious victory.  Full many a man
  Shall bear Me witness at the judgment day,
  That all this beauteous world, the heavens and earth,
  Shall fall in ruin, before a single word
  Which I have spoken with My mouth shall fail. 1440
  Look now where thou hast walked, and where thy blood
  Was spilled, where from thy wounds the path was stained
  With spots of blood.  No more harsh injury
  Can they do unto thee by stroke of spears
  Who most have harmed thee by their cruel deeds.” 
  Then looked behind him that dear champion,
  Even as the glorious King commanded him;
  Fair flowering trees beheld he standing there,
  With blossoms decked, where he had shed his blood.

    Then spake in words that shield of warriors:—­ 1450
  “Ruler of nations, thanks and praise to Thee
  And glory in heaven both now and evermore,
  For that Thou didst not leave me in my woe,
  Alone, a stranger, Lord of victory!”
  So to the Lord that doer of great deeds
  Gave praise with holy voice until the sun
  In glorious brightness went beneath the waves.

    Then yet a fourth time those fierce-hearted foes,
  The leaders of the folk, brought back the prince
  Unto his prison; for they hoped to turn 1460
  In the dark night the hero’s mighty soul. 
  Then came the Lord unto that prison-house,
  Glory of warriors, and with words of cheer
  The Guide of life, the Father of mankind,
  Greeted His thane and bade him once again
  Soundness enjoy:—­“From henceforth and for aye
  Thou shalt no more bear woe from armed men.”

    Freed from the bondage of his grievous pains, 1470
  The mighty saint arose and thanked his God. 
  His beauty was not marred, nor was the hem
  Loosed from his cloak, nor lock from off his head;
  No bone was broken, and no bloody wounds
  Were in his body, and no injured limb
  Wet with his blood through wounding stroke of sword;
  But there he stood by God’s most noble might
  Whole as before, giving to Him the praise.

Copyrights
Project Gutenberg
Andreas: The Legend of St. Andrew from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.