Hard was it for the multitude to bear
  That he, their leader, would no longer dwell 1660
  Among them there.  But as he journeyed forth
  The glorious God straightway appeared to him,
  The Lord of hosts, and to His thane He said:—­
  “[Why dost thou leave this people in such haste? 
  For hardly have they turned them from their sin],
  This nation from their crimes.  Their minds for death
  Are longing, sad of heart they go about,
  Their grief bemoaning, men and women both;
  Weeping has come among them, woful hearts,
  [Since thou across the floods in thy sea-bark]
  Wilt haste away.  Thou shalt not leave this flock
  In joy so new, but in My holy Name 1670
  Fast stablish thou their hearts!  Within this town,
  Abide, O shield of warriors, in their halls
  Richly adorned, the space of seven nights,
  Then with My favor thou shalt go thy way.”

    So once again that brave and mighty saint
  Returned to seek the Mermedonian town. 
  In wisdom and in speech the Christians waxed,
  After their eyes beheld the glorious thane,
  The noble King’s apostle.  In the way
  Of faith he guided them; with glory bright
  He made them strong; a countless multitude 1680
  Of glorious men he led to blessedness,
  Toward that most holy home in Heaven’s realm,
  Where Father, Son, and Holy Comforter
  In blessed Trinity hold mighty rule,
  World without end, within those mansions fair. 
  Likewise the saint attacked their idol-shrines,
  Banished their devil-worship, and put down
  Their errors.  Mighty grief and hard to bear
  Was that for Satan, when he saw them turn 1690
  With hearts of gladness from the halls of hell
  At Andrew’s teaching to that land more bright,
  Where fiends and evil spirits never come.

    Then was the number of the days fulfilled
  Which God had set, and had commanded him
  That he should linger in that wind-swept town;
  And quickly he made ready for the waves
  With joyful heart; he wished once more to seek
  Achaia in his ocean-coursing ship; 1700
  (There was he doomed to lose his life and die
  A death of violence.  This deed was fraught
  With little laughter for his murderer;
  To the jaws of hell he went, and since that day
  No solace has that friendless wretch e’er found.)

    Then in great companies, as I have heard,
  They led unto his ship their master dear,
  Men sad of soul; the heart of many a one
  Was welling hot in grief within his breast. 
  They brought the zealous champion to his ship 1710
  Beside the sea-cliffs, and upon the shore
  They stood and mourned while they could still behold
  The joy of princes sailing o’er the waves,
  The path of seals.  They praised the glorious King;
  The throngs cried out aloud, and thus