Wan ’neath the welkin.  There wept all creation, 55
Bewailed the King’s death; Christ was on the cross. 
Yet hastening thither they came from afar
To the Son of the King[8]:  that all I beheld. 
Sorely with sorrows was I oppressed; yet I bowed ’neath the hands of men,
Lowly with mickle might.  Took they there Almighty God, 60
Him raised from the heavy torture; the battle-warriors left me
To stand bedrenched with blood; all wounded with darts was I.
There laid they the weary of limb, at head of His corse they stood,
Beheld the Lord of Heaven, and He rested Him there awhile,
Worn from the mickle war.  Began they an earth-house to work, 65
Men in the murderers’[9] sight, carved it of brightest stone,
Placed therein victories’ Lord.  Began sad songs to sing
The wretched at eventide; then would they back return
Mourning from the mighty prince; all lonely[10] rested He there. 
Yet weeping[11] we then a longer while 70
Stood at our station:  the [voice[12]] arose
Of battle-warriors; the corse grew cold,
Fair house of life.  Then one gan fell
Us[13] all to earth; ’twas a fearful fate! 
One buried us in deep pit, yet of me the thanes of the Lord, 75
His friends, heard tell; [from earth they raised me],[14]
And me begirt with gold and silver. 
Now thou mayst hear, my dearest man,
That bale of woes[15] have I endured,
Of sorrows sore.  Now the time is come, 80
That me shall honor both far and wide
Men upon earth, and all this mighty creation
Will pray to this beacon.  On me God’s Son
Suffered awhile; so glorious now
I tower to Heaven, and I may heal 85
Each one of those who reverence me;
Of old I became the hardest of pains,
Most loathsome to ledes[16] [nations], the way of life,
Right way, I prepared for mortal men.[17]
Lo! the Lord of Glory honored me then 90
Above the grove,[18] the guardian of Heaven,
As He His mother, even Mary herself,
Almighty God before all men
Worthily honored above all women. 
Now thee I bid, my dearest man, 95
That thou this sight shalt say to men,
Reveal in words, ’tis the tree of glory,
On which once suffered Almighty God
For the many sins of all mankind,
And also for Adam’s misdeeds of old. 100
Death tasted He there; yet the Lord arose
With His mickle might for help to men. 
Then stied He to Heaven; again shall come
Upon this mid-earth to seek mankind
At the day of doom the Lord Himself, 105
Almighty God, and His angels with Him;
Then He will judge, who hath right of doom,
Each one of men as here before
In this vain life he hath deserved.