Andreas: The Legend of St. Andrew by Unknown
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Unknown >> Andreas: The Legend of St. Andrew
Where in Achaia holy Andrew dwelt,
Guiding his people in the way of life, 170
A voice was heard from out the heavens above.
To him, that steadfast saint, the Lord of hosts,
Glory of kings, Creator of mankind,
Unlocked the treasure of His heart, and thus
In words He spake:--"Thou shalt go forth and bear
My peace, and journeying shalt fare where men,
Devourers of their kind, possess the land,
And hold their home secure by murderous might.
This is the custom of that multitude:
Within their land they spare no stranger's life,
But when those evil-doers chance to find
A helpless wight in Mermedonia, 180
Death must be dealt and cruel murder done.
I know that 'mongst those townsmen, fast in chains,
Thy brother dwells, that saint victorious.
It lacks but three nights of the time ordained,
When, midst that people, by the hard-gripped spear,
In struggle with the heathens, he must needs
Send forth his soul all ready to depart;
Unless thou come before the appointed time."
Straightway did Andrew answer him again:
"My Lord, how can I o'er the ocean deep 190
My course accomplish, to that distant shore,
As speedily as Thou, O King of glory,
Creator of the heavens, dost command?
That road thine angel can more easily
Traverse from heaven; he knows the watery ways,
The salt sea-streams, the wide path of the swan,
The battle of the surf against the shore,
The terror of the waters, and the tracks
Across the boundless land. These foreign men
Are not my trusty friends, nor do I know
In any wise the counsels of this folk; 200
To me the cold sea-highways are unknown."
Him answered then the everliving Lord:--
"Alas, O Andrew, that thou shouldst be slow
To undertake this journey, since for God,
Almighty One, it were not hard to bring
That city hither, 'neath the circling sun,
Unto this country, o'er the ways of earth--
The princely city famous, with its men--
If He, the Lord of Glory, with a word 210
Should bid it. So thou mayst not hesitate
To undertake this journey, nor art thou
Too weak in wit, if thou but keepest well
The faithful covenant with thy Lord. Be thou
Prepared against the hour, for there can be
No tarrying on this errand. Thou shalt go
And bear thy life into the grasp of men
Full violent, where 'gainst thee shall be raised
The strife of warfare, with the battle-din
Of heathens, and the warriors' martial might.
Even to-morrow with the early dawn, 220
At the sea's border thou shalt straightway go
On shipboard, and upon the waters cold,
Over the ocean[1], break thy speedy way.
Thou hast My blessing over all the earth,
Wherever thou shalt fare!" The Holy One,
Ruler and Guardian, archangels' King,
The world's Defense, betook Him to His home,
That glorious home, where souls of righteous men
After the body's fall shall life enjoy.
So in that town this mission was decreed 230
Unto the noble champion; not abashed
In mind was he, but steadfast for the deed
Heroic; hardy-hearted, firm in soul,
No skulker he from battle, but prepared
For warfare, in God's struggle stout and bold.
[Footnote 1: Lit. "bath-road."]
So at the dawning, when the day first broke,
He gat him o'er the sand-downs to the sea,
Valiant in heart, and with him went his thanes
To walk upon the shingle, where the waves
Loud thundered, and the streams of ocean beat
Against the shore. Full glad was that brave saint
To see upon the sands a galley fair 240
Wide-bosomed. Then, behold, resplendent dawn,
Brightest of beacons, came upon her way,
Hasting from out the murky gloom of night,
And heaven's candle shone across the floods.
Three seamen saw he there, a glorious band,
Courageous men, upon their ocean-bark
Sitting all ready to depart, like men
Just come across the deep. The Lord himself
It was, the everlasting Lord of hosts,
Almighty, with His holy angels twain.
In raiment they were like seafaring men, 250
These heroes, like to wanderers on the waves,
When in the flood's embrace they sail with ships
Upon the waters cold to distant lands.
Then he who stood there, eager, on the shore,
Upon the shingle, greeted him and said:--
"Whence come ye, men in seamanship expert,
Seafaring on your ocean-coursing bark,
Your lonely ship? whence has the ocean-stream
Wafted you o'er the welter of the waves?"
Then answered him again Almighty God, 260
In such wise that the saint who heard His words
Wist not what one of speaking men it was
With whom he was conversing on the strand.
"From the land of Mermedonia are we come,
Borne hither from afar; our high-prowed ship
Carried us o'er the whale's road with the flood,
Our sea-horse fleet, all girt about with speed,
Until we reached the country of this folk,
Sea-beaten, as the wind did drive us on."
Then Andrew humbly answered him again:-- 270
"I fain would beg thee, though but little store
Of jewels or of treasure I can give,
That thou wouldst bring us in thy lofty ship,
Over the ocean[1] on thy high-beaked boat,
Unto that people; thou shalt meed receive
From God, if kindness thou but show to us
Upon our journey."
[Footnote 1: Lit. "whale's home."]
The Defense of kings,
Maker of angels, answered from His ship:--
"Wide-faring foreigners can never dwell
There in that country, nor enjoy the land; 280
But in that city they must suffer death
Who thither bring their lives from distant shores.
And dost thou wish to traverse the wide main,
That thou mayst spill thy life in bitter war?"
To him did Andrew answer give again:--
"Our hearts' strong hope and yearning drives us forth
To seek that country and that far-famed town,
If thou, most noble sir, wilt show to us
Thy gracious kindness on the wave-tossed deep."
Then from His vessel's prow, the angels' Lord, 290
The Savior of mankind, replied to him:--
"Gladly and freely we will carry thee
Across the ocean[1], e'en to that far land
Which thy desire doth urge thee so to seek,
When thou shalt give us the accustomed sum,
Thy passage-money; so upon our bark
We seamen will grant honor unto you."
[Footnote 1: Lit. "fish's bath."]
Then straightway Andrew spake to him in words,
That friendless saint:--"I have no beaten gold, 300
No treasures, neither wealth nor sustenance,
No golden clasps, no land, nor bracelets woven,
That thy desire I now may satisfy,
Thy worldly wishes, as thou sayst in words."
The Prince of Men gave answer where He sat
Upon the gangway, o'er the dashing surge:--
"How comes it thou wouldst visit, my dear friend,
The sea-hills, boundaries of the ocean-streams,
To seek a vessel by the cold sea-cliffs 310
All penniless? Hast thou no store of bread
To comfort thee upon the ocean-road,
Or pure drink for thy thirst? The life is hard
For him who journeys far upon the flood."
In answer then did Andrew, wise in wit,
Unlock to him the treasure of his words:--
"It is not seemly that with arrogance
And words of taunting thou demand reply,
When God hath given thee abundant wealth
And worldly fortune; better for each man 320
That with humility he kindly greet
A traveler bound to other lands far off,
As Christ commanded, Lord most glorious.
We are His thanes, chosen as champions;
He is the King by right, Author and Lord
Of wondrous glory, one eternal God
Of all created things; by His sole might
He comprehendeth all the heavens and earth
With holy strength, Giver of victory.
He spake the word himself, and bade us fare 330
Throughout the spacious earth, converting souls:--
'Go now to all the corners of the earth,
Far as the waters compass it about,
Far as the meadows lie along the roads,
And preach the glorious Faith throughout the towns
Upon earth's bosom; I am your defense.
No gold nor silver treasures need ye bear
Upon this journey. I will freely give
All things that ye may need.' Lo, thou thyself
Mayst hear the story of our journeying 340
With thoughtful mind. Right quickly shall I learn
What kindness thou wilt show us on our way."
The Lord eternal answered him again:--
"If ye are thanes of Him who did exalt
His glory o'er the world, as ye declare,
And ye have kept the Holy One's commands,
I'll gladly bear you o'er the ocean-streams,
As ye do beg me."
Then upon the bark
They went, bold, valiant men; the heart of each 350
Was filled with joy upon the tossing main.
Then Andrew, on the rolling of the waves,
Begged for that seaman mercy from the King
Who rules in glory; thus he spake in words:--
"May God, the Lord of men, give unto thee
Exceeding honor--happiness on earth,
Riches in glory--since thou hast made known
Thy goodness to me on my journeying!"
He sat him by the Guardian of the sea,
That noble saint beside his noble Lord.
I never heard men tell of comelier ship 360
Laden with sumptuous treasures. In it sat
Great heroes, glorious lords, and beauteous thanes.
Then spake the ever-living noble Lord,
Almighty King; he bade his angel go,
His glorious retainer, go and give
Meat to the desolate to comfort him
Upon the seething flood, that he might bear
The life upon the rushing of the waves
With greater ease. Then was the ocean[1] stirred
And deeply troubled, then the horn-fish played, 370
Shot through the raging deep; the sea-gull gray,
Greedy for slaughter, flew in circling flight.
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 multitudes.
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 ship
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 noble Counselor,
Upon the ocean, on the oar-swept sea:--
"For this repast may God, 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 ship shall bear us back across the flood
Unto the land, and there thy men can wait
Upon the shore 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 God,
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 shield,
Worn out by broadswords on the battle-plain,
Suffered sore danger in the sport of war."
Then spake the noble 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 shore. Yet easily
Can God 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 God, would give your life within the realm
Of dark-skinned Ethiopians. I know
Myself that there is One who shieldeth 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 shores;
Oft wave would answer wave; and whiles upstood
From out the ocean's bosom, o'er our ship,
A Terror on the breast of our sea-boat.
There on that ocean-courser bode His time
The glorious God, 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 God 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 friendship, 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 ship,
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 shore; 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 ship 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 noble 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 ships, 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 God 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 ship and boldly asked:--
"Tell, if thou canst, O prudent-minded thane,
How on the earth it ever came to pass
That faithless men, the nation of the Jews,
Raised blasphemy against the Son of God 560
With hearts of wickedness. Unhappy men,
Cruel, malicious, they did not believe
In Him who gave them life, that He was God,
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 noble 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 multitude,
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 noble 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,
God'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 noble Lord, 650
As I have heard it oft from His own mouth
When He conversed with men upon the earth.
Oft did great multitudes, unnumbered throngs,
Assemble to the council of the Lord,
And hear the teachings of the Holy One.
The Shield of kings, bright Giver of all bliss,
Went to another house, where many men,
Wise elders, came to meet Him, praising God;
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 God
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 God; 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 God of all created things.
Likewise He showed before the sight of men
Unnumbered other works miraculous.