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."