After these words the crowd stood listening; All silent were they through the spacious hall. The elders then began again to say, Those sinful men--the truth they did not know!-- That it was magic art and sorcery That made the shining stone to talk to men. Evil was blossoming in their hearts, and hate Welled hot as fire within their wicked breasts, A serpent, foe to joy, a poison dire; 770 And by their words of mocking were revealed Their doubting hearts and thoughts of wickedness, With murder girt about. Then did the Lord Command the stone, that mighty work, to go Along the way, from out the open place, To tread the paths of earth, the meadows green, To bear God's message into Canaan land, And in God's name command that Abraham And his descendants twain should rise again From out their sepulchre, and leave their place 780 Of rest beneath the earth, take up their limbs, Receive a soul again and youth's estate; That those wise patriarchs should come once more Among mankind, to tell the folk what God It was that they had known by His own might. It went and journeyed on the border-paths As mighty God, Creator of mankind, Commanded it, until it came to Mamre All dazzling bright, as God had bidden it. There had the bodies of those patriarchs 790 Long time lain hid. It bade them straight arise From out the earth, those princes, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, leaving their deep sleep To meet their God; it bade them to prepare To come before the presence of the Lord; For they must tell the folk Who at the first Brought forth this earth all-green, and heaven above, And where that Ruler was who stablished firm All that great work. They durst not long delay Fulfilment of the glorious King's command. 800 So went those prophets three, those valiant men, And trod the earth; they let their sepulchres Stand open, for they would straightway proclaim The Father of creation. Then the folk With fear was stricken, when those Princes old Honored the King of glory with their words. The Lord of might bade them forthwith return To blessedness, to seek a second time The happiness of heaven in holy peace, And there to live in bliss for evermore. 810 Lo, thou mayst hear, dear youth, how He performed By His commands full many miracles; Yet even so those people blind of heart Did not believe His teachings. I could tell Many more deeds which He, the Prince of heaven, Wrought on the earth--a great and famous tale: Such deeds as thou couldst never understand, Nor comprehend in heart, though thou art wise." Thus Andrew all day long showed forth the lore Of holy Jesus in his words, until A sleep came sudden o'er him as he sailed 820 Upon the whale's road nigh to Heaven's King.