When these words had been uttered the army arose; 300 Still stood the sea for the staunch warriors. The cohorts lifted their linden-shields, Their signals on the sand. The sea-wall mounted, Stood upright over Israel's legion, For day's time; then the doughty band 305 Was of one mind. The wall of the sea-streams Held them unharmed in its hollow embrace. They spurned not the speech nor despised its teaching, As the wise man ended his words of exhorting And the noise diminished and mingled with the sound. 310 Then the fourth tribe traveled foremost, Went into the waves, the warriors in a band Over the green ground; the goodly Jewish troop Struggled alone over the strange path Before their kinsmen. So the King of heaven 315 For that day's work made deep reward, He gave them a great and glorious victory, That to them should belong the leadership In the kingdom, and triumph over their kinsmen and tribesmen. When they stepped on the sand, as a standard and sign 320 A beacon they raised over the ranks of shields, Among the godly group, a golden lion, The boldest of beasts over the bravest of peoples. At the hands of their enemy no dishonor or shame Would they deign to endure all the days of their life, 325 While boldly in battle they might brandish their shields Against any people. The awful conflict, The fight was at the front, furious soldiers Wielding their weapons, warriors fearless, And bloody wounds, and wild battle-rushes, 330 The jostling of helmets where the Jews advanced. Marching after the army were the eager seamen, The sons of Reuben; raising their shields The sea-vikings bore them over the salt waves, A multitude of men; a mighty throng 335 Went bravely forth. The birthright of Reuben Was forfeited by his sins, so that he followed after In his comrade's track. In the tribes of the Hebrews, The blessings of the birthright his brother enjoyed, His riches and rank; yet Reuben was brave. 340 Following him came the folk in crowds, The sons of Simeon in swarming bands, The third great host. With hoisted banners Over the watery path the war-troop pressed Dewy under their shafts. When daylight shone 345 Over the brink of the sea, --the beacon of God, The bright morning,-- the battle-lined marched. Each of the tribes traveled in order. At the head of the helmeted host was one man, Mightiest in majesty and most renowned; 350 He led forward the folk as they followed the cloud, By tribes and by troops. Each truly knew