And gazed on high, as the herald had bade him, The princely Peace-weaver. With precious jewels adorned, He saw the radiant rood over the roof of clouds, 90 Gorgeous with gold and gleaming gems. The brilliant beam bore these letters Shining with light: "Thou shalt with this sign Overcome and conquer in thy crying need The fearsome foe." Then faded the light, 95 And joining the herald, journeyed on high Unto the clean-hearted company. The king was the blither, And suffered in his soul less sorrow and anguish, The valiant victor, through the vision fair. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92. This is a translation of the famous Latin motto _in hoc signo vinces_. 2. The Discovery of the Cross Striving in strength and with steadfast heart, 830 He began to delve for the glorious tree Under its covering of turf, till at twenty feet Below the surface concealed he found Shut out from sight, under the shelving cliff, In the chasm of darkness --three crosses he found, In their gloomy grave together he found them,-- 835 Grimy all over, as in ancient days The unrighteous race had wrapped them in earth, The sinful Jews. Against the Son of God They showed their hate as they should not have done Had they not harkened to the behests of the devil. 840 Then blithe was his heart and blissful within him. His soul was inspired by the sacred tree. His heart was emboldened when he beheld that beacon Holy and deep hidden. With his hands he seized The radiant cross of heaven, and with his host he raised it 845 From its grave in the earth. The guests from afar And princes and aethelings went all to the town. In her sight they set the three sacred trees, The proud valiant men, plain to be seen Before Elene's knee. And now was joy 850 In the heart of the Queen; she inquired of the men On which of the crosses the crucified Lord, The heavenly Hope-giver, hung in pain: "Lo! we have heard from the holy books It told for a truth that two of them 855 Suffered with him and himself was the third On the hallowed tree. The heavens were darkened In that terrible time. Tell, if you can, On which of these roods the Ruler of angels, The Savior of men suffered his death. 860 In no wise could Judas --for he knew not at all-- Clearly reveal that victory tree On which the Lord was lifted high, The son of God, but they set, by his order, In the very middle of the mighty city 865 The towering trees to tarry there, Till the Almighty King should manifest clearly