Lo, I shall tell you the truest of visions, A dream that I dreamt in the dead of night While people reposed in peaceful sleep. I seemed to see the sacred tree 5 Lifted on high in a halo of light, The brightest of beams; that beacon was wholly Gorgeous with gold; glorious gems stood Fair at the foot; and five were assembled, At the crossing of the arms. The angels of God looked on, 10 Fair through the firmament. It was truly no foul sinner's cross, For beholding his sufferings were the holy spirits, The men of the earth and all of creation. Wondrous was that victory-wood, and I wounded and stained With sorrows and sins. I saw the tree of glory 15 Blessed and bright in brilliant adornments, Made joyous with jewels. Gems on all sides Full rarely enriched the rood of the Savior. Through the sight of that cross I came to perceive Its stiff struggle of old, when it started first 20 To bleed on the right side. I was broken and cast down with sorrow; The fair sight inspired me with fear. Before me the moving beacon Changed its clothing and color. At times it was covered with blood Fearful and grimy with gore. At times with gold 'twas adorned. Then I lay and looked for a long time 25 And saw the Savior's sorrowful tree Until I heard it lift high its voice. The worthiest of the wood-race formed words and spoke: "It was ages ago --I shall always remember-- When first I was felled at the forest's edge, 30 My strong trunk stricken. Then strange enemies took me And fashioned my frame to a cross; and their felons I raised on high. On their backs and shoulders they bore me to the brow of the lofty hill. There the hated ones solidly set me. I saw there the Lord of Mankind Struggling forward with courage to climb my sturdy trunk. 35 I dared not then oppose the purpose of the Lord, So I bent not nor broke when there burst forth a trembling From the ends of the earth. Easily might I Destroy the murderers, but I stood unmoved. "The Young Hero unclothed him --it was the holy God-- 40 Strong and steadfast; he stepped to the high gallows, Not fearing the look of the fiends, and there he freed mankind. At his blessed embrace I trembled, but bow to the earth I dared not, Or forward to fall to the ground, but fast and true I endured. As a rood I was raised up; a royal King I bore, 45 The Lord of heavenly legions. I allowed myself never to bend. Dark nails through me they drove; so that dastardly scars are upon me,