Wounds wide open; but not one of them dared I to harm. They cursed and reviled us together. I was covered all over with blood, That flowed from the Savior's side when his soul had left the flesh. 50 Sorrowful the sights I have seen on that hill, Grim-visaged grief: the God of mankind I saw And his frightful death. The forces of darkness Covered with clouds the corpse of the Lord, The shining radiance; the shadows darkened 55 Under the cover of clouds. Creation all wept, The king's fall bewailed. Christ was on the rood. Finally from afar came faithful comrades To the Savior's side, and I saw it all. Bitter the grief that I bore, but I bowed me low to their hands; 60 My travail was grievous and sore. They took then God Almighty, From loathsome torment they lifted him. The warriors left me deserted, To stand stained with blood. I was stricken and wounded with nails. Limb-weary they laid him there, and at their Lord's head they stood. They beheld there the Ruler of heaven; and they halted a while to rest, 65 Tired after the terrible struggle. A tomb then they began to make, His friends in sight of his foes. Of the fairest of stone they built it, And set their Savior upon it. A sorrowful dirge they chanted, Lamented their Master at evening, when they made their journey home, Tired from their loved Lord's side. And they left him with the guard. 70 We crosses stood there streaming with blood, And waited long after the wailing ceased Of the brave company. The body grew cold, The most precious of corpses. Then they pulled us down, All to the earth --an awful fate! 75 They buried us low in a pit. But the loved disciples of Christ, His faithful friends made search and found me and brought me to light, And gorgeously decked me with gold and with silver. "Now mayst thou learn, my beloved friend, That the work of the wicked I have worthily borne, 80 The most trying of torments. The time is now come When through the wide world I am worshipped and honored, That all manner of men, and the mighty creation, Hold sacred this sign. On me the Son of God Death-pangs endured. Hence, dauntless in glory, 85 I rise high under heaven, and hold out salvation To each and to all who have awe in my presence. "Long ago I was the greatest and most grievous of torments, Most painful of punishments, till I pointed aright The road of life for the race of men.