Classic Poem

Then Constantine, mindful of the Holy Cross,
Bade his mother fare over the floodway
To search with many where the Tree of splendor,
The Holy Rood, was hid in earth,
The Cross of heaven's King. Nor was Helena slow
In sailing, nor slighted the word of her son,
Her giver of good. Soon was she ready
For the pleasing voyage as the prince of men,
Of mail-clad warriors, gave her command.
A host of eorls made haste to the shore;
Sea-horses stood ready at the ocean's rim,
Bridled sea-stallions breasting the waves.
The lady's departure was plain to see
As she moved with her train to the tumbling breakers.
Many a stately man stood on the shore
Of the Wendel-Sea. Swiftly they hurried
Over the border-paths, band after band.
They loaded the vessels with byrny and lance,
With men in bucklers, with battle-sarks,
With man and maid. O'er the sea-monsters' home
They drove their foaming deep-flanked ships.
Oft on the waves the stout wood stood
The blows of the billows. The ocean roared.
Never learned I early or late
Of lady who led on the ocean-lanes
Fairer band o'er the paths of the flood.
There might he see who beheld that sailing
Sea-wood scud under swelling sails,
Sea-steeds plunge and break through the billows,
Wave-ships skim. The warriors bold
Were blithe, and the queen had joy of the journey.
When the high-prowed ships had come to their haven
Over the ocean in the Grecian land
They left their vessels much tossed of the tides,
Their old sea-homes, at the ocean's shore
Fast at anchor to await on the waves
The fate of the band, when the battle-queen
With her troop of warriors o'er the eastern ways
Should seek them again. Then was easily seen
Woven mail on many an eorl
Choicest of blades, bright battle-byrny,
Visored casque and fair boar-crest;
There men of war were on the march,
A convoy of warriors around their queen.
The stalwart heroes, heralds of Caesar,
Gaily fared through the Grecian land,
Men of battle in shining mail;
And many a gem in its jeweled setting
Gleamed in that war-host, the gift of a lord.