Page:Aelfric's Lives of Saints Vol 2.djvu/133

 He went  in  his  youth  from  his  friends  and  kindred

to Scotland  by  sea,  and  there  was  forthwith  baptised,

together with  his  companions  who  had  travelled  with  him.

About that  time  Edwin  his  uncle,

king of  the  Northumbrians,  who  believed  in  Christ,

was slain  by  the  British  king  named  Cadwalla,

and [also]  two  of  his  successors  within  two  years;

and this  Cadwalla  slew  and  shamefully  ill-treated

the Northumbrian  people  after  their  lord's  fall,

until Oswald  the  blessed  extinguished  his  wickedness.

Oswald came  to  him  and  fought  boldly  against  him

with a  little  army,  but  his  faith  strengthened  him,

and Christ  helped  him  to  the  slaughter  of  his  enemies.

Then Oswald  raised  a  cross  quickly

to the  honour  of  God  before  he  came  to  battle,

and cried  to  his  companions,  '  Let  us  fall  down  before  the  cross,

and pray  the  Almighty  that  He  will  save  us

against the  proud  enemy  who  desires  to  kill  us.

God Himself  knoweth  well  that  we  fight  justly

against this  cruel  king,  to  deliver  our  people.'

Then they  all  fell  down  in  prayer  with  Oswald,

and afterward  on  the  next  morning  went  to  the  fight,

and there  won  the  victory,  even  as  the  almighty  ruler  granted  them

for Oswald's  faith,  and  subdued  their  enemies,

the proud  Cadwalla,  with  his  great  host,

who thought  that  no  army  could  withstand  him.

The same  cross  which  Oswald  had  there  erected,

afterward stood  there  for  worship. And many  infirm  men

were healed,  and  also  cattle

through the  same  cross, as Beda  hath  related  to  us.

A certain  man  fell  on  ice  and  broke  his  arm,