Page:Aelfric's Lives of Saints Vol 2.djvu/153

 Impiously bold,  he  harrowed  then  the  land,

and took  the  Holy  Rood  home  to  his  own  country.

He was  so  uplifted  and  so  wicked  a  ruler,

that he  would  be  God;    and  wrought  then  of  silver

a high  steeple  in  the  form  of  stone-work,

and with  shining  gems  surrounded  all  the  house,

and in  the  upper-story  he  wrought  his  throne

all of  red  gold;    and  wonderfully  drew  out  water

by means  of  pipes,  for  he  would  cause  rains,

as if  he  himself  were  God. But he  was  nevertheless  very  foolish,

for the  rain  could  not  be  of  service  to  many.

He laboured  then  still  more  to  manifest  his  power,

and bade  the  earth  to  be  delved  secretly  with  craft,

so that  horses  ran  constantly  about  the  house,

through the  secret  trenches,  dinning  with  their  feet,

for he would  cause  thunder. Nevertheless was  he  witless.

He sat  then  in  the  house  as  High  God,

and placed  the  Holy  Rood  beside  his  throne,

as it  were  for  a  companion  in  his  impiety.

He then   sat   there   from   that   time  forth,  and   to   his    son   he assigned

all his  kingdom;    but  Christ  destroyed  him.

An emperor  there  was  in  those  days,  named  Eraclius,.

a Christian  and  a  true  believer,  and  undaunted  in  war;

and he  adorned  his  belief  with  good  works,

and honoured  God's  servants  with  benevolent  mind.

Then came  Cosdrue's  son  against  the  emperor  (Eraclius),

for he  desired  to  win  his  kingdom  in  battle.

Then it  was  settled  between  them  both,  that  they  two  boldly

should go  to  single  combat  on  the  bridge  of  the  river,

and he  who  should  get  the  victory  should  wield  the  kingdom,

without the  loss  of  the  men  who  had  come  with  them.

Then they  all  said  that  if  any  man  should