Page:The Elene of Cynewulf.djvu/29

 self unto His followers, the true Prince of victory, resplendent in glory. Then after a little space, Stephen, thy brother, received the bath of baptism, the faith of joy, and for the love of the Lord he was stoned. Yet he gave not evil for evil, but in patient suffering made intercession for his ancient foes, and prayed the King of glory that He would not lay to their charge this evil deed, that they deprived of life a man innocent and free from guile through hate and the teachings of Saul.

And this Saul in enmity was dooming many a follower of Christ to torture and death, yet the Lord showed mercy unto him so that he became a solace for many men. And in after times the God of creation, Redeemer of men, changed his name, and he was called Saint Paul, and of the teachers of the law no one of all those, or man or woman born into the world, was ever better than he beneath the span of the heavens, even though upon the hill he bade crush Stephen, thy brother, with stones.

Now thou canst understand, my dear son, how merciful is the Lord of all, if we straightway purge ourselves of our evil deeds and cease again from the unrighteous act, though many times we transgress against Him, and wound Him with our sins. Wherefore I, in sooth, and in after times my dear father, believed that the God of all glory, Giver of life, suffered bitter agony for the surpassing need of mankind. And now I counsel thee in secret, my dear son, that thou never offer scorn, nor blasphemy, nor wrathful opposition to the Son of God. Then shalt thou deserve that unto thee be granted eternal life in heaven, the best reward of victory.