Elene II

Likewise the shelter of noblemen ordered then, the ring-giver
of warriors, just as he had seen that sign, the battle-first of his armies,
that had been revealed to him, Constantine, the glory-blessed king,
that token, the cross of Christ, to be wrought with the greatest haste.
He commanded then in the dawning at the first of day
the warriors to be roused and the weapon-clash,
to heave up the sword-banners, and that holy tree
to be carried before them into the crowd of their enemies,
to bear the symbol of God. The trumpets sang loud
before the army. The raven rejoiced these works,
dewy-feathered, the eagle observed this journeying,
the slaughter-cruel warriors. The wolf hove his song up,
the companion of the woods. The terror of battle stood tall. (99-113)

There was the crack of shields and the pack of warriors,
the harsh hand-swing and the armies’ slaughtering,
after they met first the spraying of missiles.
Onto that fated folk the showers of arrows,
spears over yellow shields onto the throng of the fearsome,
the haters sword-grim, the venomous battle-darts
through the power of fingers sent forth.
The resolute warriors advanced, sometimes pressing forward,
sometimes breaking the shield cover, piercing it with blades
thronging battle-bold. Then was that plumed banner raised,
the standard before the squadron, singing the cry of victory.
(114-24)

The golden helmet, the spear shone on the battlefield.
The heathens perished, the peaceless warriors fell.
They fled forthwith, the Hunnish people, as the Roman
emperor, battle-making, bade that holy tree be raised.
The grim warriors were scattered. Some were consumed
in battle. Some saved their lives with difficulty
upon that army field. Some half-alive flew to safety,
sheltering their souls beyond the cliffs of stone,
in the lands they held around the Danube. Some drank down
their drowning in the river-currents at the end of their lives. (125-37)

Then was the host of proud Romans desirous, harrying the foreigners
from the evening unto the break of day. Their javelins flew,
the serpents of battle. The throng of enemies was destroyed,
the shield-troop most loathsome. Few of the Hunnish army
ever arrived home again. Then it was patent that victory
the Almighty King had been given unto Constantine for his day’s work,
judgment-worthy, the realm under the heavens, through his rood tree. (138-47)

Then departed the helm of his armies thence, exultant
with plunder, honored in warfare, now that the battle was decided.
Then came the shelter of warriors seeking might-bold the company
of his thanes, the war-renowned emperor visiting his cities.*
Then the warden of warriors ordered the wisest men
quickly to council, those who had learned the craft of wisdom
through ancient writings, holding the counsel of heroes with their thoughts.
Then the prince began to ask of these people, the victory-bold king,
across his broad army, was there anyone, old or young
that could say to him, holder of the hall,* truly or reveal in speech:
"What god was that, whose signal so light was revealed to me,
that saved my people, brightest of tokens and gave to me glory,
battle-speed against the hostiles, through that lovely tree.” (148-65)

None of them could give an answer in reply to him,
nor did they know how to speak fully and completely and clearly
about that sign of victory. Then the wisest men spoke wordfully
before that multitude it was the token of the Heaven-King,
and of that there was no doubt. When they learned that,
those that had been taught through baptism, were light
of heart, rejoiced in their spirit, though there were few of them,*
so that they before the Caesar might make the gift of the Gospels known,
how that Helm of Souls, in threeness was worthied in majesty,
was born, the King of Glory, and how he was hanged upon
the cross, God’s own child, before the armies in stern torments. (166-80)

This child redeemed the people from the constraints of the devil,
the souls of the wretched, and gave them grace by that same object
that was revealed to them in their sight, the token of victory,
against the onslaught of the tribes. And how on that third day
from his tomb the Glory of Warriors arose from death, the Lord of All
the Kindred of Men, and climbed to the heavens. Thus wisely
by means of spiritual mysteries they spoke to the victory-strong men
just as they were taught by Pope Sylvester. At that moment
the first of his people assumed baptism and held that faith
thenceforth to the end of his days, for the sake of the Lord. (181-93)