Father Almighty, the Lord of hosts and Saviour of men, the Holy One from on high, shall fulfill unto me my 1085 desire through the finding of these nails. Now with all reverence do thou forthwith, O best of mediators, send up thy petition unto that glorious Being, unto the King of majesty. Do thou pray 1090 the Glory of men that He, Almighty King, show forth unto thee the treasure beneath the earth that still lieth hidden, secret and concealed from men.' Then the holy man, inspired in heart, the bishop of the people, made steadfast his soul, and joyfully 1095 went forth with a throng of men singing praises unto God. Zealously Cyriacus bowed his head upon Calvary, nor made he any secret of his thoughts, but through the might of the Holy Spirit he called upon 1100 God with all reverence, and prayed the Lord of angels to reveal the unknown mystery in his new trouble, where in that field he might earnestly seek out the nails.

Then the Father, the Spirit of comfort, there as 1105 they were watching, caused a sign in the form of fire to rise up where the precious nails were cunningly hid in the earth by the devices of men.

Forthwith there came a leaping flame brighter than 1110 the sun. The people beheld a miracle shown forth unto their queen, where, like unto the stars of heaven or gems set in gold, out of the darkness glittered the nails brightly, gleaming from their burial-place 1115 beneath the surface of the earth. The people rejoiced, the throng were glad of heart; and they said with one accord that the miracle was of God, although hitherto they had been long in heresy and turned from Christ, through the death-wielding power of the devil. Thus they spake:—'Now do 1120 we ourselves behold the sign of victory, the true miracle of God, whom we formerly withstood with falsehood. Now is the course of the mystery come into light and revealed. Wherefore may the God of the heavenly kingdom have glory in the highest.' 1125

Then was the bishop of the people rejoiced anew, he who had turned with repentance through the Son of God. Awe-struck he took the nails, and bore them unto the revered queen. Cyriacus had 1130 fulfilled all the woman's wish, even as his noble mistress bade him. Then was there the sound of lamentation, and hot tears welling over their faces—yet not at all for sorrow; her tears fell over the nails. Wondrously was the desire of the queen fulfilled. 1135 With joyous faith she laid them upon her knees, and, rejoicing in her happiness, revered the gift that was brought unto her as a solace for her sadness. She gave thanks unto God, the Lord of victories, that now she knew the truth which had oft 1140 been foretold long before from the beginning of the world as a comfort for the nations. She was filled with the grace of wisdom, and the Holy Spirit of 1145 heaven held the dwelling of her body, and guarded her both heart and soul. Thus the almighty, victorious Son of God had care for her thereafter.

18. ELENE'S DISPOSAL OF THE NAILS.

Then she began zealously through the mysteries of the Holy Spirit to search out the truth and the way to glory. Verily the Lord of hosts, King 1150 Almighty, gave aid that the queen might win her wish in the world. From the beginning all the prophecy was chanted in times before by the seers of old, and thus it happened in every respect. 1155 Through the grace of the Holy Spirit the queen zealously began to search out with great care wherefor she might best and most fitly for the solace of men use the nails, and what was the will of the 1160 Lord. Then bade she bring at once unto a secret council an exceeding wise man, who, learned in mind, by his wise power knew fully the rede of sages; and she began to inquire of him what he 1165 deemed best to be done about this. And obediently she chose his advice.

Earnestly he answered her:—'It is fitting that thou hold in thy heart the word of the Lord, His holy mystery, O best of queens, and zealously 1170 fulfil the bidding of the king, now that God, Redeemer of men, hath given unto thee good speed for thy soul, and the skill of wisdom. Do thou bid that these nails be set upon the bridle, as a bit 1175 for the horse of the most noble among castle-ruling kings. It shall become famed to many throughout the world when he shall overcome each of his enemies thereby in the contest, as with brave hearts and brandished swords they seek the battle on either 1180 side, and strive for the mastery there, foe against foe. He shall have good speed in war, victory in battle, and peace everywhere, the calm following the strife, who holds the bridle before him upon a white 1185 steed when his trusty heroes, far-famed in the fight, bear shield and spear into the press of weapons. For any man shall this be a guard invincible against stress in war. Concerning it sang the prophet, wise in thought, his mind saw deeply 1190 the understanding of wisdom. These words he spake:—"It shall be known that the horse of a king is to be in the midst of brave heroes, decked with bit and bridle-rings. It shall be called a holy sign 1195 of God, and he shall be hardy and honored in war who guides the horse."'

19. CONCLUSION.

Then straightway in the presence of the nobles Elene accomplished all. She bade deck the bridle of the prince, gift-giver of men, and unto her own son she sent the glorious present over the stream 1200 of the ocean as an offering. Then she bade assemble together in the town, in that holy city, those whom she knew as the best among the Jews, that race of heroes. And the queen began to teach the 1205 throng of her dear subjects that they should steadfastly hold to the love of the Lord, and maintain peace one with another, and that they should hearken 1210 unto the lore of the teacher, and the customs of the Christians, which Cyriacus, wise in the knowledge of books, should declare unto them. The bishopric was well established. Often there came to him from afar the lame, the halt, the weak, the 1215 maimed, the bleeding, the leprous, the blind, the poor, the sad in heart, and ever found they health and relief there at the hands of their bishop during all of their life. And again Elene gave unto him gifts of great worth when she was ready for the journey back to her own land, and when she bade 1220 all those who glorified God in that kingdom, both men and women, to honor in their thought with heart and strength that great day on which the holy rood was found, most wondrous tree of them that 1225 have grown up from the earth, laden with leaves. And, save for six nights ere the coming of summer on the kalends of May, the spring was gone. May hell's portal be closed and heaven's opened, may the 1230 eternal kingdom of the angels be revealed with joy unceasing, and may their part be assigned with Mary, to each man who keepeth in memory the most sacred festival of the cross beneath the heavens, 1235 which the almighty King over all protected with his arm! Finit.

20. EPILOGUE.

Old and ready for death by reason of this failing house, I thus have woven a web of words and wondrously have gathered it up; time and again have I pondered and sifted my thought in the prison of the night. I knew not fully the truth concerning 1240 the cross[1] until wisdom revealed a broader knowledge through its marvelous power o'er the thought of my heart. I was stained with deeds of evil, fettered in sins, torn by doubts, girt round with 1245 bitter needs, until the King of might wondrously granted learning unto me as