most like a bird,
  And glides upon the deep. I surely know,
  I never saw upon the ocean-road
  Such wondrous skill in any seafarer. 500
  It is as though the ship were on the land,
  Where neither storm nor wind can make it move,
  Nor water-floods can break it, lofty-prowed;
  Yet on the sea it hasteth under sail.
  And thou art young, defense of warriors,
  Not old in winters, rider of the surge;
  Yet in thy heart thou hast the noble speech
  Of princes, and dost wisely understand
  All words employed by men upon the earth."

    Him answered then the everlasting Lord:— 510
  "Full oft it happens when we sail the sea
  That with our ships, our ocean-coursing steeds,
  We break our way across the watery roads[1]—
  We and our seamen—when the tempest comes,
  And many times we suffer sore distress
  Upon the waves, though sailing bravely on
  We end our journey; for the seething flood
  Can hinder no man 'gainst the Maker's will.
  The power of life He holds—He who doth bind
  The billows, and doth threaten and rebuke
  The dusky waves. With justice He shall rule 520
  The nations—He who raised the firmament,
  And made it fast with His own hands; who wrought
  And did uphold; and with His glory filled
  Bright Paradise—so was the angels' home
  Made blessèd by His sole eternal might.

[Footnote 1: Lit. "bath-road."]

    The truth is manifest and clear to all,
  That thou art thane most excellent of Him,
  The King who sits enthroned in majesty;
  Because the swelling ocean knew thee straight,
  The circuit of the raging ocean knew 530
  That thou didst have the Holy Spirit's gifts.
  The sea, the mingling waves, turned back again;
  Still grew the Terror, the wide-bosomed flood;
  The waves subsided straightway when they saw
  That God had girt thee with His covenant,
  He who did stablish by His own strong might
  The blessedness of glory without end."

    Then spake with holy voice the champion
  Valiant of heart; he magnified the King
  Who rules in glory, speaking thus in words:— 540
  "Blest art Thou, King of men, Redeeming Lord;
  Thy power endureth ever; near and far
  Thy name is holy, bright with majesty,
  Renowned in mercy 'mong the tribes of men.
  There lives no man beneath the vault of heaven,
  Ruler of nations, Savior of men's souls,
  No one of mortal race, who can declare
  How gloriously Thou dealest Thy good gifts,
  Or tell their number. It is manifest
  That Thou has been most gracious to this youth. 550
  And hast adorned him with Thy holy grace,
  Young as he is; for he is wise in wit
  And in discourse of words. I never found
  A mind more prudent in a man so young."

    The Glory of kings, the Source and End of all,
  Gave answer from the ship and boldly asked:—
  "Tell, if thou canst, O prudent-minded thane,
  How on the earth it ever came to pass
  That faithless men, the nation of the Jews,
  Raised blasphemy against the Son of God 560
  With hearts of wickedness. Unhappy men,
  Cruel, malicious, they did not believe
  In Him who gave them life, that He was God,
  Though many miracles among the tribes
  He showed full clear and manifest; but they,
  Guilt-laden men, knew not the Royal Child,
  Him that was born a comfort and defense
  Unto mankind, to all who dwell on earth.
  In wisdom and in power of speech increased
  The noble Prince; and aye the Lord of might 570
  Showed forth his wonders to that stubborn folk."

    Straightway did Andrew answer him again:—
  "How could it happen 'mong the tribes of men
  That thou, my friend, hast never heard men tell
  The Savior's power, how He made known His grace
  Throughout the world—Son of the Mighty One.
  Speech gave He to the dumb; the deaf did hear;
  The halt and lepers He made glad in heart,
  Those who long time had suffered, sick of limb,
  Weary and weak, fast bound in misery. 580
  Throughout the towns the blind received their sight,
  Full many men upon the plains of earth
  He woke from death by His almighty word;
  And many another miracle He showed,
  Royally famous, by His mighty strength.
  Water He blessed before the multitude,
  And bade it turn to wine, a better kind,
  For happiness of men. Likewise He fed
  Five thousand of mankind with fishes twain 590
  And with five loaves; the companies sat down
  With hearts fatigued, rejoicing in their rest,
  All weary after wandering; on the ground
  Where pleased them best the men received their food.
  Lo, thou mayst hear, good sir, how, while He lived,
  The Lord of glory by His words and deeds
  Showed love to us-ward, led us by His lore
  To that fair home of joy where men may dwell
  Freely with angels in high blessedness—
  Even they who after death go to the Lord." 600

    Again the Ruler of the waves unlocked
  The treasure of His words, and boldly spake:—
  "That I may truly know, I pray thee tell
  Whether thy Lord showed forth His miracles—
  Which on the earth for comfort of mankind
  Full many times He worked—before men's sight,
  Where bishops, scribes, and princes held discourse
  Sitting in council. For it seems to me
  That out of envy they contrived this guile, 610
  Led by deep error and the Devil's lore;
  Those men foredoomed to death too readily
  Gave ear to wicked traitors; their ill fate
  Deceived, misled them, gave them counsel false;
  Weary 'mong weary men they soon must bear
  Torments and biting flames in Satan's arms."

    Straightway did Andrew answer him again:—
  "I tell thee truly that He ofttimes worked
  Wonder on wonder in the sight of men, 620
  Before their rulers; and in secret too
  The Lord of men did deeds of public good,
  Which he devised for their eternal peace."

    Him answered then the sure Defense of kings:—
  "Couldst thou, wise hero, warrior strong of heart,
  Tell me in words the wonders that He showed
  In secret, when, as oft, ye sat alone
  In converse with the Lord who rules the skies?"

    Straightway did Andrew answer him again:—
  "Why dost thou question me with crafty speech,
  My dearest lord, thou who dost truly know 630
  By virtue of thy wisdom every hap."

    The Ruler of the waves replied to him:—
  "'Tis not in blame that I thus question thee,
  Nor to insult thee on the ocean-road.[1]
  My mind is blithe and blossoming with joy
  At thy most noble speech; not I am blithe
  Alone, for every man is glad in heart
  And comforted in soul who far or near
  Remembers in his heart what that One did,
  God's Son on earth. Souls unto Him were turned; 640
  With eagerness they sought the joys of heaven,
  The angels' home, by aid of His great