From out the earth, those princes, Abraham,
  Isaac, and Jacob, leaving their deep sleep
  To meet their God; it bade them to prepare
  To come before the presence of the Lord;
  For they must tell the folk Who at the first
  Brought forth this earth all-green, and heaven above,
  And where that Ruler was who stablished firm
  All that great work. They durst not long delay
  Fulfilment of the glorious King's command. 800
  So went those prophets three, those valiant men,
  And trod the earth; they let their sepulchres
  Stand open, for they would straightway proclaim
  The Father of creation. Then the folk
  With fear was stricken, when those Princes old
  Honored the King of glory with their words.
  The Lord of might bade them forthwith return
  To blessedness, to seek a second time
  The happiness of heaven in holy peace,
  And there to live in bliss for evermore. 810

    Lo, thou mayst hear, dear youth, how He performed
  By His commands full many miracles;
  Yet even so those people blind of heart
  Did not believe His teachings. I could tell
  Many more deeds which He, the Prince of heaven,
  Wrought on the earth—a great and famous tale:
  Such deeds as thou couldst never understand,
  Nor comprehend in heart, though thou art wise."
  Thus Andrew all day long showed forth the lore
  Of holy Jesus in his words, until
  A sleep came sudden o'er him as he sailed 820
  Upon the whale's road nigh to Heaven's King.

    The Lord of life then bade His angels bear
  That saint beloved over the beating waves,
  And gently carry him upon their breasts
  Under the Father's care across the floods,
  While sleep was on him weary of the sea.
  So journeying through the air he reached the land
  And came unto the city, which the King
  Of angels bade him seek; the messengers
  Departed joyful to their home on high. 830
  They left the holy man, that gracious saint,
  Beside the highway, 'neath the vault of heaven,
  Peacefully sleeping near the city wall
  And near his foes malignant all night long,
  'Till God sent forth the candle of the day
  Brightly to shine. Vanished the shadows dark
  Beneath the welkin; then the torch of heaven,
  The clear light of the sky, came forth and shone
  Above the town. The warrior brave awoke
  And gazed upon the fields; before the gates 840
  Steep hills high towered; about the hoary cliff
  Stood buildings wrought of many-colored tiles,
  Great towers, and wind-swept walls. The sage straight knew
  That he had reached the Mermedonian land,
  E'en as the Father of mankind declared,
  When He prescribed that journey. On the ground
  He saw his own disciples, valiant men,
  Beside him deep in sleep. He straight began
  To wake the warriors; thus he spake in words:— 850
  "Lo, I can tell you one truth manifest,
  That yesterday upon the ocean-stream
  A noble Hero bore us o'er the sea.
  The Glory of kings, the Ruler of mankind,
  Was sailing in that ship; I knew His words,
  Though He did hide the beauty of His face."

    His noble followers answered him again,
  Giving reply from out their inmost souls:—
  "Our journey, Andrew, will we tell to thee,
  That wisely thou mayst understand in heart:— 860
  A sleep came o'er us weary of the sea,
  And eagles came across the struggling waves
  In flight, exulting in their mighty wings,
  And while we slept they took our souls away;
  With joy they bore us flying through the air,
  Gracious and bright, rejoicing in their speed;
  And gently they caressed us, while they hymned
  Continual praise; there was unceasing song
  Throughout the sky; a beauteous host was there, 870
  A glorious multitude. The angels stood
  About the Prince, the thanes about their Lord,
  In thousands; in the highest they gave praise
  With holy voice unto the Lord of lords;
  The angel-band rejoiced. We there beheld
  The holy patriarchs and a mighty troop
  Of martyrs; to the Lord victorious
  That righteous throng sang never-ending praise;
  And David too was with them, Jesse's son,
  The King of Israel, blessed warrior, 880
  Come to Christ's throne. Likewise we saw you twelve
  All standing there before the Son of God,
  Full glorious men of great nobility;
  Archangels holy throned in majesty
  Did serve you; happy is it for the man
  Who may enjoy that bliss. High joy was there,
  Glory of warriors, an exalted life;
  Nor was there sorrow there for any man.
  Drear exile, open torment is the lot
  Of him who must be stranger to those joys, 890
  And wander wretched when he goes from hence."