92. This is a translation of the famous Latin motto _in hoc signo vinces_.

Striving in strength and with steadfast heart, 830 He began to delve for the glorious tree Under its covering of turf, till at twenty feet Below the surface concealed he found Shut out from sight, under the shelving cliff, In the chasm of darkness --three crosses he found, In their gloomy grave together he found them,-- 835 Grimy all over, as in ancient days The unrighteous race had wrapped them in earth, The sinful Jews. Against the Son of God They showed their hate as they should not have done Had they not harkened to the behests of the devil. 840 Then blithe was his heart and blissful within him. His soul was inspired by the sacred tree. His heart was emboldened when he beheld that beacon Holy and deep hidden. With his hands he seized The radiant cross of heaven, and with his host he raised it 845 From its grave in the earth. The guests from afar And princes and æthelings went all to the town. In her sight they set the three sacred trees, The proud valiant men, plain to be seen Before Elene's knee. And now was joy 850 In the heart of the Queen; she inquired of the men On which of the crosses the crucified Lord, The heavenly Hope-giver, hung in pain: "Lo! we have heard from the holy books It told for a truth that two of them 855 Suffered with him and himself was the third On the hallowed tree. The heavens were darkened In that terrible time. Tell, if you can, On which of these roods the Ruler of angels, The Savior of men suffered his death. 860 In no wise could Judas --for he knew not at all-- Clearly reveal that victory tree On which the Lord was lifted high, The son of God, but they set, by his order, In the very middle of the mighty city 865 The towering trees to tarry there, Till the Almighty King should manifest clearly Before the multitude the might of that marvelous rood. The assembly sat, their song uplifted; They mused in their minds on the mystery trees 870 Until the ninth hour when new delight grew Through a marvelous deed. --There a multitude came, Of folk not a little, and, lifted among them, There was borne on a bier by brave-hearted men Nigh to the spot --it was the ninth hour-- 875 A lifeless youth. Then was lifted the heart Of Judas in great rejoicing and gladness. He commanded them to set the soulless man, With life cut off, the corpse on the earth, Bereft of life, and there was raised aloft 880 By the proclaimer of justice, the crafty of heart, The trusty in counsel, two of the crosses Over that house of death. It was dead as before The body fast to the bier: about the chill limbs Was grievous doom. Then began the third cross 885 To be lifted aloft. There lay the body, Until above him was reared the rood of the Lord, The holy cross of heaven's King, The sign of salvation. He soon arose With spirit regained, and again were joined 890 Body and soul. Unbounded was the praise And fair of the folk. The Father they thanked And the true and sacred Son of the Almighty With gracious words. --Glory and praise be his Always without end from every creature.

Old English Poems — Part 42