Friday, March 21, 2008

The God of Hosts

They reviled us both together.
I was made wet all over with the blood
Which poured from his side, after he had
Sent forth his spirit. And I underwent
Full many a dire experience on that hill.
I saw the God of hosts stretched grimly out.
Darkness covered the Ruler's corpse with clouds,
His shining beauty; shadows passed across,
Black in the darkness. All creation wept,
Bewailed the King's death; Christ was on the cross.

from "The Dream of the Rood" (or Cross), Anglo-Saxon, ninth century, trans. Richard Hamer.

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