by reason of that fair vision.


4. THE BATTLE.

Then Constantine, bulwark of heroes and giver
of gifts, battle-prince of armies and glorious king, 100
bade fashion with greatest haste a token like unto
that sign he had seen, which had been disclosed
before him in the heavens, the cross of Christ.
And at dawn, with the first gleam of day, he bade 105
rouse the warriors and make ready for the stress of
fight, lift up the emblem of battle, take the holy
tree before them, and bear the sign of God into
the press of their foes.

The trumpets rang loud at the army's front. 110
The raven rejoiced at the move; the dewy-feathered
eagle scanned the march, the strife of battle-heated
men; and the wolf, fellow of the forest, raised his
song. Rife was the dread terror of battle.

Then there was the clash of shields and the shock
of men, the bitter hand-to-hand struggle and the 115
slaughter of hosts, when once they had passed within
an arrow's flight. On the fated folk dire enemies
hurled a shower of darts, and with might of arm
sent their spears, biting battle-adders, over the yellow
shields into the midst of their foes. But with 120
courage undaunted the other host advanced; from