spoil. Famed in the fight, a defense for heroes, the 150
king came with a throng of thanes to visit his
cities and stud his shield with jewels.


5. THE ASSEMBLY.

Then the Lord of men straight summoned the
wisest to council, those who had pondered the craft
of wisdom in writings of old and held nobly to 155
the rede of scholars. And the prince of the people,
victory-inspired king, asked through the vast assembly
if there were any man there could tell and declare
unto him truly who the god was, giver of good 160
gifts, 'whose sign this was which appeared unto
me so bright, the most gleaming of tokens, saved
my people, and gave unto me glory and war-speed
against my foes through the holy tree.' 165

But no one of them could give him any answer
in return, nor knew they full well what to say about
the victor-tree. Then spake the wisest before the
multitudes, and said that it was a sign from the King 170
of heaven, and of that there could be no doubt.


6. THE CONVERSION OF CONSTANTINE.

But they who had learned the truth, who were
taught through baptism, were joyful in soul, and