In struggle with the heathens, he must needs
Send forth his soul all ready to depart;
Unless thou come before the appointed time."

Straightway did Andrew answer him again:
"My Lord, how can I o'er the ocean deep 190
My course accomplish, to that distant shore,
As speedily as Thou, O King of glory,
Creator of the heavens, dost command?
That road thine angel can more easily
Traverse from heaven; he knows the watery ways,
The salt sea-streams, the wide path of the swan,
The battle of the surf against the shore,
The terror of the waters, and the tracks
Across the boundless land. These foreign men
Are not my trusty friends, nor do I know
In any wise the counsels of this folk; 200
To me the cold sea-highways are unknown."

Him answered then the everliving Lord:--
"Alas, O Andrew, that thou shouldst be slow
To undertake this journey, since for God,
Almighty One, it were not hard to bring
That city hither, 'neath the circling sun,
Unto this country, o'er the ways of earth--
The princely city famous, with its men--
If He, the Lord of Glory, with a word 210
Should bid it. So thou mayst not hesitate
To undertake this journey, nor art thou
Too weak in wit, if thou but keepest well