On either side the Lord victorious saw
An image of His angels wondrous carved,
Brightly adorned and beautifully wrought;
Then to the multitude he spake in words:--
'This is the likeness of the angel-race
Most widely known to dwellers in this town.
In Paradise their names are Cherubim 720
And Seraphim; before the face of God
They stand, strong-souled, and with their voices praise
In holy song the might of Heaven's King,
And God's protecting hand. Here is carved out
The holy angels' form; the thanes of glory
Are chiseled on the wall by handicraft.'

The Lord of hosts, the Holy Spirit of heaven,
Spake yet again unto the multitude:--
'Now I command a sign to be disclosed,
A miracle before the throng of men, 730
That from the wall this image shall descend
All beautiful to earth, and speak a word,
Shall tell them truly of My parentage,
That men throughout the land may then believe!'

The ancient image durst not disobey
The Savior's words, but leapt from off the wall,
Stone cleft from stone; upon the earth it stood,
A wonder in the sight of all the throng;
Then came a voice loud sounding from the stone, 740
Rebuking them in words; and wondrous seemed
The statue's speech to those proud-hearted men.