Cyriacus.

The holy nails of the Passion have yet to be found, and again the earth
yields up her treasure. A man great in wisdom tells Elene to bid the
noblest of the kings of the earth to put them on his bridle, make
thereof his horse's bit. This shall bring him good speed in war, and
blessing and honour and greatness.




CHAPTER VIII

The Poet's love of the Cross: how he saw it in a double aspect. The
dream of the Holy Rood. The Ruthwell Cross.


Now let us read what our poet says about the Festival of the Finding of
the Cross.[F]

[Footnote F: The phrase "Invention of the Cross" means the finding of
it; the word invention in English does not now translate the Latin
"inventio."]

To each of these men
Be hell's door shut, heaven's unclosed,
Eternally opened the kingdom of angels,
Joy without end, and their portion appointed
Along with Mary, who takes into mind
The one most dear of festal days