Good Friday - The Dream of the Rood
Many years ago the memory abides
I was felled to the ground at the forest's edge,
Severed from my roots. Enemies seized me,
Made of me a mark of scorn for criminals to mount on;
Shoulder-high they carried me and set me on a hill.
Many foes made me fast there. Far off then I saw
The King of all mankind coming in great haste,
With courage keen, eager to climb me.
I did not dare, against my Lord's dictate,
To fold or falter, though I felt a trembling
In the earth's four corners. I could easily
Have felled his foes; yet fixed and firm I stood.
Then the young Warrior it was God Almighty
Strong and steadfast, stripped himself for battle;
He climbed up on the high gallows, constant in his purpose,
Mounted it in sight of many, mankind to ransom.
Horror seized me when the Hero clasped me,
But I dared not bow or bend down to earth,
Nor falter, nor fall; firm I needs must stand.
I was raised up a Rood, a royal King I bore,
The High King of Heaven: hold firm I must.
They drove dark nails through me, the dire wounds still show,
Cruel gaping gashes, yet I dared not give as good.
They taunted the two of us; I was wet with teeming blood,
Streaming from the Warrior's side when he sent forth his spirit.
High upon that hill helpless I suffered
Long hours of torment; I saw the Lord of Hosts
Outstretched in agony; all embracing darkness
Covered with thick clouds the corpse of the world's Ruler;
The bright day was darkened by a deep shadow,
All its colors clouded; the whole creation wept,
Bewailing its King's fall; Christ was on the Rood.
**********
Our former Rector shared this during a Holy Cross Eucharist several years ago and I was entranced; and shocked that I got through a degree in English without ever having read it. Anyway, this is just some of the entire poem and I don't know who to credit for this translation but I like it.
The story of salvation in the words and images of an ancient people who were not from the Middle East. Even in Anglo-Saxon times missionaries were at work. I love the image of Christ the Warrior, eagerly embracing the cross, an alternative to Christ the sacrificial lamb once and for all under Covenant Law. Telling the story in a way that works for your people.
I was felled to the ground at the forest's edge,
Severed from my roots. Enemies seized me,
Made of me a mark of scorn for criminals to mount on;
Shoulder-high they carried me and set me on a hill.
Many foes made me fast there. Far off then I saw
The King of all mankind coming in great haste,
With courage keen, eager to climb me.
I did not dare, against my Lord's dictate,
To fold or falter, though I felt a trembling
In the earth's four corners. I could easily
Have felled his foes; yet fixed and firm I stood.
Then the young Warrior it was God Almighty
Strong and steadfast, stripped himself for battle;
He climbed up on the high gallows, constant in his purpose,
Mounted it in sight of many, mankind to ransom.
Horror seized me when the Hero clasped me,
But I dared not bow or bend down to earth,
Nor falter, nor fall; firm I needs must stand.
I was raised up a Rood, a royal King I bore,
The High King of Heaven: hold firm I must.
They drove dark nails through me, the dire wounds still show,
Cruel gaping gashes, yet I dared not give as good.
They taunted the two of us; I was wet with teeming blood,
Streaming from the Warrior's side when he sent forth his spirit.
High upon that hill helpless I suffered
Long hours of torment; I saw the Lord of Hosts
Outstretched in agony; all embracing darkness
Covered with thick clouds the corpse of the world's Ruler;
The bright day was darkened by a deep shadow,
All its colors clouded; the whole creation wept,
Bewailing its King's fall; Christ was on the Rood.
**********
Our former Rector shared this during a Holy Cross Eucharist several years ago and I was entranced; and shocked that I got through a degree in English without ever having read it. Anyway, this is just some of the entire poem and I don't know who to credit for this translation but I like it.
The story of salvation in the words and images of an ancient people who were not from the Middle East. Even in Anglo-Saxon times missionaries were at work. I love the image of Christ the Warrior, eagerly embracing the cross, an alternative to Christ the sacrificial lamb once and for all under Covenant Law. Telling the story in a way that works for your people.