The Cross

Then the young Hero ungirt himself; / that was God almighty—

strong, stiff-willed, / and strode to the gallows,

climbed stout-hearted in the sight of many; / intended to set men free.

I trembled when the bold Warrior embraced me, / yet I dared not bend to the earth,

fall to the ground for fear; / to stand fast was my duty.

...

Now, my dear man, / this duty I give you,

that you say to men / what you have seen tonight,

unwind in words / that it is the wood of glory,

the same that almighty God / suffered upon

for mankind's / many sins

and for Adam's / ancient deed.

~Unknown Author - Excerpt from The Dream of the Rood (Christian poem in Old English - approx. 7^th Century)