O holy and winsome tree; that wast worthy to bear
the prize of all middle earth! Be mindful of this assembly
which is here gathered together for the honour of God! '
Then the emperor exalted the Holy Rood
in that same place in which it stood at first,
before the impious king, Cosdrue, took it therefrom.
On that day the true Saviour marvellously manifested
His power by means of His illustrious cross,
so that a dead man quickly arose on that day,
and four bedridden ones were there wonderfully healed,
and ten lepers, from their lingering disease,
and many maniacs regained their senses;
and many sick ones were there healed
of various diseases at the Holy Rood
for the honour of Christ. And the emperor afterwards
bestowed many goods there, and endowed God's churches
with lands and sustenance, and restored God's praise.
He went then to his royal seat, to Constantinople,
with great faith meditating upon God's greatness.
Now is the day called in Christian books
Exaltatio Sancte Crucis, that is, in English speech,
Uplifting of the Holy Rood,
because that it was exalted with great honour
on the foresaid day to the praise of the Lord.
It is, however, to wit that it (the cross) is widely distributed,
by means of frequent sections, to every land.
But the spiritual token (signification) is always with God,
ever incorruptible, though the tree be cut in pieces.
The heavenly sign of the Holy Rood
is our banner against the fierce devil,
when we bless ourselves boldly through God
with the sign of the cross and with right belief.
