The Dream of the Rood [translation]

The Dream of the Rood is an Old English (Anglo-Saxon) poem composed in or before the 8th century, recounting a vision of the Holy Cross. This is my prose translation.

The Vision of the Cross

(aka, "The Dream of the Rood")

I must tell you of a most precious vision that came to me in the deepest night, while all rational beings were at rest. It seemed to me that I was looking at a magnificent tree suspended in the air, enveloped in bright light--the brightest of all trees. The entire surface of that holy symbol was covered in gold. Precious jewels lay strewn about on the ground; and five jewels stood at the crossing of the beams. And there looking on were angels of the Lord--creatures beautiful by their nature. Surely this was no criminal’s gallows, for holy angels, men upon the earth, and indeed the whole of creation looked on.

So beautiful was that Tree of Victory!--while I, with my sins, was stained. Broken, I beheld the cross of glory: it was decorated with fine garments, radiating joy. The creator’s cross was covered in gold, and nearly hidden by its jewels. Yet even through that gold I noticed signs of struggle--and it was in that moment it first began, on its right side, to bleed. Bitter pains shot through me, and fear, as I stood before that fair and terrible sight.

Then as I looked it began to blink, its garments and colors alternating in quick succession: one moment it was drenched with freely flowing blood--the next, it was treasure that spread across its surface. Long hours I lay there, prostrate, sorrowful, beholding the Healer’s Tree, when suddenly I heard it speak! These are the words that most distinguished tree began to utter:

“I still remember how, years ago, I was cut down at the forest edge, anxious, ripped from my roots. Men strong and evil seized me, made a spectacle of me, made their criminals lift me up: The men carried me on their shoulders, set me up on a hill (there were so many of them!) and they fastened me to the ground.

“Then I saw, still a long way off, the Lord of mankind. He was advancing quickly, eager to climb upon me. I dared not weaken or fall, contrary to the Lord’s word. The surface of the earth began to shake. I would have fought off all those men! But I stood fast. The young Savior undressed himself--He who was the all-powerful God--and looked, strong and resolute. Bravely in the sight of so many, he ascended his lofty gallows to save mankind.

“I trembled then, when the Lord embraced me. Still I would not bend or fall to the earth; I had to stand fast. As a cross was I lifted up, the great king I uplifted, the Lord of heaven. I dared not bend.

“Dark were the nails they drove through me; the wounds on me are still open and treacherous. But I did not hurt any of them. They mocked us, me and him, ridiculed both of us together. I was covered in blood, spilled from his side as he sent forth his spirit.

“Many cruel fates I experienced on that hill. I watched as the God of hosts was cruelly stretched out. Darknesses covered with clouds the radiant beauty of the Almighty’s body, and a shadow went out, and all was dark beneath the clouds. All of creation wept, lamenting the fall of their king--the Christ was on the cross.

“Then there arrived a band of warriors from far off, hastening to their prince. I saw it all. I was pierced with bitter sorrow, yet to these men, to their hands I bowed, in humility and zeal. They took then the almighty God, lifted him up from his grievous torment. I was pierced with arrows of bitterness, but him they laid down, weary to the bone, and stood around his head, gazing at heaven’s Lord, and he rested there a while, weary after his great battle.

“Then the men began to make him a tomb, working while death looked on. Of bright stone they carved it, and laid therein the Lord of victories. Then those poor men began a lament for their lord, for it was now evening, and time for the return journey from their glorious king.

“He rested there, in the company now of our small number. But a long while we stayed there, weeping where we stood, since the warriors had lifted up their voice. His body then, his soul's fair home, grew cold. Suddenly we began to fall--all of us were cut to the ground. They buried us deep in a pit. But friends--followers of the Lord--found me, and have garbed me thus in gold and silver.

“So now, my dear man, you can hear how I endured the work of evildoers in bitter sorrow. Time has now come when I am revered by men far and wide over the earth, and all of this glorious creation prays to this Sign. On me, the Son of God suffered for a time; and so, I am strong, and stand tall under heaven, and have the power to save all those who feared me. For I, who used to be the worst form of torture, hateful to men, now extend to mankind the true Way of Life.

“And now behold: the Prince of the kingdom of heaven, the Lord of glory, has honored me above all trees of the forest, just as almighty God also, for the sake of all mankind, honored his mother, Mary herself, above all women.

“I now entrust to you, my dearest man, to tell others of this vision. Explain with illuminating words that it is the true tree of glory, on which Almighty God suffered for the many sins of mankind and the ancient deeds of Adam. He tasted death in that place, but afterwards the Lord rose by his own immense power, to the aid of men. Then he rose up into heaven. And here he shall return, the Lord himself on judgement day, to seek out mankind upon this middle earth--almighty God and his angels with him, that he who wields the authority to judge will at that time judge everyone as he had merited here in this temporary life. There cannot be any unafraid of the word the Lord shall speak. He will ask before the multitude, where be the one who would be willing to taste of bitter death as he had done on the cross. Then they will be afraid and have no idea what they could begin to say to Christ. Yet no one need fear if they carry this most glorious symbol in their heart, for every soul throughout the world that thinks with desire of dwelling with the Lord should seek his kingdom through the cross.”

I prayed then to that tree with a happy heart and great zeal, in that place where I was with meager company. Then my spirit was restless, eager to be off; yet many hours of longing I have had to wait. For it is now the joyful hope of my life to seek the cross of victory and to honor it more than anyone else. The desire for it is great in my heart, and my salvation is ordered to the cross.

Of powerful friends I have few on this earth: they have departed the pleasures of this world and gone on ahead to seek the king of glory. They live now in heaven with the almighty Father, dwelling in his glory. And every day I look forward to the day when the Lord’s cross that I beheld here on earth shall retrieve me from this temporary life and bring me to that place where there is perfect happiness and heavenly joy, that place where the Lord’s people are seated at the banquet, that place where there is eternal bliss. The cross will then seat me in that place, where I shall dwell in glory, partaking in joy with the saints.

May I enjoy the friendship of the Lord, who suffered here on earth upon the gallows-tree for the sins of men. He redeemed us and gave us life and a home in heaven. Hope was renewed in glory and great joy for those who endure the burning here below. Victorious was the son on that adventure, strong and successful, when he, the all-powerful ruler, with the multitude, the company of souls, came into the kingdom of God, to the delight of the angels and of all the holy ones that dwelled in glory in heaven, when their ruler, almighty God, came to the place of his inheritance.