Page:Aelfric's Lives of Saints Vol 2.djvu/155

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assist either of them, forthwith he should be seized

and should be cast into the river with broken legs.

They then went both on the bridge together,

and the believing (faithful) emperor killed the enemy of God,

Cosdrue's son, and he afterwards wielded

all his kingdom, and rode to Cosdrue.

Then all the army joyfully submitted to Eraclius,

and he received them and persuaded them to baptism;

and no one would make known to Cosdrue the battle (which had lately taken place),

because he was hateful to all his people.

Then Eraclius went up to the steep upper-floor,

and quickly said to the impious Cosdrue these words:

'Life I will grant thee if thou wilt forthwith believe

now on Jesus Christ, and wilt promise that thou wilt

submit to be baptized, and I will be thy friend,

and I will let thee have this land in thy possession;

but if thou dost otherwise, thou shalt be put to death.'

Then would not Cosdrue believe on Christ;

and Eraclius forthwith drew out his sword

and beheaded him, and commanded him to be buried.

He then took his younger son, a boy of ten years old,

and baptized him, and gave up to him the kingdom,

and then delivered to his (own) army the high steeple,

with all the silver; but he himself took

the gold and the gems into God's church.

Then he carried the rood, with a procession of the people,

again to Jerusalem, eagerly and joyfully.

Riding quickly, they came at last

to the aforesaid city; and the emperor sat

on a royal horse, as was most pleasing to him.

But when he would enter (the city), then was the gate closed,