Good Friday: From the Perspective of the Cross

I had power all

His foes to fell,

but yet I stood fast.

Then the young hero prepared Himself,
That was Almighty God,

Strong and firm of mood,

He mounted the lofty cross

courageously in the sight of many,

when He willed to redeem mankind.

I trembled when the hero embraced me,

yet dared I not bow down to earth,

fall to the bosom of the ground,

but I was compelled to stand fast.

A cross was I reared,

I raised the powerful King

The Lord of the heavens,

I dared not fall down.

They pierced me with dark nails,

on me are the wounds visible.

Cynewulf's "Dream of the Rood"