It is honoured above all trees just as Jesus is honoured above all men. Then, just as with Christ, the Cross is resurrected, and adorned with gold and silver. The Rood and Christ are one in the portrayal of the Passion-they are both pierced with nails, mocked and tortured. Thieme remarks, 'The cross itself is portrayed as his lord's retainer whose most outstanding characteristic is that of unwavering loyalty'. It is not just Christ, but the Cross as well that is pierced with nails. The Lord and the Cross become one, and they stand together as victors, refusing to fall, taking on insurmountable pain for the sake of mankind. The tree learns that it is not to be the bearer of a criminal, but instead Christ crucified. It begins with the enemy coming to cut the tree down and carrying it away. The Crucifixion story is told from the perspective of the Cross. In section two, the Cross shares its account of Jesus' death.

However, he comes to see that amidst the beautiful stones it is stained with blood. He is aware of how wretched he is compared to how glorious the tree is.

Initially when the dreamer sees the Cross, he notes how it is covered with gems. In section one, the narrator has a vision of the Cross. The poem itself is divided up into three separate sections: the first part (ll. In this dream or vision he is speaking to the Cross on which Jesus was crucified.

The poem is set up with the narrator having a dream.

7 Editions, translations, and recordings.

Elements of poetry