full bright, and angels coming down to the same church.  And then him thought that the church had burned of the great light and brightness that came down on the ladder, and marvelled greatly what this should mean, for he knew nothing of the translation of St. Austin; and when he knew the truth, that on that time the body of the glorious saint was translated, he gave laud and thankings to almighty God, and we may verily know by that evident vision that it is an holy and devout place; and as it is said that of old time, ancient holy men that used to come thither would at the entry of it do off their hosen and shoes and durst not presume to go into that holy monastery but barefoot, because so many holy saints be there shrined and buried.  And God hath showed so many miracles in that holy place for his blessed saint, St. Austin, that if I should write them here it should occupy a great book.

EDWIN AND PAULINUS

The Conversion of Northumbria

The black-hair’d gaunt Paulinus
  By ruddy Edwin stood:—­
“Bow down, O king of Deira,
  Before the blessed Rood! 
Cast out thy heathen idols,
  And worship Christ our Lord.” 
—­But Edwin look’d and ponder’d,
  And answer’d not a word.

Again the gaunt Paulinus
  To ruddy Edwin spake: 
“God offers life immortal
  For his dear Son’s own sake! 
Wilt thou not hear his message,
  Who bears the keys and sword?”
—­But Edwin look’d and ponder’d,
  And answer’d not a word.

Rose then a sage old warrior;
  Was five-score winters old;
Whose beard from chin to girdle
  Like one long snow-wreath roll’d:—­
“At Yule-time in our chamber
  We sit in warmth and light,
While cold and howling round us
  Lies the black land of Night.

“Athwart the room a sparrow
  Darts from the open door: 
Within the happy hearth-light
  One red flash—­and no more! 
We see it come from darkness,
  And into darkness go:—­
So is our life, King Edwin! 
  Alas, that it is so!

“But if this pale Paulinus
  Have somewhat more to tell;
Some news of Whence and Whither,
  And where the soul will dwell;—­
If on that outer darkness
  The sun of hope may shine;—­
He makes life worth the living! 
  I take his God for mine!”

So spake the wise old warrior;
  And all about him cried: 
“Paulinus’ God hath conquer’d! 
  And he shall be our guide:—­
For he makes life worth living
  Who brings this message plain,
When our brief days are over,
  That we shall live again.”

_—­Unknown_

THE LIFE OF ST. GEORGE MARTYR