22 Edwin and Paulinus

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_