XV. PAULINUS
The person of Paulinus is thus described by Bede, from the
memory of an eye-witness:—‘Longæ staturæ, paululum incurvus,
nigro capillo, facie macilentâ, naso adunco, pertenui, venerabilis
simul et terribilis aspectu.’
But, to remote Northumbria's royal Hall,
Where thoughtful Edwin, tutored in the school
Of sorrow, still maintains a heathen rule,
Who comes with functions apostolical?
Mark him, of shoulders curved, and stature tall,
Black hair, and vivid eye, and meagre cheek,
His prominent feature like an eagle's beak;
A Man whose aspect doth at once appal
And strike with reverence. The Monarch leans
Toward the pure truths this Delegate propounds,
Repeatedly his own deep mind he sounds
With careful hesitation,—then convenes
A synod of his Councillors:—give ear,
And what a pensive Sage doth utter, hear!
