The visions of England :: :: University of Virginia Library

The black-hair'd gaunt Paulinus
By ruddy Edwin stood:—
‘Bow down, O King of Deira,
‘Before the holy Rood!
‘Cast forth thy demon 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 cavern-black around us
‘Gapes the grim mouth 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 born from darkness,
‘And into darkness go:—
‘So is our life, King Edwin!
‘Ah, that it should be so!

‘But if this pale Paulinus
‘Have somewhat more to tell;
‘Some news of whence and whither,
‘And where the Soul may 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.’

Paulinus was one of the four missionaries sent from Rome by Gregory the Great in 601. The marriage of Edwin, King of Northumbria, with Ethelburga, sister to Eadbald of Kent, opened Paulinus' way to northern England. Bede, born less than fifty years after, has given an admirable narrative of Edwin's conversion: which is very completely told in Bright's Early English Church History, B. IV.

Deira, (from old-Welsh deifr, waters), then comprised Eastern Yorkshire from Tees to Humber. Goodmanham, where the meeting described was held, is some 23 miles from York.