le, whereas our Lord God showeth yet
daily many miracles. And the third day before the nativity of our Lady
is hallowed the translation of St. Austin. In which night a citizen of
Canterbury, being that time at Winchester, saw heaven open over the
church of St. Austin, and a burning ladder shining 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