TORY 142

THE VENGEANCE OF THE MONKS OF BARDENEY 162

HOW SAINT CUTHBERT KEPT HIS PENTECOST AT CARLISLE 176

SAINT FRIDESWIDA, OR THE FOUNDATIONS OF OXFORD 208

THE BANQUET HALL OF WESSEX, OR THE KING WHO COULD SEE 223

EPILOGUE: BEDE'S LAST MAY 259

NOTES 283

PROLOGUE.

_ODIN, THE MAN_.

Odin, a Prince who reigned near the Caspian Sea, after a vain
resistance to the Roman arms, leads forth his people to the forests
north of the Danube, that, serving God in freedom on the limits of
the Roman Empire, and being strengthened by an adverse climate,
they may one day descend upon that empire in just revenge; which
destiny was fulfilled by the sack of Rome, under Alaric, Christian
King of the Goths, a race derived, like the Saxon, from that
Eastern people.

Forth with those missives, Chiron, to the Invader!
Hence, and make speed: they scathe mine eyes like fire:
Pompeius, thou hast conquered! What remains?
Vengeance! Man's race has never dreamed of such;
So slow, so sure. Pompeius, I depart:
I might have held these mountains yet four days:
The fifth had seen them thine--
I look beyond the limit of this night:
Four centuries I need; then comes mine hour.

What saith the Accursed One of the Western World?
I hear even now her trumpet! Thus she saith:
'I have enlarged my borders: iron reaped
Earth's field all golden. Strenuous fight we fought:
I left some sweat-drops on that Carthage shore,
Some blood on Gallic javelins. That is past!
My pleasant days are come: my couch is spread
Beside all waters of the Midland Sea;
By whispers lulled of nations kneeling round;
Illumed by light of balmiest climes; refreshed
By winds from Atlas and the Olympian snows:
Henceforth my foot is in delicious ways;
Bathe it, ye Persian fountains! Syrian vales,
All roses, make me sleepy with perfumes!
Caucasian cliffs, with martial echoes faint
Flatter light slumbers; charm a Roman dream!
I send you my Pompeius; let him lead
Odin in chains to Rome!' Odin in chains!
Were Odin chained, or dead, that God he serves
Could raise a thousand Odins--
Rome's Founder-King beside his Augur standing
Noted twelve raven