Him who dwells on yonder island--
That old pallid, praying stranger.
Trust ye not, I pray, the new God
Of the Franks, nor false King Clovis!"
And they feared the pious stranger.
Once, upon the summer solstice,
They all came unto his island,
Drank there--after ancient custom--
Mead from their enormous tankards;
And they tried to seize the stranger,
But he had gone down the river.
"We will leave this pallid man, then,
Tokens that we've held our feast here!"
Soon some lighted brands were flying
In the hut of Fridolinus;
And they sprang rejoicing through the
Flames in singing, "Praised be Woden!"
From the distance gazed with pleasure
The old grandam, and her face shone
Ghastly in the lurid light.

Fridolinus, when returning,
Saw his hut laid waste in ashes;
And he said, then smiling sadly:
"Lord, I thank thee for these trials,
As they but increase my courage."
Then he built anew his dwelling,
And soon found an entrance open
To the rough hearts of his neighbours.
First the children, then the women,
Listened to his gentle language;
And some of the stubborn fellows
Looked approval, when he showed them
How in Erin, his own country,
They could spear the salmon better;
When he sang them ancient legends--
How, upon the Caledonian
Cliffs, had raged a mighty battle
With the Romans; and how Fingal
Overthrew young Caracalla.
Then they said: "A strong and mighty
God has sent this man here to us;
And a good God, for this stranger
Bringeth blessing on our fishing."
And in vain the grandam warned them:
"Trust ye not, I pray, the new God
Of the Franks and false King Clovis!"

Yes, he touched these hearts so rugged
Taught to them the Christian doctrine;
And they understood that giving
Is more blessed than receiving;
That it was the Son of God who
On the cross for men did suffer.
Hardly had a year passed over--
'Twas Palm-Sunday--when descended,
From the slopes of all the mountains,
A great throng, who then rowed over
To the isle of Fridolinus.
Peacefully there on the island,
Sword, and shield, and axe they laid down;
And the children gaily gathered
Fo