| |
| THE BLACK-HAIRED gaunt Paulinus | |
| By ruddy Edwin stood:— | |
| “Bow down, O king of Deira, | |
| Before the blessèd Rood! | |
| Cast out thy heathen idols, | 5 |
| And worship Christ our Lord.” | |
| —But Edwin looked and pondered, | |
| And answered not a word. | |
| |
| Again the gaunt Paulinus | |
| To ruddy Edwin spake: | 10 |
| “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 looked and pondered, | 15 |
| And answered not a word. | |
| |
| Rose then a sage old warrior | |
| Was fivescore winters old; | |
| Whose beard from chin to girdle | |
| Like one long snow-wreath rolled:— | 20 |
| “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 | 25 |
| 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:— | 30 |
| 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, | 35 |
| 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 for mine!” | 40 |
| |
| So spake the wise old warrior; | |
| And all about him cried, | |
| “Paulinus’ God hath conquered! | |
| And he shall be our guide:— | |
| For he makes life worth living | 45 |
| Who brings this message plain, | |
| When our brief days are over, | |
| That we shall live again.” | |
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