158. Ethelwald
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{276} (From St. Bede's Metrical
History of St.
Cuthbert.) |
BETWEEN two comrades dear, |
|
Zealous and true as
they, |
|
Thou, prudent Ethelwald, didst bear |
|
In that high home the
sway. |
A man, who ne'er, 'tis said, |
|
Would of his graces
tell, |
|
Or with what arms he triumphèd |
|
Over the Dragon fell. |
So down to us hath come |
|
A memorable word, |
|
Which in unguarded season from |
|
His blessed lips was
heard. {277} |
It chanced, that, as the Saint |
| Drank in with
faithful ear |
| Of Angel tones the whispers faint, |
| Thus spoke a
brother dear: |
"Oh, why so many a pause, |
| Thwarting thy words'
full stream, |
| Till her dark line Oblivion draws |
| Across the broken
theme?" |
He answered: "Till thou seal |
| To sounds of earth
thine ear, |
| Sweet friend, be sure thou ne'er shalt feel |
| Angelic voices
near." |
But then the hermit blest |
| A sudden change
came o'er; |
| He shudders, sobs, and smites his breast, |
| Is mute, then
speaks once more: |
"Oh, by the Name Most High, |
| What I have now let
fall, |
| Hush, till I lay me down to die, |
| And go the way of
all!" {278} |
Thus did a Saint in fear |
| His gifts celestial
hide; |
| Thus did an Angel standing near |
| Proclaim them far
and wide. |
Littlemore.
1844. |