Not less co-eval with the race of man: For what is man? Not mind: the beasts can think: Not passions; appetites: the beasts have these: Nay, but Affections ruled by Laws Divine: These make the life of man. Of these he spake; Proclaimed of these the glory. These to man Are countless loves revealing Love Supreme: These and the Virtues, warp and woof, enweave A single robe--that sacrificial garb Worn from the first by man, whose every act Of love in spirit was self-sacrifice, And prophesied the Sacrifice Eterne: Through these the world becomes one household vast; Through these each hut swells to a universe Traversed by stateliest energies wind-swift, And planet-crowned, beneath their Maker's eye. All hail, Affections, angels of the earth! Woe to that man who boasts of love to God, And yet his neighbour scorns! While Cuthbert spake A young man whispered to a priest, 'Is yon That Anchoret of the rock? Where learned he then This loving reverence for the hearth and home? Mark too that glittering brow!' The priest replied: 'What! shall a bridegroom's face alone be bright? He knows a better mystery! This he knows, That, come what may, all o'er the earth forever God keeps His blissful Bridal-feast with man: Each true heart there is guest!' Once more the Saint Arose and spake: 'O loving friends, my children, Christ's sons, His flock committed to my charge! I spake to you but now of humbler ties, Not highest, with intent that ye might know How pierced are earthly bonds by heavenly beam; Yet, speaking with lame tongue in parables, I shewed you but similitudes of things-- Twilight, not day. Make question then who will; So shall I mend my teaching.' Prompt and bright As children issuing forth to holyday, Then flocked to Cuthbert's school full many a man Successive: each with simpleness of heart His doubt propounded; each his question asked, Or, careless who might hear, confessed his sins, And absolution won. Among the rest, A little seven years' boy, with sweet, still face, Yet strong not less, and sage, drew softly near, His great calm eyes upon the patriarch fixed, And silent stood. From Wessex came that boy: By chance Northumbria's guest. Meantime a chief Demanded thus: 'Of all the works of might, What task is worthiest?' Cuthbert made reply: 'His who to land barbaric fearless fares, And open flings God's palace gate to all, And cries "Come in!"' That concourse thrilled for joy: Alone that seven years' child retained the word: The rest forgat it. 'Winifrede' that day Men called him; later centuries, 'Boniface,' Because he shunned the ill, and wrought the good: In time the Teuton warriors knew that brow-- Their great Apostle he: they knew that voice: