Holy alone, so stands, 'mid books, this Book! Within the "Upper Chamber" once that Church Lived in small space; to-day she fills the world:-- This Book which seems so narrow is a world: It is an Eden of mankind restored; It is a heavenly city lit with God: From it the Spirit and the Bride say "Come:" Blessed who reads this Book!' Above the woods Meantime the stars shone forth; and came that hour When to the wanderer and the toiling man Repose is sweet. Upon a leaf-strewn bed The venerable man slept well that night: Next morning young and old pursued his steps As southward he departed. From a hill O'er-looking far that sea-like forest tract And many a church far-kenned through smokeless air, He blessed that kneeling concourse, adding thus, 'Pray still, O friends, for me, since spiritual foes Threat most the priesthood:--pray that holy death, Due warning given, may close a life too blest! Pray well, since I for you have laboured well, Yea, and will labour till my latest sigh; Not only seeking you in wilds and woods Year after year, but in my cell at night Changing to accents of your native tongue God's Book Divine. Farewell, my friends, farewell!' He left them; in his heart this thought, 'How like The great death-parting every parting seems!' But deathless hopes were with him; and the May; His grief went by. So passed a day of Bede's; And many a studious year were stored with such; Enough but one for sample. Two glad weeks He and his comrade onward roved. At eve Convent or hamlet, known long since and loved, Gladly received them. Bede with heart as glad Renewed with them the memory of old times, Recounted benefits by him received, Then strong in youth, from just men passed away, And preached his Master still with power so sweet The listeners ne'er forgat him. Evermore, Parting, he planted in the ground a cross, And bade the neighbours till their church was built Round it to pray. Meanwhile his youthful mate Changed by degrees. The ever varying scene, The biting breath and balmy breast of spring, And most of all that old man's valiant heart Triumphed above his sadness, fancies gay Pushing beyond it like those sunnier shoots That gild the dark vest of the vernal pine. He took account of all things as they passed; He laughed; he told his tale. With quiet joy His friend remarked that change. The second week They passed to Durham; next to Walsingham; To Gilling then; to stately Richmond soon High throned above her Ouse; to Ripon last: Then Bede made pause, and spake; 'Not far is York; Egbert who fills Paulinus' saintly seat Would see me gladly: such was mine intent, But something in my bosom whispers, "Nay, Return to that fair river crossed by night,