'At last resolve, my brother, and my friend! Fling from you, as I fling this cloak, your Gods, And cleave to Him, the Eternal, One and Sole, The All-Wise, All-Righteous and Illimitable, Who made us, and will judge.' Thus Oswy spake To Sigebert, his friend, of Essex King, Essex once Christian. Royal Sebert dead, The Church of God had sorrow by the Thames: Three Pagan brothers in his place held sway: They warred upon God's people; for which cause God warred on them, and by the Wessex sword In one day hewed them down. King Sigebert, Throned in their place, to Oswy thus replied: 'O friend, I saw the Truth, yet saw it not! 'Twas like the light forth flashed from distant oar, Now vivid, vanished now. Not less, methinks, Thy Christ ere now had won me save for this; I feared that in my bosom love for thee, Not Truth alone, prevailed. I left thy court; I counselled with my wisest; by degrees, Though grieving thus to outrage loyal hearts, Reached my resolve: henceforth I serve thy God: My kingdom may renounce me if it will.' Then came the Bishop old, and nigh that Wall Which spans the northern land from sea to sea Baptized him to the God Triune. At night The King addressed him thus: 'My task is hard; Yield me four priests of thine from Holy Isle To shape my courses.' Finan gazed around And made election--Cedd and others three; He consecrated Cedd with staff and ring; And by the morning's sunrise Sigebert Rode with them, face to south. The Spring, long checked, Fell, like God's Grace, or fire, or flood, at once O'er all the land: it swathed the hills in green; It fringed with violets cleft and rock; illumed The stream with primrose tufts: but mightier far That Spring which triumphed in the monarch's breast, All doubt dispelled. That smile which knew not cause Looked like his angel's mirrored on his face: At times he seemed with utter gladness dazed; At times he laughed aloud. 'Father,' he cried, 'That darkness from my spirit is raised at last: Ah fool! ah fool! to wait for proof so long! Unseal thine eyes, and all things speak of God: The snows on yonder thorn His pureness show; Yon golden iris bank His love. But now I marked a child that by its father ran: Some mystery they seemed of love in heaven Imaged in earthly love. 'With sad, sweet smile The old man answered: 'Pain there is on earth-- Bereavement, sickness, death.' The King replied: 'It was by suffering, not by deed, or word, God's Son redeemed mankind.' Then answered Cedd: 'God hath thee in His net; and well art thou! That Truth thou seest this day, and feelest, live! So shall it live within thee. If, more late, Rebuke should come, or age, remember then This day-spring of thy strength, and answer thus,