It was
in sheer honesty and singleness of heart that he did so, and I had never
skill enough to show him the right. But Withelm, who has long been a
priest of the faith, and shall surely be our bishop ere long, had more
to do with his conversion than any other.
Yet it did not come until the days when Paulinus came from York and
preached with the fire of the missionary to us all. And then we saw the
mighty warrior go down to the water in the white robe of the catechumen,
and come therefrom with his face shining with a new and wondrous light.
Then he founded a monastery at Grimsby, that there the men of the marsh,
who had been kind to him in the old days, might find teachers in all
that was good; and there it will surely be after many a long year, until
there is need for its work no more, if such a time ever comes.
So the land grows Christian fast, and good will be its folk if they
follow the way of king and queen and their brothers.
Now have I finished also, and this is farewell. Look you, husbands and
wives, that you may be said to be like Havelok and Goldberga; and see,
brothers, that you mind the words that Grim spoke to his sons, and which
they heeded so well--
"Bare is back without brother behind it." And that is a true word,
though it was a heathen who spoke it.
THE END.
1 I have to thank the Mayor of Grimsby for most kindly
furnishing me with an impression of this ancient seal.
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