THE SAXON SAINTS

LEGENDS
OF THE
SAXON SAINTS

BY

Aubrey de Vere

Hic sunt in fossa Bedæ Venerabilis ossa

(Old Inscription)

LONDON
C. KEGAN PAUL & CO., 1 PATERNOSTER SQUARE
1879


(The rights of translation and of reproduction are reserved)


TO THE

VENERABLE BEDE

'Mid quiet vale or city lulled by night
Well-pleased the wanderer, wakeful on his bed,
Hears from far Alps on fitful breeze the sound
Of torrents murmuring down their rocky glens,
Strange voice from distant regions, alien climes:—
Should these far echoes from thy legend-roll
Delight of loftier years, these echoes faint,
Thus waken, thus make calm, one restless heart
In our distempered day, to thee the praise,
Voice of past times, O Venerable Bede!