A murmur went round the hall as the old man showed them by this story that the new religion told them of a life beyond this world, while their own did not.
Then up started Coifi, the chief priest of the heathen gods whom the king and his people had worshipped.
'O king,' cried the priest, 'there is no man in this hall has served the gods more faithfully than I, but they have never done anything for me.'
When the wise men had made an end of speaking, the king rose up and said, 'Let us worship the God of Paulinus, and follow his ways.'
Then he called aloud and said, 'Who will be the first to throw down the altar of these false gods and destroy their temple.'
'I will be the first, O king,' shouted Coifi the priest. 'Give me a horse and weapons, and I will overthrow the temple of the false gods. Follow me, O thanes, and let us see if the gods can defend their own altars.'
Then, snatching a sword, the high priest rushed from the hall and sprang upon the king's war-horse.
The king and his wise men followed; and on their way they were joined by a number of people who left their work or the cattle they were tending, and followed, shouting as they ran, 'Coifi the high priest is mad!'
Soon they arrived at the temple. Here the people hung back, afraid to enter, but the priest burst open the door with a blow of his spear, and rode into the wooden building.
The king and his wise men followed, but the others remained outside, wondering what dreadful thing would happen to the mad priest.