york00orns

Another then spoke.
YOKK.
He was evidently one whose
age and dignity entitled him to be listened to with
reverential attention. Like an Eastern sage, he threw
his observations into the form of an apologue or
parable. This tale, which Bede narrates so beautifully,
has often been told, but the story of Edwin's
conversion would scarcely seem complete without it.
The speaker dwelt upon the strange myster)- of human
life, alike as regards its beginning and its end, both
equally shrouded in impenetrable darkness. And he
went on to remind the king and the other listeners of
what they had often seen when gathered on a winter's
night around the fire which blazed in the centre of
the royal hall. Outside nil is black and dark, and
the howling wind is driving the sleet and the rain
against the latticed windows. A door opens for a
brief moment, and a poor bird takes refuge from the
storm. But it tarries not to enjoy the light and the
warmth. It is seen for a few seconds whilst flying
across the hall. Some door or window on the opposite
side is unclosed, and it disappears from the
view of those who marked its flight,—lost in the
darkness. It is a fitting emblem, he tells them, an
apt similitude of the life of man, who appears for a
little season and fulfils his appointed journey ; but no
earthly wisdom has hitherto told him from whence
he came, or illumined the darkness which enfolds his
departure. And the words of counsel wherewith he
concluded his address were, that if the new teacher
who had appeared among them had aught to tell
which bore the stamp of certainty as regarded
man's origin and his future fate, his words should be