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On a certain day when many things were exposed for sale by merchants in the [Roman] forum and many buyers had assembled, Gregory came among others and saw boys set forth for sale as slaves, who were remarkable for their fair and beautiful complexions, faces and hair. Looking on them, he asked from what part of the earth they had been brought. He was told "from the island of Britain, the inhabitants of which bore such an aspect." Again he asked whether the inhabitants of that island were Christians, or still bound in the errors of paganism. He was told that they were pagans. Deeply sighing, he said: "Alas, that the prince of darkness should possess men of such shining countenances, and that so fair a title-page tells of a mind within devoid of divine grace!" Again he asked what was the name of their nation. He was told "they are called Angli." "It is well," he replied, "for they have faces of angels, and such men ought to be co-heirs of angels in heaven. What is the name of the province from which they come?" It was answered: "Deira." "It is well," he