Page:Murder of King Kenneth.pdf/3

 "Tis a sweet spot, indeed! ’’ he frankly replied, “And hath beauties that’s known but to few; Of this well and dell, and the hills that’s around, We have many a legend, I trew.

“ But pray thee,” he said, “taste the water, thou’lt find It is wond’rously pleasing and cool.” I knelt by the side of the worthy old man, And drank from the time-honour'd pool.

“But, stay, stay, my friend! ” he cried in much haste, “ Of its virtues, I fear thou can’st tell; For unless thou believ’st in our great Mother Church No charm hath this little well! ”

“ The water’s as sweet to my taste, worthy sire. As tho’ I to thy Church did'st belong.” “Aye!—but never a blessing thou ask’d from Above, So to God, and our Saint thou’st done wrong.”

“And what is the name of thy Saint ? ” I enquir’d, “ For a stranger I am to this place.” He cross’d his old breast, and with rev’rence replied, “ Palladius--whose Soul is in Peace ! ”

“Oh, tell me, I pray, what Palladius did here, For he flourish'd m ages bygone; ” In silence again he sought aid from Above, Then spake in a grave hollow tone :—

“ Palladius,’ he said, “ came here from afar— From the great Holy City of Rome ; And crush'd on his way the Pelagians’ creed. And near to this well was his home.

I was here he proclaim’d the glad tidings of Life, And first gave us Bishops, they say; But after a long and a holy career. He sank to his cold bed of clay.

“And within yonder chapel, just over our heads. We are told that his relies do lie; And that the poor pilgrims with long staves apd gowns. Came here from all airts of the sky;