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Updated: May 16, 2025
But presently, as I came to know more of Neot, it seemed good that some should live thus in quiet while war and unrest were over the country, else had all learning and deeper thought passed away.
So holy Neot rejoiced greatly over us, bidding me seek baptism at once. "Nay, father," I said; "I fear it, knowing what it is. Let me bide for a time till I am stronger in these deep things." He tried to persuade me gently, but at last let me be, knowing that I spoke in earnest and with all wish to seek it rightly.
"Ay, truly," answered the thane who had told me about him. "I mind when he and Alfred the king were the haughtiest and most overbearing of princes. But when Neot found out that his pride and wrath and strength were getting the mastery in his heart, he thrust himself down there to overcome them. So he grows more saintlike every day, and has wrought a wondrous change in the king himself.
"I marvel that you needed to learn that," Thord said gruffly. "So do I, friend," answered Neot; "but one is apt to go too far in a matter which one has at heart, sometimes before one is aware. Then is a word in season welcome." Then he thanked Harek for his songs, and went, the Saxons bowing as he passed down the long table with Odda. "That is a wise man and a holy," said Thord.
Then those two spoke to me out of their kind hearts. Yet to me the old gods were very dear, and I clung to them. Neither Neot nor the king said aught against them, being very wise, at that time. Presently Harek came back, and his eyes were shining. "Tell me more of this learning," he said, casting himself down on the grass at Alfred's feet.
Now will it be believed that this writer suppresses the fact that the miracles of St. Walburga are treated by the author of her Life as mythical? yet that is the tone of the whole composition. This writer can notice it in the Life of St. Neot, treat the stories openly as legends and myths, and tell them as they stand, without asking the reader, or themselves, to believe them altogether.
"More likely because Christian means Saxon to them, or else because you have slain them as heathens. Northmen do not trouble about another nation's faith so long as their own is not interfered with. Why should they? Each country has its own ways in this as in other matters." Thereat Neot was silent, and asked me no more.
Not long did the king sing, as it seemed to us; and when he ceased, Harek made no sign. "Sing now, my cousin, words that are wiser than those; even sing from the songs of David the king." So said Neot; and Alfred sang again very wondrously, and as with some strange awe of the words he said. Then to me it seemed that beside these the words of Odin were as nought.
And they, the old savings, were wise as the "Havamal" itself. But he stopped ere long, saying: "The English words will not frame the meaning rightly. I do no justice to the wisdom that is hidden." Then Neot turned to the king, and said: "Sing to Harek words from the book of Wisdom that we know. I think you can remember it well."
Those whom I know are yourself, and Neot, and Odda, and one or two more only." "That is not it," said the king. "What we call a heathen is one who worships the old gods the Asir." "Certainly I do that ill enough." "Why should I not learn of your faith?" I said. "Neot asked me of mine. As for the other, I do not know rightly what it means.
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