"A song from Caedmon!"
But when they looked, they saw that his seat was vacant.
"The poor, timid fellow!" said the blacksmith. "He was afraid and has
slipped away from us."
II
In his safe, warm place in the straw, Caedmon soon fell asleep. All
around him were the cows of the abbey, some chewing their cuds, and
others like their master quietly sleeping. The singing in the kitchen
was ended, the fire had burned low, and each man had gone to his place.
Then Caedmon had a strange dream. He thought that a wonderful light
was shining around him. His eyes were dazzled by it. He rubbed them
with his hands, and when they were quite open he thought that he saw
a beautiful face looking down upon him, and that a gentle voice
said,--
"Caedmon, sing for me."
At first he was so bewildered that he could not answer. Then he heard
the voice again.
"Caedmon, sing something."
"Oh, I cannot sing," answered the poor man." I do not know any song;
and my voice is harsh and unpleasant. It was for this reason that I
left my fellows in the abbey kitchen and came here to be alone."
"But you _must_ sing," said the voice. "You _must_ sing.
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