Boy, boy, these be evil days in which to offend the powers that be; and it were better, far better, I should give myself up to death than that hurt should fall upon those I love and those who have befriended me with such generosity and love." But Edred passionately disclaimed and explained.
"Brother, holy father, speak not so! thou wilt break our hearts! We love thee! thou knowest that we love thee! And we think, we are assured, that we can yet save thee, and ourselves too.

Do not break our hearts by giving thyself up ere we have tried our utmost.

It may be--nay, I am assured of it--that our blessed Saviour has a great work for thee to do for Him somewhere.

Has He not Himself charged His servants if they be persecuted in one city to flee to another?
He has not bid them give themselves up to their foes, to be hindered from doing the work He has put it into their hearts to do.
"Pardon my forwardness if I seem to teach my preceptor.

I do but repeat words thou hast taught me.