Inquiring further concerning the name of their province, he was Informed, that it was "Deiri," a district of Northumberland.
"Deiri!" replied he, "that is good! They are called to the mercy of God from his anger--_de ira_.

But what is the name of the king of that province ?" He was told it was "AElla," or "Alia." "Alleluiah;" cried he, "we must endeavor that the praises of God be sung in their country." Moved by these allusions, which appeared to him so happy, he deter mined to undertake himself a mission into Britain; and having obtained the pope's approbation, he prepared for that perilous journey; but his popularity at home was so great, that the Romans, unwilling to expose him to such dangers, opposed his design, and he was obliged for the present to lay aside all further thoughts of executing that pious purpose.[**] [* Bede, lib.i.cap.25.Brompton, p.

729.] [** Bede, lib.ii.cap.1.Spell.

Concil.p.

91.] The controversy between the pagans and the Christians was not entirely cooled in that age; and no pontiff before Gregory had ever carried to greater excess an intemperate zeal against the former religion.