the end and a beginning / sealed objects

And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. (Revelation 5:1-4)

And when matins and the first mass was done,
there was seen in the churchyard, against the high
altar, a great stone four square, like unto a marble
stone; and in midst thereof was like an anvil of
steel a foot high and therein stuck a fair sword
naked by the point, and letters there were written
in gold about the sword that said thus:-
Whoso pulleth out this sword of this stone and
anvil, is rightwise king born of all England

Malory/ Morte d'Arthur