him from the bonds of double death, and forthwith instructed in the
faith him restored unto life, and baptized him, and bade him that for
the edification of the people and for the proof of his preaching he
should relate what he had seen of the pains of the wicked and of the
joys of the just.  And he told unto them many wonders, and there among
that in that heavenly country he had beheld the place which Patrick had
promised unto him; but, because he was not then baptized, he could not
enter therein; and so at the prayers of the saint his body was revived.
Then the saint enquired of him whether would he longer live in this
world, or instantly go into that place which was prepared for him; and
he answered that all the power, all the riches, all the delights of the
whole world, were to him but as the emptiest smoke compared with those
celestial joys which he had proved with the eye of faith.  But I
entreat, said he, that I may be loosed from the body of this death, and
delivered instantly from this prison-house; for earnestly I desire to
be dissolved and to be with Christ.  Thus having said, he received the
Eucharist, and, falling asleep in the Lord, went unto the place of
immortality.

CHAPTER LXXXI.

_A Man of Gigantic Stature is revived from Death._

And Patrick was journeying on a certain day for the wonted purpose of
his preaching; and he found near the road a sepulchre of wondrous
length.  And his brethren who journeyed with him beheld it; but with
their very admiration could they not believe that the body of any man
was buried in such a tomb.  But the saint affirmed that God could prove
it by the resurrection of this gigantic man, so that they did not
falter in the faith; for there was then no small doubting of the
general resurrection.  Then prayed the saint earnestly that his acts
might be accorded with his words, and that thereby he might remove from
their hearts every scruple of doubt.  Wonderful was the event, and to
past ages wholly unknown!  The holy prelate, having first prayed,
signed the sepulchre with the staff of Jesus, and awakened from the
dust the buried man.  Then stood one before them horrible in stature
and in aspect; and he looked on the saint, and, bitterly weeping, said
unto him: "How great thanks do I give unto thee, O beloved and chosen
of God! who even for one hour hast released me from unspeakable
torments and from the gates of hell!"  And he besought the saint that
he might go along with him; but the saint refused, for that no man for
very terror could stand before his countenance.  And being asked by
Patrick who he had been, he replied that he was the son of Chaiis, by
name Glarcus, formerly a swineherd of the King Leogaire; and that when
he was an hundred years of age, he was slain in an ambush by a certain
man named Fynnan Mac Con.  Then the saint admonished him that he should
believe in the three-in-one God, and in His name receive baptism unto
salvation, so that he might escape that place of torment.  And he
answered that he firmly believed in the God, whom he knew to be
almighty, and in his name desired to receive baptism.  And he said that
while he had lived he understood of the Creator from the likeness of
the created; and though he knew Him not, yet loved he Him according to
his ability.  Therefore he was baptized by Patrick, and forthwith he
expired, and was buried in his former sepulchre; and according to the
word of the saint, he was freed from his punishment.  And the saint,
considering and commending the inestimable riches of the goodness of
God, exhorted them all earnestly, faithfully, and continually to love
God, and chiefly those who knew and understood Him, affirming that this
man had obtained so great a mercy through the earnestness of the love
which, though ignorant, he held toward God.

CHAPTER LXXXII.

_Of Another Man who was Buried and Raised Again._

And a certain prince who reigned in Humestia at the preaching of
Patrick believed, and, with all his people, was baptized.  But when the
saint would have instructed him as to the general resurrection, he
could not easily bend thereto his faith, for in nowise could he believe
that the body which was once reduced into dust could ever be raised
again in the pristine state of its proper but improved nature.  So when
the man of God, that he might reclaim him from his error, showed divers
testimonies of the Holy Writ, examples, signs, and miracles, he is said
to have thus replied; "If, by the virtue of Christ Jesus, thou shall
revive my grandfather, who has now been buried many days, then will I
believe in the resurrection of the dead which thou preachest."  Then
the saint, being accompanied of the prince and all his people, went
unto the tomb, and signed it with the staff of Jesus; and he caused the
tomb to be opened, and, having prayed, to the admiration of all
present, and to the confirmation of the Catholic faith, he raised to
life the buried man.  And he was of exceeding height and of terrible
countenance, yet much inferior to the aforementioned in his stature.
And him, relating the torments of hell, and devoutly asking baptism in
the name of Christ, did the saint baptize, and, when baptized, gave
unto his entreaty the Holy Eucharist; and placed him again, falling to
sleep, but sleeping in the Lord, in his former sepulchre.  Then no one
of those present doubted of the resurrection of the dead, since it was
proved before their eyes by a testimony so credible, a miracle so
apparent.  And this and the aforementioned miracle hath the saint
recorded in an epistle, addressed to a certain friend who dwelled in a
country beyond the sea, wherein, among other things, he sayeth: "The
Lord hath given unto me, though humble, the power of working miracles
among a barbarous people, such as are not recorded to have been worked
by the great apostles; inasmuch as in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ
I have raised from the dead bodies that have been buried for many
years; but, I beseech you, let no one believe that for these or the
like works I am to be at all equalled with the Apostles, or with any
perfect man, since I am humble and a sinner, and worthy only to be
despised."  Now, let the hearer admire to what a point of perfection
this man had raised his mind, who, working so many and so great works,
yet thought so humbly of himself.  And I truly admire in the saint his
extreme humility, beyond even his raising up of the dead.

CHAPTER LXXXIII.

_Of the Boy who was torn in pieces by Swine and restored unto Life._

And another prince, named Elelius, strenuously resisted the doctrine of
the saint, nor ever opened his ears unto his preaching until misery
gave him understanding.  For on a certain day his best-beloved son was
trampled on by the swine, and torn in pieces and almost devoured.
Which when the father heard, he rent his garments, and cast himself at
Patrick's feet, and, weeping, told unto him what had happened, and
promised him to believe in his God and obey his precepts, if, in His
name, the saint would revive his son.  Then the saint commanded one of
his disciples, by name Malachia, by nation a Briton, that he should
restore unto life the dead and mangled youth.  But he, disobeying and
disbelieving the word of the saint from the faint-heartedness of his
faith, thus answered: "Who is the man that may replace the bones which
are broken in pieces, renew the nerves, and restore the flesh, recall
the spirit to the body, and the life to the dead corpse?  I will not
endeavor it, nor will I with such rashness tempt the Lord, nor essay a
work which I cannot finish."  And the saint answered unto him: "Hast
thou not read the promise of the Lord?  If ye ask anything from my
Father in my name, He will grant it unto ye: and again, If ye have
faith, though but as a grain of mustard-seed, ye shall say unto this
mountain, Move thou hence, and cast thyself into the sea, and it shall
be done."  And he answering that often had he so read, the saint
rejoined: "Since, as much as in thee lieth, thou hast rendered naught
the word of the Lord, I prophesy unto thee that thou shalt possess on
earth but a poor and slender household, and in thy church shall be the
dwelling of one man only."  Then commanded he two bishops, his
disciples Elbeus and Hibarus, that they should revive the dead youth,
adding that he would assist them with his prayers.  And they obeyed the
commands of their father, and, being aided by his prayers, they
restored the torn and mangled boy not merely unto life, but unto his
former health and unto his beauty and his strength.  Therefore the
prince believed, and with all his household and with all his people was
baptized.  And in the place where this miracle was worked he builded a
church, and, in memory of Saint Patrick, and of the two bishops, and of
the revived youth, he erected four very huge stones.  But what the
saint foretold of his disciple Malachia happened in due time.  Why,
however, he did not this miracle himself, but willed it to be done by
his disciples, is, I confess, to me and many such as I, utterly
unknown.  Yet by these things a wise man will understand that as Saint
Patrick, in the name of the Lord, raised this dead body and divers
others, so, what is still more excellent, his disciples, when enjoined
by his commands and assisted by his prayers, were enabled to work this
great miracle.

CHAPTER LXXXIV.

_The Prayers of the Saint confer Beauty on an Ugly Man._

And among the chief men of Hibernia was one named Eugenius, who had
long resisted the preaching of the saint, but, being at length
compelled by the argument of the living Word, and convinced by
indisputable miracles, he at length believed, and, by the water of the
holy font, was renewed in Christ.  And this man was rich and powerful,
but in his countenance and his person he was more deformed than all his
people.  And after complaining of his deformity unto the saint, he
besought him to banish by the sending up of his prayers the hideous
ugliness of his face, and thereby show the omnipotence of his God, on
whom all the people believed.  At length the saint, being moved with
the entreaties of the man thus ashamed of himself, asked to whose form
he would desire to be likened.  Then he, regarding the people placed
around him, preferred the form of Roichus, an ecclesiastic, the keeper
of Saint Patrick's books; and this man was by birth a Briton, by degree
a deacon, a kinsman of the holy prelate, and beautiful in his form
above all men in those countries dwelling.  Nevertheless was he a man
of most holy life, so that he might say with the Psalmist, "Lord, by
thy will thou hast added righteousness to my beauty!"  But the saint
caused them to sleep in one bed and under one covering; and, standing
over them, he lifted his pure hands in prayer.  Wonderful and unwonted
event!  When they awaked and arose, not any difference appeared in
their countenance; the tonsure alone distinguished the one from the
other.  And all who beheld admired; but more exceedingly joyful was he
who experienced in himself this miracle.

CHAPTER LXXXV.

_The Stature of the same Man is increased unto a sufficient Height._

And since the saint had gratified Eugenius by his form being thus
improved, he, confiding in his prayers, added another entreaty.  For he
was of very low stature; and therefore he besought the holy prelate
that, as man can nothing prevail by his own merits, he would, in the
name of his God, add to his stature one cubit.  Then Patrick bade him
to show the height which he desired; and he raised himself on tiptoe,
leaning on his erected spear, and stretched the ends of his fingers as
far upward as he could, and desired that his stature might reach unto
the measure of that height; and behold, at the prayers of the saint,
the man, erewhile a dwarf, increased thereto; and, lest the miracle
should be deemed the work of magic or of falsehood, in that stature and
in that form did he continue unto his life's end.

CHAPTER LXXXVI.

_Of Saint Olcanus, the Teacher and Bishop, raised out of the Earth._

A certain prince, going on a journey, heard, not without much
amazement, a voice as if the voice of an infant weeping in a sepulchre,
and, staying, he bade his people to open the sepulchre; and within he
found a living boy nigh unto the dead mother.  Him, by general advice,
did the prince raise out of the chamber of death, and bear unto Saint
Patrick, who, baptizing the child, named him Olcanus, for that he had
suffered much evil, and in a fit season sent him to be instructed in
letters.  And he, being arrived at good stature, and being desirous of
learning, went into Gaul; and having long abided there, and acquired
much learning, he returned to his country; and being so returned, he
instituted schools, and taught many scholars who in after-time were
holy bishops.  But this renowned teacher attained the episcopal
dignity, and, at length closing his life in much sanctity, was
illustrious even for many miracles.

CHAPTER LXXXVII.

_How the Tooth of Saint Patrick shone in the River._

And on a time the saint, with his holy company, passed over a certain
river named Dabhall; and for that the day declined and the evening came
on, he prepared to pass the night near the bank, and pitched his tent
on a fair plain.  And approaching the water, he washed his hands and
his mouth, and with his most pious fingers he rubbed his gums and his
teeth; but through age or infirmity one of his teeth, by chance, or
rather by the divine will, dropped out of his mouth into the water; and
his disciples sought it diligently in the stream, yet with all their
long and careful search found they it not.  But in the darkness of the
night the tooth lying in the river shone as a radiant star, and the
brightness thereof attracted all who dwelled near to behold and to
admire.  And the tooth so miraculously discovered is brought unto the
saint, and he and all around him offer thanks to the Almighty, who had
brought this thing to pass; and on that spot he builded a church, and
deposited the tooth beneath the altar.  The which is famed for divers
miracles, and even to this day is called Cluayn Fiacal--that is, the
Church of the Tooth.  And the tooth of Saint Patrick, like a radiant
star, shone by the same divine grace whereby, at the prayer of Samson,
the conqueror of the Philistines, a fountain of water streamed forth
from the jaw-bone of an ass.  And this church is distant about five
miles from the metropolitan city of Ardmachia.

CHAPTER LXXXVIII.

_The Saint Prophesieth of the Virgin Treha, and a Veil is placed on her
Head by an Angel._

While on a certain time the saint was baptizing in the holy font a
chief named Cartanus, together with his wife, he foretold unto the
woman that she should bring forth a daughter, unto whom he would give
the veil and consecrate a virgin to the heavenly Spouse.  And in the
appointed time the woman bore a daughter, who at her baptism was named
Treha; and when her tenth year was completed, the damsel journeyed
toward Saint Patrick for the purpose of her consecration, but a marsh
that crossed the way prevented her.  Fatigued, therefore, and anxious,
she sat upon the bank, and beheld afar off, with a longing eye and a
wistful mind, the place where the prelate abided.  And he, at the
revelation of the Holy Spirit, knew of the damsel's journey and of her
desire; and he prayed, and removed thence the marsh, and; passing over
with unsoiled feet, he went unto her.  And while the saint was
consecrating the virgin Treha, a veil is dropped on her head by the
angel of the Lord, and reaching even unto her lips, covering her eyes;
and the saint stretched forth his hand, willing to remove the veil from
her eyes; but the damsel humbly prevented him, saying, "I beseech thee,
my father, let the veil remain, even as it is placed on the head of
thine handmaid, that mine eyes may no longer behold the vanity of this
world, but rather may, looking inward, contemplate the brightness of
mine heavenly Spouse!"  Therefore Patrick, rejoicing at the pious
purpose of the damsel, let fall her veil; and as it was at first placed
on her from heaven, through all her life, covering her eyes like a dove
and her knees like a turtle-dove, it remained as if it were joined to
her face.  Thus did the covering of the sacred veil exclude every
alluring object from her eye, lest death should enter therewith.

CHAPTER LXXXIX.

_Saint Patrick Prophesieth of the Sanctity of Saint Columba._

A certain prince named Conallus sought and obtained a blessing from the
saint.  And with the like purpose came also his younger brother,
Fergus, who was one of the most powerful chiefs of the country.  And
him, the holy prelate, having prayed, blessed, and laid his hand upon
his head with much solemnity and with peculiar devotion.  But Conallus,
who was elder in birth and in dominion, seeing that the saint had
blessed his brother more earnestly and more devoutly than himself,
wondered and grieved mightily.  Therefore Patrick, observing his face
unusually clouded, explained the cause of this so solemn benediction,
and, prophesying, said unto him: "I have blessed thy brother Fergus for
the sake of the blessed child that will be born of his race.  For his
son Fedhleminus will beget a son who will be called Columba--a name
well fitted to his birth, since even in his mother's womb will he be
filled with the Holy Spirit.  Forasmuch as he will be enriched with the
treasures of the divine wisdom and grace, rightly will he be called the
bright and shining lamp of his generation, and the prophet of the Most
Highest; and from the time that he cometh to the age of understanding
never shall a purposed falsehood issue from his lips."  How truly was
this prophecy made of Saint Columba, who is called Coluimcille, and was
the founder of an hundred monasteries, he who would more fully know,
let him read the volume that has been written of the saint's life.

CHAPTER XC.

_The River is Divided in Twain, and Blessed._

On a certain time Saint Patrick came unto a deep and impassable river
named Boallus; and as neither boat nor vessel was at hand, he prayed
and divided the river in twain, and made unto himself and his followers
a free passage.  And raising his right hand, he blessed the river, and
even to this day the eastern part of the stream can be passed by
horsemen and by footmen; yet over the western part cannot any pass
unless in some vessel.  And being so blessed, this river abounded in
fishes beyond all others.  Then to his disciples marvelling, and
seeking to know the cause of this so great miracle, did the saint
answer: "The yet unborn son of life, who will be named Columba, after
the lapse of many years will live in this place, and the water thus
divided will, for several purposes, be needful unto him and his
fellow-militants in Christ, while its abundance of fishes will minister
food unto his brethren."  And Saint Columba being after many years
born, when he became a man builded there a stately monastery, and by
his dwelling and by his works approved the prophecy of Patrick.

CHAPTER XCI.

_The Prophecy that Patrick made unto Connedus._

And Saint Patrick visited the country of the Turturini, where he abided
for the space of seven weeks; and in that little space builded he seven
churches, one whereof he called the Lord's Church.  For this was his
custom: that wheresoever he abided on the Lord's day, if he founded a
church there, he called it Domnhach--that is, belonging to the Lord.
And over one of these seven churches he appointed one of his disciples
named Connedus, a good and holy man, by degree a presbyter, and learned
in the divine law.  And he, undertaking the government of this church
rather from obedience than from ambition, abided there only one week,
and then quitting it hastened to Saint Patrick.  And the saint
enquiring the cause of his so speedy return, he answered that he could
not patiently endure the absence of his beloved father.  "Nor is it to
be wondered," replied the saint, "since in that place there are not
children of life, but men of blood and devourers of cattle, of whose
sword thou standest in dread, and fearest that thy blood will be poured
out.  Return, return securely, nor tremble before their face; for the
blood of no man shall in that place be shed, even from generation to
generation."  Therefore, receiving this answer of Saint Patrick, the
venerable Connedus returned unto the government of his church; and, as
the dwellers in that country declare, the word of the saint has been
confirmed by many proofs.

CHAPTER XCII.

_Of Mannia and the other Islands Converted unto God._

The saint, beholding in Hibernia that the harvest was great, but the
laborers few, passed over into Britain to obtain assistance in the
field of the Lord.  And forasmuch as the pest of the Pelagian heresy
and the Arian faithlessness had in many places denied that country, he,
by his preaching and working of miracles, recalled the people unto the
way of truth.  And many are the places therein which even to this day
bear witness to his miracles and are imbued with his sanctity.  And he
brought away with him many learned and religious men, thirty of whom he
afterward advanced unto the episcopal office.  Returning to Hibernia,
he touched at the islands of the sea, one whereof, Eubonia--that is,
Mannia--at that time subject unto Britain, he by his miracles and by
his preaching converted unto Christ.  And among his miracles very
conspicuous was this: a certain evil-doer named Melinus, like Simon the
magician, asserting himself to be a god, and attempting the air with a
diabolical flight, at the prayers of the saint fell headlong, and was
dashed in pieces, and so perished.  And the saint placed as bishop over
the new church of this nation a wise and holy man named Germanus, who
placed his episcopal seat in a certain promontory unto this day called
Saint Patrick's Island, for that the saint had there some time abided.
And the other islands being converted unto the faith, he placed over
them bishops from among his disciples--one over some, many over
others--and then he returned to Hibernia; for the saint was accustomed
to appoint bishops not only in cities, but even in towns and the more
crowded places, lest any who had been baptized should be deprived of
episcopal confirmation.  And this did he provide that the faithful
might always have present unto them one who could minister the
episcopal office; while the diocese, being not too extended, needed not
to withdraw from them the presence and the care of their pastor.  But
the dwellers in some of these islands, being aliened from the faith,
afterward renounced the law of God which Patrick preached unto them;
and therefore unto this day are they deprived of the special gift of
God which, through the prayers of Patrick, freed from all venomous
animals the islands that persevered in their faith.

CHAPTER XCIII.

_Of the Saint's Prophecy concerning Six Priests, and of a Skin which he
bestowed to them._

Six priests, who were led by their unanimous desire of learning the
Scripture and of visiting holy places, quitted Hibernia to travel
beyond the sea, when by a happy chance they met the saint returning out
of Britain; and he blessed them with bended knees entreating his
benediction, and foretold that they all would be bishops.  And the
saint observing one of them, who appeared elder and stronger than the
rest, carrying in his bosom all their volumes, for that he had nothing
wherein he might bear them in his hand, bade that a seal-skin should be
given unto him on which he was wont to stand while he was celebrating
the Mass, that he might make thereof a satchel.  And they, receiving
with manifold thanks the gift of the holy man, prosperously journeyed;
nor from that day forth was there among them any want; but whether in
travelling or abiding in the schools, they always found an honest
sufficiency.  Therefore they knew that the saint assisted them with his
prayers, and that the Lord, through his merits, continued unto them His
mercy.  But in process of time, having thoroughly acquired all holy
learning, they returned to their own country; and shortly after,
according to the word of the saint, they were all made bishops.  And
the names of these holy prelates were Lugacius, Columbanus, Meldanus,
Lugadius, Cassanus, Ceranus; but to mention the names of the bishoprics
we for good reason omit--for in many instances we avoid the names of
places and of persons, that we may not, by their uncouth barbarousness,
occasion disgust or horror to cultivated ears.  However, these prelates
profited much the church of God by their conversation and by their
example, and closed their lives in much holiness; for they were wont to
relate many miracles to have been worked by the aforementioned
seal-skin, the which even to this day remaineth entire, and is
preserved as a relic in memory of Saint Patrick.

CHAPTER XCIV.

_Saint Patrick Continueth his Preaching Three Days._

And Saint Patrick preached to many people gathered together from divers
parts unto a place in Hibernia called Fionnabhair, which, being
interpreted, is the White Field.  And for three continual days and
nights he read and explained to them in their order the four holy books
of the evangelists; and all who heard him accounted that not more time
had passed than the space but of one day--so happily were they
deceived, so profitably were they delighted, by the words of grace
which proceeded out of his mouth.  O profitable, delightful deception!
whereby falsehood is excluded and truth induced; whereby the time is
beguiled, and the night is stolen away, and one day is made to appear
as three days.  Nor let the reader admire for that I call it a
deception when the prophet exclaimeth unto his Creator, "O Lord!  Thou
hast deceived me," and when the Apostle Paul sayeth unto certain of his
disciples, "Being crafty, I deceived you with guile."  Kind deception
which saveth souls!  Blessed seduction which induces unto God!

CHAPTER XCV.

_Of the Vision of the Blessed Brigida, and its Explanation._

And the blessed Brigida was at these meetings; and at one, having
reclined her head, she slept.  And the holy prelate forbade that any
one should arouse the beloved of God until she herself would awaken; so
did it appear how evidently what is said in the Canticles agreed with
her; "I sleep, but mine heart waketh"; for that his heavenly Spouse
revealed unto her all His mysteries.  And when the holy virgin awaked,
he enjoined her that she should tell unto them all what she had beheld
in her vision.  And she, obeying the command of the saint, said: "I
beheld an assembly of persons clothed in white raiment; and I beheld
ploughs, and oxen, and standing corn, all white, and immediately they
became all spotted, and afterward they became all black; and in the end
I beheld sheep and swine, dogs and wolves, fighting all and contending
together."  Then Saint Patrick expounded the vision, and said that the
whiteness pertained unto the state of the world as it then was; for all
the prelates and servants of the church were then fruitful and diligent
in faith and in good works, even according to the evangelic and
apostolic doctrine.  And the things which were spotted belonged, as he
said, to the time of the succeeding generation, which would be pure in
faith, but stained with evil works.  And the blackness, he said, was
the season of the following generation, when the world would be
profaned, not only with evil works, but with the renunciation of the
Christian faith.  And the contest of the sheep and the swine, of the
dogs and the wolves, he pronounced to be the controversy of the pure
and impure prelates, of good and of bad men, which, after the lapse of
many years, would at length come to pass.  And having said, he
departed.  Now, that the vision of the virgin and the interpretation of
the saint are proved by indisputable truths no one, I think, will doubt.

CHAPTER XCVI.

_Of the Angels of God, of the Heavenly Light, and of the Prophecy of
Saint Patrick._

The blessed Patrick was accustomed to visit frequently all parts of
Hibernia, and, as opportunity permitted or discretion required, to
abide therein.  Wherefore he abided for seven years in Momonia, and as
many in Connactia; but he dwelled a much longer time in Ultonia,
wherein, first announcing the kingdom of God, he had brought its
inhabitants unto the faith of Christ, and whose country he had more
frequently in his perlustrations illustrated with his holy presence.
And whithersoever he went he converted unto the faith or confirmed in
the faith all his hearers.  And on a certain time he was journeying
through that part of Ultonia which is called Dalnardia; became unto a
place named Mucoomuir, when his disciple, the aforementioned Benignus,
stayed his steps, and gazed upward, as contemplating something
wonderful in the heavens.  For he beheld radiant choirs of angels
surrounding the place with heavenly brightness; and he heard them with
unspeakable melody singing the praises of the Creator.  And he,
intently contemplating these wonders, was filled with inward joy; yet
understood he not what meaned the angelic presence, the glittering
light, the celestial psalmody.  But after a short season it vanished
from before his eyes, and he, following the holy prelate, hastened his
course, that he might overtake him.  And when the saint enquired of his
delay, he related unto him his heavenly vision.  Then the saint,
instructed of heaven, expounded this effusion of light and this angelic
choir: "Know ye, beloved children, in that place shall a certain son of
life, named Colmanclus, build a church, and gather together many who
will be the children of light and fellow-citizens of the angels.  And
he will become the prelate and the legate of all Hibernia; and being
eminent in his virtues and his miracles, after he shall have closed the
darkness of this life, he will be conveyed by the angels of God unto
eternal light and eternal rest."  And in that place, after the process
of time, all those things happened according to the prophecy of the
saint.

CHAPTER XCVII.

_The Temptation of the Nun is Subdued._

The venerable Benignus, among the other endowments wherewith the divine
grace had endowed him, excelled in the song of a sweet voice, so that
he penetrated the hearts and the ears of all who heard him.  But as a
virtue or gift which is given from on high becometh unto many the odor
of life unto life, yet unto others the odor of death unto death, so out
of the melody of his voice did the tempter minister the occasion of
sin.  For a certain nun, while she was delighted with the sweet singing
of Benignus, entertained at length a more earnest desire toward the man
of God, who nothing knew of this unhallowed flame, which hardly could
she control in her bosom.  And the more vehemently did it burn for that
the strict discipline which was instituted by Saint Patrick, and the
difficulty of the very attempt, prevented the damsel from any secret
conversation with Benignus.  Therefore, taught by woman's cunning,
feigned she extreme illness, and withdrew as unto her sick-bed, and
besought that from Benignus she might receive spiritual counsel and the
holy communion.  For he had then attained the priesthood, and was held
in great veneration as one who adorned with his holy life the priestly
office.  But Saint Patrick, at the revelation of the Spirit, was not
ignorant of what distemper did the nun labor.  Whereupon he called unto
him Benignus, and bade him that he should visit the sick damsel and
minister unto her soul's health.  And he, obedient unto his spiritual
father, having besought and obtained his blessing, entered the house of
the complaining damsel, and made the sign of the cross, as was Saint
Patrick's custom at entering any house, that so he might overcome the
snares of the enemy of man's salvation.  Wonderful was the event, and
marvellous; unwonted, indeed, yet exceedingly profitable.  The damsel,
raising her eyes at his entrance, beheld Benignus, very terrible in his
stature, and his face as breathing forth flames; and she beheld herself
bright with fire both within and without, and Saint Patrick standing
nigh, and covering his head with his hands.  And from that hour, even
unto the end of her life, was the fire of human love extinguished in
her bosom, as if her body were of stone or wood, and not of flesh.  And
afterward she loved Saint Benignus with a pure and a saintly love, and
she confessed that through his merits Saint Patrick had snatched her
from the fire of hell.  Now, for me, I do much more admire this
quickening and refreshing of the soul unto life than the raising up of
any man from death.

CHAPTER XCVIII.

_Of Saint Comhgallus, and the Monastery foreshowed of Heaven._

Oftentimes did Saint Patrick travel through Ultonia, very earnestly
teaching unto its inhabitants the Catholic faith.  And not seldom he
turned, for the sake of rest for himself and his holy company, unto a
certain hill situated in a valley where afterward was builded the
Monastery of Beannchor.  And sitting there, they beheld the valley
filled with heavenly light and with a multitude of the host of heaven;
and they heard, as chanted forth from the voice of angels, the psalmody
of the celestial choir.  Then did all who beheld this wondrous vision
earnestly entreat of Saint Patrick that in that place, consecrated of
heaven, he would build a church.  But the saint refused, and prophesied
unto them: "When threescore years have passed away, then shall a son of
life be born, and his name shall be Comhgallus, which is, being
interpreted, the Beautiful Pledge; for he shall be beloved of God and
of man, and beautiful in his manners and in his merits; and he shall
happily go forward, and reign with Christ, and be accounted among His
pledges.  And in this place, which is fore-showed by the heavenly
light, shall he build a church, wherein he shall collect innumerable
troops of the children of life, to be bound by the yoke of Christ."
And of all these things which Patrick foretold, not one jot hath passed
unfulfilled.  But at the prophesied time Comhgallus was born, and in
the ripeness of his years and of his virtues, even in that place named
Beannchor, he builded a most stately monastery, wherein he brought
forth unto Christ many thousands of holy monks.  And this saintly
place, so fruitful of saints, even as a vine increasing the sweetness
of its odor, extended its shoots unto the sea and its branches beyond
the sea; for it filled with monasteries and with pious monks Hibernia,
Scotia, and many islands, and even foreign regions, inasmuch as we
gather from ancient writers that one of the children of Beannchor,
Luanus by name, founded of himself an hundred monasteries.  And
another, named Columbanus, a man most holy, and filled with the
abundance of all graces, as having instituted many monasteries, may be
accounted the father of innumerable monks.  And he first presided over
the renowned Monastery of Luxovia, in Gaul, and then over that of Bobi,
beyond the Alps, wherein, having shone with many miracles, he now
resteth in peace.  Thus is the prophecy of Saint Patrick seen to be
fulfilled.  But of the antiquity of the church of Beannchor needless is
it to speak further here, inasmuch as it is most amply described in the
acts of those holy saints, Comhgallus, who was the first abbot of that
place, and Malachia, the bishop, who was the legate in Hibernia of the
apostolic chair.

CHAPTER XCIX.

_The Saint Prophesieth of the Obstinate Fergus and of his Children._

And the saint came unto Assul, which was within the territories of
Midia, where it seemed good to him in a fitting place to build a
church.  But a certain wicked man, named Fergus, who therein dwelled,
was to him an especial hindrance, that he might not accomplish his
purpose.  Then the saint, willing to express the hard-heartedness of
this man rather by signs than by words, with the staff of Jesus made
the sign of the cross on a stone there placed, and immediately the
surface of the stone appeared divided into four parts, and showed the
form of the cross thereon portrayed.  Yet did this man, stiff-necked,
and of heart more hard than stone, refuse to be melted unto penitence;
but his wife, who was then in travail, entreated pardon of the saint,
and fell at his feet.  And the saint, beholding him thus hardened in
perverseness, spake unto him with prophetic voice: "Even thus, had it
so willed, could the power of God have dissolved thee at the word of my
mouth.  But since thou canst not, nay, wilt not, believe, though the
long-suffering of God hath led thee unto repentance, shalt thou,
according to thine impenitent heart and the hardness of thine
obstinacy, treasure up stores of wrath which right soon shall come upon
thee.  Quickly shall God consume thee from the face of the earth, nor
shall any of thy seed reign ever in this land, nor in any other land
shall they prosper, save only the infant alone which thy wife now
beareth in her womb, for on him shall my blessing come."  And all these
things which were prophesied of the lips of the saint unto the father
and unto the offspring did happen.

CHAPTER C.

_The Malediction of the Saint is laid upon the Stones of Usniach._

And with the like intention of building a church, this servant of
Christ turned unto a certain very renowned place named Usneach.  But
two brothers, by name Fiechus and Enda, ruled in those parts; and unto
them and unto their offspring the saint prophesied, if they would so
permit him, many blessings in this world and in the next; yet not only
turned they their ears from his entreaty and from his preaching, but
violently expelled him from the place.  Then the saint, more grievously
taking the hindrance of his purpose than his own expulsion, began to
cast on them and on their seed the dart of his malediction.  And
Secundinus, his disciple, caught the word of his lip, and, ere he could
finish, entreated and said unto him: "I beseech thee, my father, that
thy malediction be not poured forth on these men, but on the stones of
this place!"  And the saint was patient, and he was silent, and he
assented.  Wonderful was the event!  From that day forth are these
stones found useful unto no building; but if should any one thereunto
dispose them, suddenly would the whole work fall down and tumble into
pieces.  And they admit not the heat of any fire, nor, when plunged
into water, do they hiss like other stones; whence it hath become a
proverb in that country, when at any time a stone falleth from a
building, that it is one of the stones of Usneach.  But Enda repented
of the injury which he had offered unto the saint, and cast himself at
his feet, and besought his pardon, and obtained and deserved it.  And
he had nine sons, the youngest of whom, named Cormacus, he offered unto
Saint Patrick, to be subject to the divine command, together with the
ninth part of all his land; and another brother of his, named Leogerus,
was converted unto the faith, and gave unto the saint, with his nephew,
fifteen villages.  And Saint Patrick baptized the boy, and educated and
instructed him; and the boy increased in years, in wisdom, and in
holiness, and at length, being renowned in virtue and in miracles,
rested he in the Lord.

CHAPTER CI.

_Of the Woman in Travail, and of her Offspring._

A certain prince, named Brendanus, who was then lately baptized,
earnestly besought the saint that he would bless a certain pregnant
woman; for he believed that his blessing would much avail unto her and
her offspring.  And the saint, assenting to his petition, raised his
hand; but suddenly, before he had given the word of blessing or had
made the sign of the cross, he drew it back.  For, at the revelation of
the Spirit, he knew that her child was conceived of Coirbre, of whom he
had prophesied that not one of his succession should remain.  But why
the saint thus did the prince marvelled, and unto him the man of God
delayed not to declare the mystery nor the cause thereof.  Then did he
the more earnestly entreat the saint that at least he would in some
other manner vouchsafe to bless the woman and her offspring.  And
Patrick, raising his right hand, blessed her, and said: "The infant
which thou bearest in thy womb shall not reign, for the word that in
the name of the Lord I have spoken on Coirbre and on his seed shall
stand fixed; yet shall he be one of the chiefs of the land, and very
needful shall he be unto the king and unto the kingdom."  And what the
saint foretold without doubt happened.

CHAPTER CII.

_The Bishop Saint Mel catcheth Fishes on the Dry Land._

And the aforementioned Mel, a man of exceeding desert, who with his
most holy brothers, Munius and Kiochus, had come from Britannia unto
Hibernia, being promoted by Saint Patrick himself unto the episcopal
degree, became the assistant in the preaching.  And he, like the
Apostle Paul, labored to live by the labor of his own hands; and what
was given unto him by the rich bestowed he on the poor.  And with this
blessed man, as being her nephew, Lupita, the sister of Saint Patrick,
abided in one house (for such was the custom of the primitive church),
that by his conversation and example she might profit in the exercise
of all holy duties.  And after some time had passed, when the pious
prelate, as he was wont, would arise in the middle of the night to
confess unto the Lord, this holy woman would compose herself to sleep
and cover herself with the skins in his bed.  And they suspected not
that any evil suspicion would be formed thereof, for they accounted of
the minds of others from the purity of their own conscience.  But some
one, holding this her familiarity with the bishop to be naught,
divulged it abroad.  And as the tongue of the people is ever open unto
the spreading of scandal, it could not long lie hidden from Saint
Patrick.  Then he, desiring to try whether so the matter was, repaired
unto the house of the bishop.  But Mel, preferring to prove his
innocence by a token rather than by an oath, ploughed up the earth on a
certain hill, and took by the ploughshare many and large fishes out of
the dry land; and these he offered unto the saint as a miracle, that no
suspicion might continue in the beholders, inasmuch as such a token
could not ever be showed by an impure hand.  And the sister of Saint
Patrick, gathering her vest around her bosom, filled it with live
coals; and these she carried a sufficient way, and shook them thereout
before the saint without any mark of a scar or of other hurt, proving
thus her innocence.  Then the saint, beholding these evident proofs,
pronounced each to be pure and justified; yet took he care to ordain
what to them and to many others would be right profitable.  And first
addressing the bishop, he bade him that he should thenceforth plough on
the land, and fish in the water, lest he should seem to tempt the Lord
his God; then, that he should not presume to glory in any miracle
worked by him through the divine grace; and, lastly, the saint gave
command that the men should be divided from the women, and that
distinct dwellings and oratories should be builded for either sex.
Thus truly, as Saint Patrick said, the name of God would not through
them be dishonored among the nations to whom they preached it; nor
would in such case occasion of scandal be given unto the weak, nor
cause of reproach afforded.  And what he ordained and appointed, that
did Saint Patrick make to be observed.

CHAPTER CIII.

_The Footprints of Certain Virgins are impressed on a Stone._

And on a certain day the saint veiled and consecrated and espoused unto
the heavenly Spouse four virgins standing on one stone.  Then did an
event marvellous and unwonted appear.  Even unto this day are seen
impressed on the hard stone the footprints of the virgins which were
consecrated unto God, that to all it might be seen how deeply could the
prayer or the preaching of the saint penetrate even stony hearts.  And
hereby may we understand that they who, for the love of Christ, contemn
the world, should continue in the hard way, that they might attain Him
unto whom they have approved themselves.  And the place wherein these
virgins were consecrated is called Tedna; and for the servants of the
Lord is there builded a church, which at this day pertaineth unto the
metropolitan seat of Ardmachia.

CHAPTER CIV.

_The Earth is raised in the midst of the Stream._

And Saint Patrick, for the sake of passing thereover, came unto a very
great river named Synnia, between Midia and Connactia, which was
impassable of all, save only by vessels.  And he long time sought a
vessel, but found it not.  Then prayed he unto the Lord, who erewhile
had made a way through the sea and a path through the deep waters, and
immediately the earth at the divine bidding was raised in the middle of
the stream, and to the saint and his company it afforded a free
passage.  And when they had reached the bank, his charioteer dropped
dead; and on that spot was a church builded, which to the church of
Ardmachia now of right belongeth.

CHAPTER CV.

_Of the Altar and the Four Chalices discovered under the Earth._

In that place where the prayers of Saint Patrick had dispersed the
darkness which had been raised by the magicians, a church was builded,
wherein he promoted one of his disciples, named Ailvius, unto the
priesthood, that he there might minister.  And he complained unto the
saint that the matters needful for his ministry were wanting unto him.
Then the saint, instructed of heaven, showed him under ground an altar
of wonderful workmanship, having at its four corners four chalices of
glass, and enjoined him to dig them forth carefully, lest perchance
they should be broken; and the priest did accordingly, and found all
things as the saint had foretold.  But by whom this altar was made, or
with the chalices there deposited, to me is yet unknown.  Some,
however, think that they were placed there by Palladius or his
associates, being placed there after his departure.

CHAPTER CVI.

_A Treasure is Twice discovered in the Earth by Swine._

It seemed good unto the saint to build in a certain plain a church,
wherein he might gather together unto God the people of his conversion;
for the which purpose he entreated from the owner of the inheritance
that a place should be prepared, promising unto him the portion of
eternal life.  But the man, accustomed to the magicians' arts, held as
naught that portion so worthy to be desired, requiring rather gold, for
the which he cherished an accursed appetite.  And the saint replied
that at that season gold had he none, for that he had expended all
which he had possessed in the building of churches and in relieving the
poor.  But when he could no otherwise prevail, having first prayed, he
went unto a hole in the earth which had been delved up by swine, and
therein found he as much gold as he required, and gave it in exchange
for the land.  And there was another man possessing a neighboring
field, the which the saint earnestly entreated might be given unto the
said church.  Wherefore this man answering as even did the other, again
the saint repaired unto the delved hole, and found therein an equal
weight of gold, and gave it to the man for the purchase of his field.
Thus did the Lord thrice show unto Saint Patrick gold in the earth
delved up by swine: once for his own redemption from captivity, twice
in this place for the enrichment and endowment of a church.  And the
latter of the two brothers, Ono by name, was touched in his heart, and
not only restored the gold unto the saint, but even gave unto him for
the founding and building of a church his own house, his inheritance,
and all his substance; and the place is called Alfind, wherein to this
day is held the seat of a bishop.

CHAPTER CVII.

_Saint Patrick prophesieth of the two Brothers._

But what the saint at the revelation of the Spirit foretold of the two
brothers should not be passed over in silence.  For to the elder, who
had preferred Mammon and gold before his prayers, he predicted that he
and his seed should in a little time lose the possession of their
inheritance; and to the younger, for the devotion of his soul toward
him, predicted he many good things--that he should in that land be the
coadjutor of kings, and that of his race the holiest priests of the
Lord should be born.  And none of those things which the saint foretold
in anywise failed in the event.

CHAPTER CVIII.

_The Penitence of Asycus the Bishop._

And over this church Saint Patrick placed one of his disciples named
Asycus, who was both in habit and demeanor a monk, the first bishop.
And he, at the advice of the saint, instituted therein a college of
monks, the which he governed with the privileges of an abbot.  But this
man, on a certain time, while he ought to have spoken the truth,
backsliding with a slippery tongue, uttered forth a falsehood.  And
immediately he set himself against his own face, and in the bitterness
of his sorrow banished he himself, and, flying from human-kind,
remained in solitude, and abided he there seven years beheld of none.
And his monks sought him long time; and at the end of the seventh year
they found him in the depth of a valley, and they strove even by force
to bring him thence unto his church, and to compel him as a bridegroom
unto the bosom of his spouse.  But the bishop in nowise yielded unto
them, accounting himself no longer worthy to exercise the priestly
office; since from his mouth had issued a purposed falsehood, the which
the sacred canons define to be sacrilege in the mouth of a priest.
Whereby it is to be considered how deeply should they repent who of
their own fault have fallen into the heaviest offences, when this holy
man so deeply repented of, and so strictly atoned for, one falsehood
alone.  Alas! what hearts of clay do they bear unto the resistance of
sin, but what hearts of stone unto repentance!  For many men, wicked,
sinful, abandoned in their lives (the which cannot be observed without
grief), take on themselves the cure of souls, and think to wash away
the guilt of others with their own denied hands; who, being themselves
bound with the chain of mortal sin, desire to loose others' bonds, and
thus heap on themselves increased offence.  These men, being placed
under the spiritual control, can repent of and atone for their own
guiltiness, but, when seated in the pastoral chair, bound are they to
account for the faith of all those who are entrusted to their charge.
Since, then, the words of a priest must be either a truth or a
sacrilege, terrible is the judgment on those priests whose tongue is
defiled with falsehoods and with perjuries.  Thus much let us show, as
speaking by digression, how earnestly not only crimes and evil deeds,
but even falsehoods, are to be avoided by all Christian men, and
especially by the pastors of souls.  Now let us return unto the thread
of our sacred story.  The aforementioned monks, unwilling to separate
from Saint Asycus, continued with him even unto the end of his life;
and after he was buried, building there a monastery, served they the
Lord in holiness and in truth.

CHAPTER CIX.

_The Tempest of the Sea is Composed._

While on a certain time Saint Patrick was preaching unto the heathens,
for the sake of instructing and baptizing them, he made in that place a
long stay.  But his disciple Benignus was grieved thereat; and the
saint declared that he would not depart until his disciples and pupils
should arrive from foreign regions.  And one day he beheld the sky to
grow dark, and the ocean to be perturbed and shaken with a strong wind.
Then the saint, covering his face for very sorrow, showed unto his
attendants his sons which were born unto him in Christ laboring under
grievous peril; and he was sorely afflicted for them, and feared he
chiefly for his young pupil, the son of Erchus; but when every one said
that the vessel could not endure so violent a storm, forthwith the
saint betook himself unto prayer.  And after a short space, even in the
hearing of them all, he bade the winds and the waves, in the name of
his God, to rest from their wrath.  O wonderful event! and worthy of
admiration.  Forthwith the wind surceased, the ocean became silent, the
tempest is appeased, and a great calm is made.  And on that day the
aforementioned brothers happily landed, and told unto all around what
they had suffered from the elements which were turned unto their
destruction, but afterward composed by the powerful prayers of the
saint.

CHAPTER CX.

_The Miracle of the Waters is Repeated._

And at another time the aforementioned brothers, for the purpose of
visiting Saint Patrick, took their way on foot over the sands of the
sea-shore.  And as they walked along, communing on the way together,
behold, the flowing-in of the tide surrounded them, and, preventing all
escape, smote them with the fear of death.  Then the saint, instructed
of heaven, saw their peril, and, showing it unto his disciples,
professed that he grieved for them.  Then, having prayed, he commanded
the tide of the sea, by the powerful virtue of his word, speaking in
the name of the Lord God, that it should instantly retire, and leave
unto his sons who were about to visit him a safe and quiet passage.
And forthwith the sea obeyed the voice of the man of God, and retired;
and this company of brothers, rejoicing and lauding God, came unto
Saint Patrick, and, for so great a miracle, turned the hearts of all
which heard them unto the praise of the God who worked such wonders in
His saints.

CHAPTER CXI.

_Of the Cowl of Saint Patrick which remained untouched by the Sea._

And on a time, having sailed on a certain way, Saint Patrick landed
with his religious men, and, going out on the dry land, perchance he
left his cowl on the shore.  And being landed, they sat together, and
conferred on heavenly things, and refreshed themselves with the comfort
of mutual colloquy.  Then the sea, rising as it was wont, covered the
surface of the sands, and was nigh unto bearing with it and carrying
away the cowl of the prelate.  And this the saint observing, in the
name of Him who hath power in heaven and on the earth, in the sea and
in all the deeps, enjoined the tide of the sea that it should not touch
his cowl or bear it away.  Wonderful was the event!  The
flowing-forward of the sea filled the whole accustomed space, save that
spot alone whereon the cowl lay, and that did it leave untouched.  And
after the tide had receded, the saint caused the cowl to be brought
unto him; and the miracle excited all who beheld it unto the praise of
God and the veneration of Saint Patrick.  And thenceforward were they
all more ready to submit unto Him whose commands the mute element was
thus sent to obey.

CHAPTER CXII.

_Of the Veil that was sent from Heaven._

And there was a time when Patrick was about to consecrate two virgins
in a field within the territory of Cregrus, and a veil sent from heaven
dropped into the bosom of the saint, the which, devoutly receiving, he
offered unto the virgin so soon as she was consecrated.  But she,
deeming herself unworthy of a commendation so holy, said unto him:
"Since this most excellent and powerful gift, descending from the
Father of Light, is not sent unto me a sinner, I account it right that
thou, on whom it has fallen, shouldst keep it or bestow it on another
who is worthier than me."  Then the saint, applauding the virgin's
lowliness, placed the veil on her head, enjoining that she should wear
it continually until she should be introduced unto the chamber of her
heavenly Spouse.  And the virgin obeyed the command of the saint, and,
living a holy life, at length she rested in the Lord.

CHAPTER CXIII.

_Of the Holy Leper, of the New Fountain, of the Angelic Attendance, and
the Prophecy of Patrick thereon._

And Saint Patrick, induced by his holy custom, retained with him a
certain leper, unto whom with intent devotion he ministered all things
needful for the sake of Christ.  Even with his own hands cleansed he
his sores, and refreshed in him either man with fitting food.  For the
leper, the health of his body being almost destroyed, earnestly studied
to preserve the health of his soul, and was continually intent on
prayer and on rendering thanks unto God.  But when wasted with his
leprosy, he feared lest he should become an offence unto all, and
privily and humbly he withdrew himself from society, and lived solitary
in a hollow tree that he by chance had found.  And while he sat there
alone he beheld a certain man passing by, and he called the man unto
him, and asked him of his religion; whom, answering that he was a
Christian, he besought that for the love of Him in whom he believed he
would not delay to go unto the nearest place which was full of
bulrushes, and, pulling up the bulrushes by the roots, to bring unto
him a bundle thereof.  And at his entreaty, or rather, at his
adjuration, the man went unto the place; he pulled up a bulrush, and
immediately a clear fountain burst forth; and he bore the bulrush unto
the leper, and related of the new fountain.  Then the leper rejoiced
and gave thanks unto God, and said unto him: "Knowest thou not, most
dear brother, that our Lord Jesus Christ brought thee hither that thou
mayest wash my body in the water of that fountain, and bury me there?"
Thus the leper said, and, raising his eyes and his hands towards
heaven, he expired; and the man washed his body in the fountain, and
beheld no mark of leprosy thereon, and committed it without spot to the
sepulchre, and departed.  And after some days Saint Munis, the devout
bearer of many relics of saints, was returning from Rome, and of
necessity abided there for one night.  And in the silence of the
night-season he beheld a great light to cover the place, and he heard
angels hymning and watching even until the morn around the tomb of the
buried leper.  And all these things reported he unto Saint Patrick,
saying that he wished to remove the body from that desert place.  But
Saint Patrick forbade this to be done, foretelling that a certain son
of life, named Keranus, but as yet unborn, should there dwell, who
should fill that place with a worthy company of holy men, and exalt the
body of the saint with much honor.  And what Patrick foretold in the
course of time came to pass; the place is between Midia and Connactia,
and therein is situated the city of Cluane, in which even to this day
is an episcopal seat.

CHAPTER CXIV.

_Of the Lake which was removed by Saint Patrick._

The aforementioned Saint Munis, being returned from Rome, disliking
after so long a journey the fatigue of any further travel, besought
Saint Patrick that as he had provided rest for his brethren who
possessed churches, so he would provide for him a dwelling suited unto
contemplation.  Therefore the saint, knowing that although he loved
internal quiet, nevertheless he would be right profitable unto the
salvation of many, offered unto him a fitting place, saying: "Behold a
hill; behold a valley; build and inhabit where it seemeth pleasant unto
thine eyes; yet know thou this: if thou wilt build in the valley, thou
mayest bring many souls unto God; but if thou abidest in the hill, thou
wilt gain not so many, by reason of the vanities and delights which
will attract their eyes, and for very many other causes and reasons."
And Munis, foreadvised and forewarned by the Holy Spirit, answered
thus: "Neither of the hill nor of the valley do I complain, but of the
neighboring lake, nigh unto which is a royal dwelling; for the crowding
thither of courtiers and of other secular persons would unto me be an
exceeding trouble, and a disturbance unto the Sabbath rest of my mind."
Then Saint Patrick, encouraging him, said that God would easily remedy
this trouble, and, retiring a little space, poured he forth powerful
and prevailing prayers in the presence of God.  And on the following
night the Lord removed the lake, with all its dwellings and dwellers
thereon, so far distant that his servant sustained thence neither
trouble nor damage.  And Saint Munis, abiding there, builded a church,
unto which Saint Patrick bestowed certain relics of the holy Apostles
Peter and Paul, and of very many saints, and other ornaments, the which
were necessary unto its ecclesiastical ministry.  And for his
conspicuous virtues he was afterward, although reluctant thereto,
advanced unto the episcopal office, for he was renowned for many
miracles; and at length he rested in the Lord.

CHAPTER CXV.

_Patrick understandeth the Conscience of Saint Fiechus, and blesseth
him._

There was a certain youth, named Fiechus, a scholar of Dubhtachus the
bard, and he was docile of disposition, subtle of wit, florid of
eloquence, and beauteous of form.  And a few years before he espoused a
damsel who then had lately deceased, of whom was born unto him one only
son.  Him walking with his aforementioned tutor did the saint meet,
and, the Spirit revealing it unto him, at the moment, even with the
glance of his eye, understood his conscience, and in the presence of
all exclaimed: "Behold the husband of one wife, who, according to the
apostle, may worthily be advanced unto the priesthood, nay, even unto
the episcopate!"  Then began he to expound unto Fiechus the doctrines
of the faith, and advised him unto baptism.  And the youth marvelled at
the words of grace which proceeded from the lips of Saint Patrick; and
chiefly for that so soon the saint had divined his secret and
understood all the passages of his life.  Therefore he believed, and
took on him baptism; and after his tutor had long time withstood, but
at length consented, he devoted himself unto the direction of the holy
bishop.  And the holy bishop blessed him, and gave unto him the
alphabet written with his own hand.  And being thus blessed, in one day
he learned the whole Psaltery, and in a short time, the spirit of
wisdom and knowledge inspiring him, he sufficiently understood the
Scriptures; for no delay can there be where the Holy Spirit descends to
be the teacher.  And Saint Patrick advanced him unto the ecclesiastical
order, and, after he had worthily ministered in each degree,
consecrated him the bishop of the Church of Scleptus.  And Fiechus was
eminent in his life, in his learning, and in his miracles; and being
directed by the angelic command, he took on him the habit of a monk,
and builded in his episcopal seat a stately monastery.

CHAPTER CXVI.

_The Chariot is, by the Decision of the Angel, sent unto Fiechus._

The blessed Patrick gave order that a chariot should be prepared unto
Saint Fiechus, for that he, being weighed down by infirmity, could not
go on foot to visit his diocese and discharge his episcopal duties.
For he was reduced with exceeding abstinence, and moreover he was
afflicted with a disease in his hip.  And Saint Secundinus, this
observing, felt in his mind certain worldly feelings, and was
displeased, and insisted that the chariot should rather be given unto
himself than unto Fiechus.  And the holy prelate, seeing his
displeasure, sought rather to satisfy him with a sign than by argument,
saying: "Be not displeased, most dear brother, at this little gift
which we have given unto our brother and fellow-bishop, lest occasion
of reproach should be afforded to the evil one; for this our brother,
who is infirm, needeth the chariot more than doth any one among us.
But that I may not seem to err in my judgment, let this matter be left
to the heavenly decision."  Then the angel, appearing at the prayer of
the saint, bade the horses to be yoked unto the chariot, and to be sent
forward without a charioteer; and at whichsoever they should stop, to
him should the chariot be given.  And it was done as the angel
commanded, and the saint bade the chariot to be yoked; but the horses,
no man guiding them, went through irregular and devious paths, and came
in the evening to the dwelling of Secundinus, and, being unyoked, were
turned there to pasture.  And in the morning, no man yoking them, they
were yoked to the chariot, and in like manner going unto the mansion of
a certain other saint, there they stayed the night.  And on the third
day they hastened unto Saint Fiechus, and stayed there, and evidently
showed that they were intended for him.  Yet would not the saint ascend
the chariot, until the angel had certified him that unto him the gift
was sent.  And at another time was this miracle in like manner repeated
of two horses which were by Saint Patrick himself intended for Fiechus,
and to be yoked unto his chariot.

CHAPTER CXVII.

_The Several Offices of a certain Monastery are appointed by an Angel._

And at another time the angel commanded the aforementioned Fiechus that
he should build a monastery on the other side of the river, assigning
unto all the offices their fit and proper place; that where a boar
should appear unto him, there should he build a refectory, and where a
stag should be seen, an oratory.  And the saint replied unto the angel
that he in no wise could undertake such a work, unless Patrick, his
father and pastor, should come and approve thereof.  And his words
displeased not the angel; for in them he saw the affection and the
obedience which Fiechus bore in Christ unto the man of God.  And after
a few days were past, the angel so advising, Patrick assisted Fiechus,
and in the place which is called Forrach builded they a monastery, even
according to the direction of the angel.  And therein Fiechus presided
as abbot; nevertheless throughout his diocese did he fully exercise the
episcopal office.  And every year, at the beginning of the fast of the
Lent time, he went alone out of the monastery, with five barley loaves
mixed with ashes for his support, and abided in the wilderness through
all that sacred season.  But on the Sabbath day which is called
Palm-Sunday, or sometimes at the Supper of the Lord, he was wont to
return unto his monastery for the discharge of his holy office, always
bringing with him the half of one loaf yet uneaten.  And he sent before
him unto God threescore saints, whom when he followed he was buried in
Scleptus.  And his son aforementioned imitated his father in wisdom and
holiness; and having in another place attained the episcopal degree, he
rested in the Lord.

CHAPTER CXVIII.

_The Prophecy of Saint Patrick concerning the Men of Callria._

And while Saint Patrick earnestly pursued his preaching of the divine
Word, certain armed men of Callria met him, and violently expelled this
angel of peace from their borders.  But what the man of God beheld of
them in the Spirit, deemed he that should not be concealed in silence.
"Since ye have raised your arms against an unarmed man, and driven from
your borders him announcing unto ye peace and preaching salvation, ye
and your seed shall turn your backs in the day of battle."  And they,
hearing this, feared his face mightily, even as a sword, and repenting
their rashness, save only five alone, bended their knees before the
saint with lamentable prayers, and besought forgiveness.  Then the
saint awhile deliberated within himself, and once again spoke unto them
with prophetic speech: "The word which, at the inspiration of the Holy
Spirit, hath gone out of my mouth on ye and on your seed shall be
fulfilled; but since ye have repented in your hearts, though ye shall
be turned to flight, shall none of ye, save only five alone, fall in
any conflict of battle."  And the people of Hibernia vouch that this
prophecy of the saint hath been evinced by continual proofs.

CHAPTER CXIX.

_Certain Cheeses are converted into Stones, and many Wicked Men are
drowned._

And certain wicked and envious men, who lived in the country of Ferros,
contriving to destroy the life of the saint, offered unto him poisoned
cheeses, as if for his benediction; the which he blessed, and
immediately converted into stones, to the admiration of many, the honor
of God, the veneration of himself, and the confusion of the poisoners.
And unto this day remain these stones in the place where the miracle
was done, and show the virtue of Patrick, though mute, because they
underwent mutation.  Then did these poisoners, seeing that their
machinations redounded to the glory of the saint and to the shame of
themselves, gather together fifty armed men to spill the blood of this
just one.  And they, being assembled against him, entered the ford of a
certain river, journeying along the bank whereof the man of God met
them; and when he beheld their countenances, he understood their
thoughts, and raising against them his left hand, with a clear voice he
cried out, "Ye shall not come unto us, nor shall ye return unto your
own people, but in this river shall your bodies remain, even to the day
of judgment."  Then, according to the word of the man of God,
immediately they sank as lead in the mighty waters; nor even to this
day were their bodies found, though long and often sought.  Thus, at
the divine mandate, did the water punish them who conspired the death
of Saint Patrick, as erewhile the fire from heaven punished them which
were sent by King Achab to the prophet.  And the place wherein they
sank in the waters is called even to this day the Ford of the Drowned
Men.

CHAPTER CXX.

_Of the Pitfalls passed over without danger, and the Prophecies of the
Saint._

And certain other sons of darkness, dwelling in the plain called Liffy,
digged deep pitfalls in many parts of the public pathway, the which
they covered with branches and green sods, that the saint when
journeying might fall unawares therein.  But a certain damsel
discovered the contrived snare, and she hastened to show it unto the
man of God, that he might avoid the mischief.  Then he, trusting in the
Lord, commanded his people to drive forward the horses, and, having
blessed them, he passed over with unfailing foot.  For the soft and
tender herbage supported them like the solid earth, inasmuch as the
holy troop bore in their hearts and on their bodies Him who bore all
things.  And the priest of God sent the damsel unto her father, that
she might bring him into his presence to receive the salvation of his
soul.  And the damsel did even as he commanded, and brought before him
her father; and at the preaching of the saint the man believed, and
with his ten sons and his three daughters was baptized.  Then did
Patrick consecrate the virgins unto God, and gave to them the sacred
veil; and he prophesied that of the sons five should be happy and
prosperous in a secular life, and that the other five should first
enter the clerical order, and at length holily live and die in the
monastic habit; but unto them who had treacherously prepared the pit
for him and for his people he foretold that they and their seed should
pass their life in providing their sustenance and continually digging
in the ground, and that, according to the Scripture, poverty should
come on them like water.  And all these things which the saint
prophesied did the event prove.

CHAPTER CXXI.

_The Prophecy of the Saint on a Certain Village._

And Saint Patrick went unto a certain village, near the island of
Inchenn, and he found therein a place fitting for the erection of a
church; the which when he had begun, a crowd of rustics issued from the
village, and impeded the work.  Then the saint, being filled of the
spirit of prophecy, foretold unto them with the voice of truth, "Since
ye have made yourselves a hindrance unto me, that I may not build a
habitation to the Lord my God, never shall the smoke go out of the
houses which ye or your generation shall build in this place."  And the
testified proof of the words of the saint even to this day evinceth its
truth, for many have oftentimes begun to build houses there, but for
the rudeness of these men never could they be finished.

CHAPTER CXXII.

_The Sentence prophetically declared._

A certain man named Dengo, who was wicked and perverse, and powerful in
iniquity, prevented the saint from building a church in a convenient
place; to whom the saint attesting his Judge, nay, prophesying, said,
"In a short time shall thine house be destroyed, and thy substance
wasted away; and thy sons that issue from thine impious loins shall of
the greater part defile themselves by mutual fratricide; while the
remnant of them shall never attain unto dignity or power, but shall be
strangers and wanderers on the earth."  And the prophecy of Saint
Patrick was proved by the subsequent misery visited on the man and on
his children.

CHAPTER CXXIII.

_The Prophecy of the Saint on a Certain Bishop and on the one who
consecrated him._

A certain powerful man had endowed with lands and possessions a church
that he was about to build on his own estate; the which to govern,
Saint Patrick would have appointed one among his disciples who was able
unto the gaining of souls.  But the man refused, saying that in his own
family he had a priest whom he willed to place over his own church.
Then the saint, deeming it unworthy to contend for such a matter,
departed from the man.  And he on the morrow brought unto the saint his
son, desiring that he might be consecrated unto the bishopric of that
church.  And for that the saint apart from his companions pursued in
solitude his studies and his prayers, the man, turning from him, went
unto two of his disciples, who were elsewhere appointed bishops, and
addressed them for the consecration of his son.  And one of them denied
his request, saying that he could do no such thing without the consent
and the approbation of the saint; but the other, induced either by
entreaty or reward, presumed to do what the man required.  The which
having discovered, Saint Patrick, afflicting the presumer with the
affliction of penance sufficiently severe, foretold that through all
his life he should suffer the want of bread.  And he declared that the
bishop so consecrated was worthy of degradation and contempt, and that
his church should be exceeding poor, so that it should not be able to
defend itself even from two men.  And that which the saint foretold
unfailingly came to pass--whereby a prudent man may take heed, lest
misled by ambition he should ever attempt the like.

CHAPTER CXXIV.

_The Blind Man is restored to Sight; from him who seeeth is Sight
taken; and three are relieved of Lameness._

A certain man named Domhhaldus, who was blind even from his birth,
hearing the saint passing by, placed himself in his way; for he trusted
that through him should he receive the light so much desired.  But
forasmuch as the darkness was before his steps and the light was
withdrawn from his eyes, while running forward he fell, and when he
would have arisen no one was there who would help him with their hand.
And a certain priest in the company of the saint seeing him to fall,
laughed, and mocked the mischance of the blind man.  The which Saint
Patrick observing, was offended, and lest any among his disciples
should so again presume, he checked the foolishness of the scorner with
reproof and with punishment, saying, "Verily I say unto thee, since in
the name of my God the eyes of this man, which are closed in darkness,
shall now be opened, the eyes of thee, which are opened only to evil,
shall now be closed."  Thus he said, and making the sign of the cross,
he removed the darkness from the blind man, and the light from the bad
man who saw.  And herein was the word of the Saviour, recorded in the
Holy Scriptures, fulfilled: "That they which see not might see, and
that they which see might be blind."  And even on the same day healed
he three lame men who besought his aid; and according to the prophet,
he made the lame to leap as a hart, and run on their way rejoicing.

CHAPTER CXXV.

_Nine Evil-doers are consumed by Fire from Heaven, and a Fountain is
produced out of the Earth._

And nine evil-doers contriving the death of Patrick, the herald of
life, pretended to be monks and ministers of righteousness; and they
put on them white cowls, that the easier might they destroy the saint,
who was clothed in the same habit.  And herein did they imitate their
preceptor, Satan, the angel of darkness, who sometimes transfigureth
himself into an angel of light, and unto whom in their arts and in
their acts they paid obedience.  But an illustrious man named Enda, the
friend of the holy prelate, observing the treachery of these wicked
men, sent unto them his own son named Conallus, that he might prevent
their endeavor, and repulse their violence from the man of God.  And
the son did even as his father commanded, and stood, the son of light,
among these sons of darkness.  And Saint Patrick, warned of heaven,
knew these ravens under the wings of the dove, these wolves under the
fleece of the lamb; but well he knew that as the Ethiop cannot change
his skin, no, not though washed with fine linen, so could not these
magicians quit their inborn wickedness, though clothed in white
raiment.  Therefore with the sign of the cross he fortified himself,
and opposed it to the enemies of Christ; and fire marvellously
descending from heaven consumed the evil-doers, and left Conallus
standing among them, unhurt of the flame, as he was guiltless of their
sin.  Thus was the cross of Christ a protection to the faithful even
for their salvation, and to the idolaters a punishment even for their
perdition.  And afterward the saint impressed on the earth the sign of
the cross, and a clear and salubrious fountain issued forth.  And on
the spot where this miracle was worked by the cross did he build a
church, which even unto this day is called the Cross of Saint Patrick.

CHAPTER CXXVI.

_Another Magician is in like manner Consumed._

And at another time another magician, but in wickedness not differing,
bound himself by a sacrilegious oath before the heathens which were
gathered together unto evil deeds, that he would destroy the saint.
But ere the accursed crime could be attempted, the saint, raising his
left hand, imposed in the name of the Lord his malediction on the
malefactor; and he was consumed by fire from heaven, and even like the
other nine he perished.  Then the people which were collected to behold
the death of the saint, fearing that a like destruction might descend
on themselves, escaped by flight, or rather by the sufferance of the
divine mercy.

CHAPTER CXXVII.

_A Grove is cursed by the Saint._

And Patrick was on a certain day speeding his journey for the ministry
of his wonted preaching, when the wheel of the chariot wherein he sat
was broken in twain.  And his attendants hastened unto a neighboring
grove, wherein was seen wood that seemed fit unto their purpose; and
the wood is hewed down, and smoothed, and shaped to repair the wheel.
Nevertheless they long time labored with useless toil, for still did
the wheel appear broken as before; and ever and anon as they endeavored
to repair it, yet still, as touched of heaven, again did it fall in
twain.  Then the man of God well knowing that this could not uncausedly
happen, enquired of the grove, and unto whom it belonged; and he was
told that it had been consecrated unto the infernal spirits.
Wherefore, knowing the divine will, and agreeing with the sentence of
heaven, he raised his left hand, and cursed the grove.  Wonderful was
the event!  Forthwith, like the fig-tree in the Gospel, it withered;
nor from that time was it ever fit unto any use, save only to be hewed
down and cast into the fire.

CHAPTER CXXVIII.

_The Sentence pronounced by the Saint on his Deceivers._

A certain prince and his people, which dwelled in a place called
Nadese, within the country of Momonia, appointed a day and an hour
whereon they might meet in the presence of Saint Patrick to deliberate
concerning the erection of churches.  And the saint came at the fixed
time, and he waited during the whole day until the evening, but no man,
at least no man thereunto deputed, came to meet him.  And in this
manner did they oftentimes deceive the servant of God.  Nevertheless
the Holy Spirit dwelling in Patrick concealed not from these men the
reward of their presumption delivered through his mouth; for when on
another evening they came, he said openly unto them, "Since ye have not
only deceived me, but the Holy Spirit, neither ye nor your children
shall ever in this place finish any your business until the evening."
And according to the common saying, this the sentence of the saint is
continually fulfilled, for if the people of this place begin any
business in the early morning, never can they finish it until the
latest evening.

CHAPTER CXXIX.

_A Mountain is swallowed up in the Earth, and again it is raised._

And among the chiefs of Momonia was a certain wicked man named
Cearbhallus, and he always hindered Saint Patrick, so that a church
could not be builded in the lands of his inheritance.  And not far from
this man's dwelling was a lake which was fair and pleasing to the eye,
but a lofty mountain which stood between intercepted all the delight
from his view.  Him did the saint address for the building of a church,
exhorting and entreating; but long time he resisted.  And on a certain
day this wicked man, endeavoring with subtle argument to circumvent the
saint, said unto him: "If in the name of the Lord thy God thou wilt
remove yonder mountain, so that mine eyes may be freely satisfied with
this desired lake, then shall thou build a church on my land
wheresoever thou mayest please."  This he required, because he deemed
it impossible to be done.  Then the saint having prayed raised his eyes
of faith and love unto the prepared Mountain which is exalted on the
top of the mountains; and forthwith the mountain was laid low, and
swallowed in the earth, and permitted unto the man a free view of the
lake.  But when Saint Patrick began to build the church, this man of
hardened heart would not suffer it to be finished, for he feared where
no fear was, and dreaded lest thereby he should be deprived of his
inheritance.  Then the saint prayed again unto the Lord, and the
mountain was lifted up unto its former height.  And he foretold that
the wicked man should in a short space lose the possession of his land,
and that no one of his race should ever be a prince or a bishop.  And
the prophecy of the saint was fulfilled, for as his eyes were prevented
from the sight of the lake, so was his life closed by death.

CHAPTER CXXX.

_Euchodius is cursed by the Saint, and his Son is blessed._

A certain wicked tyrant, named Euchodius, reigned in Ulydia; and he
commanded two holy virgins, for that they rejected wedlock, to be bound
with chains and cast into the water; and he set at naught Saint Patrick
interceding for them.  Wherefore the saint punished him with the
sentence of his malediction, and foretold that not one of his seed
should reign after him, but that his kingdom should be transferred to
Kerellus, his younger brother.  And his wife, who was then in travail,
earnestly besought the saint that he would bless her and the child
which she carried in her womb.  Then the saint blessed them both, and
prophesied that she would bring forth a most holy son, whose death
should be doubtful and unsearchable.  And the woman brought forth a
son, who was named Dovengardus; and he was renowned for his sanctity
and his miracles, whereof many and wondrous traditions are told among
that people.  And Euchodius in a short time lost both his life and hit
kingdom, and thereto not one of his race succeeded.  But his
aforementioned brother and his descendants through many years possessed
the kingdom of Ulydia.

CHAPTER CXXXI.

_Of Saint Sennachus the Bishop._

In the place which is named Achadhfobhair Saint Patrick built and
endowed a church with fair possessions; and thereover he appointed and
consecrated a bishop, Sennachus, who for the innocency of his heart was
called a lamb of God.  And he, being so consecrated, entreated of the
saint that with unceasing prayer he would labor with the Lord to shield
him in this his office from the commission of all sin; and furthermore
he suppliantly besought that the church over which he presided might
not be called by his name, as was in many places the custom among the
Irish people.  And this did he to preserve his lowliness, and to avoid
vainglory, which is the fretting moth of all virtues.  Then Saint
Patrick, understanding the worthiness of Sennachus and the simplicity
of his heart, promised unto him all his desire; and blessing him and
his flock, prophesied that thereout should proceed many holy and
eminent priests.  And Sennachus, serving in exceeding holiness the Holy
One of all holies, and being renowned for his miracles and for his
virtues, entered at length into the heavenly sanctuary.

CHAPTER CXXXII.

_The Miracle which is worked for Certain Hewers of Wood._

And Saint Patrick in his journeying passed with his people through a
forest in Midernia, and he met therein certain slaves that were hewing
wood; and these men were under the yoke of a hard and cruel master,
named Tremeus; and they hewed the wood with blunt axes, nor had they
whetstones nor had they any other means whereon to sharpen them.
Wherefore their strength failed, their arms stiffened, and the flesh
fell from their hands, and the naked sinews were seen, and the
miserable men wished rather for death than for life.  But when the man
of God beheld their misery, he compassionated them, and he touched
them, and he blessed their hands and their instruments.  Then at the
touch and the word of his blessing, all their strength is restored,
their hands are healed, their instruments become sharpened, the hardest
oaks are hewed down without toil, even as the tenderest twigs; and in
these men did the miracle continue until the saint had wondrously
obtained for them their freedom.

CHAPTER CXXXIII.

_A Hone is divided by Saint Patrick, and the Oppressor is drowned._

And Patrick the pious father addressed the master, nay, rather the
tormentor of these slaves, yet found he him stubborn and inexorable.
Wherefore betaking himself unto his accustomed arms, he fasted and
prayed for three days; and once again approaching the man, he humbly
besought their liberation, and once again found he him a new Pharao.
Then the saint spat on a stone by chance before them lying, and for the
softening, the reproving, and the confounding of his hard-heartedness,
the stone immediately splitted in three parts.  But Tremeus becoming
the more hardened by that which should have softened him, forthwith
ascended his chariot, and scorning and rejecting the prayer of the
saint, commanded these slaves to be afflicted with yet severer toil.
Wherefore the Lord suffering not that this insult to Patrick, the
second Moses, should go unavenged, now punished the contemner of his
servant, even as formerly he punished Pharao and his host; for the
horses which were yoked to the chariot of Tremeus, rushing forward,
plunged into a neighboring lake, and drowned in its waters the chariot
and him who sat therein.  Then, this child of Belial being so
destroyed, Saint Patrick without hindrance freed these afflicted men
brought out of the house of bondage, and gave unto them their
long-desired freedom.

CHAPTER CXXXIV.

_An Angel foretelleth to Patrick of Saint Moccheus._

The blessed Patrick purposed to build a church in a place sufficiently
fair and fitting, which is now called Ludha.  But an angel appearing
unto him, enjoined that he should desist therefrom, saying; "Soon shall
a servant of the Lord arrive from Britain, named Moccheus, who for the
sake of God deserting his country and his parents, shall come into
Hibernia; and in this place shall he build and dwell, and finish his
days in piety."  Then the saint obeying the angel, turned unto the left
side of the place, and there builded unto the God of Jacob a tabernacle
which is yet known by the name of Saint Patrick.  And Moccheus coming
thither, erected an oratory and all places fitting, and lived there a
life abundant in virtue; and often Saint Patrick was wont to visit him,
and confer with him on things pertaining unto God.  And on a certain
day, while they were sitting together and communing of God, the angel
appeared and proffered unto them an epistle; the which Saint Patrick
reading, found to be an exhortation, nay, rather a command, unto him
especially directed, that he should absolutely confer on Moccheus the
place which he had builded, with all matters pertaining thereunto, and
that he himself should fix his cathedral seat in Ardmachia.  And
Patrick willingly did as the angel, nay, rather as the Lord, had
enjoined and thence retiring, he commended unto Moccheus twelve lepers,
to whom he had ministered in Christ; and Moccheus assumed the care and
the custody of all these matters.

CHAPTER CXXXV.

_The Sentence pronounced by Patrick on Moccheus._

And after some days, while Moccheus heard the Book of Genesis read
before him, wherein he is told that the patriarchs before the Flood
lived for nine hundred years and more, and that after the Flood many
lived for three hundred years, he did not readily believe in the sacred
history; for he said that this tabernacle of clay, the human body, of
flesh so weak, covered with skin, and framed with bones and sinews,
could in no wise so long endure.  The which when Saint Patrick
observed, he came unto him, that with true reason he might drive all
such scruples from his mind; for he said that the whole canonical
Scripture was dictated and written by the finger of God, and therefore
should in no wise be derogated or disbelieved; inasmuch as it was not
more difficult for the Creator of all things to extend the life of man
unto a thousand years, if so he willed, than unto one day, as according
to the Psalmist: A thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday,
which is passed.  But even on these things Moccheus still doubting, the
saint thus pronounced, or rather prophesied: "Since thou disbelievest
the Holy Scriptures, by thine own experience shalt thou prove the truth
of its records; for even to the length of three hundred years shall thy
life be prolonged, nor until that time is passed shalt thou enter into
the joy of the Lord."  And Moccheus afterward repented him of his want
of faith, but the sentence pronounced by the Holy Spirit through the
mouth of Patrick could not be revoked.  And he lived for the space of
three hundred years; and then paying the debt of nature, and shining in
virtues and in miracles, at length he passed out of the world unto
Christ.

CHAPTER CXXXVI.

_The Saint prophesieth of two Brothers, and a Fountain is produced out
of the Earth._

And Saint Patrick coming out of Dalnardia, began to build a church in a
place called Elum, where twelve brothers, the sons of Killadius, then
ruled.  And one of these, named Seranus, governed there, who preventing
the saint from his purpose, violently drove him away.  But the saint,
though patiently would he bear an injury offered to himself, yet
grievously taking the hindrance of his holy work, prophesied what
through God he knew would happen, and said unto him: "Yet a little
while, and thou shalt be driven from this land, and the rule shall be
given to a better than thee."  Then Colladius, the younger brother of
this perverse man, gave unto the saint a place which is called
Domhnachcumbuir, and even until the church was builded gave unto him
sufficient aid.  And the saint blessed him, prophesying what the Lord
had determined for him, saying; "Unto this land shalt thou succeed, and
from thy loins shall kings proceed, and reign through many
generations."  And in that place did the saint by his prayers produce
out of the heart of the earth a pure fountain, which to this day is
called Slan, that is, healing; for that it relieveth many laboring
under multiplied diseases.  And for his perverseness Seranus was driven
from that land; and according to the word of the saint, the kingdom was
given to his younger brother, Colladius.

CHAPTER CXXXVII.

_The Saint Prophesieth of a Certain Youth._

Twelve brothers, whose father, a ruler in Dalnardia, was then lately
dead, met together to divide the inheritance; but holding in scorn
their youngest brother, Fergusius, without his portion they turned him
empty away.  Therefore the youth addressed Saint Patrick, that by his
prayers he might be admitted unto his share; promising that he would
give unto the building and the maintaining a church the better part
thereof.  And the saint prevailing for him, Fergusius receiveth his
share of the inheritance; of the which the larger half he gave to the
holy prelate for the erection of a church; but this, lest he should
seem to have sold his interference, he refused to receive himself, and
bade it be given unto the aforementioned Olcanus.  And he builded a
church within that territory, in a place which is called Derkan, and
being there made bishop, continued in justice and in holiness.  But
Saint Patrick blessed Fergusius, and prophesying said unto him, "Though
this day thou appeared humble and despised in the sight of thy
brothers, yet in a short time shalt thou be chief over them all; for
from thee shall kings proceed, who not only in this land, but even in
distant regions, shall hold rule."  And after a short space, according
to the prophecy of the holy man, did Fergusius obtain the government of
all that country, and his seed ruled therein for many generations.  And
thence was born Edan, the son of Gabranus, who reduced Scotia, which is
called Albania, and other islands wherein his posterity yet reigneth.

CHAPTER CXXXVIII.

_Of Conallus and of his Shield._

And Saint Patrick addressed his well-beloved, the Prince Conallus; and
he enquired of him whether would he assume the habit of a monk.  And
the prince replied that his heart was prepared to do whatsoever the
saint would command.  Then the saint rejoicing at his devotion said
unto him, "For the sign of power and protection, and for the proof of
thy spiritual worth, shall thou bear thy shield and thy sceptre; the
name of a laic shalt thou show; but the mind and the merit of a monk
shall thou possess, inasmuch as many saints shall proceed from thee,
and many nations shall in thy seed be blessed."  And he signed his
shield with the sign of the staff of Jesus, declaring that no one of
his progeny who should carry this shield in battle should ever by any
one be vanquished.  And the chronicles of Hibernia declare, and her
bards record, that this the saint's prophecy unto Conallus and his seed
duly came to pass.

CHAPTER CXXXIX.

_A Heavenly Light shineth around Saint Patrick, and Victor is converted
unto the Faith._

And Saint Patrick coming into the territory of Mogharnd, went toward
the town of Domnhach Maghin, over which a man named Victor ruled.  And
he hearing of the saint's arrival, yet loving darkness rather than
light, concealed himself in the shades of a thick grove, for much he
feared, lest being driven from the darkness of his unbelief, he should
though unwilling be compelled to believe in the true light.  But the
shadows of the night season came on, nor yet did Patrick the son of
light therefore delay his journey.  And when the curtain of deep night
had covered all things with surrounding darkness, it darkened not the
course of Patrick, who was the precursor of light; for unto him the
night was as day, and the deep shadows were as brightness.  And the
light piercing through the darkness poured around the man concealing
himself, nor could he longer hide from before the face of the light.
Then Victor by so signal a sign being vanquished, and being even as
bound with the chains of the fear of the Lord, came unto Saint Patrick,
and devoutly entreated and received from him the holy baptism.  And
being with all his household and all his people baptized, he gave unto
the saint his inheritance for the erection of a church, and among his
disciples he abided.  And after a while he increased in holiness and in
the knowledge of the divine law, and being at length consecrated by
Saint Patrick, he received in that church the episcopal degree, and for
his virtues and his merits was he very renowned.

CHAPTER CXL.

_A Certain Cymbal of Saint Patrick is lost and found again._

A certain man of the servants of Saint Patrick carelessly lost a
cymbal; when lost he sought it, when sought he found it not, when found
not he therefore sorely repented.  And the saint forgave him, and
directed that no longer he should seek for the cymbal, until in that
place a church should be builded.  And after a long time had passed, a
certain religious man named Dicullus builded there a church, and there
found the aforementioned cymbal; and in that church placed he it.  And
many who were infirm, drinking out of or being sprinkled with water
from this cymbal, often received instant health; and when this
instrument was tuned, they experienced the holiness of the saint
breathing forth and sounding through its music.

CHAPTER CXLI.

_The Obedience of Saint Volchanus._

And a certain disciple of Saint Patrick, named Volchanus, was eminent
in faith and in religion, but especially surpassing in the virtue of
obedience; and Saint Patrick willing that this his piety, which was so
well known unto him and unto God, should also be known unto his
fellow-disciples for an example unto them, commanded him that he should
build a church wheresoever God should vouchsafe to direct.  And hearing
the word of the saint, he obeyed, and carrying a hatchet on his
shoulder, went forth to seek a fitting place for the erection of a
church.  Then the spiritual father observing him to go forth with the
hatchet in his cowl, prophesied unto him with the words of consolation:
"Do not, well-beloved Volchanus, doubt of a fitting place; but
wheresoever thine hatchet shall fall, there securely build and inhabit,
and there shalt thou be among a great nation paying worship unto God!"
Thus having heard, he retired from the presence of his honored father,
knowingly unknowing, and wisely untaught, yet persuaded in his mind to
go whithersoever the most true teacher had directed him.  Therefore the
whole day did he go forward, nor did he aught, save to lift up his
hands and his heart in prayer.  And as the day declined eveward, the
hatchet fell from his shoulder unexpectedly, yet moved of heaven, in a
place neither intended nor foreseen.  Then the man of God understanding
this to be the appointed place, with great labor builded there a
monastery, and gathered together unto one holy society many sons of
God, who were dispersed; and therein dwelling, holily and religiously
finished he his life, and at length, renowned in his virtues and his
miracles, he rested in the Lord.

CHAPTER CXLII.

_Of Saint Rodanus, the Herdsman of Patrick._

And Saint Patrick had a certain herdsman named Rodanus, and he was
exceeding religious; and this man in his pastoral duty lived a hermit's
life, and often being absorbed in prayer, he pastured the cows and the
young calves together.  And at the command of Saint Patrick, the whole
herd was wondrously retained under his control, nor was any disturbance
or confusion there among, for never did the calves approach their
mothers, nor depart from them, other than at the bidding of Rodanus;
and this he did by the authority and the power of his father, Saint
Patrick.  And he after a while learning letters, acquired sufficiently
the knowledge thereof, and attaining the episcopal degree, he
flourished during his life and after his death by manifold miracles.

CHAPTER CXLIII.

_Of Saint Kertennus, the Bishop of Clochor._

And Kertennus, a disciple of Saint Patrick, bore the saint, now worn
with age, on his shoulders, for so necessity required; and by his
panting showed he his weakness or weariness.  And the saint said unto
him, "Often hast thou carried me, yet never before have I perceived
thee thus to pant."  Then answered Kertennus, "Wonder not, holy father,
for now hath mine age come on me, and my companions whose years are as
mine have from the forecast of thy bounty received the refreshment of a
little rest; and mine head is covered with gray hairs, and I labor with
daily toil, and earnestly do I long for quiet, which above all things
else I need."  Therefore Saint Patrick compassionating Kertennus,
promised unto him a place fitted for contemplation, yet not unsuited to
the exercise of pious duties.  And as he much desired the presence of
so worthy a disciple, he provided for him a church; yet not too remote
from the archiepiscopal seat, which at the angel's command he had
builded in Ardmachia; nor yet too near, lest by succeeding archbishops
he should be oppressed; thus was it done, that in his frequent visits
to Saint Patrick the man of God should not by the distance be wearied,
nor his church appear contemptible by too close a neighborhood.  And
after some days he placed him over the church of Clochor, which the
saint himself then ruled; and when he had thereto consecrated him, he
gave unto him a chrismatory, which he had received from heaven.  And
Saint Kertennus there dwelling, and exercising within doors the office
of an abbot, and abroad the office of a bishop, cherished his gray
hairs, and finished his life in holiness.

CHAPTER CXLIV.

_Of a Boy who was blessed by Saint Patrick._

And a certain woman, who was strong in the faith, brought unto the
saint her little son named Lananus, to be instructed in letters; and
for that she believed his blessing would render the child more docile
and ready unto learning, humbly she besought on her son the benediction
of his grace.  Nor was she deceived in her faith, inasmuch as the saint
covered him with the aspiration of his blessing, and assisted him with
the divine favor; and he impressed on the boy the sign of the cross,
and committed him unto Saint Cassanus, that he might be instructed in
virtue and in learning.  And the boy thus blessed, in fifteen days
learned the whole Psaltery; and afterwards he became a man of most holy
life, and shining in miracles rested he at length in the Lord.

CHAPTER CXLV.

_Of a Woman who was raised from Death._

And Ethra, the wife of a noble man named Euchadius, lay dead; and he,
carrying her body placed on a bier, met Saint Patrick near a certain
ford in Connactia.  And with many prayers he besought the saint that he
would recall her to life; and promised that he and all his people would
then believe in the Christ whom he preached.  And the saint delayed
not, but revived the dead woman, and baptized her husband, who at so
wonderful a miracle thoroughly believed.  And from the revived woman is
it called unto this day the Ford of Ethna; and the fluid element
affording a passage unto all travellers, showeth the merit of her
reviver.  And often the saint visited Connactia and Momonia, working
miracles in each; and in each he dwelled for the space of seven years.

CHAPTER CXLVI.

_The Testimony of One who was revived from Death._

And even unto the evening of his days did the saint continue his wonted
labor and his accustomed work; sowing the field of the Lord with the
seed of the divine word, from the fruit whereof he might gather eternal
life.  This the devoted ones of Satan perceiving and envying, they
gnashed with their teeth, and one to the other they said in their
malice: "What shall we do?  This man, the destroyer of our gods, the
persecutor, nay the extirpator of our sect, worketh many miracles; if
we let him go thus, all the people of Hibernia through him will believe
in his God, and the Christians will come and they will remove our
laws."  Then took they counsel together, how they should destroy him
with their snares, and under the pretence of justice bring him unto the
death.  And a certain woman was washing flax nigh unto the place where
the saint was to pass; and her they directed to hide much of the flax
in a hollow tree, and when the saint and his company passed by to
accuse him as of the theft.  And the woman did according as she was
induced, nay rather as she was seduced; and loudly crying out, called
these children of Belial, and with wicked tongue accused him thereof.
And they, as before they had contrived, rushed forth from their
hiding-place, and seized the saint and his disciples as robbers, and
exclaimed that they were guilty unto the death.  And in the place where
this accursed band were gathered together, was a tomb, and therein a
man was buried.  Him did Saint Patrick, having first prayed, awaken
from the sleep of death; and by the virtue of the truth, which is God,
commanded that he should bear true witness of this their accusation.
And the revived man, openly protesting the innocence of the saint and
of his disciples, exposed the deceits of these wicked ones, and showed
in the presence of all where they had concealed the flax.  Thus was
Saint Patrick and his people marvellously freed from the hands of the
destroyers, and his blood was in that day preserved, and brought
salvation to many which were evil-doers: for they who had contrived the
death of the herald of life, were by this miracle converted unto God
and obtained his mercy.

CHAPTER CXLVII.

_The Cross that was not observed; and the Voice which issued from the
Sepulchre._

And Saint Patrick was accustomed, wheresoever in his journeying he
beheld the triumphal sign of the cross, to descend from his chariot,
and to adore it with faithful heart and bended head, to touch it with
his hands, and embrace it with his arms, and to imprint on it the
repeated kiss of devout affection.  And on a certain day sitting in his
chariot, most unwontedly he passed by a cross which was erected near
the wayside, unsaluted; for his eyes were held, that he saw it not.
This the charioteer observing, marvelled; but he held his peace, until
they arrived at their dwelling.  But when they began to pray, as was
their custom before dinner, then spake he of the cross which he had
seen, and of the place where he beheld it.  Then Saint Patrick, the
preacher of the cross, leaving his meal prepared, went forth of his
dwelling, and returned unto the place on the road which he had passed
along.  And diligently he sought for the sign of life, and he found
nigh unto it a certain sepulchre.  And drawing near, he prayed in the
sight of the Lord, and enquired who therein was sepultured.  And a
voice answered from within, that he had been a heathen, and that a
Christian man was buried at his side, whose mother had been absent when
her son died, and when he was returned into the bosom of the common
mother: and that after some days she had come hither to wail, but
knowing not the burial-place of her son, had placed over him the
Christian sign.  Therefore the man of God averred that he could not
behold the cross, because it was placed over a heathen who had been an
enemy of the cross of Christ.  And removing the cross, he placed it at
the head of the baptized man, and commending his soul to God, he walked
back unto his own dwelling.

CHAPTER CXLVIII.

_A Goat bleateth in the Stomach of a Thief._

The blessed Patrick had a goat, which carried water for his service;
and to this the animal was taught, not by any artifice but rather by a
miracle.  And a certain thief stole the goat, and eat, and swallowed
it.  And the author or instigator of the theft is enquired: and one who
by evident tokens had incurred suspicion, is accused; but not only
denieth he the fact, but adding perjury unto theft, endeavoreth he to
acquit himself by an oath.  Wondrous was the event to be told, yet more
wonderful to come to pass.  The goat which was swallowed in the stomach
of the thief bleated loudly forth, and proclaimed the merit of Saint
Patrick.  And to the increase of this miracle it happened, that at the
command, nay rather at the sentence of the Saint, all the posterity of
this man were marked with the beard of a goat.

CHAPTER CXLIX.

_Of the Cloaks which fell from Heaven._

And that he might the more entirely profit unto God by their
conversation and their example, the saint was used to seek the society
of holy men, and to join himself unto them in the most strict
friendship.  For, as Solomon witnesseth, as iron is sharpened by iron,
so are the lives of holy men by conversation and by example enflamed
into a firm faith, and more fervent love of God; the which how
acceptable is it to the Lord, vouchsafed he to show by the token of an
evident miracle.  Therefore on a certain day, when Saint Patrick and a
venerable man named Vinnocus sate together, they conferred of God and
of things pertaining unto God; and they spake of garments which by
their works of mercy had been distributed among the poor; when behold,
a cloak sent from Heaven fell among them, even as the present eulogy of
the Divine gift and the promise of future reward.  And the saint
rejoiced in the Lord, and what had happened each ascribed to the merit
of the other.  And Patrick averred that it was sent unto Vinnocus, who
had for the Lord renounced all the things of this world: and Vinnocus
insisted it to have been sent unto Patrick, who though possessing all
things retained nothing, but clothing many which were poor and naked,
left himself naked for the sake of the Lord.  Then from these holy men
thus friendlily disputing, suddenly the cloak disappeared; and in the
stead thereof the Lord sent down by an angel two cloaks, one truly unto
each, that even in charity they might no longer contend.

CHAPTER CL.

_A wicked Tyrant is transformed into a Fox._

In that part of Britain which is now called Vallia, lived a certain
tyrant named Cereticus; and he was a deceiver, an oppressor, a
blasphemer of the name of the Lord, a persecutor and a cruel destroyer
of Christians.  And Patrick hearing of his brutal tyranny, labored to
recall him into the path of salvation, writing unto him a monitory
epistle, for his conversion from so great vices.  But he, that more
wicked he might become from day to day, laughed to scorn the monition
of the saint, and waxed stronger in his sins, in his crimes, in his
falsehoods and in his cruelties.  The which when Patrick heard, taught
by the Divine Spirit, he knew that the vessel of evil was hardened in
reprobation, prepared in no wise for correction, but rather for
perdition; and thus he prayed unto the Lord: "O Lord God, as thou
knowest this vulpine man to be monstrous in vice, do thou in a
monstrous mode cast him forth from the face of the earth, and appoint
an end unto his offences!"  Then the Lord, inclining his ear unto the
voice of his servant, while on a certain time the tyrant stood in the
middle of his court surrounded by many of his people, suddenly
transformed him into a fox; and he, flying from their sight, never more
appeared on the earth.  And this no one can reasonably disbelieve, who
hath read of the wife of Lot who was changed into a pillar of salt, or
the history of the King Nabuchodonoser.

CHAPTER CLI.

_The wicked Man Machaldus and his Companions are converted unto the
Faith._

And in Ulydia was Magiul, a heathen, who was also called Machaldus; and
he was eminent in wickedness and notorious in cruelty; and forasmuch as
like always accordeth with like, he gathered unto himself no small
company, well practised in theft, in rapine, and in blood.  And this
man placed on his own head and on his companions' certain diabolical
signs which are called Deberth; that all might behold how devoted was
their brotherhood unto the service of Satan.  And it happened on a time
that the blessed Patrick was journeying with his people through the
place where lurked this band of evil-doers, waiting and watching for
any traveller on whom they might rush forth to destroy and to despoil.
And beholding the saint, they thought at first to slay him as the
seducer of their souls and the destroyer of their gods: but suddenly
their purpose being changed by the Divine will, they thought it shame
to shed the blood of a peaceful, weak, and unarmed old man; yet
counselling to prove or rather to mock the power of Christ, and the
holiness of Patrick, they placed one of their companions named Garbanus
on a couch, and though he was in perfect health they feigned him as
dead; and they covered him with a cloak, and with deriding prayers they
besought the man of God that he would provide the funeral rites, or, as
he was wont, restore unto life the dead man.  But the saint, at the
revelation of the Spirit, understood what they had done, and pronounced
that these scorners had deceivingly, yet not falsely, declared of their
companion's death.  Therefore disregarding their entreaties he prayed
unto God for the soul of the derider, and went on his way.  And the
saint had not journeyed far, when they uncovered the cloak from their
companion; and lo! they found him not feignedly but really dead.  And
they, affrighted at this fearful chance, and dreading lest the same
should happen unto themselves, followed the saint, and fell at his
feet, and acknowledged their offence, and by their contrition obtained
pardon.  And they all believed in the Lord, and in his name were they
baptized.  Then did the saint, at their humble entreaty, revive the
dead man; and washing him in the holy font, associated him unto them in
the faith of Christ.

CHAPTER CLII.

_The Penitence of Machaldus._

And Machaldus their chief falling at Saint Patrick's feet, confessed
his sins and entreated with many tears that a life of penitence might
be appointed unto him, whereby he might attain the life of eternity.
And the saint, inspired of Heaven, enjoined him that he should utterly
renounce his native soil and give all his substance to the poor; and he
clothed Machaldus in a vile and rough garment, and chained him with
chains of iron, and cast the key thereof into the ocean.  Likewise he
commanded him to enter, alone, without oars, into a boat made only of
hides, and that on whatsoever country he should land under the guidance
of the Lord there should he serve Him even unto the end of his days.
And the man, truly repenting, did as his pastor enjoined; for he,
alone, chained with iron chains, bearing on his head the tonsure as the
token of penitence, entered the boat; and under the protection of God
he committed himself unto the waves, and was borne by them unto the
Island Eubonia, which is called Mannia.  And therein were two bishops,
named Connidrius and Romulus, whom Saint Patrick himself had
consecrated and appointed to rule over the people of that island and to
instruct them in the faith of Christ after the death of Germanus the
first bishop.  And they, beholding Machaldus, marvelled much, and they
pitied his misery; and when they understood the cause, received him
kindly and retained him with themselves.  And after he had for some
space there abided, a fish was one day taken in the sea and brought
unto their dwelling; and when the fish was opened before them, a key
was found in its belly, and Machaldus being released from his chains,
gave thanks unto God, and went thenceforth free.  And he, increasing in
holiness, after the deaths of these holy bishops attained the episcopal
degree; and being eminent in his miracles and in his virtues, there did
he rest.  And in that island was a city after him named of no small
extent; the remains of whose walls may yet be seen.  And in the
cemetery of its church is a sarcophagus of hollowed stone, whereout a
spring continually exudeth, nay, sufficiently floweth forth; the which
is sweet to the draught, wholesome to the taste, and healeth divers
infirmities, but chiefly the stings of serpents and the deadliness of
poison: for whoso drinketh thereof, either receiveth instant health, or
instantly he dieth.  And in that stone are the bones of Saint Machaldus
said to rest, yet therein is nothing found, save only clear water.  And
though many have oftentimes endeavored to remove the stone, and
especially the king of the Norici, who subdued the island, that he
might at all times have sweet water, yet have they all failed in their
attempt: for the deeper they have digged to raise up the stone, so much
the more deeply and firmly did they find it fixed in the heart of the
earth.

CHAPTER CLIII.

_A Meadow is overflowed by the Sea._

At another time the blessed Patrick being fatigued with travel, turned
aside for the sake of a little rest, and for pasturing his horses, into
a grassy meadow near Roscomaira in Connactia.  But when he had sate
down and his horses had begun to feed, a certain wicked and perverse
plebeian, the owner of the place, rushed forward in the fury of anger
to expel him forth.  And first he attacked the saint with reproachful
words, and at length he cast stones at the horses and drove them from
the field: wherefore the hurt done unto them, increased the injury and
the affront offered unto their master.  And as Saint Patrick was one,
and chief among those horses, with which according to the prophet
Habacuc the Lord made his way in the sea, therefore was the Lord wroth
at an injury offered unto him, and therefore at his command the meadow
withered up, and the sea flowing forward covered it, and it remained
unfruitful for ever.  Fitting and just was this judgment of God, that
the people which hated him, and refused his servant one blade of grass,
should lose the whole harvest; and that as this man despitefully
entreated Saint Patrick, and drove him from his field, he should
thenceforward lose the place for which so contentiously he had striven.

CHAPTER CLIV.

_A Stone is changed into Milk, and Milk is changed into Stones._

And one who had long time been a servant unto many evil-doers, hearing
of the virtues and the miracles of Saint Patrick, came unto him, for
the purpose of contending with him in working signs.  And many false
signs did he multiply, the which the saint, having prayed and made the
sign of the cross, dispersed.  Then the magician seeing all his
inventions to be frustrated, required of Patrick that he should work
signs to evince the power of his God; and the saint delayed not to do
what might prove the virtue of Christ, and instruct in the faith many
Christians: for he changed an hard stone into a soft mass of curdled
milk, and of this milk, in the name of Christ, he changed two soft
pieces into hard stones.  But lest these should be accounted false and
like unto the signs of the magicians, the stones continued in the same
hardness whereunto they were transformed.  But this which was
corporally done before the eyes of men, doth the divine virtue
spiritually do in the conversion of believers; inasmuch as the
worshippers of stones, men of hardened hearts, become soft unto the
faith and love of Christ, and as if again born infants, they desire the
milk of the apostolic doctrine, that thereby they may grow up unto
salvation.  So did it happen unto the magician, who beholding this
miracle believed in the Lord and was baptized.

CHAPTER CLV.

_A Wagon laden with Twigs is saved from the Fire._

And Saint Patrick requested of a certain man, that he would bring unto
him two wagons laden with twigs, for that such were required for
certain needful uses.  And the man fulfilled his request, and brought
the twigs unto the appointed place.  But a fire seized the two wagons
and burned one thereof, yet left it the other unharmed of the flame.
And all the beholders marvelled, that the fire should exercise its
natural power over the one wagon, and on the other have no effect; as
of yore it happened unto the three children which were cast into the
fiery furnace, but which were saved from the fire, nor did any hurt
come on them.  We however admire in this miracle the merit of the
saint; but in no wise think that the cause thereof needs to be
discussed.

CHAPTER CLVI.

_The Saint is preserved untouched from the falling Rain._

The man of God was wont to observe with singular devotion the Lord's
day, for the remembrance of that great solemnity, which the life of
death reviving unto resurrection, hath made worthy of rejoicing in
heaven, in earth, and in the grave.  Wherefore this holy custom was
fixed in his mind, even as a law, that wheresoever the Sabbath-eve
arrived, he for reverence thereto passed the night and the next holy
day in hymns, and in psalms, and in spiritual songs; and heartily
devoting himself unto divine contemplation, so he continued until the
morning of the succeeding day.  And on a time the observance of this
holy custom caused the blessed Patrick to celebrate the vigil under the
open air; and a violent fall of rain inundated all the field around:
but the place whereon the holy watchman, the guardian of the walls of
Jerusalem, stood with his companions, was not wetted even with the
dropping of one drop thereof.  Thus was in Patrick repeated the
miracle, which formerly appeared in the fleece of Gideon, when the
whole ground was wet with dew, and the fleece was found dry and
undamped.

CHAPTER CLVII.

_The Fingers of Saint Patrick shine with Light._

But the brightness of the eternal light, that He might prove with how
radiant a light of His grace the inward vessel of His saint was
illumined, glorified him by another miracle of yet higher marvel.  For
on the same night which Patrick had passed under the open air, lauding
and praising God, the field wherein he stood was covered with thickest
darkness.  And the chariot-driver of the holy prelate long time sought
for the steeds which he had loosed unto pasture, that he might reyoke
them to the chariot: but when for the darkness he could not find them,
he wailed with much lamentation.  Which the saint compassionating, drew
forth his right hand from his sleeve, and raised up his fingers.
Wonderful was the event, and unheard of through ages!  Immediately his
fingers shone even as sunbeams, and wonderfully illumining the whole
country, turned darkness into light, and night into day.  Then by the
aid of this radiant miracle the chariot-driver found his steeds, and
led them rejoicing to the father, and yoked them unto the chariot.  And
he, the bearer and the preacher of the heavenly light, his fingers
ceasing to shine, yet ceasing not to pour forth the purest and freshest
myrrh, ascended the chariot on the morning of the succeeding day, as
was his custom; and hastened on, whithersoever he was called by the
will of Him, who directed him, and dwelled in him.  Thus by a very
beautiful but sufficiently convincing miracle his fingers outwardly
shone; so working in them the finger of the God, who so frequently had
healed and saved and protected by his works of light.

CHAPTER CLVIII.

_Fire is also seen to issue from his Mouth._

And he preached the word of God unto a certain great man, to whom it
seemed that fire issuing from the mouth of the saint entered into his
ears and mouth, and filled him internally with its heat.  And this fire
was not consuming, but illumining; not burning, but shining; as he who
so experienced related unto the saint, saying, "I behold a flaming fire
to issue from thy mouth, and penetrate my body and my inmost heart."
Then to him the saint: "Our God is the true light illumining every man
at his entrance into the world; our God, who came to send upon earth
that fire which He desireth should burn in the hearts of the faithful:
for the word of the Lord is bright, and his speech is as fire; whereof
by my preaching hast thou had in thyself the proof."

CHAPTER CLIX.

_The holy Virgin Memhessa departeth unto God._

There was a noble and beautiful damsel, named Memhessa, the daughter of
a prince who reigned in a certain part of Britain.  And she, being
occupied with the grace of the Holy Spirit, through the virtue which is
innate in a good disposition, and from the divers species of all
created creatures, understood the Creator; and Him, being so
understood, she affected with all her heart and with all her soul; for
the love and desire of the which affection she looked down on all the
riches, and all the delights, and all the splendors, and all the charms
of this world's glory, and she despised them in her heart.  Yet had she
not been washed in the holy font, though in her manners she represented
the purity of the Christian faith.  And her parents being heathens,
mainly endeavored with words and with stripes to frustrate and to shake
her purpose; but the column of her virgin heart being builded on the
rock of Christ, could neither be subverted by their persuasions, nor
shaken by their threats, nor could she by any their evil doings at all
be moved from her fixed firmness.  And forasmuch as the spring-time of
her youth made her beautiful, and the elegance of her form made her
right lovely, while in her countenance the lilies and the roses of the
garden were mingled together, very many princes of royal stock desired
her in marriage; however in no wise could she thereunto be persuaded or
compelled.  Wherefore having a long time vainly labored, her parents by
general consent brought her unto Saint Patrick, the fame of whose
holiness was proved and published through all that country by many
signs and miracles.  Then they unfolded unto the saint the purpose of
the damsel, earnestly entreating him that he would bring her unto the
sight of his God whom she so loved and toward whom her heart yearned.
This the saint hearing, rejoiced in the Lord, giving thanks unto Him,
whose breath doth blow even whither and how he listeth; and who
oftentimes calleth unto himself without any preaching those whom he had
predestinated unto life.  Then, having expounded to the damsel the
rules of the Christian faith, he catechised her, and baptized her
confessing her belief, and strengthened her with the sacraments of the
body and blood of Christ.  And she, having received the viaticum, fell
to the ground in the midst of her prayers and breathed forth her
spirit: thus ascending from the font spotless and washed of all sin,
and being led by the angels unto the sight of her fair and beautiful
Beloved, went she into his embraces.  Then did Patrick, and all who
were present, glorify God; and with honorable sepulture they committed
her holy remains unto the earth.

CHAPTER CLX.

_Of the Work which was done in the Lord's Day._

And at a certain time Saint Patrick on the Lord's day entered a harbor
on the northern coast of Hibernia, opposite the town of Druimbo; yet
would he not go forth of the ship, but remaining therein he solemnized
the day with his wonted devotion.  And now was the mid-hour of the day
passed, when he heard no little noise; whereby he understood that the
heathens were violating the Sabbath with their profane labors (the
which was right contrary to his custom and command); and that they were
then employed in a certain work which is called rayth; that is, a wall.
And thereat being somewhat moved, he ordered that they should be bidden
before him, and imperatively commanded them on that day to surcease
from their labor.  But this profane and foolish generation received the
prohibition of the saint not only with contempt, but with scorn and
laughter.  Then did he, understanding the perverseness of those
scorners, repeat his prohibition, and thus did he say unto them,
"Though mightily shall ye labor unto your purpose, never shall it come
to any effect, nor ever shall ye derive any profit therefrom."  And how
true were his words, the event showed: for on the next night was the
sea wondrously raised with a tempest, and spreading thereover scattered
all the work of the heathens; and lest ever it should be recollected or
rebuilded, dispersed it with irreparable dispersion.

CHAPTER CLXI.

_A certain Man is healed, and a Horse revived, in a place which is
called Feart._