Prologue. #

¹ It has been, from ancient times, the object and the design of most writers to perpetuate, with a pen worthy of their virtues, the lives of holy men, that the fervour of sanctity so deserving our veneration might not be buried in oblivion, but rather that it might shine before all as in a mirror, to the end that posterity might imitate its brightness - as was commanded from above, that in the breast-plate of the chief priest the names of the twelve patriarchs, the sons of Israel, should be engraved on twelve precious stones, so that by the sight of it the faithful might be moved to imitate the acts of the holy fathers; for it is most fitting that of those in whose titles we glory, in whose praises we delight, by whose patronage we are protected, we should endeavour to conform to the manners, and be confirmed by the examples; but since the dearth of literature has so much increased, and the slothfulness to learning so much abounded, very many, fools and ignorant persons, have often, lest they should perish from the memory of the faithful, written the lives of the saints, certainly with a pious intent, but in a most unpolished style. And so, in reading the lives and acts of the saints composed in a rude manner or barbarous dialect, disgust is often excited, and not seldom slowness of belief. And this is why the life of the most glorious priest Patrick, the patron and apostle of Ireland, so illustrious in signs and miracles, being frequently written by illiterate persons, through the confusion and obscurity of the style, is by most people neither liked nor understood, but is held in weariness and contempt. Charity therefore urging us, we will endeavour, by reducing them to order, to collect what are confused, when collected to compose them into a volume, and, when composed, to season them, if not with all the excellence of our language, at least with some of its elegance. To this our endeavour the instruction of the threefold instrument which is described to belong to the candlestick of the tabernacle gives aid; for we find in it the tongs, the extinguisher, and the oil vessel, which we must properly use, if, in describing the lives of the saints, who shone in their conduct and example like the candlestick before the Lord, we should labour to clear away the superfluous, extinguish the false, and illuminate the obscure, which, though by the devotion we have toward Saint Patrick we are bound to do, yet are we enjoined to it by the commands of the most reverend Thomas, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of all Ireland, and of Malachy, the Bishop of Down; and to these are added the request of John de Courcy, the most illustrious Prince of Ulster, who is known to be the most particular admirer and honourer of Saint Patrick, and whom we think it most becoming to obey. But if any snake in the way, or serpent in the path, watching our steps, shall rashly accuse us in this of presumption, and shall attack our hand with viper tooth, yet do we, with the blessed Paul, collect the vine-twigs for the fire, and cast the viper into the flame. And so, in describing the saints that sleep, which were the branches of the true vine, so that the minds of the faithful may be inflamed toward the love and belief of Christ, we little regard the tongue of the scorner and of the slanderer; for if we are to be judged by such, with the apostle setting them at small account, we commit all to the divine judgment.

Chapter One: About the Man Calphurnius. #

¹ There was once a man named Calphurnius, the son of Potitus, a presbyter, a Briton by birth, living in the village Taburnia (that is, the field of the tents, because the Roman army had there pitched their tents), near the town of Empthor, and his habitation was near the Irish Sea.

² This man married a French maiden named Conchessa, niece of the blessed Martin, Archbishop of Tours; and the maiden was elegant in her form and in her manners, for, having been brought from France with her elder sister into the northern parts of Britain, and there sold at the command of her father, Calphurnius, being pleased with her manners, charmed with her attentions, and attracted with her beauty, very much loved her, and, from the state of a serving-maid in his household, raised her to be his companion in wedlock. And her sister, having been delivered to another man, lived in the same town of Empthor.

³ And Calphurnius and his wife were both just before God, walking without offence in the justifications of the Lord; and they were eminent in their birth, and in their faith, and in their hope, and in their religion. And though in their outward habit and state they seemed to serve under the yoke of Babylon, yet they in their acts and in their conduct showed themselves to be citizens of Jerusalem. Therefore, out of the earth of their flesh, being freed from the tares of sin and from the noxious weeds of vice by the ploughshare of evangelic and apostolic learning, and being fruitful in the growth of all virtues, they, as the best and richest fruit, brought forth a son, whom, when he had at the holy font put off the old man, they caused to be named Patricius, as being the future father and patron of many nations; of whom, even at his baptism, the God who is three in one was pleased, by the sign of a threefold miracle, to declare how pure a vessel of election should he prove, and how devoted a worshipper of the Holy Trinity. But after a little while, this happy birth being completed, they vowed themselves by mutual consent to chastity, and with a holy end rested in the Lord. But Calphurnius first served God a long time as a deacon, and at length closed his days in the priesthood.

Chapter Two: How a Fountain burst forth, and how Sight and Learning were given to the Blind. #

¹ A certain man named Gormas, who had been blind even from his mother’s womb, heard in a dream a voice commanding him that he should take the hand of the boy Patrick, then lately baptised, and make on the ground the sign of the cross - adding that at the touch a new fountain would burst forth, with the water of which, if he bathed his eyes, he would at once receive his sight. And the blind man, instructed by the divine oracle, went to the little boy, made with his right hand on the ground the sign of salvation, and immediately a new fountain burst forth. And his darkened eyes, being bathed with this healing stream, perceived the day poured in, and the virtue of Siloam renewed; and, that the mercies of the Lord might be acknowledged, and the wonders that he does for the children of men, while the outward blindness of Gormas was enlightened, his inward sight received the revealing gift of science; and he who was before unlearned, having experienced the power of the Lord, read and understood the Scriptures, and as by the outward mercy from being blind he became able to see, so by the inward grace from being unlearned he became learned. But the fountain flowing forward with a more abundant stream, to this day pouring forth its clear waters, sweet to the draught and wholesome to the taste, is honoured with the name of Saint Patrick, and, as is said, gives health or relief to many labouring with various diseases; and it rises near the seaside, and over it the devotion of posterity has erected an oratory, with an altar built in the form of a cross.

Chapter Three: Of the Stone of Saint Patrick. #

¹ Near this place is a stone which the inhabitants call Saint Patrick’s Rock; for some believe that he was born on it, and others that on it he celebrated Mass. As often as any controversy arises between the villagers or the neighbours which is thought fit to be determined by an oath, it is brought to this stone, and there, the sacrament being taken, the cause is decided. But if any perjurer or false witness laid his hand on it, immediately it was accustomed to pour forth water, and the holiness of Patrick openly showed to all how accursed was the crime of perjury or of false testimony; yet at any other time it was never known to exude one drop, but always remained in its natural dryness. Which opinion of the people, however, as to this stone, is the more probable, we do not know, though the latter may seem the nearer to the truth. Let it suffice, therefore, to record the miracle which the Bishop Saint Mel testifies that he had often seen.

Chapter Four: Of the Well dried up. #

¹ As he grew in age, he was seen also to grow in grace, and, as from the full store of divine ointment flowing within him, he perfumed all around with the abundance of his manifold miracles. And Patrick, the child of the Lord, was then nursed in the town of Empthor, in the house of his mother’s sister, with his own sister Lupita. And it came to pass in the winter season, the ice being thawed, that a well overflowed and threatened to overturn many houses in the town; and the rising of the waters filled the house in which Patrick stayed, and overturned all the household goods, and caused all the vessels to swim. And the little boy, being hungry, asked in his childish way for bread; yet he found no one who would break bread for him, but he was jeeringly told that he was nearer to being drowned than fed. When the boy dipped three of his fingers into the swelling water, and, standing on a dry place, he three times sprinkled the water in the form of a cross, and in the name of the Holy Trinity commanded the well that at once it should subside. And see a miracle! Immediately all the flood drew back, and the dryness returned, nor was there hurt or damage seen in the vessels or in the furniture of his dwelling. And they who looked on saw that sparks of fire instead of drops of water were sprinkled from the fingers of the holy child, and that the waters were licked up and absorbed thereby; and the Lord, “who collects the waters as in a heap, and lays up the depths in his treasury,” who had worked such great works through his beloved child Patrick, is praised by all; and the child also is magnified who was so powerful in Him, great and worthy of all praise.

Chapter Five: How he produced Fire from Ice. #

¹ Though Saint Patrick, in his childish years, sometimes thought as a child and acted as a child, yet do his illustrious works declare how precious was he in the eyes of Him who was for us born a child. And on a certain day, the winter then freezing everything, the boy Patrick, being engaged in their sports with boys of his own age, gathered many pieces of ice in his bosom, and bore them home, and cast them down in the court-yard; but his nurse, seeing this, said to him that it would have been better if he had collected wood for the hearth than had played with pieces of ice. And the boy, speaking with the tongue of an aged man, answered to her: “It is easy for the Lord, who created all things, even from these to supply the hearth; and at His nod, so that faith be not wanting, it is easy for fire to prevail over water; and that you may know,” said he, “how possible are all things to them who believe, your faith shall be an eye-witness of that which I say to you.” And he heaped together the pieces of ice, like brands for the fire, and he prayed, and, making the sign of the cross, he breathed on them, and immediately fire went forth, and, lighting the ice, produced long streams of flame; yet not only did the hearth give warmth to all who came near, but it ministered much cause of wonder, for out of the mouth of the boy Patrick was seen to issue flame instead of breath, that he might plainly appear to be illuminated within by the infinite light of the divine grace. Nor does this miracle much fall short of that ancient miracle which the Scripture records to have been performed by Nehemiah; for when he brought back into the land of Judah the people of the Hebrews after their long captivity, restored to freedom by Cyrus, the King of Persia, he commanded the place to be searched out in which their fathers had hidden the fire of the sacrifice; in which, when discovered, the fire was not found, but thick water; which Nehemiah commanded to be brought, and the sacrifice to be sprinkled with it; and immediately a great fire was kindled, and it consumed the holocaust and burned the hard stones. So was the congealed water burned up by the power of the same fire which, proceeding from water, burned to ashes the sacrifice and the stones of the altar. Therefore is the strangeness of this miracle to be wondered at, the holiness of Patrick to be venerated, and in all these things the power of the omnipotent God to be adored; and in this by a most evident sign the Lord illustrated Saint Patrick, whose preaching afterward inflamed many that had been frozen in unbelief with the fire of faith and of the charity of God.

Chapter Six: How the Sister of Saint Patrick was healed. #

¹ On a certain day the sister of Saint Patrick, the same Lupita, being then of good stature, had run about the field, at the command of her aunt, to separate the lambs from the ewes, for it was then weaning time, when her foot slipped, and she fell down and struck her head against a sharp flint, and her forehead was struck with a grievous wound, and she lay as if dead; and many of the household ran up, and her kindred and her friends gathered together to comfort the maiden wounded and afflicted; and her brother came with the rest, moved with pity for his sister, but trusting in the divine remedy; for, drawing near, he raised her, and, touching with his spittle the thumb of his right hand, he imprinted on her forehead, stained with blood, the sign of the cross, and at once he healed her; yet the scar of the wound remained as a sign, I think, of the miracle that was performed, and a proof of the holiness of him who, by his faith in the cross of Christ, had done this thing.

Chapter Seven: How he restored to Life his Foster-Father. #

¹ The husband of Saint Patrick’s nurse, who had often borne him an infant in his arms, being seized with a sudden death, expired. And his wife, with many others of the household, ran there, and to Patrick, who was standing near, bursting into tears, she thus spoke: “Look, Patrick! your foster-father, the bearer of your infancy, lies dead; show now, therefore, on him your enlivening virtue, even that which has been accustomed to heal others!” And the boy of holy disposition, moved with pity at the tears of his nurse and the miserable state of his foster-father, approached him lying there lifeless, and he prayed over him and blessed him, and signed him on his head and on his breast with the sign of life, and he embraced him, and raised him up, and restored him to her alive and safe. And all who saw this miracle gave praise to God, who worked such works in Patrick.

Chapter Eight: Of the Sheep released from the Wolf. #

¹ While Saint Patrick was a little boy, his aunt entrusted him with the care of the sheep, and to these he diligently attended with his own sister. For in that age no reproach was attached to such employments when the sons of the chief men discharged the duties of a shepherd; as the patriarch Jacob and his sons truly declared before Pharaoh, that they, like their forefathers, were keepers of sheep; and as the lawgiver Moses and the illustrious King David long time laboured in the shepherd’s occupation. But as the boy Patrick was one day in the fields with his flock, a wolf, rushing from the neighbouring wood, caught up a ewe-lamb, and carried it away. Returning home at evening from the fold, his aunt chided the boy for negligence or for sloth; yet he, though blushing at the reproof, patiently bore all her anger, and poured forth his prayers for the restoration of the ewe-lamb. In the next morning, when he brought the flock to the pasture, the wolf ran up, carrying the lamb in his mouth, laid it at Patrick’s feet, and instantly returned to the wood. And the boy gave thanks to the Lord, who, as he preserved Daniel from the hungry lions, so now for his comfort had saved his lamb uninjured from the jaws of the wolf.

Chapter Nine: Of the Cow freed from an Evil Spirit, and Five other Cows restored to Health. #

¹ The aunt who had nursed Saint Patrick had many cows, one of which was tormented with an evil spirit; and immediately the cow became mad, and tore with her feet, and butted with her horns, and wounded five other cows, and dispersed the rest of the herd. And the owners of the herd lamented the mishap, and the cattle fled from her fury as from the face of a lion. But the boy Patrick, being armed with faith, went forward, and, making the sign of the cross, freed the cow from the vexation of the evil spirit; then drawing near to the wounded and prostrate cows, having first prayed, he blessed them and restored them all even to their former health. And the cow, being released from the evil spirit, well knowing her deliverer, approached with bent head, licking the feet and the hands of the boy, and turned every onlooker to the praise of God and the veneration of Patrick.

Chapter Ten: Of the Water turned into Honey, and of his Nurse restored to Health. #

¹ The nurse of Saint Patrick, being oppressed with illness, longed much for honey, by the taste of which she trusted that her health might be restored. It was sought by all who stood round her, but it was not obtained; and when she was told of it, she longed all the more earnestly for that which she could not have, and complained that she was remembered and assisted by none. But her young charge, the illustrious boy Patrick, was grieved for her, and, putting his trust in the Lord, he commanded that a vessel might be filled with fresh water from the fountain, and brought to him; and he bent his knees in prayer, and, rising, blessed it with the sign of the cross, and gave it to the woman desiring honey. And immediately the water was changed into the best honey; and the woman tasted, and her soul was satisfied, and she was relieved from her infirmity. Thus Patrick changed water into honey in the name of Him who, at Cana in Galilee, changed water into wine.

Chapter Eleven: How the Fort was Cleansed. #

¹ On a certain promontory overhanging the same town of Empthor was erected a fort, the ruins of whose walls may yet be traced. And the governor of it had reduced the nurse of Saint Patrick under the yoke of slavery, and compelled her to be a servant to him. And among other servile works enjoined to her, he had commanded her to clean with shovels all the buildings within the fort, and to carry out the soil from the stables. But the woman, having a noble mind, and understanding that all power was from God, and that all things were ordained by God, made of her necessity a virtue, and patiently bore the servitude imposed on her. Then the boy Patrick, moved with pity at his nurse’s affliction, begged the Lord that he would deign to set her free from the labour of this servile work; and look, as he prayed, all the dwelling-places in it were cleansed without a human hand, and neither within nor without could any remains of the soil be found. And the governor and all who saw or heard this miracle marvelled; and the nurse was released from slavery through the merits of her foster-child. Nor is this miracle seen only at stated seasons, or once in every year; for even to this day it appears to be continued. And the dwellers and the neighbours bear witness that if within the precincts of the fort as many cattle as the place could hold were gathered to stay there together, not even the least portion of soil could in it be found. And the place, being in the Valley of Clud, is called in the language of that people Dunbreatan - that is, the Mountain of the Britons; and the miracle cannot be unknown to those who desire to be informed of it, since so often it is published abroad by all the dwellers in that country.

Chapter Twelve: Of the Devout Life of Saint Patrick. #

¹ And the boy Patrick grew up precious in the sight of the Lord, in the old age of wisdom, and in the ripeness of virtue. And the number of his merits multiplied beyond the number of his years; the affluence of all holy charities overflowed in the breast of the boy, and all the virtues met together made their dwelling in his youthful body. Entering, therefore, and going forward in the slippery paths of youth, he held his feet from falling, and the garment that nature had woven for him, free from stain, he preserved whole, remaining a virgin in the flesh and in the spirit. And although the divine unction had taught him above all, the fit time being now come, he was sent from his parents to be instructed in sacred learning. Therefore he applied his mind to the study of letters, but chiefly to psalms and to hymns and to spiritual songs, and retaining them in his memory, and continually singing them to the Lord; so that even from the flower of his first youth he was daily accustomed to sing devoutly to God the whole Psalter, and from the vessel of his most pure heart to pour forth the odour of many prayers. Thus wearing out his tender body in fastings, in many watchings, and in the pious exercise of holy labours, he offered up himself a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God; and thus passing his days in the flesh, against the flesh, and above the flesh, in his conduct he resembled an angel.

Chapter Thirteen: How Saint Patrick was Carried into Ireland. #

¹ As, according to the testimony of Holy Writ, the furnace tries gold and the fire of tribulation proves the just, so the hour of his trial drew near to Patrick, that he might the more surely receive the crown of life. For when the illustrious boy had passed fifteen years, already attaining his sixteenth year, he was, with many of his countrymen, seized by the pirates who were ravaging those borders, and was made captive and carried into Ireland, and was there sold as a slave to a certain pagan prince named Milcho, who reigned in the northern part of the island, even at the same age in which Joseph is recorded to have been sold into Egypt. But Joseph, being sold as a slave, and being after his humiliation exalted, received power and dominion over all Egypt.

² Patrick, after his servitude and his affliction, obtained the primacy of the special and spiritual dominion of Ireland. Joseph refreshed with corn the Egyptians oppressed by famine; Patrick, in the course of time, fed with the salutary food of the Christian faith the Irish perishing under idolatry. To each was affliction sent for the profit of his soul, as is the flail to the grain, the furnace to the gold, the file to the iron, the wine-press to the grape, and the oil-press to the olive. Therefore it was that Patrick, at the command of the same prince, was appointed to the care of the swine, and under his care the herd became fruitful and exceedingly multiplied. From which it may well be learned that as the master’s substance is often increased and improved by the attention of a diligent and fortunate servant or steward, so, on the other hand, is it reduced and injured under an idle or unprosperous hand. But the holy youth, heartily embracing in his soul the Judgments of the Lord, made of his necessity a virtue, and, having in his office of a swineherd obtained solitude, worked out his own salvation. For he lived in the mountains, and in the woods, and in the caves of the wilderness, and having leisure for prayer, and knowing how kind was the Lord, freely and more freely he poured forth the incense of his supplications in the presence of the Most High; and a hundred times in the day and a hundred times in the night he adored his Creator on bended knees, and often he prayed for a long time while fasting, and, nourishing himself with the roots of herbs and with the lightest food, he mortified his members which were stretched upon the earth. Nor could heat, nor cold, nor snow, nor hail, nor ice, nor any other inclemency of the weather compel him from his spiritual exercises. Therefore he went forward, daily increasing and confirming himself more strong in the faith and love of Christ Jesus; and the more weak and infirm he appeared, so much the steadier and more powerful was he in fulfiling the commands of the Lord.

Chapter Fourteen: Of Milcho’s Dream, and of its Interpretation. #

¹ And Milcho saw a vision in the night; and look, Patrick entered his palace as all on fire, and the flames issuing from his mouth, and from his nose, and from his eyes, and from his ears, seemed to burn him. But Milcho repelled from himself the flaming hair of the boy, nor could it touch him any nearer; but the flame, being spread, turned aside to the right, and, catching on his two little daughters who were lying in one bed, burned them even to ashes; then the south wind, blowing strongly, dispersed their ashes over many parts of Ireland. And Milcho, awaking, meditated with himself on his couch what this strange and distant vision might portend. On the next day, Patrick being called before him, he declared to him his dream, entreating and adjuring him that if he knew he would unfold its interpretation. And Patrick, being filled with the grace of the Holy Spirit, answered to Milcho: “The fire which you saw to issue from me is the faith of the Holy Trinity, with which I am entirely illumined, and which I shall endeavour to preach to you; but my speech will find in you no place, for you will, in the blindness of your heart, repel from you the light of the divine grace, and you will die in the darkness of your unbelief; but your daughters shall at my preaching believe in the true God, and, all the days of their lives serving God in holiness and in justice, shall, in a pious end, rest in the Lord; and their ashes, that is, their relics, the Lord revealing them and making of them signs, shall be carried into many places through Ireland, and shall give the blessing of health to many who are infirm; and your dream is true, and its interpretation is true, and all shall be fulfiled in due time.” Thus having said, Patrick departed to his accustomed labour; and all these things happened to Milcho and to his daughters as Patrick had foretold.

Chapter Fifteen: Of the Angel Victor appearing to Saint Patrick. #

¹ And six years had now passed when, under the direction of the Lord, he had thoroughly learned the Irish tongue, and with prayers and with tears he unceasingly begged God that he might be released from slavery and restored to his country. And on a certain day appeared to him, while praying, an angel of the Lord, standing on the crag of an overhanging rock, and announcing that his prayers and his fastings had ascended as a memorial before God; and the angel added to it that he should soon cast from his neck the yoke of servitude, and, after a prosperous voyage, return to his own parents. And the servant of God looked on the angel of God, and, conversing with him face to face familiarly, as with a friend, asked who he was, and by what name was he called. And the heavenly messenger answered that he was the ministering spirit of the Lord, sent into the world to minister to them who have the heritage of salvation; that he was called Victor, and especially deputed to the care of him, and he promised to be his helpmate and his assistant in doing all things. And although it is not needful that heavenly spirits should be called by human names, yet the angel, being beautifully clothed with a human form composed of the air, called himself Victor, because he had received from Christ, the most victorious King, the power of vanquishing and binding the powers of the air and the princes of darkness; who had also given to his servants made of the potter’s clay the power of treading on serpents and scorpions, and of vanquishing and bruising Satan. And in their mutual colloquy the angel showed to Patrick an opening in the ground that had been dug up by the swine, and in it he directed him to look for gold with which he might redeem himself from the hands of his cruel master; and he added that a ship to carry him over to Britain was ready in a harbour two hundred miles distant, and which, by the divine will, could not have a favourable wind until he should arrive. And the vision of the angel, thus saying, disappeared, and his speech ended; and, as the inhabitants assert, the marks of his feet appear to this day imprinted on the rock in the Mountain Mis, in the borders of Dalnardia; and an oratory is erected there in honour of Saint Patrick, in which the devotion of the faithful is accustomed to watch and pray.

Chapter Sixteen: How Saint Patrick was Redeemed from Slavery. #

¹ And Patrick went to the place which the angel had pointed out to him, and he found in it no small weight of gold. And so he addressed for his ransom his hard and cruel master, and with the offering of the yellow metal persuaded his mind, greedy of gold, to grant to him his freedom. Therefore, being by the aid of Mammon solemnly released from his servitude, he went his way rejoicing, and hastened toward the sea, desiring to return to his own country. But Milcho repented that he had dismissed a servant so very necessary to him, and, falsifying his agreement, pursued Patrick that he might bring him back and reduce him to his former slavery, as Pharaoh pursued the Hebrews. But by the divine will, wandering both in his mind and in his course, he found not him whom he sought. Foiled, therefore, in his attempt, he returned with grief and with shame. And his sorrow was much increased, because not only Patrick, having obtained his freedom, had escaped, but the gold which was the price of his freedom, on returning home, he found not. And with this the law accords; for, to him who has served six years in slavery, the law directs that in the seventh year shall his freedom be restored.

Chapter Seventeen: How he Relieved those who were Perishing of Hunger. #

¹ And Saint Patrick, guided by his angelic guide, came to the sea, and he there found the ship that was to carry him to Britain, and a crew of heathens who were in the ship freely received him, and, hoisting their sails with a favourable wind, after three days they made land. And being come out of the ship, they found a desert and uninhabited region, and they began to travel over the whole country for the space of twenty-four days; and for the want of food in that fearful and wide solitude were they perishing of hunger. And Patrick, through their whole journey, was preaching to those pagans the Word of God, and disputing with them and persuading them to the faith of the Holy Trinity and the kingdom of heaven; but they, like the deaf adder that listens not to the voice of the charmer charming wisely, closed their ears against the Word of God until misery gave them understanding to hear. For hunger yet more heavily assailing and oppressing them, the greater part are said to have thus spoken: “Look, O worshipper of Christ! how wretched are we with want and misery, and our eyes fail us for every need; now, therefore, implore for us your God, whom you describe and exalt as all-powerful, that His bounty may relieve us, and we will adore and glorify His greatness.” And Saint Patrick answered to them: “Believe in and confess the God who gives food to all flesh, and by whom, when He opens His hand, you shall be satisfied from His goodness.” And he prayed earnestly, and look, as he prayed for them, suddenly a herd of swine appeared, and they saw wild honey, and with it they were satisfied even to fullness, nor from that day through their whole journey did a supply of food ever fail them. And this great miracle being seen, they all gave thanks to God and held Saint Patrick in the highest reverence.

Chapter Eighteen: Of his Fast continued for Twenty Days. #

¹ And all things succeeding prosperously, and their provision much abounding, these men soon forgot the Lord who had saved them from severe hunger, and, ungrateful for the benefits extended to them by the divine bounty, they sacrificed of their food to devils, and not to God, imitating in this those Samaritans whom the Book of Kings records to have worshipped God, yet not to have the service of their idols. And so it seemed good to Saint Patrick to eat no earthly food for twenty continual days, and, although he was much entreated to it, he would in no way join with them in their meals, lest he should appear to be contaminated with their sacrifices. And the power to endure this abstinence was given to Patrick by the Lord, who had theretofore enabled Elijah the prophet to fast forty days.

Chapter Nineteen: How he Overcame the Temptation of the Enemy. #

¹ The wonderful Ruler of all things, the more he exalts with signs and with wonders his elect whom he loves, the more does he, according to the Apostle, allow them to fall into various temptations, that they may learn and know how to preserve their strength in God, who is their maker, and trust to nothing in themselves or of themselves. And so Patrick, the beloved and the elect of God, is suffered by the divine will to be grievously tempted by Satan, to increase the confusion of the tempter and the glory of him who was tempted, and lest he should be lifted up by the greatness of his miracles or his fastings. For in the night season the prince of darkness rushed on him, and oppressed him as with the weight of a huge stone, and, falling on him, the tempter took from him all sense and motion, causing to him darkness and heaviness, and for the space of three days did not cease to torment and lash him beyond human power to endure. But the saint in his tribulation cried to the Lord, three times in His name invoking Elijah, the prince of prophets, to his aid. And Elijah, sent by the Lord with a great brightness, freed him from the pressure of the enemy that hemmed him round, and, wonderfully illumining him both within and without, refreshed the powers of his limbs and his senses. And the enemy of mankind, being put to confusion, was compelled to own himself vanquished by Patrick, and that ever after he could have no power to prevail against him.

Chapter Twenty: How he was again made Captive, and released by the Miracle of the Kettle. #

¹ But Patrick, departing from the company of his fellow-travellers that he might prove how many are the tribulations of the just through which they must enter into the kingdom of heaven, fell into the hands of strangers, by whom he was taken and detained; and while his spirit was afflicted within him, the Father of mercies and God of all consolation sent the angel Victor in the customary manner to comfort him, promising that in a short time he should be released from the hands of his captors; and how truly was made the angelic promise its speedy fulfilment showed, which followed even in the space of two months; for the barbarians sold him to a certain man in the neighbourhood for a kettle — how small a price for so precious a merchandise! But when the vessel that had been bought with such a price was filled with water, and placed as usual on the hearth to cook their food, look, it received no heat; and so much the hotter the fire burned, so much the colder it became; and fuel being heaped on it, the flame raged without, but the water within was frozen, as if ice had been placed under instead of fire. And they laboured exceedingly at that; but their labour was vain, and the rumour went everywhere through the country; and the purchaser, thinking it to have been done by enchantment, returned his kettle to the seller, and took Patrick again into his own power. And the vessel on it received the heat, and performed its usual work even naturally, and showed to all that this miracle happened because Patrick had been unjustly oppressed; and at once they who had taken him let him go free. Thus, by the heavenly power being released from the hands of strangers, was he, after his long captivity, restored to his parents; and they, seeing him, rejoiced with exceeding great joy, and at the return of their son their spirits revived as the spirits of one awakening from a heavy sleep, and they begged him, with entreaty of many prayers and the abundance of many tears, that he would not again deprive them of his presence. Therefore, that he might show the honour and the submission due to his parents, he stayed with them certain days.

Chapter Twenty-One: Of Saint Patrick’s Vision. #

¹ And a short space of time being passed, while he was settled in his father’s house, he saw in a vision of the night a man of handsome garb and countenance, bearing many letters as if from Ireland, and holding out to him one of them for him to read - which taking, he read, and found in it thus written: “This is the voice of the Irish.” But when he would have continued to read, he seemed in the spirit to hear the Irish infants who were yet unborn crying to him with a loud voice, “O holy youth Patrick! we beg you come to us, and stay with us, and release us!” And Patrick, being pierced with it in his heart, could not finish the letter; but awaking, he gave infinite thanks to God, for he was assured by the vision that the Lord had set him apart, even from his mother’s womb, had by His grace called him to convert and to save the Irish nation, which seemed to desire his presence among them. And on this he consulted the angel of great counsel, and through the angel Victor he received the divine command that, quitting his father and his country, he should go to France, there to learn the doctrine and the discipline of the Christian faith.

Chapter Twenty-Two: How he lived with the blessed Germanus, and how he received the Habit from Saint Martin. #

¹ Being thus instructed and directed by heaven, though both his parents resisted and would have detained him, he, with the faithful Abraham, quitted his country, his kindred, and his father’s house, and, passing through his native Britain, he went into France. And lest his labour should be fruitless, or that he might not attempt to teach what he had not thoroughly learned, he attached himself to the blessed Bishop Germanus, and, for his greater progress in the Christian faith and learning, stayed with him for the space of eighteen years, reading and imbibing the Holy Scriptures (as in the acts of the blessed Germanus is recorded). And each had received the divine command - Patrick that he should stay with Germanus, and the holy bishop that he should retain and instruct the youth. For he was a prelate, in his descent, in his nobility, in his life, in his learning, in his office, and in his miracles most illustrious; and from him the several degrees of the holy orders, and at length the sacerdotal dignity according to the canons, Patrick received. With the same purpose he stayed some time with the blessed Martin, Archbishop of Tours, who was the uncle of his mother, Conchessa. And as this holy luminary of the priesthood was a monk, he gave to his nephew, Patrick, the monastic habits and rules, which he most devoutly assumed, and adorned by his life, and persevered in it. And bidding farewell, they departed the one from the other, since Martin was enjoined by the angel to go into a certain island. And Saint Patrick, returning to the blessed Germanus, remained with him many days.

Chapter Twenty-Three: Of the Meat changed into Fishes. #

¹ But Patrick, having now become a monk, forgetting all things that were past, applied himself to the future, and, as if little accounting his former conduct, hastened to the height of perfection. For by incredible abstinence, by his lengthened fasts, and by the exercise of his other virtues, he afflicted himself, and continually bore in his heart and on his body the mortification of that cross which his habit displayed. But the most high Pastor, who intended to raise him to the head of the holy Church, that he might learn to think humbly of himself, to walk with the lowly, and to bear with the weak, permitted him to feel his own inferiority, so that the more deeply he was fixed on the foundation of true humility, the more firmly he might stand in the height of perfection. For a desire of eating meat came upon him, until, being ensnared and carried away by his desire, he obtained pork, and concealed it in a certain vessel, thinking that he might thus satisfy his appetite in private, whereas should he do it openly he would become to his brethren a stone of offence and a stumbling-block of reproach. And he had not long quitted the place when, look! one stood before him having eyes before and eyes behind, whom when Patrick saw, having his eyes so wonderfully, even so monstrously, placed, he marvelled who he was, and what meant his eyes fixed before and fixed behind, earnestly asked; and he answered, “I am the servant of God. With the eyes fixed in my forehead I see the things that are open to view, and with the eyes that are fixed in the back of my head I see a monk hiding meat in a vessel, that he may satisfy his appetite in private.” This he said, and immediately disappeared. But Patrick, striking his breast with many strokes, cast himself to the earth, and watered it with such a shower of tears as if he had been guilty of all crimes; and while he thus lay on the ground, mourning and weeping, the angel Victor, so often before mentioned, appeared to him in his customary form, saying, “Arise, let your heart be comforted; for the Lord has put away your offence, and henceforth avoid backsliding.” Then Saint Patrick, rising from the earth, utterly renounced and abjured the eating of meat, even through the rest of his life; and he humbly begged the Lord that He would manifest to him His pardon by some evident sign. Then the angel ordered Patrick to bring forth the hidden meat, and put them into water; and he did as the angel ordered; and the meat, being plunged into the water and taken out of it, immediately became fishes. This miracle Saint Patrick often related to his disciples, that they might restrain the desire of their appetites. But many of the Irish, wrongfully understanding this miracle, are accustomed, on Saint Patrick’s Day, which always falls in the time of Lent, to plunge meat into water, when plunged in, to take it out; when taken out, to dress it; when dressed, to eat it, and call them fishes of Saint Patrick. But by this every religious man will learn to restrain his appetite, and not to eat meat at forbidden seasons, little regarding what ignorant and foolish men are accustomed to do.

Chapter Twenty-Four: How in his Journey to Rome he Found the Staff of Jesus. #

¹ And being desirous that his journey and all his acts should by the apostolic authority be sanctioned, he was earnest to travel to the city of Saint Peter, and there more thoroughly to learn the canonical institutes of the holy Roman Church. And when he had unfolded his purpose to Germanus, the blessed man approved of it, and associated with him that servant of Christ, Sergecius the presbyter, as the companion of his journey, the solace of his labour, and the fitting testimony of his holy conduct. Proceeding, therefore, by the divine impulse, or by the angelic revelation, he went out of his way to a solitary man who lived in an island in the Tuscan Sea; and the solitary man was pure in his life, and he was of great merit and esteemed by all, and in his name and in his works he was Just; and after they had exchanged holy greetings, this man of God gave to Patrick a staff which he declared himself to have received from the hands of the Lord Jesus.

² And there were in the island certain other solitary men, who lived apart from him, some of whom appeared to be youths, and others decrepit old men, with whom when Patrick had conversed, he learned that the oldest of them were the sons of the youths; and when Saint Patrick, marvelling, enquired of them the cause of so strange a miracle, they answered to him, saying: “We from our childhood were continually intent on works of charity, and our door was open to every traveller who asked for food or for lodging in the name of Christ, when on a certain night we received a stranger having in his hand a staff; and we showed to him so much kindness as we could, and in the morning he blessed us, and said, ‘I am Jesus Christ, to whose members you have until now ministered, and whom you entertained last night in His own person.’ Then the staff which He bore in His hand He gave to that man of God, our spiritual father, commanding him that he should preserve it safely, and deliver it to a certain stranger named Patrick, who would, after many days were passed, come to him. Thus saying, He ascended into heaven; and ever since we have continued in the same youthful state, but our sons, who were then infants, have, as you see, become decrepit old men.”

³ And Patrick, giving thanks to God, stayed with the man of God certain days, profiting in God by his example yet more and more; at length he said farewell to him, and went on his way with the staff of Jesus, which the solitary man had offered to him. O excellent gift, descending from the Father of light, eminent blessing, relief of the sick, worker of miracles, mercy sent by God, support of the weary, protection of the traveller! For as the Lord worked many miracles by the rod in the hand of Moses, leading forth the people of the Hebrews out of the land of Egypt, so by the staff that had been formed for His own hands was He pleased, through Patrick, to do many and great wonders to the conversion of many nations. And the staff is held in much veneration in Ireland, and to this day it is called the staff of Jesus.

Chapter Twenty-Five: How he Journeyed to Rome, and was made a Bishop; and of Palladius, the Legate of Ireland. #

¹ The God of our salvation having prospered Patrick’s journey, he arrived at the city which is the capital of the world; and often, with due devotion, visiting the memorials of the apostles and the martyrs, he obtained the notice and the friendship of the chief Pontiff, and found favour in his sight. In the apostolic chair then sat Pope Celestine, of that name the first, but from the blessed Apostle Peter the forty-third; but he, keeping Saint Patrick with him, and finding him perfect and approved in faith, in learning, and in holiness, at length consecrated him a bishop, and determined to send him to the conversion of the Irish nation. But Celestine had sent before him, for the sake of preaching in Ireland, another doctor named Palladius, his archdeacon, to whom, with his coadjutors, he gave many books, the two Testaments, with the relics of the Apostles Peter and Paul and of numberless martyrs; and the Irish not listening to, but rather obstinately opposing, Palladius in his mission, he quitted their country, and, going towards Rome, died in Britain, near the borders of the Picts; yet, while in Scotland, converting some to the faith of Christ, he baptised them and founded three churches built of oak, in which he left as prelates his disciples Augustine, Benedict, Sylvester, and Sulomus, with the parchments and the relics of the saints which he had collected. To him with more profitable labour Saint Patrick succeeded, as is said in the Irish proverb, “Not to Palladius, but to Patrick, the Lord deigned the conversion of Ireland.” And the Pope, being informed of Palladius’s death, immediately gave to Patrick the command, which until then, keeping more secret counsel, he had delayed, to proceed on his journey and on the salutary work of his legation.

Chapter Twenty-Six: How he Saw and Saluted the Lord. #

¹ And shortly after he had received the episcopal dignity, the angel Victor appeared to him, then staying in Rome, and commanded him that he should hasten his journey into Ireland, that he might gain to Christ the people of that country, as the Lord had willed. But Patrick, judging himself to be unequal to such a work and to such a labour, answered that he could not and would not attempt it unless he should first see and salute the Lord. Therefore was he conducted by the angel to the mountain Morion, bordering on the Tuscan Sea, near the city of Capua; and there, like Moses, he merited to see and salute the Lord, according to his earnest desire. Who, I beg you, can estimate in his mind the merit of Patrick? What tongue can sufficiently praise him to whom, while yet living on earth, it was given to see the King of Glory, whom the angels desire to see face to face, and who was permitted to declare to men what he had been taught from the lips of the Most High? And the Lord promised to Patrick that He would hear his prayers, and that He would be his assistant in all his acts to be done by him. Therefore, being by the vision and by the divine colloquy strengthened to the ministry enjoined on him by heaven and confided to him by our lord the Pope, he vehemently longed to complete the same, and speeded his journey toward Ireland with twenty men deputed to his assistance by the Sovereign Pontiff, and who were renowned for their lives and for their wisdom. Yet he turned out of his way to the blessed Germanus, from whom he received chalices, and priestly vestments, and many books, and other matters pertaining to divine worship and ministry.

Chapter Twenty-Seven: Of the Miraculous Voyage of the Leper. #

¹ When the blessed Patrick, speeding his journey toward Ireland, was about to embark with his disciples at a British port, a certain leper standing on the shore met the holy man, begging in the name of the Lord Jesus that he would carry him over in his ship. The man of God, abounding in compassion, listened to the prayers of the poor leper; but the sailors and the others that were of the ship forbade him, saying that the vessel was already enough loaded, and that he would be to them all at once an encumbrance and a horror. Then the saint, trusting in the power of the divine mercy, cast into the sea an altar of stone that had been consecrated and given to him by the Pope, and on which he had been accustomed to celebrate the holy mysteries, and caused the leper to sit on it. But the pen trembles to relate what, through the divine power, happened. The stone thus loaded was borne upon the waters, guided by Him, the head-stone of the corner, and, diverse from its nature, floating along with the ship, held with it an equal course, and at the same moment touched at the same shore. All, then, having happily landed, and the altar being found with its freight, the voice of praise and thanksgiving filled the lips of the holy prelate, and he reproved his disciples and the sailors for their unbelief and hardness of heart, endeavouring to soften their stony hearts into hearts of flesh, even to exercising the works of charity.

Chapter Twenty-Eight: How he saw Devils. #

¹ And when the saint with his people drew near the shore, he saw a multitude of devils gathered together in the form of a globe, surrounding the whole island, and setting themselves against him like a wall to defend their own citadel and to oppose his entrance. But his heart was not moved, nor did he tremble at the presence of these deformed ones, knowing that there were many with him more powerful than with them, even to his triumph and their overthrow. Therefore he stood fixed in faith, as Mount Sion, because mountains of angels were around him, and the Lord encompassed His servant great and mighty for the battle. And the holy prelate, knowing that all those enemies were to be quelled by him through the virtue of the cross of Christ, raised his sacred right hand, and made the sign of the cross, and, telling his people what he saw, and confirming them in the faith, unhurt and unafraid he passed over. Thus clothed with strength from on high, mightily he exercised the armour of the power of God to the overturning of the powers of the air, who raised themselves against all height and against the wisdom of the Lord, being always ready to punish their disobedience and their rebellion, as will more plainly in the following chapters appear.

Chapter Twenty-Nine: Of the River sentenced to perpetual Sterility. #

¹ The man of God landed with the companions of his voyage within the borders of Leinster, in the port of Innbherde, where a river flowing into the sea then abounded with many fishes. And the fishermen were quitting the water, and drawing after them to the bank their loaded nets, when the servants of the holy prelate, being wearied with their travel and with hunger, earnestly begged that they would bestow on them some of their fishes; but they, barbarous, brutal, and inhuman, answered the entreaty, not only with refusal, but with insult. At this the saint, being displeased, pronounced on them this sentence, even his malediction: that the river should no longer produce fishes, from the abundance of which idolaters might send away empty the worshippers of the true God. From that day, therefore, is the river condemned to barrenness, so that the sentence uttered by the mouth of Patrick might be known to proceed from the face of the Lord.

Chapter Thirty: How the Dry Land was turned into a Marsh. #

¹ And going forward, he arrived at a place which was called Aonach Tailltion, and there he made ready to refresh himself and his people, and to announce the office of his ministry. But the idolatrous inhabitants, not enduring the presence of the man of God, gathered together and violently drove him from there, as the light of the sun is intolerable to the weak-eyed. Yet the God whom Patrick bore about him, and glorified in his body, did not permit that an affront offered to His servant for the sake of His name should go unpunished; but quickly he brought on them his deserved wrath, since for the wickedness of them who lived in it the Lord converted their fruitful land into a salt marsh; and the sea, with the foreflowing of an unusual tide, covered it, and, that it might even for ever be uninhabitable, changed the dry land into a marshy lake. Then the saint, going to a small island not far from the main shore, stayed there certain days, and it is called to this time Saint Patrick’s Island.

Chapter Thirty-One: Of his coming into Ulster, and of the Prophecy of the Magicians on his coming. #

¹ And the blessed Patrick, embarking with his people, steered toward the northern parts of the island, that he might overcome the northern enemy, and expel him from those hearts where he had fixed his seat. And the north wind fell, and the south wind arose, that he might go into the quarters of the north, and plant in it the garden of the Lord, breathing sweet odours; and the desire had come into his mind to bring to the knowledge of truth the king, Milcho, who was yet living, to whom he had formerly been a servant, and to make him a servant of the true King, whose service is a kingdom. But since the ways of man are not in his own power, but as his steps are directed by the Lord, he landed on the coast of Ulster, that the vessels of mercy might there be gathered together. But Patrick being come forth on the dry land, a multitude of heathens met him who were waiting and expecting his coming; for the magicians and soothsayers, either by divination or by prophecy, had foreknown that the island would be converted by the preaching of Patrick, and had long before predicted his arrival in these words: “One shall arrive here, having his head shaven in a circle, bearing a crooked staff, and his table shall be in the eastern part of his house, and his people shall stand behind him, and he shall sing out wickedness from his table, and all his household shall answer. So be it! so be it! And this man, when he comes, shall destroy our gods, and overturn their temples and their altars, and he shall subdue to himself the kings that resist him, or put them to death, and his doctrine shall reign for ever and ever.” Nor let it seem strange or incredible that if the Lord inspired or even permitted the magicians should thus foretell the arrival and the several acts of Saint Patrick, since the soothsayer Balaam and King Nebuchadnezzar plainly prophesied the coming of Christ, and since the devils also bore testimony to the Son of God. But when they said that he should from his table sing out wickedness, evidently does it appear that he who never stood on the truth, but who from the beginning was a liar and the father of lies, in his blasphemy uttered these things through their mouths.

Chapter Thirty-Two: How a Fierce Dog was suddenly Tamed; of the Conversion of Dichu; and how a Fountain rose out of the Earth. #

¹ But the chief King of Ireland, named Leogaire, the son of Neyll, recollecting the prophecy, gave command to his subjects that as soon as Patrick should land they should at once expel him from the country. And the saint, being then in the harbour called Innbherslan, went alone out of the ship, and immediately the people, infidel and dog-like in their manners, excited a very fierce dog to bite him even to death. But the dog, being at the sight of the man of God entirely stiffened like a stone, stood fixed and without motion, plainly showing that the worshippers of stones were like to the gods whom they worshipped. And when a certain man named Dichu, who was powerful of strength, gigantic of stature, and savage of mind, saw this, he brandished his sword to destroy the saint. But the Lord interposed His protecting arm, and all his strength withered in him, and he entirely stiffened, so that he could move neither his foot to go forward nor his hand to strike. And he, experiencing in himself such a miracle, suddenly was changed into another man, and from proud becoming humble, mild from fierce, from an infidel a believer, he was, with all his household, at the preaching of Patrick, baptised in the Christian faith. Thus he who had been in that country its first and principal opposer became its first professor of the faith, and even to his latest age continued its most devoted follower. And as his soul was loosed from the chains of sin, so were his limbs loosed from their heaviness, and all their strength was restored to him. Look, therefore, the miracle which the Book of Kings relates to have been formerly worked on Jeroboam, Patrick more profitably renewed on Dichu; for when that king was sacrificing to idols, and stretched out his hand to seize on the prophet who was reproving him, at once his arm stiffened, which on his repentance the prophet healed, yet he, when healed, did not forsake his error; but Dichu, for the increase and for the evidence of his devotion toward his new faith, gave to Saint Patrick the place in which this miracle had been declared, to erect on it a new church.

² In this place, at the request of Dichu (but for what cause I know not), the saint built the church, having its aspect against the north, and looking toward the southern point. Perhaps that by this mystical structure the worshippers of idols might be persuaded from the northern coldness of unbelief to the meridian fervour of the faith and the charity of Christ - which to this day is called Sabhall Phadruig, that is, the Barn of Patrick; for in the course of time he built there a fair monastery, into which he introduced monks that had passed their novitiate; and for their use he not long afterward, by his prayers, produced a fountain out of the earth. Of this monastery he appointed his disciple, Saint Dunnius, to be the abbot, in which when he had returned from his mission, he stayed with him not a few days.

Chapter Thirty-Three: Of the Evil-doer Swallowed up by the Earth. #

¹ And in that church the holy prelate stood before the altar on a certain day, celebrating the divine mysteries, when an evil-doer, a bondsman of Satan, thrusting with accursed boldness a rod through the window, overturned the chalice, and sacrilegiously poured out on the altar the holy sacrifice. But the Lord instantly and terribly avenged this fearful wickedness, and in a new and unheard-of manner destroyed the impious man. For suddenly the earth, opening her mouth (as formerly on Dathan and Abiron), swallowed up this magician, and he descended alive into hell. And the earth, thus disjoined and rent apart, closed on him again; but to this day a ditch yet remaining declares the judgment of the divine wrath. But the holy sacrificer, being struck with sorrow, mourned with heavy mourning over the chalice that had been filled; and the chalice, with the divine sacrifice entire in it, stood erect before him, being raised by the divine Power, nor did any trace of the offering remain to be seen.

Chapter Thirty-Four: Of the Aged Man restored to his Youth. #

¹ And Dichu had a brother named Rius, far advanced in years and in unbelief, the tabernacle of whose body, from sheer old age, was bending to the grave; and this man heavily grieved for the death of the magician and for the conversion of his brother. And his wisdom was wholly of this world, and he believed in no life but the present life; for he thought that he had lost his brother, who, believing in Christ, laboured with all his strength after the glory to come, which he had revealed to his followers. Therefore for many days he opposed and troubled Patrick, and strove to stop his mouth, lest he should spread abroad the Word of God, and increase the number of the believers. But the saint, desiring to gain him to Christ, met him with true and lively arguments, persuading him from the very kinds and natures of all created things to believe that God was the Creator of all; and, that he might the more thoroughly lead him into the way of truth, he promised to him a miracle, saying, “Now that the power of all your limbs and of all your senses fail you, and are nearly dead, and that your life is almost gone from you, if Christ should restore to you the strength of the grace of your early youth, would you not be bound to believe in Him?” And the man answered: “If you can through Christ perform on me such a miracle, at once will I believe in him.” Then Saint Patrick prayed, and, laying his hand on him, he blessed him, and immediately he became beautiful and strong, and flourished again as in his early youth. And great marvel seized on all who witnessed this miracle, and their mouths were opened to the praise of Christ and to the veneration of Saint Patrick.

Chapter Thirty-Five: Of the Death of Rius. #

¹ And Rius, being renewed outwardly in his body and inwardly in his spirit, brought with him his three brothers, and came with very many to be purified at the healing font. And after these things, Saint Patrick, observing him to be thoroughly freed from sin, and knowing how sin besets the slippery path of human life, inspired by the Holy Spirit, said to him: “Choose, now, whether in this valley of tears, this world of tribulation and sorrow, shall your years be prolonged, or whether, the misery of this life being instantly ended, you will be carried up by the angels of light, and enter into the joy of the Lord your God.” But he, trusting that he should see the mercies of the Lord in the land of eternal life, answered: “I choose, and I desire to be dissolved, and to be with Christ for ever, rather than to continue in the habitations of sinners.” And he received the sacrament from the hands of the holy bishop, and, commending his spirit to the Lord, he was brought to eternal rest.

Chapter Thirty-Six: Of the Death of Milcho. #

¹ But Saint Patrick, entrusting his affairs to his beloved Dichu, set forward to visit Milcho, his former master, even his tormentor; for so he had long intended in his mind, that by his preaching he might truly convert him, now grown old in his evil days, to the infancy of the Christian faith. And Milcho, this man of envious heart, this minister of death feared lest the preaching of Patrick should penetrate a breast of stone, and that by his clear and fiery eloquence, or by some irresistible miracle, he should be compelled to believe. Therefore he held it as base and shameful to submit to the doctrine of one who had formerly been his servant, and to be bound to the unused worship of the Creator rather than his accustomed idolatry. So when he heard that the priest of the Most High was approaching, this child of perdition gathered together all his substance, and cast it into the fire; and then, throwing himself on the flames, made himself a holocaust for the infernal demons. And the holy prelate, seeing from a neighbouring mountain the deadly end of this wicked prince, saw his soul, in the form of a fiery serpent, plunged into hell; when, contemplating the infinite depths of the judgments of God, with heavy tears and sighs he uttered these words: “Of this king, who, lest he should believe in the Creator of heaven and earth, has thus doubly damned himself, the posterity shall not inherit his kingdom, but shall be bound in servitude that never may be loosed.” And all this came to pass even according to the word of the man of God, for none of his race ascended after him to the throne of his kingdom; but in a short time all his generation quickly perished from the face of the earth by the sword or by famine, or by captivity and the lowest servitude. Thus the Lord visits the sins of the fathers on their children; and thus the axe is put to the tree of death, lest it should bring forth branches of iniquity. Yet as God is able of stones to raise up sons to Abraham, and to produce from thorns roses, the two daughters of Milcho were, by the inspiration of the Lord and by the preaching of Patrick, converted to the faith. And each, after they were purified by the healing water, was called Emeria; and they lived a holy and religious life, and after their deaths they were buried in the place which is called Cluainbroin, and, as Patrick had long before prophesied, were celebrated for many miracles. Then the saint returned to the house of Dichu, where he stayed not a few days, and by preaching the Christian faith, and by working signs and miracles, he profited much people.

Chapter Thirty-Seven: Of the Holy Mochna. #

¹ And there was a youth of virtuous disposition named Mochna, and he was a swine-herd whom Saint Patrick had met near the town of Ereattan while he was preaching in those parts, and to him, the Spirit having revealed that he was destined to be a vessel of election, the saint preached the way of salvation. And the youth, even at his first preaching, believed; and Patrick, when he had baptised him, taught him the alphabet, and, having blessed him, sent him to be instructed in learning, and went his way. But the youth, through the divine grace, learned in one month the whole Psaltery, and, before the year had ended, he arrived at the knowledge of the Holy Scriptures. And after some time Patrick returned to the same village, and Mochna met him there. And while sitting together, they conversed on holy things; look, a staff sent from heaven fell between them, and the head of it rested on the bosom of Patrick, and the point of it on the bosom of Mochna. And the saint, congratulating the youth on the gift thus miraculously bestowed, said to him: “Now, my best-beloved son, shall you know by this pastoral staff that the guardianship of souls will be committed to you.” But he refusing and pleading his ignorance and the imperfection of his youth, the saint is reported thus to have said: “Do not seek to excuse yourself because you are a boy, since to all those parts where the Lord sends you shall you go; and what he commands to you, that shall you speak.” Therefore through the several degrees Patrick at length consecrated him bishop, and placed him over the church of Edrum. And he profited much the church of God by his conduct and by his example, and, being renowned in virtues and in miracles, was called to heaven. And he was buried in that church in which he had worthily served the Lord, and in which, adorned with manifold miracles, he had accustomed himself to live in Christ. And the staff is in that church still preserved, and is called by the Irish “the flying staff.” And as Saint Patrick had advanced this man from the care of swine to the episcopate, a swine is yearly taken from that territory, and paid to the church of Down.

Chapter Thirty-Eight: Of the Hostages of Dichu which were Freed by an Angel. #

¹ Leogaire, a man of leonine fierceness, with a high and swelling heart, rose above himself in the pride of his exploits, because he seemed to himself to hold the land by the strength of his arm and the firmness of his valour. And he took hostages of all the provincial chiefs bordering on his kingdom, and among others he held in his power the sons of Dichu, lest any of them should raise the head to defend themselves, or the heel to offend him. For he, being rooted in the errors of idolatry, strenuously favoured the magicians and the soothsayers; and his neck was stiff and his head was stubborn against the true religion. But when he understood that Dichu, with all his household and kindred and people, had turned to Christ, and renounced the gods of their country, even the devils, his mind and his eye were inflamed with the fury of his wrath. Therefore, being moved in his mind, he gave order that the hostages of Dichu should be punished in a manner especially destructive; for he forbade drink to be given to them, to the end that they might perish of thirst. And the Spirit revealed this to the saint, and he disclosed it to Dichu, and advised him to seek from Leogaire the respite of at least ten days until Patrick should appear before him. Yet could he not, as directed by the man of God, obtain the respite even of one day, but rather his entreaties blew up the flame more vehemently, and exasperated the heart of the king with the fire of fiercer rage, which when the prelate heard, he went to his accustomed arms of prayer; and look, on the following night an angel appeared and gave to them to drink, and satisfied their thirst. And from that hour not any suffering of thirst came on them; and when a few days had passed, at the prayers of the saint, the angel again appeared, and freed them from their prison-house and from the power of their enemies. And from the place in which they were confined he bore them through the air, as was formerly the prophet; and he left one of them in a place in Down, where is now erected the church of Saint Patrick, and the other on a neighbouring hill surrounded by a marsh of the sea; and he broke apart the chains with which they were bound, and each place is to this day, from the broken chains, called Dundaleathglas.

Chapter Thirty-Nine: Of Saint Benignus, and of the Prophecy which was made of him. #

¹ And the Passover was near, the festival of the Christians, on which the Life that died, arising from the dead, became the first-fruits of the resurrection of the dead. Therefore was it near to the heart of the holy prelate to solemnise this solemn day, which the Lord had appointed a day of joyfulness to the dwellers on earth and the dwellers in heaven, on the fair and spacious plain called Breagh, and there, by evangelising the kingdom of God, and baptising the people of his conversion, to gather together the elect race to Christ. And he embarked in a vessel, and arrived in a harbour near this plain, and, committing the care of the vessel to his nephew, Saint Lumanus, he there landed, and went to the house of a certain venerable man named Sesgnen, in it to pass the night. And he gladly received the saint, hoping that salvation would be brought to his house by such a guest, nor did his hope fail him, for when Patrick preached the word of salvation he and all his household believed and were baptised. And the venerable man had a son, whom the saint purified with the healing water, and, taking the name from the occasion, called Benignus; and as was his name, so were his life and his manners; and he was beloved of God and of man, worthy of honour and of glory on earth and in heaven, and he steadfastly adhered to the holy prelate, nor ever could be separated from him; for when the saint, being weary, would lie down to rest, this unspotted youth, flying from his father and from his mother, would cast himself at the feet of the holy man, and enfold them in his bosom, and again and again would he kiss them, and there would he stay. But on the next day, when the saint was arrayed for his journey, and, with one foot in his sandal, the other on the ground, was ascending his chariot, the boy caught his foot with fast-closing hands, and begged and implored that he might not leave him. And when his parents would have separated him from the saint, and retained him with themselves, the boy, with wailing and lamentation, cried out. Away, away, I entreat you! Release me, that I may go with my spiritual father. And the saint, observing such devotion in his tender heart and body, blessed him in the name of the Lord, and, bidding him ascend with him the chariot, prophesied that he would be, as indeed he was, the successor of his ministry. And this Benignus succeeded Saint Patrick in the primacy of all Ireland, and, being illustrious for his virtues and his miracles, at length he rested in the Lord.

Chapter Forty: The Fire that was Lighted by Patrick. #

¹ And the saint, on that most holy Sabbath preceding the Vigil of the Passover, turned aside to a fit and pleasant place, called Feartfethin, and there, according to the custom of the holy church, lighted the lamps at the blessed fire. And it happened on that night that the idolaters solemnised a certain high festival called Rach, which they, walking in darkness, were accustomed to consecrate to the prince of darkness. And it was their custom that every fire should be extinguished, nor throughout the province should be relighted until it was first seen in the royal palace. But when the monarch, Leogaire, being then with his attendants at Teomaria, then the chief court of the kingdom of all Ireland, saw the fire that was lighted by Saint Patrick, he marvelled, and was enraged, and enquired who had thus presumed. And a certain magician, when he looked on the fire, as if prophesying, said to the king: “Unless that fire be this night extinguished, he who lighted it will, together with his followers, reign over the whole island.” Which being heard, the monarch, gathering together a multitude with him, hastened, in the violence of his wrath, to extinguish the fire. And he brought with him three times nine chariots, for the delusion of foolishness had seduced his heart and persuaded him that with that number he would obtain for himself a complete triumph; and he turned the face of his men and his cattle toward the left hand of Saint Patrick, as his magicians had directed, trusting that his purpose could not be prevented. But the saint, seeing the multitude of chariots, began this verse: “Some in chariots, and some on horses; but we will invoke the name of the Lord.” And when the king approached the place, the magicians advised him not to go near Saint Patrick, lest he should seem to honour him by his presence, and as if to reverence or adore him. Therefore the king stayed, and, as these evil-doers advised, sent messengers to Patrick, commanding that he should appear before him; and he forbade all his people that when he came any one should stand up before him. So the prelate, having finished his holy duties, appeared; and no one stood up before him, for so the king had commanded.

Chapter Forty-One: Of the Holy Man named Hercus. #

¹ But a certain man named Hercus, the son of Degha, who had heard many things of Saint Patrick, rose up in the sight of all, and did him honour. Therefore the prelate blessed him, and promised eternal life to him; and he, believing in God, received the grace of baptism, and, leading his life renowned for virtues and for miracles, after a while he was made a bishop, and died in the city of Slane.

Chapter Forty-Two: How the Magician was Destroyed. #

¹ And there was in that place a certain magician named Lochu, who was highly favoured with the king, and he uttered blasphemies against the Lord and his Christ. For being driven mad by the delusions of devils, he declared himself to be a god; and the people, being dazzled with his cheats, and stubbornly adhering to his pernicious doctrine, worshipped him as a deity. Therefore he continually blasphemed the ways of the Lord, and those who were desirous to be converted from idolatry he laboured to subvert in their faith, and to pervert from Christ. And almost in the same manner as Simon Magus resisted Saint Peter he opposed Saint Patrick. And on a certain time, when he was raised from the earth by the prince of darkness and the powers of the air, and the king and the people saw him as if ascending into the heavens. Saint Patrick thus prayed to the Lord: “O omnipotent God! destroy this blasphemer of Your holy name, nor let him hinder those who now return or may hereafter return to You!” And he prayed, and the magician fell from the air to the earth at the feet of the man of God, and his head was stricken against a stone, and, bruised and wounded, he expired, and his spirit descended into hell.

Chapter Forty-Three: Of the Miraculous but Terrible Rescue of Saint Patrick. #

¹ But the king, being much grieved at the death of the magician, burned with anger, and, with all the manifold multitude of his people, he arose to destroy the saint. And he, seeing their violence, and singing with a loud voice, began this verse from the Psalms: “Let God arise, and let His enemies be scattered, and let them who hate His face be put to confusion.” Then the Lord, the protector of His chosen ones in the time of need, saved from this multitude his faithful servant; for, with a terrible earthquake, and with thundering and the stroke of the thunderbolt, some he destroyed, some he struck to the ground, and some he put to flight. Thus, as was said by the prophet, “The Lord shot forth His arrows, and He scattered them; He poured forth His lightnings, and He overturned them.” For He sent among them, according to the prophecy of Isaiah, the spirit of giddiness; and He set the idolaters against the idolaters, like the Egyptians against the Egyptians; each man rushed on his fellow, and brother fought against brother, and the chariots and their riders were cast to the ground and overturned; and forty and nine men were slain, and hardly did the rest escape. But the king trembled at the rebuke of the Lord, and at the breath of the spirit of His anger, and ran into a hiding-place with only four of his people, that he might conceal himself from the terrors of the face of the Lord. But the queen, entreating for the pardon of the king, reverently approached, and, bending her knee before Saint Patrick, promised that her consort should come to him and should adore his God. And the king, according to her promise, yet with a designing heart, bent his knees before the saint, and pretended to adore the Christ in whom he did not believe. There, with the tongue of iniquity and the heart of falsehood, he promised that if the next day he would deign to visit his palace, he would obey all his precepts. But the man of God, though the Lord did not allow the wickedness which this unworthy king had conceived in his heart, confidently trusting in the protection of the Lord, assented to his entreaty.

Chapter Forty-Four: How the Saint Escaped the Deadly Snares. #

¹ And the king, bidding farewell to the bishop, returned to his palace, and in the several places through which the saint was to pass he laid an ambush; and various rivers crossed the road, which might in many parts be forded, near the shallows of which he placed nine chariots with some of his murderous servants, that if the saint should escape the one he might meet with the other, and so that in no way could he pass unharmed. But the next day Patrick, with eight persons only and the boy Benignus, going in a straight road to Teomaria, where the king then resided, passed through them who had laid snares for his life; and their eyes were bound, that they could not see him; but to their sight appeared eight stags with one hind passing over the mountains; and thus, the Lord being his protector, the saint and his companions escaped the contrivers of his destruction. Therefore he came to the royal city, and found the king at supper with his companions. And at his entrance no one arose excepting a certain bard of the king named Dubhtach, who devoutly saluted the saint, and begged and obtained of him that he should be made a Christian. And Dubhtach the first among them all believed in the Lord, and it was remembered to his justification; for, being baptised and confirmed in the faith of Christ, the strains that he had formerly poured forth in the praise of his false gods, now converting to a better use, he composed more excellent poems to the praise of the All-powerful and the honour of His saints.

Chapter Forty-Five: Of the Poison mingled in the Wine. #

¹ But the King Leogaire, fermenting with the gall of wickedness and deceit, knowing and marvelling how often the saint had escaped his snares, turned himself to other inventions, and whom he could not slay with the sword he plotted to destroy with poison. Therefore, by the hand of a certain evil-doer named Lugaich Mael, he gave his cup to Patrick, of which, that servant of Satan mingling poison with the wine, the saint drank. But the man of God, taking the cup and invoking the name of the Lord, bent it forward, and all that was deadly he poured into the hollow of his hand unmixed with the rest of the liquor; then making the sign of the cross, he blessed what remained, and, to the confusion of the poisoner and the amazement of all who sat around, drinking out of it, he received neither hurt nor damage.

Chapter Forty-Six: Of the Phantom Snow. #

¹ Then, being utterly covered with shame, the magician grieved more and more; and lest he should appear to be vanquished, he challenged Patrick to bring down signs from heaven. And the saint answered that he would not tempt the divine will; but the magician by his enchantments sprinkled all those parts with the coldest snow, and afflicted all the inhabitants with cold. And the saint urged him, urging and pressing that he would remove the snow from the earth and the cold from the inhabitants; and thus compelled, the magician confessed that by all his enchantments he could not do that thing. Therefore, O impious man! said the saint, out of your own mouth will I judge you, and prove that you are the worker of wickedness and minister of Satan; you who can cause evil only, and can not at all produce good. Then raising his consecrated hand, he blessed the plain and all the places around in the name of the Holy Trinity; and at once all the phantom snow which could not melt in the accustomed manner vanished. And all around marvelled, confessing the hand of the Lord working in Patrick, and detesting the deceitful works of the magician.

Chapter Forty-Seven: How the Darkness was Dispersed. #

¹ And the magician, seeing how his art was scorned and set at small account, once again by his enchantments covered the places that had been whitened with snow, even with a palpable cloud of thick darkness. And fear and trembling came on all whom it covered, or at least they experienced how closely it shaded them from the brightness of the true faith. Nor let it be marvelled that strangers to the darkness of the true light which illuminates every man entering this world should be involved in the darkness of magicians, who, with blind and hardened heart, worshipped the prince of darkness. And Patrick in his customary words addressed the magician, that he would make this cloud to pass away; but the magician answered as before. Then the son of light poured out a prayer to the Eternal Light, the Sun of Justice, and immediately the material sun arose and shone forth, and the darkness was dispersed. And the people who had until then sat in darkness, now seeing the great light, proclaimed their thanks and their praises, and magnified Patrick, who was the preacher of the Eternal Light.

Chapter Forty-Eight: How the Magician and his Garment were consumed, and Benignus and the Garment of Saint Patrick preserved unhurt. #

¹ But the magician, loving darkness rather than light, and darkening himself in the delusions of his darkness, stubbornly persevered in his malice, and still contentiously affirmed that his wicked and perverse opinions excelled the doctrines of the saint. And the king feared that the works of the magician would be overturned, and he proposed a certain trial to be made between them: “Let your books be plunged into the water, and he whose writings are blotted or effaced, let his preaching be disbelieved; but he in whose writings no blemish shall be found, let his preaching be admitted and confirmed.” And Patrick assented to this decision, but the magician refused; for he affirmed that Patrick worshipped the element of water for a god, since he baptised with water in the name of his God. Then the king changed the trial, and appointed that each book should be cast into the fire, and that of him whose book should remain unhurt the doctrine should be received of all. And the saint accorded to this sentence, but the magician, distrusting himself, accorded not; for he said that Patrick worshipped, in their turn, now the fire, now the water, and that therefore he held propitious to him either element. And Patrick replied that he adored no element, but that he worshipped the Creator of all the elements. While, therefore, the dispute grew high, and the people varied from the one side to the other, the wisdom of the Lord inspiring them to distinguish the light of the true faith from the darkness of idolatry, and the soundness of holy doctrine from the vanity of magical delusion, a new trial by fire is sought out. Then with the agreement of all, and Patrick and the evil-doer consenting, in a new manner a new house is built, of which the one-half is made of wood which was green, the other of wood which was dry and eaten of worms; and the boy Benignus and the magician, each being bound hand and foot, are placed over against each other, the boy, arrayed in the magician’s garment, is placed in the dry part of the building, and the magician, clothed in the robe of Saint Patrick, is placed in the green part, and the fire is put to it. And see an event marvellous and most unusual! The fire, furiously raging, consumed the magician, even to ashes, with the green part of the building in which he stood; and the robe of the saint with which he was clad was neither scorched nor soiled; but the blessed youth Benignus, standing in the dry part of it, the fire touched not, yet reduced to a cinder the garment of the magician that wrapped him round. Look, therefore, in this repeated the miracles which are recorded in the Holy Writ, as when the three youths were cast into the furnace, the fire burned only their bonds and did not hurt them; so it destroyed the magician, with the green part of the house, yet hurt not the vest of Patrick, and, leaving the boy with the dry part of the house uninjured, it consumed the garment of the evil-doer.

Chapter Forty-Nine: Of Many who were Swallowed up by the Earth, and how the rest were Converted to God. #

¹ But the heart of Leogaire was hardened, as was formerly the heart of Pharaoh before Moses against the commands of the Lord. For though so many miracles had been worked, he feared not to provoke the high God, and to offend his servant Patrick. Therefore, showing himself to be a second Nero, in revenge for the death of the evil-doer, he appointed several of his people to destroy the saint. And, as is testified by the Holy Writ, a wicked prince always has wicked ministers, many of his servants put themselves forward, voluntary, prompt, and earnest to so great a sacrilege. But God, the all-powerful protector of His beloved, armed the zeal of the creature against these senseless idolaters, and before they could effect their wickedness he swept them from the earth and destroyed them. For the earth opened and swallowed them up, and so many of the people of Teamhrach as were consenting to it; and the abyss opened its mouth and devoured them, even alive. And they who remained, and all the dwellers of that land seeing or hearing of these things, feared with mighty fear; and, lest they should be punished with the same punishment, they believed in Christ, and crowded together to the font. And the king trembled, and threw himself at the feet of Patrick, and begged pardon, and promised that he would from then on obey him. And the saint forgave him; yet, though he a long time instructed him in the faith of the Lord Jesus, in no way could he persuade him to baptism. Therefore he dismissed him, that, following his free will, he might go on in the inventions of his own heart, nor seem to be compelled to the faith; yet, at the revelation of the Spirit, what he foreknew of the king and his posterity thus was prophesied by the saint: “Since you have always resisted my doctrine, nor ceased to afflict me beyond measure; moreover, since you disdained to believe in the Creator of all things, therefore are you the child of perdition, and you, with all that were partners in your offence, should justly, even at this instant, go into eternal punishment; but since you humbly begged me for forgiveness, and, like the King Achab, have humbled yourself before my God, the Lord will not at this time bring on you the evil which you have deserved; yet shall none of your seed sit on your throne after you, but they shall become servants to your brother, who will believe in Christ, and to his posterity for ever and ever.” But the queen believed in Christ, and was baptised and blessed by Patrick, and at length, with a pious end, rested in the Lord. And he went forward with his people, baptising in the name of the Holy Trinity all those who believed, while the Lord assisted and confirmed his labours with manifold miracles.

Chapter Fifty: Of the Sisters and the Nephews of Saint Patrick. #

¹ And the saint had three sisters, memorable for their holiness and for their justice, and they were pleasing to the Lord; and of these the names were Lupita, Tygridia, and Darercha. And Tygridia was blessed with a happy fruitfulness, for she brought forth seventeen sons and five daughters. And all her sons became most wise and holy monks, and priests, and prelates; and all her daughters became nuns, and ended their days as holy virgins; and the names of the bishops were Brochadius, Broichanus, Mogenochus, and Lumanus, who, with their uncle, Saint Patrick, going from Britain into Ireland, earnestly labouring together in the field of the Lord, they collected an abundant harvest into the granary of heaven. And Darercha, the youngest sister, was the mother of the pious bishops, Mel, Moch, and Munis, and their father was named Conis. And these also accompanied Saint Patrick in his preaching and in his travel, and in various places obtained the episcopal dignity. Truly their generation appeared blessed, and the nephews of Saint Patrick were a holy heritage.

Chapter Fifty-One: How Saint Lumanus Sailed against the Wind and the Stream. #

¹ And Saint Patrick, having sailed over from Ulster, came to the territory of Meath, at the mouth of the river Boinn, among barbarians and idolaters; and he committed his vessel and its tackle to his nephew, Saint Lumanus, enjoining him that he should stay there at the least forty days, while he himself would go forward to preach in the interior parts of the country. But Lumanus, remaining there the messenger of light, and being made obedient through the hope of obtaining martyrdom, doubled the space of time that was enjoined to him, which no one of his companions, even through the fear of their lives, dared to do. Yet was not this child of obedience disappointed of his reward. For while he received the seed of obedience, he brought forth to himself the fruit of patience, and deserved to fertilise strange lands, even with the seed of the divine Word, to the flourishing of the flowers of faith and the fruits of justice; and the more devotedly he obeyed his spiritual father, the more marvellously the elements obeyed him. And having fulfilled there twice forty days, and being wearied with the continual expectation of the saint’s return, on a certain day, the wind blowing strongly against him, he hoisted the sails, and, trusting in the merits of Saint Patrick, even by the guidance of the vessel alone he passed over to the place where he was appointed to meet him. O miracle till then unheard and unknown! The ship, without any pilot, sailed against the wind and against the stream, at the bidding of the man of God, and bore him with a prosperous course from the mouth of the Boinn even to Athtrym; and He who formerly turned back the stream of Jordan to its fountain did, for the merits of Patrick, guide the vessel against the wind and against the stream.

Chapter Fifty-Two: How Forkernus and his Parents were Converted and Baptised. #

¹ And Saint Lumanus having landed at the same town of Athtrym, he converted to the faith of Christ first Forkernus, the son of a certain great man who there ruled, then his mother, a Britoness by birth, and lastly his father, Fethleminus, and in a fountain which by his prayers he produced out of the earth, even before their eyes, he baptised them and many others. And these things being done, the holy prelate, in the twenty-fifth year before the foundation of Armagh, there built a church, to the endowment and the enrichment of which Fethleminus, that faithful servant of Christ, gave by solemn gift Athtrym and Meath, with many farms, and then crossing the river, he built a habitation for himself and for his people, and there he piously finished his days. And Lumanus, being consecrated the bishop of this church, sent his novice, Forkernus, to be instructed in letters, and, when he was sufficiently learned, advanced him to the priesthood. And as the day of his death approached, he went with Forkernus to his brother Brocadius, and commanded Forkernus on his obedience that he should, after his decease, take on himself the government of the church over which he presided. But he, refusing and protesting that it accorded neither to reason nor to justice that he should in the church of his father take on himself the guidance of souls, lest he should seem to hold in heritage the sanctuary of the Lord, his father and pastor bound him to it by his repeated commands. Why need we many words? Lumanus would not bless him until he had promised to undertake this office. And at length Lumanus, having departed from this light to the home of eternal light, Forkernus, as enjoined, took on himself the care of his church; and after he had presided over it only three days, he committed it to a certain stranger, by birth a Briton, named Cathladius. Thus the man of God fulfilled the command of his father, and thus he took care that he should not set the example of selling the rights of the church or the heritage of his parents. But all the revenues of this church were by Lumanus transferred to Saint Patrick and his successors, and for ever after given to the church of Armagh.

Chapter Fifty-Three: Of the Prophecy of Saint Patrick on Coyrbre, and of the Unfruitfulness of a River. #

¹ And Leogaire had two brothers, the elder of whom was named Coyrbre, like to him in cruelty and unbelief, if, indeed, any one could in that country be found like him, who despised and condemned the law of the Most High; and the younger was named Conallus, who retained no more of his birth than does the fish of the sea or the rose of the thorn. But Patrick having gone to Coyrbre, who then stayed in the place called Tailltion, that he might convert him to the Christian faith, if in any way from that stone could a son be raised up to Abraham, yet he, his heart being hardened against belief, intended the death of the preacher who would have preached life to him, and even in the middle of the river he scourged the servants of Patrick; and the saint, knowing him to be obstinate in his error, and to be abandoned by God, thus prophesied to him: “Since you have refused to bear the yoke of Christ, whose service is freedom, no one of your posterity shall attain the throne of your kingdom, but in perpetual servitude shall they serve the seed of your younger brother, Conallus. And this shall be to you a sign that the Lord will fulfil the word which He has spoken through my mouth: the river near your house, which, with the abundance of its fishes, is accustomed to feed you and your household, from this day forward, even for ever, shall produce no fishes.” And the word of the man of God obtained, for all his posterity became subject to the posterity of his brother Conallus, and they came to the throne of his kingdom; and the river, which is called Seyle, to this day bears no fishes.

Chapter Fifty-Four: Of Conallus, and of the Prophecy of Patrick concerning him. #

¹ And the saint, leaving those children of darkness in the anger and blindness of their hearts, and the depth of their error, turned his steps towards Conallus, who was to be the child of the truth. And he, rejoicing and giving thanks, received him as the angel of peace and of delight, and opened the ears of his hearing to the words of salvation, and, through the washing of regeneration and renovation of the Holy Spirit, he deserved to be incorporated with Christ. By this we are plainly shown that the Heavenly Potter out of the same clay can form at His will one vessel to reproof and another to honour. Then Conallus, being comforted and confirmed in the Catholic truth, offered to the saint his dwelling-house, and his land, and his farm, and begged him with many prayers that for the spreading of the Christian faith he there would build a city for him and for his people; and he said he would build a habitation for himself on the borders of it. And the saint, praising so great charity in his novice, lest he should seem to reject his entreaty, built there a city, which is now called Domnhach Phadruig - that is, the City of Patrick; and touching it with his staff, he marked out the dwelling-place of Conallus, which is now called Rathyr-tair. And the saint blessed him in the name of the Lord; and among other things which were to happen to him, thus he prophesied: “Happy and prosperous shall be this dwelling-place, and happy shall be they who dwell in it; nor shall the blood of any man, except one, be shed in it; and the Lord, giving His blessing, shall bless you, and He shall confirm your throne and multiply your empire, and the seed of your brother shall serve your seed for ever and ever.” And all these things which the saint prophesied were not in the event disproved.

Chapter Fifty-Five: Of the Altar of Saint Patrick. #

¹ And it was near to the heart of the saint to visit Connacht; and chiefly for the vision which he had previously seen in his sleep, in which he was called by the infants of that country, even in their mothers’ wombs, he desired there to evangelise the kingdom of God. And he purposed to travel round the whole island, that he might convert it to Christ; and the saint, being prepared for his journey, blessed Conallus, and in memorial of himself he left in the same city his altar of stone, for the relieving of the sick and for the working of miracles; but when he proceeded on his journey, the altar followed, nor to the eyes of any man was it visible how it was carried; but, as I account, it was carried along the path of the saint by the power and the virtue of Him at whose nod the prophet was carried from Judea into Chaldea. Thus Christ, the Corner-Stone, that He might show to all the holiness of Patrick, caused this holy stone to be moved without human hand. And the prelate, looking back, saw the altar thus marvellously borne after him, and exulted in the Lord, and returned, and placed it in a fitting place. And from that day it remained fixed, yet it did not cease to shine in miracles, as if the virtue of Patrick had remained in it or flowed from it.

Chapter Fifty-Six: Of the Images destroyed from Heaven, and of the Fountain produced from the Earth. #

¹ And the King Leogaire, being devoted to the worship of devils, with a great part of his people who much desired to please him adored a certain idol magnificently formed of silver and gold, and which was raised in a field called Maghfleidh. And the idol was named Ceancroithi - that is, the head of all the gods, because it was by that foolish people accounted to utter responses. And around this image stood twelve inferior gods, made of brass, as if subject to it. Therefore Saint Patrick turned toward this place, that he might overturn the idol, and by his preaching convert its worshippers to the worship of the Creator. But when he could not prevail, neither could he recall those idolaters from the folly that was fixed in their minds, he went to his accustomed arms of prayer. And from a neighbouring hill seeing the idol, he stretched forth in prayer his spotless hands to God, and lifted against it the staff of Jesus, when suddenly, by the power of God, the idol fell on its left side, and all the silver and the gold poured from it broken and powdered into dust; but on the hard stone of the image was seen impressed the mark of the staff, though it had not touched it; and the earth swallowed up the twelve inferior gods, even to their necks, and their heads continue above the ground to this day. Thus what human strength could not accomplish was done by the divine power; and many seeing it believed in the true and living God, and being baptised, according to the apostle, put on Christ. And in that place Saint Patrick by his prayers produced out of the earth a fountain of the clearest water, in which many were afterward baptised.

Chapter Fifty-Seven: How the Darkness was Dispersed. #

¹ And the saint, having overturned the idols, held on the way that he purposed; and the fame of his holiness, going before him, announced his coming. And when he drew near Connacht, two magicians, the sons of Neyll, the one of which was named Mael, the other Cabhiait, heard of his approach; and they were both bound in the bonds of Satan, nor were they less akin in the exercise of their evil deeds than in the germ of their native generation. These men by their enchantments covered the whole country with thick darkness for three continual days, by which they hoped to prevent the entrance of Patrick into that place. But the son of light, in whose heart the morning star that never sets perpetually shone, while he lifted up to heaven his heart, his hand, and his tongue in prayer, the light-streaming rays of the sun, shining forth, dispersed the magic darkness; and, finding free entrance into Connacht, with all his strength he laboured to open to those unworthy enemies of the truth the door of faith.

Chapter Fifty-Eight: Of the Virgins who went to Heaven. #

¹ And of Leogaire were born two daughters, like roses growing in a rose-bed. And the one was of a ruddy complexion, and she was called Ethne; and the other was fair, and she was called Fedella; and they were educated by these magicians. And early on a certain morning, the sun having just arisen, they went to bathe in a clear fountain, on the margin of which they found the saint sitting with other holy men; and regarding his countenance and garb, they were struck with wonder, and enquired of his birth and his residence, taking him for an apparition. But the saint admonished them rather to believe in his God than to enquire of his descent or his dwelling-place. Then the maidens, desiring to know more assuredly of God, earnestly questioned about His power, and His riches, and His glory. And the Saint instructed them in the Catholic faith, truly affirming him to be the Creator and Ruler of the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and of all that is in it; and that He had one Son, with Himself coeternal, coeval, and consubstantial - everywhere reigning, governing all things, possessing all things; and he also promised them that they should exchange an earthly and transitory kingdom for a heavenly and eternal kingdom; because if they obeyed his counsel, they should unite with the Celestial King in pure and indissoluble union. And when he had thus preached to them with persuasive eloquence, the maidens believed in Christ, and he baptised them even in that fountain. Thus being made Christians, they begged the saint that according to his promise he would show to them the face of Christ, their beloved Spouse. And the saint thus answered: “You must first, with the mouth of your heart and of your body, devoutly receive the flesh and the blood of your Spouse, so that, being quickened with the living food, and having tasted of death, you may pass from this impure world to the starry bride-chamber.” Then the virgins, believing in the word of the man of God, devoutly entreated and received the Eucharist, and, immediately falling asleep in the Lord, they quitted their earthly tabernacles, and went to their heavenly Spouse. And thei friends and their kindred gathered together and bewailed them for three days, as was the custom of the country, and returned their sacred remains to the womb of the mother of all human kind. And on that spot was erected a church, which is now collated to the metropolitan seat of Armagh And the two magicians, because they had educated the maidens, were sorely grieved at their deaths, and reproached the saint with bitter and angry words; but he, touching the harp of David, and preaching to them the kingdom of God, converted them to the faith, and they were baptised.

Chapter Fifty-Nine: Of the Magician Struck by Lightning, and of Twelve Thousand Men Converted to Christ. #

¹ And after these things had come to pass, a great and solemn council was held in a solemn place by the people of that province gathered there together, at which the seven sons of Amhiaich, a man eminent for his birth, his dignity, his riches, and his power, were present with a numerous train of their followers. Then the saint, that he might gain many of that multitude to Christ, threw himself into the middle of the assembly, and took the spiritual armour of the power of God to the extirpation of idolatry. But when this renowned preacher unsheathed the sword of the Spirit to the destruction of devils and the salvation of man, a certain magician named Rochait with all his strength endeavoured to slay him. Lest, however, his wicked attempt should accomplish the yet more wicked deed, the hand of the Almighty, sending on him fire from above, consumed this child of hell, and struck him with lightning, even in the presence of all. And seeing this marvellous and fearful miracle, the seven sons of Amhiaich, with twelve thousand of the people, believed in Christ, and were baptised, and constantly remained in the Catholic faith which they had taken on them. And the two daughters of a certain nobleman named Glerannus, who were then unborn, are said to have invoked the saint, and were with the rest converted to Christ, and were baptised even in their mother’s womb. And they afterward, living a holy and religious life, in a pious end rested in the Lord, and after their deaths proved by many miracles that they were with the saints in heaven. And Saint Patrick placed over this newly-converted people a prelate named Mancenus, and he was learned and religious, and well versed in the Holy Scriptures.

Chapter Sixty: Of another Magician whom the Earth swallowed up. #

¹ And the Lord ordained to Saint Patrick strong and frequent conflicts with the magicians, that he might conquer and know how prevailing was the wisdom of Him in whose name all their endeavours were foiled. For as, according to the apostle, Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so very many evil-doers resisted Patrick. Therefore, on another day, in the place of the same council, another but not a different evil-doer, at the instigation of Satan, arose with the same fury against the saint, that he might destroy him. But the right hand of the Lord, which had formerly struck his enemy with consuming fire, was magnified in strength, and in His manifold power swept this evil-doer from the face of the earth. For the earth, cleaving apart, opened her mouth and swallowed up the magician who had so often defiled himself with so many evil deeds, and, closing again, plunged him into the abyss.

Chapter Sixty-One: How another Magician is Sunken up to the Ears, and again is Raised up. #

¹ And the deadly end of this evil-doer being discerned by one who was akin to him in his flesh and in his mind, and who was not able to succour his brother when perishing, therefore he sought to avenge his destruction on Patrick as his destroyer; and being enraged against the saint, he sought to put him to death. But the Lord fought for Patrick, and the earth in like manner opened and swallowed up the magician, even to his ears. Then the man, being almost swallowed up in the earth, implored pardon of the saint, and promised that he would believe in Christ, and that he would obey his doctrine. And the saint, being moved with pity, prayed for him to the Lord; and immediately the earth cast him forth, and raised him. And the unmerciful man, being mercifully saved, gave thanks to the power that had saved him, and believed in Christ, and received the grace of baptism. Thus does the Lord, distinguishing between the light and darkness, severely condemn the reprobate and obstinate in evil, and mercifully saves those who flee to His mercy.

Chapter Sixty-Two: How a huge Stone was raised by the Saint. #

¹ And the saint, passing along on a certain day, saw a multitude of men gathered together, that they might move from its place a very large stone; and they had laboured a long time, but in vain; for they were wearied in their strength and fatigued with the unequal attempt, and to raise the stone they prevailed not. Then the saint approached, like a builder of the temple of the living God which was to be built in the Lord; and having prayed and blessed their work, that huge stone, which could not be stirred by a hundred hands, he alone removed and raised and placed in its fit place. And the men who stood around marvelled at this marvellous work, and were converted to believe in the God of Saint Patrick; and they who until then, having stony hearts, worshipped stones, when this stone was raised by the saint, believed in the living Stone, the precious Stone, the Corner-Stone, the elect Stone, the Stone which is placed in the foundations of Sion; and this Stone they had long rejected; but now becoming themselves living stones, joined together with the cement of the Christian faith, and following the sacred doctrine, and being polished and purified in baptism, they grew in the temple of the Lord.

Chapter Sixty-Three: How the Women were raised from Death. #

¹ And wherever Patrick, the man of God, went in his preaching, his lips diffused the healing knowledge, and the number of the believers was daily increased. And the Lord assisted his faithful servant with manifold miracles, and confirmed his doctrine, because he falsified not the word of God, but always sought His praise and His glory. And on a certain day he came to a place called Fearta, where at the side of a hill two women who had died were buried. Then the man of God, approaching the grave, commanded the earth to be removed, and, having invoked the name of Christ, he raised them up to life. And the women thus raised up, even in the presence of all around, proclaimed that their idols were vain, and that their gods were devils, Christ alone being the true God; and in His name they begged to be baptised, and they attained their prayer. And the bystanders glorified God, and devoutly received his faith and baptism. Thus the most holy prelate revived from double death the two women who were dead in the flesh; and their resurrection from bodily death gave to many resurrection from the death of the soul.

Chapter Sixty-Four: Two Women who were pregnant are with their Infants rescued from Death to Life. #

¹ And in these parts was a certain woman named Fidelina, yet she did not know how to trust in Christ; and she was pregnant, and even at the instant of her labour, for lack of strength, she expired. But as a city built on a mountain cannot be hidden, nor a candle placed in a candlestick, nor the fragrance of a sweet-smelling garden, so, however much he desired it, the virtue of the blessed Patrick could not be concealed. For proceeding from him it drew after him many who had been evil-disposed; and for the odour of his ointments many followed him, so by the grace of it the friends of the departed woman, being attracted, brought her lifeless body to the saint, and entreated with lamentable entreaties that he would show now on her the power which he had formerly shown on others. And at once the man full of God went to prayer; and he restored the dead woman to life; and afterwards she brought forth a son, and in due season thereafter, with her child, received baptism; and thus was each from the death of the body and of the soul revived by Patrick before the people. And all the multitude who saw these things believed and gave praise to God. And the woman related what during her death she had seen of the glories of heaven and of the pains of hell; and her testimony was believed, and converted to Christ many thousands. And shortly after this miracle was renewed on another woman, who also died in labour, and who was in like manner revived by the saint, and with her child was baptised.

Chapter Sixty-Five: How he built a Church of Clay alone. #

¹ And Saint Patrick journeyed round Connacht, spreading through all that region the Word of God; nor did he cease from his preaching nor from his working of miracles until all the inhabitants of it were converted to the true faith. And in many places he built churches, and appointed in it priests and other ecclesiastical ministers to the government of souls and the holy ministry. And on a time when the saint was intent on his customary work, he came to a certain plain, which, by its fair and pleasant site, was fitted for the building of a church; but neither wood nor stone could be found in it. For the forest was a long way distant, and no axe could be found in those parts, nor even, if it had been found, would any of the inhabitants have understood its use. Therefore this holy man offered up his prayers, and, helped by heaven, he built there a church of clay alone, and it was fashioned in very handsome form, and it was endowed with the divine grace. For well is it known to have suffered nothing, neither from the wind, nor from the snow, nor from the hail, nor from the rain, nor from any other inclemency of the weather; but from there to this day is it seen to continue in its original state. And the seat of Saint Patrick, on which he used to sit when preaching, is still shown; and manifold and marvellous miracles are reported to have been done there.

Chapter Sixty-Six: Of the two Rivers, Dubh and Drobhaois. #

¹ In that country were two rivers, of which the one was called Dubh, and the other Drobhaois; and the river Dubh was accustomed to abound with fishes, but the other produced them not. And the saint, passing near the bank of the fruitful river, entreated the fishermen that out of a great draught which they had taken they would bestow some on him. But they, wanting charity toward the beloved of the Lord, sent him away empty, and wholly refused to him even one fish. Therefore God, the author and the lover of charity, from these fishermen, narrow in heart, and frozen with covetousness, withdrew their customary gain, and deprived that river of its perpetual abundance of fishes; and the other river, which was called Drobhaois, he immediately enriched with it. And this river, as being more fruitful, so is it clearer than all the other rivers in Ireland. From which a wise man may understand that we should show charity to every member of Christ, and receive the friends of God and relieve them with all kindness. For whatever honour, whatever kindness, we show to them, that do we assuredly show to Christ; so whatever we unjustly take from or deny to them, of that does God declare us to have defrauded Him.

Chapter Sixty-Seven: Of the Voice that issued from the Sepulchre. #

¹ The holy standard-bearer of the Lord was accustomed to stop at the head-stone of every Christian who was buried outside of a burial-place, there to erect a cross; for he knew that in that country, then only lately converted to the faith, all the dead, by reason of the fewness of the churches, could not be buried in consecrated ground; and therefore the good pastor wished by that blessed token to distinguish the sheep from the goats - namely, the Christians that were buried from the pagans. So might the worshippers of Christ, seeing the sign of life, understand that a servant of the faith of the cross was there buried, and so they might not delay to offer to the Creator their prayers for his soul. Truly, a pious custom, and worthy is it of general observance that all who were baptised in the death of Christ, and are dead in his faith, should, when buried, have on them or near them the ensign of the death of Him.

² And it came to pass that Patrick, in going out of Connacht, saw outside of a burying-place which was consecrated to God the graves of two men who had been lately buried, and he observed that at the head of the one was a cross erected. And sitting in his chariot, as was then the custom, he ordered his charioteer to stay, and, speaking to the dead man as to one living, he asked him who and of what religion he had been? And the voice answered to him from the grave that he had been a pagan, altogether ignorant of the Christian faith. “Why, then,” said the saint, “do you bear the cross of Christ, you who never worshipped or acknowledge Him?” And the voice answered: “He who is buried near me was a Christian; and some one of your faith, coming here, placed the cross at my head.” Thus the voice spoke, and was silent.

³ Then the saint descended from his chariot, and removed the cross from that place, and fixed it at the head-stone of him who had been baptised, and prayed for him, and went his way.

Chapter Sixty-Eight: Of his Journey, and of his manifold Miracles. #

¹ And going out of Connacht, after having confirmed that country in the Christian faith, he went toward the northern part of Ireland, which is called Dalnardia; and the people in it dwelling, by his conduct, and by his example, and by his miracles, he converted to the faith of Christ and the sacraments of the faith. Then he passed over the mountain Ficoth, even to the great plain of Bregh, thus traversing through Meath into Leinster; and everywhere he preached the kingdom of God, and certain of his disciples he advanced in fit places to the episcopal dignity. But by how many miracles his journey was graced, how many diseased persons he healed, severally to relate, not even the pen of the most eloquent could suffice. For various received health, not only by his touch or by his prayer, but even by the passing of his shadow, as if he were another Peter. As many as were not purified by the healing water he laboured to persuade to baptism; as many as were already baptised, lest their faith should be perverted by the old enemy or subverted by heretical doctrines, he confirmed them in it. And since faith, according to the Apostle James, is “dead without works,” and since a dead faith is no faith, this blessed preacher earnestly persuaded the believers to a holy and sincere faith by their diligent working of good works. But they who, proceeding in all wickedness, condemned his doctrine, and, rebelling against God, obstinately persevered in the worship of devils, often at his prayer were they by the suddenness of divine justice destroyed, as our account has until now declared, and will declare in the following pages.

Chapter Sixty-Nine: The Prophecy of the Saint Concerning Dublinia; and the Sick Man cured. #

¹ And the saint, departing from Meath, directed his course toward Leinster, for the purpose of preaching there; and on his journey he crossed a river named Finglas to a certain hill distant about one mile from the village Athcliath, which is now called Dublinia; and looking on this place and on the country around it, and blessing it, he thus spoke, prophesying: “This village, now so small, in time shall be renowned, and it shall be increased in riches and in dignity until it is advanced to the royal seat of a kingdom.” How truly he spoke the proof of our own time manifestly shows. And he entered the village, and the dwellers in it, having heard of the miracles which he had worked in the Lord, came forth joyfully to meet him; and the son of the lord of that place, his only son, was even at the point of death, so that many said he had already expired. Then, at the entreaty of the father and of the rest who flocked around him, the saint went to the sick man’s bed, and bent his knees on the earth, and prayed, and blessed him then dying, and snatched him from the jaws of death, and in the sight of them all restored him. And they who saw this miracle believed in the Author of life, and by the holy prelate were baptised in His name.

Chapter Seventy: A Fountain is produced out of the Earth. #

¹ And Saint Patrick, while staying in this village, was entertained at the house of a woman who often in his presence complained of the want of fresh water. For the river that ran near it was, by the flowing in of the tide of the sea, made wholly salt of taste; nor before the return of it could any fresh water be obtained, unless drawn at a great distance. But the saint, who continually thirsted after God, the living fountain, pitied the distress of his hostess and of the multitude then newly born to Christ, and, so that they might pant the more ardently toward the fountain of life, he thought it fit to show its virtue. Therefore the next day he went to a certain place, and in the presence of many standing around he prayed, and touched the earth with the staff of Jesus, and in the name of the Lord produced from it a clear fountain. Thus with the staff in the hand of his preacher Saint Patrick the Lord renewed the miracle which in ancient times He had deigned to work by the rod in the hand of Moses striking the rock; there the rock twice struck flowed forth abundant waters; here the earth once pierced poured forth a pure fountain. And this is the fountain of Dublinia, wide in its stream, plenteous in its course, sweet to the taste, which, as is said, heals many infirmities, and to this day is rightly called the fountain of Saint Patrick.

Chapter Seventy-One: The Dead are raised up; the King and the People are converted; a Fountain is produced, and Tribute promised. #

¹ The divine Providence bestows on this transitory world the desire of letters, to the end that the human race, which when death arrives cannot long continue in the memory, may through distant ages preserve the record of great events, and recall them as if passing before their eyes. Therefore do those things appear to me very worthy of remembrance which were done by Patrick, the illustrious preacher to the Irish nation, the holy prelate, who, by the grace of God, in his evidences, his miracles, and his virtues, became the conqueror of the old enemy, even to the gathering together the people of Ireland her kings, that they might serve the Lord; and at length he came to the noble city which is now called Dublinia. And it was inhabited by the Norwayns and by the people of the Isles, having been conceded by the King of Ireland to the dominion of the queen, who was the daughter of the King of Norway; and in course of time was it at one time allied to, and at another warring against, the kings of Ireland. Here Saint Patrick coming, found the city defiled with the abominations of idols, and ignorant of the true Creator. And He who burst apart the gates of death and of hell smoothed the path for his servant; for the king and the people, who had formerly said to the Lord, “Depart from us, for we do not want the knowledge of Your ways”, so cast down were they, so saddened with weeping and with lamentation, that all memory of their customary fierceness, all their barbarous rudeness, and all the pride of their idolatry, were utterly subdued. Wretched was the spectacle on that day! The twin hope of the kingdom, the delight of the city, the solace of the old, the companion of the young, the son of the King of Dublinia, lay in his chamber dead; and his sister, who had gone to bathe in the neighbouring river, had that day perished in the mid-stream. And a tumult arose through the whole city; and the funeral rites of the king’s son being wholly neglected, all ran confusedly to the shore; some, not even casting off their garments, plunge into the river, some dive into its lowest depths, and others sail down the course of the tide, lest perhaps the body of the royal maiden might thitherward be hurried down. But they who had gone out to seek saw in the water the maiden lying down, like one sleeping. They delay not; they raise the royal maiden from the stream; they bear her to the chamber of her brother for her funeral; and, according to the superstition of the pagans, the tombs are prepared. And a rumour gathers in the palace that he, Patrick of Armagh, who in the name of the unknown God had already raised many that were even dead, had on that day arrived in the city. This the king hearing rejoiced mightily; and he caused him to come where his two children lay, and, being already full of faith, he promised that if God at the prayers of the saint would restore the children of his age, he and all his people would worship him. And all the nobles confirm the promise of the king, and the whole city yearns toward the faith, so that the children may but be revived. Then the saint, seeing the gain of souls which was there prepared for him, poured forth his prayers, and in the sight of the king and of the people restored to life the royal children; and they, being made the assistants to the faith, rising again in their bodies, assisted in their father and in the people the resurrection of souls. And this king was called Alphinus, and his son was called Cochadh, and his daughter Dublinia, and from her the city received its name. And he and all his people, rejecting their idols and all the abominations of the devils, were converted to Christ, and were baptised at the fountain of Saint Patrick, at the southern side of the city, which the saint, striking the earth with the staff of Jesus, had caused to arise, to the increase of the faith of the believers; and so the saint offered there the sacrifice to salvation; and there, to this day, is honour and reverence paid Saint Patrick and his successors, the primates of Armagh. And from that time the King Alphinus and all the citizens of Dublinia vowed themselves and all their posterity to the service of Saint Patrick and the primates of Armagh, and built one church near this fountain, and another near the Church of the Holy Trinity, and in the city westward of the archbishop’s palace. And they appointed a tribute to Saint Patrick their patron, which was to the Archbishop of Armagh from every merchant ship a sufficient cask of wine or of honey, a hook of iron, or a measure of salt; from every tavern a vessel of mead or of ale; and from every shop a gift of shoes, or gloves, or knives, or combs, with many gifts of such kind.

² And on that day the king and his nobles each offered to him a talent of gold; but the people offered as they could, which Patrick, the poor in Christ, gave to the poor, having retained a part to the building of churches. Then he blessed them with the blessings of Jacob the patriarch, and of Moses the servant of God, like to the age and spiritual bearing of whom he appeared, prophesying, and praying, if their deeds agreed with their words, that they might be unconquered and fortunate, but weak and unhappy if ever they falsified their vows. Which plainly was proved when this people, becoming proud and regardless of the blessing of the saint, neglected to pay the appointed tribute.

Chapter Seventy-Two: Of the Sentence pronounced on Murinus. #

¹ And the saint having blessed them and bid them farewell to the inhabitants of Dublinia, then by the power of his miracles confirmed in the faith, preparing himself for the same work, set forward on his journey. And he came to a neighbouring town, which is now called the Castle Cnoc, where a certain infidel named Murinus governed. The saint desired to lead him into the path of life; but this son of death, hearing the fame of his virtue and of his wisdom, which he feared no one could resist, absented himself from the saint, as from a fierce enemy. And the saint required him that he would at the least give to him of his abundance; but he, concealing himself in an inner chamber, asked him at least to allow him to sleep. And since these commands were often repeated by each party, the saint, at the inspiration of the Spirit, understanding him to be a child of perdition, exclaimed: “Let him sleep, let him sleep; nor until the day of judgment let him awaken or arise!” Then the saint departed, and the wretched man sank into the sleep of death. Thus when the sleeper, covered with the darkness of unbelief, refused to awake at the heavenly voice which called him from the dead, that he might be illuminated by Christ, he descended into the dark grave, there to remain for ever covered with the darkness of death. Therefore, to this day, it is among the Irish a frequent imprecation on a feigned sleeper, “May you sleep as Murinus slept at the word of Saint Patrick!”

Chapter Seventy-Three: Foylge is punished with a double Death, and the deceiving Fiend is driven out of his body. #

¹ And in Leinster was a certain wicked idolater named Foylge, who was an eminent adversary of Christ, so far as he was able; this child of Belial frequently sought occasion to lay on Patrick, the anointed of the Lord, his impious hands, for it was very grievous to him not only to see but even to hear the saint. To this inveterate malice was he urged, because the man of God had destroyed the same idol Ceancroythi, to the abominable worship of which he was especially bound. But when he could not effect his wicked purpose, he one day attacked the charioteer of Saint Patrick, who was named Odranus; for he seized him sitting in the chariot, and strangled him, so that by the one act of blood his fury might be the more fiercely excited toward another. And the saint, wounded in his heart, cast the weapon of his malediction on this child of hell, who, pierced thereby, even at the moment breathed out his soul into the infernal regions. Of some it is said that Odranus, foreknowing the servant of Satan to be intent on the death of the saint, obtained that in his stead he might on that day hold the reins. And this he did, earnestly desiring to lay down his life for the saint, lest, so bright a lamp being extinguished, the people of Ireland should again walk in darkness. And the saint saw his soul borne into heaven by the angels, and placed in the seat of the martyrs. But the old enemy, entering the dead body, showed to all a false and feigned Foylge, as if revived to life, and lived in it as returned to his possessions and to his people. And after some days, as Patrick was passing near the dead man’s dwelling, he called to him certain of the family, and asked where Foylge was; and they answered that he was then within in the house, when the saint replied: “The soul of Foylge, because he unjustly slew my chariot-driver, God justly judging and vindicating my cause, has gone out of his body, and descended into hell; but Satan, to the delusion and the seduction of mankind, has entered into his corpse, and occupies it as his own vessel.” Then the saint forbade Satan that in that vessel he should longer stay, or deceive mankind with so wicked a phantom. And at once, at the command of the man of God, the deceiving spirit quitted his habitation of clay; which, covered with worms, and raising horror and offence to all, was carried into instant burial. Nor let it be wondered that the devil should show himself in the visible form of his accustomed instrument, the God permitting whose judgments are an abyss; but rather let Him be feared who can destroy both body and soul in hell.

Chapter Seventy-Four: Of the Saint’s Prophecy concerning the Kings of Munster. #

¹ And the saint, going out of Leinster, journeyed prosperously forward into the country of Munster. And the king of it, who was named Oengus, met the holy prelate, rejoicing and giving thanks in the exultation of his heart, as on that day occasion was ministered to him of joy and of belief, because in the morning, when he entered the temple to adore his idols, he saw them all prostrate on the ground. And so often as he raised them, so often by the divine power were they cast down; nor could they stand upright, but continually were they overthrown. And as Dagon could not stand at the approach of the ark of the testament, so neither could the idols stand at the approach of Saint Patrick. And he may truly be called the ark of the covenant, who in his pure heart, as in a golden urn, bore the manna of heavenly contemplation, the tables of the heavenly law, and the rod of the heavenly discipline. And the king brought him, with great reverence and honour, to his palace in the city of Cassel, because his mind and his eye had long time longed for him, by reason of the manifold miracles which he knew had been worked by the saint. And at his preaching the king believed in the Holy Trinity, in the name of which he is regenerated in the healing water of baptism. And after he had blessed the king by touching his head, at his earnest and devout entreaty the saint pierced his foot with the point of the staff of Jesus. But the king, receiving his blessing with ardent desire, felt in his body no pain of the wound, he rejoiced so much in the salvation of his soul. Then the saint saw the wounded foot of the king, and imprinted on it the sign of the cross, and blessed it, and healed the wound; and, full of the prophetic spirit, thus he prophesied to the king: “The blood of any king of your race who shall sit on your throne shall never be shed, except of one alone.” And the inhabitants of this region, assert the prophecy to have been proved by undeniable truth, since history records not one king of all his posterity, even to the tenth generation, to have been slain, but only one. And there remained in that place a tablet of stone, on which the saint is said to have celebrated the holy mysteries; and it is called by the Irish Leac Phadruig - that is, the Stone of Saint Patrick; and on this stone, for reverence of him, the kings of Cassel are accustomed to be crowned and to be advanced to the throne of their kingdom.

Chapter Seventy-Five: How Dercardius and his Companions were destroyed. #

¹ And from there the saint speeded to Urmonia, that out of that place he might pluck the thorns and the branches of error which, being planted by the craft of the old enemy, had flourished there, and sow in their stead the spiritual harvest. And a certain man of Comdothan, named Lonanus, freely received him, and made to him and the companions of his journey a great supper. And the saint deemed right to impart the spiritual and eternal food to those who had prepared for him the food which was perishing and earthly. And during supper, while the saint laboured to fill their minds with the word of life, a certain wicked man named Dercardius approached, and with rude and persistent speech, indeed, even with clamour, wearying the ears of the saint, afflicting his mind, and stopping his mouth, demanded food from him. And the saint, not having it at hand, blushed, and took unkindly the irreverence that prevented him from preaching. But a certain man named Nessan, who saw how the just man’s spirit was vexed, offered to him a ram, which the saint ordered him to give to the bold beggar. This receiving, Dercardius returned to his companions, boasting that by his persistence he had penetrated the stony heart of Patrick, as the continual dropping of water wears out a stone. And they slay the ram, and dress and eat it. And while the meat was yet in their mouths the anger of God came on them, and suddenly avenged His servant; for the meat turned to instant poison, and destroyed them all; in which are we sufficiently admonished not to offend the servants of God, lest we offend the Almighty Himself, who will protect and defend them in the time of their trouble.

Chapter Seventy-Six: Of the Quarrel of the Two Brothers. #

¹ The blessed Patrick, as the angel of peace, announcing by the blood of Christ that peace which passes all understanding, journeyed through Ciarraghus. And as he journeyed, he saw two brothers named Bibradius and Locradius, who, their father having then lately been buried, were dividing the inheritance; and they at first disputed with their tongues, and at length they attacked each other very fiercely. And when each brandished the sword to the death of the other, the saint feared exceedingly, lest even in his sight the crime of fratricide should happen. Therefore he turned his heart to pity for these unpitying men, his mouth to prayer, his hand to blessing; and making their arms immovable as wood or as stone, he stayed them in the air. And they, seeing themselves thus miraculously prevented, ceased from the fury of their conceived sin, and, at the bidding of the saint telling good tidings of peace and preaching salvation, returned to the mutual kindness of brotherly love. Then he, the brothers being appeased, and his blessing being given to them, restored the power of their arms; and they offered him for the building of a church the field in which was worked this miracle.

Chapter Seventy-Seven: Fourteen Thousand Men are miraculously refreshed with the Meat of Five Animals. #

¹ And after that Patrick, the illustrious worker of miracles, had fortified with his most holy admonitions the inhabitants of Munster, whom he had already filled with the faith, he turned to visit the northern part of the island, the territories of the sons of Neyll, that he might convert or confirm the dwellers in it. And the same King Oengus, with twelve of his tributary kings, and other of the chiefs who were subject to him, followed the saint with fourteen thousand men, desiring to be fed with the bread of life and of understanding. And when they came to the river Brosnach, where Triamus the bishop, by birth a Roman, companion to Saint Patrick in his journey and his labours, lived in a place called Choibeach, he desired to refresh all this multitude. Therefore he first fed them all with spiritual food, and then told them to sit down to supper. And Triamus had one cow, by the milk of which he was accustomed to be sustained, and he caused her to be slain for their repast. But what was this one among so many? Then Patrick, the beloved of the Lord, addressed a prayer to heaven; and look, two stags issued from one part of the wood, and two boars issued from another part, and came to him as tamed and domestic. And these, giving thanks to the most high Giver, he in like manner ordered it to be killed, and, having blessed, he placed before the multitude. And all the people ate, and were abundantly filled; and the remnants, that nothing might be lost, were gathered up; thus with the flesh of five animals Patrick most plenteously fed fourteen thousand men in the name of Him who, with five loaves and two fishes, fed four thousand. For he said: “He who believes in me, the works that I do, these shall he do, and greater than these,” that the Father may be glorified in the Son. And these miracles differ not, though they vary in their number, for each was worked by the Lord, this in Himself, that in His servant. Nevertheless, the next day was found in that field a cow like to the one that was killed and eaten, and it was given to Triamus, that he might be nourished by her milk. And the rumour went forth among very many, affirming this to have been the same cow revived by Saint Patrick. We, however, say that nothing is impossible to God, but that this was done we neither deny nor assert.

Chapter Seventy-Eight: Nineteen Men are raised by Saint Patrick from the Dead. #

¹ But to these wonderful acts succeed yet more wonderful, and evidently show in His saint the wonderful God; for the next miracle deserves even higher wonder. And as Patrick was one day preaching eternal punishment to those who resisted the commands of God, and the reward of eternal life to those who obeyed, his words were confirmed by the argument of an unheard miracle. For, lest any scruple of doubt should arise in their hearts, he revived, in the sight of all, nineteen men who had been dead and buried in their graves, one of whom, named Fotus, had lain in his narrow house for the space of ten years. And all these related the pains which they had suffered, and with one voice declared that the God whom Patrick preached was the true and the living God. Then the King Oengus and all his people, seeing these things, glorified the God who is glorious in His saints, wonderful in His majesty, and eminent in His miracles, such as are never seen on earth; and they honoured Patrick as the priest of the high God and His own apostle. And each returned to his home, saying, “This day we have seen a miracle.” And they who had been revived were by Patrick baptised, and, professing a repentant life, they took on them the monastic habit, and, staying with the blessed Triamus, they remained in holiness and in faith even to their lives’ end.

Chapter Seventy-Nine: The King’s Daughter becomes a Nun. #

¹ And Patrick came to the country of Neyll, in which reigned a king named Echu, and he had one beloved daughter named Cynnia, whom he intended at a fitting time to give in fitting marriage. And the maiden unfolded to the saint her father’s purpose, and he exhorted her to deserve the reward of virginity even a hundred-fold; therefore, rejecting worldly nuptials, she determined to offer herself an undefiled offering to her celestial Spouse, and to cherish Him in her heart. And the king, seeing her thus steadily to preserve her virgin purity, called to him the saint, and thus he spoke: “I had determined that my daughter should continue to me a long-descending progeny for the confirmation of my kingdom and the solace of my age; but the succession is cut off, and my hope is defeated by you; if, therefore, you will promise to me the heavenly kingdom, yet not compel me unwillingly to receive baptism, my daughter shall become the servant of your God, as you have exhorted her; otherwise will I not be stopped of my desire, nor shall your preaching prevail.” And the saint, trusting in the Lord and committing all to Him, faithfully promised what the king required. Then the maiden, being veiled and consecrated, and serving the Lord in virginity and in the exercise of all other virtues, brought by her example many to His devotion; and during her life and after her death she was renowned by various miracles. And the saint commended her to the care of the holy virgin Cethuberis, who first of all the women of Ireland had received from him the veil, and to whom, being placed over the Monastery of Druimduchan, with a great multitude of virgins serving Christ, the saint himself addressed an exhortatory epistle. And in this monastery Cynnia stayed, until at length with many holy virgins she rested there in the Lord.

Chapter Eighty: The King Echu is raised from Death. #

¹ And after some time had passed, the King Echu was reduced to the bed of sickness, and when he perceived that his strength failed, and the day of his death approached, he sent a messenger to call Saint Patrick to him. And he strictly forbade that his body should be buried until the arrival of the saint; because he had promised to him the heavenly kingdom, and especially, that the king desired to receive from him heavenly baptism. Thus saying, he expired, and his body was kept for the space of one day and one night unburied, in expectation of the saint. And he, then staying in the Monastery of Saballum, which was distant two days’ journey, knew in the spirit of the king’s death, and, before the messenger could arrive, had made ready for the journey. And the saint came, and mourned over the king, especially because he had died without baptism. Therefore he prayed to the Lord, and loosed him from the bonds of double death, and at once instructed him, restored to life, in the faith, and baptised him, and told 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 them many wonders, and how in that heavenly country he had seen the place which Patrick had promised to him; but, because he was not then baptised, he could not enter it; and so at the prayers of the saint his body was revived. Then the saint enquired of him whether he would live longer 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 tasted with the eye of faith. But, “I entreat,” said he, “that I may be loosed from the body of this death and instantly delivered 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 to the place of immortality.

Chapter Eighty-One: A Man of Gigantic Stature is revived from Death. #

¹ And Patrick was journeying on a certain day for the customary purpose of his preaching; and he found near the road a sepulchre of wondrous length. And his brethren who journeyed with him saw it; but for all their amazement they could 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 the saint prayed 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 to him: “How great thanks do I give to you, O beloved and chosen of God! who even for one hour have released me from unspeakable torments and from the gates of hell!” And he begged the saint that he might go along with him; but the saint refused, because 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 Chailis, by name Glarcus, formerly a swineherd of the King Leogaire; and that when he was a 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 to 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 he loved Him according to his ability. Therefore he was baptised by Patrick, and at once 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 Eighty-Two: Of Another Man who was Buried and Raised Again. #

¹ And a certain prince who reigned in Humestia at the preaching of Patrick believed, and, with all his people, was baptised. But when the saint would have instructed him as to the general resurrection, he could not easily bend to it 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 various testimonies of the Holy Writ, examples, signs, and miracles, he is said to have thus replied: “If, by the virtue of Christ Jesus, you shall revive my grandfather, who has now been buried many days, then will I believe in the resurrection of the dead which you preach.” Then the saint, being accompanied by the prince and all his people, went to the tomb, and signed it with the staff of Jesus; and he caused the tomb to be opened, and, having prayed, to the amazement 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 same in his stature. And him, relating the torments of hell, and devoutly asking baptism in the name of Christ, the saint baptised, and, when baptised, gave to 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 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 same miracle has the saint recorded in an epistle, addressed to a certain friend who lived in a country beyond the sea, in which, among other things, he says: “The Lord has given to 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; since in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ I have raised from the dead bodies that have been buried for many years; but, I beg you, let no one believe that for these or the same 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 wonder 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 marvel at the saint’s extreme humility, beyond even his raising up of the dead.

Chapter Eighty-Three: Of the Boy who was torn in pieces by Swine and restored to Life. #

¹ And another prince, named Elelius, strenuously resisted the doctrine of the saint, nor ever opened his ears to 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 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, a Briton by birth, that he should restore to 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 endeavour it, nor will I with such rashness tempt the Lord, nor attempt a work which I cannot finish.” And the saint answered to him: “Have you not read the promise of the Lord? If you ask anything from my Father in my name, He will grant it to you’; and again, ‘If you have faith, though but as a grain of mustard-seed, you shall say to this mountain, “Move from here and cast yourself 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 you lies, you have made the word of the Lord of no effect, I prophesy to you that you shall possess on earth but a poor and slender household, and in your church shall be the dwelling of one man only.” Then he commanded 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 to life, but to his former health and to his beauty and his strength. Therefore the prince believed, and with all his household and with all his people was baptised. And in the place where this miracle was worked he built a church, and, in memory of Saint Patrick, 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 work 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 various 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 Eighty-Four: The Prayers of the Saint confer Beauty on an Ugly Man. #

¹ And among the chief men of Ireland 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 to the saint, he begged 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 your will you have 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 unusual event! When they awoke and arose, not any difference appeared in their countenance; the tonsure alone distinguished the one from the other. And all who saw it marvelled; but more exceedingly joyful was he who experienced in himself this miracle.

Chapter Eighty-Five: The Stature of the same Man is increased to a sufficient Height. #

¹ And since the saint had gratified Eugenius by his form being thus improved, he, relying on his prayers, added another entreaty. For he was of very low stature; and therefore he begged 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 ordered 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 to the measure of that height; and look, at the prayers of the saint, the man, once a dwarf, increased to it; and, lest the miracle should be deemed the work of magic or of falsehood, in that stature and in that form he continued to his life’s end.

Chapter Eighty-Six: Of Saint Olcanus, the Teacher and Bishop, raised out of the Earth. #

¹ 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 ordered his people to open the sepulchre; and within he found a living boy near to the dead mother. Him, by general advice, the prince raised out of the chamber of death, and bore to Saint Patrick, who, baptising the child, named him Olcanus, because 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 stayed 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 Eighty-Seven: How the Tooth of Saint Patrick shone in the River. #

¹ And on a time the saint, with his holy company, passed over a certain river named Dabhall; and because 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 they did not find it. But in the darkness of the night the tooth lying in the river shone as a radiant star, and the brightness of it attracted all who lived near to see and to marvel. And the tooth so miraculously discovered is brought to 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 built a church, and deposited the tooth beneath the altar. It is famed for various miracles, and 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 by which, 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 Armagh.

Chapter Eighty-Eight: The Saint Prophesies of the Virgin Treha, and a Veil is placed on her Head by an Angel. #

¹ While on a certain time the saint was baptising in the holy font a chief named Cartanus, together with his wife, he foretold to the woman that she should bring forth a daughter, to 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 maiden 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 saw afar off, with a longing eye and a wistful mind, the place where the prelate stayed. And he, at the revelation of the Holy Spirit, knew of the maiden’s journey and of her desire; and he prayed, and removed from there the marsh and, passing over with unsoiled feet, he went to 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 to her lips, covering her eyes; and the saint stretched forth his hand, willing to remove the veil from her eyes; but the maiden humbly prevented him, saying, “I beg you, my father, let the veil remain, as it is placed on the head of your servant, that my eyes may no longer see the vanity of this world, but rather may, looking inward, contemplate the brightness of my heavenly Spouse!” Therefore Patrick, rejoicing at the pious purpose of the maiden, 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 the covering of the sacred veil excluded every alluring object from her eye, lest death should enter with it.

Chapter Eighty-Nine: Saint Patrick Prophesies of the Sanctity of Saint Columba. #

¹ A certain prince named Conallus sought and obtained a blessing from the saint. And with the same 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 special 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 to him: “I have blessed your brother Fergus for the sake of the blessed child that will be born of his race. For his son Fedhieminus 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. Because 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 High; and from the time that he comes 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 a hundred monasteries, he who would more fully know, let him read the volume that has been written of the saint’s life.

Chapter Ninety: The River is Divided in Two, and Blessed. #

¹ On a certain time Saint Patrick came to a deep and impassable river named Boallus; and as neither boat nor vessel was at hand, he prayed and divided the river in two, and made to himself and his followers a free passage. And raising his right hand, he blessed the river, and 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, the saint answered: “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 to him and his fellow-militants in Christ, while its abundance of fishes will minister food to his brethren.” And Saint Columba being after many years born, when he became a man built there a stately monastery, and by his dwelling and by his works approved the prophecy of Patrick.

Chapter Ninety-One: The Prophecy that Patrick made to Connedus. #

¹ And Saint Patrick visited the country of the Turturini, where he stayed for the space of seven weeks; and in that little space he built seven churches, one of which he called the Lord’s Church. For this was his custom: that wherever he stayed 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, stayed 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 you stand in dread, and fear that your 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 to 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 Ninety-Two: Of the Isle of Man and the other Islands Converted to God. #

¹ The saint, seeing in Ireland that the harvest was great, but the labourers few, passed over into Britain to obtain assistance in the field of the Lord. And since the pest of the Pelagian heresy and the Arian faithlessness had in many places infected that country, he, by his preaching and working of miracles, recalled the people to the way of truth. And many are the places in it which 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 to the episcopal office. Returning to Ireland, he touched at the islands of the sea, one of which, Eubonia - that is, the Isle of Man - at that time subject to Britain, he by his miracles and by his preaching converted to 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 to this day called Saint Patrick’s Island, because the saint had there some time stayed. And the other islands being converted to the faith, he placed over them bishops from among his disciples - one over some, many over others - and then he returned to Ireland; 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 baptised should be deprived of episcopal confirmation. And this he provided that the faithful might always have present to 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 to them; and therefore to 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 Ninety-Three: Of the Saint’s Prophecy concerning Six Priests, and of a Skin which he gave to them. #

¹ Six priests, who were led by their unanimous desire of learning the Scripture and of visiting holy places, quitted Ireland 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, because he had nothing in which he might bear them in his hand, ordered that a seal-skin be given to him on which he was accustomed to stand while he was celebrating the Mass, that he might make of it a satchel. And they, receiving with manifold thanks the gift of the holy man, prosperously journeyed; nor from that day on was there among them any want; but whether in travelling or staying in the schools, they always found a decent sufficiency. Therefore they knew that the saint assisted them with his prayers, and that the Lord, through his merits, continued to them His mercy. But in the course 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 conduct and by their example, and closed their lives in much holiness; for they were accustomed to relate many miracles to have been worked by the same seal-skin, which to this day remains entire, and is preserved as a relic in memory of Saint Patrick.

Chapter Ninety-Four: Saint Patrick Continues his Preaching Three Days. #

¹ And Saint Patrick preached to many people gathered together from various parts to a place in Ireland called Fionnabhair, which, being interpreted, is the White Field.

² 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! by which falsehood is excluded and truth brought in; by which the time is beguiled, and the night is stolen away, and one day is made to appear as three days. Nor let the reader wonder that I call it a deception when the prophet exclaims to his Creator, “O Lord! You have deceived me,” and when the Apostle Paul says to certain of his disciples, “Being crafty, I deceived you with guile.” Kind deception which saves souls! Blessed seduction which leads to God!

Chapter Ninety-Five: Of the Vision of the Blessed Brigid, and its Explanation. #

¹ And the blessed Brigid 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 awoke; so it appeared how evidently what is said in the Canticles agreed with her; “I sleep, but my heart wakes”; because his heavenly Spouse revealed to her all His mysteries. And when the holy virgin awoke, he enjoined her that she should tell them all what she had seen in her vision. And she, obeying the command of the saint, said: “I saw an assembly of persons clothed in white clothing; and I saw 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 saw sheep and swine, dogs and wolves, fighting all and contending together.” Then Saint Patrick expounded the vision, and said that the whiteness pertained to 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 Ninety-Six: Of the Angels of God, of the Heavenly Light, and of the Prophecy of Saint Patrick. #

¹ The blessed Patrick was accustomed to visit frequently all parts of Ireland, and, as opportunity permitted or discretion required, to stay in it. And so he stayed for seven years in Munster, and as many in Connacht; but he lived a much longer time in Ulster, in which, first announcing the kingdom of God, he had brought its inhabitants to the faith of Christ, and whose country he had more frequently graced in his travels with his holy presence. And wherever he went he converted to the faith or confirmed in the faith all his hearers. And on a certain time he was journeying through that part of Ulster which is called Dalnardia; came to a place named Mucoomuir, when his disciple, the same Benignus, stayed his steps, and gazed upward, as contemplating something wonderful in the heavens. For he saw 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 he did not understand what was meant by 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 to him his heavenly vision. Then the saint, instructed by heaven, expounded this effusion of light and this angelic choir: “Know, 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 Ireland; 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 to 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 Ninety-Seven: The Temptation of the Nun is Subdued. #

¹ The venerable Benignus, among the other endowments with which 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 becomes to many the odour of life to life, yet to others the odour of death to death, so out of the melody of his voice the tempter ministered 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 it burned, because the strict discipline which was instituted by Saint Patrick, and the difficulty of the very attempt, prevented the maiden from any secret meetings with Benignus. Therefore, taught by woman’s cunning, she feigned extreme illness, and withdrew as to her sick-bed, and begged 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 the illness from which the nun suffered. Whereupon he called to him Benignus, and told him that he should visit the sick maiden and minister to her soul’s health. And he, obedient to his spiritual father, having begged and obtained his blessing, entered the house of the complaining maiden, 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; unusual, indeed, yet exceedingly profitable. The maiden, raising her eyes at his entrance, saw Benignus, very terrible in his stature, and his face as breathing forth flames; and she saw herself bright with fire both within and without, and Saint Patrick standing near, and covering his head with his hands. And from that hour, even to 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 marvel much more at this quickening and refreshing of the soul to life than the raising up of any man from death.

Chapter Ninety-Eight: Of Saint Comhgallus, and the Monastery foreshown by Heaven. #

¹ Often Saint Patrick travelled through Ulster, very earnestly teaching to its inhabitants the Catholic faith. And not seldom he turned, for the sake of rest for himself and his holy company, to a certain hill situated in a valley where afterward was built the Monastery of Beannchor. And sitting there, they saw the valley filled with heavenly light and with a multitude of the host of heaven; and they heard, as chanted by the voice of angels, the psalmody of the celestial choir. Then all who saw this wondrous vision earnestly entreated Saint Patrick that in that place, consecrated by heaven, he would build a church. But the saint refused, and prophesied to them: “When sixty 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 foreshown by the heavenly light, shall he build a church, in which he shall collect innumerable troops of the children of life, to be bound by the yoke of Christ.”

² And of all these things which Patrick foretold, not one jot has 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 built a most stately monastery, in which he brought forth to Christ many thousands of holy monks. And this saintly place, so fruitful of saints, like a vine increasing the sweetness of its odour, extended its shoots to the sea and its branches beyond the sea; for it filled with monasteries and with pious monks Ireland, Scotland, and many islands, and even foreign regions, since we gather from ancient writers that one of the children of Beannchor, Luanus by name, founded of himself a 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, in which, having shone with many miracles, he now rests in peace. Thus is the prophecy of Saint Patrick seen to be fulfiled. But of the antiquity of the church of Beannchor needless is it to speak further here, since 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 Ireland of the apostolic chair.

Chapter Ninety-Nine: The Saint Prophesies of the Obstinate Fergus and of his Children. #

¹ And the saint came to Assul, which was within the territories of Meath, where it seemed good to him in a fitting place to build a church. But a certain wicked man, named Fergus, who in it lived, was to him a particular 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 on it portrayed. Yet this man, stiff-necked and of heart harder than stone, refused to be moved to repentance; but his wife, who was then in labour, entreated pardon of the saint, and fell at his feet. And the saint, seeing him thus hardened in perverseness, spoke to him with prophetic voice: “Even thus, had it so willed, could the power of God have dissolved you at the word of my mouth. But since you can not, indeed, will not, believe, though the long-suffering of God has led you to repentance, shall you, according to your impenitent heart and the hardness of your obstinacy, treasure up stores of wrath which right soon shall come upon you. Quickly shall God consume you from the face of the earth, nor shall any of your seed reign ever in this land, nor in any other land shall they prosper, except the infant alone which your wife now bears in her womb, for on him shall my blessing come.” And all these things which were prophesied by the lips of the saint to the father and to the offspring came to pass.

Chapter One Hundred: The Curse of the Saint is laid upon the Stones of Usniach. #

¹ And with the same intention of building a church, this servant of Christ turned to a certain very renowned place named Usneach. But two brothers, by name Fiechus and Enda, ruled in those parts; and to them and to their offspring the saint prophesied, if they would so permit him, many blessings in this world and in the next; yet they not only turned 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, before he could finish, entreated and said to him: “I beg you, my father, that your 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 on are these stones found useful to no building; but if anyone should dispose them to it, 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; from where it has become a proverb in that country, when at any time a stone falls from a building, that it is one of the stones of Usneach. But Enda repented of the injury which he had offered to the saint, and cast himself at his feet, and begged his pardon, and obtained and deserved it. And he had nine sons, the youngest of whom, named Cormacus, he offered to 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 to the faith, and gave to the saint, with his nephew, fifteen villages. And Saint Patrick baptised 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, he rested in the Lord.

Chapter One Hundred and One: Of the Woman in Labour, and of her Offspring. #

¹ A certain prince, named Brendanus, who was then lately baptised, earnestly begged the saint that he would bless a certain pregnant woman; for he believed that his blessing would much avail to 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 did this, the prince marvelled, and to him the man of God delayed not to declare the mystery nor the cause of it. Then he entreated the more earnestly the saint that at least he would in some other manner deign to bless the woman and her offspring. And Patrick, raising his right hand, blessed her, and said: “The child whom you bear in your 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 to the king and to the kingdom.” And what the saint foretold without doubt happened.

Chapter One Hundred and Two: The Bishop Saint Mel catches Fishes on the Dry Land. #

¹ And the same Mel, a man of exceeding merit, who with his most holy brothers, Munius and Kiochus, had come from Britain to Ireland, being promoted by Saint Patrick himself to the episcopal degree, became the assistant in the preaching. And he, like the Apostle Paul, laboured to live by the labour of his own hands; and what was given to him by the rich he bestowed on the poor. And with this blessed man, as being her nephew, Lupita, the sister of Saint Patrick, stayed in one house (for such was the custom of the primitive church), that by his conduct 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 accustomed, would arise in the middle of the night to confess to 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 of it, for they judged the minds of others from the purity of their own conscience. But some one, holding this her familiarity with the bishop to be nothing, divulged it abroad. And as the tongue of the people is ever open to the spreading of scandal, it could not long lie hidden from Saint Patrick. Then he, desiring to try whether so the matter was, repaired to 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 to the saint as a miracle, that no suspicion might continue in the onlookers, since such a token could not ever be shown 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 out of it before the saint without any mark of a scar or of other hurt, proving thus her innocence. Then the saint, seeing these evident proofs, pronounced each to be pure and justified; yet he took care to ordain what to them and to many others would be right profitable. And first addressing the bishop, he told him that he should from then on 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 built for either sex. Thus truly, as Saint Patrick said, the name of God would not through them be dishonoured among the nations to whom they preached it; nor would in such case occasion of scandal be given to the weak, nor cause of reproach afforded. And what he ordained and appointed, Saint Patrick caused to be observed.

Chapter One Hundred and Three: The Footprints of Certain Virgins are impressed on a Stone. #

¹ And on a certain day the saint veiled and consecrated and espoused to the heavenly Spouse four virgins standing on one stone. Then an event marvellous and unusual appear. Even to this day are seen impressed on the hard stone the footprints of the virgins who were consecrated to God, that to all it might be seen how deeply could the prayer or the preaching of the saint penetrate even stony hearts. And by this may we understand that they who, for the love of Christ, despise the world, should continue in the hard way, that they might attain Him to whom they have approved themselves. And the place in which these virgins were consecrated is called Tedna; and for the servants of the Lord is there built a church, which to this day pertains to the metropolitan seat of Armagh.

Chapter One Hundred and Four: The Earth is raised in the middle of the Stream. #

¹ And Saint Patrick, for the sake of crossing it, came to a very great river named Synnia, between Meath and Connacht, which was impassable to all, except by vessels. And he long time sought a vessel, but found it not. Then he prayed to the Lord, who of old 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 built, which to the church of Armagh now of right belongs.

Chapter One Hundred and Five: Of the Altar and the Four Chalices discovered under the Earth. #

¹ In that place where the prayers of Saint Patrick had dispersed the darkness which had been raised by the magicians, a church was built, in which he promoted one of his disciples, named Ailvius, to the priesthood, that he there might minister. And he complained to the saint that the things needful for his ministry were wanting to him. Then the saint, instructed by heaven, showed him underground an altar of wonderful workmanship, having at its four corners four chalices of glass, and enjoined him to dig them up carefully, lest perhaps 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 who deposited the chalices there, is yet unknown to me. Some, however, think that they were placed there by Palladius or his associates, being placed there after his departure.

Chapter One Hundred and Six: A Treasure is Twice discovered in the Earth by Swine. #

¹ It seemed good to the saint to build in a certain plain a church, in which he might gather together to God the people of his conversion; for which purpose he entreated from the owner of the inheritance that a place should be prepared, promising to him the portion of eternal life. But the man, accustomed to the magicians’ arts, held as nothing that portion so worthy to be desired, requiring rather gold, for which he cherished an accursed appetite. And the saint replied that at that season gold had he none, because 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 to a hole in the earth which had been dug up by swine, and in it he found as much gold as he required, and gave it in exchange for the land. And there was another man possessing a neighbouring field, which the saint earnestly entreated might be given to the said church. And so this man answering as the other had done, again the saint returned to the hole that had been dug, and found in it an equal weight of gold, and gave it to the man for the purchase of his field. Thus the Lord three times showed to Saint Patrick gold in the earth dug 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 to the saint, but even gave to him for the founding and building of a church his own house, his inheritance, and all his substance; and the place is called Alfind, in which to this day is held the seat of a bishop.

Chapter One Hundred and Seven: Saint Patrick prophesies of the two Brothers. #

¹ But what the saint at the revelation of the Spirit foretold of the two brothers should not be passed over in silence. As for 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, he predicted 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 One Hundred and Eight: The Repentance of Asycus the Bishop. #

¹ And over this church Saint Patrick placed one of his disciples named Asycus, who was both in habit and demeanour a monk, the first bishop. And he, at the advice of the saint, instituted in it a college of monks, 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 a falsehood. And immediately he set himself against his own face, and in the bitterness of his sorrow he banished himself, and, flying from human-kind, remained in solitude, and stayed there seven years, seen by 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 from there to his church, and to compel him as a bridegroom to the bosom of his spouse. But the bishop in nowise yielded to them, accounting himself no longer worthy to exercise the priestly office; since from his mouth had issued a purposed falsehood, which the sacred canons define to be sacrilege in the mouth of a priest. By this it may 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 to the resistance of sin, but what hearts of stone to repentance! For many men, wicked, sinful, abandoned in their lives (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 defiled 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 to the thread of our sacred story. The same monks, unwilling to separate from Saint Asycus, continued with him even to the end of his life; and after he was buried, building there a monastery, they served the Lord in holiness and in truth.

Chapter One Hundred and Nine: The Tempest at Sea is Calmed. #

¹ While on a certain time Saint Patrick was preaching to the heathens, for the sake of instructing and baptising them, he made in that place a long stay. But his disciple Benignus was grieved at that; and the saint declared that he would not depart until his disciples and pupils should arrive from foreign regions. And one day he saw the sky to grow dark, and the ocean to be perturbed and shaken with a strong wind. Then the saint, covering his face in deep sorrow, showed to his attendants his sons who were born to him in Christ labouring under grievous peril; and he was sorely afflicted for them, and he feared chiefly for his young pupil, the son of Erchus; but when every one said that the vessel could not endure so violent a storm, at once the saint went to prayer. And after a short space, even in the hearing of them all, he ordered the winds and the waves, in the name of his God, to rest from their wrath. O wonderful event! and worthy of wonder. At once the wind ceased, the ocean became silent, the tempest is appeased, and a great calm is made. And on that day the same brothers happily landed, and told all around what they had suffered from the elements which were turned to their destruction, but afterward composed by the powerful prayers of the saint.

Chapter One Hundred and Ten: The Miracle of the Waters is Repeated. #

¹ And at another time the same 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, look, the flowing-in of the tide surrounded them, and, preventing all escape, struck them with the fear of death. Then the saint, instructed by heaven, saw their peril, and, showing it to 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 to his sons who were about to visit him a safe and quiet passage. And at once the sea obeyed the voice of the man of God, and retired; and this company of brothers, rejoicing and lauding God, came to Saint Patrick, and, for so great a miracle, turned the hearts of all who heard them to the praise of the God who worked such wonders in His saints.

Chapter One Hundred and Eleven: Of the Cowl of Saint Patrick which remained untouched by the Sea. #

¹ And on a time, having sailed on a certain way, Saint Patrick landed with his religious men, and, going out on the dry land, perhaps 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 accustomed, covered the surface of the sands, and was near bearing with it and carrying away the cowl of the prelate. And this the saint observing, in the name of Him who has 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, except that spot alone on which the cowl lay, and left it untouched. And after the tide had receded, the saint caused the cowl to be brought to him; and the miracle excited all who saw it to the praise of God and the veneration of Saint Patrick. And from then on were they all more ready to submit to Him whose commands the mute element was thus sent to obey.

Chapter One Hundred and Twelve: Of the Veil that was sent from Heaven. #

¹ 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, which, devoutly receiving, he offered to the virgin so soon as she was consecrated. But she, deeming herself unworthy of a commendation so holy, said to him: “Since this most excellent and powerful gift, descending from the Father of Light, is not sent to me a sinner, I account it right that you, on whom it has fallen, should 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 to 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 One Hundred and Thirteen: Of the Holy Leper, of the New Fountain, of the Angelic Attendance, and the Prophecy of Patrick concerning them. #

¹ And Saint Patrick, moved by his holy custom, retained with him a certain leper, to whom with intent devotion he ministered all things needful for the sake of Christ. Even with his own hands he cleansed his sores, and refreshed in him both the inner and the outer 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 to God. But when wasted with his leprosy, he feared lest he should become an offence to all, and privately 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 saw a certain man passing by, and he called the man to him, and asked him of his religion; whom, answering that he was a Christian, he begged that for the love of Him in whom he believed he would not delay to go to the nearest place which was full of bulrushes, and, pulling up the bulrushes by the roots, to bring to him a bundle of it. And at his entreaty, or rather, at his adjuration, the man went to the place; he pulled up a bulrush, and immediately a clear fountain burst forth; and he bore the bulrush to the leper, and told of the new fountain. Then the leper rejoiced and gave thanks to God, and said to him: “Do you not know, most dear brother, that our Lord Jesus Christ brought you here that you may 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 saw no mark of leprosy on it, 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 stayed there for one night. And in the silence of the night-season he saw 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 he reported to 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 honour. And what Patrick foretold in the course of time came to pass; the place is between Meath and Connacht, and in it is situated the city of Cluane, in which to this day is an episcopal seat.

Chapter One Hundred and Fourteen: Of the Lake which was removed by Saint Patrick. #

¹ The same Saint Munis, being returned from Rome, disliking after so long a journey the fatigue of any further travel, begged Saint Patrick that as he had provided rest for his brethren who possessed churches, so he would provide for him a dwelling suited to contemplation. Therefore the saint, knowing that although he loved internal quiet, nevertheless he would be right profitable to the salvation of many, offered to him a fitting place, saying: “See a hill; see a valley; build and inhabit where it seems pleasant to your eyes; yet know you this: if you will build in the valley, you may bring many souls to God; but if you stay in the hill, you will 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, forewarned by the Holy Spirit, answered thus: “Neither of the hill nor of the valley do I complain, but of the neighbouring lake, near which is a royal dwelling; for the crowding there of courtiers and of other secular persons would to me be an exceeding trouble, and a disturbance to the Sabbath rest of my mind.” Then Saint Patrick, encouraging him, said that God would easily remedy this trouble, and, withdrawing a little way, he poured 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 on it, so far distant that his servant sustained from there neither trouble nor damage. And Saint Munis, staying there, built a church, to which Saint Patrick bestowed certain relics of the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, and of very many saints, and other ornaments, which were necessary to its ecclesiastical ministry. And for his conspicuous virtues he was afterward, although reluctant to it, advanced to the episcopal office, for he was renowned for many miracles; and at length he rested in the Lord.

Chapter One Hundred and Fifteen: Patrick perceives the Conscience of Saint Fiechus, and blesses him. #

¹ 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.

² And a few years before he espoused a maiden who then had lately died, of whom was born to him one only son. Him walking with his own tutor the saint met, and, the Spirit revealing it to him, at the moment, even with the glance of his eye, understood his conscience, and in the presence of all exclaimed: “See the husband of one wife, who, according to the apostle, may worthily be advanced to the priesthood, indeed, even to the episcopate!” Then he began to expound to Fiechus the doctrines of the faith, and advised him to baptism. And the youth marvelled at the words of grace which proceeded from the lips of Saint Patrick; and chiefly because so soon the saint had divined his secret and understood all the events 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 to the direction of the holy bishop. And the holy bishop blessed him, and gave to 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 to 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 built in his episcopal seat a stately monastery.

Chapter One Hundred and Sixteen: The Chariot is, by the Decision of the Angel, sent to Fiechus. #

¹ The blessed Patrick gave order that a chariot should be prepared for Saint Fiechus, because 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 certain worldly feelings in his heart, and was displeased, and insisted that the chariot should rather be given to himself than to 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 to our brother and fellow-bishop, lest occasion of reproach should be afforded to the evil one; for this our brother, who is infirm, needs the chariot more than does 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, ordered the horses to be yoked to the chariot, and to be sent forward without a charioteer; and at whichever dwelling they should stop, to him should the chariot be given. And it was done as the angel commanded, and the saint ordered 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 to the house of a certain other saint, there they stayed the night. And on the third day they hastened to 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 to 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 to his chariot.

Chapter One Hundred and Seventeen: The Several Offices of a certain Monastery are appointed by an Angel. #

¹ And at another time the angel commanded the same Fiechus that he should build a monastery on the other side of the river, assigning to all the monastic buildings their fit and proper place; that where a boar should appear to him, there should he build a refectory, and where a stag should be seen, an oratory. And the saint replied to the angel that he in no way could undertake such a work, unless Patrick, his father and pastor, should come and approve of it. And his words displeased not the angel; for in them he saw the affection and the obedience which Fiechus bore in Christ to 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 they built a monastery, even according to the direction of the angel. And in it Fiechus presided as abbot; nevertheless throughout his diocese he fully exercised the episcopal office. And every year, at the beginning of the fast of Lent, he went alone out of the monastery, with five barley loaves mixed with ashes for his support, and stayed 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 accustomed to return to 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 to God sixty saints, whom when he followed, he was buried in Scleptus. And his son likewise imitated his father in wisdom and holiness; and having in another place attained the episcopal degree, he rested in the Lord.

Chapter One Hundred and Eighteen: The Prophecy of Saint Patrick concerning the Men of Cailria. #

¹ And while Saint Patrick earnestly pursued his preaching of the divine Word, certain armed men of Cailria met him, and violently expelled this angel of peace from their borders. But what the man of God saw of them in the Spirit, he deemed should not be concealed in silence. “Since you have raised your arms against an unarmed man, and driven from your borders him announcing to you peace and preaching salvation, you and your seed shall turn your backs in the day of battle.” And they, hearing this, feared his face, which was mighty as a sword, and repenting their rashness, except five alone, bent their knees before the saint with lamentable prayers, and begged forgiveness. Then the saint deliberated for a while within himself, and once again spoke to them with prophetic speech: “The word which, at the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, has gone out of my mouth on you and on your seed shall be fulfiled; but since you have repented in your hearts, though you shall be turned to flight, shall none of you, except five alone, fall in any conflict of battle.” And the people of Ireland vouch that this prophecy of the saint has been proved by continual proofs.

Chapter One Hundred and Nineteen: Certain Cheeses are converted into Stones, and many Wicked Men are drowned. #

¹ And certain wicked and envious men, who lived in the country of Ferros, contriving to destroy the life of the saint, offered to him poisoned cheeses, as if for his benediction; which he blessed, and immediately converted into stones, to the amazement of many, the honour of God, the veneration of himself, and the confusion of the poisoners. And to this day remain these stones in the place where the miracle was done, and show the virtue of Patrick, though mute, because they had been changed. Then these poisoners, seeing that their plots redounded to the glory of the saint and to their own shame, gathered 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 of which the man of God met them; and when he saw their countenances, he understood their thoughts, and raising against them his left hand, with a clear voice he cried out, “You shall not come to us, nor shall you return to 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 to this day were their bodies found, though long and often sought.

² Thus, at the divine mandate, the water punished them who conspired the death of Saint Patrick, as formerly the fire from heaven punished those who were sent by King Achab to the prophet. And the place in which they sank in the waters is called to this day the Ford of the Drowned Men.

Chapter One Hundred and Twenty: Of the Pitfalls passed over without danger, and the Prophecies of the Saint. #

¹ And certain other sons of darkness, dwelling in the plain called Liffy, dug deep pitfalls in many parts of the public pathway, which they covered with branches and green sods, that the saint when journeying might fall into them unawares. But a certain maiden discovered the contrived snare, and she hastened to show it to 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, since the holy troop bore in their hearts and on their bodies Him who bore all things. And the priest of God sent the maiden to her father, that she might bring him into his presence to receive the salvation of his soul. And the maiden did 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 baptised. Then Patrick consecrated the virgins to 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 to 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 the event proved.

Chapter One Hundred and Twenty-One: The Prophecy of the Saint on a Certain Village. #

¹ And Saint Patrick went to a certain village, near the island of Inchenn, and he found in it a place fitting for the erection of a church; which when he had begun, a crowd of rustics issued from the village, and impeded the work. Then the saint, being filled with the spirit of prophecy, foretold to them with the voice of truth, “Since you have made yourselves a hindrance to me, that I may not build a habitation to the Lord my God, never shall the smoke go out of the houses which you or your generation shall build in this place.” And the proof of the words of the saint to this day shows their truth, for many have often begun to build houses there, but for the rudeness of these men never could they be finished.

Chapter One Hundred and Twenty-Two: The Sentence prophetically declared. #

¹ A certain man named Dengo, who was wicked and perverse, and powerful in iniquity, prevented the saint from building a church in a suitable place; to whom the saint attesting his Judge, indeed, prophesying, said, “In a short time shall your house be destroyed, and your substance wasted away; and your sons that issue from your impious loins shall for the greater part defile themselves by mutual fratricide; while the remnant of them shall never attain to 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 One Hundred and Twenty-Three: The Prophecy of the Saint on a Certain Bishop and on the one who consecrated him. #

¹ A certain powerful man had endowed with lands and possessions a church that he was about to build on his own estate; which to govern, Saint Patrick would have appointed one among his disciples who was able for 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 next day brought to the saint his son, desiring that he might be consecrated to the bishopric of that church. And because the saint apart from his companions pursued in solitude his studies and his prayers, the man, turning from him, went to two of his disciples, who were elsewhere appointed bishops, and addressed them for the consecration of his son. And one of them refused his request, saying that he could do no such thing without the consent and the approval of the saint; but the other, persuaded either by entreaty or reward, presumed to do what the man required. And Saint Patrick, discovering this, afflicted the presumer with a sufficiently severe penance, and foretold that through all his life he should suffer 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 - by which a prudent man may take heed, lest misled by ambition he should ever attempt the same.

Chapter One Hundred and Twenty-Four: The Blind Man is restored to Sight; from him who sees is Sight taken; and three are relieved of Lameness. #

¹ 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 since 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. And Saint Patrick, observing this, 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, “Truly I say to you, since in the name of my God the eyes of this man, which are closed in darkness, shall now be opened, your eyes, 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 in this was the word of the Saviour, recorded in the Holy Scriptures, fulfiled: “That they who see not might see, and that they who see might be blind.” And even on the same day he healed three lame men who begged his aid; and according to the prophet, he made the lame to leap as a hart, and run on their way rejoicing.

Chapter One Hundred and Twenty-Five: Nine Evil-doers are consumed by Fire from Heaven, and a Fountain is produced out of the Earth. #

¹ 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 in this they imitated their preceptor, Satan, the angel of darkness, who sometimes transfigures himself into an angel of light, and to 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 to them his own son named Conallus, that he might prevent their endeavour, and repulse their violence from the man of God. And the son did as his father commanded, and stood, the son of light, among these sons of darkness. And Saint Patrick, warned by 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 Ethiopian cannot change his skin, no, not though washed with fine linen, so could not these magicians quit their inborn wickedness, though clothed in white clothing. 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 by 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 healing fountain issued forth. And on the spot where this miracle was worked by the cross he built a church, which to this day is called the Cross of Saint Patrick.

Chapter One Hundred and Twenty-Six: Another Magician is likewise Consumed. #

¹ And at another time another magician, but in wickedness not differing, bound himself by a sacrilegious oath before the heathens who were gathered together to evil deeds, that he would destroy the saint. But before 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 who were collected to see 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 One Hundred and Twenty-Seven: A Grove is cursed by the Saint. #

¹ And Patrick was on a certain day speeding his journey for the ministry of his customary preaching, when the wheel of the chariot in which he sat was broken in two. And his attendants hastened to a neighbouring grove, in which was seen wood that seemed fit to their purpose; and the wood is hewn down, and smoothed, and shaped to repair the wheel. Nevertheless they long time laboured with useless toil, for still the wheel appeared broken as before; and as often as they endeavoured to repair it, yet still, as if touched by heaven, again it fell in two. Then the man of God well knowing that this could not happen without a cause, enquired of the grove, and to whom it belonged; and he was told that it had been consecrated to the infernal spirits. And so, knowing the divine will, and agreeing with the sentence of heaven, he raised his left hand, and cursed the grove. Wonderful was the event! At once, like the fig-tree in the Gospel, it withered; nor from that time was it ever fit to any use, except to be hewn down and cast into the fire.

Chapter One Hundred and Twenty-Eight: The Sentence pronounced by the Saint on his Deceivers. #

¹ A certain prince and his people, which lived in a place called Nadese, within the country of Munster, appointed a day and an hour on which 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 appointed to it, came to meet him. And in this manner they often deceived 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 to them, “Since you have not only deceived me, but the Holy Spirit, neither you nor your children shall ever in this place finish any of your business until the evening.” And according to the common saying, thus 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 One Hundred and Twenty-Nine: A Mountain is swallowed up in the Earth, and again it is raised. #

¹ And among the chiefs of Munster was a certain wicked man named Cearbhallus, and he always hindered Saint Patrick, so that a church could not be built 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. The saint addressed him for the building of a church, exhorting and entreating; but long time he resisted. And on a certain day this wicked man, endeavouring with subtle argument to circumvent the saint, said to him: “If in the name of the Lord your God you will remove that mountain, so that my eyes may be freely satisfied with this desired lake, then shall you build a church on my land wherever you may please.” This he required, because he deemed it impossible to be done. Then the saint having prayed raised his eyes of faith and love to the prepared Mountain which is exalted on the top of the mountains; and at once the mountain was laid low, and swallowed in the earth, and permitted to the man a free view of the lake. But when Saint Patrick began to build the church, this man of hardened heart would not allow 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 to the Lord, and the mountain was lifted up to 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 fulfiled, for as his eyes were prevented from the sight of the lake, so was his life closed by death.

Chapter One Hundred and Thirty: Euchodius is cursed by the Saint, and his Son is blessed. #

¹ A certain wicked tyrant, named Euchodius, reigned in Ulster; and he commanded two holy virgins, because they rejected wedlock, to be bound with chains and cast into the water; and he set at nothing Saint Patrick interceding for them. And so 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 labour, earnestly begged the saint that he would bless her and the child whom 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, of which many and wondrous traditions are told among that people. And Euchodius in a short time lost both his life and his kingdom, and to it not one of his race succeeded. But his own brother and his descendants through many years possessed the kingdom of Ulster.

Chapter One Hundred and Thirty-One: Of Saint Sennachus the Bishop. #

¹ In the place which is named Achadhfobhair Saint Patrick built and endowed a church with fair possessions; and over it 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 the saint that with unceasing prayer he would labour with the Lord to shield him in this his office from the commission of all sin; and furthermore he humbly begged 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 he did to preserve his lowliness, and to avoid vanity, which is the fretting moth of all virtues.

² Then Saint Patrick, understanding the worthiness of Sennachus and the simplicity of his heart, promised to him all his desire; and blessing him and his flock, prophesied that from it 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 One Hundred and Thirty-Two: The Miracle which is worked for Certain Woodcutters. #

¹ And Saint Patrick in his journeying passed with his people through a forest in Midernia, and he met in it 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 on which to sharpen them. And so 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 saw their misery, he took pity on 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 hewn down without toil, like the tenderest twigs; and in these men the miracle continued until the saint had wondrously obtained for them their freedom.

Chapter One Hundred and Thirty-Three: A Whetstone is divided by Saint Patrick, and the Oppressor is drowned. #

¹ And Patrick the pious father addressed the master, indeed, rather the tormentor of these slaves, yet he found him stubborn and inexorable. And so betaking himself to his accustomed arms, he fasted and prayed for three days; and once again approaching the man, he humbly begged their liberation, and once again he found him a new Pharaoh. Then the saint spat on a stone lying by chance before them, and for the softening, the reproving, and the confounding of his hard-heartedness, the stone immediately split in three parts. But Tremeus becoming the more hardened by that which should have softened him, at once ascended his chariot, and scorning and rejecting the prayer of the saint, commanded these slaves to be afflicted with yet severer toil. And so the Lord, not suffering this insult to Patrick, the second Moses, to go unavenged, now punished the despiser of his servant, as formerly he punished Pharaoh and his host; for the horses which were yoked to the chariot of Tremeus, rushing forward, plunged into a neighbouring lake, and drowned in its waters the chariot and him who sat in it. 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 to them their long-desired freedom.

Chapter One Hundred and Thirty-Four: An Angel foretells to Patrick of Saint Moccheus. #

¹ The blessed Patrick purposed to build a church in a place sufficiently fair and fitting, which is now called Ludha. But an angel appearing to him, enjoined that he should desist from it, 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 Ireland; and in this place shall he build and dwell, and finish his days in piety.” Then the saint obeying the angel, turned to the left side of the place, and there built to the God of Jacob a tabernacle which is yet known by the name of Saint Patrick. And Moccheus coming there, erected an oratory and all fitting buildings, and lived there a life abundant in virtue; and often Saint Patrick was accustomed to visit him, and confer with him on things pertaining to God. And on a certain day, while they were sitting together and communing of God, the angel appeared and offered to them an epistle; which when Saint Patrick read, he found to be an exhortation, indeed, rather a command, to him especially directed, that he should absolutely confer on Moccheus the place which he had built, with all matters pertaining to it, and that he himself should fix his cathedral seat in Armagh. And Patrick willingly did as the angel, indeed, rather as the Lord, had enjoined, and from there retiring, he commended to Moccheus twelve lepers, to whom he had ministered in Christ; and Moccheus assumed the care and the custody of all these matters.

Chapter One Hundred and Thirty-Five: The Sentence pronounced by Patrick on Moccheus. #

¹ And after some days, while Moccheus heard the Book of Genesis read before him, in which 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 way so long endure. And when Saint Patrick observed this, he came to 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 way be derogated or disbelieved; since it was not more difficult for the Creator of all things to extend the life of man to a thousand years, if so he willed, than to one day, as according to the Psalmist: “A thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday, which is passed.” But even on these things Moccheus still doubting, the saint thus pronounced, or rather prophesied: “Since you disbelieve the Holy Scriptures, by your own experience shall you prove the truth of its records; for even to the length of three hundred years shall your life be prolonged, nor until that time is passed shall you enter into the joy of the Lord.” And Moccheus afterward repented 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 to Christ.

Chapter One Hundred and Thirty-Six: The Saint prophesies of two Brothers, and a Fountain is produced out of the Earth. #

¹ 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 to him: “Yet a little while, and you shall be driven from this land, and the rule shall be given to a better than you.” Then Colladius, the younger brother of this perverse man, gave to the saint a place which is called Domhnachcumbuir, and even until the church was built gave to him sufficient aid. And the saint blessed him, prophesying what the Lord had determined for him, saying: “To this land shall you succeed, and from your loins shall kings proceed, and reign through many generations.” And in that place the saint by his prayers produced out of the heart of the earth a pure fountain, which to this day is called Sian, that is, healing; because it relieves many labouring 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 One Hundred and Thirty-Seven: The Saint Prophesies of a Certain Youth. #

¹ 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 away empty. Therefore the youth addressed Saint Patrick, that by his prayers he might be admitted to his share; promising that he would give to the building and the maintaining of a church the better part of it. And the saint prevailing for him, Fergusius received his share of the inheritance; of 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 ordered it to be given to the same Olcanus. And he built 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 to him, “Though this day you appeared humble and despised in the sight of your brothers, yet in a short time shall you be chief over them all; for from you 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, Fergusius obtained the government of all that country, and his seed ruled in it for many generations. And from there was born Edan, the son of Gabranus, who subdued Scotland, then called Albania, and other islands in which his posterity yet reigns.

Chapter One Hundred and Thirty-Eight: Of Conallus and of his Shield. #

¹ And Saint Patrick addressed his well-beloved, the Prince Conallus; and he enquired of him whether he would assume the habit of a monk. And the prince replied that his heart was prepared to do whatever the saint would command. Then the saint rejoicing at his devotion said to him, “For the sign of power and protection, and for the proof of your spiritual worth, shall you bear your shield and your sceptre; the name of a layman shall you show; but the mind and the merit of a monk shall you possess, since many saints shall proceed from you, and many nations shall in your 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 Ireland declare, and her bards record, that this prophecy of the saint to Conallus and his seed duly came to pass.

Chapter One Hundred and Thirty-Nine: A Heavenly Light shines around Saint Patrick, and Victor is converted to the Faith. #

¹ 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 Patrick, the son of light, therefore delayed 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, to 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 as if bound with the chains of the fear of the Lord, came to Saint Patrick, and devoutly entreated and received from him the holy baptism. And being with all his household and all his people baptised, he gave to the saint his inheritance for the erection of a church, and among his disciples he stayed. 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 One Hundred and Forty: A Certain Bell of Saint Patrick is lost and found again. #

¹ A certain man of the servants of Saint Patrick carelessly lost a bell; when it was lost he sought it, and when he could not find it he sorely repented. And the saint forgave him, and directed that no longer he should seek for the bell, until in that place a church should be built. And after a long time had passed, a certain religious man named Dicullus built there a church, and there found the same bell; and in that church he placed it. And many who were infirm, drinking out of or being sprinkled with water from this bell, 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 One Hundred and Forty-One: The Obedience of Saint Volchanus. #

¹ 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 to him and to God, should also be known to his fellow-disciples for an example to them, commanded him that he should build a church wherever God should deign 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 to him with the words of consolation: “Do not, well-beloved Volchanus, doubt of a fitting place; but wherever your hatchet shall fall, there securely build and inhabit, and there shall you be among a great nation paying worship to God!” Thus having heard, he retired from the presence of his honoured father, knowingly unknowing, and wisely untaught, yet persuaded in his mind to go wherever the most true teacher had directed him. Therefore the whole day he went forward, and did nothing except lift up his hands and his heart in prayer. And as the day declined toward evening, the hatchet fell from his shoulder unexpectedly, yet moved by heaven, in a place neither intended nor foreseen. Then the man of God understanding this to be the appointed place, with great labour built there a monastery, and gathered together to one holy society many sons of God, who were dispersed; and in it dwelling, holily and religiously he finished his life, and at length, renowned in his virtues and his miracles, he rested in the Lord.

Chapter One Hundred and Forty-Two: Of Saint Rodanus, the Herdsman of Patrick. #

¹ 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 there any disturbance or confusion among them, 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 of it, and attaining the episcopal degree, he flourished during his life and after his death by manifold miracles.

Chapter One Hundred and Forty-Three: Of Saint Kertennus, the Bishop of Clochor. #

¹ 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 he showed his weakness or weariness. And the saint said to him, “Often have you carried me, yet never before have I perceived you thus to pant.” Then answered Kertennus, “Wonder not, holy father, for now has my age come on me, and my companions whose years are as my own have from the forecast of your bounty received the refreshment of a little rest; and my head is covered with grey hairs, and I labour with daily toil, and earnestly do I long for quiet, which above all things else I need.” Therefore Saint Patrick taking pity on Kertennus, promised to 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 built in Armagh; 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 neighbourhood. And after some days he placed him over the church of Clochor, which the saint himself then ruled; and when he had to it consecrated him, he gave to 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 grey hairs, and finished his life in holiness.

Chapter One Hundred and Forty-Four: Of a Boy who was blessed by Saint Patrick. #

¹ And a certain woman, who was strong in the faith, brought to the saint her little son named Lananus, to be instructed in letters; and because she believed his blessing would render the child more docile and ready to learning, humbly she begged on her son the benediction of his grace. Nor was she deceived in her faith, since the saint covered him with the breath of his blessing, and assisted him with the divine favour; and he impressed on the boy the sign of the cross, and committed him to 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 he rested at length in the Lord.

Chapter One Hundred and Forty-Five: Of a Woman who was raised from Death. #

¹ 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 Connacht. And with many prayers he begged 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 baptised her husband, who at so wonderful a miracle thoroughly believed. And from the revived woman is it called to this day the Ford of Ethna; and the waters affording a passage to all travellers, shows the merit of her reviver. And often the saint visited Connacht and Munster, working miracles in each; and in each he lived for the space of seven years.

Chapter One Hundred and Forty-Six: The Testimony of One who was revived from Death. #

¹ And even to the evening of his days the saint continued his customary labour and his accustomed work; sowing the field of the Lord with the seed of the divine word, from the fruit of which 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, indeed the extirpator of our sect, works many miracles; if we let him go thus, all the people of Ireland through him will believe in his God, and the Christians will come and they will remove our laws.” Then they took counsel together, how they should destroy him with their snares, and under the pretence of justice bring him to the death. And a certain woman was washing flax near 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 theft. And the woman did as she had been persuaded, or rather as she was seduced; and loudly crying out, called these children of Belial, and with wicked tongue accused him of it. 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 to the death. And in the place where this accursed band were gathered together, was a tomb, and in it a man was buried. Him Saint Patrick, having first prayed, awakened 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 who were evil-doers: for they who had contrived the death of the herald of life, were by this miracle converted to God and obtained his mercy.

Chapter One Hundred and Forty-Seven: The Cross that was not observed; and the Voice which issued from the Sepulchre. #

¹ And Saint Patrick was accustomed, wherever in his journeying he saw the triumphal sign of the cross, to descend from his chariot, and to adore it with faithful heart and bent 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 unusually 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 he spoke of the cross which he had seen, and of the place where he saw it. Then Saint Patrick, the preacher of the cross, leaving his meal prepared, went out of his dwelling, and returned to the place on the road which he had passed along. And diligently he sought for the sign of life, and he found near it a certain sepulchre. And drawing near, he prayed in the sight of the Lord, and enquired who in it was buried. 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 here 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 see 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 baptised man, and commending his soul to God, he walked back to his own dwelling.

Chapter One Hundred and Forty-Eight: A Goat bleats in the Stomach of a Thief. #

¹ 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 ate it. And the author or instigator of theft is enquired: and one who by evident tokens had incurred suspicion, was accused; but not only does he deny the fact, but adding perjury to theft, he endeavours 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, and proclaimed the merit of Saint Patrick. And to the increase of this miracle it happened, that at the command, or rather at the sentence of the Saint, all the posterity of this man were marked with the beard of a goat.

Chapter One Hundred and Forty-Nine: Of the Cloaks which fell from Heaven. #

¹ And that he might the more entirely profit to God by their conduct and their example, the saint was accustomed to seek the society of holy men, and to join himself to them in the most strict friendship. For, as Solomon witnesses, as iron is sharpened by iron, so are the lives of holy men by conduct and by example enflamed into a firm faith, and more fervent love of God; which, how acceptable it is to the Lord, He deigned to show by the token of an evident miracle. Therefore on a certain day, when Saint Patrick and a venerable man named Vinnocus sat together, they spoke of God and of things pertaining to God; and they spoke of garments which by their works of mercy had been distributed among the poor; when look, a cloak sent from Heaven fell among them, as a present token 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 to Vinnocus, who had for the Lord renounced all the things of this world: and Vinnocus insisted that it had been sent to Patrick, who though possessing all things retained nothing, but clothing many who 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 its place the Lord sent down by an angel two cloaks, one truly to each, that even in charity they might no longer contend.

Chapter One Hundred and Fifty: A wicked Tyrant is transformed into a Fox. #

¹ In that part of Britain which is now called Wales, 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, laboured to recall him into the path of salvation, writing to him a letter of admonition, 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 grew stronger in his sins, in his crimes, in his falsehoods and in his cruelties. And when Patrick heard this, taught by the Divine Spirit, he knew that the vessel of evil was hardened in reprobation, prepared in no way for correction, but rather for perdition; and thus he prayed to the Lord: “O Lord God, as you know this fox-like man to be monstrous in vice, do you in a monstrous mode cast him forth from the face of the earth, and appoint an end to his offences!” Then the Lord, inclining his ear to 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 has read of the wife of Lot who was changed into a pillar of salt, or the history of the King Nebuchadnezzar.

Chapter One Hundred and Fifty-One: The wicked Man Machaldus and his Companions are converted to the Faith. #

¹ And in Ulster was Magiul, a heathen, who was also called Machaldus; and he was eminent in wickedness and notorious in cruelty; and since like always accords with like, he gathered to 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 see how devoted was their brotherhood to 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 seeing 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 begged the man of God that he would provide the funeral rites, or, as he was accustomed, restore to 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 to 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 look! they found him not feignedly but really dead. And they, affrighted at this fearful chance, and dreading lest the same should happen to 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 baptised. Then the saint, at their humble entreaty, revived the dead man; and washing him in the holy font, associated him to them in the faith of Christ.

Chapter One Hundred and Fifty-Two: The Repentance of Machaldus. #

¹ And Machaldus their chief falling at Saint Patrick’s feet, confessed his sins and entreated with many tears that a life of repentance might be appointed to him, by which he might attain the life of eternity. And the saint, inspired by 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 of it into the ocean. Likewise he commanded him to enter, alone, without oars, into a boat made only of hides, and that on whatever country he should land under the guidance of the Lord there should he serve Him even to 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 repentance, entered the boat; and under the protection of God he committed himself to the waves, and was borne by them to the island of Eubonia, which is called Man. And in it were two bishops, named Connidrius and Romulus, whom Saint Patrick himself had consecrated and appointed to rule over the people of that island to instruct them in the faith of Christ after the death of Germanus the first bishop. And they, seeing 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 stayed, a fish was one day taken in the sea and brought to 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 to God, and went from then on 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 he rested. 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 exudes, indeed, sufficiently flows forth; which is sweet to the draught, wholesome to the taste, and heals various infirmities, but chiefly the stings of serpents and the deadliness of poison: for whoso drinks of it, either receives instant health, or instantly he dies. And in that stone are the bones of Saint Machaldus said to rest, yet in it is nothing found, except clear water. And though many have often endeavoured 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 dug to raise up the stone, so much the more deeply and firmly they found it fixed in the heart of the earth.

Chapter One Hundred and Fifty-Three: A Meadow is overflowed by the Sea. #

¹ 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 Connacht. But when he had sat 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. And first he attacked the saint with reproachful words, and at length he cast stones at the horses and drove them from the field: and so the hurt done to them, increased the injury and the affront offered to 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 angry at an injury offered to him, and therefore at his command the meadow withered up, and the sea flowing forward covered it, and it remained barren for ever. Fitting and just was this judgment of God, that the people who 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 from then on lose the place for which so contentiously he had striven.

Chapter One Hundred and Fifty-Four: A Stone is changed into Milk, and Milk is changed into Stones. #

¹ And one who had long time been a servant to many evil-doers, hearing of the virtues and the miracles of Saint Patrick, came to him, for the purpose of contending with him in working signs. And many false signs he multiplied, which the saint, having prayed and made the sign of the cross, dispersed. Then the magician seeing all his inventions to be frustrated, demanded that Patrick should work signs to prove 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 a 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 to the signs of the magicians, the stones continued in the same hardness to which they had been transformed. But this which was done bodily before the eyes of men, does the divine virtue spiritually do in the conversion of believers; since the worshippers of stones, men of hardened hearts, become soft to 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 to salvation. So it happened to the magician, who seeing this miracle believed in the Lord and was baptised.

Chapter One Hundred and Fifty-Five: A Waggon laden with Twigs is saved from the Fire. #

¹ And Saint Patrick requested of a certain man, that he would bring to him two wagons laden with twigs, because such were required for certain needful uses. And the man fulfiled his request, and brought the twigs to the appointed place. But a fire seized the two wagons and burned one of them, yet left the other unharmed by the flame. And all the onlookers marvelled, that the fire should exercise its natural power over the one wagon, and on the other have no effect; as of old it happened to the three children who were cast into the fiery furnace, but which were saved from the fire, nor did any hurt come on them. We however marvel in this miracle at the merit of the saint; but in no way think that the cause of it needs to be discussed.

Chapter One Hundred and Fifty-Six: The Saint is preserved untouched from the falling Rain. #

¹ The man of God was accustomed to observe with singular devotion the Lord’s day, for the remembrance of that great solemnity, which the life of death reviving to resurrection, has made worthy of rejoicing in heaven, in earth, and in the grave. And so this holy custom was fixed in his mind, as a law, that wherever the Sabbath-eve arrived, he for reverence to it passed the night and the next holy day in hymns, and in psalms, and in spiritual songs; and heartily devoting himself to 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 on which the holy watchman, the guardian of the walls of Jerusalem, stood with his companions, was not wetted even with the dropping of one drop of it. 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 untouched by the dew.

Chapter One Hundred and Fifty-Seven: The Fingers of Saint Patrick shine with Light. #

¹ 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 in which 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 to 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, moved with pity, 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 like 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 to 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, wherever he was called by the will of Him, who directed him, and lived 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 One Hundred and Fifty-Eight: Fire is also seen to issue from his Mouth. #

¹ And he preached the word of God to 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 to the saint, saying, “I see a flaming fire to issue from your 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 desires should burn in the hearts of the faithful: for the word of the Lord is bright, and his speech is as fire; of which by my preaching have you had in yourself the proof.”

Chapter One Hundred and Fifty-Nine: The holy Virgin Memhessa departs to God. #

¹ There was a noble and beautiful maiden, named Memhessa, the daughter of a prince who reigned in a certain part of Britain. And she, being filled with the grace of the Holy Spirit, through the virtue which is innate in a good disposition, and from the various species of all created creatures, understood the Creator; and Him, being so understood, she loved with all her heart and with all her soul; for the love and desire of which affection she looked down on all the riches, and all the delights, and all the splendours, 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, earnestly endeavoured with words and with stripes to frustrate and to shake her purpose; but the column of her virgin heart being built on the rock of Christ, could neither be subverted by their persuasions, nor shaken by their threats, nor could she by any of their evil doings at all be moved from her fixed firmness. And since 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 way could she be persuaded or compelled to it. And so having a long time vainly laboured, her parents by general consent brought her to Saint Patrick, the fame of whose holiness was proved and published through all that country by many signs and miracles. Then they unfolded to the saint the purpose of the maiden, earnestly entreating him that he would bring her to 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 to Him, whose breath does blow even where and how he pleases; and who often calls to himself without any preaching those whom he had predestined to life. Then, having expounded to the maiden the rules of the Christian faith, he catechised her, and baptised 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 middle 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 to the sight of her fair and beautiful Beloved, she went into his embraces. Then Patrick, and all who were present, glorified God; and with honourable burial they committed her holy remains to the earth.

Chapter One Hundred and Sixty: Of the Work which was done on the Lord’s Day. #

¹ And at a certain time Saint Patrick on the Lord’s day entered a harbour on the northern coast of Ireland, opposite the town of Druimbo; yet would he not go out of the ship, but remaining in it he solemnised the day with his customary devotion. And now was the mid-hour of the day passed, when he heard no little noise; by which he understood that the heathens were violating the Sabbath with their profane labours (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 at that being somewhat moved, he ordered that they should be called before him, and imperatively commanded them on that day to cease from their labour. But this profane and foolish generation received the prohibition of the saint not only with contempt, but with scorn and laughter. Then he, understanding the perverseness of those scorners, repeated his prohibition, and thus he said to them, “Though mightily shall you labour to your purpose, never shall it come to any effect, nor ever shall you derive any profit from it.” And how true were his words, the event showed: for on the next night was the sea wondrously raised with a tempest, and spreading over it scattered all the work of the heathens; and lest it should ever be recollected or rebuilt, dispersed it with irreparable dispersion.

Chapter One Hundred and Sixty-One: A certain Man is healed, and a Horse revived, in a place which is called Feart. #

¹ A certain illustrious man, named Darius, gave to Saint Patrick at his request a dwelling-place together with a small field, where he might betake himself with the fellowship of his holy brethren. And this was a small place near Armagh, in modern time called the Feast of Miracles. And after a season, the charioteer of Darius sent his horse into this field, there to pasture during the night; which when the next day he would lead out of the field, he found it dead. Which when Darius heard, he was moved with wrath, and preventing all excuse, all delay, all revocation, commanded that Patrick should be slain, as the slayer of his horse. But scarcely had the word issued from his lips, when look, suddenly came on him a warning, indeed a threatening, weakness of death, and cast him on his sickbed; and as suddenly were his feet which were prompt to mischief, and his hands which were accustomed to evil, recalled from the shedding of innocent blood; for misery alone gave him understanding. When these things were told to the saint, he ordered that the steed and the man be sprinkled with water which had been blessed by him: and being so sprinkled, each arose; the horse from death, and Darius from the bed of sickness.

Chapter One Hundred and Sixty-Two: Of the Vessel which was given to Saint Patrick, and again taken from him. #

¹ And Darius being thus healed, sent to the saint by the hands of his servants a large brazen vessel, which contained three times twelve gallons, and was most needful to him and his companions for the dressing of their food. And he, much requiring such a vessel, kindly received it; yet he only said this: “I thank him.” And the servants, returning to their master, when he enquired of the saint’s answer, replied that he said nothing other than, “I thank him.” Then Darius at that wondering, accused the saint of rashness and of rudeness; yet desiring to try the virtue of the word, commanded that they should take the vessel from Patrick and bring it back again. Which when they did, the saint, as he was to it accustomed in his words and in works, said, “I thank him.” And again Darius demanded what Patrick had this time said: and hearing that even then he had only spoken as before, “I thank him,” and marvelling at and understanding his firmness, he pronounced the saint to be a man of consummate constancy, and that the word of his mouth was most excellent. “Truly,” said he, “this is a magnanimous man and of unalterable mind, whose countenance and whose word could not be changed, whether the vessel be given to him or taken from him; but ever do they continue the same.” Then he, following his servants, saluted the saint with appeasing speech, and gave to him a field near his dwelling-place, about which dispute might possibly have arisen.

Chapter One Hundred and Sixty-Three: Armagh is given to Saint Patrick; and a Fountain is produced out of the Earth. #

¹ And after a short time the noble Darius, that he might show to the saint yet greater favour, brought him out of a low place to a place which was high; from a narrow dwelling to one which was spacious and fair, which was foreshown to him by an angelic miracle, at that time named Druymsaileach, but which is now called Armagh. And Saint Patrick, considering the pleasantness and convenience of the place, and walking around it, found in it a doe lying down with her fawn, which they who accompanied the saint willed to slay; but this the pious father would in no wise suffer to be done. And that he might show the depth of pity which he had for God’s creatures, he bore the fawn in his own arms, and caressed and cherished it, and carried it to a park at the northern side of Armagh; and the doe, like the tamest sheep, followed the compassionate bearer of her youngling, until he placed it down at her side. And on that day the saint, for the praise of God and for the benefit of the people, brought forth out of the earth by his prayers, even for the seventh time, a clear fountain.

Chapter One Hundred and Sixty-Four: The Saint sees a Vision of Angels, and cures Sixteen Lepers. #

¹ When the lamp of the daily light was extinguished in the shades of the night, the man of God saw in a vision of the night angels measuring the form and the extent of the city which was to be built in that high place, and one of the angels enjoined him, that the next day he should go to the fountain near Armagh, which is now called Tobar Patraic, that is, the Fountain of Patrick; and there he should heal in the name of the Lord sixteen lepers, who were come there from many places to experience the mercy of the Lord, and to receive his faith. And Patrick obeyed the voice of the angel; and early in the morning he found those men, and by his preaching he converted them to the faith, and being converted, he baptised them in that fountain, and when baptised, he purified them from the leprous taint of both the inner and the outer man. And this miracle when published abroad, was accounted a fair presage and a present sanction of the future city. And the angel, at the prayers of Patrick, removed far from there an exceeding huge stone which lay in the wayside, and which could not be raised by the labour or the ingenuity of man; lest it should be a hindrance to passengers approaching the city.

Chapter One Hundred and Sixty-Five: Of the City of Armagh, and Twelve of its Citizens. #

¹ Then Patrick founded, according to the direction of the angels, a city, fair in its site, its form, and its ambit, and when by the divine assistance it was completed, he brought to dwell in it twelve citizens, whom he had from all parts diligently and discreetly chosen: and these he instructed in the Catholic doctrines of the Christian faith. And he beautified the city with churches built after a becoming and spiritual fashion; and for the observance of divine worship, for the government of souls, and for the instruction of the Catholic flock, he appointed in it clerical persons; and he instituted certain monasteries filled with monks, and others filled with nuns, and placed them under the regulations of all possible perfection. And in one of these monasteries was a certain brother, who would not take either food or drink before the hour appointed by the saint; and he perished of thirst; and Patrick saw his soul ascending into heaven, and placed among the martyrs. And in the convent of the servants of God, was a certain virgin, the daughter of a British king, with nine other holy maidens, who had come with her to Saint Patrick, and of these, three in his presence went to heaven. And in this city he placed an archiepiscopal cathedral; and determined in his mind that it should be the chief metropolis, and the mistress of all Ireland; and that this his purpose might remain fixed and by posterity unaltered, he resolved to journey to the apostolic seat, and confirm it with authentic privileges.

Chapter One Hundred and Sixty-Six: At the Direction of the Angels Saint Patrick goes to Rome. #

¹ And the angel of the Lord appearing to Patrick, approved the purpose of his journey, and showed him that the Pope would bestow and divide among many churches the relics of the Apostles Peter and Paul, and of many saints. And as carriages were perhaps then wanting to him, the angels provided him with four chariots, as if sent from heaven, which conveyed him and his people to the sea-side. Then the glorified prelate Patrick; after that the urgency of his labourious preaching was finished, and the abundance of so many and so great miracles had converted the whole island, blessed and said farewell to the several bishops and presbyters and other members of the church whom he had ordained: and with certain of his disciples, led by his angelic guide, he sailed toward Rome. Where arriving, while in the presence of the supreme pontiff he declared the cause of his coming, he found supreme favour in his eyes; for, embracing and acknowledging him as the apostle of Ireland, he decorated the saint with the pall, and appointing him his legate, by his authority confirmed whatever Patrick had done, appointed or disposed in it. And many parting presents, and precious gifts, which pertained to the beauty, indeed, to the strength of the church, the Pope bestowed on him; among which were certain relics of the Apostles Peter and Paul, and of Stephen the proto-martyr, and of many other martyrs; and moreover, he gave to the saint a linen cloth, which was marked with the blood of our Lord the Saviour Jesus Christ. Gift excelling all other gifts! And with these most holy honours the saint being returned to Ireland, fortified with it this metropolitan church of Armagh (to the salvation of souls and the safety of the whole nation), and reposited them in a chest behind the great altar. And in that church even from the time of Saint Patrick the custom obtained that on the days of the Passover and of the Pentecost these relics should be produced from it, and venerated in the presence of the people.

Chapter One Hundred and Sixty-Seven: The Acts of Saint Patrick while returning from Rome. #

¹ But the miracles which Saint Patrick worked, when going to Rome, or returning from there, or after he had returned, are beyond our ability to relate either one by one or all together. For wherever he remained through the night, or made any stay, left he behind him the proofs of his sanctity, in the healing of some diseased person; since churches and oratories which were built in those places and entitled after his name are yet to be seen; and which to this day are redolent of his holiness, and impart the benefit of his miracles to many who sought them with the merit of faith. And in his return he some time stayed in his own country of Britain, and founded there many monasteries, and rebuilt many others which had been destroyed by the heathens; and he filled them with convents of holy monks who assented to that form of religion which he appointed for it; many events also, prosperous and adverse, which were to happen to Britain, he prophesied in the spirit; and especially he foresaw and foretold the holiness of the blessed David, who was then in his mother’s womb. For there were many country places and towns, the inhabitants of which rudely drove away the saint while journeying, lest he should stay the night among them; and these and their posterity could never prosper or become rich in it, but strangers and aliens always took the wealth and the dominion. But the groves into which the saint was by those wicked ones driven to pass the night, and which before produced but few and fruitless copses, were seen, by the blessing of such a holy guest, to thicken and to flourish with so great abundance of trees that in no future time could they be entirely destroyed. And in the rivers, where the deceivers, deceitful both in heart and word, had shown to the saint a deep abyss instead of a safe ford, he passed over safely, having first blessed the passage, and changed the abyss into a ford; and the ford which before was pervious to all he changed to a deep abyss.

Chapter One Hundred and Sixty-Eight: The Acts of Saint Patrick after he had Returned. #

¹ And after his long journey was finished, he consoled his people with his presence; and he appointed to the Lord’s field thirty bishops whom he had chosen and in foreign countries had consecrated, because the harvest was great, and the labourers few. Therefore he began the more frequently to assemble holy synods of bishops, to celebrate solemn councils, and whatever he found contrary to the ecclesiastical institutes or the Catholic faith, he took away and annulled; and whatever he found accordant to the Christian law, to justice, or to the sacred canons, and consonant to good morals, he directed and sanctioned. And daily he shone with innumerable miracles, and whatever with his lips he appointed or taught, that he confirmed by most signal miracles; from where it came to pass that all deservedly marvelled at him, by whose kindness all the inhabitants of that island are through ages blessed; as in the sequel more fully shall we endeavour to show.

Chapter One Hundred and Sixty-Nine: Of the Threefold Plagues of Ireland. #

¹ Even from the time of its original inhabitants, Ireland laboured under a threefold plague: a swarm of poisonous creatures, of which the number could not be counted; a great company of demons visibly appearing; and a multitude of evil-doers and magicians. And these venomous and monstrous creatures, rising out of the earth and out of the sea, so prevailed over the whole island that they not only wounded men and animals with their deadly sting, but slew them with cruel bitings, and not seldom rent and devoured their members. And the demons, who by the power of idolatry lived in superstitious hearts, showed themselves to their worshippers in visible forms; often likewise they, as if offended, injured them with many hurts; to whom, being appeased with sacrifices, offerings, or evil works, they seemed to extend the grace of health or of safety, while they only ceased from doing harm. And after was seen such a multitude of these, flying in the air or walking on the earth, that the island was deemed incapable of containing so many; and therefore was it accounted the habitation of demons, and their own possession. Likewise the crowd of magicians, evil-doers, and soothsayers had in it so greatly increased as the history of not any other nation does instance.

Chapter One Hundred and Seventy: The Threefold Plague is driven out of Ireland by Saint Patrick. #

¹ And the most holy Patrick applied all his diligence to the extirpation of this threefold plague; and at length by his salutary doctrine and fervent prayer he relieved Ireland of the increasing mischief. Therefore he, the most excellent pastor, bore on his shoulder the staff of Jesus, and aided by angelic aid, he by its threatening elevation gathered together from all parts of the island all the poisonous creatures into one place; then he gathered them all onto a very high promontory, which then was called Cruachanailge, but now Cruachan-Phadruig; and by the power of his word he drove the whole pestilent swarm from the precipice of the mountain headlong into the ocean. O eminent sign! O illustrious miracle! even from the beginning of the world unheard, but now experienced by tribes, by peoples, and by tongues, known to all nations, but to the dwellers in Ireland especially needful! And at this marvellous yet most profitable sight, a numerous assembly was present; many of whom had flocked from all parts to see miracles, many to receive the word of life.

² Then he turned his face toward the Isle of Man, and the other islands which he had imbued and blessed with the faith of Christ and with the holy sacraments; and by the power of his prayers he freed all these likewise from the plague of venomous reptiles. But other islands, which had not believed at his preaching, still are cursed with the procreation of those poisonous creatures. And he converted innumerable evil-doers to the faith; but many who continued obstinate, and hardened in their perverseness, he destroyed from the face of the earth (as we have already recorded); and from the men of Ireland, whom he made servants to the true and living God, he prayed to the Lord that the visions of the demons and their customary injuries should be driven away; and he obtained his prayer.

Chapter One Hundred and Seventy-One: Without Earthly Food the Saint completes a Fast of Forty Days. #

¹ And that in Ireland or in the other islands which had received his blessing no poisonous animal should continue or revive, nor the customary troop of demons in it stay, the saint completed without earthly food a fast of forty days. For he desired to imitate in his mystical fast Moses, who was then bound by the natural law, or rather Elijah the prophet, appointed under the law; but most principally desiring to please the great Founder of nature, the Giver of the law and of grace, Jesus Christ, who in Himself had consecrated such a fast. Therefore he ascended the high mountain in Connacht, called Cruachan-ailge, that he might there spend the Lent season more fittingly before the Passion; and that there, desiring and contemplating the Lord, he might offer to Him the holocaust of this fast. And he disposed there five stones, and placed himself in the middle; and in it, as well in the manner of his sitting as in the mortification of his abstinence, he showed himself the servant of the cross of Christ. And there he sat solitary, raising himself above himself; yet he gloried only in the cross, which constantly he bore in his heart and on his body, and ceaselessly he panted toward his holy Beloved; and he continued and hungered in his body, but his inward man was satisfied, and filled, and wounded with the sweetness of divine contemplation, the comfort of angelic visitation, and the sword of the love of God: “For the word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than a two-edged sword, piercing even to the separation of the body and the spirit,” with which the saint was wounded, even to holy love.

Chapter One Hundred and Seventy-Two: He banishes the Demons from the Island. #

¹ And the demons grieved for their lost dominion, and assailing the saint they tormented him in his prayers and his fastings; and they fluttered around him like birds of the blackest hue, fearful in their form, their hugeness, and their multitude, and striving with horrible chatterings to prevent his prayer, long time they disturbed the man of God. But Patrick being armed with His grace, and aided by His protection, made the sign of the cross, and drove far from him those deadly birds; and by the continual sounding of his bell, utterly banished them from the island. And being so driven away, they fled beyond the sea, and being divided in troops among the islands which are alien to the faith and love of God, there do they stay and practise their delusions. But from that time forward, even to this time, all venomous creatures, all fantasies of demons, have through the merits and the prayers of the most holy father Patrick entirely ceased in Ireland. And the bell of the saint, which from his frequent percussions of it appeared in one part broken, was afterward repaired by an angel’s hand; and the mark is seen on it to this day. Likewise on the summit of this mountain many are accustomed to watch and to fast, conceiving that they will never after enter the gates of hell; which benefit they account to be obtained to them of God through the merits and the prayers of Patrick. And some who have on it passed the night relate them to have suffered grievous torments, by which they think themselves purified of all their sins; and for such cause many call this place the Purgatory of Saint Patrick.

Chapter One Hundred and Seventy-Three: Troops of Angels appear to the Saint. #

¹ And God, the ruler of all, who after darkness brings light, took pity on his servant; and so soon as the evil spirits were driven forth, a multitude of angels poured around the place with exceeding brightness, and with wondrous melody they comforted the saint. And he, having finished his fast of forty days, offered the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to God, who had deigned to grant to mortal man the strength for so great abstinence, and had bestowed such mercies through the His intercession. And moreover he rejoiced in the angelic salutation. Then being led by the angels, he descended from the mountain, and struck his bell, the sound of which the Lord caused to be heard through all parts of Ireland. Therefore, let none of the faithful doubt that every man even over the whole world will hear the sound of the last trumpet. And raising his hands, Saint Patrick blessed the island all the dwellers in it, and commended them to Christ.

² Now understand how it was the custom of Patrick, as of the other ancient saints who stayed in the islands, to have with them bells, for the expulsion of evil spirits, for their own bodily exercise, to proclaim the hours of the day and night, and for I know not what other causes. One thing, however, is certain, that many miracles are known to have been performed by the sound or the touch of these bells. Therefore at the Lord’s Supper, the blessed Patrick going out of his retirement into public view, rejoiced with his presence the whole church of the saints who were born of his preaching to Christ. And there he discharged his episcopal office, which he always joined with those sacred seasons; and thus he went forward in the work of salvation.

Chapter One Hundred and Seventy-Four: The Saint levies the Tithe on Ireland and its Dwellers. #

¹ Then at the Paschal tide, his accustomed devotions being finished, he went round the whole island with a holy multitude of his sons whom he had brought forth to Christ; and everywhere teaching the way of the Lord, he converted to, or confirmed in, the faith the dwellers in it. And all the islanders, to whom had come even the knowledge of his name, for this so strange and wondrous miracle surrendered themselves to him and to his doctrine, as to an angel of light, and devoutly they obeyed him as their own apostle. Then this most excellent husbandman, seeing the hardness of the Lord’s field to be softened, and the thorns, the thistles, and the tares rooted out, laboured to fertilise it so much the more abundantly with the increase of profitable seed, that it produced good fruit not only thirtyfold or sixtyfold, but even a hundredfold. Therefore he caused the whole island to be divided with a measuring line, and all the inhabitants, both male and female, to be tithed; and every tenth head, as well of human kind as of cattle, he commanded to be set apart for the portion of the Lord. And making all the men monks, and the women nuns, he built many monasteries, and assigned to them for their support the tithe of the land and of the cattle. And so in a short space so it was that no desert spot, nor even any corner of the island, nor any place in it, however remote, was unfilled with perfect monks and nuns; so that Ireland was become rightly distinguished by the special name of the Island of Saints. And these lived according to the rule of Saint Patrick, with a contempt of the world, a desire of heaven, a holy mortification of the flesh, and an abandonment of all pleasure; equalling the Egyptian monks in their merit and in their number, so that with their conduct and example they edified far distant countries. And in the days of Saint Patrick, and for many ages of his successors, no one was advanced to the episcopal degree or the cure of souls, unless by the revelation of the divine Spirit or by some other evident sign he was proved worthy of it.

Chapter One Hundred and Seventy-Five: The different States of Ireland are shown to the Saint in a Heavenly Vision. #

¹ And the man of God anxiously desired and earnestly prayed that he might learn the present and the future state of Ireland, to the end that he might be assured of the faith, or of the value that his labours bore in the sight of God. Then the Lord heard the desire of his heart, and manifested the same to him by an evident revelation; for while he was engaged in prayer, and the heart of his mind was opened, he saw the whole island as it were a flaming fire ascending to heaven; and he heard the angel of God saying to him: “Such at this time is Ireland in the sight of the Lord.” And after a little space he saw in all parts of the island like mountains of fire stretching to the skies. And again after a little space he saw as it were candles burning, and after a while darkness intervened; and then he saw fainter lights, and at length he saw coals lying hidden here and there, as reduced to ashes, yet still burning. And the angel added: “What you see here shown, such shall be the people of Ireland.” Then the saint, exceedingly weeping, often repeated the words of the Psalmist, saying: “Whether will God turn himself away for ever, and will he be no more entreated? Shall his mercy come to an end from generation to generation? Shall God forget to be merciful, and shut up his mercy in his displeasure?” And the angel said, “Look toward the northern side, and on the right hand of a height shall you see the darkness dispersed from the face of the light which from then on will arise.” Then the saint raised his eyes, and look, he at first saw a small light arising in Ulster, which a long time contended with the darkness, and at length dispersed it, and illumined with its rays the whole island. Nor ceased the light to increase and to prevail, even until it had restored to its former fiery state all Ireland.

² Then was the heart of the saint filled with joy, and his heart with exultation, giving thanks for all these things which had been shown to him: and he understood in the greatness of this fiery ardour of the Christian faith the devotion and the zeal of religion, with which those islanders burned. By the fiery mountains he understood the men who would be holy in their miracles and their virtues, eminent in their preachings and their examples; by the lessening of the light, the decrease of holiness; by the darkness that covered the land, the infidelity which would prevail in it; by the intervals of delay, the distances of the succeeding times.

³ But the people think the period of darkness was that in which Gurmundus and Turgesius, heathen princes of Norway, conquered and ruled in Ireland; and in those days, the saints, like coals covered with ashes, lay hidden in caves and dens from the face of the wicked, who pursued them like sheep to the slaughter. From where it happened that differing rites and new sacraments, which were contrary to the ecclesiastical institutes, were introduced into the church by many prelates who were ignorant of the divine law. But the light first arising from the north, and after long conflict exterminating the darkness, those people assert to be Saint Malachy, who presided first in Downpatrick, afterward in Armagh, and reduced the island to the Christian law.

⁴ On the other hand, the people of Britain ascribe this light to their coming, because then the church seemed under their rule to be advanced to a better state; and that then religion seemed to be planted and propagated, and the sacraments of the church and the institutes of the Christian law to be observed with more regular observance. But I propose not the end of this contention, neither do I prevent it, thinking that the discussion and the decision of it should be left to the divine judgment.

Chapter One Hundred and Seventy-Six: The Answer of Saint Patrick to Secundinus. #

¹ And often the Saint Secundinus sat in the assembly of the holy men, conversing together of the acts and the virtues of Saint Patrick. And when one of them affirmed that Patrick was the most holy of all living men, Secundinus answered, “Truly, he would be the most holy, had he not too little of that brotherly charity which it becomes him to have.” And this saying, uttered in the presence of so many of his disciples, was not long concealed from the saint. Therefore it came to pass that when Saint Patrick and Secundinus afterward met together, the master enquired of his disciple, the metropolitan of his suffragan, why he had spoken such a word of him, or rather against him. And Secundinus replied, “So I said, because you refuse the gifts offered to you by rich men, and will not accept farms and inheritances, with which you might sustain the great multitude of the saints who are gathered to you.” Then Saint Patrick answered and said, “For the increase of charity is it that I do not accept these works of charity; since were I to receive all that are offered to me, I should not leave even the pasturage of two horses for the saints who will come after us.” Then Secundinus repenting of the word which he had spoken, entreated forgiveness of the saint; and he, with his customary kindness, accorded it to his repentance.

Chapter One Hundred and Seventy-Seven: Secundinus composes a Hymn in Honour of Saint Patrick. #

¹ And Secundinus, who was exceeding wise and learned, said to Saint Patrick that he desired to compose a hymn in honour of a saint who was yet living. This he said, because the saint of whom he purposed to write was Patrick himself; and therefore he concealed the name in silence. Then the saint answered: “Truly, it is worthy, and fit, and right, and profitable, that the people should tell the wisdom of the saints, and that the congregation should speak of their praise; but yet is it more becoming that the subject of our praise should not be praised until after his death. Praise you therefore the clearness of the day, but not until the evening comes; the courage of the soldier, but not until he has triumphed; the fortune of the sailor, but not until he has landed; for the Scripture says, ‘You shall praise no man in his lifetime.’ Nevertheless, if so your mind is fixed, what you propose to do, that do you quickly; for death draws near you, and of all the bishops who are in Ireland, shall you be the first to die.” Therefore Secundinus composed a hymn in honour of Saint Patrick, and after a few days, according to the word of the saint, he died; and he was buried in his own church, in a place which he called Domnhach-Seachlainn, and by manifold miracles shows himself to live in Christ. And this hymn are many of the islanders daily accustomed to sing, and from its repetition they affirm many and great wonders to have happened; for various, while singing this hymn, have passed unseen through their enemies who were thirsting for their blood, and who were stricken with that sort of blindness which physicians term acrisia.

Chapter One Hundred and Seventy-Eight: The Soul of a Certain Sinner is by Saint Patrick freed from Demons. #

¹ And on a time a certain saint, named Kaennechus, saw in Ireland troops of demons passing along, armed with infernal instruments; whom having adjured in the name of the Holy Trinity, he compelled to declare the cause of their coming there. And they, thus adjured, confessed, though unwillingly, that they came to bear away the soul of a certain most wicked sinner, who for his sins deserved to be carried into hell. Then Kaennechus enjoined them in the name of the Lord to return to him, and to tell him what they had done. And after some hours had passed, the demons returned with confusion, and declared that by the power of Patrick they had lost their expected prey; because this man had in every year during his life celebrated with a great feast the festival of Saint Patrick, and had every day repeated certain chapters of the hymn which had been composed in his honour; and therefore, they said, had Saint Patrick snatched him from their hands, as by his own right. Thus saying, the demons vanished into thin air; and Kaennechus rejoiced in these things, and by his telling of it excited many to the frequent repetition of this hymn in honour of Saint Patrick.

Chapter One Hundred and Seventy-Nine: How the Saint appeared to Colmanus while singing his Hymn. #

¹ A certain abbot, a disciple of Saint Patrick, named Colmanus, was accustomed frequently to repeat this hymn; and when he was asked by the disciples why he would not rather sing the appointed offices and psalms, since once to sing this hymn ought to suffice him, he continually saw the face of his beloved father, Patrick, nor could he ever be satisfied with the contemplation of it. This, though happening long after the death of Saint Patrick, we have written and recorded among his acts; that we may show how this hymn was esteemed among the people of Ireland, and how ready was he in the hour of necessity and tribulation to aid those who honoured him, and who frequently celebrated his memory.

Chapter One Hundred and Eighty: The Wondrous Contemplations of the Saint. #

¹ As Saint Patrick, the preacher of truth, while yet living in the flesh, recalled and incited by his example and conduct many living men, who yet were dead, to the true life, so he by his prayers brought many who were buried to the land of the living. For various who had died, he by his powerful prayers snatched from the depths of eternal punishment, and from the roaring lions which were prepared for their food, and bringing them to the place of expiation, restored them to salvation. And he, being often made the contemplator of the divine mysteries, saw the heavens opened, and the Lord Jesus standing in the middle of the multitude of angels; and this, while he offered the holy sacrifice of the Son of God, and devoutly sang the Apocalypse of John, Patrick was privileged to see. For while in his meditations he wondered at these wondrous visions, to the sight of their similitude was he lifted up in the Lord. And the angel Victor, so often before named, three times in each week appeared to him, and comforted and consoled him with mutual colloquy.

Chapter One Hundred and Eighty-One: Saint Patrick sees the Souls of the Rich and of the poor Man sent to different Places. #

¹ Often times the saint saw the souls of men going out of their bodies, some to places of punishment, others to places of reward; one instance of which we think worthy to record, since the saint was accustomed to relate it for the purpose of edification. There was a man who had a great name, according as names are in this world accounted great; and he had flocks of sheep, and herds of oxen, and his possessions increased on the earth. And this man died; and a long assembly of his children and his kindred celebrated his funeral rites with much pomp and honour according to the estimation of men, and so committed him to the common mother. And they who account blessed the man to whom these things are given, declared him happy, whose life was so fortunate, and whose death so honourable; and they thought that he very much had pleased the Lord. But the other man was a beggar, who having lived all his life in wretchedness and in poverty, went the way of all flesh. And his body long time lay without the ministry of the funeral rites, unburied, and mangled by the birds of prey; and at length was it dragged by the feet into a pit-hole, and covered with turf; and they who judge according to outward show esteemed this man most miserable and unfortunate. But the saint pronounced the opinion of men to differ from the righteousness of Him who searches the reins and the heart, whose judgments are a deep abyss; and he declared that he saw the soul of that rich man plunged by the demons into hell; but the spirit of the poor man, whose life was accounted as foolishness, and his end without honour, was reckoned among the children of God, and his lot of blessedness was among the saints. “Truly,” said he, “the sons of men are vain, and their judgments are false in the weight; but the just God loves justice, and his countenance sees righteousness; and in the balance of his righteousness weighs he the pleasures and the riches of this evil man, and the sins of this poor man, perhaps by which he has merited the wrath and the misfortunes which he bore; and the one from his honour and his glory he adjudged to present torment; and the other, which had atoned in the furnace of poverty and of affliction, mercifully sent to the heavenly joys.” Nor did the saint see this of these men only; often he saw and related such things of many others. Thus what the word of truth had before told of the rich man clothed in purple and the poor man covered with sores this friend of truth declared that he had seen the same in others.

Chapter One Hundred and Eighty-Two: Saint Vinvaloeus is miraculously stayed by Saint Patrick from his intended Journey. #

¹ And in Brittany lived a venerable man, named Vinvaloeus, who was even from his infancy renowned for signs and wonders; for as his acts are recorded, very many exceeding great miracles are attested to have been done by him. And he, the south wind so blowing that all his perfumes breathed forth, heard the holy name of Saint Patrick, and earnestly desired to hasten to the odour of his virtues. And long time he pondered and desired; and at length he determined to leave his country and his parents, and to go to Ireland to serve Christ under the discipleship and discipline of Saint Patrick; but when the night came, with the next day of which he purposed to begin his journey, he saw in a vision that most illustrious man standing before him, clothed in his pontifical vestments; and then he said to him: “Know me, beloved Vinvaloeus, to be the Patrick to whom you purpose to travel; yet do not weary yourself, nor seek him whom you cannot find; for the hour of my dissolution draws near, when I shall go the way of all flesh. Therefore it is the will of God that you leave not this place; but by your conduct and example shall you endeavour to gain over a people acceptable to him, and which shall follow good works; since the crown of life is yet to be seen, which he has promised to those who love him.” Thus saying, the vision disappeared, and Vinvaloeus did as he was commanded by heaven. Now let the hearer marvel at his perfection, who by the spirit which was in him saw the desire of the holy man dwelling in Brittany, and thus wondrously changed him from the purpose of his intended journey.

Chapter One Hundred and Eighty-Three: The Daily Prayers and Genuflections of the Saint. #

¹ And now, the cloud of unbelief, by whose eclipse the people of Ireland so long had wanted the warmth and the light of the true sun, being dispersed, now the tongue, the life, the virtue of the blessed Patrick, so long as the breath and the Spirit of God were in his nostrils, availed for the things which were begun, continued, and ended in the Lord; giving the knowledge of salvation, affording the example of holiness, extending the remedy of all diseases. And truly, this special habit of life, which he exercised in secret, was daily and perpetual; since every day was he accustomed diligently to sing the entire Psaltery, with many songs and hymns, and the Apocalypse of the Apostle John, and two hundred prayers before God; three hundred times he bent his knees in adoration of the Lord; every canonical hour of the day he signed himself a hundred times with the sign of the cross. Nevertheless he did not omit, every day, worthily and devoutly to offer up to the Father the sacrifice of the Son; and never ceased to teach the people or instruct his disciples.

Chapter One Hundred and Eighty-Four: How he passed the Night Season. #

¹ And in a wondrous manner dividing the night season, thus this wakeful guardian and labourer in the Lord’s vineyard distinguished it also. For in the earliest part of it having with two hundred genuflections and one hundred psalms praised God, then he turned to study, and in the latter part, he plunged himself into cold water, and raising his heart, his voice, his eyes, and his hands towards heaven, he offered one hundred and fifty prayers. Afterward he stretched himself on a bare stone, and of another stone making a pillow, he rested his most sanctified body with a short sleep; or, that more clearly we may speak, he refreshed himself to the labour of his continual conflict. With such rest indulging, he girded his loins with roughest hair-cloth, which had been dipped in cold water; lest perhaps the law of the flesh, warring in his members against the law of the Spirit, should excite any spark of the old leaven. Thus Saint Patrick, with spare and meagre food and the coarsest clothing, offered himself a holy and living sacrifice, acceptable to God; nor did he let the enemy touch in him the walls of Jerusalem, but he inflicted on his own flesh the penance of perpetual barrenness; and that he should not bring forth children who might hereafter be worthy of death, he made his spirit fruitful of abundant fruit.

Chapter One Hundred and Eighty-Five: The Habit, the Bearing, and the Acts of Saint Patrick. #

¹ And until the five and fiftieth year of his age, in which he was advanced in Ireland to the episcopal degree, he, after the manner of the apostles, continually travelled on foot; and from then on, by reason of the difficulty of the journey, he used a chariot, according to the manner of the country. And over his other garments he was clothed with a white cowl, so that in the form and the candid colour of his habit he showed his profession, and proved himself the candidate of lowliness and purity. From where it came to pass that the monks in Ireland following his example, for many years were contented with the simple habit which the wool of the sheep afforded to them, untinged with any foreign dye. And he kept his hands clear from any gift, ever accounting it more blessed to give than to receive; therefore when any gift was given to him by any rich man, he hastened so soon as might be to give it to the poor, lightening himself of it as of a heavy burden. In his countenance, in his speech, in his gait, in all his members, in his whole body, he edified the onlookers; and his discourse was well seasoned, and suited to every age, sex, rank, and condition. In four languages, the British, the Irish, the Gallic, and the Latin, was he thoroughly skilled; and the Greek language also he partly understood. The little Book of Proverbs, which he composed in the Irish tongue, and which is full of edification, still exists; and his great volume, called Canoin Phadruig, that is, the canons of Patrick, suits every person, be he secular, be he ecclesiastic, to the exercise of justice and the salvation of souls. Whensoever he was addressed for the exposition of profound questions or difficult cases, always, according to the custom of his lowliness, he answered: “I know not, God knows “; but when great necessity compelled him to certify the word of his mouth, he always confirmed it by attesting his Judge. So excellent was he in the spirit of prophecy that he foretold various future things as if they were present; things absent he well knew, and whatever fell from his lips, without even the smallest doubt it came to pass. So evidently he foretold of the saints who for a hundred years thereafter would be born in Ireland, but chiefly in Munster and Connacht; that he showed even their names, their characters, and the places of their dwelling. Whomsoever he bound, the divine justice bound; whoever he loosed, the divine justice loosed; with his right hand he blessed, with his left hand he cursed; and whom he blessed, on them came the blessing of the Lord; whom he cursed, on them came the heavenly malediction; and the sentence which issued from his lips, it remained unshaken and fixed, as if it had gone forth of the eternal judgment-seat. From where does it plainly appear, that this holy man being faithful to God, was with Him as one spirit. Yet though in his manifold virtues he equalled or excelled all other saints, in the virtue of lowliness he excelled even himself; for in his epistles he was accustomed to mention himself as the lowest, the least, and the vilest of all sinners; and little accounting the signs and the miracles which he had worked, he thought himself to be compared not to any perfect man; and being but of small stature, he used often to call himself a dwarf. And not seldom, after the manner of the Apostle Paul, he toiled with manual labour, fishing, and tilling the ground; but chiefly in building churches, to which employment he much urged his disciples, both by exhortation and example. Nevertheless, right earnestly he applied himself to baptising the people and ordaining the ministers of the church. Three hundred bishops and fifty he consecrated with his own hand; seven hundred churches he endowed; five thousand clerical men he advanced to the priestly rank. But of the other ministers whom he appointed to the inferior orders, of the monks and the nuns whom he dedicated to the divine service, God alone knows the number.

Chapter One Hundred and Eighty-Six: Of the Sick whom he healed, and the Dead whom he raised; and of his Disciples who recorded his Acts. #

¹ Therefore under this most sanctified rule of life he shone in so many and so great miracles that he appeared second to no other saint. For the blind and the lame, the deaf and the dumb, the paralysed, the lunatic, the leprous, the epileptic, all who laboured under any disease, he, in the name of the Holy Trinity, restored to the power of their limbs and to entire health; and in these good deeds was he daily practised. Thirty and three dead men, some of whom had many years been buried, this great reviver raised from the dead, as above we have more fully recorded. And of all those things which he so wondrously worked in the world, sixty and six books are said to have been written, of which the greater part perished by fire in the reigns of Gurmundus and of Turgesius. But four books of his virtues and his miracles yet remain, written partly in the Irish, partly in the Latin language; and which at different times four of his disciples composed - namely, his successor, the blessed Benignus; the Bishop Saint Mel; the Bishop Saint Lumanus, who was his nephew; and his grand-nephew Saint Patricius, who after the decease of his uncle returned into Britain, and died in the church of Glascon. Likewise Saint Evinus collected into one volume the acts of Saint Patrick, which is written partly in the Irish and partly in the Latin tongue. From all which, whatever we could meet most worthy of belief, have we deemed right to transmit in this our work to after-times.

Chapter One Hundred and Eighty-Seven: The Angelic Voice tells Saint Patrick of his Death and of the Place of his Burial. #

¹ And Patrick, the beloved of the Lord, being full of days and of good works, and now faithfully finishing the time of his appointed ministry, saw, as well by the divine revelation as by the dissolution of his earthly tabernacle, that the evening of his life was drawing near. And being then near Ulster, he hastened his journey toward the metropolitan seat, Armagh; for earnestly he desired to lay in that place the remains of his sanctified body, and in the sight of his sons whom he had brought forth to Christ to be consigned to the common mother. But the event changed the purpose of the holy man; that all might know, according to the testimony of the Scriptures, that the way of man is not in his own power, but that his steps are directed by God. For the Angel Victor met him while on his journey, and said to him: “Stay, Patrick, your feet from this your purpose, since it is not the divine will that in Armagh your life should be closed or your body in it be buried; for in Ulster, the first place of all Ireland which you converted, has the Lord provided that you shall die, and that in the city of Downpatrick you shall be honourably buried. And there shall be your resurrection; but in Armagh, which you so love, shall be the successive ministry of the grace which has been bestowed on you. Therefore remember your word, with which you gave hope to your first converts, the sons of Dichu; when, instructed by heaven, you foretold to them that in their land you would die and be buried.” And at the word of the angel the saint was grieved; but quickly returning to himself, he embraced the divine Providence with much devotion and thanksgiving, and submitting his own will to the will of God, he returned to Ulster.

Chapter One Hundred and Eighty-Eight: The Place of his Burial is foreshown by a Light from Heaven. #

¹ And after a few days Patrick, the most holy old man, rested on a place not far distant from the mother church of the city of Downpatrick; and with him was Brigid, the spotless Pearl of Ireland, and no small assembly of religious and ecclesiastical persons. And while the saint discoursed to them of the glory of the saints, a great light descended from heaven, and poured round a certain spot on the eastern side of the cemetery; at which marvelling, they enquired of the saint what meant that light, and the holy prelate ordered the blessed Brigid to explain to them the meaning of it. Then the virgin openly declared that the so great light denoted and sanctified the burial-place of a certain saint most illustrious and dear to God, who in it would shortly be buried. And the holy woman, Ethembria, who first of all the nuns in Ireland had been consecrated by Patrick, secretly enquired of Brigid who was the saint. And she answered that Saint Patrick himself, the father and apostle of Ireland, would soon be buried in that place, but that in the course of time he would be removed from there; and further she pronounced that she would be happy if she might enshroud his most holy body in a linen cloth, which she had made with her own hands and woven for his burial. This said she secretly to her sister nun, nor did she think her words were overheard by anyone. Then the light which appeared from heaven was taken up from their eyes, and foreshadowed the ascension of the saint to heaven.

Chapter One Hundred and Eighty-Nine: Saint Brigid brings to Saint Patrick the Garment which was to wrap his Body. #

¹ And Saint Patrick, being instructed by heaven, understood the desire of the heart of Brigid, and the words of her mouth, and her preparation of the garment, and that she would enshroud with it his body, as the spiritual token of their mutual love in Christ. And he himself returned to the monastery of Saballum, which he had filled with a fair assembly of monks; and there, lying down on the bed of sickness, he awaited with a happy hope the termination of his life, indeed, rather of his pilgrimage, and his entrance into the life eternal. And the venerable virgin obeyed the word of her father and bishop; and she went to the monastery, and took the garment, and with four virgins in her train she hastened to return to the saint; but since they were afflicted with too long abstinence and with the difficulty of the journey, for very weariness they stayed on their way, nor could they speed on it as they had purposed. Yet the saint, while in Saballum, knew at the revelation of the Spirit the weariness of the virgin; and he commanded his charioteer to meet them on their way with four chariots, and the charioteer obeyed, and met them at the place exceeding wearied, and brought them to the saint. And they offered to him the garment, which he kindly received; and kissing his feet and his hands, they obtained his benediction.

Chapter One Hundred and Ninety: The Death of Saint Patrick. #

¹ Now, the sickness of his body increasing, age pressing on, or rather the Lord calling him to his crown, the blessed Patrick perceived he was hastening to the tomb; and much he rejoiced to arrive at the port of death and the portal of life. Therefore, being so admonished by the angel, his guardian, he fortified himself with the divine mysteries from the hand of his disciple, the Bishop Saint Thasach, and lifting up his eyes he saw the heavens opened, and Jesus standing in the multitude of angels. Then raising his hands, and blessing his people, and giving thanks, he passed from this world, from the faith to the proof, from his pilgrimage to his country, from transitory pain to eternal glory. Oh! how blessed Patrick. Oh! how blessed he, who saw God face to face, whose soul is secured in salvation! Happy, I say, is the man, to whom the heavens opened, who penetrated into the sanctuary, who found eternal redemption, whom the blessed Mary with the spotless choirs of virgins welcomed, whom the bands of angels admitted into their fellowship! Him the wise assembly of prophets attends, the venerable senate of apostles embraces, the laurelled army of martyrs exalts, the white-robed company of confessors accepts, and the innumerable number of the elect receives with all honour and with all glory. Nor wondrous was it, nor undeserved; seeing that he was the angel of God, though not by his birth, yet by his virtue and by his office - he, whose lips were the guard of knowledge, and declared to the people the law of life which was required by God. Rightly is he called the prophet of the Most High, who knew so many things absent, who foretold so many and such things future, as seldom have any of the prophets prophesied! Rightly is he called, and is, the apostle of Ireland, seeing that all the people of it, and the other islanders, are the signs of his apostolate! Rightly is he called a martyr, who, bearing continually in his heart and in his body the name of Christ, showed himself a living sacrifice to God; who having suffered so many snares, so many conflicts, from magicians, from idolaters, from rulers, and from evil spirits, held his heart always prepared to undergo any and every death! Rightly is he called the confessor of God, who continually preached the name of Christ, and who by his words, his examples, and his miracles excited peoples, tribes, and tongues to the confession of his name, of human sin, and of divine promise! Rightly is he called a virgin, who stayed a virgin in his body, in his heart, and in his faith; and by this threefold virginity pleases he the Spouse of virgins and the Virgin of virgins! Rightly is he numbered among the angelic choirs and the assemblies of all saints, who was the sharer in all holy acts and all virtues!

Chapter One Hundred and Ninety-One: The Number of the Years of his Life. #

¹ On the seventeenth day of March, in the one hundredth and twentieth and third year of his age, he departed from this world; and thus the years of his life are reckoned. Before he was carried into Ireland by the pirates, he had attained his sixteenth year; oppressed beneath a most cruel servitude, six years he fed swine; four years he fed with the sweet food of the Gospel those who before were swine, but who, casting away the filth of their idolatry, became his flock of unspotted lambs; eighteen years he studied under Saint Germanus, the Bishop of Auxerre. When he had reached his fiftieth and third year, he was invested with the episcopal dignity, and returned to Ireland, in it to preach; in the space of thirty and five years he converted to Christ all that country and many other islands; and during the thirty and three years which remained to him, leading a life of contemplation, he stayed chiefly in Saballum, or in the monastery which he had founded in Armagh. Nor did he willingly leave those holy places, unless some cause of inevitable urgency called him forth; nevertheless, once in every year he celebrated a council, that he might bring back to the right rule those things which he knew to need reformation.

Chapter One Hundred and Ninety-Two: The Funeral Honours which Men and Angels paid to the Body of the Saint. #

¹ And as Saint Patrick expired, the surrounding circle of monks commended his spirit to God, and enwrapped his body in the linen cloth which Saint Brigid had prepared. And the multitude of the people and of the clergy gathered together, and mourned with tears and with sighs the dissolution of Patrick, their patron, like the desolation of their country, and paid in psalms and in hymns the rites which to his funeral were due. But on the following night a light-streaming choir of angels kept their heavenly watch, and kept vigil around the body; and illumining the place and all in it with their radiance, delighting with their odour, charming with the modulation of their soft-flowing psalmody, they poured all around their spiritual sweetness. Then came the sleep of the Lord on all who had there collected, and while the angelic rites were performed, held them in their slumber even until the morning. And when the morning came, the company of angels reascended into heaven, leaving behind them the sweet odour which excelled all perfumes; which, when the sleepers awakened, they and all who came to the place experienced even for twelve succeeding days. For during that time was the sanctified body preserved unburied, since the controversies of the people with the clergy did not permit it to be buried in that holy place.

Chapter One Hundred and Ninety-Three: The Light continues for Twelve Days. #

¹ And this was the reason of the controversy. A great and wondrous light appeared, such as never in any time preceding had been seen. Over that whole country the light continued for twelve days, without any intervention of night; for the night was illuminated, and shone like the day. By this it was plainly given to be understood that the darkness of night obscured not Patrick, the son of life, the inhabiter of eternal brightness, while the night was to him the illumination of his joys, while he ascended to the light without spot, the day without night, the sun without eclipse. And this miracle seems like to that ancient miracle which was worked by Joshua in Gibeon, though much extended in its duration. For the sun, as is written, stood still over Gibeon, and the moon stood still over the valley of Ajalon; and one day, for the space of two days, by the divine power gave the victory to a faithful people; and by the same power the continued shining of twelve days’ light showed the merit of Patrick, triumphant over this world and the prince of this world.

Chapter One Hundred and Ninety-Four: The Miraculous Rising of the Sea between the Contending People. #

¹ And at the sight of such a miracle, the people could not be restrained from their contention, for the fury of their wrath and the violence of their minds which governed them they imputed to their devotion toward the saint. And on the twelfth day a deadly and perilous contention arose between the two people of Ulster and Armagh about the sacred body. And while arrayed in armour they rose to arms, they heard a voice from heaven, which seemed as the voice of Saint Patrick, staying their violence; and the sea, rising above its customary bounds, reared itself as a wall, and separated the contending people, so that they could neither see nor attack one another; and thus separated bodily, united them in mutual peace. Then the people being restrained from their fury, the waters ceased from their fury also.

Chapter One Hundred and Ninety-Five: Two Waggons appear, which are sent by a Miracle. #

¹ Then, the swelling waves of the sea being reduced and returned to themselves, two oxen appear, seeming to draw toward Downpatrick a waggon laden with a noble burden, the holy body; which the people and clergy of Ulster followed with exceeding devotion, with psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs. And plainly it resembled the vehicle which formerly bore the ark of the covenant from Acharon to Getht. But by all these wonders the fury of the men of Armagh is not appeased; for still is their hand prepared to battle, that the body of their prelate, their primate, their patron, might not be taken from them. Nevertheless, the divine Providence took heed that occasion of contest should not any more be ministered; for another waggon appearing, drawn by two oxen, went before the men of Armagh, even like the former waggon which had borne the sacred body to Downpatrick; and they stayed not to follow its track, believing that it carried the precious burden, until it came within the borders of Armagh, to a certain river which is named Caucune. Then the visionary waggon disappeared; and the people, frustrated in their hope, unsatisfied and sad, returned to their dwellings.

Chapter One Hundred and Ninety-Six: The Burial of Saint Patrick in the City of Downpatrick. #

¹ And the people of Ulster, having entered Downpatrick, celebrated the solemnities of the Mass, and in the place foreshown by the heavenly light buried the venerable body with all due veneration, and this desirable treasure, this most precious jewel, they deposited beneath a stone, five cubits deep in the heart of the earth, lest perhaps by stealth it might be conveyed from there. But by how many and how great miracles the bones of this most holy saint were graced in it, we find not recorded; either because the pen of the negligent did not preserve them, or being written, they were destroyed by some of the many heathen princes who ruled in Ireland. Now, Saint Patrick died in the four hundredth and ninetieth and third year of Christ’s incarnation, Felix being then pope, in the first year of the reign of Anastasius the emperor, Aurelius Ambrosius ruling in Britain, Forchernus in Ireland, Jesus Christ reigning in all things and over all things.

² Now to Him be glory, and praise, and honour, and empire, through infinite ages, for ever and ever! Amen!