¹ Our Lord, although he loved and foreknew all his own before the creation of the world, foretold some of them through many clear revelations; thus that saint whom baptism names David, but whom the people call Dewi, became renowned not only because, thirty years before he was born, he was foretold by the truth-speaking oracles of angels, first to his father and then to Saint Patrick, but also because he was endowed with the gifts of mystical grace.

² For on a certain occasion his father, named Sant both by name and by merit, who exercised royal authority over the people of Ceredigion, which he later laid aside in order to gain a heavenly kingdom, was warned in a dream by an angelic voice which he heard saying, “Tomorrow, when you awake, you shall go hunting, and having killed a stag near a river, you shall find there three gifts by the river Teifi, namely the stag which you pursue, a fish, and a swarm of bees settled in a tree in the place called Llyn Henllan; of these three, therefore, set aside a honeycomb, a portion of the fish, and part of the stag, and send them to be kept for a son who shall be born to you, to the monastery of Mattcannus,” which to this day is called the Monastery of the Deposit. These gifts foretold his life, for the honeycomb proclaimed his wisdom, since, as honey is contained in wax, so he possessed a spiritual mind within a temporal body, and the fish signified his aquatic manner of life, for just as a fish lives in water, so he, rejecting wine and beer and all things that can intoxicate, led a blessed life in God on bread and water alone. Hence David is also called “of the Aquatic Life.” The stag signifies his power over the Old Serpent, for just as a stag, having deprived serpents of their food, seeks a fountain of water and is refreshed as in youth with renewed strength, so he, lifted high as if on stags’ feet, deprived the Old Serpent of the human race, robbing him of the power to harm them, and fled to the fountain of life with continual outpourings of tears. And, being renewed day by day, he thus brought it about that in the name of the Holy Trinity, through the frugality of moderate meals, he began to attain saving knowledge and the power to command demons.

³ Then Patrick, refined by Roman learning and full of virtues, having been made a bishop, sought the people among whom he had once lived in exile, among whom he might, by tireless effort, replenish the lamp of fruitful endeavor with a double portion of the oil of charity, unwilling to place it under a bushel, but on a stand so that it might shine for all to the glory of the universal Father. He came to the land of the people of Ceredigion, where he sojourned for a short time. He then entered the rural district of Demetica, the land of Dyved, and wandering there, he eventually arrived at a place called Vallis Rosina; and perceiving its pleasantness, he vowed to serve God faithfully there. But as he was contemplating these matters, an angel of the Lord appeared to him. “God,” the angel said, “has not appointed this place for you, but for a son who is not yet born, and will not be born until thirty years have passed.” On hearing these words, Saint Patrick was grieved and distressed, and in anger he exclaimed, “Why has the Lord despised his servant, who has served him from infancy with fear and love? Why has he chosen another, not yet born into this light, who will not be born for thirty years?” And he prepared to flee, and to abandon his Lord, Jesus Christ, saying, “Since my labor is reduced to nothing in the sight of my Lord, and another is preferred before me, who is not yet born, I will go and no longer submit to such toil.” But the Lord loved Patrick greatly, and sent his angel to him to encourage him with kind words, saying, “Rejoice, Patrick, for the Lord has sent me to you that I may show you the whole of the island of Ireland from the seat in Vallis Rosina,” which is now called “the Seat of Patrick.” And the angel said to him, “Exult, Patrick, for you shall be the apostle of the whole island you see, and you shall endure many hardships there for the name of the Lord your God, but the Lord will be with you in all that you do, for it has not yet received the word of life; there you ought to do good; there the Lord has prepared a seat for you; there you shall shine in signs and miracles, and you shall bring the whole people to God. Let this be a sign for you: I will show you the whole island. Let the mountains bow, the sea be made smooth; your eye, looking out from this place, shall behold the promise.” At these words, Patrick raised his eyes from the place where he was standing, now called “the Seat of Patrick,” and beheld the whole island. At last, Patrick’s mind was appeased, and he joyfully left the sacred spot for holy David; and preparing a ship at Porth Mawr, he raised from the dead an old man, Criumther by name, who had lain buried by that shore for twelve years. Patrick then sailed for Ireland, taking with him the man he had just raised, who was later made a bishop.

⁴ When the thirty years had passed, divine power sent Sant, king of the land of Ceredigion, as far as a community of the people of Dyved. There the king met a nun, a virgin named Nonnita, a very beautiful and graceful girl, and desiring her, he took her by force and violated her. She conceived her son, the holy David, who neither before nor after knew a man, but continued in chastity of mind and body, leading a most faithful life; from the time of her conception she lived only on bread and water. At the place where she was forced, there is a small level area, pleasing to the sight and well supplied with moisture from above. On this level ground, at the time of her conception, two great stones appeared—one for the head and the other for the feet—which had not been seen before. For the earth, rejoicing at her conception, opened its breast to preserve the modesty of the girl and to foretell the significance of her offspring.

⁵ As her womb was growing, the mother, in order to offer alms and oblations for childbirth according to proper custom, entered a certain church to hear the preaching of the Gospel. This was the church in which Saint Gildas, son of Caw, was accustomed to preach in the time of King Triphunus and his sons. When the mother entered, Gildas suddenly became dumb, as though his throat were closed, and he fell silent. When the people asked him why he had ceased preaching and had become mute, he replied: “I am able to speak with you in ordinary conversation, but I cannot preach. Go out, therefore, and leave me alone, so that perhaps I may then be able to preach.” When the congregation had gone outside, the mother hid herself in a corner and remained concealed—not out of disobedience to the command, but thirsting with intense desire for the precepts of life, she remained in order to manifest the status of her mighty offspring. Then, a second time, Gildas strove with all the effort of his heart to preach, but being restrained by heaven, he was unable to do so. Alarmed by this, he cried out in a loud voice: “I adjure you: if anyone is hidden from me, let that person reveal themselves from their hiding place.” She answered and said, “I am hidden here, between the door and the wall.” Then, trusting in divine providence, he said, “Go outside, but let the people re-enter the church.” And everyone returned to their places as before, and Gildas preached clearly, as though with the sound of a trumpet. The congregation then asked holy Gildas, saying, “Why were you unable at first to preach the Gospel of Christ to us, though we were eager to listen?” Gildas answered and said, “Call here the nun who went outside the church.” When the mother was questioned, she confessed that she was pregnant, and Saint Nonnita said, “Behold, I am with you”. But Gildas said, “The son who is in the womb of that nun has grace, power, and rank greater than mine, because God has given him dignity, sole rule, and primacy over all the saints of Britannia, for ever, before and after the Judgment. Farewell, brothers and sisters. I am not able to remain here any longer because of the son of this nun. To him has been entrusted sole rule over all the people of this island, and it is necessary for me to depart to another island and to leave the whole of Britannia to this woman’s son.” One thing was made clear to all: she was about to bring forth into the world one who, in honourable rank, radiant wisdom, and eloquent speech, would surpass all the teachers of Britannia.

⁶ In the meantime there lived in that region a certain tyrant who had learned, through a prophecy of the druids, that a son was about to be born within his borders whose power would fill the whole land. He, being intent only upon earthly things and judging his highest good to consist in what was lowest, was tormented by dark envy. When the place where the child was to be born was made known through the revelations of the druids, he said: “I alone will sit above that spot for so many days, and whomever I find resting there or nearby shall fall and die by my sword.” These plans being thus determined, and the nine months having elapsed so that the time of birth was at hand, the mother one day set out along the path leading to the place of childbearing, which the tyrant was watching in accordance with the druids’ prophecy. As the pains of childbirth pressed urgently upon her, she sought that very spot. But on that day there arose such a storm of wind that no one could even go out of doors. There was an immense display of lightning, a dreadful crashing of thunder, and great floods caused by hail and rain. Yet the place where the mother cried out in her travail shone with so calm and radiant a light that it gleamed as though the sun itself were visible and God had brought it forth before the clouds. Near the mother as she laboured was a certain stone, upon which, driven by pain, she leaned with her hands. For this reason the stone bears, for those who examine it, marks impressed as though upon wax. Splitting in the middle, it shared in the sorrow of the mother: one part sprang upward above her head, the other extended as far as her feet, at the moment when the childbearer gave birth. In this place a church now stands, and within the foundation of its altar that stone lies buried.

⁷ Again, when he was baptised by Aelvyw, bishop of the people of Mynyw (or of the people of Munster), a spring of the clearest water suddenly burst forth in that place for the administration of baptism—a spring that had never been seen there before. Moreover, this water restored the sight of a blind monk who held the child as he was baptised. For that blind saint—who, as it is said, had been born from his mother’s womb without nostrils and without eyes—perceived that the infant whom he held in his bosom was filled with the grace of the Holy Ghost. Taking the water in which the body of the holy infant had been dipped three times, he sprinkled his own face with it three times. And sooner than it can be told, he joyfully received the sight of his eyes and the full completion of his countenance. And all who were present on that day glorified the Lord and holy David.

⁸ The place where holy David was educated is called Vetus Rubus, Hen Vynyw. There he grew up full of grace and fair to behold. It was there that holy David learned the alphabet, the Psalms, the lessons appointed for the whole year, the Masses, and the synaxis. And there his fellow disciples saw a dove with a golden beak playing at his lips, instructing him and singing hymns to God.

⁹ But it was at a later time, when his virtuous merits had increased, and since he had kept his flesh pure from the embraces of a wife, that he was ordained priest and raised to sacerdotal dignity.

¹⁰ After this he went to Paulens (or Paulinus) the scribe, a disciple of Saint Germanus the bishop, who on a certain island was leading a life pleasing to God. Paulinus instructed him in the three parts of reading until he became a scribe. And Saint David remained there for many years, reading and putting into practice what he read.

¹¹ And it came to pass, while the holy David was with the master Paulens, that Paulens lost the sight of his eyes because of intense pain in them. And he summoned all his disciples in turn, that they might look upon his eyes and bless them. They did as he commanded, but from none of them did he receive relief. At last he called the holy David to himself and said to him, “Holy David, examine my eyes, for they pain me greatly.” And the holy David answered and said, “My father, do not bid me to look upon your countenance; for during these ten years in which I have laboured at the Scriptures with you, I have not so much as glanced at your face.” And Paulens, marvelling at his exceeding modesty, said, “If this is so, it will be enough for you to bless my eyes with a touch, and I shall be healed.” And immediately, when he touched them, they were healed in the twinkling of an eye; and when the blindness of his eyes had been driven away, the master received again the light which had been taken from him. Then thanks were rendered to God; and Paulens (or Paulinus) blessed the holy David with all the blessings that are written in the Old Testament and in the New.

¹² Not long afterward an angel appeared to Paulens and said, “It is time that the holy David should double his talents by commerce, and that he should not consign the talent of wisdom entrusted to him to the earth, digging lazily with the slow lethargy of sloth, but should increase the money he has received from his Lord with a greater measure of gain. Thus he, having been appointed for this purpose, may, by gathering sheaves of souls into the heavenly barns of eternal blessedness, bring them into the joy of the Lord”. For from how many did he obtain the fruit of a good harvest, after ploughing with the nail of exhortation and sowing with the seed of wheat—of some indeed a hundredfold, of others sixtyfold, and of others thirtyfold! For he did not plough all alike, exerting greater force in the case of an ox and less in the case of an ass; administering the solid food of life to some and the milk of pious exhortation to others; confining some within the bounds of the monastic cloister, and gradually weaning others—who lived a broader manner of life and whom he exhorted with varied instructions—from the deceitful lusts of worldly pleasures. Thus he became all things to all men.

¹³ For he founded twelve monasteries to the praise of God. First, when he came to Glastonbury, he built a church there. Then he went to Bath, and there, by his blessing, he caused deadly water to become health-giving, and endowed it with perpetual heat, making it fit for people to bathe. After this he came to Croyland and to Repton; then to Colva and to Glascwm, and he had with him an altar with two faces. After that he founded the monastery of Leominster. Later, in the region of Gwent, in a place called Raglan, he built a church. Then he founded a monastery in a place called Llan Gyvelach, in the region of Gower, in which place he afterwards received the altar that had been sent to him. He also healed Peibio, the blind king of Erging, by restoring sight to his eyes. Moreover, two saints, Boducat and Maitrun, in the province of Cedweli, submitted themselves to him.

¹⁴ When, therefore, these foundations had been laid in the customary manner, and what was necessary for canonical discipline had been put in order, and a rule for the monastic life had been established, he returned to the place from which he had formerly set out upon his wanderings—that is, to Vetus Rubus, Hen Vynyw. Now Bishop Guistilianus, his fratruelis (that is, his kinsman), was dwelling there; and as they comforted one another with devout conversation, Saint David said: “An angel of the Lord has spoken to me, saying, ‘From the place where you intend to serve, scarcely one in a hundred will be able to escape to the kingdom of God.’ And he has shown me a place from which few shall go to hell; for everyone who shall have been buried in the cemetery of that place in sound faith shall obtain mercy.”

¹⁵ On a certain day David and his three most faithful disciples, together with a great multitude of fellow disciples, assembled—namely, Aeddan, Eiludd, and Ysvael—and with one accord they set out for the place which the angel had previously indicated, that is, Vallis Rosina, which the Britons commonly call Hodnant. In that place, when the first hearth had been kindled in the name of the Lord, the smoke rose upward and, circling about, appeared to fill the whole island, and Ireland besides.

¹⁶ In the nearby district there was a certain chieftain and druid called Bwya, an Irishman. As he sat within the walls of his stronghold, while the rays of the sun were spread across the world, he trembled at the sight of so great a portent and was deeply shaken. He was stirred to such resentment that he forgot his meal and spent the whole day in sorrow. His wife came to him and asked why, in so unusual a manner, he had neglected his food. “Why,” she said, “are you so sad and downcast, grieving within yourself?” He answered her, “I grieve because I have seen smoke rising from Vallis Rosina, which encircled the whole land. I hold it as certain that the one who kindled that fire will surpass all others in power and renown throughout every place that the smoke of his sacrifice has encompassed, even to the ends of the world. That smoke foretells his fame as a sign.” His wife, angered, said to him, “Rise up, take a band of servants, and with drawn swords pursue that man and his followers who have dared to commit such an offence as to kindle fire on your land without your command. Destroy them all.” Bwya and his followers set out to kill David and his disciples, but as they went on their way a fever suddenly seized them. They were rendered powerless and could not harm David or those with him. Yet they blasphemed the Lord and holy David and spoke evil words, for although the desire to injure was present, the power to act was restrained by the will of the Eternal and brought to nothing. When they returned home, they met Bwya’s wife, who said, “Our cattle, our beasts of burden, our sheep—indeed all our livestock—are dead.” Bwya and his wife and all his household lamented bitterly. Together they cried out and said, “That saint and his disciples, whom we blasphemed, have caused the death of our cattle. Let us therefore go back, and on bended knees beg for mercy. Let us pray to the servant of God, that he may take pity on us and on our cattle.” They returned and approached the servant of God, asking for mercy with tears and entreaties. “The land on which you dwell,” they said, “shall be yours forever.” And that very day Bwya granted to holy David the whole of Vallis Rosina as a perpetual possession. David, the servant of God, replied kindly, “Your cattle shall be restored to life.” And when Bwya returned home, he found his cattle alive and well.

¹⁷ On the following day his wife, inflamed with malicious envy, summoned her female slaves. “Go,” she said, “to the river called the Alun, and expose your naked bodies in the sight of the saints, and indulge in lewd speech.” The women obeyed. They behaved shamelessly, making obscene sport, mimicking sexual acts, and displaying seductive embraces. They enticed the minds of some of the monks into wanton thoughts and disturbed the peace of others. All the disciples, unable to endure so intolerable an outrage, said to holy David, “Let us flee from this place, for we cannot remain here because of the harassment of these spiteful women.” But their father, Saint David—steadfast in patient endurance, whose resolve was not loosened by prosperity nor frightened by adversity—said to them: “Know that the world hates you. But understand this: when the people of Israel, accompanied by the ark of the covenant, entered the land of promise, they were beaten in many dangerous battles, yet not overcome; and they destroyed the nations dwelling nearby, the uncircumcised peoples. This struggle plainly foreshadows our own victory. For whoever seeks the promise of the heavenly country must necessarily be worn down by trials, yet not defeated, but in the end, with Christ as his companion, conquer the foul stain of vice. We must therefore not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good, for if Christ is for us, who is against us? Be strong, then, in a battle that can be won, lest your enemy rejoice in your flight. We must remain, and Bwya must depart.” With these words he strengthened the hearts of the disciples. That night David fasted, and his disciples with him, until the morning.

¹⁸ That day Bwya’s wife said to her stepdaughter, “Let us go together to the valley of the Alun, and search for its cucumeri, so that we may find nuts within them.” The girl humbly answered her stepmother, “Behold, I am ready.” They went together to the bottom of the said valley. When they arrived there, the stepmother sat down and spoke gently to her stepdaughter, whose name was Dunod: “Lay your head in my lap, for I wish quietly to examine your hair.” And the innocent girl—who from her infancy had lived devoutly and chastely among crowds of the most wicked women—bowed her harmless head into the lap of her stepmother. But that cruel stepmother swiftly drew out her knife and cut off the head of that most blessed virgin. Her blood flowed upon the ground, and from that place there sprang up a clear, flowing spring, which has healed many human ailments in great abundance. That place is called by the people to this day Merthyr Dunod. The stepmother fled from Bwya, and no one under heaven knows by what death she ended her life. And so Bwya the chieftain wept bitterly, but David and his disciples sang praises to the eternal God.

¹⁹ And so Bwya resolved to destroy holy David. But his enemy, Lisa by name, the son of Paucaut, cut off his head within his own stronghold. For at daybreak his gate lay open, when his enemy arrived unexpectedly from his ship. Soon afterward fire fell from heaven and swiftly consumed the whole of his dwelling. Let no one doubt that it was the Lord, for the sake of his servant David, who struck down Bwya and his wife. For it is fitting that destruction should overtake the man who threatened the servant of God with slaughter, and that he who showed no mercy to the servants of God should himself suffer vengeance without mercy.

²⁰ Thus, through the goodness of God, the malice of their enemies having been driven away, the monastic community in the Lord built in that place a notable monastery, which the angel had previously revealed.

²¹ And when all things were completed, the holy father ordained with fervent zeal such strictness of cenobitic discipline that every monk was to engage in daily labour and to live his life in common, working with his hands. “For he who does not labour,” says the Apostle, “let him not eat”. For knowing that undisturbed ease is the instigator and mother of vices, he subjected the shoulders of the monks to holy exertions. Those who give their minds and their time to idle repose produce within themselves an unstable spirit of apathy and restless promptings toward lust.

²² Therefore, with ever-growing zeal, they laboured with hand and foot. They placed the yoke upon their shoulders; with untiring arms they broke the ground with mattock and spade; in their consecrated hands they carried hoes and saws for cutting. By their own labour they provided all that was necessary for the community. They held possessions in contempt; they rejected the gifts of the unjust; they loathed riches. No care of oxen was introduced for ploughing. Each brother was riches to himself and to the brethren, and each likewise an ox. When the work was finished, no complaint was heard, nor was any conversation held beyond what necessity required. Rather, each carried out the task assigned either in prayer or in disciplined meditation.

²³ When their work outside was completed, they returned to the cells of the monastery and spent the entire day until evening in reading, writing, or prayer. As evening drew near, when the sound of the bell was heard, each at once left his study. Even if the bell sounded while the top of a letter had been written, or even only half its form, they rose all the more swiftly and left their task behind. Thus, in silence, without idle speech, they proceeded to the church. When the chanting of the psalms was completed, the voice being in harmony with the intention of the heart, they worshipped on bended knees until the stars appeared in heaven, bringing the day to its close. The father alone, after all had departed, poured forth a prayer in secret to God for the condition of the Church.

²⁴ At length they assembled at table. Each one refreshed his wearied limbs by taking supper, though not to excess; for too much, even of bread alone, gives rise to wantonness. Rather, they all took their meal according to the differing conditions of their bodies and ages. No dishes of varied flavours were set before them, nor provisions of excessive delicacy; but having eaten bread and herbs seasoned with salt, they quenched their thirst with a modest kind of drink. On this occasion provision was made for the sick, for those advanced in years, and even for those worn out by a long journey, with some food of a more sustaining kind, for one ought not to assign the same measure to all alike.

²⁵ After giving thanks, they went to the church at the appointed ringing of the bell, and there devoted themselves earnestly to vigils, prayers, and genuflexions for about three hours. While they were praying in the church, none dared to yawn freely, none to sneeze, none to spit.

²⁶ When these things had thus been accomplished, they composed their limbs for sleep. Rising again at cockcrow, they gave themselves to prayer on bended knee, and then passed the whole day from morning until night without sleep. In the same manner they persevered through the other nights as well.

²⁷ From the eve of the Sabbath until after the light of dawn had begun in the first hour of the Lord’s Day, they devoted themselves to vigils, prayers, and genuflexions, with one hour alone excepted after the matins of the Sabbath.

²⁸ They laid open their thoughts to the father and sought his permission even for the necessities of nature. All things were held in common. Nothing was spoken of as “mine” or “yours”; for anyone who should say “my book,” or the like, was immediately subjected to a severe penance. They were accustomed to wear humble garments, especially skins. Obedience to the father’s commands was never lacking. There was great perseverance in carrying out what was required, and uprightness prevailed in all things.

²⁹ For anyone who desired this manner of holy life and asked to enter the community of the brethren was first required to remain for ten days at the doors of the monastery as one rejected, and was subjected also to reproachful words. But if he remained steadfast, exercising patience until the tenth day, he was then first received under the care of an elder who, by authority, presided over the entrance and ministered to him. And when he had laboured there for a long time, many inward resistances of his soul having been broken, he was at last judged worthy to enter the fellowship of the brethren.

³⁰ No excess was permitted; voluntary poverty was cherished. Whoever desired to adopt their way of life was received by the holy father on the condition that none of his former possessions—those he had abandoned in renouncing the world—were accepted, not even a single penny, as support for the monastery. Rather, he was admitted stripped of all things, like one escaping from a shipwreck, so that he might have no cause to exalt himself among the brethren, nor, trusting in former wealth, refuse to undertake labour on equal terms with them. Nor might he, wavering in his religious purpose, later attempt by force to reclaim what he had left to the monastery, thereby provoking the patience of the brethren to anger.

³¹ The father himself, daily pouring forth fountains of tears, shining with incense-like holocausts of prayer, and burning with a twofold flame of charity, consecrated with pure hands the due oblation of the Lord’s Body. After Matins he would then withdraw alone to converse with the angels. Immediately thereafter he would seek cold water, in which, by remaining immersed for a long time, he subdued every heat of the flesh. After this, he was accustomed to spend the whole day—steadfast and unwearied—in teaching, praying, and kneeling; in caring for the brethren; and also in providing food for great numbers of the destitute: orphans, widows, the poor, the weak, the sick, and pilgrims. Thus he began, thus he continued, and thus he ended. As for the rest of his austere manner of life, though it is necessary for imitation, the intended brevity of this little work does not permit us to set it forth. Suffice it to say that, in imitation of the Egyptian monks, he lived a life closely resembling theirs.

³² When, therefore, the report of holy David’s good name spread abroad, kings and princes of this world abandoned their kingdoms and sought out his monastery. Thus it came about that Constantine, king of the Cornishmen, renounced his kingdom and bent the neck of his pride—once untamed—in humble obedience within the monastery of this father. After he had followed this manner of life for a long time in faithful service, he eventually founded a monastery in another, far-off land.

³³ But since we have said enough concerning his manner of life, let us now return once more to his miracles.

³⁴ On a certain day, when the brethren were gathered together, they complained, saying: “This place of yours has water in winter, but in summer the river scarcely flows even as a small stream.” When the holy father heard this, he set out and came to a nearby place where an angel was accustomed to speak with him. There he prayed earnestly and at length, raising his eyes to heaven, and asked for the water that was needed. At the sound of his prayer, a fountain of the clearest water sprang forth. And because the land was not productive of vines, the water was changed into wine for use in the sacrament of the Lord’s Body and Blood, so that in his time there was never any lack of pure wine—a most fitting gift from the Lord God to such a man. Moreover, we know of other sweet waters also, bestowed through the disciples in imitation of their father, beneficial for human use and for healing.

³⁵ On another day, a certain rustic named Terdi, praying earnestly and making many entreaties, sought from him works of charity, saying: “Our land is dried up for lack of water, and therefore our journey to fetch it is long and burdensome, for the river lies far away.” The holy father, moved with pity for the need of his neighbours, set out humbly, trusting that by the suppliant plea of his prayer and by his deep compassion he would find water. Setting out, therefore, and opening only a small portion of the earth’s surface with the point of his staff, a fountain of the clearest water burst forth. Bubbling up in an unceasing stream, it supplies the coldest water even in times of heat.

³⁶ On another occasion, while Saint Aeddan, his disciple, happened to be reading outdoors in order to strengthen what he had received by way of instruction, the prior of the monastery came and ordered him to take two oxen and fetch timber from the valley, for the wood lay at some distance. Aeddan the disciple obeyed more swiftly than the word itself, not even pausing to close the book, and went straight to the wood. When the timber had been prepared and loaded onto the animals, he set out on the return journey. Now the road he travelled ran along a steep precipice, and the oxen, together with the cart, were hurled into the sea. As they were plunging down, he made the sign of the cross over them, and thus it came to pass that he received both the oxen and the cart back from the waves, safe and unharmed, and continued his journey with joy. As he travelled, such a heavy downpour of rain began that the ditches overflowed in torrents. When the journey was completed and the oxen released from their labour, he returned to the place where he had left the book and found it still open and untouched by the rain, just as he had left it. While the brethren listened to these events, both the grace of the father and the humility of the disciple were equally praised. For the grace of the father was shown in the book, preserved from the rain for the obedient disciple, while the humility of the disciple preserved the oxen unharmed for the father.

³⁷ When Saint Aeddan had been fully instructed, strong in virtues and thoroughly purified from vices, he set out for Ireland. There he founded a monastery, which in the Irish language is called Guernin, that is, Ferns; and there he lived a most holy life.

³⁸ Now, on the eve of Easter, while he was praying more earnestly, an angel appeared to him and said: “Do you know that tomorrow, at mealtime, some of the brethren will put poison before the venerable Saint David—your father?” Saint Aeddan answered, “I do not know.” The angel said to him, “Send one of the servants to your father to tell him.” Saint Aeddan replied, “There is no ship ready, and the wind is not right for sailing.” The angel said to him, “Let your fellow disciple, called Scutinus, go down to the seashore, for I will carry him across.” The disciple obeyed and went to the shore, and he stepped into the water up to his knee. Then a monster seized him and carried him across to the boundaries of the monastery.

³⁹ When the solemnities of Easter were ended, the holy father Saint David went with the brethren into the refectory for a meal. There he was met by his former disciple Scutinus, who told him all that had been done against him and what the angel had commanded concerning him. They joyfully reclined together in the refectory, giving thanks to God. When the prayer was finished, the deacon who was accustomed to minister to the father rose and placed upon the table the bread prepared with poison, with the consent of the cellarer and the prior. Scutinus, who also bore the name Scolanus, stood up and said, “Today, brother, you shall render no service to the father, for I myself will do so.” The deacon withdrew in confusion, conscious of his crime and rigid with astonishment. Then holy David took the poisoned bread and divided it into three parts. He gave one part to a small dog that was standing outside by the door, and as soon as it tasted the morsel it died a miserable death, for in the twinkling of an eye all its hair fell away, its entrails burst forth, and its skin split open on every side; and all the brethren who saw this were astonished. Holy David then threw the second part to a raven that was in its nest in an ash tree standing between the refectory and the river on the south side, and as soon as the bird touched it with its beak it fell lifeless from the tree. But the third part holy David held in his hand and blessed, and he ate it with thanksgiving; and all the brethren looked upon him in amazement for about three hours. He preserved his life unharmed, with no sign of the deadly poison appearing. Then holy David told his brethren everything that had been done by the three men mentioned above. And all the brethren rose and lamented aloud, and cursed those treacherous men, namely the prior, the cellarer, and the deacon, condemning them and their successors, and declaring with one voice that they should never have a share in the heavenly kingdom for all eternity.

⁴⁰ At another time also, when among others that most faithful abbot of the Irish, whose name was Barre, was seized with an unquenchable desire to visit the relics of the holy apostles Peter and Paul, he set out on the journey of pilgrimage with untiring feet. After he had fulfilled his saving vow and was returning to the precincts of his monastery, he visited the holy man Saint David; and after staying there for a short time at his request in holy fellowship, he was delayed for a longer period, because the ship by which he had prepared to return to his native land was hindered by a lack of wind. Fearing lest, in the absence of their abbot, disputes, strife, and quarrels should arise among the brethren, the bond of charity being loosened—just as bees, when their king is destroyed, fall apart and ruin the stores of honeycombs they had fastened securely—he searched anxiously and discovered a wondrous course of action. For one day he asked for the horse on which the holy father David was accustomed to ride for ecclesiastical purposes, and he received permission. Having received the father’s blessing, he went to the harbour, entered the sea, and, trusting in the father’s blessing and in the support of the horse, he used it as a ship, since the horse ploughed through the swelling waves as though across a level field.

⁴¹ As he went farther out into the sea, he appeared where Saint Brendan was living a wondrous life upon a marine animal. When Saint Brendan saw a man riding a horse upon the sea, he was astonished and said, “God is wonderful in his saints”. The horseman drew near to where Brendan was, so that they were able to exchange greetings. After they had greeted one another, Brendan asked who he was, from whom he had come, and how it was that he rode a horse upon the sea. Barre, after recounting to him the reasons for his pilgrimage, said, “Since the delay of the ship kept me from my brethren, the holy father David gave me the horse on which he was accustomed to ride, so that I might meet my need; and thus, strengthened by his blessing, I undertook such a journey.” Brendan said to him, “Go in peace; I will come and visit him.” Barre reached his native land with his journey unharmed and related to the brethren who met him all that had taken place. They kept the horse in the service of the monastery until its death; and after its death they made a painted image of the horse as a memorial of the miracle, which even to this day is said to be found in the island of the Irish, covered with gold. It is also renowned for the number of its miracles.

⁴² On another occasion also, another of his disciples, named Modomnoc, was digging a road with the brethren on the steep ground near the boundaries of the monastery, so that travellers might have easier access for carrying their necessary burdens. He said to one of the workers, “Why are you working so lazily and so slowly?” The man, stirred to anger against the one who had spoken these words, lifted up the iron tool he held in his hand—that is, a double-edged axe—and tried to strike him on the head. The holy father David saw this from a distance, and raising his hand toward them he made the sign of the cross; and at once the hand of the man who was striking was withered.

⁴³ Moreover, almost a third or a fourth part of Ireland is subject to David the Waterman, where Maeddog was—he who from infancy was also called Aeddan—to whom Saint David had given a small bell called Cruedin. But when Aeddan sailed to Ireland, he forgot his little bell. Therefore Maeddog sent a messenger to holy David, asking him to send the beloved little bell across to him. And Saint David said, “Go, boy, to your master.” And it was done as the messenger was returning; for behold, on the following day the little bell was found beside the renowned Aeddan, an angel having carried it across the sea before the messenger had arrived.

⁴⁴ After this, the aforesaid Modomnoc, having devoted himself for a long span of years to the humility of obedience, his virtuous merits continually increasing, sought the island of Ireland. The whole multitude of bees followed the ship which he had boarded and settled with him in the ship, where he had sat down, on the prow. For, as he attended to the bees’ quarters, he also took his share, along with the rest of the brotherhood’s work, in caring for the hives and rearing the young of the swarms, so that he might obtain some delicacies of sweeter food for those in need. Unwilling to deprive the fraternal community, he returned, appearing again in the presence of the holy father, attended by the swarm of bees, which flew back to their own quarters. David blessed him for his humility. Then, bidding farewell to the father and the brethren, and being saluted, he departed, but again the bees followed him. And it so happened that whenever he set out, they followed him also. Again, a third time, he sailed for a while, and it happened as before: the swarms followed him, and he returned to David three times. On the third occasion holy David dismissed Modomnoc to sail with the bees, and he blessed them, saying, “May the land to which ye hasten abound with your offspring. Never may your progeny be lacking in it. Our monastery shall be deserted by you for ever. Never shall your offspring grow up in it.” That this has continued until now we have learned by experience, for we find swarms brought into the monastery of this father, but they, remaining there for a short time, gradually disappear. Ireland, however, where bees had never been able to exist before that time, is enriched with an abundance of honey. And thus, by the blessing of the holy father, they have multiplied in the island of Ireland, since it is agreed that they could by no means exist there at first; for if Irish earth or stone were cast into the midst of bees, they would greatly shun it, scattering and flying away.

⁴⁵ As his merits increased, his offices of honour increased also. For one night an angel visited him and said to him, “Tomorrow you will gird yourself; put on your shoes; set out to go to Jerusalem; undertake the desired journey. But two others I will also call to be your companions on the way, namely Eiludd,” who is now commonly called Teilo, who formerly was a monk in his monastery, “and Padarn,” whose life and miracles are contained in his history. The holy father, marvelling at the word of command, said, “How shall this be, for the companions whom you promise are far away from us, and from one another, by the space of three days, or as many more? By no means, therefore, shall we come together tomorrow.” The angel informed him, “I will go this night to each of them, and they shall assemble at the appointed place, which I now show.” Saint David, making no delay, put in order what was necessary for the monastery, received the blessing of the brethren, and set out early in the morning. He arrived at the appointed place, found there the promised brethren, and together they entered upon the journey. Their pilgrimage was on terms of equality, for none was prior to another in mind: each was servant, each was master. They persevered in prayer and watered the way with tears. The farther the foot advanced, the greater the reward increased, they being one in mind, one in joy, and one in sorrow.

⁴⁶ When they had crossed the Britannic Sea and come into Gaul, and were hearing the strange languages of diverse nations, father David was endowed with the gift of tongues, like that apostolic gathering of old, so that, when among foreign peoples and in need, they might not lack an interpreter, and also that they might confirm the faith of others with the word of truth.

⁴⁷ At length they arrived at the borders of the desired city, Jerusalem. On the night before their arrival an angel appeared to the Patriarch in a dream, saying, “Three catholic men are coming from the bounds of the west, whom you are to receive with joy and the grace of hospitality, and to consecrate for me to the episcopate.” The Patriarch made ready three most honourable seats, and when the saints entered the city he rejoiced with great joy and graciously received them into the seats that had been prepared. After engaging in spiritual conversation, they gave thanks to God. Then, upheld by divine choice, he promoted holy David to the archiepiscopate.

⁴⁸ When these things were concluded, the Patriarch addressed them and said, “Obey my voice and attend to what I direct. The power of the Jews,” he said, “grows strong against the Christians. They trouble us; they reject the faith. Therefore attend, and go forth to preach daily, that their vehemence, being confuted, may be quieted, knowing that the Christian faith is spread abroad to the limits of the west and sounded forth to the utmost parts of the earth”. They obeyed the command. Each of them preached every day. Their preaching became acceptable: many came together to the faith, and others they strengthened.

⁴⁹ When all things were completed, they set out to return to their native land. Then it was that the Patriarch presented father David with four gifts, namely: a consecrated altar, upon which he was accustomed to consecrate the Lord’s Body, which, powerful in innumerable miracles, has never been seen by men since the death of its pontiff, but, covered with skins and veils, lies hidden away; also a notable bell, likewise renowned for miracles; a bachall; and a tunic woven with gold. The bachall, resplendent with glorious miracles, is celebrated throughout the whole of our country for its wonders. “But because,” said the Patriarch, “they would be a burden for you to carry on the journey while returning to your country, go back in peace; I shall send them to you afterwards.” They bade farewell to the father and came to their native land. Each in turn awaited the Patriarch’s promise and received his gift, sent to him by angels: David in the monastery called Llan Gyvelach, Padarn and Eiludd in their respective monasteries. Therefore the common people call them gifts from heaven.

⁵⁰ Because, after the aid of Saint Germanus for a second time, the Pelagian heresy was reviving and introducing the vigour of its stubbornness, like the venom of a poisonous serpent, into the innermost joints of the land, a universal synod of all the bishops of Britannia was convened. Accordingly, one hundred and eighteen bishops assembled, and with them came an innumerable multitude of presbyters, abbots, and members of other orders, together with kings, princes, lay people, men and women, so that this vast host filled all the surrounding places. The bishops conferred quietly among themselves, saying, “So great is the multitude that not only a voice, but even the call of a trumpet will fail to reach the ears of everyone. Consequently, almost the whole people will be untouched (or alienated) by the preaching, and will carry the stain of heresy back with them when they return home.” It was therefore decided to preach to the people in this manner: that a heap of garments should be piled up on elevated ground, upon which one man should stand and preach from above; and whoever should be endowed with such a gift of speech that his discourse reached the ears of all who stood far off should, by universal consent, be made metropolitan archbishop. Then, at the appointed place, whose name is B^evi, they attempted to preach from a raised tower of garments, but scarcely did the words, as though swallowed in the throat, reach even the nearest hearers. The people waited for the word, but most did not hear it. One after another attempted to expound, but to no effect. The difficulty increased, and they feared that the people would return to their homes with the heresy left undebated. “We have preached,” they said, “and have gained nothing; and thus our labour is rendered void.” Then one of the bishops, named Paulinus, with whom the pontiff Saint David had formerly studied, rose and said, “There is one, made bishop by the Patriarch, who has not yet appeared at our synod: an eloquent man, full of grace, proven in religion, who has an angel as his companion, a man beloved, pleasing in countenance, distinguished in form, upright in stature of four cubits. My counsel, therefore, is that you summon him.”

⁵¹ Messengers were immediately sent. They came to the holy bishop and announced the purpose for which they had arrived. The holy bishop refused, saying, “Let no one tempt me. What they cannot do, who am I that I should be able to do it? I acknowledge my lowliness. Depart in peace.” Messengers were sent a second and a third time, but even then he did not consent. At last the most holy men and most faithful brethren, Daniel and Dubricius, were sent. Saint David the bishop, foreseeing this by the spirit of prophecy, said to his brethren, “Today, brethren, most holy men are coming to visit us. Receive them with a joyful mind. Provide fish with bread and water.” The brethren arrived. They greeted one another and entered into holy conversation. A meal was set before them, but they declared that they would never eat in his monastery unless he returned with them to the synod. To this the saint replied, “Refuse you I cannot. I will eat, and we shall go together to the synod, but I am unable to preach on that occasion. Yet by prayers I shall bring whatever small help I can.”

⁵² They set out and arrived at a place very near the synod, and behold, they heard grievous lamentation close by. The saint said to his companions, “I will go to see where this great wailing is.” His companions answered and said, “We will go on to the assembly, lest our delay trouble those who are waiting for us.” But the man of God went on and came to the place of lamentation by the river Teivi. And behold, a widowed mother was keeping watch over the body of her dead boy, who was called Magnus. Blessed David consoled the mother and comforted her with wholesome admonitions, but she, having heard of his renown, threw herself at his feet and begged him with sorrowful cries to have pity on her. The man of God, moved by compassion for human frailty, went up to the body of the deceased, bathed his face with tears, cast himself upon the dead body, and prayed to the Lord, saying, “O Lord, my God, who didst descend into this world for us sinners from the bosom of the Father to redeem us from the jaws of the ancient enemy, have pity on this widow, restore life to her only son, and breathe into him the breath of life, that Your name may be magnified throughout all the earth.” Then the limbs grew warm, the soul returned, and the body moved. Taking the boy by the hand, he restored him alive and whole to his mother. The mother turned her sorrowful weeping into tears of joy and said, “To me my son was dead, but to you and to God let him live from now on.” The holy man took the boy and placed upon his shoulders the book of the Gospel, which he always carried on his breast, and brought him with him to the synod. Afterwards, for as long as he lived, the boy led a holy life for many years. And all who witnessed that miracle praised the Lord and holy David.

⁵³ Then he entered the synod. The company of bishops rejoiced, the people were glad, and the whole host exulted. He was asked to preach, and he did not refuse the desire of the council. They urged him to mount the pile of garments, but he declined. Instead, he ordered the boy who had newly been raised from the dead to spread his handkerchief beneath his feet. Standing upon this, he expounded the Gospel and the Law as though from a trumpet. In the sight of all, a snow-white dove, sent from heaven, settled upon his shoulders and remained there for as long as he preached. While he spoke with a voice clear to all, alike to those nearest to him and to those far away, the ground beneath him swelled upward and was raised into a hill. Set upon its summit, he was seen by all, so that, standing upon a high hill, he might lift his voice like a trumpet. Upon the top of this hill a church stands. The heresy was driven out, the faith was confirmed in sound hearts, and all were of one accord. They gave thanks to God and to Saint David.

⁵⁴ Then, blessed and extolled by the mouth of all, with the consent of all the bishops, kings, princes, nobles, and every rank of the entire Britannic people, he is made archbishop, and his monastery is also declared the metropolis of the whole country, so that whoever ruled it should be regarded as archbishop.

⁵⁵ The heresy, therefore, having been expelled, the decrees of Catholic and ecclesiastical discipline are confirmed, which, because of the frequent and cruel attacks of enemies, had become void and, being almost forgotten, had ceased to be observed. By these decrees, as though roused from a deep slumber, they all zealously waged the battles of the Lord. These are found in part in the most ancient writings of the father, prescribed in his own sacred hand.

⁵⁶ Then, after a number of seasons had passed, another synod assembles, called Victory, in which a multitude of bishops, priests, and abbots, having come together, renew what they had confirmed in the former synod, after close and rigorous examination, with certain useful matters added. From these two synods, therefore, all the churches of our country take their standard and rule by Roman authority. The decrees which he had affirmed by word of mouth the bishop alone committed to writing with his own sacred hand.

⁵⁷ Consequently, in every place throughout the whole country the brethren built monasteries. Everywhere the foundations of churches are spoken of; everywhere prayers are raised to the stars; everywhere miracles are reported and borne on untiring shoulders into the bosom of the Church. Everywhere works of charity are distributed to the needy with an open hand. Saint David the bishop was made the chief overseer of all, the chief protector, the chief spokesman, from whom all received the rule and pattern of right living. He was the standard for all; he was consecration, he was blessing, he was absolution and correction; learning for readers, life for the needy, nourishment for orphans, support for widows, head of the country, rule for monks, a way for secular people, all things to all men. What multitudes of monks he brought forth! With what benefit he profited all! With what radiance of miracles he shone!

⁵⁸ All the bishops yielded to holy David both sovereignty and primacy, and they all agreed to grant his right of sanctuary, that it should apply to every ravisher, homicide, and sinner, and to every evil person fleeing from place to place, before that of every saint, king, or person in the whole island of Britain, in every kingdom and in every region, wherever there might be land consecrated to holy David. And let no kings or elders or rulers, nor even bishops or superiors or saints, dare to provide a right of sanctuary in priority to holy David. Indeed, he provides sanctuary before every person, and none is prior to him, because he is head and leader and primate over all the Britons. And all the saints ordained that whoever should not observe that decree, namely Saint David’s right of sanctuary, should be anathema and accursed.

⁵⁹ And thus, continuing into old age, he was renowned as the head of all the Britannic race and the honour of his country, which old age he completed in the full span of one hundred and forty-seven years.

⁶⁰ When the day was drawing near for the granting of the holy reward for good deeds, on the eighth day before the Kalends of March, while the brethren were keeping matins, an angel addressed him, announcing in a loud voice: “The long-desired day,” he said, “is now reckoned to be close at hand.” The holy bishop recognised the friendly voice and said to him with a joyful heart: “Lord, now you let your servant depart in peace”. The brethren perceived only the sound with their ears, without understanding the words, for they heard them conversing together and fell to the ground in fear. Then the whole monastery was filled with angelic harmonies and a sweet fragrance. The holy bishop, calling out in a loud voice with his mind fixed on heaven, said: “Lord Jesus Christ, receive my spirit”. Again the angel spoke in a clear voice, which the brethren now understood: “Make ready and gird yourself. On the first of March the Lord Jesus Christ, accompanied by a great host of angels, will come to meet you.”

⁶¹ When these things were heard, the brethren made great lamentation with violent sobbing, and a great sorrow began. The monastery overflowed with tears, saying, “O Saint David, bishop, take away our sadness.” He, caressing them and sustaining them with consoling words, said, “Brothers, be steadfast. The yoke which with single purpose you have taken up, bear to the end; and whatever you have seen with me and heard, keep and fulfil”. From that hour, therefore, until the day of his death, he remained in the church and preached to all.

⁶² That report, therefore, was carried with greatest speed in a single day throughout the whole of Britain and Ireland by an angel, saying, “Know that next week your master, holy David, will pass from this light to the Lord.”

⁶³ Then there arrived from all sides gatherings of saints, like bees to a hive at the approach of a storm, hastening eagerly to visit the holy father. The monastery overflowed with tears; lamentation rang out to the stars. The young mourned him as a father, the old as a son. On the intervening Sunday, while a very great multitude listened, he preached a most noble sermon and consecrated the Lord’s Body with pure hands. Having received the Body and Blood of the Lord, he was immediately seized with pain and fell ill. When he had completed the office and blessed the people, he addressed them all, saying, “My brethren, persevere in these things which you have learned from me and which you have seen with me. On the third day of the week, on the first of March, I shall go the way of my fathers. Fare well in the Lord. I shall depart. Never again shall we be seen upon this earth.” Then the voice of all the faithful was lifted up in lamentation and wailing, saying, “O that the earth would swallow us! O that fire would consume us! O that the sea would cover us! O that death by a sudden assault would overtake us! Would that the mountains would fall upon us!” Almost all gave themselves over to death. From Sunday night until the fourth day of the week, when he died, all who came remained weeping, fasting, and keeping watch.

⁶⁴ And so, when the third day of the week had come, at cockcrow the monastery was filled with angelic choirs, melodious with heavenly songs, and suffused with the sweetest fragrance. At the hour of matins, when the clerks were responding to the chants with psalms and hymns, The Lord Jesus deigned to bestow his presence for the consolation of the father, as he had promised by the angel. When he saw him, he rejoiced wholly in spirit. “Take me after you,” he said. With these words he gave back his life to God; Christ being his companion, and accompanied by the angelic host, he went to the dwellings of heaven.

⁶⁵ O who then could endure the weeping of the saints, the sorrowful sighs of the anchorites, the groaning of the priests, the wailings of the disciples, who exclaimed, “By whom shall we be taught?”, the grief of the pilgrims, saying, “By whom shall we be aided?”, the despair of kings, who said, “By whom shall we be appointed, corrected, and established? Who so gentle a father as David? Who shall intercede for us with the Lord?”, the lamentations of peoples, the grief of the poor, the cries of the sick, the clamour of monks, the tears of virgins, married folk, penitents, young men, young women, boys, girls, infants at the breast? Why do I delay? The voice of all was the voice of mourners: kings grieved for him as an arbiter, old men bewailed him as a brother, adults honoured him as a father; indeed, he was one whom all revered as God.

⁶⁶ And so his body, carried in the arms of holy brethren and accompanied by a great throng, is honourably committed to the earth and buried in his own monastery. But his soul, without any limit of passing time, is crowned for ever and ever.

⁶⁷ May he, whose festival we devoutly celebrate on earth, by his intercessions unite us with the angelic citizens, God being over all, and our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

⁶⁸ These and many other things the holy father David did, while a corruptible and burdensome habitation carried his soul. But out of many we have, in a humble manner of speech, supplied a few to assuage the thirst of the ardent. Just as no one can exhaust to dryness, in the hollow of a shallow vessel, a stream flowing from a perpetual fountain, so no one can commit to writing, even with an iron pen, all his miraculous signs, his most devoted practice of the virtues, and his observance of the commandments. But these few things out of many, as we have said, we have gathered together into one place for an example to all and for the glory of the father. They were found scattered in very old writings of the country, especially of the monastery itself, which have survived until now, eaten away by the constant devouring of moths and by the yearly borings of ages through hours and seasons, and written according to the ancient style of former times. Having brought them together into one place, as from a flowery garden of diverse plants, I, as it were sucking with the mouth of a bee and with careful discernment, have collected them to the glory of so great a father and for the benefit of others, lest they should perish. But those things which he now does and has done, since he has laid aside the burden of the flesh and sees God face to face, doing so at fixed intervals of time and all the more effectively as he cleaves more closely to God, he who wishes to know of them can learn from the testimony of many.

⁶⁹ And as for me, who am called Rhygyvarch, and who, though rashly, have applied the capacity of my small intelligence to these things, let those who will have read them with a devout mind give assistance by their prayers, so that, since the clemency of the father, like that of spring, has led me in the summer heat of the flesh to a tiny flower of understanding, it may at last, before the end of my course, when the vapours of concupiscence are spent, lead me by mature works to the fruit of a good harvest. Thus, when the reapers shall separate the tares of the enemy and fill the barns of the heavenly country with most carefully gathered sheaves, they may place me, as a tiny sheaf of the latest harvest, within the hall of the heavenly gate, to behold God for ever, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.

⁷⁰ Here begins the genealogy of Saint David, archbishop of all Britannia by the grace and predestination of God. David was the son of Sant; Sant the son of Cheritic; Cheritic the son of Cuneda; Cuneda the son of Etern; Etern the son of Patern; Patern the son of Peisrud; Peisrud the son of Doeil; Doeil the son of Gurdeil; Gurdeil the son of Dumn; Dumn the son of Guordumn; Guordumn the son of Amguoil; Amguoil the son of Amguerit; Amguerit the son of Omid; Omid the son of Perum; Perum the son of Dobun; Dobun the son of Iouguen; Iouguen the son of Abalach; Abalach the son of Eugen; Eugen the son of Eudolen; Eudolen the son of Eugen; Eugen the son of the sister of Mary. Here ends the Life of Saint David, Bishop and Confessor.

The Mass of Saint David #

¹ God, who foretold your blessed confessor and pontiff David by the message of an angel to Patrick, prophesying thirty years before his birth, we beseech you that, by his intercession, whose memory we celebrate, we may come to eternal joys, through [your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen].

Secret [Prayer] #

¹ Almighty God, be pleased to regard the sacrifice of praise and the devout prayers which we offer to you in honour of your blessed confessor and pontiff David; and what our merit cannot obtain, may your mercy and his frequent intercession for us bring about, through [your Son, etc. Amen].

After Communion #

¹ O Lord, having been replenished by our participation in the Sacrament, we beseech you that by the merits of Saint David, your confessor and pontiff, whose glorious feast we celebrate, we may experience the patronage of your ineffable mercy, through [your Son, etc. Amen].