The Most Ancient Lives of Saint Patrick Part 8

One time Patrick slept on a Sunday, on a hill over the sea, at Drombo, when he heard the noise of Gentiles digging a rath on the Sabbath. He called them, and told them to cease. They heeded him not, but began to mock him. And Patrick said: "My _debroth_, your labor shall not profit you." This was fulfilled; for on the following night a great tempest arose and destroyed their work, according to the word of Patrick.

Patrick said to Eochaidh, son of Muiredach that there should never be a king from him, nor enough of his race to const.i.tute an a.s.sembly or army in Ulster, but that his tribe would be scattered and dispersed, that his own life would be short, and that he would meet a tragic fate. This was the cause Patrick had against Eochaidh, as the learned say: Two virgins, who had offered their virginity to the Lord, he bound and sent on the waves to be drowned, as they refused to adore idols and to marry. When Patrick heard this, he besought the king regarding them, but in vain.

"Your brother Cairell has got thy luck, since he granted me a good request," said Patrick, "and you have lost it through your disobedience.

He (Cairell) shall be a king, and there shall be kings and chiefs of his race over your children and over all Ulster"; so that of him sprang the race of kings, and of his son Deman, son of Cairell, son of Muiredhach, according to the words of Patrick. Eochaidh's wife cast herself at the feet of Patrick. He baptized her, and blessed the child in her womb--_i.e._, the excellent and ill.u.s.trious son, Domangart, the son of Eochaidh. He it was whom Patrick left in his body, and he will be there for ever. He turned back to the Fera-Ross, and commenced a church in Druim-Mor, in the territory of Ross, over Cluain-Cain. It was here the angel went to him and said: "It is not here you have been destined to stay." "Where shall I go?" said Patrick. "Pa.s.s on to Macha northwards,"

said the angel. "The _cluain_ below is fairer," replied Patrick. "Be its name Cluain-Cain" (_fair cluain_), answered the angel. "A pilgrim of the Britons shall come and occupy there, and it shall be yours afterwards." "_Deo gratias ago_," said Patrick. Where Patrick went then was to Ard-Phadraig, on the east of Lughmadh, and he proposed to build an establishment there. The Dal-Runter went after him to keep him, as one presented him to another. He blessed them afterwards, and prophesied that distinguished chiefs and clerics should be of them, and that they should have possessions outside their territory, because they went forth out of their own country after him. Patrick used to come every day from the east, from Ard-Phadraig, and Mochta used to come from the west, from Lughmadh, that they might converse together every day at Leac-Moctae.

One day the angel placed an epistle between them. Patrick read the epistle, and what was in it was: "Mochta, the devoted, the believing, let him be in the place he has taken." Patrick goes, by the order of his king, to smooth Macha, and he a.s.signed the twelve lepers left in Ard-Phadraig to Mochta, and their food used to be given to them each night by Mochta. Patrick went afterwards to the _macha_, by order of the angel, to a place where Rath-Daire is this day. There was a certain prosperous and venerable person there. Daire was his name--_i.e._, Daire, son of Finchad, son of Eogan, son of Niallan. Patrick asked for a site for his _regles_ from him. Daire answered: "What place do you desire?" "In this great hillock below," says Patrick, where Ardmacha is to-day. "I will not give it," said Daire, "but I will give you a site for your _regles_ in the strong rath below," where the _ferta_ are to-day. Patrick founded a church there, and remained a long time. One day two steeds of Daire's were brought to him, to his _regles_, for the _relig_ was gra.s.sy. Patrick became very angry. The horses died at once.

His servant told this to Daire, saying: "That Christian," said he, "killed your steeds, because they ate the gra.s.s that was in his _regles_." Daire was angry at this, and ordered his servants to plunder the cleric, and expel him from his place--_i.e._, the _ferta_. A colic seized on Daire immediately, so that death was near him. His wife recalled the plunder of Patrick, and told Daire that the cause of his death was the attack on Patrick. She sent messengers to beg prayer-water for Daire from Patrick. Patrick said: "Only for what the woman has done, there would never be any resurrection from death for Daire." Patrick blessed the water, and gave it to the servants, with orders to have it sprinkled over the horses and over Daire. They did so, and immediately they all returned from death. A brazen caldron was brought to Patrick as an offering from Daire. "_Deo gratias_," said Patrick. Daire asked his servants what Patrick said. They answered, "_Gratzic.u.m_." "This is little reward for a good offering and a good caldron," said Daire. He ordered his cauldron to be brought to him. "_Deo gratias_," said Patrick. Daire asked what Patrick said when they were bringing the caldron from him. The servants answered: "It was the same thing he said when we were bringing it away from him--_Gratzic.u.m_." "This is a good word with them, this _Gratzic.u.m_," said Daire; "_Gratzic.u.m_ when giving it to him, and _Gratzic.u.m_ when taking it away from him." Daire and his wife then went with his submission to Patrick, and gave Patrick the caldron willingly back again, and the hill which he before asked; and Patrick accepted and blessed them, and founded a church in that place called Ard-Macha. Patrick and his divines, and Daire, with the n.o.bles of Airther besides, came to the hill to mark out its boundaries, and to bless it, and consecrate it. They found a doe, with its fawn, in the place where the Sabhall is to-day, and his people went to kill it.

_Prohibuit Patricius, et dixit, "Serviat sibi postea_," and sent it out of the hill northward, to the place where Telac-na-licce is to-day, _ibi magna mirabilia fecit_.

Daire's daughter loved the person Benen; sweet to her was the sound of his voice in chanting. Disease seized her, so that she died of it.

Benen carried _cretra_ to her from Patrick, and she suddenly afterwards arose alive, and loved him spiritually. She is Ercnait, the daughter of Daire, who is in Tamlaght-bo.

One time there came nine daughters of the King of the Longbards and the daughter of the King of Britain on a pilgrimage to Patrick; they stopped at the east side of Ard-Macha, where Coll-na-ningean is to-day. There came messengers from them to Patrick to know if they should proceed to him. Patrick said to the messengers that three of the maidens would go to heaven, and in that place (_i.e._, Coll-na-ningean) their sepulchre is. "And let the other maidens go to Druim-fenneda, and let one of them proceed as far as that hill in the east." And so it was done.

Cruimthir went afterwards, and occupied Cengobd; and Benen used to carry fragments of food to her every night from Patrick. And Patrick planted an apple-tree in Achadh-na-elti, which he took from the fort, in the north of the place--_i.e._, Cengoba; and hence the place is called Abhall-Patrick, in Cengoba. It was the milk of this doe, moreover, that used to be given to the lap-dog that was near the maiden--_i.e._, Cruimthir.

Another time, when Patrick was at rest in the end of night, at Tiprad-Cernai, in Tir-Tipraid, the angel went to him and awoke him.

Patrick said to him: "Is there anything in which I have offended G.o.d, or is His anger upon me?" "No," said the angel; "and you are informed from G.o.d," added the angel, "if it is it you desire, that there shall be no share for any else in Eriu, but for you alone. And the extent of the termon of your see from G.o.d is to Droma-Bregh, and to Sliabh-Mis, and to Bri-Airghi." Patrick replied: "My _debroth_, truly," said Patrick, "sons of life will come after me, and I wish they may have honor from G.o.d in the country after me." The angel responded: "That is manifest. And G.o.d gave all Eriu to you," said the angel, "and every n.o.ble that will be in Eriu shall belong to you." "_Deo gratias_," said Patrick.

Patrick was enraged against his sister--_i.e._, Lupait--for committing the sin of adultery, so that she was pregnant in consequence. When Patrick came into the church from the eastern side, Lupait went to meet him, until she prostrated herself before the chariot, in the place where the cross is in Both-Archall. "The chariot over her," said Patrick. The chariot pa.s.sed over her thrice, for she used still to come in front of it; so that where she went to heaven was at the Ferta; and she was buried by Patrick, and her _ecnaire_ (requiem) was sung. Colman, grandson of Ailill, of the Ui-Bresail, that fixed his attention on Lupait at Imduail.

Aedan, son of Colman, saint of Inis-Lothair, was the son of Lupait and Colman. Lupait implored of Patrick that he would not take away heaven from Colman with his progeny. Patrick did not take it away; but he said they would be sickly. Of the children of this Colman, moreover, are the Ui-Faelain and Ui-Dubhdara.

One time Patrick's people were cutting corn in Trian-Conchobhair. They were seized with great thirst, whereupon a vessel of whey was taken to them from Patrick, who persuaded them to observe abstinence from tierce to vesper time. It happened that one of them died; and he was the first man that was buried by Patrick--_i.e._, Colman Itadach, at the cross by the door of Patrick's house. What Patrick said when it was told to him was: "My _debroth_, there will be abundance of food and ale and prosperity in this city after us."

Once the angels went, and took from off the road the stone which was before the chariot, and its name is Lec-na-naingel. It was from that place--_i.e._, from Druim-Chaile--that Patrick with his two hands blessed the _macha_. The way in which Patrick measured the rath--_i.e._, the angel before him, and Patrick behind, with his people, and with the holy men of Eriu, and the Bachall Isa in Patrick's hand. And he said that great would be the crime of any one who would transgress in it, as the reward would be great of such as fulfilled the will of G.o.d in it.

The way in which Patrick measured the _ferta_ was thus, viz., one hundred and forty feet in the _lis_, and twenty feet in the great house, and seventeen feet in the kitchen, and seven feet in the chamber; and it was thus he always constructed the establishment.

The angel went to Patrick in Ard-Macha. "This day," said he, "the relics of the apostles are distributed in Rome throughout the four parts of the globe; and it would be becoming in you that you should go there." And the angel bore Patrick in the air. At the southern cross, in Aenach-Macha, it was that four chariots were brought to Patrick; at the northern cross, moreover, it was that G.o.d manifested to him the form he will have in the Day of Judgment. And he went in one day to Comur-tri-nuisce. He left Sechnall in the episcopacy with the men of Eriu until the s.h.i.+p would come which would bear him from the sh.o.r.e of Letha.

Patrick went subsequently, and arrived at Rome; and sleep came over the inhabitants of Rome, so that Patrick brought away a sufficiency of the relics. These relics were afterwards taken to Ard-Macha with the consent of G.o.d and with the consent of the men of Eriu.

What was brought were the relics of three hundred and sixty-five martyrs, and the relics of Peter and Paul, and Lawrence, and Stephen, and of many more; and a cloth in which was the blood of Christ and the hair of the Virgin Mary. Patrick left this collection in Armagh, according to the will of G.o.d, of the angel, and of the men of Eriu.

His relics--the relics of Letha--were stolen from Patrick. Messengers went from him to the Abbot of Rome. They brought an epistle from him, directing that they should watch the relics with lamps and torches by night for ever, and with Ma.s.s and psalmody by day, and prayers by night, and that they should elevate them every year (for mult.i.tudes desired to see them).

Two brothers of the Ulstermen, Dubhan and Dubhaedh, stole Patrick's two garrons from the land (_tir_) to the east of the Nemhed (Tir-suidhe-Patrick is its name). They carried them off into the moor to the south. Dubhan said; "I will not take what belongs to the _tailcenn_." "I will take what comes to me," said Dubhaedh. Dubhan went and did penance. "Your comrade's journey is not a good one," said Patrick. He got a fall, so that his head was broken, and he died.

Dubhan became a disciple, and was ordained; and Patrick said: "Here thy resurrection shall be." Another time, in carrying a bag of wheat from Setna, son of Dallan, to Patrick, the manna which dropped from heaven, in a desert place, over Druim-mic-Ublae, Patrick's horse [fell] under it. A grain of the wheat dropped out of the bag, and the horse could not rise until there came from Patrick. "This is the reason," said Patrick through prophecy, "a grain of wheat that fell out of the sack, in the spot where the cross is on the way southwards to the Nemhed." "Nenihed then will be the name of the place where the horse stopped," said Patrick; and so it is.

Another time Sechnall went to Armagh, and Patrick was not there. He saw before him two of Patrick's horses unyoked, and he said: "It were fitter to send those horses to the bishop--_i.e._, to Fiacc." When Patrick returned, this thing was told to him. The chariot was attached to the horses; and he sent them on without a man with them until they were in the disert with Mochta. They went right-hand-wise on the morrow to Domhnach-Sechnaill. They then went eastwardly to Cill-Auxili. They went afterwards to Cill-monach; then, after that, to Fiacc to Sleibhte. The reason for giving the chariot to Fiacc was because he used to go every Whit-Sat.u.r.day as far as the hill of Druim-Coblai, where he had a cave.

Five cakes with him, as report says. On Easter-Sat.u.r.day he used to come to Sleibhte, and used to bring with him a bit of his five cakes. The cause of giving the chariot to Fiacc was that a chafer had gnawed his leg, so that death was nigh unto him.

Sechnall said to Patrick: "When shall I make a hymn of praise for thee?"

"You are not required," observed Patrick. "I have not said to thee, 'Shall it be done?'" said Sechnall, "for it will be done, truly." "My _debroth_," said Patrick, "it is time it were finished now"; for Patrick knew that it would not be long until Sechnall's time [arrived], for he was the first bishop who went under the clay of Eriu.

When he was composing the hymn, they were holding an a.s.sembly near him.

It was commanded to them from him that they should go away from the place. They began to mock him. He told them that the ground would swallow them; and it swallowed twelve chariots of them at once. Sechnall said to Patrick's people at Ferta-Marta: "A good man is Patrick, but for one thing." When he heard these words with his people, he asked Sechnall for the previous message, and Sechnall said; "O my lord! the reason I have said it is because little do you preach of charity." "Young man,"

said Patrick, "it is for charity that I preach not charity; for if I did preach it, I would not leave a stud of two chariot horses to any of the saints, present or future, in this island; for all belong to me and them."

Sechnall went with his hymn to Patrick, and Patrick went along Belach-Midhluachra into the territory of Conaille. He returned along the mountain westwards. He met Sechnall. They saluted one another. "I should like that you would hear a [hymn of] praise which I have made for a certain man of G.o.d," said Sechnall. "The praise of the people of G.o.d is welcome," answered Patrick. Sechnall thereupon began "Beata Christi custodit," fearing that Patrick would prohibit him at once if he heard his name. When he sang "Maximus namque," Patrick arose. The place where he sang so far is called Elda. "Wait," said Sechnall, "until we reach a secret place which is near us; it is there the remainder will be recited." Patrick enquired on the way how "Maximus in regno coelorum"

could be said of a man. Sechnall replied: "It [_maximus_] is put for the positive [_magnus_]," or because he excelled the men of his race of the Britons or Scoti. They came then to a place called Dal-Muine, where he, Patrick, prayed and sat; and Sechnall afterwards sang the remainder of the hymn; and Patrick heard his name, and thereupon thanked him. Three pieces of cheese, and b.u.t.ter, were brought up to him from a religious couple--viz., Berach and Brig. "Here is for the young men," said the woman. "Good," said Patrick. A druid came there, whose name was Gall-drui ("foreign druid"), who said: "I will believe in you if you convert the pieces of cheese into stones"; which G.o.d performed through Patrick. "Again convert them into cheese"; and he did. "Convert them into stones again"; and he did. "Convert them again." Patrick said: "No, but they will be as they are, in commemoration, until the servant of G.o.d, who is Dicuill of the Ernaidhe, shall come here." The druid (_magus_) believed.

Patrick flung his little bell under a dense bush there. A birch grew through its handle. This it was that Dicuill found, the _betechan_, Patrick's bell--a little iron bell--which is in the Ernaidhe of Dicuill.

And two of the stones made of the cheese are there; the third one was, moreover, carried by Dicuill to Lughmagh when he was abbot there. It is to-day in Gort-Conaidh.

Sechnall asked something for the hymn. "As many as there are hairs in your _casula_," said Patrick, "if they are pupils of yours, and violate not rules, shall be saved. The clay of your abode has also been sanctified by G.o.d," said Patrick. "That will be received," said Sechnall. "Whosoever of the men of Eriu," said Patrick, "shall recite the three last chapters, or the three last lines, or the three last words, just before death, with pure mind, his soul will be saved." "_Deo gratias ago_," said Sechnall. Colman Ela recited it in his refectory thrice. Patrick stood in the middle of the house, when a certain plebeian asked, "Have we no other prayer that we could recite except this?" And Patrick went out afterwards. Cainnech, on the sea, in the south, saw the black cloud of devils pa.s.sing over him. "Come here on your way," said Cainnech. The demons subsequently came, stating, "We went to meet the soul of a certain rich rustic observing the festival of Patrick; but his sons and people ate, and he sang two or three chapters of the hymn of Patrick; and, by your dignity, we thought it more a satire than praise of Patrick as they sang it; but by it we have been vanquished."

The miracles of Patrick are these--viz.: The hound in the territory of Gailenga, at Telach-Maine; the buck speaking out of the bodies of the thieves in the territory of Ui-Meith; the travelling of the garron without any guide to Druimmic-Ublae, when he lay down beside the grain of wheat; the chariot, without a charioteer, [going] from Armagh to Sleibhte; the appearance of the King of Britain in the form of a fox in his country, an ever-living miracle; a part of Aenach-Tailten, from which nothing dead is taken; the King of Cashel not to be killed by wounding, provided that he be of the race of Aenghus, son of Nad-fraech; these bare residences not to lie demolished--viz., Rath-Airthir, and Sen-domhnach of Magh-Ai ("_Eccor Sen-domhnaigh_" is an old saying); Dun-Sobhairce charmed to the herenaghs--viz., an altar-sop with the Forbraige; and the _dominica_ of Naas, and Magh-itir-da-glas in Macha; the navigation from Bertlach to Bertlach of Calry-Cuile-Cernadha; the streams which the _gilla_ blessed at Drob-hais; the take [of fish] at Eastern Bann; the take at Sligo every quarter [of the year]; the Samer, which goes from the loughs of Erne to the sea--its eastern half, against Cenel-Conaill, is fruitful; its western part, towards Cenel-Cairbre, is unfruitful, through Patrick's word; Finn-glas, at the martyr-house of Druim-Cain, and Druim-Cruachni; the taking of his kings.h.i.+p from Laeghaire, from Cairbre, from Fiacha, from Maine; the grant of his kings.h.i.+p to Eoghan, to Conall, to Crimthann, to Conall Erball; the smiths making the bells--_i.e._, Mac Cecht, and Cuana, and Mac Tail; the artificers making the dishes and reliquaries and the altar chalices--viz., Ta.s.sach, and Essa, and Bitiu; the nuns making the altar-cloths--viz., Cochna.s.s, and Tigris, and Lupait, and Darerca.

After these great miracles, however, the day of Patrick's death and of his going to heaven approached. What he began to do was to go to Armagh, that it might be there his resurrection would be. The angel Victor came to him. What he said to Patrick was: "It is not there thy resurrection has been decreed; go back to the place from whence you came (_i.e._, to the Sabhall), for it is there G.o.d has decreed that you shall die--not in Macha. G.o.d has granted thee," said the angel, "that thy dignity and rule, thy devotion and teaching, shall be in Ard-Macha, as if thou thyself wert alive there."

The angel left advice with Patrick as to how he would be buried, saying: "Let two young, active oxen be brought," said he, "of the herds of Conall, from Finnabndir--_i.e._, from Clochar; and let your body be placed in a wagon after them; and what way soever these young oxen go by themselves, and the place where they will stop, let it be there your interment shall be; and let there be a man's cubit in your grave, that your remains be not taken out of it." It was so done after his death.

The oxen carried him to the place where to-day is Dun-da-leth-glas; and he was buried there with all honor and respect. And for a s.p.a.ce of twelve nights--_i.e._, whilst the divines were waking him with hymns and psalms and canticles--there was no night in Magh-inis, but angelic light there; and some say there was light in Magh-inis for the s.p.a.ce of a year after Patrick's death, quia nulli adanti viri meritum declarandum accidisse dubium est, et ita non visa nox in tota ilia regione in tempore luctus Patricii, qualiter Ezechiae langenti in horologio Achaz demonstrato sanitatis indicio, sol per xv lineas reversus est, et sic sol contra Gabon, et luna contra vallem Achilon stet.i.t.

In the first night the angels of the Lord of the elements were watching Patrick's body with spiritual chants. The fragrant odors of the divine grace which issued from the holy body, and the music of the angels, gave tranquillity and joy to the chief clerics of the men of Erin who were watching the body on the nights following; so that the blessing of Jacob to his son was kept regarding him--_i.e._, "Ecce odor filii mei sicut odor agri pleni, quem benedixit dicens," etc.

There was, moreover, a great attempt at conflict and battle between the provinces of Erin--viz., the Ulidians and the Ui-Neill and Airghialla--contending for Patrick's body. The Airghialla and Ui-Neill were trying to take it to Ard-Macha; the Ulidians were for keeping it with themselves. Then the Ui-Neill went to a certain water [river]

there, when the river rose against them through the power of G.o.d. When the flood left the river, the hosts proceeded to quarrel--viz., the Ui-Neill and the Ulidians. It appeared then to each party of them that they were bringing the body to their own country, so that G.o.d separated them in this wise through the grace of Patrick.

The miracles so far shall be unto to-day. They are the miracles which the divines of Eriu heard, and which they put into order of narration.

Colum-Cille, the son of Fedhlimidh, firstly, narrated and compiled the miracles of Patrick; Ultan, the descendant of Conchobhar; Ad.a.m.nan, the grandson of Atinne; Eleran the wise; Ciaran of Belach-Duin; Bishop Ermedach of Clogher; Colman Uamach; and Cruimther Collaith of Druim-Roilgech.

A just man, indeed, was this man; with purity of nature like the patriarchs; a true pilgrim like Abraham; gentle and forgiving of heart like Moses; a praiseworthy psalmist like David; an emulator of wisdom like Solomon; a chosen vessel for proclaiming truth like the Apostle Paul. A man full of grace and of the knowledge of the Holy Ghost like the beloved John. A fair flower-garden to children of grace; a fruitful vine-branch. A sparkling fire, with force of warmth and heat to the sons of life, for inst.i.tuting and ill.u.s.trating charity. A lion in strength and power; a dove in gentleness and humility. A serpent in wisdom and cunning to do good. Gentle, humble, merciful towards sons of life; dark, ungentle towards sons of death. A servant of labor and service of Christ. A king in dignity and power for binding and loosening, for liberating and convicting, for killing and giving life.

After these great miracles, therefore--_i.e._, after resuscitating the dead; after healing lepers, and the blind, and the deaf, and the lame, and all diseases; after ordaining bishops, and priests, and deacons, and people of all orders in the Church; after teaching the men of Eriu, and after baptizing them; after founding churches and monasteries; after destroying idols and images and druidical arts--the hour of death of St.

Patrick approached. He received the Body of Christ from the bishop, from Ta.s.sach, according to the advice of the angel Victor. He resigned his spirit afterwards to heaven, in the one hundred and twentieth year of his age. His body is here still in the earth, with honor and reverence.

Though great his honor here, greater honor which will be to him in the Day of Judgment, when judgment will be given on the fruits of his teaching, like every great apostle, in the union of the apostles and disciples of Jesus; in the union of the nine orders of angels, which cannot be surpa.s.sed; in the union of the divinity and humanity of the Son of G.o.d; in the union which is higher than all unions--in the union of the Holy Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. I beseech mercy through the intercession of Patrick. May we all arrive at that union; may we enjoy it for ever and ever. Amen.

These miracles, then, which we have related, the Lord performed for Patrick. Though one should attempt to recount them, he could not.

Nevertheless, they are but a few of many related in commemoration; for there is no one who could remember them all. And there is no writer who could write all the prodigies and miracles he wrought in the countries he reached.

After the foundation, then, of numerous churches; after the consecration of monasteries; after baptizing the men of Eriu; after great abstinence and great labor; after destroying idols and images; after degrading numerous kings who would not obey him, and raising up those who obeyed him; and after he had three hundred and fifty or three hundred and seventy bishops; and after ordaining three thousand priests and persons of all other orders in the Church; after fasting and prayer; after showing mercy and mildness; after gentleness and sweetness towards sons of life; after the love of G.o.d and his neighbor, he received the body of Christ from the bishop, from Ta.s.sach; and he afterwards resigned his spirit to heaven. His body, lowever, is here on earth still, with honor and reverence. And though great his honor here, his honor will be greater in the Day of Judgment, when he will s.h.i.+ne like a sun in heaven, and when judgment will be given regarding the fruit of his teaching, like Peter or Paul. He will be afterwards in the union of the patriarchs and prophets; in the union of the saints and virgins of the world; in the union of the apostles and disciples of Jesus Christ; in the union of the Church, both of heaven and earth; in the union of the nine orders of heaven, which cannot be surpa.s.sed; in the union of the divinity and humanity of the Son of G.o.d; in the union which excels every union--in the union of the Trinity, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost, for ever and ever. Amen. I beseech the mercy of G.o.d, through the intercession of Patrick. May we all reach that union; may we deserve it; may we inhabit it for ever and ever.

These are the four-and-twenty who were in orders with Patrick--viz., Sechnall, his bishop; Mochta, his priest; Bishop Ere, his brehon; Bishop MacCairthen, his strong man; Benen, his psalmist; Caemhan of Cill-Ruada, his youth; Sinell, from Cill-Daresis, his bell-ringer; Athgein of Both-Domhnach, his cook; Cruimther Mescan, from Domhnach-Mescan at Fochan, his brewer; Cruimther Bescna, from Domhnach-Dala, his ma.s.s-priest; Cruimther Catan and Cruimther Ocan, his two waiters; Odhran, from Disert-Odhran in Hy-Failghe, his charioteer; Cruimther Manach, his wood-man; Rodan, his shepherd; his three smiths, MacCecht, Laeban from Domhnach-Laebhan (who made the Findfaithnech), and Fortchern in Rath-Adine. Essa and Bite and Ta.s.sach were his three artists. His three embroiderers were Lupait, and Ere, daughter of Daire, and Cruimthiris in Cenn-Gobha. And this is the number that were in the company of Joseph; and it is the number that is allowed at the table of the King of Cashel, down from the time of Fedhlimidh, son of Crimthann--_i.e._, the king of the two provinces of Munster, etc.

The Annals of the Lord Jesus Christ, the year this Life of St. Patrick was written, 1477; and to-morrow will be Lammas Night. And in Baile-in-Mionin, in the house of O'Troightigh, this was written by Domhnall Albanach O'Troightigh; et Deo gratias Jesu.

THE PROEME OF JOCELIN.

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 fervor of sanct.i.ty so deserving our veneration might not be buried in oblivion, but rather that it might s.h.i.+ne before all as in a gla.s.s, 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 engraven on twelve precious stones, so that by the sight thereof the faithful might be moved to imitate the acts of the holy fathers; for it is most fitting that of those in whose t.i.tles we glory, in whose praises we delight, by whose patronage we are protected, we should endeavor 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 ofttimes, 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 unhandsome style. Wherefore, in reading the lives and acts of the saints composed in a rude manner or barbarous dialect, disgust is often excited, and not seldom tardiness of belief.

And hence it is that the life of the most glorious priest Patrick, the patron and apostle of Ireland, so ill.u.s.trious 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 endeavor, 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 endeavor the instruction of the threefold instrument which is described to belong to the candlestick of the tabernacle giveth aid; for we find therein the tongs, the extinguisher, and the oil-cruse, which we must properly use, if, in describing the lives of the saints, who shone in their conversation and example like the candlestick before the Lord, we should labor to clear away the superfluous, extinguish the false, and illuminate the obscure, which, though by the devotion we have toward St. Patrick we are bound to do, yet are we thereto enjoined 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 ill.u.s.trious Prince of Ulidia, who is known to be the most especial admirer and honorer of St.

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 herein 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. Wherefore, 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 of such, with the apostle setting them at small account, we commit all to the divine judgment.

[Ill.u.s.tration: The Saint Patrick of Our Own Century.]