ST. PATRICK. However much he may have divided gold and venison, hard are his bonds in the den of pains: no glimpse of light for him, no sight of brightness such as he first received from God. * * * * * OISIN. Patrick, inquire of God if He remembers the Fenii when alive: ask if, east or west, He ever saw men better in conflict. Or did He observe in His own country, although it is high above us, for sense, for conflict, or for strength, any man good in comparison with Fionn? * * * * * Patrick, I am wretched, a poor bard, ever changing residence, without power, without activity, without force, journeying to mass and altars. Without good food, without getting wealth and booty, without play in athletic games; without going a-wooing and hunting, two objects for which I always longed. Without reciting deeds of champions, without bearing spear; alas! I have lost Osgur and Fionn, and I am left standing like a withered tree, out under injury. ST. PATRICK. Cease, O Bard! Leave off thy folly; you have as yet said but little in favour of yourself: think of the torments that await you; the Fenii are departed, and ere long you will go likewise. * * * * * OISIN. I will not obey you, O Patrick, though great your creed and faith. I own without lie that firm is my belief that the devil will be your portion. * * * * * I would rather return to the Fenii once more, O Patrick, if they were alive, than go to the heaven of Jesus Christ, to be forever under tribute to Him. ST. PATRICK. O withered Bard, thou art foolish; thou wouldst not pay tribute to any one if thou wast in the heaven of Jesus Christ, nor wouldst thou witness battle and uproar. OISIN. I would rather be in Fionn’s court harkening to the voices of hounds every morning, and meditating on hard-fought battles, than in the court of Jesus Christ; that is certain. * * * * * It was easier for me to obtain without fail both meat and drink in Fionn’s court than in thy mansion, and in the dwelling of the Son of God, O Patrick, not generous in dividing. * * * * * ST. PATRICK. It is better for thee to be with me and the clergy, as thou art, than to be with Fionn and the Fenii, for they are in hell without order of release. OISIN. By thy book and its meaning, by thy crozier and by thy image, better were it for me to share their torments, rather than be among the clergy continually talking. * * * * * Ah! Patrick, your religion may be great; but I have not, up to this day, witnessed among ye dinner nor banquet like banquet of the Fenii.