sight_,[762] for to such a degree was Malachy like a sheep, if, for example, it were to take pity even on the wolf. Note carefully from this, reader, with whom Malachy had his dwelling, what sort of princes they were, what sort of peoples. How is it that he also was not _a brother to dragons, and a companion to owls_?[763] And therefore the Lord _gave him power to tread upon serpents and scorpions_,[764] _to bind their kings with chains and their nobles with fetters of iron_.[765] Hear now what follows. 61. (34). He to whom Malachy had yielded the possessions of the monastery of Bangor,[766] ungrateful for the benefit, from that time forward behaved himself always most arrogantly against him and his followers, hostile to them in all things, plotting everywhere, and disparaging his deeds. But not without punishment. He had an only son, who, imitating his father and daring himself to act in opposition to Malachy, died the same year. And thus he died. It seemed good to Malachy that a stone oratory should be erected at Bangor like those which he had seen constructed in other regions.[767] And when he began to lay the foundations the natives wondered, because in that land no such buildings were yet to be found.[768] But that worthless fellow, presumptuous and arrogant as he was, not only wondered but was indignant. And from that indignation _he conceived grief and brought forth iniquity_.[769] And he became a _talebearer among the peoples_,[770] now _disparaging secretly_,[771] now speaking evil openly; drawing attention to Malachy's frivolity, shuddering at the novelty, exaggerating the expense. With such poisonous words as these he was urging and inducing many to put a stop to it: "Follow me, and what ought not to be done by any but ourselves let us not permit to be done against our will." Then with many whom he was able to persuade--_himself the_ first _leader in speech_[772] as well as the origin of the evil--he went down to the place, and finding the man of God accosted him: "Good sir, why have you thought good to introduce this novelty into our regions? We are Scots, not Gauls. What is this frivolity? What need was there for a work so superfluous, so proud? Where will you, _a poor and needy man_,[773] find _the means to finish it_?[774] Who will see it finished? What sort of presumption is this, to begin, I say not what you cannot finish, but what you cannot even see finished? Though indeed it is the act of a maniac rather than of a presumptuous man to attempt what is beyond his measure, what exceeds his strength, what baffles his abilities. Cease, cease, desist from this madness. If not, we shall not permit it, we shall not tolerate it." This he said, proclaiming what he would do, but not considering what it was within his power to do. For some of those on whom he counted and whom he had brought with him, when they saw the man[775] changed their minds and went no more with him.[776]