standard of perfection. The perfect man is ready to forgo even necessaries. But that is beside the mark.[116] Would that some limit were set on superfluous things! Would that our desires were not infinite! But what? Perhaps you might find one who can achieve this. It would indeed be difficult; but [if we find him] see what we have done. We were seeking for a very good man, a deliverer of many; and lo, we have labour to discover one who can save himself. The very good man to-day is one who is not utterly bad. 2. Wherefore, _since the godly man has ceased_[117] from the earth, it seems to me that I do not employ myself to no purpose when I recall to our midst, from among those _who were redeemed from the earth_,[118] Bishop Malachy, a man truly holy, and a man, too, of our own time, of singular wisdom and virtue. _He was a burning and a shining light_;[119] and it has not been quenched, but only removed. Who would with good right be angry with me if I move it back again? Yes indeed, neither the men of my own age, nor any succeeding generation should be wanting in gratitude to me if by my pen I recall one whom the course of nature has borne away; if I restore to the world one _of whom the world was not worthy_;[120] if I preserve for the memory of men one _whose memory may be blessed_[121] to all who shall deign to read; if while I rouse my sleeping friend, _the voice of the turtle be heard in our land_[122] saying, _Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world_.[123] Then again, he was buried among us;[124] this duty is eminently ours. Nay, is it not mine, inasmuch as that holy man included me among his special friends, and in such regard that I may believe that I was second to none _in that respect of glory_?[125] Nor do I find that intercourse with holiness so eminent misses its reward; I have already received the first-fruits. He was near the end; nay, rather, near the beginning, according to the saying, _when a man hath finished then is he but at the beginning_.[126] I ran to him that _the blessing of him that was ready to_ die might _come upon me_.[127] Already he could not move his other limbs; but, mighty to give blessing, he raised his hands upon my head and blessed me.[128] I have _inherited the blessing_;[129] how then can I be silent about him? Finally, you enjoin me to undertake this task, Abbot Congan,[130] my reverend brother and sweet friend, and with you also (as you write from Ireland) _all_ that _Church of the saints_[131] to which you belong.[132] I obey with a will, the more so because you ask not panegyric but narrative. I shall endeavour that it may be chaste and clear, informing the devout, and not wearying the fastidious. At any rate the truth of my narrative is assured, since it has been communicated by you;[133] and beyond doubt you assert nothing but things of which you have most certain information. _Here ends the Prologue._ FOOTNOTES: [101] Ecclus. xlviii. 12 (vg.). [102] 1 Tim. v. 6. Cp. Rev. iii. 1.