of so diseased a head be sound? [Sidenote: 1132] 20. Cellach, greatly grieving for these and other like evils of his people--for he was a good and devout man--took all care to have Malachy as his successor, because he believed that by him this evilly rooted succession might be torn up,[379] since he was dear to all, and one whom all were zealous to imitate, _and the Lord was with him_.[380] Nor was he deceived of his hope; for when he died Malachy was put into occupation in his room. But not soon nor easily. For behold there is one of the evil seed to seize the place--Murtough by name.[381] For five years, relying on the secular power,[382] this man fastened himself upon the church, not a bishop but a tyrant. For the wishes of the devout had rather supported the claim of Malachy. At last they urged him to undertake the burden according to the ordinance of Cellach. But he, who shunned every high office as nothing else than his downfall,[383] thought that he had found good ground of excuse, because at that time it was impossible that he should have a peaceful entry. All were eager for so holy a work and pressed him; especially the two bishops, Malchus[384] and Gilbert,[385] of whom the former was the elder[386] of Lismore mentioned above, the second he who is said to have been the first to exercise the office of legate of the Apostolic See throughout the whole of Ireland. These, when three years had now passed in this presumption of Murtough and dissimulation of Malachy,[387] tolerating no longer the adultery of the church and the dishonour of Christ, called together the bishops and princes of the land,[388] and came, in one spirit, to Malachy, prepared to use force. But he refused at first; pleading the difficulty of the project, the numbers, strength and ambition of that noble stock, urging that it was a great venture for him, a poor man and of no account, to oppose himself to men so many, so great, of such sort, so deeply rooted, who now for well-nigh two hundred years had _held_ as _by hereditary right the sanctuary of God_,[389] and now also had taken possession of it before him; that they could not be rooted out, not even at the cost of human life; that it was not to his advantage that _man's blood should be shed_[390] on his account; and lastly, that he was joined to another spouse[391] whom _it was_ not _lawful for him to put away_.[392]