consecrated Malachy set out on his journey. 35. And when he had left Scotland[519] and reached York, a priest, named Sycarus,[520] _steadfastly beholding him_[521] recognized him. For though he had not seen his face before, because he _had the spirit of prophecy_[522] he had received a revelation concerning him long ago. And now without hesitation he pointed him out with his finger to those who stood round him, saying, "_This is he of whom I had said_ that from Ireland _there shall come_[523] a holy bishop who _knoweth the thoughts of man_."[524] So the _lamp_ could not be hid _under a bushel_, for the Holy Spirit who _lighted_ it[525] brought it forth by the mouth of Sycarus. For also many secret things concerning the affairs of him and his companions were told him by Sycarus, all of which he acknowledged to be or to have been. But when the companions of Malachy went on to inquire about their return, Sycarus immediately replied--and _the event afterwards proved the truth of the saying_[526]--that evidently very few of their number would return with the bishop. When they heard that they imagined that he apprehended death: but God fulfilled it in another way; for on his way back from the City he left some with us, and some in other places, to learn the rule of life;[527] and so, _according to the word_ of Sycarus,[528] he returned to his own country with very few companions. So much concerning Sycarus. 36. In the same city of York he was visited by a man of noble rank according to the standard of the world, Waltheof[529] by name, then prior of the regular brothers at Kirkham,[530] but now a monk, and father of the monks at Melrose, a monastery of our Order,[531] who devoutly commended himself with humility to Malachy's prayers. And when he noticed that the bishop had many companions and few horses--for besides ministers[532] and other clerks he had with him five presbyters, and only three horses--he offered him his own, on which he rode, saying that he regretted only one thing, that it was a pack-horse[533] and a rough animal to ride. And he added, "I would have given it more willingly if it had been better; but, if you think it worth while, take it with you, such as it is." "And I," replied the bishop, "accept it the more willingly the more valueless you proclaim it, because nothing can be of no value to me which so precious a will offers;" and, turning to his companions, "Saddle this horse for me, for it is suitable for me, and will suffice for a long time." This done, he mounts. And at first he considered it rough, as it was, but afterwards, by a wonderful change, he found that it suited him well and ambled pleasantly. And that there might not _fall_ on _the ground_ any part of the word which he had spoken,[534] till the ninth year, the year in which he died,[535] it did not fail him, and became an excellent and very valuable palfrey. And--that which made the miracle more evident to those that saw--from