"'Is it in youth?-Is it in old age that he is to be found?' "But St. Patrick, full of the Holy Ghost, answered and said: "'Our God is the God of all men-the God of heaven and earth-of the sea and rivers. The God of the sun, and the moon, and all stars. The God of the high mountains, and of the lowly valleys. The God who is above heaven, and in heaven, and under heaven. "'He has a habitation in the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and all that are thereon. "'He inspireth all things. He quickeneth all things. He is over all things. "'He hath a Son coeternal and coequal with himself. The Son is not younger than the Father, nor the Father older than the Son. And the Holy Ghost breatheth in them. The Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost, are not divided. "'But I desire to unite you to a heavenly King inasmuch as you are daughters of an earthly king. Do you believe?' "And the virgins said, as of one mouth and one heart: Teach us most diligently how we may believe in the heavenly King. Show us how we may see him face to face, and whatsoever you shall say unto us we will do.' "And Patrick said: 'Believe ye that by baptism you put off the sin of your father and your mother?' "They answered him, 'We believe.' "'Believe ye in repentance after sin? 'We believe . . .' etc. "And they were baptized, and a white garment was put upon their heads. And they asked to see the face of Christ. And the saint said unto them: 'Ye cannot see the face of Christ except ye taste of death, and except ye receive the sacrifice.' "And they answered: 'Give us the sacrifice that we may behold the Son our spouse.' "And they received the eucharist of God, and they slept in death. "And they were laid out on one bed-covered with garments -and their friends made great lamentations and weeping for them." This beautiful legend expresses to the letter the way in which the Irish received the faith. Nor was it simple virgins only who _understood_ and _believed_ so suddenly at the preaching of the apostle. The great men of the nation were as eager almost as the common people to receive baptism: the conversion of Dubtach is enough to show this.