The Latin & Irish Lives of Ciaran: Translations Of Christian Literature. Series V. Lives Of; The Celtic Saints
Religion
The Latin & Irish Lives of Ciaran: Translations Of Christian Literature. Series V. Lives Of; The Celtic Saints
Ciaran, Saint, abbot of Clonmacnois
Once Ciaran was sowing seed in Isel. A poor man came to him. Ciaran
gives him a handful of the grain into his breast, and the grain was
forthwith turned into gold. A chariot with its horses was gifted to
Ciaran by Oengus son of Cremthann. Ciaran gave it to the poor man in
exchange for the gold, and the gold turned into grain, and the field
was sown with it.
XXXVI. THE REMOVAL OF THE LAKE
29. Moreover there was a lake near Isel, and country-folk and
despicable people used to occupy the island that was upon it. The
noise and uproar of those worthless people used to cause disturbance
for the clerics. Ciaran prayed to the Lord that the island should be
removed from its place, and that was done. The place where it was in
the lake is still to be seen as a memorial of that miracle.
XXXVII. CIARAN DEPARTS FROM ISEL
30. As the brethren could not suffer the almsgiving of Ciaran, so
great was it, and as they were envious of him, they said unto him,
"Rise and depart from us," said they, "for we cannot be in the same
place." Said Ciaran, "Had I been here," said he, "though this spot be
lowly (_Isel_) in situation, it would have been high in glory and in
honour." Then he said--
Although lowly, it were high,
Had not censure come me nigh;
Had I not been censured so,
It were high though it be low.
Then Ciaran put his books upon a wild stag; afterwards he accompanied
the wild stag wheresoever it would go. The deer went forward to Inis
Aingin. He went into the island and dwelt there.
XXXVIII. CIARAN IN INIS AINGIN
31. Then his brethren came to him from every side. There was a certain
archpresbyter in the island, Daniel his name. Of the British was he,
and the devil incited him to be jealous of Ciaran. A royal cup with
three birds of gold was given him by Ciaran as a token of forgiveness.
The presbyter marvelled thereat, and repented, and did obeisance to
Ciaran, and gave the island to him.
XXXIX. THE COMING OF OENNA
32. Once Ciaran was in Inis Aingin and he heard a cry in the port. He
said to the brethren, "Rise and go for your future abbot." When they
reached the harbour they found no man save a weak unconsecrated youth.
They tell that to Ciaran. "For all that, go again for him; it is clear
to me from his voice that it is he who shall be abbot after me."
Thereafter the youth was brought into the island to Ciaran, and Ciaran
tonsured him, and he read with him. That was Enna maccu Laigsi, a holy
man, held in honour of the Lord; and it is he who was abbot after
Ciaran.
XL. HOW CIARAN RECOVERED HIS GOSPEL
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