The Most Ancient Lives of Saint Patrick: Including the Life by Jocelin, Hitherto Unpublished in America, and His Extant Writings
History
The Most Ancient Lives of Saint Patrick: Including the Life by Jocelin, Hitherto Unpublished in America, and His Extant Writings
Patrick, Saint, 373?-463?
And at a certain time Saint Patrick on the Lord's day entered a harbor
on the northern coast of Hibernia, opposite the town of Druimbo; yet
would he not go forth of the ship, but remaining therein he solemnized
the day with his wonted devotion. And now was the mid-hour of the day
passed, when he heard no little noise; whereby he understood that the
heathens were violating the Sabbath with their profane labors (the
which was right contrary to his custom and command); and that they were
then employed in a certain work which is called rayth; that is, a wall.
And thereat being somewhat moved, he ordered that they should be bidden
before him, and imperatively commanded them on that day to surcease
from their labor. But this profane and foolish generation received the
prohibition of the saint not only with contempt, but with scorn and
laughter. Then did he, understanding the perverseness of those
scorners, repeat his prohibition, and thus did he say unto them,
"Though mightily shall ye labor unto your purpose, never shall it come
to any effect, nor ever shall ye derive any profit therefrom." And how
true were his words, the event showed: for on the next night was the
sea wondrously raised with a tempest, and spreading thereover scattered
all the work of the heathens; and lest ever it should be recollected or
rebuilded, dispersed it with irreparable dispersion.
CHAPTER CLXI.
_A certain Man is healed, and a Horse revived, in a place which is
called Feart._
A certain illustrious man, named Darius, gave unto Saint Patrick at his
request a dwelling-place together with a small field, whither he might
betake himself with the fellowship of his holy brethren. And this was
a small place near Ardmachia, in modern time called the Feast of
Miracles. And after a season, the charioteer of Darius sent his horse
into this field, there to pasture during the night; the which when on
the morrow he would lead forth of the field, found he dead. Which when
Darius heard, he was moved with wrath, and preventing all excuse, all
delay, all revocation, commanded that Patrick should be slain, as the
slayer of his horse. But scarcely had the word issued from his lips,
when lo, suddenly came on him a monitory, nay, a minatory weakness of
death, and cast him on his sickbed; and as suddenly were his feet which
were prompt unto mischief, and his hands which were accustomed unto
evil, recalled from the shedding of innocent blood; for misery alone
gave him understanding. Which things being told unto the saint, he
bade that the steed and the man should be sprinkled with water which
had been blessed of him: and being so sprinkled, each arose; the horse
from death, and Darius from the bed of sickness.
CHAPTER CLXII.
_Of the Vessel which was given unto Saint Patrick, and again taken from
him._
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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