The Most Ancient Lives of Saint Patrick: Including the Life by Jocelin, Hitherto Unpublished in America, and His Extant Writings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The Most Ancient Lives of Saint Patrick: Including the Life by Jocelin, Hitherto Unpublished in America, and His Extant Writings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?
Mac Cuill believed also; and he went on sea in a cot of one hide, by the
command of Patrick. Garban was awakened from death through the prayers
of Patrick. Mac Cuill, however, went that very day on sea, and his right
hand towards Magh-Inis, until he reached Manann; and he found two
venerable persons before him on the island. It was they who preached the
word of God in Manann, and it is through their teaching that the people
of that island were baptized and believed; their names are Coninnri and
Romael. When those men saw Mac Cuill in his cot, they took him off the
sea; they received him kindly; and he learned the divine knowledge with
them, and spent his whole time with them, until he got the episcopacy of
the place after them. This is Mac Cuill, of Mann, famous bishop and
abbot. May his holy favor assist us!
One time Patrick slept on a Sunday, on a hill over the sea, at Drombo,
when he heard the noise of Gentiles digging a rath on the Sabbath. He
called them, and told them to cease. They heeded him not, but began to
mock him. And Patrick said: "My _debroth_, your labor shall not profit
you." This was fulfilled; for on the following night a great tempest
arose and destroyed their work, according to the word of Patrick.
Patrick said to Eochaidh, son of Muiredach that there should never be a
king from him, nor enough of his race to constitute an assembly or army
in Ulster, but that his tribe would be scattered and dispersed, that his
own life would be short, and that he would meet a tragic fate. This was
the cause Patrick had against Eochaidh, as the learned say: Two virgins,
who had offered their virginity to the Lord, he bound and sent on the
waves to be drowned, as they refused to adore idols and to marry. When
Patrick heard this, he besought the king regarding them, but in vain.
"Your brother Cairell has got thy luck, since he granted me a good
request," said Patrick, "and you have lost it through your disobedience.
He (Cairell) shall be a king, and there shall be kings and chiefs of his
race over your children and over all Ulster"; so that of him sprang the
race of kings, and of his son Deman, son of Cairell, son of Muiredhach,
according to the words of Patrick. Eochaidh's wife cast herself at the
feet of Patrick. He baptized her, and blessed the child in her
womb--_i.e._, the excellent and illustrious son, Domangart, the son of
Eochaidh. He it was whom Patrick left in his body, and he will be there
for ever. He turned back to the Fera-Ross, and commenced a church in
Druim-Mor, in the territory of Ross, over Cluain-Cain. It was here the
angel went to him and said: "It is not here you have been destined to
stay." "Where shall I go?" said Patrick. "Pass on to Macha northwards,"
said the angel. "The _cluain_ below is fairer," replied Patrick. "Be
its name Cluain-Cain" (_fair cluain_), answered the angel. "A pilgrim of
the Britons shall come and occupy there, and it shall be yours
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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