The Most Ancient Lives of Saint Patrick
V >> Various >> The Most Ancient Lives of Saint PatrickPages:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23
CHAPTER CXXXIII.
_A Hone is divided by Saint Patrick, and the Oppressor is drowned._
And Patrick the pious father addressed the master, nay, rather the
tormentor of these slaves, yet found he him stubborn and inexorable.
Wherefore betaking himself unto his accustomed arms, he fasted and
prayed for three days; and once again approaching the man, he humbly
besought their liberation, and once again found he him a new Pharao.
Then the saint spat on a stone by chance before them lying, and for the
softening, the reproving, and the confounding of his hard-heartedness,
the stone immediately splitted in three parts. But Tremeus becoming
the more hardened by that which should have softened him, forthwith
ascended his chariot, and scorning and rejecting the prayer of the
saint, commanded these slaves to be afflicted with yet severer toil.
Wherefore the Lord suffering not that this insult to Patrick, the
second Moses, should go unavenged, now punished the contemner of his
servant, even as formerly he punished Pharao and his host; for the
horses which were yoked to the chariot of Tremeus, rushing forward,
plunged into a neighboring lake, and drowned in its waters the chariot
and him who sat therein. Then, this child of Belial being so
destroyed, Saint Patrick without hindrance freed these afflicted men
brought out of the house of bondage, and gave unto them their
long-desired freedom.
CHAPTER CXXXIV.
_An Angel foretelleth to Patrick of Saint Moccheus._
The blessed Patrick purposed to build a church in a place sufficiently
fair and fitting, which is now called Ludha. But an angel appearing
unto him, enjoined that he should desist therefrom, saying; "Soon shall
a servant of the Lord arrive from Britain, named Moccheus, who for the
sake of God deserting his country and his parents, shall come into
Hibernia; and in this place shall he build and dwell, and finish his
days in piety." Then the saint obeying the angel, turned unto the left
side of the place, and there builded unto the God of Jacob a tabernacle
which is yet known by the name of Saint Patrick. And Moccheus coming
thither, erected an oratory and all places fitting, and lived there a
life abundant in virtue; and often Saint Patrick was wont to visit him,
and confer with him on things pertaining unto God. And on a certain
day, while they were sitting together and communing of God, the angel
appeared and proffered unto them an epistle; the which Saint Patrick
reading, found to be an exhortation, nay, rather a command, unto him
especially directed, that he should absolutely confer on Moccheus the
place which he had builded, with all matters pertaining thereunto, and
that he himself should fix his cathedral seat in Ardmachia. And
Patrick willingly did as the angel, nay, rather as the Lord, had
enjoined and thence retiring, he commended unto Moccheus twelve lepers,
to whom he had ministered in Christ; and Moccheus assumed the care and
the custody of all these matters.
CHAPTER CXXXV.
_The Sentence pronounced by Patrick on Moccheus._
And after some days, while Moccheus heard the Book of Genesis read
before him, wherein he is told that the patriarchs before the Flood
lived for nine hundred years and more, and that after the Flood many
lived for three hundred years, he did not readily believe in the sacred
history; for he said that this tabernacle of clay, the human body, of
flesh so weak, covered with skin, and framed with bones and sinews,
could in no wise so long endure. The which when Saint Patrick
observed, he came unto him, that with true reason he might drive all
such scruples from his mind; for he said that the whole canonical
Scripture was dictated and written by the finger of God, and therefore
should in no wise be derogated or disbelieved; inasmuch as it was not
more difficult for the Creator of all things to extend the life of man
unto a thousand years, if so he willed, than unto one day, as according
to the Psalmist: A thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday,
which is passed. But even on these things Moccheus still doubting, the
saint thus pronounced, or rather prophesied: "Since thou disbelievest
the Holy Scriptures, by thine own experience shalt thou prove the truth
of its records; for even to the length of three hundred years shall thy
life be prolonged, nor until that time is passed shalt thou enter into
the joy of the Lord." And Moccheus afterward repented him of his want
of faith, but the sentence pronounced by the Holy Spirit through the
mouth of Patrick could not be revoked. And he lived for the space of
three hundred years; and then paying the debt of nature, and shining in
virtues and in miracles, at length he passed out of the world unto
Christ.
CHAPTER CXXXVI.
_The Saint prophesieth of two Brothers, and a Fountain is produced out
of the Earth._
And Saint Patrick coming out of Dalnardia, began to build a church in a
place called Elum, where twelve brothers, the sons of Killadius, then
ruled. And one of these, named Seranus, governed there, who preventing
the saint from his purpose, violently drove him away. But the saint,
though patiently would he bear an injury offered to himself, yet
grievously taking the hindrance of his holy work, prophesied what
through God he knew would happen, and said unto him: "Yet a little
while, and thou shalt be driven from this land, and the rule shall be
given to a better than thee." Then Colladius, the younger brother of
this perverse man, gave unto the saint a place which is called
Domhnachcumbuir, and even until the church was builded gave unto him
sufficient aid. And the saint blessed him, prophesying what the Lord
had determined for him, saying; "Unto this land shalt thou succeed, and
from thy loins shall kings proceed, and reign through many
generations." And in that place did the saint by his prayers produce
out of the heart of the earth a pure fountain, which to this day is
called Slan, that is, healing; for that it relieveth many laboring
under multiplied diseases. And for his perverseness Seranus was driven
from that land; and according to the word of the saint, the kingdom was
given to his younger brother, Colladius.
CHAPTER CXXXVII.
_The Saint Prophesieth of a Certain Youth._
Twelve brothers, whose father, a ruler in Dalnardia, was then lately
dead, met together to divide the inheritance; but holding in scorn
their youngest brother, Fergusius, without his portion they turned him
empty away. Therefore the youth addressed Saint Patrick, that by his
prayers he might be admitted unto his share; promising that he would
give unto the building and the maintaining a church the better part
thereof. And the saint prevailing for him, Fergusius receiveth his
share of the inheritance; of the which the larger half he gave to the
holy prelate for the erection of a church; but this, lest he should
seem to have sold his interference, he refused to receive himself, and
bade it be given unto the aforementioned Olcanus. And he builded a
church within that territory, in a place which is called Derkan, and
being there made bishop, continued in justice and in holiness. But
Saint Patrick blessed Fergusius, and prophesying said unto him, "Though
this day thou appeared humble and despised in the sight of thy
brothers, yet in a short time shalt thou be chief over them all; for
from thee shall kings proceed, who not only in this land, but even in
distant regions, shall hold rule." And after a short space, according
to the prophecy of the holy man, did Fergusius obtain the government of
all that country, and his seed ruled therein for many generations. And
thence was born Edan, the son of Gabranus, who reduced Scotia, which is
called Albania, and other islands wherein his posterity yet reigneth.
CHAPTER CXXXVIII.
_Of Conallus and of his Shield._
And Saint Patrick addressed his well-beloved, the Prince Conallus; and
he enquired of him whether would he assume the habit of a monk. And
the prince replied that his heart was prepared to do whatsoever the
saint would command. Then the saint rejoicing at his devotion said
unto him, "For the sign of power and protection, and for the proof of
thy spiritual worth, shall thou bear thy shield and thy sceptre; the
name of a laic shalt thou show; but the mind and the merit of a monk
shall thou possess, inasmuch as many saints shall proceed from thee,
and many nations shall in thy seed be blessed." And he signed his
shield with the sign of the staff of Jesus, declaring that no one of
his progeny who should carry this shield in battle should ever by any
one be vanquished. And the chronicles of Hibernia declare, and her
bards record, that this the saint's prophecy unto Conallus and his seed
duly came to pass.
CHAPTER CXXXIX.
_A Heavenly Light shineth around Saint Patrick, and Victor is converted
unto the Faith._
And Saint Patrick coming into the territory of Mogharnd, went toward
the town of Domnhach Maghin, over which a man named Victor ruled. And
he hearing of the saint's arrival, yet loving darkness rather than
light, concealed himself in the shades of a thick grove, for much he
feared, lest being driven from the darkness of his unbelief, he should
though unwilling be compelled to believe in the true light. But the
shadows of the night season came on, nor yet did Patrick the son of
light therefore delay his journey. And when the curtain of deep night
had covered all things with surrounding darkness, it darkened not the
course of Patrick, who was the precursor of light; for unto him the
night was as day, and the deep shadows were as brightness. And the
light piercing through the darkness poured around the man concealing
himself, nor could he longer hide from before the face of the light.
Then Victor by so signal a sign being vanquished, and being even as
bound with the chains of the fear of the Lord, came unto Saint Patrick,
and devoutly entreated and received from him the holy baptism. And
being with all his household and all his people baptized, he gave unto
the saint his inheritance for the erection of a church, and among his
disciples he abided. And after a while he increased in holiness and in
the knowledge of the divine law, and being at length consecrated by
Saint Patrick, he received in that church the episcopal degree, and for
his virtues and his merits was he very renowned.
CHAPTER CXL.
_A Certain Cymbal of Saint Patrick is lost and found again._
A certain man of the servants of Saint Patrick carelessly lost a
cymbal; when lost he sought it, when sought he found it not, when found
not he therefore sorely repented. And the saint forgave him, and
directed that no longer he should seek for the cymbal, until in that
place a church should be builded. And after a long time had passed, a
certain religious man named Dicullus builded there a church, and there
found the aforementioned cymbal; and in that church placed he it. And
many who were infirm, drinking out of or being sprinkled with water
from this cymbal, often received instant health; and when this
instrument was tuned, they experienced the holiness of the saint
breathing forth and sounding through its music.
CHAPTER CXLI.
_The Obedience of Saint Volchanus._
And a certain disciple of Saint Patrick, named Volchanus, was eminent
in faith and in religion, but especially surpassing in the virtue of
obedience; and Saint Patrick willing that this his piety, which was so
well known unto him and unto God, should also be known unto his
fellow-disciples for an example unto them, commanded him that he should
build a church wheresoever God should vouchsafe to direct. And hearing
the word of the saint, he obeyed, and carrying a hatchet on his
shoulder, went forth to seek a fitting place for the erection of a
church. Then the spiritual father observing him to go forth with the
hatchet in his cowl, prophesied unto him with the words of consolation:
"Do not, well-beloved Volchanus, doubt of a fitting place; but
wheresoever thine hatchet shall fall, there securely build and inhabit,
and there shalt thou be among a great nation paying worship unto God!"
Thus having heard, he retired from the presence of his honored father,
knowingly unknowing, and wisely untaught, yet persuaded in his mind to
go whithersoever the most true teacher had directed him. Therefore the
whole day did he go forward, nor did he aught, save to lift up his
hands and his heart in prayer. And as the day declined eveward, the
hatchet fell from his shoulder unexpectedly, yet moved of heaven, in a
place neither intended nor foreseen. Then the man of God understanding
this to be the appointed place, with great labor builded there a
monastery, and gathered together unto one holy society many sons of
God, who were dispersed; and therein dwelling, holily and religiously
finished he his life, and at length, renowned in his virtues and his
miracles, he rested in the Lord.
CHAPTER CXLII.
_Of Saint Rodanus, the Herdsman of Patrick._
And Saint Patrick had a certain herdsman named Rodanus, and he was
exceeding religious; and this man in his pastoral duty lived a hermit's
life, and often being absorbed in prayer, he pastured the cows and the
young calves together. And at the command of Saint Patrick, the whole
herd was wondrously retained under his control, nor was any disturbance
or confusion there among, for never did the calves approach their
mothers, nor depart from them, other than at the bidding of Rodanus;
and this he did by the authority and the power of his father, Saint
Patrick. And he after a while learning letters, acquired sufficiently
the knowledge thereof, and attaining the episcopal degree, he
flourished during his life and after his death by manifold miracles.
CHAPTER CXLIII.
_Of Saint Kertennus, the Bishop of Clochor._
And Kertennus, a disciple of Saint Patrick, bore the saint, now worn
with age, on his shoulders, for so necessity required; and by his
panting showed he his weakness or weariness. And the saint said unto
him, "Often hast thou carried me, yet never before have I perceived
thee thus to pant." Then answered Kertennus, "Wonder not, holy father,
for now hath mine age come on me, and my companions whose years are as
mine have from the forecast of thy bounty received the refreshment of a
little rest; and mine head is covered with gray hairs, and I labor with
daily toil, and earnestly do I long for quiet, which above all things
else I need." Therefore Saint Patrick compassionating Kertennus,
promised unto him a place fitted for contemplation, yet not unsuited to
the exercise of pious duties. And as he much desired the presence of
so worthy a disciple, he provided for him a church; yet not too remote
from the archiepiscopal seat, which at the angel's command he had
builded in Ardmachia; nor yet too near, lest by succeeding archbishops
he should be oppressed; thus was it done, that in his frequent visits
to Saint Patrick the man of God should not by the distance be wearied,
nor his church appear contemptible by too close a neighborhood. And
after some days he placed him over the church of Clochor, which the
saint himself then ruled; and when he had thereto consecrated him, he
gave unto him a chrismatory, which he had received from heaven. And
Saint Kertennus there dwelling, and exercising within doors the office
of an abbot, and abroad the office of a bishop, cherished his gray
hairs, and finished his life in holiness.
CHAPTER CXLIV.
_Of a Boy who was blessed by Saint Patrick._
And a certain woman, who was strong in the faith, brought unto the
saint her little son named Lananus, to be instructed in letters; and
for that she believed his blessing would render the child more docile
and ready unto learning, humbly she besought on her son the benediction
of his grace. Nor was she deceived in her faith, inasmuch as the saint
covered him with the aspiration of his blessing, and assisted him with
the divine favor; and he impressed on the boy the sign of the cross,
and committed him unto Saint Cassanus, that he might be instructed in
virtue and in learning. And the boy thus blessed, in fifteen days
learned the whole Psaltery; and afterwards he became a man of most holy
life, and shining in miracles rested he at length in the Lord.
CHAPTER CXLV.
_Of a Woman who was raised from Death._
And Ethra, the wife of a noble man named Euchadius, lay dead; and he,
carrying her body placed on a bier, met Saint Patrick near a certain
ford in Connactia. And with many prayers he besought the saint that he
would recall her to life; and promised that he and all his people would
then believe in the Christ whom he preached. And the saint delayed
not, but revived the dead woman, and baptized her husband, who at so
wonderful a miracle thoroughly believed. And from the revived woman is
it called unto this day the Ford of Ethna; and the fluid element
affording a passage unto all travellers, showeth the merit of her
reviver. And often the saint visited Connactia and Momonia, working
miracles in each; and in each he dwelled for the space of seven years.
CHAPTER CXLVI.
_The Testimony of One who was revived from Death._
And even unto the evening of his days did the saint continue his wonted
labor and his accustomed work; sowing the field of the Lord with the
seed of the divine word, from the fruit whereof he might gather eternal
life. This the devoted ones of Satan perceiving and envying, they
gnashed with their teeth, and one to the other they said in their
malice: "What shall we do? This man, the destroyer of our gods, the
persecutor, nay the extirpator of our sect, worketh many miracles; if
we let him go thus, all the people of Hibernia through him will believe
in his God, and the Christians will come and they will remove our
laws." Then took they counsel together, how they should destroy him
with their snares, and under the pretence of justice bring him unto the
death. And a certain woman was washing flax nigh unto the place where
the saint was to pass; and her they directed to hide much of the flax
in a hollow tree, and when the saint and his company passed by to
accuse him as of the theft. And the woman did according as she was
induced, nay rather as she was seduced; and loudly crying out, called
these children of Belial, and with wicked tongue accused him thereof.
And they, as before they had contrived, rushed forth from their
hiding-place, and seized the saint and his disciples as robbers, and
exclaimed that they were guilty unto the death. And in the place where
this accursed band were gathered together, was a tomb, and therein a
man was buried. Him did Saint Patrick, having first prayed, awaken
from the sleep of death; and by the virtue of the truth, which is God,
commanded that he should bear true witness of this their accusation.
And the revived man, openly protesting the innocence of the saint and
of his disciples, exposed the deceits of these wicked ones, and showed
in the presence of all where they had concealed the flax. Thus was
Saint Patrick and his people marvellously freed from the hands of the
destroyers, and his blood was in that day preserved, and brought
salvation to many which were evil-doers: for they who had contrived the
death of the herald of life, were by this miracle converted unto God
and obtained his mercy.
CHAPTER CXLVII.
_The Cross that was not observed; and the Voice which issued from the
Sepulchre._
And Saint Patrick was accustomed, wheresoever in his journeying he
beheld the triumphal sign of the cross, to descend from his chariot,
and to adore it with faithful heart and bended head, to touch it with
his hands, and embrace it with his arms, and to imprint on it the
repeated kiss of devout affection. And on a certain day sitting in his
chariot, most unwontedly he passed by a cross which was erected near
the wayside, unsaluted; for his eyes were held, that he saw it not.
This the charioteer observing, marvelled; but he held his peace, until
they arrived at their dwelling. But when they began to pray, as was
their custom before dinner, then spake he of the cross which he had
seen, and of the place where he beheld it. Then Saint Patrick, the
preacher of the cross, leaving his meal prepared, went forth of his
dwelling, and returned unto the place on the road which he had passed
along. And diligently he sought for the sign of life, and he found
nigh unto it a certain sepulchre. And drawing near, he prayed in the
sight of the Lord, and enquired who therein was sepultured. And a
voice answered from within, that he had been a heathen, and that a
Christian man was buried at his side, whose mother had been absent when
her son died, and when he was returned into the bosom of the common
mother: and that after some days she had come hither to wail, but
knowing not the burial-place of her son, had placed over him the
Christian sign. Therefore the man of God averred that he could not
behold the cross, because it was placed over a heathen who had been an
enemy of the cross of Christ. And removing the cross, he placed it at
the head of the baptized man, and commending his soul to God, he walked
back unto his own dwelling.
CHAPTER CXLVIII.
_A Goat bleateth in the Stomach of a Thief._
The blessed Patrick had a goat, which carried water for his service;
and to this the animal was taught, not by any artifice but rather by a
miracle. And a certain thief stole the goat, and eat, and swallowed
it. And the author or instigator of the theft is enquired: and one who
by evident tokens had incurred suspicion, is accused; but not only
denieth he the fact, but adding perjury unto theft, endeavoreth he to
acquit himself by an oath. Wondrous was the event to be told, yet more
wonderful to come to pass. The goat which was swallowed in the stomach
of the thief bleated loudly forth, and proclaimed the merit of Saint
Patrick. And to the increase of this miracle it happened, that at the
command, nay rather at the sentence of the Saint, all the posterity of
this man were marked with the beard of a goat.
CHAPTER CXLIX.
_Of the Cloaks which fell from Heaven._
And that he might the more entirely profit unto God by their
conversation and their example, the saint was used to seek the society
of holy men, and to join himself unto them in the most strict
friendship. For, as Solomon witnesseth, as iron is sharpened by iron,
so are the lives of holy men by conversation and by example enflamed
into a firm faith, and more fervent love of God; the which how
acceptable is it to the Lord, vouchsafed he to show by the token of an
evident miracle. Therefore on a certain day, when Saint Patrick and a
venerable man named Vinnocus sate together, they conferred of God and
of things pertaining unto God; and they spake of garments which by
their works of mercy had been distributed among the poor; when behold,
a cloak sent from Heaven fell among them, even as the present eulogy of
the Divine gift and the promise of future reward. And the saint
rejoiced in the Lord, and what had happened each ascribed to the merit
of the other. And Patrick averred that it was sent unto Vinnocus, who
had for the Lord renounced all the things of this world: and Vinnocus
insisted it to have been sent unto Patrick, who though possessing all
things retained nothing, but clothing many which were poor and naked,
left himself naked for the sake of the Lord. Then from these holy men
thus friendlily disputing, suddenly the cloak disappeared; and in the
stead thereof the Lord sent down by an angel two cloaks, one truly unto
each, that even in charity they might no longer contend.
CHAPTER CL.
_A wicked Tyrant is transformed into a Fox._
In that part of Britain which is now called Vallia, lived a certain
tyrant named Cereticus; and he was a deceiver, an oppressor, a
blasphemer of the name of the Lord, a persecutor and a cruel destroyer
of Christians. And Patrick hearing of his brutal tyranny, labored to
recall him into the path of salvation, writing unto him a monitory
epistle, for his conversion from so great vices. But he, that more
wicked he might become from day to day, laughed to scorn the monition
of the saint, and waxed stronger in his sins, in his crimes, in his
falsehoods and in his cruelties. The which when Patrick heard, taught
by the Divine Spirit, he knew that the vessel of evil was hardened in
reprobation, prepared in no wise for correction, but rather for
perdition; and thus he prayed unto the Lord: "O Lord God, as thou
knowest this vulpine man to be monstrous in vice, do thou in a
monstrous mode cast him forth from the face of the earth, and appoint
an end unto his offences!" Then the Lord, inclining his ear unto the
voice of his servant, while on a certain time the tyrant stood in the
middle of his court surrounded by many of his people, suddenly
transformed him into a fox; and he, flying from their sight, never more
appeared on the earth. And this no one can reasonably disbelieve, who
hath read of the wife of Lot who was changed into a pillar of salt, or
the history of the King Nabuchodonoser.