The Most Ancient Lives of Saint Patrick. Various
Nor could any cold e'er prevent
That he stayed in the water o'er nights;
And to gain the grand kingdom of heaven,
Through the day he used preach on the heights.
XV.
By the far-famous fount of the North,
Benibarka! thy waters sha'n't cease;
For a hundred full psalms he used sing
Each night the Lord's praise to increase.
XVI.
Then he slept on a cold bed of stone,
And with a wet cover was dressed;
A stone was his pillow each night--
Such, such was the saint's nightly rest.
XVII.
To the people the Gospel was preached,
With power and with miracles signed;
The blind and the lepers were cured,
And Death his dead subjects resigned.
XVIII.
Saint Patrick did preach to the Scots,
And in Letavia much he endured,
That whom he had won to the Lord
In Judgment's dread day be secured.
XIX.
Emir's and proud Erimon's sons
A demon contrived to ensnare;
And them did dread Satan engulf
In the dark, fearful depths of his lair,
XX.
Until our apostle arrived,
Who rescued and set them all free,
Through sixty long years of his life
To Christ's cross the brave Fenians flee.
XXI.
Great darkness o'er Eire was spread,
And its people their idols adored,
Nor in the true Godhead believed,
Nor the Trinity, too, of the Lord.
XXII.
At Armagh the realm's throne has been placed,
To Emania a glory to be;
And far-famed is Dundalethglas church,
Nor let fame from Temoria flee.
XXIII.
To Armagh, in his infirm old age,
Saint Patrick desired much to go;
But God's angel at noon met the saint,
And induced him his wish to forego.
XXIV.
Southward to the angel he came
(For Victor had been his good guide),
And the bush in which Victor appeared
Burned bright, and a voice from it cried:
XXV.
"At Armagh let the government be,
And to Christ let all glory be brought;
Indeed, thou shalt come unto heaven;
Thou obtainedst, because thou hadst sought.
XXVI.
"A hymn which you sing while alive
Shall to Celts a proud armament be;
And at judgment the Irish surround
Their father, their patron, in thee."
XXVII.
After Patrick, good Tassach remained;
When Patrick to Tassach Christ gave,
Tassach said: "He from me shall receive";
And the prediction of Tassach was grave.
XXVIII.
For the night was installed a bright day,
And that day for one year did remain;
So that over all Eire the fair
Light's brilliance and brightness did reign.
XXIX.
Bethoron a battle beheld
Of great Nun against Chanaan's sons,
In which Gabaon saw the sun stand,
As the Scriptural narrative runs.