The Legends of Saint Patrick by Vere, Aubrey de, 1814-1902

That night discourse Through hall and court circled in whispers low. First one, "Was that indeed our king? But where The sword-scar and the wrinkles?" "Where," rejoined, Wide-eyed, the next, "his little cranks and girds The wisdom, and the whim?" Then Patrick spake: "Sirs, till this day ye never saw your king; The man ye doted on was but his mask, His picture--yea, his phantom. Ye have seen At last the man himself." That night nigh sped, While slowly o'er the darkling woods went down, Warned by the cold breath of the up-creeping morn Invisible yet nigh, the August moon, Two vestals, gliding past like moonlight gleams, Conversed: one said, "His daughter's prayer prevailed!" The second, "Who may know the ways of God? For this, may many a heart one day rejoice In hope! For this, the gift to many a man Exceed the promise; Faith's invisible germ Quickened with parting breath; and Baptism given, It may be, by an angel's hand unseen!"

SAINT PATRICK AND THE FOUNDING OF ARMAGH CATHEDRAL.

ARGUMENT.

Saint Patrick repairs to Ardmacha, there to found the chief church of Erin. For that purpose he demands of Daire, the king, a certain woody hill. The king refuses it, and afterwards treats him with alternate scorn and reverence; while the Saint, in each event alike, makes the same answer, "Deo Gratias." At last the king concedes to him the hill; and on the summit of it Saint Patrick finds a little white fawn asleep. The men of Erin would have slain that fawn; but the Saint carries it on his shoulder, and restores it to its dam. Where the fawn lay, he places the altar of his cathedral.

At Cluain Cain, in Ross, unbent yet old, Dwelt Patrick long. Its sweet and flowery sward He to the rock had delved, with fixed resolve To build thereon Christ's chiefest church in Eire. Then by him stood God's angel, speaking thus: "Not here, but northward." He replied, "O, would This spot might favour find with God! Behold! Fair is it, and as meet to clasp a church As is a true heart in a virgin breast To clasp the Faith of Christ. The hinds around Name it 'the beauteous meadow.'" "Fair it is," The angel answered, "nor shall lack its crown. Another's is its beauty. Here, one day A pilgrim from the Britons sent shall build, And, later, what he builds shall pass to thine; But thou to Macha get thee."