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

The "Tripartite Life" thus ends: --"After these great miracles, therefore, after resuscitating the dead, after healing lepers, and the blind, and the deaf, and the lame, and all diseases; after ordaining bishops, and priests, and deacons, and people of all orders in the Church; after teaching the men of Erin, and after baptising them; after founding churches and monasteries; after destroying idols and images and Druidical arts, the hour of death of Saint Patrick approached. He received the body of Christ from the Bishop Tassach, according to the counsel of the Angel Victor. He resigned his spirit afterwards to Heaven, in the one hundred and twentieth year of his age. His body is still here in the earth, with honour and reverence. Though great his honour here, greater honour will be to him in the Day of Judgment, when judgment will be given on the fruit of his teaching, as of every great Apostle, in the union of the Apostles and Disciples of Jesus; in the union of the Nine Orders of Angels, which cannot be surpassed; in the union of the Divinity and Humanity of the Son of God; in the union, which is higher than all unions, of the Holy Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost." A. DE VERE.

THE LEGENDS OF SAINT PATRICK.

THE BAPTISM OF ST. PATRICK.

"How can the babe baptised be Where font is none and water none?" Thus wept the nurse on bended knee, And swayed the Infant in the sun.

"The blind priest took that Infant's hand: With that small hand, above the ground He signed the Cross. At God's command A fountain rose with brimming bound.

"In that pure wave from Adam's sin The blind priest cleansed the Babe with awe; Then, reverently, he washed therein His old, unseeing face, and saw!

"He saw the earth; he saw the skies, And that all-wondrous Child decreed A pagan nation to baptise, To give the Gentiles light indeed."

Thus Secknall sang. Far off and nigh The clansmen shouted loud and long; While every mother tossed more high Her babe, and glorying joined the song.

THE DISBELIEF OF MILCHO, OR, SAINT PATRICK'S ONE FAILURE.

ARGUMENT.

Fame of St. Patrick goes ever before him, and men of goodwill believe gladly; but Milcho, a mighty merchant, and one given wholly to pride and greed, wills to disbelieve. St. Patrick sends him greeting and gifts; but he, discovering that the prophet welcomed by all had once been his slave, hates him the more. Notwithstanding, he fears that when that prophet arrives, he, too, may be forced to believe, though against his will. He resolves to set fire to his castle and all his wealth, and make new fortunes in far lands. The doom of Milcho, who willed to disbelieve.