The Most Ancient Lives of Saint Patrick Part 2

Renowned was Saint Patrick through life, And of error he was a dire foe; Hence for ever his name shall be grand Among the nations, as ages shall flow.

XIII.

The Apocalypse sang he, and hymns, And three fifty full psalms, day by day; He instructed and praised and baptized, And all time he continued to pray.

XIV.

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 G.o.dhead 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 G.o.d'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 Ta.s.sach remained; When Patrick to Ta.s.sach Christ gave, Ta.s.sach said: "He from me shall receive"; And the prediction of Ta.s.sach 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.

x.x.x.

For brave Josue stood the bright sun To witness the wicked all slain; Why not for Saint Patrick thrice more To illumine Hibernia's plain?

x.x.xI.

For all Eire's good clergy were come To bury Saint Patrick with pride; And the sounds of the singing from heaven Cast them sleeping all round, far and wide.

x.x.xII.