8.  At the same period there was a holy bishop, i.e.  Ailbe, who had been in Rome for a number of years before this and was in the household of Pope Hilary by whom he had been made a bishop.  When Declan with his disciples arrived in Rome Ailbe received him with great affection and gladness and he bore testimony before the Roman people to his (Declan’s) sanctity of life and nobility of blood.  He (Declan) therefore received marks of honour and sincere affection from the people and clergy of Rome when they came to understand how worthy he was, for he was comely, of good appearance, humble in act, sweet in speech, prudent in counsel, frank in conversation, virtuous in mien, generous in gifts, holy in life and resplendent in miracles.

9.  When Declan had spent a considerable time in Rome he was ordained a bishop by the Pope, who gave him church-books and rules and orders and sent him to Ireland that he might preach there.  Having bidden farewell to the Pope and received the latter’s blessing Declan commenced his journey to Ireland.  Many Romans followed him to Ireland to perform their pilgrimage and to spend their lives there under the yoke and rule of Bishop Declan, and amongst those who accompanied him was Runan, son of the king of Rome; he was dear to Declan.

10.  On the road through Italy Bishop Declan and Patrick met.  Patrick was not a bishop at that time, though he was (made a bishop) subsequently by Pope Celestinus, who sent him to preach to the Irish.  Patrick was truly chief bishop of the Irish island.  They bade farewell to one another and they made a league and bond of mutual fraternity and kissed in token of peace.  They departed thereupon each on his own journey, scil.:—­Declan to Ireland and Patrick to Rome.

11.  Declan was beginning mass one day in a church which lay in his road, when there was sent him from heaven a little black bell, (which came) in through the window of the church and remained on the altar before Declan.  Declan greatly rejoiced thereat and gave thanks and glory to Christ on account of it, and it filled him with much courage to combat the error and false teaching of heathendom.  He gave the bell for safe keeping and carriage, to Runan aforesaid, i.e. son of the king of Rome, and this is its name in Ireland—­“The Duibhin Declain,” and it is from its colour it derives its name, for its colour is black [dub].  There were manifested, by grace of God and Declan’s merits, many miracles through its agency and it is still preserved in Declan’s church.

12.  When Declan and his holy companions arrived at the Sea of Icht [English Channel] he failed, owing to lack of money, to find a ship, for he did not have the amount demanded, and every ship was refused him on that account.  He therefore struck his bell and prayed to God for help in this extremity.  In a short time after this they saw coming towards them on the crest of the waves an empty, sailless