was not I who drove out the sea but God in His own great power who expelled it and He would have done still more had you not spoken the words you have said.”  Three little wells of clear sweet water burst forth in the place where fell the three drops of blood at the feet of Declan, and these wells are there still and the colour of blood is seen in them occasionally as a memorial of this miracle.  The shore, rescued from the sea, is a mile in width and is of great length around (the island) and it is good and fertile land for tillage and pasture—­lying beneath the monastery of Declan.  As to the crosier which was in Declan’s hand while he wrought this miracle, this is its name—­the Feartach Declain, from the miracles and marvels [fertaib] wrought through it.  I shall in another, subsequent, place relate some of these miracles (narrated).

21.  After the expulsion of the sea by this famous Saint, scil.:  Declan, whose name and renown spread throughout Erin because of his great and diverse miracles, he commenced to build a great monastery by the south side of the stream which flows through the island into the sea.  This monastery is illustrious and beautiful and its name is Ardmor Declain, as we have said.  After this came many persons to Declan, drawn from the uttermost parts of Ireland, by the fame of his holy living; they devoted themselves, soul and body to God and Declan, binding themselves beneath his yoke and his rule.  Moreover he built himself in every place throughout the territory of the Decies, churches and monasteries and not alone in his own territory (did he build) but in other regions of Ireland under tribute to him.  Great too were the multitudes (thousands) of men and women who were under his spiritual sway and rule, in the places we have referred to, throughout Ireland, where happily they passed their lives.  He ordained some of his disciples bishops and appointed them in these places to sow the seed of faith and religion therein.  Gentleness and charity manifested themselves in Declan to such an extent that his disciples preferred to live under his immediate control and under his direction as subjects than to be in authority in another monastery.

22.  After this the holy renowned bishop, head of justice and faith in the Gaelic island came into Ireland, i.e.  Patrick sent by Celestinus, the Pope.  Aongus Mac Nathfrich went to meet him soon as he heard the account of his coming.  He conducted him (Patrick) with reverence and great honour to his own royal city—­to Cashel.  Then Patrick baptised him and blessed himself and his people and his city.  Patrick heard that the prince of the Decies had not been baptised and did not believe, that there was a disagreement between the prince and Declan and that the former refused to receive instruction from the latter.  Patrick thereupon set out to preach to the prince aforesaid.  Next, as to the four bishops we have named who had been in Rome:  Except Declan alone they were not