were scions of the strongest and most powerful families in Munster.  On the morrow however Declan came to Cashel and talked with Aonghus.  The king welcomed him heartily and addressing him said to him in presence of persons of his court, “I pray you, Declan, servant of God, that in the name of Christ you would raise to life for me the seven hostages whom I held in bondage from the chieftains of Munster.  They have died from the plague of which you hear, and I fear their fathers will raise war and rebellion against me, for they are men of strength and power, and indeed we are ashamed of their death, for they will say that it is we ourselves who killed them.”  Declan answered the king, saying to him:—­“Such a matter as this—­to raise one to life from death—­belongs to Omnipotence alone—­but I shall do whatever is in my power.  I go where the bodies lie and pray to God for them and let Him do in their regard what seems best to Him.”  Next, Declan, with a multitude and his disciples together with the king’s councillors, went to the place where the corpses of the young men lay.  The king followed after them until he came in sight of the bodies.  Declan, full of divine faith, entered the house wherein they lay and he sprinkled holy water over them and prayed for them in the presence of all, saying:—­“O Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the living God, for thine own name’s sake wake the dead that they may be strengthened in the Catholic faith through our instrumentality.”  Thereupon, at Declan’s prayer, the group (of corpses) revived and they moved their eyelids and Declan said to them “In the name of Christ, our Saviour, stand up and bless and glorify God.”  And at his words they rose up immediately and spoke to all.  Declan then announced to the king that they were alive and well.  When people saw this remarkable miracle they all gave glory and praise to God.  The fame of Declan thereupon spread throughout Erin and the king rejoiced for restoration of his hostages.

29.  After this the people of Cashel besought Bishop Declan to bless their city and banish the plague from them and to intercede with God for those stricken with sickness who could not escape from its toils.  Declan seeing the people’s faith prayed to God and signed with the sign of Redemption the four points of the compass.  As he concluded, there was verified the saying of Christ to His disciples when leaving them and going to heaven:—­“Super aegros imponent manus et bene habebunt” [Mark 16:18] (I shall place my hands on the sick and they shall be healed).  Soon as Declan had made the sign of the cross each one who was ill became well and not alone were these restored to health but (all the sick) of the whole region round about in whatsoever place there were persons ailing.  Moreover the plague was banished from every place and all rejoiced greatly thereat as well as on account of the resurrection of the dead men we have narrated.  The king thereupon ordered tribute and honour to Declan and his successors from himself and from every king who should hold Cashel ever after.  Upon this the glorious bishop Declan blessed Aongus together with his city and people and returned back to his own place.