hand prophesied concerning the babe—­“This hand will be strong in battle and will win hostages and submission of the Clan Torna whose country lies in mid-Kerry from Sliabh Luachra [Slieve Lougher] to the sea.  From his seed, moreover, will spring kings to the end of time, unless indeed they refuse me due allegiance, and if, at any time, they incur displeasure of my successors their kingship and dominion will come to an end.”  This prophecy has been fulfilled.

Sometime afterwards Mochuda with his master, Carthach, visited King Maoltuile, whom they found at a place called Feorainn, near Tralee, from which the lords and kings of Kerry take their name.  Said Bishop Carthach:—­“Here, Sire, is the youth you gave me to train; he is a good scholar and he has studied the holy writings with much success.  I have ordained him a priest and (his) grace is manifest in many ways.”  “What recompense do you desire for your labour?” asked the king.  “Only,” replied Carthach, “that you would place yourself and your posterity under the spiritual jurisdiction of this young priest, the servant of God.”  The king, however, hesitated—­because of Mochuda’s youth.  Soon as Carthach perceived this he himself inclined to Mochuda and bending his knee before him exclaimed:—­“I hereby give myself, my parish and monastery to God and to Mochuda for ever.”  Touched by the bishop’s example the king prostrated himself before Mochuda and pledged to God and to him, his soul and body and posterity to the end of time.  Then Mochuda placed his foot upon the king’s neck and measured the royal body with his foot.  Against this proceeding of Mochuda’s a member of the king’s party protested in abusive and insulting terms—­“It is a haughty act of yours, laying your foot upon the king’s neck, for be it known to you the body on which you trample is worthy of respect.”  On hearing this Mochuda ceased to measure the king and declared:—­“The neck upon which I have set my heel shall never be decapitated and the body which I have measured with my foot shall not be slain and but for your interference there would not be wanting anything to him or his seed for ever.”  Addressing (specially) the interrupter, he prophesied:—­“You and your posterity will be for ever contemptible among the tribes.”  Blessing the king he promised him prosperity here and heaven hereafter and assured him:—­“If any one of your posterity contemn my successors refusing me my lawful dues he will never reign over the kingdom of Kerry.”  This prophecy has been fulfilled.

Next, Mochuda, at the suggestion of his master, the bishop, and the King Maoltuile, built a famous cell called Kiltulach [Kiltallagh] at a place between Sliabh Mis and the River Maing in the southern part of Kerry.  Here his many miracles won him the esteem of all.  In that region he found two bishops already settled before him, scil.:—­Dibhilin and Domailgig.  These became envious of the honour paid him and the fame he acquired, and they treated him evilly.