14.  Near to the monastery in which the man of God was then staying, there was an island, which certain worldly men inhabited, whose uproar used greatly to disturb the men of God.  Whence it happened that blessed Keranus, compelled by their disquietude, made his way to the lake, and giving himself up wholly to prayer, succeeded in obtaining the removal of those who were distressing the servants of God.  For when he ceased from prayer, behold, suddenly the island with the lake and the inhabitants withdrew to a remote place, so that by no means could its inhabitants disturb the friends of the Most High.  For this miracle was done in His Name Who overturned Sodom on account of the sin of its inhabitants, and consumed it with fire.  The traces of that lake, where it formerly was, still exist.

XXXVIII.  CIARAN IN INIS AINGIN

15.  As the man of God was distributing the goods of the monastery for the use of the poor, his brethren complaining of this and coming to him inconsiderately, said, “Depart,” said they, “from us, for we cannot live together.”  To whom agreeing, and bidding farewell in the Lord, he transferred himself to an island by name Angina.  A monastery having been founded in this island, many hastening from all sides, attracted by the fame of his holiness, submitted to the service of God.  Ordering them under strict rules, by face and by habit, by speech and by life, he showed himself as an example to them.  For he was as an eagle inciting its young to fly, in respect to sublimity of contemplation; but he lived as the least of them in brotherly humility.  For he was in spiritual meditations attached to the highest things; yet so much did he stoop to feeble weakness that he seemed as though he tended towards the lowliest things.  He was also perfect in faith, fervent in charity, rejoicing in hope, gentle of heart, courteous of speech, patient and long-suffering, kindly in hospitality, ever diligent in works of piety, benign, gentle, peaceful, sober, and quiet.  To summarise many things in one short sentence, he was garnished with the ornament of all the virtues.  Expending a care zealous for these and the like matters—­the care of Mary for contemplation, and of Martha for the dispensing of things temporal—­he fulfilled his duty in ordered succession.  Nor could the light of such and so great a lantern be hidden under a bushel:  but it glittered with light, all around, wheresoever it abundantly illuminated the world with the outpoured glory of its grace.

XXXIX.  THE COMING OF OENNA