XLVI.  HOW AN INSULT TO CIARAN WAS AVERTED

19.  One day when he was going on a way, most infamous robbers, seizing him, began to shave the head of the blessed man.  But what the frowardness of man wished to efface, the divine benevolence changed to the manifestation of a mighty miracle.  For in the place of the shaved hairs other hairs grew forthwith.  The robbers, thrown into consternation by this miracle, were changed to the way of truth, and at length, serving in the divine army under so great a leader, they finished their life in holy conversation.

XLVII.  HOW CIARAN WAS SAVED FROM SHAME

20.  At another time when the good shepherd was feeding his flocks, three poor men met him.  To the first of these he made over his cape, to the second his cloak, to the third his tunic.  But when they were going away there arrived certain men, leaders of a worldly life.  As he was ashamed to be seen of these without raiment, the Lord Who helpeth in need so surrounded him with water that except his head no part of him could they see.  But after these men had passed by the water soon disappeared.

XLVIII.  HOW A MAN WAS SAVED FROM ROBBERS

21.  After this when some time had passed, certain companions of the devil were trying to slay a man who dwelt near his monastery:  whom, when the blessed man prayed for him, God marvellously rescued.  For when they were slaughtering the man, they were striking on a stone statue.  The robbers, when at last they perceived this, being pricked in the heart, hasten to the shepherd of souls, Queranus:  they humbly acknowledge their crime; and, amending their way of life, they served faithfully under the yoke of Christ until death.

XLIX.  THE DEATH OF CIARAN

22.  The most glorious soldier of Christ, shining with these and many other [miracles], like the luminary which presides over the day, as he reached the setting of his natural course, approached it, seized with grievous sickness.  But because he who shall have endured unto the end shall be saved, so the champion of Christ, not only strengthening himself in the battle of this conflict, but also calling on souls to conquer, caused the stone, on which, supporting his head, he was wont until then to concede a little sleep to his body, to be placed even under his shoulders; then raising his holy hand he blessed the brethren, and, fortified by reception of the viaticum of salvation, gave back his soul to heaven.  For as that blessed soul departed from the body, the choirs of angels with hymns and songs received it into the glory of God.

LI.  THE EARTH OF CIARAN’S TOMB DELIVERS COLUM CILLE FROM A WHIRLPOOL