He was brought afterward into the Little Church, and he raised his hand and blessed his folk, and said to the brethren to shut the church upon him till Coemgen should come from Glenn da Locha.

L. THE VISIT OF COEMGEN

39.  When Coemgen came after three days, he received no full courtesy at first from the clerics, as they were in great sadness after their head.  Said Coemgen to them, “Let a doleful countenance be upon you continually!” said he.  Then fear took hold of the elders, and they did the will of Coemgen, and opened the Little Church to him.  The spirit of Ciaran went at once to heaven,[36] and he returned again into his body to converse with Coemgen, and welcomed him.  From one canonical hour to the next they were there in converse, and making a covenant.  Thereafter Ciaran blessed Coemgen, and Coemgen blessed water and made a communion with Ciaran.  And Ciaran gave his bell to Coemgen as a sign of their league and as a fee for their communion.  That is what is now called the Boban of Coemgen.

LII.  THE ENVY OF THE SAINTS

40.  The saints of Ireland were envious of Ciaran for his excellence, and they put their trust in the King of Heaven that his life might be shortened.  So great was their envy against him that even his comrade Colum Cille said, “Blessed be God,” said he, “Who hath taken Saint Ciaran.  For had he lived to old age, there would not have been the place of two chariot-horses found in Ireland that would not have been his.”

LIII.  A PANEGYRIC ON CIARAN

41.  Here then is Ciaran with the eight men whom I have mentioned, and many thousands of saints besides.  Here are the relics of Paul and Peter, which Benen and Cumlach left in the hollow tree here.  Here are the relics of the blind boy, the disciple of Peca.  Here is the shrine of the guest Peca, whom a certain devout man saw borne by angels to the burial of Ciaran.  There were three wonders here that night:  the guest-house being without fire, without guest, without prayer, for Peca was sufficient of fire, and guest, and prayer.

There is not one to relate completely what God wrought of signs and wonders for this holy Ciaran; for they are more than can be told or mentioned.  For after the coming of Christ in the flesh there was not one born greater in almsgiving and mercy, greater in labour and fasting and prayer, greater in humility and fervour of good-will, greater in courtesy and mildness, greater in care for the Church of God, greater in daily labour and in nightly vigil.

He it is who never put tasty food or heady drink into his body, from the time when he embraced the religious life.  He it is who never drank milk or ale, till a third of it was water.  He it is who never ate bread, till a third part of sand was mixed with it.  He it is who never slept save with his side on the bare ground.  Beneath his head was never aught save a stone for a pillow.  Next his skin never came flaxen or woollen stuff.