and full of fruit-bearing trees, as in the time of autumn.  They went round about that land as long as they were in it.  They had no night there, but the light shone as the sun shineth in his season.  And so for forty days they went about through that land, but they could not find the end thereof.  But upon a certain day they found a great river which they could not pass, running through the midst of the island.  Then saith the holy man unto the brethren, “We cannot pass over this river, and we know not how large is this land.”  While they thought upon these things, behold, there came to meet them a young man with glorious countenance and comely to look upon, who kisseth them with great joy, and calleth them every one by his own name, and saith, “O brethren, peace be unto you, and unto all who have followed after the peace of Christ,” and after this he said, moreover, “Blessed are they that dwell in Thine house, O Lord:  they will be still praising Thee.”  After these words, he saith unto holy Brendan, “Behold the land which ye have sought of a long time.  But for this cause have ye not been able to find it since ye began to seek it, because the Lord Christ hath willed to show unto thee divers of His hidden things in this great and wide sea.  Return thou therefore unto the land of thy birth, and take with thee of these fruits, and of precious stones as much as thy ship may hold.  For the days of thy pilgrimage are drawing near at hand, that thou mayest sleep with thine holy brethren.  But after many times this land shall be made known unto them that shall come after thee, when it shall be helpful in the tribulation of the Christians.  The river which ye see divideth this island, and even as now it appeareth unto you ripe in fruits, so is it at every time without shadow or foulness.  For the light shineth in it without failing.”  Then holy Brendan saith unto the young man, “Lord father, tell me if this land shall be ever revealed unto men.”  And he saith, “When the Almighty Creator shall have made all nations subject unto Him, then shall this land be made known unto all His elect.”  And after these things, Father Brendan took a blessing from the young man, and began to return by his way whereby he had come, taking of the fruits of that land and of sorts of precious stones; and when he had sent away the man that provided for them, who had prepared meat for him and for the brethren season by season, he went up into the ship with the brethren, through the darkness, whence he had begun to sail.  And when they had passed through it, they came unto the Isle Delight some, and when he had been entertained there for the space of three days, he took a blessing from the father of the monastery, and then under God’s leading came straight to his own monastery.’

It remains to make some remark upon the character and possible sources of this curious composition.