Chapter 4 Summary and Analysis

Miliucc, more a rustler than a king, wrenches sixteen-year-old Patricius out of the predictable life of the Roman civitas into a life of bitter isolation tending sheep. Only slowly does he learn the local language and customs, and strangers happening by cause terror. Patricius must have been well nourished before his capture to have survived. Having not believed in God and finding priests foolish, Patricius in Ireland turns to constant prayer. Over six years, he grows from a careless boy to a visionary holy man. When a voice tells him he is going home, Patricius walks 200 miles to the sea at Wexford, only to be turned away as a suspected runaway slave. He returns to prayer and is welcomed aboard. Patricius begs off the sailors' offer to suck their nipples, an Irish apology, but boards ship and three days later reaches...