Page:The most ancient lives of Saint Patrick - O'Leary.djvu/98

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illustrious men would be of them, quod impletum est. Cairbre promised to Cuangus, for seizing Patrick's hands, as much as he could see to the north of Sliabh-Cise. When he turned to take a view about him, a dark cloud closed around Cuangus, so that he only saw to the sea westwards, and to the ash eastwards. "This river, which God gave you, Cairbre," said Patrick, "your share of it shall not be fruitful as regards fish" (i.e., the northern half of the river in length was Cairbre's share—i.e., the half next to Cenel-Conaill—for Crich-Conaill belonged to Cairbre at that time as far as Rath-Cunga); "but Conall's share (the southern half) will be fruitful"; sic impletum est, until Murghins, son of Maelduin, son of Scannal, an illustrious king of Cairbre's race, presented the unfruitful part to Colum-Cille; and it is now fruitful with Colum-Cille.

He (Patrick) went afterwards between Es-Ruaidh and the sea into Crich-Conaill, where Rath-Chunga is at this day. He fixed a stake there, and said that it would be an abode and establishment for seven bishops; and there Bite is now, the brother's son of Aisicus from Elphin.

It was then also that he foretold of Domhnall, son of Aedh, son of Ainmire—viz., he fixed a pole in Ard-fothaidh, and on the morrow it was bent; and Patrick said that the place would be the seat of a king, which was fulfilled in Domhnall. On Sith-Aedha Patrick blessed Conall Mac Neill, when Patrick's hands would fall on the head of Fergus. Conall wondered at this thing, when Patrick said:

  "A youth (i.e., Colum-Cille) shall be born of his tribe,
  Who will be a sage, a prophet, and poet,
  A glorious, bright, clear light,
  Who will not utter falsehood."