with the king--_i.e._, Deacon Mantan. A band of artists came up to
Patrick to solicit food, and would have no excuse. "Go to Lonan and to
Deacon Mantan, that they may relieve me," said Patrick. Who answered,
"No, until our banquet is blessed." Then Patrick said:

"The youth who comes from the north,
To him is vouchsafed the triumph;
To Cothraige he comes,
With his little wether on his back."


At that very time came another youth, attended by his mother, carrying on
her back a cooked wether to the king's supper. Patrick begged of him to
give him the wether to save his honor. The son at once gave it
cheerfully, though the mother was unwilling to do so, through fear of the
king. Patrick gave the food to the players; and immediately the earth
swallowed them. Derc, son of Scirire, of the southern Desi, was their
chief; and Patrick said there would not be a king, or heir apparent, or
bishop of his family of Lonan for ever; and he assured Mantan, the
deacon, that his church would not be exalted on earth, but should be the
abode of the dregs of the people, and that swine and sheep would trample
on his own remains; but to Nessan, who had saved his honor, he promised
that he should be honored among the nations. And he baptized him,
ordained him deacon, and founded for him a church--_i.e._, Mungarit. His
mother excused herself, and he said she should not be buried in her son's
church. This came to pass, for her grave is to the west of Mungarit, and
the bell of the great church is not heard in that place; they are almost
together, only separated by a wall.

The men of North Munster, to the north of Luimnech, went in fleets of