him, for he wished to revenge on Patrick what he had done to his (the
druid's) companion the day before. The druid Luchat Mael put a drop of
poison into the goblet which was beside Patrick, that he might see what
Patrick would do in regard to it. Patrick observed this act, and he
blessed the goblet, and the ale adhered to it, and he turned the goblet
upside-down afterwards, and the poison which the druid put into it fell
out of it. Patrick blessed the goblet again, and the ale changed into
its natural state. The names of God and Patrick were magnified
thereby. The hosts then went and took up their station outside Tara.
"Let us work miracles," said Luchat Mael, "before the multitude in this
great plain." Patrick asked; "What are they?" The druid said: "Let us
bring snow upon the plain, so that the plain may be white before us."
Patrick said to him: "I do not wish to go against the will of God."
The druid said: "I will bring the snow upon the plain, though you like
it not." He then began the druidic poetry and the demoniacal arts
until the snow fell so that it would reach the girdles of men; and all
saw and wondered greatly. Patrick said: "We see this; send it away, if
you can." The druid answered: "I cannot do that thing until this time
to-morrow." "By my _debhro_," said Patrick, "in evil is thy power, and
not in good." Patrick blessed the plain before him, towards the four
points, and the snow immediately disappeared, without rain, without
sun, without wind, at Patrick's word. Darkness afterwards went over
the face of the earth, through the incantations of the druid. The
multitudes cried out thereat. Patrick said: "Expelli tenebras." The
druid answered: "I am not able to-day." Patrick prayed the Lord, and
blessed the plain, and the darkness was expelled, and the sun shone
out, and all gave thanks. They were for a long time contending thus
before the king--_i.e._, as Nero said to Simon and Peter--et ait rex ad
illos, "Libros vestros in aqua mittite, et ilium cujus libri illesi
evaserint adorabimus." Respondit Patricius: "Faciam ego"; et dixit