HYMN ON ST. PATRICK.

I.

Patrick was born at heavenly Tours, As it is ascertained in stories; A youth of sixteen years At the time he was brought under bondage.

II.

Succat his name at the beginning; Who his father was, be it known Son of Calphurn, son of Otidé, Descended from the Deacon Odissé.

III.

He was six years in servitude, The food of the people he eat not, They were all by him supported, Four tribes to whom he was enslaved.

IV.

Victor (the angel) said to the servant Of Milcho: depart over the waves, He (Victor) placed his foot upon a stone His marks after him remained.

V.

He departed over all the mountains, O'er sea, prosperous was his flight. He dwelled along with German, Southward of the southermost part of Letavia.

VI.

In the islands of the Touronian sea He resided, as related; He read his Canons with German, As is certified to us.

VII.

Towards Ireland he proceeds, Warned by God's angels in apparitions, Often saw he in his sleep That he ought to return.

VIII.

Great the assistance to Eire, The coming of Patrick to Oclat: He heard the long sound of entreaties Of children from the wood of Foclat.

IX.

They implored the saint may come Upon forsaking Letavia, For drawing from error's propensity The people of Eire to life.

X.

The people of Eire prophesy That there will come new days of peace, Existing till the end of time; Desert will be in the country of Tara.

XI.

O Druid! upon Laoree, The coming of Patrick you hid not; Too true the prophecies Respecting the sovereign you predicted.

XII.

Prudent was Patrick during life; Pleasing was in banishing evil propensities; This is what extended his fame Up to each tribe of people.

XIII.

He hymns, and revelations, And the three fifties daily sung: He preached, baptized, and prayed, From praising God he never ceased.

XIV.

He felt not the cold of the season; He stayed the night in the waters, With heaven to be blessed as his kingdom, He preached through the day on the hills.

XV.

In saving the people of Benibarka He experienced neither drought nor hunger; He sang an hundred psalms each night, The King of angels to serve.

XVI.

He then rested on a bare stone, And a wet coverlid over him, A rock was his pillow, He left not his body in indolence.

XVII.

He preached the Gospel to all; He worked great miracles at Letavia He healed the blind with fasting, The dead he awoke to life.

XVIII.

Patrick preached to the Scotians After he underwent great labours in Letavia, That they may come to judgment, Each whom he guided to life.

XIX.

The sons of Emir, the sons of Erimor, Were all following after the devil, Buried was the Armament In the great depths of hell.

XX.

Till the Apostle arrived Who preserved them tho' dreadful the blasts He preached three score years The cross of Christ to the people of the Phenians.

XXI.

On the people of Eire was darkness, People adoring idols; They believed not in the Godhead Nor in the true Trinity.

XXII.

In Armagh is the seat of royalty; Long has been the prerogative of Emania, And of the great church at Dundalethglas, Nor is it pleasant that Teamar be tribeless.

XXIII.

Patrick being about to sicken, For alleviation on going to Armagh, An angel came upon his head On the way, in the middle of the day.

XXIV.

He proceeded southerly to Victor (angel) It was he who sent for him, Blaze does the bush in which he (Victor) was Out of the blaze he him addressed.

XXV.

There is granted rule to Armagh, To Christ for this be given thanks: Thou, to heaven, great shalt come, To thee prosperous has been thy petition.

XXVI.

A hymn, sung by thee, while living, Will be a protecting coat of mail to all In the day of judgment with thee The men of Erie will go to be judged.

XXVII.

Tassac remained after him, The time he gave the communion to him, He predicted that Patrick would not return The sayings of Tassach were not false.

XXVIII.

Subside does the end of the night, Whereupon they had great light, Till the year's end continued the lights, This was the protracted day.

XXIX.

The battle fought in Bethoron, Against the people of Canaan by Nun's son The sun sat over Gabaon, It is what scripture records to us.

XXX.

As then stood for Joshua, The sun for the death of the ill-inclined Why not trebly greater be this Light on the death of his saint.

XXXI.

The clergy of Eire they proceeded To wake Patrick, from every side The sound of the musical instrument buried All asleep upon the spot.

XXXII.

The soul of Patrick from his body After his labours, separated; Angels of God on the first night Watched around him incessantly.

XXXIII.

At the time that Patrick died He proceeded to the other Patrick, And with him ascended To Jesus, the son of Mary.

XXXIV.

Patrick, without a puff of pride, Manifold blessings produced; He was in subjection to Mary's son. And with auspicious bliss was born.