Page:The most ancient lives of Saint Patrick - O'Leary.djvu/125

 a refusal. Patrick said that they would not be fruitful, and that there would never be any mills upon them, except the mills of strangers, notwithstanding their great profusion up to that time. He blessed the Suir, moreover, and the country around; and it is fruitful in fish, except the places where those streams (glaise) flow into it.

Patrick went into Muscraighe-thire, and to preach and plant the faith there. He met three brothers of that nation, men of power&mdash;Furic and Muinnech and Mechar, the sons of Forat, son of Conla. Muinnech believed at once, and Patrick baptized and blessed him, and said that illustrious heroes and clerics should descend from him for ever; and that the chief kingship of his country should be [filled up] from him for ever, as the poet said: "Muinnech the Great believes In Patrick, before all;  That there might be over his country  Chieftains of his race for ever.

"Mechair believed, For he was a true, just man.  Patrick gave him a lasting blessing&mdash;  The companionship of a king.

"Fuirec, the furious man, Opposed, though he was hoary and old;  His ultimate fate, after this world,  Is not to be deplored.

"When Cothraige imposed A tribute (cain) upon noble Eri,  On the host of this island  He conferred a lasting blessing.