Page:Writings of Saint Patrick, Apostle of Ireland.djvu/102

Rh him, 'Such at this time is Hibernia in the sight of the Lord.' And after a little space he beheld in all parts of the island cone-like mountains of fire stretching unto the skies. And again, after a little space, he beheld as it were candlesticks burning, and after a while darkness intervened; and then he beheld scanty lights, and at length he beheld coals lying hidden here and there, as reduced unto ashes, yet appearing still burning.

And the Angel added: 'What thou seest here shown in different states are the Irish nations.' Then the saint, weeping exceedingly, repeated often the words of the Psalmist, saying: 'Will God cast off for ever, and will He be no more entreated? Shall His mercy come to an end from generation to generation? Shall God forget to be merciful, and shut up His mercy in His displeasure?

And the Angel said, 'Look towards the northern side, and on the right hand of an height shalt thou behold the darkness dispersed from the face of the light which thenceforth wall arise.'

Then the saint raised his eyes, and behold, he at first saw a small light arising in Ulidia, the which struggled a long time with the darkness, and at length dispersed it, and illumined with its rays the whole island. Nor ceased the light to increase and to prevail, even until it had restored to its former fiery state all Hibernia.

Then was the heart of St. Patrick filled with joy, and his tongue with exultation, giving thanks for all these things which had been shown unto him by grace. And he understood in the greatness of this fiery ardour of the Christian faith, the devotion and zeal for religion wherewith those islanders burned. By the fiery mountains he understood the