Page:Writings of Saint Patrick, Apostle of Ireland.djvu/50

Rh The word of God to speak for me, The hand of God to protect me, The way of God to lie before me, The shield of God to shelter me, The host of God to defend me, Against the snares of demons, Against the temptations of vices, Against [the lusts ] of nature, Against every man who meditates injury to me, Whether far or near, Alone and in a multitude.

I summon to-day around me all these powers, Against every hostile merciless power directed against my body and my soul. Against the incantations of false prophets, Against the black laws of heathenism, Against the false laws of heretics, Against the deceit of idolatry, Against the spells of women, and smiths, and Druids, Against all knowledge which hath defiled man's body and soul.

Christ protect me to-day, Against poison, against burning, Against drowning, against wound, That I may receive a multitude of rewards.