Page:Writings of Saint Patrick, Apostle of Ireland.djvu/89

Rh illustrated by the following story, given by Muirchu in his Notes on St. Patrick's Life (which are of the seventh century). Dáire, the Irish chieftain, who afterwards gave the site for a church at Armagh, sent to the saint as a present a caldron of brass which had been imported from across the sea. Patrick, on receiving the gift, said simply, Grazacham (gratias agamus, 'Let us give thanks,' i.e., to God). Dáire went back to his home, muttering, 'The man is a fool who said nothing but grazacham for a brazen caldron of such a size!' He then ordered his servants to go and bring him back the caldron. They went forthwith to the saint, and said, 'We are going to take away the caldron.' Patrick said again, &apos;Grazachm, take it away.' They accordingly took it back. When they returned, Dáire asked them, 'What did the Christian say when you took it away?' They answered that he said, &apos;Grazacham.' Dáire exclaimed, &apos;Grazacham, when it was given! grazacham, when it was taken away! his saying is so good with those grazachams, that his caldron shall be brought back to him again!' (Rolls Tripartite, p. 291.) The same story is repeated in the Tripartite Life (which was written in the eleventh century) at pp. 230, 231 of the Rolls edition. See also Miss Cusack's Life of St. Patrick, p. 351, Dr. Todd's Life, p. 471. On the story, compare the words in Job i. 21: 'The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.'

4. The Church of the Scots, nay even of the