The Most Ancient Lives of Saint Patrick/The Life and Acts of St. Patrick/Chapter 69

The Prophecy of the Saint Concerning Dublinia; and the Sick Man cured.

And the saint, departing from Midia, directed his course toward Lagenia, for the purpose of preaching there; and on his journey he crossed a river named Finglas to a certain hill distant about one mile from the village Athcliath, the which is now called Dublinia; and looking on this place and on the country around it, and blessing it, thus spake he, prophesying: "This village, now so small, in time shall be renowned, and it shall be increased in riches and in dignity until it be advanced the royal seat of a kingdom." How truly he spake the proof of this time manifestly showeth. And he entered the village, and the dwellers therein, having heard of the miracles which he had wrought in the Lord, came forth joyfully to meet him; and the son of the lord of that place, his only son, was even at the point of death, so that many said he had already expired. Then, at the entreaty of the father and of the rest who flocked around him, the saint went unto the sick man's bed, and bended his knees on the earth, and prayed, and blessed him then dying, and snatched him from the jaws of death, and in the sight of them all restored him. And they who beheld this miracle believed in the Author of life, and by the holy prelate were baptized in His name.