AN GAODHAL
39
A HYMN OF PATRICK, APOSTLE of IRELAND.
Composed by Fisch, Bishop of Sletty, in the Queen's
County, disciple, and a man contemporary of Patrick
himself
N. B. This hymn is admitted by all learned Protestants to be the only
authentic life of St. Patrick.
1
The birth of Patrick in Holy Tower
Is the meaning of what is recorded in stories,
A youth of sixteen years
At the time of his being carried into captivity.
2
Succat was his name at the well (baptism).
Who his father was this is the knowledge,
He was son of Calpurn, son of Otidus,
Who was son to the deacon Odissus.
3
He was six years in servitude :
The food of men he ate not.
There was beside him (Patrick) miserable,
Four of his family (tribe) in his slavery.
4
Victor made a covenant with the servant
Of Milcho, to go over the waves;
He (Victor) placed his foot on the stone
There remain after him the impression.
5
He proceeded over all the mountains
To the sea ; prosperous was his flight:
He dwelled at the seas with German;
Afterwards in the southern part of Letavia.
6
In the islands of the Tyrrhenean sea
He tarried in them for a time:
That he read the cannons with German,
Is what is recorded in lines.
7
Towards Ireland do proceed
Angels of God in an assembly;
Often he saw in visions
That he should return (to Ireland) again.
8
A relief to Ireland was
The coming of Patrick to Foclat.
He heard the distant sound of the calling
Of the children of the wood of Foghlad.
9
They entreated of the Saint to come
Upon his leaving Letavia,
For the purpose of commanding the people of Eire
[to return
From evil to eternal life.
10
The people of Eire, it was foretold,
Would see a spiritual new day
That would last to the end of time.
The country of Tara will be deserted
