Corpus of Electronic Texts Edition
Life of St. Declan of Ardmore (Author: Patrick Power)
chapter 23
The angel of God came to Declan and said to him
‘Go quickly to
Patrick and prevent him cursing your kindred and country, for
to-night, in the plain which is called Inneoin, he is fasting against
the king, and if he curses your people they shall be accursed for
ever.’ Thereupon Declan set out in haste by direction of the angel
to Inneoin, i.e. the place which is in the centre of the plain of
Femhin in the northern part of the Decies. He crossed Slieve Gua
and over the Suir and arrived on the following
morning at the place where Patrick was. When Patrick and his
disciples
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heard that Declan was there they welcomed him warmly for
they had been told he would not come. Moreover Patrick and his
people received him with great honour. But Declan made obeisance to
Patrick and besought him earnestly that he should not execrate his
people and that he should not curse them nor the land in which they
dwelt, and he promised to allow Patrick do as he pleased. And
Patrick replied:—‘On account of your prayer not only shall I not
curse them but I shall give them a blessing.’ Declan went thereupon
to the place where was the king of Decies who was a neighbour of his.
But he contemned Patrick and he would not believe him even at the
request of Declan. Moreover Declan promised rewards to him if he
would go to Patrick to receive baptism at his hands and assent to the
faith. But he would not assent on any account. When Declan saw
this, scil.:—that the king of the Decies, who was named Ledban, was
obstinate in his infidelity and in his devilry—through fear lest
Patrick should curse his race and country—he (Declan) turned to the
assembly and addressed them:—‘Separate yourselves from this accursed
man lest you become yourselves accursed on his account, for I have
myself baptised and blessed you, but come you,’ said he, ‘with us, to
Patrick, whom God has sent to bless you, for he has been chosen
Archbishop and chief Patron of all Erin; moreover, I have a right to
my own patrimony and to be king over you as that man (Ledban) has
been.’ At this speech they all arose and followed Declan who brought
them into the presence of Patrick
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and said to the latter:—‘See how the whole people of the Deisi have come with me as their Lord to thee
and they have left the accursed prince whose subjects they have been,
and behold they are ready to reverence you and to obey you for it is
from me they have received baptism.’ At this Patrick rose up with
his followers and he blessed the people of the Deisi and not them
alone, but their woods and water and land. Whereupon the chiefs and
nobles of the Deisi said:—‘Who will be King or Lord over us now?’
And Declan replied:—‘I am your lord and whomsoever I shall appoint
offer you as lord, Patrick and all of us will bless, and he shall be
king over you all.’ And he whom Declan appointed was Feargal
MacCormac a certain young man of the nation of the Deisi who was a
kinsman of Declan himself. He (Declan) set him in the midst of the
assembly in the king's place and he was pleasing to all. Whereupon
Patrick and Declan blessed him and each of them apart proclaimed him
chieftain. Patrick moreover promised the young man that he should be
brave and strong in battle, that the land should be fruitful during
his reign. Thus have the kings of the Deisi always been.