Corpus of Electronic Texts Edition
Muirchú's Life of Patrick (Author: Muirchú maccu Machtheni)
Chapter 14
14
II 14 (12). (1) Afterwards, when Patrick had been buried and the overflow of the inlet had abated, the Airthir and Ui Neill rushed (again)
into fight against the Ulaid. Fully prepared and armed for war, they had invaded the resting-place of the blessed body, (2) but they were misled
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by a fortunate illusion. They thought they found two oxen and a cart and believed they were taking away the holy body, and with the body
and all their fighting equipment they got as far as the river Cabcenne, and then the body disappeared from their sight. (3) For it was
impossible that there should be peace about such a renowned and blessed body unless, by the will of God, such a vision was shown them in time, lest
what (was) the salvation of innumerable souls be turned to destruction and death; similarly, in ancient times the Syrians were blinded so that
they would not kill the prophet Helisaeus, and by divine Providence were led by him as far as Samaria. So also this delusion was arranged to
secure concord between the peoples.