Life of St Columba 1

Chapter 1: A Brief Narrative of His Miracles of Power. Therefore, what proofs of power this venerable man gave shall be briefly set forth at the beginning of this little book, according to the little promise made above. For the infestations of diverse diseases which men endured he healed, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, by the power of his prayers: and he alone, a single man, by God's help drove back from this our chief island the hostile assaults of demons and their innumerable bands warring against him—seen with bodily eyes—as they began to bring deadly diseases upon his monastic community. The raging fury of wild beasts he restrained, partly by their death, partly by their forcible repulse, with Christ's aid.

The swellings of the waves too, rising up sometimes like mountains in a great storm, were calmed and humbled the more swiftly at his prayer; and his ship, in which he himself chanced to be sailing at that time, when calm had been made, was brought to the harbour it had desired. While he was staying for some days in the region of the Picts, returning from there to confound the magi, he raised his sail against the contrary blasts of the wind, and thus his little vessel, gliding on with swift course, sped along as if it had had a following wind. At other times also, the winds contrary to those sailing were, at his prayer, turned into favourable ones. In the same region mentioned above he brought a white stone from a river, which he blessed that it might be of profit for certain healings:

and this stone, against nature, when dipped in water, floated like an apple. This divine miracle was wrought in the presence of King Brude and his household. In the same province likewise he raised up the dead boy of a certain believing commoner, which is the greater miracle, and gave him back alive and unharmed to his father and mother. At another time the same blessed man, while a young deacon, dwelling in Ireland with the holy bishop Findbarr, when wine, necessary for the sacred mysteries, was lacking, by the power of prayer turned pure water into true wine. But also a great light of heavenly brightness, both in the darkness of night and in the light of day, was seen poured out upon him, sometimes by certain of the brethren, on diverse and separate occasions.

He was also accounted worthy to have the sweet and most delightful luminous visitations of the holy angels. By the Holy Spirit's revelation he saw the souls of certain just men frequently carried by angels to the heights of the heavens. But he also very often beheld the souls of others, the reprobate, borne to the lower regions by demons. He generally foretold the future merits of very many still dwelling in mortal flesh, of some joyful, of others sorrowful. And in the terrifying din of wars he obtained this from God by the power of his prayers, that some kings were vanquished, and others were made conquering rulers.

This privilege of such a kind was bestowed by God, the honourer of all the saints, not only upon him while dwelling in this present life, but even after his passing from the flesh, as though upon a certain victorious and most valiant champion. Of this man, worthy of such honour conferred upon him from heaven by the Almighty, we shall set forth one example also, which was shown to Oswald, the Saxon ruler, on the day before he fought against Cadwallon, the most valiant king of the Britons. For when this same King Oswald, in readiness for battle, had pitched camp, one day, sleeping upon a pillow in his pavilion, he sees in a vision Saint Columba, gleaming in angelic form; whose lofty stature seemed with its head to touch the clouds.

This blessed man, namely, revealing to the king his own name, standing in the midst of the camp, covered the same camp—except for a certain small outlying part—with his shining garment; and he uttered these words of confirmation, the very same, namely, which the Lord spoke to Joshua son of Nun before the crossing of the Jordan, after Moses had died, saying: 'Be strong and act manfully; behold, I will be with thee,' and so on. Saint Columba therefore, speaking these things to the king in the vision, adds: 'On this following night go forth from the camp to battle; for on this occasion the Lord has granted me that your enemies be put to flight, and your enemy Cadwallon be delivered into your hands, and that after the battle you return a victor, and reign happily.'

After these words the king, having awoken, recounted this vision to the assembled council; encouraged by which, all the whole people promised that, after their return from the war, they would believe and receive baptism: for up to that time all that Saxony was darkened with the shadows of heathenism and ignorance, except the king himself Oswald, together with twelve men, who had been baptized while in exile among the Scots. Why say more? On the same night that followed, King Oswald, just as he had been instructed in the vision, advanced from the camp to battle with a far smaller army against numerous thousands;

to whom, as it was promised him by the Lord, a happy and easy victory was granted, and, Cadwallon the king having been slain, returning a victor after the battle, he was afterwards ordained by God emperor of all Britain. This narrative my predecessor, our abbot Failbe, related to me, Adamnan, without doubt, who testified that he had heard it from the very mouth of King Oswald himself, as he recounted the same vision to abbot Segine.

But this too seems not to be passed over, namely that, through certain songs of the Scottish tongue in praise of the same blessed man, and through the commemoration of his name, certain men—however wicked, of lay manner of life and bloodthirsty—on that night on which they had sung those same songs, were delivered from the hands of enemies who had surrounded that same house of these singers; who escaped unharmed amid flames and swords and spears, and—wonderfully—a few of them, who, as though making little account of it, had refused to sing those same commemorations of the holy man in their chants, perished alone in that onslaught of their rivals. Witnesses of this miracle not two or three, according to the law, but even a hundred and more, could be produced.

It is proven that this same thing happened not only in one place or one time, but also in diverse places and times in Scotia and in Britain, with nevertheless a like manner and cause of deliverance, that it was done has been ascertained without any ambiguity. These things we have learned without doubt from those who experienced them in each region, wherever the same thing happened by a like miracle. But, to return to our purpose, among those miracles which the same man of the Lord, dwelling in mortal flesh, by God's gift had accomplished, from his youthful years he began also to flourish with the spirit of prophecy, to foretell things to come, to announce to those present things absent; for although absent in body, yet present in spirit, he was able to see clearly things done far away.

For, according to the word of Paul, 'He who cleaves to the Lord is one spirit.' Whence also the same man of the Lord, holy Columba, just as he himself did not deny to certain few brethren who at times questioned him about this very matter, in some contemplations of divine grace beheld the whole world too, as though gathered together in one ray of the sun, marvellously manifested to him when the bosom of his mind was wonderfully opened wide. These things concerning the holy man's powers have been recounted here for this reason, that the more eager reader may, from what is briefly written, foretaste as it were certain sweeter feasts: which nevertheless shall be more fully recounted below in three books, with the Lord's help.

Now it seems to me not unbecoming, though in a reversed order, to utter the prophecies of the blessed man, which he spoke at diverse times concerning certain holy and illustrious men. Chapter 2: Of Saint Fintan, Abbot, Son of Tailchan. Saint Fintan, who afterwards was held very well known throughout all the churches of the Scots, keeping, with God's help, the integrity of flesh and soul from his boyhood age, devoted to the studies of divine wisdom, conceived this purpose in his heart, while passing the years of his youth, that, leaving Ireland, he should go as a pilgrim to our holy Columba.

Burning with the same desire, he goes to a certain elder, a friend of his, in his own nation a most prudent and venerable cleric, who in the Scottish tongue was called Columb Crag, that from him, as from a prudent man, he might hear some counsel. To whom, when he laid bare such thoughts of his, he received this answer from him: 'Who, as I judge, can hinder your God-inspired and devout desire, that you should not sail across to Saint Columba?' At that same hour two monks of Saint Columba chance to arrive, who, being questioned about their journey, say: 'Lately, rowing from Britain, today we have come from Roboretum Calgachi (the Oakwood of Calgach).' 'Is your holy father Columba safe?' says Columb Crag.

They, weeping bitterly, said with great grief, 'Truly that patron of ours is saved, who in these recent days departed to Christ.' When they heard this, Fintan and Columba and all who were present there fell with their faces to the ground and wept bitterly. Fintan then went on to ask, saying, 'Whom did he leave behind him as his successor?' 'Baithéne,' they said, 'his own foster-son.' And when all cried out, 'Worthy and fitting!', Columba said to Fintan, 'What will you do about this, Fintan?' He answered and said, 'If the Lord shall permit, I will sail to Baithéne, a holy and wise man, and if he will receive me, I shall have him for my abbot.'

Then, having embraced the aforementioned Columba and bidden him farewell, he made ready for the voyage, and crossing over without any delay, he came to the island of Iona. And not yet, up to that time, was his name known in those parts. Therefore at first, being received hospitably as though some unknown guest, on the next day he sent a messenger to Baithéne, wishing to have speech with him face to face. And Baithéne, being affable as he was, and welcoming to strangers, ordered him to be brought to him. He, being at once brought in, first, as was fitting, prostrated himself on the ground with bended knees.

And being bidden by the holy elder, he rose and, sitting down, was questioned by Baithéne—who as yet did not know him—about his people and province, his name and manner of life, and for what cause he had undertaken the labour of the voyage. He, being thus questioned, related all in order, and humbly besought to be received. To him the holy elder, having heard these things from his guest, and at the same time recognizing this to be the man of whom long ago the holy Columba had prophetically foretold, said, 'I ought indeed to give thanks to my God at your coming, my son; but know this without doubt, that you shall not be our monk.' Hearing this, the guest, greatly saddened, began, 'Perhaps I, being unworthy, do not deserve to become your monk.' The elder thereupon said:

'I did not say this because, as you suppose, you are unworthy; but although I would have preferred to keep you with me, yet I cannot profane the command of the holy Columba, my predecessor, through whom the Holy Spirit prophesied concerning you. For on a certain day he spoke to me alone, apart, and thus declaring with prophetic lips, among other things, said: "O Baithéne, you ought to listen more attentively to these my words."'

'For immediately after my passage from this world to Christ—a passage awaited and greatly longed for—a certain brother from Ireland, who now, well governing his youthful age with good morals, is being sufficiently imbued with the studies of sacred reading, by name Fintan, of the people of Mocumoie, whose father is called Tailchán, coming to you, I say, will humbly entreat that you receive him and number him among the other monks. But this has not been predestined for him in God's foreknowledge, that he should become the monk of any abbot; but rather that he should be abbot of monks and leader of souls to the heavenly kingdom, having been long ago chosen by God. Therefore you shall not wish to keep this man here among these our islands, lest you be seen to go against the will of God:'

'but, making known to him these words, you shall send him back in peace to Ireland, that in the parts of the Leinstermen bordering on the sea he may build a monastery, and there, pasturing the flock of Christ's sheep, may lead countless souls to the heavenly homeland.' Hearing these things, the holy younger man, shedding tears, gave thanks to Christ, saying, 'According to the holy Columba's prophetic and wondrous foreknowledge, let it be done to me.' And in those same days, obeying the words of the saints, and receiving a blessing from Baithéne, he sailed across in peace to Ireland. These things I have learned without doubt from a certain religious old priest, a soldier of Christ, by name Osséne, son of Ernán, of the people of Mocu Neth Corb, who related them:

who testified that he himself had heard these same aforementioned words from the mouth of the holy Fintan, son of Tailchán, being his monk. Chapter 3: Concerning the prophecy of Columba about Ernéne, son of Crasén. At another time the blessed man, founding by divine bidding a monastery in the inland part of Ireland, which in the Irish tongue is called Dair-mag, and tarrying there some months, was minded in spirit to visit the brethren who were dwelling in the monastery of holy Ciarán at Clonmacnoise. And when his arrival was heard, all from every side, gathered from the little fields near the monastery, together with those who were found there, with all eagerness following their abbot Ailither, went forth from the rampart of the monastery, all of one mind, to meet the holy Columba as though an angel of the Lord;

and with faces humbled to the ground, when he was seen, he was kissed by them with all reverence; and resounding with hymns and praises, they conducted him honourably to the church. And they joined together a kind of canopy of wooden poles around the saint as he walked, and caused it to be borne by four men walking abreast: namely, lest the holy elder Columba should be troubled by the press of that multitude of brethren. At that same hour a certain boy, very despicable in face and dress, a household servant, and not yet pleasing to the elders, came up behind, hiding himself as much as he could, that he might secretly touch even the hem of the cloak with which the blessed man was clothed, and if it could be done, without his knowing or feeling it.

But this nevertheless was not hidden from the Saint; for what he could not see with bodily eyes being done behind him, he discerned with spiritual eyes. Wherefore he suddenly stopped, and stretching out his hand behind him, he held the boy's neck, and drawing him, set him before his face. And when all who were standing about there said, 'Let him go, let him go! why do you hold this wretched and offensive boy?', the Saint on the contrary uttered these prophetic words with pure heart: 'Let him be, brethren, let him be now.' And to the boy, who was greatly trembling, he said, 'O son, open your mouth and put out your tongue.' Then the boy, being bidden, opening his mouth with great trembling, put out his tongue;

which the Saint, stretching out his holy hand, diligently blessing, thus prophetically declared, saying, 'This boy, though he now seems to you contemptible and very base, let no one despise him on that account. For from this hour he will not only not displease you, but will greatly please you; and in good morals and virtues of soul he will grow little by little from day to day: in wisdom too and prudence he will increase more and more in himself from this day, and in this your congregation he is to be a great advancement; his tongue also will be endowed by God with wholesome doctrine and eloquence.' This was Ernéne, son of Crasén, afterwards famous and very well known throughout all the churches of Ireland;

who had related all these words written above, as prophesied about himself, to abbot Ségéne, while my predecessor Failbe attentively listened, who was himself present together with Ségéne; by whose disclosure I myself also came to know these very things which I have related. But also in those same days in which the Saint was a guest in the monastery of Clonmacnoise, he prophesied many other things by the revealing of the Holy Spirit; that is, concerning that discord which after many days arose among the churches of Ireland on account of the diversity of the Paschal feast; and concerning certain angelic frequentings made manifest to him, by which certain places within the enclosures of that same monastery were at that time frequented by angels. Chapter 4:

Concerning the coming of holy Cainnech the abbot, which the holy Columba prophetically foretold. At another time, when in the island of Iona, on a day of roaring tempest and intolerable greatness of the waves, the Saint, sitting in the house and instructing the brethren, said, 'Make ready quickly a guest-lodging, and draw water to wash the feet of guests.' Then a certain one of them, a brother, replied, 'Who,' said he, 'on this day so windy and exceedingly dangerous, can prosperously sail across the strait, however short it be?' Hearing this, the Saint thus declared: 'To a certain holy and chosen man, who will come to us before evening, the Almighty has granted a calm, even in the midst of the tempest.'

And behold, on that same day the ship awaited for some time by the brethren, in which the holy Cainnech was, arrived according to the Saint's prophecy. The Saint came to meet him with the brethren, and he was received by him honourably and hospitably. And those sailors who were with Cainnech, being questioned by the brethren about the quality of the voyage, related it just as the holy Columba had foretold beforehand—both tempest and calm alike, by God's gift, on that same sea and at those same hours, by a marvellous division; and they declared that they had not felt the tempest, though they had seen it from afar. Chapter 5:

Concerning the peril of the holy bishop Colmán, of the Mocusailni, at sea near the island which is called Rechru. On another day likewise the holy Columba, abiding in his mother-church, suddenly broke into this utterance with a smile, saying: 'Columbán, son of Beognae, beginning to sail across to us, is now in grave peril amid the surging eddies of Brecan's Charybdis; and sitting in the prow, he lifts both palms to heaven; he blesses also the troubled and so fearsome sea: yet the Lord so terrifies him, not that the ship in which he himself sits may be overwhelmed by the waves in shipwreck, but rather that he may be roused to pray more earnestly, that, God being favourable, he may reach us after passing through the peril.' Chapter 6:

Concerning Cormac. At another time also, concerning Cormac, grandson of Lethan, a man assuredly holy, who not fewer than three times laboriously sought a desert hermitage in the ocean, yet did not find it, the holy Columba thus prophesying said: 'Today again Cormac, desiring to find a desert place, begins to sail away from that region which, situated beyond the river Moda, is called Eirros Domno; nor yet even this time will he find what he seeks; and that for no other fault of his than that he has taken aboard for the voyage, as a fellow-traveller, the monk of a certain religious abbot, departing without that abbot's permission, not rightly accompanying him.' Chapter 7:

Concerning the blessed man's prophecy of the din of battles fought far away. After the battle of Cúl Drebene, as it has been handed down to us, two years having passed, at which time the blessed man first sailed away from Ireland to go into pilgrimage, on a certain day—that is, at the very hour at which the battle was fought in Ireland which in the Irish tongue is called Ondemone—the same man of God, sojourning in Britain in the presence of king Conall, son of Comgall, related everything in full, both concerning the battle that had been fought, and also concerning those kings to whom the Lord granted victory over their enemies: whose proper names were Ainmuire, son of Sétne, and the two sons of Mac Erca, Domnall and Forcus.

But also concerning the king of the Cruithni, who was called Echoid Laib, in what manner, being defeated, he escaped sitting in his chariot, the Saint likewise prophesied. Concerning the battle of the Miathi. At another time—that is, after the passing of many years from the battle mentioned above—when the holy man was in the island of Iona, suddenly he said to his attendant Diarmait, 'Strike the bell.' At its sound the brethren, roused, ran quickly to the church, the holy prelate himself going before. To whom there, with bended knees, he said, 'Now let us pray to the Lord earnestly for this people and for king Áedán; for at this very hour they are entering battle.' And after a little interval, going out of the oratory, looking up to heaven he said, 'Now the barbarians are turned to flight;'

and victory, however unhappy, was nevertheless granted to Áedán. But also concerning the number of those slain from Áedán's army, three hundred and three men, the blessed man prophetically related. Chapter 8: The holy Columba's prophecy concerning the sons of king Áedán. At another time, before the aforesaid battle, the Saint asked king Áedán about the successor of his kingdom. When he answered that he did not know which of his three sons would reign—Artúr, or Echoid Find, or Domangart—the Saint thereupon declared in this manner: 'None of these three will be ruler; for they will fall in battles, slain by enemies: but now, if you have other younger sons, let them come to me, and the one whom the Lord shall choose as king will suddenly rush upon my bosom.'

When they had been summoned, according to the Saint's word, Echoid Buide, coming, reclined in his bosom. And immediately the Saint, having kissed him, blessed him, and said to his father, 'This is the survivor, and the king who will reign after you, and his sons will reign after him.' Thus afterward all things, in their times, were fully fulfilled. For Artúr and Echoid Find, after no long interval of time, were slain in the battle of the Miathi mentioned above. But Domangart was killed in a deadly slaughter in battle in Saxon land: while Echoid Buide succeeded to the kingdom after his father. Concerning Domnall, son of Áed. Domnall, son of Áed, while still a boy, was brought by his guardians to the holy Columba at Dorso Cete:

whom, gazing upon, he asked, saying, 'Whose son is this whom you have brought?' When they answered, 'This is Domnall, son of Áed, who has therefore been brought to you, that he may return enriched with your blessing,' the Saint, when he had blessed him, immediately said, 'This boy will be the survivor over all his brothers, and a very famous king; nor will he ever be delivered into the hands of his enemies, but by a peaceful death, in old age, and within his own house, in the presence of a throng of friends and kinsfolk, he will die upon his own bed.' All which things were truly fulfilled concerning him according to the prophecy of the blessed man.

Concerning Scandlán, son of Colmán. At that same time the Saint, and in the same place, went to Scandlán, son of Colmán, who was held in chains in the keeping of king Áed, desiring to visit him; and when he had blessed him, comforting him he said, 'Son, do not be saddened, but rather rejoice and take comfort: for king Áed, by whom you are held bound, will go before you out of this world; and, after some times of exile, you will reign as king for thirty years among your people. And again you will be driven from the kingdom, and for some days you will be in exile; after which, recalled by the people, you will reign for three brief times.' All which things were fully accomplished according to the prophecy of the Saint. For after thirty years, having been expelled from the kingdom, he was in exile for some space of time:

but afterward, recalled by the people, he reigned not, as he supposed, for three years, but for three months; after which he immediately died. Concerning two other rulers, who were called the two grandsons of Muiredach, Baitán son of Mac Erca and Echoid son of Domnall: the prophesying of the blessed man. At another time, making a journey through a rough and rocky region which is called Ardd-amuirchol, and hearing his companions—namely Laisrán, son of Feradach, and Diarmait the attendant—conversing on the way about the two aforementioned kings, he uttered these words to them: 'O little sons, why do you converse so vainly about these matters? for both those kings of whom you now speak have lately, being beheaded by their enemies, perished.'

'On this very day also some sailors arriving from Ireland will report these same things to you concerning those kings.' And the venerable man's prophecy was fulfilled, when on that same day seafarers from Ireland, coming to the place which is called Muirbolc Paradisi, reported the same things concerning those slain kings to his two companions written above, who were sailing in the same ship with the Saint. Concerning Áengus, son of Áed Commán: the holy man's prophecy. For this man, driven out from his homeland with two other brothers, came as an exile to the Saint sojourning in Britain; and to him, blessing him, the holy man uttered these words from his breast, prophesying about him: 'This young man, remaining as survivor when his other brothers are dead, will reign in his homeland for a long time;'

'and his enemies will fall before him; nor yet will he himself ever be delivered into the hands of enemies; but by a peaceful death, as an old man, he will die among friends.' All which things were fully fulfilled according to the Saint's word. This is the Áengus whose surname is Bronbachal. The prophecy of the blessed man concerning the son of king Diarmait, who was named in the Irish tongue Áed Sláine. At another time, when the blessed man tarried in Ireland for some days, to the aforesaid Áed, coming to him, he thus prophetically speaking said, 'You ought to take heed, son, lest you lose the prerogative of the monarchy over the whole kingdom of Ireland, predestined to you by God, through committing the sin of parricide:'

'for if ever you commit it, you will enjoy not the whole kingdom of your father, but some part of it among your people, for a brief time.' Which words of the Saint were thus fulfilled according to his prophecy. For after Suibne, son of Colmán, was slain by him through guile, he possessed a granted portion of the kingdom for no more, as is reported, than four years and three months. Concerning king Rhydderch, son of Tothal, who reigned at Petra Cloithe (the Rock of Clyde): the blessed man's prophecy. At another time likewise this man, being the holy man's friend, sent some secret embassy to him by Luigbe Mocumin, wishing to know whether he was to be slain by his enemies or not.

But Luigbe, being questioned by the Saint about that same king, and his kingdom, and his people, answering as if in pity, said, 'Why do you inquire about that wretched man, who can in no way know at what hour he may be slain by his enemies?' Then the Saint thereupon declared, 'He will never be delivered into the hands of enemies, but will die in his own house, upon a little feather pillow.' Which prophecy of the Saint concerning king Rhydderch was fully accomplished: for according to his word he died in his own house by a peaceful death. Chapter 9: Concerning two boys, one of whom, according to the Saint's word, died at the end of the week: the Saint's prophecy. At another time two certain common men came to the Saint dwelling in the island of Iona;

one of whom, Meldán by name, asked the Saint about his son who was present, what was to befall him. To him the Saint thus declared, 'Is not today the Sabbath day? Your son will die on Friday, at the end of the week, and on the eighth day, that is, on the Sabbath, he will be buried here.' The other common man accordingly, Glasderc by name, also asking likewise about his son whom he had there with him, hears such an answer from the Saint: 'Your son Ernán will see his grandsons, and will be buried in this island as an old man.' All which things, according to the Saint's word, concerning both boys were fully accomplished in their own times. Chapter 10: Concerning Colcu, son of Áed Draignech, sprung from the grandsons of Fechreg;

And concerning a certain hidden sin of his mother: the Saint's prophecy. At another time, the Saint asked the aforementioned Colcu, dwelling with him in the island of Iona, about his mother, whether she was religious or not. To him he himself, replying, said, 'I have known my mother to be well-mannered and of good repute.' The Saint then thus prophetically declared, 'Soon, God willing, when you have set out for Ireland, question your mother more diligently about a certain very grave hidden sin of hers, which she is unwilling to confess to any man.' He, hearing these things, obeying, departed to Ireland.

Accordingly the mother, being diligently questioned by him, although at first denying it, nevertheless confessed her sin, and according to the Saint's judgment, doing penance, she was healed, and greatly marvelled that what had been made manifest to the Saint concerning her. Chapter 11: But Colcu, having returned to the Saint, and having stayed with him for some days, asking about the end of his own time, hears this answer from the Saint: 'In your homeland which you love, you will be the head of some church for many years; and if perchance at any time you should see your cupbearer playing at the feast of friends, and whirling round the ladle by its neck in a circle, know that you are soon, within a short time, to die.' What more?

This same prophecy of the blessed man was thus fulfilled in every respect, just as it had been prophesied concerning the same Colcu. Chapter 12: Concerning Laisrán the gardener, a holy man. The blessed man on a certain day commanded a certain one of his monks, by name Trénán, of the people of Mocuruntir, to go out as an envoy to Ireland. He, obeying the command of the man of God, hastily prepared for the voyage; and he complained before the Saint that he lacked one sailor for himself. The Saint accordingly, answering him, uttered these words from his holy breast, saying, 'The sailor whom you say has not yet been supplied to you, I cannot now find. Go in peace: until you reach Ireland you will have prosperous and favourable winds.'

'And you will see a certain man coming to meet you from afar, who first before the rest will hold the prow of your ship in Ireland; this man will be the companion of your journey for some days in Ireland; and from there, as you return, he will accompany you all the way to us, a man chosen by God, who in this my monastery for all the remaining time will live well.' What more? Trénán, receiving a blessing from the Saint, with full sails crossed all the seas: and behold, as the little ship was approaching the harbour, Laisrán Mocumoie, swifter than the rest, ran to meet it and held the prow. The sailors recognized him to be the one of whom the Saint had foretold. Chapter 13:

Concerning a great whale, how the Saint, foreknowing, had spoken. On a certain day, when the venerable man was tarrying in the island of Iona, a certain brother, Berach by name, proposing to sail to the island of Tiree, coming to the Saint in the morning, asked to be blessed by him. The Saint, gazing upon him, said, 'O son, today take heed earnestly that you do not try to cross over the broader sea to the land of Tiree by a straight course; but rather, going round about, sail past the smaller islands; lest indeed, terrified by some monstrous portent, you can scarcely escape from there.' He, having received the blessing from the Saint, departed, and boarding the ship, as if making light of the Saint's word, crossed over;

crossing accordingly the greater spaces of the Tiree sea, he himself and the sailors who were there see, and behold, a whale of marvellous and immense size, raising itself like a mountain, opened a mouth wide gaping and full of teeth, swimming on the surface. Then accordingly the rowers, lowering the sail, greatly terrified, turning back, scarcely could escape that surge that arose from the beast's movement, and recognizing the Saint's prophetic word, they marvelled. On that same day too the Saint, to Baithéne, who was to sail to the aforementioned island, in the morning made known concerning the same whale, saying, 'This past midnight, a great whale lifted itself up from the depth of the sea, and between the islands of Iona and Tiree today it will raise itself onto the surface of the deep.'

To whom Baithéne, answering, said, 'I and that beast are under the power of God.' The Saint said, 'Go in peace; your faith in Christ will defend you from this peril.' Then Baithéne, having received the blessing from the Saint, sailed away from the harbour: and having passed over no small stretches of sea, he and his companions catch sight of the whale; and while all were terrified, he alone, with both hands raised, blessed the sea and the whale, undaunted. And at that same moment the great beast, plunging itself beneath the waves, nowhere thereafter appeared to them. Chapter 14:

Concerning a certain Baitán, who with others seeking a great desert place had sailed away: the holy man's prophecy. At another time a certain Baitán, of the people of Nepos Niath Taloirc, sought to be blessed by the Saint, being about to seek a desert hermitage at sea with others. To him, bidding farewell, the Saint uttered this prophetic word concerning him, 'This man, who is setting out to seek a desert place in the ocean, will not lie buried in a desert; but he will be buried in that place where a woman will drive sheep across his grave.' This same Baitán accordingly, after long circuits over windy seas, not finding the hermitage, returned to his homeland, and there for many years remained the master of a certain little cell, which in the Irish tongue is called Lathreginden.

And in those same days it came to pass, in which—after he had died some time later—he was buried at Roboretum Calgachi (Derry, the Oak-wood of Calgach), that on account of an inroad of hostility a neighbouring little band of common folk with women and children fled to the church of that same place. Whence it happened that on a certain day a certain woman was caught, who was driving her little sheep across the grave of that man lately buried. And one of those who had seen it, a holy priest, said, 'Now the prophecy of the holy Columba is fulfilled, divulged to many years before.' This aforementioned presbyter, who indeed related to me these things concerning Baitán, was by name Mailodrán, a soldier of Christ, of the people of Mocurin. Chapter 15:

Concerning a certain Némán, a feigned penitent: the holy man's prophesying. At another time the Saint came to the island of Hinba, and on that same day he gave orders that some comfort of food should be granted even to the penitents. Now there was there among the penitents a certain Némán, son of Cathir, who, being bidden by the Saint, refused to accept the small comfort offered. Whom the Saint addressed with these words, 'O Némán, do you not accept some indulgence of refreshment granted by me and Baithéne? There will be a time when you, together with thieves, will furtively eat the flesh of a mare in the wood.' This same man accordingly, afterward returning to the world, eating such flesh in a thicket with thieves, was found, according to the Saint's word, taking it from a wooden grid-iron. Chapter 16:

Concerning a certain wretched man who slept with his own mother. At another time the Saint roused the brethren in the dead of night, and to them, gathered in the church, he said, 'Now let us pray to the Lord more earnestly; for at this very hour some unheard-of sin has been perpetrated in the world, for which a most fearful judicial vengeance is to be dreaded.' Concerning which sin, on the next day, when some few inquired, he made known, saying, 'After a few months that wretched little man will come to the island of Iona, with Luigaid not knowing of it.'

On another day accordingly the Saint, after some months had intervened, commanding, said to Diarmait, 'Rise quickly; behold, Luigaid is approaching; and tell him that the wretched man whom he has with him in the ship he should drive off to the island of Mull, lest he tread upon the turf of this island.' He, obeying the Saint's command, went to the sea. And to Luigaid as he was arriving he related all the Saint's words concerning the wretched man. When he heard these things, that wretched one swore that he would never take food with the others unless he first saw the holy Columba and spoke with him. Which words of the wretched man Diarmait, returning to the Saint, reported.

When these things were learned, the Saint went to the harbour, and to Baithéne—who, bringing forward testimonies of holy Scripture, was suggesting that the wretched man's penitence should be received—the Saint accordingly said, 'O Baithéne, this man has committed fratricide after the manner of Cain, and has committed adultery with his own mother.' Then thereupon the wretched man, on the shore with bended knees, promised that he would fulfil the laws of penance, according to the Saint's judgment. To whom the Saint said, 'If for twelve years among the Britons you will do penance with weeping and tears, and will not return to Ireland until your death, perhaps God may pardon your sin.' Saying these things, the Saint, turning to his own people, said, 'This man is a son of perdition, who will not fulfil the penance which he has promised;'

But he will soon return to Scotia, and there, within a short time, he will perish, doomed to be slain by his enemies. All these things came to pass exactly according to the Saint's prophecy: for the wretched man, returning in those same days to Hibernia, in the region called Lea, falling into the hands of his enemies, was butchered. This man was of the descendants of Turtre. Chapter 17: Concerning a Certain Vowel-Letter 'I'. One day Baithene, coming to the Saint, said, 'I have need that one of the brethren go through with me the Psalter that I have written and correct it.' Hearing this, the Saint spoke thus: 'Why do you bring this trouble upon us without cause? For in this Psalter of yours of which you speak, not one superfluous letter will be found, nor any other lacking, except the vowel I, which alone is missing.'

And so, when the whole Psalter had been read through, it was found upon examination to be just as the Saint had foretold. Chapter 18: Concerning the Book that Fell into a Water-Vessel as the Saint had Foretold. On another day likewise, as he sat by the fire in the monastery, he saw Lugbe, of the people of the Moccu-Min, reading a book at a distance, and suddenly said to him, 'Beware, my son, beware; for I judge that the book you are reading is about to fall into a vessel full of water.' This soon came to pass exactly so: for that aforementioned young man, after some brief interval, rising up to some service in the monastery, forgetful of the holy man's word, the little book, which he had carelessly tucked under his arm, suddenly fell into a water-jar filled with water. Chapter 19:

Concerning the Ink-Horn Vainly Spilled. On yet another of these days a shout was raised across the strait of the island of Iona; and the Saint, sitting in his little hut supported on planks, hearing the shout, said, 'The man who shouts across the strait is not of subtle wit, for today, in tipping it over, he will spill my ink-horn.' His attendant Diormit, hearing this word of his, stood for a little while before the door, awaiting the troublesome guest who was to come, that he might protect the ink-horn. But soon some other matter calling him away, he withdrew from there; and after his withdrawal the troublesome guest arrived, and reaching out to kiss the Saint, with the edge of his garment he tipped over and spilled the ink-horn. Chapter 20:

Concerning the Arrival of a Certain Guest whom the Saint Foretold. At another time likewise the Saint, on the third day of the week, spoke thus to the brethren: 'Tomorrow, on the fourth day, we propose to fast; but nevertheless, a certain troublesome guest arriving, the customary fast will be broken.' This happened just as had been shown to the Saint: for in the morning of that same fourth day, another stranger shouted from across the strait, Aidan by name, son of Fergno, who, as is reported, served Brendan Moccu-Alti for twelve years; a man exceedingly devout, who, on his arrival, according to the Saint's word, broke the fast of that same day. Chapter 21:

Concerning a Certain Man who was Shouting from Across the Aforesaid Strait. On a certain day too, hearing a man shouting from across the strait, the Saint spoke in this manner: 'Greatly to be pitied is that man who shouts, who, intending to ask for something pertaining to bodily remedies, is coming to us; for whom it would have been more fitting today to perform true penitence for his sins; for he will die at the end of this week.' Those who were present made this word known to the wretched man as he arrived. But he, making little of it, having received what he had asked for, departed in haste; and, according to the Saint's prophetic word, before the end of that same week he was dead. Chapter 22:

The Holy Man's Prophecy Concerning a City under Roman Law Burnt by Sulphurous Fire Falling from Heaven. At yet another time, Lugbe of the people of the Moccu-Min, of whom we made mention above, coming one day to the Saint after the threshing of the crops, was in no way able to look upon his face, which was suffused with a wondrous redness; and being greatly terrified he quickly fled away. The Saint, clapping his hands together a little, called him back. He, returning, being at once asked by the Saint why he had fled away so swiftly, gave this answer: 'I fled because I was too greatly terrified.' And after some little interval, acting with more confidence, he dared to ask the Saint, saying, 'Was there not in this hour some terrible vision shown to you?' To him the Saint gave this reply:

'So terrible a vengeance has now been carried out in a remote part of the world.' 'What sort of vengeance,' said the young man, 'and in what region was it done?' The Saint then spoke thus: 'A sulphurous flame from heaven has at this hour been poured out upon a city under Roman law, situated within the bounds of Italy; and nearly three thousand men, apart from the number of women and children, have perished. And before the present year is ended, Gaulish sailors, coming from the provinces of Gaul, will relate these very things to you.' These words, after some months, were proved to have been true.

For the same Lugbe, journeying together with the holy man to the Headland of the Region, questioning the shipmaster and sailors of an arriving vessel, heard from them all those things concerning the city and its citizens related exactly as they had been foretold by the worthy man. Chapter 23: The Vision of the Blessed Man Concerning Laisran Son of Feradach. On a certain wintry and very cold day the Saint, afflicted with great sorrow, wept. His attendant Diormit, asking him the cause of his sadness, received this answer from him: 'Not without reason, O little son, do I grieve at this hour, seeing my monks, whom Laisran is now wearying, fatigued with grievous labour, in the building of some larger house; which greatly displeases me.' Wonderful to relate!

At that very moment of the hour Laisran, dwelling in the monastery of Durrow (the Plain of the Oaks), as if somehow compelled, and as though kindled within by some fire, ordered the monks to cease from their labour, and that some comforting refreshment of food be prepared; and that not only on that same day should they take rest, but also on the other days of harsh weather should they repose. These words of comfort to the brethren, spoken by Laisran, the Saint hearing in the spirit, ceased to weep, and being marvellously gladdened, himself dwelling on the island of Iona, related the whole matter to the brethren who were then present, and blessed Laisran as the comforter of the monks. Chapter 24:

Concerning Fiachna the Wise, How as a Penitent He Came to Saint Columba, Having Been Foretold by Him. At another time the Saint, sitting on the summit of the mountain which towers at a distance above this our monastery, turning to his attendant Diormit, spoke, saying, 'I wonder why a certain ship from Scotia is approaching rather slowly, which is bringing a certain wise man, who, having lapsed into some misdeed, bearing tearful penitence, will soon arrive.' After this, not long afterward, the attendant, looking toward the south, saw the sail of a ship approaching the harbour. When he pointed it out to the Saint as it arrived, he rose quickly, saying, 'Let us go to meet the stranger, whose true penitence Christ receives.'

And indeed Fiachna, descending from the ship, came to meet the Saint as he arrived at the harbour; with weeping and lamentation, kneeling before his feet on bended knees, he groaned most bitterly, and in the presence of all who were there confessed his sins. The Saint then, weeping together with him, said to him, 'Rise, son, and be comforted; the sins which you have committed are forgiven; for, as it is written, A contrite and humbled heart God does not despise.' He, rising up, gladly received by the Saint, was after some days sent on to Baithene, who was at that time prior dwelling in the Plain of Long, departing in peace. Chapter 25:

The Holy Man's Prophecy Concerning Cailtan His Monk. At another time, sending two monks to another of his monks, named Cailtan, who at that time was prior in the cell which even today is called by the name of his brother Diun, lying near the lake of the river Aba, the Saint by these same messengers committed these words: 'Going quickly to Cailtan, make haste, and tell him to come to me without any delay.' They, obeying the Saint's word, going out and reaching the cell of Diun, made known to Cailtan the nature of their little errand. He, at that same hour, in no way delaying, following the Saint's messengers, as their companion on the journey, swiftly reached him as he dwelt on the island of Iona.

When he saw him, the Saint thus addressed him, speaking to him with these words: 'O Cailtan, you have done well in hastening to me obediently: rest a little while. For this reason I sent to invite you, loving you as a friend, that here with me in true obedience you might finish the course of your life. For before the end of this week you will pass to the Lord in peace.' Hearing these things, giving thanks to God, and weeping as he kissed the Saint, having received a blessing from him, he went to the guest-house: and that same night following, falling sick, according to the Saint's word, in that same week he passed to Christ the Lord. Chapter 26: The Holy Man's Foreseeing Prophecy Concerning Two Pilgrim Brothers. On a certain Lord's day a shout was raised from across the oft-mentioned strait.

Hearing the shout, the Saint said to the brethren who were there, 'Go quickly, and bring to us at once the pilgrims who are coming from a far-off region.' They, immediately obeying, crossing the strait, brought the guests: whom the Saint, having kissed, then questioned about the reason for their journey. They, answering, said, 'We have come that we might sojourn with you for this very year also.' To them the Saint gave this reply: 'With me, as you say, you will not be able to sojourn for the space of one year, unless you first promise the monastic vow.' At which those who were present greatly marvelled that this should be said to guests arriving at that very hour.

To these words of the Saint the elder brother, answering, said, 'Although until this very hour we have in no way held this purpose in mind, nevertheless we will follow your counsel, which, as we believe, is divinely inspired.' What more? At that same moment of the hour, entering the oratory with the Saint, devoutly, on bended knees, they vowed the monastic vow. The Saint then thereupon, turning to the brethren, said, 'These two strangers, presenting themselves as a living sacrifice to God, and within a short time completing the long seasons of Christian warfare, will soon, in this very month, pass to Christ the Lord in peace.' Hearing these things, both brothers, giving thanks to God, were led to the guest-house:

and after an interval of seven days, the elder brother began to sicken, and, that same week being completed, departed to the Lord. Likewise the other, after seven more days falling sick, at the end of that same week, happily passed to the Lord. And so, according to the Saint's truthful prophecy, within the limit of that same month, both ended the present life. Chapter 27: The Holy Man's Prophecy Concerning a Certain Artbranan. When the blessed man was tarrying for several days on the island of Skye, striking with his staff a piece of ground near the sea at some spot, he said thus to his companions, 'Wonderful to relate, O little sons! Today on this piece of ground of this place a certain heathen old man, keeping the natural good throughout his whole life, will both be baptized, and die, and be buried.'

And behold, as if after the interval of one hour, a little boat came up to that same harbour; and in its prow there was carried a certain decrepit old man, the chief of the cohort of Geona, whom two young men, lifting up from the boat, set down before the sight of the blessed man. He at once, having received the word of God from the Saint through an interpreter, and believing, was baptized by him; and after the rites of baptism were completed, just as the Saint had prophesied, in that same place he consequently died, and there his companions, having heaped up a cairn of stones, buried him. He is even today discerned on the sea-shore; and the river of that same place in which he had received that baptism is, from his name, called Dobur Artbranani to the present day, and is so named by the inhabitants. Chapter 28:

Concerning a Little Boat Moved by the Saint's Command. At another time, journeying across the Spine of Britain, having found a little village amid the deserts with its little fields, and there beside the edge of a brook entering a pool, the Saint, making his lodging, while they slept that night, having tasted half-sleep, roused his companions, saying, 'Now, now, going out of doors more quickly, bring here at once the little boat which you placed in the house across the brook, and set it in the nearer little dwelling.' They, immediately obeying, did just as had been commanded them;

and when they had again settled to rest, the Saint, after a certain interval, silently nudged Diormit, saying, 'Now, standing outside the house, look at what is happening in that village where you earlier placed your little boat.' He, obeying the Saint's command, went out of the house, and looking back saw the whole village being consumed by an advancing flame. Returning to the Saint, he reported what was happening there. The Saint thereupon told the brethren about a certain envious persecutor who had set fire to those houses that same night. Chapter 29:

Concerning Gallan Son of Fachtna, who was in the Diocese of Colcu Son of Cellach. On a certain day likewise the Saint, sitting in his little hut, prophesying to Colcu, who was reading beside him, said, 'Now demons are carrying off to the lower regions one tenacious chief from among those set over your diocese.' But indeed, Colcu hearing this, writing down the time and the hour on a tablet, after some months returning to his homeland, learned, having inquired of the inhabitants of that region, that Gallan son of Fachtna had died at that same moment of the hour, at which the blessed man had related that he was carried off by demons.

The Blessed Man's Prophecy Concerning Findchan the Presbyter, Founder of that Monastery which in Scottish is called Artchain, in the Land of Tiree. At another time the aforementioned presbyter Findchan, a soldier of Christ, brought with him from Scotia to Britain, under the habit of the clerical state, Aid surnamed the Black, sprung of royal lineage, of the Cruithni people, that for some years he might live as a pilgrim with him in his monastery. This Aid the Black was indeed a very bloodthirsty man and had been the slaughterer of many; he had also slain Diormit son of Cerball, ruler of all Scotia, ordained by God's authority.

And so this same Aid, after some time spent in his pilgrimage, a bishop having been summoned, although not rightly, was ordained presbyter at the house of the aforesaid Findchan. The bishop, however, did not dare to lay his hand upon his head, unless first that same Findchan, loving Aid carnally, should lay his right hand upon his head for confirmation. When such an ordination was afterward made known to the holy man, he took it ill:

then thereupon he uttered this fearful sentence concerning that Findchan and concerning the ordained Aid, saying, 'That right hand which Findchan, against divine and ecclesiastical law, laid upon the head of the son of perdition, shall soon rot away, and after great torments of pain shall go before him into the earth to be buried; and he himself, after his hand has been buried, shall live on as survivor for many years. But Aid, ordained unworthily, like a dog, shall return to his own vomit, and shall himself again be a bloody slaughterer, and at the last, his throat pierced by a spear, falling from wood into water, shall die drowned. Such an end of life did he deserve long before, who slew the king of all Scotia.'

This prophecy of the blessed man concerning both was fulfilled; for the right hand of the presbyter Findchan, rotting away by the fist, went before him into the earth, buried on that island which is called Ommon: but he himself, according to the word of Saint Columba, lived on for many years afterward. Aid the Black, however, a presbyter only in name, returning to his former crimes, treacherously pierced by a spear, falling from the prow of a ship of tin into the water, perished.

Concerning a Certain Consolation of the Spirit Sent by the Saint to His Monks Toiling on the Way. Among these worthy-of-mention prophecies of the prophetic spirit, it does not seem out of place also to commemorate in our little writings a certain spiritual consolation, which the monks of Saint Columba at one time perceived, his spirit meeting them on the way. For at another time, the brethren, after the labours of harvesting, returning in the evening to the monastery, and reaching that place which in Scottish is called Cuuleilne, which place is said to be midway between the western little plain of the island of Iona and our monastery, each one seemed to perceive within himself something wonderful and unaccustomed: which nevertheless none dared in any way to disclose to another.

And so for several days in that same place, and at that same evening hour, they perceived it. Now in those same days holy Baithene was among them the dispenser of the work, who on another day thus spoke to them, saying, 'Now, brethren, each of you ought to confess if in this middle place between the harvest and the monastery you perceive some unaccustomed and unexpected marvel.' Then one of them, an elder, said, 'According to your command, I will tell what has been shown to me in this place; for both in these days now passing, and even now, I perceive a certain fragrance of wondrous odour as if of all flowers gathered into one; a certain heat too as if of fire, not penal, but in a manner sweet:

but also a certain unaccustomed and incomparable gladness poured into my heart, which suddenly and marvellously consoles me, and gladdens me to such a degree that I can remember no sorrow, no labour. Moreover the burden which, though heavy, I carry on my back, from this place until one comes to the monastery, is, I know not how, so lightened that I do not feel myself burdened.' What more? Thus all those harvest-labourers professed of themselves, one by one, that they had perceived through all things just as one of them had related openly, and each of them together, on bended knees, asked of holy Baithene that he would take care to make known to them the cause and origin of that same wondrous consolation, which he too, just as the rest, perceived, though they did not know it.

To them he consequently gave this answer, saying, 'You know that our elder Columba anxiously thinks about us, and bears it ill that we are coming to him rather slowly, mindful of our labour, and therefore, because he does not come bodily to meet us, his spirit meets our steps, which, consoling us in such a way, gladdens us.' Hearing these words, kneeling down, with great rejoicing, with hands stretched out to heaven, they venerate Christ in the holy and blessed man. But this too we ought not to keep silent, which has been handed down without doubt by certain who were eyewitnesses concerning the voice of the blessed man in psalmody.

That voice, namely, of the venerable man chanting in the church with the brethren, was sometimes heard raised in an incomparable manner over four furlongs, that is, five hundred paces, and sometimes over eight, that is, a thousand paces. Wonderful to relate! Yet in the ears of those who stood with him in the church his voice did not exceed the measure of a human voice in loudness of cry. But nevertheless at that same hour those who stood at a distance of more than a thousand paces so clearly heard that same voice, that they could even distinguish through their several syllables the very verses which he sang: for his voice sounded alike in the ears of those hearing near and far. But this miracle concerning the voice of the blessed man is proved to have happened not always, but rarely;

which nevertheless could in no way have come to pass without the grace of the Divine Spirit. But neither must that be left unspoken which is reported to have happened at one time concerning such an incomparable raising of his voice near the fortress of King Brude. For the Saint himself, with a few brethren, outside the king's fortress, while he was celebrating the evening praises of God according to custom, certain Magi, drawing nearer to them, tried as far as they could to prevent the sound of the divine praise from their mouths being heard among the Gentile peoples.

On learning this the Saint began to chant the forty-fourth psalm, and in a marvellous manner his voice was at that moment raised in the air like some terrible thunder, so that both the king and the people were stricken with intolerable terror. Chapter 30: Concerning a Certain Rich Man who was Called Lugaid the Lame. At another time, when the Saint was tarrying for several days in Scotia, seeing another cleric seated in a chariot, who was joyfully travelling through the Plain of Brega; first inquiring concerning him who he might be, he received this answer concerning him from that man's friends, 'This is Lugaid the Lame, a rich man and honoured among the people.' The Saint, replying accordingly, said, 'I do not see it so;

but a wretched and poor little man, who on the day on which he will die will keep within his enclosure three heifers belonging to his neighbours in one pen, and will order one choice cow of the heifers to be slain for himself, and of its cooked flesh will ask that some portion be given to him, as he lies in the same bed with a harlot. And taking a morsel of that very portion, he will at once be strangled there and die.' All which things, as is handed down by eyewitnesses, were fulfilled according to the Saint's prophetic word. Chapter 31: The Saint's Prophecy Concerning Nemán Son of Gruthrech. For when the Saint was rebuking this man for his evils, making little of the Saint, he mocked him. To him the blessed man, replying, said, 'In the name of the Lord, Nemán, I will speak some true words concerning you.'

'Your enemies will find you lying in the same bedchamber with a harlot, and there you will be slain. Demons too will carry off your soul to the places of punishment.' This same Nemán, after some years, found in one bed with a harlot in the region of Cainle, according to the Saint's word, beheaded by his enemies, perished. Chapter 32: The Holy Man's Prophecy Concerning a Certain Presbyter. At another time the Saint, when he was staying in the aforementioned region of the Scots a little higher up, by chance on a Lord's day came to a certain neighbouring little monastery which in Scottish is called Trevet.

On that same day thereupon, hearing a certain presbyter celebrating the sacred mysteries of the Eucharist, whom the brethren who dwelt there had for that reason chosen to perform the solemnities of the Masses, because they esteemed him very devout, suddenly he uttered this fearful voice from his mouth, 'The clean and the unclean are now seen to be mingled together'—that is, the clean mysteries of the holy oblation ministered by an unclean man, who meanwhile conceals in his own conscience some great misdeed. Those who were present, hearing these things, trembling, were exceedingly amazed. But he concerning whom these words were spoken was compelled before all to confess his sin.

And the fellow-soldiers of Christ, who in the church standing around the Saint had heard him making manifest the hidden things of the heart, with great admiration glorified the divine knowledge in him. Chapter 33: The Holy Man's Prophecy Concerning Erc the Thief, of the Moccu-Druidi, who Dwelt on the Island of Colonsay. At another time the Saint, dwelling on the island of Iona, having summoned to himself two of the brethren, whose names were Lugbe and Silnan, commanding them, said, 'Now cross over to the island of Mull, and in the little plains near the sea seek out Erc the thief;