This Hymnhas been
translated
into English verse, by Mary F.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v6
xciii.
, p.
43 1.
"9 See Rev. Dr. Lanigan's Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, xi. , sect, viii. , p. 118.
21
See an account of this place, in Mr. and
" 30
Mrs. Hall's Ireland
: its
Sceneiy,
Charac-
See "Memoir of the
City
and North-
ter," &c, vol. hi. , pp. 210 to 230.
22 He ascended the throne of Ireland, A. D.
reigned twenty-seven years, to The"
western Liberties of Londonderry," Parish
of Templemore, part ii. , p. 17.
31 The — illustration of accompanying
and he
572,
according O'Flaherty. Tigernachi Annales,'' however, state that he was killed, in the nineteenth yen of his reign, and
Londonderry
so called when a L—on-
sixty-third of his age. A. D. 598. See Rev. Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum Hibernicarum
don company became the proprietors is taken from an approved view drawn on the
wood by William F. YYakenian, and en- graved by Mrs. Millard.
32 At A. n. 544, St. Mobhi Claraineach or Berchain of Glasnevin died. See Dr. O Donovan's " Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 182, 183.
Scriptores," tomus ii. , pp. 160, 161.
23 Yet, such is the O'Clery's statement, contained in Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Master's" vol. i. , pp. 178, 179. that Columb could
admits,
not have been sixteen years old, at that date ;
yet, he supposes, the place might have been
then granted to him, by the noblesse of Kinill-Connill, although the foundation can-
33 See " Trias Colgnn's
While Archdall
Thaumaturga," Quinta Vita S. Columba;, lib. i. , cap. xlviii. ,
compiled from original documents, by an not be placed before a. d. 546. See eminent Divine of the Roman Catholic
"
24 According to the " Annales Ulton'en- 35 This we collect, bom lines which are
Monasticon Hibermcum," p. 84. Church, chap, ii. , pp. 13. 14.
" Trias
Quarta Vita S. Columbae, lib. i. , cap. ii. , and
lib. ii. , cap. xxxix. , pp. 339, 359 to 361. Also, Quinta Vita S. Columbse, lib. iii. , cap. xxi. , p. 434.
at See Hy.
Colgan's
Thaumaturga,"
28 The former Catholic chapel, and thence
to the Bishop's garden is supposed to have
P- 397-
3* See "The Life of St. Colum-kille,'
June 9. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 299
Every ordinary day—Sundays and solemn Festivals excepted—Columba offered up two hundred ejaculatory prayers, and he made as many genuflexions. Hedesiredtoattainthesummitofperfection; and,therefore,fromthebegin- ning of his course, he cast away all love for the world and its concerns. He
knew, however, that a true penitential spirit was to be united with great morti fication of the body ; so that his whole life might be regarded as one con- tinual fast, while he only took a little food and drink of the most common kind to sustain nature. He abstained always from wine and generous food, satisfied with bread baked from meal, and with pure spring water. 36 It is stated, Columba divided the night-time remaining to him, after he had sung the Divine praises with the monks in choir, and had snatched a short portion of it for sleep, into three parts ; one of these was for heavenly contemplation and mental prayer; one was devoted to the recital of hymns and spiritual canticles, with frequent genuflexions and corporal flagellations ; while the remainder he spent immersed in cold water to the neck, while he recited the PsalmsofDavid. 37 DailydidhemeditateontheHolyScriptures,andoften didhepreachtothepeople,whileeverengagedonworksofcharity. Humi- lity distinguished him to such a degree, that he wished to become the servant
of all in his community; he laboured with the brethren, he would remove the sandals from the feet of his monks, after their day's toil was over, and wash them on his knees with warm water. This too he did for the guests. 38 He frequently carried sacks of meal from the mill, on his own shoulders, and brought them to the kitchen of the monastery. 3 ^ His integrity of body and purity of soul were always preserved unblemished ; and, though he lived on earth,yethisconversationwasinHeaven. Heseemedtofollowthecourse
of its saints. His countenance was comely and angelical ; his conversation
was pure and chaste; his deportment was holy and saint-like; his natural talents were lively and excellent ; while all his actions were grave and natural. No part of his time—not so much even as one short hour—did he misspend ; for, he was almost always employed, either in prayer, in reading, in study, or in somegoodexercise. Hisabstinencewassogreat,andhisvigilsweresolong continued, that he was exercised in mortification day and night without inter- mission. 40 When he retired for rest, it was only to sleep for a very few hours
1
on the bare ground/ with a stone under his head for a pillow, and the hide of
an animal over him as a coverlid. 42
met with, in an Iri—sh poem thus rendered
He used the discipline with such force,
It is thus translated into English : —
" Colum Cille, the famous, loved,
Son Q f Feidhlimidh, in his pilgrimage, Never to take a week into his body, As much as would serve a pauper at
one meal. "
—Rev. Dr. Kelly's "Calendar of Irish
"
into English verse
:
„„. *-,,
. . Sa. nt Colum, by his sweet melodious
v0ice
Expelled the evil spirit, who from the
. -. ,. „. „
s°"-
Precipitatelyfled; for,byHeavenin-
spir'd, He charm
dtliegood, butwasascourge and terror
Saints
pp. 1 60 161. '
lo the profane.
-DermodO'Conor'sKeating's" Histoiy of Ireland," part ii. , p. 387.
36 Celebrating the characteristic virtues of Irish Saints, Cuimin of Connor thus alludes to his extraordinaiy fasts:—
CanAr-CoLum CA15 Cille, niAc'pei'olirni'o; a n-oibici\e,
mr* l<vo feacT)rtiuin "A cojvp,
37 g^, Colgan s "Trias Thaumaturga,"
t>o bocc An fAfpA'6
40 A curious legend, illustrative of his ex- treme abstinence, is related in the Leabhar Breac, fol. 108 £. See, also, O'Donnell's Vita S. Columbae, lib. iii . cap. xxxiv. "Trias
. . ,
cinfeacc.
Thaumaturga," p. 437.
.
Quinta Vita S. Columba, lib. iii. , cap.
xxxiv xTM"P- 437-
3 ;: . . .
See Pnnce O Donnell s Life, lib. 111. , .
cap xxxix. , p. 437.
TM to the Second Life of St. According
n
Columba, cap. xvn p. 327.
3oo LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June 9.
as often to draw blood, so that his flesh might be kept in subjection to the
spirit ; while he wore a rough shirt, woven from the mane of horses. 43 Fasting,
watching, and prayer, constantly engaged his occupation. They went almost beyond the course of human ability, and yet in the midst of these austerities,
he always showed a cheerful countenance,44 representing thereby a saint-like joypervadinghisheart. Thiswasrevealedinthoseecstasies,withwhichthe
filled his inmost soul. 4* this wonderful mortifi- Notwithstanding
Holy Spirit
cation of the flesh and austerity of life, Columba, ever desirous of preserving
holy purity in all its integrity, kept a strict guard over all his senses, so that no passage might be left open, which could in any way infringe on his chaste
and perfect aspirations. So great was his government of the eyes, that lie
feared to look upon the face of any woman, even that of his own mother 46 ;
his tongue was restrained to such a degree, that he was cautious lest any word should be even of idle or doubtful meaning, while his frank and truth-loving soulscornedequivocationortheslightestfalsehood. Indeed,heonlyemployed speech when necessary, and to promote the practices of piety. 4? He rarely
spoke with worldlings, but above all things, he engaged frequently in vocal and mental prayer ; especially did he take care to avoid idleness, and his time was ever employed on works of religion. 48
A curious story is related, that when Columba was about to erect his church and monastery at Derry, he desired to remove all vestiges of the ancient Fort by setting it on fire. In this design, he is said to have been opposed by Aedh, who contended, that the colony of monks should be in want, if the secular buildings of the former town were to perish. Columba expressed his confidence, in the goodness of God ; but, having applied fire to the houses, itwaspreternaturallydrivenbythewinds,toapleasantwoodadjoining. How- ever, Columb offered up prayers to save the trees from destruction. He then predicted the subsequent eminence of Derry, and announced its future pro • tection from fire or lightning. He composed a hymn,4 9on this circumstance, but it has been imperfectly given in Latin, as found in Prince O'Donnell's Life of our saint. * A commentator remarks, that it was versified, at the door of DisertDaireCalgaigh,thetimebeingthatofAedh,sontoAinmire. This when repeated, it was thought should save the reciters from a death by fire or
1 An
41 O'Donnell states, that a stone served Prefatio Secunda.
6
lightning. *
indulgence
was attached to the
singing
of this
Hymn, espe-
for his lib. mattress,
This is stated in the Hymn of St. Bait- hin, son of Cuanach.
iii. ,cap. xxxv. , p. 437. -< 42 This austere mode ofliving is alluded to
in an I—rish Poem, thus translated into
*> Such is the account left us in some en- comiastic verses attributed to St. Brendan of Birr, who did not, however, survive Columba, as also to St. Dalian, his contem- porary and friend.
# See O'Donnell's Life of St. Columba, lib. iii, cap. xli. , xlii. , p. 438, and n. 19, p. 453.
*> This has been published, in 'Rev. Dr. Todd's teabharv tmtntm. The 'Book of Hymnsof the Ancient Church of Ireland, Fasciculus II. , No. xvi. A notice precedes it.
English :
"
ance
_
This pious saint, as a religious pen- »
Lay on the cold ground, and through his garments
His bones look'd sharp and meagre; his poor cell
Was open to the inclemency of the
wmds
Which blew through the unplaster'd
walls. "_ —Dermod O Conor s
>
" General History of Ireland," part ii. , p. 386.
See to pp. 259
43 See
"
Noli pater indulgere," &c.
This Hymnhas been translated into English verse, by Mary F. Cusack, in Rev. Dr! \Y. Mac Ilwaine's "Lyra Hibemica Sacra," pp. 209, 210.
si See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga,'
Vita S. caP- **xvi-> P- 437-
Quinta
lib.
hi. ,
44 The Second Life of St. Columba states, "decoro vultu, rubicundis genis, corpulenta specie. " &c, cap. xviii.
5 See Adamnan's "Vita S. Columba:,"
Keating's Columba? ,
263.
so jt begins with the line :—
June 9. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 301
cially at bed-time and at rising ; for, not alone did it afford personal safety to the singer, but it protected any other nine persons, whom he desired to serve. 52 St. Columba is known to have written out a Monastic Rule, 53 for the direction of his brethren ; but, whether at this early period of life or not is uncertain. St. Wilfrid alludes to in the work of Venerable Bede 5+ and,
it, ;
such account is left us by various other writers. 55 When against his own will, St. Columba was elected Abbot of Derry,50 his rigour of life in no manner relaxed ; but, on the contrary, he deemed himself obliged to set a great example to others, in his own person, before he should admonish his subjects. The glory of God and the salvation of souls were the single objects aimed at by all in his community. The poor were special objects of concern, and no less than one hundred of these were daily supplied with food. He
always endeavoured to aid those suffering from distress, whether of mind or of body. Oneday,acertainpresumedpauperarrivedtoolateforthestewardto satisfy his wants. He was then told, that he should have patience, until the fol- lowing day, when he ought to return at an earlier hour. Yet, on the succeding day, that pauper was again late, and he received the same answer to his application. Again, on the third day the same thing happened, when the pau-
persaid "GototheAlmoner,andbearthismessagefrommetotheAbbot,
:
that unless he derives from himself what he spends on the needy, let him not end his bounty, until God first deprives him of means. " When Columba heard this advice, and learned the want of that poor man, without waiting for his shoes or mantle, he ran to the door of his monastery, whence he saw the mendicant removing. The saint pursued him to the western side of the great church, and to a place southwards called Iomopodhesiol. 5? There he no longer found a pauper, but Christ himself, who had assumed such a garb. Falling on his knees, Columba suppliantly offered his prayers. Then, he had an ineffably glorious and enchanting interview with the author of all grace ; so that, he not only obtained a great accession of virtues, but his intellect was furnished with a miraculous penetration into the most hidden secrets of nature. Above all, he returned to his monastery profoundly moved with compassion for the sufferings of the poor ; and, he ordered, that thenceforward, no poor persons should ever be turned away hungry, from the doors of his in- stitute, no matter how great might be the number, until the storehouse had beenentirelyexhausted. 58 Hewaseverregardedasthespecialguardianand protector of the poor and oppressed,59 the noblest characteristic of a noble and generous disposition. If at any time he had not means to relieve the destitute, his tears began to flow, until the Almighty enabled him to provide for their wants. 60 So pleasing was this will of the saint to God, that after he settled there, Lough Foyle seemed swarming with fish, which served the
Quinta Vita S. Columbse, lib. i. , cap. xlix. ,
p. 397.
52 See Rev. Dr. Todd's LeAbViAr* 1inuiun,
Fasiculus II. , No. xvi. , p. 261, and n. 6.
53 He is classed among the eight chief composers ,of Monastic Rules, to guide the
almost numberless monasteries founded—in
Ireland: these authors are said to be I.
St. Patrick. II. St. Brigid. III. St.
Brendan. IV. St. Ciaran. V. St. Columba.
VI. St. Comgall. VII. St. Molaise or Quinta Vita S. Columbse, lib. i. , cap. 1. , pp, Laisrean. VIII. St. Adamnan. See Dr.
O'Conor's " Rerum Hibernicarum Scrip- tores," tomus ii. Tigernachi Annales, p.
147.
5* See
"
Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis
See Rev. Dr. John Smith's Life of St Columba," p. 97.
Anglorum," lib. iii. , cap. xxv.
5S See Sir James Ware, " De Scriptoribus
Hibernise," lib. i. , cap. ii. , p. 15.
56 Interesting illustrations and a descrip- tion of this city will be found in J. B. Doyle's
"Tours in Ulster," chap, xiv. , pp. 280 to 301.
The interpretation of this Irish word is 58 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga,"
57
not given by O'Donnell.
397, 398.
59 See ibid. , lib. iii. , cap. xl. , pp. 437,
438.
6° "
3o2 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June 9.
wants of his
community,
61 and the very water of the place had an admirable
and a wholesome flavour, equal to the best wine. 62 St. Brendan 63 with one
hundred companions once came to visit the saint at Derry. Only nine griddle
loaves and as many fishes were then in the house. Yet, Columba prayed to
God, and afterwards there were loaves and fishes to satisfy the wants of two
hundred persons, while over and above remained the original nine loaves and
nine fishes. 64 Two persons, on a particular occasion, came to the door of St.
Colnmba'smonastery;onewasabeggar,andtheotheragambler. Theyre-
spectively asked him for a gift. Columba gave only one coin to the beggar ;
while he gave many more to the gambler. The brethren present were sur-
prised at this distribution, and asked their Abbot why it was so. " Go," said
he, "and see if the beggar will better distribute his alms. " They went to
the gamester's house, and there they found him distributing alms to
persons entering it. They also found the beggar dead on the way, and ten
gold pieces, with St. Columba's small coin sewed in his patched garments.
Returning they told Columba what they had discovered. " And I, too," said
"
clearly knowing
what should out in the manner I happen, paid
he,
thought must be most discriminating. "65
The bardic professors of Ireland were a class, that addicted them-
selves to the composition of Irish verse, in different kinds of metre,
and who often chaunted their strains to a harp accompaniment. They
were held in great esteem by the people, especially those of the first
order. But soon, many of them began to grow arrogant, and even inso-
lent. They had already incurred the resentment of Irish princes ; and,
Connor Mac Nessa, King of Ulster, designed to prosecute them with severity.
The chiefs and people also called for their expulsion from the kingdom. How-
ever, they promised amendment, and observed moderation for a time ; but,
atintervals, becameobnoxioustothestate,and 66 Thebards they unpopular.
—and especially the most inferior and forward among them—had become at
this time simply intolerable. They had multiplied beyond precedent, and their privileges were greatly abused. Their exactions were impoverishing the people, and especially the superior classes, who feared to incur their dis- pleasure and satire. A very singular custom is recorded to have prevailed, among those of their profession, and that from a very remote period. The bards were in the habit of travelling through the country in groups or com- panies of thirty, composed of teachers and their pupils, under a single chief or master. Each company of poets had a silver pot, which was called Coire Sainnte,67 or "the Pot of Avarice;" every pot had nine chains of bronze attached to it, by golden hooks ; and, it was suspended from spear points of nine persons among the company. Their spear-points were thrust through linksatotherendsofthechains. 68 Duringtheseprogresses,whentheycame
6t See "Trias " Colgan's Thaumaturga,
Quinta p. 398.
Vita S. lib. Hi. Columbae, i. , cap.
,
Quinta Vita S. Columbse, lib. i. , p. 398.
62
cap. li. ,
This is said to have been sung in ele-
gant metre, by Baethin, the son of Cuonach.
He is supposed to have been the same as St.
Baoithin or Baetin, Bishop of Teach Baoit-
hin or Taghboyne, county of Westmeath,
whose feast occurs at February 9th, and some
notices of whom may be found in the Second Mor Duna Doighre, called the Leabhar Volume of this work, at that date, Art. ii. Breac [R. I. A. ]—that the pot was called the
63 Most probably St. Brendan, Abbot of " Pot of Avarice," was because it was into it Birr, whose feast falls on the 29th of whatever gold or silver they received was
November.
64 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga,
"
put; andwhilstthepoemwasbeingchanted, the best nip* musicians in the company
"
6s See ibid. , cap. liii. , p. 398.
66
See Dermod O'Connor's Keating's General History of Ire'and," part ii. , pp.
370, 371. Duffy's edition.
6? In the Irish—written coro rAVici.
68 The reason according to the account
of this custom preserved in the Leahhar
June 9. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 303
to a house, where profuse hospitality was always expected, the first bard that entered began to chant the first verse of a poem ; the last man of the party re-
sponded to him ; and so, the whole poem was sung, each taking a part, in an arranged order. The houses of the monks were not spared from their intru- sion. To furnish an idea of the extravagance to which the bards at diis time carried their demands, we are told, that once, while St. Columba was at a
1 ata
him. Then, it is related, that Columba went to a neighbouring fountain, where invoking the Almighty, water was turned into wine ; while, at the same time, from an ancient mound near it, an Angel showed him a spot, from which goblets and drinking vessels were to be obtained. There, the saint entertained the bards at a banquet, and afterwards, that place was called Rathnafleidhe, 7 *
6? he felt when he had not a reward to offer ashamed,
called
some of those poetical professors. Yet, in a miraculous manner was he sup- plied with a talent of gold, which served to satisfy their avarice, and to save his own reputation, as a professor and patron of their art. 7° At another time,
place
Fiodhbeg,
a numberofbardshelda great
between and Deny
convention,?
Oileach,72 which was formerly a royal castle. " St. Columba, likewise, loved Oileach, because of its familyassociations. Thosebards demanded a gift from
or " on account of the bounty it had proved to be the means for conferring. "
or the " Rath of the The well also Banquet. "
got
the name
Maith,
good. "
St. Columba likewise loved secret contemplation, and, especially he
delighted in rambling on the shore, near the sea-waves.
"9 See Rev. Dr. Lanigan's Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, xi. , sect, viii. , p. 118.
21
See an account of this place, in Mr. and
" 30
Mrs. Hall's Ireland
: its
Sceneiy,
Charac-
See "Memoir of the
City
and North-
ter," &c, vol. hi. , pp. 210 to 230.
22 He ascended the throne of Ireland, A. D.
reigned twenty-seven years, to The"
western Liberties of Londonderry," Parish
of Templemore, part ii. , p. 17.
31 The — illustration of accompanying
and he
572,
according O'Flaherty. Tigernachi Annales,'' however, state that he was killed, in the nineteenth yen of his reign, and
Londonderry
so called when a L—on-
sixty-third of his age. A. D. 598. See Rev. Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum Hibernicarum
don company became the proprietors is taken from an approved view drawn on the
wood by William F. YYakenian, and en- graved by Mrs. Millard.
32 At A. n. 544, St. Mobhi Claraineach or Berchain of Glasnevin died. See Dr. O Donovan's " Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 182, 183.
Scriptores," tomus ii. , pp. 160, 161.
23 Yet, such is the O'Clery's statement, contained in Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Master's" vol. i. , pp. 178, 179. that Columb could
admits,
not have been sixteen years old, at that date ;
yet, he supposes, the place might have been
then granted to him, by the noblesse of Kinill-Connill, although the foundation can-
33 See " Trias Colgnn's
While Archdall
Thaumaturga," Quinta Vita S. Columba;, lib. i. , cap. xlviii. ,
compiled from original documents, by an not be placed before a. d. 546. See eminent Divine of the Roman Catholic
"
24 According to the " Annales Ulton'en- 35 This we collect, bom lines which are
Monasticon Hibermcum," p. 84. Church, chap, ii. , pp. 13. 14.
" Trias
Quarta Vita S. Columbae, lib. i. , cap. ii. , and
lib. ii. , cap. xxxix. , pp. 339, 359 to 361. Also, Quinta Vita S. Columbse, lib. iii. , cap. xxi. , p. 434.
at See Hy.
Colgan's
Thaumaturga,"
28 The former Catholic chapel, and thence
to the Bishop's garden is supposed to have
P- 397-
3* See "The Life of St. Colum-kille,'
June 9. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 299
Every ordinary day—Sundays and solemn Festivals excepted—Columba offered up two hundred ejaculatory prayers, and he made as many genuflexions. Hedesiredtoattainthesummitofperfection; and,therefore,fromthebegin- ning of his course, he cast away all love for the world and its concerns. He
knew, however, that a true penitential spirit was to be united with great morti fication of the body ; so that his whole life might be regarded as one con- tinual fast, while he only took a little food and drink of the most common kind to sustain nature. He abstained always from wine and generous food, satisfied with bread baked from meal, and with pure spring water. 36 It is stated, Columba divided the night-time remaining to him, after he had sung the Divine praises with the monks in choir, and had snatched a short portion of it for sleep, into three parts ; one of these was for heavenly contemplation and mental prayer; one was devoted to the recital of hymns and spiritual canticles, with frequent genuflexions and corporal flagellations ; while the remainder he spent immersed in cold water to the neck, while he recited the PsalmsofDavid. 37 DailydidhemeditateontheHolyScriptures,andoften didhepreachtothepeople,whileeverengagedonworksofcharity. Humi- lity distinguished him to such a degree, that he wished to become the servant
of all in his community; he laboured with the brethren, he would remove the sandals from the feet of his monks, after their day's toil was over, and wash them on his knees with warm water. This too he did for the guests. 38 He frequently carried sacks of meal from the mill, on his own shoulders, and brought them to the kitchen of the monastery. 3 ^ His integrity of body and purity of soul were always preserved unblemished ; and, though he lived on earth,yethisconversationwasinHeaven. Heseemedtofollowthecourse
of its saints. His countenance was comely and angelical ; his conversation
was pure and chaste; his deportment was holy and saint-like; his natural talents were lively and excellent ; while all his actions were grave and natural. No part of his time—not so much even as one short hour—did he misspend ; for, he was almost always employed, either in prayer, in reading, in study, or in somegoodexercise. Hisabstinencewassogreat,andhisvigilsweresolong continued, that he was exercised in mortification day and night without inter- mission. 40 When he retired for rest, it was only to sleep for a very few hours
1
on the bare ground/ with a stone under his head for a pillow, and the hide of
an animal over him as a coverlid. 42
met with, in an Iri—sh poem thus rendered
He used the discipline with such force,
It is thus translated into English : —
" Colum Cille, the famous, loved,
Son Q f Feidhlimidh, in his pilgrimage, Never to take a week into his body, As much as would serve a pauper at
one meal. "
—Rev. Dr. Kelly's "Calendar of Irish
"
into English verse
:
„„. *-,,
. . Sa. nt Colum, by his sweet melodious
v0ice
Expelled the evil spirit, who from the
. -. ,. „. „
s°"-
Precipitatelyfled; for,byHeavenin-
spir'd, He charm
dtliegood, butwasascourge and terror
Saints
pp. 1 60 161. '
lo the profane.
-DermodO'Conor'sKeating's" Histoiy of Ireland," part ii. , p. 387.
36 Celebrating the characteristic virtues of Irish Saints, Cuimin of Connor thus alludes to his extraordinaiy fasts:—
CanAr-CoLum CA15 Cille, niAc'pei'olirni'o; a n-oibici\e,
mr* l<vo feacT)rtiuin "A cojvp,
37 g^, Colgan s "Trias Thaumaturga,"
t>o bocc An fAfpA'6
40 A curious legend, illustrative of his ex- treme abstinence, is related in the Leabhar Breac, fol. 108 £. See, also, O'Donnell's Vita S. Columbae, lib. iii . cap. xxxiv. "Trias
. . ,
cinfeacc.
Thaumaturga," p. 437.
.
Quinta Vita S. Columba, lib. iii. , cap.
xxxiv xTM"P- 437-
3 ;: . . .
See Pnnce O Donnell s Life, lib. 111. , .
cap xxxix. , p. 437.
TM to the Second Life of St. According
n
Columba, cap. xvn p. 327.
3oo LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June 9.
as often to draw blood, so that his flesh might be kept in subjection to the
spirit ; while he wore a rough shirt, woven from the mane of horses. 43 Fasting,
watching, and prayer, constantly engaged his occupation. They went almost beyond the course of human ability, and yet in the midst of these austerities,
he always showed a cheerful countenance,44 representing thereby a saint-like joypervadinghisheart. Thiswasrevealedinthoseecstasies,withwhichthe
filled his inmost soul. 4* this wonderful mortifi- Notwithstanding
Holy Spirit
cation of the flesh and austerity of life, Columba, ever desirous of preserving
holy purity in all its integrity, kept a strict guard over all his senses, so that no passage might be left open, which could in any way infringe on his chaste
and perfect aspirations. So great was his government of the eyes, that lie
feared to look upon the face of any woman, even that of his own mother 46 ;
his tongue was restrained to such a degree, that he was cautious lest any word should be even of idle or doubtful meaning, while his frank and truth-loving soulscornedequivocationortheslightestfalsehood. Indeed,heonlyemployed speech when necessary, and to promote the practices of piety. 4? He rarely
spoke with worldlings, but above all things, he engaged frequently in vocal and mental prayer ; especially did he take care to avoid idleness, and his time was ever employed on works of religion. 48
A curious story is related, that when Columba was about to erect his church and monastery at Derry, he desired to remove all vestiges of the ancient Fort by setting it on fire. In this design, he is said to have been opposed by Aedh, who contended, that the colony of monks should be in want, if the secular buildings of the former town were to perish. Columba expressed his confidence, in the goodness of God ; but, having applied fire to the houses, itwaspreternaturallydrivenbythewinds,toapleasantwoodadjoining. How- ever, Columb offered up prayers to save the trees from destruction. He then predicted the subsequent eminence of Derry, and announced its future pro • tection from fire or lightning. He composed a hymn,4 9on this circumstance, but it has been imperfectly given in Latin, as found in Prince O'Donnell's Life of our saint. * A commentator remarks, that it was versified, at the door of DisertDaireCalgaigh,thetimebeingthatofAedh,sontoAinmire. This when repeated, it was thought should save the reciters from a death by fire or
1 An
41 O'Donnell states, that a stone served Prefatio Secunda.
6
lightning. *
indulgence
was attached to the
singing
of this
Hymn, espe-
for his lib. mattress,
This is stated in the Hymn of St. Bait- hin, son of Cuanach.
iii. ,cap. xxxv. , p. 437. -< 42 This austere mode ofliving is alluded to
in an I—rish Poem, thus translated into
*> Such is the account left us in some en- comiastic verses attributed to St. Brendan of Birr, who did not, however, survive Columba, as also to St. Dalian, his contem- porary and friend.
# See O'Donnell's Life of St. Columba, lib. iii, cap. xli. , xlii. , p. 438, and n. 19, p. 453.
*> This has been published, in 'Rev. Dr. Todd's teabharv tmtntm. The 'Book of Hymnsof the Ancient Church of Ireland, Fasciculus II. , No. xvi. A notice precedes it.
English :
"
ance
_
This pious saint, as a religious pen- »
Lay on the cold ground, and through his garments
His bones look'd sharp and meagre; his poor cell
Was open to the inclemency of the
wmds
Which blew through the unplaster'd
walls. "_ —Dermod O Conor s
>
" General History of Ireland," part ii. , p. 386.
See to pp. 259
43 See
"
Noli pater indulgere," &c.
This Hymnhas been translated into English verse, by Mary F. Cusack, in Rev. Dr! \Y. Mac Ilwaine's "Lyra Hibemica Sacra," pp. 209, 210.
si See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga,'
Vita S. caP- **xvi-> P- 437-
Quinta
lib.
hi. ,
44 The Second Life of St. Columba states, "decoro vultu, rubicundis genis, corpulenta specie. " &c, cap. xviii.
5 See Adamnan's "Vita S. Columba:,"
Keating's Columba? ,
263.
so jt begins with the line :—
June 9. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 301
cially at bed-time and at rising ; for, not alone did it afford personal safety to the singer, but it protected any other nine persons, whom he desired to serve. 52 St. Columba is known to have written out a Monastic Rule, 53 for the direction of his brethren ; but, whether at this early period of life or not is uncertain. St. Wilfrid alludes to in the work of Venerable Bede 5+ and,
it, ;
such account is left us by various other writers. 55 When against his own will, St. Columba was elected Abbot of Derry,50 his rigour of life in no manner relaxed ; but, on the contrary, he deemed himself obliged to set a great example to others, in his own person, before he should admonish his subjects. The glory of God and the salvation of souls were the single objects aimed at by all in his community. The poor were special objects of concern, and no less than one hundred of these were daily supplied with food. He
always endeavoured to aid those suffering from distress, whether of mind or of body. Oneday,acertainpresumedpauperarrivedtoolateforthestewardto satisfy his wants. He was then told, that he should have patience, until the fol- lowing day, when he ought to return at an earlier hour. Yet, on the succeding day, that pauper was again late, and he received the same answer to his application. Again, on the third day the same thing happened, when the pau-
persaid "GototheAlmoner,andbearthismessagefrommetotheAbbot,
:
that unless he derives from himself what he spends on the needy, let him not end his bounty, until God first deprives him of means. " When Columba heard this advice, and learned the want of that poor man, without waiting for his shoes or mantle, he ran to the door of his monastery, whence he saw the mendicant removing. The saint pursued him to the western side of the great church, and to a place southwards called Iomopodhesiol. 5? There he no longer found a pauper, but Christ himself, who had assumed such a garb. Falling on his knees, Columba suppliantly offered his prayers. Then, he had an ineffably glorious and enchanting interview with the author of all grace ; so that, he not only obtained a great accession of virtues, but his intellect was furnished with a miraculous penetration into the most hidden secrets of nature. Above all, he returned to his monastery profoundly moved with compassion for the sufferings of the poor ; and, he ordered, that thenceforward, no poor persons should ever be turned away hungry, from the doors of his in- stitute, no matter how great might be the number, until the storehouse had beenentirelyexhausted. 58 Hewaseverregardedasthespecialguardianand protector of the poor and oppressed,59 the noblest characteristic of a noble and generous disposition. If at any time he had not means to relieve the destitute, his tears began to flow, until the Almighty enabled him to provide for their wants. 60 So pleasing was this will of the saint to God, that after he settled there, Lough Foyle seemed swarming with fish, which served the
Quinta Vita S. Columbse, lib. i. , cap. xlix. ,
p. 397.
52 See Rev. Dr. Todd's LeAbViAr* 1inuiun,
Fasiculus II. , No. xvi. , p. 261, and n. 6.
53 He is classed among the eight chief composers ,of Monastic Rules, to guide the
almost numberless monasteries founded—in
Ireland: these authors are said to be I.
St. Patrick. II. St. Brigid. III. St.
Brendan. IV. St. Ciaran. V. St. Columba.
VI. St. Comgall. VII. St. Molaise or Quinta Vita S. Columbse, lib. i. , cap. 1. , pp, Laisrean. VIII. St. Adamnan. See Dr.
O'Conor's " Rerum Hibernicarum Scrip- tores," tomus ii. Tigernachi Annales, p.
147.
5* See
"
Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis
See Rev. Dr. John Smith's Life of St Columba," p. 97.
Anglorum," lib. iii. , cap. xxv.
5S See Sir James Ware, " De Scriptoribus
Hibernise," lib. i. , cap. ii. , p. 15.
56 Interesting illustrations and a descrip- tion of this city will be found in J. B. Doyle's
"Tours in Ulster," chap, xiv. , pp. 280 to 301.
The interpretation of this Irish word is 58 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga,"
57
not given by O'Donnell.
397, 398.
59 See ibid. , lib. iii. , cap. xl. , pp. 437,
438.
6° "
3o2 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June 9.
wants of his
community,
61 and the very water of the place had an admirable
and a wholesome flavour, equal to the best wine. 62 St. Brendan 63 with one
hundred companions once came to visit the saint at Derry. Only nine griddle
loaves and as many fishes were then in the house. Yet, Columba prayed to
God, and afterwards there were loaves and fishes to satisfy the wants of two
hundred persons, while over and above remained the original nine loaves and
nine fishes. 64 Two persons, on a particular occasion, came to the door of St.
Colnmba'smonastery;onewasabeggar,andtheotheragambler. Theyre-
spectively asked him for a gift. Columba gave only one coin to the beggar ;
while he gave many more to the gambler. The brethren present were sur-
prised at this distribution, and asked their Abbot why it was so. " Go," said
he, "and see if the beggar will better distribute his alms. " They went to
the gamester's house, and there they found him distributing alms to
persons entering it. They also found the beggar dead on the way, and ten
gold pieces, with St. Columba's small coin sewed in his patched garments.
Returning they told Columba what they had discovered. " And I, too," said
"
clearly knowing
what should out in the manner I happen, paid
he,
thought must be most discriminating. "65
The bardic professors of Ireland were a class, that addicted them-
selves to the composition of Irish verse, in different kinds of metre,
and who often chaunted their strains to a harp accompaniment. They
were held in great esteem by the people, especially those of the first
order. But soon, many of them began to grow arrogant, and even inso-
lent. They had already incurred the resentment of Irish princes ; and,
Connor Mac Nessa, King of Ulster, designed to prosecute them with severity.
The chiefs and people also called for their expulsion from the kingdom. How-
ever, they promised amendment, and observed moderation for a time ; but,
atintervals, becameobnoxioustothestate,and 66 Thebards they unpopular.
—and especially the most inferior and forward among them—had become at
this time simply intolerable. They had multiplied beyond precedent, and their privileges were greatly abused. Their exactions were impoverishing the people, and especially the superior classes, who feared to incur their dis- pleasure and satire. A very singular custom is recorded to have prevailed, among those of their profession, and that from a very remote period. The bards were in the habit of travelling through the country in groups or com- panies of thirty, composed of teachers and their pupils, under a single chief or master. Each company of poets had a silver pot, which was called Coire Sainnte,67 or "the Pot of Avarice;" every pot had nine chains of bronze attached to it, by golden hooks ; and, it was suspended from spear points of nine persons among the company. Their spear-points were thrust through linksatotherendsofthechains. 68 Duringtheseprogresses,whentheycame
6t See "Trias " Colgan's Thaumaturga,
Quinta p. 398.
Vita S. lib. Hi. Columbae, i. , cap.
,
Quinta Vita S. Columbse, lib. i. , p. 398.
62
cap. li. ,
This is said to have been sung in ele-
gant metre, by Baethin, the son of Cuonach.
He is supposed to have been the same as St.
Baoithin or Baetin, Bishop of Teach Baoit-
hin or Taghboyne, county of Westmeath,
whose feast occurs at February 9th, and some
notices of whom may be found in the Second Mor Duna Doighre, called the Leabhar Volume of this work, at that date, Art. ii. Breac [R. I. A. ]—that the pot was called the
63 Most probably St. Brendan, Abbot of " Pot of Avarice," was because it was into it Birr, whose feast falls on the 29th of whatever gold or silver they received was
November.
64 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga,
"
put; andwhilstthepoemwasbeingchanted, the best nip* musicians in the company
"
6s See ibid. , cap. liii. , p. 398.
66
See Dermod O'Connor's Keating's General History of Ire'and," part ii. , pp.
370, 371. Duffy's edition.
6? In the Irish—written coro rAVici.
68 The reason according to the account
of this custom preserved in the Leahhar
June 9. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 303
to a house, where profuse hospitality was always expected, the first bard that entered began to chant the first verse of a poem ; the last man of the party re-
sponded to him ; and so, the whole poem was sung, each taking a part, in an arranged order. The houses of the monks were not spared from their intru- sion. To furnish an idea of the extravagance to which the bards at diis time carried their demands, we are told, that once, while St. Columba was at a
1 ata
him. Then, it is related, that Columba went to a neighbouring fountain, where invoking the Almighty, water was turned into wine ; while, at the same time, from an ancient mound near it, an Angel showed him a spot, from which goblets and drinking vessels were to be obtained. There, the saint entertained the bards at a banquet, and afterwards, that place was called Rathnafleidhe, 7 *
6? he felt when he had not a reward to offer ashamed,
called
some of those poetical professors. Yet, in a miraculous manner was he sup- plied with a talent of gold, which served to satisfy their avarice, and to save his own reputation, as a professor and patron of their art. 7° At another time,
place
Fiodhbeg,
a numberofbardshelda great
between and Deny
convention,?
Oileach,72 which was formerly a royal castle. " St. Columba, likewise, loved Oileach, because of its familyassociations. Thosebards demanded a gift from
or " on account of the bounty it had proved to be the means for conferring. "
or the " Rath of the The well also Banquet. "
got
the name
Maith,
good. "
St. Columba likewise loved secret contemplation, and, especially he
delighted in rambling on the shore, near the sea-waves.
