easily reave what they would. But God had regard to their attempt from
on high, and so multiplied infirmities upon them that they turned in
haste to God. For they were smitten with blindness, nor could they
move hand or foot, till they wrought repentance, and were loosed by
the merit of Saint Keranus: recovering the light of their eyes and the
vigour of their other members.

XIV. HOW CIARAN GAVE THE KING'S CAULDRON TO BEGGARS AND WAS ENSLAVED

7. It happened after this that he gave a cauldron belonging to the
king, as he had nothing else to give to poor folk asking of him an
alms. When the king heard what had been done, he was greatly enraged,
and commanded his people to bring Saint Keranus to him in bonds. When
he was led to the king, he gave sentence that he should be reduced to
servitude, and be set apart for grinding at the quern. But God, having
regard to the humiliation of His servant, caused the mill to be moved
of itself without human hand, and left Ciaran free to chant his
Psalms. After a few days coppersmiths from the land of the Mumunienses
brought three cooking-pots with them, and offered them to Saint
Keranus. Giving thanks for these to God, he was delivered from the
yoke of servitude.

XXIII. THE BLESSING OF CIARAN'S FOOD

8. When on a certain day he was journeying alone, and the time of
partaking of food had come, seeking one to bless for him he said
"_Benedic._" And as no one answered, he departed, fasting. On the
following day, seeking one to bless and finding him not, he went on
fasting in like manner. On the third day he went forth fasting,
and being weary with the journey he lay down; and when he asked a
benediction as was customary, a voice came from heaven and blessed his
meal, and so, eating and giving thanks, he completed his journey.

XV. HOW CIARAN REPROVED HIS MOTHER

9. One time when he was coming from the fields to the house certain
strangers met him; and when he had asked them whence they had come,
they said, "From the house of Boetius the wright." And when he had
again asked them how they had been refreshed there, they answered,
"Not only got we no food, but the woman of the house heaped insults
and abuse upon us." But he, fired with the flames of charity, went to
his father's house, and cast whatsoever of food he found there into
the mud, thinking that what was not offered to Christ, and that in
which the pleasure of the devil was wrought, was corrupt and unclean
and should n