three poor men met him. To the first of these he made over his cape,
to the second his cloak, to the third his tunic. But when they were
going away there arrived certain men, leaders of a worldly life. As he
was ashamed to be seen of these without raiment, the Lord Who helpeth
in need so surrounded him with water that except his head no part of
him could they see. But after these men had passed by the water soon
disappeared.

XLVIII. HOW A MAN WAS SAVED FROM ROBBERS

21. After this when some time had passed, certain companions of the
devil were trying to slay a man who dwelt near his monastery: whom,
when the blessed man prayed for him, God marvellously rescued. For
when they were slaughtering the man, they were striking on a stone
statue. The robbers, when at last they perceived this, being pricked
in the heart, hasten to the shepherd of souls, Queranus: they humbly
acknowledge their crime; and, amending their way of life, they served
faithfully under the yoke of Christ until death.

XLIX. THE DEATH OF CIARAN

22. The most glorious soldier of Christ, shining with these and many
other [miracles], like the luminary which presides over the day, as he
reached the setting of his natural course, approached it, seized with
grievous sickness. But because he who shall have endured unto the end
shall be saved, so the champion of Christ, not only strengthening
himself in the battle of this conflict, but also calling on souls to
conquer, caused the stone, on which, supporting his head, he was wont
until then to concede a little sleep to his body, to be placed even
under his shoulders; then raising his holy hand he blessed the
brethren, and, fortified by reception of the viaticum of salvation,
gave back his soul to heaven. For as that blessed soul departed from
the body, the choirs of angels with hymns and songs received it into
the glory of God.

LI. THE EARTH OF CIARAN'S TOMB DELIVERS COLUM CILLE FROM A WHIRLPOOL

23. Also, when the most blessed abbot of Christ, Columba, heard of the
death of Saint Keranus, he composed a notable hymn about him: and he
brought it down with him to the monastery of Cluayn, where, as was
fitting, he was received with hospitality in honour. Now as for the
hymn, the abbot who was then presiding, and the others who had heard
it, lauded it with many lofty praises. But when Saint Columba was
departing thence, he took away with him earth from the sacred grave of
Saint Keranus, knowing in the