drawn to his jurisdiction and rule. Bishop Ibar however would on no
account consent to be subject to Patrick, for it was displeasing to him
that a foreigner should be patron of Ireland. It happened that Patrick
in his origin was of the Britons and he was nurtured in Ireland having
been sold to bondage in his boyhood. There arose misunderstanding
and dissension between Patrick and Bishop Ibar at first, although
(eventually), by intervention of the angel of peace, they formed a
mutual fellowship and brotherly compact and they remained in agreement
for ever after. But Declan did not wish to disagree at all with Patrick
for they had formed a mutual bond of friendship on the Italian highway
and it is thus the angel commanded him to go to Patrick and obey him:--

23. The angel of God came to Declan and said to him "Go quickly to
Patrick and prevent him cursing your kindred and country, for to-night,
in the plain which is called Inneoin, he is fasting against the king,
and if he curses your people they shall be accursed for ever." Thereupon
Declan set out in haste by direction of the angel to Inneoin, i.e. the
place which is in the centre of the plain of Femhin in the northern part
of the Decies. He crossed Slieve Gua [Knockmaeldown] and over the Suir
and arrived on the following morning at the place where Patrick was.
When Patrick and his disciples heard that Declan was there they welcomed
him warmly for they had been told he would not come. Moreover Patrick
and his people received him with great honour. But Declan made obeisance
to Patrick and besought him earnestly that he should not execrate his
people and that he should not curse them nor the land in which they
dwelt, and he promised to allow Patrick do as he pleased. And Patrick
replied:--"On account of your prayer not only shall I not curse them but
I shall give them a blessing." Declan went thereupon to the place where
was the king of Decies who was a neighbour of his. But he contemned
Patrick and he would not believe him even at the request of Declan.
Moreover Declan promised rewards to him if he would go to Patrick to
receive baptism at his hands and assent to the faith. But he would not
assent on any account. When Declan saw this, scil.:--that the king of
the Decies, who was named Ledban, was obstinate in his infidelity and
in his devilry--through fear lest Patrick should curse his race
and country--he (Declan) turned to the assembly and addressed
them:--"Separate y