put no obstacle in the way of Declan's preaching but was
pleased with Declan's religion and doctrine, although he neither believed
nor accepted baptism himself. It is said that refusal (of baptism) was
based on this ground: Declan was of the Decies and of Conn's Half, while
Aongus himself was of the Eoghanacht of Cashel of Munster--always hostile
to the Desii. It was not therefore through ill will to the faith that he
believed not, as is proved from this that, when the king heard of the
coming to him of Patrick, the archbishop of Ireland, a man who was of
British race against which the Irish cherished no hate, not only did he
believe but he went from his own city of Cashel to meet him, professed
Christianity and was immediately baptised.

17. After this Declan, having sown the word of God and preached to the
king (although the latter did not assent to his doctrines), proceeded to
his own country and they (the Desii) believed and received baptism except
the king alone and the people of his household who were every day
promising to believe and be baptised. It however came about through the
Devil's agency that they hesitated continually and procrastinated.

18. Other authorities declare that Declan went many times to Rome, but
we have no written testimony from the ancient biographers that he went
there more than three times. On one of these occasions Declan paid a
visit to the holy bishop of the Britons whose name was David at the
church which is called Killmuine [Menevia] where the bishop dwelt beside
the shore of the sea which divides Ireland from Britain. The bishop
received Declan with honour and he remained there forty days, in
affection and joy, and they sang Mass each day and they entered into a
bond of charity which continued between themselves and their successors
for ever afterwards. On the expiration of the forty days Declan took
leave of David giving him a kiss in token of peace and set out himself
and his followers to the shore of the sea to take ship for Ireland.

19. Now the bell which we have alluded to as sent from heaven to Declan,
was, at that time, in the custody of Runan to carry as we have said, for
Declan did not wish, on any account, to part with it. On this particular
day as they were proceeding towards the ship Runan entrusted it to
another member of the company. On reaching the shore however the latter
laid the bell on a rock by the shore and forgot it till they were half
way across