ng prosperously, and their provision much
abounding, these men soon forgot the Lord who had saved them from the
straitness of hunger, and, ungrateful for the benefits extended unto
them by the divine bounty, they sacrificed of their food to devils, and
not unto God, imitating herein those Samaritans whom the Book of Kings
records to have worshipped God, yet not to have the service of their
idols. Wherefore it seemed good to Saint Patrick to eat no earthly
food for twenty continual days, and, albeit he was much entreated
thereto, he would in no wise join with them in their meals, lest he
should appear to be contaminated with their sacrifices. And the power
to endure this abstinence was given unto Patrick by the Lord, who had
theretofore enabled Elias the prophet to fast forty days.

CHAPTER XIX.

_How he Overcame the Temptation of the Enemy._

The wonderful Ruler of all things, the more he exalts with signs and
with wonders his elect whom he loveth, the more does he, according to
the Apostle, suffer them to fall into divers temptations, that they may
learn and know how to preserve their strength in God, who is their
maker, and trust to nothing in themselves or of themselves. Wherefore
Patrick, the beloved and the elect of God, is suffered by the divine
will to be grievously tempted of Satan, to increase the confusion of
the tempter and the glory of him who was tempted, and lest he should be
lifted up by the greatness of his miracles or his fastings. For in the
night season the prince of darkness rushed on him, and oppressed him as
with the weight of a huge stone, and, falling on him, the tempter took
from him all sense and motion, causing to him darkness and heaviness,
and for the space of three days ceased not to torment and lash him
beyond human power to endure. But the saint in his tribulation cried
unto the Lord, thrice in His name invoking Elias, the prince of
prophets, unto his aid. And Elias, being sent of the Lord with a great
brightness, freed him from the pressure of the enemy that hemmed him
round, and, wonderfully illumining him both within and without,
refreshed the powers of his limbs and his senses. And the enemy of
mankind, being put to confusion, was compelled to own himself
vanquished by Patrick, and that ever after he could have no power to
prevail against him.

CHAPTER XX.

_How he was again made Captive, and released by the Miracle of the
Kettle._

But Patrick, departing fr