ld go unpunished; but quickly
did he bring on them his deserved wrath, inasmuch as for the wickedness
of them who dwelt therein the Lord converted their fruitful land into a
salt marsh; and the sea, with the foreflowing of an unwonted tide,
covered it, and, that it might even for ever be unhabitable, changed
the dry land into a plashy lake. Then the saint, going unto a small
island not far from the main shore, abided there certain days, and it
is called unto this time Saint Patrick's Island.

CHAPTER XXXI.

_Of his coming into Ulidia, and of the Prophecy of the Magicians on his
coming._

And the blessed Patrick, embarking with his people, steered toward the
northern parts of the island, that he might overcome the northern
enemy, and expel him from those hearts where he had fixed his seat.
And the north wind fell, and the south wind arose, that he might go
into the quarters of the north, and plant therein the garden of the
Lord, breathing sweet odors; and the desire had come into his mind to
bring unto the knowledge of truth the king, Milcho, who was yet living,
to whom he had formerly been a servant, and to make him a servant of
the true King, whose service is a kingdom. But forasmuch as the ways
of man are not in his own power, but as his steps are directed of the
Lord, he landed on the coast of Ulidia, that the vessels of mercy might
there be gathered together. But Patrick being come forth on the dry
land, a multitude of heathens met him who were waiting and expecting
his coming; for the magicians and soothsayers, either by divination or
by prophecy, had foreknown that the island would be converted by the
preaching of Patrick, and had long before predicted his arrival in
these words: "One shall arrive here, having his head shaven in a
circle, bearing a crooked staff, and his table shall be in the eastern
part of his house, and his people shall stand behind him, and he shall
sing forth from his table wickedness, and all his household shall
answer, So be it! so be it! And this man, when he cometh, shall
destroy our gods, and overturn their temples and their altars, and he
shall subdue unto himself the kings that resist him, or put them unto
death, and his doctrine shall reign for ever and ever." Nor let it
seem strange or incredible that if the Lord inspired or even permitted
the magicians should thus foretell the arrival and the several acts of
Saint Patrick, since the soothsayer Balaam and the King Nabuc