the increase and for the evidence of
his devotion toward his new faith, gave unto Saint Patrick the place
wherein this miracle had been declared, to erect thereon a new church.

In this place, at the request of Dichu (but for what cause I know not),
did the saint build the church, having its aspect against the north,
and looking toward the southern point. Perchance that by this mystical
structure the worshippers of idols might be persuaded from the northern
coldness of unbelief unto the meridian fervor of the faith and the
charity of Christ--the which to this day is called Sabhall Phadruig,
that is, the Barn of Patrick; for in process of time he builded there a
fair monastery, into which he introduced monks that had passed their
novitiate; and for their use he not long afterward, by his prayers,
produced a fountain out of the earth. Of this monastery did he appoint
his disciple, Saint Dunnius, to be the abbot, wherein when he had
returned from his mission, he abided with him not a few days.

CHAPTER XXXIII.

_Of the Evil-doer Swallowed up by the Earth._

And in that church the holy prelate stood before the altar on a certain
day, celebrating the divine mysteries, when an evil-doer, a bondsman of
Satan, thrusting with accursed boldness a rod through the window,
overturned the chalice, and sacrilegiously poured out on the altar the
holy sacrifice. But the Lord instantly and terribly avenged this
fearful wickedness, and in a new and unheard-of manner destroyed the
impious man. For suddenly the earth, opening her mouth (as formerly on
Dathan and Abiron), swallowed up this magician, and he descended alive
into hell. And the earth, thus disjoined and rent asunder, closed on
him again; but to this day a ditch yet remaining declareth the judgment
of the divine wrath. But the holy sacrificer, being struck with
sorrow, mourned with heavy mourning over the chalice that had been
filled; and the chalice, with the divine sacrifice entire therein,
stood erect before him, being raised by the divine Power, nor did any
trace of the offering remain to be seen.

CHAPTER XXXIV.

_Of the Aged Man restored unto his Youth._

And Dichu had a brother named Rius, far advanced in years and in
unbelief, the tabernacle of whose body, for very age, was bending unto
the grave; and this man heavily grieved for the death of the magician
and for the conversion of his brother. And his wisdom was wholly of
this world, and he bel