ded over it only
three days, he committed it unto a certain stranger, by birth a Briton,
named Cathladius. Thus did the man of God fulfil the command of his
father, and thus he took care that he should not set the example of
selling the rights of the church or the heritage of his parents. But
all the revenues of this church were by Lumanus transferred to Saint
Patrick and his successors, and for ever after given unto the church of
Ardmachia.

CHAPTER LIII.

_Of the Prophecy of St. Patrick on Coyrbre, and of the Unfruitfulness
of a River._

And Leogaire had two brothers, the elder of whom was named Coyrbre,
like unto him in cruelty and unbelief, if, indeed, any one could in
that country be found like him, who contemned and condemned the law of
the Most High; and the younger was named Conallus, who retained no more
of his birth than does the fish of the sea or the rose of the thorn.
But Patrick having gone to Coyrbre, who then abided in the place called
Tailltion, that he might convert him unto the Christian faith, if in
any wise from that stone could a son be raised up unto Abraham, yet he,
his heart being hardened against belief, intended the death of the
preacher who would have preached life unto him, and even in the middle
of the river he scourged the servants of Patrick; and the saint,
knowing him to be obstinate in his error, and to be abandoned of God,
thus prophesied unto him: "Since thou hast refused to bear the yoke of
Christ, whose service is freedom, no one of thy posterity shall attain
the throne of thy kingdom, but in perpetual servitude shall they serve
the seed of thy younger brother, Conallus. And this shall be to thee a
sign that the Lord will fulfil the word which He has spoken through my
mouth: the river near thy mansion, which, with the abundance of its
fishes, is wont to feed thee and thine household, from henceforward,
even for ever, shall produce no fishes." And the word of the man of
God obtained, for all his posterity became subject unto the posterity
of his brother Conallus, and they came unto the throne of his kingdom;
and the river, which is called Seyle, even to this day beareth no
fishes.

CHAPTER LIV.

_Of Conallus, and of the Prophecy of Patrick concerning him._

And the saint, leaving those children of darkness in the anger and
blindness of their hearts, and the depth of their error, turned his
steps towards Conallus, who was to be the child of the truth. And he,