ng before him, announced his
coming. And when he drew nigh unto Connactia, two magicians, the sons
of Neyll, the one whereof was named Mael, the other Cabhlait, heard of
his approach; and they were both bound in the bonds of Satan, nor were
they less germane in the exercise of their evil deeds than in the germ
of their native generation. These men by their enchantments covered
the whole country with thick darkness for three continual days, whereby
they hoped to prevent the entrance of Patrick into that place. But the
son of light, in whose heart the morning star that never sets
perpetually shone, while he lifted up unto heaven his heart and his
hand and his tongue in prayer, the light-streaming rays of the sun,
shining forth, dispersed the magic darkness; and, finding free entrance
into Connactia, with all his strength he labored to open to those
unworthy enemies of the truth the door of faith.

CHAPTER LVIII.

_Of the Virgins who went unto Heaven._

And of Leogaire were born two daughters, like roses growing in a
rose-bed. And the one was of a ruddy complexion, and she was called
Ethne; and the other was fair, and she was called Fedella; and they
were educated by these magicians. And early on a certain morning, the
sun having just arisen, they went to bathe in a clear fountain, on the
margin whereof they found the saint sitting with other holy men; and
regarding his countenance and garb, they were struck with wonder, and
enquired of his birth and his residence, taking him for an apparition.
But the saint admonished them rather to believe in his God than to
enquire of his descent or his dwelling-place. Then the damsels,
desiring to know more assuredly of God, earnestly questioned about His
power, and His riches, and His glory. And the Saint instructed them in
the Catholic faith, truly affirming him to be the Creator and Ruler of
the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and of all that is therein;
and that He had one Son, with Himself coeternal, coeval, and
consubstantial--everywhere reigning, governing all things, possessing
all things; and promised he also unto them that they should exchange an
earthly and transitory kingdom for a heavenly and eternal kingdom; for
that if they obeyed his counsel, they should unite with the Celestial
King in pure and indissoluble union. And when he had thus preached
unto them with persuasive eloquence, the damsels believed in Christ,
and he baptized them even in that fo