to be intent on the
death of the saint, obtained that in his stead he might on that day
hold the reins. And this he did, earnestly desiring to lay down his
life for the saint, lest, so bright a lamp being extinguished, the
people of Ireland should again walk in darkness. And the saint beheld
his soul borne into heaven by the angels, and placed in the seat of the
martyrs. But the old enemy, entering the dead body, showed to all a
false and feigned Foylge, as if revived unto life, and dwelled therein
as returned to his possessions and to his people. And after some days,
as Patrick was passing nigh unto the dead man's dwelling, he called
unto him certain of the family, and asked where Foylge was; and they
answered that he was then within in the house, when the saint replied:
"The soul of Foylge, for that he unjustly slew my chariot-driver, God
justly judging and vindicating my cause, hath gone cut of his body, and
descended into hell; but Satan, to the delusion and the seduction of
mankind, hath entered into his corpse, and occupieth it as his own
proper vessel." Then the saint forbade Satan that in that vessel he
should longer abide, or deceive mankind with so wicked a phantom. And
forthwith, at the command of the man of God, the deceiving spirit
quitted his habitation of clay; the which, covered with worms, and
raising horror and offence to all, was carried into instant sepulture.
Nor let it be wondered that the devil should show himself in the
visible form of his accustomed instrument, the God permitting whose
judgments are an abyss; but rather let Him be feared who can destroy
both body and soul in hell.

CHAPTER LXXIV.

_Of the Saint's Prophecy concerning the Kings of Momonia._

And the saint, going out of Lagenia, journeyed prosperously forward
into the country of Momonia. And the king thereof, who was named
Oengus, met the holy prelate, rejoicing and giving thanks in the
exultation of his heart, as on that day occasion was ministered unto
him of joy and of belief, for that in the morning, when he entered the
temple to adore his idols, he beheld them all prostrate on the ground.
And so often as he raised them, so often by the divine power were they
cast down; nor could they stand upright, but continually were they
overthrown. And as Dagon could not stand at the approach of the ark of
the testament, so neither could the idols stand at the approach of
Saint Patrick. And he may truly be called the ark