wo brothers, by name Fiechus and Enda, ruled in those parts; and unto
them and unto their offspring the saint prophesied, if they would so
permit him, many blessings in this world and in the next; yet not only
turned they their ears from his entreaty and from his preaching, but
violently expelled him from the place. Then the saint, more grievously
taking the hindrance of his purpose than his own expulsion, began to
cast on them and on their seed the dart of his malediction. And
Secundinus, his disciple, caught the word of his lip, and, ere he could
finish, entreated and said unto him: "I beseech thee, my father, that
thy malediction be not poured forth on these men, but on the stones of
this place!" And the saint was patient, and he was silent, and he
assented. Wonderful was the event! From that day forth are these
stones found useful unto no building; but if should any one thereunto
dispose them, suddenly would the whole work fall down and tumble into
pieces. And they admit not the heat of any fire, nor, when plunged
into water, do they hiss like other stones; whence it hath become a
proverb in that country, when at any time a stone falleth from a
building, that it is one of the stones of Usneach. But Enda repented
of the injury which he had offered unto the saint, and cast himself at
his feet, and besought his pardon, and obtained and deserved it. And
he had nine sons, the youngest of whom, named Cormacus, he offered unto
Saint Patrick, to be subject to the divine command, together with the
ninth part of all his land; and another brother of his, named Leogerus,
was converted unto the faith, and gave unto the saint, with his nephew,
fifteen villages. And Saint Patrick baptized the boy, and educated and
instructed him; and the boy increased in years, in wisdom, and in
holiness, and at length, being renowned in virtue and in miracles,
rested he in the Lord.

CHAPTER CI.

_Of the Woman in Travail, and of her Offspring._

A certain prince, named Brendanus, who was then lately baptized,
earnestly besought the saint that he would bless a certain pregnant
woman; for he believed that his blessing would much avail unto her and
her offspring. And the saint, assenting to his petition, raised his
hand; but suddenly, before he had given the word of blessing or had
made the sign of the cross, he drew it back. For, at the revelation of
the Spirit, he knew that her child was conceived of Coirbre, of whom he
had pro