d
after the tide had receded, the saint caused the cowl to be brought
unto him; and the miracle excited all who beheld it unto the praise of
God and the veneration of Saint Patrick. And thenceforward were they
all more ready to submit unto Him whose commands the mute element was
thus sent to obey.

CHAPTER CXII.

_Of the Veil that was sent from Heaven._

And there was a time when Patrick was about to consecrate two virgins
in a field within the territory of Cregrus, and a veil sent from heaven
dropped into the bosom of the saint, the which, devoutly receiving, he
offered unto the virgin so soon as she was consecrated. But she,
deeming herself unworthy of a commendation so holy, said unto him:
"Since this most excellent and powerful gift, descending from the
Father of Light, is not sent unto me a sinner, I account it right that
thou, on whom it has fallen, shouldst keep it or bestow it on another
who is worthier than me." Then the saint, applauding the virgin's
lowliness, placed the veil on her head, enjoining that she should wear
it continually until she should be introduced unto the chamber of her
heavenly Spouse. And the virgin obeyed the command of the saint, and,
living a holy life, at length she rested in the Lord.

CHAPTER CXIII.

_Of the Holy Leper, of the New Fountain, of the Angelic Attendance, and
the Prophecy of Patrick thereon._

And Saint Patrick, induced by his holy custom, retained with him a
certain leper, unto whom with intent devotion he ministered all things
needful for the sake of Christ. Even with his own hands cleansed he
his sores, and refreshed in him either man with fitting food. For the
leper, the health of his body being almost destroyed, earnestly studied
to preserve the health of his soul, and was continually intent on
prayer and on rendering thanks unto God. But when wasted with his
leprosy, he feared lest he should become an offence unto all, and
privily and humbly he withdrew himself from society, and lived solitary
in a hollow tree that he by chance had found. And while he sat there
alone he beheld a certain man passing by, and he called the man unto
him, and asked him of his religion; whom, answering that he was a
Christian, he besought that for the love of Him in whom he believed he
would not delay to go unto the nearest place which was full of
bulrushes, and, pulling up the bulrushes by the roots, to bring unto
him a bundle thereof. And at his entreaty, or