in that stone are the bones of Saint Machaldus
said to rest, yet therein is nothing found, save only clear water. And
though many have oftentimes endeavored to remove the stone, and
especially the king of the Norici, who subdued the island, that he
might at all times have sweet water, yet have they all failed in their
attempt: for the deeper they have digged to raise up the stone, so much
the more deeply and firmly did they find it fixed in the heart of the
earth.

CHAPTER CLIII.

_A Meadow is overflowed by the Sea._

At another time the blessed Patrick being fatigued with travel, turned
aside for the sake of a little rest, and for pasturing his horses, into
a grassy meadow near Roscomaira in Connactia. But when he had sate
down and his horses had begun to feed, a certain wicked and perverse
plebeian, the owner of the place, rushed forward in the fury of anger
to expel him forth. And first he attacked the saint with reproachful
words, and at length he cast stones at the horses and drove them from
the field: wherefore the hurt done unto them, increased the injury and
the affront offered unto their master. And as Saint Patrick was one,
and chief among those horses, with which according to the prophet
Habacuc the Lord made his way in the sea, therefore was the Lord wroth
at an injury offered unto him, and therefore at his command the meadow
withered up, and the sea flowing forward covered it, and it remained
unfruitful for ever. Fitting and just was this judgment of God, that
the people which hated him, and refused his servant one blade of grass,
should lose the whole harvest; and that as this man despitefully
entreated Saint Patrick, and drove him from his field, he should
thenceforward lose the place for which so contentiously he had striven.

CHAPTER CLIV.

_A Stone is changed into Milk, and Milk is changed into Stones._

And one who had long time been a servant unto many evil-doers, hearing
of the virtues and the miracles of Saint Patrick, came unto him, for
the purpose of contending with him in working signs. And many false
signs did he multiply, the which the saint, having prayed and made the
sign of the cross, dispersed. Then the magician seeing all his
inventions to be frustrated, required of Patrick that he should work
signs to evince the power of his God; and the saint delayed not to do
what might prove the virtue of Christ, and instruct in the faith many
Christians: for he changed an h