gs; and they fluttered
around him like birds of the blackest hue, fearful in their form, their
hugeness, and their multitude, and striving with horrible chatterings
to prevent his prayer, long time they disturbed the man of God. But
Patrick being armed with His grace, and aided by His protection, made
the sign of the cross, and drove far from him those deadly birds; and
by the continual sounding of his cymbal, utterly banished them forth of
the island. And being so driven away, they fled beyond the sea, and
being divided in troops among the islands which are alien unto the
faith and love of God, there do they abide and practise their
delusions. But from that time forward, even unto this time, all
venomous creatures, all fantasies of demons, have through the merits
and the prayers of the most holy father Patrick entirely ceased in
Hibernia. And the cymbal of the saint, which from his frequent
percussions thereof appeared in one part broken, was afterward repaired
by an angel's hand; and the mark is beheld on it at this day. Likewise
on the summit of this mountain many are wont to watch and to fast,
conceiving that they will never after enter the gates of hell; the
which benefit they account to be obtained to them of God through the
merits and the prayers of Patrick. And some who have thereon passed
the night relate them to have suffered grievous torments, whereby they
think themselves purified of all their sins; and for such cause many
call this place the Purgatory of Saint Patrick.

CHAPTER CLXXIII.

_Troops of Angels appear unto the Saint._

And God, the ruler of all, who after darkness bringeth light,
compassionated his servant; and so soon as the evil spirits were driven
forth, a multitude of angels poured around the place with exceeding
brightness, and with wondrous melody they comforted the saint. And he,
having finished his fast of forty days, offered the sacrifice of praise
and thanksgiving unto God, who had vouchsafed to mortal man the virtue
of so great abstinence, and had bestowed such mercies through the
intercession of Him. And moreover he rejoiced in the angelic
salutation. Then being led by the angels, he descended from the
mountain, and smote his cymbal, the sound whereof the Lord caused to be
heard through all parts of Hibernia. Thence, let none of the faithful
doubt that every man even over the whole world will hear the sound of
the last trumpet. And raising his hands, Saint Patrick