ing Cormac met him. He it
was who at a former time driven out of his kingdom, under the care of
Malachy by the mercy of God received consolation;[359] and that place
was in his kingdom. The king rejoiced to see Malachy, placing at the
disposal of him and those who were with him himself and all that he
had--as one who was neither ungrateful nor unmindful of a benefit. Many
beasts were immediately brought for the use of the brothers; much gold
and silver was also supplied, with regal munificence, for the expense of
the buildings. He himself also _was coming in and going out with
them_,[360] busy and ready to serve--in attire a king, but in mind a
disciple of Malachy. And the Lord _blessed_ that place _for_ Malachy's
_sake_,[361] and in a short time he was made great in goods, possessions
and persons. And there, as it were beginning anew, the burden of law and
discipline which he laid on others he bore with greater zeal himself,
their bishop and teacher. Himself, _in the order of his course_,[362]
did duty as cook, himself served the brothers while they sat at
meat.[363] Among the brothers who succeeded one another in singing or
reading in church he did not suffer himself to be passed over, but
strenuously fulfilled the office in his place as one of them. He not
only shared but took the lead in [the life] of holy poverty, being
especially zealous for it _more abundantly than they all_.[364]

FOOTNOTES:

[321] Connor: see below. It is clear that after Malachy's consecration
it was the see of a diocese which included Bangor (Sec. 15) and Down,
the present Downpatrick (Sec. 31). The inference is highly probable
that it included the whole district which constituted the "parish
[_i.e._ diocese] of Connor," according to the decree of the Synod of
Rathbreasail in 1110 (Keating, iii. 303: see above p. xli), that is to
say, roughly, the present united dioceses of Down, Connor and Dromore.
It would seem that Malachy was its first bishop.

[322] Here, again, St. Bernard implies that a long period elapsed
between Malachy's return from Lismore and his consecration; for the
reason given in Sec. 12 for his recall is inconsistent with the
supposition that he had already been elected to a bishopric which
Cellach and Imar wished him to accept. They desired to have him with
them at Armagh. He must have been "elected" either while he was at
Armagh or after he went to Bangor.

[323] Imar.

[324] Cellach. See Sec. 19, where Cellach and