Vita Sancti Columbae: Liber Secundus

ALIO in tempore, cum vir venerandus in Scotia apud sanctum Findbarrum episcopum, adhuc juvenis, sapientiam sacrae Scripturae addiscens, commaneret, quadam solenni die vinum ad sacrificale mysterium casu aliquo minime inveniebatur: de cujus defectu cum ministros altaris inter se conquerentes audiret, ad fontem sumpto pergit urceo, ut ad sacrae Eucharistiae ministeria aquam, quasi diaconus, fontanam hauriret: ipse quippe illis in diebus erat in diaconatus gradu administrans. Vir itaque beatus aquaticum, quod de latice hausit, elementum, invocato nomine Domini Jesu Christi, fideliter benedixit, qui in Cana Galileae aquam in vinum convertit: quo etiam in hoc operante miraculo, inferior, hoc est aquatica natura, in gratiorem, videlicet vinalem, per manus praedicabilis vir conversa est speciem. Vir itaque sanctus, a fonte reversus, et ecclesiam intrans, talem juxta altare urceum intra se habentem deponit liquorem; et ad ministros, Habetis, ait, vinum, quod Dominus Jesus ad sua misit peragenda mysteria.

ALIO in tempore, when a venerable man, remaining in Scotland with Saint Findbarr the bishop, yet a youth, learning the wisdom of Holy Scripture, abode there, on a certain solemn day the wine for the sacrificial mystery by some chance was not to be found: when he heard the ministers of the altar complaining among themselves about this lack, he took an ewer and went to the fountain, that, as if a deacon, he might draw water for the ministrations of the Holy Eucharist; for indeed in those days he was serving in the grade of the diaconate. The blessed man therefore faithfully blessed the aquatic element which he had drawn from the stream, invoking the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, who at Cana of Galilee turned water into wine: and by this miracle working, the lower, that is aquatic, nature was by the hands of the praiseworthy man turned into a more pleasing, namely vinous, appearance. The holy man therefore, having returned from the fountain and entering the church, placed the ewer holding such liquid beside the altar; and to the ministers he said, Habetis, vinum, quod Dominus Jesus ad sua peragenda mysteria misit.

quo cognito, sanctus cum ministris episcopus eximias Deo referunt grates. Sanctus vero juvenis hoc non sibimet, sed sancto Vinniano adscribebat episcopo. Hoc itaque protum virtutis documentum Christus Dominus per suum declaravit discipulum, quod in eadem re, initium ponens signorum in Cana Galileae, operatus est per semetipsum.

When this became known, the holy bishop with his ministers rendered distinguished thanks to God. But the holy youth did not ascribe this to himself, but to the holy bishop Vinnianus. Thus the Lord Christ revealed this proof of eminent virtue through his disciple, for in the same matter—placing the beginning of signs at Cana of Galilee—he worked by himself.

Hujus, inquam, libelli, quasi quaedam lucerna, illustret exordium, quod per nostrum Columbam diale manifestatum est miraculum; ut deinceps transeamus ad cetera, quae per ipsum ostensa sunt, virtutum miracula.

Let the beginning of this little book, I say, as it were a certain lamp, illuminate the miracle which was manifested through our Columba; so that henceforth we may pass on to the other miracles of virtue which were shown through him.

Caput 2: De Alicujus Arboris Fructa Amaro Per Sancti Benedictionem In Dulcedinem Verso

Chapter 2: On the Fruits of a Certain Tree Turned from Bitter to Sweet by the Blessing of a Saint

QUAEDAM arbor erat valde pomosa prope monasterium Roboris Campi, in australi ejus parte; de qua cum incolae loci quoddam haberent pro nimia fructus amaritudine querimonium, quadam die Sanctus ad eam accessit autumnali tempore, vidensque lignum incassum abundos habere fructus qui ex eis gustantes plus laederent quam delectarent; sancta elevata manu, benedicens ait, In nomine omnipotentis Dei omnis tua amaritudo, O arbor amara, a te recedat; tuaque huc usque amarissima nunc in dulcissima vertantur poma. Mirum dictu, dicto citius, eodemque momento, ejusdem arboris omnia poma, amissa amaritudine, in miram, secundum verbum Sancti, versa sunt dulcedinem.

A certain tree was very fruit-bearing near the monastery of Roboris Campi, in its southern part; and since the inhabitants of the place had a complaint about the excessive bitterness of its fruit, one day the Saint approached it in autumnal time, and seeing the tree apparently vain yet having abundant fruit which, those tasting them, hurt more than pleased, the holy man, raising his hand and blessing, said, "In the name of Almighty God let all your bitterness, O bitter tree, depart from you; and may your hitherto most bitter fruits now be turned into sweetest fruits." Wonderful to tell, sooner than the word, and in the same moment, all the fruits of that same tree, the bitterness having been lost, were, to the wonder and according to the Saint’s word, turned into sweetness.

Caput 3: De Segete Post Medium Aestatis Tempus Seminata, Et In Exordio Augusti Mensis, Sancto Orante, Messa, In Ioua Conversante Insula

CHAPTER 3: On Grain Sown After Mid‑Summer, and, at the Outset of the Month of August, Reaped While the Saint Prayed, on the Island Called Ioua

ALIO in tempore Sanctus suos misit monachos ut de alicujus plebeii agellulo virgarum fasciculos ad hospitium afferent construendum. Qui cum ad Sanctum, oneraria repleta navi de supradictis virgularum materiis, reversi venirent, dicerentque plebeium ejusdem causa dispendii valde contristatum; Sanctus consequenter praecipiens dicit, Ne ergo illum scandalizemus virum, ad ipsum a nobis bis terni deferantur hordei modii, eosdemque his in diebus arata ipse seminet in terra. Quibus ad plebeium, Findchanum nomine, juxta Sancti jussionem, missis, et coram eo cum tali commendatione adsignatis, gratanter accipiens, it, Quomodo post medium aesteum tempus seges seminata, contra hujus naturam terrae, proficiet?

AT ANOTHER time the Saint sent his monks that from a certain peasant's little field they should bring bundles of rods to construct a guest-house. And when they came back to the Saint, the laden ship filled with the aforesaid rod materials returned, and they said that the peasant was very saddened on account of this loss; the Saint thereupon commanding said, "Let us not therefore scandalize the man: let to him be brought by us two‑times‑three measures of barley (six measures), and he himself shall sow the same in the days when the land is ploughed." These things having been sent to the peasant, named Findchan, according to the Saint's command, and assigned to him in his presence with such commendation, he, gladly receiving them, said, "How will grain sown after mid‑summer time, contrary to the nature of this land, prosper?"

Marita e contra, Fac, ait, secundum Sancti mandatum, cui Dominus donabit quodcumque ab eo postulaverit. Sed et qui missi sunt simul hoc addiderunt dicendo, Sanctus Columba, qui nos ad te cum hoc misit munere, hoc mandatum per nos de tua commendavit segete, dicens, Homo ille in omnipotentia Dei confidat: seges ejus, quamvis de mense Junio duodecim premissis diebus seminata, in principiis Augusti mensis metetur. Obsequitur plebeius arando et seminando; et messem, quam supradicto in tempore contra spem seminavit, cum omnium admiratione vicinorum in exordio Augusti mensis maturam, juxta verbum Sancti, messuit in loco terrae qui dicitur Delcros.

Marita, on the other hand, "Do it," he said, "according to the Saint's command, to whom the Lord will give whatever he shall ask of him." But those who were sent added this at the same time, saying, "Saint Columba, who sent us to you with this gift, entrusted this mandate concerning your sowing to us, saying, Let that man trust in the omnipotence of God: his crop, although sown in the month of June after twelve preceding days, will be reaped at the beginnings of the month of August." The plebeian obeyed, ploughing and sowing; and the harvest which he sowed at the aforesaid time, against hope, he reaped ripe at the beginning of the month of August, to the admiration of all the neighbors, according to the Saint's word, in a place of the land which is called Delcros.

Caput 4: De Morbifera Nube, Et Plurimorum Sanitate

CHAPTER 4: On the Disease-bearing Cloud, and the Health of Very Many

ALIO itidem in tempore, cum Sanctus in Ioua commoraretur insula, sedens in monticulo qui Latine Munitio Magna dicitur, videt ab aquilone nubem densam et pluvialem, de mari die serena obortam: qua ascendente visa, Sanctus ad quendam de suis juxta se monachum sedentem, nomine Silnanum, filium Nemani-don Mocusogin, Haec nubes, ait, valde nocua hominibus et pecoribus erit; hacque die velocius transvolans super aliquantam Scotiae partem, hoc est, ab illo rivulo qui dicitur Ailbine usque ad Vadum Clied, pluviam vespere distillabit morbiferam, quae gravia et purulenta humanis in corporibus, et in pecorum uberibus, nasci faciet ulcera; quibus homines morbidi et pecudes, illa venenosa gravitudine usque ad mortem molestati, laborabunt. Sed nos eorum miserati subvenire languoribus, Domino miserante, debemus. Tu ergo, Silnane, nunc mecum descendens de monte, navigationem praepara crastina die, vita comite et Deo volente, a me pane accepto, Dei invocato nomine benedicto, quo in aqua intincto, homines ea conspersi, et pecora, celerem recuperabunt salutem.

At another time likewise, when Saint was staying on the island Ioua, sitting on the little hill which in Latin is called Munitio Magna, he saw from the north a dense and rainy cloud, rising from the sea on a fair day: this cloud being seen to ascend, Saint said to a certain monk of his sitting beside him, named Silnanus, son of Nemani-don Mocusogin, This cloud will be very harmful to men and to cattle; and passing swiftly that day over a considerable part of Scotland, that is, from that little stream which is called Ailbine as far as the Ford of Clied, it will distil in the evening a pestilential rain, which will cause heavy and purulent ulcers to arise on human bodies and on the teats of cattle; by which men sick and the flocks, tormented by that poisonous grievousness even unto death, will suffer. But we, having compassion for their languors, ought to come to their aid, God having mercy. Therefore you, Silnanus, now descending with me from the hill, prepare a voyage on the morrow, life as companion and God willing, taking bread from me, the name of God invoked and blessed, with which, dipped in water, men sprinkled therewith, and the cattle, will quickly regain health.

Quid moramur? Die crastina, his quae necessaria erant citius praeparatis, Silnanus, accepto de manu Sancti pane bendicto, in pace enavigavit. Cui Sanctus, a se eadem emigranti hora, addit hoc consolatorium verbum, dicens, Confide, fili, ventos habebis secundos et prosperos die noctuque, usque dum ad illam pervenias regionem quae dicitur Ard Ceannachte, ut languentibus ibidem celerius cum salubri subvenias pane.

Why do we delay? On the next day, those things which were necessary having been prepared quickly, Silnanus, having received from the hand of the Saint the blessed bread, sailed away in peace. To him the Saint, departing at the same hour from that place, added this consoling word, saying, "Trust, son; you will have favorable and prosperous winds day and night, until you reach that region which is called Ard Ceannachte, so that there you may more quickly bring wholesome aid with the healthful bread to the languishing."

Quid plura? Silnanus, verbo obsecutus Sancti, propsera et celeri navigatione, auxiliante Domino, ad supra memoratam perveniens partem illius regionis, plebem de qua Sanctus praedixerat devastatam nubis praedictae morbifera reperiit pluvia superpluente, citius praecurrentis. Inprimisque bis terni viri in eadem mari vicina domo reperti in extremis morte positi appropinquante, ab eodem Silnano aqua benedictionis aspersi, in eodem die opportunius sanati sunt.

What more need be said? Silnanus, obedient to the word of the Saint, by prosperous and swift navigation, the Lord assisting, arriving at the above-mentioned part of that region, found the people of whom the Saint had foretold devastated by the disease-bearing rain of the said cloud, which had poured down and passed on more quickly. And especially two groups of three men each, found in a nearby house on the same sea, laid low at the point of death with death drawing near, being sprinkled by that same Silnanus with the water of blessing, were on that same day more promptly restored to health.

Cujus subitae sanationis rumor, per totam illam, morbo pestilentiore vastatam, regionem cito divulgatus, omnem morbidum ad sancti Columbae legatum invitavit populum; qui, juxta Sancti mandatum, homines et pecora pane intincta benedicto aqua conspersit, et continuo plenam recuperantes salutem, homines, cum pecudibus salvati, Christum in sancto Columba cum eximia gratiarum actione laudarunt. In hac itaque suprascripta narratione, ut aestimo, duo haec manifeste pariter comitantur; hoc est, gratia prophetationis de nube, et virtutis miraculum in aegrotantium sanitate. Haec per omnia esse verissima, supradictus Silnanus, Christi miles, sancti legatus Columbae, coram Segineo abbate et ceteris testatus est senioribus.

The rumor of whose sudden healing, quickly spread through that whole region devastated by the more pestilential disease, invited all the sick to the legate of Saint Columba; who, according to the Saint’s command, sprinkled men and beasts with blessed water and with bread dipped in it, and immediately, recovering full health, the men, with their cattle saved, praised Christ in Saint Columba with exceeding thanksgiving. In this above-written account, as I judge, these two things manifestly accompany one another: that is, the grace of prophecy concerning the cloud, and the miracle of power in the healing of the sick. That these things are altogether most true the aforesaid Silnanus, soldier of Christ, the holy legate of Columba, testified before Abbot Segineus and the other elders.

Caput 5: De Maugina Sancta Virgine Daimeni Filia Quae Inhabitaverat In Clochur Filiorum Daimeni

CHAPTER 5: Of Maugina, Holy Virgin, Daimen’s Daughter, Who Had Inhabited Clochur of the Sons of Daimen

ALIO in tempore Sanctus, cum in Ioua demoraretur insula, prima diei hora, quendam advocans fratrem, Lugaidum nomine, cujus cognomentum Scotice Lathir dicitur; et taliter eum compellat, dicens, Praepara cito ad Scotiam celerem navigationem, nam mihi valde est necesse te usque ad Cocherum filiorum Daimeni destinare legatum. In hac enim praeterita nocte, casu aliquo, Maugina, sancta virgo, filia Daimeni, ab oratorio post missam domum reversa, titumeum, inclamitans, nomen commemorat, a Domino sperans se accepturam per me consolationem. Quid plura?

At another time the saint, while he was staying on the island of Ioua, at the first hour of the day, calling to him a certain brother named Lugaid, whose byname in the Scots is said to be Lathir; and thus addresses him, saying, Prepare quickly for a swift navigation to Scotland, for it is very necessary to me to appoint you as envoy even unto Cocher, of the sons of Daimeni. For in this past night, by some chance, Maugina, a holy virgin, daughter of Daimeni, having returned from the oratory to her home after Mass, stammering and crying aloud, uttered a name, hoping from the Lord that she would receive consolation through me. What more?

Lugaido obsecundanti, et consequenter emigranti, Sanctus pineam tradit cum benedictione capsellam, dicens, Benedictio, quae in hac capsellula continetur, quando ad Mauginam pervenies visitandam, in aquae vasculum intingatur eademque benedictionis aqua super ejus infundatur coxam; et statim, invocato Dei nomine, coxale conjungetur os, et densabitur; et sancta virgo plenam recuperabit salutem. Et hoc Sanctus addit, En ego coram in hujus capsae operculo numerum viginti trium annorum describo, quibus sacra virgo in hac praesenti, post eandem salutem, victura est vita. Quae omnia sic plene expleta sunt, sicuti a Sancto praedicta: nam statim ut Lugaidus ad sanctam pervenit virginem, aqua benedicta, sicut Sanctus commendavit, perfusa coxa, sine ulla morula condensato osse, plene sanata est; et in adventu legati sancti Columbae cum ingenti gratiarum actione gavisa, viginti tribus annis, secundum Sancti prophetiam, post sanitatem, in bonis actibus permanens, vixit.

To Lugaid, who obeyed and forthwith departed, the Saint delivered a small pine casket with a blessing, saying, "Let the blessing contained in this little casket, when you come to visit Maugina, be dipped into a vessel of water, and let that blessed water be poured over her thigh; and immediately, invoking the name of God, the hip-joint will be joined to the bone and will be made firm; and the holy virgin will recover full health." And the Saint added this: "Behold, before God I record on the lid of this casket the number 23 years, during which the sacred virgin, after that recovery, shall live in this present life." All these things were thus fully accomplished, just as foretold by the Saint: for as soon as Lugaid reached the holy virgin, the water blessed, as the Saint had commended, having been poured on the thigh, without any ulcer with consolidated bone, was healed completely; and at the arrival of the legate of Saint Columba, with great thanksgiving, she lived for 23 years, according to the Saint’s prophecy, remaining in good works after her recovery.

Caput 6: De His Quae In Dorso Ceate Peractae Sunt Diversorum Sanitatibus Morborum

Chapter 6: On Those Things Which Were Performed on the Ridge of Ceate Concerning the Various Healings of Diseases

VIR vitae praedicabilis, sicuti nobis ab expertis traditum est, diversorum languores infirmorum, invocato Christi nomine, illis in diebus sanavit, quibus, ad regum pergens condictum in Dorso Cette, brevi commoratus est tempore. Nam aut sanctae manus protensione, aut aqua ab eo benedicta, aegroti plures aspersi, aut etiam fimbriae ejus tactu amphibali, aut alicujus rei, salis videlicet vel panis, benedictione accepta, et lymphis intincta, plenam credentes recuperarunt salutem.

A MAN praiseworthy of life, as has been handed down to us by those experienced, healed in those days diverse ailments of various sick people, invoking the name of Christ, on the days in which, journeying to the king, he was lodged at Dorso Cette for a short time. For either by the outstretching of his holy hands, or by water blessed by him and sprinkled on many of the sick, or even by the touch of his fringe, or by the reception of a blessing upon some thing, namely salt or bread, and dipped in the fluids, they, believing, recovered full health.

Caput 7: De Petra Salis A Sancto Benedicta, Quam Ignis Absumere Non Potuit

CHAPTER 7: OF THE SALT-STONE BLESSED BY SAINT BENEDICT, WHICH FIRE COULD NOT CONSUME

ALIO itidem in tempore, Colgu filius Cellachi postulatam a Sancto pertram salis benedictam accipit, sorori et suae nutrici profuturam, quae ophthalmiae laborabat valde gravi languore. Talem eulogiam eadem soror et nutricia de manu fratris accipiens, in pariete super lectum suspendit; casuque post aliquantos contigit dies, ut idem viculus, cum supradictae domuncula feminae, flamma vastante, totus concremaretur. Mirum dictu, illius parietis particula, ne beati viri in ea deperiret suspensa benedictio, post totam ambustam domum, stans illaesa permansit; nec ignis ausus est attingere binales, in quibus talis pendebat salis petra, sudes.

At another time likewise, Colgu son of Cellach received from the Saint the requested small piece of blessed salt, to be of use to his sister and to his nurse, who was suffering from ophthalmia with a very severe malady. The same sister and nurse, receiving such a benediction from their brother’s hand, hung it on the wall above the bed; and by chance after some days it happened that the same little dwelling of the woman, with the flame devastating, was wholly burned up. Wonderful to tell, the particle of that wall on which the blessed benediction was suspended so that it should not perish, after the whole house had been burned, remained standing uninjured; nor did the fire dare to touch the two beams on which such a stone of salt hung, the wooden uprights.

Caput 8: De Librario Folio Sancti Manu Descripto, Quod Aqua Corrumpi Non Potuit

Chapter 8: Concerning the Librarian's Leaf Written by the Saint's Hand, Which Water Could Not Corrupt

ALIUD miraculum aestimo non tacendum, quod aliquando factum est per contrarium elementum. Multorum namque transcursis annorum circulis post beati ad Dominum transitum viri, quidam juvenis de equo lapsus in flumine, quod Scotice Boend vocitatur, mersus et mortuus, viginti sub aqua diebus permansit; qui, sicuti sub ascella, cadens, libros in pelliceo reconditos sacculo habebat, ita etiam post supra memoratum dierum numerum est repertus, sacculum cum libris inter brachium et latus continens; cujus etiam ad aridam reportato cadavere, et aperto sacculo, folium sancti Columbae sanctis scriptum digitulis, inter aliorum folia librorum non tantum corrupta sed et putrefacta, inventum est siccum et nullo modo corruptum, ac si in scriniolo esset reconditum.

ANOTHER miracle I judge not to be left unspoken, which sometime was wrought by the contrary element. For many circles of years having passed after the blessed man’s passing to the Lord, a certain youth having fallen from his horse into the river, which in Scottish is called Boend, was submerged and dead, remaining under the water for twenty days; who, just as one falling under the arm bears books kept in a little fur pouch, so was he found after the above‑mentioned number of days, the little pouch with books lying between his arm and his side; and when his corpse was brought to dry land and the pouch opened, a leaf of Saint Columba, written with holy little fingers, was found among the other leaves of the books not only noncorrupt but dry and in no way putrefied, while the others’ leaves were corrupt and even rotted, as if that leaf had been kept in a little shrine.

De Alio Miraculo In Re Simili Gesto

On Another Miracle Performed in a Similar Matter

ALIO in tempore, hymnorum liber septimaniorum sancti Columbae manu descriptus, de cujusdam pueri de ponte elapsi humeris, cum pelliceo in quo inerat sacculo, in quodam partis Laginorum fluvio submersus cecidit. Qui videlicet libellus, a Natalitio Domini usque ad Paschalium consummationem dierum in aquis permanens, postea in ripa fluminis a feminis quibusdam ibidem deambulantibus repertus, ad quendam Iogenanum presbyterum, gente Pictum, cujus prius juris erat, in eodem, non solum madefacto, sed etiam putrefacto, portatur sacculo. Quem scilicet sacculum idem Iogenanus asperiens, suum incorruptum libellum invenit, et ita nitidum et siccum, ac si in scrinio tanto permansisset tempore, et nunquam in aquas cecidisset.

At another time, a book of the weekly hymns, written by the hand of Saint Columba, fell into a certain river of the region of Lagin when a boy slipped from a bridge onto his shoulders, together with the pellicle in which the sacculum was contained, and was submerged. This little book, remaining in the waters from the Nativity of the Lord until the consummation of the Paschal days, was afterwards found on the river-bank by certain women walking there, and was carried, in that same sacculum — not only wet but even rotten — to a certain presbyter Iogenanus, of Pictish race, who had formerly had charge of it. And when the same Iogenanus shook that sacculum, he found his incorrupt little book, so bright and dry as if it had remained all that time in a little shrine and had never fallen into the waters.

Sed et alia de libris manu sancti Columbae caraxatis similia ab expertis indubitanter didicimus in diversis acta locis: qui scilicet libri, in aquis mersi, nullo modo corrumpi potuere. De supra memorato vero Iogenani libro a viris quibusdam veracibus et perfectis bonique testimonii, sine ulla ambiguitate, relationem accepimus; qui eundem libellum, post tot supradictos submersionis dies, candidissimum et lucidissimum considerarunt.

But also other similar things concerning books inscribed by the hand of Saint Columba we have undeniably learned from those experienced in various acted places: namely that those very books, having been submerged in waters, could in no way be corrupted. Concerning the above-mentioned book of Iogenanus, however, we received an account from certain truthful and perfected men of good testimony, without any ambiguity; who regarded the same little book, after so many aforesaid days of submersion, as most spotless and most luminous.

Haec duo, quamlibet in rebus parvis peracta, et per contraria ostensa elementa, ignem scilicet et aquam, beati testantur honorem viri, et quanti et qualis meriti apud habeatur Dominum.

These two things, though accomplished in small matters, and the elements shown by contraries, namely fire and water, bear witness to the honor of the blessed man, and how great and of what sort his merit is esteemed before the Lord.

Caput 9: De Aqua Quae Sancto Orante Ex Dura Producta Est Petra

CHAPTER 9: ON THE WATER WHICH, WITH THE SAINT PRAYING, WAS BROUGHT FORTH FROM HARD ROCK

ET quia paulo superius aquatici facta est mentio elementi, silere non debemus etiam alia miracula, quae per Sanctum Dominus ejusdem in re, licet diversis temporibus et locis, creaturae peregit. Alio namque in tempore, cum Sanctus in sua conversaretur peregrinatione, infans ei per parentes ad baptizandum offertur iter agenti; et quia in vicinis aqua non inveniebatur locis, Sanctus, ad proximam declinans rupem, flexis genibus paulisper oravit, et post orationem surgens, ejusdem rupis frontem benedixit; de qua consequenter aqua abundanter ebulliens fluxit; in qua continuo infantem baptizavit. De quo etiam baptizato haec, vaticinans, intulit verba, inquiens, Hic puerulususque in extremam longaevus vivet aetatem; in annis juvenilibus carnalibus desideriis satis serviturus, et deinceps Christianae usque in exitum militiae mancipandus, in bona senectute ad Dominum emigrabit.

And because a little above mention was made of the aquatic element, we must not be silent about other miracles which the Lord, through the same Saint, performed in that matter, although at diverse times and places. For at another time, when the Saint was journeying on his peregrination, an infant was offered to him by its parents to be baptized while he was traveling; and because water was not to be found in the neighboring places, the Saint, turning toward the nearest rock, prayed for a little while on bended knees, and after the prayer, rising, blessed the face of that same rock; from which, consequently, water abundantly, boiling up, flowed; in which he immediately baptized the infant. Concerning whom, even after the baptism, prophesying, he spoke these words, saying, "This little boy shall live to an extreme old age; in his youthful years he will be given sufficiently to carnal desires, and thereafter to be held in Christian service even to the end of his warfare, he will depart to the Lord in a good old age."

Quae omnia eidem viro juxta Sancti contigerunt vaticinium. Hic erat Lugucencalad, cujus parentes fuerant in Artdaib Muirchol, ubi hodieque fonticulus, sancti nomine Columbae pollens, cernitur.

All these things befell the same man in accordance with the Saint’s prophecy. He was Lugucencalad, whose parents had been at Artdaib Muirchol, where even today a little spring, potent in the name of the Saint Columba, is seen.

Caput 10: De Alia Maligna Fontana Aqua Quam Vir Beatus In Pictorum Regione Benedixit

CHAPTER 10: On the Other Evil Fountain Water Which a Blessed Man Blessed in the Pictish Region

ALIO in tempore, vir beatus, cum in Pictorum provincia per aliquot demoraretur dies, audiens in plebe gentili de alio fonte divulgari famam, quem quasi deum stolidi homines, diabolo eorum obcaecante sensus, venerabantur; nam de eodem fonticulo bibentes, aut in eo manus vel pedes de industria lavantes, daemoniaca, Deo permittente, percussi arte, aut leprosi, aut lusci, aut etiam debiles, aut quibuscunque aliis infestati infirmitatibus revertebantur. Ob quae omnia seducti gentiles divinum fonti deferebant honorem. Quibus compertis, Sanctus alia die intrepidus accessit ad fontem.

ALIO in time, a blessed man, while he lingered for several days in the province of the Picts, hearing that among the heathen folk a fame was spread concerning another spring, which foolish men worshipped as if a god, the devil blinding their senses; for those drinking of that same little spring, or wilfully washing their hands or feet in it, were, by demonic art, God permitting, struck and returned leprous, or one‑eyed, or even weak, or plagued by whatever other infirmities. For all these reasons the deluded gentiles were offering divine honor to the spring. When these things were discovered, the Saint on the next day fearlessly approached the spring.

Quod videntes magi, quos saepe ipse confusos et victos a se repellebat, valde gavisi sunt, scilicet putantes eum similia illius nocuae tactu aquae passurum. Ille vero imprimis elevata manu sancta, cum invocatione Christi nominis, manus lavat et pedes; tum deinde cum sociis de eadem, a se benedicta, bibit. Ex illaque die daemones ab eodem recesserunt fonte, et non solum nulli nocere permissus est, sed etiam, post Sancti benedictionem et in eo lavationem, multae in populo infirmitates per eundem sanatae sunt fontem.

Which when the magi saw — whom he himself often repelled, confounded and defeated — they were very glad, of course thinking that he would suffer like things from the touch of that harmful water. He, however, first with his holy hand raised, and invoking the name of Christ, washed his hands and feet; then afterward with his companions he drank of the same water, blessed by him. From that day the demons withdrew from that fountain, and not only was it permitted to harm no one, but also, after the Saint’s blessing and a washing in it, many infirmities among the people were healed through that same fountain.

Caput 11: De Beati Viri In Mari Periculo, Et Tempestatis Eo Orante Subita Sedatione

CHAPTER 11. CONCERNING THE BLESSED MAN IN DANGER AT SEA, AND THE SUDDEN CALMING OF THE STORM AS HE PRAYED

ALIO in tempore, vir sanctus in mari periclitari coepit; totum namque vas navis, valde concussum, magnis undarum cumulis fortiter feriebatur, grandi undeique insistente ventorum tempestate. Nautae tum forte Sancto, sentinam cum illis exhaurire conanti, aiunt, Quod nunc agis non magnopere nobis proficit periclitantibus; exorare potius debes pro pereuntibus. Quo audito, aquam cessat amaram exinanire, hininglas; dulcem vero et intentam precem coepit ad Dominum fundere.

ALIO at another time a holy man began to be endangered at sea; for the whole hull of the ship, greatly shaken, was being fiercely struck by great heaps of waves, with a mighty storm of winds pressing from all sides. The sailors then, to the Saint, while he strove with them to bail out the bilge, said, "What you are doing now does not greatly avail us who are in peril; you ought rather to plead for those perishing." When he heard this, he ceased to empty the bitter water, hininglas; and instead began to pour forth a sweet and intent prayer to the Lord.

Mirum dictu, eodem horae momento, quo Sanctus, in prora stans, estensis ad coelum palmis, Omnipotentem exoravit, tota aeris tempestas et maris saevitia, dicto citius sedata, cessavit, et statim serenissima tranquillitas subsecuta est. Qui vero navi inerant, obstupefacti, cum magna admiratione, referentes gratias, glorificaverunt Dominum in sancto et praedicabili viro.

Wonderful to relate, at the very same moment of the hour in which the Saint, standing in the prow, with palms outstretched to heaven, prayed to the Omnipotent, the whole tempest of the air and the savagery of the sea, calmed more quickly than the word, ceased, and immediately the most serene tranquillity followed. And those who were on the ship, stupefied, with great admiration, returning thanks, glorified the Lord in the holy and praiseworthy man.

Caput 12: De Alio Ejus In Mari Simili Periculo

CHAPTER 12: ON ANOTHER OF HIS SIMILAR PERILS AT SEA

ALIO quoque in tempore, saeva nimis insistente et perculosa tempestate, sociis, ut pro eis Sanctus Dominum exoraret, inclamitantibus; hoc eis dedit responsum, dicens, Hac in die non est meum pro vobis in hoc periculo constitutis orare, sed est abbatis Cainnichi, sancti viri. Mira dicturus sum. Eadem hora sanctus Cainnichus, in suo conversans monasterio, quod Latine Campulus Bovis dicitur, Scotice vero Ached-bou, Spiritu revelante Sancto, supradictam sancti Columbae interiore cordis aure vocem audierat; et cum forte post nonam coepisset horam in refectorio eulogiam frangere, ocius deserit mensulam, unoque in pede inhaerente calceo, et altero pro nimia festinatione relicto, festinanter pergit hac cum voce ad ecclesiam, Non est nobis nunc temporis prandere quando in mari periclitatur navis sancti Columbae.

At another time, with a storm too fierce and dangerous pressing upon them, the companions, crying aloud that the Saint should pray to the Lord for them, he gave them this answer, saying, On this day it is not mine to pray for you who are set in this danger, but it is the duty of Abbot Cainnich, a holy man. I will tell a marvelous thing. At the same hour Saint Cainnich, dwelling in his monastery, which in Latin is called Campulus Bovis, in Scots Ached-bou, the Holy Spirit revealing it to him, had heard the aforesaid golden voice of Saint Columba in the inner heart; and when, by chance, after the ninth hour he had begun to say grace in the refectory, he quickly left the table, one shoe clinging to one foot and the other left behind through too great haste, and hastened forth with this cry to the church, It is not now time for us to dine when the ship of Saint Columba is in peril on the sea.

Hoc enim momento, ipse hujus nomen Cainnichi ingeminans commemorat, ut pro eo et sociis periclitantibus christum exoret. Post haec illius verba oratorium ingressus, flexis genibus paulisper oravit; ejusque orationem exaudiente Domino, illico tempestas cessavit, et mare valde tranquillum factum est. Tum deinde sanctus Columba, Cainnichi ad ecclesiam properationem in spiritu videns, quamlibet longe conversantis, mirabiliter hoc de puro pectore profert verbum, dicens, Nunc cognovi, O Cainniche, quod Deus tuam exaudierit precem; nunc valde nobis proficit tuus ad ecclesiam velox cum uno calceamento cursus.

At that moment, he himself, repeating the name Cainnich, calls him to mind that he should pray to Christ for him and the companions in danger. After these words he entered the oratory, and with knees bent prayed for a little while; and with the Lord hearing his prayer, immediately the storm ceased, and the sea became very calm. Then moreover Saint Columba, seeing in spirit Cainnich’s haste to the church, however far he was conversing, wondrously from his pure heart utters this word, saying, “Now I have known, O Cainniche, that God has heard your prayer; now your swift run to the church with one shoe greatly benefits us.”

In hoc itaque tali miraculo amborum, ut credimus, oratio cooperata est Sanctorum.

In this therefore such miracle of both, as we believe, the prayer of the saints cooperated.

Caput 13: De Baculo, In Portu, Sancti Cainnichi Neglecto

CHAPTER 13: ON THE STAFF, IN THE PORT, SAINT CAINNICHUS NEGLECTED

ALIO in tempore, idem supra memoratus Cainnichus suum, a portu Iouae insulae ad Scotiam navigare incipiens, baculum secum portare oblitus est; qui scilicet ejus baculus, post ipsius egressum in litore repertus, sancti in manum traditus est Columbae; quemque, domum reversus, in oratorium portat, et ibidem solus in oratione diutius demoratur. Cainnichus proinde ad Oidecham appropinquans insulam, subito de sua oblivione compunctus, interius perculsus est. Sed post modicum flectens, baculum, quem in portu Iouae insulae oblitus post se reliquit, super cespitem terrulae Aithche ante se invenit.

At another time, the same aforementioned Cainnich, beginning to sail from the harbour of the island Ioua to Scotland, forgot to carry his staff with him; which staff, after his landing, was found on the shore and delivered into the hand of the saint Columba; and when he had returned home he carried it into the oratory, and there alone he remained long in prayer. Therefore, as Cainnich was drawing near the island Oidecham, suddenly filled with compunction for his forgetfulness, he was inwardly struck. But after a little while, bowing down, he found the staff which he had left behind in the harbour of the island Ioua lying before him upon a tuft of turf of the little land Aithche.

De cujus etiam effecta divinitus evectione valde est miratus cum gratiarum in Deo actione.

Concerning which thing also, at its effectual divine elevation, he was greatly amazed, with thanksgiving to God.

Caput 14: De Baitheneo Et Columbano Filio Beogni, Sanctis Presbyteris, Eadem Sibi Die Ventum Prosperum A Domino Per Beati Viri Orationem Donari Postulantibus, Sed Diversa Navigantibus Via

CHAPTER 14: Of Baithen and Columban, son of Beogni, holy presbyters, the same for themselves on that day asking that a prosperous voyage be granted by the Lord through the prayer of the blessed man, but sailing by different ways

ALIO in tempore, superius memorati sancti viri ad Sanctum venientes, ab eo simul unanimes postulant ut ipse a Domino postulans impetraret prosperum crastina die ventum sibi dari diversa emigraturis via. Quibus Sanctus respondens, hoc dedit responsum, Mane crastina die, Baitheneus, a portu Iouae enavigans insulae, flatum habebit secundum usquequo ad portum perveniat Campi Lunge. Quod ita, juxta Sancti verbum, Dominus donavit: nam Baitheneus plenis eadem die velis magnum totumque pelagus usque ad Ethicam transmeavit terram.

At another time, the above-mentioned holy men, coming to the Saint, together and unanimously asked him that he, asking of the Lord, might obtain a prosperous wind for them on the next day, for those setting out by a different route. The Saint, answering them, gave this response: "On the morning of the next day, Baitheneus, sailing forth from the port of Ioua of the island, will have a favourable breeze until he reaches the port of Campi Lunge." Which thing, according to the Saint's word, the Lord granted: for Baitheneus with full sails that same day crossed the great and whole sea as far as the land of Ethica.

Hora vero ejusdem diei tertia, vir venerandus Columbanum advocat presbyterum dicens, Nunc Baitheneus prospere optatum pervenit ad portum: ad navigandum te hodie praepara; mox Dominus ventum convertet in aquilonem. Cui sic prolato beati viri verbo eadem hora auster obsecundans ventus se in aquiloneum convertit flatum; et ita in eadem die uterque vir sanctus, alter ab altero in pace aversus, Baitheneus mane ad Ethicam terram, Columbanus post meridiem Hiberniam incipiens appetere, plenis enavigavit velis et flatibus secundis. Hoc illustris viri virtute orationum, Domino donante, effectum est miraculum; quia, sicut scriptum est, Omnia possibilia sunt credenti.

At the third hour of that same day the venerable man summoned the presbyter Columbanus, saying, Now Baitheneus has prosperously reached the long-desired port: prepare yourself to sail today; soon the Lord will turn the wind into a north wind. With the blessed man’s word thus spoken, at the same hour the south wind, complying, turned itself into a northward gale; and so on that same day each holy man, parting from the other in peace, Baitheneus in the morning for the land called Ethica, Columbanus in the afternoon beginning to make for Hibernia (Ireland), sailed with full sails and favourable winds. This miracle was effected by the illustrious man’s power of prayers, the Lord granting it; for, as it is written, all things are possible to the believer.

Post illa in die sancti Columbani egressum, sanctus hoc de illo propheticum Columba protulit verbum, Vir sanctus Columbanus, cui emigranti bendiximus, nusquam in hoc saeculo faciem videbit meam. Quod ita post expletum est, nam eodem anno sanctus Columba ad Dominum transiit.

After those things, on the day of Saint Columbanus’s departure, the holy Columba brought forth this prophetic word concerning him: "Holy man Columbanus, whom we bless as he goes forth, nowhere in this world shall he see my face." Which so afterwards was fulfilled; for in that same year Saint Columba passed to the Lord.

Caput 15: De Repulsione Daemonis Qui In Lactario Latitabat Vasculo

CHAPTER 15: ON THE REPULSION OF THE DEMON WHO WAS LURKING IN THE LITTLE MILK-VESSEL

ALIO in tempore, quidam juvenis, Columbanus, nomine, Nepos Briuni, ad januam tugurioli subito perveniens restitit, in quo vir beatus scribebat. Hic idem, post vaccarum reversus mulsionem, in dorso portans vasculum novo plenum lacte, dicit ad Sanctum, ut juxta morem tale benediceret onus. Sanctus tum ex adverso eminus in aere signum salutare manu elevata depinxit, quod illico valde concussum est, gergennaque operculi, per sua bina foramina retrusa, longius projecta est, operculum terra tenus cecidit, lac ex majore mensura in solum defusum est.

AT ANOTHER time, a certain youth, Columbanus by name, a nepos of Briun, suddenly coming to the door of a little hut stopped, in which the blessed man was writing. This same one, after returning from the milking of the cows, carrying on his back a small vessel newly full of milk, asked the Saint that he, according to custom, bless such a burden. The Saint then from opposite, at a distance, traced in the air a saving sign with his raised hand, which immediately was greatly shaken, and the hinge of the lid, pushed back through its two holes, was thrown farther off; the lid fell to the ground, and milk from the larger measure was poured out upon the earth.

Juvenculus vas, cum parvo quod remanserat lactis, super fundum in terra deponit, genua suppliciter flectit. Ad quem Sanctus, Surge, ait, Columbane, hodie in tua operatione negligenter egisti, daemonem enim in fundo vacui latitantem vasculi, impresso Dominicae crucis signo, ante infusionem lactis, non effugasti: cujus videlicet signi nunc virtutem non sustinens, tremefactus, toto pariter turbato vase, velociter cum lactis effusione aufugit. Huc ergo ad me proprius vasculum, ut illud benedicam, approxima.

The young herdsman sets the little vessel, with the small amount of milk that remained, down upon the ground, and kneels humbly. To whom the Saint said, "Rise, Columbanus; today in your operation you have acted negligently, for you did not drive away the daemon lurking in the bottom of the empty little vessel by impressing the sign of the Lord's cross before the pouring-in of the milk: of that sign, unable now to endure its virtue, being seized with dread, and the whole vessel alike thrown into disorder, it quickly fled away together with the outflow of the milk. Therefore bring the little vessel nearer to me, that I may bless it."

Quo facto, Sanctus semivacuum quod benedixerat vas, eodem momento divinitus repletum repertum est; parvumque quod prius in fundo vasis remanserat, sub sanctae manus benedictione, usque ad summam citius excreverat.

When this was done, the half-empty vessel which Sanctus had blessed was found at the same moment divinely filled; and the small remainder which before had lain on the bottom of the vessel, under the blessing of the holy hand, had more quickly swollen up to the very brim.

Caput 16: De Vasculo Quod Quidam Maleficus Nomine Silnanus Lacte De Masculo Bove Expresso Repleverat

CHAPTER 16: OF THE LITTLE VESSEL WHICH A CERTAIN MALefactor NAMED SILNANUS HAD FILLED WITH MILK EXPRESSED FROM A MALE OX

HOC in domo alicujus plebeii divitis, qui in monte Cainle commorabatur, Foirtgirni nomine, factum traditur. Ubi cum Sanctus hospitaretur, inter rusticanos contendentes duos, quorum prius adventum praescivit, recta judicatione judicavit: unusque ex eis, qui maleficus erat, a Sancto jussus, de bove masculo, qui prope erat, lac arte diabolica expressit: quod Sanctus, non ut illa confirmaret maleficia, fieri jussit, quod absit; sed ut ea coram multitudine destrueret. Vir itaque beatus vas, ut videbatur tali plenum lacte, sibi ocius dari poposcit; et hac cum sententia benedixit dicens, Modo probabitur non esse hoc verum, quod putatur, lac, sed daemonum fraude, ad decipiendos homines, decoloratus sanguis: et continuo lacteus ille color in naturam versus est propriam, hoc est, in sanguinem.

THIS is reported to have happened in the house of a certain wealthy plebeian, who dwelt on Mount Cainle, by name Foirtgirni. When the Saint was being entertained there, between two rustics contending, whose prior arrival he had foreseen, he judged with straight adjudication: and one of them, who was a malefactor, at the Saint’s command, drew milk by diabolical art from a male ox that was near: which the Saint did not order so that he might confirm those malefactions, far be it, but so that he might refute them before the multitude. Therefore the blessed man demanded that the vessel, as it seemed full of such milk, be given to him quickly; and with this sentence he blessed it, saying, “Now it will be proved not to be what it is thought, milk, but blood discolored by the fraud of demons to deceive men”: and immediately that milky color reverted to its proper nature, that is, into blood.

Bos quoque, qui per unius horae momentum, turpi macie tabidus et maceratus, erat morti proximus, benedicta a Sancto aqua superfusus, mira sub celeritate sanatus est.

The ox also, which for the moment of one hour, foul with leanness, emaciated and wasted, was close to death, having been sprinkled with water blessed by the Saint, was healed with wondrous speed.

Caput 17: De Lugneo Mocumin

Chapter 17: Of Lugneo Mocumin

QUADAM die quidam bonae indolis juvenis, Lugneus nomine, qui postea senex in monasterio Elenae insulae praepositus erat, ad Sanctum veniens, queritur de profluvio sanguinis, qui crebro per multos menses de naribus ejus immoderate profluebat. Quo propius accito, Sanctus ambas ipsius nares binis manus dexterae digitulis constringens benedixit. Ex qua hora benedictionis, nunquam sanguis de naso ejus usque ad extremum distillavit diem.

One day a certain youth of good disposition, named Lugneus, who later as an old man was prior in the monastery of the island of Helena, coming to the Saint, complained of a gush of blood which frequently, for many months, flowed immoderately from his nostrils. When he was called nearer, the Saint, binding both his nostrils with two digits of his right hand, blessed him. From that hour of the blessing the blood never again distilled from his nose even to his dying day.

Caput 18: De Piscibus Beato Viro Specialiter A Deo Praeparatis

CHAPTER 18: ON FISHES ESPECIALLY PREPARED BY GOD FOR THE BLESSED MAN

ALIO in tempore, cum praedicabilis viri sociales, strenui piscatores, quinos in rete pisces cepissent in fluvio Sale piscoso, Sanctus ad eos, iterato, ait, Rete in flumen mittite, et statim invenietis grandem, quem mihi Dominus praeparavit, piscem. Qui, verbo Sancti obtemperantes, mirae magnitudinis traxerunt in retiaculo esocem a Deo sibi praeparatum.

At another time, when the praiseworthy man’s companions, stalwart fishermen, had caught five fish in a net in the fishy river Sale, the Saint again said to them, "Cast the net into the river, and immediately you will find a great fish which the Lord has prepared for me." They, obeying the Saint's word, drew up into their little net a pike of wondrous size prepared for them by God.

Caput 19

Chapter 19

ALIO quoque in tempore, cum Sanctus juxta Cei Stagnum aliquantis demoraretur diebus, comites ire ad piscandum cupientes retardavit, dicens, Hodie et cras nullus in flumine reperietur piscis: tertia mittam vos die, et invenietis binos grandes, in rete retentos, fluminales esoces. Quos ita post duas dieculas, rete mittentes, duos rarissimae magnitudinis, in fluvio qui dicitur Bo reperientes, ad terram traxerunt. In his duabus memoratis piscationibus, miraculi apparet virtus et prophetica simul praescientia comitata, pro quibus Sanctus et socii Deo grates eximias reddiderunt.

At another time, when the Saint was staying for several days beside the Lake of Ceo, he restrained his companions, who wished to go off fishing, saying, "Today and tomorrow no fish will be found in the river: on the third day I will send you, and you will find two large ones, retained in the net, river esoces (esox)." Thus, after two little days, casting the net, they found two of most rare magnitude in the river called Bo, and drew them to land. In these two aforementioned fishings the power of the miracle and prophetic fore-knowledge appeared together, for which the Saint and his companions rendered exceptional thanks to God.

Caput 20: De Nesano Curbo Qui In Ea Regione Conversabatur Quae Stagno Aporum Est Contermina

CHAPTER 20: OF NESANUS CURBUS, WHO WAS STAYING IN THAT REGION WHICH IS ADJACENT TO THE POOL OF APORUM

HIC Nesanus, cum esset valde inops, sanctum alio tempore gaudenter hospitio recepit virum. Cui cum hospitaliter secundum vires, unius noctis spatio ministrasset, Sanctus ab eo inquirit, cujus boculas numeri haberet: ille ait, Quinque. Sanctus consequenter, Ad me, ait, adduc, ut eas benedicam.

Here Nesanus, being very poor, gladly received the holy man at another time into his hospitality. To whom, when he had hospitably ministered according to his means for the space of one night, the Saint asked him how many boculas of the number he had: he said, Five. The Saint consequently said, Bring them to me, that I may bless them.

Quibus adductis, et elevata manu sancta benedictis, Ab hac die tuae pauculae quinque vacculae crescent, ait Sanctus, usque ad centum et quinque vaccarum numerum. Et quia idem Nesanus homo plebeius erat, cum uxore et filiis, hoc etiam ei vir beatus benedictionis augmentum intulit, dicens, Erit semen tuum in filiis et nepotibus benedictum. Quae omnia plene, juxta verbum Sancti, sine ulla expleta sunt imminutione.

When these were brought forward, and with his hand raised the holy man blessed them, "From this day your few five little cows will increase," said the Saint, "up to the number of one hundred and five cows." And because that same Nesanus was a plebeian man, with a wife and children, this blessed man also conferred on him an increase of blessing, saying, "Your seed shall be blessed in your sons and grandsons." All of which things were fully, according to the word of the Saint, accomplished without any diminution.

Caput 21

Chapter 21

DE quodam viro divite tenacissimo, nomine Uigenio, qui sanctum Columbam despexerat nec eum hospitio recepit, hanc e contrario protulit prophetalem sententiam, inquiens, Illius autem avari divitiae, qui Christum in peregrinis hospitibus sprevit, ab hac die paulatim imminuentur, et ad nihilum redigentur; et ipse mendicabit; et filius ejus cum semivacua de domo in domum perul discuret; et, ab aliquo ejus emulo securi in fossula excussorii percussus, morietur. Quae omnia de utroque, juxta sancti prophetiam viri, plene sunt expleta.

ON a certain very rich and most tenacious man, named Uigenius, who had scorned Saint Columba and did not receive him into hospitality, the saint in reply uttered this prophetic sentence, saying, "But the riches of that avaricious man, who despised Christ in the stranger guests, from this day shall gradually be diminished, and reduced to nothing; and he himself will beg; and his son, with the house half-empty, will run from house to house; and, struck by some rival of his with an axe in a little ditch, he shall die." All these things concerning both, according to the prophecy of the holy man, have been fully fulfilled.

Caput 22: De Columbano Aeque Plebeio Viro, Cujus Pecora Admodum Pauca Vir Sanctus Benedixit; Sed Post Illius Benedictionem Usque Ad Centenarium Creverunt Numerum

CHAPTER 22: On Columbanus, an equally plebeian man, whose herds very few the holy man blessed; but after that blessing they grew up to the number of a hundred.

ALIO quoque tempore, vir beatus quadam nocte, cum apud supra memoratum Columbanum tunc temporis inopem, bene hospitaretur, mane primo Sanctus, sicuti superius de Nesano commemoratum est, de quantitate et qualitate substantiae plebeium hospitem interrogat. Qui interrogatus, Quinque, ait, tantummodo habeo vacculas; quae, si eas benedixeris, in majus crescent. Quas illico, a Sancto jussus, adduxit, similique modo, ut supra de Nesani quinis dictum est vacculis, et hujus Columbani boculas quinales aequaliter benedicens, inquit, Centenas et quinque, Deo donante, habebis vaccas, et erit in filiis et nepotibus tuis florida benedictio.

At another time likewise, a blessed man, one night, when he was being kindly hosted at the above‑mentioned Columbanus, then poor, early in the morning the Saint, as above recalled concerning Nesanus, asked the plebeian guest about the quantity and quality of his stock. Who, when asked, said, "Five; I have only five little cows; which, if you bless them, will grow into greater number." Which immediately, at the Saint's command, he led forward, and in like manner, as was said above about Nesanus’s five little cows, and blessing equally this Columbanus’s five little heifers, he said, "You will have one hundred and five cows, God granting, and there shall be a flourishing blessing upon your sons and grandsons."

Quae omnia, juxta beati viri prophetationem, in agris et pecoribus ejus et prole, plenissime adimpleta sunt; mirumque in modum numerus a Sancto prefinitus supra memoratis ambobus viris, in centenario vaccarum et quinario expletus numero, nullo modo superaddi potuit: nam illa, quae supra praefinitum excedebant numerum, diversis praerepta casibus, nusquam comparuerant, excepto eo quod aut in usus proprios familiae, aut etiam in opus eleemosynae, expendi poterat. In hac itaque narratione, ut in ceteris, virtutis miraculum et prophetia simul aperte ostenditur: nam in magna vaccarum ampliatione benedictionis pariter et orationis virtus apparet, et in praefinitione numeri prophetalis praescientia.

All these things, according to the prophecy of the blessed man, were most fully fulfilled in his fields and flocks and offspring; and wondrously the number preappointed by the Saint to both the above‑mentioned men, completed in the count of a hundred cows and five, could in no way be exceeded: for those which went beyond the preappointed number, having been snatched away by various sudden mishaps, were nowhere to be found, except insofar as they could be expended for the household’s own uses, or even for works of alms. In this narration therefore, as in the others, the miracle of virtue and prophecy are openly shown together: for in the great multiplication of cows the power of blessing and of prayer alike appears, and in the predefinition of the number prophetic prescience.

Caput 23: De Malefactorum Interitu Qui Sanctum Dispexerant

CHAPTER 23: On the Perishing of the Malefactors Who Had Looked Upon the Saint

VIR venerandus supra memoratum Columbanum, quem de paupere virtus benedictionis ejus ditem fecit, valde diligebat; quia ei multa pietatis officia praebebat. Erat autem illo in tempore quidam malefactor homo, bonorum persecutor, nomine Joan, filius Conallis filii Domnallis, de regio Gabrani ortus genere. Hic supradictum Columbanum, sancti amicum Columbae, persequebatur; domumque ejus, omnibus in ea inventis, devastaverat, ereptis, non semel, sed bis inimiciter agens.

VIR venerable above-mentioned Columbanus, whom by his poverty the virtue of his blessing had made rich, he loved very much; for to him he rendered many offices of piety. There was at that time, however, a certain wicked man, persecutor of the good, named Joan, son of Conall son of Domnall, sprung from the royal kindred of Gabrán. This man persecuted the aforesaid Columbanus, friend of the holy Columba, and had devastated his house, with all who were found in it carried off, not once but twice acting inimically.

Unde forte non immerito eidem maligno accidit viro, ut tertia vice post ejusdem domus tertiam depraedationem, beatum virum, quem quasi longius positum dispexerat, proprius appropinquantem, ad navem revertens praeda onustus cum sociis, obvium haberet. Quem cum Sanctus de suis corriperet malis, praedamque deponere rogans suaderet, ille, immitis et insuadibilis permanens, Sanctum dispexit, navimque cum praeda ascendens, beatum virum subsannabat et deridebat. Quem Sanctus ad mare usque prosecutus est, vitreasque intrans aquas usque ad genua aequoreas, levatis ad coelum ambis manibus, Christum intente precatur, qui suos glorificantes se glorificat electos.

Wherefore, not undeservedly to that same malignant man it happened that, on the third occasion after the third plundering of the same house, he, the blessed man whom he had regarded as set somewhat farther off, approaching nearer, returning to the ship laden with booty with his companions, met him. When the Saint rebuked him for his evils against his own and, asking him to lay down the plunder, urged him, he, remaining unmerciful and unpersuadable, spat upon the Saint, and boarding the ship with the booty, jeered at and mocked the blessed man. Whom the Saint pursued as far as the sea, and, entering the glassy waters up to his knees, with both hands raised to heaven, intently prayed to Christ, who glorifies his own, the elect.

Est vero ille portus, in quo post egressum persecutoris stans paulisper Dominum exorabat, in loco qui Scotice vocitatur Ait-Chambas Art-muirchol. Tum proinde Sanctus, expleta oratione, ad aridam reversus, in eminentiore cum comitibus sedet loco: ad quos illa in hora formidabilia valde profert verba, dicens, Hic miserabilis humuncio, qui Christum in suis dispexit servis, ad portum, a quo nuper coram vobis emigravit, nunquam revertetur; sed nec ad alias, quas appetit, terras, subita praeventus morte, cum suis perveniet malis cooperatoribus. Hodie.

And indeed that port, in which after the departure of the persecutor, standing for a little while he was beseeching the Lord, is in the place which in Scots is called Ait-Chambas Art-muirchol. Then therefore the Saint, the prayer having been completed, returned to dry land, and sits in a more eminent place with his companions: to whom at that hour she utters very formidable words, saying, "This miserable little man, who despised Christ in his servants, to the port from which he lately departed before you will never return; nor to other lands which he seeks will he come, but being met by sudden death he will arrive with his own evils as accomplices. Today."

quam mox videbitis, de nube a borea orta immitis immissa procella eum cum sociis submerget; nec de eis etiam unus remanebit fabulator. Post aliquantum paucularum interventum morarum, die serenissima, et ecce de mari oborta, sicut Sanctus dixerat, nubes, cum magno fragore venti emissa, raptorem cum praeda inter Maleam et Colosum insulas inveniens, subito turbato submersit medio mari: nec ex eis, juxta verbum Sancti, qui navi inerant etiam unus evasit; mirumque in modum, toto circumquaque manente tranquillo aequore, talis una rapaces ad inferna submersos prostravit procella, misere quidem, sed digne.

which you will soon see, from a cloud arisen from the north an unrelenting storm sent forth will drown him with his companions; nor will even one of them remain to tell the tale. After the passing of a few small delays, on a most serene day, and behold from the sea rising, as the Saint had said, a cloud, sent forth with a great crash of wind, finding the plunderer with his booty between the islands Malea and Colosus, suddenly disturbed it submerged them in mid‑sea: nor of them, according to the Saint’s word, who were on the ship did even one escape; and wondrously, the whole sea remaining calm all around, such a single tempest laid low the rapacious, sunk to the underworld, miserable indeed, but deservedly.

Caput 24: De Quodam Feradacho Subita Morte Subtracto

CHAPTER 24: On a Certain Feradach Removed by a Sudden Death

ALIO quoque in tempore, vir sanctus, quendam de nobili Pictorum genere exulem, Tarainum nomine, in manum alicujus Feradachi ditis vbiri, qui in Ilea insula habitabat, diligenter assignans commendavit, ut in ejus comitatu, quasi unus de amicis, per aliquot menses conversaretur. Quem cum tali commendatione de sancti manu viri suscepisset commendatum, post paucos dies, dolose agens, crudeli eum jussione trucidavit. Quod immane scelus cum Sancto a commeantibus esset nunciatum, sic respondens profatus est, Non mihi sed Deo ille infelix homunculus mentitus est, cujus nomen de libro vitae delebitur.

At another time also, a holy man, carefully entrusting a certain exile of the noble Pictish stock, named Tarainus, into the hand of a certain rich man called Feradach, who dwelt on the island Ilea, committed him that he might sojourn in his company, as one of his friends, for several months. When the man, received with such recommendation from the saint’s hand, had been taken into custody, after a few days, acting deceitfully, he caused him to be slaughtered by a cruel command. When that monstrous crime had been reported to the Saint by those who came and went, he thus replied and spoke: "He lied not to me but to God, that unhappy little man, whose name will be blotted out from the book of life."

Haec verba aesteo nunc mediante proloquimur tempore, sed autumnali, antequam de suilla degustet carne, arboreo saginata fructu, subita praeventus morte, ad infernalia rapietur loca. Haec sancti prophetia viri, cum misello nuntiaret homuncioni, despiciens irrisit Sanctum: et post dies aliquot autumnalium mensium, eo jubente, scrofa nucum impinguata nucleis jugulatur, necdum aliis ejusdem viri jugulatis suibus; de qua celeriter exinterata partem sibi in veru celerius assari praecipit, ut de ea impatiens homo praegustans, beati viri prophetationem destrueret. Qua videlicet assata, dari sibi poposcit aliquam praeguistandam morsus particulam; ad quam percipiendam extensam manum priusquam ad os converteret, expirans, mortuus retro in dorsum cecidit.

These words I speak now in the mediating time of summer, but in the autumn, before he should taste pork of the sow, fattened on arboreal fruit, being prevented by a sudden death, he will be snatched away to infernal places. This was the prophecy of the holy man, which, when he announced it to the poor little man (homunculus), the despiser laughed at the Saint; and after a few days of the autumnal months, at his bidding a sow, fattened with the kernels of nuts, was slaughtered, not yet the other swine of the same man; of which, quickly disemboweled, he commanded a part to be more swiftly roasted on the spit for himself, so that the impatient man, by pre-tasting, might overthrow the prophecy of the blessed man. Which, namely, when roasted, he demanded that some small morsel be given him to pre-taste; to seize which, with his hand outstretched before he could bring it to his mouth, he expired and, dead, fell backward on his back.

Et qui viderant, et qui audierant, valde tremefacti, admirantes, Christum in sancto propheta honorificantes glorificarunt.

And those who had seen, and those who had heard, greatly terrified, admiring, honored Christ in the holy prophet, and glorified him.

Caput 25: De Alio Quodam Nefario Homine, Ecclesiam Persecutore, Cujus Nomen Latine Manus Dextera Dicitur

CHAPTER 25: Concerning Another Certain Nefarious Man, Persecutor of the Church, whose Name in Latin is Said to be Manus Dextera

ALIO in tempore, vir beatus, cum alios ecclesiarum persecutores, in Hinba commoratus insula, excommunicare coepisset, filios videlicet Conallis filii Domnaill, quorum unus erat Ioan, de quo supra retulimus; quidam ex eorundem malefactoribus sociis, diaboli instinctu, cum hasta irruit, ut Sanctum interficeret. Quod praecavens unus ex fratribus, Findluganus nomine, mori paratus pro sancto viro, cuculla ejus indutus intercessit. Sed mirum in modum beati viri tale vestimentum, quasi quaedam munitissima et impentrabilis lorica, quamlibet fortis viri forti impulsione acutoris hastae, transfigi non potuit, sed illaesum permansit; et qui eo indutus erat, intactus et incolumis tali protectus est munimento.

ALIO in tempore, a blessed man, when he had begun to excommunicate other persecutors of the churches, dwelling on the island Hinba, namely the sons of Conall son of Domnall, one of whom was Ioan, of whom above we related; one of those same wicked associates, by the instigation of the devil, rushed with a spear to slay the Saint. Which thing foreseeing, one of the brothers, named Findluganus, ready to die for the holy man, putting on his cowl, interposed. But wondrously the blessed man’s garment, as if a most fortified and impenetrable lorica, could not be transpierced by the sharp spear despite the strong impulse of a vigorous man, but remained uninjured; and he who was clad in it was preserved intact and unhurt by such protection.

Ille vero sceleratus, qui Manus Dextera, retro repedavit, aestimans quod sanctum hasta transfixisset virum. Post ex ea die completum annum, cum Sanctus in Ioua commoraretur insula, Usque in hanc diem, ait, integratus est annus, ex qua die Lam-dess, in quantum potuit, Findluganum mea jugulavit vice; sed et ipse, ut aestimo, hac in hora jugulatur. Quod juxta Sancti revelationem eodem momento in illa insula factum est, quae Latine Longa vocitari potest: ubi ipse solus Lam-dess, in aliqua virorum utrinque acta belligeratione, Cronani filii Baithani jaculo transfixus, in nomine, ut fertur, sancti Columbae emisso, interierat; et post ejus interitum, blligerare viri cessarunt.

But that wicked man, who is called Manus Dextera, retreated backwards, thinking that the spear had transversed the holy man. After from that day a full year had passed, while the Saint was staying on the island Ioua, "Up to this day," he says, "a year is completed since that day; Lam-dess, as far as he could, in my stead slew Findlugan; but he himself, as I reckon, is slain at this hour." Which, according to the Saint's revelation, was done at the same moment on that island, which in Latin may be called Longa: where Lam-dess himself alone, in some battle marshalled on both sides, was pierced by the javelin of Cronan, son of Baithan, and, it is said, with the name of Saint Columba uttered, died; and after his death the men ceased to wage war.

Caput 26: De Alio Itidem Innocentium Persecutore

CHAPTER 26: OF ANOTHER ALSO PERSECUTOR OF THE INNOCENTS

CUM vir beatus, adhuc juvenis diaconus, in parte Lagensium, divinam addiscens sapientiam, conversaretur, quadam accidit die ut homo quidam innocuorum immitis persecutor crudelis, quandam in campi planitie filiolam fugientem persequeretur. Quae cum forte Gemmanum senem, supra memorati juvenis diaconi magistrum, in campo legentem vidisset, ad eum recto cursu, quanta valuit velocitate, confugit. Qui, tali perturbatus subitatione, Columbam eminus legentem advocat, ut ambo, in quantum valuissent, filiam a persequente defenderent.

When the blessed man, still a young deacon, was dwelling in the region of the Lagenses, learning divine wisdom, it happened one day that a certain man, a merciless persecutor of innocents and cruel, chased after a little daughter fleeing across a level plain. And when she by chance saw Gemmanus the old man, the master of the aforesaid young deacon, reading in the field, she fled straight to him with all the speed she could muster. He, thus disturbed by this sudden alarm, summons Columba, who was reading at a distance, so that the two, as far as they were able, might defend the girl from the pursuer.

Qui statim superveniens, nulla eis ab eo data reverentia, filiam sub vestimentis eorum lancea jugulavit; et relinquens jacentem mortuam super pedes eorum, aversus abire coepit. Senex tum, valde tristificatus, conversus ad Columbam, Quanto, ait, sancte puer Columba, hoc scelus cum nostra de honoratione temporis spatio inultum fieri Judex justus patietur Deus? Sanctus consequenter hanc in ipsum sceleratorem protulit sententiam, dicens, Eadem hora qua interfectae ab eo filiae anima ascendit ad coelos, anima ipsius interfectoris descendat ad inferos.

Who immediately arriving, no reverence having been shown to them by him, stabbed the daughter beneath their garments with a lance; and leaving her lying dead at their feet, he began to turn away and depart. Then the old man, greatly saddened, turning to Columba, said, "How long, holy boy Columba, will God the righteous Judge permit this crime to be done unavenged against our honour within the span of time?" The saint accordingly forthwith pronounced this sentence upon that very wicked man, saying, "At the same hour in which the soul of the daughter slain by him ascends to the heavens, the soul of that same slayer shall descend to the underworld."

Et dicto citius, cum verbo, sicut Ananias coram Petro, sic et ille innocentium jugulator, coram oculis sancti juvenis, in eadem mortuus cecidit terrula. Cujus rumor subitae et formidabilis vindictae continuo per multas Scotiae provincias, cum mira sancti diaconi fama, divulgatus est.

And quicker than the word was uttered, with a word, as Ananias before Peter, so that slayer of innocents before the eyes of the holy youth fell dead on the spot. The report of his sudden and formidable vengeance was immediately spread through many provinces of Scotland, together with the wondrous fame of the holy deacon.

Huc usque de adversariorum terrificis ultionibus dixisse sufficiat: nunc de bestiis aliqua narrabimus pauca.

Let it suffice that up to this I have spoken of the adversaries’ terrible revenges: now we will relate a few things about beasts.

Caput 27: De Apro Per Ejus Orationem Interempto

Chapter 27: On the Boar Slain Through His Prayer

ALIO in tempore, vir beatus, cum in Scia insula aliquantis demoraretur diebus, paulo longius solus, orationis intuitu, separatus a fratribus, silvam ingressus densm, mirae magnitudinis aprum, quem forte venatici canes persequebantur, obviam habuit. Quo viso eminus, Sanctus aspiciens eum restitit. Tum deinde, invocato Dei nomine, sancta elevata manu, cum intenta dicit ad eum oratione, Ulterius huc procedere noles: in loco ad quem nunc devenisti morere.

AT ANOTHER time, a blessed man, while he was sojourning for some days on the island Scia, a little apart alone for the intent of prayer, separated from his brothers, entered a thick wood and encountered at a distance a boar of wondrous size, which by chance the hunting dogs were pursuing. Seeing it from afar, Sanctus, looking at it, stood fast. Then, invoking the name of God, with his holy hand raised, and intent, he says to it in prayer, "You will not wish to proceed further here: in the place to which you have now come, die."

Quo Sancti in silvis personante verbo, non solum ultra accedere non valuit, sed ante faciem ipsius terribilis ferus, verbi ejus virtute mortificatus, cito corruit.

When the saint's word resounded in the woods, the savage beast not only could no longer advance, but before his face the terrible wild animal, mortified by the virtue of his word, quickly collapsed.

Caput 28: De Cujusdam Aquatilis Bestiae Virtute Orationis Beati Viri Repulsione

CHAPTER 28: ON THE POWER OF PRAYER FOR THE REPULSION OF A CERTAIN AQUATIC BEAST BY A BLESSED MAN

ALIO quoque in tempore, cum vir beatus in Pictorum provincia per aliquot moraretur dies, necesse habuit fluvium transire Nesam: ad cujus cum accessisset ripam, alios ex accolis aspicit misellum humantes homunculum; quem, ut ipsi sepultores ferebant, quaedam paulo ante nantem aquatilis praeripiens bestia morsu momordit saevissimo: cujus miserum cadaver, sero licet, quidam in alno subvenientes porrectis praeripuere uncinis. Vir e contra beatus, haec audiens, praecipit ut aliquis ex comitibus enatans, caupallum, in altera stantem ripa, ad se navigando reducat. Quo sancti audito praedicabilis viri praecepto, Lugneus Mocumin, nihil moratus, obsecundans, depositis excepta vestimentis tunica, immittit se in aquas.

At another time, when the blessed man was sojourning for several days in the province of the Picts, he had need to cross the river Nesa: and when he had come to its bank, he sees some of the neighbours burying a poor little man; whom, as the very gravediggers said, a certain aquatic predatory beast, seizing him a little earlier while he swam, had bitten with the most savage bite: whose miserable corpse, albeit late, some men coming to aid in a boat rescued, snatching it up with hooks. The blessed man, on the other hand, hearing these things, commands that one of his companions, swimming out, bring back to him the caupallum standing on the other bank by sailing it. At the hearing of this precept of the holy, praiseworthy man, Lugneus Mocumin, doing nothing by delay, obedient, having laid aside his garments save his tunic, throws himself into the waters.

Sed bellua, quae prius non tam satiata, quam in praedam accensa, in profundo fluminis latitabat, sentiens eo nante turbatam supra aquam, subito emergens, natatilis ad hominem in medio natantem alveo, cum ingenti fremitu, aperto cucurrit ore. Vir tum beauts videns, omnibus qui inerant, tam barbaris quam etiam fratribus, nimio terrore perculsis, cum salutare, sancta elevata manu, in vacuo aere crucis pinxisset signum, invocato Dei nomine, feroci imperavit bestiae dicens, Noles ultra progrdi, nec hominem tangas; retro citius revertere. Tum vero bestia, hac Sancti audita voce, retrorsum, ac si funibus retraheretur, velociori recursu fugit tremefacta: quae prius Lugneo nanti eo usque appropinquavit, ut hominem inter et bestiam non amplius esset quam unius contuli longitudo.

But the beast, which until then was not so much sated as inflamed for prey, was lying hidden in the deep of the river; sensing a man swimming there and the water stirred by him, suddenly emerging, it rushed upon the man swimming in the middle of the channel with open mouth and a mighty roar. The blessed man then, seeing this, and all who were there, both barbarians and even his brothers, struck with excessive terror, having traced with his holy upraised hand the saving sign of the cross in the empty air, and invoking the name of God, fiercely commanded the ferocious beast, saying, “Do not advance farther, nor touch the man; return back quickly.” Then indeed the beast, on that voice of the Saint heard, recoiled, and as if dragged back by ropes fled in swifter flight, trembling: before it had approached Lugneus while he was swimming so closely that there was no more between the man and the beast than the length of one staff.

Fratres tum, recessisse videntes bestiam, Lugneumque commilitonem ad eos intactum et incolumem in navicula reversum, cum ingenti admiratione glorificaverunt Deum in beto viro. Sed et gentiles barbari, qui ad praesens inerant, ejusdem miraculi magnitudine, quod et ipsi viderant, compulsi, Deum magnificaverunt Christianorum.

The brothers then, seeing that the beast had withdrawn and that their comrade Lugneus had returned to them intact and safe in the little boat, with great admiration glorified God for the blessed man. But even the pagan barbarians who were present, struck by the greatness of the same miracle—which they themselves had seen—magnified the God of the Christians.

Caput 29: De Benedicta A Sancto Hujus Insulae Terrula Ne Deinceps In Ea Viperarum Alicui Nocerent Venena

CHAPTER 29: Concerning the little land of this island blessed by the saint, that henceforth the venoms of vipers should harm no one in it

QUADAM die ejusdem aestei temporis quo ad Dominum transiit, ad visitandos fratres Sanctus plaustro vectus pergit, qui in campulo ocidentali Iouae insulae opus materiale exercebant. Post quorum consolatoria a Sancto prolata alloquia, in eminentiore stans loco, sic vaticinatur dicens, Ex hac, filioli, die, scio quod in hujus campuli locis nunquam poteritis in futurum videre faciem meam. Quos, hoc audito verbo, valde tristificatos videns, consolari eos in quantum fieri possit conatus, ambas manus elevat sanctas, et totam hanc nostram benedicens insulam, ait, Ex hoc hujus horulae momento omnium viperarum venena nullo modo, in hujus insulae terrulis, aut hominibus aut pecoribus nocere poterunt, quamdiu Christi mandata ejusdem commorationis incolae observaverint.

One day, at that same season of summer in which he passed to the Lord, the Saint proceeded to visit the brothers, carried in a cart, who were exercising manual work in a little field on the western part of the island. After comforting words spoken by the Saint to those men, standing in a more elevated place, thus he prophesied, saying, "From this day, little sons, I know that in the places of this little field you will never in the future see my face." Seeing them greatly saddened at that word, striving to console them as far as possible, he raised both holy hands, and blessing this whole of our island, said, "From this very hour-moment the venoms of all vipers in no way will be able to harm either the little lands of this island or its men or its flocks, so long as the inhabitants of that same dwelling observe the commandments of Christ."

Caput 30: De Pugione A Sancto Cum Dominicae Crucis Signaculo Benedicta

CHAPTER 30: On the Dagger Blessed by the Saint with the Sign of the Lord's Cross

ALIO in tempore, quidam frater nomine Molua, Nepos Briuni, ad Sanctum eadem scribentem hora veniens, dicit ad eum, Hoc quod in manu habeo ferrum, quaeso benedicas. Qui paululum extensa manu sancta cum calamo signans benedixit, ad librum de quo scribebat facie conversa. Quo videlicet supradicto fratre cum ferro benedicto recedente, Sanctus percunctatur dicens, Quod fratri ferrum benedixi?

ALIO in tempore, a certain brother named Molua, grandson of Briunus, coming to the Saint at the same hour in which he was writing, says to him, "This iron which I hold in my hand, I beg you, bless (it)." He, having slightly stretched out his holy hand and marking with his stylus, blessed it, his face turned to the book about which he was writing. Whereupon that aforesaid brother departing with the blessed iron, the Saint questioned, saying, "Why did I bless the brother's iron?"

Diormitius, pius ejus ministrator, Pugionem, ait, ad jugulandos tauros vel boves benedixisti. Qui e contra respondens infit, Ferrum quod benedixi, confido in Domino meo, quia nec homini nec pecori nocebit. Quod Sancti firmissimum eadem hora comprobatum est verbum.

Diormitius, his pious minister, said, "You have blessed the dagger for slaughtering bulls or oxen." Who, answering in reply, said, "The iron which I have blessed, I trust in my Lord, for it will harm neither man nor beast." Which most certain word of the Saint was proved at the same hour.

Nam idem frater vallum egressus monasterii, bovem jugulare volens, tribus firmis vicibus, et forti impulsione conatus, nec tamen potuit etiam ejus transfigere pellem. Quod monachi scientes experti, ejusdem pugionis ferrum, ignis resolutum calore, per omnia monasterii ferramenta liquefactum diviserunt illinitum; nec postea ullam potuere carnem vulnerare, illius Sancti manente benedictionis fortitudine.

For that same brother, having gone out beyond the monastery wall, wishing to slit an ox, he tried with three strong blows and a powerful thrust, yet nevertheless could not even pierce its hide. Which the monks, knowing and proving it, took the iron of that same dagger, resolved by the heat of fire, and, melted through all the monastery’s smithing-tools, divided it—unsmeared; nor afterwards could they wound any flesh, the fortitude of that Saint’s blessing remaining.