_Of his Fast continued for Twenty Days._
And all things succeeding prosperously, and their provision much
abounding, these men soon forgot the Lord who had saved them from the
straitness of hunger, and, ungrateful for the benefits extended unto
them by the divine bounty, they sacrificed of their food to devils, and
not unto God, imitating herein those Samaritans whom the Book of Kings
records to have worshipped God, yet not to have the service of their
idols. Wherefore it seemed good to Saint Patrick to eat no earthly
food for twenty continual days, and, albeit he was much entreated
thereto, he would in no wise join with them in their meals, lest he
should appear to be contaminated with their sacrifices. And the power
to endure this abstinence was given unto Patrick by the Lord, who had
theretofore enabled Elias the prophet to fast forty days.