_How the Darkness was Dispersed._
And the saint, having overturned the idols, held on the way that he
purposed; and the fame of his holiness, going before him, announced his
coming. And when he drew nigh unto Connactia, two magicians, the sons
of Neyll, the one whereof was named Mael, the other Cabhlait, heard of
his approach; and they were both bound in the bonds of Satan, nor were
they less germane in the exercise of their evil deeds than in the germ
of their native generation. These men by their enchantments covered
the whole country with thick darkness for three continual days, whereby
they hoped to prevent the entrance of Patrick into that place. But the
son of light, in whose heart the morning star that never sets
perpetually shone, while he lifted up unto heaven his heart and his
hand and his tongue in prayer, the light-streaming rays of the sun,
shining forth, dispersed the magic darkness; and, finding free entrance
into Connactia, with all his strength he labored to open to those
unworthy enemies of the truth the door of faith.