_Foylge is punished with a double Death, and the deceiving Fiend is
driven out of his body._
And in Lagenia was a certain wicked idolater named Foylge, who was an
eminent adversary of Christ, so far forth as he was able; this child of
Belial frequently sought occasion to lay on Patrick, the anointed of
the Lord, his impious hands, for to him it was very grievous not only
to see but even to hear the saint. To this inveterate malice was he
urged, for that the man of God had destroyed the aforementioned idol
Ceancroythi, unto the abominable worship whereof he was especially
bound. But when he could not effect his wicked purpose, he one day
attacked the charioteer of Saint Patrick, who was named Odranus; for he
seized him sitting in the chariot, and strangled him, so that by the
one act of blood his fury might be the more fiercely excited toward
another. And the saint, wounded in his heart, cast the weapon of his
malediction on this child of hell, who, pierced thereby, even at the
moment breathed out his soul into the infernal regions. Of some it is
said that Odranus, foreknowing the servant of Satan to be intent on the
death of the saint, obtained that in his stead he might on that day
hold the reins. And this he did, earnestly desiring to lay down his
life for the saint, lest, so bright a lamp being extinguished, the
people of Ireland should again walk in darkness. And the saint beheld
his soul borne into heaven by the angels, and placed in the seat of the
martyrs. But the old enemy, entering the dead body, showed to all a
false and feigned Foylge, as if revived unto life, and dwelled therein
as returned to his possessions and to his people. And after some days,
as Patrick was passing nigh unto the dead man's dwelling, he called
unto him certain of the family, and asked where Foylge was; and they
answered that he was then within in the house, when the saint replied:
"The soul of Foylge, for that he unjustly slew my chariot-driver, God
justly judging and vindicating my cause, hath gone cut of his body, and
descended into hell; but Satan, to the delusion and the seduction of
mankind, hath entered into his corpse, and occupieth it as his own
proper vessel." Then the saint forbade Satan that in that vessel he
should longer abide, or deceive mankind with so wicked a phantom. And
forthwith, at the command of the man of God, the deceiving spirit
quitted his habitation of clay; the which, covered with worms, and
raising horror and offence to all, was carried into instant sepulture.
Nor let it be wondered that the devil should show himself in the
visible form of his accustomed instrument, the God permitting whose
judgments are an abyss; but rather let Him be feared who can destroy
both body and soul in hell.