_How Dercardius and his Companions were destroyed._
And thence the saint speeded unto Urmonia, that out of that place he
might pluck the thorns and the branches of error which, being planted
by the craft of the old enemy, had flourished there, and sow in their
stead the spiritual harvest. And a certain man of Comdothan, named
Lonanus, freely received him, and made unto him and the companions of
his journey a great supper. And the saint deemed right to impart the
spiritual and eternal food unto those who had prepared for him the food
which was perishing and earthly. And during supper, while the saint
labored to fill their minds with the word of life, a certain wicked man
named Dercardius approached, and with rude and importunate speech, nay,
even with clamor, wearying the ears of the saint, afflicting his mind,
and stopping his mouth, demanded of him food. The which the saint not
having at hand, blushed, and took unkindly the irreverence that
prevented him from preaching. But a certain man named Nessan, who
beheld how the just man's spirit was vexed, offered unto him a ram,
which the saint bade him give to the bold importuner. This receiving,
Dercardius returned to his companions, boasting that by his importunity
he had penetrated the stony heart of Patrick, even as the continual
dropping of water weareth out a stone. And they slay the ram, and
dress and eat it. And while the meat was yet in their mouths the anger
of God came on them, and suddenly avenged His servant; for the meat
turned to instant poison, and destroyed them all; wherein are we
sufficiently admonished not to offend the servants of God, lest we
offend the Almighty Himself, who will protect and defend them in the
time of their trouble.