_The River is Divided in Twain, and Blessed._
On a certain time Saint Patrick came unto a deep and impassable river
named Boallus; and as neither boat nor vessel was at hand, he prayed
and divided the river in twain, and made unto himself and his followers
a free passage. And raising his right hand, he blessed the river, and
even to this day the eastern part of the stream can be passed by
horsemen and by footmen; yet over the western part cannot any pass
unless in some vessel. And being so blessed, this river abounded in
fishes beyond all others. Then to his disciples marvelling, and
seeking to know the cause of this so great miracle, did the saint
answer: "The yet unborn son of life, who will be named Columba, after
the lapse of many years will live in this place, and the water thus
divided will, for several purposes, be needful unto him and his
fellow-militants in Christ, while its abundance of fishes will minister
food unto his brethren." And Saint Columba being after many years
born, when he became a man builded there a stately monastery, and by
his dwelling and by his works approved the prophecy of Patrick.