_Of the Lake which was removed by Saint Patrick._
The aforementioned Saint Munis, being returned from Rome, disliking
after so long a journey the fatigue of any further travel, besought
Saint Patrick that as he had provided rest for his brethren who
possessed churches, so he would provide for him a dwelling suited unto
contemplation. Therefore the saint, knowing that although he loved
internal quiet, nevertheless he would be right profitable unto the
salvation of many, offered unto him a fitting place, saying: "Behold a
hill; behold a valley; build and inhabit where it seemeth pleasant unto
thine eyes; yet know thou this: if thou wilt build in the valley, thou
mayest bring many souls unto God; but if thou abidest in the hill, thou
wilt gain not so many, by reason of the vanities and delights which
will attract their eyes, and for very many other causes and reasons."
And Munis, foreadvised and forewarned by the Holy Spirit, answered
thus: "Neither of the hill nor of the valley do I complain, but of the
neighboring lake, nigh unto which is a royal dwelling; for the crowding
thither of courtiers and of other secular persons would unto me be an
exceeding trouble, and a disturbance unto the Sabbath rest of my mind."
Then Saint Patrick, encouraging him, said that God would easily remedy
this trouble, and, retiring a little space, poured he forth powerful
and prevailing prayers in the presence of God. And on the following
night the Lord removed the lake, with all its dwellings and dwellers
thereon, so far distant that his servant sustained thence neither
trouble nor damage. And Saint Munis, abiding there, builded a church,
unto which Saint Patrick bestowed certain relics of the holy Apostles
Peter and Paul, and of very many saints, and other ornaments, the which
were necessary unto its ecclesiastical ministry. And for his
conspicuous virtues he was afterward, although reluctant thereto,
advanced unto the episcopal office, for he was renowned for many
miracles; and at length he rested in the Lord.