_A Grove is cursed by the Saint._
And Patrick was on a certain day speeding his journey for the ministry
of his wonted preaching, when the wheel of the chariot wherein he sat
was broken in twain. And his attendants hastened unto a neighboring
grove, wherein was seen wood that seemed fit unto their purpose; and
the wood is hewed down, and smoothed, and shaped to repair the wheel.
Nevertheless they long time labored with useless toil, for still did
the wheel appear broken as before; and ever and anon as they endeavored
to repair it, yet still, as touched of heaven, again did it fall in
twain. Then the man of God well knowing that this could not uncausedly
happen, enquired of the grove, and unto whom it belonged; and he was
told that it had been consecrated unto the infernal spirits.
Wherefore, knowing the divine will, and agreeing with the sentence of
heaven, he raised his left hand, and cursed the grove. Wonderful was
the event! Forthwith, like the fig-tree in the Gospel, it withered;
nor from that time was it ever fit unto any use, save only to be hewed
down and cast into the fire.