CHAPTER CXXXIX.

_A Heavenly Light shineth around Saint Patrick, and Victor is converted

unto the Faith._

And Saint Patrick coming into the territory of Mogharnd, went toward

the town of Domnhach Maghin, over which a man named Victor ruled. And

he hearing of the saint's arrival, yet loving darkness rather than

light, concealed himself in the shades of a thick grove, for much he

feared, lest being driven from the darkness of his unbelief, he should

though unwilling be compelled to believe in the true light. But the

shadows of the night season came on, nor yet did Patrick the son of

light therefore delay his journey. And when the curtain of deep night

had covered all things with surrounding darkness, it darkened not the

course of Patrick, who was the precursor of light; for unto him the

night was as day, and the deep shadows were as brightness. And the

light piercing through the darkness poured around the man concealing

himself, nor could he longer hide from before the face of the light.

Then Victor by so signal a sign being vanquished, and being even as

bound with the chains of the fear of the Lord, came unto Saint Patrick,

and devoutly entreated and received from him the holy baptism. And

being with all his household and all his people baptized, he gave unto

the saint his inheritance for the erection of a church, and among his

disciples he abided. And after a while he increased in holiness and in

the knowledge of the divine law, and being at length consecrated by

Saint Patrick, he received in that church the episcopal degree, and for

his virtues and his merits was he very renowned.

The Most Ancient Lives of Saint Patrick Including the Life by Jocelin, Hitherto Unpublished in America, and His Extant Writings · 第 139 / 196 章