_The Penitence of Machaldus._
And Machaldus their chief falling at Saint Patrick's feet, confessed
his sins and entreated with many tears that a life of penitence might
be appointed unto him, whereby he might attain the life of eternity.
And the saint, inspired of Heaven, enjoined him that he should utterly
renounce his native soil and give all his substance to the poor; and he
clothed Machaldus in a vile and rough garment, and chained him with
chains of iron, and cast the key thereof into the ocean. Likewise he
commanded him to enter, alone, without oars, into a boat made only of
hides, and that on whatsoever country he should land under the guidance
of the Lord there should he serve Him even unto the end of his days.
And the man, truly repenting, did as his pastor enjoined; for he,
alone, chained with iron chains, bearing on his head the tonsure as the
token of penitence, entered the boat; and under the protection of God
he committed himself unto the waves, and was borne by them unto the
Island Eubonia, which is called Mannia. And therein were two bishops,
named Connidrius and Romulus, whom Saint Patrick himself had
consecrated and appointed to rule over the people of that island and to
instruct them in the faith of Christ after the death of Germanus the
first bishop. And they, beholding Machaldus, marvelled much, and they
pitied his misery; and when they understood the cause, received him
kindly and retained him with themselves. And after he had for some
space there abided, a fish was one day taken in the sea and brought
unto their dwelling; and when the fish was opened before them, a key
was found in its belly, and Machaldus being released from his chains,
gave thanks unto God, and went thenceforth free. And he, increasing in
holiness, after the deaths of these holy bishops attained the episcopal
degree; and being eminent in his miracles and in his virtues, there did
he rest. And in that island was a city after him named of no small
extent; the remains of whose walls may yet be seen. And in the
cemetery of its church is a sarcophagus of hollowed stone, whereout a
spring continually exudeth, nay, sufficiently floweth forth; the which
is sweet to the draught, wholesome to the taste, and healeth divers
infirmities, but chiefly the stings of serpents and the deadliness of
poison: for whoso drinketh thereof, either receiveth instant health, or
instantly he dieth. And in that stone are the bones of Saint Machaldus
said to rest, yet therein is nothing found, save only clear water. And
though many have oftentimes endeavored to remove the stone, and
especially the king of the Norici, who subdued the island, that he
might at all times have sweet water, yet have they all failed in their
attempt: for the deeper they have digged to raise up the stone, so much
the more deeply and firmly did they find it fixed in the heart of the
earth.