_At the Direction of the Angels Saint Patrick goeth unto Rome._
And the angel of the Lord appearing unto Patrick, approved the purpose
of his journey, and showed him that the Pope would bestow and divide
among many churches the relics of the Apostles Peter and Paul, and of
many saints. And as carriages were haply then wanting unto him, the
angels provided him with four chariots, as if sent from heaven, the
which conveyed him and his people unto the sea-side. Then the
glorified prelate Patrick; after that the urgency of his laborious
preaching was finished, and the abundance of so many and so great
miracles had converted the whole island, blessed and bade farewell to
the several bishops and presbyters and other members of the church whom
he had ordained: and with certain of his disciples, led by his angelic
guide, he sailed toward Rome. Whither arriving, while in the presence
of the supreme pontiff he declared the cause of his coming, supreme
favor he found in his eyes; for, embracing and acknowledging him as the
apostle of Hibernia, he decorated the saint with the pall, and
appointing him his legate, by his authority confirmed whatsoever
Patrick had done, appointed or disposed therein. And many parting
presents, and precious gifts, which pertained unto the beauty, nay,
unto the strength of the church, did the Pope bestow on him;
where-among were certain relics of the Apostles Peter and Paul, and of
Stephen the proto-martyr, and of many other martyrs; and moreover, gave
he unto the saint a linen cloth, which was marked with the blood of our
Lord the Saviour Jesus Christ. Gift excelling all other gifts! And
with these most holy honors the saint being returned unto Hibernia,
fortified therewith this metropolitan church of Ardmachia (unto the
salvation of souls and the safety of the whole nation), and reposited
them in a chest behind the great altar. And in that church even from
the time of Saint Patrick the custom obtained that on the days of the
Passover and of the Pentecost these relics should be thereout produced,
and venerated in the presence of the people.