_Saint Vinvaloeus is miraculously stayed by Saint Patrick from his
purposed Journey._
And in Lesser Britain lived a venerable man, named Vinvaloeus, who was
even from his infancy renowned for signs and wonders; for as his acts
are recorded, very many exceeding great miracles are attested to have
been done by him. And he, the south wind so blowing that all his
perfumes breathed forth, heard the holy name of Saint Patrick, and
earnestly desired he to hasten unto the odor of his virtues. And long
time he pondered and desired; and at length determined he to leave his
country and his parents, and to go unto Hibernia to serve Christ under
the discipulate and disciplinate of Saint Patrick; but when the night
came, with the morrow whereof he purposed to begin his journey, he
beheld in a vision that most illustrious man standing before him,
clothed in his pontifical vestments; and then said he unto him: "Know
thou me, beloved Vinvaloeus, to be the Patrick unto whom thou purposest
to travel; yet weary thou not thyself, nor seek thou him whom thou
canst not find; for the hour of my dissolution draweth nigh, when I
shall go the way of all flesh. Therefore it is the will of God that
thou leavest not this place; but by thy conversation and example shalt
thou endeavor to gain over a people acceptable unto him, and which
shall follow good works; forasmuch as the crown of life is yet to be
seen, which he hath promised unto those who love him." Thus saying,
the vision disappeared, and Vinvaloeus did as he was bidden of heaven.
Now let the hearer admire his perfection, who by the spirit which was
in him saw the desire of the holy man dwelling in Armorica, and thus
wondrously changed him from the purpose of his intended journey.