nd which ye have sought
for seven years. Behold, ye see it; enter ye into it." And after the
space of an hour, a great light shone round about them, and the ship
stood upon the shore. When they went out of the ship, they saw a land,
broad, and full of fruit-bearing trees, as in the time of autumn. They
went round about that land as long as they were in it. They had no night
there, but the light shone as the sun shineth in his season. And so for
forty days they went about through that land, but they could not find
the end thereof. But upon a certain day they found a great river which
they could not pass, running through the midst of the island. Then saith
the holy man unto the brethren, "We cannot pass over this river, and we
know not how large is this land." While they thought upon these things,
behold, there came to meet them a young man with glorious countenance
and comely to look upon, who kisseth them with great joy, and calleth
them every one by his own name, and saith, "O brethren, peace be unto
you, and unto all who have followed after the peace of Christ," and
after this he said, moreover, "Blessed are they that dwell in Thine
house, O Lord: they will be still praising Thee." After these words, he
saith unto holy Brendan, "Behold the land which ye have sought of a long
time. But for this cause have ye not been able to find it since ye began
to seek it, because the Lord Christ hath willed to show unto thee divers
of His hidden things in this great and wide sea. Return thou therefore
unto the land of thy birth, and take with thee of these fruits, and of
precious stones as much as thy ship may hold. For the days of thy
pilgrimage are drawing near at hand, that thou mayest sleep with thine
holy brethren. But after many times this land shall be made known unto
them that shall come after thee, when it shall be helpful in the
tribulation of the Christians. The river which ye see divideth this
island, and even as now it appeareth unto you ripe in fruits, so is it
at every time without shadow or foulness. For the light shineth in it
without failing." Then holy Brendan saith unto the young man, "Lord
father, tell me if this land shall be ever revealed unto men." And he
saith, "When the Almighty Creator shall have made all nations subject
unto Him, then shall this land be made known unto all His elect." And
after these things, Father Brendan took a blessing from the young man,
and began to return by his way whereby he had co