gifts, holy in life
and resplendent in miracles.

9. When Declan had spent a considerable time in Rome he was ordained a
bishop by the Pope, who gave him church-books and rules and orders and
sent him to Ireland that he might preach there. Having bidden farewell
to the Pope and received the latter's blessing Declan commenced his
journey to Ireland. Many Romans followed him to Ireland to perform their
pilgrimage and to spend their lives there under the yoke and rule of
Bishop Declan, and amongst those who accompanied him was Runan, son of
the king of Rome; he was dear to Declan.

10. On the road through Italy Bishop Declan and Patrick met. Patrick was
not a bishop at that time, though he was (made a bishop) subsequently by
Pope Celestinus, who sent him to preach to the Irish. Patrick was truly
chief bishop of the Irish island. They bade farewell to one another and
they made a league and bond of mutual fraternity and kissed in token of
peace. They departed thereupon each on his own journey, scil.:--Declan
to Ireland and Patrick to Rome.

11. Declan was beginning mass one day in a church which lay in his road,
when there was sent him from heaven a little black bell, (which came)
in through the window of the church and remained on the altar before
Declan. Declan greatly rejoiced thereat and gave thanks and glory to
Christ on account of it, and it filled him with much courage to combat
the error and false teaching of heathendom. He gave the bell for safe
keeping and carriage, to Runan aforesaid, i.e. son of the king of Rome,
and this is its name in Ireland--"The Duibhin Declain," and it is from
its colour it derives its name, for its colour is black [dub]. There
were manifested, by grace of God and Declan's merits, many miracles
through its agency and it is still preserved in Declan's church.

12. When Declan and his holy companions arrived at the Sea of Icht
[English Channel] he failed, owing to lack of money, to find a ship, for
he did not have the amount demanded, and every ship was refused him on
that account. He therefore struck his bell and prayed to God for help in
this extremity. In a short time after this they saw coming towards them
on the crest of the waves an empty, sailless ship and no man therein.
Thereupon Declan said:--"Let us enter the ship in the name of Christ,
and He who has sent it to us will direct it skilfully to what harbour
soever He wishes we should go." At the word of Declan they entered in,
an