he king said: "That is a violation of my prohibition
and law; and do you ascertain who did it." "We see the fire," said the
druids, "and we know the night in which it is made. If it is not
extinguished before morning," added they, "it will never be
extinguished. The man who lighted it will surpass the kings and
princes, unless he is prevented." When the king heard this thing, he
was much infuriated. Then the king said: "That is not how it shall be;
but we will go," said he, "until we slay the man who lighted the fire."
His chariot and horses were yoked for the king, and they went, in the
end of the night, to Ferta-fer-fec. "You must take care," said the
druids, "that you go not to the place where the fire was made, lest you
worship the man who lighted it; but stay outside, and let him be called
out to you, that he may know you to be a king, and himself a subject;
and we will argue in your presence." "It is good counsel," said the
king; "it shall be done as you say." They proceeded afterwards until
they unyoked their horses and chariots in front of the _Ferta_.
Patrick was "whispered" out to them; and it was commanded by them that
no one should rise up before him, lest he should believe in him.
Patrick rose and went out; and when he saw the chariots and horses
unyoked, he sang the prophetic stanza:

"Hi in curribus et hi in eorus (equis),
Nos autem, in nomine Domini Dei nostri ma."

They were then before him, and the rims of their shields against their
chins; and none of them rose up before him, except one man alone, in
whom was a figure from God--_i.e._, Ere, son of Dega. He is the Bishop
Ere who is [commemorated] in Slaine of Magh-Bregh to-day. Patrick
blessed him, and he believed in God, and confessed the Catholic faith,
and was baptized; and Patrick said to him: "Your seat (_cathair_, chair
or city) on earth shall be noble"; and Patrick's (_comarb_) successor
is bound to bend the knee before his _comarb_ in consideration of his
submission.

Each then questioned the other--viz., Patrick and Laeghaire. Lochru
went fiercely, enviously, with contention and questions, against
Patrick; and then he began to denounce the Trinity and the Catholic
faith. Patrick looked severely at him, and cried out to God with a
loud voice, and he said: "Domine qui omnia potes et in tua potestate
consistit quidquid est, quique nos misisti huc ad nomen tuum gentibus
praedicandum hic impius qui blasphemat nomen tuum, elevatur