ord _is hedging up our ways_,[740] on account of
Malachy, His saint, whose _covenant we have transgressed_[741] and
disobeyed his commandment."[742] So these also, without accomplishing
their purpose, returned to their own territory, likewise confounded. The
report was spread _throughout all the region_;[743] and they blessed
God, who _took the wise in their own craftiness_,[744] _and cutting off
the horns of the wicked_,[745] _exalted the horn of His anointed_.[746]

60. One of the nobles hostile to the king[747] was reconciled by means
of Malachy. For he did not trust the king sufficiently to make peace
with him except by the mediation of Malachy, or of one for whom the king
had equal reverence. His distrust was not unfounded, as afterwards
appeared. For when he had become careless, and was no longer taking
precautions, the king captured him and put him in bonds, more truly
himself captured by ancient hate. His own friends demanded him by _the
hand of the mediator_;[748] for neither did they expect anything but
his death. What should Malachy do? There was nothing to be done except
to recur to that one accustomed refuge of his. Gathering an exceeding
mighty army, a great crowd of his own disciples, he went to the king,
and demanded him who was bound; he was refused. But Malachy said, "You
act unrighteously against the Lord, and against me, and against
yourself, _transgressing the covenant_;[749] if you disregard it, yet
shall not I. A man has entrusted himself to my guarantee; if he should
die, I have betrayed him. I am guilty of his blood. Why has it seemed
good to you to make me a traitor, yourself a transgressor? Know that _I
will eat nothing until_[750] he is liberated; no, nor these
either."[751] Having said this he entered the church. He called upon
Almighty God with anxious groanings, his own and those of his disciples,
that He would deign to _deliver out of the hand of the transgressor and
cruel man_[752] him who was unjustly sentenced. And that day and the
following night they persisted in fasting and prayer. Word was brought
to the king of that which was being done; and his _heart was_ the more
_hardened_[753] by that by which it ought to have been softened. The
carnal man took to flight, fearing lest if he remained near at hand he
might not be able to withstand the power of prayer; as though, forsooth,
if he was hidden it could not find him, nor would penetrate to a remote
place. Do you put bounds, wretched m