sin of its inhabitants, and consumed it with fire. The traces of that
lake, where it formerly was, still exist.


XXXVIII. CIARAN IN INIS AINGIN

15. As the man of God was distributing the goods of the monastery for
the use of the poor, his brethren complaining of this and coming to
him inconsiderately, said, "Depart," said they, "from us, for we
cannot live together." To whom agreeing, and bidding farewell in the
Lord, he transferred himself to an island by name Angina. A monastery
having been founded in this island, many hastening from all sides,
attracted by the fame of his holiness, submitted to the service of
God. Ordering them under strict rules, by face and by habit, by speech
and by life, he showed himself as an example to them. For he was as
an eagle inciting its young to fly, in respect to sublimity of
contemplation; but he lived as the least of them in brotherly
humility. For he was in spiritual meditations attached to the highest
things; yet so much did he stoop to feeble weakness that he seemed as
though he tended towards the lowliest things. He was also perfect
in faith, fervent in charity, rejoicing in hope, gentle of heart,
courteous of speech, patient and long-suffering, kindly in
hospitality, ever diligent in works of piety, benign, gentle,
peaceful, sober, and quiet. To summarise many things in one short
sentence, he was garnished with the ornament of all the virtues.
Expending a care zealous for these and the like matters--the care of
Mary for contemplation, and of Martha for the dispensing of things
temporal--he fulfilled his duty in ordered succession. Nor could the
light of such and so great a lantern be hidden under a bushel: but
it glittered with light, all around, wheresoever it abundantly