But, midmost, Patrick slept. Then through the trees,
Shy as a fawn half-tamed now stole, now fled
A boy of such bright aspect faery child
He seemed, or babe exposed of royal race:
At last assured beside the Saint he stood,
And dropped on him a flower, and disappeared:
Thus flower on flower from the great wood he brought
And hid them in the bosom of the Saint.
The monks forbade him, saying, "Lest thou wake
The master from his sleep." But Patrick woke,
And saw the boy, and said, "Forbid him not;
The heir of all my kingdom is this child."
Then spake the brethren, "Wilt thou walk with us?"
And he, "I will:" and so for his sweet face
They called his name Benignus: and the boy
Thenceforth was Christ's. Beneath his parent's roof
At night they housed. Nowhere that child would sleep
Except at Patrick's feet. Till Patrick's death
Unchanged to him he clave, and after reigned
The second at Ardmacha.

Day by day
They held their course; ere long the hills of Mourne
Loomed through sea-mist: Ulidian summits next
Before them rose: but nearer at their left
Inland with westward channel wound the wave
Changed to sea-lake. Nine miles with chant and hymn
They tracked the gold path of the sinking sun;
Then southward ran 'twixt headland and green isle
And landed. Dewy pastures sunset-dazed,