latter. Patrick thereupon set out to preach to the prince aforesaid.
Next, as to the four bishops we have named who had been in Rome:
Except Declan alone they were not in perfect agreement with Patrick.
It is true that subsequently to this they did enter into a league of
peace and harmonious actions with Patrick and paid him fealty.
Ciaran, however, paid him all respect and reverence and was of one
mind with him present or absent. Ailbe then, when he saw the kings
and rulers of Ireland paying homage to Patrick and going out to meet
him, came himself to Cashel, to wait on him and he also paid homage
to him (Patrick) and submitted to his jurisdiction, in presence of
the king and all others. Bear in mind it was Ailbe whom the other
holy bishops had elected their superior. He therefore came first to
Patrick, lest the others, on his account, should offer opposition to
Patrick, and also that by his example the others might be more easily
drawn to his jurisdiction and rule. Bishop Ibar however would on no
account consent to be subject to Patrick, for it was displeasing to
him that a foreigner should be patron of Ireland. It happened that
Patrick in his origin was of the Britons and he was nurtured in
Ireland having been sold to bondage in his boyhood. There arose
misunderstanding and dissension between Patrick and Bishop Ibar at
first, although (eventually), by intervention of the angel of peace,
they formed a mutual fellowship and brotherly compact and they
remained in agreement for ever after. But Declan did not wish to
disagree at all with Patrick for they had formed a mutual bond of
friendship on the Italian highway and it is thus the angel commanded
him to go to Patrick and obey him:--

23. The angel of God came to Declan and said to him "Go quickly to
Patrick and prevent him cursing your kindred and country, for
to-night, in the plain which is called Inneoin, he is fasting against