38. On another day there came a woman to Declan's monastery not far
from the city where she dwelt. She committed a theft that day in
Declan's monastery as she had often done previously, and this is the
thing she stole--a "habellum" [possibly an item of tribute]; she
departed homewards taking it with her and there met her a group of
people on the highway, and the earth, in their presence, swallowed
her up, and she cast out the tabellum from her bosom and it was
quickly turned into a stone which the wayfarers took and brought with
them to Declan. Declan himself had in supernatural vision seen all
that happened to the woman in punishment of her theft, and the name
of Declan was magnified owing to those marvels so that fear took
possession of all-those present and those absent. The stone in
question remains still in Declan's graveyard in his own town of
Ardmore-Declain, where it stands on an elevated place in memory of
this miracle.

39. A rich man named Fintan was childless, for his wife was barren
for many years. He himself, with his wife, visited Declan and
promised large alms and performance of good works provided he
(Declan) would pray that they might have children: they held it as
certain that if Declan but prayed for them God would grant them
children. Declan therefore, praying to God and blessing the pair,
said: "Proceed to your home and through God's bounty you shall have
offspring." The couple returned home, with great joy for the
blessing and for the promise of the offspring. The following night,
Fintan lay with his wife and she conceived and brought forth twin
sons, scil.: Fiacha and Aodh, who, together with their children and
descendants were under tribute and service to God and Declan.

40. When it was made known to a certain holy man, scil.:--Ailbe of