time but in a small venerable cell which he had ordered to be built
for him between the hill called Ardmore Declain and the ocean--in a
narrow place at the brink of the sea by which there flows down from
the hill above a small shining stream about which are trees and
bushes all around, and it is called Disert Declain. Thence to the
city it is a short mile and the reason why Declan used go there was
to avoid turmoil and noise so that he might be able to read and pray
and fast there. Indeed it was not easy for him to stay even there
because of the multitude of disciples and paupers and pilgrims and
beggars who followed him thither. Declan was however generous and
very sympathetic and on that account it is recorded by tradition that
a great following (of poor, &c.), generally accompanied him and that
moreover the little cell was very dear to him for the reason we have
given, and many devout people have made it their practice to dwell
therein.

46. When Declan fell ill and became weak in body, but still strong
in hope and faith and love of God, he returned to his own city--his
people and disciples and clergy surrounding him. He discoursed to
them on the commands of God and he enjoined on them to live holily
after his death, to be submissive to authority and to follow as
closely as possible the way he had marked out and to preserve his
city in a state of piety and under religious rule. And when they had
all heard the discourse it grieved them greatly to perceive, from
what he had said, he realised that in a short time he would go away
to heaven from them. But they were consoled by his gentle words and
then there came to him the holy man, to wit, MacLiag, at his own
request, already referred to. He [Declan] received the Body and
Blood of Christ and the Sacraments of the Church from his [MacLiag's]
hand--surrounded by holy men and his disciples, and he blessed his