Muirchu’s Life of Patrick: Of the Contest of Patrick with the Magician on that day, and of his wonderful Miracles
Now while all were feasting, the magician Lucetmael; who had taken part in the contest at night, was eager, even that day when his comrade was dead, to contend with…
“Muirchu’s Life of Patrick: Of the Contest of Patrick with the Magician on that day, and of his wonderful Miracles” from St. Patrick, his Writings and Life, by Newport J.D. White, 1920
Now while all were feasting, the magician Lucetmael; who had taken part in the contest at night, was eager, even that day when his comrade was dead, to contend with St. Patrick. And, to make a beginning of the matter, he put, while the others were looking, somewhat from his own vessel into Patrick's cup, to try what he would do. St. Patrick, perceiving the kind of trial intended, blessed his cup in the sight of all; and, lo, the liquor was turned into ice. And when he had turned the vessel upside down, that drop only fell out which the magician had put into it. And he blessed his cup again, and the liquor was restored to its own nature; and all marvelled.
And after [the trial of] the cup, the magician said. Let us work miracles on this great plain. And Patrick answered and said. What miracles? And the magician said. Let us bring snow upon the earth. Then said Patrick, I do not wish to bring things that are contrary to the will of God. And the magician said, I shall bring it in the sight of all. Then he began his magical incantations, and brought down snow over the whole plain to the depth of a man's waist; and all saw it and marvelled. And St. Patrick said, Lo, we see this thing; now take it away. And he said, I cannot take it away till this time to-morrow. And the Saint said. Thou art able to do evil, but not good; I am not of that sort. Then he blessed the whole plain round about; and the snow vanished quicker than a word could be uttered, without any rain or cloud or wind. And the multitude shouted aloud, and marvelled greatly.
And a little after this, the magician invoked his demons, and brought upon the earth a very thick darkness, as a miracle; and all murmured at it. And the Saint said, Drive away the darkness. But he could not in this case either. St. Patrick however prayed and uttered a blessing, and suddenly the darkness was driven away, and the sun shone forth. And all shouted aloud and gave thanks.
Now when all these things had been done by the magician and Patrick, in the sight of the king, the king said to them, Throw your books into water; and we shall worship him whose books come out unharmed. Patrick replied, I will do it. But the magician said, I do not wish to enter into a trial by water with this fellow; for water is his God. He had evidently heard of baptism by water given by Patrick. And the king answered and said. Throw them into fire. And Patrick said, I am ready. But the magician, being unwilling, said. This man worships as his God water and fire turn about every alternate year. And the Saint said. That is not so; but thou thyself shalt go, and one of my lads shall go with thee, into a house separated and shut up; and my garment shall be around thee, and thy garment around me, and thus shall ye together be set on fire; and ye shall be judged in the sight of the Most High.
And this suggestion was adopted; and a house was built for them, whereof one half was built of green wood and the other half of dry. And the magician was put into the part of the house made of green wood; and one of Saint Patrick’s lads, named Benineus, was put with a magician’s robe into the part that was made of dry wood. The house was then shut up from the outside, and set on fire before the whole multitude. And it came to pass in that hour, that as Patrick prayed, the flame of the fire burnt up the magician with the half of the house that was made of green wood, the cloak of Saint Patrick only remaining whole, inasmuch as the fire did not touch it. Benineus, on the other hand, was fortunate with the half of the house that was made of dry wood; for, as it is told about The Three Children, the fire did not touch him at all; nor was he alarmed, nor did it do him any harm; only the cloak of the magician which was around him was, by the will of God, burnt up.
And the king was greatly enraged against Patrick, because of the death of his magician, and he almost rushed upon him, minding to slay him ; but God hindered him. For at the prayer of Patrick and at his cry, the wrath of God fell upon the ungodly people, and many of them perished. And St. Patrick said to the king. Unless thou believest now, thou shalt die speedily, because the wrath of God will fall upon thy head. And the king feared exceedingly, “and his heart was moved,” and his whole city with him.
White, Newport J. D., St. Patrick, his Writings and Life, The Macmillan Company 1920.
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