Ian Thomas Phillips Poet I do not know?

Song of Saint Patrick - Part 6 - Deeds Continued

VI
Deeds (Continued)
In County Peregal there is Lough Derg
	(To us Red Lake)
		Where dwelled a massive serpent,
	To whom the pagans would make
			Sacrifice, 'til Patrick stood upon the shore
				And offered up a prayer,
					The worm was stunned, fast paralyzed
				And raised into the air,

"Ye people who surround me, 
	Who have made sacrifice
		To beasts and idols evil,
	When will they suffice?
			There is one god who made us all,
				The earth and universe!"
					The worm was rent in two, the lake filled with blood
				And the worshipers dispersed.

It was in County Mayo,
	Patrick fasted forty days
		While black birds came to plague him
	Soaring down from the grey haze.
			Patrick kept his fast 
				And took to ringing a bell
					And soon appeared an angel
				Who had something great to tell,

"Patrick, you have done much good
	And much more you will do,
		You've kept your heart with God in Heaven
	And, to his word, stayed true.
			The way of redemption,
				You've made the Irish know
					And for your diligent execution,
				Veneration they will show."

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