,,! ,,life ,,( ,,sa9t ,,columba ,,apo/le
 ,,( ,,scotl&  ,,by ,f4,a4 ,,=bes       
,,second ,,edition  ,r4  ,t4 ,,wa%b\rne1
 ,,ltd4 ,,pat]no/] ,,r[1 ,,london ,,&   
,,at ,,man*e/]1 ,,birm+ham1 ,,& ,,glasg[
  #aiai  ,all rights res]v$  ,nihil     
,ob/at4 ,,franciscus ,,canonicus        
,,wyndham ,c5sor ,deputatus             
,imprimatur4  ,,edm4 ,,c4 ,,surmont     
,vic4 ,g54  ,,we/mona/]ii1 die #g       
,octobris1 #aiac4    ,,/&>d-,,be>]s ,,( 
,,! ,,fai?  ,a ,,s]ies ,,( ,,lives ,,(  
,,! ,,sa9ts ,,= ,,"y ,,& ,,old  ,,sa9t  
,,columba  ,! ,k+dom ( ,heav51 ,o man1  
require? no o!r price ?an ?yself3 !     
value ( x is ?yself3 give ?yself = x &  
?\ %alt h x4--,,/4 ,,augu/9e            
,,au?or',s ,,preface  ,,?\gh m ?an #acjj
 ye>s h gone by s9ce ! dea? ( ,/4       
,columba1 !re are few sa9ts ^: memory is
 s liv+ & s /rong4 ,?is is p>tly due to 
8 vivid & attractive p]sonality1 b 9 a  
great measure also to ! fact t we h 8   
,biography or ,life writt5 at great l5g?
 by ,adamnan1 n9? abbot ( ,iona1 :o 0   

born only tw5ty-sev5 ye>s aft]          
,columba's dea?4 ,adamnan1 :o 0 v "y :5 
he ent]$ ! community at ,iona1 c\ld h   
ga!r$ ! mat]ials = 8 book f ! lips ( ^? 
:o _h p]sonally kn[n ! great ,apo/le (  
,scotl&1 & :o _h be5 eye-witnesses ( !  
ev5ts record$4 ,we "k t ^! fri5ds 7 _m1 
& drawn f all classes1 = ,columbcille1  
above all ! m5 ( 8 "t1 _h ! gift ( be+  
lov$1 & _m in/ances are relat$ ( !      
passionate devotion ( ! monks ( ,iona to
 _! great abbot1 no less ?an t ( !      
multitudes ) :om 9 8 long & busy life he
 _h come 9 contact4 ,adamnan is consid]$
 to be a sob] & tru/wor?y au?or1 & has n
 exagg]at$1 z _m ( ! lat] writ]s        
und\bt$ly h1 ! miracul\s elem5t 9 ! life
 ( ! ,sa9t4  ,c>lyle1 :o _c be consid]$ 
z an advocate ( ! sup]natural1 rem>ks ( 
! ,life ( ,/4 ,columba3 ,y c see t ! man
 :o wrote x c\ld tell no lie4 ,:at he   
meant y _c always f9d out2 b x is cle> t
 he told ?+s z !y appe>$ to him4  ,!re  
are _m int]e/+ relics ( ,columba /ill 9 
exi/5ce4 ,an anci5t /one *alice :i* he  

is said to h us$ at ,mass is /ill       
pres]v$ 9 ,irel&1 toge!r ) ! flag/one   
:i* =m$ ! floor+ ( ,ei?ne's room ! night
 t he 0 born4 ,a pa!tic cu/om exi/s     
among/ ! poor ,iri% emigrants ( sleep+ !
 night be=e !y leave _! c\ntry on ?is   
/one1 9 ! hope t he :o made himself an  
exile f 8 c\ntry = ! love ( ,god w by 8 
pray]s make ! burd5 ( _! sorr[ easi] to 
be>4 ,! /one :i* he us$ = s _m ye>s z a 
pill[ is /ill to be se5 among/ ! ru9s ( 
! ca!dral ( ,iona1 :i* 0 erect$ 9 !     
twelf? c5tury ne> ! site ( ! old abbey  
*ur* ( ,columba's build+1 :ile ! ru9s ( 
,/4 ,oran's *apel ne> at h& enclose ! v 
spot :]e ! ,sa9t brea!d 8 la/ ^u ! alt> 
/eps4  ,b p]haps ! mo/ int]e/+ ( all !  
,columban relics are ! ?ree manuscripts 
:i* are said to h be5 writt5 by !       
,sa9t's own h&4 ,t ,columbcille 0 an    
indefatigable scribe we "k f ! witness (
 _m ( 8 contempor>ies1 & "o ( ! greate/ 
( mod]n au?orities 7,mr4 ,we/wood7 sees 
no reason = sett+ aside ! tradition t ! 
,book ( ,kells & ! ,book ( ,durr[ are   

bo? ma9ly1 if n altoge!r1 ,columba's "w4
 ,! ,book ( ,durr[1 inde$1 be>s an      
inscription /at+ t x 0 writt5 by        
,columba ! scribe 9 ! space ( twelve    
days1 :ile ! ,book ( ,kells has always  
borne ! title ( ! ,great ,gospel (      
,columbcille4 ,to ! objection t a busy  
man l ,columba w\ld n h _h leisure to   
execute ! exquisitely m9ute decorations 
:i* are ! a/oni%m5t ( all admir]s (     
,celtic art1 x c be urg$ t _m old       
manuscripts :i* /ill exi/ 9 an unf9i%$  
condition be> witness to ! fact t x 0   
cu/om>y = ! initial lett]s & ornam5tal  
p>ts ( ! manuscript to be sket*$ r\ghly 
91 & f9i%$ by ano!r h&4 ,?is is         
especially to be not$ 9 ! ,book (       
,kells1 ! decorative "w ( :i* is c]ta9ly
 ( a lat] date4 ,bo? ! ,book ( ,durr[ & 
! ,book ( ,kells are to be se5 9 !      
,libr>y ( ,tr9ity ,college1 ,dubl94  ,! 
?ird manuscript1 ! fam\s ,psalt] :i*    
gave ,columbcille to ,scotl& & :i* is   
pres]v$ 9 ! ,royal ,iri% ,academy1 fell1
 aft] ! battle ( ,cuil ,dreimhne1 into !

 h&s ( ! ,o',donnells1 ,columba's own   
clan1 :o treasur$ x z _! mo/ preci\s    
possession4 ,x 0 call$ ! ,ca?a* or      
,battl]1 & if borne into battle by "o ( 
pure he>t & ( clean h&s 0 believ$ to    
ensure !m ! victory ov] _! enemies4 ,x  
is ! lea/ ornam5tal ( ! ?ree1 & be>s    
traces ( ! ha/e ) :i* x 0 execut$4 ,!   
exi/5ce ( ^! pages1 writt5 ) labori\s   
c>e by ! h& :i* has long s9ce m\ld]$    
into du/1 makes a liv+ l9k across !     
c5turies ) ,columbcille ! ,belov$1 !    
great ,apo/le ( ,scotl&4    ,,cont5ts   
,,*ap4     ,i4 ,,*ild ,,( ,,! ,,m\nta9  
,,& ,,! ,,lake    ,,ii4 ,,! ,,s*ool+ ,,(
 ,a ,,sa9t   ,,iii4 ,,d]ry ,,& ,,durr[  
,,iv4 ,,! ,,c[ ,,& ,,! ,,calf     ,v4 ,a
 ,,bitt] ,,p5ance    ,,vi4 ,,! ,,isle   
,,9 ,,! ,,we/]n ,,seas   ,,vii4 ,,!     
,,apo/le ,,( ,,scotl&  ,,viii4 ,,!      
,,conv5tion ,,( ,,drum-,,ceatt    ,,ix4 
,,= ,,*ri/ ,,& ,,8 ,,love     ,x4 ,,!   
,,gift ,,( ,,vision    ,,xi4 ,,! ,,light
 ,,et]nal    ,,*apt] ,i  ,,*ild ,,( ,,! 
,,m\nta9 ,,& ,,! ,,lake  ,,f\rte5 hundr$

 ye>s ago1 9 ! sweet days ( autumn1 :5 !
 woods ( ,g>tan are clo!d 9 crimson &   
gold1 & ! /ill wat]s ( ,l\gh ,veagh     
reflect ! deep blue ( ! skies above1    
,ei?ne1 ! wife ( ,f$hlimidh1 ,pr9ce (   
,tir-,connell1 _h a /range dream4 ,x    
seem$ to h] t an angel ( ,god /ood      
beside h]1 be>+ 9 8 h&s a veil scatt]$  
all ov] ) ! ,b[]s ( ,p>adise1 & t1      
spread+ x out1 he bade h] admire its    
beauty4 ,ei?ne 0 a daught] ( k+s1 b nev]
 be=e _h %e se5 s m>vell\sly fair a web2
 %e /ret*$ out h] h&s to grasp x1 b ev5 
z %e t\*$ x1 x rose & flutt]$ lightly   
into ! air4 ,ov] hill1 m\nta91 & l\gh   
float$ its %ad[y lovel9ess1 till x re/$ 
at la/ on ! moors & m\nta9s ( a l& t lay
 f> away 9 ! moan+ seas4 ,!n ,ei?ne wept
 = ! loss ( ! beautiful veil1 b ! angel 
com=t$ h]4  ,x is b a symbol1 he said1 (
 ! son t %all be born to !e 9 ! days to 
come4 ,he %all be a pr9ce & a prophet2 !
 _w %all be p]fum$ by 8 hol9ess2 & he   
%all be> ! fl[] ( ! fai? among ! hea!n  
f> ov] l& & sea4  ,:5 morn+ came ,ei?ne 

told h] husb& ( ! dream1 & ! two took   
c\nsel toge!r4 ,t 8 son %\ld be a great 
pr9ce 9 no way surpris$ ,f$hlimidh4 ,0 n
 he himself a gr&son ( ! great k+ ,niall
 ( ! ,n9e ,ho/ages1 s call$ because he  
_h subdu$ n9e ,k+s ( ,irel& to 8 w &    
made !m 8 vassals1 & 0 n ! reign+ k+ (  
all ,irel& 8 ne> k9sman8 ,no /range ?+  
w\ld x h be5 9 ^? turbul5t days1 :5 !   
lives ( k+s 7 %ort & unc]ta91 7 ! son ( 
,f$hlimidh himself to be set on ! ?rone 
z ,high ,k+ ( ,irel&4  ,b ,ei?ne's dream
 seem$ to po9t m to a heav5ly supremacy 
?an an e>?ly2 0 x an indication ( ,god's
 w t !y %\ld d$icate _! *ild to ,him8   
,!y ?\ght x 01 & a few mon?s lat]1 :5   
heav5 s5t !m a fair & beautiful little  
son1 !y e>ne/ly pray$ to ! ,giv] ( all  
good gifts t ,he w\ld take ! *ild1 if x 
seem$ well to ,him1 = ,8 s]vice4  ,at   
,teampall-,d\glas1 a few miles f ,g>tan1
 !re liv$ a holy old prie/ call$        
,crui?ne*an2 to him !y took ! babe t x  
might receive at 8 h&s ! holy rites (   
,baptism4 ,he 0 giv5 ! "n ( ,columba1 a 

n uncommon "n 9 ,irel& at ! "t1 & :ile  
yet a little *ild 0 s5t back to ! sa9tly
 ,crui?ne*an t ! old man might tra9 him 
9 ! ways ( wisdom & hol9ess4  ,9 ?is    
,columba's p>5ts b foll[$ ! cu/om ( !   
"t1 = x 0 usual = ! sons ( *iefs to be  
br\ght up f _! e>lie/ y\? by "s great   
b>d1 soldi]1 or prie/1 accord+ to _!    
de/9ation 9 life2 & x 0 ! duty ( ^! fo/]
 p>5ts to tra9 _! *>ges 9 all t _h to d 
) _! future pr(ession4  ,! little       
,columba 0 an apt pupil4 ,x 0 8 delight 
to accompany 8 ma/] to ! ,*ur*1 !re to  
li/5 to ! *ant+ ( ! ,div9e ,(fice2 & s  
ke5 ( e> & quick ( memory 0 ! boy t he  
_h le>nt "s ( ! psalms by he>t be=e he  
c\ld spell !m out 9 ! ,psalt]--!        
lesson-book ( e "y read] ( 8 "t4        
,crui?ne*an himself 0 unaw>e ( ?is until
 "o day :5 he took ! *ild ) him on a    
visit to a bro!r prie/ ne> ,d]ry4 ,! two
 cl]ics w5t toge!r to ! ,*ur* to *ant ! 
,div9e ,(fice1 & ,columba1 z 0 8 wont1  
knelt to pray be=e ! alt>4  ,n[ x came  
to pass t ,crui?ne*an lo/ 8 place1 & 0 9

 great di/ress because he c\ld n f9d x  
aga94 ,! (fice came to a /&/ill1 & !    
pause w\ld h be5 a long "o _h n ! boy's 
cle> treble voice tak5 up ! psalm ,:]e !
 old man _h halt$1 & *ant$ sweetly !    
alt]nate v]ses until ! miss+ place 0    
f\nd4 ,x 0 ,columba's love ( ! ,*ur* t  
won = him among 8 companions ! "n by :i*
 he became fam\s 9 aft]-days--          
,columb-cille or ! dove ( ! ,*ur*4 ,he  
w\ld slip away f _! games :5ev] he c\ld1
 b !y always knew :]e to f9d him4 ,he   
ne/les beside ! alt> l a dove 9 its ne/1
 !y w\ld say4  ,9 spite ( ! boy's "n1   
h[ev]1 und]nea? ! /rong fai? & love1 !  
true & deep devotion t 7 always 8 *ief  
*>act]i/ics1 lay a nature t 0 9 no wise 
dovelike4 ,loyal1 great-he>t$1 &        
compassionate z he und\bt$ly 01 ! blood 
( ! fi]ce & haughty ,hy-,nialls fl[$ 9 8
 ve9s4 ,to be quick to take (f5ce & sl[ 
to =give an injury is a *>act]i/ic ( !  
,celtic race all ! _w ov]1 & ,columba 0 
no exception to ! rule4 ,long & %>p 0 to
 be ! /ruggle be=e t quick & imp]i\s    

nature 0 :olly conqu]$ by ! grace (     
,god1 b great 0 to be ! victory at la/4 
,to ,crui?ne*an x 0 evid5t t ! bless+ ( 
,god re/$ 9 no small degree on ! *ild ( 
8 fo/]+4 ,return+ home "o night he saw 8
 h\se lit up z x 7 ) a great fire1 &    
fe>+ = ! safety ( 8 little *>ge he ent]$
 9 ha/e4 ,all 0 9 d>kness )91 save ov] !
 head ( ! sleep+ *ild1 :]e !re hung a   
globe ( fire4 ,! old man fell on 8      
knees1 n kn[+ :at ! port5t might mean2 b
 ,god reassur$ him1 %[+ t ! light ( ,8  
,holy ,_s _h be5 p\r$ out abundantly ^u 
,columba1 :o 0 to lab\r fruitfully 9 ,8 
s]vice4  ,x has always be5 ackn[l$g$ by 
! ,celtic races t among ! *ildr5 ( m5   
!re are a *os5 few :o are gift$ ) !     
second sight4 ,/range in/ances are giv5 
( mortal eyes t h se5 ! invisible1 & (  
m5 & wom5 :o h kn[n ?+s t are n to be   
disc]n$ by ! s5ses4 ,a little corn] ( ! 
veil t hides ! spiritual _w f ! _w (    
s5se has be5 lift$4 ,f ! e>lie/ ages1 to
 ^? :o are exceptionally pure ( he>t &  
holy1 ?is contact ) ! spiritual _w has  

be5 giv5 9 a sup]natural degree4 ,!     
mat]iali/ may sc(f1 b ! voice ( ! ,ages 
is l\d] & cle>] 9 our e>s ?an 84  ,f 8  
*ildhood ,columba seems to h possess$   
?is gift 9 a v m>k$ mann]4 ,8 gu>dian   
angel1 we are told by 8 biograph]s1     
appe>$ to him frequ5tly1 & ! *ild w\ld  
talk to him famili>ly1 & ask him if all 
! spirits 9 heav5 7 z radiant &         
beautiful z he4 ,"o day ! angel bade !  
boy tell him :at he w\ld *oose if any   
virtue might be 8 = ! ask+4  ,i w\ld    
*oose purity & wisdom1 answ]$ he4  ,well
 ha/ ?\ *os51 ,columba1 said ! angel1 !y
 %all be ?9e1 & ,god w add to !m yet    
ano!r gift4  ,s x came to pass 9 ! c\rse
 ( "t t !re appe>$ "o day be=e ,columba 
?ree beautiful maid5s1 :o w\ld h embrac$
 him1 b he pu%$ !m r\ghly away4  ,do/ ?\
 n "k u1 ,columba8 ask$ "o ( !m1 & a    
cele/ial radiance %one f h] face &      
g>m5ts z %e spoke4 ,we are ?ree si/]s   
s5t to !e f our ,fa!r1 t we may abide ) 
!e = ev]4  ,i "k y n1 said ,columba4 ,:o
 is y\r fa!r8  ,our ,fa!r is ,god1 ! ,"l

 & ,savi\r ( ! _w1 answ]$ ! maid51 & h] 
voice 0 l ! music ( heav54  ,truly a    
noble p>5tage1 said ! boy4 ,by :at names
 d m5 call y8  ,our names are ,purity1  
,prophecy1 & ,wisdom1 %e answ]$1 & we h 
come nev] to leave !e m1 & to love !e ) 
an incorruptible love4  ,s among !      
peaceful hills & lakes ( ,donegal ! boy 
,columba grew into manhood4 ,tall & fair
 & /raight ( limb 0 ! son ( ,ei?ne &    
,f$hlimidh1 ) a voice cle> & sweet z a  
trumpet-call1 & a he>t t 0 fe>less1     
pure1 & true4 ,crui?ne*an _h done 8 "w  
well2 he _h taught ,columba all t he    
knew ( e>?ly lore & ( heav5ly2 b ! "t ( 
8 fo/]+ 0 ov]4 ,he mu/ g =? n[ into !   
great _w t lay beyond ! quiet m\nta9s1 !
 _w ( /rife & ( trag$y1 ( joy & ( sorr[4
  ,a /range _w & "o ( _m contra/s1 t (  
,irel& 9 ! six? c5tury4 ,to ! unanim\s  
voice ( ,*ri/ianity %e ow$ h] "n ( !    
,isl& ( ! ,sa9ts4 ,f ! days ( ,/4       
,patrick ! mona/ic s*ools1 v]itable     
cities ( ,god 9 ! mid/ ( ! /rife &      
b>b>ism ( ^? e>ly days1 ex]t$ _!        

influ5ce on ! life ar\nd !m 9 fav\r (   
piety1 le>n+ & civilization4 ,"h 7 be+  
=m$ a :ole population ( writ]s1         
!ologians1 ar*itects1 sculptors1 poets1 
hi/orians1 & above all ( mission]s &    
prea*]s1 :o 7 to c>ry ! light ( !       
,gospel f> & wide into o!r l&s4 ,!      
f\nd]s ( ^! s*ools 7 mo/ly ( ! noble/   
blood 9 ,irel&1 & k+s & pr9ces did n    
disda9 to come to !m = advice & help1 or
 ev5 to li/5 to _! repro(s4 ,mo/ p[]ful 
= good 0 ! influ5ce ( ! ,*ur* 9 ,irel&1 
& well = h] t x 0 s1 = ! times 7 wild & 
lawless4  ,to ! ,hy-,nialls1 ! k9sm5 (  
,columba1 belong$ ! :ole nor?-we/ (     
,irel&4 ,! sov]eign rule ov] ! entire   
c\ntry 0 !irs1 9 ! ,iri% colony (       
,dalriada 9 ,cal$onia ov] ! seas1 z well
 z 9 ! "m-c\ntry ( ,er94  ,!y ex]cis$   
au?ority ov] ! prov9cial k+s1 b an      
au?ority t 0 (t5 hotly conte/$1 &       
/ormily ma9ta9$ at ! co/ ( mu* blood%$4 
,! k+ 0 elect$ f ei!r bran* ( ! great   
,niall family or clan1 ! ,hy-,nialls ( !
 ,nor?1 to :i* ,columba belong$1 or !   

,hy-,nialls ( ! ,s\?1 & ! two bran*es 7 
cont9ually at w>4 ,into ! mid/ ( ^!     
discordant elem5ts ! law ( ,*ri/ br\ght 
peace & ju/ice1 & ! ,sa9ts ( ,irel& 7 ! 
pill>s ( ! law ( ,*ri/4    ,,*apt] ,,ii 
,,! ,,s*ool+ ,,( ,a ,,sa9t  ,,:ile      
,columba 0 gr[+ into manhood among !    
m\nta9s ( ,tir-,connell1 ,/4 ,f9nian1   
,f9nian ( ! ,he>t ,dev\t z ! old writ]s 
love to call him1 0 f\nd+ 8 great       
mona/ic s*ool ( ,moville on ! nor!rn    
side ( ,l\gh ,cuan4  ,n on 8 piety &    
sanctity alone did ! r5[n ( ,f9nian re/4
 ,he _h be5 educat$ at ! fam\s mona/]y (
 ,:itehorn1 f\nd$ by ,/4 ,n9ian 9 ! f\r?
 c5tury 9 ! ,briti% k+dom ( ,gall[ay    
across ! sea4 ,/4 ,n9ian 0 ! fri5d ( ,/4
 ,m>t9 ( ,t\rs1 & x 0 f him t he obta9$ 
masons to build ! ,c&ida ,casa or ,:ite 
,h\se1 ! fir/ /one *ur* erect$ 9        
,brita94 ,lat]1 ,/4 ,f9nian w5t on      
pilgrimage to ,rome1 a difficult &      
dang]\s und]tak+ 9 days :5 %ips consi/$ 
= ! mo/ "p ( a framework ( will[        
ov]/ret*$ ) ox-hide2 & fam9e1 pe/il5ce1 

wild bea/s & b>b>ians 7 only a few ( !  
p]ils t beset travell]s by l&4 ,!re he  
rema9$ = ?ree mon?s1 :5 he return$ to   
,irel&1 br++ ) him a preci\s & priceless
 treasure4  ,?is 0 a copy ( ! sacr$     
,scriptures1 translat$ & correct$ by !  
h& ( ,/4 ,j]ome himself1 & =mally       
sanction$ by ! ,pope z ! au!ntic text4  
,no copy ( ?is fir/ edition ( ! ,vulgate
 _h z yet f\nd its way into ,irel&1 & to
 ! s*ol>s & scribes ( ! day x 0 ( untold
 wor?4  ,! s*ool ( ,moville 0 f\nd$ 9   
#edj1 & ,/4 ,columba mu/ h be5 "o ( its 
e>lie/ s*ol>s1 = he 0 born 9 ! ye> #eba1
 & 0 ab\t tw5ty ye>s ( age :5 he left   
,tir-,connell4 ,"h he 0 orda9$ deacon1 &
 "h also1 at 8 pray]1 0 work$ ! fir/ ( a
 long s]ies ( miracles t 7 to cont9ue   
?r\gh\t 8 life4 ,"o fe/ival day1 to !   
con/]nation ( ,/4 ,f9nian1 x 0 f\nd t   
!re 0 no w9e = ! ,holy ,sacrifice4 ,x 0 
! turn ( ,columba to draw ! wat] t 0 to 
be us$ 9 ! sacr$ my/]ies1 & kneel+ at ! 
br9k ( ! well he pray$ e>ne/ly to t ,"l 
:o _h *ang$ wat] into w9e at ! m>riage  

fea/ ( ,cana to h pity on _! di/ress4 ,8
 pray] 0 he>d2 ev5 z he c>ri$ ! wat] to 
! *ur* ! miracle 0 work$4  ,"h1 my      
,fa!r1 is w9e t ,god has s5t u f heav51 
said ! "y deacon1 z he gave ! vessel to 
8 ma/]1 & ,f9nian m>vell$ greatly & gave
 praise & glory to ,god4  ,f ,moville1  
,columba w5t to ! great s*ool ( ,clon>d1
 !re to pursue 8 /udies "u ano!r ,/4    
,f9nian--,f9nian ! ,wise1 ! ,tutor ( !  
,sa9ts ( ,er94 ,clon>d 0 ! mo/ fam\s    
s*ool 9 ,irel& at ! "t1 & ev5 bi%ops &  
abbots1 old 9 ye>s & exp]i5ce1 did n    
disda9 to come to le>n wisdom at ! feet 
( its holy f\nd]4 ,/4 ,f9nian ( ,clon>d 
_h be5 himself ! pupil ( ?ree great     
sa9ts1 ,/4 ,david1 ,/4 ,gildas1 & ,/4   
,cadoc1 at ! ,college ( ,llanc>van 9    
,wales4 ,:5 ,columba came to ! s*ool (  
,clon>d x numb]$1 z ! old writ]s tell u1
 ?ree ?\s& s*ol>s4  ,! problem (        
accommodation 0 v simple 9 an ,iri%     
s*ool ( ! six? c5tury4 ,a few preci\s   
manuscripts =m$ ! :ole libr>y4 ,!       
in/ruction 0 mo/ly oral1 & giv5 9 ! gre5

 fields r\nd ! moat ( ,clon>d4 ,a little
 hill or em95ce =m$ ! pr(essor's *air1 &
 ! s*ol>s sat on ! slopes ab\t 8 feet4  
,!y built _! own little huts ( clay &   
wattles 9 ! surr\nd+ mead[s1 & took _!  
turn at h]d+ ! %eep & gr9d+ 9 ! qu]n1 or
 h&mill1 ! corn = ! daily bread4 ,!y    
pray$ & /udi$1 le>nt ! exquisitely f9e  
transcription t gave to ! _w ! only     
books t 7 !n to be _h1 & li/5$ to !     
int]pretation ( ! ,holy ,scriptures     
exp\nd$ by ,/4 ,f9nian ) a p[] &        
eloqu5ce t drew m5 f all p>ts ( ,irel&  
to li/54  ,! son ( ! ,hy-,nialls took 8 
turn ) ! re/ at gr9d+ ! corn 9 ! qu]n & 
9 ! humble daily lab\rs1 b he accompli%$
 8 task s rapidly & skilfully t 8       
fell[-s*ol>s1 :o may h he>d ! /ory ( !  
cele/ial companion ( 8 boyhood1 w\ld    
ass]t t he _h be5 help$ by an angel4 ,:5
 ! daily "w 0 f9i%$1 he 0 always to be  
f\nd1 z ( old1 be=e ! alt>1 absorb$ 9   
pray]4 ,ev5 ! eld]s treat$ him )        
def]5ce4 ,!re 0 some?+ s noble & comm&+ 
9 8 be>+1 s high & holy 9 ! glance ( 8  

ke5 grey eyes1 s /rong & compell+ 9 !   
cle> tones ( 8 voice1 t half            
unconsci\sly m5 b[$ be=e him4  ,b !re 0 
"o at ,clon>d :o long )/ood 8 influ5ce4 
,to ! g5tle-he>t$ ,ci>an ,mac ,9 ,tsair1
 or ! son ( ! c>p5t]1 temptation _h come
 9 ! %ape ( an envi\s ?\ght4  ,:y %\ld  
,columba1 he ask$ himself res5tfully1 be
 lov$ & privileg$ above all ! o!r       
s*ol>s8 ,he 0 ! son ( ! ,pr9ce (        
,tir-,connell x 0 true1 b 9 a mona/ic   
community su* z ,clon>d 7 n !y all equal
 be=e ,god8 ,he began to be jeal\s ( !  
influ5ce ex]cis$ s unconsci\sly by 8 "y 
companion1 & h>b\r$ bitt]ness 9 8 he>t4 
,ci>an's gu>dian angel griev$ ov] !     
havoc t 0 be+ wr\ght 9 t pure & g5tle   
s\l4 ,he appe>$ to him "o day 9 a       
radiant vision1 c>ry+ ! tools ( a c>p5t]
 9 8 h&s4  ,see1 ,ci>an1 said he1 :at ?\
 ha/ left = ! love ( ,god1 to give      
?yself to ,*ri/ 9 ! mona/ic life2 b     
,columba has sacrific$ ! ?rone :i* w\ld 
h be5 81 _h he n1 =sak+ ! _w1 *os5 r to 
foll[ 8 ,"l 9 pov]ty & humiliation4  ,8 

words scatt]$ ! mi/ ( envy f ! he>t ( ! 
c>p5t]'s son1 :o humbly ask$ p>don = 8  
s94 ,f h5ce=? he became "o ( ! w>me/    
fri5ds ( ,columba1 :o 9 8 turn lov$ !   
g5tle-he>t$ ,ci>an ) a true & t5d]      
affection4 ,x 0 :ile ! two 7 at ,clon>d 
toge!r t _! ma/] ,/4 ,f9nian dreamt t he
 saw two moons1 "o ( gold & "o ( silv]1 
%9+ 9 ! sky4 ,! gold5 moon illum9at$ !  
nor? ( ,irel&1 & its beams %one ov] !   
sea z f> z di/ant ,alba1 :ile ! moon (  
silv] %$ its s(t light 9 ! c5tre ( ! l&4
 ,x 0 made kn[n to ,f9nian t ! gold5    
moon repres5t$ ,columba1 :o 0 to c>ry ! 
light ( ! ,gospel to ano!r p1 :ile t (  
silv] typifi$ ,ci>an1 ^: hol9ess 0 to be
 a light to _m 9 8 own c\ntry4  ,x 0 at 
?is "t t ,columbcille %[$ ! fir/ signs (
 t gift ( prophecy t 0 to make him s    
fam\s 9 aft] days4  ,!re came to ,clon>d
 an old b>d call$ ,gemman1 :o 0 a       
,*ri/ian4 ,columba1 :o _h a passionate  
love = poetry1 put himself "u 8 tuition 
t he might n only /udy ! old m9/rel lore
 ( ,irel&1 b le>n also to p\r out 8 own 

he>t 9 song4 ,"o day :5 ! old man sat   
read+ at a little di/ance f 8 pupil 9 ! 
gre5 mead[s ne> ,clon>d1 a "y maid51    
cry+ pite\sly = help1 & hotly pursu$ by 
"o ( ! blood?ir/y b>b>ians :o 7 ! t]ror 
( ! m peaceful inhabitants ( ! c\ntry1  
fl$ t[>ds him = protection4 ,gemman     
call$ to ,columba = help1 b x 0 too     
late4 ,ev5 z he tri$ to hide ! *ild "u !
 folds ( 8 long cloak h] savage         
assailant pi]c$ h] to ! he>t ) 8 spe>4  
,h[ long1 ,o ,"l1 moan$ ! old man1 z he 
ga!r$ ! body ( ! little maid5 into 8    
arms1 h[ long %all ! blood ( ?is innoc5t
 cry unav5g$ to heav58  ,columba turn$  
to him ) fla%+ eyes4  ,?us long1 he cri$
 9 a voice t rang l ! trumpet ( ! av5g+ 
angel3  ,?us long1 & no long]4 ,! s\l ( 
t innoc5t *ild %all sc>cely h ent]$     
heav5 be=e ! s\l ( h] murd]] %all be ca/
 into et]nal fire4  ,! words _h sc>cely 
left 8 lips :5 ! b>b>ian1 :o 0 n yet out
 ( sight1 fell dead1 /ruck d[n by !     
sudd5 judgm5t ( ,god4  ,on leav+        
,clon>d1 ,columba w5t 9 company ) !     

g5tle-he>t$ ,ci>an to visit ! s*ool (   
ano!r great ma/] ( ! spiritual life1 ,/4
 ,mobhi ( ,glasnev94 ,!re !y met ,/4    
,comgall & ,/4 ,canni*1 & =m$ ) !m a    
lifelong fri5d%ip4 ,x 0 dur+ 8 /ay at   
,glasnev9 t ,columba 0 s5t by ,/4 ,mobhi
 to ,et*51 ,bi%op ( ,clonfad1 to be     
orda9$ a prie/1 & x is *>act]i/ic ( !   
simplicity ( ! times t ! holy bi%op1 :o 
0 ,columba's own c\s91 & ! son ( a      
reign+ pr9ce1 0 f\nd 9 ! fields guid+ ! 
ox5 ( 8 pl\gh4  ,x mu/ h be5 also ab\t  
?is "t t ,ci>an & ,columba j\rney$      
toge!r to ! rocky ,isle ( ,aran 9 ! we/1
 to visit ,/4 ,enda ! ,holy1 ! tutor (  
bo? ,f9nian ( ,moville & ,f9nian (      
,clon>d4 ,aran 0 inde$ a v nurs]y (     
sanctity1 & ,enda 0 rev]5c$ z a fa!r by 
all ! sa9ts ( ,irel&4 ,!y le>nt f 8 lips
 ! virtues & duties ( a true monk1 b !y 
le>nt /ill m f 8 example4 ,he & 8       
community slept on ! b>e gr\nd 9 _! /one
 cells1 nev] w>m$ by a fire ev5 9 !     
colde/ days ( w9t]4 ,_! frugal food 0 ! 
fruit ( ! lab\r ( _! h&s1 b x 0 little  

en\gh t ! b>r5 rocks ( ,aran c\ld       
furni%4 ,to ^! m51 ^: he>ts 7 on fire ) 
! love ( ,god1 _! des]t isl& 0 a little 
p>adise1 :]e !y liv$ 9 close communion )
 ! unse5 _w1 & f :5ce ! voice ( praise  
w5t up incessantly to ! ?rone ( ,god4   
,we are told t ! g5tle-he>t$ ,ci>an1 !  
son ( ! c>p5t]1 0 belov$ by ,enda above 
all 8 disciples1 & t :5 ! "t came = him 
to leave ! ,isle ( ,aran to f\nd 8 own  
great mona/]y ( ,clonmacnoise on ! banks
 ( ! ,%annon1 ! old man knelt & wept    
bitt]ly on ! rocky %ore4 ,p]haps he may 
h =ese5 ! e>ly dea? ( 8 belov$ pupil1 ! 
sudd5 qu5*+ ( t light t 0 to %9e s      
brightly dur+ ! few ye>s t rema9$ to him
 ( 8 e>?ly pilgrimage4  ,= a few ye>s   
aft] 8 dep>ture f ,aran ! holy ,ci>an   
ex]cis$ 8 apo/le%ip 9 8 native c\ntry1 &
 !n f\nd$ ! mona/]y ( ,clonmacnoise1 :i*
 9 aft] days 0 to become ! greate/ & mo/
 le>n$ community 9 ,irel&4 ,f\r mon?s   
lat] a t]rible pe/il5ce broke out1 & !  
g5tle ,ci>an 0 among/ its victims4 ,he  
ask$ ! bre?r5 to take him out into ! op5

 air t 8 eyes might see ! blue sky once 
aga9 be=e he di$4 ,! sk9 on :i* he us$  
to sleep 0 spread on ! gr\nd & !y laid  
him on x1 weep+ bitt]ly ! :ile4 ,! dy+  
man !n ask$ to be left alone ) ,/4 ,kev9
 ( ,gl5dal\gh1 8 s\l's fri5d 7!         
beautiful old ,celtic "n = spiritual    
fa!r--/ill 9 use among ! ,ca?olics (    
we/]n ,scotl&71 :o bless$ him & gave him
 ! ,holy ,communion4  ,ci>an bade him a 
t5d] f>ewell1 =1 says ! old *ronicle1 he
 lov$ him mu*4 ,!n1 lift+ 8 eyes to     
heav5 ) a smile on 8 lips1 ! pure & holy
 ,ci>an brea!d 8 la/1 & :ite angels came
 & c>ri$ 8 s\l to ,p>adise4    ,,*apt]  
,,iii  ,,d]ry ,,& ,,durr[  ,,! t]rible  
outbreak ( plague t c>ri$ (f "y ,ci>an 9
 ! fl[] ( 8 age f\nd ,columba at        
,glasnev94 ,/4 ,mobhi bade 8 disciples  
disp]se to _! homes1 & ,columbcille w5t 
nor?w>ds to ,tir-,connell4 ,:5 he rea*$ 
! /ream ( ,moyola he pray$ e>ne/ly t    
,god might /ay ! plague on ! s\!rn bank 
( ! riv]1 & sp>e ! c\ntry ( 8 p4 ,8     
pray] 0 he>d1 & ! t]rible sc\rge =bore  

to cross ! wat]4  ,columba 0 n[         
tw5ty-five ye>s ( age1 & 8 fri5ds &     
k9sm5 e>ne/ly desir$ t he %\ld f\nd a   
*ur* & mona/]y 9 _! own c\ntry4 ,8 c\s9 
! ,pr9ce ( ,aile* ev5 (f]$ him a piece (
 l& on ! nor!rn coa/1 b ,columba 0 deaf 
to _! entreaties4 ,8 ma/]1 ,/4 ,mobhi1  
_h giv5 him no p]mission to f\nd2 & )\t 
x1 s great 0 8 rev]5ce = ! holy old man1
 he w\ld take no /eps 9 ! matt]4 ,b     
,mobhi _h fall5 a victim to ! pe/il5ce &
 0 sick unto dea?4 ,"o ( 8 la/ acts 0 to
 s5d mess5g]s 9 se>* ( 8 belov$         
disciple1 to take him 8 bless+ & 8      
girdle 9 tok5 t ! "t _h come = him to   
f\nd 8 mona/]y4  ,! spot t ,aile* _h    
(f]$ to ,columba 0 altoge!r aft] 8 own  
he>t & 0 n[ mo/ gratefully accept$4 ,!  
s-call$ isl& ( ,d]ry or ,daire1 surr\nd$
 z x 0 on two sides by ! ,foyle wat] &  
on ! ?ird by a m>%1 consi/$ ( a g5tly   
ris+ gre5 hill1 cr[n$ on ! summit ) a   
beautiful wood ( oaks4 ,s de> 0 ! oak   
grove ( ,d]ry to ,columbcille1 t r ?an  
cut d[n "o ( its trees1 he pref]r$ to   

build 8 *ur* 9 ! space t rema9$ betwe5  
!m4  ,! cells ( ! monks 7 plac$ at !    
foot ( ! hill by ! wat]'s edge1 & x 0 n 
long be=e ! "y m5 ( ,tir-,connell came  
flock+ to ,daire to give !mselves to !  
s]vice ( ,god "u ! rule ( _! "y k9sman4 
,x 0 9 ?is belov$ *ur* ( ,d]ry t x 0    
giv5 s (t5 to ,columba to behold !      
angels ador+ _! ,"l on ,8 alt> ?rone1 & 
to he> ! melody ( _! voices z !y sang ! 
et]nal song ( praise4  ,pray]1 lab\r1 & 
/udy divid$ ! h\rs ( ! day1 & "y z 0 !  
abbot1 ! h& t gov]n$1 ?\gh g5tle1 0 v   
firm4 ,columba _h le>nt f 8 holy ma/]s 9
 ! spiritual life to lead 8 monks by    
example ev5 m ?an by precept4 ,he slept 
on ! b>e gr\nd1 ) a sk9 = cov]+ & a /one
 = pill[4 ,?ree times 9 ! night he rose 
to pray1 & 8 food 0 ( ! scantie/ &      
poore/ description4 ,?\gh my devotion is
 great1 he w\ld say1 ,i sit 9 a *air (  
glass1 = ,i am frail & fle%ly4 ,no "w 0 
too m5ial = him1 & he w\ld c>ry ! sacks 
( gra9 on 8 /rong %\ld]s f ! mill to !  
kit*5 l ! humble/ bro!r4 ,8 au/]ities 7 

! admiration ( 8 monks1 :o /rove 9 all  
?+s to foll[ ! example set be=e !m4  ,( 
all ! f\ndations ( ,columba1 & we are   
told ( no less ?an ?irty-sev51 ,d]ry 0 !
 "o t rema9$ always ! de>e/ to 8 he>t1 &
 _m ( ! sweet songs ( 8 mak+ celebrate  
its praises4      ,! reason ,i love     
,daire is     ,= its peace & its purity1
     ,& = its cr[ds ( :ite angels     ,f
 "o end to ! o!r4      ,my ,daire1 my   
little oak grove1     ,my dwell+1 my de>
 little cell2     ,o ,et]nal ,god 9     
,heav5 above1     ,woe be to him :o     
violates x1  s+s ! ,sa9t 9 ! s(t ,erse  
or ,gaelic ( 8 native l&4 ,on e leaf ( !
 oaks ( ,d]ry1 he w\ld say1 !re sits a  
:ite angel li/5+ to ! bre?r5 z !y s+ !  
praises ( ,god4  ,! de> oak trees (     
,d]ry 7 nev] to be cut d[n1 & if "o 7   
uproot$ by ! /orm x 0 to lie = n9e days 
be=e x 0 divid$ betwe5 ! poor & !       
gue/-h\se ( ! mona/]y4  ,!re 0 a hamlet 
on ! nor!rn side ( ! hill1 & a hundr$   
poor 7 f$ e day by ! monks ( ,d]ry4     
,once dur+ a ?und]/orm "s ( ! wret*$    

little h\ses caught tire4 ,! p ha/5$ to 
,columba1 :o w5t at once to ! *ur*4 ,!re
 ) out/ret*$ arms he p\r$ =? 8 s\l 9    
supplication be=e ! alt>1 & ! fire ceas$
 at 8 pray]4  ,a fragm5t ( ! rule 9 use 
among/ ! old ,celtic mona/]ies has be5  
pres]v$1 9 :i* we c see ! _s ( ! monks (
 ,columba's "t3  ,yield submission to e 
rule--t is devotion4  ,a m9d prep>$ = r$
 m>tyrdom--t is dea? = ! fai?4  ,a m9d  
=tifi$ & /eadfa/ = :ite m>tyrdom--t is !
 trials & mortifications & crosses (    
e>?ly life4  ,=giv5ess f ! he>t to      
ev]yone4  ,con/ant pray]s = ^? :o tr\ble
 !e4  ,love ,god ) all ?y he>t & all ?y 
/r5g?1 & love ?y neighb\r z ?yself4     
,/rong & simple1 l ! sa9ts ( ! "t1 to   
:om ! r$ m>tyrdom might come at any     
mom5t1 & to ^: fi]y natures ! =giv5ess (
 injuries 0 n always ! easie/ (         
precepts4  ,b ,d]ry1 ) its oak grove &  
its angels1 0 n ! only spot t 0 de> to  
,columba4  ,=emo/ 9 8 affections among/ 
! o!r religi\s h\ses ( 8 f\nd+ 0        
,durr[--9 ,iri% ,dair-nagh1 or ! pla9 ( 

oaks4 ,x 0 also kn[n z ,dru9-,ca91 or ! 
beautiful hill1 & well did x des]ve its 
"n4 ,! l&1 z 0 ! case ) s _m ( ! old    
mona/]ies1 _h be5 giv5 to ,columba by a 
reign+ pr9ce1 probably a k9sman ( 8 own4
 ,( ,durr[ ! /ory is told t !re 0 9 !   
or*>d ( ! mona/]y an apple tree not$ = !
 abundance z well z ! bitt]ness ( its   
fruit4 ,b ,columbcille bless$ ! tree1 & 
!nce=w>d1 says ! old *ronicle1 its      
apples became sweet & good4  ,:ile      
,columba 0 at ,durr[ he wrote !         
celebrat$ copy ( ! ,gospels kn[n z !    
,book ( ,durr[4 ,an ard5t lov] ( !      
,sacr$ ,scriptures1 & a skilful & pati5t
 scribe1 he is said to h writt5 ) 8 own 
h& no less ?an ?irty copies ( ! ,gospels
 & ! ,psalt]4 ,! ,book ( ,durr[ is a    
transcription ( ! f\r ,gospels1         
exquisitely illum9at$ ) ! intricate     
designs ( ! ,celtic s*ool4 ,on ! back is
 to be deciph]$ a petition = pray]s f   
,columba ! scribe1 :o wrote ?is evangel 
9 ! space ( twelve days4  ,! poet-sa9t  
c\ld s+ ! *>ms ( ,durr[ z well z ^? (   

,d]ry3      ,!re ! w9d s+s ?r\gh ! oaks 
& ! elms1     ,! joy\s note ( !         
blackbird is he>d at dawn1     ,! cuckoo
 *ants f tree to tree 9 t noble l&4  ,& 
aga9 he calls x3      ,a city dev\t )   
its hundr$ crosses1     ,)\t blemi% &   
)\t transgression4  ,9 ! ye>s to come1  
:5 ,columba 0 9 ,iona1 "o cold w9t]'s   
day ! bre?r5 notic$ t _! belov$ abbot 0 
sad & sil5t4  ,:at ails y1 ,fa!r8 ask$  
,di>maid1 8 fai?ful companion4  ,my s\l 
is sorr[ful1 said ,columbcille1 = my de>
 monks ( ,durr[4 ,bitt] is ! wea!r1 & _!
 abbot keeps !m h>d at "w1 fa/+ &       
a-cold4  ,at ! same mom5t ,laisr51 !    
abbot ( ,durr[1 felt a sudd5 inspiration
 to bid 8 monks get _! d9n]1 & take a   
little re/1 on acc\nt ( ! sev]ity ( !   
wea!r4 ,ano!r day ab\t ! same "t1 :5 !  
monks ( ,durr[ 7 build+ _! new *ur*1    
,columba 9 8 cell at ,iona saw "o ( !m  
fall+ f ! ro(4 ,he cri$ to ,god = help1 
& 8 gu>dian angel--su* is ! fla%like    
spe$ ( an angel's flight--caught ! monk 
ere he t\*$ ! gr\nd4  ,m fam\s ev5 ?an !

 ,book ( ,durr[ is ! celebrat$ ,book (  
,kells1 ! mo/ wond]ful monum5t ( ! art (
 ! ,six? ,c5tury t has come d[n to u4 ,x
 0 writt5 also by ! h& ( ,columbcille = 
,kells1 8 ?ird f\ndation1 ?\gh "s ( !   
illu/rations 7 probably add$ at a lat]  
date4  ,! /ory runs t n long aft] !     
f\ndation ( ,durr[1 ,columba w5t to     
,kells1 "o ( ! royal seats ( ,di>maid1  
,high ,k+ ( ,irel&4 ,n[ ,di>maid belong$
 to ! s\!rn bran* ( ! ,hy-,nialls & 0   
reg>d$ by ! nor!rn bran* ) no great     
fav\r4 ,:5 ,columba arriv$ ! ,k+ 0      
abs5t1 & ! ,sa9t 0 treat$ ) scant       
c]emony by ! soldi]s ( ! royal gu>d1 to 
:om he 0 probably a /rang]4 ,:5 ,di>maid
 return$ & he>d ( ! insult t _h be5 (f]$
 9 8 royal palace to ! greate/ & mo/    
belov$ ( ! ,sa9ts ( ,er91 "o ( ! royal  
blood & 8 own c\s91 he 0 ready to make  
atonem5t by any means 9 8 p[]4 ,he (f]$ 
to give ,columba ,kells itself & !      
surr\nd+ c\ntry = ! f\nd+ ( a mona/]y & 
a *ur*4  ,x is possible t ,di>maid1 ^:  
seat on ! ?rone 0 any?+ b secure at !   

"t1 0 n unmov$ by ! ?\ght t ! p[]ful    
clan ( ! ,hy-,nialls ( ,tir-,connell    
w\ld n be sl[ 9 av5g+ ! insult to "o (  
_! clan4 ,h[ev] t may be1 ,columba      
accept$ ! gift ) gratitude1 & s !       
mona/]y & ! *ur* ( ,kells came to be    
built4  ,! great ,gospel ( ,columbcille1
 or ! ,book ( ,kells1 has be5 !         
admiration ( all ages4 ,! pati5ce & !   
delicate skill requir$ = su* an und]tak+
 is to be wond]$ at4 ,c]ta9ly ! old     
monks believ$ t if a ?+ 7 wor? do+ at   
all x 0 wor? do+ well1 p>ticul>ly if t  
?+ happ5$ to be a copy ( ! ,gospels (   
,*ri/4  ,! untir+ zeal & ! lab\rs (     
,columba _h inde$ br\ght =? fruit       
?r\gh\t ! :ole c\ntry4 ,8 fri5ds &      
k9sfolk 7 g5]\s1 & *ur*es & mona/]ies   
built by ! ,sa9t & own+ him z _! patron 
& head sprang up 9 e direction4 ,d]ry1  
,durr[1 ,kells1 ,raphoe1 ,sords1        
,drumcliff1 ,kilmacr5an1 ,drumcolumb1   
,gl5columbcille are b a few ( 8         
f\ndations4 ,m ?an ev] might x h be5    
said ( ,/4 ,columba t he 0 belov$ ( ,god

 & ( man4  ,b ,god %[s ,8 love = ,8     
,sa9ts 9 ways :i* are n ! ways ( m51 & !
 *a/5+ fires ( sorr[ & ( suff]+ 7 to    
purify t ard5t & impulsive nature4 ,!   
haughty _s ( ! desc5dant ( ,niall ( !   
,n9e ,ho/ages _h yet to be con=m$ to t (
 8 great ,ma/] ,:o is meek & humble (   
he>t4    ,,*apt] ,,iv  ,,! ,,c[ ,,& ,,! 
,,calf  ,,we h already spok5 ( !        
pilgrimage to ,rome ( ,/4 ,f9nian (     
,moville1 & ( ! treasure t he _h br\ght 
back ) him f ov] ! sea--a copy ( !      
,scriptures translat$ & correct$ by ! h&
 ( ! great ,/4 ,j]ome himself4 ,columba1
 :5 at ,moville1 mu/ (t5 h se5 & p]haps 
ev5 h h&l$ ! preci\s volume4 ,9 lat]    
days1 s great 0 8 desire t ea* ( 8      
mona/]ies %\ld h its copy ( ! ,^w (     
,god1 t he w\ld seek out & transcribe ) 
8 own h& all ! mo/ c>efully writt5 & mo/
 au!ntic manuscripts to be f\nd 9       
,irel&4  ,! love ( ^! old books1 reg>d$ 
by ! ,sa9ts ( ,irel& z _! mo/ preci\s   
treasure1 am\nt$ almo/ to a passion )   
,columba1 s t we are h>dly surpris$ to  

f9d him j\rney+ to ,moville to ask      
p]mission f 8 old ma/] to make a copy ( 
8 r>e & valuable manuscript4 ,b he 0 met
 by an unexpect$ rebuff2 ,/4 ,f9nian    
gu>d$ 8 treasure ) a jeal\s eye1 & fe>$ 
to tru/ x 9 any h&s b 8 own4 ,he firmly 
refus$ ! reque/ ( 8 old pupil1 & no     
entreaties ( ,columba c\ld move him f 8 
decision4 ,b ! det]m9ation (            
,columbcille 0 equal to 8 own1 & he     
resolv$ to obta9 ! object ( 8 desire 9  
spite ( ,/4 ,f9nian's prohibition4  ,he 
wait$ until all _h gone to re/1 & !n1   
arm$ ) p>*m5t & pigm5ts1 w5t s(tly to ! 
*ur*1 :]e ! preci\s book 0 kept4 ,night 
aft] night1 9 spite ( we>y h& & eye1 he 
lab\r$ at 8 self-impos$ task until ! day
 broke1 & m5 began to /ir4 ,to und]take 
! transcription ( ! :ole book w\ld h be5
 an impossibility1 work+ ?us secretly 9 
! night2 he !re=e conf9$ himself to     
copy+ ! ,psalt]4 ,to ,columba1 poet z he
 0 by nature1 ! psalms ( ! sweet s+] (  
,israel 7 p>ticul>ly cle>1 & ! word+ ( !
 new v]sion gave ! =ce & ! melody ( !   

orig9al m p]fectly ?an any r5d]+ up till
 !n 9 use4  ,! lonely vigils 9 ! *ur*   
pass$ quickly1 9 spite ( ! we>9ess t    
assail$ b c\ld n daunt ! en?usia/ic     
scribe4 ,"o night1 "o ( ! s*ol>s (      
,moville1 happ5+ to pass ! door ( !     
*ur*1 0 a/oni%$ to see a bright light   
%9+ ?r\gh ! crevices ( ! door4 ,he /oop$
 & look$ ?r\gh ! keyhole4 ,keyholes z   
well z keys 7 on a l>ge scale 9 ! six?  
c5tury1 & he obta9$ a good view ( !     
int]ior1 & ( ,columba b5d+ ov] ! read+  
desk ) a pile ( p>*m5t be=e him1 copy+ )
 skilful h& ! treasure ( ,moville4 ,!   
:ole *ancel 0 %9+ ) a brilliant light   
:i* fell directly across ! page on :i* !
 writ] 0 at "w4  ,! "y man1 awe/ruck at 
! sight1 crept s(tly away1 & w>n$ 8 ma/]
 ( :at 0 tak+ place4 ,/4 ,f9nian knew   
,columba's skill 9 transcription4 ,he   
made no move until ! ,psalt] 0 complet$1
 & 8 old pupil 0 prep>+ to dep>t4 ,!n he
 accus$ 8 gue/ ( hav+ tak5 a copy ( 8   
book )\t 8 p]mission & aga9/ 8 w1 &     
claim$ ! "w z 8 rightful prop]ty4  ,?is 

0 to t\* ,columba 9 a t5d] spot4 ,8     
nocturnal lab\rs _h co/ him _m we>y     
vigils1 b he _h borne ! we>9ess gladly =
 ! sake ( ! prize--to give up ! fruit ( 
s mu* toil 0 m ?an c\ld be expect$ (    
him4 ,he flatly refus$ to yield to      
,f9nian's claim4 ,! old man 0 det]m9$2  
,columba 0 firm2 nei!r w\ld give way4 ,x
 0 agre$ 9 ! end to appeal to ! ,k+ at  
,t>a1 & to hold 8 judgm5t z f9al4       
,di>maid might be consid]$ z a fit judge
 9 su* a matt]4 ,! fri5d & patron ( !   
great mona/]y ( ,clonmacnoise1 f\nd$ by 
,ci>an 9 8 pres5ce & ) 8 help1 ! ,k+ 0  
look$ ^u by all ! ,sa9ts ( ,irel& z _!  
fri5d4 ,moreov]1 he 0 ,columba's own    
c\s91 & _h treat$ him on a =m] occasion 
) rev]5ce & consid]ation4 ,columba      
himself _h no d\bt t ! judgm5t w\ld be 9
 8 fav\r1 & w5t readily at ,f9nian's    
sugge/ion to lay ! matt] be=e him4  ,b  
,di>maid's position on ! ?rone 0 m      
secure ?an x _h be5 9 =m] days4 ,he may 
h ?\ght t he _h less reason to fe> !    
enmity ( ! ,hy-,nialls ( ,tir-,connell4 

,he _h he>d mu* ( ! sanctity ( ,columba1
 & may h suppos$ t 9 spite ( 8 high     
l9eage he w\ld be ready to be> ) pati5ce
 an adv]se judgm5t4 ,he may h be5       
actuat$ by ! old enmity betwe5 ! two    
bran*es ( ! family2 or he may h decid$  
accord+ to 8 own consci5ce z he ?\ght "r
 & j4 ,be t z x may1 ! judgm5t came z a 
?und]clap to ,columbcille4  ,to e c[1   
said ! ,k+1 belongs its own calf4 ,s9ce 
! copy ( ,columba 0 ! son-book ( !      
manuscript ( ,moville1 x belong$ by     
rights to its "m1 & !re=e to ,f9nian4   
,columba's indignation knew no b\nds4 ,!
 judgm5t 0 unfair & unju/1 he decl>$2   
,di>maid %\ld be> ! p5alty4 ,) da%+ eyes
 & burn+ he>t he turn$ 8 back on ,k+ &  
c\rti]s1 & /rode f ! royal pres5ce4  ,he
 0 n[ a man ) a grievance1 :o consid]$ t
 he _h be5 mo/ unju/ly treat$1 b !      
res5tm5t :i* 0 z yet b sm\ld]+ 9 8 he>t 
0 soon to be fann$ into a flame4  ,x    
came to pass t ,di>maid made a great    
fea/ at ,c\rt & invit$ all ! pr9ces &   
nobles ( ,er9 to att5d4 ,games 7 held = 

sev]al days 9 ! gre5 mead[s ( ,t>a1 t ! 
"y a?letes might %[ _! skill 9 wre/l+4  
,n[ brawl+ & qu>rell+ at ^! royal games 
_h be5 /rictly =bidd5 by ! ,k+ on acc\nt
 ( ! s]i\s accid5ts t _h happ5$ on =m]  
occasions4 ,b ! blood ( "y ,irel& 0 hot 
& undiscipl9$1 & 9 a mom5t ( ang]1      
,curnan1 ! heir ( ! ,pr9ce ( ,connaught1
 /ruck ! son ( ! ,k+'s /ew>d & fell$ him
 to ! gr\nd4 ,! act 0 altoge!r          
unprem$itat$1 b ! bl[ _h /ruck ! lad 9 a
 vital spot2 :5 !y tri$ to raise him1 !y
 f\nd t he 0 dead4 ,"y ,curnan d>$ n    
face ! wra? ( ,di>maid1 & fl$ =         
protection to ,columba1 :o 0 8 k9sman4  
,x 0 an ackn[l$g$ ?+ t an abbot or !    
f\nd] ( a religi\s h\se _h ! "r to give 
sanctu>y ev5 to great crim9als1 & !     
claim 0 univ]sally respect$4 ,b ,di>maid
 0 v angry & s5t mess5g]s :o dragg$ !   
boy f ! v pres5ce ( ,columba &put him to
 dea? on ! spot4  ,?is fre% insult 0 m  
?an ,columbcille c\ld be>4 ,! rights ( !
 ,*ur* _h be5 violat$ 9 8 p]son4 ,8 own 
p1 ! ,hy-,nialls ( ! nor?1 %\ld judge   

betwe5 him & ,di>maid1 he decl>$1 & set 
=? on 8 j\rney nor?w>ds1 brea?+ v5geance
 z he w5t4 ,! ,k+ himself 0 n a little  
appreh5sive z to :at might be ! results 
( 8 arbitr>y action2 he /ation$ gu>ds on
 all ! roads t l$ nor?w>ds1 & ev5 tri$  
to deta9 ! fugitive 9 prison4 ,b        
,columbcille successfully evad$ ! traps 
t _h be5 set to cat* him1 & by a lonely 
pa? across ! m\nta9s w5t 8 way to       
,tir-,connell4 ,z he j\rney$ he sang a  
song ( confid5ce 9 ! ,god 9 :om he tru/$
 to protect ! "r4      ,i am alone ^u ! 
m\nta9     ,d ,?\1 ,o ,god1 protect my  
pa?4     ,!n %all ,i h no fe>1     ,?\gh
 six ?\s& m5 7 aga9/ me4     ,:at       
protection %all gu>d !e f dea?8     ,!  
,son ( ,m>y %all cause !e to prosp]4    
,! ,k+ :o has made our bodies     ,he x 
is 9 :om ,i believe4     ,my ,"l is     
,*ri/ ! ,son ( ,god1     ,*ri/1 ! ,son (
 ,m>y1 ! great abbot1     ,fa!r1 ,son & 
,holy ,gho/4  ,s s++ he w5t spe$ily & 9 
safety to 8 own c\ntry1 :]e he rec\nt$ 8
 wrongs to ! m5 ( 8 own race4  ,a$h1    

,pr9ce ( ,connaught1 ! fa!r ( ! lad :o  
_h be5 s cruelly put to dea?1 0 already 
prep>+ = v5geance4 ,! *iefs (           
,tir-,connell jo9$ him1 hot 9 ,columba's
 cause4 ,! m5 :o ga!r$ to av5ge ! insult
 made a =midable army1 & ,di>maid on 8  
side lo/ no "t 9 ga!r+ 8 =ces = battle4 
,! enc\nt] took place at ,cuil-dreimhne1
 betwe5 ,balbulb9 ,m\nta9 & ! sea1 & !  
fight 0 long & bloody4 ,columba1 say "s 
( ! old writ]s1 0 himself pres5t1 &     
pray$ ) out/ret*$ arms = ! victory ( 8  
p4  ,?ree ?\s& ( ,di>maid's m5 fell on !
 field ( battle1 :ile ! losses ( !      
,hy-,nialls ( ! nor?1 su* 0 ! efficacy (
 ! pray]s ( ,columbcille1 7 comp>atively
 slight4 ,! victory 0 complete1 b       
,di>maid 0 n ! man to take 8 defeat     
meekly4  ,he appeal$ to ! ,*ur* to judge
 ! conduct ( ,columba4 ,did x seem "r & 
good1 he ask$1 t a prie/ & an abbot1 !  
f\nd] ( religi\s h\ses1 & "o :o _h      
d$icat$ 8 life to ! s]vice ( ,*ri/1 %\ld
 h provok$ a bloody w> :i* _h be5 ! dea?
 ( ?\s&s ( innoc5t m58 ,! *ur*m5 look$  

grave4 ,! case ?us /at$ did n promise   
well = ,columba4  ,he 0 ! fri5d ( all3 !
 zeal & f]v\r ( 8 life1 ! *>ity &       
g5]osity ( 8 he>t 7 kn[n ?r\gh\t ! l5g? 
& bread? ( ,er94 ,!re 0 b "o weak po9t 9
 t noble nature--! haughty _s t _h come 
to him ) ! hot blood ( ! ,hy-,nialls2 & 
c]ta9ly he _h be5 sorely tri$ by        
circum/ances4 ,yet--! fact 0            
inconte/able--8 conduct z an abbot & z a
 prie/ 0 op5 to ! grave/ c5sure4 ,he 0  
ord]$ to appe> be=e an ecclesia/ical    
c\ncil :i* 0 summon$ to meet at ,teilte 
9 ! he>t ( ! ,k+'s doma9s to he> !      
judgm5t t %\ld be pron\nc$ ^u him by !  
,sa9ts ( ,er94    ,,*apt] ,v  ,a ,,bitt]
 ,,p5ance  ,,_m ( ! holie/ m5 9 ,irel& 7
 pres5t at ! ,synod ( ,teilte4 ,/4 ,enda
 ( ,aran _h pass$ f 8 life ( p5ance to !
 glory :i* is et]nal2 b ,/4 ,br5dan (   
,birr1 & probably 8 namesake ! ,bi%op ( 
,clonf]t1 ) 8 assi/ant ,/4 ,mo951 ,o5a (
 ,clonmacnoise1 successor ( ! sa9tly    
,ci>an1 & ,/4 ,kev9 ( ,gl5dal\gh1 =m$ "p
 ( ! ,c\ncil4  ,:5 ,columba 0 se5       

approa*+ 9 ! di/ance1 ,/4 ,br5dan (     
,birr alone arose & w5t =w>d to receive 
him4 ,! ,fa!rs object$ to 8 action4 ,x 0
 n fitt+1 !y said1 t "o :o 0 "u ! grave 
c5sure ( ! ,*ur* %\ld be greet$ ) m>ks (
 def]5ce & hon\r4  ,if y saw :at ,i see1
 repli$ ! holy ,br5dan1 y w\ld ha/5 to d
 likewise4 ,i see ,columba1 z he climbs 
! hill1 surr\nd$ by a column ( light1 & 
angels go+ be=e & aft] him4 ,i b[ be=e !
 ,h& ( ,god :i* de/9es him to conv]t a  
:ole nation to ! fai? ( ,*ri/4  ,8 words
 made a p[]ful impression on ! assembly1
 = ! wisdom ( ,br5dan 0 kn[n to all2 &  
!re 0 a deep sil5ce z ,columba ent]$4   
,aft] a %ort pause "o ( ! eld]s arose & 
/at$ ! case 9 words t 7 brief & simple4 
,columba1 he said1 0 "u ! c5sure ( 8    
bre?r5 = hav+ /irr$ up /rife 9 ! ,k+'s  
dom9ions1 :i* _h l$ to a fi]ce & bloody 
battle4  ,! ,k+'s behavi\r 0 unju/1     
repli$ ,columba1 & x is h>d = a man to  
be> inju/ice pati5tly4  ,truly1 z y say1
 answ]$ ! speak]1 x is h>d = a man to   
be> inju/ice2 yet judge y\rself if x is 

m fitt+ t "o :o has d$icat$ 8 life to ! 
s]vice ( ,*ri/ %\ld be> injuries        
pati5tly1 or t he %\ld av5ge !m at !    
po9t ( ! sword4 ,he w5t on to speak ( ! 
duties ( a ,*ri/ian & ( a prie/2 ( !    
insults & humiliations (f]$ to ,jesus   
,*ri/1 _! ,ma/] & _! model4 ,! words 7 (
 "o :o _h himself /riv5 & conqu]$--( "o 
:o _h a "r to speak4 ,! sil5ce deep5$1 =
 ! ,_s ( ,god 0 ) him4  ,alone 9 _! mid/
 /ood ,columba1 b 8 head 0 b[$ ^u 8     
brea/1 & ! grey eyes t _h da%$ s /ormily
 at ! ,c\rt ( ,t>a 7 dim ) te>s4 ,! cry 
t bur/ f 8 he>t :5 ! old man ceas$ to   
speak 0 ! cry ( ano!r great p5it5t--"o  
:o 9 spite ( human frailty _h des]v$ to 
be call$ a man aft] ,god's own he>t4    
,aga9/ ,!e only h ,i s9n$ & done ?is    
evil 9 ,?y sight3 ,= ,i ackn[l$ge my    
fault1 & my s9 is ev] be=e me4  ,! fault
 _h be5 great1 b ! s9c]ity ( ! rep5tance
 0 evid5t to all4  ,g 9 peace1 0 !      
v]dict ( ! ,c\ncil1 & = e man t fell on 
! field ( ,cuil-dreimhne w9 a s\l to !  
fai? ( ,*ri/4  ,s5t5ce _h be5 giv51 b   

,columba 0 n cont5t4 ,he _h griev$ t ,"l
 ,:o f 8 *ildhood _h be5 ! sole love ( 8
 he>t1 & no p5ance 0 great en\gh to     
satisfy him4 ,moreov] ! fate ( ! m5 :o  
_h fall5 at ,cuil-dreimhne 0 an         
intol]able burd5 on 8 s\l4 ,?r\gh 8     
fault !y _h be5 hurri$--p]haps altoge!r 
unprep>$--be=e ! judgm5t-seat ( ,god4 ,!
 ?\ght t !y might be lo/ = all et]nity 0
 a p]petual torture to him1 & he w5t f  
"o to ano!r ( ! ,sa9ts ( ,er9 seek+     
advice & help4  ,9 due "t he w5t to ,/4 
,abban1 l himself a monk1 & ! f\nd] ( _m
 religi\s h\ses4 ,m5 call$ him !        
,peacemak]1 su* 0 8 p[] ov] turbul5t &  
viol5t m54 ,n long be=e1 he _h gone     
alone & un>m$ to meet "o ( ! fi]ce/     
b>b>ians ( ! l&1 ! hea!n *ief ( a reign+
 clan1 & ! t]ror ( ! surr\nd+ c\ntry4   
,su* 0 ! influ5ce ( ,abban t ! m>aud]   
laid d[n 8 arms1 & became 9 c\rse ( "t n
 only a ,*ri/ian1 b also a monk (       
exceptionally holy life4  ,columba f\nd 
,/4 ,abban 9 ! ,*ur* ( "o ( 8 religi\s  
f\ndations1 kn[n among/ ! p z ! ,cell ( 

,te>s on acc\nt ( ! contrition ( !      
p5it5ts :o frequ5t$ x4 ,he bes\ght !    
holy abbot to pray = ! s\ls ( ^? :o     
?r\gh 8 fault _h met _! dea?1 & ! ?\ght 
( ^: fate _h de/roy$ 8 peace4 ,he       
entreat$ ,abban also to pray to ,god t  
,he w\ld reveal to him ?r\gh ! angel :o 
spoke to him cont9ually ( ! ?+s ( heav51
 :e!r !y 7 sav$ or lo/4  ,! humility ( !
 holy abbot w\ld n all[ him = a long "t 
to acc$e to ?is la/ reque/2 b 9 ! end1 s
 mov$ 0 he by ! angui% ( ,columba1 t he 
fell on 8 knees & implor$ ( ,god to give
 ?is com=t to a s\l 9 pa94 ,! k t he    
ask$ 0 giv5 him2 he return$ ) great joy 
to 8 visitor to tell him t1 ?r\gh !     
inf9ite m]cy ( ,god1 ! s\ls ( all :o _h 
fall5 on t fatal day _h be5 sav$4 ,!    
*ief solicitude ( ,columba 0 n[ at re/1 
b ! future 0 n yet cle> be=e him4 ,h[ 0 
he to m\ld 8 life t ! days to come might
 be an atonem5t = ! fault t 0 pa/8 ,he  
_h le>nt 8 own weakness1 he mu/ lean m  
?an ev] on ! ,/r5g? t _c fail1 & !      
desire = a m p]fect expiation 0 /rong 9 

8 he>t4 ,he det]m9$ to seek out ,/4     
,molaise1 8 s\l's fri5d1 9 ! lonely isle
 ( ,ini%murry & to ask 8 c\nsel4  ,/4   
,molaise knew well ! "* ( 8 p5it5t4 ,!  
p5ance t w\ld satisfy t great he>t mu/  
be full & complete4 ,to ,columba ! love 
( c\ntry came next to ! love ( ,god2 !  
decision 0 tak5 ere ! p5it5t _h ceas$ to
 speak4  ,x _h be5 decre$1 said he1 by !
 ,synod t ,columba 0 to w9 to ! fai? (  
,*ri/ z _m m5 z _h p]i%$ at ! battle (  
,cuil-dreimhne4 ,let him d s2 b t !     
atonem5t might be m p]fect let him g =? 
f 8 own p & 8 own l&1 & nev] look ^u !  
hills ( ,er9 aga94  ,columba b[$ 8 head 
be=e ! s5t5ce4 ,x %all be done1 he      
answ]$1 & none b ,god 0 to "k :at ! do+ 
co/ him4 ,x only rema9$ to break ! news 
to 8 fri5ds & k9sfolk4 ,a wail ( sorr[  
rang ?r\gh ,tir-,connell at ! tid+s4  ,x
 is n surpris+ t ! l& ( ,alba ov] ! sea 
sugge/$ itself at once to ,columba z !  
place ( 8 exile4 ,! little k+dom (      
,dalriada on ! ,argyll%ire coa/ 0 rul$  
by "o ( 8 own k9sm51 & reports ( !      

condition ( ! surr\nd+ c\ntry _h        
possibly rea*$ 8 e>s4 ,! ,*ri/ianity    
introduc$ by ,/4 ,n9ian two hundr$ ye>s 
be=e _h almo/ disappe>$4 ,! rul+ *iefs 7
 completely "u ! influ5ce ( ! ,druids1 &
 hea!nism & idolatry 7 supreme ?r\gh\t !
 l&4 ,!re 8 apo/olic _s w\ld be able to 
f9d ample scope4 ,we are told by "s ( ! 
old writ]s t ! ?\ght ( a mission>y      
j\rney to ,cal$onia _h be5 = ye>s "o ( 8
 de>e/ projects4 ,if t 7 s1 ! "t _h n[  
come to put x into execution4  ,columba 
*ose ! companions :o 7 to %>e 9 8 great 
und]tak+ f among/ ! monks ( ,d]ry4 ,two 
c\s9s ( 8 own1 ,bai!n1 :o 0 to succe$   
him 9 aft] ye>s z abbot ( ,iona1 & 8    
bro!r ,cob?a*1 7 among/ ! numb]4 ,b !   
disciple :o lov$ him ! mo/ 0 ,mo*onna1  
son ( ! ,k+ ( ,ul/]1 :om ,columba       
consid]$ too "y = an ent]prise t involv$
 s _m dang]s1 & to ^: entreaties he     
refus$ to yield4 ,x 0 n fitt+1 said he1 
t ! "y monk %\ld leave ! c\ntry ( 8 bir?
 & ! p>5ts to :om he 0 s de>2 b ,mo*onna
 w\ld n be ga9said4  ,?\1 he cri$1 art !

 fa!r ( my s\l1 & ,holy ,*ur* is my "m1 
& my c\ntry is ! spot :]e ,i c "w mo/   
fruitfully = ,*ri/4  ,!n1 t x might be  
impossible = 8 belov$ ma/] to leave him 
beh9d1 he made a v[ be=e all :o 7 pres5t
 to quit 8 native l& & to foll[ ,columba
 to ! dea?4 ,x 0 9 ?is wise t ! det]m9$ 
& devot$ ,mo*onna ov]came all opposition
 & obta9$ 8 he>t's desire4 ,he 0 to     
become "o ( ! mo/ active & zeal\s ( !   
little b& ( mission>ies1 9 ,alba1 :]e he
 0 v5]at$ = _m c5turies "u ! "n ( ,/4   
,ma*or1 z ! patron & f\nd] ( ! ,see (   
,ab]de54  ,?us1 ) only twelve           
companions1 9 ! wick]-"w curraghs cov]$ 
) oxhide t 7 ! only boats ( ! ,celtic   
races at ! "t1 ! future apo/le ( ,scotl&
 set sail f 8 native l&4 ,a great cr[d1 
ga!r$ f all ! surr\nd+ c\ntry1 /ood on !
 %ore1 & z ! light skiffs sp$ out into !
 sea1 & ! gre5 hill ( ,d]ry fad$ sl[ly f
 ! eyes ( ! m>9]s1 ! s\nd ( a bitt]     
wail+ 0 borne to !m on ! breeze4 ,! be/ 
belov$ ( ! ,sa9ts ( ,er9 _h left h]1 &  
%e m\rn$ = him z "o lo/ to h] = ev]4    

,,*apt] ,,vi  ,,! ,,isle ,,9 ,,! ,,we/]n
 ,,seas  ,,x mu/ h tak5 ! little b& (   
mission>ies1 ev5 if ! w9d 7 9 _! fav\r1 
fully a day to make ! coa/ ( ,calyddon  
or ! ,l& ( ,=e/s1 z ,scotl& 0 !n call$  
by ! ,britons s\? ( ! ,clyde4  ,!y l&$  
fir/1 we are told1 on ! isl& ( ,oronsay1
 b on climb+ a hill to look out ov] !   
wa/e ( wat]s1 ,columba caught sight ( ! 
f> fa9t coa/ ( ,irel& ly+ l a blue cl\d 
on ! horizon4 ,x 0 m ?an he c\ld be>1 & 
! m>9]s put out to sea aga91 sail+      
nor?w>ds till !y rea*$ ! little isl& (  
,hy or ,iona1 (f ! coa/ ( ,mull4 7,hy or
 ,hii means ! isl&2 ,iona ! bless$      
isl&47 ,! bay :]e !y l&$ /ill be>s ! "n 
( ,port'a ,curraigh or ! ,bay ( ! ,wick]
 ,boat4 ,no trace ( ! hills ( ,er9 0 to 
be se5 f ! l[-ly+ rocks ( ,iona1 no?+ b 
! blue m\nta9s & ! d>k crags ( !        
,hebrides & ! :ite-capp$ waves ( ! sea4 
,"h1 !re=e1 ! ambassadors ( ,*ri/       
resolv$ to build _! little mona/]y & to 
make _! home4  ,x 0 a happy *oice4 ,no  
bett] qu>t]s c\ld h be5 f\nd = a        

mission>y /ation4 ,iona1 sep>at$ only by
 a n>r[ *annel f ! isl& ( ,mull1 lay    
exactly opposite to ! fri5dly k+dom (   
,dalriada1 & ! mission>ies _h only to   
sail up ! *a9 ( lo*s1 n[ unit$ by       
artificial means & call$ ! ,cal$onian   
,canal1 to f9d !mselves 9 ! hea!n c\ntry
 ( ! ,picts4 ,! weird & au/]e beauty ( !
 ,hebrides ) _! wild rocks & foam+ seas 
did n at fir/ appeal to ! ,gaels (      
,irel&1 fre% f ! gre5 hills & smil+     
l&scapes ( _! native l&4 ,! b>e crags & 
! d>k m\nta9s1 ! grey skies & ! holl[   
waves t beat p]petually on ^? bleak     
%ores1      & br+     ,! et]nal note (  
sadness 91  ! wail+ ( ! w9d ?r\gh !     
caves & ! n>r[ *annels frett$ into weird
 %apes by ! ocean tide1 made a music :i*
 0 ali5 to _! e>s1 & /rangely melan*oly 
to _! w>m ,iri% he>ts4 ,aga9 & aga9 !   
passionate note ( long+ = ! de>         
"m-c\ntry breaks out 9 ! writ+s (       
,columba4      ',tw]e sweet to sail !   
:ite waves t break on ! %ores ( ,er91   
',tw]e sweet to l& 'mid ! :ite foam t   

laps on ! %ores (         ,er91     ,my 
boat w\ld fly 7 its pr[ once tum$ to !  
de> l& ( ,er91     ,& ! sad he>t cease  
to ble$4      ,!re's a grey eye t ev]   
turns ) long+ look to ,er91     ,no m 9 
life aga9 to see ! m5 & maids ( ,er94   
,!re's a mi/ ( te>s 9 ! melt+ eye t     
sadly turns to ,er91     ,:]e ! birds'  
songs are s sweet4  ,hy1 he calls ! l& (
 rav5s2 x 0 only aft] _m ye>s t he 0 to 
s+ ( ! place ( 8 exile z      ,hy ( my  
love1 ,hy ( my he>t1  de> !n z ! l& ( 8 
lab\rs & ( 8 apo/olate = ,*ri/1 & v     
close 9 8 affections to ! c\ntry ( 8    
bir?4  ,! poet-he>t ( ,columbcille c\ld 
s+ ( 8 regret = ! isl& ( 8 bir?2 b he 0 
n ! man to let x int]f]e ) 8 "w = ,god 9
 ! isl& ( 8 adoption4 ,iona consi/$ = ! 
mo/ "p ( b>r5 & des]t moor4 ,columba    
ask$ & obta9$ x z a gift f ,conal1 ,k+ (
 ! ,dalriadan ,scots1 & set 8 monks at  
once to cultivate ! soil4 ,! huts ( !   
bre?r5 7 built 9 a circle r\nd ! *ur*1 )
 a gue/-h\se & a simple refectory       
adjo9+4 ,! build+ 0 ( wood & wattles1 & 

! "w proce$$ rapidly4 ,! hut ( ,columba 
0 9 ! mo/ elevat$ spot ( ! mona/ic      
enclosure1 & "h1 dur+ ! %ort int]vals   
betwe5 8 mission>y j\rneys1 he sp5t 8 "t
 9 pray]1 /udy1 & ! transcription ( !   
,holy ,scriptures4 ,iona _h its writ+   
s*ool = ! tra9+ ( ! y\ng] monks1 &      
became fam\s lat] = ! excell5ce ( its   
scribes4 ,adamnan 9 8 ,life ( ,/4       
,columba m5tions ! scriptorium ) its    
wax5 tablets & ! /yles = writ+1 !       
inkhorns & ! p5s1 ) ! bru%es & ! col\rs 
= illum9at+ ! manuscripts4  ,9 all !    
lab\rs ( ! day ,columba took 8 "p2 no "w
 0 too humble = ! holy abbot1 & he      
exact$ f o!rs ! same *e]ful dilig5ce z  
he himself practis$4 ,no "o 0 all[$ to  
be idle1 !re 0 "w en\gh = all1 & ea* 0  
expect$ to take 8 %>e4 ,:5 ! manual     
lab\rs 7 end$ = ! day1 ! monks betook   
!mselves to pray]1 read+1 or writ+1 :ile
 ! less exp]t c\ld always employ        
!mselves 9 works ( *>ity = ! common     
good4 ,ev5 :ile ! bre?r5 7 engag$ 9     
active lab\r1 !y /rove to occupy _! m9ds

 ) ?\ghts ( ,god1 s t _! "w might be    
hall[$ by pray] & br+ its bless+s on _! 
mission4 ,:5 ! toils ( ! day 7 at an end
 !y took _! re/ on _! h>d pallets (     
/raw2 b ,columba slept on ! b>e gr\nd ) 
a /one = pill[1 z _h be5 8 cu/om f 8    
e>lie/ ye>s4  ,! rule ( a ,celtic       
community recomm5d$ hospitality to gue/s
 z /rongly z p]sonal au/]ity1 & n[h]e 0 
?is rule m fai?fully obs]v$ ?an at      
,iona4 ,no soon] 7 ! monks settl$ 9 _!  
new home1 ?an pilgrims came f e qu>t] to
 ask c\nsel ( ,columba or to embrace !  
religi\s life "u 8 direction4 ,! holy   
abbot1 :o s\ght 9 e action ( 8 life to  
make atonem5t by true humility = !      
movem5t ( pride t _h co/ him s de>1 w\ld
 g himself to meet !m4 ,kneel+ be=e !m  
he w\ld loos5 _! s&als & wa% _! feet1   
:i* he kiss$ ) rev]5t devotion2 p]=m+ = 
!m1 9 imitation ( 8 ,div9e ,ma/]1 ?is   
l[lie/ ( s]vices4 ,at e h\r ( ! day or  
night %\ts might be he>d across ! n>r[  
*annel t divid$ ,iona f ! isl& ( ,mull4 
,at ?is signal ! bre?r5 w\ld leave _! "w

 to g d[n to ! %ore :]e1 /epp+ into _!  
curraghs1 !y w\ld r[ across ! ,s\nd to  
fet* ! pilgrims4  ,"s ( ^! 7 m]ely mov$ 
by a desire to see & speak to ! holy man
 ^: fame _h already rea*$ _! e>s4 ,"s 7 
9 ne$ ( advice1 "s ( mat]ial help4 ,"s  
_h a load ( s9 & sorr[ on _! s\ls1 &    
desir$ ! ,sa9t's absolution2 "s 7 suff]+
 f diseases1 & s\ght 8 pray]s & bless+2 
:ile o!rs wi%$ to leave ! _w & jo9 !    
bre?r5 9 _! life ( p5ance4 ,!re 0 no    
sorr[ to :i* ! lov+ sympa?y (           
,columbcille did n ext5d1 no necessity  
:i* did n appeal to 8 *>ity4 ,he dealt )
 !m all 9 turn1 & gave to ea* accord+ to
 8 ne$4  ,x 0 on "o ( ^! occasions t    
,columba1 engag$ at ! mom5t 9 transcrib+
 ! ,scriptures1 =etold sadly t "o ( !   
pilgrims :o 0 he>d %\t+ lu/ily on !     
sea%ore1 w\ld %ortly upset 8 inkhorn4 ,!
 visitor1 a too en?usia/ic admir]1 9 8  
eag]ness to embrace ! ,sa9t1 fulfill$ ! 
pr$iction to ! lett]4 ,luckily ! sleeve 
( ,columba's tunic 0 ! only ?+ t suff]$4
 ,he _h probably put ! preci\s          

manuscript 9 a place ( safety4  ,he 0   
c>eful ) ^? :o desir$ to embrace !      
religi\s life1 & w\ld make trial ( _!   
vocation ) wise sev]ity4 ,he knew well t
 9 ^? wild days x 0 no uncommon ?+ = m5 
:o _h l$ evil lives to desire to make   
atonem5t = _! s9s 9 a mona/]y4 ,giv5 t !
 rep5tance 7 s9c]e1 he :olly approv$ _! 
design1 = _m ( ! ,sa9ts ( ! ,*ur* h be5 
conv]t$ s9n]s4 ,b he knew also !        
weakness ( human nature & ! /r5g? ( !   
evil habits ( a lifetime1 & dem&$ t su* 
p5it5ts %\ld g ?r\gh a long probation & 
prove _! s9c]ity by humility & ob$i5ce  
to ^? 9 *>ge ( !m be=e !y 7 admitt$ to !
 religi\s life4  ,= ^! w\ld-be monks he 
f\nd$ communities on "s ( ! neighb\r+   
isl&s1 :]e wise & sa9tly m5 might try _!
 virtue by a probation :i* la/$         
sometimes = sev5 ye>s or ev5 long] :5   
necess>y4  ,on "o occasion :5 ,columba 0
 visit+ "o ( ^! f\ndations on ! isl& (  
,himba1 he ord]$ t 9 hon\r ( 8 pres5ce1 
"s sav\ry addition %\ld be made to !    
frugal midday meal4 ,! bre?r5 gratefully

 p>took ( ! holiday f>e 9 ! _s 9 :i* x 0
 giv5--) "o exception4 ,?is 0 "o ( !    
p5it5ts :o 0 und]go+ 8 probation & :o   
seem$ to ?9k x m p]fect to refuse !     
pr(f]$ da9ty4 ,columba ) k9dly insi/5ce 
(f]$ ! di% ) 8 own h&s to ! reluctant   
bro!r1 & press$ him to p>take ( x1 ?9k+ 
t "s scruple might be di/ress+ him4 ,b  
he 0 met ) an abrupt refusal4 ,= a mom5t
 ,columbcille 0 sil5t1 !n look+ at ! man
 /]nly he said3 ,y refuse ! com=t :i* ,i
 & y\r sup]ior ?9k x "r to (f] y4 ,! "t 
w come :5 y w become a ?ief aga9 z y 7 (
 old1 & w /eal v5ison = y\r own pleasure
 9 ! =e/s ( y\r native place4 ,!        
prophecy 0 fulfill$4 ,n long aft]1 ! man
 return$ to 8 evil life1 & di$          
unrep5tant 9 8 own c\ntry4  ,9 spite (  
^! precautions ! community at ,iona     
increas$ s rapidly t ! isl& soon became 
too small to hold x1 & little b&s (     
devot$ m5 7 s5t =? to f\nd o!r mona/]ies
 on ! ma9l&1 to spread ! fai? & love (  
,*ri/4 ,!re are m ?an n9ety *ur*es 9    
,scotl& t c trace _! f\ndation to ! "t (

 ,columba2 & ea* *ur*1 accord+ to !     
cu/om ( ! "t1 _h its neighb\r+ mona/]y4 
,! fir/ mission>y j\rney ( ,columba 0 to
 ! ,scots ( ,dalriada4 ,!y 7 ,*ri/ians x
 is true1 b liv+ z !y did surr\nd$ on   
all sides by a hea!n population1 !y 7   
apt to be influ5c$ m or less by ! cu/oms
 ( _! neighb\rs4 ,x 0 necess>y t fri5dly
 relations %\ld be e/abli%$ ) ^! m51    
!mselves orig9ally ( ,iri% extraction1  
be=e attempt+ ! conv]sion ( ! ,picts4 ,!
 monks ( ,iona 7 h>dy m>9]s z well z    
till]s ( ! soil4 ,! holy isl& _h its    
little fleet ( curraghs :i* v>i$ 9 size 
accord+ to ! numb] ( ox-hides us$ 9 _!  
con/ruction4 ,9 ^! frail b>ks !         
mission>ies w\ld brave ! /ormy seas ( ! 
,hebrides & all ! dang]s ( ! deep1      
secure 9 _! tru/ 9 ,god & ! pray]s ( _! 
holy abbot4 ,!re 7 %>ks1 & :ales too1 on
 ! coa/s ( ,cal$onia 9 ^? days1 & !     
curraghs 7 small protection aga9/ su*   
mon/]s2 b ! he>ts ( ! m>9]s 7 /\t & _!  
fai? 0 /rong4 ,!y sail$ nor?w>ds to f>  
,/4 ,kilda & ! ,orkney & ,%etl& ,isles1 

:]e ! ru9s are /ill to be se5 ( *ur*es  
:i* !y f\nd$4  ,! holy abbot w\ld take 8
 turn at ! o>s ) ! re/1 & :5 he 0 n ) ! 
mission]s on _! travels w\ld foll[ !m 9 
_s f 8 cell at ,iona1 %ield+ & protect+ 
!m by 8 pray]s4 ,he knew by !           
sup]natural light t ,god _h giv5 him :5 
!y 7 9 dang]1 & suff]$ ) !m 9 all !     
h>d%ips !y endur$4 ,! int]e/s ( ! la/ & 
lea/ ( !m 7 z de> to him z 8 own4 ,small
 wond] !n t ! memory ( ! holy life liv$ 
m ?an ?irte5 hundr$ ye>s ago is fragrant
 & liv+ /ill1 & t ! "n ( ,columba is    
*]i%$ 9 ! l& ( 8 adoption ev5 to !      
pres5t day4    ,,*apt] ,,vii  ,,!       
,,apo/le ,,( ,,scotl&  ,,9 ! m\nta9     
fa/nesses ( ,cal$onia beyond ! ,grampian
 ,hills1 liv$ a wild & h>dy race ( m5   
kn[n to _! ,briti% neighb\rs z ! ,picts 
or ,pa9t$ ,p4 ,! "n _h orig9ally be5    
be/[$ on !m by ! ,romans 9 allusion to  
_! habit ( go+ into battle ) _! bodies  
tattoo$ all ov] ) /range devices4 ,!y 7 
a brave & w>like tribe1 :o _h resi/$ !  
l&+ ( ,agricola & 8 legions1 & aft]     

sev]al pit*$ battles _h driv5 ! ,roman  
eagles triumphantly be=e !m to ! sea4 ,9
 lat] days !y became ! t]ror ( !        
,britons ( ,/ra?clyde & ,nor?umbria1    
desc5d+ ^u !m 9 wild hordes & raid+ _!  
c\ntry )\t m]cy4 ,^! m5 7 ! orig9al     
ance/ors ( ! ,highl&]s ( ,scotl&1 9 :om 
! c\rage & ! fight+ _s1 typical ( !     
race1 h surviv$ ?r\gh all ! vicissitudes
 ( _! c\ntry1 & :o to ?is day are       
ackn[l$g$ to be ! brave/ & h>die/ ( !   
soldi]s ( ! ,empire4  ,x 0 to ?is p1 l  
himself ( ,celtic orig91 t ,columba 0 to
 c>ry ! priceless gift ( ! fai?1 ent]+ )
 a h&ful ( un>m$ m5 into ! he>t ( !     
c\ntry :i* ! ,roman legions _h fe>$ to  
p5etrate4 ,brude or ,bmidh1 ! ,picti%   
,k+1 0 entr5*$ 9 8 =tress on a rocky    
hill ne> ! site ( ,inv]ness4 ,! little  
b& ( mission>ies w\nd _! way up ! hill1 
*ant+ z !y w5t a psalm ( confid5ce 9    
,god4 ,at _! head 0 ,columba1 be>+ al(t 
! cross4 ,! tid+s ( _! approa* 0 br\ght 
to ! ,picti% ,k+1 :o ord]$ t ! gates ( !
 =tress %\ld be b>r$ aga9/ !m &         

admittance refus$4  ,broi*em1 !         
high-prie/ ( ! ,druids1 ! fo/]-fa!r &   
*ief advis] ( ,k+ ,brude1 0 probably    
responsible = ! ord]1 =1 ! ,*ri/ians    
once admitt$1 he fe>$ t 8 influ5ce w\ld 
be no long] supreme4 ,columba1 h[ev]1 0 
n 9 ! lea/ daunt$ by ?is inhospitable   
reception4 ,he made ! sign ( ! ,cross   
be=e ! b>r$ gates & /ruck !m /rongly ) 8
 cl5*$ fi/4 ,bolts & b>s %ot back at 8  
t\*1 & sil5tly ! great gates roll$ op5  
to give ! ,sa9t & 8 companions passage4 
,! ,k+1 :o _h se5 ! m>vel toge!r ) all 8
 ,c\rt1 0 /ruck ) fe>1 & w5t to meet    
,columba ) fair & peaceful words4 ,f    
h5ce=? he treat$ him ) rev]5ce &        
c\rtesy1 confirm+ to him ! gift ( ,iona1
 :i* might be consid]$ to lie z mu* 9 8 
t]ritory z 9 t ( ! ,dalriadan k+1 &     
rema9+ ?r\gh\t 8 lifetime a true fri5d &
 protector4  ,x 0 n until "s "t lat] t  
he became a ,*ri/ian1 b ! ,druids c\ld  
=esee ! results ( 8 fri5dly int]c\rse ) 
! mission>ies1 & resolv$ n to lose _!   
influ5ce )\t a /ruggle4 ,_! bitt] enmity

 0 to foll[ ,columba = ye>s1 & to be !  
*ief h9drance to 8 "w among/ ! ,picts4  
,! religion ( ! ,druids ( ,cal$onia     
diff]$ 9 "s degree f t ( ! ,druids (    
,brita94 ,! p 7 taught to wor%ip ! sun1 
! riv]s & ! =e/s4 ,c]ta9 ( ! /reams &   
wells :i* 71 said ! ,druid prie/s1 "u ! 
influ5ce ( a b5efic5t _s1 7 :olesome &  
good to dr9k1 :ile to ta/e ( o!rs :i* !y
 decl>$ to be "u ! rule ( evil spirits1 
w\ld be foll[$ by in/ant dea?4  ,! fir/ 
?+ to be done 0 to conv9ce ! p ( !      
falsity ( _! belief & to make !m cease !
 idolatr\s practices connect$ ) x4      
,columba drank 9 _! pres5ce ( ! wat] t 0
 suppos$ to be deadly1 to prove to !m t 
no evil effects w\ld foll[4 ,! ,druids  
pursu$ him :]ev] he w5t1 int]rupt+ him  
cont9ually 9 8 prea*+1 hold+ him up to !
 d]ision ( ! p1 & misrepres5t+ :at he   
said4 ,columba bore all _! insults )    
pati5ce2 b :5 x came to try+ to dr[n !  
mission>ies' voices 9 ! s++ ( ! psalms (
 ! ,*ur* ) %\ts & mock+ cries1 8 zeal = 
,god's glory ov]came = once 8 meekness1 

& he inton$ ! holy *ant 9 su* a voice ( 
?und] t 8 adv]s>ies 7 sil5c$1 & ! ,k+ & 
8 p trembl$ ) fe>4  ,9 spite ( !        
,druids1 cr[ds flock$ to he> ! prea*+ ( 
,columba1 & _m 7 conv]t$ to ! fai?4 ,on 
"o occasion1 %ortly aft] ! conv]sion to 
,*ri/ianity ( a :ole family1 ! elde/ son
 fell ill & di$4 ,! ,druids 7 ( c\rse at
 h& to assure ! sorr[+ fa!r t ! loss ( 8
 *ild 0 a well-m]it$ puni%m5t indict$ by
 ! gods ( 8 c\ntry 9 consequ5ce ( 8     
apo/asy4 ,! man's fai? wav]$1 b ,columba
 0 wat*+ ov] 8 conv]ts2 & aft] do+ :at  
he c\ld to console ! grief ( ! boy's    
p>5ts1 ask$ to be left alone beside !   
bi] to pray4 ,) te>s & entreaties he    
bes\ght ( ,god to %[ =? ,8 almighty p[]1
 & ! ,heav5ly ,fa!r he>d ! pray] ( ,8   
s]vant & rais$ ! *ild to life4 ,columba 
l$ him to 8 p>5ts1 & _! fai? 9 ! true   
,god 0 confirm$ = ev]4 ,! pray] (       
,columbcille1 says ,adamnan 8 biograph]1
 0 z p[]ful ) ,god z t ( ,elias &       
,eliseus 9 ! old law1 & ,pet]1 ,john1 & 
,paul 9 ! new4  ,"o day :5 ! ,sa9t 0    

prea*+ ! ,gospel 9 ! isl& ( ,skye1 he _h
 "o ( ^? fla%es ( sup]natural insight ( 
:i* we h spok5 sev]al times be=e4 ,he   
told 8 companions t !re w\ld come to !m 
t v day an old ,picti% *ief :o 0 at !   
po9t ( dea?1 & :o _h tri$ to lead a good
 life accord+ to ! natural law ( ,god & 
! light ( 8 own consci5ce4  ,x happ5$ z 
he _h =etold4 ,t[>ds ev5+ a boat 0 se5  
approa*+ ! coa/ ( ,skye1 mann$ by       
,picti% w>riors support+ 9 _! arms an   
old man ^: trapp+s proclaim$ him to be (
 noble bir?4 ,draw+ _! boat to ! %ore1  
!y l&$ & =m$ a rude litt] ) _! %ields1  
on :i* !y c>ri$ ! old *iefta9 up ! hill 
& laid him d[n at ,columba's feet4 ,!   
,sa9t spoke to ! dy+ man ( ! fai? (     
,*ri/ & baptiz$ him1 & %ortly aft]w>ds  
he gave up 8 s\l to ,god4  ,on ano!r    
occasion :5 !y 7 cross+ ! m\nta9s1      
,columba saw a vision ( angels1 &       
exhort$ 8 companions to ha/5 on _! way4 
,=1 said he1 !re is a man ( good & hone/
 life wait+ beyond ! hills to receive   
baptism be=e he dies4 ,!y quick5$ _!    

pace1 & :5 !y rea*$ ,gl5 ,urquh>t1 f\nd1
 z ,columba _h pr$ict$1 an old man      
await+ _! arrival4 ,! holy abbot baptiz$
 him & bade him dep>t 9 peace1 & !      
angels :om he _h se5 on ! m\nta9s c>ri$ 
8 s\l to heav54  ,! *ief ,druid ,broi*em
 _h a "y ,iri% slave-girl1 tak5 captive 
9 "t ( w>1 = ^: fre$om ,columba _h      
sev]al times petition$4 ,! ,druid1 :o 0 
n likely to look fav\rably on any reque/
 ( ! great ,*ri/ian mission>y1 ev5      
refus$ to accept ! ransom (f]$ = ! girl1
 ?\gh %e 0 p9+ h] he>t out = h] family &
 h] home4  ,columbcille w>n$ him t if he
 p]si/5tly refus$ to %[ m]cy to 8       
captive1 ! puni%m5t ( ,god w\ld ov]take 
him1 & he w\ld die be=e ,columba himself
 left ! c\ntry1 b ,broi*em 0 n to be    
mov$4 ,n long aft]w>ds ,columba set out 
on 8 return j\rney to ,iona1 b he _h    
h>dly rea*$ ,lo* ,ness :5 he 0 ov]tak5  
by two mess5g]s f ! high-prie/ besee*+  
him to take pity on _! ma/]1 :o _h be5  
sudd5ly tak5 ill & 0 9 dang] ( dea?4    
,!y 7 assur$ t ! ,druid w\ld recov]1 b  

only on condition t he set ! ,iri% maid5
 at lib]ty4 ,%e 0 at once s5t to        
,columba1 :o f\nd means = h] return to  
h] c\ntry & h] p4 ,z = ,broi*em1 he 0 m 
inc5s$ ?an ev] aga9/ ! ,*ri/ians1 &     
consid]$ h[ he c\ld be/ *eck _! gr[+    
influ5ce ) ! p4  ,! ,druids seem to h _h
 a c]ta9 p[] ov] ! elem5ts1 p]haps ?r\gh
 ! evil spirits :om !y wor%ipp$4 ,!y _h 
he>d ( & se5 ! miracles work$ by        
,columba1 & resolv$ to %[ h[ sup]ior _! 
p[]s ( magic 7 to 84  ,on ! day fix$ = !
 dep>ture ( ! mission>ies1 ,broi*em     
?reat5$ t he w\ld cause a ?ick fog & a  
contr>y w9d to arise1 s t x w\ld be     
impossible = !m to emb>k4  ,! p 7 ga!r$ 
9 cr[ds to bid f>ewell to ,columba1 :5  
to _! great con/]nation ! ,druid's ?reat
 0 fulfill$4 ,! fog 0 d5se & !          
unfav\rable w9d blew /ormily4 ,?is "t at
 lea/ !y _h triumph$1 or s !y ?\ght1 &  
!y did n attempt to conceal _! joy4  ,b 
,columba1 no?+ daunt$1 bade ! m>9]s     
spread _! sails1 & ! awe-/rick5 cr[d on 
! %ore beheld ! boat fly+ swiftly       

we/w>ds to ,iona 9 ! tee? ( ! contr>y   
w9d1 z if x _h be5 altoge!r 9 _! fav\r4 
,! dep>ture 0 n to be = long4 ,aga9 &   
aga9 ,columba revisit$ ! ma9l& to /r5g!n
 & confirm ! fai? ( 8 conv]ts2 & 9 c\rse
 ( "t *ur*es & mona/]ies sprang up      
among/ ! =e/s & ! m\nta9s ( ,cal$onia1  
little /rongholds ( ,*ri/ianity !       
b5efic5t influ5ce ( :i* 0 soon to       
p5etrate ?r\gh\t ! l5g? & bread? ( ! l&4
  ,columba _h _m fai?ful help]s 9 8     
mission>y lab\rs4 ,malruve1 a k9sman &  
c\ntryman ( 8 own1 soon foll[$ him to   
,iona to %>e 9 8 "w among ! ,picts4 ,he 
became abbot ( ,app]crossan1 n[         
,applecross1 on ! nor?-we/ coa/ (       
,cal$onia1 & suff]$ ! r$ m>tyrdom "s    
ye>s aft] ! dea? ( ,columbcille1 at !   
h&s ( ,norwegian pirates4 ,/4 ,canice1 !
 companion ( ,columba & ,ci>an at       
,clon>d & ,glasnev91 also foll[$ 8 old  
fri5d across ! sea4 ,he f\nd$ a mona/]y 
& a *ur* on ! %ore ( ,lo* ,lagan1 &     
ano!r 9 ,fife%ire4 ,/4 ,k5ne?1 z !      
,scot* call$ him1 0 not$ = 8 eloqu5ce & 

le>n+1 & wrote a comm5t>y on ! f\r      
,gospels :i* 0 mu* valu$ 9 8 day4       
,dro/an1 "o ( ! mo/ belov$ ( ! fir/     
companions ( ,columba1 0 *os5 to gov]n a
 mona/]y f\nd$ on ! ea/ coa/ 9 ! pres5t 
di/rict ( ,bu*an4 ,:5 he realiz$ t !    
bread? ( ,scotl& w\ld h5ce=w>d sep>ate  
him f ! bre?r5 :om he lov$1 & ! fa!r ( 8
 s\l1 he wept s bitt]ly t ,columba      
decl>$ t ! new f\ndation %\ld be call$ !
 place ( te>s1 & ,de> 7,de]7 x rema9s to
 ?is day1 to prove to u t ! religi\s    
life has n ! effect1 z "s p suppose1 (  
h>d5+ ! he>ts & freez+ ! affections ( ^?
 :o embrace x1 b asks only t love g h& 9
 h& ) sacrifice 9 ord] t x may be con=m$
 to ! love ( ,*ri/4    ,,*apt] ,,viii   
,,! ,,conv5tion ,,( ,,drum-,,ceatt      
,,columba _h be5 elev5 ye>s at ,iona :5 
,conal1 ! ,k+ ( ! ,scotti% ,dalriada1   
di$4 ,he 0 succe$$ by ,aidan1 8 c\s91 ^:
 love & v5]ation = ,columbcille l$ him  
to *oose him = 8 s\l's fri5d1 & to beg  
him to come himself to place ! cr[n ^u 8
 head & to pray t ! grace ( ,god might  

be ) him 9 8 gov]n+4 ,columba ass5t$ to 
8 reque/1 & s x came to pass t ! solemn 
rite ( ! consecration ( a k+ 0 p]=m$ = !
 fir/ "t 9 ! ,briti% ,isles4  ,aidan 0  
cr[n$ on ! fam\s ,/one ( ,de/9y :i* 0   
aft]w>ds remov$ to ,scone & 0 us$ z !   
coronation *air = ! ,k+s ( ,scotl&1     
until ,edw>d ,i1 ! ,hamm] ( ! ,scots1   
c>ri$ x away & set x up 9 ,we/m9/]      
,abbey4 ,p]haps x 0 z well = ! peace (  
m9d ( ! ru?less oppressor t he c\ld n   
look into ! future1 & see h[ ! royal l9e
 ( ,scotl& w\ld 9 c\rse ( "t foll[ !    
,/one ( ,de/9y1 &1 cr[n$ once m ^u x1   
rule ov] ! ,unit$ ,k+dom4  ,= ,aidan 0 !
 ance/or ( ,macbe? & ,malcolm ,canmore1 
& ?r\gh ! female l9e1 ( ! ,bruces & !   
,/u>ts1 :ile _m ( ! old ,highl&         
families1 su* z ! ,mack5zies1           
,mac,kinnons1 ,mack9to%es1 ,macgregors1 
,macleans & ,macnabs1 c\nt _! desc5t f !
 ,dalriadan k9sm5 ( ,columba4  ,! little
 k+dom _h become p[]ful1 & ! ye>ly      
tribute to ,irel& 0 gall+ to ! pride ( !
 ,scots4 ,!y w\ld fa9 h ca/ (f ! ,iri%  

yoke1 & 7 q ready to fight = _!         
indep5d5ce1 b ,columba bade !m h        
pati5ce1 & all w\ld be well4 ,di>maid1 8
 old enemy1 _h di$ a viol5t dea?1 & ,a$h
 ,mac,ainmire1 :o 0 ( ,columba's own    
bran* ( ! ,hy-,nialls1 n[ sat on ! ?rone
 ( ,irel&3 ! "t seem$ ripe = ! ,sa9t to 
use 8 influ5ce on behalf ( ,dalriada4   
,a l>ge assembly or conv5tion 0 ab\t to 
be held at ,drum-ceatt ne> ,d]ry1 to    
decide sev]al important que/ions1 "s (  
:i* int]e/$ ,columba ne>ly4 ,x 0 a fitt+
 mom5t1 he ?\ght1 to obta9 :at !y       
desir$2 & tak+ ! ,k+ ( ,dalriada ) him  
he set sail = ,irel&4  ,! *ief "q :i* ! 
,iri% p>liam5t _h met to discuss1 0 !   
abolition or ! bani%m5t ( ! ,b>ds4 ,?is 
anci5t ord] ( national poets dat$ f !   
e>lie/ times1 & 9 old5 days _h %>$ ! p[]
 ( ! ,druids4 ,!y 7 ! gu>dians ( !      
poetry1 ! hi/ory & ! music ( ,irel&1 & 7
 held 9 su* hon\r t ! fir/ place at     
table1 aft] t res]v$ = ! ,k+1 0 !irs by 
"r4 ,a *ief poet 0 entitl$ to a ret9ue (
 ?irty m51 & ! ,b>ds ( a l[] grade to   

fifte54 ,!y _h be5 load$ ) hon\rs by ^? 
( ! pr9ces & k+s ( ,irel& :o desir$ to h
 _! brave de$s 9 battle h&$ d[n to _!   
*ildr5 or held up to ! admiration ( _!  
rivals 9 ! songs ( ! c\ntry4  ,_m abuses
 _h aris5 f su* an ex]cise ( p[]4 ,!    
,b>ds 9 c\rse ( "t _h become ?or\ghly   
unpopul>1 & _h only !mselves to blame = 
! *ange ( feel+ t[>ds !m1 = ev5 _! be/  
fri5ds c\ld n def5d _! conduct4 ,p _h   
gr[n we>y ( an insol5ce t refus$ to s+ !
 praises ( ! h]oes & w>riors ( ,er9     
unless at a price t few c\ld af=d to    
pay1 & ! ,b>ds ?reat5$ to hold up ^? :o 
displeas$ !m to ! contempt & ridicule ( 
! nation4  ,! ,k+ w5t s f> z to drive !m
 f 8 palace1 b s secure 7 !y ( _! own   
p[] t !y _h ! boldness to come back1 &  
to dem& ( him ! royal broo* t he wore ^u
 8 brea/1 ! v tok5 ( 8 k+%ip4 ,beside   
himself ) ang]1 ! ,k+ ann\nc$ 8 int5tion
 ( do+ away completely ) ! ord] ( !     
,b>ds at ! great ,conv5tion :i* 0 ab\t  
to be held at ,drum-ceatt1 & _! enemies1
 :o 7 n few1 resolv$ to see ! ?reat     

c>ri$ out4  ,! ,b>ds realiz$ at la/ t !y
 _h gone too f>1 !y c\ld sc>cely f9d a  
fri5d to speak = !m1 ! situation 0      
wellnigh hopeless4 ,9 _! di/ress !y     
?\ght ( ,columba1 :o _h always befri5d$ 
_! ord]1 & s5t him a pite\s message t _!
 ru9 0 c]ta9 unless he w\ld use 8       
influ5ce 9 _! fav\r4  ,! ,conv5tion 0   
l>gely att5d$4 ,! two k+s presid$1 & !  
pres5ce ( ,columba1 9 company ) _m o!r  
abbots & bi%ops1 gave dignity & ord] to 
! c\ncils4 ,! fir/ "q rais$ 0 t ( !     
supremacy ( ,irel& ov] ! ,scots (       
,dalriada4 ,columba 0 ask$ to give 8    
op9ion1 b fe>ful ( be+ unduly influ5c$  
by 8 affection = ,aidan1 he ask$ 8 fri5d
 ,/4 ,colman to plead ! cause ( lib]ty4 
,x 0 decid$ t ,dalriada %\ld cease to   
pay tribute & become an indep5d5t k+dom1
 on ! condition t %e promis$ a p]petual 
alliance ) ,irel&4 ,! great "q ( ! ,b>ds
 came next1 & on ?is subject ! ,k+      
himself 0 ! fir/ to speak4 ,_! insol5ce1
 _! idl5ess1 & _! gre$1 he said1 _h made
 !m odi\s 9 ! eyes ( ! :ole nation4 ,he 

!re=e appeal$ to ! assembly to bani% !m 
& to d away ) all _! privileges4  ,n a  
voice 0 rais$ 9 _! def5ce1 & 9 ano!r    
mom5t _! fate w\ld h be5 decid$1 :5     
,columba rose to speak4 ,! :ole assembly
 did him rev]5ce1 & 8 cle> voice rang   
out ) all its old *>m ov] ! he>ts ( 8   
c\ntrym54  ,x 0 true1 he said1 t ! ,b>ds
 _h greatly abus$ _! p[]2 let !re=e !   
abuses be correct$1 let _! p[] be       
dim9i%$1 let ! guilty be puni%$4 ,b if !
 great ,b>dic ord] 7 aboli%$1 :o w\ld be
 left to make ! records ( ! nation1 to  
s+ ! noble de$s ( its h]oes or to lam5t 
! dea? ( ! brave8 ,:]e w\ld be ! glory (
 ,er98 ,:y %\ld ! good gra9 be torn up )
 ! t>es8 ,! poetry ( ,irel&1 :i* 0 de>  
to h] z h] life1 w\ld p]i% = ev]1 7 !   
ord] ( poets to be de/roy$4  ,! eloqu5t 
plead+ ( ,columba c>ri$ all be=e x4 ,x 0
 decre$ t ! ord] %\ld be re=m$ & t      
regul> s*ools %\ld be f\nd$ = ! /udy ( !
 lit]ature ( ! nation1 :]e ! "y poets   
might be br\ght up to devote _! lives to
 _! art1 & to avoid ! bad habits t _h   

made ! ord] s unpopul> ) ! p4 ,! ,b>ds1 
:o 7 !mselves pres5t at ! assembly "u ! 
lead]%ip ( _! *ief1 ,dallan ,=gaill1 %[$
 _! gratitude to ,columba by compos+ a  
poem 9 8 praise4 ,!y wisely all[$       
!mselves to be guid$ by 8 advice 9 _!   
plans = re=m1 & 9 ! e/abli%m5t ( !      
s*ools to :i* ,irel& owes ! pres]vation 
( ! old *ronicles & ( ! anci5t lit]ature
 9 :i* %e is s ri*4 ,!y ju/ifi$ ! plea (
 _! protector & became fai?ful          
auxili>ies ( ! cl]gy1 s++ 9 ! times (   
p]secution ! glory ( ! h]oes & ! ,sa9ts 
( ,er91 & ! beauty ( ! anci5t fai?4  ,:5
 ! assembly broke up1 ,columba paid a   
visit to ,a$h 9 8 royal palace1 :5 he   
s\ght & obta9$ ! fre$om ( ,sc&lan ,mor1 
son ( ! ,k+ ( ,ossory1 :om ! ,high ,k+ (
 ,irel& _h unju/ly deta9$ 9 prison4 ,!  
elde/ son ( ,a$h 0 p]haps a little      
uneasy at ! prospect ( ! visit1 = he _h 
receiv$ a sev]e repro( f ! ,sa9t = hold+
 ! monks ( ,iona up to ridicule2 b      
,domnal1 8 y\ng] bro!r1 atta*$ himself  
to ,columbcille ) a boy's en?usia/ic    

admiration = all t is great & noble4    
,columba 0 delight$ ) ! manly "y pr9ce1 
& prophesi$ t 8 reign w\ld be a long &  
happy "o1 on condition t he receiv$ !   
,holy ,communion e week1 & tri$ to keep 
8 promises4 ,he w\ld also1 he said1 die 
on 8 own fea!r-b$1 a r>e en\gh ?+ 9 !   
days :5 a ,k+ ( ,irel& 0 pretty sure to 
fall on ! field ( battle or to p]i% by !
 h& ( an assass94  ,a$h himself _h      
reason to be uneasy ab\t ! /ate ( 8 s\l1
 & ask$ ,columba if any ( ! pr9ces :o _h
 di$ dur+ 8 reign 7 9 heav54 ,he 0 told 
t ?ree only _h escap$ ! pa9s ( purgatory
 & _h ent]$ into ev]la/+ bliss4  ,& ,i1 
ask$ ! ,k+1 %all ,i save my s\l8  ,n    
unless y rep5t he>tily ( all y\r s9s &  
lead a bett] life1 repli$ ,columba2 &   
,a$h resolv$ to take 8 advice4  ,to all 
! pr9ces ( ,irel&1 especially to ^? :o 7
 ( 8 own blood1 ,columbcille prea*$     
compassion & m]cy t[>ds _! enemies1 !   
=giv5ess ( injuries1 & ! recall (       
exiles4 ,_m ( ! latt] _h pass$ by ,iona 
z !y w5t to seek %elt] 9 a /range l&1 & 

8 he>t _h griev$ ) !m 9 _! sorr[4  ,he  
resolv$ also to visit 8 religi\s        
f\ndations 9 ,irel& be=e he return$ to !
 c\ntry ( 8 adoption1 & we c imag9e !   
joy ( ! monks ( ,d]ry & ,durr[ :o _h    
nev] ?\ght to look ^u _! belov$ fa!r's  
face aga94 ,! p came out 9 cr[ds to     
welcome him & c>ri$ a canopy ( gre5     
bran*es ov] 8 head4 ,adamnan tells u ( !
 miracles work$ by ! ,sa9t on 8 j\rney1 
& h[ ! lab\r]s w\ld leave _! "w z he    
pass$ & g be=e him s++ hymns ( joy4  ,z 
he 0 ab\t to ent] "o ( ! mona/]ies1 a   
poor little boy1 :o 0 look$ ^u by       
ev]ybody z an idiot on acc\nt ( 8 /amm]+
 tongue & vacant eye1 crept ?r\gh ! cr[d
 & took hold ( ! bord] ( ,columba's     
cloak4 ,! ,sa9t turn$ r\nd1 & tak+ !    
*ild 9 8 arms embrac$ him t5d]ly4  ,%[  
me y\r tongue1 he said to ! little boy1 
:o 0 trembl+ ) fe>2 & !n1 mak+ ! sign ( 
! ,cross ov] him1 he turn$ to ! by/&]s1 
:o 7 vex$ t he %\ld pay s mu* att5tion  
to an idiot4  ,?is *ild :om y despise s 
mu*1 he said1 w gr[ daily 9 wisdom &    

virtue2 ,god w give to him eloqu5ce &   
p[]2 & :5 he has gr[n to man's e/ate he 
w be c\nt$ among/ ! great ones ( 8      
c\ntry4  ,! ,sa9t's prophecy came true4 
,! little idiot boy grew into ! great   
,/4 ,ernan1 v5]at$ bo? 9 ,irel& &       
,scotl&2 & x 0 he himself :o told ! /ory
 to ! abbot ,adamnan :o wrote ! great   
life ( ,columbcille4    ,,*apt] ,,ix    
,,= ,,*ri/ ,,& ,,8 ,,love  ,,!          
visitation ( ! ,iri% mona/]ies complet$1
 ,columba return$ to ,iona4 ,b x 0 no   
long] z an exile t he left ! %ores (    
,er94 ,?is "t x 0 to ,hy ( 8 love1 & ,hy
 ( 8 he>t t he 0 b\nd--to ! c\ntry t _h 
become de> to him z ! l& ( 8 adoption & 
( 8 mission2 :]e he _h suff]$ & /riv5 = 
8 ,ma/]'s sake1 & :]e 8 "w _h be5 bless$
 beyond all t he _h hop$ or dream$4  ,x 
is especially dur+ ! la/ few ye>s (     
,columba's life on e>? t we c see h[ !  
natural fire & arrogance ( 8 nature _h  
be5 gradually trans=m$ into ! g5tl5ess &
 *>ity ( ,*ri/4 ,x 0 n )\t _m a /ruggle 
t ! trans=mation took place2 b          

,columbcille 0 a man ( great he>t & (   
det]m9$ w2 :at he set himself to d 0    
sure to be done4 ,n[ he _h set          
himself--) ,god's grace--to             
self-conque/1 & ! "w1 ?\gh n to be      
complet$ 9 a day nor yet 9 a ye>1 0 at  
la/ by d9t ( pray] & pati5ce glori\sly  
a*iev$4 ,! g5tl5ess ( a naturally /rong 
& fi]y temp]am5t won--s to speak--at !  
sword's po9t1 is always an extraord9>y  
=ce 9 ! _w1 & we f9d ! p[] ( ,columba   
ov] 8 fell[-m5 & 8 influ5ce ) !m = good 
increas+ e ye>4  ,/4 ,f9tan1 "o ( !     
,sa9t's fir/ companions 9 ,iona1 0 ask$ 
once t[>ds ! end ( ,columba's life to   
describe him to "o :o _h he>d mu* ( 8   
hol9ess1 b :o did n "k him4  ,he is a k+
 among/ k+s1 answ]$ ,f9tan1 a sage      
among/ wise m51 a monk among/ monks4 ,he
 is poor ) ,god's poor2 a m\rn] ) ^? :o 
weep1 & joyful ) ^? :o rejoice4 ,yet    
amid/ all ! gifts ( nature & ( grace t h
 be5 s lib]ally %[]$ on him by ,god1 !  
true humility ( ,*ri/ is z royally root$
 9 8 he>t z if x 7 its natural home4    

,he 0 ! fa!r1 ! bro!r & ! fri5d ( all :o
 7 9 want or di/ress2 ! dauntless       
*ampion ( ! oppress$ & ( ! weak1 ! av5g]
 ( all :o suff]$ wrong4 ,8 pray]s &     
bless+ 7 s\ght by all ! navigators ( !  
/ormy seas ( ! ,hebrides z a def5ce     
aga9/ ! dang]s ( ! deep2 :ile dur+ 8    
j\rneys on ! ma9l& ! p w\ld br+ out _!  
sick & lay !m 9 8 pa?1 t !y might t\* ! 
hem ( 8 cloak or receive 8 b5$iction z  
he pass$4 ,_! simple fai? 0 n 9 va93 _m 
7 ! miracul\s cures wr\ght by ! ,sa9t1  
^: pray]s 7 z p[]ful ) ,god z ^? ( ,/4  
,pet] & ,/4 ,john1 & ) :om he might h   
said silv] & gold ,i h none1 b :at ,i h 
,i give !e4  ,he w\ld visit ri* & poor  
alike1 & x 0 (t5 9 ! h\ses ( ! latt] t  
he met ) ! true/ hospitality4 ,he w\ld  
f9d out ) g5tle tact :at 7 ! means ( 8  
humble ho/s1 & plan ways ( increas+ _!  
little /ore4 ,once :5 he 0 pass+ ?r\gh  
,lo*ab] on 8 way to visit ,k+ ,bruidh 9 
8 royal palace1 he 0 (f]$ a lodg+ 9 !   
h\se ( a poor peasant & k9dly ent]ta9$ )
 ! be/ t ! pov]ty ( ! h\se c\ld furni%4 

,9 ! morn+ :5 ! little ,highl& c[s ( 8  
ho/ 7 be+ driv5 out to pa/ure1          
,columbcille bless$ !m1 & =etold t !y   
w\ld increase until 9 c\rse ( "t !y w\ld
 numb] five hundr$1 & t ! bless+ ( a    
grateful travell] w\ld re/ ^u ! man & 8 
family4  ,columba took an obs]vant      
int]e/ 9 all ! ?+s ( nature1 & 0 (t5    
able to advise ! peasants h[ to improve 
! simple me?ods ( f>m+1 hunt+1 & fi%+ on
 :i* _! daily food dep5d$4 ,on "o       
occasion he pr(it$ by ! hospitality %[n 
to him by a ri* ,highl& *ief to put an  
end to a deadly feud :i* 9 true ,highl& 
fa%ion _h exi/$ = _m ye>s betwe5 8 ho/ &
 "o ( 8 neighb\rs4 ,! enemies 7         
reconcil$1 & bo? became fa/ fri5ds ( !  
peacemak]4  ,t5d]-he>t$ z ,columba 0 to 
all :o 7 9 sorr[ & di/ress1 to none did 
8 ready sympa?y ext5d m fully ?an to ^? 
:o 7 exiles f _! native l&1 = he        
rememb]$ ! e>ly days ( 8 own soj\rn 9   
,iona4 ,"o ( 8 special fri5ds 0 a       
,picti% *ief ( noble bir? :o _h receiv$ 
him on ! occasion ( 8 fir/ mission>y    

j\rney to ,cal$onia & treat$ him ) g5]\s
 hospitality4 ,"s "t aft] he fell into  
disgrace & 0 bani%$ f ! c\ntry4 ,columba
 appeal$ 9 8 fav\r to ,f]adagh1 ! *ief (
 ! isl& ( ,islay1 :om he begg$ to give  
%elt] & protection to ! exile1 :ile he  
tri$ :at 8 influ5ce c\ld d ) ! ,picti%  
k+ to obta9 8 fri5d's recall4 ,f]adagh1 
aft] promis+ hospitality to ! fugitive1 
murd]$ him trea*]\sly = ! sake ( 8      
possessions4 ,! news 0 br\ght to        
,columbcille1 :o cri$ out 9 indignation 
t ! puni%m5t ( ,god w\ld ov]take !      
traitor be=e he _h ta/$ ( ! fle% ( !    
bo>s t he 0 fatt5+ = 8 table4  ,f]adagh 
laugh$ at ! ?reat b 0 n a little uneasy1
 = he _h he>d ( ! /range way 9 :i*      
,columba's prophecies 7 wont to come    
true4 ,he _h a bo> kill$ )\t loss ( "t &
 roa/$1 9 ord] to reassure himself t ?is
 "t at lea/ ! ,sa9t _h be5 wrong4 ,z he 
sat d[n to table1 he fell d[n f 8 seat &
 di$1 to ! fe> & con/]nation ( 8        
foll[]s4  ,a c]ta9 *ief nam$ ,donnell1  
:o ) 8 sons & foll[]s fe>$ nei!r ,god   

nor man1 0 ! t]ror ( all ! neighb\r+    
c\ntry4 ,al?\gh he c\ld claim k9%ip ) ! 
,k+ ( ,dalriada1 ,columba excommunicat$ 
him = 8 de$s ( viol5ce1 & he & 8 family 
v[$ v5geance on ! ,sa9t4 ,tak+ advantage
 ( a j\rney t ,columba 0 mak+ to a      
neighb\r+ isl& ) only "o or two         
companions1 "o ( ! sons ( ,donnell      
resolv$ to murd] him z he slept4 ,b "o (
 ,columbcille's companions1 a monk nam$ 
,f9n ,lugh1 0 beset t night ) an        
unacc\ntable fe> = ! safety ( 8 holy    
abbot1 & begg$ him to l5d him 8 c[l1 9  
:i* he wrapp$ himself & lay d[n to      
sleep4 ,9 ! dead ( night ! assass9 crept
 ^u ! little b& ( travell]s1 &1 seek+   
out ! monk :o wore ! abbot's c[l1 /abb$ 
him1 & fl$ to a place ( safety4 ,b !    
g>m5t ( ! ,sa9t protect$ ! man :o 0     
ready to give 8 life = 8 ma/]1 & ,f9n   
,lugh escap$ )\t a w\nd4  ,ano!r lawless
 memb] ( ! same family fell ^u & robb$ a
 man :o liv$ ^u ! rocky p59sula (       
,ardnamur*an1 & _h con/antly %[n        
hospitality to ,columba on 8 j\rneys4 ,!

 bless+ ( ! ,sa9t _h br\ght him good    
=tune1 & 8 little patrimony _h increas$ 
ye> by ye>4 ,! p1 9 hon\r ( ! affection 
%[n him by ! holy abbot1 call$ him      
,columba9 or ! fri5d ( ,columba4 ,z !   
robb] 0 return+1 lad5 ) ! spoils ( !    
poor man1 to ! boat t 0 await+ him at ! 
wat]'s edge1 he met ,columba himself1   
:om he _h suppos$ to be safely di/ant at
 ,iona4 ,! ,sa9t reprov$ him /]nly = 8  
crimes1 & bade him re/ore ! goods t he  
_h /ol54 ,! robb] *ief ma9ta9$ a grim   
sil5ce until he 0 safely 9 8 boat & well
 out f ! %ore4 ,!n he /ood up1 & bur/+  
into a /orm ( insults & evil words1 %\t$
 defiance & d]ision at ,columbcille z   
long z 8 voice c\ld be he>d4 ,!         
oppression ( ! helpless nev] fail$ to   
r\se ,columba's wra?4 ,he /rode out into
 ! wat] aft] ! retreat+ boat1 &1 rais+ 8
 arms to heav51 pray$ t ju/ice might be 
done on ! robb]4 ,!n return+ quietly to 
8 companions he said to !m1 ,t wick$ man
 :o despises ,*ri/ 9 ,8 poor w return no
 m to ^! %ores4 ,! cup ( 8 iniquity is  

full4 ,%ortly aft]w>ds a /orm arose1 & !
 boat ) all t 7 9 x sank l a /one betwe5
 ,mull & ,colonsay4  ,b x 0 n only to ! 
poor & ! oppress$ t ,columba's *>ity 0  
%[n4 ,we f9d him at ! ,c\rt ( ,k+       
,aidan1 hold+ 8 "y son ,hector ! ,blond 
9 8 arms & pray+ t 8 life might be z    
fair z 8 features4 ,to ! nobles :o kept 
! laws ( ,god he 0 z devot$ a fri5d z he
 0 a /eadfa/ oppon5t ( ^? :o outrag$ !m4
 ,to ! p5it5t he 0 full ( m]cy & hope1 &
 _m s9n]s 7 p]suad$ by 8 eloqu5ce & p[] 
to =sake _! evil ways4  ,b n[h]e 0 8    
*>ity m cle>ly %[n ?an ) 8 own community
 at ,iona4 ,he =esaw ! ne$s ( all1 &    
wat*$ ov] 8 spiritual sons ) a fa!rly   
love & c>e4 ,dur+ "o ( ! la/ summ]s ( 8 
life :5 ! monks 7 com+ back 9 ! ev5+    
aft] a day ( h>ve/+1 !y /opp$ %ort at a 
little di/ance f ! mona/]y to enjoy !   
s5se ( peace & consolation t seem$ to   
come to meet !m z !y approa*$ _! home4  
,h[ is x1 ask$ "o ( ! y\ng] bre?r51 t at
 ?is spot e night :5 we return f our    
daily lab\rs1 our he>ts rejoice1 our    

burd5s gr[ light1 & ! v p]fume ( heav5  
seems borne to u on ! breeze8  ,i w tell
 y1 said ,bai!n1 ! belov$ fri5d &       
successor ( ,columba4 ,our sa9tly abbot1
 ^: he>t is ) u 9 our "w1 is pray+ = u &
 long+ = our safe return4 ,8 he>t is    
heavy ) our we>9ess1 &1 hav+ no long] ! 
/r5g? to come 9 ! body to meet u & help 
u ) our burd5s1 he s5ds =? ! bless+ & ! 
pray] ( 8 s\l to refre% & console u on  
our way4  ,n only 8 fell[-m5 b all !    
creatures ( ,god 7 de> to ,columba = _! 
,creator's sake4 ,"o day he bade a c]ta9
 monk at ,iona g d[n to ! sea%ore &     
wat*4  ,=1 said ! ,sa9t1 ere ! night    
falls a we>y gue/ w arrive to u f       
,irel&1 fa9t & ready to die4 ,succ\r h] 
& t5d h] c>efully = ?ree days1 & :5 %e  
is re/$ & refre%$ let h] g1 t %e may    
return once m to h] native l&4 ,! gue/ 0
 a poor /orm-driv5 crane :i* fell on !  
%ore exhau/$ at ! bro!r's feet4 ,he bore
 x t5d]ly to ! mona/]y & c>$ = x z 8    
ma/] _h bidd54 ,9 ! ev5+ ,columba met ! 
monk & bless$ him = 8 compassion to !   

we>y /rang]2 &1 z he _h =etold1 on !    
?ird day1 /r5g!n$ & refre%$ ! bird took 
its flight back to ,er94    ,,*apt] ,x  
,,! ,,gift ,,( ,,vision  ,,we h already 
se5 h[ x 0 (t5 giv5 to ,/4 ,columba to  
"k ( ev5ts t 7 happ5+ f> away f ! place 
:]e he might be1 & h[ by 8 gift (       
prophecy he c\ld sometimes =etell :at   
w\ld come to pass 9 ! future4 ,z he grew
 old] x seem$ to ^? :o knew him         
intimately t ^! fla%es ( sup]natural    
insight became m frequ5t1 & t ! ?+s ( ! 
next _w 7 gr[+ daily m famili> to him z 
! "t ( 8 e>?ly pilgrimage drew to an    
end4 ,_m in/ances ( ?is h be5 record$ by
 8 biograph]s4  ,"o morn+ at ,iona :5 ! 
,mass 0 ab\t to be celebrat$1 ,columba  
s5t ^w to ! prie/ ^: turn x 0 to (f] !  
,holy ,sacrifice t day1 to d x 9 hon\r (
 ! glori\s bir?day ( ,/4 ,br5dan4 ,!    
monk c\ld n und]/& 8 abbot's behe/ z no 
^w _h rea*$ ,iona ( ! holy ,br5dan's    
dea?4 ,columba !n told him t dur+ !     
night he _h se5 9 a vision ! s\l (      
,br5dan asc5d+ to heav5 surr\nd$ by a   

great company ( rejoic+ angels2 he knew 
!re=e t he _h ent]$ into 8 re/4  ,on    
ano!r occasion he ord]$ t ! ,mass = !   
fea/ ( a bi%op %\ld be sung4 ,n[ !re 0  
no fea/ m>k$ 9 ! cal5d> = t day1 & !    
monks ask$ _! holy abbot to tell !m ! "n
 ( ! bi%op 9 ^: hon\r ! ,holy ,my/]ies 7
 to be celebrat$4  ,la/ night1 he       
repli$1 ,i saw ! s\l ( ,columban1 !     
,bi%op ( ,le9/]1 9 heav51 surr\nd$ ) !  
glory ( ! bless$2 x is 9 8 hon\r t we   
mu/ (f] ! ,holy ,sacrifice to-day4      
,columba _h a deep love & rev]5ce = all 
hone/ lab\r done = ,god4 ,"o night he   
told 8 monks t he _h j se5 ent]+ into   
heav5 ! s\l ( a blacksmi? :om he _h kn[n
 long ago 9 ,irel&4  ,he has b\ght      
et]nal life1 he said1 ) ! lab\rs ( !    
e>?ly4 ,he 0 *>itable & gave ( 8 pov]ty 
to ! poor1 !re=e ! ,"l ( ! ,poor has    
rew>d$ him4  ,9 ! c\rse ( 8 travels 9 ! 
,highl&s he met "o day 9 a lonely gorge 
a c\ntryman 9 great di/ress4 ,he 0      
return+ f a j\rney1 & _h he>d t dur+ 8  
abs5ce f home1 a b& ( ,saxon m>aud]s _h 

laid wa/e 8 little f>m & burnt 8 h\se to
 ! gr\nd4 ,he 0 9 an angui% ( fe> le/ 8 
wife & *ildr5 %\ld h p]i%$4 ,columba    
com=t$ him ) k9d words4  ,g 9 peace1 my 
good man1 he said1 y\r cattle & all y\r 
possessions h1 x is true1 be5 c>ri$ (f  
by ! robb]s2 b ,god has be5 m]ciful4    
,y\r de> little family is safe2 g1 = y\r
 lov$ ones are wait+ = y1 & com=t _!    
sorr[+ he>ts4  ,aga91 a ye> aft] !      
attempt _h be5 made to murd] ,columba & 
! monk ,f9n ,lugh _h sav$ 8 life1 !     
,sa9t ask$ 8 companion if he rememb]$ ! 
occurr5ce4  ,x is j a ye> ago to-day1 he
 said1 s9ce ,donnell tri$ to murd] me1 &
 our de> ,f9n ,lugh w\ld h giv5 8 life =
 m9e4 ,at ?is v mom5t ! w\ld-be murd]]  
has be5 /ruck d[n by an enemy 9 puni%m5t
 = 8 evil de$s4  ,"o ( ! ,saxon conv]ts 
( ! ,sa9t _h jo9$ ! community at ,iona1 
& _h be5 giv5 *>ge ( ! bakeh\se4        
,columba w\ld (t5 g to enc\rage him 9 8 
lab\rs & to speak to him ( ! ?+s ( ,god4
 ,"o day ! ,saxon saw him sudd5ly raise 
8 eyes to heav5 & jo9 8 h&s 9 pray]4    

,happy1 happy woman1 he cri$1 to :om x  
is giv5 to ent] into ! heav5ly k+dom1   
c>ri$ by ! h&s ( ! angels4  ,a ye>      
aft]w>ds :5 speak+ to ! same man1 he    
said to him1 ,d y rememb] ! woman ^: s\l
 ,i saw a ye> ago asc5d+ into heav58 ,i 
see h] n[ com+ to fet* ! s\l ( h] husb& 
:o is j dead4 ,%e is fight+ ) h] pray]s 
= t belov$ s\l aga9/ ! p[]s ( evil1 & ! 
angels are pray+ ) h]4 ,see6 %e conqu]s1
 %e be>s him (f1 = he has l$ a good &   
upright life1 & ! two :o lov$ ea* o!r s 
de>ly on ?is e>? are unit$ = ev] 9 ! joy
 & glory ( heav54  ,columbcille seems   
inde$ to h _h "s su* intimation f ,god (
 ! dea? ( ! great] numb] ( 8 fri5ds2 a  
vision ( ! glory ( t cele/ial c\ntry    
into :i* he 0 himself soon to ent]1 &   
aft] :i* he sigh$ ) su* ard5t long+4 ,if
 ! angels _h be5 ) him 9 8 y\?1 mu* m   
did !y surr\nd him 9 8 lat] ye>s4  ,_m  
/ories are told ( 8 cele/ial visions z  
he pray$ 9 ! =e/s ( ,skye1 de> to him = 
_! lonel9ess & sil5ce4 ,"o dy1 :5 he 0  
at ,iona he w5t out1 giv+ ord]s t no "o 

0 to foll[ him4 ,he 0 go+ to pray1 he   
said1 on a little hill to ! we/ ( ,iona1
 :i* 0 "o ( 8 fav\rite retreats4 ,"o "y 
bro!r1 m curi\s ?an ! re/1 _h he>d      
/range tales ab\t ! holy abbot1 & foll[$
 him c>efully f af> to see :at 0 go+ to 
happ54 ,:5 he _h come )9 a %ort di/ance 
( ! place ( pray]1 he saw ! ,sa9t /&+ ) 
arms rais$ to heav51 surr\nd$ by a troop
 ( :ite-rob$ angels4 ,! "y monk1 trembl+
 le/ he %\ld be discov]$1 made 8 way    
back to ! mona/]y z quickly z he c\ld4  
,:5 ,columba rose dur+ ! night z 0 8    
habit to kneel 9 pray] on ! cold floor (
 8 cell1 8 heav5ly visitors w\ld ?rong  
ar\nd him1 m+l+ _! praise ) 84 ,x 0 n   
surpris+ t ! ?+s ( heav5 %\ld be s ne>  
to "o :o c>$ s little = ! ?+s ( e>?4 ,he
 w\ld g out on a w9t]'s night1 says 8   
biograph]1 & /& 9 ! wat]s ( an icy /ream
 dur+ ! "t x took him to recite !       
,psalt]1 t he might obta9 grace by 8    
suff]+s = ! s\ls ( ! ob/9ate s9n]s :o   
refus$ to am5d _! lives4 ,"o day :5 he 0
 pray+ 9 a lonely spot1 a poor woman    

came 9 sight ga!r+ wild h]bs & nettles4 
,columba spoke to h] & ask$ h] :at %e 0 
do+4  ,i am ga!r+ h]bs = food1 %e       
repli$1 = ,i h b "o c[ & x gives no     
milk2 ! poor mu/ live z !y c4 ,columba  
reproa*$ himself bitt]ly t ?is poor     
woman %\ld f>e worse ?an he did4 ,we    
seek to w9 heav51 he cri$1 by our       
au/]ities1 & ?is poor woman1 :o is "u no
 su* obligation1 outdoes u4 ,h5ce=w>d he
 decl>$ he w\ld make 8 meal ( ! wild    
h]bs & nettles t he _h se5 h] ga!r+1 &  
gave /rict ord]s t no?+ else %\ld be    
s]v$ to him4 ,he ev5 reprov$ ,bai!n1 :om
 he s de>ly lov$1 ) unwont$ sev]ity1    
because1 unable to be> ! sight ( 8      
abbot's wret*$ f>e1 he _h put a little  
piece ( butt] into ! pot 9 :i* x 0 be+  
cook$4  ,! heav5ly light t ! holy       
,br5dan _h se5 surr\nd+ ,columba on t   
memorable day at ,teilte 0 n[ frequ5tly 
beheld by 8 companions4 ,at night x c\ld
 be se5 %9+ ?r\gh ! *9ks 9 ! r\gh door (
 8 little cell :5 all 0 9 d>kness1 & !  
sil5ce ( ! night 0 only brok5 by ! voice

 ( ! holy abbot pray+ & s++ ! praises ( 
,god4  ,"o w9t]'s night1 "o ( ! y\ng]   
bre?r5 _h rema9$ 9 ! *ur* to pray aft]  
all _h gone to re/4 ,at midnight ! door 
op5$ s(tly & ,columba ent]$4 ,a glory ( 
gold5 light came ) him1 illum9at+ ! *ur*
 f wall to wall & f floor to ro(4 ,!    
little *apel :]e ! bro!r knelt 0 flood$ 
) ! /range radiance & 8 s\l 0 fill$ ) a 
heav5ly consolation4 ,columba knelt = _m
 h\rs 9 pray]1 & /ill ! heav5ly light   
%one r\nd him z he pray$2 :ile ! bro!r  
wat*$ him awe/ruck1 sc>cely d>+ to move 
= fe> ( be+ he>d4 ,! next day he 0 s5t =
 by ! abbot1 :o bless$ him & g5tly bade 
him say no?+ ( :at he _h se5 dur+ !     
night4  ,two ( 8 religi\s1 ,bai!n !     
belov$1 & ,di>maid 8 fai?ful att5dant1  
:o 7 (t5 9 8 cell to help him ) 8 "w &  
to c>ry out 8 in/ructions1 notic$ "o day
 a sudd5 ray ( joy %9+ f _! ma/]'s eyes4
 ,a mom5t lat] ! joyful expression gave 
place to "o ( int5se sadness1 & !y begg$
 ,columba to reveal to !m :at x 0 t     
caus$ him grief4  ,my *ildr51 said !    

,sa9t1 x is tw5ty ye>s to-day s9ce ,i   
fir/ set foot 9 ,cal$onia4 ,e>ne/ly ,i h
 be5 besee*+ our ,heav5ly ,fa!r to br+  
my days ( exile to an end1 & to receive 
me into ! heav5ly c\ntry aft] :i* our   
he>ts mu/ ev] ye>n4 ,x seem$ to me t    
,god _h he>d my pray]1 & t ,i already   
saw ! holy angels com+ to be> my s\l to 
its et]nal ,home1 :5 sudd5ly !y fad$ f  
my sight1 & ,i saw !m no m4 ,x has be5  
reveal$ to me t by reason ( ! pray]s (  
^? :o love me on e>?1 ! "t ( my soj\rn+ 
has be5 prolong$4 ,!re=e am ,i sad1     
belov$ ( my he>t1 because f\r long ye>s 
mu/ elapse be=e ^? heav5ly mess5g]s     
return4 ,!n !y w come once m & ,i %all  
dep>t ) !m to rejoice = ev] 9 ! pres5ce 
( my ,god4    ,,*apt] ,,xi  ,,! ,,light 
,,et]nal  ,,x 0 t[>ds ! end ( ,may1 :5 !
 late nor!rn spr+time 0 ca/+ its veil ( 
beauty ov] ! rugg$ isl&s ( ! ,hebrides1 
t ,columbcille knew t ! "t ( 8 dep>ture 
0 at h&4 ,he bade 8 fai?ful att5dant    
,di>maid h>ness ! ox5 into ! rude wood5 
c>t ( ! mona/]y1 & tak+ 8 seat 9 x set  

out = ! fields t lay to ! we/ ( ! isl&  
:]e all ! monks 7 work+4 ,at ! sight ( !
 abbot 9 8 humble *>iot !y left _! "w & 
cr[d$ r\nd him1 & ! old man address$ !m 
t5d]ly ) t\*+ words ( affection4  ,a    
mon? ago1 he said1 ,i _h a great desire 
to dep>t f ?is e>?1 t ,i might keep !   
happy fe/ival ( ,ea/] 9 heav52 b1       
unwill+ to ca/ a gloom ov] y\r joy at t 
glad "t1 ,i 0 cont5t to rema9 ) y a     
little long]4 ,b n[ ! "t ( my e>?ly     
pilgrimage draws ne> its end4 ,at ^!    
words ! monks broke into bitt] weep+1 = 
! ?\ght ( los+ _! belov$ fa!r 0 m ?an !y
 c\ld be>1 & ,columba tri$ to com=t !m4 
,!n /&+ erect 9 ! waggon he rais$ 8 h&s 
& bless$ ! isl&1 ! mona/]y & all its    
inhabitants4  ,a few days lat]1 lean+ on
 ,di>maid's arm1 he w5t to ! b>n &      
rejoic$ to see ! great heaps ( corn laid
 up = ! w9t]4 ,x is a com=t to me to "k1
 he said1 t :5 ,i am no long] !re my    
*ildr5 w n g hungry4 ,= ?is ye> at lea/ 
!re is pl5tiful provision4  ,:y d y     
break our he>ts1 de> ,fa!r1 9 ?is sweet 

season ( ! ye>1 said ,di>maid1 by speak+
 s (t5 ( y\r dep>ture f u8 ,god w surely
 suff] u to keep y ) u yet a:ile4  ,i w 
tell y a secret1 ,di>maid1 repli$ ! old 
man2 b fir/ y mu/ promise to keep x     
fai?fully till ,i am dead4  ,& :5       
,di>maid _h promis$1 kneel+ at ! abbot's
 feet1 ,to-morr[1 ,sunday1 is ! day (   
re/1 he said1 b be=e ! dawn+ ( t day1 ,i
 %all h ent]$ into ! re/ :i* is et]nal4 
,to-night at midnight ,i %all dep>t f   
?is _w2 x has be5 reveal$ to me by our  
,"l ,jesus ,*ri/ ,himself4  ,!n ,di>maid
 c\ld no long] control 8 grief & wept   
al\d :ile ! ,sa9t did 8 be/ to com=t    
him1 speak+ words ( hope & consolation4 
,on _! way home f ! b>n to ! mona/]y    
,columba grew we>y1 & sat d[n to re/ by 
! wayside1 at a spot :]e !re is n[ a    
great /one cross4 ,z he sat !re wait+   
until he %\ld h /r5g? to cont9ue 8      
j\rney1 ! old :ite horse t us$ to c>ry !
 milk pails f ! f>m to ! mona/]y came up
 & laid its head ^u ! ,sa9t's %\ld]1    
look+ at him z if he knew t x 0 = ! la/ 

"t1 ) eyes s full ( dumb grief t !y     
seem$ to be %$d+ te>s4 ,di>maid w\ld h  
driv5 him away1 b ,columba *eck$ him4   
,let him be1 he said2 he is wis] ?an y1 
,di>maid1 = he kn[s by in/9ct t ,i %all 
nev] pass by ?is way aga94 ,! old horse 
loves me1 let him grieve = 8 fri5d4  ,!n
 ! fai?ful animal ne/l$ 8 head clos]    
aga9/ ! %\ld] ( ! old man1 :o c>ess$ him
 g5tly & gave him 8 bless+4 ,x is ,god1 
he said1 :o has made kn[n to ?is poor   
bea/ t he w see me no m4 ,:5 cont9u+ _! 
j\rney !y _h rea*$ ! little hill t      
ov]look$ ! mona/]y1 ,columba rais$ 8 h&s
 9 bless+ ov] 8 belov$ isl& home4  ,?is 
place w be fam\s 9 ! days to come1 he   
said1 & sa9ts & k+s w come f o!r l&s to 
d x hon\r4  ,:5 he rea*$ 8 cell he sat  
d[n to write ! copy ( ! ,psalt] on :i*  
he 0 engag$1 = ! old man's h& _h n lo/  
its skill4 ,he wrote until ! *ur* bell  
rang = ! fir/ vesp]s ( ! ,sunday2 !n1   
hav+ rea*$ ! v]se 9 ! ?irty-?ird ,psalm 
:]e x is writt5 ,!y t seek ! ,"l %all n 
be depriv$ ( any good1 he laid d[n ! p54

  ,let ,bai!n write ! re/1 he said4     
,bai!n 0 ! c\s9 ( ,columba1 & "o ( !    
monks :o _h come ) him f ,d]ry4 ,he _h  
be5 8 pupil1 & 0 sc>cely less skilful ) 
! p5 ?an 8 ma/]4 ,holy1 *>itable1 &     
belov$ by all1 he 0 *os5 to succe$      
,columbcille z abbot ( ,iona4 ,:5 he    
took up ! p5 t ! ,sa9t _h laid d[n to g 
on ) ! "w ( transcription1 ! words t    
came next 71 ,come ye *ildr51 he>k5 unto
 me1 & ,i w tea* y ! fe> ( ! ,"l1 ) :i* 
words he began 8 m9i/ry z abbot4  ,:5   
,vesp]s 7 ov]1 ,columba w5t back to 8   
cell & sitt+ d[n ^u 8 b$--! nak$ rock ) 
a /one = a pill[ t 0 /ill ! only c\* on 
:i* ?is monk ( sev5ty-sev5 w\ld re/ 8   
ag$ limbs--he bade ,di>maid li/5 :ile he
 gave him 8 la/ in/ructions = ! bre?r54 
,my la/ words to y are ^!1 said he4     
,*]i% true & unfeign$ *>ity ev] among/  
y\rselves1 & ,god w nev] leave y 9 ne$1 
b w give y all t is necess>y = y\r      
welf>e 9 ?is _w1 & ,8 glory 9 t :i* is  
to come4  ,aft] ^! words he 0 sil5t1 &  
seem$ to be lo/ 9 ! contemplation ( !   

glory ( :i* he _h spok51 & ,di>maid     
=bore to int]rupt 8 pray]4 ,:5 ! bell   
rang = mat9s %ortly be=e midnight1      
,columba arose1 & w5t swiftly to ! *ur*4
 ,di>maid foll[$ m sl[ly1 & z he        
approa*$ ! door1 ! :ole *ur* seem$ to   
him to be lit up ) a /rangely radiant   
light :i* vani%$ z he ent]$4 ,:]e are y1
 ,fa!r8 he :isp]$1 /ruck ) a sudd5 fe>1 
z he grop$ 8 way ?r\gh ! build+4 ,!re 0 
no answ]4 ,he made 8 way ?r\gh ! d>kness
 z be/ he c\ld to ! alt>4  ,!re 9 8     
accu/om$ place ( pray] 0 ! holy abbot1 b
 /ret*$ app>5tly lifeless on ! gr\nd4   
,di>maid rais$ him 9 8 arms1 & sitt+ d[n
 beside him laid ! belov$ head ^u 8     
%\ld]4 ,pres5tly ! bre?r5 came 9 )      
lights1 & broke into bitt] lam5tation at
 ! sc5e be=e !m4 ,columba lay on ! alt> 
/eps lean+ on ,di>maid's brea/1 8 eyes  
rais$ to heav51 & 8 face %9+ ) a wondr\s
 joy z if he already saw its gates op5+ 
be=e him4 ,di>maid !n rais$ 8 ma/]'s "r 
h&1 & = ! la/ "t ! holy abbot bless$ 8  
little flock :o knelt weep+ r\nd him1   

:ile 8 eyes spoke ! words t 8 voice 0   
too weak to utt]4 ,!n ) "o la/ upw>d    
look 8 head sank g5tly back on          
,di>maid's %\ld] & he gave up 8 pure s\l
 to ,god4 ,!y c\ld sc>cely believe t he 
0 dead1 = 8 face 0 /ill s bright ) joy t
 he look$ l "o :o re/$ 9 a happy &      
peaceful sleep4 ,! mat9s = t ,sunday 7  
sung ) bur/+ he>ts1 = ! /rong cle> voice
 t _h always be5 =emo/ 9 ! holy *ant 0  
sil5t = ev] 4444  ,dur+ t night a vision
 came to a holy old man 9 "o ( !        
mona/]ies ( ,irel&4 ,he saw ! isl& (    
,iona all aflame ) a glori\s light & a  
multitude ( angels desc5d+ f ! skies4   
,he he>d !m s++ z !y bore ! bless$ s\l (
 ,columbcille back ) !m into heav51 & ! 
cele/ial melody fill$ 8 he>t ) joy4  ,at
 ! same h\r a boy nam$ ,ern5e :o 0 fi%+ 
by night 9 ! ,riv] ,f9n 9 ,donegal saw !
 :ole sky sudd5ly break into light4 ,9 !
 ea/ :]e ,iona lay1 !re rose a great    
pill> ( fire1 s t = "o mom5t ! night 0 z
 bright z ! noonday :5 ! sun is %9+4 ,!n
 x vani%$ into ! heav5s & all 0 d>k     

aga94  ,x might h be5 expect$ t ! little
 isl& w\ld be cr[d$ ) m5 ?rong+ f all   
directions to ! fun]al ( ,columbcille1 b
 x 0 n s4 ,:ile ! ,sa9t 0 yet alive "o (
 ! monks _h said to him t ,iona w\ld be 
sc>cely l>ge en\gh to hold ! numb]s t   
w\ld come to pay him ! la/ hon\rs4  ,no1
 my son1 repli$ ,columba1 no "o w be !re
 b ^? ( our own h\sehold2 & s x came to 
pass4  ,on ! night ( ! ,sa9t's dea? a   
viol5t /orm arose1 & cont9u$ until !    
burial 0 ov]2 ! sea 0 s wild t no boat  
c\ld put out f ! ma9l& or ! surr\nd+    
isl&s4 ,! simple rites 7 p]=m$ 9 !      
pres5ce ( ! monks ( ,iona alone1 to !   
s\nd ( ! wail+ ( ! w9d & ! moan+ ( !    
sea4 ,0 x ! la/ rev5ge ( ! evil "o1 !y  
ask$ !mselves1 on ! ,sa9t :o _h torn a  
nation f 8 grasp8  ,b ,columbcille _h   
pass$      ,to :]e beyond ^! voices !re 
is peace4