Open [38.2 MB]

CHAPTER X
COLUMCILLE, APOSTLE OF SCOTLAND
I. Archpresbyter of the Gael. 2. A Christian Cuchulain. 3. The Facts
of His Life. 4. His Career as Monastic Founder.
IN
i. ARCHPRESBYTER OF THE GAEL
this conquest of the northern half of Britain the
role of spiritual proconsul was played by the famous
Columcille, "the high saint and high sage, the son
chosen of God, even the archpresbyter of the island of the
Gael, the brand of battle set forth with the divers talents
and gifts of the Holy Ghost." Marvelous indeed are
the characterizations which the skilled medieval writers
apply to this prince of the Irish royal line, who appears
to have been born also 'to the natural purple of intellect
and spirit that has marked from the beginning the born
leader of men. Sage, prophet, poet dove of the cell
lovable lamp, pure and clear silvery moon a diadem
on every train a harp without a base chord a child
noble, venerable, before God and man a child of the
King of Heaven and earth man of grace physician
of the heart of every age manchild of long-sided Ethne
there never was born to the Gael, we are told, offspring
nobler or wiser or of better kin than he there hath not
come of them another who was meeker or humbler or
lowlier. "Noble insooth was Columcille's kindred as re-
gards the world; for of the kindred of Conaill,
son of
Niall, was he. By genealogy he had the natural right
to the kingship of Ireland and it would have been offered
to him had he not put it from him for the sake of God."
116