[115] “Cibus sit vilis et vespertinus.”
[116] See I. Eccles. Record, Jan. 1865.
[117] Regula., cap. 3.
[118] “Votum Monasticum.”—Adamnan.
[119] St. Patrick had, we are told, three maidens who were constantly employed on embroidery work for sacred purposes—one was his own sister, Lupait, another is called Cruimtheris, and the third was King Daire’s royal daughter.
“Beneath a pine three vestals sat close veiled:
A song these childless sang of Bethlehem’s child,
Low-toned, and worked their altar cloth, a Lamb,
All white, on golden blazon.”
Columcille, too, had his own special embroideress for working his vestments and altar cloths. She was called Coca, and has given her name to the ancient church of Kilcock, in the County Kildare, which she founded.* In the Book of Kells, too, we find examples of vestments in the ornamentation portrayed in the richest and most vivid colouring.
* See O’Curry, Manners and Customs, vol. iii., p. 123.
[120] The Romans were those who enjoyed the rights of the Imperial citizenship, which at this time had come to be in reality a badge of slavery.
[121] See the Salamanca MS., p. 161.