PATRICK. With amaze,
I see here "To Patrick" Oh,
Can a slave be honoured so?
ANGEL. Open it.
PATRICK. It also says —
"Patrick! Patrick! hither come,
Free us from our slavery!"—
More it means than I can see,
Since I do not know by whom
I am called. Oh, faithful guide,
Speedily dispel my error!
ANGEL. Look into this shining mirror.
PATRICK. Heavens!
ANGEL. What seest thou inside?
PATRICK. Numerous people there seem thronging,
Old men, children, women, who
Seem to call me.
ANGEL. Nor do you
Stay, but satisfy their longing.
You behold the Irish nation,
Who expect to hear God's truth
From your lips. Oh, chosen youth,
Leave your slavery. The vocation
God has given thee is to sow
Faith o'er all the Irish soil.
There as Legate thou shalt toil,
Ireland's great Apostle. Go
First to France, to German's home,
The good bishop: there thou'lt make
Thy profession: there thou'lt take
The monk's habit, and to Rome
Pass, where letters thou'lt procure
For that mighty work of thine,
In the bulls of Celestine:
Thou wilt visit, then, in Tours
Martin, the great bishop there.
Now upborne upon the wind
Come with me, for thou wilt find
God has given with prescient care
His commands to all, that so
Fitly thy great work be done;
But 'tis time we should be gone:
Let us on our journey go.
[They disappear.
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