"Choice was this blessing
Which he conferred seven-fold
On each one who would observe
His plain rule, his law.
"Whoever would disobey
The noble, just rule,
Should not see him, he said,
In the region of the saints.
"Patrick's cain in great Munster
Was imposed on each family,
Until Dungalach violated it,
[Who was] of the race of Failbhe Flann.
"Dungalach, son of Faelghus,
Grandson of just Nadfraech,
Was the first who transgressed
Patrick's cain from the beginning.
"It is related in histories,
All ages know it,
That his successorship is not found
In Cashel of the Kings.
"There is not of his progeny
(Though he won battles)
A noble bishop or herenagh,
A prince or a sage.
"Saergus the Young, also—
***
Violated the cain he had adopted,
For the vehement Dungalach.
"It is seen that illustrious men
Are not of his wondrous family;
If there are now, they will not
Be found till judgment comes."
Page:The most ancient lives of Saint Patrick - O'Leary.djvu/126
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