Matheson Collection > Aislinge Meic Conglinne

30 The Vision of MacConglinne.
pillar-stone, for a fore-torture before the great
torture to-morrow."
So it was done. His scanty clothing was stripped
off him, and ropes and cords were tied across him
5 to the pillar-stone.
They turned away home, Manchin going to the
abbot's house, that the poor and guests might be
fed by them. They also ate something themselves.
But they left that sage to fast, who came, having
lo been sent by God and the Lord for the salvation of
Cathal MacFinguine and the men of Munster, and
the whole Southern Half to boot. The justice of
law was not granted him.
He remained there until midnight. Then an
15 angel of God came to him on the pillar-stone, and
began to manifest the vision unto him. As long as
the angel was on the pillar-stone it was too hot for
MacConglinne, but when he moved on a ridge away
from him, it was comfortable. (Hence the "Angel's
20 Ridge" in the green of Cork, which was never a
morning without dew.) At the end of the night
the angel departed from him.
Thereupon he shaped a little rhyme of his own,
•which would serve to relate what had been mani-
25 fested to him, and there he remained until morning
with the poetical account of his vision ready.
Early at morn the chapter-bell was tolled on the
morrow by the monks of Cork, and all came to the
pillai'-stone.
30 " Well, you miserable wretch," said Manchin,
"how is it with you to-day?"
*' It is well," said he, " if I am allowed to make
known to thee a few short words that I have.