168 ANGLING LITERATURE IN 



speak of them, for if the noise disturb them, know you 

 that killed we shall be." 7 This cowardly counsel does 

 not suit St. Brandan ; he rebukes them for their needless 



fear and 



" He sang more high, more loudly clear, 

 The salvage fishes, him to hear, 

 Leapt from the sea, and round they wait, 

 As they the feast would celebrate ; 

 Thus sang he till the close of day, 

 And then each monster went his way." 



The saint afterwards encountered a dreadful finny 

 monster, which is thus related. 

 " Toward them a serpent of the sea 

 Bushed swift as wind most savagely 

 The fire that from his nostrils came 

 Was like the roaring furnace flame, 

 Unmeasured was his length I trew 

 His very breadth was huge enew, 

 Full fifteen feet, and all around him 

 The waves were seething. Nought could found him, 

 He near the frighted pilgrims drew ; 

 Then Brandran spoke : right bold and true 

 His words 'O sirs, now wherefore stand, 

 Fearing that God's all powerful hand 



7 " Q.uar tant cler est chascun unde 

 O la mer est plus parfunde, 

 Que nous veium des que en terre 

 Et de peissuns tante guerre, 

 Peissuns veium grans, et cruels, 

 Tine n'eimes parler de tels." 



