98 CHRONICLES OF CORNISH SAINTS. IV. — S. SAMSON. 



says a late Welsh archseologist of high repute,* " is that of S. 

 Samson, who was Bishop of Dole in Brittany, in the sixth 

 century ; and also Abbot of Lantwit. The next corresponds with 

 that of Juthael, King of Brittany, the contemporary and patron 

 of Samson, sometimes written Judual. The last name, Artmal, 

 I am not able to identify, but think it possible that he also may 

 have been of Dole." If this interpretation of the names is correct, 

 the tradition may be true, that Samson returned to "Wales and ended 

 his days there. But, on the other hand, it must be remembered, that 

 another learned Cambrian t takes a- different view of the names 

 on the monument, and argues that they were, probably, all names 

 of Welshmen ; so that, according to this theory, the cross might 

 have been erected by Samson whilst he was a monk at Lantwit. 

 At all events, none of the extant Lives of him make any allusion 

 to his return to Wales from Armorica, but speak of his dying at 

 Dole in a good old age ; and his earliest biographer, to whom we 

 are indebted for most of the particulars in this brief memoir, 

 thus beautifully describes his departure.—" Being perfect in life 

 and in age, and having, after the Apostle's example, finished a 

 good course, with all good qualities fully and completely adorned, 

 he left his attenuated body to be embalmed jind buried in the 

 monastery at Dole, in the hope of the resurrection to eternal life, 

 whilst his happy soul went fall of bliss to Christ ; and the brethren, 

 at the time of his departure, heard the hymns and music of 

 angelic choirs." 



* Eev. T. Price, (Carnhuanawe). 

 f Taliesin Williams. 



