154 CORNISH DEDICATIONS. 



and under this poor roof Q-ologwen gave birth, to her child, 

 Gotilven or Gelvin. The exact spot is now occupied by a little 

 chapel not far from the parish church of Goulven. Grlaudan, in 

 his quest for a spring of water, lost his way in the forest and was 

 absent a whole day. Meanwhile, the poor mother, parched with 

 thirst, desiring water, prayed, and a jet of water rose out of the 

 ground — at least so says the legend. The spring is stiU shown. 



After a while, the chieftain of the district, Godian by name, 

 extended his protection to the couple and their child, that is to 

 say he took them into the number of his personal retainers. 

 Gelvin was baptized and given some education. 



At an early age he resolved on embracing the religious life, 

 and he retired from the world to a spot near where he had been 

 born, and there constituted his peniti or cell. At three points in 

 the forest he planted crosses, which indicated the limits of his 

 lawn or sanctuary, and these are still pointed out. 



The Count or regulus of the country soon adopted him as 

 the spiritual protector of the land, and called on him to curse the 

 pirates who troubled the seaboard. As the imprecations of the 

 Saint were powerful enough to give the Chief success, he granted 

 Gelvin lands in return and assisted him in the erection of a 

 church. 



He had a disciple named Maden. 



One day Gelvin said to him : "There is a well-to-do farmer 

 named Joncor, at Enemeur, go to him and ask for a gift — what- 

 ever he has in his hands at the moment of your addressing him." 



Maden went, and found the farmer ploughing. Joncor 

 stooped, took up three handsfuU of earth and put them in the lap 

 of the disciple, and bade him return with them to his master. 

 Maden carried the earth back, but looking at it on the way found it 

 converted into gold ; and out of this gold, Gelvin fashioned three 

 crosses and three angular bells and a chalice. The legend in a 

 poetical form records the grant of land by Joncor to the Saint, 

 which under his good tillage produced a sufficiency to enable him 

 to purchase metal wherewith to make sundry necessary articles of 

 furniture for his church. S. Paul, of Leon, heard of his merits 

 and had communication with him. 



