460 CORNISH DEDICATIONS. 



When a year old, Ere handed him over to S. Itha, and he 

 remained a few years with her. Throughout all her life he con- 

 tinued devoted to her, and consulted her in his difficulties. 

 " Angels in the shape of white virgins 

 Were fostering BrSnain, 

 From one hand to another (he was passed) 

 Without disgrace to the babe." 



His sister was Brig or Breaca, to whom also he was fondly 

 attached. 



When five years old, he was returned to Ere to be educated, 

 and the Bishop took the boy about with him in his cart, on his 

 preaching tours. A story connected with one of these shall be 

 told under the head of Ere. 



Brendan was born in 483, so that he went to Ere in 488. 



After some time he left Ere to place himself under S. Jarlath 

 of Tuam, but returned to Ere in Slane, to be ordained priest by 

 him. He immediately went to S. Itha for counsel what to do. 

 He is said to have drawn up a Rule which he received from 

 angels, by which no more is meant than that he derived it from 

 the ancient religious men who led the angelic life. 



Then, by the advice of his foster-mother, he started on a 

 voyage in the Western Sea. This was rendered advisable because 

 through carelessness Brendan had caused the death of a young 

 man. 



Brendan had gone to an island in a boat, and on landing left 

 a boy in charge of it. Presently when the tide turned and the 

 wind blew strong, the lad's brother, who was with Brendan, told 

 his master that he was sure the little fellow was not man enough 

 to hold the boat. Brendan angrily rebuked him, and when the 

 disciple persisted, he cursed him and sent him back to the coracle, 

 The young man did find his brother vainly struggling with the 

 boat, and, in his efforts to save the boy and secure the vessel, 

 was himself carried away by a wave and drowned. Brendan's 

 conscience reproached him, and he took counsel of his spiritual 

 mother. Itha bade Brendan, as an expiation, sail in the Atlantic 

 and explore the seas for islands, and required him to abstain 

 from blood. Probably also she feared that the relatives of the 

 lad would pursue Brendan. Brendan filled three large coracles 

 covered; with hides, and sailed in company with a number of 

 monks. They were absent for five years, and on their return told 

 marvellous tales of what they had seen. 



