Song of Saint Patrick - Part 2 - Flight

II Flight One day, Maewyn was in the pasture, Tending his master's herds, When he heard spoken, clear as a spring, These few simple words, "Your ship is ready." the voice did say, He started then to run And didn't stop to take a break 'Til long had set the sun. Maewyn's will was iron strong, His faith never fell short, It carried him his journey's length, Until he found the port, Out of which was chosen For him, back home, to sail -But this is just the beginning Of Maewyn Succet's tale. Maewyn Succet expressed his thanks For arriving to the ship, "How kind of my creator To provide me with this trip! I see every situation As God's intended test And, in everyone that follows, I shall serve him at my best." Young Maewyn Succet obtained his fare And boarded the vessel, But he was fraught with conflict, With which long he would wrestle, But, not many hours effervesced After the ship embarked When the wind blew in, waters grew rough And the sky bloomed dark. All hands were called upon the deck To prepare for the storm; The pagan fishermen and merchants Saw, from the deep, arise a wicked form. Each of them tried to appease its wrath With devil witchery Only to be swept away In the seething surgings of the sea 'Til Maewyn stood upon the deck Where others cast a curse And, in his heart, recited A simple line of verse, Then he spoke a loud A heartfelt, humble prayer. Before he finished giving thanks, Warm-winged breezes filled the air. The ship was saved, the storm dissolved As quickly as it came, The survivors cast off their idols Calling Maewyn by the name, Father of the People (Patricus), Through whose faith unshaken Kept the people of the ship From being overtaken. The passengers had a pleasant voyage And made it back to home, But Patrick had hundreds of miles, He still would have to roam Before he reached his homeland, With his family to reunite- He still had many dangers He yet would have to fight.