Patrick and the Serpent (St.). According to tradition, St.
Patrick cleared Ireland of its vermin; one old serpent resisted
him; but St. Patrick overcame it by cunning. He made a box, and
invited the serpent to enter it. The serpent objected, saying it
was too small; but St. Patrick insisted it was quite large
enough to be comfortable. After a long contention, the serpent
got in to prove it was too small, when St. Patrick slammed down
the lid, and threw the box into the sea. To complete this
wonderful tale, the legend says the waves of the sea are made by
the writhings of this serpent, and the noise of the sea is that
of the serpent imploring the saint to release it. Source:
Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894 More on
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