Son of the living God!--
A small hut in a lonesome spot,
To make it my abode;
A pleasant woodland all about
To shield it from the wind,
And make a home for singing birds
Before it and behind;
A lovely church, a home for God,
Bedecked with linen fine,
Where over the white Gospel page
The Gospel candles shine;
My share of clothing and of food
From the King of fairest face,
And I to sit at times alone,
And pray in every place.
- stanzas from a longer poem by St Manchan of Offaly, 5th-6th centuries AD