英语听力：探索发现 2012-08-08 爱尔兰的故事 Story Of Ireland—11

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Since the beginning of the fifth century, barbarian⁴ attacks on Roman had escalated⁵ and the legions were called from Britain to defend the eternal city. In the vacuum after the departure of the army, Irish raids on the British coast expanded. 

 

The expansion was driven by a lust⁶ for plunder⁷ and by trade. And one of the most lucrative⁸ markets of all was slavery. From harbours up and down the Irish coastline, slave-raiding boats set out to attack British settlements. But one of those raids would have consequences that the rough warriors⁹ on board could never have imagined. For amongst the thousands carried off was a Welshman who would become the most celebrated¹⁰ Irishman of all. 

 

The Saint Patrick we commemorate¹¹ each March 17th escaped from Ireland but returned after a vision in which the pagan Irish called him back to spread the Christian¹² faith. But much of what was taken to be the truth of his life was invented by others, like the 18th-century clergyman who claimed the shamrock was used by Patrick to explain the Holy Trinity. 

 

Patrick hovers¹³ between the pagan past and the Christine future. He is the man who vanquishes¹⁴ troubles and kings with magic spells, banishes¹⁵ the snakes from the face of Ireland. But what do we know of the real Patrick, beyond myth and symbol?

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