Paps

• paps: anipples or teats. The words "bosom"and "tittering" appear in the next few sentences.

Commentary

Saint Patrick and Napples from Ireland: A History, by Thomas Bartlett"

"Patrick discloses than when he sought to flee Ireland on the ship [after escaping slavery], he entered into terms with the sailors, but that he 'refused, for fear of god, to suck their nipples'. This startling remark – given matter of factly – has been a cause of some embarrassment to Patrician enthusiasts, but it has to be seen in the context of Patrick's detestation of 'cults or idols and abominations' which he had dedicated his life to overthrowing. What Patrick was doing was pointing to the prevalence of pagan practices – sucking nipples was a way to pledge loyalty – and in doing so he was making the obvious point that the Ireland in which he had been a slave was largely pagan."