FOR THE CELE DE (CULDU), OR THE REGULAR CLERIC.
86. If we be serving the priestly office,
It is a high calling;
We frequent the holy church
At [canonical] hours perpetually.
87. When we hear the bell—
The practice is indispensable—
We raise our hearts quickly up,
We cast our faces down;
88. We say a Pater and a Gloria,
That we meet no curse;
We consecrate our breasts and our faces
With the sign of the Cross of Christ.
89. When we reach the church
We kneel three times;
We bend not the knee in [worldly] service
In the Sundays of the living God.
90. We celebrate, we instruct,
Without work, without sorrow;
Illustrious the man whom we address,
The Lord of the cloudy Heavens.
91. We keep vigils, we read prayers,
Every one according to his strength;
According to your time, you contemplate
The Glory until the third hour.
92. Let each order proceed as becomes it,
According as propriety shall dictate;
As to each it is appointed,
From the third hour to noon.
93. The men of holy orders at prayers,
To celebrate Mass with propriety;
The students to instruction,
Accordingly as their strength permits;
94. The youngsters to attendance,
Accordingly as their clothes will allow;
For a lawful prey to the devil is
Every body which does nothing.
95. Occupation to the illiterate persons,
As a worthy priest shall direct;
Works of wisdom in their mouths,
Works of ignorance in their hands.
96. The celebration of every [canonical] hour
With each order we perform;
Three genuflexions before celebration,
Three more after it.
97. Silence and fervour,
Tranquillity without grief,
Without murmur, without contention,
Is due of every one.