OF THE ORDER OF REFECTION, AND OF THE REFECTORY.
98. The Rule of the Refectory after this,
It is no injury to it to mention it;
It is for the abbot of proper orders
To judge each according to his rank.
99. The question of the refectory at all times,
Thus is it permitted:
An ample meal to the workmen,
In whatever place they be.
100. Tenderness to the seniors
Who cannot come to their meals,
Whatever be their condition,
That they come not to neglect.
101. Different is the condition of every one;
Different is the nature of every wickedness;
Different the law in which is found
The adding to a meal.
102. Sunday requires to be honoured,
Because of the King who freed it;
The feast of an apostle, noble martyr,
And the feasts of the saints,
103. Be without vigil, with increased meals.
A tranquil, easy life
From the night of great Christmas
Till after the Christmas of the Star.[2]
104. The festivals of the King of truth,
In whatever season they happen,
To honour them is proper,
To glorify them is right.
105. The fast of Lent was fasted by Christ
In the desert within;
The same as if it were your last day, you eat not
The meal of every day in it.
106. To fast upon Sunday I order not,
Because of the benignant Lord;
In the enumeration of the tenth,[3]
Nor of the year, it is not.
107. Joy, glory, reverence,
In great and glorious Easter,
The same as Easter every day,
Until Pentecost, is proper,
108. Without fasting, without heavy labour,
Without great vigils;
In figure of the glorious salvation
Which we shall receive yonder.
109. The feast of an apostle and martyr
In the time of the great Lent;
In figure of the righteousness
Which we shall receive yonder.
110. The two fast days of the week
Are to be observed by a proper fast,
Accordingly as the time occurs,
By him who has the strength.
111. Summer Lent or Winter Lent,[4]
Which are bitter of practice,
It is the laity that are bound to keep these,
Who do not do so perpetually.
112. For as regards the ecclesiastics,
Who abide in propriety,
It is certain that of Lent and fasting
All seasons are to them.[5]
113. The meritorious fast is,
And the abstinence so bright,
From noon to noon—no false assertion;
From remote times so it has been done.
114. A tredan [three days' total fast] every quarter to those
Who fast not every month,
Is required in the great territories
In which is the Faith of Christ.
115. From the festival of the birth of John
Till Easter, happy the combat,
It is from vesper time to vesper time
It is proper to go to table.
116. From Easter again to John's feast,
It is from noon to noon;
It is at evening of alternate days
That comfort is allowed them.
117. When the little bell is rung,
Of the refectory, which is not mean,
The brethren who hear it
Come all of them at its call;
118. Without running, without stopping,
Without passing proper bounds;
Every man separately—it is no sad assertion
Receives the punishment [of the board?]
119. Then they go into the house,
And shed tears with fervour;
They repeat a Pater for rest in God;
They stoop down three times.
120. They then sit at the table,
They bless the meal,
Allelujah is sung, the bell is rung,
Benediction is pronounced.
121. A senior responds in the house,
He says: God bless you;
They eat food, and drink,
They return thanks after that.
122. If there be anything more choice
Which one should thirst for,
Let it be given in private
To a senior by himself.
123. Let relief be given, if requisite,
To those [penitents] who have devoutly fasted;
Let them be deprived, if not requisite,
Until they have done penance—the men.
124. After this, each man to his chamber,
Without murmur, without anger,
To reading, to prayers,
To sighing unto his King;
125. To go afterwards to vespers,
To celebrate them gracefully;
To retire afterwards to rest
In the place which he occupies;
126. To bless the house
Entirely upon all sides;
To attend the canonical hours,[6]
Without delay, without fail;
127. To pray God for every one
Who serves the Church of God,
And for every Christian
Who has come upon the earthly world.