OF MAKING KNOWN THE HOUR FOR THE WORK OF GOD.

LET the Abbot take care, both night and day, to signify the hour for the Work of God, either by announcing it himself, or by intrusting the duty of so doing to some watchful Brother, in order that all things may be done at their appointed times. But after the Abbot, let such as have been appointed, each in his own order, intone the psalms or antiphons. Let not any one presume to sing or read unless he have skill enough to do so, unto the edification of the hearers. Whomsoever the Abbot shall appoint to do this, let him do it with humility, gravity, and the fear of God.

28 Julii

DE OPERE MANUUM QUOTIDIANO.

28 Mar. OTIOSITAS inimica est animæ. Et ideo 27 Nov. certis temporibus occupari debent Fratres in labore manuum: certis iterum horis in lectione divina. Ideoque hac dispositione credimus utraque tempora ordinari; id est, ut a Pascha usque ad Kalendas Octobris mane exeuntes, a prima usque ad horam pene quartam laborent, quod necessarium fuerit. Ab hora autem quarta usque ad horam quasi sextain lectioni vacent.

Post Sextam autem surgentes a mensa, pausent in lectis suis cum omni silentio: aut forte qui voluerit sibi legere, sic legat, ut alium non inquietet. Agatur Nona temperius, mediante octava hora: et iterum, quod facien

IDLENESS is an enemy of the soul. Therefore the Brethren ought to be employed at certain times in labouring with their hands, and at other fixed times, in holy reading. Wherefore we think that both these occasions may be well ordered thus: From Easter till the first of October, let them, on going forth from Prime, labour at whatever they are required till about the fourth hour. From the fourth, till close upon the sixth hour, let them be employed in reading. On rising from table after the sixth hour, let them rest on their beds with all silence, or if perchance any one shall desire to read, let him read in such a way as not to disturb any one else.

Let None be said seasonably, at about the

Si

dum est, operentur usque ad vesperam. autem necessitas loci, aut paupertas exegerit, ut ad fruges colligendas per se occupentur, non contristentur; quia tunc vere Monachi sunt, si de labore manuum suarum vivunt, sicut et Patres nostri et Apostoli. Omnia tamen mensurate fiant propter pusillanimes.

29 Mar. 29 Julii

A Kalendis autem Octobris usque ad 28 Nov. caput Quadragesimæ, usque ad horam secundam plenam lectioni vacent hora secunda agatur Tertia; et usque ad Nonam omnes in opus suum laborent, quod eis injungitur. Facto autem primo signo nouæ horæ, disjungant se ab opere suo singuli, et sint parati, dum secundum signum pulsaverit. Post refectionem autem vacent lectionibus

suis, aut Psalmis. In Quadragesimæ vero diebus, a mane usque ad tertiam plenam, lectioni vacent, et usque ad decimam plenam operentur quod eis injungitur. In quibus diebus Quadragesimæ, accipiant omnes singulos codices de Bibliotheca, quos per ordinem ex integro legant: qui codices in capite Quadragesimæ dandi sunt. Ante omnia sane deputentur unus aut duo seniores, qui circumeant monasterium horis, quibus vacant Fratres lectioni, et videant, ne forte inveniatur

middle of the eighth hour, and after that let them work at what they have to do till the evening. If the situation of the place, or their poverty require them to labour in reaping their corn, let them not be saddened thereat, for then are they Monks in very deed, when they live by the labour of their hands, as our Fathers and the Apostles did before us. Yet let all things be done with moderation for the sake of the fainthearted.

From the first of October till the beginning of Lent, they shall be employed in reading till the second hour complete, when Tierce shall be celebrated, and from that till the ninth hour, let them labour at whatever work is enjoined them. At the first signal of the ninth hour, let them all leave off work, so as to be ready when the second signal is given. After their refection they shall be employed in reading spiritual books, or the psalms. But in Lent they must read from morning till the third hour complete, then let them work till the end of the tenth hour, at what is enjoined them. In these days of Lent, each one shall take a book from the Library, and read it all through in order. The books must be given at the beginning of Lent. Let one or two