This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1884 edition. Excerpt: ... tret de Moyne Neirs, Que volenters beyvent, pur veyrs, Of the Canons they have taken a point, which will agree well with the Order; for the Canons, for great pain eat in the refectory flesh three days in the week; so must our sisters and our brethren eat flesh in the refectory every day, except only Friday, and likewise Saturday. And if it so happen that there be a fast on the Saturday, and they have not plenty of fish, they may have leave to take what provisions are in the house; the Order will be none the worse for it, A point they have taken from the Black Monks, t that The regular Canons were a less strict order than the other monks in general, and followed the rule of St. Augustine. t The Benedictines. E sount cbeschun jour yvre, Quar ne sevent autre vivre; Mes il le fount pur compagnie, E ne mie pur glotonie. Auxi est il purveu Que chescun frere soit enbu, De jour en jour tot ades D evant manger e apres. E si il avenist ensi Qe a frere venist amy, Dount se deyvent ensorter Pur les freres solacer, Qui savera bien juer le seyr; Ce vus di-je de veir, Yl dormira grant matinee, Desque la male fumee Seit de la teste issue, Pur grant peril de la vewe. Des Chanoygnes Seculers, Qe dames servent volenters, they love drinking, forsooth, and are drunk every day, for they do not know any other way of living. But they do it for the sake of society, and not at all out of gluttony. Also it is provided, that each brother drink before dinner and after. And if it so happen that a friend visit a brother (for such must be at hand to solace the brethren) who shall know how to play in the evening; this I tell you for certain, he shall sleep late in the morning, until the evil fumes are issued from his head, for great danger of the sight. Of the Secular Canons, ..