The Rule of Cormac mac Culendáin

1. Lasting, low-voiced congregation, happy the hour if I could learn (it). The high knowledge feeds me, the melodius song of the believers.

2. Let us sing the song which the ancients have sung, the course (?) which they have sounded forth. Would that I could expel from my flesh what they have expelled.

3. A grateful gift is speech without boasting, to be ever at the will of the King. Humility to fitting folk would be no folly, no disadvantage.

4. Due celebration wit patience, it is the ornament of every great work, we praise it. Silence when it is necessary. Eyelids towards heaven under...

5. Stepping with dignity past kings. Renunciation of wine and flesh. Pure choice of a fair glorious grade, a humble, learned confessor.

6. Order of confession; perpetual sorrow; walking with knowledge; little sound. Rule fair-wonderous, pure; not to be at hateful lying.

7. 'Tis no evil heresy, 'tis no peradventure: God's love demands His fear. A walking without wicked pride from the Devil; not to be one hour in arrogance.

8. Patience, purity, with holiness; a putting away of hypocrisy with perversity. A holy dinner without repletion, without a full meal (?); a small fair ration; being a-fasting.

9. Fasting when it is proper; the excellent restraint which it brings (?) Solution (of questions) in time of faith deserves taht there come not heresey.

10. A load of devotion with gentleness, pure... without sorrow. The mind towards bright eternal heaven. The selling of darkness for light.

11. An emaciated, miserable body. Study with a well-spoken old man. Intentness on (?) conversing with the Canon. Forgetfulness of the wretched paltry world.

12. A protection of the soul, an approach to heaven, a wonderful power, a fostering of purity, is the food which is after extinction of desire, Christ's body with the blood of Mary's Son.

13. White rainment after the fashion of an elder, shound food... I deem enough form my ...King at the completion of earthly life.

14. Let it be a deed of wisdom without danger. Let us escape from folly, from destruction...


SOURCE

Strachan, John. "Cormac's Rule." Eriu. vol. II. London: David Nutt, 1905.


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