Solemn interdictions and rigorous rules were not wanting, bowing down heads which ever rose again. To become a hermit a man must be resolved on an exemplary life of poverty and privations, and, that imposture should be impossible, he must have episcopal sanction, that is, possess “testimonial letters from the ordinary.”[168] These {145} rules were broken, however, without scruple. Inside his dwelling the not very devout creature in hermit’s garb could lead a quiet, easy life, and it was so hard elsewhere! The charity of passers-by was enough for him to live upon, especially if he was not harassed by an over-exacting conscience and knew how to beg; no labour, no pressing obligation, the bishop was distant and the alehouse near. All these reasons caused a never-ending growth of the mischievous species of false hermits who only took the habit to live by it, without asking any permit from any one. In the statutes they were bracketed with beggars, wandering labourers, and vagabonds of all kinds, pell mell, to be imprisoned awaiting judgment. There was exception only for “approved” hermits: “Except men of religion and approved hermits having letters testimonial from the ordinary.” A statute like this is enough to show that Langland did not exaggerate; his verse is but a commentary on the law. The author of the “Visions” is impartial and does justice to sincere anchorites: true Christians resemble them.[169] But what are these false saints who have pitched their tent by the side of the highroads or even in the towns, at the door of the alehouse, who beg under the church porches, who eat and drink plentifully, and leisurely pass the evenings warming themselves? “Ac eremites that en-habiten · by the heye weyes, And in borwes a-mong brewesters · and beggen in churches.”[170] What is that man who rests and roasts himself by the hot coals, and when he has drunk his fill has nothing to do but go to bed? {146} “lewede eremytes, That loken ful louheliche · to lacchen[171] mennes almesse, In hope to sitten at even · by the hote coles, Unlouke hus legges abrod · other lygge at hus ese, Reste hym and roste hym · and his ryg (back) turne, Drynke drue and deepe · and drawe hym thanne to bedde; And when hym lyketh and lust · hus leve ys to aryse; When he ys rysen, rometh out · and ryght wel aspieth Whar he may rathest have a repast · other a rounde of bacon, Sulver other sode mete · and som tyme bothe, A loof other half a loof · other a lompe of chese; And carieth it hom to hus cote · and cast hym to lyve In ydelnesse and in ese.”[172]