The Irish Ecclesiastical Record, Volume 1, January 1865

Catholic Church -- Ireland -- Periodicals; Catholic Church -- Periodicals

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.


OF THE DUTIES OF A KING.

    128. If you be a king, be a just king,
           You shall ordain no injustice;
         Illustrious is the Man who has appointed you--
           The Lord of holy Heaven!

    129. You shall not be rash,
           You shall not be prosperous and fierce;
         You shall be watchful of the All Powerful,
           Who has given thee the rank.

Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.

The Irish Ecclesiastical Record, Volume 1, January 1865

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