169 And when he rode men might his bridle hear 170 A-jingling in the whistling wind as clear, 171 Aye,and as loud as does the chapel bell 172 Where this brave monk was of the cell. 173 The rule of Maurus or Saint Benedict, 174 By reason it was old and somewhat strict. 175 This said monk let such old things slowly pace 176 And followed new-world manners in their place 177 He cared not for that text a clean-plucked hen 178 Which holds that hunters are not holy men; 179 Nor that a monk,when he is cloisterless, 180 Is like unto a fish that's waterless; 181 That is to say,a monk out of his cloister. 182 But this same text he held not worth an oyster; 183 And I said his opinion was right good. 184 What?Should he study as a madman would 185 Upon a book in cloister cell?Or yet 186 Go labour with his hands and swink and sweat, 187 As Austin bids?How shall the world be served? 188 Let Austin have his toil to him reserved 189 Therefore he was a rider day and night; 190 Greyhounds he had,as swift as bird in flight. 191 Since riding and the hunting of the hare 192 Were all his love,for no cost would he spare. 193 I saw his sleeves were purfled at the hand 194 With fur of grey,the finest in the land; 195 Also.to fasten hood beneath his chin. 196 He had of good wrought gold a curious pin: 197 A love-knot in the larger end there was. 198 His head was bald and shone like any glass, 199 And smooth as one anointed was his face. 200 Fat was this lord,he stood in goodly case. 201 His bulging eyes he rolled about,and hot 202 They gleamed and red,like fire beneath a pot, 203 His boots were soft;his horse of great estate. 204 Now certainly he was a fine prelate: 205 He was not pale as some poor wasted ghost. 206 A fat swan loved he best of any roast. 207 His palfrey was as brown as is a berry.5 169 And when he rode men might his bridle hear 170 A-jingling in the whistling wind as clear, 171 Aye, and as loud as does the chapel bell 172 Where this brave monk was of the cell. 173 The rule of Maurus or Saint Benedict, 174 By reason it was old and somewhat strict, 175 This said monk let such old things slowly pace 176 And followed new-world manners in their place. 177 He cared not for that text a clean-plucked hen 178 Which holds that hunters are not holy men; 179 Nor that a monk, when he is cloisterless, 180 Is like unto a fish that's waterless; 181 That is to say, a monk out of his cloister. 182 But this same text he held not worth an oyster; 183 And I said his opinion was right good. 184 What? Should he study as a madman would 185 Upon a book in cloister cell? Or yet 186 Go labour with his hands and swink and sweat, 187 As Austin bids? How shall the world be served? 188 Let Austin have his toil to him reserved. 189 Therefore he was a rider day and night; 190 Greyhounds he had, as swift as bird in flight. 191 Since riding and the hunting of the hare 192 Were all his love, for no cost would he spare. 193 I saw his sleeves were purfled at the hand 194 With fur of grey, the finest in the land; 195 Also, to fasten hood beneath his chin, 196 He had of good wrought gold a curious pin: 197 A love-knot in the larger end there was. 198 His head was bald and shone like any glass, 199 And smooth as one anointed was his face. 200 Fat was this lord, he stood in goodly case. 201 His bulging eyes he rolled about, and hot 202 They gleamed and red, like fire beneath a pot; 203 His boots were soft; his horse of great estate. 204 Now certainly he was a fine prelate: 205 He was not pale as some poor wasted ghost. 206 A fat swan loved he best of any roast. 207 His palfrey was as brown as is a berry