On Permission to Go Outside and Other Things

When someone intends to go outside the abbey, he must seek permission from the abbot, if the latter is present; when one has received permission from the prior, if the abbot comes across him, the brother ought to seek permission from him. If someone needs to do something differently from the way the common regulations go, the abbot, at his discretion, may relax the strictness of the common regulations for a reasonable cause, and if this is to last for a long period of time, the brother ought to give notice of this in the presence of all and ask for the compassion of the abbot. Let the prelates beware of granting suspect permissions, and they are not to permit juniors to go anywhere without seniors. If anyone has permission to go outside, the steward shall furnish him with the things needed for the road. If someone wishes to seek mercy for some great thing, or to be excused from his service, he ought to give notice of this to the abbot before the chapter. Then, if the abbot has granted [permission], coming in chapter in the presence of all he shall prostrate himself, and the issue should be revealed and pardoned there. During the time of silence, permission to go outside should not be given easily. If someone is called from the choir by someone outside, he should not require permission to leave for just one word. If he has to speak longer, let him receive permission.

DE LICENTIIS EGREDIENDI ET ALIARVM RERVM.

Quando aliquis extra abbatiam egressurus est, licentiam ab abbate petat, si praesens fuerit ; quando aliquis licentiam a priore accipit, si occurrerit abbas, licentiam ab eo debet petere. Siquis habuerit aliud necesse facere quam communis institutio habet, potest abbas ad tempus rigorem communis institutionis secretius de causa rationabili relaxare, et si hoc diutius necesse est durare, debet frater coram omnibus indicare et ab eo misericordiam quaerere. Caueant praelati ne licentias suspectas tribuant, nec iuniores sine maturioribus quoquam ire permittant. Si aliquis licentiam exeundi habet, necessaria uiae praepositus ei prouideat. Si aliquis uult de aliqua grandi re misericordiam quaerere, uel ab officio suo absolui, ante capitulum debet abbati indicare. Postea si abbas concesserit, in capitulo coram omnibus ueniens se prosternat, et hic debet promoueri et relaxari. In hora silentii non detur facile licentia exeundi. Si aliquis a choro uocetur ab aliquo exterius, non oportet licentiam accipere propter unum uerbum. Si diu oporteat loqui, licentiam accipiat.