most devout
service of God. And therefore let our detractors cease, who are as
blind men judging of colours; let not bats venture to speak of light;
and let not those who carry beams in their own eyes presume to pull the
mote out of their brother's eye. Let them cease to jeer with satirical
taunts at things of which they are ignorant, and to discuss hidden
things that are not revealed to the eyes of men; who perchance would
have praised and commended us, if we had spent our time in hunting,
dice-playing, or courting the smiles of ladies.

CHAPTER XIX

OF THE MANNER OF LENDING ALL OUR BOOKS TO STUDENTS

It has ever been difficult so to restrain men by the laws of rectitude,
that the astuteness of successors might not strive to transgress the
bounds of their predecessors, and to infringe established rules in
insolence of licence. Accordingly, with the advice of prudent men, we
have prescribed the manner in which we desire that the communication
and use of our books should be permitted for the benefit of students.

Imprimis, we give and grant all and singular the books, of which we
have made a special catalogue, in consideration of affection, to the
community of scholars living in ---- Hall at Oxford, as a perpetual
gift, for our soul and the souls of our parents, and also for the soul
of the most illustrious King Edward the Third from the Conquest, and of
the most pious Queen Philippa, his consort: to the intent that the same
books may be lent from time to time to all and singular the scholars
and masters of the said place, as well regular as secular, for the
advancement and use of study, in the manner immediately following, that
is to say:

Five of the scholars sojourning in the Hall aforesaid shall be
appointed by the Master thereof, who shall have the charge of all the
books, of which five persons three and not fewer may lend any book or
books for inspection and study; but for copying or transcribing we
direct that no book shall be allowed outside the walls of the house.
Therefore, when any scholar secular or religious, whom for this purpose
we regard with equal favour, shall seek to borrow any book, let the
keepers diligently consider if they have a duplicate of the said book,
and if so, let them lend him the book, taking such pledge as in their
judgment exceeds the value of the book delivered, and let a record be
made forthwith of the pledge and of the book lent, containing the names
of the persons delive