[The learned O'Curry, in his eighteenth lecture on the MSS.
materials of Irish History, when enumerating the Ecclesiastical
manuscripts, gives the second place to the ancient monastic rules.
He says (page 373-4):
"The second class of these religious remains consists of the
Ecclesiastical and MONASTIC RULES. Of these we have ancient copies
of eight in Dublin; of which six are in verse, and two in prose;
seven in vellum MSS., and one on paper.
"Of the authenticity of these ancient pieces there can be no
reasonable doubt; the language, the style, and the matter, are
quite in accordance with the times of the authors. It is hardly
necessary to say that they all recite and inculcate the precise
doctrines and discipline of the Catholic Church in Erinn, even as
it is at this day.
"It would, as you must at once see, be quite inconsistent with the
plan of these introductory Lectures to enter into details of
compositions of this kind; and I shall therefore content myself by
placing before you a simple list of them in the chronological order
of their authors, and with a very few observations on their
character by way of explanation.
"The fifth in chronological order is the Rule of St. _Carthach_,
who was familiarly called _Mochuda_. He was the founder of the
ancient ecclesiastical city of _Raithin_ [near Tullamore, in the
present King's County], and of the famous city of _Lis Mor_
[Lismore, in the present county of Waterford]; he died at the
latter place on the 14th day of May, in the year 636.
"This is a poem of 580 lines, divided into sections, each addressed
to a different object or person. The first division consists of
eight stanzas or 32 lines, inculcating the love of God and our
neighbour, and the strict observance of the commandments of God,
which are set out generally both in word and in spirit. The second
section consists of nine stanzas, or 36 lines, on the office and
duties of a bishop. The third section consists of twenty stanzas,
or 80 lines, on the office and duties of the abbot of a church. The
fourth section consists of seven stanzas, or 28 lines, on the
office and duties of a priest. The fifth section consists of
twenty-two stanzas, or 88 lines, minutely describing the office and
duties of a father confessor, as well in his general character of
an ordinary priest, as in his particular relation to his penitents.
The sixth section consists of nineteen stanzas, or 76 lines, on the
life and duties of a monk. The seventh section consists of twelve
stanzas, or 48 lines, on the life and duties of the _Celidhe De_,
or Culdees. The eighth section consists of thirty stanzas, or 120
lines, on the rule and order of the refectory, prayers, ablutions,
vespers, and the feasts and fasts of the year. The ninth and last
section consists of nineteen stanzas, or 76 lines, on the duties of
the kingly office, and the evil consequences that result to king
and people from their neglect or unfaithful discharge".
Among the manuscripts of Professor O'Curry in the Catholic
University, there are two lives of the holy author of this rule.
One of these lives is in Irish; the other a translation from the
Irish.
We publish to-day about one-half of the "Rule", the remainder, with
any notes deemed necessary for its elucidation, shall appear in our
next number.]
_"Incipit the Regulum (sic) of (St.) Mochuda, Preaching the Commandments
to Every Person"._
1. This is the way to come to the kingdom of the Lord,
Jesus, the all-powerful!
That God be loved by every soul,
Both in heart and in deed.
2. To love him with all your strength,
It is not difficult if you be prudent;
The love of your neighbour along with that,
The same as you love yourself.
3. Thou shalt not adore idols,
Because of the great Lord;
Thou shalt not offend thy Creator
By improper pride.
4. Give honour unto thy parents,
Give submission to the king,
And to every one who is higher
And who is older in life.
5. Give honour unto the Abbot,
The Son of Mary never-failing;
Thou shalt not steal, thou shalt not conceal,
Thou shalt not kill any one.
6. Thou shalt not be covetous of the world,
Nor of ill-gotten gain;
Thou shalt not bear false evidence against any one,
Thou shalt bring bitterness to none.
7. What thou wouldst desire from all men
For thyself, of every good,
Do thou that to every one,
That you may reach the kingdom.
8. What thou wouldst not desire for thyself
Of injury that is evil,
For no person shalt thou desire it
As long as thou art in the body.