THE KNIGHTS TEMPLARS
and ability have explained the hardships of the Order. And
he says that he wishes to be the slave and serf of the Order
and that in regard to all the things on which we have
questioned him he is free and unfettered and that nothing
prevents him from accepting the duties and responsibilities of
a brother, if it pleases God, you, and the brethren.'
" And the Master shall then say that if anyone knows any-
thing to the contrary it should be said now rather than after-
wards. And if no one speaks, then he must say, c Is it the
wish of all of you that, in God's name, he should be brought
before us?' And the brethren shall say, £ In God's name let
him be brought before us'. And then those who have
examined him (the recruit) must go back to him and say,
c Are you still of the same mind?' And if he says, i Yes ',
they must explain how he is to conduct himself before the
brotherhood 5 teach him how to act before the chapter, to kneel
beforethepresidingbrother and keep his hands folded, saying,
' Sir, I come before God, before you, and before the brethren,
and I pray you, for the love of God and our Lady Mary, to
let me share in the brotherhood and deeds of the Order j and
all the days of my life I shall be the servant and slave of the
Order'.
" And he who presides over the chapter shall say, c Dear
brother, you ask a great thing, for you see only the outward
trappings of the Order. You see only that we have good
horses and rich equipment and eat and drink well and have fine
clothing, and so you may imagine that life with us will be very
pleasant. But the hard regulations which govern the Order
are hidden from you. You who are your own master will
find it very difficult when you have to be the servant of others.
You will be unable to follow your own will. When you wish
to be in this country, you will be sent overseas, or if you wish
to be in Acre, you will be sent to Tripoli, or Antioch, or
Armenia, or you will be sent to Apulia, or Sicily, or
Lombardy, or France, or Burgundy, or England or some of