The good abbot said that he felt that harm, rather than good, would ensue from keeping the monk a member of the monastery.
"He infects the lay brothers, with his talk," he said.

"He is a good instructor in arms, but he teaches not as one who feels that it is a dire necessity to carry arms, but as one who delights in it.

Moreover, he causes scandals by his drinking bouts, and does not add to the harmony of the place.

At a time like this, when the Scots may, at any moment, fall across the border, such a fellow may do good service to his country; and it is surely better that a man should be a good soldier, than that he should be a bad monk.

Therefore I will let him go, my lord; but keep him away from here.