Rite Of Examination (Part 1)

It is almost the second hour after dawn. The Assembly is over and the throng of students is dispersed in this the last week of the month of June. The senior candidates receive the blessing of the principes.

Principes: For agility of mind and fluency of pen; for clarity of purpose and of thought; we ask these things.

Candidates: Yes, we ask these things.

Candidates proceed to the Great Hall.

Lictor Invigilis: Lasciate ogni speranza voi ch'entrate. It is traditional to ask of you to abandon all hope who enter here. For only fact and argument will withstand the dread day of judgement. Therefore leave behind all material things save such as will avail you in the time of testing. Be silent now.

Candidates make obeisance and take their seats, leaving their belongings at the edges of the Hall.

Praetor: O lente, lente, currite noctis equi! The hour is come, and the unexamined life is not worth living. Therefore search yourselves that you might not be found wanting or impure of thought or purpose. When I command that you begin, you shall begin; when I command you to cease, you shall cease and desist. Thus will you be examined, and stand the test.

Candidates search their own persons in silence and confess their sins of omission or commission, so that they will not be held accountable by the lictors for possession of illicit materials.

Praetor: You have been searched and you are clean. It is the second hour after dawn. You may begin.