HEre begynnethe þe fyrst boke of curtasye.

[Fol. 12.] In this book you may learn Courtesy. Every one needs it.

Qwo so wylle of curtasy lere,

In this boke he may hit here!

Yf thow be gentylmon, ȝomon, or knaue,

4

The nedis nurture for to haue.

On reaching a Lord’s gate, give the Porter your weapon, and ask leave to go in.

Wheñ thou comes to a lordis ȝate,

The porter þou shalle fynde ther-ate;

Take hym thow shalt þy wepyn tho,

8

And aske hym leue in to go

¶ To speke with lorde, lady, squyer, or grome.

Ther-to the nedys to take the tome1;

If the master is of low degree, he will come to you: if of high, the Porter will take you to him.

For yf he be of loghe degre,

12

Than hym falles to come to the;

¶ Yf he be gentylmon of kyñ,

The porter wille lede the to hym.

At the Hall-door, take off your hood and gloves.

When thow come tho halle dor to,

16

Do of thy hode, thy gloues also;

greet the Steward, &c., at the dais,

¶ Yf þo halle be at the furst mete,

This lessoun loke thow noȝt for-ȝete:

greet the Steward, &c., at the dais,

Þe stuard, countroller, and tresurere,

20

Sittand at de deshe, þou haylse in fere.

bow to the Gentlemen on each side of the hall.

¶ Withiñ þe halle sett on ayther side,

Sitten other gentylmen as falles þat tyde;

Enclyne þe fayre to hom also,

both right 24

First to the ryȝht honde þou shalle go,

178 and left;

¶ Sitthen to þo left honde þy neghe þou cast;

To hom þou boghe withouten wrast2;

notice the yeomen, then stand before the screen

Take hede to ȝomon on þy ryght honde,

28

And sithen byfore the screne þou stonde

¶ In myddys þe halle opon þe flore,

till the Marshal or Usher leads you to the table.

Whille marshalle or vssher come fro þe dore,

And bydde the sitte, or to borde the lede.

HOW TO BEHAVE AT TABLE. Be sedate and courteous if you are set with the gentlemen. 32

Be stabulle of chere for menske3, y rede;

¶ Yf he þe sette at gentilmonnes borde,

Loke þou be hynde4 and lytulle of worde.

Cut your loaf in two, the top from the bottom;

Pare þy brede and kerue in two,

36

Tho ouer crust þo nether fro;

cut the top crust in 4, and the bottom in 3.

¶ In fowre þou kutt þo ouer dole,

Sett hom to-gedur as hit where hole;

cut the top crust in 4, and the bottom in 3.

Sithen kutt þo nether crust in thre,

40

And turne hit dowñ, lerne þis at me.

Put your trencher before you,

¶ And lay thy trenchour þe be-fore,

And sitt vp-ryȝht for any sore.

and don’t eat or drink till your Mess is brought from the kitchen, lest you be thought starved or a glutton.

Spare brede or wyne, drynke or ale,

44

To thy messe of kochyñ be sett in sale;

¶ Lest men sayne þou art hongur beteñ,

Or ellis a gloten þat alle men wyteñ,

Have your nails clean.

Loke þy naylys ben clene in blythe,

48

Lest þy felaghe lothe ther-wyth.

Don’t bite your bread,

¶ Byt not on thy brede and lay hit doun,—

That is no curteyse to vse in towñ;—

but break it.

But breke as myche as þou wylle ete,

52

The remelant to pore þou shalle lete.

Don’t quarrel at table,

¶ In peese þou ete, and euer eschewe

To flyte5 at borde; þat may þe rewe.

or make grimaces.

Yf þou make mawes6 on any wyse,

56

A velany þou kacches or euer þou rise.

179 [Fol. 13.]

¶ Let neuer þy cheke be Made to grete

Don’t cram your cheeks out with food like an ape,

With morselle of brede þat þou shalle ete;

An apys mow men sayne he makes,

60

Þat brede and flesshe in hys cheke bakes.

for if any one should speak to you, you can’t answer, but must wait.

¶ Yf any mañ speke þat tyme to the,

And þou schalle onsware, hit wille not be

But waloande, and a-byde þou most;

64

Þat is a schame for alle the host.

Don’t eat on both sides of your mouth.

¶ On bothe halfe þy mouthe, yf þat þou ete,

Mony a skorne shalle þou gete.

Don’t laugh with your mouth full,

Þou shalle not lauȝhe ne speke no þynge

68

Whille þi mouthe be fulle of mete or drynke;

or sup up your potage noisily.

¶ Ne suppe not with grete sowndynge

Noþer potage ne oþer þynge.

Don’t leave your spoon in the dish or on its side,

Let not þi spone stond in þy dysche,

72

Wheþer þou be serued with fleshe or fische;

¶ Ne lay hit not on thy dishe syde,

but clean your spoon.

But clense hit honestly with-outen pride.

Let no dirt off your fingers soil the cloth. [p. 27, bot.]

Loke no browynge on þy fyngur þore

76

Defoule þe clothe þe be-fore.

¶ In þi dysche yf þou wete þy brede,

Don’t put into the dish bread that you have once bitten.

Loke þer-of þat noȝt be lede

To cast agayne þy dysche in-to;

80

Þou art vn-hynde yf þou do so.

Dry your mouth before you drink.

¶ Drye þy mouthe ay wele and fynde

When þou schalle drynke oþer ale or wyne.

Don’t call for a dish once removed,

Ne calle þou noȝt a dysche a-ȝayne,

84

Þat ys take fro þe borde in playne;

or spit on the table:

¶ Ȝif þou sp[i]tt ouer the borde, or elles opoñ,

that’s rude.

Þou schalle be holden an vncurtayse mon;

Don’t scratch your dog.

Yf þy nowñ dogge þou scrape or clawe,

88

Þat is holden a vyse emong men knawe.

If you blow your nose,

¶ Yf þy nose þou clense, as may be-falle,

clean your hand; wipe it with your skirt or put it through your tippet.

Loke þy honde þou clense, as wythe-alle,

Priuely with skyrt do hit away,

92

Oþer ellis thurghe thi tepet þat is so gay.

180 HOW TO BEHAVE AT MEALS. Don’t pick your teeth at meals,

¶ Clense not thi tethe at mete sittande,

With knyfe ne stre, styk ne wande.

or drink with food in your mouth,

While þou holdes mete in mouthe, be war

96

To drynke, þat is an-honest7 char,

¶ And also fysike for-bedes hit,

as you may get choked,

And sais þou may be choket at þat byt;

or killed, by its stopping your wind.

Yf hit go þy wrang throte into,

100

And stoppe þy wynde, þou art fordo.

Tell no tale to harm or shame your companions.

¶ Ne telle þou neuer at borde no tale

To harme or shame þy felawe in sale;

For if he then withholde his methe8,

104

Eftsons he wylle forcast þi dethe.

¶ Where-sere þou sitt at mete in borde,

Don’t stroke the cat or dog.

Avoide þe cat at on bare worde

For yf þou stroke cat oþer dogge,

108

Þou art lyke an ape teyȝed with a clogge.

Don’t dirty the table cloth with your knife.

¶ Also eschewe, with-outen stryfe,

To foule þe borde clothe with þi knyfe;

Don’t blow on your food,

Ne blow not on þy drynke ne mete,

112

Neþer for colde, neþer for hete;

or put your knife in your mouth,

¶ With mete ne bere þy knyfe to mowthe,

Wheþer þou be sett be strong or couthe;

[Fol. 14.] or wipe your teeth or eyes with the table cloth.

Ne with þo borde clothe þi tethe þou wype,

116

Ne þy nyen þat rennen rede, as may betyde.

If you sit by a good man,

¶ Yf þou sitt by a ryȝht good mañ,

Þis lessoñ loke þou þenke apoñ:

don’t put your knee under his thigh.

Vndur his theȝghe þy kne not pit,

120

Þou ar fulle lewed yf þou dose hit.

Don’t hand your cup to any one with your back towards him.

¶ Ne bacwarde sittande gyf noȝt þy cupe,

Noþer to drynke, noþer to suppe;

Bidde þi frende take cuppe and drynke,

124

Þat is holden an-honest thyng.

Don’t lean on your elbow,

¶ Lene not on elbowe at þy mete,

Noþer for colde ne for hete;

181 or dip your thumb into your drink, or your food into the salt cellar:

Dip not þi thombe þy drynke into,

128

Þou art vncurtayse yf þou hit do;

¶ In salt saler yf þat þou pit

Oþer fisshe or flesshe þat men may wyt,

That is a vice.

Þat is a vyce, as men me telles,

132

And gret wonder hit most be elles.

Don’t spit in the basin you wash in

¶ After mete when þou shalt wasshe,

Spitt not in basyn, ne water þou dasshe;

or loosely (?) before a man of God.

Ne spit not lorely, for no kyn mede,

136

Be-fore no mon of god for drede.

¶ Who so euer despise þis lessoun ryȝt,

At borde to sitt he hase no myȝt.

Here endys now oure fyrst talkyng,

140

Crist graunt vs alle his dere blessyng!

¶ Here endithe þe [first] boke of curtasye.

---

HOW TO BEHAVE AT CHURCH, TO PARENTS, ETC.

THE SECOND BOOK.

If you go to school

YF that þou be a ȝong enfaunt,

And thenke þo scoles for to haunt,

you shall learn:

This lessoun schalle þy maistur þe merke,

1. Cross of Christ, 144

Croscrist8a þe spede in alle þi werke;

2. Pater Noster,

Sytthen þy pater noster he wille þe teche,

As cristes owne postles con preche;

3. Hail Mary and the Creed,

Aftur þy Aue maria and þi crede,

148

Þat shalle þe saue at dome of drede;

4. In the name of the Trinity,

¶ Theñ aftur to blesse þe with þe trinité,

In nomine patris teche he wille þe;

5. of the Apostles,

Þen with marke, mathew, luke, and Ion,

152

With þe þer crucis and the hegh name;

6. the Confession.

¶ To schryue þe in general þou schalle lere

Þy Confiteor and misereatur in fere.

182 Seek the kingdom of God, and

To seche þe kyngdam of god, my chylde,

156

Þerto y rede þou be not wylde.

worship Him.

¶ Ther-fore worschip god, bothe olde and ȝong,

To be in body and soule yliche stronge.

At church, take holy water;

When þou comes to þo chirche dore,

160

Take þe haly water stondand on flore;

pray for all Christian companions;

¶ Rede or synge or byd prayeris

To crist, for alle þy crysten ferys;

kneel to God on both knees,

Be curtayse to god, and knele doun

164

On bothe knees with grete deuocioun.

to man only on one.

¶ To mon þou shalle knele opon þe toñ,

Þe toþer to þy self þou halde aloñ.

At the Altar, serve the priest with both hands.

When þou ministers at þe heghe autere,

168

With bothe hondes þou serue þo prest in fere,

Þe ton to stabulle þe toþer

Lest þou fayle, my dere broþer.

Speak gently to your father and mother, and honour them.

¶ Anoþer curtayse y wylle þe teche,

[Fol. 15.] 172

Thy fadur And modur, with mylde speche,

In worschip and serue with alle þy myȝt,

Þat þou dwelle þe lengur in erthely lyȝt.

Do to others as you would they should do to you.

¶ To anoþer man do no more amys

176

Then þou woldys be doñ of hym and hys;

So crist þou pleses, and getes þe loue

Of meñ and god þat syttis aboue.

Don’t be foolishly meek.

¶ Be not to meke, but in mene þe holde,

180

For ellis a fole þou wylle be tolde.

The seed of the righteous shall

He þat to ryȝtwysnes wylle enclyne,

As holy wryȝt says vs wele and fyne,

never beg or be shamed.

His sede schalle neuer go seche hor brede,

184

Ne suffur of mon no shames dede.

Be ready forgive,

¶ To for-gyf þou shalle þe hast;

To veniaunce loke þou come on last;

and fond of peace.

Draw þe to pese with alle þy strengþe;

188

Fro stryf and bate draw þe on lengþe.

If you cannot give an asker goods,

¶ Yf mon aske þe good for goddys sake,

And þe wont thynge wher-of to take,

183 give him good words.

Gyf hym boner wordys on fayre manere,

192 semblaunt] MS. semblamt

With glad semblaunt and pure good cher.

Be willing to help every one.

¶ Also of seruice þou shalle be fre

To euery mon in hys degré.

Þou schalle neuer lose for to be kynde;

196

That on forȝetis, anoþer hase in mynde.

Give your partner his fair share.

¶ Yf Any man haue part with þe in gyft,

With hym þou make an euen skyft;

Let hit not henge in honde for glose,

200

Þou art vncurtayse yf þou hyt dose.

Go on the pilgrimages (?) you vow to saints,

¶ To sayntis yf þou þy gate hase hyȝt,

Thou schalle fulfylle hit with alle þy myȝt,

lest God take vengeance on you.

Lest god þe stryk with grete veniaunce,

204

And pyt þe in-to sore penaunce.

Don’t believe all who speak fair:

¶ Leue not alle men that speke þe fayre,

Wheþer þat hit ben comyns, burges, or mayre;

the Serpent spoke fair words (to Eve).

In swete wordis þe nedder was closet,

208

Disseyuaunt euer and mysloset;

Þer-fore þou art of adams blode,

Be cautious with your words, except when angry.

With wordis be ware, but þou be wode:

A schort worde is comynly sothe

212

Þat fyrst slydes fro monnes tothe.

Don’t lie, but keep your word.

¶ Loke lyȝer neuer þat þou be-come,

Kepe þys worde for alle and somme.

Don’t laugh too often,

Lawȝe not to of[t] for no solace,

216

For no kyn myrthe þat any man mase;

or you’ll be called a shrew or a fool.

Who lawes alle þat men may se,

A schrew or a fole hym semes to be.

Man’s 3 enemies are:

¶ Thre enmys in þys worlde þer are

220

Þat coueyteñ alle men to for-fare,—

the Devil, the Flesh, and the World.

The deuel, þe flesshe, þe worlde also,

That wyrkyn mankynde ful mykyl wo:

Destroy these, and be sure of heaven.

Yf þou may strye þes þre enmys,

224

Þou may be secur of heueñ blys.

THE RULE OF GOOD MANNERS. Don’t strive with your lord,

¶ Also, my chylde, a-gaynes þy lorde

Loke þou stryfe with no kyn worde,

184 or bet or play with him.

Ne waiour non with hym þou lay,

228

Ne at þe dyces with hym to play.

¶ Hym that þou knawes of gretter state,

[Fol. 16.]

Be not hys felaw in rest ne bate.

In a strange place

Ȝif þou be stad in strange contré,

don’t be too inquisitive or fussy. 232

Enserche no fyr þen falles to the,

Ne take no more to do on honde

Þen þou may hafe menske of alle in londe.

If a man falls, don’t laugh, but help him up:

¶ Ȝif þou se any mon fal by strete,

236

Laweghe not þer-at in drye ne wete,

But helpe hym vp with alle þy myȝt,

As seynt Ambrose þe teches ryȝt;

your own head may fall to your feet.

Þou that stondys so sure on sete,

240

Ware lest þy hede falle to þy fete.

At the Mass, if the priest doesn’t please you,

¶ My chylde, yf þou stonde at þo masse,

At vndur stondis bothe more and lasse,

Yf þo prest rede not at þy wylle,

don’t blame him. 244

Repreue hym noȝt, but holde þe stylle.

Don’t tell your secrets to a shrew.

¶ To any wyȝt þy counselle yf þou schewe,

Be war þat he be not a schrewe,

Lest he disclaundyr þe with tong

248

Amonge alle men, bothe olde and ȝong.

Don’t beckon, point, or whisper.

¶ Bekenyng, fynguryng, non þou vse,

And pryué rownyng loke þou refuse.

When you meet a man, greet him,

Yf þou mete knyȝt, ȝomon, or knaue,

252

Haylys hym a-non, “syre, god ȝou saue.”

or answer him cheerily if he greets you:

Yf he speke fyrst opon þe þore,

Onsware hym gladly with-outen more.

don’t be dumb,

¶ Go not forthe as a dombe freke,

256

Syn god hase laft the tonge to speke;

lest men say you have no mouth.

Lest meñ sey be sibbe or couthe,9

“Ȝond is a mon with-outen mouthe.”

Never speak improperly of women,

¶ Speke neuer vnhonestly of woman kynde,

260

Ne let hit neuer renne in þy mynde;

185

Þe boke hym calles a chorle of chere,

That vylany spekes be wemen sere:

for we and our fathers were all born of women.

For alle we ben of wymmen borñ,

264

And oure fadurs vs be-forne;

Þerfore hit is a vnhonest thyng

To speke of hem in any hethyng.10

A wife should honour and obey her husband,

¶ Also a wyfe be-falle of ryȝt

268

To worschyp hyr husbonde bothe day and nyȝt,

To his byddyng be obediente,

and serve him.

And hym to serue with-outen offence.

Try to reconcile brothers if they quarrel.

¶ Yf two brether be at debate,

272

Loke noþer þou forþer in hor hate,

But helpe to staunche hom of malice;

Þen þou art frende to bothe I-wys.

At a gate, let your equal precede you;

¶ Ȝif þou go with a-noþer at þo gate,

276

And ȝe be bothe of on astate,

Be curtasye and let hym haue þe way,

That is no vylanye, as men me say;

go behind your superior

And he be comen of gret kynraden,

280

Go no be-fore þawgh þou be beden;

and your master

And yf þat he þy maystur be,

Go not be-fore, for curtasé,

unless he bids you go beside him.

Noþer in fylde, wode, noþer launde,

284

Ne euen hym with, but he commaunde.

On a pilgrimage don’t be third man:

¶ Yf þou schalle on pilgrimage go,

Be not þe thryd felaw for wele ne wo;

[Fol. 17.] 3 oxen can’t draw a plough.

Thre oxen in plowgh may neuer wel drawe,

288

Noþer be craft, ryȝt, ne lawe.

Don’t drink all that’s in a cup offered you; take a little.

¶ Ȝif þou be profert to drynk of cup,

Drynke not al of, ne no way sup;

Drynk menskely and gyf agayne,

292

Þat is a curtasye, to speke in playne.

If you sleep with any man, ask what part of

¶ In bedde yf þou falle herberet to be,

With felawe, maystur, or her degré,

186 the bed he likes, and lie far from him.

Þou schalt enquere be curtasye

296

In what par[t] of þe bedde he wylle lye;

Be honest and lye þou fer hym fro,

Þou art not wyse but þou do so.

HOW TO BEHAVE. If you journey with any man, find out his name, who he is, where he is going.

¶ With woso men, boþe fer and negh,

300

The falle to go, loke þou be slegh

To aske his nome, and qweche he be,

Whidur he wille: kepe welle þes thre.

With friars on a pilgrimage, do as they do.

¶ With freres on pilgrimage yf þat þou go,

304

Þat þei wille ȝyme,11 wilne þou also;

Als on nyȝt þou take þy rest,

And byde þe day as tru mannes gest.

Don’t put up at a red (haired and faced) man or woman’s house.

¶ In no kyn house þat rede mon is,

308

Ne womon of þo same colour y-wys,

Take neuer þy Innes for no kyn nede,

For þose be folke þat ar to drede.

Answer opponents meekly,

¶ Yf any thurgh sturnes þe oppose,

312

Onswere hym mekely and make hym glose:

but don’t tell lies.

But glosand wordys þat falsed is,

Forsake, and alle that is omys.

Before your lord at table,

¶ Also yf þou haue a lorde,

316

And stondes by-fore hym at þe borde,

keep your hands, feet, and

While þat þou speke, kepe welle þy honde,

Thy fete also in pece let stonde,

¶ His curtasé nede he most breke,—

fingers still. 320

Stirraunt fyngurs toos when he shalle speke.

Be stabulle of chere and sumwhat lyȝt,

Don’t stare about, or at the wall,

Ne ouer alle wayue þou not thy syȝt;

¶ Gase not on walles with þy neghe12,

324

Fyr ne negh, logh ne heghe;

or lean against the post.

Let not þe post be-cum þy staf,

Lest þou be callet a dotet daf;

Don’t pick your nose,

Ne delf þou neuer nose thyrle

328

With thombe ne fyngur, as ȝong gyrle;

187 scratch your arm, or stoop your head.

¶ Rob not þy arme ne noȝt hit claw,

Ne bogh not doun þy hede to law;

Listen when you’re spoken to.

Whil any man spekes with grete besenes,

332

Herken his wordis with-outen distresse.

¶ By strete or way yf þou schalle go,

Fro þes two þynges þou kepe þe fro,

Never harm child or beast with evil eye (?)

Noþer to harme chylde ne best,

336

With castyng, turnyng west ne est;

Don’t blush when you’re chaffed,

Ne chaunge þou not in face coloure,

For lyghtnes of worde in halle ne boure;

or you’ll be accused of mischief.

Yf þy vysage chaunge for noȝt,

340

Men say ‘þe trespas þou hase wroȝght.’

Don’t make faces.

¶ By-fore þy lorde, ne mawes þou make

Ȝif þou wylle curtasie with þe take.

Wash before eating.

With hondes vnwasshen take neuer þy mete;

344

Fro alle þes vices loke þou þe kepe.

[Fol. 18.] Sit where the host tells you; avoid the highest place unless you’re told to take it.

¶ Loke þou sytt—and make no stryf—

est] Read ost

Where þo est commaundys, or ellis þo wyf.

Eschewe þe heȝest place with wyn,13

348

But þou be beden to sitt þer-in.

Of curtasie here endis þe secunde fyt,

To heuen crist mot oure saules flyt!

---

OF THE PORTER, AND MARSHAdv. OF THE HALL.

THE THIRD BOOK.

Of the Officers in Lords’ Courts.

¶ De officiarijs in curijs dominorum.

Now speke we wylle of officiers

352

Of court, and als of her mestiers.

Four bear rods; three wands:

Foure men þer beñ þat ȝerdis schalle bere,

1. Porter, the longest,

Porter, marshalle, stuarde, vsshere;

The porter schalle haue þe lengest wande,

2. Marshal, 356

The marshalle a schorter schalle haue in hande;

188 3. Usher, the shortest,

The vssher of chambur smallest schalle haue,

4. Steward, a staff, a finger thick, half a yard long.

The stuarde in honde schalle haue a stafe,

A fyngur gret, two wharters long,

360

To reule þe meñ of court ymong.

Of the Porter.

¶ De Ianitore.14

He keeps the Gate

¶ The porter falle to kepe þo ȝate,

and Stocks,

Þe stokkes with hym erly and late;

takes charge of misdoers

Ȝif any mañ hase in court mys-gayne,

364

To porter warde he schalle be tane,

Þer to a-byde þe lordes wylle,

till judged,

What he wille deme by ryȝtwys skylle.

also of clothes,

For wesselle clothes, þat noȝt be solde,

368

Þe po[r]ter hase þat warde in holde.

and warns strangers.

Of strangers also þat comen to court,

Þo porter schalle warne ser at a worde.

He is found in meat and drink.

Lyueray he hase of mete and drynke,

372

And settis with hym who so hym thynke.

On his lord’s removing,

When so euer þo lorde remewe schalle

To castelle til oþer as hit may falle,

he hires horses at 4d. a piece,

For cariage þe porter hors schalle hyre,

376

Foure pens a pece with-in þo schyre;

the statute price.

Be statut he schalle take þat on þe day.

Þat is þe kyngis crye in faye.

Of the Marshal of the Hall

¶ De Marescallo aule.15

spelle,] MS. spekle.

¶ Now of marschalle of halle wylle I spelle,

380

And what falle to hys offyce now wylle y telle;

189 He shall arrest rebels, when the steward is away. Yeoman-Usher and Groom are under him.

In absence of stuarde he shalle arest

Who so euer is rebelle in court or fest;

Ȝomon-vsshere, and grome also,

384

Vndur hym ar þes two:

The Groom gets fuel for the fire,

Þo grome for fuelle þat schalle brenne

In halle, chambur, to kechyn, as I þe kenne,

He shalle delyuer hit ilke a dele,

and makes one in Hall for every meal; 388

In halle make fyre at yche a mele

looks after tables, trestles, forms, the cup-board, and hangings of the Hall.

Borde, trestuls, and formes also,

Þe cupborde in his warde schalle go,

Þe dosurs cortines to henge in halle.

392

Þes offices nede do he schalle;

Fires last from Allsaints’ Day to Candlemas Eve, (Nov. 1 to Feb. 2.)

Bryng in fyre on alhalawgh day,

To condulmas euen, I dar welle say.

How long Squires shall have allowances, and Fire shall burn in the Hall.15a

¶ Per quantum tempus armigeri habebunt liberatam et ignis ardebit in aula.

and thus long, Squires receive their daily candle? (see l. 839.)

So longe squiers lyuerés shalle hafe,16

396

Of grome of halle, or ellis his knafe;

But fyre shalle brenne in halle at mete,

To Cena domini þat men base ete;

[Fol. 19.]

Þer browȝt schalle be a holyn kene,

400

Þat sett schalle be in erber grene,

And þat schalle be to alhalawgh day,

And of be skyfted, as y þe say.

The Marshal shall seat men in the Hall.

In halle marshalle alle men schalle sett

404

After here degré, with-outen lett.17

190 OF THE BUTLER AND PANTER. Of the Butler, Panter, and Cooks serving him.

¶ De pincernario, panetario, et cocis sibi seruientibus.

They are the Marshal’s servants.

¶ The botelar, pantrer, and cokes also,

To hym ar seruauntis with-outen mo;

He shall score up all messes served, and order bread and ale for men,

Þer-fore on his ȝerde skore shalle he20

408

Alle messys in halle þat seruet be,

Commaunde to sett bothe brede and ale

To alle men þat seruet ben in sale;

but wine for gentlemen.

¶ To gentilmen with wyne I-bake,

412

Ellis fayles þo seruice, y vnder-take;

Each mess shall be reckoned at 6d.

Iche messe at vj^d breue shalle he

At the countyng house with oþer mené;

and be scored up to prevent the cook’s cheating.

Yf þo koke wolde say þat were more,

416

Þat is þo cause þat he hase hit in skore.

Þe panter18 also yf he wolde stryfe,

For rewarde þat sett schalle be be-lyue.

If bread runs short, the Marshal orders more, ‘a reward.’

Wheñ brede faylys at borde aboute,

420

The marshalle gares sett with-outen doute

More brede, þat calde is a rewarde,

So shalle hit be preuet be-fore stuarde.

Of the Butler’s duties.

¶ De officio pincernarij.19

He shall put a pot and loaf to each mess.

¶ Botler shalle sett for yche a messe

424

A pot, a lofe, with-outen distresse;

He is the panter’s mate.

Botler, pantrer, felawes ar ay,

Reken hom to-gedur fulle wel y may.

The Marshal shall see to men’s lodging.

The marshalle shalle herber alle men in fere,

428

That ben of court of any mestere;

The Lord’s Chamber and Wardrobe are under the Usher of the Chamber.

Saue þe lordys chambur, þo wadrop to,

Þo vssher of chambur schalle tent þo two.

 

Of the Usher and Grooms of the Chamber.

¶ De hostiario et suis seruientibus.20

¶ Speke I wylle A lytulle qwyle

1. Usher, 432

Of vssher of chambur, with-outen gyle.

191 2. Yeoman-usher,

Þer is gentylmen, ȝomon-vssher also,

3. Two grooms and a Page.

Two gromes at þo lest, A page þer-to.

 

OF THE GROOMS AND USHER OF THE CHAMBER. The Duties of the Grooms of the Chamber.

¶ De Officio garcionum.21

They shall make palets of litter 9 ft. long, 7 broad,

¶ Gromes palettis shyn fyle and make litere,22

436

ix fote on lengthe with-out diswere;

vij fote y-wys hit shalle be brode,

watered, twisted, trodden, with wisps at foot and side, twisted and turned back; from the floor-level to the waist.

Wele watered, I-wrythen, be craft y-trode,

Wyspes drawen out at fete and syde,

440

Wele wrethyn and turnyd a-ȝayne þat tyde;

On legh vnsonken hit shalle be made,

To þo gurdylstode hegh on lengthe and brade.

For lords, 2 beds,

For lordys two beddys schalle be made,

outer and inner, 444

Bothe vtter and inner, so god me glade,

hung with hangings, hooks and eyes set on the binding; the valance hanging on a rod (?), four curtains reaching to the ground;

Þat henget shalle be with hole sylour,23

With crochettis24 and loupys sett on lyour;25

¶ Þo valance on fylour26 shalle henge with wyn,

448

iij curteyns streȝt drawen with-inne,

Þat reche schalle euen to grounde a-boute,

Noþer more, noþer lesse, with-outen doute;

these he takes up with a forked rod.

He strykes hom vp with forket wande,

452

And lappes vp fast a-boute þe lyft hande;

192

Þo knop vp turnes, and closes on ryȝt,

[Fol. 20.]

¶ As bolde by nek þat henges fulle lyȝt.

The counterpane is laid at the foot, cushions on the sides,

Þo counturpynt he lays on beddys fete,

456

Qwysshenes on sydes shyn lye fulle mete.

tapestry on the floor

Tapetis27 of spayne on flore by syde,

Þat sprad shyn be for pompe and pryde;

and sides of the room.

Þo chambur sydes ryȝt to þo dore,

460

He henges with tapetis þat ben fulle store;

The Groom gets fuel, and screens.

And fuel to chymné hym falle to gete,

And screnes in clof to y-saue þo hete 

The Groom keeps the table, trestles, and forms for dinner;

Fro þo lorde at mete when he is sett;

464

Borde, trestuls, and fourmes, with-outen let,

¶ Alle thes þynges kepe schalle he,

and water in a heater.

And water in chafer for laydyes fre;

He puts 3 wax-lights over the chimney,

iij perchers of wax þen shalle he fet,

468

A-boue þo chymné þat be sett

all in different syces.

In syce;28 ichoñ from oþer shalle be

Þe lenghthe of oþer þat men may se,28a

To brenne, to voide, þat dronkyn is,

472

Oþer ellis I wote he dose Amys.

The Usher of the Chamber walks about and sees that all is served right,

Þo vssher alle-way shalle sitt at dore

At mete, and walke schalle on þe flore,

To se þat alle be seruet on ryȝt,

476

Þat is his office be day and nyȝt,

orders the table to be set and removed,

And byd set borde when tyme schalle be,

And take hom vp when tyme ses he.

193 takes charge of the Wardrobe and Bedchamber, bids the Wardroper get all ready before the fire,

¶ The wardrop29 he herbers and eke of chambur

480

Ladyes with bedys of coralle and lambur,

Þo vsshere schalle bydde þo wardropere

Make redy for alle nyȝt be-fore þe fere;

nightgown,

Þen bryngis he forthe nyȝt goun also,

carpet, 2 cushions, 484

And spredys a tapet and qwysshens two,

a form with a

He layes hom þen opon a fourme,

footsheet over it;

And foteshete þer-on and hit returne.

on which the lord changes his gown.

¶ Þo lorde schalle skyft hys gowñ at nyȝt,

488

Syttand on foteshete tyl he be dyȝt.

The Usher orders what’s wanted from the Buttery:

Þen vssher gose to þo botré,

“Haue in for alle nyȝt, syr,” says he;

a link from the Chandler,

Fyrst to þe chaundeler he schalle go,

492

To take a tortes lyȝt hym fro;

and ale and wine.

¶ Bothe wyne and ale he tase indede,

Þo botler says, with-outen drede,

(No meat shall be assayed except for King, Prince, Duke or Heirs-apparent.)

No mete for mon schalle sayed30 be,

496

Bot for kynge or prynce or duke so fre;

For heiers of paraunce also y-wys,

Mete shalle be sayed, now thenkys on this.

From the Pantry the Usher takes fine and coarse bread,

Þen to pantré he hyȝes be-lyue,

500

¶ “Syrs, haue in with-outen stryffe;”

Manchet and chet31 bred he shalle take,

Þo pantere assayes þat hit be bake;

and a wax-light

A morter of wax ȝet wille he bryng,

504

Fro chambur, syr, with-out lesyng;

that burns all night in a basin.

Þat alle nyȝt brennes in bassyn clere,

To saue þo chambur on nyȝt for fyre.

(The Yeoman-Usher removes the torches.)

¶ Þen ȝomon of chambur shynne voyde with ryme,

508

The torches han holden wele þat tyme;

The Usher puts lights on the Bedroom door,

Tho chambur dore stekes þo vssher thenne,

With preket and tortes þat conne brenne;

194 brings bread and wine,

Fro cupborde he brynges bothe brede and wyne,

512

And fyrst assayes hit wele a[nd] fyne.

[Fol. 21.] (the lord washing first,)

But fyrst þe lorde shalle vasshe I-wys,

Fro þo fyr hous when he comen is;

offers the drink kneeling; puts his lord to bed,

Þen kneles þe vssher and gyfes hym drynke,

516

Brynges hym in bed where he shalle wynke;

In strong styd on palet he lay,

and then goes home himself. The Yeoman-Usher sleeps at the Lord’s door.

At home tase lefe and gose his way;

Ȝomon vssher be-fore þe dore,

520

In vttur chambur lies on þe flore.

 

OF THE STEWARD. Of the Steward.

¶ De seneschallo.32

¶ Now speke I wylle of þo stuarde als,

ar] MS. and Few are true, but many false. He, the clerk,

Few ar trew, but fele ar fals.

Þo clerke of kechyn, countrollour,

cook and surveyor 524

Stuarde, coke, and surueyour,

consult over their

Assenten in counselle, with-outen skorne,

Lord’s dinner.

How þo lorde schalle fare at mete þo morne.

Any dainty that can be had, the Steward buys.

Yf any deyntethe in countré be,

528

Þo stuarde schewes hit to þo lorde so fre,

And gares by hyt for any cost,

Hit were grete syn and hit were lost.

Before dishes are put on, the Steward enters first, then the Server.

Byfore þe cours þo stuarde comes þen,

532

Þe seruer hit next of alle kyn men

Mays way and stondes by syde,

Tyl alle be serued at þat tyde.

The Steward shall post into books all accounts written on tablets,

At countyng stuarde schalle ben,

536

Tylle alle be breuet of wax so grene,

Wrytten in-to bokes, with-out let,

Þat be-fore in tabuls hase ben sett,

Tyl countes also þer-on ben cast,

and add them up. 540

And somet vp holy at þo last.

195 Of the Controller.

¶ De contrarotulatore.33

He puts down the

¶ The Countrollour shalle wryte to hym,

Taunt resceu, no more I myn;

receipt and consumption of every day.

And taunt dispendu þat same day,

544

Vncountabulle he is, as y ȝou say.

Of the Surveyor.

¶ De superuisore.34

¶ Surueour and stuarde also,

He, the steward, and controller, receive nothing, but see that all goes straight.

Thes thre folke and no mo,

For noȝt resayuen bot euer sene

548

Þat noþyng fayle and alle be whene;

Þat þo clerke of kechyn schulde not mys,

The Controller checks daily the Clerk of the kitchen’s account.

Þer-fore þo countrollour, as hafe I blys,

Wrytes vp þo somme as euery day,

552

And helpes to count, as I ȝou say.

Of the Clerk of the Kitchen.

¶ De Clerico coquine.35

He shall keep account of all

¶ The clerke of þe cochyñ shalle alle þyng breue,

Of men of court, bothe lothe and leue,

purchases, and payments, and wages,

Of achatis and dispenses þen wrytes he,

556

And wages for gromes and ȝemen fre;

shall preside at the Dresser,

At dressour also he shalle stonde,

And fett forthe mete dresset with honde;

and keep the spices, stores, &c.,

Þe spicery and store with hym shalle dwelle,

560

And mony thynges als, as I noȝt telle,

and the clothes of the officers.

For clethyng of officers alle in fere,

Saue þe lorde hym self and ladys dere.

OF THE CHANCELLOR AND TREASURER. Of the Chancellor.

¶ De cancellario.36

He looks after the servants’ clothes, and horses,

¶ The chaunceler answeres for hor clothyng,

564

For ȝomen, faukeners, and hor horsyng,

196

For his wardrop and wages also;

[Fol. 22.] seals patents, and grants of land, &c., for life, or during the lord’s pleasure.

And asseles patentis mony and mo;

Yf þo lorde gyf oȝt to terme of lyf,

568

The chaunceler hit seles with-outen stryf;

þat] MS. þer

Tan come nos plerra men seyne, þat is quando nobis placet,

Þat is, whille vs lykes hym noȝt omys;

He oversees the land too, and is a great man.

Ouer-se hys londes þat alle be ryȝt:

572

On of þo grete he is of myȝt.

Of the Treasurer.

¶ De thesaurizario.37

¶ Now speke y wylle of tresurere,

Husbonde and houswyf he is in fere;

He takes from the Receiver what is collected from bailiff and grieve, courts and forfeits.

Of þe resayuer he shalle resayue,

576

Alle þat is gedurt of baylé and grayue,38

Of þe lordes courtes and forfetis als,

Wheþer þay ben ryȝt or þay ben fals.

He gives the Kitchen clerk money to buy provisions with, and the clerk gives some to the baker and butler.

To þo clerke of cochen he payes moné

580

For vetayle to bye opon þo countré:

The clerke to kater and pulter is,

To baker and butler bothe y-wys

Gyffys seluer to bye in alle thyng

584

Þat longes to here office, with-outen lesyng.

The Treasurer pays all wages.

Þe tresurer schalle gyfe alkyn wage,

To squyer, ȝomon, grome, or page.

He, the Receiver, Chancellor, Grieves, &c.,

Þo resayuer and þo tresurer,

588

Þo clerke of cochyn and chaunceler,

Grayuis, and baylys, and parker,

account once a year to the Auditor,

Schone come to acountes euery ȝere

By-fore þo auditour of þo lorde onone,

592

Þat schulde be trew as any stone;

from whom they can appeal to a Baron of the Exchequer.

Yf he dose hom no ryȝt lele,

To A baron of chekker þay mun hit pele.

197 Of the Receiver of Rents.

¶ De receptore firmarum.

¶ Of þe resayuer speke wylle I,

596

Þat fermys39 resayuys wytturly

He gives receipts,

Of grayuys, and hom aquetons makes,

and gets a fee of 6d.

Sex pons þer-fore to feys he takes,

He pays fees to park-keepers, and looks after castles and manor-houses.

And pays feys to parkers als I-wys,

600 loued] Or loned.

Þer-of at acountes he loued is,

And ouer-seys castels, maners a-boute,

Þat noȝt falle with-in ne with-oute.

Now let we þes officers be,

604

And telle we wylle of smaller mené.

Of the Avener.

¶ De Auenario.40

He shall give the horses in the stable

¶ Þe Aueyner schalle ordeyn prouande41 good won,

For þo lordys horsis euerychon;

two armsful of hay and a peck of oats, daily.

Þay schyn haue two cast42 of hay,

608

A pek of prouande on a day;

Euery horse schalle so muche haue,

At racke and manger þat standes with staue.

A Squire is Master of the Horse; under him are Avener and Farrier,

A maystur of horsys a squyer43 þer is,

612

Aueyner and ferour vndur hym I-wys;

Þose ȝomen þat olde sadels schyn haue,

Þat schyn be last for knyȝt and knaue,

(the Farrier has a halfpenny a day for every horse he shoes,)

For yche a hors þat ferroure44 schalle scho,

616

An halpeny on day he takes hym to;

198 and grooms and pages hired

Vndur ben gromes and pages mony one,

Þat ben at wage euerychone;

[Fol. 23.] at 2d. a day, or 3 halfpence,

Som at two pons on a day,

620

and som at iij ob., I ȝou say;

and footmen who run by ladies’ bridles.

Mony of hem fote-men þer ben,

Þat rennen by þe brydels of ladys shene.

OF THE BAKER AND HUNTSMAN. Of the Baker.

¶ De pistore.45

¶ Of þo baker now speke y wylle,

624

And wat longes his office vntylle;

Out of a London bushel he shall bake 20 loaves, fine and coarse.

Of a lunden buschelle he shalle bake

xx louys, I vndur-take;

brom] Read broun, brown.

Manchet and chet to make brom bred hard,

628

For chaundeler and grehoundes and huntes reward.

Of the Huntsman and his Hounds.

¶ De venatore et suis canibus.

He gets a halfpenny a day for every hound.

¶ A halpeny þo hunte takes on þe day

For euery hounde, þo sothe to say:

The Feuterer 2 lots of bread if he has 2 leash of Greyhounds, and a bone for each,

Þo vewter, two cast of brede he tase,

632

Two lesshe of grehoundes yf þat he hase;

To yche a bone, þat is to telle,

If I to ȝou þe sothe shalle spelle;

besides perquisites of skins, &c.

By-syde hys vantage þat may be-falle,

636

Of skynnes and oþer thynges with-alle,

Þat hunteres con telle better þan I,

Þer-fore I leue hit wytt[ur]ly.

199 Of the Ewerer or Water-bringer.

¶ De aquario.46

¶ And speke I wylle of oþer mystere

640

Þat falles to court, as ȝe mun here;

He has all the candles and cloths

An euwere in halle þere nedys to be,

And chandelew schalle haue and alle napere;

and gives water to every one.

He schalle gef water to gentilmen,

644

And als in alle ȝomen.

Who may wash his hands, and where.

¶ Qui debent manus lauare et in quorum domibus.

¶ In kynges court and dukes also,

Þer ȝomen schynne wasshe and no mo;—

In duke Ionys house a ȝoman þer was,

648

For his rewarde prayde suche a grace;

Þe duke gete graunt þer-of in londe,

Of þe kyng his fader, I vndudurstonde.—(so)

The bringer of Water

Wosoeuer gefes water in lordys chaunber,

652

In presens of lorde or leuedé dere,

shall kneel down.

He schalle knele downe opoñ his kne,

Ellys he forȝetes his curtasé;

The Ewerer shall cover the lord’s table with a double cloth, the lower with the selvage to the lord’s side; the upper cloth shall be laid double,

Þis euwer schalle hele his lordes borde,

656

With dowbulle napere at on bare worde:

The seluage to þo lordes syde with-inne,

And douñ schalle heng þat oþer may wynne;

Þo ouer nape schalle dowbulle be layde,

660

To þo vttur syde þe seluage brade;

the upper selvage turned back as if for a towel.

Þo ouer seluage he schalle replye,47

As towelle hit were fayrest in hye;

Browers48 he schalle cast þer-opon,

He shall put on cleaners for every one. 664

Þat þe lorde schulle clense his fyngers [on],

Þe leuedy and whoseuer syttes with-inne,

Alle browers schynne haue bothe more and myñ.

200 OF THE PANTER, THE LORD’S KNIVES, ETC. Of the Panter.

¶ De panetario.

He carries 3 loaves cut square for trenchers,

¶ Þenne comes þe pantere with loues thre,

668

Þat square are coruyn of trenchour fre,

To sett with-inne and oon with-oute,

and the covered Saltcellar,

And saller y-coueryd and sett in route;

[Fol. 24.]

With þo ouemast lofe hit shalle be sett,

672

With-oute forthe square, with-outen lett;

2 Carving-knives, and sets the 3rd, and a spoon to his lord.

Two keruyng knyfes with-oute one,

Þe thrydde to þo lorde, and als a spone.

Of the Lord’s Knives, (Bread, and Washing.)

¶ De Cultellis domini.

The hafts of 2 are laid outwards, that of the 3rd inwards, and the steel spoon by it.

¶ Of þo two þo haftes schynne outwarde be,

676

Of þe thrydd þe hafte inwarde lays he,

Þe spony stele þer by schalle be layde;

More trencher loaves are set, and wine served to the Duchess.

Moo loues of trenchirres at a brayde

He settes, and seruys euyr in fere

680

To duches his wyne þat is so dere.

2 Trencher-loaves, and salt, to the lord’s son; and 1 loaf and saltcellar set at the end of the table.

Two loues of trenchors and salt þo,

He settes be-fore his son also;

A lofe of trenchours and salt on last,

684

At bordes ende he settes in hast.

Then 3 loaves of white bread are brought, and 1 coarse loaf is put in the Alms-dish.

Þen brede he brynges, in towelle wrythyñ,

Thre lofys of þo wyte schalle be geuyñ;

A chet lofe to þo elmys dyshe,

688

Weþer he seruyd be with flesshe or fysche;

At aþer ende he castes a cope,

Layde dowñ on borde, þe endys plyed vp.

To assay bread, the Panter kneels, the Carver cuts him a slice,

That he assayes knelande on kne,

692

Þo keruer hym parys a schyuer so fre;

And touches þo louys yn quere a-boute,

and he eats it.

Þo pantere hit etys with-oute dowte;

The Ewerer strains water into his basins,

Þo euwere thurgh towelle syles49 clene

696

His water into þo bassynges shene;

on the upper one of which is a towel

Þo ouer bassyn þer-on schalle close,

A towelle þer-on, as I suppose,

201 folded dodgily.

Þat folden schalle be with fulle grete lore,

700

Two quarters on lenkethe and sumdele more;

Then the water is assayed in a cup of white wood.

A qwyte cuppe of tre þer-by shalle be,

Þer-with þo water assay schalle he;

Quelmes50 hit agayn by-fore alle men;

The Carver takes up the basins; a knight takes down the towel, and wipes the cup, into which the Carver pours water; 704

Þo keruer þe bassynges tase vp þenne;

Annaunciande squier, or ellis a knyȝt,

Þo towelle dowñ tase by fulle good ryȝt;

Þo cuppe he tase in honde also,

708

Þo keruer powres wat[er] þe cuppe into;

the knight hands it to him; he assays it, and empties the cup.

The knyȝt to þo keruer haldes anon,

He says hit ar he more schalle doñ;

Þo cuppe þen voyde is in þo flette,51

712

Þe euwer hit takes with-outen lette.

Two knights hold the towel before the lord’s sleeves,

The towelle two knyȝhtis schyn halde in fere,

Be-fore þe lordes sleues, þat ben so dere;

and hold the upper basin while the Carver pours water into the lower;

The ouer bassyn þay halde neuer þe queder,

716

Quylle þo keruer powre water in-to þe nedur.

For a pype þer is insyde so clene,

Þat water deuoydes, of seluer schene;

then he puts the lower into the upper, and empties both,

Þen settes he þe nethyr, I vnd[u]rstonde,

720

In þe ouer, and voydes with bothe is honde;

takes them to the Ewerer, returns to the lord’s table, lays 4 trenchers for him, with 1 above.

And brynges to þe euwer þer he come fro;

To þo lordys bordes aȝayn con go;

And layes iiij trenchours þo lorde be-fore,

724

Þe fyft aboue by good lore;

The Carver takes 3 to cut the lord’s messes on,

By hym self thre schalle he dresse,

[Fol. 25.]

To cut opon þe lordes messe;

and has a cloth round his neck to wipe his knives on.

Smale towelle a-boute his necke shalle bene,

728

To clens his knyfys þat ben so kene.

OF THE ALMONER AND DISH-SERVER. Of the Almoner.

¶ De Elemosinario.52

He says grace, sets down the Alms-dish,

¶ The aumenere by þis hathe sayde grace,

And þo almes dysshe hase sett in place;

202 and the Carver puts the first loaf in it.

Þer-in þe keruer a lofe schalle sette,

732

To serue god fyrst with-outen lette;

The other loaves he pares round,

Þese oþer lofes he parys a-boute,

Lays hit myd dysshe with-outen doute.

cuts one in two, and gives the upper half in halves to him.

Þe smalle lofe he cuttis euen in twynne,

736

Þo ouer dole in two lays to hym.

The Almoner has a staff in his hand.

The aumenere a rod schalle haue in honde,

As office for almes, y vndurstonde.

He keeps the broken food and wine left, for poor men at the gate,

Alle þe broken met he kepys y wate,

740

To dele to pore men at þe ȝate.

And drynke þat leues serued in halle;

Of ryche and pore bothe grete and smalle.

and is sworn to give it all to them.

He is sworne to ouer-se þe seruis wele,

744

And dele hit to þe pore euery dele;

He distributes silver as he rides.

Seluer he deles rydand by way;

And his almys dysshe, as I ȝou say,

To þe porest man þat he can fynde,

748

Oþer ellys I wot he is vnkynde.

Of the Sewer (or setter-on of Dishes).

¶ De ferculario.

¶ This wyle þo squyer to kechyn shalle go,

And brynges a bof for assay þo;

The Cook assays the meat before it’s dished.

Þo Coke assayes þe mete vngryȝt,

The Sewer puts the cover on it, 752

Þo sewer he takes and kouers on ryȝt;

Wo so euer he takes þat mete to bere,

and the cover must never be raised

Schalle not so hardy þo couertoure rere,

For colde ne hote, I warne ȝou alle,

for fear of treason. 756

For suspecyoñ of tresoun as may befalle.

(A Dodge: If the silver dish burns you,

Yf þo syluer dysshe wylle algate brenne,

A sotelté I wylle þe kenne,

put bits of bread under it.)

Take þe bredde coruyn and lay by-twene,

760

And kepe þe welle hit be not sene;

¶ I teche hit for no curtayse,

But for þyn ese.

The Sewer assays all the food:

When þe sewer comys vnto þe borde,

764

Alle þe mete he sayes at on bare worde,

203 potage with a piece of bread;

Þe potage fyrst with brede y-coruyn,

Couerys hom agayn lest þey ben storuyn;

fish or flesh, he eats a piece;

With fysshe or flessh yf [they] be serued,

768

A morselle þer-of shalle he be keruyd;

And touche þe messe ouer alle aboute,

Þo sewer hit etis with-outen doute.

baked meats hot, he lifts up the crust,

With baken mete yf he seruyd be þo,

772

Þo lydes vp-rered or he fyr go,

Þe past or pye he sayes with-inne,

and dips bread in the gravy;

Dippes bredde in graué no more ne mynne;

baked meats cold, he eats a bit.

Ȝif þe baken mete be colde, as may byfalle,

776

A gobet of þo self he sayes with-alle.

The meat-bearer stands or kneels as the Sewer does.

But þou þat berys mete in hande,

Yf þo sewer stonde, loke þou stande;

Yf he knele, knele þou so longe for oȝt,

[Fol. 26.] 780

¶ Tylle mete be sayde þat þou hase broght.

As oft at hegh borde yf brede be nede,

When bread is wanted, the Butler puts one loaf on the table, the other on the cupboard.

The butler two louys takys indede;

Þat on settes down, þat oþer agayn

784

He barys to cupborde in towelle playn.

The Butler assays all the wine.

As oft as þe keruer fettys drynke,

Þe butler assayes hit how good hym thynke;

What is left in the lord’s cup goes to the Alms-dish.

In þe lordys cupp þat leuys vndrynken,

788

Into þe almesdisshe hit schalle be sonken.

The keruer anon with-outen thouȝt,

OF THE CARVER, SURNAPE-LAYERS, AND CHANDLER. The Carver fills the empty cup,

Vnkouers þe cup þat he hase brouȝt;

Into þe couertoure wyn he powres owt,

792

Or in-to a spare pece, with-outen doute;

assays it, and gives it the lord or puts it down.

Assayes, an gefes þo lorde to drynke,

Or settes hit doun as hym goode thynke.

He carves the lord’s meat,

Þo keruer53 schalle kerue þo lordes mete,

204 796

Of what kyn pece þat he wylle ete;

and lays it on his trencher,

And on hys trenchour he hit layes,

On þys maner with-out displayes;

putting a piece of every thing in the Alms-dish,

In almesdysshe he layes yche dele,

800

Þat he is with serued at þo mele;

But he sende hit to ony strongere,

except any favourite piece or potage sent to a stranger.

A pese þat is hym leue and dere,

And send hys potage also,

804

Þat schalle not to þe almes go.

(To say more about the Carver would require another section, so I pass it over.)

Of keruer more, yf I shulde telle,

Anoþer fytt þenne most I spelle,

Ther-fore I let hit here ouer passe,

808

To make oure talkyng summedelasse.

After dinner the Sewer brings the Surnape, a broad towel and a narrow, and slides it down.

When þe lorde hase eten, þo sewer schalle bryng

Þo surnape on his schulder bryng,

A narew towelle, a brode be-syde,

812

And of hys hondes he lettes hit slyde;

The Usher takes one end of the broad one, the Almoner the other, and when it is laid, he folds the narrow towel double before his lord and lady.

Þe vssher ledes þat on hed ryȝt,

Þo aumener þo oþer away shalle dyȝt.

When þe vssher comys to þe borde ende,

816

Þo narow towelle he strecches vnkende;

Be-fore þo lorde and þe lady so dere,

Dowbelle he playes þo towelle þere;

After grace removes them,

Whenne þay haue wasshen and grace is sayde,

820

Away he takes at a brayde;

lays the table on the floor, and takes away the trestles.

Awoydes þo borde in-to þo flore,

Tase away þo trestis þat ben so store.

Of the Chandler.

¶ De candelario.54

¶ Now speke I wylle a lytulle whyle

824

Of þo chandeler, with-outen gyle,

205 He can make all kinds of candles, little and big,

Þat torches55 and tortes56 and preketes57 con make,

Perchours,58 smale condel, I vnder-take;

Of wax þese candels alle þat brennen,

and mortars of wax. 828

And morter of wax þat I wele kenne;

He snuffs them with short scissors.

Þo snof of hom dose a-way

With close sesours, as I ȝow say;

Þe sesours ben schort and rownde y-close,

832

With plate of irne vp-on bose.

In bed-chambers wax lights only shall be burnt;

In chambur no lyȝt þer shalle be brent,

Bot of wax þer-to, yf ȝe take tent;

[Fol. 27.] in hall, Candles of Paris,

In halle at soper schalle caldels (so) brenne

836

Of parys, þer-in þat alle men kenne;

each mess having one from Nov. 1 to Feb. 2 (see l. 393), and squires one too.

Iche messe a candelle fro alhalawghe day

To candelmesse, as I ȝou say;

Of candel liueray squiyers schalle haue,

840

So long, if hit is mon wille kraue.

The Butler shall give Squires their daily bread and ale all the year, and Knights their wine.

Of brede and ale also þo boteler

Schalle make lyueré thurgh-out þe ȝere

To squyers, and also wyn to knyȝt,

844

Or ellys he dose not his office ryȝt.

Here endys the thryd speche.

May Christ bring us to His dwelling-place. Amen!

Of alle oure synnes cryst be oure leche,

And bryng vs to his vonyng place!

848

Amen, sayes ȝe, for hys grete grace!

¶ Amen, par charite.

Serving at the table.

Stand straight vpright, and both thy feet

together closely standing,

Be sure on’t, ever let thine eye

4

be still at thy commanding.

Observe that nothing wanting be

which should be on the bord.

Silence

Vnlesse a question moved be,

8

be carefull: not a word.

Serving or filling drinke.

If thou doe give or fill the drinke,

with duty set it downe,

And take it backe with manlike cheere

12

not like a rusticke Lowne.

[p. 6.] If on an errand.

If on an errand thou be sent,

make haste and doe not stay,

When all have done, observe the time,

16

serve God and take away.

To schoole againe.

When thou hast done and dined well,

remember thou repaire

To schoole againe with carefulnesse,

20

be that thy cheefest care.

And marke what shall be read to thee,

or given thee to learne,

That apprehend as neere as may be,

24

wisdome so doth warne.

210

With stedfast eye and carefull eare,

remember every word

Thy Schoole master shall speake to thee,

28

as memory shall afford.

[p. 7.] To use the browes.

Let not thy browes be backward drawn,

it is a signe of pride,

Exalt them not, it shewes a hart

32

most arrogant beside.

The eyes.

Nor let thine eyes be gloting downe,

cast with a hanging looke:

For that to dreamers doth belong,

36

that goodnesse cannot brooke.

The forehead.

Let forehead joyfull be and full,

it shewes a merry part,

And cheerefulnesse in countenance,

40

and pleasantnesse of heart.

Countenance.

Nor wrinckled let thy countenance be,

still going to and fro:

For that belongs to hedge-hogs right,

44

they wallow even so.

[p. 8.] The nose.

Nor imitate with Socrates,

to wipe thy snivelled nose

Vpon thy cap, as he would doe,

48

nor yet upon thy clothes.

But keepe it cleane with handkerchiffe,

provided for the same,

Not with thy fingers or thy sleeve,

52

therein thou art too blame.

Blowing or breathing.

Blow not alowd as thou shalt stand,

for that is most absurd,

211

Iust like a broken winded horse.

56

it is to be abhord.

Snuffling in the nose when you speake.

Nor practize snufflngly to speake,

for that doth imitate

The brutish Storke and Elephant,

60

yea and the wralling cat.

[p. 9.] Neezing.

If thou of force doe chance to neeze,

then backewards turne away

From presence of the company,

64

wherein thou art to stay.

The Cheekes.

Thy cheekes with shamefac’t modesty,

dipt in Dame Natures die,

Not counterfet, nor puffed out,

68

observe it carefully.

Breathing.

Keepe close thy mouth, for why, thy breath

may hap to give offence,

And other worse may be repayd

72

for further recompence.

Lips.

Nor put thy lips out like a foole

as thou wouldst kisse a horse,

When thou before thy betters art,

76

and what is ten times worse,

[p. 10.] Yawning.

To gape in such unseemely sort,

with ugly gaping mouth,

Is like an image pictured

80

a blowing from the south.

Which to avoyd, then turne about,

and with a napkin hide

That gaping foule deformity,

84

when thou art so aside.

212 Laughing.

To laugh at all things thou shalt heare,

is neither good nor fit,

It shewes the property and forme

88

of one with little wit.

Biting the lip.

To bite the lip it seemeth base,

for why, to lay it open,

Most base dissembling doggednesse,

92

most sure it doth betoken.

[p. 1.] Biting the upper lip.

And so to bite the upper lip

doth most uncomely shew,

The lips set close (as like to kisse)

96

in manner seeme not so.

The tongue.

To put the tongue out wantonly,

and draw it in agen,

Betokens mocking of thy selfe,

100

in all the eyes of men,

Spitting.

If spitting chance to move thee so

thou canst it not forbeare,

Remember do it modestly,

104

consider who is there.

If filthiness, or ordure thou

upon the floore doe cast,

Tread out, and cleanse it with thy foot,

108

let that be done with haste.

[p. 12.] Hammering in speech.

If in thy tale thou hammering stand,

or coughing twixt thy words,

It doth betoken a liers smell,

112

that’s all that it affords.

Belching.

To belch or bulch like Clitipho,

whom Terence setteth forth,

213

Commendeth manners to be base,

116

most foule and nothing worth.

Vomiting.

If thou to vomit be constrain’d,

avoyd from company:

So shall it better be excus’d,

120

if not through gluttony.

Keeping the teeth cleane.

Keep white thy teeth, and wash thy mouth

with water pure and cleane,

And in that washing, mannerly

124

observe and keep a meane.

[p. 13.] Kembing the head.

Thy head let that be kembd and trimd,

let not thy haire be long,

It is unseemely to the eye,

128

rebuked by the tongue.

Hanging down the head

And be not like a slothfull wight,

delighted to hang downe

The head, and lift the shoulders up,

132

nor with thy browes to frowne.

Carriage of the body.

To carry up the body faire,

is decent, and doth shew

A comely grace in any one,

136

Where ever he doth goe.

Hanging the head aside.

To hang the head on any side,

doth shew hypocrisie:

And who shall use it trust him not,

140

he deales with policie.

[p. 14.] Privy members.

Let not thy privy members be

layd open to be view’d,

It is most shamefull and abhord,

144

detestable and rude.

214 Urine or winde.

Retaine not urine nor the winde,

which doth thy body vex,

So it be done with secresie,

148

let that not thee perplex.

Sitting.

And in thy sitting use a meane,

as may become thee well,

Not straddling, no nor tottering,

152

and dangling like a bell.

Curtesie.

Observe in Curtesie to take

a rule of decent kinde,

Bend not thy body too far foorth,

156

nor backe thy leg behind.

[p. 15.] The gate in going.

In going keep a decent gate,

not faining lame or broken,

For that doth seeme but wantonnesse,

160

and foolishnesse betoken.

Apparrell.

Let thy apparrell not exceede,

to passe for sumptuous cost,

Nor altogether be too base,

164

for so thy credit’s lost.

Be modest in thy wearing it,

and keep it neat and cleane,

For spotted, dirty, or the like,

168

is lothsome to be seene.

This for thy body may suffice,

how that must ordred be:

Now at the Church thou shalt observe

172

to God how all must be.

Vtter thy langage wyth good avisement;

Reule the by Reasoun in thy termoȝ alle;

Never mistrust or fail your friend.

Mystruste not thy frende for none accusement,

4

Fayle him neuer at nede, what so euer befalle;

Solace þi selfe when menn to sporte þee calle;

Don’t talk too much.

Largely to speke be wele ware for þat cause;

Rolle faste this reasoun & thynke wele on þis clause.

Spare your master’s goods as your own. 8

What mann þou seruyst, alle wey him drede;

His good as þyñ owne, euer þou spare.

Lette neuer þy wylle þy witt ouer lede,

But be glad of euery mannys welfare.

12

Folus lade polys; wisemenn ete þe fysshe;

Wisemenn hath in þer hondis ofte þat folys after wysshe.

A lawless youth, a despised old age.

Who so in youthe no vertu vsith,

In age alle honour him refusith.

220 16

Deame þee best in euery doute

Tyl þe trouthe be tryed oute.

A Gentleman says the best he can of every one.

It is þe properte of A gentilmann

To say the beste þat he cann.

20

Si vieȝ dolere tua crimina die miserere

Permiserere mei frangitur ira dei

[sign. A. ii.] First,

FIrst in the mornynge

when thou dost awake,

say this prayer:

To God for his grace

4

thy peticion then make;

This prayer folowynge

vse dayly to say,

Thy harte lyftynge vp;

8

Thus begyn to pray

¶ The mornynge prayer.

“O God!

“O God, from whom

al good gifts procede!

enable us to follow virtue.

To thee we repayre

12

in tyme of our nede,

That with thy grace

thou wouldst vs endue

Vertue to folowe

16

and vyce to exchue:

Heare this our request,

and graunt our desyre,

[sign. A. ii. b.]

O lorde! moste humbly

20

we do the requyre!

Defend us this day.

This day vs defende,

that we walkynge aryght

May do the thynge

24

acceptable in thy syght,

That as we in yeares

26

And body do growe,

Let us abound with virtues,

So in good vertues

28

we may lykewyse flowe

To thy honour,

and ioy of our parentes,

Learninge to lyue well,

32

and kepe thy commaundmentes;

flee from vice,

In flyinge from all

Vice, synne, and cryme,

Applyinge our bookes,

36

not losynge our tyme,

and go forward in good doing to our live’s end.”

May fructifye and go forwarde

here in good doynge

In this vale of miserie

40

vnto oure lyuees endynge,

[sign. A. iii.]

That after this lyfe

here transitory

We may attayne

44

to greater glory.”

Repeat the Lord’s Prayer night and morning.

The Lordes prayer then

se thou recyte,

So vsynge to do

48

at mornynge and nyght.

226 HOW TO RISE AND DRESS IN THE MORNING. How to wash and dress yourself.

¶ Howe to order thy selfe when thou rysest,
and in apparelynge thy body.
Capitulo .i.

Cato.

Flye euer slouthe

50

and ouer much slepe;

Don’t sleep too long.

In health the body

52

therby thou shalte kepe.

Muche slepe ingendereth

54

diseases and payne,

It dulles the the wyt

56

and hurteth the brayne.

[sign. A. iii. b.] Rise early;

Early in the mornynge

58

thy bed then forsake,

Thy rayment put on,

60

thy selfe redy make.

cast up your bed,

To cast vp thy bed

62

It shalbe thy parte,

Els may they say

64

that beastly thou art;

and don’t let it lie.

So to departe

66

and let the same lye,

It is not semynge

68

nor yet manerly.

Go down,

Downe from thy chamber

70

when thou shalte go,

salute your parents,

Thy parentes salute thou,

72

and the famely also;

wash your hands, comb your head,

Thy handes se thou washe,

74

and thy hed keame,

And of thy rayment

76

se torne be no seame;

[sign. A. iiii.] brush your cap and put it on.

Thy cappe fayre brusht,

78

thy hed couer than,

Takynge it of

80

In speakynge to any man.

Cato.

Cato doth councel thee

thyne elders to reuerence

Declarynge therby

84

thy dutye and obedience.

Tie on your shirt-collar,

Thy shyrte coler fast

86

to thy necke knyt;

Comely thy rayment

88

loke on thy body syt.

fasten your girdle,

Thy gyrdell about

90

thy wast then fasten,

rub your breeches, clean your shoes,

Thy hose fayre rubd

92

thy showes se be cleane.

A napkyn se that

94

thou haue in redines

Thy nose to clense

96

from all fylthynes.

[sign. A. iiii. b.] wipe your nose on a napkin, pare your nails, clean your ears, wash your teeth.

Thy nayles, yf nede be,

98

se that thou payre;

Thyne eares kepe cleane,

100

thy teath washe thou fayre.

Have your torn clothes mended,

If ought about thee

102

chaunce to be torne,

Thy frendes therof shewe

104

howe it is worne,

or new ones obtained.

And they wyll newe

106

for thee prouyde,

Or the olde mende,

108

In tyme beinge spyde,

Get your satchell and books, and haste to School,

This done, thy setchell

110

and they bokes take,

And to the scole

112

haste see thou make.

227 taking too

But ere thou go,

with thy self forthynke.

pen, paper, and ink,

That thou take with thee

116

pen, paper, and ynke;

For these are thynges

for thy study necessary,

Forget not then

120

with thee them to cary.

The souldiar preparynge

122

hym selfe to the fielde

[sign. A. v.] which are necessary

Leaues not at home

124

his sworde and his shielde,

No more shulde a scoler

126

forget then truly

for use at school.

what he at scole

128

shulde nede to occupy.

Then start off.

These thynges thus had,

Take strayght thy way

Vnto the schole

132

without any stay.

How to behave going to, and at, School.

Howe to behaue thy selfe in going by
the streate and in the schoole .ii.

Take off your cap to those you meet;

In goynge by the way

and passynge the strete,

Isocra.

Thy cappe put of,

136

Salute those ye mete;

Cato.

In geuynge the way

to suche as passe by,

give way to passers by.

It is a poynte

140

of siuilitie.

[sign. A. v. b.] Call your playmates on your road.

And thy way fortune

so for to fall,

Let it not greue thee

144

thy felowes to call.

At School

when to the schole

thou shalte resort,

This rule note well

148

I do the exhort:

salute your master,

Thy master there beynge,

Salute with all reuerence,

Declarynge thereby

152

thy dutye and obedience;

and the scholars.

Thy felowes salute

154

In token of loue,

Lest of inhumanitie

156

they shall the reproue.

Go straight to your place, undo your satchell, take out your books and learn your lesson;

Vnto thy place

158

appoynted for to syt,

Streight go thou to,

160

and thy setchel vnknyt,

Thy bokes take out,

162

thy lesson then learne

[sign. A. vi.] Humbly] Orig. Huubly

Humbly thy selfe

164

Behaue and gouerne.

stick well to your books.

Therein takynge payne,

with all thyne industry

Learnynge to get

168

thy boke well applye:

All thynges seme harde

when we do begyn,

Virgil.

But labour and diligence

172

yet both them wyn;

we ought not to recken

and coumpt the thyng harde

That bryngeth ioye

176

and pleasure afterwarde;

If you don’t work,

Leaue of then laboure,

178

and the lacke rue,

228 you’ll repent it when you grow up.

Lament and repent

180

when age doth insue.

Who could now speak of famous deeds of old,

Deades that deserued

Fame and greate prayse,

Buried had ben,

184

we se in olde dayes;

[sign. A. vi. b.] had not Letters preserved them?

If letters had not then

brought them to lyght

The truth of suche thynges

188

who coulde nowe resyght?

Applye thy minde

to learnynge and scyence,

Cato.

For learnynge in nede

192

wyll be thy defence.

Nothinge to science

compare we may well,

Cicero.

The swetenes wherof

196

all thynges doth excell.

And Cato the wyse

this worthy sayinge hath,

Cato.

That man wantinge learnynge

200

is as the image of death.

Aristot.

The rootes of learnynge

202

most bytter we deme;

The fruites at last

204

Moste pleasaunt doth seme.

Work hard then,

Then labour for learnynge

whyle here thou shalt lyue,

[sign. A. vii.]

The ignoraunt to teache,

208

and good example geue;

and you’ll be thought worthy to serve the state.

So shalte thou be thought

A membre most worthy

The common welth to serue

Orig. ryme 212

In tyme of necessitie.

Experience doth teache

And shewe to thee playne

Men of low birth win honour by Learning,

That many to honour

216

By learninge attayne

That were of byrthe

But symple and bace,—

Suche is the goodnes

220

Of Gods speciall grace,—

For he that to honour

222

by vertue doth ryse,

and then are doubly happy.

Is double happy,

224

and counted most wyse.

When you doubt, ask to be told.

If doubte thou doest,

226

Desyre to be toulde,

No shame is to learne,

228

Beinge neuer so oulde;

[sign. A. vii. b.]

Ignoraunce doth cause

230

Great errors in vs

For wantynge of knowledge

232

Doubts to discusse;

Then learne to discerne

234

the good from the yll,

Wish well to those who warn you.

And suche as thee warne,

236

Bere them good will.

HOW TO BEHAVE IN SCHOOL AND STREET. On your way home walk two and two orderly

when from the schoole

ye shall take your waye,

Or orderly then go ye,

240

twoo in aray,

your selues matchynge

So equall as ye may,

(for which men will praise you);

That men it seynge

244

May well of you saye

In commendynge this

your laudable wayes,

whiche must nedes sounde

248

to your great prayse,

229 don’t run in heaps like a swarm of bees

Not runnynge on heapes

as a swarme of bees,

As at this day

252

Euery man it nowe sees;

[sign. A. viii.]

Not vsynge, but refusynge,

254

Suche foolyshe toyes

like boys do now.

As commonly are vsed

256

In these dayes of boyes,

Don’t whoop or hallow as in fox-hunting

As hoopynge and halowynge

as in huntynge the foxe,

That men it hearynge

260

Deryde them with mockes.

This foolyshnes forsake,

this folly exchewynge,

And learne to followe

264

this order insuynge.

don’t chatter,

In goynge by the way

Neyther talke nor iangle,

or stare at every new fangle,

Gape not nor gase not

268

at euery newe fangle,

but walk soberly,

But soberly go ye

with countinaunce graue;

Isocra.

Humblye your selues

272

towarde all men behaue;

[sign. A. viii. b.] taking your cap off to all,

Be free of cappe

274

and full of curtesye;

Greate loue of al men

276

you shall wyn therby.

and being gentle.

Be lowly and gentyll

278

and of meke moode;

Then men con not

280

but of you say good.

Do no man harm; speak fair words.

In passynge the strete

282

Do no man no harme;

Vse thou fewe wordes,

284

and thy tounge charme,

Then men shal see

that grace in the groweth

From whom vertues

288

So aboundantly floweth.

On reaching home

when thou arte come

290

where thy parentes do dwell,

Thy leaue then takynge

292

Byd thy felowes farewell;

salute your parents reverently.

The house then entrynge,

In thy parence presence

[sign. B. i.]

Humbly salute them

296

with all reuerence.

How to wait at table.

¶ Howe to behaue thi selfe in seruynge
the table. Cap. iii.

VVhen thy parentes downe

to the table shall syt,

In place be ready

300

For the purpose moste fyt:

Look your parents in the face,

With sober countinaunce

Lokynge them in the face,

hold up your hands, and say

Thy handes holdynge vp,

304

this begyn grace:

Grace before meate.

“Geue thankes to God

with one accorde

For that shall be

308

Set on this borde.

230 Grace before Meat.

And be not carefull

what to eate,

To eche thynge lyuynge

312

the Lorde sends meate;

For foode he wyll not

314

Se you peryshe,

[sign. B. i. b.]

But wyll you fede,

316

Foster, and cheryshe;

Take well in worth

318

what he hath sent,

At this tyme be

320

therwith content,

322

Praysynge God.”

¶ So treatablie speakyng

324

as possible thou can,

That the hearers therof

326

May thee vnderstan.

Make a low curtesy;

Grace beynge sayde,

328

Lowe cursie make thou,

wish your parents’ food may do ’em good.

Sayinge “muche good

330

May it do you.”

HOW TO SERVE AT DINNER. If you are big enough,

Of stature then

332

yf thou be able,

It shall become thee

334

to serue the table

bring the food to table.

In bringynge to it

336

Suche meate as shall nede

[sign. B. ii.]

For thy parence vpon

338

that tyme to fede.

Don’t fill dishes so full as to spill them

Disshes with measure

340

thou oughtest to fyll,

Els mayste thou happen

342

thy seruyce to spyll

on your parents’ dress, or they’ll be angry.

On theyr apparell

344

Or els on the cloth,

whiche for to doe

wolde moue them to wroth.

Have spare trenchers ready for guests.

Spare trenchers with napkyns

348

haue in redynes

To serue afterwarde,

If there come any gesse.

Be circumspecte;

352

see nothynge do wante;

See there’s plenty of everything wanted.

Of necessary thynges

354

that there be no skant,

As breade and drynke,

356

se there be plentie;

Empty the Voiders often.

The voyders with bones

358

Ofte se thou emptie.

[sign. B. ii. b.]

At hande be ready,

360

If any do call,

Be at hand if any one calls.

To fetche or take vp,

If ought fortune to fall.

When the meat is over,

when they haue done,

364

then ready make

clear the table:

The table vp fayre

In order to take:

1. cover the salt,

Fyrste the saulte

368

Se that thou couer,

2. have a tray by you to carry things off on,

Hauynge by thee

Eyther one or other

thynges from thy handes

372

then to conuaye

That from the table

thou shalt take awaye.

3. put the trenchers, &c., in one Voider,

A voyder vpon

376

the table then haue,

The trenchers and napkyns

therein to receaue;

231 4. sweep the crumbs into another,

The croomes with a napkyn

380

together them swepe,

[sign. B. iii.]

It at the tables ende

In a voyder them kepe.

5. set a clean trencher before every one,

Then before eche man

384

A cleane treanchour lay,

The best fyrste seruynge,

As iudge thou soone may;

6. put on Cheese, Fruit, Biscuits, and

Then cheese with fruite

388

On the table set,

With Bisketes or Carowayes,

As you may get.

7. serve Wine, Ale or Beer.

Wyne to them fyll,

392

Els ale or beare;

But wyne is metest,

If any there were.

When these are finished,

Then on the table

396

Attende with all diligence,

clear the table,

It for to voyde

398

when done haue thy parence:

and fold up the cloth.

Eche syde of the clothe

400

Do thou tourne in,

Foldynge it vp,

At the hygher ende begin.

[sign. B. iii. b.] Then spread a clean towel,

A cleane towell then

404

On the table spreade,—

The towell wantynge,

the cloth take in steade,—

bring bason and jug,

The bason and ewer

408

to the table then brynge,

and when your parents are ready to wash,

In place conuenient

theyr pleasure abydynge.

and when your parents are ready to wash,

when thou shalt see

412

them redy to washe,

The ewer take vp,

and be not to rashe

pour out the water.

In powrynge out water

416

More then wyll suffise.

Clear the table;

The table then voyde

that they may ryse.

All thynges thus done,

420

forget not thy dutie,

make a low curtsey.

Before the table

Make thou lowe cursie.

HOW TO BEHAVE AT ONE’S OWN DINNER. [sign. B. iiii.] How to behave at your own dinner.

¶ Howe to order thy selfe syttynge at the table.
Capitulo .iiii.

O Chyldren! geue eare

424

your duties to learne,

Howe at the table

you may your selues gouerne.

Socra. Cato.

Presume not to hyghe,

428

I say, in no case;

Let your betters sit above you.

In syttynge downe,

to thy betters geue place.

See others served first,

Suffer eche man

432

Fyrste serued to be,

For that is a poynte

Of good curtesie.

then wait a while before eating.

when they are serued,

436

then pause a space,

For that is a sygne

of nourture and grace.

232 Take salt with your knife, cut your bread, don’t fill your spoon too full,

Saulte with thy knyfe

440

then reache and take,

[sign. B. iiii. b.]

The breade cut fayre,

And do not it breake.

Thy spone with pottage

444

to full do not fyll,

For fylynge the cloth,

If thou fortune to spyll,

or sup your pottage.

For rudnes it is

448

thy pottage to sup,

Or speake to any,

his head in the cup.

Have your knife sharp.

Thy knyfe se be sharpe

452

to cut fayre thy meate;

Thy mouth not to full

454

when thou dost eate;

Don’t smack your lips

Not smackynge thy lyppes,

456

As comonly do hogges,

or gnaw your bones:

Nor gnawynge the bones

458

As it were dogges;

avoid such beastliness.

Suche rudenes abhorre,

460

Suche beastlynes flie,

At the table behaue

462

thy selfe manerly.

[sign. B. v.] Keep your fingers clean,

Thy fyngers se cleane

464

that thou euer kepe,

Hauynge a Napkyn

thereon them to wype;

wipe your mouth before drinking.

Thy mouth therwith

468

Cleane do thou make,

The cup to drynke

In hande yf thou take,

Let not thy tongue

472

At the table walke,

Plato. Don’t jabber or stuff.

And of no matter

Neyther reason nor talke.

Temper thy tongue

476

and belly alway,

For “measure is treasure,”

the prouerbe doth say,

Cicero.

And measure in althynges

480

Is to be vsed;

what is without measure

Ought to be refused.

Silence hurts no one,

For silence kepynge

484

thou shalt not be shent,

[sign. B. v. b.]

where as thy speache

May cause thee repent.

Isocra.

Bothe speache and silence

488

are commendable,

and is fitted for a child at table.

But sylence is metest

In a chylde at the table.

Cato.

And Cato doth saye,

492

that “in olde and yonge

The fyrste of vertue

494

Is to kepe thy tonge.”

Don’t pick your teeth,

Pyke not thy teethe

496

at the table syttynge,

or spit too much.

Nor vse at thy meate

Ouer muche spytynge;

this rudnes of youth

500

Is to be abhorde;

Behave properly.

thy selfe manerly

Behaue at the borde.

Don’t laugh too much.

If occasion of laughter

504

at the table thou se,

Beware that thou vse

the same moderately.

[sign. B. vi.] Learn all the good manners you can.

Of good maners learne

508

So muche as thou can;

It wyll thee preferre

510

when thou art a man.

233 Aristot.

Aristotle the Philosopher

512

this worthy sayinge writ,

They are better than playing the fiddle,

That “maners in a chylde

514

are more requisit

then playnge on instrumentes

516

and other vayne pleasure;

For vertuous maners

Is a most precious treasure.”

though that’s no harm,

Let not this saynge

520

In no wyse thee offende,

For playnge of instrumentes

He doth not discommende,

but necessary;

But doth graunt them

524

for a chylde necessary,

yet manners are more important.

Yet maners muche more

526

see here he doth vary.

Refuse not his councell,

528

Nor his wordes dispise;

[sign. B. vi. b.]

To vertue and knowledge

By them mayste thou ryse.

How to behave at Church.

¶ Howe to order thy selfe in the Churche.
Cap. .v.

Vvhen to the Churche

532

thou shalt repayer,

Pray kneeling or standing.

Knelynge or standynge,

to God make thy prayer;

All worldely matters

536

From thy mynde set apart,

Earnestly prayinge,

to God lyfte vp thy hart.

Psal. 1.

A contrite harte

540

He wyll not dispyse,

whiche he doth coumpt

A sweete sacrifice.

Confess your sins to God.

To hym thy sinnes

544

shewe and confesse,

Askynge for them

Grace and forgyuenes;

[sign. B. vii.] He knows your disease.

He is the Phisition

548

that knoweth thy sore,

And can to health

550

A-gayne thee restore.

Iames the .i. Ask in faith, and what you ask you shall have;

Aske then in fayth,

552

Not doubtynge to haue;

The thynges ye desyre

554

ye shall then receaue;

So they be lawfull

Of God to requyre,

He wyll the heare

558

and graunt thy desyre;

He is more merciful than pen can tell.

More mercifull he is

560

then pen can expresse,

The aucthor and geuer

here of all goodnesse.

Math. x.

“All ye that laboure

564

and burdened be,

I wyll you refreshe

In commynge to me.”

These are Chrystes wordes,

568

the scripture is playne,

[sign. B. vii. b.]

Spoken to all suche

570

as here suffre payne;

Our wylles to his worde

572

then let vs frame,

The heauenly habytacion

574

therby we may clame.

234 Behave nicely in church,

In the churche comly

576

thy selfe do behaue,

In vsage sober,

thy countinaunce graue.

and don’t talk

whyle you be there,

580

taulke of no matter,

or chatter.

Nor one with an other

whisper nor chatter.

Behave reverently;

Reuerently thy selfe

584

Order alwaye

when to the Churche

thou shalt come to pray:

the House of Prayer

Eche thynge hath his tyme,

588

Consyder the place,

Luke .xix.

For that is a token

of vertue and grace,

[sign. B viii.]

The Lorde doth call it

592

the house of prayer

is not to be made a fair.

And not to be vsed

As is a fayer.

AGAINST GAMING, AND FOR VIRTUE.

¶ The fruites of gamynge, vertue and learnynge.
Capitulo .vi.

Avoid

O Lytle chylde,

596

Eschewe thou euer game,—

For that hath brought

598

Many one to shame,—

dicing and carding.

As dysynge, and cardynge,

600

And suche other playes,

which many vndoeth,

602

as we se nowe a dayes.

Cicero.

But yf thou delyght

604

In any earthly thynge,

Delight in Knowledge, Virtue, and Learning.

Delyght in knowledge,

606

Vertue, and learnynge,

For learnynge wyll leade thee

608

to the schoole of vertue,

[sign. B. viii. b.]

And vertue wyll teache thee

610

Vice to subdue.

Vice beynge subdued,

612

thou canst not but floryshe;

Happy is he who cultivates Virtue.

Happy is the man

that vertue doth norysh.

By knowledge lykewyse

616

thou shalt doubtes discerne,

By vertue agayne

618

thy lyfe well gouerne.

These be the frutes

620

By them we do take,

Cursed is he who forsakes it.

Cursed is he then

that doth them forsake.

But we erre in wyt

624

In folowynge our wyll,

In iudgynge that good

626

which playnly is yll.

Let reason rule you,

Let reason thee rule,

628

and not will thee leade

To folowe thy fansie,

A wronge trace to treade.

[sign. C. i.] and subdue your lusts.

But subdue thy luste,

632

and conqeur thy wyll

If it shall moue thee

to doe that is yll;

These ills come from gambling:

For what hurte by game

636

to many doth growe,

No wyse man I thynke

but doth it well knowe.

235

Experience doth shewe

640

and make it manifeste

That all good men

can it but deteste,

strife, murder, theft,

As strife and debate,

644

murder and thefte,

whiche amonge christians,

wolde god were lefte,

cursing and swearing.

with cursynge and bannynge,

648

with swearyng and tearyng,

That no honest harte

can abyde the hearyng:

These be the fruites

652

that of them doth sprynge,

[sign. C. i. b.]

with many more as euill

that cometh of gamynge.

How to behave when conversing.

¶ How to behaue thy selfe in taulkynge with any man. Capitulo .vii.

If a man demaunde

656

a question of thee,

Isocra.

In thine aunswere makynge

be not to hastie;

Understand a question before you answer it;

waie well his wordes,

660

the case vnderstande

Eare an answere to make

thou take in hande,

Els may he iudge

664

in thee little wit,

To answere to a thynge

and not heare it.

let a man tell all his tale.

Suffer his tale

668

whole out to be toulde,

Then speake thou mayst,

and not be controulde;

[sign. C. ii.] Then bow to him, look him in the face, and answer sensibly,

Low obeisaunce makyng,

672

lokinge him in the face,

Tretably speaking,

thy wordes see thou place.

with countinaunce sober

676

thy bodie vprighte

Thy fete iuste to-gether,

thy handes in lyke plight;

not staring about

Caste not thyne eies

680

on neither syde.

when thou arte praised,

therin take no pryde.

or laughing,

In tellynge thy tale,

684

neither laugh nor smyle,

Such folly forsake thou,

686

banish and exyle;

but audibly

In audible voice

688

thy wordes do thou vtter,

Not hie nor lowe,

690

but vsynge a measure.

and distinctly,

Thy wordes se that

692

thou pronounce plaine,

[sign. C. ii. b.] that] orig. thai

And that they spoken

694

Be not in vayne;

In vttryng wherof

your words in due order, 696

Kepe thou an order,

Thy matter therby

thou shalte much forder;

whiche order yf thou

700

Do not obserue,

or you’ll straggle off,

From the purpose

nedes must thou swarue.

236 HOW TO CARRY A MESSAGE.

And hastines of speche

704

wyll cause thee to erre,

or stutter, or stammer, which is a foul crime.

Or wyll thee teache

to stut or stammer.

To stut or stammer

708

is a foule crime,

Learne then to leaue it,

take warnyng in tyme;

How euyll a chylde

712

it doth become,

Thy selfe beynge iudge,

hauinge wisedome;

[sign. C. iii.]

And sure it is taken

716

by custome and vre,

whyle yonge you be

there is helpe and cure.

This generall rule

720

yet take with the,

Always keep your head uncovered.

In speakynge to any man

Thy head vn-couered be.

The common prouerbe

724

remember ye oughte,

Better unfed than untaught.

“Better vnfedde

then vn-taughte.”

How to take a Message.

¶ How to order thy selfe being sente of message.
Cap. viii.

If of message

728

forthe thou be sente,

Listen to it well; don’t go away not knowing it.

Take hede to the same,

Geue eare diligente;

Depart not awaye

732

and beyng in doute,

[sign. C. iii. b.]

Know wel thy message

before thou passe out;

Then hurry away,

with possible spede

736

then hast thee right sone;

If nede shall requirr it

738

so to be done.

give the message;

After humble obeisaunce,

740

the message forth shewe

Thy wordes well placinge

742

in vttringe but fewe

As shall thy matter

744

serue to declare.

get the answer, return home, and tell it to your master

Thine answere made,

then home againe repare,

And to thy master

748

therof make relacion

As then the answere

shall geue thee occasion.

Socra.

Neither adde nor deminish

752

any thynge to the same,

Lest after it proue

to thy rebuke and shame,

[sign. C. iiii.] exactly as it was told to you.

But the same vtter

756

so nere as thou can;

No faulte they shall fynde

to charge thee with than,

In most humble wyse

760

loke done that it be,

As shall become beste

a seruantes degre.

Against Anger, &c.

¶ A-gainste Anger, Enuie, and malice.
Cap. ix.

The slave of Anger must fall.

If thou be subiecte

764

and to anger thrall,

And reason thee rule not,

nedes must thou fall.

237 Pericles.

Conquer thy wyll

768

and subdue thy luste,

Thy fansy not folowing,

thy cause though be iuste;

Anger’s deeds are strange to wise men.

For anger and furie

772

wyll thee so chaunge

[sign. C. iiii. b.]

That thy doynges to wise men

wyll appear straunge.

Thine anger and wrath

776

seke then to appeace,

Plato.

For wrath, saith Plato,

Leades shame in a leace.

Isocra.

The hastie man

780

wantes neuer trouble,

A hasty man is always in trouble.

His mad moody mynde

his care doth double.

And malyce thee moue

784

to reuenge thy cause,

Dread euer god,

and daunger of the lawes.

Take no revenge, but forgive.

Do not reuenge,

788

though in thy power it be,

Forgeue the offender

790

being thine enemie.

He is perfectely pacient,

792

we may repute plaine,

Plato.

[That] From wrath and furye

794

himselfe can refrayne.

[sign. C. v.] Envy no one.

Disdayne nor enuie

796

The state of thy brother,

Seneca.

In worde nor dede

not hurtyng one an other.

An ill body breeds debate.

Debate and disceate,

800

contencion and enuie,

Are the chiefe frutes

of an euyll bodie.

Salomon.

And Salomon saithe

804

“The harte full of enuie,

Of him selfe hath

806

no pleasure nor commoditie.”

The Fruits of Charity, &c.

¶ The fruites of charitie, loue, and pacience.
Cap. x.

Charity seeketh not her own, but bears patiently.

Charitie seketh not

808

that to her doth belonge,

But paciently a-bydinge,

sustainynge rather wronge;

Charity seeketh not her own,

Not enuiynge, but bearinge

812

with loue and pacience,—

[sign. C. v. b.] but bears patiently.

So noble is her nature,—

814

forgeuing all ofence.

Love incites to Mercy.

And loue doth moue

816

the mynde to mercie,

But malice againe

doth worke the contrarie.

whiche in the wicked

820

wyll euer beare stroke,

Patience teaches forbearance.

Pacience thee teacheth

therof to beare the yoke.

where pacience and loue

824

to-gether do dwell

All hate and debate,

with malice, they expell.

238 Pithagoras.

Loue constant and faithfull,

828

Pithagoras doth call

To be a vertue

most principall.

Plato.

Plato doth speake

832

almoste in effecte

‘where loue is not,

no vertue is perfecte.’

[sign. C. vi.] Pray God to give thee Charity and Patience,

Desire then god

836

to assiste thee with his grace

Charitie to vse

and pacience to imbrace;

to lead thee to Virtue’s School,

These three folowinge

840

will thee instructe,

That to vertues schoole

they wyll thee conducte,

and thence to Eternal Bliss.

And from vertues schoole

844

to eternall blisse

where incessaunt ioie

continually is.

AGAINST SWEARING. Against Swearing.

¶ A-gainge (so) the horrible vice of swearynge.
Cap. xi.

Take not God’s name in vain,

In vaine take not

848

the name of god;

Swere not at all

for feare of his rod.

or He will plague thee.

The house with plagues

852

he threteneth to visit

sign. C. vi. b.

where othes are vsed:

they shall not escape it.

Iuste are his iudgementes,

856

and true is his worde,

And sharper then is

a two edged sworde;

Beware of His wrath,

wherfore beware thou

860

his heauy indignacion,

and live well in thy vocation.

And learne to lyue well

in thy vocacion

wherin that god

864

shall thee set or call;

Rysinge againe—

if it fortune to fall—

By prayer and repentance,

868

whiche is the onely waie.

Christ wolde not the death

870

of a sinner, I saye,

But rather he turne

872

From his wickednesse,

And so to lyue

in vertue and goodnesse.

[sign. C. vii.] What is the good of swearing?

what better art thou

876

for this thy swearyng

Blasfamouslye,

the name of god tearyng?

It kindles God’s wrath against thee.

Prouokynge his yre

880

and kyndlinge his wrath

Thee for to plauge,

that geuinge the hath

Knowlage and reason

884

thy selfe for to rule,

And for to flee

the thynge that is euyl.

Seneca.

Senica doth councell thee

888

all swerynge to refrayne,

Although great profite

by it thou mighte gaine:

Pericles.

Pericles, whose wordes

892

are manifeste and playne,

From sweryng admonisheth

894

thee to obstaine;

239 God’s law forbids

The lawe of god,

896

and commaundement he gaue,

[sign. C. vii. b. swearing,

Swearynge amongst vs

in no wyse wolde haue.

and so does the counsel of Philosophers.

The councell of philosoph[ers]

900

I haue here expreste,

Amongest whom sweryng

was vtterly deteste;

Much lesse amongest christians

904

ought it to be vsed,

But vtterly of them

cleane to be refused.

Against filthy talking.

¶ A-gainste the vice of filthy talkynge.
Cap. xii.

Never talk dirt.

No filthy taulke

908

in no wise vse,

Thy tonge therby

for to abuse.

For every word we shall give account

Of euery idell worde

912

an accumpte we shall render;—

All men I woulde

this sayinge to remember;—

[sign. C. viii.] at the Day of Doom,

To god for it

916

at the generall daie

In earnest or sporte

we shall speake or saie;

whiche daye to the iuste

920

shallbe most ioyfull,

And to the wicked

againe as wofull.

and be judged according to our deeds.

As we here doe,

924

so shall we receaue,

Vnles we repente

and mercy of god craue.

If god wyll deale

928

with vs so straight

For thinges that be

of so small waight,

Let lewd livers then fear.

Then haue we cause

932

to feare and dreade,

Our lyues lewdly

if we haue leade.

[sign. C. viii. b.] Keep your tongue from vain talking.

Thy tonge take hede

936

thou doe refrayne

From speakyng wordes

that are moste vayne;

Aristot.

Thy wyll and witte

940

to goodnes applie,

Thy mynde exercise

in vertuous studie.

AGAINST LYING. Against Lying.

¶ A-gainste the vice of lyinge.
Capitulo .xiii.

Plato.

To forge, to fayne,

944

to flater and lye,

Requiere diuers collours

with wordes fayre and slye,

To speak the

But the vtteraunce of truthe

948

is so simple and playne

240 truth needs no study,

That it nedeth no studie

950

to forge or to fayne;

therefore always

wherfore saye truth,

952

how euer stand the case,

So shalte thou fynde

954

more fauour and grace.

practise it and speak it.

Vse truthe, and say truth,

956

in that thou goest aboute,

For tyme of althinges

the truthe wyll bringe out.

[sign. D. i.] Shame is the reward of lying.

Shame is the rewarde

960

For lying dewe;

Then auoyde shame,

and vtter wordes trewe.

A lyar by his lying

964

this profet doth get,

That whan he saith truth

no man wyll him credet;

Always speak the truth.

Then let thy talke

968

with the truth agree,

And blamed for it

thou shalte neuer bee.

Who can trust a liar?

Howe maie a man

972

a lyer ought truste?

But doubte his dedes,

his woordes being vniuste.

In tellyng of truth

976

there lougeth no shame,

Where vttring of lyes

deserueth much blame;

If a lie saves you once,

And though a lye

980

from stripes ye once saue,

[sign. D. i. b.] it deceives you thrice.

Thrise for that once

982

it wyll the desceue;

Truste then to truth,

984

and neither forge nor fayne,

And followe these preceptes:

986

from liyng do refraine.

A NIGHTLY PRAYER. A bedward Prayer.

¶ A praier to be saide when thou goest to bedde.

God of mercy,

O Mercifull god!

988

heare this our requeste,

And graunte vnto vs

990

this nighte quiet reste.

take us into Thy care.

Into thy tuicion,

992

oh lorde, do vs take!

Our bodies slepynge,

our myndes yet maie wake.

Forgive us our sins.

Forgeue the offences

996

this daye we haue wroughte

A-gainste thee and our neighbour

998

in worde, dede, and thoughte!

And graunte vs thy grace

1000

hense forth to flie sinne,

[sign. D. ii.] Deliver us from evil,

And that a newe lyfe

we maie nowe beginne!

Deliuer and defende vs

1004

this night from all euell,

and our enemy the Devil.

And from the daunger

of our enemie, the diuell,

whiche goeth a-boute

1008

sekyng his praie,

And by his crafte

whom we maie betraie.

241 Assist us

Assiste vs, oh lorde,

1012

with thy holy sprite,

That valiantly against him

we maie euer fighte;

to conquer him

And winning the victorie,

1016

maie lifte vp our voice,

And in his strength

1018

faithfully reioice,

and ascribe all honour to Thee.

Saying, “to the lorde

1020

be all honour and praise

For his defence

bothe now and alwaies!”

THE DUTY OF ALL DEGREES OF MEN. [sign. D. ii. b.] Each one’s Duty.

¶ the dutie of eche degred. (so)
brefely declared.

The Duty of Princes,

1 Ye princes, that the earth

1024

rule and gouerne,

Seke ye for knowledge

doubtes to discerne.

Judges,

2 Ye iudges, geue iudgement

1028

according to righte

As may be founde

acceptable in the lordes sight.

Prelates,

3 Ye prelates, preache purely

1032

the worde of our lorde,

That your liuings & prechinges

in one maie accorde.

Parents,

4 Ye fathers and mothers,

1036

so your children instructe

As maye them to grace

and uertue conducte.

[sign. D. iii.] Children,

5 Ye chyldren, lykewyse

1040

obey your parentes here;

In all godlinesse

see that ye them feare.

Masters,

6 Ye maisters, do you

1044

the thynge that is righte

Not lokynge what

ye may do by mighte.

Servants,

7 Ye seruauntes, applie

1048

your busines and arte,

Doinge the same

in singlenesse of harte.

Husbands.

8 Ye husbandes, loue your wyues,

1052

and with them dwell,

All bitternesse set aparte,

vsing wordes gentell.

242 The Duty of Wives,

9 Ye wyues, to your husbandes

1056

be obedient alwaie,

[sign. D. iii. b.]

For they are your heades,

and ye bounde to obeie.

Parsons and Vicars,

10 Ye persons and vickers

1060

that haue cure and charge,

Take hede to the same,

and roue not at large.

Men of Law,

11 Ye men of lawe,

1064

in no wyse delaie

The cause of the poore,

but helpe what ye maie.

Craftsmen,

12 Ye that be craftes men,

1068

vse no disceite,

Geuing to all men

tale, measure, and weighte.

Landlords,

13 Ye that be landlordes

1072

and haue housen to let,

At reasonable rentes

do them forth set.

[sign. D. iiii.] Merchants,

14 Ye merchauntes that vse

1076

the trade of merchandise,

Vse lawfull wares

and reasonable prise.

Subjects,

15 Ye subiectes, lyue ye

1080

in obedience and awe,

Fearyng gods stroke,

and daunger of the lawe.

Rich Men,

16 Ye rych, whom god

1084

hath goods vnto sente,

Releue the poore

and helpe the indigente.

Poor Men,

17 Ye that are poore,

1088

with your state be contente,

Not hauinge wherwith

to lyue competente.

Magistrates,

18 Ye magestrates, the cause

1092

of the widdow and fatherles

[sign. D. iiii. b.]

Defende againste suche

as shall them opresse.

Officers,

19 All ye that are called

1096

to any other office,

Execute the same

acordinge to iustice.

243 The Duty of all Men.

20 Let eche here so liue

1100

in his vocacion,

As maie his soule saue,

and profet his nacion.

God grant us all to live and die well!

21 This graunting god,

1104

that sitteth on hie,

we shall here well lyue

and after well die.

 

Famam virtutis mors

Abolire nequit quod. F. S.