Chapter I: Part 1

CAXTON'S BOOK OF CURTESYE

Printed at Westminster about 1477-8 A.D. and Now Reprinted, with Two Ms. Copies of the Same Treatise, from the Oriel Ms. 79, and the Balliol Ms. 354

Edited by

FREDERICK J. FURNIVALL, M.A.

Editor of 'The Babees Book, Etc.' ('Manners and Meals in Olden Time'), Etc. Etc.

London: Published for the Early English Text Society by Humphrey Milford, Oxford University Press, Amen House, E.C. 4

1868 (reprinted 1882, 1898, 1932)

PREFACE

Though no excuse can be needed for including in our Extra Series a reprint of a unique Caxton on a most interesting subject, yet this Book of Curtesye from Hill's MS. was at first intended for our original series, I having forgotten lately that Caxton had written to 'lytyl Iohn,' though some months back I had entered the old printer's book for my second collection of Manners and Meals tracts for the Society. After the copy of Hill--which Mr W.W. King kindly made for his fellow-members--had gone to press, Mr Hazlitt reminded me of the Caxton, and its first and last lines in Mr Blades's admirable book showed that Hill's text was the same as the printed one. I accordingly went to Cambridge to copy it, and there, before tea, Mr Skeat showed me the copy of _The Vision of Piers Plowman_ which the Provost and Fellows of Oriel had been good enough to lend him for his edition of 'Text B.' Having enjoyed the vellum Vision, I turned to the paper leaves at its end, and what should they contain but an earlier and better version of the Caxton that I had just copied part of?[1] I drank seven cups of tea, and eat five or six large slices of bread and butter, in honour of the event;[2] and Mr Skeat, with his never-failing kindness, undertook to copy and edit the Oriel text for the Society. With three texts, therefore, in hand, I could not well stick them at the end of the Postscript to the _Babees Book, &c._,[3] and as I wanted Caxton's name to this Book of Curtesye to distinguish it from what has long been to me THE Book of Courtesy,--that from the Sloane MS. 1986, edited by Mr Halliwell for the Percy Society, and by me for our own E.E.T.S.--and as also Caxton's name is one 'to conjure withal,' I have, with our Committee's leave, made this little volume an Extra Series one, and called it Caxton's, though his text is not so good as that of the Oriel MS.

[Footnote 1: Mr Bradshaw was kind enough to copy the rest, and to read the whole of the proof with Caxton's original.]

[Footnote 2: I must be excused for not having found the poem before, as it is not in the Index to Mr Coxe's Catalogue. In the body of the work it is entered as "A father's advice to his son; with instructions for his behaviour as a king's or nobleman's page. ff. 88, 89, 78. Beg.

"Kepeth clene and leseth not youre gere."]

[Footnote 3: The Treatises in _The Babees Book, &c._, and the Index at the end, should be consulted for parallel and illustrative passages to those in Caxton's text.]

On this latter point Mr Skeat writes:

"The Oriel copy is evidently the best. Not only does it give better readings, but the lines, as a rule, run more smoothly; and it has an extra stanza. This stanza, which is marked 54, occurs between stanzas 53 and 54 of the other copies, and is of some interest and importance. It shows that Lidgate's pupil, put in mind of Lidgate's style by the very mention of his name, introduces a ballad of three stanzas, in which every stanza has a burden after the Lidgate manner. The recurrence of this burden no doubt caused copyists to lose their place, and so the stanza came to be omitted in other copies. Its omission, however, spoils the ballad. Both it and the curious lines in Piers Ploughmans Crede,

"For aungells and arcangells / all Þei whijt vseÞ
And alle aldermen / Þat ben _ante tronum_,

"i.e. all the elders before the throne, allude to Rev. iv. 10. This Crede passage has special reference to the _Carmelites_ or _White_ Friars.

"The first two leaves of the Oriel copy are misplaced inside out at the end; but this is not the only misarrangement. The poem has evidently been copied into this MS. from an older copy having a leaf capable of containing _six stanzas at a time_; which leaves were out of order. Hence the poem in the Oriel MS. is written in the following order, as now bound up, Stanzas 11 (l. 5)-18, 25-30, 37-42, 19-24, 49-54, 31-36, 43-48, 55-76, 8-11 (l. 4), 4 (l. 5)-7, 1-4 (l. 4)."

As an instance of a word improved by the Oriel text, may be cited the '_brecheles_ feste' of Caxton's and Hill's texts, l. 66, and l. 300,

ffor truste ye well ye shall you not excuse
ffrom _brecheles feste_, & I may you espye
Playenge at any game of rebawdrye.--_Hill_, l. 299-301.

Could it be 'profitless,' from A.-Sax. _bréc_, gain, profit; or 'breechless,' a feast of birch for the boy with his breeches off? The latter was evidently meant, but it was a forced construction. The Oriel _byrcheley_ set matters right at once.

Another passage I cannot feel sure is set at rest by the Oriel text. Hill's and Caxton's texts, when describing the ill-mannered servant whose ways are to be avoided, say of him, as to his hair, that he is

Absolon with disheveled heres smale,
lyke to a prysoner of saynt Malowes,[1]
_a sonny busshe able to the galowes_.--_Hill_, l. 462.

[Footnote 1: An allusion to the strong castle built at St Malo's by Anne, Duchess of Bretayne.--Dyce.]

For the last line the Oriel MS. reads,

_a sonny bush myght cause hym to goo louse_,

and Mr Skeat says,--"This is clearly the right reading, of which _galowes_ is an unmeaning corruption. The poet is speaking of the _dirty_ state of a bad and ill-behaved servant. He is as dirty as a man come out of St Malo's prison; a sunny bush would cause him to go and free himself from minute attendants. A 'sunny bush' probably means no more than a warm nook, inviting one to rest, or to such quiet pursuits as the one indicated. That this is really the reading is shown by the next stanza, wherein the poet apologizes for having spoken too bluntly; he ought to have spoken of such a chase by saying that he goes _a-hawking_ or _a-hunting_. Such was the right euphemism required by 'norture.'"

If this is the meaning, we may compare with it the old poet's reproof to the proud man:

Man, of Þi schuldres and of Þi side
Þou mi3*te hunti luse and flee:
of such a park i ne hold no pride;
Þe dere nis nau3*te Þat Þou mighte sle.

_Early English Poems_, ed. F.J.F., 1862, p. 1, l. 5.

and remember that one of the blessings of the early Paradisaical _Land of Cokaygne_ is:

Nis Þer flei, fle, no lowse,
In cloÞ, in toune, bed, no house.

_Ib._, p. 157, l. 37-8.

We may also compare the following extract about Homer's death from "Pleasant and Delightfull Dialogues in Spanish and English: Profitable to the Learner, and not vnpleasant to any other Reader. By _John Minsheu_, Professor of Languages in London. 1623," p. 47.

"F ... a foole with his foolishnesse framed in his owne imagination may giue to a hundred wise men matter to picke out.

"I, So it hapned to the Poet Homer, that as he was with age blinde, and went walking by the sea shoare, & heard certaine Fishermen talking, that at that time were a _lowsing_ themselues, and as he asked them, what fish they caught, they vnderstanding that he had meant their lice, they answered, Those that we [1]haue, we seeke for, and those that we [2]haue not wee finde, but as the good Homer could not see what they did, and for this cause could not vnderstand the riddle, it did so grieue his vnderstanding to obtaine the secret of this matter, which was a sufficient griefe to cause his death."

[Footnote 1: i. Haue in their clothes. i. lice.]

[Footnote 2: i. Haue not in hand.]

But the subject is not a very pleasant one for discussion, though the occupation alluded to in the Oriel Text must have been one of the pastimes of many people in Early England.

The book itself, _Lytill Johan_, is by a disciple of Lydgate's--see l. 366, p. 36-7--and contains, besides, the usual directions how to dress, how to behave in church, at meals, and when serving at table, a wise man's advice on the books his little Jack should read, the best English poets,--then Gower, Chaucer, Occleve, and Lydgate,--not the Catechism and Latin Grammar. It was very pleasant to come off the directions not to conveye spetell over the table, or burnish one's bones with one's teeth, to the burst of enthusiasm with which the writer speaks of our old poets. He evidently believed in them with all his heart; and it would have been a good thing for England if our educators since had followed his example. If the time wasted, almost, in Latin and Greek by so many middle-class boys, had been given to Milton and Shakspere, Chaucer and Langland, with a fit amount of natural science, we should have been a nobler nation now than we are. There is no more promising sign of the times than the increased attention paid to English in education now.

But to return to our author. He gives Chaucer the poet's highest gift, Imagination, in these words,

what ever to say he toke in his entente,
his langage was so fayer & pertynante,
yt semeth vnto manys heryng
_not only the worde, but veryly the thyng_. (l. 343.)

And though the writer has the bad taste to praise Lydgate more than Chaucer, yet we may put this down to his love for his old master, and may rest assured that though the cantankerous Ritson calls the Bury schoolmaster a 'driveling monk,' yet the larking schoolboy who robbed orchards, played truant, and generally raised the devil in his early days (_Forewords to Babees Book_, p. xliv.), retained in later years many of the qualities that draw to a man the boy's bright heart, the disciple's fond regret. We too will therefore hope that old Lydgate's

sowle be gon
(To) the sterred paleys above the dappled skye,
Ther to syng _Sanctus_ insessavntly
Emonge the mvses nyne celestyall,
Before the hyeste Iubyter of all. (l. 381-5.)

In old age the present poem was composed (st. 60, p. 42-3); 'a lytill newe Instruccion' to a lytle childe, to remove him from vice & make him follow virtue. At his riper age our author promises his boy the surplusage of the treatise (st. 74, p. 50-1); and if a copy of it exists, I hope it will soon fall in our way and get into type, for 'the more the merrier' of these peeps into old boy-life.

On one of the grammatical forms of the Oriel MS., Mr Skeat writes:

"It is curious to observe the forms of the imperative mood plural which occur so frequently throughout the poem in the Oriel copy. The forms ending in _-eth_ are about 31 in number, of which 17 are of French, and 14 of A.S. origin. The words in which the ending _-eth_ is dropped are 42, of which 18 are of French, and 24 of A.S. origin. The three following French words take _both_ forms; _avyse_ or _avyseth_, _awayte_ or _awayteth_, _wayte_ or _wayteth_; and the five following A.S. words, _be_ or _beth_, _kepe_ or _kepeth_, _knele_ or _knelyth_, _loke_ or _loketh_, _make_ or _maketh_. Thus the poet makes use, on the whole, of one form almost as often as the other (that is, supposing the scribe to have copied correctly), and he no doubt consulted his convenience in taking that one which suited the line best. It is an instance of what followed in almost every case of naturalization, that A.S. inflections were added to the French words quite as freely as to those of native origin. Both the _-eth_ and _-e_ forms are commonly used without the word _ye_, though. _Be ye_ occurs in l. 58. In the phrase _avise you_ (l. 78), _you_ is in the accusative."

Commenting also on l. 71 of Caxton and Hill, Mr Skeat notices how they have individualised the general 'child' of the earlier Oriel text:

"71. Here we find _child_ riming to _mylde_. In most other places it is _Johan_. The rime shows that the reading _child_ is right, and _Johan_ is a later adaptation. The Oriel MS. never uses the word _Johan_ at all; it is always _child_."

I may remark also, that on the question lately raised by Mr Bradshaw, 'who before Hampole,[1] or after him, used _you_ for the nominative as well as the correct _ye_,' Hill uses both _you_ and _ye_, see l. 47, 51, 52, &c., though so far as a hasty search shows, Lydgate, in his Minor Poems at least, uses _ye_ only, as do Lord Berners in his _Arthur of Lytil Brytayne_, ab. 1530, the Ormulum, Ancren Riwle, Genesis and Exodus, William of Palerne, Alliterative Poems, Early Metrical Homilies, &c.[2]

[Footnote 1: _Pricke of Conscience_, p. 127, l. 4659; and p. xvii.]

[Footnote 2: Mr Skeat holds that in the various reading _3*ow drieth_ from the Univ. Coll. Oxford MS. (of the early part of the 15th century) to the Vernon MS. _þou drui3*est_, l. 25, Passus 1, of the Vision of Piers Plowman, the 3*ow is an accusative, "exactly equivalent to the Gothic in the following passage--'_hwana_ þaursjai, gaggai du mis, i.e. _whom_ it may thirst, let him come to me.' John vii. 37. I conclude that 3*ow is accusative, not dative. The same construction occurs in German constantly, '_es dürstet mich_' = it thirsts me, I thirst."]

The final _d_, _f_, _t_, of Hill's MS., often have a tag to them. As they sometimes occur in places where I judge they must mean nothing, I have neglected them all. Every final _ll_ has a line through it, which may mean _e_. Nearly every final _n_ and _m_ has a curly tail or line over it. This is printed _e_ or _[=n]_, though no doubt the tail and line have often no value at all. The curls to the _r_s are printed _e_, because _ther_ with the curly _r_, in l. 521, Hill, rimes to _where_ of l. 519.

At the end of Caxton's final _d_ and _g_ is occasionally a crook-backed line, something between the line of beauty and the ordinary knocker. This no doubt represents the final _e_ of MSS., and is so printed, as Mr Childs has not the knocker in the fount of type that he uses for the Society's work. Caxton's _[=n]_ stands for _u_n in the _-aunce_, _-aunte_, of words from the French. No stops or inverted commas have been put to Caxton's text here, but the stanzas and lines have been numbered, and side-notes added.

"The _Book of Curtesye_," says Mr Bradshaw, "is known from three early editions. The first, without any imprint, but printed at Westminster by Caxton ab. 1477-78,[1] the only known copy of which is here reproduced. The second (with the colophon 'Here endeth a lytyll treatyse called the booke of Curtesye or lytyll John. Emprynted atte Westmoster') is only known from a printer's proof of two pages[2] preserved among the Douce fragments in the Bodleian. It must have been printed by Wynkin de Worde in Caxton's house ab. 1492. In the third edition it was reprinted at the end of the _Stans puer ad Mensam_ by Wynkin de Worde ab. 1501-1510. The Cambridge copy is the only one known to remain of this edition."

[Footnote 1: In his type No. 2, _Blades_, ii. 63.]

[Footnote 2: In Caxton's type No. 5, _Blades_, ii. 235 (not 253 as in Index).]

I have no more to say: but, readers, remember this coming New Year to do more than last for what Dr Stratmann calls "the dear Old English." Think of Chaucer when his glad spring comes, and every day besides; forget not Langland or any of our early men:

reporte
& revyue _th_e lawde of the_m_ th_a_t were
famovs i_n_[1] owr_e_ langage, these faders dere,
whos sowles i_n_ blis, god et_er_nall avaunce,
_th_at lysten so[2] owr_e_ langage to enhavnce!

(_Hill_, l. 430-4.)

[Footnote 1: Founders of, _Oriel_ MS.]

[Footnote 2: some, _Hill_; so, _Oriel_.]

_3, St George's Square, N.W.

15 Dec., 1867._

The Book of Curtesye.

[The Book of Curtesy.]

[_From the Oriel MS. lxxix._]

[1]

Lytle childe, sythen youre tendre infancie
Stondeth as yett vndir yndyff[e]rence,
To vice or vertu to moven[1] or Applie, 3
[Sidenote 1: MS. coorven]
And in suche Age ther is no prouide_n_ce,
Ne comenly no sadde intelligence,
But ryght as wax receyueth printe and figure,
So chylder ben disposed of nature,

[2]

Vice or vertu to Folowe and ympresse
In mynde; and therfore, to stere and remeve
You from vice, and to vertu thou[1] dresse, 10
[Sidenote 1: _Read_ you]
That on to folow, and the other to eschewe,
I haue devysed you this lytill newe
Instrucc_i_on according to your_e_ age,
Playne in sentence, but playner in langage. 14

(_Richard Hill's Commonplace Book, or Balliol MS. 354, ffl C lx._)

[Sidenote: _Hill's Text._]

Here begynnyth lytill[e] Ioh_a_n.

¶ Lytell[e] Iohan, sith yo_u_r tender_e_ enfancye
Stondyth as yet vnder_e_ Indyfference
To vyce or vertu to mevyn or applie,
& in suche age _ther_[1] ys no p_ro_vydence, 4
Ne come_n_ly no sage Intelygence,
But as wax receyvith prynt or fygure,
So chyldren bene disposed of nature

[Footnote 1: The _th_ is the same as the _y_.]

¶ Vyce or vertu to folowe, & enpresse 8
In mynde; & _ther_for to styre & remeve
you frome vice, & to vertu addresse,
That on to folow, & _tha_t o_ther_ to eschewe,
I haue devysed you this lytill[e] newe 12
Instrucc_i_on[1] accordyng vnto yo_u_r age,
playn In sentence, but playner_e_ In langage.

[Footnote 1: The mark of contraction is over the _n_: t.i. the _n_ has its tail curled over its back like a dog's.]

[The Book of Courtesye.]

[_Caxton's Text._]

[1]

[Sidenote: Leaf 1 a.]

Lytyl Iohn syth your tendre enfancye Stondeth as yet vnder / in difference [Sidenote: As Infancy is indifferent] To vice or vertu to meuyn or applye 3 [Sidenote: whether it follows vice or virtue,] And in suche age ther is no prouidence Ne comenly no sad_e_ Intelligence But as waxe resseyueth prynte or figure So children ben disposid_e_ of nature 7

[2]

Vyce or vertue to folowe and_e_ enpresse In mynde / and_e_ therfore / to styre & remeue You from vice / and_e_ to vertue addresse 10 That one to folowe / and that other teschewe I haue deuysed you / this lytyl newe [Sidenote: I have written this new treatise to draw you from vice, and turn you to virtue.] Instrucc_i_on / acordyng_e_ vnto your age Playne in sentence / but playner in la_n_gage 14

* * * * *

THE ORIEL TEXT.

[3]

Taketh hede therfore and herkyn what I say,
And yeueth therto hooly your_e_ adu_er_tence,
Lette not your_e_ eye be here and your_e_ hert away, 17
But yeueth herto your_e_ besy diligence,
And ley aparte alle wantawne insolence,
Lernyth to be vertues and well thewid;
Who wolle not lere, nedely must be lewid. 21

[4]

Afore all thyng, fyrst and principally,
In the morowe when ye[1] shall vppe ryse,
[Sidenote 1: MS. he.]
To wyrship god haue in your_e_ memorie; 24
Wyth cristis crosse loke ye blesse you thriese,
Youre pater-nosteir seyth in devoute wyse,
Aue maria wyth the holy crede,
Than alle the after the bettir may ye spede. 28

[5]

And while ye be Abouten honestely
To dresse your_e_-self and don on your_e_ aray,
Wyth your_e_ felawe well and tretably 31
Oure lady matens Avyseth that you say,
And this obseruaunce vseth eu_e_ry day,
Wyth prime and owris, and wythouten drede
The blyssed lady woll graunte you your_e_ mede. 35

[Sidenote: _Hill's Text._]

¶ Take hede _ther_for, & harken what I saye,
& geve _ther_to yowr_e_ good advertence, 16
lette not yo_u_r ere be here, & yo_u_r herte awaye,
But pute you _ther_to besy delygence,
Laying a-p_ar_te all[e] wanton Insolence,
lernyd to be v_er_tuvs & well[e] thewed; 20
who will[e] not lerne, nedely he must be lewed.

¶ Afore all[e] thyng, & pryncypally
In the mornyng wha_n_ ye vp ryse,
To worship god haue in memory; 24
w_i_t_h_ cryst_is_ crosse loke ye blesse ye thryse,
yo_u_r pater_e_ nost_er_ say i_n_ devoute wyse,
Aue maria / w_i_t_h_ the holy crede;
The_n_ all[e] _th_e day the bett_er_ shall ye spede. 28

¶ And while ye dresse yo_u_r selfe, honestly
To dresse yo_u_r selfe & do on yo_u_r araye,
w_i_t_h_ yo_u_r felowe well[e] & tretably
Owr_e_ lady matens loke _tha_t you say; 32
And this obs_er_vance vse ye eu_er_y day,
w_i_t_h_ pryme & owers w_i_t_h_-owt drede.
_th_e blessyd lady will quyte you yo_u_r mede.

CAXTON'S TEXT.

[3]

Take hede therfore / and herkne what I saye [Sidenote: Attend therefore to what I say.] And_e_ gyue therto / your good_e_ aduertence Lete not your ere be here & your herte awaye 17 But put ye therto / besy diligence Leyng_e_ aparte al wantown Insolence Lerneth to be vertuous / and wel thewed_e_ [Sidenote: Learn good manners.] Who wil not lerne / nedely he must be lewed 21

[4]

[Sidenote: Leaf 1 b.]

Afore alle thing_e_ / and_e_ principally In the morenyng_e_ / whan ye vp rise [Sidenote: On rising,] To worshipe god_e_ / haue in memorie 24 With crystes crosse / loke ye blesse you thrise [Sidenote: cross yourself,] Your pater noster / saye in deuoute wyse [Sidenote: say your Pater Noster, Ave, and Creed.] Aue maria / with the holy crede Thenne alle the day / the better shal ye spede 28

[5]

And while that ye be aboute honestly To dresse your self / & do o[=n] your araye [Sidenote: While dressing,] With your felawe / wel and tretably 31 Oure lady matyns / loke that ye saye [Sidenote: say our Lady's Matins,] And_e_ this obserua[=n]ce / vse ye every daye With pryme and ouris / withouten drede [Sidenote: Prime, and Hours.] The blessid_e_ lady / wil quyte you your mede 35

* * * * *

THE ORIEL TEXT.

[6]

Kembe your_e_ hede and loke ye kepe hit clene,
Your_e_ eris twayne suffre not foule to be;
In your_e_ visage wayteth no spotte be sene, 38
Purge your_e_ nase, let hit not combred be
Wyth foule matiers Ayenst all oneste,
But wyth bare hande no matier from hit feche,
For that is a foule and an vncurtays teche. 42

[7]

Youre handes wassheth, that is an holsom thyng,
Youre nayles loke they be not geet blake,
Suffre hem not to ben ouer long growyng; 45
To your_e_ aray good hede I warne you take,
That manerly ye seet hit vp and make,
Your_e_ hode, your_e_ gowne, your_e_ hose, and eke your_e_ scho,
Wyth all array longyng your_e_ body to. 49

[8]

Kepeth clene and leseth not your_e_ gere,
And or ye passen oute of your_e_ loggyng,
Euery garment that ye schulle vppon you were, 52
Awayteth welle that hit be so syttyng
As to your_e_ degre semeth moost on accordyng;
Than woll men sey, 'for soth this childe is he
That is well taught and loueth honeste.' 56

[Sidenote: _Hill's Text._]

[Sidenote: ffl C lx back.]

¶ Kembe yo_u_r hede, & loke you kepe yt clene; 36
yo_u_r eres twayn suffre not fowle to be;
In yo_u_r wysage loke no spote be sene;
purge yo_u_r nose; lett no ma_n_ in yt se
The vile matter; yt ys none honeste; 40
Ne w_i_t_h_ yo_u_r bare hond no fylth fro_m_ yt feche,
ffor _tha_t ys fowle, & an vncurtoys teche.

¶ Yo_u_r hond_is_ wasshe; yt ys an holsom thyng;
yo_u_r naylis loke they be not gety blake, 44
Ne suffre not the_m_ over longe growyng.
To yo_u_r A-raye I warne you good hede take,
Manerly & ffyte loke you yt make;
yo_ur_ hood / gown_e_ / hosen / & eke yo_u_r sho, 48
w_i_t_h_ all yo_u_r araye longyng yo_u_r body to.

¶ Kepe you clene, & lose not yo_u_r gere;
& or you passe owt of yo_u_r lodgyng,
Eu_er_y garment _tha_t ye shall[e] were, 52
Awayte well[e] _tha_t yt be so syttyng
& to yo_u_r degre semed accordyng;
Tha_n_ will[e] me_n_ say, "for sothe _th_is child ys he
_tha_t ys well[e] tawght, & loweth honeste." 56

CAXTON'S TEXT.

[6]

Kembe your hede / & loke ye kepe it clene [Sidenote: Comb your head;] Your eres tweyne / suffre not fowl to be [Sidenote: clean your ears] In your visage / wayte no spot be sene 38 Purge your nose / lete noman in it see [Sidenote: and nose;] The vile mater / it is none honeste Ne with your bare honde / no filth fro it fecche [Sidenote: don't pick it.] For that is fowl / and an vncurtoys teche 42

[7]

[Sidenote: Leaf 2 a.]

Your hondes wesshe / it is an holsom thing_e_ Your naylis loke / they be not gety blacke Ne suffre not hem / to be ou_er_ longe growyng 45 [Sidenote: Wash your hands; don't keep your nails jet-black or too long.] To your araye / I warne you good hede take That manerly ye fytte it vp and make [Sidenote: Wear fit clothes, that fit well] Your hood_e_. gowne. hosyn / & eke your sho With al your aray longyng your body to 49

[8]

Kepe you clene / and lose not your gere And or ye passe / out of your loggyng_e_ Euery garment / that ye shal on were 52 Awayte wel / that it be so syttyng_e_ As to your degre / semeth accordyng_e_ [Sidenote: and suit your station;] The_n_ne wil men saye / forsoth this childe is he [Sidenote: the men will praise you.] That is wel taught / and louyth honeste 56

* * * * *

THE ORIEL TEXT.

[12]

Avise you well Also for eny thyng,
The schirche of prayer is the house and place,
Be ware ther_e_-for_e_ of clappe or Ianglyng, 80
For in the schirche that is full gret trysspace,
And A token of hem that lacken grace;
Ther beth demur_e_ and kepeth your_e_ sylence,
And serueth god wyth all your_e_ deligence. 84

[13]

To helpe the prest whan he shall sey the masse,
Whan hit shall happen you or be-tyde,
Remeue not ferr_e_ ne from his p_re_sence passe, 87
Kneleth or stondeth deuoutly hym be-syde,
And not to nyghe; your_e_ tounge mooste be applied
To Answere hym wyth[1] v[o]ice full moderate;
[Sidenote 1: MS. wyth hym wyth.]
Avyse you well, my lityll childe, Algate 91

[14]

To mynystre wyth de-voute Reuerence,
Loke that ye do your_e_ humble obseruaunce
Debonarly wyth [dewe] obideence, 94
Cyrcum-spectly, wyth eu_er_[y] circumstaunce
Of porte, of chere, demevir_e_ of countenaunce,
Remembryng, the lord aboue is he
Whom to serue is grettest liberte. 98

[Sidenote: _Hill's Text._]

¶ Avyce you well[e] also for any thynge,
The chyrche, of p_ra_yer ys howse & place;
be ware _ther_for of clappe or Iangelynge, 80
ffor i_n_ the chyrche yt ys a full[e] gret trespas,
& a token of suche as lacketh g_ra_ce.
Ther be ye demvre, & kepe ye scilence,
And s_er_ve ye god w_i_t_h_ all yo_u_r delygence. 84

[Sidenote: ffl C lxj.]

¶ To helpe _th_e P_re_est wha_n_ he sayth masse,
wha_n_ yt shall[e] happen you or betyde,
Remeve not fer, ne fro_m_ his p_re_sence passe;
knele or stonde you devovtly hy_m_ besyde, 88
& not to ny[=g]h: yo_u_r tonge mvst be applyde
To answere hy_m_ w_i_t_h_ woyce moderate.
Avyce you well, my lytill child, algate

¶ To mynyster w_i_t_h_ devout reverence; 92
loke ye do yo_u_r hu_m_ble observaunce
Debonerly wyth dewe obedyence,
Circu_m_spectly w_i_t_h_ euery circu_m_stavnce
Of poort, & chere of goodly covntenavnce, 96
Remembryng well _th_e lorde a-bove ys he,
whome to s_er_ve ys grettest lyberte.

CAXTON'S TEXT.

[12]

Auyse you wel also / for ony thinge The chirche of prayer / is hous and place Beware therfore / of clappe or Iangelyng_e_ 80 [Sidenote: Don't chatter,] For in þ^e chirche / it is a ful grate trespaas And a token of suche / as lackyth grace There be ye demure / and kepe ye scilence [Sidenote: but be silent, and serve God.] And serue ye god / with al your diligence 84

[13]

[Sidenote: Leaf 3 a.]

To helpe the preest / whan he saith masse [Sidenote: When you help the priest at Mass,] Whan it shal happen you or betyde Remeue not fer / ne from his presence passe 87 Knele or stonde ye / deuoutly hym besyde [Sidenote: kneel or stand near him,] And not to nyg[=h] your to_n_ge muste be applide Tanswere hym / with voys ful moderate [Sidenote: and answer him in a moderate tone.] Auyse you wel / my lityl childe algate 91

[14]

To mynystre / with deuoute reuerence [Sidenote: Minister reverently] Loke ye do / youre humble obseruance Debonairly / with due obedyence 94 Circumspectly / with euery circumstaunce [Sidenote: and circumspectly.] Of poort and chere / of goodly counte[=n]ance Remembryng_e_ wel the lord_e_ / a boue is he Whom to serue / is grettest liberte 98

* * * * *

THE ORIEL TEXT.

[15]

And whan ye speke, loketh men in the face[1]
[Sidenote 1: MS. visage.]
Wyth sobre chere and goodly semblaunce;
Cast not your_e_ eye asyde in odir place, 101
For that is a tokyn of wantowne inconstaunce,
Which wolle appeyre your_e_ name, and disauau_n_ce;
The wyse man seyth, 'who hathe this signes thre
Ne is not like a good man [for] to be--' 105

[16]

'Yn hert,' he seyth, 'who that is inconstaunte,[1]
[Sidenote 1: MS. inconstaunce]
A waveryng eye, glyddryng but sodenly
From place to place, and A fote[2] variaunte[3] 108
[Sidenote 2: MS. fore.]
[Sidenote 3: MS. variaunce.]
That in no place abydeth stabully--
Thes ben signes,' the wyse man seyth sekerly,
'Of suche a wyght as is vnmanerly nyce,
And is full like dissposed be to vice.' 112

[17]

And wayte, my childe, whan ye stond at the table,
Of souereyne or maister whether hit be,
Applieth you [for] to be seruysable, 115
That no defaute in you may founde be;
Loke who doth best and hym envyeth ye,
And specially vseth attendaunce,
Whiche is to souereyne thyng of gret plesaunce. 119

[Sidenote: _Hill's Text._]

¶ And wha_n_ ye speke, loke me_n_ in _th_e face
w_i_t_h_ sobre chere & goodly semblavnce; 100
Caste not eye a-side in no other_e_ place,
ffor _tha_t ys a token of a wanton constavnce
which will[e] apayre yo_ur_ name, & dysavance.
The wyse ma_n_ sayth, 'who hath these thy_ngis_ iij, 104
ys not lyke a good man for to be:'

¶ 'In herte,' he sayth, 'who _tha_t ys Inco_n_stavnte,
A waverynge eye, glydyng sodenly
ffro place to place, & a foote varyavnte 108
that in no place a-bydyth stabli,
'Thyse bene _th_e thyng_is_,' _th_e wysma_n_ sayth sekerly,
'Off suche a wayghte _tha_t be vnmanerly nyce,
& be full[e] lykely dysposed vnto vyce.' 112

¶ Awayte, my chyld, wha_n_ ye stonde at table,
Off mayster or soverayne whe_ther_ yt be,
Applye you for to be servysable
That no defawte in you fownden be; 116
loke who dothe best, & hym folow ye,
& in especyall[e] vse ye attendavnce
wheryn ye shall[e] yo_u_r selfe best avaunce.

CAXTON'S TEXT.

[15]

And whan ye speke / loke men in the face [Sidenote: When you speak to men, look 'em in the face.] With sobre chere / and_e_ goodly semblaunce Caste not your eye a syde / in other place 101 For that is a token of wantou[=n] inconsta_n_ce Whiche wil appeyre your name & disaua[=n]ce The wise ma_n_ saith who hath these thi_n_gis thre [Sidenote: The wise Man says] Is not lyke a good_e_ man for to be 105

[16]

[Sidenote: Leaf 3 b.]

In herte he seith / who that is inconsta[=n]te A waueryng eye / glydyng sodeynly [Sidenote: an inconstant man with a wavering eye and a wandering foot] Fro place to place / & a foot varia[=n]te 108 That in no place / abydeth stably These ben þ^e signes / the wisema_n_ seith sikerly Of suche a wight / as is vnmanerly nyce And is ful likely disposid vnto vyce 112 [Sidenote: will turn to vice.]

[17]

Awayte my chylde / whan ye sta_n_de atte table [Sidenote: When you serve at table,] Of maister or souerayn / whether it be Applye you for to be seruysable 115 [Sidenote: be attentive and tidy,] That no defaute in you founden be Loke / who doth best / and hym ensiewe ye And in especyal / vse ye attendaunce [Sidenote: specially to well-off men.] Wherein ye shal your self best auaunce 119

* * * * *

THE ORIEL TEXT.

[18]

A[s] ye be comaundyd, so ye do algate,
Beth not wyth-oute cause from the tabul absent;
Hit is plesaunce vnto the gret astate 122
To se theyr_e_ saruaunt about them p_re_sent;
Haunteth no halkes, for then ye woll be schent.
Lette maner and Mesure be your_e_ guydes twey,
So shall ye best please, I dare well sey. 126

[19]

Rewarde all-way the loke and countenaunce
Of your_e_ master, or of your_e_ souereine,
Ther shall ye best preue what is plesaunce, 129
And what displesaunce; this is the soth serteyne,
The chere discureth often tyme both twayne,
And eke the chere may some tyme you addresse
In thyng that langage may not þan expresse. 133

[20]

And what ye here there, loke ye kepe hit secre,
Besy report of mystrust is cheff norice;
Mekell langage may not all fautles be; 136
Than doth, my childe, as teicheth you the wyse,
Whiche vnto you this wysdome dothe devise,
'Here and see, be still in euery prees,[1]
[Sidenote 1: MS. 'in euery place and in prees.' _Place_ was to have
been the last word; _and in prees_ was carelessly _added_, instead of
striking out _place_.--Sk.]
Passe forth your_e_ way in silence and in pees.'

[Sidenote: _Hill's Text._]

¶ As ye be co_m_avnded, so do ye algate; 120
be not cavseles fro _th_e table absente;
yt ys a grete pleasure to _th_e high estate[1]
[Sidenote 1: noble, lord.]
To se his s_er_vaunttes abowte hy_m_ presente.
havnte no halke, for the_n_ ye will[e] be shente; 124
lette maner_e_ & mesure be yo_u_r gydes twayne;
so shall[e] ye best please, I dare savely sayne.

¶ Reward also thy loke & contenavnce,
Off yo_u_r master or of yo_u_r soverayne, 128
so shall[e] ye best p_re_ve what ys his plesavnce
or ell_is_ his dysplesavnce: this ys s_er_tayne,
The chere discovereth oftyn both[e] twayn,
& eke the chere su_m_tyme may yow addresse 132
In thyn_gis_ the langage may not the_n_ expresse.

[Sidenote: ffl C lxj, back.]

¶ And _tha_t ye here, loke ye kepe always secre;
besy reporte, of myschefe ys chese noryse;
Mykyll[e] langage may not all[e] fawtles be; 136
The_n_ do, my chyld, as techeth you _th_e wyse
whiche vnto you _th_is lessu_n_ doth devyce:
here & see, & be styll[e] in eu_er_y prees,
passe forthe yo_u_r way i_n_ scilence & i_n_ pees. 140

CAXTON'S TEXT.

[18]

As ye be comanded_e_ / so do ye algate Be not causeles / fro the table absent [Sidenote: Don't absent yourself from table,] It is a grete plesure / to the hyghe estate 122 To see his seruantis aboute hym present Haunte no halke / for the_n_ne ye wil be shente [Sidenote: or stick yourself in a corner.] Lete maner & mesure / be your gydes tweyne [Sidenote: Let Manners and Moderation guide you.] So shal ye best plese / I dar sauely seyne 126

[19]

[Sidenote: Leaf 4 a.]

Rewarde also the loke and_e_ contenaunce Of your maister / or of your souereyne [Sidenote: Look at your master's face;] So shal ye best preue what is his plesa[=n]ce 129 Or els displesaunce / this is soth serteyne [Sidenote: that'll show whether he's pleased or not.] The chere discouerith / often bothe tweyne And eke þ^e cher_e_ / somtyme may you addresse In thi_n_gis / þ^t la_n_gage may not them expresse 133

[20]

And_e_ that ye her loke / kepe alway secree [Sidenote: Keep secret all you hear.] Besy reporte / of mischief is chief noryse Mykyl langage / may not al fawtles bee 136 Then_n_e do my childe / as techeth you the wyse Whiche vnto you / this lesson doth deuyse Here and see / and_e_ be styll_e_ in euery prees Passe forth your way in scilence & in pees 140 [Sidenote: Hear, see, and go your way.]

* * * * *

THE ORIEL TEXT.

[21]

And yit in Aventure ye, if the caase require,
Ye most speke as hit may doo percace;
[Sidenote 1: MS. precace.]
Seuen condic_i_ons obserue as ye shall hire, 143
Avise you well what ye sey and in what place,
Of whom, and to whom, in your_e_ mynde compace;
Howe ye shall speke, and whan, taketh good hede,
This couns_e_illeth the wyse man wyth-outen drede.

[22]

A wayte, my childe, ye haue you manerly,
Whan at your_e_ mete ye sittyn at your_e_ table;
In euery pres, in euery company, 150
Disposeth you to be so componable,
That men may you reporte for comendable;
For tristeth well, vppon your_e_ bering
Men woll you blame or yeven you preysing. 154

[23]

And printeth chiefly in your_e_ memorie, For A principalle poynt of feire norture, Ye depraue no man absent especially; 157 Seint Austyn Amonishith wyth besy cure, Howe at the table men shull them assure, That there escapeth them no suche langage, As myght turne other folke to disparage. 161 */

[Sidenote: _Hill's Text.]

¶ And yet i_n_ aduenture, yf _th_e caas requyre,
ye may speke, but ye must p_er_caas
Seven[1] co_n_dyc_i_ons obs_er_ve, as ye may here:
[Sidenote: Six they are at p. 358, _Babees Book_, of the Wise Man.]
Avyce ye well[e] what ye say, & i_n_ what place, 144
Off whom, & to whom, i_n_ yo_u_r mynd co_m_pace;
how ye shall[e] speke, & wha_n_, take good hede:
_th_is cow[n]syled _th_e wyse ma_n_ w_i_t_h_owten drede.

¶ A-wayte, my chyld, ye behaue you man_er_ly 148
wha_n_ at yo_u_r mete ye sytte at the table;
In eu_er_y prees & In en_er_y cu_m_pany
Dyspose you to be so cu_m_penable
_th_at me_n_ may of you reporte for co_m_me_n_dable; 152
ffor, trustyth well[e], vpon yo_u_r beryng
Men will[e] you blame or gyve p_ra_ysyng.

¶ And prynte ye truly _th_is in yo_u_r memorye
for a pryncypall[e] poynt of fayer noretvre, 156
_th_at ye deprave no ma_n_ absente specyally.
Saynt Austyne amonessheth w_i_t_h_ besy cure,
howe me_n_ att table shulde the_m_ assure
_tha_t _ther_ escape the_m_ no suche langage 160
As myght hurte or bryng folke to disparage.

CAXTON'S TEXT

[21]

And yet in auenture / yf the caas require Ye may speke / but ye muste thenne p_er_caas Seue_n_ co_n_dic_i_ons obserue / as ye may now hyre 143 [Sidenote: If you must speak, observe the seven conditions.] Auyse you wel / what ye saye / & in what place Of whom / & to whom in your mynde co_m_pace How ye shal speke / & whan take good hede This co_u_ncelith the wise man withoute drede 147

[22]

[Sidenote: Leaf 4 b.]

Awayte my chylde / ye be haue you manerly Whan at your mete / ye sitte at the table [Sidenote: When you're at meals,] In euery prees and in euery company 150 Dispose you to be so compenable [Sidenote: be companionable] That men may of you reporte for _com_me_n_dable For trusteth wel / vpon your beryng_e_ Men wil you blame or gyue preysyng_e_ 154

[23]

And prynte ye trewly your memorie For a princypal point of fair noreture Ye depraue no man absent especyally 157 [Sidenote: and don't run down absent men.] Saynt austyn amonessheth with besy cure [Sidenote: St. Austin.] How men atte table / shold hem assure That there escape them / no suche langage As myght other folke hurte to disparage 161

* * * * *

THE ORIEL TEXT

[24]

This curteise clarke writeth in ryght this wyse,
Rebukyng the vice of vile detracc_i_ou_n_;
'What man hit be that of custome and guise 164
Hurteth wyth his toung wyth foule corrosiou_n_
The absent wight, for that abusiou_n_
Suche detractoure [wayue][1] from this table
[Sidenote 1: A word loss.]
As vn-worthe, not to be reprocheable. 168

[25]

Whan ye sitten therfor at your_e_ repaste,
Annoyethe no man present nor absent,
But speketh feyre, for and ye make waste 171
Off [large] langage, for soth ye most be schent;
And wan ye speke, speketh wyth good entent
Of maters appendyng to myrth and plesaunce,
But nothyng that may causen men greuaunce. 175

[26]

Eschewe also taches of foule rauenyng,
Of gredy lust the vncurteyce appetite;
Pres not to sone to your_e_ viaunde, restraine 178
Your_e_ handis a while wyth manerly respytte;
Fedith for necessite, not for delite,
Demeneth you in mete and drink soo sobrely,
That ye be not infecte wyth gloteny.' 182

[Sidenote: _Hill's Text._]

¶ This curteys clerke wryteth i_n_ _th_is wyse,
Rebukyng the vyce of vyle detracc_i_on:
what may yt be _tha_t of custu_m_ & gvyse 164
hurteth w_i_t_h_ tonge or by fowle colusyon
The absente / weyne[1] ye for _tha_t abusyon
[Sidenote 1: or weyne]
Suche a detractowr_e_ from the table
As vnworthy & also reprocheable. 168

¶ Whan ye sytte _ther_for at yo_u_r repast,
Annoye ye no ma_n_ present nor absente,
but speke ye fewe; for yff ye make wast
of large langage, for soth ye must be shent. 172
& wha_n_ ye speke // speke w_i_t_h_ good Intent
Off maters accordyng vnto plesavnce,
but no thy_n_ge _tha_t may cavse me_n_ grevaunce.

¶ Eschewe also tacches of fowle ravayne,
of gredy luste; w_i_t_h_ vncurteys appetyte 177
prece not to sone; fro yo_u_r vyande restrayn_e_
yo_u_r hand a while w_i_t_h_ manerly respyte;
ffede you for necessyte, & not for delyte. 180
Demene you w_i_t_h_ mete & dry_n_ke so soberly
That ye not be Infecte wyth glotony.

CAXTON'S TEXT.

[24]

This curtoys clerk / writeth in this wise Rebukyng_e_ the vice / of vyle detracc_i_on [Sidenote: rebukes the vice of detraction,] What man it be / that of custom & guyse 164 Hurteth with tunge / or by foule colusi[=o]n Thabsente / weyue ye for that abusio[=n] Suche a detractour / from the table [Sidenote: and bids you turn all backbiters from the table] As vnworthy / and also reprochable 168

[25]

[Sidenote: Leaf 5 a.]

Whan ye sitte therfore at your repaste Annoye ye noman presente nor absente But speke ye fewe / for yf ye make waste 171 [Sidenote: Speak little.] Of large langage / for sothe ye must be shent And whan ye speke / speke ye with good e_n_te_n_t [Sidenote: and that pleasantly.] Of maters acordyng_e_ vnto plesance But nothi_n_g / that may cause men greua[=n]ce 175

[26]

Eschewe also tacches of foule Raueyne [Sidenote: Don't be ravenous,] Of gredy luste / with vncurteys appetyte[1] Prece not to sone / fro your viand restreyne 178 Your honde a while / with manerly respite [Sidenote: but keep your hands from your food for a time.] Fede you for necessite / & not for delite Demene you with mete / & drynke so sobrely That ye not ben enfecte with glotony 182

[Footnote 1: _Orig._ appetyce.]

* * * * *

THE ORIEL TEXT.

[27]

Embrewe not your_e_ vesselle ne your_e_ cuppe[1]
[Sidenote 1: _Sic._ Read "napery."]
Ouer mesure and maner, but saue them clene;
Ensoyle not your_e_ cuppe, but kepe hit clenely, 185
Lete no fatte ferthyng of your_e_ lippe be sen.
For that is foule; wotte you what I mene?
Or than ye drincke, for your_e_ owne honeste,
Your_e_ lippis wepe, and klenly loke they be. 189

[28]

Blowe not in your_e_ drincke ne in your_e_ potage,
Ne farsith not your_e_ disshe to full of brede,
Ne bere not your_e_ knyf towarde your_e_ vysage, 192
For ther_e_-in is parell and mekell drede.
Clawe not your_e_ face ne touche not your_e_ hede
Wyth your_e_ bare hande, sittyng at the table,
For in norture that is reprouable. 196

[29]

Lowse not your_e_ gyrdyll syttyng at your_e_ table,[1]
[Sidenote 1: _Sic._ Read "mete."]
For that is a tache of vncurtesye,
But and ye seme ye be enbrasyde streite, 199
Or than ye sitte amende hit secrely,
So couertly that no wyght hit espie.
Be ware also no breth from you rebounde
Vppe ne downe, be ware that shamefull sounde.

[Sidenote: _Hill's Text._]

[Sidenote: ffl C lxij.]

¶ Enbrewe not yo_u_r vessell ne yo_u_r naprye
over maner & mesure, but kepe the_m_ clene; 184
Ensoyle not yo_u_r cuppe, but kepe yt clenly,
lete no farsyone on yo_u_r lyppis be sene,
ffor _tha_t ys fowle; ye wott what I mene.
Or than ye drynke, for yo_u_r own honeste 188
yo_u_r lyppys wype, & clenly loke they be.

¶ Blowe not i_n_ yo_u_r drynke ne i_n_ yo_u_r pottage.
Ne ferce not yo_u_r disshe to full[e] of brede;
bere not yo_u_r knyf toward yo_u_r vysage, 192
ffor _ther_yn ys peryll[e] & mykell[e] drede;
Clawe not yo_u_r visage, tovch not yo_u_r hede
w_i_t_h_ yo_u_r bare honde syttyng at _th_e table,
ffor i_n_ norture suche thyng_is_ be rep_ro_veable. 196

¶ Lose not yo_u_r gyrdyll[e] syttyng at yo_u_r mete,
ffor _tha_t is a tache of vncurtesye;
but yff ye seme ye be enbrased streyte,
or than ye sytte, amend yt secretly 200
So wysely _th_at no wyght you aspye.
be ware also no breth fro you rebownd
Vp ne down_e_, lest ye were shamfull[e] fownd.

CAXTON'S TEXT.

[27]

Enbrewe not your vessel / ne your naprye [Sidenote: Don't dirty your cloth or cup.] Ouer maner & mesure / but kepe hem clene Ensoyle not your cuppe / but kepe it clenlye 185 Lete no fat farssine / on your lippes be sene For that is fowle / ye wote what I mene Or than ye drynke / for your owen honeste [Sidenote: Wipe your lips before you drink.] Your lippes wype / and clenly loke they be 189

[28]

[Sidenote: Leaf 5 b.]

Blowe not in your dri_n_ke ne in your potage [Sidenote: Don't blow on your food,] Ne farse not your dishe to ful of brede Bere not your knyf / to ward_e_ your visage 192 [Sidenote: or put your knife to your face,] For therin is parell_e_ / and mykyl drede Clawe not your visage / touche not your hede [Sidenote: or scratch it or your head.] With your bare honde / sittyng atte table For in norture / suche thing is reprouable 196

[29]

Lose not your gyrdel / sittyng at your mete [Sidenote: Don't undo your girdle at table;] For that is a tacche / of vncurtesye But yf ye seme / ye be embraced streite 199 [Sidenote: if it's tight, let it out before you sit down.] Or then ye sytte / amende it secretly So couertly that no wight you espye Beware also / no bret[=h] fro you rebounde [Sidenote: Don't break wind up or down.] Vp ne dou[=n] / leste ye were shameful founde 203

* * * * *

THE ORIEL TEXT.

[30]

Beth huste in chambre, cilent in the halle,
Herkenyth well, yeueth good audience;
Yef vsher or marchall for eny romour calle, 206
Putting Ianglers to rebuke and cilence,
Beth mylde of langage, demure of eloquence;
Enforcith you to them confourmyde be,
That can most good and haue humanyte. 210

[31]

Touche not wyth mete salt in the saler,
Lest folke Appoynt you of vncunnyngnesse,
Dresse hit apparte vppon a clene tranchere; 213
Force not your_e_ mouth to fulle for wantannesse,
Lene not vppon the table, that is but rudesse,
And yf I shall to you so playnly say,
Ouer the table ye shull not spette convey 217

[32]

Yif ye be seruid wyth metis delicate,
Departith wyth your_e_ fellowys in gentyl wyse,
The clarke seith, 'nature is content and saciate 220
Wyth meane diete, and lytill shall suffice.'
Departyth therfor_e_, as I to you devise;
Engrosith not vnto your_e_ silven all,
For gentilnesse will ay be lyberall. 224

[Sidenote: _Hill's Text._]

¶ Be ye husht i_n_ chambre, scylente i_n_ hall[e];
herkyn well[e], & geve good audyence 205
yff vsshar or marchall[e] for any rvmowr_e_ call[e];
putt ye yanglers to rebuke for scilence.
Be ye myld of la_n_gage, demvre of eloquence; 208
Enforce you vnto hy_m_ co_n_formed to be
_tha_t ca_n_ most good, & hathe humanyte.

¶ Towch not w_i_t_h_ yo_u_r mete salte i_n_ _th_e saler,
leest folke apoynte you of vnco_n_nyngnesse; 212
Dresse yt aparte vpon a clene trensher_e_.
ffarste not yo_u_r movth to full[e] for wantonesse;
lene not on _th_e table, for _tha_t rvde ys;
& yff I shall[e] to you playnly saye, 216
over _th_e table ye shall[e] not spetell[e] co_n_veye.

¶ Yff ye be s_er_vede w_i_t_h_ met_is_ delycate,
Departe w_i_t_h_ yo_u_r felawe i_n_ gentill[e] wyse;
_th_e clerke seyth, 'nature ys co_n_tent & sacyate 220
w_i_t_h_ mene dyete, & lytill[e] shall[e] suffyce;'
Departe therfor, as I you devyce,
Engrose not vnto yowr_e_ selfe all[e],
ffor gentylnesse will[e] ay be lyberall[e]. 224

CAXTON'S TEXT.

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Be ye husht in chambre / scylent in halle [Sidenote: Be silent,] Herken wel and_e_ gyue good_e_ audience Yf vssher or marchal for ony Rumour calle 206 Put ye Ianglers to rebuke for silence [Sidenote: and put chatterers to rebuke.] Be ye myld_e_ of langage / demure of eloque_n_ce Enforce you vnto hym conformed to be [Sidenote: Imitate him who has humanity.] That can moste good / and_e_ hath humanyte 210

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[Sidenote: Leaf 6 a.]

Touche not with your mete / salt i_n_ the saler [Sidenote: Don't dip your meat in the saltcellar,] Lest folk apoynte you of vnconnyngnesse Dresse it aparte / vpon a clene trencher 213 Farse not your mouth to ful / for wa_n_tonesse Lene not vpon the table / for that rude is [Sidenote: lean on the table,] And yf I shal to you playnly saye Ouer the table / ye shal not spetel conueye 217 [Sidenote: or spit over it.]

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Yef ye be serued / with metes delicate [Sidenote: Share dainties with your fellows:] Departe with your felowe / in gentil wise The clerck saith / nature is conte_n_t & saciate 220 With mene diete / and litil shall suffyse Departe therfore / as I you deuyse Engrose not / vnto your self all_e_ For gentilnes / wil aye be liberall_e_ 224 [Sidenote: gentleness is liberal.]

* * * * *

THE ORIEL TEXT.

[33]

And wan p_er_cace your_e_ seruice is not large,
Grucchith not wyth frownyng countenaunce,
Ne maketh not ther-of to mekell charge, 227
Disposeth you to goodly sufferaunce,
And what ye haue, take hit for suffisaunce;
Holde you pleased wyth that god hath you sent,
He hath Inough[1] that can hold hym content. 231
[Sidenote 1: MS. Inought.]

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Burnysh no bonys wyth your_e_ tethe, be ware,
That houndis tecche fayleth of curtesie;
But wyth your_e_ knyff make the bonys bare; 234
Handell your_e_ mete so well and so clenly,
That ye offenden not the company
Where ye be sette, as ferre-forth as ye can;
Remembre well that man_er_ maketh man. 238

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And whan your teeth shall cutte your_e_ mete small,
Wyth open mouth be ware that ye not ete,
But loke your_e_ lippis be closede as a wall, 241
Whan to &[1] fro ye trauers your_e_ mete;
[Sidenote 1: MS. a.]
Kepe you so close that men haue no conceite
To seyn of you langage of vilonye,
Be cause ye ete your_e_ mete vnma[ne]rly. 245

[Sidenote: _Hill's Text._]

¶ And wha_n_ p_er_caas yo_u_r s_er_vyce ys not large,
Groge not w_i_t_h_ frownynge covntenavnce,
Ne make ther-of not to mykyll[e] charge;
Dyspose you to goodly suffravnce, 228
& what ye haue, take yt in suffysavnce;
be you plesid w_i_t_h_ suche as god hath you sent;
he ha[=th] ynowgh Þat ca_n_ hold hy_m_ co_n_tente.

[Sidenote: ffl C lxij back.]

¶ Burnysshe no bonys w_i_t_h_ yo_u_r te[=th], be ware, 232
Suche hownd_is_ tacches fallen of vncurtesye,
but w_i_t_h_ yo_u_r knyfe make the bonys bare.
Handle yo_u_r mete so well[e] & so clenly
That ye offende not the company 236
wher ye be sette, as ferforthe as ye can,
Reme_m_bryng well[e] _th_at maners make man.

¶ And whan _tha_t ye ete yo_u_r mete small[e],
w_i_t_h_ open mowth be ware ye not ete, 240
but loke / yo_u_r lyppes be closed as a wall[e];
wha_n_ to & fro ye traverse yo_u_r mete,
kepe you so cloos _tha_t men haue no co_n_ceyte
To saye of you any langage or vylonye 244
by cavse ye ete yo_u_r mete so vnmanerly.

CAXTON'S TEXT.

[33]

And whan percaas your seruise is not large Gruccheth not / with frownyng contena_u_nce [Sidenote: If your helping is not large, don't grumble,] Ne make therof / not to mykyl charge 227 Dispose you to goodly suffra_u_nce And what ye haue / take it in suffysa_u_nce Be ye plesid with suche as god hath you sent [Sidenote: but be content.] He hath ynough / that can hold_e_ hym conte_n_t 231

[34]

[Sidenote: Leaf 6 b.]

Burnysshe no bones / with your teth / beware [Sidenote: Don't burnish bones with your teeth.] Suche houndis tacches / falle of vncurtesye But with your knyf / make the bones bare 234 Handle your mete / so wel and so clenly [Sidenote: Handle your food cleanly,] That ye offende not the company Where ye be sette / as ferfort[=h] as ye can Reme_m_bryng wel / that manners make ma[=n]. 238 [Sidenote: for Manners make Man.]

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