For that schall{e} be to [gh]ou p{ro}fyte and worshippe.

[Sidenotes: xiv. Have your dish well filled that you may help others to it. xv. Always admit your special friends, and show them you are glad to see them.]

The xvj: when your{e} ballyfs comyn a-fore [gh]oure, speke to the{m} fayr{e} and gentilly in opy place, and not in p{ri}uey,

And shew them mery cher{e}, & serche and axe of them "how fare owr{e} me & tenaunt{is}, & how cornys doo, & cart{is}, and of owr{e} stor{e} how hit ys m{u}ltiplyed," Axe suche thyng{is} ope{n}ly, and knowe [gh]e certeynly that they wille the more drede [gh]ou.

The xvij: co{m}maunde [gh]e that din{er}is and sopers p{ri}uely i{n} hid plase be not had, & be thay forbeden that there be no suche dyn{er}s nother sopers oute of the hall{e}, For of such{e} cometh{e} grete destr[u]ccion, and no worshippe therby growyth{e} to the lorde.

Expliciu{n}t Statuta Familie bone Memorie.

[Sidenotes: xvi. Talk familiarly to your Bailiffs, ask how your tenants and store do. xvii. Allow no private meals; only those in Hall.]

[Textnotes: A MS. wyse B t.i. wroth C MS. affecciori]

Prof. Brewer has, I find, printed these Statuta in his most interesting and valuable Monumenta Franciscana, 1858, p.582-6. He differs from Mr Brock and me in reading drunkelewe (drunken, in Chaucer, &c.) as 'drunke, lewe,' and vessels as 'bossels,' and in adding e's[1] to some final g's. He says, by way of Introduction, that, "Though entitled Ordinances for the Household of Bishop Grostete, this is evidently a Letter addressed to the Bishop on the management of his Household by some very intimate friend. From the terms used in the Letter, it is clear that the writer must have been on confidential terms with the Prelate. I cannot affirm positively that the writer was Adam de Marisco, although to no other would this document be attributed with greater probability. No one else enjoyed such a degree of Grostete's affection; none would have ventured to address him with so much familiarity. Besides, the references made more than once by Adam de Marisco in his letters to the management of the Bishop's household, greatly strengthen this supposition. See pp. 160, 170 (Mon. Francisc.). The MS. is a small quarto on vellum, in the writing of the 15th century. It is in all probability a translation from a Latin original."

[Footnote 1: In this he is probably right. The general custom of editors justifies it. Our printers want a pig-tailed or curly g to correspond with the MS. one.]

* * * * * * * * *

Stanzas and Couplets of Counsel.

[From the Rawlinson MS., C. 86, fol. 31, in the Bodleian Library.]

Vtter thy langage wyth good avisement; Reule the by Reasou{n} in thy termo[gh] all{e};

[Sidenote: Never mistrust or fail your friend.]

Mystruste not thy frende for non{e} accusement, Fayle him neu{er} at nede, what so eu{er} befall{e}; 4 Solace i selfe when men{n} to sporte ee call{e};

[Sidenote: Don't talk too much.]

Largely to speke be wele ware for {a}t cause; Roll{e} faste this reasou{n} & thynke wele on {i}s clause.

[Sidenote: Spare your master's goods as your own.]

What man{n} {o}u s{er}uyst, all{e} wey him drede; 8 His good as y owne, eu{er} {o}u spare. Lette neu{er} y wyll{e} y witt ou{er} lede, But be glad of eu{er}y mannys welfare.

Folus lade polys; wisemen{n} ete e fysshe; 12 Wisemen{n} hath in {er} hondis ofte {a}t folys aft{er} wyssh{e}.

[Sidenote: A lawless youth, a despised old age.]

Who so in youthe no vertu vsith, In age all{e} hono{ur} him refusith.

Deame {e}e best in eu{er}y doute 16 Tyl e trouthe be tryed oute.

[Sidenote: A Gentleman says the best he can of every one.]

It is e properte of A gentilman{n} To say the beste {a}t he can{n}.

Si vie[gh] doler{e} tua crimina die miserer{e} 20 Permiserere mei frangitur ira dei

[Follows:—Policronica.

Josephus of Iewes {a}t Nobyl was, the firste Aucto{ur} of the booke of Policronica, &c.]

* * * * * * * * *

The schoole

of Vertue, and booke of

good Nourture for chyldren, and youth to learne theyr dutie by, Newely perused, corrected, and augmented by the fyrst Auctour F. S.[eager]

With a briefe declaracion of the dutie of eche degree.

Anno. 1557.

Dispise not councel, rebuking foly Esteme it as, nedefull and holy.

Imprinted at London in Paules Churchyarde at the signe of the Hedgehogge by Wyllyam Seares.

THE AUCTOURS NAME IN VERDYT.

[S] Saye well some wyll by this my labour [E] Euery man yet Wyll not say the same [A] Amonge the good I doubt not fauour [G] God them forgeue For it me blame [E] Eche man I wyshe It shall offende [R] Reade and then iudge Where faulte is amende

Face aut Tace.

[Transcriber's Note:

Headnotes are interlaced with the table of contents; they will also appear in their original locations in the text. On the title page the name SEAGER was printed vertically, enclosed in a single box.

The verse lines described in the editor's note have been re-split for this e-text. Line numbers that were omitted or skipped have been regularized to multiples of 4, as in other selections. Large-print (original) sidenotes are shown with a smaller indentation; almost all are names or Biblical citations.]

CONTENTS.

(Taken from the headings in the Text.)

PAGE The mornynge prayer 225 Cap. i. Howe to order thy selfe when thou rysest, and in apparelynge thy body 226 [Headnote: HOW TO RISE AND DRESS IN THE MORNING.] Cap. ii. Howe to behaue thy selfe in going by the streate and in the schoole 227 [Headnote: HOW TO BEHAVE IN SCHOOL AND STREET.] Cap. iii. Howe to behaue thi selfe in seruynge the table 229 [Headnote: HOW TO SERVE AT DINNER.] Cap. iiii. Howe to order thy selfe syttynge at the table 231 [Headnote: HOW TO BEHAVE AT ONE'S OWN DINNER.] Cap. v. Howe to order thy selfe in the Churche 233 Cap. vi. The fruites of gamynge, vertue and learnynge 234 [Headnote: AGAINST GAMING, AND FOR VIRTUE.] Cap. vii. How to behaue thy selfe in taulkynge with any man 235 Cap. viii. How to order thy selfe being sente of message 236 [Headnote: HOW TO CARRY A MESSAGE.] Cap. ix. A-gainste Anger, Enuie, and malice 236 Cap. x. The fruites of charitie, loue, and pacience 237 Cap. xi. A-gainge (so) the horrible vice of swearynge 238 [Headnote: AGAINST SWEARING.] Cap. xii. A-gainste the vice of filthy talkynge 239 Cap. xiii. A-gainste the vice of lyinge 239 [Headnote: AGAINST LYING.] A praier to be saide when thou goest to bedde 240 [Headnote: A NIGHTLY PRAYER.] The dutie of eche degred. (so) brefely declared 241 [Headnote: THE DUTY OF ALL DEGREES OF MEN.]

[N.B. The even lines (2, 4, &c.) of the original are printed here opposite the odd ones (1, 3, &c.), instead of after them, to save space. The lines must therefore be read right across the page. The sidenotes in large type, 'Cato, Isocra, &c.,' are those of the original. The rest are the editor's, and he has added headlines, some stops, &c.]

The schoole of vertue.

[Sidenote: First, say this prayer: "O God!]

[Sidenote: [sign. A. ii.]]

First in the mornynge when thou dost awake, To God for his grace thy peticion then make; 4 This prayer folowynge vse dayly to say, Thy harte lyftynge vp; Thus begyn to pray 8

The mornynge prayer.

+"O God, from whom al good gifts procede!

[Sidenote: enable us to follow virtue.]

To thee we repayre in tyme of our nede, 12 That with thy grace thou wouldst vs endue Vertue to folowe and vyce to exchue: 16 Heare this our request, and graunt our desyre,

[Sidenote: [sign. A. ii.b.]]

O lorde! moste humbly we do the requyre! 20

[Sidenote: Defend us this day.]

This day vs defende, that we walkynge aryght May do the thynge acceptable in thy syght, 24 That as we in yeares And body do growe,

[Sidenote: Let us abound with virtues, flee from vice, and go forward in good doing to our live's end."]

So in good vertues we may lykewyse flowe 28 To thy honour, and ioy of our parentes, Learninge to lyue well, and kepe thy co{m}maund mentes; 32 In flyinge from all Vice, synne, and cryme, Applyinge our bookes, not losynge our tyme, 36 May fructifye and go forwarde here in good doynge In this vale of miserie vnto oure lyuees endynge, 40

[Sidenote: [sign. A. iii.]]

That after this lyfe here transitory We may attayne to greater glory." 44

[Sidenote: Repeat the Lord's Prayer night and morning.]

The Lordes prayer then se thou recyte, So vsynge to do at mornynge and nyght. 48

[Headnote: HOW TO RISE AND DRESS IN THE MORNING.]

[Sidenote: How to wash and dress yourself.]

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

Capitulo .i.

[Sidenote: Cato.]

+Flye euer slouthe and ouer much slepe;

[Sidenote: Don't sleep too long.]

In health the body therby thou shalte kepe. 52 Muche slepe ingendereth diseases and payne, It dulles the the wyt and hurteth the brayne. 56

[Sidenote: Rise early; cast up your bed, and don't let it lie.]

[Sidenote: [sign. A. iii.b.]]

Early in the mornynge thy bed then forsake, Thy rayment put on, thy selfe redy make. 60 To cast vp thy bed It shalbe thy parte, Els may they say that beastly thou art; 64 So to departe and let the same lye, It is not semynge nor yet manerly. 68

[Sidenote: Go down, salute your parents, wash your hands, comb your head, brush your cap and put it on.]

Downe from thy chamber when thou shalte go, Thy parentes salute thou, and the famely also; 72 Thy handes se thou washe, and thy hed keame, And of thy rayment se torne be no seame; 76

[Sidenote: [sign. A. iiii.]]

Thy cappe fayre brusht, thy hed couer than, Takynge it of In speakynge to any man. 80

[Sidenote: Cato.]

Cato doth councel thee thyne elders to reuerence Declarynge therby thy dutye and obedience. 84

[Sidenote: Tie on your shirt-collar, fasten your girdle, rub your breeches, clean your shoes, wipe your nose on a napkin, pare your nails, clean your ears, wash your teeth.]

Thy shyrte coler fast to thy necke knyt; Comely thy rayment loke on thy body syt. 88 Thy gyrdell about thy wast then fasten, Thy hose fayre rubd thy showes se be cleane. 92 A napkyn se that thou haue in redines Thy nose to clense from all fylthynes. 96

[Sidenote: [sign. A. iiii.b.]]

Thy nayles, yf nede be, se that thou payre; Thyne eares kepe cleane, thy teath washe thou fayre. 100

[Sidenote: Have your torn clothes mended, or new ones obtained.]

If ought about thee chaunce to be torne, Thy frendes therof shewe howe it is worne, 104 And they wyll newe for thee prouyde, Or the olde mende, In tyme beinge spyde, 108

[Sidenote: Get your satchell and books, and haste to School, taking too pen, paper, and ink, which are necessary for use at school.]

This done, thy setchell and they bokes take, And to the scole haste see thou make. 112 But ere thou go, with thy self forthynke. That thou take with thee pen, paper, and ynke; 116 For these are thynges for thy study necessary, Forget not then with thee them to cary. 120 The souldiar preparynge hym selfe to the fielde

[Sidenote: [sign. A. v.]]

Leaues not at home his sworde and his shielde, 124 No more shulde a scoler forget then truly what he at scole shulde nede to occupy. 128

[Sidenote: Then start off.]

These thynges thus had, Take strayght thy way Vnto the schole without any stay. 132

[Sidenote: How to behave going to, and at, School.]

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

[Sidenote: Take off your cap to those you meet; give way to passers by.]

+In goynge by the way and passynge the strete,

[Sidenote: Isocra.]

Thy cappe put of, Salute those ye mete; 136

[Sidenote: Cato.]

In geuynge the way to suche as passe by, It is a poynte of siuilitie. 140

[Sidenote: [sign. A. v.b.]]

[Sidenote: Call your playmates on your road.]

And thy way fortune so for to fall, Let it not greue thee thy felowes to call. 144

[Sidenote: At School salute your master, and the scholars.]

when to the schole thou shalte resort, This rule note well I do the exhort: 148 Thy master there beynge, Salute with all reuerence, Declarynge thereby thy dutye and obedience; 152 Thy felowes salute In token of loue, Lest of inhumanitie they shall the reproue. 156

[Sidenote: Go straight to your place, undo your satchell, take out your books and learn your lesson; stick well to your books.]

Vnto thy place appoynted for to syt, Streight go thou to, and thy setchel vnknyt, 160 Thy bokes take out, thy lesson then learne

[Text note: [A Orig. Huubly]]

[Sidenote: [sign. A. vi.]]

Humbly [A] thy selfe Behaue and gouerne. 164 Therein takynge payne, with all thyne industry Learnynge to get thy boke well applye: 168 All thynges seme harde when we do begyn,

[Sidenote: Virgil.]

But labour and diligence yet both them wyn; 172 we ought not to recken and coumpt the thyng harde That bryngeth ioye and pleasure afterwarde; 176

[Sidenote: If you don't work, you'll repent it when you grow up.]

Leaue of then laboure, and the lacke rue, Lament and repent when age doth insue. 180

[Sidenote: Who could now speak of famous deeds of old, had not Letters preserved them?]

Deades that deserued Fame and greate prayse, Buried had ben, we se in olde dayes; 184

[Sidenote: [sign. A. vi.b.]]

If letters had not then brought them to lyght 188 The truth of suche thynges who coulde nowe resyght? Applye thy minde to learnynge and scyence,

[Sidenote: Cato.]

For learnynge in nede wyll be thy defence. 192 Nothinge to science compare we may well,

[Sidenote: Cicero.]

The swetenes wherof all thynges doth excell. 196 And Cato the wyse this worthy sayinge hath,

[Sidenote: Cato.]

That man wantinge learnynge is as the image of death. 200

[Sidenote: Aristot.]

The rootes of learnynge most bytter we deme; The fruites at last Moste pleasaunt doth seme. 204

[Sidenote: Work hard then, and you'll be thought worthy to serve the state.]

Then labour for learnynge whyle here thou shalt lyue,

[Sidenote: [sign. A. vii.]]

The ignoraunt to teache, and good example geue; 208 So shalte thou be thought A membre most worthy The common welth to serue

[Text note: [B Orig. ryme]]

In tyme[B] of necessitie. 212 Experience doth teache And shewe to thee playne

[Sidenote: Men of low birth win honour by Learning, and then are doubly happy.]

That many to honour By learninge attayne 216 That were of byrthe But symple and bace,— Suche is the goodnes Of Gods speciall grace,— 220 For he that to honour by vertue doth ryse, Is double happy, and counted most wyse. 224

[Sidenote: When you doubt, ask to be told.]

If doubte thou doest, Desyre to be toulde, No shame is to learne, Beinge neuer so oulde; 228

[Sidenote: [sign. A. vii.b.]]

Ignoraunce doth cause Great errors in vs For wantynge of knowledge Doubts to discusse; 232 Then learne to discerne the good from the yll,

[Sidenote: Wish well to those who warn you.]

And suche as thee warne, Bere them good will. 236

[Headnote: HOW TO BEHAVE IN SCHOOL AND STREET.]

[Sidenote: On your way home walk two and two orderly (for which men will praise you); don't run in heaps like a swarm of bees like boys do now.]

when from the schoole ye shall take your waye, Or orderly then go ye, twoo in aray, 240 your selues matchynge So equall as ye may, That men it seynge May well of you saye 244 In commendynge this your laudable wayes, whiche must nedes sounde to your great prayse, 248 Not runnynge on heapes as a swarme of bees, As at this day Euery man it nowe sees; 252

[Sidenote: [sign. A. viii.]]

Not vsynge, but refusynge, Suche foolyshe toyes As commonly are vsed In these dayes of boyes, 256

[Sidenote: Don't whoop or hallow as in fox-hunting don't chatter, or stare at every new fangle, but walk soberly, taking your cap off to all, and being gentle.]

As hoopynge and halowynge as in huntynge the foxe, That men it hearynge Deryde them with mockes. 260 This foolyshnes forsake, this folly exchewynge, And learne to followe this order insuynge. 264 In goynge by the way Neyther talke nor iangle, Gape not nor gase not at euery newe fangle, 268 But soberly go ye with countinaunce graue;

[Sidenote: Isocra.]

Humblye your selues towarde all men behaue; 272

[Sidenote: [sign. A. viii.b.]]

Be free of cappe and full of curtesye; Greate loue of al men you shall wyn therby. 276 Be lowly and gentyll and of meke moode; Then men con not but of you say good. 280

[Sidenote: Do no man harm; speak fair words.]

In passynge the strete Do no man no harme; Vse thou fewe wordes, and thy tounge charme, 284 Then men shal see that grace in the groweth From whom vertues So aboundantly floweth. 288

[Sidenote: On reaching home salute your parents reverently.]

when thou arte come where thy parentes do dwell, Thy leaue then takynge Byd thy felowes farewell; 292 The house then entrynge, In thy parence presence

[Sidenote: [sign. B. i.]]

Humbly salute them with all reuerence. 296

[Sidenote: 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 For the purpose moste fyt: 300

[Sidenote: Look your parents in the face, hold up your hands, and say]

With sober countinaunce Lokynge them in the face, Thy handes holdynge vp, this begyn grace: 304

[Sidenote: Grace before meate.]

+"Geue thankes to God with one accorde For that shall be Set on this borde. 308

[Sidenote: Grace before Meat.]

And be not carefull what to eate, To eche thynge lyuynge the Lorde sends meate; 312 For foode he wyll not Se you peryshe,

[Sidenote: [sign. B. i.b.]]

But wyll you fede, Foster, and cheryshe; 316 Take well in worth what he hath sent, At this tyme be 320 therwith content, Praysynge God."

So treatablie speakyng as possible thou can, 324 That the hearers therof May thee vnderstan.

[Sidenote: Make a low curtesy; wish your parents' food may do 'em good.]

Grace beynge sayde, Lowe cursie make thou, 328 Sayinge "muche good May it do you."

[Headnote: HOW TO SERVE AT DINNER.]

[Sidenote: If you are big enough, bring the food to table.]

Of stature then yf thou be able, 332 It shall become thee to serue the table In bringynge to it Suche meate as shall nede 336

[Sidenote: [sign. B. ii.]]

For thy parence vpon that tyme to fede.

[Sidenote: Don't fill dishes so full as to spill them on your parents' dress, or they'll be angry.]

Disshes with measure thou oughtest to fyll, 340 Els mayste thou happen thy seruyce to spyll On theyr apparell Or els on the cloth, 344 whiche for to doe wolde moue them to wroth.

[Sidenote: Have spare trenchers ready for guests.]

Spare trenchers with napkyns haue in redynes 348 To serue afterwarde, If there come any gesse. Be circumspecte; see nothynge do wante; 352

[Sidenote: See there's plenty of everything wanted.]

Of necessary thynges that there be no skant, As breade and drynke, se there be plentie; 356

[Sidenote: Empty the Voiders often.]

The voyders with bones Ofte se thou emptie.

[Sidenote: [sign. B. ii.b.]]

At hande be ready, If any do call, 360

[Sidenote: Be at hand if any one calls.]

To fetche or take vp, If ought fortune to fall.

[Sidenote: When the meat is over, clear the table: 1. cover the salt, 2. have a tray by you to carry things off on, 3. put the trenchers, &c., in one Voider, 4. sweep the crumbs into another, 5. set a clean trencher before every one, 6. put on Cheese, Fruit, Biscuits, and 7. serve Wine, Ale or Beer.]

when they haue done, then ready make 364 The table vp fayre In order to take: Fyrste the saulte Se that thou couer, 368 Hauynge by thee Eyther one or other thynges from thy handes then to conuaye 372 That from the table thou shalt take awaye. A voyder vpon the table then haue, 376 The trenchers and napkyns therein to receaue; The croomes with a napkyn together them swepe, 380

[Sidenote: [sign. B. iii.]]

It at the tables ende In a voyder them kepe. Then before eche man A cleane treanchour lay, 384 The best fyrste seruynge, As iudge thou soone may; Then cheese with fruite On the table set, 388 With Bisketes or Carowayes, As you may get. Wyne to them fyll, Els ale or beare; 392 But wyne is metest, If any there were.

[Sidenote: When these are finished, clear the table, and fold up the cloth.]

Then on the table Attende with all diligence, 396 It for to voyde when done haue thy parence: Eche syde of the clothe Do thou tourne in, 400 Foldynge it vp, At the hygher ende begin.

[Sidenote: Then spread a clean towel, bring bason and jug, and when your parents are ready to wash, and when your parents are ready to wash, pour out the water.]

[Sidenote: [sign. B. iii. b.]]

A cleane towell then On the table spreade,— 404 The towell wantynge, the cloth take in steade,— The bason and ewer to the table then brynge, 408 In place conuenient theyr pleasure abydynge. when thou shalt see them redy to washe, 412 The ewer take vp, and be not to rashe In powrynge out water More then wyll suffise. 416

[Sidenote: Clear the table; make a low curtsey.]

The table then voyde that they may ryse. All thynges thus done, forget not thy dutie, 420 Before the table Make thou lowe cursie.

[Headnote: HOW TO BEHAVE AT ONE'S OWN DINNER.]

[Sidenote: [sign. B. iiii.]]

[Sidenote: How to behave at your own dinner.]

Howe to order thy selfe syttynge at the table.

Capitulo .iiii.

+O Chyldren! geue eare your duties to learne, 424 Howe at the table you may your selues gouerne.

[Sidenote: Socra. Cato.]

Presume not to hyghe, I say, in no case; 428

[Sidenote: Let your betters sit above you.]

In syttynge downe, to thy betters geue place.

[Sidenote: See others served first, then wait a while before eating.]

Suffer eche man Fyrste serued to be, 432 For that is a poynte Of good curtesie. when they are serued, then pause a space, 436 For that is a sygne of nourture and grace.

[Sidenote: Take salt with your knife, cut your bread, don't fill your spoon too full, or sup your pottage.]

Saulte with thy knyfe then reache and take, 440

[Sidenote: [sign. B. iiii.b.]]

The breade cut fayre, And do not it breake. Thy spone with pottage to full do not fyll, 444 For fylynge the cloth, If thou fortune to spyll, For rudnes it is thy pottage to sup, 448 Or speake to any, his head in the cup.

[Sidenote: Have your knife sharp.]

Thy knyfe se be sharpe to cut fayre thy meate; 452 Thy mouth not to full when thou dost eate;

[Sidenote: Don't smack your lips or gnaw your bones: avoid such beastliness.]

Not smackynge thy lyppes, As comonly do hogges, 456 Nor gnawynge the bones As it were dogges; Suche rudenes abhorre, Suche beastlynes flie, 460 At the table behaue thy selfe manerly.

[Sidenote: Keep your fingers clean, wipe your mouth before drinking.]

[Sidenote: [sign. B. v.]]

Thy fyngers se cleane that thou euer kepe, 464 Hauynge a Napkyn thereon them to wype; Thy mouth therwith Cleane do thou make, 468 The cup to drynke In hande yf thou take, Let not thy tongue At the table walke, 472

[Sidenote: Plato.]

[Sidenote: Don't jabber or stuff.]

And of no matter Neyther reason nor talke. Temper thy tongue and belly alway, 476 For "measure is treasure," the prouerbe doth say,

[Sidenote: Cicero.]

And measure in althynges Is to be vsed; 480 what is without measure Ought to be refused.

[Sidenote: Silence hurts no one, and is fitted for a child at table.]

For silence kepynge thou shalt not be shent, 484

[Sidenote: [sign. B. v.b.]]

where as thy speache May cause thee repent.

[Sidenote: Isocra.]

Bothe speache and silence are commendable, 488 But sylence is metest In a chylde at the table.

[Sidenote: Cato.]

And Cato doth saye, that "in olde and yonge 492 The fyrste of vertue Is to kepe thy tonge."

[Sidenote: Don't pick your teeth, or spit too much.]

Pyke not thy teethe at the table syttynge, 496 Nor vse at thy meate Ouer muche spytynge; this rudnes of youth Is to be abhorde; 500

[Sidenote: Behave properly.]

thy selfe manerly Behaue at the borde.

[Sidenote: Don't laugh too much.]

If occasion of laughter at the table thou se, 504 Beware that thou vse the same moderately.

[Sidenote: [sign. B. vi.]]

[Sidenote: Learn all the good manners you can.]

Of good maners learne So muche as thou can; 508 It wyll thee preferre when thou art a man.

[Sidenote: Aristot.]

Aristotle the Philosopher this worthy sayinge writ, 512

[Sidenote: They are better than playing the fiddle, though that's no harm, but necessary; yet manners are more important.]

That "maners in a chylde are more requisit then playnge on instrumentes and other vayne pleasure; 516 For vertuous maners Is a most precious treasure." Let not this saynge In no wyse thee offende, 520 For playnge of instrumentes He doth not discommende, But doth graunt them for a chylde necessary, 524 Yet maners muche more see here he doth vary. Refuse not his councell, Nor his wordes dispise; 528

[Sidenote: [sign. B. vi.b.]]

To vertue and knowledge By them mayste thou ryse.

[Sidenote: How to behave at Church.]

Howe to order thy selfe in the Churche.

Cap. .v.

+Vvhen to the Churche thou shalt repayer, 532

[Sidenote: Pray kneeling or standing.]

Knelynge or standynge, to God make thy prayer; All worldely matters From thy mynde set apart, 536 Earnestly prayinge, to God lyfte vp thy hart.

[Sidenote: Psal. 1.]

A contrite harte He wyll not dispyse, 540 whiche he doth coumpt A sweete sacrifice.

[Sidenote: Confess your sins to God.]

To hym thy sinnes shewe and confesse, 544 Askynge for them Grace and forgyuenes;

[Sidenote: [sign. B. vii.]]

[Sidenote: He knows your disease.]

He is the Phisition that knoweth thy sore, 548 And can to health A-gayne thee restore.

[Sidenote: Iames the .i.]

[Sidenote: Ask in faith, and what you ask you shall have; He is more merciful than pen can tell.]

Aske then in fayth, Not doubtynge to haue; 552 The thynges ye desyre ye shall then receaue; So they be lawfull Of God to requyre, 556 He wyll the heare and graunt thy desyre; More mercifull he is then pen can expresse, 560 The aucthor and geuer here of all goodnesse.

[Sidenote: Math. x.]

"All ye that laboure and burdened be, 564 I wyll you refreshe In commynge to me." These are Chrystes wordes, the scripture is playne, 568

[Sidenote: [sign. B. vii.b.]]

Spoken to all suche as here suffre payne; Our wylles to his worde then let vs frame, 572 The heauenly habytacion therby we may clame.

[Sidenote: Behave nicely in church, and don't talk or chatter.]

In the churche comly thy selfe do behaue, 576 In vsage sober, thy countinaunce graue. whyle you be there, taulke of no matter, 580 Nor one with an other whisper nor chatter.

[Sidenote: Behave reverently; the House of Prayer is not to be made a fair.]

Reuerently thy selfe Order alwaye 584 when to the Churche thou shalt come to pray: Eche thynge hath his tyme, Consyder the place, 588

[Sidenote: Luke .xix.]

For that is a token of vertue and grace,

[Sidenote: [sign. B viii.]]

The Lorde doth call it the house of prayer 592 And not to be vsed As is a fayer.

[Headnote: AGAINST GAMING, AND FOR VIRTUE.]

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

[Sidenote: Avoid dicing and carding.]

+O Lytle chylde, Eschewe thou euer game,— 596 For that hath brought Many one to shame,— As dysynge, and cardynge, And suche other playes, 600 which many vndoeth, as we se nowe a dayes.

[Sidenote: Cicero.]

But yf thou delyght In any earthly thynge, 604

[Sidenote: Delight in Knowledge, Virtue, and Learning.]

Delyght in knowledge, Vertue, and learnynge, For learnynge wyll leade thee to the schoole of vertue, 608

[Sidenote: [sign. B. viii.b.]]

And vertue wyll teache thee Vice to subdue. Vice beynge subdued, thou canst not but floryshe; 612

[Sidenote: Happy is he who cultivates Virtue.]

Happy is the man that vertue doth norysh. By knowledge lykewyse thou shalt doubtes discerne, 616 By vertue agayne thy lyfe well gouerne. These be the frutes By them we do take, 620

[Sidenote: Cursed is he who forsakes it.]

Cursed is he then that doth them forsake. But we erre in wyt In folowynge our wyll, 624 In iudgynge that good which playnly is yll.

[Sidenote: Let reason rule you, and subdue your lusts.]

Let reason thee rule, and not will thee leade 628 To folowe thy fansie, A wronge trace to treade. [Sidenote: [sign. C. i.]]

But subdue thy luste, and conqeur thy wyll 632 If it shall moue thee to doe that is yll;

[Sidenote: These ills come from gambling: strife, murder, theft, cursing and swearing.]

For what hurte by game to many doth growe, 636 No wyse man I thynke but doth it well knowe. Experience doth shewe and make it manifeste 640 That all good men can it but deteste, As strife and debate, murder and thefte, 644 whiche amonge christians, wolde god were lefte, with cursynge and bannynge, with swearyng and tearyng, 648 That no honest harte can abyde the hearyng: These be the fruites that of them doth sprynge, 652

[Sidenote: [sign. C. i.b.]]

with many more as euill that cometh of gamynge.

[Sidenote: How to behave when conversing.]

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

+If a man demaunde a question of thee, 656

[Sidenote: Isocra.]

In thine aunswere makynge be not to hastie;

[Sidenote: Understand a question before you answer it; let a man tell all his tale.]

waie well his wordes, the case vnderstande 660 Eare an answere to make thou take in hande, Els may he iudge in thee little wit, 664 To answere to a thynge and not heare it. Suffer his tale whole out to be toulde, 668 Then speake thou mayst, and not be controulde;

[Sidenote: Then bow to him, look him in the face, and answer sensibly, not staring about or laughing, but audibly and distinctly, your words in due order, or you'll straggle off, or stutter, or stammer, which is a foul crime.]

[Sidenote: [sign. C. ii.]]

Low obeisaunce makyng, lokinge him in the face, 672 Tretably speaking, thy wordes see thou place. with countinaunce sober thy bodie vprighte 676 Thy fete iuste to-gether, thy handes in lyke plight; Caste not thyne eies on neither syde. 680 when thou arte praised, therin take no pryde. In tellynge thy tale, neither laugh nor smyle, 684 Such folly forsake thou, banish and exyle; In audible voice thy wordes do thou vtter, 688 Not hie nor lowe, but vsynge a measure.

Thy wordes se that thou pronounce plaine, 692

[Headnote: HOW TO CARRY A MESSAGE.]

[Text note: [C orig. thai]]

[Sidenote: [sign. C. ii.b.]]

And that [C] they spoken Be not in vayne; In vttryng wherof Kepe thou an order, 696 Thy matter therby thou shalte much forder; whiche order yf thou Do not obserue, 700 From the purpose nedes must thou swarue. And hastines of speche wyll cause thee to erre, 704 Or wyll thee teache to stut or stammer. To stut or stammer is a foule crime, 708 Learne then to leaue it, take warnyng in tyme; How euyll a chylde it doth become, 712 Thy selfe beynge iudge, hauinge wisedome;

[Sidenote: [sign. C. iii.]]

And sure it is taken by custome and vre, 716 whyle yonge you be there is helpe and cure. This generall rule yet take with the, 720

[Sidenote: Always keep your head uncovered.]

In speakynge to any man Thy head vn-couered be. The common prouerbe remember ye oughte, 724

[Sidenote: Better unfed than untaught.]

"Better vnfedde then vn-taughte."

[Sidenote: How to take a Message.]

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

+If of message forthe thou be sente, 728

[Sidenote: Listen to it well; don't go away not knowing it.]

Take hede to the same, Geue eare diligente; Depart not awaye and beyng in doute, 732

[Sidenote: [sign. C. iii.b.]]

Know wel thy message before thou passe out;

[Sidenote: Then hurry away, give the message; get the answer, return home, and tell it to your master exactly as it was told to you.]

with possible spede then hast thee right sone; 736 If nede shall requirr it so to be done. After humble obeisaunce, the message forth shewe 740 Thy wordes well placinge in vttringe but fewe As shall thy matter serue to declare. 744 Thine answere made, then home againe repare, And to thy master therof make relacion 748 As then the answere shall geue thee occasion.

[Sidenote: Socra.]

Neither adde nor deminish any thynge to the same, 752 Lest after it proue to thy rebuke and shame,

[Sidenote: [sign. C. iiii.]]

But the same vtter so nere as thou can; 756 No faulte they shall fynde to charge thee with than, In most humble wyse loke done that it be, 760 As shall become beste a seruantes degre.

[Sidenote: Against Anger, &c.]

A-gainste Anger, Enuie, and malice.

Cap. ix.

[Sidenote: The slave of Anger must fall.]

+If thou be subiecte and to anger thrall, 764 And reason thee rule not, nedes must thou fall.

[Sidenote: Pericles.]

Conquer thy wyll and subdue thy luste, 768 Thy fansy not folowing, thy cause though be iuste;

[Sidenote: Anger's deeds are strange to wise men.]

For anger and furie wyll thee so chaunge 772

[Sidenote: [sign. C. iiii.b.]]

That thy doynges to wise men wyll appear straunge. Thine anger and wrath seke then to appeace, 776

[Sidenote: Plato.]

For wrath, saith Plato, Leades shame in a leace.

[Sidenote: Isocra.]

The hastie man wantes neuer trouble, 780

[Sidenote: A hasty man is always in trouble.]

His mad moody mynde his care doth double. And malyce thee moue to reuenge thy cause, 784 Dread euer god, and daunger of the lawes.

[Sidenote: Take no revenge, but forgive.]

Do not reuenge, though in thy power it be, 788 Forgeue the offender being thine enemie. He is perfectely pacient, we may repute plaine, 792

[Sidenote: Plato.]

[That] From wrath and furye himselfe can refrayne.

[Sidenote: Envy no one.]

[Sidenote: [sign. C. v.]]

Disdayne nor enuie The state of thy brother, 796

[Sidenote: Seneca.]

In worde nor dede not hurtyng one an other.

[Sidenote: An ill body breeds debate.]

Debate and disceate, contencion and enuie, 800 Are the chiefe frutes of an euyll bodie.

[Sidenote: Salomon.]

And Salomon saithe "The harte full of enuie, 804 Of him selfe hath no pleasure nor commoditie."

[Sidenote: The Fruits of Charity, &c.]

The fruites of charitie, loue, and pacience.

Cap. x.

[Sidenote: Charity seeketh not her own, but bears patiently.]

+Charitie seketh not that to her doth belonge, 808 But paciently a-bydinge, sustainynge rather wronge;

[Sidenote: Charity seeketh not her own, but bears patiently.]

Not enuiynge, but bearinge with loue and pacience,— 812

[Sidenote: [sign. C. v.b.]]

So noble is her nature,— forgeuing all ofence.

[Sidenote: Love incites to Mercy.]

And loue doth moue the mynde to mercie, 816 But malice againe doth worke the contrarie. whiche in the wicked wyll euer beare stroke, 820

[Sidenote: Patience teaches forbearance.]

Pacience thee teacheth therof to beare the yoke. where pacience and loue to-gether do dwell 824 All hate and debate, with malice, they expell.

[Sidenote: Pithagoras.]

Loue constant and faithfull, Pithagoras doth call 828 To be a vertue most principall.

[Sidenote: Plato.]

Plato doth speake almoste in effecte 832 'where loue is not, no vertue is perfecte.'

[Sidenote: [sign. C. vi.]]

[Sidenote: Pray God to give thee Charity and Patience, to lead thee to Virtue's School, and thence to Eternal Bliss.]

Desire then god to assiste thee with his grace 836 Charitie to vse and pacience to imbrace; These three folowinge will thee instructe, 840 That to vertues schoole they wyll thee conducte, And from vertues schoole to eternall blisse 844 where incessaunt ioie continually is.

[Headnote: AGAINST SWEARING.]

[Sidenote: Against Swearing.]

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

Cap. xi.

[Sidenote: Take not God's name in vain, or He will plague thee.]

+In vaine take not the name of god; 848 Swere not at all for feare of his rod. The house with plagues he threteneth to visit 852

[Sidenote: [sign. C. vi.b.]]

where othes are vsed: they shall not escape it. Iuste are his iudgementes, and true is his worde, 856 And sharper then is a two edged sworde;

[Sidenote: Beware of His wrath, and live well in thy vocation.]

wherfore beware thou his heauy indignacion, 860 And learne to lyue well in thy vocacion wherin that god shall thee set or call; 864 Rysinge againe— if it fortune to fall— By prayer and repentance, whiche is the onely waie. 868 Christ wolde not the death of a sinner, I saye, But rather he turne From his wickednesse, 872 And so to lyue in vertue and goodnesse.

[Sidenote: [sign. C. vii.]]

[Sidenote: What is the good of swearing?]

what better art thou for this thy swearyng 876 Blasfamouslye, the name of god tearyng?

[Sidenote: It kindles God's wrath against thee.]

Prouokynge his yre and kyndlinge his wrath 880 Thee for to plauge, that geuinge the hath Knowlage and reason thy selfe for to rule, 884 And for to flee the thynge that is euyl.

[Sidenote: Seneca.]

Senica doth councell thee all swerynge to refrayne, 888 Although great profite by it thou mighte gaine:

[Sidenote: Pericles.]

Pericles, whose wordes are manifeste and playne, 892 From sweryng admonisheth thee to obstaine;

[Sidenote: God's law forbids swearing, and so does the counsel of Philosophers.]

The lawe of god, and commaundement he gaue, 896

[Sidenote: [sign. C. vii.b.] Swearynge amongst vs in no wyse wolde haue. The councell of philosoph[ers] I haue here expreste, 900 Amongest whom sweryng was vtterly deteste; Much lesse amongest christians ought it to be vsed, 904 But vtterly of them cleane to be refused.

[Sidenote: Against filthy talking.]

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

[Sidenote: Never talk dirt.]

+No filthy taulke in no wise vse, 908 Thy tonge therby for to abuse.

[Sidenote: For every word we shall give account at the Day of Doom, and be judged according to our deeds.]

Of euery idell worde an accumpte we shall render;— 912 All men I woulde this sayinge to remember;—

[Sidenote: [sign. C. viii.]]

To god for it at the generall daie 916 In earnest or sporte we shall speake or saie; whiche daye to the iuste shallbe most ioyfull, 920 And to the wicked againe as wofull. As we here doe, so shall we receaue, 924 Vnles we repente and mercy of god craue. If god wyll deale with vs so straight 928 For thinges that be of so small waight,

[Sidenote: Let lewd livers then fear.]

Then haue we cause to feare and dreade, 932 Our lyues lewdly if we haue leade.

[Sidenote: Keep your tongue from vain talking.]

[Sidenote: [sign. C. viii.b.]]

Thy tonge take hede thou doe refrayne 936 From speakyng wordes that are moste vayne;

[Sidenote: Aristot.]

Thy wyll and witte to goodnes applie, 940 Thy mynde exercise in vertuous studie.

[Headnote: AGAINST LYING.]

[Sidenote: Against Lying.]

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

[Sidenote: Plato.]

+To forge, to fayne, to flater and lye, 944 Requiere diuers collours with wordes fayre and slye,

[Sidenote: To speak the truth needs no study, therefore always practise it and speak it.]

But the vtteraunce of truthe is so simple and playne 948 That it nedeth no studie to forge or to fayne; wherfore saye truth, how euer stand the case, 952 So shalte thou fynde more fauour and grace. Vse truthe, and say truth, in that thou goest aboute, 956 For tyme of althinges the truthe wyll bringe out.

[Sidenote: [sign. D. i.]]

[Sidenote: Shame is the reward of lying.]

Shame is the rewarde For lying dewe; 960 Then auoyde shame, and vtter wordes trewe. A lyar by his lying this profet doth get, 964 That whan he saith truth no man wyll him credet;

[Sidenote: Always speak the truth.]

Then let thy talke with the truth agree, 968 And blamed for it thou shalte neuer bee.

[Sidenote: Who can trust a liar?]

Howe maie a man a lyer ought truste? 972 But doubte his dedes, his woordes being vniuste. In tellyng of truth there lougeth no shame, 976 Where vttring of lyes deserueth much blame;

[Sidenote: If a lie saves you once, it deceives you thrice.]

And though a lye from stripes ye once saue, 980

[Sidenote: [sign. D. i.b.]]

Thrise for that once it wyll the desceue; Truste then to truth, and neither forge nor fayne, 984 And followe these preceptes: from liyng do refraine.

[Headnote: A NIGHTLY PRAYER.]

[Sidenote: A bedward Prayer.]

A praier to be saide when thou goest to bedde.

[Sidenote: God of mercy, take us into Thy care.]

+O Mercifull god! heare this our requeste, 988 And graunte vnto vs this nighte quiet reste. Into thy tuicion, oh lorde, do vs take! 992 Our bodies slepynge, our myndes yet maie wake.

[Sidenote: Forgive us our sins.]

Forgeue the offences this daye we haue wroughte 996 A-gainste thee and our neighbour in worde, dede, and thoughte! And graunte vs thy grace hense forth to flie sinne, 1000

[Sidenote: [sign. D. ii.]]

[Sidenote: Deliver us from evil, and our enemy the Devil.]

And that a newe lyfe we maie nowe beginne! Deliuer and defende vs this night from all euell, 1004 And from the daunger of our enemie, the diuell, whiche goeth a-boute sekyng his praie, 1008 And by his crafte whom we maie betraie.

[Sidenote: Assist us to conquer him and ascribe all honour to Thee.]

Assiste vs, oh lorde, with thy holy sprite, 1012 That valiantly against him we maie euer fighte; And winning the victorie, maie lifte vp our voice, 1016 And in his strength faithfully reioice, Saying, "to the lorde be all honour and praise 1020 For his defence bothe now and alwaies!"

[Transcriber's Note:

In the following segment, the numbers 1, 2, 3... from the original text are used as sidenote markers. There are no footnotes.]

[Headnote: THE DUTY OF ALL DEGREES OF MEN.]

[Sidenote: [sign. D. ii.b.]]

[Sidenote: Each one's Duty.]

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

[Sidenote: The Duty of [1] Princes, [2] Judges, [3] Prelates, [4] Parents, [5] Children, [6] Masters, [7] Servants, [8] Husbands.]

1 +Ye princes, that the earth rule and gouerne, 1024 Seke ye for knowledge doubtes to discerne. 2 Ye iudges, geue iudgement according to righte 1028 As may be founde acceptable in the lordes sight. 3 Ye prelates, preache purely the worde of our lorde, 1032 That your liuings & prechinges in one maie accorde. 4 Ye fathers and mothers, so your children instructe 1036 As maye them to grace and uertue conducte.

[Sidenote: [sign. D. iii.]]

5 Ye chyldren, lykewyse obey your pare{n}tes here; 1040 In all godlinesse see that ye them feare. 6 Ye maisters, do you the thynge that is righte 1044 Not lokynge what ye may do by mighte. 7 Ye seruauntes, applie your busines and arte, 1048 Doinge the same in singlenesse of harte. 8 Ye husbandes, loue your wyues, and with them dwell, 1052 All bitternesse set aparte, vsing wordes gentell.

[Sidenote: The Duty of [9] Wives, [10] Parsons and Vicars, [11] Men of Law, [12] Craftsmen, [13] Landlords, [14] Merchants, [15] Subjects, [16] Rich Men, [17] Poor Men, [18] Magistrates, [19] Officers,]

9 Ye wyues, to your husbandes be obedient alwaie, 1056

[Sidenote: [sign. D. iii.b.]]

For they are your heades, and ye bounde to obeie. 10 Ye persons and vickers that haue cure and charge, 1060 Take hede to the same, and roue not at large. 11 Ye men of lawe, in no wyse delaie 1064 The cause of the poore, but helpe what ye maie. 12 Ye that be craftes men, vse no disceite, 1068 Geuing to all men tale, measure, and weighte. 13 Ye that be landlordes and haue housen to let, 1072 At reasonable rentes do them forth set.

[Sidenote: [sign. D. iiii.]]

14 Ye merchauntes that vse the trade of merchandise, 1076 Vse lawfull wares and reasonable prise. 15 Ye subiectes, lyue ye in obedience and awe, 1080 Fearyng gods stroke, and daunger of the lawe. 16 Ye rych, whom god hath goods vnto sente, 1084 Releue the poore and helpe the indigente. 17 Ye that are poore, with your state be contente, 1088 Not hauinge wherwith to lyue competente. 18 Ye magestrates, the cause of the widdow and fatherles 1092

[Sidenote: [sign. D. iiii.b.]]

Defende againste suche as shall them opresse. 19 All ye that are called to any other office, 1096 Execute the same acordinge to iustice.

[Sidenote: The Duty of all Men.]

20 Let eche here so liue in his vocacion, 1100 As maie his soule saue, and profet his nacion.

[Sidenote: God grant us all to live and die well!]

21 This graunting god, that sitteth on hie, 1104 we shall here well lyue and after well die.

Famam virtutis mors Abolire nequit quod. F. S.

Imprinted at London in Paules Churchyearde. By william Seares.

* * * * * * * * *

Whate-ever thow sey, avyse thee welle!

[MS. O. 9. 38. Trinity College, Cambridge.]

Almy[gh]ty godde, conserue vs fram care! Where ys thys worle A-wey y-wente?

[Sidenote: A man must mind what he says; hearts are fickle and fell.]

A man that schold speke, had nede to be ware, ffor lytyl thyng he may be schente; 4 Tonggys beth y-turne to lyther entente; Hertys, they beth bothe fykel and felle; Man, be ware leste thow repente! Whate eu{er} thow sey, A-vyse the welle! 8

[Sidenote: Take care what you say.]

A-vyse the, man, yn whate place and whare A woord of conseyl thow doyst seyne;

[Sidenote: A false friend may hear it, and after a year or two will repeat it.]

Sum man may ley ther-to hys ere; Thow wenyst he be thy frend; he ys thy foo c{er}teyne; 12 P{er}aventor aftyr A [gh]ere or tweyne— Thow trowyst as tru as eny stele,— Thys woord yn wreth thow schalt hyre A-gayne! Whate eu{er} thow sey, A-vyse the welle! 16

[Sidenote: Hasty speech hurts hearer and speaker.]

Meny man spekyth yn hastenys: hyt hyndryth hym and eke hys frende; hym were well{e} beter his tong{e} to sese Than they both ther-for be schende. 20 Suche wordys beth not to be had yn meynde, hyt maky[gh]t comforte w{i}t{h} care to kele:

[Sidenote: In the beginning, think on the end.]

Man, yn the begynnyng thenk on e eynde! Whate eu{er} thow sey, A-vyse the welle! 24

[Sidenote: You tell a man a secret, and he'll betray it for a drink of wine.]

To sum man thow mayste tel a pryuy tale: Whan he fro the ys wente A-way, ffor a draw[gh]t of wyne other ale he woll{e} the wrey, by my fay, 28 And make hyt worse (hyt ys noo nay) Than eu{er} hyt was, A thowsend dele.

[Sidenote: Mind what you say.]

Thys ys my song{e} both ny[gh]t & day, Whate eu{er} thow sey, A-vyse the welle! 32

[Sidenote: Avoid backbiting and flattering; refrain from malice, and bragging.]

Be ware of bagbytynge, y the rede; ley flateryng{e} vndyr thy foote, loke; Deme the beste of eu{er}y dede Tyll{e} trowth haue serchyd truly e roote; 36 Rrefrayne malyce cruell{e} & hoote; Dyscretly and wysly speende thy spelle; Boost ne brag{e} ys worth A Ioote; Whate eu{er} thow sey, A-vyse the welle! 40

[Sidenote: A venomous tongue causes sorrow.]

Dysese, wharre, sorowe and debate, ys caused ofte by venemys tong{e};

[Sidenote: When words are said, regret is too late.]

haddywyst cometh eu{er} to late Whan lewyd woordis beth owte y-sprong{e}. 44 The kocke seyth wysly on his song{e} 'hyre and see, and hold the stylle,' And eu{er} kepe thys lesson A-mong{e},

[Sidenote: Mind what you say.]

Whate eu{er} thow sey, A-vyse the welle! 48

[Sidenote: Had men thought of this, many things done in England would never have been begun.]

y dere well{e} swery by the sonne, yf eu{er}y man had thys woord yn thow[gh]t Meny thynggis had neu{er} be by-gunne That ofte yn Ingelond hath be y-wro[gh]t. 52

[Sidenote: See The Wise Man, in Babees Boke, &c. p.48.]

The wyse man hath hys sone y-taw[gh]tte yn ryches, poorte, woo, and welle, Thys worthy reson for-[gh]ete thow no[gh]t, Whate eu{er} thow sey, A-vyse the welle! 56

[Sidenote: To speak aright observe six things: 1. what; 2. of whom; 3. where; 4. to whom; 5. why; 6. when.]

yf that thow wolte speke A-ry[gh]t, Ssyx thynggys thow moste obserue then: What thow spekyst, & of what wy[gh]t, Whare, to wham, whye, and whenne. 60 Thow noost how soone thow schalt go henne; As lome be meke, as serpent felle;

[Sidenote: In every place mind what you say.]

yn eu{er}y place, A-monge all{e} men, Whate eu{er} thow sey, A-vyse the welle! 64

[Sidenote: Almighty God, grant me grace to serve Thee!]

"Almy[gh]ty god yn personys thre, W{i}t{h} herte mylde mekly y praye, Graunte me grace thy seruant to be Yn woorde and dede eu{er} and aye! 68

[Sidenote: Mary, mother, send me grace night and day!]

Mary, moder, blessyd maye, Quene of hevyn, Imp{er}es of helle, Sende me grace both ny[gh]t and daye!" Whate eu{er} thow sey, A-vyse the welle! 72

EXPLICIT &c.

* * * * * * * * *

A Dogg Lardyner, & a Sowe Gardyner.

[MS. O. 9. 38. Trinity College, Cambridge.]

Printed in Reliqui Antiqu, v. i. p.233, from MS. Lansdowne No. 762, fol. 16 b.

[Sidenote: A dog in a larder, a sow in a garden, a fool with wise men, are ill matcht.]

hoo so maky[gh]t at crystysmas A dogg{e} lardyner, And yn march Asowe gardyner, And yn may A foole of every wysmanys counsayll{e}, he schall{e} neu{er} haue goode larder, ne fayre gardyn, nother counsayll{e} well{e} y-keptt.

* * * * * * * * *

Maxims in -ly.

[_MS. Lansdowne 762, fol. 16 b, written as prose. Printed in _Reliqui Antiqu, v. i. p.233_.]

Aryse erly, serue God devowtely and the worlde besely, doo thy werk wisely, yeue thyn{e} almes secretely, goo by the waye sadly, answer the people demuerly, goo to thy mete apetitely, sit therat discretely, of thy tunge be not to lib{er}ally, arise therfrom temp{er}ally, go to thy supper soberly and to thy bed merely, be in thyn Inne iocundely, please thy loue duely, and Slepe suerly.

* * * * * * * * *

Roger Ascham's Advice

to

Lord Warwick's Servant.

With the different counsels to babees, pages, and servants, throughout this volume, may be compared Roger Ascham's advice to his brother-in-law, Mr C.H., when he put him to service with the Earl of Warwick, A.D. 1559. Here follows part of it, from Whitaker's Hist. of Richmondshire, p.282.

First and formost, in all your thoughts, words, and deeds, [a]have before your eyes the feare of God..... [b] love and serve your lord willingly, faithfullye, and secretlye; love and live with your fellowes honestly, quiettlye, curteouslye, that noe man have cause either to hate yow for your stubborne frowardnes, or to malice yow for your proud ungentlenes, two faults which co{m}monly yonge men soones[t] fall into in great men's service. [c] Contemne noe poore man, mocke noe simple man, w{hi}ch proud fooles in cort like and love to doe; find fault with your selfe and with none other, the best waye to live honestlye and quiettly in the court. [d] Carrye noe tales, be noe co{m}mon teller of newes, be not inquisitive of other menn's talke, for those that are desirous to heare what they need not, co{m}monly be readye to babble what they shold not. [e] Vse not to lye, for that is vnhonest; speake not everye truth, for that is vnneedfull; yea, in tyme and place a harmlesse lye is a greate deale better then a hurtfull truth. [f] Use not dyceing nor carding; the more yow use them the lesse yow wilbe esteemed; the cunninger yow be at them the worse man yow wilbe counted. [g] for pastime, love and learne that w{hi}ch your lord liketh and vseth most, whether itt be rydeing, shooteing, hunting, hawkeing, fishing or any such exercise. Beware of secrett corners and night sitting vp, the two nurses of mischiefe, unthriftines, losse, and sicknes. [h] Beware cheifely of ydlenes, the great pathway that leadeth directly to all evills; be diligent alwayes, be present every where in your lord's service, [i] be at hand to call others, and be not ofte sent for yourselfe; for marke this as part of your creed, that the good service of one whole yeare shall never gett soe much as the absence of one howre may lose, when your lord shall stand in need of yow to send. if yow consider alwayes that absence and negligence must needes be cause of greife and sorrowe to your selfe, of chideing and rueing to your lord, and that [k] dutye done diligently and presently shall gaine yow profitt, and purchase yow great praise and your lord's good countenance, yow shall ridd me of care, and wynne your selfe creditt, make me a gladd man, and your aged mother a ioyfull woman, and breed your freinds great comforth. [l] Soe I comitt and co{m}mend yow to God's mercifull protecc{i}on and good guidance, who long preserve Your ever loving and affectionate brother in lawe.

R. ASKAM.

To my loveing Brother in Lawe, Mr C.H., Servant to the Rt. Ho{n}. the Earle of Warwick, these.

[Sidenotes: [a] Fear God, [b] serve your lord faithfully, be courteous to your fellows. [c] Despise no poor man. [d] Carry no tales. [e] Tell no lies. [f] Don't play at dice or cards. [g] Take to your lord's favourite sport. [h] Beware of idleness. [i] Always be at hand when you're wanted. [k] Diligence will get you praise. [l] God be with you!]

* * * * * * * * *

Errata (noted by transcriber):

Booke of Demeanor:

[Sidenote: [p.11.]] [p. 1.]

Bp. Grossetest's Household Statutes:

Incipiunt statuta familie bone Memorie do{m}pni [{m} damaged or unclear: looks like n with following space] T the secunde ys [from editor's Corrigenda: The T of T the is used as a paragraph mark in theMS.]

The Schoole of Vertue:

ll. 27-40 [Sidenote: ... to our live's end."] [apostrophe unchanged] l. 32 and kepe thy co{m}maundmentes; ["co{m}maund/mentes" at line break without hyphen] l. 55 It dulles the the wyt [text unchanged] l. 40, 48, 82, 976 [line number missing] l. 305 [Sidenote: Grace before meate.] [This sidenote is in large type and was in the original book; the following "Grace before Meat" is in ordinary small type and was added by the editor.] ll. 321, 322 [The absent line is shown as 321.] l. 1104 [misprinted 1102, and see Transcriber's Note at beginning of selection]

Ascham's Advice:

in great men's service [' invisible]

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The Babees Book,

OR A 'LYTYL REPORTE' OF HOW YOUNG PEOPLE SHOULD BEHAVE.

[MS. Harl. 5086, fol. 86-90; ab. 1475 A.D.]

[Transcriber's Note:

In the printed book, some line numbers were shifted to avoid collision with the pilcrow symbol at the beginning of each seven-line stanza. For this e-text, line numbers have been regularized to multiples of 4.]

+In this tretys the which{e} I thenke to wryte Out of latyn in-to my comvne langage, He me supporte (sen I kan nat endyte), The which{e} only after his owne ymage 4 Fourmyd man-kynde! For alle of tendre age In curtesye Resseyve shulle document, And vertues knowe, by this lytil coment.

[Sidenote: My God, support me while I translate this treatise from Latin. It shall teach those of tender age.]

And Facett seyth{e} the Book of curtesye, 8 Vertues to knowe, thaym forto haue and vse, Is thing moste heelfull{e} in this worlde trevly. Therfore in feyth{e} I wole me nat excuse From this labour ywys, nor hit Refuse; 12 For myn owne lernynge wole I say su{m}me thing That touchis vertues and curtesye havyng.

[Sidenote: To know and practise virtues is the most profitable thing in the world.]

But, O yonge Babees, whom{e} bloode Royall{e} With{e} grace, Feture, and hyh{e} habylite 16 Hath{e} eno{ur}myd, on yow ys that I call{e} To knowe this Book; for it were grete pyte, Syn that in yow ys sette sovereyne beaute, But yf vertue and nurture were with{e} all{e}; 20 To yow therefore I speke in specyall{e},

[Sidenote: Young Babies, adorned with grace, I call on you to know this book (for Nurture should accompany beauty),]

And nouht{e} to hem of elde that ben{e} experte In governau{n}ce, nurture, and honeste. For what nedys to yeve helle peynes smerte, 24 Ioye vnto hevene, or water vnto the see,

[Sidenote: [Fol. 86b.]]

Heete to the Fyre that kan nat but hoote be? It nedys nouht{e}: therfore, O Babees yynge, My Book only is made for youre lernynge. 28

[Sidenote: and not on aged men expert therein. Why add pain to hell, water to the sea, or heat to fire? Babies, my book is for you only,]

Therfore I pray that no man Reprehende This lytyl Book, the which{e} for yow I make; But where defaute ys, latte ylke man amende, And nouht{e} deme yt; [I] pray thaym for youre sake. 32 For other mede ywys I kepe noon{e} take But that god wolde this Book myht{e} yche man plese, And in lernynge vnto yow do{n}ne so{m}me ese.

[Sidenote: and so I hope no one will find fault with it, but only amend it. The only reward I seek is that my book may please all and improve you.]

Eke, swete children, yf ther{e} be eny worde 36 That yee ke{n}ne nouht{e}, spyrre whils yee yt ken; Wha{n}ne yee yt knowe, yee mowe holde yt in horde, Thus thurh{e} spyrryng yee mowe lerne at wyse men. Also thenke nouht{e} to st{ra}ungely at my penne, 40 In this metre for yow lyste to procede, Men vsen yt; therfore on hit take hede.

[Sidenote: If you don't know any word in it, ask till you do, and then keep hold of it. And do not wonder at this being in metre.]

But amonge alle that I thenke of to telle, My purpos ys first only forto trete 44 How yee Babees in housholde that done duelle Shulde haue your{e} sylf whe{n}ne yee be sette at mete, And how yee shulde, whe{n}ne men lyste yow Rehete, Haue wordes lovly, swete, bleste, and benyngne. 48 In this helpe me O Marie, Modir dyngne!

[Sidenote: I must first describe how you Babies who dwell in households should behave at meals, and be ready with lovely and benign words when you are spoken to.]

And eke, O lady myn, Facecia! My pe{n}ne thow guyde, and helpe vnto me shewe;

[Sidenote: [Fol. 87.]]

For as the firste off alle lettres ys the A, 52 So Artow firste Modir of alle vertue. Off myn vnku{n}nynge, swete lady, now Rewe; And thouh{e} vntauht{e} I speke of governau{n}ce, With{e} thy swete helpe supporte myn ygnorau{n}ce. 56

[Sidenote: Lady Facetia, help me! Thou art the Mother of all Virtue. Help the ignorance of me untaught!]

+A, Bele Babees, herkne now to my lore! Whe{n}ne yee entre into yo{ur} lordis place, Say first, "god spede;" And alle that ben byfore Yow in this stede, salue with{e} humble Face; 60 Stert nat Rudely; ko{m}me Inne an esy pace; Holde vp youre heede, and knele but on oone kne To youre sovereyne or lorde, whedir he be.

[Sidenote: Fair Babies, when you enter your lord's place, say "God speed," and salute all there. Kneel on one knee to your lord.]

And yf they speke with{e} yow at youre komynge, 64 With{e} stable Eye loke vpon{e} theym Riht{e}, To theyre tales and yeve yee goode herynge Whils they haue seyde; loke eke with{e} alle yo{ur} myht{e} Yee Iangle nouht{e}, also caste nouht{e} yo{ur} syht{e} 68 Aboute the hovs, but take to theym entent With{e} blyth{e} vysage, and spiryt diligent.

[Sidenote: If any speak to you, look straight at them, and listen well till they have finished; do not chatter or let your eyes wander about the house.]

Whe{n}ne yee Answere or speke, yee shull{e} be purveyde What yee shall{e} say / speke eke thing fructuous; 72 On esy wyse latte thy Reson{e} be sayde

[Sidenote: [Fol. 87b.]]

In wordes gentyll{e} and also compendious, For many wordes ben riht{e} Tedious To ylke wyseman that shall{e} yeve audience; 76 Thaym to eschewe therfore doo diligence.

[Sidenote: Answer sensibly, shortly, and easily. Many words are a bore to a wise man.]

Take eke noo seete, but to stonde be yee preste; Whils forto sytte ye haue in komau{n}dement, Youre heede, youre hande, yo{ur} feet, holde yee in reste; 80 Nor thurh{e} clowyng, yo{ur} flesshe loke yee nat Rent; Lene to no poste whils that ye stande present Byfore yo{ur} lorde, nor handyll{e} ye no thyng Als for that tyme vnto the hovs touching. 84

[Sidenote: Stand till you are told to sit: keep your head, hands, and feet quiet: don't scratch yourself, or lean against a post, or handle anything near.]

At eu{er}y tyme obeye vnto youre lorde Whe{n}ne yee answere, ellis stonde yee styl as stone But yf he speke; loke with{e} oon accorde That yf yee se ko{m}me Inne eny p{er}sone 88 Better tha{n}ne yee, that yee goo bak anoone And gyff him place; your{e} bak eke in no way Turne on no wiht{e}, as ferforth{e} as ye may.

[Sidenote: Bow to your lord when you answer. If any one better than yourself comes in, retire and give place to him. Turn your back on no man.]

Yiff that youre lorde also yee se drynkynge, 92 Looke that ye be in riht{e} stable sylence With{e}-oute lowde lauht{e}re or Iangelynge, Rovnynge, Iapynge, or other Insolence. Yiff he komau{n}de also in his presence 96 Yow forto sytte, fulfill{e} his wylle belyve, And for youre seete, looke nat with{e} other stryve,

[Sidenote: Be silent while your lord drinks, not laughing, whispering, or joking. If he tells you to sit down, do so at once.]

Whe{n}ne yee er sette, take noon{e} vnhoneste tale;

[Sidenote: [Fol. 88.]]

Eke forto skorne eschewe with{e} alle yo{ur} myht{e}; 100 Latte ay youre chere be lowly, blyth{e}, and hale, With{e}-oute chidynge as that yee wolde fyht{e}. Yiff yee p{er}ceyve also that eny wiht{e} Lyst yow ko{m}mende that better be tha{n}ne yee, 104 Ryse vp anoon{e}, and thanke him with{e} herte free.

[Sidenote: Then don't talk dirt, or scorn any one, but be meek and cheerful. If your better praises you, rise up and thank him heartily.]

Yif that yee se youre lorde or y{o}ure lady Touching the housholde speke of eny thinge, Latt theym alloone, for that is curtesy, 108 And entremete yow nouht{e} of theyre doynge, But be Ay Redy with{e}-oute feynynge At hable tyme to done yo{ur} lorde service, So shall{e} yee gete anoon{e} a name of price. 112

[Sidenote: When your lord or lady is speaking about the household, don't you interfere, but be always ready to serve at the proper time,]

Also to brynge drynke, holde liht{e} wha{n}ne tyme ys, Or to doo that which{e} ouht{e} forto be done, Looke yee be preste, for so yee shall{e} ywys In nurture gete a gentyl name ful sone; 116 And yif ye shulde at god aske yow a bone Als to the worlde, better in noo degre Miht{e} yee desire tha{n}ne nurtred forto be.

[Sidenote: to bring drink, hold lights, or anything else, and so get a good name. The best prayer you can make to God is to be well mannered.]

Yif that youre lorde his owne coppe lyste co{m}mende 120 To yow to drynke, ryse vp wha{n}ne yee it take, And resseyve it goodly with{e} booth{e} youre hende; Of yt also to nne other profre ye make, But vnto him that brouht{e} yt yee hit take 124

[Sidenote: [Fol. 88b.]]

Whe{n}ne yee haue done, for yt in no kyn wyse Auht{e} comvne be, as techis vs the wyse.

[Sidenote: If your lord offers you his cup, rise up, take it with both hands, offer it to no one else, but give it back to him that brought it.]

Now must I telle in shorte, for I muste so, Youre observau{n}ce that ye shall{e} done at none; 128 Whe{n}ne that ye se youre lorde to mete shall{e} goo, Be redy to fecche him water sone; Su{m}me helle[1] water; su{m}me holde to he hath{e} done The cloth{e} to him; And from him yee nat pace 132 Whils he be sette, and haue herde sayde the grace.

[Sidenote: At Noon, when your lord is ready for dinner, some pour water on him, some hold the towel for him till he has finished, and don't leave till grace is said.]

Byfore him stonde whils he komau{n}de yow sytte, With{e} clene handes Ay Redy him to serve; Whe{n}ne yee be sette, yo{ur} knyf with{e} alle yo{ur} wytte 136 Vnto youre sylf both{e} clene and sharpe conserve, That honestly yee mowe yo{ur} owne mete kerve. Latte curtesye and sylence with{e} yow duelle, And foule tales looke noone to other telle. 140

[Sidenote: Stand by your lord till he tells you to sit, then keep your knife clean and sharp to cut your food. Be silent, and tell no nasty stories.]

Kutte with{e} yo{ur} knyf yo{ur} brede, and breke yt nouht{e}; A clene Trenchour byfore yow eke ye lay, And whe{n}ne yo{ur} potage to yow shall{e} be brouht{e}, Take yow sponys, and soupe by no way, 144 And in youre dysshe leve nat yo{ur} spone, I pray, Nor on the borde lenynge be yee nat sene, But from embrowyng the cloth{e} yee kepe clene.

[Sidenote: Cut your bread, don't break it. Lay a clean trencher before you, and eat your broth with a spoon, don't sup it up. Don't leave your spoon in your dish. Don't lean on the table, or dirty the cloth.]

Oute ou{er}e youre dysshe yo{ur} heede yee nat hynge, 148 And with{e} fulle mouth{e} drynke in no wyse; Youre nose, yo{ur} teeth{e}, yo{ur} naylles, from pykynge,

[Sidenote: [Fol. 89.]]

Kepe At your mete, for so techis the wyse. Eke or ye take in youre mouthe, yow avyse, 152 So mekyl mete but that yee riht{e} well{e} mowe Answere, And speke, whe{n}ne men speke to yow.

[Sidenote: Don't hang your head over your dish, or eat with a full mouth, or pick your nose, teeth, and nails, or stuff your mouth so that you can't speak.]

Wha{n}ne ye shall{e} drynke, yo{ur} mouthe clence with{e} A cloth{e}; Youre handes eke that they in no manere 156 Imbrowe the cuppe, for tha{n}ne shull{e} noon{e} be loth{e} With{e} yow to drynke that ben with{e} yow yfere. The salte also touche nat in his salere With{e} nokyns mete, but lay it honestly 160 On youre Trenchoure, for that is curtesy.

[Sidenote: Wipe your mouth when you drink, and don't dirty the cup with your hands. Don't dip your meat in the salt-cellar,]

Youre knyf with{e} mete to yo{ur} mouthe nat bere, And in youre hande nor holdɇ yee yt no way; Eke yf to yow be brouht{e} goode metys sere, 164 Luke curteysly of ylke mete yee assay, And yf yo{ur} dysshe with{e} mete be tane away And better brouht{e}, curtesye wole certeyne Yee late yt passe and calle it nat ageyne. 168

[Sidenote: or put your knife in your mouth. Taste every dish that's brought to you, and when once your plate is taken away, don't ask for it again.]

And yf st{ra}ungers with{e} yow be sette at mete, And vnto yow goode mete be brouht{e} or sente, With{e} parte of hit goodely yee theym Rehete, For yt ys nouht{e} ywys convenyent 172 With{e} yow at mete, wha{n}ne other ben present, Alle forto holde that vnto yow ys brouht{e}, And as wrecches on other vouchesauf nouht{e}.

[Sidenote: If strangers dine with you, share all good food sent to you with them. It's not polite to keep it all to yourself.]

[Sidenote: [Fol. 89b.]]

Kutte nouht{e} youre mete eke as it were Felde men, 176 That to theyre mete haue suche an appetyte That they ne rekke in what wyse, where ne when, Nor how vngoodly they on theyre mete twyte; But, swete children, haue al-wey yo{ur} delyte 180 In curtesye, and in verrey gentylnesse, And at youre myht{e} eschewe boystousnesse.

[Sidenote: Don't cut your meat like field labourers, who have such an appetite they don't care how they hack their food. Sweet children, let your delight be courtesy, and eschew rudeness.]

Wha{n}ne chese ys brouht{e}, A Trenchoure ha ye clene On which{e} with{e} clene knyf [ye] yo{ur} chese mowe kerve; 184 In your fedynge luke goodly yee be sene. And from Iangelyng yo{ur} tunge al-wey conserve, For so ywys yee shall{e} a name deserve Off gentylnesse and of goode governau{n}ce, 188 And in vertue al-wey youre silf avau{n}ce.

[Sidenote: Have a clean trencher and knife for your cheese, and eat properly. Don't chatter either, and you shall get a good repute for gentleness.]

Wha{n}ne that so ys that ende shall{e} kome of mete, Youre knyffes clene, where they ouht{e} to be, Luke yee putte vp{pe}; and holde eke yee yo{ur} seete 192 Whils yee haue wasshe, for so wole honeste. Whe{n}ne yee haue done, looke tha{n}ne goodly that yee With{e}-oute lauht{e}r{e}, Iapynge, or boystous worde, Ryse vp{pe}, and goo vnto youre lordis borde, 196

[Sidenote: When the meal is over, clean your knives, and put them in their places; keep your seats till you've washed; then rise up without laughing or joking, and go to your lord's table.]

And stonde yee there, and passe yee him nat fro Whils grace ys sayde and brouht{e} vnto an ende, Tha{n}ne so{m}me of yow for water owe to goo, So{m}me holde the clothe, so{m}me poure vpn his hende. 200

[Sidenote: [Fol. 90.]]

Other service tha{n}ne this I myht{e} comende To yow to done, but, for the tyme is shorte, I putte theym nouht{e} in this lytyl Reporte,

[Sidenote: Stand there till grace is said. Then some of you go for water, some hold the towel, some pour water over his hands. Other things I shall not put in this little Report,]

But ou{er}e I passe, prayyng with{e} spyrit gladde 204 Of this labour that no wiht{e} me detray, But where to lytyl ys, latte him more adde, And whe{n}ne to myche ys, latte him take away; For thouh{e} I wolde, tyme wole that I no more say; 208 I leve therfore, And this Book I directe To eu{er}y wiht{e} that lyste yt to correcte.

[Sidenote: but skip over, praying that no one will abuse me for this work. Let readers add or take away: I address it to every one who likes to correct it.]

And, swete children, for whos love now I write, I yow beseche with{e} verrey lovande herte, 212 To knowe this book that yee sette yo{ur} delyte; And myht{e}full{e} god, that suffred peynes smerte, In curtesye he make yow so experte, That thurh{e} yo{ur} nurture and youre governau{n}ce 216 In lastynge blysse yee mowe yo{ur} self auau{n}ce!

[Sidenote: Sweet children, I beseech you know this book, and may God make you so expert therein that you may attain endless bliss.]

[Footnote 1: helde, pour out; A.S. hyldan, to incline, bend.]

* * * * * * * * *

Lerne or be Lewde.

[Sidenote: [Fol. 90b.]]

To Amerous, to Au{n}terous, ne Angre the nat to muche; To Bolde, ne to Besy, ne Bourde nat to large; To Curteys, to Cruell{e}, ne Care nat to sore; To Dulle, ne to Dredefull{e}, ne Drynke nat to offte; 4 To Elenge, to Excellent, ne to Carefulle neythur; To Fers, ne to Famuler, but Frendely of Chere; To gladde, ne to Glorious, and Gelousy thow hate; To Hasty, to Hardy, ne to Hevy in thyn Herte; 8 To Iettyng, ne to Iangelyng, and Iape nat to ofte; To Kynde, ne to Kepyng, and warr{e} Knavis tacches; To Loth{e}, ne to Lovyng, ne to Lyberall{e} of goode; To Medlous, to Mury, but as goode Maner askith{e}; 12 To noyous, ne to Nyce, ne to Newfangyll{e}; To Orped, to Overtwert, and Othes, s{ir}, thow hate; To Preysyng, to Preve with{e} Prynces and Dukes; To Queynt, to Querelous, and Queme well{e} thy maistre; 16 To Riotous, to Revelyng, ne Rage nat to muche; To Strau{n}ge, ne to Steryng, ne Stare nat abroode; To Toyllous, to Talevys, for Temp{er}au{n}ce it hatith{e}; To Vengable, to Envious, and waste nat to muche; 20 To Wylde, to Wrathefull{e}, and Wade nat to depe; A Mesurable Mene way ys beste for vs alle;

Yitte. Lerne. or. Be. Lewde.

[Sidenotes: Don't be too loving or angry, bold or busy, courteous or cruel or cowardly, and don't drink too often, [E] or be too lofty or anxious, but friendly of cheer. [G] Hate jealousy, be not too hasty or daring; joke not too oft; ware knaves' tricks. Don't be too grudging or too liberal, too meddling, [N] too particular, new-fangled, or too daring. Hate oaths and [P] flattery. [Q] Please well thy master. Don't be too rackety, [S] or go out too much. [V] Don't be too revengeful or wrathful, and wade not too deep. The middle path is the best for us all.]

[A Dietary given 'vnto Kyng Herry v^te' 'by Sigismounde, Emp{er}our of Rome,' follows, leaf 91. The colophon (leaf 98, back) is 'Thus endith{e} this Dyetarye Compyled And made by Plato and Petrus Lucratus, Grete Philosophers and Astronomers.']

A complete copy of the A B C Alliterative Poem of which the foregoing LERNE OR BE LEWDE is a fragment, occurs in the Lambeth MS. 853, and is therefore added here.

* * * * * * * * *

The A B C of Aristotle.

[Lambeth MS. 853, ab. 1430 A.D., page 30, written without breaks.]

+Who-so wilne to be wijs, & worschip desiri, Lerne he oo lettir, & looke on anothir Of e .a. b. c. of aristotil: argue not a[gh]en at: It is cou{n}cel for ri[gh]t manye clerkis & kny[gh]tis a ousand, 4 And eek it my[gh]te ameende a man ful ofte For to leerne lore of oo lettir, & his lijf saue; For to myche of ony ing was neu{er}e holsum. Reede ofte on is rolle, & rewle {o}u er aftir; 8 Who-so be greued in his goost, gou{er}ne hi{m} bettir; Blame he not e barn at is .a. b. c. made, But wite he his wickid will & his werk aftir; It schal neu{er}e greue a good man ou[gh] e gilti be meendid. 12 Now herkene & heeri how y bigy{n}ne.

[Sidenote: [Page 31.]]

A to amerose, to au{n}terose, ne argue not to myche. B to bolde, ne to bisi, ne boorde not to large. C to curteis, to cruel, ne care not to sore. D to dul, ne to dreedful, ne drinke not to ofte. E to elenge, ne to excellent, ne to eernesful nei{er}. F to fers, ne to famuler, but freendli of cheere. G to glad, ne to gloriose, & gelosie ou hate. H to hasti, ne to hardi, ne to heuy in ine herte. I to iettynge, ne to iangelinge, ne iape not to ofte. K to kinde, ne to kepynge, & be waar of knaue tacchis. L to looth for to leene, ne to liberal of goodis. M to medelus, ne to myrie, but as mesure wole it meeue. N to noiose, ne to nyce, ne use no new iettis. O to orped, ne to ou{er}wart, & oois ou hate. P to pr{e}sing, ne to p{re}uy w{i}t{h} p{ri}ncis ne w{i}t{h} dukis;

[Sidenote: * Page 32.]

Q to queynte, ne[*] to quarelose, but queeme weel [gh]oure souereyns. R to riotus, to reueling, ne rage not to rudeli. S to strau{n}ge, ne to stirynge, ne strau{n}geli to stare. T to toilose, ne to talewijs, for temperau{n}ce is beest. V to venemose, ne to ve{n}iable, & voide al vilonye. W to wielde, ne to wraful, nei{er} waaste, ne waade not to depe,

For a mesurable meene is eu{er}e e beste of alle.

["Whi is is world biloued" follows.]

See two other copies of this A B C in Harl. MS. 541, fol. 213 and 228.

The copy on fol. 213 has the exordium as prose, thus:

Who so wyll{e} be wyse, and worspyp{pe} to wynne, leer he on lettur, and loke vpon an other of the .A. B. C. of Arystotle; noo Argument agaynst that. ffor it is counsell{e} for clerk{is} and knyght{is} a thowsand{e}. And also it myght{e} amend{e} a meane man, fulle oft the lernyng of A lettur, and his lyf save. It shal not greve a good man though gylt be amend{e}. rede on this ragment / and rule the theraft{e}r. The copy on fol. 228 has no Introduction.

COLLATION

[Transcriber's Note:

The following text is repeated from its original location in the Collations and Corrigenda section immediately after the Preface.]

The A B C of Aristotle, Harl. MS. 1706, fol. 94, collated by Mr Brock, omits the prologue, and begins after l. 14 with, "Here be-gynneth{e} Arystoles A B C. made be mayster Benett."

A, for argue not read Angre the B, omit ne; for not to large read thou nat to brode D, " " ; for not read thow nat E, " " ; for to eernesful read ne curyons F, for fers, famuler, freendli, read Ferde, familier, frenfull{e} G, omit to; for & gelosie ou hate, read Ne to galaunt never H, for in ine read off I, for iettynge read Iocunde; for iape not to read Ioye thow nat K, omit to and &; for knaue read knaves L, for for to leene read ne to lovyng; for goodis read woordys M, for medelus read Mellous; for but as mesure wole it meeue read ne to besynesse vnleffull{e} N, for ne use no new iettis read ne nought{e} to neffangle O, for ouerwart read ouertwarth{e}; for & oois ou hate read Ne othez to haunte Q, for quarelose read querelous; for weel [gh]oure souereyns read men all{e} abowte R, omit the second to; for not to rudeli read thou nat but lyte S, for ne straungeli to stare read Ne starte nat abowte T, for for temperaunce is best read But temp{er}ate euer{e} V, for ne &c. read ne violent Ne waste nat to moche W, for neier &c. read Ne to wyse deme the

for is euere e beste of read ys best for vs

Add X Y Z x y wych{e} esed & p{er}se. Tytell{e} Tytell{e} Tytell{e} tha Esta Amen.

* * * * * * * * *

Urbanitatis.

[MS. Cott. Calig. A. II., ab. 1460 A.D., fol. 88, col. 2.]

Who-so wyll{e} of nurtur lere, Herken to me & [gh]e shall{e} here. [a] When {o}u comeste be-fore a lorde In halle, yn bowre, or at e borde, 4 [b] Hoode or kappe {o}u of o. Ere {o}u come hym all{e} vn-to, [c] Twyse or ryse w{i}t{h}-oute{n} dowte To {a}t lorde {o}u moste lowte, 8 W{i}t{h} y Ry[gh]th kne lette h{i}t be do, Thy worshyp {o}u mayst saue so. [d] Holde of y cappe & y hood also Tyll{e} {o}u be byden h{i}t on to do; 12 All{e} e whyle {o}u spekest w{i}t{h} hym, [e] Fayr & louely holde vp y chyn{n}, So aft{ur} e nurtur of e book [f] In h{i}s face louely {o}u loke; 16 [g] Foot & hond {o}u kepe full{e} stylle Fro clawyng or tryppy{n}g, h{i}t ys skylle; [h] Fro spettyng & snetyng kepe e also; [i] Be p{ri}uy of voydance, & lette h{i}t go. 20 And loke {o}u be wyse & fell{e}, [k] And {er}to also {a}t ow gouerne e well{e}. [l] In-to e halle when {o}u dost wende Amonge e genteles gode & hende, 24 [m] Prece {o}u not vp to hy[gh] for no y{n}g, Nor for y hy[gh] blood, ner{e} for y ko{n}ny{n}g, No{ur} to sytte, ne{ur} to lene, For h{i}t ys ney{ur} good ne clene. 28 [n] Lette not y co{n}tynaunce also abate, For good nurt{ur} wyll{e} saue y state; Fadyr & modyr, what eu{ur} ey be, Well{e} ys e chylde {a}t may the: 32 [o] In halle, in chambur, or{e} wher{e} {o}u gon, Nurtur & good maners make man. To e nexte degre loke {o}u wysely [p] To do hem Reu{er}ence by and by: 36 Do hem no Reu{er}ens, but sette all{e} i{n} Rowe But [gh]yf {o}u e bett{ur} do hym knowe.

[Sidenote: [Fol. 86, back, col. 1.]]

To e mete when {o}u art sette, Fayre & honestly thow ete hyt: 40 [q] Fyrste loke {a}t y handes be clene, And {a}t y knyf be sharpe & kene; And cutte y breed & all{e} y mete Ry[gh]th euen as {o}u doste h{i}t ete. 44 [r] If {o}u sytte be a worthyor man Then y self thow art on, Suffre hym fyrste to towche e mete Er{e} y self any {er}-of gete; 48 [s] To e beste morsell{e} {o}u may not stryke Thow[gh] {o}u neu{ur} so well{e} h{i}t lyke. [t] Also kepe y hondys fayr{e} & well{e} Fro fylynge of the towell{e}, 52 Ther-on {o}u shalt not y nose wype; No{ur} at y mete y toth {o}u pyke; [v] To depe i{n} y cuppe {o}u may not synke Thow[gh] {o}u haue good wyll{e} to drynke, 56 Leste y eyen water er{e} by, Then ys hyt no curtesy. [x] Loke yn y mowth be no mete When {o}u begy{n}neste to dry{n}ke or speke; 60 Also when {o}u sest any man drynkyng That taketh hede of y karpyng, Soone a-non {o}u sece y tale, Whe{ur} he drynke wyne or Ale. 64 [y] Loke also {o}u skorne no mon In what e[gre] [A] {o}u se hym gon; Nor {o}u shalte no mon Repreue [B] [Gh]yf {o}u wylt y owen worshyp saue, 68 For suche wordys {o}u my[gh]th out kaste Sholde make e to lyue i{n} euell{e} reste; [z] Close yn honde yn y feste, And kepe e well{e} from hadde-y-wyste. 72

[Sidenote: [Fol. 86, back, col. 2.]]

[aa] In chamb{ur} among ladyes bry[gh]th, Kepe y tonge & spende y sy[gh]th; [ab] Law[gh]e {o}u not w{i}t{h} no grette cry, Ne Rage {o}u not w{i}t{h} Rybawdry. 76 Pley {o}u not but w{i}t{h} y peres; [ac] Ne telle {o}u not {a}t {o}u heres, Nor dyskeuer{e} {o}u not [C] yn owen dede For no myrth nor for no mede; 80 [ad] W{i}t{h} fayr speche {o}u may haue y wyll{e}, And w{i}t{h} y speche {o}u may e spyll{e}. [ae] [Gh]yf {o}u suwe a wordyer mon Then y self {o}u art on, 84 Lette y Ry[gh]th shold{ur} folow h{i}s bakke, For nurt{ur} {a}t ys, w{i}t{h}-owten lakke. [af] When he doth speke, holde e style; When he hath don, say y wyll{e}; 88 [ag] Loke yn y speche {o}u be fell{e}, And what ou sayste a-vyse e well{e}; [ah] And be-refe {o}u no mon h{i}s tale, No{ur} at wyne ner{e} at Ale. 92 [ai] Now, c{ri}ste of h{i}s grette g{ra}ce [Gh]eue vs all{e} both{e} wytte & space Well{e} {i}s to knowe & Rede, [ak] And heuen to haue for o{ur} mede! 96 Amen, Amen, so moot h{i}t be, So saye we all{e} for charyte!

EXPLICIT T{RA}CTUS VRBANITATIS.

[Sidenotes: [a] When you come before a lord [b] take off your cap or hood, [c] and fall on your right knee twice or thrice. [d] Keep your cap off till you're told to put it on; [e] hold up your chin; [f] look in the lord's face; [g] keep hand and foot still; [h] don't spit or snot; [i] get rid of it quietly; [k] behave well. [l] When you go into the hall, [m] don't press up too high. [n] Don't be shamefaced. [o] Wherever you go, good manners make the man. [p] Reverence your betters, but treat all equally whom you don't know. [q] See that your hands are clean, and your knife sharp. [r] Let worthier men help themselves before you eat. [s] Don't clutch at the best bit. [t] Keep your hands from dirtying the cloth, and don't wipe your nose on it, [v] or dip too deep in your cup. [x] Have no meat in your mouth when you drink or speak; and stop talking when your neighbour is drinking. [y] Scorn and reprove no man. [z] Keep your fingers from what would bring you to grief. [aa] Among ladies, look, don't talk. [ab] Don't laugh loud, or riot with ribalds. [ac] Don't repeat what you hear. [ad] Words make or mar you. [ae] If you follow a worthier man, let your right shoulder follow his back, and [af] don't speak till he has done. [ag] Be austere (?) in speech; [ah] don't stop any man's tale. [ai] Christ gives us all wit to know this, [ak] and heaven as our reward. Amen!]

[Text notes: A Marg. has gre for insertion. B repraue is written above the line. C not put in by a later hand.]

* * * * * * * * *

The Boris hede furst.

[Porkington MS. No. 10, fol. 202; ? ab. 1460-70 A.D.]

Hey, hey, hey, hey, e borrys hede is armyd gay![1] The boris hede i{n} hond I bryng W{i}tt garlond gay in porttoryng.

[Sidenote: [Fol. 202b.]]

I pray yow all w{i}tt me to synge W{i}tt hay.

Lordys, kny[gh]tt{is}, and skyers, Persons, prystis and wycars, The boris hede ys e fur[s]t mes, W{i}tt hay.

The boris hede, as I yow say, He takis his leyfe, & gothe his way So aft{ur} e xij theylffyt day, W{i}tt hay.

The{n} co{m}mys i{n} e secund kowrs w{i}th mekyll pryde, e crann{is} & e heyrrou{n}s, e bytt{ur}is by e syde, e p{ar}trychys & e plowers, e wodcok{is} & e snyt, W{i}tt hay.

Larkys i{n} hoot schow,[2] ladys for to pyk, Good drynk {er}to, lycyvs and fy, Blwet of allmay,[3] ro{m}nay and wyin, W{i}tt hay.