Chapter 2
¶ 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]