Chapter 3
Lose not your gyrdel / sittyng at your mete [Sidenote: Don't undo your girdle at table;] For that is a tacche / of vncurtesye But yf ye seme / ye be embraced streite 199 [Sidenote: if it's tight, let it out before you sit down.] Or then ye sytte / amende it secretly So couertly that no wight you espye Beware also / no bret[=h] fro you rebounde [Sidenote: Don't break wind up or down.] Vp ne dou[=n] / leste ye were shameful founde 203
* * * * *
THE ORIEL TEXT.
[30]
Beth huste in chambre, cilent in the halle, Herkenyth well, yeueth good audience; Yef vsher or marchall for eny romour calle, 206 Putting Ianglers to rebuke and cilence, Beth mylde of langage, demure of eloquence; Enforcith you to them confourmyde be, That can most good and haue humanyte. 210
[31]
Touche not wyth mete salt in the saler, Lest folke Appoynt you of vncunnyngnesse, Dresse hit apparte vppon a clene tranchere; 213 Force not your_e_ mouth to fulle for wantannesse, Lene not vppon the table, that is but rudesse, And yf I shall to you so playnly say, Ouer the table ye shull not spette convey 217
[32]
Yif ye be seruid wyth metis delicate, Departith wyth your_e_ fellowys in gentyl wyse, The clarke seith, 'nature is content and saciate 220 Wyth meane diete, and lytill shall suffice.' Departyth therfor_e_, as I to you devise; Engrosith not vnto your_e_ silven all, For gentilnesse will ay be lyberall. 224
[Sidenote: _Hill's Text._]
¶ Be ye husht i_n_ chambre, scylente i_n_ hall[e]; herkyn well[e], & geve good audyence 205 yff vsshar or marchall[e] for any rvmowr_e_ call[e]; putt ye yanglers to rebuke for scilence. Be ye myld of la_n_gage, demvre of eloquence; 208 Enforce you vnto hy_m_ co_n_formed to be _tha_t ca_n_ most good, & hathe humanyte.
¶ Towch not w_i_t_h_ yo_u_r mete salte i_n_ _th_e saler, leest folke apoynte you of vnco_n_nyngnesse; 212 Dresse yt aparte vpon a clene trensher_e_. ffarste not yo_u_r movth to full[e] for wantonesse; lene not on _th_e table, for _tha_t rvde ys; & yff I shall[e] to you playnly saye, 216 over _th_e table ye shall[e] not spetell[e] co_n_veye.
¶ Yff ye be s_er_vede w_i_t_h_ met_is_ delycate, Departe w_i_t_h_ yo_u_r felawe i_n_ gentill[e] wyse; _th_e clerke seyth, 'nature ys co_n_tent & sacyate 220 w_i_t_h_ mene dyete, & lytill[e] shall[e] suffyce;' Departe therfor, as I you devyce, Engrose not vnto yowr_e_ selfe all[e], ffor gentylnesse will[e] ay be lyberall[e]. 224
CAXTON'S TEXT.
[30]
Be ye husht in chambre / scylent in halle [Sidenote: Be silent,] Herken wel and_e_ gyue good_e_ audience Yf vssher or marchal for ony Rumour calle 206 Put ye Ianglers to rebuke for silence [Sidenote: and put chatterers to rebuke.] Be ye myld_e_ of langage / demure of eloque_n_ce Enforce you vnto hym conformed to be [Sidenote: Imitate him who has humanity.] That can moste good / and_e_ hath humanyte 210
[31]
[Sidenote: Leaf 6 a.]
Touche not with your mete / salt i_n_ the saler [Sidenote: Don't dip your meat in the saltcellar,] Lest folk apoynte you of vnconnyngnesse Dresse it aparte / vpon a clene trencher 213 Farse not your mouth to ful / for wa_n_tonesse Lene not vpon the table / for that rude is [Sidenote: lean on the table,] And yf I shal to you playnly saye Ouer the table / ye shal not spetel conueye 217 [Sidenote: or spit over it.]
[32]
Yef ye be serued / with metes delicate [Sidenote: Share dainties with your fellows:] Departe with your felowe / in gentil wise The clerck saith / nature is conte_n_t & saciate 220 With mene diete / and litil shall suffyse Departe therfore / as I you deuyse Engrose not / vnto your self all_e_ For gentilnes / wil aye be liberall_e_ 224 [Sidenote: gentleness is liberal.]
* * * * *
THE ORIEL TEXT.
[33]
And wan p_er_cace your_e_ seruice is not large, Grucchith not wyth frownyng countenaunce, Ne maketh not ther-of to mekell charge, 227 Disposeth you to goodly sufferaunce, And what ye haue, take hit for suffisaunce; Holde you pleased wyth that god hath you sent, He hath Inough[1] that can hold hym content. 231 [Sidenote 1: MS. Inought.]
[34]
Burnysh no bonys wyth your_e_ tethe, be ware, That houndis tecche fayleth of curtesie; But wyth your_e_ knyff make the bonys bare; 234 Handell your_e_ mete so well and so clenly, That ye offenden not the company Where ye be sette, as ferre-forth as ye can; Remembre well that man_er_ maketh man. 238
[35]
And whan your teeth shall cutte your_e_ mete small, Wyth open mouth be ware that ye not ete, But loke your_e_ lippis be closede as a wall, 241 Whan to &[1] fro ye trauers your_e_ mete; [Sidenote 1: MS. a.] Kepe you so close that men haue no conceite To seyn of you langage of vilonye, Be cause ye ete your_e_ mete vnma[ne]rly. 245
[Sidenote: _Hill's Text._]
¶ And wha_n_ p_er_caas yo_u_r s_er_vyce ys not large, Groge not w_i_t_h_ frownynge covntenavnce, Ne make ther-of not to mykyll[e] charge; Dyspose you to goodly suffravnce, 228 & what ye haue, take yt in suffysavnce; be you plesid w_i_t_h_ suche as god hath you sent; he ha[=th] ynowgh Þat ca_n_ hold hy_m_ co_n_tente.
[Sidenote: ffl C lxij back.]
¶ Burnysshe no bonys w_i_t_h_ yo_u_r te[=th], be ware, 232 Suche hownd_is_ tacches fallen of vncurtesye, but w_i_t_h_ yo_u_r knyfe make the bonys bare. Handle yo_u_r mete so well[e] & so clenly That ye offende not the company 236 wher ye be sette, as ferforthe as ye can, Reme_m_bryng well[e] _th_at maners make man.
¶ And whan _tha_t ye ete yo_u_r mete small[e], w_i_t_h_ open mowth be ware ye not ete, 240 but loke / yo_u_r lyppes be closed as a wall[e]; wha_n_ to & fro ye traverse yo_u_r mete, kepe you so cloos _tha_t men haue no co_n_ceyte To saye of you any langage or vylonye 244 by cavse ye ete yo_u_r mete so vnmanerly.
CAXTON'S TEXT.
[33]
And whan percaas your seruise is not large Gruccheth not / with frownyng contena_u_nce [Sidenote: If your helping is not large, don't grumble,] Ne make therof / not to mykyl charge 227 Dispose you to goodly suffra_u_nce And what ye haue / take it in suffysa_u_nce Be ye plesid with suche as god hath you sent [Sidenote: but be content.] He hath ynough / that can hold_e_ hym conte_n_t 231
[34]
[Sidenote: Leaf 6 b.]
Burnysshe no bones / with your teth / beware [Sidenote: Don't burnish bones with your teeth.] Suche houndis tacches / falle of vncurtesye But with your knyf / make the bones bare 234 Handle your mete / so wel and so clenly [Sidenote: Handle your food cleanly,] That ye offende not the company Where ye be sette / as ferfort[=h] as ye can Reme_m_bryng wel / that manners make ma[=n]. 238 [Sidenote: for Manners make Man.]
[35]
And_e_ whan that / ye ete your mete small_e_ With open mout[=h] / beware ye not ete [Sidenote: Eat with your lips closed] But loke your lippea / be closed as a wall_e_ 241 Whan to and_e_ fro / ye trauerse your mete Kepe you so cloos / that men haue no co_n_seite To say of you / ony langage or vilonye Bicause ye ete your mete / vnmanerly 245
* * * * *
THE ORIEL TEXT.
[36]
Be ware, my child, of laughing ou_er_ mesure, Ye shall not Also at the borde your_e_ naylis pare, Ne pike not your_e_ teth wyth your_e_ knyff, I you ensure, Ete at your_e_ messe, and odir folkes spare; 249 A glottou_n_ can but make dissches bare, And of Inough he taketh neu_er_ hede, He fedith for lust more than[1] he doth for nede. [Sidenote 1: MS. that.]
[37]
And whan the borde is then [as] of s_er_uice, 253 Not replenyshide wyth gret diuercite, Of mete and drincke good chere may than suffice, Hit is A signe of gret humanite, 256 Wyth gladsom chere than fulsom for to be; The poet seyth howe that the poure borde Men may encrese wyth cherefull wille and worde.
[38]
And o thing, my childe, I warne you vndirstonde, Specially for your_e_ owne honeste, In the water wasschith so clene your_e_ hande, 262 That your_e_ towell neuer ensoyled be So foule that hit be lothely vnto se; Wasschith wyth watir_e_ till your_e_ handis be clene, And in your_e_ clothe ther shall no spotte be sene.
[Sidenote: _Hill's Text._]
¶ Beware, my chyld, of laughynge ou_er_ mesure; Ne at _th_e borde ye shall[e] no nayles pare, Ne pyke yo_u_r teth w_i_t__h knyf, I you ensure. 248 Ete at yo_u_r messe, & other_e_ folk_i_s spare; A gloton ca_n_ but make _th_e bonys bare, & of ynowgh he takyth never_e_ hede, he ffedyth more for lust than for nede. 252
¶ And wha_n_ _th_e borde ys thyn as of s_er_vyce, Nowght replenysshed w_i_t_h_ gret dyversite of mete & drynke, gud chere may tha_n_ suffice, w_i_t_h_ honest talkyng; & also owght ye 256 w_i_t_h_ gladsu_m_ chere the_n_ fulsome for to be: The poete seyth how _tha_t 'a powre borde Me_n_ may enryche w_i_t_h_ cherfull[e] will[e] & worde.' 259
¶ And on thyng, my child, ye vnderstond, In especyall[e] for yo_u_r own honeste: In _th_e wat_er_ wasshe so clene yo_u_r hond _tha_t yo_u_r towell[e] never ensoyled be So fowle _tha_t yt be lothsome on to see; 264 wasshe w_i_t_h_ wat_er_ yo_u_r hond_is_ so clene _tha_t in _th_e towell[e] shall[e] no spote be sene.
CAXTON'S TEXT.
[36]
Beware my child_e_ / of laughyng ou_er_ mesure Ne at the borde / ye shall no naylis pare [Sidenote: Don't pare your nails at table,] Ne pyke your teth / with knyf / I you ensure 248 [Sidenote: or pick your teeth with a knife.] Ete at your messe / and other folkes spare A gloton can but make the bones bare And_e_ of ynough / he taketh neuer hede He fedith more for lust / than for nede 252
[37]
[Sidenote: Leaf 7 a.]
And whan þ^e borde is thynne / as of seruyse Nought replenesshed with, grete diuersite [Sidenote: When there are not many dishes,] Of mete & dri_n_ke good chere may the[=n] suffise 255 With honest talkyng / and also ought ye With gladsom chere / thenne fulsom for to be [Sidenote: be satisfied with chatting cheerily.] The poete saith / hou that a poure borde Men may enriche / with cheerful wil & worde 259
[38]
And one thyng my chylde / ye vnderstonde In especyall_e_ / for your owne honeste In the water / wasshe so clene your honde 262 That your towel / neuer enfoyled be [Sidenote: Wash your hands clean in the water, so as to leave no dirt on your towel.] So fowle / that it be lothsom on to see Wasshe with water / your hondes so cleene That in the towel shal no spotte be sene 266
* * * * *
THE ORIEL TEXT.
[39]
Leue not your_e_ spone in your_e_ dissche standyng, Ne vppon the brede hit shall not lie; Lette your_e_ trenchoure be clene for eny thyng, 269 Yif ye haue no chaunge, yit as honestly As ye can, maketh avoydie, So that no fragment from your_e_ trenchour_e_ falle; Do this, my childe, in chambre and in halle. 273
[40]
Whan Another speketh at the table, Be ware ye interrupte[1] not is tale nor langage, [Sidenote 1: MS. _corruptly has_ nattiripte.] For that is a thing discommendable, 276 And hit is no signe of folkes sage To ben of wordis besy and outrage; For the wyse man seyth pleinly in sentence, 'He shall be wyse that yevith Audience.' 280
[41]
Vndre-stondeth ther-for_e_ or than ye speke, Printyng in your_e_ mynde clerely the sentence, He that vseth A mannes tale to breke 283 Lettyth vncurtesly the Audience, And hurtyth hym-sylf for lacke of silence; He may not yeue answere convenyent That herith not fynally what is ment. 287
[Sidenote: _Hill's Text._]
¶ lete not yo_u_r spone in yo_u_r_e_ disshe stond, Ne vpon _th_e table yt shuld not lye; 268 lete yo_u_r trenchowre be clen_e_ for any thyng, & yf ye haue, change yet as honestly As ye ca_n_; make avoyde manerly So _th_at no fragme_n_t fro yo_u_r tre_n_cher_e_ fall[e]: 272 Do thus, my child, i_n_ chamber_e_ & i_n_ hall[e].
¶ And wha_n_ a-nother ma_n_ spekyth at _th_e table, be ware ye int_er_rupte not his langage, for _tha_t ys a thyng on-comendable, 276 & yt ys not no signe of folk_is_ sage To be of langage besy & owtrage; ffor the wyse sayd in his sentence 'he shuld be bold [& be wyse][1] _tha_t gevyth audyence.' 280 [Sidenote 1: In a later hand, above the line.]
[Sidenote: ffl C lxiij.]
¶ Vnd_er_stond _ther_for or than ye speke; prynt i_n_ yo_u_r mynde clerly _th_e sentence; who _tha_t vsyth a ma_n_ys tale to breke, lettyth vncurteysly all[e] the audyence 284 And hurteth hy_m_ self for lake of scyence; he maye not geve answere co_n_venyente _tha_t heryt[=h] not fynally what ys mente.
CAXTON'S TEXT.
[39]
Lete not your spone / in your disshe sto_n_ding [Sidenote: Don't leave your spoon in your dish or on the table.] Ne vpon the table / it shold not lye Lete your trenchour / be clene for ony thing 269 [Sidenote: Keep your trencher clean.] And yf ye haue cha[=n]ge / yet as honestly As ye can / make a voyde manerly So that no fragme_n_t / fro your tre_n_cher falle Do thus my childe / in chambre & in halle 273
[40]
[Sidenote: Leaf 7 b.]
And whan another man / spekith atte table Beware ye enterrupte not / his langage [Sidenote: Don't interrupt man in his talk] For that is a thinge discomendable 276 And_e_ it is no signe of folkes sage To be of langage / besy and_e_ outrage For the wyse man said_e_ / in his sentence He shold_e_ be wyse / that gyueth audience 280
[41]
Vnderstonde therfore or than ye speke Prynte in your mynde / clerly the sentence [Sidenote: Before you speak, settle in your mind what you have to say.] Who that vsith / a mannes tale to breke 283 Letteth vncurteysly / alle the audyence And_e_ hurteth hym self / for lack of science He may not gyue answers conuenyente That herith not fynally / what is mente 287
* * * * *
THE ORIEL TEXT.
[42]
Be ware Also, my childe, of rehersaille Of materis whiche ben at the table mevide; Hit grevith ofte and dothe men disavaylle, 290 Full many a man that vice hath mysschevide, Of evill thyng saide is wors often contrivide; Suche reportis alway loke ye esschewe, As may of olde frendis make enemyes newe. 294
[43]
Avise you well whan ye take your_e_ disporte, Honest games that ye haunte and vse, And suche as ben of violente reporte, 297 I counsell you, my childe, that ye refuse; For trustith well ye shall nout you excuse From berchely fest, yef I may you aspie Playng at[1] eny game of rebaudie. 301 [Sidenote 1: MS. or.]
[44]
Itt is to A goodly childe well syttyng, To vse disportis of myrth and plesaunce, To harpe and lute, or lustely to syng, 304 And in the pres ryght manerly to daunce; When men se A childe of suche gouernaunce, They seyn, 'gladde may this [childes] frendis be To haue a sone soo manerly as he.' 308
[Sidenote: _Hill's Text._]
¶ But beware, my child, also of rehersayle Off maters whiche be at _th_e table meved: 289 It grewet[=h][1] ofte, & dot[=h] me_n_ dysavayle; [Sidenote 1: The line is over the _th_.] ffull[e] many a ma_n_ _th_at vyce hathe myscheved; Off evyll[e] thynke sayd, ys worse co_n_tryved; 292 Suche reportes alwaye, my child, eschewe, As may of olde frend_is_ make enmyes newe.
¶ Avyse you well[e] wha_n_ ye take yo_u_r dysporte, honeste games _th_at ye hawnt & vse; 296 & suche as bene of vyleyns report, I cownsell[e] you, my child, _tha_t ye refuse; ffor truste ye well[e] ye shall[e] you not excuse ffro_m_ brecheles feste, & I may you espye 300 Playenge at any game of rebawdrye.
¶ Ytt ys to a goodly child well[e] syttyng To vse dysportes of myrth & plesavnce, to harpe, to lute, or lustyly to synge, 304 Or i_n_ the prees right manerly to davnce. wha_n_ me_n_ se a child of suche governavnce, _the_i saye, 'glade may _th_is child_is_ frendys be To haue a child so manerly as ys he.' 308
CAXTON'S TEXT.
[42]
But beware my child_e_ / also of rehersayll_e_ [Sidenote: Don't repeat what you hear at table.] Of maters / whiche ben atte table meuid_e_ It greuith ofte / and_e_ doth men disauayle 290 Ful many a man / þ^t vice hath myscheuid_e_ Of euyl thing_e_ said_e_ / is werse contryuid_e_ Suche reportis / alway my child_e_ eschewe As may of olde fre_n_dis / make enemyes newe 294
[43]
[Sidenote: Leaf 8 a.]
Aduise you wel whan ye take your disporte Honest games / that ye haunte and_e_ vse [Sidenote: Play only at proper games.] And suche as ben of vylayns reporte 297 I counceyl you my chyld / that ye refuse For truste ye wel / ye shal you not excuse From brecheles feste / and I may you espye Playng_e_ at ony game of Rybawdrye 301
[44]
It is to a godly chyld wel syttyng_e_ To vse disportes of myrthe & plesa[=n]ce To harpe or lute / or lustely to synge 304 [Sidenote: You should harp, lute, sing or dance.] Or in the prees right manerly to daunce Whan men se a chyld of suche gouernance They saye / glad may this chyldis fre_n_dis be To haue a chylde / so manerly as is he 308
* * * * *
THE ORIEL TEXT.
[45]
Exersice your_e_-selfe also in redyng Of bokys enournede wyth eloquence; Ther shall ye fynde both pleasaunce and lernyng, 311 And so ye may in eu_er_y good presence Some [what] fynde and see as in sentence, That shall accorde the tyme to ocupie, That ye not nede to stondyn idelie. 315
[46]
Itt[1] is fare to be cominycatyfe [Sidenote 1: MS. Iit.] In matires vnto purpoos according, So that a wight sume not excessyfe, 318 For trusteth well, hit is tedious thyng For to here a childe multiplie talkyng, Yif hit be not to the purpose applied, And also wyth goodly termys aleyde. 322
[47]
Redith Gower in his writyng moralle, That au[=n]cient faders memorie, Redith his bokis clepide 'confessionalle,' 325 Wyth many anodir vertuous tretie, Full of sentence sette so frutuously, That them to rede shall yeue you corage, So is he fulle of sentence and langage. 329
[Sidenote: _Hill's Text._]
¶ Excersyse also yo_u_r selfe in redyng Off bokes enorned wit[=h] eloquence, _ther_ shall[e] ye fynde bot[=h] plesyre & lernynge, so _th_at ye may in eu_er_y good presence 312 Some-what fynde as in sentence _th_at shall[e] accorde the tyme to occupye, That ye not nede to stonde ydellye.
¶ It ys fayer to be comynycatyfe In maters vnto purpose accordyng, 317 So _th_at a wyghte seme exersyfe; ffor trustyth well[e] yt ys a tedyovs thy_n_g ffor to here a child multyply talkyng 320 yf yt be not to _th_e purpose applyed, & also w_i_t_h_ goodly termes alyed.
¶ Redyt[=h] gover i_n_ his wrytyng morall[e], That Auncyente ffader of memorye, 324 Redyt[=h] his bookes called co_n_fessyonall[e], w_i_t_h_ many a-nother_e_ vertuvs tretye ffull[e] of sentence sett full[e] fructvously, That hy_m_ to rede shall[e] geve you covrage, 328 he ys so full[e] of frute, se_n_tence, & langage.
CAXTON'S TEXT.
[45]
Excersise your self also in redyng_e_ Of bookes enorned_e_ with eloquence [Sidenote: Practice reading of eloquent books.] Ther shal ye fynde / bothe plesir & lernyng_e_ 311 So that ye may / in euery good presence Somwhat fynde / as in sentence That shal acorde / the tyme to ocupy That ye not nede / to stonden ydelly 315
[46]
[Sidenote: Leaf 8 b.]
It is fayr / for to be comynycatyf In maters vnto purpose acordyng_e_ [Sidenote: It is right to talk pertinently,] So that a wyght seme excersyf 318 For trusteth wel / it is a tedyous thyng_e_ For to here a chylde / multeplye talkyng Yf it be not to the purpose applyed_e_ [Sidenote: but a bore if the talk is irrelevant.] And_e_ also with / goodly termys alyed_e_ 322
[47]
Redeth gower in his wrytyng_e_ morall_e_ [Sidenote: Read Gower's] That auncyent[1] fader of memorye [Sidenote 1: Orig. anucyent.] Redeth his bookes / called_e_ confessionall_e_ 325 [Sidenote: _Confessio Amentis_.] With many another vertuous trayttye Ful of sentence / set ful fructuosly That hym to rede / shal gyue you corage He is so ful of fruyt, sente_n_ce and langage 329
* * * * *
THE ORIEL TEXT.
[48]
O Fader and Founder of eternate eloquence, That eluminede all this oure britaigne; To sone we lost his lauriate presence, 332 O lusty licoure of that fulsom_e_ fountaigne; Cursed deth, why hast thou this poete slayne, I mene Fadir chaucers, mastir Galfride? Allas! the while, that eu_e_r he from vs diede. 336
[49]
Redith his bokys fulle of all plesaunce, Clere in sentence, in longage excellent, Brefly to wryte suche was his suffesaunce, 339 What-euer to sey he toke in his entent, His longage was so feyre and p_er_tinent, That semed vnto mennys heryng, Not[1] only the worde, but verrely the thing. 343 [Sidenote 1: MS. But.]
[50]
Redith, my child, redith his warkys all, Refuseth non, they ben expedient; Sentence or langage, or both, fynde ye shall 346 Full delectable, for that fader ment Of all his purpos and his hole entent Howe to plese in euery audience, And in our_e_ tou_n_g was well of eloquence. 350
[Sidenote: _Hill's Text._]
[Sidenote: ff C lxiij back.]