Chapter 5
Braced so strayt / that he may not plye [Sidenote: being braced so tight that he can't bend.] But gaderith it / by maner of a wyndelas And he ought wrenche a syde / or a litil wrie 472 [Sidenote: If he twists, a lace is like to crack.] His geer stondeth then_n_e / in ful parlo_us_ caas His sho / his hose / doblet / point & laas And yf ought breke / som_m_e tu_n_ges þ^t be bad_e_ Wil mocke & saie / a knaue hath broke a lad 476
* * * * *
THE ORIEL TEXT.
[69]
Lat galaunte go, I mene, recheles ruskyn; Take hede, my childe, to suche as ben cu_n_nyng, So shall ye wyrship best conquere and wynne, 479 Enforsith you in all your_e_ demenyng To sewe vertu, and[1] from foly declynyng; [Sidenote 1: _Omit_ and] And, my childe, that ye loue of honeste. Which is accordyng wyth humanyte. 483
[70]
That is, to you to vndirstond And knowe, That your_e_ aray be manerly and resonable, Not appeissh knawen[1] and to mowe, 486 [Sidenote 1: _Sic._] I[n] nyse aray that is not couenable, Fetis founde be folkys vnp_ro_fitable, That maketh this world_e_ so pleynly t_ra_nsformate, That men semen almost effeminate. 490
[71]
Pley not Iakke mAlaperte, that is to sey, Be ware of p_re_sumpc_i_oun, be ware of pride, Take not the fyrst place, my childe, be no way, 493 Till odir be sette manerly abyde, Presomcion is often sette asyde, And Avalith f[r]om his highe[1] de-gre, [Sidenote 1: MS. hight.] And he sette vppe that hath humanite. 497
[Sidenote: _Hill's Text._]
¶ Lete gallant go! I mene, recheles ruskyn: Take hede my child to suche as be co_n_nyng, so shall[e] ye best worship co_n_qvere & wynne; Enforce you i_n_ all[e] yo_u_r demenyng 480 To folowe vertu, & fro foly declynnyng; & weyte well[e] _tha_t ye love honeste which ys accordyng vnto humanyte.
[Sidenote: Ihu 1503 per Richard Hill: ffl C lxv]
¶ That ys for you to vnd_er_stond & knowe, _th_at yo_u_r araye be manerly resonable, 485 Not apysshe ynto moke ne to mowe; To nyce araye _tha_t ys not co_m_mendable, ffetys, newe fonden by foolis vnp_ro_fytable, 488 _th_at make _th_e worlde so playnly transformate _th_at me_n_ seme_n_ Almost enfemynate.
¶ Playe not Iacke maleperte, _tha_t ys to say, be ware of presumpc_i_on, be ware of pryde; 492 take not _th_e first place, my child, by _th_e waye; till[e] oder be sette, ryght manerly a-byde, presumtvous be ofte sette a-syde & all[e] day avaled, as me_n_ may see, 496 & he ys sette vp _th_at hat[=h] humylyte.
CAXTON'S TEXT.
[69]
Lete galante go / I mene recheles rusky[=n] [Sidenote: Let Reckless Ruskyn go!] Take hede my chyld to suche as be connyng [Sidenote: You follow skilful men,] So shal ye best worship conquere & wynne 479 Enforce you in al your demenyng_e_ To folowe vertu / & fro folye declynyng_e_ [Sidenote: virtue and] And waite wel that ye loue honeste [Sidenote: honesty.] Whiche is acordynge[1] vnto humanyte 483
[Footnote 1: _Orig._ accrdynge.]
[70]
[Sidenote: Leaf 12 b.]
That is for you / to vnderstonde & knowe That your araye / be manerly resonable [Sidenote: Don't dress] Not apysshe / on to mocken ne to mowe 486 [Sidenote: apishly] To nyce araye / that is not commendable [Sidenote: or foppishly.] Fetis newe founden[1] by foolis vnp_ro_uffitable That make þ^e world so plainly transformate That men semen almoste enfemynate 490
[Footnote 1: _Orig._ fonuden.]
[71]
Playe not Iack malapert / that is to saye [Sidenote: Don't play Jack Malapert, that is,] Beware of presump_ci_on / beware of pryde[1] [Sidenote: don't be presumptuous.] Take not þ^e first place my child by the waye 493 Tyl other be sette / right manerly abyde [Sidenote: Wait till others are seated.] Presumptuo_us_ ben often set a syde. And_e_ alleday aualyd_e_ / as men may see And he is sette vp / that hath humylyte 497
[Footnote 1: _Orig._ pryte.]
* * * * *
THE ORIEL TEXT.
[72]
To[1] cu_n_nyng p_er_sones regarde ye take, [Sidenote 1: MS. The.] Where ye be sette in right atentif wyse, Connyng folke cu_n_nyng folke shulde make, 500 To theire goodnesse ye shalle make your_e_ su_m_mise, And as thei do, ye mosten deuyse; For this, my childe, is as the gospell treue, Whoo wolle be cu_n_nyng muste the cu_n_nyng sewe.
[73]
And o thing I charge you speciall[ie], To womanhode good kepe you take alway, And them to serue loke that ye haue an eie, 507 Ther comau_n_dementis, my child_e_, loke ye obey, Plesaunt wordis to them I warne you saye, And in all wyse do your_e_ dilligence, To do them plesur_e_, honoure, and reuerence. 511
[74]
As at this tyme this tretice shall suffice, Disposeth you to kepe in your_e_ mynde The doctrines whiche for you I deuyse, 514 And douteth not, fulle welle ye shall hit fynde; To youre honoure enrolle hit vp and bynde Ryght in your_e_ brest, and in your_e_ ryper age I shall wryten you here-of the surplusage. 518
[Sidenote: _Hill's Text._]
¶ To co_n_nyng p_er_sones regarde ye take, wher ye be sette, right i_n_ ententyf wyse; Co_n_nyng folke co_n_nyng me_n_ shall[e] make; 500 to _ther_ co_n_nyng ye shall[e] make yo_u_r surmyse, & as _the_i do, ye must yo_u_r selfe devyse; ffor this, my child, ys as _th_e gospell[e] trewe, 'who will[e] be co_n_nyng, he must co_n_nyng sewe.' 504
¶ And on thyng I warne you specyally: to woma_n_hede take awe alway, & the_m_ to s_er_ve loke ye haue an eye, & _ther_ co_m_avndment_is_ _tha_t ye obeye; 508 Plesaunt word_is_ I avyse you to the_m_ saye, & in all[e] wyse do ye yo_u_r delygence To do the_m_ plesyre and reverence. 511
¶ And at this tyme _th_is treatise shall[e] suffice; Do pose you to kepe it in yo_u_r mynde, _th_e doctryne which for you I devyse; & dowteth not, full[e] well[e] ye shall[e] yt fynde To yo_u_r honowr_e_; enrolle yt vp & bynde 516 Rig[=h]t i_n_ yo_u_r brest, & at yo_u_r ryper age I shall[e] write you here-of the surplusage.
CAXTON'S TEXT.
[72]
To connynd_e_ perso[=n]s regarde ye take [Sidenote: Watch knowing folk, and] Where ye be sette / right in ententyf wyse Connyng folk / connyng men shal make 500 To their co_n_nyng ye shal make your surmise [Sidenote: their skill.] And as they do / ye muste your self deuyse For this my child_e_ / is as the gospel trewe Who wil be co_n_nyng / he must þ^e co_n_nyng sewe 504
[73]
And one thing / I warne you specyally To womanhede / take awe alweye [Sidenote: Specially attend to women, and] And them to serue / loke ye haue an eye 507 And theire com_m_andementis that ye obeye Plesant wordes I auyse you to them seye [Sidenote: speak pleasant words to them.] And in alle wyse / do ye your diligence To do them plesure / and reuerence 511
[74]
And at this tyme this tretye shal suffise [Sidenote: This is enough for the present.] Dispose you / to kepe it in your mynde [Sidenote: Mind you attend to it,] The doctrine whiche for you I deuyse 514 And doubteth not / ful wel ye shal it finde To your honour / enrolle it vp and bynde Right in your breste / and at your riper age I shal wryte to you / herof the surplusage 518 [Sidenote: and when you're older I'll write you the rest.]
* * * * *
THE ORIEL TEXT.
[75]
Goo, litle childe, and who doth you Appose, Seying, your_e_ quaire kepeth non accordaunce, Tell [hym], as yite neyther of ryme ne prose 521 Ye be experte; pray hym of sufferaunce; Childer must be of childly gouernaunce, And they must also entredet[1] be [Sidenote 1: _Read_ entreted] Wyth esy thyng, [and not] of subtilte. 525
[76]
Your_e_ lytil quaier su_m_mitteth euery where To corecc_i_on and beneuolence, But where enuie is, loke hit come not there, 528 For eny thing kepith your_e_ trety thense; Enuie is full of frowarde reprehense, And howe to hurte liethe eu_er_e in awayte, Kepeth your_e_ quaier_e_, that hit be not her baite.
EXPLICIT.
DOMINE, SALUU_M_ FAC REGEM.
[Sidenote: _Hill's Text._]
¶ Go, litill[e] Ioh[=n], & who doth you oppose, sayenge yo_u_r quayre, kepeth no_n_ accordavnce; 520 Tell[e] hy_m_ as 3*et neyther_e_ i_n_ ryme ne p_r_ose ye ben exp_er_te; p_ra_y hy_m_ of suffraunce. Chyldren[1] muste be of childy gou_er_navnce, [Sidenote 1: MS. Clyldren.] & also _the_i muste entreted be 524 W_i_t_h_ easy thynge, & not w_i_t_h_ subtilte.
¶ Go, lytill[e] quayer, submyte you eu_er_y where vnder correcc_i_on of benevolence; & wher envy ys, loke you cu_m_ not ther_e_, 528 ffor any thyng kepe yo_u_r treatye thens; Envye ys full of froward reprehens, & how to hurte lyeth ever i_n_ a-wayte; kepe yo_u_r quayre _th_at yt be not ther bayte. 532
Here endyth A lytyll[e] treatyse called _th_e boke of curtesy or litill[e] Ioh_a_n.
CAXTON'S TEXT.
[75]
Go lytyl Io[=h]n / and who doth you appose [Sidenote: Whoever questions you,] Sayng your quayer / kepe non accordance Telle hym as yet / neyther in ryme ne prose 521 Ye ben expert / praye hym of suffra[=n]ce [Sidenote: say you are not yet up in rime or prose.] Chyldren muste be / of chyldly gouerna[=n]ce And also they muste entretyd_e_ be With esy thing / and not with subtylte 525
[76]
Go lytil quayer / submytte you euery where Vnder correct_i_on of benyuolence [Sidenote: Little book, I submit you to correction:] And where enuye is / loke ye come not there 528 [Sidenote: but go not where envy is.] For ony thing_e_ / kepe your tretye thens Enuye is ful of froward reprehens And how to hurte / lyeth euer in a wayte Kepe your quayer / that it be not ther bayte 532
Explicit the book of curtesye.
INDEX.
H. stands for Hill's MS. at the bottom of the pages, O. for the Oriel MS. on the even pages. Cot. is for Cotgrave's Dictionary.
Absolom with dissheveled hair, l. 460.
Amyse, l. 376, amice. Fr. _amict_, an Amict or Amice, part of a massing priest's habit. Cot. From L. _amicire_, to throw round; _am_ and _jacere_. Mahn.
Annoy no man, l. 170.
Apayer, l. 399 H., appeyre, O., worsen, impair.
Apish, don't let your dress be, l. 486.
Appose, l. 519, question. _See_ Oppose.
Avale, l. 457, lower, take off.
Ave Maria, say, l. 27, 77.
Avoyde, l. 271, emptying.
Austin, St, tells men how to behave at table, l. 158.
Author is old, l. 414-18.
Authors, the right ones to read, l. 323, 335, 351, 365, 393.
Bearing, men praised or blamed for their, l. 153.
Belch not, l. 202.
Beware of ruskyn, l. 451.
Birds and beasts, don't throw stones at, l. 64.
Blow not in your drink, l. 190.
Brecheles, l. 300, without breeches, of flogging.
Breth, l. 203, wind.
Capron, H., chappron, O., l. 457. O. Fr. _Chaperon_, "habillement de tête." Roquefort. Provençal, _capayron,_ from Lat. _caput_. Skeat. _Chaperon_ ... any hood, bonnet ... _Vn Chaperon fait à i'en veux_, A notable whipster or twigger; a good one I warrant her. Cotgrave. 'Capron hardy' must then be 'a bold or saucy young scamp.'
Cantelmele, l. 409, piecemeal: _cantel_, a corner, bit.
CHAUCER, read his works full of pleasance, l. 335-350.
Chere, l. 131, face, expression on it.
Childly, _adj._ l. 523, O., childy, H., fitted for children.
Children are like wax, l. 6.
Church, how to behave at, l. 71-98.
Clappe, l. 80, noise.
Claw not your visage, l. 194.
Comb your head, l. 36.
Communicative, be, l. 316.
Compace, l. 469. Fr. _compas_, a compasse, a circle, a round.
Constaunce, l. 102. Fr. _constance_, stabilitie, firmenesse. Cot.
Couenable, l. 487. Fr. _convenable_, apt, fit, meet for, beseeming, seemlie, &c. Cot.
Crede, say it, l. 77.
Cross yourself on rising, l. 25.
Cumpenable, l. 151. Fr. _compagnable_, companable, friendlie, sociable.
Cunning, (knowing) men, take heed to them, l. 478, l. 498-504.
Cup, soil not yours, l. 186.
Dancing, right for a child, l. 305.
Deprave, l. 157, backbite, run down. Fr. _despraver_, spoyle, marre, make crooked, wrest, wry to bad purposes. Cot.
Detraction, the vice of, l. 163.
Disauayle, l. 290, harm, damage.
Discreue, l. 392, describe.
Disculede, l. 460, O., dissheveled.
Disteyne, l. 407, stain, spot.
Dogs, don't irritate them, l. 67.
Dress, to be manerly, l. 47, 52; to be reasonable, l. 485.
Ears, clean yours, l. 37.
Entredet, l. 524, O., entretyde, H., taught.
Envy, keep clear of, l. 528.
Estate, l. 122, lord noble.
Exercyse, excersyf, l. 318, _?_ practised, able to handle a subject. Fr. _exercer_, to handle, manage. Cot.
Eye, cast not yours aside, l. 101.
Face, have no spots on it, l. 38.
Farsyone, l. 186, H., stuffing: _farse_ (or _ferce_, 1. 191), to stuff; _farsure_, stuffing. Cp. Chaucer's _ferthyng_, of the Prioress, _Prol. Cant. T._, and the Oriel text.
Fetis, l. 443, O., fashions. Fr. _faict_, feat, pranke, part. Cot.
Fewe, l. 171, little, few words.
First place, don't take it, l. 493.
Follow virtue, l. 481.
Founders of our language; revive their praise, l. 431.
Fulsom, l. 257, _?_ full, satisfied; or helpful, A.S. _fylst_, help, assistance.
Fulsomnes, l. 401, fulness, plenty. 'Fulnesse or plente (fulsu_m_nesse, K.H.P.) _Habundancia, copia_.' Promptorium.
Games, play only at proper ones, l. 296.
Girdle, don't loose yours at table, l. 197.
Glaynes, l. 412, O., gleynes, l. 422, O., gleanings. Fr. _glane_, a gleaning; also the corne thats gleaned or left for the gleaner. Cot.
Gluttonous, don't be, l. 180.
Good cheer, make it serve for a scanty table, l. 253-5.
GOWER'S moral writings, read them, l. 323; and his _Confessio Amantis_, l. 325.
Halke, l. 124, generally means corner; A.S. _heal_, an angle, a corner; but another _heal_ is a hall, place of entertainment, inn, which may be the meaning here.
Hands, wash yours, l. 43; wash 'em clean at table, l. 262-5.
Hanging, the servant that deserves it, st. 65, O.
Harping recommended, l. 304.
Head, don't scratch it at table, l. 194.
Holy water, l. 72.
Humanite, l. 497, Fr. _humanité_, courtesie, ciuilitie, gentlenesse. Cot.
Inhaunce, l. 433, put forward, up. Lat. _in antea_, Prov. _enansar_, to advance, exalt. Wedgwood.
Interrupt no man's talk, l. 275, 283.
Is, l. 386, O., his.
Iubiter, l. 371, 378, God.
Jangelynge, l. 80, chattering.
Kery, l. 369, [Greek: kyrie], Lord, [have mercy upon us!]
Knife, don't put it near your face, l. 192.
Ladde, l. 476, O., lade, H., a thong of leather, a shoe-latchet. Halliwell.
Language, silver, is to be learnt only from our old poets, st. 58, l. 400-6.
Lewed (ignorant), he must be who will not learn, l. 21.
Lips, wipe yours before drinking, l. 186, 189.
Look men, you speak to, in the face, l. 99.
Louse, l. 462, catching lice.
Luting recommended, l. 302.
LYDGATE, Jo[=h]n, my master, l. 365; read his volumes large and wide, l. 379.
Malapert, Jack, don't play, l. 491. Fr. _Müiere_, malapert, outrageous, ever doing one mischiefe or other. _Marmiton_, a saucie, malapert, or knauish fellow. Cot.
Malouse, l. 461, Malo's.
Manner & measure should guide you, l. 125.
Manners make man, l. 238.
Mass, help the priest at, l. 85.
Matins, our Lady's, l. 32.
Mouth, eat with it shut, l. 241.
Multiply talking, don't, l. 320.
Nails, clean yours, l. 44; don't pare them at table, l. 247.
Norture, l. 436, deportment, manners.
Nose, clean it, l. 39; don't pick it, l. 41.
OCKLYF; read his translation of _De Regimine Principum_, l. 351-64.
Oppose, l. 518, 'I oppose one, I make a tryall of his lernyng, or I laye a thyng to his charge, _ie appose_.' Palsgrave. See Towneley Mysteries, pp. 193-95. Way, in Promptorium.
We may bi oure law examyne hym fyrst.... ... let me _oppose_ hym ...
_T. Myst_, p. 195.
Outrage, l. 278, outrageous, beyond bounds, too talkative. _See_ Malapert.
Owers, l. 34, see _pryme_.
Pater noster, say yours, l. 26, 77.
Pendable, l. 455, O., Fr. _pendable_, hangable, that deserves hanging, thats fit to be hanged. Cot.
Poor table, men to be cheerful at, l. 253.
Presumption, beware of, l. 492.
Pride, beware of, l. 492.
Print your words in your mind before you speak them, l. 282.
Pryme & owers, l. 34. 'The _prime_ and other _hours_ are the services _Ad primam horam_, _Ad tertiam_, _Ad sextam_, and _Ad nonam_, found in the Primer, or layman's prayer-book. They are sometimes called the middle hours, as distinguished from Matins and Vespers.' H. Bradshaw.
Quaire, l. 520, 526, 532, quire, pamphlet, treatise.
Ravenous, don't be, l. 176.
Read eloquent books, l. 310.
Rehersaylle, l. 288, rehearsal, repetition.
Repeat conversations, don't, l. 288.
Report (tale-telling) is the chief nurse of mischief, l. 135.
Reward, l. 127, look at, watch.
Rising, what to do on, l. 23.
Secret, keep what you hear, l. 134.
Sewe, l. 481, follow, pursue.
Silence, keep, l. 140; in hall, l. 204.
Siluerous, l. 403, O., silvern.
Singing lustily is good for a child, l. 304.
Speak fair to folks, l. 60.
Speaking, the conditions to be observed in, l. 143.
Spoon, don't put it in your dish or on the table, l. 267.
Surplusage, l. 518, rest, remainder.
Syttyng, l. 302, fit, suitable. 'Syttyng or convenyent--m. _asseant ... aduenant_.' Palsgrave.
Table, how to wait at, l. 113.
Tacches, l. 176, tache, l. 198; Fr. _tache_, a spot, staine, blemish. Cot.
Taches, H., teches, O., l. 453, manners.
Teeth, don't pick 'em with your knife, l. 248.
Terre, l. 67; _tar_, to set on, provoke; O. Fr. _atarier_. They have _terrid_ thee to ire. Wiclif, Psalms. Sc. _tirr_, to snarl; quarrelsome, crabbed. Wedgwood.
Thewed, l. 20, mannered.
Towel, don't soil it, l. 263, 266.
Traverse, l. 242, change from side to side.
Trencher; keep yours clean, l. 269.
Trety, l. 529, treatise.
True as the gospel, l. 503.
Weyne, l. 166, A.S. _wanian_, to diminish, take away.
Wind, break not, up or down, l. 202.
Wise man, the; his marks of a youth likely to be had, l. 104;--his counsel as to speaking, l. 137, 147.
Women, always take good heed to them, l. 506.
Wyndlese, l. 471, windlass.
Yanglers, l. 207, chatterers.
Ydellye, l. 315, idly.
Ynympariable, l. 380, unequalled, L. _par_, Fr. _pareil_, equal, like.