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.
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.
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] that maners make man.
¶ And whan that ye ete yo_u_r mete small[e],
w_i_t_h_ open mowth be ware ye not ete,
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 that 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]
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
[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.
Hill’s Text.
¶ Beware, my chyld, of laughynge ou_er_ mesure;
Ne at the 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 the bonys bare,
& of ynowgh he takyth never_e_ hede,
he ffedyth more for lust than for nede. 252
¶ And wha_n_ the 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 that ‘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 the wat_er_ wasshe so clene yo_u_r hond
that yo_u_r towell[e] never ensoyled be
So fowle that yt be lothsome on to see; 264
wasshe w_i_t_h_ wat_er_ yo_u_r hond_is_ so clene
that in the 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]
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
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
[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.’
[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
Hill’s Text.
¶ lete not yo_u_r spone in yo_u_r_e_ disshe stond,
Ne vpon the 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 that 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 the table,
be ware ye int_er_rupte not his langage,
for that 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] that gevyth audyence.’ 280
[Sidenote 1: In a later hand, above the line.]
ffl C lxiij.
¶ Vnd_er_stond therfor or than ye speke;
prynt i_n_ yo_u_r mynde clerly the sentence;
who that 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
that 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]
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
[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
[42]
Be ware Also, my childe, of rehersaille
Of materis whiche ben at the table mevide;
Hit grevith ofte and dothe men disavaylle,
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
Hill’s Text.
¶ But beware, my child, also of rehersayle
Off maters whiche be at the 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_ that 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 that ye hawnt & vse; 296
& suche as bene of vyleyns report,
I cownsell[e] you, my child, that ye refuse;
ffor truste ye well[e] ye shall[e] you not excuse
ffro_m_ brecheles feste, & I may you espye
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,
thei saye, ‘glade may this 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
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]
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