[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._]
Almyȝty 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 ȝere 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 makyȝt comforte w{i}t{h} care to kele:
[Sidenote: In the beginning, think on the end.]
Man, yn the begynnyng thenk on þe 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 drawȝt 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 nyȝt & 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 þe 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 thowȝt
Meny thynggis had neu{er} be by-gunne
That ofte yn Ingelond hath be y-wroȝt. 52
[Sidenote: See _The Wise Man_, in _Babees Boke_, &c. p. 48.]
The wyse man hath hys sone y-tawȝtte
yn ryches, poorte, woo, and welle,
Thys worthy reson for-ȝete thow noȝt,
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-ryȝt,
Ssyx thynggys thow moste obserue then:
What thow spekyst, & of what wyȝt,
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!]
“Almyȝty 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 nyȝt 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 _Reliquiæ Antiquæ, 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 makyȝt at crystysmas A dogg{e} lardyner, And yn march
A sowe 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 _Reliquiæ Antiquæ, 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 the MS.]
_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 nõõne 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 holdẽ 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 vpõn 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 wilneþ to be wijs, & worschip desiriþ,
Lerne he oo lettir, & looke on anothir
Of þe .a. b. c. of aristotil: argue not aȝen þat:
It is cou{n}cel for riȝt manye clerkis & knyȝtis a þousand, 4
And eek it myȝte ameende a man ful ofte
For to leerne lore of oo lettir, & his lijf saue;
For to myche of ony þing was neu{er}e holsum.
Reede ofte on þis rolle, & rewle þ{o}u þer aftir; 8
Who-so be greued in his goost, gou{er}ne hi{m} bettir;
Blame he not þe barn þat þis .a. b. c. made,
But wite he his wickid will & his werk aftir;
It schal neu{er}e greue a good man þouȝ þe gilti be meendid. 12
Now herkeneþ & heeriþ 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 neiþ{er}.
+F+ to fers, ne to famuler, but freendli of cheere.
+G+ to glad, ne to gloriose, & gelosie þou hate.
+H+ to hasti, ne to hardi, ne to heuy in þine 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}þwart, & ooþis þou 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 ȝoure 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 wraþful, neiþ{er} waaste, ne waade not to depe,
¶ For a mesurable meene is eu{er}e þe beste of alle.
[“Whi is þis 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, leerñ he on lettur,
and loke vpon an other of the .A. B. C. of Arystotle; nooñ 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 þou hate, _read_ Ne to galaunt never
H, _for_ in þine _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_ ouerþwart _read_ ouertwarth{e};
_for_ & ooþis þou hate _read_ Ne othez to haunte
Q, _for_ quarelose _read_ querelous;
_for_ weel ȝoure 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_ neiþer &c. _read_ Ne to wyse deme the
¶ _for_ is euere þe 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} thañ 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 & ȝe shall{e} here.
[a] When þ{o}u comeste be-fore a lorde
In halle, yn bowre, or at þe borde, 4
[b] Hoode or kappe þ{o}u of þo.
Ere þ{o}u come hym all{e} vn-to,
[c] Twyse or þryse w{i}t{h}-oute{n} dowte
To þ{a}t lorde þ{o}u moste lowte, 8
W{i}t{h} þy Ryȝth kne lette h{i}t be do,
Thy worshyp þ{o}u mayst saue so.
[d] Holde of þy cappe & þy hood also
Tyll{e} þ{o}u be byden h{i}t on to do; 12
All{e} þe whyle þ{o}u spekest w{i}t{h} hym,
[e] Fayr & louely holde vp þy chyn{n},
So aft{ur} þe nurtur of þe book
[f] In h{i}s face louely þ{o}u loke; 16
[g] Foot & hond þ{o}u kepe full{e} stylle
Fro clawyng or tryppy{n}g, h{i}t ys skylle;
[h] Fro spettyng & snetyng kepe þe also;
[i] Be p{ri}uy of voydance, & lette h{i}t go. 20
And loke þ{o}u be wyse & fell{e},
[k] And þ{er}to also þ{a}t þow gouerne þe well{e}.
[l] In-to þe halle when þ{o}u dost wende
Amonge þe genteles gode & hende, 24
[m] Prece þ{o}u not vp to hyȝ for no þy{n}g,
Nor for þy hyȝ blood, ner{e} for þy ko{n}ny{n}g,
Noþ{ur} to sytte, neþ{ur} to lene,
For h{i}t ys neyþ{ur} good ne clene. 28
[n] Lette not þy co{n}tynaunce also abate,
For good nurt{ur} wyll{e} saue þy state;
Fadyr & modyr, what eu{ur} þey be,
Well{e} ys þe chylde þ{a}t may the: 32
[o] In halle, in chambur, or{e} wher{e} þ{o}u gon,
Nurtur & good maners makeþ man.
To þe nexte degre loke þ{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 ȝyf þ{o}u þe bett{ur} do hym knowe.
[Sidenote: [Fol. 86, back, col. 1.]]
To þe mete when þ{o}u art sette,
Fayre & honestly thow ete hyt: 40
[q] Fyrste loke þ{a}t þy handes be clene,
And þ{a}t þy knyf be sharpe & kene;
And cutte þy breed & all{e} þy mete
Ryȝth euen as þ{o}u doste h{i}t ete. 44
[r] If þ{o}u sytte be a worthyor man
Then þy self thow art on,
Suffre hym fyrste to towche þe mete
Er{e} þy self any þ{er}-of gete; 48
[s] To þe beste morsell{e} þ{o}u may not stryke
Thowȝ þ{o}u neu{ur} so well{e} h{i}t lyke.
[t] Also kepe þy hondys fayr{e} & well{e}
Fro fylynge of the towell{e}, 52
Ther-on þ{o}u shalt not þy nose wype;
Noþ{ur} at þy mete þy toth þ{o}u pyke;
[v] To depe i{n} þy cuppe þ{o}u may not synke
Thowȝ þ{o}u haue good wyll{e} to drynke, 56
Leste þy eyen water þer{e} by,
Then ys hyt no curtesy.
[x] Loke yn þy mowth be no mete
When þ{o}u begy{n}neste to dry{n}ke or speke; 60
Also when þ{o}u sest any man drynkyng
That taketh hede of þy karpyng,
Soone a-non þ{o}u sece þy tale,
Wheþ{ur} he drynke wyne or Ale. 64
[y] Loke also þ{o}u skorne no mon
In what þe[gre] [A] þ{o}u se hym gon;
Nor þ{o}u shalte no mon Repreue [B]
Ȝyf þ{o}u wylt þy owen worshyp saue, 68
For suche wordys þ{o}u myȝth out kaste
Sholde make þe to lyue i{n} euell{e} reste;
[z] Close þyn honde yn þy feste,
And kepe þe well{e} from hadde-y-wyste. 72
[Sidenote: [Fol. 86, back, col. 2.]]
[aa] In chamb{ur} among ladyes bryȝth,
Kepe þy tonge & spende þy syȝth;
[ab] Lawȝe þ{o}u not w{i}t{h} no grette cry,
Ne Rage þ{o}u not w{i}t{h} Rybawdry. 76
Pley þ{o}u not but w{i}t{h} þy peres;
[ac] Ne telle þ{o}u not þ{a}t þ{o}u heres,
Nor dyskeuer{e} þ{o}u not [C] þyn owen dede
For no myrth nor for no mede; 80
[ad] W{i}t{h} fayr speche þ{o}u may haue þy wyll{e},
And w{i}t{h} þy speche þ{o}u may þe spyll{e}.
[ae] Ȝyf þ{o}u suwe a wordyer mon
Then þy self þ{o}u art on, 84
Lette þy Ryȝth shold{ur} folow h{i}s bakke,
For nurt{ur} þ{a}t ys, w{i}t{h}-owten lakke.
[af] When he doth speke, holde þe style;
When he hath don, say þy wyll{e}; 88
[ag] Loke yn þy speche þ{o}u be fell{e},
And what þou sayste a-vyse þe well{e};
[ah] And be-refe þ{o}u no mon h{i}s tale,
Noþ{ur} at wyne ner{e} at Ale. 92
[ai] Now, c{ri}ste of h{i}s grette g{ra}ce
Ȝeue vs all{e} both{e} wytte & space
Well{e} þ{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, þe 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, knyȝtt{is}, and skyers,
Persons, prystis and wycars,
The boris hede ys þe fur[s]t mes,
W{i}tt hay.
¶¶ The boris hede, as I yow say,
He takis his leyfe, & gothe his way
Soñ aft{ur} þe xij theylffyt day,
W{i}tt hay.
¶¶ The{n} co{m}mys i{n} þe secund kowrs w{i}th mekyll pryde,
þe crann{is} & þe heyrrou{n}s, þe bytt{ur}is by þe syde,
þe p{ar}trychys & þe plowers, þe wodcok{is} & þe snyt,
W{i}tt hay.
¶¶ Larkys i{n} hoot schow,[2] ladys for to pyk,
Good drynk þ{er}to, lycyvs and fyñ,
Blwet of allmayñ,[3] ro{m}nay and wyin,
W{i}tt hay.
¶¶ Gud[4] bred, alle & wyin, da{er} I well say,
þ^e boris hede w{i}tt musterd armyd soo gay,
¶¶ furm̅a{n}te to po^tdtage,[5] w{i}tt we{n}nissu{n} fyñ,
& þ^e ho{m}buls of þe dow, & all þ{a}t eu{er} co{m}mis in,
¶¶ Cappons I-bake w{i}tt þ^e pesys of þ^e roow,
Reysons of corrans, w{i}tt odyr{e} spysis moo,
[_incomplete._]
[Footnote 1: “When you print I recommend that the first line of
the MS. ‘Hey, hey,’ &c. should stand alone in two lines. They are
the burthen of the song, and were a sort of accompaniment, or
under-song, sung throughout, while an upper voice sang the words
and tune. You will see numbers of the same kind in Wright’s Songs
and Carols printed by the Percy Society. It was common in the 14th
and 15th centuries.” --WM. CHAPPELL.
This Carol is printed in _Reliq. Antiq._, vol. ii., and is
inserted here--copied from and read with the MS.--to fill up a
blank page. The title is mine.]
[Footnote 2: ? sewe, stew.]
[Footnote 3: ? the name of a wyne. Recipes for the dish _Brouet of
Almayne_ (H. O.), _Brewet of Almony_, _Breuet de Almonde_, are in
Household Ordinances, p. 456; Forme of Cury, p. 29, and Liber Cure
Cocorum, p. 12.]
[Footnote 4: ? MS. End.]
[Footnote 5: Recipe for _Potage de Frumenty_ in Household
Ordinances, p. 425.]
[po^tdtage: small “t” printed above “o”]
* * * * *
* * * *
Errata (noted by transcriber):
_The Babees Book_
_In the printed book, some line numbers were shifted to avoid
collision with the pilcrow symbol at the beginning of the stanza.
For this e-text, numbers have been restored to multiples of 4._
* * * * *
* * * *
* * * * *
[Transcriber’s Note:
The following two selections, _The Lytylle Childrenes Lytil Boke or
Edyllys be_ and _The Young Children’s Book_, were printed on facing
even/odd pages. They are here presented one after the other, with
sidenotes grouped at the end of each selection.
_Edyllys Be_ is given twice: first with all collations and line numbers,
then with sidenotes only.]
* * * * *
* * * *
The Lytylle Childrenes Lytil Boke or Edyllys be.
[_Harl. MS. 541, fol. 210; and Egerton MS. 1995; ab. 1480 A.D._]
[Text with collations: see Transcriber’s Note above.
Numbered footnotes give readings from the alternative MS, Egerton
1995. Footnotes 9 (three references) and 23 each read:
“The parts between square brackets [] are from the Egerton MS.”
This explanation is also given in an unnumbered note on a later page.
Readings in [[double brackets]] are taken from the Collations
section immediately after the Preface, with the MSS. abbreviated
here as Adv.:
“... part of the Advocates Library MS., fol. 84, back”,
and Cam.:
“... the Cambridge University MS. ... _Hem_ is always written
for _him_ in this MS., and so with other words.”]
Lytyll{e} children{e}, here ye may lere]
Moche curtesy þ{a}t is wrytyn{e} here;
For clerk{is} that the vij arteȝ cunne,
Seyn[1] þ{a}t curtesy from hevyn come 4
Whan Gabryell{e} oure lady grette,
And Eliȝabeth with mary mette.
l. 1: [[Adv. childur]
l. 2: [[Adv. _dele_ þat]]
[[Cam. _for_ wrytyne _read_ brekeyd]]
l. 3: [[Adv. _dele_ For]]
l. 4: [1: Egerton MS. 1995, Synne]
[[Adv. _for_ with mary, _read_ oure Lady]]
[[Cam. _for_ Elizabeth _read_ cortesey]]
All{e} vertues arn{e}[2] closid{e} yn curtesye,
And all{e} vices yn vylonye. 8
Loke þyne hond{is} be[3] wasshe clene,
That no fylth{e} on[4] thy nayles be sene.
Take þ{o}u no mete tyll{e} grace[5] be seyd{e},
And tyll{e} þ{o}u see all{e} thyng arayed{e}. 12
l. 7: [2: ben closyde]
[[Adv. _for_ arñ _read_ byn]]
[[Cam. _for_ closide _read_ clodyd]]
l. 9: [[Adv. _prefix_ Forst _to_ Loke]]
[3: that thy hondys benne]
[[Adv. _for_ wasshe _read_ wasshyd]]
l. 10: [4: in]
[[Cam. _for_ on _read_ yn]]
l. 11: [5: the fyrste gracys]
[[Cam. _for_ þou _read_ ye]]
l. 12: [[Adv. _for_ tylle _read_ to]]
[[Cam. _for_ þou _read_ ye]]
Loke, my son, þ{a}t thow not sytte]
Tyll{e} þe ruler of þe hous the bydde;[6]
And at thy[7] mete, yn þ{e} begynnyng,
Loke on[8] pore men that thow thynk, 16
For the full{e} wombe w{i}t{h}out[[9] any faylys]
Wot full{e} lytyl[[9] what the hungery aylys.]
l. 13: [[Adv. _prefix_ And _to_ Loke]
l. 14: [6: the halle the bytte]
[[Adv. To he y^t reweleth y^e howse y^e bytt]]
[[Cam. _for_ hous the bydde _read_ hall þe beyt]]
l. 15: [7: Atte the]
[[Cam. _for_ þe _read_ they]]
l. 16: [8: a-pon (and omits _that_)]
[[Adv. _put the_ that _between_ loke _and_ on]]
[[Cam. _for_ on _read_ no]]
l. 17: [[Adv. _for_ without any faylys _read_ withowtte fayle]]
[[Cam. _for_ any faylys _read_ fayle]]
l. 18: [[Adv. _for_ hungery aylys _read_ empty ayle]]
[[Cam. _for_ aylys _read_ heydyt]]
Ete[[9] not thy mete to hastely,
A-byde and ete esely. 20
l. 19: [[Cam. _for_ Ete ... hastely _read_ yet ... hastey]]
l. 20: [[Adv. _for_ ete esely _read_ etett eysely]]
[[Cam. _prefix_ Bot _to_ Abyde]]
[[Cam. _for_ esely _read_ all yesley]]
Tylle þ{o}u haue thy fulle seruyse,
Touche noo messe in noo wyse.
Kerue not thy brede to thynne,
Ne breke hit not on twynne: 24
The mosselle that þ{o}u begynnysse to touche,
Cast them not in thy pouche.
l. 23: [[Cam. _for_ Kerue not thy brede
_read_ Kot they bred not]]
l. 24: [[Cam. _is_ Ne to theke bat be-tweyn]]
l. 25: [[Adv. _for_ mosselle _read_ morsselle]]
[[Cam. _for_ mosselle _read_ mossels]]
[[Cam. _for_ begynnysse to _read_ dost]]
l. 26: [[Adv. _for_ in _read_ owt of]]
[[Cam. _for_ in _read_ owt of]]
Put not thy fyngerys on thy dysche,
Nothyr in flesche, nothyr in fysche. 28
l. 27: [[Cam. _for_ on _read_ yn]]
l. 28: [[Adv. _for_ Into thy _read_ nor in the;]]
[[Adv. _for_ thy salte _read_ hit]]
[[Cam. 28-30 _are_ Ne yn they met, feys, ne fleys.
Put not thy mete yn þey salt seleyr]]
Put not thy mete in-to the salte,
In-to thy Seler that thy salte halte,]
[Sidenote: [Fol. 210, back.]]
But ley it fayr{e}[10] on þi trencher{e}
The byfore,[11] and þat is þyn{e} honor{e}. 32
l. 31: [10: Egerton MS. omits _fayre_]
[[Adv. _for_ fayre on þi _read_ on a]]
l. 32: [11: To-fore the]
[[Adv. _for_ The byfore _read_ Byfore the]]
[[Adv. _dele_ þyne]]
[[Cam. _is_ Be-fore the, that ys worschep]]
Pyke not þyn{e} Eris ne thy nost{re}ll{is};
If[12] þ{o}u do, men woll{e} sey þ{o}u come of cherl{is}.[13]
And[14] whyll{e} þi mete yn þi mouth is,
Drynk þow not; for-gete not this. 36
l. 33: [[Cam. _for_ ne _read_ nother]]
l. 34: [12: And]
[13: comyste of karlys]
[[Cam. _for_ If _read_ And]]
[[Cam. _for_ come _read_ comest]]
[[Adv. Pyke not y^i tethe wyth y^i knyfe
Whyles y^u etyst be y^i lyfe]]
l. 35: [14: But]
[[Cam. _for_ And _read_ Seche]]
[[Cam. _put the_ is _before_ yn]]
Ete þi mete by small{e} mosselles;
[m] Fylle not thy mouth as done[15] brothell{is}.
[n] Pyke not þi teth{e} with thy knyfe;
In no company begynne þow stryfe.[16] 40
l. 37: [[Cam. _for_ Ete ... by _read_ Kot ... yn]]
l. 38: [15: dothe]
[[Cam. _prefix_ And _to_ Fylle;]]
[[Cam. _omit_ done]]
l. 40: [16: Whyle þ{o}u ettyste by thy lyffe]
[[Cam. _is_ Weyles thou hetys, bey they leyffe]]
And whan þ{o}u hast þi potage doon{e},[17]
Out of thy dyssh þow put thi spone.
Ne spitte þow not[18] over the[19] tabyll{e},
Ne therupon, for that is no þing abyll{e}.[20] 44
l. 41: [17: Idone]
l. 42: [[Cam. _for_ þow put _read_ take owt]]
l. 43: [18: Spette not]
[19: thy]
[[Cam. _for_ Ne _read_ Nether]]
l. 44: [20: Nor a-pon hyt, for hyt ys not able]
[[Cam. _is_ For no cortesey het ys not habell]]
Ley not þyn{e} Elbowe nor[21] thy fyst
Vpon the tabyll{e} whyl{is} þ{a}t thow etist.[22]
Bulk not as a Been{e} were yn þi throte,
[As a ka]rle þ{a}t comys oute of a cote. 48
l. 45: [21: nothyr]
[[Cam. _for_ Elbowe ... fyst _read_ Elbowhes ... fystys]]
l. 46: [22: whyle þ{o}u este]
[[Cam. _for_ whylis þat _read_ wheyle]]
l. 47: [[Cam. _is_ Bolk not as a bolle yn the crofte]]
l. 48: [[Cam. _for_ karle þat _read_ charle]]
[[Cam. _for_ cote _read_ cotte]]
[[23] And thy mete be o]f grete pryce,
[Be ware of hyt, or þ{o}u arte n]ot wyse.
[Speke noo worde stylle ne sterke;
And honowre and curtesy loke þ{o}u kepe, 52
And at the tabylle loke þ{o}u make goode chere;
Loke þ{o}u rownde not in nomannys ere.
l. 50: [[Cam. _for_ of hyt or þou art _read_ the or ye be]]
l. 51: [[Cam. _for_ sterke _read_ lowde]]
l. 52: [[Cam. _is_ all of curtesy loke ye carpe]]
l. 53: [[Cam. _for_ at _read_ all]]
[[Cam. _omit_ loke þou]]
l. 54: [[Cam. _for_ Loke þou rownde not _read_ And loke ye]]
W{i}t{h} thy fyngerys þ{o}u towche and taste
Thy mete; And loke þ{o}u doo noo waste. 56
Loke þ{o}u laughe not, nor grenne;
And w{i}t{h} moche speche þ{o}u mayste do synne.
l. 55: [[Cam. _omit_ thy]]
l. 56: [[Cam. _for_ and _read_ ne]]
[[Cam. _for_ doo _read_ make]]
l. 57: [[Cam. _for_ laughe not _read_ noþer laughe]]
l. 58: [[Cam. _for_ with moche speche _read_ thow meche speke]]
[[Cam. _for_ mayst _read_ may]]
Mete ne drynke loke þ{o}u ne spylle,
But sette hit downe fayre and stylle.] 60
l. 59: [[Cam. _for_ first ne _read_ ner]]
[[Cam. _for the second_ ne _read_ not]]
l. 60: [[Cam. _for_ fayre and stylle _read_ stere het not]]
[Sidenote: [Fol. 207.]]
Kepe thy cloth clene the byforn{e},
And bere the so[24] thow haue no scorn{e}.
Byte not þi mete, but kerve it[25] clene,
Be well{e} war{e} no[26] drop be sene. 64
Whan þ{o}u etyst, gape not to wyde
That þi mouth be sene on ych{e} a[27] syde.
l. 61: [[Cam. _for_ thy _read_ the]]
l. 62: [24: that]
l. 63: [25: cut hit]
l. 64: [26: that noo]
l. 66: [27: be in euery]
[[Cam. _omit_ a]]
And son, bewar{e}, I rede, of[28] on thyng,
Blow neþ{er}[29] yn thi mete nor yn þi[30] drynk. 68
And yif thi lord drynk at þat tyde,
Drynk þ{o}u not, but hym abyde;
Be it at Evyn{e}, be it at noone,[31]
Drynk þ{o}u not tyll{e} he haue done. 72
l. 67: [28: be ware of]
[[Cam. _for_ I rede of _read_ of j redde þe of]]
l. 68: [29: þ{o}u not]
[30: mete not]
[[Cam. _for_ neþer _read_ neuer]]
[[Cam. _omit_ yn þi _before_ drynk]]
l. 69: [[Cam. _for_ þat _read_ they]]
l. 71: [31: morowe, (and omits next line.)]
Vpon þi trencher no fyllth{e} þ{o}u see,[32]
It is not honest, as I telle the;
Ne drynk[33] behynd{e} no mannes bakke,
For yf þ{o}u do, thow art to lakke.[34] 76
l. 73: [32: be sene]
[[Cam. _for_ þou see _read_ be saye]]
[[Cam. _for_ þou _read_ yow]]
l. 75: [33: Drynke þ{o}u not]
l. 76: [34: blame]
[[Cam. _for_ thow art _read_ yow ar]]
And chese com{e} forthe,[35] be not to gredy,[36]
Ne cutte þow not therof to hastely.[37]
Caste not þi bones ynto the flore,
But ley þem[38] fayre on þi trenchor{e}. 80
l. 77: [35: by-fore the]
[36: redy]
[[Cam. _for_ forthe _read_ before yow]]
l. 78: [37: To cut there-of be not to gredy.]
[[Cam. _omit_ þow not]]
l. 79: [[Cam. _for_ ynto _read_ yn]]
l. 80: [38: hem]
Kepe clene þi cloth byfor{e} þe[39] alle;
And sit þ{o}u stylle, what so be-falle,[40]
Tyll{e} grace be said vnto þe ende,
And tyll{e} þ{o}u haue wasshen w{i}t{h} þi frend. 84
l. 81: [39: _þe_ omitted.]
l. 82: [40: stylle w{i}t{h}alle]
l. 83: [[Cam. _for_ ende _read_ hendyng]]
l. 84: [[Cam. _for_ wasshen _read_ was]]
Let the more worthy þan[41] thow
Wassh to-fore[42] þe, & that is þi prow;
And spitte not yn[43] þi basyn{e},
My swete son, þ{a}t þow wasshist yn{e}; 88
l. 85: [41: thenne]
[[Cam. _for_ worthy _read_ wortheyor]]
l. 86: [42: by-for{e}]
[[Cam. _for_ to- _read_ be-]]
[[Cam. _omit_ &]]
[[Cam. _for_ þi prow _read_ gentyll cortesey]]
l. 87: [43: Spete not on (and omits next line.)]
And aryse up soft & stylle,[44]
And iangyll{e} nether with Iak ne Iylle,
l. 89: [[Cam. 88, 89, are omitted.]]
[44: And ryse w{i}t{h} hym that sate w{i}t{h} the stylle,
And thanke hym fayre and welle:
Aftyr, Iangely not w{i}t{h} Iacke ne gylle.]
l. 90: [[Cam. _for_ nether _read_ not]]
[[Cam. _for_ ne _read_ ne with]]
[Sidenote: [Fol. 207, back.]]
But take þi leve of the hede[45] lowly,
And þank hym w{i}t{h} thyn{e} hert hyghly, 92
And all{e} þe gentyll{is}[46] togydr{e} yn same,
And bare the so[47] thow haue no blame;
Than men wyll{e}[48] say therafter
That a gentyll{e}man was heere. 96
l. 91: [45: lorde]
[[Cam. _omit_ þi]]
[[Cam. _for_ the hede _read_ they lorde]]
l. 92: [[Cam. _for_ hyghly _read_ mekeley]]
l. 93: [46: _þe gentylles_ omitted.]
[[Cam. _for_ togydre ynsame _read_ yn the same manere]]
l. 94: [47: soo that]
[[Cam. _for_ no blame _read_ the same]]
l. 95: [48: wylle they sey]
[[Cam. _for_ therafter _read_ hereafter]]
l. 96: [[Cam. _after_ that _add_ he ys]]
[[Cam. _for_ was heere _read_ þere aftyr]]
And he þ{a}t dispiseth this techyng,
He is not worthy, w{i}t{h}oute lesyng,
Nether at[49] good mannes tabull{e} to[50] sitte,
Ner[51] of no worship{e} for to wytte. 100
l. 97: [[Cam. _omit_ And]]
[[Cam. _for_ dispiseth _read_ dispise]]
l. 99: [49: Neuyr at a]
[50: for to]
[[Cam. _for_ Nether _read_ neuer]]
l. 100: [51: Nothyr]
[[Cam. _for_ Ner _read_ ne]]
[[Cam. _after_ for _add_ sent]]
And therfor{e}, chyldren, for[52] charyte,
Louyth this boke though yt lytil be![53]
l. 101: [52: pur]
l. 102: [53: Lernythe thys boke that ys callyd Edyllys be]
[[Cam. _for_ Louyth this boke _read_ Loren this lesen]]
And pray for hym þ{a}t made it thus,[54]
That hym may helpe swete Ih{esus} 104
To lyve & dye among his frendes,
[55] And neu{er} to be combred w{i}t{h} no fendes;
And geve vs grace yn Ioy to be;
Amen, Amen, for charytee![55] 108
l. 103: [54: made thys]
[[Cam. _omit_ and]]
[[Cam. _for_ made _read_ wret]]
l. 106: [[Cam. is omitted.]]
l. 107: [[Cam. _before_ vs _put_ hem and]]
l. 108: [[Cam. _for the first_ Amen _read_ Sey all]]
[55-55: And vs graunte in Ioy to a-byde!
Say ye alle Amen for charyde in euery syde]
EXPLICIT. lerne or be lewde q{uod} Whytyng.[56]
Expl.: [56: AMEN.
Here endythe the boke of Curtesy that ys fulle necessary
vnto yonge chyldryn that muste nedys lerne the
maner of curtesy.
EXPLICIT. AMEN.]
[[Cam. _for the_ Explicit &c.
_read_ Expleycyt the Boke of cortesey.]]
* * * * *
* * * *
The Lytylle Childrenes Lytil Boke or Edyllys be.
[Text with sidenotes: see Transcriber’s Note at beginning of
previous text. Passages in [brackets] are from the Egerton MS;
lower-case letters in brackets are sidenote references.]
[_Harl. MS. 541, fol. 210; and Egerton MS. 1995; ab. 1480 A.D._]
Lytyll{e} children{e}, here ye may lere
Moche curtesy þ{a}t is wrytyn{e} here;
For clerk{is} that the vij arteȝ cunne,
Seynþ{a}t curtesy from hevyn come 4
Whan Gabryell{e} oure lady grette,
And Eliȝabeth with mary mette.
All{e} vertues arn{e}closid{e} yn curtesye,
And all{e} vices yn vylonye. 8
Loke þyne hond{is} be wasshe clene,
That no fylth{e} on thy nayles be sene.
Take þ{o}u no mete tyll{e} grace be seyd{e},
And tyll{e} þ{o}u see all{e} thyng arayed{e}. 12
Loke, my son, þ{a}t thow not sytte
Tyll{e} þe ruler of þe hous the bydde;
And at thy mete, yn þ{e} begynnyng,
Loke on pore men that thow thynk, 16
For the full{e} wombe w{i}t{h}out [any faylys]
Wot full{e} lytyl [what the hungery aylys.]
Ete [not thy mete to hastely,
A-byde and ete esely. 20
Tylle þ{o}u haue thy fulle seruyse,
Touche noo messe in noo wyse.
Kerue not thy brede to thynne,
Ne breke hit not on twynne: 24
The mosselle that þ{o}u begynnysse to touche,
Cast them not in thy pouche.
Put not thy fyngerys on thy dysche,
Nothyr in flesche, nothyr in fysche. 28
Put not thy mete in-to the salte,
In-to thy Seler that thy salte halte,]
But ley it fayr{e} on þi trencher{e}
The byfore, and þat is þyn{e} honor{e}. 32
Pyke not þyn{e} Eris ne thy nost{re}ll{is};
If þ{o}u do, men woll{e} sey þ{o}u come of cherl{is}.
Andwhyll{e} þi mete yn þi mouth is,
Drynk þow not; for-gete not this. 36
Ete þi mete by small{e} mosselles;
Fylle not thy mouth as done brothell{is}.
Pyke not þi teth{e} with thy knyfe;
In no company begynne þow stryfe. 40
And whan þ{o}u hast þi potage doon{e},
Out of thy dyssh þow put thi spone.
Ne spitte þow notover thetabyll{e},
Ne therupon, for that is no þing abyll{e}. 44
Ley not þyn{e} Elbowe northy fyst
Vpon the tabyll{e} whyl{is} þ{a}t thow etist.
Bulk not as a Been{e} were yn þi throte,
[As a ka]rle þ{a}t comys oute of a cote. 48
[And thy mete be o]f grete pryce,
[Be ware of hyt, or þ{o}u arte n]ot wyse.
[Speke noo worde stylle ne sterke;
And honowre and curtesy loke þ{o}u kepe, 52
And at the tabylle loke þ{o}u make goode chere;
Loke þ{o}u rownde not in nomannys ere.
W{i}t{h} thy fyngerys þ{o}u towche and taste
Thy mete; And loke þ{o}u doo noo waste. 56
Loke þ{o}u laughe not, nor grenne;
And w{i}t{h} moche speche þ{o}u mayste do synne.
Mete ne drynke loke þ{o}u ne spylle,
But sette hit downe fayre and stylle.] 60
Kepe thy cloth clene the byforn{e},
And bere the sothow haue no scorn{e}.
Byte not þi mete, but kerve itclene,
Be well{e} war{e} nodrop be sene. 64
Whan þ{o}u etyst, gape not to wyde
That þi mouth be sene on ych{e} asyde.
And son, bewar{e}, I rede, ofon thyng,
Blow neþ{er}yn thi mete nor yn þidrynk. 68
And yif thi lord drynk at þat tyde,
Drynk þ{o}u not, but hym abyde;
Be it at Evyn{e}, be it at noone,
Drynk þ{o}u not tyll{e} he haue done. 72
Vpon þi trencher no fyllth{e} þ{o}u see,
It is not honest, as I telle the;
Ne drynkbehynd{e} no mannes bakke,
For yf þ{o}u do, thow art to lakke. 76
And chese com{e} forthe, be not to gredy,
Ne cutte þow not therof to hastely.
Caste not þi bones ynto the flore,
But ley þemfayre on þi trenchor{e}. 80
Kepe clene þi cloth byfor{e} þealle;
And sit þ{o}u stylle, what so be-falle,
Tyll{e} grace be said vnto þe ende,
And tyll{e} þ{o}u haue wasshen w{i}t{h} þi frend. 84
Let the more worthy þanthow
Wassh to-foreþe, & that is þi prow;
And spitte not ynþi basyn{e},
My swete son, þ{a}t þow wasshist yn{e}; 88
And aryse up soft & stylle,
And iangyll{e} nether with Iak ne Iylle,
But take þi leve of the hedelowly,
And þank hym w{i}t{h} thyn{e} hert hyghly, 92
And all{e} þe gentyll{is}togydr{e} yn same,
And bare the sothow haue no blame;
Than men wyll{e}say therafter
That a gentyll{e}man was heere. 96
And he þ{a}t dispiseth this techyng,
He is not worthy, w{i}t{h}oute lesyng,
Nether atgood mannes tabull{e} tositte,
Nerof no worship{e} for to wytte. 100
And therfor{e}, chyldren, forcharyte,
Louyth this boke though yt lytil be!
And pray for hym þ{a}t made it thus,
That hym may helpe swete Ih{esus} 104
To lyve & dye among his frendes,
And neu{er} to be combred w{i}t{h} no fendes;
And geve vs grace yn Ioy to be;
Amen, Amen, for charytee! 108
EXPLICIT. lerne or be lewde q{uod} Whytyng.
Here endythe the boke of Curtesy that ys fulle necessary
vnto yonge chyldryn that muste nedys lerne the
maner of curtesy.
[Sidenotes (by line number):
[3] Clerks say that courtesy came from heaven when
Gabriel greeted our Lady. [7] All virtues are included in it.
[9] See that your hands and nails are clean. [11] Don’t eat till
grace is said, or sit down till you’re told. [15] First, think on
the poor; the full belly wots not what the hungry feels. [19] Don’t
eat too quickly. [21] Touch nothing till you are fully helped.
[23] Don’t break your bread in two, [26] or put your pieces in your
pocket, your fingers in the dish, or your meat in the salt-cellar.
[33] Don’t pick your ears or nose, [35] or drink with your mouth
full, [38] or cram it full. [39] Don’t pick your teeth with your
knife. [41] Take your spoon out when you’ve finished soup.
[43] Don’t spit over or on the table, that’s not proper. [45] Don’t
put your elbows on the table, [47] or belch as if you had a bean in
your throat. [49] Be careful of good food; and be courteous and
cheerful. [54] Don’t whisper in any man’s ear. Take your food with
your fingers, and don’t waste it. [57] Don’t grin, or talk too
much, or spill your food. [61] Keep your cloth before you. [63] Cut
your meat, don’t bite it. [65] Don’t open your mouth too wide when
you eat, [68] or blow in your food. [69] If your lord drinks,
always wait till he has done. [73] Keep your trencher clean.
[75] Drink behind no man’s back. [77] Don’t rush at the cheese,
[79] or throw your bones on the floor. [82] Sit still till grace
is said [84] and you’ve washed your hands, [87] and don’t spit in
the basin. [89] Rise quietly, don’t jabber, [91] but thank your
host and all the company, [95] and then men will say, ‘A gentleman
was here!’ [97] He who despises this teaching isn’t fit to sit at
a good man’s table. [101] Children, love this little book, [103]
and pray that Jesus may help its author to die among his friends,
and not be troubled with devils, but be in joy for ever. Amen!]
* * * * *
* * * *
The Young Children’s Book.
[_From the Ashmolean MS. 61 (Bodleian Library), ab. 1500 A.D.,
fol. 20._]
Who so eu{er} wyll{e} thryue or the,
Muste v{er}tus lerne, & c{ur}tas be;
For{e} who in ȝowth{e} no v{er}tus vsythe,
Yn Age All men hy{m} refusythe. 4
Clerkys þ{a}t ca{n}ne þe scyens seuen{e},
Seys þ{a}t c{ur}tasy came fro heue{n}
When gabryell owre lady grette,
And elyȝabeth w{i}t{h} her{e} mette. 8
All v{er}tus be closyd{e} in c{ur}tasy,
And All{e} vyces i{n} vilony.
Aryse be tyme oute of thi bedde,
And blysse þi brest & thi forhede, 12
Than wasche thi hond{es} & thi face,
Keme þi hede, & Aske god g{ra}ce
The to helpe in All þi werkes;
Thow schall spede bett{er} what so þ{o}u carpes. 16
Than go to þe chyrch{e}, & here A messe,
Ther{e} aske m{er}sy for{e} þi trespasse.
To whom þ{o}u metys come by þe weye,
Curtasly ‘gode morne’ þ{o}u sey. 20
When þ{o}u hast done, go breke thy faste
W{i}t{h} mete & drynke of god{e} repaste:
Blysse þi mouthe or þ{o}u it ete,
The bett{er} schall{e} be þi dyete. 24
Be-for{e} þi mete sey þ{o}u þi g{ra}ce,
Yt ocupys bot lytell space;--
For{e} oure mete, & drynke, & vs,
Thanke we owre lord Ih{esu}s;-- 28
A pat{er} nost{er} & Aue mary
Sey for{e} þe saulys þ{a}t in peyn{e} ly;
Than go labo{ur} as þ{o}u arte bownde,
And be not Idyll{e} in no stounde: 32
Holy scrypto{ur} þ{us} it seyth
To þe þ{a}t Arte of cristen feyth,
“Yff{e} þ{o}u labo{ur}, þ{o}u muste ete
That w{i}t{h} þi hond{es} þ{o}u doyst{e} gete;” 36
A byrd{e} hath weng{es} forto fle,
So man hath Armes laboryd to be.
Luke þ{o}u be trew in word{e} & dede,
Yn All{e} þi werkes þa{n} schall þ{o}u spede: 40
Treuth wyt neu{er} his mast{er} schame,
Yt kepys hy{m} out off{e} sy{n}ne & blame.
The weys to heue{n} þ{e}i bene þ{us} tweyn{e},
M{er}cy & treuthe, As clerk{es} seyn{e}; 44
Who so wyll come to þe lyfe of blysse,
To go þe weys he may not mysse.
Make no p{ro}mys bot it be gode,
And kepe þ{o}u it w{i}t{h} myght & mode; 48
For{e} eu{er}y p{ro}mys, it is dette,
That w{i}t{h} no falsed muste be lette.
God & þi neybores lufe all wey;
Welle is þe, than may þ{o}u sey, 52
For{e} so þ{o}u kepys All þe lawe
W{i}t{h}-oute Any fer{e}, drede, o{r} awe.
Vn-callyd go þ{o}u to no counsell{e};
That long{es} to þe, w{i}t{h} þ{a}t thow melle. 56
Scorne not þe pore, ne hurte no man{e};
Lerne of hy{m} þ{a}t the tech{e} cane;
Be no gloser{e} no{r} no moker{e},
Ne no s{er}ua{n}t{es} no wey loker{e}. 60
Be not prowd, bot meke & lynd,
And w{i}t{h} thi bett{er} go þ{o}u be-hynd.
When þi bett{er} schewys his wylle,
To he haue seyd þ{o}u muste be stylle. 64
When þ{o}u spekes to Any man{e},
Hand{e}, fote, & fyng{er}, kepe þ{o}u styll þan,
And luke þ{o}u vppe i{n} to his face,
And c{ur}tase be in eu{er}y place. 68
W{i}t{h} þi fyng{er} schew þ{o}u no thyng{e},
No{r} be not lefe to telle tydinge.
Yff Any man sey welle of þe,
Or of thi frend{es}, thankyd muste be. 72
Haue few word{es}, & wysly sette,
For{e} so þ{o}u may thi worschyppe gete.
Vse no sueryng{e} noþ{er} lyeng{e},
Yn thi sellyng{e} & thi byeng{e}, 76
For{e} & þ{o}u do þ{o}u arte to blame,
And at þe last þ{o}u wyll{e} haue scham{e}.
Gete þi gowd w{i}t{h} trewe[t]h & wy{n}ne,
And kepe þe out of dette & sy{n}ne. 80
Be loth to greue, & leffe to ples;
Seke þe pes, & lyfe in es.
Off{e} whom{e} þ{o}u spek{es}, wher{e} & when,
A-vyse þe welle, & to what men. 84
When þ{o}u co{m}mys vn to A dore,
Sey “god be here,” o{r} þ{o}u go ferre:
W{er}-eu{er} þ{o}u co{m}mys, speke honestly
To s{er} or dame, or þ{er} meny. 88
Stand, & sytte not furth-w{i}t{h}-all{e}
Tyll{e} he byde þe þ{a}t rewlys þe halle;
Wher{e} he bydis, þ{er} must þ{o}u sytte,
And for{e} non{e} oþ{er} change ne flyte; 92
Sytt vp-ryght And honestly,
Ete & drinke, & be feleyly,
Parte w{i}t{h} hem þ{a}t sytes þe by;
Thus teches þe dame c{ur}tasy. 96
Take þe salt w{i}t{h} thi clen{e} knyfe;
Be cold of spech, & make no stryfe;
Bakbyte no man þ{a}t is A-wey{e},
Be glad of All{e} men wele to sey. 100
Here & se, & sey thou nought,
Than schall þ{o}u not to p{ro}fe be brought.
W{i}t{h} mete & drynke be-for{e} þe sette,
Hold þe plesyd, & aske no bette. 104
Wype thi mouthe when þ{o}u wyll drinke,
Lest it foule thi copys brinke;
Kepe clen{e} thi fyng{er}es, lypes, & chine,
For{e} so þ{o}u may thi wyrschype wy{n}ne. 108
Yn þi mouth when þi mete is,
To drinke, o{r} speke, o{r} lauȝh, I-wys
Dame c{ur}tasy for{e}-byd{es} it the:
Bot p{ra}yse thi fare, w{er}-so-eu{er} þ{o}u be, 112
For{e} be it gode o{r} be it badde,
Yn gud worth it muste be had.
Whe{n} þ{o}u spyt{es}, be welle were
Wher{e} so þ{o}u spyt{es}, nyȝe or fer{e}; 116
Hold þi hand be-fore thi mouth
When þ{o}u spyt{es}, & hyde it couth.
Kepe þi knyfe both clen{e} & scherpe,
And be not besy forto kerpe; 120
Clens þi knyfe w{i}t{h} som{e} cutte bred,
Not w{i}t{h} thi cloth, As I þe rede:
W{i}t{h} Any fylth to fowle þe clothe,
A c{ur}tase man{e} he wyll{e} be lothe. 124
In þi dysch sett{e} not þi spone,
Noþ{er} on þe brynk{e}, as vn-lernyd don{e}.
When þ{o}u sopys, make no no[y]se
W{i}t{h} thi mouth As do boys. 128
The mete þ{a}t on þi trencher is,
Putt{e} it not in-to þi dysch.
Gete þe sone A voyd{er},
And sone A-voyd þ{o}u thi trencher{e}. 132
When thi bett{er} take þe tho coppe,
Drinke thi selffe, & sett{e} it vppe,
Take tho coppe w{i}t{h} thi hond{es}.
Lest it fall{e} þ{er} As þ{o}u stond{es}. 136
When thi bett{er} spek{es} to the,
Do off{e} thi cape & bow þi kne.
At thi tabull noþ{er} crache ne claw,
Than men wyll{e} sey þ{o}u arte A daw. 140
Wype not thi nose nor þi nos-thirlys,
Than men{e} wyll{e} sey þ{o}u com{e} of cherlys.
Make þ{o}u noþ{er} cate ne hond (_so in MS._) [[1a]]
Thi felow at þ{o}u tabull round; ( „ „ ) 144
Ne pley{e} w{i}t{h} spone, trencher{e}, ne knyffe.
Yn honesty & clenys lede þ{o}u thi lyffe.
This boke is made fo{r} chyld{er} ȝong{e}
At the scowle þ{a}t byde not long{e}: 148
Sone it may be conyd & had,
And make them gode iff þ{e}i be bad.
God gyff{e} them g{ra}ce, v{er}tuos to be,
For{e} than þ{e}i may both thryff & the. 152
Amen! q{uod} Kate.
[Sidenotes (by line number):
[1] Whoever will thrive, must be courteous, and begin in his
youth. [5] Courtesy came from heaven, and contains all virtues, as
rudeness does all vices. [11] Get up betimes; cross yourself; wash
your hands and face; comb your hair; say your prayers; [17] go to
church and hear Mass. [19] Say ‘Good Morning’ to every one you
meet. [21] Then have breakfast, first crossing your mouth. [25] Say
grace, thank Jesus for your food, [29] and say an Ave for the souls
in pain. [31] Then set to work, and don’t be idle. [33] Scripture
tells you, if you work, you must eat what you get with your hands.
[39] Be true in word and deed; [41] truth keeps a man from blame.
[44] Mercy and Truth are the two ways to heaven, fail not to go by
them. [47] Make only proper promises, and keep them without
falsehood. [51] Love God and your neighbours, and so fulfil all the
Law. [55] Meddle only with what belongs to you. [57] Scorn not the
poor; flatter no one; [60] oppress (?) not servants. Be meek, and
[63] wait till your better has spoken. [65] When you speak to a man,
keep still, and look him in the face. [70] Don’t be a tale-bearer.
[71] Thank all who speak well of you. [73] Use few words; don’t
swear or lie in your dealings. [79] Earn money honestly, and keep
out of debt. [81] Try to please; seek peace; mind whom you speak
to and what you say. [85] Wherever you enter, say “God be here;”
and speak courteously to master and man. [89] Stand till you are
told to sit at meat, and don’t leave your seat before others.
[93] Sit upright; be sociable, and share with your neighbours.
[97] Take salt with a clean knife; [99] talk no scandal, but speak
well of all. [101] Hear and see; don’t talk. [103] Be satisfied with
what’s set before you. [105] Wipe your mouth before you drink;
[107] keep your fingers and lips clean. [109] Don’t speak with your
mouth full. [112] Praise your food for whether it’s good or bad, it
must be taken in good part. [115] Mind where you spit, [117] and put
your hand before your mouth. [119] Keep your knife clean, and don’t
wipe it on the cloth. [125] Don’t put your spoon in the dish, or
make a noise, like boys, when you sup. [129] Don’t put meat off
your plate into the dish, but into a voider. [133] If your superior
hands you a cup, drink, but take the cup with two hands. [137] When
he speaks to you, doff your cap and bend your knee. [139] Don’t
scratch yourself at table, wipe your nose, [145] or play with your
spoon, &c. [147] This book is for young children who don’t stay
long at school. [151] God grant them grace to be virtuous!]
[[Footnote 1a: ? sense, reading corrupt.]]
* * * * *
* * * *
[Transcriber’s Note:
The following two versions of _Stans Puer ad Mensam_ were printed
on facing even/odd pages. They are here presented twice: first as
consecutive independent texts, and then in alternating stanzas. In
the first version, text notes are grouped after each seven-line stanza.
In the original book, the editor’s sidenotes were printed only on the
right-hand pages; they have been duplicated here.]
Stans Puer ad Mensam.
ASCRIBED TO JOHN LIDGATE.[[1a]]
[MS. Harl. 2251, ? about 1460 A.D., fol. 153 or 148. The parts
between brackets [ ], and various readings, are from Mr Halliwell’s
print in _Reliquiæ Antiquæ_, v. 1, p. 156-8, of a 15th-century MS.
Q. Γ. 8, fol. 77, r^o, in the Library of Jesus College, Cambridge.]
[[Footnote 1a: Lowndes calls the original of _Stans Puer ad
Mensam_ the _Carmen Juvenile_ of Sulpitius.]]
¶ [My dere childe, first thiself enable
With all thin herte to vertuous disciplyne
Afor thi soverayne standing at the table,
Dispose thi youth aftir my doctryne 4
To all norture thi corage to enclyne.
First when thu spekist be not rekles,
Kepe feete and fingeris and handes still in pese.]
[Sidenote: When you stand before your sovereign, speak not
recklessly, and keep your hands still.]
++Be symple of chiere, cast nat thyn ye aside, 8
Agenst the post lete nat thy bak abyde;
Gaase nat aboute, to{ur}nyng ou{er}all{e};
Make nat thy myrro{ur} also of the wall{e},
Pyke nat thy nose, and in especiall{e} 12
Be right wele ware, and sette hieron thi thought,
By-fore thy sou{er}ayne cracche ne rubbe nought.
[Sidenote: Don’t stare about, lean against a post, look at the
wall, pick your nose, or scratch yourself.]
¶ Who spekith{e} to the in any man{er} place,
Rudely[1] cast nat thyn ye[2] adowne, 16
But with a sadde chiere loke hym in the face;
Walke demurely by strete in the towne,
Advertise the with{e} wisdom and Reasoun{e}.
With{e} dissolute laughters do thow non offence 20
To-fore thy sou{er}ayn, whiles he is in presence.
[Sidenote: When spoken to, don’t lumpishly look at the ground.
Walk demurely in the streets, and don’t laugh before your lord.]
[1: _Rel. Ant._, Lumbisshly]
[2: hede]
¶ Pare clene thy nailes, thyn handes wassh{e} also
To-fore mete, and whan thow dooest arise;
Sitte in that place thow art assigned to; 24
Prease nat to hye in no man{er} wise;
And til thow se afore the thy service,
Be nat to hasty on brede for to byte,
Of gredynesse lest men wolde the endwyte.[3] 28
[Sidenote: Clean your nails and wash your hands. Sit where you’re
told to, and don’t be too hasty to begin eating.]
[3: a-wite.]
¶ Grennyng and mowes at the table eschowe;
Cry nat to lowde; kepe honestly silence;
To enboce thy Iowis with{e} mete[4] is nat diewe;
With{e} ful mowth{e} speke nat, lest thow do offence; 32
Drynk nat bretheles[5] for hast ne necligence;
Kepe clene thy lippes from fat of flessh{e} or fissh{e};
Wype clene[6] thi spone, leve it nat in thy dissh{e}.
[Sidenote: Don’t grin, shout, or stuff your jaws with food, or
drink too quickly. Keep your lips clean, and wipe your spoon.]
[4: brede it]
[5: bridlid]
[6: fayre]
¶ Of brede I-byten no soppis that thow make; 36
In ale nor wyne with{e} hande leve no fattenes;
With{e} mowth{e} enbrewed thy cuppe thow nat take;
Enbrewe[7] no napery for no rekelesnes;
For to souppe [loude] is agenst gentiles; 40
[N]eu{er} at mete begynne thow nat[8] stryf;
Thi teth{e} also thow pike nat with{e} no knyf.
[Sidenote: Don’t make sops of bread, or drink with a dirty mouth.
Don’t dirty the table linen, or pick your teeth with your knife.]
[Sidenote: [Fol. 153, back.]]
[7: Foul]
[8: be warre gynne no]
¶ Of honest myrth{e} late be thy daliaunce;
Swere none othes, speke no ribawdrye; 44
The best morsel, have in remembraunce,
Hole to thyself alwey do nat applie;
Part with{e} thy felaw, for that is curtesie:
Laade nat thy trencho{ur} with{e} many remyssailes; 48
And from blaknes alwey kepe thy nayles.
[Sidenote: Don’t swear or talk ribaldry, or take the best bits;
share with your fellows. Eat up your pieces, and keep your nails
clean.]
¶ Of curtesye also agenst the lawe,
With{e} sowne[9] dishonest for to do offence;
Of old surfaytes abrayde nat thy felawe; 52
Toward thy sou{er}ayne alwey thyn aduertence;
Play with{e} no knyf, take heede to my sentence;
At mete and soupp{er} kepe the stille and soft;
Eke to and fro meve nat thy foote to oft. 56
[Sidenote: It’s bad manners to bring up old complaints. Don’t play
with your knife, or shuffle your feet about.]
[9: Which sou]
¶ Droppe nat thi brest with{e} sawce ne with{e} potage;
Brynge no knyves vnskoured to the table;
Fil nat thy spone, lest in the cariage
It went beside, whiche were nat comendable; 60
Be quyke and redy, meke and s{er}uisable,
Wele awaityng to fulfille anone
What that thy sou{er}ayn{e} comav[{n}]dith{e} the to be done.
[Sidenote: Don’t spill your broth on your chest, or use dirty
knives, or fill your spoon too full. Be quick to do whatever your
lord orders.]
¶ And whereso eu{er} that thow dyne or soupe, 64
Of gentilesse take salt with{e} thy knyf;
And be wele ware thow blow nat in the cuppe.
Reu{er}ence thy felawe, gynne with{e} hym no stryf;
Be thy power{e} kepe pees al thy lyf. 68
Interrupt nat, where so thow wende,
None other mans tale, til he have made an ende;
[Sidenote: Take salt with your knife; don’t blow in your cup, or
begin quarrels. Interrupt no man in his story.]
¶ With{e} thy fyngres make[10] thow nat thy tale;
Be wele avised, namly in tendre age, 72
To drynk by mesure both{e} wyne and ale;
Be nat copious also of langage;
As tyme requyrith{e}, shewe out thy visage,
To gladde ne to sory, but kepe atwene tweyne, 76
For losse or lucre or any case sodayne.
[Sidenote: Drink wine and ale in moderation. Don’t talk too much,
but keep a middle course.]
[Sidenote: [Fol. 154 or 149.]]
[10: _Rel. Ant._, marke]
¶ Be meke in mesure, nat hasti, but tretable;
Ou{er} moche is nat worth{e} in no man{er} thyng;
To children it longith{e} nat to be [vengeable,[11]] 80
Sone meeved and sone forgyvyng;
And as it is remembrid bi[12] writyng,
Wrath{e} of children is sone ou{er}gone,
With{e} an apple the p{ar}ties be made atone. 84
[Sidenote: Be gentle and tractable, but not too soft. Children
must not be revengeful; their anger is appeased with a bit of
apple.]
[11: MS. Harl., tretable]
[12: _Rel. Ant._, by olde]
¶ In children werre[13] now myrth{e} and now debate,
In theyr quarel no grete violence;
Now pley, now wepyng, sielde in one estate;
To theyr playntes gyve no credence; 88
A Rodde refo{ur}myth{e} al theyr insolence;
In theyr corage no Ranco{ur} doth{e} abyde;
Who sparith{e} the yerd, al vertu set aside.
[Sidenote: Children’s quarrels are first play, then crying; don’t
believe their complaints; give ’em the rod. Spare that, and you’ll
spoil all.]
[13: _Rel. Ant._, In childre]
LENVOYE.
¶ Go, litel bille, bareyn of eloquence, 92
Pray yonge children that the shal see or Reede,
Though{e} thow be compendious of sentence,
Of thi clauses for to taken heede,
Whiche to al vertu shal theyr yowth{e} leede. 96
Of the writyng, though{e} ther be no date,
If ought be mysse,--worde, sillable, or dede,--
Put al the defaute vpon Iohn{e} Lydegate.
[Sidenote: Young children, pray take heed to my little ballad,
which shall lead you into all virtues. My mistakes I submit to
correction.]
* * * * *
* * * *
The Book of Curteisie
That is Clepid
Stans Puer ad Mensam.
[_Lambeth MS. 853, ab. 1430 A.D., page 150, back. Part written
as prose._]
++Mi dere sone, first þi silf able
w{i}t{h} al þin herte to vertuose discipline,--
A-fore þi souereyn stondinge at þe table
Dispose þou þ{e}e aftir my doctryne-- 4
To al nortur þi corage to encline.
First while þou spekist, be not richelees;
Kepe boþe fyngir and hond stille in pees;
[Sidenote: When you stand before your sovereign, speak not
recklessly, and keep your hands still.]
[Sidenote: [Page 151.]]
++Be symple in cheer; caste not þi looke a-side, 8
gase not about, t{ur}nynge þi siȝt ou{er}al.
aȝen þe post lete not þi bak abide,
neiþ{er} make þi myrro{ur} also of þe wal.
Pike not pi nose; & moost in especial 12
be weel waar, sette her-on þi þouȝt,
to-fore þi sou{er}eyn cratche ne picke þ{e}e nouȝt.
[Sidenote: Don’t stare about, lean against a post, look at the
wall, pick your nose, or scratch yourself.]
¶ Who-so speke to þ{e}e in ony man{er} place,
lu{m}pischli caste not þin heed a-dou{n}, 16
but w{i}t{h} a sad cheer loke him in þe face.
walke demurely bi streetis in þe tou{n},
And take good hede bi wisdom & resou{n}
þat bi no wantowne lauȝinge þ{o}u do noo{n} offence 20
To-fore þi sou{er}eyne while he is i{n} p{re}sence.
[Sidenote: When spoken to, don’t lumpishly look at the ground.
Walk demurely in the streets, and don’t laugh before your lord.]
++Pare clene þi nailis; þi{n} hondis waische also
to-fore þi mete, [&] wha{n}ne þou doist arise.
sitte þ{o}u in þ{a}t place þ{a}t þ{o}u art a-signed to; 24
Prece not to hie in no maner wise;
And wha{n}ne þou seest afore þ{e}e þi seruice,
be not to hasti upon breed to bite
lest men þ{er}of Do þee edwite. 28
[Sidenote: Clean your nails and wash your hands. Sit where you’re
told to, and don’t be too hasty to begin eating.]
[Sidenote: [Page 152.]]
++Gre{n}nynge & mowy{n}ge at þi table eschewe;
Crie not to lowde: honestli kepe silence.
To enbrace þi iowis w{i}t{h} breed, it is not dewe;
w{i}t{h} ful mouþ speke not lest þ{o}u do offence; 32
Drinke not bridelid for haste ne necligence;
Kepe clene þi lippis from fleisch & fische;
Wipe faire þi spoon; leue it not i{n} þi dische.
[Sidenote: Don’t grin, shout, or stuff your jaws with food, or
drink too quickly. Keep your lips clean, and wipe your spoon.]
++Of breed w{i}t{h} þi teeþ no soppis þou make; 36
Lowde for to soupe is aȝen gentilnes:
W{i}t{h} mouþ enbrowide þi cuppe þ{o}u not take,
In ale ne i{n} wiyn w{i}t{h} hond leue no fatnes;
Defoule not þe naprie bi no richelesnes. 40
Be waar þ{a}t at þe mete þ{o}u bigy{n}ne no striif;
Þi teeþ also at þe table picke w{i}t{h} no knyf.
[Sidenote: Don’t make sops of bread, or drink with a dirty mouth.
Don’t dirty the table linen, or pick your teeth with your knife.]
++Of honest mirþe eu{er}e be þi daliaunce;
Swere noo{n} ooþis; speke no ribaudie. 44
Þe beste morsels,--haue þis i{n} reme{m}brau{n}ce,--
Holli alwey þi silf to take do not applie.
P{ar}te w{i}t{h} þi felawis, for þat is curteisie.
Lete not þi trencho{ur} be w{i}t{h} many morsels; 48
And fro blaknes kepe weel þi nailis.
[Sidenote: Don’t swear or talk ribaldry, or take the best bits;
share with your fellows. Eat up your pieces, and keep your nails
clean.]
[Sidenote: [Page 153.]]
++Of curtesie it is aȝen þe lawe,
W{i}t{h} dishoneste, sone, for to do difence;
Of oolde forfetis vpbraide not þi felawe; 52
Towarde þi sou{er}eyn do eu{er}e reu{er}ence.
Pleie w{i}t{h} no knif, take hede to my sentence;
At mete & at sop{er} kepe þee stille & softe,
And eek to & fro meeue not þi feeþ to ofte. 56
[Sidenote: It’s bad manners to bring up old complaints. Don’t play
with your knife, or shuffle your feet about.]
++Droppe n{o}t þi brest w{i}t{h} seew & oþ{er} potage,
Bri{n}ge no foule knyues vnto þe table;
Fille not þi spoon lest i{n} þe cariage
It scheede bi side, it were not co{m}mendable. 60
Be quik & redi, meke & seruiable,
Weel awaiti{n}ge to fulfille anoo{n}
What þ{a}t þi sou{er}eyn co{m}maundiþ to be doon.
[Sidenote: Don’t spill your broth on your chest, or use dirty
knives, or fill your spoon too full. Be quick to do whatever your
lord orders.]
++And whe{re}-so-eu{er}e þ{o}u be to digne or to suppe, 64
Of gentilnes take salt w{i}t{h} þi knyf,
{and} be weel waar þ{o}u blowe n{o}t i{n} þe cuppe.
Reu{er}ence þi felawis; bigy{n}ne w{i}t{h} he{m} no strijf;
To þi power kepe pees al þi lijf. 68
Intrippe no ma{n} whe{re} so þat þou wende,
No man in his tale, til he haue maade an eende.
[Sidenote: Take salt with your knife; don’t blow in your cup, or
begin quarrels. Interrupt no man in his story.]
[Sidenote: [Page 154.]]
¶ W{i}t{h} þi fyngris marke n{o}t þi tale;
be weel avysid, & nameli in tendir age, 72
To dri{n}ke mesurabli boþe wiyn & ale.
Be n{o}t to copiose of langage;
As tyme req{ui}riþ schewe out þi visage,
To glad, ne to sory, b{u}t kepe þ{e}e euene bitwene 76
For los, or lucre, or ony case sodene.
[Sidenote: Drink wine and ale in moderation. Don’t talk too much,
but keep a middle course.]
++Be soft i{n} mesure, not hasti, but treteable;
Ouer soft is nouȝt in no maner þing
To childre{n} longiþ not to be ve{n}geable, 80
Soone meued and soone fiȝtinge;
And as it is reme{m}brid bi writynge,
wraþþe of childre{n} is ou{er}come soone,
W{i}t{h} þe p{ar}tis of an appil be{n} made at oon. 84
[Sidenote: Be gentle and tractable, but not too soft. Children
must not be revengeful; their anger is appeased with a bit of
apple.]
++In childre{n} werre is now mirþe & now debate,
In her quarel is no violence,
now pleie, now wepi{n}ge, & seelde i{n} oon state;
to her pleyntis ȝeue no credence; 88
A rodde reformeþ al her necligence;
in her corage no ranco{ur} dooþ abide,
who þ{a}t spariþ þe rodde all u{er}tues settiþ a-side.
[Sidenote: Children’s quarrels are first play, then crying; don’t
believe their complaints; give ’em the rod. Spare that, and you’ll
spoil all.]
[Sidenote: [Page 155.]]
++A! litil balade, voide of eloquence, 92
I p{ra}ie ȝ{o}u ȝonge children þ{a}t þis schal se & rede,
Þouȝ ȝe be copious of sentence,
Ȝit to þese clausis for to take hede
Which al i{n}to v{er}tues schal ȝo{ur}e ȝouþe lede. 96
In þis writynge, þouȝ þer be no date,
Yf ouȝt be mys i{n} word, sillable, or dede,
I submitte me to correcciou{n} w{i}t{h}oute ony debate.
[Sidenote: Young children, pray take heed to my little ballad,
which shall lead you into all virtues. My mistakes I submit to
correction.]
+Thus eendith þe book of curteisie þ{a}t is clepid
stans puer ad mensam.+
* * * * *
* * * *
Stans Puer ad Mensam
[Combined texts omitting all notes: see Transcriber’s Note at
beginning of selection. Lines are numbered by multiples of 7.]
¶ [My dere childe, first thiself enable
With all thin herte to vertuous disciplyne
Afor thi soverayne standing at the table,
Dispose thi youth aftir my doctryne
To all norture thi corage to enclyne.
First when thu spekist be not rekles,
Kepe feete and fingeris and handes still in pese.] 7
++Mi dere sone, first þi silf able
w{i}t{h} al þin herte to vertuose discipline,--
A-fore þi souereyn stondinge at þe table
Dispose þou þ{e}e aftir my doctryne--
To al nortur þi corage to encline.
First while þou spekist, be not richelees;
Kepe boþe fyngir and hond stille in pees; 7
++Be symple of chiere, cast nat thyn ye aside,
Agenst the post lete nat thy bak abyde;
Gaase nat aboute, to{ur}nyng ou{er}all{e};
Make nat thy myrro{ur} also of the wall{e},
Pyke nat thy nose, and in especiall{e}
Be right wele ware, and sette hieron thi thought,
By-fore thy sou{er}ayne cracche ne rubbe nought. 14
++Be symple in cheer; caste not þi looke a-side,
gase not about, t{ur}nynge þi siȝt ou{er}al.
aȝen þe post lete not þi bak abide,
neiþ{er} make þi myrro{ur} also of þe wal.
Pike not pi nose; & moost in especial
be weel waar, sette her-on þi þouȝt,
to-fore þi sou{er}eyn cratche ne picke þ{e}e nouȝt. 14
¶ Who spekith{e} to the in any man{er} place,
Rudely cast nat thyn ye adowne,
But with a sadde chiere loke hym in the face;
Walke demurely by strete in the towne,
Advertise the with{e} wisdom and Reasoun{e}.
With{e} dissolute laughters do thow non offence
To-fore thy sou{er}ayn, whiles he is in presence. 21
¶ Who-so speke to þ{e}e in ony man{er} place,
lu{m}pischli caste not þin heed a-dou{n},
but w{i}t{h} a sad cheer loke him in þe face.
walke demurely bi streetis in þe tou{n},
And take good hede bi wisdom & resou{n}
þat bi no wantowne lauȝinge þ{o}u do noo{n} offence
To-fore þi sou{er}eyne while he is i{n} p{re}sence. 21
¶ Pare clene thy nailes, thyn handes wassh{e} also
To-fore mete, and whan thow dooest arise;
Sitte in that place thow art assigned to;
Prease nat to hye in no man{er} wise;
And til thow se afore the thy service,
Be nat to hasty on brede for to byte,
Of gredynesse lest men wolde the endwyte. 28
++Pare clene þi nailis; þi{n} hondis waische also
to-fore þi mete, [&] wha{n}ne þou doist arise.
sitte þ{o}u in þ{a}t place þ{a}t þ{o}u art a-signed to;
Prece not to hie in no maner wise;
And wha{n}ne þou seest afore þ{e}e þi seruice,
be not to hasti upon breed to bite
lest men þ{er}of Do þee edwite. 28
¶ Grennyng and mowes at the table eschowe;
Cry nat to lowde; kepe honestly silence;
To enboce thy Iowis with{e} mete is nat diewe;
With{e} ful mowth{e} speke nat, lest thow do offence;
Drynk nat bretheles for hast ne necligence;
Kepe clene thy lippes from fat of flessh{e} or fissh{e};
Wype clene thi spone, leve it nat in thy dissh{e}. 35
++Gre{n}nynge & mowy{n}ge at þi table eschewe;
Crie not to lowde: honestli kepe silence.
To enbrace þi iowis w{i}t{h} breed, it is not dewe;
w{i}t{h} ful mouþ speke not lest þ{o}u do offence;
Drinke not bridelid for haste ne necligence;
Kepe clene þi lippis from fleisch & fische;
Wipe faire þi spoon; leue it not i{n} þi dische. 35
¶ Of brede I-byten no soppis that thow make;
In ale nor wyne with{e} hande leve no fattenes;
With{e} mowth{e} enbrewed thy cuppe thow nat take;
Enbrewe no napery for no rekelesnes;
For to souppe [loude] is agenst gentiles;
[N]eu{er} at mete begynne thow nat stryf;
Thi teth{e} also thow pike nat with{e} no knyf. 42
++Of breed w{i}t{h} þi teeþ no soppis þou make;
Lowde for to soupe is aȝen gentilnes:
W{i}t{h} mouþ enbrowide þi cuppe þ{o}u not take,
In ale ne i{n} wiyn w{i}t{h} hond leue no fatnes;
Defoule not þe naprie bi no richelesnes.
Be waar þ{a}t at þe mete þ{o}u bigy{n}ne no striif;
Þi teeþ also at þe table picke w{i}t{h} no knyf. 42
¶ Of honest myrth{e} late be thy daliaunce;
Swere none othes, speke no ribawdrye;
The best morsel, have in remembraunce,
Hole to thyself alwey do nat applie;
Part with{e} thy felaw, for that is curtesie:
Laade nat thy trencho{ur} with{e} many remyssailes;
And from blaknes alwey kepe thy nayles. 49
++Of honest mirþe eu{er}e be þi daliaunce;
Swere noo{n} ooþis; speke no ribaudie.
Þe beste morsels,--haue þis i{n} reme{m}brau{n}ce,--
Holli alwey þi silf to take do not applie.
P{ar}te w{i}t{h} þi felawis, for þat is curteisie.
Lete not þi trencho{ur} be w{i}t{h} many morsels;
And fro blaknes kepe weel þi nailis. 49
¶ Of curtesye also agenst the lawe,
With{e} sowne dishonest for to do offence;
Of old surfaytes abrayde nat thy felawe;
Toward thy sou{er}ayne alwey thyn aduertence;
Play with{e} no knyf, take heede to my sentence;
At mete and soupp{er} kepe the stille and soft;
Eke to and fro meve nat thy foote to oft. 56
++Of curtesie it is aȝen þe lawe,
W{i}t{h} dishoneste, sone, for to do difence;
Of oolde forfetis vpbraide not þi felawe;
Towarde þi sou{er}eyn do eu{er}e reu{er}ence.
Pleie w{i}t{h} no knif, take hede to my sentence;
At mete & at sop{er} kepe þee stille & softe,
And eek to & fro meeue not þi feeþ to ofte. 56
¶ Droppe nat thi brest with{e} sawce ne with{e} potage;
Brynge no knyves vnskoured to the table;
Fil nat thy spone, lest in the cariage
It went beside, whiche were nat comendable;
Be quyke and redy, meke and s{er}uisable,
Wele awaityng to fulfille anone
What that thy sou{er}ayn{e} comav[{n}]dith{e} the to be done. 63
++Droppe n{o}t þi brest w{i}t{h} seew & oþ{er} potage,
Bri{n}ge no foule knyues vnto þe table;
Fille not þi spoon lest i{n} þe cariage
It scheede bi side, it were not co{m}mendable.
Be quik & redi, meke & seruiable,
Weel awaiti{n}ge to fulfille anoo{n}
What þ{a}t þi sou{er}eyn co{m}maundiþ to be doon. 63
¶ And whereso eu{er} that thow dyne or soupe,
Of gentilesse take salt with{e} thy knyf;
And be wele ware thow blow nat in the cuppe.
Reu{er}ence thy felawe, gynne with{e} hym no stryf;
Be thy power{e} kepe pees al thy lyf.
Interrupt nat, where so thow wende,
None other mans tale, til he have made an ende; 70
++And whe{re}-so-eu{er}e þ{o}u be to digne or to suppe,
Of gentilnes take salt w{i}t{h} þi knyf,
{and} be weel waar þ{o}u blowe n{o}t i{n} þe cuppe.
Reu{er}ence þi felawis; bigy{n}ne w{i}t{h} he{m} no strijf;
To þi power kepe pees al þi lijf.
Intrippe no ma{n} whe{re} so þat þou wende,
No man in his tale, til he haue maade an eende. 70
¶ With{e} thy fyngres make thow nat thy tale;
Be wele avised, namly in tendre age,
To drynk by mesure both{e} wyne and ale;
Be nat copious also of langage;
As tyme requyrith{e}, shewe out thy visage,
To gladde ne to sory, but kepe atwene tweyne,
For losse or lucre or any case sodayne. 77
¶ W{i}t{h} þi fyngris marke n{o}t þi tale;
be weel avysid, & nameli in tendir age,
To dri{n}ke mesurabli boþe wiyn & ale.
Be n{o}t to copiose of langage;
As tyme req{ui}riþ schewe out þi visage,
To glad, ne to sory, b{u}t kepe þ{e}e euene bitwene
For los, or lucre, or ony case sodene. 77
¶ Be meke in mesure, nat hasti, but tretable;
Ou{er} moche is nat worth{e} in no man{er} thyng;
To children it longith{e} nat to be [vengeable,]
Sone meeved and sone forgyvyng;
And as it is remembrid bi writyng,
Wrath{e} of children is sone ou{er}gone,
With{e} an apple the p{ar}ties be made atone. 84
++Be soft i{n} mesure, not hasti, but treteable;
Ouer soft is nouȝt in no maner þing
To childre{n} longiþ not to be ve{n}geable,
Soone meued and soone fiȝtinge;
And as it is reme{m}brid bi writynge,
wraþþe of childre{n} is ou{er}come soone,
W{i}t{h} þe p{ar}tis of an appil be{n} made at oon. 84
¶ In children werre now myrth{e} and now debate,
In theyr quarel no grete violence;
Now pley, now wepyng, sielde in one estate;
To theyr playntes gyve no credence;
A Rodde refo{ur}myth{e} al theyr insolence;
In theyr corage no Ranco{ur} doth{e} abyde;
Who sparith{e} the yerd, al vertu set aside. 91
++In childre{n} werre is now mirþe & now debate,
In her quarel is no violence,
now pleie, now wepi{n}ge, & seelde i{n} oon state;
to her pleyntis ȝeue no credence;
A rodde reformeþ al her necligence;
in her corage no ranco{ur} dooþ abide,
who þ{a}t spariþ þe rodde all u{er}tues settiþ a-side. 91
LENVOYE.
¶ Go, litel bille, bareyn of eloquence,
Pray yonge children that the shal see or Reede,
Though{e} thow be compendious of sentence,
Of thi clauses for to taken heede,
Whiche to al vertu shal theyr yowth{e} leede.
Of the writyng, though{e} ther be no date,
If ought be mysse,--worde, sillable, or dede,--
Put al the defaute vpon Iohn{e} Lydegate. 99
++A! litil balade, voide of eloquence,
I p{ra}ie ȝ{o}u ȝonge children þ{a}t þis schal se & rede,
Þouȝ ȝe be copious of sentence,
Ȝit to þese clausis for to take hede
Which al i{n}to v{er}tues schal ȝo{ur}e ȝouþe lede.
In þis writynge, þouȝ þer be no date,
Yf ouȝt be mys i{n} word, sillable, or dede,
I submitte me to correcciou{n} w{i}t{h}oute ony debate. 99
+Thus eendith þe book of curteisie þ{a}t is clepid
stans puer ad mensam.+
* * * * *
* * * *
Errata (noted by transcriber):
The Lytylle Childrenes Lytil Boke, collations:
l. 59: [[CU _for_ first ne _read_ ner]]
[_text reads “fist” for “first”_]
* * * * *
* * * *
The Notes to the Book of Curtasye originally appeared in this location,
immediately before the Index. They have been moved to accompany the
primary text.
* * * * *
* * * *
* * * * *
[Transcriber’s Note:
The Table of Contents is repeated here in slightly abbreviated form for
convenience in using the Index. All verse selections have continuous
line numbers; the exact page number is not needed. References in the
form “line B” are to the “ABC“ selections, “Aristotle” and “Lerne or
Be Lewde”. Items marked [[added by editor]] are from the “Additions to
Index” at the end of this selection.
Incorrect page numbers are shown in [[double brackets]] at the end of
the line, typically in the form [[258 for 261]].
The paragraph beginning “To save the repetition...“ is from the
original text.]
Forewords, or General Preface i
Education in Early England iv
Cleanliness, or Dirt, of Men, Houses, &c. lxiii
Notice of the separate Poems lxviii
Preface to Russell’s Boke of Nurture lxix
Collations and Corrections xcii
John Russell’s Boke of Nurture 1
Notes thereon 84
Lawrens Andrewe on Fish 113
Wilyam Bulleyn on Boxyng and Neckeweede 124
Andrew Borde on Sleep, Rising, and Dress 128
William Vaughan’s Fifteen Directions to preserve Health 133
The Dyet for every Day (Sir John Harington’s) 138
On Rising, Diet, and Going to Bed (from the same) 140
Recipes (for Fritters, Jussell, and Mawmeny) 145
Recipes (for Hares and Conies in Civeye, and for Doucettes) 146
Wynkyn de Worde’s Boke of Keruynge 147
Notes thereon 173
The Boke Of Curtasye 175
The Booke Of Demeanor 207
Bp. Grossetest’s Household Statutes 215
Stanzas and Couplets of Counsel 219
The Schoole Of Vertue 221
Whate-ever thow sey, avyse thee welle! 244
A Dogg Lardyner, & a Sowe Gardyner 246
Maxims in -ly 247
Roger Ascham’s Advice to Lord Warwick’s Servant 248
The Babees Book 250
Lerne or be Lewde 258
The A B C of Aristotle 260
Vrbanitatis 262
The Boris Hede furst 264*
The Lytylle Childrenes Lytil Boke, or Edyllys be
(left-hand pages) 265-273
The Young Children’s Book (right-hand pages) 266-274
Stans Puer ad Mensam (left-hand pages) 275-281
Stans Puer ad Mensam (right-hand pages) 276-282
Notes to the Boke of Curtasye, &c. 283
_Items from the Postscript are not included in the Index_
* * * * *
* * * *
INDEX.
To save the repetition of _p._ and _l._ for _page_ and _line_, I have
adopted Mr Morris’s plan, in his Chaucer Glossary, of putting a /
between the numbers of the page and line, so that 5 / 115 stands for
page 5, line 115. Where no line is named, then _p._ for _page_ is
prefixed. The French references are to Cotgrave, except where otherwise
specified. The Index, though long, does not pretend to completeness.
The explanations of words given in the notes to the text are not
repeated here.
Abbots of Westminster & Tintern not to sit together, 76/1141-4.
Abbot with a mitre, 70/1013, 72/1051;
without one, l. 1015; 72/1059.
A B C of Aristotle, p. 260, p. 258. [[258 for 261]]
A bofe, 216/9, above.
Abrayde, 277/52, upbraid.
Abremon, a fish, p. 113.
A-brode, 62/906, spread open.
Abstinence, 8/108; 153/6.
Abylle, 267/44, fit, convenient, beseeming; L. _habilis_,
suitable, fit.
Accounts, yearly, taken to the Auditor, 196/590.
Achatis, 201/555, purchases. Fr. _achet_, a bargaine, or
purchase. Cotgrave.
Addes, 153/11, adze.
Aduertence, p. 277, attention, respect, reverence.
Affeccion, 52/763, disposition.
After-dinner nap, 65/947-54,
to be taken standing against a cupboard, p. 128.
Ages of man, the four, p. 53, p. 104.
Ahuna, a monster of the sea, p. 114.
Alay, 16/232, temper.
Alaye, p. 151, carve.
Aldermen, the old, rank above the young, 77/1157.
Ale; is to be 5 days old, 12/178; p. 92; 154/19.
Fr. _Gutale_ ou _Guttale_. Ale, good Ale. Cot.
Ale or wine, the sauce for capons, 26/411.
Algate, 26/400, always.
Aliene, 75/1109, foreigners.
Alle, p. 216, No. ix. hall.
Allhallows Day, fires in hall begin on, 189/393.
Allhallowsday, 205/837.
Alloft, 69/996, above, over the vessel of herbs.
Almandes, 5/74, almonds.
Almond, 44/625, a whelk’s operculum.
Almonds, good against sour food, 8/102;
eat it with raw fruit, 153/1.
Almond, iardyne, cream of, 52/744;
cream and milk of, 35/520;
cream of, 49/705; 56/825; 157/8; p. 167, last line.
Almoner, his duties, 201/729;
to remove a towel, 204/814.
Alms to be given to the poor, p. 216, No. viii.
Alms-dish, 23/346; 200/687; 201/730;
loaf for, 202/731;
it has the leavings in the lord’s cup, 203/787,
and a piece of everything he is served with, 204/799.
See John Fitz Roberts’s account for altering and ornamenting an
almsdish for Hen. VI., that belonged to the _Duk d’Excestre_,
in Rymer X. 388, col. 1.
Aloes epatick, 135/12;
Fr. _hepatique_, Liuer-helping; comforting a whole,
or curing a diseased, liuer. Cot.
Als, 197/599, also.
Altar, minister at the high, with both hands, 182/167.
Alycaunt, p. 86, p. 89, a wine.
Amber, 141/3; _adj._ 49/699.
Amberdegrece, 132/9, a scent.
Angel and 3 Shepherds, device of, 49/702.
Anger, avoid, 236/764.
Anhonest, 180/96, unmannerly, improper; 180/124, unpolite.
Annaunciande, 201/705, announcing, who announces guests?
Answer sensibly, 252/71.
Answer, servants mustn’t, 215/13.
Ape tied with a clog, 180/108.
Apparel, rules for, 214/159, &c.
Apple fritter, 33/502, &c.
Apple, a raw, cures indigestion, 153/5;
and the fumes of drink, 8/105.
Apples, 52/757; 55/813; 152/19.
“The dyvell choke hym, he hath eaten all the _appels_ alone.”
Palsgrave, p. 484, col. 2.
Apples and pears roasted, 164/17, &c.
[[Citation could not be identified. Roast apples and pears are
mentioned together at 152/26 and 6/80.]]
Apprentise of lawe, rank of, 73/1070.
Apprentices, thievish, hanging good for, p. 125.
Apys mow, 179/59; apes grimace.
_Aquarius_, p. 199, the Ewerer or Water-bearer.
Aquetons, 197/597, acquittance.
Ar, 201/710, before.
Archbishop, 72/1047.
Archbishop ranks with a prince, 70/1010;
is to dine alone, 171/4.
Archdeacon, rank of, 70/1016; 72/1060.
Areche, 19/290, retch?
Areise, 43/609, tear off?
Arere, 26/407, cut.
Areyse, 27/418, 425; 28/429, &c.; tear or cut off.
_A B C_, p. 260, p. 258.
Arm, don’t claw it, 193/329.
Armes, servauntes of, 156/28, ? in livery, or men-at-arms.
Artificers, rich; rank of, 71/1037.
Asche, 45/643, ask.
Ashore, 5/71, slantwise, aslope; 20/299, astraddle.
Asise, 60/879, way, manner.
Aslout, 39/560; aslant.
Aspidochelon, a great whale-fisshe, p. 114.
Assaying bread, by the panter, 200/691;
water, 201/702;
meat, by the sewer, 202/764.
_See_ Credence, and Tasting.
Asseles, 196/566, sets the lord’s seal to.
Astate, 185/276; rank.
At, 256/182, with; 184/242, that.
Aþer, 200/689, either, each.
Attend at school, 209/21.
Attirling, 287/41, shrew; A.S. _Attor_, _Ater_, poison.
Atwytynge, 18/274, twitting, blaming others.
Audibly, speak, 235/687.
Auditor, the lord’s, all officers to account to, once a year,
196/587-94.
Aunterose, p. 260, l. A, venturesome.
Aurata (a fish), p. 114.
Autumn, the device of, 53/766; p. 54.
Ave, 48/692.
Ave-Maria, 181/147.
Aveyner, his duties, p. 197.
Avise, 35/525, opinion, learning.
Awoydes, 204/821, removes, puts off.
Ayselle, 42/596, a kind of vinegar.
Baase (the fish), 58/842. _See_ Base.
Babulle, 1/12.
Au fol la marotte. Prov. We say also, Giue the foole his _bable_;
or what’s a foole without a _bable_? Cotgrave, under _fol._
Back; turn it on no one, 253/90;
not on him you give a cup to, 180/121.
Backbite no man, 272/99.
Bacon and peas, 54/797.
Bailiffs of a city, rank of, 71/1033.
Bailiffs of farms, &c., to be talked to pleasantly, p. 218, No. xvi.
Baked herrings with sugar, 166/7.
Bakemete, 54/802, meat-pie.
Bake metes, 30/476-7, game pies, &c.; ? sweet pies, 54/809;
how to carve, 159/19;
how assayed, 203/771-6.
Baker, gets money from the treasurer, 196/582;
his duties, 198/623-28.
Bakes, 179/60, as _bokes_, bulges, stuffs.
Balena, a whale or mermaid, pp. 115, 123, 119, last line.
Banker, 63/924, cloth to cover a bench.
Barbe, p. 151, cut up.
Barme, 61/891, bosom.
Barnard’s blowe, p. 126, a secret blow by a highwayman.