WHOSO will thrive must be courteous, and learn the virtues in his youth,
or in his age he is outcast among men. Clerks who know the Seven
Sciences[66] say that Courtesy came from heaven when Gabriel greeted our
Lady and Elizabeth met with her; and in it are included all virtues, as
all vices in rudeness.
Arise betimes from your bed, cross your breast and your forehead, wash
your hands and face, comb your hair, and ask the grace of God to speed
you in all your works; then go to Mass and ask mercy for all your
trespasses. Say “Good morning” courteously to whomsoever you meet by the
way.
When ye have done, break your fast with good meat and drink, but before
eating cross your mouth, your diet will be the better for it. Then say
your grace—it occupies but little time—and thank the Lord Jesus for your
food and drink. Say also a _Pater Noster_ and an _Ave Maria_ for the
souls that lie in pain, and then go labour as you are bound to do. Be
not idle, for Holy Scripture says to you of Christian faith that if you
work, you must eat what you get with your hands.[67] A man’s arms are
for working as a bird’s wings for flying.
Look you be true in word and deed, the better shall you prosper; for
truth never works a man shame, but rather keeps him out of sin. The ways
to Heaven are twain, mercy and truth, say clerks; and he who will come
to the life of bliss, must not fail to walk therein.
Make no promise save it be good, and then keep it with all your might,
for every promise is a debt that must not be remitted through falsehood.
Love God and your neighbour, and thus may ye say without fear or dread
that you keep all the law.
Uncalled go to no council, scorn not the poor, nor hurt any man, learn
of him that can teach you, be no flatterer or scoffer, oppress not your
servants, be not proud, but meek and gentle, and always walk behind your
betters.
When your better shows his will, be silent; and in speaking to any man
keep your hands and feet quiet, and look up into his face, and be always
courteous.
Point not with your finger at anything, nor be lief[68] to tell tidings.
If any man speak well of you or of your friends, he must be thanked.
Have few words and wisely placed, for so may you win a good name.
Use no swearing or falsehood in buying or selling, else shall you be
shamed at the last. Get your money honestly, and keep out of debt and
sin. Be eager to please, and so live in peace and quiet.
Advise you well of whom you speak, and when and where and to whom.
Whenever you come unto a door, say, “God be here,” ere you go further,
and speak courteously, wherever you are, to sire or dame or their
household.
Stand, and sit not down to meat until you are told by him that rules the
hall; and do not change your seat, but sit upright and mannerly where he
bids, and eat and drink and be fellowly, and share with him that sits by
you—thus teaches Dame Courtesy.
Take your salt with a clean knife.
Be cool of speech and quarrel not, nor backbite a man who is away, but
be glad to speak well of all. Hear and see and say nothing, then shall
ye not be put to proof.
Hold you pleased with the meat and drink set before you, nor ask for
better. Wipe your mouth before you drink lest it foul the edge of the
cup; and keep your fingers, your lips and your chin clean, if you would
win a good name. When your meat is in your mouth, do not drink or speak
or laugh—Dame Courtesy forbids. Praise your fare, wheresoever you be,
for whether it be good or bad it must be taken in good part.
Whether you spit near or far, hold your hand before your mouth to hide
it.
Keep your knife clean and sharp, and cleanse it on some cut bread, not
on the cloth, I bid you; a courteous man is careful of the cloth. Do not
put your spoon in the dish or on the edge of it, as the untaught do, or
make a noise when you sup as do boys. Do not put the meat off your
trencher into the dish, but get a voider and empty it into that.
When your better hands you a cup, take it with both hands lest it fall,
and drink yourself and set it by; and if he speaks to you, doff your cap
and bow your knee.
Do not scratch yourself at the table so that men call you a daw,[69] nor
wipe your nose or nostrils, else men will say you are come of churls.
Make neither the cat nor the dog your fellow at the table. And do not
play with the spoon, or your trencher, or your knife; but lead your life
in cleanliness and honest manners.
This book is made for young children that bide not long at the
school.[70] It may soon be conned and learned, and will make them good
if they be bad. God give them grace to be virtuous, for so may they
thrive.