When thy parents down to the table shall sit,
In place be ready, for the purpose most fit:
With sober countenance looking them in the face,
Thy hands holding up, thus begin grace:
“Give thanks to God with one accord
For that shall be set on this board.
And be not careful what to eat;
To each thing living the Lord sends meat;
For food he will not see you perish,
But will you feed, foster, and cherish;
Take well in worth what he hath sent,
At this time be therewith content
Praising God.”
So treatably[350] as possible thou can,
speaking
That the hearers thereof may thee understand.
Grace being said, low curtsey make thou,
Saying, “Much good may it do you!”
Of stature then if thou be able,
It shall become thee to serve the table,
In bringing to it such meat as shall need,
For thy parents upon that time to feed.
Dishes with measure thou oughtest to fill,
Else may’st thou happen thy service to spill,
On their apparel, or else on the cloth,
Which for to do would move them to wrath.
Spare trenchers with have in readiness,
napkins
To serve afterward, if there come any guests.
Be circumspect, see nothing do want,
Of necessary things that there be no scant,
As bread and drink, see there be plenty.
The voiders with bones oft see thou empty.
At hand be ready, if any do call,
To fetch or take up, if ought fortune to fall.
When they have done, then ready make,
The table up fair in order to take.
First the salt see that thou cover,