The first of virtue is to keep thy tongue.”
Pick not thy teeth at the table sitting,
Nor use at thy meat overmuch spitting;
This rudeness of youth is to be abhorred;
Thyself mannerly behave at the board.
If occasion of laughter at the table thou see,
Beware that thou use the same moderately.
Of good manners learn so much as thou can;
It will thee prefer when thou art a man.
Aristotle, the this worthy saying writ,
philosopher,
That “manners in a child more requisite
are
Than playing on and other vain pleasure;
instruments
For virtuous manners is a most precious
treasure.”
Let not this saying in no wise thee offend,
For playing of he doth not discommend,
instruments
But doth grant them for a child necessary,
Yet manners much more, see here he doth vary.
Refuse not his counsel, nor his words despise;
To virtue and knowledge by them may’st thou rise.