Socrates being old, would not drink of the first cup; for why? His brain
was light, and the first drink is ever the most fuming and overcoming.
If thy child be set with his betters, let his hand be last in the dish.
And that he do it not at all, unless he be first bidden. Neither suffer
your children to put their hands or fingers into broths, sauces,
caudles, or such like, at the table especially. Otherwise, let
correction bridle their wantonness.
If he be of sensible years, let him forbear his fingers in a dish, and
use a knife without choosing at his pleasure; for it is unseemly.
Homer often reprehendeth sauciness in these or such-like words. They
boldly put their hands into the meat that is set before them. And as it
is unseemly to a liquorish person to train his hands to every side of
the dish, so is it more vile to turn the best morsel towards thyself.
To gnaw bones belongeth chiefly to dogs, but it is a civil thing to pick
them clean with a knife.
The licking of a dish belongeth to cats and dogs and not to children nor
men, be the relics never so sweet, and betokeneth liquorishiness, not
manners.
To drink or speak with meat in the mouth, is uncivil and dangerous
withal.
Let the children rise from the board when Nature is sufficed, either by
asking leave, or withdrawing themselves.
Let children bear away with them their trenchers, saluting their
parents, and first the chief in the company, then the rest.
────────────────
[The book concludes with various graces, a morning prayer, _A Prayer for
Children ere they go to School_ (_to be said_), and the following
prayer:—]
A PRAYER TO BE SAID BY CHILDREN AFTER THEY HAVE STUDIED, AT THEIR GOING
TO BED
I give thee most humble and hearty thanks, O most generous and blessed
Father of Heaven, in that it hath pleased Thee, of Thy most gracious
goodness, to hear my request. O Lord, still give me grace to go onward
in understanding and knowledge, that I may ever more praise Thy Holy
Name, and grant me Thy grace to amend my life, and to return unfeignedly
unto Thy service. And forasmuch as no creature can breathe without Thy
protection and favour, vouchsafe to extend Thy mercies unto me this
night, that I may peaceably and quietly take that rest, which Thou hast
appointed for the refreshment of my body and mind, the night and
darkness being by Thy goodness ordained, as a time convenient to take
the same in, and to cease from our bodily labours. And grant unto me (O
Lord my God) who of myself am neither able to lie down, nor being laid
able to rise up, Thy especial assistance and help, that I may repose
myself and receive (at Thy merciful hands) sweet and comfortable rest,
not according to the greediness of corrupt nature, but as shall be most
expedient for the comfort and refreshing of my wearied body and mind,
that both may be strengthened and enabled to go forward with that study
and exercise, which Thou hast ordained and appointed for me. Lastly,
grant me true repentance for my sins, bless and defend, my parents,
brethren, sisters, kinsfolk, neighbours, and others, whom Thou would’st
I should commend to Thy fatherly protection, wheresoever they remain,
and for the more true and zealous calling unto Thee for these things,
give me grace in faith to say that prayer which Thy Son Jesus Christ
hath taught me, saying “O our Father which art in Heaven,” &c.