Found in various MSS. The version in _The Babees’ Book_ is printed from
Lambeth 853, fol. 186. Another is given in _Queene Eliz. Achad._ from
Ashmole 61, fol. 6. Ritson, in his _Ancient Popular Poetry_, printed
Harl. 4596, and Hazlitt, in his _Early Popular Poetry_, MS. Camb. Ff.
ll. _Luytel Caton_
(Part II., Minor Poems of the Vernon MS., published by Dr. Furnivall,
1902) says:—
“Now whoso will, he may hear
In English language,
How the Wise Man taught his Son,
That was of tender age” (ll. 5-8).
It is doubtful whether this poem was written in imitation of the
preceding, or that of this, but the _Wise Man_, through its connection
with Cato, has the longer pedigree. A poem in the _Exeter Book_ begins:
“Thus a wise father (_frodfæder_) instructed his dear son, a parent wise
in mind, old in virtues, sagacious in words,” &c. Although I have not
been able to compare the different versions in detail, I incline to
believe that there are recognisable links between them all. _The Good
Wife_ is, however, much the more vivid and amusing of the two.
The metre is ababbcbc, but the poem loses little by being turned into
prose.
p. 47. _All that there is._ This passage suggests one in the _Blickling
Homilies_ (No. VIII. _Soul’s Need_, ed. Morris), which goes back to St.
Augustine.