PART II. French and Latin Poems on Manners and Meals in The Olden Timę, FROM MSS. IN THE IMPERIAL LIBRARY AT PARIS, THE BRITISH MUSEUM, LONDON, &c. La Maniere de se Contenir a [MS. Bibl. Imper. No. 1370, f. fr. (anc. 74973), sur papier, XVe siècle. See another version, p. 16, below.] Keep the cloth clean; collect your leavings. Don't stuff. Don't go to sleep at table, or break wind. Don't ask your host for too much wine, or drink with a frothy mouth, or speak with a full one. tien devant toy ton taillouer net, ne veilles ton morceau conduire 36 Don't keep your hands on the table, 40 or wipe your teeth with the cloth. Be cheerful and cultured; 44 and if you joke, despise no one. Among great folk be silent. Don't offer your leavings to any one. If your dish is taken away, say nothing. Drink moderately, so as not to muddle your head; and don't fill your belly to spoil your face. If any one gives you books, 48 ne boy pas la bouche baveuse, ne parle pas la bouche plaine, car c'est laide chose et villaine. se on oste ung plat de devant toy, 1 Le mot lierres du manuscrit signifie evidemment ici livres' (liber). C'est peut-être une erreur de copiste pour 'lettres' (litteræ, epistolæ). H. Michelant. mect les en ta manche ou [ton] sain. entre boire et vin tenir, 60 ne veilles long plait maintenir. si tu fais souppes en ung verre, boy le vin, ou le gecte à terre. se on sert du fruit au digner, 64 n'en mengue point sans le laver. se tu es servy de fromaige, si en pren poy, n'en fay oultraige; et si tu es servy de noix, 68 si en menjue deux ou troys. et quant tes mains tu laveras, on bassin point ne cracheras. quant tu rendras graces à Dieu, 72 si te tien en ton propre lieu; n'oblie pas les trespassez, souvengne-t-en tousjours assez. à ton hoste dois mercis rendre ; 76 de ton aller dois congié prendre. se on donne à boire apres graces, soit en hanaps, voirres ou tasses, laisse premier boire ton hoste, 80 et toy apres, quant on luy oste. qui à ces choses aparcevroit, à table plus saige seroit. de ce seoir à table n'est digne 84 qui d'aucun bien ne porte signe. put them in your sleeve or bosom. Don't keep the wine waiting while you dispute. If you sup from a glass, drink all the wine or throw it away. Wash again before eating fruit. Don't be greedy after Of walnuts, take only two or three. Don't spit in the washing basin, Keep in your place while and remember the dead. Thank your host; take leave of the company. If drink is given after grace, let the host drink first, then you. Whoso attends to these things will be wiser; whoso will not, is not worthy to sit at table. |