Be not prowd, bot meke & lynd, When pi better schewys his wylle, 64 To he haue seyd pou muste be stylle. When pou spekes to Any mane, Hande, fote, & fynger, kepe pou styll þan, With pi fynger schew pou no thynge, Fore & pou do pou arte to blame, Offe whome pou spekes, where & when, 84 A-vyse þe welle, & to what men. When pou commys vn to A dore, 88 To ser or dame, or þer meny. Stand, & sytte not furth-with-alle be meek, and wait till your better has spoken. When you speak to a man, keep still, and look him in the face. Don't be a Thank all who speak well of you. Use few words; don't swear or lie in your dealings. Earn money seek peace; mind whom you speak to and what you say. Wherever you and speak master and man. Stand till you are told to sit at meat, and don't leave your seat before others. Sit upright; be sociable, and share with your neighbours. Sit still till grace is said and you've washed your hands, and don't spit in the basin. Rise quietly, don't jabber, but [Fol. 207, back.] thank your host and all the company, and then men will say, 'A gentleman was He who despises Children, love this little book, and pray that Jesus may help its author to die among his friends, and not be troubled with devils, And sit pou stylle, what so be-falle,' And tylle pou haue wasshen with pi frende. 88 My swete son, þat þow wasshist yne; And iangylle nether with Iak ne Iylle, 96 That a gentylleman was heere. 104 That hym may helpe swete Ihesus 1 16 And neuer to be combred with no fendes; 1 stylle withalle 3 by-fore 6 lorde 2 thenne Spete not on (and omits next line.) 5 And ryse with hym that sate with the stylle, And thanke hym fayre and welle: Aftyr, Iangely not with Iacke ne gylle. 7þe gentylles omitted. 9 wylle they sey 12 Nothyr 8 soo that 14 Lernythe thys boke that ys callyd Edyllys be 15 made thys 16-16 And vs graunte in Ioy to a-byde! Say ye alle Amen for charyde in euery syde. Take pe salt with thi clene knyfe; Here & se, & sey thou nought, Than schall pou not to profe be brought. Kepe clene thi fyngeres, lypes, & chine, To drinke, or speke, or laugh, I-wys 112 Bot prayse thi fare, wer-so-euer þou be, Hold þi hand be-fore thi mouth Clens pi knyfe with some cutte bred, The mete pat on þi trencher is, Gete pe sone A-voyde, 132 And sone A-voyd pou thi trenchere. Take salt with a clean knife; talk no scandal, Be satisfied with what's set before you. Wipe your mouth before you drink; keep your fingers and lips clean. Don't speak with your mouth full. Praise your food; for whether it's good or bad, it must be taken in good part. Mind where you spit, and put your hand before your mouth. Keep your knife clean, and don't wipe it on the cloth. Don't put your spoon in the dish, or make a noise, like boys, when you sup. Don't put meat off your plate into the dish. but be in joy for ever. Amen! And geve vs grace yn Ioy to be; 108 Amen, Amen, for charytee !16 EXPLICIT, lerne or be lewde 17 AMEN. Here endyth the boke of Curtesy that ys fulle necessary vnto yonge chyldryn that muste nedys lerne the maner of curtesy. EXPLICIT. AMEN. When thi better take pe tho coppe, At thi tabull noper crache ne claw, 140 Than men wylle sey pou arte A daw. Wype not thi nose nor þi nos-thirlys, 144 Thi felow at pou tabull round; Ne pleye with spone, trenchere, ne knyffe. And make them gode iff þei be bad. If your superior drink, but take the cup with two hands. When he speaks to you, doff your cap and bend your knee. Don't scratch yourself at table, wipe your nose, or play with your spoon, &c. This book is for young children who don't stay long at school. God grant them grace to be virtuous ! |