Ne frotte tes mains ne tes bras L'un à l'autre, ne à tes draps. Oultre la table ne crache point; 64 Je te diz que c'est ung lait point. Ne furge tes dens de la pointe Se on met lettres en ta main, 68 Mès les tantost dedens ton sein. Se tu es servy de froumage, Garde toi bien de conseiller 72 A table, ne de sommeiller; Et se tu es servy de nois, S'on sert de fruit devant lever, 76 N'en mengeue point sans le laver. Quant ta bouche tu laveras, Quant tu rendras graces à Dieu, 80 Sy te tiens en ton propre lieu. N'oublie pas les trespassez, A ton hoste dois mercy rendre ; 84 De t'en aler dois congié prendre. Se on te fait boire apres graces, 1 Il manque ici deux vers dans le manuscrit; le sens est incom Avoid slander, taverns, and gambling. Be your master lay or clerk, to get his love you must give up your own will, and honour him loyally everywhere. Speak ill of no one, if you hear any Rise early, summer and winter: too much sleep is a disgrace to youth. Of three things you should have the properties, I. An Ass's Back. III. A Cow's I. By the Ass's understand that plet. you must bear the burden of all that your master charges you with. II. By the Pig's understand that you're not to be dainty about your food, cold or hot, but must eat everything. Idle servants are dainty, and it's a bad fault. III. By the Cow's understand that you are to hold your tongue, listen, and say nothing. If you serve at table, first put on the cloth, then the salt, knives, bread, wine, meat, and whatever is asked for. Take nothing off without orders. 52 Que soingneusement dois porter 56 Par grouing de porc, qui partout taste, Dois entendre qu'à toy n'affiert 60 Chaulde, froide, petite ou grande, C'est une tres mauvaise tache. A escouter sans riens desdire, 76 Tant que ton maistre vouldra dire. Ce te sera chose honnorable De servir gracieusement: 80 Tu dois mettre premierement En tous lieux et en tout hostel La nappe, et apres le sel; Cousteaulx, pain, vin, et puis viande, 84 Puis apporter ce qu'on demande. Riens n'osteras sans commander. 1 Danger, difficultè. 2 Dangereux, difficile. 3 Riens, chose, du latin res. Aussy je te veul adviser, Se tu sers maistre qui ayt femme, Tu dois tousjours les secrez taire, 100 Les choses qui sont à celer. Se tu sers juges, ou advocas, 104 Tousjours te maintiens comme saige, 112 Du peuple ne leur oste en riens, A nul, par fait ne par parolle; Mais se tu l'en véois en colle,' A ton povoir l'en dois garder, 120 Et de mal faire retarder. Colle, désir, disposition. If your master has a wife, always guard her honour. Go quickly when you are sent on a message, and say your say, without adding to or taking from it. If you serve a clergyman, don't be his master. If you're a secretary, keep secrets and never reveal things that ought to be hid. If you serve a judge, don't invent any new crimes (), or harm any one. If you serve a duke, prince, or other nobleman, don't originate taxes, or deprive people of their goods without just cause, or encourage your master to wrong any man, but if you see him inclined to do so, stop him all you can. |