Early English Meals and Manners Part 77

[Sidenote: Cicero.]

The swetenes wherof all thynges doth excell. 196 And Cato the wyse this worthy sayinge hath,

[Sidenote: Cato.]

That man wantinge learnynge is as the image of death. 200

[Sidenote: Aristot.]

The rootes of learnynge most bytter we deme; The fruites at last Moste pleasaunt doth seme. 204

[Sidenote: Work hard then, and you'll be thought worthy to serve the state.]

Then labour for learnynge whyle here thou shalt lyue,

[Sidenote: [sign. A. vii.]]

The ignoraunt to teache, and good example geue; 208 So shalte thou be thought A membre most worthy The common welth to serue

[Text note: [B _Orig._ ryme]]

In tyme[B] of necessitie. 212 Experience doth teache And shewe to thee playne

[Sidenote: Men of low birth win honour by Learning, and then are doubly happy.]

That many to honour By learninge attayne 216 That were of byrthe But symple and bace,-- Suche is the goodnes Of G.o.ds speciall grace,-- 220 For he that to honour by vertue doth ryse, Is double happy, and counted most wyse. 224

[Sidenote: When you doubt, ask to be told.]

If doubte thou doest, Desyre to be toulde, No shame is to learne, Beinge neuer so oulde; 228

[Sidenote: [sign. A. vii.b.]]

Ignoraunce doth cause Great errors in vs For wantynge of knowledge Doubts to discusse; 232 Then learne to discerne the good from the yll,

[Sidenote: Wish well to those who warn you.]

And suche as thee warne, Bere them good will. 236

[Headnote: HOW TO BEHAVE IN SCHOOL AND STREET.]

[Sidenote: On your way home walk two and two orderly (for which men will praise you); don't run in heaps like a swarm of bees like boys do now.]

when from the schoole ye shall take your waye, Or orderly then go ye, twoo in aray, 240 your selues matchynge So equall as ye may, That men it seynge May well of you saye 244 In commendynge this your laudable wayes, whiche must nedes sounde to your great prayse, 248 Not runnynge on heapes as a swarme of bees, As at this day Euery man it nowe sees; 252

[Sidenote: [sign. A. viii.]]

Not vsynge, but refusynge, Suche foolyshe toyes As commonly are vsed In these dayes of boyes, 256

[Sidenote: Don't whoop or hallow as in fox-hunting don't chatter, or stare at every new fangle, but walk soberly, taking your cap off to all, and being gentle.]

As hoopynge and halowynge as in huntynge the foxe, That men it hearynge Deryde them with mockes. 260 This foolyshnes forsake, this folly exchewynge, And learne to followe this order insuynge. 264 In goynge by the way Neyther talke nor iangle, Gape not nor gase not at euery newe fangle, 268 But soberly go ye with countinaunce graue;

[Sidenote: Isocra.]

Humblye your selues towarde all men behaue; 272

[Sidenote: [sign. A. viii.b.]]

Be free of cappe and full of curtesye; Greate loue of al men you shall wyn therby. 276 Be lowly and gentyll and of meke moode; Then men con not but of you say good. 280

[Sidenote: Do no man harm; speak fair words.]

In pa.s.synge the strete Do no man no harme; Vse thou fewe wordes, and thy tounge charme, 284 Then men shal see that grace in the groweth From whom vertues So aboundantly floweth. 288

[Sidenote: On reaching home salute your parents reverently.]

when thou arte come where thy parentes do dwell, Thy leaue then takynge Byd thy felowes farewell; 292 The house then entrynge, In thy parence presence

[Sidenote: [sign. B. i.]]

Humbly salute them with all reuerence. 296

[Sidenote: _How to wait at table._]

-- Howe to behaue thi selfe in seruynge the table. Cap. iii.

++VVhen thy parentes downe to the table shall syt, In place be ready For the purpose moste fyt: 300

[Sidenote: Look your parents in the face, hold up your hands, and say]

With sober countinaunce Lokynge them in the face, Thy handes holdynge vp, this begyn grace: 304

[Sidenote: Grace before meate.]

++"Geue thankes to G.o.d with one accorde For that shall be Set on this borde. 308

[Sidenote: Grace before Meat.]

And be not carefull what to eate, To eche thynge lyuynge the Lorde sends meate; 312 For foode he wyll not Se you peryshe,

[Sidenote: [sign. B. i.b.]]

But wyll you fede, Foster, and cheryshe; 316 Take well in worth what he hath sent, At this tyme be 320 therwith content, Praysynge G.o.d."

-- So treatablie speakyng as possible thou can, 324 That the hearers therof May thee vnderstan.