Part 15

De Candelario

Now will I speak a little while, Of the chandler, without guile, That torches and tapers and prickets can make, Perchers, small candles, I undertake; Of wax these candles all that bren, And mortar of wax, as I well ken. The snuff of them he does away With close scissors, as I you say. The scissors be short and closed round, With plate of iron on the end bound. In chamber no light there shall be brent, But of wax thereto, if ye take tent. In hall at supper shall candles bren Of Paris, therein that all men ken, Each mess a candle from All Hallows’ Day, To Candlemas, as I you say. Of candles delivery squires shall have So long if it is that man will crave. Of bread and ale also the butler, Shall make delivery throughout the year, To squires, and also wine to knight, Or else he does not his office right. Here endeth the third speech. Of all our sins Christ be our leech, And bring us to his dwelling-place! “Amen,” say ye, for his great grace. Amen, par charite.

SYMON’S LESSON OF WISDOM FOR ALL MANNER CHILDREN

All manner children, ye listen and hear A lesson of wisdom that is written clear. My child, I advise thee be wise, take heed of this rhyme, Which old men in proverb said in old time: “A child were better to be unborn Than to be untaught and so to be lorn.” The child that has his will alway, Shall thrive late, I thee well say. And therefore, every good man’s child, That is too wanton and too wild, Learn well this lesson certainly, That thou the better man may be. Child, I warn thee in all wise, That thou tell truth and make no lies. Child, be not froward, be not proud, But hold up thy head and speak aloud; And when any man speaketh to thee Doff thy hood and bow thy knee. And wash thy hands and thy face, And be courteous in every place. And when thou comest where is good cheer In hall or bower, bid “God be here!” Look thou cast to no man’s dog, With staff nor stone at horse nor hog. Look that thou not scorn nor jape Neither with man, maiden nor ape. Let no man of thee make plaint. Swear not by God, neither by saint. Look thou be courteous standing at meat, And that men giveth thee, take and eat. And look thou neither cry nor crave, Saying, “That and that would I have!” But stand thou still before the board, And look thou speak no loud word. And child, worship thy father and thy mother; Look that thou grieve neither one nor other, But ever, among them thou shalt kneel down, And ask their blessing and benison. And child, keep thy clothes fair and clean; Let no foul filth on them be seen. Child, climb not over house nor wall, For no fruit, birds nor ball. Child, over men’s houses no stones fling, Nor at glass windows no stones sling. Nor make no crying, jokes, nor plays In holy church on holy days. And child, I warn thee of another thing, Keep thee from many words and wrangling. And child, when thou goest to play, Look thou come home by light of day. And child, I warn thee of another matter, Look thou keep thee from fire and water. Be ware and wise how that thou look Over any brink, well, or brook. And when thou standest at any schate Be ware and wise that thou catch no stake; For many child without dread, Through evil heed is deceived or dead. Child, keep thy book, cap, and gloves, And all thing that thee behoves.

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Child, be thou neither liar nor thief, Be thou no meecher for mischief. Child, make thou no mows nor knacks, Before no men nor behind their backs. But be of fair semblance and countenance, For by fair manners men may thee advance. Child, when thou goest in any street, If thou any good man or woman meet, Avale thy hood to him or to her, And bid “God speed, dame, or sir!” And be they small or great thou hast met, This lesson that thou not forget; For it is seemly to every man’s child, And mannerly, to clerks to be meek and mild. And child, rise betimes and go to school, And fare not as wanton fool; And learn as fast as thou may and can, For our bishop is an old man, And therefore thou must learn fast, If thou wilt be bishop when he is passed. Child, I bid thee on my blessing, That thou forget not this for nothing; But look, thou hold it well in thy mind, For the best thou shalt it find. For, as the wise man saith and proveth, A wise child, lore he behoveth; And as men say that learned be, Who spareth the rod, the child hateth he; And as the wise man saith in his book, Of proverbs and wisdoms, who will look: “As a sharp spur maketh a horse to move, Under a man that should war prove, Right so a yard may make a child, To learn well his lesson and to be mild.” Lo! children, here may ye all hear and see, How all children chastised should be. And therefore, childer, look ye do well, And no hard beating shall you befall. Thus may ye all be right good men, God grant you grace so to preserve you! Amen. [Quoth] SYMON.

HUGH RHODES’S BOOK OF NURTURE AND SCHOOL OF GOOD MANNERS

ALL ye that would learn and then would be calléd wise, Obedience learn in youth, in age it will avoid vice.

I am blind in poet’s art, thereof I have no skill; All eloquence I put apart, and follow mine own will.

Corrupt in speech my briefs and longs to know, Born and bred in Devonshire, my terms will well show.

Take the best and leave the worst, of truth I mean no ill; If the matter be not curious, the intent is good, mark it well.

Pardon I ask if I offend thus boldly for to write, To master or servant (young and old) I do myself submit.

I would reform both youth and age, if anything be amiss; To you will I shew my mind, reform ye where need is.

All that have young people, good manners set them to learn; To their elders with gentle conditions let do nor say no harm.

If they do ill, wise men may report their parents soon; How should they teach other good, belike themselves can none.

A good father maketh good children, if wisdom be them within, Such as of custom use it in youth, in age they will begin.

He that lacketh good manners is little set by; Without virtue or good conditions, a man is not worth a fly.

Reverence father and mother (of duty), kind doth thee bind; Such children increaseth, and likely to recover virtue by kind.

Against father and mother multiply no words, be you sure; It will be to thee laud and to thy friends joyful to hear.

A plant without moisture may not bring forth his flower; If youth be void of virtue, in age he shall lack honour.

First dread God, next flee sin, all earthly things are mortál; Stand not too fast in thy conceit, for pride will have a fall.

Use early rising in the morning, for it hath properties three; Holy, healthy, wealthy—in my youth thus my father taught me.

At six of the clock at farthest, accustom thee to rise; Look thou forget not to bless thee once or twice.

In the morning use some devotion, and let for no need; Then all the day afterward the better shalt thou speed.

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Sponge and brush thy clothes clean that thou shalt on wear; Cast up your bed, and take heed ye lose none of your gear.

Make clean thy shoes, comb thy head, mannerly thee brace; See thou forget not to wash both thy hands and face.

Put on thy clothing for thy degree, honestly do it make. Bid your fellow good morrow, ere ye your way forth take.