Part 17

Fill it not too full of bread, for it may be to thee reprovable; Lest thou leave part, then to measure thou art variable.

And sup not loud of thy pottage, no time in all thy life. Dip not thy meat in the salt-cellar, but take it with a knife.

When thou hast eaten thy pottage, do as I shall thee wish; Wipe clean thy spoon and leave it not in thy dish.

Lay it down before thy trencher, thereof be not afraid; And take heed who taketh it up, lest it be conveyed.

Cut not the best morsel for thyself, leave part behind. Be not greedy of meat and drink, be liberal and kind.

Burnish no bones with your teeth, for it is unseemly. Rend not thy meat asunder, for to courtesy it is contrary.

An a stranger sit near thee, ever among now and then, Reward him with some dainties, like a gentleman.

If thy fellow sit from his meat, and cannot come thereto, Then cut him such as thou hast, that is gently do.

Belch near no man’s face with a corrupt fumosity; Turn from such occasion, it is a stinking ventosity.

Eat small morsels of meat, not too great in quantity, If ye like such meats, yet follow not ever thy phantasy.

Corrupt not thy lips with eating, as a pig in draff; Eat softly and drink mannerly; beware ye do not quaff.

Scratch not thy head with thy fingers, when thou art at meat, Nor spit you over the table-board, see thou do not forget.

Pick not thy teeth with thy knife nor finger-end, But with a stick or some clean thing, then do ye not offend.

If your teeth be putrified, methinks it is no right To touch meat that other should eat, it is no cleanly sight.

Pick not thy hands nor play with thy knife; Keep still foot and hand; at meat begin ye no strife.

Wipe thy mouth when thou shalt drink ale or wine On thy napkin only; and see all things be clean.

Blow not your nose in the napkin where ye wipe your hand; Cleanse it in your handkerchief, then pass ye not your band.

With your napkin you may oft wipe your mouth clean; Something thereon will cleave that cannot be seen.

Fill not thy trencher with morsels great and large; With much meat fill not thy mouth like a barge.

Temper thyself with drink, so keep thee from blame; It hurteth thy honesty and hindereth thy good name.

A pint at a draught to pour in fast, as one in haste, Four at a mess is three too many, in such I think waste.

Use thy self from excess, both in meat and drink; And ever keep temperance, whether you wake or wink.

Fill not thy mouth too full, lest thou must needs speak, Nor blow out thy crumbs when thou doëst eat.

Foul not the place with spitting whereas thou doëst sit, Lest it abhor some to see it when thou hast forgot.

If thou must spit, or blow thy nose, keep it out of sight, Let it not lie on ground, but tread it out right.

With bones and void morsels fill not thy trencher too full; Avoid them into a voider, and no man will it null.

Roll not thy meat in thy mouth, that every man may it see; But eat thy meat somewhat close, for it is honesty.

If thy sovereign proffer thee to drink once, twice or thrice, Take it gently at his hand, for in court it is the guise.