Part 18

When thou has drunk, set it down or take it to his servánt; Let not thy master set it down, then it is well, I warránt.

Blow not in thy pottage or drink, that is not commendáble, For an thou be not whole of body, thy breath is corruptíble.

Cast not thy bones under the table, nor none do thou knack. Stretch thee not at the table, nor lean forth thy back.

Afore dinner or after, with thy knife score not the board; Such toys are not commendable, trust me at a word.

Lean not on the board when your master is thereat; For then will your sovereign think in you checkmate.

Be not ashamed to eat the meat which is set before thee; Mannerly for to take it, that agreeth well with courtesy.

Cast not thine eyes to and fro, as one that were full of toys; Much wagging with the head seemeth thou art not wise.

Scratch not thy head, put thou not thy finger in thy mouth; Blow not thy nose, nor look thereon; to some it is loth.

Be not loud where you be, nor at the table where ye sit; Some men will deem thee drunken or mad, or to lack wit.

When meat is taken away, and the voiders set in presénce, Put your trencher in the voider, and also the residénce.

Take with your napkin and knife forth crumbs before thee; Put your napkin in the voider, for it is courtesy.

Be gentle alway and good to please, be it night or day, With tongue and hand, be not ’ragious; let reason rule alway.

When the meat is taken up and the table-cloth made clean, Then take heed of grace, and to wash yourself demean.

And while grace is saying, see ye make no noise; Thank God of your fare, to your sovereign give praise.

When ye perceive to rise, say to your fellows all, “Much good do it you,” gently, then gentle, men will you call.

Then go to your sovereign, and give obeisance mannerly, And withdraw you aside, as best for your honesty.

An ye see men in great counsel, press not too near; They will say you are untaught; that is sure and clear.

Speak not much in thy fellow’s ear, give no ill language; Men are suspicious, and will think it no good usage.

Laugh not too much at the table, nor make at it no game. Avoid slanderous and bawdy tales; use them not for shame.

Ere thou be old, beware, so thou may’st get a sudden fall; An you be honest in youth, in age ye may be liberal.

FRANCIS SEAGER’S SCHOOL OF VIRTUE

THE AUTHOR’S NAME INVERTED

S ay well some will by this my labour, E very man yet will not say the same. A mong the good I doubt not favour; G od them forgive for it me blame. E ach man I wish it shall offend, R ead and then judge, where fault is, amend.

Face aut Tace

FIRST in the morning, when thou dost awake, To God for His grace, thy petition then make. This prayer following use daily to say; Thy heart lifting up, thus begin to pray.

THE MORNING PRAYER

“O God from whom all good gifts proceed,

To thee we repair in time of our need,