Part 20

It is not seeming nor yet mannerly.

Down from thy chamber when thou shalt go,

Thy parents salute thou, and the family also;

Thy hands see thou wash, and thy head comb,

And of thy raiment see torn be no seam;

Thy cap fair brushed, thy head cover then,

Taking it off, in speaking to any man.

Cato doth council thee thine elders to reverence,

Declaring thereby thy duty and obedience.

Thy shirt collar fast to thy neck knit;

Comely thy raiment look on thy body sit;

Thy girdle about thy waist then fasten,

Thy hose fair rubbed, thy shoes see be clean.

A napkin see that thou have in readiness,

Thy nose to cleanse from all filthiness.

Thy nails, if need be, see that thou pare;

Thine ears keep clean, thy teeth wash thou fair.

If aught about thee chance to be torn,

Thy friends thereof show how it is worn,

And they will new for thee provide,

Or the old mend, in time being spied.

This done, thy satchell and thy books take,

And to the school haste see thou make.

But ere thou go, with thyself forethink.

That thou take with thee pen, paper and ink;

For these are things for thy study necessáry,

Forget not then with thee them to carry.

The soldier preparing himself to the field,