Part 23

Then learn to discern the good from the ill,

And such as thee warn, bear thou good will.

When from the school ye shall take your way,

Or orderly then go ye, two in array,

Your selves matching so equal as ye may,

That men it seeing may well of you say

In commending this, your laudable ways,

Which must needs sound to your great praise,

Not running in heaps as a swarm of bees,

As at this day every man it now sees;

Not using, but refusing, such foolish toys,

As commonly are used in these days of boys,

As whooping and as in hunting the fox, hallooing,

That men it hearing deride them with mocks.

This foolishness forsake, this folly eschewing,

And learn to follow this order ensuing.

In going by the way, neither talk nor jangle,

Gape not, nor gaze not at every new fangle,

But soberly go ye, with countenance grave;

Humbly yourselves toward all men behave;

Be free of cap and full of courtesy;

Great love of all men you shall win thereby.

Be lowly and gentle and of meek mood;

Then men can not but of you say good.

In passing the street, do no man no harm;

Use thou few words, and thy tongue charm,

Then men shall see that grace in thee groweth,

From whom virtues so abundantly floweth.