Part 26

Folding it up, at the higher end begin.

A clean towel then on the table spread,

The towel wanting, the cloth take instead.

The basin and ewer to the table then bring,

In place convenient their pleasure abiding.

When thou shalt see them ready to wash,

The ewer take up, and be not too rash

In pouring out water more than will suffice.

The table then void that they may rise.

All things thus done, forget not thy duty,

Before the table make thou low curtsey.

HOW TO ORDER THYSELF SITTING AT THE TABLE

O children, give ear your duties to learn,

How at the table you may yourselves govérn.

Presume not too high, I say, in no case;

In sitting down, to thy betters give place.

Suffer each man first servéd to be;

For that is a point of good courtesy.

When they are served, then pause a space,

For that is a sign of nurture and grace.

Salt with thy knife then reach and take,

The bread cut fair, and do not it break.

Thy spoon with pottage too full do not fill,

For filing the cloth, if thou fortune to spill.

For rudeness it is thy pottage to sup,

Or speech to any, his head in the cup.

Thy knife see be sharp to cut fair thy meat,

Thy mouth not too full when thou dost eat;