Part 29

And winning the victory, may lift up our voice,

And in His strength faithfully rejoice,

Saying, “To the Lord be all honour and praise,

For His defence, both now and always!”

Famam virtutis mors abolire nequit, quod F.S.]

THE SCHOOL OF VIRTUE, THE SECOND PART, OR THE YOUNG SCHOLAR’S PARADISE

A DIGRESSION FOR CHILDREN HOW THEY OUGHT TO BE INSTRUCTED

By Richard Weste

R ightly conceive me, and observe me well,

I do what here is done for children’s good.

C hrist in His Gospel (as St. Mark doth tell)

H ath not forbidden children, nor withstood

A ny that should but ask the ready way,

R egarding children, not to say them nay,

D irecting all that came, how faith should be.

W hat they should crave of God’s high majesty,

E ven salvation, through their faithful prayer,

S ending their contemplations into the air,

T o His high throne, whose love so guide us all,

E ven to the end we never cease to call.

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Children (draw near), attend what I say: Observe well these precepts and mark them, I pray. Though many rules formerly have been set out, To quicken the spirits of children in doubt, Yet youth is so fickle and loth to be taught, That being observed, ’tis unseemly and naught. For children’s instructions in virtue and good, Four things must be noted and many withstood. The first to be marked is so that the mind Be seasoned with virtue and godly inclined. The second, to aim at the liberal arts, To practice and exercise scholar-like parts. The third, to be taught as times do require, All moderate actions this age doth desire. The fourth, that coming to more years and strength, That all to civility he bend at the length. Observe well the rules which now shall ensue, And find them right wholesome, delightful and new.

HOW THOU OUGHTEST TO PREPARE THYSELF, WHEN THOU RISEST IN THE MORNING

When moderate sleep thy head hath possessed, And given thy body his natural rest, Shake sluggishness off, bethink thee of things, That for thy soul’s health sweet melody brings. Seven hours for a child is temperate and good, If more, it offendeth and hurteth the blood. With heart then unfained, to God first of all Frame well thy petition, and thus to him call.

THE CHARGE OF CHILDREN IN THEIR CARRIAGE

Thy prayer so commended to God, have a care To wash hands and face, and to combing thy hair. And then for the school bethink thou to go, The secrets of God the better to know. In entering to school, let eyes be upcast, To God for His blessings, formerly past, To endue thee with godliness, virtue and piety, Sent thee from heaven from God in His Deity: For without His help can nothing be done, Nothing be finished, nothing begun. Then mark thou with diligence being so provided, What shall at school be said or decided. Let not thy thoughts go wandering about, And not minding thy practice, abroad for to scout: And answer with shamefastness what is required, For modesty in youth is chiefly desired. Deserve not correction, as near as thou mayest, Nor to thy schoolmaster give any distaste, Nor yet thy companions, or school-fellows kind: Observe what I speak, and bear it in mind. Be ready to teach, and not to confute Thy schoolfellows’ arguments, when you dispute. Let Christ have His library placed in thy heart, And ever of Scriptures be reading a part. Let all be well-measured what thou shalt read, Not posting away with’t, or making much speed; For haste overthroweth the mind and the wit, Eschew and abandon then things so unfit. If all at an instant thou not comprehend, To-morrow seek further, thy fault to amend. Desire of authors to read of the choice, Of such as for eloquence carry the voice, As Cicero, Sallust, Gellius and Terence, Quintilian and others, great authors of reverénce. Observe all with care and diligent ear, Thy learning the greater shall grow and appear.

THE CHARGE OF CHILDREN IN GOING FROM SCHOOL AND COMING

In going from school, observe it full well, In streets stand not staring, nor tales see thou tell, What hath been at school said, spoken or done Among thy companions; but home get thee gone. And unto thy parents see duty thou do, With reverent carriage and modesty too, Not bold or unmannerly, gentle and mild, And show them the office of a dutiful child. If that thou have time, ere dinner begin, Rehearse to thyself the lesson or thing Thou heard’st at the school, let time be well noted, The deeper with wisdom thy brains will be quoted.