Do not cut your meat like field-men who have such an appetite that they reck not in what wise, where or when or how ungoodly they hack at their meat; but, sweet children, have always your delight in courtesy and in gentleness, and eschew boisterousness with all your might.
When cheese is brought, have a clean trencher, on which with a clean knife ye may cut it; and in your feeding look ye appear goodly, and keep your tongue from jangling, for so indeed shall ye deserve a name for gentleness and good governance, and always advance yourself in virtue.
When the end of the meal is come, clean your knives, and look you put them up where they ought to be,[21] and keep your seat until you have washed, for so wills honesty.
When ye have done, look then that ye rise up without laughter or joking or boisterous word, and go to your lord’s table, and there stand, and pass not from him until grace be said and brought to an end.
Then some of you should go for water, some hold the cloth, some pour upon his hands.
Other things I might commend you to do, but as my time is brief, I put them not into this little report; but overpass them, praying with a spirit that rejoices in this labour, that no man abuse me; but where too little is, let him add more, and where too much, let him take away, for though I would, time forbids that I say more. Therefore I take my leave, and inscribe this book to every wight whom it may please to correct it.
And, sweet children, for love of whom I write, I beseech you, with very loving heart, that you set your delight upon knowing this book; and may Almighty God that suffered bitter pains, make you so expert in courtesy that through your nurture and your governance you may advance yourselves to lasting bliss.
WHOSO wills to be wise and worship desires, Learn he one letter and look on another, Of the A B C of Aristotle. Argue not against that. It is counsel for right many clerks and knights a thousand, And eke it might amend a man, full oft, For to learn lore of one letter, and his life save; For too much of any thing was never wholesome. Read oft on this roll, and rule thee thereafter. Whoso be grieved in his ghost, govern him better; Blame he not the bairn that this A B C made, But wite[22] he his wicked will and his work after. It shall never grieve a good man, though the guilty be mended, Now hearken and hear how I begin.