Part 6

WHOSO will of courtesy hear, In this book it is made clear. If thou be gentleman, yeoman or knave, Thee needeth nurture for to have. When thou comest to a lord’s gate, The porter thou shalt find thereat; Take[168] him thou shalt thy weapon to, And ask him leave in to go, To speak with lord, lady, squire or groom, Thereof thou must bethink thee soon; For if he be of low degree, Then him falls to come to thee. If he be gentleman of kin The porter thee will lead to him. When thou comest the hall door to, Take off thy hood, thy gloves off do. If the hall at the first meat be, Forget not this lesson concerns thee: The steward, controller and treasurer there, Sitting at the daïs, hail thou fair. Within the hall set on either side, Sit other gentlemen, as falls that tide. Incline thee fair to them also, First to the right hand thou shalt go, Sithen[169] to the left hand thine eye thou cast, To them thou bowest full fast. Take heed to yeomen on thy right hand, And sithen before the screen thou stand, Amid the hall upon the floor, While marshal or usher come fro the door, And bid thee sit or to board thee lead. Be stable of cheer for manners, take heed. If ye be set at a gentleman’s board, Look thou be hend[170] and little of word. Pare thy bread and carve in two The overcrust from the nether through. In four thou cut the overdole,[171] Set them together as it were whole, After, cut the nether crust in three, And turn it down—learn this of me. And set thy trencher thee before, And sit upright for any sore. Spare bread or wine, drink or ale, Till thy mess from the kitchen be set in hall, Lest men say thou art hunger-beaten, Or all men know thee for a glutton. Look thy nails be clean, in truth, Lest thy fellow loathe them, forsooth. Bite not thy bread and lay it down, That is no courtesy to use in town. As much as thou wilt eat, that break, The remnant left the poor shall take. In peace thou eat and ever eschew To quarrel at board—that may thee rue. If thou make mows in any wise A villainy thou catchest or ever thou rise, Let never thy cheek be great with meat, Or morsel of bread that thou shalt eat. An ape’s mow men say he makes That bread and flesh in his cheek bakes.[172] If any man speak that time to thee, And thou shalt answer, it will not be But wallowing,[172] and thou must abide; That is a shame for all beside. On both sides of thy mouth if thou eat, Many a scorning shalt thou get. Thou shalt not laugh nor speak nothing, While thy mouth be full of meat or drink. Nor sup thou not with great sounding, Neither pottage, nor other thing. Let not thy spoon stand in thy dish, Whether thou be served with flesh or fish, Nor lay it not on thy dish side, But cleanse it honestly without pride. Look that no dirt on thy finger be, To defoul the cloth before thee. In thy dish if thou wet thy bread, Look thereof that nought be led To drip again thy dish into; Thou art ill-bred if thou so do. Dry thy mouth ay well and fine, Whether thou shalt drink ale or wine, Nor call thou not a dish again That is taken from the board in plain.[173] If thou spit over the board or else on’t, Thou shalt be holden courtesy to want. If thine own dog thou scrape or claw For a vice that is held as men know. If thy nose thou cleanse, as may befall, Look thy hand thou cleanse withal; Privily with skirt do it away, Or else thro’ thy tippet that is so gay. At meat cleanse not thy teeth nor pick With knife or straw or wand or stick. While thou holdest meat in mouth, beware To drink, that is an unhonest chare;[174] And also physic forbids it quite, And says thou may be choked at that bite, If it go wrong thy throat into And stop thy wind, thou art fordo.[175] Nor tell thou never at board no tale To harm or shame thy fellow in hall; For if he then withhold his wrath, Eftsoons he will forecast thy death. Wheresoever thou sit at meat by the board, Avoid[176] the cat, at a bare word; For if thou stroke or cat or dog, Thou art like an ape tied with a clog. Also eschew, without strife, To foul the board-cloth[177] with thy knife. Nor blow not on thy drink or meat, Neither for cold, neither for heat. Nor bear with meat thy knife to mouth, Whether thou be set by strong or couth.[178] Nor with no board-cloth thy teeth thou clean Nor eyen that run red, as may be seen. If thou sit by a right good man This lesson look thou think upon: Under his thigh put not thy knee Thou art full lewd if thou let this be. Nor backward sitting give thou thy cup Neither to drink, neither to sup. Bid thy friend take cup and drink, That is holden an honest thing. Lean not on elbow at thy meat, Neither for cold nor for heat. Dip not thy thumb thy drink into; Thou art uncourteous if thou it do. In salt-cellar if thou put Or fish or flesh that men see it, That is a vice, as men me tells; And great wonder it would be else. After meat when thou shalt wash, Spit not in basin nor water dash, Nor spit not loosely for any meed Before a man of God for dread. Whosoever despises this lesson right At board to sit he has no might. Here endeth now our first talking. Christ grant us all his dear blessing!

_Here endeth the First Book of Courtesy_

[Illustration: “_If thou be a young Infant_”]

THE SECOND BOOK

If thou be a young infant And think the schools for to haunt, This lesson shall thy master thee mark— Cross-Christ[179] thee speed in all thy work. After[180] thy _Pater Noster_ he will thee teach, As Christ’s own apostles did preach; After, thy _Ave Maria_ and thy _Creed_, That shall thee save at doom of dread. Then after to bless thee with the Trinity, _In nomine patris_ he will teach thee. Then with Mark, Matthew, Luke and John With thee _Per crucis_ and the high name, To shrive thee in general thou shalt learn Thy _Confiteor_ and _Misereatur_ in turn. To seek the kingdom of God, my child, Thereto I rede thou be not wild; But worship God, both old and young, To be in body and soul alike strong. When thou comest to the church door, Take the holy water standing on floor. Read or sing or bid prayers To Christ, for all thy Christian confreres. Be courteous to God and kneel adown On both knees[181] with great devotion. To man thou shalt kneel upon the one The t’other[182] to thy self thou hold alone. When thou ministers at the high altar [see] With both hands thou serve the priest [reverently], The one to stable the t’other Lest thou fail, my dear brother. Another courtesy I will thee teach: Thy father and mother with mild speech To worship and serve with all thy might, That thou dwell the longer in earthly light. To another man, do no more amiss Than thou would’st be done of him and his; So Christ thou pleases and gets thee love Of men, and God that sits above. Be not too meek, but in mean thou hold, For else a fool thou wilt be told. He that to righteousness will incline, As Holy Writ tells us, well and fine, Never go seek their bread shall his seed, Nor suffer of man no shameful deed. To forgive thou shalt thee haste, To vengeance look thou come at last.[183] Draw thee to peace with all thy strength, From strife and debate draw thee at length. If a man ask thee goods for God’s sake, And thee want things whereof to take, Give him debonaire words and manner fair, With semblance glad, and pure good cheer. Also of service thou shalt be free To every man in his degree, That one shall never lose for to be kind; He who forgets one, has another in mind. If a man have part with thee in gift, With him thou make an even shift.[184] Let it not hang in hand for glose;[185] Thou art uncourteous if thou it does. To saints[186] if thou thy gate[187] hast hight[188] Thou shalt fulfil it with all thy might, Lest God thee strike with great vengeánce, And put thee into sore penánce. Believe not all men that speak thee fair, Whether they be commons, burgess or mayor; In sweet words the adder was closed,[189] Deceiving ever and mysloset.[190] Therefore thou art of Adam’s blood, Of words beware lest thou be wode.[191] A short word is commonly sooth, That first slides from a man’s tooth. Look liar that thou never become: Keep this word for all and some. Laugh not too oft for no soláce, Never for mirth that any man has.[192] Who laughs that all men may him see, A shrew[193] or a fool him seems to be. Three enemies in this world there are, That covet all men to forfare:[194] The devil, the flesh, the world also, That work mankind full mickle woe. If thou may destroy these enemies three Thou may secure of Heaven’s bliss be. Also, my children, against thy lord Look thou strive with no manner word, Nor wager none with him thou lay, Nor at the dice with him do play. Him that thou knows of greater state Be not his fellow in rest or debate.[195] If thou be bestead[196] in strange countrée, Search out no further than falls to thee; Nor take no more to do in hand, Than thou may have worship of all in land. If thou see any man fall in the street, Laugh not thereat in dry nor wet; But help him up with all thy might, As St. Ambrose[197] thee teaches right. Thou that stands so sure on seat, ‘Ware lest thy head fall to thy feet. My child, if thou be at the Mass, That understand both more and less,[197] If the priest read not at thy will, Reprove him not but hold thee still. To any wight if counsel thou shew, Beware that he be not a shrew, Lest he slander thee with tongue, Among all men, both old and young. Beckoning, fingering, none thou use; And privy whispering look thou refuse. If thou meet knight, yeoman or knave, Hail him anon, “Sir, God you save,” If he speak first upon thee there, Answer him gladly without demur. Go not forth as a dumb freak,[198] Since God has given thee tongue to speak, Lest men say to friend or gossip: “Yonder is a man ne’er opens his lip.”[199] Speak never wrong of womenkind, Nor let it never run in thy mind. The book him calls of churlish face That oft of women speaks villainy base. For all we be of women born, And our fathers us beforn; Therefore it is an unhonest thing To do them any belittling.[200] Also to a wife befalls of right To worship her husband both day and night; To his bidding to show obediénce, And him to serve without offence. If two brethren be in debate Look neither thou further in their hate; But help to staunch[201] them of uncharity; Then thou art friend of both certainly. If thou go with another at the gate, And ye be both of one estate, Be courteous and let him have the way: That is no villainy, as men me say. If he be come of great kindred, Go not before though thou be bid; And if that he thy master be, Go not before for courtesy, Neither in field, wood nor lawnd,[202] Nor even[203] with him, unless he command. If thou shalt on pilgrimage go, Be not third fellow, for weal nor woe; Three oxen[204] in plough may never well draw, Neither by craft, right, nor law. If thou be proffered to drink of cup Drink not all off, nor no way sup; Drink mannerly[205] and give again: That is a courtesy, to speak in plain. In bed if thou fall harboured to be With fellow, master, or their degree, Thou shalt inquire by courtesy, In what part of the bed he will lie. Be honest and lie thou far him fro; Thou art not wise but thou do so. With whatso man, both far and nigh, Thee falls to go, look thou be sly[206] To ask his name, and which he be, Whither he will: keep well these three. With friars on pilgrimage if that thou go What they will observe, will thou also. When at night thou take thy rest, And bide the day as true man’s guest, In never house where a red man[206] be, Nor woman of the same colour certainly, Take never thine inn for no manner need, For those be folk to hold in dread. If any in sternness thee oppose, Answer him meekly, and make him glose;[207] But glosing word that falséd[208] is Forsake, and all that is amiss. Also, if thou have a lord, And stand before him at the board, While that thou speak, keep well thy hand; Thy foot also in peace let stand. His courtesy needs must he break, Stirring fingers or toes whene’er he shall speak.[209] Be stable of cheer and somewhat light, Nor over all wave[210] thou not thy sight. Gaze not on walls with thine eye, Far nor near, low nor high. Let not the post become thy staff, Lest thou be called a “doted daff.”[211] Nor delve thou never thy nostril, With thumb or finger as young girl. Rub not thy arm, nor claw it naught, Nor bow thy head too low in aught. While any man speaks with great businéss, Hearken his words without distress. By street or way if thou shalt go, From these two things thou keep thee fro; Neither to harm child nor beast, With casting, turning west nor east. Nor change thou not in face colour, For lightness of word in hall or bower; If thy visage change for nought, Men say thee: “Trespass thou hast wrought.” Before thy lord no mows thou make, If thou wilt courtesy with thee take. With hands unwashen take never thy meat: From all these vices look thou keep. Look thou sit—and make no strife— Where the host commands, or else his wife. Eschew the highest place to win,[212] Save thou be bidden to sit therein. Of courtesy here ends the second fit.[213] To heaven Christ grant our souls to flit!

THE THIRD BOOK

_De Officiariis in Curiis Dominorum_[214]

Now of officers speak will we, Of court, and also of their duty.[215] Four men there be that yards shall bear: Porter, marshal, steward, ushér. The porter shall have the longest wand, The marshal a shorter shall have in hand; The usher of chamber smallest shall have, The steward in hand shall have a staff A finger great,[216] two quarters[217] long, To rule the men of court among.

_De Janitore_[218]

The porter falls to keep the gate, The stocks[219] with him, early and late If any man has in court misgone, To-porter-ward he shall be tane, There to abide the lord’s will, What he will deem[219] by righteous skill. For “wesselle clothes”[219] that be not sold, The porter has that ward in hold. Of strangers, also, that come in court, The porter shall warn, sir, at a word. He is found in meat and drink, And sits with him[219] whoso him think. Whensoever the lord remove shall, One castle til t’other, as it may fall, For carriage the porter horses shall hire, Four pence a-piece[220] within the shire, By statute he shall take[220] on that day: That is the king’s cry,[221] i’ fay.

_De Marescallo Aule_[222]

Now of marshal of hall will I spell, And what falls to his office now will I tell. In absence of steward, he shall arrest Whomsoever is rebel in court or feast. Yeoman-usher and groom also— Under him are these two. The groom brings fuel that shall bren,[223] In hall, chamber and kitchen, I ken. He shall deliver it every deal, In hall make fire at each meal. Board, trestles and forms also, The cupboard[220] in his ward shall go. The canopies, curtains to hang in hall— These offices needs do he shall. Bring in fire on All Hallows’ Day, To Candlemas Even,[224] I dare well say.

_Per quantum Tempus Armigeri habebunt Liberatam et Ignis Ardebit in Aula_[225]

So long squires liveries[226] shall have, Of groom of hall, or else his knave. But fire shall burn in hall at meat Until _Cena Domini_[227] men have eat. There brought shall be a holly keen,[226] That set shall be in arbour green; And that shall be till All Hallows’ Day, And off be shifted, as I you say. In hall marshal all men shall set After their degree, without let.

_De Pincernario, Panetario, et Cocis sibi Servientibus_[228]

The butler, panter and cooks also To him are servants without mo.[229] Therefore on his yard score[230] shall he, All messes in hall that served shall be, Command to set both bread and ale To all men that served be in hall. To gentlemen with heated drink, Else fails the service, as I think. Each mess at six pence[230] booked shall be At the counting-house, with other meiny. If the cook would say that there were more, That is the cause he has it in score;[230] The panter also if he would strive For reward that set shall be belive.[231] When bread fails at board about, The marshal gars set, without a doubt, More bread that called is a reward, So shall it be proved before stewárd.

_De Officio Pincernarii_[232]

Butler shall set for each mess A pot, a loaf, without distress.[233] Butler, panter, fellows are aye; Reckon them together full well I may. The marshal shall harbour all men in[ward] [234] That be of any office at court, Save the lord’s chamber, the wardrobe too, The usher of chamber shall heed[235] those two.

_De Hostiario et suis Servientibus_[236]

Speak I will a little while Of usher of chamber without guile. There is gentleman-, yeoman-usher[237] also, Two grooms at the least, a page thereto.

_De Officio Garcionum_[238]

Grooms shall make litter[237] and stuff pallets out, Nine foot in length without a doubt, Seven foot certainly shall it be broad, Well watered and bound together, craftily trod, With wisps drawn out at feet and side, Well twisted and turned again, that tide. Unsunken in hollows shall it be made, Both outer and inner, so God me glad. That shall be hung with a canopy hollow, And hooks and loops on bands shall follow. The valance on a rod shall hang with state,[239] Three curtains drawn within full straight, That reach shall even to ground about, Neither more, neither less, without a doubt. He strikes them up with a forkéd wand, And laps[240] up fast about the left hand, The button[241] up turns and closes on the right, As a man by the neck that hangs full light.[242] The counterpane he lays on the bed’s feet, Cushions on the side shall lie full meet. Carpets of Spain on the floor beside, That spread should be for pomp and pride. The chamber sides right to the door, He hangs with tapestries[243] full store.[244] And fuel to chimney him falls to get And screens in cloth[245] to save the heat, From the lord at meat when he is set. Boards, trestles and forms, without let, All these things keep shall he there, And water in chafer[246] for ladies fair. Three perchers[247] of wax then shall he get, Above the chimney that be set, In socket each one from other shall be The length of that other, that men may see To burn, to avoid what drunken is; Or else, I wot, he does amiss. The usher alway shall sit at door At meat, and walk shall on the floor, To see that all be served aright— That is his office, both day and night. And bid set board when time shall be, And take them[248] up when time sees he. The wardrobe he harbours eke of chamber— Ladies with beads of coral and amber. The usher shall bid the wardrober Make ready for all night before the fire. Then brings he forth nightgown also, And spreads a carpet and cushions two. He lays them then upon a form And foot-sheet thereon, and it doth return,[249] The lord shall shift his gown at night, Sitting on foot-sheet till he be dight. Then usher goes to the buttery, “Have in for all night, sir,” says he. First to the chandler he shall go To take a night-light[250] him fro; Both wine and ale he takes indeed. The butler says without dread: “No meat for man assayed shall be But for king or prince or duke so free. For Heirs-Apparent also it is, Meat shall be assayed, now think on this.” Then to the pantry he hies belive: “Sirs, have in, without strife.” Fine bread[251] and common bread[252] he shall take; The panter assays that it be bake. A mortar[253] of wax yet will he bring For chamber, sir, without lying, That all night burns in a basin clear To save the chamber at night from fire. Then yeoman of chamber shall void the rime[254] The torches have holden well that time. The chamber door stekes[255] the usher then With pricket[256] and candle that can bren. From cupboard he brings both bread and wine, And first assays it, well and fine. But first the lord shall wash, i’ fay, When he comes from the further house away. Then kneels the usher and gives him drink, Brings him in bed where he shall wink. In strong stead on pallet he lay,[257] Of them takes leave and goes his way. Yeoman-usher before the door, In outer chamber, lies on the floor.

_De Seneschallo_[258]

Now will I speak of the steward too;— Many are false, but few are [true[259]]. The clerk of kitchen, controller, Steward, cook, and surveyor, Assent in council without scorn How the lord shall fare at meat the morn. If any dainty in country be, The steward shows it to the lord so free, Bids to buy it for any cost— It were great sin if it were lost. Before the course the steward comes then, The server it next, of all kinds of men, Makes way and stands beside, Till all be served at that tide. At counting steward shall be seen Till all be booked in wax so green,[259] Written into books without let, That before in tables has been set, Till accounts also thereon be cast, And summed up wholly at the last.

_De Contrarotulatore_[260]

The controller shall write to him, “_Taunt resceu_”[261]—no more, I mean; And “Taunt dispendu”[262] that same day; Uncountable[263] he is, as I you say.

_De Supervisore_[264]

Surveyor and steward also, These three folk and no mo For nought receive, but ever see That nothing fail and all things agree. That the clerk of kitchen should not miss— Therefore the controller, as have I bliss, Writes up the sum as every day, And helps to count as I you say.

_De Clerico Coquine_[265]