Modestye and simplicite is required to be in yonge chyldren .

IT is necessary that in all thynge man be bothe of mynd , of body , of gesture and of raymente & vpright , but specialy handsom , modest & simplicite becommeth yonge children , and among them and aboue , all other noble infants and chyldren . But they must be estemed more noble the adurne theyr spirites wyth liberall studies , then they which paynte in theyr scutshons Lyons , Egles , Bulles and Liberds , they haue more true nobilitie in that place of so great blasynge and armes maye take so much of the armes of nobilitie , as they haue receyued and lerned of liberall artes .

The orberynge of the eyes .

TO the intente than that the sprite and mynde of the chylde well lerned maye shine on euery syde ( it thyneth and is sene principally in the face and visage ) his eyes must nedes be sweete & peasable , shamefast and restfull , and not lifted vp or ouertwhart , the which is a signe of cruelnes , nor vage , nor fearefull , the whyche is a sygne of folly , and a faulte of the brayne , nor squinrynge , nor blinekynge , the whyche appertain to them whych are suspected and fraudulently go about some treson , nor to muche open and enlarged , the whyche appertainch to dullardes & fooles , nor oftentymes twynkling , whych pertayneth to those that be inconstant , not wandering hether and thether , the whych pertain to the astonied , for this was noted and blamed in Socrates , nor to sharpe , the whych is a sygne of anger , nor assygninge , and as it were apointynge and spekinge , the whyche is a signe of vnchastity , but declaring a certein quiet , temperat and amiable sprit wyth all reuerence : and truly yt was not yll saide of the aunciente philosephers , that the eyes be the lease of the soule . The auncient painters do declare vnto vs , that in tymes past it was a singuler modestie to beholde the eyes halfe closed , as amonge certein Spanyardes , it is reputed gracious & an amiable thinge to loke the eyes beyng abased and inclined . Like wise we learne by the forsaid paynters , that it was longe sense a signe of a wise man to draw in and to close the lippes , but that that is cumly of nature , shal be estemed goodly and honest before al people , not wyth standinge that in these things we must sumtimes be like vnto fyshes , the whiche dooe chaunge their couler after the thing they recounter and meete wyth all , so must we apply our self after the custome of the countrey . There are beside these other countrey . There are beside these other countenaunces of the eyes that nature hath geuen to some after one sorte , and to other after another sorte , the whyche fall not vnder oure precepts , but that the euyl gestures ofentimes do marre , not only the countenance and order of the eyes , but also of the hole body .

Contrary wise the gestures whyche are righte and conuenient causeth that thynge that is semely by nature to be more comely & decent , & that whych is vicious , yf they take them not away , wyll couer and diminishe them . It is nothyng beautifull to behold any man with one eye , for what other thing is that , but to make hym selfe one eyed . Let vs leue this gesture to the hunnes a people so called , & to shoters , in crosse-bowes , and to many other artificers .

Streyght browes .

THe Browes ought to be streight and not drawne bakwards , the whyche is a signe of pride , nor exalted , the whiche is a signe of arrogancy : no hanginge vpon his eyes , the which pertaineth to dreamers and to those that thinke euyll .

A ioyfull and mery forehed .

FOrther more let the forehed be ioyfull & full , shewinge a good and mery chere , not wrincled & reuen , the whiche pertaineth to age , not cumminge and goinge , for that pertaineth to hedge hogges , not ouerthwarte and rughe , which thinge pertaineth to bulles .

A clene nose .

THat there be no sneuill in the Nose , the whych is a signe of a foule filthy people , and Socrates the Philosopher was blamid for this vice , to wipe his nose with his bonet if he haue one , or vpon his gowne is a rustical and a rude thing : to wipe his nose with his arme or elbowe , pertaineth to fyshmongers , nor it is not more manierly to doo the same with his hand , if by and by thou make clene thy fingers vpon thy gowne . To receiue the filthines of the nostrilles with an handkercher , is honeste , and likewise to turne the body a litle if there be any honest men there , yf ther be any thing vpon the ground after he hath wiped his nose with two fingers , he must trede vpon it .

To blowe wyth the nose and to snorce .

TO blow lowde with the nostrelles is a filthy thing , and a signe of color , and yet more filthy to snorte , the which pertaineth to those that be furious and withoute vnderstandinge , yf they doo it customably , for they must be pardoned that haue a high brethe , and do brethe with great difficultie . To speake in the nose is a thinge that men mocke at , and it pertaineth to Storkes and Elephantes . To shrinke vp the nose pertaineth to mockers , and to those that playe the storke backwardes .

To Nese .

IF it chaunse that thou must nese in the presence of sum man , it is a point of ciuilite to turn thy self a litle , and incontinente after that the violence shal be appeased , to make the signe of the crosse vpon thy mouthe , & afterwardes puttinge of thy bonet to salute them that saluted thee , or them that saide , Christe helpe . For why to nese as to yawne , doth wholy take away the hearing of the eares . And afterwards to desyre & pray them not to be displeased , or els to geue them great thankes .

¶ To saye God saue you when men neese .

IT is a deuoute thing to say god saue the man whan he neseth . If men doe it in the presence of dyuers aged menne the whiche say vnto some honorable man or woman , God saue you the childe ought to put of his cappe .

Forther more to enforce him selfe to nese more lowder or to duble it to shew his force and strengthe , pertaineth to those that be glorious : and to retaine the sowne that nature geueth , partaineth to folishe and vnapte people , the which praise ciuilitie more than helthe .

Shamefast Chekes .

THat the chekes be died with a certain natural shamefastnes & with suche as is meete and conuenient for a noble infant without paintinge or false coleringe , but yet he must so temper it that it turne not in to great assuance or boldenes , nor that it bring not a certaine astonishemente and dulnes , and as the commen prouerb doeth saye . The fourthe degre of foly . For some haue this nature so strongly emprented that it maketh them like to a parson or man that ruleth . This vice is or may be moderate yf the childe do accustome him self to lyue with men that be elder than him self , and if he exercise him self to play enterludes & comedies . To cause the chekes to swell , is a signe of arrogance , and to cause them to faul and swage , dothe pertaine to him that disconfort him self , or is disconfort , the one doth declare that the man is glorious & proude , that other that he is a traiter .

The mouth close .

LEt not the mouth be to much shut as his is that fereth to receiue the breth of another , nor that it be open and gaping as foles haue , but that it be close , the lippes kissing ech other swetlye . It is also a filthy & a vile thinge oftentimes to put forth the lippes & to do as if thou shouldst cherish a horsse with the tongue , although that this thinge is to be suffred in greate estates , that go thorow the midste of a certaine company of people , for nothing misbecummeth them , but we do order & teach an infant .

To Yawne .

IF by chaunce thou be enforsed to pawne , nor can not turne the , nor goe thy waies , thou muste put before thy mouth , either thy napkin , or thy hande , and make the signe of the crosse .

¶ How one should laugh , and how he should not .

TO laugh at all purposes , and at all thinges that we see done , doeth pertaine to fooles . Contrarywise , to laugh , at nothing that men doe , doth pertaine to sadde men and to shepish persons . It is an ewil , thing to laughe at vile and dishonest thinges . Morcouer one maner of laughinge , & to make a great laughter that moueth all the bodie , whereof the Greekes cal it al mouing and trauailing is not decent nor mete for no age , so than it cannot become youth .

It to also a filthy thing whan a man laugheth to neye like a horse , nor that laughter is not very goodly that enlargeth the mouth , & causeth the cheekes as it were to retere , and discouereth the teeth , the which laughter is called the girning of a dogge . No man shall expresse his ioye in suche maner , to the ende that he shew not a dissolute sprit , and that he deforme not his mouthe .

These bee the woordes of fooles , I pisse thorow laughter , I burst thorow laughter , I thought I should haue dyed through laughter : or , I sounde thorow laughter . If anye thing chaunce , where at a man doth so laugh , that it causeth him to eate again that he hath receyued , he must couer his face eyther with his napkin , or with his hande . To laugh all alone , or without any euident cause , is attributed to foolishnes . But yet if it so chaunce , it shall be ciuilly & well done , to declare the cause wherefore he laughed : or if it be not to be reueled , he must finde some thing , to the ende that no man thinke that they mocke hint .

To byte the lyppe .

TO bite the nether lippe is vile & dishonest , for it is the gesture of a man that threatneth , and likewyse to bite the vpper lippe . And also to licke the borders of his lyppes is an vncomely thing . To haue the lyppes extended , and as prest and redy to kisse one , hath bene of long time a gracious and a comelye thing amonge the Almanes , as their paintinges & pictures declare .

Of drawing and putting ouce the toungue .

HE mocketh some manne that draweth out his tonge at him , these snatchers & gapers should vse and do that .

To spitte .

WHan thou spittest turne thy face aside , to th intent thou spit vpon no man . If thou haue caste anye ordure or filthinesse vpon the ground , thou must trede it out with thy fote as I haue saide already , to the ende that it trouble no mans heart nor stomake . If it be not lawfull for to turne thee , receiue and gather thy spittle into thy handkercher . It is a vile thing to swalow downe thy spittle , as we dooe see some that spit at euery woorde , not of necessity , but by custom . Furthermore there be som that doe coughe , and that by a vsuall custome , such maner of doing doth smel and declare a liar , or one that speaking , doth forge what he should say .

To belche .

OTher at euery worde doe belche with lesse honestie , the whiche thing if it come and drawe to a custome in youthe , it will continue in age . The selfesame must bee iudged of coughing , wherof Clitipho in Terence was reprehended of a seruant . If thou be constrained to coughe , be ware thou do it not before the mouth or face of a nother , and that there bee not a fonde maner to coughe hier than nature requireth .

To vomite .

IF the wilt vomit , turne thy self to soe other place , for why to vomit is not ill of it selfe , but it is a vile thinge , if gluttonie bee the cause therof .

Cleane teeth .

YOuthe must take hede that theyr teeth be cleane , but to make them white with pouder , belongeth to maidens , to rub them with salte or alem , is euil for the gummes , to do this with his vrine , belongeth to Spanyardes , if any thing remaine betwene thy teethe , thou must not take it out which thy knife , nor with thy nailes , as dogs and cattes doe , nor with thy napkin , but with a tooth piker made of a spindle , or with a quill , or with the lyttle bones taken out of the spurres of cockes or capons .

To washe the mouthe .

IT is an honeste thing & a wholesome to washe the mouth in the morninge , with cleane and pure water , but to returne often tymes vnto it is foolishnes , and vncomelynesse . Of the vse of the tonge we shal speake in his place .

Of a cleane head .

IT is a rustical and a rude thyng not to be combe : and that ther be a clenlynes , but not a tyremente of maidens . There must be neither lice nor nittes . Often times to scratche the head in the presence of other is a thing not very decent nor honest : as to scratch the body with the nailes , is a foule & a filthy thyng , and specially if it be done by a custome and not of necessitie .

That the heere fal nor hange not vpon his eies , nor vpon his shoulders . Oftentimes to couer his bushe by shakyng and casting vp of the head , doeth pertain to horses that bee pompeous & proude . With the hande to turne vp that heere from the forehead an hygh , is a thyng not very faire nor comely : but to shede them with the hand is more modest .

An upright bodye .

TO holde down the heade and to lift vp the shoulders , is a signe of slouthfulnes . To bowe backe the body , is a token of arreganey : but to kepe it vpright without enforcement is comely . That the head neither hang to the one side nor to the other , for that smelleth of an hipocrite : excepte there be a cause that a man may holde it so , or that some like thing require it . Ye must gouerne and rule your shoulders with a iuste counterpese , and not after the maner of the Atheniens , to holde vp the one , and to let faule the other . For such maner of countenaunces are dispraised in litle children tournynge themselfe into nature , difformynge and defilynge all the bodye contrarye to his nature . And therefore they that of sluggishnesse haue taken a custome to crooke the bodye , shall get a crooked backe and a vice that nature hath not geuen them : and they that haue a customed to hange the heade on the one syde , shall so harden and geue them to that vse and maner , that whan thei bee greate , they cannot chaunge it . The tender bodies bee lyke younge plantes , tho whiche growe and ware harde in suche sorte as thou hast bowed and drawne them with stake , corde , and bande . To caste the armes behinde the backe , betokeneth an ydle persone and a these : nor it is not much better sittinge or standinge to holde or to set one hande vppon his side , the whiche thinge neuerthelesse to some menne semeth faire and goodlye , and to smell of a manne of warre . All that that pleaseth fooles , is not yet honest , but that thynge that is after reasone and nature . The reste shall bee spoken whan wee shall come to speake of deuices and purposes , and also of the Table .

Vnhonest members to bee couered .

DO discouer wout necesitie , the members , vnto the which nature hath geuen shame , oughte to bee euyll to an honest childe . And whan necessitye constraineth him , he oughte to dooe it with a certaine decent shamefastnesse : ye and that he haue no witnesse to see them . For the Aungels are alwayes present vnto whom shamefast company and keping of chastity is very greable for yong children . And therfore we muste so muche the lesse suffer other to touch our members , from that which to turn our eyes , is chastitie and honestie .

To retayne vrine or ventositye .

TO retayne vrine is hurtfull to healthe , but to make it secretely , is a thing that kepeth hym from shame . There be that commaund that a childe should retayne the ventositye of the belly , beholding of his buttocks together , but ceries this is not a point of Ciuilitie to shewe himself gracious and of good maners , and to engender a certain sickenes , yf it bee lawfull to turne away , and beyng al alone to let it goe , and auoide it : otherwyse after the auncient & olde prouerbe , he muste disguise the so unde by coughyng , they shoulde haue forbidden all this at once not to discharge the belly , consideryng that it is more dangerous to kepe and holde his wynde , than to retayne hys vrine .

Howe one should sit and stande vpryghte .

TO sit with the knees open , and caste abrode or holde his legges wyde or crooked , doeth pertayne to those that be braue , and dooe counterfaite gentlemen . Whan thou shalt be set , see that thy knees and thy feete be close together , also when thou doest stande , that at the least thei be meanely open . Some doe sit after this sorte , that they cause the one legge to hange aboue the knee . Some other stand vpright , hauing their armes a crosse , and their legges together , the one maner pertaineth to men that be pensyfe : the other to people that be foolyshe , and to sit castynge one foote vppon the lefte thighe , is the moode and maner of aunciente kynges , but it is reproued .

In Italie certaine menne for honor sake doe laie one foote vppon another , nor they sustayne not themselues but as it were vppon one legge , after the maner of storkes , if this gesture be conuenient for litle children , I know not .

To encline to doe reuerence and make courtesye .

LIkewise to encline and bowe thy knees after one maner is wel lyked , in some countrey , it is mislyked , and another in another . Some doe bowe the knees together , and som holde them righte vp : and other somewhat crooked . There be that esteme that that maner pertayneth to women : and therfore kepyng their bodies vpright , they firste bowe the right knee , and incontinent after the left , the which maner is praised in the children of England The Frenche men do bowe onely the right knee with a certayne swete turning and mouing of the body . In lyke thinges diuersitie hath no repugnance against honestie . It shall be in the wyl of eche one , either to vse the maners of the countrey , or to cleue to the maners of straungers , forasmuche as there bee men , vnto whom the thynges and maners of straungers are most pleasant .

Of goynge .

THat our going be not as it wer broken and fayned , nor to hastye : the one pertaineth to softe and effemenate persones , the other to those that be furious and mad . Likewise that it be not wauering from one side to the other , and therefore let vs leaue it to the menne of warre of Swicherlande , and to those that esteme it a great ornament to weare fethers in their bonets . There are some that haue a foolishe maner of haltyng whan they gooe . Notwithstandynge that wee haue seene Bushoppes that glorifyed in suche maner of goynge .

To shake the legges when men do syt pertayneth to fooles , as to fyddle and to make a thousande toyes with the handes , is a sygne of an vnsounde and entire vnderstanding .

¶ Of rayment and of the honest forme and facion of the same .

WE haue spoken compendiouslye and briefly of the body . Now we shall speake of the raymente in fewe woordes : because that the raiment in a maner is the body of the body , and because that thereby a man maye coniecture , and geue iudgement of the nature and qualitie of the spirite & minde of men . Notwithstanding that we can not prescribe nor limit a certayne maner and fashion , because the fortune , ryches , or greate dignitie of euery man is not like : and that in all nacions lyke thynges are not semely or vnsemelye . Furthermore because the selfe same thynges please not at all times , or displease : therfore as in other things , like wyse in this we must geue somewhat as the prouerbe saith , to the lawe , and to the place . And furthermore wise men commaunde to serue the tyme , yet neuerthelesse in these varieties men finde a thyng that is of it selfe honest or not honest , as thynges that serue to no vse for the whiche garmentes are made .

¶ Long tayles or traynes in womens garmentes .

MEn doe deride and mocke to see women drawe their long tailes after them , and men also be blamed , whether thei be conueniente and meete for Cardinals and Bushops , let other men iudge .

Shorte gownes .

VEry shorte gownes haue bene euermore vituperated and blamed , as well in men as in women : for why the seconde vse of garmentes is to couer suche partes as can not honestly be shewed to the eyes of men . It is saide already not to pertain to man , and also to sauer the feminine sepe to be vngyrded : but nowe a dayes it is no rebuke nor vice to no man , because the shamefull partes are couered with the sherte and hosen , although that gowne doth open it selfe , and flyeth abrode with the winde . For thys cause the garment is vnhonest among al people , the whiche is so shorte , that whan thou stoupeste downe , it couereth not those partes , the whiche men do couer for honor sake .

To Iagge and to cut garmentes .

TO cut & iagge his raiment , thei do it that are out of their wit and mad .

Painted and garded rayment .

TO vse painted and garded raiment pertaineth to fooles and apes .

Clenlines in rayment .

IT muste be then , that there be clēlines in rayment after the riches and dignitie of man , and after the countrey and custome : and that the garment bee not vituperable to the craftesman , nor settyng forth a molestiousnes and arrogancie .

Modestie in garmentes .

TO younge children belongeth a garment that is not curious , so it be without foulnes & filthines

Clenlinesse and honestie in the vse and parte of them .

THere be certain that make redde the borders of their shertes and of their coates with a certain perfume of vrine , or els thei plaister their brestes , and their sleues with a certayn vile couering , and not with playster , but with the sneuil & filthines of their noses , & with the ordure & spittle of their mouth . Some ther be whose gown dothe hange all on one side , vnto other it doth fal backwards vnto the reines of the back and there bee vnto whom that semeth verye faire and goodlye . So that al the garmentes of the body must be cleane , proper , and well fashioned , likewyse thei must be after the proporcion of the body . If thy parentes haue geuen thee any ioly and semely apparell , beholde it not tourningre thy eyes vnto it , nor make not as though thou were merye and well contente , shewyng it vnto other , for one of these maners pertaine to apes , and the other to pecockes . Let other men looke vpon thee , and bee thou ignoraunt that thou arte in good order . The more that a great mannes riches is , the more is his modestie and humilitie agreable . It is for the poore whom we muste suffer moderatelye to glorifie themselues , to the comforte of their pouertie . But the riche man shewing foorth the sumptuousnes of hys raiment , doeth reproche other of theyr misery , & purchaseth to himselfe enuy .

¶ Howe he ought to behaue himselfe in the Churche .

AT all times and as ofte as thou doest come into the churche , discouer thy head , and swetely bowyng thy knees , salute Iesus Christe . Loke that thou come into no churche , but with lyke deuocion , thy head being bare , and both thy knees vpon the earth , make thy praier to almightye god disposing al thy body to deuocion , and thinking the god is present with innumerable milions of Aungels . And if he that doth come to speake to a king being in the companye of his nobilitie not discouering hys head , is of all men estemed not onely rude , but out of his wit : what is he that hath his head vncouered , and his knees vp right there , where the immortall king of kynges , and the geuer of immortalitie is present with al his celestial spirites , most reuerently about him : nor thou nedest not to care if thou se him not , for other eyes see him , and as certain it is that thei be present , as if thou sawest them with thy corporall eyes , for the eyes of faith see more certainly , then the eyes of the fleshe .

¶ Not to walke in the Churche .

ALso it is an vndecent thing and an vnhoneste to walke in the churche , and to counterfeit the Peripatiques , that is to say , Aristotles scholers , the which wer wont to walke whan thei disputed . Certes that pallas , towne house , porches , haules , and market places are conueniente for a man to walke in , and not the churches , the whiche are dedicated for deuine sermons , for the sacramentes , & for praiers and oracions .

Beholde and heare the preacher diligentlye .

THat the eyes beholde the Preacher , and that the eares be attentiue , that the minde and the heart take hede with greate desire and affeccion , and with reuerence not although thou diddest heare a man , but god speking vnto thee by the mouth of a man .

Whan one should stande upright or knele in the communion tyme .

WHan any man doth rede or singe the ghospell , stande vp , & yf thou maist , hearken vnto it deuoutly . Whan thei singe the Simbole , that is to saie , Credo in vnum deum . &c. the Crede , and at these woordes , et homo factus est , he was made man , kneele downe , humbling thy selfe at the least in this point , for the honor of him that being aboue all the heauens , hath abased himself vnto the earth for thy saluacion . Whan all thy body is disposed to deuocion , turne thy face , & thy heart to god .

An vndecent maner of knelyng .

TO touch , the grounde with one knee and to holde the other vpright , vpon the whiche the lefte arme doth reste , is the gesture & countenaunce of an euyl man of warre , the which mocking our Lorde , said : I salute thee king of the Iewes .

Therfore set downe both thy knees , & somewhat abase all the reste of thy body with a certaine veneracion and fashion of honor .

¶ What he should doe in the churche whan there is no communion .

AL the residue of time , either rede somewhat oute of some booke of praiers , or els of holye Scripture , or els that thy spirit be thinking or contemplating vpon some celestiall thing , or vpon god .

¶ Neyther to bable nor to turne thyne eyes hether and thether in the churche .

TO bable or then to deuise wyth him that sitteth by thee , dooeth pertaine to those that beleue not that god is present . To cast & to turne the eyes hether and thether , doth pertayne to those that be out of their wyt . Esteme that thou art gone to the church in vain , if thou returne not from thence better , more pure and cleane .

¶ Of the Table and howe a childe oughte to vse and behaue hymselfe .

FIrst or euer thou sit down at the Table wash thy handes , & pare thy nailes . At the Table thou muste shewe a certaine cherefulnes , to auoid dissolute babling . Sit not doune vntill thou haue washte , and that thy nayles be first pared , lest there remayn any filthines , and lesse thou bee called extreme filthy and proud .

¶ To make water or euer he sytte down .

HE muste before he sitte downe make water , or discharge hys belly if the thing require it . And if peraduenture it chance that thou be to much pressed it shal be wel done first to vnlose thy poyntes , because that thou shouldest dooe it with lesse honestye at the Table .

To bee ioyfull and mery at the table .

AND wiping thy handes , caste by and by awan all molestiousnes and heauinesse that thou hast in thy hearte , for thou muste not bee heauie at the Table , nor make none other man sad nor heauie .

To blesse and saye grace and how .

IF anye manne commaunde thee to saye grace , prepare thy face & thy handes to deuocion , lokynge vpon the most honest man of the assistence , and naming Iesus bowe thy knee , yf this bee geuen and appointed to another , hearken and aunswere with like deuocion .

Humilitie at the Table .

GEne quietly the highest rowme to another , and beeing inuited to ascende more higher , humbly excuse thy selfe : but if any man of aucthoritie doe diuers times and in good earneste commande thee , obey him with shamefastnesse , to the ende that thou seme not to be opinatiue in place to be eiuill and well manerd .

The countenaunce of armes & handes .

BEyng sette holde both thy handes vpon the Table , not ioyned together , nor vpon thy trencher : for there are some that foolish lye dooe holde the one or bothe in their bosom . To leane with one elbow or with both vpon the Table , is graunted to those that throughe age and sickenes are feble : and thou muste dissemble the like , but not folow in this certaine delicate courchers , the whiche do thynke , that all that thei doe becommeth them . In the meane whyle thou muste take hede that thou hurte no manne with thy elbowe , nor that thou pushe nor thrust him that is next thee , and that wyth thy feete thou smite them not , that are on the other side of the table .

¶ The countenaunce beying sette in chayre , or in any other place .

TO moue hymselfe in his chayre , and to sitte nowe vppon the one thigh , and nowe vpon the other , is like vnto a man that stroke for stroke doth lose his belly , or that laboreth to lose it . And therfore the body muste be kept vpright with a iust measure .

¶ Vpon which arme we ought to hold and beare the napkyn , and whan it is conuenient & mete to eate bare headed or couered .

IF thei geue thee a napkine , laye it vppon thi lefte arme . If thou take thy repast with greate and noble men , loke that thy head be well combe , put of thy bonet , except the custome of the countrey be otherwyse , or that the aucthoritie of some doth commaunde thee the contrary , vnto whom it were no honestie to disobey .

¶ Whan a childe shoulde sitte at the table , and whan he shoulde not .

THei haue in some place euen of custome that the children shall eate at the ende of the table bare headed , he must not set hymselfe , but whan he is commaunded , nor he shall not tary there to the latter ende of the repast : but whan he hath eaten sufficiently , taking away his trenchour , and bowinge his knee , he muste doe reuerence principatly vnto hym the is moste honorable among the assistence .

¶ Glasse and knyfe .

THe glasse and the knife beynge cleane must be layde vppon the right side , and the bread on the left . Cut breade with a knife , and eate it with reuerence . Leaue of for the delicatenes of certain courchers the maner and vse to breake the bread with the endes of thy singers , laying thy hande vpon it . As concerning thy selfe , cut it gentlemanly with thy knife , not cutting of the cruste rounde aboute aboue and beneath , for that doth sauer a delicate person . Our elders in al repastes did eate bread with great reuerence as a holy thing : and of that commeth the custome of this time , to kisse the bred , yf perchaunce it bee fallen vppon the grounde .

Whan , howe , what , and howe muche a chyld ought to drink at his repaste .

BI and by to begin the repaste with drink is for drunkardes , the drink not for any thirste , but by a custome : nor it is not onely a dishonestie , but also a great noiaunce of the health of the body . He must not drinke incontinent after he hath supt vp and eaten his porage , & yet lesse , whan he hathe eaten milk . It is neither helthsom nor honest for a child to drink aboue twyse at one repast , or at the most thryse . That he drinke once whan he hathe eaten a while of the second messe , and specially whan he is drie , furthermore about the ende of the repast , he drinking muste drinke genely & swetely , not gluttingly nor blowyng as horses doe . The wine and beere that maketh one dronken as much as wine , as thei doe hurt the health of children , so they dooe defame and dishonor them . Water is conuenient for the age that is hote : but yf the nature of the countrey , or some other reason doth not suffer him to drink it , let him vse small bere , or som wyne that is not burning , & that it be wel tempered with water . Or els here are the retribucion & rewardes that folow those that loue wine . Yelow teeth , & as it were rusly , hanging cheekes , blered eyes , a dulnes of vnderstanding , & to be short , age before age , & before his time . Swalow down thy morsels or euer thou drink nor com not nie the glasse with thy mouth , before thou hast wiped it with thi napkin specially if any man offer thee his glasse or if men drinke in a common cuppe . It is a filthy thyng to looke asyde whan thou art drinking , so it is a dishoneste thing to turne thy head vpon thy backe , after the maner of storkes , for feare that there should remayne any thing in the goblet . Thanke hym swetely that shal praye thee to drynke , and in takyng that glasse , and in tasting it a litle , fain thy selfe to drinke wisely , as thoughe thou were not a thirst , and this shall bee ynough for hym that dissembleth & can plaie the courcher , and he shal promise to make an ende , whan he waxeth greater , yf he that did drinke vnto hym bee so rude , that he constrainde hym thereto .

¶ Modestie at the commyng to the table .

THere be that scantly can tarye till thei be wel set to eate theyr meate , and this pertaineth to wolues , & to them that can scacely tarie till the meate be taken out of the pot . By the meanes wherof thou shalt neuer put thy hand first into the dishe , nor that onely for this cause that it declareth thee to be a glutton & famished , but also because there is oftentymes daunger therein : for he that hath putte whote meate in his mouthe , is constrained to caste it out agayne , or to burne his tonge if he swalowe it downe , so it foloweth that one or other doth mocke hym , with the euyll that he hath suffered .

¶ To moderate his appetite , and to auoide lykeryshnes .

MEn muste tarye a certayn time , to the intent that the child lerne to moderate his appetite . To that which intencion Socrates being now very olde , woulde neuer drinke of the first cuppe . If the chyld be set with his supertours , that he put his hande laste into the dish , nor that he doe it not , ercept he be first commaunded . To temper and to put his fingers in sawees , caudelles , or brotthes , pertayneth to rude and those that be broughte vp in villages : and therefore they muste take the thynge that thei will haue wyth a knife , without chosyng it in the dyshe , as they doe that are likerythe , but he must take that , that by chaunce is before hym . The whiche fashion : nay be learned of Homere , the whiche dooeth often times speake thus . Thei boldely put to their handes vnto the meat that is set before them . Likewise yf that , that is before the child be an exquisite morsell , he must leaue it for another , and take the nexte . So than as this is the dede of a likerish person , to trayne his hande on euerye side of the dishe , so in like maner it is scacely honest to turne the dithe that the beste morselles maye come towardes thee .