The fairest fairing for a schoole-bred sonne whereby praise, ease, and profit may be wonne : that is to say, The schoole- masters precepts, or, Lillies lesson to his schollers, teaching them good manners / translated by Iohn Penkethman louer of learning, and by him dedicated to all the laureat Lillies of these times.

The fairest Fairing for a Schoole-bred Sonne ; Whereby Praise , Ease , and Profit may be wonne . That is to say , The Schoole-Masters precepts , or Lillies Lesson to his Schollers . teaching them good Manners . Translated by Iohn Penkethman Louer of Learning ; and by him Dedicated to all the laureat LILLIES of these times .

This Table may be cut a crosse betweene the two middle lines , and inserted in the Grammar .

MY little Scholler , to thy Booke inclinde , Come neere , and print my Sayings in thy minde ; Leaue thy Bed early , let not Sleepe inuade thee ; Haste thee to Church and worship him that made thee : Yet first thy Hands and Visage wash thou faire , Let all thy Clothes be neat , and combe thy Haire ; And when my Schoole shall bid thee come away , Be there without excuse of loytring Stay : When there thou seest thy Master , him salute , And to thy Mates in order be not mute : Sit where I set thee , and in any case , Vnlesse I countermand it , keepe thy place ; And as more Learning euerie one doth get , So in a higher place he shall be set : And for thy Studies haue thou ready still , MY little Scholler , to thy Booke inclinde , Come neere , and print my Sayings in thy minde ; Leaue thy Bed early , let not Sleepe inuade thee ; Haste thee to Church and worship him that made thee : Yet first thy Hands and Visage wash thou faire , Let all thy Clothes be neat , and combe thy Haire ; And when my Schoole shall bid thee come away , Be there without excuse of loytring Stay : When there thou seest thy Master , him salute , And to thy Mates in order be not mute : Sit where I set thee , and in any case , Vnlesse I countermand it , keepe thy place ; And as more Learning euerie one doth get , So in a higher place he shall be set : And for thy Studies haue thou ready still , If ought to thee I dictate or allot , Write thou it rightly , without fault or spot ; But such thy writings doe thou not commit To papers loose , for which a Booke is fit . Record thy Lessons more than once or twice , And if thou doubt'st , of Others aske aduise : Who doubts and often askes , my charge retaineth , But he that nothing doubts , no profit gaineth . Learne , Boy , nor let Forgetfulnesse abuse thee , Lest that a guiltie minde of Sloth accuse thee . And marke me well , for what auaile my paines , Vnlesse thou fix my Sayings in thy Braines : " The hardest things through diligence are knowne ; Be painefull , and the Glorie is thine owne . " For as the Earth yeilds neither seeds nor flowers , " Unlesse man●r'd in 〈…〉 " So he that doth not exercize his wit " Doth lose , with precious time , the hope of it . Let Order likewise in thy speech commend thee , Lest by vnciuill Babbling thou offend me ; Speake lowe , when thou thy Lesson dost apply , But to Mee saying , let thy voice be high . To Mee , when thou repeat'st , ad vnguem , looke Thou hast all readie , laying by thy booke . And let None prompt thee , when thou art repeating , For that much hurts thee , and descrues a Beating . If ought I question , answer so the same , As thou thereby mayst merit praise and fame . No praise thou get'st in speech to runne or creepe , " The Meane's a Vertue profiting to keepe ; And euer when thou speak'st vse Latine phrase , Yet shun thou barbarous words as rockie wayes ; Instructions askt vnto thy fellowes grant ; And helpe ( to my desire ) the Ignorant : " Those that want Learning , he that seekes to teach , " Himselfe ( though most vnlearn'd ) may all outreach . But let no paultrie Masters giue thee aime , To Romane Eloquence no little shame ; 'Mongst whom there 's none so foolish , or so rude , But him an Author the like Sort conclude . The Grammar Lawes if thou wouldst rightly knowe , And learne to make thy Speech more sweetly flowe , Read workes most famous by old Authors wrought , And which the chiefest Latinists haue taught ; Now Virgil , sometimes Terence doth inuite thee , And otherwhiles would Cicero delight thee ; All which who learnes not , onely dreames doth see , And in Cimmerian shades would euer bee . Some Boyes , ( their mindes denying Vertue roome ) The time doe loue in Trifles to consume : Others , their Fellowes trouble , making sport With hands or feet , or in some other sort . And Those there are that boasting of their stocks , Disparage Others with vnsauourie mocks : Such euill patterns doe not thou regard , Lest that thy deeds at length haue iust reward : Nor buy , nor sell , nor changing giue or take ; By others Losse doe thou no profit make : Let money goe , which many hath defilde . " Nothing , but what is chaste becomes a childe ; Doe not lye , steale , scoffe , brabble , fight , or iarre , Ill noyse and scornefull laughter banish farre . To no dishonest words enure thy breath , " Mans Tongue the Portall is of life and death . Hold it a heynous crime , most worthy blame , To raile , or sweare by Gods most holy Name . Keepe safe thy Bookes , ( not leauing one at Schoole ) With all things else , which is a speciall Rule . Yea flie what ere may cause thee to offend Me , or the meanest One : and so I end .

The Translators Conclusion to the Schollers . THese Precepts who performe , their Master please ; And reape thereby both profit , praise and ease : But Those that breake the least , his Anger gaine , Working their owne losse with reproach and paine .

To the Parents . Et isti haec rejicere malè nolunt Qui filijs & Qui mihi benè volunt .

That is ,

And Those will not vnkindely These reiect , That honest Precepts and their Sonnes affect .

FINIS .