☞ The maner of seruing a knight , squier , or gentleman .

FYrst ye must be diligent to know your maisters pleasure , & to know the order & custome of his house . For diuers maisters are of sundrie condicions & apetites . And if thou be admytted in any office , as buttrie or pantrie , in some places thei are both one : take an inuitory of suche thynges as ye take charge of , howe it is spent . For it pleaseth a maister muche to haue a trew rekenyng : then in your office of the pantry , se that your br●ad be chipped and squared ▪ and note how mu●h ye spend in one day . And se your na●ry clean● , and ●ort euery ●hynge by it selfe , the cleane from the foule , ke●● euery house of office cl●ne , and all that 〈…〉 : when your maister will go to his 〈…〉 about your necke , then take a cup 〈…〉 , and a towel , to araye your cupbord 〈…〉 , set on bread , salt , & trenchers , the salt 〈…〉 trenchers before the salt : set your napkins 〈…〉 cupbord readie , and lay euery man a trench●● 〈…〉 , and a spone : and yf ye haue mo meases then 〈…〉 maisters table , considre what degre thei be of , 〈…〉 after ye may serue them : & then set downe euery th●n●● at that mease as before , except your keruing kniues : ●f ●●ere be many gentlemen or yomen , then set on bread 〈◊〉 ●renchers , spones after they be set , or els after the cul●●●●f the house . And some do vse to set before euery man a lofe of bread and his cup , & some vse the contrary thus must yo● haue respect to the order of the house , and in some places it is vsed to set dryncke , and a lofe or two . In some places the ker●er doth vse to shew and set down and goth before the course and beareth no dish , & in some place , he beareth the first dish , and maketh obeysaunce to his maister , & setteth it downe couered before the degre of a knyght , or els not vsed , and take the couers and se● them by . Also the karuer hath aucthoritie to karue to all at hys maysters mease , and also vnto other that syt io●ninge by them if he liste , see ye haue voyders readye for to auo●de the morsels that they doe leaue on theyr trenchers . Then with your trenchour knife take of suche fragmentes , and put it in your voyder , and set them cleane a gaine . Al your soueraignes trench●urs , or breade , voyde theym once or twise , speciallye when they are wet , or geue theim cleane . And as ye se men leaue eatyng of the fy●st and second dishe so auoyd them from the table . And than if that so bee ye haue any more courses than one or two , ye maye make the more hast in voyding , and euer let one dishe or two stande til the next course , and than take vp al , and set downe fresh and cleane voyders withal , and let them not bee to ful or ye emptie them and then set cleane agayn , and loke what sause is ordayned for anye meate , voyde the sause therof when ye take a way the meate . And at the degre of a knyght ye may set down your cup cou●red , & lifte of the couer , and set it on a gayne , and when he lysteth to drinke and taketh of the cou●r , take the couer in thy hand and set it on againe , when he hath dronken loke the cup of wyne or ale be not empt●e , but oft renewed . Also the karuer shall break his dishe before his maister , or at a sidecupbourde , with cleane kniues , & se there lacke not bread nor drinke , & when men haue wel eaten , & do ●egin to waxe wery of eating , or if ye perceyue by the countenaunce of your maister when ye shal take vp the mea● , & voyde the table , begin at the lowest mease , take away your spones , if there be anye how be it ye may auoid them , after brothes & baked meates are past . Then take away your ●o●ders & your dyshes of meate as they were se● downe , so take t●em vp in order . Then se● down ●hese or 〈◊〉 , and that ended void your chese & frui●es and couer your cup , al● or wyne , first vo●de the ale , and then the wine , then set on a brode voyder & put therin the small peces of breade and small cromes , with trenchers & napkyns , & with your trencher knife or napkin make clene the table , then set awaye your bread hole , & also your voyder , then take vp the salte and make ob●●saunce , marke if your maister vse to wash at the ta●le or standyng , if he be at the table , cast a cleane towell on your table cloth , and set downe your basyn & ewer before your soueraigne , & take the ewer in your hande , and geue them water . Then voide your basin & ewer , and folde the borde cloth togyther with your towelll therin , and so take them of the bord . And when your soueraigne shal was she set your towel on the left hand of him , & the water before your soueraigne at dinner or supper , if it be to bedwarde , set vp your basin & your towel on the cupbord agayne . And yf your mayster wyll haue any conceytes after dynner , as apples nuttes , or creame , then lay forth a towel on the bord an● set theron a lofe or two , see ye haue trenchers and sp●nes in a redynes if nede require , then serue forth your mayster wel , and so take it vp agayne with a voyder .

¶ Howe to ordre your maisters chamber , at night to bedwarde .

ARay your cupbord with a cupborde cloth with your basin , ewer , candell light , & towell , yf ye haue helpe , ser one to beare a torche or some other lyghte before , and another folowe to bea●e a towell and bread for your table as thou seest nede . And if you haue banket disshes what soeuer it be , as fruites put in sundrie disshes and all other confections and conceytes of spicerye , also wh●n the di●hes are emp●ie auoide them from the table : if your soueraigne be a knight or squier , set downe your dishes couered and your cup also . And if your soueraigne be not set at the table let your dishes stand couered til he be set , and when he is set , then take the voyders . When your maister entendeth to bedward , se that ye haue fire and candle sufficient , ye must haue cleane water at nyght and in the mornyng , if your maister ly in fresh shetes , dry of the moistenes at the fyre , if he ly in a strange place se his shetes be cleane , then folde down his bed , and warme his night kercher , and se his house of office be cleane , helpe of his clothinge , and drawe the cortins , make sure the fire & candle , auoyd the dogges , shut the dores . And at night or in the morning , your master being alone , if ye haue anything to say , it is good knowyng his pleasure : in the mornynge yf it be colde make a fyre and haue in cleane water , & bringe him his peticoat warme with his doublet and al his aparel cleane brusht , and his showes made clene , and help to aray hym , trusse his poyntes strike vp his hosen , and see al thynge clenly about him , gyue him good attendaunce and especially among straungers , for attendaunce dothe please masters very wel . Thus doynge with dillygence god wil preferre you to honour and good fortune .

☞ Here foloweth the booke of nurture of good maners for man and childe . AL ye that wolde learne , and wolde be called wise Obedience learne in youth , in age it wil avo●d vice I am blind in Poetes art , therof I can no skyl Al eloquence I put a part , folowe mine owne wyl Corrupt in speche my breues and longes to know Borne and bred in Deuonshyre , my termes wil wel show , Take the best , leaue the worst , of truth I meane no yll The matter not curious , but th entent good , marke it well Pardon I aske , if I offend , thus boldly to wryte To maister , seruaunt , yong or olde , I do me submit Reforming both youth and age , if any do amis To you I shew my mynde , amende where nede is Set your yonge people , good maners for to learne . To your elders be gentell , do nor say no harme Yf youth do euyll , theyr parentes are reported sone Thei shuld teach other good , by lyke them selues can none A good father , makes good children , grace being then within For as they be vsed in youth , in age they wyll begin He that lack●th good maners is litle set by , Without vertuous condicions , a man is not worth a flye , Reuerence thy parentes , so dutie doth the bynde Suche chyldren encrease in vertue by kynde , Agaynst thy parentes multiplye no wordes , be ye sure , It wyll be to the a prayse , and to thy fr●ndes pleasure , A plant without moisture , can brynge forth no floure Yf in youth ye want vertue , in age you shal lacke honoure Drede , god , flye synne , earthly thynges are mortall Be not hye mynded , for pryde wyll haue a fall Ryse earely in the mornynge , for it hath properties thre Holynes , health , and wealth , as my father taught me , At syxe a clocke at the fatthest , vse for to ryse Forget not then to blesse the once or twyse , Euery mornynge vse some deuocion , let for no nede , All the day after , the better thou shalt spede , Or thou thy chamber passe , purge thy nose cl●ane . And other filthy thinges , you knowe what I meane Brushe and sponge the clothes , that thou shalt weare Cast vp your bed , lose noue of your g●a●e Make clene your shoes , combe your head , & you enbrace Se thou forget not to washe thy handes and face . Put on thy clothing for thy degree , hones●ly do it make Byd your felow good morowe , or ye your way forth take To your frendes , & to father & mother , looke ye take hede F●r any hast , do them reuerence , the better shalt thou spede Drede the cursing offather & mother , for it is a heuy thing Do thy duty to them , for the contrary is thy dyspraysing When thy parentes come in syght do to them reuerence Aske them blessing if they haue ben long out of thy presence Cleanly apoint your aray , beware than of disdayne Than be gentell of speche , and manerly you retayne As ye passe by towne or strete , sadly go forth your way Gase , ●e scoff● , nor scold , with man , n● child make no fray Faire spech doth great pleasure , semeth of a gentle blood Gentle is to vse faire spech , it requireth nothing but good Wh●n thou comest into the church , thy praiers for to saye Kn●le , sit , stande , or walke , deuoutly loke thou do pray Caste not your eye to and fro , althinges for to se Els shalt thou be iudged plainly , a want●n for to be When thou art in church , do churchly warkes Communication vse thou not to women , priestes ne clarkes When your deuocion is done , a time is towardes dinner Draw home to your maisters presence , there do your dever ●f ye be desyred to serue or syt , or eate meate at the table Enclin to good maners , and to nurture your self in able And your soueraigne cal you , with him to dine or suppe Geue him reuerence to begin , of meate and cuppe And beware for any thyng , prese not thy self to hie To s●t in the place , appointed thee , that is curtesie And when thou art set , and table couered the before ●are not thy nailes , file not your cloth , learne that lore A●d thy mayster speake to thee , take thy cap in thy hande If thou sit at meate when he talketh to the , se thou stand Leane not to the one syde , whan thou speakest for nothing Holde styll hand and foote , and beware of triflinge . Stande sadly in tellinge thy tale , when as thou talkest Trifle with nothyng , & stande vpright when thou speakest Twhart not with thy felow , nor speake with hye voyce , Poynt not thy tale with thy finger , vse no such toyes , Haue audience when thou speakest , speke with auctoritie Els if thou speake wisdome , litle will it auayle thee Pronounce thy speche with a pause , marke well thy word It is good hearyng a child , beware with whom ye bourde Talke not to thy soueraigne no time when he doth drinke When he speketh giue him audience , that is good I thinke Before that you sit , se that your knyfe be bright Your handes cleane , your nayles pared is a good sygh● . When thou shalt speake , rolle not to faste thyne eye , Gase not to and fro as one that were voyde of curtesye , For a mans countenaunce oftimes discloseth his thought His looke with his speche wil iudge him good or nought And se your knife be sharpe to cut your meate withall So the more clenlyer cut your meate you shall Or thou put much breade in thy potage , loke thou it assay Fil not thy spone to ful lest , thou lose somwhat by the way If men eate of your dishe cromme therin no bread Least your handes be ▪ sweatie ther of take ye good hede They may be corrupt that causeth it , is no fayre vsage Of breade slice out fayre morsels to put in your potage Fil it not to ful of bread , for it may be to thee reprouable Lest thou leaue part , then to measure thou art variable . And sup not loude of thy potage , ●o tyme in all thy lyfe Dyp not thy meat in the saltseller , but take it with a knif● When thou hast eaten thy potage do as I shal the wishe Wipe cleane thy spone , and leaue it not in the dishe Laie it downe before thy trencher , therof be not afrayde And take ●ede who taketh it vp , least it be conuayed . Cut not the best morsell forthy selfe , leaue part behynde Be not gredye of meate and drinke , be liberall and kynde Burnishe no bones with thy teeth , for that is vnsemely Rent not thy meate a sondre , for to curte●y it is contrary And a straunger sit nere the , euer amonge now and than Rewarde him with some dainties , lyke a gentelman If your felow fit fro his meate , and can not come therto Then cut him such as thou hast , that is gently do Belke nere no mans face with a corrupt f●mosytie Turne from such occasion , it is a ●●y●kynge ventositie Eate smal morsels of meate , not to great in quantitie Yf ye lyke such meates , yet folow not euer thy fantasie , Corrupt not thy lips with eatyng , as a pigge in a draffe Eate softly a●d drinke manerly beware ye do not quaffe Sc●atch not thy head or fingers when thou art at meate Nor spit ouer the table bourd se thou do not forget Picke not thy teeth with thy knife , nor finger ende But with a sticke or some cleane thing , than do ye not offend If your teeth be putrified , me thinke it is no right To touch meate other shuld eate , is no cleanly syght Picke not thy handes , nor playe not with thy knife Kepe stil fote and hand at meate time begin ye no stryfe Wipe thy mouth when thou shalt drinke ale or wyne On thy napkin only , and se al thynge be cleane Blow not your nose in the napkin , wher ye wipe your hand Clense it in your handkerchife , then passe ye not your hand With your napkin ye may oft wype your mouth cleane Some thing theron wil cleaue that can not be sene Fil not thy trenchour with morsels great and large With much meate f●ll not thy mouth like a barge Temper thy selfe with drinke , so kepe the from blame It hu●teth thy hones●y , and hyndreth thy go●d name A pint at a draught , to powre in fast as one in haste Foure at a mease is thre to many ▪ in such I thinke waste Use thy selfe from exc●sse , both in meate and drinke And euer kepe temperaunce , if that ye wa●e or winke Fil not thy mouth to full least thou must nedes sp●ake Nor blow not ou● thy crommes when thou dost eate Foule not t●e place with spitting where thou doest s●t Lea●t it ab●or●e some to se it when thou hast forget If thou mus● spyt or blow thy nose , kepe it out of syght Let it no● lie in the grounde , but treade it out ryght With bones & voide morsels , ●ill not thy trencher to full Auoide them into a voyd●r , and no man will it anul Rol not thy meat in thy mouth , that euery man may it se But eate thy meate somwhat close , for it is hones●ie If thy soueraign profer the to drinke ones , twise , or thrise Take it gen●ly at his hand , for incourt it is the guise When ●hou ha●t dronke set it down , or take it to his seruant L●t not thy mais●er set it down , then is it well I warrant Blow not in thy ●otage or drink , that is not commendable For and thou ●e not 〈◊〉 of body , thy breath is corupta●le Cast 〈◊〉 b●nes vnder the table , nor none do thou knacke Stretche the not at t●e table , nor leane forth thy backe Afore dinner or after with thy knife scorch not the bourde Suche toyes are not comendable , tr●st me at a worde Leane not on the bourde when your ma●ster is therat For then will your soueraigne thinke in you checkmate Be not a●hamed to eate the meate , whiche is set before the Manerl● for to take it , that agreeth well wi●h curtesye Cast not thy eyes to and fro , as one that was full of toyes Much waggyng with the head , sem●th thou art not wyse Scratche not thy heade , put not thy fynger in thy mouth Blow not thy nose nor loke theron , to some it is loth Be not ●●ude whe●e ye be , nor at the table where ye sit Some men wil ●●me the dronken , or mad , or to lacke wit Wh●n meate is taken away , & the voyders set in presence Put your 〈◊〉 ●n the voyder , and also the residence Take with your 〈…〉 knife for●he cromes before the Put your nap●yn in the voyder , for it is curtesie Be gentell alwaye and good to please , be it night or day With tonge & hand be no regyous , let reason rule alwae When the meate is take vp , & the table cloth made cleane Than take hede of grace , and to washe your self demeane And whyle grace is sayenge , s● you make no noyse Thanke god of your fare , to your souera●gne giue prayse When ye perceyue to ryse , say to your felowes all Mu●h good do it you gently , then gentlemen wyll you cal Then go to your soueraigne , & giue obeysaunce maner●y And withdraw you asyde , as best for your hones●ye And ye se men in great c●unsell prease not to nere They wyl say you are vn●aught , that is sure and ●l●are Speke not muche in thy felowes ere , giue no yll language Men are suspicious , and wi●l thinke it no good vsage Laugh not to muche at the table , nor at it make no game Uoide slaunderous & baudy tales , vse th●m not for shame O● thou be olde beware , so thou ma●st get a sodaine fall And you be honest in youth , in age ye may be liberall .

¶ For the waytyng seruaunt . IF ye wyll be a seruing man , with attendaunce ye begyn First● serue god , them the worlde , euer fle from syn Ap●arell the after thy deg●e , youth ●hulde be clene by kind Pride and dis●a●ne go before , and shame fastnes behynde Aquaint your selfe with honest m●n that are in auctoritie Of them maye ye learne in youth , to auoide ●ll nece●sitie Serche thou must for frendship , and beware flaterie With leude persons I the counsell , haue no familiaritie Beholde not thy selfe , in thy app●r●ll in churche ne strete To ga●e on thy selfe , men wyll thynke it is not mete Cry ne speke w●th loud● voice , where as thou dost walke For of l●ght wit or dronke● name be thou shalt Be not slothfull for it i● the gou●rnour of all vyce Nor be enuyous to the people for than ye be not wyse Pl●se frendes delyte not in slouth that vyce wasteth goods It dulleth wittes , tankleth flesshe , & pa●●eth fresh blodes If ye come to another mans house to sport and play And the good man be at his meate , returne & go your way If fortune the aduaunce and put the in h●e degree Be liberal and gentel if thou wilt be ruled by me To liberall nor skant , measure is best in euery thyng To get in one yere : & spend it in another , is no liuing It is better to saue somwhat , & kepe it with good prouision Then to wishe for that is spent , for it is euill deuision , Measure thy expence , spend gladly , auoyde excesse Ynoughe is a feast , more then ynough is folishn●s A diligent seruaunt taking paine for his maister so , No doubt his maister will it consydre , & again for him do A maister wyl know wher he is , & somtime for his plesure A seruaunt to suffre in angre , to his maisteris a treasure A seruaunt not reformable , nor of reason wyl take no hede He falleth into pouertie , in welth he maye not longe abide Be manly at nede , & begin no quarel in wrong ne right A iust quarell defendeth it self , in wrong do not fyght Forbeare if thou maist , if any will strike th●n take hede Defende thy self , the law wil acquite th●e at thy n●de A man of his handes with has●ynes shuld not bee fi●de Uoide murder saue thy selfe , play the man bei●g compelde Be seruiable cleanly , manly , and swere thou no othe , Be wise , ●ea●ie , and wel aduised , for time trieth trouth Thou dost thy maister no worship , to thy selfe no honeslye Be not chekmate with thy mais●er , for a word giue foure Such a seruaunt continueth not long , if he pas one houre Few wordes in a seruaunt , deseru●th commendacions Suche as be of muche speche , be of euyll operations Be not to bolde with men aboue thee in degree In age , birth , or substaunce , lowlynes wil do the honestye Take pain in youth , ●louth is dulnes be atte●d●nt & wise Be diligent , suffre a tyme , an euil seruaunt is ful of vice Put not thy maister to paine , with thy fayned subteltie Wise m●n wyll say lytle , and suffre , to se thy iniquitie A man that saith litle , shal perceyue by the speche of other Be thou styll , se , the more shalt thou perceyue in another Gouerne thou thy tonge , & let thy wordes maister the If ye folowe wil , ye are like him that wil not thriue perdie Obstinacie is great folie , in them that shuld haue reason That wil not know nor amend , their wyttes be so geson In displeasure forbeare thy felow , la●● all malice a pa●t Nor medle not with suche , as ye thynke to be ouerthwart A hasty or wylful maister , that oft chaungeth seruaunt And a seruaunt fleting , lacketh wit & honesty I the warant Chaunge not oft seruice , for it betokeneth a seruant light He careth for no man , nor none for him in wrong ●e ●ight A t●ndable seruant standeth in fauour for his auauntage Promoted shal he be in office or fe , easilier to liue in age , Use honest pastime , talke or singe or some instrument vse Thoughe they be thy betters , they wi●l the not ●efuse To prate in thy m●ysters presence , it is no humaniti● , For your promocion resorte to such asmay you auauntage Among gentilmen , for rewards , to gentilwomen for mariage Se your eye be indifferent among women that be faire And tell them stories of loue , and so to you they will repai●e Suche pastime somtime doth many a man auaunce In way of mariage and your good name it wil enhaunce Of worldly pleasure ▪ it is a treasure for to saye truth To wed a gentle wife , of his bargaine he neuer rueth What is most trouble to man of all thynges l●uynge A cursed wife sho●tneth his life , & bryngeth on his e●ding Women n●se & not wise ▪ waketh men when they shulde slepe Ly●e as a fether in the wether , of suche I take no kepe Fulgenti●● declare●h de nuptus in Cana galilee The con●icions of men and women , a part I will shew ye He liketh Christ to a good man the authour of all veritie , To rul● him selfe and althinges , to obey to man truely He lykeneth a good woman to the mirour of ●umilitie In them is roted pacyence wher spring●th faith by charitie Faith and truste in good women , ●oth in dede and worde Louyng god , obeying their husbandes , clene at bed & ●ord Likened women to ydols , taken for gods yet they were deuils Iudge ye if women now be cor●upt with any such euils Women to blame or defame , I wyll dispraise none Say as ye lyst , women are yll to trust al thing●s but one Faire & good are two qualities , scarc●ly in one body sene Fairenes is sone sene , her pacience & goodnes is il to d●me For to saue that a man wolde haue is at large without a keper Who can stay that wil away , or without restraint l●t her Towed a woman that is both good , faire and wise , Is to haue ynough for him selfe , & for her asmuch thrise The best liyng with a woman , when she is yong clene & light when thou wilt feble the body & head , and was● the sight Who is ill to please , whose heart & eye is insaciable ? An old man , and a yong woman to satisfie is vncurable when womens wits are moued , of reason the● take no hede To please them again must be for loue , m●de , or drede , Pride , couetous , and lechery , if thou wilt from them flee From treasure , apparel , & faire women , with●raw thy eye Be not to bold in word and dede , for it is but litle honesty In chambre with women , vse not to muche famil●aritie Te●l them n●ught that will not bel●ue the a●●hy worde It appeareth by them their good wil they ma● litle aforde Of women ye haue hard part , wherby ye p●rceyue my mind Few wordes to wise is best , thus I m●ke an ende I holde the wyse and well taught , and lykely to be ioly That can beware to se the care of anoth●r mans foly Make the mirrour of an honest 〈◊〉 , & marke how he doth Do thou l●ke to them , then dost thou wisely fo●soth It is better to be poore and honest , to liue in rest & myrth , Then be to richewith sorow● , and come noble of birthe If thou wilt haue health of bodie , euill diet eschewe To get a good name , euyll companie thou must not shewe Euyl ayres corrupt mans body , euyll company doth the same Uoide euyll companie , therof commeth honestye & good fame Al birdes do lyue by kynde , that are lyke in fether Good and bad , wild & tame , al kindes do draw together , Great diuersitie is betwene pride & honesty , it is sone sene Among wise , it is sone iudged , & knowen what they bene By the●r condicion or facion , al thing sheweth as it is Iagged or ragged , proude or meke , wis● men cal it excesse Many haue connynge and vertue , without gouernaunce Wo worth reason yll vsed , for it lacketh remembraunce Better is to speake lytle for profyte , then much for payne It is plesure to spende & speake , but hard to call it agayne Use not hasty ang●e , a wise man wil take leasure Custome of sodayne malyce , will one turne to displeasure Firste thynke , then speake , & then do it with discr●tion Geue with good wil , and auoide thy enemy with prouision Euil men take payne to bye hell , & all for wordely pleasure Derer then good men bye heauen : in god is their treasure Lerne or ye be lende , folowe the proued mans aduyce thou shalt perceyue more by this glose , than by the letter is Be content with faire rebuke , & haue thy faute in mynde The wiselier thou dost , the better thou shalt fynde If thou be wise , consydre thy frend both in word & dede And thanke him that geueth thee cloth , drinke , and brede Turne not thy race , lyke a churle , as voyde of all mekenes To them that do th● good , geue thankes , & shewe gentilnes Many couet mu●h , a●d lytell paynes therfore wyll take If thou wylt a maister please , from slouth thou must awake One thynge take hede , thy time spend not in vayne Tyme mispent , or 〈…〉 n●t be called agayne Seke in youth , & thou shalt finde , to be one not vntaught Wise or folishe to rule , or be ruled , or to be set at naught , Take paine in youth if thou wilt be called wise , Or thou must take it in age , and be full of vice K●pe measure in wealth , a tyme is to the lent Better is to saue , then to suffre when all is spent , To remembre bef●re what wi●l fal , it shal thy hart ease Fortune doth ebbe & ●low , good fo● wit doth men please Liue iustly , do wel , & haue wel , let men say what they list Be sec●ete to thy self euer b●ware of had I will , Better is a bi●d in hande , then inwode two or three Leaue not certaine for vn●ertaine I aduise thee Take hede b●tyme , for tyme hath no measure Prayse goodnes , blame euill , loue is a treasure , Better is trueth with pouertie , then riches with shame Couetise auoideth gentlenes , l●chery good name . Suffraunce aswageth yre , amendeth that is amis In lytle medlynge is rest , in a busye tonge none there is Be not hastye in a matter , but marke well the ende Be not foe to thy selfe ▪ though another the offende Presume thou not to hie , lest it runne the to blame I● truste is treason , be ruled by reason , flee shame N● maistry it is to get a frende , but for to k●pe him long As to thy selfe , so do to thy frende amonge Where thou art put in trust , be true in word and dede In a lytle fal●hode is shame , in trueth muche mede Brable not with thy neyghbour , let him liue in reste For suche oftentimes , biddeth them an euyl feast , Among fool●s there is muche stryfe , disdayn , and debate Wit● wise men euer rest , and peace after a good rate , T●e●e is neuer quiet , where angry folke dwell , Ten is ●yne to many , theyr malyce is so cruell , She● gentle●●s to thy seruaunt , willing to amende ●●sdome wylleth to forbeare , thoughe he offende In m●lyce he not vengeable as S. Mathewe doth speke Due correction is nedeful , blessed are the m●ke , Chyde seldome , therin gentylnes is none : Proue and then chuse of two harmes make one . To forbeare where thou mayst ou●r is gent●ye do Malyce toward thy frende maketh hym thy fo. A good man doth good it is very playne Yf his dedes be co●trary al he doth is vayne . Correcte not othe● an● do thy s●lfe the sa●e For it ge●tet● th●e an eu●l n●me . Finde not fault in men of good p●rseueraunce , Correct thy s●lfe of thy w●lful ignoraunce . Control not your felow fautes as ye wer● cleare To pleasure oth●r whyle th●y ●yl be nea●e , Do for other in p●osp●r●tie And thou shalt be done for in aduersitye . yf thou becom● of a g●nt●● or noble plant Thy condicion wyl ●hew I thee warrant Subdue the yl that wil not good or●er abyde Beware of common grudges at euery tyde : Conceyue not in thy mynde that thou canst do al Left wh●n thou thinkest thy s●lfe thou fal . A hygh m●n●ed man thynketh no bodye lyke him At hys h●ghe●t yet is he not worth a pyn . Under thy gouernaunce do no man blame Use gentle speche so get thee a good name ▪ An honest man wyl rebuke hys fault himselfe alone . And perceyue hy●●elf he hath yl done . Moue no man that is angry , and ful often A sparke kyndleth f●re yf it be forsed to bren , To thy fel●w haue neuer disdayne yf vnkyn●nes happen yet be fren●es agayne , To forb●are in anger is a frendly leche your rage past you wyl repent your yl speche . A wonderful thy●g and easye to be done . He that may be f●ee , and will not , take of him no charge Disprayse not in absence , be not vengeable For smale faultes , smale correction is commendable Refrayne wrath and correct at leasure , Utter malyce somtyme doth great dysplesure . Honest men haue honest wordes earely and late With theyr betters , and playe not check mate At thy frendes house by nyght or day , When rekening is past , then go thy way . When thou borowest , kepe thy day , though it the payne Thus mayest thou the sooner borow agayne Kepe promise and day then take no thought . Or els it may be full derely bought Some euer borowe , but neuer bringe agayne , Euer nedie s●yll puttynge theyr frendes to payne . Alway begyng & euer borowing can not longe endure , Such do fayle when thei thinke them selfes most sure It is g●eate heuines to man that hath nothinge to lose More paine to them that hath plentie , saieth the glose , If thou spende aboue thy degree thou shalt slake Ta●e hede betime , & thou maist slepe when other wake Ab●u● thy degree cou●t not to maintaine , Sp●n●e not thy goodes prodigaly in vayne . Looke or thou leape , the more ease to take If thou leape or thou loke , wisedom is to late . Good counsaile in thy workes doth greatly please , Comfortable to thy frendes , to thy selfe ease . Be not moued if thy frende till the plaine Malyce of mynde is quited agayne . A mans wi●dom is proued when he is yll sayde vnto , Su●feringe is vertue , fooles can not do so When occasion is , seke profit , for it lasteth not euer , It comm●t● , and ●oeth as pleaseth the geuer , If thou wylte speake with thy mayster , gently go and s●e ▪ I● is agaynst maner , he shoulde come to thee , Some are euer borowynge , refusyng no person or tyme , Caryng● for them selues and not for thyne . Use ge●●le con●icions gyue the poore of ●hy good Parte t●erof towarde theyr lyuynge and food S●ea●e t●uth gently is very good ●a●ned speache commeth vylaynes blood Mo ke no man what soeuer he be For it is b●t small curtesye . To dysprayse thyne enemye is blame Saye w●ll th●rfore for shame A styll man is a castell , a man from wo A bu●y t●nge oft of his frende maketh his fo . A gentleman vnstable is foly Shamefull lyfe in any man is vngodly A gentl●man shoulde be merc●full b● his natiuitie Liberall and cu●teyfe and full ●f humanitie . Poore men faythfull and obedyent in theyr ●yuynge Uoydeth rebell●on and bloud sh●dynge Kepe grace and gouernau●ce in thy mynde Wan● on in youth , vyce in age by kynde Boast not of thy ryches for s●ueraygntie Thy dedes wyll put the in aucthoryt●e . To a straunger , shewe not thy mynde Some c●n no c●unsayle in byn●e To vnkno●en me● , gyue no ●re●ence Some wyll customablye lye but t●uth wyll out To vtter g●yefe doth ease , as I ha●de saye And counsa●le do neuer bewraye If o●●er record thy saying it may seme true Utteraunce of counsayle , maketh some to r●e Kepe close ●●cret●s without good pro●acion , For people vi f●ll 〈◊〉 deception , Take h●de howe you br●ake your for flatterye . To leaue pleasure ▪ kepe sylence , and folow reason , For ●etter is to ●ule then be ruled , Disdayne not least your name be defyled . Loue v●rtue ●ate v●ce , tyme ●o not thou wast S●end in measu●e suche as thou hast Bable not much yf thou wylt be called wyse , To speake ●uch is tak●n for vyce . A fool● wyl teach b●t wyl not be taught Contrary him an● setteth thee at naught , Al men are knowen by the workes they go a bout A hon●st mans wordes be not to doubt . Samp●ons strength and not reason wyth al Ho deth not a man from a fal . M●n● haue skyl and lacke that should go there to S●m● are in authorytie and lytle good do . 〈…〉 cie no one man hath , though he be of hye syence One ●ath lea●ny●g another experyence . Co●●ing w●t●●r●de , an o●●icer cruel i● an he uy case The poore man proude , the ryche a thefe lacke grace . A tyme for al thyng to be mery or glad Conning without grace is 〈◊〉 Put not yong men in authorytie that are proud & lyght , A mantrid in youth , his exp●ry●n●e is of might . Many take to muche pryde in con●yng , Than is he not worth a puddyng : A fool●s d●spl●asure to wyse men is profitable Hys good wyll vnstedfast , hys desyre vn●ac●able . Replye not a gaynst a ●roud mans tale much , for h● thynketh hym selfe none such . B●tter it is to beate a proud man then to rebuke hym ▪ Th●y thynk their conceyt wise yet it is very thyn S●tedfastnes wyl enhaunce thy name Slow in good dedes is great shame If thou pla● and sporte with one simple of byrth ●se gentle pastime , men wil commende your myrth ●eware of subtyl craft therin be not infect ●f euyl be done wher● thou art , men wyl the suspect ●oast not of baudines , to haue it know●n ●o wel , for an euil name is soone blowen ● man cleanely ar●ayed ought cleanewordes to preach ●se wordes lyke apparell , be like in speache ●e not bolde in your array , nor yet of your goodes , ●ore worth is honestie , then gaye hoodes . ●o geue reuerence to thy elders be thou fayne ●r they may haue of the great disdane . ●eport no slaunder , ne she●e any flatery , ●t sheweth preuie malyce , and is voyde of curtesye ●edle lytle , and thou ●halt find it ease , ●n leaste medlynge thou shalt most please . ●duise what you speake , where , howe , and whan ●o be beloued is the propertie of a wyse man ●hinke or ye speake , take good h●de atlest ●y thy speache men wyll perceyue thee best ●reise not thy selfe , to haue so●eraigntie ●ood dedes shall put them authoritie , ●t thyne owne conceit laughe not nor make game ●uoide slaunder and baudy tales for shame . ●aughe not to muche , ynoughe is a tr●asure ●uche laughinge men say lack●th n●rture ●o sad is not be●t , the meane is aduauntage ●●rth for policie somtime , is w●sedom & no outrage ●r ye begyn marke the ende , and take good hede ● good forethought is a frende at nede ●e not hasty thyne aunswere to make ●east thou repent after , when it is to late . ●et or thou spende , then byd thy frynde good morow ●a●e payne , ●nd auoyde sorowe . ●byrde in hande , is worth ten at large , In all my lyfe I coulde scant fynde one trustre Fynde a frende , th●n proue hym , that thou wylt truste to , So shalt thou knowe , what he wyll do . If thou haue a frende , chaunge not for a newe The● that trust bu● them selues , for frends nede not shew Here thy enemyes tale to th● ende Refuse not the rebuke o● thy frende . If thy frende come to thy house for loue or amitie Put awaye sadnes ▪ and shewe familiaritie , Gyftes receyued , ponder thy degree A poore mans harty rewarde is worth other three Of whom thou receyuest , gyue somwhat agayne , Emptye fystes , can ●ot haukes reclayme . If a straunger syt thee nere , make hym good chere That he may reporte thy name farre and nere Retayne a straunger after his degree Another tyme : he maye do as moche for thee Of secret matte●s speake not , yf thou be sage , Talke discretly and not outrage . Hon●st men be content with suche as they fynde And take all thynges with a good mynde Commaunde not in another mans house nor contende So shall other the commende . A man ●hat is nothyng l●berall Comm●th not of gentl●n●s at all Syt no● in the hiest place , where the good man is present G●ue hym place , marke his maners with aduisement Regarde honesty where euer thou art bent Or els some men wyll not be content In sporte and playe with man and chylde Be thou euer meke and mylde . Suspecte no counsayle , yf it be not to the moued For frowarde thoughtes are ofte deceyued ▪ If thou come to a mans house , knock● or tho● go 〈◊〉 , Presume not to farre , thoughe he be of thy kyn If ye be sent on message , know it sure throughout Then mayst thou speake boldly without any doubte Delyte to reade good bokes , ma●ke them well Therof commeth knowledge , wi●dom , and counsell . Here of this matter I make an ende , He that seketh wisdom , is his owne frende ¶ He that spendeth muche , and getteth nought He that oweth muche and hath nought He that looketh in his purse , and fyndeth noug●te . ●aye be sorye and saye nought . ¶ He that maye and wyll not He then that wolde shall not ☞ He that woulde and cannot Maye repent and sy●●e no● . ¶ He that sweareth til no man trust him He that lieth tyll no man beleue him , He that b●roweth tyll no man wyll lende hym Let hym go where no man knoweth hym . ¶ He that hath a good mayster and can not kepe hym He that hath a good seruant and not content with hym He that hath suche conditions that no man loueth him May wel know , but few m●n wyll knowe him .