❧ The Book of Nurtur for men servants, and children, with Staus puer ad mensam, newly corrected, very utile and necessary unto all youth. THERE is few things to be v●derstande more necessary, then to teach and govern children in learning and good man●r. For it is a high service to god, it increaseth favour, it multiplieth goods, and increaseth thy good name, it increaseth prai●r, and by prayer grace, and to use children in virtue and good learning. The cause of the world being so evil in living, as it is, is for lack of virtue in youth. Which youth showeth the disposicid of their parents or masters, under whom they have been governed. For youth is disposed to take such as they are accustomed in, good or evil. For if the conversation of the governor be evil: needs must the child be evil. A●d thus by the child ye ●hall perceive the disposition of the governor. For of evil examples many dangers and abominable sins followeth. For the which both the disciple and the master shall suffer, and doth daily. It is also necessary for a governor to use them in fair speech, and set to well their words with good advisement without stamering. And if ye put them to school away from you, see ye put them to a discrete master that can punish sharply with patience and no● with rigour, for it doth oft times make them to rebel and run away. Whereof chanceth oft times much harm. Also their parents must oft times instruct them of god, & of his laws, and virtuous instructions of his word▪ and other good examples, and such like. And thus by little and little they shall come to the knowledge of reason, faith, and good christian living. For as S Paul saith unto Timothy. He that doth not regard the cure & charge of them that are under the charge of ●is governance, he denieth the faith, and is worse th●n a Pagan. And take good heed of any new servants that you take into your house, & how ye put them in authority among your children: and take heed how they spend that is given th●m. Also appose your servants of their belief, and also if they bring any thing home that is miss taken, or tell tales or news of detraction, ye shall then reprove them sharply, if they will not learn, avoid them out of your house: for it is great quietness to have people of good fanion in a house. Apparel not your children or servants that are of lawful discretion in sumtuous apparel: for it increaseth pride and obstinacy, and many other evils oft times. Nor let your children go whether they will but know where they go, in what company, and what they have done, good or evil. Take heed they speak no words of villainy, for it causeth much corruption to engender in them, nor show them much carnal love: & s● that they use honest sports & games▪ Mark well what vice they are specially inclined unto (break it be times) and oft times use them to hear the word of god preached, and then inquire of them what they hard preached, & use them not to read feigned fables, or vain fantasies, of foolish love it is time lost. For if thou learn pure and clean doctrine in youth, thou shalt power out plenty of good and pure waters in thine age: & if any strife or debate be among them at night, charitably call them together, and with words or stripes make them all to agree in one. Take heed if thy servant or child murmur or grudge against thee, break it be time. And when thou hearest them swear or curse, lie or fight: thou shalt reprove them sharply. And ye that are friends or kin, shall labour how to mak● them to love and dread you, as well for love as for fear. ☞ The manner of serving a knight, squire, or gentleman. first ye must be diligent to know your masters pleasure, & to know the order & custom of his house. For divers masters are of sundry conditions & appetites. And if thou be admitted in any office, as buttery or pantry, in some places they are both one: take an invitory of such things as ye take charge of, how it is spent. For it pleaseth a master much to have a true reckoning: then in your office of the pantry, see that your br●ad be chipped and squared▪ and note how mu●h ye spend in one day. And see your na●ry clean, and ●ort every ●hynge by itself, the clean from the foul, ke●● every house of office cl●ne, and all that 〈…〉: when your master will go to his 〈…〉 about your neck, then take a cup 〈…〉, and a towel, to array your cupboard 〈…〉, set on bread, salt, & trenchers, the salt 〈…〉 trenchers before the salt: set your napkins 〈…〉 cupboard ready, and lay every man a trench●● 〈…〉, and a spoon: and if ye have more meases than 〈…〉 masters table, considre what degree they be of, 〈…〉 after ye may serve them: & then set down every th●n●● at that mess as before, except your carving knives: ●f ●●ere be many gentlemen or yeomen, then set on bread 〈◊〉 ●renchers, spoons after they be set, or else after the cul●●●●f the house. And some do use to set before every man a loaf of bread and his cup, & some use the contrary thus must yo● have respect to the order of the house, and in some places it is used to set drink, and a loaf or two. In some places the ker●er doth use to show and set down and goth before the course and beareth no dish, & in some place, he beareth the first dish, and maketh obeisance to his master, & setteth it down covered before the degree of a knight, or else not used, and take the covers and se● them by. Also the carver hath authority to carve to all at his masters mess, and also unto other that sit io●ninge by them if he list, see ye have voiders ready for to avoid the morsels that they do leave on their trenchers. Then with your trencher knife take of such fragments, and put it in your voider, and set them clean a gain. Al your sovereigns' trench●urs, or bread, void them once or twice, specially when they are wet, or give them clean. And as ye see men leave eating of the fy●st and second dish so avoid them from the table. And than if that so be ye have any more courses than one or two, ye may make the more haste in voiding, and ever let one dish or two stand till the next course, and than take up all, and set down fresh and clean voiders withal, and let them not be to full or ye empty them and then set clean again, and look what sauce is ordained for any meat, void the sauce thereof when ye take a way the meat. And at the degree of a knight ye may set down your cup cou●red, & lift of the cover, and set it on a gain, and when he lysteth to drink and taketh of the cover, take the cover in thy hand and set it on again, when he hath drunken look the cup of wine or ale be not empty, but oft renewed. Also the carver shall break his dish before his master, or at a sidecupbourde, with clean knives, & see there lack not bread nor drink, & when men have well eaten, & do begin to wax weary of eating, or if ye perceive by the countenance of your master when ye shall take up the mea●, & void the table, begin at the lowest mess, take away your spoons, if there be any how be it ye may avoid them, after broths & baked meats are past. Then take away your ●o●ders & your dishes of meat as they were se● down, so take t●em up in order. Then se● down ●hese or 〈◊〉, and that ended void your cheese & fruits and cover your cup, al● or wine, first volde the ale, and then the wine, then set on a broad voider & put therein the small pieces of bread and small crumbs, with trenchers & napkins, & with your trencher knife or napkin make clean the table, than set away your bread hole, & also your voider, then take up the salt and make ob●●saunce, mark if your master use to wash at the ta●le or standing, if he be at the table, cast a clean towel on your table cloth, and set down your basin & ewer before your sovereign, & take the ewer in your hand, and give them water. Then void your basin & ewer, and fold the board cloth together with your towelll therein, and so take them of the board. And when your sovereign shall was she set your towel on the left hand of him, & the water before your sovereign at dinner or supper, if it be to bedward, set up your basin & your towel on the cupboard again. And if your master will have any conceits after dinner, as apples nuts, or cream, then lay forth a towel on the board an● set thereon a loaf or two, see ye have trenchers and spoons in a readiness if need require, then serve forth your master well, and so take it up again with a voider. ¶ How to order your masters chamber, at night to bedward. Array your cupboard with a cupboard cloth with your basin, ewer, candle light, & towel, if ye have help, ser one to bear a torch or some other light before, and another follow to bea●e a towel and bread for your table as thou seest need. And if you have banquet dishes what soever it be, as fruits put in sundry dishes and all other confections and conceits of spicery, also wh●n the dishes are empty avoid them from the table: if your sovereign be a knight or squire, set down your dishes covered and your cup also. And if your sovereign be not set at the table let your dishes stand covered till he be set, and when he is set, then take the voiders. When your master intendeth to bedward, see that ye have fire and candle sufficient, ye must have clean water at night and in the morning, if your master lie in fresh sheets, dry of the moistness at the fire, if he lie in a strange place see his sheets be clean, then fold down his bed, and warm his night kercher, and see his house of office be clean, help of his clothing, and draw the cortins, make sure the fire & candle, avoid the dogs, shut the doors. And at night or in the morning, your master being alone, if ye have anything to say, it is good knowing his pleasure: in the morning if it be cold make a fire and have in clean water, & bring him his petticoat warm with his doublet and all his apparel clean brushed, and his shows made clean, and help to array him, truss his points strike up his hosen, and see all thing cleanly about him, give him good attendance and especially among strangers, for attendance doth please masters very well. Thus doing with diligence god will prefer you to honour and good fortune. ☞ Here followeth the book of nurture of good manners for man and child. ALL ye that would learn, and would be called wise Obedience learn in youth, in age it will avo●d vice I am blind in poets art, thereof I can no skill All eloquence I put a part, follow mine own will Corrupt in speech my breves and longs to know Borne and bred in devonshire, my terms will well show, Take the best, leave the worst, of truth I mean no ill The matter not curious, but th'intent good, mark it well Pardon I ask, if I offend, thus boldly to write To master, servant, young or old, I do me submit Reforming both youth and age, if any do amiss To you I show my mind, amend where need is Set your young people, good manners for to learn. To your elders be gentle, do nor say no harm If youth do evil, their parents are reported soon They should teach other good, by like themselves can none A good father, makes good children, grace being then within For as they be used in youth, in age they will begin He that lack●th good manners is little set by, Without virtuous conditions, a man is not worth a fly, Reverence thy parents, so duty doth the bind Such children increase in virtue by kind, Against thy parents multiply no words, be ye sure, It will be to the a praise, and to thy fr●ndes pleasure, A plant without moisture, can bring forth no flower If in youth ye want virtue, in age you shall lack honour dread, god, fly sin, earthly things are mortal Be not high minded, for pride will have a fall Rise early in the morning, for it hath properties three Holiness, health, and wealth, as my father taught me, At six a clock at the fatthest, use for to rise Forget not then to bless the once or twice, Every morning use some devotion, let for no need, All the day after, the better thou shalt speed, Or thou thy chamber pass, purge thy nose clean. And other filthy things, you know what I mean Brushe and sponge the clothes, that thou shalt wear Cast up your bed, lose nove of your g●a●e Make clean your shoes, comb your head, & you embrace See thou forget not to wash thy hands and face. Put on thy clothing for thy degree, honestly do it make Bid your fellow good morrow, or ye your way forth take To your friends, & to father & mother, look ye take heed F●r any haste, do them reverence, the better shalt thou speed dread the cursing offather & mother, for it is a heavy thing Do thy duty to them, for the contrary is thy dispraising When thy parents come in sight do to them reverence Ask them blessing if they have been long out of thy presence Cleanly appoint your array, beware than of disdain Than be gentle of speech, and mannerly you retain As ye pass by town or street, sadly go forth your way Gaze, ●e scoffs, nor scold, with man, n● child make no fray Fair speech doth great pleasure, seemeth of a gentle blood Gentle is to use fair speech, it requireth nothing but good Wh●n thou comest into the church, thy prayers for to say Kn●le, sit, stand, or walk, devoutly look thou do pray Cast not your eye to and fro, allthings for to see Else shalt thou be judged plainly, a wanton for to be When thou art in church, do churchly work Communication use thou not to women, priests ne clerks When your devotion is done, a time is towards dinner Draw home to your masters presence, there do your devoir ●f ye be desired to serve or sit, or eat meat at the table Enclin to good manners, and to nurture yourself in able And your sovereign call you, with him to dine or sup give him reverence to begin, of meat and cup And beware for any thing, press not thyself to high To s●t in the place, appointed thee, that is courtesy And when thou art set, and table covered the before ●are not thy nails, file not your cloth, learn that lore A●d thy master speak to thee, take thy cap in thy hand If thou sit at meat when he talketh to thee, see thou stand Lean not to the one side, when thou speakest for nothing Hold still hand and foot, and beware of trifling. Stand sadly in telling thy tale, when as thou talkest Trifle with nothing, & stand upright when thou speakest Twhart not with thy fellow, nor speak with high voice, Point not thy tale with thy finger, use no such toys, Have audience when thou speakest, speak with authority Else if thou speak wisdom, little will it avail thee Pronounce thy speech with a pause, mark well thy word It is good hearing a child, beware with whom ye board Talk not to thy sovereign no time when he doth drink When he speaketh give him audience, that is good I think Before that you sit, se that your knife be bright Your hands clean, your nails pared is a good sight. When thou shalt speak, roll not to fast thine eye, Gaze not to and fro as one that were void of courtesy, For a man's countenance oftimes discloseth his thought His look with his speech will judge him good or nought And see your knife be sharp to cut your meat withal So the more cleanlier cut your meat you shall Or thou put much bread in thy pottage, look thou it assay Fill not thy spoon to full jest, thou lose somewhat by the way If men eat of your dish cromme therein no bread Lest your hands be▪ sweaty theridamas of take ye good heed They may be corrupt that causeth it, is no fair usage Of bread slice out fair morsels to put in your pottage Fill it not to full of bread, for it may be to thee reprovable Lest thou leave part, then to measure thou art variable. And sup not loud of thy pottage, ●o time in all thy life Dip not thy meat in the saltseller, but take it with a knife When thou hast eaten thy pottage do as I shall the wish Wipe clean thy spoon, and leave it not in the dish Lay it down before thy trencher, thereof be not afraid And take ●ede who taketh it up, lest it be conveyed. Cut not the best morsel forty self, leave part behind Be not greedy of meat and drink, be liberal and kind burnish no bones with thy teeth, for that is unseemly Rent not thy meat a sondre, for to courtesy it is contrary And a stranger sit near thee, ever among now and than Reward him with some dainties, like a gentleman If your fellow fit fro his meat, and can not come thereto Then cut him such as thou hast, that is gently do Belke near no man's face with a corrupt f●mosytie Turn from such occasion, it is a thinking ventosity Eat small morsels of meat, not to great in quantity If ye like such meats, yet follow not ever thy fantasy, Corrupt not thy lips with eating, as a pig in a draff Eat softly a●d drink mannerly beware ye do not quaff Scratch not thy head or fingers when thou art at meat Nor spit over the table board see thou do not forget Pick not thy teeth with thy knife, nor finger end But with a stick or some clean thing, than do ye not offend If your teeth be putrefied, me think it is no right To touch meat other should eat, is no cleanly sight Pick not thy hands, nor play not with thy knife Keep still foot and hand at meat time begin ye no strife Wipe thy mouth when thou shalt drink ale or wine On thy napkin only, and see all thing be clean Blow not your nose in the napkin, where ye wipe your hand Cleanse it in your handkerchief, then pass ye not your hand With your napkin ye may oft wipe your mouth clean Some thing thereon will cleave that can not be seen Fill not thy trencher with morsels great and large With much meat f●ll not thy mouth like a barge Temper thyself with drink, so keep the from blame It hunteth thy honesty, and hindereth thy go●d name A pint at a draft, to power in fast as one in haste Four at a mess is three to many▪ in such I think waste Use thyself from excess, both in meat and drink And ever keep temperance, if that ye wa●e or wink Fill not thy mouth to full lest thou must needs sp●ake Nor blow not ou● thy crumbs when thou dost eat Fowl not t●e place with spitting where thou dost s●t Lea●t it ab●or●e some to see it when thou hast forget If thou mus● spit or blow thy nose, keep it out of sight Let it no● lie in the ground, but tread it out right With bones & void morsels, ●ill not thy trencher to full Avoid them into a voider, and no man will it anul Rol not thy meat in thy mouth, that every man may it see But eat thy meat somewhat close, for it is honesty If thy sovereign proffer the to drink ones, twice, or thrice Take it gently at his hand, for incourt it is the guise When ●hou ha●t drunk set it down, or take it to his servant L●t not thy master 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 under the table, nor none do thou knack Stretch the not at t●e table, nor lean forth thy back Afore dinner or after with thy knife scorch not the board Such toys are not commendable, tr●st me at a word Lean not on the board when your master is thereat For then will your sovereign think in you checkmate Be not ashamed to eat the meat, which is set before the Mannerly for to take it, that agreeth well wi●h courtesy Cast not thy eyes to and fro, as one that was full of toys Much wagging with the head, seemeth thou art not wise Scratch not thy head, put not thy finger in thy mouth Blow not thy nose nor look thereon, to some it is loath Be not ●●ude whe●e ye be, nor at the table where ye sit Some men will ●●me the drunken, or mad, or to lack wit Wh●n meat is taken away, & the voiders set in presence Put your 〈◊〉 ●n the voider, and also the residence Take with your 〈…〉 knife for●he crumbs before the Put your nap●yn in the voider, for it is courtesy Be gentle alway and good to please, be it night or day With tongue & hand be no regyous, let reason rule alwae When the meat is take up, & the table cloth made clean Than take heed of grace, and to wash yourself demean And while grace is saying, s● you make no noise Thank god of your fare, to your sovereign give praise When ye perceive to rise, say to your fellows all Mu●h good do it you gently, than gentlemen will you call Then go to your sovereign, & give obeisance mannerly And withdraw you aside, as best for your honesty And ye see men in great counsel press not to near They will say you are vn●aught, that is sure and ●l●are Speke not much in thy fellows ere, give no ill language Men are suspicious, and will think it no good usage Laugh not to much at the table, nor at it make no game Uoide slanderous & bawdy tales, use th●m not for shame O● thou be old beware, so thou mayst get a sudden fall And you be honest in youth, in age ye may be liberal. ¶ For the waiting servant. IF ye will be a serving man, with attendance ye begin First● serve god, them the world, ever i'll from sin Apparel the after thy degree, youth should be clean by kind Pride and dis●a●ne go before, and shame fastness behind Acquaint yourself with honest m●n that are in authority Of them may ye learn in youth, to avoid ●ll necessity search thou must for friendship, and beware flattery With lewd persons I the counsel, have no familiarity Behold not thyself, in thy apperil in church ne street To ga●e on thyself, men will think it is not meet Cry ne speak w●th loud● voice, where as thou dost walk For of l●ght wit or drunken name be thou shalt Be not slothful for it i● the governor of all vice Nor be envious to the people for than ye be not wise Please friends delight not in sloth that vice wasteth goods It dulleth wits, tankleth flesh, & pasteth fresh bloods If ye come to another man's house to sport and play And the good man be at his meat, return & go your way If fortune the advance and put the in h●e degree Be liberal and gentle if thou wilt be ruled by me To liberal nor scant, measure is best in every thing To get in one year: & spend it in another, is no living It is better to save somewhat, & keep it with good provision Then to wish for that is spent, for it is evil division, Measure thy expense, spend gladly, avoid excess Enough is a feast, more than enough is foolishness A diligent servant taking pain for his master so, No doubt his master will it consider, & again for him do A master will know where he is, & sometime for his pleasure A servant to suffer in anger, to his masters a treasure A servant not reformable, nor of reason will take no heed He falleth into poverty, in wealth he may not long abide Be manly at need, & begin no quarrel in wrong ne right A just quarrel defendeth itself, in wrong do not fight Forbear if thou mayst, if any will strike th●n take heed Defend thyself, the law will acquit th●e at thy n●de A man of his hands with has●ynes should not be fi●de Uoide murder save thyself, play the man being compelled Be serviable cleanly, manly, and swear thou no oath, Be wise, ●ea●ie, and well advised, for time trieth troth Thou dost thy master no worship, to thyself no honeslye Be not chekmate with thy master, for a word give four Such a servant continueth not long, if he pass one hour Few words in a servant, deserveth commendations Such as be of much speech, be of evil operations Be not to bold with men above thee in degree In age, birth, or substance, lowliness will do the honesty Take pain in youth, ●louth is dullness be attendant & wise Be diligent, suffer a time, an evil servant is full of vice Put not thy master to pain, with thy feigned subtlety Wise m●n will say little, and suffer, to see thy iniquity A man that saith little, shall perceive by the speech of other Be thou still, se, the more shalt thou perceive in another Govern thou thy tongue, & let thy words master the If ye follow will, ye are like him that will not thrive perdie Obstinacy is great folly, in them that should have reason That will not know nor amend, their wits be so geason In displeasure forbear thy fellow, la●● all malice a pa●t Nor meddle not with such, as ye think to be overthwart A hasty or wilful master, that oft changeth servant And a servant fleeting, lacketh wit & honesty I the warrant Change not oft service, for it betokeneth a servant light He careth for no man, nor none for him in wrong ●e ●ight A tendable servant standeth in favour for his advantage Promoted shall he be in office or fe, easilier to live in age, Use honest pastime, talk or sing or some instrument use Though they be thy betters, they will the not ●efuse To prate in thy masters' presence, it is no humanity, For your promotion resort to such asmay you advantage Among gentlemen, for rewards, to gentilwomen for marriage See your eye be indifferent among women that be fair And tell them stories of love, and so to you they will repai●e Such pastime sometime doth many a man advance In way of marriage and your good name it will enhance Of worldly pleasure▪ it is a treasure for to say truth To wed a gentle wife, of his bargain he never ruth What is most trouble to man of all things l●uynge A cursed wife shorteneth his life, & bringeth on his e●ding Women n●se & not wise▪ waketh men when they should sleep Ly●e as a feather in the wether, of such I take no keep Fulgenti●● declareth de nuptus in Cana galilee The conditions of men and women, a part I will show ye He liketh Christ to a good man the author of all verity, To rul● himself and allthings, to obey to man truly He likeneth a good woman to the mirror of humility In them is rooted patience where spring●th faith by charity Faith and trust in good women, ●oth in deed and word Loving god, obeying their husbands, clean at bed & ●ord Likened women to idols, taken for gods yet they were devils judge ye if women now be corrupt with any such evils Women to blame or defame, I will dispraise none Say as ye list, women are ill to trust all things but one Fair & good are two qualities, scarcely in one body seen Fairness is soon seen, her patience & goodness is ill to d●me For to save that a man would have is at large without a keeper Who can stay that will away, or without restraint l●t her Towed a woman that is both good, fair and wise, Is to have enough for himself, & for her as much thrice The best lying with a woman, when she is young clean & light when thou wilt feeble the body & head, and was● the sight Who is ill to please, whose heart & eye is insatiable? An old man, and a young woman to satisfy is uncurable when women's wits are moved, of reason the● take no heed To please them again must be for love, m●de, or dread, Pride, covetous, and lechery, if thou wilt from them flee From treasure, apparel, & fair women, withdraw thy eye Be not to bold in word and deed, for it is but little honesty In chamber with women, use not to much familiarity Te●l them n●ught that will not believe the a●●hy word It appeareth by them their good will they ma● little afford Of women ye have hard part, whereby ye p●rceyue my mind Few words to wise is best, thus I m●ke an end I hold the wise and well taught, and likely to be jolly That can beware to see the care of another man's folly Make the mirror of an honest 〈◊〉, & mark how he doth Do thou l●ke to them, than dost thou wisely forsooth It is better to be poor and honest, to live in rest & mirth, Then be to richewith sorow●, and come noble of birth If thou wilt have health of body, evil diet eschew To get a good name, evil company thou must not show Evil airs corrupt man's body, evil company doth the same Uoide evil company, thereof cometh honesty & good fame All birds do live by kind, that are like in feather Good and bad, wild & tame, all kinds do draw together, Great diversity is between pride & honesty, it is soon seen Among wise, it is soon judged, & known what they been By the●r condition or fashion, all thing showeth as it is jagged or ragged, proud or meek, wis● men call it excess Many have cunning and virtue, without governance Woe worth reason ill used, for it lacketh remembrance Better is to speak little for profit, then much for pain It is pleasure to spend & speak, but hard to call it again Use not hasty ang●e, a wise man will take leisure Custom of sudden malice, will one turn to displeasure first think, then speak, & then do it with discretion give with good will, and avoid thy enemy with provision Evil men take pain to buy hell, & all for wordly pleasure dearer then good men buy heaven: in god is their treasure Learn or ye be lend, follow the proved man's advice thou shalt perceive more by this gloze, than by the letter is Be content with fair rebuke, & have thy fault in mind The wiselier thou dost, the better thou shalt find If thou be wise, consider thy friend both in word & deed And thank him that giveth thee cloth, drink, and breed Turn not thy race, like a churl, as void of all meekness To them that do th● good, give thanks, & show gentleness Many covet mu●h, a●d little pains therefore will take If thou wilt a master please, from sloth thou must awake One thing take heed, thy time spend not in vain Time misspent, or 〈…〉 n●t be called again Seek in youth, & thou shalt find, to be one not untaught Wise or foolish to rule, or be ruled, or to be set at nought, Take pain 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 time is to the lent Better is to save, then to suffer when all is spent, To remember before what will fall, it shall thy heart ease Fortune doth ebb & ●low, good fo● wit doth men please Live justly, do well, & have well, let men say what they list Be secret to thyself ever beware of had I will, Better is a bi●d in hand, than inwode two or three Leave not certain for uncertain I advise thee Take heed b●tyme, for time hath no measure Praise goodness, blame evil, love is a treasure, Better is truth with poverty, than riches with shame Covetise avoideth gentleness, lechery good name. suffrance assuageth ire, amendeth that is amiss In little meddling is rest, in a busy tongue none there is Be not hasty in a matter, but mark well the end Be not foe to thyself▪ though another the offend Presume thou not to high, lest it run the to blame I● trust is treason, be ruled by reason, flee shame N● mastery it is to get a friend, but for to k●pe him long As to thyself, so do to thy friend among Where thou art put in trust, be true in word and deed In a little falsehood is shame, in truth much meed brabble not with thy neighbour, let him live in rest For such oftentimes, biddeth them an evil feast, Among fools there is much strife, disdain, and debate Wit● wise men ever rest, and peace after a good rate, T●e●e is never quiet, where angry folk dwell, Ten is ●yne to many, their malice is so cruel, She● gentleness to thy servant, willing to amend visdome willeth to forbear, though he offend In malice he not vengeable as S. matthew doth speak Due correction is needful, blessed are the m●ke, Chide seldom, therein gentleness is none: Prove and then choose of two harms make one. To forbear where thou mayst ou●r is gentry do Malice toward thy friend maketh him thy fo. A good man doth good it is very plain If his deeds be contrary all he doth is vain. correct not other an● do thy s●lfe the sa●e For it gentett th●e an eull n●me. Find not fault in men of good p●rseueraunce, Correct thy s●lfe of thy w●lful ignorance. Control not your fellow faults as ye wer● clear To pleasure other while th●y ●yl be nea●e, Do for other in prosperity And thou shalt be done for in adversity. if thou become of a g●nt●● or noble plant Thy condition will ●hew I thee warrant Subdue the ill that will not good order abide Beware of common grudges at every tide: conceive not in thy mind that thou canst do all Left wh●n thou thinkest thy s●lfe thou fall. A high m●n●ed man thinketh no body like him At his h●ghe●t yet is he not worth a pin. Under thy governance do no man blame Use gentle speech so get thee a good name▪ An honest man will rebuke his fault himself alone. And perceive himself he hath ill done. Move no man that is angry, and full often A spark kindleth f●re if it be forced to bren, To thy fellow have never disdain if vnkyn●nes happen yet be friends again, To forbear in anger is a friendly leech your rage past you will repent your ill speech. A wonderful thing and easy to be done. He that may be f●ee, and will not, take of him no charge Dispraise not in absence, be not vengeable For small faults, small correction is commendable Refrain wrath and correct at leisure, Utter malice sometime doth great displeasure. Honest men have honest words early and late With their betters, and play not check mate At thy friends house by night or day, When reckoning is past, then go thy way. When thou borowest, keep thy day, though it the pain Thus mayest thou the sooner borrow again Keep promise and day then take no thought. Or else it may be full dearly bought Some ever borrow, but never bring again, Ever needy s●yll putting their friends to pain. Always beging & ever borrowing can not long endure, Such do fail when they think themselves most sure It is great heaviness to man that hath nothing to lose More pain to them that hath plenty, saith the gloze, If thou spend above thy degree thou shalt slake Ta●e heed betime, & thou mayst sleep when other wake Ab●u● thy degree cou●t not to maintain, Sp●n●e not thy goods prodigaly in vain. Look or thou leap, the more ease to take If thou leap or thou look, wisdom is to late. Good counsel in thy works doth greatly please, Comfortable to thy friends, to thyself ease. Be not moved if thy friend till the plain Malice of mind is quited again. A man's wi●dom is proved when he is ill said unto, Suffering is virtue, fools can not do so When occasion is, seek profit, for it lasteth not ever, It comm●t●, and ●oeth as pleaseth the giver, If thou wilt speak with thy master, gently go and s●e▪ I● is against manner, he should come to thee, Some are ever borrowing, refusing no person or time, Caryng● for themselves and not for thine. Use ge●●le conditions give the poor of ●hy good part thereof toward their living and food S●ea●e truth gently is very good ●a●ned speech cometh vylaynes' blood More ke no man what soever he be For it is b●t small courtesy. To dispraise thine enemy is blame say w●ll therefore for shame A still man is a castle, a man from woe A bu●y t●nge oft of his friend maketh his foe. A gentleman unstable is folly Shameful life in any man is ungodly A gentleman should be merc●full b● his nativity Liberal and cu●teyfe and full ●f humanity. Poor men faithful and obedient in their ryving Uoydeth rebellion and blood sh●dynge Keep grace and gouernau●ce in thy mind Wan● on in youth, vice in age by kind Boast not of thy riches for s●ueraygntie Thy deeds will put the in aucthoryt●e. To a stranger, show not thy mind Some c●n no counsel in byn●e To vnkno●en me●, give no ●re●ence Some will customably lie but truth will out To utter g●yefe doth ease, as I hard say And counsa●le do never bewray If o●●er record thy saying it may seem true Utteraunce of counsel, maketh some to r●e Keep close ●●cret●s without good pro●acion, For people vi f●ll 〈◊〉 deception, Take h●de how you br●ake your for flattery. To leave pleasure▪ keep silence, and follow reason, For ●etter is to ●ule then be ruled, Disdain not lest your name be defiled. love virtue ●ate unce, time ●o not thou wast S●end in measure such as thou hast Babble not much if thou wilt be called wise, To speak ●uch is tak●n for vice. A fool's will teach b●t will not be taught Contrary him an● setteth thee at nought, All men are known by the works they go a bout A honest man's words be not to doubt. Samp●ons strength and not reason with all Ho death not a man from a fall. M●n● have skill and lack that should go there to S●m● are in authority and little good do. 〈…〉 cie no one man hath, though he be of high science One ●ath learning another experience. Co●●ing w●t●●r●de, an officer cruel i● an he vy case The poor man proud, the rich a thief lack grace. A time for all thing to be merry or glad Cunning without grace is 〈◊〉 Put not young men in authority that are proud & light, A mantrid in youth, his experience is of might. Many take to much pride in con●yng, Than is he not worth a Pudding: A fool's displeasure to wise men is profitable His good will unsteadfast, his desire vn●ac●able. Reply not a 'gainst a ●roud man's tale much, for h● thinketh himself none such. Better it is to beat a proud man then to rebuke him▪ Th●y think their conceit wise yet it is very thine S●tedfastnes will enhance thy name Slow in good deeds is great shame If thou pla● and sport with one simple of birth ●se gentle pastime, men will commend your mirth beware of subtle craft therein be not infect ●f evil be done wher● thou art, men will the suspect ●oast not of baudines, to have it know●n ●o well, for an evil name is soon blown ● man cleanly arrayed ought cleanewordes to preach ●se words like apparel, be like in speech ●e not bold in your array, nor yet of your goods, ●ore worth is honesty, then gay hoods. ●o give reverence to thy elders be thou fain ●r they may have of the great disdain. ●eport no slander, ne she●e any flattery, ●t showeth privy malice, and is void of courtesy ●edle little, and thou ●halt find it ease, ●n least meddling thou shalt most please. advise what you speak, where, how, and when ●o be beloved is the property of a wise man ●hinke or ye speak, take good h●de atlest ●y thy speech men will perceive thee best ●reise not thyself, to have so●eraigntie ●ood deeds shall put them authority, ●t thine own conceit laugh not nor make game avoid slander and bawdy tales for shame. saughe not to much, enough is a treasure ●uche laughing men say lack●th nurture ●o sad is not be●t, the mean is advantage ●●rth for policy sometime, is wisdom & no outrage ●r ye begin mark the end, and take good heed ● good forethought is a friend at need ●e not hasty thine answer to make ●east thou repent after, when it is to late. ●et or thou spend, than bid thy friend good morrow ●a●e pain, ●nd avoid sorrow. ●byrde in hand, is worth ten at large, In all my life I could scant find one trustre find a friend, th●n prove him, that thou wilt trust to, So shalt thou know, what he will do. If thou have a friend, change not for a new The● that trust bu● themselves, for friends need not show Here thy enemies tale to th● end Refuse not the rebuke o● thy friend. If thy friend come to thy house for love or amity Put away sadness▪ and show familiarity, Gifts received, ponder thy degree A poor man's hearty reward is worth other three Of whom thou receivest, give somewhat again, empty fists, can ●ot hawks reclaim. If a stranger sit thee near, make him good cheer That he may report thy name far and near Retain a stranger after his degree Another time: he may do as much for thee Of secret matte●s speak not, if thou be sage, Talk discreetly and not outrage. honest men be content with such as they find And take all things with a good mind Command not in another man's house nor contend So shall other the commend. A man ●hat is nothing l●berall cometh not of gentleness at all Sit no● in the highest place, where the good man is present G●ue him place, mark his manners with advisement Regard honesty where ever thou art bend Or else some men will not be content In sport and play with man and child Be thou ever meek and mild. Suspect no counsel, if it be not to the moved For froward thoughts are oft deceived▪ If thou come to a man's house, knock● or tho● go 〈◊〉, Presume not to far, though he be of thy kin If ye be sent on message, know it sure throughout Then mayst thou speak boldly without any doubt delight to read good books, ma●ke them well Thereof cometh knowledge, wi●dom, and counsel. Here of this matter I make an end, He that seeketh wisdom, is his own friend ¶ He that spendeth much, and getteth nought He that oweth much and hath nought He that looketh in his purse, and findeth noug●te. ●aye be sorry and say nought. ¶ He that may and will not He than that would shall not ☞ He that would and cannot may repent and sy●●e no●. ¶ He that sweareth till no man trust him He that lieth till no man believe him, He that b●roweth till no man will lend him Let him go where no man knoweth him. ¶ He that hath a good master and can not keep him He that hath a good servant and not content with him He that hath such conditions that no man loveth him May well know, but few m●n will know him. ¶ Thus endeth the book of Nurture, or governance of 〈◊〉, with ●●tans puer ad mensam. Compiled by Hugh Ro●es of the kings Chapel. ❧ Imprinted by me Thomas Colwell: Dwelling in the Hou●● 〈◊〉 Robert wire, beside Charing Crosse.