a Promise of tapsts  
a Soolding of kepsts  
a Fight of beggars  
a Disworshop of stottes  
a Rascal of boys  
a Rafull of knaves  
a thrave of thrashers  
a Lash of carters  
a Try 〈…〉 of 〈…〉 waners  
a Blecche of souters  
a Smere of coryers  
a pity of prisoners  
a glorifying of liars  
a Lying of ꝑdoners  
a hastiness of cooks   
 
¶ Here endeth a little treatise called the book of courtesy or little john. imprinted at westmoster.   


readeth his works full of pleasance  
Clere in sentence in language excellent  
briefly to write such was his suffisance  
What ever to say he took in his intent  
His language was so fair and pertynente  
It seemeth unto man's hearing  
Not only the word but verily the thing   

readeth my child readeth his books all  
Refuseth none they been expedyente  
Sentence or language or both find ye shall  
Full delectable for that good father meant  
Of all his purpose and his hole intent  
How to please in every audience  
And in our tongue was well of eloquence   

Behold Ocklyf in his translation  
In goodly language & sentence passing wise  
How he giveth his prince such exhortation  
As to the highest he could best devise  
Of truth. peace. mercy. and justice  
And virtues leeting for no sloth  
To do his devoir & quite him of his t 〈…〉