Part 94 (1/2)

[[Footnote 1a: ? sense, reading corrupt.]]

[Transcriber's Note:

The following two versions of _Stans Puer ad Mensam_ were printed on facing even/odd pages. They are here presented twice: first as consecutive independent texts, and then in alternating stanzas. In the first version, text notes are grouped after each seven-line stanza.

In the original book, the editor's sidenotes were printed only on the right-hand pages; they have been duplicated here.]

Stans Puer ad Mensam.

ASCRIBED TO JOHN LIDGATE.[[1a]]

[MS. Harl. 2251, ? about 1460 A.D., fol. 153 or 148. The parts between brackets [ ], and various readings, are from Mr Halliwell's print in _Reliquiae Antiquae_, v. 1, p. 156-8, of a 15th-century MS.

Q. G. 8, fol. 77, r^o, in the Library of Jesus College, Cambridge.]

[[Footnote 1a: Lowndes calls the original of _Stans Puer ad Mensam_ the _Carmen Juvenile_ of Sulpitius.]]

-- [My dere childe, first thiself enable With all thin herte to vertuous disciplyne Afor thi soverayne standing at the table, Dispose thi youth aftir my doctryne 4 To all norture thi corage to enclyne.

First when thu spekist be not rekles, Kepe feete and fingeris and handes still in pese.]

[Sidenote: When you stand before your sovereign, speak not recklessly, and keep your hands still.]

++Be symple of chiere, cast nat thyn ye aside, 8 Agenst the post lete nat thy bak abyde; Gaase nat aboute, to{ur}nyng ou{er}all{e}; Make nat thy myrro{ur} also of the wall{e}, Pyke nat thy nose, and in especiall{e} 12 Be right wele ware, and sette hieron thi thought, By-fore thy sou{er}ayne cracche ne rubbe nought.

[Sidenote: Don't stare about, lean against a post, look at the wall, pick your nose, or scratch yourself.]

-- Who spekith{e} to the in any man{er} place, Rudely[1] cast nat thyn ye[2] adowne, 16 But with a sadde chiere loke hym in the face; Walke demurely by strete in the towne, Advertise the with{e} wisdom and Reasoun{e}.

With{e} dissolute laughters do thow non offence 20 To-fore thy sou{er}ayn, whiles he is in presence.

[Sidenote: When spoken to, don't lumpishly look at the ground.

Walk demurely in the streets, and don't laugh before your lord.]

[1: _Rel. Ant._, Lumbisshly]

[2: hede]

-- Pare clene thy nailes, thyn handes wa.s.sh{e} also To-fore mete, and whan thow dooest arise; Sitte in that place thow art a.s.signed to; 24 Prease nat to hye in no man{er} wise; And til thow se afore the thy service, Be nat to hasty on brede for to byte, Of gredynesse lest men wolde the endwyte.[3] 28

[Sidenote: Clean your nails and wash your hands. Sit where you're told to, and don't be too hasty to begin eating.]

[3: a-wite.]

-- Grennyng and mowes at the table eschowe; Cry nat to lowde; kepe honestly silence; To enboce thy Iowis with{e} mete[4] is nat diewe; With{e} ful mowth{e} speke nat, lest thow do offence; 32 Drynk nat bretheles[5] for hast ne necligence; Kepe clene thy lippes from fat of flessh{e} or fissh{e}; Wype clene[6] thi spone, leve it nat in thy dissh{e}.

[Sidenote: Don't grin, shout, or stuff your jaws with food, or drink too quickly. Keep your lips clean, and wipe your spoon.]

[4: brede it]

[5: bridlid]