_Hill's Text._]

P) This curteys clerke wryteth i_n_ _th_is wyse,
Rebukyng the vyce of vyle detracc_i_on:
what may yt be _tha_t of custu_m_ & gvyse 164
hurteth w_i_t_h_ tonge or by fowle colusyon
The absente / weyne[1] ye for _tha_t abusyon
[Sidenote 1: or weyne]
Suche a detractowr_e_ from the table
As vnworthy & also reprocheable. 168

P) Whan ye sytte _ther_for at yo_u_r repast,
Annoye ye no ma_n_ present nor absente,
but speke ye fewe; for yff ye make wast
of large langage, for soth ye must be shent. 172
& wha_n_ ye speke // speke w_i_t_h_ good Intent
Off maters accordyng vnto plesavnce,
but no thy_n_ge _tha_t may cavse me_n_ grevaunce.

P) Eschewe also tacches of fowle ravayne,
of gredy luste; w_i_t_h_ vncurteys appetyte 177
prece not to sone; fro yo_u_r vyande restrayn_e_
yo_u_r hand a while w_i_t_h_ manerly respyte;
ffede you for necessyte, & not for delyte. 180
Demene you w_i_t_h_ mete & dry_n_ke so soberly
That ye not be Infecte wyth glotony.

CAXTON'S TEXT.

[24]

This curtoys clerk / writeth in this wise
Rebukyng_e_ the vice / of vyle detracc_i_on
[Sidenote: rebukes the vice of detraction,]
What man it be / that of custom & guyse 164
Hurteth with tunge / or by foule colusi[=o]n
Thabsente / weyue ye for that abusio[=n]
Suche a detractour / from the table
[Sidenote: and bids you turn all backbiters from the table]
As vnworthy / and also reprochable 168

[25]

[Sidenote: Leaf 5 a.]

Whan ye sitte therfore at your repaste
Annoye ye noman presente nor absente
But speke ye fewe / for yf ye make waste 171
[Sidenote: Speak little.]
Of large langage / for sothe ye must be shent
And whan ye speke / speke ye with good e_n_te_n_t
[Sidenote: and that pleasantly.]
Of maters acordyng_e_ vnto plesance
But nothi_n_g / that may cause men greua[=n]ce 175

[26]

Eschewe also tacches of foule Raueyne
[Sidenote: Don't be ravenous,]
Of gredy luste / with vncurteys appetyte[1]
Prece not to sone / fro your viand restreyne 178
Your honde a while / with manerly respite
[Sidenote: but keep your hands from your food for a time.]
Fede you for necessite / & not for delite
Demene you with mete / & drynke so sobrely
That ye n