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{"content": "When I reflect on how some people err grievously in the way of virtuous governance, I have supposed in my heart that I ought to advise and counsel them prudently to be virtuous in living and bring themselves into honor. Therefore, my dear child, I shall now tell you the manner and guise. Listen well. Your soul inward shall be acquainted with its good and virtues in every way. Rejoice and receive, for he is to be despised who does not know what it means. Such reading is nothing but wind wasted. Pray to God and praise him with all your heart. Father and mother, always hold in reverence. Love them well and may you never be parted from them. To hear men is counsel, but keep their teachings until you are called upon to be clean without offense. Greet gladly him who is more worthy than yourself and resign your place. Fear your master and keep his commands as your life. Be not jealous and keep your promises as your life.\nBe temperate with wine and be not excessive. Your wife's words take no authority. In folly, sleep no more than necessary. In good books, thou shalt read. And that thou readest in thy mind, thou shalt keep. Steer no man to wrath. Lie not I the rede. Do well to God and he will repay thee. Be not wicked nor to the wicked knight. Judge the right and be advised by the wise. Play with the dice as thou eschew. Dispise no man, keep ever thy best. Scorn never wretch as thou shalt never reproach. Covet no man is good, speak few at feasts. Look thy vengeance be always with the least. He who has done the good, have in remembrance. Love every man and this shall advance. Behold my master this little treatise. Which is full of wit and sapience. Enforce this matter to accomplish. Think it is translated at your reverence. Enroll it therefore in your advice. And desire to know what Catherine meant. When thou it read, let not thine heart be thence. But doth as this says with all thy whole heart. Here ends the little Catherine's booklet.\nFor those who believe that God is inwardly the source of human wit,\ntherefore, you shall unite your heart to your sovereign lord and king,\nplacing him above all other things. Give him praise, honor, and reverence,\nfor he has bestowed upon us excellence. Wake up, my child, and shun sloth,\navoid excessive sleep, for long sleep and idleness lead men to vice.\nIt dulls the mind, makes them unfit, fosters fleshly filth,\npales and wastes fresh blood. Trust well in the first of all virtues:\nbe still and keep your tongue in check, for untamed speech can bring great harm.\nWhoever can avoid the entanglement of words and rest with reason,\nthis is truly the gospel. To God above, man is next in rank.\nAdvise the well-being of others and never betray your own sentence,\nlest shame ensue. Do not speak one thing and then the contrary.\nSuch contradiction will hobble your worship.\nWhere steadfastness will bring you good fame,\nHe shall never agree with man while living,\nWho with himself will always repugn and strive.\nIf you observe and consider the lives and manners,\nBoth of yourself and others, outside,\nIn the midst of this, you will find one\nWho in some part is not virtuous enough.\nBlame no one therefore if you do what is right,\nSince on earth no one lives without flaws.\nIf you suppose that which should not trouble or grieve you,\nThough they be dear and very valuable,\nDo not let such things obstruct your profit,\nIf you wish to be stirred as the wise,\nAvoid them entirely in all ways,\nFor it is wiser in steadfastness\nTo prefer profit than such riches.\nIt is a good lesson for the unwise.\nA man should be tempered with constancy,\nAnd glad and merry afterwards,\nNot always sad or light of countenance,\nA man may advance his cheer often,\nFor at each time as the thing requires,\nSo the wise man behaves and cherishes.\nGive no credence always to your wife,\nDue to her anger and lack of patience.\nWith a sharper tongue than sword or knife,\nThou findest in thy servant one who learns well this sentence:\nThe wife will hate and cause to suffer\nHe who loves her deeply in his heart.\nAnd if thou warn a man of his forfeit,\nAlthough he grumbles with frowning confrontation,\nAnd in his language menaces thee and threatens,\nYet forbear not for all such displeasure\nTo teach him to amend his governance.\nAs thou begin, it is a mistake,\nAnd this is a friendly task I know.\nAgainst wordy folk ever full of wind,\nDo not strive at all; it may not profit.\nSuch rash folk are in conceits blind,\nThe witless word avails not a whit.\nIn many words is oft wisdom little,\nFor to every man is given speech,\nAnd yet the wise are often in search,\nLove other men and have them in good cheer,\nThat to thyself thy love most extend,\nLook no person be dearer than thy state,\nFor then thou shalt offend and hurt thyself and others,\nBut ever cherish other and love them so.\nThat to thyself be thou found no fool,\nNews that please as the wind eschew,\nThy child with all thy diligence avoid,\nBe never busy seeking new news,\nSuch novelty often causes offense,\nIt is no wit, it is no wisdom,\nIt harms not a man to be at peace,\nBut it does harm to put his tongue in press,\nMake no promise in another's stead,\nRemember well that a promise is uncertain,\nBut if thou keep thine own, thou shalt be rewarded,\nTo serve thy master do thy best,\nTrust not the word of every creature,\nSome men's faith is easy to break,\nFor many folks think not as they speak,\nWith fair words when favor deceives thee,\nBe not blind for his false flattery,\nLet thy own reason be thy judge always,\nAnd if thy estate be high,\nThough favor with his craft will smile on thee,\nIn all thy life thou never give credence,\nMore to thyself than to thy conscience,\nWhen thou seest another man is deserted,\nAs for his good deeds commendable,\nIn every place let such a man with thy good word be enabled.\nAnd though he have been availble\nYet of thy good deed make thou no boonance\nAnd then shall other men thine name enhance\nAnd if you leave long an old man shall you be\nAge will approach despite who says nay\nThen perceive behold about and see\nHow aged folk are treated with all day\nAnd so pour out for thyself a say\nInto stooping age when thou art crept\nThing mayest thou help it in thy youth was kept\nCharge not though thou see men speak soft\nNor change no mien for oft it is full bet\nIn secret wise to speak than cry on loftiness\nA man should see always where he were set\nAnd after that so should he speak or let\nBut to the suspicion of harm it seems\nMen speak of him he none other remembers\nWhen fortune has given the felicity\nAnd set thee on high then beware of a fall\nThen sueth often such sharp adversity\nFalse fortune turns as does a ball\nIn her trust have thou no certainty at all\nHer perilous play turns sometimes to grace\nFor the end is woe that began that game\nOur brief life is here so full of doubt\nThat in very certainty no one may suddenly have their souls snatched out,\nAll around this world in every land,\nYoung and old are bound to death, therefore set not your trust\nIn the death of him who may survive, perhaps,\nA little gift given with good intent\nFrom your friend who lives in poverty,\nReceive it with right good cheer and seize it,\nSupposing that he has as good will as many men who are richer,\nDo not value the gift nor weigh the price,\nThe intent is good and that shall suffice,\nSince nature, which is your first teacher,\nHas brought us all naked and bare,\nThough riches cannot help you,\nBut you are always held in poverty's snare,\nYet no force makes nor should you care too much,\nTake patiently poverty for the best,\nRiches are not of nature but of the earth increased,\nThough death be the end of every creature,\nAnd no one on earth shall escape from him,\nYet do not fear death with excessive care,\nTo live on earth is but a jest,\nIf you shall always after death so gape.\nThink well to die but modify your thought, or else to live avails not the right night. For your desert, if no friend thanks thee, I mean when you have done your force and pain, To other people, friendly for to be, If they cannot show gratitude for the same, Withdraw your hand and so restrain, Blame not your god for their unfriendliness, But for such men do afterward the less. Since no rich man who lives anywhere, If he consumes all his goods and wastes, But that poverty shall grieve sore and dearly, Therefore, my child, such goods as you have, Let not them soon out of your hand perish, Lest than your good hereafter fail, Hold that you have it. It may the efte (efter) avail. Be not hasty nor of words warm, If a good man you wish to appear and seem, And if you find the son of doubleness, The false one.\nWith painted words and heart full of falseness,\nThou canst in no way make him more blue\nThan to serve him with his own treachery,\nWith words fair and friendly to depart,\nMethinks thou art beguiled by art,\nProve never a man by over painted speech,\nFor under fair words is often deceit,\nThe word is gay, but friendship is to seek,\nAs it is said, such craft is on this Isle,\nYet some think ill when they file their threads,\nThe whistling fool makes merry song,\nAnd so the bird beguiles him among,\nWhen you have gotten children,\nLook in her youth then and inform them so,\nIn some craft and mystery that they may learn,\nTo get her living and to defend also,\nHer life which ever needs, and that they unto,\nVirtue may attain for that he no craft can,\nOftentimes need and is in danger of every man,\nHave this thought for it is often seen,\nThing dear bought often becomes worthless,\nAnd things of little value become valuable,\nIn time coming may rise to great worth,\nRemember well this and it ever advise.\nThou shalt beat the name of Chinchery flee, and other men shall not nagard deme.\nAdvise the well let reason be thy guide,\nWhen other folks thou art about to blame,\nThat such default in thee be not espied.\nFor if it be, then shalt thou have the shame.\nA man's honor such a thing will reclaim.\nIt is foul when a man would teach,\nIf his deeds are against his words preach.\nLook thy desire be grounded in right,\nAnd then that it never traverse honesty.\nFor as often times as any worldly wight\nDesires more than right or equity,\nThen may his request be soon replied.\nAnd it is called nicety and great folly,\nTo ask often that which right will always deny.\nChange not a friend that thou knowest of old,\nFor any new in trust that thou shalt find,\nA better than he but in thine hands thou hold.\nHim that hath been to the friendly & kind,\nFor such exchanges are often ful blind.\nThe seeming thou knowest never a deal,\nTo know a trusty friend. Since man's life is often full of misery,\nWhilom in mirth and after in mischief.\nNow in the valley and on the hill, high and low,\nMan is poor and afterward in riches finds relief.\nThe shining morning often has a stormy eve.\nTake heed at this polity's last end.\nHave gain for your labor before you wend,\nThough you may overcome and have the victory,\nOf your friend or fellow, yet always refrain,\nAnd be not proud or haughty.\nGreedy hands bring great harm and sorrow.\nWhere easy, softness friends may conquer,\nFor by good deeds set in lowliness,\nMen are gathered in friendship's bond.\nThe limiter who visits the wives\nIs wise enough to teach a man.\nTo yield needles, pins, girdles, and knives,\nThe craft is good; thus the wise friar says,\nYou give small things for great ones,\nIf you receive, give something in return,\nAnd that will always nourish love in certainty.\nToil not, nor strive with him who is your friend,\nBeware of him, make him not your foe,\nA troublesome man may break and shatter friendship.\nThese barterers, misruled so,\nInterrupt themselves and wrap themselves in much woe.\nFor wicked wrath engenders only hate,\nWhere good accord nourishes love at all times.\nWhen your servant you take in default,\nThough he cannot excuse his negligence,\nYet in your anger do not assault him,\nBut with your might take truth and trust.\nThus you will find ease if you use\nRule your passion and always by such measure,\nThat you save those who are under your care.\nSuffering eases what was said long ago,\nSuffer and have all your intent,\nThough you may overcome yet do not so,\nConquer by suffering and be patient.\nBut do not follow cruelty never,\nFor it is called a virtue with excellence,\nA man to live in humble patience,\nBe not sparing nor prodigal,\nConserve your things gained with true labor,\nIt is fair to be called liberal,\nBut always avoid waste and do not be surfeited,\nDo not consume all your treasure in one hour,\nWhen from your labor rises no avail,\nNeeds and poverty will assail you in haste,\nBe not like Seneca, for he would eat\nWith every man and at his feast feed him.\nBut none may taste of his meat\nNor any come to him but he to all men yield\nBe free of your meat but look that large leads\nNo farther than you may easily attain\nBe ever your own friend, thus Caton says, certain\nTake heed, sir, and see how this clerk\nEntreats men with virtuous doctrine\nThe first part of this comprehensive work\nShines clearly in worship, renewing as a straight line\nWhose precepts to observe if you please\nAnd to his counsel your hearts to incline\nRight in your age it shall be known well\nThe virtuous form it shall be for men to carry\nLook here in this life as a bride does a beast\nThat man does not err here in this perilous way\nStabilizing him as does a steadfast arrest\nAnd as sure guides that men worthiest\nMan's living here to set in governance\nThis sage Caton puts in remembrance\nIf you, my child, set your heartly delight\nTo know the tilth and the culture of the earth\nAnd if you will be of perfect knowledge\nSome is earthy and some also pasture.\nWhy some is fresh like flowers in picture, I advise you to study sadly for a while. In the laureate poet great Virgil, and you have a desire for fresh courage,\nTo hear of Romans' noble worthiness,\nHow they vanquished the Carthaginians,\nAnd many other things through manly prowess,\nThan read Lucan well can he express.\nWho excelled him in town and also in field,\nAnd who did marvels under Mars' shield,\nAnd who also desired the love songs,\nAnd how they advanced themselves,\nAs in that craft Naso can teach him to speed.\nFor some love song. Harp. pipe. and dance,\nSome in reading and other things of pleasure,\nSome loved courteously and did not want to be seen,\nAnd some wrote openly,\nBut yet, my left child, if in fortune\nThy heart be given to no such thing,\nOr that it not be to thy pleasure,\nThat Virgil, Macer, Lucan, or Naso brings,\nYet that you may be wise in your learning,\nIf you wish to give me audience,\nI shall show you the doctrine of wisdom.\nAnd I shall show the very treasure\nOf wisdom if you have the desire to listen and hear,\nAnd also how you shall endure in good estate,\nAnd lead your life holy according to God's pleasure.\nApproach and learn this reading, B.\nThere is no one who can report further on your good deeds than a stranger can,\nMake him welcome and show him hospitality,\nAnd he shall with honor utter this to others, this no, nay.\nFor the unknown it profits sometimes to test,\nFriends, now to have it is a better thing\nThan to be friendly with anyone, any man to be a king\nOf God's mystery and also of his working.\nMake never my child to inquire,\nIt is folly for anyone to ponder such things.\nDispute not upon your God's providence,\nFor all things must be under his governance.\nAnd since you are a man clothed in mortality,\nDispute not of such things as mortals are.\nThe fear of death that is mortal,\nI mean to fear it always and never cease.\nBeware of that which I counsel you against,\nFor this is true as the gospel is doubtless.\nWhoever fears death is always merry.\nWhen fear of death makes a man troubled,\nHe wastes his time and shortens his life,\nFor things uncertain,\nWhen you are angry look never that you strive,\nBut first you ought to know the matter clearly,\nFor there is no person on earth alive,\nBut that he has a soul.\nAs hasty wrath has kindled him on fire,\nThen can he not judge the truth for anger,\nAs time requires, make your expense,\nMeasure your hand also according to the profit,\nOf time and also of the presence,\nSo that you spend no more than is necessary,\nAnd that spend, look that your heart be free.\nA man should do cost and make his spending,\nConsidering the time and also the reward,\nToo much is nothing of any kind of thing,\nThe mean is good and most commendable,\nThat man stands firmest here in this living,\nWith a mean estate that holds him dear,\nPlenty and poverty to endure are not bearable,\nFor then the ship in the sea is most secure,\nWhat time the tide is most submissive,\nIf you know anything that may turn into shame.\nKeep it secret and reveal it to no one. Do not make it known or publish it, as you know who will retract it. Do not let everyone swear to it and proclaim it, lest you betray it to others unknowingly. For such false deals you may find now. If you spy and see or perceive a transgression and a misgovernor, trust well that sometime an hour will come when he will suffer penance for his deeds. A cursed deed seeks wreak and vengeance. Though wickedness may be kept secret for a time, yet it will be discovered in the end. Though nature may have been unkind and given a man small stature, remember, my child, and keep in mind that you should never despise that creature. For God may send him fortune and b. And often they are allied with good counsel, to whom nature has denied great strength. When your turn is to travel and have a deal with one who is not equal to your might, do not show your utmost power, lest he in turn be in the same plight.\nFor it is often seen in battle and in fight,\nFortune changes often within one our (hour)'s span,\nAnd he is scorned who was erst (previously) victor,\nSmall swords, great fires; withdraw the swords, the fire shall decrease,\nAgain, look not pleased with words, for words' discord is thy pest (plague),\nThe man is wise who can cease from words,\nFor this is as verily true as God gave life,\nSmall words breed much strife,\nDo not deal with magic nor with sorcery,\nIn God's hand is all fortune and fate,\nBe not about to call by destiny,\nWhether thou be miserable or fortunate,\nLet God alone in Him is all thy estate,\nFor what He wills of thee He can well dispose,\nBeware ever of envy with its fell (deadly) touches,\nWithin thine heart look ever that she (envy) rest not,\nFor it is one of the chief pains of hell,\nWhen she sojourns within a man's breast,\nThen phoenix burns in her own nest,\nAnd then she may no other man harm.\nYet envy does not cease to harm herself.\nEnforce thine heart with manly sufferance.\nThough false judgment may go the way of the process,\nBe not ashamed in word or countenance,\nFor often the false opponent may rule and lead\nThe law, but trust me well without fear,\nLong to rejoice in achievement he may not,\nWho by another's unfaithfulness gains his goods,\nLook not to praise or despise, but let others alone,\nAlways after prudence let your words weigh,\nFor your own honor will bring you none,\nBut have a fool as soon as you are gone,\nA man who praises himself, as the school says,\nOr despises much is a sign of a fool,\nOld wrath should be kept out of mind,\nDo not be about to make it live,\nBut the envious one has a touch of kind,\nSuch malice, my child, look you never revive,\nfor such malice of old wrath makes a strife,\nAnd he who remembers old enmity,\nA wicked man indeed is he,\nWhen it is time of cost and great expense,\nBeware of waste and spend always by measure,\nHe who keeps or spends has no difference,\nMakes his goods may not long endure,\nFor the old proverb says, measure is treasure.\nRemember that some of your goods may be lost, which before were obtained in many a varied day. It is no wisdom for a man always to be sage, but sometimes to be nice and foolish. Whoever has this fet will find advantage, when time and circumstance desire it, and then dissimulate, for it is great policy to be sometimes unwise in appearance. Among the wise, such behavior is called high prudence. The filthy flesh encroaching on the bestial that fights within, by the force of its allure, avoid my child and keep them from it. Art and grace are set far apart. And eschew always of avarice the wicked fame. These two are the ones that cause evil reputation. Do not believe lightly in every one's sight, for some report things otherwise than they ever were thought or done or seen. And some have it also as a custom and guise to feed people with flattering and lies. Therefore give little trust to such fair speaking. For many people speak untruths. If you surfeit in drink, do not forget the advice that comes after you do not fall into the snare.\nWithdraw your hand, do not choke your throat with that which is not sufficient for you. Drink what is sufficient and spare a little. Too much drinking makes men witful bare. And yet the wine is not to blame. To blame is the drinker who makes himself lame. To your trusty friend, who is secret to thee, show your counsel and conceal your need. For a trusty friend is the chest of privacy. But it is great luck to find such friends. Try one among all a company. And of your body, commit the cure to such a leech who is trustworthy and sure. With yourself, grief never to grieve sore. Though things may sometimes be unfortunate, do not be dismayed in any way. For your adventure needs you to endure. Fortune may not always be on your side. With harms to grieve always in wait, she is. To refine men, wealth, honor, and prosperity. In yourself, compare always before anything else. That which you perceive will fall after, it neither notices nor grieves half as much. That is a sore sight as other things will be. Sudden chances harm most of all. It hurts less and is in better condition.\nWhere a man prudently can have foresight\nWhen divers things traverse thy intent\nAnd thou art wrapped in adversity\nFor want of hope look thou be not lost nor shed\nLet never despair thy wit bereave thee\nBut abide the time that better shall be\nHope is she who shall make thee succeed\nHope leaves not a man till man leaves the breath\nWhen men profit more than is time to retain\nTake any thing while they be in season\nMany profit now that after will refrain\nFor y is plenteous now will afterward be sparse\nTherefore take any in time as reason counsels\nFor the bald head was sometime full of cares\nWhich is now bare without rasure or cheers\nProvide thyself and have deliberation\nBy likely conjecture what way befide\nAdmonish my child in thy remembrance\nAfore and after about every side\nFollow that God will and let him be thy guide\nWhich hath all things only in his governance\nFortune favors and poust and all that is present\nIt is a token of a consuming hand\nTo receive superfluity and do also excess\nTill his receipt a gain from him rebound.\nContain your nature and flee from greediness\nKeep foul lusts under foot and repress\nDo not feed your lust with all it craves\nIf health permits, let the lust preserve your life\nTake good heed also of your own estate\nRule your body well with good diet\nIn time, look not to be at debate\nThrough your own rule and surfeit\nThough sickness and sorrow have given you heat\nThe time is good and no day is dismal there is\nBut if men make it so for their own misdeeds\nFear not dreams, as Deuteronomy says\nFor often they are caused by various complexions\nSome of imaginations and many a nice fantasy\nOr else of blood or of superfluous reflection\nFor dreams are often deceit and false illusion\nWhen they wake, they desire and think\nUpon that thing they dreamt when they wake\nWhen a multitude has given a decree\nOr concluded anything against your intent\nTransgress not ever the command of the committee\nFor if you do, you will be sorely punished\nDisdain not a loan the people's judgment\nIn a venture, you please them not one at a time\nWhile you wish to traverse them, consider for a moment what all these matters mean. Remain with your lord and go no further yet, for they do not wish to reveal themselves to anyone but him. Therefore, set aside your entire heart and mind. Look what lies beneath the boisterous exterior, and I dare say of wisdom and wit, you shall find plenteousness and fruitfulness therein. Refresh your spirits with this wholesome diet that fosters virtues and keeps a life. To your person, I think it most fitting to receive such nourishing and joyful sustenance. Which your estate shall always preserve in life. In great honor and keep you from annoyance. Out of the danger of vices infectious. If you act according to this ordinance, and in particular, ensure that your deed bears true witness and testifies, the matters that you behold and read. Look upon them with your heart as well as with your eye. And then, I dare say, something you shall espied. In this work that shall move your heart. Therefore, apply your heart, your eye, and your spirit to rule according to these wise deeds.\n\"Look what seeks that which longs to redeem,\nIn this my diet, something shall he find,\nWherewith he may his soul foster and feed,\nWith virtue and it from vices unbind.\nCome near my child therefore, and have in mind,\nSuch doctrine in your heart to bear away and teach,\nAs to yourself hereafter shall be left and dear.\nMan's soul resembles a new plain table,\nIn which yet appears to sight no picture.\nThe philosopher says without fable,\nJust so is man's soul, but a deadly figure,\nUntil she be reclaimed with the lure\nOf doctrine, and so get a good habit.\nHe who lacks rest may no while endure,\nTherefore among take ease and disport,\nDelight never in great business and cure,\nBut that while you may also resort,\nTo plays, recreations, and all other comfort.\nThan shall you labor better at length,\nWhen you have mirth your business among.\nIf you live justly, always keep up right,\nNever declining for money, fear or favor.\nTruly then you stand in a filthy plight.\"\nThough men may revile you with words of rigor,\nIf you live thus, your good life is your tower.\nWe may not let the people gauge and cry,\nBut do well though they misjudge or lie.\nSoon if you are called to testify the truth,\nAlways saving your worship and honesty.\nYour friends' transgressions are not about to be discovered,\nWhere no shame thereof may grow.\nThis requires good friendship indeed,\nIn well-being and true benevolence between people is friendship in assistance.\nBehold wisely about and spy your covert train,\nWhen false falcon knocks at your gate.\nHe means guile though outwardly he seems fair.\nFor he can anoint both your ears twice\nWith the oil of pleasure in full great abundance.\nBut yet under you keep yourself from this poison.\nSloth, sluggardy, and dul idleness,\nAnd laxity that causes negligence,\nEnforce yourself always to eschew with all your business.\nFor an idle soul makes your body sent.\n Truly, there is in earth no greater argument,\nTo conclude, your mortal body unguarded\nThan the soul in idleness to be wrapped.\nPrint this teaching in your soul steadfastly\nAnd you will find it extremely profitable\nDo not abandon it near from your heart, lest\nIf you exclude it from your mind,\nThis lesson you are bearing and blind\nFrom virtues, therefore do not despise me\nSince my son is then within you,\nHe will often remind you of it\nAnd if she is not annoying and full of grief,\nForce her not to remain in your yard\nOf chastisement It is a cursed sword\nTo keep such one who will always complain\nFor he is at ease who is quit of such one\nOf other men you shall make your mirror\nConform yourself to that which most men approve\nWhat you should do and what you should forsake\nA better fate may you not convey\nThan to other men is the relief of deeds\nIn all that pertains to your teaching\nMake of other men a rule of your living\nAttempt nothing that exceeds your might\nNor that which you cannot finish\nFor then you stand foul in your own sight\nOver his power, what man that desires me moves.\nWith shame he must necessarily take leave\nIt is folly for a man to begin such works,\nWhich to perform requires much power within.\nThe law presumes that what a man keeps still,\nThe crime of one who has done great offense,\nAnd discovered it not, he is then less guilty\nThan the criminous for keeping silent.\nTherefore, my son, being it in your attendance,\nThat you may not poorly judge me,\nLest for silence men deem me guilty,\nWhen the law is strict and rigorous,\nEntertainingly approach the judge to do the favor,\nInclining him for graciousness,\nFor an equal judge may your cause always succor,\nAnd yet the law shall be his governor,\nWhich owes sometimes to moderate,\nAs in case he may see a point,\nWhat penalty you suffer for your desert,\nReceive it always well in grace and patience,\nAlthough your transgression be proved and covered.\nYet when you see it in your adversity's presence,\nThat you are blemished in your conscience,\nWithin yourself make a self-judgment,\nDemeaning yourself in your own judgment,\nMispend not time ever for laziness.\nBut once upon a time, in old and wise books it is written and reported with great attention, a man may rise through reading and accomplishing what poets write, things of great marvel and of small credence. Among friends, sitting at a feast, be courteous and moderate in your language. Whoever speaks most is not always considered the wisest. Nature has made a cage for the tongue to keep it from being outrageous. If you wish to be preferred by nature, restrain your tongue with all your effort. Some women weep from pure femininity when they cannot express their intent. Beware of such niceties, for your manly reason should not be blended with such weeping, for such weeping softens the heart and never relents. Some women are always weeping and under that they can both prick and sting. When you have reached your worship, what good is riches without honor? To spend always good and refuse worship is of no profit or help.\nTherefore, having obtained with true labor,\nDo not misuse it lest you do me a disservice.\nOftentimes he needs, wasted has his\nImprint, my child, earnestly in your mind,\nSo that you are not so dreadfully dead,\nIt is full hard to please every one,\nDisplease none by any deeds or them like,\nNor their words, neither for even so right,\nAs you have displeased them behind your back.\nRight so men will make you a mock and scorn,\nFor the contrary though men had it sworn,\nThe scorner shall be rewarded ever with scorn,\nWhen your last sort, that men call fate,\nIs good and pleasant according to your intent.\nThis I mean when you are fortunate.\nRecord all your goods that God has sent,\nAnd suffer them not recklessly to be spent,\nFor a wastrel you shall have the name,\nGreat riot will cause your feeble fame,\nInto great age what time that you are crept,\nAnd have riches, prosperity, and great abundance,\nBe liberal then of your goods before you have kept.\nThink well you have enough and sufficiency,\nLet never your good from the have governance.\nBut govern and depart it always with your friend\nFor what you go there it may not agree with you\nGrace is given to man in many various ways\nSome have wisdom and some have eloquence\nThe poor people also sometimes are very wise\nA servant sometimes may be of great wisdom\nThough he may have little reverence\nFor virtue is hidden under many a vile habit\nThis world's wealth ebbing and flowing always\nAt no certain time is it like a waning April\nThough you have lost, you shall not be dismayed\nBe content with what you have for the while\nSomeone may have neither cross nor pile\nNow in his care and yet right good fortune\nIs he full near, no man may know his nature\nWhich shall free him from wretchedness\nWhere in your life so long you have led\nA life, unfortunately, to God and man bad\nThe which, though it be not entirely profitable\nYet it makes an end both of bad and able\nYour wife's words you suffer and take in good grace\nWhen it avails for the better, it may\nFrequently she is of great prudence\nAnd most to be allowed, this is no denial\nSuffer her than and her conceit to assay,\nFor it is hard when thou canst not be still,\nNor yet to suffer her, thou canst also have will,\nGoods that are given thee by nature.\nThey come to thee from thy progenitors.\nTherefore, my child, with all thy force and cure,\nLook thou love them and cherish at all hours,\nFor they fostered thee and kept thee in youth from cares.\nThy mother, my dear child, yet in especial,\nIf thou do well, never offend at all,\nResort, resort, and hitherward find relief,\nMy master now here is a wholesome air,\nFor thy advantage to this place retreat,\nWhere for morality springing flowers fair\nAnd sweetly pleasantly do the retreat,\nGather them and make a chaplet or a gay,\nAnd rest thou a while here right in this herb garden,\nBehold well and see what thing is to thy profit,\nWhat wight that lusts to live in secrecy,\nHis life and soul to keep from incumbrance,\nOf vices the which and good thews express,\nBe ever at strife come near and give attendance,\nThese precepts keep well in remembrance,\nEnrolling them and printing in thy mind.\nAnd so to live, men shall find\nThe foul talent of riches, my child, eschew\nAnd resemble never greedy Tantalus,\nWhose appetite in hunger is always new\nAmong the fair apples, delicious,\nNo sweet water quenches his thirst right thus\nTo villains swallow of covetise,\nLo, all this world cannot nor suffice\nWith reasonable feeding be thou content\nAs in diet, a man should never overcharge\nHimself for with surfeit, many men are slain\nFor their receipts are too great and large\nMen seem every day that little care or bargain\nWill drench a none when it is overfreight\nCherish ever nature with no over weight\nIf thy thing should the happen to misgovern\nWithout reason or any providence\nThen, my own child, learn this lesson\nSay not \"It was by fortune such expense,\nTo make but wit it thine own negligence.\nFor fortune may never compel thee\nThy good to spend but at thy liberty\nLove thou the penny as for thy convenience\nNot for the hoard to horde it upon heap\nFor of the prince was made the ordinance.\nNot for it to be in coffers, it should be still and sleep, but yet it should always stir among the people and separate. In their exchange, he who keeps it within is subject to sin. When you have plenty and are wealthy, I mean when you have great surplus of money and help but small, then spend your money and yourself advance. Keep never the coin and live in grief. The sick has silver in full great excess, but of himself he has no certainty. Though sometimes you suffer the great pains of betting yet your master's chastisement, take well in good with humble lowlines, since it is done but all in good intent, in case to learn and wisdom to obtain. Although his words sound full of Ire, yet suffer the talent of that fire. Also, my child, you shall always occupy yourself, to work things that are profitable, but look never your wits apply to things that may not be available. To keep a thing that is not profitable by wit or strength is great error. Dispaired hope is the end of such labor.\nWhen you shall give, give in friendly way,\nA prayer or request you should receive in return,\nWhat you give by time is given twice,\nSuch glad cheer makes gifts the richest,\nHe who gives gladly and soon is best,\nNothing is better than a man to lend,\nSo that he may forget,\nWhen you have a conjecture about a thing,\nAs in your mind you hold it in suspicion,\nTo discover that no one does your cure,\nFor at the first when such a thing is rejected,\nThat should sow after is easy to correct,\nA thing that at first is not set by,\nIs often times seen to cause harm finally,\nAnd when you are disposed inwardly,\nTo Venus' acts then oppress not your courage,\nDo not let your flesh lustfully,\nFor great diet makes your flesh outrage,\nWhereas measure might cause it to subside,\nGluttony is called the chief promoter,\nLeading the flesh always to wantonness and vice,\nThe rampant lion and the tiger fell,\nThe joys bore the house full of envy,\nAnd many more beasts here need to be told.\nMen feared them greatly and their tyranny.\nAnd welcome one beast you see,\nThat is more special than all others,\nA man is the beast that you should fear the most,\nThe virtue called fortitude stands\nEntirely in bodily strength,\nBeing eager, mighty, and rude,\nBut in the soul it must be securely,\nNevertheless, if you wish to strengthen your soul,\nAnd keep it within wisdom,\nThen truly you will be strong in existence,\nWhat thing on earth will you take hold of,\nAnd your support will be in friendship,\nNo stranger lives so near you will stand,\nAs your known friend, my child, this is expressed,\nOf the stranger you have no certainty,\nFor when all others are seeking,\nThe faithful know that a friend can be your healer best,\nThe death of beasts that are unreasonable,\nAs by custom and right of sacrifice,\nTo purge the Jews no setting is great,\nDo not also trust to gain your revenge,\nFor those who trust so are fully unwise,\nBy the death of beasts, God will not be quenched,\nAnd a man may remain still in his iniquity,\nWhen you would choose a friend for trustworthiness.\nAsk about his actions and governance, for they are of greater substance than fortune, which is changeable. For the life of man exceeds his fortune. Use well the riches you have acquired, eschew avarice and its wicked fame. Do not let your good lie hidden in your chest. Keep not your treasure and stuff shut in a chest. Such old treasure will make your shame new. What profit is there in abundance and great treasure, and in poverty a wretch must endure? My son, if you desire to rejoice in your fame in honesty while you live here, eschew that which may cause your shame. And lay lusts of the flesh on the shelf. Thy worldly joy is often defective. Beware of joy that hinders your good life. And always, my child, strive and advise, that you never scorn the great advancing age. Your elder son, for no reason, do not despise. Though they may not be as wise in their wits as they were in their youth, for age is outrageous.\nWhen age comes, this is surely certain,\nA man begins then to be a child again.\nEnhance your wits a little for learning,\nAcquire the company of craft, for it endures.\nIf fortune changes and poverty appears,\nHe who is crafty is likely to recover.\nCraft and skill remain ever and endure,\nAnd by them a man may soon relieve\nWhen fortune has cast him into misfortune.\nBe still in silence with good advice,\nChild, wait till others have spoken.\nThus you will learn something of steadfastness.\nLet not your tongue be suddenly provoked,\nFor that might hinder haste.\nBy man is his manner shown by word,\nBy word also is a wise man known from a fool.\nThough craft you have with great reward,\nEnhance it yet, my child, to learn more.\nThe soul it is that must be your receptacle.\nReplenish it with the treasure and store of virtues.\nUse makes mastery; use yourself in craft therefore.\nUse helps art and cure helps wit.\nThen use and cure must be joined together.\nThe body will be separated from the soul.\nDeath is the common end of every creature.\nCharge not therefore of death is certain\nThe tribute of death must thou pay by right\nBut yet of death shalt thou set but light\nIf by this life thou dost not set right expressly\nWhich is ever full of woe and wretchedness\nLearn always from the wise and teach the unlearning\nFor it is virtue and at all times commendable\nTo increase doctrine through such coming\nIt is also always a deed of God charitable\nBoth to learn and to teach It is full gracious\nDoctrine helps virtue evermore in life\nWhich none would be doctor from us would live\nDrink not too much more than thou may learn\nRule well ever thyself with y the bridle of measure\nTo drink too much will thy body noy and harm\nFor surfeit is evermore uncertain for health\nAnd measure maketh men in health enduring\nWhat man is ruled by vile lusts\nIn good estate he may abide not while\nAnd if it happens that my child is present\nA thing to praise, beware that thou not blame\nAfter a gain right the same in presence\nIf thou disdainest, come not also the same\nOf such troubles must needs arise shame.\nTo praise and esteem blame expresses\nIt is a sign of great unsteadfastness\nWhen you live here right at your own ease\nIn all your hearts joy rest and prosperity\nThank you, Parcas, that prosperity may see\nFor worldly wealth stands never in certainty\nAnd as soon as poverty or adversity\nAssaults you, yet fall you never in despair\nThink always in yourself good fortune may repair\nIt is quite fair and wise\nAnd look that you learn quickly, therefore\nTo learn always, my son, do your intent\nFor by cure and business wisdom is the more\nWisdom is she that may not be forborne\nThe rare prudence that folks nicely refuse\nCan never be had but by process and use\nBeware also that you never enhance\nIn your laud or praising a man too high\nFor you may have cause to disance\nYour fame but your praising may modify\nFor one day you shall fully well see\nWhether he is a friend that friendlessly seems\nFor all are not friends that men deem\nBe not ashamed also, my child, to learn\nThat you cannot for it is but a teaching\nOf folly not to desire doctrine to hear,\nFor well is he who can stretch to craft,\nFor a craftsman a man is but a wretch,\nTherefore to learn much is right commendable,\nAnd yet not to learn is most reproachable,\nVenus is ever ready to all their vile acts,\nWhen that Bacchus has them in largesse,\nThrough the treasure of their h,\nTherefore, my child, thy appetite thou repress,\nIn wines' heat do thou never to great excess,\nDrink no more than for the soul is expedient,\nEschew strife and ever be content with measure,\nThe silent stillness often means fraud and guile,\nOf such a man eschew ever his company,\nFor the still man deceives others while,\nWithin his deceit, falshehood and treachery,\nIn floods' stillness, water is deep and high,\nFor often times betide unhappy chance,\nIn streams softly seeming to thy pleasure,\nWith thy fortune when thou art discontent,\nAnd canst not take in great thy adventure,\nBehold about and feel in thy advice,\nHow they were once of goods more sure,\nThan thou and more likely in wealth's endurance.\nBoth for favor and nobleness, yet suddenly they have fallen into wretchedness. Attempt the thing as you may suffice. Pass never thy might bear never to high a sail. For there is peril if that the stream arises. Certainly, my child, this is without fail. The vessel small is at great avail. When that with core to land he may reach, When the sails high full often go to wreck, a grain the true just man bear ye never never strive. For unto God a bow that is great displeasance. Trust this truly there is no man here alone who to the just man does defer or grieve. But at the last God will take vengeance. Therefore hereof it is reason that each man take. For the right wise man of God is never forsake. If extortion or any misadventure Have plucked at thee and made thee threadbare, Of richesse yet do thou ever thy force and cure. To be merry and eschew thought and care. For fleeting thought is a foul snare. Come not therein, for fortune is unstable. After poverty richesse. It is harm thy goods to forgo.\nThat, being in hand with force and violence,\nBut yet, my child, thou must consider who,\nAnd what he is that does such offense\nBetween friend and foe, have ever a difference.\nFor in some cases thou oughtst to forgive a friend,\nAnd also suffer him, though he annoy and grieve,\nBe not sure that thou shalt live here long,\nA man shall die, all be it that he be loath or left.\nAnd as the old, so does the young, among,\nDeath steals away as does a grave thief.\nFor a grain of death men may find no relief,\nShe is about to make a final departure,\nAnd follows each day the shadow of thy corpse.\nWorship God with all thy power,\nWith heart entire and sweet-smelling incense,\nSuch sacrifice is good to His pleasure,\nOf the small cattle that never did offense,\nThough thou slay them, the blood may not atone,\nWith them leave them grow and wallow in the plow.\nThy true heart to Him is sufficient, is enough.\nGive place to him that exceeds thy might,\nThough thou be hurt, it may profit thee by chance,\nAnd seldom avails any man to fight\nAgainst such one that surpasses his power.\nThough it grieves me now, yet it may advance,\nFor oft is seen that after great distress,\nThe mighty man is full of gentleness,\nAfter your surfeit and your great offense,\nChastise yourself, correct that is amiss,\nRedress you to good rule, amend your negligence,\nAnd sorrow for sin, a veritable medicine is,\nRepent the sore than art thou saved I say,\nFor physic,\nA bitter drink, the sharp sickness may cure,\nIf you have found good friendship in a man,\nLong ago and yet though he begins to change,\nDo not despair of him, men abide not in one plight,\nFor summer was lordship there now is rage,\nThe world's course is wonderful and strange,\nBut though as now the man is wax unkind,\nYet is old friendship remembered ever in mind,\nThough it were in office to be set,\nThen be thou gentle and gracious to other men,\nThat they may report a godly man met,\nWith office and so good name shall renounce,\nAbout this assure the least when\nThe officer is unbound, then say the prayers,\nNow would I wish that this man were office-less,\nBe not suspicious, that is a wicked teacher.\nThe suspect man, with cowardly fearfulness,\nIn his living is but a very wretch,\nMy is a misery, but he would redeem,\nHe deems false and fails in heartfelt sincerity,\nBy false conceit set in malice,\nSleeps him a noon; thus death ends his folly,\nIf you have men without freedom and liberty,\nSuch as are called men of bondage,\nNotwithstanding they are under your captivity,\nYet honor such and over them do not outrage,\nIf they beholden under your worldly servitude,\nFor all they are bound, yet very men they are,\nThat God has made them me, yet always remember you,\nReceive your first fortune with readiness,\nRefuse it not though it be scant and small,\nIt is well better in my sight to take the less,\nThan to refuse it and after fail of all,\nYield not of fortune take them always as they fall,\nRefuse them now and afterwards you shall have need,\nTherefore it is to take when I provide and beg,\nRejoice never my child in all your life,\nThe sudden death of a cursed man and wretch,\nWhen he is dead, the soul may not relieve,\nFrom pain to joy, the soul may not reach.\nThe feuds hold firmly that they may keep\nTherefore he who lives justly fulfills this duty well\nFor his soul is always full of felicity\nIf you have a wife in assurance\nTrust her well and love her inwardly\nWith heart, with thought, with all your pledge\nAnd be thou never infected with suspicion or jealousy\nIf no fault is in her or that you can see\nYet if your friend tells you such is her reputation\nHe is a friend and she is blameless\nThrough study and great exercise\nYou know much and have great cunning\nYet always do your diligence in the most diligent way\nTo purchase more, for it is a wholesome thing\nFor cunning brings great honor being\nAnd avoid you never daily to be taught\nFor without teaching, cunning cannot be caught\nIf you wonder or wish to ponder\nWhy my verses are written in such a way\nIn no way truly I can better excuse\nThan say my wit is so dull and unrefined\nWhich is the reason I am rudely compelled to write\nBy twos and twos, my meter to knit\nNothing causes me but simplicity of wit.\nI have gathered flowers for your pleasure\nTaste them, for they are preservative\nHold them fast and keep them in your fist\nFor the pestilence is infectious\nI advise you and I risk my life\nThat you should lead your life in secrecy\nAnd also avoid too much worthiness\nThis means I to you under protection\nOf your good grace, what time you read\nOr else have in this matter inspection\nAs it bids that you will do in deed\nThen dare I affirm without fear\nYou shall achieve and be fully virtuous\nHere I have found that which shall guide and lead you\nDirectly to godly fame and leave you in her house\nExplicit Catholicae (Catholic)", "creation_year": 1476, "creation_year_earliest": 1476, "creation_year_latest": 1476, "source_dataset": "EEBO", "source_dataset_detailed": "EEBO_Phase1"} |
