[Sidenote: Leaf 7 b.]
And whan another man / spekith atte table
Beware ye enterrupte not / his langage
[Sidenote: Don't interrupt man in his talk]
For that is a thinge discomendable 276
And_e_ it is no signe of folkes sage
To be of langage / besy and_e_ outrage
For the wyse man said_e_ / in his sentence
He shold_e_ be wyse / that gyueth audience 280
[41]
Vnderstonde therfore or than ye speke
Prynte in your mynde / clerly the sentence
[Sidenote: Before you speak, settle in your mind what you have to say.]
Who that vsith / a mannes tale to breke 283
Letteth vncurteysly / alle the audyence
And_e_ hurteth hym self / for lack of science
He may not gyue answers conuenyente
That herith not fynally / what is mente 287
* * * * *
THE ORIEL TEXT.
[42]
Be ware Also, my childe, of rehersaille
Of materis whiche ben at the table mevide;
Hit grevith ofte and dothe men disavaylle, 290
Full many a man that vice hath mysschevide,
Of evill thyng saide is wors often contrivide;
Suche reportis alway loke ye esschewe,
As may of olde frendis make enemyes newe. 294
[43]
Avise you well whan ye take your_e_ disporte,
Honest games that ye haunte and vse,
And suche as ben of violente reporte, 297
I counsell you, my childe, that ye refuse;
For trustith well ye shall nout you excuse
From berchely fest, yef I may you aspie
Playng at[1] eny game of rebaudie. 301
[Sidenote 1: MS. or.]