If you don’t know any word in it, ask till you do, and then keep hold of it.
And do not wonder at this being in metre.
I must first describe how you Babies who dwell in households should behave at meals, and be ready with lovely and benign words when you are spoken to.
Lady Facetia, help me! Thou art the Mother of all Virtue.
Help the ignorance of me untaught!
Fair Babies, when you enter your lord’s place, say “God speed,” and salute all there.
Kneel on one knee to your lord.
If any speak to you, look straight at them, and listen well till they have finished; do not chatter or let your eyes wander about the house.
Answer sensibly, shortly, and easily.
Many words are a bore to a wise man.