Early English Meals and Manners

by Unknown

Evir to fulfille my commaundement wheñ þat y to þem calle:

For we may allow & dissalow / oure office is þe cheeff

In cellere & spicery / & the Cooke, be he loothe or leeff.[273]

¶ Thus þe diligences of dyuerse officeȝ y haue shewed to þe allone,

the which science may be shewed & dooñ by a syngeler[274] persone;

but þe dignyte of a prince requirethe vche office must haue ooñ

to be rewlere in his rome / a seruand hym̅ waytynge oñ.

¶ Moore-ouer hit requirethe euerich of þem in office to haue perfite science,

For dowt and drede doynge his souereyñ displicence,

hym to attende, and his gestis to plese in place where þey ar presence,