For if he then withhold his wrath,
Eftsoons he will forecast thy death.
Wheresoever thou sit at meat by the board,
Avoid[[176]] the cat, at a bare word;
For if thou stroke or cat or dog,
Thou art like an ape tied with a clog.
Also eschew, without strife,
To foul the board-cloth[[177]] with thy knife.
Nor blow not on thy drink or meat,
Neither for cold, neither for heat.