“With lowly courtesy, make the surnape[[129]] with a cloth under a double of fair napery; fold the two ends of the towel to the outer edge of the cloth, and so hold the three ends together; then fold them all so that there is a pleat at about a foot’s distance, and lay it fair and smooth for your lord to wash after meat, if he will. At the right side of the table, you must guide it along, and the marshal must slip it further—the right side up of all three cloths—and let it be drawn straight and even, both in length and breadth; then raise the upper part of the towel and lay it without wrinkling straight to the other side so that half a yard or an ell hangs down at each end, where the sewer[[129]] may make a state, and so please his master. When your lord has washed, you must take up the surnape with your two arms, and carry it back to the ewery yourself.
“Carry a towel about your neck when serving your lord, bow to him, uncover your bread and set it by the salt. Look that all have knives, spoons and napkins, and always when you pass your lord, see that you bow your knees.
“Go forth to the port-payne[[130]] and there take eight loaves, and put four at each end of the table, and be sure that each person has a spoon and a napkin.
“Watch the sewer to see how many pottages he covers, and do ye for as many, and serve each according to his degree; and see that none lack bread, ale or wine.
“Be glad of cheer, courteous of knee, soft of speech; have clean hands and nails and be carefully dressed.
“Do not cough or spit or retch too loud, or put your fingers into the cups to seek bits of dust.
“Have an eye to all grumbling and fault-finding, and prevent backbiting of their fellows among the lords at meat, by serving all with bread, ale and wine; and so shall ye have of all men good love and praise.”
Simple Conditions
“I will that ye eschew forever the ‘simple conditions’ of a person that is not taught.
“Do not claw your head or your back as if you were after a flea, or stroke your hair as if you sought a louse.