M.A., TRIN. HALL. CAMB.; MEMBER OF COUNCIL OF THE PHILOLOGICAL AND EARLY ENGLISH TEXT SOCIETIES; LOVER OF OLD BOOKS. (continued 6)
Reading edition
... no pere] This is struck through with a heavy black-line. boue] Last letter blotched. colectour] Struck through with several thin lines.
(From the Balliol MS. 354, leaf 2.)
[“These graces are the usual ones still said in all colleges and religious communities abroad, and are for some part those given at the end of each of the four volumes into which our Roman Breviaries for the year are divided. As a youth, while studying at Rome, I used to hear them in our hall; and, knowing them by heart, never found them too long.”—Daniel Rock, D.D.]
A general Grace.
The grace that shuld be said affore mete & after mete/ałł the tymes in the yere.
The eyes of all wait upon thee, O Lord.
Benedicite; dominus. Oculi omnium in te sperant, domine / et tu das escam illorum in tempore oportuno. Aperis tu manum tuam / & Imples omne Animal benediccione.
Glory be to the Father, &c.
Gloria patri & filio: & spiritui sancto. Sicut erat in principio, & nunc, et semper: & in secula seculorum. Lord, have mercy upon us. Amen. kyrieleyson, christeleyson, kyrieleyson: pater noster. Et ne nos: Sed libera nos: Oremus.
Lord, bless us.
Benedic, domine, nos, & dona tua que de tua largitate sumus sumpturi / per / Iube domine benedicere.
Make us partakers of the heavenly table.
Mense celestis participes faciat nos Rex eterne glorie / Amen / Deus caritas est: & qui manet in aritate, in deo manet, & deus in eo: Sit deus in nobis, & nos maneamus in ipso. Amen.
Grace after Dinner.
post prandium.
May the God of peace be with us!
Deus pacis & dileccionis maneat semper nobiscum: Tu autem, domine, miserere nostri: Deo gracias / Confiteantur tibi, domine, omnia tua. Et sancti tui benedicant We thank thee, O Lord, for thy benefits. tibi / Gloria: Agimus tibi gracias, omnipotens deus, pro vniuersis beneficijs tuis. Qui viuis & regnas deus: Per omnia secula seculorum: Amen.
Laudate dominum, omnes gentes: laudate eum, omnes populi. Quoniam confirmata est super nos misericordia Lord, have mercy upon us! eius: & veritas domini manet in eternum. Gloria Christ, have mercy upon us! patri: Sicut erat: kyrieleyson, christeleyson, kirieleyson / Pater noster / Et ne nos. Sed libera.
Dispersit, dedit pauperibus: Iusticia eius manet in I will bless the Lord alway. seculum seculi: Benedicam dominum in omni tempore: Semper laus eius in ore meo: In domino laudabitur anima mea: Audiant mansueti, & letentur: Magnificate dominum mecum. Et MS. exultemus. exaltemus nomen eius in id May the name of the Lord be blessed for ever! ipsum: Sit nomen domini benedictum: Ex hoc nunc & vsque in seculum: Oremus: Retribuere dignare, domine deus, omnibus nobis bona ffacientibus propter nomen sanctum, tuum, vitam eternam: Amen: Benedicamus Hail, Queen of Heaven, domino: Deo gracias. Aue regina celorum, flower of virgins! pray thy Son to save the faithful! mater regis angelorum: O maria, flos verginum, velut rosa vel lilium, funde preces ad filium pro salute fidelium. Aue maria. Meritis & precibus sue pie matris, benedicat nos filius dei patris / Amen.
Grace on Fish-Days.
On ffisshe days.
The poor shall eat and be satisfied.
Benedicite; dominus. Edent pauperes, & saturabuntur: et laudabunt dominum qui requirunt eum; Glory be to the Father, &c. viuent corda eorum in seculum seculi: Gloria patri. Sicut erat &c. kyrieleyson. christeleyson / kyrieleyson / pater noster. Et ne nos: Sed libera: Oremus: Benedic domine: Iube domine: Cibo spiritualis alimonie reficiat The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ nos rex eterne glorie / Amen. Gracia domini nostri Ihesu christi, & caritas dei, & communicacio sancti be with us all. spiritus sit semper cum omnibus nobis. Amen / & in In Lent. Break thy bread to the hungry, and take the wanderer to thy home. lent leve / Gracia domini // & say // Frange esurienti panem tuum, & egenos vagosque induc in domum tuam: cum videris nudum operi eum. [et c]arnem tuam ne despexeris: ait dominus omnipote[ns].
Grace after Dinner.
Grace after dynere.
Deus paci[s &c. Only half the ã is left. Memori]am fecit mirabilium suorum ominu]s; escam dedit timentibus se. Gloria. Sic[ut erat, &c.]
Four Short Graces.
1.
Before Dinner.
Short grace affore dyner.
Benedicite; An inch of the MS. broken away. dominu[s]. .... Apponenda benedicat dei dextera. [In nomine patris &] filii & spiritus sancti / amen.
[leaf 2, back.]
2.
After Meals.
Shorte grace after dyner / & after soper / bothe.
Bless the Lord for this meal.
Pro tali conuiuio benedicamus domino: Deo gracias. Mater, ora filium vt post hoc exilium nobis donet Mary, pray for us! gaudium sine fine. Aue maria: / Oremus. Meritis & precibus.
3.
Before Supper.
Grace affore soper.
MS. Benedictus,
altered to
Benedicite.
Giver of all, sanctify this supper.
Benedicite; dominus: Cenam sanctificet qui nobis omnia prebet: In nomine patris.
4.
After Supper.
¶ Grace after soper.
The Lord is holy in all his works.
Benedictus deus in donis suis: Et sanctus in omnibus operibus suis / Adiutorium nostrum in nomine domini: Blessed be the name of the Lord. Qui fecit celum et terram. Sit nomen domini benedictum / Ex hoc nunc, et vsque in seculum / Oremus: Meritis et precibus sue pie matris benedicat nos filius dei patris.
On Easter-Eve.
¶ In vigilia pasche.
Benedicite; dominus. Edent pauperes &c. Gloria Christ, have mercy upon us! patri, Sicut erat: kirieleyson. christeleyson. kyrieleyson. Pater noster: Et ne nos. Set libera. Oremus / Benedic domine: Iube domine benedicere / Cibo spiritualis alimonie & cetera / leccio / Si consurrexistis cum christo, Seek those things that are above. que sursum sunt, querite vbi christus est in dextera dei sedens.
Grace after Dinner.
post prandium.
God of Peace,
Deus pacis & dileccionis: Memoriam fecit / Gloria We give thee thanks, O Lord. patri Sicut erat; Agimus tibi gracias. Laudate dominum omnes gentes: Quoniam confirma[ta]: Gloria patri: Sicut erat. Dominus vobiscum: Et cum spiritu tuo. Oremus/ Pour into us thy Spirit, Spiritum in nobis, domine, tue caritatis infunde, vt quos sacramentis paschalibus saciasti: tua facias pietate concordes// through Jesus Christ our Lord. Per eundem dominum nostrum ihesum christum, filium tuum: qui tecum viuit & regnat in vnitate eiusdem spiritussancti, deus / per omnia secula seculorum. Amen.
On Easter-Day.
¶ In die pasche.
This is the day which the Lord hath made: Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Benedicite. dominus. Hec dies quam fecit dominus, exultemus & letemur in ea. Gloria patri. Sicut: kirieleyson. christeleyson. kyrieleyson: Pater noster / Bless us, O Lord! Et ne / Oremus. Benedic domine: Iube domine benedicere / Mense celestis Expurgate vetus MS. sermentum. fermentum Our passover is slain, even Christ. vt sitis noua conspersio, sicut estis asimi: Etenim pascha nostrum immolatus est christus, itaque epulemur in domino.
After Dinner.
¶ post prandium.
Qui dat escam omni carni, confitemini deo celi. Tu autem: Laudate dominum. Quoniam confirmata / Gloria Of thy resurrection, Christ, the heavens and the earth are glad. patri. In resurreccione tua, christe. Celi & terra letentur / alleluia. Oremus. Spiritum in nobis &cetera. Per eundem: In vnitate eiusdem. Benedicamus domino, Thanks be to God! deo gracias / ¶ Eodem modo dicitur per totam ebdomadam. Retribuere.
Before Supper.
Ante cenam.
Benedicite. dominus. cenam sanctificet qui nobis omnia prebet / In nomine patris & filii & spiritussancti: Amen.
After Supper.
¶ post cenam.
This is the day, &c. Hallelujah.
Hec dies / : / versus. In resurreccione tua, christe / Celi & terra letentur. alleluia. Dominus vobiscum: Let us bless the Lord! Et cum spiritu tuo. Spiritum in nobis: Benedicamus domino: Deo gracias.
Explicit.
Having thus given the Graces as they stand in the Manuscript, I add the scheme of them which Mr Bradshaw has had the kindness to draw out. He says, “Here is a case in which nothing but parallel arrangement can afford a clue to the apparent confusion. The people who used these services were so thoroughly accustomed to them, that a word or two was enough to remind them of what was to follow—sometimes a whole series of prayers, or verses and responds, or suffrages. If your object is to give people of the present day an idea of the meaning of these things, it is almost useless to print them straight as they are in the MS. Even as I have written them out, inserting nothing whatever except the names of the speakers in a bracket, you will perhaps not catch much of the thread. You may remember that at Trinity even now it takes two people to say what is substantially the same Grace as this.”
THE GRACE THAT SHULD BE SAID AFFORE METE AND AFTER METE ALL THE TYMES IN THE YERE. 1.1 ON FISSHE DAYS. 1.2 IN VIGILIA PASCHE. 1.3 IN DIE PASCHE. 1.4
(Sacerdos) Benedicite. (Sacerdos) Benedicite. (Sacerdos) Benedicite. (Sacerdos) Benedicite.
(Resp.) Dominus. (Resp.) Dominus. (Resp.) Dominus. (Resp.) Dominus.
(Psalm) Oculi omnium in te sperant, domine: et tu das escam illorum in tempore oportuno. Aperis tu manum tuam: et imples omne animal benediccione. (Psalm) Edent pauperes, et saturabuntur, et laudabunt dominum qui requirunt eum: vivent corda eorum in seculum seculi. (Psalm) Edent pauperes .... (Psalm) Hec dies quam fecit dominus: exultemus et letemur in ea.
Gloria patri et filio: et spiritui sancto. Gloria patri .... Gloria patri .... Gloria patri ....
Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper: in secula seculorum. Amen. Sicut erat, &c. .... Sicut erat .... Sicut erat ....
Kyrieleyson. Christeleyson. Kyrieleyson. Kyrieleyson. Christeleyson. Kyrieleyson. Kyrieleyson. Christeleyson. Kyrieleyson. Kyrieleyson. Christeleyson. Kyrieleyson.
Pater noster .... [i.e. the Lord’s prayer.] Pater noster .... Pater noster .... Pater noster ....
(Sacerdos) Et ne nos [inducas in tentationem.] (Sacerdos) Et ne nos .... (Sacerdos) Et ne nos .... (Sacerdos) Et ne ....
(Resp.) Sed libera nos [a malo.] (Resp.) Sed libera .... (Resp.) Sed libera ....
(Sacerdos) Oremus. Benedic, domine, nos, et dona tua que de tua largitate sumus sumpturi. Per [christum dominum nostrum.] (Sacerdos) Oremus. Benedic domine .... (Sacerdos) Oremus. Benedic domine .... (Sacerdos) Oremus. Benedic domine nos ....
[Resp. Amen.]
(Lector) Iube domine benedicere. (Lector) Iube domine .... (Lector) Iube domine benedicere. (Lector) Iube domine benedicere.
(Sacerdos) Mense celestis participes faciat nos rex eterne glorie. Amen. (Sacerdos) Cibo spiritualis alimonie reficiat nos rex eterne glorie. Amen. (Sacerdos) Cibo spiritualis alimonie, &c. (Sacerdos) Mense celestis ....
(Lectio) Deus caritas est, et qui manet in caritate, in deo manet, et deus in eo. Sit deus in nobis, et nos maneamus in ipso. *(Lectio) Gracia domini nostri ihesu christi, et caritas dei, et communicatio sancti spiritus, sit semper cum omnibus nobis. (Leccio) Si consurrexistis cum christo, que sursum sunt querite, ubi christus est in dextera dei sedens. (Lectio) Expurgate vetus fermentum, ut sitis nova conspersio sicut estis asimi: etenim pascha nostrum immolatus est christus. Itaque epulemur in domino.
(Resp.) Amen. (Resp.) Amen. [Resp. Amen.] [Resp. Amen.]
* And in lent leve ‘Gracia Domini,’ and say: (Lectio) Frange esurienti panem tuum, et egenos vagosque induc in domum tuam; cum videris nudum, operi eum, et carnem tuam ne despexeris. Ait dominus omnipotens. [Resp. Amen.]
POST PRANDIUM. 2.1 [On Fish Days.] GRACE AFTER-DYNER. 2.2 [On Easter Eve.] POST PRANDIUM. 2.3 [On Easter Day.] POST PRANDIUM. 2.4
(Sacerdos) Deus pacis et dileccionis maneat semper nobiscum. Tu autem domine, miserere nostri. (Sacerdos) Deus pacis .... (Sacerdos) Deus pacis et dileccionis.... (Sacerdos) Qui dat escam omni carni: confitemini deo celi. Tu autem ....
(Resp.) Deo gracias. [Resp. Deo gracias.]
(Psalm) Confiteantur tibi, domine, omnia tua: et sancti tui benedicant tibi. (Psalm) [Memoriam] fecit mirabilium suorum misericors, et miserator dominus: escam dedit timentibus se. (Psalm) Memoriam fecit.... ....
Gloria [patri] .... Gloria .... Sic[ut erat .... (an inch of the MS. broken away.) ....] Gloria.... Sicut erat....
(Capitulum) Agimus tibi gracias, omnipotens deus, pro universis beneficiis tuis, qui vivis et regnas deus per omnia secula seculorum. amen. (Capitulum) Agimus tibi gracias .... ....
(Psalm) Laudate dominum omnes gentes: laudate eum omnes populi. (Psalm) Laudate dominum omnes gentes.... (Psalm) Laudate dominum....
Quoniam confirmata est super nos misericordia ejus: et veritas domini manet in eternum. Quoniam confirmata.... Quoniam confirmata....
Gloria patri .... Gloria patri.... Gloria patri....
Sicut erat .... Sicut erat....
Kyrieleyson. Christeleyson. Kyrieleyson. .... ....
Pater noster .... .... ....
(Sacerdos) Et ne nos .... .... ....
(Resp.) Sed libera ....
(Sacerdos) Dispersit, dedit pauperibus: .... (Sacerdos) In resurrectione tua, Christe:
(Resp.) Iustitia ejus manet in seculum seculi. (Resp.) Celi et terra letentur. alleluia.
(Sacerdos) Benedicam dominum in omni tempore:
(Resp.) Semper laus ejus in ore meo.
(Sacerdos) In domino laudabitur anima mea:
(Resp.) Audiant mansueti, et letentur.
(Sacerdos) Magnificate dominum mecum:
(Resp.) Et exaltemus nomen ejus in id ipsum.
[After Dinner.] 3.1 [On Fish Days.] 3.2 [On Easter Eve.] 3.3 [On Easter Day.] 3.4
(Sacerdos) Sit nomen domini benedictum: [Blank.]
(Resp.) Ex hoc nunc, et usque in seculum.
....
(Sacerdos) Oremus. (Sacerdos) Oremus. (Sacerdos) Oremus.
Retribuere dignare, domine deus, omnibus nobis bona facientibus, propter nomen sanctum tuum, vitam eternam. amen. Spiritum in nobis, domine, tue caritatis infunde, ut quos sacramentis paschalibus saciasti, tua facias pietate concordes. Per eundem dominum nostrum ihesum christum, filium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitate ejusdem spiritus sancti, deus per omnia secula seculorum. amen. Spiritum in nobis, &c. Per eundem &c., in unitate....
(Sacerdos) Benedicamus domino: .... (Sacerdos) Benedicamus domino:
(Resp.) Deo gracias. (Resp.) Deo gracias.
Et eodem modo dicitur per totam ebdomadam.
Retribuere....
....
(Antiphona de sancta maria.)
Ave regina celorum Mater regis angelorum O maria flos verginum Velut rosa vel lilium Funde preces ad filium Pro salute fidelium.
(Vers.) Ave Maria....
(Oratio) Meritis et precibus sue pie matris, benedicat nos filius dei patris. amen.
SHORT GRACE AFFORE DYNER. 4.1 [On Fish Days.] 4.2 [On Easter Eve.] 4.3 [On Easter Day.] 4.4
(Sacerdos) Benedicite. [Blank.] [Blank.] [Blank.]
(Resp.) Dominus.
(Sacerdos) ... apponenda benedicat dei dextera ... [In nomine patris et] filii et spiritus sancti. amen.
SHORTE GRACE AFTER DYNER & AFTER SOPER BOTHE.
(Sacerdos) Pro tali convivio benedicamus domino.
(Resp.) Deo gracias.
(Antiphona de sancta maria)
Mater ora filium Ut post hoc exilium Nobis donet gaudium Sine fine.
(Vers.) Ave Maria ....
(Sacerdos) Oremus
Meritis et precibus....
GRACE AFFORE SOPER. 5.1 [On Fish Days.] 5.2 [On Easter Eve.] 5.3 [On Easter Day.] 5.4 ANTE CENAM.
(Sacerdos) Benedicite. [Blank.] [Blank.] (Sacerdos) Benedicite.
(Resp.) Dominus. (Resp.) Dominus.
(Sacerdos) Cenam sanctificet qui nobis omnia prebet. In nomine patris .... (Sacerdos) Cenam sanctificet qui nobis omnia prebet. In nomine patris, et filii, et spiritus sancti. amen.
GRACE AFTER SOPER. POST CENAM.
(Sacerdos) Hec dies ....
(Sacerdos) Benedictus deus in donis suis: (Sacerdos) In resurrectione tua, christe:
(Resp.) Et sanctus in omnibus operibus suis. (Resp.) Celi et terra letentur. alleluia.
(Sacerdos) Adjutorium nostrum in nomine domini:
(Resp.) Qui fecit celum et terram.
(Sacerdos) Sit nomen domini benedictum:
(Resp.) Ex hoc nunc et usque in seculum.
.... (Sacerdos) Dominus vobiscum:
(Resp.) Et cum spiritu tuo.
(Sacerdos) Oremus. Meritis et precibus sue pie matris, benedicat nos filius dei patris. (Sacerdos.) Spiritum in nobis....
(Sacerdos) Benedicamus domino:
(Resp.) Deo gracias.
EXPLICIT.
SCHEME OF THE LATIN GRACES.
Common Days. Fast Days. Easter Eve. Easter Day.
Before dinner 1.1 A 1.2 D 1.3 H 1.4 L Before dinner
After dinner 2.1 B 2.2 E 2.3 I 2.4 M After dinner
3.1 C 3.2 blank 3.3 K 3.4 N
Short Graces 4.1 F 4.2 blank 4.3 blank 4.4 blank Short Graces for either dinner or supper
Before and after supper 5.1 G 5.2 blank 5.3 blank 5.4 O Before and after supper
Common Days. Fast Days. Easter Eve. Easter Day.
The alphabetical order is that in which the matter is found written in the manuscript.
Henry Bradshaw.
[From MS. Bodl. 832, leaf 174.]
[The Rev. J. R. Lumby has kindly sent me the following amusing ‘lesson of wysedome’ to ‘all maner chyldryn’, signed Symon, which he found in the Bodleian. Mr G. Parker has read the proof with the MS. Lydgate sinned against most of its precepts. It makes the rod the great persuader to learning and gentleness.]
Children, attend. All maner chyldryn, ye lyſten & lere A leſſon of wyſedome þat ys wryte here! My chyld, y rede þe be wys, and take hede of þis ryme! 4 Old men yn prouerbe ſayde by old tyme You’d be better unborn than untaught. ‘A chyld were beter to be vnbore Than to be vntaught, and ſo be lore.’1 You mustn’t have your own way always. The chyld þat hath hys wyll alway 8 Shal thryve late, y thei2 wel ſay, And þer-for euery gode mannys chyld That is to wanton and to wyld, Lerne wel this leſſon for ſertayn, 12 That thou may be þe beter man. Chyld, y warne þee yn al wyſe Tell the truth, That þu tel trowth & make no lyes. don’t be froward, Chyld, be not froward, be not prowde, hold up your head, 16 But hold vp þy hedde & ſpeke a-lowde; take off your hood when you’re spoken to. And when eny man ſpekyth to the, Do of þy hode and bow thy kne, Wash your hands and face. And wayſch thy handes & þy face, Be courteous. 20 And be curteys yn euery place. And where þou comyſt, with gode chere In halle or bowre, bydde “god be here!” Don’t throw stones at dogs and hogs. Loke þou caſt to no mannes dogge, 24 With ſtaff ne ſtone at hors ne hogge; Mock at no one. Loke þat þou not ſcorne ne iape Noþer with man, maydyn, ne ape; Lete no man of þee make playnt; Don’t swear. 28 Swere þou not by god noþer by ſaynt. Eat what’s given you, Loke þou be curteys ſtondyng at mete; And þat men ȝeuyth þee, þou take & ete; and don’t ask for this and that. And loke that þou nother crye ne crave, 32 And ſay “that and that wold y have;” But ſtond þou ſtylle be-fore þe borde, And loke þou ſpeke no lowde worde. Honour your father and mother: And, chyld, wyrſhep thy fader and thy moder, 36 And loke þat þou greve noþer on ne oþer, kneel and ask their blessing. But euer among þou ſhalt knele adowne, And aſke here bleſſyng and here beneſowne. Keep your clothes clean. And, chyld, kepe thy cloþes fayre & clene, 40 And lete no fowle fylth on hem be ſene. Don’t go bird’s-nesting, or steal fruit, Chyld, clem þou not ouer hows ne walle For no frute3, bryddes, ne balle; or throw stones at men’s windows, And, chyld, caſt no ſtonys ouer men hows, 44 Ne caſt no ſtonys at no glas wyndowys; or play in church. Ne make no crying, yapis, ne playes, In holy chyrche on holy dayes. Don’t chatter. And, chyld, y warne þee of anoþer thynge, 48 Kepe þee fro many wordes and yangelyng. Get home by daylight. And, chyld, whan þou goſt to play, Loke þou come home by lyght of day. Keep clear of fire and water, And, chyld, I warne the of a-noþer mater, 52 Loke þou kepe þee wel fro fyre and water; and the edges of wells and brooks. And be ware and wyſe how þat þou lokys Ouer any brynk, welle, or brokys; And when þou ſtondyſt at any ſchate4, 56 By ware and wyſe þat þou cacche no ſtake, For meny chyld with-out drede Ys dede or dyſſeyuyd throw ywell hede. (leaf 175.) Take care of your book, cap, and gloves, Chyld, kepe thy boke, cappe, and glouys, 60 And al thyng þat þee behouys; or you’ll be birched on your bare bottom. And but þou do, þou ſhat fare the wors, And þer-to be bete on þe bare ers. Don’t be a liar or thief, Chyld, be þou lyer noþer no theffe; 64 Be þou no mecher5 for myſcheffe. or make faces at any man. Chyld, make þou no mowys ne knakkes Be-fore no men, ne by-hynd here bakkes, But be of fayre ſemelaunt and contenaunce, 68 For by fayre manerys men may þee a-vaunce. When you meet any one, Chyld whan þou goſt yn eny ſtrete, Iff þou eny gode man or woman mete, lower your hood and wish ’em “god speed.” Avale thy hode to hym or to here, 72 And bydde, “god ſpede dame or ſere!” And be they ſmalle or grete, This leſſon þat þou not for-gete,-- For hyt is ſemely to euery mannys chylde,-- Be meek to clerks. 76 And namely to clerkes to be meke & mylde. Rise early, go to school, And, chyld, ryſe by tyme and go to ſcole, And fare not as Wanton fole, and learn fast And lerne as faſt as þou may and can, 80 For owre byſchop is an old man, And þer-for þou moſt lerne faſt if you want to be our bishop. Iff þou wolt be byſſhop when he is paſt. Chyld, y bydde þe on my bleſſyng 84 That þou for-ȝete nat þis for no thyng, Attend to all these things, But þou loke, hold hyt wel on þy mynde, for a good child needs learning, For þe beſt þu ſhalt hyt fynde; For, as þe wyſe man ſayth and preuyth, 88 A leve chyld, lore he be-houyth; and he who hates the child spares the rod. (leaf 175 b.) And as men ſayth þat ben leryd, He hatyth þe chyld þat ſparyth þe rodde; And as þe wyſe man ſayth yn his boke 92 Off prouerbis and wyſedomes, ho wol loke, As a spur makes a horse go, so a rod makes a child learn and be mild. “As a ſharppe ſpore makyth an hors to renne Vnder a man that ſhold werre wynne, Ryȝt ſo a ȝerde may make a chyld 96 To lerne welle hys leſſon, and to be myld.” Lo, chyldryn, here may ȝe al here and ſe How al chyldryn chaſtyd ſhold be; So, children, do well, and you’ll not get a sound beating. And þerfor, chyldere, loke þat ye do well, 100 And no harde betyng ſhall ye be-falle: Thys may ȝe al be ryght gode men. May God keep you good! God graunt yow grace ſo to preſerue yow. Amen!
Symon.
OF ABOUT 1500 A.D.
(From the Balliol MS. 354, ffl ij C xxx.)
[As old Symon talks of the rod (p. 383-4, ll. 62, 90), as Caxton in his Book of Curtesye promises his ‘lytyl John’ a breechless feast, or as the Oriel MS. reads it, a ‘byrchely’ one,1 & as the Forewords have shown that young people did get floggings in olden time, it may be as well to give here the sketch of a boy flea-bitten, no doubt, with little bobs of hazel twigs, that Richard Hill has preserved for us. Boys of the present generation happily don’t know the sensation of unwelcome warmth that a sound flogging produced, and how after it one had to sit on the bottom of one’s spine on the edge of the hard form, in the position recommended at College for getting well forward in rowing. But they may rest assured that if their lot had fallen on a birching school, they’d have heartily joined the school-boy of 1500 in wishing his and their masters at the devil, even though they as truant boys had been ‘milking ducks, as their mothers bade them.’]
hay! hay! by this day! what avayleth it me thowgh I say nay? Learning is strange work; ¶ I wold ffayñ be a clarke; but yet hit is a strange werke;2 the birch twigs are so sharp. the byrchyñ twyggis be so sharpe, hit makith me haue a faynt harte. what avaylith it me thowgh I say nay? I’d sooner go 20 miles than go to school on Mondays. ¶ On monday in the mornyng whañ I shall rise at vj. of the clok,3 hyt is the gise to go to skole without a-vise I had lever go xxti myle twyse! what avaylith it me thowgh I say nay? My master asks where I’ve been. ¶ My master lokith as he were madde: “wher hast thou be, thow sory ladde?” ‘Milking ducks,’ I tell him, “Milked dukkis, my moder badde:” hit was no mervayle thow I were sadde. what vaylith it me thowgh I say nay? and he gives me pepper for it. ¶ My master pepered my ars with well good spede: hit was worse thañ ffynkll sede; he wold not leve till it did blede. Myche sorow haue be for his dede! what vaylith it me thowgh I say nay? I only wish he was a hare, and my book a wild cat, ¶ I wold my master were a watt4 & my boke a wyld Catt, & a brase of grehowndis in his toppe: I wold be glade for to se that! what vayleth it me thowgh I say nay? ¶ I wold my master were an hare, and all his books dogs. & all his bokis howndis were, & I my self a Ioly hontere: Wouldn’t I blow my horn! to blowe my horñ I wold not spare! Don’t I wish he was dead! ffor if he were dede I wold not care. what vaylith me thowgh I say nay? Explicit.
[Printed also in Reliquiæ Antiquæ, i. 116, ‘From MS. Sloane, No. 1584, of the beginning of the sixteenth century, or latter part of the fifteenth, fol. 33ro., written in Lincolnshire or Nottinghamshire, perhaps, to judge by the mention of persons and places, in the neighbourhood of Grantham or Newark.’ J. O. Halliwell.]
Ante ffinem termini Baculus portamus, Caput hustiarii ffrangere debemus; Si preceptor nos petit quo debemus Ire, Breuiter respondemus, “non est tibi scire.” O pro nobilis docter, Now we youe pray, Vt velitis concedere to gyff hus leff to play. Nunc proponimus Ire, without any ney, Scolam dissolvere; I tell itt youe in fey, Sicut istud festum, merth-is for to make, Accipimus nostram diem, owr leve for to take. Post natale festum, full sor shall we qwake, Quum nos Revenimus, latens for to make. Ergo nos Rogamus, hartly and holle, Vt isto die possimus, to brek upe the scole. Non minus hic peccat qui sensum condit in agro, Quam qui doctrinam Claudet in ore suo.
[Balliol MS. 354, ffl ij C xij, or leaf 228.]
Caput Apri Refero, Resonens laudes domino. fote1 The boris hed In hondis I brynge with garlondis gay & byrdis syngynge; I pray you all helpe me to synge, Qui estis in conviuio. The boris hede, I vnderstond, ys cheffe seruyce in all this londe: wher-so-ever it may he fonde, Seruitur cum sinapio. The boris hede, I dare well say, anon after the xijth day he taketh his leve & goth a-way, Exiuit tunc de patria.
See other carols on the Boar’s Head, in Songs and Carols, Percy Soc., p. 42, 25; Ritson’s Ancient Songs; Sandys’s Carols, and Christmastide, p. 231, from Ritson,—a different version of the present carol,—&c.