The Babees Book, OR A 'LYTYL REPORTE' OF HOW YOUNG PEOPLE SHOULD BEHAVE. [MS. Harl. 5086, fol. 86-90; ab. 1475 A.D.]
IN this tretys the whiche I thenke to wryte
Out of latyn in-to my comvne langage,
He me supporte (sen I kan nat endyte),
The whiche only after his owne ymage
Line 4
Fourmyd man-kynde! For alle of tendre age
In curtesye Resseyve shulle document,
And vertues knowe, by this lytil coment.
¶ And Facett seythe the Book of curtesye,
Vertues to knowe, thaym forto haue and vse,
Line 9
Is thing moste heelfulle in this worlde trevly.
Therfore in feythe I wole me nat excuse
From this labour ywys, nor hit Refuse;
Line 12
For myn owne lernynge wole I say summe thing
That touchis vertues and curtesye havyng.
¶ But, O yonge Babees, whome bloode Royalle
Withe grace, feture, and hyhe habylite
Line 16
Hathe enourmyd, on yow ys that I calle
To knowe this Book; for it were grete pyte,
Syn that in yow ys sette sovereyne beaute,
But yf vertue and nurture were withe alle;
Line 20
To yow therfore I speke in specyalle,
¶ And nouhte to hem of elde that bene experte
In governaunce, nurture, and honeste.
