Symon's Lesson of Wysedome for all Maner Chyldryn.[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.]
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!
Old men yn prouerbe sayde by old tyme
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'A chyld were beter to be vnbore
Than to be vntaught, and so be lore.' [Compare "Better vnfedde then vntaughte" in Seager's Schoole of Vertue, above, p. 348, l. 725.]
The chyld þat hath hys wyll alway
Shal thryve late, y thei [thee] wel say,
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And þer-for euery gode mannys chyld
That is to wanton and to wyld,
Lerne wel this lesson for sertayn,
That thou may be þe beter man.
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Chyld, y warne þee yn al wyse
That þu tel trowth & make no lyes.
Chyld, be not froward, be not prowde,
But hold vp þy hedde & speke a-lowde;
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And when eny man spekyth to the,
Do of þy hode and bow thy kne,
And waysch thy handes & þy face,
And be curteys yn euery place.
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