Three prose versions of the Secreta Secretorum / edited with an introduction and notes by Robert Steele and a glossary by T. Henderson

Of þe secretary of a kyng. Capm. 59m.

dEre sone, it bihovith the to haue a secrete man to yefe attendaunce to thi privat writyngis, and to conceyve thyn entendement, and he must be a fayre speker, and on that kan comprehende thi wille in dewe ordir, and enditt fayre langage; for as a fayre Robe is worshipfulle to a kyng, so is fayre endityngis, emblisshyng of his maieste of lettris vndir his seele. And also he owith to be a man of good feith and trewe, and wijs to knowe thyn entendement, and take souereynly hede of þi worshipe, and þat no man be so prive with him, forto se þe lettris of thi secretȝ, and loke þat alle officers be welle rewardid

for her bisynesse, eche man in his degre, and enhaunce hem so in avauncementis, to whom euery man hath hool hert to, and doth thee dewe and trewe service, for in trewe servauntis is alle the glorie and high worshipe of thi lijf and thi distinccioun.