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

Of the solace of a kynge. Capitulum Vndescimum.

tO the magiste of a kynge hit is auenaunt that he haue Some Pryue trew Pepill amonge whom he may glad hym, and aftyr nves and dyssesis haue dyuers Instrumentes of

myrthe afor hym to oppyn his herte and conforte. For the Sowle of a man hath delyte in instrumentys of myrth, kyndely the wittes enorchyth, contencioun and dyssayse and heuynes of cure away-Puttyth, and al the body therof streynth takyth. And yf in such maner thow wilte the sporte Pley and Solace, hit Suffysyth thre or foure dayes aftyr thy Plesynge; That shal be priuely don and stilli. Wham thow shalt be in Suche Solace, drynke but lytill, make al otheris drynke att har talente, Feyne the to be dronke, And than [folio 36] maystow many secrete thyngis to Parcew and Hyre. This owyth noght to be don, but twyes or threes by yere. Ouer that thow owyst to haue of thy maynye wyth the, that the may tell what that men sayth or doyth in thy Roialme. Ouer the tyme of Solace, hit appendyth to a kynge that he be of demure berrynge and fayre, And that he be not ouer-moche laghynge, and of lyght contenaunce hym kepe, For ofte laghynge Puttyth away the reuerence of a prynce. [folio 14L] This prouyth Sothe by this wers. Per multum risum, potes cognoscere Stultum. Anglice. "By ofte laghynge thow mayste know a fole."