Now will I speak of the steward too;—Many are false, but few are [true[259]].The clerk of kitchen, controller,Steward, cook, and surveyor,Assent in council without scornHow the lord shall fare at meat the morn.If any dainty in country be,The steward shows it to the lord so free,Bids to buy it for any cost—It were great sin if it were lost.Before the course the steward comes then,The server it next, of all kinds of men,Makes way and stands beside,Till all be served at that tide.At counting steward shall be seenTill all be booked in wax so green,[259]Written into books without let,That before in tables has been set,Till accounts also thereon be cast,And summed up wholly at the last.
Now will I speak of the steward too;—Many are false, but few are [true[259]].The clerk of kitchen, controller,Steward, cook, and surveyor,Assent in council without scornHow the lord shall fare at meat the morn.If any dainty in country be,The steward shows it to the lord so free,Bids to buy it for any cost—It were great sin if it were lost.Before the course the steward comes then,The server it next, of all kinds of men,Makes way and stands beside,Till all be served at that tide.At counting steward shall be seenTill all be booked in wax so green,[259]Written into books without let,That before in tables has been set,Till accounts also thereon be cast,And summed up wholly at the last.
Now will I speak of the steward too;—Many are false, but few are [true[259]].The clerk of kitchen, controller,Steward, cook, and surveyor,Assent in council without scornHow the lord shall fare at meat the morn.If any dainty in country be,The steward shows it to the lord so free,Bids to buy it for any cost—It were great sin if it were lost.Before the course the steward comes then,The server it next, of all kinds of men,Makes way and stands beside,Till all be served at that tide.At counting steward shall be seenTill all be booked in wax so green,[259]Written into books without let,That before in tables has been set,Till accounts also thereon be cast,And summed up wholly at the last.
Now will I speak of the steward too;—
Many are false, but few are [true[259]].
The clerk of kitchen, controller,
Steward, cook, and surveyor,
Assent in council without scorn
How the lord shall fare at meat the morn.
If any dainty in country be,
The steward shows it to the lord so free,
Bids to buy it for any cost—
It were great sin if it were lost.
Before the course the steward comes then,
The server it next, of all kinds of men,
Makes way and stands beside,
Till all be served at that tide.
At counting steward shall be seen
Till all be booked in wax so green,[259]
Written into books without let,
That before in tables has been set,
Till accounts also thereon be cast,
And summed up wholly at the last.
De Contrarotulatore[260]
The controller shall write to him,“Taunt resceu”[261]—no more, I mean;And “Taunt dispendu”[262]that same day;Uncountable[263]he is, as I you say.
The controller shall write to him,“Taunt resceu”[261]—no more, I mean;And “Taunt dispendu”[262]that same day;Uncountable[263]he is, as I you say.
The controller shall write to him,“Taunt resceu”[261]—no more, I mean;And “Taunt dispendu”[262]that same day;Uncountable[263]he is, as I you say.
The controller shall write to him,
“Taunt resceu”[261]—no more, I mean;
And “Taunt dispendu”[262]that same day;
Uncountable[263]he is, as I you say.
Surveyor and steward also,These three folk and no moFor nought receive, but ever seeThat nothing fail and all things agree.That the clerk of kitchen should not miss—Therefore the controller, as have I bliss,Writes up the sum as every day,And helps to count as I you say.
Surveyor and steward also,These three folk and no moFor nought receive, but ever seeThat nothing fail and all things agree.That the clerk of kitchen should not miss—Therefore the controller, as have I bliss,Writes up the sum as every day,And helps to count as I you say.
Surveyor and steward also,These three folk and no moFor nought receive, but ever seeThat nothing fail and all things agree.That the clerk of kitchen should not miss—Therefore the controller, as have I bliss,Writes up the sum as every day,And helps to count as I you say.
Surveyor and steward also,
These three folk and no mo
For nought receive, but ever see
That nothing fail and all things agree.
That the clerk of kitchen should not miss—
Therefore the controller, as have I bliss,
Writes up the sum as every day,
And helps to count as I you say.
The clerk of kitchen shall all things brief,[266]Of men of court, both loth and lief;Of purchases and dispenses then writes heAnd wages for grooms and yeomen free.At dresser also he shall stand,And fetch forth meat dressed by hand.The spicery and stores with him shall dwell,And many things else, as I nought tell,For clothing of every officer,Save the lord himself and ladies dear.
The clerk of kitchen shall all things brief,[266]Of men of court, both loth and lief;Of purchases and dispenses then writes heAnd wages for grooms and yeomen free.At dresser also he shall stand,And fetch forth meat dressed by hand.The spicery and stores with him shall dwell,And many things else, as I nought tell,For clothing of every officer,Save the lord himself and ladies dear.
The clerk of kitchen shall all things brief,[266]Of men of court, both loth and lief;Of purchases and dispenses then writes heAnd wages for grooms and yeomen free.At dresser also he shall stand,And fetch forth meat dressed by hand.The spicery and stores with him shall dwell,And many things else, as I nought tell,For clothing of every officer,Save the lord himself and ladies dear.
The clerk of kitchen shall all things brief,[266]
Of men of court, both loth and lief;
Of purchases and dispenses then writes he
And wages for grooms and yeomen free.
At dresser also he shall stand,
And fetch forth meat dressed by hand.
The spicery and stores with him shall dwell,
And many things else, as I nought tell,
For clothing of every officer,
Save the lord himself and ladies dear.
The chancellor answers for their clothing,For yeomen, falconers, and their horsing,For their wardrobe and wages also,And seals patents, many and mo.If the lord give all for term of life,The chancellor it seals without strife.“Tan come nos plerra,” men say, that is,“Quando placet nobis,”That is, while us likes, be nought amiss.Oversees his lands that all be right;One of the great he is of might.
The chancellor answers for their clothing,For yeomen, falconers, and their horsing,For their wardrobe and wages also,And seals patents, many and mo.If the lord give all for term of life,The chancellor it seals without strife.“Tan come nos plerra,” men say, that is,“Quando placet nobis,”That is, while us likes, be nought amiss.Oversees his lands that all be right;One of the great he is of might.
The chancellor answers for their clothing,For yeomen, falconers, and their horsing,For their wardrobe and wages also,And seals patents, many and mo.If the lord give all for term of life,The chancellor it seals without strife.“Tan come nos plerra,” men say, that is,“Quando placet nobis,”That is, while us likes, be nought amiss.Oversees his lands that all be right;One of the great he is of might.
The chancellor answers for their clothing,
For yeomen, falconers, and their horsing,
For their wardrobe and wages also,
And seals patents, many and mo.
If the lord give all for term of life,
The chancellor it seals without strife.
“Tan come nos plerra,” men say, that is,
“Quando placet nobis,”
That is, while us likes, be nought amiss.
Oversees his lands that all be right;
One of the great he is of might.
De Thesaurizario[268]
Now to speak of the treasurer I come.Husband and housewife he is in one.Of the receiver he shall receiveAll that is gathered of bailiff and reeve,Of the lord’s courts, and forfeits[269]too,Whether they be false or they be true.To the clerk of the kitchen he pays moneyFor victual to buy throughout the country.The clerk to caterer and poulterer is,To baker and butler both, so ’tis,Gives silver to buy in all thing,What belongs to their office without lying.The treasurer shall give all kinds of wageTo squire, yeoman, groom or page.The receiver and the treasurer,The clerk of kitchen and chancellor,Reeves and bailiffs and parker,[270]Shall come to accounts every year,Before the auditor of the lord anon,That shall be true as any stone.If he treats them not right lealTo a baron of exchequer they must appeal.
Now to speak of the treasurer I come.Husband and housewife he is in one.Of the receiver he shall receiveAll that is gathered of bailiff and reeve,Of the lord’s courts, and forfeits[269]too,Whether they be false or they be true.To the clerk of the kitchen he pays moneyFor victual to buy throughout the country.The clerk to caterer and poulterer is,To baker and butler both, so ’tis,Gives silver to buy in all thing,What belongs to their office without lying.The treasurer shall give all kinds of wageTo squire, yeoman, groom or page.The receiver and the treasurer,The clerk of kitchen and chancellor,Reeves and bailiffs and parker,[270]Shall come to accounts every year,Before the auditor of the lord anon,That shall be true as any stone.If he treats them not right lealTo a baron of exchequer they must appeal.
Now to speak of the treasurer I come.Husband and housewife he is in one.Of the receiver he shall receiveAll that is gathered of bailiff and reeve,Of the lord’s courts, and forfeits[269]too,Whether they be false or they be true.To the clerk of the kitchen he pays moneyFor victual to buy throughout the country.The clerk to caterer and poulterer is,To baker and butler both, so ’tis,Gives silver to buy in all thing,What belongs to their office without lying.The treasurer shall give all kinds of wageTo squire, yeoman, groom or page.The receiver and the treasurer,The clerk of kitchen and chancellor,Reeves and bailiffs and parker,[270]Shall come to accounts every year,Before the auditor of the lord anon,That shall be true as any stone.If he treats them not right lealTo a baron of exchequer they must appeal.
Now to speak of the treasurer I come.
Husband and housewife he is in one.
Of the receiver he shall receive
All that is gathered of bailiff and reeve,
Of the lord’s courts, and forfeits[269]too,
Whether they be false or they be true.
To the clerk of the kitchen he pays money
For victual to buy throughout the country.
The clerk to caterer and poulterer is,
To baker and butler both, so ’tis,
Gives silver to buy in all thing,
What belongs to their office without lying.
The treasurer shall give all kinds of wage
To squire, yeoman, groom or page.
The receiver and the treasurer,
The clerk of kitchen and chancellor,
Reeves and bailiffs and parker,[270]
Shall come to accounts every year,
Before the auditor of the lord anon,
That shall be true as any stone.
If he treats them not right leal
To a baron of exchequer they must appeal.
Of the receiver speak will IThat farms[272]receiveth, verily,Of reeves and them a quittance[273]makes;Six pence thereof as fee he takes.And pays fees to parks as I know;Therefore at accounts he loved is so.And oversees castles and manors about,That naught fall, within or without.Now let we these officers be,And of smaller folk tell we.
Of the receiver speak will IThat farms[272]receiveth, verily,Of reeves and them a quittance[273]makes;Six pence thereof as fee he takes.And pays fees to parks as I know;Therefore at accounts he loved is so.And oversees castles and manors about,That naught fall, within or without.Now let we these officers be,And of smaller folk tell we.
Of the receiver speak will IThat farms[272]receiveth, verily,Of reeves and them a quittance[273]makes;Six pence thereof as fee he takes.And pays fees to parks as I know;Therefore at accounts he loved is so.And oversees castles and manors about,That naught fall, within or without.Now let we these officers be,And of smaller folk tell we.
Of the receiver speak will I
That farms[272]receiveth, verily,
Of reeves and them a quittance[273]makes;
Six pence thereof as fee he takes.
And pays fees to parks as I know;
Therefore at accounts he loved is so.
And oversees castles and manors about,
That naught fall, within or without.
Now let we these officers be,
And of smaller folk tell we.
The avener shall provender wisely ordain,All the lord’s horses to maintain.They shall have two cast[275]of hay,A peck of provender in a day.Every horse shall so much have,At rack and manger that stands with staff.[276]There is a master of horses, a squire,Under him avener and farrier.These yeomen old saddles shall haveThat shall be last for knight and knave.For each horse a farrier shall shoe,A ha’penny a day he takes him to.Under be grooms and pages many a one,That be at wages every one,Some at twopence by the day,And some at three farthings, I you say.Many of them footmen there beenThat run by the bridles of ladies sheen.
The avener shall provender wisely ordain,All the lord’s horses to maintain.They shall have two cast[275]of hay,A peck of provender in a day.Every horse shall so much have,At rack and manger that stands with staff.[276]There is a master of horses, a squire,Under him avener and farrier.These yeomen old saddles shall haveThat shall be last for knight and knave.For each horse a farrier shall shoe,A ha’penny a day he takes him to.Under be grooms and pages many a one,That be at wages every one,Some at twopence by the day,And some at three farthings, I you say.Many of them footmen there beenThat run by the bridles of ladies sheen.
The avener shall provender wisely ordain,All the lord’s horses to maintain.They shall have two cast[275]of hay,A peck of provender in a day.Every horse shall so much have,At rack and manger that stands with staff.[276]There is a master of horses, a squire,Under him avener and farrier.These yeomen old saddles shall haveThat shall be last for knight and knave.For each horse a farrier shall shoe,A ha’penny a day he takes him to.Under be grooms and pages many a one,That be at wages every one,Some at twopence by the day,And some at three farthings, I you say.Many of them footmen there beenThat run by the bridles of ladies sheen.
The avener shall provender wisely ordain,
All the lord’s horses to maintain.
They shall have two cast[275]of hay,
A peck of provender in a day.
Every horse shall so much have,
At rack and manger that stands with staff.[276]
There is a master of horses, a squire,
Under him avener and farrier.
These yeomen old saddles shall have
That shall be last for knight and knave.
For each horse a farrier shall shoe,
A ha’penny a day he takes him to.
Under be grooms and pages many a one,
That be at wages every one,
Some at twopence by the day,
And some at three farthings, I you say.
Many of them footmen there been
That run by the bridles of ladies sheen.
Of the baker now speak I will,And what belongs his office till.Of a London bushel he shall bakeTwenty loaves I undertake:Manchet[278]and cheat,[279]to make brown bread hardFor chandler and greyhound and hunt reward.
Of the baker now speak I will,And what belongs his office till.Of a London bushel he shall bakeTwenty loaves I undertake:Manchet[278]and cheat,[279]to make brown bread hardFor chandler and greyhound and hunt reward.
Of the baker now speak I will,And what belongs his office till.Of a London bushel he shall bakeTwenty loaves I undertake:Manchet[278]and cheat,[279]to make brown bread hardFor chandler and greyhound and hunt reward.
Of the baker now speak I will,
And what belongs his office till.
Of a London bushel he shall bake
Twenty loaves I undertake:
Manchet[278]and cheat,[279]to make brown bread hard
For chandler and greyhound and hunt reward.
De Venatore et suis Canibus[280]
A ha’penny the hunt takes on the day,For every hound, the sooth to say.Two cast[281]of bread has the fewterer,[282]If two leash of greyhounds there are,To each a bone, that is to tell,If I the sooth to you shall spell,Besides his vantage[283]that may befallOf skins and other things withal.That hunters better can tell than I,And therefore I leave it utterly.
A ha’penny the hunt takes on the day,For every hound, the sooth to say.Two cast[281]of bread has the fewterer,[282]If two leash of greyhounds there are,To each a bone, that is to tell,If I the sooth to you shall spell,Besides his vantage[283]that may befallOf skins and other things withal.That hunters better can tell than I,And therefore I leave it utterly.
A ha’penny the hunt takes on the day,For every hound, the sooth to say.Two cast[281]of bread has the fewterer,[282]If two leash of greyhounds there are,To each a bone, that is to tell,If I the sooth to you shall spell,Besides his vantage[283]that may befallOf skins and other things withal.That hunters better can tell than I,And therefore I leave it utterly.
A ha’penny the hunt takes on the day,
For every hound, the sooth to say.
Two cast[281]of bread has the fewterer,[282]
If two leash of greyhounds there are,
To each a bone, that is to tell,
If I the sooth to you shall spell,
Besides his vantage[283]that may befall
Of skins and other things withal.
That hunters better can tell than I,
And therefore I leave it utterly.
And speak I will of other gearThat falls to court, as ye may hear.An ewerer in hall there needs to be,And candles shall have and all napery.He shall give water to gentlemen,And also to all yeomen,“Qui debent manus lavare et in quorum domibus,”[285]In king’s court and duke’s also,There yeomen shall wash and no mo.In Duke John’s[286]house a yeoman there wasFor his reward prayed such a grace.The duke got grant thereof in landOf the king, his father, I understand.Whosoever gives water in king’s chamber,In presence of lord or lady dear,He shall kneel down upon his knee,Else he forgets his courtesy.This ewerer shall cover his lord’s boardWith double napery, at a bare word,The selvage toward the lord’s side;And down shall hang that other wide.[286]The uppercloth shall double be laid,To the outer side the selvage braid;[287]The other selvage he shall over foldAs towel it were, fair to behold.Napkins he shall cast thereupon,That the lord shall cleanse his fingers on;The lady and whosoever sits in hall,All napkins shall have, both great and small.
And speak I will of other gearThat falls to court, as ye may hear.An ewerer in hall there needs to be,And candles shall have and all napery.He shall give water to gentlemen,And also to all yeomen,“Qui debent manus lavare et in quorum domibus,”[285]In king’s court and duke’s also,There yeomen shall wash and no mo.In Duke John’s[286]house a yeoman there wasFor his reward prayed such a grace.The duke got grant thereof in landOf the king, his father, I understand.Whosoever gives water in king’s chamber,In presence of lord or lady dear,He shall kneel down upon his knee,Else he forgets his courtesy.This ewerer shall cover his lord’s boardWith double napery, at a bare word,The selvage toward the lord’s side;And down shall hang that other wide.[286]The uppercloth shall double be laid,To the outer side the selvage braid;[287]The other selvage he shall over foldAs towel it were, fair to behold.Napkins he shall cast thereupon,That the lord shall cleanse his fingers on;The lady and whosoever sits in hall,All napkins shall have, both great and small.
And speak I will of other gearThat falls to court, as ye may hear.An ewerer in hall there needs to be,And candles shall have and all napery.He shall give water to gentlemen,And also to all yeomen,“Qui debent manus lavare et in quorum domibus,”[285]In king’s court and duke’s also,There yeomen shall wash and no mo.In Duke John’s[286]house a yeoman there wasFor his reward prayed such a grace.The duke got grant thereof in landOf the king, his father, I understand.Whosoever gives water in king’s chamber,In presence of lord or lady dear,He shall kneel down upon his knee,Else he forgets his courtesy.This ewerer shall cover his lord’s boardWith double napery, at a bare word,The selvage toward the lord’s side;And down shall hang that other wide.[286]The uppercloth shall double be laid,To the outer side the selvage braid;[287]The other selvage he shall over foldAs towel it were, fair to behold.Napkins he shall cast thereupon,That the lord shall cleanse his fingers on;The lady and whosoever sits in hall,All napkins shall have, both great and small.
And speak I will of other gear
That falls to court, as ye may hear.
An ewerer in hall there needs to be,
And candles shall have and all napery.
He shall give water to gentlemen,
And also to all yeomen,
“Qui debent manus lavare et in quorum domibus,”[285]
In king’s court and duke’s also,
There yeomen shall wash and no mo.
In Duke John’s[286]house a yeoman there was
For his reward prayed such a grace.
The duke got grant thereof in land
Of the king, his father, I understand.
Whosoever gives water in king’s chamber,
In presence of lord or lady dear,
He shall kneel down upon his knee,
Else he forgets his courtesy.
This ewerer shall cover his lord’s board
With double napery, at a bare word,
The selvage toward the lord’s side;
And down shall hang that other wide.[286]
The uppercloth shall double be laid,
To the outer side the selvage braid;[287]
The other selvage he shall over fold
As towel it were, fair to behold.
Napkins he shall cast thereupon,
That the lord shall cleanse his fingers on;
The lady and whosoever sits in hall,
All napkins shall have, both great and small.
John of Gaunt receives a civic deputation
John of Gaunt receives a civic deputation
John of Gaunt receives a civic deputation
Then comes the panter with loaves three,That square are carven for trencher free,Two set within and one without,And salt-cellar covered and seten route;[289]With the overmost loaf it shall be set,To make up the square, without let.Two carving knives are placéd soon,The third to the lord, and also a spoon.
Then comes the panter with loaves three,That square are carven for trencher free,Two set within and one without,And salt-cellar covered and seten route;[289]With the overmost loaf it shall be set,To make up the square, without let.Two carving knives are placéd soon,The third to the lord, and also a spoon.
Then comes the panter with loaves three,That square are carven for trencher free,Two set within and one without,And salt-cellar covered and seten route;[289]With the overmost loaf it shall be set,To make up the square, without let.Two carving knives are placéd soon,The third to the lord, and also a spoon.
Then comes the panter with loaves three,
That square are carven for trencher free,
Two set within and one without,
And salt-cellar covered and seten route;[289]
With the overmost loaf it shall be set,
To make up the square, without let.
Two carving knives are placéd soon,
The third to the lord, and also a spoon.
Of the two the hafts shall outward be,Of the third the haft inward lays he.The spoon handle shall be laid thereby,More trenchers and loaves there full nighHe sets, and ever must he bearTo duchess his wine that is so dear.Two loaves of trenchers and salt too,He sets before his son also.A loaf of trenchers and salt at lastAt board’s end he sets in haste.Then bread he brings in towel wrapped aright;Three loaves shall be given of the white,A cheat-loaf[291]to the alms-dish,Whether he served be with flesh or fish.At either end he casts a cope,[292]Laid down on board, the ends turned up.That he assays kneeling on knee—The carver him pares a slice[293]so free—And touches the loaves in a circle[294]about;The panter it eats without a doubt.The ewerer through towels straineth cleanHis water into the basins sheen.The over-basin thereon shall close,A towel thereon, as I suppose,That folded shall be with full great lore,Two quarters in length and somewhat more.A white cup of wood thereby shall be,Therewith with water assay shall he,Covers it again before all men.The carver the basins takes up then,The announcing squire or else a knight,The towel down takes by full good right;The cup he takes in hand also,The carver pours water the cup into.The knight the carver holds anon to,He assays it ere he more shall do.The cup then voided is in hall away;The ewerer takes it without delay.The towel two knights together shall bear,Before the lord’s sleeves that be so dear.The over-basin they hold, never the whether,[295]While the carver pours water into the nether;For a pipe there is inside so clean,That water devoids,[296]of silver sheen.Then sets he the nether, I understand,In the over and voids with either hand,And brings to the ewerer where he came fro.To the lord’s boards again doth go,And lays four trenchers the lord before,The fifth above, by good lore.By himself three shall he dressTo cut upon the lord’s mess.Small towel upon his neck shall be seen,To cleanse his knives that be so keen.
Of the two the hafts shall outward be,Of the third the haft inward lays he.The spoon handle shall be laid thereby,More trenchers and loaves there full nighHe sets, and ever must he bearTo duchess his wine that is so dear.Two loaves of trenchers and salt too,He sets before his son also.A loaf of trenchers and salt at lastAt board’s end he sets in haste.Then bread he brings in towel wrapped aright;Three loaves shall be given of the white,A cheat-loaf[291]to the alms-dish,Whether he served be with flesh or fish.At either end he casts a cope,[292]Laid down on board, the ends turned up.That he assays kneeling on knee—The carver him pares a slice[293]so free—And touches the loaves in a circle[294]about;The panter it eats without a doubt.The ewerer through towels straineth cleanHis water into the basins sheen.The over-basin thereon shall close,A towel thereon, as I suppose,That folded shall be with full great lore,Two quarters in length and somewhat more.A white cup of wood thereby shall be,Therewith with water assay shall he,Covers it again before all men.The carver the basins takes up then,The announcing squire or else a knight,The towel down takes by full good right;The cup he takes in hand also,The carver pours water the cup into.The knight the carver holds anon to,He assays it ere he more shall do.The cup then voided is in hall away;The ewerer takes it without delay.The towel two knights together shall bear,Before the lord’s sleeves that be so dear.The over-basin they hold, never the whether,[295]While the carver pours water into the nether;For a pipe there is inside so clean,That water devoids,[296]of silver sheen.Then sets he the nether, I understand,In the over and voids with either hand,And brings to the ewerer where he came fro.To the lord’s boards again doth go,And lays four trenchers the lord before,The fifth above, by good lore.By himself three shall he dressTo cut upon the lord’s mess.Small towel upon his neck shall be seen,To cleanse his knives that be so keen.
Of the two the hafts shall outward be,Of the third the haft inward lays he.The spoon handle shall be laid thereby,More trenchers and loaves there full nighHe sets, and ever must he bearTo duchess his wine that is so dear.Two loaves of trenchers and salt too,He sets before his son also.A loaf of trenchers and salt at lastAt board’s end he sets in haste.Then bread he brings in towel wrapped aright;Three loaves shall be given of the white,A cheat-loaf[291]to the alms-dish,Whether he served be with flesh or fish.At either end he casts a cope,[292]Laid down on board, the ends turned up.That he assays kneeling on knee—The carver him pares a slice[293]so free—And touches the loaves in a circle[294]about;The panter it eats without a doubt.The ewerer through towels straineth cleanHis water into the basins sheen.The over-basin thereon shall close,A towel thereon, as I suppose,That folded shall be with full great lore,Two quarters in length and somewhat more.A white cup of wood thereby shall be,Therewith with water assay shall he,Covers it again before all men.The carver the basins takes up then,The announcing squire or else a knight,The towel down takes by full good right;The cup he takes in hand also,The carver pours water the cup into.The knight the carver holds anon to,He assays it ere he more shall do.The cup then voided is in hall away;The ewerer takes it without delay.The towel two knights together shall bear,Before the lord’s sleeves that be so dear.The over-basin they hold, never the whether,[295]While the carver pours water into the nether;For a pipe there is inside so clean,That water devoids,[296]of silver sheen.Then sets he the nether, I understand,In the over and voids with either hand,And brings to the ewerer where he came fro.To the lord’s boards again doth go,And lays four trenchers the lord before,The fifth above, by good lore.By himself three shall he dressTo cut upon the lord’s mess.Small towel upon his neck shall be seen,To cleanse his knives that be so keen.
Of the two the hafts shall outward be,
Of the third the haft inward lays he.
The spoon handle shall be laid thereby,
More trenchers and loaves there full nigh
He sets, and ever must he bear
To duchess his wine that is so dear.
Two loaves of trenchers and salt too,
He sets before his son also.
A loaf of trenchers and salt at last
At board’s end he sets in haste.
Then bread he brings in towel wrapped aright;
Three loaves shall be given of the white,
A cheat-loaf[291]to the alms-dish,
Whether he served be with flesh or fish.
At either end he casts a cope,[292]
Laid down on board, the ends turned up.
That he assays kneeling on knee—
The carver him pares a slice[293]so free—
And touches the loaves in a circle[294]about;
The panter it eats without a doubt.
The ewerer through towels straineth clean
His water into the basins sheen.
The over-basin thereon shall close,
A towel thereon, as I suppose,
That folded shall be with full great lore,
Two quarters in length and somewhat more.
A white cup of wood thereby shall be,
Therewith with water assay shall he,
Covers it again before all men.
The carver the basins takes up then,
The announcing squire or else a knight,
The towel down takes by full good right;
The cup he takes in hand also,
The carver pours water the cup into.
The knight the carver holds anon to,
He assays it ere he more shall do.
The cup then voided is in hall away;
The ewerer takes it without delay.
The towel two knights together shall bear,
Before the lord’s sleeves that be so dear.
The over-basin they hold, never the whether,[295]
While the carver pours water into the nether;
For a pipe there is inside so clean,
That water devoids,[296]of silver sheen.
Then sets he the nether, I understand,
In the over and voids with either hand,
And brings to the ewerer where he came fro.
To the lord’s boards again doth go,
And lays four trenchers the lord before,
The fifth above, by good lore.
By himself three shall he dress
To cut upon the lord’s mess.
Small towel upon his neck shall be seen,
To cleanse his knives that be so keen.
The almoner by this hath said graceAnd the alms-dish has set in place;Therein the carver a loaf shall setTo serve God first without let;These other loaves he pares about,Lays it amid dish without a doubt;The small loaf he cuts even in twainThe over-dole[298]in two he lays again.The almoner a rod shall have in hand,As office for alms, I understand.All the broken meat he keeps, I wot,To deal to poor men at the gate;And drink that is left served in hall,Of rich and poor, both great and small.He is sworn to oversee the service well,And deal it to the poor every deal.Silver he deals riding by the way,And his alms dish, as I you say,To the poorest man that he can find,Or else, I wot, he is unkind.
The almoner by this hath said graceAnd the alms-dish has set in place;Therein the carver a loaf shall setTo serve God first without let;These other loaves he pares about,Lays it amid dish without a doubt;The small loaf he cuts even in twainThe over-dole[298]in two he lays again.The almoner a rod shall have in hand,As office for alms, I understand.All the broken meat he keeps, I wot,To deal to poor men at the gate;And drink that is left served in hall,Of rich and poor, both great and small.He is sworn to oversee the service well,And deal it to the poor every deal.Silver he deals riding by the way,And his alms dish, as I you say,To the poorest man that he can find,Or else, I wot, he is unkind.
The almoner by this hath said graceAnd the alms-dish has set in place;Therein the carver a loaf shall setTo serve God first without let;These other loaves he pares about,Lays it amid dish without a doubt;The small loaf he cuts even in twainThe over-dole[298]in two he lays again.The almoner a rod shall have in hand,As office for alms, I understand.All the broken meat he keeps, I wot,To deal to poor men at the gate;And drink that is left served in hall,Of rich and poor, both great and small.He is sworn to oversee the service well,And deal it to the poor every deal.Silver he deals riding by the way,And his alms dish, as I you say,To the poorest man that he can find,Or else, I wot, he is unkind.
The almoner by this hath said grace
And the alms-dish has set in place;
Therein the carver a loaf shall set
To serve God first without let;
These other loaves he pares about,
Lays it amid dish without a doubt;
The small loaf he cuts even in twain
The over-dole[298]in two he lays again.
The almoner a rod shall have in hand,
As office for alms, I understand.
All the broken meat he keeps, I wot,
To deal to poor men at the gate;
And drink that is left served in hall,
Of rich and poor, both great and small.
He is sworn to oversee the service well,
And deal it to the poor every deal.
Silver he deals riding by the way,
And his alms dish, as I you say,
To the poorest man that he can find,
Or else, I wot, he is unkind.
This while the squire to kitchen shall go away,And bring above meat for assay.The cook assays the meat undight,The sewer, he takes and covers aright.Whosoever takes that meat to bear,Shall not be so hardy the coverture to rear,For cold nor hot, I warn you all,For suspicion of treason, as may befall.If the silver dish be over hot,A subtlety I will that thou wot:Take the bread carven[300]and lay between,And keep thee well it be not seen;I teach it for no courtesy,But for thine ease[301]—When the sewer comes unto the board,All the meat he assays at a bare word,The pottage first with bread y-carven,[302]Covers them again lest they be starven;[303]With fish or flesh if they be served,A morsel thereof for him shall be craved,And touches the mess over all about;The sewer it eats without a doubt.With baken meat, if he served be so,The lids up-reared ere he further go;The pasty or pie he assays within,Dips bread in gravy, no more no myn.[304]If the baked meat be cold as may befall,A gobbet of the same he assays withal.But thou that bearest meat in hand,If the sewer stand, look thou stand,If he kneel, kneel thou so long for aught,Till meat be assayed that thou hast brought.As oft at high board, if of bread be need,The butler two loaves takes indeed,That one sets down, that other againHe bears to cupboard in towel plain.[305]As oft as the carver fetches drink,The butler assays it, how good him think.In the lord’s cup what is left undrunk,Into the alms-dish it shall be sunk.The carver anon without thought,Uncovers the cup that he has brought,Into the coverture wine he pours out,Or into a spare piece without doubt,Assays and gives the lord to drink,Or sets it down, as good him think.The carver shall carve the lord’s meat,Of what sort of piece that he will eat;[306]And on his trencher he it lays,In this manner, without displays.In alms-dish he lays each deal,That he is served with at the meal,Unless he send to any stranger,A piece that is him lief and dear;[306]And send him his pottage also,That shall not to the alms go.Of carver more if must I tell,Another fit then must I spell;Therefore I let it here over pass,To make our talking some deal less.When the lord has eaten, the sewer shall bringThe surnape on his shoulder to him,A narrow towel, a broad beside,And off his hands he lets it slide.The usher leads that one end right,The almoner the other away shall dight.When the usher comes to the end of the board,The narrow towel he stretches well toward,Before the lord and lady so dear;Double he folds the towel there.When they have washen and said is grace,Away he takes the towel apace,Lowers the board unto the floor,Takes away the trestles that be so store.[307]
This while the squire to kitchen shall go away,And bring above meat for assay.The cook assays the meat undight,The sewer, he takes and covers aright.Whosoever takes that meat to bear,Shall not be so hardy the coverture to rear,For cold nor hot, I warn you all,For suspicion of treason, as may befall.If the silver dish be over hot,A subtlety I will that thou wot:Take the bread carven[300]and lay between,And keep thee well it be not seen;I teach it for no courtesy,But for thine ease[301]—When the sewer comes unto the board,All the meat he assays at a bare word,The pottage first with bread y-carven,[302]Covers them again lest they be starven;[303]With fish or flesh if they be served,A morsel thereof for him shall be craved,And touches the mess over all about;The sewer it eats without a doubt.With baken meat, if he served be so,The lids up-reared ere he further go;The pasty or pie he assays within,Dips bread in gravy, no more no myn.[304]If the baked meat be cold as may befall,A gobbet of the same he assays withal.But thou that bearest meat in hand,If the sewer stand, look thou stand,If he kneel, kneel thou so long for aught,Till meat be assayed that thou hast brought.As oft at high board, if of bread be need,The butler two loaves takes indeed,That one sets down, that other againHe bears to cupboard in towel plain.[305]As oft as the carver fetches drink,The butler assays it, how good him think.In the lord’s cup what is left undrunk,Into the alms-dish it shall be sunk.The carver anon without thought,Uncovers the cup that he has brought,Into the coverture wine he pours out,Or into a spare piece without doubt,Assays and gives the lord to drink,Or sets it down, as good him think.The carver shall carve the lord’s meat,Of what sort of piece that he will eat;[306]And on his trencher he it lays,In this manner, without displays.In alms-dish he lays each deal,That he is served with at the meal,Unless he send to any stranger,A piece that is him lief and dear;[306]And send him his pottage also,That shall not to the alms go.Of carver more if must I tell,Another fit then must I spell;Therefore I let it here over pass,To make our talking some deal less.When the lord has eaten, the sewer shall bringThe surnape on his shoulder to him,A narrow towel, a broad beside,And off his hands he lets it slide.The usher leads that one end right,The almoner the other away shall dight.When the usher comes to the end of the board,The narrow towel he stretches well toward,Before the lord and lady so dear;Double he folds the towel there.When they have washen and said is grace,Away he takes the towel apace,Lowers the board unto the floor,Takes away the trestles that be so store.[307]
This while the squire to kitchen shall go away,And bring above meat for assay.The cook assays the meat undight,The sewer, he takes and covers aright.Whosoever takes that meat to bear,Shall not be so hardy the coverture to rear,For cold nor hot, I warn you all,For suspicion of treason, as may befall.If the silver dish be over hot,A subtlety I will that thou wot:Take the bread carven[300]and lay between,And keep thee well it be not seen;I teach it for no courtesy,But for thine ease[301]—When the sewer comes unto the board,All the meat he assays at a bare word,The pottage first with bread y-carven,[302]Covers them again lest they be starven;[303]With fish or flesh if they be served,A morsel thereof for him shall be craved,And touches the mess over all about;The sewer it eats without a doubt.With baken meat, if he served be so,The lids up-reared ere he further go;The pasty or pie he assays within,Dips bread in gravy, no more no myn.[304]If the baked meat be cold as may befall,A gobbet of the same he assays withal.But thou that bearest meat in hand,If the sewer stand, look thou stand,If he kneel, kneel thou so long for aught,Till meat be assayed that thou hast brought.As oft at high board, if of bread be need,The butler two loaves takes indeed,That one sets down, that other againHe bears to cupboard in towel plain.[305]As oft as the carver fetches drink,The butler assays it, how good him think.In the lord’s cup what is left undrunk,Into the alms-dish it shall be sunk.The carver anon without thought,Uncovers the cup that he has brought,Into the coverture wine he pours out,Or into a spare piece without doubt,Assays and gives the lord to drink,Or sets it down, as good him think.The carver shall carve the lord’s meat,Of what sort of piece that he will eat;[306]And on his trencher he it lays,In this manner, without displays.In alms-dish he lays each deal,That he is served with at the meal,Unless he send to any stranger,A piece that is him lief and dear;[306]And send him his pottage also,That shall not to the alms go.Of carver more if must I tell,Another fit then must I spell;Therefore I let it here over pass,To make our talking some deal less.When the lord has eaten, the sewer shall bringThe surnape on his shoulder to him,A narrow towel, a broad beside,And off his hands he lets it slide.The usher leads that one end right,The almoner the other away shall dight.When the usher comes to the end of the board,The narrow towel he stretches well toward,Before the lord and lady so dear;Double he folds the towel there.When they have washen and said is grace,Away he takes the towel apace,Lowers the board unto the floor,Takes away the trestles that be so store.[307]
This while the squire to kitchen shall go away,
And bring above meat for assay.
The cook assays the meat undight,
The sewer, he takes and covers aright.
Whosoever takes that meat to bear,
Shall not be so hardy the coverture to rear,
For cold nor hot, I warn you all,
For suspicion of treason, as may befall.
If the silver dish be over hot,
A subtlety I will that thou wot:
Take the bread carven[300]and lay between,
And keep thee well it be not seen;
I teach it for no courtesy,
But for thine ease[301]—
When the sewer comes unto the board,
All the meat he assays at a bare word,
The pottage first with bread y-carven,[302]
Covers them again lest they be starven;[303]
With fish or flesh if they be served,
A morsel thereof for him shall be craved,
And touches the mess over all about;
The sewer it eats without a doubt.
With baken meat, if he served be so,
The lids up-reared ere he further go;
The pasty or pie he assays within,
Dips bread in gravy, no more no myn.[304]
If the baked meat be cold as may befall,
A gobbet of the same he assays withal.
But thou that bearest meat in hand,
If the sewer stand, look thou stand,
If he kneel, kneel thou so long for aught,
Till meat be assayed that thou hast brought.
As oft at high board, if of bread be need,
The butler two loaves takes indeed,
That one sets down, that other again
He bears to cupboard in towel plain.[305]
As oft as the carver fetches drink,
The butler assays it, how good him think.
In the lord’s cup what is left undrunk,
Into the alms-dish it shall be sunk.
The carver anon without thought,
Uncovers the cup that he has brought,
Into the coverture wine he pours out,
Or into a spare piece without doubt,
Assays and gives the lord to drink,
Or sets it down, as good him think.
The carver shall carve the lord’s meat,
Of what sort of piece that he will eat;[306]
And on his trencher he it lays,
In this manner, without displays.
In alms-dish he lays each deal,
That he is served with at the meal,
Unless he send to any stranger,
A piece that is him lief and dear;[306]
And send him his pottage also,
That shall not to the alms go.
Of carver more if must I tell,
Another fit then must I spell;
Therefore I let it here over pass,
To make our talking some deal less.
When the lord has eaten, the sewer shall bring
The surnape on his shoulder to him,
A narrow towel, a broad beside,
And off his hands he lets it slide.
The usher leads that one end right,
The almoner the other away shall dight.
When the usher comes to the end of the board,
The narrow towel he stretches well toward,
Before the lord and lady so dear;
Double he folds the towel there.
When they have washen and said is grace,
Away he takes the towel apace,
Lowers the board unto the floor,
Takes away the trestles that be so store.[307]
Now will I speak a little while,Of the chandler, without guile,That torches and tapers and prickets can make,Perchers,[309]small candles, I undertake;Of wax these candles all that bren,And mortar of wax, as I well ken.The snuff of them he does awayWith close scissors, as I you say.The scissors be short and closed round,With plate of iron on the end bound.In chamber no light there shall be brent,But of wax thereto, if ye take tent.In hall at supper shall candles brenOf Paris, therein that all men ken,Each mess a candle from All Hallows’ Day,To Candlemas, as I you say.Of candles delivery squires shall haveSo long if it is that man will crave.Of bread and ale also the butler,Shall make delivery throughout the year,To squires, and also wine to knight,Or else he does not his office right.Here endeth the third speech.Of all our sins Christ be our leech,And bring us to his dwelling-place!“Amen,” say ye, for his great grace.Amen, par charite.
Now will I speak a little while,Of the chandler, without guile,That torches and tapers and prickets can make,Perchers,[309]small candles, I undertake;Of wax these candles all that bren,And mortar of wax, as I well ken.The snuff of them he does awayWith close scissors, as I you say.The scissors be short and closed round,With plate of iron on the end bound.In chamber no light there shall be brent,But of wax thereto, if ye take tent.In hall at supper shall candles brenOf Paris, therein that all men ken,Each mess a candle from All Hallows’ Day,To Candlemas, as I you say.Of candles delivery squires shall haveSo long if it is that man will crave.Of bread and ale also the butler,Shall make delivery throughout the year,To squires, and also wine to knight,Or else he does not his office right.Here endeth the third speech.Of all our sins Christ be our leech,And bring us to his dwelling-place!“Amen,” say ye, for his great grace.Amen, par charite.
Now will I speak a little while,Of the chandler, without guile,That torches and tapers and prickets can make,Perchers,[309]small candles, I undertake;Of wax these candles all that bren,And mortar of wax, as I well ken.The snuff of them he does awayWith close scissors, as I you say.The scissors be short and closed round,With plate of iron on the end bound.In chamber no light there shall be brent,But of wax thereto, if ye take tent.In hall at supper shall candles brenOf Paris, therein that all men ken,Each mess a candle from All Hallows’ Day,To Candlemas, as I you say.Of candles delivery squires shall haveSo long if it is that man will crave.Of bread and ale also the butler,Shall make delivery throughout the year,To squires, and also wine to knight,Or else he does not his office right.Here endeth the third speech.Of all our sins Christ be our leech,And bring us to his dwelling-place!“Amen,” say ye, for his great grace.Amen, par charite.
Now will I speak a little while,
Of the chandler, without guile,
That torches and tapers and prickets can make,
Perchers,[309]small candles, I undertake;
Of wax these candles all that bren,
And mortar of wax, as I well ken.
The snuff of them he does away
With close scissors, as I you say.
The scissors be short and closed round,
With plate of iron on the end bound.
In chamber no light there shall be brent,
But of wax thereto, if ye take tent.
In hall at supper shall candles bren
Of Paris, therein that all men ken,
Each mess a candle from All Hallows’ Day,
To Candlemas, as I you say.
Of candles delivery squires shall have
So long if it is that man will crave.
Of bread and ale also the butler,
Shall make delivery throughout the year,
To squires, and also wine to knight,
Or else he does not his office right.
Here endeth the third speech.
Of all our sins Christ be our leech,
And bring us to his dwelling-place!
“Amen,” say ye, for his great grace.
Amen, par charite.