Early English Meals and Manners Part 72

[Sidenote: The eyes.]

Nor let thine eyes be gloting downe, cast with a hanging looke: For that to dreamers doth belong, that goodnesse cannot brooke. 36

[Sidenote: The forehead.]

Let forehead joyfull be and full, it shewes a merry part, And cheerefulnesse in countenance, and pleasantnesse of heart. 40

[Sidenote: Countenance.]

Nor wrinckled let thy countenance be, still going to and fro: For that belongs to hedge-hogs right, they wallow even so. 44

[Sidenote: [p. 8.]]

[Sidenote: The nose.]

Nor imitate with Socrates, to wipe thy snivelled nose Vpon thy cap, as he would doe, nor yet upon thy clothes. 48

But keepe it cleane with handkerchiffe, provided for the same, Not with thy fingers or thy sleeve, therein thou art too blame. 52

[Sidenote: Blowing or breathing.]

Blow not alowd as thou shalt stand, for that is most absurd, Iust like a broken winded horse.

it is to be abhord. 56

[Sidenote: Snuffling in the nose when you speake.]

Nor practize snufflngly to speake, for that doth imitate The brutish Storke and Elephant, yea and the wralling cat. 60

[Sidenote: [p. 9.]]

[Sidenote: Neezing.]

If thou of force doe chance to neeze, then backewards turne away From presence of the company, wherein thou art to stay. 64

[Sidenote: The Cheekes.]

Thy cheekes with shamefac't modesty, dipt in Dame Natures die, Not counterfet, nor puffed out, observe it carefully. 68

[Sidenote: Breathing.]

Keepe close thy mouth, for why, thy breath may hap to give offence, And other worse may be repayd for further recompence. 72

[Sidenote: Lips.]

Nor put thy lips out like a foole as thou wouldst kisse a horse, When thou before thy betters art, and what is ten times worse, 76

[Sidenote: [p. 10.]]

[Sidenote: Yawning.]

To gape in such unseemely sort, with ugly gaping mouth, Is like an image pictured a blowing from the south. 80

Which to avoyd, then turne about, and with a napkin hide That gaping foule deformity, when thou art so aside. 84

[Sidenote: Laughing.]

To laugh at all things thou shalt heare, is neither good nor fit, It shewes the property and forme of one with little wit. 88

[Sidenote: Biting the lip.]

To bite the lip it seemeth base, for why, to lay it open, Most base dissembling doggednesse, most sure it doth betoken. 92

[Sidenote: [p. 11.]]

[Sidenote: Biting the upper lip.]

And so to bite the upper lip doth most uncomely shew, The lips set close (as like to kisse) in manner seeme not so. 96

[Sidenote: The tongue.]

To put the tongue out wantonly, and draw it in agen, Betokens mocking of thy selfe, in all the eyes of men, 100

[Sidenote: Spitting.]

If spitting chance to move thee so thou canst it not forbeare, Remember do it modestly, consider who is there. 104

If filthiness, or ordure thou upon the floore doe cast, Tread out, and cleanse it with thy foot, let that be done with haste. 108

[Sidenote: [p. 12.]]

[Sidenote: Hammering in speech.]

If in thy tale thou hammering stand, or coughing twixt thy words, It doth betoken a liers smell, that's all that it affords. 112

[Sidenote: Belching.]

To belch or bulch like _c.l.i.tipho_, whom _Terence_ setteth forth, Commendeth manners to be base, most foule and nothing worth. 116

[Sidenote: Vomiting.]

If thou to vomit be constrain'd, avoyd from company: So shall it better be excus'd, if not through gluttony. 120

[Sidenote: Keeping the teeth cleane.]

Keep white thy teeth, and wash thy mouth with water pure and cleane, And in that was.h.i.+ng, mannerly observe and keep a meane. 124

[Sidenote: Kembing the head.]