Classic Poem

Good children, refuse not these lessons to learn,
The pathway to virtue you here may discern;
In keeping them truly you shall be most sure
The praise of all people thereby to procure.

Let God first be served, who all things doth give,
That by his good blessing thou long time mayst live;
And then to thy parents thy duty unfold,
Who keepeth thee daily from hunger and cold.

To all men be courteous, yea, and mannerly both,
For fear lest thy betters thy presence do loathe;
For youth without manners no man can abide,
Much like a poor beggar possessèd with pride.

Thy garments unbuttoned delight not to wear,
Lest slovenly nickname fall unto thy share;
Thy hose if ungartered deserveth like shame,
Whereby thou wilt purchase thy tutor much blame.

Be comely and decent in all thy array,
Not wantonly given to sport and to play;
But labour by virtue, in youth, to obtain
The love of thy betters, their friendship to gain.

I likewise command thee this lesson to keep,
No longer than due time delight not to sleep,
Lest sloth in thy bosom such harbour do find
As will cause thee be termed a sluggard by kind.

The morning appearing, rise thou with speed,
Wash hands and face cleanly before thou go feed;
Let shoes be fast tied both, close to thy feet,
The better to travel all day in the street.

Thy shirt-band most comely about thy neck wear,
Have handkerchief likewise both cleanly and fair;
With hat ready brushed, that people may say,
‘There goes a child cleanly in all his array’.

Go never untrussed, for fear of the cold,
For it doth endanger both the young and old;
Thy girdle forget not, I put thee in mind,
‘No girdle, no blessing,’ that day thou shalt find.

If thou be a scholar, to school make good haste,
For he is a truant that cometh there last;
For if thou dost loiter and play by the way,
Be sure with thy master it will cause a fray.

But being there placed, I charge thee to look
Thou lose not thy inkhorn, thy pen, nor thy book,
Thy garters, thy girdle, thy band, nor thy hat,
For fear lest thy parents be grievèd thereat.

Swear not, nor curse not; delight not to steal;
Thy master obey thou; his secrets conceal;
Take heed of false lying; set no man at strife;
Nor be thou too desperate to strike with a knife.

Amongst thy companions be gentle and kind,
If that thou their favours dost look for to find;
For gentleness gaineth thee love from a foe,
And getteth thee glory wherever thou go.

Play not, nor laugh not, thy master to fret,
When thou amongst scholars art orderly set;
For silence is virtue, and virtue is grace,
Which ought to be used to thy betters in place.

Thus, you good children, and scholars each one,
Here in good order your follies are shown:
In following these precepts you purchase always
The love of your parents, and schoolmaster's praise.

But if that in idleness you do delight,
Refusing these lessons here plainly in sight;
Look then for no kindness, no favour, nor love,
But your master's displeasure, if thus you him move.

Therefore be wary you do not offend
Your parents, your master, nor injure your friend;
Lest stripes do reward you, and make you to say,
‘Your precepts I'll follow, your words I'll obey.’

And now, to conclude, bear this well in mind,
A diligent scholar much favour shall find;
But such as will loiter, and lazy will be,
Shall for their labour be brought on their knee.