THE KING'S MIRROR 183 



When you come into the king's presence, bow humbly 

 before him and address him in these words: " God give 

 you a good day, my lord king ! " If the king is at the_ 

 table when you appear before him, be careful not to 

 lean against the king's board, as so many a sim 

 does; and above all do not lean forward across 

 mannerly churls do, but remain standing far enough 

 away from it so that the service belonging to the royal 

 table may have sufficient Space to pass between the 

 table and yourself. But if the king is not at the table, 

 approach his seat only so near as to leave abundant 

 space for all the service between yourself and the foot- 

 stools that are before the king's seat. When standing 

 before the king, you should dispose of your hands in 

 such a way that the thumb and forefinger of the right -^ 

 will grasp the left wrist; and then let your hands drop j 

 slowly before you as seems most comfortable. There- 

 upon the men chosen for that purpose shall present 

 your errand to the king. And if fortune allows your suit 

 to prosper immediately according to your wishes, you 

 shall go to the king's hand and thereafter enter the 

 fellowship of the hird according to the customs which 

 those who plead your case will teach you. But if the 

 king makes promise and fixes a day when you are to 

 appear and the matter is to be settled, it must rest till 

 that time. If the king postpones the decision, saying as 

 is not unlikely: 'II know nothing about this man, either 

 as to repute or mannersjand cannot reply at once to 

 his request but must first observe clearly his ways of 

 thinking and doing; " then the matter is closed for the 

 time being. But you may, if you are so disposed, con- 



