THE KING'S MIRROR 209 



you and your companions should be arranged in equal 

 numbers before and behind him and on either side. But 

 none oi-you -must walk so near the king that he has not 

 sufficient space to converse with those whom he sum- 

 inons to him, whether he wishes to speak with them 

 openly or in private. And even though he call no one to 

 have speech with him, keep the order such that there is 

 plenty of space around him on all sides. But when the 

 king rides out for amusement and you and your com- 

 rades accompany him, arrange the order of riding in the 

 way that I have suggested about your walking; only 

 keep at a greater distance, so that no dirt can splash 

 from your horses upon the king, even though you ride 

 quite rapidly. 



If the king should call you by name, be careful notA ^ 

 to answer by " Eh ? " or " Hm ? " or " What ? " but ) 

 rather speak in this wise: " Yes, my lord, I am glad to/ 

 listen ! " Also take good heed not to rush away early 

 in the morning to eat and drink with greedy and un- 

 mannerly men^Wait, as custom demands, till the king's 

 meal time, and take your seat at the royal tables, when- 

 ever you are present at court^But when the king sits 

 down to eat with his hirdmen, these ought all to observe 

 good manners and decent order, and the one should 

 never run in ahead of the other like an ill-bred man; 

 but each ought to know his right place and table com- 

 panion ; and the men should sit at the table in the same 

 order as when they are out walking. The men should 

 go by twos, those who sit .together fio lave their hands, 7 

 whether the washing is done within the hall or without^? j 

 and then to the table, each in the order and to the seat 



