210 



THE KING'S MIRROR 



that he knows was assigned to him in the beginning. 

 The hirdmen ought to speak in a low tone at the table^ 

 so that not a single word will be heard by those who 

 sit on either side of the two who wish to converse; let 

 each one speak to his partner so softly that none shall 

 hear but those who are conversing; then there will be 

 good deportment and quiet in the king's hall. You may, 

 however, partake freely and quickly of both thejood 

 and the drink on the table according to your needs with- 

 out suffering any discredit to your manners; but always 

 take good heed not to get drunk ^You should cast fre- 

 quent glances toward the king's seat to see how his 

 service is going forward, and always note carefully when 

 the king raises the beaker to his lips, for you must not 

 eat while he is drinking. If you have a cup in your hand, 

 set it down and do not drink just then.|You must show 

 M the queen everywhere the same honor as you show the 

 ' king according as I have told you^And if the king has 

 a guest at his table who ought to be shown the same 

 deference, whether he be a king, an earl, an archbishop, 

 or a bishop ,~7you should observe these same customs 

 which I have just taught you. However, if the number 

 of distinguished people at the royal table should be 

 large, you need not observe this custom as to drinking 

 unless you wish, except when the king or the queen 

 drinks, or when there is another king at the table with 

 them. 



Now if the king's hirdmen happen to be seated to- 

 gether in the royal hall but with no tables before them 

 and certain lords come in whom the king is pleased to 

 receive with honor, it is the duty of all men to rise be- 



