THE KING'S MIRROR 



fore them just as before their own lords and to give 

 them such cordial greetings as they know that the king 

 desires. But this is an honor which every kingsman owes 

 to his fellows: when one who has been absent comes in 

 and walks toward the seat where he has his proper place 

 and position, the two who sit nearest to him on either 

 side should rise, receive him in a friendly manner, and 

 bid him welcome among them. Wherever the kingsmen 

 are much in the eyes of other men, whether they sit 

 together at a feast, or walk in the king's escort, or go 

 out together to make merry, they ought always to 

 speak in rather low tones, to be proper in their actions 

 and elegant in their speech, and to avoid all indecent 

 talk. All these rules which I have now recounted must 

 be learned and observed by all kingsmen who wish to 

 be known for good breeding. But no matter ho weathers 

 behave^ be sure that you observe carefully all that I 

 have taught you, and be willing to teach others who 

 may wish to learn from you. 



X~ Now if your comrades are planning to go from the 

 / king's apartments to some drinkin^Jioiit or other merry- 

 making^ and you, too, [have the king's permission to ? 

 seek diversion^Jyou should jgrejer_the forms of amuse- x 

 ment which I shall now point out to you. If you are so- 

 journing where horses may be ridden and you have your 

 own horse, put on heavy armor and, mounting your 

 horse, {train ^yourself in the art of sitting on horseback (/ 

 _in the firmest and most handsome manner jTrain your--> 

 self to press the foot firmly into the stirrup; keep your 

 leg stiff and the heel a little lower than the toes, except 

 when you have to guard against thrusts from the front; 



