Changes

{{Stars1Stars3|Category = Primary SourcesTexts}}

"This is translated from Thorpe's Analecta Saxonica. The MS. that he took it from is MS. Cott. Tib. A. 3. Latin, with an interlinear Saxon gloss. Some critics think the gloss was added later, but Thorpe supposes it by .ffilfricAelfric, v. p. vii in his Introduction. There is another MS., including the Grammar and some other colloquies, in the library of St. John's College, Oxford. This MS. is being edited by Mr. W. H. Stevenson, M.A., Fellow and Librarian of that college." [GEM 1912:p.183]

[[Aelfric’s Colloquy#Huntsman|Huntsman/ ''Hunter'']]<br>

[[Aelfric’s Colloquy#Scholar|Scholar / Student/ ''Pupil'' / ''Boy'']]<br>

{| cellpadding=0 cellpadding=0|-valign="top"|<div id="Scholar"></div><div id="Master"></div>'''''Scholar''''' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; || We boys beg you, Master, to teach us to speak Latin correctly, for we are ignorant, and we speak badly.<tr>|- valign="top"|'''''Master''''' || What do you wish to talk about?<tr>|- valign="top"|''Scholar'' || We do not care what we talk about, as long as our speech is correct, and useful, and not foolish, or base.<tr>|}- valign="top"|''Master''|| Are you willing to be flogged while learning?|- valign="top"|''Scholar''|| We would rather be flogged that we may learn, than remain ignorant, but we know that you are kindly, and that you will not lay strokes upon us, unless we oblige you to do so.|- valign="top"|''Master''|| I ask you what you are to talk about? What work have you?|- valign="top"|''Scholar''|| I am preparing to be a monk, and every day I sing seven times with the brethren, and I am busy with reading and singing ; yet in the meantime I wish to learn to converse in the Latin language.|- valign="top"|''Master''|| What do these companions of yours know?|- valign="top"|''Scholar''|| Some are ploughboys, some shepherds, some oxherds, some also are huntsmen, some fishermen, some fowlers, some chapmen, some tailors, some salters, some bakers in the place.|- valign="top"|''Master''|| What do you say, Ploughboy, how do you carry on your work?|- valign="top"

|<br><div id="Ploughboy"></div>''Master''. Are you willing to be flogged while learning? <br>'Ploughboy'Scholar''. We would rather be flogged that we may learn''|| <br>Master, than remain ignorantI have to work far too much; I go out at dawn, but we know that you are kindlydriving the oxen to the field, and that you will I yoke them to the plough ; I dare not lay strokes upon usin the severest weather lie hid at home, unless we oblige you for fear of my lord ; and when I have yoked the oxen together, and fastened the ploughshare to do sothe plough, I have to plough a whole acre every day, or more. <br>|- valign="top"|''Master''. I ask || Have you what you are to talk aboutany companion? What work have you ? <br>|- valign="top"|''ScholarPloughboy''. || I am preparing to be have a monk, and every day I sing seven times boy who threatens the oxen with the brethrena goad, and I am busy he is also hoarse with reading the cold and singing ; yet in the meantime I wish to learn to converse in the Latin languagehis shouting. <br>|- valign="top"|''Master''. || What more do these companions of yours knowyou perform in the day? <br>|- valign="top"|''ScholarPloughboy''|| Certainly I do more besides that. Some are ploughboysI have to supply the mangers of the oxen with hay, some shepherdsand give them water, some oxherds, some also are huntsmen, some fishermen, some fowlers, some chapmen, some tailors, some salters, some bakers in the placeand carry their dung outside. <br>|- valign="top"|''Master''|| O indeed ! This is a great labour. What do you say, |- valign="top"|''Ploughboy''|| Yes, how do you carry on your work? <br>it is a great labour that I have to fulfil, for I am not free.|- valign="top"

|<br><div id="PloughboyShepherd"></div>''Master''||<br>What do you say, Shepherd, have you any work?|- valign="top"|'''''PloughboyShepherd'''''. Master|| Indeed, I have to work far too much; . In early morning I go out at dawn, driving the oxen drive my sheep to the fieldpastures, and I yoke stand by them to the plough ; I dare not , in heat and cold, with dogs, lest the severest weather lie hid at homewolves should devour them, for fear of my lord ; and when I have yoked the oxen togetherbring them back to their folds, and fastened the ploughshare to the plough, I have to plough milk them twice a whole acre every day, or more. <br>''Master''. Have you any companion ? <br>''Ploughboy''. I have a boy who threatens the oxen with a goad, and he is also hoarse with the cold and his shouting. <br>''Master''. What more do you perform in the day ? <br>''Ploughboy''. Certainly I do more move their folds besides that. I have to supply the mangers of the oxen with hay, also make butter and give them watercheese, and carry their dung outside. <br>''Master''. indeed ! This is a great labour. <br>''Ploughboy''. Yes, it is a great labour that I have am faithful to fulfil, for I am not freemy lord. <br>|- valign="top"

|<br><div id="ShepherdOxherd"></div><br>''Master''. What || <br>Oxherd, what do you say, Shepherd, have you any work at? <br>|- valign="top"|'''''ShepherdOxherd'''''. Indeed|| Master, I havelabour much. In early morning When the ploughman unyokes the oxen, I drive my sheep lead them to the pastures, and all night I stand by themwatching against thieves, in heat and coldthen, with dogs, lest early in the wolves should devour themmorning, and I bring give them back over to their foldsthe ploughman, well fed and milk them twice a day, and I move their folds besideswatered. I also make butter and cheese, and I am faithful to my lord|- valign="top"|''Master''|| Is that boy one of your companions?|- valign="top"|''Oxherd''|| He is. <br>|- valign="top"

|<br><div id="OxherdHuntsman"></div>''Master''|| <br>Can you do anything? |- valign="top"|'''''Huntsman'''''|| One craft I know. |- valign="top"|''Master''|| Which is that? |- valign="top"|''Huntsman''|| I am a huntsman. Oxherd, |- valign="top"|''Master''|| Whose?|- valign="top"||''Huntsman''|| The King's.|- valign="top"|''Master''|| In what way do you work at practise your art? <br>|- valign="top"|''Huntsman''|| I make myself nets, and set them in a fitting spot, and I urge on my dogs, to chase the wild animals, till unawares they get into the nets, and so they are entangled, and I cut their throats when in the nets.|- valign="top"|'Oxherd'Master''|| Don't you know how to hunt without nets?|- valign="top"|''Huntsman''|| Yes, I am able to hunt without nets. |- valign="top"|''Master''|| How do you manage that?|- valign="top"|''Huntsman''|| I hunt the wild animals with swift dogs. I take stags, and boars, and fallow deer, and goats, and sometimes hares. |- valign="top"|''Master''|| Were you hunting to-day?|- valign="top"|''Huntsman''|| I labour muchwas not, because it is the Lord's Day, but yesterday I was hunting. When |- valign="top"|''Master''|| What did you catch?|- valign="top"|''Huntsman''|| I took the ploughman unyokes the oxenstags in nets, and I lead them cut the throat of the boar. |- valign="top"|''Master''|| How was it that you were daring enough to cut the pasturesthroat of the boar?|- valign="top"|''Huntsman''|| The dogs drove him towards me, and all night I stand by them watching against thieves, and standing towards him, suddenly cut his throat.|- valign="top"|''Master''|| You were very daring then.|- valign="top"|''Huntsman''|| A huntsman must not be fearful, early in for a number of various beasts haunt the morning, woods. |- valign="top"|''Master''|| How do you dispose of what you have caught? |- valign="top"|''Huntsman''|| I give them over whatever I catch to the ploughmanKing, well fed and wateredas I am his huntsman. <br>|- valign="top"|''Master''. Is that boy one of your companions || And what does he give you? <br>|- valign="top"|''OxherdHuntsman''. || He isclothes and feeds me well, and sometimes he gives me a horse, or a bracelet, that I may the more willingly practise my art. <br>''(Anglo-Saxon men were fond of wearing bracelets.)''

|- valign="top"|<br><div id="HuntsmanFisherman"></div><br>''Master''. Can you do anything ? || <br>What craft do you know? |- valign="top"|'''''HuntsmanFisherman'''''. One craft || I knowam a fisherman. <br>|- valign="top"|''Master''. Which is that || And what do you gain by your craft? <br>|- valign="top"|''HuntsmanFisherman''|| Food, and clothing, and money. I am a huntsman. <br>|- valign="top"|''Master''. Whose || How do you catch the fish? <br>|- valign="top"|''HuntsmanFisherman''|| I get into a boat, and place my nets in the river, and I throw in a hook, and baskets, and whatever they catch I take. The King's. <br>|- valign="top"|''Master''. In what way do you practise || What if your art fishes are not clean? <br>|- valign="top"|''HuntsmanFisherman''. || I make myself nets, and set them in a fitting spot, and I urge on my dogs, to chase throw the wild animals, till unawares they get into the netsunclean away, and so they are entangled, and I cut their throats when in take the netsclean ones for food. <br>|- valign="top"|''Master''|| Where do you sell your fish? |- valign="top"|''Fisherman''|| In the city. Don|- valign="top"|'t you know how to hunt without nets 'Master''|| Who are your purchasers? <br>|- valign="top"|''HuntsmanFisherman''|| The citizens. Yes, I am able to hunt without netscannot catch as many as I could sell. <br>|- valign="top"|''Master''. How || What kinds of fish do you manage that catch? <br>|- valign="top"|''HuntsmanFisherman''. I hunt the wild animals with swift dogs. I take stags, || Eels and boarspike, minnows and fallow deerjoltheads, trout and goatslampreys, and sometimes haresany fish that swim in the river. <br>|- valign="top"|''Master''. Were || Why don't you hunting to-day fish in the sea? <br>|- valign="top"|''HuntsmanFisherman''. || I was notdo sometimes, because but it is a long way to the Lord's Daysea, but yesterday so I was huntingseldom go thither. <br>|- valign="top"|''Master''. || What did do you catch in the sea? <br>|- valign="top"|''HuntsmanFisherman''. I took the stags in nets|| Herrings and salmon, dolphins and sturgeons, oysters and crabs, mussels and winkles, cockles, plaice, soles and lobsters, and I cut the throat of the boarlike. <br>|- valign="top"|''Master''. How was it that || Are you were daring enough to cut the throat desirous of the boar catching a whale? <br>|- valign="top"|''HuntsmanFisherman''. The dogs drove him towards me, and || I, standing towards him, suddenly cut his throatam not. <br>|- valign="top"|''Master''. You were very daring then. <br>|| Why is that? |- valign="top"|''HuntsmanFisherman''|| Because catching a whale is a dangerous business. A huntsman must not be fearful, for I prefer to go on the river in my own boat rather than to accompany a number of various beasts haunt the woodsboats for hunting a whale. <br>|- valign="top"|''Master''. || How do you dispose of what you have caught is that? <br>|- valign="top"|''HuntsmanFisherman''. I give whatever || Because I like better to catch to the King, as a fish that I am his huntsmancan kill, than a fish that by one blow can drown or put to death both myself and my companions. <br>|- valign="top"|''Master''|| Yet there are many, who catch whales, and escape the dangers and make great gain thereby. And what does he give you ? <br>|- valign="top"|''HuntsmanFisherman''. He clothes and feeds me well|| You speak the truth, and sometimes he gives me a horse, or a bracelet, that but I may the more willingly practise dare not, for my artmind is slothful. ''(Anglo|-Saxon men were fond of wearing bracelets.)''<br>valign="top"

|<br><div id="FishermanFowler"></div><br>''Master''. What craft do you know ? || <br>Fowler, what have you to say? How do you deceive the birds? |- valign="top"|'''''FishermanFowler'''''. || I am have many ways of deceiving the birds; sometimes by nets, sometimes by snares, sometimes by lime, sometimes by whistling, sometimes by a fishermanhawk, sometimes by a trap. <br>|- valign="top"|''Master''. And what do || Have you gain by your craft a hawk? <br>|- valign="top"|''FishermanFowler''|| I have one. Food, and clothing, and money. <br>|- valign="top"|''Master''. How do || Do you catch the fish know how to tame them? <br>|- valign="top"|''FishermanFowler''. I get into a boat|| Yes, and place my nets in the river, and I throw in a hookknow how. What use would they be to me, and baskets, and whatever they catch unless I take. <br>knew how to tame them? |- valign="top"|''Master''|| Pray give me a hawk. What if your fishes are not clean ? <br>|- valign="top"|''FishermanFowler''. I throw the unclean away|| Willingly, and take the clean ones for foodif you will give me in return a swift dog. <br>''Master''. Where What sort of hawk do you sell your fish ? <br>''Fisherman''. In want, a large one, or of the city. <br>''Master''. Who are your purchasers smaller kind? <br>''Fisherman''. The citizens. I cannot catch as many as I could sell. <br>|- valign="top"|''Master''|| Give me a large one. What kinds of fish How do you catch feed your hawks? <br>|- valign="top"|''FishermanFowler''. Eels and pike|| They feed themselves, minnows and joltheadsme in the winter, trout and lampreys, and any fish that swim in the river. <br>''Master''. Why don't you fish in the sea ? <br>''Fisherman''. spring I do sometimes, but it is a long way let them fly away to the seawood, so and I seldom go thither. <br>''Master''. What do you catch young ones in the sea ? <br>''Fisherman''. Herrings autumn and salmon, dolphins and sturgeons, oysters and crabs, mussels and winkles, cockles, plaice, soles and lobsters, and the liketame them. <br>|- valign="top"|''Master''. Are || And why do you allow those whom you have tamed to fly away from you desirous of catching a whale ? <br>''Fisherman''. I am not. <br>|- valign="top"|''MasterFoider''. Why is that ? <br>''Fisherman''. || Because catching a whale is a dangerous business. I prefer to go on do not like feeding them in the river in my own boat rather than to accompany a number of boats summer, for hunting a whalethey eat too much. <br>''Master''. How is that ? <br>''Fisherman''. Because I like better to catch a fish that I can kill, than a fish that by one blow can drown or put to death both myself and my companions. <br>|- valign="top"|''Master''. || Yet there are manypersons keep the hawks which they have tamed through the summer, who catch whales, and escape the dangers and make great gain therebythat they may have them ready again. <br>|- valign="top"|''FishermanFowler''. You speak the truth|| Yes, they do, but I dare am notinclined to bestow so much labour on them, for my mind is slothfulas I know how to catch others, and many of them. <br>|- valign="top"

|<br><div id="FowlerMerchant"></div><br>''Master''. Fowler, what || <br>What have you to say , Merchant? How do you deceive the birds ? <br>|- valign="top"|'''''FowlerMerchant'''''. || I have many ways of deceiving maintain that I am useful to the birds; sometimes by netsKing, sometimes by snaresand to the nobles, sometimes by limeand to the wealthy, sometimes by whistling, sometimes by a hawk, sometimes by a trapand to the whole people. <br>|- valign="top"|''Master''. Have you a hawk || How so? <br>|- valign="top"|''FowlerMerchant''|| I go on board ship, with my merchandise. I have one. <br>''Master''. Do you know how sail to tame them ? <br>''Fowler''. Yesregions beyond the sea, and sell my goods, and buy valuable produce that is not made in this country, and I know howbring it you here. What use would they be to ine, unless I knew how to tame them ? <br>face great dangers in crossing the ocean and sometimes I suffer shipwreck, with the loss of all my goods, hardly escaping with my life.|- valign="top" |''Master''. Pray give me a hawk. <br>''Fowler''. Willingly, if you will give me in return a swift dog. || What sort kinds of hawk things do you want, a large one, or of the smaller kindbring us? <br>''Master''. Give me a large one. How do you feed your hawks? <br>|- valign="top"|''FowlerMerchant''. They feed themselves|| Purple and silk, precious stones and me in the wintergold, various sorts of clothing, pigments, wine and in the spring I let them fly away to the woodoil, ivory, copper, brass and tin, sulphur and glass, and I catch young ones in the autumn and tame themlike. <br>|- valign="top"|''Master''. And why do || Are you allow those whom you have tamed willing to fly away from sell your things just as you bought them there? <br>|- valign="top"|''FoiderMerchant''|| By no means. Because If I do not like feeding them in the summerdid so, for they eat too much. <br>''Master''. Yet many persons keep the hawks which they have tamed through the summerwhat good would my labour be to me? I wish to sell dearer here, than I bought there, that they I may have them ready again. <br>''Fowler''. Yesgain some profit, they do, but I am not inclined to bestow so much labour on them, as I know how to catch otherskeep myself, and many of themmy wife and son. <br>|- valign="top"

|<br><div id="MerchantShoemaker"></div>''Master''|| <br>Master. What have you to sayYou, Merchant Shoemaker, what do you produce ? <br>|- valign="top"|'''''MerchantShoemaker'''''. I maintain that I am || My craft is indeed very useful to the King, and to the nobles, and to the wealthy, and to the whole peoplenecessary for you. <br>|- valign="top"|''Master''. || How so is that? <br>|- valign="top"|''MerchantShoemaker''. || I go on board ship, with my merchandise. I sail to regions beyond the sea, buy skins and sell my goodshides, and buy valuable produce that is not made in this countryprepare them, and I bring it you here. I face great dangers in crossing the ocean and sometimes I suffer shipwreck, with the loss of all my goods, hardly escaping with my life.<br> ''Master''. What make various kinds of things do you bring us ? <br>''Merchant''. Purple and silksandals, precious stones and goldslippers, various sorts of clothing, pigmentsshoes, wine and oilhigh boots, ivorybesides bridles, copperharness, brass and tinother horse trappings, sulphur halters and glassspurs; and also leather bottles, flasks, purses, and the likebags. <br>''Master''. Are you willing (The order of some of these names has been transposed in the translation so as to sell your things just as you bought them there ? <br>''Merchant''bring together those that appear to have the same meaning. By It is by no means. If I did so, what good would my labour be easy to me ? I wish to sell dearer here, than I bought there, that I may gain some profit, to keep myself, and my wife and sonidentify the signification of these names. <br>)''|- valign="top"

|<br><div id="ShoemakerSalter"></div><br>''Master''. You|| <br>Oh, ShoemakerSalter, of what do you produce value is your craft to us? <br>|- valign="top"|'''''ShoemakerSalter'''''. || My craft is indeed very useful and necessary for of great value to all of you; none of you would enjoy his dinner or supper unless my craft were his entertainer. <br>|- valign="top"|''Master''. || How is that ? <br>|- valign="top"|''ShoemakerSalter''. I buy skins and hides|| What man would enjoy pleasant meats, and prepare them, and make various kinds without the savour of sandalssalt? Who could fill his pantry, slippers, shoesor his storeroom without my craft? Behold, all your butter and high bootscheese would perish, besides bridles, harnessunless I were near to be their keeper, and other horse trappings, halters and spurs; and also leather bottles, flasks, purses, and bagsyou could not use your herbs without me. ''(The order of some of these names has been transposed in the translation so as to bring together those that appear to have the same meaning. It is by no means easy to identify the signification of these names.)''<br>|- valign="top"

|<br><div id="SalterBaker"></div><br>''Master''. Oh|| <br>What have you to say, Salter, of what value Baker? What is the use of your craft to us, or can we live our life without you? <br>|- valign="top"|'''''SalterBaker'''''. My craft is of great value to all of you; none of you would enjoy his dinner or supper unless my craft were his entertainer. <br>''Master''. How is that ? <br>''Salter''. What man would enjoy pleasant meats|| You might indeed, for a while, live your life without the savour of salt ? Who could fill his pantryme, or his storeroom but not for long, nor well; for without my craft ? Behold, every table would seem empty, and without bread all your butter and cheese food would perishbe distasteful. I stablish the heart of man, unless I were near to be their keeperam the strength of men, and you could not use your herbs without even the little ones cannot pass meby. <br>|- valign="top"

|<br><div id="BakerCook"></div><br>''Master''. || <br>What have you to shall we say, Baker ? What is the use of your craft, or can the Cook? Do we live our life without you in any way need his craft? <br>|- valign="top"|'''''BakerCook'''''. You might indeed, for a while|| If you drive me out of your society, live you will have to eat your life without mevegetables and your meat raw, but and anyhow you cannot have good gravy without my craft. |- valign="top"|''Master''|| We do not for longcare about your craft, nor well; is it necessary for without my craftus, every table would seem emptyfor we can ourselves cook the things that need to be cooked, and without bread all food would roast what has to be distastefulroasted. I stablish the heart of man|- valign="top"|''Cook''|| If therefore you drive me out, I am the strength to do as you say, then you will all be servants, and none of menyou will be master, and even the little ones cannot pass me byyet without my craft you will not be able to bite your food.<br>|- valign="top"

|<br><div id="CookGoldsmith"></div><brdiv id="Silversmith"></div><div id="Brass-smith"></div>''Master''. What shall we say of the Cook ? Do we in any way need his craft ? || <br>Monk, who hast spoken to me already, behold I find that you have good companions, and very necessary ones, who are they? |- valign="top"|''Scholar''|| I have smiths, iron smiths, 'Cook''''goldsmiths'''''. If you drive me out of your society, you will have to eat your vegetables and your meat raw, and anyhow you cannot have good gravy without my craft. <br>''Master''. We do not care about your craft'silver smiths''''', nor is it necessary for us, for we can ourselves cook the things that need to be cooked, and roast what has to be roasted. <br>''Cook''. If therefore you drive me out'brass smiths''''', to do as you say, then you will all be servantscarpenters, and none of you will be master, and yet without my craft you will not be able to bite your foodmany other workmen skilled in various arts. <br>|- valign="top"

|<div id="Goldsmith"></divbr><div id="Silversmith"><div id="Brass-smithCouncillor"></div></div><br>''Master''. Monk, who hast spoken to me already, behold I find that you have good companions, and very necessary ones, who are they ? || <br>Have you any wise councillor? |- valign="top"|''Scholar''. I || Certainly we have smiths, iron smiths, '''''goldsmiths'. How could our society be ruled if we had no councillor? |- valign="top"| ||<br>(Here the Councillor comes forward.) |- valign="top"|''Master''|| What say you, Wise one? What art seems to you to hold the first place amongst all these? |- valign="top"|'''''silver smithsCouncillor'''''|| I say to thee, that the service of God holds the primary place among these arts, as we read in the Gospel "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you." |- valign="top"|''Master''|| And which do you think among secular crafts holds the first place? |- valign="top"|'brass smiths'Councillor'''', carpenters, and many other workmen skilled in various arts|| Agriculture; because the ploughman feeds us all. <br>|- valign="top"

|<br><div id="CouncillorBlacksmith"></div>||<br>(The Blacksmith now speaks.) |- valign="top"|''Master''. Have you any wise councillor ? <br>'Blacksmith'Scholar''. Certainly we have. ''|| How could our society be ruled if we had no councillor? <br>(Here does the Councillor comes forward.) <br>''Master''. What say youploughman get his plough or his ploughshare, Wise oneor his goad, but by my craft? What art seems to you to hold How does the first place amongst all these fisherman obtain his hook, or the shoemaker his awl, or the tailor his needle, but by my work? <br>'''|- valign="top"|''Councillor'''''. I || What you say is indeed true; but we all prefer to thee, that the service be guests of God holds the primary place among these artsploughman, as we read in rather than yours; for the Gospel " Seek ye first the kingdom of God ploughman gives us bread and His righteousnessdrink, and all these things shall be added unto you." <br>''Master''. And which what do you think among secular crafts holds give us in your workshop but sparks of iron, and the first place noise of hammers striking, and bellows blowing? <br>''Councillor''. Agriculture; because the ploughman feeds us all. <br>|- valign="top"

|<br><div id="BlacksmithWoodman"></div>||<br>(The Blacksmith now Woodman speaks.) <br>|- valign="top"|'''''BlacksmithWoodman'''''. How || Which of you does the ploughman get his plough or his ploughshare, or his goad, but by not avail himself of my craft? How does the fisherman obtain his hook, or the shoemaker his awlwhen I make houses, or the tailor his needleand various utensils and boats for you all? |- valign="top"|''Blacksmith''|| O Woodman, but by why do you talk like that, when you could not pierce a single aperture without my work craft? <br>|- valign="top"|''Councillor''. What you say is indeed true : but we all prefer to || O friends, and good workmen! Let us quickly cease from these contentions, and let there be guests peace and concord between us, and let each of us help the ploughmanother by his art, rather than yours ; for and let us always meet at the ploughman gives us bread 's, where we find food for ourselves, and drinkfodder for our horses, and what do you this advice I give us to workmen, that each should diligently practise his craft; for every one who forsakes his art is forsaken by his art; whether thou art a priest, or a monk, or a layman, or a scholar, practise thyself in your workshop but sparks of ironthis, be what thou art, for it is a great loss and the noise of hammers strikingshame to a man to be unwilling to be what he is, and bellows blowing ? <br>what he ought to be. |- valign="top"

<div id="Woodman"></div>|<br>(The Woodman speaks.) <br>''Master'''Woodman'''''. Which of you does not avail himself of my craft, when I make houses, and various utensils and boats for you all? || <br>''Blacksmith''. Woodman, why do you talk like that, when you could not pierce a single aperture without my craft ? <br>''Councillor''. friends, and good workmen ! Let us quickly cease from these contentions, and let there be peace and concord between us, and let each of us help the other by his art, and let us always meet at the ploughman's, where we find food for ourselves, and fodder for our horses, and this advice I give to workmen, that each should diligently practise his craft : for every one who forsakes his art is forsaken by his art : whether thou art a priest, or a monk, or a layman, or a scholar, practise thyself in this, be what thou art, for it is a great loss and shame to a man to be unwilling to be what he is, and what he ought to be. <br> <br>''Master''. O boys, how does this conversation please you? <br>|- valign="top"|''Scholar''. || We are indeed well pleased with it, but your words are deep, and your speech goes beyond our age; pray speak to us as remembering our youthful minds, that we may understand what you are talking about. ''(The critics consider that Alfric Bata did not improve upon his master's work by his additions. The above remark seems reasonable, as the speech is plain enough.)'' <br>|- valign="top"|''Master''. || I will ask you why you are so diligent in learning ? <br>|- valign="top"|''Scholar''. || It is because we do not wish to be like brute animals, that know nothing but grass and water. <br>|- valign="top"|''Master''. || And what then is your wish ? <br>|- valign="top"||''Scholar''. || We wish to be wise. <br>|- valign="top"|''Master''. || "With what kind of wisdom? Do you wish to be clever turncoats, taking many shapes, cunning in lies, acute in speech ; talking fairly, and thinking evil, given to using pleasant words, while cherishing guile within, like a sepulchre, painted outside, but full of foulness inside ? <br>|- valign="top"|''Scholar''. || We do not wish to be wise in this way, for he is not wise who deceives his own self by pretences. <br>|- valign="top"|''Master''. || Then how do you desire to be wise ? <br>|- valign="top"|''Scholar''. || We wish to be simple, without hypocrisy, and wise in avoiding the evil, and in doing what is good, but up to now your discussion with us is more profound than our years can take in ; pray speak to us in our way, and not so profoundly. <br>|- valign="top"|''Master''. || I will do as you ask. You, my boy, what have you done to-day ? <br>|- valign="top"|''Scholar''. || I have done many things. This night, when I heard the call, I rose from my bed, and went out to the church, and sang nocturns with the brethren ; then we sang of all the saints, and the matin song of praise ; after that prime, and the seven psalms, with litanies, and the first mass, then terce, and we performed the mass of the day, after that we sang sext ; then we ate and drank, and had our sleep, and rose up again, and sang nones, and now we are here before you, prepared to hear what you may say to us. <br>|- valign="top"|''Master''. || When do you mean to sing vespers and compline? <br>|- valign="top"|''Scholar''. || fgbfgn is the time for them. <br>|- valign="top"|''Master''. || Have you been flogged to-day ? <br>|- valign="top"|''Scholar''. || I have not, for I behaved with caution. <br>|- valign="top"|''Master''. || And how was it with your companions ? <br>|- valign="top"|''Scholar''. || Why do you ask me about that ? I dare not reveal our secrets to you. Each one knows whether he has been flogged, or not. <br>|- valign="top"|''Master''. || What do you eat in the day ? <br>|- valign="top"|''Scholar''. || I am allowed meat, because I ani am still a boy, living under the rod. <br>|- valign="top"|''Master''. || What do you eat besides ? <br>|- valign="top"|''Scholar''. || Vegetables and eggs, fish and cheese, butter and beans, and all clean things I eat, with giving of thanks. <br>|- valign="top"|''Master''. || You are very voracious, to eat everything that is put before you. <br>|- valign="top"|''Scholar''. || I am not such a glutton as to be able to eat all these kinds of food at the same meal. <br>|- valign="top"|''Master''. || Then how do you manage ? <br>|- valign="top"|''Scholar''. || I eat sometimes this food, and sometimes that, with moderation, as befits a monk; I do not eat voraciously, for I am not a glutton. <br>|- valign="top"|''Master''. || And what do you drink? <br>|- valign="top"|''Scholar''. || Beer, if I have any, or water, if I have no beer. <br>|- valign="top"|''Master''. || Don't you drink wine ? |- valign="top"|''Scholar''. || I am not rich enough to buy myself wine ; and wine is not a drink for boys, or foolish persons, but for elders, and wise men. |- valign="top"|''Master''. || Where do you sleep ? |- valign="top"|''Scholar''. || In the dormitory with the brethren. |- valign="top"|''Master''. || Who rouses you up for nocturns ? |- valign="top"|''Scholar''. || Sometimes I hear the call, and rise, sometimes the master rouses me up sharply with a rod. |- valign="top"|''Master''. || O good boys, and pleasant scholars, your instructor exhorts you to be obedient to the rules of divine discipline, and to behave yourselves decor-ouslydecorously, wherever you may be. Walk with steadiness when you hear the bells of the church, enter into the house of prayer, and bend reverently before the holy altars. Stand in good order, and sing together, ask forgiveness for your faults, and go out again, without playing the fool, into the cloister or the schoolroom,.|}