DE CIVILITATE MORVM ON THE CIVILITY OF MANNERS

DE CONVIVIO. ON THE BANQUET.

PRIMA.

What adorns a banquet? Modesty, cheerfulness, shyness, and taciturnity.

II.
How will a boy prepare the table? He will lay down a rather clean tablecloth, he will place the central dish in the middle, he will throw down the plates, to the left side of which he will place cleaned breads, having left four [places] at the corners of the table, he will place an elegant salt cellar, spoons, and well-cleaned cups; in the placement of these he will imitate his country, he will arrange the chairs in order, having placed individual cushions, he will wash the pitcher, and he will bring water for washing hands.

III.
With what gesture will he stand while about to consecrate the table? He will compose his face and hands for religion, he will look at the head of the banquet, or if by chance it is present, an image of Christ, [and] at the name of Jesus and his mother the Virgin he will bend both knees. He will deliver the prayer articulately, he will not rush the words.