And in sooth there are persons of high condition Who call themselves “noble”: all others they hold cheap Because of this nobility. And, in that conceit, They will call a man “tradesman”[5] who would sooner spend a bushel Of florins than _they_ of halfpence,[6]— Although the means of both might be of like amount. And he who holds himself noble, without doing any other good Save of the name, fancies he is making the cross to himself, But he _does_ make the fig to himself.[7] He who endures not toil For honour’s sake, let him not imagine that he comes Among men of worth, because he is of lofty race; For I hold him noble who shows that he follows the path Of great valour and of gentle nurture,— So that, besides his lineage, he does deeds of worth, And lives honourably so as to make himself beloved. I admit indeed that, if the one and other are equal in good deeds, He who is the better born is esteemed the higher: Not through any teaching of mine, but it seems to be the usage, Which conquers and overthrows many of my ways, So that I can no otherwise; for this world is so dense That the right is even judged of according to a little talking, For the great and the lesser live therein by rumour. Therefore be heedful to keep among them so silent That they may have nothing to laugh at. Adopt their modes, For I rather advise thee to follow their wrongfulness.[8] For, though thou shouldst be in the right, yet, as soon as it pleases not them, It avails thee nothing to speak well, nor yet ill. Therefore recount no tale, unless it appears good and fair To all who hear it; for somebody will censure thee for it, And add lies thereto when thou art gone, Which must assuredly grieve thee. So thou must know, In such company, to play the prudent part, And be heedful to say what will please. And as for the good, if thou knowest it, thou wilt tell it to others Where thou art known and held dear; For thou wilt find among people many fools Who take greater pleasure in hearing something scurrilous Than what is profitable. Pass on, and heed not, And be circumspect. If a man of great repute Should at any time do something that is out of bounds In street or church, follow not the example: For he has no excuse who conforms to the wrong-doing of others. And see that thou err not if thou art staying or going With a lady or lord, or other superior,— Also that, although he be but thine equal, thou observe to honour him, Each according to his condition. Be so heedful of this, Both of less and more, that thou lose not self-restraint. To thine inferior, however, render not more honour Than beseems him, nor such that he should hold thee cheap for it: And so, if he is the inferior, always walk a step in advance. And, if thou art on horseback, avoid every fault; And, if thou goest through the city, I counsel thee to go Very courteously. Ride decorously,