Chapter 14

O wicked imps, that have such delight,In evil conversation wicked and abhoninable:And from virtue's lore withdraw yourselves quite,And lean to vice most vile and detestable.How prone and ready we are vice to ensue?How deaf we be good counsel to hear?How strange we make it our hearts to renew?How little we have God's threats in fear?Saint Augustine say'th in his fifth book,De Civitate Dei,Conjunctæ sunt ædes Virtutis et Honoris, say'th he;The houses of virtue and honour joined together be.And so the way to honour's house is disposed,That through virtue's house he must needs pass:Or else from honour he shall soon be deposed,And brought to that point, that he before was.But if through virtue honour be attained:The path to salvation may soon be gained.Some there be, that do fortune prefer;Some esteem pleasure more than virtuous life.But in my opinion all such do err;For virtue and fortune be not at strife.Where virtue is, fortune must needs grow:But fortune without virtue has soon the overthrow.Thrice happy are they, that do virtue embrace,For a crown of glory shall be their reward:Satan at no time may him anything deface,For God over him will have such regard,That his foes he shall soon tread under foot;And by God's permission pluck them up by the root.It booteth not vice against virtue to stir,For why vice is feeble and of no force:Butvirtus eterna preclaraque habetur.Wherefore I would all men would have remorse,And eschew evil company vile and pernicious:Delight in virtuous men, and hate the vicious.And as the end of virtue is honour and felicity,So mark well the end of wickedness and vice!Shame in this world and pain eternally,Wherefore you, that are here, learn to be wise,And the end of the one with the other weigh,By that time you have heard the end of this play.But why do I thus much say in the praise of virtue,Sith the thing praiseworthy needs no praise at all?It praiseth itself sufficiently, this is true,Which chaseth away sin as bitter as gall?And where virtue is, it need not to be praised,For the renown thereof shall soon be raised.IntratGood Fame.G. F.O Virtuous Life, God rest you merry,To you am I come for to attend.V. L.Good Fame, ye are welcome heartily.I pray you, who did you hither send?G. F.Even God's Promise hath sent me unto you,Willing me from you not to depart:But always to give attendance due,And in no wise from you to start.For God of his promise hath most liberallySent me Good Fame to you Virtuous Life;Whereby it may be seen manifestly,God's great zeal to virtue both in man and wife.For why they may be sure, that I, Good Fame,From the virtuous life will never stray:Whereby honour and renown may grow to their name,And eternal salvation at the latter day.V. L.God is gracious and full of great mercyTo such as in virtue set their whole delight:Pouring his benefits on them abundantly.O man, what, meanest thou with thy Saviour to fight?Come unto him, for he is full of mercy,The fountain of virtue and of godliness the spring:Come unto him, and thou shall live everlastingly;He doth not require thee any price to bring.Venite ad me omnes qui laboratis et oneratiEstis, et ego refossilabo vos.Come unto me, ye that travail (say'th he)And such as with sin are heavily loden:And of me myself refreshed you shall be.Repent, repent, your sins shall be downtrodden—Well, Good Fame, sith God of his goodnessHath hither sent you on me to attend,Let us give thank to him with humbleness,And persuade with all men their lives to amend.G. F.Virtuous Life, I do thereto agree,For it becometh all men for to do so.IntratGod's Promise,andHonourwith him.But, behold, yonder cometh God's Promise, as seemeth me;And Honour with him cometh also.V. L.Such godly company pleaseth me very well;For vicious men from our company we should expel.G. P.God rest you merry both, and God be your guide.Honour.We are now come to the place where we must abide.For from you, Virtuous Life, I Honour may not slide.G. P.I am God's Promise, which is a thing eterne,And nothing more surer than his promise may be:A sure foundation to such as will learnGod's precepts to observe: then must they needs seeHonour in this world, and at last a crown of glory;Ever in joy and mirth, and never to be sorry.Wherefore, O Virtuous Life, to you we do repair,As messengers from God, his promise to fulfil;And therefore sit you down now in this chair,For to endue you with honour is God's promise and will.[Virtuous Livingsitteth down in the chair.Honour.Now take this sword in hand as a token of victory,This crown from my head to you I shall give:I crown you with it as one most worthy,And see that all vice ye do punish and grieve,For in this world I Honour with you shall remain,And Good Fame from you cannot refrain:And after this life a greater crown you shall attain.G. F.What heart can think, or what tongue can expressG. F.What heart can think, or what tongue can expressThe great goodness of God, which is almighty?Who seeth this, and seeks not vice to suppress,Honour, Good Fame, yea, and life everlastingly?Thy name be praised, O Lord, therefore,And to thee only be glory and honour!Sith God's Promise hath brought honour into place,I will for a while leave you three alone:For I must depart now for a little space;But I shall come to you again anon.[ExitGood Fame.V. L.God's Promise is infallible, his word is most true;And to ground thereon a man may be bold:As Scripture doth testify and declare unto you,On which foundation your building you may behold.For virtuous rulers the fruit of felicity do reap:And reward of fame and honour to themselves they heap.Honour.Seeing we have now endued him with the crown and the sword,Which is due unto him by God's promise and word,Let us three sing unto God with one accord.G. P.To sing praises unto God it liketh well me.V. L.And I also with you do thereto agree.A pleasant noise to God's ears it must needs bring,That God's Promise, Honour, and Virtuous Life do sing.They sing this Song following.Life is but short, hope not therein;Virtue immortal seek for to win.Whoso to virtue doth apply,Good fame and honour must obtain.And also live eternally,For virtuous life this is the gain.Life is but, &c.God's promise sure will never fail;His holy word is a perfect ground;The fort of virtue, O man, assail,Where treasure always doth abound.Life is but, etc.To thee alone be laud and praise,O Lord, that are so merciful;Who never failed at all assays,To aid and help the pitiful.Life is but, etc.[Exeunt omnes.[Here entereth inNichol Newfangle,and bringeth in with him a bag, a staff, a bottle, and two halters, going about the place, showing it unto the audience, and singeth thus:]

O wicked imps, that have such delight,

In evil conversation wicked and abhoninable:

And from virtue's lore withdraw yourselves quite,

And lean to vice most vile and detestable.

How prone and ready we are vice to ensue?

How deaf we be good counsel to hear?

How strange we make it our hearts to renew?

How little we have God's threats in fear?

Saint Augustine say'th in his fifth book,De Civitate Dei,

Conjunctæ sunt ædes Virtutis et Honoris, say'th he;

The houses of virtue and honour joined together be.

And so the way to honour's house is disposed,

That through virtue's house he must needs pass:

Or else from honour he shall soon be deposed,

And brought to that point, that he before was.

But if through virtue honour be attained:

The path to salvation may soon be gained.

Some there be, that do fortune prefer;

Some esteem pleasure more than virtuous life.

But in my opinion all such do err;

For virtue and fortune be not at strife.

Where virtue is, fortune must needs grow:

But fortune without virtue has soon the overthrow.

Thrice happy are they, that do virtue embrace,

For a crown of glory shall be their reward:

Satan at no time may him anything deface,

For God over him will have such regard,

That his foes he shall soon tread under foot;

And by God's permission pluck them up by the root.

It booteth not vice against virtue to stir,

For why vice is feeble and of no force:

Butvirtus eterna preclaraque habetur.

Wherefore I would all men would have remorse,

And eschew evil company vile and pernicious:

Delight in virtuous men, and hate the vicious.

And as the end of virtue is honour and felicity,

So mark well the end of wickedness and vice!

Shame in this world and pain eternally,

Wherefore you, that are here, learn to be wise,

And the end of the one with the other weigh,

By that time you have heard the end of this play.

But why do I thus much say in the praise of virtue,

Sith the thing praiseworthy needs no praise at all?

It praiseth itself sufficiently, this is true,

Which chaseth away sin as bitter as gall?

And where virtue is, it need not to be praised,

For the renown thereof shall soon be raised.

IntratGood Fame.

G. F.O Virtuous Life, God rest you merry,To you am I come for to attend.

G. F.O Virtuous Life, God rest you merry,

To you am I come for to attend.

V. L.Good Fame, ye are welcome heartily.I pray you, who did you hither send?

V. L.Good Fame, ye are welcome heartily.

I pray you, who did you hither send?

G. F.Even God's Promise hath sent me unto you,Willing me from you not to depart:But always to give attendance due,And in no wise from you to start.For God of his promise hath most liberallySent me Good Fame to you Virtuous Life;Whereby it may be seen manifestly,God's great zeal to virtue both in man and wife.For why they may be sure, that I, Good Fame,From the virtuous life will never stray:Whereby honour and renown may grow to their name,And eternal salvation at the latter day.

G. F.Even God's Promise hath sent me unto you,

Willing me from you not to depart:

But always to give attendance due,

And in no wise from you to start.

For God of his promise hath most liberally

Sent me Good Fame to you Virtuous Life;

Whereby it may be seen manifestly,

God's great zeal to virtue both in man and wife.

For why they may be sure, that I, Good Fame,

From the virtuous life will never stray:

Whereby honour and renown may grow to their name,

And eternal salvation at the latter day.

V. L.God is gracious and full of great mercyTo such as in virtue set their whole delight:Pouring his benefits on them abundantly.O man, what, meanest thou with thy Saviour to fight?Come unto him, for he is full of mercy,The fountain of virtue and of godliness the spring:Come unto him, and thou shall live everlastingly;He doth not require thee any price to bring.Venite ad me omnes qui laboratis et oneratiEstis, et ego refossilabo vos.Come unto me, ye that travail (say'th he)And such as with sin are heavily loden:And of me myself refreshed you shall be.Repent, repent, your sins shall be downtrodden—Well, Good Fame, sith God of his goodnessHath hither sent you on me to attend,Let us give thank to him with humbleness,And persuade with all men their lives to amend.

V. L.God is gracious and full of great mercy

To such as in virtue set their whole delight:

Pouring his benefits on them abundantly.

O man, what, meanest thou with thy Saviour to fight?

Come unto him, for he is full of mercy,

The fountain of virtue and of godliness the spring:

Come unto him, and thou shall live everlastingly;

He doth not require thee any price to bring.

Venite ad me omnes qui laboratis et onerati

Estis, et ego refossilabo vos.

Come unto me, ye that travail (say'th he)

And such as with sin are heavily loden:

And of me myself refreshed you shall be.

Repent, repent, your sins shall be downtrodden—

Well, Good Fame, sith God of his goodness

Hath hither sent you on me to attend,

Let us give thank to him with humbleness,

And persuade with all men their lives to amend.

G. F.Virtuous Life, I do thereto agree,For it becometh all men for to do so.

G. F.Virtuous Life, I do thereto agree,

For it becometh all men for to do so.

IntratGod's Promise,andHonourwith him.

But, behold, yonder cometh God's Promise, as seemeth me;And Honour with him cometh also.

But, behold, yonder cometh God's Promise, as seemeth me;

And Honour with him cometh also.

V. L.Such godly company pleaseth me very well;For vicious men from our company we should expel.

V. L.Such godly company pleaseth me very well;

For vicious men from our company we should expel.

G. P.God rest you merry both, and God be your guide.

Honour.We are now come to the place where we must abide.For from you, Virtuous Life, I Honour may not slide.

Honour.We are now come to the place where we must abide.

For from you, Virtuous Life, I Honour may not slide.

G. P.I am God's Promise, which is a thing eterne,And nothing more surer than his promise may be:A sure foundation to such as will learnGod's precepts to observe: then must they needs seeHonour in this world, and at last a crown of glory;Ever in joy and mirth, and never to be sorry.Wherefore, O Virtuous Life, to you we do repair,As messengers from God, his promise to fulfil;And therefore sit you down now in this chair,For to endue you with honour is God's promise and will.[Virtuous Livingsitteth down in the chair.

G. P.I am God's Promise, which is a thing eterne,

And nothing more surer than his promise may be:

A sure foundation to such as will learn

God's precepts to observe: then must they needs see

Honour in this world, and at last a crown of glory;

Ever in joy and mirth, and never to be sorry.

Wherefore, O Virtuous Life, to you we do repair,

As messengers from God, his promise to fulfil;

And therefore sit you down now in this chair,

For to endue you with honour is God's promise and will.

[Virtuous Livingsitteth down in the chair.

Honour.Now take this sword in hand as a token of victory,This crown from my head to you I shall give:I crown you with it as one most worthy,And see that all vice ye do punish and grieve,For in this world I Honour with you shall remain,And Good Fame from you cannot refrain:And after this life a greater crown you shall attain.

Honour.Now take this sword in hand as a token of victory,

This crown from my head to you I shall give:

I crown you with it as one most worthy,

And see that all vice ye do punish and grieve,

For in this world I Honour with you shall remain,

And Good Fame from you cannot refrain:

And after this life a greater crown you shall attain.

G. F.What heart can think, or what tongue can express

G. F.What heart can think, or what tongue can expressThe great goodness of God, which is almighty?Who seeth this, and seeks not vice to suppress,Honour, Good Fame, yea, and life everlastingly?Thy name be praised, O Lord, therefore,And to thee only be glory and honour!Sith God's Promise hath brought honour into place,I will for a while leave you three alone:For I must depart now for a little space;But I shall come to you again anon.[ExitGood Fame.

G. F.What heart can think, or what tongue can express

The great goodness of God, which is almighty?

Who seeth this, and seeks not vice to suppress,

Honour, Good Fame, yea, and life everlastingly?

Thy name be praised, O Lord, therefore,

And to thee only be glory and honour!

Sith God's Promise hath brought honour into place,

I will for a while leave you three alone:

For I must depart now for a little space;

But I shall come to you again anon.[ExitGood Fame.

V. L.God's Promise is infallible, his word is most true;And to ground thereon a man may be bold:As Scripture doth testify and declare unto you,On which foundation your building you may behold.For virtuous rulers the fruit of felicity do reap:And reward of fame and honour to themselves they heap.

V. L.God's Promise is infallible, his word is most true;

And to ground thereon a man may be bold:

As Scripture doth testify and declare unto you,

On which foundation your building you may behold.

For virtuous rulers the fruit of felicity do reap:

And reward of fame and honour to themselves they heap.

Honour.Seeing we have now endued him with the crown and the sword,Which is due unto him by God's promise and word,Let us three sing unto God with one accord.

Honour.Seeing we have now endued him with the crown and the sword,

Which is due unto him by God's promise and word,

Let us three sing unto God with one accord.

G. P.To sing praises unto God it liketh well me.

V. L.And I also with you do thereto agree.A pleasant noise to God's ears it must needs bring,That God's Promise, Honour, and Virtuous Life do sing.

V. L.And I also with you do thereto agree.

A pleasant noise to God's ears it must needs bring,

That God's Promise, Honour, and Virtuous Life do sing.

They sing this Song following.

Life is but short, hope not therein;Virtue immortal seek for to win.Whoso to virtue doth apply,Good fame and honour must obtain.And also live eternally,For virtuous life this is the gain.Life is but, &c.

Life is but short, hope not therein;

Virtue immortal seek for to win.

Whoso to virtue doth apply,

Good fame and honour must obtain.

And also live eternally,

For virtuous life this is the gain.

Life is but, &c.

God's promise sure will never fail;His holy word is a perfect ground;The fort of virtue, O man, assail,Where treasure always doth abound.Life is but, etc.

God's promise sure will never fail;

His holy word is a perfect ground;

The fort of virtue, O man, assail,

Where treasure always doth abound.

Life is but, etc.

To thee alone be laud and praise,O Lord, that are so merciful;Who never failed at all assays,To aid and help the pitiful.Life is but, etc.[Exeunt omnes.

To thee alone be laud and praise,

O Lord, that are so merciful;

Who never failed at all assays,

To aid and help the pitiful.

Life is but, etc.[Exeunt omnes.

[Here entereth inNichol Newfangle,and bringeth in with him a bag, a staff, a bottle, and two halters, going about the place, showing it unto the audience, and singeth thus:]

Trim mer-chandise, trim trim: trim mer-chandise, trim trim.

[He may sing this as oft as he thinketh good.]Marry, here is merchandise, who so list for to buy any:Come, see for your love, and buy for your money,This is land, which I must distribute anon,According to my promise, ere I be gone,For why Tom Tosspot, since he went hence,Hath increased a noble just unto nine-pence,[351]And Ralph Roister, it may no otherwise be chosen,Hath brought a pack of wool to a fair pair of hosen.This is good thrift, sirs, learn it who shall,And now a couple of fellows are come from Cutpurse Hall;And there have they brought many a purse to wrack.Lo, here is gear that will make their necks for to crack.For I promised Tom Tosspot and Ralph Roister a piece of land:Lo, here it is ready in my right hand:A wallet and a bottle; but it is not to be sold.I told them before, that of Beggar's Manor it did hold,And for Cuthbert Cutpurse and Pierce Pickpurse here is good fare:This is the land of the two-legged mare,Which I to them promised, and [to] divide it with discretion:Shortly you shall see I will put them in possession.How like you this merchandise, my masters? Is it not trim?A wallet, a bottle, a staff, and a string,How say'st thou, Wat Waghalter? Is not this a trim thing?In faith, Ralph Roister is in good case, as I suppose;For he hath lost all that he hath, save his doublet and his hose,And Tom Tosspot is even at that same point;For he would lose a limb or jeopard a joint;But, behold, yonder they come both, now all is gone and spent,I know their errand, and what is their intent.[Here entereth inRalph RoisterandTom Tosspotin their doublet and their hose, and no cap nor hat on their head, saving a nightcap, because the strings of the beards may not be seen, andRalph Roistermust curse and ban as he cometh in.[352]]Ralph.Well, be as be may, is no banning;But I fear that, when that this gear shall come to scanning,The land to the which we did wholly trust:Shall be gone from us, and we cast in the dust.Tom.Gog's blood, if Nichol Newfangle serve us so,We may say, that we have had a shrewd blow;For all that I had is now lost at the dice,My sword, my buckler, and all at sink and cise;[353]My coat, my cloak, and my hat also;And now in my doublet and my hose I am fain to go.Therefore, if Nichol Newfangle help not now at a pinchI am undone, for of land I have not an inch.Ralph.By Gog's wounds, even so is it now with me,I am in my doublet and my hosen, as you see:For all that I had doth lie at pledge for ale.By the mass, I am as bare as my nail,Not a cross of money to bless me have I;But I trow we shall meet Nichol Newfangle by and by.[Nichol Newfanglecomes forward.New.Turn hither, turn hither, I say, sir knave,For I am even he, that you so fain would have.Ralph.What, Master Nichol, are you here all this while?New.I think I am here, or else I do thee beguile.Tom.So God help me, I am glad that you be in sight;For in faith your presence hath made my heart light.New.I will make it lighter anon, I trow.[Aside.My masters, I have a piece of land for you, do you know?Ralph.Marry, that is the cause of our hither resort.For now we are void of all joy and comfort.Tom.You see in what case we now stand in,And you heard us also even now, I ween,Wherefore, good Master Nichol, let us have this land now,And we shall think ourselves much bound unto you.New.You know, that I this land must divide,Which I shall do; but a while abide.All thy goods for ale at pledge be(to Tom),And thou(to Ralph)say'st a pair of dice have made thee free.[354]First, Ralph Roister, come thou unto me,Because thou hast lost every whit at dice,[He giveth the bag toR. Roister,and the bottle toTom Tosspot.Take there this bag to carry bread and cheese,And take thou this bottle, and mark what I shall say:If he chance to eat the bread and cheese by the way,Do thou in this matter follow my counsel,Drink up the drink, and knock him about the head with the bottle;And because that Ralph is the elder knave,This staff also of me he shall have.[355]Ralph.But where is the land, that to us you promised?New.In faith, good fellows, my promise is performed.Tom.By Gog's blood, I thought that it would be so.New.This must you have, whe'r you will or no,Or else fall to work with shovel and with spade;For begging now must be your chiefest trade.Ralph.Gog's heart, can I away[356]with this life?To beg my bread from door to door?I will rather cut my throat with a knife,Than I will live thus beggarly and poor.By Gog's blood, rather than I will it assay,I will rob and steal, and keep the highway.Tom.Well, Ralph Roister, seeing we be in this misery,And labour we cannot, and to beg it is a shame;Yet better it is to beg most shamefully,Than to be hanged, and to thievery[357]ourselves frame.New.Now, my masters, learn to beware;But like will to like, quoth the Devil to the Collier.Ralph.O Lord, why did not I consider before,What should of roisting be the final end.Now the horse is stolen, I shut the stable-door.Alas, that I had time my life to amend!Time I have, I must needs confess;But yet in misery that time must be spent:Seeing that my life I would not redress;But wholly in riot I have it all spent;Wherefore I am now brought to this exigent.But the time pass'd cannot be called, this is no nay.But the time pass'd cannot be called, this is no nay.Wherefore all here take example by me:Time tarrieth no man, but passeth still away;Take time, while time is, for time doth flee;Use well your youthly years, and to virtuous lore agree.For if I to virtue had any respect,This misfortune to me could not have chanced;But because unto vice I was a subject,To no good fame may I be now advanced.My credit also is now quite stanched.Wherefore I would all men my woful case might see,That I to them a mirror might be.Tom.O all ye parents, to you I do say:Have respect to your children and for their education,Lest you answer therefore at the latter day,And your meed shall be eternal damnation.If my parents had brought me up in virtue and learning,I should not have had this shameful end;But all licentiously was my up-bringing,Wherefore learn by me your faults to amend.But neither in virtue, learning, or yet honest trade,Was I bred up my living for to get:Therefore in misery my time away must vade;For vicious persons behold now the net.I am in the snare, I am caught with the gin;And now it is too late, I cannot again begin.New.This gear would have been seen to before,But now, my masters, you are on the score.Be packing, I say, and get you hence;Learn to say: I pray, good master, give me nine-pence.Ralph.Thou, villain, art only the causer of this woe;Therefore thou shalt have somewhat of me, or ere I go.Tom.Thou hast given me a bottle here;But thou shalt drink first of it, be it ale or beer.[Ralph Roisterbeateth him with his staff, andTom Tosspotwith his bottle.Ralph.Take this of me, before I go hence.Tom.Take that of me in part of recompense.New.Now am I driven to play the master of fence.Come no near[358]me, you knaves, for your life,[They have him down, and beat him, and he crieth for help.Lest I stick you both with this woodknife.Back, I say! back, thou sturdy beggar!Body of me, they have ta'en away my dagger.Ralph.Now, in faith, you whoreson, take heed, I you advise,How you do any more young men entice.Tom.Now, farewell, thou hast thy just meed.Ralph. Now we go abegging, God send us good speed![Ralph RoisterandTom Tosspotgo out, andSeverity,the judge, entereth, andNichol Newfanglelieth on the ground groaning.Sev.That upright judgment without partialityBe minist'red duly to ill-doers and offenders!I am one, whose name is Severity,Appointed a judge to suppress evil-doers,Not for hatred nor yet for malice:But to advance virtue and suppress vice.Wherefore Isodorus these words doth say:Non est Judex, si in eo non est Justitia!He is not a judge that Justice doth want,But he that truth and equity doth plant.Fully also these words doth express,Which words are very true doubtless.Semper iniquus est judex, qui aut invidet aut favet:They are unrightful judges all,That are either envious or else partial.New.Help me up, good sir, for I have got a fall.Sev.What cause have you, my friend, thus heavily to groan?New.O sir, I have good cause to make great moan;Here were two fellows but right now,That (I think) have killed me, I make God a vow.I pray you, tell me, am I alive or am I dead?Sev.Fellow, it is more meet for thee to be in thy bed,Than to lie here in such sort as thou dost.New.In faith, I should have laid some of the knaves in the dust,If I had had your sword right now in presence;I would have had a leg or an arm, ere they had gone hence.Sev.Who is it that hath done thee this injury?New.A couple of beggars have done me this villainy.Sev.I see, if severity should not be executed,One man should not live by another.If such injuries should not be confuted,The child would regard neither father nor mother.Give me thy hand, and I shall help thee.New.Hold fast your sword then, I pray you heartily.[He riseth.Sev.Now, friend, it appeareth unto me,That you have been a traveller of the countryAnd such as travel do hear of things done,As well in the country, as the city of London.How say you, my friend, can you tell any newsNew.That can I, for I came lately from the stews.There are knaves abroad, you may believe me,As in this place shortly you shall see.No more words, but mum, and stand awhile aside:Yonder cometh two knaves; therefore abide.IntratC. CutpurseandPierce Pickpurse.Cuthb.By Gog's wounds, if he help not now, we are undone:By the mass, for my part, I wot not whither to run.Pierce.We be so pursu'd on every sideThat, by Gog's heart, I wot not where to abide.Cuthb.Every constable is charged to make privy search;So that, if we may be got, we shall be thrown over the perch.Pierce.If Nichol Newfangle help us not now in our need,We are like in our business full evil to speed.Therefore let us make no delay,But seek him out of hand, and be gone away.SeverityandN. Newfanglecome forward.New.Soft, my masters, awhile I you pray;For I am here, for whom you do seek;For you know that like will never from like.I promised you of late a piece of land,Which by and by shall fall into your hand.Cuthb.What, Master Nichol! how do you to-day?Pierce.For the passion of God, Master Nichol, help to rid us away;And help us to the land, whereof you did say,That we might make money of it by and by;For out of the realm we purpose to fly.New.Marry, I will help you, I swear by All Hallows:And will not part from you, till you come to the gallows.Lo, noble Severity, these be they without doubt.On whom this rumour of thievery[359]is gone about,Therefore, my masters, here is the snare,That shall lead you to the land, called the two-legged mare.[He putteth about each of their necks a halter.Sev.My friend, hold them fast even in that plight.New.Then come, and help me with your sword; for I fear they will fight.Sev.Strive not, my masters; for it shall not avail;But awhile give ear unto my counsel.Your own words hath condemned you for to die;Therefore to God make yourselves ready.And by and by I will send one, which for your abusion,Shall lead you to the place of execution.New.Help to tie their hands, before ye be gone.[Sev.helpeth to tie them.Sev.Now they are bound, I will send one to you anon.[Exit.New.Ah, my masters, how like you this play?You shall take possession of your land to-day!I will help to bridle the two-legged mare,And both you for to ride need not to spare.Now, so God help me, I swear by this bread,I marvel who shall play the knave, when you twain be dead.Cuthb.O cursed caitiff, born in an evil hour,Woe unto me, that ever I did thee know.For of all iniquity thou art the bow'r;The seed of Satan thou dost always sow.Thou only hast given me the overthrow.Woe worth the hour, wherein I was born!Woe worth the time that ever I knew thee!For now in misery I am forlorn;O, all youth take example by me:Flee from evil company, as from a serpent you would flee;For I to you all a mirror may be.I have been daintily and delicately bred,But nothing at all in virtuous lore:And now I am but a man dead,Hanged I must be, which grieveth me full sore.Note well the end of me therefore;And you that fathers and mothers be,Bring not up your children in too much liberty.Pierce.Sith that by the law we are now condemned,Let us call to God for his mercy and his grace;And exhort that all vice may be amended,While we in this world have time and space.And though our lives have licentiously been spent,Yet at the last to God let us call;For he heareth such as are ready to repent,And desireth not that sinners should fall.Now are we ready to suffer, come when it shall.Here ent'reth inHankin Hangman.New.Come, Hankin Hangman, let us two cast lots,And between us divide a couple of coats:Take thou the one, and the other shall be mine.Come, Hankin Hangman, thou cam'st in good time.[They take off the coats, and divide them.Hankin.Thou should'st have one, Nichol, I swear by the mass,For thou bringest work for me daily to pass;And through thy means I get more coats in one year,Than all my living is worth beside, I swear.Therefore, Nichol Newfangle, we will depart never:For like will to like, quoth the Devil to the Collier.New.Now, farewell, Hankin Hangman, farewell to thee.Hankin.Farewell, Nichol Newfangle: come you two with me.[Hankingoeth out, and leadeth the one in his right hand, and the other in his left, having halters about their necks.New.Ha, ha, ha! there is a brace of hounds, well worth a dozen crowns,Behold the huntsman leadeth away!I think in twenty towns, on hills, and eke on downs.They taken have their prey.So well liked was their hunting on hill and eke on mountain,That now they be up in a lease:[360]To keep within a string, is it not a gay thing?Do all of you hold your peace?Why then, good gentle boy, how likest thou this play?No more, but say thy mind:I swear by this day, if thou wilt this assay,I will to thee be kind.This is well brought to pass of me, I swear by the mass:Some to hang, and other some to beg:I would I had Balaam's ass to carry me, where I was;How say you, little Meg?Ralph Roister and Tom Tosspot, are now not worth a groat,So well with them it is:I would I had a pot, for now I am so hot,By the mass, I must go piss.Philip Fleming and Hance have danc'd a pretty dance,That all is now spent out.And now a great mischance came on while they did prance:They lie sick of the gout.And in a 'spital-house, with little Laurence louse,They be fain for to dwell:If they eat a moisel of souse, or else a roasted mouse,They think they do fare well.But as for Peter Pickpurse, and also Cuthbert Cutpurse,You saw them both right now:With them it is much worse, for they do ban and curse;For the halter shall them bow.Now if I had my nag, to see the world wag,I would straight ride about:Ginks, do fill the bag. I would not pass a ragTo hit you on the snout.TheDevilentereth.Lu.Ho, ho, ho! mine own boy, make no more delay,But leap up on my back straightway.New.Then who shall hold my stirrup, while I go to horse?Lu.Tush, for that do thou not force!Leap up, I say, leap up quickly.New.Woh, Ball, woh! and I will come by and by.Now for a pair of spurs I would give a good groat!To try whether this jade do amble or trot.Farewell, my masters, till I come again,For now I must make a journey into Spain.[He rideth away on theDevil'sback. Here enterethVirtuous LifeandHonour.V. L.O worthy diadem, O jewel most precious,O virtue, which dost all worldly things excel:How worthy a treasure thou art to the virtuous?Thy praise no pen may write, nor no tongue tell.For I, who am called Virtuous Life,Have in this world both honour and dignity:Immortal fame of man, child and wife,Daily waiteth and attendeth on me.The commodity of virtue in me you may behold,The enormity of vice you have also seen:Therefore now to make an end we may be bold,And pray for our noble and gracious Queen.Honour.To do so, Virtuous Life, it is our bounden duty;And because we must do so, before we do end,To aid us therein, Good Fame cometh verily,Which daily and hourly on you doth attend.Here enterethGood Fame.G. F.Virtuous Life, do what you list:To pray or to sing I will you assist.V. L.O Lord of hosts, O King Almighty,Pour down thy grace upon our noble Queen!Vanquish her foes (Lord), that daily and nightlyThrough her thy laws may be sincerely seen.Honour.The honourable council also (O Lord) preserve,The lords both of the clergy and of the temporality:Grant that with meekness they may thee serve,Submitting to thee with all humility.G. F.O Lord, preserve the Commons of this realm also;Pour upon them thy heavenly grace;To advance virtue and vice to overthrow,That at last in heaven with thee they may have place.A song.[361]Where like to like is a-matched so,That virtue must of force decay:There God with vengeance, plagues and woe,By judgment just must needs repay.For, like to like, the worldings cry:Although both likes do grace defy.And where as Satan planted hathIn vicious minds a sinful trade:There like to like do walk his path,By which to him like they are made.So like with like reward obtain,To have their meed in endless pain.Likewise in faith, where matches be,And where as God hath planted grace;There do his children still agree,And like to like do run their race.Like Christ, like hearts of Christian men;As like to like well-coupled then.Therefore like grace, like faith and love,Like virtue, springs in each degree:Where like assistance from aboveDoth make them like so right to be.A holy God, a Christ most just:And so like souls in him to trust.Then like as Christ above doth reign,In heaven high our Saviour best:So like with him shall be our gain,In peace and joy, and endless rest.If we ourselves like him do frame,In fear of his most holy name.To him be praise, that grace doth give,Whereby he fashioneth us anew:And make[s] us holily to live,Like to himself in faith most true.Which our redemption sure hath wrought:Like him to be most dearly bought.FINIS.

[He may sing this as oft as he thinketh good.]

Marry, here is merchandise, who so list for to buy any:Come, see for your love, and buy for your money,This is land, which I must distribute anon,According to my promise, ere I be gone,For why Tom Tosspot, since he went hence,Hath increased a noble just unto nine-pence,[351]And Ralph Roister, it may no otherwise be chosen,Hath brought a pack of wool to a fair pair of hosen.This is good thrift, sirs, learn it who shall,And now a couple of fellows are come from Cutpurse Hall;And there have they brought many a purse to wrack.Lo, here is gear that will make their necks for to crack.For I promised Tom Tosspot and Ralph Roister a piece of land:Lo, here it is ready in my right hand:A wallet and a bottle; but it is not to be sold.I told them before, that of Beggar's Manor it did hold,And for Cuthbert Cutpurse and Pierce Pickpurse here is good fare:This is the land of the two-legged mare,Which I to them promised, and [to] divide it with discretion:Shortly you shall see I will put them in possession.How like you this merchandise, my masters? Is it not trim?A wallet, a bottle, a staff, and a string,How say'st thou, Wat Waghalter? Is not this a trim thing?In faith, Ralph Roister is in good case, as I suppose;For he hath lost all that he hath, save his doublet and his hose,And Tom Tosspot is even at that same point;For he would lose a limb or jeopard a joint;But, behold, yonder they come both, now all is gone and spent,I know their errand, and what is their intent.

Marry, here is merchandise, who so list for to buy any:

Come, see for your love, and buy for your money,

This is land, which I must distribute anon,

According to my promise, ere I be gone,

For why Tom Tosspot, since he went hence,

Hath increased a noble just unto nine-pence,[351]

And Ralph Roister, it may no otherwise be chosen,

Hath brought a pack of wool to a fair pair of hosen.

This is good thrift, sirs, learn it who shall,

And now a couple of fellows are come from Cutpurse Hall;

And there have they brought many a purse to wrack.

Lo, here is gear that will make their necks for to crack.

For I promised Tom Tosspot and Ralph Roister a piece of land:

Lo, here it is ready in my right hand:

A wallet and a bottle; but it is not to be sold.

I told them before, that of Beggar's Manor it did hold,

And for Cuthbert Cutpurse and Pierce Pickpurse here is good fare:

This is the land of the two-legged mare,

Which I to them promised, and [to] divide it with discretion:

Shortly you shall see I will put them in possession.

How like you this merchandise, my masters? Is it not trim?

A wallet, a bottle, a staff, and a string,

How say'st thou, Wat Waghalter? Is not this a trim thing?

In faith, Ralph Roister is in good case, as I suppose;

For he hath lost all that he hath, save his doublet and his hose,

And Tom Tosspot is even at that same point;

For he would lose a limb or jeopard a joint;

But, behold, yonder they come both, now all is gone and spent,

I know their errand, and what is their intent.

[Here entereth inRalph RoisterandTom Tosspotin their doublet and their hose, and no cap nor hat on their head, saving a nightcap, because the strings of the beards may not be seen, andRalph Roistermust curse and ban as he cometh in.[352]]

Ralph.Well, be as be may, is no banning;But I fear that, when that this gear shall come to scanning,The land to the which we did wholly trust:Shall be gone from us, and we cast in the dust.

Ralph.Well, be as be may, is no banning;

But I fear that, when that this gear shall come to scanning,

The land to the which we did wholly trust:

Shall be gone from us, and we cast in the dust.

Tom.Gog's blood, if Nichol Newfangle serve us so,We may say, that we have had a shrewd blow;For all that I had is now lost at the dice,My sword, my buckler, and all at sink and cise;[353]My coat, my cloak, and my hat also;And now in my doublet and my hose I am fain to go.Therefore, if Nichol Newfangle help not now at a pinchI am undone, for of land I have not an inch.

Tom.Gog's blood, if Nichol Newfangle serve us so,

We may say, that we have had a shrewd blow;

For all that I had is now lost at the dice,

My sword, my buckler, and all at sink and cise;[353]

My coat, my cloak, and my hat also;

And now in my doublet and my hose I am fain to go.

Therefore, if Nichol Newfangle help not now at a pinch

I am undone, for of land I have not an inch.

Ralph.By Gog's wounds, even so is it now with me,I am in my doublet and my hosen, as you see:For all that I had doth lie at pledge for ale.By the mass, I am as bare as my nail,Not a cross of money to bless me have I;But I trow we shall meet Nichol Newfangle by and by.[Nichol Newfanglecomes forward.

Ralph.By Gog's wounds, even so is it now with me,

I am in my doublet and my hosen, as you see:

For all that I had doth lie at pledge for ale.

By the mass, I am as bare as my nail,

Not a cross of money to bless me have I;

But I trow we shall meet Nichol Newfangle by and by.

[Nichol Newfanglecomes forward.

New.Turn hither, turn hither, I say, sir knave,For I am even he, that you so fain would have.

New.Turn hither, turn hither, I say, sir knave,

For I am even he, that you so fain would have.

Ralph.What, Master Nichol, are you here all this while?

New.I think I am here, or else I do thee beguile.

Tom.So God help me, I am glad that you be in sight;For in faith your presence hath made my heart light.

Tom.So God help me, I am glad that you be in sight;

For in faith your presence hath made my heart light.

New.I will make it lighter anon, I trow.[Aside.My masters, I have a piece of land for you, do you know?

New.I will make it lighter anon, I trow.[Aside.

My masters, I have a piece of land for you, do you know?

Ralph.Marry, that is the cause of our hither resort.For now we are void of all joy and comfort.

Ralph.Marry, that is the cause of our hither resort.

For now we are void of all joy and comfort.

Tom.You see in what case we now stand in,And you heard us also even now, I ween,Wherefore, good Master Nichol, let us have this land now,And we shall think ourselves much bound unto you.

Tom.You see in what case we now stand in,

And you heard us also even now, I ween,

Wherefore, good Master Nichol, let us have this land now,

And we shall think ourselves much bound unto you.

New.You know, that I this land must divide,Which I shall do; but a while abide.All thy goods for ale at pledge be(to Tom),And thou(to Ralph)say'st a pair of dice have made thee free.[354]First, Ralph Roister, come thou unto me,Because thou hast lost every whit at dice,[He giveth the bag toR. Roister,and the bottle toTom Tosspot.

New.You know, that I this land must divide,

Which I shall do; but a while abide.

All thy goods for ale at pledge be(to Tom),

And thou(to Ralph)say'st a pair of dice have made thee free.[354]

First, Ralph Roister, come thou unto me,

Because thou hast lost every whit at dice,

[He giveth the bag toR. Roister,and the bottle toTom Tosspot.

Take there this bag to carry bread and cheese,And take thou this bottle, and mark what I shall say:If he chance to eat the bread and cheese by the way,Do thou in this matter follow my counsel,Drink up the drink, and knock him about the head with the bottle;And because that Ralph is the elder knave,This staff also of me he shall have.[355]

Take there this bag to carry bread and cheese,

And take thou this bottle, and mark what I shall say:

If he chance to eat the bread and cheese by the way,

Do thou in this matter follow my counsel,

Drink up the drink, and knock him about the head with the bottle;

And because that Ralph is the elder knave,

This staff also of me he shall have.[355]

Ralph.But where is the land, that to us you promised?

New.In faith, good fellows, my promise is performed.

Tom.By Gog's blood, I thought that it would be so.

New.This must you have, whe'r you will or no,Or else fall to work with shovel and with spade;For begging now must be your chiefest trade.

New.This must you have, whe'r you will or no,

Or else fall to work with shovel and with spade;

For begging now must be your chiefest trade.

Ralph.Gog's heart, can I away[356]with this life?To beg my bread from door to door?I will rather cut my throat with a knife,Than I will live thus beggarly and poor.By Gog's blood, rather than I will it assay,I will rob and steal, and keep the highway.

Ralph.Gog's heart, can I away[356]with this life?

To beg my bread from door to door?

I will rather cut my throat with a knife,

Than I will live thus beggarly and poor.

By Gog's blood, rather than I will it assay,

I will rob and steal, and keep the highway.

Tom.Well, Ralph Roister, seeing we be in this misery,And labour we cannot, and to beg it is a shame;Yet better it is to beg most shamefully,Than to be hanged, and to thievery[357]ourselves frame.

Tom.Well, Ralph Roister, seeing we be in this misery,

And labour we cannot, and to beg it is a shame;

Yet better it is to beg most shamefully,

Than to be hanged, and to thievery[357]ourselves frame.

New.Now, my masters, learn to beware;But like will to like, quoth the Devil to the Collier.

New.Now, my masters, learn to beware;

But like will to like, quoth the Devil to the Collier.

Ralph.O Lord, why did not I consider before,What should of roisting be the final end.Now the horse is stolen, I shut the stable-door.Alas, that I had time my life to amend!Time I have, I must needs confess;But yet in misery that time must be spent:Seeing that my life I would not redress;But wholly in riot I have it all spent;Wherefore I am now brought to this exigent.But the time pass'd cannot be called, this is no nay.

Ralph.O Lord, why did not I consider before,

What should of roisting be the final end.

Now the horse is stolen, I shut the stable-door.

Alas, that I had time my life to amend!

Time I have, I must needs confess;

But yet in misery that time must be spent:

Seeing that my life I would not redress;

But wholly in riot I have it all spent;

Wherefore I am now brought to this exigent.

But the time pass'd cannot be called, this is no nay.

But the time pass'd cannot be called, this is no nay.Wherefore all here take example by me:Time tarrieth no man, but passeth still away;Take time, while time is, for time doth flee;Use well your youthly years, and to virtuous lore agree.For if I to virtue had any respect,This misfortune to me could not have chanced;But because unto vice I was a subject,To no good fame may I be now advanced.My credit also is now quite stanched.Wherefore I would all men my woful case might see,That I to them a mirror might be.

But the time pass'd cannot be called, this is no nay.

Wherefore all here take example by me:

Time tarrieth no man, but passeth still away;

Take time, while time is, for time doth flee;

Use well your youthly years, and to virtuous lore agree.

For if I to virtue had any respect,

This misfortune to me could not have chanced;

But because unto vice I was a subject,

To no good fame may I be now advanced.

My credit also is now quite stanched.

Wherefore I would all men my woful case might see,

That I to them a mirror might be.

Tom.O all ye parents, to you I do say:Have respect to your children and for their education,Lest you answer therefore at the latter day,And your meed shall be eternal damnation.If my parents had brought me up in virtue and learning,I should not have had this shameful end;But all licentiously was my up-bringing,Wherefore learn by me your faults to amend.But neither in virtue, learning, or yet honest trade,Was I bred up my living for to get:Therefore in misery my time away must vade;For vicious persons behold now the net.I am in the snare, I am caught with the gin;And now it is too late, I cannot again begin.

Tom.O all ye parents, to you I do say:

Have respect to your children and for their education,

Lest you answer therefore at the latter day,

And your meed shall be eternal damnation.

If my parents had brought me up in virtue and learning,

I should not have had this shameful end;

But all licentiously was my up-bringing,

Wherefore learn by me your faults to amend.

But neither in virtue, learning, or yet honest trade,

Was I bred up my living for to get:

Therefore in misery my time away must vade;

For vicious persons behold now the net.

I am in the snare, I am caught with the gin;

And now it is too late, I cannot again begin.

New.This gear would have been seen to before,But now, my masters, you are on the score.Be packing, I say, and get you hence;Learn to say: I pray, good master, give me nine-pence.

New.This gear would have been seen to before,

But now, my masters, you are on the score.

Be packing, I say, and get you hence;

Learn to say: I pray, good master, give me nine-pence.

Ralph.Thou, villain, art only the causer of this woe;Therefore thou shalt have somewhat of me, or ere I go.

Ralph.Thou, villain, art only the causer of this woe;

Therefore thou shalt have somewhat of me, or ere I go.

Tom.Thou hast given me a bottle here;But thou shalt drink first of it, be it ale or beer.

Tom.Thou hast given me a bottle here;

But thou shalt drink first of it, be it ale or beer.

[Ralph Roisterbeateth him with his staff, andTom Tosspotwith his bottle.

Ralph.Take this of me, before I go hence.

Tom.Take that of me in part of recompense.

New.Now am I driven to play the master of fence.Come no near[358]me, you knaves, for your life,[They have him down, and beat him, and he crieth for help.

New.Now am I driven to play the master of fence.

Come no near[358]me, you knaves, for your life,

[They have him down, and beat him, and he crieth for help.

Lest I stick you both with this woodknife.Back, I say! back, thou sturdy beggar!Body of me, they have ta'en away my dagger.

Lest I stick you both with this woodknife.

Back, I say! back, thou sturdy beggar!

Body of me, they have ta'en away my dagger.

Ralph.Now, in faith, you whoreson, take heed, I you advise,How you do any more young men entice.

Ralph.Now, in faith, you whoreson, take heed, I you advise,

How you do any more young men entice.

Tom.Now, farewell, thou hast thy just meed.

Ralph. Now we go abegging, God send us good speed!

[Ralph RoisterandTom Tosspotgo out, andSeverity,the judge, entereth, andNichol Newfanglelieth on the ground groaning.

Sev.That upright judgment without partialityBe minist'red duly to ill-doers and offenders!I am one, whose name is Severity,Appointed a judge to suppress evil-doers,Not for hatred nor yet for malice:But to advance virtue and suppress vice.Wherefore Isodorus these words doth say:Non est Judex, si in eo non est Justitia!He is not a judge that Justice doth want,But he that truth and equity doth plant.Fully also these words doth express,Which words are very true doubtless.Semper iniquus est judex, qui aut invidet aut favet:They are unrightful judges all,That are either envious or else partial.

Sev.That upright judgment without partiality

Be minist'red duly to ill-doers and offenders!

I am one, whose name is Severity,

Appointed a judge to suppress evil-doers,

Not for hatred nor yet for malice:

But to advance virtue and suppress vice.

Wherefore Isodorus these words doth say:

Non est Judex, si in eo non est Justitia!

He is not a judge that Justice doth want,

But he that truth and equity doth plant.

Fully also these words doth express,

Which words are very true doubtless.

Semper iniquus est judex, qui aut invidet aut favet:

They are unrightful judges all,

That are either envious or else partial.

New.Help me up, good sir, for I have got a fall.

Sev.What cause have you, my friend, thus heavily to groan?

New.O sir, I have good cause to make great moan;Here were two fellows but right now,That (I think) have killed me, I make God a vow.I pray you, tell me, am I alive or am I dead?

New.O sir, I have good cause to make great moan;

Here were two fellows but right now,

That (I think) have killed me, I make God a vow.

I pray you, tell me, am I alive or am I dead?

Sev.Fellow, it is more meet for thee to be in thy bed,Than to lie here in such sort as thou dost.

Sev.Fellow, it is more meet for thee to be in thy bed,

Than to lie here in such sort as thou dost.

New.In faith, I should have laid some of the knaves in the dust,If I had had your sword right now in presence;I would have had a leg or an arm, ere they had gone hence.

New.In faith, I should have laid some of the knaves in the dust,

If I had had your sword right now in presence;

I would have had a leg or an arm, ere they had gone hence.

Sev.Who is it that hath done thee this injury?

New.A couple of beggars have done me this villainy.

Sev.I see, if severity should not be executed,One man should not live by another.If such injuries should not be confuted,The child would regard neither father nor mother.Give me thy hand, and I shall help thee.

Sev.I see, if severity should not be executed,

One man should not live by another.

If such injuries should not be confuted,

The child would regard neither father nor mother.

Give me thy hand, and I shall help thee.

New.Hold fast your sword then, I pray you heartily.[He riseth.

Sev.Now, friend, it appeareth unto me,That you have been a traveller of the countryAnd such as travel do hear of things done,As well in the country, as the city of London.How say you, my friend, can you tell any news

Sev.Now, friend, it appeareth unto me,

That you have been a traveller of the country

And such as travel do hear of things done,

As well in the country, as the city of London.

How say you, my friend, can you tell any news

New.That can I, for I came lately from the stews.There are knaves abroad, you may believe me,As in this place shortly you shall see.No more words, but mum, and stand awhile aside:Yonder cometh two knaves; therefore abide.

New.That can I, for I came lately from the stews.

There are knaves abroad, you may believe me,

As in this place shortly you shall see.

No more words, but mum, and stand awhile aside:

Yonder cometh two knaves; therefore abide.

IntratC. CutpurseandPierce Pickpurse.

Cuthb.By Gog's wounds, if he help not now, we are undone:By the mass, for my part, I wot not whither to run.

Cuthb.By Gog's wounds, if he help not now, we are undone:

By the mass, for my part, I wot not whither to run.

Pierce.We be so pursu'd on every sideThat, by Gog's heart, I wot not where to abide.

Pierce.We be so pursu'd on every side

That, by Gog's heart, I wot not where to abide.

Cuthb.Every constable is charged to make privy search;So that, if we may be got, we shall be thrown over the perch.

Cuthb.Every constable is charged to make privy search;

So that, if we may be got, we shall be thrown over the perch.

Pierce.If Nichol Newfangle help us not now in our need,We are like in our business full evil to speed.Therefore let us make no delay,But seek him out of hand, and be gone away.

Pierce.If Nichol Newfangle help us not now in our need,

We are like in our business full evil to speed.

Therefore let us make no delay,

But seek him out of hand, and be gone away.

SeverityandN. Newfanglecome forward.

New.Soft, my masters, awhile I you pray;For I am here, for whom you do seek;For you know that like will never from like.I promised you of late a piece of land,Which by and by shall fall into your hand.

New.Soft, my masters, awhile I you pray;

For I am here, for whom you do seek;

For you know that like will never from like.

I promised you of late a piece of land,

Which by and by shall fall into your hand.

Cuthb.What, Master Nichol! how do you to-day?

Pierce.For the passion of God, Master Nichol, help to rid us away;And help us to the land, whereof you did say,That we might make money of it by and by;For out of the realm we purpose to fly.

Pierce.For the passion of God, Master Nichol, help to rid us away;

And help us to the land, whereof you did say,

That we might make money of it by and by;

For out of the realm we purpose to fly.

New.Marry, I will help you, I swear by All Hallows:And will not part from you, till you come to the gallows.Lo, noble Severity, these be they without doubt.On whom this rumour of thievery[359]is gone about,Therefore, my masters, here is the snare,That shall lead you to the land, called the two-legged mare.[He putteth about each of their necks a halter.

New.Marry, I will help you, I swear by All Hallows:

And will not part from you, till you come to the gallows.

Lo, noble Severity, these be they without doubt.

On whom this rumour of thievery[359]is gone about,

Therefore, my masters, here is the snare,

That shall lead you to the land, called the two-legged mare.

[He putteth about each of their necks a halter.

Sev.My friend, hold them fast even in that plight.

New.Then come, and help me with your sword; for I fear they will fight.

Sev.Strive not, my masters; for it shall not avail;But awhile give ear unto my counsel.Your own words hath condemned you for to die;Therefore to God make yourselves ready.And by and by I will send one, which for your abusion,Shall lead you to the place of execution.

Sev.Strive not, my masters; for it shall not avail;

But awhile give ear unto my counsel.

Your own words hath condemned you for to die;

Therefore to God make yourselves ready.

And by and by I will send one, which for your abusion,

Shall lead you to the place of execution.

New.Help to tie their hands, before ye be gone.[Sev.helpeth to tie them.

Sev.Now they are bound, I will send one to you anon.[Exit.

New.Ah, my masters, how like you this play?You shall take possession of your land to-day!I will help to bridle the two-legged mare,And both you for to ride need not to spare.Now, so God help me, I swear by this bread,I marvel who shall play the knave, when you twain be dead.

New.Ah, my masters, how like you this play?

You shall take possession of your land to-day!

I will help to bridle the two-legged mare,

And both you for to ride need not to spare.

Now, so God help me, I swear by this bread,

I marvel who shall play the knave, when you twain be dead.

Cuthb.O cursed caitiff, born in an evil hour,Woe unto me, that ever I did thee know.For of all iniquity thou art the bow'r;The seed of Satan thou dost always sow.Thou only hast given me the overthrow.Woe worth the hour, wherein I was born!Woe worth the time that ever I knew thee!For now in misery I am forlorn;O, all youth take example by me:Flee from evil company, as from a serpent you would flee;For I to you all a mirror may be.I have been daintily and delicately bred,But nothing at all in virtuous lore:And now I am but a man dead,Hanged I must be, which grieveth me full sore.Note well the end of me therefore;And you that fathers and mothers be,Bring not up your children in too much liberty.

Cuthb.O cursed caitiff, born in an evil hour,

Woe unto me, that ever I did thee know.

For of all iniquity thou art the bow'r;

The seed of Satan thou dost always sow.

Thou only hast given me the overthrow.

Woe worth the hour, wherein I was born!

Woe worth the time that ever I knew thee!

For now in misery I am forlorn;

O, all youth take example by me:

Flee from evil company, as from a serpent you would flee;

For I to you all a mirror may be.

I have been daintily and delicately bred,

But nothing at all in virtuous lore:

And now I am but a man dead,

Hanged I must be, which grieveth me full sore.

Note well the end of me therefore;

And you that fathers and mothers be,

Bring not up your children in too much liberty.

Pierce.Sith that by the law we are now condemned,Let us call to God for his mercy and his grace;And exhort that all vice may be amended,While we in this world have time and space.And though our lives have licentiously been spent,Yet at the last to God let us call;For he heareth such as are ready to repent,And desireth not that sinners should fall.Now are we ready to suffer, come when it shall.

Pierce.Sith that by the law we are now condemned,

Let us call to God for his mercy and his grace;

And exhort that all vice may be amended,

While we in this world have time and space.

And though our lives have licentiously been spent,

Yet at the last to God let us call;

For he heareth such as are ready to repent,

And desireth not that sinners should fall.

Now are we ready to suffer, come when it shall.

Here ent'reth inHankin Hangman.

New.Come, Hankin Hangman, let us two cast lots,And between us divide a couple of coats:Take thou the one, and the other shall be mine.Come, Hankin Hangman, thou cam'st in good time.[They take off the coats, and divide them.

New.Come, Hankin Hangman, let us two cast lots,

And between us divide a couple of coats:

Take thou the one, and the other shall be mine.

Come, Hankin Hangman, thou cam'st in good time.

[They take off the coats, and divide them.

Hankin.Thou should'st have one, Nichol, I swear by the mass,For thou bringest work for me daily to pass;

Hankin.Thou should'st have one, Nichol, I swear by the mass,

For thou bringest work for me daily to pass;

And through thy means I get more coats in one year,Than all my living is worth beside, I swear.Therefore, Nichol Newfangle, we will depart never:For like will to like, quoth the Devil to the Collier.

And through thy means I get more coats in one year,

Than all my living is worth beside, I swear.

Therefore, Nichol Newfangle, we will depart never:

For like will to like, quoth the Devil to the Collier.

New.Now, farewell, Hankin Hangman, farewell to thee.

Hankin.Farewell, Nichol Newfangle: come you two with me.

[Hankingoeth out, and leadeth the one in his right hand, and the other in his left, having halters about their necks.

New.Ha, ha, ha! there is a brace of hounds, well worth a dozen crowns,Behold the huntsman leadeth away!I think in twenty towns, on hills, and eke on downs.They taken have their prey.So well liked was their hunting on hill and eke on mountain,That now they be up in a lease:[360]To keep within a string, is it not a gay thing?Do all of you hold your peace?Why then, good gentle boy, how likest thou this play?No more, but say thy mind:I swear by this day, if thou wilt this assay,I will to thee be kind.This is well brought to pass of me, I swear by the mass:Some to hang, and other some to beg:I would I had Balaam's ass to carry me, where I was;How say you, little Meg?Ralph Roister and Tom Tosspot, are now not worth a groat,So well with them it is:I would I had a pot, for now I am so hot,By the mass, I must go piss.Philip Fleming and Hance have danc'd a pretty dance,That all is now spent out.And now a great mischance came on while they did prance:They lie sick of the gout.And in a 'spital-house, with little Laurence louse,They be fain for to dwell:If they eat a moisel of souse, or else a roasted mouse,They think they do fare well.But as for Peter Pickpurse, and also Cuthbert Cutpurse,You saw them both right now:With them it is much worse, for they do ban and curse;For the halter shall them bow.Now if I had my nag, to see the world wag,I would straight ride about:Ginks, do fill the bag. I would not pass a ragTo hit you on the snout.

New.Ha, ha, ha! there is a brace of hounds, well worth a dozen crowns,

Behold the huntsman leadeth away!

I think in twenty towns, on hills, and eke on downs.

They taken have their prey.

So well liked was their hunting on hill and eke on mountain,

That now they be up in a lease:[360]

To keep within a string, is it not a gay thing?

Do all of you hold your peace?

Why then, good gentle boy, how likest thou this play?

No more, but say thy mind:

I swear by this day, if thou wilt this assay,

I will to thee be kind.

This is well brought to pass of me, I swear by the mass:

Some to hang, and other some to beg:

I would I had Balaam's ass to carry me, where I was;

How say you, little Meg?

Ralph Roister and Tom Tosspot, are now not worth a groat,

So well with them it is:

I would I had a pot, for now I am so hot,

By the mass, I must go piss.

Philip Fleming and Hance have danc'd a pretty dance,

That all is now spent out.

And now a great mischance came on while they did prance:

They lie sick of the gout.

And in a 'spital-house, with little Laurence louse,

They be fain for to dwell:

If they eat a moisel of souse, or else a roasted mouse,

They think they do fare well.

But as for Peter Pickpurse, and also Cuthbert Cutpurse,

You saw them both right now:

With them it is much worse, for they do ban and curse;

For the halter shall them bow.

Now if I had my nag, to see the world wag,

I would straight ride about:

Ginks, do fill the bag. I would not pass a rag

To hit you on the snout.

TheDevilentereth.

Lu.Ho, ho, ho! mine own boy, make no more delay,But leap up on my back straightway.

Lu.Ho, ho, ho! mine own boy, make no more delay,

But leap up on my back straightway.

New.Then who shall hold my stirrup, while I go to horse?

Lu.Tush, for that do thou not force!Leap up, I say, leap up quickly.

Lu.Tush, for that do thou not force!

Leap up, I say, leap up quickly.

New.Woh, Ball, woh! and I will come by and by.Now for a pair of spurs I would give a good groat!To try whether this jade do amble or trot.Farewell, my masters, till I come again,For now I must make a journey into Spain.[He rideth away on theDevil'sback. Here enterethVirtuous LifeandHonour.

New.Woh, Ball, woh! and I will come by and by.

Now for a pair of spurs I would give a good groat!

To try whether this jade do amble or trot.

Farewell, my masters, till I come again,

For now I must make a journey into Spain.

[He rideth away on theDevil'sback. Here enterethVirtuous LifeandHonour.

V. L.O worthy diadem, O jewel most precious,O virtue, which dost all worldly things excel:How worthy a treasure thou art to the virtuous?Thy praise no pen may write, nor no tongue tell.For I, who am called Virtuous Life,Have in this world both honour and dignity:Immortal fame of man, child and wife,Daily waiteth and attendeth on me.The commodity of virtue in me you may behold,The enormity of vice you have also seen:Therefore now to make an end we may be bold,And pray for our noble and gracious Queen.

V. L.O worthy diadem, O jewel most precious,

O virtue, which dost all worldly things excel:

How worthy a treasure thou art to the virtuous?

Thy praise no pen may write, nor no tongue tell.

For I, who am called Virtuous Life,

Have in this world both honour and dignity:

Immortal fame of man, child and wife,

Daily waiteth and attendeth on me.

The commodity of virtue in me you may behold,

The enormity of vice you have also seen:

Therefore now to make an end we may be bold,

And pray for our noble and gracious Queen.

Honour.To do so, Virtuous Life, it is our bounden duty;And because we must do so, before we do end,To aid us therein, Good Fame cometh verily,Which daily and hourly on you doth attend.

Honour.To do so, Virtuous Life, it is our bounden duty;

And because we must do so, before we do end,

To aid us therein, Good Fame cometh verily,

Which daily and hourly on you doth attend.

Here enterethGood Fame.

G. F.Virtuous Life, do what you list:To pray or to sing I will you assist.

G. F.Virtuous Life, do what you list:

To pray or to sing I will you assist.

V. L.O Lord of hosts, O King Almighty,Pour down thy grace upon our noble Queen!Vanquish her foes (Lord), that daily and nightlyThrough her thy laws may be sincerely seen.

V. L.O Lord of hosts, O King Almighty,

Pour down thy grace upon our noble Queen!

Vanquish her foes (Lord), that daily and nightly

Through her thy laws may be sincerely seen.

Honour.The honourable council also (O Lord) preserve,The lords both of the clergy and of the temporality:Grant that with meekness they may thee serve,Submitting to thee with all humility.

Honour.The honourable council also (O Lord) preserve,

The lords both of the clergy and of the temporality:

Grant that with meekness they may thee serve,

Submitting to thee with all humility.

G. F.O Lord, preserve the Commons of this realm also;Pour upon them thy heavenly grace;To advance virtue and vice to overthrow,That at last in heaven with thee they may have place.

G. F.O Lord, preserve the Commons of this realm also;

Pour upon them thy heavenly grace;

To advance virtue and vice to overthrow,

That at last in heaven with thee they may have place.

A song.[361]

Where like to like is a-matched so,That virtue must of force decay:There God with vengeance, plagues and woe,By judgment just must needs repay.For, like to like, the worldings cry:Although both likes do grace defy.And where as Satan planted hathIn vicious minds a sinful trade:There like to like do walk his path,By which to him like they are made.So like with like reward obtain,To have their meed in endless pain.Likewise in faith, where matches be,And where as God hath planted grace;There do his children still agree,And like to like do run their race.Like Christ, like hearts of Christian men;As like to like well-coupled then.Therefore like grace, like faith and love,Like virtue, springs in each degree:Where like assistance from aboveDoth make them like so right to be.A holy God, a Christ most just:And so like souls in him to trust.Then like as Christ above doth reign,In heaven high our Saviour best:So like with him shall be our gain,In peace and joy, and endless rest.If we ourselves like him do frame,In fear of his most holy name.To him be praise, that grace doth give,Whereby he fashioneth us anew:And make[s] us holily to live,Like to himself in faith most true.Which our redemption sure hath wrought:Like him to be most dearly bought.

Where like to like is a-matched so,

That virtue must of force decay:

There God with vengeance, plagues and woe,

By judgment just must needs repay.

For, like to like, the worldings cry:

Although both likes do grace defy.

And where as Satan planted hath

In vicious minds a sinful trade:

There like to like do walk his path,

By which to him like they are made.

So like with like reward obtain,

To have their meed in endless pain.

Likewise in faith, where matches be,

And where as God hath planted grace;

There do his children still agree,

And like to like do run their race.

Like Christ, like hearts of Christian men;

As like to like well-coupled then.

Therefore like grace, like faith and love,

Like virtue, springs in each degree:

Where like assistance from above

Doth make them like so right to be.

A holy God, a Christ most just:

And so like souls in him to trust.

Then like as Christ above doth reign,

In heaven high our Saviour best:

So like with him shall be our gain,

In peace and joy, and endless rest.

If we ourselves like him do frame,

In fear of his most holy name.

To him be praise, that grace doth give,

Whereby he fashioneth us anew:

And make[s] us holily to live,

Like to himself in faith most true.

Which our redemption sure hath wrought:

Like him to be most dearly bought.

FINIS.

END OF VOL. III.

[1]A cheating bully, so called in several Acts of Parliament during the reign of King Henry the Eighth.—S.

[2]A common proverb, of which there are varying versions; but the original isquot homines, &c.

[3]Merchantwas anciently used as we now use the wordchap. See note on "Romeo and Juliet," A. 2, S. 4.—Steevens.

[4]Cowleor rathercoll[Coll] I suppose to be the name of the dog.—Steevens.Cowle my dog, I am inclined to believe, meansput a cowl or hood on a dog, and he will be as learned as a friar: the contempt into which the order had at this period fallen will at least countenance the explanation, if it should not be thought sufficient to prove it. I once was of opinion, that there might be an allusion to the case of one Collins, a crazy man, who seeing a priest hold up the host over his head, lifted up a dog in the same manner, for which both he and the animal were burnt in 1538. See Fox, vol. ii. 436.My conjecture requires a little explanation. The speaker means to say, "If the New Testament is fit for the use of boys, so likewise is it adapted equally to the conception ofColl my dog. The one will understand and make a proper use of it as soon as the other."—Steevens.[What will be thought of the preceding note, I hardly know; the text is the clearer.]

[4]Cowleor rathercoll[Coll] I suppose to be the name of the dog.—Steevens.

Cowle my dog, I am inclined to believe, meansput a cowl or hood on a dog, and he will be as learned as a friar: the contempt into which the order had at this period fallen will at least countenance the explanation, if it should not be thought sufficient to prove it. I once was of opinion, that there might be an allusion to the case of one Collins, a crazy man, who seeing a priest hold up the host over his head, lifted up a dog in the same manner, for which both he and the animal were burnt in 1538. See Fox, vol. ii. 436.

My conjecture requires a little explanation. The speaker means to say, "If the New Testament is fit for the use of boys, so likewise is it adapted equally to the conception ofColl my dog. The one will understand and make a proper use of it as soon as the other."—Steevens.[What will be thought of the preceding note, I hardly know; the text is the clearer.]

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