Sens.So, the company is well amend;Let him go the devil of hell!He is but a boy, I warn you well;And, should ye follow his counsel,Almighty God defend!If ever ye lust to play the manIt is time that ye now began.Marry! to play the boy, now and then,For your disport and solace,It forceth not though ye doWhen ye may have leisure thereto;And among I will help you alsoIn due time and place.The World.Yea, that ye will indeed!But now, sir! will ye anythingCommand me before my departing?Man.Nothing at all, to my witting;But our Lord have you in His keeping,And send you well to speed!
Sens.So, the company is well amend;Let him go the devil of hell!He is but a boy, I warn you well;And, should ye follow his counsel,Almighty God defend!If ever ye lust to play the manIt is time that ye now began.Marry! to play the boy, now and then,For your disport and solace,It forceth not though ye doWhen ye may have leisure thereto;And among I will help you alsoIn due time and place.
The World.Yea, that ye will indeed!But now, sir! will ye anythingCommand me before my departing?
Man.Nothing at all, to my witting;But our Lord have you in His keeping,And send you well to speed!
[He goeth out.Mankindcalls toWorldlyAffection.]
Worldly Affection, come hither! ye are politic;And much better inured in this world than I.I pray you dispose for me, as ye think most like,That I may live here well and honourably.[Wor. Affec.] Yea, sir! I shall. Doubt ye not, hardely!If it like you to put me in so great trust,And I trow ye shall find me true and just.Man. I wot well I shall. Surely you be boundTo the world that hath given you so great commendation?[Wor. Affec.] Yea, sir! some men had liever than a thousand poundThey might be commended of the same fashion.But, sir! let pass all this commendation;And answer to me, I pray you, fruitfully,In that I shall move you substantially.Sir! at few words I you exhort,Sith that ye be come to your own,Cast yourself to bear such a portThat, as ye be, ye may be known;Eke it is necessary, for that behove,That there be made some manner of purveyanceWhereby ye may bear out your countenance.Will it like you, therefore, that I surveyAnd see th' extent of all your land,And thereupon in all thee hast purvey,Both for you and yours, all manner of viand,With other utensils ready at your hand;So that ye be purveyed all times, early and late,Of each thing that belongeth to your estate?Man.Your counsel is good; do as ye think best;I commit all such thing to your discretion.[Wor. Aff.] I shall do my true business, at the leastTo bring all things to good conclusion.
Worldly Affection, come hither! ye are politic;And much better inured in this world than I.I pray you dispose for me, as ye think most like,That I may live here well and honourably.
[Wor. Affec.] Yea, sir! I shall. Doubt ye not, hardely!If it like you to put me in so great trust,And I trow ye shall find me true and just.
Man. I wot well I shall. Surely you be boundTo the world that hath given you so great commendation?
[Wor. Affec.] Yea, sir! some men had liever than a thousand poundThey might be commended of the same fashion.But, sir! let pass all this commendation;And answer to me, I pray you, fruitfully,In that I shall move you substantially.
Sir! at few words I you exhort,Sith that ye be come to your own,Cast yourself to bear such a portThat, as ye be, ye may be known;Eke it is necessary, for that behove,That there be made some manner of purveyanceWhereby ye may bear out your countenance.
Will it like you, therefore, that I surveyAnd see th' extent of all your land,And thereupon in all thee hast purvey,Both for you and yours, all manner of viand,With other utensils ready at your hand;So that ye be purveyed all times, early and late,Of each thing that belongeth to your estate?
Man.Your counsel is good; do as ye think best;I commit all such thing to your discretion.
[Wor. Aff.] I shall do my true business, at the leastTo bring all things to good conclusion.
[He maketh to go out.
Man.Abide, Worldly Affection! ye made no mentionWho should await and give attendance;I must have mo servants whatsoever chance.Wor. Aff.What? ye have Sensuality! ask never other counselOf such matter; he can you best advise.He knoweth where all such manner persons dwellAs be most apt to do you worldly service.
Man.Abide, Worldly Affection! ye made no mentionWho should await and give attendance;I must have mo servants whatsoever chance.
Wor. Aff.What? ye have Sensuality! ask never other counselOf such matter; he can you best advise.He knoweth where all such manner persons dwellAs be most apt to do you worldly service.
[Then he goeth out.
Sens.Yea, on my peril, sir! I shall take the enterpriseOf all such matters; and, look! where I findAny man of pleasure, on him set your mind.Lo! will ye see—lo! here cometh one;Even the last man that was in my thought.Man.What is he?Sens.Ye shall see anon.A well-drawn man is he; and a well-taught,That will not give his head for nought;And, thereto goodly, as ye shall see in a dayAs well-apparelled at each point of his array.
Sens.Yea, on my peril, sir! I shall take the enterpriseOf all such matters; and, look! where I findAny man of pleasure, on him set your mind.Lo! will ye see—lo! here cometh one;Even the last man that was in my thought.
Man.What is he?
Sens.Ye shall see anon.A well-drawn man is he; and a well-taught,That will not give his head for nought;And, thereto goodly, as ye shall see in a dayAs well-apparelled at each point of his array.
[Mankindgoes aside.
[Pride.] Who dwelleth here? will no man speak?Is there no fool nor hoddypeak?Now, by the bell! it were alms to breakSome of these knaves' brows.A gentleman comes in at the doors,That all his days hath worn gilt spurs,And none of these knaves nor cutted whoresBids him welcome to house!Wot ye not how great a lord I am?Of how noble progeny I came?My father a knight; my mother called madame;Mine ancestors great estates.And now the livelood is to me fallBy both their deaths natural:I am spoken of more than they all,Hence to Paris gates.How say ye, sirs, by mine array?Doth it please you, yea or nay?In the best wise, I dare well say!By that ye know me awhileAnd one thing I put you out of doubt;I have wherewith to bear it outAs well as any man hereaboutWithin these hundred mile.Behold[the rest of the line, almost cut away, is indecipherable.]A staring colour of scarlet red:I promise you a fine threadAnd a soft wool.It cost me a noble at one pitch—The scald capper sware sithichThat it cost him even as mich—But there Pride had a pull.I love it well to have side hairHalf a wote beneath mine ear;For, evermore, I stand in fearThat mine neck should take cold.I knit it up all the night;And the daytime comb it down right;And then it crispeth and shineth as brightAs any purled gold.My doublet is on-laced before—A stomacher of satin and no more;Rain it, snow it never so sore,Methinketh I am too hot.Then have I such a short gown,With wide sleeves that hang a-down—They would make some lad in this townA doublet and a coat.Some men would think that this were pride;But it is not so—ho, ho, abide!I have a dagger by my sideYet thereof spake not I.I bought this dagger at the mart,A sharp point and a tart;He that had it in his heartWere as good to die.Then have I a sword or twain;To bear them myself it were a pain;They are so heavy that I am fainTo purvey such a lad,Though I say it, a pretty boy—It is half my life's joy.He maketh me laugh with many a toy,The urchin is so mad.I begat the whoreson in bast;It was done all in haste:Ye may see there was no waste,He occupied no great place.Sometime he serveth me at board;Sometime he beareth my two-hand sword—Come forth, thou little lick-turd!Look in thy father's face!But, now to do that I come for,And of these things to speak no more—Hark, sirs! me longeth soreTo hear some novelty.I hear say there is a great stateCome into this country late;And is disposed algateAn householder to be.Father's soul, sirs! ye shall understandThat, if he keep household in this land,I will thrust in on hand,Whosoever say nay.Whatsoever the man intend,To appair the world or to amend,I will be with him at that one end;Hap what hap may!I met Worldly Affection erewhile,From this town scant a mile;And he hath showed me a pretty wile,If I may put it in ure.He tells me that SensualityBegins a great ruler to be;And, if it be so, care not for me—The matter is cock sure!Ay, good lord, what man is that?Father's soul! this is some great wat.Garcon.This is he that ye seek.Pride.See this, brat!—This boy is passing taunt—Come behind, and follow me;Set out the better leg, I warn thee!Garcon.Yes, in the best wise trust ye me!Allez, seigneur! allez vous avant!Pride.Salutem to you, sir!Man.And to you also!Whence are ye?Pride.I shall tell you or I go;But, first would I speak a word, and no mo,With this servant of yours.Sens.With me, sir? Would ye speak with me?Pride.Yea, fore God! are ye not Sensuality?Sens.Yes, surely!Pride.Yea, such a gentleman ye seem to be.Sens.Your poor servant at all hours!
[Pride.] Who dwelleth here? will no man speak?Is there no fool nor hoddypeak?Now, by the bell! it were alms to breakSome of these knaves' brows.A gentleman comes in at the doors,That all his days hath worn gilt spurs,And none of these knaves nor cutted whoresBids him welcome to house!
Wot ye not how great a lord I am?Of how noble progeny I came?My father a knight; my mother called madame;Mine ancestors great estates.And now the livelood is to me fallBy both their deaths natural:I am spoken of more than they all,Hence to Paris gates.
How say ye, sirs, by mine array?Doth it please you, yea or nay?In the best wise, I dare well say!By that ye know me awhileAnd one thing I put you out of doubt;I have wherewith to bear it outAs well as any man hereaboutWithin these hundred mile.
Behold[the rest of the line, almost cut away, is indecipherable.]A staring colour of scarlet red:I promise you a fine threadAnd a soft wool.It cost me a noble at one pitch—The scald capper sware sithichThat it cost him even as mich—But there Pride had a pull.
I love it well to have side hairHalf a wote beneath mine ear;For, evermore, I stand in fearThat mine neck should take cold.I knit it up all the night;And the daytime comb it down right;And then it crispeth and shineth as brightAs any purled gold.
My doublet is on-laced before—A stomacher of satin and no more;Rain it, snow it never so sore,Methinketh I am too hot.Then have I such a short gown,With wide sleeves that hang a-down—They would make some lad in this townA doublet and a coat.
Some men would think that this were pride;But it is not so—ho, ho, abide!I have a dagger by my sideYet thereof spake not I.I bought this dagger at the mart,A sharp point and a tart;He that had it in his heartWere as good to die.
Then have I a sword or twain;To bear them myself it were a pain;They are so heavy that I am fainTo purvey such a lad,Though I say it, a pretty boy—It is half my life's joy.He maketh me laugh with many a toy,The urchin is so mad.
I begat the whoreson in bast;It was done all in haste:Ye may see there was no waste,He occupied no great place.Sometime he serveth me at board;Sometime he beareth my two-hand sword—Come forth, thou little lick-turd!Look in thy father's face!
But, now to do that I come for,And of these things to speak no more—Hark, sirs! me longeth soreTo hear some novelty.I hear say there is a great stateCome into this country late;And is disposed algateAn householder to be.
Father's soul, sirs! ye shall understandThat, if he keep household in this land,I will thrust in on hand,Whosoever say nay.Whatsoever the man intend,To appair the world or to amend,I will be with him at that one end;Hap what hap may!
I met Worldly Affection erewhile,From this town scant a mile;And he hath showed me a pretty wile,If I may put it in ure.He tells me that SensualityBegins a great ruler to be;And, if it be so, care not for me—The matter is cock sure!
Ay, good lord, what man is that?Father's soul! this is some great wat.
Garcon.This is he that ye seek.
Pride.See this, brat!—This boy is passing taunt—Come behind, and follow me;Set out the better leg, I warn thee!
Garcon.Yes, in the best wise trust ye me!Allez, seigneur! allez vous avant!
Pride.Salutem to you, sir!
Man.And to you also!Whence are ye?
Pride.I shall tell you or I go;But, first would I speak a word, and no mo,With this servant of yours.
Sens.With me, sir? Would ye speak with me?
Pride.Yea, fore God! are ye not Sensuality?
Sens.Yes, surely!
Pride.Yea, such a gentleman ye seem to be.
Sens.Your poor servant at all hours!
[ThenPridespeaketh toSensualityin his ear that all may hear.
Pride.Sir! I understand that this gentlemanis born to great fortunes, and intendethto inhabit herein the country. And I ama gentleman that alway hath be broughtup with great estates, and affeed with them;and, if I might be in like favour with thisgentleman, I would be glad thereof, anddo you a pleasure.Sens.Where is your dwelling?Pride.I dwell hereby.Sens.What is your name?Pride.Pride!Sens.Pride?Pride.Yea, sikerly!But I am cleped Worship, commonly,In places where I dwell.Sens.Worship, now, in faith, ye say true;Ye beradix viciorum—root of all virtue.Pride.Yea, yea, man! ye would say so if ye me knew.Sens.Turd! I know you well.Sir! ye are welcome, as I may say;I shall bring you in service if I may;And if one man stand not in the way.Pride.One man? what the devil is he?Sens.By God! one that loveth not thee,Nor me neither.Pride.I pray thee tell meWhat manner of man he is,And I shall give him a lift, as I guess.Sens.Wilt thou so, doubtless?Pride.Yea, and that within a short process—In faith! I will not miss.Sens.Surely I cannot spy the ways how!Pride.Let me alone; I shall do well enow.Acquaint me with that man, and care not thou!The matter shall speed.Sens.Hark, cousin! first speed this matter,And if yonder man make thee not good cheerAs any man that ever came hereLet me, therefore, be dead!Pride.Sir! I shall tell thee how when I am inTo thy master's service; I will first beginTo set his heart on a merry pin,And bid him make good cheer.I will bid him think how he is createTo be a worthy potestate,And eke that he is predestinateTo be a prince's peer.And other things more than this:I shall bring that heart of hisTo be more haut than it isBy a deuce ace.Specially, I will commend his witThat no man can amend it;And that he is able thereby to sitAs a judge in common pleas;And when I praise him this wiseI think his heart will begin to riseAnd after that utterly despiseAny opray counsel to hear;He shall trust all to his own brain;And then would Reason never so fain,Though he come and such opry twain:He shall be never thee near.Sens.Surely this conceit is well found!I shall bring thee in service for twenty pound.Pride.Gramercy, brother! I think me much boundTo thee for thy courtesy.But, sir! abide here one thing—I will not be known that it is my seeking.Sens.No more would I, for forty shilling:Let me alone hardely![Mankindcomes forward.Sens.Sir! if it please you, here is come a strangerThat never was acquainted with you ere;Somewhat shamefaced, and half in fearTo put himself in prese;A goodly person, be ye sure,Both of countenance and of featureIf he were drawn in portraiture;And a good man, doubtless!Yea, and a wise man at all—Will it please you that I him callTo speak with you?Man.Bid him come!Sens.I shall.Sir! will ye come near?[ToMankind.Sir! bid him welcome for the manner sake;Another day I am sure he will crakeAnd say, such a gentleman did him makeVery great cheer.Desire him for to dwell with you;I tell you he is a man for your prow,And knoweth the world well; I knowNo man better than he.Man.Sir! ye be welcome to this place.Pride.I thank you, sir! but I do you trespassTo come thus homely.Sens.Yea, a parlous case!God wot ye are welcome hither.On my faith, by my willYe shall dwell with us still.Go near to him and talk your fill:I leave you together.
Pride.Sir! I understand that this gentlemanis born to great fortunes, and intendethto inhabit herein the country. And I ama gentleman that alway hath be broughtup with great estates, and affeed with them;and, if I might be in like favour with thisgentleman, I would be glad thereof, anddo you a pleasure.
Sens.Where is your dwelling?
Pride.I dwell hereby.
Sens.What is your name?
Pride.Pride!
Sens.Pride?
Pride.Yea, sikerly!But I am cleped Worship, commonly,In places where I dwell.
Sens.Worship, now, in faith, ye say true;Ye beradix viciorum—root of all virtue.
Pride.Yea, yea, man! ye would say so if ye me knew.
Sens.Turd! I know you well.Sir! ye are welcome, as I may say;I shall bring you in service if I may;And if one man stand not in the way.
Pride.One man? what the devil is he?
Sens.By God! one that loveth not thee,Nor me neither.
Pride.I pray thee tell meWhat manner of man he is,And I shall give him a lift, as I guess.
Sens.Wilt thou so, doubtless?
Pride.Yea, and that within a short process—In faith! I will not miss.
Sens.Surely I cannot spy the ways how!
Pride.Let me alone; I shall do well enow.Acquaint me with that man, and care not thou!The matter shall speed.
Sens.Hark, cousin! first speed this matter,And if yonder man make thee not good cheerAs any man that ever came hereLet me, therefore, be dead!
Pride.Sir! I shall tell thee how when I am inTo thy master's service; I will first beginTo set his heart on a merry pin,And bid him make good cheer.I will bid him think how he is createTo be a worthy potestate,And eke that he is predestinateTo be a prince's peer.And other things more than this:I shall bring that heart of hisTo be more haut than it isBy a deuce ace.Specially, I will commend his witThat no man can amend it;And that he is able thereby to sitAs a judge in common pleas;And when I praise him this wiseI think his heart will begin to riseAnd after that utterly despiseAny opray counsel to hear;He shall trust all to his own brain;And then would Reason never so fain,Though he come and such opry twain:He shall be never thee near.
Sens.Surely this conceit is well found!I shall bring thee in service for twenty pound.
Pride.Gramercy, brother! I think me much boundTo thee for thy courtesy.But, sir! abide here one thing—I will not be known that it is my seeking.
Sens.No more would I, for forty shilling:Let me alone hardely![Mankindcomes forward.
Sens.Sir! if it please you, here is come a strangerThat never was acquainted with you ere;Somewhat shamefaced, and half in fearTo put himself in prese;A goodly person, be ye sure,Both of countenance and of featureIf he were drawn in portraiture;And a good man, doubtless!Yea, and a wise man at all—Will it please you that I him callTo speak with you?
Man.Bid him come!
Sens.I shall.Sir! will ye come near?[ToMankind.Sir! bid him welcome for the manner sake;Another day I am sure he will crakeAnd say, such a gentleman did him makeVery great cheer.Desire him for to dwell with you;I tell you he is a man for your prow,And knoweth the world well; I knowNo man better than he.
Man.Sir! ye be welcome to this place.
Pride.I thank you, sir! but I do you trespassTo come thus homely.
Sens.Yea, a parlous case!God wot ye are welcome hither.On my faith, by my willYe shall dwell with us still.Go near to him and talk your fill:I leave you together.
[He goeth forth.
Man.Now, sir! what have ye to say to me?Pride.No great thing, sir! but I come to seeAnd to know what manner man ye beThat all men praiseth so much.Man.Praise! whom praise they?Pride.Marry, you!Man.Me?Pride.Yea, sir! I make mine avowThey give you a praising good I know;I heard never none such.And, surely, ye be right worthy!I see well now they do not lie;And, therefore, I did me hither hieTo acquaint me with you—But ye may say that I am bold.Man.Nay, ye are worth thy weight of gold!Methinketh me to you much behold;I pray you what is your name?Pride.My name is Worship.Man.Worship? now, surely,The world told me it was my destinyTo come to Worship or I die.Pride.Truly, I am the same.Man.Now, Worship, I pray you me tellYour wisdom and also counsel;Ye can advertise me passing wellIn things that I have to do.Pride.In good faith! anything that IMay do to your pleasure it is ready;I am your own, and pray you, heartily,That ye accept me so.But where ye ask counsel of meMeseemeth ye save not your honesty!Man.Mine honesty? Wherefore, let see;I pray you show me why!Pride.Marry, sir! for it is right fittingThat a man of your behavingShould have alway sufficient cunningOf worldly wit and policyTo guide himself everywhere;And not to be led by the ear,And beg wit, here and there,Of every Jack-a-pie.Ye are well complexioned, be ye sure;And Nature hath done on you her cureAs much as upon any creatureThat ever I saw with mine eye.And, by likelihood, sir! I wisYe have wit according to all this;Or else Nature hath wrought amiss:And that is not likely.Man.Now, certain, thanked be heaven's king!I have a right quick understanding.If ye show me anythingI can soon perceive it;But I was forbid by ReasonOn mine own fantasy to run,Or to take any presumptionOf mine own wit.Pride.Said Reason so? Marry, fie on him, knave!It were better the hangman were in his graveThan ever the lewd fool should haveThe governance of you.Man.Certain, Nature advised meTo follow Reason what time that shePut me first in authorityThat I stand in now.Pride.Alas, alas, man! ye be mad—I see well ye be but a very lad.On my faith! I was very gladOf your first acquaintance;And now, I forthink it utterlyThat ever I knew you: fie, fie, fie!I heard never, certainly,Of such another chance.Will ye draw to that fellowship?I would ye had three stripes with a whip,Even upon the bare hip,If I should you not grieve.He that would lordship enjoy,And play ever still the old boy,Meseemeth he doth but make a toyAnd ye will me believe.Man.Worship! for God's sake grieve ye not.Pride.I wis ye are but an idiot—I pray you, sir, make not me a sot;I am no trifler!I have been in honour heretoforne,Ye allow the counsel of a carl born,Before mine I have it in scorn—It is a thing I cannot bear.Man.Whom mean ye, Reason?Pride.Yea, that same daw!Man.What, is he a wise man?Pride.He is a strawBecause he keeps you under awe;Ye be therein blind.Man.And so doth he, without faining;For, hitherto, I might do nothingBut after his will and bidding:And that groged my mind.Pride.Groge, quotha! it is no marvel, hardely;It shall grieve me, certainly,As long as I am in your companyTo see you demeaned in that wise.Ye be now in good way;But, in faith! I like not your array;It is not the fashion that goeth now-a-day,For now there is a new guise.It is now two days agoneSith that men began this fashion,And every knave had it anon;Therefore, at this season,There is no man that setteth therebyIf he love his own honesty.Man.So seemeth, certainly,That every man is fresher than I,And I wis that is no reason.
Man.Now, sir! what have ye to say to me?
Pride.No great thing, sir! but I come to seeAnd to know what manner man ye beThat all men praiseth so much.
Man.Praise! whom praise they?
Pride.Marry, you!
Man.Me?
Pride.Yea, sir! I make mine avowThey give you a praising good I know;I heard never none such.And, surely, ye be right worthy!I see well now they do not lie;And, therefore, I did me hither hieTo acquaint me with you—But ye may say that I am bold.
Man.Nay, ye are worth thy weight of gold!Methinketh me to you much behold;I pray you what is your name?
Pride.My name is Worship.
Man.Worship? now, surely,The world told me it was my destinyTo come to Worship or I die.
Pride.Truly, I am the same.
Man.Now, Worship, I pray you me tellYour wisdom and also counsel;Ye can advertise me passing wellIn things that I have to do.
Pride.In good faith! anything that IMay do to your pleasure it is ready;I am your own, and pray you, heartily,That ye accept me so.But where ye ask counsel of meMeseemeth ye save not your honesty!
Man.Mine honesty? Wherefore, let see;I pray you show me why!
Pride.Marry, sir! for it is right fittingThat a man of your behavingShould have alway sufficient cunningOf worldly wit and policyTo guide himself everywhere;And not to be led by the ear,And beg wit, here and there,Of every Jack-a-pie.Ye are well complexioned, be ye sure;And Nature hath done on you her cureAs much as upon any creatureThat ever I saw with mine eye.And, by likelihood, sir! I wisYe have wit according to all this;Or else Nature hath wrought amiss:And that is not likely.
Man.Now, certain, thanked be heaven's king!I have a right quick understanding.If ye show me anythingI can soon perceive it;But I was forbid by ReasonOn mine own fantasy to run,Or to take any presumptionOf mine own wit.
Pride.Said Reason so? Marry, fie on him, knave!It were better the hangman were in his graveThan ever the lewd fool should haveThe governance of you.
Man.Certain, Nature advised meTo follow Reason what time that shePut me first in authorityThat I stand in now.
Pride.Alas, alas, man! ye be mad—I see well ye be but a very lad.On my faith! I was very gladOf your first acquaintance;And now, I forthink it utterlyThat ever I knew you: fie, fie, fie!I heard never, certainly,Of such another chance.
Will ye draw to that fellowship?I would ye had three stripes with a whip,Even upon the bare hip,If I should you not grieve.He that would lordship enjoy,And play ever still the old boy,Meseemeth he doth but make a toyAnd ye will me believe.
Man.Worship! for God's sake grieve ye not.
Pride.I wis ye are but an idiot—I pray you, sir, make not me a sot;I am no trifler!I have been in honour heretoforne,Ye allow the counsel of a carl born,Before mine I have it in scorn—It is a thing I cannot bear.
Man.Whom mean ye, Reason?
Pride.Yea, that same daw!
Man.What, is he a wise man?
Pride.He is a strawBecause he keeps you under awe;Ye be therein blind.
Man.And so doth he, without faining;For, hitherto, I might do nothingBut after his will and bidding:And that groged my mind.
Pride.Groge, quotha! it is no marvel, hardely;It shall grieve me, certainly,As long as I am in your companyTo see you demeaned in that wise.Ye be now in good way;But, in faith! I like not your array;It is not the fashion that goeth now-a-day,For now there is a new guise.It is now two days agoneSith that men began this fashion,And every knave had it anon;Therefore, at this season,There is no man that setteth therebyIf he love his own honesty.
Man.So seemeth, certainly,That every man is fresher than I,And I wis that is no reason.
[Here cometh inWorldly AffectionandSensuality.
Sens.Reason, quotha! no, no!But, sir! wot ye what ye shall do?Hardely let us two goTo some tavern here beside.Come on! I can bring you there;And let them alone with all this gear.Care ye nothing for the matter;But, let them here abide;And ye will suffer, and let them alone,Ye shall see them devise you a new fashionThat all the world shall wonder thereon.Man.By God! that will I do goodly;But, I pray you, sirs! do your diligenceFor this array, and spare none expense;And, for a while, I will go henceAnd come again shortly.
Sens.Reason, quotha! no, no!But, sir! wot ye what ye shall do?Hardely let us two goTo some tavern here beside.Come on! I can bring you there;And let them alone with all this gear.Care ye nothing for the matter;But, let them here abide;And ye will suffer, and let them alone,Ye shall see them devise you a new fashionThat all the world shall wonder thereon.
Man.By God! that will I do goodly;But, I pray you, sirs! do your diligenceFor this array, and spare none expense;And, for a while, I will go henceAnd come again shortly.
[HereManandSensualitygo out.
Wor. Aff.Brother Pride! now the weightOf all this matter resteth in thee.Pride.Tush! thou shalt see me devise it even straight;It is but japes, that gear, with me.I have none other study a-days, parde!But how I may new fashions find;And, thereon, I set all my labour and mind.Sir! Our master shall have a gownThat all the gallants, in this town,Shall on the fashion wonder:It shall not be sewed but with a laceBetwixt every seam, a spaceOf two handful asunder.Then a doublet of the new make;Close before, and open on the back,No sleeve upon his arm;Under that a shirt as soft as silk,And as white as any milkTo keep the carcase warm.Then shall his hosen be stripedWith corselets of fine velvet, slipedDown to the hard knee;And, from the knee downward,His hosen shall be freshly gardWith colours two or three.And when he is in such array—"There goeth a rutter," men will say;"A rutter, huffa gallant!"Ye shall see these fools on him gaze,And muse as it were on a mazeNew brought into the land.Wor. Aff.Ha, ha, ha! now, by the Mary Virgin!This will set him on a merry pin,Even as it should be.But ever I am in great fearThat Reason will whister him in the ear,And turn his mind clean from this gear:This thing feareth me!Pride.Reason! nay, nay, hardely!He is forsaken utterlySith I came to his company;He would not once appear.Nevertheless, for a surety,Worldly Affection, I advise theeAs shortly as ever it may beFor speed of the matter,To bring him shortly in acquaintanceWith all the company of mine affiance;And let them give continual attendance,Every man busily,After the property of his office;Then shall ye see him utterly despiseReason's counsel, on warrantise,And forsake him, utterly.Sens.Nay, nay, sirs! care ye nothingThat matter is sped well and fine.Pride.Is it so?Sens.Yea, by heaven king!Even as we sat together at the wine.Wor. Aff.Thou shalt have God's blessing and mine—But is it true?Sens.Yea, sir! by this day!Our master and Reason have made a great fray.Pride.How so?Sens.By my faith! we sat togetherAt the tavern, next hereby;And, anon, who should come togetherBut flee[r]ing Kate and Margery,She that beguiled you, parde! so pratelyAnd bare away your shirt the last morningStead of her smock, while ye lay sleeping.Pride.I wot whom ye mean, well I know;But that is nothing to this purpose—Tell on thy tale, for God avow!Sens.I shall, anon, had I wiped my nose:Sir! when I spied them, anon I rose;And called them unto me by name;And, without more tarrying, anon they came;And sat down with us, and made nothing strange,As they be full courteous—ye know it well.And, anon, our master's colour began to change—Whereof it came I cannot tell;His cheer was appalled, every deal,And scant that he could speak to me one word;But start him even up and rose from the board.He said he would go lie down on a bed;And prayed me, for the manners' sake,That Margery might come hold his headWhich, as he told me, began to ache.And so she hath him undertakeTo make him whole, in an hour or twain,Whensoever he hath any such sudden pain.What it meaneth, I wot never;But he liketh her physic so wellThat I trow the devil of hellCan not them two dissever!Lo! this have I done; and what trow ye more?Yet can I tell you better tiding.Wor. Aff.What is that?Sens.Marry! Reason, that ye two spake of before,Came even to us as we sat so drinking;And gave our master a heat, worth a hanging,Because that Margery sat on his knee,While that other whore sat talking with me.My master saw that he could have no rest,Nor never be rid of this controlling,He played the man and thought it best—And with an angry look to my seeming—Drew out his sword without more tarryingAnd smote Reason so on the headThat I have great marvel but he be now dead.Wor. Aff.Marry! then fill all the cups at onceIf this be true.Sens.Yes, by these ten bones!I lie never a word.Pride.Trowest thou it is no feigned strifeBetwixt them two?Sens.No, on my life!For, when they fought, I ran betweenAnd cried, "Keep peace and leave debate!"But ye would have laughed had ye seenHow I departed them; and, for all that,Sometime I clapped Reason on the pate,And cried "Keep the peace," as fast as I couldTill I was hoarse, I cried so loud.Wor. Aff.But, can our master play the man nowAnd fare with this gear?Sens.Yea, make God avow!And, beware ye of one thing:Meddle ye no more with Margery;For, by Cock's precious body!If our master may it espy,Or have an understandingThat ye use her company,I tell you he will be angry;He is so full of jealousyAs ever I knew man.Wor. Aff.Jealousy? peace, man, be still!He can thereof no manner of skill.Sens.No! but say what ye willI am sure he can.He is now as familiarWith bodily lust as ever ye were;Yea! and thereto as great a swearer.When time requiresKnew I never, of his age,A man of better courageTo do all manner of outrageAfter our desires.Sith Reason and he were thus at varianceHe hath be full of such dalliance;And hath called to his favour and acquaintanceYour kinsmen by and by—Envy, Wrath, Gluttony, and Covetise,Sloth and Lechery become to his service;And utterly he hateth their contrariwise,And that he professeth openly.Wor. Aff.And be these folks of his retinue?Sens.Yea, every one, I tell you true.But, marry! their names be changed newFor to blear his eye.I tell you he is a serefull man,For Reason stirreth him, now and than;And, therefore, do we what we canIt is little enow, hardely!Sirra! there is first Pride, as ye wot well,The sweet darling of the devil of hell:How his name is changed ye can tell.Wor. Aff.Yea, marry! on the best wise—Worship I ween is now his name.Sens.Yea, by the rood! even the same.And Covetise, to eschew all blame,Doth his name disguise,And calleth himself Worldly Policy.Wrath, because he is somewhat hasty,Is called Manhood. Then is there Envy,And he is called Disdain.Gluttony, for Good Fellowship is taken;And Sloth his old name hath forsaken,And as fair a name hath he shapenAs ever man could ordain—He is called Ease; right comfortable to the blood,Specially for them that lust to do no good.And, among all other, I would ye understoodThat Lechery is called Lust.Lo! these be fair names, parde!Both good and honest as seemeth me;As for their conditions, what they be,Ye know well!Wor. Aff.Very just!I know their conditions on the best wiseIf they keep still their old guise.Sens.Yes! that they do, on warrantise.Wor. Aff.But yet, I have great marvelThat Covetise should dwell in his company.Sens.By my troth, lo! and so have I.But one thing I ensure you faithfully,And that I have espied well;That, hitherto, our master setteth no storeBy his counsel, nor his lore.Marry! when his head waxeth hoarThen shall be good seasonTo follow Covetise and his way;Yea, time enow another day—Even so I heard our master say.Wor. Aff.By my faith! he said but reason—But all the remanent be well retained?Sens.Yea, be ye sure it is matter unfeigned;And wot ye who is greatly disdainedWith our master now?Pride.Who?Sens.By God! even Shamefacedness.When he shall do any such excessNo shame can fear him, doubtless,I may say to you.Pride.No! then the craft were nought.But now, sirs! well bethought,Sith the matter is hereto brought,It is time for meTo go and make some provisionOf garments after the new invention,As he commanded me to be done:Thereto must I see.For it is committed to my negligence;And, if he come hither while I am hence,I pray thee excuse mine absence.Sens.Yea, and mine also!Pride.Why, wilt thou go with me?Sens.Will I, quod a? yea, parde!It is according for SensualityWith Pride for to go.
Wor. Aff.Brother Pride! now the weightOf all this matter resteth in thee.
Pride.Tush! thou shalt see me devise it even straight;It is but japes, that gear, with me.I have none other study a-days, parde!But how I may new fashions find;And, thereon, I set all my labour and mind.
Sir! Our master shall have a gownThat all the gallants, in this town,Shall on the fashion wonder:It shall not be sewed but with a laceBetwixt every seam, a spaceOf two handful asunder.
Then a doublet of the new make;Close before, and open on the back,No sleeve upon his arm;Under that a shirt as soft as silk,And as white as any milkTo keep the carcase warm.
Then shall his hosen be stripedWith corselets of fine velvet, slipedDown to the hard knee;And, from the knee downward,His hosen shall be freshly gardWith colours two or three.
And when he is in such array—"There goeth a rutter," men will say;"A rutter, huffa gallant!"Ye shall see these fools on him gaze,And muse as it were on a mazeNew brought into the land.
Wor. Aff.Ha, ha, ha! now, by the Mary Virgin!This will set him on a merry pin,Even as it should be.But ever I am in great fearThat Reason will whister him in the ear,And turn his mind clean from this gear:This thing feareth me!
Pride.Reason! nay, nay, hardely!He is forsaken utterlySith I came to his company;He would not once appear.Nevertheless, for a surety,Worldly Affection, I advise theeAs shortly as ever it may beFor speed of the matter,To bring him shortly in acquaintanceWith all the company of mine affiance;And let them give continual attendance,Every man busily,After the property of his office;Then shall ye see him utterly despiseReason's counsel, on warrantise,And forsake him, utterly.
Sens.Nay, nay, sirs! care ye nothingThat matter is sped well and fine.
Pride.Is it so?
Sens.Yea, by heaven king!Even as we sat together at the wine.
Wor. Aff.Thou shalt have God's blessing and mine—But is it true?
Sens.Yea, sir! by this day!Our master and Reason have made a great fray.
Pride.How so?
Sens.By my faith! we sat togetherAt the tavern, next hereby;And, anon, who should come togetherBut flee[r]ing Kate and Margery,She that beguiled you, parde! so pratelyAnd bare away your shirt the last morningStead of her smock, while ye lay sleeping.
Pride.I wot whom ye mean, well I know;But that is nothing to this purpose—Tell on thy tale, for God avow!
Sens.I shall, anon, had I wiped my nose:Sir! when I spied them, anon I rose;And called them unto me by name;And, without more tarrying, anon they came;And sat down with us, and made nothing strange,As they be full courteous—ye know it well.And, anon, our master's colour began to change—Whereof it came I cannot tell;His cheer was appalled, every deal,And scant that he could speak to me one word;But start him even up and rose from the board.He said he would go lie down on a bed;And prayed me, for the manners' sake,That Margery might come hold his headWhich, as he told me, began to ache.And so she hath him undertakeTo make him whole, in an hour or twain,Whensoever he hath any such sudden pain.What it meaneth, I wot never;But he liketh her physic so wellThat I trow the devil of hellCan not them two dissever!Lo! this have I done; and what trow ye more?Yet can I tell you better tiding.
Wor. Aff.What is that?
Sens.Marry! Reason, that ye two spake of before,Came even to us as we sat so drinking;And gave our master a heat, worth a hanging,Because that Margery sat on his knee,While that other whore sat talking with me.My master saw that he could have no rest,Nor never be rid of this controlling,He played the man and thought it best—And with an angry look to my seeming—Drew out his sword without more tarryingAnd smote Reason so on the headThat I have great marvel but he be now dead.
Wor. Aff.Marry! then fill all the cups at onceIf this be true.
Sens.Yes, by these ten bones!I lie never a word.
Pride.Trowest thou it is no feigned strifeBetwixt them two?
Sens.No, on my life!For, when they fought, I ran betweenAnd cried, "Keep peace and leave debate!"But ye would have laughed had ye seenHow I departed them; and, for all that,Sometime I clapped Reason on the pate,And cried "Keep the peace," as fast as I couldTill I was hoarse, I cried so loud.
Wor. Aff.But, can our master play the man nowAnd fare with this gear?
Sens.Yea, make God avow!And, beware ye of one thing:Meddle ye no more with Margery;For, by Cock's precious body!If our master may it espy,Or have an understandingThat ye use her company,I tell you he will be angry;He is so full of jealousyAs ever I knew man.
Wor. Aff.Jealousy? peace, man, be still!He can thereof no manner of skill.
Sens.No! but say what ye willI am sure he can.He is now as familiarWith bodily lust as ever ye were;Yea! and thereto as great a swearer.When time requiresKnew I never, of his age,A man of better courageTo do all manner of outrageAfter our desires.Sith Reason and he were thus at varianceHe hath be full of such dalliance;And hath called to his favour and acquaintanceYour kinsmen by and by—Envy, Wrath, Gluttony, and Covetise,Sloth and Lechery become to his service;And utterly he hateth their contrariwise,And that he professeth openly.
Wor. Aff.And be these folks of his retinue?
Sens.Yea, every one, I tell you true.But, marry! their names be changed newFor to blear his eye.I tell you he is a serefull man,For Reason stirreth him, now and than;And, therefore, do we what we canIt is little enow, hardely!Sirra! there is first Pride, as ye wot well,The sweet darling of the devil of hell:How his name is changed ye can tell.
Wor. Aff.Yea, marry! on the best wise—Worship I ween is now his name.
Sens.Yea, by the rood! even the same.And Covetise, to eschew all blame,Doth his name disguise,And calleth himself Worldly Policy.Wrath, because he is somewhat hasty,Is called Manhood. Then is there Envy,And he is called Disdain.Gluttony, for Good Fellowship is taken;And Sloth his old name hath forsaken,And as fair a name hath he shapenAs ever man could ordain—He is called Ease; right comfortable to the blood,Specially for them that lust to do no good.And, among all other, I would ye understoodThat Lechery is called Lust.Lo! these be fair names, parde!Both good and honest as seemeth me;As for their conditions, what they be,Ye know well!
Wor. Aff.Very just!I know their conditions on the best wiseIf they keep still their old guise.
Sens.Yes! that they do, on warrantise.
Wor. Aff.But yet, I have great marvelThat Covetise should dwell in his company.
Sens.By my troth, lo! and so have I.But one thing I ensure you faithfully,And that I have espied well;That, hitherto, our master setteth no storeBy his counsel, nor his lore.Marry! when his head waxeth hoarThen shall be good seasonTo follow Covetise and his way;Yea, time enow another day—Even so I heard our master say.
Wor. Aff.By my faith! he said but reason—But all the remanent be well retained?
Sens.Yea, be ye sure it is matter unfeigned;And wot ye who is greatly disdainedWith our master now?
Pride.Who?
Sens.By God! even Shamefacedness.When he shall do any such excessNo shame can fear him, doubtless,I may say to you.
Pride.No! then the craft were nought.But now, sirs! well bethought,Sith the matter is hereto brought,It is time for meTo go and make some provisionOf garments after the new invention,As he commanded me to be done:Thereto must I see.For it is committed to my negligence;And, if he come hither while I am hence,I pray thee excuse mine absence.
Sens.Yea, and mine also!
Pride.Why, wilt thou go with me?
Sens.Will I, quod a? yea, parde!It is according for SensualityWith Pride for to go.
[Sens.andPridego out.
Wor. Aff.Now the matter is almost in good case,After the world's mind and pleasure;There is no more but now must I compass,With all my wit and busy endeavour,How it may be stablished and continued sure.For, a little fantasy of man's own willMay quail this matter, and utterly it spill.And if he vary againOf scruple imagination,Or else by the suggestionOf the foresaid Reason,One thing I am certain—He will no longer me support;And that were a shrewd crank dort.Therefore, it is best that I resortTo my master's presence,And see of what demeanour he is.I am greatly to blame, I wis,For that I saw him not or thisSith he departed hence.
Wor. Aff.Now the matter is almost in good case,After the world's mind and pleasure;There is no more but now must I compass,With all my wit and busy endeavour,How it may be stablished and continued sure.For, a little fantasy of man's own willMay quail this matter, and utterly it spill.And if he vary againOf scruple imagination,Or else by the suggestionOf the foresaid Reason,One thing I am certain—He will no longer me support;And that were a shrewd crank dort.Therefore, it is best that I resortTo my master's presence,And see of what demeanour he is.I am greatly to blame, I wis,For that I saw him not or thisSith he departed hence.
[He goeth out andReasoncometh in.