¶ But now to my matter retourne agayn¶ And tu begyn new where I left.¶ whan al the goddis had done her besy payne.¶ The way to contryue how it shuld be reft¶ Of his lyf Attropos had no cause eft¶ To compleyn than Phebus stert vpon her fete /¶ And sayd I pray you let me speke a word yet¶ Othea menyth wel to say on this wyse¶ But al to entret Neptunusi hope shal not nede¶ Me semyth I alone durst takethatentesprise.¶ Er I am begyled orellisI shal spede¶ How say ye Neptunus shal I do this dede.¶ Wy[l] ye your rancour seale at my request¶ Madame quod he reule me as ye lykyth best¶ Gr[a]mercy sayd she of your good wyll¶ That it pleysyth you to shew me that fauorus¶ Wherfore the goddys hygh pleysur to fulfyll¶ Performe my desyre & leue al olde rancoure¶ For our elders wele & sauyng of oure honour¶ Agayn this colus that ye long haue had¶ It is done quod he forsoth than am I gladd¶ Sayd he now than Colus bethouto vs trewe¶ Kepe well the eyr and oure grete rebell¶ May we than sone euer to vs subdew¶ Yes and that quod Colus shall here tell¶ Nowhere in the eyr shall he rest nor dwel¶ If he do therof put me in the faute¶ Wyth my bytter blastes so shal I hymasaut¶ What sayd the god Pluto what is his name.¶ That thus presumyth agayn vs to rebell¶ Vertu quod attropesthathaue he mykyl shame¶ He is neuer confounded thus of hymhere I tell¶ A sayd this pluto in dede I know hymwel¶Hehath ben euer myn vtter ennemye¶ Wherfore this mater agayn hymtake wyll I¶ For all the baytesthatwe for hym haue layde¶ Wythout my helpe be not worth a pere¶ For though ye all the contrary had sayd¶ yet wold he brede right nigh your althris ere¶ No maner of thynge can hym hurt or dere¶ Saue only a sone of my bastard¶ Whos name is vice he kepyth my vawarad.¶ Wherfore you Cerberusnow I the charge¶ Of Colus & wyl that thou heder fet¶ My dere sone Vyce & say that I hymcharge.¶ That he to me come without ony let¶ Armed at all poyntes for a day is set¶ That hewithVertu for althegoddis sake¶ In our defence must on hym batayl take.¶ Forth then went Cerberuswithhis fyry chein¶ Brought thydervyce as he commaunded was¶ Agayn noble Vertuthatbatayl to dercygne¶ On a glydyng serpent rydynge a grete pace¶ Formed lyke a dragon scaled hard as glas¶ whoos mouth flammed fyrewithout fayll¶ wyngis had it serpentyne & a long tayll¶ Armed was vyce all in cure boyll¶ Harde as horne blacker fer than sute¶ An vngoodly sort folowed hym perde¶ Of vnhappy capteyns of myschyfe crop & rot¶ Pryde was the fyrstthatnext hymrode god wote¶ On a roryng Lyon next whomecame Enuye¶ Syttyng on wolfe he had a scornful eye¶ Wrath bestrode a wyld bore & next hymganride.¶ In his hond he bare a blody swerd¶ Next whom cam couetisethatgoth so fer & wide¶ Rydyng on a Olyfaunt as he had ben a ferd¶ After whom rode Gloteny wyth his fat berd¶ Syttyng on a bere wyth his grete bely¶ And next hymon a gote folowed Lechery¶ Sloth was so slepy he came all behynd¶ On a dull asse a full wery pase¶ Thyse werethecapteins that vyce coud fynde¶ Best to set his feld & folow on the chase¶ As for pety capteyns many mo there was¶ As sacrylege symony & dyssymulacyon¶ Manslaughter mordre theft & extorcyon¶ Arrogaunce Presumpcyon wythcontumaci¶ Contempcyon Contempt & Inobedyence¶ Maly[s]e Frowardnes grete Ielasy¶ wodnes Hate Stryf and Impacyence¶ Vnkyndnes Oppressyonwithwofull neglygence.¶ Murmur Myschef Falshod & detraccyon¶ Vsury Periury Ly and adulacyon¶ Wrong Rauyne Sturdy vyolence¶ Fals IugementwithObstynacyon¶ Dysceyt Dronknes & Improuydence.¶ Boldnes in yllwithfoule and Rybaudy.¶ Fornycacyon Incest and Auoutry¶ VnshamfastneswithProdygalyte¶ Blasfeme vaynglory & worldly vanyte¶ Ignoraunce DyffydencewithIpocrysy¶ Scysme Rancour Debate and Offence¶ Heresy ErrourwithIdolatry.¶ New fangylnes and sotyll false Pretence¶ Inordynat desyre of worldly excellence¶ Fayned pouerte wyth apostasy¶ Dysclaunder scorn & vnkynd Ielousy¶ Hoordom baudry false mayntenaunce¶ Treyson abusyon and pety brybry¶ Vsurpacyonwithhorryble vengaunce¶ Came alder last of that company¶ All thyse pety capetayns folowed by and by.¶ Shewyng theymself in the paleyse wyde¶ And say they were redy that batayl to abyde¶ Idylnes set the comyns in aray¶ Without the palayse on a fayr felde¶ But there was an ost for to make a fray¶ I trow suche a nother neuer man beheld¶ Many was the wepyn among hemthatthey weld¶ What they werethatcame to that dysporte¶ I shall you declare of many a sondry sort¶ There were bosters crakers & brybours¶ Praters sasers strechers and wrythers¶ Shamefull shakelers soleyn slauedours¶ Oppressours of people and myghty crakers¶ Mayntenours of quarels horryble lyers¶ Theues traytourswithfalse heretykes¶ Charmars sorcerers & many scysmatykes.¶ Preuy symonyakes wyth false vsurers¶ Multyplyers coyn wasshers & clyppers¶ Wrong vsurpers wyth grete extorcyoners¶ Bacbyters Glosers and fayre flaterers.¶ Malycyous murmurers with grete claterers¶ Tregetours Tryfelers Feyners of tales·¶ Lastyuous lurdeyns and Pykers of malys.¶ Rouners Vagabundes Forgers & lesingis.¶ Robbers Reuers Rauenous Ryfelers.¶ Choppers of Chyrches Fynders of tydynges¶ Merrers of maters and mony makers.¶ Stalkers by nyght wyth Euysdroppers.¶ Fyghters Brawlers Brekers of louedayes¶ Getters Chyders Causers of frayes.¶ Tytyuyllis TyrauntiswithTourmentours.¶ Corsyd apostatis Relygyous dyssymulers:¶ Closshers Carders wyth comon hasardours.¶ Tyburne colops and Purskytters.¶ Pylary knyghtys double tollyng Myllers.¶ Gay Ioly tapterswithhostelers of the stewes.¶ Hores and Bawdes that many bale brewes¶ Bold blasfemers wyth false Ipocrytes.¶ Brothellers Brokers abhomynable swerers.¶ Dryuylls Dastardes dyspysers of ryghtis¶ Homycydes Poyseners & comon morderers¶ Scoldis Caytyues Comberous clappers.¶ Idolatres Enchauntorswithfalse regenates.¶ Sotyl ambydextrys and sekeers of debatis.¶ Pseudo Prophetes false Sodemytes.¶ Quesmers of chyldren wyth fornycatours.¶ wetewoldes that suffre syn in their syghtis.¶ Auoutrers and abhomynable auauntours.¶ Of syn grete clappers & makers of clamours¶ Vnthryftes & vnlustes came al to that game¶withluskis & loselisthatmight not thryue for shame¶ These were the comonsthatcame thiderthatday.¶ Redy bowne in batayl Vertu to abyde.¶ Apollo theym beholdyng began to say·¶ To the goddys & goddesses beyng therethattide¶ Me semyth conuenyent an herowd to ryde¶ To Vertu & bydehymto batayl make hymboune¶ Hymself to defend forsoth it shal be sone.¶ And let hym not be sodeynly take.¶ All dyspur[u]eyed or that he beware.¶ For than shold our dyshonour awake.¶ If he were cowardly take in a snare.¶ Ee quod Vyce for that haue I no care.¶ I wyll auauntage take where I may.¶ That heryng Morpleus preuely stale away.¶ And went to warne Vertu of al this afray.¶ And bad hymawake and make hymself strong¶ For he was lyke to endure that daye.¶ A grete mortall shoure er it were euensonge.¶withVyce wherfore he bad hym not longe.¶ Tary to send after more socoure.¶ If he dyde it shold torne hym to dolour.¶ And brefely the mater to he declared.¶ Lyke as ye haue herd begynnyng and ende.¶ Well quod Vertu he shall not be spared¶ To the feld I wyl go how it wende.¶ But gramercy Morpleusmyn own dere frende¶ Of your trew hert & faythfull entente.¶ That ye in this materto meward haue ment.¶ This done Morpleus departed away.¶ Fro Vertu to the palayse retornyng agayn.¶ None hym aspyed that I dare well say.¶ In whych tyme Vertu dyde his besy payn¶ People to reyse his quarell to maynteyn.¶ Ymagynacyon was his messengere.¶ He went to warne people both fer & nere.¶ And bad hem come in all hast they myght¶ For to strength Vertu for wyth out fayll.¶ He sayd he shold haue long or it were nyght.¶ Wyth Vyce to do a myghty strong batayl.¶ Of vngracyousgestes he bryngyth a gret tayll¶ Wherfore it behouyth to help at this nede.¶ And after this shal Vertu rewar yoremede¶ Whan ymagynacyon had gone his cyrcuyte¶ To Vertue & frendis thus all about.¶ Wythin short tyme many men of myght¶ Gadered to Vertu in all that they myght.¶ They hym comforted & bad hymput no doute.¶ His vtter enmy Vyce to ouerthrowe.¶ Thoughehewithhymbrought neuer so gret arow¶ And whan Vertu se the sustaunce of his oost¶ He prayed all the comons to the feld hem hye¶ Wyth her pety capteyns both lest and moste¶ And wyth his capteyns shold folow redely.¶ For he sayd he knew wellthatvyce was ful nye.¶ And who myght fyrst ofthefeld recouerthecentre¶ Wold kepe outthatother he shuld not esely entre¶ Then sent he forth Baptym tothefeld before¶ And prayed hym hartely it to ouerse·¶ That no maner trayn norcoltroptherin wore¶ To noy nor hurt hym nor his meyne.¶ And whan he thyder came he began to se.¶ How Vyce his purseua[u]nt cryme orygynall.¶ Was entred before and had seased vp all.¶ But as sone as herof Baptym had a syght.¶ He fled fast away and left the feld alone.¶ And anone Baptym entred wyth his myght.¶ Serchyng al about where this crymehad gone¶ But the feld was clene defaut found he none.¶ Then came Vertu after with his gret oste.¶ And his myghty capteyns both lest and most¶ But to enfourme you how he thyder came.¶ And what maner capteins he tothefeld brought¶ Hymselfe sekerly was the fyrst man.¶ Of all his grete hostthatthyderwarde sought.¶ Syttyng in a charethatrychely was wrought.¶ Wyth golde and peerles & gemmes precyous.¶ Crowned with laurer as lord vyctoryous.¶ Foure doubty knyghtes aboutthechare went.¶ At euery corner one hit for to gyde.¶ And conuey accordyng to Vertue his entent.¶ At the fyrst corner was Ryghtwysnessethattyde.¶ Prudence at the seconde was set to abyde.¶ Atthethryd strengththefourth kept temperaunce.¶ Thesethechare gyded to Vertue his pleasaunce.¶ Next tothechare seuen capyteyns there roode.¶ Echone aftre other in ordre by and by.¶ Humylyte wasthefyrst a lambe he bestroode.¶ With contenaunce demure he rood full soberly.¶ A fawcon gentyll stood on his helme on hy.¶ And next after hym came there Charyte.¶ Rydyng on a tygre as fyll to his degre.¶ Roody as a roose ay he kept his chere.¶ On his helme on hyghe a pellycan he bare.¶ Next whom cam pacyencethatno where hath no pere¶ On a camell rydyng as voyde of all care.¶ A fenix on his helm stood so forth gan he fare.¶ Who next hym folowed but lyberalyte.¶ Syteng on a dromedarythatwas both good & fre.¶ On his helm for his crest he bare on ospray.¶ And next after hym folowed abstynence.¶ Rydyng on an hete was trapure and gay.¶ He semed a lorde of ryght grete excellence.¶ A popyniay was his crest he was of gret dyfferece.¶ Next hym folowed chastyte on an vnicorne.¶ Armed at all poyntes behynde & beforne.¶ A tortyldoue he bare on hyghe for his crest.¶ Than came good besynesse last oftheseuen.¶ Rydyng on a panter a sondry coloured best.¶ Gloryously beseen as he had come from heuen.¶ A crane on his hede stood his crest for to steuen.¶ All these .vii. capteyned had standardis of pryce.¶ Eche of hem accordyng after his deuyse.¶ Many pety capteyns after these went.¶ As trew feyth & hope mercy pease & pyte.¶ Ryght trouth mekenessewithrood ente[n]t.¶ Goodnes concorde & parfyte vnyte.¶Honesttrewe loue with symplycyte.¶ Prayer fastyng preuy almysdede.¶ Ioyned withtheartycles of the crede.¶ Confessyon contrycyon & satysfaccyon.¶ With sorow for synne & grete repentaunce.¶ Foryeuenesse of trespaswithgood dysposycyon.¶ Resystence of wrong performyng of penance.¶ Holy deuocyon wyth good contynaunce¶ Presthode hem folowed with the sacramentis¶ And sadnesse alse wyth the commaundementes¶ Suffraunce in trouble wyth Innocensy¶ Clennes contynence and virgynyte¶ Kyndnes reuerencewithcurteysy¶ Content & pleased wyth pyteous pouerte¶ Entendyng wel mynystryng equyte¶ Twene ryght & wrong hole indyfferently¶ And labouryng the seruyse of god to multyply¶ Refuse of ryches & worldly vaynglory¶ Perfeccyon wyth perfyght contemplacyon¶ Relygyon professyon wel kept in memory¶ Verry drede of god wyth holy predycacyon¶ Celestyall sapyence wyth gostly inspyracyon¶ Grace was the guyde of al this meyne¶ Whome folowed konnyngwithhis genealogy¶ That is to say gramer and Sophystry¶ Phylosophy naturall logyke and Rythoryke¶ Arsmetrycke geometry wyth astronomye¶ Canon and Cyuyll melodyous musyke¶ Noble Theology and corporal physyke¶ Moralyzayson of holy scrypture¶ Profound poetry and drawyng of pycture¶ Thyse folowed connyng & thyderwyth hin cam¶ Wyth many one mo offryng her seruyse¶ To Vertu at that nede but notwythstondyng than¶ Some he refused and sayd in nowyse¶ They shuld wyth hym go & as I coud auyse¶ Thyse wore her names fyrst Nygrommancy¶ Geomansy magyke and glotony¶ Adryomansy Ornomancywithpyromancy¶ Fysenomy also and pawmestry¶ And al her sequeles yf I shal not lye¶ Yet connyng prayed Vertu he wold not deny¶ Theym for to know nor dysdeyn his eye¶ On hem to loke wherto Vertu graunted¶ How be it in his werres ge wold not they haunted¶ So had they connyng lyghly to depart¶ From Vertu his feld and they seyng this¶ By comyn assent hyred them a carte¶ And made hem be caryed toward Vyce Iwys.¶ Fro thens forth to serue hymthis wold not mys¶ For loth they were to be maysterles¶ In stede of the better the worse there they ches¶ But forth to relese al theremenaunt¶ Of pety capteins that wyth Vertu were¶ Moderate dyet and wysdom auenant¶ Euen weyght and mesure ware of contagyousgere¶ Loth to offendandlouyng ay to lere¶ Worshyp and profytewithmyrth in maner¶ Thyse pety capteyns wyth Vertu were in fere¶ Comons hem folowed a grete multitude¶ But in came pyson to that other syde¶ I trow there was not brefely to conclude.¶ The .x. man that batayl to abyde.¶ Yet neuertheles I shal not from you hyde.¶ what maner people they were & of what secte¶ As nere as my wyt therto wyll me derect.¶ There were noble and famous doctours.¶ Example yeuers of lyuyng gracyous.¶ Perpetuel prestes and dyscrete confessours.¶ Of holy scrypture declarers fructuous.¶ Rebukers of syn & myscheues odyous.¶ Fysshers of soules & louers of clennes.¶ Dyspysers of veyn and worldly rychesse.¶ Peasyble prelatys Iustycyal gouernours.¶ Founders of chyrches wyth mercyfull peres.¶ Reformers of wrong of her progenytours¶ On peynfull pore pyteous compassyoners¶ well menyng marchaunteswithtrew artefecers¶ Vyrgyns pure and also Innocentes¶ Hooly matroneswithchast contynence¶ Pylgrymes & palmerswithtrew laborers¶ Holy heremytes goddys solycytours¶ Monesteryal monkes & well dysposed freres¶ Chanons and nonnes feyth professoures¶ Of worldly people trew coniugatours.¶ Louers of Cryst Confounders of yll.¶ And all that to godward yeue her good wyll¶ Mayntenours of ryghte verey penytentes.¶ Dystroyers of errour causers of vnyte.¶ Trew actyf lyuers that set her ententis¶ The dedis to performe of mercy and pyte¶ Contemplatyf people that desyre to be.¶ Salytary seruauntis vnto god alone.¶ Rather thento habound in rychesses echone.¶ Thyse wyth many mo than I reherce can¶ were come thyder redy that batayl to abyde.¶ And take such part as fyl to Vertu than¶ Vyce toouerco[m]ethey hoped for al his pride¶ Al though he had more people on his syde¶ For the men that Vertu had were ful sure.¶ To trust on at nede & connyng in armure¶ Macrocosme was the name of the feld¶ where this grete batayll was set for to be¶ In the myddys therof stode consyence & beheld¶ whyche of hem shold be brought to captyuyte¶ Of that noble tryumph Iuge wold he be¶ Synderesys sate hymwythin closed as a park¶withhis table in his honde her dedys to marke.¶ To come in to the feld were hygh wayes .v.¶ Fre to both partyes large brode and wyde¶ Vertu wold not tari but highed hymthyderbliue¶ Lest he were by vyce deceyued at that tyde¶ Long out of the feld loth was he to abyde¶ In auenture that he out of it were kept.For thanwold he haue thought he hadeto long slept¶ In this mene tyme whyle Vertu thusproceded¶ For hym& his people the feld for to wynne.¶ He charged euery man by grace to be guyded¶ And al that euer myghtthefeld to enter ynne.¶ In all that season went orygynal synne.¶ To let Vyce know how Baptymwithhis hoste.Had entred Macrocosme & serched euery cooste¶ A sayd Vyce I se well it is tyme.¶ Baners to dysplay & standardes to auaunce.¶ Al most to long haddestthoutaryed cryme.¶ To let vs haue knolege of this purueyaunce.¶ yet I trow I shal lerne hem a new daunce.¶ Wherfore I commaund you alwithout delaye¶ Toward the felde draw in all the hast ye may¶ Than saydthegod Plutothatal men myght here¶ Vyce I the charge as thou wylt eschew.¶ Our heuyous Indyngnacyonthoudraw not arere¶ But puttheforth boldly to ouerthrowe Vertu.¶ In fayth quod Attropos & I shal after sew /¶ For yf he escape oure hondys this day.¶ I tell you my seruyse haue lost for ay.¶ Forth than rode Vycewithal his hole strength¶ On his stede serpentyne as i told you byfore.¶ The ost that hymfolowed was of a grete length.¶ Among whomwere penouns & g[u]yters mani a score[1]¶ Of hys pety capteynes he made many a knight¶ For they shuld not fle but manlywithhim fight¶ He doubed Falshod with Dyssymylacyon.¶ Symony Vsury Wrong and Rybawdy.¶ Malyce Deceyt Lye wythout Extorcyon.¶ Periury Dyffydence and Apostasy.¶ Wyth boldnes in yl to bere hym company.¶ Thyse .xiiii. knyghtes made vyce that daye.¶ To wyn her spores they sayd they wold assay¶ In lyke wyse Vertu doubed on his syde:¶ Of pety capteyns other fourtene.¶ Whyche made her auou wyth hym to abyde:¶Herspores wold they wynthatday shold it be sene¶ Thyse wore her names yf it be as I wene¶ Feyth Hope & Mercy Trouth & also Ryght.¶withResystence of wronge a full hardy wyghte¶ Confessyon Contrycyon wyth Satysfaction¶ Verrey drede of God Performyng of penaunce¶ Perfeccyon Connyng and Good dyspocision¶ And all knyt to Vertu they were by alyauns¶ Wherfore to hym they made assuraunce.¶ That feld to kepe as long as they myght.¶ And in his quarel agayn Vyce to fyght.¶ The lord of Macrocosme & rewler ofthefee¶ Was called Frewyll chaunger of the chaunce:¶ To whome Vertu sent embassatours thre¶ Reson dyscresyon & good remembraunce.¶ And prayed hymbe fauorable his honoure to enhans¶ For but he had his fauour atthepoynt of nede·¶ He stood in gret doute he coude not lightly spede.¶ In lyke wyse Vyce embassatours thre.¶ For his party vnto Frewyll sent.¶ Temptacyon foly & sensualyte.¶ Prayng hymof fauour that he wolde assent.¶ To hymas he wolde at his commaundement.¶ Haue hymeftsones whan he lyst to call.¶ On hymfor ony thyngthatafterward myght fall.¶ Answere yaue he none to neyther party.¶ Saue oonli he saydthebatayll wolde he se¶ To wete whiche of hymshold hauethevyctory.¶ Hit hyng in his balauncetheambyguyte.¶ He sayd he wolde not restrayne his lyberte.¶ Whan he come where sorow shold awake.¶ Than it shold be know what part he wyl take¶ Whan Vertu & Vyce be her ambassatours.¶ Knew of this answere they stood in gret doute.Neuertheles they seyd they wold endure tho shours¶ And make an ende shortly ofthatthey went aboute.¶ Soo forth came Vycewithall his grete route.¶ Er he came atthefelde he sent yet priuely.¶ Sensualyte before in maner of a spy.¶ Whiche sewethefeldewithhis vnkynde seede.¶ That caused Vertu after mykyll woo to feele¶ For therof grewe nought but all oonly weede.¶ Whiche made the grounde as sleper as an yele.¶ He went ayene to vice & tolde hym euery dele.¶ How he had done and bad hym come a way.¶ For he had so purueydethatvyce sholde hauetheday¶ Soo as it happed atthatfelde they mete.¶ Frewyll vertu and vice as tripartite.¶ Saaf vertu a litil before the felde had gete.¶ And ellis his auantage forsoth had be ful lyght¶ Not for then encombred so was neuer wyght.¶ As vertu & his men were with the ranke wede¶ That inthefelde grew of sensualitees sede¶ But as soone as vyce of vertu had a syght.¶ He gan swage gonnes as he had be woode¶ That heryng vertu commaunded euery wyght¶ To pauyce hym vnder the sygne oftherode.¶ And bad hemnot drede but kepe styll where thy stode.¶ It was but a shour shold sone confounde¶ wherfore he commaunded themstand & kepe her ground¶ And whan vyce cam nerer to the felde.¶ He callyd sore for bowes & bad hem shote faste¶ But vertu & hys meyny bare of withthesheld.¶ Of the blyssyd Trynyte ay tyll shot was past.¶ And whanshot was done vyce cam forth at last.¶ Purposyng the felde wyth assaute to wyn.¶ But vertu kept it long he myght not entertheryn.¶ All that tyme Frewyll stode & hym bethought.¶ To which he myght leue & what part he wold take.¶ At last sensualite had hymso fer brought.¶ That he sayd playnly he vertu wold forsake.¶ And in vyce hys quarell all his power make.Nota Iwis quod reasonthatis not for the beste.¶ Noforse sayd frewyll I wyll do as my lyst.¶ Vertu was full heuy when he see frewyll¶ Take part with vyce but yet neuerthelesse.¶ He dyde that he myght the felde to kepe styll.¶ Tyll vyce with frewyll so sore gan hymoppresse.¶ That he wasconstraynedclerely by duresse.¶ A lytyll tyne abacke to make abew retret.¶ All thyng consydered hit was the best feet.¶ Fyrst to remembre how vyce parte was.¶ Ten ayen one strenger by lyklynesse.¶ And than how frewyll was with hym alas.¶ Whoo coude deme vertu but in heuynesse.¶ Moreouer to thynke how that slyper grasse.¶ That of sensualyte hys onkynde seede grew.¶ Vnder foot in standyng encombred vertew¶ Yetnotwithstondyngvertue his men all.¶ Nobelly theym bare and faught myghtyly.¶ How be itthesleper grasse made many of hemfall.¶ And from thense in maner departe sodenly.¶ That seyng vyce his hoost began to shout & cry.¶ And sayd on in Pluto name on & all is oure·¶ For this day shal Vyce be made a conquerour.¶ Thus Vertu was by myght of vyce & Frewyll¶ Dryuen out of the feld it was the more pyte·¶ How by it yet Baptym kept his ground styll.¶ Andwithhym abode feyth hope & vnyte.¶ And konnynge alsowitha grete meyne.¶ Confessyon contrycyon were redy at her hond.¶ And Satysfaction Vyce to wythstond.¶ But al the tyme whyle Vertu was away.¶ A myghty conflycte kept theywithVycys rout.¶ And yet neuertheles for al that grete afray.¶ Hope stod vpryght & feyth wold neuer lout¶ And euermoresayd Baptym syres put no dout.¶ Vertu shal return & haue his entent.¶ This feld shal be ours or let me be shent.¶ And whyl thyse pety capteyns sustend thusthefeld¶ Wyth Vertu his reward come good perseuerauns¶ An hugy myghty hoost & whan he beheld.¶ How Vertu hym withdrew he toke dysplesauns.¶ And whanhe to hymcam he sayd ye shal your chans¶ Take as itfallythwherfore returne ye must.¶ Yet ones for your sakewithVyce shal I Iust.¶ Alas that euer ye shold lese your honour.¶ And therwyth alsothehygh perpetuel crown.¶ Which is for you kept in the celestyal tour.¶ Wherfore be ye called chrystys champyon.¶ How is it that ye haue noo compassyone.¶ On baptyme feyth & hope konnyng & vnite.¶ That stand so hard bestad & fyght as ye may see.¶ All the tresour erthely vnderthefyrmament¶ That euer was made of goddys creacyon.¶ To reward theym euenly were not equyualent.¶ For her noble labour in his affleccyon.¶ Wherfore take vpon you your Iurisdyccyon¶ Rescu yonder knyghtes & recontynu fyght.¶ And els a dew your crown for al your gret myght
¶ But now to my matter retourne agayn¶ And tu begyn new where I left.¶ whan al the goddis had done her besy payne.¶ The way to contryue how it shuld be reft¶ Of his lyf Attropos had no cause eft¶ To compleyn than Phebus stert vpon her fete /¶ And sayd I pray you let me speke a word yet
¶ Othea menyth wel to say on this wyse¶ But al to entret Neptunusi hope shal not nede¶ Me semyth I alone durst takethatentesprise.¶ Er I am begyled orellisI shal spede¶ How say ye Neptunus shal I do this dede.¶ Wy[l] ye your rancour seale at my request¶ Madame quod he reule me as ye lykyth best
¶ Gr[a]mercy sayd she of your good wyll¶ That it pleysyth you to shew me that fauorus¶ Wherfore the goddys hygh pleysur to fulfyll¶ Performe my desyre & leue al olde rancoure¶ For our elders wele & sauyng of oure honour¶ Agayn this colus that ye long haue had¶ It is done quod he forsoth than am I gladd
¶ Sayd he now than Colus bethouto vs trewe¶ Kepe well the eyr and oure grete rebell¶ May we than sone euer to vs subdew¶ Yes and that quod Colus shall here tell¶ Nowhere in the eyr shall he rest nor dwel¶ If he do therof put me in the faute¶ Wyth my bytter blastes so shal I hymasaut
¶ What sayd the god Pluto what is his name.¶ That thus presumyth agayn vs to rebell¶ Vertu quod attropesthathaue he mykyl shame¶ He is neuer confounded thus of hymhere I tell¶ A sayd this pluto in dede I know hymwel¶Hehath ben euer myn vtter ennemye¶ Wherfore this mater agayn hymtake wyll I
¶ For all the baytesthatwe for hym haue layde¶ Wythout my helpe be not worth a pere¶ For though ye all the contrary had sayd¶ yet wold he brede right nigh your althris ere¶ No maner of thynge can hym hurt or dere¶ Saue only a sone of my bastard¶ Whos name is vice he kepyth my vawarad.
¶ Wherfore you Cerberusnow I the charge¶ Of Colus & wyl that thou heder fet¶ My dere sone Vyce & say that I hymcharge.¶ That he to me come without ony let¶ Armed at all poyntes for a day is set¶ That hewithVertu for althegoddis sake¶ In our defence must on hym batayl take.
¶ Forth then went Cerberuswithhis fyry chein¶ Brought thydervyce as he commaunded was¶ Agayn noble Vertuthatbatayl to dercygne¶ On a glydyng serpent rydynge a grete pace¶ Formed lyke a dragon scaled hard as glas¶ whoos mouth flammed fyrewithout fayll¶ wyngis had it serpentyne & a long tayll
¶ Armed was vyce all in cure boyll¶ Harde as horne blacker fer than sute¶ An vngoodly sort folowed hym perde¶ Of vnhappy capteyns of myschyfe crop & rot¶ Pryde was the fyrstthatnext hymrode god wote¶ On a roryng Lyon next whomecame Enuye¶ Syttyng on wolfe he had a scornful eye
¶ Wrath bestrode a wyld bore & next hymganride.¶ In his hond he bare a blody swerd¶ Next whom cam couetisethatgoth so fer & wide¶ Rydyng on a Olyfaunt as he had ben a ferd¶ After whom rode Gloteny wyth his fat berd¶ Syttyng on a bere wyth his grete bely¶ And next hymon a gote folowed Lechery
¶ Sloth was so slepy he came all behynd¶ On a dull asse a full wery pase¶ Thyse werethecapteins that vyce coud fynde¶ Best to set his feld & folow on the chase¶ As for pety capteyns many mo there was¶ As sacrylege symony & dyssymulacyon¶ Manslaughter mordre theft & extorcyon
¶ Arrogaunce Presumpcyon wythcontumaci¶ Contempcyon Contempt & Inobedyence¶ Maly[s]e Frowardnes grete Ielasy¶ wodnes Hate Stryf and Impacyence¶ Vnkyndnes Oppressyonwithwofull neglygence.¶ Murmur Myschef Falshod & detraccyon¶ Vsury Periury Ly and adulacyon
¶ Wrong Rauyne Sturdy vyolence¶ Fals IugementwithObstynacyon¶ Dysceyt Dronknes & Improuydence.¶ Boldnes in yllwithfoule and Rybaudy.¶ Fornycacyon Incest and Auoutry¶ VnshamfastneswithProdygalyte¶ Blasfeme vaynglory & worldly vanyte
¶ Ignoraunce DyffydencewithIpocrysy¶ Scysme Rancour Debate and Offence¶ Heresy ErrourwithIdolatry.¶ New fangylnes and sotyll false Pretence¶ Inordynat desyre of worldly excellence¶ Fayned pouerte wyth apostasy¶ Dysclaunder scorn & vnkynd Ielousy
¶ Hoordom baudry false mayntenaunce¶ Treyson abusyon and pety brybry¶ Vsurpacyonwithhorryble vengaunce¶ Came alder last of that company¶ All thyse pety capetayns folowed by and by.¶ Shewyng theymself in the paleyse wyde¶ And say they were redy that batayl to abyde
¶ Idylnes set the comyns in aray¶ Without the palayse on a fayr felde¶ But there was an ost for to make a fray¶ I trow suche a nother neuer man beheld¶ Many was the wepyn among hemthatthey weld¶ What they werethatcame to that dysporte¶ I shall you declare of many a sondry sort
¶ There were bosters crakers & brybours¶ Praters sasers strechers and wrythers¶ Shamefull shakelers soleyn slauedours¶ Oppressours of people and myghty crakers¶ Mayntenours of quarels horryble lyers¶ Theues traytourswithfalse heretykes¶ Charmars sorcerers & many scysmatykes.
¶ Preuy symonyakes wyth false vsurers¶ Multyplyers coyn wasshers & clyppers¶ Wrong vsurpers wyth grete extorcyoners¶ Bacbyters Glosers and fayre flaterers.¶ Malycyous murmurers with grete claterers¶ Tregetours Tryfelers Feyners of tales·¶ Lastyuous lurdeyns and Pykers of malys.
¶ Rouners Vagabundes Forgers & lesingis.¶ Robbers Reuers Rauenous Ryfelers.¶ Choppers of Chyrches Fynders of tydynges¶ Merrers of maters and mony makers.¶ Stalkers by nyght wyth Euysdroppers.¶ Fyghters Brawlers Brekers of louedayes¶ Getters Chyders Causers of frayes.
¶ Tytyuyllis TyrauntiswithTourmentours.¶ Corsyd apostatis Relygyous dyssymulers:¶ Closshers Carders wyth comon hasardours.¶ Tyburne colops and Purskytters.¶ Pylary knyghtys double tollyng Myllers.¶ Gay Ioly tapterswithhostelers of the stewes.¶ Hores and Bawdes that many bale brewes
¶ Bold blasfemers wyth false Ipocrytes.¶ Brothellers Brokers abhomynable swerers.¶ Dryuylls Dastardes dyspysers of ryghtis¶ Homycydes Poyseners & comon morderers¶ Scoldis Caytyues Comberous clappers.¶ Idolatres Enchauntorswithfalse regenates.¶ Sotyl ambydextrys and sekeers of debatis.
¶ Pseudo Prophetes false Sodemytes.¶ Quesmers of chyldren wyth fornycatours.¶ wetewoldes that suffre syn in their syghtis.¶ Auoutrers and abhomynable auauntours.¶ Of syn grete clappers & makers of clamours¶ Vnthryftes & vnlustes came al to that game¶withluskis & loselisthatmight not thryue for shame
¶ These were the comonsthatcame thiderthatday.¶ Redy bowne in batayl Vertu to abyde.¶ Apollo theym beholdyng began to say·¶ To the goddys & goddesses beyng therethattide¶ Me semyth conuenyent an herowd to ryde¶ To Vertu & bydehymto batayl make hymboune¶ Hymself to defend forsoth it shal be sone.
¶ And let hym not be sodeynly take.¶ All dyspur[u]eyed or that he beware.¶ For than shold our dyshonour awake.¶ If he were cowardly take in a snare.¶ Ee quod Vyce for that haue I no care.¶ I wyll auauntage take where I may.¶ That heryng Morpleus preuely stale away.
¶ And went to warne Vertu of al this afray.¶ And bad hymawake and make hymself strong¶ For he was lyke to endure that daye.¶ A grete mortall shoure er it were euensonge.¶withVyce wherfore he bad hym not longe.¶ Tary to send after more socoure.¶ If he dyde it shold torne hym to dolour.
¶ And brefely the mater to he declared.¶ Lyke as ye haue herd begynnyng and ende.¶ Well quod Vertu he shall not be spared¶ To the feld I wyl go how it wende.¶ But gramercy Morpleusmyn own dere frende¶ Of your trew hert & faythfull entente.¶ That ye in this materto meward haue ment.
¶ This done Morpleus departed away.¶ Fro Vertu to the palayse retornyng agayn.¶ None hym aspyed that I dare well say.¶ In whych tyme Vertu dyde his besy payn¶ People to reyse his quarell to maynteyn.¶ Ymagynacyon was his messengere.¶ He went to warne people both fer & nere.
¶ And bad hem come in all hast they myght¶ For to strength Vertu for wyth out fayll.¶ He sayd he shold haue long or it were nyght.¶ Wyth Vyce to do a myghty strong batayl.¶ Of vngracyousgestes he bryngyth a gret tayll¶ Wherfore it behouyth to help at this nede.¶ And after this shal Vertu rewar yoremede
¶ Whan ymagynacyon had gone his cyrcuyte¶ To Vertue & frendis thus all about.¶ Wythin short tyme many men of myght¶ Gadered to Vertu in all that they myght.¶ They hym comforted & bad hymput no doute.¶ His vtter enmy Vyce to ouerthrowe.¶ Thoughehewithhymbrought neuer so gret arow
¶ And whan Vertu se the sustaunce of his oost¶ He prayed all the comons to the feld hem hye¶ Wyth her pety capteyns both lest and moste¶ And wyth his capteyns shold folow redely.¶ For he sayd he knew wellthatvyce was ful nye.¶ And who myght fyrst ofthefeld recouerthecentre¶ Wold kepe outthatother he shuld not esely entre
¶ Then sent he forth Baptym tothefeld before¶ And prayed hym hartely it to ouerse·¶ That no maner trayn norcoltroptherin wore¶ To noy nor hurt hym nor his meyne.¶ And whan he thyder came he began to se.¶ How Vyce his purseua[u]nt cryme orygynall.¶ Was entred before and had seased vp all.
¶ But as sone as herof Baptym had a syght.¶ He fled fast away and left the feld alone.¶ And anone Baptym entred wyth his myght.¶ Serchyng al about where this crymehad gone¶ But the feld was clene defaut found he none.¶ Then came Vertu after with his gret oste.¶ And his myghty capteyns both lest and most
¶ But to enfourme you how he thyder came.¶ And what maner capteins he tothefeld brought¶ Hymselfe sekerly was the fyrst man.¶ Of all his grete hostthatthyderwarde sought.¶ Syttyng in a charethatrychely was wrought.¶ Wyth golde and peerles & gemmes precyous.¶ Crowned with laurer as lord vyctoryous.
¶ Foure doubty knyghtes aboutthechare went.¶ At euery corner one hit for to gyde.¶ And conuey accordyng to Vertue his entent.¶ At the fyrst corner was Ryghtwysnessethattyde.¶ Prudence at the seconde was set to abyde.¶ Atthethryd strengththefourth kept temperaunce.¶ Thesethechare gyded to Vertue his pleasaunce.
¶ Next tothechare seuen capyteyns there roode.¶ Echone aftre other in ordre by and by.¶ Humylyte wasthefyrst a lambe he bestroode.¶ With contenaunce demure he rood full soberly.¶ A fawcon gentyll stood on his helme on hy.¶ And next after hym came there Charyte.¶ Rydyng on a tygre as fyll to his degre.
¶ Roody as a roose ay he kept his chere.¶ On his helme on hyghe a pellycan he bare.¶ Next whom cam pacyencethatno where hath no pere¶ On a camell rydyng as voyde of all care.¶ A fenix on his helm stood so forth gan he fare.¶ Who next hym folowed but lyberalyte.¶ Syteng on a dromedarythatwas both good & fre.
¶ On his helm for his crest he bare on ospray.¶ And next after hym folowed abstynence.¶ Rydyng on an hete was trapure and gay.¶ He semed a lorde of ryght grete excellence.¶ A popyniay was his crest he was of gret dyfferece.¶ Next hym folowed chastyte on an vnicorne.¶ Armed at all poyntes behynde & beforne.
¶ A tortyldoue he bare on hyghe for his crest.¶ Than came good besynesse last oftheseuen.¶ Rydyng on a panter a sondry coloured best.¶ Gloryously beseen as he had come from heuen.¶ A crane on his hede stood his crest for to steuen.¶ All these .vii. capteyned had standardis of pryce.¶ Eche of hem accordyng after his deuyse.
¶ Many pety capteyns after these went.¶ As trew feyth & hope mercy pease & pyte.¶ Ryght trouth mekenessewithrood ente[n]t.¶ Goodnes concorde & parfyte vnyte.¶Honesttrewe loue with symplycyte.¶ Prayer fastyng preuy almysdede.¶ Ioyned withtheartycles of the crede.
¶ Confessyon contrycyon & satysfaccyon.¶ With sorow for synne & grete repentaunce.¶ Foryeuenesse of trespaswithgood dysposycyon.¶ Resystence of wrong performyng of penance.¶ Holy deuocyon wyth good contynaunce¶ Presthode hem folowed with the sacramentis¶ And sadnesse alse wyth the commaundementes
¶ Suffraunce in trouble wyth Innocensy¶ Clennes contynence and virgynyte¶ Kyndnes reuerencewithcurteysy¶ Content & pleased wyth pyteous pouerte¶ Entendyng wel mynystryng equyte¶ Twene ryght & wrong hole indyfferently¶ And labouryng the seruyse of god to multyply
¶ Refuse of ryches & worldly vaynglory¶ Perfeccyon wyth perfyght contemplacyon¶ Relygyon professyon wel kept in memory¶ Verry drede of god wyth holy predycacyon¶ Celestyall sapyence wyth gostly inspyracyon¶ Grace was the guyde of al this meyne¶ Whome folowed konnyngwithhis genealogy
¶ That is to say gramer and Sophystry¶ Phylosophy naturall logyke and Rythoryke¶ Arsmetrycke geometry wyth astronomye¶ Canon and Cyuyll melodyous musyke¶ Noble Theology and corporal physyke¶ Moralyzayson of holy scrypture¶ Profound poetry and drawyng of pycture
¶ Thyse folowed connyng & thyderwyth hin cam¶ Wyth many one mo offryng her seruyse¶ To Vertu at that nede but notwythstondyng than¶ Some he refused and sayd in nowyse¶ They shuld wyth hym go & as I coud auyse¶ Thyse wore her names fyrst Nygrommancy¶ Geomansy magyke and glotony
¶ Adryomansy Ornomancywithpyromancy¶ Fysenomy also and pawmestry¶ And al her sequeles yf I shal not lye¶ Yet connyng prayed Vertu he wold not deny¶ Theym for to know nor dysdeyn his eye¶ On hem to loke wherto Vertu graunted¶ How be it in his werres ge wold not they haunted
¶ So had they connyng lyghly to depart¶ From Vertu his feld and they seyng this¶ By comyn assent hyred them a carte¶ And made hem be caryed toward Vyce Iwys.¶ Fro thens forth to serue hymthis wold not mys¶ For loth they were to be maysterles¶ In stede of the better the worse there they ches
¶ But forth to relese al theremenaunt¶ Of pety capteins that wyth Vertu were¶ Moderate dyet and wysdom auenant¶ Euen weyght and mesure ware of contagyousgere¶ Loth to offendandlouyng ay to lere¶ Worshyp and profytewithmyrth in maner¶ Thyse pety capteyns wyth Vertu were in fere
¶ Comons hem folowed a grete multitude¶ But in came pyson to that other syde¶ I trow there was not brefely to conclude.¶ The .x. man that batayl to abyde.¶ Yet neuertheles I shal not from you hyde.¶ what maner people they were & of what secte¶ As nere as my wyt therto wyll me derect.
¶ There were noble and famous doctours.¶ Example yeuers of lyuyng gracyous.¶ Perpetuel prestes and dyscrete confessours.¶ Of holy scrypture declarers fructuous.¶ Rebukers of syn & myscheues odyous.¶ Fysshers of soules & louers of clennes.¶ Dyspysers of veyn and worldly rychesse.
¶ Peasyble prelatys Iustycyal gouernours.¶ Founders of chyrches wyth mercyfull peres.¶ Reformers of wrong of her progenytours¶ On peynfull pore pyteous compassyoners¶ well menyng marchaunteswithtrew artefecers¶ Vyrgyns pure and also Innocentes¶ Hooly matroneswithchast contynence
¶ Pylgrymes & palmerswithtrew laborers¶ Holy heremytes goddys solycytours¶ Monesteryal monkes & well dysposed freres¶ Chanons and nonnes feyth professoures¶ Of worldly people trew coniugatours.¶ Louers of Cryst Confounders of yll.¶ And all that to godward yeue her good wyll
¶ Mayntenours of ryghte verey penytentes.¶ Dystroyers of errour causers of vnyte.¶ Trew actyf lyuers that set her ententis¶ The dedis to performe of mercy and pyte¶ Contemplatyf people that desyre to be.¶ Salytary seruauntis vnto god alone.¶ Rather thento habound in rychesses echone.
¶ Thyse wyth many mo than I reherce can¶ were come thyder redy that batayl to abyde.¶ And take such part as fyl to Vertu than¶ Vyce toouerco[m]ethey hoped for al his pride¶ Al though he had more people on his syde¶ For the men that Vertu had were ful sure.¶ To trust on at nede & connyng in armure
¶ Macrocosme was the name of the feld¶ where this grete batayll was set for to be¶ In the myddys therof stode consyence & beheld¶ whyche of hem shold be brought to captyuyte¶ Of that noble tryumph Iuge wold he be¶ Synderesys sate hymwythin closed as a park¶withhis table in his honde her dedys to marke.
¶ To come in to the feld were hygh wayes .v.¶ Fre to both partyes large brode and wyde¶ Vertu wold not tari but highed hymthyderbliue¶ Lest he were by vyce deceyued at that tyde¶ Long out of the feld loth was he to abyde¶ In auenture that he out of it were kept.For thanwold he haue thought he hadeto long slept
¶ In this mene tyme whyle Vertu thusproceded¶ For hym& his people the feld for to wynne.¶ He charged euery man by grace to be guyded¶ And al that euer myghtthefeld to enter ynne.¶ In all that season went orygynal synne.¶ To let Vyce know how Baptymwithhis hoste.Had entred Macrocosme & serched euery cooste
¶ A sayd Vyce I se well it is tyme.¶ Baners to dysplay & standardes to auaunce.¶ Al most to long haddestthoutaryed cryme.¶ To let vs haue knolege of this purueyaunce.¶ yet I trow I shal lerne hem a new daunce.¶ Wherfore I commaund you alwithout delaye¶ Toward the felde draw in all the hast ye may
¶ Than saydthegod Plutothatal men myght here¶ Vyce I the charge as thou wylt eschew.¶ Our heuyous Indyngnacyonthoudraw not arere¶ But puttheforth boldly to ouerthrowe Vertu.¶ In fayth quod Attropos & I shal after sew /¶ For yf he escape oure hondys this day.¶ I tell you my seruyse haue lost for ay.
¶ Forth than rode Vycewithal his hole strength¶ On his stede serpentyne as i told you byfore.¶ The ost that hymfolowed was of a grete length.¶ Among whomwere penouns & g[u]yters mani a score[1]¶ Of hys pety capteynes he made many a knight¶ For they shuld not fle but manlywithhim fight
¶ He doubed Falshod with Dyssymylacyon.¶ Symony Vsury Wrong and Rybawdy.¶ Malyce Deceyt Lye wythout Extorcyon.¶ Periury Dyffydence and Apostasy.¶ Wyth boldnes in yl to bere hym company.¶ Thyse .xiiii. knyghtes made vyce that daye.¶ To wyn her spores they sayd they wold assay
¶ In lyke wyse Vertu doubed on his syde:¶ Of pety capteyns other fourtene.¶ Whyche made her auou wyth hym to abyde:¶Herspores wold they wynthatday shold it be sene¶ Thyse wore her names yf it be as I wene¶ Feyth Hope & Mercy Trouth & also Ryght.¶withResystence of wronge a full hardy wyghte
¶ Confessyon Contrycyon wyth Satysfaction¶ Verrey drede of God Performyng of penaunce¶ Perfeccyon Connyng and Good dyspocision¶ And all knyt to Vertu they were by alyauns¶ Wherfore to hym they made assuraunce.¶ That feld to kepe as long as they myght.¶ And in his quarel agayn Vyce to fyght.
¶ The lord of Macrocosme & rewler ofthefee¶ Was called Frewyll chaunger of the chaunce:¶ To whome Vertu sent embassatours thre¶ Reson dyscresyon & good remembraunce.¶ And prayed hymbe fauorable his honoure to enhans¶ For but he had his fauour atthepoynt of nede·¶ He stood in gret doute he coude not lightly spede.
¶ In lyke wyse Vyce embassatours thre.¶ For his party vnto Frewyll sent.¶ Temptacyon foly & sensualyte.¶ Prayng hymof fauour that he wolde assent.¶ To hymas he wolde at his commaundement.¶ Haue hymeftsones whan he lyst to call.¶ On hymfor ony thyngthatafterward myght fall.
¶ Answere yaue he none to neyther party.¶ Saue oonli he saydthebatayll wolde he se¶ To wete whiche of hymshold hauethevyctory.¶ Hit hyng in his balauncetheambyguyte.¶ He sayd he wolde not restrayne his lyberte.¶ Whan he come where sorow shold awake.¶ Than it shold be know what part he wyl take
¶ Whan Vertu & Vyce be her ambassatours.¶ Knew of this answere they stood in gret doute.Neuertheles they seyd they wold endure tho shours¶ And make an ende shortly ofthatthey went aboute.¶ Soo forth came Vycewithall his grete route.¶ Er he came atthefelde he sent yet priuely.¶ Sensualyte before in maner of a spy.
¶ Whiche sewethefeldewithhis vnkynde seede.¶ That caused Vertu after mykyll woo to feele¶ For therof grewe nought but all oonly weede.¶ Whiche made the grounde as sleper as an yele.¶ He went ayene to vice & tolde hym euery dele.¶ How he had done and bad hym come a way.¶ For he had so purueydethatvyce sholde hauetheday
¶ Soo as it happed atthatfelde they mete.¶ Frewyll vertu and vice as tripartite.¶ Saaf vertu a litil before the felde had gete.¶ And ellis his auantage forsoth had be ful lyght¶ Not for then encombred so was neuer wyght.¶ As vertu & his men were with the ranke wede¶ That inthefelde grew of sensualitees sede
¶ But as soone as vyce of vertu had a syght.¶ He gan swage gonnes as he had be woode¶ That heryng vertu commaunded euery wyght¶ To pauyce hym vnder the sygne oftherode.¶ And bad hemnot drede but kepe styll where thy stode.¶ It was but a shour shold sone confounde¶ wherfore he commaunded themstand & kepe her ground
¶ And whan vyce cam nerer to the felde.¶ He callyd sore for bowes & bad hem shote faste¶ But vertu & hys meyny bare of withthesheld.¶ Of the blyssyd Trynyte ay tyll shot was past.¶ And whanshot was done vyce cam forth at last.¶ Purposyng the felde wyth assaute to wyn.¶ But vertu kept it long he myght not entertheryn.
¶ All that tyme Frewyll stode & hym bethought.¶ To which he myght leue & what part he wold take.¶ At last sensualite had hymso fer brought.¶ That he sayd playnly he vertu wold forsake.¶ And in vyce hys quarell all his power make.Nota Iwis quod reasonthatis not for the beste.¶ Noforse sayd frewyll I wyll do as my lyst.
¶ Vertu was full heuy when he see frewyll¶ Take part with vyce but yet neuerthelesse.¶ He dyde that he myght the felde to kepe styll.¶ Tyll vyce with frewyll so sore gan hymoppresse.¶ That he wasconstraynedclerely by duresse.¶ A lytyll tyne abacke to make abew retret.¶ All thyng consydered hit was the best feet.
¶ Fyrst to remembre how vyce parte was.¶ Ten ayen one strenger by lyklynesse.¶ And than how frewyll was with hym alas.¶ Whoo coude deme vertu but in heuynesse.¶ Moreouer to thynke how that slyper grasse.¶ That of sensualyte hys onkynde seede grew.¶ Vnder foot in standyng encombred vertew
¶ Yetnotwithstondyngvertue his men all.¶ Nobelly theym bare and faught myghtyly.¶ How be itthesleper grasse made many of hemfall.¶ And from thense in maner departe sodenly.¶ That seyng vyce his hoost began to shout & cry.¶ And sayd on in Pluto name on & all is oure·¶ For this day shal Vyce be made a conquerour.
¶ Thus Vertu was by myght of vyce & Frewyll¶ Dryuen out of the feld it was the more pyte·¶ How by it yet Baptym kept his ground styll.¶ Andwithhym abode feyth hope & vnyte.¶ And konnynge alsowitha grete meyne.¶ Confessyon contrycyon were redy at her hond.¶ And Satysfaction Vyce to wythstond.
¶ But al the tyme whyle Vertu was away.¶ A myghty conflycte kept theywithVycys rout.¶ And yet neuertheles for al that grete afray.¶ Hope stod vpryght & feyth wold neuer lout¶ And euermoresayd Baptym syres put no dout.¶ Vertu shal return & haue his entent.¶ This feld shal be ours or let me be shent.
¶ And whyl thyse pety capteyns sustend thusthefeld¶ Wyth Vertu his reward come good perseuerauns¶ An hugy myghty hoost & whan he beheld.¶ How Vertu hym withdrew he toke dysplesauns.¶ And whanhe to hymcam he sayd ye shal your chans¶ Take as itfallythwherfore returne ye must.¶ Yet ones for your sakewithVyce shal I Iust.
¶ Alas that euer ye shold lese your honour.¶ And therwyth alsothehygh perpetuel crown.¶ Which is for you kept in the celestyal tour.¶ Wherfore be ye called chrystys champyon.¶ How is it that ye haue noo compassyone.¶ On baptyme feyth & hope konnyng & vnite.¶ That stand so hard bestad & fyght as ye may see.
¶ All the tresour erthely vnderthefyrmament¶ That euer was made of goddys creacyon.¶ To reward theym euenly were not equyualent.¶ For her noble labour in his affleccyon.¶ Wherfore take vpon you your Iurisdyccyon¶ Rescu yonder knyghtes & recontynu fyght.¶ And els a dew your crown for al your gret myght