¶ Vith these & suche wordys as I haue you tolde¶ By good perseueraunce vttred in this wyse.¶ Vertu hym remembred & gan to vexe bolde.¶ And sayd yeue trew knyghtis to rescu I auyse¶ Let vs no lengar tary from this entrepryse.¶ Agayn tothefelde soo Vertu retourned.¶ That caused hembe merythatlong afore had morned¶ Auaunt baner quod he inthename of Iesu¶ And withthathis people set vp a gret shoute.¶ And cryed with a loude voce a Vertu a Vertu.¶ Then began Vyce his hoost for to loke a boute.¶ But I trow perseueraunce was not long withoute¶ He bathed his swerd in his foos blood.¶ The boldest of hem all not ones hymwithstoode.¶ Constaunce hym folowed & brought hymhis spere¶ But when perseueraunce saw Vyce on his stede.¶ No man coude hym let tyll he came there.¶ For to byd hym ryde I trow it was no nede.¶ All Vertu his oost prayed for his good spede.¶ Agayn Vyce he rode with his grete shaft.¶ And hym ouerthrew for all his sotyll craft.¶ That seyng Frewill came to conscyence.¶ And gan hym to repentethathe with hym had be.¶ Prayeng hym of counsell for his grete offence.¶ That he agayn Vertu had made his arme.¶ What was best to doo to humylyte:¶ Quod conscyence mustthougo so he hym thyder sent¶ Dysguysedthathe were not knowen as he wente.¶ And whan he thyder came humylyte hym toke.¶ A token & bad hym go to conffessyon.¶ And shew hym his mater with a peteous loke¶ Whiche done he hym sent to contrycyon.¶ And fro thensforthe to satysfaccyon.¶ Thus fro poost to pyler was he made to daunce.¶ And at the last he went forthe to penaunce.¶ But now for to tel you whenVyce was ouerthrow¶ A gret part of his oost about hym gan resorte.¶ But he was so febyllthathe coude noman know.¶ And whan they sethatthey knew no comforte.¶ But caryed hym away be a preuy porte.¶ And as they caryed dyspeyre with hymmet.¶ With Vyce his rewarde he cam theym for to fet¶ Then came there downe goodly ladyes tweyn.¶ From the hyghe heuen aboue the fyrmamente.¶ And sayd the gret Alpha & Oo moost souereyn.¶ For that nobell tryumphe had hem thyder sent.¶ One of hem to dryue Vyce to grete tormente.¶ With a fyry strongthatshe bare in her hande.¶ And so he dede dyspere & all his hole bande.¶ The name of this lady was called Prestyence.¶ She neuer left Vyce ne nonethatwolde hymfolow.¶ Tyll they were commytted bythedyuyne sentence.¶ All to payne perpetuell & Infynyte sorow.¶ Right wysnes went to sethatnomanshold hemborow.¶ Thusal entreted sharpely were they tyll Cerberus¶ Had hem beshut within his gates tenebrus.¶ And allthewhylethatPrestyencewithher scorge smert¶ To rewarde Vyce gan her thus occupy.¶ With all his hole bende after her desert.¶ That other gloryousladythatcame fro heuenon hy.¶ Hauyng in her honde the palme of vyctory.¶ Came downe to Vertu & toke hym tothatpresent.¶ Sayeng thus that Alpha & Oo hath hym sent.¶ And as ferre as I ryght coude vnderstonde¶ That ladyes name was Predestynacyon.¶ Vertu & his oost she blessyd with her honde.¶ And in heuyn graunted hem habytacyon.¶ Whereto eche of hem reseruyd was a crowne.¶ She sayd in token that they enherytours.¶ Of the glory were & gracious conquerours.¶ Wych done the ladyes ayen to gyder met¶ And towarde heuen vp they gan to fly¶ Embraced in armes as they had ben knyt.¶ Togyderwitha gyrdyl but so sodenly.¶ Asthey werevanysshyd saw I neuerthyngwithey.¶ And anone Vertu wyth al his company.¶ Kneled dounn & thanked god ofthatvyctory.¶ Yet had I forget whan Vyce was ouerthrow.¶ To haue told you hou many of Vycys hoost.¶ Gan to seke pease & darked dounn ful low.¶ And besought mercy what so euer it coste.¶ To be her mene to Vertu elsthey werebut lost.¶ And some in lyke wyse to feyth & hope sought.¶ What to do for pease they sayd they ne roughte.¶ Some also Baptym sewed to be her mene.¶ Som to one som to other as thei hemgete myghte.¶ But al to Confessyon went to make hemclene¶ And asthey came to consyence he theymbad go lyghte.¶ Er thanold attropes of hemhad a syght.¶ For yf he so theym toke lost they werefor euer¶ He sayd Vyce to forsake better late thynneuer.¶ Som eke for socour drew to circumcision.¶ But by hymcoud they gete but smal fauoure.¶ For he in that company was had but in derysyon¶ Neuerthelesse to feyth he bad hemgo laboure.¶ Prayng theymfor olde acqueyntance theymsocoure¶ Wel quod feth for his sake I shal dothatI may doo¶ But fyrste for the best way baptym go ye to.¶ For by hym sonest shal ye recouer grace.¶ Which shal to Vertu bryng you by processe.¶ Wherfore in ony wyse loke ye make good face.¶ And let noman know of your heuynes.¶ So they were by baptym brought out of destres¶ Turned al to Vertu & whan this was done.¶ Vertu cummaunded Frewyl before hym come.¶ To whom thus he sayd I haue grete merueyl¶ Ye durst be so bold Vyces party to take.¶ Who bad you do so & yaue you that counseyl.¶ Iustly vnto that ye shal me preuy make.¶ Then sayd Frewyll & swemfully spake.¶ Knelyng on his kne wyth a cherebenygn.¶ I pray you syr let pyte your eres to me enclyne.¶ And I shall yow tel the verrey soth of all.¶ How it was & who made me that way drawe.¶ For soth sensualyte his propre name they call.¶ A sayd reason then I know wel that felowe.¶ Wyld he is & wanton of me stant hymnone awe.¶ Is he so quod Vertu wel he shall be taught.¶ As a player shuld to draw another draught.¶ Andwiththat came sadnesse wyt his sober chere.¶ Bryngyng Sensualite beyng ful of thought.¶ And sayd that he had take hym prysonere.¶ A welcome sayd Vertu now haue IthatI sought.¶ Blessed be the good lord asthouwold it is nought¶ Why artethouso wanton he sayd for shame.¶ Orthougo at largethoushalt be more tame.But stond a part a whyle tyl I haue spoke a word¶ Wyth Frewyl a lytyl & then shaltethouknowe.¶ What shalbe thy fynaunce & then he sayd in bord¶ Vnto Frewyl the bend of your bowe.¶ Begynnyth to slake but suche as ye haue sowe¶ Must nedes repe there is none waye.¶ Notwythstondyng that lette what ye can saye.¶ What is your habilite me to recompense.¶ For the grete harme that ye to me haue do.¶ Forsoth sayd Frewyll in open audyence.¶ But oonly Macrocosme more haue I not loo.¶ Takethatyf it pleyse you I wyl that it be soo.¶ Yf I may vnderstond ye be my good lorde.¶ In dede sayd Vertu to that wyll I accorde.¶ Then made Vertu Reason his leyftenaunte.¶ And yaue hima grete charge macrocosme to kepe¶ That done Sensualite yeld hym recreaunte.¶ And began for anger bytterly to wepe.¶ For he demed surely hys sorowe shold not slepe¶ Then made Vertu Frewyll bayl vnderReason.¶ The feld for to ocupy to his behoue that season.¶ And then sayd Vertu to Sensualyte.¶ Thou shalt be rewarded for thy besynesse.¶ Vnder this furme al fragylyte¶ Shaltthouforsake both more and lesse.¶ And vnderthe guydyngthoushalt be of sadnesse.¶ All though it somwhat be agayn thy herte.¶ Thy Iugements gyuenthoushalt it not asterte.¶ And evynwiththat came in dame Nature.¶ Sayeng thusto Vertu syr ye do me wronge.¶ By duresse & constreynt to put this creature.¶ Gentyll Sensualytethathath me serued longe.¶ Clerely from his lyberte & set hym amonge.¶ Theymthat loue hymnot to be her vnderloute.¶ As it were a cast away or a sho cloute.¶ And perde ye know well a rewle haue I must¶ Wythin Macrocosme forsoth I say not nay.Quod Vertu but sensualyte shal not perform your lust¶ Lyke as he hath do befor this yf I may.¶ Therfro hymrestreyn sadnesse shal assay.¶ How be it ye shal haue your hole lyberte.¶ Wythin Macrocosme as ye haue had fre.¶ And whan Vertu had to Nature sayd thus¶ A lytyll tyne his ey castyng hym besyde.¶ He se in a corner stondyng Morpleus¶ That hymbefore warned ofthatberely tyde.¶ A syrs sayd Vertu yet we must abyde.¶ Here is a frend of ours may not be forgete.¶ After his deserte we shall hymentreate¶ Morpleussayd Vertu I thanke you hertely¶ For your trew herte & your grete laboure.¶ That ye lyst to come to me soo redely.¶ Whan ye vnderstoodthecomyng of that shoure.¶ I thanke god & you of sauyng of mynhonour.¶ Wherfore this preuylege now to you I grant¶ Thatwithin Macrocosme ye shall haue your haunt¶ And of fyue posternesthekeys shall ye kepe.¶ Lettyng in & out at hymwhome ye lyst.¶ As long as in Macrocosme your faderwyll crepe.¶ Blere whos ey ye wyll hardelywithyour myst¶ And kepe your werkes close there as in a chyst¶ Saaf I wold desyre you spare Pollucyon.For no thyng may me plesethesouneth to corrupcyon.¶ And whanhe had thussaydthekeyes he hymtoke.¶ And toward his castellwithhis people went¶ Byddyng reason take good hede & about loke¶ That sensualite by Nature were not shent.¶ Kepe hymshort he sayd tyll his lust be spent¶ For better were a chylde to by vnbore¶ Than let hymhauethewyll & foreuer be lore.¶ And whanolde Attropos had seen & herd all this¶ How Vertu had opteyned astonyed as he stood.¶ He sayd to hymselfe somwhat there is amys.¶ I trow well my patent be not all good.[2]¶ Sayeng to the goddys I see ye do but iape.¶ After a worthy whew haue ye made me gape.¶ How a deuyll way sholde I Vertue ouerthrow.¶ When he dredeth not all your hole route.¶ How camye make good your patent wold I know¶ Hit is to Impossable to bryng that aboute.¶ For stryke hym may I notthatis out of doute.¶ A good Attropos sayd god Apollo.¶ An answere conuenyent shall thou haue herto.¶ The wordes of thy patent dare I well say¶ Stretche to no forther but were dame Nature¶ Hath Iurysdyccyon thereto haue the way Nota.¶ And largesse to stryke as longet to thy cure.¶ And as for Vertu he his no cryature.¶ Vnder the predycament conteyned of quantyte¶ Wherefore his dystruccyon longeth not to the.¶ A ha sayd Attropos then I see well.¶ That all yegoddysbe butcounterfete.¶ For oo God there is that can euerydell.¶ Tourne as hym lest bothe drye & whete.¶ In to whoos seruyce I shal assay to gete.¶ And yf I may ones to his seruyce come.¶ Your names shal be put to oblyuyone.¶ Thus went Attropos fro the paleys wrooth.¶ But in the mene tyme whylethathe there was.¶ Glydyng by the paleys resydyuacyon gooth.¶ Towarde Macrocosme with a peynted fase.¶ Clad lyke a pylgryme walkyng a grete pase.¶ In the forme as he had ben a man of ynde.¶ He wede haue made reson & sadnesse both blynde¶ With sensualyte was he soone aqueynted.¶ To whome he declared his mater pryuely.¶ Yet he was espyed for all his face peynted.¶ Then reson hymcommauded pyke hymthens lightly.¶ For his ease quod sadnesse so counseyll hym wyll I.¶ Soo was sensualyte ay kepte vnder foote.¶ That to resydyuacyon myght he doo no boote.¶ Then went he to Nature & asked her auyse.¶ His entent to opteynde what was best to doo.¶ She sayd euer syth Vertu of vyce wanthepryse.¶ Reson with sadnesse hath rewled the felde soo.¶ That I & sensualyte may lytyll for the doo.¶ For I may noo more but oonly kepe my cours.¶ And yet is sensualyte strenger kept & wours.¶ Thusheryng resydiuacon fro thens he went ageyn¶ Full of thought & sorowthathe myght not spede.¶ Than reson & sadnesse toke wedehokes tweyn.¶ And all wylde wantonesse outthefelde gan wede.¶ With alltheslyper grassethatgrewe of the sede.¶ That sensualyte before therin sew.¶ And fro thens forth kept it clene for vertew¶ Than began new grase in the felde to spryng.¶ All vnlykethatother of colour fayr & bryght.¶ But then I aspyed a meruelous thyng.¶ For the grounde ofthefelde gan wex hore & whyt.¶ I coude not conceyue howthatbe myght.¶ Tyll I was enformed & taught it to know.¶ But wher vertu occupyet must nedes wel growYet in the mene tyme while the felde thus grow.¶ And reson with sadnesse therof had goueraunce.¶ Many a preuy messenger thyder sent Vertew.¶ To know yf it were guyded to his plesaunce.¶ Now prayer eft fastyng & often tyme penaunce.¶ And whan he myght goo preuely almesdede.¶ And bad hymto his power helpe where he se nedeWhilethatfelde thus rewled reson with sadnesse.¶ Maugre dame Nature for all her carnall might¶ Came thyder Attropos voyd of all gladnesse.¶ Wrapped in his shete & axed of ony wyght.¶ Coude wysse hym the vay to the lorde of light.¶ Or ellis where myght fynderyghtwysnesse.¶ Forsothe sayd reyson I trow as I gesse.¶ At Vertu his castell ye may soone hym fynde.¶ If ye lyst the laboure thyder to take.¶ And there shall ye know yf ye be not blynde.¶ The next wey to the lord of lyght I vndertake.¶ So thyder went Attropos petycyon to make.¶ To ryghtwysnesse preyeng that he myght.¶ Be take in to the seruyse of the lorde of lyght.¶ What sadryghtwysnessethouolde dotyng foole.¶ Whomehastthou seruyd syth the worlde began¶ Butoonlyhym where hastthougo to scole.¶ Whethery artthoudouble or elles the sam man.¶ That thou were fyrst a syr sayd he than.¶ I praye you hertely holde me excused.¶ I am olde & febell my wyttys are dysused.¶ Well sayd ryghtwysnes for as moche as thow.¶ Knowest not thy maysterthy name shal I chaunge¶ Dethe shaltthoube caled from hens forward now¶ Among all the peple that shal be had straunge.¶ But whanthoubegynnest to make thy chalaunge.¶ Dredde shalt thou be where so thou become.¶ And to noo creature shalt thou be welcome.¶ And as for theym whome thou dedest serue.¶ For as moche as they presume on hem to take.¶ That hygh name of god they shal as they deserue¶ Therfore be rewarded I dare vndertake.¶ Wyth payn perpetual among fendes blake.¶ And her names shall be put to oblyuyon.¶ Among men but it be in dyrysyon.¶ Aha sayd Attropos now begynne I wex glad.¶ That I shal thus auenged of hem be.¶ Syth they so long tyme haue made me so mad.¶ Yee quod ryghtwysnesse here what I say to the.¶ The lorde of lyght sent the worde by me.¶ That in Macrocosme sesyne shalt thou take¶ wherfore thy darte redy loke thou make¶ And as soone as Vertue that vnderstood¶ He sayd he was pleased that it sholde soo be¶ And euen forth with he commaunded presthood¶ To make hym redy the felde for to se¶ So thyder went presthode with benygnyte¶ Conueyening thyder the blessyd sacrament¶ Of Eukaryst but fyrst were thyder sent¶ Confessyoncontrycyon and satysfaccyon(nota¶ Sorow for synne and grete repentaunce¶ Holy deuocyon with good dysposycyon¶ All these thyder came and also penaunce¶ As her dewte was to make purueaunce¶ Agayn the comyng of that blessyd lorde¶ Feyth hope & charyte therto were acorde¶ Reason with sadnesse dyde his dylygence¶ To clense the felde within and without¶ And whan they se the bodely presence¶ Of that holy Eukaryst lowly gan they lout¶ So was that lorde receyued out of dout¶ With all humble chere debonayre & benygne¶ Lykly to pleasure it was a grete sygne¶ Then came to the felde the mynyster fynall¶ Called holy vnccyon with a crysmatory¶ The fyue hye wayes in especyall¶ Therof he anoynted & made hit sanctuary¶ Whome folowed deth whiche wolde not tary¶ His feruent power there to put in vre¶ As he was commaunded grauntyng dame Nature¶ Nota.¶ He toke his darte called his mortall launce¶ And bent his stroke towarde the feldes herte¶ That seyng preesthode bad good remembraunce¶ Towarde the felde tourne hym & aduerte¶ For except hym all vertues thense must sterte¶ And euen with that dethe there sesyne toke¶ And then all the company clerely hit forsoke¶ And as soone as dethe thus had sesyne take¶ The colour of the felde was chaunged sodeynly¶ The grasse therin seere as though it had be bak¶ And the fyue hygh wayes were mured vpon hy¶ That fro thensforwarde none entre shold therbi¶ The posternes were also without lette¶ Bothe inwarde & outwarde fyne fast shette¶ Whiche done sodeynly dethe vanysshed a way¶ And Vertu exalted was aboue the fyrmament¶ Where he toke crowne of glorythatis ay¶ Preparate by Alpha & oo omnypotent¶ The swete frute of macrocosme thyderwithhymwent¶ And on all this mater as I stood musyng thus¶ Agayn fro the felde to me came Morpleus¶ Sayeng thus what chere how lykeththethis fyght¶ Haste thou seen ynough or wyll thou see more¶ Nay syr I sayd my trouthe I you plyght¶ This is suffycyente yf I knew wherfore¶ This was to me shewed for therof he lore¶ Coueyte I to haue yf I gete myght¶ Folow me quod he and haue thy delyght¶ Soo I hym folowed tyll he had me brought¶ To a foresquare herber walled round aboute¶ Loo quod Morpleushere maist thouthatthou sought¶ Fynde yf thou wyll I put the out of doute¶ A lytyll whyle we stood styll there withoute¶ Tyll wytte chyef porter of that herber gate¶ Requyred by stodye lete vs in there ate¶ But whan I came in meruayled gretly¶ Of that I behelde & herde reporte¶ For fyrst in a chayre apparaylled royally¶ There sate dam doctryne her childern to exorte¶ And about her was many a sondry sorte¶ Some wyllyng to lerne dyuerse scyence¶ And some for to haue perfyte intellygence¶ Crowned she was lyke an Emperesse¶ With .iii. crownes standyng on her hede on by¶ Allthyngabout her an Infynyte processe¶ Were to declare I tell you certaynly¶ Neuerthelesse some in mynde therof haue I¶ Whiche I shall to you as god wyll yeue me grace¶ As I sawe & herde tell in short space¶ Fast by Doctryne on that one syde¶ As I remembre sate holy Texte¶ That opened his mouthe tothepeople wyde¶ But not in comparyson to Glosethatsate nexte.¶ Moralyzacyon with a cloke contexte¶ Sate & Scrypture was scrybe to theym all¶ He sate ay wrytyng of that that sholde fall¶ These were tho that I there knewe¶ By no maner waye of olde acqueyntaunce¶ But as I before saw theym with Vertewe¶ Company in felde & hauyng dalyaunce¶ And as I thus stood halfe in a traunce¶ Whyle they were occupyed in her besynesse¶ Aboute the walles myn ey gan I dresse¶ Where I beheld the meruaylous story¶ That euer I yet sawe in ony pycture¶ For on tho walles was made memory¶ Syngulerly of euery creature¶ That there had byn bothe forme & stature¶ Whoos names reherse I wyll as I can¶ Bryng theym to mynde in ordre euery man¶ Fyrst to begynne there was in portrature¶ Adam & Eue holdyng an apell rounde¶ Noe in a shyp & Abraham hauyng sure¶ A flyntstone in his honde & Isaac lay bounde¶ On an hyghe mounte Iacob slepyng sounde¶ And a long ladder stood besyde¶ Ioseph in a Cysterne was also there that tyde.¶ Next whom stode Moyses with his tables two¶ Aaron and Vrre his armes supportynge¶ Ely in a brennyng chare was there also.¶ And Elyze stode clad in hermytes clothynge.¶ Dauyd wyth an harpe and a stone slynge.¶ Isaye Ieremy and Ezechyell.¶ And closed wyth Lyons holy Danyell.¶ Abacuc Mychee with Malachy.¶ And Ionas out of a whales body comynge.¶ Samuel in a Temple & holy zachary.¶ Besyde an aulter all blody stondynge.¶ Osee wyth Iudyth stood there conspyryng.¶ The deth of Dioferne & Salamon.¶ A chylde wyth hys swerde dyuydynge in two.¶ Many mo prophetes certeynly there were.¶ Whoos names now come not to my mynde:¶ Melchysedech also I espyed there.¶ Brede & wyne offryng as fell to his kynde.¶ Ioachym & Anna stode al behynde.¶ Embraced in armes to the golden gate.¶ And holy Iohan Baptyst in desert sat.¶ And now comyth to my remembrunce.¶ I am auysed I saw Sodechy:¶ And Amos also with sober countenaunce.¶ Stondyng wyth her faces towarde Sophony.¶ Neemy & Esdras bare hem companye.¶ The holy man Iob as an Impotente.¶ Then folowed in pycture wyth Thoby pacyent¶ Thyse wyth many mo on that one syde.¶ Of that grene herber portrayed were.¶ A sayd Morpleus a lytyll tyme abyde.¶ Turn thy face where thy backe was ere.¶ And beholde well what thou seeste there.¶ Than I me turned as he me badde.¶ With herte stedfaste & countenaunce sadde.¶ Where I sawe Peter wyth his keyes stonde.¶ Poule wyth a swerde and Iames also.¶ Wyth a scalop & Thomas holdyng in his honde¶ A spere and Phylyp aproched hym to:¶ Iames the lesse nexte hem in pycture too.¶ Stode wyth Bartylmew whych was all flayn¶ Symon & Thadee shewed how they were slayn¶ Mathy and Barnabe drawyng lottys stode¶ Nexte whome was Marke a Lyon hym by.¶ Hys boke holdyng & Mathew in his mode.¶ Resembled an aungell wyth wyngysgloryously.¶ Luke had a calfe to holde his boke on hye.¶ And Iohan wyth a cuppe & palme in his honde.¶ An Egle bare his book thus saw I hem stonde¶ Gregory and Ierome Austyn and Ambrose.¶ Wyth pyllyons on ther hedes stode lyke doctors¶ Bernard wyth Amselme and as Isuppose.¶ Thomas of alquyne and Domynyk confessours.¶ Benet and Hew relygyous gouernours.¶ Martyn & Iohan with bysshops tweyne.¶ Were there also and Crysostom certayne.¶ Behynd all thyse was worshypfull Bede.¶ All behynde and next hym stood Orygene.¶ Hydynge his face as he of his dede.¶ Hadhemashamed ye wote what I mene.¶ For of errour he was not al clene.¶ And on that syde stode laste of alle.¶ The noble prophetyssa Sybell men her call.¶ Let me remembre now I you pray¶ My barayn is so thynne I deme in my herte¶ Some of the felyshyp that I there say.¶ In all this whyle to haue ouersterte.¶ A benedicite none coude I aduerte.¶ To thynke on Andrew the apostlewithhis crosse.¶ Whome to forgete were a grete losse.¶ Many one were peynted on that wall.¶ Whoos names come not to my remembraunce.¶ But thyse I marked in especyall.¶ And moo coude I tell in countenaunce.¶ Of tyme but forth to shewe you the substaunce.¶ Of this mater in the myndys of that arbere.¶ Sat Doctryne coloured as ony crystall clere.¶ Crowned as I tolde you late here before.¶ Whoos apparayl wos worth tresour Infynyte¶ All erthly rychesse count I no more.¶ To that in comparyson valewyng thena myte.¶ Ouer her hede houed a culuer fayr & whyte.¶ Out of her byll proceded a grete leme.¶ Downward to Doctryne lyke a sonne beme¶ The wordes of Doctryne yaue grete redolens¶ In swetnesse of sauour to her dyscyples al.¶ It fer exceded myr & frankencense.¶ Or ony other tre spyce or els galle.¶ And whan she me espyed anone she gan me cal.¶Andcommaunded morpleusthathe sholdbryngme nere¶ For she wold me hewthe effectof my desyre.¶ She sayd I know the cause of thy comyng.¶ Is to vnderstond be myn enformal yon.¶ Sensyble the mater of morpleus his shewynge¶ As he hath the led about in vesyon.¶ Wherfore now I apply thy natural reason.¶ Vnto my wordes & or thou hens wend.¶ Thou shalt it know begynnyng and ende.¶ For whan Colus to pluto was broughte:¶ By hys owne neclygence taken prysonere.¶ Wythin the erth for he so fer foughte.¶ Sygnyfed is no more be that matere.¶ But only to shew the how it doth appere:¶ That welth vnbrydeled at thyn eye.¶ Enbraseth mysrewle and oft causyth foly.¶ For lyke as Colus beyng at his large¶ Streyted hymself thrugh his own lewdenesse¶ For he wolde deele where he had no charge¶ Ryght soo wantons by her wyldenesse¶ Oftesythe bryng hymselfe in dystresse¶ Because they sometyme to largely deele¶ What may wors be suffred thanouermykell weele¶ By Mynos the Iuge of hell desparate¶ May be vnderstonde goddys ryghtwysnes¶ That to euery wyght his payne deputate¶ Assygneth acordyng to his wyckednes¶ Wherfore he is called Iuge of cruelnes¶ And as for Dyana & Neptunus compleynte¶ Fygured may be fooles reason feynt.¶ For lyke as they made her suggestyon¶ To haue me Colus from cours of hys kynde¶ Which was Impossyble to bryng to correccyon¶ For euermore hys lyberte haue wyll the wynde¶ In lyke wyse fooles other whyle be blynde¶ Wenyng to subdew with her one honde¶ That is ouermykell for all an hole londe¶ But what foloweth therof that shall thou here¶ When they were come to the bankete¶ The grete Apollo with his sad chere¶ Soo fayre & curtously gan theym entret¶ That he made her beerdys on the new gete¶ Loo what wysdome dooth to a foole¶ Wherefore are children put to scoole
¶ Vith these & suche wordys as I haue you tolde¶ By good perseueraunce vttred in this wyse.¶ Vertu hym remembred & gan to vexe bolde.¶ And sayd yeue trew knyghtis to rescu I auyse¶ Let vs no lengar tary from this entrepryse.¶ Agayn tothefelde soo Vertu retourned.¶ That caused hembe merythatlong afore had morned
¶ Auaunt baner quod he inthename of Iesu¶ And withthathis people set vp a gret shoute.¶ And cryed with a loude voce a Vertu a Vertu.¶ Then began Vyce his hoost for to loke a boute.¶ But I trow perseueraunce was not long withoute¶ He bathed his swerd in his foos blood.¶ The boldest of hem all not ones hymwithstoode.
¶ Constaunce hym folowed & brought hymhis spere¶ But when perseueraunce saw Vyce on his stede.¶ No man coude hym let tyll he came there.¶ For to byd hym ryde I trow it was no nede.¶ All Vertu his oost prayed for his good spede.¶ Agayn Vyce he rode with his grete shaft.¶ And hym ouerthrew for all his sotyll craft.
¶ That seyng Frewill came to conscyence.¶ And gan hym to repentethathe with hym had be.¶ Prayeng hym of counsell for his grete offence.¶ That he agayn Vertu had made his arme.¶ What was best to doo to humylyte:¶ Quod conscyence mustthougo so he hym thyder sent¶ Dysguysedthathe were not knowen as he wente.
¶ And whan he thyder came humylyte hym toke.¶ A token & bad hym go to conffessyon.¶ And shew hym his mater with a peteous loke¶ Whiche done he hym sent to contrycyon.¶ And fro thensforthe to satysfaccyon.¶ Thus fro poost to pyler was he made to daunce.¶ And at the last he went forthe to penaunce.
¶ But now for to tel you whenVyce was ouerthrow¶ A gret part of his oost about hym gan resorte.¶ But he was so febyllthathe coude noman know.¶ And whan they sethatthey knew no comforte.¶ But caryed hym away be a preuy porte.¶ And as they caryed dyspeyre with hymmet.¶ With Vyce his rewarde he cam theym for to fet
¶ Then came there downe goodly ladyes tweyn.¶ From the hyghe heuen aboue the fyrmamente.¶ And sayd the gret Alpha & Oo moost souereyn.¶ For that nobell tryumphe had hem thyder sent.¶ One of hem to dryue Vyce to grete tormente.¶ With a fyry strongthatshe bare in her hande.¶ And so he dede dyspere & all his hole bande.
¶ The name of this lady was called Prestyence.¶ She neuer left Vyce ne nonethatwolde hymfolow.¶ Tyll they were commytted bythedyuyne sentence.¶ All to payne perpetuell & Infynyte sorow.¶ Right wysnes went to sethatnomanshold hemborow.¶ Thusal entreted sharpely were they tyll Cerberus¶ Had hem beshut within his gates tenebrus.
¶ And allthewhylethatPrestyencewithher scorge smert¶ To rewarde Vyce gan her thus occupy.¶ With all his hole bende after her desert.¶ That other gloryousladythatcame fro heuenon hy.¶ Hauyng in her honde the palme of vyctory.¶ Came downe to Vertu & toke hym tothatpresent.¶ Sayeng thus that Alpha & Oo hath hym sent.
¶ And as ferre as I ryght coude vnderstonde¶ That ladyes name was Predestynacyon.¶ Vertu & his oost she blessyd with her honde.¶ And in heuyn graunted hem habytacyon.¶ Whereto eche of hem reseruyd was a crowne.¶ She sayd in token that they enherytours.¶ Of the glory were & gracious conquerours.
¶ Wych done the ladyes ayen to gyder met¶ And towarde heuen vp they gan to fly¶ Embraced in armes as they had ben knyt.¶ Togyderwitha gyrdyl but so sodenly.¶ Asthey werevanysshyd saw I neuerthyngwithey.¶ And anone Vertu wyth al his company.¶ Kneled dounn & thanked god ofthatvyctory.
¶ Yet had I forget whan Vyce was ouerthrow.¶ To haue told you hou many of Vycys hoost.¶ Gan to seke pease & darked dounn ful low.¶ And besought mercy what so euer it coste.¶ To be her mene to Vertu elsthey werebut lost.¶ And some in lyke wyse to feyth & hope sought.¶ What to do for pease they sayd they ne roughte.
¶ Some also Baptym sewed to be her mene.¶ Som to one som to other as thei hemgete myghte.¶ But al to Confessyon went to make hemclene¶ And asthey came to consyence he theymbad go lyghte.¶ Er thanold attropes of hemhad a syght.¶ For yf he so theym toke lost they werefor euer¶ He sayd Vyce to forsake better late thynneuer.
¶ Som eke for socour drew to circumcision.¶ But by hymcoud they gete but smal fauoure.¶ For he in that company was had but in derysyon¶ Neuerthelesse to feyth he bad hemgo laboure.¶ Prayng theymfor olde acqueyntance theymsocoure¶ Wel quod feth for his sake I shal dothatI may doo¶ But fyrste for the best way baptym go ye to.
¶ For by hym sonest shal ye recouer grace.¶ Which shal to Vertu bryng you by processe.¶ Wherfore in ony wyse loke ye make good face.¶ And let noman know of your heuynes.¶ So they were by baptym brought out of destres¶ Turned al to Vertu & whan this was done.¶ Vertu cummaunded Frewyl before hym come.
¶ To whom thus he sayd I haue grete merueyl¶ Ye durst be so bold Vyces party to take.¶ Who bad you do so & yaue you that counseyl.¶ Iustly vnto that ye shal me preuy make.¶ Then sayd Frewyll & swemfully spake.¶ Knelyng on his kne wyth a cherebenygn.¶ I pray you syr let pyte your eres to me enclyne.
¶ And I shall yow tel the verrey soth of all.¶ How it was & who made me that way drawe.¶ For soth sensualyte his propre name they call.¶ A sayd reason then I know wel that felowe.¶ Wyld he is & wanton of me stant hymnone awe.¶ Is he so quod Vertu wel he shall be taught.¶ As a player shuld to draw another draught.
¶ Andwiththat came sadnesse wyt his sober chere.¶ Bryngyng Sensualite beyng ful of thought.¶ And sayd that he had take hym prysonere.¶ A welcome sayd Vertu now haue IthatI sought.¶ Blessed be the good lord asthouwold it is nought¶ Why artethouso wanton he sayd for shame.¶ Orthougo at largethoushalt be more tame.
But stond a part a whyle tyl I haue spoke a word¶ Wyth Frewyl a lytyl & then shaltethouknowe.¶ What shalbe thy fynaunce & then he sayd in bord¶ Vnto Frewyl the bend of your bowe.¶ Begynnyth to slake but suche as ye haue sowe¶ Must nedes repe there is none waye.¶ Notwythstondyng that lette what ye can saye.
¶ What is your habilite me to recompense.¶ For the grete harme that ye to me haue do.¶ Forsoth sayd Frewyll in open audyence.¶ But oonly Macrocosme more haue I not loo.¶ Takethatyf it pleyse you I wyl that it be soo.¶ Yf I may vnderstond ye be my good lorde.¶ In dede sayd Vertu to that wyll I accorde.
¶ Then made Vertu Reason his leyftenaunte.¶ And yaue hima grete charge macrocosme to kepe¶ That done Sensualite yeld hym recreaunte.¶ And began for anger bytterly to wepe.¶ For he demed surely hys sorowe shold not slepe¶ Then made Vertu Frewyll bayl vnderReason.¶ The feld for to ocupy to his behoue that season.
¶ And then sayd Vertu to Sensualyte.¶ Thou shalt be rewarded for thy besynesse.¶ Vnder this furme al fragylyte¶ Shaltthouforsake both more and lesse.¶ And vnderthe guydyngthoushalt be of sadnesse.¶ All though it somwhat be agayn thy herte.¶ Thy Iugements gyuenthoushalt it not asterte.
¶ And evynwiththat came in dame Nature.¶ Sayeng thusto Vertu syr ye do me wronge.¶ By duresse & constreynt to put this creature.¶ Gentyll Sensualytethathath me serued longe.¶ Clerely from his lyberte & set hym amonge.¶ Theymthat loue hymnot to be her vnderloute.¶ As it were a cast away or a sho cloute.
¶ And perde ye know well a rewle haue I must¶ Wythin Macrocosme forsoth I say not nay.Quod Vertu but sensualyte shal not perform your lust¶ Lyke as he hath do befor this yf I may.¶ Therfro hymrestreyn sadnesse shal assay.¶ How be it ye shal haue your hole lyberte.¶ Wythin Macrocosme as ye haue had fre.
¶ And whan Vertu had to Nature sayd thus¶ A lytyll tyne his ey castyng hym besyde.¶ He se in a corner stondyng Morpleus¶ That hymbefore warned ofthatberely tyde.¶ A syrs sayd Vertu yet we must abyde.¶ Here is a frend of ours may not be forgete.¶ After his deserte we shall hymentreate
¶ Morpleussayd Vertu I thanke you hertely¶ For your trew herte & your grete laboure.¶ That ye lyst to come to me soo redely.¶ Whan ye vnderstoodthecomyng of that shoure.¶ I thanke god & you of sauyng of mynhonour.¶ Wherfore this preuylege now to you I grant¶ Thatwithin Macrocosme ye shall haue your haunt
¶ And of fyue posternesthekeys shall ye kepe.¶ Lettyng in & out at hymwhome ye lyst.¶ As long as in Macrocosme your faderwyll crepe.¶ Blere whos ey ye wyll hardelywithyour myst¶ And kepe your werkes close there as in a chyst¶ Saaf I wold desyre you spare Pollucyon.For no thyng may me plesethesouneth to corrupcyon.
¶ And whanhe had thussaydthekeyes he hymtoke.¶ And toward his castellwithhis people went¶ Byddyng reason take good hede & about loke¶ That sensualite by Nature were not shent.¶ Kepe hymshort he sayd tyll his lust be spent¶ For better were a chylde to by vnbore¶ Than let hymhauethewyll & foreuer be lore.
¶ And whanolde Attropos had seen & herd all this¶ How Vertu had opteyned astonyed as he stood.¶ He sayd to hymselfe somwhat there is amys.¶ I trow well my patent be not all good.[2]¶ Sayeng to the goddys I see ye do but iape.¶ After a worthy whew haue ye made me gape.
¶ How a deuyll way sholde I Vertue ouerthrow.¶ When he dredeth not all your hole route.¶ How camye make good your patent wold I know¶ Hit is to Impossable to bryng that aboute.¶ For stryke hym may I notthatis out of doute.¶ A good Attropos sayd god Apollo.¶ An answere conuenyent shall thou haue herto.
¶ The wordes of thy patent dare I well say¶ Stretche to no forther but were dame Nature¶ Hath Iurysdyccyon thereto haue the way Nota.¶ And largesse to stryke as longet to thy cure.¶ And as for Vertu he his no cryature.¶ Vnder the predycament conteyned of quantyte¶ Wherefore his dystruccyon longeth not to the.
¶ A ha sayd Attropos then I see well.¶ That all yegoddysbe butcounterfete.¶ For oo God there is that can euerydell.¶ Tourne as hym lest bothe drye & whete.¶ In to whoos seruyce I shal assay to gete.¶ And yf I may ones to his seruyce come.¶ Your names shal be put to oblyuyone.
¶ Thus went Attropos fro the paleys wrooth.¶ But in the mene tyme whylethathe there was.¶ Glydyng by the paleys resydyuacyon gooth.¶ Towarde Macrocosme with a peynted fase.¶ Clad lyke a pylgryme walkyng a grete pase.¶ In the forme as he had ben a man of ynde.¶ He wede haue made reson & sadnesse both blynde
¶ With sensualyte was he soone aqueynted.¶ To whome he declared his mater pryuely.¶ Yet he was espyed for all his face peynted.¶ Then reson hymcommauded pyke hymthens lightly.¶ For his ease quod sadnesse so counseyll hym wyll I.¶ Soo was sensualyte ay kepte vnder foote.¶ That to resydyuacyon myght he doo no boote.
¶ Then went he to Nature & asked her auyse.¶ His entent to opteynde what was best to doo.¶ She sayd euer syth Vertu of vyce wanthepryse.¶ Reson with sadnesse hath rewled the felde soo.¶ That I & sensualyte may lytyll for the doo.¶ For I may noo more but oonly kepe my cours.¶ And yet is sensualyte strenger kept & wours.
¶ Thusheryng resydiuacon fro thens he went ageyn¶ Full of thought & sorowthathe myght not spede.¶ Than reson & sadnesse toke wedehokes tweyn.¶ And all wylde wantonesse outthefelde gan wede.¶ With alltheslyper grassethatgrewe of the sede.¶ That sensualyte before therin sew.¶ And fro thens forth kept it clene for vertew
¶ Than began new grase in the felde to spryng.¶ All vnlykethatother of colour fayr & bryght.¶ But then I aspyed a meruelous thyng.¶ For the grounde ofthefelde gan wex hore & whyt.¶ I coude not conceyue howthatbe myght.¶ Tyll I was enformed & taught it to know.¶ But wher vertu occupyet must nedes wel grow
Yet in the mene tyme while the felde thus grow.¶ And reson with sadnesse therof had goueraunce.¶ Many a preuy messenger thyder sent Vertew.¶ To know yf it were guyded to his plesaunce.¶ Now prayer eft fastyng & often tyme penaunce.¶ And whan he myght goo preuely almesdede.¶ And bad hymto his power helpe where he se nede
Whilethatfelde thus rewled reson with sadnesse.¶ Maugre dame Nature for all her carnall might¶ Came thyder Attropos voyd of all gladnesse.¶ Wrapped in his shete & axed of ony wyght.¶ Coude wysse hym the vay to the lorde of light.¶ Or ellis where myght fynderyghtwysnesse.¶ Forsothe sayd reyson I trow as I gesse.
¶ At Vertu his castell ye may soone hym fynde.¶ If ye lyst the laboure thyder to take.¶ And there shall ye know yf ye be not blynde.¶ The next wey to the lord of lyght I vndertake.¶ So thyder went Attropos petycyon to make.¶ To ryghtwysnesse preyeng that he myght.¶ Be take in to the seruyse of the lorde of lyght.
¶ What sadryghtwysnessethouolde dotyng foole.¶ Whomehastthou seruyd syth the worlde began¶ Butoonlyhym where hastthougo to scole.¶ Whethery artthoudouble or elles the sam man.¶ That thou were fyrst a syr sayd he than.¶ I praye you hertely holde me excused.¶ I am olde & febell my wyttys are dysused.
¶ Well sayd ryghtwysnes for as moche as thow.¶ Knowest not thy maysterthy name shal I chaunge¶ Dethe shaltthoube caled from hens forward now¶ Among all the peple that shal be had straunge.¶ But whanthoubegynnest to make thy chalaunge.¶ Dredde shalt thou be where so thou become.¶ And to noo creature shalt thou be welcome.
¶ And as for theym whome thou dedest serue.¶ For as moche as they presume on hem to take.¶ That hygh name of god they shal as they deserue¶ Therfore be rewarded I dare vndertake.¶ Wyth payn perpetual among fendes blake.¶ And her names shall be put to oblyuyon.¶ Among men but it be in dyrysyon.
¶ Aha sayd Attropos now begynne I wex glad.¶ That I shal thus auenged of hem be.¶ Syth they so long tyme haue made me so mad.¶ Yee quod ryghtwysnesse here what I say to the.¶ The lorde of lyght sent the worde by me.¶ That in Macrocosme sesyne shalt thou take¶ wherfore thy darte redy loke thou make
¶ And as soone as Vertue that vnderstood¶ He sayd he was pleased that it sholde soo be¶ And euen forth with he commaunded presthood¶ To make hym redy the felde for to se¶ So thyder went presthode with benygnyte¶ Conueyening thyder the blessyd sacrament¶ Of Eukaryst but fyrst were thyder sent
¶ Confessyoncontrycyon and satysfaccyon(nota¶ Sorow for synne and grete repentaunce¶ Holy deuocyon with good dysposycyon¶ All these thyder came and also penaunce¶ As her dewte was to make purueaunce¶ Agayn the comyng of that blessyd lorde¶ Feyth hope & charyte therto were acorde
¶ Reason with sadnesse dyde his dylygence¶ To clense the felde within and without¶ And whan they se the bodely presence¶ Of that holy Eukaryst lowly gan they lout¶ So was that lorde receyued out of dout¶ With all humble chere debonayre & benygne¶ Lykly to pleasure it was a grete sygne
¶ Then came to the felde the mynyster fynall¶ Called holy vnccyon with a crysmatory¶ The fyue hye wayes in especyall¶ Therof he anoynted & made hit sanctuary¶ Whome folowed deth whiche wolde not tary¶ His feruent power there to put in vre¶ As he was commaunded grauntyng dame Nature
¶ Nota.
¶ He toke his darte called his mortall launce¶ And bent his stroke towarde the feldes herte¶ That seyng preesthode bad good remembraunce¶ Towarde the felde tourne hym & aduerte¶ For except hym all vertues thense must sterte¶ And euen with that dethe there sesyne toke¶ And then all the company clerely hit forsoke
¶ And as soone as dethe thus had sesyne take¶ The colour of the felde was chaunged sodeynly¶ The grasse therin seere as though it had be bak¶ And the fyue hygh wayes were mured vpon hy¶ That fro thensforwarde none entre shold therbi¶ The posternes were also without lette¶ Bothe inwarde & outwarde fyne fast shette
¶ Whiche done sodeynly dethe vanysshed a way¶ And Vertu exalted was aboue the fyrmament¶ Where he toke crowne of glorythatis ay¶ Preparate by Alpha & oo omnypotent¶ The swete frute of macrocosme thyderwithhymwent¶ And on all this mater as I stood musyng thus¶ Agayn fro the felde to me came Morpleus
¶ Sayeng thus what chere how lykeththethis fyght¶ Haste thou seen ynough or wyll thou see more¶ Nay syr I sayd my trouthe I you plyght¶ This is suffycyente yf I knew wherfore¶ This was to me shewed for therof he lore¶ Coueyte I to haue yf I gete myght¶ Folow me quod he and haue thy delyght
¶ Soo I hym folowed tyll he had me brought¶ To a foresquare herber walled round aboute¶ Loo quod Morpleushere maist thouthatthou sought¶ Fynde yf thou wyll I put the out of doute¶ A lytyll whyle we stood styll there withoute¶ Tyll wytte chyef porter of that herber gate¶ Requyred by stodye lete vs in there ate
¶ But whan I came in meruayled gretly¶ Of that I behelde & herde reporte¶ For fyrst in a chayre apparaylled royally¶ There sate dam doctryne her childern to exorte¶ And about her was many a sondry sorte¶ Some wyllyng to lerne dyuerse scyence¶ And some for to haue perfyte intellygence
¶ Crowned she was lyke an Emperesse¶ With .iii. crownes standyng on her hede on by¶ Allthyngabout her an Infynyte processe¶ Were to declare I tell you certaynly¶ Neuerthelesse some in mynde therof haue I¶ Whiche I shall to you as god wyll yeue me grace¶ As I sawe & herde tell in short space
¶ Fast by Doctryne on that one syde¶ As I remembre sate holy Texte¶ That opened his mouthe tothepeople wyde¶ But not in comparyson to Glosethatsate nexte.¶ Moralyzacyon with a cloke contexte¶ Sate & Scrypture was scrybe to theym all¶ He sate ay wrytyng of that that sholde fall
¶ These were tho that I there knewe¶ By no maner waye of olde acqueyntaunce¶ But as I before saw theym with Vertewe¶ Company in felde & hauyng dalyaunce¶ And as I thus stood halfe in a traunce¶ Whyle they were occupyed in her besynesse¶ Aboute the walles myn ey gan I dresse
¶ Where I beheld the meruaylous story¶ That euer I yet sawe in ony pycture¶ For on tho walles was made memory¶ Syngulerly of euery creature¶ That there had byn bothe forme & stature¶ Whoos names reherse I wyll as I can¶ Bryng theym to mynde in ordre euery man
¶ Fyrst to begynne there was in portrature¶ Adam & Eue holdyng an apell rounde¶ Noe in a shyp & Abraham hauyng sure¶ A flyntstone in his honde & Isaac lay bounde¶ On an hyghe mounte Iacob slepyng sounde¶ And a long ladder stood besyde¶ Ioseph in a Cysterne was also there that tyde.
¶ Next whom stode Moyses with his tables two¶ Aaron and Vrre his armes supportynge¶ Ely in a brennyng chare was there also.¶ And Elyze stode clad in hermytes clothynge.¶ Dauyd wyth an harpe and a stone slynge.¶ Isaye Ieremy and Ezechyell.¶ And closed wyth Lyons holy Danyell.
¶ Abacuc Mychee with Malachy.¶ And Ionas out of a whales body comynge.¶ Samuel in a Temple & holy zachary.¶ Besyde an aulter all blody stondynge.¶ Osee wyth Iudyth stood there conspyryng.¶ The deth of Dioferne & Salamon.¶ A chylde wyth hys swerde dyuydynge in two.
¶ Many mo prophetes certeynly there were.¶ Whoos names now come not to my mynde:¶ Melchysedech also I espyed there.¶ Brede & wyne offryng as fell to his kynde.¶ Ioachym & Anna stode al behynde.¶ Embraced in armes to the golden gate.¶ And holy Iohan Baptyst in desert sat.
¶ And now comyth to my remembrunce.¶ I am auysed I saw Sodechy:¶ And Amos also with sober countenaunce.¶ Stondyng wyth her faces towarde Sophony.¶ Neemy & Esdras bare hem companye.¶ The holy man Iob as an Impotente.¶ Then folowed in pycture wyth Thoby pacyent
¶ Thyse wyth many mo on that one syde.¶ Of that grene herber portrayed were.¶ A sayd Morpleus a lytyll tyme abyde.¶ Turn thy face where thy backe was ere.¶ And beholde well what thou seeste there.¶ Than I me turned as he me badde.¶ With herte stedfaste & countenaunce sadde.
¶ Where I sawe Peter wyth his keyes stonde.¶ Poule wyth a swerde and Iames also.¶ Wyth a scalop & Thomas holdyng in his honde¶ A spere and Phylyp aproched hym to:¶ Iames the lesse nexte hem in pycture too.¶ Stode wyth Bartylmew whych was all flayn¶ Symon & Thadee shewed how they were slayn
¶ Mathy and Barnabe drawyng lottys stode¶ Nexte whome was Marke a Lyon hym by.¶ Hys boke holdyng & Mathew in his mode.¶ Resembled an aungell wyth wyngysgloryously.¶ Luke had a calfe to holde his boke on hye.¶ And Iohan wyth a cuppe & palme in his honde.¶ An Egle bare his book thus saw I hem stonde
¶ Gregory and Ierome Austyn and Ambrose.¶ Wyth pyllyons on ther hedes stode lyke doctors¶ Bernard wyth Amselme and as Isuppose.¶ Thomas of alquyne and Domynyk confessours.¶ Benet and Hew relygyous gouernours.¶ Martyn & Iohan with bysshops tweyne.¶ Were there also and Crysostom certayne.
¶ Behynd all thyse was worshypfull Bede.¶ All behynde and next hym stood Orygene.¶ Hydynge his face as he of his dede.¶ Hadhemashamed ye wote what I mene.¶ For of errour he was not al clene.¶ And on that syde stode laste of alle.¶ The noble prophetyssa Sybell men her call.
¶ Let me remembre now I you pray¶ My barayn is so thynne I deme in my herte¶ Some of the felyshyp that I there say.¶ In all this whyle to haue ouersterte.¶ A benedicite none coude I aduerte.¶ To thynke on Andrew the apostlewithhis crosse.¶ Whome to forgete were a grete losse.
¶ Many one were peynted on that wall.¶ Whoos names come not to my remembraunce.¶ But thyse I marked in especyall.¶ And moo coude I tell in countenaunce.¶ Of tyme but forth to shewe you the substaunce.¶ Of this mater in the myndys of that arbere.¶ Sat Doctryne coloured as ony crystall clere.
¶ Crowned as I tolde you late here before.¶ Whoos apparayl wos worth tresour Infynyte¶ All erthly rychesse count I no more.¶ To that in comparyson valewyng thena myte.¶ Ouer her hede houed a culuer fayr & whyte.¶ Out of her byll proceded a grete leme.¶ Downward to Doctryne lyke a sonne beme
¶ The wordes of Doctryne yaue grete redolens¶ In swetnesse of sauour to her dyscyples al.¶ It fer exceded myr & frankencense.¶ Or ony other tre spyce or els galle.¶ And whan she me espyed anone she gan me cal.¶Andcommaunded morpleusthathe sholdbryngme nere¶ For she wold me hewthe effectof my desyre.
¶ She sayd I know the cause of thy comyng.¶ Is to vnderstond be myn enformal yon.¶ Sensyble the mater of morpleus his shewynge¶ As he hath the led about in vesyon.¶ Wherfore now I apply thy natural reason.¶ Vnto my wordes & or thou hens wend.¶ Thou shalt it know begynnyng and ende.
¶ For whan Colus to pluto was broughte:¶ By hys owne neclygence taken prysonere.¶ Wythin the erth for he so fer foughte.¶ Sygnyfed is no more be that matere.¶ But only to shew the how it doth appere:¶ That welth vnbrydeled at thyn eye.¶ Enbraseth mysrewle and oft causyth foly.
¶ For lyke as Colus beyng at his large¶ Streyted hymself thrugh his own lewdenesse¶ For he wolde deele where he had no charge¶ Ryght soo wantons by her wyldenesse¶ Oftesythe bryng hymselfe in dystresse¶ Because they sometyme to largely deele¶ What may wors be suffred thanouermykell weele
¶ By Mynos the Iuge of hell desparate¶ May be vnderstonde goddys ryghtwysnes¶ That to euery wyght his payne deputate¶ Assygneth acordyng to his wyckednes¶ Wherfore he is called Iuge of cruelnes¶ And as for Dyana & Neptunus compleynte¶ Fygured may be fooles reason feynt.
¶ For lyke as they made her suggestyon¶ To haue me Colus from cours of hys kynde¶ Which was Impossyble to bryng to correccyon¶ For euermore hys lyberte haue wyll the wynde¶ In lyke wyse fooles other whyle be blynde¶ Wenyng to subdew with her one honde¶ That is ouermykell for all an hole londe
¶ But what foloweth therof that shall thou here¶ When they were come to the bankete¶ The grete Apollo with his sad chere¶ Soo fayre & curtously gan theym entret¶ That he made her beerdys on the new gete¶ Loo what wysdome dooth to a foole¶ Wherefore are children put to scoole