Chapter II: Part 2

_Mer._ Mankind! ye were oblivious of my doctrine manitory;
I said before: Titivilly would assay you a bront.
Beware from henceforth of his fables delusory!
The proverb saith: _Jacula prefata minus ledunt_.
Ye have three adversaries--he is master of them all--
That is to say, the devil, the world, the flesh, and the fell;
The New Guise, Now-a-days, and Nought, the world we may them call;
And, prope[r]ly, Titivilly signifies the fiend of hell;
The flesh, that is the unclean concupiscence of your body.
These be your three ghostly enemies in whom ye have put your
confidence;
They brought you to Mischief to conclude your temporal glory:
As it hath be showed before this worship[f]ul audience.
Remember how ready I was to help you; from such I was not dangerous;
Wherefore, good son! abstain from sin evermore after this!
Ye may both save and spoil your soul, that is so precious:
_Libere velle, libere velle!_ God may not deny, I wis.
Beware of Titivilly with his net, and of all his envious will;
Of your sinful delectation that grieveth your ghostly substance:
Your body is your enemy: let him not have his will.
Take your leave when ye will; God send you good perseverance!

[_Man_]. Sith I shall depart, bless me, father! hence then I go--
God send us all plenty of His great mercy!

_Mer. Dominus custodi[a]t te ab omni malo!_
_In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti._
Amen! [_Hic exit_ MANKIND.

(EPILOGUE.)

Worship[f]ul sovereigns! I have do my property;
Mankind is delivered by my several patrociny.
God preserve him from all wicked captivity;
And send him grace, his sensual conditions to mortify!
Now for His love, that for us received His humanity,
Search your conditions with due examination!
Think and remember: the world is but a vanity,
As it is proved daily by d[i]verse transmutation,
Mankind is wretched; he hath sufficient proof;
Therefore, God [keep] you all _per suam misericordiam_,
That ye may be pleyseris with the angels above,
And have to your portion _vitam eternam_.
Amen!

FINIS.

_O liber, si quis cui constas forte queretur,_ _Hyngham, quem monacho dices, super omnia_ _consta[s]._

]

NATURE

A GOODLY INTERLUDE OF NATURE, COMPILED BY
MASTER HENRY MEDWALL

CHAPLAIN TO THE RIGHT REVEREND FATHER IN GOD
JOHN MORTON

SOMETIME CARDINAL AND ARCHBISHOP
OF CANTERBURY

#The Names of the Players#:

NATURE
MAN
REASON
SENSUALITY
INNOCENCY
WORLDLY AFFECTION
BODILY LUST
WRATH
ENVY
SLOTH
GLUTTONY
HUMILITY
CHARITY
ABSTINENCE
LIBERALITY
GARCON
CHASTITY
GOOD OCCUPATION
SHAMEFACEDNESS
MUNDUS
PATIENCE
PRIDE

_Cum Privilegio_

NATURE

_First cometh in_ MUNDUS, _and sitteth down,_ _and saith nothing;
and with him_ WORLDLY AFFECTION, _bearing a gown and cap and
a_ _girdle for_ MAN.

_Then cometh in_ NATURE, MAN, REASON, _and_ INNOCENCY; _and_
NATURE _sitteth down and_ _saith_.

_Nature._ Th' almighty God that made each creature,
As well in heaven as other place earthly,
By His wise ordinance hath purveyed me, Nature,
To be as minister, under Him immediately,
For th' encheson that I should, perpetually,
His creatures in such degree maintain
As it hath pleased His grace for them to ordain.

To me it longeth, by natural engendure,
Thing to continue that hath spirit of life;
Which, nor were my help, should never endure,
But suddenly perish and wax all caitiff.
Atwixt th' elements, that whilom were at strife,
I have suaged the old repugnance
And knit them together, in manner of alliance.

Eke, I have ordained the goddess Diane,
Lady of the sea and every fresh fountain,
Which commonly decreaseth when she ginneth wane,
And waxeth abundant when she creaseth again.
Of ebb and flood she is cause certain;
And reigneth, as princess, in every isle and town
That with the sea is compassed environ.

I am causer of such impression
As appeareth wondrous to man's sight:
As of flames that, from the starry region,
Seemeth to fall in times of the night;
Some shoot sidelong, and some down right:
Which causeth the ignorant to stand in dread
That stars do fall, yet falleth there none indeed.

What needeth it to speak of things here below?
As fowls, beasts, and fishes in their kind;
Of trees, herbs, and stones, how they grow.
In which, men sundry and many virtuous find
One thing, be ye sure, and think it in your mind:
No manner creature may take on him the cure
Of these works, but only I, Nature.

And, plainly, there is in earth no manner thing
That is not partner of my influence;
I do provide, for every beast living,
Of natural food always sufficience;
And give them, also, a manner of prudence
Whereby they may naturally ensue
Thing that is delectable, and th' other eschew.

Who taught the cock his watch hours to observe,
And sing of courage with shrill throat on high?
Who taught the pelican her tender heart to carve
For she nold suffer her birds to die?
Who taught the nightingale to record, busily,
Her strange entunes in silence of the night?
Certes! I, Nature, and none other wight.

But if that I should clepe to memory
Each strange effect, and every great marvel
That I have caused, I ensure you faithfully
That rather time than process should me fail.
It were your pain, and to me but travail
All such matters as now to bring in place;
Wherefore, I let pass them till other time and space.

But, if ye covet now to know th' effect
Of things natural, by true conclusion,
Counsel with Aristotle, my philosopher elect;
Which hath left in books of his tradition
How every thing, by heavenly constellation,
Is brought to effect; and, in what manner wise,
As far as man's wit may naturally comprise.

Wherefore, sith God, of His great largesse
Hath thus enriched me with dower of His grace,
And made me, as who saith, a worldly goddess,
Of duty I can no less do in this case
But with heart's joy and entire solace
Myself address to do His high pleasures,
And to this same move all other creatures.

Enforce you, therefore, His creatures each one
To honour your Maker with humble obeisance--
Namely, thou man! I speak to thee alone
Before all other, as chief of His creance.
Think how He hath made thee this semblance;
Pluck up thine heart, and hold thine head upright;
And evermore have heaven in thy sight.
Ovid in his book, cleped _The Transformation_,
Among all other his fables and poesies
Maketh special mention of thy creation;
Showing how God wondrously gan devise
When He thee made, and gave to thee th' emprise
Of all this world, and feoffed thee with all
As chief possessioner of things mortal.
In token whereof He gave thee upright visage;
And gave thee in commandment to lift thine eye
Up toward heaven, only for that usage
Thou shouldest know Him for thy Lord Almighty,
All other beasts as things unworthy;
To behold th' earth with grovelling countenance;
And be subdued to thine obeisance.
But, as touching the cause specially
Wherefore I have ordained thee this night to appear,
It is to put thee in knowledge and memory
To what intent thou art ordained to be here.
I let thee wit thou art a passenger
That hast to do a great and long voyage,
And through the world must be thy passage.
Address thyself now towards this journey;
For, as now thou shalt no longer here abide,
Lo! here Reason to govern thee in thy way,
And Sensuality upon thine other side.
But Reason I depute to be thy chief guide,
With Innocency that is thy tender nourice;
Evermore to wean thee from th' appetite of vice.

_Man._ O Lord of Lords, my Lord God immortal!
To Thee be honour and joy ever to endure;
Whose heavenly empire shall never be final,
But world without end remain stable and sure;
Whom heaven and hell and earthly creature,
With one assent, and all with one accord,
Honoureth, praiseth, and knowledgeth for their Lord.
To Thee mine head I humbly incline,
Thanking Thy grace that first hast ordained me
To be as a silly creature of Thine;
And, after that, of Thy great bounty
Thou hast me set in sovereign degree,
And given me the profits of every earthly thing,
As well of fruits as of beasts living;
And that, that is also most precious,
Thou hast me inspired with heavenly wisdom,
Whereby I may do works marvellous.
In every place, wheresoever I come,
Of each perfection Thy grace hath lent me some;
So that I know that creature nowhere
Of whose virtue I am not partner.
I have, as hath each other element
Among other in this world, a common being;
With herbs and trees continual nourishment
That is sufficient to natural living;
With sensual beasts I have a manner of knowing
Whereby I should in good things delight,
And flee the contrary of mine appetite.
And, over all this, Thou hast given me virtue
Surmounting all other in high perfection:
That is, understanding, whereby I may aview
And well discern what is to be done;
Yet, for all that, have I free election
[To] do what I will, be it evil or well;
And am put in the hand of mine own counsel.
And, in this point, I am half angelic;
Unto Thy heavenly spirits almost egal;
Albeit in some part I be to them unlike.
For, they be ordained to endure perpetual;
And I, wretched body! shall have my funeral
When it pleaseth Thy grace so to provide:
Man is not ordained alway here to abide.
Wherefore, unto Thy sovereign and high estate,
Most heavenly prince! I make mine orison
Sith it hath pleased Thy noble grace algate
That I, unworthy of so great renown,
In this world shall have possession:
Thou give me grace myself to enure
As may me profit, and be to Thy pleasure.

_Nature._ God hath heard thy prayer, Mankind, no doubt,
In all thy requests and right full petition.
Now, forth thy journey! and look well about
That thou be not deceived by false prodition.
Let Reason thee govern in every condition;
For, if thou do not to his rule incline,
It will be to thy great mischief and ruin.
I wot well Sensuality is to thee natural,
And granted to thee in thy first creation.
But, notwithstanding, it ought to be over all
Subdued to Reason, and under his tuition.
Thou hast now liberty, and needest no main-mission;
And, if thou aband thee to passions sensual,
Farewell thy liberty! thou shalt wax thrall.

_Sensuality._ What, lady Nature! have I none intress
As well as Reason or Innocency?
Think ye this, lady! a good process
That they are advanced and I let go by?
Ye know right well that I ought naturally,
Before all other, to have of him the cure:
I am the chief perfection of his nature.
Alas! what could the silly body do?
Or, how should it live nor were the help of me?
Certes! it could not well creep nor go;
At the leastwise it should neither feel here nor see,
But be as other insensate bodies be;
In much worse case than worms of the ground
In which unneth any token of life is found.
Meseemeth it should abhor him for to hear
That I destrained should be in any wise,
Standing that I was create to be his fere;
Of all his guiding to take the enterprise:
And now ye put me out of his service,
And have assigned Reason to be his guide--
With Innocency, his nourice, thus am I set aside.
Ye clepe him lord of all beasts living;
And nothing worthy, as far as I can see.
For, if there be in him no manner of feeling,
Nor no lively quickness, what lord is he?
A lord made of clouts, or carved out of tree;
And fareth as an image graved out of stone
That nothing else can do but stand alone.
If ye intend him to continue long
In honour, or worldly felicity,
He must needs follow his appetite among;
And conform himself to the more part.
I tell you men will have no dinty
To do service or homage to a block:
All the world will think it but a mock.
Suffer me, therefore, to have with him a room,
And to be with him as chief counsell[or];
And if he do so, I think to doom
He shall reign in the world as chief governor.
But, if Reason tickle him in the ear,
Or bear him on hand the cow is wood,
He shall never be able to do earthly good.

_Nat._ My friend! as I said to you before,
A room shall ye have: no man saith nay;
But Reason must be preferred evermore.
For he can best lead him to the way
Of virtue and grace, whereby he may
Longest continue to God's high pleasure;
To the which end God hath ordained this His creature.
Content thyself now with Reason, my friend!
And meddle thee no further than thou hast to do.
Thou has brought many a man to a wretched end
And so thou wouldst spoil His creature also.
But whatsoever he say take no heed thereto
Without that Reason will allow the same;
For whoso doth the contrary deserveth much blame.
God and I, Nature, have set thee in better case
Than any creature under the firmament.
Abuse not, Man! abuse not thy grace
Of God Almighty that from above is sent!
Thou shalt be the first that shall repent
If ever thou flee Reason and sue folly,
When once thou feelest the smart of misery.
But, be of comfort! hardely God shall send
Both ghostly aid and worldly help also;
And I shall never fail, unto thy life's end,
To minister unto thee as me oweth to do.
Lo! yonder the world which thou must needs to:
Now, shape thee thither; there is no more to say--
Thy Lord and mine guide thee in thy way!

[_Then_ NATURE _goeth out_.

_Sen_. Well, lady Nature! leave ye me in this case?
Shall I have of you none other comfort?
By Christ! yet will I not hide my face;
For, as soon as we shall to the world resort,
I put no doubt he will me support.
He hath been my good master many a day;
And he will not see me thus cast away.

_Rea._ Siker thyself, man! I advise thee hardely.
Be not so passionate, nor yet so furious;
Thou tormentest thyself and wottest not why.
No well-advised body will demean him thus;
Be sure thy mind is all erroneous;
Thou takest a self will and wrong opinion
Which shall be thine and others confusion.

_Sen._ Yea, Reason! sir, ye speak like a noble man;
But yet are ye taken with a point oversight.
What, would ye make me stand as a lurdan,
And not speak one word for mine own right?
I see it well that if your lordship might,
By means possible, once bring it about
Yourself should be a ruler, and I but a cast-out.

_Rea._ A ruler? certes! and so I ought to be;
And a lord also, though ye say it in scorn.

_Sens._ A lord! whose lord?

_Rea._ Thy lord.

_Sens._ Nay, so mote I thee!
Thou liest! it may no longer be forborne;
Thou camest but to-night and mayst hap go to-morn.
For, if thou be as haughty as thou beginnest,
Thou shalt avoid much sooner than thou weenest.

_Rea._ As for mine avoidance, how soon soever it be,
It shall not skill as for this intent;
But he that first fleeth or forsaketh me
He shall have greatest occasion to repent.
It shall be to his great trouble and torment
That he hath left Reason, and sued his own folly,
That thereby is fallen to wretched penury.

But now, as touching the honour and degree
That I am ordained to, I will thou understand
That Almighty God, of His grace and bounty,
Of thee and such hath given me the overhand;
And will that I use thee as a servant,
To advise thee and reform thee when thou ginst to err;
And to clepe thee homeward if thou rail too far.

And, where thou sayst thou art so necessary
That man without thee can have no living,
As in that point we shall not much vary:
I wot thou art necessary to his being.
But, be thou sure that is not the very thing
That maketh him to appear so wondrous;
And to be, in his nature, so noble and precious.

It is a thing that doth right far exceed
All other perfections and virtues natural.
For sensuality, in very deed,
Is but a mean which causeth him to fall
Into much folly, and maketh him bestial;
So that there is no difference, in that at the least,
Betwixt man and an unreasonable beast.

But this other cometh of great tenderance
And spiritual love that God oweth to mankind,
Whom He hath created to His own semblance;
And endued with a wondrous mind
Whereby he may well discern and find
Sufficient difference betwixt good and bad:
Which is to be left, and which is to be had.

Lo! this is it that doth him dignify;
And causeth him to be reputed so excellent.
And of all this the chief doer am I,
Which from Heaven into earth by God am sent,
Only for that cause and final intent
That I should this, His creature, demean and guide
For the season that he doth in this world abide.

Now, compare thy virtues and mine together,
And say which is the worthier of them two.

_Sens._ Which is the worthier? forsooth! I trow neither;
We be good fellows.

_Rea._ Nay, my friend, not so!
Thou ought to obey me wheresoever I go.

_Sens._ Nay! that shall I never do; for, to-day
I shall thy fellow be, look thou never so high.

And, therefore, hardely be somewhat fellow-like;
Leave thy haut conceits, and take a meetly way.
For shame of the world, man! let us not stick
At a matter of right nought, and traverse here all day.
Have me in few words, man! and hark what I say:
Meddle thou in no point that belongeth to me,
And I shall promise thee never to meddle with thee.

And, standing the nonage of this gentleman,
On my peril take no care therefore.
I shall demean it as well as I can
Till he be passed forty years and more;
And Reason then, if ye will undershore
His crooked old age, when lusty youth is spent,
Then take upon you: I hold me content.

For, trust ye me! the very truth is this:
This man is put in his own liberty;
And, certainly, the free choice is his
Whether he will be governed by thee or by me.
Let us, therefore, put it to his own jeopardy,
And therein stand to his arbitrament
To which of us twain he had liefer assent.

_Rea._ Nay, sir, not so! I know his frailty;
The body is disposed for to fall
Rather to the worse than the better part;
But it be holpen by power supernal.

_Sens._ Yet, Reason! when thou hast said all,
If thou see him not take his own way,
Call me cut when thou meetest me another day.

_Rea._ For certain yet, according to mine office,
I must advertise and counsel him, at the least,
To haunt virtue and 'schew all vice;
And therein assist him to the uttermost;
And if he will algates be a beast,
And take none heed to my lore and doctrine,
The peril and hurt shall be his, not mine.

_Inno._ Sirs! I shall answer for this man, as yet
That he is maiden for all such folly
As should disdain nature, or dishonour it.
Brought up with me, full well and tenderly,
Wherefore I dare the surelier testify
For Innocency, that he is yet virgin,
Both for deed and eke consent of sin.

And longer will not I be of his acquaintance
Than he is virtuous, and of good living;
For, fleshly lust and worldly pleasance
Is, with Innocency, nothing according.
But, if his behaviour and daily demeaning
Be of such draught as reason will allow,
I shall him favour and love, as I do now.

_Sens._ Well spoken and wisely! now have ye all done?
Or, have ye ought else to this man to say?

_Rea._ O, sir, yea!

_Sens._ Peace, no more of this disputation!
Here be many fantasies to drive forth the day;
That one chattereth like a pie; that other like a jay;
And yet, when they both have done what they can,
Maugre their teeth, I shall rule the man.

_Man._ O, blessed Lord! what manner strife is this
Atwixt my reason and sensuality,
That one meaneth well, and that other all amiss.
In one is sikerness, and in tother great frailty;
And both they be so annexed to me
That needest I must with one of them abide.
Lord, as Thou thinkest best for me, do provide!

For, I am wondrously entriked in this case,
And almost brought into perplexity;
Notwithstanding, thanked be Thy grace,
As I did never assent, nor agree
To things that should be contrarious unto Thee;
Of sinful deed and thought all innocent,
Subdued to Reason as his obedient.

_Rea._ Christ grant you therein good continuance!
To be ever of the same mind and intent.
But now, will ye call to your remembrance
For what cause ye be hither sent?
I hold it well done, and right expedient
That ye were brought unto the world's presence.

_Man._ Be it so! in God's name I pray you go we hence!

_Rea._ And will ye that I shall for you declare
Unto the world the cause of your coming,
What is your intent, and what person ye are?

_Man._ Yea! I would be glad that everything
Be done even after your devising.

_Sens._ Shall I then stand as I were tongue-tied?

_Man._ Yea, hardely! till Reason have said.

_Rea._ Sir World! it is the mind and also pleasure
Of lady Nature, as she bade us to you tell,
That ye accept and receive this her creature
With you, for a season here to dwell;
Desiring you heartily to entreat him well,
With all the favour that ye can devise;
Wherein ye shall do her great pleasure and service.

_The World._ Sirs! ye be welcome to us heartily.
Your message is to us right acceptable.
Be ye assured there is nothing earthly
To us so joyful, nor yet so delectable,
As to be acquainted with persons honourable;
Namely, such as ye seem to be,
Men of high honour and of great dignity.

And, as touching the message that ye have brought,
Have thereof the full mind and intent;
Assuring you that our busy thought
Shall be to do dame Nature's commandment.
And, thereunto, we will be diligent
To do her pleasures in that we may;
And so we would ye should to her say.

And where ye show unto me that this man
Is ordained to reign here, in this empery
I assent well; for, or nature began
To shape the world she thought finally
To ordain man therein to occupy;
He to take upon him as mighty governor,
Having all things subdued to his power.

Wherefore, I receive greatly his coming.
Mankind, sir, heartily welcome ye be!
Ye are the person, without feigning,
That I have evermore desired to see:
Come! let me kiss you. O, benedicite!
Ye be all naked! alas, man! why thus?
I make you sure it is right perilous.

_Man._ I thank you; but I need none other vesture;
Nature hath clothed me as yet sufficiently.
Guiltless of sin, and as a maiden pure,
I wear on me the garment of innocency.

_Inno._ Yea, hardely wear that garment continually:
It shall thy body sufficiently safeguard
From stormy weather, my life to jeopard.

_The World._ Be peace, fair woman! ye are not very wise;
Care ye not if this body take cold?
Ye must consider this is not paradise,
Nor yet so temperate by a thousandfold.
Whoso liveth here, be he young or old,
He must suffer both fervent cold and heat;
And be out of temperance oft time in his diet.

Also, he must needs do as the world doth
That intendeth any while here to reign;
And follow the guise that now-a-day goeth,
As far as his estate may it maintain.
And who doth the contrary--I will be plain--
He is abject and despised utterly;
And standeth ever banished from all good company.
Sith God, therefore, had ordained this body
To dwell here in this earthly region,
Of convenience he must himself apply
To worldly things; and be of such condition
As all men be; and leave each fond opinion
That is not approvable of wiser men than he;
To take such way it is but vanity.
Take this garment! man, do as I you bid!
Be not ashamed hardely to do it on.
So, lo! now this girdle have gird it in the mid;
And this for your head go set it upon:
By the charge of me! you be a goodly one
As ever I saw sith that I was born;
Worth a thousand that ye were beforne.
Give me your hand! be not in fear!
Sit down as ye are born to occupy this place!
I give you here authority and power
Over all thing that conceived is, in the space
Of all the earth that round is in compass,
To be as lord of every region;
And, thereof, I give you peaceable possession.

_Man._ Blessed be Thou, my Lord, most bounteous!
That of Thy great abundant charity
Me, Thy wretched creature, hast honoured thus
With natural gifts and worldly dignity.
Now, I beseech Thee, for Thy great pity,
Sith Thou hast set me in so noble way,
Suffer me not hereafter wretchedly to decay.
For, certes! it is mine heart's desire
So to demean me in this life present
As may be most unto Thy pleasure,
And unto nature not disconvenient.
This is my will and my chief intent;
This will I observe, Thy grace to borrow,
Though I, therefore, suffer much worldly sorrow.

_Rea._ Forsooth! these words be greatly to allow
If they from meek and lowly heart proceed.
Now, Mankind, sith thou hast made this vow,
Shape thee, thereafter, thy life to lead;
And let thy word be cousin to thy deed:
That is to say, do thou none otherwise
Than thou here openly to God dost promise.

_Inno._ Yea, sir! and ever look that ye abstain,
Not only from deed, but also from the assent;
See that ye commit neither of them twain
If ye will observe the high commandment.
For, surely ye may not be cleped innocent,
Nor guiltless of sin, as far as I can find,
If once ye assent to folly in your mind.

_Mun._ This is an hard word, sister, that ye have spoken;
An hard word, surely, and an heavy sentence!
But think ye God's commandment broken
For a light trifle and matter of insolence?
Alas! have ye such a spiced conscience
That will be entriked with every merry thought?
Leave it, woman! leave it! For it is nought.

[_Loquitur ad ho[minem]._

And man! as for you, ye shall not take that way;
That manner of observance is too hard and strait.
Ye must attempt the world; and, therein assay
Whether ye can live after that endrait.
These two folk harp both on refrait;
And ever enbusieth them to rebuke you of sin
That never was spotted, nor found guilty therein.

Take no heed of them! their words be but wind;
And, as for this time, I command them to silence.
And let us see now how prately ye can find,
By sage policy and worldly prudence,
To maintain the state, in honour and reverence,
That ye shall be in while ye in the world dwell.
Speak of this matter and ponder it well!

First, meseemeth necessary to provide
What manner folks your servants shall be;
For, surely, ye are nothing accompanied
According to a man of your degree:
Ye have here with you two persons or three
That pleaseth you happily, in the best wise;
Yet it appeareth not so to every man's guise.

What man is this?

_Man._ Reason, sir! my chief counsellor;
And this Innocency, my nourice hitherto;
And Sensuality that other, by whom I have power
To do as all sensate beasts do.
But Reason and Innocency, chiefly these two,
Have the whole rule and governy of me;
To whom eke is subdued my Sensuality.

_Sens._ For certain, sir! Reason hath done me wrong;
More than ever he shall be able to recompense.
God knoweth, sir! I thought the season very long
Till we were brought unto your presence.
But now, I pray you to annul the sentence
That Nature gave unto me by Reason's advice,
To my great hurt and utter prejudice.

And sir! I ask none amends earthly,
But that Reason may have a checkmate;
A little knack, a little pretty congy,
His haut courage some thing to abate.
For, hitherto, he hath kept great estate;
And had of me the over hand and stronger:
But be not displeased! I will suffer it no longer.

_Mun._ Thou hast had great wrong, and that is pity;
For, if thou be the person that I take thee for,
Thou should'st be as honourable as he.

* * * * *

_Sens._ Lord! ye say well; but would God ye would see
Some manner help and remedy for this evil;
And let me not alway live thus like a drivel.

_Mun._ Sir! ye know well that if so it were
A man should suddenly come to a strange place,
Wherein he is but alien and stranger,
He must needs be compelled, in that case,
To put himself in the favour and grace
Of some singular person, that can show him the way
Of all the behaviour and guise in that country.

So it is now that ye be hither sent;
This country, as yet, to you unknown.
In mine opinion it is expedient
To take some other counsel than your own,
Of well inured men, such as have grown
In worldly experience, and have thereof the drift,
And can best for you in time of need shift.

_Homo._ Certes! ye move right well and prudently;
And I am well content that it so be;
But, as yet, have I not the policy
To know which men have most ability.

_Mun._ Dare ye commit the matter unto me?

_Homo._ Yea, sir! right well; I am fully content
That all thing be done by your assignment.

_Mun._ Then thus I will, that above all thing,
From henceforward, ye be like and conformable
Unto other persons in all your demeaning;
Namely, to such as be companable,
Be they never so vicious or abominable;
For every man clepeth him wise
That doth after the common guise.

And, as for men that should do you service,
I know divers persons that be right honourable
That can you serve, alway point device.
In all the world be there none so able,
So wise, so politic, nor yet so profitable.
Lo! here is one of them that I speak for;
And he himself can tell you where ye shall have more.

Worldly Affection is this man's name;
He is well brained, and wondrous of invention;
A forecasting man and, payne of shame!
Ye shall not find in any Christian region
A wiser fellow in things to be done;
Specially of matters that be concerning
Worldly pleasure, that is for you according.

Suffer him, therefore, never to depart;
But, if it be for matters of great substance,
And for sensuality, I pray you with all my heart
To accept him to your favour and tendrance.
He hath been long of mine acquaintance;
And, on my faith! my heart cannot but grudge
To think that ye should use him as a drudge.

Do as he adviseth you, hardely now and then;
And despise not utterly his counsel
Think that ye be here a worldly man;
And must do as men that in the world dwell.
Ye are not bound to live like an angel;
Nor to be as God, alway immutable:
Man's nature of himself is full miserable.

I have told you now my counsel and advice;
And ye have promised to be ruled thereby.
Now, let each man execute his office;
And see how wisely ye can them occupy
To increase the world, and it thereto ye must apply.
Now, address you thereto; and demean you thus:
I shall be to you ever good and prosperous.

_Man._ Sir! I thank you of this courtesy,
Undeserved as yet; but, be ye sure,
I shall myself endeavour busily
To do that may be to your pleasure.
And, for the season that I shall here endure,
I shall them cherish; and to my power maintain
That unto you in anywise do pertain.

_The Wor[ld]._ Then, to begin withal, I will advise you
To put this man from your company.
I tell you every man will despise you
As long as ye be ruled by Innocency:
To follow such counsel it is but folly;
For, he can neither good, neither evil;
And, therefore, he is taken but for a drivel.

_Man._ By my faith! even as ye say:
It liketh me not right well
With Innocency long to dwell;
Therefore, according to your counsel,
I will not, after this day,
With his company myself affere;
As mute as it were a grey friar.
I suppose there is no man here,
Whatsoever he be,
That could in his mind be content
Always to be called an innocent.
Wherefore, it is mine intent
To do as ye advise me.

_The World._ Yea, hardely, do even so!

_Inno._ Forsooth, and I hold me well content
To depart at your commandment,
Ye shall find me obedient
Whatsoever ye bid me do.

[_Here_ INNOCENCY _goeth out_.

_Sens._ So, the company is well amend;
Let him go the devil of hell!
He is but a boy, I warn you well;
And, should ye follow his counsel,
Almighty God defend!
If ever ye lust to play the man
It is time that ye now began.
Marry! to play the boy, now and then,
For your disport and solace,
It forceth not though ye do
When ye may have leisure thereto;
And among I will help you also
In due time and place.

_The World._ Yea, that ye will indeed!
But now, sir! will ye anything
Command me before my departing?

_Man._ Nothing at all, to my witting;
But our Lord have you in His keeping,
And send you well to speed!

[_He goeth out._ MANKIND _calls to_ WORLDLY
AFFECTION.]

Worldly Affection, come hither! ye are politic;
And much better inured in this world than I.
I pray you dispose for me, as ye think most like,
That I may live here well and honourably.

[_Wor. Affec._] Yea, sir! I shall. Doubt ye not, hardely!
If it like you to put me in so great trust,
And I trow ye shall find me true and just.

_Man_. I wot well I shall. Surely you be bound
To the world that hath given you so great commendation?

[_Wor. Affec._] Yea, sir! some men had liever than a thousand pound
They might be commended of the same fashion.
But, sir! let pass all this commendation;
And answer to me, I pray you, fruitfully,
In that I shall move you substantially.

Sir! at few words I you exhort,
Sith that ye be come to your own,
Cast yourself to bear such a port
That, as ye be, ye may be known;
Eke it is necessary, for that behove,
That there be made some manner of purveyance
Whereby ye may bear out your countenance.

Will it like you, therefore, that I survey
And see th' extent of all your land,
And thereupon in all thee hast purvey,
Both for you and yours, all manner of viand,
With other utensils ready at your hand;
So that ye be purveyed all times, early and late,
Of each thing that belongeth to your estate?

_Man._ Your counsel is good; do as ye think best;
I commit all such thing to your discretion.

[_Wor. Aff._] I shall do my true business, at the least
To bring all things to good conclusion.

[_He maketh to go out._

_Man._ Abide, Worldly Affection! ye made no mention
Who should await and give attendance;
I must have mo servants whatsoever chance.

_Wor. Aff._ What? ye have Sensuality! ask never other counsel
Of such matter; he can you best advise.
He knoweth where all such manner persons dwell
As be most apt to do you worldly service.

[_Then he goeth out._

_Sens._ Yea, on my peril, sir! I shall take the enterprise
Of all such matters; and, look! where I find
Any man of pleasure, on him set your mind.
Lo! will ye see--lo! here cometh one;
Even the last man that was in my thought.

_Man._ What is he?

_Sens._ Ye shall see anon.
A well-drawn man is he; and a well-taught,
That will not give his head for nought;
And, thereto goodly, as ye shall see in a day
As well-apparelled at each point of his array.

[MANKIND _goes aside_.

[_Pride._] Who dwelleth here? will no man speak?
Is there no fool nor hoddypeak?
Now, by the bell! it were alms to break
Some of these knaves' brows.
A gentleman comes in at the doors,
That all his days hath worn gilt spurs,
And none of these knaves nor cutted whores
Bids him welcome to house!

Wot ye not how great a lord I am?
Of how noble progeny I came?
My father a knight; my mother called madame;
Mine ancestors great estates.
And now the livelood is to me fall
By both their deaths natural:
I am spoken of more than they all,
Hence to Paris gates.

How say ye, sirs, by mine array?
Doth it please you, yea or nay?
In the best wise, I dare well say!
By that ye know me awhile
And one thing I put you out of doubt;
I have wherewith to bear it out
As well as any man hereabout
Within these hundred mile.

Behold [_the rest of the line, almost cut away, is indecipherable_.]
A staring colour of scarlet red:
I promise you a fine thread
And a soft wool.
It cost me a noble at one pitch--
The scald capper sware sithich
That it cost him even as mich--
But there Pride had a pull.

I love it well to have side hair
Half a wote beneath mine ear;
For, evermore, I stand in fear
That mine neck should take cold.
I knit it up all the night;
And the daytime comb it down right;
And then it crispeth and shineth as bright
As any purled gold.

My doublet is on-laced before--
A stomacher of satin and no more;
Rain it, snow it never so sore,
Methinketh I am too hot.
Then have I such a short gown,
With wide sleeves that hang a-down--
They would make some lad in this town
A doublet and a coat.

Some men would think that this were pride;
But it is not so--ho, ho, abide!
I have a dagger by my side
Yet thereof spake not I.
I bought this dagger at the mart,
A sharp point and a tart;
He that had it in his heart
Were as good to die.

Then have I a sword or twain;
To bear them myself it were a pain;
They are so heavy that I am fain
To purvey such a lad,
Though I say it, a pretty boy--
It is half my life's joy.
He maketh me laugh with many a toy,
The urchin is so mad.

I begat the whoreson in bast;
It was done all in haste:
Ye may see there was no waste,
He occupied no great place.
Sometime he serveth me at board;
Sometime he beareth my two-hand sword--
Come forth, thou little lick-turd!
Look in thy father's face!

But, now to do that I come for,
And of these things to speak no more--
Hark, sirs! me longeth sore
To hear some novelty.
I hear say there is a great state
Come into this country late;
And is disposed algate
An householder to be.

Father's soul, sirs! ye shall understand
That, if he keep household in this land,
I will thrust in on hand,
Whosoever say nay.
Whatsoever the man intend,
To appair the world or to amend,
I will be with him at that one end;
Hap what hap may!

I met Worldly Affection erewhile,
From this town scant a mile;
And he hath showed me a pretty wile,
If I may put it in ure.
He tells me that Sensuality
Begins a great ruler to be;
And, if it be so, care not for me--
The matter is cock sure!

Ay, good lord, what man is that?
Father's soul! this is some great wat.

_Garcon._ This is he that ye seek.

_Pride._ See this, brat!--
This boy is passing taunt--
Come behind, and follow me;
Set out the better leg, I warn thee!

_Garcon._ Yes, in the best wise trust ye me!
Allez, seigneur! allez vous avant!

_Pride._ Salutem to you, sir!

_Man._ And to you also!
Whence are ye?

_Pride._ I shall tell you or I go;
But, first would I speak a word, and no mo,
With this servant of yours.

_Sens._ With me, sir? Would ye speak with me?

_Pride._ Yea, fore God! are ye not Sensuality?

_Sens._ Yes, surely!

_Pride._ Yea, such a gentleman ye seem to be.

_Sens._ Your poor servant at all hours!

[_Then_ PRIDE _speaketh to_ SENSUALITY
_in his ear that all may hear_.

_Pride._ Sir! I understand that this gentleman
is born to great fortunes, and intendeth
to inhabit herein the country. And I am
a gentleman that alway hath be brought
up with great estates, and affeed with them;
and, if I might be in like favour with this
gentleman, I would be glad thereof, and
do you a pleasure.

_Sens._ Where is your dwelling?

_Pride._ I dwell hereby.

_Sens._ What is your name?

_Pride._ Pride!

_Sens._ Pride?

_Pride._ Yea, sikerly!
But I am cleped Worship, commonly,
In places where I dwell.

_Sens._ Worship, now, in faith, ye say true;
Ye be _radix viciorum_--root of all virtue.

_Pride._ Yea, yea, man! ye would say so if ye me knew.

_Sens._ Turd! I know you well.
Sir! ye are welcome, as I may say;
I shall bring you in service if I may;
And if one man stand not in the way.

_Pride._ One man? what the devil is he?

_Sens._ By God! one that loveth not thee,
Nor me neither.

_Pride._ I pray thee tell me
What manner of man he is,
And I shall give him a lift, as I guess.

_Sens._ Wilt thou so, doubtless?

_Pride._ Yea, and that within a short process--
In faith! I will not miss.

_Sens._ Surely I cannot spy the ways how!

_Pride._ Let me alone; I shall do well enow.
Acquaint me with that man, and care not thou!
The matter shall speed.

_Sens._ Hark, cousin! first speed this matter,
And if yonder man make thee not good cheer
As any man that ever came here
Let me, therefore, be dead!

_Pride._ Sir! I shall tell thee how when I am in
To thy master's service; I will first begin
To set his heart on a merry pin,
And bid him make good cheer.
I will bid him think how he is create
To be a worthy potestate,
And eke that he is predestinate
To be a prince's peer.
And other things more than this:
I shall bring that heart of his
To be more haut than it is
By a deuce ace.
Specially, I will commend his wit
That no man can amend it;
And that he is able thereby to sit
As a judge in common pleas;
And when I praise him this wise
I think his heart will begin to rise
And after that utterly despise
Any opray counsel to hear;
He shall trust all to his own brain;
And then would Reason never so fain,
Though he come and such opry twain:
He shall be never thee near.

_Sens._ Surely this conceit is well found!
I shall bring thee in service for twenty pound.

_Pride._ Gramercy, brother! I think me much bound
To thee for thy courtesy.
But, sir! abide here one thing--
I will not be known that it is my seeking.

_Sens._ No more would I, for forty shilling:
Let me alone hardely! [MANKIND _comes forward_.

_Sens._ Sir! if it please you, here is come a stranger
That never was acquainted with you ere;
Somewhat shamefaced, and half in fear
To put himself in prese;
A goodly person, be ye sure,
Both of countenance and of feature
If he were drawn in portraiture;
And a good man, doubtless!
Yea, and a wise man at all--
Will it please you that I him call
To speak with you?

_Man._ Bid him come!

_Sens._ I shall.
Sir! will ye come near? [_To_ MANKIND.
Sir! bid him welcome for the manner sake;
Another day I am sure he will crake
And say, such a gentleman did him make
Very great cheer.
Desire him for to dwell with you;
I tell you he is a man for your prow,
And knoweth the world well; I know
No man better than he.

_Man._ Sir! ye be welcome to this place.

_Pride._ I thank you, sir! but I do you trespass
To come thus homely.

_Sens._ Yea, a parlous case!
God wot ye are welcome hither.
On my faith, by my will
Ye shall dwell with us still.
Go near to him and talk your fill:
I leave you together.

[_He goeth forth._

_Man._ Now, sir! what have ye to say to me?

_Pride._ No great thing, sir! but I come to see
And to know what manner man ye be
That all men praiseth so much.

_Man._ Praise! whom praise they?

_Pride._ Marry, you!

_Man._ Me?

_Pride._ Yea, sir! I make mine avow
They give you a praising good I know;
I heard never none such.
And, surely, ye be right worthy!
I see well now they do not lie;
And, therefore, I did me hither hie
To acquaint me with you--
But ye may say that I am bold.

_Man._ Nay, ye are worth thy weight of gold!
Methinketh me to you much behold;
I pray you what is your name?

_Pride._ My name is Worship.

_Man._ Worship? now, surely,
The world told me it was my destiny
To come to Worship or I die.

_Pride._ Truly, I am the same.

_Man._ Now, Worship, I pray you me tell
Your wisdom and also counsel;
Ye can advertise me passing well
In things that I have to do.

_Pride._ In good faith! anything that I
May do to your pleasure it is ready;
I am your own, and pray you, heartily,
That ye accept me so.
But where ye ask counsel of me
Meseemeth ye save not your honesty!

_Man._ Mine honesty? Wherefore, let see;
I pray you show me why!

_Pride._ Marry, sir! for it is right fitting
That a man of your behaving
Should have alway sufficient cunning
Of worldly wit and policy
To guide himself everywhere;
And not to be led by the ear,
And beg wit, here and there,
Of every Jack-a-pie.
Ye are well complexioned, be ye sure;
And Nature hath done on you her cure
As much as upon any creature
That ever I saw with mine eye.
And, by likelihood, sir! I wis
Ye have wit according to all this;
Or else Nature hath wrought amiss:
And that is not likely.

_Man._ Now, certain, thanked be heaven's king!
I have a right quick understanding.
If ye show me anything
I can soon perceive it;
But I was forbid by Reason
On mine own fantasy to run,
Or to take any presumption
Of mine own wit.

_Pride._ Said Reason so? Marry, fie on him, knave!
It were better the hangman were in his grave
Than ever the lewd fool should have
The governance of you.

_Man._ Certain, Nature advised me
To follow Reason what time that she
Put me first in authority
That I stand in now.

_Pride._ Alas, alas, man! ye be mad--
I see well ye be but a very lad.
On my faith! I was very glad
Of your first acquaintance;
And now, I forthink it utterly
That ever I knew you: fie, fie, fie!
I heard never, certainly,
Of such another chance.

Will ye draw to that fellowship?
I would ye had three stripes with a whip,
Even upon the bare hip,
If I should you not grieve.
He that would lordship enjoy,
And play ever still the old boy,
Meseemeth he doth but make a toy
And ye will me believe.

_Man._ Worship! for God's sake grieve ye not.

_Pride._ I wis ye are but an idiot--
I pray you, sir, make not me a sot;
I am no trifler!
I have been in honour heretoforne,
Ye allow the counsel of a carl born,
Before mine I have it in scorn--
It is a thing I cannot bear.

_Man._ Whom mean ye, Reason?

_Pride._ Yea, that same daw!

_Man._ What, is he a wise man?

_Pride._ He is a straw
Because he keeps you under awe;
Ye be therein blind.

_Man._ And so doth he, without faining;
For, hitherto, I might do nothing
But after his will and bidding:
And that groged my mind.

_Pride._ Groge, quotha! it is no marvel, hardely;
It shall grieve me, certainly,
As long as I am in your company
To see you demeaned in that wise.
Ye be now in good way;
But, in faith! I like not your array;
It is not the fashion that goeth now-a-day,
For now there is a new guise.
It is now two days agone
Sith that men began this fashion,
And every knave had it anon;
Therefore, at this season,
There is no man that setteth thereby
If he love his own honesty.

_Man._ So seemeth, certainly,
That every man is fresher than I,
And I wis that is no reason.

[_Here cometh in_ WORLDLY AFFECTION _and_
SENSUALITY.

_Sens._ Reason, quotha! no, no!
But, sir! wot ye what ye shall do?
Hardely let us two go
To some tavern here beside.
Come on! I can bring you there;
And let them alone with all this gear.
Care ye nothing for the matter;
But, let them here abide;
And ye will suffer, and let them alone,
Ye shall see them devise you a new fashion
That all the world shall wonder thereon.

_Man._ By God! that will I do goodly;
But, I pray you, sirs! do your diligence
For this array, and spare none expense;
And, for a while, I will go hence
And come again shortly.

[_Here_ MAN _and_ SENSUALITY _go out_.

_Wor. Aff._ Brother Pride! now the weight
Of all this matter resteth in thee.

_Pride._ Tush! thou shalt see me devise it even straight;
It is but japes, that gear, with me.
I have none other study a-days, parde!
But how I may new fashions find;
And, thereon, I set all my labour and mind.

Sir! Our master shall have a gown
That all the gallants, in this town,
Shall on the fashion wonder:
It shall not be sewed but with a lace
Betwixt every seam, a space
Of two handful asunder.

Then a doublet of the new make;
Close before, and open on the back,
No sleeve upon his arm;
Under that a shirt as soft as silk,
And as white as any milk
To keep the carcase warm.

Then shall his hosen be striped
With corselets of fine velvet, sliped
Down to the hard knee;
And, from the knee downward,
His hosen shall be freshly gard
With colours two or three.

And when he is in such array--
"There goeth a rutter," men will say;
"A rutter, huffa gallant!"
Ye shall see these fools on him gaze,
And muse as it were on a maze
New brought into the land.

_Wor. Aff._ Ha, ha, ha! now, by the Mary Virgin!
This will set him on a merry pin,
Even as it should be.
But ever I am in great fear
That Reason will whister him in the ear,
And turn his mind clean from this gear:
This thing feareth me!

_Pride._ Reason! nay, nay, hardely!
He is forsaken utterly
Sith I came to his company;
He would not once appear.
Nevertheless, for a surety,
Worldly Affection, I advise thee
As shortly as ever it may be
For speed of the matter,
To bring him shortly in acquaintance
With all the company of mine affiance;
And let them give continual attendance,
Every man busily,
After the property of his office;
Then shall ye see him utterly despise
Reason's counsel, on warrantise,
And forsake him, utterly.

_Sens._ Nay, nay, sirs! care ye nothing
That matter is sped well and fine.

_Pride._ Is it so?

_Sens._ Yea, by heaven king!
Even as we sat together at the wine.

_Wor. Aff._ Thou shalt have God's blessing and mine--
But is it true?

_Sens._ Yea, sir! by this day!
Our master and Reason have made a great fray.

_Pride._ How so?