Chapter III: Part 3

_Sens._ By my faith! we sat together
At the tavern, next hereby;
And, anon, who should come together
But flee[r]ing Kate and Margery,
She that beguiled you, parde! so prately
And bare away your shirt the last morning
Stead of her smock, while ye lay sleeping.

_Pride._ I wot whom ye mean, well I know;
But that is nothing to this purpose--
Tell on thy tale, for God avow!

_Sens._ I shall, anon, had I wiped my nose:
Sir! when I spied them, anon I rose;
And called them unto me by name;
And, without more tarrying, anon they came;
And sat down with us, and made nothing strange,
As they be full courteous--ye know it well.
And, anon, our master's colour began to change--
Whereof it came I cannot tell;
His cheer was appalled, every deal,
And scant that he could speak to me one word;
But start him even up and rose from the board.
He said he would go lie down on a bed;
And prayed me, for the manners' sake,
That Margery might come hold his head
Which, as he told me, began to ache.
And so she hath him undertake
To make him whole, in an hour or twain,
Whensoever he hath any such sudden pain.
What it meaneth, I wot never;
But he liketh her physic so well
That I trow the devil of hell
Can not them two dissever!
Lo! this have I done; and what trow ye more?
Yet can I tell you better tiding.

_Wor. Aff._ What is that?

_Sens._ Marry! Reason, that ye two spake of before,
Came even to us as we sat so drinking;
And gave our master a heat, worth a hanging,
Because that Margery sat on his knee,
While that other whore sat talking with me.
My master saw that he could have no rest,
Nor never be rid of this controlling,
He played the man and thought it best--
And with an angry look to my seeming--
Drew out his sword without more tarrying
And smote Reason so on the head
That I have great marvel but he be now dead.

_Wor. Aff._ Marry! then fill all the cups at once
If this be true.

_Sens._ Yes, by these ten bones!
I lie never a word.

_Pride._ Trowest thou it is no feigned strife
Betwixt them two?

_Sens._ No, on my life!
For, when they fought, I ran between
And cried, "Keep peace and leave debate!"
But ye would have laughed had ye seen
How I departed them; and, for all that,
Sometime I clapped Reason on the pate,
And cried "Keep the peace," as fast as I could
Till I was hoarse, I cried so loud.

_Wor. Aff._ But, can our master play the man now
And fare with this gear?

_Sens._ Yea, make God avow!
And, beware ye of one thing:
Meddle ye no more with Margery;
For, by Cock's precious body!
If our master may it espy,
Or have an understanding
That ye use her company,
I tell you he will be angry;
He is so full of jealousy
As ever I knew man.

_Wor. Aff._ Jealousy? peace, man, be still!
He can thereof no manner of skill.

_Sens._ No! but say what ye will
I am sure he can.
He is now as familiar
With bodily lust as ever ye were;
Yea! and thereto as great a swearer.
When time requires
Knew I never, of his age,
A man of better courage
To do all manner of outrage
After our desires.
Sith Reason and he were thus at variance
He hath be full of such dalliance;
And hath called to his favour and acquaintance
Your kinsmen by and by--
Envy, Wrath, Gluttony, and Covetise,
Sloth and Lechery become to his service;
And utterly he hateth their contrariwise,
And that he professeth openly.

_Wor. Aff._ And be these folks of his retinue?

_Sens._ Yea, every one, I tell you true.
But, marry! their names be changed new
For to blear his eye.
I tell you he is a serefull man,
For Reason stirreth him, now and than;
And, therefore, do we what we can
It is little enow, hardely!
Sirra! there is first Pride, as ye wot well,
The sweet darling of the devil of hell:
How his name is changed ye can tell.

_Wor. Aff._ Yea, marry! on the best wise--
Worship I ween is now his name.

_Sens._ Yea, by the rood! even the same.
And Covetise, to eschew all blame,
Doth his name disguise,
And calleth himself Worldly Policy.
Wrath, because he is somewhat hasty,
Is called Manhood. Then is there Envy,
And he is called Disdain.
Gluttony, for Good Fellowship is taken;
And Sloth his old name hath forsaken,
And as fair a name hath he shapen
As ever man could ordain--
He is called Ease; right comfortable to the blood,
Specially for them that lust to do no good.
And, among all other, I would ye understood
That Lechery is called Lust.
Lo! these be fair names, parde!
Both good and honest as seemeth me;
As for their conditions, what they be,
Ye know well!

_Wor. Aff._ Very just!
I know their conditions on the best wise
If they keep still their old guise.

_Sens._ Yes! that they do, on warrantise.

_Wor. Aff._ But yet, I have great marvel
That Covetise should dwell in his company.

_Sens._ By my troth, lo! and so have I.
But one thing I ensure you faithfully,
And that I have espied well;
That, hitherto, our master setteth no store
By his counsel, nor his lore.
Marry! when his head waxeth hoar
Then shall be good season
To follow Covetise and his way;
Yea, time enow another day--
Even so I heard our master say.

_Wor. Aff._ By my faith! he said but reason--
But all the remanent be well retained?

_Sens._ Yea, be ye sure it is matter unfeigned;
And wot ye who is greatly disdained
With our master now?

_Pride._ Who?

_Sens._ By God! even Shamefacedness.
When he shall do any such excess
No shame can fear him, doubtless,
I may say to you.

_Pride._ No! then the craft were nought.
But now, sirs! well bethought,
Sith the matter is hereto brought,
It is time for me
To go and make some provision
Of garments after the new invention,
As he commanded me to be done:
Thereto must I see.
For it is committed to my negligence;
And, if he come hither while I am hence,
I pray thee excuse mine absence.

_Sens._ Yea, and mine also!

_Pride._ Why, wilt thou go with me?

_Sens._ Will I, quod a? yea, parde!
It is according for Sensuality
With Pride for to go.

[SENS. _and_ PRIDE _go out_.

_Wor. Aff._ Now the matter is almost in good case,
After the world's mind and pleasure;
There is no more but now must I compass,
With all my wit and busy endeavour,
How it may be stablished and continued sure.
For, a little fantasy of man's own will
May quail this matter, and utterly it spill.
And if he vary again
Of scruple imagination,
Or else by the suggestion
Of the foresaid Reason,
One thing I am certain--
He will no longer me support;
And that were a shrewd crank dort.
Therefore, it is best that I resort
To my master's presence,
And see of what demeanour he is.
I am greatly to blame, I wis,
For that I saw him not or this
Sith he departed hence.

[_He goeth out and_ REASON _cometh in_.

_Rea._ O good Lord! to whom shall I complain
And show the sorrows of my mind?
And nothing for mine own cause, certain;
But only for the decay of mankind;
Which now, of late, is waxen so blind
That he hath despised and forsaken me,
And followeth every motion of his Sensuality.
What availed at the beginning
That Nature committed me to his service?
And charged me that, before all thing,
Of all his guiding I should take th' enterprise
When he lusteth not to follow mine advice,
But followeth th' appetites of his sensual affection,
As a brute beast that lacketh reason?
And yet, notwithstanding
That he doth me disdain,
I will resort to him again;
And do my labour and busy pain
To assay if I can him refrain
From such beastly living.
But, first will I stand hereby,
In secret manner, to espy
Some token of grace in him, whereby
I may discern and find
That he hath any shamefacedness
After his great surfeit and excess;
And, if it be so, doubtless,
It shall content my mind. [REASON _goeth aside_.

MAN _cometh in_ [_followed by_ WOR. AFFEC.

_Man._ I say, sirs! where is Worship, can ye tell?
In this place I left him last.

_Wor. Aff._ Sir, I warrant you he is occupied well
In ordaining your garments, full fast;
He departed from me in great haste
For that intent; and so he desired
That I would tell you when need required.
He showed me his mind or he went;
How he had devised your garment;
And, if it be made after that intent,
As he told me,
When ye wear on that vestour
Every man shall do your honour,
As becometh a man of your haviour;
And so it should be.

_Man._ Yea, but what will Reason say
When he seeth me in that array?

_Wor. Aff._ Reason? Marry! let him go play
To the devil of hell:
Ye promised me, at the beginning,
That ye would no more be under his guiding.

_Man._ No! but yet it were according
To have therein his counsel;
Man, without Reason, is but blind;
And, if I should speak after my mind,
I can well a difference find
Betwixt man and a beast
When he hath Reason in presence,
And duly obeyeth his law and sentence.

_Wor. Aff._ Why have ye such a spiced conscience
Now, within your breast,
That changeth your mind so suddenly?
I am sorry and ashamed, truly,
On your behalf!

_Man._ No force, hardely!
Thou leadest me all wrong;
And, therefore, will I no more follow thee.

_Wor. Aff._ Not Worldly Affection?

_Man._ No, parde!
Nor yet thy brother Sensuality:
I have followed you too long.

_Wor. Aff._ Is that your mind?

_Man._ Yea, doubtless!
And now will I seek Shamefacedness,
By whom I trust I shall redress
All my misdeed.

_Wor. Aff._ And, sith thou wilt needs to Shame bow,
I pray God send thee shame enow.
And yet I trust, make God avow!
Once thou shalt have need
To call me again to thy service.

_Man._ Nay, nay, on warrantise!
Now, sirs! who can me advise
What is best to do?

[_Enter_ SHAMEFACEDNESS.]

_Shame._ Sir! if ye lust to have mine acquaintance
I am ready to give you attendance;
Happily my service shall you advance:
I am called Shamefacedness.

_Man._ By your troth! are ye the same?

_Shame._ Yea, forsooth! that is my name.
Almsdeeds I can atame;
And help for to repress
When ye have done offence or sin;
If ye will mercy and grace win
With Shamefacedness ye must begin:
This way must ye take.

_Man._ Ye be the man, without feigning,
That I wished for or ye came here;
And glad am I now of your coming,
Praying you with heart entire
When I have need thus to come near.

_Shame._ So will I do; ye may trust it, verily!
Whensoever ye call ye shall find me ready.

_He goeth out_ [_and_ REASON _cometh forward_.]

_Rea._ Sir! is it your mind to do as ye say?

_Man._ Yea, that is it, as God me speed!
Heard ye all this matter--yea or nay?

_Rea._ Yes, that I did, in very deed!

_Man._ O ghostly Reason! I have greater need
Of your help than ever I had before:
Help me now and I shall never forsake you more.
Sith I forsook your company
I have committed much folly;
I am ashamed, certainly,
When I think thereon.
But now have I refused utterly
All such manner of company;
And thus have I done, verily!
Of mine own motion.

_Rea._ Then my help shall be ready as oft as ye me call;
It is my duty so for to do.
And of your offences will I make no rehearsal;
But whatsoever ye have done, hitherto,
To me ward let it pass and go:
Against God your offence is great;
Of the which matter I will not long treat.
But this comfort of me ye shall have:
If ye be contrite, as ye pretend,
God is merciable if ye lust to crave;
Call for grace and soon He will it send.
And be not in purpose hereafter to offend;
Accustom yourself in the ways of virtue,
And--be not in doubt--grace will ensue.

_Man._ Sir! it is my mind and intent
Hereafter to be your true obedient;
And never more to assent
To such folly again.

_Rea._ And, upon that condition,
I take thee unto my tuition
With all heart's affection,
Never to part atwain.
And, for this season,
Here we make an end
Lest we should offend
This audience; as, God defend!
It were not to be done.
Ye shall understand, nevertheless,
That there is much more of this process;
Wherein we shall do our business,
And our true endeavour
To show it unto you, after our guise:
When my lord shall so devise
I shall be at his pleasure.

_Thus endeth the first part._]

THE SECOND PART.

REASON _and_ MAN _come in._

_Rea._ I assemble the life of mortal creature
To the assiege again a strong town or castle:
In which there is much busy endeavour;
Much worldly policy; with diligent travail,
On every side, which part shall prevail
By sleight of engines, or by strong power,
That other to subdue and bring into danger.

In such case and manner of condition
Is wretched man, here in this life earthly,
While he abideth within the garrison
Of the frail carcase and caronous body;
Whom to impugn laboureth incessantly
The world, the flesh, the enemy--these three--
Him to subdue and bring into captivity.

And, for to show you what wise they us impugn,
First doth the world give us an allective
To covet riches and worldly renown,
With other vanities that be used in this life.
Next, that our flesh, which ever is in strife,
Again our spirit doth provoke and excite
Us to accomplish our sensual appetite.

The last of all is our great enemy;
Which ever hath us in continual hatred
Of old encankered malice and envy
That he oweth to us, and all the kindred
Of all the ancestors of whom we do succeed;
Nor yet ceaseth his malice, unto this day,
Us to endanger in all that he can or may.
And certes! these, our said enemies,
Be of their nature so mighty and so strong
That hard it will be for us, in any wise,
Again them war or battle to underfong;
Also our garrisons and fortress to maintain long
Again their engines; without spiritual grace
We can not perform in no manner case.
Wherefore, it is to us right behovable
Busily to pray to God, that is immortal,
Beseeching Him, as He is merciable,
To have compassion and pity on us all;
And not to suffer us any wise to fall
Into such folly and utter mischance
As should them grieve and do displeasance.
Also, it behoveth on our part
To flee all such manner of occasion
As may us put in fear and jeopardy
Of their displeasure, in any condition.
Newfangleness, and other nice invention,
We must forsake in all manner wise;
And acquaint us with their contraries:
_Quia contraria contrariis curantur._ etc.
I tell this tale, sir! to you,
Trusting that it be not done in waste:
Ye remember, as I suppose, well enow,
How it is not fully three days past
Sith ye me promised, and bound it fast,
From that day forth to be obedient
Unto my counsel and advisement?

_Man._ Yea, sir! so I did, in very deed;
And yet it is my mind and intent
To follow the same--have ye no dread!

_Rea._ If ye do not, yourself shall repent;
Now, fare ye well! for I must be absent
As for a season; and, for your comfort,
Whensoever ye call me I shall to you resort.

_Then he goeth out and_ SENSUALITY _cometh in._

_Sens._ God forbid that ever he come again!
Jesu! how may ye this life endure?
Meseemeth it should be to you a great pain,
Sith ye be of good complexion and nature,
To forbear the worldly sport and pleasure;
As ye have done now a great season,
And all by the foolish counsel of Reason.
Where is your lusty heart become
That served you so well this other day?
Now, so help me God and halidom!
I have great marvel how ye may
Live in such misery; and, this dare I say,
Without ye take some other ways,
By my troth! it will shorten your days.
And, though I say it, that were pity;
For, by Christ! and ye were gone
Many a good fellow would make great mone. [_Then he weepeth._

_Man._ Why weep ye so?

_Sens._ Let me alone!
It will none otherwise be.
And ye saw the sorrowful countenance
Of my company, your old acquaintance,
That they make
For your sake--
I daresay ye would mone them in your mind
They be so loving and so kind
That I am sure
If ye endure
In this peevish opinion,
It will be their confession
There is none other remedy
But, for sorrow, they shall die.

_Man._ Nay, God forbid they should so do!

_Sens._ In faith! without ye help thereto
There is none other way.

_Man._ I will help it in all that I may
And I wist by what mean.

_Sens._ Marry! call them to your company!

_Man._ By Saint John! I am content.
For, I may say here to thee,
Since I forsook my liberty
And did to Reason assent
I had never merry day;
But lived under awe and dread alway,
Nothing to mine intent.
Another while I will me disport
And to mine old company resort.

_Sens._ O then shall ye them comfort,
And your self also.
Wot ye who will be very glad?

_Man._ Who?

_Sens._ Margery!

_Man._ Why, was she sad?

_Sens._ Yea, by the mass! she was stark mad,
Even for very woe
When she heard tell of this chance;
And, because she would live in penance
Her sorrow for to quench,
She hath entered into a religious place,
At the Green Friars hereby.

_Man._ Yea, has'e?
Alack, good little wench!
Is it an house of strait religion?

_Sens._ Yea, as any that ever was bygone
Sith the world stood.

_Man._ Be they close nuns as other be?
_Sens._ Close, quod a? nay, nay, parde!
That guise were not good--
Ye must beware of that gere!
Nay, all is open that they do there;
As open as a goose eye!

_Man._ And cometh any man into their cells?

_Sens._ Yea, yea, God forbid else!
It is free for everybody;
And, beside all this, they be
_Ex omni gente cognite_.
No nation they forsake;
Without it be beggars, going by the way,
That have never a penny to pay
For that that they do take.
And yet can I beggars thither lead
Where they shall, for lumps of bread,
Satisfy their desire:
Such drabs some there be
That require none other fee,
Not yet any other hire.

_Man._ Be they not wedded, as other folk be?

_Sens._ Wedded, quod a? no, so mot I thee!
They will not tarry therefore;
They can wed themselves alone.
"Come kiss me, John;" "Gramercy, Joan!"
Thus wed they evermore.
And it is the more to commend;
For, if the woman hap to offend,
As it is their guise,
A man may let her alone with sorrow
And wed another whore on the morrow;
Even of the same wise.

_Man._ Forsooth! this is a noble religion;
It stirreth me to great devotion
For to see that place--
Canst thou bring me thither, well enow?
_Sens._ Yea, and it were midnight, I make God avow!
As dark as ever it was.

_Man._ But, where is Bodily Lust now?

_Then cometh in_ BODILY LUST, _with_
_him_ WORLDLY AFFECTION:
SENSUALITY _standeth aside_.

_Bod. Lust._ Marry, sir! I have seeken and sought you
This three or four hours.

_Man._ I make God avow!
Ye give shrewd attendance;
All this two days I could not thee espy.

_Bod. Lust._ Sir! ye know well that ye and I
Be never much asunder
Albeit I be from you among.

_Man._ And now meseemeth thou hast tarried too long,
Which is to me great wonder.

_Bod. Lust._ Wonder? yea, parde! for an hour or twain;
Forth for a passing while and come again--
Here is a sore matter:
When was I so long absent as now?
And yet I was for to seek you
At the other side of the water;
The place that ye wot of, parde!
Understand ye what I mean?

_Man._ Yea, yea!

_Bod. Lust._ Tell me in mine ear!

_Man._ _Quid est Latinum propter le stewys?_

_Bod. Lust._ What! Latin? now this of the news;
I heard never this ere:
I trow ye begin to wax shamefaced!

_Man._ Nay, nay, hardely! that gear is past,
Many days agone.
I am as wanton as ever I was.
_Bod. Lust._ It were alms to hang you else--by the mass!--
By the hard neck bone.
But will ye now go with me to a place
And I shall show you the smorterst place
That ever ye saw with eyes?

_Man._ What thing is it? young or old?

_Bod. Lust._ Whatever it be, it is able to be sold:
It shall like you on the best wise.

_Man._ For my love let us some night be there,
At a banket or a rare supper;
And get us some wanton meat
So we may have some dainty thing--
Yet would I spend twenty shilling
Wheresoever I it get.

_Bod. Lust._ Nay, nay! will ye spend a couple of crowns?
And there shall no gentleman in these ten towns
Be better served than ye;
Nor be received more honestly,
As to an house of bawdry,
For a banket or a junkery,
For a dish two or three.

_Man._ Yes! that will I spend with all mine heart.

_Bod. Lust._ By your leave, I will depart
To make ready this gear.

_Man._ What! now, in all this haste?

_Bod. Lust._ Yea, fore God, sir! I am aghast
That other knaves will come thither
Before us and take up all.

_Man._ See thereto, I pray thee!

_Bod. Lust_. So I shall;
Else, fie on all together! [_Then goeth he out._

_Wor. Aff._ Now will Margery make great mone
Because ye come not.

_Man._ Yea, let her alone!
I am not her bondman, parde!
She hath disappointed me or now.

_Wor. Aff._ Yet, on my faith, sir! and I were as you
At the least I would excuse me.
Send her word that ye in no wise
May this night keep her promise;
And, if ye do not so,
She will so mourn that, as I think,
Of all this night she will sleep no wink,
She shall be so full of woe.

_Man._ Yea, on my peril! take no care;
This answer will I defer and spare
Till I be certain
What answer Bodily Lust shall bring
Of this other pretty new thing
When he cometh again.

_Wor. Aff._ Will it please you that I go to Margery
In your stead?

_Man._ Marry! that were merry;
Wouldst thou serve me so?

_Wor. Aff._ Why, sir, by my troth! I mean but well.

_Man._ Yea, what thou meanest I can not tell,
But that shall thou not do.

_Wor. Aff._ In good faith, sir! ye may do worse;
For, while I have anything in my purse,
Or any penny to spend,
I will make her even such cheer
As I would mine own wife if she were here;
Else, God defend!
_Man._ Yea, I thank thee for thy good will;
But as for that cheer, keep it still
Till I call thereon!

_Wor. Aff._ By God, sir! for good love I spake it;
And now that I see ye will not take it
I shall let it alone. [_Re-enter_ BODILY LUST.

_Man._ How now? hast thou been yonder away?

_Bod. Lust._ Yea, sir!

_Man._ Et que novellys?

_Bod. Lust._ Je nescey.
I could not speak with her
No[r] with none of her folks.

_Man._ Not with one?

_Bod. Lust._ No! they be asleep everyone:
All that ever dwell there.

_Man._ How knowest thou whether they be asleep or no?

_Bod. Lust._ Marry! she herself told me so
When I rapped at the door.

_Man._ It seemeth she was not asleep then.

_Bod. Lust._ No! she was abed with a strange man.

_Man._ A mischief on her, whore!
I would this fire were in her tail, I make God avow!

_Bod. Lust._ That needeth not; she is hot enow;
It were more alms to get
Some cold water her fire to quench:
I tell you, it is as warm a wench
As any in all this street--
I supposed I had angered her ill.

_Man._ How so?

_Bod. Lust._ For I rang her a knil
That waked her from her sleep;
I gave her a peal for her friends' souls--
A man might have heard the noise from Poules
To the farthest end of Cheap.
She saw that I would not cease but knock
And rap still at the gate;
She opened a window and put forth her head--
Hence, Forty Pence! quo' she, Jack Noble is a-bed!
This night ye come too late.
Ah! standeth the wind so cold, quod I?
K. q. tytle! we have a bry--
This gear goeth all wide.
And so I came thence a great pace
Till I came hither; lo! this is the case--
Have I not well hied?

_Man._ Well, man! there is no more to do;
That we cannot have we must forego;
There is none other remedy.
Lo, Worldly Affection! now mayst thou see
Thy counsel was nought that thou gavest me.

_Wor. Aff._ No more it was truly!

_Man._ Yea, I told thee as much before,
It is good to be sure evermore;
Therefore, now let us go
And resort again to our old hostess:
That is the best way now, as I guess.

_Wor. Aff._ Yea, hardely do so!

[_Then they three go out,_ [SENSUALITY
_remaining_,] _and_ PRIDE _cometh in_.

_Pride._ Sirs! remember ye that this other day
Man promised me, even in his stead,
That I should with him dwell; and now, I hear say
The wild worm is come into his head;
So that by Reason only he is led:
It may well be so; but, I am sure
That Reason shall not alway with him endure.
Methinketh that Sensuality doth not his part
According to the duty of his office;
For, nobody can better turn a man's heart,
Nor yet a readier mean devise
To put away such foolish fantasy,
Than Sensuality if he lust to assay,
For he is chief ruler when Reason is away.

_Sens._ [_coming forward_]. Yea, a ruler will I be though Reason
say Nay.

_Pride._ Ah, Sensuality! welcome, by this day!
What, tidings good?

_Sens._ Yea, by my fay!
As good as can be told.
I have brought this man to his old guise.

_Pride._ Hast thou so?

_Sens._ Yea, on warrantise!

_Pride._ Now, forsooth! I give thee prick and praise;
Thou art worth thy weight of gold.
Of this tidings I am glad and fain;
But shall I be welcome to him again
And all our company?

_Sens._ Yea, hardely!
As welcome as ever ye were before.

_Pride._ God's blessing have thine heart, therefore;
Thus am I in thy debt, more and more.

_Sens._ Japes! why say ye so?

_Pride._ For--I speak it after my mind--
Thou art to me alway so kind.
But, where shall I our master find?
To him will I go.

_Sens._ He is busy--hark! in your ear--
With little Margery--ye wot where?
And, as soon as I had brought him there
I came my way apace.
And, because he should not be alone,
I left with him Worldly Affection,
And other errand had I none.
Now to this place,
But even to show you what is done;
And from hence I must anon,
For to seek another companion
To give attendance.

_Pride._ Who is that?

_Sens._ Marry! Gluttony.
Our master calleth for him busily--
Sawest thou him not?

_Pride._ No, certainly!
To my remembrance.

_Sens._ I must go seek him without any tarrying--
But, Pride! I warn you of one thing
While I think thereon:
When my master and ye shall meet,
In any wise see that ye him greet
In the old fashion;
And make as though ye know nothing
Of his divers and variable dealing;
Keep that in your breast.
Ye cannot do him more displeasure
Than thereof to make reporture;
Therefore, let it rest!
To speak thereof it is high treason. [_Then he goeth out._

_Pride._ I am glad ye warn me thus in season;
I shall be the better ware.
By this warning I shall be wise
And do as ye me advertise:
Take thereof no care. [_Enter_ SLOTH.

_Sloth._ Will ye be wise, quod a? marry! that is a thing--
By God! ye had need to have better warning
Or ye bring that about.

_Pride._ What, brother Sloth! from whence comest thou?

_Sloth._ Straight from my bed, I make God avow!
Mine eyes be almost out
For lack of sleep--but this, sir! to you:
Methought ye called me Sloth, right now;
Peace, no more of that!
I have a new name as well as ye.

_Pride._ What is that? Ease?

_Sloth._ Yea, parde!
But it forceth not
While our master is not present.
Between us twain I am content
Call me what ye will--
But where is our master?

_Pride._ Wottest thou ne'er?

_Sloth._ No!

_Pride._ No more do I.

_Sloth._ There, there, there!
Thou shalt dwell with me still;
Thou art as good a waiter as I.

_Pride._ I shrew the better of us both, hardely!
But, surely we do not well;
We shall not continue with yonder man
But we await better, now and than.
Therefore, by my counsel,
Let us twain go together
To seek our master.

_Sloth._ But wottest thou whither
We shall now go
To find our master?

_Pride._ I shall assay.
Thou shalt see me guess the way;
And, happily, find him too.
Now must I to the stewes, as fast as I may,
To fetch this gentleman; but, sirs! I say,
Can any man here tell me the way?
For I came never there.
Ye know the way, parde! of old;
I pray thee tell me which way shall I hold--
Will ye see this whoreson cuckold?
I trow he cannot hear--
Now it were alms to clap thee on the crown!

[_Then cometh in_ MAN _and_ WORLDLY AFFECTION.

_Man._ Why, be there any cuckolds in town?

_Pride._ Yea, I durst hold thereon my gown
That there be a score;
But, fore God! I cry you mercy;
For, by my faith! I wist you not so nigh.
Had I wist it I ensure you, faithfully,
That word I would have forbore.

_Man._ No force, hardely! it toucheth not me--
But worship! tell me, where have ye be?
Methinketh long sith I you see:

_Pride._ Sir! it is no marvel.
Bade ye not me, the last day,
To go purvey for your array,
And ye remember well.

_Man._ Yea, fore God! have ye done the same?

_Pride._ Yea, by the rood! else were I to blame.
All thing is ready, in pain of shame,
Else I quit me ill.
The tailor told me yester night
That all your garments were ready dight--
Will ye go thither and have a sight?

_Man._ Yea, marry! with a good will.

_Sloth._ Will ye that I go with you also?

_Man._ I wot never whether ye may attend thereto;
For ye do nothing
But even after your own sweet will.

_Sloth._ Why should I ever wait nay that I nill?
For, to be a king,
I may not endure continual business.
I was never used thereto; doubtless
I should not live a year
If I followed you, I am sure;
Ye stir and labour out of measure:
I saw never your peer:
Ye ween there can nothing be do
But if ye put your hand thereto;
And I wis that is no need.
Ye have servants, that be true and just,
If it would like you to put them in trust,
And quit well their meed.
What should I attend you for to please,
When I see well ye set by none ease,
Which belongeth to me?

_Man._ Why, Ease! what meaneth thee thus to say?
I do but eat, drink, sleep, and play,
And none other labour, parde!

_Sloth._ Yea, ye may say what ye will
But I can never see you idle,
And quiet as ye should be.
Your body laboureth as doth an hackney
That beareth the burden every day,
That pity it is to see;
And your mind, on that other side,
Is never idle, nor unoccupied.
I wis it grieveth me
To see you demeaned that wise:
I trow ye be set all on covetise!

_Man._ Covetise? nay, let be!
It is a thing of greater cure
That sticketh in my mind, be thou sure!

_Sloth._ So methought, by the rood!
I wist as much there was something,
By your lowering cheer and your sighing,
That was not all thing good--
But, what is the matter? I pray you, heartily!

_Man._ I wis thou canst not devise the remedy
With all the wit thou hast.
But this is the case, to tell it shortly:
A thing was told me as I came hereby
How Reason purveyeth fast,
And maketh very great labour and ordinance
To dash us all out of countenance;
And, for that purpose,
He hath gathered a great company.

_Sloth._ What to do?

_Man._ I wot ne'er I.
But, as I suppose,
It is to bring me in captivity;
And to take from me my liberty--
So he hath oft said.

_Pride._ Fear ye that matter?

_Man._ Nay, never a deal!
But I care for it, wit ye well,
Yet am I not afraid.
For I will withstand it proudly;
And, sirs! I trust ye will stand thereby
When it shall be need.

_Pride._ Yea, by the way that God went!
Or he have of you his intent
First shall I bleed
The best blood that is in this carcase.

_Man._ Well, Ease! go thy way hence, apace,
And make therein good speed.
Call my company all together,
And bid them every man come hither
That is with me affeed.

_Sloth._ Marry, sir! that shall be do. [_Then he goeth out._
_Man._ Worship! in the meantime let us go
To see my new apparel.

_Pride._ Will ye so? Now, for your lady's sake,
Go do it on you; and I undertake
It shall become you well.

_Man._ Worldly Affection! abide thou here
For I will go do on this new gear
As Worship doth me counsel.

[_Then_ MAN _and_ PRIDE _goeth out_.

_Wor. Aff._ Marry, I shall! with all mine heart!
This good fire and I will not depart;
For very cold mine hands do smart:
It maketh me woe-begone.
Get me a stool! here! may ye not see?
Or else a chair will it not be--
Thou pild knave! I speak to thee;
How long shall I stand? [_Enter_ GLUTTONY.

_Glut._ Let him stand, with a foul evil!
[_The lower margin is shaved off_] the devil
Will ye see--lo! every drivel,
Nowadays I warrant,
Must command as he were a king:
Let him stand on his feet with breeding.

_Wor. Aff._ What, Gluttony! I can tell thee one thing:
In faith you will be shent!

_Glut._ Why?

_Wor. Aff._ My master hath sent Sensuality
To seek thee all about the country--
Spakest thou not with him?

_Glut._ Yes, parde!
I know all his intent;
And, thereupon, I am come here
For to await; but wottest thou where
Our master is now?

_Wor. Aff._ Nay, I wot ne'er;
I am not very certain
But Pride and he together be gone.
He said he would come again, anon,
Within an hour or twain.
Tarry thou here, and go not away!
I will go break my fast and I may,
For I ate never a morsel this day. [_Then he goeth out._

_Glut._ Marry! that is a thing:
Go when thou wilt, I will abide.
My stomach he shall not rule or guide
That is now fasting--
Nay, of all thing earthly I hate to fast;
Four times a day I make repast;
Or thrice as I suppose.
And, when I am well fed
Then get I me to a soft bed
My body to repose;
There take I a nap or twain.
Up I go straight and to it again;
Though nature be not ready,
Yet have I some meat of delight,
For to provoke th' appetite
And make the stomach greedy.
After all this needs I must
Sometime follow the wanton lust
[_This line is shaved off at the foot of the page._
For hot drinks and delicate refection
Causeth fleshly insurrection:
Ye know it as well as I. [MAN _entereth_.

_Man._ Troth! as ye say, I know it well.

_Glut._ What gentleman is this, can ye tell?

_Bod. Lust._ Wottest thou never?

_Glut._ No, by the bell!
I saw him never before.

_Bod. Lust._ Is it our master?

_Glut._ Nay, by the rood!
It is not he; wouldst thou make me wood?

_Man._ Yes, I am the same.

_Glut._ I cry you mercy! I see it well now;
Before, I knew you not, I make God avow!
In earnest nor in game.

_Man._ Why? Because I have changed mine array?

_Glut._ For that cause, trow ye? nay, nay!
That is not the thing
That can deceive me, be ye sure.
But, I pray you, who hath had you in cure
Since my last departing?

_Man._ By my faith! a little season
I followed the counsel and diet of Reason.

_Glut._ There went the hare away!
His diet, quod a! it may be, verily:
For ye be haltered marvellously--
Altered, I would say.
Alas! the while had ye no meat
As long as ye were under his diet?

_Man._ Meat? yes, I had some,
Without it were on fasting days;
Then he withdrew my supper always
And gave me never a crumb.

_Glut._ No force, hardely; why would ye then
Favour him as ye did like a madman?
Ye look now as it were a ghost.
Had ye dwelt with him till this day
Ye had been pined even away,
As ye be now almost:
Your flesh is gone every deal--
A vengeance on the morsel
That is left thereon!

_Bod. Lust._ Now, talk of the remedy.
_Glut._ Marry! now must he eat and drink fast;
Other remedy is there none.

_Bod. Lust._ Yea, but where is the meat? now let us see!

_Glut._ Ye are passing hasty, benedicite!
First must ye go
Whereas provision thereof is made;
Let us go thither and it shall be had.

_Man._ But what is the mistress of the inn?
A wedded woman or a virgin?

_Glut._ Neither of both, I wis!

_Bod. Lust._ No! but for a maiden she goeth.

_Glut._ Yea, fore God! that she doth;
But yet she is none, by Jis!

_Bod. Lust._ No, no! what then?

_Glut._ I wis I not; but, as men clatter,
They say she is innupta mater,
Hardely an holy woman.

_Man._ Well, thither we will! go we hence!

_Bod. Lust._ Sir! ye will give me licence
To sport me for a season?

_Man._ Yes, for a while ye well enow;
But go not out of the way, I charge you;
For hither will come, anon,
All my company, as I suppose:
Keep them together! for I purpose
To come again anon,
And show them my mind what I will do. [_Then he goeth out._

_Bod. Lust._ Marry! I shall do what I can thereto;
And yet, it is hard for me
To keep them together any while.
But I shall tell you what:
I had liever keep as many fleas,
Or wild hares in an open lese,
As undertake that.

[_Entereth_ WRATH _and_ ENVY.

_Wrath._ Where be these knaves that make this array?

_Bod. Lust._ Marry! they be gone that other way--
Tell me whom ye mean.

_Wrath._ I trow, thou scornest!

_Bod. Lust._ Nay, certainly!
Howsobeit, if I should not lie
At the first blush, I ensure you, faithfully,
I had forgot you clean;
Because ye be thus defensibly arrayed.
What meaneth that? are ye afraid?
Who hath you grieved?

_Wrath._ Nay, I fear no man that beareth a head;
Yet had I liever that I were dead
Than that should be proved.

_Bod. Lust._ By my faith! ye are wont to be as bold
As it were a lion of Cotswold;
But now, to my question:
What meaneth all this defensible array?

_Wrath._ Marry! Sloth warned us two this same day,
Even sith it was noon,
That our master and Reason should make a fray;
And, therefore, he had us, without delay,
To await on our captain.

_Bod. Lust._ Ah! now I know the matter right well;
But what shall come thereof I cannot tell:
It passeth my brain.
Our master willed that we twain
Should tarry here till he come again.

_Envy._ What wilt thou do then?

_Bod. Lust._ Who, I? nay, care not for me!
I will not come where strokes be;
I am not so mad a man.
And I wis it is not for any fear;
But it is a thing that I can well forbear,
And will as long as I can.
Of lust and pleasure is all my mind;
It longeth to me of property and kind;
And if I should to the war,
And lie in mine harness, as other men do,
With hunger and thirst a day or two,
It should me utterly mar.

_Envy._ It were a great loss if thou were marred!
Now, fie on the stark whoreson coward!
By Cock's precious blood!
It were no sin to slay such a knave.
Hast not thou wages as other men have?
And few of us so good;
Yet wilt thou fail us at this need!
Now, whosoever shall quit my meed,
I will no further go
Till I have slain him [with] mine own hand,
Though I should forswear the land
Even when I have do. [_Then goeth out_ BODILY LUST.
Hold him in, sirs! I you require--
Alas! would ye not, at my desire,
Do so much for me?
I wis it would have done me more good
To have seen the knave's heart-blood
Than twenty shillings of fee. [MAN _returneth_.

_Man._ What ho, sirs! what meaneth this gear?
Will ye slay each other here?
No more of this work!

_Envy._ By the heart of God! and he had abiden
A little while he should never have spoken
With priest nor with clerk.

_Man._ Who was that?
_Envy._ Your own minion,
Bodily Lust.

_Man._ Why, what hath he done?

_Envy._ Even like a lurden
He saith that ye have given him licence
To abide at home, and keep residence
While we bear the burden,
And serve you now at your need!

_Man._ He prayed me so, in very deed,
Within these two days.
He said he would serve me with a good will;
But of the wars he could no skill,
Nor knew thereof the ways:
Howbeit I gave him thereof none answer.

_Envy._ No! but I am sure he will not come there;
And now may ye see
That no man is so much to blame
As yourself.

_Man._ I?

_Envy._ Yea, by Saint Jame!
No man but even ye.
For, I am well assured of one thing,
Ye gave him better clothing
Than ye did me;
And better wages and fees also;
And though I said but little thereto,
But suffered evermore,
Yet I disdained it ever in my mind;
And though[t] that ye were to me unkind
To set so great store
By such a knave as he was--
I would I had him here, by the mass!
And no man but we twain.

_Man._ By my troth! this is ever thy guise:
Look! by whom I set any prize
Him thou wilt most disdain.

_Wrath._ By Christ! he can do none otherwise.
But now, sir! is there any service
That ye will command me?

_Man._ Yea, marry is there! but my company
Dresseth them forward, passing slowly;
I trow it will not be.
Manhood! thou art good I know for one.

_Wrath._ Yea, by Christ! and they came everyone
I will not greatly fear.

_Envy._ By my troth! because he saith so
I shall tell you what I saw him do.
I was present there--
Sir! it happened in Westminster Hall,
Even before the judges all--
His hands were bound fast;
And, never upon him, that ever God made,
Dagger, sword, nor knife he had.
And yet, at the last,
He drave twelve men into a corner;
And an hour after durst they not appear.
How say ye hereto?
And his hands had been at liberty
He would have put them in great jeopardy--
It is to suppose so.

_Man._ Marry! there he quit him well--
But where be mine other folk, can ye tell?

_Then cometh in_ GLUTTONY _with a cheese and a bottle._

_Wrath._ Marry! here cometh one--
Good Fellowship meseemeth it should be.

_Glut._ Sirs, God speed ye!

_Man._ What tidings with thee?

_Glut._ I shall tell you anon

[_A line has been shaved away at the foot of the page._]

Marry, sir! I am come here
For to attend upon you;
We shall a warfare it is told me.

_Man._ Yea, where is thy harness?

_Glut._ Marry! here may ye see--
Here is harness enow.

_Wrath._ Why, hast thou none other harness but this?

_Glut._ What the devil harness should I miss,
Without it be a bottle?
Another bottle I will go purvey
Lest that drink be scarce in the way;
Or happily none to sell.

_Wrath._ Thou must have other harness than this, man!

_Glut._ Other harness? nay, I shrew me then!
I can no skill thereon--
Why, trowest thou that I will fight?

_Envy._ Yea, so I trow!

_Glut._ Nay, by God Almight!
Thereof will I none;
I was never wont to that gear.
But I may serve to be a victualler--
And thereof shall ye have store--
So that I may stand out of danger
Of gun shot; but I will come no near;
I warn you that before!

_Envy._ Now, such a knave I betake to the devil!
This is even such another drivel
As was here whilere:
They be two knaves anointed.
I fear me, sir! ye shall be disappointed;
I like not this gear.

_Glut._ O! I had forgotten, I make God avow!
Sir! my fellow, Ease, commandeth me to you.

_Man._ Commandeth thee to me?

_Glut._ You to me!

_Man._ Me to thee!

_Glut._ Commandeth you to him, I would have said.

_Man._ Why cometh he not hither?

_Glut._ By God! for he is afraid;
And lieth sick in his bed.
He took such a conceit when he heard of this gear
That for thought and very fear

[_A line is shaved away at the foot of the page._]

_Wrath._ And he were hanged it were no reck:
I pray God, the devil break his neck!
And all such as he is.

_Man._ Well, let us suffer for awhile;
I will go walk hence half a mile;
And for all this,
Happily, all this gear shall not need
Howbeit that I doubt and dread
The worst, as wise men do.
Manhood! come thyself with me.

_Glut._ And I too, sir?

_Man._ Yea, parde!
Wouldst thou be prayed thereto?

_Then goeth out_ MAN, GLUTTONY _and_ WRATH.

_Envy._ Now, he that would have war or strife
I pray God send him a shrewd wife;
And then shall he have enow.
But, I shall tell you, sirs! as for me,
I am none of them; so mot I thee!
I may say to you
I will no such reckonings abide.
God's body! here cometh Pride
As crank as a peacock!
As soon as he and I meet,
Without he stand right upon his feet,
He shall bear me a proud mock. [PRIDE _entereth._]

_Pride._ What tidings, sirs? can any man tell?

_Envy._ Yea, marry! that can I do as well
As any that was in field;
Ye have tarried so long about your gay gear
That the field is done or ye come there.

_Pride._ Done? marry, God shield!

_Envy._ It is done without fail;
But which of them hath won the battle
I cannot tell you certain.

_Pride._ Thou were not there it seemeth thereby!

_Envy._ Not I there, quod a? yes, hardely!
And that to my great pain;
But, as soon as the battles joined together,
I came my way straight hither
For to tell tidings.

_Pride._ What the devil tidings canst thou tell?

_Envy._ Marry! I can show you nothing of the battle,
But of many other tidings.
Ye are out of conceit, I tell you, for ever;
Because ye did not you[r] endeavour
At this great voyage;
Insomuch that ye are like to lese,
Both your office and all your fees,
And put clean out of wages.

_Pride._ That is not true, as I suppose.

_Envy._ Sir! and it be not, take my nose
And my head also!
Your office was given or I came thence.

_Pride._ Marry! that was a very short sentence;
And I not called thereto.
Now, Envy, what counsel wilt thou give me?

_Envy._ By my troth, Pride! thou mayst believe me,
If I were in thy case
I would withdraw me for a season;
Though it be neither felony, nor treason,
Nor yet wilful trespass.
Yet the same is worst of all;
For every knave will thee call
A coward to thy face.

_Pride._ I am unhappy, I see it well,
For th' expense of mine apparel
Towards this voyage,
What in horses and other array,
Hath compelled me for to lay
All my land to mortgage.
And now, when I have all do,
To lose mine office and fees also
For my true intent,
I may say that all my cost
And all my time is evil lost
In service that I have spent.
Well, whatsoever betide me,
For a season I will hide me,
After thy counsel.
And, sith it will no better be,
Farewell! I take my leave of thee.

_Envy._ Now, gentle Pride, farewell! [_Exit._
Alas! that I had no good fellow here
To bear me company, and laugh at this gear:
This game was well found.

[SENSUALITY _entereth_.

_Sens._ Yes, and ye lust to play the knave
Some manner of company ye might have,
Here within this ground.

_Envy._ Some I can think, young or old;
And else it were a small household
As any might be found.

_Sens._ It is not small; the company showeth well;
But, methought thou were about to tell
Of some merry jest,
Or some merry game at my coming.

_Envy._ Yea, hardely! it is a game for a king,
When he lusteth best,
To laugh for his disport and solace.
Sir! I shall tell thee this is the case:
Right now, as I stood
In this place, and never a man with me,
In came Pride garnished as it had be
One of the royal blood.
It grieved me to see him so well besene;
But, I have abated his courage clean,
For a little season.
By the rood! I have given him a checkmate;
For I bare him a hand that he came too late,
And that the field was done,
And how his office was given away
Because he failed our master that day:
I made him to believe so.
And when I had told him all this tale,
Anon, he began to wax all pale,
Full of care and woe.
And now he hideth himself for shame;
I gave him mine advice to the same;
And so he is gone.

_Sens._ Now, on my faith! this was madly do!
But, in faith! what moveth thee thereto?

_Envy._ Marry! cause had I none;
But only that it is my guise
When I see another man arise,
Or fare better than I,
Then must I chafe and fret for ire,
And imagine, with all my desire,
To destroy him utterly.
But now, in earnest, Sensuality!
Tell me when this fray shall be;
I pray ye heartily!

_Sens._ What, against Reason?

_Envy._ Yea, the same!

_Sens._ Tush! they be agreed, in pain of shame!
And good company they keep.

_Envy._ Agreed, quod a? in the mere name;
Marry, sir! that were a game
To make some of us weep.

_Sens._ Weep or laugh, man! so it is;
And who, trow ye, is the cause of this?

_Envy._ Who?

_Sens._ Age, the devil him quell!

_Envy._ Why, is Age now come in place?