Chapter IX: Part 9

_Pros._ At your request, I am content;
Such a pretty man for me were expedient;
And of his counsel fain would I hear.

_Mis._ Ye must sing and dance, and make good cheer:
I would ye had some proper wench
That were young and lusty; at a pinch, C4,_r._
Her heel were not so broad as an inch,
She would quicken your courage.

_Pros._ Peace hath forbid all that outrage.

_Envy._ He would set you at dotage
Because he is old, and nature is past;
He would now every man should fast.
If ye do so ye do but waste,
And unto you no meed.

_Mis._ A straw for him! ye have no need
Of him to stand in awe or dread;
A merrier life now may ye lead:
Therefore, be at your own liberty.

_Pros._ By my troth! I may say to thee
Sith I to him did assent
Had I never merry day;
But lived in fear and dread alway,
Nothing to mine intent.
Another while I will me sport,
Sing and dance, to my comfort.

_Envy._ And among merry company do resort;
For that shall length your life.

_Mis._ Spare neither maid, ne wife;
Take both and they come in your way.

_Envy._ Off with this lewd array!
It becometh you nought, by this day!

_Pros._ By my troth! even as ye say.
Yea, marry! now am I well apaid;
Methinketh I am properly arrayed.
If I had a proper trull, she should be assayed
In the worship of the new year.

_Envy._ Rush up mutton, for beef is dear!
Have, and revel, and chance!

_Mis._ Now let us both sing and dance. C4,_v._
Will ye have a French round?

_Pros._ And thou shalt see me bounce above the ground:
Hey, with revel dash!

PEACE _entereth._

_Peace._ What, Prosperity! is it come hereto?

_Pros._ What devil of hell hast thou to do?
Shall I not make merry when me list?

_Peace._ Yet I say, beware of Had I wist!

_Envy._ Hence, ye knave! or else thou shalt lick my fist:
I trow thy head would have some knocks.

_Pros._ Go, set him in a pair of stocks,
That I him no more see.

_Peace._ Yet, man! I say, remember thee,
And think what I to thee have said:
Eschew evermore these rioters' company,
And be ruled by reason, as I thee bade.
Put from thee these two persons, by whom thou art lade--
Envy and Misrule, with their sinful and great abusion,
Which, if thou wilt not forsake, will be thy confusion.

_Pros._ Avaunt, lorel! and take this for a conclusion:
These men from me thou shalt not separate.
Go! out of my sight! or, by Cock's passion!
I shall lay thee fast in Newgate.

_Peace._ It is better to forsake them betime than too late.

_Mis._ This knave would have a broken pate;
Let me alone, by God's bread!
This same sword shall strike off his head.

_Pros._ I pray you, hence that he were rid--
Shortly have him out of my sight!

_Peace._ A little while give me respite,
And take heed what I do say:
Remember in what condition thou was
When I first met thee in this place--
Full simple, in poor array. B1,_r._
Now, by the grace of God and counsel of me,
Thou art come to great prosperity;
And so mayst continue, until thou die,
If thou wisely take heed.
Let not sensuality lead the bridle;
Be occupied in virtue, and be not idle;
The better shalt thou proceed.
These wretches will thy goods spend and waste;
Then shalt thou be taken for an outcast,
And mocked and scorned with most and least;
Then will no man thee help at need.

_Envy._ A, sir, evil mote thou speed,
That so can read his destiny!

_Mis._ Will ye suffer this knave in your company?
Then God be with you! I will forsake you.

_Pros._ Go hence! or in faith I shall make you!

_Peace._ Then to almighty God I betake you.

_Envy._ Let me come to that bragger!
I shall thrust him through the arse with my dagger.

[_And here they face_ PEACE _out of the place_.

How say ye? was not this a good face,
To drive a knave out of the place?

_Mis._ In faith, thou made him run apace!
Thou looked as thou had been mad.

_Pros._ Now, by my troth! my heart is glad;
Some minstrel now I would we had,
To revel and dance; for, by saint Chad!
I am so light methink I flee!

_Envy._ Yea, marry! so should it be;
For now I hold you wise.

_Mis._ Sir, and ye will do mine advice,
Let us go straight to the Fleur de Lys;
There shall ye find a man will play at dice D1,_v._
With you for an hundred pound.

_Pros._ What man is he?

_Mis._ Colhazard; came late from beyond the sea,
Ragged and torn, in a garded coat;
And, in his purse, never a groat;
And now he goeth like a lord!

_Pros._ I pray thee tell me at one word--
Is he a gentleman bore?

_Envy._ Tush! take no thought therefore!
For be he gentleman, knave, or boy,
If he come hither with trifle or a toy,
He can no money lack.

_Pros._ Now by the bread that God brake!
I think long till I him see!
Mirth! go before and ordain a good dish;
One of flesh and another of fish.

_Envy._ Nay, let all be flesh!
A young pullet, tender and nesh,
That never came on broach--have with thee or thou go!

_Mis._ What shall I have?

_Envy._ Four quarters of a knave,
Roasted upon a spit! [_Exit_ MISRULE.

_Pros._ Now, by my troth! and Colhazard will sit,
I will play as long as an hundred pound will last.

_Envy._ And ye will play an hundred pound at a cast,
He will keep you play.

_Pros._ Then let us go our way;
I sit on thorns till I come there.

_Envy._ That shall make your thrift full bare.

_Pros._ What will it do?

_Envy._ I say, we shall have good cheer
When we come there. [_Exeunt ambo._

[PEACE _entereth_.

_Peace._ When Phebus draweth into the occidental, D2,_r._
And obscured with clouds misty and dark,
Then trees, herbs, and grass, by course natural,
Want their chief comfort: thus saith many a clerk.
And, likewise, that a man in his wark
Is destitute of reason following sensual operation.
The last time I was in this place
Prosperity unto Misrule put his whole confidence.
He regarded not my counsel; he lacked grace;
Which, in time coming, shall turn him to inconvenience.
With hazarders and rioters he keepeth residence
At clash and cards, with all unthrifty game;
Which, in continuance, shall bring him shame.
To him yet I will resort:
If he be brought in poverty
I shall do him all the comfort
And all the help that lieth in me;
I will never rest till I him see.
But seek about, from place to place,
And bring him to some better grace. [_Exit._

[_Enter_ MISRULE.]

_Mis._ Colhazard! art thou there?
Whoreson knave! wilt thou no appear?
By my troth! I had went to have found him here;
I hold him gone some other way.
And where is Envy? I cannot him espy:
I trow he is with Prosperity. [_Enter_ ENVY.
Prosperity? Nay! I may call him Foolish Poverty,
As wise as a drake.
I have brought him to dice, cards, and clash;
And ever on his side ran the loss,
That he is not worth a handful of moss,
Neither hath not a whole brat to his back!

_Envy._ Passion of God! is it come to that? D2,_v._
These tidings maketh my heart glad.

_Mis._ In faith! he has neither gold, silver, ne plate:
Colhazard and I be both at one.
He promised me to have half the game;
That everything shall be divided in twain--
He to have the one half, and I the other.

_Envy._ Then let us be partners, as brother and brother.

_Mis._ I cannot say till Colhazard come;
Then shall we know, both all and some.

[_Enter_ COLHAZARD.

_Col._ Here is a bag of gold so round,
Herein is two thousand pound;
Of Prosperity me it won.
What man is able with me to make comparison?
Now shall I take a merchant's place
To occupy; I trust, within short space,
To be in credence with English men;
And when I am so well betrust,
I may borrow so much as me lust.
A subtle craft then find I must
To convey under colour, like free men.

_Envy._ Hark, this knave! so proud and stout,
That had not to his arse a whole clout
When he came to this land; and now hath brought about
To compare with a state.

_Mis._ Now must I have half money, and half plate.

_Col._ Nay, by God! there thou spake too late;
None thereof from me shall scape:
Then had I lived too long.

_Mis._ Thou promised me, when thou began,
Half thy winning I should have.

_Col._ Hold thy peace, lewd knave!
Knowest thou to whom thou dost speak?

_Mis._ A, whoreson, thy head shall I break! D3,_r._

_Envy._ For the passion of God, sober your mood!
I fear shedding of knave's blood.

_Here they fight and run all out of the place,_ _and then entereth_ PROSPERITY _poorly [clad]_ _and saith_.

_Pov._ O Jesu! what may this mean?
My goods are spent and wasted away!
Also my men are from me clean;
I see them not this seven nights' day.
As long as I might spend and pay,
They held me up with false dissimulation;
And now they forsake me in my most tribulation.

[ENVY _returneth followed by_ MISRULE.

_Envy._ Come! for Cock's bones! why tarry ye so long?

_Mis._ In faith! I come as fast as I can;
I am so angry, I wot not what to do,
That yonder knave scaped from me so.

_Envy._ What knave is this? I hold him some spy.

_Pov._ I am your master; know ye not me?

_Envy._ Thou art come alate out of Marshalsea.

_Mis._ Methink his hair groweth through his hood!

_Pov._ Alas! Colhazard hath won all my good,
And left me never a groat.

_Envy._ Marry! so methink; ye have changed your coat;
But now ye have one vantage.

_Pov._ What is that?

_Envy._ Your executors shall not strive for your goods another day;
Nor thieves shall not rob you, going by the way:
Thus ye shall stand out of doubt.

_Mis._ Hence, ragged knave! or thou shall bear me a clout:
His clothes smell all of the smoke.

_Envy._ Now, by saint Hugh, that holy bishop!
This matter is well brought to pass:
He is now a knave as he was--
First a knave, and then a man; D3,_v._
And now he is a knave again.

_Pov._ Why say ye so? ye be to blame:
I am your master, Prosperity!

_Mis._ Avaunt, lorel! and evil to thee!
Get thee out of this company!
Beginnest thou now to make comparison?

_Envy._ Let him be your under page;
Give him meat and drink, but no wage;
Go! brush his gown and make clean his shoon!

_Mis._ Well, knave! canst thou no courtesy?

_Envy._ He hath such a disease in his knee
He cannot chance a main groat:
It is not as ye ween.

_Mis._ Come and see my shoon made clean!

_Envy._ By my faith! he shall wipe mine.

_Mis._ This knave is not meet for me;
It grieveth my heart when I him see;
I will go hence, and leave you twain;
For Envy, thou mayest with Poverty reign.

[_Exit._

_Envy._ Nay, I had liever he were slain:
I am gone as soon as ye. [_Exit._

_Pov._ Abide still with me, gentle Charity!
O, to whom should I sue, to whom should I plette?
O mortal worm, wrapped all in woe!
As a man all mortified, and mased in my wit,
I, a captive in captivity, lo, fortune is my foe!
I am in endless sorrow; alas! what shall I do?
These caitiffs, through their counsel and false imagination,
Have brought me to nought that was of great reputation.
Woe worth the time that I them knew!
I may well sigh, and say Alas!
For now I find these words full true
That Peace showed me here in this place. D4,_r._
I regarded not his counsel; I lacked grace;
Wherefore needy poverty on me doth blow his horn,
That every man and woman doth laugh me to scorn.
Example to all young men, when they take in hand
To occupy in the world: for your behoof
Look wisely before, and also understand
Evil company destroyeth man--on me ye see the proof.
Make a sure foundation or ye set up the roof.
Of a good and virtuous beginning cometh a good ending;
And evermore beware of unmeasurable spending!

[_Here entereth the_ SUMNER.

_Sumner._ I ascite you in our court to appear!

_Pov._ I pray you tell me wherefore?

_Sum._ Ye be great slanderer, and full of envy.

_Pov._ There will no man say so but ye.

_Sum._ What wilt thou give me and thou shalt go quit?

_Pov._ By my troth, I have not one mite!

_Sum._ Then open penance and thou art like.

_Pov._ By my troth, I slander no man!

_Sum._ Then come and secule thyself as well as thou can.

[_They go out._

ABUNDANCE _entereth._

_Abun._ What man is he that can me dismay?
For I obtain all thing at my will.
Or who dare anything against me say,
Whatsoever I do, be it good or ill?
For if he do, he were better be still;
I shall him punish be it right or wrong,
For with my purse I can both save and hang.
To repugn against me he were better be still.
I have a proper trull for my pastance;
In my chamber I her keep, both night and day;
My neighbours therewith taketh great grievance;
Yet I keep her still, whosoever say nay. D4,_v._
Howbeit, there is one, a poor caitiff, I hear say,
Hath me accused in the court spiritual.
And it cost me a hundred pound, punish him I shall.

[_The_ SUMNER _returneth_.

_Sum._ Open sin must have open penance;
God speed, my master Abundance!

_Abun._ What knave art thou, with a very mischance,
That cometh in so homely?

_Sum._ Sir! I pray you be not angry.
I am an officer of the spiritualty.
There is upon you a great slande[r];
Ye keep another man's wife in your chamber,
And live in great advoutry.

_Abun._ What wretches doth so say by me?

_Sum._ It is openly known everywhere.
Before my master I charge you to appear;
Upon a book there shall ye swear
Whether it be so, or no.

_Abun._ What is the best for me to do?
Rather than I to the court will go
I had liever spend twenty pound.

_Sum._ Sir! of such a way may be found
To excuse you; what will ye then say?

_Abun._ Now thereof heartily I thee pray!

_Sum._ Ye shall come home to my master's place
And say that ye be put up of malice;
Thrust money in his hand apace;
And so shall ye go quit away.

_Abun._ For thy counsel, gramercy! Hold! here is forty pence!

_Sum._ Come on, sir! I will do my diligence.

_Exeunt ambo._

_Here entereth the_ SUMNER _again, and_ POVERTY _followeth him with a candle in his hand_ _doing penance about the place. And then_ _sayeth the_ SUMNER:

_Sum._ Room, sirs! avoidance!
That this man may do his penance. E1,_r._

_Pov._ Now have I my penance done.

_Sum._ Nay! thou shalt about once again.

_Pov._ The poverty and trouble that I endure
I cannot to you in few words express.
If it should be unto God no displeasure
I would desire death, my pain to release;
Such is my penury and troublesome heaviness,
That I could, in no wise, suffer it patiently
But that I trust to win heaven thereby.

[PEACE _entereth_.

_Peace._ What man art thou that maketh such lamentation?

_Pov._ Master Peace! I desire you of pardon;
I am your servant, sometime called Prosperity.

_Peace._ How came thou to this perplexity?

_Pov._ Colhazard, Misrule, and false Envy
Brought me to this distress.

_Peace._ I showed thee before, plain, express:
Then of my words thou haddest disdain?

_Pov._ Therefore now it is to me great pain.

_Peace._ What persons are those that did him accuse?

_Sum._ Sir! he is put up by suit of office.

_Peace._ Suit of office? then it is so
There hath been credible persons, three or two,
Such articles to the judge did show.
He ought thereto to have good respect;
And do swear these persons upon a book--
For love, ne dread, they say but true--
For it is not leeful for a callet, a caitiff, or a knave
Against honest persons such matters for to have,
To put a man to open penance, without due proof.

_Sum._ Sir! when I entered mine office this was my oath:
To hearken about and hear
For backbiters, slanderers, and false jurors,
Schismatics, homicides, and great usurers, E1,_v._
Bawds, advouterers, fornicators, and escheaters:
All such must penance do.

_Pov._ I know one such came never thereto.

_Peace._ Who is that?

_Pov._ His name is called Abundance,
Which hath done many a great offence;
For he keepeth another man's wife.
No manner of penance ye make him do,
But redeemeth with money, and let him go;
So in advoutry still he leadeth his life.

_Sum._ He made his purgation upon a book,
Or else redeemed with the silver hook.

_Peace._ Silver hook? that I deny!
For it is a plain decree
That open sin must do open punishment;
There can be no such judgment
That money shall stop the law.

_Pov._ Nay, there stop, and lay a straw!
Where see ye any man a substance
Put to open penance,
But punished by the purse?
A poor man, that hath nought to pay,
He shall be punished: this ye see every day;
But if he be obstinant, and will not obey,
Anon they will him curse.

_Sum._ Well, for thy saying another day thou shall fare the worse.

[_Exit_ SUMNER.

_Pov._ Sir, I beseech you comfort me with some solace!

_Peace._ Thou art well punished for thy trespass.
By thine own sensual and undiscreet operation
Hath brought thee to all this tribulation.
Stand up! with this vesture I shall thee renew.

_Pov._ Sir! I thank you, and will do at your reformation;
E2,_r._
And for my time mispent I am sore ashamed.

_Peace._ If ye do as I you bid, ye shall not be blamed.
Forsake Envy and Misrule with all their old peers;
Be conversant with good men; goodness thereof will grow.
Follow the saying of David: _Cum sancto sanctus eris_;
For wicked men evermore wicked seed do sow.
What cometh of evil company, now thyself doth know;
Print it well in thy memory, and do it not forget:
Many a man doth decay for lack of good forewit.

_Pros._ Sir! your sayings is full true; I have perceived it;
And for the virtuous counsel that ye to me have give,
I shall be your orator while I have a day to live.

_Peace._ Sovereigns! here may ye see proved, before you all,
Of this wanton world the great fragility;
Ever mutable of the turning, as a ball.
Now, flood of riches; now, ebb of poverty:
What should men set by this world's vanity?
Think on this lesson, and do it not forget:
The gayest of us all is but worms' meat.

_Pros._ With the supportation of this noble audience,
We have here showed this simple interlude;
Beseeching you of your benevolence to take patience.
It is but a mirror vice to exclude.
The maker hereof, his intent was good,
No man to displease, old nor young;
If any fault be therein we desire you of pardon.

_Peace._ Let us pray all to that Lord of great magnificence
To send among us rest, peace, and unity.
And Jesu preserve our sovereign Queen of preclair pre-eminence,
With all her noble consanguinity;
And to send them grace to the issue to obtain,
After them to rule this most Christian realm. E2,_v._
O good Lord! as Thou art omnipotent,
Have regard unto my petition!
Conserve this noble realm, and all that are present,
Of thy eternal Deity grant them all thy fruition;
And from our mortal enemies be our protection.
Jesu! as Thou us redeemed, bring us to the bless
Thereas angels sing: _Gloria in excelsis._
AMEN.

_Thus endeth the interlude called Impatient Poverty._

[_Here follow two ornaments and between them_
_the colophon as on page_ 312.]

]

THE INTERLUDE OF

JOHN THE EVANGELIST

[#The Names of the Players:#

ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST
EUGENIO
ACTIO
IRISDISION
EVIL COUNSEL
IDLENESS]

Imprinted at London, in Foster Lane,
by JOHN WALEY

[SAINT JOHN THE EVANGELIST.]

A2,_r._ ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST.

_Domine, ante te omne desiderium meum,_
_Et a te gemitus meus non est absconditus._
The sweetest life, Sovereign, in this world with some
Is to have meditation of our Lord Jesus,
Very contemplative God worshipped thus,
Bethinking in the soul without any speech.
God tendeth right more the prayer with the heart of us
Than the prayer of the mouth. The text doth teach
In meditation whoso hath forfence,
The mouth cannot express the thoughts of the heart.
That holiest fruition is of so high intelligence
As it ravisheth the soul into a blessèd desert;
It feeleth no earthly thing unto the time it revert.
Thus fared Magdalen when Martha complained:
She heard her not, in God her heart was so expert;
Nor the angel at the sepulchre, love so her constrained--
The cause why I rehearse you, the holy meditation,
For it is mine exercise express.
Whoso will labour in this must see His habitation,
Be solitary in soul, of great quietness.
Therefore ever to the church I do me dress;
Rest, reverence, and worship therein should be,
With crying on Christ, and our sins confess.
_Beati qui habitant in domo tua, Domine!_

_Eugenio._ _Qui cum Deo Patri_--granted by the pope
A thousand four hundred, and never a day less--
That hath heard this noble sermon, and thereon doth hope,
_A poena et culpa_ here I them release.
Is it not pity such a pulpit man to lose?
I pray you, sir, let us hear more of your pope holiness,
For methink I have heard you preach on this at Paul's Cross. A2,_v._

_Irisdision._ Whom call you pope-holy?

_Eug._ Such a fool as thou art, that clappest ever in divinity.

_Iris._ All virtuous people to commend is my property.

_Eug._ Then is Caton false, and that he indites,
For he saith _"Nec te collaudas nec te culpaberis ipse."_
Great laudations loveth these hypocrites!
_Qui se collaudat_, etc.
No more to you at this time.
But understand you this Latin?

_Iris._ Yea, sir, I trow.

_Eug._ _Responde, tunc, domine, doctor clericorum._
But sir, know you any justice of quorum?

_Iris._ Why so?

_Eug._ A fellow of mine was take[n] with a cuculorum
For a couple horses he stole in an evening.

_Iris._ What would ye have me do in that case?

_Eug._ _Sursum corda_ for him to sing,
Ye should have [? known] well why.

_Iris._ I cannot sing.

_Eug._ No, sir, ye should but make a spring A3,_r._
Under a perch looking up toward the sky.

_Iris._ Without God be thy friend, that same death thou shalt die.

_Eug._ Marry, I beshrew his heart that so can prophesy!

_Iris._ What is thy name?

_Eug._ A, read!

_Iris._ Eugenio, I trow; the same!

_Eug._ A, sir; the devil strike off thy head!
Whoreson, who taught thee so right to read?
I trow some evil spirit be within thee.

[_The continuation seems imperfect._]

_Iris._ In the city of Jerusalem, that is so called.
I fear thou wilt never come to that holy Sion
That with twelve precious stones is surely walled.
Full strait is the way thither to gone,
And into that castle entering is none
Without thou acquaint thee with two porters before:
Hope is the first, and Faith the other one.

_Eug._ Lo! so ghostly he prateth evermore;
Ye dare not cough, your conscience is so holy!
But I pray you show me before
Which is the way to yonder castle ye praise so greatly?

_Iris._ Over the Mead of Meekness mark thou the way;
Then to the Path of Patience shalt thou pass
Into the Land of Largeness; hold for the lay, A3,_v._
And in the Lane of Business look thou not bash;
Then measure in a marsh a fair manor hasse;
Rest there hardely, and abide all night.

_Eug._ Nay, that I will not, by this light!
But what callest thou this way?

_Iris._ _Via recta_, leading to life;
So David named it in his day--
_Spes mea stetit in via recta._

_Eug._ Passeth all men by this journey?

_Iris._ Nay, and the more pity, verily, I say.

_Eug._ What be they that go that way most?

_Iris._ They that be inspired with the Holy Ghost,
As innocents and virgins.

_Eug._ Marry, I know none such in all this coast!

_Iris._ They that go thither must be _gratia electi_.

_Eug._ Why, is there no other way but this?

_Iris._ Yes, on the left side another there is,
That is called _via obliqua et via circularis_.

_Eug._ And whither draweth this?

_Iris._ Even right to death; A4,_r._
Whoso walks that way, himself he slayeth.

_Eug._ Sir, who goeth that way so ill?

_Iris._ All they that worketh the devil's will,
As _omnes iniquo in circuitu impii ambulantes_.

_Eug._ Thou art a lowler, by my troth, I warrants!
How many by-paths be in that way?

_Iris._ Six score and odd, I say.

_Eug._ Then one cannot fail where he go by night or day.
But may a man go to the stews that way
At his pleasure, if he list to play?

_Iris._ It brings men to the seat of rueful array;
The lady of confusion lieth therein,
That Babylon is called; she is the end of all sin.

_Eug._ Which way coasteth that country?

_Iris._ To an isle in the north, I say;
_Ab aquilone pandetur omne malum._

_Eug._ That is the first place that men should assay,
Whether it be hedged or walled.

_Iris._ With boughs and trees it is marvellously paled.
There groweth the elders of envy,
Staked with pride full high,
And the briars of backbiting with wrath wreathed about, A4,_v._
Full of slouthy bushes and lecherous thorns dry,
With gluttonous posts and covetise railed throughout,
And at Mischief's Gate many doth in run.

_Eug._ And where do they all become?

_Iris._ Down to the dungeon where the devil dwelleth,
Lucifer, that loathly lord, that is in bale blisses.
There is woe upon woe, as Christ us telleth;
All that may disease and nothing please, ever restless.
There is frost, there is fire,
Hope is lost and her desire;
There care hath no recover;
Without pity there is pain;
To cry for mercy it is in vain,
For grace is gone for ever.
_Fumus tormentorum suorum_
_Ascendit in secula seculorum._
Lo! thus hath lost wedded confusion,
Lucifer's daughter damnation
In hell to have heritage.
_Septum dominium peccati est mors._

_Eug._ In faith, that is a knavish way to walk.
Now awhile of some mirth let us talk,
For I forsake that passage.

_Iris._ Now farewell, sir, and have good day,
For I must go another way;
Forget not my reasons sage!

_Eug._ What! will ye go your way? B1,_r._
Ye have done a fair journey to-day.

[_Iris._] It is time for to be walking,
For I am weary of your talking. [_Exit._

[_Eug._] Lo! sirs, he spake full holily,
But yet I beshrew him for all his clergy;
He may well be called witless Sir Will,
For I trow his brain is steadfast as a windmill.
But now well remembered, by books Amromes

[_Here again something appears to be missing._]

I would have a plaster for all harms,--
Some fair wench to lie in mine arms;
That would avoid all strifes.
It were to me _administrate nos,_
_Et restaurate nos_, also _comfortate nos_.
Yea, and sometime I will take men's wives;
For cuckold-makers have merrier lives
Than they that do all the cost
As to wed at the church-door, and there to be sworn.
Perhap her husband should have an horn;
Then may he curse the time that ever he was born,
For all the love is lost.
Clerks say that of wedlock God that knot doth knit;
And yet women do venture to break it.
For though their souls should lie in hell pit,
They will use that sorry work;
And if they so die,
Atropos cometh full suddenly,
And or they beware, full slily
He leadeth them all down in the dark.
The courtesy of England is oft to kiss,
And of itself it is lechery where pleasure is.
All young folk remember this--
_Intentio judicat quenquam._ B1,_v._
So great delight thou mayst have therein
That afore God it is deadly sin.
But farewell! yonder cometh Sir William of Trentram. [_Exit._

_St. John the Evangelist._ That lord which is principal,
Conserve and keep this congregation,
And cover you with his mantle perpetual.
After that ye do pass with death's visitation,
This prince bring you to that holy nation
Where love doth dwell with virginity.
And to give you plain information,
In that realm dwelleth the Holy Trinity.
I am that John that presently doth appear,
Called "the grace of God" by interpretation,
And of my doctrine if ye list to hear,
Much can I show you of Christ's incarnation,
And of His passion; for verily I was there.
I saw Him hang on the Cross, on high, on high;
His mother and I stood there under,
And I heard when He cried "Eli, Eli,"
And saw Lungis smite His heart asunder.
His laws to the people will I preach,
And all that ever do follow me in peace,
The kingdom of heaven their souls shall reach,
There having joy that never shall cease,
But now the true love, that we should to God owe,
Men giveth it to richesse that is mutable;
Full sore they will it repent, I trow,
That ever they were of mind so unstable.
If any man will have richesse ghostly, B2,_r._
I will hastily again be here,
And thereof he shall have gladly;
At all times I will him cheer.
My coming hither was for your furtherance,
And now I leave you in God's governance.

[_Exit, Enter_ ACTIO.

_Actio._ Now merry might you be!
Who was that that calléd me
So early to-day?
One resided me with a bowl of water;
Here was a shrewd matter,
Suddenly one to affray!
It was some knave, my brother:
Beshrew him and none other
For that array!
I was fast asleep;
Till I felt the wet
Full still I lay.
He brake mine old custom,
For I would have lain till noon,
And then have risen to play.
But now to the purpose;
For by the faith that now goes
I love to go gay!
And with other men's wives
That be wanton of lives
Oft do I run away.
And wheresoever I go
One good condition have I so--
I use never truth to say.
Also I have a great disease, if ye will me leave,
Even here, sirs, in the bottom of my sleeve. B2,_v._

[_Enter_ EUGENIO.

_Eug._ By God, sir, and I do lay a plaster to your coat
I will heal it, I dare lay a groat!

_Actio._ Eugenio, from whence come you?

_Eug._ From thence that ye were spoke of right now;
Ye shall have an office.

_Actio._ What is that? I pray you tell me!

_Eug._ By my faith, ye shall be hangman of Calais;
Thereto ye be appointed, verily!

_Actio._ Then the first man that shall be hanged shalt thou be,
For I tell thee I will begin with thee.

_Eug._ Nay, sir, but hark what I shall thee say.
Here was one late this same day
That dispraised richesse worldly.
He said he that doth forsake prosperity,
And take him to wilful poverty,
He shall have joy eternally.

_Actio._ What was he?

_Eug._ A doctor, as seemed me;
He spake as holily
As though God had been his cousin.

_Actio._ Yea, but was he not mired with hypocrisy?

_Eug._ No, man; he spake so ghostly B3,_r._
He had almost changed my mood.
I had thought to give away my good
And then ask myself for charity.

_Actio._ Why, wouldest thou have been so witty?
Nay, thou art a fool and thou wilt for any egging
Give away thine own good, and go thyself a-begging,
For so will not I do yet, trust me!

_Eug._ Sir, he promised most largely
That I should in joy live ever,
Where I shall die never.
Thus also he said verily,
That I should feel there no ill,
And have all that I desire will,
And see God in His majesty.
Also he promised me a greater hire
That I should have all that I would desire.

_Actio._ I rede thee lay that thought away;
For mayst thou not see all day
That they that useth sport and play
Liveth at ease merrily?
They have most heartiest rest
And fareth of the best
That thus spendeth their lives in jollity.

_Eug._ Well, then, my wit I will renew,
For I trow thou sayest full true.
If I do it, and afterward rue it
As to give away my good,
I trow I should it forethink. B3,_v._
Without a cup then might I drink,
For that purse that sowneth not trink
His master weareth a thread-bare hood.

_Actio._ Yea, yea, man, that is true indeed.
But let us go walk a space,
For Evil Counsel hither will speed;
That person, I trow, he be void of all grace.

_Eug._ Go we hence then in time;
Hastily we will come again,
For John will be here by prime;
His sermon would I hear fain.

[_They go out and_ EVIL COUNSEL _entereth_.

_Evil Counsel._ By your leave, let me come near.
What doth all this company here?
Whereafter is your gaping?
By our lady and master! I have sought nigh and far;
For sith I came from Rochester
I have spent all my winning.
By our lady! I will no more go to Coventry,
For there knaves set me on the pillory,
And threw eggs at my head
So sore that my nose did bleed
Of white wine gallons thirty.
Some time in London did I dwell;
I was prentice with Evil Counsel,
And so men calleth me.
I hope again to go thither,
If summer were come and fair weather,
And live full merrily.
I have sought England through and through, B4,_r._
Village, town, city, and borough;
With many a thousand bequainted I am,
As ill-tongued churls and many a proud gentleman,
That shrewdly roundeth many a pistle
When they in young wives' ears doth whistle
Of matters pertaining to Venus' acts;
With fair flattering words and pretty knacks
Both men and women they bring to lechery,
Through me, Evil Counsel, to live in advoutry.
In Cornwall I have been and in Kent,
Westminster, St. Catherine's, and in Unthrift's Rent,
There I rested very lately.
Now fain would I have a master [_Enter_ IDLENESS.
That would do by my counsel,
For though he spend and be a waster
To get money I can teach him the craft well.

_Idleness._ What art thou, tell me, that speaketh this?

_Evil C._ Marry, sir, a man that would have a service;
Great need have I thereto.

_Idle._ Why, what service canst thou do?

_Evil C._ Both steal and lie, and on your errand go
To fet another man's wife to your bed.

_Idle._ If I of such things may be sped,
I am glad that we be met.

_Evil C._ In England shall nothing me let.
With you will I bide for ever. B4,_v._
But master, have ye any wife?

_Idle._ Yea, more than twenty-five, by my life;
But some other men keepeth them for me.

_Evil C._ Marry, sir, no force; it costeth you the less money,
But you have good cheer when you come.

_Idle._ Yea, at meat I am merry, and at bed if I list to play.

_Evil C._ Then their husbands be out of the way,
Or else ye come not there.

_Idle._ Yes, yes, daily! and make good cheer,
And not spied at all, I have such policy.

_Evil C._ I am glad that ye be so witty;
And sir, if you will have a fresh lusty trull
I will get her you, or a house-wife that can spin a pound of wool.

_Idle._ Then will we drink wine at the full,
In one place if thou canst help me.

_Evil C._ I pray you tell me; what is she?

_Idle._ An artificer's wife--a pretty woman.

_Evil C._ Sir, I will go to my brother Temptation
And then to Wanton Youth I will make a station;
For between us three
Of her your pleasure ye shall have hardely.

_Idle._ Shall I go with you also? C1,_r._

_Evil C._ Yea, sir, and it please you so to do.
How say you? Have not they merry lives
That may kiss and bass other men's wives.
Lo! youth is full of jollity.
But when saw you your brother Sensuality?

_Idle._ Sir, I left him on the plain of Salisbury.
He told me that he would lift
Some good fellow from his thrift;
And as I trow somewhat he will get
To make with the penny.
Many one for their good do labour and sweat;
But he doth not so; he getteth it lightly.

_Evil C._ Sir, he did me a shrewd turn, as I you tell.

_Idle._ I pray thee show me how it befel.

_Evil C._ The last day, sir, I wist
The puttock that he ware on his fist
Would have trod my hen,
And up I caught a rottock
And hit him on the buttock
That there lay in a thenne.

_Idle._ Whereby knowest thou that it was he?

_Evil C._ For he had a bell about his cue,
And thereby each him knew.
I bid him hold in the wind, C1,_v._
Till at the last he had his mind;
God give him an ill pew.

_Idle._ And what meat did thou give him?
Say on hardely!

_Evil C._ Sir, a fair piece of bacon,
And a black bowl full of barley.

_Idle._ By Jesu, this is a gentle meat for a hawk;
To keep birds thou art very conning.
Thy thrift, I trow, is laid a sonninge;
But tell me now where is thy wonning?

_Evil C._ Sir, at the stews is my most abiding;
Otherwise going and sometime riding;
And if the ground be slipper and sliding,
In faith I fall down mosellinge.

_Idle._ What, some pleasure then there appears;
Beshrew your head between your ears!

_Evil C._ Nay, sir, it shall be yours and theirs;
For when a man hath enow
Let him part with his neighbours.

_Idle._ It is thy destiny, I trow,
For to be clad all in briars,
And ride the horse with four ears.

_Evil C._ Nay, sir, not afore you
For I love ill to waiter; C2,_r._
A ride in a saddle, but ye shall ride in a halter.

_Idle._ In good faith, knave, thou shalt bear me a stripe.

_Evil C._ And thou shalt have another an I can hit thee aright.

_Idle._ Why smitest thou not? Come off!

_Evil C._ Nay, I trow ye do but scoff.
But I would not for an hundred pound fight with thee.

_Idle._ Why so? Tell me!

_Evil C._ For I never fought with man but he died;
And so should you and ye did my strokes abide.

_Idle._ Marry, I had liever thou were tied;
Thou art as manly as ill chieving;
Thou were a good bold fellow to go a thieving.

_Evil C._ Well, let us go to Unthrift's a while hence,
And let some other keep residence;
For I dare lay thereon forty pence
We shall have a sermon or night.

_Idle._ I trow then he will come hither
That laid first _In principio_ together.

_Ambo._ Go we, for we two will go thither,
Thereas we will make merry, by this light!

[_They go out. Enter_ ACTIO _and_
EUGENIO.

_Actio._ A, sir, I have been long away;
I said I would see you by the light day. C2,_v._

_Eug._ There hath be a fair array.
Where we two have be,
There was laying of the law,
And all was not worth a new straw,
So God help me!

_Actio._ Sir, I saw the wench that did your neck claw,
That bare in her hand a gay gewgaw;
Methought it was like a paw
Of a whiting;
She held me with a tale of titmary tally,
Till my thrift was gone as quit as a dally.
God wot, it is a nice thing.

_Eug._ Peace, man! ye shall hear a sermon i-fashion
Of the eagle that riseth full high;
If he do hear thy exclamation
He will make thee to fly.

_Actio._ Not in a string, I trow.
Peace! for he is come now. [_Enter_ ST. JOHN.

_St. John._ O men unkind, wretched and mortal,
Hearken to this parable that I shall tell.

_Eug._ The hearing thereof give you I shall.

_Actio._ And I to do by your counsel, if ye say well.

_St. John._ Now I begin; give good audience!
Two men ascended once to a temple to pray, C3,_r._
Their conversation having great difference.
It was the Pharisien and the Publican, I say.
Two ensamples by them perceive we may.
The great pride of the Pharisee:
Other men's faults he dispraised aye,
And his own counsel hid under false hue.
In the Publican's prayers there was than
A great excellence of meekness;
He despised himself, a wretched man,
Thinking each creature exceeded him in goodness.
His faults he did confess
With great sorrow for his transgression.
And in the Pharisee's prayer did express
Of full pride and adulation.
He prayed not, but praised himself there,
Standing upright with a pert face.
The mass beginneth with _Confiteor_,
And endeth with _Deo gratias_.
Even the reverse he did in this case.
There the mass endeth, he began proudly,
Making no confession of his trespass,
But said _Deo gratias ago tibi_,
In that he thanked God he was not to blame,
But in that he thanked Him not with very meekness.
Three species of sin he rehearsed by name
In which all sins be comprehended express.
By raveners is understand covetise;
In unrightful to say pride of him than;
In advoutry all lechery that men can rehearse.
And thus he excused himself, and slandered the publican.
I pay my tithes, he said also; C3,_v._
And so he did, but not of the best.
In that cayme he was like to,
For he tithed alway of the worst.
Twice in the week, he said, he did fast;
From meat and drink he did, but not from deadly sin;
And that is the fast that pleaseth God best.
But thereat hypocrites will not begin.
Against God he sinned grievously,
In that he justified himself so,
And his even Christian slandering maliciously.
_Tu testimonium perhiberis de teipso,_
_Et testimonium tuum non est verum_--I say so.
Wherefore God did him divide
From the nine parts of angels the tenth, so
There Lucifer is falle[n] for his pride.
The Gospel said, who doth hie him shall be ho.
All they that praiseth themself do sin, be you sure.
And so, you curséd men, do your cure;
For by God's judgment,
If ye forsake not your sin, be you sure
You go to hell. Wherefore, repent!

_Ambo._ I cry God mercy for mine offence;
My wicked life I do defy.

_Eug._ Also I am sorry of my negligence;
Your doctrine I will follow full meekly.

_St. John._ This sample God sayeth us to,
That we should consider it wisely.
Who deemeth himself good is far therefro,
And he that thinketh himself sinfullest is blessed hardely.
Think now that your purpose was set cursedly, C4,_r._
In sin thus to lead lives vain
Under colour of virtue, deeming yourself good.
You and all they that it doth sustain
Be worlde than the Pharisee; men's laws are wood;
Remember this for the reverence of Him that died on rood;
And to the laws of the Church abide every man,
And ye shall be partners of Christ's precious blood,
And blessed of God, as was the Publican.
Thus if ye will be stedfast and true
Jesus will then with His grace you renew.
To that Lord's bliss ye shall come all a
_Qui vivit per infinita seculorum secula._ Amen.

FINIS.

* * * * *

_Thus endeth the Interlude of_ ST JOHN THE EVANGELIST.

_Imprinted at London in Foster Lane by_ JOHN WALEY.

A NOTE-BOOK AND WORD-LIST

INCLUDING

CONTEMPORARY REFERENCES, BIBLIOGRAPHY, VARIORUM READINGS, NOTES,
&c., together with a GLOSSARY OF WORDS AND PHRASES now Archaic or
Obsolete; the whole arranged in ONE ALPHABET IN DICTIONARY FORM

A FOREWORD TO NOTE-BOOK AND WORD-LIST

_Reference from text to Note-Book is copious, and as_ _complete as may be; so also, conversely, from Note-Book_ _to text. The following pages may, with almost absolute_ _certainty, be consulted on any point that may occur in_ _the course of reading; but more especially as regards_

_Biographical and other Notes,_
_Contemporary References to Author and Plays,_
_Bibliography,_
_Variorum Readings,_
_Words and Phrases now obsolete or archaic._

_The scheme of reference from Note-Book to text assumes_ _the division, in the mind's eye, of each page into_ _four horizontal sections; which, beginning at the top,_ _are indicated in the Note-Book by the letters a, b, c, d_ _following the page figure. In practice this will be found_ _easy, and an enormous help to the eye over the usual_ _reference to page alone in "fixing" the "catchword."_ _Thus 126a = the first quarter of page 126; 40c = the third_ _quarter of page 40; and so forth._

_Abbreviations._

_M._ _Mankind._
_N._ _Nature._
_WS._ _Wit and Science._
_R._ _Respublica._
_WH._ _Wealth and Health._
_IP._ _Impatient Poverty._
_JE._ _John the Evangelist._

NOTE-BOOK AND WORD-LIST TO RECENTLY RECOVERED "LOST" TUDOR PLAYS

WITH SOME OTHERS, VIZ.:

_Mankind--Nature--Wit and Science--Respublica--Wealth_ _and
Health--Impatient Poverty--John_ _the Evangelist_

A, (_a_) (_passim_), of varying usages: _e.g._ (1) I: "to God
_a_ vow"; (2) "_a_ be" (R213,_d_)--"He tumbleth whom _a_ lust"
(R212,_c_) = he; (3) = one; (4) "a potful _a_ worts" (M13,_c_) =
of; (5) = on; (6) = have; (7) sometimes used to lengthen a line,
to accent a syllable, or to make a rhyme-ending: also merely
pleonastic. For examples see other volumes of this series.

(_b_) "azee" (R257,_b_)--"A, zee!" (R267,_a_), look! see!

ABAND, "if thou _aband_ thee" (N48,_c_), forsake, abandon. "And
Vortiger enforst the Kingdome to _aband_."--Spenser, _Fairy
Queen_ (1590), ii. v. 63.

ABLE, "zo chwas _able_" (R229,_b_), fit, proper, "fettled": in
original _hable_--cf. _habile_. "Noye, to me thou arte full
_able_, And to my sacrifice acceptable."--_Chester_ _Plays_ (c.
1400), i. 55.

ABRY, see Jack Noble.

ABUSION, "hidden their _abusion_" (R180,_a_), abuse, malpractice.
"The vtter extirpation of false doctrine, the roote and chief
cause of all _abusions_."--Udall, _Pref. to St. Mark_. "To print
such _abusion_."--_Albion Knight_, Anon. Pl. 2 Ser. (E.E.D.S.),
131,_d_.

ADJUTORY, "God will be you[r] _adjutory_" (M12,_a_), properly an
adjective = helpful; the exigencies of the rhyme has, however,
apparently led to its use substantively: the original manuscript,
as indicated, has "be yow _adiutory_."

ADVENTURE, see Joint.

AFFEED, "_affeed_ with them" (N70,_a_), hired, engaged with for
profit: cf. _fee_ (A.S.) = property, money, annual salary,
reward. "There is not a thane of them but in his house I have a
servant _feed_."--Shakespeare, _Macbeth_ (1606), iii. 4.

AFFERE, "With his company myself _affere_" (N63,_d_), belong, be
identified with, "of a kidney with." "He was then buryed at
Winchester in royall wise, As to suche a prince of reason should
_affere_."--Hardyng, _Chronicle_ (_d._ 1465), f. 106.

AFFIANCE, "Company of my _affiance_" (N78,_a_), close connection,
affinity, trusted advisers or servants: see other volumes of this
series.

AFINE, "well _afine_" (R261,_d_), perfectly, thoroughly; _i.e._
well a (= and) fine: a generic intensive. "Till grapes be ripe
and well _a-fine_."--Chaucer, _Romaunt_ _of the Rose_ (1360),
3690.

AGAINST, "_against_ I you call" (R199,_b_), again: the converse
usage (_again_ = against) was also common enough in old writers.

AGED, "some of them were _aged_ ... one by one" (R219,_b_). Mr.
Magnus thinks that in these lines there must be some hint at the
treatment of Bishops Gardiner and Bonner, who were imprisoned and
their lands seized: see Respublica.

ALBS, "th' _albs_ and amices" (R221,_d_), a long white linen
garment or robe worn by officiating priests of the Roman
communion. It reached nearly to the feet, and differed from the
modern surplice (Rev. H. J. Tod), inasmuch as it was worn close
at the wrists, similar to a bishop's lawn sleeves now-a-days.
"They (the bishops) shall have upon them in time of their
ministration, besides their rochet, a surplice or _alb_, and a
cope or vestment."--_Rubric of K._ _Edw. VI._ (1548).

ALE, "mend ... as zour _ale_ in summer" (R227,_b_), _i.e._ not at
all: see Heywood, _Works_ (E.E.D.S.), II., 91_b_.

ALGATE, "hath pleased thy noble grace _algate_" (N48,_a_), always.

ALIANTS, "too many _aliants_ in this realm" (WH 300,_b_ and _c_),
aliens. Foreign immigration seems to have become a burning
question early enough: how dealt with history informs us; and
posterity has, in the main, confirmed the generally judicious and
far-sighted policy of welcome extended to refugees and others,
with its consequent introduction of new blood, new ideas, new
crafts, and the benefits arising therefrom.

ALISE DICTS (R210,_b_), _i.e._ _alias dicta_. People's manglement
of both English and Latin phrases is a noteworthy characteristic
of the play--see Divum, Captivity, Commediens, Enquest, Policate,
etc.

ALL, "then am I _all_ safe" (R241,_d_), quite, entirely. "Woe to
the bloody city! it is _all_ full of lies and robbery."--_Nah._
iii. 1. _Bible_, Auth. Vers. (1611).

ALLECTUOUS, "_allectuous_ ways" (M33,_d_), alluring, enticing:
_allective_ is a commoner form. "Woman yfarced with fraude and
disceipt, To thy confusion most _allective_ bait."--Chaucer,
_Rem. of Love_, ver. 14.

ALLOW, "these words be greatly to _allow_" (N59,_a_), approve,
sanction: American by survival. "First, whether ye _allow_ my
whole device--And if ye like it, and _allow_ it well."--Norton
and Sackville, _Gorboduc_ (1570. 1), 94,_a_ and _b_ (E.E.D.S.).

ALL THING, "_all thing_ hath prospered" (R201,_b_)--"_All_ _thing_
I tell you" (R202,_c_)--"_all thing_ should soon be well"
(R208,_d_), everything.

ALOFT, "look _aloft_ with th' hands under the side"
(R192,_d_), _i.e._ Insolence when presented to Respublica
as the captain of the marauding crew is to assume a
butter-will-not-melt-in-my-mouth expression.

AMICALLY, "he hath _amically_' directed" [(R237,_d_), amicably,
in a friendly fashion. "An _amical_ call to repentance and the
practical belief of the Gospel."--W. Watson, M.A., 1691, in A.
Wood, _Ath. Ox._, 2nd ed., vol. ii., col. 1133.

AMICES, "th' albs and _amices_" (R221,_d_), a piece of fine linen
worn by officiating priests: it was oblong-square in form,
folded diagonally. It covered the head, neck, and shoulders, and
was buckled or clasped before the breast, and when the altar
was reached was thrown back upon the shoulders. It forms the
uppermost of the six sacerdotal garments, the others being the
alb, cingulum, stole, manipulus, and the planeta. The amice is
still worn under the alb.

AMONG, "follow his appetite _among_" (N49,_c_), in
company--elliptical: see other volumes of this series.

AMROMES, "books _Amromes_" (JE356,_b_), so in original. I can
suggest nothing beyond a misprint for "amorous"; but, in that
case, why the capital _A_? A line (or lines) may also be missing
at this point, the connection being not at all obvious. However,
there is nothing to suggest a break, the printing being unusually
regular and clear at this point in the original.

ANCH, "_anch_ hear om" (R230,_b_)--"_anch_ can spy my time"
(R231,_c_), for _an ich_ = if I.

ANGEL, (_a_) "an _angel_ for a reward" (R264,_b_). Mr. Magnus
thinks that here is enshrined a play on the proper meaning of the
word, and _angel_ = a coin of the realm.

(_b_) see Angelot.

ANGELOT (R216,_d_). Mr. Magnus in his note (E.E.T.S. ed., p. 67,
line 768) seems to identify this coin with the angel. He may be
right; but on the other hand, it is not out of place to point
out that in numismatics an angelot is generally regarded as an
ancient French coin first struck at Paris when that capital was
in English occupation (1420). It bore on it the figure of an
angel supporting the escutcheon of England and France. The angel
of Edward VI. was a gold coin, named from the fact that on one
side of it was a representation of the Archangel Michael in
conflict with the Dragon (Rev. xii. 7). The reverse had a ship
with a large cross for the mast, the letter E on the right side
and a rose on the left; whilst against the ship was a shield
with the usual arms. Angels were first struck in France in 1340,
and were introduced into England by Edward IV. in 1465. Between
his reign and that of Charles I. it varied in value from 6s.8d.
to 10s. The last struck in England were in the reign of Charles
I.--H. Noel Humphreys, _Coins of England_, 5th ed., 1848; and
other authorities. _Angelots_ (_i.e._ half the value of an
angel), were also struck by Edward VI. in 1550: see Edwards.

ANNEXION, "the soul hath his _annexion_" (M38,_c_), conjunction:
Shakespeare in _The Lover's Complaint_ employs it in the sense of
_addition_.