A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 01

I say some good body lend me his hanger, And I shall him teach by God Almighty, How he shall another time learn for to fight! I shall make that bald crown of his to look red; I...

PARDONER. Well, sir, then mark what I can say. I have been a pardoner many a day, And done greater[508] cures ghostly Than ever he did bodily. Namely this one, which ye shall he...

"Hickscorner bears no distant resemblance to comedy: its chief aim seems to be to exhibit characters and manners, its plot being much less regular than the foregoing. The prolog...

What, sir, art thou so pure holy? Ah, see, this caitiff would be praised, I trow; And you thrive this year, I will lose a penny. Lo, sirs, outward he beareth a fair face; But, a...

How should I be merry or glad? For fair promises men to me make; But, when I have most need, they me forsake; I am deceived, that maketh me sad.

PATER COELESTIS. I have with fierceness mankind oftentimes corrected, And again I have allured him by sweet promise, I have sent sore plagues, when he hath me neglected, And the...

Why, Thersites, hast thou any wit in thy head? Wouldst thou have a sallet now? all the herbs are dead! Beside that it is not meet for a smith To gather herbs and sallets to medd...

MEL. Then on my knees now I fall down, And of God chiefly asking forgiveness; And next of you; for into oblivion I have put your doctrine and lessons doubtless. DAN. Fear not, d...

Deus hic, the Holy Trinity, Preserve all that now here be! Dear brethren, if ye will consider The cause, why I am come hither, Ye would be glad to know my intent: For I come not...

Lo, friends, ye may see What great men write to me. [_Here he must read the letter_. As entirely as heart can think, Or scrivener can write with ink, I send you loving greeting,...

ABRAHAM FIDELIS. Pitiful Maker, though they have kindled thy fury, Cast not away yet the just sort with the ungodly. Paraventure there may be fifty righteous persons Within thos...

Th' abundant grace of the power divine, Which doth illumine the world environ, Preserve this audience, and cause them to incline To charity, this is my petition; For by your pat...

John Bale, author of the morality of "God's Promises," is more known as an historian and controversialist than as a dramatic writer. He was [the son of Henry and Margaret Bale,...

SEM. Tush, sir, be merry, let pass away the mare:[33] How say you, have I not hied me lightly? Here is your chair and lute to make you merry. CAL. Merry, quotha? nay, that will...

CONSCIENCE. Manhood, ye must love God above all thing. His name in idleness ye may not ming: Keep your holy-day from worldly doing: Your father and mother worship aye: Covet ye...

315. "The difference between a pilgrim and a palmer was thus: The pilgrim had some home or dwelling-place; but the palmer had none. The pilgrim travelled to some certain designe...

'POTHECARY. So mot I thrive then for my part, I beshrew thy knave's naked heart, For making my wife's pincase so wide, The pins fall out, they cannot abide: Great pins she must...

SEN. Then I beshrew thee, page, of thine age! Come hither, knave, for thine advantage; Why makest thou it so tow? TA. For mine advantage, marry, then I come. Beware, sirs, ho! l...

72. It is now known that at least four editions of this moral play were printed, two by Richard Pynson, and two by John Skot. See Hazlitt's "Handbook," p. 463-4, where all will...

CAL. Mother, as I promised to assoil thy doubt, Here I give thee an hundred pieces of gold. CEL. Sir, I promise you I shall bring it about, All thing to purpose, even as ye woul...

363. _Pardoner_. "Pardoners were certaine fellowes that caried about the Pope's Indulgences, and sold them to such as would buy them; against whom Luther, by Sleydans report, in...

Preface Interlude of the Four Elements Calisto and Melibaea Everyman: a Moral Play Hickscorner The Pardoner and the Friar The World and the Child (Mundus and Infans) God's Promi...

IGNORANCE. With arguing here their foolish [saws] That is not worth three straws. I love not this whoreson 'losophers, Nor this great cunning extromers, That tell how far it is...