Chapter 14

SCIENCE, WIT, WILL; [_to them_] INSTRUCTION, STUDY, DILIGENCE, TEDIOUSNESS.

SCIENCE. Mine own dear Wit, the hope of mine avail, My care, my comfort, my treasure and my trust, Take heart of grace our enemy to assail, Lay up these things, which you have heard discuss'd; So doing, undoubtingly you cannot fail To win the field, to 'scape all these unhappy shewers;[437] To glad your friends, to cause your foes to wail; To match with us, and then the gain is yours. Here in this closet ourself will sit and see Your manly feats and your success in fight: Strike home courageously for you and me; Learn where and how to fend, and how to smite. In any wise, be ruled by these three; They shall direct both you and Will aright. Farewell, and let our loving counsel be At every hand before you in your fight.

WIT. Here in my sight, good madam, sit and view: That, when I list, I may look upon you. This face, this noble face, this lively hue, Shall harden me, shall make our enemy rue. O faithful mates, that have this care of me, How shall I ever recompense your pains with gold or fee? Come now, and, as you please, enjoin me how to do it, And you shall see me prest and serviceable to it.

WILL. Why, master, whither [a]way? what haste? am I no body?

INSTRUCTION. What, Will, we may not miss thee for no money.

WIT. Welcome, good Will, and do as thou art bid; This day or never must Tediousness be rid.

WILL. God speed us well, I will make one at all assays.

INSTRUCTION. Thou shalt watch to take him at certain bays, Come not in the throng, but save thyself always. You twain on either side first with your sword and buckler; After the first conflict, fight with your sword and daggers; You, sir, with a javelin and your target in your hand, See how ye can his deadly strokes withstand. Keep at the foin;[438] come not within his reach, Until you see, what good advantage you may catch. Then hardily leave him not, till time you strike him dead, And, of all other parts, especially save your head.

WIT. Is this all, for I would fain have done?

WILL. I would we were at it, I care not how soon.

INSTRUCTION. Now, when ye please; I have no more to tell, But heartily to pray for you, and wish you well.

WIT. I thank you; go thou, and bid the battle, Will.

WILL. Come out, thou monster fell, that hast desire to spill The knot and linked love of Science and of Wit, Come, try the quarrel in the field, and fight with us a fit.