Part 10

_Wit._ No? How say ye? [_To_ EXPERIENCE.

_Exp._ As she saith, so say I.

_Wit._ By the mass, then are ye both stark blind! What difference between this and this can ye find?

_Exp._ Marry, this is fair, pleasant, and goodly; And ye are foul, displeasant, and ugly.

_Wit._ Marry, avaunt, thou foul ugly whore!

_Sci._ So, lo! now I perceive ye more and more.

_Wit._ What! perceive you me as ye would make me A natural fool?

_Sci._ Nay, ye mistake me; I take ye for no fool natural, But I take ye thus--shall I tell all?

_Wit._ Yea, marry! tell me your mind, I pray ye, Whereto I shall trust. No more delay ye!

_Sci._ I take ye for no natural fool, Brought up among the innocents' school; But for a naughty, vicious fool, Brought up with Idleness in her school: Of all arrogant fools thou art one!

_Wit._ Yea, God's body!

_Exp._ Come, let us be gone! [_The two go out._

_Wit._ My sword! is it gone? A vengeance on them! Be they gone, too, and their heads upon them? But, proud queans! the devil go with you both! Not one point of courtesy in them goeth. A man is well at ease by suit to pain him For such a drab, that so doth disdain him! So mocked, so louted, so made a sot-- Never was I erst, since I was begot! Am I so foul as those drabs would make me? Where is my glass that Reason did take me? Now shall this glass of Reason soon try me As fair as those drabs that so doth belie me. Ha! God's soul! what have we here? a devil? This glass, I see well, hath been kept evil. God's soul! a fool, a fool, by the mass! What--a very vengeance!--aileth this glass? Other this glass is shamefully spotted, Or else am I too shamefully blotted! Nay, by God's arms! I am so, no doubt! How look their faces here round about? All fair and clear they, everyone; And I, by the mass, a fool alone, Decked, by God's bones, like a very ass! Ignorance['s] coat, hood, ears--yea, by the mass!-- Cockscomb and all; I lack but a bauble! And as for this face it is abominable; As black as the devil! God, for His passion! Where have I been rayed after this fashion? This same is Idleness--a shame take her! This same is her work--the devil in hell rake her! The whore hath shamed me forever, I trow! I trow? Nay, verily, I know! Now it is so, the stark fool I play Before all people; now see it I may. Every man I see laugh me to scorn; Alas, alas! that ever I was born! It was not for nought, now well I see, That those two ladies disdained me. Alas! Lady Science, of all other-- How have I railed on her and her mother! Alas! that lady I have now lost Whom all the world loveth and honoureth most! Alas! from Reason had I not varied, Lady Science or this I had married; And those four gifts which the World gave her I had won, too, had I kept her favour; Where now, instead of that lady bright With all those gallants seen in my sight-- Favour, Riches, yea, Worship and Fame-- I have won Hatred, Beggary and Open Shame!

SHAME _cometh in with a whip._ [REASON _followeth him._]

_Wit._ Out upon thee, Shame! what doest thou here?

_Rea._ Marry! I, Reason, bade him here appear. Upon him, Shame! with stripes enow smitten, While I rehearse his faults herein written! First, he hath broken his promise formerly Made to me, Reason, my daughter to marry; Next, he hath broken his promise promised To obey Instruction, and him despised; Thirdly, my daughter Science to reprove, Upon Idleness he hath set his love; Fourthly, he hath followed Idleness' school Till she hath made him a very stark fool; Lastly, offending both God and man, Swearing great oaths as any man can, He hath abused himself, to the great shame Of all his kindred, and loss of his good name. Wherefore, spare him not, Shame! beat him well there! He hath deserved more than he can bear.

[WIT _kneeleth down_.

[_Wit._] Oh father Reason, be good unto me! Alas! these stripes of Shame will undo me!

_Rea._ Be still awhile, Shame! Wit, what sayest thou?

_Wit._ Oh sir! forgive me, I beseech you!

_Rea._ If I forgive thee thy punishment, Wilt thou then follow thy first intent And promise made, my daughter to marry?

_Wit._ Oh sir! I am not worthy to carry The dust out where your daughter should sit.

_Rea._ I wot well that; but if I admit Thee, unworthy, again to her wooer, Wilt thou then follow thy suit unto her?

_Wit._ Yea, sir! I promise you, while life endureth.

_Rea._ Come near, masters! here is one ensureth

_Here cometh_ INSTRUCTION, STUDY, _and_ DILIGENCE _in_.

In words to become an honest man! Take him, Instruction; do what ye can!

_Inst._ What, to the purpose he went before?

_Rea._ Yea to my daughter prove him once more! Take him, and trim him in new apparel, And give that to Shame there to his farewell!

_Inst._ Come on your way, Wit! be of good cheer! After stormy clouds cometh weather clear.

[INSTRUCTION, STUDY, WIT _and_ DILIGENCE _go out_.

_Rea._ Who list to mark now this chance here done, May see what Wit is without Reason. What was this Wit better than an ass Being from Reason strayed, as he was? But, let pass now! since he is well punished; And thereby, I trust, meetly well monished. Yea, and I like him never the worse, I, Though Shame hath handled him shamefully; For like as if Wit had proudly bent him To resist Shame, to make Shame absent him, I would have thought then that Wit had been-- As the saying is, and daily seen-- Past Shame once, and past all amendment: So contrary, since he did relent To Shame, when Shame punished him even ill, I have, I say, good hope in him still. I think, as I thought--if join they can-- My daughter well bestowed on this man. But all the doubt now is to think how My daughter taketh this; for I may tell you I think she knew this Wit even as well As she seemed here to know him no deal, For lack of knowledge in Science there is none; Wherefore, she knew him, and thereupon His misbehaviour perchance even striking Her heart against him, she--now misliking, As women oft-times will be hard-hearted-- Will be the stranger to be reverted. This must I help; Reason must now walk, On Wit's part with my Science to talk. A near way to her know I, whereby My son's coming prevent now must I. Perchance, I may bring my daughter hither; If so, I doubt not to join them together

[_Exeat_ REASON.

CONFIDENCE _cometh in._

[_Conf._] I thank God, yet at last I have found him; I was afraid some mischance had drowned him, My master, Wit, with whom I have spoken; Yea, and delivered token for token, And have another to Science again-- A heart of gold, signifying, plain, That Science hath won Wit's heart forever-- Whereby, I trust, by my good endeavour, To that good lady, so sweet and so sortly, A marriage between them ye shall see shortly.

[CONFIDENCE _exeat_.

INSTRUCTION _cometh in with_ WIT, STUDY, _and_ DILIGENCE.

[_Inst._] Lo, sir! now ye be entered again Toward that passage where doth remain Tediousness, your mortal enemy; Now may ye choose whether ye will try Your hands again on that tyrant stout, Or else walking a little about.

_Wit._ Nay; for God's passion, sir, let me meet him! Ye see I am able now for to greet him: This sword of comfort, sent from my love, Upon her enemy needs must I prove!

_Inst._ Then, forth there! and turn on your right hand Up that mount, before ye shall see stand. But hear ye! If your enemy chance to rise, Follow my counsel in anywise; Let Study and Diligence flee their touch-- The stroke of Tediousness--and then couch Themselves, as I told ye: ye wot how.

_Wit._ Yea, sir! for that how, mark the proof now!

_Inst._ To mark it, indeed, here will I abide, To see what chance of them will betide; For here cometh the pith, lo! of this journey. That mountain, before which they must assay, Is called in Latin _Mons Parnassus_; Which mountain, as old authors discuss, Who attaineth once to sleep on that mount, Lady Science his own he may count. But or he come there ye shall see fought A fight with no less policy wrought Than strength, I trow, if that may be praised.

_Ted._ Oh! ho! ho!

_Inst._ Hark!

_Ted._ [_entering_]. Out, ye caitiffs!

_Inst._ The fiend is raised!

_Ted._ Out, ye villains! be ye come again? Have at ye, wretches!

_Wit._ Flee, sirs! ye twain!

_Ted._ They flee not far hence!

_Dil._ Turn again, Study!

_Study._ Now, Diligence!

_Inst._ Well said! Hold fast now!

_Study._ He fleeth!

_Dil._ Then follow!

_Inst._ With his own weapon now work him sorrow! Wit lieth at receipt!

_Ted._ (_dieth_). Oh! ho! ho!

_Inst._ Hark! he dieth! Where strength lacketh, policy supplieth.

_Here_ WIT _cometh in and bringeth in the head_ _upon his sword, and sayeth as followeth:_

[_Wit._] I can ye thank, sirs! this was well done!

_Study._ Nay, yours is the deed!

_Dil._ To you is the thank!

_Inst._ I can ye thank, all; this was well done!

_Wit._ How say ye, man? Is this field well won?

CONFIDENCE _cometh running in._

[_Conf._] Yea, by my faith, so sayeth your dear heart.

_Wit._ Why, where is she, that here now thou art?

_Conf._ Upon yonder mountain, on high, She saw ye strike that head from the body; Whereby ye have won her, body and all; In token whereof receive here ye shall A gown of knowledge, wherein you must Receive her here straight.

_Wit._ But sayest thou just?

[_Conf._] So just I say that, except ye hie ye, Or ye be ready, she will be by ye.

_Wit._ Hold! Present unto her this head here, And give me warning when she cometh near.

[_Exit_ CONFIDENCE.

Instruction! will ye help to devise To trim this gear now in the best wise?

_Inst._ Give me that gown, and come with me, all!

_Dil._ Oh, how this gear to the purpose doth fall!

CONFIDENCE _cometh running in._

[_Conf._] How, master, master! Where be ye now?

_Wit._ Here, Confidence! what tidings bring'st thou?

_Conf._ My lady at hand here doth abide ye; Bid her welcome! What, do ye hide ye?

_Here_ WIT, INSTRUCTION, STUDY, _and_ DILIGENCE _sing "Welcome, my own,"_ _and_ SCIENCE, EXPERIENCE, REASON _and_ CONFIDENCE _come in at L[eft],_ _and answer every second verse:_

_Welcome, mine own!_ _Welcome, mine own!_

_Wit and his Company. O lady dear,_ _Be ye so near_ _To be known?_ _My heart you cheer_ _Your voice to hear;_ _Welcome, mine own!_

_Sci. and her Company. As ye rejoice_ _To hear my voice_ _Fro me thus blown,_ _So in my choice_ _I show my voice_ _To be your own._

_Wit and his Company._ _Then draw we near_ _To see and hear_ _My love long grown!_ _Where is my dear?_ _Here I appear_ _To see mine own._

_Sci. and her Company._ _To see and try_ _Your love truly_ _Till death be flown,_ _Lo! here am I,_ _That ye may spy_ _I am your own._

_Wit and his Company._ _Then let us meet,_ _My love so sweet,_ _Half-way here thrown!_

_Sci. and her Company._ _I will not sleet_ _My love to greet._ _Welcome, mine own!_

_Wit and his Company._ _Welcome, mine own!_

_All sing:_ _Welcome, mine own!_

[_And when the song is done_, REASON _sendeth_ INSTRUCTION, STUDY, _and_ DILIGENCE, _and_ CONFIDENCE _out; and_ _then, standing in the middle of the_ _place_, WIT _sayeth as followeth_:

_Wit._ Welcome, mine own! with all my whole heart, Which shall be your own till death us depart! I trust, lady! this knot even since knit.

_Sci._ I trust the same; for since ye have smit Down my great enemy, Tediousness, Ye have won me forever, doubtless, Although ye have won a clog withal!

_Wit._ A clog, sweetheart? what?

_Sci._ Such as doth fall To all men that join themselves in marriage, In keeping their wives; a careful carriage!

_Wit._ Careful? Nay, lady! that care shall employ No clog, but a key of my most joy. To keep you, sweet heart! as shall be fit, Shall be no care, but most joy to Wit!

_Sci._ Well, yet I say--mark well what I say!-- My presence bringeth you a clog; no nay! Not in the keeping of me only, But in the use of Science chiefly; For I, Science, am, in this degree, As all, or most part, of women be: If ye use me well, in a good sort, Then shall I be your joy and comfort; But if ye use me not well, then doubt me, For sure ye were better then without me!

_Wit._ Why, lady! think you me such a wit, As being affianced by you, and yet Would misuse ye? Nay, if ye doubt that, Here is one loveth thee more than somewhat: If Wit misuse ye at any season, Correct me then your own father, Reason.

_Rea._ Ho, daughter! can ye desire any more? What need these doubts? Avoid them, therefore!

_Exp._ By' lakyn, sir! but, under your favour, This doubt our daughter doth well to gather For a good warning now, at beginning, What Wit, in the end, shall look for in winning. Which shall be this, sir! if Science here, Which is God's gift, be used mere Unto God's honour, and profit both Of you and your neighbour, which goth In her, of kind, to do good to all: This seen to, Experience! I, shall Set you forth, Wit, by her to employ Double increase to your double joy; But if you use her contrariwise To her good nature, and so devise To evil effects to wrest and to wry her, Yea, and cast her off and set nought by her, Be sure I, Experience, shall than Declare you so before God and man; That this talent from you shall be taken And you punished for your gain forsaken.

_Wit._ "Once warned, half-armed," folk say, namely when Experience shall warn a man, then Time to take heed. Mother Experience! Touching your daughter, my dear heart, Science, As I am certain that to abuse her I breed mine own sorrow, and well to use her I increase my joy; and so to make it God's grace is ready if I will take it: Then--but ye count me no wit at all-- Let never these doubts into your head fall; But, as yourself, Experience, clearing All doubts at length, so, till time appearing, Trust ye with me in God; and, sweetheart, While your father, Reason, taketh with part To receive God's grace as God shall send it, Doubt ye not our joy till life's end [end] it!

_Sci._ Well, then, for the end of all doubts past, And to that end which ye spake of last, Among our wedding matters here rendering, Th' end of our lives would be in remembering; Which remembrance, Wit, shall sure defend ye From the misuse of Science and send ye The gain my mother to mind did call: Joy without end--that wish I to all!

_Rea._ Well said! and as ye, daughter! wish it, That joy, to all folk in general, So wish I, Reason, the same; but yet First in this life wish I here to fall To our most noble King and Queen in especial, To their honourable Council, and then to all the rest, Such joy as long may rejoice them all best! [_All say Amen._

_Here cometh in four with viols and sing, "Remember_ _me," and, at the last, choir all make_ _curtsey, and so go forth singing._

* * * * *

_Thus endeth the Play of Wit and Science,_ _made by Master John Redford._

RESPUBLICA

A.D. 1553

A DRAMA OF REAL LIFE IN THE EARLY DAYS OF QUEEN MARY

A MERRY INTERLUDE, ENTITLED

RESPUBLICA

MADE IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD 1553, AND THE FIRST YEAR OF THE MOST PROSPEROUS REIGN OF OUR MOST GRACIOUS SOVEREIGN QUEEN MARY THE FIRST

¤#The Parts and Names of the Players:#¤

THE PROLOGUE, a Poet

AVARICE, _alias_ POLICY, the Vice of the Play

INSOLENCE, _alias_ AUTHORITY, the Chief Gallant

OPPRESSION, _alias_ REFORMATION, another Gallant

ADULATION, _alias_ HONESTY, the Third Gallant

PEOPLE, representing the Poor Commonalty

RESPUBLICA, a Widow

MISERICORDIA, } VERITAS, } four Ladies JUSTICIA, } PAX, }

NEMESIS, the Goddess of Redress and Correction, a Goddess

RESPUBLICA.

THE PROLOGUE.

First, health and success, with many a good new year, Wished unto all this noble presence here! I have more t' entreat you of gentle sufferance That this our matter may have quiet utterance. We, that are th' authors, have ourselves dedicate With some Christmas devise, your spirits to recreate; And, our poet trusteth, the thing we shall recite May, without offence, the hearers' minds delight; Indeed, no man speaketh words so well fore pondered, But the same, by some means, may be misconstrued. Nor, nothing so well meant but that, by some pretence, It may be wrong interpreted from the author's sense. But, let this be taken no worse than it is meant, And I hope nor we, nor our poet, shall be shent.

But now, of th' argument to touch a word or twain: The name of our play is Respublica, certain. Our meaning is--I say not, as by plain story, But as it were in figure by an allegory-- To show that all commonweals ruin and decay From time to time hath been, is, and shall be alway, When Insolence, Flattery, Oppression, And Avarice have the rule in their possession. But, though these vices, by cloaked collusion, And by counterfeit names hidden their abusion, Do reign for a while to commonweals' prejudice, Perverting all right, and all order of true justice; Yet time trieth all, and time bringeth truth to light; That wrong may not ever still reign in place of right. For, when pleaseth God such commonweals to restore To their wealth and honour, wherein they were afore, He sendeth down His most tender compassion, To cause truth go about in visitation. Verity, the daughter of sage old Father Time, Sheweth all as it is, be it virtue or crime; Then doth Justice, all such as commonwealth oppress-- Tempered with mercy--endeavour to suppress; With whom, anon, is linked tranquillity and peace, To commonweals' joy and perpetual increase.

But shall boys, (saith some now), of such high matters play? No! not as discussers; but yet, the book doth say: _Ex ore infantium perferisti laudem._ For, when Christ came riding into Jerusalem, The young babes, with th' old folk, cried out all and some: "Blessed be the man that in the Lord's name doth come!" So, for good England's sake, this present hour and day, In hope of her restoring from her late decay, We children, to you old folk, both with heart and voice, May join all together to thank God, and rejoice That He hath sent Mary, our sovereign and queen, To reform th' abuses which hitherto hath been; And that ills which long time have reigned uncorrect Shall now, for ever, be redressed with effect. She is our most wise and most worthy Nemesis; Of whom our play meaneth, t' amend that is amiss; Which, to bring to pass, that she may have time and space, Let us, both young and old, to God commend her grace! Now, if you so please, I will go and hither send That shall make you laugh well, if ye abide th' end.

FINIS.

RESPUBLICA.

ACTUS PRIMI, SCENA PRIMA.

[AVARICE.]

_Avarice._ Now, godigod! everyone, both great and small, From highest to lowest, Godigod to you all! Godigod! what should I say? even or morn, If I mark how the day goeth--God give me sorrow! But, godigod! each one, twenty and twenty score Of that ye most long for--what would ye have more? Ye must pardon my wits, for I tell you, plain, I have a hive of humble bees swarming in my brain; And he that hath the compass to fetch that I must fetch, I may say, in counsel, had need his wits to stretch.

But now, what my name is, and what is my purpose-- Taking you all for friends--I fear not to disclose. My very true, unchristian name is Avarice, Which I may not have openly known, in no wise; For, though to most men I am found commodious, Yet, to those that use me, my name is odious. For, who is so foolish that the evil he hath wrought For his own behoof, he would to light should be brought? Or, who had not rather, his ill doings to hide, Than to have the same bruited on every side? Therefore, to work my feat, I will my name disguise; And call my name Policy instead of Covetise. The name of Policy is praised of each one; But, to rake gromwell-seed, Avarice is alone; The name of Policy is of none suspected-- Policy is ne'er of any crime detected. So that, under the name and cloak of Policy, Avarice may work facts, and scape all jealousy. And, now is the time come that--except I be a beast, E'en to make up my mouth, and to feather my nest-- A time that I have waited for, a great long space; And now may I speed my purpose, if I have grace.