Part 4

_Sens._ Yet, Reason! when thou hast said all, If thou see him not take his own way, Call me cut when thou meetest me another day.

_Rea._ For certain yet, according to mine office, I must advertise and counsel him, at the least, To haunt virtue and 'schew all vice; And therein assist him to the uttermost; And if he will algates be a beast, And take none heed to my lore and doctrine, The peril and hurt shall be his, not mine.

_Inno._ Sirs! I shall answer for this man, as yet That he is maiden for all such folly As should disdain nature, or dishonour it. Brought up with me, full well and tenderly, Wherefore I dare the surelier testify For Innocency, that he is yet virgin, Both for deed and eke consent of sin.

And longer will not I be of his acquaintance Than he is virtuous, and of good living; For, fleshly lust and worldly pleasance Is, with Innocency, nothing according. But, if his behaviour and daily demeaning Be of such draught as reason will allow, I shall him favour and love, as I do now.

_Sens._ Well spoken and wisely! now have ye all done? Or, have ye ought else to this man to say?

_Rea._ O, sir, yea!

_Sens._ Peace, no more of this disputation! Here be many fantasies to drive forth the day; That one chattereth like a pie; that other like a jay; And yet, when they both have done what they can, Maugre their teeth, I shall rule the man.

_Man._ O, blessed Lord! what manner strife is this Atwixt my reason and sensuality, That one meaneth well, and that other all amiss. In one is sikerness, and in tother great frailty; And both they be so annexed to me That needest I must with one of them abide. Lord, as Thou thinkest best for me, do provide!

For, I am wondrously entriked in this case, And almost brought into perplexity; Notwithstanding, thanked be Thy grace, As I did never assent, nor agree To things that should be contrarious unto Thee; Of sinful deed and thought all innocent, Subdued to Reason as his obedient.

_Rea._ Christ grant you therein good continuance! To be ever of the same mind and intent. But now, will ye call to your remembrance For what cause ye be hither sent? I hold it well done, and right expedient That ye were brought unto the world's presence.

_Man._ Be it so! in God's name I pray you go we hence!

_Rea._ And will ye that I shall for you declare Unto the world the cause of your coming, What is your intent, and what person ye are?

_Man._ Yea! I would be glad that everything Be done even after your devising.

_Sens._ Shall I then stand as I were tongue-tied?

_Man._ Yea, hardely! till Reason have said.

_Rea._ Sir World! it is the mind and also pleasure Of lady Nature, as she bade us to you tell, That ye accept and receive this her creature With you, for a season here to dwell; Desiring you heartily to entreat him well, With all the favour that ye can devise; Wherein ye shall do her great pleasure and service.

_The World._ Sirs! ye be welcome to us heartily. Your message is to us right acceptable. Be ye assured there is nothing earthly To us so joyful, nor yet so delectable, As to be acquainted with persons honourable; Namely, such as ye seem to be, Men of high honour and of great dignity.

And, as touching the message that ye have brought, Have thereof the full mind and intent; Assuring you that our busy thought Shall be to do dame Nature's commandment. And, thereunto, we will be diligent To do her pleasures in that we may; And so we would ye should to her say.

And where ye show unto me that this man Is ordained to reign here, in this empery I assent well; for, or nature began To shape the world she thought finally To ordain man therein to occupy; He to take upon him as mighty governor, Having all things subdued to his power.

Wherefore, I receive greatly his coming. Mankind, sir, heartily welcome ye be! Ye are the person, without feigning, That I have evermore desired to see: Come! let me kiss you. O, benedicite! Ye be all naked! alas, man! why thus? I make you sure it is right perilous.

_Man._ I thank you; but I need none other vesture; Nature hath clothed me as yet sufficiently. Guiltless of sin, and as a maiden pure, I wear on me the garment of innocency.

_Inno._ Yea, hardely wear that garment continually: It shall thy body sufficiently safeguard From stormy weather, my life to jeopard.

_The World._ Be peace, fair woman! ye are not very wise; Care ye not if this body take cold? Ye must consider this is not paradise, Nor yet so temperate by a thousandfold. Whoso liveth here, be he young or old, He must suffer both fervent cold and heat; And be out of temperance oft time in his diet.

Also, he must needs do as the world doth That intendeth any while here to reign; And follow the guise that now-a-day goeth, As far as his estate may it maintain. And who doth the contrary--I will be plain-- He is abject and despised utterly; And standeth ever banished from all good company. Sith God, therefore, had ordained this body To dwell here in this earthly region, Of convenience he must himself apply To worldly things; and be of such condition As all men be; and leave each fond opinion That is not approvable of wiser men than he; To take such way it is but vanity. Take this garment! man, do as I you bid! Be not ashamed hardely to do it on. So, lo! now this girdle have gird it in the mid; And this for your head go set it upon: By the charge of me! you be a goodly one As ever I saw sith that I was born; Worth a thousand that ye were beforne. Give me your hand! be not in fear! Sit down as ye are born to occupy this place! I give you here authority and power Over all thing that conceived is, in the space Of all the earth that round is in compass, To be as lord of every region; And, thereof, I give you peaceable possession.

_Man._ Blessed be Thou, my Lord, most bounteous! That of Thy great abundant charity Me, Thy wretched creature, hast honoured thus With natural gifts and worldly dignity. Now, I beseech Thee, for Thy great pity, Sith Thou hast set me in so noble way, Suffer me not hereafter wretchedly to decay. For, certes! it is mine heart's desire So to demean me in this life present As may be most unto Thy pleasure, And unto nature not disconvenient. This is my will and my chief intent; This will I observe, Thy grace to borrow, Though I, therefore, suffer much worldly sorrow.

_Rea._ Forsooth! these words be greatly to allow If they from meek and lowly heart proceed. Now, Mankind, sith thou hast made this vow, Shape thee, thereafter, thy life to lead; And let thy word be cousin to thy deed: That is to say, do thou none otherwise Than thou here openly to God dost promise.

_Inno._ Yea, sir! and ever look that ye abstain, Not only from deed, but also from the assent; See that ye commit neither of them twain If ye will observe the high commandment. For, surely ye may not be cleped innocent, Nor guiltless of sin, as far as I can find, If once ye assent to folly in your mind.

_Mun._ This is an hard word, sister, that ye have spoken; An hard word, surely, and an heavy sentence! But think ye God's commandment broken For a light trifle and matter of insolence? Alas! have ye such a spiced conscience That will be entriked with every merry thought? Leave it, woman! leave it! For it is nought.

[_Loquitur ad ho[minem]._

And man! as for you, ye shall not take that way; That manner of observance is too hard and strait. Ye must attempt the world; and, therein assay Whether ye can live after that endrait. These two folk harp both on refrait; And ever enbusieth them to rebuke you of sin That never was spotted, nor found guilty therein.

Take no heed of them! their words be but wind; And, as for this time, I command them to silence. And let us see now how prately ye can find, By sage policy and worldly prudence, To maintain the state, in honour and reverence, That ye shall be in while ye in the world dwell. Speak of this matter and ponder it well!

First, meseemeth necessary to provide What manner folks your servants shall be; For, surely, ye are nothing accompanied According to a man of your degree: Ye have here with you two persons or three That pleaseth you happily, in the best wise; Yet it appeareth not so to every man's guise.

What man is this?

_Man._ Reason, sir! my chief counsellor; And this Innocency, my nourice hitherto; And Sensuality that other, by whom I have power To do as all sensate beasts do. But Reason and Innocency, chiefly these two, Have the whole rule and governy of me; To whom eke is subdued my Sensuality.

_Sens._ For certain, sir! Reason hath done me wrong; More than ever he shall be able to recompense. God knoweth, sir! I thought the season very long Till we were brought unto your presence. But now, I pray you to annul the sentence That Nature gave unto me by Reason's advice, To my great hurt and utter prejudice.

And sir! I ask none amends earthly, But that Reason may have a checkmate; A little knack, a little pretty congy, His haut courage some thing to abate. For, hitherto, he hath kept great estate; And had of me the over hand and stronger: But be not displeased! I will suffer it no longer.

_Mun._ Thou hast had great wrong, and that is pity; For, if thou be the person that I take thee for, Thou should'st be as honourable as he.

* * * * *

_Sens._ Lord! ye say well; but would God ye would see Some manner help and remedy for this evil; And let me not alway live thus like a drivel.

_Mun._ Sir! ye know well that if so it were A man should suddenly come to a strange place, Wherein he is but alien and stranger, He must needs be compelled, in that case, To put himself in the favour and grace Of some singular person, that can show him the way Of all the behaviour and guise in that country.

So it is now that ye be hither sent; This country, as yet, to you unknown. In mine opinion it is expedient To take some other counsel than your own, Of well inured men, such as have grown In worldly experience, and have thereof the drift, And can best for you in time of need shift.

_Homo._ Certes! ye move right well and prudently; And I am well content that it so be; But, as yet, have I not the policy To know which men have most ability.

_Mun._ Dare ye commit the matter unto me?

_Homo._ Yea, sir! right well; I am fully content That all thing be done by your assignment.

_Mun._ Then thus I will, that above all thing, From henceforward, ye be like and conformable Unto other persons in all your demeaning; Namely, to such as be companable, Be they never so vicious or abominable; For every man clepeth him wise That doth after the common guise.

And, as for men that should do you service, I know divers persons that be right honourable That can you serve, alway point device. In all the world be there none so able, So wise, so politic, nor yet so profitable. Lo! here is one of them that I speak for; And he himself can tell you where ye shall have more.

Worldly Affection is this man's name; He is well brained, and wondrous of invention; A forecasting man and, payne of shame! Ye shall not find in any Christian region A wiser fellow in things to be done; Specially of matters that be concerning Worldly pleasure, that is for you according.

Suffer him, therefore, never to depart; But, if it be for matters of great substance, And for sensuality, I pray you with all my heart To accept him to your favour and tendrance. He hath been long of mine acquaintance; And, on my faith! my heart cannot but grudge To think that ye should use him as a drudge.

Do as he adviseth you, hardely now and then; And despise not utterly his counsel Think that ye be here a worldly man; And must do as men that in the world dwell. Ye are not bound to live like an angel; Nor to be as God, alway immutable: Man's nature of himself is full miserable.

I have told you now my counsel and advice; And ye have promised to be ruled thereby. Now, let each man execute his office; And see how wisely ye can them occupy To increase the world, and it thereto ye must apply. Now, address you thereto; and demean you thus: I shall be to you ever good and prosperous.

_Man._ Sir! I thank you of this courtesy, Undeserved as yet; but, be ye sure, I shall myself endeavour busily To do that may be to your pleasure. And, for the season that I shall here endure, I shall them cherish; and to my power maintain That unto you in anywise do pertain.

_The Wor[ld]._ Then, to begin withal, I will advise you To put this man from your company. I tell you every man will despise you As long as ye be ruled by Innocency: To follow such counsel it is but folly; For, he can neither good, neither evil; And, therefore, he is taken but for a drivel.

_Man._ By my faith! even as ye say: It liketh me not right well With Innocency long to dwell; Therefore, according to your counsel, I will not, after this day, With his company myself affere; As mute as it were a grey friar. I suppose there is no man here, Whatsoever he be, That could in his mind be content Always to be called an innocent. Wherefore, it is mine intent To do as ye advise me.

_The World._ Yea, hardely, do even so!

_Inno._ Forsooth, and I hold me well content To depart at your commandment, Ye shall find me obedient Whatsoever ye bid me do.

[_Here_ INNOCENCY _goeth out_.

_Sens._ So, the company is well amend; Let him go the devil of hell! He is but a boy, I warn you well; And, should ye follow his counsel, Almighty God defend! If ever ye lust to play the man It is time that ye now began. Marry! to play the boy, now and then, For your disport and solace, It forceth not though ye do When ye may have leisure thereto; And among I will help you also In due time and place.

_The World._ Yea, that ye will indeed! But now, sir! will ye anything Command me before my departing?

_Man._ Nothing at all, to my witting; But our Lord have you in His keeping, And send you well to speed!

[_He goeth out._ MANKIND _calls to_ WORLDLY AFFECTION.]

Worldly Affection, come hither! ye are politic; And much better inured in this world than I. I pray you dispose for me, as ye think most like, That I may live here well and honourably.

[_Wor. Affec._] Yea, sir! I shall. Doubt ye not, hardely! If it like you to put me in so great trust, And I trow ye shall find me true and just.

_Man_. I wot well I shall. Surely you be bound To the world that hath given you so great commendation?

[_Wor. Affec._] Yea, sir! some men had liever than a thousand pound They might be commended of the same fashion. But, sir! let pass all this commendation; And answer to me, I pray you, fruitfully, In that I shall move you substantially.

Sir! at few words I you exhort, Sith that ye be come to your own, Cast yourself to bear such a port That, as ye be, ye may be known; Eke it is necessary, for that behove, That there be made some manner of purveyance Whereby ye may bear out your countenance.

Will it like you, therefore, that I survey And see th' extent of all your land, And thereupon in all thee hast purvey, Both for you and yours, all manner of viand, With other utensils ready at your hand; So that ye be purveyed all times, early and late, Of each thing that belongeth to your estate?

_Man._ Your counsel is good; do as ye think best; I commit all such thing to your discretion.

[_Wor. Aff._] I shall do my true business, at the least To bring all things to good conclusion.

[_He maketh to go out._

_Man._ Abide, Worldly Affection! ye made no mention Who should await and give attendance; I must have mo servants whatsoever chance.

_Wor. Aff._ What? ye have Sensuality! ask never other counsel Of such matter; he can you best advise. He knoweth where all such manner persons dwell As be most apt to do you worldly service.

[_Then he goeth out._

_Sens._ Yea, on my peril, sir! I shall take the enterprise Of all such matters; and, look! where I find Any man of pleasure, on him set your mind. Lo! will ye see--lo! here cometh one; Even the last man that was in my thought.

_Man._ What is he?

_Sens._ Ye shall see anon. A well-drawn man is he; and a well-taught, That will not give his head for nought; And, thereto goodly, as ye shall see in a day As well-apparelled at each point of his array.

[MANKIND _goes aside_.

[_Pride._] Who dwelleth here? will no man speak? Is there no fool nor hoddypeak? Now, by the bell! it were alms to break Some of these knaves' brows. A gentleman comes in at the doors, That all his days hath worn gilt spurs, And none of these knaves nor cutted whores Bids him welcome to house!

Wot ye not how great a lord I am? Of how noble progeny I came? My father a knight; my mother called madame; Mine ancestors great estates. And now the livelood is to me fall By both their deaths natural: I am spoken of more than they all, Hence to Paris gates.

How say ye, sirs, by mine array? Doth it please you, yea or nay? In the best wise, I dare well say! By that ye know me awhile And one thing I put you out of doubt; I have wherewith to bear it out As well as any man hereabout Within these hundred mile.

Behold [_the rest of the line, almost cut away, is indecipherable_.] A staring colour of scarlet red: I promise you a fine thread And a soft wool. It cost me a noble at one pitch-- The scald capper sware sithich That it cost him even as mich-- But there Pride had a pull.

I love it well to have side hair Half a wote beneath mine ear; For, evermore, I stand in fear That mine neck should take cold. I knit it up all the night; And the daytime comb it down right; And then it crispeth and shineth as bright As any purled gold.

My doublet is on-laced before-- A stomacher of satin and no more; Rain it, snow it never so sore, Methinketh I am too hot. Then have I such a short gown, With wide sleeves that hang a-down-- They would make some lad in this town A doublet and a coat.

Some men would think that this were pride; But it is not so--ho, ho, abide! I have a dagger by my side Yet thereof spake not I. I bought this dagger at the mart, A sharp point and a tart; He that had it in his heart Were as good to die.

Then have I a sword or twain; To bear them myself it were a pain; They are so heavy that I am fain To purvey such a lad, Though I say it, a pretty boy-- It is half my life's joy. He maketh me laugh with many a toy, The urchin is so mad.

I begat the whoreson in bast; It was done all in haste: Ye may see there was no waste, He occupied no great place. Sometime he serveth me at board; Sometime he beareth my two-hand sword-- Come forth, thou little lick-turd! Look in thy father's face!

But, now to do that I come for, And of these things to speak no more-- Hark, sirs! me longeth sore To hear some novelty. I hear say there is a great state Come into this country late; And is disposed algate An householder to be.

Father's soul, sirs! ye shall understand That, if he keep household in this land, I will thrust in on hand, Whosoever say nay. Whatsoever the man intend, To appair the world or to amend, I will be with him at that one end; Hap what hap may!

I met Worldly Affection erewhile, From this town scant a mile; And he hath showed me a pretty wile, If I may put it in ure. He tells me that Sensuality Begins a great ruler to be; And, if it be so, care not for me-- The matter is cock sure!

Ay, good lord, what man is that? Father's soul! this is some great wat.

_Garcon._ This is he that ye seek.

_Pride._ See this, brat!-- This boy is passing taunt-- Come behind, and follow me; Set out the better leg, I warn thee!

_Garcon._ Yes, in the best wise trust ye me! Allez, seigneur! allez vous avant!

_Pride._ Salutem to you, sir!

_Man._ And to you also! Whence are ye?

_Pride._ I shall tell you or I go; But, first would I speak a word, and no mo, With this servant of yours.

_Sens._ With me, sir? Would ye speak with me?

_Pride._ Yea, fore God! are ye not Sensuality?

_Sens._ Yes, surely!

_Pride._ Yea, such a gentleman ye seem to be.

_Sens._ Your poor servant at all hours!

[_Then_ PRIDE _speaketh to_ SENSUALITY _in his ear that all may hear_.

_Pride._ Sir! I understand that this gentleman is born to great fortunes, and intendeth to inhabit herein the country. And I am a gentleman that alway hath be brought up with great estates, and affeed with them; and, if I might be in like favour with this gentleman, I would be glad thereof, and do you a pleasure.

_Sens._ Where is your dwelling?

_Pride._ I dwell hereby.

_Sens._ What is your name?

_Pride._ Pride!

_Sens._ Pride?

_Pride._ Yea, sikerly! But I am cleped Worship, commonly, In places where I dwell.

_Sens._ Worship, now, in faith, ye say true; Ye be _radix viciorum_--root of all virtue.

_Pride._ Yea, yea, man! ye would say so if ye me knew.

_Sens._ Turd! I know you well. Sir! ye are welcome, as I may say; I shall bring you in service if I may; And if one man stand not in the way.

_Pride._ One man? what the devil is he?

_Sens._ By God! one that loveth not thee, Nor me neither.

_Pride._ I pray thee tell me What manner of man he is, And I shall give him a lift, as I guess.

_Sens._ Wilt thou so, doubtless?

_Pride._ Yea, and that within a short process-- In faith! I will not miss.

_Sens._ Surely I cannot spy the ways how!

_Pride._ Let me alone; I shall do well enow. Acquaint me with that man, and care not thou! The matter shall speed.

_Sens._ Hark, cousin! first speed this matter, And if yonder man make thee not good cheer As any man that ever came here Let me, therefore, be dead!