Part 5

_Pride._ Sir! I shall tell thee how when I am in To thy master's service; I will first begin To set his heart on a merry pin, And bid him make good cheer. I will bid him think how he is create To be a worthy potestate, And eke that he is predestinate To be a prince's peer. And other things more than this: I shall bring that heart of his To be more haut than it is By a deuce ace. Specially, I will commend his wit That no man can amend it; And that he is able thereby to sit As a judge in common pleas; And when I praise him this wise I think his heart will begin to rise And after that utterly despise Any opray counsel to hear; He shall trust all to his own brain; And then would Reason never so fain, Though he come and such opry twain: He shall be never thee near.

_Sens._ Surely this conceit is well found! I shall bring thee in service for twenty pound.

_Pride._ Gramercy, brother! I think me much bound To thee for thy courtesy. But, sir! abide here one thing-- I will not be known that it is my seeking.

_Sens._ No more would I, for forty shilling: Let me alone hardely! [MANKIND _comes forward_.

_Sens._ Sir! if it please you, here is come a stranger That never was acquainted with you ere; Somewhat shamefaced, and half in fear To put himself in prese; A goodly person, be ye sure, Both of countenance and of feature If he were drawn in portraiture; And a good man, doubtless! Yea, and a wise man at all-- Will it please you that I him call To speak with you?

_Man._ Bid him come!

_Sens._ I shall. Sir! will ye come near? [_To_ MANKIND. Sir! bid him welcome for the manner sake; Another day I am sure he will crake And say, such a gentleman did him make Very great cheer. Desire him for to dwell with you; I tell you he is a man for your prow, And knoweth the world well; I know No man better than he.

_Man._ Sir! ye be welcome to this place.

_Pride._ I thank you, sir! but I do you trespass To come thus homely.

_Sens._ Yea, a parlous case! God wot ye are welcome hither. On my faith, by my will Ye shall dwell with us still. Go near to him and talk your fill: I leave you together.

[_He goeth forth._

_Man._ Now, sir! what have ye to say to me?

_Pride._ No great thing, sir! but I come to see And to know what manner man ye be That all men praiseth so much.

_Man._ Praise! whom praise they?

_Pride._ Marry, you!

_Man._ Me?

_Pride._ Yea, sir! I make mine avow They give you a praising good I know; I heard never none such. And, surely, ye be right worthy! I see well now they do not lie; And, therefore, I did me hither hie To acquaint me with you-- But ye may say that I am bold.

_Man._ Nay, ye are worth thy weight of gold! Methinketh me to you much behold; I pray you what is your name?

_Pride._ My name is Worship.

_Man._ Worship? now, surely, The world told me it was my destiny To come to Worship or I die.

_Pride._ Truly, I am the same.

_Man._ Now, Worship, I pray you me tell Your wisdom and also counsel; Ye can advertise me passing well In things that I have to do.

_Pride._ In good faith! anything that I May do to your pleasure it is ready; I am your own, and pray you, heartily, That ye accept me so. But where ye ask counsel of me Meseemeth ye save not your honesty!

_Man._ Mine honesty? Wherefore, let see; I pray you show me why!

_Pride._ Marry, sir! for it is right fitting That a man of your behaving Should have alway sufficient cunning Of worldly wit and policy To guide himself everywhere; And not to be led by the ear, And beg wit, here and there, Of every Jack-a-pie. Ye are well complexioned, be ye sure; And Nature hath done on you her cure As much as upon any creature That ever I saw with mine eye. And, by likelihood, sir! I wis Ye have wit according to all this; Or else Nature hath wrought amiss: And that is not likely.

_Man._ Now, certain, thanked be heaven's king! I have a right quick understanding. If ye show me anything I can soon perceive it; But I was forbid by Reason On mine own fantasy to run, Or to take any presumption Of mine own wit.

_Pride._ Said Reason so? Marry, fie on him, knave! It were better the hangman were in his grave Than ever the lewd fool should have The governance of you.

_Man._ Certain, Nature advised me To follow Reason what time that she Put me first in authority That I stand in now.

_Pride._ Alas, alas, man! ye be mad-- I see well ye be but a very lad. On my faith! I was very glad Of your first acquaintance; And now, I forthink it utterly That ever I knew you: fie, fie, fie! I heard never, certainly, Of such another chance.

Will ye draw to that fellowship? I would ye had three stripes with a whip, Even upon the bare hip, If I should you not grieve. He that would lordship enjoy, And play ever still the old boy, Meseemeth he doth but make a toy And ye will me believe.

_Man._ Worship! for God's sake grieve ye not.

_Pride._ I wis ye are but an idiot-- I pray you, sir, make not me a sot; I am no trifler! I have been in honour heretoforne, Ye allow the counsel of a carl born, Before mine I have it in scorn-- It is a thing I cannot bear.

_Man._ Whom mean ye, Reason?

_Pride._ Yea, that same daw!

_Man._ What, is he a wise man?

_Pride._ He is a straw Because he keeps you under awe; Ye be therein blind.

_Man._ And so doth he, without faining; For, hitherto, I might do nothing But after his will and bidding: And that groged my mind.

_Pride._ Groge, quotha! it is no marvel, hardely; It shall grieve me, certainly, As long as I am in your company To see you demeaned in that wise. Ye be now in good way; But, in faith! I like not your array; It is not the fashion that goeth now-a-day, For now there is a new guise. It is now two days agone Sith that men began this fashion, And every knave had it anon; Therefore, at this season, There is no man that setteth thereby If he love his own honesty.

_Man._ So seemeth, certainly, That every man is fresher than I, And I wis that is no reason.

[_Here cometh in_ WORLDLY AFFECTION _and_ SENSUALITY.

_Sens._ Reason, quotha! no, no! But, sir! wot ye what ye shall do? Hardely let us two go To some tavern here beside. Come on! I can bring you there; And let them alone with all this gear. Care ye nothing for the matter; But, let them here abide; And ye will suffer, and let them alone, Ye shall see them devise you a new fashion That all the world shall wonder thereon.

_Man._ By God! that will I do goodly; But, I pray you, sirs! do your diligence For this array, and spare none expense; And, for a while, I will go hence And come again shortly.

[_Here_ MAN _and_ SENSUALITY _go out_.

_Wor. Aff._ Brother Pride! now the weight Of all this matter resteth in thee.

_Pride._ Tush! thou shalt see me devise it even straight; It is but japes, that gear, with me. I have none other study a-days, parde! But how I may new fashions find; And, thereon, I set all my labour and mind.

Sir! Our master shall have a gown That all the gallants, in this town, Shall on the fashion wonder: It shall not be sewed but with a lace Betwixt every seam, a space Of two handful asunder.

Then a doublet of the new make; Close before, and open on the back, No sleeve upon his arm; Under that a shirt as soft as silk, And as white as any milk To keep the carcase warm.

Then shall his hosen be striped With corselets of fine velvet, sliped Down to the hard knee; And, from the knee downward, His hosen shall be freshly gard With colours two or three.

And when he is in such array-- "There goeth a rutter," men will say; "A rutter, huffa gallant!" Ye shall see these fools on him gaze, And muse as it were on a maze New brought into the land.

_Wor. Aff._ Ha, ha, ha! now, by the Mary Virgin! This will set him on a merry pin, Even as it should be. But ever I am in great fear That Reason will whister him in the ear, And turn his mind clean from this gear: This thing feareth me!

_Pride._ Reason! nay, nay, hardely! He is forsaken utterly Sith I came to his company; He would not once appear. Nevertheless, for a surety, Worldly Affection, I advise thee As shortly as ever it may be For speed of the matter, To bring him shortly in acquaintance With all the company of mine affiance; And let them give continual attendance, Every man busily, After the property of his office; Then shall ye see him utterly despise Reason's counsel, on warrantise, And forsake him, utterly.

_Sens._ Nay, nay, sirs! care ye nothing That matter is sped well and fine.

_Pride._ Is it so?

_Sens._ Yea, by heaven king! Even as we sat together at the wine.

_Wor. Aff._ Thou shalt have God's blessing and mine-- But is it true?

_Sens._ Yea, sir! by this day! Our master and Reason have made a great fray.

_Pride._ How so?

_Sens._ By my faith! we sat together At the tavern, next hereby; And, anon, who should come together But flee[r]ing Kate and Margery, She that beguiled you, parde! so prately And bare away your shirt the last morning Stead of her smock, while ye lay sleeping.

_Pride._ I wot whom ye mean, well I know; But that is nothing to this purpose-- Tell on thy tale, for God avow!

_Sens._ I shall, anon, had I wiped my nose: Sir! when I spied them, anon I rose; And called them unto me by name; And, without more tarrying, anon they came; And sat down with us, and made nothing strange, As they be full courteous--ye know it well. And, anon, our master's colour began to change-- Whereof it came I cannot tell; His cheer was appalled, every deal, And scant that he could speak to me one word; But start him even up and rose from the board. He said he would go lie down on a bed; And prayed me, for the manners' sake, That Margery might come hold his head Which, as he told me, began to ache. And so she hath him undertake To make him whole, in an hour or twain, Whensoever he hath any such sudden pain. What it meaneth, I wot never; But he liketh her physic so well That I trow the devil of hell Can not them two dissever! Lo! this have I done; and what trow ye more? Yet can I tell you better tiding.

_Wor. Aff._ What is that?

_Sens._ Marry! Reason, that ye two spake of before, Came even to us as we sat so drinking; And gave our master a heat, worth a hanging, Because that Margery sat on his knee, While that other whore sat talking with me. My master saw that he could have no rest, Nor never be rid of this controlling, He played the man and thought it best-- And with an angry look to my seeming-- Drew out his sword without more tarrying And smote Reason so on the head That I have great marvel but he be now dead.

_Wor. Aff._ Marry! then fill all the cups at once If this be true.

_Sens._ Yes, by these ten bones! I lie never a word.

_Pride._ Trowest thou it is no feigned strife Betwixt them two?

_Sens._ No, on my life! For, when they fought, I ran between And cried, "Keep peace and leave debate!" But ye would have laughed had ye seen How I departed them; and, for all that, Sometime I clapped Reason on the pate, And cried "Keep the peace," as fast as I could Till I was hoarse, I cried so loud.

_Wor. Aff._ But, can our master play the man now And fare with this gear?

_Sens._ Yea, make God avow! And, beware ye of one thing: Meddle ye no more with Margery; For, by Cock's precious body! If our master may it espy, Or have an understanding That ye use her company, I tell you he will be angry; He is so full of jealousy As ever I knew man.

_Wor. Aff._ Jealousy? peace, man, be still! He can thereof no manner of skill.

_Sens._ No! but say what ye will I am sure he can. He is now as familiar With bodily lust as ever ye were; Yea! and thereto as great a swearer. When time requires Knew I never, of his age, A man of better courage To do all manner of outrage After our desires. Sith Reason and he were thus at variance He hath be full of such dalliance; And hath called to his favour and acquaintance Your kinsmen by and by-- Envy, Wrath, Gluttony, and Covetise, Sloth and Lechery become to his service; And utterly he hateth their contrariwise, And that he professeth openly.

_Wor. Aff._ And be these folks of his retinue?

_Sens._ Yea, every one, I tell you true. But, marry! their names be changed new For to blear his eye. I tell you he is a serefull man, For Reason stirreth him, now and than; And, therefore, do we what we can It is little enow, hardely! Sirra! there is first Pride, as ye wot well, The sweet darling of the devil of hell: How his name is changed ye can tell.

_Wor. Aff._ Yea, marry! on the best wise-- Worship I ween is now his name.

_Sens._ Yea, by the rood! even the same. And Covetise, to eschew all blame, Doth his name disguise, And calleth himself Worldly Policy. Wrath, because he is somewhat hasty, Is called Manhood. Then is there Envy, And he is called Disdain. Gluttony, for Good Fellowship is taken; And Sloth his old name hath forsaken, And as fair a name hath he shapen As ever man could ordain-- He is called Ease; right comfortable to the blood, Specially for them that lust to do no good. And, among all other, I would ye understood That Lechery is called Lust. Lo! these be fair names, parde! Both good and honest as seemeth me; As for their conditions, what they be, Ye know well!

_Wor. Aff._ Very just! I know their conditions on the best wise If they keep still their old guise.

_Sens._ Yes! that they do, on warrantise.

_Wor. Aff._ But yet, I have great marvel That Covetise should dwell in his company.

_Sens._ By my troth, lo! and so have I. But one thing I ensure you faithfully, And that I have espied well; That, hitherto, our master setteth no store By his counsel, nor his lore. Marry! when his head waxeth hoar Then shall be good season To follow Covetise and his way; Yea, time enow another day-- Even so I heard our master say.

_Wor. Aff._ By my faith! he said but reason-- But all the remanent be well retained?

_Sens._ Yea, be ye sure it is matter unfeigned; And wot ye who is greatly disdained With our master now?

_Pride._ Who?

_Sens._ By God! even Shamefacedness. When he shall do any such excess No shame can fear him, doubtless, I may say to you.

_Pride._ No! then the craft were nought. But now, sirs! well bethought, Sith the matter is hereto brought, It is time for me To go and make some provision Of garments after the new invention, As he commanded me to be done: Thereto must I see. For it is committed to my negligence; And, if he come hither while I am hence, I pray thee excuse mine absence.

_Sens._ Yea, and mine also!

_Pride._ Why, wilt thou go with me?

_Sens._ Will I, quod a? yea, parde! It is according for Sensuality With Pride for to go.

[SENS. _and_ PRIDE _go out_.

_Wor. Aff._ Now the matter is almost in good case, After the world's mind and pleasure; There is no more but now must I compass, With all my wit and busy endeavour, How it may be stablished and continued sure. For, a little fantasy of man's own will May quail this matter, and utterly it spill. And if he vary again Of scruple imagination, Or else by the suggestion Of the foresaid Reason, One thing I am certain-- He will no longer me support; And that were a shrewd crank dort. Therefore, it is best that I resort To my master's presence, And see of what demeanour he is. I am greatly to blame, I wis, For that I saw him not or this Sith he departed hence.

[_He goeth out and_ REASON _cometh in_.

_Rea._ O good Lord! to whom shall I complain And show the sorrows of my mind? And nothing for mine own cause, certain; But only for the decay of mankind; Which now, of late, is waxen so blind That he hath despised and forsaken me, And followeth every motion of his Sensuality. What availed at the beginning That Nature committed me to his service? And charged me that, before all thing, Of all his guiding I should take th' enterprise When he lusteth not to follow mine advice, But followeth th' appetites of his sensual affection, As a brute beast that lacketh reason? And yet, notwithstanding That he doth me disdain, I will resort to him again; And do my labour and busy pain To assay if I can him refrain From such beastly living. But, first will I stand hereby, In secret manner, to espy Some token of grace in him, whereby I may discern and find That he hath any shamefacedness After his great surfeit and excess; And, if it be so, doubtless, It shall content my mind. [REASON _goeth aside_.

MAN _cometh in_ [_followed by_ WOR. AFFEC.

_Man._ I say, sirs! where is Worship, can ye tell? In this place I left him last.

_Wor. Aff._ Sir, I warrant you he is occupied well In ordaining your garments, full fast; He departed from me in great haste For that intent; and so he desired That I would tell you when need required. He showed me his mind or he went; How he had devised your garment; And, if it be made after that intent, As he told me, When ye wear on that vestour Every man shall do your honour, As becometh a man of your haviour; And so it should be.

_Man._ Yea, but what will Reason say When he seeth me in that array?

_Wor. Aff._ Reason? Marry! let him go play To the devil of hell: Ye promised me, at the beginning, That ye would no more be under his guiding.

_Man._ No! but yet it were according To have therein his counsel; Man, without Reason, is but blind; And, if I should speak after my mind, I can well a difference find Betwixt man and a beast When he hath Reason in presence, And duly obeyeth his law and sentence.

_Wor. Aff._ Why have ye such a spiced conscience Now, within your breast, That changeth your mind so suddenly? I am sorry and ashamed, truly, On your behalf!

_Man._ No force, hardely! Thou leadest me all wrong; And, therefore, will I no more follow thee.

_Wor. Aff._ Not Worldly Affection?

_Man._ No, parde! Nor yet thy brother Sensuality: I have followed you too long.

_Wor. Aff._ Is that your mind?

_Man._ Yea, doubtless! And now will I seek Shamefacedness, By whom I trust I shall redress All my misdeed.

_Wor. Aff._ And, sith thou wilt needs to Shame bow, I pray God send thee shame enow. And yet I trust, make God avow! Once thou shalt have need To call me again to thy service.

_Man._ Nay, nay, on warrantise! Now, sirs! who can me advise What is best to do?

[_Enter_ SHAMEFACEDNESS.]

_Shame._ Sir! if ye lust to have mine acquaintance I am ready to give you attendance; Happily my service shall you advance: I am called Shamefacedness.

_Man._ By your troth! are ye the same?

_Shame._ Yea, forsooth! that is my name. Almsdeeds I can atame; And help for to repress When ye have done offence or sin; If ye will mercy and grace win With Shamefacedness ye must begin: This way must ye take.

_Man._ Ye be the man, without feigning, That I wished for or ye came here; And glad am I now of your coming, Praying you with heart entire When I have need thus to come near.

_Shame._ So will I do; ye may trust it, verily! Whensoever ye call ye shall find me ready.

_He goeth out_ [_and_ REASON _cometh forward_.]

_Rea._ Sir! is it your mind to do as ye say?

_Man._ Yea, that is it, as God me speed! Heard ye all this matter--yea or nay?

_Rea._ Yes, that I did, in very deed!

_Man._ O ghostly Reason! I have greater need Of your help than ever I had before: Help me now and I shall never forsake you more. Sith I forsook your company I have committed much folly; I am ashamed, certainly, When I think thereon. But now have I refused utterly All such manner of company; And thus have I done, verily! Of mine own motion.

_Rea._ Then my help shall be ready as oft as ye me call; It is my duty so for to do. And of your offences will I make no rehearsal; But whatsoever ye have done, hitherto, To me ward let it pass and go: Against God your offence is great; Of the which matter I will not long treat. But this comfort of me ye shall have: If ye be contrite, as ye pretend, God is merciable if ye lust to crave; Call for grace and soon He will it send. And be not in purpose hereafter to offend; Accustom yourself in the ways of virtue, And--be not in doubt--grace will ensue.

_Man._ Sir! it is my mind and intent Hereafter to be your true obedient; And never more to assent To such folly again.

_Rea._ And, upon that condition, I take thee unto my tuition With all heart's affection, Never to part atwain. And, for this season, Here we make an end Lest we should offend This audience; as, God defend! It were not to be done. Ye shall understand, nevertheless, That there is much more of this process; Wherein we shall do our business, And our true endeavour To show it unto you, after our guise: When my lord shall so devise I shall be at his pleasure.

_Thus endeth the first part._]

THE SECOND PART.

REASON _and_ MAN _come in._

_Rea._ I assemble the life of mortal creature To the assiege again a strong town or castle: In which there is much busy endeavour; Much worldly policy; with diligent travail, On every side, which part shall prevail By sleight of engines, or by strong power, That other to subdue and bring into danger.

In such case and manner of condition Is wretched man, here in this life earthly, While he abideth within the garrison Of the frail carcase and caronous body; Whom to impugn laboureth incessantly The world, the flesh, the enemy--these three-- Him to subdue and bring into captivity.

And, for to show you what wise they us impugn, First doth the world give us an allective To covet riches and worldly renown, With other vanities that be used in this life. Next, that our flesh, which ever is in strife, Again our spirit doth provoke and excite Us to accomplish our sensual appetite.