Part 6

The last of all is our great enemy; Which ever hath us in continual hatred Of old encankered malice and envy That he oweth to us, and all the kindred Of all the ancestors of whom we do succeed; Nor yet ceaseth his malice, unto this day, Us to endanger in all that he can or may. And certes! these, our said enemies, Be of their nature so mighty and so strong That hard it will be for us, in any wise, Again them war or battle to underfong; Also our garrisons and fortress to maintain long Again their engines; without spiritual grace We can not perform in no manner case. Wherefore, it is to us right behovable Busily to pray to God, that is immortal, Beseeching Him, as He is merciable, To have compassion and pity on us all; And not to suffer us any wise to fall Into such folly and utter mischance As should them grieve and do displeasance. Also, it behoveth on our part To flee all such manner of occasion As may us put in fear and jeopardy Of their displeasure, in any condition. Newfangleness, and other nice invention, We must forsake in all manner wise; And acquaint us with their contraries: _Quia contraria contrariis curantur._ etc. I tell this tale, sir! to you, Trusting that it be not done in waste: Ye remember, as I suppose, well enow, How it is not fully three days past Sith ye me promised, and bound it fast, From that day forth to be obedient Unto my counsel and advisement?

_Man._ Yea, sir! so I did, in very deed; And yet it is my mind and intent To follow the same--have ye no dread!

_Rea._ If ye do not, yourself shall repent; Now, fare ye well! for I must be absent As for a season; and, for your comfort, Whensoever ye call me I shall to you resort.

_Then he goeth out and_ SENSUALITY _cometh in._

_Sens._ God forbid that ever he come again! Jesu! how may ye this life endure? Meseemeth it should be to you a great pain, Sith ye be of good complexion and nature, To forbear the worldly sport and pleasure; As ye have done now a great season, And all by the foolish counsel of Reason. Where is your lusty heart become That served you so well this other day? Now, so help me God and halidom! I have great marvel how ye may Live in such misery; and, this dare I say, Without ye take some other ways, By my troth! it will shorten your days. And, though I say it, that were pity; For, by Christ! and ye were gone Many a good fellow would make great mone. [_Then he weepeth._

_Man._ Why weep ye so?

_Sens._ Let me alone! It will none otherwise be. And ye saw the sorrowful countenance Of my company, your old acquaintance, That they make For your sake-- I daresay ye would mone them in your mind They be so loving and so kind That I am sure If ye endure In this peevish opinion, It will be their confession There is none other remedy But, for sorrow, they shall die.

_Man._ Nay, God forbid they should so do!

_Sens._ In faith! without ye help thereto There is none other way.

_Man._ I will help it in all that I may And I wist by what mean.

_Sens._ Marry! call them to your company!

_Man._ By Saint John! I am content. For, I may say here to thee, Since I forsook my liberty And did to Reason assent I had never merry day; But lived under awe and dread alway, Nothing to mine intent. Another while I will me disport And to mine old company resort.

_Sens._ O then shall ye them comfort, And your self also. Wot ye who will be very glad?

_Man._ Who?

_Sens._ Margery!

_Man._ Why, was she sad?

_Sens._ Yea, by the mass! she was stark mad, Even for very woe When she heard tell of this chance; And, because she would live in penance Her sorrow for to quench, She hath entered into a religious place, At the Green Friars hereby.

_Man._ Yea, has'e? Alack, good little wench! Is it an house of strait religion?

_Sens._ Yea, as any that ever was bygone Sith the world stood.

_Man._ Be they close nuns as other be? _Sens._ Close, quod a? nay, nay, parde! That guise were not good-- Ye must beware of that gere! Nay, all is open that they do there; As open as a goose eye!

_Man._ And cometh any man into their cells?

_Sens._ Yea, yea, God forbid else! It is free for everybody; And, beside all this, they be _Ex omni gente cognite_. No nation they forsake; Without it be beggars, going by the way, That have never a penny to pay For that that they do take. And yet can I beggars thither lead Where they shall, for lumps of bread, Satisfy their desire: Such drabs some there be That require none other fee, Not yet any other hire.

_Man._ Be they not wedded, as other folk be?

_Sens._ Wedded, quod a? no, so mot I thee! They will not tarry therefore; They can wed themselves alone. "Come kiss me, John;" "Gramercy, Joan!" Thus wed they evermore. And it is the more to commend; For, if the woman hap to offend, As it is their guise, A man may let her alone with sorrow And wed another whore on the morrow; Even of the same wise.

_Man._ Forsooth! this is a noble religion; It stirreth me to great devotion For to see that place-- Canst thou bring me thither, well enow? _Sens._ Yea, and it were midnight, I make God avow! As dark as ever it was.

_Man._ But, where is Bodily Lust now?

_Then cometh in_ BODILY LUST, _with_ _him_ WORLDLY AFFECTION: SENSUALITY _standeth aside_.

_Bod. Lust._ Marry, sir! I have seeken and sought you This three or four hours.

_Man._ I make God avow! Ye give shrewd attendance; All this two days I could not thee espy.

_Bod. Lust._ Sir! ye know well that ye and I Be never much asunder Albeit I be from you among.

_Man._ And now meseemeth thou hast tarried too long, Which is to me great wonder.

_Bod. Lust._ Wonder? yea, parde! for an hour or twain; Forth for a passing while and come again-- Here is a sore matter: When was I so long absent as now? And yet I was for to seek you At the other side of the water; The place that ye wot of, parde! Understand ye what I mean?

_Man._ Yea, yea!

_Bod. Lust._ Tell me in mine ear!

_Man._ _Quid est Latinum propter le stewys?_

_Bod. Lust._ What! Latin? now this of the news; I heard never this ere: I trow ye begin to wax shamefaced!

_Man._ Nay, nay, hardely! that gear is past, Many days agone. I am as wanton as ever I was. _Bod. Lust._ It were alms to hang you else--by the mass!-- By the hard neck bone. But will ye now go with me to a place And I shall show you the smorterst place That ever ye saw with eyes?

_Man._ What thing is it? young or old?

_Bod. Lust._ Whatever it be, it is able to be sold: It shall like you on the best wise.

_Man._ For my love let us some night be there, At a banket or a rare supper; And get us some wanton meat So we may have some dainty thing-- Yet would I spend twenty shilling Wheresoever I it get.

_Bod. Lust._ Nay, nay! will ye spend a couple of crowns? And there shall no gentleman in these ten towns Be better served than ye; Nor be received more honestly, As to an house of bawdry, For a banket or a junkery, For a dish two or three.

_Man._ Yes! that will I spend with all mine heart.

_Bod. Lust._ By your leave, I will depart To make ready this gear.

_Man._ What! now, in all this haste?

_Bod. Lust._ Yea, fore God, sir! I am aghast That other knaves will come thither Before us and take up all.

_Man._ See thereto, I pray thee!

_Bod. Lust_. So I shall; Else, fie on all together! [_Then goeth he out._

_Wor. Aff._ Now will Margery make great mone Because ye come not.

_Man._ Yea, let her alone! I am not her bondman, parde! She hath disappointed me or now.

_Wor. Aff._ Yet, on my faith, sir! and I were as you At the least I would excuse me. Send her word that ye in no wise May this night keep her promise; And, if ye do not so, She will so mourn that, as I think, Of all this night she will sleep no wink, She shall be so full of woe.

_Man._ Yea, on my peril! take no care; This answer will I defer and spare Till I be certain What answer Bodily Lust shall bring Of this other pretty new thing When he cometh again.

_Wor. Aff._ Will it please you that I go to Margery In your stead?

_Man._ Marry! that were merry; Wouldst thou serve me so?

_Wor. Aff._ Why, sir, by my troth! I mean but well.

_Man._ Yea, what thou meanest I can not tell, But that shall thou not do.

_Wor. Aff._ In good faith, sir! ye may do worse; For, while I have anything in my purse, Or any penny to spend, I will make her even such cheer As I would mine own wife if she were here; Else, God defend! _Man._ Yea, I thank thee for thy good will; But as for that cheer, keep it still Till I call thereon!

_Wor. Aff._ By God, sir! for good love I spake it; And now that I see ye will not take it I shall let it alone. [_Re-enter_ BODILY LUST.

_Man._ How now? hast thou been yonder away?

_Bod. Lust._ Yea, sir!

_Man._ Et que novellys?

_Bod. Lust._ Je nescey. I could not speak with her No[r] with none of her folks.

_Man._ Not with one?

_Bod. Lust._ No! they be asleep everyone: All that ever dwell there.

_Man._ How knowest thou whether they be asleep or no?

_Bod. Lust._ Marry! she herself told me so When I rapped at the door.

_Man._ It seemeth she was not asleep then.

_Bod. Lust._ No! she was abed with a strange man.

_Man._ A mischief on her, whore! I would this fire were in her tail, I make God avow!

_Bod. Lust._ That needeth not; she is hot enow; It were more alms to get Some cold water her fire to quench: I tell you, it is as warm a wench As any in all this street-- I supposed I had angered her ill.

_Man._ How so?

_Bod. Lust._ For I rang her a knil That waked her from her sleep; I gave her a peal for her friends' souls-- A man might have heard the noise from Poules To the farthest end of Cheap. She saw that I would not cease but knock And rap still at the gate; She opened a window and put forth her head-- Hence, Forty Pence! quo' she, Jack Noble is a-bed! This night ye come too late. Ah! standeth the wind so cold, quod I? K. q. tytle! we have a bry-- This gear goeth all wide. And so I came thence a great pace Till I came hither; lo! this is the case-- Have I not well hied?

_Man._ Well, man! there is no more to do; That we cannot have we must forego; There is none other remedy. Lo, Worldly Affection! now mayst thou see Thy counsel was nought that thou gavest me.

_Wor. Aff._ No more it was truly!

_Man._ Yea, I told thee as much before, It is good to be sure evermore; Therefore, now let us go And resort again to our old hostess: That is the best way now, as I guess.

_Wor. Aff._ Yea, hardely do so!

[_Then they three go out,_ [SENSUALITY _remaining_,] _and_ PRIDE _cometh in_.

_Pride._ Sirs! remember ye that this other day Man promised me, even in his stead, That I should with him dwell; and now, I hear say The wild worm is come into his head; So that by Reason only he is led: It may well be so; but, I am sure That Reason shall not alway with him endure. Methinketh that Sensuality doth not his part According to the duty of his office; For, nobody can better turn a man's heart, Nor yet a readier mean devise To put away such foolish fantasy, Than Sensuality if he lust to assay, For he is chief ruler when Reason is away.

_Sens._ [_coming forward_]. Yea, a ruler will I be though Reason say Nay.

_Pride._ Ah, Sensuality! welcome, by this day! What, tidings good?

_Sens._ Yea, by my fay! As good as can be told. I have brought this man to his old guise.

_Pride._ Hast thou so?

_Sens._ Yea, on warrantise!

_Pride._ Now, forsooth! I give thee prick and praise; Thou art worth thy weight of gold. Of this tidings I am glad and fain; But shall I be welcome to him again And all our company?

_Sens._ Yea, hardely! As welcome as ever ye were before.

_Pride._ God's blessing have thine heart, therefore; Thus am I in thy debt, more and more.

_Sens._ Japes! why say ye so?

_Pride._ For--I speak it after my mind-- Thou art to me alway so kind. But, where shall I our master find? To him will I go.

_Sens._ He is busy--hark! in your ear-- With little Margery--ye wot where? And, as soon as I had brought him there I came my way apace. And, because he should not be alone, I left with him Worldly Affection, And other errand had I none. Now to this place, But even to show you what is done; And from hence I must anon, For to seek another companion To give attendance.

_Pride._ Who is that?

_Sens._ Marry! Gluttony. Our master calleth for him busily-- Sawest thou him not?

_Pride._ No, certainly! To my remembrance.

_Sens._ I must go seek him without any tarrying-- But, Pride! I warn you of one thing While I think thereon: When my master and ye shall meet, In any wise see that ye him greet In the old fashion; And make as though ye know nothing Of his divers and variable dealing; Keep that in your breast. Ye cannot do him more displeasure Than thereof to make reporture; Therefore, let it rest! To speak thereof it is high treason. [_Then he goeth out._

_Pride._ I am glad ye warn me thus in season; I shall be the better ware. By this warning I shall be wise And do as ye me advertise: Take thereof no care. [_Enter_ SLOTH.

_Sloth._ Will ye be wise, quod a? marry! that is a thing-- By God! ye had need to have better warning Or ye bring that about.

_Pride._ What, brother Sloth! from whence comest thou?

_Sloth._ Straight from my bed, I make God avow! Mine eyes be almost out For lack of sleep--but this, sir! to you: Methought ye called me Sloth, right now; Peace, no more of that! I have a new name as well as ye.

_Pride._ What is that? Ease?

_Sloth._ Yea, parde! But it forceth not While our master is not present. Between us twain I am content Call me what ye will-- But where is our master?

_Pride._ Wottest thou ne'er?

_Sloth._ No!

_Pride._ No more do I.

_Sloth._ There, there, there! Thou shalt dwell with me still; Thou art as good a waiter as I.

_Pride._ I shrew the better of us both, hardely! But, surely we do not well; We shall not continue with yonder man But we await better, now and than. Therefore, by my counsel, Let us twain go together To seek our master.

_Sloth._ But wottest thou whither We shall now go To find our master?

_Pride._ I shall assay. Thou shalt see me guess the way; And, happily, find him too. Now must I to the stewes, as fast as I may, To fetch this gentleman; but, sirs! I say, Can any man here tell me the way? For I came never there. Ye know the way, parde! of old; I pray thee tell me which way shall I hold-- Will ye see this whoreson cuckold? I trow he cannot hear-- Now it were alms to clap thee on the crown!

[_Then cometh in_ MAN _and_ WORLDLY AFFECTION.

_Man._ Why, be there any cuckolds in town?

_Pride._ Yea, I durst hold thereon my gown That there be a score; But, fore God! I cry you mercy; For, by my faith! I wist you not so nigh. Had I wist it I ensure you, faithfully, That word I would have forbore.

_Man._ No force, hardely! it toucheth not me-- But worship! tell me, where have ye be? Methinketh long sith I you see:

_Pride._ Sir! it is no marvel. Bade ye not me, the last day, To go purvey for your array, And ye remember well.

_Man._ Yea, fore God! have ye done the same?

_Pride._ Yea, by the rood! else were I to blame. All thing is ready, in pain of shame, Else I quit me ill. The tailor told me yester night That all your garments were ready dight-- Will ye go thither and have a sight?

_Man._ Yea, marry! with a good will.

_Sloth._ Will ye that I go with you also?

_Man._ I wot never whether ye may attend thereto; For ye do nothing But even after your own sweet will.

_Sloth._ Why should I ever wait nay that I nill? For, to be a king, I may not endure continual business. I was never used thereto; doubtless I should not live a year If I followed you, I am sure; Ye stir and labour out of measure: I saw never your peer: Ye ween there can nothing be do But if ye put your hand thereto; And I wis that is no need. Ye have servants, that be true and just, If it would like you to put them in trust, And quit well their meed. What should I attend you for to please, When I see well ye set by none ease, Which belongeth to me?

_Man._ Why, Ease! what meaneth thee thus to say? I do but eat, drink, sleep, and play, And none other labour, parde!

_Sloth._ Yea, ye may say what ye will But I can never see you idle, And quiet as ye should be. Your body laboureth as doth an hackney That beareth the burden every day, That pity it is to see; And your mind, on that other side, Is never idle, nor unoccupied. I wis it grieveth me To see you demeaned that wise: I trow ye be set all on covetise!

_Man._ Covetise? nay, let be! It is a thing of greater cure That sticketh in my mind, be thou sure!

_Sloth._ So methought, by the rood! I wist as much there was something, By your lowering cheer and your sighing, That was not all thing good-- But, what is the matter? I pray you, heartily!

_Man._ I wis thou canst not devise the remedy With all the wit thou hast. But this is the case, to tell it shortly: A thing was told me as I came hereby How Reason purveyeth fast, And maketh very great labour and ordinance To dash us all out of countenance; And, for that purpose, He hath gathered a great company.

_Sloth._ What to do?

_Man._ I wot ne'er I. But, as I suppose, It is to bring me in captivity; And to take from me my liberty-- So he hath oft said.

_Pride._ Fear ye that matter?

_Man._ Nay, never a deal! But I care for it, wit ye well, Yet am I not afraid. For I will withstand it proudly; And, sirs! I trust ye will stand thereby When it shall be need.

_Pride._ Yea, by the way that God went! Or he have of you his intent First shall I bleed The best blood that is in this carcase.

_Man._ Well, Ease! go thy way hence, apace, And make therein good speed. Call my company all together, And bid them every man come hither That is with me affeed.

_Sloth._ Marry, sir! that shall be do. [_Then he goeth out._ _Man._ Worship! in the meantime let us go To see my new apparel.

_Pride._ Will ye so? Now, for your lady's sake, Go do it on you; and I undertake It shall become you well.

_Man._ Worldly Affection! abide thou here For I will go do on this new gear As Worship doth me counsel.

[_Then_ MAN _and_ PRIDE _goeth out_.

_Wor. Aff._ Marry, I shall! with all mine heart! This good fire and I will not depart; For very cold mine hands do smart: It maketh me woe-begone. Get me a stool! here! may ye not see? Or else a chair will it not be-- Thou pild knave! I speak to thee; How long shall I stand? [_Enter_ GLUTTONY.

_Glut._ Let him stand, with a foul evil! [_The lower margin is shaved off_] the devil Will ye see--lo! every drivel, Nowadays I warrant, Must command as he were a king: Let him stand on his feet with breeding.

_Wor. Aff._ What, Gluttony! I can tell thee one thing: In faith you will be shent!

_Glut._ Why?

_Wor. Aff._ My master hath sent Sensuality To seek thee all about the country-- Spakest thou not with him?

_Glut._ Yes, parde! I know all his intent; And, thereupon, I am come here For to await; but wottest thou where Our master is now?

_Wor. Aff._ Nay, I wot ne'er; I am not very certain But Pride and he together be gone. He said he would come again, anon, Within an hour or twain. Tarry thou here, and go not away! I will go break my fast and I may, For I ate never a morsel this day. [_Then he goeth out._

_Glut._ Marry! that is a thing: Go when thou wilt, I will abide. My stomach he shall not rule or guide That is now fasting-- Nay, of all thing earthly I hate to fast; Four times a day I make repast; Or thrice as I suppose. And, when I am well fed Then get I me to a soft bed My body to repose; There take I a nap or twain. Up I go straight and to it again; Though nature be not ready, Yet have I some meat of delight, For to provoke th' appetite And make the stomach greedy. After all this needs I must Sometime follow the wanton lust [_This line is shaved off at the foot of the page._ For hot drinks and delicate refection Causeth fleshly insurrection: Ye know it as well as I. [MAN _entereth_.

_Man._ Troth! as ye say, I know it well.

_Glut._ What gentleman is this, can ye tell?

_Bod. Lust._ Wottest thou never?

_Glut._ No, by the bell! I saw him never before.

_Bod. Lust._ Is it our master?

_Glut._ Nay, by the rood! It is not he; wouldst thou make me wood?

_Man._ Yes, I am the same.

_Glut._ I cry you mercy! I see it well now; Before, I knew you not, I make God avow! In earnest nor in game.

_Man._ Why? Because I have changed mine array?

_Glut._ For that cause, trow ye? nay, nay! That is not the thing That can deceive me, be ye sure. But, I pray you, who hath had you in cure Since my last departing?

_Man._ By my faith! a little season I followed the counsel and diet of Reason.

_Glut._ There went the hare away! His diet, quod a! it may be, verily: For ye be haltered marvellously-- Altered, I would say. Alas! the while had ye no meat As long as ye were under his diet?

_Man._ Meat? yes, I had some, Without it were on fasting days; Then he withdrew my supper always And gave me never a crumb.

_Glut._ No force, hardely; why would ye then Favour him as ye did like a madman? Ye look now as it were a ghost. Had ye dwelt with him till this day Ye had been pined even away, As ye be now almost: Your flesh is gone every deal-- A vengeance on the morsel That is left thereon!

_Bod. Lust._ Now, talk of the remedy. _Glut._ Marry! now must he eat and drink fast; Other remedy is there none.

_Bod. Lust._ Yea, but where is the meat? now let us see!

_Glut._ Ye are passing hasty, benedicite! First must ye go Whereas provision thereof is made; Let us go thither and it shall be had.

_Man._ But what is the mistress of the inn? A wedded woman or a virgin?

_Glut._ Neither of both, I wis!