Part 8

Also, that sin is to man unnatural; More than any other, in mine opinion. For all other sins--mark therein well-- A man committeth with some delectation; But Envy is ever full of pain and passion, And tormenteth himself with sorrowful sadness When he seeth his neighbour's prosperity or gladness. He is never glad, nor taketh any solace But at his neighbour's harm, loss, or heaviness. He speaketh sometime fair before a man's face, And yet within his heart he is full of doubleness; For, behind his back, he will never cease With slanderous words, to appair his good name; And many a-falsely doth he report for the same. Ye know, sir! whether it be thus or no; But now another while to speak of remedy. If ye will be holpen, sir! thus must ye do: First, before all things, love God entirely; Next, that thy neighbour love as thine own body; That is to say, thou must thee to him behave And do him such courtesy as thou wouldst of him have. Observe these two things: and do no more In recompense of thy great trespass, Touching the sin of envy, rehearsed before.

_Man._ To observe them well, God send me His grace! And I thank you for your comfort and counsel in this case: I shall myself endeavour according thereto.

_Char._ God send thee His grace well so to do!

_Then he goeth out_ [_and_ PATIENCE _cometh in_].

_Patience._ The remedy of wrath and outrageous ire Must needs come of me, and none otherwise. For I am called Patience, which quencheth the fire And flames of wrath: it is also my guise, By soft words and sufferance, to overcome mine enemies.

_Man._ Now, welcome Patience, for whom I have sought! Help me with your counsel for His love that all wrought.

_Pat._ This is my counsel: if thou wilt withstand Thy ghostly enemy, and this temptation, Thou must have me, Patience, ever ready at hand; Specially in suffering of worldly tribulation. Remember how Christ died, in time of His passion! There mayst thou learn how to be patient In any adversity that to thee shall be sent. And yet there may be no comparison Betwixt the least part of His pain And the greatest wrong that to thee can be done: Wherefore, thou, wretch! shouldst not disdain; But gladly thou shouldst thyself refrain From ireful passions, as I said before, Sith thou shalt have a reward in heaven therefore.

_Man._ It is my full mind and intent, Hereafter, to do as ye me advertise.

_Pat._ Now, He that all goodness to us hath sent, Send you His grace to demean you that wise! [_Then he goeth out._

_Man._ I shall do my good will, on warrantise! Now, who can me best direct, My slothful idleness for to correct?

[GOOD OCCUPATION _cometh in_.

_Good Occupation._ The sin of sloth I can well repress; And I shall teach thee to do the same.

_Man._ How should I do it?

_Good Occ._ By mean of me, Good Business, And so am I called, for that is my name. Idleness is never without sin or blame; By mean thereof much sin cometh in: For it is the very mother and mistress of sin. In eschewing thereof thou must ever use Some good occupation, in body or mind; And if thou do this my counsel refuse, So that the devil in idleness thee find, Then according to his property and kind He laboureth fast, by mean of temptation, To bring thy soul unto endless damnation. Therefore do some good occupation alway, As well with the body as with mind inward. And if thou do not this counsel obey, Thou shalt thine own soul greatly enjeopard. On that other side thou mayst be no coward, Nor fearful of penance, or other good deed, Sith thou shalt be sure to have heaven to thy meed.

_Man._ This counsel is good; I thank you, therefore; My mind is well eased therein, be ye sure!

_Good Occ._ Is there anything else that I can do more?

_Man._ None to my knowledge, for ye have done your cure.

_Good Occ._ See that ye wisely now put in ure.

_Then he goeth out_ [_and_ LIBERALITY _cometh in_].

_Man._ Yes, hardely think not the contrary! Sith it is to me so behoveful and necessary.

_Liberality._ I am Liberality, the virtue cardinal; By whom is confounded the sin of avarice. Whosoever lusteth on me to call I am ready therein to give mine advice.

_Man._ Sir! I pray you, in my most hearty wise, [Help] to reform and order my mind.

_Lib._ First, thou must be sorry for the abusing Of temporal goods, before this day; Next, that I will advise thee, before all thing, If thou hast wrongfully taken away Any man's good, go without delay And thereof to thy power make due restitution; For erst shalt thou have of thy sin no remission.

_Man._ Why, trow ye that I shall not be excused By alms deed of that offence?

_Lib._ No, no, hardely! thou art greatly abused: Think not thereby to make recompense; For, by that alms, thou doest great offence And displeasure to God.

_Man._ Why say ye so? Christ Himself bade that we should alms do.

_Lib._ Yea, fore God! but that should be do Of well-gotten goods; else it is nought.

_Man._ Well, I assent gladly thereto; As in that one point I am fully taught: Wit is nothing worth till it be dear bought! But what other amends shall I make, The foul sin of avarice to suage and a-slake?

_Lib._ Thou must have compassion, and also be liberal Unto thy neighbour at his necessity.

_Man._ I trow ye would have me to give away all, And leave myself nought!

_Lib._ I mean not so, pardy! For that is waste and sinful prodigality. Take the midway, betwixt them two, And flee the extremities howsoever thou do. Thou must thy worldly goods so employ, In charitable deeds with due compassion, That thou mayest buy everlasting joy For the good intent of that distribution. Thou mayest also give them to thy damnation; As when thou doest it to win thereby Praising of the people, or some other vain glory. For, trust it well! thou must give a reckoning Of all the goods that come to thine use. The high Judge that knoweth all thing, To whom thou shalt thyself accuse, Without any appeal or feigned excuse ... in this case From whom thou canst not hide thy face. There shalt thou openly show and confess How that goods came to thy possession; What mind and pleasure thou had'st in riches; And why thou had'st therein such affection; What alms-deed or other good distribution; Or how thou hast these goods wasted or abused-- There it shall be known: it cannot be refused. Then, as I said to thee before, Thou shalt receive after thy deserving: Joy or else pain to endure evermore.

_Man._ Truly this is a fearful thing!

_Lib._ Therefore, remember well my saying; Mark well my counsel, and follow the same.

_Man._ If I did not I were greatly to blame!

_Then_ LIBERALITY _goeth out and_ ABSTINENCE _and_ CHASTITY _come in._

_Abst._ The remedy of Gluttony I can well teach: I am ordained only for that intent.

_Man._ And I have great need of such a leech; Your counsel to me is right expedient.

_Abst._ Sir! if ye lust to be my patient, And take such remedy as I shall devise I shall make you whole of that sin, on warrantise!

_Man._ What is your name?

_Abst._ My name is Abstinence; And this other that cometh with me Is called Chastity, or else Continence: It is his guise, and his property, To follow me wheresoever I be; Likewise as lechery, that deadly sore, Followeth the beastly sin of gluttony evermore, _Quia delicia sunt instrumenta voluptatis_. But now to do that I came for. Again the sin of gluttony the remedy is this: Use scarcer diet than thou did'st before; Beware of superfluity and surfeit evermore; Take no more than sufficeth nature; Nor of delicate meat set thou no store. Now have I said all that longeth to my cure.

_Chas._ And I must needs confirm his saying: For, as he rehearsed now right well, Glutting of hot meats and delicate feeding Causeth sinful lusts in a man to swell; And, over that, this is my counsel: Eschew idleness before all thing If thou wilt be chaste and clean of living. Flee also the company and the occasion Of that sin, which is damnable; As soon as thou feelest any temptation Put it clean away, by means convenable. Of all other sins it is most abominable; And soonest will thy soul endanger and blame-- There be so many great sins annexed to the same. If thou list not, for fear of damnation, This sin to forbear; then, on that other side, Do it for love of thine own salvation. Think what rewards in heaven doth thee abide Which, if thou live chaste, cannot be denied. My wit sufficeth not to tell and express What joy thou shalt have for thy chaste cleanness.

_Man._ I thank you both for your advice. And now would I speak with Repentance fain.

_Abst._ I can bring you to him on the best wise.

_Man._ Then will I await upon you twain; And after that I will come hither again, Trusting that God will send me the grace To comfort my soul with ghostly solace.

_Then they go out and_ REASON _cometh in._

_Rea._ I hear say, to my great joy and gladness, That according to my counsel and advice, This mortal creature doth well his business To correct and forsake all his old vice. And that he is in good way, and likely to arise From the vale of sin, which is full of darkness, Toward the contemplation of light that is endless. Lo, sirs! are not we all much behold To our Maker for this great patience. Which, notwithstanding our sins manifold Wherein we daily do Him offence, Yet of His merciful and great magnificence He doth not punish as soon as we offend, But suffereth in hope that we will amend. He suffereth a sinner sometime to endure A long life in honour and great prosperity: It is a thing that daily is put in ure. And many a great danger escapeth he Where good men perish: this may ye see; And all because that He would him win And have him to turn and forsake his sin.

[MANKIND _returns_.

Oh, here cometh he that I look for. Sir! have ye done as I willed you to do?

_Man._ Yea, that have I done; and what trow ye more? I have been with Repentance also, Which from my heart shall never go; For he brought me unto Confession; And anon I was acquainted with heart's contrition. They advised and charged me to do satisfaction; And so have I done, to my best power.

_Rea._ Then art thou fully the child of salvation! Have good perseverance, and be not in fear; Thy ghostly enemy can put thee in no danger; And greater reward thou shalt therefore win Than he that never in his life did sin. And to the intent that thou mayest well Persevere and continue in this sure way, Or we depart hence, by my counsel, Let us by one accord together sing and pray With as humble devotion as we can or may; That we may have grace from sin thus to rise As often as we fall; and let us pray this wise.

[_Then they sing some goodly ballet._

* * * * *

[_Here follow "The Names of the Players" as given on page 42._]

[THE PLAY OF WIT AND SCIENCE

MADE BY MASTER JOHN REDFORD

#The Names of the Players:#

WIT SCIENCE REASON EXPERIENCE CONFIDENCE HONEST RECREATION STUDY DILIGENCE INSTRUCTION TEDIOUSNESS IDLENESS INGNORANCY[1] SHAME COMFORT QUICKNESS STRENGTH FAME RICHES FAVOUR WORSHIP

[1] IGNORANCY, but see pp. 152-157]

THE PLAY OF WIT AND SCIENCE.

[BY JOHN REDFORD.]

* * * * * _Reason._ Then, in remembrance of Reason, hold ye A glass of Reason, wherein behold ye Yourself to yourself. Namely, when ye Come near my daughter, Science, then see That all things be clean and trick about ye; Lest of some sluggishness she might doubt ye; This glass of Reason shall show ye all; While ye have that, ye have me, and shall. Get ye forth, now! Instruction, farewell!

_Instruction._ Sir, God keep ye!

_Here all go out save_ REASON.

_Rea._ And ye all from peril! If any man now marvel that I Would bestow my daughter thus basely, Of truth I, Reason, am of this mind: Where parties together be inclined, By gifts of graces, to love each other, There let them join the one with the tother. This Wit such gifts of graces hath in him That maketh my daughter to wish to win him: Young, painful, tractable and capax-- These be Wit's gifts which Science doth axe. And, as for her, as soon as Wit sees her, For all the world he would not then lese her. Wherefore, since they both be so meet matches To love each other, straw for the patches Of worldly muck! Science hath enough For them both to live. If Wit be through Stricken in love, as he since hath showed, I doubt not my daughter well bestowed: Th' end of his journey will prove all. If Wit hold out, no more proof can fall; And, that the better hold out he may, To refresh me soon, Wit, now, by the way, Some solace for him I will provide. An honest woman dwelleth here, beside, Whose name is called Honest Recreation; As men report, for Wit's consolation She hath no peer; if Wit were half dead, She could revive him--thus is it said. Wherefore, if money or love can hire her, To hie after Wit I will desire her. [REASON _goeth out_.

CONFIDENCE _cometh in with a picture of_ WIT.

[_Confidence._] Ah, sir! what time of day is't, who can tell? The day is not far past, I wot well; For I have gone fast, and yet I see I am far from whereas I would be. Well! I have day enough yet, I spy; Wherefore, or I pass hence, now must I See this same token here, a plain case, What Wit hath sent to my lady's grace. [_Examines his packet._ Now, will ye see a goodly picture Of Wit himself? his own image sure! Face, body, arms, legs, both limb and joint, As like him as can be, in every point; It lacketh but life. Well I can him thank; This token indeed shall make some crank; For, what with this picture so well favoured, And what with those sweet words so well savoured-- Distilling from the mouth of Confidence-- Shall not this appease the heart of Science? Yes! I thank God I am of that nature, Able to compass this matter sure; As ye shall see now, who list to mark it, How neatly and featly I shall work it.

[CONFIDENCE _goeth out_.

WIT _cometh in without_ INSTRUCTION, _with_ STUDY, _etc._

[_Wit._] Now, sirs! come on! which is the way now? This way or that way? Study! how say you?

[STUDY _reflecteth_.

Speak, Diligence! while he hath bethought him.

_Diligence._ That way, belike; most usage hath wrought him.

_Study._ Yea, hold your peace! Best we here now stay For Instruction; I like not that way.

_Wit._ Instruction, Study? I ween we have lost him.

[INSTRUCTION _cometh in_.

[_Inst._] Indeed, full gently about ye have tossed him! What mean you, Wit, still to delight Running before thus, still out of sight; And, thereby, out of your way now quite. What do ye here except he would fight? Come back again, Wit! for, I must choose ye An easier way than this, or else lose ye. _Wit._ What aileth this way? Peril here is none.

_Inst._ But as much as your life standeth upon; Your enemy, man! lieth here before ye: Tediousness, to brain or to gore ye!

_Wit._ Tediousness? Doth that tyrant rest In my way now? Lord! how am I blest That occasion so near me stirs, For my dear heart's sake, to win my spurs! Sir! would ye fear me with that foul thief, With whom to meet my desire is chief?

_Inst._ And what would ye do, you having nought For your defence? for, though ye have caught Garments of Science upon your back, Yet weapons of Science ye do lack!

_Wit._ What weapons of Science should I have?

_Inst._ Such as all lovers of their loves crave: A token from Lady Science whereby Hope of her favour may spring, and thereby Comfort; which is the weapon doubtless That must serve you against Tediousness.

_Wit._ If hope or comfort may be my weapon, Then never with Tediousness me threaten; For, as for hope of my dear heart's favour-- And thereby comfort--enough I gather.

_Inst._ Wit, hear me! Till I see Confidence Have brought some token from Lady Science, That I may feel that she favoureth you, Ye pass not this way, I tell you true.

_Wit._ Which way then?

_Inst._ A plainer way, I told ye, Out of danger from your foe to hold ye.

_Wit._ Instruction, hear me! Or my sweetheart Shall hear that Wit from that wretch shall start One foot, this body and all shall crack! Forth I will, sure, whatever I lack!

_Dil._ If ye lack weapon, sir, here is one!

_Wit._ Well said, Diligence, thou art alone! How say ye, sir? is not here weapon?

_Inst._ With that weapon your enemy never threaten; For without the return of Confidence Ye may be slain, sure, for all Diligence!

_Dil._ Good, sir! and Diligence, I tell you plain, Will play the man or my master be slain!

_Inst._ Yea, but what? saith Study no word to this?

_Wit._ No, sir! ye know Study's office is Meet for the chamber, not for the field-- But tell me, Study, wilt thou now yield?

_Study._ My head acheth sore; I would we return.

_Wit._ Thy head ache now? I would it were burn! Come on! walking may hap to ease thee.

_Inst._ And will ye be gone, then, without me?

_Wit._ Yea, by my faith, except ye hie ye after, Reason shall know ye are but an hafter.

_Exeat_ WIT, STUDY _and_ DILIGENCE.

_Inst._ Well, go your way! When your father, Reason, Heareth how ye obey me, at this season, I think he will think his daughter now May marry another man for you. When wits stand so in their own conceit, Best let them go; till pride, at his height, Turn and cast them down headlong again: And ye shall see proved by this Wit, plain. If Reason hap not to come, the rather His own destruction he will sure gather; Wherefore to Reason will I now get me, Leaving that charge whereabout he set me.

[_Exeat_ INSTRUCTION.

TEDIOUSNESS _cometh in with a visor over his head._

[_Tediousness._] Oh, the body of me! What caitiffs be those That will not once flee From Tediousness' nose; But thus disease me Out of my nest, When I should ease me This body to rest! That Wit, that villain, That wretch--a shame take him! It is he plain That thus bold doth make him, Without my licence To stalk by my door To that drab, Science, To wed that whore! But I defy her; And, for that drab's sake, Or Wit come nigh her, The knave's head shall ache; These bones, this mall, Shall beat him to dust Or that drab shall Once quench that knave's lust! But, ha! methinks I am not half lusty; These joints, these links, Be rough and half rusty; I must go shake them, Supple to make them! Stand back, ye wretches! Beware the fetches Of Tediousness. These caitiffs to bless, Make room, I say; Round every way-- This way, that way! What cares what way? Before me, behind me, Round about wind me! Now I begin To sweat in my skin; Now am I nemble To make them tremble. Pash head! pash brain! The knaves are slain, All that I hit! Where art thou, Wit! Thou art but dead! Off goeth thy head At the first blow! Ho, ho! ho ho! [WIT _speaketh at the door_.

[_Wit._] Study!

_Study._ Here, sir!

_Wit._ How, doth thy head ache?

_Study._ Yea, God wot, sir! much pain I do take!

_Wit._ Diligence!

_Dil._ Here, sir, here!

_Wit._ How dost thou? Doth thy stomach serve thee to fight now?

_Dil._ Yea, sir, with yonder wretch--a vengeance on him That threateneth you thus. Set even upon him!

_Study._ Upon him, Diligence? Better nay!

_Dil._ Better nay, Study? Why should we fray?

_Study._ For I am weary; my head acheth sore.

[_The last three lines are, in the manuscript, scored through._]

_Dil._ Why, foolish Study! thou shalt do no more But aid my master with thy presence.

_Wit._ No more shalt thou neither, Diligence! Aid me with your presence, both you twain; And, for my love, myself shall take pain!

_Study._ Sir! we be ready to aid you so.

_Wit._ I ask no more, Study! Come then, go!

[TEDIOUSNESS _riseth up_.

[_Ted._] Why, art thou come?

_Wit._ Yea, wretch, to thy pain!

_Ted._ Then have at thee!

_Wit._ Have at thee, again!

[_Here_ WIT _falleth down and dieth_.

[_Ted._] Lie thou there! Now have at ye, caitiffs! Do ye flee, i' faith? A, whoreson thieves! By Mahound's bones! had the wretches tarried, Their necks without heads they should have carried! Yea, by Mahound's nose! might I have patted them, In twenty gobbets I should have squatted them, To teach the knaves to come near the snout Of Tediousness! Walk further about I trow, now, they will! And, as for thee, Thou wilt no more now trouble me. Yet, lest the knave be not safe enough, The whoreson shall bear me another cuff.

[_Striketh him._

Now, lie still, caitiff! and take thy rest While I take mine, in mine own nest.

[_Exeat_ TEDI[OUSNESS].

_Here cometh in_ HONEST RECREATION, COMFORT, QUICKNESS, _and_ STRENGTH, _and go_ _and kneel about_ WIT; _and at the last_ _verse raiseth him up upon his feet, and so_ _make an end._

_Give place, give place to Honest Recreation;_ _Give place, we say now, for thy consolation._

_When travels great, in matters thick,_ _Have dulled your wits and made them sick,_ _What medicine then your wits to quick?_ _If ye will know, the best physick_ _Is to give place to Honest Recreation;_ _Give place, we say now, for thy consolation!_

_Where is that Wit that we seek than?_ _Alas! he lieth here, pale and wan._ _Help him at once now, if we can:_ _O Wit! how doest thou? Look up, man!_ _O Wit, give place to Honest Recreation!_ _Give place, we say now, for thy consolation!_

_After place given, let ear obey;_ _Give an ear, O Wit! now we thee pray;_ _Give ear to that we sing and say!_ _Give an ear, and help will come straightway!_ _Give an ear to Honest Recreation!_ _Give an ear now for thy consolation!_

_After ear given, now give an eye!_ _Behold! thy friends about thee lie:_ _Recreation I, and Comfort I,_ _Quickness am I, and Strength, hereby._ _Give an eye to Honest Recreation!_ _Give an eye now for thy consolation!_

_After eye given, an hand give ye!_ _Give an hand, O Wit! feel that ye see!_ _Recreation feel! feel Comfort free!_ _Feel Quickness here! feel Strength to thee!_ _Give an hand to Honest Recreation!_ _Give an hand now for thy consolation!_