Chapter 2

+Wyll.+ Yet by Christ your owne wyl I am The maddest wyl, and the meriest, than For goddes sake now, let me be your man Tyl ye haue better acquaintaunce.

+wealth+ I perceyue this felow is kynde 310 And oweth to vs good wyl and mynde Some kindes agayne then let hym finde Let him haue some furderaunce

+Wyll.+ By god sir and I durst be so bolde Arquaintance of this man clayme I would and kynred to, yf the trouth were tolde we be of one consanguynitie

+Health+ How fo? let me here that I pray thee hartly

+Wyll.+ Wyl and lybertyeis, of aunciterie olde with out lyberfye, wili dare not bebolde 320 And where wyl lacketh, lybertye is full colde Thyrfore wyl and lybertye must nedes be of kyn.

+liberti.+ In dede as he saythe it may well be For wyl euer longeth vnto lybrtye Therfore good freende welcome to me I praye you al be good to him And goeth out

+Welth.+ For your sake he is welcome to vs all Let him come to our place ano than he shall Haue succoure of vs and helpe withal & now we wil depart. And welth & helth goth out. 330

+Wyll.+ Wyl ye go hence. I thanke ye masters with al my hert I wyl seke you out I warrant you feare not Now they be gone I am glad by saint mary A lyttel while heare I purpose to tary How to deceyue welth, helth, and libertie Now must I deuyse. For I am a chylde that is pas grace Ilwyll I am called that in euery place Doth much mischiefe this is a playne case Uertue I doo vtterly dispise, 340 But if they wyst what I were Then of my purpose I should be neuer [the] nere I wyl kepe my tonge leste that I mar My whole intent and wyll. But now I meruayle by this day Where shrewd wit is gone a stray Some crafty touche is in his way I here him, peace, stand styll.

¶ Entreth shrewd wyt with a songe.

¶ Dieu vous garde playsaunce 350 On seuen or no mumchaunce, what yonkers dare auaunce To playe a grote or twaine. Loe heare I haue in store Two or three grotes and no more I take great thought therfore For to kepe it, it is much payne I come now out of a place where is a company of small grace Theues and hores that spendes a pace They were dronken all the sorte. 360 One of their purces I did aspy Out of his sleue where it dyd lye And one wynked on me with his eye But ther began the sporte Their false falsehode, and I crafty wyt got the purse loe, heare I haue it I ran my way and let hym syt Smoke and shitten arse together. And yf that I had yll wyll here with this money we wolde make good chere 370 Gentle brother wyll, I pray the apeare For thou art in some corner.

+Wytte+ I woulde come in but I am a fearde Least that I be taken by the bearde Wyth some catchepol, I haue heard How thou haste stollen a purse

+wylle+ Thou horson art thou mad, cum in I say This is not the fyrste hazard that I haue scaped yf I make an hand to decke my felfe gay what am I the worse. 380

+wyll+ From thy company I cannot abyde I must nedes holde upon thy syde yllwyll and shrewdwit who caa hyde For they will be together.

+wytte.+ Now welcome wyll and what cheare: By god I thought for thee a thousand yere Peace for gods body who cummeth there Hance bere pot Ascon router.

¶ Entreth Hance with a dutch songe

Gut nynen scone rutters by the moder got 390 It heist õwne srhon, for staue ye nete De qusteker mau iche bie do do Uau the groate bnmbarde well ic wete Dartyck dowsant van enheb it mete Ic best de mauikin van de koining dangliler De grot keyser kind ic bene his busketer

+Wyll.+ Here ye not dronk[=e] hance how he be gins to prate The malowperte sleminge is a little to cheke mate

+wytte+ Let the knaue alone, for his name is war. Such dronken slemminges your company wil mar 400

+Hance.+ Ic best nen emond, ic best in soche ye secte nete vell ic forstaue ye in doche

+Wyll.+ Cumpt hore leyf with your gound stand nere yt becummes you better to handle a potte of beare

+Hance+ Dat maght icvell dan, ic can skynke frelyck Tab bers frow, ic briuges brore, begotts nemerick

+wytte.+ The horsen knaue by the masse is dronke A winking for depe his eyen be cleane lonck

+Hance+ Ic foraue ye vell ye seg dac ic slope Nenike, nenike, ic compte hore for an andor cope 410

+Wyll.+ Wel coppin I pray the hartly tell vs trew Wherfore comest thou hether for any thing to sew

+Hance+ yeicke feger, en b[=u]bardere vã de koyning wei it be Heb twe skelling de dagh ic con scote de culueryn

+wytte.+ Nay ye shall walke a fleming knaue, wyl ye not see We haue English gunners ynow, there is no rome empty

+Hance+ Ic best en bomberde mot ye to me spreken what segye ye bones, it sal ye yode flaen

+Wyll.+ We speake not to thee thou art a scone man But goe thy way they be not here that promot [the] cã 420

+Hance+ Caut ye me a de house dragen van degrot here.

+wytte.+ Hance ye must go to [the] court & for welth inquire

+Hance+ What segre ye welth nenyke he is net hore welth best in ssaunders, it my self brought him dore

+Wyll.+ Beshrew your horson sleminges hert therfore. in dede as he saith, by war in fla[=u]ders theris welth store

+Hance+ Segt ye dat brower, by the moder got dan Gut naught it mot wast, to sent cafrin to mi lanmã & goeth out

+wyll.+ Is be gone, farewel hanykin bowse I pray god giue him a hounded drouse 430 For I trow a knaue brought hym to house But now brother wyt. We must deuose how that we may Be in seruice with welth alwaye Let me here what thou canst do or say To helpe for to contryue it.

+wytte.+ For thy pleasure that I shall This wyll I doo first of all Flatter and lye, and euermore call Them my good maysters ftyll. 440 Then with swering, lying and powlinge Brybry, theft, and preuy pyking Thus I shred wet, wyll euer be doinge I warrant ther yllwyll.

+Wyll.+ I cun thee thanke, this is well deuysed And I yll wil, wolde haue euery man dispised But now another thing must be contriued Or els al wilbe nought There is one they call good remedy In this realme, he hath geeat actortty 450 He is a noble man and much worthy Many thinges he hach wrought He is called lust, discreete and indifference Willing to fulfil his soueraines commaundement He is not fraide to do right punishment Therfore of him I am afrayde

+wytte.+ So am I to this maketh me very sadde Yet oftentymes I haue bene harde bestadde Now [that] I am warned of him I am very glad Sum crafty wyle for him shalbe hade 460

+Wyll.+ Peace no mo wordes but mum My think I heare mast welth cum Knele downe and say sum deuout orison That they may heare vs pray Now Iesu saue Welth, Helth, and Lybertie.

Liberty and helth returneth back with welth

+Wealth+ Syrs you shall haue both gods blessing So are ye worth for your praying ye are wel disposed and of good liuing I wyll loue you the berter alway 470

+Wyll.+ Sir this do we vse euery day For welth helth and liberty to pray This same is my brother, to you I mayay He is an hard honest man.

+wytte.+ Forsoth mayster I am his vrother To be your seruant, was my c[=u]ming hether As longe as we two be to gether ye shall not peryshe than

+Health+ To haue you both in seruyce I am content How say you libertie wil you therto consent 480 Wyll and wit, god hath vs lent We may be glade of them

+liberti.+ Yf we sholde refuse wyl and wyt we were to blame for they be fyt Therfore by my wel they shal not slye They be welcome to me,

+Wyll.+ God thanke you maisters all three ye shal finde vs pore but true we cannot be My tonge stombles, I cry you mercy We wyll be true I should say, 490

+wealth+ Syrs go your way home vnto one place And we wyl hye vs after apace And when we come we shall set you in case To haue a lyuing alway.

+Health+ Then loke ye do both truely and iust For we must put you in great trust All our houshoulde guide ye must Behaue you selfe well.

+wytte+ Maisters feare not for I haue wit inough To beguyle my selfe, and to beguyle you 500 I haue vegyled many one I may say to you I pray you kepe that in councelll

+liberty.+ Beware of that, what doth he say? Beguyle vs all, yet I charge ye nay Ye shall not beguile vs yf I may I wyl beware betyme.

+Wyll.+ Syr be not angry I you praye fhe foole woteth not he doth say He meneth chat he wil be profitable alw ay And saue you many thinges. 510

+Health+ What he meaneth I cannot tell But his saying is not well Depart hence syrs by my councell And tary vs at our lodging.

+wytte.+ ¶ Now and it please ye, wyll ye here any synging Therein I tell you I am somwhat connyng ye shall heare and ye list.

+liberty+ Syr I pray you sing and ye can

+wyll.+ Now wil I begin like a lusty bloud thã. thei sing & go out Sirs now go your way of you I am glad 520 As of any seruauntes that euer I had For these can do both good and bad We must needes haue such men What were we yf we lacked wyll: And without wyt we shoulde lyue yll Therfore wyll and wit I wyll kepe styll. I promise you I loue them

¶ Here commeth remedy in and to him saith

+Welth.+ Syr your maystership is hartely welcome Take your place here aboue as it is reason. 530

+Health+ I pray you oardon vs, we know not what ye be ye seme a man of honour, and of great auctority

+liberty+ Syr to know wherfore ye come we are desyrous

+Remdi+ I am he that ought for to be well knowen Of you thre specially, and of duetie Great payne and busines as for mine owne For you I haue taken because I loue you hartely To maintaine you is all my desyre and faculty yet hard it is to doo, the people be so variable And many be so wilfull, they will not be reformable. 540

+wealth+ Syr I pray you pardon vs of our ignoraunce now I se well ye know vs better than we do you

+Remdi+ I pardon you, for I doo know you wel both welth, and helth, is your right names The which Gngland to forbere were very loth For by welth and helth commeth great fames Many other renlmes for our great welth shames That they dare not presume, nor thy dare not be bold To stryue againe England, or any right with holde.

+Health+ Sir ye be welcom, I besech you show vs your name 550

+remedi+ Good remedy forsouth I rm the same.

+liberti.+ yf I durst be so bolde I wolde pray you hartely To shewe vs apart of your great aceoritie,

+R md+ My actoritie is geuen to me most speciall To maintaine you three, in this realme to be What mine intent is. I wyl tel, but not all For that were to longe to reherse of a surety And I desyre you all for to be louing to me For your owne ease, come welth and profyt

+Wealth+ Good remedy, then we must desyre your aydyng 560 For by good remedy cometh all our prefercing.

+Remdi+ All that I doo intende, if ye wil therto agree And to be reformable for your owne ease It is not the thynge that lieth only in me But my good wyl, therfore I wyl not cease To haue your loue and fauour, and therby to please Al the worlde ouer, and to promote ehis realme That you thre may prosper, ye percelue what I mene The chiefe parte of all welth lyeth in great estates Theyr substance and landes. is right commendable 570 Prelates of the churche is welthy of ryches Mercha[=u]tes hath marcha[=u]dise & goods incõperable M[=e] of law & franklins is welthy which is laudable Thus welth of riches is deuided diuerse wayes And to these many charges, come now a dayes

+Health+ My hert reioyseth to here your good reporting Much are we bound to god, which prouideth althing

+Remdi+ Forsoth here is not halfe that I could reherse The benefits of god that be sheweth to you welth Consider Englyshmen, how valiant they be & ferce 580 Of al nacions none such, when they haue their helth No land can do vs harme, but wyth falsehod or stelth rem[=e]bre what nõbre of m[=e], or artilerie & good ordinãce Specially [the] grace of god, which is our chief forderãce If there be any that wyll grudge, surmyce or doo Againe welth, helth & libertie, then must I for [the] same Shew mine auctorite and power, for to remedy it so That none of you shall diminishe, nor amisse be tane I good remedy therfore may & will speake [with]out blãe For the comen welth, & helth both of the soule & body 590 [that] is mi office & power, & therfore I haue my actorite

+wealth+ Our lorde continue ye, & we thanke you hartly Both for your good instruction, and for your kindnes That you intende so wel for vs good remedy when we haue nede we will desyre your goodnes

+Health+ When we be infect in the soule or body Then will I seke good remedy for succour As yet I thanke god I haue no nede greatly yf I haue then wyll I seke to haue your fauour

+liberty+ Syr now we wyl departe hence with your licence 600 For other divers busines that we must haue tohether

+Remdi+ Sirs I am content, now when ye wyll depart To god I commyt you I wyll not make you tary But yet I pray with all my minde and heart Take hede in any wise exchewe yl & shrewd compani yf a mã be neuer soo good & vse [with] th[=e] [that] be vnthrifti He shal lese his name, & to some vice they wil him t[=e]p therfore beware of such people, & from th[=e] be exempt

+Health+ yes yes I warrant you of sach I wyll beware. Farewel good remedy & wel to fare. & goth out 610

+Remdi+ I pray god be your spede & preserue you frõ paine it is mi mind ye shold prosper I wold haue it so fain.

+Wyll.+ Here is none of our acquainta[=u]ce wil retourneth we haue made to longe tariaunce that wyll ye say perchaunce And they begone home come away apare

+Wytte.+ Nay by god not so hastie A lytle whyle we wyll larye Good euen syr to you mary Dwell ye in this place? 620

+Remdi+ Nay good fellowe I dwel not heare Wherefore doest thou chat inquire: Woldest thou ought with any heare Speake be not afryde

+Wyll.+ By God I would I had your gowne And were a myle without the towne Theron & woulde borowe a crowne It is I that so sayde

+Wytte.+ Hew lookest thou one him halfe a scorne I p=omise you he is a scant gentylman borne 630 What sstyest thou in his face

+Remdi+ For somwhat in his face I lok e In dede his mastership standes a crooke For false shrewes both of you I tooke And chyldren that be past grace.

+Wyll.+ I wyll swere for hym, as tor this yeares twenty that he hath ben euer as true as I yet sometyme he will steale and make a lye He is of my alyaunce.

+Remdi+ In good fayth the same thinke I 640 That ye be both lyke, full unthrifty Syrs how do ye lyue, shew me quickly Or I shall put you in duraunce

+wytte.+ How liue we? mary our meate Cummest thou hether for to threte: So lowly syr wittam doth speake From whence doth he come can ye shewe

+Wyll.+ What dost thou ayle canst thou tell? Hast thou any thing with vs to mell? By the masse thy handes doth tykell 650 Thou shalt beare me a blowe.

+remedi+ you false theues I know ye well I shall let your purpose euey deale yllwyll, and shrewd wit, the deuyll of hell Take ye both for me.

+wytte.+ Mary thou lyest, our names be not so Call vs but wit, and wyll, adde no more thereto, yf thou doest thou were as good no We shall handle you shrewdly

+Remdi+ Syrs farewell here I wil no longer abide 660 For you both shortly I wyll prouide That all your falfe craft shalbe out tryed And our subtillitie knowen and goeth out.

+wytte.+ To go so soone the horson was wyse therfore some now I must deuise that each man may welth, helth and libertidespise Or els he wyll marre all our mateer. Brother wet, ler me alone When they come you shal see me a none Complayne of him, vnto them echone 670 And put him out of fauour

+Wytte+ Peace no mo wordes, for they come yonder

+wealth+ Syrs I am glade that you be heare How doth all our houshold, with them what chere? Is euery thiag in order there Afirr our intente?

+wyll.+ ye syr they be all mery and glad With reuell and rout somtime they be mad Pipe whore hop theef, euery knaue and drabe Is at our commaundement. 680

Helth turneth hym.

What do ye say, then ye are to blame And we put you in trust for the same To kepe such rule, it is a shame I tis not for our honour.

+wytte.+ By the masse ihe horson doth lye There is no such rule by gods body A man may breke his neck as lyghtly As his fast in your kechin, or seller truly.

Liberty turneth him 690

With that nother I am not content I wolde there should be liberalitie compet[=e]t And with honesti it is conoenient That our neighbour fare the better

+Wyll.+ you be angey with all that we haue done Cum away brother let us go hens soone I know a new maister wher we shalbe welcume God be with you gentyl maister

+Welth.+ Why wil ye begone tor a worde Peraduenture we did but boorde 700 Me thinke ye should your mayster foorde For to speake my minde.

+wytte+ Nay nay, I can tel what was the matter Remedy was here, and he dyd flatter ye trust he more than vs and better But marke the ende, what ye shal find

+Health+ With good remedy we spake in dede To folow his counsel we had neede He warned vs that we should take hede Of excesse and prodigalitie. 710

+Wytte+ I meruayle ye speake so of good remedy It is I that can do more than he Wyt can make shyft at necessity When Remedi cannot be hearde I know some that hath this thousand yere Sought god remedy and yet neuer rhe nere wit can put remedy by, yea this is cleare For wit is a crafty lad.

+Wyll.+ And wyl is an vngracious stay Wyl hath doone many thinges men say 720 And yf ye let wit and wil goe his way ye wil repent it soone.

+liberty+ Why what cause haue you to go your way ye shall abyde wich vs though you say nay I wyl folow wyl, and wit alway And so I haue euer done

+wytte.+ yf I wist al my masters wolde so do Then from your seruyce I wolde not goo Speake now whether ye wyl or no And let vs know your minde 730

+Health+ Syrs ye be welco me to me playne And for your company I am full fayne I had leuer suffer great payne Then to leue my wit and wyl,

+Wyll.+ Then let vs go hence, with kindnes my her ye do kyll

+Health+ I pray you let vs go, wherfore do we byde styll.

and goeth out

+Remdi+ As touching my first purpose hither I am com again I trow ye know me, good remedy is my name That euery day doth take great .abor or payne 740 To amende all faultes, I am chosen to the same yf any mans conscience here doth grudge or shame Hauing in him self remorse, & mendes in tyme & space I am good remedy, and god is ful of mercy and grace Therfore I wyl stand asyde, & a lyttel whyle remaine Of welth, Helth and Lybertye, for to inquire How they be ordred, and yf any man complayne I wil be glad to shew me remedy, my think I se one a peare.

+Hance+ Begots drowse ic my selfe bin c[=u]pt heye scõ lansmã 750 Ic mot in ander land lopen, al is quade dan

+Remdi+ Thou fleming frõ wh[=e]ce comest [thou] & what dost [thou] here.

+Hance+ Ic my self cumt frõ sent Katryns dore mot ic skyne de cã beer

+Remdi+ Get [the] thether againe, & tary here no lõger

+Hance+ Syr ic mot mid ye spreken ic my self be en scomaker

+Remdi+ What and thou be therwith I haue nothin a doo.

+Hance+ Ic dest al forlore, copin is dod, ic maght aot do therto

+Remdi+ I pray thee go hence, for thou dost trouble me yll.

+Hance+ Nen ic seker, ic wyl not gon, ic wold fain liue hore stil

+Remdi+ There is to mainy allaunts in this reale, but now I 760 good remedy haue so provided that English men shall lyue the better dayly.

+Hance+ What segt ye by gots drowse, dai is de quade man Be de moro goi, ic my selfe loue de scone Englishman.

+Remdi+ Fie on [the] flattering knaue, fie on you alia[=u]ts al I say ye can [with] craft & subtel tiget englishm[=e]s welth away

+Hance+ O skon mester, ic heb hore bin, this darten yeore ic canskote de coluerin, & ic can be dr beare broer, trust see so prouide that welth from you haue I shall

+Hance+ Ic seg to you dat welth is lopen in an ander contry 770 wat hebegy dar brough, forstan ye net, segt me

+Remdi+ Ic vnderstand the wel, yet thou liest lyke a knaue welth is here [=i] Englãd, & welth stil i trust we shal haue

+Hance+ Ic ment no quad ic loue de english man by min here C[=u]p vp sent Katrin and ic shal ye geu[=e] twe stope bere,

+Remdi+ Get [the] hence drõk[=e] fleming [thou] shalt tary no lenger here

+Hance+ Mor it net mare herebin, woder sal ic gewest kiskin Ic wil to de Kaizer gan, dar fall ic wal skinkin

& goth out

+Remdi+ Is he gon? I pray god the deuyll go with him wher is welth, helth & tiberty. I wold see th[=e] come in 780

Helth commeth in with a kercher on his head.

+Health+ ¶ O good lorde helpe me, by your licence my souerain I am homely to com her in your pres[=e]ce thus diseased Nede constraineth me, for remedy I wold haue faine I am [=i]fect both body & soul, I prai you be not displesed

+Remdi+ Why what aile you shew me, yet you I do not know Glad I am to remedy any man, that is affirmity I perceiue by your phisnamy, [that] ye ar veri weke feble & low yet show me your griefe, & I wil help you gladly.

+Health+ Gracio[us] remedi I thank you, yet I am half ashamed 790 to shew you mi maladi & mi name, I was called helth Therfore I am wel worthi to be punished & blamed Because I haue not folowed your co[=u]sel, but al thing may be suffered saue welth.

+Remdy+ Are you helth, this maketh me very pensife and sad ye t be of good chere, & show how you were infect To remedy you and succour you I wold be very glad For god wyl punish the people when they be detelt

+Health+ Syr I thanke god therof for wel worthy I am My conscience doth iudge, some trouble haue I must 800 A mendes I wyl make to god and if I can Wil ãd wit hath deceiued me in them I put my trust.

+Remdi+ yf thou haue doone amisse, and be sory therfore Then helfe a mendes is made, for that is contrission Let that passe, now wil I axe you one thyng more Wher be welth ãd Libertie, be they of good disposiciõ

+Health+ As for welth is fallen in decay, and neceslitie By wast & war, thorow ytt wyll, and shrewdwit And lybertie is kept in duraunce and captiuite God helpe vs all, and sende vs good remedy for it 810

+Remdi+ For to heare this tale it maketh my hart heauie yet be of good cõfort, god is ful of grace, & I am good

+Health+ ¶ Sir, th[=e] I besech you help vs in the way of charity

+Remdi+ I would fayne but I cannot tel which way to begin Except I might catch wil & wit, then I trow I could Tye th[=e] shorter, for they destroy welth, helth & liberty bi sin yf I had [the] theues, punish th[=e] extremly I wole.

+Health+ You may soone catch them, if ye wil stande a syde From this place they two, wyl not longe abide.

+Remdi+ Me thinketh I here them com, helpe to holde th[=e] fast 820

will turneth

+Wyll.+ Cum in wit for herc is no body We may ve bolde and talke largely Our hartes to eafe ano shew plainly What we haue doone.

+wytte+ I must nedes laugh I cannot forbeare To remember warre that knaue wil ye heare The horson fleming was beshitten for feare Because he should boyde so soone.