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!
_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.