Shall find that for pride and presumption
Lucifer, which sometime was a glorious angel--
For that his offence had such correction
That both he, and eke many a legion
Of his order--was cast down to hell
By rightful Justice, perpetually there to dwell.
Remember also Adam, the first of our line,
What pain he suffered for pride and disobedience!
Causeth he not a great decay and ruin,
In all the progeny, for the same offence?
In suchwise that he, and all that were born since,
Be utterly disherited and put from paradise;
And so we be made thrall unto sin and vice.
And lost should we be all, of very justice,
Ne had be that God of His merciful goodness
Did us, soon after, with His own blood mainprize
And us redeemed from pains endless;
So that we do not disobey or transgress
His high commandments, but demean us well
After His laws while we here dwell.
And forasmuch as man's nature
Is frail, and lightly to sin will assent,
Either of purpose or on witting peradventure,
There the said good Lord hath him sent,
Again every sin, a remedy convenient.
For He ne would have one soul to be lore
Whom He hath dear bought, as I said before.
The root of all sin is pride, ye know well;
Which is mine adversary in all that he may;
Where I am in place he may not dwell.
His malicious power I can right well allay;
And teach every creature the remedy and way
How to subdue pride; which no man can do
Without that I, Meekness, must help thereto.
_Man._ Then your help and counsel is necessary to me:
Whereof, I pray you, with all heart's affection!
_Meek._ All ready at hand--whosoever it be
That lusteth to have me for his consolation.
_Man._ I myself have sinned in pride and elation:
Show me your counsel what way shall I take
A due satisfaction for that sin to make.
_Meek._ Thou must, before all thing, set little prize
By thine own self; and take no heed
Whether the people do thee praise or despise.
Be thou meek in heart, in word, and in deed;
Think not that thou wouldst any man over lead;
Be soft and lowly in speech to every wight;
And use none array that staring is to sight!
Lo! in these three things only standeth pride
If thou commit the least of them three.
_Man._ From this day forth I will set them aside
And follow the counsel that ye give me.
_Meek._ Do so, and I will clearly discharge thee:
As for the sin of pride, my soul for thine,
Thou shalt be all whole if thou take this medicine.
_Then he goeth out._
_Man._ Yes, I shall take it; think not the contrary!
Now am I well eased, yet have I not done all.
[_Enter_ CHARITY.
_Charity._ There is no living physician, no poticary
That can devise so sovereign cordial
Again the sore of envy, which is mortal.
No man living, I you ensure,
Without my help may undertake that cure.
For, I am called Charity, the salve for that sickness,
Whom th' Apostle Paul commandeth singularly,
In divers his epistles: I can well repress
The rancour of Envy and give therein good remedy.
_Man._ Then is your counsel to me full necessary:
If ye be Charity ye are bound, doubtless,
To have some compassion of your neighbours' distress.
_Char._ Why, hast thou been envious before this day?
_Man._ Yes, as God knoweth well! and that I rue sore.
_Char._ Well, this must be the remedy--mark what I say:
There is no sin that displeaseth God more
Than doth this sin of Envy; and, therefore,
If so be thou wilt thine own soul safeguard,
Be thou never envious from this day forward.
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]
[Illustration: [_Reduced facsimile of the penultimate page of
manuscript copy_ _of "Wit and Science" now in the British Museum._]]
[Illustration]
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!_