I am so angry, I wot not what to do,
That yonder knave scaped from me so.
_Envy._ What knave is this? I hold him some spy.
_Pov._ I am your master; know ye not me?
_Envy._ Thou art come alate out of Marshalsea.
_Mis._ Methink his hair groweth through his hood!
_Pov._ Alas! Colhazard hath won all my good,
And left me never a groat.
_Envy._ Marry! so methink; ye have changed your coat;
But now ye have one vantage.
_Pov._ What is that?
_Envy._ Your executors shall not strive for your goods another day;
Nor thieves shall not rob you, going by the way:
Thus ye shall stand out of doubt.
_Mis._ Hence, ragged knave! or thou shall bear me a clout:
His clothes smell all of the smoke.
_Envy._ Now, by saint Hugh, that holy bishop!
This matter is well brought to pass:
He is now a knave as he was--
First a knave, and then a man; D3,_v._
And now he is a knave again.
_Pov._ Why say ye so? ye be to blame:
I am your master, Prosperity!
_Mis._ Avaunt, lorel! and evil to thee!
Get thee out of this company!
Beginnest thou now to make comparison?
_Envy._ Let him be your under page;
Give him meat and drink, but no wage;
Go! brush his gown and make clean his shoon!
_Mis._ Well, knave! canst thou no courtesy?
_Envy._ He hath such a disease in his knee
He cannot chance a main groat:
It is not as ye ween.
_Mis._ Come and see my shoon made clean!
_Envy._ By my faith! he shall wipe mine.
_Mis._ This knave is not meet for me;
It grieveth my heart when I him see;
I will go hence, and leave you twain;
For Envy, thou mayest with Poverty reign.
[_Exit._
_Envy._ Nay, I had liever he were slain:
I am gone as soon as ye. [_Exit._
_Pov._ Abide still with me, gentle Charity!
O, to whom should I sue, to whom should I plette?
O mortal worm, wrapped all in woe!
As a man all mortified, and mased in my wit,
I, a captive in captivity, lo, fortune is my foe!
I am in endless sorrow; alas! what shall I do?
These caitiffs, through their counsel and false imagination,
Have brought me to nought that was of great reputation.
Woe worth the time that I them knew!
I may well sigh, and say Alas!
For now I find these words full true
That Peace showed me here in this place. D4,_r._
I regarded not his counsel; I lacked grace;
Wherefore needy poverty on me doth blow his horn,
That every man and woman doth laugh me to scorn.
Example to all young men, when they take in hand
To occupy in the world: for your behoof
Look wisely before, and also understand
Evil company destroyeth man--on me ye see the proof.
Make a sure foundation or ye set up the roof.
Of a good and virtuous beginning cometh a good ending;
And evermore beware of unmeasurable spending!
[_Here entereth the_ SUMNER.
_Sumner._ I ascite you in our court to appear!
_Pov._ I pray you tell me wherefore?
_Sum._ Ye be great slanderer, and full of envy.
_Pov._ There will no man say so but ye.
_Sum._ What wilt thou give me and thou shalt go quit?
_Pov._ By my troth, I have not one mite!
_Sum._ Then open penance and thou art like.
_Pov._ By my troth, I slander no man!
_Sum._ Then come and secule thyself as well as thou can.
[_They go out._
ABUNDANCE _entereth._
_Abun._ What man is he that can me dismay?
For I obtain all thing at my will.
Or who dare anything against me say,
Whatsoever I do, be it good or ill?
For if he do, he were better be still;
I shall him punish be it right or wrong,
For with my purse I can both save and hang.
To repugn against me he were better be still.
I have a proper trull for my pastance;
In my chamber I her keep, both night and day;
My neighbours therewith taketh great grievance;
Yet I keep her still, whosoever say nay. D4,_v._
Howbeit, there is one, a poor caitiff, I hear say,
Hath me accused in the court spiritual.
And it cost me a hundred pound, punish him I shall.
[_The_ SUMNER _returneth_.
_Sum._ Open sin must have open penance;
God speed, my master Abundance!
_Abun._ What knave art thou, with a very mischance,
That cometh in so homely?
_Sum._ Sir! I pray you be not angry.
I am an officer of the spiritualty.
There is upon you a great slande[r];
Ye keep another man's wife in your chamber,
And live in great advoutry.
_Abun._ What wretches doth so say by me?
_Sum._ It is openly known everywhere.
Before my master I charge you to appear;
Upon a book there shall ye swear
Whether it be so, or no.
_Abun._ What is the best for me to do?
Rather than I to the court will go
I had liever spend twenty pound.
_Sum._ Sir! of such a way may be found
To excuse you; what will ye then say?
_Abun._ Now thereof heartily I thee pray!
_Sum._ Ye shall come home to my master's place
And say that ye be put up of malice;
Thrust money in his hand apace;
And so shall ye go quit away.
_Abun._ For thy counsel, gramercy! Hold! here is forty pence!
_Sum._ Come on, sir! I will do my diligence.
_Exeunt ambo._
_Here entereth the_ SUMNER _again, and_ POVERTY _followeth him with a
candle in his hand_ _doing penance about the place. And then_ _sayeth
the_ SUMNER:
_Sum._ Room, sirs! avoidance!
That this man may do his penance. E1,_r._
_Pov._ Now have I my penance done.
_Sum._ Nay! thou shalt about once again.
_Pov._ The poverty and trouble that I endure
I cannot to you in few words express.
If it should be unto God no displeasure
I would desire death, my pain to release;
Such is my penury and troublesome heaviness,
That I could, in no wise, suffer it patiently
But that I trust to win heaven thereby.
[PEACE _entereth_.
_Peace._ What man art thou that maketh such lamentation?
_Pov._ Master Peace! I desire you of pardon;
I am your servant, sometime called Prosperity.
_Peace._ How came thou to this perplexity?
_Pov._ Colhazard, Misrule, and false Envy
Brought me to this distress.
_Peace._ I showed thee before, plain, express:
Then of my words thou haddest disdain?
_Pov._ Therefore now it is to me great pain.
_Peace._ What persons are those that did him accuse?
_Sum._ Sir! he is put up by suit of office.
_Peace._ Suit of office? then it is so
There hath been credible persons, three or two,
Such articles to the judge did show.
He ought thereto to have good respect;
And do swear these persons upon a book--
For love, ne dread, they say but true--
For it is not leeful for a callet, a caitiff, or a knave
Against honest persons such matters for to have,
To put a man to open penance, without due proof.
_Sum._ Sir! when I entered mine office this was my oath:
To hearken about and hear
For backbiters, slanderers, and false jurors,
Schismatics, homicides, and great usurers, E1,_v._
Bawds, advouterers, fornicators, and escheaters:
All such must penance do.
_Pov._ I know one such came never thereto.
_Peace._ Who is that?
_Pov._ His name is called Abundance,
Which hath done many a great offence;
For he keepeth another man's wife.
No manner of penance ye make him do,
But redeemeth with money, and let him go;
So in advoutry still he leadeth his life.
_Sum._ He made his purgation upon a book,
Or else redeemed with the silver hook.
_Peace._ Silver hook? that I deny!
For it is a plain decree
That open sin must do open punishment;
There can be no such judgment
That money shall stop the law.
_Pov._ Nay, there stop, and lay a straw!
Where see ye any man a substance
Put to open penance,
But punished by the purse?
A poor man, that hath nought to pay,
He shall be punished: this ye see every day;
But if he be obstinant, and will not obey,
Anon they will him curse.
_Sum._ Well, for thy saying another day thou shall fare the worse.
[_Exit_ SUMNER.
_Pov._ Sir, I beseech you comfort me with some solace!
_Peace._ Thou art well punished for thy trespass.
By thine own sensual and undiscreet operation
Hath brought thee to all this tribulation.
Stand up! with this vesture I shall thee renew.
_Pov._ Sir! I thank you, and will do at your reformation;
E2,_r._
And for my time mispent I am sore ashamed.
_Peace._ If ye do as I you bid, ye shall not be blamed.
Forsake Envy and Misrule with all their old peers;
Be conversant with good men; goodness thereof will grow.
Follow the saying of David: _Cum sancto sanctus eris_;
For wicked men evermore wicked seed do sow.
What cometh of evil company, now thyself doth know;
Print it well in thy memory, and do it not forget:
Many a man doth decay for lack of good forewit.
_Pros._ Sir! your sayings is full true; I have perceived it;
And for the virtuous counsel that ye to me have give,
I shall be your orator while I have a day to live.
_Peace._ Sovereigns! here may ye see proved, before you all,
Of this wanton world the great fragility;
Ever mutable of the turning, as a ball.
Now, flood of riches; now, ebb of poverty:
What should men set by this world's vanity?
Think on this lesson, and do it not forget:
The gayest of us all is but worms' meat.
_Pros._ With the supportation of this noble audience,
We have here showed this simple interlude;
Beseeching you of your benevolence to take patience.
It is but a mirror vice to exclude.
The maker hereof, his intent was good,
No man to displease, old nor young;
If any fault be therein we desire you of pardon.
_Peace._ Let us pray all to that Lord of great magnificence
To send among us rest, peace, and unity.
And Jesu preserve our sovereign Queen of preclair pre-eminence,
With all her noble consanguinity;
And to send them grace to the issue to obtain,
After them to rule this most Christian realm. E2,_v._
O good Lord! as Thou art omnipotent,
Have regard unto my petition!
Conserve this noble realm, and all that are present,
Of thy eternal Deity grant them all thy fruition;
And from our mortal enemies be our protection.
Jesu! as Thou us redeemed, bring us to the bless
Thereas angels sing: _Gloria in excelsis._
AMEN.
_Thus endeth the interlude called Impatient Poverty._
[_Here follow two ornaments and between them_
_the colophon as on page_ 312.]
[Illustration: [_Reduced Facsimile of the Title-page of "John the
Evangelist"_ _from a unique copy, recently recovered, now in the
British Museum._]]
THE INTERLUDE OF
JOHN THE EVANGELIST
[#The Names of the Players:#
ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST
EUGENIO
ACTIO
IRISDISION
EVIL COUNSEL
IDLENESS]
Imprinted at London, in Foster Lane,
by JOHN WALEY
[Illustration]
[SAINT JOHN THE EVANGELIST.]
A2,_r._ ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST.
_Domine, ante te omne desiderium meum,_
_Et a te gemitus meus non est absconditus._
The sweetest life, Sovereign, in this world with some
Is to have meditation of our Lord Jesus,
Very contemplative God worshipped thus,
Bethinking in the soul without any speech.
God tendeth right more the prayer with the heart of us
Than the prayer of the mouth. The text doth teach
In meditation whoso hath forfence,
The mouth cannot express the thoughts of the heart.
That holiest fruition is of so high intelligence
As it ravisheth the soul into a blessèd desert;
It feeleth no earthly thing unto the time it revert.
Thus fared Magdalen when Martha complained:
She heard her not, in God her heart was so expert;
Nor the angel at the sepulchre, love so her constrained--
The cause why I rehearse you, the holy meditation,
For it is mine exercise express.
Whoso will labour in this must see His habitation,
Be solitary in soul, of great quietness.
Therefore ever to the church I do me dress;
Rest, reverence, and worship therein should be,
With crying on Christ, and our sins confess.
_Beati qui habitant in domo tua, Domine!_
_Eugenio._ _Qui cum Deo Patri_--granted by the pope
A thousand four hundred, and never a day less--
That hath heard this noble sermon, and thereon doth hope,
_A poena et culpa_ here I them release.
Is it not pity such a pulpit man to lose?
I pray you, sir, let us hear more of your pope holiness,
For methink I have heard you preach on this at Paul's Cross. A2,_v._
_Irisdision._ Whom call you pope-holy?
_Eug._ Such a fool as thou art, that clappest ever in divinity.
_Iris._ All virtuous people to commend is my property.
_Eug._ Then is Caton false, and that he indites,
For he saith _"Nec te collaudas nec te culpaberis ipse."_
Great laudations loveth these hypocrites!
_Qui se collaudat_, etc.
No more to you at this time.
But understand you this Latin?
_Iris._ Yea, sir, I trow.
_Eug._ _Responde, tunc, domine, doctor clericorum._
But sir, know you any justice of quorum?
_Iris._ Why so?
_Eug._ A fellow of mine was take[n] with a cuculorum
For a couple horses he stole in an evening.
_Iris._ What would ye have me do in that case?
_Eug._ _Sursum corda_ for him to sing,
Ye should have [? known] well why.
_Iris._ I cannot sing.
_Eug._ No, sir, ye should but make a spring A3,_r._
Under a perch looking up toward the sky.
_Iris._ Without God be thy friend, that same death thou shalt die.
_Eug._ Marry, I beshrew his heart that so can prophesy!
_Iris._ What is thy name?
_Eug._ A, read!
_Iris._ Eugenio, I trow; the same!
_Eug._ A, sir; the devil strike off thy head!
Whoreson, who taught thee so right to read?
I trow some evil spirit be within thee.
[_The continuation seems imperfect._]
_Iris._ In the city of Jerusalem, that is so called.
I fear thou wilt never come to that holy Sion
That with twelve precious stones is surely walled.
Full strait is the way thither to gone,
And into that castle entering is none
Without thou acquaint thee with two porters before:
Hope is the first, and Faith the other one.
_Eug._ Lo! so ghostly he prateth evermore;
Ye dare not cough, your conscience is so holy!
But I pray you show me before
Which is the way to yonder castle ye praise so greatly?
_Iris._ Over the Mead of Meekness mark thou the way;
Then to the Path of Patience shalt thou pass
Into the Land of Largeness; hold for the lay, A3,_v._
And in the Lane of Business look thou not bash;
Then measure in a marsh a fair manor hasse;
Rest there hardely, and abide all night.
_Eug._ Nay, that I will not, by this light!
But what callest thou this way?
_Iris._ _Via recta_, leading to life;
So David named it in his day--
_Spes mea stetit in via recta._
_Eug._ Passeth all men by this journey?
_Iris._ Nay, and the more pity, verily, I say.
_Eug._ What be they that go that way most?
_Iris._ They that be inspired with the Holy Ghost,
As innocents and virgins.
_Eug._ Marry, I know none such in all this coast!
_Iris._ They that go thither must be _gratia electi_.
_Eug._ Why, is there no other way but this?
_Iris._ Yes, on the left side another there is,
That is called _via obliqua et via circularis_.
_Eug._ And whither draweth this?
_Iris._ Even right to death; A4,_r._
Whoso walks that way, himself he slayeth.
_Eug._ Sir, who goeth that way so ill?
_Iris._ All they that worketh the devil's will,
As _omnes iniquo in circuitu impii ambulantes_.
_Eug._ Thou art a lowler, by my troth, I warrants!
How many by-paths be in that way?
_Iris._ Six score and odd, I say.
_Eug._ Then one cannot fail where he go by night or day.
But may a man go to the stews that way
At his pleasure, if he list to play?
_Iris._ It brings men to the seat of rueful array;
The lady of confusion lieth therein,
That Babylon is called; she is the end of all sin.
_Eug._ Which way coasteth that country?
_Iris._ To an isle in the north, I say;
_Ab aquilone pandetur omne malum._
_Eug._ That is the first place that men should assay,
Whether it be hedged or walled.
_Iris._ With boughs and trees it is marvellously paled.
There groweth the elders of envy,
Staked with pride full high,
And the briars of backbiting with wrath wreathed about, A4,_v._
Full of slouthy bushes and lecherous thorns dry,
With gluttonous posts and covetise railed throughout,
And at Mischief's Gate many doth in run.
_Eug._ And where do they all become?
_Iris._ Down to the dungeon where the devil dwelleth,
Lucifer, that loathly lord, that is in bale blisses.
There is woe upon woe, as Christ us telleth;
All that may disease and nothing please, ever restless.
There is frost, there is fire,
Hope is lost and her desire;
There care hath no recover;
Without pity there is pain;
To cry for mercy it is in vain,
For grace is gone for ever.
_Fumus tormentorum suorum_
_Ascendit in secula seculorum._
Lo! thus hath lost wedded confusion,
Lucifer's daughter damnation
In hell to have heritage.
_Septum dominium peccati est mors._
_Eug._ In faith, that is a knavish way to walk.
Now awhile of some mirth let us talk,
For I forsake that passage.
_Iris._ Now farewell, sir, and have good day,
For I must go another way;
Forget not my reasons sage!
_Eug._ What! will ye go your way? B1,_r._
Ye have done a fair journey to-day.
[_Iris._] It is time for to be walking,
For I am weary of your talking. [_Exit._
[_Eug._] Lo! sirs, he spake full holily,
But yet I beshrew him for all his clergy;
He may well be called witless Sir Will,
For I trow his brain is steadfast as a windmill.
But now well remembered, by books Amromes
[_Here again something appears to be missing._]
I would have a plaster for all harms,--
Some fair wench to lie in mine arms;
That would avoid all strifes.
It were to me _administrate nos,_
_Et restaurate nos_, also _comfortate nos_.
Yea, and sometime I will take men's wives;
For cuckold-makers have merrier lives
Than they that do all the cost
As to wed at the church-door, and there to be sworn.
Perhap her husband should have an horn;
Then may he curse the time that ever he was born,
For all the love is lost.
Clerks say that of wedlock God that knot doth knit;
And yet women do venture to break it.
For though their souls should lie in hell pit,
They will use that sorry work;
And if they so die,
Atropos cometh full suddenly,
And or they beware, full slily
He leadeth them all down in the dark.
The courtesy of England is oft to kiss,
And of itself it is lechery where pleasure is.
All young folk remember this--
_Intentio judicat quenquam._ B1,_v._
So great delight thou mayst have therein
That afore God it is deadly sin.
But farewell! yonder cometh Sir William of Trentram. [_Exit._
_St. John the Evangelist._ That lord which is principal,
Conserve and keep this congregation,
And cover you with his mantle perpetual.
After that ye do pass with death's visitation,
This prince bring you to that holy nation
Where love doth dwell with virginity.
And to give you plain information,
In that realm dwelleth the Holy Trinity.
I am that John that presently doth appear,
Called "the grace of God" by interpretation,
And of my doctrine if ye list to hear,
Much can I show you of Christ's incarnation,
And of His passion; for verily I was there.
I saw Him hang on the Cross, on high, on high;
His mother and I stood there under,
And I heard when He cried "Eli, Eli,"
And saw Lungis smite His heart asunder.
His laws to the people will I preach,
And all that ever do follow me in peace,
The kingdom of heaven their souls shall reach,
There having joy that never shall cease,
But now the true love, that we should to God owe,
Men giveth it to richesse that is mutable;
Full sore they will it repent, I trow,
That ever they were of mind so unstable.
If any man will have richesse ghostly, B2,_r._
I will hastily again be here,
And thereof he shall have gladly;
At all times I will him cheer.
My coming hither was for your furtherance,
And now I leave you in God's governance.
[_Exit, Enter_ ACTIO.
_Actio._ Now merry might you be!
Who was that that calléd me
So early to-day?
One resided me with a bowl of water;
Here was a shrewd matter,
Suddenly one to affray!
It was some knave, my brother:
Beshrew him and none other
For that array!
I was fast asleep;
Till I felt the wet
Full still I lay.
He brake mine old custom,
For I would have lain till noon,
And then have risen to play.
But now to the purpose;
For by the faith that now goes
I love to go gay!
And with other men's wives
That be wanton of lives
Oft do I run away.
And wheresoever I go
One good condition have I so--
I use never truth to say.
Also I have a great disease, if ye will me leave,
Even here, sirs, in the bottom of my sleeve. B2,_v._
[_Enter_ EUGENIO.
_Eug._ By God, sir, and I do lay a plaster to your coat
I will heal it, I dare lay a groat!
_Actio._ Eugenio, from whence come you?
_Eug._ From thence that ye were spoke of right now;
Ye shall have an office.
_Actio._ What is that? I pray you tell me!
_Eug._ By my faith, ye shall be hangman of Calais;
Thereto ye be appointed, verily!
_Actio._ Then the first man that shall be hanged shalt thou be,
For I tell thee I will begin with thee.
_Eug._ Nay, sir, but hark what I shall thee say.
Here was one late this same day
That dispraised richesse worldly.
He said he that doth forsake prosperity,
And take him to wilful poverty,
He shall have joy eternally.
_Actio._ What was he?
_Eug._ A doctor, as seemed me;
He spake as holily
As though God had been his cousin.
_Actio._ Yea, but was he not mired with hypocrisy?
_Eug._ No, man; he spake so ghostly B3,_r._
He had almost changed my mood.
I had thought to give away my good
And then ask myself for charity.
_Actio._ Why, wouldest thou have been so witty?
Nay, thou art a fool and thou wilt for any egging
Give away thine own good, and go thyself a-begging,
For so will not I do yet, trust me!
_Eug._ Sir, he promised most largely
That I should in joy live ever,
Where I shall die never.
Thus also he said verily,
That I should feel there no ill,
And have all that I desire will,
And see God in His majesty.
Also he promised me a greater hire
That I should have all that I would desire.
_Actio._ I rede thee lay that thought away;
For mayst thou not see all day
That they that useth sport and play
Liveth at ease merrily?
They have most heartiest rest
And fareth of the best
That thus spendeth their lives in jollity.
_Eug._ Well, then, my wit I will renew,
For I trow thou sayest full true.
If I do it, and afterward rue it
As to give away my good,
I trow I should it forethink. B3,_v._
Without a cup then might I drink,
For that purse that sowneth not trink
His master weareth a thread-bare hood.
_Actio._ Yea, yea, man, that is true indeed.
But let us go walk a space,
For Evil Counsel hither will speed;
That person, I trow, he be void of all grace.
_Eug._ Go we hence then in time;
Hastily we will come again,
For John will be here by prime;
His sermon would I hear fain.
[_They go out and_ EVIL COUNSEL _entereth_.
_Evil Counsel._ By your leave, let me come near.
What doth all this company here?
Whereafter is your gaping?
By our lady and master! I have sought nigh and far;
For sith I came from Rochester
I have spent all my winning.
By our lady! I will no more go to Coventry,
For there knaves set me on the pillory,
And threw eggs at my head
So sore that my nose did bleed
Of white wine gallons thirty.
Some time in London did I dwell;
I was prentice with Evil Counsel,
And so men calleth me.
I hope again to go thither,
If summer were come and fair weather,
And live full merrily.
I have sought England through and through, B4,_r._
Village, town, city, and borough;
With many a thousand bequainted I am,
As ill-tongued churls and many a proud gentleman,
That shrewdly roundeth many a pistle
When they in young wives' ears doth whistle
Of matters pertaining to Venus' acts;
With fair flattering words and pretty knacks
Both men and women they bring to lechery,
Through me, Evil Counsel, to live in advoutry.
In Cornwall I have been and in Kent,
Westminster, St. Catherine's, and in Unthrift's Rent,
There I rested very lately.
Now fain would I have a master [_Enter_ IDLENESS.
That would do by my counsel,
For though he spend and be a waster
To get money I can teach him the craft well.
_Idleness._ What art thou, tell me, that speaketh this?
_Evil C._ Marry, sir, a man that would have a service;
Great need have I thereto.
_Idle._ Why, what service canst thou do?
_Evil C._ Both steal and lie, and on your errand go
To fet another man's wife to your bed.
_Idle._ If I of such things may be sped,
I am glad that we be met.
_Evil C._ In England shall nothing me let.
With you will I bide for ever. B4,_v._
But master, have ye any wife?
_Idle._ Yea, more than twenty-five, by my life;
But some other men keepeth them for me.
_Evil C._ Marry, sir, no force; it costeth you the less money,
But you have good cheer when you come.
_Idle._ Yea, at meat I am merry, and at bed if I list to play.
_Evil C._ Then their husbands be out of the way,
Or else ye come not there.
_Idle._ Yes, yes, daily! and make good cheer,
And not spied at all, I have such policy.
_Evil C._ I am glad that ye be so witty;
And sir, if you will have a fresh lusty trull
I will get her you, or a house-wife that can spin a pound of wool.
_Idle._ Then will we drink wine at the full,
In one place if thou canst help me.
_Evil C._ I pray you tell me; what is she?
_Idle._ An artificer's wife--a pretty woman.