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Characters: Felicity, Counterfeit Countenance, Cloked Colusion, Fancy, Liberty, Measure, Magnificence, Courtly Abusion, Folly, Adversity, Poverty, Despair, Mischief, Good Hope, Redress, Circumspection, Perseverance, Crafty Conveyance.

Enter FELYCYTE

FELICITE.

AL thyngys contryuyd by mannys reason
The world enuyronn of hygh and low estate
Be it erly or late welth hath a season
Welth is of wysdome the very trewe probate
A fole is he with welth that fallyth at debate [5]
But men nowe a dayes so vnhappely be vryd
That nothynge than welth may worse be enduryd
To tell you the cause me semeth it no nede
The amense therof is far to call agayne
For when men by welth they haue lytell drede [10]
Of that may come after experyence trewe and playne
Howe after a drought there fallyth a showre of rayne
And after a hete oft cometh a stormy colde
A man may haue welth but not as he wolde
Ay to contynewe and styll to endure [15]
But yf prudence be proued with sad cyrcumspeccyon
Welthe myght be wonne and made to the lure
Yf noblenesse were aquayntyd with sober dyreccyon
But wyll hath reason so vnder subieccyon
And so dysordereth this worlde ouerall [20]
That welthe and felicite is passynge small
But where wonnys welthe and a man wolde wyt
For welthfull felicite truly is my name

Enter LYBERTE

Lyberte.

Mary welthe and I was apoynted to mete
And eyther I am dysseyued or ye be the same [25]

Felycyte.

Syr as ye say I haue harde of your fame
Your name is lyberte as I vnderstande

Lyberte.

Trewe you say syr gyue me your hande

Felycyte.

And from whens come ye and it myght be askyd

Lyberte.

To tell you syr I dare not leest I sholde be maskyd [30]
In a payre of fetters or a payre of stockys

Felycyte.

Here you not howe this gentylman mockys

Lyberte.

Ye to knackynge ernyst what and it preue

Felycyte.

Why/ to say what he wyll lyberte hath leue

Lyberte.

Yet lyberte hath ben lockyd vp and kept in the mew [35]

Felycyte.

In dede syr that lyberte was not worthe a cue
How be it lyberte may somtyme be to large
But yf reason be regent and ruler of your barge

Lyberte.

To that ye say I can well condyssende
Shewe forth I pray you here in what you intende [40]

Felycyte.

Of that I intende to make demonstracyon
It askyth lesure with good aduertence
Fyrst I say we owght to haue in consyderacyon
That lyberte be lynkyd with the chayne of countenaunce
Lyberte to let from all maner offence [45]
For lyberte at large is lothe to be stoppyd
But with countenaunce your corage must be croppyd

Lyberte.

Then thus to you

Felycyte.

Nay suffer me yet ferther to say
And peraduenture I shall content your mynde
Lyberte I wote well forbere no man there may
It is so swete in all maner of kynde
Howe be it lyberte makyth many a man blynde
By lyberte is done many a great excesse
Lyberte at large wyll oft wax reklesse [55]
Perceyue ye this parcell

Lyberte.

Ye syr passyng well
But and you wolde me permyt
To shewe parte of my wyt
Somwhat I coulde enferre [60]
Your consayte to debarre
Under supportacyon
Of pacyent tolleracyon

Felycyte.

God forbyd ye sholde be let
Your reasons forth to fet [65]
Wherfore at lyberte
Say what ye wyll to me

Lyberte.

Brefly to touche of my purpose the effecte
Lyberte is laudable and pryuylegyd from lawe
Iudycyall rygoure shall not me correcte [70]

Felycyte.

Softe my frende; herein your reason is but rawe

Lyberte.

Yet suffer me to say the surpluse of my sawe
What wote ye where vpon I wyll conclude
I say there is no welthe where as lyberte is subdude
I trowe ye can not say nay moche to this [75]
To lyue vnder lawe it is captyuyte
Where drede ledyth the daunce there is no Ioy nor blysse
Or howe can you proue that there is felycyte
And you haue not your owne fre lyberte
To sporte at your pleasure to ryn and to ryde [80]
Where lyberte is absent set welthe asyde

Hic intrat Measure.

Measure.

Cryst you assyste in your altrycacyon

Felycyte.

Why haue you harde of our dysputacyon

Measure.

I parceyue well howe eche of you doth reason

Lyberte.

Mayster measure you be come in good season [85]

Measure.

And it is wonder that your wylde insolence
Can be content with measure presence

Felycyte.

Wolde it please you then

Lyberte.

Us to informe and ken

Measure.

A ye be wonders men [90] A2v">
Your langage is lyke the penne
Of hym that wryteth to fast

Felycyte.

Syr yf any worde haue past
Me other fyrst or last
To you I arecte it and cast [95]
Therof the reformacyon

Lyberte.

And I of the same facyon.
Howe be it by protestacyon
Dyspleasure that you none take.
Some reason we must make. [100]

Measure.

That wyll not I forsake
So it in measure be.
Come of therfore let se
Shall I begynne or ye

Felycyte.

Nay ye shall begynne by my wyll [105]

Lyberte.

It is reason and skyll
We your pleasure fulfyll

Measure.

Then ye must bothe consent
You to holde content
With myne argument. [110]
And I muste you requyre
Me pacyently to here

Felycyte.

Yes syr with ryght good chere.

Lyberte.

With all my herte intere

Measure.

Oracius to recorde in his volumys olde [115]
With euery condycyon measure must be sought
Welthe without measure wolde bere hymselfe to bolde
Lyberte without measure proue a thynge of nought
In ponder by nomber by measure all thynge is wrought.
As at the fyrst orygynall by godly opynyon [120]
Whych prouyth well that measure shold haue domynyon.
Where measure is mayster plenty dothe none offence
Where measure lackyth all thynge dysorderyd is
Where measure is absent ryot kepeth resydence.
Where measure is ruler there is nothynge a mysse [125]
Measure is treasure; howe say ye is it not this

Felycyte.

Yes questyonlesse in myne opynyon
Measure is worthy to haue domynyon

Lyberte.

Unto that same I am ryght well agrede.
So that lyberte be not lefte behynde [130]

Measure.

Ye lyberte with measure nede neuer drede

Lyberte.

What lyberte to measure then wolde ye bynde.

Measure.

What ellys; For otherwyse it were agaynst kynde
If lyberte sholde lepe and renne where he lyst
It were no vertue; it were a thynge vnblyst [135]
It were a myschefe yf lyberte lacked a reyne.
Where with to rule hym with the wrythyng of a rest
All trebyllys and tenours be rulyd by a meyne
Lyberte without measure is acountyd for a beste
There is no surfet where measure rulyth the feste [140]
There is no excesse where measure hath his helthe
Measure contynwyth prosperyte and welthe

Felycyte.

Unto your rule I wyll annex my mynde

Lyberte.

So wolde I; but I wolde be lothe
That wonte was to be formyst now to come behynde [145]
It were a shame; to god I make an othe
Without I myght cut it out of the brode clothe
As I was wonte euer at my fre wyll

Measure.

But haue ye not herde say; that wyll is no skyll
Take sad dyreccyon and leue this wantonnesse [150]

Lyberte.

It is no maystery

Felycyte.

Tushe let measure procede
And after his mynde herdely your selfe adresse
For without measure pouerte and nede
Wyll crepe upon vs; and vs to myschefe lede [155]
For myschefe wyll mayster vs; yf measure vs forsake

Lyberte.

Well I am content your wayes to take

Measure.

Surely I am Ioyous that ye be myndyd thus
Magnyfycence to mayntayne your promosyon shalbe

Felycyte.

So in his harte he may be glad of vs [160]

Lyberte.

There is no prynce but he hath nede of vs thre
Welthe with measure and plesaunt lyberte

Measure.

Nowe pleasyth you a lytell whyle to stande
Me semeth magnyfycence is comynge here at hande

Hic intrat magnyfycence

Magnyfycence

To assure you of my noble porte and fame [165]
Who lyst to knowe magnyfycence I hyght
But measure my frende what hyght this mannys name

Measure.

Syr though ye be a noble prynce of myght
Yet in this man you must set your delyght
And syr this other mannys name is lyberte [170]

Magnyfycence

Welcome frendys ye are bothe vnto me
But nowe let me knowe of your conuersacyon

Felycyte.

Pleasyth your grace felycyte they me call

Lyberte.

And I am lyberte made of in euery nacyon

Magnyfycence

Conuenyent persons for any prynce ryall [175]
Welthe with lyberte with me bothe dwell ye shall
To the gydynge of my measure you bothe commyttynge
That Measure be mayster vs semeth it is syttynge A3v">

Measure.

Where as ye haue syr to me them assygned
Suche order I trust with them for to take [180]
So that welthe with measure shalbe conbyned
And lyberte his large with mea hall make

Felycyte.

Your ordenaunce syr I wyll not forsake

Lyberte.

And I my selfe hooly to you wyll inclyne

Magnyfycence

Then may I say that ye be seruauntys myne [185]
For by measure I warne you we thynke to be gydyd
Wherin it is necessary my pleasure you knowe
Measure and I wyll neuer be deuydyd
For no dyscorde that any man can sawe
For measure is a meane nother to hy nor to lawe [190]
In whose attemperaunce I haue suche delyght
That measure shall neuer departe from my syght

Felycyte.

Laudable your consayte is to be acountyd
For welthe without measure sodenly wyll slyde

Lyberte.

As your grace full nobly hath recountyd [195]
Measure with noblenesse sholde be alyde

Magnyfycence

Then lyberte se that measure be your gyde
For I wyll vse you by his aduertysment

Felycyte.

Then shall you haue with you prosperyte resydent

Measure.

I trowe good fortune hath annexyd vs together [200]
To se howe greable we are of one mynde
There is no flaterer nor losyll so lyther
This lynkyd chayne of loue that can vnbynde
Nowe that ye haue me chefe ruler assyngned
I wyll endeuour me to order euery thynge [205]
Your noblenesse and honour consernynge

Lyberte.

In Ioy and myrthe your mynde shalbe inlargyd
And not embracyd with pusyllanymyte
But plenarly all thought from you must be dyschargyd
If ye lyst to lyue after your fre lyberte [210]
All delectacyons aquayntyd is with me
By me all persons worke what they lyste

Measure.

Hem; syr yet beware of had I wyste
Lyberte in some cause becomyth a gentyll mynde
Bycause course of measure yf I be in the way [215]
Who countyth without me is caste to fer behynde
Of his rekenynge as euydently we may
Se at our eye the worlde day by day
For defaute of measure all thynge dothe excede

Felycyte.

All that ye say is as trewe as the crede [220]
For howe be it lyberte to welthe is conuenyent
And from felycyte may not be forborne
Yet measure hath ben so longe from vs absent
That all men laugh at lyberte to scorne A4">
Welth and wyt I say be so threde bare worne [225]
That all is without measure and fer beyonde the mone

Magnyfycence

Then noblenesse I se well is almoste vndone
But yf therof the soner amendys be made
For dowtlesse I parceyue my magnyfycence
Without measure lyghtly may fade [230]
Of to moche lyberte vnder the offence
Wherfore measure take lyberte with you hence
And rule hym after the rule of your scole

Lyberte.

What syr wolde ye make me a poppynge fole

Measure.

Why were not your selfe agreed to the same [235]
And now wolde ye swarue from your owne ordynaunce

Lyberte.

I wolde be rulyd and I myght for shame

Felycyte.

A ye make me laughe at your inconstaunce

Magnyfycence

Syr without any longer delyaunce
Take lyberte to rule and folowe myne entent [240]

Measure.

It shalbe done at your commaundement

Itaque measure exeat locum cum lybertate et maneat magnyfycence cum felicitate.

Magnyfycence

It is a wanton thynge this lyberte
Perceyue you not howe lothe he was to abyde
The rule of measure not withstandynge we
Haue deputyd measure hym to gyde [245]
By measure eche thynge duly is tryde
Thynke you not thus my frende felycyte

Felycyte.

God forbede that it other wyse sholde be

Magnyfycence

Ye coulde not ellys I wote with me endure

Felycyte.

Endure? No god wote it were great payne [250]
But yf I were orderyd by Iust measure
It were not possyble me longe to retayne

Hic intrat Fansy.

Fansy.

Tusche holde your pece your langage is vayne
Please it your grace to take no dysdayne
To shewe you playnly the trouth as I thynke [255]

Magnyfycence

Here is none forsyth whether you flete or synke

Felycyte.

From whens come you syr that no man lokyd after

Magnyfycence

Or who made you so bolde to interrupe my tale

Fansy.

Nowe benedicite ye wene I were some hafter
Or ellys some Iangelynge Iacke of the vale [260]
Ye wene that I am dronken bycause I loke pale

Magnyfycence

Me semeth that ye haue dronken more than ye haue bled

Fansy.

Yet amonge noble men I was brought vp and bred

Felycyte.

Now leue this Iangelynge and to vs expounde
Why that ye sayd our langage was in vayne [265]

Fansy.

Mary vpon trouth my reason I grounde
That without largesse noblenesse can not rayne A4v">
And that I sayd ones; yet I say agayne
I say without largesse worshyp hath no place
For largesse is a purchaser of pardon and of grace [270]

Magnyfycence

Nowe I beseche the tell me what is thy name

Fansy.

Largesse that all lordes sholde loue syr I hyght

Felycyte.

But hyght you largesse encreace of noble fame

Fansy.

Ye syr vndoubted

Felycyte.

Then of very ryght
With magnyfycence this noble prynce of myght
Sholde be your dwellynge in my consyderacyon

Magnyfycence

Yet we wyll therin take good delyberacyon

Fansy.

As in that I wyll not be agaynst your pleasure

Felycyte.

Syr hardely remembre what may your name auaunce. [280]

Magnyfycence

Largesse is laudable so it be in measure

Fansy.

Largesse is he that all prynces doth auaunce
I reporte me herein to Kynge Lewes of fraunce

Felycyte.

Why haue ye hym named and all other refused

Fansy.

For syth he dyed largesse was lytell vsed [285]
Plucke vp your mynde syr what ayle you to muse.
Haue ye not welthe here at your wyll
It is but a maddynge these wayes that ye vse
What auayleth lordshyp yourselfe for to kyll
With care and with thought howe Iacke shall haue gyl [290]

Magnyfycence

What I haue aspyed ye are a carles page

Fansy.

By god syr ye se but fewe wyse men of myne age
But couetyse hath blowen you so full of wynde
That colyca passyo hath gropyd you by the guttys

Felycyte.

In fayth broder largesse you haue a mery mynde. [295]

Fansy.

In fayth I set not by the worlde two dauncaster cuttys

Magnyfycence

Ye wante but a wylde flyeng bolte to shote at the buttes.
Though largesse ye hyght your langage is to large
For whiche ende goth forwarde ye take lytell charge

Felycyte.

Let se this checke yf ye voyde canne [300]

Fansy.

In faythe els had I gone to longe to scole
But yf I coulde knowe a gose from a swanne

Magnyfycence

Wel wyse men may ete the fysshe when ye shal draw the pole

Fansy.

In fayth I wyll not say that ye shall proue a fole
But ofte tymes haue I sene wyse men do mad dedys [305]

Magnyfycence

Go shake the dogge hay syth ye wyll nedys
You are nothynge mete with vs for to dwell.
That with your lorde and mayster so pertly can prate.
Gete you hens I say by my counsell
I wyll not vse you to play with me checke mate [310]

Fansy.

Syr yf I haue offended your noble estate
I trow I haue brought you suche wrytynge of recorde
That I shall haue you agayne my good lorde
To you recommendeth sad cyrcumspeccyon
And sendeth you this wrytynge closed vnder sele [315]

Magnyfycence

This wrytynge is welcome with harty affeccyon
Why kepte you it thus longe? howe dothe he wele

Fansy.

Syr thanked be god he hath his hele

Magnyfycence

Welthe gete you home and commaunde me to mesure
Byd hym take good hede to you my synguler tresure [320]

Felycyte.

Is there ony thynge elles your grace wyll commaunde me.

Magnyfycence

Nothynge but fare you well tyll sone
And that he take good kepe to lyberte

Felycyte.

Your pleasure syr shortely shall be done

Magnyfycence

I shall come to you myselfe I trowe this after none [325]

Exit FELYCYTE

I pray you larges here to remayne
Whylest I knowe what this letter dothe contayne

Hic faciat tanquam legeret litteras tacite: Interim superueniat cantando counterfet countenaunce suspenso gradum qui viso magnyfycence sensim retrocedat at tempus post pusillum rursum accedat counterfet countenaunce prospectando & vocitando a longe et fansy animat silentium cum manu.

Counterfet countenaunce.

What fansy fansy

Magnyfycence

Who is that that thus dyd cry
Me thought he called fansy [330]

Fansy.

It was a flemynge hyght hansy

Magnyfycence

Me thought he called fansy me behynde

Fansy.

Nay syr it was nothynge but your mynde
But nowe syr as touchynge this letter

Magnyfycence

I shall loke in it at leasure better [335]
And surely ye are to hym beholde
And for his sake ryght gladly I wolde
Do what I coude to do you good

Fansy.

I pray god kepe you in that mood

Magnyfycence

This letter was wryten ferre hence [340]

Fansy.

By lakyn syr it hathe cost me pence
And grotes many one or I came to your presence

Magnyfycence

Where was it delyuered you shewe vnto me

Fansy.

By god syr beyonde the se

Magnyfycence

At what place nowe as you gesse [345]

Fansy.

By my trouthe syr at pountesse
This wrytynge was taken me there
But neuer was I in gretter fere

Magnyfycence

Howe so

Fansy.

By god at the see syde
Had I not opened my purse wyde [350]
I trowe by our lady I had ben slayne
Or elles I had lost myne eres twayne B1v">

Mangnyfycence

By your soth

Fansy.

Ye and there is suche a wache [355]
That no man can scape but they hym cache
They bare me in hande that I was a spye
And another bade put out myne eye
Another wolde myne eye were blerde
Another bade shaue halfe my berde [360]
And boyes to the pylery gan me plucke
And wolde haue made me freer tucke
To preche out of the pylery hole.
Without an antetyme or a stole
And some bade sere hym with a marke [365]
To gete me fro them I had moche warke

Magnyfycence

Mary syr ye were afrayde

Fansy.

By my trouthe had I not payde and prayde
And made largesse as I hyght
I had not been here with you this nyght [370]
But surely largesse saued my lyfe
For largesse stynteth all maner of stryfe

Magnyfycence

It dothe so sure nowe and than
But largesse is not mete for euery man

Fansy.

No but for you grete estates [375]
Largesse stynteth grete debates
And he that I came fro to this place
Sayd I was mete for your grace
And in dede syr I here men talke
By the way as I ryde and walke [380]
Say howe you excede in noblenesse
If you had with you largesse

Magnyfycence

And say they so in very dede

Fansy.

With ye syr so god me spede

Magnyfycence

Yet mesure is a mery mene [385]

Fansy.

Ye syr a blaunched almonde is no bene
Measure is mete for a marchauntes hall
But largesse becometh a state ryall
What sholde you pynche at a pecke of grotes
Ye wolde sone pynche at a pecke of otes [390]
Thus is the talkynge of one and of oder
As men dare speke it hugger mugger
A lorde a negarde it is a shame
But largesse may amende your name

Magnyfycence

In faythe largesse welcome to me [395]

Fansy.

I pray you syr I may so be
And of my seruyce you shall not mysse.

Magnyfycence

Togyder we wyll talke more of this
Let vs departe from hens home to my place

Fansy.

I folow euen after your noble grace [400]

Hic discedat magnificens cum fansy et intrat counterfet countenaunce.

He detains FANSY for a moment

Counterfet coun.

What I say herke a worde.

Fansy.

Do away I say the deuylles torde.

Counterfet coun.

Ye but how longe shall I here awayte.

Fansy.

By goddys body I come streyte
I hate this blunderyng that thou doste make [405]

Counterfet coun.

Nowe to the deuyll I the betake
For in fayth ye be well met

Exit FANSY

Fansy hath cachyd in a flye net
This noble man Magnyfycence
Of largesse vnder the pretence [410]
They haue made me here to put the stone
But nowe wyll I that they be gone
In bastarde ryme after the dogrell gyse
Tell you where of my name dothe ryse
For counterfet countenaunce knowen am I [415]
This worlde is full of my foly
I set not by hym a fly
That can not counterfet a lye
Swere and stare and byde therby
And countenaunce it clenly [420]
And defende it manerly
A knaue wyll counterfet nowe a knyght
A lurdayne lyke a lorde to syght
A mynstrell lyke a man of myght
A tappyster lyke a lady bryght [425]
Thus make I them wyth thryft to fyght
Thus at the laste I brynge hym ryght
To tyburne where they hange on hyght
To counterfet I can by praty wayes
Of nyghtys to occupy counterfet kayes [430]
Clenly to counterfet newe arayes
Counterfet eyrnest by way of playes
Thus am I occupyed at all assayes
What so euer I do all men me prayse
And mekyll am I made of nowe a days [435]
Counterfet maters in the lawe of the lande
Wyth golde and grotes they grese my hande
In stede of ryght that wronge may stande
And counterfet fredome that is bounde
I counterfet suger that is but sounde [440]
Counterfet capytaynes by me are mande
Of all lewdnesse I kyndell the brande
Counterfet kyndnesse and thynke dyscayte B2v">
Counterfet letters by the way of sleyght
Subtelly vsynge counterfet weyght [445]
Counterfet langage fayty bone geyte
Counterfetynge is a proper bayte
A counte to counterfet in a resayte
To counterfet well is a good consayte
Counterfet maydenhode may well be borne [450]
But counterfet coynes is laughynge to scorne
It is euyll patchynge of that is torne
Whan the noppe is rughe it wolde be shorne
Counterfet haltynge without a thorne
Yet counterfet chafer is but euyll corne [455]
All thynge is worse whan it is worne
What wolde ye wyues counterfet
The courtly gyse of the newe iet
An olde barne wolde be vnderset
It is moche worthe that is ferre fet [460]
What wanton wanton nowe well ymet.
What margery mylke ducke mermoset
It wolde be masked in my net
It wolde be nyce thoughe I say nay
By crede it wolde haue fresshe aray [465]
And therfore shall my husbande pay
To counterfet she wyll assay
All the newe gyse fresshe and gaye
And be as praty as she may
And iet it ioly as a iay [470]
Counterfet prechynge; and byleue the contrary.
Counterfet conscyence; peuysshe pope holy.
Counterfet sadnesse; with delynge full madly
Counterfet holynes; is called ypocrysy
Counterfet reason; is not worth a flye [475]
Counterfet wysdome; and workes of foly
Counterfet countenaunce; euery man dothe occupy
Counterfet worshyp; outwarde men may se
Ryches rydeth out; at home is pouerte
Counterfet pleasure is borne out by me [480]
Coll wolde go clenly and it wyll not be
And annot wolde be nyce and laughes tehe wehe
Your counterfet countenaunce is all of nysyte
A plummed partrydge all redy to flye
A knokylbonyarde wyll counterfet a clarke [485]
He wolde trotte gentylly but he is to starke
At his cloked counterfetynge dogges dothe barke
A carter a courtyer it is a worthy warke
That with his whyp his mares was wonte to yarke B3">
A custrell to dryue the deuyll out of the derke [490]
A counterfet courtyer with a knaues marke
To counterfet this freers haue lerned me
This nonnes nowe and then and it myght be
Wolde take in the way of counterfet charyte
The grace of god vnder benedicite [495]
To counterfet thyr counsell they gyue me a fee
Chanons can not counterfet but vpon thre
Monkys may not for drede that men sholde them se

Hic ingrediatur fansy properanter cum crafty conueyaunce cum famine multo adinuicem garrulantes tandem viso counterfet countenaunce dicat crafty conueyaunce.

Crafty conuay.

What counterfet countenaunce

Counterfet coun.

What crafty conueyaunce. [500]

Fansy.

What the deuyll are ye two of aquayntaunce
God gyue you a very myschaunce

Crafty conuey.

Yes yes syr he and I haue met

Counterfet coun.

We haue bene togyder bothe erly and late
But fansy my frende where haue ye bene so longe [505]

Fansy.

By god I haue bene about a praty pronge
Crafty conueyaunce I sholde say and I

Crafty conuay.

By god we haue made magnyfycence to ete a flye

Counterfet coun.

Howe coulde ye do that and I was away

Fansy.

By god man bothe his pagent and thyne he can play [510]

Counterfet coun.

Say trouth

Crafty conuey.

Yes yes by lakyn I shall the warent
As longe as I lyue thou haste an heyre parent

Fansy.

Yet haue we pycked out a rome for the

Counterfet coun.

Why shall we dwell togyder all thre [515]

Crafty conuey.

Why man it were to great a wonder
That we thre galauntes sholde be longe asonder

Counterfet coun.

For cockys harte gyue me thy hande

Fansy.

By the masse for ye are able to dystroy an hole lande

Crafty conuey.

By god yet it muste begynne moche of the [520]

Fansy.

Who that is ruled by vs it shalbe longe or he thee

Counterfet coun.

But I say kepest thou the olde name styll that thou had

Crafty conuey.

Why wenyst thou horson that I were so mad

Fansy.

Nay nay he hath chaunged his & I haue chaunged myne

Counterfet coun.

Nowe what is his name and what is thyne [525]

Fansy.

In faythe largesse I hyght
And I am made a knyght.

Counterfet coun.

A rebellyon agaynst nature.
So large a man and so lytell of stature
But syr howe counterfetyd ye [530]

Crafty Conveyance

Sure surueyaunce I named me

Counterfeit Countenance

Surueyaunce; where ye suruey B3v">
Thryfte hathe lost her cofer kay.

Fansy.

But is it not well howe thynkest thou

Counterfet coun.

Yes syr I gyue god auowe [535]
Myselfe coude not counterfet it better
But what became of the letter
That I counterfeyted you vnderneth a shrowde

Fansy.

By the masse odly well alowde

Crafty conuey.

By god had not I it conuayed [540]
Yet fansy had ben dyscryued

Counterfet coun.

I wote thou arte false ynoughe for one

Fansy.

By my trouthe we had ben gone
And yet in fayth man we lacked the
For to speke with lyberte [545]

Counterfet coun.

What Is largesse without lyberte

Crafty conuey.

By mesure mastered yet is he

Counterfet coun.

What Is your conueyaunce no better

Fansy.

In faythe mesure is lyke a tetter
That ouergroweth a mannes face [550]
So he ruleth ouer all our place

Crafty conuey.

Nowe therfore whylest we are togyder
Counterfet countenaunce nay come hyder
I say whylest we are togyder in same

Counterfet coun.

Tushe a strawe it is a shame [555]
That we can no better than so

Fansy.

We wyll remedy it man or we go
For lyke as mustarde is sharpe of taste
Ryght so a sharpe fansy must be founde
Wherwith mesure to confounde [560]

Crafty conuey.

Can you a remedy for a tysyke
That sheweth yourselfe thus spedde in physyke

Counterfet coun.

It is a gentyll reason of a rake

Fansy.

For all these Iapes yet that ye make

Crafty conuey.

Your fansy maketh myne elbowe to ake [565]

Fansy.

Let se fynde you a better way

Counterfet coun.

Take no dyspleasure of that we say

Crafty conuey.

Nay and you be angry and ouerwharte
A man may beshrowe your angry harte

Fansy.

Tushe a strawe I thought none yll [570]

Counterfet coun.

What shall we Iangle thus all the day styll

Crafty conuey.

Nay Let vs our heddes togyder cast

Fansy.

Ye and se howe it may be compast
That mesure were cast out of the dores

Counterfet coun.

Alasse where is my botes and my spores [575]

Crafty conuey.

In all this hast whether wyll ye ryde

Counterfet coun.

I trowe it shall not nede to abyde
Cockes woundes se syrs se se B4">

Hic ingrediatur cloked colusyon cum elato aspectu deorsum et sursum ambulando.

Fansy.

Cockes armes what is he

Crafty conuey.

By cockes harte he loketh hye [580]
He hawketh me thynke for a butterflye

Counterfet coun.

Nowe by cockes harte well abyden
For had you not come I had ryden

Cloked colusyon

Thy wordes be but wynde neuer; they haue no wayght
Thou hast made me play the Iurde hayte [585]

Counterfet coun.

And yf ye knewe howe I haue mused
I am sure ye wolde haue me excused

Cloked colusyon

I say come hyder what are these twayne

Counterfet coun.

By god syr this is fansy small brayne
And crafty conuayaunce knowe you not hym [590]

Cloked colusyon

Knowe hym syr quod he; yes by saynt sym.
Here is a leysshe of ratches to renne an hare
Woo is that purse that ye shall share

Fansy.

What call ye him this

Crafty conuey.

I trowe that he is [595]

Counterfet coun.

Tushe holde your pece
Se you not howe they prece
For to knowe your name

Cloked colusyon

Knowe they not me they are to blame
Knowe you not me syrs. [600]

Fansy.

No in dede

Crafty conuey.

Abyde lette me se; take better hede
Cockes harte it is cloked colusyon.

Cloked colusyon

A syr I pray god gyue you confusyon

Fansy.

Cockes armes is that your name [605]

Counterfet coun.

Ye by the masse this is euen the same
That all this matter must vnder grope

Crafty conuey.

What is this he wereth a cope

Cloked colusyon

Cappe syr I say you be to bolde.

Fansy.

Se howe he is wrapped for the colde [610]
Is it not a vestment

Cloked colusyon

A ye wante a rope

Counterfet coun.

Tushe it is syr Iohnn double cope

Fansy.

Syr and yf ye wolde not be wrothe

Cloked colusyon

What sayst [615]

Fansy.

Here was to lytell clothe

Cloked colusyon

A fansy fansy god sende the brayne

Fansy.

Ye for your wyt is cloked for the rayne

Crafty conuey.

Nay lette vs not clatter thus styll

Cloked colusyon

Tell me syrs; what is your wyll [620]

Counterfet coun.

Syr it is so that these twayne
With magnyfycence in housholde do remayne
And there they wolde haue me to dwell B4v">
But I wyll be ruled after your counsell

Fansy.

Mary so wyll we also [625]

Cloked colusyon

But tell me where aboute ye go

Counterfet coun.

By god we wolde gete vs all thyder
Spell the remenaunt and do togyder

Cloked colusyon

Hath magnyfycence ony tresure

Crafty conuey.

Ye but he spendeth it all in mesure [630]

Cloked colusyon

Why dwelleth mesure where ye two dwell
In faythe he were better to dwell in hell

Fansy.

Yet where we wonne nowe there wonneth he

Cloked colusyon

And haue you not amonge you lyberte

Counterfet coun.

Ye but he is a captyuyte [635]

Cloked colusyon

What the deuyll howe may that be

Counterfet coun.

I can not tell you why aske you me
Aske these two that there dothe dwell

Cloked Colusion

Syr the playnesse you me tell

Crafty conuey.

There dwelleth a mayster men calleth mesure [640]

Fansy.

Ye and he hath rule of all his tresure

Crafty conuey.

Nay eyther let me tell or elles tell ye

Fansy.

I care not I; tell on for me

Counterfet coun.

I pray god let you neuer to thee

Cloked colusyon

What the deuyll ayleth you can you not agree [645]

Crafty conuey.

I wyll passe ouer the cyrcumstaunce
And shortly shewe you the hole substaunce
Fansy and I we twayne
With magnyfycence in housholde do remayne
And counterfeted our names we haue [650]
Craftely all thynges vpryght to saue
His name largesse; surueyaunce myne
Magnyfycence to vs begynneth to enclyne
Counterfet countenaunce to haue also
And wolde that we sholde for hym go [655]

Counterfet coun.

But shall I haue myne olde name styll

Crafty conuey.

Pease I haue not yet sayd what I wyll

Fansy.

Here is a pystell of a postyke

Cloked colusyon

Tusshe fonnysshe fansy thou arte frantyke
Tell on syr howe then [660]

Crafty conuey.

Mary syr he told vs when
We had hym founde we sholde hym brynge
And that we fayled not for nothynge

Cloked colusyon

All this ye may easely brynge aboute

Fansy.

Mary the better and mesure were out [665]

Cloked colusyon

Why can ye not put out that foule freke

Crafty conuey.

No in euery corner he wyll peke
So that we haue no lyberte
Nor no man in courte but he
For lyberte he hath in gydyng [670]

Counterfet coun.

In fayth and without lyberte there is no bydyng

Fansy.

In fayth and lybertyes rome is there but small

Cloked colusyon

Hem? that lyke I nothynge at all

Crafty conuey.

But counterfet countenaunce go we togyder
All thre I say [675]

Counterfet coun.

Shall I go? whyder.

Crafty conuey.

To magnyfycence with vs twayne
And in his seruyce the to retayne

Counterfet coun.

But then syr what shall I hyght

Crafty conuey.

Ye and I talkyd therof to nyght [680]

Fansy.

Ye my fansy was out of owle flyght
For it is out of my mynde quyght

Crafty conuey.

And nowe it cometh to my remembraunce
Syr ye shall hyght good demeynaunce

Counterfet coun.

By the armes of calys well conceyued [685]

Crafty conuey.

When we haue hym thyder conuayed
What and I frame suche a slyght
That fansy with his fonde consayte
Put magnyfycence in suche a madnesse
That he shall haue you in the stede of sadnesse [690]
And sober sadnesse shalbe your name

Cloked colusyon

By cockys body here begynneth the game
For then shall we so craftely cary
That mesure shall not there longe tary

Fansy.

For cockys harte tary whylyst that I come agayne [695]

Crafty conuey.

We wyll se you shortly one of vs twayne

Counterfet coun.

Now let vs go and we shall then

Cloked colusyon

Nowe let se quyte you lyke praty men

Exeunt FANSY, CRAFTY CONVEYAUNCE and COUNTERFET COUNTENAUNCE

Hic deambulat.

To passe the tyme and order whyle a man may talke
Of one thynge and other to occupy the place [700]
Then for the season that I here shall walke
As good to be occupyed as vp and downe to trace
And do nothynge how be it full lytell grace
There cometh and groweth of my comynge
For clokyd colusyon is a perylous thynge [705]
Double delynge and I be all one
Craftynge and haftynge contryued is by me
I can dyssemble I can bothe laughe and grone
Playne delynge and I can neuer agre
But dyuysyon dyssencyon dyrysyon these thre [710]
And I am counterfet of one mynde and thought
By the menys of myschyef to bryng all thynges to nought
And though I be so odyous a geste
And euery man gladly my company wolde refuse C1v">
In faythe yet am I occupyed with the best [715]
Full fewe that can themselfe of me excuse
Whan other men laughe than study I and muse
Deuysynge the meanes and wayes that I can
Howe I may hurte and hynder euery man
Two faces in a hode couertly I bere [720]
Water in the one hande and fyre in the other
I can fede forth a fole and lede hym by the eyre
Falshode in felowshyp is my sworne brother.
By cloked colusyon I say and none other
Comberaunce and trouble in Englande fyrst I began [725]
From that lorde to that lorde I rode and I ran
And flatered them with fables fayre before theyr face.
And tolde all the myschyef I coude behynde theyr backe.
And made as I had knowen nothynge of the case
I wolde begyn all myschyef but I wolde bere no lacke [730]
Thus can I lerne you syrs to bere the deuyls sacke
And yet I trowe some of you be better sped than I
Frendshyp to fayne and thynke full lytherly
Paynte to a purpose good countenaunce I can.
And craftely can I grope howe euery man is mynded. [735]
My purpose is to spy and to poynte euery man.
My tonge is with fauell forked and tyned
By cloked colusyon thus many one is begyled.
Eche man to hynder I gape and I gaspe
My speche is all pleasure; but I stynge lyke a waspe [740]
I am neuer glad but whan I may do yll.
And neuer am I sory but whan that I se
I can not myne appetyte accomplysshe and fulfyll
In hynderaunce of welthe and prosperyte
I laughe at all shrewdenes; and lye at lyberte [745]
I muster I medle amonge these grete estates
I sowe sedycyous sedes of dyscorde and debates
To flater and to flery is all my pretence
Amonge all suche persones as I well vnderstonde
Be lyght of byleue and hasty of credence [750]
I make them to startyll and sparkyll lyke a bronde.
I moue them I mase them I make them so fonde
That they wyll here no man but the fyrst tale
And so by these meanes I brewe moche bale

Hic ingrediatur courtly abusyon cantando.

Courtly abusion

Huffa huffa taunderum taunderum tayne huffa huffa. [755]

Cloked colusyon

This was properly prated syrs what sayd a

Courtly abusion

Rutty bully Ioly rutterkyn heyda

Cloked colusyon

De que pays este vous.

Et faciat tanquam exuat beretum ironice.

Courtly abusyon

Decke your hofte and couer a lowce

Cloked colusyon

Say vous chaunter venter tre dawce [760]

Courtly abusyon

Wyda wyda.
Howe sayst thou man am not I a Ioly rutter.

Cloked colusyon

Gyue this gentylman rome syrs stonde vtter
By god syr what nede all this waste
What is this a betell or a batowe or a buskyn lacyd [765]

Courtly abusyon

What wenyst thou that I knowe the not clokyd colusyon

Cloked colusyon

And wenyst thou that I knowe not the cankard abusyon

Courtly abusyon

Cankard Iacke hare loke thou be not rusty
For thou shalt well knowe I am nother durty nor dusty.

Cloked colusyon

Dusty nay syr ye be all of the lusty [770]
Howe be it of scape thryfte your clokes smelleth musty
But whether art thou walkynge in faythe vnfaynyd

Courtly abusyon

Mary with magnyfycence I wolde be retaynyd

Cloked colusyon

By the masse for the cowrte thou art a mete man
Thy slyppers they swap it; yet thou fotys it lyke a swanne [775]

Courtly abusyon

Ye so I can deuyse my gere after the cowrtly maner

Cloked colusyon

So thou arte personable to bere a prynces baner.
By goddes fote & I dare well fyght for I wyll not start

Courtly abusyon

Nay thou art a man good Inough but for thy false hart

Cloked colusyon

Well and I be a coward there is mo than I [780]

Courtly abusyon

Ye in faythe a bolde man and a hardy

Cloked colusyon

A bolde man in a bole of newe ale in cornys

Courtly abusyon

Wyll ye se this gentylman is all in his skornys

Cloked colusyon

But are ye not auysed to dwell where ye spake

Courtly abusyon

I am of fewe wordys I loue not to crake [785]
Beryst thou any rome or cannyst thou do ought
Cannyst thou helpe in fauer that I myght be brought

Cloked colusyon

I may do somwhat and more I thynke shall

Here cometh in Crafty conueyaunce poyntyng with his fynger and sayth.

Crafty Conveyance

Hem colusyon.

Courtly abusyon

Cockys harte who is yonde that for the dothe call [790]

Crafty Conveyance

Nay come at ones for the armys of the dyce

Courtly abusyon

Cockys armys he hath callyd for the twyce

Cloked colusyon

By cockys harte and call shall agayne
To come to me I trowe he shalbe fayne [795]

Courtly abusyon

What is thy harte pryckyd with such a prowde pynne

Cloked colusyon

Tushe he that hath nede man let hym rynne

Crafty conuey.

Nay come away man thou playst the cayser

Cloked Colusion

By the masse thou shalt byde my leyser

Crafty conuey.

A byde syr quod he? mary so I do

Courtly abusyon

He wyll come man when he may tende to

Crafty conuey.

What the deuyll who sent for the

Cloked colusyon

Here he is nowe man mayst thou not se

Crafty conuey.

What the deuyll man what thou menyst [805]
Art thou so angry as thou semyst C2v">

Courtly abusyon

What the deuyll can ye agre no better

Crafty conuey.

What the deuyll where had we this ioly Ietter

Cloked colusyon

What sayst thou man why dost thou not supplye
And desyre me thy good mayster to be [810]

Courtly abusyon

Spekest thou to me

Cloked colusyon

Ye so I tell the

Courtly abusyon

Cockes bones I ne tell can
Whiche of you is the better man
Or whiche of you can do most [815]

Crafty conuey.

In fayth I rule moche of the rost

Cloked colusyon

Rule the roste thou woldest ye
As skante thou had no nede of me

Crafty conuey.

Nede yes mary I say not nay

Courtly abusyon

Cockes harte I trowe thou wylte make a fray [820]

Crafty conuey.

Nay in good faythe it is but the gyse

Cloked colusyon

No for or we stryke we wyll be aduysed twyse

Courtly abusyon

What the deuyll vse ye not to drawe no swordes

Crafty conuey.

No by my trouthe but crake grete wordes.

Courtly abusyon

Why is this the gyse nowe adayes [825]

Cloked colusyon

Ye for surety ofte peas is taken for frayes
But syr I wyll haue this man with me

Crafty conuey.

Conuey yourselfe fyrst let se

Cloked colusyon

Well tary here tyll I for you sende

Crafty conuey.

Why shall he be of your bende [830]

Cloked colusyon

Tary here wote ye what I say

Courtly abusyon

I waraunt you I wyll not go away

Crafty conuey.

By saynt mary he is a tawle man

Cloked colusyon

Ye and do ryght good seruyce he can
I knowe in hym no defaute [835]
But that the horson is prowde and hawte.

And so they go out of the place.

Courtly abusion

Nay purchace ye a pardon for the pose.
For pryde hath plucked the by the nose
As well as me I wolde and I durste
But nowe I wyll not say the worste [840]

Courtly abusyon alone in the place.

What nowe let se;
Who loketh on me
Well rounde aboute;
Howe gay and howe stoute
That I can were; [845]
Courtly my gere
My heyre bussheth;
So plesauntly
My robe russheth;
So ruttyngly [850]
Me seme I flye;
I am so lyght
To daunce de lyght
Properly drest;
All poynte deuyse [855]
My persone prest;
Beyonde all syse
Of the newe gyse
To russhe it oute;
In euery route [860]
Beyonde measure;
My sleue is wyde
Al of pleasure
My hose strayte tyde;
My buskyn wyde [865]
Ryche to beholde;
Gletterynge in golde
Abusyon;
Forsothe I hyght
Confusyon; [870]
Shall on hym lyght
By day or by nyght;
That vseth me
He can not thee
A very fon; [875]
A very asse
Wyll take vpon;
To compasse
That neuer was;
Abusyd before [880]
A very pore;
That so wyll do
He doth abuse;
Hym selfe to to
He dothe mysse vse; [885]
Eche man to akuse
To crake and prate;
I be foule his pate
This newe fonne Iet;
From out of Fraunce [890]
Fyrst I dyd set;
Made purueaunce
And suche ordenaunce
That all men it founde;
Through out Englonde [895]
All this nacyon;
I set on fyre
In my facyon
This theyr desyre;
This newe a tyre [900]
This ladyes haue;
I it them gaue
Spare for no coste
And yet in dede;
It is coste loste [905]
Moche more than nede;
For to excede
In suche aray
Howe be it I say;
A carlys sonne [910]
Brought vp of nought
Wyth me wyll wonne;
Whylyst he hath ought
He wyll haue wrought
His gowne so wyde; [915]
That he may hyde
His dame and his syre;
Within his slyue
Spende all his hyre;
That men hym gyue [920]
Wherfore I preue;
A tyborne checke
Shall breke his necke

Here cometh in fansy craynge stow stow.

All is out of harre;
And out of trace [925]
Ay warre and warre;
In euery place
But what the deuyll art thou;
That cryest stow stow

Fansy.

What whom haue we here Ienkyn Ioly [930]
Nowe welcom by the god holy

Courtly abusyon

What fansy my frende howe doste thou fare

Fansy.

By cryst as mery as a marche hare

Courtly abusyon

What the deuyll hast thou on thy fyste; an owle

Fansy.

Nay it is a farly fowle [935]

Courtly abusyon

Me thynke she frowneth and lokys sowre C3v">

Fansy.

Torde man it is an hawke of the towre
She is made for the malarde fat

Courtly abusyon

Me thynke she is well becked to catche a rat
But nowe what tydynges can you tell let se [940]

Fansy.

Mary I am come for the

Courtly abusyon

For me

Fansy.

Ye for the so I say [930]

Courtly abusyon

Howe so tell me I the pray

Fansy.

Why harde thou not of the fray [945]
That fell amonge vs this same day

Courtly abusyon

No mary not yet

Fansy.

What the deuyll neuer a whyt.

Courtly abusyon

No by the masse what sholde I swere

Fansy.

In faythe lyberte is nowe a lusty spere [950]

Courtly abusyon

Why vnder whom was he abydynge

Fansy.

Mary mesure had hym a whyle in gydynge
Tyll as the deuyll wolde they fell a chydynge
With crafty conuayaunce

Courtly abusyon

Ye dyd they so

Fansy.

Ye by goddes sacrament and with other mo

Courtly abusyon

What neded that in the dyuyls date

Fansy.

Yes yes he fell with me also at debate

Courtly abusyon

With the also; what he playeth the state

Fansy.

Ye but I bade hym pyke out of the gate [960]
By goddes body so dyd I

Courtly abusyon

By the masse well done and boldely

Fansy.

Holde thy pease measure shall frome vs walke.

Courtly abusyon

Why is he crossed than with a chalke

Fansy.

Crossed; ye checked out of consayte [965]

Courtly abusyon

Howe so

Fansy.

By god by a praty slyght
As here after thou shalte knowe more
But I must tary here; go thou before

Courtly abusyon

With whom shall I there mete. [970]

Fansy.

Crafty conueyaunce standeth in the strete
Euen of purpose for the same

Courtly abusyon

Ye but what shall I call my name

Fansy.

Cockes harte tourne the let me se thyne aray
Cockes bones this is all of Iohnn de gay [975]

Courtly abusyon

So I am poynted after my consayte

Fansy.

Mary thou Iettes it of hyght

Courtly abusyon

Ye but of my name let vs be wyse

Fansy.

Mary lusty pleasure by myne aduyse
To name thyselfe come of it were done [980]

Courtly abusyon

Farewell my frende

Fansy.

Adue tyll sone

Exit COURTLY ABUSYON

Stowe byrde stowe stowe C4">
It is best I fede my hawke now
There is many euyll faueryd and thou be foule [985]
Eche thynge is fayre when it is yonge; all hayle owle
Lo this is
My fansy Iwys
Nowe cryst it blysse
It is by Iesse [990]
A byrde full swete;
For me full mete
She is furred for the hete
All to the fete
Her browys bent; [995]
Her eyen glent
From tyne to trent;
From stroude to kent
A man shall fynde;
Many of her kynde [1000]
Howe standeth the wynde;
Before or behynde
Barbyd lyke a nonne;
For burnynge of the sonne
Her fethers donne; [1005]
Well faueryd bonne
Nowe let me se about;
In all this rowte
Yf I can fynde out;
So semely a snowte [1010]
Amonge this prese;
Euen a hole mese
Pease man pease;
I rede we sease
So farly fayre as it lokys [1015]
And her becke so comely crokys
Her naylys sharpe as tenter hokys
I haue not kept her yet thre wokys
And howe styll she dothe syt
Teuyt teuyt; [1020]
Where is my wyt
The deuyll spede whyt
That was before I set behynde
Nowe to curteys forthwith vnkynde
Somtyme to sober; somtyme to sadde [1025]
Somtyme to mery; somtyme to madde
Somtyme I syt as I were solempe prowde
Somtyme I laughe ouer lowde
Somtyme I wepe for a gew gaw
Somtyme I laughe at waggynge of a straw [1030]
With a pere my loue you may wynne
And ye may lese it for a pynne
I haue a thynge for to say
And I may tende therto for play
But in faythe I am so occupyed [1035]
On this halfe and on euery syde
That I wote not where I may rest.
Fyrst to tell you what were best.
Frantyke fansy seruyce I hyght
My wyttys be weke my braynys are lyght [1040]
For it is I that other whyle C4v">
Plucke downe lede and theke with tyle
Nowe I wyll this and nowe I wyll that
Make a wyndmyll of a mat
Nowe I wolde and I wyst what [1045]
Where is my cappe I haue lost my hat
And within an houre after
Plucke downe an house and set vp a rafter
Hyder and thyder I wote not whyder
Do and vndo bothe togyder [1050]
Of a spyndell I wyll make a sparre
All that I make forthwith I marre
I blunder I bluster I blowe and I blother
I make on the one day and I marre on the other
Bysy bysy and euer bysy [1055]
I daunce vp and downe tyll I am dyssy
I can fynde fantasyes where none is
I wyll not haue it; so I wyll haue it this

Hic ingrediatur Foly quatiendo crema et faciendo multum feriendo tabulas et similia.

Foly

Maysters cryst saue euerychone
What fansy arte thou here alone [1060]

Fansy.

What fonnysshe foly I befole thy face

Foly

What frantyke fansy in a foles case
What is this an owle or a glede
By my trouthe she hathe a grete hede.

Fansy.

Tusshe thy lyppes hange in thyne eye. [1065]
It is a frenche butterflye

Foly

By my trouthe I trowe well
But she is lesse a grete dele
Than a butterflye of our lande

Fansy.

What pylde curre ledest thou in thy hande [1070]

Foly

A pylde curre

Fansy.

Ye so I tell the a pylde curre

Foly

Yet I solde his skynne to macke murre
In the stede of a budge furre

Fansy.

What fleyest thou his skynne euery yere [1075]

Foly

Yes in faythe I thanke god I may here

Fansy.

What thou wylte coughe me a dawe for forty pens

Foly

Mary syr cokermowthe is a good way hens

Fansy.

What; of cokermowth spake I no worde

Foly

By my faythe syr the frubyssher hath my sworde [1080]

Fansy.

A I trowe ye shall coughe me a fole

Foly

In faythe trouthe ye say we wente togyder to scole

Fansy.

Ye but I can somwhat more of the letter

Foly

I wyll not gyue an halfepeny for to chose the better.

Fansy.

But broder foly I wonder moche of one thynge [1085]
That thou so hye fro me doth sprynge
And I so lytell alway styll

Foly

By god I can tell the and I wyll
Thou art so feble fantastycall
And so braynsyke therwithall [1090]
And thy wyt wanderynge here and there
That thou cannyst not growe out of thy boyes gere
And as for me I take but one folysshe way
And therfore I growe more on one day
Than thou can in yerys seuen. [1095]

Fansy.

In faythe trouth thou sayst nowe by god of heuen
For so with fantasyes my wyt dothe flete
That wysdome and I shall seldome mete
Nowe of good felowshyp let me by thy dogge

Foly

Cockys harte thou lyest I am no hogge [1100]

Fansy.

Here is no man that callyd the hogge nor swyne

Foly

In faythe man my brayne is as good as thyne

Fansy.

The deuyls torde for thy brayne

Foly

By my syers soule I fele no rayne

Fansy.

By the masse I holde the madde [1105]

Foly

Mary I knewe the when thou waste a ladde

Fansy.

Cockys bonys herde ye euer syke another

Foly

Ye a fole the tone and a fole the tother

Fansy.

Nay but wotest thou what I do say

Foly

Why sayst thou that I was here yesterday [1110]

Fansy.

Cockys armys this is a warke I trowe

Foly

What callyst thou me a donnyshe crowe

Fansy.

Nowe in good faythe thou art a fonde gest

Foly

Ye bere me this strawe to a dawys nest

Fansy.

What wenyst thou that I were so folysshe & so fonde [1115]

Foly

In faythe ellys is there none in all Englonde

Fansy.

Yet for my fansy sake I say
Let me haue thy dogge what soeuer I pay

Foly

Thou shalte haue my purse and I wyll haue thyne

Fansy.

By my trouth there is myne [1120]

Foly

Nowe by my trouth man take there is my purse
And I beshrowe hym that hath the worse

Fansy.

Torde I say what haue I do.
Here is nothynge but the bockyll of a sho
And in my purse was twenty marke [1125]

Foly

Ha ha ha herke syrs harke
For all that my name hyght foly
By the masse yet art thou more fole than I

Fansy.

Yet gyue me thy dogge and I am content
And thou shalte haue my hauke to a botchment [1130] D1v">

Foly

That euer thou thryue god it forfende
For goddes cope thou wyll spende
Nowe take thou my dogge and gyue me thy fowle

Fansy.

Hay chysshe come hyder

Foly

Nay torde take hym be tyme

Fansy.

What callest thou thy dogge

Foly

Tusshe his name is gryme.

Fansy.

Come gryme come gryme it is my praty dogges

Foly

In faythe there is not a better dogge for hogges
Not from Anwyke vnto aungey [1140]

Fansy.

Ye but trowest thou that he be not maungey.

Foly

No by my trouthe it is but the scurfe and the scabbe

Fansy.

What he hathe ben hurte with a stabbe

Foly

Nay in faythe it was but a strype
That the horson had for etynge of a trype [1145]

Fansy.

Where the deuyll gate he all these hurtes

Foly

By god for snatchynge of puddynges and wortes

Fansy.

What then he is some good poore mannes curre

Foly

Ye but he wyll in at euery mannes dore

Fansy.

Nowe thou hast done me a pleasure grete [1150]

Foly

In faythe I wolde thou had a marmosete

Fansy.

Cockes harte I loue suche Iapes

Foly

Ye for all thy mynde is on owles and apes
But I haue thy pultre and thou hast my catell

Fansy.

Ye but thryfte and we haue made a batell [1155]

Foly

Remembrest thou not the Iapes and the toyes

Fansy.

What that we vsed whan we were boyes

Foly

Ye by the rode euen the same

Fansy.

Yes yes I am yet as full of game
As euer I was and as full of tryfyls [1160]
Nil nichelum nihil anglice nyfyls

Foly

What canest thou all this lutyn yet.
And hath so mased a wandrynge wyt

Fansy.

Tushe man I kepe some latyn in store

Foly

By cockes harte I wene thou hast no more [1165]

Fansy.

No; yes in faythe I can versyfy

Foly

Then I pray the hartely.
Make a verse of my butterfly
It forseth not of the reason so it kepe ryme

Fansy.

But wylte thou make another on gryme [1170]

Foly

Nay in fayth fyrst let me here thyne

Fansy.

Mary as for that thou shalte sone here myne

Fansy.

Est suauis uago with a shrewde face vilis Imago

Foly

Grimbaldus gredy snatche a puddyng tyl the rost be redy

Fansy.

By the harte of god well done [1175]

Foly

Ye so redely and so sone

Here cometh in crafty conueyaunce.

Crafty conuey.

What fansy; let me se who is the tother

Fansy.

By god syr foly myne owne sworne brother

Crafty conuey.

Cockys bonys it is a farle freke
Can he play well at the hoddypeke [1180]

Fansy.

Tell by thy trouth what sport can thou make.

Foly

A holde thy peas I haue the tothe ake

Crafty conuey.

The tothe ake? lo a torde ye haue

Foly

Ye thou haste the four quarters of a knaue

Crafty conuey.

Wotyst thou I say to whom thou spekys [1185]

Fansy.

Nay by cockys harte he ne reckys
For he wyll speke to magnyfycence thus

Crafty conuey.

Cockys armys a mete man for vs

Foly

What wolde ye haue mo folys and are so many

Fansy.

Nay offer hym a counter in stede of a peny [1190]

Crafty conuey.

Why thynkys thou he can no better skyll

Foly

In fayth I can make you bothe folys and I wyll

Crafty conuey.

What haste thou on thy fyst a kesteryll

Foly

Nay Iwys fole it is a doteryll

Crafty conuey.

In a cote thou can play well the dyser [1195]

Foly

Ye but thou can play the fole without a vyser

Fansy.

Howe rode he by you; howe put he to you

Crafty conuey.

Mary as thou sayst; he gaue me a blurre
But where gatte thou that mangey curre

Fansy.

Mary it was his and nowe it is myne [1200]

Crafty conuey.

And was it his and nowe it is thyne
Thou must haue thy fansy and thy wyll
But yet thou shalt holde me a fole styll

Foly

Why wenyst thou that I cannot make the play the fon

Fansy.

Yes by my faythe good syr Iohnn [1205]

Crafty conuey.

For you bothe it were Inough

Foly

Why wenyst thou that I were as moche a fole as thou

Fansy.

Nay nay thou shalte fynde hym another maner of man

Foly

In faythe I can do mastryes so I can

Crafty conuey.

What canest thou do but play cocke wat [1210]

Fansy.

Yes yet he wyll make the ete a gnat

Foly

Yes yes by my trouth I holde the a grote
That I shall laughe the out of thy cote

Crafty conuey.

Than wyll I say that thou haste no pere

Fansy.

Nowe by the rode and he wyll go nere [1215]

Foly

Hem fansy regardes voyes D2v">

Here foly maketh semblaunt to take a lowse from crafty conueyaunce showlder.

Fansy.

What hast thou founde there

Foly

By god a lowse

Crafty conuey.

By cockes harte I trowe thou lyste

Foly

By the masse a spaynysshe moght with a gray lyste. [1220]

Fansy.

Ha ha ha ha ha ha.

Crafty conuey.

Cockes armes it is not so I trowe.

Here crafty conueyaunce putteth of his gowne.

Foly

Put on thy gowne agayne for thou hast lost nowe.

Fansy.

Lo Iohnn a bonam where is thy brayne.
Nowe put on fole thy cote agayne [1225]

Foly

Gyue me my grote for thou hast lost

Here foly maketh semblaunt to take money of crafty conueyaunce saynge to hym.

Shyt thy purse dawe and do no cost

Fansy.

Nowe hast thou not a prowde mocke & a starke.

Crafty conuey.

With yes by the rode of wodstocke parke.

Fansy.

Nay I tell the he maketh no dowtes [1230]
To tourne a fole out of his clowtes.

Crafty conuey.

And for a fole a man wolde hym take

Foly

Nay it is I that foles can make
For be he cayser or be he kynge
To felowshyp with foly I can hym brynge [1235]

Fansy.

Nay wylte thou here nowe of his scoles.
And what maner of people he maketh foles.

Crafty conuey.

Ye let vs here a worde or twayne

Foly

Syr of my maner I shall tell you the playne
Fyrst I lay before them my bybyll [1240]
And teche them howe they sholde syt ydyll
To pyke theyr fyngers all the day longe
So in theyr eyre I synge them a songe
And make them so longe to muse.
That some of them renneth strayght to the stuse [1245]
To thefte and bryboury I make some fall.
And pyke a locke and clyme a wall
And where I spy a nysot gay
That wyll syt ydyll all the day
And can not set herselfe to warke [1250]
I kyndell in her suche a lyther sparke
That rubbed she must be on the gall
Bytwene the tappet and the wall

Crafty conuey.

What horson arte thou suche a one

Fansy.

Nay beyonde all other set hym alone [1255]

Crafty conuey.

Hast thou ony more let se procede.

Foly

Ye by god syr for a nede
I haue another maner of sorte
That I laugh at for my dysporte
And those be they that come vp of nought [1260]
As some be not ferce and yf it were well sought
Suche dawys what soeuer they be
That be set in auctorite
Anone he waxyth so hy and prowde
He frownyth fyersly brymly browde [1265]
The knaue wolde make it koy and he cowde
All that he dothe muste be alowde
And this is not well done syr take hede
And maketh hym besy where is no nede
He dawnsys so longe hey troly loly [1270]
That euery man lawghyth at his foly

Crafty conuey.

By the good lorde truthe he sayth

Fansy.

Thynkyst thou not so by thy fayth

Crafty conuey.

Thynke I not so quod he ellys haue I shame
For I knowe dyuerse that vseth the same [1275]

Foly

But nowe forsothe man it maketh no mater
For they that wyll so bysely smater
So helpe me god man euer at the length
I make hym lese moche of theyr strength
For with foly so do I them lede [1280]
That wyt he wantyth when he hath moste nede

Fansy.

Forsothe tell on hast thou any mo

Foly

Yes I shall tell you or I go
Of dyuerse mo that hauntyth my scolys

Crafty conuey.

All men beware of suche folys [1285]

Foly

There be two lyther rude and ranke
Symkyn tytyuell and pers pykthanke
Theys lythers I lerne them for to lere
What he sayth and she sayth to lay good ere
And tell to his sufferayne euery whyt [1290]
And then he is moche made of for his wyt
And be the mater yll more or lesse
He wyll make it mykyll worse than it is
But all that he dothe and yf he reken well
It is but foly euery dell [1295]

Fansy.

Are not his wordys cursydly cowchyd

Crafty conuey.

By god there be some that be shroudly towchyd
But I say let se and yf thou haue any more

Foly

I haue an hole armory of suche haburdashe in store
For there be other that foly dothe vse [1300]
That folowe fonde fantasyes and vertu refuse D3v">

Fansy.

Nay that is my parte that thou spekest of nowe.

Foly

So is all the remenaunt I make god auowe
For thou fourmest suche fantasyes in theyr mynde
That euery man almost groweth out of kynde. [1305]

Crafty conuey.

By the masse I am glad that I came hyder.
To here you two rutters dyspute togyder

Fansy.

Nay but fansy must be eyther fyrst or last

Foly

But whan foly cometh all is past

Fansy.

I wote not whether it cometh of the or of me [1310]
But all is foly that I can se

Crafty conuey.

Mary syr ye may swere it on a boke

Foly

Ye tourne ouer the lefe rede there and loke
Howe frantyke fansy fyrst of all
Maketh man and woman in foly to fall [1315]

Crafty conuey.

A syr a a howe by that

Fansy.

A peryllous thynge to cast a cat
Vpon a naked man and yf she scrat

Foly

So how I say the hare is squat
For frantyke fansy thou makest men madde [1320]
And I foly bryngeth them to qui fuit gadde
With qui fuit brayne seke I haue them brought
From qui fuit aliquid to shyre shakynge nought

Crafty conuey.

Well argued and surely on bothe sydes
But for the fansy magnyfycence abydes [1325]

Fansy.

Why shall I not haue foly with me also.

Crafty conuey.

Yes perde man whether that ye ryde or go
Yet for his name we must fynde a slyght

Fansy.

By the masse he shall hyght consayte

Crafty conuey.

Not a better name vnder the sonne [1330]
With magnyfycence thou shalte wonne

Foly

God haue mercy good godfather

Crafty conuey.

Yet I wolde that ye had gone rather.
For as sone as you come in magnyfycence syght
All mesure and good rule is gone quyte [1335]

Fansy.

And shall we haue lyberte to do what we wyll

Crafty conuey.

Ryot at lyberte russheth it out styll

Foly

Ye but tell me one thynge

Crafty conuey.

What is that

Foly

Who is mayster of the masshe fat

Fansy.

Ye for he hathe a full dry soule

Crafty conuey.

Cockes armes thou shalte kepe the brewhouse boule.

Foly

But may I drynke therof whylest that I stare

Crafty conuey.

When mesure is gone what nedest thou spare
Whan mesure is gone we may slee care [1345]

Foly

Nowe then goo we hens; away the mare D4">

Exeunt Fansy and Foly

Crafty conueyaunce alone in the place.

Crafty conuey.

It is wonder to se the worlde aboute
To se what foly is vsed in euery place
Foly hath a rome I say in euery route
To put where he lyst foly hath fre chace [1350]
Foly and fansy all where euery man dothe face & brace
Foly fotyth it properly fansy ledyth the dawnce
And next come I after crafty conueyaunce
Who so to me gyueth good aduertence
Shall se many thyngys donne craftely [1355]
By me conueyed is wanton insolence
..........................................
Pryuy poyntmentys conueyed so properly
For many tymes moche kyndnesse is denyed
For drede that we dare not ofte lest we be spyed [1360]
By me is conueyed mykyll praty ware
Somtyme I say behynde the dore for nede
I haue an hoby can make larkys to dare
I knyt togyther many a broken threde
It is great almesse the hungre to fede [1365]
To clothe the nakyd where is lackynge a smocke
Trymme at her tayle or a man can turne a socke
What howe be ye mery was it not well conueyed
As oft as ye lyst so honeste be sauyd
Alas dere harte loke that we be not perseyuyd [1370]
Without crafte nothynge is well behauyd
Though I shewe you curtesy say not that I craued
Yet conuey it craftely and hardely spare not for me
So that there knowe no man but I and she
Thefte also and pety brybery [1375]
Without me be full oft aspyed
My inwyt delynge there can no man dyscry
Conuey it be crafte lyft and lay a syde
Full moche flatery and falsehode I hyde
And by crafty conueyaunce I wyll and I can [1380]
Saue a stronge thefe and hange a trew man
But some man wolde conuey and can not skyll
As malypert tauernars that checke with theyr betters
Theyr conueyaunce weltyth the worke all by wyll
And some wyll take vpon them to conterfet letters [1385]
And therwith all conuey hymselfe into a payre of fetters
And some wyll conuey by the pretence of sadnesse
Tyll all theyr conueyaunce is turnyd into madnesse
Crafty conueyaunce is no chyldys game
By crafty conueyaunce many one is [1390] brought vp of nought
Crafty conueyaunce can cloke hymselfe frome shame
For by crafty conueyaunce wonderful thynges are wrought D4v">
By conuayaunce crafty I haue brought
Unto magnyfycence a full vngracyous sorte
For all hokes vnhappy to me haue resorte [1395]

Here cometh in Magnyfycence with Lyberte and Felycyte.

Magnyfycence

Trust me lyberte it greueth me ryght sore
To se you thus ruled and stande in suche awe.

Lyberte.

Syr as by my wyll it shall be so no more.

Felycyte.

Yet lyberte without rule is not worth a strawe.

Magnyfycence

Tushe holde your peas ye speke lyke a dawe [1400]
Ye shall be occupyed welthe at my wyll

Crafty conuey.

All that ye say syr is reason and skyll

Magnyfycence

Mayster suruayour where haue ye ben so longe
Remembre ye not how my lyberte by mesure ruled was

Crafty conuey.

In good faythe syr me semeth he had the more wronge [1405]

Lyberte.

Mary syr so dyd he excede and passe
They droue me to lernynge lyke a dull asse

Felycyte.

It is good yet that lyberte be ruled by reason

Magnyfycence

Tushe holde your peas ye speke out of season.
Yourselfe shall be ruled by lyberte and largesse [1410]

Felycyte.

I am content so it in measure be

Lyberte.

Must mesure in the mares name you furnysshe & dresse

Magnyfycence

Nay nay not so my frende felycyte

Crafty conuey.

Not and your grace wolde be ruled by me

Lyberte.

Nay he shall be ruled euen as I lyst [1415]

Felycyte.

Yet it is good to beware of had I wyst.

Magnyfycence

Syr by lyberte and largesse I wyll that ye shall
Be gouerned and gyded wote ye what I say
Mayster suruayour largesse to me call

Crafty conuey.

It shall be done [1420]

Magnyfycence

Ye but byd hym come away
At ones; and let hym not tary all day [1400]

Here goth out Crafty conuayaunce.

Felycyte.

Yet it is good wysdome to worke wysely by welth.

Lyberte.

Holde thy tonge and thou loue thy helth

Magnyfycence

What wyll ye waste wynde and prate thus in vayne. [1425]
Ye haue eten sauce I trowe at the taylers hall

Lyberte.

Be not to bolde my frende I counsell you bere a brayne

Magnyfycence

And what so we say holde you content withall.

Felycyte.

Syr yet without sapyence your substaunce may be smal
For where is no mesure howe may worshyp endure. [1430]

Here cometh in Fansy.

Fansy.

Syr I am here at your pleasure
Your grace sent for me I wene; what is your wyll

Magnyfycence

Come hyther largesse take here felycyte

Fansy.

Why wene you that I can kepe hym longe styll.

Magnyfycence

To rule as ye lyst lo here is lyberte [1435]

Lyberte.

I am here redy

Fansy.

What shall we
Haue welth at our gydynge to rule as we lyst [1415]
Then fare well thryfte by hym that crosse kyst.

Felycyte.

I truste your grace wyll be agreabyll [1440]
That I shall suffer none impechment
By theyr demenaunce nor losse repryuable

Magnyfycence

Syr ye shall folowe myne appetyte and intent

Felycyte.

So it be by mesure I am ryght well content

Fansy.

What all by mesure good syr and none excesse [1445]

Lyberte.

Why welth hath made many a man braynlesse

Felycyte.

That was by the menys of to moche lyberte

Magnyfycence

What can ye agree thus and appose

Felycyte.

Syr as I say there was no faute in me

Lyberte.

Ye of Iacke a thrommys bybyll can ye make a glose [1450]

Fansy.

Sore sayde I tell you and well to the purpose
What sholde a man do with you loke you vnder kay

Felycyte.

I say it is foly to gyue all welth away

Lyberte.

Whether sholde welth be rulyd by lyberte
Or lyberte by welth let se tell me that [1455]

Felycyte.

Syr as me semeth ye sholde be rulyd be me

Magnyfycence

What nede you with hym thus prate and chat

Fansy.

Shewe vs your mynde then howe to do and what

Magnyfycence

I say that I wyll ye haue hym in gydynge

Lyberte.

Mayster felycyte let be your chydynge [1460]
And so as ye se it wyll be no better
Take it in worthe suche as ye fynde

Fansy.

What the deuyll man your name shalbe the greter
For welth without largesse is all out of kynde

Lyberte.

And welth is nought worthe; yf lyberte be behynde [1465]

Magnyfycence

Nowe holde ye content for there is none other shyfte

Felycyte.

Than waste must be welcome and fare well thryfte

Magnyfycence

Take of his substaunce a sure inuentory
And get you home togyther for lyberte shall byde
And wayte vpon me [1470]

Lyberte.

And yet for a memory
Make indentures howe ye and I shal gyde

Fansy.

I can do nothynge but he stonde besyde

Lyberte.

Syr we can do nothynge the one without the other

Magnyfycence

Well get you hens than and sende me some other [1475]

Fansy.

Whom lusty pleasure or mery consayte

Magnyfycence

Nay fyrst lusty pleasure is my desyre to haue
And let the other another time awayte
Howe be it that fonde felowe is a mery knaue
But loke that ye occupye the auctoryte that I you gaue [1480]

Here goeth out felycyte; lyberte; and fansy. E1v"> Magnyfycence alone in the place.

For nowe syrs I am lyke as a prynce sholde be
I haue welth at wyll largesse and lyberte
Fortune to her lawys can not abandune me
But I shall of fortune rule the reyne
I fere nothynge fortunes perplexyte [1485]
All honour to me must nedys stowpe and lene
I synge of two partys without a mene
I haue wynde and wether ouer all to sayle
No stormy rage agaynst me can peruayle
Alexander of [1490] TYPE="place">Macedony kynge
That all the oryent had in subieccyon
Though al his conquestys were brought to rekenynge
Myght seme ryght wel vnder my proteccyon
To rayne? for all his marcyall affeccyon
For I am prynce perlesse prouyd of porte [1495]
Bathyd with blysse embracyd with comforte
Syrus that soleme syar of Babylon
That Israell releysyd of theyr captyuyte
For al his pompe; for all his ryall trone
He may not be comparyd vnto me [1500]
I am the dyamounde dowtlesse of dygnyte
Surely it is I that all may saue and spyll
No man so hardy to worke agaynst my wyll
Porcenya the prowde prouoste of turky lande
That ratyd the romaynes and made them yll rest [1505]
Nor Cesar Iuly that no man myght withstande
Were neuer halfe so rychely as I am drest
No that I assure you loke who was the best
I reyne in my robys I rule as me lyst
I dryue downe these dastardys with a dynt of my fyste [1510]
Of Cato the counte acountyd the cane
Daryus the doughty cheftayn of perse
I set not by the prowdest of them a prane
Ne by non other that any man can rehersse
I folowe in felycyte without reuersse [1515]
I drede no daunger I dawnce all in delyte
My name is magnyfycence man most of myght
Hercules the herdy with his stobburne clobbyd mase
That made Cerberus to cache the cur dogge of hell
And Thesius that prowde was Pluto to face [1520]
It wolde not become them with me for to mell
For of all barones bolde I bere the bell
Of all doughty I am doughtyest duke as I deme
To me all prynces to lowte man beseme
Cherlemayne that mantenyd the nobles of Fraunce [1525]
Arthur of albyan for all his brymme berde
Nor basyan the bolde for all his brybaunce
Nor alerycus that rulyd the gothyaunce by swerd
Nor no man on molde can make me aferd
What man is so maysyd with me that dare mete [1530]
I shall flappe hym as a fole to fall at my fete
Galba whom his galantys garde for a gaspe
Nor nero that nother set by god nor man
Nor vaspasyan that bare in his nose a waspe
Nor hanyball agayne rome gates that ranne [1535]
Nor yet cypyo that noble cartage wanne
Nor none so hardy of them with me that durste crake
But I shall frounce them on the foretop & gar them to quake

Here cometh in courtly abusyon doynge reuerence and courtesy.

Courtly abusyon

At your commaundement syr wyth all dew reuerence

Magnyfycence

Welcom pleasure to our magnyfycence [1540]

Courtly abusyon

Plesyth it your grace to shewe what I do shall

Magnyfycence

Let vs here of your pleasure to passe the tyme withall

Courtly abusyon

Syr then with the fauour of your benynge sufferaunce
To shewe you my mynde my selfe I wyll auaunce
If it lyke your grace to take it in degre [1545]

Magnyfycence

Yes syr so good man in you I se
And in your delynge so good assuraunce
That we delyte gretly in your dalyaunce.

Courtly abusyon

A syr your grace me dothe extole and rayse
And ferre beyond my merytys ye me commende & prayse [1550]
Howe be it I wolde be ryght gladde I you assure
Any thynge to do that myght be to your pleasure

Magnyfycence

As I be saued with pleasure I am supprysyd
Of your langage it is so well deuysed
Pullyshyd and fresshe is your ornacy [1555]

Courtly abusyon

A I wolde to god that I were halfe so crafty
Or in electe vtteraunce halfe so eloquent
As that I myght your noble grace content

Magnyfycence

Truste me with you I am hyghly pleasyd
For in my fauour I haue you feffyd and seasyd [1560]
He is not lyuynge your maners can amend
Mary your speche is as pleasant as though it were pend
To here your comon it is my hygh comforte
Poynt deuyse all pleasure is your porte

Courtly abusyon

Syr I am the better of your noble reporte [1565]
But of your pacyence vnder the supporte
If it wolde lyke you to here my pore mynde

Magnyfycence

Speke I beseche the leue nothynge behynde

Courtly abusyon

So as ye be a prynce of great myght E2v">
It is semynge your pleasure ye delyte [1570]
And to aqueynte you with carnall delectacyon
And to fall in a quayntaunce with euery newe facyon
And quyckely your appetytes to sharpe and adresse
To fasten your fansy vpon a fayre maystresse
That quyckly is enuyued with rudyes of the rose [1575]
Inpurtured with fetures after your purpose
The streynes of her vaynes as asure Inde blewe.
Enbudded with beautye and colour fresshe of hewe
As lyly whyte to loke vpon her leyre
Her eyen relucent as carbuncle so clere. [1580]
Her mouthe enbawmed dylectable and mery
Her lusty lyppes ruddy as the chery.
Howe lyke you; ye lacke syr suche a lusty lasse

Magnyfycence

A that were a baby to brace and to basse
I wolde I had by hym that hell dyd harowe [1585]
With me in kepynge suche a phylyp sparowe
I wolde hauke whylest my hede dyd warke
So I myght hobby for suche a lusty larke
These wordes in myne eyre they be so lustely spoken
That on suche a female my flesshe wolde be wroken [1590]
They towche me so thorowly and tykyll my consayte.
That weryed I wolde be on suche a bayte
A cockes armes where myght suche one be founde

Courtly abusyon

Wyll ye spende ony money

Magnyfycence

Ye a thousande pounde

Courtly abusyon

Nay nay for lesse I waraunt you to be sped
And brought home and layde in your bed

Magnyfycence

Wolde money trowest thou make suche one to the call

Courtly abusyon

Money maketh marchauntes I tell you ouer all

Magnyfycence

Why wyl a maystres be wonne for money & for golde [1600]

Courtly abusyon

Why was not for money troy bothe bought and solde
Full many a strong cyte and towne hath been wonne.
By the meanes of money without ony gonne.
A maystres I tell you is but a small thynge
A goodly rybon or a golde rynge [1605]
May wynne with a sawte the fortresse of the holde
But one thynge I warne you prece forth and be bolde

Magnyfycence

Ye but some be full koy and passynge harde harted.

Courtly abusyon

But blessyd be our lorde they wyll be sone conuerted.

Magnyfycence

Why wyll they then be intreted the most and the lest [1610]

Courtly abusyon

Ye for omnis mulier meritrix si celari potest

Magnyfycence

A I haue spyed ye can moche broken sorowe

Courtly abusyon

I coude holde you with suche talke hens tyll to morowe
But yf it lyke your grace more at large
Me to permyt my mynde to dyscharge [1615] E3">
I wolde yet shewe you further of my consayte

Magnyfycence

Let se what ye say shewe it strayte

Courtly abusyon

Wysely let these wordes in your mynde be wayed
By waywarde wylfulnes let eche thynge be conuayed
What so euer ye do folowe your owne wyll [1620]
Be it reason or none it shall not gretely skyll
Be it ryght or wronge by the aduyse of me
Take your pleasure and vse free lyberte
And yf you se ony thynge agaynst your mynde
Then some occacyon or quarell ye must fynde [1625]
And frowne it and face it as thoughe ye wolde fyght.
Frete yourselfe for anger and for dyspyte
Here no man what so euer they say
But do as ye lyst and take your owne way

Magnyfycence

Thy wordes and my mynde odly well accorde. [1630]

Courtly abusyon

What sholde ye do elles are not you a lorde
Let your lust and lykynge stande for a lawe.
Be wrastynge and wrythynge and away drawe.
And ye se a man that with hym ye be not pleased
And that your mynde can not well be eased [1635]
As yf a man fortune to touche you on the quyke
Then feyne yourselfe dyseased and make yourselfe seke
To styre vp your stomake you must you forge
Call for a caudell and cast vp your gorge,
With cockes armes rest shall I none haue [1640]
Tyll I be reuenged on that horson knaue.
A howe my stomake wambleth I am all in a swete
Is there no horson that knaue that wyll bete.

Magnyfycence

By cockes woundes a wonder felowe thou arte
For ofte tymes suche a wamblynge goth ouer my harte [1645]
Yet I am not harte seke but that me lyst.
For myrth I haue hym coryed beten and blyst
Hym that I loued not and made hym to loute
I am forthwith as hole as a troute
For suche abusyon I vse nowe and than [1650]

Courtly abusyon

It is none abusyon syr in a noble man.
It is a pryncely pleasure and a lordly mynde.
Suche lustes at large may not be lefte behynde.

Here cometh in cloked colusyon with mesure.

to whom he speaks first.

Cloked colusyon

Stande styll here and ye shall se
That for your sake I wyll fall on my kne [1655]

MESURE waits at the door.

Courtly abusyon

Syr sober sadnesse cometh wherfore it be

Magnyfycence

Stand vp syr ye are welcom to me

Cloked colusyon

Please it your grace at the contemplacyon
Of my pore instance and supplycacyon E3v">
Tenderly to consyder in your aduertence. [1660]
Of our blessyd lorde syr at the reuerence
Remembre the good seruyce that mesure hath you done
And that ye wyll not cast hym away so sone

Magnyfycence

My frende as touchynge to this your mocyon.
I may say to you I haue but small deuocyon [1665]
Howe be it at your instaunce I wyll the rather
Do as moche as for myne owne father

Cloked colusyon

Nay syr that affeccyon ought to be reserued
For of your grace I haue it nought deserued
But yf it lyke you that I myght rowne in your eyre [1670]
To shewe you my mynde I wolde haue the lesse fere

Magnyfycence

Stande a lytell abacke syr and let hym come hyder.

Courtly abusyon

With a good wyll syr god spede you bothe togyder.

Cloked colusyon

Syr so it is this man is here by.
That for hym to laboure he hath prayde me hartely. [1675]
Notwithstandynge to you be it sayde
To trust in me he is but dyssayued.
For so helpe me god for you he is not mete
I speke the softlyer because he sholde not wete

Magnyfycence

Come hyder pleasure you shall here myne entent. [1680]
Mesure ye knowe wel with hym I can not be content
And surely as I am nowe aduysed
I wyll haue hym rehayted and dyspysed
Howe say ye syrs herein what is best.

Courtly abusyon

By myne aduyse with you in fayth he shall not rest [1685]

Cloked colusyon

Yet syr reserued your better aduysement
It were better he spake with you or he wente
That he knowe not but that I haue supplyed.
All that I can his matter for to spede.

Magnyfycence

Nowe by your trouthe gaue he you not a brybe [1690]

Cloked colusyon

Yes with his hande I made hym to subscrybe
A byll of recorde for an annuall rent

Courtly abusyon

But for all that he is lyke to haue a glent.

Cloked colusyon

Ye by my trouthe I shall waraunt you for me
And he go to the deuyll so that I may haue my fee [1695]
What care I

Magnyfycence

By the masse well sayd

Courtly abusyon

What force ye so that ye be payde

Cloked colusyon

But yet lo I wolde or that he wente.
Lest that he thought that his money were euyll spente. [1700]
That he wolde loke on hym thoughe it were not longe.

Magnyfycence

Well cannest thou helpe a preest to synge a songe

Cloked colusyon

So it is all the maner nowe a dayes
For to vse suche haftynge and crafty wayes

Courtly abusyon

He telleth you trouth syr as I you ensure [1705] E4">

Magnyfycence

Well for thy sake the better I may endure
That he come hyder and to gyue hym a loke
That he shall lyke the worse all this woke

Cloked colusyon

I care not howe sone he be refused
So that I may craftely be excused [1710]

Courtly abusyon

Where is he

Cloked colusyon

Mary I made hym abyde
Whylest I came to you a lytell here besyde

Magnyfycence

Well call hym and let vs here hym reason
And we wyll be comonynge in the mene season [1715]

Courtly abusyon

This is a wyse man syr where so euer ye hym had.

Magnyfycence

An honest person I tell you and a sad

Courtly abusyon

He can full craftely this matter brynge aboute

Magnyfycence

Whylest I haue hym I nede nothynge doute

Hic introducat colusion mesure magnyfycence aspectante vultu elatissimo.

Cloked colusyon

By the masse I haue done that I can [1720]
And more than euer I dyd for ony man
I trowe ye herde yourselfe what I sayd

Measure.

Nay in dede but I sawe howe ye prayed
And made instance for me be lykelyhod

Cloked colusyon

Nay I tell you I am not wonte to fode [1725]
Them that dare put theyr truste in me
And therof ye shall a larger profe se

Measure.

Syr god rewarde you as ye haue deserued
But thynke you with magnyfycence I shal be reserued

Cloked colusyon

By my trouth I can not tell you that [1730]
But and I were as ye I wolde not set a gnat
By magnyfycence nor yet none of his
For go when ye shall of you shall he mysse

Measure.

Syr as ye say

Cloked colusyon

Nay come on with me
Yet ones agayne I shall fall on my kne
For your sake what so euer befall
I set not a flye and all go to all

Measure.

The holy goost be with your grace

Cloked colusyon

Syr I beseche you let pety haue some place [1740]
In your brest towardes this gentylman

Magnyfycence

I was your good lorde tyll that ye beganne
So masterfully vpon you for to take
With my seruauntys and suche maystryes gan make
That holly my mynde with you is myscontente [1745]
Wherfore I wyll that ye be resydent
With me no longer

Cloked colusyon

Say somwhat nowe let se;
For your selfe [1720]

Measure.

Syr yf I myght permytted be E4v">
I wolde to you say a worde or twayne

Magnyfycence

What woldest thou lurden with me brawle agayne
Haue hym hens I say out of my syght
That day I se hym I shall be worse all nyght

Here mesure goth out of the place.

Courtly abusyon

Hens thou haynyarde out of the dores fast [1755]

Exit COURTLY ABUSYON

Magnyfycence

Alas my stomake fareth as it wolde cast

Cloked colusyon

Abyde syr abyde let me holde your hede

Magnyfycence

A bolle or a basyn I say for goddes brede
A my hede; but is the horson gone
God gyue hym a myscheffe; nay nowe let me alone. [1760]

Cloked colusyon

A good dryfte syr a praty fete
By the good lorde yet your temples bete

Magnyfycence

Nay so god me helpe it was no grete vexacyon
For I am panged ofte tymes in this same facyon

Cloked colusyon

Cockes armes howe pleasure plucked hym forth [1765]

Magnyfycence

Ye walke he must it was no better worth

Cloked colusyon

Syr nowe me thynke your harte is well eased

Magnyfycence

Nowe measure is gone I am the better pleased.

Cloked colusyon

So to be ruled by measure it is a payne

Magnyfycence

Mary I wene he wolde not be glad to come agayne. [1770]

Cloked colusyon

So I wote not what he sholde do here
Where mennes belyes is mesured there is no chere.
For I here but fewe men that gyue ony prayse
Unto measure I say nowe a days

Magnyfycence

Measure tut; what the deuyll of hell [1775]
Scantly one with measure that wyll dwell

Cloked colusyon

Not amonge noble men as the worlde gothe.
It is no wonder therfore thoughe ye be wrothe
With mesure where as all noblenes is there I haue past
They catche that catche may; kepe and holde fast [1780]
Out of all measure themselfe to enryche
No force what; thoughe his neyghbour dye in a dyche.
With pollynge and pluckynge out of all measure
Thus must ye stuffe and store your treasure

Magnyfycence

Yet somtyme parde I must vse largesse [1785]

Cloked colusyon

Ye mary somtyme in a messe of vergesse
As in a tryfyll or in a thynge of nought
As gyuynge a thynge that ye neuer bought
It is the gyse nowe I say ouer all.
Largesse in wordes for rewardes are but small [1790]
To make fayre promyse what are ye the worse
Let me haue the rule of your purse

Magnyfycence

I haue taken it to largesse and lyberte

Cloked colusyon

Than is it done as it sholde be
But vse your largesse by the aduyse of me [1795]
And I shall waraunt you welth and lyberte.

Magnyfycence

Say on me thynke your reasons be profounde.

Cloked colusyon

Syr of my counsayle this shall be the grounde.
To chose out .ii.iii. of suche as you loue best
And let all your fansyes vpon them rest [1800]
Spare for no cost to gyue them pounde and peny.
Better to make .iii. ryche than for to make many
Gyue them more than ynoughe and let them not lacke.
And as for all other let them trusse and packe.
Plucke from an hundred and gyue it to thre. [1805]
Let neyther patent scape them nor fee
And where soeuer you wyll fall to a rekenynge.
Those thre wyll be redy euen at your bekenynge
For them shall you haue at lyberte to lowte
Let them haue all and the other go without [1810]
Thus ioy without mesure you shall haue.

Magnyfycence

Thou sayst truthe by the harte that god me gaue
For as thou sayst ryght so shall it be.
And here I make the vpon lyberte
To be superuysour and on largesse also [1815]
For as thou wylte so shall the game go
For in pleasure and surueyaunce and also in the.
I haue set my hole felycyte
And suche as you wyll shall lacke no promocyon

Cloked colusyon

Syr syth that in me ye haue suche deuocyon [1820]
Commyttynge to me and to my felowes twayne
Your welthe and felycyte I trust we shall optayne
To do you seruyce after your appetyte

Magnyfycence

In faythe & your seruyce ryght well shall I acquyte.
And therfore hye you hens and take this ouer syght. [1825]

Cloked colusyon

Nowe Iesu preserue you syr; prynce most of myght.

Here goth cloked colusyon awaye and leueth Magnyfycence alone in the place.

Magnyfycence

Thus I say I am enuyronned with solace
I drede no dyntes of fatall desteny
Well were that lady myght stande in my grace.
Me to enbrace; and loue moost specyally [1830]
A lorde so I wolde halse her hartely
So I wolde clepe her so I wolde kys her swete

Here cometh in Foly.

Foly

Mary cryst graunt ye catche no colde on your fete

Magnyfycence

Who is this.

Foly

Consayte syr your owne man.

Magnyfycence

What tydynges with you syr; I befole thy brayne pan [1835]

Foly

By our lakyn syr I haue ben a hawkyng for the wylde swan.
My hawke is rammysshe & it happed that she ran. F1v">
Flewe I sholde say in to an olde barne.
To reche at a rat I coude not her warne. [1840]
She pynched her pynyon by god and catched harme.
It was a ronner; nay fole I warant her blode warme

Magnyfycence

A syr thy Iarfawcon and thou be hanged togyder.

Foly

And syr as I was comynge to you hyder
I saw a foxe sucke on a kowes ydder [1845]
And with a lyme rodde I toke them bothe togyder
I trowe it be a frost for the way is slydder
Se for god auowe for colde as I chydder

Magnyfycence

Thy wordes hange togyder as fethers in the wynde

Foly

A syr tolde I not you howe I dyd fynde [1850]
A knaue and a carle and all of one kynde.
I sawe a wether cocke wagge with the wynde
Grete meruayle I had and mused in my mynde
The houndes ranne before and the hare behynde
I sawe a losell lede a lurden & they were bothe blynde. [1855]
I sawe a sowter go to supper or euer he had dynde.

Magnyfycence

By cockes harte thou arte a fyne mery knaue.

Foly

I make god auowe ye wyll none other men haue.

Magnyfycence

What sayst thou.

Foly

Mary I pray god your mastershyp to saue [1860]
I shall gyue you a gaude of a goslynge that I gaue
The gander and the gose bothe grasynge on one graue.
Than rowlande the reue ran; and I began to raue.
And with a brystell of a bore; his berde dyd I shaue

Magnyfycence

If euer I herde syke another; god gyue me shame. [1865]

Foly

Sym sadylgose was my syer and dawcocke my dame
I coude and I lyst garre you laughe at a game
Howe a wodcocke wrastled with a larke that was lame.
The bytter sayd boldly that they were to blame
The feldfare wolde haue fydled & it wolde not frame. [1870]
The crane and the curlewe therat gan to grame.
The snyte snyueled in the snowte; & smyled at the game.

Magnyfycence

Cockes bones herde ye euer suche another

Foly

Se syr I beseche you largesse my brother

Here Fansy cometh in.

Magnyfycence

What tydynges with you syr that you loke so sad [1875]

Fansy.

When ye knowe that I knowe ye wyll not be glad.

Foly

What brother braynsyke how farest thou.

Magnyfycence

Ye let be thy Iapes and tell me howe
The case requyreth.

Fansy.

Alasse alasse an heuy metynge
I wolde tell you and yf I myght for wepynge.

Foly

What is all your myrthe nowe tourned to sorowe
Fare well tyll sone; adue tyll to morowe

Here goth foly away.

Magnyfycence

I pray the largesse let be thy sobbynge

Fansy.

Alasse syr ye are vndone with stelyng and robbynge [1885]
Ye sent vs a superuysour for to take hede
Take hede of your selfe for nowe ye haue nede

Magnyfycence

What hath sadnesse begyled me so

Fansy.

Nay madnesse hath begyled you & many mo
For lyberte is gone and also felycyte [1890]

Magnyfycence

Gone; alasse ye haue vndone me

Fansy.

Nay he that ye sent vs clokyd colusyon
And your payntyd pleasure courtly abusyon
And your demenour with counterfet countenaunce
And your suruayour crafty conueyaunce [1895]
Or euer we were ware brought vs in aduersyte
And had robbyd you quyte from all felycyte

Magnyfycence

Why is this the largesse that I haue vsyd

Fansy.

Nay it was your fondnesse that ye haue vsyd

Magnyfycence

And is this the credence that I gaue to the letter [1900]

Fansy.

Why coulde not your wyt serue you no better

Magnyfycence

Why who wolde haue thought in you suche gyle

Fansy.

What yes by the rode syr it was I all this whyle
That you trustyd and fansy is my name
And foly my broder that made you moche game [1905]

Here cometh in aduersyte.

Magnyfycence

Alas who is yonder; that grymly lokys

Fansy.

Adewe for I wyll not come in his clokys

Exit Fansy.

Magnyfycence

Lorde so my flesshe trymblyth nowe for drede

Here magnyfycence is beten downe and spoylyd from all his goodys and rayment.

Aduersyte.

I am aduersyte that for thy mysdede
From god am sent to quyte the thy mede [1910]
Vyle velyarde thou must not nowe my dynt withstande
Thou mayst not abyde the dynt of my hande
Ly there losell for all thy pompe and pryde
Thy pleasure now with payne & trouble shalbe tryde.
The stroke of god; aduersyte I hyght [1915]
I plucke downe kynge prynce lorde and knyght
I rushe at them rughly and make them ly full lowe
And in theyr moste truste I make them ouerthrowe
Thys losyll was a lorde and lyuyd at his lust
And nowe lyke a lurden he lyeth in the dust [1920]
He knewe not hymselfe his harte was so hye
Nowe is there no man that wyll set by hym a flye
He was wonte to boste brage and to brace F2v">
Nowe dare he not for shame loke one in the face
All worldly welth for hym to lytell was [1925]
Nowe hath he ryght nought; naked as an asse
Somtyme without measure; he trusted in golde
And now without mesure; he shal haue hunger & colde.
Lo syrs; thus I handell them all.
That folowe theyr fansyes; in foly to fall [1930]
Man or woman of what estate they be
I counsayle them beware of aduersyte
Of sorowfull seruauntes I haue many scores
I vysyte them somtyme with blaynes and with sores
With botches and carbuckyls in care I them knyt [1935]
With the gowte I make them to grone where they syt.
Some I make lyppers and lazars full horse.
And from that they loue best some I deuorse.
Some with the marmoll to halte I them make.
And some to cry out of the bone ake [1940]
And some I vysyte with brennynge of fyre
Of some I wrynge of the necke lyke a wyre
And some I make in a rope to totter and walter.
And some for to hange themselfe in an halter
And some I vysyte with batayle warre and murther [1945]
And make eche man to sle other
To drowne or to sle themselfe with a knyfe
An all is for theyr vngracyous lyfe
Yet sometyme I stryke where is none offence
Bycause I wolde proue men of theyr pacyence [1950]
But nowe a dayes to stryke I haue grete cause
Lydderyns so lytell set by goddes lawes
Faders and moders that be neclygent
And suffre theyr chyldren to haue theyr entent
To gyde them vertuously that wyll not remembre [1955]
Them or theyr chyldren ofte tymes I dysmembre
Theyr chyldren bycause that they haue no mekenesse
I vysyte theyr faders and moders with sekenesse.
And yf I se therby they wyll not amende
Then myschefe sodaynly I them sende [1960]
For there is nothynge that more dyspleaseth god
Than from theyr chyldren to spare the rod
Of correccyon; but let them haue theyr wyll
Some I make lame; and some I do kyll
And some I stryke with a franesy [1965]
Of some of theyr chyldren I stryke out the eye.
And where the fader by wysdom worshyp hath wonne
I sende ofte tymes a fole to his sonne.
Wherfore of aduersyte loke ye be ware.
For when I come comyth sorowe and care. [1970]
For I stryke lordys of realmes and landys
That rule not by mesure that they haue in theyr handys
That sadly rule not theyr howsholde men
I am goddys preposytour I prynt them with a pen
Because of theyr neglygence & of theyr wanton vagys [1975]
I vysyte them and stryke them with many sore plagys
To take syrs example of that I you tell
And beware of aduersyte by my counsell
Take hede of this caytyfe that lyeth here on grounde
Beholde howe fortune on hym hath frounde [1980]
For though we shewe you this in game and play
Yet it proueth eyrnest ye may se euery day
For nowe wyll I from this caytyfe go
And take myscheffe and vengeaunce of other mo
That hath deseruyd it as well as he [1985]
Howe; where art thou come hether pouerte
Take this caytyfe to thy lore

Exit ADVERSYTE.

Here cometh in pouerte.

Pouerte.

A my bonys ake my lymmys be sore
Alasse I haue the cyatyca full euyll in my hyppe
Alasse where is youth that was wont for to skyppe [1990]
I am lowsy and vnlykynge and full of scurffe
My colour is tawny colouryd as a turffe
I am pouerte that all men doth hate
I am baytyd with doggys at euery mannys gate
I am raggyd and rent as ye may se [1995]
Full fewe but they haue enuy at me
Nowe must I this carcasse lyft vp
He dynyd with delyte with pouerte he must sup
Ryse vp syr and welcom vnto me

Hic accedat ad leuandum magnyfycence et locabit eum super locum stratum.

Magnyfycence

Alasse where is nowe my golde and fe [2000]
Alasse I say where to am I brought
Alasse alasse alasse I dye for thought

Pouerte.

Syr all this wolde haue bene thought on before
He woteth not what welth is that neuer was sore

Magnyfycence

Fy fy that euer I sholde be brought in this snare [2005]
I wenyd ones neuer to haue knowen of care

Pouerte.

Lo suche is this worlde I fynde it wryt
In welth to beware and that is wyt

Magnyfycence

In welth to beware yf I had had grace
Neuer had I bene brought in this case [2010]

Pouerte.

Nowe syth it wyll no nother be ">
All that god sendeth take it in gre
For thoughe you were somtyme a noble estate
Nowe must you lerne to begge at euery mannes gate.

Magnyfycence

Alasse that euer I sholde be so shamed [2015]
Alasse that euer I Magnyfycence was named
Alasse that euer I was so harde happed
In mysery and wretchydnesse thus to be lapped
Alasse that I coude not myselfe no better gyde
Alasse in my cradell that I had not dyde. [2020]

Pouerte.

Ye syr ye; leue all this rage
And pray to god your sorowes to asswage
It is foly to grudge agaynst his vysytacyon.
With harte contryte make your supplycacyon.
Unto your maker that made bothe you and me [2025]
And whan it pleaseth god better may be

Magnyfycence

Alasse I wote not what I sholde pray.

Pouerte.

Remembre you better syr beware what ye say
For drede ye dysplease the hygh deyte
Put your wyll to his wyll for surely it is he [2030]
That may restore you agayne to felycyte
And brynge you agayne out of aduersyte.
Therfore pouerte loke pacyently ye take.
And remembre he suffered moche more for your sake.
Howe be it of all synne he was innocent [2035]
And ye haue deserued this punysshment

Magnyfycence

Alasse with colde my lymmes shall be marde

Pouerte.

Ye syr nowe must ye lerne to lye harde.
That was wonte to lye on fetherbeddes of downe
Nowe must your fete lye hyer than your crowne. [2040]
Where you were wonte to haue cawdels for your hede
Nowe must you monche mamockes & lumpes of brede.
And where you had chaunges of ryche aray.
Nowe lap you in a couerlet full fayne that you may.
And where that ye were pomped with what that ye wolde [2045]
Nowe must ye suffre bothe hunger and colde.
With curteyns of sylke ye were wonte to be drawe
Nowe must ye lerne to lye on the strawe
Your skynne that was wrapped in shertes of raynes
Nowe must ye be storm ybeten with showres & raynes. [2050]

Your hede that was wonte to be happed moost drowpy & drowsy.
Now shal ye be scabbed scuruy & lowsy.

Magnyfycence

Fye on this worlde full of trechery.
That euer noblenesse sholde lyue thus wretchydly. [2055]

Pouerte.

Syr remembre the tourne of fortunes whele
That wantonly can wynke and wynche with her hele
Nowe she wyll laughe; forthwith she wyll frowne F4">
Sodenly set vp and sodenly pluckyd downe
She dawnsyth varyaunce with mutabylyte [2060]
Nowe all in welth forthwith in pouerte
In her promyse there is no sykernesse
All her delyte is set in doublenesse

Magnyfycence

Alas of fortune I may well complayne

Pouerte.

Ye syr yesterday wyll not be callyd agayne [2065]
But yet syr nowe in this case
Take it mekely and thanke god of his grace
For nowe go I wyll begge for you some mete
It is foly agaynst god for to plete
I wyll walke nowe with my beggers baggys [2070]
And happe you the whyles with these homly raggys

Discedendo dicat ista verba

A howe my lymmys be lyther and lame
Better it is to begge than to be hangyd with shame
Yet many had leuer hangyd to be
Then for to begge theyr mete for charyte [2075]
They thynke it no shame to robbe and stele
Yet were they better to begge a great dele
For by robbynge they rynne to; in manus tuas quecke
But beggynge is better medecyne for the necke
Ye mary is it; ye so mote I goo [2080]
A lorde god howe the gowte wryngeth me by the too

Here magnyfycence dolorously maketh his mone.

Magnyfycence

O feble fortune; o doulfull destyny
O hatefull happe; o carefull cruelte
O syghynge sorowe; o thoughtfull mysere
O rydlesse rewthe; o paynfull pouerte [2085]
O dolorous herte; o harde aduersyte
O odyous dystresse; o dedly payne and woo
For worldly shame; I wax bothe wanne and bloo
Where is nowe my welth; and my noble estate
Where is nowe my treasure my landes and my rent [2090]
Where is nowe all my seruauntys that I had here a late
Where is nowe my golde vpon them that I spent
Where is nowe all my ryche abylement
Where is nowe my kynne my frendys & my noble blood
Where is nowe all my pleasure and my worldly good [2095]
Alasse my foly; alasse my wanton wyll
I may no more speke; tyll I haue wept my fyll

Enter LYBERTE.

Lyberte.

With ye mary syrs thus sholde it be
I kyst her swete; and she kyssyd me
I daunsed the darlynge on my kne [2100]
I garde her gaspe; I garde her gle F4v">
With daunce on the le the le
I bassed that baby with harte so free
She is the bote of all my bale
A; so that syghe was farre fet [2105]
To loue that louesome I wyll not let
My harte is holly on her set
I plucked her by the patlet
At my deuyse I with her met
My fansy fayrly on her I set [2110]
So merely syngeth the nyghtyngale.
In lust and lykynge my name is lyberte
I am desyred with hyghest and lowest degre
I lyue as me lyst I lepe out at large
Of erthely thynge I haue no care nor charge [2115]
I am presydent of prynces I prycke them with pryde.
What is he lyuynge that lyberte wolde lacke.
A thousande pounde with lyberte may holde no tacke.
At lyberte a man may be bolde for to brake
Welthe without lyberte gothe all to wrake. [2120]
But yet syrs hardely one thynge lerne of me
I warne you beware of to moche lyberte
For totum in toto is not worth an hawe
To hardy or to moche to free of the dawe
To sober to sad to subtell to wyse. [2125]
To mery to mad to gyglynge to nyse
To full of fansyes to lordly to prowde
To homly to holy to lewde and to lowde
To flatterynge to smatterynge to to out of harre
To claterynge to chaterynge to shorte and to farre [2130]
To Iettynge to Iaggynge and to full of Iapes.
To mockynge to mowynge to lyke a Iackenapes.
Thus totum in toto groweth vp as ye may se
By meanes of madnesse and to moche lyberte
For I am a vertue yf I be well vsed [2135]
And I am a vyce where I am abused.

Magnyfycence

A woo worthe the lyberte nowe thou sayst full trewe
That I vsed the to moche sore may I rewe

Lyberte.

What a very vengeaunce I say; who is that
What brothell I say is yonder bounde in a mat [2140]

Magnyfycence

I am Magnyfycence that somtyme thy mayster was

Lyberte.

What is the worlde thus come to passe.
Cockes armes syrs wyll ye not se
Howe he is vndone by the meanes of me
For yf measure had ruled lyberte as he began [2145]
This lurden that here lyeth had ben a noble man.
But he abused so his free lyberte
That nowe he hath loste all his felycyte
Not thorowe largesse of lyberall expence
But by the way of fansy insolence [2150]
For lyberalyte is most conuenyent
A prynce to vse with all his hole intent
Largely rewardynge them that haue deseruyd
And so shall a noble man nobly be seruyd
But nowe adayes as huksters they hucke & they stycke [2155]
And pynche at the payment of a poddynge prycke
A laudable largesse I tell you for a lorde
To prate for the patchynge of a pot sharde
Spare for the spence of a noble that his honour myght saue
And spende .C. s. for the pleasure of a knaue [2160]
But so longe they rekyn with theyr reasons amysse
That they lose theyr lyberte and all that there is

Magnyfycence

Alasse that euer I occupyed suche abusyon

Lyberte.

Ye for nowe it hath brought the to confusyon
For where I am occupyed and vsyd wylfully [2165]
It can not contynew longe prosperyously
As euydently in retchlesse youth ye may se
Howe many come to myschefe for to moche lyberte
And some in the worlde theyr brayne is so ydyll
That they set theyr chyldren to rynne on the brydyll [2170]
In youth to be wanton and let them haue theyr wyll
& they neuer thryue in theyr age it shall not gretly skyll
Some fall to foly them selfe for to spyll
And some fall prechynge at the toure hyll
Some hath so moche lyberte of one thynge & other [2175]
That nother they set by father and mother
Some haue so moche lyberte that they fere no synne
Tyll as ye se many tymes they shame all theyr kynne
I am so lusty to loke on so freshe and so fre
That nonnes wyll leue theyr holynes and ryn after me [2180]
Freers with foly I make them so fayne
They cast vp theyr obedyence to cache me agayne
At lyberte to wander and walke ouer all
That lustely they lepe somtyme theyr cloyster wall

Hic aliquis buccat in cornu a retro post populum.

Yonder is a horson for me doth rechate [2185]
A dewe syrs for I thynke leyst that I come to late

Exit LYBERTE

Magnyfycence

O good lorde howe longe shall I indure
This mysery; this carefull wrechydnesse
Of worldly welthe alasse who can be sure
In fortunys frendshyppe there is no stedfastnesse [2190]
She hath dyssayuyd me with her doublenesse G1v">
For to be wyse all men may lerne of me.
In welthe to beware of herde aduersyte

Here cometh in Crafty conueyaunce and Cloked colusyon with a lusty laughter.

Crafty conuey.

Ha ha ha for laughter I am lyke to brast [2195]

Cloked colusyon

Ha ha ha for sporte I am lyke to spewe and cast

Crafty conuey.

What hast thou gotted in faythe to thy share

Cloked colusyon

In faythe of his cofers the bottoms are bare

Crafty conuey.

As for his plate of syluer and suche trasshe
I waraunt you I haue gyuen it a lasshe [2200]

Cloked colusyon

What; then he may drynke out of a stone cruyse.

Crafty conuey.

With ye syr by Iesu that slayne was with Iewes
He may rynse a pycher for his plate is to wed

Cloked colusyon

In faythe and he may dreme
On a dagge swane for ony fether bed. [2205]

Crafty conuey.

By my trouthe we haue ryfled hym metely well.

Cloked colusyon

Ye but thanke me therof euery dele

Crafty conuey.

Thanke the therof in the deuyls date

Cloked colusyon

Leue thy pratynge or els I shall lay the on the pate.

Crafty conuey.

Nay to wrangle I warant the it is but a stone caste [2210]

Cloked colusyon

By the messe I shall cleue thy heed to the waste

Crafty conuey.

Ye wylte thou clenly cleue me in the clyfte with thy nose

Cloked colusyon

I shall thrust in the my dagger

Crafty conuey.

Thorowe the legge in to the hose

Cloked colusyon

Nay horson here is my gloue take it vp & thou dare. [2215]

Crafty conuey.

Torde thou arte good to be a man of warre.

Cloked colusyon

I shall skelpe the on the skalpe; lo seest thou that.

Crafty conuey.

What wylte thou skelpe me thou dare not loke on a gnat

Cloked colusyon

By cockes bones I shall blysse the & thou be to bolde.

Crafty conuey.

Nay then thou wylte dynge the deuyll & thou be not holde [2220]

Cloked colusyon

But wottest thou horson I rede the to be wyse

Crafty conuey.

Nowe I rede the beware; I haue warned the twyse

Cloked colusyon

Why wenest thou that I forbere the for thyne owne sake

Crafty conuey.

Peas or I shall wrynge thy be in a brake

Cloked colusyon

Holde thy hande dawe of thy dagger & stynt of thy dyn [2225]
Or I shal fawchyn thy flesshe & scrape the on the skyn

Crafty conuey.

Ye wylte thou hangman I say thou cauell

Cloked colusyon

Nay thou rude rauener rayne beten Iauell

Crafty conuey.

What thou colyn cowarde knowen and tryde

Cloked colusyon

Nay thou false harted dastarde thou dare not abyde. [2230]

Crafty conuey.

And yf there were none to dysplease but thou and I
Thou sholde not scape horson but thou sholde dye.

Cloked colusyon

Nay iche shall wrynge the horson on the wryst.

Crafty conuey.

Mary I defye thy best and thy worst

Enter COUNTERFET COUNTENAUNCE.

Counterfeit Countenance

What a very vengeaunce nede all these wordys [2235]
Go together by the heddys and gyue me your swordys

Cloked colusyon

So he is the worste brawler that euer was borne

Crafty conuey.

In fayth so to suffer the it is but a skorne

Counterfet coun.

Now let vs be all one and let vs lyue in rest
For we be syrs but a fewe of the best [2240]

Cloked colusyon

By the masse man thou shall fynde me resonable

Crafty conuey.

In faythe and I wyll be to reason agreable

Counterfet coun.

Then truste I to god and the holy rode.
Here shalbe not great sheddynge of blode

Cloked colusyon

By our lakyn syr not by my wyll. [2245]

Crafty conuey.

By the fayth that I owe to god and I wyll syt styll

Counterfet coun.

Well sayd; but in fayth what was your quarell

Cloked colusyon

Mary syr this gentylman caled me Iauell

Cra Con.

Nay by saynt Mary it was ye called me knaue.

Cloked colusyon

Mary so vngoodly langage you me gaue [2250]

Counterfet coun.

A shall we haue more of this maters yet
Me thynke ye are not gretly acomberyd wyth wyt

Crafty conuey.

Goddys fote I warant you I am a gentylman borne
And thus to be facyd I thynke it great skorne

Counterfet coun.

I can not well tell of your dysposycyons [2255]
And ye be a gentylman ye haue knauys condycyons

Cloked colusyon

By god I tell you I wyll not be out facyd

Crafty conuey.

By the masse I warant the I wyll not be bracyd

Counterfet coun.

Tushe tushe it is a great defaute.
The one of you is to proude; the other is to haute [2260]
Tell me brefly where vpon ye began

Clo. Col

Mary syr he sayd that he was the pratyer man
Then I was in opynynge of lockys
And I tell you I dysdayne moche of his mockys

Crafty conuey.

Thou sawe neuer yet but I dyd my parte [2265]
The locke of a caskyt to make to starte

Counterfet coun.

Nay I know well Inough ye are bothe well handyd
To grope a gardeuyaunce though it be well bandyd

Cloked colusyon

I am the better yet in a bowget

Crafty conuey.

And I the better in a male

Counterfet coun.

Tushe these maters that ye moue are but soppys in ale
Your trymynge and tramynge by me must be tangyd
For had I not bene ye bothe had bene hangyd
When we with magnyfycence goodys made cheuysaunce

Magnyfycence

And therfore our lorde sende you a very wengaunce [2275]

Counterfet coun.

What begger art thou that thus doth banne and wary

Magnyfycence

Ye be the theuys I say; away my goodys dyd cary

Cloked colusyon

Cockys bonys thou begger what is thy name

Magnyfycence

Magnyfycence I was whom ye haue brought to shame G2v">

Counterfet coun.

Ye but trowe you syrs that this is he [2280]

Crafty conuey.

Go we nere and let vs se

Cloked colusyon

By cockys bonys it is the same

Magnyfycence

Alasse alasse syrs ye are to blame
I was your mayster though ye thynke it skorne
And nowe on me ye gaure and sporne [2285]

Counterfet coun.

Ly styll ly styll nowe with yll hayle

Crafty conuey.

Ye for thy langage can not the auayle

Cloked colusyon

Abyde syr abyde I shall make hym to pysse

Magnyfycence

Nowe gyue me somwhat for god sake I craue

Crafty conuey.

In faythe I gyue the four quarters of a knaue [2290]

Counterfet coun.

In faythe and I bequethe hym the tothe ake

Cloked colusyon

And I bequethe hym the bone ake

Crafty conuey.

And I bequethe hym the gowte and the gyn

Cloked colusyon

And I bequethe hym sorowe for his syn

Counterfet coun.

And I gyue hym crystys curse; [2295]
With neuer a peny in his purse

Crafty conuey.

And I gyue hym the cowghe the murre & the pose

Cloked colusyon

Ye for requiem eternam groweth forth of his nose
But nowe let vs make mery and good chere

Counterfet coun.

And to the tauerne let vs drawe nere [2300]

Crafty conuey.

And from thens to the halfe strete
To get vs there some freshe mete

Cloked colusyon

Why is there any store of rawe motton

Counterfet coun.

Ye in faythe or ellys thou arte to great a glotton

Crafty conuey.

But they say it is a queysy mete [2305]
It wyll stryke a man myscheuously in a hete

Cloked colusyon

In fay man some rybbys of the motton be so ranke
That they wyll fyre one vngracyously in the flanke

Counterfet coun.

Ye and when ye come out of the shoppe
Ye shall be clappyd with a coloppe [2310]
That wyll make you to halt and to hoppe

Crafty conuey.

Som be wrestyd there that they thynke on it forty dayes
For there be horys there at all assayes

Cloked colusyon

For the passyon of god let vs go thyther

Et cum festinacione discedant a loco.

Magnyfycence

Alas myn owne seruauntys to shew me such reproche [2315]
Thus to rebuke me and haue me in dyspyght
So shamfully to me theyr mayster to aproche
That somtyme was a noble prynce of myght
Alasse To lyue longer I haue no delyght
For to lyue in mysery it is herder than dethe [2320]
I am wery of the worlde; for vnkyndnesse me sleeth

Hic intrat dyspare.

Dyspare.

Dyspare is my name that aduersyte dothe folowe
In tyme of dystresse I am redy at hande
I make heuy hertys with eyen full holowe [2325]
Of faruent charyte I quenche out the bronde
Faythe and good hope I make asyde to stonde
In goddys mercy I tell them is but foly to truste
All grace and pyte I lay in the duste
What lyest thou there lyngrynge lewdly and lothsome [2330]
It is to late nowe thy synnys to repent
thou hast bene so waywarde so wranglyng & so wrothsome
And so fer thou arte behynde of thy rent
And so vngracyously thy dayes thou hast spent
That thou arte not worthy to loke god in the face [2335]

Magnyfycence

Nay nay man I loke neuer to haue parte of his grace
For I haue so vngracyously my lyfe mysusyd
Though I aske mercy I must nedys be refusyd

Dyspare.

No no for thy synnys be so excedynge farre
So innumerable and so full of dyspyte [2340]
And agayne thy maker thou hast made suche warre
That thou canst not haue neuer mercy in his syght

Magnyfycence

Alasse my wyckydnesse that may I wyte
But nowe I se well there is no better rede
But sygh and sorowe and wysshe my selfe dede [2345]

Dyspare.

Ye ryd thy selfe rather than this lyfe for to lede
The worlde waxyth wery of the; thou lyuest to longe

Hic intrat myschefe.

Myschefe.

And I myschefe am comyn at nede
Out of thy lyfe the for to lede
And loke that it be not longe [2350]
Or that thy selfe thou go honge
With this halter good and stronge
Or ellys with this knyfe cut out a tonge
Of thy throte bole and ryd the out of payne
Thou arte not the fyrst hymselfe hath slayne [2355]
Lo here is thy knyfe and a halter and or we go ferther
Spare not thy selfe but boldly the murder

Dyspare.

Ye haue done at ones without delay

Magnyfycence

Shall I my selfe hange with an halter? nay
Nay rather wyll I chose to ryd me of this lyue [2360]
In styckynge my selfe with this fayre knyfe

Here magnyfycence wolde slee hymselfe with a knyfe.

Mischief

Alarum alarum to longe we abyde G3v">

Dyspare.

Out harowe hyll burneth where shall I me hyde.

Hic intrat Good hope fugientibus dyspare & myschefe repente good hope surripiat illi gladium & dicat.

Good hope.

Alas dere sone sore combred is thy mynde
Thyselfe that thou wolde sloo agaynst nature & kynde. [2365]

Magnyfycence

A blessyd may ye be syr; what shall I you call

Good hope.

Good hope syr my name is remedy pryncypall
Agaynst all sautes of your goostly foo
Who knoweth me; hymselfe may neuer sloo

Magnyfycence

Alas syr so I am lapped in aduersyte [2370]
That dyspayre well nyghe had myscheued me
For had ye not the soner ben my refuge
Of dampnacyon I had ben drawen in the luge.

Good hope.

Undoubted ye had lost yourselfe eternally
There is no man may synne more mortally. [2375]
Than of wanhope thrughe the vnhappy wayes
By myschefe to breuyate and shorten his dayes
But my good sonne lerne from dyspayre to flee.
Wynde you from wanhope and aquaynte you with me.
A grete mysaduenture thy maker to dysplease [2380]
Thyselfe myscheuynge to thyne endlesse dysease
There was neuer so harde a storme of mysery.
But thrughe good hope there may come remedy

Magnyfycence

Your wordes be more sweter than ony precyous narde
They molefy so easely my harte that was so harde. [2385]
There is no bawme ne gumme of arabe
More delectable than your langage to me

Good hope.

Syr your fesycyan is the grace of god
That you hath punysshed with his sharpe rod.
Good hope your potecary assygned am I [2390]
That goddes grace hath vexed you sharply
And payned you with a purgacyon of odyous pouerte
Myxed with bytter alowes of herde aduersyte
Nowe must I make you a lectuary softe.
I to mynyster it; you to receyue it ofte. [2395]
With rubarbe of repentaunce in you for to rest.
With drammes of deuocyon your dyet must be drest
With gommes goostly of glad herte and mynde.
To thanke god of his sonde and comforte ye shal fynde.
Put fro you presumpcyon and admyt humylyte [2400]
And hartely thanke god of your aduersyte
And loue that lorde that for your loue was dede.
Wounded from the fote to the crowne of the hede G4">
For who loueth god can ayle nothynge but good
He may helpe you; he may mende your mode [2405]
Prosperyte by hym is gyuen solacyusly to man
Aduersyte to hym therwith nowe and than
Helthe of body his besynesse to acheue
Dysease and sekenesse his conscyence to dyscryue
Afflyccyon & trouble to proue his pacyence [2410]
Contradyccyon to proue his sapyence
Grace of assystence his measure to declare
Somtyme to fall another tyme to beware
And nowe ye haue had syr a wonderous fall
To lerne you hereafter for to beware withall [2415]
Howe say you syr can ye these wordys grope.

Magnyfycence

Ye syr now am I armyd with good hope
And sore I repent me of my wylfulnesse
I aske god mercy of my neglygesse
Under good hope endurynge euer styll [2420]
Me humbly commyttynge vnto goddys wyll

Good hope.

Then shall you be sone delyuered from dystresse
For nowe I se comynge to youwarde redresse

Hic intrat Redresse.

Redresse.

Cryst be amonge you and the holy goste

Good hope.

He be your conducte the lorde of myghtys moste [2425]

Redresse.

Syr is your pacyent any thynge amendyd

Good hope.

Ye syr he is sory for that he hath offendyd

Redresse.

How fele you your selfe my frend how is your mynde

Magnyfycence

A wrechyd man syr to my maker vnkynde

Redresse.

Ye but haue ye repentyd you with harte contryte [2430]

Magnyfycence

Syr the repentaunce I haue no man can wryte

Redresse.

And haue ye banyshed from you all dyspare

Magnyfycence

Ye holly to good hope I haue made my repare

Good hope.

Questyonlesse he doth me assure
In good hope alway for to indure [2435]

Redresse.

Than stande vp syr in goddys name
And I truste to ratyfye and amende your fame.
Good hope I pray you with harty affeccyon
To sende ouer to me sad cyrcumspeccyon

Good hope.

Syr your requeste shall not be delayed. [2440]

Et exiat.

Redresse.

Now surely magnyfycence I am ryght well apayed
Of that I se you nowe in the state of grace
Nowe shall ye be renewyd with solace
Take nowe vpon you this abylyment
And to that I say gyue good aduysement [2445]

Magnyfycence accipiat indumentum.

Magnyfycence

To your requeste I shall be confyrmable G4v">

Redress

Fyrst I saye with mynde fyrme and stable.
Determyne to amende all your wanton excesse
And be ruled by me whiche am called redresse
Redresse my name is that lytell am I vsed. [2450]
As the worlde requyreth but rather I am refused.
Redresse sholde be at the rekenynge in euery accompte
And specyally to redresse that were out of ioynte.
Full many thynges there be that lacketh redresse
The whiche were to longe nowe to expresse [2455]
But redresse is redlesse and may do no correccyon
Nowe welcome forsoth sad cyrcumspeccyon.

Here cometh in sad cyrcumspeccyon sayenge.

Cyrcumspeccyon

Syr after your message I hyed me hyder streyght.
For to vnderstande your pleasure and also your mynde

Redresse.

Syr to accompte you the contynewe of my consayte. [2460]
Is from aduersyte Magnyfycence to vnbynde

Cyrcumspeccyon

How fortuned you magnyfycence so far to fal behynde

Magnyfycence

Syr the longe absence of you sad cyrcumspeccyon
Caused me of aduersyte to fall in subieccyon.

Redresse.

All that he sayth of trouthe dothe procede [2465]
For where sad cyrcumspeccyon is longe out of the way
Of aduersyte it is to stande in drede.

Cyrcumspeccyon

Without fayle syr that is no nay.
Cyrcumspeccyon inhateth all rennynge a stray
But syr by me to rule fyrst ye began [2470]

Magnyfycence

My wylfulnesse syr excuse I ne can

Cyrcumspeccyon

Then ye of foly in tymes past you repent

Magnyfycence

Sothely to repent me I haue grete cause
Howe be it from you I receyued a letter sent
Whiche conteyned in it a specyall clause. [2475]
That I sholde vse largesse

Cyrcumspeccyon

Nay syr there a pause

Redresse.

Yet let vs se this matter thorowly ingrosed

Magnyfycence

Syr this letter ye sent to me at pountes was enclosed

Cyrcumspeccyon

Who brought you that letter; wote ye what he hyght. [2480]

Magnyfycence

Largesse syr by his credence was his name

Cyrcumspeccyon

This letter ye speke of neuer dyd I wryte

Redresse.

To gyue so hasty credence ye were moche to blame

Magnyfycence

Truth it is syr; for after he wrought me moch shame
And caused me also to vse to moche lyberte [2485]
And made also mesure to be put fro me.

Redresse.

Then welthe with you myght in no wyse abyde

Cyrcumspeccyon

A ha fansy and foly met with you I trowe

Redresse.

It wolde be founde so yf it were well tryde

Magnyfycence

Surely my welthe with them was ouer throw [2490]

Cyrcumspeccyon

Remembre you therfore howe late ye were low

Redresse.

Ye and beware of vnhappy abusyon

Cyrcumspeccyon

And kepe you from counterfaytynge of clokyd colusyon

Magnyfycence

Syr in good hope I am to amende

Redresse.

Use not then your countenaunce for to counterfet [2495]

Cyrcumspeccyon

And from crafters and hafters I you forfende

Hic intrat perseueraunce.

Magnyfycence

Well syr after your counsell my mynde I wyll set

Redresse.

What brother perceueraunce surely well met

Cyrcumspeccyon

Ye com hether as well as can be thought

Perseueraunce

I herde say that aduersyte with magnyfycence had fought [2500]

Magnyfycence

Ye syr with aduersyte I haue bene vexyd
But good hope and redresse hath mendyd myne estate
And sad cyrcumspeccyon to me they haue annexyd
..........................................

Redresse.

What this man hath sayd; perceyue ye his sentence

Magnyfycence

Ye syr from hym my corage shall neuer flyt [2505]
..........................................
..........................................
..........................................

Cyrcumspeccyon

Accordynge to treuth they be well deuysyd

Magnyfycence

Syrs I am agreed to abyde your ordenaunce [2510]
Faythfull assuraunce with good peraduertaunce

Perseueraunce

Yf you be so myndyd we be ryght glad

Redresse.

And ye shall haue more worshyp then euer ye had

Magnyfycence

Well I perceyue in you there is moche sadnesse
Grauyte of counsell prouydence and wyt [2515]
Your comfortable aduyse & wyt excedyth all gladnesse
But frendly I wyll refrayne you ferther or we flyt
Whereto were most metely my corage to knyt
Your myndys I beseche you here in to expresse
Commensynge this processe at mayster redresse [2520]

Redresse.

Syth vnto me formest this processe is erectyd
Herein I wyll a forse me to shewe you my mynde
Fyrst from your magnyfycence syn must be abiectyd
In all your warkys more grace shall ye fynde
Be gentyll then of corage and lerne to be kynde [2525]
For of noblenesse the chefe poynt is to be lyberall
So that your largesse be not to prodygall

Cyrcumspeccyon

Lyberte to a lorde belongyth of ryght
But wylfull waywardnesse muste walke out of the way
Measure of your lustys must haue the ouer syght [2530]
And not all the nygarde nor the chyncherde to play
Let neuer negarshyp your noblenesse affray
In your rewardys vse suche moderacyon
That nothynge be gyuen without consyderacyon

Perseueraunce

To the increse of your honour then arme you with ryght [2535]
And fumously adresse you with magnanymyte
And euer let the drede of god be in your syght H1v">
And knowe your selfe mortall for all your dygnyte
..........................................
Set not all your affyaunce in fortune full of gyle [2540]
Remember this lyfe lastyth but a whyle

Magnyfycence

Redresse in my remembraunce your lesson shall rest
And sad cyrcumspeccyon I marke in my mynde
But perseueraunce me semyth your probleme was best
I shall it neuer forget nor leue it behynde [2545]
But hooly to perseueraunce my selfe I wyll bynde
Of that I haue mysdone to make a redresse
And with sad cyrcumspeccyon correcte my vantonnesse

Redresse.

Unto this processe brefly compylyd
Comprehendynge the worlde casuall and transytory [2550]
Who lyst to consyder shall neuer be begylyd
Yf it be regystryd well in memory
A playne example of worldly vaynglory
Howe in this worlde there is no sekernesse
But fallyble flatery enmyxyd with bytternesse [2555]
Nowe well; nowe wo; nowe hy; nowe lawe degre
Nowe ryche; nowe pore; nowe hole; nowe in dysease
Nowe pleasure at large; Nowe in captyuyte
Nowe leue; nowe lothe; now please; nowe dysplease
Now ebbe; now flowe; nowe increase; now dyscrease [2560]
So in this worlde there is no sykernesse
But fallyble flatery enmyxyd with bytternesse

Cyrcumspeccyon

A myrrour incleryd is this interlude
This lyfe inconstant for to beholde and se
Sodenly auaunsyd; and sodenly subdude [2565]
Sodenly ryches; and sodenly pouerte
Sodenly comfort; and sodenly aduersyte
Sodenly thus fortune can bothe smyle and frowne
Sodenly set vp; and sodenly cast downe
Sodenly promotyd; and sodenly put backe [2570]
Sodenly cherysshyd; and sodenly cast asyde
Sodenly commendyd; and sodenly fynde a lacke
Sodenly grauntyd; and sodenly denyed
Sodenly hyd; and sodenly spyed
Sodenly thus fortune can bothe [2575] smyle and frowne
Sodenly set vp and sodenly cast downe

Perseueraunce

This treatyse deuysyd to make you dysporte
Shewyth nowe adayes howe the worlde comberyd is
To the pythe of the mater who lyst to resorte
To day it is well; to morowe it is all amysse [2580]
To day in delyte; to morowe bare of blysse
To day a lorde; to morowe ly in the duste
Thus in this worlde there is no erthly truste
To day fayre wether; to morowe a stormy rage H2">
To day hote; to morowe outragyous colde [2585]
To day a yoman; to morowe made of page
To day in surety; to morowe bought and solde
To day maysterfest; to morowe he hath no holde
To day a man; to morowe he lyeth in the duste
Thus in this worlde there is no erthly truste [2590]

Magnyfycence

This mater we haue mouyd you myrthys to make
Precely purposyd vnder pretence of play
Shewyth wysdome to them that wysdome can take
Howe sodenly worldly welth dothe dekay
How wysdom thorowe wantonnesse vanysshyth away [2595]
How none estate lyuynge of hymselfe can be sure
For the welthe of this worlde can not indure
Of the terestre trechery we fall in the flode
Beten with stormys of many a frowarde blast
Ensorbyd with the wawys sauage and wode

Without our shyppe be sure it is lykely to brast
Yet of magnyfycence oft made is the mast
Thus none estate lyuynge of hymselfe can be sure
For the welthe of this worlde can not indure [2605]

Redresse.

Nowe semyth vs syttynge that ye then resorte
Home to your paleys with Ioy and ryalte

Cyrcumspeccyon

Where euery thyng is ordenyd after your noble porte

Perseueraunce

There to indeuer with all felycyte

Magnyfycence

I am content my frendys that it so be [2610]

Redresse.

And ye that haue harde this dysporte and game
Ihesus preserue you frome endlesse wo and shame
AMEN.

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