An excellent new Commedie, Intituled : The Conflict of Conscience Contayninge, A most lamentable example, of the dolefull desperation of a miserable worldlinge, termed, by the name of Philologvs, who forsooke the trueth of Gods Gospel, for feare of the losse of lyfe, & wordly goods |
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Sceane. 1.
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 | An excellent new Commedie, Intituled : The Conflict of Conscience |  |
Sceane. 1.
CAR.HYPO. AVA. .TYR. PHILO.
Go to Master Zeale, bring forth that Heretike,
Which doth thus disturb our religion Catholicke.
Hypocrisie.
Rowm for my Lords grace: what? no maner reuerence,
But Cap on head Hodge, and that in a Lords presence.
Cardinall.
What? Master Hypocrisie I haue stayed for you long.
Hypocrisie.
You were best crowd in and play vs amonge.
Where haue you ben from me so long absent,
I appoynted to haue ben here three howres ago,
In my consistory to haue set in Iudgement,
Of that wretched Scismatike that doth trouble vs so.
Hypocrisie.
What haue you caught but one and no moe?
In fayth father Auarice, you haue plied your chaps well.
Auarice.
I must needs confesse that I am payd for my trauell.
Tyranny.
Rowme for the prisoner, what? rowme on ech hand,
Or I shall make some out of the way for to stand.
Lo heere (my Lord) is that seditious Scismatike,
That we haue layd waite for, an arrant Heretike.
Cardinall.
Sit downe Master Hypocrisie to yeeld me assistance.
Hypocrisie.
I thank your Lordship for your courteous beneuolence,
I wilbe the Noddy, I should say the Notary,
To wright before my Lord Legate which is Comissary.
Cardinall.
Ah sirra, be you he that doeth thus disturb,
The whole estate of our fayth Catholike?
Art thou so expert in Gods lawes and word,
That no man may learne thee? thou arrant Heretike:
But this is the nature of euery Scismatike:
Be his errors neuer so false Doctrine,
He will say, by Gods word, he dare it examine.
Philologus.
With humble submission to your authoritie,
I pardon craue if ought amisse I saye,
For being thus fet in perill and extreamitie,
To me vnaquainted, my tongue soone trip maye,
Wherefore excuse me, I do your Lordship praye,
And I will answeare to euery demaund,
According to my conscience, Goddes worde being my warrand.
To begin therfore orderly, how saist thou Philologus?
Haue I authoritie to call the me before?
Or to be short, I will obiect it thus:
Whether hath the Pope which is Peters successor:
Then all other Bishops preheminence more?
If not, then it follow that neither he,
Nor I which am his Legate, to accompts may call thee.
Philologus.
The question is perillous for me to determine,
Cheefely when the party is Iudge in the cause,
Yet if the wholl course of Scripture ye examine,
And wilbe tryed by Gods holy lawes,
Small help shall you finde to defend the same cause,
But the contrary may be proued manifestly:
As I in short wordes will proue to you breefely.
Cheefely when the party is Iudge in the cause,
Yet if the wholl course of Scripture ye examine,
And wilbe tryed by Gods holy lawes,
Small help shall you finde to defend the same cause,
But the contrary may be proued manifestly:
As I in short wordes will proue to you breefely.
The surest ground wheron your Pope doth stand:
Is of Peters being at Roome a strong imagination,
And the same Peter you do vnderstand,
Of all the Disciples had the gubernation,
Surmising both without good approbation:
Unlesse you will by the name of Babylon,
From whence Peter wrote is vnderstanded Roome:
Is of Peters being at Roome a strong imagination,
And the same Peter you do vnderstand,
Of all the Disciples had the gubernation,
Surmising both without good approbation:
Unlesse you will by the name of Babylon,
From whence Peter wrote is vnderstanded Roome:
As indeed diuers of your writers haue affirmed,
Reciting Ieromy, Austine, Primasius and Ambrose,
Who by their seuerall writinges haue confirmed:
That Rome is new Babylon I may it not glose,
But it were better for you they were dumbe I suppose,
For they labour to proue Roome by that acception:
The whore of Babilon spoke of in the Reuelation,
Reciting Ieromy, Austine, Primasius and Ambrose,
Who by their seuerall writinges haue confirmed:
That Rome is new Babylon I may it not glose,
But it were better for you they were dumbe I suppose,
For they labour to proue Roome by that acception:
The whore of Babilon spoke of in the Reuelation,
But graunt that Peter in Roome setled was,
Yet that he was cheefe, it remayns you to proue:
For in my Iudgement it is a playne case,
That if any amongst them to rule it did behooue,
He should be cheefe whom Christ most did loue:
To whom he bequethed his mother most deere,
To whom in reuelation Christ did also appeere.
I meane Iohn Euangelist (by birth) Coosin germaine,
To our Sauiour Christ as storyes do vs tell,
From whose succession if that you should clayme
Superioritie, you should mend your cause well,
For then of some likelyhood of truth it should smell,
Where none so often as Peeter was reproued,
Nor from stedfast fayth so often tymes remooued,
Yet that he was cheefe, it remayns you to proue:
For in my Iudgement it is a playne case,
That if any amongst them to rule it did behooue,
He should be cheefe whom Christ most did loue:
To whom he bequethed his mother most deere,
To whom in reuelation Christ did also appeere.
To our Sauiour Christ as storyes do vs tell,
From whose succession if that you should clayme
Superioritie, you should mend your cause well,
For then of some likelyhood of truth it should smell,
Where none so often as Peeter was reproued,
Nor from stedfast fayth so often tymes remooued,
But graunt all were true herein you do fayne,
Marke one proper lesson of a Greeke Oratour:
As a good childe of his fathers welth is inheritour,
So of his fathers vertues he must be possessour,
Now Peter folows Christ and al worldly goods forsakes
But the Pope leaueth Christ, & himselfe to glory takes:
Marke one proper lesson of a Greeke Oratour:
As a good childe of his fathers welth is inheritour,
So of his fathers vertues he must be possessour,
Now Peter folows Christ and al worldly goods forsakes
But the Pope leaueth Christ, & himselfe to glory takes:
And to be short Christ himselfe refused to be a Kinge,
And the seruant aboue the Master may not be,
Which being both true it is a strange thing,
How the Pope can receiue this pompe and dignitie,
And yet professe himselfe Christes seruant to be,
Christ wilbe no King, the Pope wilbe more,
The Pope is Christes Master not his seruant therefore.
And the seruant aboue the Master may not be,
Which being both true it is a strange thing,
How the Pope can receiue this pompe and dignitie,
And yet professe himselfe Christes seruant to be,
Christ wilbe no King, the Pope wilbe more,
The Pope is Christes Master not his seruant therefore.
Cardinall.
Ah thou arrant Heretike I will thee remember,
I am glad I know so much as I doo,
I haue wayed thy resons and haue found them so slender
That I thinke them not worthy to be answeared:
How say you Master Hipocrisy?
HIP.
I also thinke so,
But let him go forwarde and vtter his conscience,
And we will awhile longer here him with patience.
Cardinall.
Say on thou Heretike of the holy Sacrament,
Of the body and bloud of Christ, what is thine opinion?
Philologus.
I haue not yet finished my former argument.
Cardinall.
Say on as I bid thee, thou art a stoute Minion:
Philologus.
I shall then gladly: it is a signe of vnion,
The which should remaine vs Christians among,
That one should loue another all our life long:
That one should loue another all our life long:
For as the bread is of many Cornells compounded,
And the Wine from the Iuce of many Graps do discend,
So we which into Christ our Rocke are ingrounded:
As into one Temple, should cease to contend:
Least by our contention the Church we offend,
This was not the least cause among many more,
Which are now omitted that this Sacrament was geuen for,
And the Wine from the Iuce of many Graps do discend,
So we which into Christ our Rocke are ingrounded:
As into one Temple, should cease to contend:
Least by our contention the Church we offend,
This was not the least cause among many more,
Which are now omitted that this Sacrament was geuen for,
The cheefest cause why this Sacrament was ordained,
Was the infirmitie of our outwarde man:
Whereas Saluation to all men was proclaymed.
That with true fayth apprehend the same can,
By the death of Iesus Christ that immaculate Lambe,
That the same might the rather of all men be beleued,
To the word to ad a Sacramēt, it Christ nothing greued
Was the infirmitie of our outwarde man:
Whereas Saluation to all men was proclaymed.
That with true fayth apprehend the same can,
By the death of Iesus Christ that immaculate Lambe,
That the same might the rather of all men be beleued,
To the word to ad a Sacramēt, it Christ nothing greued
And as we the sooner beleeue that thing true,
For the tryall whereof more witnesses we finde,
So by the meanes of the Sacrament many grue
Beleeuing creatures, where before they were blynde,
For our sences some sauour of our fayth now do finde,
Because in the Sacrament there is this Analogy:
That Christ feedes our soules as the bread doth our body.
For the tryall whereof more witnesses we finde,
So by the meanes of the Sacrament many grue
Beleeuing creatures, where before they were blynde,
For our sences some sauour of our fayth now do finde,
Because in the Sacrament there is this Analogy:
That Christ feedes our soules as the bread doth our body.
Cardinall.
Ah thou foul Heretike, is there bread in the Sacrament?
Where is Christes body then which he did vs giue?
Philologus.
I know to the faythfull receiuer it is there present:
But yet the bread remaineth stil I stedfastly beleeue.
Cardinall.
To here these his errors it doth me greatly greeue:
But that we may shortly to some issue come,
In what sence sayd Christ, Hoc est Corpus meum?
Philologus.
Euen in the same sence that he sayd before:
Vos estis sall terræ, vos estis Lux mundi:
Ego sum ostium: and a hundreth such more,
If tyme would permit to alleadge them seuerally,
But that I may the simple sorte edifie,
You aske me in what sence these wordes I verifye,
Where Christ of the bread sayd: this is my body:
Vos estis sall terræ, vos estis Lux mundi:
Ego sum ostium: and a hundreth such more,
But that I may the simple sorte edifie,
You aske me in what sence these wordes I verifye,
Where Christ of the bread sayd: this is my body:
For answere herein, I aske you this question,
Were Christes disciples into salt transformed?
When he sayd: ye are the salt of the earth euery one,
Or when the light of the world he them affirmed?
Or himselfe to be a dore when he confirmed,
Or to be a Uine did his body then change?
If not then, why now? this to me seemeth strange.
Were Christes disciples into salt transformed?
When he sayd: ye are the salt of the earth euery one,
Or when the light of the world he them affirmed?
Or himselfe to be a dore when he confirmed,
Or to be a Uine did his body then change?
If not then, why now? this to me seemeth strange.
Cardinall.
Why doest thou doubt of Christ his omnipotencye?
But what so he willeth doth so come to passe?
Philologus.
God keepe me and all men from such a frencye,
As to thinke any thing Christes power to surpasse,
When his will to his power ioyned was,
But where his will wanteth his power is vneffectuall:
As Christ can be no lyer, God cannot be mortall:
Set downe therefore some proofe of his will,
That he would be made bread, and then I recant.
Cardinall.
This Caytif, myne eares with winde he doth fill:
His wordes both trueth and reason doth want:
Christes word is his will, this must thou needes graunt.
Philologus.
He spake the word likewise, when he said: I am the dore,
Was his body transformed into tymber therefere?
Cardinall.
Nay if thou beest obstinate I will say no more.
Haue him hence to prison and keepe him full sure:
I will make him set by my friendship more store:
But herest thou Zeale, go first and procure,
Some kinde of new torment which he may not indure.
Tiranny.
I am here in redines to do your commaundement,
Hypocrisie.
At thy returne, bryng hether Sensuall Suggestion.
That if neede be, he may vs assist,
Least that both I, and Carefull prouision,
The zeale of Philologus, may not fully resist.
But he in his obstinacie doth styll persist,
To put him to death, would accuse vs of Tirranny:
But if we could win him, he should do vs much honesty.
Tyranny.
I heare you, and wyll fulfill your wordes spedely.
Exit Tyrran.
Hypocrysie.
Good Maister Philologus, I pittie your case,
To see you so foolysh, your selfe to vndoo:
I durst yet promys to purchase you grace,
If you would (at length) your errours forgoe:
Therfore, I pray you, be not your owne foe.
Philologus.
Call you those Errours, whiche the Gospell defends,
I know not then, whence true Dctrine descends.
Cardinall.
Nay, Mayster Hypocrisie, you spend tyme in vaine.
To reason with him, he will not be remooued,
Auarice.
Had I so much to liue by as he hath certayne,
I would not loose that which I so well loued.
Cardinall.
He stands in his reputation, he will not be reproued:
And that is the cause that he is co obstinate?
But I shall well enough thy corage abate.
Philologus.
I humbly beseeche you of Christian charitie,
You seeke not of purpose my bloud for to spill:
For if I haue displeased your authoritie,
In reasonable causes redresse it I will,
But in this respect I feare I should kill
My soull for euer: if against my conscience
Hypocrysie.
Ceace from those wordes, if your safetie you loue:
As though no man had a soule more then you:
Suche nips (perchance) my Lords patience wyll mooue:
Then would you please him, if that you wist how:
But, if you wyll be ruled, (by my honestie) I vow,
I will do the best herein that I can:
Because you seeme to be a good Gentleman.
Auarice.
Were it not better for you to lyue at ease?
And spend that merely, whiche earst you haue got,
Then by your owne follie, your selfe to disease?
And bring you to trouble, whiche other men seeke not.
Hypocrisie.
In faith, Philologus, your zeale is too hote,
Whiche wyll not be quenched, but with your hart blood,
If I were so zealous, I would thinke my selfe wood.
Cardinall.
Tush, it wyll not be, he thinkes we do but iest,
Wherfore, that some tryall of my minde, he may haue,
That Carefull Prouision, should goe, I thinke best,
Into the towne, and there, assistance craue,
His House for to enter, and his Goods for me saue:
Least, when his wife know, that they be confiscate,
Into other mens keepyng, the same she doth dissipate.
Hypocrisie.
You speake very wisely, in my simple Iudgement,
Therfore, you were best to sende him away.
Cardinall.
Go too, Carefull Prouision, depart incontinent,
And fulfill the wordes, whiche I to you say,
Auarice.
Of pardon herein, I do your Lordshyp pray,
You doubt not I trust, of my wyllyng minde,
Whiche herein most redy, you alway shall finde.
You doubt not I trust, of my wyllyng minde,
Whiche herein most redy, you alway shall finde.
For who is more redy, by frawde to purloyne,
Other mens goodes then I am eche where?
But least some man at mee shoulde chaunce to faine,
And kill mee at once I greatly doo feare,
I had rather perswade him his folly to forbeare.
But least some man at mee shoulde chaunce to faine,
And kill mee at once I greatly doo feare,
I had rather perswade him his folly to forbeare.
Cardinall.
Proue then if thou canst doo him any good,
He shall not say that we seeke his bloud.
Auarice.
Ah maister Philologus, you see your owne case,
That both life and goodes are in my Lords will,
Therefore you were best to sue for some grace,
And be content his wordes to fulfilll:
If you neglect this, hence straight way I wyll,
And all your goodes I will sure confiscate,
Then will you repent, it when it is to late.
Philologus.
My case indeede I see most miserable,
As was Susanna betwixt two euyls placed,
Either to consent to sinne most abhominable:
Or els in the worldes sight to be vtterly disgraced:
But as she her chastitie at that time imbraced,
So will I now spirituall whordom resist,
And keepe mee a true Uirgin to my louing spouse Christ.
Auarice.
Wilt thou then neglect the prouision of thy houshold?
Thou art therfore worsse then an Infydell is.
Philologus.
That you abuse Gods word, to say I dare be bolde:
And the saying of Paule you interpret amisse
Cardinall.
I neuer saw the like heretick that this is:
Away Carefull Prouision, about your businesse,
Auarice.
Sith there is no remedie, I am heere in redinesse.
Exit Aua.
Philologus.
I beseeche your Lordship euen from the hart roote,
That you would vouchsafe for my contentation,
To approue vnto mee by Gods holy booke,
Some one of the questions of our disputation:
For I will heere you with hartes delectation:
Because I would gladly to your doctrine consent,
If that I could so my conscience content.
That you would vouchsafe for my contentation,
Some one of the questions of our disputation:
For I will heere you with hartes delectation:
Because I would gladly to your doctrine consent,
If that I could so my conscience content.
But my Conscience crieth out and bids me take heede
To loue my lord God aboue all earthly gaine,
Wherby all this while, I stande in great dread,
That if I should Gods statutes disdaine,
In wretched state then, I should remaine:
Thus cryeth my Conscience, to mee continually,
which if you can stay, I will yeelde to you gladly.
To loue my lord God aboue all earthly gaine,
Wherby all this while, I stande in great dread,
That if I should Gods statutes disdaine,
In wretched state then, I should remaine:
Thus cryeth my Conscience, to mee continually,
which if you can stay, I will yeelde to you gladly.
Cardinall.
I can say no more, then I haue done already,
Thou heardest that I called the heretick and foole:
If thou wilt not consent to mee and that speedily:
With a new maister, thou shalt goe to schole,
Hypocrisie.
Thou hast no more wit, I see then this stoole,
Farre vnfit to dispute, or reason with my Lorde,
He can subdue thee, with fire & sword, quight wt one word
Tyranny.
Come, follow apace, sensuall Suggestion,
Or els I will leaue you to come all alone:
Suggestion.
You go in hast, you make expedition,
Nay, if you runne so fast I wil none:
This litle iournay, will make mee to grone:
I vse not to trouble my selfe in this wise,
And now to beginne, I doo not aduise:
Tiranny.
Haue not I plyed mee, which am come againe so soone,
And yet haue finished such sundry businesse:
I haue caused many pretie toyes to be done:
So that now I haue eche thing in readinesse.
Cardinall.
What maister Zeale, you are praiseworthy doubtlesse,
He will roste a Fagot, or els he me deceiue.
Tyranny.
In simple manner I will him entertaine,
Yet must he take it all in good parte:
And though his diet be small, he may not disdaine,
Nor yet contemne the kindenes of my heart,
For though I lacke instruments, to put him to smart,
Yet shall he abide in a hellish blacke dungeon:
As for blocks, stocks & irons, I warrant him want none.
Hypocrisie.
Well, farewel Philologus, you heare of your lodging,
I would yet do you good, if that I wist howe.
Cardinall.
Let him go Hypocrisie, stand not all day dodging,
You haue don to much for him, I make God avowe.
Hypocrisie.
Staye, for Suggestion doth come yonder nowe,
Come on lasy Lubber, you make but small haste,
Had you staied awhile lōger, your cōming had ben waste.
Suggestion.
You know of my selfe, I am not very quicke,
Because that my body I do so much tender,
For Sensuall Suggestion, will quickely be sicke
If that his owne ease he should not remember:
Thus one cause of my tariaunce to you I do render,
Another I had, as I came by the waye:
Which did me the longer from your company staye.
Hypocrisie.
What was that Suggestion, I praye thee to vs vtter,
For I am with child, till that I do it heare.
Suggestion.
A certaine gentlewoman, did murmur, and mutter,
And for greefe of minde, her hayre she did teare:
Shee will at last kill her selfe, I greatly do feare.
Hypocrisie.
What is the cause why this greefe she did take?
Because her Husband her company did forsake:
Her children also about her did stand,
Sobbing, and sighing, and made lamentation:
Knocking their brestes, and wringing their hand:
Saying, they are brought to vtter dessolation,
By the meanes of their fathers wilfull protestation,
Whose goodes they saye, are already confiscate,
Because he doth the Popes lawes violate,
And indeed I sawe Auarice standing at the doore,
And a company of Ruffians assisting him there.
Philologus.
Alas alas, this pincheth my heart full sore,
Myne euills he doth declare, myne owne wo, I do heare,
Wherefore from teares, I cannot forbeare.
Hypocrisie.
Ha ha, doth this touch you, Master Philologus,
You neede not haue had it, being rulde by vs.
Suggestion.
Why? what is he, thus, Master Hypocrisie,
That taketh such sorrow at the wordes which I spake.
Hypocrisie.
One that is taken, and conuinced of Heresie,
And I feare me much, will burne at a stake,
Yet to reclayme him, much paynes would I take,
And haue don already, howbeit in vayne,
I would craue thine assistance, were it not to thy payne,
Suggestion.
I will do the best herein that I can,
Yet go thou with me, to helpe at a neede,
With all my heart, God saue you, good gentleman,
To see your great sorrow, my heart doeth welnigh bleede:
But what is the cause of your trouble and dreede?
Disdaine not to me your secrets to tell:
A wise man sometime, of a fool may take counsell.
Philologus.
Myne estate (alas) is now most lamentable,
For I am but deade, which euer side I take,
Neither to determine heerein am I able,
With good aduice mine election to make:
The worse to refuse, and the best for to take,
My Spirit couites theone, but alas since your presence,
My flesh leades my spirit therfore by violence.
Neither to determine heerein am I able,
With good aduice mine election to make:
The worse to refuse, and the best for to take,
My Spirit couites theone, but alas since your presence,
My flesh leades my spirit therfore by violence.
For at this time, I being in great extremitie,
Either my Lord God in hart to reiect,
Or els to be oppressed by the Legates authorytie:
And in this world to be counted an abiect:
My Landes, wife and Children also to neglect:
This later part to take, my Spirit is in readinesse,
But my Flesh doth subdue, my Spirit doubtlesse.
Either my Lord God in hart to reiect,
Or els to be oppressed by the Legates authorytie:
And in this world to be counted an abiect:
My Landes, wife and Children also to neglect:
This later part to take, my Spirit is in readinesse,
But my Flesh doth subdue, my Spirit doubtlesse.
Suggestion.
Your estate perhaps, seemeth io you dangerous,
The rather because you haue not bene vsed:
To incurre before time, such troubles perilous:
But to your power such euils haue refused,
Howbeit of two euils, the least must be chused:
Now which is the least euill, wee will shortlye examine,
That which part to take, your selfe may determine.
The rather because you haue not bene vsed:
To incurre before time, such troubles perilous:
But to your power such euils haue refused,
Howbeit of two euils, the least must be chused:
Now which is the least euill, wee will shortlye examine,
That which part to take, your selfe may determine.
On ye right hand you say, you see gods iust iudgment,
His wrath and displeasure, on you for to fall,
And in steede of the ioyes of Heauen, euer permanent,
You see for your stipend, the tormentes infernall:
His wrath and displeasure, on you for to fall,
And in steede of the ioyes of Heauen, euer permanent,
You see for your stipend, the tormentes infernall:
Philologus.
That is it indeede, which I feare most of all:
For Christ said, feare not them, which the body can ānoy,
But feare him, which the body and soule can destroy:
Suggestion.
Well, let that ley aside, awhile as it is,
And on the other side make the lyke inquisition,
If on the left side you fall, then shall you not misse,
But to bring your body, to vtter perdition:
For at mans hand, you know there is no remission:
Beside your Children fatherlesse, your wife desolate,
Your goodes and possessions, to other men confiscate.
Saint Paul to the Romanes, hath this worthy sentence
I accompt the afflictions of this world transitorie,
Be they neuer so many, in full equiuolence:
Cannot counteruaile those heauenly glorie:
Which we shal haue through Christ his propitiatorie:
I also accompt the rebukes of our Sauiour,
Greater gaines to mee, then this house full of treasure.
Suggestion.
You haue spoken reasonably, but yet as they say,
One Birde in the hande, is worth two in the bush,
So you now inioying, these worldly ioyes may,
Esteeme the other, as light as a rush:
Thus may you scape this perrillous pushe:
Philologus.
Yea, but my saluation to mee is most certaine,
Neither doubt I, that I shall suffer this in vaine.
Suggestion.
Is your death meritorious, then in Gods sight?
That you are so sure, to attaine to saluation,
Philologus.
I doo not think so, but my faith is full pight:
In the mercies of God, by Christs mediation:
By whom I am sure of my preseruation.
Suggestion.
Then to the faithfull, no hurt can accrew,
But what so he worketh, good end shall insue.
Philologus.
Our Sauiour Christ, did say to the tempter,
When he did perswade him, from the Pinacle to fall,
And saide, he might safely, that danger aduenture:
Because that Gods Angels, from hurt him saue shall:
See that thy Lord God, thou tempt not at all:
So I, though perswaded, of my sinnes free remission,
May not commit sin, vpon this presumption.
Cardinall.
What haue you not yet done, your foolysh tatteling?
If you will tarie to heare all his prattelyng:
He would surely keepe you most part of the day:
It is now high dinner time my stomack doth say:
And I will not lose one meale of my diet,
Though thereon did hang an hundred mens quiet.
Suggestion.
By your Lordships pacience, one word with him more,
And then if he will not, I geue him to Tyrrany.
Hypocrisie.
I neuer saw my Lord so pacient before,
To suffe one to speake for himselfe so quietly,
But you were not best to trust to his curtesie:
It is euill waking of a Dog that doth sleepe,
While you haue his friendship, you were best it to keepe.
Cardinall.
I promise thee Philologus, by my vowed chastitie,
If thou wilt be ruled by thy friendes that be heere,
Thou shalt abound in wealth and prosperitie:
And in the Countrie chiefe rule thou shalt beare,
And a hundred pounds more thou shalt haue in the yeere:
If thou will this curtesie refuse,
Thou shalt die incontinent, the one of these chuse.
Suggestion.
Well sith it is no time, for vs to debate,
In former maner what is in my minde:
I will at once to thee straight demonstrate,
Those worldly ioyes, which heere thou shalt finde:
And for because thou art partly blinde,
In this respect looke through this mirrour,
And thou shalt behold an vnspeakable pleasure.
Philologus.
Oh peerelesse pleasures, oh ioyes vnspeakable,
Oh worldly wealth, oh pallaces gorgious,
Oh faire Children, oh wife most amyable:
Oh pleasant pastime, oh pompe so glorious,
Oh delicate diet, oh lyfe lasciuious:
Oh dolourous death which would mee betray,
And my felycitie from mee take away,
Oh worldly wealth, oh pallaces gorgious,
Oh faire Children, oh wife most amyable:
Oh pleasant pastime, oh pompe so glorious,
Oh delicate diet, oh lyfe lasciuious:
And my felycitie from mee take away,
I am fully resolued without further demeanour,
In these delightes to take my whole solace,
And what paine so euer hereby I incurre:
Whether heauen or hell, whether Gods wrath or grace,
This glasse of delight I will euer imbrace:
But one thing most chiefly doth trouble mee heere,
My Neighbors vnconstant will compt mee I feare.
In these delightes to take my whole solace,
And what paine so euer hereby I incurre:
Whether heauen or hell, whether Gods wrath or grace,
This glasse of delight I will euer imbrace:
But one thing most chiefly doth trouble mee heere,
My Neighbors vnconstant will compt mee I feare.
Hypocrisie.
He that will seeke eche man to content.
Shall prooue him selfe at last most vnwise,
Your selfe to saue harmlesse think it sufficient:
And waigh not the peoples clamorous outcries,
Yet there mouthes to stop I can soone deuise:
Say that the reading of the workes of S. Selfloue,
And doctor Ambition did your errours remoue.
Shall prooue him selfe at last most vnwise,
Your selfe to saue harmlesse think it sufficient:
And waigh not the peoples clamorous outcries,
Yet there mouthes to stop I can soone deuise:
Say that the reading of the workes of S. Selfloue,
And doctor Ambition did your errours remoue.
And harke in myne eare delay no more time,
The sooner the better, in ende you will say,
We haue now caught him as Birde is in line.
The sooner the better, in ende you will say,
We haue now caught him as Birde is in line.
Tyranny.
Come on sirs haue yee done, I would faine away.
Hypocrisie.
Goe euen when you will, we doo you not staie,
Philologus hath drunk such a draught of Hypocrisie,
That he minds not to die yet, he wil master this malady.
Cardinall.
Come on master Philologus, are you growne to a stay
I am glad to heare that you become tractable.
Philologus.
If it please your Lordship, I say euen what you say
And confesse your relygion, to be most allowable,
Neither will I gainsay your customes lawdable:
My former follyes I vtterly renownce,
That my selfe was an Heretick I doo heere pronownce.
Nay Master Philologus, goe with mee to my Pallace
And I shall set downe the forme of recantation,
Which you shall reade on Sonday next, in open place:
This done, you shall satisfie our expectation,
And shall be set free, from all molestation:
Into the bosome of the Church, we will you take,
And some high officer, therein will you make.
Philologus.
I must first request your Lordships fauour,
That I may goe home, my wife for to see,
And I will attend on you, within this howre.
Cardinall.
Nay I may not suffer, you alone to goe free,
Unlesse one of these, your suretie wil bee:
Suggestion.
I sensuall Suggestion, for him will vndertake,
Cardinall.
Uerie well take him to you, your prisoner I him make.
Goe you maister Philologus and beare mee company,
Or els I am sure no meate I should eate,
And goe before Zeale, to see ech thing ready:
That when we once come, we stay not for meate:
Or els I am sure no meate I should eate,
And goe before Zeale, to see ech thing ready:
That when we once come, we stay not for meate:
Hypocrisie.
With small sute heereto, you shall mee intreate.
Exit Tyr.
Cardinall.
Farewell Philologus, and make small delay,
Perhaps of our dinners, for you I will staie,
Exit Car. & Hyp.
Suggestion.
Had not you bene a wise man, your selfe to haue lost,
And brought your whole family to wretched estate,
Where now of your blessednesse, your selfe you may bost:
And of all the countrie, accompt your selfe fortunate,
Philologus.
Such was the wit of my foolish pate,
But what doo we stay, so long in this place,
I shall not be well, whilst I am with my Lordes grace.
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