 | Fulgens And Lucrece |  |
32
Intrat A dicens:
A
A, for Goddis will,
What meane ye, syrs, to stond so still?
Have not ye etyn and your fill
And payd no thinge therfore?
Iwys, syrs, thus dare I say,
He that shall for the shott pay
Vouch saveth that ye largely assay
Suche mete as he hath in store.
What meane ye, syrs, to stond so still?
Have not ye etyn and your fill
And payd no thinge therfore?
Iwys, syrs, thus dare I say,
He that shall for the shott pay
Vouch saveth that ye largely assay
Suche mete as he hath in store.
I trowe your disshes be not bare,
Nor yet ye do the wyne spare,
Therfore be mery as ye fare!
Ye ar welcom eche oon
Unto this house withoute faynynge.
But I mervayle moche of one thinge,
That after this mery drynkynge
And good recreacyon
Nor yet ye do the wyne spare,
Therfore be mery as ye fare!
Ye ar welcom eche oon
Unto this house withoute faynynge.
But I mervayle moche of one thinge,
That after this mery drynkynge
And good recreacyon
There is no wordes amonge this presse—
Non sunt loquele neque sermones—
But as it were men in sadnes.
Here ye stonde musynge,
Whereaboute I can not tell—
[OMITTED]
Or some els praty damesell
For to daunce and sprynge!
Non sunt loquele neque sermones—
But as it were men in sadnes.
Here ye stonde musynge,
Whereaboute I can not tell—
[OMITTED]
Or some els praty damesell
For to daunce and sprynge!
Tell me, what calt, is it not so?
I am sure here shalbe somewhat ado,
And iwis I will know it or I go
Withoute I be dryvyn hens.
I am sure here shalbe somewhat ado,
And iwis I will know it or I go
Withoute I be dryvyn hens.
Intrat B.
B
Nay, nay, hardely man, I undertake
No man wyll suche mastryes make!
And it were but for the maner sake,
Thou maist tary by licence
No man wyll suche mastryes make!
And it were but for the maner sake,
Thou maist tary by licence
33
Among other men and see the pley—
I warand no man wyll say the nay.
I warand no man wyll say the nay.
A
I thinke it well evyn as ye say
That no man wyll me greve.
But I pray you, tell me that agayn:
Shall here be a play?
B
Ye, for certeyn.
A
By my trouth, therof am I glad and fayn.
And ye will me beleve,
And ye will me beleve,
Of all the worlde I love suche sport.
It dothe me so myche plesure and comfort,
And that causith me ever to resort
Wher suche thing is to do.
I trowe your owyn selfe be oon
Of them that shall play.
It dothe me so myche plesure and comfort,
And that causith me ever to resort
Wher suche thing is to do.
I trowe your owyn selfe be oon
Of them that shall play.
B
Nay, I am none.
I trowe thou spekyst in derision
To lyke me therto.
A
Nay, I mok not, wot ye well,
For I thought verely by your apparell
That ye had bene a player.
B
Nay, never a dell.
A
Than I cry you mercy:
I was to blame. Lo, therfor, I say
Ther is so myche nyce aray
Amonges these galandis now aday
That a man shall not lightly
I was to blame. Lo, therfor, I say
Ther is so myche nyce aray
Amonges these galandis now aday
That a man shall not lightly
Know a player from a nother man.
But now to the purpose wher I began:
I see well here shalbe a play than!
But now to the purpose wher I began:
I see well here shalbe a play than!
B
Ye, that ther shall doutles,
And I trow ye shall like it well.
A
It semeth than that ye can tell
Sumwhat of the mater.
B
Ye, I am of counsell—
One tolde me all the processe.
A
And I pray you, what shall it be?
B
By my fayth, as it was tolde me
More than ones or twyse,
As fare as I can bere it awaye
All the substaunce of theyr play
Shall procede this wyse:
More than ones or twyse,
As fare as I can bere it awaye
All the substaunce of theyr play
Shall procede this wyse:
34
When thempire of Rome was in such floure
That all the worlde was subgett to the same,
Than was there an nobill senatour,
And as I remember, Fulgens was his name,
Whiche had a doughter of nobill fame.
And yet, as thauctor sayth in veray dede,
Her nobill vertu dide her fame excede,
That all the worlde was subgett to the same,
Than was there an nobill senatour,
And as I remember, Fulgens was his name,
Whiche had a doughter of nobill fame.
And yet, as thauctor sayth in veray dede,
Her nobill vertu dide her fame excede,
All be it there was not one allmost
Thoroughoute all the cyte, yong ne olde,
That of her beaute did not boste.
And over that, her verteuse manyfolde
In suche maner wyse were praysid and tolde
That it was thought she lakkede no thing
To a nobill woman that was accordyng.
Thoroughoute all the cyte, yong ne olde,
That of her beaute did not boste.
And over that, her verteuse manyfolde
In suche maner wyse were praysid and tolde
That it was thought she lakkede no thing
To a nobill woman that was accordyng.
Grete labour was made her favour to attayne
In the way of mariage, and among all
That made suche labour were specially twayn
Whiche more than other dyd besily on her call,
On the whiche twayn she sett her mynde especiall,
So that she utterly determyned in her hert
The one of them to have, all other sett aparte.
In the way of mariage, and among all
That made suche labour were specially twayn
Whiche more than other dyd besily on her call,
On the whiche twayn she sett her mynde especiall,
So that she utterly determyned in her hert
The one of them to have, all other sett aparte.
One of them was called Publius Cornelius,
Borne of noble blode, it is no nay.
That other was one Gayus Flamyneus,
Borne of a pore stocke, as men doth say.
But for all that, many a fayre day
Thorough his grete wisedome and vertueous behavyour
He rulyd the comen wele to his grete honoure.
Borne of noble blode, it is no nay.
That other was one Gayus Flamyneus,
Borne of a pore stocke, as men doth say.
But for all that, many a fayre day
Thorough his grete wisedome and vertueous behavyour
He rulyd the comen wele to his grete honoure.
And how so be it that the vulgare opynion
Hade both these men in lyke favour and reverence,
Supposing they had bene of lyke condycion,
Yet this seyd woman of inestimable prudence
Sawe that there was some maner of difference,
For the whiche her answere she differred and spared
Tyll both theyre condycions were openly declared.
Hade both these men in lyke favour and reverence,
Supposing they had bene of lyke condycion,
Yet this seyd woman of inestimable prudence
Sawe that there was some maner of difference,
For the whiche her answere she differred and spared
Tyll both theyre condycions were openly declared.
And yet to them both this comfort she gave:
He that coude be founde more noble of them twayne,
In all godely maner her harte sholde he have.
Of the which answere they both were glade and fayne,
For ether of them trustede therby to attayne
Theffecte of his desyre. Yet when they had do,
One of them must nedis his appetit forgoo.
He that coude be founde more noble of them twayne,
In all godely maner her harte sholde he have.
Of the which answere they both were glade and fayne,
For ether of them trustede therby to attayne
Theffecte of his desyre. Yet when they had do,
One of them must nedis his appetit forgoo.
35
Hereuppon was areysyd a grete doute and question.
Every man all after as he was affeccionate
Unto the parties seyd his opynion,
But at the laste, in eschewyng of debate,
This matter was brought before the cenate,
They to gyve therin an utter sentence
Whiche of these two men sholde have the preeminence.
Every man all after as he was affeccionate
Unto the parties seyd his opynion,
But at the laste, in eschewyng of debate,
This matter was brought before the cenate,
They to gyve therin an utter sentence
Whiche of these two men sholde have the preeminence.
And finally they gave sentence and awarde
That Gayus Flamyneus was to be commende
For the more nobill man, havynge no regarde
To his lowe byrthe of the whiche he dyde dyscende,
But onely to his vertue that dyde therin attende,
Whiche was so grete that of convenience
All the cyte of Rome dyd hym honour and reverence.
That Gayus Flamyneus was to be commende
For the more nobill man, havynge no regarde
To his lowe byrthe of the whiche he dyde dyscende,
But onely to his vertue that dyde therin attende,
Whiche was so grete that of convenience
All the cyte of Rome dyd hym honour and reverence.
A
And shall this be the proces of the play?
B
Ye, so I understonde be credible informacyon.
A
By my fayth, but yf it be evyn as ye say,
I wyll advyse them to change that conclusion.
What? Wyll they afferme that a chorles son
Sholde be more noble than a gentilman born?
Nay, beware, for men wyll have therof grete scorn—
I wyll advyse them to change that conclusion.
What? Wyll they afferme that a chorles son
Sholde be more noble than a gentilman born?
Nay, beware, for men wyll have therof grete scorn—
It may not be spoken in no maner of case.
B
Yes, suche consyderacions may be layde
That every resonable man in this place
Wyll holde hym therin right well apayde—
The matter may be so well convayde.
A
Let them convay and cary clene than,
Or els he wyll repent that this play began.
Or els he wyll repent that this play began.
How be it, the matter touchith me never a dell,
For I am nether of vertue excellent
Nor yet of gentyl blode. This I know well,
But I speke it onely for this entent:
I wolde not that any man sholde be shent!
And yet there can no man blame us two,
For why in this matter we have nought to do.
For I am nether of vertue excellent
Nor yet of gentyl blode. This I know well,
But I speke it onely for this entent:
I wolde not that any man sholde be shent!
And yet there can no man blame us two,
For why in this matter we have nought to do.
B
We? No, God wott, no thing at all,
Save that we come to see this play
As farre as we may by the leve of the marshall.
I love to beholde suche myrthes alway,
For y have sene byfore this day
Of suche maner thingis in many a gode place
Both gode examples and right honest solace.
Save that we come to see this play
As farre as we may by the leve of the marshall.
I love to beholde suche myrthes alway,
For y have sene byfore this day
Of suche maner thingis in many a gode place
Both gode examples and right honest solace.
36
This play in like wyse I am sure
Is made for the same entent a[n]d purpose
To do every man both myrth and pleasure.
Wherfor I can not think or suppose
That they wyll ony worde therin disclose
But suche as shall stond with treuth and reason
In godely maner according to the season.
Is made for the same entent a[n]d purpose
To do every man both myrth and pleasure.
Wherfor I can not think or suppose
That they wyll ony worde therin disclose
But suche as shall stond with treuth and reason
In godely maner according to the season.
A
Ye, but trouth may not be sayde alway,
For somtyme it causith gruge and despite.
B
Ye, goth the worlde so now a day
That a man must say the crow is white?
A
Ye, that he must, be God allmyght.
He must both lye and flater now and than
That castith hym to dwell amonge worldly men.
He must both lye and flater now and than
That castith hym to dwell amonge worldly men.
In some courtis such men shall most wyn!
B
Ye, but as for the parish where I abide,
Suche flaterye is abhorride as dedly syn.
And specially lyars be sett asyde
As sone as they may with the faute be spied,
For every man that favoreth and loveth vertue
Wyll suche maner of folke utterly esscheue,
Suche flaterye is abhorride as dedly syn.
And specially lyars be sett asyde
As sone as they may with the faute be spied,
For every man that favoreth and loveth vertue
Wyll suche maner of folke utterly esscheue,
Wherfor I can think these folke wyll not spare
After playne trouth this matier to procede
As the story seyth. Why shulde they care?
I trow here is no man of the kyn or sede
Of either partie, for why they were bore
In the cytie of Rome as I sayd before.
After playne trouth this matier to procede
As the story seyth. Why shulde they care?
I trow here is no man of the kyn or sede
Of either partie, for why they were bore
In the cytie of Rome as I sayd before.
Therfor leve all this doutfull question
And prayse at the parting evyn as ye fynde.
And prayse at the parting evyn as ye fynde.
A
Yes, be ye sure, whan thei have all done
I wyll not spare to shew you my mynd.
Praise who wyll or dispraise, I will not be behynd.
I wyll gest theron what so ever shal befall
If I can fynd any man to gest withall.
B
Pees, no moo wordes, for now they come—
The plears bene evyn here at hand.
A
So thei be, so help me God and halydome!
I pray you, tell me where I shall stand.
B
Mary, stand evyn here by me, I warand.
Geve rome there, syrs, for God avowe!
Thei wold cum in if thei myght for you.
37
Ye, but I pray the, what calt, tell me this:
Who is he that now comyth yn?
B
Mary, it is Fulgence the senatour.
A
Ye, is?
What? The father of the forseide virgyn?
B
Ye, forsoth, he shall this matere begyn.
A
And wher is feyr doughter Lucrece?
B
She comyth anon. I say, hold thy pece!
Intrat Fulgens dicens:
Fulgens
Everlastyng joy with honoure and praise
Be unto our most drad Lord and Savyour,
Whiche doth us help and comfort many ways,
Not lefyng us destitute of his ayde and socour,
But lettith his son shyne on the riche and poore,
And of his grace is ever indifferent
All be yt he diversely commytteth his talent.
Be unto our most drad Lord and Savyour,
Whiche doth us help and comfort many ways,
Not lefyng us destitute of his ayde and socour,
But lettith his son shyne on the riche and poore,
And of his grace is ever indifferent
All be yt he diversely commytteth his talent.
To some he lendith the sprete of prophecy,
To some the plenty of tonges eloquence,
To some grete wisdome and worldly policy,
To some litterature and speculatyf science,
To some he geveth the grace of preemynence
In honour and degre, and to some abundance
Of tresoure, riches, and grete inheritaunce.
To some the plenty of tonges eloquence,
To some grete wisdome and worldly policy,
To some litterature and speculatyf science,
To some he geveth the grace of preemynence
In honour and degre, and to some abundance
Of tresoure, riches, and grete inheritaunce.
Every man oweth to take gode hede
Of this distribution, for who so doth take
The larger benefite, he hath the more nede
The larger recompense and thank therfor to make.
I speke these wordes onely for myne owne sake
And for non other person, for I know well
That I am therin chargid as I shall you tell.
Of this distribution, for who so doth take
The larger benefite, he hath the more nede
The larger recompense and thank therfor to make.
I speke these wordes onely for myne owne sake
And for non other person, for I know well
That I am therin chargid as I shall you tell.
When I consider and call to my remembraunce
The prosperous lyfe that I have allwey
Hyderto endured withoute any grevaunce
Of wor[l]dly adversitie, well may I sey
And thynke that I am bound to yeld and pay
Grete prayse and thankes to the hye Kynge
Of whom procedith and growith every gode thing.
The prosperous lyfe that I have allwey
Hyderto endured withoute any grevaunce
Of wor[l]dly adversitie, well may I sey
And thynke that I am bound to yeld and pay
Grete prayse and thankes to the hye Kynge
Of whom procedith and growith every gode thing.
And certes, if I wold not praise of boste
The benefytis that he hath done unto me,
Yet is it well know of lest and most
Thrughoute all Rome [t]hemperiall cyte
What place in the cenate and honorable degre
I occupye, and how I demean me in the same—
All this can they tell that knowith but my name.
The benefytis that he hath done unto me,
Yet is it well know of lest and most
Thrughoute all Rome [t]hemperiall cyte
What place in the cenate and honorable degre
I occupye, and how I demean me in the same—
All this can they tell that knowith but my name.
38
To speke of plenty and grete abundaunce
Of wor[l]dly riches therunto belongyng,
Houses of pleasure and grete inheritaunce,
With riche apparell and every other thing
That to a worthy man shold be according,
I am and ever have be in metely gode case,
For the whiche I thank allmighty God of his grace.
Of wor[l]dly riches therunto belongyng,
Houses of pleasure and grete inheritaunce,
With riche apparell and every other thing
That to a worthy man shold be according,
I am and ever have be in metely gode case,
For the whiche I thank allmighty God of his grace.
Than have I a wyfe of gode condicyon
And right conformable to myn entent
In every thing that is to be done.
And how be it that God hath me not sent
An hayr male, whiche were convenient
My name to continew and it to repeyre,
Yet am I not utterly destitute of an heyre,
And right conformable to myn entent
In every thing that is to be done.
And how be it that God hath me not sent
An hayr male, whiche were convenient
My name to continew and it to repeyre,
Yet am I not utterly destitute of an heyre,
For I have a doughter in whom I delight
As for the chefe comfort of myn olde age,
And surely my seyd doughter Lucres doth hight.
Men seyth she is as lyke me in visage
As though she were evyn myn owne ymage,
For the whiche cause nature doth me force and bynde
The more to favour and love here in my mynde.
As for the chefe comfort of myn olde age,
And surely my seyd doughter Lucres doth hight.
Men seyth she is as lyke me in visage
As though she were evyn myn owne ymage,
For the whiche cause nature doth me force and bynde
The more to favour and love here in my mynde.
But yet the principall and grettist occasion
That makyth me to love her as I do
Is this, whiche I speke not of affection
But evyn as the treuth movith me therto:
Nature hath wrought in my Lucres so
That to speke of beaute and clere understanding
I can not thinke in here what shold be lakking.
That makyth me to love her as I do
Is this, whiche I speke not of affection
But evyn as the treuth movith me therto:
Nature hath wrought in my Lucres so
That to speke of beaute and clere understanding
I can not thinke in here what shold be lakking.
And besides all that, yet a gretter thing
Whiche is not oft sene in so yong a damesell:
She is so discrete and sad in all demeanyng,
And therto full of honest and verteous counsell
Of here owne mynd, that wonder is to tell
The giftes of nature and of especiall grace
[OMITTED]
Whiche is not oft sene in so yong a damesell:
She is so discrete and sad in all demeanyng,
And therto full of honest and verteous counsell
Of here owne mynd, that wonder is to tell
The giftes of nature and of especiall grace
[OMITTED]
Am not I gretly bound in this case
To God, as I rehersid you bifore?
I were to voyd of all reson and grace
If I wold not serve and prayse hym therfore
With due love and drede—he askyth no more.
As far as he will me grace therto send,
The rest of my lif therin will I spend,
To God, as I rehersid you bifore?
I were to voyd of all reson and grace
If I wold not serve and prayse hym therfore
With due love and drede—he askyth no more.
As far as he will me grace therto send,
The rest of my lif therin will I spend,
39
Albe yt that I must partely intend
To the promocyon of my doughter Lucres
To some metely mariage, ellis God defend!
She is my chief jewell and riches,
My comfort agayn all care and hevynes,
And also she is now of gode and ripe age
To be a mannes fere by wey of mariage.
To the promocyon of my doughter Lucres
To some metely mariage, ellis God defend!
She is my chief jewell and riches,
My comfort agayn all care and hevynes,
And also she is now of gode and ripe age
To be a mannes fere by wey of mariage.
Wherfor, if I might see or I dye
That she were bestowid sumwhat accordyng,
Then were my mynd dischargid utterly
Of every grete cure to me belongyng.
It was the chief cause of my hider cummyng
To have a communication in this same matere
With on Cornelius. Cam ther non suche here?
That she were bestowid sumwhat accordyng,
Then were my mynd dischargid utterly
Of every grete cure to me belongyng.
It was the chief cause of my hider cummyng
To have a communication in this same matere
With on Cornelius. Cam ther non suche here?
Intrat Publius Cornelius dicens:
Cornelius
Yes, now am I come here at the last.
I have taried long—I cry you mercy!
Fulgens
Nay, no offence. Ther is no waste
Nor losse of tyme yet hardely,
For this is the oure that ye and I
Apoyntid here to mete this other day.
Now shew me your mynd, lete me here what ye say.
Cornelius
Than wyll I leve superfluite awey,
For why ye know alredy my minde in substance.
Fulgens
I wot not whether I do, ye or nay.
Cornelius
Why, is it now oute of your remembraunce
That my desire is to honour and advaunce
Your doughter Lucres, if she will agree
That I so pore a man her husbonde shuld be?
Fulgens
Ye nede not, syr, to use these wordis to me,
For non in this cyte knowith better than I
Of what grete birth or substaunce ye be.
My doughter Lucres is full unworthy
Of birth and goodis to loke so hye,
Savyng that happily her gode condicyon
May her enable to suche a promocyon.
For non in this cyte knowith better than I
Of what grete birth or substaunce ye be.
My doughter Lucres is full unworthy
Of birth and goodis to loke so hye,
Savyng that happily her gode condicyon
May her enable to suche a promocyon.
But if this be youre mynde and suche intent,
Why do ye not laboure to her therfore?
For me semyth it were ryght expedient
That we know therin her mynde before
Or ever we shold commune therof any more,
For if she wold to your mynde apply,
No man shalbe so glad therof as I.
Why do ye not laboure to her therfore?
For me semyth it were ryght expedient
That we know therin her mynde before
Or ever we shold commune therof any more,
For if she wold to your mynde apply,
No man shalbe so glad therof as I.
40
Suppose ye that I dyde not so begyn
To gete fyrste her favoure? Yes, truste me well!
Fulgens
And what comfort wolde she gyve you therin?
Cornelius
By my feyth, no grete comfort to tell
Save that she abideth to have youre counsell.
For as she seyth, she will no thing
In suche mater to do withoute your counsell[yng],
Save that she abideth to have youre counsell.
For as she seyth, she will no thing
In suche mater to do withoute your counsell[yng],
Nor other wyse than ye shalbe contente.
And theruppon it was my mynde and desire
To speke with you of her for the same intent
Your gode will in this behalfe to requyre,
For I am so brent in loves fyre
That no thing may my payne aslake
Withoute that ye wyll my cure undertake.
And theruppon it was my mynde and desire
To speke with you of her for the same intent
Your gode will in this behalfe to requyre,
For I am so brent in loves fyre
That no thing may my payne aslake
Withoute that ye wyll my cure undertake.
Fulgens
Syr, I shall do you the comfort that I can
As far as she wil be advised by me.
How be it, certeynly I am not the man
That wyll take from her the liberte
Of her owne choice—that may not be!
But when I speke with her, I shall her advyse
To love you before other in all godely wyse.
Cornelius
I thanke you, syr, with all myn harte,
And I pray you do it withoute delay.
Fulgens
As sone as I shall fro you departe
I wyll her mynde therin assay,
For I shall think that every howre is twayne
Till I may speke with you agayne.
[Exeat Fulgens.]
Cornelius
Now a wise felow that had sumwhat a brayne,
And of suche thingis had experience,
Such one wolde I with me retayne
To gyve me counseile and assistence.
For I will spare no cost or expence
Nor yet refuse ony laboure or payne
The love of fayre Lucres therby to attayne.
And of suche thingis had experience,
Such one wolde I with me retayne
To gyve me counseile and assistence.
For I will spare no cost or expence
Nor yet refuse ony laboure or payne
The love of fayre Lucres therby to attayne.
So many gode felowes as byn in this hall,
And is ther non, syrs, among you all
That wyll enterprise this gere?
Some of you can do it if ye lust!
But if ye wyl not, than I must
Go seche a man elliswhere.
And is ther non, syrs, among you all
That wyll enterprise this gere?
Some of you can do it if ye lust!
But if ye wyl not, than I must
Go seche a man elliswhere.
Et exeat. Deinde loquitur B:
41
Now have I spied a mete office for me,
For I wyl be of counsell and I may
With yonder man.
A
Pece, let be!
Be God, thou wyll distroy all the play!
B
Distroy the play, quod a? Nay, nay,
The play began never till now!
I wyll be doyng, I make God avow,
The play began never till now!
I wyll be doyng, I make God avow,
For there is not in this hondred myle
A feter bawde than I am one.
A feter bawde than I am one.
A
And what shall I do in the meane while?
B
Mary, thou shalt com in anone
With a nother pageant.
A
Who, I?
B
Ye, by Saynt Johan.
A
What? I never uside suche thing before.
B
But folow my counsell, and do no more:
Loke that thou abide here still,
And I shall undertake for to fulfyll
All his mynde withouten delay.
And whether I do so, ye or nay,
At the lest, well dare I undertake
The mariage utterly to mare or to make.
And I shall undertake for to fulfyll
All his mynde withouten delay.
And whether I do so, ye or nay,
At the lest, well dare I undertake
The mariage utterly to mare or to make.
If he and I make any bargeyn
So that I must gyve hym attendaunce,
When thou seest me com in ageyn,
Stond evyn still and kepe thy contenaunce,
For when Gayus Flamyneus comyth in
Than must thou thy pageaunt begyn.
So that I must gyve hym attendaunce,
When thou seest me com in ageyn,
Stond evyn still and kepe thy contenaunce,
For when Gayus Flamyneus comyth in
Than must thou thy pageaunt begyn.
A
Shall ony profyt grow therby?
B
Hold thy pece! Speke not so hye,
Leste any man of this company
Know oure purpose openly
And breke all oure daunce!
For I assure the feithfully,
If thou quyte the as well as I,
This gere shall us both avaunce.
Exeat.
A
Nay then, let me alone hardely!
Yf ony advauntage honge therby
I can my selfe thereto apply
By helpe of gode counsell.
This felowe and I be maysterles
And lyve moste parte in ydelnes,
Therefore some maner of besenes
Wolde become us both well.
Yf ony advauntage honge therby
I can my selfe thereto apply
By helpe of gode counsell.
This felowe and I be maysterles
And lyve moste parte in ydelnes,
Therefore some maner of besenes
Wolde become us both well.
42
At the leste wyse, it is mery beynge
With men in tyme of woynge,
For all that whyle they do no thynge
But daunce and make revell,
Synge and laugh with greate shoutynge,
Fyll in wyne with revell routynge.
I trowe it be a joyfull thinge
Amonge suche folke to dwell!
With men in tyme of woynge,
For all that whyle they do no thynge
But daunce and make revell,
Synge and laugh with greate shoutynge,
Fyll in wyne with revell routynge.
I trowe it be a joyfull thinge
Amonge suche folke to dwell!
Intrat Fulgens, Lucres, et Ancilla, et dicat:
Fulgens
Doughter Lucres, ye knowe well ynough
What study and care I have for youre promocyon
And what fatherly love I bere to you,
So that I thynke in myne opynyon
It were tyme loste and wastfull occupacyon
This matter to reherse or tell you ony more,
Syth ye it best knowe, as I sayde before.
What study and care I have for youre promocyon
And what fatherly love I bere to you,
So that I thynke in myne opynyon
It were tyme loste and wastfull occupacyon
This matter to reherse or tell you ony more,
Syth ye it best knowe, as I sayde before.
But the specyall cause that I speke fore
Is touchynge youre mariage. As ye knowe well,
Many folke there be that desyreth sore
And laboureth in that behalve with you to mell.
Ye knowe what is for you, ye nede no counsell.
Howe so be it, yf ye lyste my counseyle to requyre,
I shall be glad to satysfye therein youre desyre.
Is touchynge youre mariage. As ye knowe well,
Many folke there be that desyreth sore
And laboureth in that behalve with you to mell.
Ye knowe what is for you, ye nede no counsell.
Howe so be it, yf ye lyste my counseyle to requyre,
I shall be glad to satysfye therein youre desyre.
Lucres
Trought it is, fader, that I am bounde
As moche unto you as ony chylde may be
Unto the fader lyvynge on the grounde,
And where it pleaseth you to gyve unto me
Myne owne fre choyse and my lyberte,
It is the thynge that pleaseth me well
Sith I shall have therein youre counsell.
As moche unto you as ony chylde may be
Unto the fader lyvynge on the grounde,
And where it pleaseth you to gyve unto me
Myne owne fre choyse and my lyberte,
It is the thynge that pleaseth me well
Sith I shall have therein youre counsell.
And nowe accordynge to this same purpose,
What thynke ye best for me to do?
Ye knowe ryghte well, as I suppose,
That many folke doth me greatly woo,
Amonge the whiche there be specyally twoo
In whome, as I trowe and so do ye,
The choyce of this matter must fynally be—
What thynke ye best for me to do?
Ye knowe ryghte well, as I suppose,
That many folke doth me greatly woo,
Amonge the whiche there be specyally twoo
In whome, as I trowe and so do ye,
The choyce of this matter must fynally be—
In that poynt your mynde and myne dothe agre.
But yet, ryght now er I came here,
For Publius Cornelius ye advysed me,
As touchinge ye wolde have me only reste there.
Yf that be youre mynde I shall gladly forbere
All other, and only to hym assente
To have me in wedlocke at his commaundemente.
But yet, ryght now er I came here,
For Publius Cornelius ye advysed me,
As touchinge ye wolde have me only reste there.
Yf that be youre mynde I shall gladly forbere
All other, and only to hym assente
To have me in wedlocke at his commaundemente.
43
Naye, doughter Lucres, not so I mente,
For though I dyde somwhat to hym enclyne,
Yet for all that it is not myne entente
That ye shulde so thereupon utterly diffyne,
But loke whom ye wyll on Godys blessing and myne!
For truste ye me verely, it is all one to me
Whether Gayus Flamyneus wedde you or els he.
Lucres
Than syth I have so greate lyberte
And so gode choyce, I were unfortunable
And also to unwyse yf I wolde not see
That I had hym whiche is moste honorable.
Wherfore may it lyke you to be agreable
That I may have respyte to make inquisycyon
Whiche of this two men is better of condicyon.
Fulgens
I holde me content, that shall be well done.
It may be respyted for a day or twayne,
But in the meane tyme use this provysyon:
Se that ye indyfferently them both entertayne
Tyll that youre mynde be sett at a certayne
Where ye shall rest now. Can ye do so?
Lucres
At the leste, my gode wyll shall I put thereto.
Fulgens
Than syth I have bysynes at whome for to do,
I wyll go thetherwarde as fast as I may.
Lucres
Is it youre pleasure that I shall with you go?
Fulgens
Nay, I had lever that ye went your way
Aboute this matter.
Et exeat.
Lucres
Well, God be with you than!
I shall do therein the best that I can.
Et facta aliqua pausatione dicat Lucres:
Lucres
I wyll not dysclaunder nor blame no man,
But neverthelesse, by that I here saye,
Pore maydens be dissayved now and than.
So greate dyssemblynge now a daye
There is convayed under wordes gaye,
That if ...
Ancilla
Peace, lady, ye must forbere!
Se ye not who cometh here?
Lucres
Who is it, wot ye ere?
Ancilla
It is Gayus Flamyneus, parde,
He that wolde your husbonde be.
Lucres
Ey, gode Lorde, how wyste he
For to fynde me here?
Intrat Gayus Flaminius.
44
Yes, gode lady, where so ever ye go,
He that lysteth to do his dylygence
In suche manere wyse as I have do,
At the laste he may come to youre presence.
For who so ever oweth obedyence
Unto love, he hath greate nede
To attendaunce if he wyll spede.
Lucres
Syr, ye be welcome. What is your mynde?
Gayus
Why, fayre Lucres, is that your gyse,
To be so straunge and so unkynde
To hym that owith you lovyng servyce?
I trow I have tolde you twyse or thrise
That myn desyre is to mary with you.
Have ye not herde this matter or now?
Lucres
Yes, in veray trouth, I have herde you say
Att dyverse tymes that ye bare me affeccyon:
To suche an intent I say not nay.
Gayus
What nede ye than to aske the question
What I wolde with you at this season?
Me semyth ye sholde therin doubt no more
Sith ye know well myn erande before.
What I wolde with you at this season?
Me semyth ye sholde therin doubt no more
Sith ye know well myn erande before.
Iwys, your strangnes greveth me sore,
But not withstonding, now wyll I sece,
And at this tyme I wyll chide no more
Lest I geve you cause of hevynes.
I cam hyder onely for youre sake, doubtles,
To glade you and please you in all that I can,
And not for to chyde with you as I began.
But not withstonding, now wyll I sece,
And at this tyme I wyll chide no more
Lest I geve you cause of hevynes.
I cam hyder onely for youre sake, doubtles,
To glade you and please you in all that I can,
And not for to chyde with you as I began.
For thynke it in your mynde, I am the man
That wolde you please in all that I may,
And to that purpose I wyll do what I can
Though ye forbyde it and say therin nay—
In that poynt onely I wyll you disobay.
My hart shall ye have in all godely wise
Whether ye me take or utterly dispise.
That wolde you please in all that I may,
And to that purpose I wyll do what I can
Though ye forbyde it and say therin nay—
In that poynt onely I wyll you disobay.
My hart shall ye have in all godely wise
Whether ye me take or utterly dispise.
And to say that I will folow the gise
Of wanton lovers now aday,
Whiche doth many flatering wordis devise
With gyftis of ringis and broches gay
Theyr lemmans hartis for to betray,
Ye must have me therin excusid,
For it is the thing that I never usid.
Of wanton lovers now aday,
Whiche doth many flatering wordis devise
With gyftis of ringis and broches gay
Theyr lemmans hartis for to betray,
Ye must have me therin excusid,
For it is the thing that I never usid.
45
Therfore I will be short and playne,
And I pray you hartely, feyre Lucres,
That ye wyll be so to me agayne.
Ye know well I have made labour and besynes
And also desyrid you by wordis expresse
That ye wold vouche save in your harte
To be my wife till deth us departe.
And I pray you hartely, feyre Lucres,
That ye wyll be so to me agayne.
Ye know well I have made labour and besynes
And also desyrid you by wordis expresse
That ye wold vouche save in your harte
To be my wife till deth us departe.
Lo, this is the mater that I come fore:
To know therin your mynde and plesoure,
Whether ye sett by me ony store
To theffect of my seyd desire.
And nothing ellis I wyll require
But that I may have a playne ye or nay,
Whereto I may trust withoute delay.
To know therin your mynde and plesoure,
Whether ye sett by me ony store
To theffect of my seyd desire.
And nothing ellis I wyll require
But that I may have a playne ye or nay,
Whereto I may trust withoute delay.
Lucres
Me thinketh that by that that ye say,
Ye force not what myne answere be!
Gayus
A, wyll ye take it that way?
My lady, I ment not so parde.
Thaffirmatyfe were most lefe to me,
For as ye your self knowith best,
That was and is my principall request.
My lady, I ment not so parde.
Thaffirmatyfe were most lefe to me,
For as ye your self knowith best,
That was and is my principall request.
But ye may say I am a homely gest
On a gentil[wo]man so hastely to call.
On a gentil[wo]man so hastely to call.
Lucres
Nay, nay, syr, that guyse is best!
Ye can not displeyse me with all,
And accordyng to your desire I shall
Evyn as sone as I godely may
Answere you therin withoute delay.
Ye can not displeyse me with all,
And accordyng to your desire I shall
Evyn as sone as I godely may
Answere you therin withoute delay.
How be it, it can not be done strait way
If I myght gett a realme therby.
Fyrst wyll I my faders mynde assay
Whether he wyll therunto applye.
For if he like you as well as I,
Your mynde in this behalf shalbe sone easid
If my seyd fader can be content and pleysid.
If I myght gett a realme therby.
Fyrst wyll I my faders mynde assay
Whether he wyll therunto applye.
For if he like you as well as I,
Your mynde in this behalf shalbe sone easid
If my seyd fader can be content and pleysid.
Gayus
Gramercy, myne owne swete Lucres.
Of you desire can I no more at all,
Save onely that ye do your besynes
Upon youre fader besily to call,
So that what so ever shal befall,
Within few days I may verily know
To what effect this mater shal grow.
46
Ye shall know by tomorow nyght
What my fader wyll sey therto.
Gayus
Than shall ye make myne harte full light
If it pleyse you so to do.
Lucres
Yes, doubt ye not it shal be so,
And for that cause I wyll even now departe.
Gayus
Now fare well than, myne owne swete harte.
Et exeat Lucres [et Ancilla]. Deinde A accedens ad Gayum Flaminium dicat ei sic:
A
Syr, ye seme a man of grete honoure,
And that moveth me to be so bolde:
I rede you, adventure not over moche laboure
Upon this woman, leste ye take colde.
I tell you, the mater is bought and solde!
Withoute ye take the better hede,
For all these feyre wordes ye shall not spede!
Gayus
Thynkest thou so in very dede?
A
Ye, so helpe me God, and I shall tell you why:
Syr, ryght now, this way as I yede,
This gentylwoman cam even by,
And a fresshe galant in her company.
As God wolde, nere them I stalked
And herde every worde that they talked.
Gayus
But spake they ony worde of me?
A
Nay, nay, ye were no thinge in her thoughte.
They were as besy as they myghte be
Aboute suche a matter as ye have wroughte.
And by God that me dere boughte,
Loke what answer that ye now have,
Even the same wordes to hym she gave.
They were as besy as they myghte be
Aboute suche a matter as ye have wroughte.
And by God that me dere boughte,
Loke what answer that ye now have,
Even the same wordes to hym she gave.
Iwys, syr, I am but a pore knave,
But yet I wolde take on me a greate payne
Youre honeste in this matter to save,
Though it be unto me no profyte nor gayne.
But therefore I speke and have dysdayne
To se in a woman suche dyssemblaunce
Towarde a gentylman of youre substaunce.
But yet I wolde take on me a greate payne
Youre honeste in this matter to save,
Though it be unto me no profyte nor gayne.
But therefore I speke and have dysdayne
To se in a woman suche dyssemblaunce
Towarde a gentylman of youre substaunce.
Gayus
Why, hast thou of me ony acquentaunce?
A
Ye, syr, and some tyme ye knewe me,
Though it be now oute of youre remembraunce.
Gayus
By my fayth it may well be,
But never the lesse I thanke the.
Me semeth thou woldest that all were well
Betwyxte me and yonder fayre damesell.
47
Ye, by God, I wolde fyghte in the quarell
Rather than ye sholde lese youre ente[n]te.
Gayus
I praye the felowe, where doste thou dwell?
A
By my fayth, I am now at myn owne commaundement—
I lacke a mayster, and that I me repente.
To serve you and please I wolde be fayne
Yf it myght lyke you me to retayne.
I lacke a mayster, and that I me repente.
To serve you and please I wolde be fayne
Yf it myght lyke you me to retayne.
And of one thynge I wyll, a certayne:
I doubte not I shall do you better stede
Towarde this maryage than some other twayne,
And yf I do not, let me be dede!
I doubte not I shall do you better stede
Towarde this maryage than some other twayne,
And yf I do not, let me be dede!
Gayus
Well, than wyll I do by thy rede,
And in my servyce thou shalt be
Yf thou canst fynde me any surete.
A
Yes, I can have sureties plente
For my trouth within this place.
Here is a gentilman that wolde truste me
[Points to B.]
For as moche gode as he hase.
Gayus
Ye, and that is but litle percase.
A
By my fayth, go where he shall,
It is as honest a man as ony in the reall.
It is as honest a man as ony in the reall.
I have no more acqueyntaunce within this hall
If I wolde ony frendis assay.
[B comes forward.]
If I wolde ony frendis assay.
By God, here is one best of all!
I trow he wyll not say me nay,
For he hath knowen me many a day.
Syr, wyll not ye for my trouth undertake?
I trow he wyll not say me nay,
For he hath knowen me many a day.
Syr, wyll not ye for my trouth undertake?
B
Yes, for God, els I wolde I were bake!
Syr, my maister, wyll ye beleve me?
I dare trust hym for all that I can make,
Yf ye fynde me sufficient surete.
As for his trouth, doubt not ye!
I never coude by hym any thing espie
But that he was as true a man as I.
Syr, my maister, wyll ye beleve me?
I dare trust hym for all that I can make,
Yf ye fynde me sufficient surete.
As for his trouth, doubt not ye!
I never coude by hym any thing espie
But that he was as true a man as I.
He and I dwelled many a feyre day
In one scole, and yet I wot well
From thens he bare never away
The worth of an halfe peny that I can tell—
Therfore he is able with you to dwell!
As for his trought, that dare I well saye,
Hardely truste hym therein ye maye.
In one scole, and yet I wot well
From thens he bare never away
The worth of an halfe peny that I can tell—
Therfore he is able with you to dwell!
As for his trought, that dare I well saye,
Hardely truste hym therein ye maye.
48
Upon youre worde I shall assaye,
And, syr, after thi gode deservynge,
So shall I thy wagys pay.
But now to remembre one thinge:
Me thought thou saydist at the begynnynge
That Lucres favoreth better than me
A nother lover. What man is he?
A
Cornelius I wene his name sholde be.
Gayus
A, then, I knowe him well, by the rode!
There is not within all this cyte
A man borne of a better blode.
But yet Lucres hath a wytt so gode
That as I thynke she wyll before see
Whether his condicyons therto agree,
There is not within all this cyte
A man borne of a better blode.
But yet Lucres hath a wytt so gode
That as I thynke she wyll before see
Whether his condicyons therto agree,
And if they do not, fare well he!
But therin I have nought ado.
He shall not be dispraysid for me
Withoute that I be compellid therto.
I can not let hym for to woo
A woman beyng at her owne liberte,
For why it is as fre for hym as for me.
But therin I have nought ado.
He shall not be dispraysid for me
Withoute that I be compellid therto.
I can not let hym for to woo
A woman beyng at her owne liberte,
For why it is as fre for hym as for me.
I wyll forbere never the more
Tyll I knowe what shall be the ende.
Go thy waye unto Lucres therfore
And hertly me unto her recommende,
Prayng her that she wyll me sende
A redy answere of that thing
That she promised me at her departing.
Tyll I knowe what shall be the ende.
Go thy waye unto Lucres therfore
And hertly me unto her recommende,
Prayng her that she wyll me sende
A redy answere of that thing
That she promised me at her departing.
A
Mary, I shall, without any tarying.
I knowe myne erand well inow:
Ye shall se me apoynte a metynge
Where she agayne shall speke wyth you.
Gayus
Than shall I thy wyt alowe
Yf thou can brynge that aboute!
A
Yes, that I shall do, have ye no doubte!
Et exeat Gayus Flaminius, et dicat B:
B
Now by my trought, I wolde not have thoughte
That thou haddest bene halfe so wyse,
For thou hast this matter featly wrought
And convayed it poynt devyse
To brynge thy selfe to suche a servyce—
I se well thou hast some wytt in thy hede!
A
Ye, a lytell. But hast thou spede?
49
Even lyke wyse, have thou no drede,
I have goten a maister for my prowe—
I never thryvede as I shall do now!
A
No? Whiche way?
B
I shall tell the how:
It is no maystry to thryve at all
Under a man that is so liberall.
It is no maystry to thryve at all
Under a man that is so liberall.
Ther is now late unto hym fall
So grete goodis by inheritaunce
That he wote never what to do with all,
But lassheth it forth daily escaunce
That he had no dayly remembraunce
Of tyme to come, nor makyth no store,
For he carith not whiche ende goth before.
So grete goodis by inheritaunce
That he wote never what to do with all,
But lassheth it forth daily escaunce
That he had no dayly remembraunce
Of tyme to come, nor makyth no store,
For he carith not whiche ende goth before.
And by oure Lady, I commende hym the more!
Why sholde he those goodis spare,
Sith he laborede never therfore?
Nay, and every man sholde care
For goodis, and specially suche as are
Of gentil blode, it were grete syn,
For all liberalite in them sholde begyn.
Why sholde he those goodis spare,
Sith he laborede never therfore?
Nay, and every man sholde care
For goodis, and specially suche as are
Of gentil blode, it were grete syn,
For all liberalite in them sholde begyn.
Many a pore man therby doth wyn
The chef substauns of his lyving.
My maister were worthy to be a kyng
For liberall expensis in all his deling!
I trow thou shalt se hym com yn
Lyke a rutter somwhat according
In all apparell to hym belongyng.
How moche payeth he, as ye suppose,
For the makyng of a peyre of his hose?
The chef substauns of his lyving.
My maister were worthy to be a kyng
For liberall expensis in all his deling!
I trow thou shalt se hym com yn
Lyke a rutter somwhat according
In all apparell to hym belongyng.
How moche payeth he, as ye suppose,
For the makyng of a peyre of his hose?
A
Mary, twelve pence were a feyre thing.
B
Ye by the rode, twenty tymes tolde,
That is evyn twenty shelyngis for the makyng!
A
It can not be so withoute a man wolde
Make them all with sylke and golde!
B
Nay, by Jys, non erthly thing
But evyn the bare cloth and the lynynge!
But evyn the bare cloth and the lynynge!
Save onely that ther is in cuttinge
A new maner of fascyon now a day:
Because they sholde be somwhat straunge,
They moste be strypide all this way
With small slypes of coloures gay,
A codpece before allmost thus large,
And therin restith the gretist charge!
To speke of gowns and that gode chaunge,
Of them he hath store and plenty,
And that the fascyons be new and straunge,
For non of them passith the mydde thy.
And yet he puttyth in a gown communely—
How many brode yardis, as ye gesse?
A new maner of fascyon now a day:
Because they sholde be somwhat straunge,
They moste be strypide all this way
With small slypes of coloures gay,
A codpece before allmost thus large,
And therin restith the gretist charge!
50
Of them he hath store and plenty,
And that the fascyons be new and straunge,
For non of them passith the mydde thy.
And yet he puttyth in a gown communely—
How many brode yardis, as ye gesse?
A
Mary, two or thre.
B
Nay, seven and no lesse!
A
By my trouth, that is lyke a lye!
B
But it is as true as ye stond there,
And I shall tell you a reson why:
All that doth that fascyon were,
They have whingis behynd redy to flye,
And a sleve that wolde cover all the body!
Than forty playtis, as I think in my mynde,
They have before, and as many behynde.
A
Well, as for gentilmen, it is full kynde
To have theyr plesyrs that may well paye.
B
Ye, but than this grugeth my mynde:
A gentylman shall not were it a daye,
But every man wyll hym self araye
Of the same fascyon even by and by
On the morow after!
A
Nay, that I defy!
But then I marvell gretly why
You are not garnysshyd after that gyse.
B
There is never a knave in the house save I
But his gowne is made in the same wyse,
And for bycause I am new come to servyce,
I must for a whyle be content
To were stylle myn olde garment.
A
Ye, but abyde! To what intent
Doth thy mayster take in honde
To make hym so moche costely rayment?
B
Mary, that is esy to understonde:
All is done for Lucres sake—
To wedde her he doth his rekenynge make.
A
I put case that she do hym forsake
So that she be my maysters wyf?
B
By my fayth, then I say it wyll make
Many a man to lose his lyf,
For therof wyll ryse a gret stryf!
A
Mary, I pray God send us pes!
B
Be my fayth, it wyll be no lesse
Yf my master have not Lucres.
51
I can no more, God sped the ryght!
Lo, thes folke wyll stryve and fyght
For this womans sake,
And whan thay have done ther uttyrmest,
I wene veryly he shall sped best
That must her forsake!
Lo, thes folke wyll stryve and fyght
For this womans sake,
And whan thay have done ther uttyrmest,
I wene veryly he shall sped best
That must her forsake!
He is well at ease that hath a wyf,
Yet he is better that hath none, be my lyf!
But he that hath a good wyf and wyll forsake her,
I pray God the devyll take her!
Yet he is better that hath none, be my lyf!
But he that hath a good wyf and wyll forsake her,
I pray God the devyll take her!
B
Now in gode fayth thou art a made knave—
I se well thou hast wedyd a shrew!
A
The devyll I have!
Nay, I have marryed two or thre
Syth the tyme that I her lost.
Syth the tyme that I her lost.
B
And kepist thou them all styll with the?
A
Nay, that wolde not quyte the cost.
To say the trouth, thay fond me most.
B
Than thay have some maner gettynge
By some occupacione, have thay?
A
Syr, thay have a prety waye!
The chef meane of ther levynge
Is lechery—lech crafte I wolde say—
Wherein thay labore nyght and day
And ease many a man in some case.
B
And where do thay dwell?
A
Att the Commen Place—
There thou mayst them all fynde!
Goddis mercy, where is my mynde?
By God, I shall be shent!
I shold have gone to Lucres
Abowte my maysters besynes—
Thetherwarde I was bent.
Goddis mercy, where is my mynde?
By God, I shall be shent!
I shold have gone to Lucres
Abowte my maysters besynes—
Thetherwarde I was bent.
B
By my fayth, my mayster is there
All the whyle that thou arte here,
As I veryly suppose.
A
I shrow thy face, by Saynt Mary!
With thy chaterynge thou doyst me tary
Evyn for the same purpose.
B
I say, whan thou hast with Lucres spoken,
I pray the, wyll thou delyver me a token
In myne name to her mayde?
A
Nay, ye muste be ware of that gere,
For I have bene afore you there.
B
Why, hast thou hyr assayed?
52
Ye, ye, that matyr ys sped full.
I may have her and she wull—
That comfort she me gave!
B
And hast thou no noder comfort att all?
I truste to God than yet I shall
All this matyr save.
I truste to God than yet I shall
All this matyr save.
How be it, I wyll not the matter begyn
Withoute I were sure she were a virgyn.
Withoute I were sure she were a virgyn.
A
By my trought, this comfort shall I putt the in—
I cam never on her backe in the way of synne.
Avoyde the place A.
B
Than all is well and fyne
Yf the matter be in that case!
I trust that within a lytyll space
That wenche shall be myne.
I tell you it is a trull of trust
All to quenche a mannes thrust
Bettyr then ony wyne!
Yf the matter be in that case!
I trust that within a lytyll space
That wenche shall be myne.
I tell you it is a trull of trust
All to quenche a mannes thrust
Bettyr then ony wyne!
It is a lytyll praty moucet,
And her voyce is as doucett
And as swete as resty porke.
Her face is some what browne and yelow,
But for all that she hath no felow
In syngynge hens to Yorke.
And her voyce is as doucett
And as swete as resty porke.
Her face is some what browne and yelow,
But for all that she hath no felow
In syngynge hens to Yorke.
But the worst that grevyth me,
She hath no layser nor lybarte
For an howre or twayne
To be owte of her maystres syght.
I wachyde for her this odyr nyght,
But all was in vayne!
She hath no layser nor lybarte
For an howre or twayne
To be owte of her maystres syght.
I wachyde for her this odyr nyght,
But all was in vayne!
How be it, I thinke that at the laste
Come in the maydyn.
I shall come within two stonys caste
Of her—I aske no more.
And yf I do so, then my mate
Shall have no lust therin to prate
As he dyde before!
Of her—I aske no more.
And yf I do so, then my mate
Shall have no lust therin to prate
As he dyde before!
Cockis body, here she is!
Now wellcome by hevyn blys,
The last that was in my thought!
Now wellcome by hevyn blys,
The last that was in my thought!
Ancilla
Tusshe, I pray you, let me go!
I have somewhat els to do,
For this howre I have soughte
53
Fro my maystres.
B
What do you hym call?
Ancilla
Mayster Gayus or his man.
B
Am not I he that ye wolde have?
Ancilla
No, no, I wolde have an other knave!
B
Why, am I a knave than?
Ancilla
Nay, I sayd not so perde.
But where trow ye these folkis be?
B
I can not veryly say.
His man went evyn now frome me
And I marvell gretly that ye
Met hym not by the way,
For he is gone to speke with Lucres
From his maystyr.
Ancilla
What, with my maystres?
Nay!
B
Ye, so I harde hym say.
Ancilla
Goddis mercy, and I was sent
Evyn hedyr for the same intent
To brynge an answere
Of the erande that he is gone fore,
Wherefore now ther is no more
But I must go seche hym there.
B
Nay, tary here a whyle gentyll Jone,
For he wyll come hedyr anone.
Ancilla
Tary? Why shold I so?
B
Mary, to laugh and talke with me.
Ancilla
Nay, loke where suche gyglottis be,
For I am none of them, I warne the,
That use so to do.
B
I mene no thinge but good and honest
And for your wele, and you lyst
To assent therunto.
Ancilla
For my wele, quod a? How may that be?
That is a thinge that I can not se.
B
Mary, this, lo, is myne entent:
I mene, yf ye wolde be content
Or ony wyse agree
I mene, yf ye wolde be content
Or ony wyse agree
For to be my sacrament of penaunce—
Ey, God gyve it a very vengeaunce!—
Of wedlocke I wolde have sayde!
Ey, God gyve it a very vengeaunce!—
Of wedlocke I wolde have sayde!
Ancilla
Tush, by Seynt Jame, ye do but mocke
To speke to me of ony wedlocke,
And I so yonge a mayde!
54
Why, are ye a mayde?
Ancilla
Ye, ellis I were to blame.
B
Where by wote ye?
Ancilla
Mary, for I ame.
B
A, that is a thinge!
Here ye not, syrs, what she sayth?
So resonable a cause thereto she layth!
Ancilla
A straw for your mockynge!
Have ye none to mocke but me?
B
Mocke? Nay, so mote I the,
I mene evyne gode ernest!
Geve me your honde and you shall se
What I wyll promes you.
Ancilla
That way were not best for my prow!
Wold ye hondefast me forth with all?
Nay, be the roode, fyrst ye shall
Chepe or ever you by!
We must fyrst of the price agre,
For who some ever shall have me,
I promes you fayt[h]fully,
Nay, be the roode, fyrst ye shall
Chepe or ever you by!
We must fyrst of the price agre,
For who some ever shall have me,
I promes you fayt[h]fully,
He shall me fyrst assure
Of twenty pound londe in joyncture.
Of twenty pound londe in joyncture.
B
Why, are ye so costely?
Nay, nay, then ye be not for me.
As prety a woman as ye be
I can some tyme by
For moche les wagis and hyre
As for the season that I desyre
To have hyr in company.
Nay, nay, then ye be not for me.
As prety a woman as ye be
I can some tyme by
For moche les wagis and hyre
As for the season that I desyre
To have hyr in company.
Therefore, yf ye can fynde in youre harte
To leve all sucche joynter aparte
And take me as I am,
I shall do you as greate a pleasure
And therto I wyll love you oute of mesure,
Els I were to blame.
To leve all sucche joynter aparte
And take me as I am,
I shall do you as greate a pleasure
And therto I wyll love you oute of mesure,
Els I were to blame.
Ancilla
Ye, but oure housholde shall be full small
But yf we have somewhat els with all
Oure charges for to bere.
B
Ye, God sende us mery wether!
I may not wed and thryve all together—
I loke not for that gere.
I may not wed and thryve all together—
I loke not for that gere.
I shall tell you a marvelous case:
I knewe twayne marryed in a place
Dwellyng together in one house,
And I am sure they were not worth a louse
At the begynnynge.
And or ever the yere were do,
They were worth an hondred or two!
I knewe twayne marryed in a place
55
And I am sure they were not worth a louse
At the begynnynge.
And or ever the yere were do,
They were worth an hondred or two!
Ancilla
That was a marvelous thynge!
But yet I can tell the a gretter marvayle,
And I knewe the persons ryght well:
Syr, I knewe two certayne,
And I knewe the persons ryght well:
Syr, I knewe two certayne,
That when they were wedded, they had in store
Scarce halfe a bed and no more
That was worth an hawe,
And within a yere or twayne
They had so greate encrease and gayne
That at the last they were fayne
To shove theyre hedes in the strawe!
Scarce halfe a bed and no more
That was worth an hawe,
And within a yere or twayne
They had so greate encrease and gayne
That at the last they were fayne
To shove theyre hedes in the strawe!
B
Tusshe, ye do but mocke and rayle!
And I promesse you withouten fayle,
Yf ye lyste to have me,
I woot where is an hundred pound in store,
And I ow never a grot therfore!
Ancilla
All that may be—
I beleve hyt evyn as ye say.
But ye tary me here all day,
I pray you let me goo!
And for my mariage, that is a thing
In the whyche I purpose to geve a sparyng
For a yere or two.
But ye tary me here all day,
I pray you let me goo!
And for my mariage, that is a thing
In the whyche I purpose to geve a sparyng
For a yere or two.
B
A yere or two, quod a? Nay, God forbede!
Iwis, hyt had be tyme fore you to wedde
Seven or eight yere agoo!
Iwis, hyt had be tyme fore you to wedde
Seven or eight yere agoo!
And ye wyst how mery a lyfe
Hyt is to be a wedded wyf,
Ye wold chaunge that mynde.
Hyt is to be a wedded wyf,
Ye wold chaunge that mynde.
Ancilla
Ye, so hyt is, as I understonde,
If a woman have a gode husbonde—
But that ys herd to fynde!
If a woman have a gode husbonde—
But that ys herd to fynde!
Many a man blamyth his wyf parde,
And she is more to blame than he!
And she is more to blame than he!
B
As true as the gospell now say ye,
But now tell me one thing:
Shall I have none other answere but this
Of my desyre?
Ancilla
No syr, iwys,
Not at this metyng.
56
Wyll ye now nede be agoo than?
Take your leve honestly!
Et conabitur eam osculari.
Ancilla
Se the man!
Let me alone, with sorowe!
B
Mary, so be hyt. But one worde:
I wyll kys the or thou goo.
Ancilla
The devyllis torde!
The man is madde I trowe!
B
So madde I am that nedis I must
As in this poynt have my lust
How so ever I doo.
Ancilla
Parde, ye may do me that request,
For why it is but good and honest.
Et osculabitur. Intrat A.
A
Now a felychip, I the beseche,
Set even suche a patche one my breche!
B
A wyld feyre therone!
Ancilla
Goddis mercy, this is he
That I have sought so!
A
Have ye sought me?
Ancilla
Ye, that have I do!
This gentylman can wytnes bere
That all this owre I have stonde here
Sechyng even for you.
A
Have ye two be togeder so longe?
Ancilla
Ye, why not?
A
Mary, then all is wrong
I fere me so now.
B
Nay, nay, here be to many wytnes
For to make ony syche besynes
As thou wenest, hardely!
Ancilla
Why, what is the mannes thought?
Suppose ye that I wolde be nowght
Yf no man were by?
[A]
Nay, for God, y ment not so,
But I wolde no man sholde have to do
With you but onely I!
Ancilla
Have to do, quod a? What call ye that?
Hyt sowndyth to a thing I wote ner what!
[A]
Ey, Godes mercy!
I se well a man must be warre
How he spekyth ther as ye ar—
Ye take it so straungely!
57
For by my wyll no man shall dele
With you in way of maryage
But onely I—this wyse I ment!
Ancilla
Ye, but though it were youre entent,
Yet ye do but rage
Yet ye do but rage
To use suche wordes unto me,
For I am yet at my lyberte.
For I am yet at my lyberte.
A
Ye, that I know well.
But never the lesse, sythen I beganne
To love you longe before this man,
I have veray greate mervell
But never the lesse, sythen I beganne
To love you longe before this man,
I have veray greate mervell
That ever ye wolde his mynde fulfyll
To stonde and talke with hym styll
So long as ye have do.
To stonde and talke with hym styll
So long as ye have do.
B
Before me, quod a? Nay, I make avowe,
I mevyde this matter long byfore you:
How sey ye therto?
Ancilla
I wyll no thinge in the matter say
Lest I cause you to make a fray,
For thereof I wolde be lothe.
A
By cokkis body, butt who so ever it be
That weddythe her bysydes me,
I shall make hym wrothe!
B
Ye, but he that is so hasty at every worde,
For a medsyn must ete his wyves torde!
Ancilla
Holde your tongis there I say,
For and ye make this warke for me,
Ye shall bothe dyspoyntyd be
As fare as I may!
A
By my trouthe, but marke me well:
Yf ever thou with this man dwell
As a woman with here make,
Thou shalt fynde hym the most froward man
That ever thou sawiste sythe the worlde bygan!
For I dare undertake
Yf ever thou with this man dwell
As a woman with here make,
Thou shalt fynde hym the most froward man
That ever thou sawiste sythe the worlde bygan!
For I dare undertake
That forty tymes on a day
Withoute ony cause he wyll the afray
And bete the bake and syde!
Withoute ony cause he wyll the afray
And bete the bake and syde!
Ancilla
He shall not nede so to do,
For he shall have forty causes and forty too
Yf I with hym abyde.
58
Mary, that ys a remedy accordynge!
But I can tell the an other thynge,
And it is no lye:
Thow maist well be hys weddyd wyf,
But he wyll never love the in his lyf!
Ancilla
Yet I know a remedy.
A
Howso?
Ancilla
Mary, I wyll love hym as lytyll agayne!
For every shrewed turne he shall have twayne
And he were my brother.
B
Iwys, Jone, he spekythe but of males.
There ys no man hens to Cales,
Who so ever be the tother,
There ys no man hens to Cales,
Who so ever be the tother,
That can hym selfe better applye
To please a woman better then I.
To please a woman better then I.
Ancilla
Ye, so I harde you say!
But yet, be ye never so wrothe,
There ys never one of you bothe,
For all youre wordes gay,
But yet, be ye never so wrothe,
There ys never one of you bothe,
For all youre wordes gay,
That shalbe assured of me
Tyll I may fyrst here and se
What ye bothe can do.
And he that can do most maystry,
Be it in cokery or in pastry,
In fettis of warre or dedys of chevalry,
With hym wyll I go!
Tyll I may fyrst here and se
What ye bothe can do.
And he that can do most maystry,
Be it in cokery or in pastry,
In fettis of warre or dedys of chevalry,
With hym wyll I go!
A
By my trowthe, that lykythe me well.
Ther is no maystry that a man can tell
But I am mete thereto,
Wherefor that wagere I dare well undertake!
Lett me se, wylt thou go coyt for thy ladis sake,
Or what thyng shall we do?
B
Nay, yf thou wylt her with maystry wynne,
With boyes game thou mayst not begyn—
That is not her intent.
A
What is best that we do than?
B
Mary, canst thou syng?
A
Ye, that I can,
As well as ony man in Kent.
59
What maner of song shall it be?
A
What so ever thou wylt chose the,
I holde me well content.
And yf I mete the not at the close,
Hardely let me the wager lose
By her owne jugement.
Go to now, wyll ye set in?
B
Nay, be the rode, ye shall begyn.
A
By Seynt Jame, I assent.
Abyde, Jone: ye can gode skyll,
And if ye wolde the song fulfyll
With a thyrd parte,
It wolde do ryght well, in my mynde.
And if ye wolde the song fulfyll
With a thyrd parte,
It wolde do ryght well, in my mynde.
Ancilla
Synge on, hardely, and I wyll not be behynde,
I pray the with all my hert.
Et tunc cantabunt.
B
I am so whorse, it wyll not be.
A
Horse, quod a? Nay, so mot I the,
That was not the thynge
And a man sholde the trowth saye:
Ye lost a crochet or two by the waye,
To myne understondynge.
B
Why, was I a mynyme before?
A
Ye be the rode, that ye were and more.
B
Then were ye a mynyme behynde!
Let me se, yet syng agayne,
And marke whyche of us twayne
Plesyth best your mynde.
Ancilla
Nay, nay, ye shall this matter try
By some other maner of mastry
Than by your syngynge.
B
Let hym assay what mastry he wull.
A
Mary, and my bely were not so full
I wolde wrestell with hym a fayre pull—
That were a game accordynge
I wolde wrestell with hym a fayre pull—
That were a game accordynge
For suche valyaunt men as we be!
B
I shrew thyn hert and thou spare me.
Et deinde luctabuntur. [A is thrown.]
Ancilla
Nay, by my fayth, that was no fall!
B
A, than I se well ye be parcyall,
Whan ye juge so.
Well, I shall do more for your love!
Evyn here I cast to hym my glove
Or ever I hens goo,
60
I shall mete hym with spere and shelde
My lyf theron to jeoparde.
Let me se and he dare take hyt.
Tunc projiciet cirothecam.
A
Yes hardely, I wyll not forsake hyt!
I am not suche a coward
I am not suche a coward
But I dare mete the at all assays—
Whan shall hyt be do?
Whan shall hyt be do?
B
Evyn streyght ways
Withoute furthere delay,
And I shrewe his hert that feris
Eyther with cronall or sharpe speris
This bargyn to assay.
A
And I beshrewe hym for me!
But abyde, now let me se,
Where shall I have a hors?
B
Nay, we shall nede no horse ne mule,
But let us just at farte pryke in cule.
A
Be Seynt Jame, no forse,
Evyn so be it! But where is oure gere?
B
By my fayth, all thing is redy [here]
That belongethe therto.
Com forthe, ye flowre of the frying pane,
Helpe ye to aray us as well as ye can.
And how so ever ye do,
That belongethe therto.
Com forthe, ye flowre of the frying pane,
Helpe ye to aray us as well as ye can.
And how so ever ye do,
Se that ye juge indifferently
Whiche of us twayne hathe the mastry.
Whiche of us twayne hathe the mastry.
Ancilla
Yes, hardely, that I shall—
I shall juge after my mynde.
But see ye hold fast behynd
Lest ye troble us in all.
B
Tushe, that is the lest care of fiftene.
And yf I do not, on my game be yt sene!
Go to, bynd me fyrst, hardely.
So, lo, now, geve me my spere,
And put me a staffe thorow here—
Than am I all redy.
A
Abyde, who shall helpe to harnys me?
Ancilla
That shall I do, so mott I the,
With a ryght gode wyll!
A
Soft and fayre! Myne arme is sore,
Ye may not bynd me strayt ther fore.
Ancilla
Nay, no more I wyll—
61
Come of now, syt downe on the grounde
Evyn upon thy tayle.
A
Ey, gode Lorde, whan wyll ye have do?
Ancilla
Now all is redy: hardely, go to!
Bydde hym bayle, bayle!
A
Fall to prayer, syrs, it is nede,
As many of you as wolde me Gode spede,
For this gere stondyth me uppon.
B
Ye, and that shall thou fynde or we departe,
And yf thou spare me I shrow thy harte!
Let me se, com on!
Et projectus dicat A:
A
Out, out, alas for payne!
Let me have a pryst or I be slayne
My syn to dysclose.
B
And bycause he sayth so, it is nede,
For he is not in clene lyfe in dede:
I fele it at my nose—
For he is not in clene lyfe in dede:
I fele it at my nose—
Fo! Fo! etc.
Now ye ar myne, lady!
Ancilla
Nay, never the more.
B
No? Why so?
Ancilla
For I am taken up before.
B
Mary, I beshrew your hart therefore!
It shold better content me
That ye had be taken up behynde.
Ancilla
Nay, nay, ye understond not my mynde
In that poynt.
B
It may well be,
But tell me, how ment ye then?
Ancilla
Mary, I am sure to an other man
Whose wyfe I intende to be.
B
Nay, I trow, by cockis passyon,
Ye wyll not mocke us of that fascyon—
Ye may not, for very shame!
Ancilla
Shame or not, so shall it be,
And bycause that fore the love of me
Ye two have made this game,
It shall not be done all in vayne,
For I wyll rewarde you bothe twayne,
And ellis I were to blame.
62
And therfore to everyche of you wyll I spyn
A new peyre of breches!
Take the that fore thy dole!
And bycause he is blacke in the hole,
He shall have as moche!
Et utroque flagellato recedit Ancilla.
A
Oute, alas! What woman was this?
B
It is Lucres mayde.
A
The devyll it is!
I pray God a vengeance take her!
How saist thou, shall she be thy wyfe?
B
Nay, I had lever she had etyn my knyfe!
I utterly forsake her.
Intrat Gaius.
Gayus
How, syrs, who hath arayde you thys?
A
Fals thevys, maister, iwys,
And all for your quarell!
Gayus
What? And this other man too?
A
Ye, and ye wolde oure hondes undo,
The matter whe shall tell.
Gayus
Yes, mary, wyll I! Now tell on:
Who hathe you these wrongis done?
A
Mary, that I shall.
Cornelyus servantis, whiche is your enmy,
Espyed me goyng toward Lucres place,
[OMITTED]
That I coude brynge the matter to passe
Of that gentyl[wo]man, as your desyre was.
They leyd awayte for me in the way,
And so they lefte me in this araye.
Espyed me goyng toward Lucres place,
[OMITTED]
That I coude brynge the matter to passe
Of that gentyl[wo]man, as your desyre was.
They leyd awayte for me in the way,
And so they lefte me in this araye.
Gayus
Ye, but haste thou ony dedely wounde?—
That is the thinge that feryth my mynde!
A
I faythe, I was lefte for dede on the grounde,
And I have a grete garce here byhynde
Out of the whiche ther commythe suche a wynde
That yf ye holde a candyll therto
Hyt wyll blowe it oute—that wyll hyt do!
63
Se to hyt be tyme, by myne advyse,
Lest the wounde fewster within.
A
Then have I nede of a gode surgyn,
For hyt is so depe within the skyn
That ye may put youre nose therin
Evyn up to the harde eyes.
For hyt is so depe within the skyn
That ye may put youre nose therin
Evyn up to the harde eyes.
Here is a man that quyt hym as well
For my defence as ever I see.
He toke suche parte that in the quarell
His arme was strykyne of by the harde kne,
And yet he slew of them two or thre.
For my defence as ever I see.
He toke suche parte that in the quarell
His arme was strykyne of by the harde kne,
And yet he slew of them two or thre.
Gayus
Be they slayne? Nay, God forbyde!
A
Yes, so helpe me God, I warande them dede.
How be it I stonde in grete drede
That yf ever he come in theyr way
They wyll kyt of his arme or his hede,
For so I herde them all thre say.
That yf ever he come in theyr way
They wyll kyt of his arme or his hede,
For so I herde them all thre say.
Gayus
Whiche? Thay that were slayne?
A
Ye, by this day!
What nedyth me therfore to lye?
He herd it hym selfe as well as I.
Gayus
Well then, ye lye both two!
[Exeat B.]
But now tell me, what hast thou do
As touchynge my commaundement
That I badde the do to Lucres?
Spakyst thou with her?
A
Ye, syr, dowtles,
And this is her intent:
And this is her intent:
Sche commaundyth hyr to you by the same tokyn
That with hyr father she hath spokyn
Accordynge to your requeste,
And so she wyllythe you to be of gode chere,
Desyrynge you this nyght to appere,
Or tomorow at the furthest,
That with hyr father she hath spokyn
Accordynge to your requeste,
And so she wyllythe you to be of gode chere,
Desyrynge you this nyght to appere,
Or tomorow at the furthest,
And she wyll mete you here in this place
To gyve you a fynall answare in this case
Whereto ye shall trust.
To gyve you a fynall answare in this case
Whereto ye shall trust.
Gayus
That is the thing that I desyre!
But sayd she so?
A
Ye, be thys fyre,
I tell you verey juste,
In so moche that she bad me say
And warne you that ye shulde purvay
For your owne besenes,
I tell you verey juste,
64
And warne you that ye shulde purvay
For your owne besenes,
For than it shall determyde be
Whether Publyus Cornelyus or ye
Shall have the preemynence.
Whether Publyus Cornelyus or ye
Shall have the preemynence.
Gayus
All that purpose lykythe me well,
But who shall be here more, canst thou tell?
A
Mary, here shall be Fulgens
And Publius Cornelius hym selfe also,
With dyverse other many moo
Besyde this honorable audyence.
Wherfore yf ye wyll youre honour save
And your intent in this matter have,
It is best that ye go hens
With dyverse other many moo
Besyde this honorable audyence.
Wherfore yf ye wyll youre honour save
And your intent in this matter have,
It is best that ye go hens
For to study and call to mynde
Suche argumentis as ye can best fynde
And make your selfe all prest.
Suche argumentis as ye can best fynde
And make your selfe all prest.
Gayus
Thy counsell is gode—be it so,
And evyn thereafter wyll I do,
For I holde it best.
Et exeat Gaius et A. Intrat B.
B
Goddes body, syr[s], this was a fytt!
I beshrew the horys hart yett
When I thinke theron,
And yet the strokys be not so sore
But the shame grevyth me more,
Sith that it was done
I beshrew the horys hart yett
When I thinke theron,
And yet the strokys be not so sore
But the shame grevyth me more,
Sith that it was done
Before so many as here be present.
But and I myght take her,
By my trowth I shall make her
This dede to repent!
But and I myght take her,
By my trowth I shall make her
This dede to repent!
[Intrat A.]
A
Yet thou were as gode holde thy pease,
For ther is no remedy doutles—
Therfore lett itt go.
It is to us bothe grete foly and shame
This matter ony more to reherse or name.
B
Well than, be it so.
And yet, because she hathe made me smart,
I trust onys to ryde in her carte,
Be it shame or no.
I can not suffre it paciently
To be rebuked openly
And to be mockyd also!
An other thing grevythe me werst of all:
I shal be shent, that I shall,
Of my mayster too
65
I trust onys to ryde in her carte,
Be it shame or no.
I can not suffre it paciently
To be rebuked openly
And to be mockyd also!
An other thing grevythe me werst of all:
I shal be shent, that I shall,
Of my mayster too
Because I have ben so long away
Oute of his presence.
Oute of his presence.
A
Nay, nay,
I have harde so muche syth I went hens
That he had lityll mynd to thyn offens.
B
I pray you tell me why.
A
For as I brought my mayster on hys way
I harde one of Lucres men say
That thy mayster hathe ben
All this houre at her place,
And that he his answere hase,
This wyse as I mene:
I harde one of Lucres men say
That thy mayster hathe ben
All this houre at her place,
And that he his answere hase,
This wyse as I mene:
She hathe appoynted hym to be here
Sone, in the evynyng aboute suppere,
An[d] than he shall have a fynall answere
What she entendith to do.
And so than we shal know here intent,
For as I understond she wyll be content
To have one of them too.
Sone, in the evynyng aboute suppere,
An[d] than he shall have a fynall answere
What she entendith to do.
And so than we shal know here intent,
For as I understond she wyll be content
To have one of them too.
But furst she wyll nedis know the certayn
Whether is the most noble of them twayne—
This she sayeth alway.
Whether is the most noble of them twayne—
This she sayeth alway.
B
Why, that is easy to understonde
Yf she be so wyse as men bere in honde.
A
Ye, so I hard you say.
Let me se now, what is your oppynion
Whether of them is most noble of condycion?
Whether of them is most noble of condycion?
B
That can I tell hardely:
He that hathe moste nobles in store,
Hym call I the most noble ever more,
For he is most sett by.
66
With his owne goodis to bye a rable
Of suche as Gayus is!
And over that, yf noblenes of kynn
May this womans favour wynn,
I am sure he can not mys.
A
Ye, but come hether sone to the ynde of this playe
And thou shalt se wherto all that wyll wey—
It shall be for thy lernynge.
B
Ye, cum agayne who wyll for me,
For I wyll not be here, so mot I the!
It is a gentylmanly thinge
For I wyll not be here, so mot I the!
It is a gentylmanly thinge
That I shulde awayt and com agayne
For other mennys causes and take suche payne!
For other mennys causes and take suche payne!
I wyll not do it, I make God avowe.
Why myght not this matter be endyd nowe?
Why myght not this matter be endyd nowe?
A
Mary, I shall tell the why:
Lucres and her father may not attende
At this seson to make an ende—
So I hard them say.
And also it is a curteyse gyse
For to respyte the matter this wyse
That the partyes may
At this seson to make an ende—
So I hard them say.
And also it is a curteyse gyse
For to respyte the matter this wyse
That the partyes may
In the meane tyme advyse them well,
For eyther of them bothe must tell
And shew the best he can
To force the goodnes of his owne condycion
Bothe by example and gode reason.
I wold not for a swan
For eyther of them bothe must tell
And shew the best he can
To force the goodnes of his owne condycion
Bothe by example and gode reason.
I wold not for a swan
That thou sholdest be hens at that season,
For thou shalt here a reyal disputacyon
Bitwext them or thay have do.
An other thing must be considred with all:
These folke that sitt here in the halle
May not attende theretoo:
For thou shalt here a reyal disputacyon
Bitwext them or thay have do.
An other thing must be considred with all:
These folke that sitt here in the halle
May not attende theretoo:
Whe may not with oure long play
Lett them fro theyre dyner all day—
Thay have not fully dyned.
For and this play where ones overe past,
Some of them wolde falle to fedyng as fast
As thay had bene almost pyned.
Lett them fro theyre dyner all day—
Thay have not fully dyned.
For and this play where ones overe past,
Some of them wolde falle to fedyng as fast
As thay had bene almost pyned.
67
But no forse, hardely, and they do.
Ussher, gete them goode wyne therto,
Fyll them of the best.
Let it be do or ye wyll be shent,
For it is the wyll and commaundement
Of the master of the fest.
Ussher, gete them goode wyne therto,
Fyll them of the best.
Let it be do or ye wyll be shent,
For it is the wyll and commaundement
Of the master of the fest.
And therfore we shall the matter forbere
And make a poynt evyn here
Lest we excede a mesure,
And we shall do oure labour and trewe entent
For to play the remenant
At my lordis pleasure.
And make a poynt evyn here
Lest we excede a mesure,
And we shall do oure labour and trewe entent
For to play the remenant
At my lordis pleasure.
Finis prime partis.
| Fulgens And Lucrece | |