 | Fulgens And Lucrece |  |
2. [The Second Part]
Intrat A dicens:A
Muche gode do it you everycheone—
Ye wyll not beleve how fast I have gone
For fere that I sholde come to late!
No forse, I have lost but a lytyll swete
That I have taken upon this hete
My colde corage to abate.
Ye wyll not beleve how fast I have gone
For fere that I sholde come to late!
No forse, I have lost but a lytyll swete
That I have taken upon this hete
My colde corage to abate.
But now to the matter that I cam fore:
Ye know the cause therof before—
Your wittis be not so short.
Perde, my felowys and I were here
Today whan ye where at dyner,
And shewed you a lytyll disport
Ye know the cause therof before—
Your wittis be not so short.
Perde, my felowys and I were here
Today whan ye where at dyner,
And shewed you a lytyll disport
Of one Fulgens and his doughter Lucres,
And of two men that made grett besynes
Her husbonde for to be.
She answered to them bothe than:
Loke whiche was the more noble man,
To hym she wolde agre.
And of two men that made grett besynes
Her husbonde for to be.
She answered to them bothe than:
Loke whiche was the more noble man,
To hym she wolde agre.
This was the substance of the play
That was shewed here today,
All be it that there was
Dyvers toyes mengled yn the same
To styre folke to myrthe and game
And to do them solace,
That was shewed here today,
All be it that there was
Dyvers toyes mengled yn the same
To styre folke to myrthe and game
And to do them solace,
68
The whiche tryfyllis be impertinent
To the matter principall,
But never the lesse they be expedient
For to satisfye and content
Many a man with all.
To the matter principall,
But never the lesse they be expedient
For to satisfye and content
Many a man with all.
For some there be that lokis and gapys
Only for suche tryfles and japys,
And some there be amonge
That forceth lytyll of suche madnes,
But delytyth them in matter of sadnes
Be it never so longe.
Only for suche tryfles and japys,
And some there be amonge
That forceth lytyll of suche madnes,
But delytyth them in matter of sadnes
Be it never so longe.
And every man must have hys mynde,
Ellis thay will many fautys fynde
And say the play was nought.
But no force, I car not,
Let them say and spare not,
For God knoweth my thought.
Ellis thay will many fautys fynde
And say the play was nought.
But no force, I car not,
Let them say and spare not,
For God knoweth my thought.
It is the mynde and intent
Of me and my company to content
The leste that stondyth here,
And so I trust ye wyll it alowe.
Ey, Godis mercy, where am I now?
It were almys to wrynge me by the eare
Of me and my company to content
The leste that stondyth here,
And so I trust ye wyll it alowe.
Ey, Godis mercy, where am I now?
It were almys to wrynge me by the eare
Bycause I make suche degression
From the matter that I began
Whan I entred the halle.
For had I made a gode contynuaunce,
I sholde have put you in remembraunce
And to your myndis call
From the matter that I began
Whan I entred the halle.
For had I made a gode contynuaunce,
I sholde have put you in remembraunce
And to your myndis call
How Lucres wyll come hyder agayne,
And her sayde lovers bothe twayne,
To dyffyne thys question:
Whether of them ys the more noble man.
For theron all this matter began:
It is the chefe foundacyon
And her sayde lovers bothe twayne,
To dyffyne thys question:
Whether of them ys the more noble man.
For theron all this matter began:
It is the chefe foundacyon
Of all thys proces both all and some,
And yf thes players were ons come,
Of this matter will they speke.
I mervell gretely in my mynde
That thay tary so long behynde
Theyre howre for to breke.
And yf thes players were ons come,
Of this matter will they speke.
I mervell gretely in my mynde
That thay tary so long behynde
Theyre howre for to breke.
69
But what, syrs! I pray you everychone
Have pacyens, for thay come anone.
I am sure they wyll not fayle
But thay wyll mete in this place
As theyre promys and apoyntment wase,
And ellis I have merveyle.
Have pacyens, for thay come anone.
I am sure they wyll not fayle
But thay wyll mete in this place
As theyre promys and apoyntment wase,
And ellis I have merveyle.
Let me se, what is now a-cloke?
[Knocking at the door.]
A, there commyth one—I here hym knoke.
He knokythe as he were wood!
One of you go loke who it is.
He knokythe as he were wood!
One of you go loke who it is.
[Intrat B.]
B
Nay, nay, all the meyny of them iwis
Can not so moche gode.
Can not so moche gode.
A man may rappe tyll his naylis ake
Or ony of them wyll the labour take
To gyve hym an answere.
Or ony of them wyll the labour take
To gyve hym an answere.
A
I have grete marvell on the
That ever thou wylt take upon the
To chyde ony man here!
That ever thou wylt take upon the
To chyde ony man here!
No man is so moche to blame as thow
For longe taryinge.
For longe taryinge.
B
Ye, God avow,
Wyll ye play me that?
Mary, that shall be amended anone:
I am late comen and I wyll sone be gone,
Ellis I shrew my catt.
Wyll ye play me that?
Mary, that shall be amended anone:
I am late comen and I wyll sone be gone,
Ellis I shrew my catt.
Kockis body, syr, it is a fayre resone.
I am com hedyr att this season
Only at thy byddynge,
And now thou makyst to me a quarell
As though all the matter were in parell
By my longe taryynge.
I am com hedyr att this season
Only at thy byddynge,
And now thou makyst to me a quarell
As though all the matter were in parell
By my longe taryynge.
Now God be with you, so mote I the,
Ye shall play the knave alone for me!
Ye shall play the knave alone for me!
[B offers to leave.]
A
What? I am afrayde,
Iwis, ye are but lewyde!
Turne agayne, all beshrewyde—
Now are you fayre prayde!
70
Why than, is your angyr all do?
A
Ye, mary, is it, lo.
B
So is myne too—
I have done clene.
But now how goyth this matter forth
Of this mariage?
A
By Saynt Jame, ryght nought worth.
I wot nere what thay meane,
I wot nere what thay meane,
For I can none other wise thinke
But that some of them begyn to shrinke
Bycause of ther longe tariage.
But that some of them begyn to shrinke
Bycause of ther longe tariage.
B
Shrynke now, quod a? Mary, that were mervele.
But one thinge of surete I can the tell
As touchynge this mariage:
But one thinge of surete I can the tell
As touchynge this mariage:
Cornelius my mayster apoyntyth hym therupone,
And dowtles he wyll be here anone,
In payne of forty pens,
In so muche that he hath devysyde
Certayne straungers fresshly disgisyd
Att his owne exspens
And dowtles he wyll be here anone,
In payne of forty pens,
In so muche that he hath devysyde
Certayne straungers fresshly disgisyd
Att his owne exspens
For to be here this nyght also.
A
Straungers, quod a? What to do?
B
Mary, for to glade with all
This gentylwoman at her hedyr comynge.
A
A, then I se well we shall have a mummynge!
B
Ye, surely, that we shall!
And therfor never thinke it in thy mynde
That my mayster wyll be behynde
Nor slacke at this bargyn.
Mary, here he commyth, I have hym aspyde.
No more wordis, stonde thou asyde,
For it is he playne.
That my mayster wyll be behynde
Nor slacke at this bargyn.
Mary, here he commyth, I have hym aspyde.
No more wordis, stonde thou asyde,
For it is he playne.
[A goes out. Cornelius enters in the costume of a gallant.]
Cornelius
My frynde, where abowt goist thou all day?
B
Mary syr, I came heder to asay
Whedyr these folke had ben here.
Whedyr these folke had ben here.
And yet thay be not come,
So helpe me God and holydome—
Of that I have moche marvaile,
That thay tary so.
So helpe me God and holydome—
Of that I have moche marvaile,
That thay tary so.
Cornelius
Mary, go thi way
And wit where thay wyll or no!
B
Ye, God avow, shall I so.
Cornelius
Ye, mary, so I say.
71
Yet in that poynt, as semyth me,
Ye do not accordynge to your degre.
Cornelius
I pray the, tell me why?
B
Mary, it wolde becom them well inow
To be here afore and to wayte upon you,
And not you to tary
To be here afore and to wayte upon you,
And not you to tary
For theyr laysyr and abyde them here
As it were one that were ledde by the eare—
For that I defy!
By this mene you sholde be theyr druge,
I tell you trought, I.
As it were one that were ledde by the eare—
For that I defy!
By this mene you sholde be theyr druge,
I tell you trought, I.
And yet the worst that greveth me
Is that your adversary sholde in you se
So notable a foly—
Therfore wit[h]draw you for a seasone.
Is that your adversary sholde in you se
So notable a foly—
Therfore wit[h]draw you for a seasone.
Cornelius
By Seynt Johan, thou sayst but reasone.
B
Ye, do so hardely,
And whan the tyme drawith upon
That thay be com everychone
And all thinge redy,
Than shall I come streyght away
For to seche you withoute delay.
That thay be com everychone
And all thinge redy,
Than shall I come streyght away
For to seche you withoute delay.
Cornelius
Be it so, hardely.
But one thinge whyle I thinke therone,
Remember this when I am gone:
Yef hit happon so
That Lucres come in fyrst alone,
Go in hand with her anone,
How so ever thou do,
For to fele her mynde toward me,
And by all meanis possyble to be,
Induce her therunto.
Remember this when I am gone:
Yef hit happon so
That Lucres come in fyrst alone,
Go in hand with her anone,
How so ever thou do,
For to fele her mynde toward me,
And by all meanis possyble to be,
Induce her therunto.
B
Than some token you must gyve me,
For ellis she wyll not beleve me
That I cam from you.
Cornelius
Mary, that is evyn wysely spoken.
Commaunde me to her by the same token—
She knowyth it well inow—
Commaunde me to her by the same token—
She knowyth it well inow—
That as she and I walkyde onis togedyr
In her garden hedyr and thedyr,
There happonde a straunge case.
For at the last we dyd se
A byrd sittynge on a holow tre—
An ashe I trow it was.
Anone she prayde me for to assay
Yf I coude start the byrde away.
In her garden hedyr and thedyr,
There happonde a straunge case.
For at the last we dyd se
A byrd sittynge on a holow tre—
An ashe I trow it was.
Anone she prayde me for to assay
Yf I coude start the byrde away.
B
And dyde ye so? Alas, alas!
72
Why the devyll sayst thou so?
B
By cokkis bonis, for it was a kocko!
And men say amonge,
He that throwyth stone or stycke
At suche a byrde, he is lycke
To synge that byrdes songe.
Cornelius
What the devyll recke I therfore?
Here what I say to the ever more,
And marke thine erand well:
Syr, I had no stone to throw with all,
And therfore she toke me her musc ball,
And thus it befell:
Here what I say to the ever more,
And marke thine erand well:
Syr, I had no stone to throw with all,
And therfore she toke me her musc ball,
And thus it befell:
I kyst it as strayght as ony pole,
So that it lyghtyde evyn in the hole
Of the holow ashe.
Now, canst thou remember all this?
So that it lyghtyde evyn in the hole
Of the holow ashe.
Now, canst thou remember all this?
B
By God, I wolde be loth to do amys,
For some tyme I am full rashe.
For some tyme I am full rashe.
Ye say that ye kyst it evyn in the hole
Of the holow ashe as strayte as a pole—
Sayde ye not so?
Of the holow ashe as strayte as a pole—
Sayde ye not so?
Cornelius
Yes.
B
Well then, let me alone.
As for this erande, it shall be done
As sone as ye be go.
Cornelius
Fare well then, I leve the here,
And remembyr well all this gere
How so ever thou do.
Et exeat Cornelius.
B
Yes hardely, this erande shall be spoken.
But how say you, syrs, by this tokene?
Is it not a quaynt thinge?
I went he hade bene a sad man,
But I se well he is a made man
In this message doynge.
But how say you, syrs, by this tokene?
Is it not a quaynt thinge?
I went he hade bene a sad man,
But I se well he is a made man
In this message doynge.
But what? Chose he for me,
I am but as a messanger perde—
The blame shall not be myne but his,
For I wyll his token reporte
Whether she take it in ernest or sporte—
I wyll not therof mys.
I am but as a messanger perde—
The blame shall not be myne but his,
For I wyll his token reporte
Whether she take it in ernest or sporte—
I wyll not therof mys.
Be she wroth or well apayde,
I wyll tell her evyn as he sayde.
Intrat Lucres.
I wyll tell her evyn as he sayde.
73
God avow, here she is!
It is tyme for me to be wyse.
Now welcome lady, floure of prise:
I have sought you twyse or thryse
Wythin this houre iwys.
It is tyme for me to be wyse.
Now welcome lady, floure of prise:
I have sought you twyse or thryse
Wythin this houre iwys.
Lucres
Me syr? Have ye sought me?
B
Ye, that I have by God that bowght me.
Lucres
To what intent?
B
Mary, for I have thingis a few
The which I must to you shew
By my maysters commaundement.
The which I must to you shew
By my maysters commaundement.
Publius Cornelius is hys name,
Your veray lover, in payne of shame,
And yf ye love hym not ye be to blame!
For this dare I say,
And on a boke make it gode:
He lovyd you better than his one hart blode.
Your veray lover, in payne of shame,
And yf ye love hym not ye be to blame!
For this dare I say,
And on a boke make it gode:
He lovyd you better than his one hart blode.
Lucres
Hys harde bloode? Nay, nay,
Half that love wolde serve for me!
B
Yet sithe he dyde you fyrst se
In the place where he dwellis,
He had lovyd you so in hys hart
That he settyth not by hym self a fart,
Nor by noo man ellis.
In the place where he dwellis,
He had lovyd you so in hys hart
That he settyth not by hym self a fart,
Nor by noo man ellis.
And bycause ye shulde gyve credence
Unto my sayng in hys absence
And trust to that I say,
He tolde me tokyns two or thre
Whiche I know well as he tolde me.
Unto my sayng in hys absence
And trust to that I say,
He tolde me tokyns two or thre
Whiche I know well as he tolde me.
Lucres
Tokyns? What be thay?
B
Let me se—now I had nede to be wyse,
For one of his tokyns is very nyse
As ever I harde tell!
He prayd you for to beleve me
By the same tokyn that ye and he
Walkyd togeder by a holow tre.
Lucres
All that I know well.
B
A, than I am yet in the ryght way.
But I have som other thyng to say
Towchyng my credence
Whiche as I thynke were best to be spared,
For happely ye wold not have it declared
Byfore all this audience.
74
Nay, nay, hardely, spare not:
As for my dedis, I care not
Yf all the worlde it harde.
B
Mary, than shall I procede.
He shewde me also in very dede
How ther satt a byrde,
He shewde me also in very dede
How ther satt a byrde,
And than ye delyveryd hym your muskball
For to throw at the byrd with all,
And than as he sayd, ye dyd no wors
But evyn fayr kyst hym on the noke of the ars.
For to throw at the byrd with all,
And than as he sayd, ye dyd no wors
But evyn fayr kyst hym on the noke of the ars.
Lucres
Nay, ther thow lyest falsely, by my fay!
B
Trouth, it was on the hole of thars I shulde say—
I wyst well it was one of the too,
The noke or the hole.
Lucres
Nay, nor yet so!
B
By my fayth, ye kyst hym or he kyst you
On the hole of thars, chose you now—
This he tolde me sure.
How be it, I speke it not in reprove,
For it was done but for gode love
And for no synfull pleasure.
Lucres
Nay, nay, man, thow art farr amys!
I know what thyn erande is,
Though thow be neclygent.
Of thy foly thou mayst well abasshe,
For thou shuldis have sayde the holow asshe:
That hole thy mayster ment.
B
By God avow, I trow it was!
I crye you mercy, I have done you trespas.
I crye you mercy, I have done you trespas.
But I pray you take it in pacyence,
For I mystoke it by necligence.
A myscheef com theron!
He myght have sent you this gere in a letter!
But I shall go lerne myn erande better,
And cum ayen anon.
For I mystoke it by necligence.
A myscheef com theron!
He myght have sent you this gere in a letter!
But I shall go lerne myn erande better,
And cum ayen anon.
Et exeat.
Lucres
Ye, so do hardely!
Now forsoth, this was a lewed message
As ever I harde sith I was bore.
And yf his mayster have therof knowlege
He wyll be angry with hym therfore.
How be it, I will speke therof no more,
For hyt hath ben my condiscyon alwey
No man to hender but to helpe where I may.
As ever I harde sith I was bore.
And yf his mayster have therof knowlege
He wyll be angry with hym therfore.
How be it, I will speke therof no more,
For hyt hath ben my condiscyon alwey
No man to hender but to helpe where I may.
Intrat A.
75
Feyr maysters, lyketh it you to know
That my mayster commaunde me to you!
Lucres
Commaundeth you to me?
A
Nay, commaundeth you to hym!
Lucres
Wele amendyd, by Saynt Sym.
A
Commaundeth he to you, I wolde say,
Or ellis you to he—now chose ye may
Whether lyketh you better!
And here he sendyth you a letter.
Or ellis you to he—now chose ye may
Whether lyketh you better!
And here he sendyth you a letter.
Godis mercy, I had it ryght now!
Syrs, is there none there among you
That toke up suche a wrytyng?
I pray you, syrs, let me have it agayne!
Syrs, is there none there among you
That toke up suche a wrytyng?
I pray you, syrs, let me have it agayne!
Lucres
Ye ar a gode messanger for certeyne!
But I pray you, syr, of one thyng:
But I pray you, syr, of one thyng:
Who is your mayster?—tell me that!
A
Maister what call ye hym! Parde, ye wott
Whome I mene well and fyne!
Lucres
Yet I know not, so mot I go!
A
What? Yes, parde, he that wolde have you so.
Lucres
I suppose there be many of tho
Yf I wolde enclyne!
Yf I wolde enclyne!
But yet know I not who ye mene.
I holde best that ye go ageyene
To lerne your maysters name.
I holde best that ye go ageyene
To lerne your maysters name.
A
By my fayth, and I holde it best.
Ye may say I am a homely gest
In ernest and in game.
Lucres
Abyde, I shall go to you nerehonde:
What ys your owne name, I wolde understonde?
Tell me that or I go!
I trow thou canst not well tell.
A
By my fayth, not verely well,
Bycause ye say so.
Et scalpens caput post
modicum intervallum dicat:
Bycause ye say so.
By this lyght, I have forgoten!
How be it, by that tyme I have spoken
With som of my company,
I shall be acerteyned of this gere.
But shall I fynde you agayne here?
How be it, by that tyme I have spoken
With som of my company,
I shall be acerteyned of this gere.
But shall I fynde you agayne here?
Lucres
Ye, that thow shalt, happely!
Et exeat A. [Et intrat Cornelius.]
76
Now fayr Lucres, accordyng to thappoyntement
That ye made with me here this day,
Bycause ye shall not fynde me there neclygent,
Here I am come your wyll to obey,
And redy am I for my selfe to sey
That, as towchyng the degre of noble condycion,
Betwyxt me and Gayus there may be no comparison.
That ye made with me here this day,
Bycause ye shall not fynde me there neclygent,
Here I am come your wyll to obey,
And redy am I for my selfe to sey
That, as towchyng the degre of noble condycion,
Betwyxt me and Gayus there may be no comparison.
And that shall I shew you by apparent reason
Yf it shall lyke you that I now begynne.
Yf it shall lyke you that I now begynne.
Lucres
Nay, ye shall spare it for a lytyll season
Tyl suche tyme that Gayus your adversary come in,
For I wyll gyve you therin none audience
Tyll ye be both toge[d]er in presence.
Tyl suche tyme that Gayus your adversary come in,
For I wyll gyve you therin none audience
Tyll ye be both toge[d]er in presence.
And in ony wyse, kepe well your patience
Lyke as I have bound you both to the peace.
I forbyde you utterly all maner of violence
Durynge this matter, and also that ye seace
Of all suche wordis as may gyve occasion
Of brallynge or other ongodely condycion.
Lyke as I have bound you both to the peace.
I forbyde you utterly all maner of violence
Durynge this matter, and also that ye seace
Of all suche wordis as may gyve occasion
Of brallynge or other ongodely condycion.
Cornelius
There shal be in me no suche abusyon
In worde nor dede, I you promyse.
[Intrat B.]
But now let me se: what occupation
Or what maner of passe tyme wyll ye devyse
Whyle that these folke dothe tary this wyse?
Wyll ye see a bace daunce after the gyse
Of Spayne whyle ye have no thynge to do?
All thynge have I purvaide that belongyth therto!
Lucres
Syr, I shall gyve you the lokynge on.
Cornelius
Wyll ye do so? I aske no more.
Go sone and bidde them come thens anone,
And cause the mynystrellis to come in beffore.
[B fetches the minstrels.]
B
Mary, as for one of them, his lippe is sore—
I trow he may not pype, he is so syke.
Spele up tamboryne, ik bide owe frelike!
[The dancers come in.] Et deinde corisabunt.
Lucres
Forsothe, this was a godely recreacyon.
But I pray you, of what maner nation
Be these godely creatours?
Were they of Englonde or of Wales?
B
Nay, they be wylde Irissh Portyngales
That dyde all these pleasures.
77
And he wyll deserve it, I undertake,
On the largest wyse.
Cornelius
Go thy selfe—why stondis thou so?—
And make them chere! Let it be do
The best thou canst devyse.
B
Yes, they shall have chere hevyn hye!
But one thing I promyse you faithfully—
They get no drynke therto.
Exeat [with dancers and minstrels. Gayus comes in.] Dicat Lucres:
Lucres
Lo, here thys man ys come now—
Now may ye in your matter procede.
Ye remembre both what I sayde to you
Touchynge myne answere—I trow it is no nede
Ony more to reherse it.
Cornelius
No, in veray dede,
For moche rehersall wolde let the spede
Of all this matter—it nedyth no more.
Let us roundely to the matter we come for.
Lucres
Ye, that I pray you as hartly as I can.
But fyrst me semyth it were expedient
That ye both name some indifferent man
For to gyve betwyxt you the forseyde jugement.
Cornelius
Nay, as for that, by myne assent,
No man shall have that office but ye.
Gayus
And I holde me well content that it so be.
Lucres
Ye, but not wythstondyng that ye therto agre
That I sholde this question of nobles diffine,
It is a grete matter whiche, as semyth me,
Pertayneth to a philosopher or ellis a devyne.
How be it, sith the choyse of this matter is myne,
I can be content, under certayne protestacyon,
Whan that I have harde you, to say myne opinion.
That I sholde this question of nobles diffine,
It is a grete matter whiche, as semyth me,
Pertayneth to a philosopher or ellis a devyne.
How be it, sith the choyse of this matter is myne,
I can be content, under certayne protestacyon,
Whan that I have harde you, to say myne opinion.
Lo, this wyse I mene and thus I do intende:
That what so ever sentence I gyve betwyxt you two
After myne owne fantasie, it shall not extende
To ony other person. I wyll that it be so,
For why no man ellis hath theryn ado.
It may not be notyde for a generall precedent,
All be it that for your partis ye do therto assent.
That what so ever sentence I gyve betwyxt you two
After myne owne fantasie, it shall not extende
To ony other person. I wyll that it be so,
For why no man ellis hath theryn ado.
It may not be notyde for a generall precedent,
All be it that for your partis ye do therto assent.
78
As touchyng that poynt we holde us well content—
Your sentence shall touche no man but us twayne.
And sith ye shall gyve it by our owne agrement,
None other man ought to have thereat disdayne.
Wherfor all thys dout ye may well refrayne,
And in that matter principall this tyme wolde be spent.
Cornelius
Than wyll I begynne.
Gayus
I holde me well content.
Cornelius
Syth ye have promysed, fayre Lucres, heretofore
That to the more noble man ye wyll enclyne,
Vary not fro that worde and I aske no more,
For than shall the victory of this cause be myne,
As it shalbe easy to jugge and diffyne.
For every creature that ony reason hase
Me semyth I durst make hym self jugge in this case,
Save that I fere me the beaute of your face
Sholde therin blynde hym so that he ne myght
Egally disserne the wronge fro the right.
That to the more noble man ye wyll enclyne,
Vary not fro that worde and I aske no more,
For than shall the victory of this cause be myne,
As it shalbe easy to jugge and diffyne.
For every creature that ony reason hase
Me semyth I durst make hym self jugge in this case,
Save that I fere me the beaute of your face
Sholde therin blynde hym so that he ne myght
Egally disserne the wronge fro the right.
And if he were half so wyse a man in dede
As he reputeth hym self for to be,
Upon your saide answere he sholde not nede
To gaynesay in this matter or travers with me.
My noblenes is knowen thorow all the cyte—
He knoweth hym selfe the noblenes of my kyn—
And at that one poynt my proces I wyll begyne.
As he reputeth hym self for to be,
Upon your saide answere he sholde not nede
To gaynesay in this matter or travers with me.
My noblenes is knowen thorow all the cyte—
He knoweth hym selfe the noblenes of my kyn—
And at that one poynt my proces I wyll begyne.
Amonge all thistoryes of Romaynes that ye rede,
Where fynde ye ony blode of so gret noblenes
As hath ben the Cornelys wherof I am brede?
And if so be that I wolde therin holde my pease,
Yet all your cornecles beryth gode witnes
That my progenytours and auncetours have be
The chefe ayde and diffence of this noble cyte.
Where fynde ye ony blode of so gret noblenes
As hath ben the Cornelys wherof I am brede?
And if so be that I wolde therin holde my pease,
Yet all your cornecles beryth gode witnes
That my progenytours and auncetours have be
The chefe ayde and diffence of this noble cyte.
How ofte have myne auncetours in tymes of necessite
Delyverd this cyte from dedely parell
As well by theyr manhode as by theyr police?
What jeopardi and paine they have suffred in the quarell
Thempire to encrece and for the comune wele
It nedith not the specialties to reherse or name
Sith every trew Romaine knoweth the same.
Delyverd this cyte from dedely parell
As well by theyr manhode as by theyr police?
What jeopardi and paine they have suffred in the quarell
Thempire to encrece and for the comune wele
It nedith not the specialties to reherse or name
Sith every trew Romaine knoweth the same.
In every mannys howse that histories be rife
And wrytten in bookis, as in some placis be
The gestis of Arthur, or of Alexandyrs life,
In the whiche stories ye may evidently se
And rede how Cartage, that royall cyte,
By Cipion of Affrick, my grete graunte-sire,
Subduede was and also ascribede to his empire.
And wrytten in bookis, as in some placis be
The gestis of Arthur, or of Alexandyrs life,
In the whiche stories ye may evidently se
And rede how Cartage, that royall cyte,
By Cipion of Affrick, my grete graunte-sire,
Subduede was and also ascribede to his empire.
79
And many other cyties that dyde conspire
Ayenst the noble senatoure makynge resistence,
As often as necessite did it require
They were reducyd unto due obedience
Eyther by the policy or by the violence
Of my sayde aunceters: thistories be playne
And witnesse that I speke not these wordis in vayne.
Ayenst the noble senatoure makynge resistence,
As often as necessite did it require
They were reducyd unto due obedience
Eyther by the policy or by the violence
Of my sayde aunceters: thistories be playne
And witnesse that I speke not these wordis in vayne.
My blode hath ever takyn suche payne
To salve garde the comune wele fro ruyn and decay,
That by one advyse the Cenat dyde ordeyne
Them to be namyd the faders of the contray,
And so were myne auctours reputed alway,
For in every nede they dyde upon them call
For helpe as the chylde doth on the fader naturall.
To salve garde the comune wele fro ruyn and decay,
That by one advyse the Cenat dyde ordeyne
Them to be namyd the faders of the contray,
And so were myne auctours reputed alway,
For in every nede they dyde upon them call
For helpe as the chylde doth on the fader naturall.
How be it, to praye them it was no nede at all,
For of their owne myndis they were redy alway.
In tokyn of the same, for a memoriall
Of theyr desertis the cytie dyde edifye
Triumphall arches, wheruppon ye may
To my grete honour se at this day
Thymages of myn auncetours evyn by and by
Bycause that theyr noblenes sholde never dye.
For of their owne myndis they were redy alway.
In tokyn of the same, for a memoriall
Of theyr desertis the cytie dyde edifye
Triumphall arches, wheruppon ye may
To my grete honour se at this day
Thymages of myn auncetours evyn by and by
Bycause that theyr noblenes sholde never dye.
In token also that they were worthy
Grete honour and prayse of all the contray,
It is commaunded and used generally
That every cytezen that passith that way
By the sayde images, he must obey
And to that fygures make a due reverence,
And ellis to the lawes he dothe grete offence.
Grete honour and prayse of all the contray,
It is commaunded and used generally
That every cytezen that passith that way
By the sayde images, he must obey
And to that fygures make a due reverence,
And ellis to the lawes he dothe grete offence.
Sith it is so than that of convenience
Suche honoure and homage must nedis be do
To these dede ymagis, than muche more reverence
To me sholde be gevyn—I trow ye thinke so—,
For I am theyr very ymage and relyque to
Of theyr flesch and blode, and veray inherytoure
As well of theyr godes as of theyr sayde honoure.
Suche honoure and homage must nedis be do
To these dede ymagis, than muche more reverence
To me sholde be gevyn—I trow ye thinke so—,
For I am theyr very ymage and relyque to
Of theyr flesch and blode, and veray inherytoure
As well of theyr godes as of theyr sayde honoure.
To me they have left many a castell and toure
Whiche in theyr triumphes thay rightfully wan.
To me they have also left all theyr tresoure
In suche abundaunce that I trow no man
Within all Rome, sith it fyrst began,
Had half the store as I understonde
That I have evyn now at ons in my honde.
Whiche in theyr triumphes thay rightfully wan.
To me they have also left all theyr tresoure
In suche abundaunce that I trow no man
Within all Rome, sith it fyrst began,
Had half the store as I understonde
That I have evyn now at ons in my honde.
80
Lo, in these thyngis my noblenes doth stonde,
Whiche in myne oppynyon suffiseth for this intent.
And I trow there is no man throwgh all this londe
Of Italy, but if he were here present
He wolde to my sayng in this matter assent
And gyve unto me the honoure and preeminence
Rather than make agayne me resistence.
Whiche in myne oppynyon suffiseth for this intent.
And I trow there is no man throwgh all this londe
Of Italy, but if he were here present
He wolde to my sayng in this matter assent
And gyve unto me the honoure and preeminence
Rather than make agayne me resistence.
I marvayle gretly what shulde thy mynde insence
To thinke that thy tytle therin sholde be gode!
Parde, thow canst not say for thy deffence
That ever there was gentilman of thy kyn or blode!
And if there were oone, it wolde be understode
Without it be thy self, whiche now of late
Among noble gentylmen playest check mate.
To thinke that thy tytle therin sholde be gode!
Parde, thow canst not say for thy deffence
That ever there was gentilman of thy kyn or blode!
And if there were oone, it wolde be understode
Without it be thy self, whiche now of late
Among noble gentylmen playest check mate.
Lucres
No more therof, I pray you! Suche wordis I hate,
And I dyde forbid you them at the begynnyng
To eschue thoccasyon of stryfe and debate.
Gayus
Nay, let hym alone—he spekyth after his lernyng!
For I shall answer hym to every thyng
Whan he hath all said, if ye woll here me,
As I thinke ye wyll of your equyte.
Cornelius
Abide, I must make an ende fyrst, parde.
To you, swete Lucres, I wolde have said beffore
That yf ye wyll to my desyre in this matter agre,
Doubtles ye shall blesse the tyme that ever ye were bore,
For riches shall ye have at your will ever more
Without care or study of laboriouse besynes,
And spend all your dayes in ease and plesaunt idelnesse.
To you, swete Lucres, I wolde have said beffore
That yf ye wyll to my desyre in this matter agre,
Doubtles ye shall blesse the tyme that ever ye were bore,
For riches shall ye have at your will ever more
Without care or study of laboriouse besynes,
And spend all your dayes in ease and plesaunt idelnesse.
About your owne apparell ye can do non excesse
In my company that sholde displese my mynd.
With me shall ye do non other maner of besynes
But hunt for your solace at the hart and hynde,
And some tyme where we convenient game fynde
Oure hawkis shal be redy to shew you a flight
Whiche shal be right plesaunt and chereful to your sight.
In my company that sholde displese my mynd.
With me shall ye do non other maner of besynes
But hunt for your solace at the hart and hynde,
And some tyme where we convenient game fynde
Oure hawkis shal be redy to shew you a flight
Whiche shal be right plesaunt and chereful to your sight.
And yf so be that in huntyng ye have no delyght,
Than may ye daunce a whyle for your disport.
Ye shall have at your pleasure both day and night
All maner of mynstralsy to do you comfort.
Do what thyng ye wyll, I have to support
Our chargis, and over that I may susteyne
At myne owne fyndyng an hundred or twayne.
Than may ye daunce a whyle for your disport.
Ye shall have at your pleasure both day and night
All maner of mynstralsy to do you comfort.
Do what thyng ye wyll, I have to support
Our chargis, and over that I may susteyne
At myne owne fyndyng an hundred or twayne.
81
And as for hym, I am certayn
Hys auncetours were of full poore degre,
All be it that now withyn a yere or twayne,
Bycause that he wold a gentilman be,
He hath hym goten both office and fee,
Whiche after the rate of hys wrechyd sparyng
Suffiseth scarsely for hys bare lyvynge.
Hys auncetours were of full poore degre,
All be it that now withyn a yere or twayne,
Bycause that he wold a gentilman be,
He hath hym goten both office and fee,
Whiche after the rate of hys wrechyd sparyng
Suffiseth scarsely for hys bare lyvynge.
Wherfore swete Lucres, it were not accordyng
For your grete beaute with hym to dwell,
For there sholde ye have a threde bare lyvynge
With wrechyd scarcenes, and I have herde tell
That maydens of your age love not ryght well
Suche maner of husbondis, without it be thay
That forceth lytyll to cast them self away.
For your grete beaute with hym to dwell,
For there sholde ye have a threde bare lyvynge
With wrechyd scarcenes, and I have herde tell
That maydens of your age love not ryght well
Suche maner of husbondis, without it be thay
That forceth lytyll to cast them self away.
I mene specyally for suche of them as may
Spede better if they wyll, as ye be yn the case.
And therfore Lucres, what so ever he wyll say
Hys title agaynst you to force and embrace,
Ye shall do your owen selfe to grete a trespas
Yf ye folow hys part and enclyne therto.
Now say what ye wyll, syr, for I have all doo.
Spede better if they wyll, as ye be yn the case.
And therfore Lucres, what so ever he wyll say
Hys title agaynst you to force and embrace,
Ye shall do your owen selfe to grete a trespas
Yf ye folow hys part and enclyne therto.
Now say what ye wyll, syr, for I have all doo.
Gayus
With ryght gode will I shall go to,
So that ye will here me with as grete pacience
As I have harde you—reason wolde soo.
And what so ever I shall speke in this audience,
Eyther of myn owne meritis or of hys insolence,
Yet fyrst unto you all, syrs, I make this request:
That it wolde lyke you to construe it to the best.
So that ye will here me with as grete pacience
As I have harde you—reason wolde soo.
And what so ever I shall speke in this audience,
Eyther of myn owne meritis or of hys insolence,
Yet fyrst unto you all, syrs, I make this request:
That it wolde lyke you to construe it to the best.
For lothe wolde I be as ony creature
To boste of myne owne dedis—it was never my gyse.
On that other syde, loth I am to make ony reportur
Of this mans foly or hym to dispice.
But never the lesse this matter towchith me in suche wise
That what so ever ye thinke in me, I must procede
Unto the veray trouth therof as the matter is in dede.
To boste of myne owne dedis—it was never my gyse.
On that other syde, loth I am to make ony reportur
Of this mans foly or hym to dispice.
But never the lesse this matter towchith me in suche wise
That what so ever ye thinke in me, I must procede
Unto the veray trouth therof as the matter is in dede.
To make a grete rehersall of that ye have saide
The tyme will not suffre, but never the lesse
Two thingis for your self in substaunce ye have layd
Whiche as ye suppose maketh for your nobles,
Upon the whiche thingis dependith all your processe:
Fyrst, of your auncetours ye allege the noble gestis;
Secondly, the substaunce that ye have of theyr bequestis.
The tyme will not suffre, but never the lesse
Two thingis for your self in substaunce ye have layd
Whiche as ye suppose maketh for your nobles,
Upon the whiche thingis dependith all your processe:
Fyrst, of your auncetours ye allege the noble gestis;
Secondly, the substaunce that ye have of theyr bequestis.
82
In the whiche thingis onely, by your owne confession,
Standeth all your noblenes—this sayd ye beffore.
Whereunto this I say under the correction
Of Lucres oure jugge here, that ye ar never the more
Worthy in myne oppynion to be callyd noble therfore,
And withoute ye have better causes to shew than these,
Of reason ye must the victory of this matter lese.
Standeth all your noblenes—this sayd ye beffore.
Whereunto this I say under the correction
Of Lucres oure jugge here, that ye ar never the more
Worthy in myne oppynion to be callyd noble therfore,
And withoute ye have better causes to shew than these,
Of reason ye must the victory of this matter lese.
To the fyrst parte as touching your auncetours dedis,
Some of them were noble lyke as ye declare—
Thestoris bereth witnes, I must graunt them nedis.
But yet for all that, some of them ware
Of contrary di[s]posycion like as ye are,
For they dyde no proffite—no more do ye—
To the comon wele of this noble cytie.
Some of them were noble lyke as ye declare—
Thestoris bereth witnes, I must graunt them nedis.
But yet for all that, some of them ware
Of contrary di[s]posycion like as ye are,
For they dyde no proffite—no more do ye—
To the comon wele of this noble cytie.
Yf ye wyll the title of noblenes wynne,
Shew what have ye done your self therfore.
Some of your owne meritis let se bryng in,
Yf ever ye dyde ony syth ye were bore.
But surely ye have no suche thyng in store
Of your owne meritis wherby of right
Ye shulde appere noble to ony mannys sight.
Shew what have ye done your self therfore.
Some of your owne meritis let se bryng in,
Yf ever ye dyde ony syth ye were bore.
But surely ye have no suche thyng in store
Of your owne meritis wherby of right
Ye shulde appere noble to ony mannys sight.
But neverthelesse I wyll you not blame
Thowgh ye speke not of your owne dedis at all.
And to say the trowght, ye may not for shame:
Your lyfe is so voluptuouse and so bestiall
In folowynge of every lust sensuall
That I marvaille no thynge in my mynde
Yf ye leve your owne dedis behynde.
Thowgh ye speke not of your owne dedis at all.
And to say the trowght, ye may not for shame:
Your lyfe is so voluptuouse and so bestiall
In folowynge of every lust sensuall
That I marvaille no thynge in my mynde
Yf ye leve your owne dedis behynde.
He wenyth that by hys proude contenaunce
Of worde and dede, with nyse aray,
Hys grete othys, and open mayntenaunce
Of theftis and murdres every day,
Also hys ryotouse disportis and play,
Hys sloth, his cowardy, and other excesse,
Hys mynde disposed to all unclennesse—
But these thyngis oonly he shall have noblenesse.
Of worde and dede, with nyse aray,
Hys grete othys, and open mayntenaunce
Of theftis and murdres every day,
Also hys ryotouse disportis and play,
Hys sloth, his cowardy, and other excesse,
Hys mynde disposed to all unclennesse—
But these thyngis oonly he shall have noblenesse.
Nay, the title of noblenes wyll not ensue
A man that is all gevyn to suche insolence,
But it groweth of longe continued vertu,
As I trust, lady, that youre indifference
Can well diffyne by your sentence.
Hys auncetours were not of suche condicion,
But all contrary to hys disposicyon.
A man that is all gevyn to suche insolence,
But it groweth of longe continued vertu,
As I trust, lady, that youre indifference
Can well diffyne by your sentence.
Hys auncetours were not of suche condicion,
But all contrary to hys disposicyon.
83
And therfore they were noble withouten faile,
And dyde grete honoure to all the contrey.
But what can theyr sayde noblenes advayle
To hym that takyth a contrary way?—
Of whome men spekith every day
So grete dishonoure, that it is marvel
The contrey suffereth hym therin to dwelle.
And dyde grete honoure to all the contrey.
But what can theyr sayde noblenes advayle
To hym that takyth a contrary way?—
Of whome men spekith every day
So grete dishonoure, that it is marvel
The contrey suffereth hym therin to dwelle.
And where he to-wyteth me of pore kyn,
He doth me therin a wrongfull offence.
For no man shall thankis or praysyng wyn
By the gyftis that he hath of natures influence.
Lyke wyse I thinke by a contrary sense
That if a man be borne blynde or lame,
Not he hym selfe but nature therin is to blame.
He doth me therin a wrongfull offence.
For no man shall thankis or praysyng wyn
By the gyftis that he hath of natures influence.
Lyke wyse I thinke by a contrary sense
That if a man be borne blynde or lame,
Not he hym selfe but nature therin is to blame.
Therfor he doth not me therin repreve.
And as for that poynt, this I wott welle,
That both he and I cam of Adam and Eve.
There is no difference that I can tell
Whiche makith oon man an other to excell
So moche as doth vertue and godely maner,
And therin I may well with hym compare.
And as for that poynt, this I wott welle,
That both he and I cam of Adam and Eve.
There is no difference that I can tell
Whiche makith oon man an other to excell
So moche as doth vertue and godely maner,
And therin I may well with hym compare.
How be it, I speke it not for myne one prayse,
But certeynly this hath ever be my condicion:
I have borne unto God all my daies
His laude and prayse with my due devocion,
And next that I bere allwayes
To all my neyghbours charitable affeccyon.
Incontynency and onclennes I have had in abhominacion,
Lovyng to my frende and faythfull with all,
And ever I have withstonde my lustis sensuall.
But certeynly this hath ever be my condicion:
I have borne unto God all my daies
His laude and prayse with my due devocion,
And next that I bere allwayes
To all my neyghbours charitable affeccyon.
Incontynency and onclennes I have had in abhominacion,
Lovyng to my frende and faythfull with all,
And ever I have withstonde my lustis sensuall.
One tyme with study my tyme I spende
To eschew idelnes, the causer of syn.
An other tyme my contrey manly I deffend,
And for the victoryes that I have done therin,
Ye have sene your selfe, syr, that I have come in
To this noble cytee twyse or thryse
Crownyd with lawryel as it is the gyse.
To eschew idelnes, the causer of syn.
An other tyme my contrey manly I deffend,
And for the victoryes that I have done therin,
Ye have sene your selfe, syr, that I have come in
To this noble cytee twyse or thryse
Crownyd with lawryel as it is the gyse.
By these wayes, lo, I do aryse
Unto grete honoure fro low degre,
And yf myn heires will do likewyse
Thay shal be brought to nobles by me.
But Cornely, it semyth by the
That the nobles of thyn auncetours everycheon
Shall utterly starve and die in the alone.
Unto grete honoure fro low degre,
And yf myn heires will do likewyse
Thay shal be brought to nobles by me.
But Cornely, it semyth by the
That the nobles of thyn auncetours everycheon
Shall utterly starve and die in the alone.
84
And where he to-witeth me on that other syde
Of small possession and grete scarcenes,
For all that, lady, if ye will with me abidde
I shall assure you of moderate richesse,
And that sufficient for us both doutles.
Ye shall have also a man accordyng
To youre owne condicions in every thing.
Of small possession and grete scarcenes,
For all that, lady, if ye will with me abidde
I shall assure you of moderate richesse,
And that sufficient for us both doutles.
Ye shall have also a man accordyng
To youre owne condicions in every thing.
Now Lucres, I have shewyd unto you a parte
Of my title that I clayme you by,
Besechynge you therfore with all my hart
To considre us both twayne indifferently,
Whiche of us twayne ye will rather alow
More worthy for nobles to marry with you.
Of my title that I clayme you by,
Besechynge you therfore with all my hart
To considre us both twayne indifferently,
Whiche of us twayne ye will rather alow
More worthy for nobles to marry with you.
Lucres
Syrs, I have hard you both at large.
Cornelius
Nay, abide Lucres, I pray you hertly!
Sithe he leyeth many thynges to my charge,
Suffre that I may therunto repply.
Lucres
Iwis, replication shall not be necessary
Withoute that ye have some other thing in store
To shew for your self than ye dyde beffore.
Cornelius
Why lady, what thing will ye desyre more
Than I have shewyd to make for noblenes?
Lucres
Yes, som thyng ther ys that makyth therfore
Better than ye have shewid in your processe.
But now let me se what man of witnes
Or what other proves will ye forth bryng
By the whiche eyther of you may justifie his sayng?
Gayus
As for my parte, I wyll stonde gladly
To the commune voyce of all the contrey.
Lucres
And ye lyke wyse syr?
Cornelius
Ye certaynly,
I shall in no wyse your worde dissobey.
Lucres
Than wyll I betwyxt you both take this way:
I shall go enquyre as faste as I may
I shall go enquyre as faste as I may
What the commune fame wyll theryn reporte,
And whan I have therof a due evidence,
Than shall I agayne to you resorte
To shew you thopynyon of my sentence
Whome I wyll jugge to have the preemynence.
And whan I have therof a due evidence,
Than shall I agayne to you resorte
To shew you thopynyon of my sentence
Whome I wyll jugge to have the preemynence.
Cornelius
Nay, fayre Lucres, I you requyre:
Let me not now depart in vayne
Not knowyng theffect of my desyre.
Lucres
Syr, allthough it be to you a payne,
Yet must ye do so evyn both twayne.
Eche of you depart hens to hys owne place,
And take no more labour or payne in this case.
85
I shall go write it by gode advysement
Sone after that I am departed fro hens.
And than to eyther of you both shalbe sent
A copy of the same, to this intent:
That of none other person it shall be sayn
Sith it concerneth but onely unto you twayne.
Gayus
This is a gode waye as in my mynde.
Ar not ye, syr, content in lyke wyse?
Cornelius
I wot nere, yet I wyll prayse as I fynde
And as I have cause—that is evyr my gyse.
Gayus
Well Lucres, will ye commaunde me ony servyce?
Lucres
No servyce at all, syr. Why say ye so?
Our Lorde spede you both where so ever ye goo.
Et exeant Publius
Cornel[i]us et Gaius
Flaminius [et A].
Our Lorde spede you both where so ever ye goo.
Now som mayde, happely, and she were in my case,
Wolde not take that way that I do intend,
For I am fully determyned with Godis grace
So that to Gaius I wyll condyscend,
For in this case I do hym commend
As the more noble man, sith he thys wyse
By meane of hys vertue to honoure doth aryse.
Wolde not take that way that I do intend,
For I am fully determyned with Godis grace
So that to Gaius I wyll condyscend,
For in this case I do hym commend
As the more noble man, sith he thys wyse
By meane of hys vertue to honoure doth aryse.
And for all that, I wyll not dispise
The blode of Cornelius—I pray you thinke not so!
God forbede that ye sholde note me that wyse,
For truely I shall honoure them where so ever I go,
And all other that be of lyke blode also.
But unto the blode I wyll have lytyl respect
Where the condicyons be synfull and abject.
The blode of Cornelius—I pray you thinke not so!
God forbede that ye sholde note me that wyse,
For truely I shall honoure them where so ever I go,
And all other that be of lyke blode also.
But unto the blode I wyll have lytyl respect
Where the condicyons be synfull and abject.
I pray you all, syrs, as meny as be here:
Take not my wordis by a sinistre way.
Take not my wordis by a sinistre way.
[Intrat B.]
B
Yes, by my trouth, I shall witnes bere,
Where so ever I be com a nother day,
How suche a gentylwoman did opynly say
That by a chorles son she wolde set more
Than she wolde do by a gentylman bore.
Lucres
Nay, syr, than ye report me amys!
B
I pray you tell me, how sayd ye than?
Lucres
For God syr, the substaunce of my wordis was this:
I say evyn as I saide whan I began,
That for vertue excellent I will honoure a man
Rather than for hys blode, if it so fall
That gentil condicyons agre not with all.
86
Than I put case that a gentilman bore
Have godely maners to his birth accordyng.
Lucres
I say, of hym is to be set gret store:
Suche one is worthy more lawde and praysyng
Than many of them that hath their begynnyng
Of low kynred, ellis God forbede!—
I wyll not afferme the contrary for my hede,
Suche one is worthy more lawde and praysyng
Than many of them that hath their begynnyng
Of low kynred, ellis God forbede!—
I wyll not afferme the contrary for my hede,
For in that case ther may be no comparyson!
But never the lesse I said this before,
That a man of excellent vertuouse condicions,
Allthough he be of a pore stoke bore,
Yet I wyll honour and commende hym more
Than one that is descendide of ryght noble kyn
Whose lyffe is all dissolute and rotyde in syn.
But never the lesse I said this before,
That a man of excellent vertuouse condicions,
Allthough he be of a pore stoke bore,
Yet I wyll honour and commende hym more
Than one that is descendide of ryght noble kyn
Whose lyffe is all dissolute and rotyde in syn.
And therfore I have determyned utterly
That Gaius Flaminius shall have his intent.
To hym onely I shall my self apply
To use me in wedloke at his commaundement,
So that to Cornelyus I wyll never assent
Allthough he had as grete possession
As ony one man in Cristen region.
That Gaius Flaminius shall have his intent.
To hym onely I shall my self apply
To use me in wedloke at his commaundement,
So that to Cornelyus I wyll never assent
Allthough he had as grete possession
As ony one man in Cristen region.
I shall in no wyse favour or love hys condicyon,
How be it that his blode requyreth due reverence,
And that shall I gyve hym with all submyssion—
But yet shall he never have the preemynence
To speke of very nobles by my sentence.
Ye be hys servaunt syr—go your way
And report to your mayster evyn as I say.
[Exeat Lucres.]
How be it that his blode requyreth due reverence,
And that shall I gyve hym with all submyssion—
But yet shall he never have the preemynence
To speke of very nobles by my sentence.
Ye be hys servaunt syr—go your way
And report to your mayster evyn as I say.
B
Shall I do that erand? Nay, let be!
By the rode, ye shall do it your selfe for me.
I promyse you faythfully,
By the rode, ye shall do it your selfe for me.
I promyse you faythfully,
I wolde my mayster had be in Scotland
Whan he dyd put this matter in her hand
To stond to her jugement!
But forasmoche as it is so
That this wrong to hym is doo
By a woman, he must let it goo
And holde hym content.
Whan he dyd put this matter in her hand
To stond to her jugement!
But forasmoche as it is so
That this wrong to hym is doo
By a woman, he must let it goo
And holde hym content.
But he is of suche disposycion
That whan he hereth of this conclusion
He wylbe starke madd—
Ye, by my trowth, as made as an hare!
It shall make hym so full of care
That he wyll with hym self fare
Evyn as it were a lade!
That whan he hereth of this conclusion
He wylbe starke madd—
Ye, by my trowth, as made as an hare!
It shall make hym so full of care
That he wyll with hym self fare
Evyn as it were a lade!
87
And so wold not I, so mote I thee!
For this matter, and I were as he,
It shulde never anger me,
But this wold I do:
I wolde let her go in the mare name!
For this matter, and I were as he,
It shulde never anger me,
But this wold I do:
I wolde let her go in the mare name!
[Intrat A.]
A
What now, syrs, how goth the game?
What, is this woman go?
B
Ye, ye, man!
A
And what way hathe she takyn?
B
By my fayth, my mayster is forsakyn,
And nedis she wyll agre
Unto thy mayster—thus she saieth,
And many causes therfore she leyeth
Why it shulde so be.
A
I marvayle gretely wherof that grue.
B
By my fayth, she saide—I tell the true—
That she wolde nedis have hym for his vertue
And for none other thynge.
A
Vertue? What the devyll is that?
And I can tell, I shrew my catt,
To myne understondynge!
B
By my fayth, no more can I.
But this she said here opynly—
All these folke can tell.
A
How say ye, gode women? Is it your gyse
To chose all your husbondis that wyse?
By my trought, than I marvaile!
B
Nay, this is the fere, so mot I goo:
T[h]at men chise not theyr wyffis so
In placis where I have be.
For wiffis may well complayne and grone,
Albe it that cause have they none
That I can here or se.
But of weddyd men there be ryght fewe
That welle not say the best is a shrew—
Therin they all agree!
T[h]at men chise not theyr wyffis so
In placis where I have be.
For wiffis may well complayne and grone,
Albe it that cause have they none
That I can here or se.
But of weddyd men there be ryght fewe
That welle not say the best is a shrew—
Therin they all agree!
I warne you weddyd men everichone
That other remede have ye none
So moche for your ease,
And ye wold study tyll tomorow,
But let them evyn alone—with sorow!—
Whan they do you displease.
That other remede have ye none
So moche for your ease,
And ye wold study tyll tomorow,
But let them evyn alone—with sorow!—
Whan they do you displease.
88
Tusshe, here is no man that settyth a blank
By thy consell or konneth the thank—
Speke therof no more!
They know that remedy better than thow.
But what shall we twayne do now?
I care most therfore—
By thy consell or konneth the thank—
Speke therof no more!
They know that remedy better than thow.
But what shall we twayne do now?
I care most therfore—
Me thinketh that matter wolde be wist.
B
Mary, we may goo hens whan we lyst—
No man saith us nay.
A
Why than, is the play all do?
B
Ye, by my feyth, and we were ons go
It were do streght wey.
A
And I wolde have thought in vere dede
That this matter sholde have procede
To som other conclusion!
B
Ye, thou art a maister mery man!—
Thou shall be wyse I wot nere whan.
Is not the question
Thou shall be wyse I wot nere whan.
Is not the question
Of noblenes now fully defynde
As it may be so by a womans mynde?
What woldyst thow have more?
Thow toldest me that other day
That all the substaunce of this play
Was done specially therfor
As it may be so by a womans mynde?
What woldyst thow have more?
Thow toldest me that other day
That all the substaunce of this play
Was done specially therfor
Not onely to make folke myrth and game,
But that suche as be gentilmen of name
May be somwhat movyd
By this example for to eschew
The wey of vyce and favour vertue;
For syn is to be reprovyd
But that suche as be gentilmen of name
May be somwhat movyd
By this example for to eschew
The wey of vyce and favour vertue;
For syn is to be reprovyd
More in them, for the degre,
Than in other parsons such as be
Of pour kyn and birth.
This was the cause principall,
And also for to do with all
This company some myrth.
Than in other parsons such as be
Of pour kyn and birth.
This was the cause principall,
And also for to do with all
This company some myrth.
And though the matter that we have playde
Be not percase so wele conveyde
And with so gret reason
As thistory it self requyreth,
Yet the auctour therof desyrith
That for this season
Be not percase so wele conveyde
And with so gret reason
As thistory it self requyreth,
Yet the auctour therof desyrith
That for this season
89
At the lest ye will take it in pacience.
And yf ther be ony offence
(Show us wherein or we go hence)
Done in the same,
It is onely for lacke of connynge,
And not he but his wit runnynge
Is thereof to blame.
And yf ther be ony offence
(Show us wherein or we go hence)
Done in the same,
It is onely for lacke of connynge,
And not he but his wit runnynge
Is thereof to blame.
And glade wolde he be and ryght fayne
That some man of stabyll brayne
Wolde take on hym the labour and payne
This mater to amende—
And so he wyllyd me for to say.
And that done, of all this play
Shortely here we make an end.
That some man of stabyll brayne
Wolde take on hym the labour and payne
This mater to amende—
And so he wyllyd me for to say.
And that done, of all this play
Shortely here we make an end.
EMPRYNTED AT LONDON BY JOHAN RASTELL
DWELLYNGE ON THE SOUTH SYDE OF PAULYS
CHYRCHE BYSYDE PAULYS CHEYNE.
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