An excellent new Commedie, Intituled : The Conflict of Conscience Contayninge, A most lamentable example, of the dolefull desperation of a miserable worldlinge, termed, by the name of Philologvs, who forsooke the trueth of Gods Gospel, for feare of the losse of lyfe, & wordly goods |
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 | An excellent new Commedie, Intituled : The Conflict of Conscience |  |
Acte thyrde.
Sceane. 1.
PHILOLOGVS.
Too
true (alas) too true I say, was our Diuination,
The whiche Mathætes did foresee, when last we were in place,
For now (in deede) we feele the smart and horrible vexation,
Whiche Romysh power vnto vs did threaten and manace:
Wherfore, great neede we haue, to call to God alway for grace:
For feeble flesh is farre too weake, those paynes to vndergo:
The whiche all they that feare the Lord, are now appointed too.
The whiche Mathætes did foresee, when last we were in place,
For now (in deede) we feele the smart and horrible vexation,
Whiche Romysh power vnto vs did threaten and manace:
Wherfore, great neede we haue, to call to God alway for grace:
For feeble flesh is farre too weake, those paynes to vndergo:
The whiche all they that feare the Lord, are now appointed too.
The Legate from the Pope of Roome, is come into our Coastes,
Who doth the Sainctes of God eche where, with Tiranny oppresse,
And in the same most gloryously himselfe he vawnt and boast,
The more one mourneth vnto him, he pittieth the lesse,
Out of his cruell Tyranny, the Lorde of Heauen me blesse:
For hitherto, in blessed state, my whole lyfe I haue spent:
With health of body, wealth in Gooddes, and minde alway content.
Who doth the Sainctes of God eche where, with Tiranny oppresse,
And in the same most gloryously himselfe he vawnt and boast,
The more one mourneth vnto him, he pittieth the lesse,
Out of his cruell Tyranny, the Lorde of Heauen me blesse:
For hitherto, in blessed state, my whole lyfe I haue spent:
With health of body, wealth in Gooddes, and minde alway content.
Besides, of friendes, I haue great store, who do me firmely loue,
A faithfull wife and children fayre, of wooddes and pasture store,
And diuers other thinges, whiche I haue got for my behoofe,
Whiche nowe to be depraued off, would grieue my hart full sore:
And if I come once in their clawes, I shall get out no more.
Unlesse I wyll renounce my fayth, and so their minde fulfyll,
Whiche if I do, without all doubt, my soule for ay I spyll.
A faithfull wife and children fayre, of wooddes and pasture store,
And diuers other thinges, whiche I haue got for my behoofe,
Whiche nowe to be depraued off, would grieue my hart full sore:
And if I come once in their clawes, I shall get out no more.
Unlesse I wyll renounce my fayth, and so their minde fulfyll,
Whiche if I do, without all doubt, my soule for ay I spyll.
For sith I haue receiued once the first fruictes of my faith,
And haue begon to ronne the course, that leadeth to saluation,
If in the midst therof, I stay or cease, the Scripture sayth,
It booseth not that I began with so good preparation,
But rather, maketh muche the more, vnto my condempnation:
For he alone shall haue the Palme, whiche to the ende doth ronne,
And he which plucks his hand frō Plough, in Heauē shal neuer com.
And haue begon to ronne the course, that leadeth to saluation,
If in the midst therof, I stay or cease, the Scripture sayth,
It booseth not that I began with so good preparation,
But rather, maketh muche the more, vnto my condempnation:
For he alone shall haue the Palme, whiche to the ende doth ronne,
And he which plucks his hand frō Plough, in Heauē shal neuer com.
Those Labourers which hyred were in Uineard for to moyle,
And had their Peny for their payne, they taried all whyle night,
For if they ceassed had, when Sunne their flesh with heat did broyle,
And had departed from their worke, they should haue lost by right,
Their wages Peny: I likewise, shalbe depriued quight
Of that same Crowne, the whiche I haue in fayth longe looked for,
But for this time, I wyll depart, I dare here say no more.
And had their Peny for their payne, they taried all whyle night,
And had departed from their worke, they should haue lost by right,
Their wages Peny: I likewise, shalbe depriued quight
Of that same Crowne, the whiche I haue in fayth longe looked for,
But for this time, I wyll depart, I dare here say no more.
Exit.
Sceane. 2.
HYPOCRISIE.
Ha
, ha, ha, mary now the Game beginne,
Hypocrisie throughout this Realwe is had in admiration,
And by my meanes, both Auarice and Tirranny crept in,
Who in short space, wyll make men ronne the way to desolation,
What did I say? my tongue dyd tryp, I should say, consolation.
For now (forsooth) the Clergie must into my bosome creepe,
Or els, they know not, by what meanes, them selues alyue to keepe.
Hypocrisie throughout this Realwe is had in admiration,
And by my meanes, both Auarice and Tirranny crept in,
Who in short space, wyll make men ronne the way to desolation,
What did I say? my tongue dyd tryp, I should say, consolation.
For now (forsooth) the Clergie must into my bosome creepe,
Or els, they know not, by what meanes, them selues alyue to keepe.
On the other side, the Laietie, be they eyther riche or poore,
If riche, then Auarice strangle them, because they wyll not loose
The worldly wealth: or els we haue one subtile practise more,
That is, that sensuall Suggestion, their outwarde man shall pose,
Who can full finely in eche cause, his minde to them disclose,
But if that neither of these twayne, can to my trayne them wynde,
Then, at his Cue (to play his parte, doth Tiranny begynne.
If riche, then Auarice strangle them, because they wyll not loose
The worldly wealth: or els we haue one subtile practise more,
That is, that sensuall Suggestion, their outwarde man shall pose,
Who can full finely in eche cause, his minde to them disclose,
But if that neither of these twayne, can to my trayne them wynde,
Then, at his Cue (to play his parte, doth Tiranny begynne.
As for the poore knaues, suche a one as this is,
We do not esteeme hym, but make short adoo,
If he wyll not come on, we doo hym not mysse,
But to the Pot, he is sure to goe:
Tirranny deales with hym and no moe.
But I meruayle, what doth hym from hence so longe stay?
Sooner named, sooner cūme, as cōmon Prouerbes say.
We do not esteeme hym, but make short adoo,
If he wyll not come on, we doo hym not mysse,
But to the Pot, he is sure to goe:
Tirranny deales with hym and no moe.
But I meruayle, what doth hym from hence so longe stay?
Sooner named, sooner cūme, as cōmon Prouerbes say.
Sep aside.
Sceane. 3:
TYRRANNY.AVARICE. HYPOCRYSIE.
By his woundes, I feare nott, but it is cocke sure now,
Hir he hath a goodly graec in swearyng.
Under the Legates Seale, in Office I am placed:
Who can make Tyranny now be disgraced?
With a head of brasse I will not be out faced,
But will execute mine office with extreeme crueltie,
So that all men shall knowe me to be playne Tyranny.
Auarice.
Nay Master Zeale be ruled by me,
To such as resist, such rigor you may show,
Tyranny.
Zeale nay, no Zeale, my name is Tyranny,
Neither am I ashamed who doth my name knowe,
For in my dealings the same I will showe,
None dare reprooue me of that I am sure,
So long as Authority on my side endure,
But to thy wordes a while I will list,
Therefore in briefe saye on what you will.
Auarice.
I would haue you show rigor to such as resiste.
And such as be obstinate spare not to kill,
But those that be willing your hestes to fulfill,
If they offend and not of obstinacie,
For money excuse them though they vse villanie,
Thus shall you performe your office aright,
For fauour or money to spare the offendent.
Tyranny.
So maye I also of mallice or spight,
Or ranckor of myne punnish the innocent,
But I wilbe ruled by thine arbitrament,
And will fauour such as will my hand greaze,
The deuil is a good fellow if one can him please,
But to follow our busines great paynes we do take,
On an hastie message we were fit to be sent.
Hypocrisie.
When I lye a dying I will you messengers make,
You plye you so fast you are too to dilligent,
Hoope how, Master Zeale whether are yee bent?
Harke me thought one hallowed & called you by name.
Tyranny.
I would it were Hypocrisy.
Aua.
It is the very same,
What Master Hypocrisie for you I haue sought,
This howre or two but could you not finde.
Hypocrisie.
That is no meruaile it is not for nought,
For I am but litle and you two are blinde,
Neither haue you eyes to see with behinde,
Yet may the learned note herein a mystery,
That neither Tyran. nor Auar. can finde out Hypôcrisie.
But what earnest busines haue you in charge,
That with so great speede must presently be finished.
Tyranny.
Mary see here.
Hip.
what is it?
Tyran.
a commission large
From my Lord Legate him selfe aucthorized,
The effect whereof must presently be practised.
Hypocrisie.
What is the tenure I pray you let me know.
Tyrannye.
Auarice hath red it, not I, let him showe.
Auarice.
He hath firstly in charge to make inquisition,
Whether Aulters be reedified whether chalice and booke,
Uestments for Masse, sacraments and prosession,
Be prepared againe: if not he must looke,
And finde out such fellowes as these cannot brooke:
And to my Lord Legate such Marchants present,
That for their offence they may haue condign punishmēt.
Whether Aulters be reedified whether chalice and booke,
Uestments for Masse, sacraments and prosession,
Be prepared againe: if not he must looke,
And finde out such fellowes as these cannot brooke:
And to my Lord Legate such Marchants present,
That for their offence they may haue condign punishmēt.
If any we take tardy Tyranny them threat,
That for their neglygence he will them present,
And I desirous some money to get,
If ought they will giue me, their euill will preuent,
Yea somtime, of purpose, such shifts we inuent.
That for their neglygence he will them present,
And I desirous some money to get,
If ought they will giue me, their euill will preuent,
Yea somtime, of purpose, such shifts we inuent.
Hypocrisie.
Peace, yonder coms one (me thinke) it is a preest,
Sceane 4.
CACONOS.HYP. TIRANNY. AVARICE.
In
gude feth sir, this newis de gar me lope,
Ay is as light as ay me wend, gif that yo wol me troth,
Far new ayen within awer lond installed is the Pope,
Whose Legat wt authoritie thaxawawt awr cūtry goth,
And charge befare him far te com, vs Preests end lemen bath,
Far te spay awt gif that he mea, these new sprang Arataykes,
Whilk de disturb awr hally Kirke, laik a sart of saysmataykes.
Ay is as light as ay me wend, gif that yo wol me troth,
Far new ayen within awer lond installed is the Pope,
Whose Legat wt authoritie thaxawawt awr cūtry goth,
And charge befare him far te com, vs Preests end lemen bath,
Far te spay awt gif that he mea, these new sprang Arataykes,
Whilk de disturb awr hally Kirke, laik a sart of saysmataykes.
Awr gilden Gods ar brought ayen intea awr Kirks ilk whare,
That vnte tham awr Parishioner, ma affer thar gudewill,
Far hally Masse in ilke place, new thea auters de prepare,
Hally watter, Pax, Crosse, Banner, Censour and Candill,
Cream, Crismatory, hally Bred, the rest omit ay will,
Whilt hally Fathers did inuent fre awd Antiquitie,
Be new receued inte awr Kirks, with great solemnitie.
That vnte tham awr Parishioner, ma affer thar gudewill,
Far hally Masse in ilke place, new thea auters de prepare,
Hally watter, Pax, Crosse, Banner, Censour and Candill,
Cream, Crismatory, hally Bred, the rest omit ay will,
Whilt hally Fathers did inuent fre awd Antiquitie,
Be new receued inte awr Kirks, with great solemnitie.
Bay these thaugh lemen bene apprest, the Clargy sall het gean,
Far te awr Sents theis affer yifts all whilk we sall receyue,
Awr hally Masse, thaw thea bay dere, thea de it but in vayne,
Far thaw ther frends frea Purgatory, te help thea dea beleue,
Yet af ther hope, gif nede rewhayre it wawd theam all deceue,
Sea wawde awr Pilgrimage, Reliques, Trentals and Pardons,
Whilk far awr geyn inte awr Kirk ar braught in far the nones.
Far te awr Sents theis affer yifts all whilk we sall receyue,
Awr hally Masse, thaw thea bay dere, thea de it but in vayne,
Far thaw ther frends frea Purgatory, te help thea dea beleue,
Yet af ther hope, gif nede rewhayre it wawd theam all deceue,
Sea wawde awr Pilgrimage, Reliques, Trentals and Pardons,
Whilk far awr geyn inte awr Kirk ar braught in far the nones.
Far well a nere what war awr tenths & taythes that gro in fild,
What gif we han of glebed lond ene plawwark bay the yeare,
Awr affring deas de vara laytell ar nething te vs yeld,
Awr Beadroll geanes, awr chrisom clethes de laytle mend awr fare
Gif awt af this we pea far vale, we laytle mare can spare,
Sawl Masses, Diriges, Monethmayndes and Buryinges,
Alsowlnday, Kirkings, Baneasking and weddings.
What gif we han of glebed lond ene plawwark bay the yeare,
Awr affring deas de vara laytell ar nething te vs yeld,
Awr Beadroll geanes, awr chrisom clethes de laytle mend awr fare
Gif awt af this we pea far vale, we laytle mare can spare,
Sawl Masses, Diriges, Monethmayndes and Buryinges,
Alsowlnday, Kirkings, Baneasking and weddings.
The Sacraments, gif we mowt sell, war better then thea all,
Far gif the Iewes gaue thratty pence, te hang Chrayst on a tree,
Gude christiā folk thrayse thratty pence wawd coūt a price but smal
Sea that te ete him with ther teeth delayuered he mawght be,
New of this thing delayuerance, ne man can mak but we,
Se that the market in this punt, we Preests sawd han at will,
And with the money we sowd yet, awr pooches we sowd fill.
Far gif the Iewes gaue thratty pence, te hang Chrayst on a tree,
Gude christiā folk thrayse thratty pence wawd coūt a price but smal
New of this thing delayuerance, ne man can mak but we,
Se that the market in this punt, we Preests sawd han at will,
And with the money we sowd yet, awr pooches we sowd fill.
Hypocrisie.
I will goe and salowt him, good morrow sir Iohn,
Cacon.
Naw bay may Preest hade God giue ye ten far ene,
Hypocrisie.
Do you Master Parson in this Parish singe?
Cacon.
Yai sir that ay de, gif yowll giue me troothing,
Tyranny.
I haue a comission your house and Church to seeke,
To search if you any seditious Bookes do keepe.
Cacon.
Whe ay? well a neare ay swer bay the Sacrament,
Ay had rather han a cup of nale then a Testament.
Hypocrisie.
How can you without it your office discharge?
Cacon.
It is the least thing ay car far bay may charge,
Far se lang as thea han Images wharon te luke,
What nede thea be distructed awt af a Buke.
Hypocrisie.
Tush that will nodifie them all well enowe,
As well a dead Image as a dumb Idole I make God avowe,
Cacon.
Yai, ay my sen, bay experience thot con showe,
Far in may Portace the tongue ay de nat knowe,
Yet when ay see the great gilded letter,
Ay ken it sea well, as nea man ken better:
As far Example, on the day of Chraistes Natyuitie,
Ay see a Bab in a Manger, and two Beastes standing by
The Seruice whilk to Newyeares day is assaygnd,
Bay the Paicture of the Circumcision ay faynd.
The Seruice, whilk on Twalfth day mun be don,
Bay the Deuill tentyng Chraist, ay faind whadragesima,
Bay Chraist on the Crosse, ay serch out gude frayday:
Pasch for his marke, hath the Resurrection,
Ayenst Hally Thursday, is pented Chraistes Assention,
Thus in mayn owne buke, ay is a gude Clarke,
But gyf the Sents war gone, the Cat had eate my mark
Se the sandry mairacles, whilk ilk Sent haue done,
Bay the Picttures on the walles sal appeere to them soone
Bay the whilk thea ar lerned in euery distresse,
What Sent thea mun prea te far succour doubtles:
Sea that all Lepers te Syluester must prea,
That he wawd free tham, ther disease take away.
Laykwais, thea that han the fallyng saicknes,
Te be eased therfre, thea mun prea to St. Cornelis:
In contagious aier, as in plague or pestilence,
Te hally Sent Ruke, thea mun call far assistance.
Fra parill of drawning, Sent Carp keepe the Maryners
Fra dayng in warfare, Sent George gard the Soldiers,
Sent Iob heale the Poxe, the Agew, Sent Germayne,
Far te ease the toothache, call te Sent Appollyne,
Gif that a woman be barren and childles,
Te helpe her herein, she must prea te Sent Nicolas.
Far wemen in trauayle, call to Sent Magdalene
Far lawlynes of minde, call te Sent Katheryne,
Sent Loy saue your Horse, Sent Anthony your Swyne.
Tyranny,
What? this Parson, seemeth connyng to be,
And as farre as I see, in a good vniformytie:
Yea, he is well red, in that golden Legend.
Cacon.
Bay may trooth, in readyng any other, ne taym do I spend
Far that ay ken, bay general caūsell, is canonized
And bay the hely Pope hymselfe is authorized:
That Buke farther, is wholly permytted,
Wharas, the Bayble in part is prohibited.
And therfore, gif it be lawfull to vtter my conscience,
Hypocrisie.
I allow his Iudgement before Ambrose & Austin,
And for Hypocrisie, a more conuenient Chapleyn,
Auarice.
It greeueth me much that no fault we can spye,
For now of some bribe disappoynted am I,
Yet happily he may tell vs of some Heretykes.
Tiranny.
Is there M. Parson in your parish no Scismatikes?
Cacon.
Yai mara is ther a vara busy bodye,
Whe will iest with me and call me fule and noddye,
And sets his Lads te spowt latin ayenst me,
But ay spose then with Deparfundis Clam aui,
And oftentimes he wil reson with me of the Sacarment,
And say he can prooue bay the new Tastament,
That Chraystss body is in Heauen placed,
But ays not beleue him, ay woll not be awt faced,
He says besayd that the Pope is Anticraist,
Fugered of Iohn bay the seuen hedded beast,
And all awre religion is but mons inuention,
And with Gods ward is at vtter dissention,
And a plaguy deel mare af sayk layk talke,
That ay dar not far may nars bay his yate walke,
But ay wawd he wer brunt that ay mawght be whaiet,
Tiranny.
He must. haue a cooler his tongue runnes at riat.
Auarice.
What is his name sir Iohn, canst thou tell vs?
Cacon.
Yai sir that ay ken he is cleped Phailelegoos.
Tyranny.
Wilt thou go show his house where he dwell?
Cacon.
Yai or els ay wawd may sawl war in Hell,
Te de him a plesure ay wawd gang a whole yeare,
Tyranny.
Go with vs Auarice and beare vs company.
Auarice.
Nay, if you go hence I will not here tary.
Hypocrisie.
Away sirs in your busines in a corner do not lurke,
That my Lord Legate when he coms may haue worke.
Tyranny.
Come on let vs go together sir Iohn.
Cacon.
Ay sall follow after, God boy you good Gentleman.
Hypocrisie.
Farewell, three false knaues, as betweene this and London.
Tyranny.
What sayst thou?
Hip.
As honest men as ye three Kings of Colon.
This geare goes round if that we had a fiddle:
Exeunt Tyr. Auar. Cacon.
Nay, I must sing too, heigh dery dery dery,
I can do but laugh my hart is so merry,
I wilbe minstrel my selfe heigh didle didle didle,
But lay there a strawe I began to be wery:
But harke I heere a tramplyng of feete,
It is my Lord Legate I will him go meete.
| An excellent new Commedie, Intituled : The Conflict of Conscience | |