 | The Enterlude of Youth |  |
[Charitie.]
Iesu that his armes dyd sprede
And on a tree was done to dead
From all perils he you defende
I desire audiēce til I haue made an ēde
For I am come from God aboue
To occupie his lawes to your behoue
And am named Charitie
There maye no man saued be
without the helpe of me
For he that Charitie doth refuse
Other vertues though he do vse
without Charitie it wyll not be
For it is written in the faithe
Qui manet in charitate in deo monet
I am the gate I tell the
Of heauen that ioiful cytie
Ther maie no man thider come
But of charyty he must haue some
Or he may not come iwis
Unto heauen the citie of blysse
therfore charitie who wil him take
Apure soule it wil him make
Before the face of God
In the .A.B.C. of bokes the least
Yt is writen deus charitas est
Lo charitie is a great thinge
Of all vertues it is the kinge
Whan God in earth was here liuinge
Of chariti he found none endinge
I was planted in his hart
We two might not departe
Out of his harte I did springe
throughe the might of the heauē king
And all preestes that be
Maie not lyue without charitye
And charitey to them they do not take
they may not receiue him that did them make
And all this worlde of noughte
youth.
A backe felowes and giue me roume
Or I shall make you to auoyde sone
I am goodlye of persone
I am pereles where euer I come
My name is youth I tell the
I florysh as the vine tre
Who may be likened vnto me
In my youthe and Iolitye
My hearre is royall and bushed thicke
My body plyaunt as a hasel styck
Myne armes be bothe fayre and strong
My fingers be both faire and longe
My chest bigge as a tunne
My legges be full lighte for to runne
To hoppe and daunce and make mery
By the masse I recke not a chery
What so euer I do
I am the heyre of my fathers lande
And it is come into my hande
I care for no more
Charite
Are you so disposed to doo
To folowe vice and let vertue go
youthe.
Ye sir euen so
For nowe a dayes he is not set by
without he be vnthriftye
Charite
You had nede to aske God mercye
Why do you so prase your body
youthe.
Why knaue what is that to the
wilt thou let me to prayse my body
whi shuld I not praise it & it be goodli
I will not let for the
Charite
what shal it be whan thou shalt flyt
For the wealth into the pyt
Therfore of it be not to boolde
Least thou for think it whan yu art old
ye maye be lykened to a tre
In youth floryshyng with royallte
And in age it is cut downe
And to the fyre is throwne
So shalt thou but thou amende
Be burned in hel without ende
youthe.
Ye horson trowest thou so
Be ware leaste thou thyder go
Hence caytife go thi way
Or with my dagger I shal the slay
Hens knaue out of this place
Or I shal lay the on the face
Sayest thou that I shal go to hel
For euer more there to dwel
I had leuer thou had euyll fare
Charite
A yet syr do by my rede
And aske mercy for thi misdede
And thou shalt be an herytoure of blysse
Where al ioye and myrthe is
Where thou shal se a glorius syght
Of aungeles singing with saintes bright
Before the face of God
Youthe.
what syrs aboue the sky
I had nede of a ladder to climbe so hye
But what and the ladder slyppe
Than I am deceyued yet
And if I fal I catche a quecke
I may fortune to breke my necke
And that ioynte is yll to set
Nay nay not so
Charite
O yet remember cal to thi minde
The mercy of God passeth al thyng
For it is wryten by noble clerkes
The mercye of God passeth all werkes
That witnesseth holy scrypture sainge thus
Miseratio domine super omnia opera eius
Therfore doute not goddes grace
Ther of is plenty in euery place
Youthe.
what me thynke ye be clerkyshe
For ye speake good gibbryshe
Syr I pray you and you haue any store
Soyle me a question or ye caste out any more
Least whan your connynge is all done
My question haue no solucion
Syr and it please you this
Whi do mē eate musterd with saltfishe
Sir I praie you soile me this quistion
That I haue put to your descrecyon
Charite
Thus question is but vanitie
Yt longeth not to me
Suche questions to assoyle
youthe.
Sir by god that me dere bought
I se your conninge is litell or noughte
And I shuld folowe your scole
Sone ye wold make a fole
Therfore crake no longer here
Least I take you on the eare
And make your head to ake
Charite
Sir it falleth not for me to fighte
Nether by day ne be night
therfore do my counsaile I saye
Than to heuē thou shalt haue the wai
youthe.
No syr I thinke ye will not fighte
But to take a mans purs in the night
Ye will not sai nay
For suche holy caitifes
Were wonte to be theues
And such wolde be hanged as hye
As a man may se with his eye
In faith this same is true
Charite
God saue euery christen body
From such euell destenye
And sende vs of his grace
In heuen to have a place
youthe.
Nay nay I warrant the
He hathe no place for the
wenest thou he wyll haue suche fooles
To syt on his gaie stooles
Naie I warrant the naye
Humily
Well sir I put me in goddes wyll
Whether he wyll me saue or spyll
And sir I pray you do so
And truste in god what so euer ye do
youthe.
Sir I praye the holde thy peace
And talke to me of no goodnes
And soone loke thou go thy waye
Lesse with my dagger I the slaie
In faithe if thou meue my harte
Thou shalte be wearie of thy parte
Or thou and I haue done
Charite
Thynke what God suffered for the
His armes to be spred vpon a tree
A knight with a speare opened his syd
In his harte appeared a wounde wid
That bought both you and me
youthe.
Goddes faste what is that to me
Thou dawe wylte thou rede me
In my youth to lose my ioylitie
Hence knaue and go thy waye
Or wyth my dagger I shall the slaye
Charite
O sir heare what I you tell,
And be ruled of my counsell
That ye might syt in heuen hye
with God and his company
Youthe.
A yet of God thou wilte not ceasse
Tyll I fyght in good earneste
On my fayth I tell the true
yf I fyghte thou wylte it rue
All the dayes of thy lyfe.
Charite
Syr I se it wyll none otherwise be
I will go to my brother Humilitie
And take good counsayle of him
Howe it is best to be do therin
youthe.
ye mary syre I pray you of that
Me thinke it were a good sight of your backe
I wolde se your heles hither
And your brother and you together
Fettred fine fast
I wis and I had the kay
ye shulde singe wel away
Or I let you lose
Charite
Fare well my maysters euerychone
I wyll come againe anone
And tel you howe I haue done
youthe.
And thou come hither againe
I wyll send ye hens in the dyuels nam
What nowe, I maye haue my space
To iet here in this place
Before I might not stere
Whan the churle charitie was here
But nowe amonge al this chere
I wold I had som company here
I wis mi brother Riot wold helpe me
For to beate charytye
And his brother to.
Ryot.
Huffa, huffa who calleth after me
I am Riot ful iolite
My heart as light as the wynde
And all on Riot is mi minde
where so euer I go
But wote ye what I do here
To seeke youth my compere
Faine of him I wolde haue a sight
But my lyppes hange in my lyght
God spede master youth by my faie
youthe
Welcom Ryot in the deuels waye
Who brought the hither to day
Ryot
That dyd my legges I tell the
Me thought thou dyd me call
And I am com now here
To make roiall chere
And tell the how I haue done
youthe
What I wende thou hadst ben henged
But I se thou arte escaped
For it was tolde me heere
You toke a man on the eare
That his purse in your bosome did flie
And so in Newegate ye dyd lye
Ryot
So it was I beshrewe your pate
I come lately from Newgate
But I am as readie to make good chere
As he that neuer came there
For and I haue spendyng
I wyll make as mery as a kinge
And care not what I do
For I wyll not lie longe in prison
But wyll get forthe soone
For I haue learned a pollicie
That wyll lose me lyghtlie
And soone let me go
youthe.
I loue well thy discrescion
For thou arte all of one condicyon
Thou arte stable and stedfast of mynde
And not chaungable as the wynde
But sir I praie you at the leaste
Tell me more of that ieste
That thou tolde me ryght nowe
Morouer I shall tell the
The mayre of London sent for me
Forth of Newgate for to com
For to preche at Tybrone.
youthe.
By our Lady he did promote the
To make the preche at the galowe tre
But syr how diddest thou scape
Ryot
Uerely syr the rope brake
And so I fell to the ground
And ran away safe and sound
Be the way I met with a courtiers lad
And twenty nobls of gold in his purs he had
I toke the ladde on the eare
Besyde his horse I felled hym there
I toke his purs in my hande
And twenty nobles therin I fande
Lorde howe I was mery.
youthe.
Goddes fote thou diddest ynoughe there
For to be made knyght of the colere.
Ryot
Ye syr I truste to God all myght
At the next cessions to be dubbed a knight
youthe.
Now syr by this light
That wolde I fayne se
And I plight the so God me saue
That a surer colere thou shalt haue
And because gold colers be so good chepe
Unto the roper I shal speke
To make the one of a good price
And that shalbe of warrantyse.
Ryot.
Youth I pray the haue a doo
And to the tauerne let vs go
And we will drynke diuers wine
And the cost shal be mine
Thou shalt not pay one peny iwis
Yet thou shalt haue a wenche to kysse
whan so euer thou wilte
youthe.
Mary Riot I thanke the
That thou wylt be stowe it on me
And for thi pleasure so be it
I wold not charity shuld vs mete
And turne vs agayne
For ryght nowe he was with me
And said he wolde go to Humilitie
And come to me againe
Ryot.
Let him come if he will
He were better to bide still
And he gyue the croked langage
I will laye him on the visage
And that thou shalt se sone
Howe lightly it shall be doone
And he wil not be ruled with knockes
We shall set him in the stockes
To heale his sore shinnes
youthe.
I shall helpe the if I can
To dryue a waye that hang man
Herke Riot thou shalt vnderstande
I am heyre of my fathers land
And nowe they be come to my hand
Me thynke it were best therfore
That I had one man more
To waite me vpon
Ryot.
I can spede the of a seruaūte of price
That wil do the good seruice
I se him go here be side
Some men call him mayster Pride
I sweare by God in Trinitie
I wyll go fetche him vnto the
And that euen anone
youthe
Hye the apace and come a gayne
And bringe with the that noble swayne
Ryot
Lo mayster youth here he is
A prety man and a wyse
He will be glad to do you seruyce
In al that euer he may
youthe
Welcome to me good fellowe
I prai the whence commest thou
And thou wilt my seruaunt be
I shall geue the golde and fee
Pryde.
Syr I am content iwis
To do you any seruis
That euer I can do
Youthe.
By likelyhod thou shulde do well ynowe
Thou art alykely felowe
Pryde
Yes syr I warrant you
yf ye will be rulde by me
I shall you bringe to hye degre
youthe.
What shall I do tell me
And I wyll be ruled by the
Pryde
Mary I shall tell you
Considre ye haue good ynowe
And think ye come of noble kinde
Aboue all men exalte thy minde
Put downe the pore and set nought by them
Be in company with gentel men
Iette vp and downe in the waye
And your clothes loke they be gaye
The pretye wenches wyll saie than
Yonder goeth a gentelmen
And euery pore felowe that goeth you by
Will do of his cap and make you curteisie
In faith this is true
youthe.
Sir I thanke the by the roode
For thi counsell that is so good
And I commit me euen nowe
Under the techynge of Ryot and you
Ryot
Lo youth I tolde you
That he was a lastye felowe
youthe
Mary syr I thanke the
That you wolde bringe him vnto me
Pryde.
Syr it were expedyente that ye had a wife
To liue with her all youre life
Ryot
A wife nay nay for God auowe
He shall haue fleshe inoughe
For by God that me dere bought
Ouer muche of one thinge is nought
The deuyl said he had leuer burne al his life
than ones for to take a wife
Therfore I saie so god me saue
He shall no wife haue
thou haste a sister fair and fre
A knowe well his lemman she will be
therfore I wolde she were here
that we might go and make good chere
At the wine some where
youthe
I pray you hither thou do her bringe
For she is to my likinge
Pryde
Syr I shall do my diligence
To bringe her to your presence
Youthe.
Hye the apace and come agayn
To haue a sight I wolde be faine
Of that Lady fre
ryot
Syr in faith I shall tell you true
She is a freshe and fayre of hue
And verye propre of bodie
Men call her Lady Lechery
Youthe.
My herte burneth by God of myght
Till of that lady I haue a syght
Intret superbis cū luxuria et dicat superbia
Pryde
Syr I haue fulfilled your entent
And haue brought you in this present
that you haue sent me fore
youthe.
thou art a redy messengert
Come hither to me my herte so dere
ye be welcome to me as the hert in my body
Lecheri.
Sir I thanke you ād at your pleasure I am
ye be the same vnto me
youthe.
Maisters wyll ye to tauerne walke
A worde with you there will I talke
And giue you the wine
Lecheri
Gentle man I thanke you verely
And I am all redye
to waite you vpon
Ryot.
what sister lecherye
ye be welcome to our companie
Lecheri
well wanton well, fye for shame
So sone ye do expresse me name
what if no man shuld haue knowne
I wis I shal you bete, well wanton well
Ryot.
A lytell pretye nyset
Ye be well nise God wote
ye be alytell prety pie, iwis ye go ful gingerle
Lechery
wel I se your false eye
winketh on me full wantonly
ye be full wanton iwis
youthe.
Pride I thanke you of your laboure
That you had to fetch this fayre floure
Pryde.
Lo youth I tolde the
that I wolde bringe her with me
Sir I pray you tell me nowe
Howe doth she like you
youthe.
Uerely wel she pleased me
For she is courteis gentyll and fre
Howe do you fayre Ladye
Howe fare you tell me
Lecheri
Syr if it please you, I do well ynowe
And the better that you wyl wite
youthe.
Riot I wolde be at the tauerne fayne
Least charitie vs mete and turne vs againe
Than wold I be sory because of this farie ladi
Ryot.
Let vs go agayne be time
That we maye be at the wyne
Or euer that he come
Pryde.
Hie the apace and go we hence
we wil let for none expence
Youthe.
Now we wil fil the cup and make good cher
I trust I haue a noble here
Herke sirs for God almighte
Herest thou not howe they fight
In fayth we shall them part
Yf there be any wine to sell
They shall no longer together dwell
No than I be shrewe my herte
Ryot.
No syr so mote I the
Let not thy seruantes fight within ye
For it is a carefull lyfe
Euermore to liue in strife
Therefore if ye wil be ruled by mi tale
We will go to the ale
And se howe we can do
I truste to God that sitteh on hye
To lese that lytell companye
With in an houre or two
Pryde.
Now let vs goo for goddes sake
And se howe merye we can make
Ryot.
Now lette vs go apace
And I belast there I be shrewe my face
youthe.
Nowe let vs go that we were there
To make this Ladye some chere
Lecheri
Uerelye syr I thanke the
That ye will bestowe it on me
And whan it please you on me to call
My heart is yours bodie and all
youthe.
Faire Ladye I thanke the
On the same wyse ye shall haue me
whan so euer ye please
Pryde.
Riot we tarye longe
Ryot
we wyl go euen now with a lusty songe
Pryde
In faith I will be rector chorye
youthe.
Go to it then hardely, and let vs be agate
Charite
Abide felowe a worde with the
whether go ye tell me
Abyd and here what I shall you tell
And ruled by my counsel
Pryde
Naye no felowe ne yet mate
I trowe thy felow be in Newgate
Shal we tell the wether we go
Nay iwis good Ihon a Pepo
who learned the thou mistaught man
To speake so to a gentylman
Thoughe his clothes be neuer so thine
Yet he is come of noble kinne
Though thou giue him suche a mocke
yet he is come of a noble stocke
I let the well to wite
Ryot
What syr Ihon what say ye
wolde you be feterd nowe
thinke nat to longe I pray you
It maye fortune come sone ynowe
Ye shall thinke it a lytell soone
Charite
Yet syrs let this cease
And let vs talke of goodnes
youthe.
He turned his tale he is aferde
But faith he shalbe skerd
He weneth by flatteringe to please vs agayn
But he laboureth all in vaine
Charite
Sir I pray you me not spare
For nothynge I do care
That ye can doe to me.
Ryot.
No horeson sayst thou so
Holde him pride and let me go
I shal fet a prayre of rynges
That shall sit to his shinnes
And that euen a none.
Pryde.
Hye the apace and come againe
And bringe with the a good chaine
To holde him here stil.
Charite
Iesu that was borne of Mare milde
From all euyll he vs shielde
And sende you grace to amende
Or oure lyfe be at an ende
For I tell you trewlye
That ye lyue full wickedlye
I pray God it amende.
Ryot.
Lo syrs loke what I bringe
Is not this a ioly ringinge
By my trouth I trowe it be
I will go wyt of charitie
How sayest thou maister charitie
Dothe this geare please the.
Charite
They please me well indede
The more sorowe the more mede
For God sayde whyle he was man
Beati qui persecutionē patiūtur propter iusticiā
Unto his apostles he sayde so
To teache them howe they shulde do
Pryde
We shall se how they can please
Sit downe sir and take youre ease
Me thinke these same were full meete
To go about your faire feete
youthe.
By my truthe I you tell
They wolde become hym very well
therfore hye that they were on
Unto the tauerne that we were gone
Ryot
That shall ye se anone
Howe soone they shall be on
And after we wyll not tary longe
But go hence with a mery songe
Pryde
Let vs begyn all at once
youthe
Nowe haue at it by cockes bones
And soone let vs goo
Charite
Lo maisters here you maie se beforn
that the wede ouergroweth the corne
Nowe maie ye see all in this tide
Howe vice is taken, & vertue set aside
yonder ye maye see youth is not stable
But euermore chaungeable
And the nature of men is frayle
that he wotteth not what may auaile
Uertue for to make
O good Lorde it is a pitifull case
Syth God hath lent me wit ād grace
To chose of good and euyll
that man shulde voluntarilie
To suche thynges hym selfe applye
that hys soule shuld spyll
Humily
Christ yt was crucified & crowend with thorne
And of a virgin for man was borne
Some knoweledge sende to me
Of my brother Charitie
Charite
Dere brother Humilitie
ye be welcome vnto me
Where haue ye be so longe
humili.
I shall do you to vnderstande
That I haue sayd mine euensonge
But sir I praye you tel me nowe
Howe this case happened to you
Charite
I shall tell you anone
The felowes that I tolde you on
Haue me thus arayed
Humily
Sir I shall vndo the bandes
From your feete and your handes
Sir I praye you tell me anone
Whether they be gone
And when they come againe
Charite
Sir to the tauerne they begone
And they wyll come againe anone
And that shall you see
humili.
Then wyll we them exhorte
Unto vertue to resorte, & so forsake sin
Charite
I wyll helpe you that I can
To conuert that wicked man
youthe.
Abacke galantes and loke vnto me
And take me for your speciall
For I am promoted to hye degree
By right I am kinge eternall
Neither duke ne lord, Barō ne knight
that maye be likened vnto me
they be subdued to me by ryght
As seruantes to their masters shuld be
humyli.
Ye be welcome to this place here
we thynke ye labour all in vaine
wherefore your braynes we wyll stere
And kele you a lytel againe
youthe.
Saiest thou my braines thou wylt stere
I shall laie the on the eare
were thou borne in trumpyngton
And brought vp at Hogges norton
By my faith it semeth so
well go knaue go
Charite
Do by our counsell and our rede
And aske mercie for thy misdede
And endeuer the for goddes sake
For thy sinnes amendes to make
Or euer that thou die
Ryot
Harke youth for god auowe
He wolde haue the a sainte nowe
But youth I shall you tell
A yonge sainte an olde deuyll
Therfore I holde the a foole
And thou folowe his scole
youthe.
I warrant thee I wyll not do soo
I wyll be ruled by you two
Pryde
Then shall ye do well
yf ye be ruled by our counsell
we wyll bringe you to hie degree
And promote you to dignitie
humili.
Sir it is a pitifull case
That ye wolde forsake grace
And to vyce applye
youthe.
whie knaue dothe it greue thee
Thou shalt not answer for me
when my soule hangeth on the hedge once
Then take thou and caste stones
As faste as thou wylte
Charite
Syr if it please you to do thus
Forsake them and do after vs
The better shall you do
Ryot.
Syre he shall do well inowe
Thoughe he be ruled bi neither of you
therfore crake no longer here
Least thou haue on the eare
And that a good knocke
Pryde.
Lyghtlye se thou auoyde the place
Or I shall gyue thee on the face
Youth I trowe that he wolde
Make you holy or ye be olde
And I swere by the rode
It is time inoughe to be good
Whan that ye be olde
youthe.
Syr by my truthe I the say
I wyll make mery whiles I may
I can not tell you howe longe
Ryot.
Ye sir so mote I thryue
Thou art not certaine of thy life
therfore thou were a starke foole
to leue myrth and folowe their scole
humili.
Syr I shall hym exhorte
Unto vs to resorte
And you to forsake
Pryde
Aske him if he wyll do so
To forsake vs and folowe you two
Nay I warrant you nay
humili.
That shall you se euen anone
I will vnto him gone
And se what he wyll saye
Ryot
Hardely go on thy waye
I knowe well he will saye naye
youthe.
Ye syr by God that me dere bought
Me thinke ye laboure all for nought
Wenest thou that I wyll for thee
Or they brother Charytie
Forsake this good companye
Nay I warrant the
Pryde.
No mayster I praye you of that
For anye thinge for sake vs nat
And all oure counsell rule you by
Ye may be Emperour or ye dye
youthe.
while I haue life in my body
Shall I be ruled by Riot and the
Ryot.
Sir than shall ye do well
For we be true as stele
Syr I can teache you to play at the dice
At the quenes game and at the Iryshe
The Treygobet and the hasarde also
And many other games mo
Also at the cardes I can teche you to play
At the triunph and on and thirtye
Post, pinion, and also aumsase
And at an other they call dewface
Yet I can tel you mor & ye wyll con me thanke
Pinke and drinke and also at the blanke
And mane sportes mo
youthe.
I thanke the Riot so mote I the
For the counsell thou haste geuen me
I wyll folowe thy minde in euery thinge
And guide me after thy learninge
Charite
youth leue that counsell for it is nought
And amende that thou hast myswrought
That thou maist saue that God hath boughte
youthe.
what saie ye maister Charitie
what hath God bought for me
By my trouth I knowe not
whether that he goeth in white or blacke
He came neuer at the stues
Nor in no place where I do vse
Iwis he bought not my cap
Nor yet my ioylie hat
I wot not what he hath bought for me
And he bought any thinge of myne
I wyll geue hym a quarte of wyne
The nexte tyme I hym meete
Charite
Sir this he dyd for the
When thou wast bond he made the fre
And bought the wyth his bloud
youthe
Sir I praye you tell me
Howe may this be
That I knowe I was neuer bonde
Unto none in Englande
Charite
Sir I shall tell you
Whan Adam had done greate trespas
And out of paradise exiled was
Then all the soles as I can you tell
Were in ye bondage of the deuyll of hel
Tyll the father of heauen of his greate mercye
Sent the seconde person in Trinitie
Us for to redeme
And so with his precious bloude
He bought vs on the roode
And our soules dyd saue
youthe
Howe shulde I saue it tell me nowe
And I wyl be ruled after you my soule to saue
Ryot
What youth wyll you forsake me
I wyll not forsake thee
humili.
I shall tell you shortely
Knele downe and aske God mercie
For that you haue offended
Pryde
Youth wylte thou do so
Folowe them and let vs go
Marye I trowe naye
youthe.
Here all synne I forsake
And to god I me betake
Good Lord I praie the haue no indignacion
That I a sinner shulde aske saluacion
Charite
Nowe thou muste forsake pryde
And all Riot set aside
Pryde
I wyll not hym forsake
Neither early ne late
I wende he wolde not forsake me
But if it wyll none otherwise bee
I wyll go my waye
youthe.
Sir I praye God be your spede
And helpe you at your nede
Ryot
I am sure thou wylt not forsake me
Nor I wyll not forsake thee
youthe.
I for sak you also
And wyll not haue with you to do
Ryot.
And I forsake the vtterlye
Fie on the caytife fye
Once a promise thou dyd me make
That thou wolde me neuer forsake
But nowe I se it is harde
For to truste the wretched worlde
Fare well masters euerycheone
Humili
For your synne looke ye morne
And euyl creatures loke ye tourne
For your name who maketh inquisicion
Seye it is good contricion
That for sinne doth morne
Charite
Here is a newe araye
For to walke by the waye
your prayer for to saye
humyli.
Here be bokes for your deuocion
And kepe you from all temptacion
Let no vyce deuoure
Whan ye se misdoing men
Good counsell geue them
And teach them to amende
Youthe.
For my synne I wyll morne
All creatures I wyll turne
And whan I see misdoinge men
Good counsell I shall geue them
And exhorte them to amende
Charite
Than shall ye be an heritour of blysse
Where all ioye and myrth is
Youthe.
To the whiche eternall
God bringe the persons all
Here beynge
humili.
Thus haue we brought our matter to an ende
Before the persons here present
Wolde euery man be contente
Leaste onother daye we be shente
Charite
We thanke all this presente
Of their meeke audience
Humili
Iesu that sytteth in heauen so hye
Saue all this faire companye
Men and women that here be
Amen, Amen for charitie.
Iesu that his armes dyd sprede
And on a tree was done to dead
From all perils he you defende
I desire audiēce til I haue made an ēde
For I am come from God aboue
To occupie his lawes to your behoue
And am named Charitie
There maye no man saued be
without the helpe of me
For he that Charitie doth refuse
Other vertues though he do vse
without Charitie it wyll not be
For it is written in the faithe
I am the gate I tell the
Of heauen that ioiful cytie
Ther maie no man thider come
But of charyty he must haue some
Or he may not come iwis
Unto heauen the citie of blysse
therfore charitie who wil him take
Apure soule it wil him make
Before the face of God
In the .A.B.C. of bokes the least
Yt is writen deus charitas est
Lo charitie is a great thinge
Of all vertues it is the kinge
Whan God in earth was here liuinge
Of chariti he found none endinge
I was planted in his hart
We two might not departe
Out of his harte I did springe
throughe the might of the heauē king
And all preestes that be
Maie not lyue without charitye
And charitey to them they do not take
they may not receiue him that did them make
And all this worlde of noughte
youth.
A backe felowes and giue me roume
Or I shall make you to auoyde sone
I am goodlye of persone
I am pereles where euer I come
My name is youth I tell the
I florysh as the vine tre
Who may be likened vnto me
In my youthe and Iolitye
My body plyaunt as a hasel styck
Myne armes be bothe fayre and strong
My fingers be both faire and longe
My chest bigge as a tunne
My legges be full lighte for to runne
To hoppe and daunce and make mery
By the masse I recke not a chery
What so euer I do
I am the heyre of my fathers lande
And it is come into my hande
I care for no more
Charite
Are you so disposed to doo
To folowe vice and let vertue go
youthe.
Ye sir euen so
For nowe a dayes he is not set by
without he be vnthriftye
Charite
You had nede to aske God mercye
Why do you so prase your body
youthe.
Why knaue what is that to the
wilt thou let me to prayse my body
whi shuld I not praise it & it be goodli
I will not let for the
Charite
what shal it be whan thou shalt flyt
For the wealth into the pyt
Therfore of it be not to boolde
Least thou for think it whan yu art old
ye maye be lykened to a tre
In youth floryshyng with royallte
And in age it is cut downe
And to the fyre is throwne
So shalt thou but thou amende
Be burned in hel without ende
youthe.
Ye horson trowest thou so
Hence caytife go thi way
Or with my dagger I shal the slay
Hens knaue out of this place
Or I shal lay the on the face
Sayest thou that I shal go to hel
For euer more there to dwel
I had leuer thou had euyll fare
Charite
A yet syr do by my rede
And aske mercy for thi misdede
And thou shalt be an herytoure of blysse
Where al ioye and myrthe is
Where thou shal se a glorius syght
Of aungeles singing with saintes bright
Before the face of God
Youthe.
what syrs aboue the sky
I had nede of a ladder to climbe so hye
But what and the ladder slyppe
Than I am deceyued yet
And if I fal I catche a quecke
I may fortune to breke my necke
And that ioynte is yll to set
Nay nay not so
Charite
O yet remember cal to thi minde
The mercy of God passeth al thyng
For it is wryten by noble clerkes
The mercye of God passeth all werkes
That witnesseth holy scrypture sainge thus
Miseratio domine super omnia opera eius
Therfore doute not goddes grace
Ther of is plenty in euery place
Youthe.
what me thynke ye be clerkyshe
For ye speake good gibbryshe
Syr I pray you and you haue any store
Least whan your connynge is all done
My question haue no solucion
Syr and it please you this
Whi do mē eate musterd with saltfishe
Sir I praie you soile me this quistion
That I haue put to your descrecyon
Charite
Thus question is but vanitie
Yt longeth not to me
Suche questions to assoyle
youthe.
Sir by god that me dere bought
I se your conninge is litell or noughte
And I shuld folowe your scole
Sone ye wold make a fole
Therfore crake no longer here
Least I take you on the eare
And make your head to ake
Charite
Sir it falleth not for me to fighte
Nether by day ne be night
therfore do my counsaile I saye
Than to heuē thou shalt haue the wai
youthe.
No syr I thinke ye will not fighte
But to take a mans purs in the night
Ye will not sai nay
For suche holy caitifes
Were wonte to be theues
And such wolde be hanged as hye
As a man may se with his eye
In faith this same is true
Charite
God saue euery christen body
From such euell destenye
And sende vs of his grace
In heuen to have a place
youthe.
Nay nay I warrant the
wenest thou he wyll haue suche fooles
To syt on his gaie stooles
Naie I warrant the naye
Humily
Well sir I put me in goddes wyll
Whether he wyll me saue or spyll
And sir I pray you do so
And truste in god what so euer ye do
youthe.
Sir I praye the holde thy peace
And talke to me of no goodnes
And soone loke thou go thy waye
Lesse with my dagger I the slaie
In faithe if thou meue my harte
Thou shalte be wearie of thy parte
Or thou and I haue done
Charite
Thynke what God suffered for the
His armes to be spred vpon a tree
A knight with a speare opened his syd
In his harte appeared a wounde wid
That bought both you and me
youthe.
Goddes faste what is that to me
Thou dawe wylte thou rede me
In my youth to lose my ioylitie
Hence knaue and go thy waye
Or wyth my dagger I shall the slaye
Charite
O sir heare what I you tell,
And be ruled of my counsell
That ye might syt in heuen hye
with God and his company
Youthe.
A yet of God thou wilte not ceasse
Tyll I fyght in good earneste
On my fayth I tell the true
yf I fyghte thou wylte it rue
All the dayes of thy lyfe.
Syr I se it wyll none otherwise be
I will go to my brother Humilitie
And take good counsayle of him
Howe it is best to be do therin
youthe.
ye mary syre I pray you of that
Me thinke it were a good sight of your backe
I wolde se your heles hither
And your brother and you together
Fettred fine fast
I wis and I had the kay
ye shulde singe wel away
Or I let you lose
Charite
Fare well my maysters euerychone
I wyll come againe anone
And tel you howe I haue done
youthe.
And thou come hither againe
I wyll send ye hens in the dyuels nam
What nowe, I maye haue my space
To iet here in this place
Before I might not stere
Whan the churle charitie was here
But nowe amonge al this chere
I wold I had som company here
I wis mi brother Riot wold helpe me
For to beate charytye
And his brother to.
Ryot.
Huffa, huffa who calleth after me
I am Riot ful iolite
My heart as light as the wynde
And all on Riot is mi minde
where so euer I go
But wote ye what I do here
To seeke youth my compere
Faine of him I wolde haue a sight
God spede master youth by my faie
youthe
Welcom Ryot in the deuels waye
Who brought the hither to day
Ryot
That dyd my legges I tell the
Me thought thou dyd me call
And I am com now here
To make roiall chere
And tell the how I haue done
youthe
What I wende thou hadst ben henged
But I se thou arte escaped
For it was tolde me heere
You toke a man on the eare
That his purse in your bosome did flie
And so in Newegate ye dyd lye
Ryot
So it was I beshrewe your pate
I come lately from Newgate
But I am as readie to make good chere
As he that neuer came there
For and I haue spendyng
I wyll make as mery as a kinge
And care not what I do
For I wyll not lie longe in prison
But wyll get forthe soone
For I haue learned a pollicie
That wyll lose me lyghtlie
And soone let me go
youthe.
I loue well thy discrescion
For thou arte all of one condicyon
Thou arte stable and stedfast of mynde
And not chaungable as the wynde
But sir I praie you at the leaste
Tell me more of that ieste
That thou tolde me ryght nowe
The mayre of London sent for me
Forth of Newgate for to com
For to preche at Tybrone.
youthe.
By our Lady he did promote the
To make the preche at the galowe tre
But syr how diddest thou scape
Ryot
Uerely syr the rope brake
And so I fell to the ground
And ran away safe and sound
Be the way I met with a courtiers lad
And twenty nobls of gold in his purs he had
I toke the ladde on the eare
Besyde his horse I felled hym there
I toke his purs in my hande
And twenty nobles therin I fande
Lorde howe I was mery.
youthe.
Goddes fote thou diddest ynoughe there
For to be made knyght of the colere.
Ryot
Ye syr I truste to God all myght
At the next cessions to be dubbed a knight
youthe.
Now syr by this light
That wolde I fayne se
And I plight the so God me saue
That a surer colere thou shalt haue
And because gold colers be so good chepe
Unto the roper I shal speke
To make the one of a good price
And that shalbe of warrantyse.
Ryot.
Youth I pray the haue a doo
And to the tauerne let vs go
And we will drynke diuers wine
And the cost shal be mine
Thou shalt not pay one peny iwis
whan so euer thou wilte
youthe.
Mary Riot I thanke the
That thou wylt be stowe it on me
And for thi pleasure so be it
I wold not charity shuld vs mete
And turne vs agayne
For ryght nowe he was with me
And said he wolde go to Humilitie
And come to me againe
Ryot.
Let him come if he will
He were better to bide still
And he gyue the croked langage
I will laye him on the visage
And that thou shalt se sone
Howe lightly it shall be doone
And he wil not be ruled with knockes
We shall set him in the stockes
To heale his sore shinnes
youthe.
I shall helpe the if I can
To dryue a waye that hang man
Herke Riot thou shalt vnderstande
I am heyre of my fathers land
And nowe they be come to my hand
Me thynke it were best therfore
That I had one man more
To waite me vpon
Ryot.
I can spede the of a seruaūte of price
That wil do the good seruice
I se him go here be side
Some men call him mayster Pride
I sweare by God in Trinitie
I wyll go fetche him vnto the
And that euen anone
Hye the apace and come a gayne
And bringe with the that noble swayne
Ryot
Lo mayster youth here he is
A prety man and a wyse
He will be glad to do you seruyce
In al that euer he may
youthe
Welcome to me good fellowe
I prai the whence commest thou
And thou wilt my seruaunt be
I shall geue the golde and fee
Pryde.
Syr I am content iwis
To do you any seruis
That euer I can do
Youthe.
By likelyhod thou shulde do well ynowe
Thou art alykely felowe
Pryde
Yes syr I warrant you
yf ye will be rulde by me
I shall you bringe to hye degre
youthe.
What shall I do tell me
And I wyll be ruled by the
Pryde
Mary I shall tell you
Considre ye haue good ynowe
And think ye come of noble kinde
Aboue all men exalte thy minde
Put downe the pore and set nought by them
Be in company with gentel men
Iette vp and downe in the waye
And your clothes loke they be gaye
The pretye wenches wyll saie than
Yonder goeth a gentelmen
And euery pore felowe that goeth you by
Will do of his cap and make you curteisie
In faith this is true
youthe.
Sir I thanke the by the roode
And I commit me euen nowe
Under the techynge of Ryot and you
Ryot
Lo youth I tolde you
That he was a lastye felowe
youthe
Mary syr I thanke the
That you wolde bringe him vnto me
Pryde.
Syr it were expedyente that ye had a wife
To liue with her all youre life
Ryot
A wife nay nay for God auowe
He shall haue fleshe inoughe
For by God that me dere bought
Ouer muche of one thinge is nought
The deuyl said he had leuer burne al his life
than ones for to take a wife
Therfore I saie so god me saue
He shall no wife haue
thou haste a sister fair and fre
A knowe well his lemman she will be
therfore I wolde she were here
that we might go and make good chere
At the wine some where
youthe
I pray you hither thou do her bringe
For she is to my likinge
Pryde
Syr I shall do my diligence
To bringe her to your presence
Youthe.
Hye the apace and come agayn
To haue a sight I wolde be faine
Of that Lady fre
ryot
Syr in faith I shall tell you true
She is a freshe and fayre of hue
And verye propre of bodie
Men call her Lady Lechery
Youthe.
My herte burneth by God of myght
Intret superbis cū luxuria et dicat superbia
Pryde
Syr I haue fulfilled your entent
And haue brought you in this present
that you haue sent me fore
youthe.
thou art a redy messengert
Come hither to me my herte so dere
ye be welcome to me as the hert in my body
Lecheri.
Sir I thanke you ād at your pleasure I am
ye be the same vnto me
youthe.
Maisters wyll ye to tauerne walke
A worde with you there will I talke
And giue you the wine
Lecheri
Gentle man I thanke you verely
And I am all redye
to waite you vpon
Ryot.
what sister lecherye
ye be welcome to our companie
Lecheri
well wanton well, fye for shame
So sone ye do expresse me name
what if no man shuld haue knowne
I wis I shal you bete, well wanton well
Ryot.
A lytell pretye nyset
Ye be well nise God wote
ye be alytell prety pie, iwis ye go ful gingerle
Lechery
wel I se your false eye
winketh on me full wantonly
ye be full wanton iwis
youthe.
Pride I thanke you of your laboure
That you had to fetch this fayre floure
Pryde.
Lo youth I tolde the
that I wolde bringe her with me
Sir I pray you tell me nowe
Howe doth she like you
Uerely wel she pleased me
For she is courteis gentyll and fre
Howe do you fayre Ladye
Howe fare you tell me
Lecheri
Syr if it please you, I do well ynowe
And the better that you wyl wite
youthe.
Riot I wolde be at the tauerne fayne
Least charitie vs mete and turne vs againe
Than wold I be sory because of this farie ladi
Ryot.
Let vs go agayne be time
That we maye be at the wyne
Or euer that he come
Pryde.
Hie the apace and go we hence
we wil let for none expence
Youthe.
Now we wil fil the cup and make good cher
I trust I haue a noble here
Herke sirs for God almighte
Herest thou not howe they fight
In fayth we shall them part
Yf there be any wine to sell
They shall no longer together dwell
No than I be shrewe my herte
Ryot.
No syr so mote I the
Let not thy seruantes fight within ye
For it is a carefull lyfe
Euermore to liue in strife
Therefore if ye wil be ruled by mi tale
We will go to the ale
And se howe we can do
I truste to God that sitteh on hye
To lese that lytell companye
With in an houre or two
Pryde.
Now let vs goo for goddes sake
And se howe merye we can make
Now lette vs go apace
And I belast there I be shrewe my face
youthe.
Nowe let vs go that we were there
To make this Ladye some chere
Lecheri
Uerelye syr I thanke the
That ye will bestowe it on me
And whan it please you on me to call
My heart is yours bodie and all
youthe.
Faire Ladye I thanke the
On the same wyse ye shall haue me
whan so euer ye please
Pryde.
Riot we tarye longe
Ryot
we wyl go euen now with a lusty songe
Pryde
In faith I will be rector chorye
youthe.
Go to it then hardely, and let vs be agate
Charite
Abide felowe a worde with the
whether go ye tell me
Abyd and here what I shall you tell
And ruled by my counsel
Pryde
Naye no felowe ne yet mate
I trowe thy felow be in Newgate
Shal we tell the wether we go
Nay iwis good Ihon a Pepo
who learned the thou mistaught man
To speake so to a gentylman
Thoughe his clothes be neuer so thine
Yet he is come of noble kinne
Though thou giue him suche a mocke
yet he is come of a noble stocke
I let the well to wite
Ryot
What syr Ihon what say ye
wolde you be feterd nowe
thinke nat to longe I pray you
It maye fortune come sone ynowe
Charite
Yet syrs let this cease
And let vs talke of goodnes
youthe.
He turned his tale he is aferde
But faith he shalbe skerd
He weneth by flatteringe to please vs agayn
But he laboureth all in vaine
Charite
Sir I pray you me not spare
For nothynge I do care
That ye can doe to me.
Ryot.
No horeson sayst thou so
Holde him pride and let me go
I shal fet a prayre of rynges
That shall sit to his shinnes
And that euen a none.
Pryde.
Hye the apace and come againe
And bringe with the a good chaine
To holde him here stil.
Charite
Iesu that was borne of Mare milde
From all euyll he vs shielde
And sende you grace to amende
Or oure lyfe be at an ende
For I tell you trewlye
That ye lyue full wickedlye
I pray God it amende.
Ryot.
Lo syrs loke what I bringe
Is not this a ioly ringinge
By my trouth I trowe it be
I will go wyt of charitie
How sayest thou maister charitie
Dothe this geare please the.
Charite
They please me well indede
The more sorowe the more mede
For God sayde whyle he was man
Unto his apostles he sayde so
To teache them howe they shulde do
Pryde
We shall se how they can please
Sit downe sir and take youre ease
Me thinke these same were full meete
To go about your faire feete
youthe.
By my truthe I you tell
They wolde become hym very well
therfore hye that they were on
Unto the tauerne that we were gone
Ryot
That shall ye se anone
Howe soone they shall be on
And after we wyll not tary longe
But go hence with a mery songe
Pryde
Let vs begyn all at once
youthe
Nowe haue at it by cockes bones
And soone let vs goo
Charite
Lo maisters here you maie se beforn
that the wede ouergroweth the corne
Nowe maie ye see all in this tide
Howe vice is taken, & vertue set aside
yonder ye maye see youth is not stable
But euermore chaungeable
And the nature of men is frayle
that he wotteth not what may auaile
Uertue for to make
O good Lorde it is a pitifull case
Syth God hath lent me wit ād grace
To chose of good and euyll
that man shulde voluntarilie
To suche thynges hym selfe applye
that hys soule shuld spyll
Humily
Christ yt was crucified & crowend with thorne
Some knoweledge sende to me
Of my brother Charitie
Charite
Dere brother Humilitie
ye be welcome vnto me
Where haue ye be so longe
humili.
I shall do you to vnderstande
That I haue sayd mine euensonge
But sir I praye you tel me nowe
Howe this case happened to you
Charite
I shall tell you anone
The felowes that I tolde you on
Haue me thus arayed
Humily
Sir I shall vndo the bandes
From your feete and your handes
Sir I praye you tell me anone
Whether they be gone
And when they come againe
Charite
Sir to the tauerne they begone
And they wyll come againe anone
And that shall you see
humili.
Then wyll we them exhorte
Unto vertue to resorte, & so forsake sin
Charite
I wyll helpe you that I can
To conuert that wicked man
youthe.
Abacke galantes and loke vnto me
And take me for your speciall
For I am promoted to hye degree
By right I am kinge eternall
Neither duke ne lord, Barō ne knight
that maye be likened vnto me
they be subdued to me by ryght
As seruantes to their masters shuld be
humyli.
Ye be welcome to this place here
wherefore your braynes we wyll stere
And kele you a lytel againe
youthe.
Saiest thou my braines thou wylt stere
I shall laie the on the eare
were thou borne in trumpyngton
And brought vp at Hogges norton
By my faith it semeth so
well go knaue go
Charite
Do by our counsell and our rede
And aske mercie for thy misdede
And endeuer the for goddes sake
For thy sinnes amendes to make
Or euer that thou die
Ryot
Harke youth for god auowe
He wolde haue the a sainte nowe
But youth I shall you tell
A yonge sainte an olde deuyll
Therfore I holde the a foole
And thou folowe his scole
youthe.
I warrant thee I wyll not do soo
I wyll be ruled by you two
Pryde
Then shall ye do well
yf ye be ruled by our counsell
we wyll bringe you to hie degree
And promote you to dignitie
humili.
Sir it is a pitifull case
That ye wolde forsake grace
And to vyce applye
youthe.
whie knaue dothe it greue thee
Thou shalt not answer for me
when my soule hangeth on the hedge once
Then take thou and caste stones
As faste as thou wylte
Syr if it please you to do thus
Forsake them and do after vs
The better shall you do
Ryot.
Syre he shall do well inowe
Thoughe he be ruled bi neither of you
therfore crake no longer here
Least thou haue on the eare
And that a good knocke
Pryde.
Lyghtlye se thou auoyde the place
Or I shall gyue thee on the face
Youth I trowe that he wolde
Make you holy or ye be olde
And I swere by the rode
It is time inoughe to be good
Whan that ye be olde
youthe.
Syr by my truthe I the say
I wyll make mery whiles I may
I can not tell you howe longe
Ryot.
Ye sir so mote I thryue
Thou art not certaine of thy life
therfore thou were a starke foole
to leue myrth and folowe their scole
humili.
Syr I shall hym exhorte
Unto vs to resorte
And you to forsake
Pryde
Aske him if he wyll do so
To forsake vs and folowe you two
Nay I warrant you nay
humili.
That shall you se euen anone
I will vnto him gone
And se what he wyll saye
Ryot
Hardely go on thy waye
I knowe well he will saye naye
youthe.
Ye syr by God that me dere bought
Wenest thou that I wyll for thee
Or they brother Charytie
Forsake this good companye
Nay I warrant the
Pryde.
No mayster I praye you of that
For anye thinge for sake vs nat
And all oure counsell rule you by
Ye may be Emperour or ye dye
youthe.
while I haue life in my body
Shall I be ruled by Riot and the
Ryot.
Sir than shall ye do well
For we be true as stele
Syr I can teache you to play at the dice
At the quenes game and at the Iryshe
The Treygobet and the hasarde also
And many other games mo
Also at the cardes I can teche you to play
At the triunph and on and thirtye
Post, pinion, and also aumsase
And at an other they call dewface
Yet I can tel you mor & ye wyll con me thanke
Pinke and drinke and also at the blanke
And mane sportes mo
youthe.
I thanke the Riot so mote I the
For the counsell thou haste geuen me
I wyll folowe thy minde in euery thinge
And guide me after thy learninge
Charite
youth leue that counsell for it is nought
And amende that thou hast myswrought
That thou maist saue that God hath boughte
youthe.
what saie ye maister Charitie
what hath God bought for me
By my trouth I knowe not
He came neuer at the stues
Nor in no place where I do vse
Iwis he bought not my cap
Nor yet my ioylie hat
I wot not what he hath bought for me
And he bought any thinge of myne
I wyll geue hym a quarte of wyne
The nexte tyme I hym meete
Charite
Sir this he dyd for the
When thou wast bond he made the fre
And bought the wyth his bloud
youthe
Sir I praye you tell me
Howe may this be
That I knowe I was neuer bonde
Unto none in Englande
Charite
Sir I shall tell you
Whan Adam had done greate trespas
And out of paradise exiled was
Then all the soles as I can you tell
Were in ye bondage of the deuyll of hel
Tyll the father of heauen of his greate mercye
Sent the seconde person in Trinitie
Us for to redeme
And so with his precious bloude
He bought vs on the roode
And our soules dyd saue
youthe
Howe shulde I saue it tell me nowe
And I wyl be ruled after you my soule to saue
Ryot
What youth wyll you forsake me
I wyll not forsake thee
humili.
I shall tell you shortely
Knele downe and aske God mercie
For that you haue offended
Youth wylte thou do so
Folowe them and let vs go
Marye I trowe naye
youthe.
Here all synne I forsake
And to god I me betake
Good Lord I praie the haue no indignacion
That I a sinner shulde aske saluacion
Charite
Nowe thou muste forsake pryde
And all Riot set aside
Pryde
I wyll not hym forsake
Neither early ne late
I wende he wolde not forsake me
But if it wyll none otherwise bee
I wyll go my waye
youthe.
Sir I praye God be your spede
And helpe you at your nede
Ryot
I am sure thou wylt not forsake me
Nor I wyll not forsake thee
youthe.
I for sak you also
And wyll not haue with you to do
Ryot.
And I forsake the vtterlye
Fie on the caytife fye
Once a promise thou dyd me make
That thou wolde me neuer forsake
But nowe I se it is harde
For to truste the wretched worlde
Fare well masters euerycheone
Humili
For your synne looke ye morne
And euyl creatures loke ye tourne
For your name who maketh inquisicion
Seye it is good contricion
That for sinne doth morne
Charite
Here is a newe araye
For to walke by the waye
humyli.
Here be bokes for your deuocion
And kepe you from all temptacion
Let no vyce deuoure
Whan ye se misdoing men
Good counsell geue them
And teach them to amende
Youthe.
For my synne I wyll morne
All creatures I wyll turne
And whan I see misdoinge men
Good counsell I shall geue them
And exhorte them to amende
Charite
Than shall ye be an heritour of blysse
Where all ioye and myrth is
Youthe.
To the whiche eternall
God bringe the persons all
Here beynge
Amen.
humili.
Thus haue we brought our matter to an ende
Before the persons here present
Wolde euery man be contente
Leaste onother daye we be shente
Charite
We thanke all this presente
Of their meeke audience
Humili
Iesu that sytteth in heauen so hye
Saue all this faire companye
Men and women that here be
Amen, Amen for charitie.
Finis.
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