An new enterlude of Impacient pouerte newly Imprynted.
¶Foure men may well and easely playe it.
- Peace. Collhassarde and Concience for one man.
- Haboundaunce and Mysrule for a nother man.
- Impacient pouerte, Prosperyte, & pouerte, for one.
- Enuy and the Somner for a nother man.
¶Peace
begynneth.
THe puysaunt prynce and innocent most pure
which hūbly descēded from ye sete sēpiternall
Illumyne his beames of grace to euery creature
To withstand the conflycte of our enemyes mortall
The deuyl, the worlde, & the flesh, these thre in special
whiche setteth deuysion betwene ye soule & the body
Inlike wise enuy setteth debat betwene party & partye
I speake for this cause, dayly ye may se
How that by enuy and malyce, many be destroyed
Which if they had lyued in peace wt pacient humilite
Ryches and prosperyte with them had ben emploied
For there as is peace, no man is annoyed
For by peace men growe to great rychesse
And by peace men lyue in great quyetnesse
I am named peace, which enuye doeth expell
Enuye with me shall neuer rest
For enuy is one of the paynes of hell
When that he soiourneth in a mans brest
Lyke the burnyng Fenix in her owne nest
Though she can none other hurte ne greue
yet she dooth not cease her selfe to myscheue
Enuye.
A syr here was a longe predycacion
Me thought ye sayd in your communication
To euery man peace was moste behoued.
Peace.
For soth and so sayd I.
Enuye.
That shalbe proued contrary by and by
For by peace muche people are vndone
Peace.
What people are tho.
Enuye.
The armurer, the fletcher, and the bower
Maryners, Gonners, and the poore sowdyer
Yea and also many another artyfycer
Whiche I do not reherse by name
Peace.
[Page]I saye the vnyuersall people doth best obtayne
where as peace is euer abydyng
Enuye.
Thou lyest so god me helpe and halydome
For then were surgyons cleane vndone
Of them that wyll fyght and breake apate
They gete good lyuyng both early and late
And what sayest thou by men of lawe
Theyr lyuyng were not worth a strawe
And euery man should lyue in peace.
Peace.
That is not for the commons encrease
For by peace they profyte in many a thinge
Peace setteth amyte betwene kyng & kynge
In tyme of peace marchauntes haue their course
To passe and repasse
Enuye.
Thou lyest knaue by the masse
For vnder colour of peace much suttelte hath bene wroughte
And ships are taken ye marchaūtes dere haue bought
Was that for their promocion
Nay in tyme of warre
Suche a knaue durst not stere
By ye masse were it not for shame yt shoulde bere me a blow
Peace.
Holde thy handes thou lewde felowe
Thou art of euyll dysposycion
thus agaynst peace to repugne
The whiche from heauen descended downe
to brynge man out of captyuyte
Enuye.
A horton why doest thou lye
When were thou in heauen tell me by and by
Howe camest thou downe with a ladder or a rope
Peace.
yt were no synne to hange the by the throte
Thy wordes be enuyous, not grounded on charite.
Enuye.
Syr one thyng I praye you tell me.
Peace.
What is that
Enuye.
[Page]Haue ye any wyfe or no
Peace.
Why aske ye so
Enuye.
Bycause ye saye peace is moste expedyent
yf your wyfe made you cockolde you beyng present
What woulde ye do
Peace.
Geue her suche punyshement as longeth therto
Enuye.
A fal [...]e flatteryng horsouloo
Nowe thou sayest agaynst thyne owne declaration
Yf thou fyght where is then peace become
Peace.
I breake not peace with doing due correction
For correction should be done charytably
Irascemini et nolite peccare
Enuye.
I shall mete that at omnium quare
Pace should forgeue and not be reuenged
Hence horson by our lady of wolpit
I sha [...]l rappe thee one the pate
Peace.
Go hence wretche thou make bate
yt were almes to set the in newgate
Howe maister constable come nere
Here is a wretche without reason
Take and put hym in pryson
With as many yrons as he may beare
Enuye.
By our lady I wyll come no nere
A constable quod ha, nay that wyll I not abyde
For I am lothe to go shorter tyde
yet longe horson for all thy pryde
I shall mete with thee another daye
When one of vs two shall goo a knaue a waye
Peace.
O thou wretche thou ought to remorde
That so tarre arte exyled from charyte
Lo he thynketh not, howe mekely his maker & Lorde
Suffered reprefe and dyed vpon a tree
Geuynge vs example that with humylyte
[Page]Euery man should folowe his trace
That in heauen wyll clayme a place
¶Impacient pouerte.
Kepe kepe for coxs face.
Peace.
Why art thou so out of pacience
impacyent po.
A knaue would haue rested me I owe hym but .xl pence
He shall abyde by goddes dere blest.
Peace.
Take hede my frende thus sayeth the texte
In lytle medlyng standeth great rest
Therfore paye thy duetye well and honestly
With fewe wordes discretely
Another tyme ye shall be the better truste
impacy.
That wyl I neuer do whyle I lyue let him do hys best
I had leuer laye all my good to pledge
To gete a wryte of pryueldge
So may I gy by his nose at large
Spyte of his tethe who so euer say nay
Peace.
This is but a wilfull mynde if thou wilt not paye
Thy very duety, whiche can not be denade
Geuing of thy wryte and expence in the lawe
Wyll cost more then thy duty, this well I knawe
Thy dette therewith can not be payde
yt is only a deferryng of the payment.
impacy.
yet the knaue shall not haue his entent.
Peace.
Thou shalt pay by rightfull iudgement
For the lawe is indifferent to euery person
impacy.
I se thou holdest on his opynion
yet I set not by you both a rysshe
And I mete the knaue I shall hewe his flesshe
Helpe hym thou olde churle and thou can
Peace.
I se thou art an euyll dysposed man
I vtterly forsake thy condycion
impacy.
Mary auaunt long precious horson
[Page]I set not by the nor hym, I make God auowe
I am as good a man as thou for all thy good
Let it be tryed by māhode, and therto I geue the my gloue
Peace.
Also to warryours I do reproue
For peace loueth not to fyght
impacyent po.
No olde foole, thou hast thy myght
For in age is nought els but cowardyse
Peace.
youth with his courage lyght
Nor strenght with multytude I do ye plight
Are not onely the cause of victory
impacy.
No good syr, what then.
Peace.
Grace and good gouernaunce of man
For with good discresion they began
That were the great wynners of victory
impacy.
The victory is gotten by discretion
I praye you syr shewe me this lesson
How to come to rychesse, for that is all my care
For I am euer in great necessite
Meate and drynke with me is scarsyte
No man wyll trust me of a peny
And also my clothes are but bare
Good syr what say you therin.
Peace.
I holde it punyshement for thy synne
Shew me what is thy name
impacy.
I am named Impacient pouerte
Peace.
For soth that may well be
Thou art so full of wrath and enuy
In thee can growe no grace
But yf thou wylt forsake sensualyte
And be gouerned by reason, as I shall enduce thee
Thou shalt come to rychesse, within shorte space
impacy.
Shew me that now in this place
And therto I wyll agre
Peace.
[Page]Thou must loue thy neyghboure with charite
Do vnto hym, no maner of dysease
Loke howe thou would he dyd to thee
Do to hym no worse in no degree
And then thou shalt our lorde please.
impacy▪
Shall I loue hym that loueth not me?
Those that trouble & rebuke me shamfully
That wyll I neuer do whyle I lyue.
Peace.
Thou must charitably all fautes forgeue
Wwat soeuer any man to thee saye
Let as thou hardest it not, turne thyne care awaye
Thou [...]halt please god, yf thou so do.
impacy.
Nay by god there hoo
What is he in all this place
That wyll do as this man sayde
Shewe me or I go
yf a man do you a great offence
Wyll ye kepe your pacience
Naye be god not so
I put case I breake your head
Wyll ye suffre that in very dede.
Peace.
to suffer for christes sake I shal haue mede
impacy
That shall I knowe by goddes breade.
Peace.
Holde thy hande and kepe pacyence
thinke what christe suffered for our offence
He was beatē scourged, & spite on wt violēce
And suffered death for our sake
yet he toke it paciently
He forgaue his death, & praied for his enmys
Pater dimite illis, his saying was truely
An exam [...] vs to take
to be meke in harte: beati pauperes spiritu
Shall Christe saye full euen.
[Page]Et venite benediciti: come my blessed chyldren
To the kyngdome of heauen.
impacy▪
Syr I thanke you, for your ghostly instruction
Vnto your saying, I can make no delayaunce
I put me vnder your gouernacion
And for my mysdedes, I take greate repentaunce
Peace.
Then to my sayinge, take good remembraunce
Exercyse yourselfe in vertue, from this tyme hence
And vnto peace euermore be obedyent
Syt before euery sharpe word, a shilde of suffraunce
And when tyme is of your concupissaunce
impacy.
Then pacyfye it with benygne resystaunce
Ser gramercy, yt ye haue brought me to this estate
By your aduertismēt I am willing to liue in christes law
There as I haue offended him both early & late
I serued hym not for loue nor for awe
Therfore nowe ryght well I knowe
That pouerte and mysery that I my lyfe in leade
yt is but only punyshement for my mysdeade
Peace.
Nowe or we any further procede
Holde this vesture and put it on thee
From henceforth thou shalt be called prosperytie
Prospe.
I thanke god and you I am in felicite
Peace.
Now vnto you I shall here shewe
Of suche thynges as ye shall eschewe
Fyrst your soule loke that ye kepe cleane
Beware of mysrule in any wyse
Playe not at caylles, cardes nor dyse
Also from miswomen, for by them mischefe may ryse
As it doeth often, thys dayly is sene
Haunte no tauernes, nor sytte not vp late
Let no hassardes nor riotours, wt you be checke mat
For then wyll enuy come, and make debate
[Page]The whiche shall cause great troble
Be plentyfull of suche as god hath sent
Vnto ye poore people geue with good intēte
For euery peny that is so spent
God wyll sende the double.
Take hede and do as I haue sayde
Prospe.
Syr therwith I holde me well apayde
As ye haue commaunded me it shall be done
Peace.
Then let vs departe for a season
plyenede I wyll be your protection.
Exiūt ambo
Haboū.
Ioye and solace be in this hall
Is there no man here that knoweth me at all
I am beloued both with great and small
Haboundaunce is my name
I haue all thynges as me lyst
Meate drynke, and cloth of the best
Golde and syluer, full is euery chest
In fayth I wyll not layne
I thynke ye knowe not my wayes
Howe I gette goodes nowe a dayes
By a propre meane
Thynke you that I woulde
Lende eyther syluer or golde
That daye shall not be sene
But I wyll lende them ware
That shal be both badde and deare
Not worth the money he shall pay
And yf he can no suerte get
Of my ware he getteth ryght nought
Without a good pledge he laye
Then wyll I for myne auayle
He shall make a byll of sayle
To me full bought, and solde
[Page]yf the daye be exspyred and paste
Then wyll I holde it faste
He shall not haue it though he would
this crafte I haue longe vsed
And some men do not yet refuse it
this is openly knowne
What is he in all this towne
that wyll lende without synguler commodst
Shoulde I tende without a profyte
Nay than I holde nought worth my wytte.
Conscy.
All this ye saye, is agaynst conscience
Haboū.
Conscience quod a, nay then shal we neuer thryue
For I knowe hym not alyue
By conscience that commeth to substaunce
I haue all maner of marchaundy
I sell for longe dayes to them that are nedy
And for the payment I haue good suertye
Bounde in statute marchaunce
Because I maye forbeare
I sell my ware so deare
I make fourty of twenty in halfe a yeare
Other men do so as well as I.
Conscy.
Euen synne, vary shame mary fye
These goodes are gotten vntrewely
Many a man is vndone therby
To take this ware to deare
Haboū.
They seke to me both farre and neare
Me thynke it is a good dede
To helpe a man at his nede
Yet I haue other meanes
Wherby to gette great gaynes
I thynke ye knowe not that
Conscy.
I no God wote
Habost.
[Page]No ye are but an ydyote
I solde a man as muche ware, as came to .xl. pondue
And in an oblygacion, I had hym bounde
To pay me at a certayne daye
And whan the bargayne was made playne
Myne owne seruaunt, bought the same ware againe
For the thyrde penny it coste, ye wote what I meane
But was not this a wyse waye?
Conscy.
Thou shalt repent it another daye
I charge the as farre as I maye
Suche false wayes neuer begynne
Haboū.
Wherfore this is no synne
yt is playne byeng and sellyng
Lawfull it is for a man to wynne
Els ryche shall he neuer be.
Enuye.
Wynnyng to be hadde, with due suffycience
In trewe byeng and sellyng, is not to discommende
But for thy false vsuri, thou art cursed in ye sentence
I praye God geue thee grace for to amende.
Conscy.
Is euery man accursed, that doeth bye and sell
Then shall no man with marchaundyse mell
Howe shall the worlde then be vpholde
Haboū.
Nay syr, amysse ye do vnderstande me
All those that occupy false vsurye
And transgresseth the lawes of God by iniquitie
All suche are accursed I you tolde
As for byeng and sellyng, nedes must be
And God commaunded to lende to thē that are nedy
So it be not to their iniurye
For luker to theym solde.
Haboū.
Howe shoulde I sell, shewe me your wayes
Conscy.
ye may not sell the dearer for dayes
yf ye do, it is contrarye to Goddes lawes
Haboū.
[Page]It is vsed in oure Countrey
Conscy.
yt is the more pytie
One suche is able to destroye a Cytye
And God shewe not his great mercy
All suche are dampned by his equite
Haboū.
God forfende that should be
Howe shall men do that be of great reputacion
Whiche kepe theyr goodes on this same fashyon
By vsury, dysceyte and by extorcion
I do so my selfe, wherfore shoulde I lye
Conscy.
Thou mayst be the more sorye
Haboū.
It is so nowe, what remedy
Conscy.
Doo make restytucion
Haboū.
What call ye restytucion?
Conscy.
Restore suche goodes as ye haue gotten
wrongfully by oppression.
Then shall I haue lyttle in my possession
I wyll make God amendes, another waye
I wyll faste and I wyll praye
And I wyll geue almes euery daye
That I haue done amysse, I am sory therfore
Conscy.
This is not sufficient, thou must restore
Quia non dimittitur peccatum
Nisi restituatur ablatum
ye must restore to them, ye haue offended vnto
haboū.
Then I shall shewe you what I shall doo
I wyll put it in my Testamente
That myne executours shall paye and content
For wyle I lyue I wyll not haue my good spente
For yf I do I am but spylte
Conscy.
Make amendes man for thy gylte
Rather spyll thy body then thy soule
Haboū.
Men of substaunce ar a shamed to fall
Conscy.
[Page]That causeth them to rest in their synne
Haboū.
yet euer with thy strongest parte renneth the ball
Conscy.
yesterday thou canst not agayne call
when thou art dead ye gate of mercy is shut yu cannot come in
Haboū.
Then let hym stande without
Conscy.
So of thy soule thou hast no doute
Haboū.
When thou seest my soule torne set on a cloute
yf falshode, vsury, and extorcion should not route
Thousandes in this realme should be put out
The thyrde parte should not byde by saynt Paule
Conscy.
yet often falshode hath a greate fall
An example by kyng Achab with this sothe
Desyred the vyneyarde of that poore man Naboth
By counsell of Iezabell that kynges wyfe
Bycause he would not sell his possession
Of two false witnesses he was peached of hye treasō
And through the mouth of a false quest it rane
which caused the poore man to lese both lande & lyfe
After that of goddes owne byddyng
Came Helas the prophete to Achab the kyng
Saying he shoulde haue euyll endyng
And so he had, for by the waye as he rode
He fell and brake his necke, where dogges lapped his blode
this exāple to al vsurers & opp̄ssours as thinketh me cōtrary
Shul cause them of god sore a dred to be.
haboun.
Syr ye preache very holyly, but your dedes be oftē cōtrary
ye be so acquaynted with couetouse and symony
That maketh vs to take the same waye
Conscy.
So euery euyll disposed parsone doth saye
The fraylte of man doeth often offende
then call for grace, and shortly amende
Therfore I counsell thee to pretende
to repente and be sory for thy mysdede
Haboū.
[Page]yet thus I wyll my lyfe lede
For of your saying I take no hede
ye wyll mucker vp both golde and treasure
ye haue ryches without measure
And of the fleshe ye haue your pleasure
ye can find no wayes to amēd your selfe I you insure
Therfore rebuke not me for my synne ne good
God be with you, you shall not rule me
Conscy.
O dule wytte plunged by ignoraunce
Regardyng nothyng by ghostly instruction
Setting more his mynde on worldly substaunce
Then to the euerlastyng lyfe that is to come
God wyll stryke when he lyst, ye know not how sone
therfore to euery man this counsell I geue
To be sory of your synne, & do penaunce while ye liue
¶Here cometh enuye runnyng in
laughyng, & saith to conscience.
Enuye.
Nowe in faith I would ye had be there
Conscy.
Where should I haue be.
Enuye.
A better sporte ye neuer se.
Conscy.
Where at laughe ye so faste
Enuye.
He to go and she after.
And within a whyle he cought her
He toke of here an incroke
And chopte her on the hele with his fote
Anone be whypte her on the backe
A horsone quod she, playest thou me that
And with her hele she gaue hym a s [...]at
That he was fayne to go backe agayne
Conscy.
Good felowe thou arte to blame
Suche wordes to haue no good thou can.
Enuye.
I sayde it to make you sporte and game
I crye you mercy, I was to blame
[Page]I se ye are some vertuous man
Conscy.
Shortely hence that waye thou came
For here thou shalt not be
Enuye.
Good Lorde some succour thou send me
That I be no not out caste
Conscy.
What is thy name, shortly shewe me
Enuye
I dare not syr, by Christ Iesu
Except ye kepe it pryuely.
Conscy.
Feare not say on hardely
Enuye.
Syr my ryght name is charytie
Sometyme beloued I was with the spiritualtie
But nowe couetouse & simony doth them so auaūce
That good institucion is turned to other ordinaunce
And bonum exemplum, is put to suche hinderaunce
That there I dare not apeare
Conscy.
Symony is nowe in the spiritualtye
Bonus pastor ouium, therto wyll see
Therfore me thynke this is a lye
In holy Churche symony can not abyde
Enuye.
He goth in a cloke he can not be espyed
And couetouse so craftely doeth prouyde
that bonus pastor ouiū, is blind & wil not see
Conscy.
That ye speake is vpon enuy
Therfore I thinke ye be not Charytie
For charitie alwaye wyll saye the beste
Enuye.
Amonges them can I haue no reste
Conscy.
Howe do ye with the temporaltie
Enuye.
There is pryde, slowth and lechery
Which putteth me from that place
Conscy.
Then be ye with the communaltie
Enuye.
They despyse me vtterely
One of them loue no another
The syster can not loue the brother
[Page]Ne the chylde the father ne mother
There I dare not showe my face.
Conscy.
This is to me a straunge case
What heare ye by conscience.
Enuye.
Spiritual & tēporal set against him maruaylously
Marchaūtes, men of law & artyfycers of euery degre
They wyll hange hym and they hym espye
Such exclemacion goeth through this realme round
Conscy.
Why what faute haue they founde
with hym so to do
enuye.
His wytte is nought, they say also
Euery man putteth his wyll therto
To banyshe hym for euer.
Consci
I knowe well it is not as ye saye
For I am conscience ye hye iudge of the lawe
Enuye.
Be ye conscience, alas that euer I this day sawe
yf ye be taken, ye shalbe hanged and drawe
For they haue vtterly put you downe
And set couetyse in your rowme
Subtylte the scrybe his owne cosyn
Consci
And falshed the somner, for the courtes promocion.
Enuye
I maruayle wherfore this was done
When riches came before you that muche wyl pay
There he had lyued in synne many a day
ye should for mony lette hym go quyte a waye
And put hym to no shame
Let pouerte do penaunce for a lyttle offence
He is not able to promote you of .xx. pence
Then should ye haue kept your resydence
And gotten your selfe a good name.
Consc
Who so doeth they are to blame
In mysorderyng them in suche wyse
enuye.
y wis cosyn I shewe you as now is ye guyse
[Page]For by couetyse muche people doeth vp ryse
whiche is against both you and me
Conscy.
Charyte I praye you shewe what remedy
In this matter for me may be founde
enuye.
Shortly get you to wyldernes, or some other regiō
For they wyll hange you vp at the Tyborne
If they fynde you in this place
And I muste departe also
Consci
This is to me muche sorowe and wo
I wyll go into some farre countre
Fare well gentyll cosyn charyte
enuye.
I shall praye for you, praye ye forme
This is an heauy departyng
E [...]plorat
I can in no wyse forbeare wepyng
yet kesse me or ye go
For sorowe my harte wyll breke in two
Is he gone, then haue at laughyng
Asyr is not this a ioly game
That conscience doeth not knowe my name
Enuy in fayth I am the same
what nedeth me for to lye
I hate conscient, peace loue and reste
Debate and stryfe that loue I beste
Accordyng to my properte
when a man loueth well his wyfe
I brynge theym at debate and stryfe
This is sene daylye
Also betwene syster and brother
There shall no neyghbour loue another
where I dwell bye
And nowe I tell you playne
Of one man I haue dysdayne
Prosperyte men do hym call
[Page]He is nye of my blood
And he to haue so muche worldly good
That greueth me worst of all
prospe
Iesus that is both stedfast and stable
Euer perseueraunt and neuer mutable
He saue this congreacion.
enuye.
welcome pouerte by coxs passion
Ho we haue ye done this many a daye
Prospe.
I thanke god as well as any man may
ye call me wrong my name ia prosperyte
Enuye.
Prosperyte with an euyll happe
Howe the deuyll fortunest that
I knewe the impacient pouertie
prospe.
Whatsoeur I was let that matter pas
And take me as I am.
enuye.
I crye you mercy I was to blame
To call you by your olde name
yet all these people thynke ye are the same
Impacient pouertie as I sayd before
prospe.
Auaunt I tell the, I am a gentylman bore
If I here the reporte suche wordes anymore
Thou shalt be punyshed lyke a knaue.
enuye.
A knaue quod, a cors passion
I am your owne cosyn
And nye of your consanguynyte.
prospe.
Thou and I are not of one affinyte.
enuye.
If I were a ryche man, ye would not saye so by me
ye wold then saye I were your next kynsmā on lyue
Prospe.
I saye go hence and make no more stryfe
I set not by suche a pore haskarde
enuye.
Syr do not you knowe my name
Prospe.
I knowe the not by saynt Iame.
Enuye.
Charyte in fayth I am the same
[Page]what nedeth me for to lye
I am your cosen and so wyll I dye
ye may be glad suche a kynsman to haue
prospe.
Shall we haue more a do yet thou knaue
I charge the neuer knowe me for thy kynne
enuye.
I praye you a worde or I go
prospe.
Saye on shortly then haue I do
enuye.
Syr, I haue of golde thre hundreth pounde
In a bagge faste y bounde
At home loked in my cheste
I purpose to go to Ierusalem
ye shall kepe it tyll I come agayne
I putte you best in truste.
prospe
Cosyn I would fayne do the beste
Because ye are nere of my bloode
enuye.
what, are ye nowe in that moode
Nowe I am your kynsman because of my good
Before of me he had dysdayne
prospe.
As fore that I was to blame
I knew you not, be not angrye
ye are welcome to me cosyn charytie
enuye.
Then all these matters let be
I come hyther with you to dwell
ye must haue moseruntes I do you tell
Suche as were necessare for your person
prospe.
I am content after your prouysion
In euery thyng let it be done
As ye thynke moste expedient
enuye.
Syr I shall do myne entent
To gett you seruauntes mo
Prospe.
I prraye you hertely it may be so
A lytle season I wyll from you go
To solace me with some recreacion
Exit
Enuye.
[Page]He that sytteth aboue the mone
Euermore be in your protection
Aha here is a sporte for a Lorde
That prosperytie and I be well at accorde
I shall bryng his thryft vnder the borde
I truste within short space
For it greueth my harte ryght sore
He hath so muche treasure in store
And I haue neuer the more
I must fynde some proper shyfte
That from his good he may be lyfte
To bryng hym to misrule I holde it beste
For he can sone bryng it to passe
Here mysrule syngeth without commyng in
How what rutterkī haue we her
I would he were our subchauntere
Because he can so well synge
Feytes bone shere pour lamour de asynt Iohn
mysru.
Mon [...]uer iocunde is set on a mery pynne
By my trouthe I am disposed to reuelyng
Enuye.
So me thynketh by your commyng in
What mysrule where hast thou bene many yeres
By my trouth euen amonges my peres
mysru.
By my trouth euen amonges my peres
I came now stragiht from the stewes
From lytle prety I one
Lorde that she is a prety one
Enuye.
Holde thy peace let that alone
Harke a worde or twayne to the
I dwell nowe with prosperitie
whiche hath muche worldly treasure
If thou can contryue in thy thought
Howe that he may be brought to nought
In all this worlde I desyre no more.
misrule.
[Page]Tushe take no thought therfore
I con prouyde for that in the best wyse
Enuye.
Then let me heare thy deuyce
misrule.
I wyll brynge hym to classhe, cardes and dyse
And to propre trulles that be wanton and nyce
which wyll not be kept at a small pryce
Howe thynkest thou, wyll not this do well.
Enuye.
yes but harken in counsell
Thou must chaunge thy name
mysru.
I wyll saye I hyt myrth
Enuye
And I wyll saye thesame
Peace whyst I se hym come
Prospe
God saue all this honorable company
enuye.
Syr you be welcome by our blessed [...]
I haue thought for you full longe
Here is gentylman, I praye you for my sake
Say he is welcōe & into your seruice hī take
For great courtesy he can
Prospe.
Syr you be welcome, geue me your hande
And shew me what is your name
mysru.
Syr my name is myrth
Beloued with lordes and ladyes of byrth
At euery tryumphe I am them with
They can me not ones forbeare
Enuye.
And ye had sought this thousand yeare
Suche another ye shall not fynde
wherfore I counsell you in my mynde
Let hym dwell with you for one yer.
prospe.
At your request I am content
Suche a prete man for me were expedient
And of his counsell fayne woulde I here.
mysrule
Syr ye must synge and daunce & make good chere
I would ye had some propre wenche
[Page]That were yonge and lusty at a pynche
Here hele were not so brode as an ynche
She would quycken your courage
prospe.
Peace hath forbydden me ye outrage
Enuye.
He would set you at dotage
Because he is olde and nature is paste
He would nowe euer man should faste
yf ye do so ye do but waste
And vnto you no mede
mysrule
A strawe for hym, ye haue no nede
Of hym to stande in awe or drede
A meryer lyfe nowe maye ye lede
Therfore be at your owne lybertye
Prospe.
By my trouthe I may say to thee
Syte I to hym dyd assent
Had I neuer mery day
But lyued in feare and drede alwaye
Nothyng to myne entente
Another whyle I wyll me sporte
Synge and daunce to my comforte.
enuye.
And amonge mery company do resort
For that shall length your lyfe
mysrule
Spare neyther mayde ne wyfe
Take both and they come in your waye
Enuye.
Of with this lewde araye
yt becometh you nought by this daye
prosper
By my trouth euen as you saye
ye mary nowe am I well apayde
Me thynketh I am properly arayde
yf I had a propre trul she should be asaid
In the worshype of the new yere
Enuye.
Russhe vp mutton for beefe is deare
Haue and reuell and chaunce:
misrule.
[Page]Now let vs both synge and daunce
Wyll ye haue a frenche rounde
Prospe.
And thou shalt se me bounce aboue the grounde
Hey with reuell dashe
Peace
What prosperite is it come hereto
Prospe.
What deuyll of hell hast thou to do
Shall I not make mery when me lyste.
Peace.
yet I saye beware of had I wyst
Enuye.
Hens ye knaue or els thou shalt lycke my fyst
I trowe thy head wolde haue some knockes
Prospe
Go set hym in a payre of stockes
That I hym no more se.
Peace.
yet man I saye remember thee
And thynke what I to the haue sayde.
Escheue euermore these ryatours company
And be ruled by reason as I thee badde
Put from the these two parsons by whō thou art lad
Enuy & mysrule with theyr sinful & great abusyon
Which if thou wylt not forsake, will be thy confuison
Prospe.
Auaunt lorden, and take this for a canclusion
These men fro me thou shalt not seperate
Go out of my syght or by coxs passion
I shall laye the faste in newegate
Peace.
It is better to forsake them betyme then to late
This knaue would haue a broken pate
misrule.
Let me alone by goddes bread
This same sworde shall stryke of his head.
I praye you hence that ye were rydde
Prospe.
Shortly haue hym out of my syght
A lytle whyle geue me respyte
Peace.
And take hede what I do saye
Remembre in what condicion thou was
when I fyrst mette the in this place
[Page]Full symple in poore araye
Nowe by the grace of god and counsel of me
Thou art come to great prosperyte
And so mayst contynue vntyll thou dye
yf thou wysely take hede
Let not sensualyte lede the brydell
Be occupyed in vertue, and be not ydell
The better shalt thou procede
These wreches wyll thy goodes spende and waste
then shalt thou be taken for an out caste
And mocked and scorned with moste and leest
Then wyll no man the helpe at nede
Enuye.
A syr euyll mote thou spede
That so can rede his destanye.
misrule
Wyll ye suffre this knaue in your companye
Then god be with you I wyll forsake you
prospe.
Go hence or in fayth I shall make you.
Peace.
Then to almyghty god I betake you
enuye.
Let me come to that bragg [...]r
I shall thrust him thorowe the ars with my dagger
(And here the face Peace out of the place)
Howe saye ye, was not this a good face
To dryue a knaue out of the place
mysrule
In fayth thou made hym runne a pace
Thou loked as thou hade bene madde
Prospe.
Nowe by my trouth my harte is gladde
Some mynstrell nowe I woulde we hadde
To reuell and daunce, for by saynt [...] hadde
I am so lyght me thinke I flee.
enuye.
ye mary so shoulde it be
For nowe I holde you wyse.
Syr and ye wyll do by myne aduyse
mysrule
Let vs go strayght to the floure delyce
[Page]There shall ye fynde a man wyl playe at dyce
with you for an hundreth pounde.
prospe.
What man is he
misrule
Colehassarde came late from beyond ye see
Ragged and torne in a garded cote
And in his purse neuer a grote
And now he goeth lyke a lorde
Prospe.
I praye thee tell at one worde
Is he a gentylman bore.
Enuye.
Tusshe take no thought therfore
For be he gentylman knaue or boye
yf he come here with a tryfle, or a toye
He can no money lacke
Prospe.
Now by the bread that god brake
I thynke longe tyll I hym se
Myrth go before and ordayne a good dysshe
One of flesshe another of fysshe
enuye.
Nay let all be flesshe
A yonge pullet tender and nesshe
That neuer came on broche, haue with ye or thou go
mysrule
What shall I haue?
enuye.
Foure quarters of a knaue
Rosted vpon a spytte
Exit mysrule.
Prospe
Now by my trouth and Colhassard wyll sytte
I wyll play as l [...]nge as an hundreth pound wyll laste
Enuye.
And ye wyll play an hundreth pound at a cast
He wyll kepe you playe.
prospe.
Then let vs go our waye
I syt on thornes tyll I come there
enuye.
That shall make your thryfte full bare
prosperi
What wyll it do
Enuye.
I saye we shall haue good chere
When we come there.
Exūt ambo.
Se [...]ce.
[Page]When phebus draweth into the occydentall
And obserued with clowdes mysty and darke
Then trees, herbes, and grasse, by course naturall
want their chefe cōfort, thus sayth many a clacke
And lykewyse that man in his warke
Is destytute of reason, folowyng sensuall operacion
The last tyme I was in this place
Prosperite vnto mysrule put his hole confydence
He regarded not my counsell, he lacked grace
which in tyme coming shal turne him to incōueniēce
with hassarders, and ryotters, he kepeth resydence
At clas he and cardes with al vnthryfty game
whyche in contynuaunce shall bryng hym to shame
To hym yet I wyll resorte
yf he be brought in pouertie
I shall do hym all the comforte
And all the helpe that lyeth in me
I wyll neuer reste tyll I hym se
But seke about from place, to place
And bryng hym to some better grace.
Exit
mysru.
Colhassarde arte then there
Horeson knaue wylt thou not appere
By my trouth I had went to haue founde hym here
I holde hym gone some other waye
And where is enuy I can not hym espye
I trowe he is with prosperytie
Prosperyte, nay, I may call hym folysshe pouertie
As wyse as a drake
I haue brought hym to dyce, cardes, and clas he
And euer on his syde ranne the losse
That he is not worthe a hendfull of mosse
Neyther hath not a hole brat to his backe
enuye.
[Page]Passion of god is it come to that
This tydynges maketh my harte gladde
mysru.
In fayth he hath neyther golde, syluer, ne plate
Colhassarde and I be both at one
He promysed me to haue halfe the game
that euery thyng shall be deuyded in twayne
He to haue the one halfe and I the other
Enuye.
Then let vs be partoners as brother and brother
mysru.
I can not saye, tyll colhassarde come
then shall we knowe, both all and some
Colhassarde.
Here is a bagge of golde so rounde
Here in is two thousand pounde
Of prosperyte me it wonne
what man wt me is able to make comparysō
Nowe shall I take a marchauntes place
to occupy I truste within shorte space
To be in credence with Englyshmen
And when I am so well betruste
I may borowe so muche as me luste
A subtyll crafte then fynde I muste
to conuaye vnder coloure lyke fre men
enuye.
Herke this knaue so proude and stoute
that hadde not to his arse a hole cloute
whē he came to this land, & now hath brought about
To compare with a state
mysrule
Nowe muste I haue halfe money and halfe plate
Calhas.
Nay by god there thou spake to late
None thereof from me shall scape
then had I lyued to longe
mysrule
Thou promysed me, when thou began
Halfe thy wynnyng I shall haue
Colhas.
Holde thy peace lewde knaue
knowest thou to whome thou doest speake
mysrule
[Page]A horeson thy head shall I breake
Enuye.
For the passion of god sobre your mode
I feare shedyng of knaues bloude
¶Here they fight & rune al out of the place
And then entreth prosperiti poorely & saieth
pouerte
O Iesu what maye this meane
My goodes are spent and wasted away
Also my men are from me clene
I se them not this seuen nyghtes daye
As longe as I myght spende and paye
They helde me vp with false dyssimulacion
And nowe they forsake me in my moste trybulacion
Enuye.
Come for cox [...] bones, why tary ye so longe
mysrule
In faith I come as as faste as I can
I am so angry I wot not what to do
That yonder knaue scaped from me so
enuye.
What knaue is this I holde hym some spye
pouerty
I am your mayster, knowe ye not me
Enuye.
Thou art come late out of marshall see
mysrule
Me thynke his hayre groweth thorowe his hode
pouerte
Alas Collhassarde hath wonne all my good
And lefte me neuer a groate
Enuye.
Mary so me thynke, ye haue chaunged your coate
But nowe ye haue one vauntage.
what is that.
Enuye.
your executours shall not stryue for your goode another daye pouerte
Nor theues shall not robbe you goyng by the waye
Thus ye shall stande out of doute
mysrule
Hens ragged knaue or thou shalt beare me a clout
His clothes smell all of the smoke
Enuye
Nowe by saynt Hewe that holy bisshoppe
This matter is well brought to passe
He is nowe a knaue as he was
[Page]Fyrst a knaue, and then a man
And nowe he is a knaue agayne
pouerte.
Why saye ye so ye be to blame
I am your maister prosperytie
mysrule
Auaunt lorell and euyll to the
Get the out of this company
Begynnest thou nowe to make comparisō
enuye.
Let hym be your vnder page
Geue hym meate and drynke and no wage
Go brushe his gowne & make clene his shone
mysrule
Well knaue canst thou no courteysye
enuye.
He hath suche a dysease in his knee
He can not chaunge a man a groate
It is not as ye wene
mysrule
Come and se my shone made clene
Enuye.
By my fayth he shall wype myne
mysrule
This knaue is not mete for me
yt greueth my harte when I hym se
I wyll go hence and leue you twayne
For enuy thou mayst with pouertie rayne.
Exit
Enuye.
Nay I had rether he were slayne.
I am gone as sone as ye
Exit
pouerte
Abyde styll with me gentyll charyte
O to whome should I sewe, to whom shulde I plete
O mortall worme wrapped all in wo
As a man all mortyfyed, and mased in my wytte
I a captyfe in captyuite, lo fortune is my foo
I am in endlesse sorowe, alas what shall I do
these captiues thorow their coūcel & false imaginaciō
Haue brought me to nought yt was of gret reputaciō
Wo worth the tyme that I them knew
I may well syghe, and saye alas
For now I fynde these wodes full trewe
[Page]That peace shewed me here in this place
I regarded not his councell, I lacked grace
wherfore nedy pouerty on me doth blow his horne
That euery man and womā doth laugh me to scorne
Example to all yonge men when they take in hande
To occupye in the world for your behofe
Loke wysely before, and also vnderstande
Euil company destroyeth man, on me ye se the profe
Make a sure foundacyon, or ye set vp the rofe
Of a good & vertuous begīnīg cometh a good endīg
And euermore beware of vnmesurable spending.
Here entreth the Somner.
Some.
I assyte you in our court to appeare
pouerte
I pray you tell me wherfore
Som.
ye be a great slaunderer and full of enuy
pouerty
There wyll no man say so but you
Some.
what wylt thou geue me and thou shalt go quyte
pouerte
By my trouth I haue not one myte
Some
Then open penaunce and thou art lyke
pouerte
By my trouth I sclander no man
Some.
Then come & scuse thy selfe as well as thou can
Heboundaunce entreth.
Haboū.
What man is he that can me dysmay
For I optayne all thyng at my wyll
Or dare any thyng agaynst me saye
what soeuer I do be it good or yll
For yf he do he were better be styll
I shall hym punyshe be it ryght or wronge
For with in my purse, I can both saue and hang
To repunge agaynst me he were better be styl
I haue a propre trull for my pastaunce
In my chamber I her kepe, both nyght and daye
My neyghbours therwith, taketh great greuaunce
[Page]yet I kepe her styll whosoeuer say nay
Howe be it there is one a poore caytyfe I heare saye
Hath me accused in the courte spyritual
And it cost me a .C.li. punyshe hym I shal
Some.
Open synne must haue open penaunce
God spede my mayster haboundaunce
Haboū.
what knaue art thou wt a very mischaūce
That cometh in so homely.
Som.
Syr I praye you be not angry
I am an offycer of the spiritualte
There is vpon you a great scleaunder
ye kepe another mans wife in your chambre
And lyue in great aduoutrye
Haboū.
what wretches doeth so saye by me
Some.
it is openly knowen euery where
Before my maister I charge you to appere
Vpon a boke there shall ye swere
whether it be so or no
Haboū.
what is the beste for me to do
Rather than I to the courte wyll go
I had [...]euer spende twenty pounde
Some
Syr if suche a waye may be founde
To excuse you, what wyll ye then saye
Haboū.
Now therof hartely I the praye
Some.
ye shall come home to my maisters place
And saye that ye be put vp of malyce
Thrust mony in his hande a pace
And so shall ye go quyte awaye
Haboun
For thy counsell gramercy: holde here is .xl pence.
Some
Come on sir I wil do my dyligence.
exiunt ambo
Here entreth the sumner againe, and pouerte foloweth him with a candell in his hande doyng penaunce about the place. And then sayeth the somner.
Rowme syrs auoydaunce