A Select Collection of Old English Plays, vol 2 | Page 6

more
meed! For God said, while he was a man, _Beati qui persecutionem
patiuntur propter justitiam_; Unto his apostles he said so, To teach
them how they should do.
PRIDE. We shall see how they can please; Sit down, sir, and take your
ease; Methink these same were full meet To go about your fair feet.
YOUTH. By my truth, I you tell They would become him very well;
Therefore hie that they were on, Unto the tavern that we were gone.
RIOT. That shall ye see anon, How soon they shall be on; And after we
will not tarry long, But go hence with a merry song.
PRIDE. Let us begin all at once.
YOUTH. Now have at thee, by Cock's bones, And soon let us go!
[_Exeunt Pride, Youth, Riot, and Lechery_.]
CHARITY. Lo, masters, here you may see beforne, That the weed
overgroweth the corn: Now may ye see all in this tide, How vice is
taken, and virtue set aside. Yonder ye may see youth is unstable, But
evermore changeable; And the nature of men is frail, That he wotteth
not what may avail Virtue for to make. O good Lord, it is a pitiful case,

Sith God hath lent man wit and grace To choose of good and evil, That
man should voluntarily To such things himself apply, That his soul
should spill.
HUMILITY. Christ that was crucified, and crowned with thorn, And of
a virgin for man was born, Some knowledge send to me Of my brother
Charity.
CHARITY. Dear brother Humility, Ye be welcome unto me; Where
have ye be so long?
HUMILITY. I shall do you to understand, That I have said mine
evensong; But, sir, I pray you tell me now, How this case happened to
you?
CHARITY. I shall tell you anon; The fellows that I told you on, Have
me thus arrayed.
HUMILITY. Sir, I shall undo the bands From your feet and your hands.
Sir, I pray you tell me anon Whither they be gone, And when they
come again.
CHARITY. Sir, to the tavern they be gone, And they will come again
anon, And that shall you see.
HUMILITY. Then will we them exhort Unto virtue to resort, And to
forsake sin.
CHARITY. I will help you that I can To convert that wicked man.
YOUTH. Aback! gallants, and look unto me, And take me for your
special, For I am promoted to high degree, By right I am king eternal;
Neither duke ne lord, baron ne knight, That may be likened unto me,
They be subdued to me by right, As servants to their masters should be.
HUMILITY. Ye be welcome to this place here; We think ye labour all
in vain; Wherefore your brains we will stir, And keel[16] you a little
again.
YOUTH. Sayest thou my brains thou wilt stir, I shall lay thee on the ear,
Were thou born in Trumpington,[17] And brought up at
Hogsnorton?[18] By my faith it seemeth so; Well, go, knave, go!
CHARITY. Do by our counsel and our reed, And ask mercy for thy
misdeed; And endeavour thee, for God's sake, For thy sins amends to
make Ere ever that thou die.
RIOT. Hark, Youth, for God avow, He would have thee a saint now;
But, Youth, I shall you tell A young saint an old devil; Therefore I hold
thee a fool, And thou follow his school.

YOUTH. I warrant thee I will not do so; I will be ruled by you two.
PRIDE. Then shall ye do well, If ye be ruled by our counsel; We will
bring you to high degree, And promote you to dignity.
HUMILITY. Sir, it is a pitiful case, That ye would forsake grace, And
to vice apply.
YOUTH. Why, knave, doth it grieve thee! Thou shalt not answer for
me. When my soul hangeth on the hedge once, Then take thou, and cast
stones, As fast as thou wilt!
CHARITY. Sir, if it please you to do thus, Forsake them and do after
us, The better shall you do.
RIOT. Sir, he shall do well enou', Though he be ruled by neither of you;
Therefore crake no longer here, Lest you have on the ear, And that a
good knock.
PRIDE. Lightly see thou avoid the place, Or I shall give thee on the
face. Youth, I trow that he would Make you holy, ere ye be old; And, I
swear by the rood, It is time enough to be good, When that ye be old.
YOUTH. Sir, by my truth, I thee say I will make merry, whiles I may, I
cannot tell you how long.
PRIDE. Yea, sir, so mot I thrive, Thou art not certain of thy life;
Therefore thou wert a stark fool To leave mirth and follow