Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

MAGNYFYCENCE: PART 1, by             Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Al thyngys contryvyd by mannys reason
Last Line: Courtly abusyon alone in the place.


Characters: Felicity, Counterfeit Countenance, Cloked Colusion, Fancy,
Liberty, Measure, Magnificence, Courtly Abusion, Folly, Adversity,
Poverty, Despair, Mischief, Good Hope, Redress, Circumspection,
Perserverance, Crafty Conveyance

Enter FELYCYTE


FELICITE.

AL thyngys contryvyd by mannys reason
The world enuyronn of hygh and low estate
Be it erly or late welth hath a season
Welth is of wysdome the very trewe probate
A fole is he with welth that fallyth at debate [5]
But men nowe a dayes so vnhappely be vryd
That nothynge than welth may worse be enduryd
To tell you the cause me semeth it no nede
The amense therof is far to call agayne
For when men by welth they haue lytell drede [10]
Of that may come after experyence trewe and playne
Howe after a drought there fallyth a showre of rayne
And after a hete oft cometh a stormy colde
A man may haue welth but not as he wolde
Ay to contynewe and styll to endure [15]
But yf prudence be proued with sad cyrcumspeccyon
Welthe myght be wonne and made to the lure
Yf noblenesse were aquayntyd with sober dyreccyon
But wyll hath reason so vnder subieccyon
And so dysordereth this worlde ouerall [20]
That welthe and felicite is passynge small
But where wonnys welthe and a man wolde wyt
For welthfull felicite truly is my name

Enter LYBERTE


Lyberte.

Mary welthe and I was apoynted to mete
And eyther I am dysseyued or ye be the same [25]

Felycyte.

Syr as ye say I haue harde of your fame
Your name is lyberte as I vnderstande

Lyberte.

Trewe you say syr gyue me your hande

Felycyte.

And from whens come ye and it myght be askyd

Lyberte.

To tell you syr I dare not leest I sholde be maskyd [30]
In a payre of fetters or a payre of stockys

Felycyte.

Here you not howe this gentylman mockys

Lyberte.

Ye to knackynge ernyst what and it preue

Felycyte.

Why&sol to say what he wyll lyberte hath leue

Lyberte.

Yet lyberte hath ben lockyd vp and kept in the mew [35]

Felycyte.

In dede syr that lyberte was not worthe a cue
How be it lyberte may somtyme be to large
But yf reason be regent and ruler of your barge

Lyberte.

To that ye say I can well condyssende
Shewe forth I pray you here in what you intende [40]

Felycyte.

Of that I intende to make demonstracyon
It askyth lesure with good aduertence
Fyrst I say we owght to haue in consyderacyon
That lyberte be lynkyd with the chayne of countenaunce
Lyberte to let from all maner offence [45]
For lyberte at large is lothe to be stoppyd
But with countenaunce your corage must be croppyd

Lyberte.

Then thus to you

Felycyte.

Nay suffer me yet ferther to say
And peraduenture I shall content your mynde
Lyberte I wote well forbere no man there may
It is so swete in all maner of kynde
Howe be it lyberte makyth many a man blynde
By lyberte is done many a great excesse
Lyberte at large wyll oft wax reklesse [55]
Perceyue ye this parcell

Lyberte.

Ye syr passyng well
But and you wolde me permyt
To shewe parte of my wyt
Somwhat I coulde enferre [60]
Your consayte to debarre
Under supportacyon
Of pacyent tolleracyon

Felycyte.

God forbyd ye sholde be let
Your reasons forth to fet [65]
Wherfore at lyberte
Say what ye wyll to me

Lyberte.

Brefly to touche of my purpose the effecte
Lyberte is laudable and pryuylegyd from lawe
Iudycyall rygoure shall not me correcte [70]

Felycyte.

Softe my frende; herein your reason is but rawe

Lyberte.

Yet suffer me to say the surpluse of my sawe
What wote ye where vpon I wyll conclude
I say there is no welthe where as lyberte is subdude
I trowe ye can not say nay moche to this [75]
To lyue vnder lawe it is captyuyte
Where drede ledyth the daunce there is no Ioy nor blysse
Or howe can you proue that there is felycyte
And you haue not your owne fre lyberte
To sporte at your pleasure to ryn and to ryde [80]
Where lyberte is absent set welthe asyde

Hic intrat Measure.


Measure.

Cryst you assyste in your altrycacyon

Felycyte.

Why haue you harde of our dysputacyon

Measure.

I parceyue well howe eche of you doth reason

Lyberte.

Mayster measure you be come in good season [85]

Measure.

And it is wonder that your wylde insolence
Can be content with measure presence

Felycyte.

Wolde it please you then

Lyberte.

Us to informe and ken

Measure.

A ye be wonders men [90]
Your langage is lyke the penne
Of hym that wryteth to fast

Felycyte.

Syr yf any worde haue past
Me other fyrst or last
To you I arecte it and cast [95]
Therof the reformacyon

Lyberte.

And I of the same facyon.
Howe be it by protestacyon
Dyspleasure that you none take.
Some reason we must make. [100]

Measure.

That wyll not I forsake
So it in measure be.
Come of therfore let se
Shall I begynne or ye

Felycyte.

Nay ye shall begynne by my wyll [105]

Lyberte.

It is reason and skyll
We your pleasure fulfyll

Measure.

Then ye must bothe consent
You to holde content
With myne argument. [110]
And I muste you requyre
Me pacyently to here

Felycyte.

Yes syr with ryght good chere.

Lyberte.

With all my herte intere

Measure.

Oracius to recorde in his volumys olde [115]
With euery condycyon measure must be sought
Welthe without measure wolde bere hymselfe to bolde
Lyberte without measure proue a thynge of nought
In ponder by nomber by measure all thynge is wrought.
As at the fyrst orygynall by godly opynyon [120]
Whych prouyth well that measure shold haue domynyon.
Where measure is mayster plenty dothe none offence
Where measure lackyth all thynge dysorderyd is
Where measure is absent ryot kepeth resydence.
Where measure is ruler there is nothynge a mysse [125]
Measure is treasure; howe say ye is it not this

Felycyte.

Yes questyonlesse in myne opynyon
Measure is worthy to haue domynyon

Lyberte.

Unto that same I am ryght well agrede.
So that lyberte be not lefte behynde [130]

Measure.

Ye lyberte with measure nede neuer drede

Lyberte.

What lyberte to measure then wolde ye bynde.

Measure.

What ellys; For otherwyse it were agaynst kynde
If lyberte sholde lepe and renne where he lyst
It were no vertue; it were a thynge vnblyst [135]
It were a myschefe yf lyberte lacked a reyne.
Where with to rule hym with the wrythyng of a rest
All trebyllys and tenours be rulyd by a meyne
Lyberte without measure is acountyd for a beste
There is no surfet where measure rulyth the feste [140]
There is no excesse where measure hath his helthe
Measure contynwyth prosperyte and welthe

Felycyte.

Unto your rule I wyll annex my mynde

Lyberte.

So wolde I; but I wolde be lothe
That wonte was to be formyst now to come behynde [145]
It were a shame; to god I make an othe
Without I myght cut it out of the brode clothe
As I was wonte euer at my fre wyll

Measure.

But haue ye not herde say; that wyll is no skyll
Take sad dyreccyon and leue this wantonnesse [150]

Lyberte.

It is no maystery

Felycyte.

Tushe let measure procede
And after his mynde herdely your selfe adresse
For without measure pouerte and nede
Wyll crepe upon vs; and vs to myschefe lede
For myschefe wyll mayster vs; yf measure vs forsake

Lyberte.

Well I am content your wayes to take

Measure.

Surely I am Ioyous that ye be myndyd thus
Magnyfycence to mayntayne your promosyon shalbe

Felycyte.

So in his harte he may be glad of vs

Lyberte.

There is no prynce but he hath nede of vs thre
Welthe with measure and plesaunt lyberte

Measure.

Nowe pleasyth you a lytell whyle to stande
Me semeth magnyfycence is comynge here at hande

Hic intrat magnyfycence


Magnyfycence

To assure you of my noble porte and fame
Who lyst to knowe magnyfycence I hyght
But measure my frende what hyght this mannys name

Measure.

Syr though ye be a noble prynce of myght
Yet in this man you must set your delyght
And syr this other mannys name is lyberte

Magnyfycence

Welcome frendys ye are bothe vnto me
But nowe let me knowe of your conuersacyon

Felycyte.

Pleasyth your grace felycyte they me call

Lyberte.

And I am lyberte made of in euery nacyon

Magnyfycence

Conuenyent persons for any prynce ryall
Welthe with lyberte with me bothe dwell ye shall
To the gydynge of my measure you bothe commyttynge
That Measure be mayster vs semeth it is syttynge

Measure.

Where as ye haue syr to me them assygned
Suche order I trust with them for to take
So that welthe with measure shalbe conbyned
And lyberte his large with mea hall make

Felycyte.

Your ordenaunce syr I wyll not forsake

Lyberte.

And I my selfe hooly to you wyll inclyne

Magnyfycence

Then may I say that ye be seruauntys myne
For by measure I warne you we thynke to be gydyd
Wherin it is necessary my pleasure you knowe
Measure and I wyll neuer be deuydyd
For no dyscorde that any man can sawe
For measure is a meane nother to hy nor to lawe
In whose attemperaunce I haue suche delyght
That measure shall neuer departe from my syght

Felycyte.

Laudable your consayte is to be acountyd
For welthe without measure sodenly wyll slyde

Lyberte.

As your grace full nobly hath recountyd
Measure with noblenesse sholde be alyde

Magnyfycence

Then lyberte se that measure be your gyde
For I wyll vse you by his aduertysment

Felycyte.

Then shall you haue with you prosperyte resydent

Measure.

I trowe good fortune hath annexyd vs together
To se howe greable we are of one mynde
There is no flaterer nor losyll so lyther
This lynkyd chayne of loue that can vnbynde
Nowe that ye haue me chefe ruler assyngned
I wyll endeuour me to order euery thynge
Your noblenesse and honour consernynge

Lyberte.

In Ioy and myrthe your mynde shalbe inlargyd
And not embracyd with pusyllanymyte
But plenarly all thought from you must be dyschargyd
If ye lyst to lyue after your fre lyberte [210]
All delectacyons aquayntyd is with me
By me all persons worke what they lyste

Measure.

Hem; syr yet beware of had I wyste
Lyberte in some cause becomyth a gentyll mynde
Bycause course of measure yf I be in the way [215]
Who countyth without me is caste to fer behynde
Of his rekenynge as euydently we may
Se at our eye the worlde day by day
For defaute of measure all thynge dothe excede

Felycyte.

All that ye say is as trewe as the crede [220]
For howe be it lyberte to welthe is conuenyent
And from felycyte may not be forborne
Yet measure hath ben so longe from vs absent
That all men laugh at lyberte to scorne
Welth and wyt I say be so threde bare worne [225]
That all is without measure and fer beyonde the mone

Magnyfycence

Then noblenesse I se well is almoste vndone
But yf therof the soner amendys be made
For dowtlesse I parceyue my magnyfycence
Without measure lyghtly may fade [230]
Of to moche lyberte vnder the offence
Wherfore measure take lyberte with you hence
And rule hym after the rule of your scole

Lyberte.

What syr wolde ye make me a poppynge fole

Measure.

Why were not your selfe agreed to the same [235]
And now wolde ye swarue from your owne ordynaunce

Lyberte.

I wolde be rulyd and I myght for shame

Felycyte.

A ye make me laughe at your inconstaunce

Magnyfycence

Syr without any longer delyaunce
Take lyberte to rule and folowe myne entent [240]

Measure.

It shalbe done at your commaundement

Itaque measure exeat locum cum lybertate et maneat magnyfycence cum felicitate.


Magnyfycence

It is a wanton thynge this lyberte
Perceyue you not howe lothe he was to abyde
The rule of measure not withstandynge we
Haue deputyd measure hym to gyde [245]
By measure eche thynge duly is tryde
Thynke you not thus my frende felycyte

Felycyte.

God forbede that it other wyse sholde be

Magnyfycence

Ye coulde not ellys I wote with me endure

Felycyte.

Endure? No god wote it were great payne [250]
But yf I were orderyd by Iust measure
It were not possyble me longe to retayne

Hic intrat Fansy.


Fansy.

Tusche holde your pece your langage is vayne
Please it your grace to take no dysdayne
To shewe you playnly the trouth as I thynke [255]

Magnyfycence

Here is none forsyth whether you flete or synke

Felycyte.

From whens come you syr that no man lokyd after

Magnyfycence

Or who made you so bolde to interrupe my tale

Fansy.

Nowe benedicite ye wene I were some hafter
Or ellys some Iangelynge Iacke of the vale [260]
Ye wene that I am dronken bycause I loke pale

Magnyfycence

Me semeth that ye haue dronken more than ye haue bled

Fansy.

Yet amonge noble men I was brought vp and bred

Felycyte.

Now leue this Iangelynge and to vs expounde
Why that ye sayd our langage was in vayne [265]

Fansy.

Mary vpon trouth my reason I grounde
That without largesse noblenesse can not rayne
And that I sayd ones; yet I say agayne
I say without largesse worshyp hath no place
For largesse is a purchaser of pardon and of grace [270]

Magnyfycence

Nowe I beseche the tell me what is thy name

Fansy.

Largesse that all lordes sholde loue syr I hyght

Felycyte.

But hyght you largesse encreace of noble fame

Fansy.

Ye syr vndoubted

Felycyte.

Then of very ryght
With magnyfycence this noble prynce of myght
Sholde be your dwellynge in my consyderacyon

Magnyfycence

Yet we wyll therin take good delyberacyon

Fansy.

As in that I wyll not be agaynst your pleasure

Felycyte.

Syr hardely remembre what may your name auaunce. [280]

Magnyfycence

Largesse is laudable so it be in measure

Fansy.

Largesse is he that all prynces doth auaunce
I reporte me herein to Kynge Lewes of fraunce

Felycyte.

Why haue ye hym named and all other refused

Fansy.

For syth he dyed largesse was lytell vsed [285]
Plucke vp your mynde syr what ayle you to muse.
Haue ye not welthe here at your wyll
It is but a maddynge these wayes that ye vse
What auayleth lordshyp yourselfe for to kyll
With care and with thought howe Iacke shall haue gyl [290]

Magnyfycence

What I haue aspyed ye are a carles page

Fansy.

By god syr ye se but fewe wyse men of myne age
But couetyse hath blowen you so full of wynde
That colyca passyo hath gropyd you by the guttys

Felycyte.

In fayth broder largesse you haue a mery mynde. [295]

Fansy.

In fayth I set not by the worlde two dauncaster cuttys

Magnyfycence

Ye wante but a wylde flyeng bolte to shote at the buttes.
Though largesse ye hyght your langage is to large
For whiche ende goth forwarde ye take lytell charge

Felycyte.

Let se this checke yf ye voyde canne [300]

Fansy.

In faythe els had I gone to longe to scole
But yf I coulde knowe a gose from a swanne

Magnyfycence

Wel wyse men may ete the fysshe when ye shal draw the pole

Fansy.

In fayth I wyll not say that ye shall proue a fole
But ofte tymes haue I sene wyse men do mad dedys [305]

Magnyfycence

Go shake the dogge hay syth ye wyll nedys
You are nothynge mete with vs for to dwell.
That with your lorde and mayster so pertly can prate.
Gete you hens I say by my counsell
I wyll not vse you to play with me checke mate [310]

Fansy.

Syr yf I haue offended your noble estate
I trow I haue brought you suche wrytynge of recorde
That I shall haue you agayne my good lorde
To you recommendeth sad cyrcumspeccyon
And sendeth you this wrytynge closed vnder sele [315]

Magnyfycence

This wrytynge is welcome with harty affeccyon
Why kepte you it thus longe? howe dothe he wele

Fansy.

Syr thanked be god he hath his hele

Magnyfycence

Welthe gete you home and commaunde me to mesure
Byd hym take good hede to you my synguler tresure [320]

Felycyte.

Is there ony thynge elles your grace wyll commaunde me.

Magnyfycence

Nothynge but fare you well tyll sone
And that he take good kepe to lyberte

Felycyte.

Your pleasure syr shortely shall be done

Magnyfycence

I shall come to you myselfe I trowe this after none [325]

Exit FELYCYTE


I pray you larges here to remayne
Whylest I knowe what this letter dothe contayne

Hic faciat tanquam legeret litteras tacite: Interim superueniat cantando counterfet
countenaunce suspenso gradum qui viso magnyfycence sensim retrocedat at tempus post
pusillum rursum accedat counterfet countenaunce prospectando & vocitando a longe et
fansy animat silentium cum manu.


Counterfet countenaunce.

What fansy fansy

Magnyfycence

Who is that that thus dyd cry
Me thought he called fansy [330]

Fansy.

It was a flemynge hyght hansy

Magnyfycence

Me thought he called fansy me behynde

Fansy.

Nay syr it was nothynge but your mynde
But nowe syr as touchynge this letter

Magnyfycence

I shall loke in it at leasure better [335]
And surely ye are to hym beholde
And for his sake ryght gladly I wolde
Do what I coude to do you good

Fansy.

I pray god kepe you in that mood

Magnyfycence

This letter was wryten ferre hence [340]

Fansy.

By lakyn syr it hathe cost me pence
And grotes many one or I came to your presence

Magnyfycence

Where was it delyuered you shewe vnto me

Fansy.

By god syr beyonde the se

Magnyfycence

At what place nowe as you gesse [345]

Fansy.

By my trouthe syr at pountesse
This wrytynge was taken me there
But neuer was I in gretter fere

Magnyfycence

Howe so

Fansy.

By god at the see syde
Had I not opened my purse wyde [350]
I trowe by our lady I had ben slayne
Or elles I had lost myne eres twayne

Mangnyfycence


By your soth

Fansy.

Ye and there is suche a wache [355]
That no man can scape but they hym cache
They bare me in hande that I was a spye
And another bade put out myne eye
Another wolde myne eye were blerde
Another bade shaue halfe my berde [360]
And boyes to the pylery gan me plucke
And wolde haue made me freer tucke
To preche out of the pylery hole.
Without an antetyme or a stole
And some bade sere hym with a marke [365]
To gete me fro them I had moche warke

Magnyfycence

Mary syr ye were afrayde

Fansy.

By my trouthe had I not payde and prayde
And made largesse as I hyght
I had not been here with you this nyght [370]
But surely largesse saued my lyfe
For largesse stynteth all maner of stryfe

Magnyfycence

It dothe so sure nowe and than
But largesse is not mete for euery man

Fansy.

No but for you grete estates [375]
Largesse stynteth grete debates
And he that I came fro to this place
Sayd I was mete for your grace
And in dede syr I here men talke
By the way as I ryde and walke [380]
Say howe you excede in noblenesse
If you had with you largesse

Magnyfycence

And say they so in very dede

Fansy.

With ye syr so god me spede

Magnyfycence

Yet mesure is a mery mene [385]

Fansy.

Ye syr a blaunched almonde is no bene
Measure is mete for a marchauntes hall
But largesse becometh a state ryall
What sholde you pynche at a pecke of grotes
Ye wolde sone pynche at a pecke of otes [390]
Thus is the talkynge of one and of oder
As men dare speke it hugger mugger
A lorde a negarde it is a shame
But largesse may amende your name

Magnyfycence

In faythe largesse welcome to me [395]

Fansy.

I pray you syr I may so be
And of my seruyce you shall not mysse.

Magnyfycence

Togyder we wyll talke more of this
Let vs departe from hens home to my place

Fansy.

I folow euen after your noble grace [400]

Hic discedat magnificens cum fansy et intrat counterfet countenaunce.


He detains FANSY for a moment


Counterfet coun.


What I say herke a worde.

Fansy.

Do away I say the deuylles torde.

Counterfet coun.


Ye but how longe shall I here awayte.

Fansy.

By goddys body I come streyte
I hate this blunderyng that thou doste make [405]

Counterfet coun.


Nowe to the deuyll I the betake
For in fayth ye be well met

Exit FANSY


Fansy hath cachyd in a flye net
This noble man Magnyfycence
Of largesse vnder the pretence [410]
They haue made me here to put the stone
But nowe wyll I that they be gone
In bastarde ryme after the dogrell gyse
Tell you where of my name dothe ryse
For counterfet countenaunce knowen am I [415]
This worlde is full of my foly
I set not by hym a fly
That can not counterfet a lye
Swere and stare and byde therby
And countenaunce it clenly [420]
And defende it manerly
A knaue wyll counterfet nowe a knyght
A lurdayne lyke a lorde to syght
A mynstrell lyke a man of myght
A tappyster lyke a lady bryght [425]
Thus make I them wyth thryft to fyght
Thus at the laste I brynge hym ryght
To tyburne where they hange on hyght
To counterfet I can by praty wayes
Of nyghtys to occupy counterfet kayes [430]
Clenly to counterfet newe arayes
Counterfet eyrnest by way of playes
Thus am I occupyed at all assayes
What so euer I do all men me prayse
And mekyll am I made of nowe a days [435]
Counterfet maters in the lawe of the lande
Wyth golde and grotes they grese my hande
In stede of ryght that wronge may stande
And counterfet fredome that is bounde
I counterfet suger that is but sounde [440]
Counterfet capytaynes by me are mande
Of all lewdnesse I kyndell the brande
Counterfet kyndnesse and thynke dyscayte
Counterfet letters by the way of sleyght
Subtelly vsynge counterfet weyght [445]
Counterfet langage fayty bone geyte
Counterfetynge is a proper bayte
A counte to counterfet in a resayte
To counterfet well is a good consayte
Counterfet maydenhode may well be borne [450]
But counterfet coynes is laughynge to scorne
It is euyll patchynge of that is torne
Whan the noppe is rughe it wolde be shorne
Counterfet haltynge without a thorne
Yet counterfet chafer is but euyll corne [455]
All thynge is worse whan it is worne
What wolde ye wyues counterfet
The courtly gyse of the newe iet
An olde barne wolde be vnderset
It is moche worthe that is ferre fet [460]
What wanton wanton nowe well ymet.
What margery mylke ducke mermoset
It wolde be masked in my net
It wolde be nyce thoughe I say nay
By crede it wolde haue fresshe aray [465]
And therfore shall my husbande pay
To counterfet she wyll assay
All the newe gyse fresshe and gaye
And be as praty as she may
And iet it ioly as a iay [470]
Counterfet prechynge; and byleue the contrary.
Counterfet conscyence; peuysshe pope holy.
Counterfet sadnesse; with delynge full madly
Counterfet holynes; is called ypocrysy
Counterfet reason; is not worth a flye [475]
Counterfet wysdome; and workes of foly
Counterfet countenaunce; euery man dothe occupy
Counterfet worshyp; outwarde men may se
Ryches rydeth out; at home is pouerte
Counterfet pleasure is borne out by me [480]
Coll wolde go clenly and it wyll not be
And annot wolde be nyce and laughes tehe wehe
Your counterfet countenaunce is all of nysyte
A plummed partrydge all redy to flye
A knokylbonyarde wyll counterfet a clarke [485]
He wolde trotte gentylly but he is to starke
At his cloked counterfetynge dogges dothe barke
A carter a courtyer it is a worthy warke
That with his whyp his mares was wonte to yarke
A custrell to dryue the deuyll out of the derke [490]
A counterfet courtyer with a knaues marke
To counterfet this freers haue lerned me
This nonnes nowe and then and it myght be
Wolde take in the way of counterfet charyte
The grace of god vnder benedicite [495]
To counterfet thyr counsell they gyue me a fee
Chanons can not counterfet but vpon thre
Monkys may not for drede that men sholde them se

Hic ingrediatur fansy properanter cum crafty conueyaunce cum famine multo adinuicem
garrulantes tandem viso counterfet countenaunce dicat crafty conueyaunce.


Crafty conuay.

What counterfet countenaunce

Counterfet coun.


What crafty conueyaunce. [500]

Fansy.

What the deuyll are ye two of aquayntaunce
God gyue you a very myschaunce

Crafty conuey.

Yes yes syr he and I haue met

Counterfet coun.


We haue bene togyder bothe erly and late
But fansy my frende where haue ye bene so longe [505]

Fansy.

By god I haue bene about a praty pronge
Crafty conueyaunce I sholde say and I

Crafty conuay.

By god we haue made magnyfycence to ete a flye

Counterfet coun.


Howe coulde ye do that and I was away

Fansy.

By god man bothe his pagent and thyne he can play [510]

Counterfet coun.


Say trouth

Crafty conuey.

Yes yes by lakyn I shall the warent
As longe as I lyue thou haste an heyre parent

Fansy.

Yet haue we pycked out a rome for the

Counterfet coun.


Why shall we dwell togyder all thre [515]

Crafty conuey.

Why man it were to great a wonder
That we thre galauntes sholde be longe asonder

Counterfet coun.


For cockys harte gyue me thy hande

Fansy.

By the masse for ye are able to dystroy an hole lande

Crafty conuey.

By god yet it muste begynne moche of the [520]

Fansy.

Who that is ruled by vs it shalbe longe or he thee

Counterfet coun.


But I say kepest thou the olde name styll that thou had

Crafty conuey.

Why wenyst thou horson that I were so mad

Fansy.

Nay nay he hath chaunged his & I haue chaunged myne

Counterfet coun.


Nowe what is his name and what is thyne [525]

Fansy.

In faythe largesse I hyght
And I am made a knyght.

Counterfet coun.


A rebellyon agaynst nature.
So large a man and so lytell of stature
But syr howe counterfetyd ye [530]

Crafty Conveyance

Sure surueyaunce I named me

Counterfeit Countenance

Surueyaunce; where ye suruey
Thryfte hathe lost her cofer kay.

Fansy.

But is it not well howe thynkest thou

Counterfet coun.


Yes syr I gyue god auowe [535]
Myselfe coude not counterfet it better
But what became of the letter
That I counterfeyted you vnderneth a shrowde

Fansy.

By the masse odly well alowde

Crafty conuey.

By god had not I it conuayed [540]
Yet fansy had ben dyscryued

Counterfet coun.


I wote thou arte false ynoughe for one

Fansy.

By my trouthe we had ben gone
And yet in fayth man we lacked the
For to speke with lyberte [545]

Counterfet coun.


What Is largesse without lyberte

Crafty conuey.

By mesure mastered yet is he

Counterfet coun.


What Is your conueyaunce no better

Fansy.

In faythe mesure is lyke a tetter
That ouergroweth a mannes face [550]
So he ruleth ouer all our place

Crafty conuey.

Nowe therfore whylest we are togyder
Counterfet countenaunce nay come hyder
I say whylest we are togyder in same

Counterfet coun.


Tushe a strawe it is a shame [555]
That we can no better than so

Fansy.

We wyll remedy it man or we go
For lyke as mustarde is sharpe of taste
Ryght so a sharpe fansy must be founde
Wherwith mesure to confounde [560]

Crafty conuey.

Can you a remedy for a tysyke
That sheweth yourselfe thus spedde in physyke

Counterfet coun.


It is a gentyll reason of a rake

Fansy.

For all these Iapes yet that ye make

Crafty conuey.

Your fansy maketh myne elbowe to ake [565]

Fansy.

Let se fynde you a better way

Counterfet coun.


Take no dyspleasure of that we say

Crafty conuey.

Nay and you be angry and ouerwharte
A man may beshrowe your angry harte

Fansy.

Tushe a strawe I thought none yll [570]

Counterfet coun.


What shall we Iangle thus all the day styll

Crafty conuey.

Nay Let vs our heddes togyder cast

Fansy.

Ye and se howe it may be compast
That mesure were cast out of the dores

Counterfet coun.


Alasse where is my botes and my spores [575]

Crafty conuey.

In all this hast whether wyll ye ryde

Counterfet coun.


I trowe it shall not nede to abyde
Cockes woundes se syrs se se

Hic ingrediatur cloked colusyon cum elato aspectu deorsum et sursum ambulando.


Fansy.

Cockes armes what is he

Crafty conuey.

By cockes harte he loketh hye [580]
He hawketh me thynke for a butterflye

Counterfet coun.


Nowe by cockes harte well abyden
For had you not come I had ryden

Cloked colusyon


Thy wordes be but wynde neuer; they haue no wayght
Thou hast made me play the Iurde hayte [585]

Counterfet coun.


And yf ye knewe howe I haue mused
I am sure ye wolde haue me excused

Cloked colusyon


I say come hyder what are these twayne

Counterfet coun.


By god syr this is fansy small brayne
And crafty conuayaunce knowe you not hym [590]

Cloked colusyon


Knowe hym syr quod he; yes by saynt sym.
Here is a leysshe of ratches to renne an hare
Woo is that purse that ye shall share

Fansy.

What call ye him this

Crafty conuey.

I trowe that he is [595]

Counterfet coun.


Tushe holde your pece
Se you not howe they prece
For to knowe your name

Cloked colusyon


Knowe they not me they are to blame
Knowe you not me syrs. [600]

Fansy.

No in dede

Crafty conuey.

Abyde lette me se; take better hede
Cockes harte it is cloked colusyon.

Cloked colusyon


A syr I pray god gyue you confusyon

Fansy.

Cockes armes is that your name [605]

Counterfet coun.


Ye by the masse this is euen the same
That all this matter must vnder grope

Crafty conuey.

What is this he wereth a cope

Cloked colusyon


Cappe syr I say you be to bolde.

Fansy.

Se howe he is wrapped for the colde [610]
Is it not a vestment

Cloked colusyon

A ye wante a rope

Counterfet coun.


Tushe it is syr Iohnn double cope

Fansy.

Syr and yf ye wolde not be wrothe

Cloked colusyon


What sayst [615]

Fansy.

Here was to lytell clothe

Cloked colusyon


A fansy fansy god sende the brayne

Fansy.

Ye for your wyt is cloked for the rayne

Crafty conuey.

Nay lette vs not clatter thus styll

Cloked colusyon


Tell me syrs; what is your wyll [620]

Counterfet coun.


Syr it is so that these twayne
With magnyfycence in housholde do remayne
And there they wolde haue me to dwell
But I wyll be ruled after your counsell

Fansy.

Mary so wyll we also [625]

Cloked colusyon


But tell me where aboute ye go

Counterfet coun.


By god we wolde gete vs all thyder
Spell the remenaunt and do togyder

Cloked colusyon


Hath magnyfycence ony tresure

Crafty conuey.

Ye but he spendeth it all in mesure [630]

Cloked colusyon


Why dwelleth mesure where ye two dwell
In faythe he were better to dwell in hell

Fansy.

Yet where we wonne nowe there wonneth he

Cloked colusyon


And haue you not amonge you lyberte

Counterfet coun.


Ye but he is a captyuyte [635]

Cloked colusyon


What the deuyll howe may that be

Counterfet coun.


I can not tell you why aske you me
Aske these two that there dothe dwell

Cloked Colusion


Syr the playnesse you me tell

Crafty conuey.

There dwelleth a mayster men calleth mesure [640]

Fansy.

Ye and he hath rule of all his tresure

Crafty conuey.

Nay eyther let me tell or elles tell ye

Fansy.

I care not I; tell on for me

Counterfet coun.


I pray god let you neuer to thee

Cloked colusyon


What the deuyll ayleth you can you not agree [645]

Crafty conuey.

I wyll passe ouer the cyrcumstaunce
And shortly shewe you the hole substaunce
Fansy and I we twayne
With magnyfycence in housholde do remayne
And counterfeted our names we haue [650]
Craftely all thynges vpryght to saue
His name largesse; surueyaunce myne
Magnyfycence to vs begynneth to enclyne
Counterfet countenaunce to haue also
And wolde that we sholde for hym go [655]

Counterfet coun.


But shall I haue myne olde name styll

Crafty conuey.

Pease I haue not yet sayd what I wyll

Fansy.

Here is a pystell of a postyke

Cloked colusyon


Tusshe fonnysshe fansy thou arte frantyke
Tell on syr howe then [660]

Crafty conuey.

Mary syr he told vs when
We had hym founde we sholde hym brynge
And that we fayled not for nothynge

Cloked colusyon


All this ye may easely brynge aboute

Fansy.

Mary the better and mesure were out [665]

Cloked colusyon


Why can ye not put out that foule freke

Crafty conuey.

No in euery corner he wyll peke
So that we haue no lyberte
Nor no man in courte but he
For lyberte he hath in gydyng [670]

Counterfet coun.


In fayth and without lyberte there is no bydyng

Fansy.

In fayth and lybertyes rome is there but small

Cloked colusyon


Hem? that lyke I nothynge at all

Crafty conuey.

But counterfet countenaunce go we togyder
All thre I say [675]

Counterfet coun.

Shall I go? whyder.

Crafty conuey.

To magnyfycence with vs twayne
And in his seruyce the to retayne

Counterfet coun.


But then syr what shall I hyght

Crafty conuey.

Ye and I talkyd therof to nyght [680]

Fansy.

Ye my fansy was out of owle flyght
For it is out of my mynde quyght

Crafty conuey.

And nowe it cometh to my remembraunce
Syr ye shall hyght good demeynaunce

Counterfet coun.


By the armes of calys well conceyued [685]

Crafty conuey.

When we haue hym thyder conuayed
What and I frame suche a slyght
That fansy with his fonde consayte
Put magnyfycence in suche a madnesse
That he shall haue you in the stede of sadnesse [690]
And sober sadnesse shalbe your name

Cloked colusyon


By cockys body here begynneth the game
For then shall we so craftely cary
That mesure shall not there longe tary

Fansy.

For cockys harte tary whylyst that I come agayne [695]

Crafty conuey.

We wyll se you shortly one of vs twayne

Counterfet coun.


Now let vs go and we shall then

Cloked colusyon


Nowe let se quyte you lyke praty men

Exeunt FANSY, CRAFTY CONVEYAUNCE and COUNTERFET COUNTENAUNCE


Hic deambulat.


To passe the tyme and order whyle a man may talke
Of one thynge and other to occupy the place [700]
Then for the season that I here shall walke
As good to be occupyed as vp and downe to trace
And do nothynge how be it full lytell grace
There cometh and groweth of my comynge
For clokyd colusyon is a perylous thynge [705]
Double delynge and I be all one
Craftynge and haftynge contryued is by me
I can dyssemble I can bothe laughe and grone
Playne delynge and I can neuer agre
But dyuysyon dyssencyon dyrysyon these thre [710]
And I am counterfet of one mynde and thought
By the menys of myschyef to bryng all thynges to nought
And though I be so odyous a geste
And euery man gladly my company wolde refuse
In faythe yet am I occupyed with the best [715]
Full fewe that can themselfe of me excuse
Whan other men laughe than study I and muse
Deuysynge the meanes and wayes that I can
Howe I may hurte and hynder euery man
Two faces in a hode couertly I bere [720]
Water in the one hande and fyre in the other
I can fede forth a fole and lede hym by the eyre
Falshode in felowshyp is my sworne brother.
By cloked colusyon I say and none other
Comberaunce and trouble in Englande fyrst I began [725]
From that lorde to that lorde I rode and I ran
And flatered them with fables fayre before theyr face.
And tolde all the myschyef I coude behynde theyr backe.
And made as I had knowen nothynge of the case
I wolde begyn all myschyef but I wolde bere no lacke [730]
Thus can I lerne you syrs to bere the deuyls sacke
And yet I trowe some of you be better sped than I
Frendshyp to fayne and thynke full lytherly
Paynte to a purpose good countenaunce I can.
And craftely can I grope howe euery man is mynded. [735]
My purpose is to spy and to poynte euery man.
My tonge is with fauell forked and tyned
By cloked colusyon thus many one is begyled.
Eche man to hynder I gape and I gaspe
My speche is all pleasure; but I stynge lyke a waspe [740]
I am neuer glad but whan I may do yll.
And neuer am I sory but whan that I se
I can not myne appetyte accomplysshe and fulfyll
In hynderaunce of welthe and prosperyte
I laughe at all shrewdenes; and lye at lyberte [745]
I muster I medle amonge these grete estates
I sowe sedycyous sedes of dyscorde and debates
To flater and to flery is all my pretence
Amonge all suche persones as I well vnderstonde
Be lyght of byleue and hasty of credence [750]
I make them to startyll and sparkyll lyke a bronde.
I moue them I mase them I make them so fonde
That they wyll here no man but the fyrst tale
And so by these meanes I brewe moche bale

Hic ingrediatur courtly abusyon cantando.


Courtly abusion

Huffa huffa taunderum taunderum tayne huffa huffa. [755]

Cloked colusyon


This was properly prated syrs what sayd a

Courtly abusion

Rutty bully Ioly rutterkyn heyda

Cloked colusyon


De que pays este vous.

Et faciat tanquam exuat beretum ironice.


Courtly abusyon

Decke your hofte and couer a lowce

Cloked colusyon


Say vous chaunter venter tre dawce [760]

Courtly abusyon

Wyda wyda.
Howe sayst thou man am not I a Ioly rutter.

Cloked colusyon


Gyue this gentylman rome syrs stonde vtter
By god syr what nede all this waste
What is this a betell or a batowe or a buskyn lacyd [765]

Courtly abusyon

What wenyst thou that I knowe the not clokyd colusyon

Cloked colusyon


And wenyst thou that I knowe not the cankard abusyon

Courtly abusyon

Cankard Iacke hare loke thou be not rusty
For thou shalt well knowe I am nother durty nor dusty.

Cloked colusyon


Dusty nay syr ye be all of the lusty [770]
Howe be it of scape thryfte your clokes smelleth musty
But whether art thou walkynge in faythe vnfaynyd

Courtly abusyon

Mary with magnyfycence I wolde be retaynyd

Cloked colusyon


By the masse for the cowrte thou art a mete man
Thy slyppers they swap it; yet thou fotys it lyke a swanne [775]

Courtly abusyon

Ye so I can deuyse my gere after the cowrtly maner

Cloked colusyon


So thou arte personable to bere a prynces baner.
By goddes fote & I dare well fyght for I wyll not start

Courtly abusyon

Nay thou art a man good Inough but for thy false hart

Cloked colusyon


Well and I be a coward there is mo than I [780]

Courtly abusyon

Ye in faythe a bolde man and a hardy

Cloked colusyon


A bolde man in a bole of newe ale in cornys

Courtly abusyon

Wyll ye se this gentylman is all in his skornys

Cloked colusyon


But are ye not auysed to dwell where ye spake

Courtly abusyon

I am of fewe wordys I loue not to crake [785]
Beryst thou any rome or cannyst thou do ought
Cannyst thou helpe in fauer that I myght be brought

Cloked colusyon


I may do somwhat and more I thynke shall

Here cometh in Crafty conueyaunce poyntyng with his fynger and sayth.


Crafty Conveyance

Hem colusyon.

Courtly abusyon

Cockys harte who is yonde that for the dothe call [790]

Crafty Conveyance

Nay come at ones for the armys of the dyce

Courtly abusyon

Cockys armys he hath callyd for the twyce

Cloked colusyon

By cockys harte and call shall agayne
To come to me I trowe he shalbe fayne [795]

Courtly abusyon

What is thy harte pryckyd with such a prowde pynne

Cloked colusyon

Tushe he that hath nede man let hym rynne

Crafty conuey.

Nay come away man thou playst the cayser

Cloked Colusion

By the masse thou shalt byde my leyser

Crafty conuey.

A byde syr quod he? mary so I do

Courtly abusyon

He wyll come man when he may tende to

Crafty conuey.

What the deuyll who sent for the

Cloked colusyon


Here he is nowe man mayst thou not se

Crafty conuey.

What the deuyll man what thou menyst [805]
Art thou so angry as thou semyst

Courtly abusyon

What the deuyll can ye agre no better

Crafty conuey.

What the deuyll where had we this ioly Ietter

Cloked colusyon


What sayst thou man why dost thou not supplye
And desyre me thy good mayster to be [810]

Courtly abusyon

Spekest thou to me

Cloked colusyon

Ye so I tell the

Courtly abusyon

Cockes bones I ne tell can
Whiche of you is the better man
Or whiche of you can do most [815]

Crafty conuey.

In fayth I rule moche of the rost

Cloked colusyon


Rule the roste thou woldest ye
As skante thou had no nede of me

Crafty conuey.

Nede yes mary I say not nay

Courtly abusyon

Cockes harte I trowe thou wylte make a fray [820]

Crafty conuey.

Nay in good faythe it is but the gyse

Cloked colusyon


No for or we stryke we wyll be aduysed twyse

Courtly abusyon

What the deuyll vse ye not to drawe no swordes

Crafty conuey.

No by my trouthe but crake grete wordes.

Courtly abusyon

Why is this the gyse nowe adayes [825]

Cloked colusyon


Ye for surety ofte peas is taken for frayes
But syr I wyll haue this man with me

Crafty conuey.

Conuey yourselfe fyrst let se

Cloked colusyon


Well tary here tyll I for you sende

Crafty conuey.

Why shall he be of your bende [830]

Cloked colusyon


Tary here wote ye what I say

Courtly abusyon

I waraunt you I wyll not go away

Crafty conuey.

By saynt mary he is a tawle man

Cloked colusyon


Ye and do ryght good seruyce he can
I knowe in hym no defaute [835]
But that the horson is prowde and hawte.

And so they go out of the place.


Courtly abusion

Nay purchace ye a pardon for the pose.
For pryde hath plucked the by the nose
As well as me I wolde and I durste
But nowe I wyll not say the worste [840]

Courtly abusyon alone in the place.





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