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MAGNYFYCENCE: PART 3, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Magnyfycence / by cockes woundes a wonder felowe thou arte
Last Line: Amen.


Magnyfycence

By cockes woundes a wonder felowe thou arte
For ofte tymes suche a wamblynge goth ouer my harte [1645]
Yet I am not harte seke but that me lyst.
For myrth I haue hym coryed beten and blyst
Hym that I loued not and made hym to loute
I am forthwith as hole as a troute
For suche abusyon I vse nowe and than [1650]

Courtly abusyon

It is none abusyon syr in a noble man.
It is a pryncely pleasure and a lordly mynde.
Suche lustes at large may not be lefte behynde.

Here cometh in cloked colusyon with mesure.


to whom he speaks first.


Cloked colusyon


Stande styll here and ye shall se
That for your sake I wyll fall on my kne [1655]

MESURE waits at the door.


Courtly abusyon

Syr sober sadnesse cometh wherfore it be

Magnyfycence

Stand vp syr ye are welcom to me

Cloked colusyon


Please it your grace at the contemplacyon
Of my pore instance and supplycacyon
Tenderly to consyder in your aduertence. [1660]
Of our blessyd lorde syr at the reuerence
Remembre the good seruyce that mesure hath you done
And that ye wyll not cast hym away so sone

Magnyfycence

My frende as touchynge to this your mocyon.
I may say to you I haue but small deuocyon [1665]
Howe be it at your instaunce I wyll the rather
Do as moche as for myne owne father

Cloked colusyon


Nay syr that affeccyon ought to be reserued
For of your grace I haue it nought deserued
But yf it lyke you that I myght rowne in your eyre [1670]
To shewe you my mynde I wolde haue the lesse fere

Magnyfycence

Stande a lytell abacke syr and let hym come hyder.

Courtly abusyon

With a good wyll syr god spede you bothe togyder.

Cloked colusyon


Syr so it is this man is here by.
That for hym to laboure he hath prayde me hartely. [1675]
Notwithstandynge to you be it sayde
To trust in me he is but dyssayued.
For so helpe me god for you he is not mete
I speke the softlyer because he sholde not wete

Magnyfycence

Come hyder pleasure you shall here myne entent. [1680]
Mesure ye knowe wel with hym I can not be content
And surely as I am nowe aduysed
I wyll haue hym rehayted and dyspysed
Howe say ye syrs herein what is best.

Courtly abusyon

By myne aduyse with you in fayth he shall not rest [1685]

Cloked colusyon


Yet syr reserued your better aduysement
It were better he spake with you or he wente
That he knowe not but that I haue supplyed.
All that I can his matter for to spede.

Magnyfycence

Nowe by your trouthe gaue he you not a brybe [1690]

Cloked colusyon


Yes with his hande I made hym to subscrybe
A byll of recorde for an annuall rent

Courtly abusyon

But for all that he is lyke to haue a glent.

Cloked colusyon


Ye by my trouthe I shall waraunt you for me
And he go to the deuyll so that I may haue my fee [1695]
What care I

Magnyfycence

By the masse well sayd

Courtly abusyon

What force ye so that ye be payde

Cloked colusyon


But yet lo I wolde or that he wente.
Lest that he thought that his money were euyll spente. [1700]
That he wolde loke on hym thoughe it were not longe.

Magnyfycence

Well cannest thou helpe a preest to synge a songe

Cloked colusyon


So it is all the maner nowe a dayes
For to vse suche haftynge and crafty wayes

Courtly abusyon

He telleth you trouth syr as I you ensure [1705]

Magnyfycence

Well for thy sake the better I may endure
That he come hyder and to gyue hym a loke
That he shall lyke the worse all this woke

Cloked colusyon


I care not howe sone he be refused
So that I may craftely be excused [1710]

Courtly abusyon

Where is he

Cloked colusyon

Mary I made hym abyde
Whylest I came to you a lytell here besyde

Magnyfycence

Well call hym and let vs here hym reason
And we wyll be comonynge in the mene season [1715]

Courtly abusyon

This is a wyse man syr where so euer ye hym had.

Magnyfycence

An honest person I tell you and a sad

Courtly abusyon

He can full craftely this matter brynge aboute

Magnyfycence

Whylest I haue hym I nede nothynge doute

Hic introducat colusion mesure magnyfycence aspectante vultu elatissimo.


Cloked colusyon


By the masse I haue done that I can [1720]
And more than euer I dyd for ony man
I trowe ye herde yourselfe what I sayd

Measure.

Nay in dede but I sawe howe ye prayed
And made instance for me be lykelyhod

Cloked colusyon


Nay I tell you I am not wonte to fode [1725]
Them that dare put theyr truste in me
And therof ye shall a larger profe se

Measure.

Syr god rewarde you as ye haue deserued
But thynke you with magnyfycence I shal be reserued

Cloked colusyon


By my trouth I can not tell you that [1730]
But and I were as ye I wolde not set a gnat
By magnyfycence nor yet none of his
For go when ye shall of you shall he mysse

Measure.

Syr as ye say

Cloked colusyon

Nay come on with me
Yet ones agayne I shall fall on my kne
For your sake what so euer befall
I set not a flye and all go to all

Measure.

The holy goost be with your grace

Cloked colusyon


Syr I beseche you let pety haue some place [1740]
In your brest towardes this gentylman

Magnyfycence

I was your good lorde tyll that ye beganne
So masterfully vpon you for to take
With my seruauntys and suche maystryes gan make
That holly my mynde with you is myscontente [1745]
Wherfore I wyll that ye be resydent
With me no longer

Cloked colusyon

Say somwhat nowe let se;
For your selfe [1720]

Measure.

Syr yf I myght permytted be
I wolde to you say a worde or twayne

Magnyfycence

What woldest thou lurden with me brawle agayne
Haue hym hens I say out of my syght
That day I se hym I shall be worse all nyght

Here mesure goth out of the place.


Courtly abusyon

Hens thou haynyarde out of the dores fast [1755]

Exit COURTLY ABUSYON


Magnyfycence

Alas my stomake fareth as it wolde cast

Cloked colusyon


Abyde syr abyde let me holde your hede

Magnyfycence

A bolle or a basyn I say for goddes brede
A my hede; but is the horson gone
God gyue hym a myscheffe; nay nowe let me alone. [1760]

Cloked colusyon


A good dryfte syr a praty fete
By the good lorde yet your temples bete

Magnyfycence

Nay so god me helpe it was no grete vexacyon
For I am panged ofte tymes in this same facyon

Cloked colusyon


Cockes armes howe pleasure plucked hym forth [1765]

Magnyfycence

Ye walke he must it was no better worth

Cloked colusyon


Syr nowe me thynke your harte is well eased

Magnyfycence

Nowe measure is gone I am the better pleased.

Cloked colusyon


So to be ruled by measure it is a payne

Magnyfycence

Mary I wene he wolde not be glad to come agayne. [1770]

Cloked colusyon


So I wote not what he sholde do here
Where mennes belyes is mesured there is no chere.
For I here but fewe men that gyue ony prayse
Unto measure I say nowe a days

Magnyfycence

Measure tut; what the deuyll of hell [1775]
Scantly one with measure that wyll dwell

Cloked colusyon


Not amonge noble men as the worlde gothe.
It is no wonder therfore thoughe ye be wrothe
With mesure where as all noblenes is there I haue past
They catche that catche may; kepe and holde fast [1780]
Out of all measure themselfe to enryche
No force what; thoughe his neyghbour dye in a dyche.
With pollynge and pluckynge out of all measure
Thus must ye stuffe and store your treasure

Magnyfycence

Yet somtyme parde I must vse largesse [1785]

Cloked colusyon


Ye mary somtyme in a messe of vergesse
As in a tryfyll or in a thynge of nought
As gyuynge a thynge that ye neuer bought
It is the gyse nowe I say ouer all.
Largesse in wordes for rewardes are but small [1790]
To make fayre promyse what are ye the worse
Let me haue the rule of your purse

Magnyfycence

I haue taken it to largesse and lyberte

Cloked colusyon


Than is it done as it sholde be
But vse your largesse by the aduyse of me [1795]
And I shall waraunt you welth and lyberte.

Magnyfycence

Say on me thynke your reasons be profounde.

Cloked colusyon


Syr of my counsayle this shall be the grounde.
To chose out .ii.iii. of suche as you loue best
And let all your fansyes vpon them rest [1800]
Spare for no cost to gyue them pounde and peny.
Better to make .iii. ryche than for to make many
Gyue them more than ynoughe and let them not lacke.
And as for all other let them trusse and packe.
Plucke from an hundred and gyue it to thre. [1805]
Let neyther patent scape them nor fee
And where soeuer you wyll fall to a rekenynge.
Those thre wyll be redy euen at your bekenynge
For them shall you haue at lyberte to lowte
Let them haue all and the other go without [1810]
Thus ioy without mesure you shall haue.

Magnyfycence

Thou sayst truthe by the harte that god me gaue
For as thou sayst ryght so shall it be.
And here I make the vpon lyberte
To be superuysour and on largesse also [1815]
For as thou wylte so shall the game go
For in pleasure and surueyaunce and also in the.
I haue set my hole felycyte
And suche as you wyll shall lacke no promocyon

Cloked colusyon


Syr syth that in me ye haue suche deuocyon [1820]
Commyttynge to me and to my felowes twayne
Your welthe and felycyte I trust we shall optayne
To do you seruyce after your appetyte

Magnyfycence

In faythe & your seruyce ryght well shall I acquyte.
And therfore hye you hens and take this ouer syght. [1825]

Cloked colusyon


Nowe Iesu preserue you syr; prynce most of myght.

Here goth cloked colusyon awaye and leueth Magnyfycence alone in the place.


Magnyfycence

Thus I say I am enuyronned with solace
I drede no dyntes of fatall desteny
Well were that lady myght stande in my grace.
Me to enbrace; and loue moost specyally [1830]
A lorde so I wolde halse her hartely
So I wolde clepe her so I wolde kys her swete

Here cometh in Foly.


Foly

Mary cryst graunt ye catche no colde on your fete

Magnyfycence

Who is this.

Foly

Consayte syr your owne man.

Magnyfycence

What tydynges with you syr; I befole thy brayne pan [1835]

Foly

By our lakyn syr I haue ben a hawkyng for the wylde swan.
My hawke is rammysshe & it happed that she ran.
Flewe I sholde say in to an olde barne.
To reche at a rat I coude not her warne. [1840]
She pynched her pynyon by god and catched harme.
It was a ronner; nay fole I warant her blode warme

Magnyfycence

A syr thy Iarfawcon and thou be hanged togyder.

Foly

And syr as I was comynge to you hyder
I saw a foxe sucke on a kowes ydder [1845]
And with a lyme rodde I toke them bothe togyder
I trowe it be a frost for the way is slydder
Se for god auowe for colde as I chydder

Magnyfycence

Thy wordes hange togyder as fethers in the wynde

Foly

A syr tolde I not you howe I dyd fynde [1850]
A knaue and a carle and all of one kynde.
I sawe a wether cocke wagge with the wynde
Grete meruayle I had and mused in my mynde
The houndes ranne before and the hare behynde
I sawe a losell lede a lurden & they were bothe blynde. [1855]
I sawe a sowter go to supper or euer he had dynde.

Magnyfycence

By cockes harte thou arte a fyne mery knaue.

Foly

I make god auowe ye wyll none other men haue.

Magnyfycence

What sayst thou.

Foly

Mary I pray god your mastershyp to saue [1860]
I shall gyue you a gaude of a goslynge that I gaue
The gander and the gose bothe grasynge on one graue.
Than rowlande the reue ran; and I began to raue.
And with a brystell of a bore; his berde dyd I shaue

Magnyfycence

If euer I herde syke another; god gyue me shame. [1865]

Foly

Sym sadylgose was my syer and dawcocke my dame
I coude and I lyst garre you laughe at a game
Howe a wodcocke wrastled with a larke that was lame.
The bytter sayd boldly that they were to blame
The feldfare wolde haue fydled & it wolde not frame. [1870]
The crane and the curlewe therat gan to grame.
The snyte snyueled in the snowte; & smyled at the game.

Magnyfycence

Cockes bones herde ye euer suche another

Foly

Se syr I beseche you largesse my brother

Here Fansy cometh in.


Magnyfycence

What tydynges with you syr that you loke so sad [1875]

Fansy.

When ye knowe that I knowe ye wyll not be glad.

Foly

What brother braynsyke how farest thou.

Magnyfycence

Ye let be thy Iapes and tell me howe
The case requyreth.

Fansy.

Alasse alasse an heuy metynge
I wolde tell you and yf I myght for wepynge.

Foly

What is all your myrthe nowe tourned to sorowe
Fare well tyll sone; adue tyll to morowe

Here goth foly away.


Magnyfycence

I pray the largesse let be thy sobbynge

Fansy.

Alasse syr ye are vndone with stelyng and robbynge [1885]
Ye sent vs a superuysour for to take hede
Take hede of your selfe for nowe ye haue nede

Magnyfycence

What hath sadnesse begyled me so

Fansy.

Nay madnesse hath begyled you & many mo
For lyberte is gone and also felycyte [1890]

Magnyfycence

Gone; alasse ye haue vndone me

Fansy.

Nay he that ye sent vs clokyd colusyon
And your payntyd pleasure courtly abusyon
And your demenour with counterfet countenaunce
And your suruayour crafty conueyaunce [1895]
Or euer we were ware brought vs in aduersyte
And had robbyd you quyte from all felycyte

Magnyfycence

Why is this the largesse that I haue vsyd

Fansy.

Nay it was your fondnesse that ye haue vsyd

Magnyfycence

And is this the credence that I gaue to the letter [1900]

Fansy.

Why coulde not your wyt serue you no better

Magnyfycence

Why who wolde haue thought in you suche gyle

Fansy.

What yes by the rode syr it was I all this whyle
That you trustyd and fansy is my name
And foly my broder that made you moche game [1905]

Here cometh in aduersyte.


Magnyfycence

Alas who is yonder; that grymly lokys

Fansy.

Adewe for I wyll not come in his clokys

Exit Fansy.


Magnyfycence

Lorde so my flesshe trymblyth nowe for drede

Here magnyfycence is beten downe and spoylyd from all his goodys and rayment.


Aduersyte.

I am aduersyte that for thy mysdede
From god am sent to quyte the thy mede [1910]
Vyle velyarde thou must not nowe my dynt withstande
Thou mayst not abyde the dynt of my hande
Ly there losell for all thy pompe and pryde
Thy pleasure now with payne & trouble shalbe tryde.
The stroke of god; aduersyte I hyght [1915]
I plucke downe kynge prynce lorde and knyght
I rushe at them rughly and make them ly full lowe
And in theyr moste truste I make them ouerthrowe
Thys losyll was a lorde and lyuyd at his lust
And nowe lyke a lurden he lyeth in the dust [1920]
He knewe not hymselfe his harte was so hye
Nowe is there no man that wyll set by hym a flye
He was wonte to boste brage and to brace
Nowe dare he not for shame loke one in the face
All worldly welth for hym to lytell was [1925]
Nowe hath he ryght nought; naked as an asse
Somtyme without measure; he trusted in golde
And now without mesure; he shal haue hunger & colde.
Lo syrs; thus I handell them all.
That folowe theyr fansyes; in foly to fall [1930]
Man or woman of what estate they be
I counsayle them beware of aduersyte
Of sorowfull seruauntes I haue many scores
I vysyte them somtyme with blaynes and with sores
With botches and carbuckyls in care I them knyt [1935]
With the gowte I make them to grone where they syt.
Some I make lyppers and lazars full horse.
And from that they loue best some I deuorse.
Some with the marmoll to halte I them make.
And some to cry out of the bone ake [1940]
And some I vysyte with brennynge of fyre
Of some I wrynge of the necke lyke a wyre
And some I make in a rope to totter and walter.
And some for to hange themselfe in an halter
And some I vysyte with batayle warre and murther [1945]
And make eche man to sle other
To drowne or to sle themselfe with a knyfe
An all is for theyr vngracyous lyfe
Yet sometyme I stryke where is none offence
Bycause I wolde proue men of theyr pacyence [1950]
But nowe a dayes to stryke I haue grete cause
Lydderyns so lytell set by goddes lawes
Faders and moders that be neclygent
And suffre theyr chyldren to haue theyr entent
To gyde them vertuously that wyll not remembre [1955]
Them or theyr chyldren ofte tymes I dysmembre
Theyr chyldren bycause that they haue no mekenesse
I vysyte theyr faders and moders with sekenesse.
And yf I se therby they wyll not amende
Then myschefe sodaynly I them sende [1960]
For there is nothynge that more dyspleaseth god
Than from theyr chyldren to spare the rod
Of correccyon; but let them haue theyr wyll
Some I make lame; and some I do kyll
And some I stryke with a franesy [1965]
Of some of theyr chyldren I stryke out the eye.
And where the fader by wysdom worshyp hath wonne
I sende ofte tymes a fole to his sonne.
Wherfore of aduersyte loke ye be ware.
For when I come comyth sorowe and care. [1970]
For I stryke lordys of realmes and landys
That rule not by mesure that they haue in theyr handys
That sadly rule not theyr howsholde men
I am goddys preposytour I prynt them with a pen
Because of theyr neglygence & of theyr wanton vagys [1975]
I vysyte them and stryke them with many sore plagys
To take syrs example of that I you tell
And beware of aduersyte by my counsell
Take hede of this caytyfe that lyeth here on grounde
Beholde howe fortune on hym hath frounde [1980]
For though we shewe you this in game and play
Yet it proueth eyrnest ye may se euery day
For nowe wyll I from this caytyfe go
And take myscheffe and vengeaunce of other mo
That hath deseruyd it as well as he [1985]
Howe; where art thou come hether pouerte
Take this caytyfe to thy lore

Exit ADVERSYTE.


Here cometh in pouerte.


Pouerte.

A my bonys ake my lymmys be sore
Alasse I haue the cyatyca full euyll in my hyppe
Alasse where is youth that was wont for to skyppe [1990]
I am lowsy and vnlykynge and full of scurffe
My colour is tawny colouryd as a turffe
I am pouerte that all men doth hate
I am baytyd with doggys at euery mannys gate
I am raggyd and rent as ye may se [1995]
Full fewe but they haue enuy at me
Nowe must I this carcasse lyft vp
He dynyd with delyte with pouerte he must sup
Ryse vp syr and welcom vnto me

Hic accedat ad leuandum magnyfycence et locabit eum super locum stratum.


Magnyfycence

Alasse where is nowe my golde and fe [2000]
Alasse I say where to am I brought
Alasse alasse alasse I dye for thought

Pouerte.

Syr all this wolde haue bene thought on before
He woteth not what welth is that neuer was sore

Magnyfycence

Fy fy that euer I sholde be brought in this snare [2005]
I wenyd ones neuer to haue knowen of care

Pouerte.

Lo suche is this worlde I fynde it wryt
In welth to beware and that is wyt

Magnyfycence

In welth to beware yf I had had grace
Neuer had I bene brought in this case [2010]

Pouerte.

Nowe syth it wyll no nother be
All that god sendeth take it in gre
For thoughe you were somtyme a noble estate
Nowe must you lerne to begge at euery mannes gate.

Magnyfycence

Alasse that euer I sholde be so shamed [2015]
Alasse that euer I Magnyfycence was named
Alasse that euer I was so harde happed
In mysery and wretchydnesse thus to be lapped
Alasse that I coude not myselfe no better gyde
Alasse in my cradell that I had not dyde. [2020]

Pouerte.

Ye syr ye; leue all this rage
And pray to god your sorowes to asswage
It is foly to grudge agaynst his vysytacyon.
With harte contryte make your supplycacyon.
Unto your maker that made bothe you and me [2025]
And whan it pleaseth god better may be

Magnyfycence

Alasse I wote not what I sholde pray.

Pouerte.

Remembre you better syr beware what ye say
For drede ye dysplease the hygh deyte
Put your wyll to his wyll for surely it is he [2030]
That may restore you agayne to felycyte
And brynge you agayne out of aduersyte.
Therfore pouerte loke pacyently ye take.
And remembre he suffered moche more for your sake.
Howe be it of all synne he was innocent [2035]
And ye haue deserued this punysshment

Magnyfycence

Alasse with colde my lymmes shall be marde

Pouerte.

Ye syr nowe must ye lerne to lye harde.
That was wonte to lye on fetherbeddes of downe
Nowe must your fete lye hyer than your crowne. [2040]
Where you were wonte to haue cawdels for your hede
Nowe must you monche mamockes & lumpes of brede.
And where you had chaunges of ryche aray.
Nowe lap you in a couerlet full fayne that you may.
And where that ye were pomped with what that ye wolde [2045]
Nowe must ye suffre bothe hunger and colde.
With curteyns of sylke ye were wonte to be drawe
Nowe must ye lerne to lye on the strawe
Your skynne that was wrapped in shertes of raynes
Nowe must ye be storm ybeten with showres & raynes. [2050]

Your hede that was wonte to be happed moost drowpy & drowsy.
Now shal ye be scabbed scuruy & lowsy.

Magnyfycence

Fye on this worlde full of trechery.
That euer noblenesse sholde lyue thus wretchydly. [2055]

Pouerte.

Syr remembre the tourne of fortunes whele
That wantonly can wynke and wynche with her hele
Nowe she wyll laughe; forthwith she wyll frowne
Sodenly set vp and sodenly pluckyd downe
She dawnsyth varyaunce with mutabylyte [2060]
Nowe all in welth forthwith in pouerte
In her promyse there is no sykernesse
All her delyte is set in doublenesse

Magnyfycence

Alas of fortune I may well complayne

Pouerte.

Ye syr yesterday wyll not be callyd agayne [2065]
But yet syr nowe in this case
Take it mekely and thanke god of his grace
For nowe go I wyll begge for you some mete
It is foly agaynst god for to plete
I wyll walke nowe with my beggers baggys [2070]
And happe you the whyles with these homly raggys

Discedendo dicat ista verba


A howe my lymmys be lyther and lame
Better it is to begge than to be hangyd with shame
Yet many had leuer hangyd to be
Then for to begge theyr mete for charyte [2075]
They thynke it no shame to robbe and stele
Yet were they better to begge a great dele
For by robbynge they rynne to; in manus tuas quecke
But beggynge is better medecyne for the necke
Ye mary is it; ye so mote I goo [2080]
A lorde god howe the gowte wryngeth me by the too

Here magnyfycence dolorously maketh his mone.


Magnyfycence

O feble fortune; o doulfull destyny
O hatefull happe; o carefull cruelte
O syghynge sorowe; o thoughtfull mysere
O rydlesse rewthe; o paynfull pouerte [2085]
O dolorous herte; o harde aduersyte
O odyous dystresse; o dedly payne and woo
For worldly shame; I wax bothe wanne and bloo
Where is nowe my welth; and my noble estate
Where is nowe my treasure my landes and my rent [2090]
Where is nowe all my seruauntys that I had here a late
Where is nowe my golde vpon them that I spent
Where is nowe all my ryche abylement
Where is nowe my kynne my frendys & my noble blood
Where is nowe all my pleasure and my worldly good [2095]
Alasse my foly; alasse my wanton wyll
I may no more speke; tyll I haue wept my fyll

Enter LYBERTE.


Lyberte.

With ye mary syrs thus sholde it be
I kyst her swete; and she kyssyd me
I daunsed the darlynge on my kne [2100]
I garde her gaspe; I garde her gle
With daunce on the le the le
I bassed that baby with harte so free
She is the bote of all my bale
A; so that syghe was farre fet [2105]
To loue that louesome I wyll not let
My harte is holly on her set
I plucked her by the patlet
At my deuyse I with her met
My fansy fayrly on her I set [2110]
So merely syngeth the nyghtyngale.
In lust and lykynge my name is lyberte
I am desyred with hyghest and lowest degre
I lyue as me lyst I lepe out at large
Of erthely thynge I haue no care nor charge [2115]
I am presydent of prynces I prycke them with pryde.
What is he lyuynge that lyberte wolde lacke.
A thousande pounde with lyberte may holde no tacke.
At lyberte a man may be bolde for to brake
Welthe without lyberte gothe all to wrake. [2120]
But yet syrs hardely one thynge lerne of me
I warne you beware of to moche lyberte
For totum in toto is not worth an hawe
To hardy or to moche to free of the dawe
To sober to sad to subtell to wyse. [2125]
To mery to mad to gyglynge to nyse
To full of fansyes to lordly to prowde
To homly to holy to lewde and to lowde
To flatterynge to smatterynge to to out of harre
To claterynge to chaterynge to shorte and to farre [2130]
To Iettynge to Iaggynge and to full of Iapes.
To mockynge to mowynge to lyke a Iackenapes.
Thus totum in toto groweth vp as ye may se
By meanes of madnesse and to moche lyberte
For I am a vertue yf I be well vsed [2135]
And I am a vyce where I am abused.

Magnyfycence

A woo worthe the lyberte nowe thou sayst full trewe
That I vsed the to moche sore may I rewe

Lyberte.

What a very vengeaunce I say; who is that
What brothell I say is yonder bounde in a mat [2140]

Magnyfycence

I am Magnyfycence that somtyme thy mayster was

Lyberte.

What is the worlde thus come to passe.
Cockes armes syrs wyll ye not se
Howe he is vndone by the meanes of me
For yf measure had ruled lyberte as he began [2145]
This lurden that here lyeth had ben a noble man.
But he abused so his free lyberte
That nowe he hath loste all his felycyte
Not thorowe largesse of lyberall expence
But by the way of fansy insolence [2150]
For lyberalyte is most conuenyent
A prynce to vse with all his hole intent
Largely rewardynge them that haue deseruyd
And so shall a noble man nobly be seruyd
But nowe adayes as huksters they hucke & they stycke [2155]
And pynche at the payment of a poddynge prycke
A laudable largesse I tell you for a lorde
To prate for the patchynge of a pot sharde
Spare for the spence of a noble that his honour myght saue
And spende .C. s. for the pleasure of a knaue [2160]
But so longe they rekyn with theyr reasons amysse
That they lose theyr lyberte and all that there is

Magnyfycence

Alasse that euer I occupyed suche abusyon

Lyberte.

Ye for nowe it hath brought the to confusyon
For where I am occupyed and vsyd wylfully [2165]
It can not contynew longe prosperyously
As euydently in retchlesse youth ye may se
Howe many come to myschefe for to moche lyberte
And some in the worlde theyr brayne is so ydyll
That they set theyr chyldren to rynne on the brydyll [2170]
In youth to be wanton and let them haue theyr wyll
& they neuer thryue in theyr age it shall not gretly skyll
Some fall to foly them selfe for to spyll
And some fall prechynge at the toure hyll
Some hath so moche lyberte of one thynge & other [2175]
That nother they set by father and mother
Some haue so moche lyberte that they fere no synne
Tyll as ye se many tymes they shame all theyr kynne
I am so lusty to loke on so freshe and so fre
That nonnes wyll leue theyr holynes and ryn after me [2180]
Freers with foly I make them so fayne
They cast vp theyr obedyence to cache me agayne
At lyberte to wander and walke ouer all
That lustely they lepe somtyme theyr cloyster wall

Hic aliquis buccat in cornu a retro post populum.


Yonder is a horson for me doth rechate [2185]
A dewe syrs for I thynke leyst that I come to late

Exit LYBERTE


Magnyfycence

O good lorde howe longe shall I indure
This mysery; this carefull wrechydnesse
Of worldly welthe alasse who can be sure
In fortunys frendshyppe there is no stedfastnesse [2190]
She hath dyssayuyd me with her doublenesse
For to be wyse all men may lerne of me.
In welthe to beware of herde aduersyte

Here cometh in Crafty conueyaunce and Cloked colusyon with a lusty laughter.


Crafty conuey.

Ha ha ha for laughter I am lyke to brast [2195]

Cloked colusyon


Ha ha ha for sporte I am lyke to spewe and cast

Crafty conuey.

What hast thou gotted in faythe to thy share

Cloked colusyon


In faythe of his cofers the bottoms are bare

Crafty conuey.

As for his plate of syluer and suche trasshe
I waraunt you I haue gyuen it a lasshe [2200]

Cloked colusyon


What; then he may drynke out of a stone cruyse.

Crafty conuey.

With ye syr by Iesu that slayne was with Iewes
He may rynse a pycher for his plate is to wed

Cloked colusyon


In faythe and he may dreme
On a dagge swane for ony fether bed. [2205]

Crafty conuey.

By my trouthe we haue ryfled hym metely well.

Cloked colusyon


Ye but thanke me therof euery dele

Crafty conuey.

Thanke the therof in the deuyls date

Cloked colusyon


Leue thy pratynge or els I shall lay the on the pate.

Crafty conuey.

Nay to wrangle I warant the it is but a stone caste [2210]

Cloked colusyon


By the messe I shall cleue thy heed to the waste

Crafty conuey.

Ye wylte thou clenly cleue me in the clyfte with thy nose

Cloked colusyon


I shall thrust in the my dagger

Crafty conuey.

Thorowe the legge in to the hose

Cloked colusyon


Nay horson here is my gloue take it vp & thou dare. [2215]

Crafty conuey.

Torde thou arte good to be a man of warre.

Cloked colusyon


I shall skelpe the on the skalpe; lo seest thou that.

Crafty conuey.

What wylte thou skelpe me thou dare not loke on a gnat

Cloked colusyon


By cockes bones I shall blysse the & thou be to bolde.

Crafty conuey.

Nay then thou wylte dynge the deuyll & thou be not holde [2220]

Cloked colusyon


But wottest thou horson I rede the to be wyse

Crafty conuey.

Nowe I rede the beware; I haue warned the twyse

Cloked colusyon


Why wenest thou that I forbere the for thyne owne sake

Crafty conuey.

Peas or I shall wrynge thy be in a brake

Cloked colusyon


Holde thy hande dawe of thy dagger & stynt of thy dyn [2225]
Or I shal fawchyn thy flesshe & scrape the on the skyn

Crafty conuey.

Ye wylte thou hangman I say thou cauell

Cloked colusyon


Nay thou rude rauener rayne beten Iauell

Crafty conuey.

What thou colyn cowarde knowen and tryde

Cloked colusyon


Nay thou false harted dastarde thou dare not abyde. [2230]

Crafty conuey.

And yf there were none to dysplease but thou and I
Thou sholde not scape horson but thou sholde dye.

Cloked colusyon


Nay iche shall wrynge the horson on the wryst.

Crafty conuey.

Mary I defye thy best and thy worst

Enter COUNTERFET COUNTENAUNCE.


Counterfeit Countenance


What a very vengeaunce nede all these wordys [2235]
Go together by the heddys and gyue me your swordys

Cloked colusyon


So he is the worste brawler that euer was borne

Crafty conuey.

In fayth so to suffer the it is but a skorne

Counterfet coun.


Now let vs be all one and let vs lyue in rest
For we be syrs but a fewe of the best [2240]

Cloked colusyon


By the masse man thou shall fynde me resonable

Crafty conuey.

In faythe and I wyll be to reason agreable

Counterfet coun.


Then truste I to god and the holy rode.
Here shalbe not great sheddynge of blode

Cloked colusyon


By our lakyn syr not by my wyll. [2245]

Crafty conuey.

By the fayth that I owe to god and I wyll syt styll

Counterfet coun.


Well sayd; but in fayth what was your quarell

Cloked colusyon


Mary syr this gentylman caled me Iauell

Cra Con.


Nay by saynt Mary it was ye called me knaue.

Cloked colusyon


Mary so vngoodly langage you me gaue [2250]

Counterfet coun.


A shall we haue more of this maters yet
Me thynke ye are not gretly acomberyd wyth wyt

Crafty conuey.

Goddys fote I warant you I am a gentylman borne
And thus to be facyd I thynke it great skorne

Counterfet coun.


I can not well tell of your dysposycyons [2255]
And ye be a gentylman ye haue knauys condycyons

Cloked colusyon


By god I tell you I wyll not be out facyd

Crafty conuey.

By the masse I warant the I wyll not be bracyd

Counterfet coun.


Tushe tushe it is a great defaute.
The one of you is to proude; the other is to haute [2260]
Tell me brefly where vpon ye began

Clo. Col


Mary syr he sayd that he was the pratyer man
Then I was in opynynge of lockys
And I tell you I dysdayne moche of his mockys

Crafty conuey.

Thou sawe neuer yet but I dyd my parte [2265]
The locke of a caskyt to make to starte

Counterfet coun.


Nay I know well Inough ye are bothe well handyd
To grope a gardeuyaunce though it be well bandyd

Cloked colusyon


I am the better yet in a bowget

Crafty conuey.

And I the better in a male

Counterfet coun.


Tushe these maters that ye moue are but soppys in ale
Your trymynge and tramynge by me must be tangyd
For had I not bene ye bothe had bene hangyd
When we with magnyfycence goodys made cheuysaunce

Magnyfycence

And therfore our lorde sende you a very wengaunce [2275]

Counterfet coun.


What begger art thou that thus doth banne and wary

Magnyfycence

Ye be the theuys I say; away my goodys dyd cary

Cloked colusyon


Cockys bonys thou begger what is thy name

Magnyfycence

Magnyfycence I was whom ye haue brought to shame

Counterfet coun.


Ye but trowe you syrs that this is he [2280]

Crafty conuey.

Go we nere and let vs se

Cloked colusyon


By cockys bonys it is the same

Magnyfycence

Alasse alasse syrs ye are to blame
I was your mayster though ye thynke it skorne
And nowe on me ye gaure and sporne [2285]

Counterfet coun.


Ly styll ly styll nowe with yll hayle

Crafty conuey.

Ye for thy langage can not the auayle

Cloked colusyon


Abyde syr abyde I shall make hym to pysse

Magnyfycence

Nowe gyue me somwhat for god sake I craue

Crafty conuey.

In faythe I gyue the four quarters of a knaue [2290]

Counterfet coun.


In faythe and I bequethe hym the tothe ake

Cloked colusyon


And I bequethe hym the bone ake

Crafty conuey.

And I bequethe hym the gowte and the gyn

Cloked colusyon


And I bequethe hym sorowe for his syn

Counterfet coun.


And I gyue hym crystys curse; [2295]
With neuer a peny in his purse

Crafty conuey.

And I gyue hym the cowghe the murre & the pose

Cloked colusyon


Ye for requiem eternam groweth forth of his nose
But nowe let vs make mery and good chere

Counterfet coun.


And to the tauerne let vs drawe nere [2300]

Crafty conuey.

And from thens to the halfe strete
To get vs there some freshe mete

Cloked colusyon


Why is there any store of rawe motton

Counterfet coun.


Ye in faythe or ellys thou arte to great a glotton

Crafty conuey.

But they say it is a queysy mete [2305]
It wyll stryke a man myscheuously in a hete

Cloked colusyon


In fay man some rybbys of the motton be so ranke
That they wyll fyre one vngracyously in the flanke

Counterfet coun.


Ye and when ye come out of the shoppe
Ye shall be clappyd with a coloppe [2310]
That wyll make you to halt and to hoppe

Crafty conuey.

Som be wrestyd there that they thynke on it forty dayes
For there be horys there at all assayes

Cloked colusyon


For the passyon of god let vs go thyther

Et cum festinacione discedant a loco.


Magnyfycence

Alas myn owne seruauntys to shew me such reproche [2315]
Thus to rebuke me and haue me in dyspyght
So shamfully to me theyr mayster to aproche
That somtyme was a noble prynce of myght
Alasse To lyue longer I haue no delyght
For to lyue in mysery it is herder than dethe [2320]
I am wery of the worlde; for vnkyndnesse me sleeth

Hic intrat dyspare.


Dyspare.

Dyspare is my name that aduersyte dothe folowe
In tyme of dystresse I am redy at hande
I make heuy hertys with eyen full holowe [2325]
Of faruent charyte I quenche out the bronde
Faythe and good hope I make asyde to stonde
In goddys mercy I tell them is but foly to truste
All grace and pyte I lay in the duste
What lyest thou there lyngrynge lewdly and lothsome [2330]
It is to late nowe thy synnys to repent
thou hast bene so waywarde so wranglyng & so wrothsome
And so fer thou arte behynde of thy rent
And so vngracyously thy dayes thou hast spent
That thou arte not worthy to loke god in the face [2335]

Magnyfycence

Nay nay man I loke neuer to haue parte of his grace
For I haue so vngracyously my lyfe mysusyd
Though I aske mercy I must nedys be refusyd

Dyspare.

No no for thy synnys be so excedynge farre
So innumerable and so full of dyspyte [2340]
And agayne thy maker thou hast made suche warre
That thou canst not haue neuer mercy in his syght

Magnyfycence

Alasse my wyckydnesse that may I wyte
But nowe I se well there is no better rede
But sygh and sorowe and wysshe my selfe dede [2345]

Dyspare.

Ye ryd thy selfe rather than this lyfe for to lede
The worlde waxyth wery of the; thou lyuest to longe

Hic intrat myschefe.


Myschefe.

And I myschefe am comyn at nede
Out of thy lyfe the for to lede
And loke that it be not longe [2350]
Or that thy selfe thou go honge
With this halter good and stronge
Or ellys with this knyfe cut out a tonge
Of thy throte bole and ryd the out of payne
Thou arte not the fyrst hymselfe hath slayne [2355]
Lo here is thy knyfe and a halter and or we go ferther
Spare not thy selfe but boldly the murder

Dyspare.

Ye haue done at ones without delay

Magnyfycence

Shall I my selfe hange with an halter? nay
Nay rather wyll I chose to ryd me of this lyue [2360]
In styckynge my selfe with this fayre knyfe

Here magnyfycence wolde slee hymselfe with a knyfe.


Mischief


Alarum alarum to longe we abyde

Dyspare.

Out harowe hyll burneth where shall I me hyde.

Hic intrat Good hope fugientibus dyspare & myschefe repente good hope surripiat illi
gladium & dicat.


Good hope.

Alas dere sone sore combred is thy mynde
Thyselfe that thou wolde sloo agaynst nature & kynde. [2365]

Magnyfycence

A blessyd may ye be syr; what shall I you call

Good hope.

Good hope syr my name is remedy pryncypall
Agaynst all sautes of your goostly foo
Who knoweth me; hymselfe may neuer sloo

Magnyfycence

Alas syr so I am lapped in aduersyte [2370]
That dyspayre well nyghe had myscheued me
For had ye not the soner ben my refuge
Of dampnacyon I had ben drawen in the luge.

Good hope.

Undoubted ye had lost yourselfe eternally
There is no man may synne more mortally. [2375]
Than of wanhope thrughe the vnhappy wayes
By myschefe to breuyate and shorten his dayes
But my good sonne lerne from dyspayre to flee.
Wynde you from wanhope and aquaynte you with me.
A grete mysaduenture thy maker to dysplease [2380]
Thyselfe myscheuynge to thyne endlesse dysease
There was neuer so harde a storme of mysery.
But thrughe good hope there may come remedy

Magnyfycence

Your wordes be more sweter than ony precyous narde
They molefy so easely my harte that was so harde. [2385]
There is no bawme ne gumme of arabe
More delectable than your langage to me

Good hope.

Syr your fesycyan is the grace of god
That you hath punysshed with his sharpe rod.
Good hope your potecary assygned am I [2390]
That goddes grace hath vexed you sharply
And payned you with a purgacyon of odyous pouerte
Myxed with bytter alowes of herde aduersyte
Nowe must I make you a lectuary softe.
I to mynyster it; you to receyue it ofte. [2395]
With rubarbe of repentaunce in you for to rest.
With drammes of deuocyon your dyet must be drest
With gommes goostly of glad herte and mynde.
To thanke god of his sonde and comforte ye shal fynde.
Put fro you presumpcyon and admyt humylyte [2400]
And hartely thanke god of your aduersyte
And loue that lorde that for your loue was dede.
Wounded from the fote to the crowne of the hede
For who loueth god can ayle nothynge but good
He may helpe you; he may mende your mode [2405]
Prosperyte by hym is gyuen solacyusly to man
Aduersyte to hym therwith nowe and than
Helthe of body his besynesse to acheue
Dysease and sekenesse his conscyence to dyscryue
Afflyccyon & trouble to proue his pacyence [2410]
Contradyccyon to proue his sapyence
Grace of assystence his measure to declare
Somtyme to fall another tyme to beware
And nowe ye haue had syr a wonderous fall
To lerne you hereafter for to beware withall [2415]
Howe say you syr can ye these wordys grope.

Magnyfycence

Ye syr now am I armyd with good hope
And sore I repent me of my wylfulnesse
I aske god mercy of my neglygesse
Under good hope endurynge euer styll [2420]
Me humbly commyttynge vnto goddys wyll

Good hope.

Then shall you be sone delyuered from dystresse
For nowe I se comynge to youwarde redresse

Hic intrat Redresse.


Redresse.

Cryst be amonge you and the holy goste

Good hope.

He be your conducte the lorde of myghtys moste [2425]

Redresse.

Syr is your pacyent any thynge amendyd

Good hope.

Ye syr he is sory for that he hath offendyd

Redresse.

How fele you your selfe my frend how is your mynde

Magnyfycence

A wrechyd man syr to my maker vnkynde

Redresse.

Ye but haue ye repentyd you with harte contryte [2430]

Magnyfycence

Syr the repentaunce I haue no man can wryte

Redresse.

And haue ye banyshed from you all dyspare

Magnyfycence

Ye holly to good hope I haue made my repare

Good hope.

Questyonlesse he doth me assure
In good hope alway for to indure [2435]

Redresse.

Than stande vp syr in goddys name
And I truste to ratyfye and amende your fame.
Good hope I pray you with harty affeccyon
To sende ouer to me sad cyrcumspeccyon

Good hope.

Syr your requeste shall not be delayed. [2440]

Et exiat.


Redresse.

Now surely magnyfycence I am ryght well apayed
Of that I se you nowe in the state of grace
Nowe shall ye be renewyd with solace
Take nowe vpon you this abylyment
And to that I say gyue good aduysement [2445]

Magnyfycence accipiat indumentum.


Magnyfycence

To your requeste I shall be confyrmable

Redress

Fyrst I saye with mynde fyrme and stable.
Determyne to amende all your wanton excesse
And be ruled by me whiche am called redresse
Redresse my name is that lytell am I vsed. [2450]
As the worlde requyreth but rather I am refused.
Redresse sholde be at the rekenynge in euery accompte
And specyally to redresse that were out of ioynte.
Full many thynges there be that lacketh redresse
The whiche were to longe nowe to expresse [2455]
But redresse is redlesse and may do no correccyon
Nowe welcome forsoth sad cyrcumspeccyon.

Here cometh in sad cyrcumspeccyon sayenge.


Cyrcumspeccyon

Syr after your message I hyed me hyder streyght.
For to vnderstande your pleasure and also your mynde

Redresse.

Syr to accompte you the contynewe of my consayte. [2460]
Is from aduersyte Magnyfycence to vnbynde

Cyrcumspeccyon

How fortuned you magnyfycence so far to fal behynde

Magnyfycence

Syr the longe absence of you sad cyrcumspeccyon
Caused me of aduersyte to fall in subieccyon.

Redresse.

All that he sayth of trouthe dothe procede [2465]
For where sad cyrcumspeccyon is longe out of the way
Of aduersyte it is to stande in drede.

Cyrcumspeccyon

Without fayle syr that is no nay.
Cyrcumspeccyon inhateth all rennynge a stray
But syr by me to rule fyrst ye began [2470]

Magnyfycence

My wylfulnesse syr excuse I ne can

Cyrcumspeccyon

Then ye of foly in tymes past you repent

Magnyfycence

Sothely to repent me I haue grete cause
Howe be it from you I receyued a letter sent
Whiche conteyned in it a specyall clause. [2475]
That I sholde vse largesse

Cyrcumspeccyon

Nay syr there a pause

Redresse.

Yet let vs se this matter thorowly ingrosed

Magnyfycence

Syr this letter ye sent to me at pountes was enclosed

Cyrcumspeccyon

Who brought you that letter; wote ye what he hyght. [2480]

Magnyfycence

Largesse syr by his credence was his name

Cyrcumspeccyon

This letter ye speke of neuer dyd I wryte

Redresse.

To gyue so hasty credence ye were moche to blame

Magnyfycence

Truth it is syr; for after he wrought me moch shame
And caused me also to vse to moche lyberte [2485]
And made also mesure to be put fro me.

Redresse.

Then welthe with you myght in no wyse abyde

Cyrcumspeccyon

A ha fansy and foly met with you I trowe

Redresse.

It wolde be founde so yf it were well tryde

Magnyfycence

Surely my welthe with them was ouer throw [2490]

Cyrcumspeccyon

Remembre you therfore howe late ye were low

Redresse.

Ye and beware of vnhappy abusyon

Cyrcumspeccyon

And kepe you from counterfaytynge of clokyd colusyon

Magnyfycence

Syr in good hope I am to amende

Redresse.

Use not then your countenaunce for to counterfet [2495]

Cyrcumspeccyon

And from crafters and hafters I you forfende

Hic intrat perseueraunce.


Magnyfycence

Well syr after your counsell my mynde I wyll set

Redresse.

What brother perceueraunce surely well met

Cyrcumspeccyon

Ye com hether as well as can be thought

Perseueraunce

I herde say that aduersyte with magnyfycence had fought [2500]

Magnyfycence

Ye syr with aduersyte I haue bene vexyd
But good hope and redresse hath mendyd myne estate
And sad cyrcumspeccyon to me they haue annexyd
..........................................

Redresse.

What this man hath sayd; perceyue ye his sentence

Magnyfycence

Ye syr from hym my corage shall neuer flyt [2505]
..........................................
..........................................
..........................................

Cyrcumspeccyon

Accordynge to treuth they be well deuysyd

Magnyfycence

Syrs I am agreed to abyde your ordenaunce [2510]
Faythfull assuraunce with good peraduertaunce

Perseueraunce

Yf you be so myndyd we be ryght glad

Redresse.

And ye shall haue more worshyp then euer ye had

Magnyfycence

Well I perceyue in you there is moche sadnesse
Grauyte of counsell prouydence and wyt [2515]
Your comfortable aduyse & wyt excedyth all gladnesse
But frendly I wyll refrayne you ferther or we flyt
Whereto were most metely my corage to knyt
Your myndys I beseche you here in to expresse
Commensynge this processe at mayster redresse [2520]

Redresse.

Syth vnto me formest this processe is erectyd
Herein I wyll a forse me to shewe you my mynde
Fyrst from your magnyfycence syn must be abiectyd
In all your warkys more grace shall ye fynde
Be gentyll then of corage and lerne to be kynde [2525]
For of noblenesse the chefe poynt is to be lyberall
So that your largesse be not to prodygall

Cyrcumspeccyon

Lyberte to a lorde belongyth of ryght
But wylfull waywardnesse muste walke out of the way
Measure of your lustys must haue the ouer syght [2530]
And not all the nygarde nor the chyncherde to play
Let neuer negarshyp your noblenesse affray
In your rewardys vse suche moderacyon
That nothynge be gyuen without consyderacyon

Perseueraunce

To the increse of your honour then arme you with ryght [2535]
And fumously adresse you with magnanymyte
And euer let the drede of god be in your syght
And knowe your selfe mortall for all your dygnyte

Set not all your affyaunce in fortune full of gyle [2540]
Remember this lyfe lastyth but a whyle

Magnyfycence

Redresse in my remembraunce your lesson shall rest
And sad cyrcumspeccyon I marke in my mynde
But perseueraunce me semyth your probleme was best
I shall it neuer forget nor leue it behynde [2545]
But hooly to perseueraunce my selfe I wyll bynde
Of that I haue mysdone to make a redresse
And with sad cyrcumspeccyon correcte my vantonnesse

Redresse.

Unto this processe brefly compylyd
Comprehendynge the worlde casuall and transytory [2550]
Who lyst to consyder shall neuer be begylyd
Yf it be regystryd well in memory
A playne example of worldly vaynglory
Howe in this worlde there is no sekernesse
But fallyble flatery enmyxyd with bytternesse [2555]
Nowe well; nowe wo; nowe hy; nowe lawe degre
Nowe ryche; nowe pore; nowe hole; nowe in dysease
Nowe pleasure at large; Nowe in captyuyte
Nowe leue; nowe lothe; now please; nowe dysplease
Now ebbe; now flowe; nowe increase; now dyscrease [2560]
So in this worlde there is no sykernesse
But fallyble flatery enmyxyd with bytternesse

Cyrcumspeccyon

A myrrour incleryd is this interlude
This lyfe inconstant for to beholde and se
Sodenly auaunsyd; and sodenly subdude [2565]
Sodenly ryches; and sodenly pouerte
Sodenly comfort; and sodenly aduersyte
Sodenly thus fortune can bothe smyle and frowne
Sodenly set vp; and sodenly cast downe
Sodenly promotyd; and sodenly put backe [2570]
Sodenly cherysshyd; and sodenly cast asyde
Sodenly commendyd; and sodenly fynde a lacke
Sodenly grauntyd; and sodenly denyed
Sodenly hyd; and sodenly spyed
Sodenly thus fortune can bothe [2575] smyle and frowne
Sodenly set vp and sodenly cast downe

Perseueraunce

This treatyse deuysyd to make you dysporte
Shewyth nowe adayes howe the worlde comberyd is
To the pythe of the mater who lyst to resorte
To day it is well; to morowe it is all amysse [2580]
To day in delyte; to morowe bare of blysse
To day a lorde; to morowe ly in the duste
Thus in this worlde there is no erthly truste
To day fayre wether; to morowe a stormy rage
To day hote; to morowe outragyous colde [2585]
To day a yoman; to morowe made of page
To day in surety; to morowe bought and solde
To day maysterfest; to morowe he hath no holde
To day a man; to morowe he lyeth in the duste
Thus in this worlde there is no erthly truste [2590]

Magnyfycence

This mater we haue mouyd you myrthys to make
Precely purposyd vnder pretence of play
Shewyth wysdome to them that wysdome can take
Howe sodenly worldly welth dothe dekay
How wysdom thorowe wantonnesse vanysshyth away [2595]
How none estate lyuynge of hymselfe can be sure
For the welthe of this worlde can not indure
Of the terestre trechery we fall in the flode
Beten with stormys of many a frowarde blast
Ensorbyd with the wawys sauage and wode

Without our shyppe be sure it is lykely to brast
Yet of magnyfycence oft made is the mast
Thus none estate lyuynge of hymselfe can be sure
For the welthe of this worlde can not indure [2605]

Redresse.

Nowe semyth vs syttynge that ye then resorte
Home to your paleys with Ioy and ryalte

Cyrcumspeccyon

Where euery thyng is ordenyd after your noble porte

Perseueraunce

There to indeuer with all felycyte

Magnyfycence

I am content my frendys that it so be [2610]

Redresse.

And ye that haue harde this dysporte and game
Ihesus preserue you frome endlesse wo and shame
AMEN.







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