PERORATOR

This Interlude here good gentle audience, Which presently before you we have played: ⸬ ⸬ Was set forth with such care and diligence, As by us truly might well be showed. Short it is I deny not, and full of brevity But if you mark thereof the matter, Then choose you can not, but see plainly How pain and pleasure be knit together. By this little play, the Father is taught, After what manner his Child to use: Least that through cockering at length he be brought His Father's Counterfeit ̄ maundement to refuse, Here you may learn a witty lesson, Betimes to correct his Son being tender: And not let him be lost and undone, With wantonness of mischief the Mother, For as long as the twygge is gentle and plyent (Every man knoweth this by experience:) With small force and strength it may be bent Putting thereto but little diligence. But after that it waxes somewhat digger And to east his branches largely beginneth, It is scant the might of all thy power, That one kowghe thereof easily bendeth, This twygge to a child may well be applied Which in his childhood, and age of Infancy: With small correction may be amended, Emoracynge the School with heart and body. Who afterward with over much liberty, And ranging abrobe with the Bridle of will. Despiseth all virtue, searnyuge and honestys, And also his Father's mind to fulfil. Whereby at the length it so falls out That this the young Stryplynge after that day: Runs into confusion without any doubt And like for evermore quite to decay. Wherefore take heed all you that be parents And solowe a part after my counsel, Instruct your Children and make them students That unto all goodness they do not rebel Remember what writeth Salomon the wise, Oui parcit Virgae, odith filium. ¶ Therefore for asmuch as you can devise Spare not the Rod, but follow wisdom. Further you young men and Children also Listen to me and harken a while, What in few words for you I will show, Without any slatterye, fraud, or guile. This Richemans Son whom we did set forth, Here evidently before your eyes: Was (as it chanced) nothing worth, Given to all noughtynes, vice, and lies. The cause whereof was this for a truth His time full idly he did spend, And would not study in his youth, Which might have brought him to a good end. His father's continued ̄ maundement he would not obey, But wantouly followed his fantasy: For nothing that he could do or say, Would bring this Child to honesty. And at the last (as here you might see:) Upon a wife he fired his mind, Thinking the same to be felicity, When in deed misery came bebynde. For by this wife be carefully lived, Who under his Father did want nothing: And in such sort was hereby tormented That ever a none, he went lamenting. His Father did will him lightness to leave And only to gyve him self unto study: But yet unto virtue he would dot cleave, Which is continued ̄ modious for soul and body. You heard that by Sentences ancient and old He stirred his Son as he best thought: But he as and vnthryfe stout and bold, His bolsome counsel did set at nought. And since that he despised his Father God unto him did suddenly then send: Such poverty with a wife, and grief together That shame and sorrow was his end. Wherefore to conclude, I warn you all By your loving parents, always be ruled: Or else be well assured of such a fallen? As unto this youngman worthily chanced. Worship God daily which is the chief thing And his holy laws do not offend: Look that you truly serve the King, And all your faults be glad to amend. Moreover, be true of hand and tongue, And learn to do all things that be honest, For no time so fit, as when you be young, Because that age only is the aptest. I have no more, to speak at this season, F you good will these things I did say. Because I do see that virtue is geason, With most men and children, at this day.