SATAN

HO, ho, ho, what a fellow am I? Give row me I say both more and less: ⸬ ⸬ My strength and power hence to the Sky No eacthly tongue can well express. O what inuencious, crafts and wiles, Is there contained within this head? I know that he is within few miles Which of the same is thoroughly sped. O, it was all my study day and night Counterfeit ̄ nyngly to bring this matter to pass: In all the earth, there is no wight But I can make to cry alas. This man and wife, that not long ago Fell in this place together by the ears: It was only I that this strife did sow And have be about it certain years. For after that I had taken a small: Of their good will and fervent love, My thought I should not tarry in hell But unto debate them shortly move, O it was I that made him to despise All wisdom, goodness, virtue and learning That be afterward could in no wise Ones in his heart fancy teaching. O it was I, that made him refuse The wholesome menytion of his Father dear And caused him Still of a wife to muse As though she should be his joy and there. O it was I, that made him go hence, And suppose that his father was very kind, It was I, that did oryue him to such expense, And made him as bore, as and pe is behind. And now that I have this business ended And joined him and his wise together: I think that I have my partly well played, None of you all would do it better. Ho, ho, ho, this well favoured heads of mine What thing soever it hath in hand: Is never troubled with Ale or Wine, Neither by Sea, nor yet by land. I tell you I am a marvelous body, As any is at this day living: My head does devise eke thing so trymly, That all men may wonder of the ending, O I have such fetches, such toys in this head Such crafty devises and subtle train: That whom so ever of you I do wed, you are like at my hands to take small gain. There is no gentleman, knight, or Lord: There is no Duke, Earl, or King: But if I list, I can with one word, Shortly send unto their lodging. Some I disquiet with Covetousness, Some with wrath, pride and lechery, And some I do thrust into such distress That he feeleth only pain and misery. Some I allure to have their delight Always in Gluttony, Envy and murder: And those things to pracise with all their might Either by land, or else by water. Ho, ho, ho, there is none to be compared, To me I tell you, in any point: With a great sort my self I have tried, That boldly ventured many a joint. And when for a long time we had wrestled And showed our strength on either side, Yet often times a fallen they received, When through my Policy their feefe did slide. Wherefore (my dear children) I warn you all, Take heed, take heed of my temptation: For continued ̄ menly at the last y have the fallen And also brought to Desperation. O it is a forye for many to strive And think of me to get the upper hand: For unless that God make them to thrive They can not against me stick or stand. And though that God on high have his dominion And ruleth the world every where: Yet by your leave, I have a portion, Of this same earth that stands here. The kingdom of God is above in Heaven And mine is I tell you beneath in Hell: But yet a greater place if he had dealt even He should have given me and mine to dwell, For to my Palace of every Nation Of what degree or birth so ever they be. Come running in with such festination, That other whiles they amazed me, O all the Jews, and all the Turks, Yea and a great part of Christian dome When they have done my will, and my works In the end they fly hither all and some. There is no miunte of the day There is no minute of the Night: But that in my Palace there is alway Crowdynge together a marvelous sight, They come on thicker, then swarms of Bees, And make such a noise and crying out: That many a one lies on his knees, With thousands kept under, and closed about Not so much as my parlours, halls, and every chamber By Porches, my galeryes, and my court: My entries, my kytchyn, and my Larder, But with all manner people be filled throughout. What shall I say more, I can not tell, But of this (my children) I am certain, There comes more in one hour unto Hell, Then unto Heaven, in a month or twain. And yet for all this, my Nature is such That I am not pleased with this company, But out of my kingdom I must walk much That one or other I may take tardy, Ho, ho, ho, I am never ones afraid With these my Claws you for to touch, For I will not leave till you be paid, Such treasure, as is within my Pouch. The world is my Son, and I am his Father And also the flesh, is a daughter of mine It is I alone, that taught them to gather, Both Gold and Silver that is so fine. Wherefore I suppose that they love me well And my Counterfeit ̄ maun dementes gladly obey, That at the last then unto Hell, They may come all the ready way. But now (I know) since I came hither There is such a multitude at my gate, ¶ That I must agaynt repair down thither After mine old manner and rate.