SIN

I was afraid of nothing but only of my dagger, Least in the time of my birth it would have sticked my father, And then for my grandfather few would have cared: If you my father Pleasure had be slain or killed. Yea marry Sir now my thinks I am more at liberty, I could not once turn me in my father's belly, My father need not care in what company he doth eat, I have made his throat so wide he can not be choked with meat. ¶ If I be now a lad, what be you than? A boy of my age will never make man: And although I be young yet am I well grown, No child of six year old is so big in all this town. ¶ He hath as much need to bid me do this, As to make a dog hold up his leg when he does piss: And as Sin is the child of pleasure in every Nation, ¶ That is my boy that I need not teach thee more, Or ever he have money he committeth sin before. Out alas Master's, what thing is in my belly? Such pains as these will quickly make me weary: Who, who is able to abide this grief or pains, Even now in my belly, but now in my reins, Now in my buttocks, and now at my heart, The pains are so great that I suffer grievous smart. I hold twenty pound it will turn to the gout, Even now at my heart and now at the sole of my foot: Out alas my neck, my sides, and my back, Out alas, my head asunder begins to crack. ¶ The horesonnes head is so great, and he so ill favoured made, That I must needs be ripped I am greatly afraid. ¶ That ill favoured knave is Like none of us, No more then a sow to a cow, or a sheep to a gouse. Now for a midwyfe I would give twenty pound, Hold me up Sirs, for now I begin to sound. It is the heaviest lobber that ever man did bear, They say Sin is heavy, but he is heavier I swear: How say you Master's is not this a well favoured baby That I Sin have brought forth so painfully? He is the worst favouredst knave that ever was born, It must needs be good ground that brings forth such good corn: When I look on him me thinks him to be to evil favoured, Yet the crow thinks her black birds of all other the fairest: But I can not love him if I should be hanged: Thou art never Like (son) of me to be kissed. ¶ In faith much good do it you, and them to whom you shall be married, I wis they were better marry a sow that her pigs hath new farried. ¶ Now fair evil most Sour soon to be sorry I cannot chosen, Your going grieves me so much that the snot drops out of my nose Had I not seen and felt the bearing of him my self, I would have thought surely he had be some changeling or else. Happy are they that are matched with my son Damnation, They were better lie all their life in a dungeon or prison: He is so sure a companion as I know but few, Who happeneth once in his company shall it never eschew: My grandfather Money hath hatched a goodly litter, And honester kindred can no where be found, Pleasure, Sin, and Damnation of all other most bitter: Who doth not love us, that with the love of money is drowned. None but is my servant that lives, and treads on ground. The greatest power that is, the lowest state of all To be my servants can not choose, and also still shall. And is it any marueill why I so many servants have? None with fine qualities with me can compare, Therefore in my sighed every one is but a slave. What of with your caps sirs, it becomes you to stand bore, None can forswear them selves in trading for beware. No picking of purses can be at market or fair, No theft or robbery, no murder or killing Can be without me, ne yet whoredom or swearing, No pride, no sloth, no gluttony can be used, No perjury without me, neither envy nor hatred, As my qualities be good, so my personage is proper. I am neither to high nor to low, to great nor so small, No thicker no thinner, no shorter no longer They decently appertain, as you may see all. If I were higher I were the worst to fallen: If I were lower they would take me for a boy, Therefore to behold my person, you can not choose but joy. ¶ Why you evil fast knave, how came your friendship in? They be well favoured babes that be of your kin. ¶ Then I and my son damnation be no body with you, Sin and Damnation belike bring a man to heaven: Is thy kingdom diminished through us thinkest thou? You bottle nosed knave, I will see your nose eauen. I wis you had be as good to have set me in the number, I did not so much pleasure you but I will work you as much cumber: For I did never increase thy kingdom so much before But now I will diminish it twenty times more. How can Money and Pleasure bring men unto hell Without Sin and Damnation, Sir good face me tell? Nay I will be gone, I will tarry no longer here, I will turn all your mirth into sorrowful cheer. ¶ I knew I would make him soon change his note, I will make him sing the black sanctus, I hold him a groat. ¶ You may laugh well enough that Sin & the Devil be fall ̄ out, But we will fallen in again or ever it be long: Stand back in the mischief, or I will hit you on the snout, It is high time that you had ended your song. ¶ Thou thy dogs and cats thou evil favoured knave, Use me so again, and your nose from your face I will have. ¶ Of all the three devils thou hast the most manner, For thy sake once again I will comfort thy father Snottienose Sathanas, disable me no more Least you hath more ado then you had before: Well Satan's kingdom by me shall be increased, And through my son Damnation that it shall never be empty. ¶ Yea, but one thing snotty nose will be very hard, Where shall we get a pipe to ylaye the devil a galliard? ¶ If the devil had died, who should have be his heir? ¶ Now if they be wise they will care for no such a friend, To procure them to pains that never shall have end. ¶ Much good do it you snotty nose, I long not for your cheer: I beshrew you and your babes if thereof you spare: It is better be poor and after in heaven to dwell Then to be rich on the earth and after live in hell. ¶ As either of you contain one sin particularly, Even so I contain all sins generally: Therefore goodman snotty nose if you reward me well I and my son Damnation shall send enough to hell. ¶ Then give me a piece of thy tail to make a flap for a fly: For if I had a piece thereof I do verily believe, The humble bees stinging should never me grieve. ¶ Then your nose I would have to stop my tail behind, For I am cumbered with colic and letting out of wind: And if it be to little to make thereof a case, Then I would be so bold to borrow your face. ¶ Woe be to my friends if they stand need of you, Or any thing you have in that most pleasant place, I would not wish that friendship to either horse or cow, For there they should be sure of small favour or grace: Is not here Master's (think you) and amiable face? Happy may they be which with him shall dwell always, But thrice happier then which godly end their days. ¶ Are not they think you of all other most happy, Which shall for ever and ever be in the devils company? It were better be a post horse that rests night nor day, Or else to be a galley slave then with the devils to play. Well I am sure I have yet much to do, For if my father Pleasure have much work in hand I must needs travail through every land: I can not well tell what thing to do first, My head is so full of toys wherewith I think it will burst. If I go to my grandfather first, then my father will be angry, And if I see my father before I see my son Then he will take the matter I tell you sorrowful: Therefore give me counsel what is best to be done. If I should go to my grandfather where should I find him In the poor men purse he doth seldom abide, But in the beggars cloak I might chance to have him. I shall not find where he is unless I have a guide: I am a wise young man that fears to find money In the covetous churls coffer I shall have him by and by, I am sure to find him at the goldsmith's stall: If there I miss him I shall never find him at all. ¶ I have be since I was here in many a nation, So that I could not come to any town nor city But I and my kindred are in great estimation: If I hold up my finger you may trust me, It is a great matter that makes me to lie. And as I came homeward I told these news to the devil, Who was very glad to see us bear such rule. ¶ The last stocks I was in was even at Bamburie, They be worm eaten which shows them ancient to be: If they were mine because they be so old, I would burn them in winter to keep me from the cold. ¶ I promise you I am come of and high and mighty kindred: I know not my grandfather, for I never yet saw him, But Pleasure is my father, Sir, do not you know him? ¶ Marry Sir it is time on my marry bones to kneel, Blessing, blessing grandfather of you I do ask: But take heed that none of it hit my left heel, For I promise you I have a great and fervent laske. ¶ Nay, then the fairest bird of all the generation Is mine own son and heir, my fair son Damnation: Such a one as he is you have seen but a few, Never trust me again if I tell you not true: His face doth shine as bright as the buttock of a bear, He hath a beautiful face in the night when ̄ the moon shines not clear ¶ I did not see him of late but I herd from him by the carrier In faith father Money to put you out of doubt, There is no place in the world but he bears a great rout: But my thinks I heard you complain very lately, That through great pains and travail you were very weary. ¶ Marry Sir I have a special friend in store That will not for any man than for you do more, For he hath such a mind and great love to money, That he will do any thing for you by and by. In every kind of thing he hath experience doubtless: All for money is his name, you know him full well, For this your business all other he doth excel. ¶ What all for money come hither with all speed, My grandfather money taryes for you to help him at need. Marry that is well, should Money tarry for me, Nay it is meet I wait on him both with cap and knee. What would you with me my lord and master Money? Command what you will and I will do it speedily. ¶ Let there come a thousand if they do bring game, There can not come so many, but he'll them entertain. ¶ What be the words that I shall now proclaim? ¶ Shall I in my man's voice or in my boys voice it declare? ¶ If you have no suitors on you for to call, I am sure shortly the heavens will fallen: They will not stand I think all in this hall, Which will come right shortly and still hereafter shall. ¶ What good fellow is that which knocks so boldly? ¶ If your personage be as handsome as your qualities be good. The hemp for your hanging begins for to bud. ¶ Nay, the party doth lie now soar sick in her bed, But my father doth will you that she may be sped: And she hath given me for you and hundred pound and more, Shall her neighbours be able to hurt her therefore? ¶ She is a fair young woman and very full of fau ur, She began to be coletishe, so that one must ride her: And the thing she played for did after so prosper, That her belly was full as lately did appear: And she fearing least thereby she should be claundred Killed her child after she was delivered. But as she conveyed it by some it was spied, And so it was found whereby the truth was tried. ¶ For a whore to have a child it is but a small matter, And after it is born the same to kill and murder. Is not my grandfather money of great power and might, That such a crooked matter so quickly can make straight? ¶ Who is that, that knocks in such great post hast? ¶ His goods be soon ryfeled I think he hath none at all, It appears he is simple the robbery was so small: To come hither for help who put it in thy mind? ¶ Did not my grandfather money in hast send thee hither? ¶ What art thou called whereabouts thou dost dwell? ¶ Alas poor soul what didst thou coming hither, I think for all thy comfort thou art never the better. ¶ Shall I tell thee one thing in thine care Syrra, Thou art sure shortly to play sursome corda. ¶ Through him you shall see none after will come, Unless they have money either more or some. Is not my grandfather Money think you of great power That could save from hanging such abominable whore, That against all nature her own child did kill? Thus you may do for money what mischief you will. And yonder poor knave that did steal for his need A few sort of rags, and not all worth a crown, Because he lacks money shall be hanged for that deed, You may see my Grandsire is a man of renown: It were meet when I nam him that you all kneeled down. Nay, make it not so strange, for the best of you all, Do love him so well, you will come at his call. ¶ Knock softly in the mischief, who made you so bold? ¶ Marry he hath two wives, and I think he would have another ¶ A tired Jade by thee I think she hath not been, For she is properly a Jade that hath be over riden: And because thou hast spared her now she is Fresh and lusty. Therefore higher her out for and hackney, and she will bring thee money. ¶ Hadst thou any riches by her, any lands or woods? ¶ She may be very glad that on thee her goods did spare That would let her forth to be the devils hackney mare. ¶ These be goodly old angels take heed you do not loose them, Have not they pretty wings that could fly into your bosom? ¶ There is some jolly suitor, do not you hear him knock? Softer Sir, softer, least you break the lock. ¶ Come near to my Lord and tell him your matter, Did my grandfather Money will you come hither? ¶ Either right or wrong thy matter must needs be, Therefore thou mayest speak, thou speedst I'll warrant thee I. ¶ Is here all the title you have good man Nicholl? Thou carest not so thou hast it what becomes of thy fallen. ¶ It is a good wind that blows no man to evil, But happy are those children whose father goes to the devil: No good plee herein I think thou canst invent. ¶ Nay, it will be fuller if you may have your will. And other sewter there is I hear him knock amain, Shall he come in Sir to tell his grief and pain? You were wont to say mass for a groat, but now they are dearer to by. I pray thee what is thy name, art thou either vicar or parson? ¶ By the mass I thought thou wast even such and other, I knew by thy countenance thou wast never Doctor, But thou hast be a doctor at the ducking of women, He hath ever had a good zeal to kertchefes and linen: I promise you he is very well learned if you list to appose him, But it must not be in Greek, Ebrewe, nor Latin: A cure he is able sufficiently to discharge, He can read very well upon a pair of cards. ¶ In faith Sir Laurence I think you must play the carter, Or else you must be a hedge priest, beggars to marry, Which is and easy living but you must fare hardly. How didst thou with the Bishop when he did apose thee? ¶ How many Planets Sir Laurence is there in the third heaven? ¶ How say you by Sir Laurence, is not he well skilled In the Science of Arthematike when the cup is new filled: How many chapters in the Gospel did Saint Matthew write? ¶ I pray thee tell me truly, how many did he write in all? ¶ Thou hast not very much studied that Gospel Because the number of the chapters thou canst not tell. ¶ How many Epistles did Paul write after he was converted? ¶ Of truth Sir Laurence in thy time thou hast be good For lack of winter liveries, thou hast given many a christmas hood. ¶ In deed the honesty of the man may make the room better, But the room cannot make sir Laurence the honester. ¶ Come hither mother mable your terms you do misuse, To see you come so far my thinks it is strange news: But what is your name mother my Lord would have you tell: ¶ Declare you should say mother, for that is the right speaking. ¶ You should say conclude mother, but it is not much awry, ¶ It is convenient mother Croote, but it makes no great matter. ¶ I know mother Croote your meaning is rudeness. ¶ Goop with a gaulde back come up to supper, Gylle my old mare must have a new crupper: A meeter marriage then this did I never see, For she is not passed four score years elder then he. ¶ When I was a boy it was and old saying, That and old sack would lack much clouting and patching. O, it doth mother Croote much good to have her bones ratteled, And especially by her lover, and then her mind were settled: When you be with your husband you will be as good as a charm, If my wife were of your age, he would do her little harm. ¶ He is more meet your son then your husband to be, ¶ Yea, but you are the worse for him the elder you are, Therefore he will labour other and you for holidays spare. I pray you my Lord mother Croote help to speed, For of this young man she stands very great need. ¶ Do you not see yonder, old mother Croote Would as fain be trodden as a younger pullet: How will her husband do when he should kiss her, Her nose and her chin meets almost together. O, she will be a trim bride that day she is wed, One would think she smiled if her teeth were in her head. ¶ Many such days you may have when you will, Whereby all your bags and coffers may be full still. ¶ Do you not see how all is for money, Master's? He helps to make good all wrong and crooked matters: He cares not though at length he go to the devil, So that with money he may his bags fill. His money brings him to pleasure, and pleasures sends him to me, And I send him to Damnation, and he sends him to hell quickly. And when he is there he hath God a proper place, Let him cry while his heart akes, he shall have no grace. O, it is a goodly house it is bigger then a grange, It passes see simple for the title doth never change: Therefore if any will be married to my fair son Damnation They shall be sure straight ways thereof to have possession. Therefore if any chance to marry my son hereafter, Let them not blame me for I have told his behaviour: Before you proceed therefore in this marriage Weigh well with your self the danger and charge. It is now high time me thinks to depart, Will none of you speak to comfort my heart? I would have sworn that you had be more mannerly, To match my son with such I passed not of a fly. My throat for want of drink begins to be dry, Who is it that calls me to drink some good ale, Forsooth I will be with you by and by. It is Sir Laurence liuingles, twenty pound to a nasle He will typle at it solemnly as long as it is stale. And the rather I think it is he because of his talk, For he said before his going, that all the pots should walk Oh woe, woe, that ever on the earth I lived, Woe be to that hour when I first was delivered. My guilty conscience pricks me day by day, Judas I was called that did my master betray I did see Christ's miracles and herd his predication: O that I had had grace to be with the rest in salvation. I wanted Gods grace and his especial favour, Whereby I hanged my self and died in despair. And now the time is passed any mercy to crave, One half hour to live I would desire but to have. Well it will not be, nothing will help me now, Where ever I do go Damnation doth me follow. Woe worth that money, that ever it was made By which occasion my master was betrayed. But had I had grace to have asked mercy therefore And repented my fault as Peter did before, I should have be pardoned as other Summers be, And accounted no sinner, God will have mercy, So that they ask mercy so long as they do live, All which time he is ready their sins to forgive. Woe therefore to me, and to all that have so died, For without remedy now I am for ever damned. Oh what hath belly pleasure brought me unto, To hell torments to a place of everlasting woe. Woe, woe, and woe again to me for evermore, That consumed so much on my self and nothing on the poor: Poor Lazarus was at my door, whose hunger was so great That he therewith soon died not having for to eat. When I with all fine fare like a glutton was served And Like a greedy cormorant with belly full farced: Not suffering one morsel to Lazarus to be given, And yet was there more spoiled then and hundredth would eat certain. To feed the dogs therewith I was much better content, Or else some relief to him I would have sent. The silie and dumb dogs did him more good then I, For they licked his sores, Oh woe therefore to me. And then he died full soon, whose death pleased God so well That in Abrahams bosom he aye shall rest and dwell: And I then died also without any repentance, Whereby I have God Gods wrath and heavy vengeance. For I am a damned soul for ever in torment and pain, My pleasures on the earth hath brought me to this gain. And though the torments be so vehement and the firy flames so great, Yet I cannot have a drop of water to Q enche and cool my heat. I denied poor Lazarus to give him meat and food, And now denies me to help, or do me good. A woef change to me, to him it is not so, For he from pain to pleasure passed, and I from weal to woe: For if I were on the earth as I was once before I would spare from my self and give it to the poor. What am I the better now for all my joy and pleasure? And what is he worse now for all his pain and hunger? If having all my pleasure at the last I had be saved, My former pleasures had be vain, none does them there regard. And if in cruel torments all my life I had lain, Yet in respect they all are joys to this eternal pain. Damnation, Damnation is coming, woe to us therefore, Alas, alas, that we had this foreseen before.