INCLINATION

Cocks soul: what bragging knaves have we here, Come you to convince the mightiest conqueror, It was I that before you now does appear, Which brought to confusion both Hector & Alexander: Look on this leg you prating slaves, I remember since it was no greater then a tree, At that time I had a cupple of knaves Much Like unto you that weighted on me. Be Good in thine office gentle friend Sturnines, For though thou and I do seem to contend, yet we are, and must be friends till the end. Nay you must take all things in good part, Who stands yender captain Lust? No remedy then to him go I must, you have forgotten I dare say your old friend Inclinatio ̄ But let us renew acquaintau ̄ ce again for cocks passio ̄ you marry, I harden say that you say in the dust. Neither one word nor other you may me trust. Does such passion often trouble your mind? Now welcome in faith, and Greedy gut also, But sirs are none of you both acquainted with Lust. Lower old knave or isle make you to bow, The great bellied lout me think can not bend, yes so lo, he begins now to amend. Stand back Nycoll nody with the pudding prick, More brains in thy skin then wit in thy brain, Such Greedy guts in faith would be flain, This cramp does signify nothing in effect But how he is bowed by me Inclination, None of all your counsels he will now reject, And therefore fear not to make full declaration. yes marry we four will all go together, But Sturdiness shall tarry to face out the matter, If Just peradventure against you should clatter. I shall not have done this half hour and more, yet I will now I remember, come in Lust That I go before is but needful and joust, Go out all four. you shall be now led by me Inclination to reason and talk with Carnal cogitation. By the body of me, I hold best that I walk, Or else learn to speak language another while, And so I may happen the knaves to beguile. God man hoball speak you in earnest: What dost thou say, shall the Just bridle me, No, no, brother snappes, do the worst and thy best, I will not be bridled of him nor of thee. Yet again bridle, it does not prevail, I will not be bridled of the best of you both, See you this gere heres one will make you to quail, Stand back, to kill you master joust I would be loath you have be so burned and fried of late, That it were pity to hurt you any more, Back I say, or my dagger shall about your pate, By the mass but I will sir, isle make your bones soar. Marry the devil go with you and his Don dame, Such horse masters will make a colt quickly tame, I would he were hanged that this snaffell did make, It makes my chaps so shamefully to ache you have no pity on me you I see by your laughing, I care not greatly if I fallen to gambolling, We he, he, he, he, he, come aloft I say, Beware the horse heles I avise you, stand away, The rain of my bridle is tied so short, That I can not make you any more sport, But though I be bridled now of the Just, I doubt not but I shall be unbridled by Lust, And let not Just think but I will rebel, Although he bridle me ten times all well, Though nature says one dome with a croche, It will not lie long but incontinent approach, Even so, though that I be bridled a while, The Colt will at length the Curser beguile, You, you they have used me with to much villainy, That old knave Sapience so counseled Just, But let me be unbridled good master Lust. Oh master Lust, she hath and amiable face, A tricker a trimmer, in faith that she is, The gods of wealth, prosperity and bliss. For ever and ever man, she is immortal: There be many other, but she exceadeth them all. Yea hark in your ear. whisper, & many other more As trusty as is a quick ele by the tail, What Lady Treasure welcome without fail, To be better acquainted with you once I trust, But I dare not in the presence of my master Lust, you are welcome sir heartily, what be of good courage: Drawer, let us have a pynte of white wine & borage. Would, would, now in deed I can you not blame, For women of all degrees are glad of the same, They that flatter and speak them fair, Shall be their sons, and peradventure their air. Then honesty and profit you may bid good night Master pleasure I perceive you be of good cheer. Yea sir, and lady Treasure your sister also. Marry now you are well in deed master Lust, This is better I trow then the life of the Just, They be compelled to possess contentation, Having no treasure but trust of salvation, But my lady your mistress, my mistress I would say, She works you may see to keep you from decay. Love, yes they love you in deed without doubt, Which shutteth some of the ̄ Gods kingdom without: They love you so well that their God they do hate, As time hath declared to us even of late, But he that on such things his study does cast, Shall be sure to be deceived at the last. I may say to you she hath and ilfauoured savour. I say she is loving and of gentle behaviour. And my little finger is spitefully soar, you will not believe how my he'll does ache, The property of rich men undoubtedly he hath, Which think with money to pacify Gods wrath, And health at their pleasure to buy and to fell, How is it master Lust, are you any thing well. Yea, yea, master Lust, be as merry as you may, Let Treasure be your trust who so ever say nay. What soft I say, me think you go a shameful pace, Was there ever poor colt thus handled before, Fie upon it, my legs be onreasonablye soar, Well yet I will rebel, yea, and rebel again, And though a thousand times, y u shouldst me restrain. Nay I dare not I if thou lookest so big, What should such a Boar fight with a pig. Put up thy sword man we will agree, So lo: do so much as bear that for me. Well master Lust, first join you to me Inclinatio ̄ Next here with Sturdiness you must you acquaint Turn you about and embrace Elation, And that wealth may increase without any restraint Join you with Greedy gut here in our presence, That all these in you may have prosperous influence. I can not tarry at this time the truth is so. Cocks soul, now the snaff e cutteth my lip, I would this suberly knave had the pip, I shall leap no hedges while this bridle is on, Out alas, I think it will fret me to the bone. Whither I would wish that we might depart. I will lead you thither with all my heart. So happy is the state of those That walk upright and just, That thou Lord dost thy face disclose By perfect hope and trust. Their Inclination thou dost stay, And sendest them Sapience, That they should serve and eke obey, Thy high magnificence. Thou sendest contentation, That we in thee may rest, Therefore all adoration, To thee pertaineth best. We, he, he, he, he, beware the horse heles I say, I would the rain beware loose that I might run away. In deed Lust may be taken for a thing indifferent Except Inclination be joined thereunto But when that I once have reaueled my intent, As I will men to work so commonly they do, I perceive Sturdiness thou art no fool, Tell me of fellowship where wentest thou to school, Nay to swear and fight. For I think thou canst neither write, read, nor spell, But in swearing and fighting thou dost excel. Here they come each of them in a knaves skin. With Lust to live is our delight, In high estate and dignity, Sing that the Just put us to flight, Let them alone in misery. Well said Greedy gut, as wise as a daw, Theres a vengeable mouth to, He that bendeth to follow his own inclination, Must needs live a wicked and vile conversation, But go master Lust, I will lead you to a place Where you shall have pleasure enough in short space. I must tune my pipes first of all with drinking. yes I will sing the trouble with all my heart. Lust shall be led by inclination To carnal cogitation, Where Lust is led wholly by me, He must fallen to Cupidity, For carnal cares shall him assail, And speedily they shall prevail. I Sturdiness will face it out, In his cause, sturdy stiff and stout, Then Greedy gut shall make him eat, Both house & lands, Like bred & meat. Elation shall puff him High For to aspier above the sky, Then natural and lordly Lust, Shall with his pour despise the Just. Non point parla fransois, nonne par ma foy. Ick en can ghene english spreken vorwaer, Body of me let me go, or else I shall piss, Iwis master Just, you have loved me or this, Therefore now be ruled after my council, And godly things for your commodity I shall you tell In faith good man Just, isle hold you wagging, Nay brother, you shall find me a cursed colt to bridle, Nay in faith, better yet I will make thee to struggle. Oh yes, Oh yes, I will make a proclamation. Where is he now I pray thee tell me. Am I a Colt, nay thou liest like a knave, Somewhat for thy labour now shalt thou have. I am bridled I even as thou dost see, Therefore desire him to come and help me, But what is the matter that he for me sent. I had rather then .xl. pence that he beware come, If I be bridled long I shall be undone, So sharp is this snaffell called restraint, That it makes me sweat I am so faint: Hark, I hear the voice of my master Lust, Now I shall be unbridled shortly I trust. Be conciled by me and give it lady Treasure, It shall be for your continued ̄ moditie in y e end without measure For having the company of this minion lass, you shall never want the society of Pallas, Juno, nor yet the armipotent Mars, Can not resist your strength be they never so fierce And as for Venus, you shall have at pleasure, For she is bought and sold always with Treasure, She of her power hath whole countries conquered The most noble cham ̄ pions by her hath been murdered Acon for her sake was stoned to death, Tush, innumerable at this day spend their breath, Fume hang or be hanged, they love her so well, She is the great goddess, it is true that I tell. I Inclination will lead you thither right, But we must have Greedy gut and also Elation. Lust (quod he) now in faith he is lusty, Lady Treasure and he hath made a match, He thinketh that I wax marvelous trusty, Because I teach him to claw and to catch, And now a days amity does therein consist, He that can flatter shall be well beloved, But he that sayeth, thus and thus sayeth Christ, Shall as and enemy be openly reproved. Friendship, yea, friendship continued ̄ sisteth now in adulatio ̄ , Speak fair and please the lust of thy Lord, I warrant thee be had in great estimation, When those that tell truth, shall be abhorred, A unhappy linguam, whither wilt thou ren, Take heed I advise thee, least thou be shent, If you chance to tell any tales of these gentlewomen, With flesh hokes and nails, you are Like to be rend, Nay for the passion of me, be not so moved, And I will please you incontinent again, Above all treasures you are worthy to be loved, Because you do no men deride nor disdain, You do not contempt the simple and poor, you be not his minded, proud and presumptuous, Neither wanton nor wily you be never more, But gentle, loving, modesty, and virtuous, Behold how a lie can please some folks diet, Oh pacify their minds marvelous well, All whyste I warrant you, so they in quiet, How to please you hereafter now I can tell, Hark, I hear Lust and my lady Treasure. They are given to solace singing and pleasure. It is out of measure in deed as you say, And even so most men love her at this day: O she is a Minion of amorous hew, Her peer in my days yet I never knew, (Old quod you) I am and old knave I tell you, Nay, never laugh at y e matter, for doubtless I smel you She passes Juno, Ceres, and Pallas, More beautiful then ever dame Venus was Othea in sapience she does exceed, And Diana in dignity, of whom we do read. What should fair Helene once nam be, She excels all these master Lust believe me. I say he will shortly appear in sighed, I know by his singing, the same is he, The misbegotten orpheus, I think that he be. Oh happy eaies, and pleasant plays, Wherein I do delight a I do pretend, till my lives end To live still in such plight a You are both as constant as snow in the sun. Which from snow to water through melting does run But worldly wise men can not conceive that To honte for such mouse they learn of the cat. To it, and I will either help or stand still. Am not I in blissed case Treasure and pleasure to possess, I would not wish no better place, If I may still have wealthiness, And to enjoy in perfect peace, My lady lady. My pleasant pleasure shall increase My deer lady. Helene may not compared be, Nor Creseda that was so bright, These can not stain the shine of thee Nor yet Minerva of great might, Thou passest Venus far away, Lady lady, Love thee I will both night and day My dear lady. My mouse my nobs and cony sweet My hope and joy my whole delight, Dame nature may fallen at thy feet, And may yield to thee her crown of right I will thy body now embrace, Lady, lady And kiss thy sweet and pleasant face, My dear lady. Will you be packing you ilfauoured lout. By saint Marry, then they have made a wise match, I pretend therefore to leap over the hatch, Nay let me depart, sirs stop me not I say, For I must remain though both these decay. Byr lady, I would I had such a gay crown. Well master Lust, such dumps to eschew My advise and request you must needs ensue, That is to become disciple to doctor Epicurus, And then you shall have mirth by measure & overplus Tush, I know a cupple companions in store That beware marvelous meet for you evermore. I wish you unto them. This cow bellied knave does come from the cart, I'm teach you to speak I hold you a pound, Curchy Lob curchy, down to the ground. Who ever saw such a desperate Dick, Why Greedy gut, dost thou not know Inclinatio ̄ ? Well Greedy gut, I pray thee go and make haste. Marry me think you are not well. Fare well in the devils name old lousy lout, That my master will die I stand in great doubt, Ho, ho, ho, how is it with you master Lust, Of treasure forsooth you must ever hold fast, For if you should chance to loose lady Treasure, Then fare well in post this gentleman Pleasure. Marry sir I am bridled in deed as you say, And shackled I think for running away, This snaffle is sharp indeed for the nonce, And these shakkels do chafe my legs to the bones, And yet will I provoke spurn and prick, Rebel repugn lash out and kick, We he, in the Jades name are you so Fresh, This gere I suppose will pluck down your flesh. Not so obedient as thou thinkest me to have, Nay brother, you shall find me a coltish knave, We he, he, it is good for you to hold fast, For I will kick and winch while thy life does last If you will give me leave then you shall see, Oh yes, is there any man or woman that hath lost, A gambolling gelding with a gray tail, Let him come to the Crier and pay for his cost, And he will tell him tidings without any fail.