LUST

What the Devil ailed me to sing thus, I cry you mercy by my faith for entering, Most Like I have ridden on the flying Pegasus, Or in Cock Lorrels barge I have be a venturing, Sing why I would sing if it were to do again. With Orpheus and Amphion I went to school, What, lads must be lively attending on the train Of lady Delectation, which is no small fool. Heigh rouse fill all the pots in the house, Tush man, in good fellowship let us be merry, Look up Like a man or it is not worth a louse. Heigh how troly low, heigh dery dery, Would pleasant youth and lusty Ivuentus, In faith it is good to be merry this may, For of men living here, there is no point endentus. Therefore a little mirth is worth much sorrow some say. But remember you not the wise men sentence, Enter Just It is better in the house of mourning to be The ̄ in the house of laughter where folly hath reside ̄ ce, For lightness with wisdom can not agree Though many have pleasure in foolish fantasy. Ensuing their inclination and Lust, Yet much better is the life of one that is just. Sir, in this you seem against me to inuaye, Marry you shall have a night cap for making y e reason, Friend have you not a piece of stockefishe to fell, I would you had a dish of buttered peason, By my faith your communication likes me well, But I beseech you tell me is not your name Just: And my name thou shalt understand is lust, And according thereto I am lusty in deed, But I think thou haste drunk of Morpheus seed, Thou goest Like a Dromeldory dreaming & drousy, I hold twenty pound the knave is lousy. It is a shameful thing as Cicero does say That a man his own acts should praise & continued ̄ mend, Hypocrites accustom thee Like day by day Checking other men, when they do offend. Wounds and hearts who can abide this, Nay you vile villain I will dress you therefore, your lasy bones I pretend so to bliss, That you shall have small Lust to prate any more. Nay soft, with thee I have not made and end. When thou wilt by his flesh: I shall hold the wag Thou shalt find me as mighty as Sampson y e stro ̄ g Wounds and flesh, I was almost down on my back, But yet I will wrestle till my bones crack. yet do what thou canst I will not lie here, No by his wounds you old doting knave, Cast him and let him arise again thinkest thou that lust will be made a slave, I shall meet you in Smithfield or else other where, By his flesh and blood, I will thee not forbear. Well goodman Just, it is no matter, But in faith I pretend not with thee to flatter, Go out, he must driven him out. Though from thy company depart I must, I shall live in as much welthynes I trust. Where is now that valiant Hercules, For all his brags he is now run away: Cocks precious soul, let us conquer the knave, Why man our acquaintance hath be of old, I am yours at commandment therefore be bold, For Lust can do nothing without Inclination, Chiefly in matters concerning a pleasant vocation. You have harden of the combat between me & Just. What say you. Of mine honesty my company he utterly refused, And in wrestling with me he gave me the foil, Saying: that I had my self and other abused. Leading men in perplexity & marvelous toil. All men Just: no, I remember the sentence of Tully That no man is Just, that fears death poverty or pain, which I do fear all & that marvelously, For fortune is variable I do perceive plain, And notwithstanding that Flix possessed great gain, yet when Paul preached of the judgement day, He trembled for fear and bade him go away. Nay not often, but sometime I do them find, But then to the intent to drive them away, I either go to sleep, or else to some play. Well then call them in. Yes that they have be both of them I trust, welcome sirs in faith welcome unto me. Well sirs, now I remember Aesops advise which he gave to the Samies against king Crassus, Therefore it is good to be witty and wise, And being in liberty to keep me still thus: I can not abide a life that is dolorous, And sing that my name is properly Lust, I hate the conversation also of the Just. Out alas, what a sudden passion is this, I am so taken that I can not stand, The cramp, the cramp, hath touched me ywis, I shall die without remedy now out of hand. Marry sirs, but your counsels hath set me on fire. Heigh lusty lad, how Fresh am I now, Lead me Inclination to have my desire, And then at thy request I will ever bend & bow. yea, but shall not this company go thither. Cocks precious wounds, here hath be villainy Lo now thou art unbridled, be of good cheer By lady I am glad I have got thus clear, But hark ̄ you master Lust, if I may do you pleasure Whisper, She is called Treasure. Oh my heart is on fire till she come in place. But think you that this minion long endure shall. What be they, have you their names in store, Sith that the apple of Paris before me is cast, And that I may deliver the same where I will, I would Prometheus were here to help me hold fast That I might have a before wit with me ever still, Pallas I consider in science hath skill, But Juno and Venus, good will do I bear, Therefore to give the Appull I know not where. Which way should I work of her to have a sighed. They are at the house of carnal Cogitation. Ah Amorous Lady of beautiful face, Thou art heartily welcome into this place, My heart is inclined to thee lady Treasure, My love is insatiate, it keepeth no measure. Wherefore I pray thee tell, Not well, who can a better life crave, Then to possess such a lady as I have: Is there any wealth not contained in treasure, Ah lady, I love thee in faith out of measure, How say you, is not this and eloquent lad? You told me of a brother you had lady Treasure. Truly of him I would feign have a sighed, For because y to in pleasure. I have marvelous delight. What sayest thou? Gentlema ̄ (I pray you) is your name master Pleasure And are you consented to accompany me. Oh madame, in you is all my delight, And in your brother Pleasure, both day and night, The trial of treasure this is in deed, I perceive that she is a true friend at need. For I have proved her according as Thales does say And I perceive that her beauty can not decay. What dost thou say, My love to them both can not be expressed, And especially my Lady you I love best. My Lady is amorous and full of favour. What sayest thou? Ah trust treasure, ah pleasant pleasure, All wealth I possess now without measure, And sing that the same shall firmly remain, To help me sing a song, will you take the pain. Oh cocks heart, what a pestilence is this, Depart from me I say, hence gods Visitation, Help, help, lady treasure thou gods of bliss, At thy hands let me have some consolation. Gogs wounds these pangs increase ever more. Remain with me still master pleasure I say. By the flesh of Goliah, yet Treasure is my trust, Though pleasure be gone, and I live in pain, I doubt not but Treasure will fetch him again. Against this Visitation my heart does rebel, Gogs wounds, shall I still in these pangs remain. Lust from the beginning frequented hath be And shall I now turn to nothing for thee. Gogs wounds, let Treasure remain still with me, He must needs go that is driven by the Devils drift, A cocks precious sides, what fortune is this, Whither go I now, to misery or bliss.