MARY

I beshrew his heart naughty foolish knave, The most bungarliest tailors in this country, That be in the world I think, so God me save, Not a garment can they make for my degree. Have you ever seen and ouerbody thus fit? Now a mischief on his drunken knaves ear The knaves drink till they have lost their wit, And then they mar utterly a bodies gear. I had liefer than .xx. shillings by this light That I had him here now in my fume and heat. What, I am ashamed to come in any men sighed, Think you in the waste I am so great? Nay by Jesu twenty shillings I dare hold, That there is not a gentlewoman in this land, More proper than I in the waste I dare be bold, They be my garments that so bungarly do stand. Beshrew his heart once again with all my heart, Is this gear no better than to cast away? Let him trust to it, I will make him to smart. For marring of my gear he shall surely pay. What have you to do, hold your babbling tonge, Have you any thing to do with the same? Speak you in earnest, or I pray you do you mock Trow you that my garment can not be amended? It were almose to hang such a foolish lout, All they that see me now, will laugh me to scorn, No gentlewoman is ordered in this wise, My maidens on the other side are such sluts, That if I should not for mine own clothes devise, Within a while they would not be worth a couple of nuts I thank you for your good word gentle friend, And forasmuch as you did know my parents, I can no less do than love you with all my mind, Ready to do you pleasure at your continued ̄ mandementes. I perceive right well that you owe me good will, Tendering my worshipful state and dignity: You see that I am young and can little skill To provide for mine own honour and utility. Wherefore I pray you in all things counsel to have, After what sort I may lead a pleasant life here, And look what it pleases you of me to crave, I will give it you gladly, as it shall appear. Certainly my parents brought me up in chyldhod, In virtuous qualities, and godly literature, And also they bestowed upon me much good To have me nourtred in noble ornature. But evermore they were unto me very tender, They would not suffer the wind on me to blow, My requests they would always to me render, Whereby I knew y e good will that to me they did owe. At their departing, their goods they distributed Among us their children, whom they did well love. But me as their darling, they most reputed, And gave me the greatest partly, as it did behoove. By my troth so would I, if I perfectly knew Which way I should good cheer making Begin, A lusty disposition from me does ensue: But without council, I am not worth a pin. Now I pray you help me to that company, And look what I am able to do for your pleasure, You shall have it I promise you verily, Yea, whither it be lands, gold, or treasure. Men of honour say you? tell me I you desire, Can you cause them trow you shortly to be here? I will go and provide some other attire, That according to my birth I may appear. You are a merry man in deed, you are a wanton, I will go and return again by and by, As I am, I would with all my heart be known, So that I might be Pleasant to every men eye. If a kiss were worth a hundred pound of gold, You should have it even with my very heart. Exit. Maid ̄ S (quod she?) there is no ge ̄ tlewoma ̄ I ween So accumbred as I am, for such were never seen: Fie on them in good faith they are to bad, They would make some gentlewoman stark mad. Like as I put of my gear, so I do it find, And I can not tell how oft I have told the ̄ my mind, By the faith of my body if they do not amend, To lay them on the bones surely I do intend. What else? it is and honest manner of greeting. Yea forsooth, are they heartily all and some. I will kiss you all for this gentleman's sake, He is a friend of mine as I do him take. Which I am able to say is very honest. A gentle friend at so little acquaintance, Will you ooke so much unto my furtherance? It seems then if by me you had been benefited, You would have my kindness gently requited. Well friend, I know what you mean by that verse What I will do for you at this time I will not rehearse But in one thing truly I am much to blame, That all this time I have not inquired your name. Prudence, Honour, Utility, and Pleasure, O who would desire in this world more treasure, Gramercy heart of gold for your great pain, Truly of necessity, I must kiss you once again. For a hundred pound I would not say the contrary And in token Prudence that I love you best, Here I join you next unto my heart and breast. You please me exceedingly well verily, Persons you are of great wit and policy. How think you by this manner of countenance? By my troth you are a merry gentleman, I will follow your counsel as much as I can. If there be any faults in my face verily, For money I trust shortly to have remedy. Your words do not only provoke my desire, But in pleasure they set my heart on fire. I promise you I come of a stock right honourable, Therefore my talk of them can not be to continued ̄ mendable. Forsooth sweet heart. I love him beyond all measure. Which of you I should love best truly I can not see. Would, would, would, you are a found body pleasure verily. That will be a mean truly to less my good name. And so among the people I shall suffer blame. Nay truly if I should attempt any such gear, I would take where I loved always here and there. Would, would, would, laugh now I pray God I die if ever I did see, Such pleasant companions as you all be. You speak of many things here of pleasure, Which to use truly requires much treasure. I may use dalliance and pastime a while, But the courage of youth will soon be in exile. I remember yet since I was a little fool, That I learned verses when I went to school, Which be these: Forma bona fragilis est, quantum acce to and anno to minor, & spacio carpitur illam suo, Nec semper viola, nec semper lilia florent, Et riget amissam spinam relictam rosa. Forma bona fragilis est, quantum acce to and anno to minor, & spacio carpitur illam suo, Nec semper viola, nec semper lilia florent, Et riget amissam spinam relictam rosa. The pleasure of youth is a thing right frail, And is yearly less, so that at length it does fail, The sweet violets and lilies flourish not always: The rose soon drieth, and lasteth not a day. I see in other women by very experience, That the time of youth hath no long permanence. Yes by the faith of my body, else I were not wise, For my profit is your counsel and devise. Truly heart rote I love you all .iiii. with all my heart, Trusting that none of us from other shall depart. In token whereof, I embrace you in mine arms, Trusting that you will defend me from all harms. Yes sweet heart that I can, and also on the regals, There is no instrument but that handle I can, I think as well as any gentlewoman. Look what you will do, I will thereto assent. Yea sweet heart with you with all my heart. In faith we will have a song of your name. Such pleasant continued ̄ panions I have not seen before, Now I pray you let us dwell together evermore. Fare you well my hearts joy, pleasure, and bliss. It is good manner at our departing to kiss. Exeunt All three: I say as you say in deed they are minions, And such persons as long time I have desired, I thank you, that for me you have them inquired. I am not oblivious I warrant you my friend, For I have printed all their words in my mind, I have determined by them to direct my life, So that no man shall be able to set us at strife. Alas why do they such great cost on me bestow? Gentle Prudence if you have any thing to say, Break your mind boldly to me as you go by y e way. Go wanton, get you forth with sorrow, We shall be at Jerusalem I think to morrow. Exeunt. Good lord, who is this that yonder does come? What mean the tables that be in his hand? Oh Prudence, hear you not what the law does say, Exceedingly it pricks my conscience. I may cry out alas now and wellaway, For I am damned by Gods own sentence. Oh friend Prudence, do you see yonder glass? I will tell what therein I do see: I can not speak for sorrow, now out alas, All men for sin by Gods sentence damned be. The spirit of God speaks by king Salomon, That no man on earth liveth without sin. David says there is none good, no not one, No not a child that this day does his life Begin. Now sin I see requires eternal damnation, If a child be damned that is but a day old, Alas, where then shall be my habitation? Which hath done more sins than can be told. The Law. Yea woman, God does not only prohibit the deed, But he forbiddeth the lust and concupiscence, Therefore thy heart hath great occasion to bled, For many lusts and deeds hath defiled thy continued ̄ science. Now woe be to the time that ever I was born, I see that I am but a damned devil in hell, I know that there with devils I shall be torn, And punished with more pains than my tonge can tell Oh blessed Law show me some remedy, The Prophet calls thee immaculate and pure, Thou of thy self in many places dost testify, That the keepers of thee are always safe and sure. He that observeth all things written in me, the Law Shall live in them, as Moses does express: But never man yet in this world I did see, Which did not the contents in me transgress. It is beyond all men possibility, To observe any commandment in me required, Thereby appears his weakness and fragility, Happened through sin, that against God he continued ̄ spired. The power of the law is men sin to declare, Know ledge of sin. And to show his damnation for the same, But to give salvation for the souls welfare, The law does no such promise any time proclaim. Oh this knowledge of sin is so in my sight, That if I should die truly I can not be merry. I ever believed yet unto this day, That God was able of nothing all things to make, And as well I believe also that he may, Forgive, and mercy upon sinners take, But sing that he hath made a determination, By a law that none shall be saved good or bad, Then he that would look for any salvation, Truly I take him ten times for worse than mad. Oh master Prudence, my heart is soar vexed, The knowledge of sin is before me always: In my conscience I am so grievously perplexed, That I wot not what to do truly nor say. Oh here is the Messias, of whom we have harden, What say you Prudence is not this same he? The law hath set my sins before my sight, That I can not be merry, but am in despair: I know that God is a Judge, equal and right, And that his law is true, pure, clean and fair, By this law am I condemned already to hell. The words he hath spoken must be fulfilled: Of mirth and joy it is but folly to tell, For I perceive that both body and soul be spilled. Blessed be thy name Oh father celestial, Honour and glory be given to thee world without end, Oh Lord, dost thou regard thus a woma ̄ terrestrial? To thee what tonge is able worthy thanks to repend? Oh what a sinful wretch Lord have I be? Have mercy on me Lord, for thy names sake, So grievous a sinner before this day was never seen Vouchsafe therefore compassion on me to take. I believe in one God, Lord and heavenly king, And in thee his only son with hearty intent. Good Lord I confess that thou art omnipotent, Help my slender belief and infirmity: My faith Lord is wavering and insufficient, Stre ̄ gth it I pray the with the power of thy majesty. No man can come to me, that is, in me believe, Christ Faith: repe ̄ ta ̄ ce entereth. Except my father draw him by his spirit. Behold Faith and Repentance to thee here I give, With all other virtues to thy health requisite. Note well the power of Gods omnipotency: Oh Lord without thy grace I do here confess, That I am able to do nothing at all, Where it pleases thee my misery to redress, Strength me now that hence forth I do not fallen. Grant me Lord such a perfect repentance, And that I look no more back, but go forward still, Put my misery evermore into my remembrance, That I may forthink my life that hath been so ill. My heart does believe, and my mouth does publish. That my lord Jesus is the son of God eternal. I believe that my soul shall never perish, But reign with him in his kingdom supernal. Honour, praise, and glory to the father eternal, Thanks to the son, very God and very man, Blessed be the holy ghost, with them both coequal, One God, which hath saved me this day from Satan ̄ Exeunt. The mercy of God is above all his works truly, What is it that God is not able to bring to pass? I thank thee Lord Jesu for thy great mercy, Thou art the son of the living God, our Messias. Oh joyful tidings, Oh message most comfortable, Let no sinner be he never in so great despair. Though he were sinful and abominable, Let him come, and he will make him fair. Blessed be the Lord of such compassion and pity, Praise we his name with glory and honour, I shall declare his mercy in town and city. Thanks be to thee my Lord now and evermore. Oh how much am I unto Jesus Christ bound, In whom so great mercy & goodness I have found? Not only my sinful life he hath renewed. But also with many graces he hath me endued, I am nam love, from true faith proceeding, Where I am, there is no virtue nedyng, Love coming of a conscience immaculate, And of a faith not feigned nor simulate, Is the end of the law as Scripture does say, And unto eternal felicity the very path way: This love grounded in Faith, as it is said, Hath caused many evils in men to be laid. For where as the love of God in any is perfect, There in all good works is his whole delight. This true love with Marry was present verily, When to Christ she showed that obsequy, But this love did proceed from believe, When Christ of his mercy did his sins forgive, Love deserved not forgiveness of sins in deed, But as a fruit thereof truly it did succeed. Now God grant that we may go the same way, That with joy we may rise at the last day, To the salvation of soul and body evermore, Through Christ our Lord, to whom be all honour. You say truth sir in deed, what old acquaintance? Now forsooth you were out of my remembrance: You have changed your array since I was here, I am glad to see you merry and of a good cheer. Alas we have no such instrument here. I know where you may have all such gear. No instruments nor pastime that you can require, But I can bring you unto it at your desire. Whoreson, I beshrowe your heart, are you here? I may do what I will for you. If there be no more comfort in the law than this, I wish that the law had never been made: In God I see is small mercy and Justice, To entangle men, and snarl them in such a trade. Oh Jesu, grant me this true faith and believe, Lord I see in my self as yet imperfection: Vouchsafe to me thy heavenly grace to give, That it may be my governance and direction. I pray you M. Prudence wherefore ask you that? Well wantons well, are you not ashamed? You shall have kisses enough, even when you will. By my faith Prudence you have a false eye A body can never so secretly work, But that their dalliance you will espy, I trow for the nonce you lie in corners and lurk. But sirrah, how say you to him in the flaren beard? That is a knave that whoreson, wot you what he did In my life was I never worse afraid, When I came to bed, I found him there hid. Out alas, quod I, here is some ill spirit, A sweet savour of musk and civet I smelled, Come and lie with me Marry quod he, this night, Then I knew who it was, when his beard I felt.,