BERNARD

Now we have passed our more retired hours To holy uses as our vows compel; In zealous and Religious exercises, In Visitation of the weak and sick, To strengthen those that stagger with our prayers, And ghostly counsel; now night calls us home Unto our Cloister, there to spend the rest Of our late hours in thoughts contemplative, And sacred Meditations. Mercy Heaven how swift time runs? Thou sayest true, how shall we spend the night then? Knock good Friar John, and beg us a nights lodging. But Devotion should always wake; Where's the good man your Husband? It's no vain pleasure, Or evil purpose that hath kept us out, But Christian zeal to visit and confirm Them, for his sake to whom our lives are vowed; Grant us relief and harbour. My good Dame, You see me aged, and far spent in years, Decrepit, and unfit for dalliance, And should my youthful Novice strive to exceed His Lawful bounds, I am near to counsel him, But he was never guilty of such thoughts. Then grant us the least shelter, any place, By or remote, to keep us from the cold; Stable, or Bairn, if you be so provided, Or any out Room where's but hay, or straw To wrap us in till Morning. Grant us this, and you shall have the assistance of our prayers In all our Trentals, Masses, Dirges, Orisons, Your soul shall be remembered; but if we Should by your rude remorceless cruelty Miscarry in our persons, in this raw And so bleak cold; the price of our two lives Must be of you exacted. Gentle Dame, for reverence of my years and gravity, And for my Covents Order; for my Name And my profession, grant Friar Bernard this Harbour from Frost and Snow. Now Heavens Benison fallen on thy head, that two Religious men art so obsequious; gentle Novice, be Civil and much observant, it's a courtesy We scarce can find else where. All necessities are ever to be pardoned, once, Like Horses, Let's lodge in our own Litter; I commend The woman's modesty, that is so curious, Her Husband being from home, to avoid scandal, And men's base imputations. We entertain it gladly, And thank you my good Dame, I am for sleep, That's this my nights ambition. Excess, my Host, can purchase no excuse, But modest mirth, transgressing not his true And lawful bounds, is good and commendable; Now give us leave to bid you welcome home. By Art, can that be done? O profane, and fearful! Art Magic! didst thou ever study that? It is against our Order. What does my Novice mean? Not possible in Art. How comes this? It's above wonder. Tell me, Friar John ? This to me appears beyond imagination, Nay, gentle Hostess fit. But how came this? Rather good morrow. Give me but leave to take my second eyes, I will resolve you presently. Horrible; what tremor this begets? So this Indenture speaks. In these conditions, I Like a cunning Lawyer find a Clause to cheat the Devil, and to save a soul; Be'st thou the greatest fell with Lucifer, Nay he himself, I now am armed for thee: what claimest Thou of this man? Which is not forfeit. By help of Heaven I shall: this deed thus runs; When all his Creditors are satisfied, His Bonds discharged and canceled, debts full paid, His Mortgages called in, his words redeemed, This Bound is then in virtue; not till then. Yes, but against the Devil. What were the sums for which he stood engaged? Both are quit, As thou thy self shalt to thy grief confess; For I will prove him more indebted now Than ever he was before. To thee, Whom till he have discharged the utmost penny, The Bond's of no effect. I am informed to full; if this be true, Devil, the art honest, and shalt have thy endue: Associate me Friar John.