HYPOCRISY

God speed you all, that be of Gods belief, The mighty Jehovah protect you from ill: I beseech the living God, that he would give, To each of you present, a hearty good will, With flesh to contend, your lust for to kill: That by the aid of spiritual assistance, You may subdue your carnal concupiscence. God grant you all for his mercies sake, The light of his word to your hearts joy: I humbly beseech him a confusion to make Of erroneous sects, which might you annoy: Earnestly requiring eke one to employ, His whole endeavour Gods word to maintain, And from strange doctrine your hearts to refrain. Grant Lord I pray Thee, such preachers to been, In thy congregation, thy people to learn: As may for Conscience sake, and of mere sincerity, Being able betwixt Corn and Cockle to discern. Apply their study to replenish the Berne. That is thy Church, by their doctrines increase, And make many heirs of thine eternal peace. Amen Amen. But soft let Me see, who does Me aspect, First sluggish Saturn of nature so cold: Being placed in Tauro, my beams do reject, And Luna in C ncro in sextile he behold: I will the effect hereafter vnfoulde. Now Jupiter the gentle of temperature mean, Poor Mercury the turn to, he fors ke clean. Now murdering Mars retrogarde in Libra, With amiable tryne, apply to my beam, And splendant Solemnizing the ruler of the day: After his Eclipse to Jupiter will lean, The Goddess of pleasure, Dame Venus I mean, To me her poor servant seem friendly to be, So also does Luna otherwise called Phoebe. But now I speak mischeuously, I would say, in a mystery Wherefore to interpret it, I hold it best done, For here be a good sort I believe in this company: That know not my meaning, as this man for one, What? blush not at it, you are not alone: Here is and other that know not my mind, Nor he in my words, great savour can find. The Planet Mercurius, is neither hot nor cold, Neither good nor yet very bade of his own nature, But does altar his qualytie, with them which do hold: Any friendly aspect to him, even so I assure: We Mercurialists I mean Hypocrites cannot long endure In one condition, but do altar our mind, To theirs that talk with us, thereby friendship to find. The little Camelyon by Nature can change Her self, to that colour, the which she behold: Why should it then to any seem strange? That we worser thus altar, why are we controulde? Sith only the rule of nature we hold: We seek to please all men, yet most do us hate, And we are rewarded for friendship debate. Saturnus is envious, how then can he leave? Adulation or Hypocrisy to him most contrary, The Iouists being good worser look high above: And do not regard the rest of the company: Now Mars being retrogard, foretelleth misery: To tyrannical practice, to happen eftsoon, As shall be apparent before all be done. Which Tyranny with flattery is easily pacified, Whereas Tom tell troth shall feel of his Sword, So that with such men is fully verified, That old said saw, and common by word: Obsequium amicos, by flatteries friends are prepared: But veritas ôdium parit, as commonly is seen, For speaking the truth, many hated have been. By Solemnizing understand, Popish principalytie, With whom full highly I am entertained, But being eclipsed shall show forth his qualytie: Then shall Hypocrisy be utterly disdained: Whose wretched exile though greatly complained: And wept for of many, shall be without hope, That in such pomp shall ever be Pope. By Venus the riotus, by Luna the variable, Betwixt whom and Mercury no variance can fallen, For they which in words be most unstable: Would be thought faithful, and the riotous liberal: So that Hypocrisy their doings cloak shall: But whist not a word, for yonder come some, step aside. While I know what they are, I will be dumb. WOULD, would, would, marry now the Game begin, Hypocrisy throughout this Realwe is had in admiration, And by my means, both Avarice and Tirranny crept in, Who in short space, will make men ton the way to desolation, What did I say? my tongue did tryp, I should say, consol ation. For now (forsooth) the Clergy must into my bosom creep, Or else, they know not, by what means, them selves alive to keep. On the other side, the Laiety, be they either rich or poor, If rich then Avarice strangle them, because they will lose The worldly wealth or else we have one subtle practice more, That is, that sensual Suggestion, their outward man shall pose, Who can full finely in eke cause, his mind to them disclose, But if that neither of these twain, can to my train them wind, Then, at his Cue (to play his part, does Tyranny Begin. As for the poor knaves, such a one as this is, We do not esteem him, but make short ado, If he, will not come on, we do him not miss, But to the Pot, he is sure to go: Tirranny deals with him and no more. But I marvel, what does him from hence so long stay? Sooner nam, sooner cum ̄ me, as continued ̄ mon Proverbs say. Sep aside. Such chopping cheer, as we have made, the Like hath not been seen And who so pleasant with my Lord, as is Philologus, His recantation, he hath made, and is dispatched clean, Of all the griefs which unto him, did seem so dangerous: Which thing you know, was brought to pass especially by us, So that Hypocrisy hath done that, which Satan did intend, That men or worldly wealth, should cease the Gospel to defend: What shall become of foolish Goose, I mean Philologus: In actual manner to your eyes, shall represented been: For though as now, he seems to be, in state most glorious, He shall not long continue so, eke one of you shall see. But needs I must be packing hence, my fellows stay for Me, Shake hands before we do depart, you shall see Me no more: And though Hypocrisy go away, of hypocrites here is good store. Oh wicked Tyranny, thou of the Devil, Too ioyfyll tidings to thee have I brought, For now thou are , to pra e all evil: Thou art nothing so ready to do any good, As thou art to she poor ents blood. Well may the Covetous be likened to a dro , Which of the Bees labours will sp e and ast make And yet to get honey, no labour will ache. The Covetous likewise from poor men e rf, Their gains to increase, they only do seek: And so they may have it of them a great sort: What means they use for , they rare not seek: Yet will these misers scarce once a week: Have one good meal, at their own table. So by Avarice, to help them selves they are unable. Avarice to a Fire may well compared ée, To the which the more you add, he more still it cra e So likewise the Covetous mind the do see: Though riches abound, do with h still more to have And to be short, your re erences to save: To a filthy Swine, such misers are comparable, Which while they be dead are nothing profy able. I am content for Gods cause, this cross for to bear. Your scoffing and mocking God seeth eke deal: Nay, hold thy hand Cadby, thou hast killed Me enough What never the sooner for a merry word? I meant not good earnest, to your maship I vow: I did but jest, and spoke but in board: Therefore of friendship, put up again thy sword: What? I pray Thee Tyranny know First who I am, You purblinded fools, do your lips blind your eyes? Why, I was in place long before you came: But you could not see the wood for the trees: But in faith father Avarice I will pay you your fees: For the great goodwill which you to me bear, HYP. figh teth. And in time will requite it again do not fear. For neither of you both, a pin do I care: Go shake your ears both, Like slaves as you be, And look not in your need to be helped of me. But that I am weary, I would both your tongue's charm See how to my face they do Me deride, I will not therefore in your companies abide. With Thee I am at one, but of that Merchant to, I look for some amends, or else I will away: Nimiam familiaritas parit contemptum, The old proverb by Me is verified, By too much famyliaritie contemned be some: Even so at this present to Me it betide: For of long time Hypocrisy hath ruled as guide: While now of later days, through Heretics resistance I retained Tyranny to yield Me assistance. But through over much lenytie, he thinks himself check mate With Me his good patron, Master Hypocrisy. Was Judas Christ's master, because he ba the purs Nay rather of all, he was least regarded, Have not men of honour, Stewards to disburse: All such sums of money, wherewith they be charged: Yet above their master their honour is not enlarged: Even so, thee Avarice, my Steward I account, To pay that whereto my charges amount. And to thee Tirranny, this one word I object, Whither was Joab or David the King? When Joab was glad his ease to reject: The Ammonyts in Rabah, to confusion to bring: When David with Bethseba at home was sleeping: Was not Joab his servant, in warfare to fight, And so art thou mine, mine enemies to quite. That were sharp reasoning indeed, with a mischief: I agree, what say you? shall he be one? Tyrant. I judge him needful in our company to be: HYP frien ship for Gam And therefore, for my partly, he is welcome to me. Let us now speedily on our business attend, And labour eke one to bring it about. That is already by Me brought to end: So that of your preferment you need not to doubt: And my coming hither was to find you out: That at my elbow you might be in readiness, To help if need were in this weighty business. To tell you the Story it were but to tedious, How the Pope and I together have devised, Firstly to inveigle the people religious: For greediness of gain, who will be So e prezed: And for fear least héereaster they should be despised: Of their own free will, will maintain Hypocrisy So that Avarice alone, shall conquer the Clergy. Now of the chiefest of his carnal Cardinals, He does appoint certain, and give them authority, To ride abroad in their pontificials: To see if with Avarice, they may win the Laiety: If not, then to threaten them with open Tyranny: Whereby doubt not but many will forsake, The truth of the Gospel, and our parties take. The Legates are ready to ride I am sure: Wherefore we had need to make no small delay, They stay for my coming alone, I dare say, Howbeit the Laiety would greatly mislike, If they should know all our purpose and intent, Yea and perhaps some means they would seek: Our forsaide business in time to prevent: Herein your counsel is not much unwise, Save that in one thing, we had need to beware, Least you be known, we will you disguise, And some graven Apparel for you will prepare, But your name Tyranny, I fear all will mar: Let me alone, and I will invent, A name to your nature, which shall be convenient: Zeal shall your name be, how like you by that? And therefore, in office, you must deal zealously: Lo, here is a Garment, come dress you handsomely: I marry (quoth he) I like this very well: Now, to the Devils Grace, you may seem to give cou ̄ fell Now must I apply all my Invention, That I may device Avarice to hide: Thy name shall be called Careful provision And every man for his Ho hold may lawfully provide, Thus shalt thou go cloaked, and never be spied: Nay, yet in sign of a merry heart, Let us sing before we go away. If you say so, let it even alone. When I lie a dying I will you messengers make, You ply you so fast you are too to diligent, Hoop how, Master Zeal whither are the bent? That is no marvel it is not for nought, For I am but little and you two are blind, Neither have you eyes to see with behind, Yet may the learned note herein a mystery, That neither Tyrant, nor Avar. can find out Hypôcrisie. But what earnest business have you in charge, That with so great speed must presently be finished. What is the tenure I pray you let me know. Peace, yonder coms one (me think) it is a Priest, By his gown cap and tippet, made of a list. I will go and salowt him, good morrow sir John, Do you Master Parson in this Parish sing? How can you without it your office discharge? Tush that will nodisie them all well enough, As well a dead Image as a dumb Idol I make God avow, I allow his Iudgemnet before Ambrose & Austin, And for Hypocrisy, a more convenient Chapleyn, Away sirs in your business in a corner do not lu ke, That my Lord Legate when he coms may have work. Farewell, three false knaves, as between this and London. Rowm for my Lords grate: what? no manner reverence, But Cap on head Hodge, and that in a Lords presence. You were best rowd in and play us among. What have you caught but one and no more? In faith father Avarice, you have plied your chaps well. I thank your Lordship for your courteous benevolence, I will be the Noddy, I should say the Notary, To wright before my Lord Legate which is Commissary. At thy return, bring hither Sensual Suggestion. That if need be, he may us assist, Least that both I, and Careful provision, The zeal of Philologus, may not fully resist. But he in his obstinacy does Still persist, To put him to death, would accuse us of Tirranny: But if we could win him, he should do us much honesty. In faith, Philologus, your zeal is too hight, Which will not be quenched, but with your heart blood, If I were so zealous, I would think my self wood. You speak very wisely, in my simple Judgement, Therefore, you were best to send him away. Thou hast no more wit, I see then this stool, Far unfit to dispute, or reason with my Lord, He can subdue Thee, with fire & sword, quite w to one word Well, farewell Philologus, you hear of your lodging, I would yet do you good, if that I wist how. Stay, for Suggestion does come yonder now, Come on lasy Lubber, you make but small haste, Had you stayed awhile lo ̄ her, your continued ̄ ming had been waste. What was that Suggestion, I pray Thee to us utter, For I am with child, till that I do it hear. What is the cause why this grief she did take? Would would, does this touch you, Master Philologus, You need not have had it, being ruled by us. One that is taken, and convinced of Heresy, And I fear me much, will burn at a stake, Yet to reclaim him, much pains would I take, And have done already, howbeit in vain, I would crave thine assistance, were it not to thy pain, I never saw my Lord so patient before, To suff one to speak for himself so quietly, But you were not best to trust to his courtesy: It is evil waking of a Dog that does sleep, While you have his friendship, you were best it to keep. He that will seek eke man to content. Shall prove him self at last most unwise, Your self to save harmless think it sufficient: And weigh not the peoples clamorous outeries, Yet there mouths to stop I can soon devise: Say that the reading of the works of S. Selflove, And doctor Ambition did your errors remove. And hark in mine ear delay no more time, The sooner the better in end you will say, We have now caught him as Bird is in line. Go even when you w ll, we do you not stay, Philologus hath drunk such a draught of Hypocrisy, That he minds not to die yet, he will master this malady. With small suit hereto, you shall Me entreat. With this one word I will vanquish Thee quite: That thou shalt be glad to give Me the field: The end to be preferred all learned men wild: Sith therefore Hypocrisy of Tyranny is end, I must have the preferment, for which I contend. The nature of Hypocrites, herein we rehearse: Which being convinced by the text of Gods word, The end of their sp wting is Fire and Sword. But if you will needs be chief, God speed well y e plough I will be none that shall follow your train, For if I should, I know well enough: That to fly the Country, we all should be feign, Then were my labour done but in vain, You know not so much as I do Tyranny, Therefore I advise you be ruled by me. Good Master Philologus, I pity your case, To see you so foolish, your self to undo: I durst yet promise to purchase you grace, If you would (at length) your errors forgo: Therefore, I pray you, be not your own foe. Cease from those words, if your safety you love: As though no man had a soul more then you: Such nips (perchance) my Lords patience will move: Then would you please him, if that you wist how: But, if you will be ruled, (by my honesty) I vow, I will do the best herein that I can: Because you seem to be a good Gentleman. Actum est de Amicitiam, the bargen is dispatched, And we two in friendship, are united as one.