Sir, I pray you tell me now, How she doth like you?

YOUTH.

Verily, well she pleaseth me, For she is courteous, gentle, and free.

How do you, fair lady?

How fare you, tell me.

LECHERY.

Sir, if it please you, I do well enou', And the better that you will wit.

YOUTH.

Riot, I would be at the tavern fain, Lest Charity us meet and turn us again: Then would I be sorry, because of this fair lady.

RIOT.

Let us go again betime, That we may be at the wine, Ere ever that he come.

PRIDE.

Hie thee apace, and go we hence; We will let for none expense.

YOUTH.

Now we will fill the cup and make good cheer; I trust I have a n.o.ble here.

Hark, sirs, for G.o.d Almighty, Hearest thou not how they fight?

In faith we shall them part.

If there be any wine to sell, They shall no longer together dwell; No, then I beshrew my heart.

RIOT.

No, sir, so mot I the, Let not thy servants fight within thee; For it is a careful life Evermore to live in strife; Therefore, if ye will be ruled by my tale, We will go to the ale, And see how we can do; I trust to G.o.d that sitteth on high, To lese that little company Within an hour or two.

PRIDE.

Now let us go, for G.o.d's sake, And see how merry we can make.

RIOT.

Now let us go apace; And I be last there, I beshrew my face!

YOUTH.

Now let us go: that we were there To make this lady some cheer.

LECHERY.

Verily, sir, I thank thee, That ye will bestow it on me, And when it please you on me to call, My heart is yours, body and all.

YOUTH.

Fair lady, I thank thee; On the same wise ye shall have me, Whatsoever you please.

PRIDE.

Riot, we tarry very long.

RIOT.

We will go even now with a l.u.s.ty song.

PRIDE.

In faith, I will be rector of the choir.

YOUTH.

Go to it then hardily, and let us be agate.

CHARITY.

Abide, fellow; a word with thee: Whither go ye, tell me?

Abide, and hear what I shall you tell, And be ruled by my counsel.

PRIDE.

Nay, no fellow ne yet mate, I trow thy fellow be in Newgate; Shall we tell thee whither we go?

Nay, i-wis, good John-a-Peepo!

Who learned thee, thou mistaught man, To speak so to a gentleman?

Though his clothes be never so thin, Yet he is come of n.o.ble kin; Though thou give him such a mock, Yet he is come of a n.o.ble stock, I let thee well to wit.

RIOT.

What! Sir John,[15] what say ye!

Would you be fettered now?

Think not too long, I pray ye; If misfortune come soon enou', Ye shall think it a little [too] soon.

YOUTH.

Yet, sirs, let this cease, And let us talk of goodness.

RIOT.

He turneth his tail, he is afeard; But, faith, he shall be scared; He weeneth by flattering to please us again, But he laboureth all in vain.

CHARITY.

Sir, I pray you me not spare, For nothing I do care That ye can do to me.

RIOT.

No, wh.o.r.eson? sayest thou so?

Hold him, Pride, and let me go; I shall set a pair of rings, That shall set to his shins, And that even anon.

PRIDE.

Hie thee apace and come again, And bring with thee a good chain, And hold him here still.

CHARITY.

Jesus, that was born of Mary mild, From all evil he us shield, And send you grace to amend, Ere our life be at an end; For I tell you truly, That ye live full wickedly; I pray G.o.d it amend!

RIOT.

Lo, sirs, look what I bring.

Is not this a jolly ringing?

By my troth, I trow it be: I will go with Charity.

How say'st thou, Master Charity?

Doth this gear please thee?

CHARITY.

They please me well indeed!

The more sorrow, the more meed!

For G.o.d said, while he was a man, _Beati qui persecutionem patiuntur propter just.i.tiam_; Unto his apostles he said so, To teach them how they should do.