JOHN SKELTON
Magnificencia

Characters: Felicity, Counterfeit Countenance, Cloked Colusion, Fancy, Liberty, Measure, Magnificence, Courtly Abusion, Folly, Adversity, Poverty, Despair, Mischief, Good Hope, Redress, Circumspection, Perseverance, Crafty Conveyance.

Enter Felycyte

Felycyte:

AL thyngys contryuyd by mannys reason 
The world enuyronn of hygh and low estate 
Be it erly or late welth hath a season 
Welth is of wysdome the very trewe probate 
A fole is he with welth that fallyth at debate [5] 
But men nowe a dayes so vnhappely be vryd 
That nothynge than welth may worse be enduryd 
To tell you the cause me semeth it no nede 
The amense therof is far to call agayne 
For when men by welth they haue lytell drede [10] 
Of that may come after experyence trewe and playne 
Howe after a drought there fallyth a showre of rayne 
And after a hete oft cometh a stormy colde 
A man may haue welth but not as he wolde 
Ay to contynewe and styll to endure [15] 
But yf prudence be proued with sad cyrcumspeccyon 
Welthe myght be wonne and made to the lure 
Yf noblenesse were aquayntyd with sober dyreccyon 
But wyll hath reason so vnder subieccyon 
And so dysordereth this worlde ouerall [20] 
That welthe and felicite is passynge small 
But where wonnys welthe and a man wolde wyt 
For welthfull felicite truly is my name

Enter Lyberte

Lyberte:

Mary welthe and I was apoynted to mete 
And eyther I am dysseyued or ye be the same [25]

Felycyte:

Syr as ye say I haue harde of your fame 
Your name is lyberte as I vnderstande

Lyberte:

Trewe you say syr gyue me your hande

Felycyte:

And from whens come ye and it myght be askyd

Lyberte:

To tell you syr I dare not leest I sholde be maskyd [30] 
In a payre of fetters or a payre of stockys

Felycyte:

Here you not howe this gentylman mockys

Lyberte:

Ye to knackynge ernyst what and it preue

Felycyte:

Why/ to say what he wyll lyberte hath leue

Lyberte:

Yet lyberte hath ben lockyd up and kept in the mew [35]

Felycyte:

In dede syr that lyberte was not worthe a cue 
How be it lyberte may somtyme be to large 
But yf reason be regent and ruler of your barge

Lyberte:

To that ye say I can well condyssende 
Shewe forth I pray you here in what you intende [40]

Felycyte:

Of that I intende to make demonstracyon 
It askyth lesure with good aduertence 
Fyrst I say we owght to haue in consyderacyon 
That lyberte be lynkyd with the chayne of countenaunce 
Lyberte to let from all maner offence [45] 
For lyberte at large is lothe to be stoppyd 
But with countenaunce your corage must be croppyd

Lyberte:

Then thus to you

Felycyte:

Nay suffer me yet ferther to say 
And peraduenture I shall content your mynde 
Lyberte I wote well forbere no man there may 
It is so swete in all maner of kynde 
Howe be it lyberte makyth many a man blynde 
By lyberte is done many a great excesse 
Lyberte at large wyll oft wax reklesse [55] 
Perceyue ye this parcell

Lyberte:

Ye syr passyng well 
But and you wolde me permyt 
To shewe parte of my wyt 
Somwhat I coulde enferre [60] 
Your consayte to debarre 
Under supportacyon 
Of pacyent tolleracyon

Felycyte:

God forbyd ye sholde be let 
Your reasons forth to fet [65] 
Wherfore at lyberte 
Say what ye wyll to me

Lyberte:

Brefly to touche of my purpose the effecte 
Lyberte is laudable and pryuylegyd from lawe 
Iudycyall rygoure shall not me correcte [70]

Felycyte:

Softe my frende; herein your reason is but rawe

Lyberte:

Yet suffer me to say the surpluse of my sawe 
What wote ye where vpon I wyll conclude 
I say there is no welthe where as lyberte is subdude 
I trowe ye can not say nay moche to this [75] 
To lyue vnder lawe it is captyuyte 
Where drede ledyth the daunce there is no Ioy nor blysse 
Or howe can you proue that there is felycyte 
And you haue not your owne fre lyberte 
To sporte at your pleasure to ryn and to ryde [80] 
Where lyberte is absent set welthe asyde

Hic intrat Measure

Measure:

Cryst you assyste in your altrycacyon

Felycyte:

Why haue you harde of our dysputacyon

Measure:

I parceyue well howe eche of you doth reason

Lyberte:

Mayster measure you be come in good season [85]

Measure:

And it is wonder that your wylde insolence 
Can be content with measure presence

Felycyte:

Wolde it please you then

Lyberte:

Us to informe and ken

Measure:

A ye be wonders men [90] 
Your langage is lyke the penne 
Of hym that wryteth to fast

Felycyte:

Syr yf any worde haue past 
Me other fyrst or last 
To you I arecte it and cast [95] 
Therof the reformacyon

Lyberte:

And I of the same facyon. 
Howe be it by protestacyon 
Dyspleasure that you none take. 
Some reason we must make. [100]

Measure:

That wyll not I forsake 
So it in measure be. 
Come of therfore let se 
Shall I begynne or ye

Felycyte:

Nay ye shall begynne by my wyll [105]

Lyberte:

It is reason and skyll 
We your pleasure fulfyll

Measure:

Then ye must bothe consent 
You to holde content 
With myne argument. [110] 
And I muste you requyre 
Me pacyently to here

Felycyte:

Yes syr with ryght good chere.

Lyberte:

With all my herte intere

Measure:

Oracius to recorde in his volumys olde [115] 
With euery condycyon measure must be sought 
Welthe without measure wolde bere hymselfe to bolde 
Lyberte without measure proue a thynge of nought 
In ponder by nomber by measure all thynge is wrought. 
As at the fyrst orygynall by godly opynyon [120] 
Whych prouyth well that measure shold haue domynyon. 
Where measure is mayster plenty dothe none offence 
Where measure lackyth all thynge dysorderyd is 
Where measure is absent ryot kepeth resydence. 
Where measure is ruler there is nothynge a mysse [125] 
Measure is treasure; howe say ye is it not this

Felycyte:

Yes questyonlesse in myne opynyon 
Measure is worthy to haue domynyon

Lyberte:

Unto that same I am ryght well agrede. 
So that lyberte be not lefte behynde [130]

Measure:

Ye lyberte with measure nede neuer drede

Lyberte:

What lyberte to measure then wolde ye bynde.

Measure:

What ellys; For otherwyse it were agaynst kynde 
If lyberte sholde lepe and renne where he lyst 
It were no vertue; it were a thynge vnblyst [135] 
It were a myschefe yf lyberte lacked a reyne. 
Where with to rule hym with the wrythyng of a rest 
All trebyllys and tenours be rulyd by a meyne 
Lyberte without measure is acountyd for a beste 
There is no surfet where measure rulyth the feste [140] 
There is no excesse where measure hath his helthe 
Measure contynwyth prosperyte and welthe

Felycyte:

Unto your rule I wyll annex my mynde

Lyberte:

So wolde I; but I wolde be lothe 
That wonte was to be formyst now to come behynde [145] 
It were a shame; to god I make an othe 
Without I myght cut it out of the brode clothe 
As I was wonte euer at my fre wyll

Measure:

But haue ye not herde say; that wyll is no skyll 
Take sad dyreccyon and leue this wantonnesse [150]

Lyberte:

It is no maystery

Felycyte:

Tushe let measure procede 
And after his mynde herdely your selfe adresse 
For without measure pouerte and nede 
Wyll crepe upon vs; and vs to myschefe lede [155] 
For myschefe wyll mayster vs; yf measure vs forsake

Lyberte:

Well I am content your wayes to take

Measure:

Surely I am Ioyous that ye be myndyd thus 
Magnyfycence to mayntayne your promosyon shalbe

Felycyte:

So in his harte he may be glad of vs [160]

Lyberte:

There is no prynce but he hath nede of vs thre 
Welthe with measure and plesaunt lyberte

Measure:

Nowe pleasyth you a lytell whyle to stande 
Me semeth magnyfycence is comynge here at hande

Hic intrat magnyfycence

Magnyfycence:

To assure you of my noble porte and fame [165] 
Who lyst to knowe magnyfycence I hyght 
But measure my frende what hyght this mannys name

Measure:

Syr though ye be a noble prynce of myght 
Yet in this man you must set your delyght 
And syr this other mannys name is lyberte [170]

Magnyfycence:

Welcome frendys ye are bothe vnto me 
But nowe let me knowe of your conuersacyon

Felycyte:

Pleasyth your grace felycyte they me call

Lyberte:

And I am lyberte made of in euery nacyon

Magnyfycence:

Conuenyent persons for any prynce ryall [175] 
Welthe with lyberte with me bothe dwell ye shall 
To the gydynge of my measure you bothe commyttynge 
That Measure be mayster vs semeth it is syttynge

Measure.

Where as ye haue syr to me them assygned 
Suche order I trust with them for to take [180] 
So that welthe with measure shalbe conbyned 
And lyberte his large with mea hall make

Felycyte.

Your ordenaunce syr I wyll not forsake

Lyberte.

And I my selfe hooly to you wyll inclyne

Magnyfycence

Then may I say that ye be seruauntys myne [185] 
For by measure I warne you we thynke to be gydyd 
Wherin it is necessary my pleasure you knowe 
Measure and I wyll neuer be deuydyd 
For no dyscorde that any man can sawe 
For measure is a meane nother to hy nor to lawe [190] 
In whose attemperaunce I haue suche delyght 
That measure shall neuer departe from my syght

Felycyte.

Laudable your consayte is to be acountyd 
For welthe without measure sodenly wyll slyde

Lyberte.

As your grace full nobly hath recountyd [195] 
Measure with noblenesse sholde be alyde

Magnyfycence

Then lyberte se that measure be your gyde 
For I wyll vse you by his aduertysment

Felycyte.

Then shall you haue with you prosperyte resydent

Measure.

I trowe good fortune hath annexyd vs together [200] 
To se howe greable we are of one mynde 
There is no flaterer nor losyll so lyther 
This lynkyd chayne of loue that can vnbynde 
Nowe that ye haue me chefe ruler assyngned 
I wyll endeuour me to order euery thynge [205] 
Your noblenesse and honour consernynge

Lyberte.

In Ioy and myrthe your mynde shalbe inlargyd 
And not embracyd with pusyllanymyte 
But plenarly all thought from you must be dyschargyd 
If ye lyst to lyue after your fre lyberte [210] 
All delectacyons aquayntyd is with me 
By me all persons worke what they lyste

Measure.

Hem; syr yet beware of had I wyste 
Lyberte in some cause becomyth a gentyll mynde 
Bycause course of measure yf I be in the way [215] 
Who countyth without me is caste to fer behynde 
Of his rekenynge as euydently we may 
Se at our eye the worlde day by day 
For defaute of measure all thynge dothe excede

Felycyte.

All that ye say is as trewe as the crede [220] 
For howe be it lyberte to welthe is conuenyent 
And from felycyte may not be forborne 
Yet measure hath ben so longe from vs absent 
That all men laugh at lyberte to scorne A4"> 
Welth and wyt I say be so threde bare worne [225] 
That all is without measure and fer beyonde the mone

Magnyfycence

Then noblenesse I se well is almoste vndone 
But yf therof the soner amendys be made 
For dowtlesse I parceyue my magnyfycence 
Without measure lyghtly may fade [230] 
Of to moche lyberte vnder the offence 
Wherfore measure take lyberte with you hence 
And rule hym after the rule of your scole

Lyberte.

What syr wolde ye make me a poppynge fole

Measure.

Why were not your selfe agreed to the same [235] 
And now wolde ye swarue from your owne ordynaunce

Lyberte.

I wolde be rulyd and I myght for shame

Felycyte.

A ye make me laughe at your inconstaunce

Magnyfycence

Syr without any longer delyaunce 
Take lyberte to rule and folowe myne entent [240]

Measure.

It shalbe done at your commaundement

Itaque measure exeat locum cum lybertate et maneat magnyfycence cum felicitate

Magnyfycence

It is a wanton thynge this lyberte 
Perceyue you not howe lothe he was to abyde 
The rule of measure not withstandynge we 
Haue deputyd measure hym to gyde [245] 
By measure eche thynge duly is tryde 
Thynke you not thus my frende felycyte

Felycyte.

God forbede that it other wyse sholde be

Magnyfycence

Ye coulde not ellys I wote with me endure

Felycyte.

Endure? No god wote it were great payne [250] 
But yf I were orderyd by Iust measure 
It were not possyble me longe to retayne

Hic intrat Fansy.

Fansy.

Tusche holde your pece your langage is vayne 
Please it your grace to take no dysdayne 
To shewe you playnly the trouth as I thynke [255]

Magnyfycence

Here is none forsyth whether you flete or synke

Felycyte.

From whens come you syr that no man lokyd after

Magnyfycence

Or who made you so bolde to interrupe my tale

Fansy.

Nowe benedicite ye wene I were some hafter 
Or ellys some Iangelynge Iacke of the vale [260] 
Ye wene that I am dronken bycause I loke pale

Magnyfycence

Me semeth that ye haue dronken more than ye haue bled

Fansy.

Yet amonge noble men I was brought vp and bred

Felycyte.

Now leue this Iangelynge and to vs expounde 
Why that ye sayd our langage was in vayne [265]

Fansy.

Mary vpon trouth my reason I grounde 
That without largesse noblenesse can not rayne 
And that I sayd ones; yet I say agayne 
I say without largesse worshyp hath no place 
For largesse is a purchaser of pardon and of grace [270]

Magnyfycence

Nowe I beseche the tell me what is thy name

Fansy.

Largesse that all lordes sholde loue syr I hyght

Felycyte.

But hyght you largesse encreace of noble fame

Fansy.

Ye syr vndoubted

Felycyte.

Then of very ryght 
With magnyfycence this noble prynce of myght 
Sholde be your dwellynge in my consyderacyon

Magnyfycence

Yet we wyll therin take good delyberacyon

Fansy.

As in that I wyll not be agaynst your pleasure

Felycyte.

Syr hardely remembre what may your name auaunce. [280]

Magnyfycence

Largesse is laudable so it be in measure

Fansy.

Largesse is he that all prynces doth auaunce 
I reporte me herein to Kynge Lewes of fraunce

Felycyte.

Why haue ye hym named and all other refused

Fansy.

For syth he dyed largesse was lytell vsed [285] 
Plucke vp your mynde syr what ayle you to muse. 
Haue ye not welthe here at your wyll 
It is but a maddynge these wayes that ye vse 
What auayleth lordshyp yourselfe for to kyll 
With care and with thought howe Iacke shall haue gyl [290]

Magnyfycence

What I haue aspyed ye are a carles page

Fansy.

By god syr ye se but fewe wyse men of myne age 
But couetyse hath blowen you so full of wynde 
That colyca passyo hath gropyd you by the guttys

Felycyte.

In fayth broder largesse you haue a mery mynde. [295]

Fansy.

In fayth I set not by the worlde two dauncaster cuttys

Magnyfycence

Ye wante but a wylde flyeng bolte to shote at the buttes. 
Though largesse ye hyght your langage is to large 
For whiche ende goth forwarde ye take lytell charge

Felycyte.

Let se this checke yf ye voyde canne [300]

Fansy.

In faythe els had I gone to longe to scole 
But yf I coulde knowe a gose from a swanne

Magnyfycence

Wel wyse men may ete the fysshe when ye shal draw the pole

Fansy.

In fayth I wyll not say that ye shall proue a fole 
But ofte tymes haue I sene wyse men do mad dedys [305]

Magnyfycence

Go shake the dogge hay syth ye wyll nedys 
You are nothynge mete with vs for to dwell. 
That with your lorde and mayster so pertly can prate. 
Gete you hens I say by my counsell 
I wyll not vse you to play with me checke mate [310]

Fansy.

Syr yf I haue offended your noble estate 
I trow I haue brought you suche wrytynge of recorde 
That I shall haue you agayne my good lorde 
To you recommendeth sad cyrcumspeccyon 
And sendeth you this wrytynge closed vnder sele [315]

Magnyfycence

This wrytynge is welcome with harty affeccyon 
Why kepte you it thus longe? howe dothe he wele

Fansy.

Syr thanked be god he hath his hele

Magnyfycence

Welthe gete you home and commaunde me to mesure 
Byd hym take good hede to you my synguler tresure [320]

Felycyte.

Is there ony thynge elles your grace wyll commaunde me.

Magnyfycence

Nothynge but fare you well tyll sone 
And that he take good kepe to lyberte

Felycyte.

Your pleasure syr shortely shall be done

Magnyfycence

I shall come to you myselfe I trowe this after none [325]

Exit FELYCYTE

I pray you larges here to remayne 
Whylest I knowe what this letter dothe contayne

Hic faciat tanquam legeret litteras tacite: Interim superueniat cantando counterfet countenaunce suspenso gradum qui viso magnyfycence sensim retrocedat at tempus post pusillum rursum accedat counterfet countenaunce prospectando & vocitando a longe et fansy animat silentium cum manu

Counterfet countenaunce.

What fansy fansy

Magnyfycence

Who is that that thus dyd cry 
Me thought he called fansy [330]

Fansy.

It was a flemynge hyght hansy

Magnyfycence

Me thought he called fansy me behynde

Fansy.

Nay syr it was nothynge but your mynde 
But nowe syr as touchynge this letter

Magnyfycence

I shall loke in it at leasure better [335] 
And surely ye are to hym beholde 
And for his sake ryght gladly I wolde 
Do what I coude to do you good

Fansy.

I pray god kepe you in that mood

Magnyfycence

This letter was wryten ferre hence [340]

Fansy.

By lakyn syr it hathe cost me pence 
And grotes many one or I came to your presence

Magnyfycence

Where was it delyuered you shewe vnto me

Fansy.

By god syr beyonde the se

Magnyfycence

At what place nowe as you gesse [345]

Fansy.

By my trouthe syr at pountesse 
This wrytynge was taken me there 
But neuer was I in gretter fere

Magnyfycence

Howe so

Fansy.

By god at the see syde 
Had I not opened my purse wyde [350] 
I trowe by our lady I had ben slayne 
Or elles I had lost myne eres twayne

Mangnyfycence

By your soth

Fansy.

Ye and there is suche a wache [355] 
That no man can scape but they hym cache 
They bare me in hande that I was a spye 
And another bade put out myne eye 
Another wolde myne eye were blerde 
Another bade shaue halfe my berde [360] 
And boyes to the pylery gan me plucke 
And wolde haue made me freer tucke 
To preche out of the pylery hole. 
Without an antetyme or a stole 
And some bade sere hym with a marke [365] 
To gete me fro them I had moche warke

Magnyfycence

Mary syr ye were afrayde

Fansy.

By my trouthe had I not payde and prayde 
And made largesse as I hyght 
I had not been here with you this nyght [370] 
But surely largesse saued my lyfe 
For largesse stynteth all maner of stryfe

Magnyfycence

It dothe so sure nowe and than 
But largesse is not mete for euery man

Fansy.

No but for you grete estates [375] 
Largesse stynteth grete debates 
And he that I came fro to this place 
Sayd I was mete for your grace 
And in dede syr I here men talke 
By the way as I ryde and walke [380] 
Say howe you excede in noblenesse 
If you had with you largesse

Magnyfycence

And say they so in very dede

Fansy.

With ye syr so god me spede

Magnyfycence

Yet mesure is a mery mene [385]

Fansy.

Ye syr a blaunched almonde is no bene 
Measure is mete for a marchauntes hall 
But largesse becometh a state ryall 
What sholde you pynche at a pecke of grotes 
Ye wolde sone pynche at a pecke of otes [390] 
Thus is the talkynge of one and of oder 
As men dare speke it hugger mugger 
A lorde a negarde it is a shame 
But largesse may amende your name

Magnyfycence

In faythe largesse welcome to me [395]

Fansy.

I pray you syr I may so be 
And of my seruyce you shall not mysse.

Magnyfycence

Togyder we wyll talke more of this 
Let vs departe from hens home to my place

Fansy.

I folow euen after your noble grace [400]

Hic discedat magnificens cum fansy et intrat counterfet countenaunce

He detains FANSY for a moment

Counterfet coun.

What I say herke a worde.

Fansy.

Do away I say the deuylles torde.

Counterfet coun.

Ye but how longe shall I here awayte.

Fansy.

By goddys body I come streyte 
I hate this blunderyng that thou doste make [405]

Counterfet coun.

Nowe to the deuyll I the betake 
For in fayth ye be well met

Exit FANSY

Fansy hath cachyd in a flye net 
This noble man Magnyfycence 
Of largesse vnder the pretence [410] 
They haue made me here to put the stone 
But nowe wyll I that they be gone 
In bastarde ryme after the dogrell gyse 
Tell you where of my name dothe ryse 
For counterfet countenaunce knowen am I [415] 
This worlde is full of my foly 
I set not by hym a fly 
That can not counterfet a lye 
Swere and stare and byde therby 
And countenaunce it clenly [420] 
And defende it manerly 
A knaue wyll counterfet nowe a knyght 
A lurdayne lyke a lorde to syght 
A mynstrell lyke a man of myght 
A tappyster lyke a lady bryght [425] 
Thus make I them wyth thryft to fyght 
Thus at the laste I brynge hym ryght 
To tyburne where they hange on hyght 
To counterfet I can by praty wayes 
Of nyghtys to occupy counterfet kayes [430] 
Clenly to counterfet newe arayes 
Counterfet eyrnest by way of playes 
Thus am I occupyed at all assayes 
What so euer I do all men me prayse 
And mekyll am I made of nowe a days [435] 
Counterfet maters in the lawe of the lande 
Wyth golde and grotes they grese my hande 
In stede of ryght that wronge may stande 
And counterfet fredome that is bounde 
I counterfet suger that is but sounde [440] 
Counterfet capytaynes by me are mande 
Of all lewdnesse I kyndell the brande 
Counterfet kyndnesse and thynke dyscayte
Counterfet letters by the way of sleyght 
Subtelly vsynge counterfet weyght [445] 
Counterfet langage  fayty bone geyte 
Counterfetynge is a proper bayte 
A counte to counterfet in a resayte 
To counterfet well is a good consayte 
Counterfet maydenhode may well be borne [450] 
But counterfet coynes is laughynge to scorne 
It is euyll patchynge of that is torne 
Whan the noppe is rughe it wolde be shorne 
Counterfet haltynge without a thorne 
Yet counterfet chafer is but euyll corne [455] 
All thynge is worse whan it is worne 
What wolde ye wyues counterfet 
The courtly gyse of the newe iet 
An olde barne wolde be vnderset 
It is moche worthe that is ferre fet [460] 
What wanton wanton nowe well ymet. 
What margery mylke ducke mermoset 
It wolde be masked in my net 
It wolde be nyce thoughe I say nay 
By crede it wolde haue fresshe aray [465] 
And therfore shall my husbande pay 
To counterfet she wyll assay 
All the newe gyse fresshe and gaye 
And be as praty as she may 
And iet it ioly as a iay [470] 
Counterfet prechynge; and byleue the contrary. 
Counterfet conscyence; peuysshe pope holy. 
Counterfet sadnesse; with delynge full madly 
Counterfet holynes; is called ypocrysy 
Counterfet reason; is not worth a flye [475] 
Counterfet wysdome; and workes of foly 
Counterfet countenaunce; euery man dothe occupy 
Counterfet worshyp; outwarde men may se 
Ryches rydeth out; at home is pouerte 
Counterfet pleasure is borne out by me [480] 
Coll wolde go clenly and it wyll not be 
And annot wolde be nyce and laughes tehe wehe 
Your counterfet countenaunce is all of nysyte 
A plummed partrydge all redy to flye 
A knokylbonyarde wyll counterfet a clarke [485] 
He wolde trotte gentylly but he is to starke 
At his cloked counterfetynge dogges dothe barke 
A carter a courtyer it is a worthy warke 
That with his whyp his mares was wonte to yarke
A custrell to dryue the deuyll out of the derke [490] 
A counterfet courtyer with a knaues marke 
To counterfet this freers haue lerned me 
This nonnes nowe and then and it myght be 
Wolde take in the way of counterfet charyte 
The grace of god vnder benedicite [495] 
To counterfet thyr counsell they gyue me a fee 
Chanons can not counterfet but vpon thre 
Monkys may not for drede that men sholde them se

Hic ingrediatur fansy properanter cum crafty conueyaunce cum famine multo adinuicem garrulantes tandem viso counterfet countenaunce dicat crafty conueyaunce

Crafty conuay.

What counterfet countenaunce

Counterfet coun.

What crafty conueyaunce. [500]

Fansy.

What the deuyll are ye two of aquayntaunce 
God gyue you a very myschaunce

Crafty conuey.

Yes yes syr he and I haue met

Counterfet coun.

We haue bene togyder bothe erly and late 
But fansy my frende where haue ye bene so longe [505]

Fansy.

By god I haue bene about a praty pronge 
Crafty conueyaunce I sholde say and I

Crafty conuay.

By god we haue made magnyfycence to ete a flye

Counterfet coun.

Howe coulde ye do that and I was away

Fansy.

By god man bothe his pagent and thyne he can play [510]

Counterfet coun.

Say trouth

Crafty conuey.

Yes yes by lakyn I shall the warent 
As longe as I lyue thou haste an heyre parent

Fansy.

Yet haue we pycked out a rome for the

Counterfet coun.

Why shall we dwell togyder all thre [515]

Crafty conuey.

Why man it were to great a wonder 
That we thre galauntes sholde be longe asonder

Counterfet coun.

For cockys harte gyue me thy hande

Fansy.

By the masse for ye are able to dystroy an hole lande

Crafty conuey.

By god yet it muste begynne moche of the [520]

Fansy.

Who that is ruled by vs it shalbe longe or he thee

Counterfet coun.

But I say kepest thou the olde name styll that thou had

Crafty conuey.

Why wenyst thou horson that I were so mad

Fansy.

Nay nay he hath chaunged his & I haue chaunged myne

Counterfet coun.

Nowe what is his name and what is thyne [525]

Fansy.

In faythe largesse I hyght 
And I am made a knyght.

Counterfet coun.

A rebellyon agaynst nature. 
So large a man and so lytell of stature 
But syr howe counterfetyd ye [530]

Crafty Conveyance

Sure surueyaunce I named me

Counterfeit Countenance

Surueyaunce; where ye suruey
Thryfte hathe lost her cofer kay.

Fansy.

But is it not well howe thynkest thou

Counterfet coun.

Yes syr I gyue god auowe [535] 
Myselfe coude not counterfet it better 
But what became of the letter 
That I counterfeyted you vnderneth a shrowde

Fansy.

By the masse odly well alowde

Crafty conuey.

By god had not I it conuayed [540] 
Yet fansy had ben dyscryued

Counterfet coun.

I wote thou arte false ynoughe for one

Fansy.

By my trouthe we had ben gone 
And yet in fayth man we lacked the 
For to speke with lyberte [545]

Counterfet coun.

What Is largesse without lyberte

Crafty conuey.

By mesure mastered yet is he

Counterfet coun.

What Is your conueyaunce no better

Fansy.

In faythe mesure is lyke a tetter 
That ouergroweth a mannes face [550] 
So he ruleth ouer all our place

Crafty conuey.

Nowe therfore whylest we are togyder 
Counterfet countenaunce nay come hyder 
I say whylest we are togyder in same

Counterfet coun.

Tushe a strawe it is a shame [555] 
That we can no better than so

Fansy.

We wyll remedy it man or we go 
For lyke as mustarde is sharpe of taste 
Ryght so a sharpe fansy must be founde 
Wherwith mesure to confounde [560]

Crafty conuey.

Can you a remedy for a tysyke 
That sheweth yourselfe thus spedde in physyke

Counterfet coun.

It is a gentyll reason of a rake

Fansy.

For all these Iapes yet that ye make

Crafty conuey.

Your fansy maketh myne elbowe to ake [565]

Fansy.

Let se fynde you a better way

Counterfet coun.

Take no dyspleasure of that we say

Crafty conuey.

Nay and you be angry and ouerwharte 
A man may beshrowe your angry harte

Fansy.

Tushe a strawe I thought none yll [570]

Counterfet coun.

What shall we Iangle thus all the day styll

Crafty conuey.

Nay Let vs our heddes togyder cast

Fansy.

Ye and se howe it may be compast 
That mesure were cast out of the dores

Counterfet coun.

Alasse where is my botes and my spores [575]

Crafty conuey.

In all this hast whether wyll ye ryde

Counterfet coun.

I trowe it shall not nede to abyde 
Cockes woundes se syrs se se B4">

Hic ingrediatur cloked colusyon cum elato aspectu deorsum et sursum ambulando

Fansy.

Cockes armes what is he

Crafty conuey.

By cockes harte he loketh hye [580] 
He hawketh me thynke for a butterflye

Counterfet coun.

Nowe by cockes harte well abyden 
For had you not come I had ryden

Cloked colusyon

Thy wordes be but wynde neuer; they haue no wayght 
Thou hast made me play the Iurde hayte [585]

Counterfet coun.

And yf ye knewe howe I haue mused 
I am sure ye wolde haue me excused

Cloked colusyon

I say come hyder what are these twayne

Counterfet coun.

By god syr this is fansy small brayne 
And crafty conuayaunce knowe you not hym [590]

Cloked colusyon

Knowe hym syr quod he; yes by saynt sym. 
Here is a leysshe of ratches to renne an hare 
Woo is that purse that ye shall share

Fansy.

What call ye him this

Crafty conuey.

I trowe that he is [595]

Counterfet coun.

Tushe holde your pece 
Se you not howe they prece 
For to knowe your name

Cloked colusyon

Knowe they not me they are to blame 
Knowe you not me syrs. [600]

Fansy.

No in dede

Crafty conuey.

Abyde lette me se; take better hede 
Cockes harte it is cloked colusyon.

Cloked colusyon

A syr I pray god gyue you confusyon

Fansy.

Cockes armes is that your name [605]

Counterfet coun.

Ye by the masse this is euen the same 
That all this matter must vnder grope

Crafty conuey.

What is this he wereth a cope

Cloked colusyon

Cappe syr I say you be to bolde.

Fansy.

Se howe he is wrapped for the colde [610] 
Is it not a vestment

Cloked colusyon

A ye wante a rope

Counterfet coun.

Tushe it is syr Iohnn double cope

Fansy.

Syr and yf ye wolde not be wrothe

Cloked colusyon

What sayst [615]

Fansy.

Here was to lytell clothe

Cloked colusyon

A fansy fansy god sende the brayne

Fansy.

Ye for your wyt is cloked for the rayne

Crafty conuey.

Nay lette vs not clatter thus styll

Cloked colusyon

Tell me syrs; what is your wyll [620]

Counterfet coun.

Syr it is so that these twayne 
With magnyfycence in housholde do remayne 
And there they wolde haue me to dwell
But I wyll be ruled after your counsell

Fansy.

Mary so wyll we also [625]

Cloked colusyon

But tell me where aboute ye go

Counterfet coun.

By god we wolde gete vs all thyder 
Spell the remenaunt and do togyder

Cloked colusyon

Hath magnyfycence ony tresure

Crafty conuey.

Ye but he spendeth it all in mesure [630]

Cloked colusyon

Why dwelleth mesure where ye two dwell 
In faythe he were better to dwell in hell

Fansy.

Yet where we wonne nowe there wonneth he

Cloked colusyon

And haue you not amonge you lyberte

Counterfet coun.

Ye but he is a captyuyte [635]

Cloked colusyon

What the deuyll howe may that be

Counterfet coun.

I can not tell you why aske you me 
Aske these two that there dothe dwell

Cloked Colusion

Syr the playnesse you me tell

Crafty conuey.

There dwelleth a mayster men calleth mesure [640]

Fansy.

Ye and he hath rule of all his tresure

Crafty conuey.

Nay eyther let me tell or elles tell ye

Fansy.

I care not I; tell on for me

Counterfet coun.

I pray god let you neuer to thee

Cloked colusyon

What the deuyll ayleth you can you not agree [645]

Crafty conuey.

I wyll passe ouer the cyrcumstaunce 
And shortly shewe you the hole substaunce 
Fansy and I we twayne 
With magnyfycence in housholde do remayne 
And counterfeted our names we haue [650] 
Craftely all thynges vpryght to saue 
His name largesse; surueyaunce myne 
Magnyfycence to vs begynneth to enclyne 
Counterfet countenaunce to haue also 
And wolde that we sholde for hym go [655]

Counterfet coun.

But shall I haue myne olde name styll

Crafty conuey.

Pease I haue not yet sayd what I wyll

Fansy.

Here is a pystell of a postyke

Cloked colusyon

Tusshe fonnysshe fansy thou arte frantyke 
Tell on syr howe then [660]

Crafty conuey.

Mary syr he told vs when 
We had hym founde we sholde hym brynge 
And that we fayled not for nothynge

Cloked colusyon

All this ye may easely brynge aboute

Fansy.

Mary the better and mesure were out [665]

Cloked colusyon

Why can ye not put out that foule freke

Crafty conuey.

No in euery corner he wyll peke 
So that we haue no lyberte 
Nor no man in courte but he 
For lyberte he hath in gydyng [670]

Counterfet coun.

In fayth and without lyberte there is no bydyng

Fansy.

In fayth and lybertyes rome is there but small

Cloked colusyon

Hem? that lyke I nothynge at all

Crafty conuey.

But counterfet countenaunce go we togyder 
All thre I say [675]

Counterfet coun.

Shall I go? whyder.

Crafty conuey.

To magnyfycence with vs twayne 
And in his seruyce the to retayne

Counterfet coun.

But then syr what shall I hyght

Crafty conuey.

Ye and I talkyd therof to nyght [680]

Fansy.

Ye my fansy was out of owle flyght 
For it is out of my mynde quyght

Crafty conuey.

And nowe it cometh to my remembraunce 
Syr ye shall hyght good demeynaunce

Counterfet coun.

By the armes of calys well conceyued [685]

Crafty conuey.

When we haue hym thyder conuayed 
What and I frame suche a slyght 
That fansy with his fonde consayte 
Put magnyfycence in suche a madnesse 
That he shall haue you in the stede of sadnesse [690] 
And sober sadnesse shalbe your name

Cloked colusyon

By cockys body here begynneth the game 
For then shall we so craftely cary 
That mesure shall not there longe tary

Fansy.

For cockys harte tary whylyst that I come agayne [695]

Crafty conuey.

We wyll se you shortly one of vs twayne

Counterfet coun.

Now let vs go and we shall then

Cloked colusyon

Nowe let se quyte you lyke praty men

Exeunt Fansy, Crafty Conveyaunce and Counterfet Countenaunce

Hic deambulat

To passe the tyme and order whyle a man may talke 
Of one thynge and other to occupy the place [700] 
Then for the season that I here shall walke 
As good to be occupyed as vp and downe to trace 
And do nothynge how be it full lytell grace 
There cometh and groweth of my comynge 
For clokyd colusyon is a perylous thynge [705] 
Double delynge and I be all one 
Craftynge and haftynge contryued is by me 
I can dyssemble I can bothe laughe and grone 
Playne delynge and I can neuer agre 
But dyuysyon dyssencyon dyrysyon these thre [710] 
And I am counterfet of one mynde and thought 
By the menys of myschyef to bryng all thynges to nought 
And though I be so odyous a geste 
And euery man gladly my company wolde refuse
In faythe yet am I occupyed with the best [715] 
Full fewe that can themselfe of me excuse 
Whan other men laughe than study I and muse 
Deuysynge the meanes and wayes that I can 
Howe I may hurte and hynder euery man 
Two faces in a hode couertly I bere [720] 
Water in the one hande and fyre in the other 
I can fede forth a fole and lede hym by the eyre 
Falshode in felowshyp is my sworne brother. 
By cloked colusyon I say and none other 
Comberaunce and trouble in Englande fyrst I began [725] 
From that lorde to that lorde I rode and I ran 
And flatered them with fables fayre before theyr face. 
And tolde all the myschyef I coude behynde theyr backe. 
And made as I had knowen nothynge of the case 
I wolde begyn all myschyef but I wolde bere no lacke [730] 
Thus can I lerne you syrs to bere the deuyls sacke 
And yet I trowe some of you be better sped than I 
Frendshyp to fayne and thynke full lytherly 
Paynte to a purpose good countenaunce I can. 
And craftely can I grope howe euery man is mynded. [735] 
My purpose is to spy and to poynte euery man. 
My tonge is with fauell forked and tyned 
By cloked colusyon thus many one is begyled. 
Eche man to hynder I gape and I gaspe 
My speche is all pleasure; but I stynge lyke a waspe [740] 
I am neuer glad but whan I may do yll. 
And neuer am I sory but whan that I se 
I can not myne appetyte accomplysshe and fulfyll 
In hynderaunce of welthe and prosperyte 
I laughe at all shrewdenes; and lye at lyberte [745] 
I muster I medle amonge these grete estates 
I sowe sedycyous sedes of dyscorde and debates 
To flater and to flery is all my pretence 
Amonge all suche persones as I well vnderstonde 
Be lyght of byleue and hasty of credence [750] 
I make them to startyll and sparkyll lyke a bronde. 
I moue them I mase them I make them so fonde 
That they wyll here no man but the fyrst tale 
And so by these meanes I brewe moche bale

Hic ingrediatur courtly abusyon cantando

Courtly abusion

Huffa huffa taunderum taunderum tayne huffa huffa. [755]

Cloked colusyon

This was properly prated syrs what sayd a

Courtly abusion

Rutty bully Ioly rutterkyn heyda

Cloked colusyon

De que pays este vous.

Et faciat tanquam exuat beretum ironice

Courtly abusyon

Decke your hofte and couer a lowce

Cloked colusyon

Say vous chaunter venter tre dawce [760]

Courtly abusyon

Wyda wyda. 
Howe sayst thou man am not I a Ioly rutter.

Cloked colusyon

Gyue this gentylman rome syrs stonde vtter 
By god syr what nede all this waste 
What is this a betell or a batowe or a buskyn lacyd [765]

Courtly abusyon

What wenyst thou that I knowe the not clokyd colusyon

Cloked colusyon

And wenyst thou that I knowe not the cankard abusyon

Courtly abusyon

Cankard Iacke hare loke thou be not rusty 
For thou shalt well knowe I am nother durty nor dusty.

Cloked colusyon

Dusty nay syr ye be all of the lusty [770] 
Howe be it of scape thryfte your clokes smelleth musty 
But whether art thou walkynge in faythe vnfaynyd

Courtly abusyon

Mary with magnyfycence I wolde be retaynyd

Cloked colusyon

By the masse for the cowrte thou art a mete man 
Thy slyppers they swap it; yet thou fotys it lyke a swanne [775]

Courtly abusyon

Ye so I can deuyse my gere after the cowrtly maner

Cloked colusyon

So thou arte personable to bere a prynces baner. 
By goddes fote & I dare well fyght for I wyll not start

Courtly abusyon

Nay thou art a man good Inough but for thy false hart

Cloked colusyon

Well and I be a coward there is mo than I [780]

Courtly abusyon

Ye in faythe a bolde man and a hardy

Cloked colusyon

A bolde man in a bole of newe ale in cornys

Courtly abusyon

Wyll ye se this gentylman is all in his skornys

Cloked colusyon

But are ye not auysed to dwell where ye spake

Courtly abusyon

I am of fewe wordys I loue not to crake [785] 
Beryst thou any rome or cannyst thou do ought 
Cannyst thou helpe in fauer that I myght be brought

Cloked colusyon

I may do somwhat and more I thynke shall

Here cometh in Crafty conueyaunce poyntyng with his fynger and sayth

Crafty Conveyance

Hem colusyon.

Courtly abusyon

Cockys harte who is yonde that for the dothe call [790]

Crafty Conveyance

Nay come at ones for the armys of the dyce

Courtly abusyon

Cockys armys he hath callyd for the twyce

Cloked colusyon

By cockys harte and call shall agayne 
To come to me I trowe he shalbe fayne [795]

Courtly abusyon

What is thy harte pryckyd with such a prowde pynne

Cloked colusyon

Tushe he that hath nede man let hym rynne

Crafty conuey.

Nay come away man thou playst the cayser

Cloked Colusion

By the masse thou shalt byde my leyser

Crafty conuey.

A byde syr quod he? mary so I do

Courtly abusyon

He wyll come man when he may tende to

Crafty conuey.

What the deuyll who sent for the

Cloked colusyon

Here he is nowe man mayst thou not se

Crafty conuey.

What the deuyll man what thou menyst [805] 
Art thou so angry as thou semyst

Courtly abusyon

What the deuyll can ye agre no better

Crafty conuey.

What the deuyll where had we this ioly Ietter

Cloked colusyon

What sayst thou man why dost thou not supplye 
And desyre me thy good mayster to be [810]

Courtly abusyon

Spekest thou to me

Cloked colusyon

Ye so I tell the

Courtly abusyon

Cockes bones I ne tell can 
Whiche of you is the better man 
Or whiche of you can do most [815]

Crafty conuey.

In fayth I rule moche of the rost

Cloked colusyon

Rule the roste thou woldest ye 
As skante thou had no nede of me

Crafty conuey.

Nede yes mary I say not nay

Courtly abusyon

Cockes harte I trowe thou wylte make a fray [820]

Crafty conuey.

Nay in good faythe it is but the gyse

Cloked colusyon

No for or we stryke we wyll be aduysed twyse

Courtly abusyon

What the deuyll vse ye not to drawe no swordes

Crafty conuey.

No by my trouthe but crake grete wordes.

Courtly abusyon

Why is this the gyse nowe adayes [825]

Cloked colusyon

Ye for surety ofte peas is taken for frayes 
But syr I wyll haue this man with me

Crafty conuey.

Conuey yourselfe fyrst let se

Cloked colusyon

Well tary here tyll I for you sende

Crafty conuey.

Why shall he be of your bende [830]

Cloked colusyon

Tary here wote ye what I say

Courtly abusyon

I waraunt you I wyll not go away

Crafty conuey.

By saynt mary he is a tawle man

Cloked colusyon

Ye and do ryght good seruyce he can 
I knowe in hym no defaute [835] 
But that the horson is prowde and hawte.

And so they go out of the place.

Courtly abusion

Nay purchace ye a pardon for the pose. 
For pryde hath plucked the by the nose 
As well as me I wolde and I durste 
But nowe I wyll not say the worste [840]

Courtly abusyon alone in the place.

What nowe let se; 
Who loketh on me 
Well rounde aboute; 
Howe gay and howe stoute 
That I can were; [845] 
Courtly my gere 
My heyre bussheth; 
So plesauntly 
My robe russheth; 
So ruttyngly [850] 
Me seme I flye; 
I am so lyght 
To daunce de lyght 
Properly drest; 
All  poynte deuyse [855] 
My persone prest; 
Beyonde all syse 
Of the newe gyse 
To russhe it oute; 
In euery route [860] 
Beyonde measure; 
My sleue is wyde 
Al of pleasure 
My hose strayte tyde; 
My buskyn wyde [865] 
Ryche to beholde; 
Gletterynge in golde 
Abusyon; 
Forsothe I hyght 
Confusyon; [870] 
Shall on hym lyght 
By day or by nyght; 
That vseth me 
He can not thee 
A very fon; [875] 
A very asse 
Wyll take vpon; 
To compasse 
That neuer was; 
Abusyd before [880] 
A very pore; 
That so wyll do 
He doth abuse; 
Hym selfe to to 
He dothe mysse vse; [885] 
Eche man to akuse 
To crake and prate; 
I be foule his pate 
This newe fonne Iet; 
From out of Fraunce [890] 
Fyrst I dyd set; 
Made purueaunce 
And suche ordenaunce 
That all men it founde; 
Through out Englonde [895] 
All this nacyon; 
I set on fyre 
In my facyon 
This theyr desyre; 
This newe a tyre [900] 
This ladyes haue; 
I it them gaue 
Spare for no coste 
And yet in dede; 
It is coste loste [905] 
Moche more than nede; 
For to excede 
In suche aray 
Howe be it I say; 
A carlys sonne [910] 
Brought vp of nought 
Wyth me wyll wonne; 
Whylyst he hath ought 
He wyll haue wrought 
His gowne so wyde; [915] 
That he may hyde 
His dame and his syre; 
Within his slyue 
Spende all his hyre; 
That men hym gyue [920] 
Wherfore I preue; 
A tyborne checke 
Shall breke his necke

Here cometh in fansy craynge stow stow

All is out of harre; 
And out of trace [925] 
Ay warre and warre; 
In euery place 
But what the deuyll art thou; 
That cryest stow stow

Fansy.

What whom haue we here Ienkyn Ioly [930] 
Nowe welcom by the god holy

Courtly abusyon

What fansy my frende howe doste thou fare

Fansy.

By cryst as mery as a marche hare

Courtly abusyon

What the deuyll hast thou on thy fyste; an owle

Fansy.

Nay it is a farly fowle [935]

Courtly abusyon

Me thynke she frowneth and lokys sowre

Fansy.

Torde man it is an hawke of the towre 
She is made for the malarde fat

Courtly abusyon

Me thynke she is well becked to catche a rat 
But nowe what tydynges can you tell let se [940]

Fansy.

Mary I am come for the

Courtly abusyon

For me

Fansy.

Ye for the so I say [930]

Courtly abusyon

Howe so tell me I the pray

Fansy.

Why harde thou not of the fray [945] 
That fell amonge vs this same day

Courtly abusyon

No mary not yet

Fansy.

What the deuyll neuer a whyt.

Courtly abusyon

No by the masse what sholde I swere

Fansy.

In faythe lyberte is nowe a lusty spere [950]

Courtly abusyon

Why vnder whom was he abydynge

Fansy.

Mary mesure had hym a whyle in gydynge 
Tyll as the deuyll wolde they fell a chydynge 
With crafty conuayaunce

Courtly abusyon

Ye dyd they so

Fansy.

Ye by goddes sacrament and with other mo

Courtly abusyon

What neded that in the dyuyls date

Fansy.

Yes yes he fell with me also at debate

Courtly abusyon

With the also; what he playeth the state

Fansy.

Ye but I bade hym pyke out of the gate [960] 
By goddes body so dyd I

Courtly abusyon

By the masse well done and boldely

Fansy.

Holde thy pease measure shall frome vs walke.

Courtly abusyon

Why is he crossed than with a chalke

Fansy.

Crossed; ye checked out of consayte [965]

Courtly abusyon

Howe so

Fansy.

By god by a praty slyght 
As here after thou shalte knowe more 
But I must tary here; go thou before

Courtly abusyon

With whom shall I there mete. [970]

Fansy.

Crafty conueyaunce standeth in the strete 
Euen of purpose for the same

Courtly abusyon

Ye but what shall I call my name

Fansy.

Cockes harte tourne the let me se thyne aray 
Cockes bones this is all of Iohnn de gay [975]

Courtly abusyon

So I am poynted after my consayte

Fansy.

Mary thou Iettes it of hyght

Courtly abusyon

Ye but of my name let vs be wyse

Fansy.

Mary lusty pleasure by myne aduyse 
To name thyselfe come of it were done [980]

Courtly abusyon

Farewell my frende

Fansy.

Adue tyll sone

Exit COURTLY ABUSYON

Stowe byrde stowe stowe
It is best I fede my hawke now 
There is many euyll faueryd and thou be foule [985] 
Eche thynge is fayre when it is yonge; all hayle owle 
Lo this is 
My fansy Iwys 
Nowe cryst it blysse 
It is by Iesse [990] 
A byrde full swete; 
For me full mete 
She is furred for the hete 
All to the fete 
Her browys bent; [995] 
Her eyen glent 
From tyne to trent; 
From stroude to kent 
A man shall fynde; 
Many of her kynde [1000] 
Howe standeth the wynde; 
Before or behynde 
Barbyd lyke a nonne; 
For burnynge of the sonne 
Her fethers donne; [1005] 
Well faueryd bonne 
Nowe let me se about; 
In all this rowte 
Yf I can fynde out; 
So semely a snowte [1010] 
Amonge this prese; 
Euen a hole mese 
Pease man pease; 
I rede we sease 
So farly fayre as it lokys [1015] 
And her becke so comely crokys 
Her naylys sharpe as tenter hokys 
I haue not kept her yet thre wokys 
And howe styll she dothe syt 
Teuyt teuyt; [1020] 
Where is my wyt 
The deuyll spede whyt 
That was before I set behynde 
Nowe to curteys forthwith vnkynde 
Somtyme to sober; somtyme to sadde [1025] 
Somtyme to mery; somtyme to madde 
Somtyme I syt as I were solempe prowde 
Somtyme I laughe ouer lowde 
Somtyme I wepe for a gew gaw 
Somtyme I laughe at waggynge of a straw [1030] 
With a pere my loue you may wynne 
And ye may lese it for a pynne 
I haue a thynge for to say 
And I may tende therto for play 
But in faythe I am so occupyed [1035] 
On this halfe and on euery syde 
That I wote not where I may rest. 
Fyrst to tell you what were best. 
Frantyke fansy seruyce I hyght 
My wyttys be weke my braynys are lyght [1040] 
For it is I that other whyle
Plucke downe lede and theke with tyle 
Nowe I wyll this and nowe I wyll that 
Make a wyndmyll of a mat 
Nowe I wolde and I wyst what [1045] 
Where is my cappe I haue lost my hat 
And within an houre after 
Plucke downe an house and set vp a rafter 
Hyder and thyder I wote not whyder 
Do and vndo bothe togyder [1050] 
Of a spyndell I wyll make a sparre 
All that I make forthwith I marre 
I blunder I bluster I blowe and I blother 
I make on the one day and I marre on the other 
Bysy bysy and euer bysy [1055] 
I daunce vp and downe tyll I am dyssy 
I can fynde fantasyes where none is 
I wyll not haue it; so I wyll haue it this

Hic ingrediatur Foly quatiendo crema et faciendo multum feriendo tabulas et similia

Foly

Maysters cryst saue euerychone 
What fansy arte thou here alone [1060]

Fansy.

What fonnysshe foly I befole thy face

Foly

What frantyke fansy in a foles case 
What is this an owle or a glede 
By my trouthe she hathe a grete hede.

Fansy.

Tusshe thy lyppes hange in thyne eye. [1065] 
It is a frenche butterflye

Foly

By my trouthe I trowe well 
But she is lesse a grete dele 
Than a butterflye of our lande

Fansy.

What pylde curre ledest thou in thy hande [1070]

Foly

A pylde curre

Fansy.

Ye so I tell the a pylde curre

Foly

Yet I solde his skynne to macke murre 
In the stede of a budge furre

Fansy.

What fleyest thou his skynne euery yere [1075]

Foly

Yes in faythe I thanke god I may here

Fansy.

What thou wylte coughe me a dawe for forty pens

Foly

Mary syr cokermowthe is a good way hens

Fansy.

What; of cokermowth spake I no worde

Foly

By my faythe syr the frubyssher hath my sworde [1080]

Fansy.

A I trowe ye shall coughe me a fole

Foly

In faythe trouthe ye say we wente togyder to scole

Fansy.

Ye but I can somwhat more of the letter

Foly

I wyll not gyue an halfepeny for to chose the better.

Fansy.

But broder foly I wonder moche of one thynge [1085] 
That thou so hye fro me doth sprynge 
And I so lytell alway styll

Foly

By god I can tell the and I wyll 
Thou art so feble fantastycall 
And so braynsyke therwithall [1090] 
And thy wyt wanderynge here and there 
That thou cannyst not growe out of thy boyes gere 
And as for me I take but one folysshe way 
And therfore I growe more on one day 
Than thou can in yerys seuen. [1095]

Fansy.

In faythe trouth thou sayst nowe by god of heuen 
For so with fantasyes my wyt dothe flete 
That wysdome and I shall seldome mete 
Nowe of good felowshyp let me by thy dogge

Foly

Cockys harte thou lyest I am no hogge [1100]

Fansy.

Here is no man that callyd the hogge nor swyne

Foly

In faythe man my brayne is as good as thyne

Fansy.

The deuyls torde for thy brayne

Foly

By my syers soule I fele no rayne

Fansy.

By the masse I holde the madde [1105]

Foly

Mary I knewe the when thou waste a ladde

Fansy.

Cockys bonys herde ye euer syke another

Foly

Ye a fole the tone and a fole the tother

Fansy.

Nay but wotest thou what I do say

Foly

Why sayst thou that I was here yesterday [1110]

Fansy.

Cockys armys this is a warke I trowe

Foly

What callyst thou me a donnyshe crowe

Fansy.

Nowe in good faythe thou art a fonde gest

Foly

Ye bere me this strawe to a dawys nest

Fansy.

What wenyst thou that I were so folysshe & so fonde [1115]

Foly

In faythe ellys is there none in all Englonde

Fansy.

Yet for my fansy sake I say 
Let me haue thy dogge what soeuer I pay

Foly

Thou shalte haue my purse and I wyll haue thyne

Fansy.

By my trouth there is myne [1120]

Foly

Nowe by my trouth man take there is my purse 
And I beshrowe hym that hath the worse

Fansy.

Torde I say what haue I do. 
Here is nothynge but the bockyll of a sho 
And in my purse was twenty marke [1125]

Foly

Ha ha ha herke syrs harke 
For all that my name hyght foly 
By the masse yet art thou more fole than I

Fansy.

Yet gyue me thy dogge and I am content 
And thou shalte haue my hauke to a botchment [1130]

Foly

That euer thou thryue god it forfende 
For goddes cope thou wyll spende 
Nowe take thou my dogge and gyue me thy fowle

Fansy.

Hay chysshe come hyder

Foly

Nay torde take hym be tyme

Fansy.

What callest thou thy dogge

Foly

Tusshe his name is gryme.

Fansy.

Come gryme come gryme it is my praty dogges

Foly

In faythe there is not a better dogge for hogges 
Not from Anwyke vnto aungey [1140]

Fansy.

Ye but trowest thou that he be not maungey.

Foly

No by my trouthe it is but the scurfe and the scabbe

Fansy.

What he hathe ben hurte with a stabbe

Foly

Nay in faythe it was but a strype 
That the horson had for etynge of a trype [1145]

Fansy.

Where the deuyll gate he all these hurtes

Foly

By god for snatchynge of puddynges and wortes

Fansy.

What then he is some good poore mannes curre

Foly

Ye but he wyll in at euery mannes dore

Fansy.

Nowe thou hast done me a pleasure grete [1150]

Foly

In faythe I wolde thou had a marmosete

Fansy.

Cockes harte I loue suche Iapes

Foly

Ye for all thy mynde is on owles and apes 
But I haue thy pultre and thou hast my catell

Fansy.

Ye but thryfte and we haue made a batell [1155]

Foly

Remembrest thou not the Iapes and the toyes

Fansy.

What that we vsed whan we were boyes

Foly

Ye by the rode euen the same

Fansy.

Yes yes I am yet as full of game 
As euer I was and as full of tryfyls [1160] 
Nil nichelum nihil anglice nyfyls

Foly

What canest thou all this lutyn yet. 
And hath so mased a wandrynge wyt

Fansy.

Tushe man I kepe some latyn in store

Foly

By cockes harte I wene thou hast no more [1165]

Fansy.

No; yes in faythe I can versyfy

Foly

Then I pray the hartely. 
Make a verse of my butterfly 
It forseth not of the reason so it kepe ryme

Fansy.

But wylte thou make another on gryme [1170]

Foly

Nay in fayth fyrst let me here thyne

Fansy.

Mary as for that thou shalte sone here myne

Fansy.

Est suauis uago with a shrewde face vilis Imago

Foly

Grimbaldus gredy snatche a puddyng tyl the rost be redy

Fansy.

By the harte of god well done [1175]

Foly

Ye so redely and so sone

Here cometh in crafty conueyaunce.

Crafty conuey.

What fansy; let me se who is the tother

Fansy.

By god syr foly myne owne sworne brother

Crafty conuey.

Cockys bonys it is a farle freke 
Can he play well at the hoddypeke [1180]

Fansy.

Tell by thy trouth what sport can thou make.

Foly

A holde thy peas I haue the tothe ake

Crafty conuey.

The tothe ake? lo a torde ye haue

Foly

Ye thou haste the four quarters of a knaue

Crafty conuey.

Wotyst thou I say to whom thou spekys [1185]

Fansy.

Nay by cockys harte he ne reckys 
For he wyll speke to magnyfycence thus

Crafty conuey.

Cockys armys a mete man for vs

Foly

What wolde ye haue mo folys and are so many

Fansy.

Nay offer hym a counter in stede of a peny [1190]

Crafty conuey.

Why thynkys thou he can no better skyll

Foly

In fayth I can make you bothe folys and I wyll

Crafty conuey.

What haste thou on thy fyst a kesteryll

Foly

Nay Iwys fole it is a doteryll

Crafty conuey.

In a cote thou can play well the dyser [1195]

Foly

Ye but thou can play the fole without a vyser

Fansy.

Howe rode he by you; howe put he to you

Crafty conuey.

Mary as thou sayst; he gaue me a blurre 
But where gatte thou that mangey curre

Fansy.

Mary it was his and nowe it is myne [1200]

Crafty conuey.

And was it his and nowe it is thyne 
Thou must haue thy fansy and thy wyll 
But yet thou shalt holde me a fole styll

Foly

Why wenyst thou that I cannot make the play the fon

Fansy.

Yes by my faythe good syr Iohnn [1205]

Crafty conuey.

For you bothe it were Inough

Foly

Why wenyst thou that I were as moche a fole as thou

Fansy.

Nay nay thou shalte fynde hym another maner of man

Foly

In faythe I can do mastryes so I can

Crafty conuey.

What canest thou do but play cocke wat [1210]

Fansy.

Yes yet he wyll make the ete a gnat

Foly

Yes yes by my trouth I holde the a grote 
That I shall laughe the out of thy cote

Crafty conuey.

Than wyll I say that thou haste no pere

Fansy.

Nowe by the rode and he wyll go nere [1215]

Foly

Hem fansy  regardes voyes

Here foly maketh semblaunt to take a lowse from crafty conueyaunce showlder

Fansy.

What hast thou founde there

Foly

By god a lowse

Crafty conuey.

By cockes harte I trowe thou lyste

Foly

By the masse a spaynysshe moght with a gray lyste. [1220]

Fansy.

Ha ha ha ha ha ha.

Crafty conuey.

Cockes armes it is not so I trowe.

Here crafty conueyaunce putteth of his gowne.

Foly

Put on thy gowne agayne for thou hast lost nowe.

Fansy.

Lo Iohnn a bonam where is thy brayne. 
Nowe put on fole thy cote agayne [1225]

Foly

Gyue me my grote for thou hast lost

Here foly maketh semblaunt to take money of crafty conueyaunce saynge to hym

Shyt thy purse dawe and do no cost

Fansy.

Nowe hast thou not a prowde mocke & a starke.

Crafty conuey.

With yes by the rode of wodstocke parke.

Fansy.

Nay I tell the he maketh no dowtes [1230] 
To tourne a fole out of his clowtes.

Crafty conuey.

And for a fole a man wolde hym take

Foly

Nay it is I that foles can make 
For be he cayser or be he kynge 
To felowshyp with foly I can hym brynge [1235]

Fansy.

Nay wylte thou here nowe of his scoles. 
And what maner of people he maketh foles.

Crafty conuey.

Ye let vs here a worde or twayne

Foly

Syr of my maner I shall tell you the playne 
Fyrst I lay before them my bybyll [1240] 
And teche them howe they sholde syt ydyll 
To pyke theyr fyngers all the day longe 
So in theyr eyre I synge them a songe 
And make them so longe to muse. 
That some of them renneth strayght to the stuse [1245] 
To thefte and bryboury I make some fall. 
And pyke a locke and clyme a wall 
And where I spy a nysot gay 
That wyll syt ydyll all the day 
And can not set herselfe to warke [1250] 
I kyndell in her suche a lyther sparke 
That rubbed she must be on the gall 
Bytwene the tappet and the wall

Crafty conuey.

What horson arte thou suche a one

Fansy.

Nay beyonde all other set hym alone [1255]

Crafty conuey.

Hast thou ony more let se procede.

Foly

Ye by god syr for a nede 
I haue another maner of sorte 
That I laugh at for my dysporte 
And those be they that come vp of nought [1260] 
As some be not ferce and yf it were well sought 
Suche dawys what soeuer they be 
That be set in auctorite 
Anone he waxyth so hy and prowde 
He frownyth fyersly brymly browde [1265] 
The knaue wolde make it koy and he cowde 
All that he dothe muste be alowde 
And this is not well done syr take hede 
And maketh hym besy where is no nede 
He dawnsys so longe hey troly loly [1270] 
That euery man lawghyth at his foly

Crafty conuey.

By the good lorde truthe he sayth

Fansy.

Thynkyst thou not so by thy fayth

Crafty conuey.

Thynke I not so quod he ellys haue I shame 
For I knowe dyuerse that vseth the same [1275]

Foly

But nowe forsothe man it maketh no mater 
For they that wyll so bysely smater 
So helpe me god man euer at the length 
I make hym lese moche of theyr strength 
For with foly so do I them lede [1280] 
That wyt he wantyth when he hath moste nede

Fansy.

Forsothe tell on hast thou any mo

Foly

Yes I shall tell you or I go 
Of dyuerse mo that hauntyth my scolys

Crafty conuey.

All men beware of suche folys [1285]

Foly

There be two lyther rude and ranke 
Symkyn tytyuell and pers pykthanke 
Theys lythers I lerne them for to lere 
What he sayth and she sayth to lay good ere 
And tell to his sufferayne euery whyt [1290] 
And then he is moche made of for his wyt 
And be the mater yll more or lesse 
He wyll make it mykyll worse than it is 
But all that he dothe and yf he reken well 
It is but foly euery dell [1295]

Fansy.

Are not his wordys cursydly cowchyd

Crafty conuey.

By god there be some that be shroudly towchyd 
But I say let se and yf thou haue any more

Foly

I haue an hole armory of suche haburdashe in store 
For there be other that foly dothe vse [1300] 
That folowe fonde fantasyes and vertu refuse

Fansy.

Nay that is my parte that thou spekest of nowe.

Foly

So is all the remenaunt I make god auowe 
For thou fourmest suche fantasyes in theyr mynde 
That euery man almost groweth out of kynde. [1305]

Crafty conuey.

By the masse I am glad that I came hyder. 
To here you two rutters dyspute togyder

Fansy.

Nay but fansy must be eyther fyrst or last

Foly

But whan foly cometh all is past

Fansy.

I wote not whether it cometh of the or of me [1310] 
But all is foly that I can se

Crafty conuey.

Mary syr ye may swere it on a boke

Foly

Ye tourne ouer the lefe rede there and loke 
Howe frantyke fansy fyrst of all 
Maketh man and woman in foly to fall [1315]

Crafty conuey.

A syr a a howe by that

Fansy.

A peryllous thynge to cast a cat 
Vpon a naked man and yf she scrat

Foly

So how I say the hare is squat 
For frantyke fansy thou makest men madde [1320] 
And I foly bryngeth them to qui fuit gadde 
With qui fuit brayne seke I haue them brought 
From qui fuit aliquid to shyre shakynge nought

Crafty conuey.

Well argued and surely on bothe sydes 
But for the fansy magnyfycence abydes [1325]

Fansy.

Why shall I not haue foly with me also.

Crafty conuey.

Yes perde man whether that ye ryde or go 
Yet for his name we must fynde a slyght

Fansy.

By the masse he shall hyght consayte

Crafty conuey.

Not a better name vnder the sonne [1330] 
With magnyfycence thou shalte wonne

Foly

God haue mercy good godfather

Crafty conuey.

Yet I wolde that ye had gone rather. 
For as sone as you come in magnyfycence syght 
All mesure and good rule is gone quyte [1335]

Fansy.

And shall we haue lyberte to do what we wyll

Crafty conuey.

Ryot at lyberte russheth it out styll

Foly

Ye but tell me one thynge

Crafty conuey.

What is that

Foly

Who is mayster of the masshe fat

Fansy.

Ye for he hathe a full dry soule

Crafty conuey.

Cockes armes thou shalte kepe the brewhouse boule.

Foly

But may I drynke therof whylest that I stare

Crafty conuey.

When mesure is gone what nedest thou spare 
Whan mesure is gone we may slee care [1345]

Foly

Nowe then goo we hens; away the mare

Exeunt Fansy and Foly

Crafty conueyaunce alone in the place

Crafty conuey.

It is wonder to se the worlde aboute 
To se what foly is vsed in euery place 
Foly hath a rome I say in euery route 
To put where he lyst foly hath fre chace [1350] 
Foly and fansy all where euery man dothe face & brace 
Foly fotyth it properly fansy ledyth the dawnce 
And next come I after crafty conueyaunce 
Who so to me gyueth good aduertence 
Shall se many thyngys donne craftely [1355] 
By me conueyed is wanton insolence 
Pryuy poyntmentys conueyed so properly 
For many tymes moche kyndnesse is denyed 
For drede that we dare not ofte lest we be spyed [1360] 
By me is conueyed mykyll praty ware 
Somtyme I say behynde the dore for nede 
I haue an hoby can make larkys to dare 
I knyt togyther many a broken threde 
It is great almesse the hungre to fede [1365] 
To clothe the nakyd where is lackynge a smocke 
Trymme at her tayle or a man can turne a socke 
What howe be ye mery was it not well conueyed 
As oft as ye lyst so honeste be sauyd 
Alas dere harte loke that we be not perseyuyd [1370] 
Without crafte nothynge is well behauyd 
Though I shewe you curtesy say not that I craued 
Yet conuey it craftely and hardely spare not for me 
So that there knowe no man but I and she 
Thefte also and pety brybery [1375] 
Without me be full oft aspyed 
My inwyt delynge there can no man dyscry 
Conuey it be crafte lyft and lay a syde 
Full moche flatery and falsehode I hyde 
And by crafty conueyaunce I wyll and I can [1380] 
Saue a stronge thefe and hange a trew man 
But some man wolde conuey and can not skyll 
As malypert tauernars that checke with theyr betters 
Theyr conueyaunce weltyth the worke all by wyll 
And some wyll take vpon them to conterfet letters [1385] 
And therwith all conuey hymselfe into a payre of fetters 
And some wyll conuey by the pretence of sadnesse 
Tyll all theyr conueyaunce is turnyd into madnesse 
Crafty conueyaunce is no chyldys game 
By crafty conueyaunce many one is [1390] brought vp of nought 
Crafty conueyaunce can cloke hymselfe frome shame 
For by crafty conueyaunce wonderful thynges are wrought
By conuayaunce crafty I haue brought 
Unto magnyfycence a full vngracyous sorte 
For all hokes vnhappy to me haue resorte [1395]

Here cometh in Magnyfycence with Lyberte and Felycyte

Magnyfycence

Trust me lyberte it greueth me ryght sore 
To se you thus ruled and stande in suche awe.

Lyberte.

Syr as by my wyll it shall be so no more.

Felycyte.

Yet lyberte without rule is not worth a strawe.

Magnyfycence

Tushe holde your peas ye speke lyke a dawe [1400] 
Ye shall be occupyed welthe at my wyll

Crafty conuey.

All that ye say syr is reason and skyll

Magnyfycence

Mayster suruayour where haue ye ben so longe 
Remembre ye not how my lyberte by mesure ruled was

Crafty conuey.

In good faythe syr me semeth he had the more wronge [1405]

Lyberte.

Mary syr so dyd he excede and passe 
They droue me to lernynge lyke a dull asse

Felycyte.

It is good yet that lyberte be ruled by reason

Magnyfycence

Tushe holde your peas ye speke out of season. 
Yourselfe shall be ruled by lyberte and largesse [1410]

Felycyte.

I am content so it in measure be

Lyberte.

Must mesure in the mares name you furnysshe & dresse

Magnyfycence

Nay nay not so my frende felycyte

Crafty conuey.

Not and your grace wolde be ruled by me

Lyberte.

Nay he shall be ruled euen as I lyst [1415]

Felycyte.

Yet it is good to beware of had I wyst.

Magnyfycence

Syr by lyberte and largesse I wyll that ye shall 
Be gouerned and gyded wote ye what I say 
Mayster suruayour largesse to me call

Crafty conuey.

It shall be done [1420]

Magnyfycence

Ye but byd hym come away 
At ones; and let hym not tary all day [1400]

Here goth out Crafty conuayaunce

Felycyte.

Yet it is good wysdome to worke wysely by welth.

Lyberte.

Holde thy tonge and thou loue thy helth

Magnyfycence

What wyll ye waste wynde and prate thus in vayne. [1425] 
Ye haue eten sauce I trowe at the taylers hall

Lyberte.

Be not to bolde my frende I counsell you bere a brayne

Magnyfycence

And what so we say holde you content withall.

Felycyte.

Syr yet without sapyence your substaunce may be smal 
For where is no mesure howe may worshyp endure. [1430]

Here cometh in Fansy

Fansy.

Syr I am here at your pleasure 
Your grace sent for me I wene; what is your wyll

Magnyfycence

Come hyther largesse take here felycyte

Fansy.

Why wene you that I can kepe hym longe styll.

Magnyfycence

To rule as ye lyst lo here is lyberte [1435]

Lyberte.

I am here redy

Fansy.

What shall we 
Haue welth at our gydynge to rule as we lyst [1415] 
Then fare well thryfte by hym that crosse kyst.

Felycyte.

I truste your grace wyll be agreabyll [1440] 
That I shall suffer none impechment 
By theyr demenaunce nor losse repryuable

Magnyfycence

Syr ye shall folowe myne appetyte and intent

Felycyte.

So it be by mesure I am ryght well content

Fansy.

What all by mesure good syr and none excesse [1445]

Lyberte.

Why welth hath made many a man braynlesse

Felycyte.

That was by the menys of to moche lyberte

Magnyfycence

What can ye agree thus and appose

Felycyte.

Syr as I say there was no faute in me

Lyberte.

Ye of Iacke a thrommys bybyll can ye make a glose [1450]

Fansy.

Sore sayde I tell you and well to the purpose 
What sholde a man do with you loke you vnder kay

Felycyte.

I say it is foly to gyue all welth away

Lyberte.

Whether sholde welth be rulyd by lyberte 
Or lyberte by welth let se tell me that [1455]

Felycyte.

Syr as me semeth ye sholde be rulyd be me

Magnyfycence

What nede you with hym thus prate and chat

Fansy.

Shewe vs your mynde then howe to do and what

Magnyfycence

I say that I wyll ye haue hym in gydynge

Lyberte.

Mayster felycyte let be your chydynge [1460] 
And so as ye se it wyll be no better 
Take it in worthe suche as ye fynde

Fansy.

What the deuyll man your name shalbe the greter 
For welth without largesse is all out of kynde

Lyberte.

And welth is nought worthe; yf lyberte be behynde [1465]

Magnyfycence

Nowe holde ye content for there is none other shyfte

Felycyte.

Than waste must be welcome and fare well thryfte

Magnyfycence

Take of his substaunce a sure inuentory 
And get you home togyther for lyberte shall byde 
And wayte vpon me [1470]

Lyberte.

And yet for a memory 
Make indentures howe ye and I shal gyde

Fansy.

I can do nothynge but he stonde besyde

Lyberte.

Syr we can do nothynge the one without the other

Magnyfycence

Well get you hens than and sende me some other [1475]

Fansy.

Whom lusty pleasure or mery consayte

Magnyfycence

Nay fyrst lusty pleasure is my desyre to haue 
And let the other another time awayte 
Howe be it that fonde felowe is a mery knaue 
But loke that ye occupye the auctoryte that I you gaue [1480]

Here goeth out felycyte; lyberte; and fansy

Magnyfycence

For nowe syrs I am lyke as a prynce sholde be 
I haue welth at wyll largesse and lyberte 
Fortune to her lawys can not abandune me 
But I shall of fortune rule the reyne 
I fere nothynge fortunes perplexyte [1485] 
All honour to me must nedys stowpe and lene 
I synge of two partys without a mene 
I haue wynde and wether ouer all to sayle 
No stormy rage agaynst me can peruayle 
Alexander of [1490] Macedony kynge 
That all the oryent had in subieccyon 
Though al his conquestys were brought to rekenynge 
Myght seme ryght wel vnder my proteccyon 
To rayne? for all his marcyall affeccyon 
For I am prynce perlesse prouyd of porte [1495] 
Bathyd with blysse embracyd with comforte 
Syrus that soleme syar of Babylon 
That Israell releysyd of theyr captyuyte 
For al his pompe; for all his ryall trone 
He may not be comparyd vnto me [1500] 
I am the dyamounde dowtlesse of dygnyte 
Surely it is I that all may saue and spyll 
No man so hardy to worke agaynst my wyll 
Porcenya the prowde prouoste of turky lande 
That ratyd the romaynes and made them yll rest [1505] 
Nor Cesar Iuly that no man myght withstande 
Were neuer halfe so rychely as I am drest 
No that I assure you loke who was the best 
I reyne in my robys I rule as me lyst 
I dryue downe these dastardys with a dynt of my fyste [1510] 
Of Cato the counte acountyd the cane 
Daryus the doughty cheftayn of perse 
I set not by the prowdest of them a prane 
Ne by non other that any man can rehersse 
I folowe in felycyte without reuersse [1515] 
I drede no daunger I dawnce all in delyte 
My name is magnyfycence man most of myght 
Hercules the herdy with his stobburne clobbyd mase 
That made Cerberus to cache the cur dogge of hell 
And Thesius that prowde was Pluto to face [1520] 
It wolde not become them with me for to mell 
For of all barones bolde I bere the bell 
Of all doughty I am doughtyest duke as I deme 
To me all prynces to lowte man beseme 
Cherlemayne that mantenyd the nobles of Fraunce [1525] 
Arthur of albyan for all his brymme berde 
Nor basyan the bolde for all his brybaunce 
Nor alerycus that rulyd the gothyaunce by swerd 
Nor no man on molde can make me aferd 
What man is so maysyd with me that dare mete [1530] 
I shall flappe hym as a fole to fall at my fete 
Galba whom his galantys garde for a gaspe 
Nor nero that nother set by god nor man 
Nor vaspasyan that bare in his nose a waspe 
Nor hanyball agayne rome gates that ranne [1535] 
Nor yet cypyo that noble cartage wanne 
Nor none so hardy of them with me that durste crake 
But I shall frounce them on the foretop & gar them to quake

Here cometh in courtly abusyon doynge reuerence and courtesy

Courtly abusyon

At your commaundement syr wyth all dew reuerence

Magnyfycence

Welcom pleasure to our magnyfycence [1540]

Courtly abusyon

Plesyth it your grace to shewe what I do shall

Magnyfycence

Let vs here of your pleasure to passe the tyme withall

Courtly abusyon

Syr then with the fauour of your benynge sufferaunce 
To shewe you my mynde my selfe I wyll auaunce 
If it lyke your grace to take it in degre [1545]

Magnyfycence

Yes syr so good man in you I se 
And in your delynge so good assuraunce 
That we delyte gretly in your dalyaunce.

Courtly abusyon

A syr your grace me dothe extole and rayse 
And ferre beyond my merytys ye me commende & prayse [1550] 
Howe be it I wolde be ryght gladde I you assure 
Any thynge to do that myght be to your pleasure

Magnyfycence

As I be saued with pleasure I am supprysyd 
Of your langage it is so well deuysed 
Pullyshyd and fresshe is your ornacy [1555]

Courtly abusyon

A I wolde to god that I were halfe so crafty 
Or in electe vtteraunce halfe so eloquent 
As that I myght your noble grace content

Magnyfycence

Truste me with you I am hyghly pleasyd 
For in my fauour I haue you feffyd and seasyd [1560] 
He is not lyuynge your maners can amend 
Mary your speche is as pleasant as though it were pend 
To here your comon it is my hygh comforte 
Poynt deuyse all pleasure is your porte

Courtly abusyon

Syr I am the better of your noble reporte [1565] 
But of your pacyence vnder the supporte 
If it wolde lyke you to here my pore mynde

Magnyfycence

Speke I beseche the leue nothynge behynde

Courtly abusyon

So as ye be a prynce of great myght
It is semynge your pleasure ye delyte [1570] 
And to aqueynte you with carnall delectacyon 
And to fall in a quayntaunce with euery newe facyon 
And quyckely your appetytes to sharpe and adresse 
To fasten your fansy vpon a fayre maystresse 
That quyckly is enuyued with rudyes of the rose [1575] 
Inpurtured with fetures after your purpose 
The streynes of her vaynes as asure Inde blewe. 
Enbudded with beautye and colour fresshe of hewe 
As lyly whyte to loke vpon her leyre 
Her eyen relucent as carbuncle so clere. [1580] 
Her mouthe enbawmed dylectable and mery 
Her lusty lyppes ruddy as the chery. 
Howe lyke you; ye lacke syr suche a lusty lasse

Magnyfycence

A that were a baby to brace and to basse 
I wolde I had by hym that hell dyd harowe [1585] 
With me in kepynge suche a phylyp sparowe 
I wolde hauke whylest my hede dyd warke 
So I myght hobby for suche a lusty larke 
These wordes in myne eyre they be so lustely spoken 
That on suche a female my flesshe wolde be wroken [1590] 
They towche me so thorowly and tykyll my consayte. 
That weryed I wolde be on suche a bayte 
A cockes armes where myght suche one be founde

Courtly abusyon

Wyll ye spende ony money

Magnyfycence

Ye a thousande pounde

Courtly abusyon

Nay nay for lesse I waraunt you to be sped 
And brought home and layde in your bed

Magnyfycence

Wolde money trowest thou make suche one to the call

Courtly abusyon

Money maketh marchauntes I tell you ouer all

Magnyfycence

Why wyl a maystres be wonne for money & for golde [1600]

Courtly abusyon

Why was not for money troy bothe bought and solde 
Full many a strong cyte and towne hath been wonne. 
By the meanes of money without ony gonne. 
A maystres I tell you is but a small thynge 
A goodly rybon or a golde rynge [1605] 
May wynne with a sawte the fortresse of the holde 
But one thynge I warne you prece forth and be bolde

Magnyfycence

Ye but some be full koy and passynge harde harted.

Courtly abusyon

But blessyd be our lorde they wyll be sone conuerted.

Magnyfycence

Why wyll they then be intreted the most and the lest [1610]

Courtly abusyon

Ye for omnis mulier meritrix si celari potest

Magnyfycence

A I haue spyed ye can moche broken sorowe

Courtly abusyon

I coude holde you with suche talke hens tyll to morowe 
But yf it lyke your grace more at large 
Me to permyt my mynde to dyscharge [1615]
I wolde yet shewe you further of my consayte

Magnyfycence

Let se what ye say shewe it strayte

Courtly abusyon

Wysely let these wordes in your mynde be wayed 
By waywarde wylfulnes let eche thynge be conuayed 
What so euer ye do folowe your owne wyll [1620] 
Be it reason or none it shall not gretely skyll 
Be it ryght or wronge by the aduyse of me 
Take your pleasure and vse free lyberte 
And yf you se ony thynge agaynst your mynde 
Then some occacyon or quarell ye must fynde [1625] 
And frowne it and face it as thoughe ye wolde fyght. 
Frete yourselfe for anger and for dyspyte 
Here no man what so euer they say 
But do as ye lyst and take your owne way

Magnyfycence

Thy wordes and my mynde odly well accorde. [1630]

Courtly abusyon

What sholde ye do elles are not you a lorde 
Let your lust and lykynge stande for a lawe. 
Be wrastynge and wrythynge and away drawe. 
And ye se a man that with hym ye be not pleased 
And that your mynde can not well be eased [1635] 
As yf a man fortune to touche you on the quyke 
Then feyne yourselfe dyseased and make yourselfe seke 
To styre vp your stomake you must you forge 
Call for a caudell and cast vp your gorge, 
With cockes armes rest shall I none haue [1640] 
Tyll I be reuenged on that horson knaue. 
A howe my stomake wambleth I am all in a swete 
Is there no horson that knaue that wyll bete.

Magnyfycence

By cockes woundes a wonder felowe thou arte 
For ofte tymes suche a wamblynge goth ouer my harte [1645] 
Yet I am not harte seke but that me lyst. 
For myrth I haue hym coryed beten and blyst 
Hym that I loued not and made hym to loute 
I am forthwith as hole as a troute 
For suche abusyon I vse nowe and than [1650]

Courtly abusyon

It is none abusyon syr in a noble man. 
It is a pryncely pleasure and a lordly mynde. 
Suche lustes at large may not be lefte behynde.

Here cometh in cloked colusyon with mesure

to whom he speaks first.

Cloked colusyon

Stande styll here and ye shall se 
That for your sake I wyll fall on my kne [1655]

MESURE waits at the door.

Courtly abusyon

Syr sober sadnesse cometh wherfore it be

Magnyfycence

Stand vp syr ye are welcom to me

Cloked colusyon

Please it your grace at the contemplacyon 
Of my pore instance and supplycacyon E3v"> 
Tenderly to consyder in your aduertence. [1660] 
Of our blessyd lorde syr at the reuerence 
Remembre the good seruyce that mesure hath you done 
And that ye wyll not cast hym away so sone

Magnyfycence

My frende as touchynge to this your mocyon. 
I may say to you I haue but small deuocyon [1665] 
Howe be it at your instaunce I wyll the rather 
Do as moche as for myne owne father

Cloked colusyon

Nay syr that affeccyon ought to be reserued 
For of your grace I haue it nought deserued 
But yf it lyke you that I myght rowne in your eyre [1670] 
To shewe you my mynde I wolde haue the lesse fere

Magnyfycence

Stande a lytell abacke syr and let hym come hyder.

Courtly abusyon

With a good wyll syr god spede you bothe togyder.

Cloked colusyon

Syr so it is this man is here by. 
That for hym to laboure he hath prayde me hartely. [1675] 
Notwithstandynge to you be it sayde 
To trust in me he is but dyssayued. 
For so helpe me god for you he is not mete 
I speke the softlyer because he sholde not wete

Magnyfycence

Come hyder pleasure you shall here myne entent. [1680] 
Mesure ye knowe wel with hym I can not be content 
And surely as I am nowe aduysed 
I wyll haue hym rehayted and dyspysed 
Howe say ye syrs herein what is best.

Courtly abusyon

By myne aduyse with you in fayth he shall not rest [1685]

Cloked colusyon

Yet syr reserued your better aduysement 
It were better he spake with you or he wente 
That he knowe not but that I haue supplyed. 
All that I can his matter for to spede.

Magnyfycence

Nowe by your trouthe gaue he you not a brybe [1690]

Cloked colusyon

Yes with his hande I made hym to subscrybe 
A byll of recorde for an annuall rent

Courtly abusyon

But for all that he is lyke to haue a glent.

Cloked colusyon

Ye by my trouthe I shall waraunt you for me 
And he go to the deuyll so that I may haue my fee [1695] 
What care I

Magnyfycence

By the masse well sayd

Courtly abusyon

What force ye so that ye be payde

Cloked colusyon

But yet lo I wolde or that he wente. 
Lest that he thought that his money were euyll spente. [1700] 
That he wolde loke on hym thoughe it were not longe.

Magnyfycence

Well cannest thou helpe a preest to synge a songe

Cloked colusyon

So it is all the maner nowe a dayes 
For to vse suche haftynge and crafty wayes

Courtly abusyon

He telleth you trouth syr as I you ensure [1705] E4">

Magnyfycence

Well for thy sake the better I may endure 
That he come hyder and to gyue hym a loke 
That he shall lyke the worse all this woke

Cloked colusyon

I care not howe sone he be refused 
So that I may craftely be excused [1710]

Courtly abusyon

Where is he

Cloked colusyon

Mary I made hym abyde 
Whylest I came to you a lytell here besyde

Magnyfycence

Well call hym and let vs here hym reason 
And we wyll be comonynge in the mene season [1715]

Courtly abusyon

This is a wyse man syr where so euer ye hym had.

Magnyfycence

An honest person I tell you and a sad

Courtly abusyon

He can full craftely this matter brynge aboute