Early English Dramatists

"LOST" TUDOR
PLAYS WITH
SOME OTHERS

[Early English Dramatists]
Recently Recovered
"LOST" TUDOR PLAYS
WITH SOME OTHERS
COMPRISING
Mankind—Nature—Wit and Science
Respublica—Wealth and Health
Impatient Poverty—John the Evangelist
Note-Book and Word-List

EDITED BY

JOHN S. FARMER

This edition, published in 1966, is a facsimile of the edition published by the
EARLY ENGLISH DRAMA SOCIETY, LONDON in 1907

CHARLES W. TRAYLEN
GUILDFORD, ENGLAND

[PREFACE]

Unquestionably the chief interest of this volume will centre in the three recently recovered "lost" Tudor Plays: Wealth and Health, Impatient Poverty, and John the Evangelist. It was, in truth, a unique and notable "find"—one that gladdened the world's scholarship. In June 1906 it was announced that no fewer than seventeen of the rarest pre-Shakespearean interludes, including three "lost" plays and four apparently unknown or unrecorded editions, had been unearthed in an Irish country house. Yet the owner of this quarto volume of old plays, the hammer value of which ultimately proved to be over £2600, thought so little, or knew so little, of its value that it was sent over to the London auctioneers without a cover!

It is a matter of surmise, perhaps idle enough, how these old plays got so far afield from the usual centres of early dramatic interest and effort. Still it shows that we need not despair of further "recoveries"; in the most unlikely quarters and when least expected other lost plays of the Tudor period may turn up; and, it must be confessed, if only a tithe of known plays not now traceable are restored, the gain to scholarship will be invaluable.

Public interest in this recent recovery was at once aroused; and the contest for possession, when brought to the hammer, was of the keenest. Mr. Bernard Quaritch secured every one. It is, however, a matter of profound satisfaction to know that the rarest and best items of the collection, the "lost" plays and unrecorded editions, were bought for the nation.

As a matter of record I may state that the British Museum authorities secured—the prices given are the hammer prices—King Darius (unknown edition, £132); John the Evangelist (lost play, £102); The Nice Wanton (unknown edition, £169); Play of the Weather (unknown edition, £90); Wealth and Health (lost play, £95); Lusty Juventus (unknown edition, £140); and Impatient Poverty (lost play, £150).

America took The Trial of Treasure (£160) and Apius and Virginia (£101). I have not, however, as yet, been able to locate them more definitely.

Mr. T. J. Wise purchased Cambyses (£169) and Gammer Gurton's Needle (£180).

Octavia (£82) was purchased for Mr. J. H. Wrenn.

Others were announced for sale by Mr. Quaritch in his catalogue (No. 254) dated Dec. 1906. The titles of these plays and the auction price were: Jacob and Esau (£148); The Tide Tarrieth for no Man (£176); The Disobedient Child (£233); Youth; and The New Custom (£155).

It is my good fortune in the present volume to be the first to make the three "lost" plays available for scholars. The greatest care has been taken to furnish a faithful rendering of the original texts; these have been set from rotary-bromide photographs of the unique copies now in national custody. Moreover, to meet the requirements of "textual experts" and the "higher criticism" these three plays form the first series of my Tudor Fascimile Texts, and will shortly be available in collotype. The four "unknown" editions already noted are also being reproduced by the same process and will form Series II. of the same collection.

Space—this volume is already much over-grown—forbids further comment. Nor would it be proper here and now. The recovery is too recent to have afforded an adequate opportunity for more than the most cursory examination; indeed, my strong feeling has been that I should best serve the wishes of the subscribers to the Early English Drama Society's publications by losing no time in placing these texts before them.

The other early interludes which complete the present collection are likewise rare and more or less difficult of access.

JOHN S. FARMER.

18 Bury Street, W.C.

[CONTENTS]

[MANKIND
c. 1475
A MORALITY PORTRAYING THE LIFE OF NE'ER-DO-WEELS IN LATE PLANTAGENET AND EARLY TUDOR TIMES]

[The Names of the Players:

• Mercy
• Mankind
• Mischief
• New Guise
• Nought
• Now-a-days
• Titivillus]

[MANKIND]

[Enter Mercy.]

Mercy. The very Founder and Beginner of our first creation,
Among us sinful wretches He oweth to be magnified;
That, for our disobedience, He had none indignation
To send His own Son to be torn and crucified.
Our obsequious service to Him should be applied:
Where He was Lord of all, and made all thing of nought,
For the sinful sinner, to have him revived,
And, for his redemption, set His own Son at nought.
That may be said and verified: Mankind was dear bought;
By the piteous death of Jesu he had his remedy;
He was purged of his default—that wretchedly had wrought—
By His glorious passion, that blessed lavatory.
O sovereigns! I beseech you your conditions to rectify;
And, with humility and reverence, to have a remotion
To this blessed Prince, that our nature doth glorify;
That ye may be participable of His retribution.
I have be[en] the very mean for your restitution:
Mercy is my name, that mourneth for your offence.
Divert not yourself in time of temptation,
That ye may be acceptable to God at your going hence;
The great mercy of God, that is of most pre-eminence,
By meditation of our Lady, that is ever abundant
To the sinful creature that will repent his negligence:
I pray God, at your most need, that Mercy be your defendant.
In good works I advise you, sovereigns! to be perseverant;
To purify your souls that they be not corrupt;
For your ghostly enemy will make his avaunt,
Your good conditions if he may interrupt.
O! ye sovereigns that sit, and ye brothern that stand right up,
Pryke not your felicities in things transitory!
Behold not the earth, but lift your eye up!
See how the head the members daily do magnify.
Who is the head? forsooth! I shall you certify:
I mean our Saviour that was likened to a lamb;
And His saints be the members, that daily He doth satisfy
With the precious river that runneth from His womb.
There is none such food by water, nor by land;
So precious, so glorious, so needful to our intent;
For it hath dissolved Mankind from the bitter bond
Of the mortal enemy, that venomous serpent:
From the which, God preserve you all at the last judgment!
For, sikerly, there shall be a strerat examination:
The corn shall be saved; the chaff shall be brent—
I beseech you heartily have this premeditation.

[Enter Mischief.]

Mischief. I beseech you heartily leave your calculation!
Leave your chaff! leave your corn! leave your dalliation!
Your wit is little; your head is mickle; ye are full of predication!
But, sir! I pray [you] this question to clarify:
Driff, draff! mish, mash!
Some was corn, and some was chaff;
My dame said my name was Raff.
Unshut your lock and take an halfpenny!

Mer. Why come ye hither, brother? ye were not desired.

Mis. For a winter corn thresher, sir! I have hired.
And ye said: the corn should be saved and the chaff should be fired;
And he proveth nay, as it showeth by this verse:
Corn serveth breadibus, chaff horsibus, straw firibusque.
This is as much to say, to your lewd understanding,
As: the corn shall serve to bread at the next baking; chaff horsibus, et reliqud,
The chaff to horse shall be good produce;
When a man is for-cold the straw may be brent;
And so forth, etc.

Mer. Avoid, good brother! ye been culpable
To interrupt thus my talking delectable.

Mis. Sir! I have nother horse nor saddle;
Therefore, I may not ride.

Mer. Hie you forth on foot, brother! in God's name!

Mis. I say, sir! I am come hither to make you game;
Yet, bade ye me not go out in the devil's name,
And I will abide.

[A leaf of the manuscript has probably been lost at this point. It commences again by the entry of New Guise, Nought and Now-a-days with a band of minstrels.]

New Guise. And ho, minstrels! play the common trace;
Lay on with thy bales till his belly brest!

Nought. I put case: I break my neck—how than?

New G. I give no force, by saint Anne!

Now-a-days. Leap about lively! thou art a white man;
Let us be merry while we be here!

Nought. Shall I break my neck to show you sport?

Now. Therefore, ever beware of thy report!

Nought. I beshrew you all! here is a shrewd sort;
Have there at them, with a merry cheer!

[Here they dance. Mercy saith,

Mer. Do way! do way this revel, sirs! do way!

Now. Do way, good Adam! do way!
This is no part of thy play.

Nought. Yes, marry! I pray you; for I love not this revelling;
Come forth, good father! I you pray;
By a little ye may assay.
Anon, off with your clothes! if ye will pray.
Go to! I have had a pretty scottling.

Mer. Nay, brother! I will not dance;

New G. If ye will, sir! my brother will make you to prance.

Now. With all my heart, sir! if I may you avance;
Ye may assay by a little trace.

Nought. Yea, sir! will ye do well?
Trace not with them, by my counsel!
For I have traced somewhat to fell;
I tell [you] it is a narrow space.
But, sir! I trow, of us three I heard you speak.

New G. Christ's curse have ye, therefore! for I was in sleep.

Now. A[nd] I had the cup in my hand, ready to go to meat—
Therefore, sir! curtly, greet you well!

Mer. Few words! few, and well set!

New G. Sir! it is the new guise and the new jet.
Many words and shortly set—
This is the new guise every deal.

Mer. Lady, help! how wretches delight in their simple ways!

Now. Say no[ugh]t again the new guise now-a-days!
Thou shall find us sh[r]ews at all assays:
Beware! ye may soon lick a buffet.

Mer. He was well occupied that brought you hither!

Nought. I heard you call New Guise, Now-a-days, Nought: all these three together.
If ye say that I lie, I shall make you to slither:
Lo, take you here a trepitt!

Mer. Say me your names! I know you not.

New G. [Now, and Nought, in turn]. New Guise, I! Now-a-days, [I]! I, Nought!

Mer. By Jesu Christ! that me dear bought;
Ye betray many men.

New G. Betray? nay, nay, sir! nay, nay!
We make them both fresh and gay.
But, of your name, sir, I you pray!
That we may you ken.

Mer. Mercy is my name and my denomination.
I conceive ye have but a little force in my communication.

New G. Ay, ay! your body is full of English Latin.

Now. I pray you heartily, worshipful clerk!
I have eaten a dishful of curds,
And I have shitten your mouth full of turds.
Now, open your satchel with Latin words,
And say me this, in clerical manner:
Also, I have a wife; her name is Rachael;
Betwixt her and me was a great battle;
And fain, of you, I would hear tell
Who was the most master.

Nought. Thy wife, Rachel, I dare lay twenty lice!

Now. Who spake to thee? fool! thou art not wise;
Go and do that longeth to thine office:
Osculare fundamentum!

Nought. Lo, master! here is a pardon by limit;
It is granted of Pope Pockett:
If ye will put your nose in his wife's socket,
Ye shall have forty days of pardon.

Mer. This idle language ye shall repent;
Out of this place I would ye went.

New G. Go we hence, all three, with one assent;
My father is irk of our eloquence;
Therefore, I will no longer tarry.
God bring you, master, and blessed Mary!
To the number of the demonical frayry—

Now. Come wind: come rain!
Though I come never again;
The devil put out both your eyne!
Fellows! go we hence tight!

Nought. Go we hence, a devil way!
Here is the door; here is the way!
Farewell, gentle Geoffrey!
I pray God give you good night! [Exiunt sil.

Mer. Thanked be God! we have a fair deliverance
Of these three unthrifty guests:
They know full little what is their ordinance.
I preve by reason they be worse than beasts:
A beast doth after his natural institution;
Ye may conceive, by their disport and behaviour,
Their joy and delight is in derision
Of their own Christ, to His dishonour.
This condition of living, it is prejudicial;
Beware thereof! it is worse than any felony or treason.
How may it be excused before the justice of all
When, for every idle word, we must yield a reason?
They have great ease; therefore, they will take no thought;
But how then, when the angel of heaven shall blow the trump,
And say to the transgressors that wickedly have wrought:
"Come forth unto your Judge, and yield your account!"
Then shall I, Mercy, begin sore to weep;
Nother comfort nor counsel, there shall none be had;
But, such as they have sown, such shall they reap;
They be wanton now; but, then, shall they be sad.
The good new guise, now-a-days, I will not disallow;
I discommend the vicious guise—I pray have me excused—
I need not to speak of it; your reason will tell it you:
Take that is to be taken, and leave that is to be refused!

[Enter Mankind.]

Mankind. Of the earth and of the clay we have our propagation;
By the providence of God thus we be derived:
To whose mercy I recommend this whole congregation.
I hope unto His bliss ye be all predestinate:
Every man, for his degree, I trust shall be participate;
If we will mortify our carnal condition,
And our voluntary desires that ever be pervertionate—
To renounce these and yield us under God's provision.
My name is Mankind; I have my composition
Of a body and of a soul, of condition contrary.
Betwixt the twain is a great division:
He that should be sbject, now he hath the victory.
This is to me a lamentable story:
To see my flesh, of my soul to have governance;
Where the good wife is master, the goodman may be sorry.
Alas! what was thy fortune and thy chance
To be associate with my flesh, that stinking dunghill?
Lady, help! Sovereigns! it doth my soul much ill
To see the flesh prosperous, and the soul trodden under foot.
I shall go to yonder man; and assay him I will;
I trust of ghostly solace he will be my boot.

[Mankind approaches Mercy.

All hail, seemly father! ye be welcome to this house;
Of the very wisdom ye have participation.
My body with my soul is ever querulous;
I pray you, for Saint Charity! of your supportation.
I beseech you, heartily, of your ghostly comfort;
I am unsteadfast in living; my name is Mankind;
My ghostly enemy, the devil, will have a great disporte
In sinful guiding, if he may see me end.

Mer. Christ send you good comfort! ye be welcome, my friend!
Stand up on your feet! I pray you, arise!
My name is Mercy; ye be to me full hend:
To eschew vice I will you advise.

Man. O, Mercy! of all grace and virtue ye are the well:
I have heard tell, of right-worshipful clerks,
Ye be approximate to God and near of His counsel;
He hath institute you above all His works—
Oh! your lovely works to my soul are sweeter than honey.

Mer. The temptation of the flesh ye must resist, like a man;
For, there is ever a battle betwixt the soul and the body:
Vita hominis est milicia super terram.
Oppress your ghostly enemy, and be Christ's own knight;
Be never a coward again your adversary;
If ye will be crowned, ye must needs fight!
Intend well; and God will be you[r] adjutory!
Remember, my friend! the time of continuance;
So, help me God! it is but a chery-time.
Spend it well! serve God with heart's affiance!
Distemper not your brain with good ale, nor with wine!
Measure is treasure; I forbid you not the use;
Measure yourself! ever beware of excess!
The superfluous guise, I will that ye refuse:
When nature is sufficed, anon that ye cease.
If a man have an horse, and keep him not too high,
He may then rule him at his own desire;
If he be fed over well he will disobey;
And, in hap, cast his master in the mire.

New G. Ye say true, sir! ye are no faitour;
I have fed my wife so well till she is my master.
I have a great wound on my head; lo! and thereon layeth a plaster;
And another—there! I piss my peson.
And my wife were your horse, she would you all to-samne.
Ye feed your horse in measure: ye are a wise man!
I trow and ye were the king's palfry-man,
A good horse should be gesumme.

Man. Where speaks this fellow? will he not come near?

Mer. All too soon, my brother! I fear me for you.
He was here right now—by Him that bought me dear!—
With other of his fellows; they can much sorrow.
They will be here right soon, if I out depart.
Think on my doctrine! that shall be your defence;
Learn while I am here! set my words in heart!
Within a short space I must needs hence.

[Now-a-days and Nought return.]

Now. The sooner the liever; and that be even anon!
I trow your name is Do-little—ye be so long from home;
If ye would go hence we shall come, everyone,
Mo than a good sort!
Ye have liever, I dare well say!
To them ye will go forth your way—
Men have little dainty of your play
Because ye make no sport.

Nought. Your pottage shall be for-cold, sir! when will ye go dine?
I have seen a man lost twenty nobles in as little time;
Yet it was not I, by saint Quintin!
For I was never worth a potful a' worts sithen I was born.
My name is Nought; I love well to make merry;
I have be sithen with the common tapster of Bury.
I played so long the fool that I am even very weary:
Yet shall I be there again, to-morrow. [Exeunt.

Mer. I have much care for you, my own friend!
Your enemies will be here anon; they make their avaunt.
Think well in your heart—your name is Mankind—
Be not unkind to God, I pray you! be His servant!
Be steadfast in condition! see ye be not variant!
Lose not, through folly, that is bought so dear.
God will prove you soon; and, if that ye be constant,
Of His bliss perpetual ye shall be partner.
Ye may not have your intent at your first desire;
See the great patience of Job in tribulation:
Like as the smith trieth iron in the fire,
So was he tried by God's visitation.
He was of your nature, and of your fragility:
Follow the steps of him, my own sweet son!
And say, as he said, in your trouble and adversity:
Dominus dedit, Dominus abstulit, sicut sibi placuit; sit nomen Domini benedictum!
Moreover, in special, I give you in charge:
Beware of New Guise, Now-a-days and Nought!
Nice in their array, in language they be large;
To pervert your conditions all their means shall be sought.
Good son! intermise yourself not in their company!
They heard not a mass thi twelvemonth, I dare well say;
Give them none audience! they will tell you many a lie;
Do truly your labour, and keep your holyday!
Beware of Titivillus—for he leseth no way—
That goeth invisible and will not be seen;
He will rond in your ear, and cast a net before your eyne;
He is worst of all: God let him never thene!
If ye displease God, ask mercy anon;
Else Mischief will be ready to brace you in his bridle.
Kiss me now, my dear darling! God shie[l]d you from your fone!
Do truly your labour, and be never idle!
The blessing of God be with you, and with all these worshipful men!

Man. Amen! for saint Charity, Amen!
Now, blessed be Jesu! my soul is well satiate
With the mellifluous doctrine of this worshipful man.
The rebellion of my flesh, now it is superate,
Thanking be [to] God, of the cunning that I can.
Here will I sit, and tittle in this paper
The incomparable estate of my promotion.
Worshipful Sovereigns! I have written here
The glorious remembrance of my noble condition,
To have remo[r]se and memory of myself: thus written it is
To defend me from all superstitious charms:
Memento, homo, quod cinis es, et in cinerem reverteris.
Lo! I bear on my breast the badge of mine arms.

[New Guise enters, but remains in the background.]

New G. The weather is cold; God send us good fires!
Cum sancto sanctus eris, et cum perverso, perverteris.
Ecce quam bonum et quam jocundum, quod the devil to the friars,
Habitare fratres in unum.

Man. I hear a fellow speak; with him I will not mell.
This earth with my spade I shall assay to delve;
To eschew idleness I do that mine own self;
I pray God send it His fusion!

[Enter Now-a-days and Nought.]

Now. Make room, sirs, for we have be long!
We will come give you a Christmas song.

Nought. Now, I pray all the yemandry, that is here,
To sing with us with a merry cheer:

[Nought sings.

It is written with a coal, it is written with a coal—

New G. and Now. It is written with a coal, it is written, etc.

Nought. He that shitteth with his hole, he that shitteth with his hole—

New G. [and] Now. He that shitteth with his hole, etc.

Nought. But he wipe his arse clean, but he, etc.—

New G. [and] Now. But he wipe his arse clean, but he, etc.

Nought. On his breech it shall be seen, on his breech, etc.—

New G. [and] Now. On his breech it shall be seen, on his breech, etc.

Cantant omnes. Holyke, holyke, holyke! holyke, holyke, holyke!

New G. Hey, Mankind! God speed you with your spade!
I shall tell you of a marriage:
I would your mouth and his arse, that is made,
Were married junctly together!

Man. Hie you hence, fellows! with breeding;
Leave your derision and your japing!
I must needs labour; it is my living.

Now. What, sir! we came but late hither—
Shall all this corn grow here
That ye shall have the next year?
If it be so, corn had need be dear;
Else ye shall have a poor life.

Nought. Alas, good father! this labour fretteth you to the bone;
But, for your crop I take great moan;
Ye shall never spend it alone—
I shall assay to get you a wife.
How many acres suppose ye here, by estimation?

New G. Hey! how ye turn the earth up and down!
I have be, in my days, in many good town,
Yet saw I never such another tilling!

Man. Why stand ye idle? it is pity that ye were born!

Now. We shall bargain with you; and nother mock nor scorn—
Take a good cart in harvest, and load it with your corn,
And what shall we give you for the leaving?

Nought. He is a good, stark labourer; he would fain do well—
He hath met with the good man, Mercy, in a shroud cell:
For all this, he may have many a hungry meal.
Yet, well ye see, he is politic:
Here shall be good corn; he may not miss it;
If he will have rain, he may overpiss it;
And if he will have compos[t] he may overbliss it
A little, with his arse like.

Man. Go, and do your labour! God let you never thee!
Or, with my spade, I shall you ding, by the holy Trinity!
Have ye none other man to mock, but ever me?
Ye would have me of your set?
Hie you forth, lively! for hence I will you driffe!

[Mankind belabours them with his spade.

New G. Alas, my jewels! I shall be shent of my wife!

Now. Alas! and I am like never for to thrive;
I have such a buffet!

Man. Hence, I say, New Guise, Now-a-days, and Nought!
It was said beforn: all the means shall be sought
To pervert my conditions and bring me to nought—
Hence, thieves! ye have made many a leasing!

Nought. Marred I was for cold, but now am I warm!
Ye are evil advised, sir! for ye have done harm.
By Cock's body sacred! I have such a pain in my arm
I may not change a man a farthing!

Man. Now, I thank God, kneeling on my knee:
Blessed be His name! He is of high degree.
By the aid of His grace, that He hath sent me,
Three of mine enemies I have put to flight; [Shows his spade.
Yet this instrument, sovereigns! is not made to defend—
David saith: Nec in hasta, nec in gladio, saluat Dominus.

Nought. No, marry! I beshrew you! it is in spadibus!
Therefore, Christ's curse come on your headibus,
To send you less might! [They go out.

Man. I promit you, these fellows will no more come here;
For some of them, certainly, were somewhat too near!
My father, Mercy, advised me to be of a good cheer,
And again my enemies manly for to fight.
I shall convict them, I hope, every one—
Yet I say amiss; I do it not alone—
With the help of the grace of God I resist my fone
And their malicious heart.
With my spade I will depart, my worship[f]ul sovereigns!
And live ever with labour, to correct my insolence.
I shall go fet corn for my land; I pray you of patience;
Right soon I shall revert. [Exit.

[Enter Mischief.]

Mis. Alas, alas! that ever I was wrought!
Alas! the while I [am] worse than nought!
Sithen I was here, by Him that me bought!
I am utterly undone!
I, Mischief, was here, at the beginning of the game,
And argued with Mercy; God give him shame!
He hath taught Mankind, while I have be vane,
To fight manly again his fone;
For, with his spade—that was his weapon—
New Guise, Now-a-days, Nought hath [he] all to-beaten:
I have great pity to see them weeping.
Will ye list? I hear them cry!

[New Guise, Now-a-days, and Nought enter.]

Alas, alas! come hither! I shall be your borrow.
Alack, alack! veni, veni! Come hither, with sorrow!
Peace, fair babies! ye shall have a napple to-morrow:
Why greet you so, why?

New G. Alas, master! alas my privity!

[Commences to untruss.

Mis. A! where? alack! fair babe, ba me!
Abide! too soon I shall it see!

Now. Here, here! see my head, good master!

Mis. Lady, help! silly darling! veni, veni!
I shall help thee of thy pain;
I shall smite off thy head, and set it on again.

Nought. By our Lady, sir! a fair plaster!
Will ye off with his head? it is a shrewd charm!
As for me I have none harm;
I were loth to forbear mine arm.
Ye play: in nomine Patris, chop!

New G. Ye shall not chop my jewels, and I may!

Now. Yea, Christ's cross! will ye smite my head away?
There! we're on anon; out! ye shall not assay—
I might well be called a fop!

Mis. I can chop it off, and make it again.

New G. I had a shrewd recumbentibus, but I feel no pain.

Now. And my head is all safe and whole again.
Now, touching the matter of Mankind,
Let us have an interlection sithen ye be come hither;
It were good to have an end.

Mis. Ho, ho! a minstrel! know ye any aught?

Nought. I can pipe on a Walsingham whistle, I, Nought, Nought.

Mis. Blow apace! thou shall bring him in with a flowte.

[Titivillus roars from outside.

Titivillus. I come with my legs under me!

Mis. Ho! New Guise, Now-a-days, hark! or I go:
When our heads were together I spake of "Si didero."

New G. So! go thy way! we shall gather money unto;
Else there shall no man him see.
Now, ghostly to our purpose, worshipful sovereigns!
We intend to gather money, if it please your negligence,
For a man with a head that [is] of great omnipotence—

Now. Keep your tail! in goodness, I pray you, good brother!—
He is a worshipful man, sirs, saving your reverence!
He loveth no groats, nor pence, nor two pence;
Give us red royals if ye will see his abominable presence!

New G. Not so! ye that mow not pay the tone, pay the tother—
At the good man of this house first we will assay!
God bless you, master! ye say us ill, yet ye will not say nay.
Let us go by and by, and do them pay!
Ye pay all alike? well mut ye fare!

Nought. I say, New Guise, Now-a-days!
Estis vos pecuniatus?
I have cried a fair while, I beshrew your patus!

Now. Ita vere magister; come forth now, your gatus!
He is a goodly man, sirs! make space and beware!

[Enter Titivillus dressed devilwise, net in hand.]

Titi. Ego sum dominantium dominus, and my name is Titivillus!
Ye that have good horse, to you I say, Caveatis!
Here is an able fellowship to trise him out at your gates.

[Loquitur ad New Guise.

Ego probo sic: sir New Guise, lend me a penny!

New G. I have a great purse, sir! but I have no money:
By the mass! I fail two farthings of an half-penny;
Yet had I ten pounds this night that was.

[Loquitur ad Now-a-days.

Titi. What is in thy purse? thou art a stout fellow!

Now. The devil have [thee]! while I am a clean gentleman
I pray God I be never worse stored than I am!
It shall be otherwise, I hope, or this night pass.

[Loquitur ad Nought.

Titi. Hark now, I say! thou hast many a penny?

Nought. No[n] nobis, Domine, non nobis; by saint Denis!
The devil may dance in my purse for any penny;
It is as clean as a bird's arse.

Titi. Now I say, yet again, Caveatis!
Here is an able fellowship to trise them out of your gates.
Now, I say, New Guise, Now-a-days, and Nought,
Go and search the country, anon, that be sought!
Some here, some there—what if ye may catch aught—
If ye fail of horse, take what ye may else!

New G. Then speak to Mankind for the recumbentibus of my jewels!

Now. Remember my broken head in the worship of the five vowels!

Nought. Yea, good sir! and the sitica in my arm—

Titi. I know full well what Mankind did to you;
Mischief hat[h] informed [me] of all the matter through;
I shall venge your quarrel, I make God a vow!
Forth! and espy where ye may do harm!
Take W[illiam] Fide if ye will have any mo—
I say, New Guise! whither art thou advised to go?

New G. First, I shall begin at m[aster] Huntington of Sanston;
From thence I shall go to William Thurlay of Hanston,
And so, forth to Pichard of Trumpington:
I will keep me to these three.

Now. I shall go to William Baker of Walton;
To Richard Bollman of Gayton;
I shall spare Master Wood of Fulbourn:
He is a noli-me-tangere!

Nought. I shall go to William Patrick of Massingham;
I shall spare Master Allington of Bottisham,
And Hammond of Swaftham,
For dread of In manus tuas queck.
Fellows, come forth! and go we hence together!

New G. Sith we shall go, let us see well where and whither;
If we may be take, we come no more hither;
Let us con well our neck-verse that we have not a check.

Titi. Go your way—a devil way—go your way, all!
I bless you with my left hand: foul you befall!
Come again, I warn, as soon as I you call,
A[nd] bring your advantage into this place!

[They go out and leave Titivillus.

To speak with Mankind I will tarry here this tide,
And assay his good purpose for to set aside;
The good man, Mercy, shall no longer be his guide:
I shall make him to dance another trace!
Ever I go invisible—it is my jet—
And before his eye, thus, I will hang my net
To blench his sight; I hope to have his foot met.
To irk him of his labour I shall make a frame:
This board shall be hid under the earth, privily;
His spade shall enter, I hope, unreadily.
By then he hath assayed he shall be very angry,
And lose his patience, pain of shame!
I shall menge his corn with drawk and with darnel;
It shall not be like to sow nor to sell—
Yonder he cometh: I pray of counsell;
He shall ween grace were wane.

[Enter Mankind.]

Man. Now, God, of His mercy, send us of His sonde!
I have brought seed here to sow with my lond;
While I over-delve it, here it shall stond.
In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus sancti! now I will begin.
This land is so hard, it maketh unlusty and irk;
I shall sow my corn at winter, and let God work.
Alas! my corn is lost; here is a foul work!
I see well, by tilling, little shall I win;
Here I give up my spade, for now and for ever.

[Here Titivillus goes out with the spade.

To occupy my body, I will not put me in dever;
I will hear my evensong here or I dissever.
This place I assign as for my kirk;
Here, in my kirk, I kneel on my knees:
Pater noster, qui es in celis—

[Enter Titivillus.]

Titi. I promise you I have no lead on my heels;
I am here again to make this fellow irk.
Whist! peace! I shall go to his ear and tittle therein—

[Goes to Mankind.

A short prayer thirleth heaven—of thy prayer blin!
Thou art holier than ever was any of thy kin:
Arise, and avent thee! nature compels!

Man. I will into thi yard, sovereigns! and come again soon;
For dread of the colic, and eke of the stone,
I will go do that needs must be done;
My beads shall be here for whosomever will come. [Mankind goes out.

Titi. Mankind was busy in his prayer, yet I did him arise;
He is conveyed, by Christ! from his divine service.
Whither is he? trow ye? I-wis, I am wonder-wise:
I have sent him forth to shit lesings.
If ye have any silver, in hap pure brass,
Take a little pow[d]er of Paris and cast over his face;
And even in the owl-flight let him pass—
Titivillus can learn you many pretty things!
I trow Mankind will come again soon,
Or else, I fear me, evensong will be done:
His beades shall be triced aside, and that anon.
Ye shall [see] a good sport if ye will abide—
Mankind cometh again; well fare he!
I shall answer him ad omnia quare.
There shall he set abroach a clerical maller;
I hope of his purpose to set him aside.

[Re-enter Mankind.]

Man. Evensong hath be in the saying, I trow, a fair while;
I am irk of it; it is too long by one mile.
Do way! I will no more, so oft, on the church stile;
Be as it may, I shall do another.
Of labour and prayer, I am near irk of both;
I will no more of it though Mercy be wroth.
My head is very heavy; I tell you, forsooth!
I shall sleep, full my belly and he were my brother.

[Mankind sleeps and snores.

Titi. And ever ye did, me keep now your silence!
Not a word! I charge you, pain of forty pence!
A praty game shall be showed you or ye go hence.
Ye may hear him snore; he is sad a-sleep.
Whist! peace! the devil is dead! I shall go rond in his ear:
Alas, Mankind, alas! Mercy [has] stolen a mare;
He is run away from his master, there wot no man where;
Moreover, he stale both a horse and a neat.
But yet, I heard say, he brake his neck as he rode in France;
But I think he rideth over the gallows, to learn for to dance,
Because of his theft: that is his governance.
Trust no more on him; he is a marred man!
Mickle sorrow with thy spade beforn thou hast wrought;
Arise, and ask mercy of New Guise, Now-a-days, and Nought!
They come! Advise thee for the best; let their good will be sought;
And thy own wife brethel, and take thee a leman!
Farewell, everyone! for I have done my game;
For I have brought Mankind to mischief and to shame.

[Titivillus goes out.

Man. Whoop! ho! Mercy hath broken his neckercher, a vows!
Or he hangeth by the neck high up on the gallows.
Adieu, fair master! I will haste me to the ale-house,
And speak with New Guise, Now-a-days, and Nought;
A[nd] get me a leman with a smattering face.

[Enter New Guise.]

New G. Make space! for Cock's body sacred, make space!
Aha! well! on! run! God give him evil grace!
We were near saint Patrick's way, by Him that me bought!
I was twitched by the neck; the game was begun;
A grace was; the halter brast asunder—Ecce signum!—
The half is about my neck: we had a near run!
"Beware!" quod the good wife when she smote off her husband's head—"beware!"
Mischief is a convict, for he could his neck-verse—
My body gave a swing when I hung upon the casse.
Alas! who will hang such a likely man, and a fierce,
For stealing of an horse? I pray God give him care!
Do way this halter! what [the] devil doth Mankind here? with sorrow!—
Alas, how my neck is sore, I make avow!

M[an]. Ye be welcome, New Guise! Sir! what cheer with you?

New G. Well, sir! I have no cause to mourn.

M[an]. What was there about your neck? so God you amend!

New G. In faith! saint Audrey's holy bend;
I have a little dishele, as it please God to send,
With a running ringworm.

[Enter Now-a-days.]

Now. Stand, aroom! I pray thee, brother mine!
I have laboured all this night; when shall we go dine?
A church, here beside, shall pay for ale, bread, and wine;
Lo! here is stuff will serve.

New G. Now, by the holy Mary! thou art better merchant than I!

[Enter Nought.]

Nought. Avaunt, knaves! let me go by!
I can not geet, and I should starve.

[Enter Mischief.]

Mis. Here cometh a man of arms; why stand ye so still?
Of murder and manslaughter I have my belly fill.

Now. What, Mischief! have ye been in prison? and it be your will,
Meseemeth ye have scored a pair of fetters.

Mis. I was chained by the arms; lo! I have them here.
The chains I brast asunder and killed the jailor;
Yea, and his fair wife halsed in a corner:
A! how sweetly I kissed that sweet mouth of hers!
When I had do, I was mine own bottler;
I brought away with me both dish and doubler.
Here is enou' for me: be of good cheer!
Yet, well fare the new che[vi]sance!

Man. I ask mercy of New Guise, Now-a-days, and Nought;
Once, with my spade, I remember that I fought;
I will make you amends if I hurt you aught,
Or did any grievance.

New G. What a devil liketh thee to be of this disposition?

Man. I dreamt Mercy was hang[ed]: this was my vision;
And that, to you three, I should have recourse and remotion.
Now, I pray you, heartily, of your good will;
I cry you mercy of all that I did amiss!

Now. [Aside.] I say, New Guise, Nought! Titivillus made all this;
As siker as God is in heaven, so it is!

Nought. Stand up on your feet! why stand ye so still?

New G. Master Mischief! we will you exhort,
Mankind's name, in your book, for to report.

Mis. I will not so! I will set a court—
Ah! do it [in] forma juris d'hasard!

[Now-a-days make[th] proclamation.

Now. Oyez! oyez! oyez!
All manner of men, and common women,
To the Court of Mischief either come or send;
Mankind shall return, he is one of our men!

Mis. Nought! come forth! thou shall be steward.

New G. Master Mischief! his side-gown may be sold;
He may have a jacket thereof, and money told.

Man. I will do for the best, so I have no cold.
Hold! I pray you, and take it with you.

Nought (scri[bit]). And let me have it again in any wise.

New G. I promise you a fresh jacket after the new guise.

Man. Go! and do that longeth to your office;
A[nd] spare that ye may!

[New Guise goeth out.

Nought. Hold, Master Mischief, and read this!

Mis. Here is blottibus in blottis,
Blottorum blottibus istis:
I beshrew your ears! a fair hand!

Now. Yea! it is a good running fist;
Such an hand may not be missed! [Goes out.

Nought. I should have done better, had I wist.

Mis. Take heed, sirs, it stand you on hand!
Curia tenta generalis,
In a place—there good ale is!—
Anno regni regitalis.
Edwardi millatene,
On yestern-day in Febru'ry—the year passeth fully—
As Nought hath written—here is our Tulli,
Anno regni regis nulli.

Now. What ho, New Guise! thou makest much [tarrying];
That jacket shall not be worth a farthing.

[Re-enter New Guise.]

New. G. Out of my way, sirs! for dread of fighting!
Lo! here is a feat tail, light to leap about!

Nought. It is not shapen worth a morsel of bread;
There is too much cloth; it weighs as any lead.
I shall go and mend it; else I will lose my head—
Make space, sirs! let me go out!

[Nought goes out.

Mis. Mankind, come hither! God send you the gout!
Ye shall go to all the good fellows in the country about;
Unto the good-wife when the good-man is out—
"I will," say ye!

Man. I will, sir!

New G. There arn'[t] but six deadly sins; lechery is none;
As it may be verified by us brethels everyone.
Ye shall go rob, steal, and kill, as fast as ye may gone—
"I will," say ye!

Man. I will, sir!

Now. On Sundays, on the morrow, early betime,
Ye shall with us to the ale-house early, to go dine;
A[nd] forbear mass and matins, hours and prime—
"I will," say ye!

M[an]. I will, sir!

Mis. Ye must have by your side a long dapacem,
As true men ride by the way, for to unbrace them;
Take their money, cut their throats; thus over face them—
"I will," say ye!

Man. I will, sir!

[Re-enter Nought.]

Nought. Here is a jolly jacket—how say ye?

New G. It is a good jake of fence for a man's body—
Hi, dog! hi! whoop, ho! go your way lightly!
Ye are well made for to ren!

Mis. Tidings! tidings! I have espied one!
Hence with your stuff! fast we were gone!
I beshrew the last shall come to his home!
Amen! [Dicant omnes.

[Enter Mercy.]

Mer. What ho, Mankind! flee that fellowship, I you pray!

Man. I shall speak with [thee] another time; to-morn or the next day.

[To the others.

We shall go forth together to keep my father's year-day:
A tapster! a tapster! stow, statt, stow!

Mis. A mischief go with [thee]! here I have a foul fall.
Hence! away from me! or I shall beshit you all!

New G. What ho, ostler! ostler, lend us a foot-ball!
Whoop! ho! anow, anow, anow! [They go out.

Mer. My mind is dispersed; my body tir-trimmeleth as the aspen leaf;
The tears should trickle down by my cheeks, were not your reverence!
It were to me solace, the cruel visitation of death!
Without rude behaviour I can[not] express this inconvenience:
Weeping, sighing, and sobbing, were my sufficiance;
All natural nutriment, to me, as carene, is odible;
My inward affliction yieldeth me tedious unto your presence;
I cannot bear it evenly that Mankind is so flexible.
Man unkind, wherever thou be! for all this world was not apprehensible
To discharge thine original offence, thraldom and captivity,
Till God's own well-beloved Son was obedient and passible:
Every drop of His blood was shed to purge thine iniquity.
I discommend and disallow this often mutability!
To every creature thou art dispectuous and odible—
Why art thou so uncurtess, so inconsiderate? alas, woe is me!
As the vane that turneth with the wind, so thou art convertible!
In trust is treason: thy promise is not credible;
Thy perversious ingratitude I cannot rehearse;
To go over, to all the holy court of heaven thou art dispectable,
As a noble versifier maketh mention in his verse:
"Lex et natura, Christus et omnia jura
Damnant ingratum; lugetur eum fore natum."
O, good Lady, and Mother of Mercy! have pity and compassion
Of the wretchedness of Mankind, that is so wanton and so frail!
Let mercy exceed justice, dear Mother! admit this supplication!
Equity to be laid over part[l]y, and mercy to prevail!
Too sensual living is reprovable, that is now-a-days,
As by the comprehence of this matter it may be specified.
New Guise, Now-a-days, Nought, with their allectuous ways
They have perverted Mankind, my sweet son, I have well espied.
A! with these cursed caitiffs, and I may, he shall not long endure;
I, Mercy, his father ghostly, will proceed forth and do my property.
Lady, help! this manner of living is a detestable pleasure;
Vanitas vanitatum: all is but a vanity!
Mercy shall never be convict of his uncurtess condition;
With weeping tears, by night and by day, I will go and never cease.
Shall I not find him? Yes, I hope; now, God be my protection!
My predelict son! where be ye? Mankind! Ubi es?

[Mischief re-enters with his companions.

Mis. My prepotent father! when ye sup, sup out your mess!
Ye are all to-gloried in your terms; ye make many a lesse.
Will ye hear? he cryeth over Mankind, Ubi es?

New G. Hic, hic, hic! hic, hic, hic! hic, hic!
* * * * *
That is to say: here! here! here! nigh dead in the crick.
If ye will have him, go and seek, seek, seek!
Seek not over long, for losing of your mind!

Now. If ye will have Mankind—ho, domine, domine, domine!—
Ye must speak to the shrive for a cepe coppus;
Else ye must be fain to return with non est inventus.
How say ye, sir? my bolt is shot!

Nought. I am doing of my needings; beware how ye shoot!
Fie, fie, fie! I have foul arrayed my foot!
Be wise for shooting with your tackles, for, God wot!
My foot is foully over-shit.

Mis. A parlement! a parlement! come forth, Nought, behind!
A counsel, belive! I am afeared Mercy will him find.
How say ye? and what say ye? how shall we do with Mankind?

New G. Tush, a fly's wing! will ye do well?
He weeneth Mercy were hung for stealing of a mare.
Mischief! go say to him that Mercy seeketh everywhere;
He will hang himself, I undertake, for fear.

Mis. I assent thereto; it is wittily said, and well.

Now. I whip it in thy coat! anon it were done!
Now, saint Gabriel's mother save the clothes of thy shoon!
All the books in the world, if they had be undone,
Could not a counselled us bet.

Hic exit Mischief [apparently meeting Mankind as he is going out, and salutes him].

Mis. Ho, Mankind! Come and speak with Mercy; he is here, fast-by!

Man. A rope! a rope! a rope! I am not worthy.

Mis. Anon, anon, anon! I have it here ready;
With a tree also that I have get.
Hold the tree, Now-a-days! Nought! take heed and be wise!

New G. Lo, Mankind! do as I do! this is thy new guise;
Give the rope just to thy neck: this is mine advice.

Mis. Help thyself, Nought! lo, Mercy is here!
He scareth us with a bales; we may no longer tarry.

New G. Queck, queck, queck! alas, my throat! I beshrew you, marry!
A, Mercy! Christ's copped curse go with you, and saint Davy!
Alas, my weasand! ye were somewhat too near!

[All but Mercy and Mankind go out.

Mer. Arise, my precious redempt son! ye be to me full dear.
He is so timorous; meseemeth his vital spirit doth expi[re].

Man. Alas! I have be so bestially disposed; I dare not appear;
To see your solicitous face, I am not worthy to desire.

Mer. Your criminous complaint woundeth my heart as a lance.
Dispose yourself meekly to ask mercy, and I will assent.
Yield me neither gold nor treasure, but your humble obeisance,
The voluntary subjection of your heart, and I am content.

Man. What! ask mercy yet once again? alas! it were a wild petition.
Ever to offend, and ever to ask mercy—that is a puerility.
It is so abominable to rehearse my worst transgression;
I am not worthy to have mercy, by no possibility.

Mer. O, Mankind! my sing'ler solace! this is a lamentable excuse!
The dolorous fears of my heart, how they begin to amount!
O, blessed Jesu! help thou this sinful sinner to redeem!
Nam hæc est mutatio, dexteræ Excelsi; vertit Impios, et non sunt.
Arise! and ask mercy, Mankind! and be associate to me.
Thy death shall be my heaviness; alas! 'tis pity it should be thus.
Thy obstinacy will exclude [thee] from the glorious perpetuity.
Yet, for my love, ope thy lips and say, Miserere mei, Deus!

Man. The egal justice of God will not permit such a sinful wretch
To be revived and restored again: it were impossible.

Mer. The justice of God will, as I will, as Himself doth precise:
Nolo mortem peccatoris, inquit, and if he will [be] reducible.

Man. Then, mercy, good Mercy! what is a man without mercy?
Little is our part of paradise were mercy ne where.
Good Mercy! excuse the inevitable objection of my ghostly enemy;
The proverb saith: the truth tryeth thyself. Alas! I have much care!

Mer. God will not make you privy unto His last judgment:
Justice and equity shall be fortified, I will not deny;
Truth may not so cruelly proceed in his straight argument
But that mercy shall rule the matter, without controversy.
Arise now, and go with me in this deambulatory.
Incline your capacity; my doctrine is convenient.
Sin not in hope of mercy; that is a crime notory;
To trust overmuch in a prince, it is not expedient.
In hope, when ye sin, ye think to have mercy—beware of that adventure!
The good Lord said to the lecherous woman of Canaan—
The holy gospel is the authority, as we read in Scripture—
"Vade! et jam amplius noli peccare!"
Christ preserved this sinful woman taken in advoutry;
He said to her these words: "Go, and sin no more!"
So to you; Go, and sin no more! Beware of vain confidence of mercy!
Offend not a prince on trust of his favour! as I said before.
If ye feel yourself trapped in the snare of your ghostly enemy,
Ask mercy anon: beware of the continuance!
While a wound is fresh it is proved curable by surgery;
That, if it proceed over long, it is cause of great grievance.

Man. To ask mercy and to have—this is a liberal possession:
Shall this expeditious petition ever be allowed, as ye have in sight?

Mer. In this present life mercy is plenty, till death maketh his division;
But when ye be go, usque ad minimum quadrantem—ye sha[ll] reckon this right.
Ask mercy and have, while the body with the sou[l] hath his annexion;
If ye tarry till your decease, ye may hap of your desire to miss;
Be repentant here; trust not the hour of death; think on this lesson:
Ecce nunc tempus acceptabile! ecce nunc dies salutis!
All the virtue in the wor[l]d, if ye might comprehend,
Your merits were not premiable to the bliss above;
Not to the lowli'st joy of heaven, of your proper effort to ascend;
With Mercy ye may: I tell ye no fable—Scripture doth prove.

Man. O, Mercy! my suavious solace and singular recreatory!
My predelict special! ye are worthy to have my love;
For, without desert and means supplicatory,
Ye be compatient to my inexcusable reproof.
A! it swimmeth my heart to think how unwisely I have wrought!
Titivilly, that goeth invisible, hung his net before my eye;
And, by his fantastical visions, sedulously sought,
By New Guise, Now-a-days, Nought, caused me to obey.

Mer. Mankind! ye were oblivious of my doctrine manitory;
I said before: Titivilly would assay you a bront.
Beware from henceforth of his fables delusory!
The proverb saith: Jacula prefata minus ledunt.
Ye have three adversaries—he is master of them all—
That is to say, the devil, the world, the flesh, and the fell;
The New Guise, Now-a-days, and Nought, the world we may them call;
And, prope[r]ly, Titivilly signifies the fiend of hell;
The flesh, that is the unclean concupiscence of your body.
These be your three ghostly enemies in whom ye have put your confidence;
They brought you to Mischief to conclude your temporal glory:
As it hath be showed before this worship[f]ul audience.
Remember how ready I was to help you; from such I was not dangerous;
Wherefore, good son! abstain from sin evermore after this!
Ye may both save and spoil your soul, that is so precious:
Libere velle, libere velle! God may not deny, I wis.
Beware of Titivilly with his net, and of all his envious will;
Of your sinful delectation that grieveth your ghostly substance:
Your body is your enemy: let him not have his will.
Take your leave when ye will; God send you good perseverance!

[Man]. Sith I shall depart, bless me, father! hence then I go—
God send us all plenty of His great mercy!

Mer. Dominus custodi[a]t te ab omni malo!
In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti.
Amen! [Hic exit Mankind.

(Epilogue.)

Worship[f]ul sovereigns! I have do my property;
Mankind is delivered by my several patrociny.
God preserve him from all wicked captivity;
And send him grace, his sensual conditions to mortify!
Now for His love, that for us received His humanity,
Search your conditions with due examination!
Think and remember: the world is but a vanity,
As it is proved daily by dverse transmutation,
Mankind is wretched; he hath sufficient proof;
Therefore, God [keep] you all per suam misericordiam,
That ye may be pleyseris with the angels above,
And have to your portion vitam eternam.
Amen!

Finis.