PRIDE.
Let us begin all at once.
YOUTH.
Now have at thee, by Cock's bones,
And soon let us go!
[Exeunt Pride, Youth, Riot, and Lechery.]
CHARITY.
Lo, masters, here you may see beforne,
That the weed overgroweth the corn:
Now may ye see all in this tide,
How vice is taken, and virtue set aside.
Yonder ye may see youth is unstable,
But evermore changeable;
And the nature of men is frail,
That he wotteth not what may avail
Virtue for to make.
O good Lord, it is a pitiful case,
Sith God hath lent man wit and grace
To choose of good and evil,
That man should voluntarily
To such things himself apply,
That his soul should spill.
HUMILITY.
Christ that was crucified, and crowned with thorn,
And of a virgin for man was born,
Some knowledge send to me
Of my brother Charity.
CHARITY.
Dear brother Humility,
Ye be welcome unto me;
Where have ye be so long?
HUMILITY.
I shall do you to understand,
That I have said mine evensong;
But, sir, I pray you tell me now,
How this case happened to you?
CHARITY.
I shall tell you anon;
The fellows that I told you on,
Have me thus arrayed.
HUMILITY.
Sir, I shall undo the bands
From your feet and your hands.
Sir, I pray you tell me anon
Whither they be gone,
And when they come again.
CHARITY.
Sir, to the tavern they be gone,
And they will come again anon,
And that shall you see.