HUMILITY.
Then will we them exhort
Unto virtue to resort,
And to forsake sin.
CHARITY.
I will help you that I can
To convert that wicked man.
YOUTH.
Aback! gallants, and look unto me,
And take me for your special,
For I am promoted to high degree,
By right I am king eternal;
Neither duke ne lord, baron ne knight,
That may be likened unto me,
They be subdued to me by right,
As servants to their masters should be.
HUMILITY.
Ye be welcome to this place here;
We think ye labour all in vain;
Wherefore your brains we will stir,
And keel[16] you a little again.
YOUTH.
Sayest thou my brains thou wilt stir,
I shall lay thee on the ear,
Were thou born in Trumpington,[17]
And brought up at Hogsnorton?[18]
By my faith it seemeth so;
Well, go, knave, go!
CHARITY.
Do by our counsel and our reed,
And ask mercy for thy misdeed;
And endeavour thee, for God's sake,
For thy sins amends to make
Ere ever that thou die.
RIOT.
Hark, Youth, for God avow,
He would have thee a saint now;
But, Youth, I shall you tell
A young saint an old devil;
Therefore I hold thee a fool,
And thou follow his school.
YOUTH.
I warrant thee I will not do so;
I will be ruled by you two.
PRIDE.
Then shall ye do well,
If ye be ruled by our counsel;
We will bring you to high degree,
And promote you to dignity.
HUMILITY.
Sir, it is a pitiful case,
That ye would forsake grace,
And to vice apply.