[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.