Instruction cometh in with Wit, Study, and Diligence.
[Inst.] Lo, sir! now ye be entered again
Toward that passage where doth remain
Tediousness, your mortal enemy;
Now may ye choose whether ye will try
Your hands again on that tyrant stout,
Or else walking a little about.
Wit. Nay; for God's passion, sir, let me meet him!
Ye see I am able now for to greet him:
This sword of comfort, sent from my love,
Upon her enemy needs must I prove!
Inst. Then, forth there! and turn on your right hand
Up that mount, before ye shall see stand.
But hear ye! If your enemy chance to rise,
Follow my counsel in anywise;
Let Study and Diligence flee their touch—
The stroke of Tediousness—and then couch
Themselves, as I told ye: ye wot how.
Wit. Yea, sir! for that how, mark the proof now!
Inst. To mark it, indeed, here will I abide,
To see what chance of them will betide;
For here cometh the pith, lo! of this journey.
That mountain, before which they must assay,
Is called in Latin Mons Parnassus;
Which mountain, as old authors discuss,
Who attaineth once to sleep on that mount,
Lady Science his own he may count.
But or he come there ye shall see fought
A fight with no less policy wrought
Than strength, I trow, if that may be praised.
Ted. Oh! ho! ho!
Inst. Hark!
Ted. [entering]. Out, ye caitiffs!
Inst. The fiend is raised!