Imp. Pov. Show me that now, in this place,
And thereto I will agree.
Peace. Thou must love thy neighbour with charity; A4, v.
Do unto him no manner of disease;
Look how thou would he did to thee,
Do to him no worse, in no degree;
And then thou shalt Our Lord please.
Imp. Pov. Shall I love him that loveth not me?
Those that trouble and rebuke me shamefully?
That will I never do, while I live!
Peace. Thou must charitably all faults forgive;
Whatsoever any man to thee say
Let as thou heard it not; turn thine ear away;
Thou shalt please God if thou so do.
Imp. Pov. Nay, by God! there ho!
What is he, in all this place,
That will do as this man said?
Show me or I go!
If a man do you a great offence
Will ye keep your patience?
Nay, by God, not so!
I put case: I break your head—
Will ye suffer that in very deed?
Peace. To suffer, for Christ's sake, I shall have meed.
Imp. Pov. That shall I know, by God's bread!
Peace. Hold thy hand, and keep patience;
Think what Christ suffered for our offence!
He was beaten, scourged, and spit on with violence,
And suffered death for our sake.
Yet He took it patiently;
He forgave His death, and prayed for His enemies:
Pater dimitte illis, His saying was; truly
An example for us to take
To be meek in heart: beati pauperes spiritu
Shall Christ say full even;
Et venite benediciti, come my blessed children B1,r.
To the kingdom of heaven!
Imp. Pov. Sir! I thank you for your ghostly instruction;
Unto your saying I can make no delayance;
I put me under your governation,
And, for m' ill-deeds, I take great repentance.
Peace. Then, to my saying take good remembrance:
Exercise yourself in virtue from this time hence;
And, unto peace, evermore be obedient;
Set before every sharp word a shield of sufferance;
And when time is of your concupiscence,
Then pacify it with benign resistance.