Sens. Wilt thou so, doubtless?
Pride. Yea, and that within a short process—
In faith! I will not miss.
Sens. Surely I cannot spy the ways how!
Pride. Let me alone; I shall do well enow.
Acquaint me with that man, and care not thou!
The matter shall speed.
Sens. Hark, cousin! first speed this matter,
And if yonder man make thee not good cheer
As any man that ever came here
Let me, therefore, be dead!
Pride. Sir! I shall tell thee how when I am in
To thy master's service; I will first begin
To set his heart on a merry pin,
And bid him make good cheer.
I will bid him think how he is create
To be a worthy potestate,
And eke that he is predestinate
To be a prince's peer.
And other things more than this:
I shall bring that heart of his
To be more haut than it is
By a deuce ace.
Specially, I will commend his wit
That no man can amend it;
And that he is able thereby to sit
As a judge in common pleas;
And when I praise him this wise
I think his heart will begin to rise
And after that utterly despise
Any opray counsel to hear;
He shall trust all to his own brain;
And then would Reason never so fain,
Though he come and such opry twain:
He shall be never thee near.
Sens. Surely this conceit is well found!
I shall bring thee in service for twenty pound.
Pride. Gramercy, brother! I think me much bound
To thee for thy courtesy.
But, sir! abide here one thing—
I will not be known that it is my seeking.
Sens. No more would I, for forty shilling:
Let me alone hardely! [Mankind comes forward.
Sens. Sir! if it please you, here is come a stranger
That never was acquainted with you ere;
Somewhat shamefaced, and half in fear
To put himself in prese;
A goodly person, be ye sure,
Both of countenance and of feature
If he were drawn in portraiture;
And a good man, doubtless!
Yea, and a wise man at all—
Will it please you that I him call
To speak with you?