Pride. He is a straw
Because he keeps you under awe;
Ye be therein blind.
Man. And so doth he, without faining;
For, hitherto, I might do nothing
But after his will and bidding:
And that groged my mind.
Pride. Groge, quotha! it is no marvel, hardely;
It shall grieve me, certainly,
As long as I am in your company
To see you demeaned in that wise.
Ye be now in good way;
But, in faith! I like not your array;
It is not the fashion that goeth now-a-day,
For now there is a new guise.
It is now two days agone
Sith that men began this fashion,
And every knave had it anon;
Therefore, at this season,
There is no man that setteth thereby
If he love his own honesty.
Man. So seemeth, certainly,
That every man is fresher than I,
And I wis that is no reason.
[Here cometh in Worldly Affection and Sensuality.
Sens. Reason, quotha! no, no!
But, sir! wot ye what ye shall do?
Hardely let us two go
To some tavern here beside.
Come on! I can bring you there;
And let them alone with all this gear.
Care ye nothing for the matter;
But, let them here abide;
And ye will suffer, and let them alone,
Ye shall see them devise you a new fashion
That all the world shall wonder thereon.
Man. By God! that will I do goodly;
But, I pray you, sirs! do your diligence
For this array, and spare none expense;
And, for a while, I will go hence
And come again shortly.
[Here Man and Sensuality go out.
Wor. Aff. Brother Pride! now the weight
Of all this matter resteth in thee.
Pride. Tush! thou shalt see me devise it even straight;
It is but japes, that gear, with me.
I have none other study a-days, parde!
But how I may new fashions find;
And, thereon, I set all my labour and mind.