Shame. Sir! if ye lust to have mine acquaintance
I am ready to give you attendance;
Happily my service shall you advance:
I am called Shamefacedness.
Man. By your troth! are ye the same?
Shame. Yea, forsooth! that is my name.
Almsdeeds I can atame;
And help for to repress
When ye have done offence or sin;
If ye will mercy and grace win
With Shamefacedness ye must begin:
This way must ye take.
Man. Ye be the man, without feigning,
That I wished for or ye came here;
And glad am I now of your coming,
Praying you with heart entire
When I have need thus to come near.
Shame. So will I do; ye may trust it, verily!
Whensoever ye call ye shall find me ready.
He goeth out [and Reason cometh forward.]
Rea. Sir! is it your mind to do as ye say?
Man. Yea, that is it, as God me speed!
Heard ye all this matter—yea or nay?
Rea. Yes, that I did, in very deed!
Man. O ghostly Reason! I have greater need
Of your help than ever I had before:
Help me now and I shall never forsake you more.
Sith I forsook your company
I have committed much folly;
I am ashamed, certainly,
When I think thereon.
But now have I refused utterly
All such manner of company;
And thus have I done, verily!
Of mine own motion.