Rea. Then my help shall be ready as oft as ye me call;
It is my duty so for to do.
And of your offences will I make no rehearsal;
But whatsoever ye have done, hitherto,
To me ward let it pass and go:
Against God your offence is great;
Of the which matter I will not long treat.
But this comfort of me ye shall have:
If ye be contrite, as ye pretend,
God is merciable if ye lust to crave;
Call for grace and soon He will it send.
And be not in purpose hereafter to offend;
Accustom yourself in the ways of virtue,
And—be not in doubt—grace will ensue.
Man. Sir! it is my mind and intent
Hereafter to be your true obedient;
And never more to assent
To such folly again.
Rea. And, upon that condition,
I take thee unto my tuition
With all heart's affection,
Never to part atwain.
And, for this season,
Here we make an end
Lest we should offend
This audience; as, God defend!
It were not to be done.
Ye shall understand, nevertheless,
That there is much more of this process;
Wherein we shall do our business,
And our true endeavour
To show it unto you, after our guise:
When my lord shall so devise
I shall be at his pleasure.
Thus endeth the first part.]
[THE SECOND PART.]
Reason and Man come in.
Rea. I assemble the life of mortal creature
To the assiege again a strong town or castle:
In which there is much busy endeavour;
Much worldly policy; with diligent travail,
On every side, which part shall prevail
By sleight of engines, or by strong power,
That other to subdue and bring into danger.
In such case and manner of condition
Is wretched man, here in this life earthly,
While he abideth within the garrison
Of the frail carcase and caronous body;
Whom to impugn laboureth incessantly
The world, the flesh, the enemy—these three—
Him to subdue and bring into captivity.