Recently Recovered "Lost" Tudor Plays with some others

by Unknown

And, for to show you what wise they us impugn,
First doth the world give us an allective
To covet riches and worldly renown,
With other vanities that be used in this life.
Next, that our flesh, which ever is in strife,
Again our spirit doth provoke and excite
Us to accomplish our sensual appetite.

The last of all is our great enemy;
Which ever hath us in continual hatred
Of old encankered malice and envy
That he oweth to us, and all the kindred
Of all the ancestors of whom we do succeed;
Nor yet ceaseth his malice, unto this day,
Us to endanger in all that he can or may.
And certes! these, our said enemies,
Be of their nature so mighty and so strong
That hard it will be for us, in any wise,
Again them war or battle to underfong;
Also our garrisons and fortress to maintain long
Again their engines; without spiritual grace
We can not perform in no manner case.
Wherefore, it is to us right behovable
Busily to pray to God, that is immortal,
Beseeching Him, as He is merciable,
To have compassion and pity on us all;
And not to suffer us any wise to fall
Into such folly and utter mischance
As should them grieve and do displeasance.
Also, it behoveth on our part
To flee all such manner of occasion
As may us put in fear and jeopardy
Of their displeasure, in any condition.
Newfangleness, and other nice invention,
We must forsake in all manner wise;
And acquaint us with their contraries:
Quia contraria contrariis curantur. etc.
I tell this tale, sir! to you,
Trusting that it be not done in waste:
Ye remember, as I suppose, well enow,
How it is not fully three days past
Sith ye me promised, and bound it fast,
From that day forth to be obedient
Unto my counsel and advisement?

Man. Yea, sir! so I did, in very deed;
And yet it is my mind and intent
To follow the same—have ye no dread!

Rea. If ye do not, yourself shall repent;
Now, fare ye well! for I must be absent
As for a season; and, for your comfort,
Whensoever ye call me I shall to you resort.

Then he goeth out and Sensuality cometh in.

Sens. God forbid that ever he come again!
Jesu! how may ye this life endure?
Meseemeth it should be to you a great pain,
Sith ye be of good complexion and nature,
To forbear the worldly sport and pleasure;
As ye have done now a great season,
And all by the foolish counsel of Reason.
Where is your lusty heart become
That served you so well this other day?
Now, so help me God and halidom!
I have great marvel how ye may
Live in such misery; and, this dare I say,
Without ye take some other ways,
By my troth! it will shorten your days.
And, though I say it, that were pity;
For, by Christ! and ye were gone
Many a good fellow would make great mone. [Then he weepeth.

Man. Why weep ye so?

Sens. Let me alone!
It will none otherwise be.
And ye saw the sorrowful countenance
Of my company, your old acquaintance,
That they make
For your sake—
I daresay ye would mone them in your mind
They be so loving and so kind
That I am sure
If ye endure
In this peevish opinion,
It will be their confession
There is none other remedy
But, for sorrow, they shall die.

Man. Nay, God forbid they should so do!

Sens. In faith! without ye help thereto
There is none other way.