Man. How so?
Bod. Lust. For I rang her a knil
That waked her from her sleep;
I gave her a peal for her friends' souls—
A man might have heard the noise from Poules
To the farthest end of Cheap.
She saw that I would not cease but knock
And rap still at the gate;
She opened a window and put forth her head—
Hence, Forty Pence! quo' she, Jack Noble is a-bed!
This night ye come too late.
Ah! standeth the wind so cold, quod I?
K. q. tytle! we have a bry—
This gear goeth all wide.
And so I came thence a great pace
Till I came hither; lo! this is the case—
Have I not well hied?
Man. Well, man! there is no more to do;
That we cannot have we must forego;
There is none other remedy.
Lo, Worldly Affection! now mayst thou see
Thy counsel was nought that thou gavest me.
Wor. Aff. No more it was truly!
Man. Yea, I told thee as much before,
It is good to be sure evermore;
Therefore, now let us go
And resort again to our old hostess:
That is the best way now, as I guess.
Wor. Aff. Yea, hardely do so!
[Then they three go out, [Sensuality remaining,] and Pride cometh in.
Pride. Sirs! remember ye that this other day
Man promised me, even in his stead,
That I should with him dwell; and now, I hear say
The wild worm is come into his head;
So that by Reason only he is led:
It may well be so; but, I am sure
That Reason shall not alway with him endure.
Methinketh that Sensuality doth not his part
According to the duty of his office;
For, nobody can better turn a man's heart,
Nor yet a readier mean devise
To put away such foolish fantasy,
Than Sensuality if he lust to assay,
For he is chief ruler when Reason is away.
Sens. [coming forward]. Yea, a ruler will I be though Reason say Nay.
Pride. Ah, Sensuality! welcome, by this day!
What, tidings good?