[Sensuality entereth.
Sens. Yes, and ye lust to play the knave
Some manner of company ye might have,
Here within this ground.
Envy. Some I can think, young or old;
And else it were a small household
As any might be found.
Sens. It is not small; the company showeth well;
But, methought thou were about to tell
Of some merry jest,
Or some merry game at my coming.
Envy. Yea, hardely! it is a game for a king,
When he lusteth best,
To laugh for his disport and solace.
Sir! I shall tell thee this is the case:
Right now, as I stood
In this place, and never a man with me,
In came Pride garnished as it had be
One of the royal blood.
It grieved me to see him so well besene;
But, I have abated his courage clean,
For a little season.
By the rood! I have given him a checkmate;
For I bare him a hand that he came too late,
And that the field was done,
And how his office was given away
Because he failed our master that day:
I made him to believe so.
And when I had told him all this tale,
Anon, he began to wax all pale,
Full of care and woe.
And now he hideth himself for shame;
I gave him mine advice to the same;
And so he is gone.
Sens. Now, on my faith! this was madly do!
But, in faith! what moveth thee thereto?
Envy. Marry! cause had I none;
But only that it is my guise
When I see another man arise,
Or fare better than I,
Then must I chafe and fret for ire,
And imagine, with all my desire,
To destroy him utterly.
But now, in earnest, Sensuality!
Tell me when this fray shall be;
I pray ye heartily!
Sens. What, against Reason?
Envy. Yea, the same!
Sens. Tush! they be agreed, in pain of shame!
And good company they keep.