A Select Collection of Old English Plays Volume Ii Part 2

I shall help thee, if I can, To drive away that hangman; Hark, Riot, thou shalt understand I am heir of my father's land, And now they be come to my hand, Methink it were best therefore, That I had one man more To wait me upon.

RIOT.

I can speed thee of a servant of price, That will do thee good service; I see him go here beside; Some men call him Master Pride; I swear by G.o.d in Trinity I will go fetch him unto thee, And that even anon.

YOUTH.

Hie thee apace and come again, And bring with thee that n.o.ble swain.

RIOT.

Lo, Master Youth, here he is, A pretty man and a wise; He will be glad to do you good service In all that ever he may.

YOUTH.

Welcome to me, good fellow, I pray thee, whence comest thou?

And thou wilt my servant be, I shall give thee gold and fee.

PRIDE.

Sir, I am content, i-wis, To do you any service That ever I can do.

YOUTH.

By likelihood thou should do well enou'; Thou art a likely fellow.

PRIDE.

Yes, sir, I warrant you, If ye will be ruled by me, I shall you bring to high degree.

YOUTH.

What shall I do, tell me, And I will be ruled by thee.

PRIDE.

Marry, I shall tell you: Consider ye have good enou'

And think ye come of n.o.ble kind; Above all men exalt thy mind; Put down the poor, and set nought by them; Be in company with gentlemen; Get up and down in the way, And your clothes look they be gay; The pretty wenches will say then, Yonder goeth a gentleman; And every poor fellow that goeth you by, Will do off his cap, and make you courtesy: In faith, this is true.

YOUTH.

Sir, I thank thee, by the rood, For thy counsel that is so good; And I commit me even now Under the teaching of Riot and you.

RIOT.

Lo, Youth, I told you That he was a l.u.s.ty fellow.

YOUTH.

Marry, sir, I thank thee That you would bring him unto me.

PRIDE.

Sir, it were expedient that ye had a wife, To live with her all your life.

RIOT.

A wife? nay, nay, for G.o.d avow, He shall have flesh enou', For, by G.o.d that me dear bought, Over-much of one thing is nought; The devil said he had liever burn all his life Than once for to take a wife; Therefore I say, so G.o.d me save, He shall no wife have: Thou hast a sister fair and free, I know well his leman she will be; Therefore I would she were here, That we might go and make good cheer At the wine somewhere.

YOUTH.

I pray you hither thou her do bring, For she is to my liking.

PRIDE.

Sir, I shall do my diligence To bring her to your presence.

YOUTH.

Hie thee apace, and come again; To have a sight I would be fain Of that lady free.

RIOT.

Sir, in faith I shall tell you true, She is fresh and fair of hue, And very proper of body; Men call her Lady Lechery.

YOUTH.

My heart burneth, by G.o.d of might, Till of that lady I have a sight.

(_Intret Superbia c.u.m Luxuria et dicat Superbia_.)

PRIDE.

Sir, I have fulfilled your intent, And have brought you in this present, That you have sent me for.

YOUTH.

Thou art a ready messenger; Come hither to me, my heart so dear, Ye be welcome to me as the heart in my body.

LECHERY.

Sir, I thank you, and at your pleasure I am; Ye be the same unto me.

YOUTH.

Masters, will ye to tavern walk?

A word with you here will I talk, And give you the wine.

LECHERY.

Gentleman, I thank you verily, And I am all ready To wait you upon.

RIOT.

What, sister Lechery?

Ye be welcome to our company.

LECHERY.

Well, wanton, well, fie for shame!

So soon ye do express my name: What! if no man should have known, I-wis I shall you beat! well, wanton, well!

RIOT.

A little pretty niset,[14]

Ye be well nice, G.o.d wot!

Ye be a little pretty pye! i-wis, ye go full gingerly.

LECHERY.

Well, I see your false eye Winketh on me full wantonly; Ye be full wanton, i-wis.

YOUTH.

Pride, I thank you of your labour That you had to fetch this fair flow'r.

PRIDE.

Lo, youth, I told thee That I would bring her with me.