Volume I Part 6 (1/2)

For as soon as I speak to him again, I shall turn his mind clean, And make him follow my school.

IGN. Then bid him rise, let us hear him speak.

SEN. Now, rise up, Master Huddypeke, Your tail toteth out behind!

Fear not, man, stand up by and by; I warrant you rise up boldly!

Here is none but is your friend.

HU. I cry you mercy, master dear!

IGN. Why, what is cause thou hidest thee here?

HU. For I was almost for fear, Even clean out of my mind.

SEN. Nay, it is the study that ye have had In this foolish losophy hath made you mad, And no other thing, i-wis.

IGN. That is as true as the gospel!

Therefore I have great marvel, That ever thou wilt follow the counsel Of yonder two knaves.

HU. O sir, ye know right well this, That when any man is In other men's company, He must needs follow the appet.i.te Of such things as they delight Some time among, perdy!

IGN. But such knaves would alway have thee To put all thy mind and felicity In this foolish cunning to study; Which, if thou do, will make thee mad, And alway to be pensive and sad; Thou shalt never be merry.

SEN. Merry, quotha? no, I make G.o.d avow!

But I pray thee, master, hark! one word now, And answer this thing: Whether thought you it better cheer At the tavern, where we were ere, Or else to clatter with these knaves here Of their foolish cunning?

HU. Nay, I cannot say the contrary But that I had mich merrier company At the tavern than in this place.

SEN. Then if ye have any wit or brain, Let us go to the tavern again, And make some merry solace.

IGN. If he will do so, then doth he wisely.

HU. By my troth, I care not greatly, For I am indifferent to all company, Whether it be here or there.

SEN. Then I shall tell you what we will do; Master Ignorance, you and he also Shall tarry both still here, And I will go fet hither a company, That ye shall hear them sing as sweetly As they were angels clear; And yet I shall bring hither another sort Of l.u.s.ty bloods to make disport; That shall both dance and spring, And turn clean above the ground With friskas and with gambawds round, That all the hall shall ring.

And that done, within an hour or twain, I shall at the town again Prepare for you a banket Of meats that be most delicate, And most pleasant drinks and wines thereat, That is possible to get, Which shall be in a chamber fair, Prepared point-device[21]

With damask water made so well, That all the house thereof shall smell, As it were paradise.

And after that, if ye will touch A fair wench naked[22] in a couch[23]

Of a soft bed of down, For to satisfy your wanton l.u.s.t, I shall appoint you a trull of trust, Not a fairer in this town!

And when ye have taken your delight, And thus satisfied the appet.i.te Of your wits five, Ye may say then I am a servant For you so necessary and pleasant, I trow none such alive!

HU. Now, by the way that G.o.d did walk, It comforteth mine heart to hear thee talk, Thy match was never seen!

IGN. Then go thy way by and by, And bring in this company, And he and I will here tarry, Till thou come again.

HU. And I pray thee heartily also.

SEN. At your request so shall I do.

Lo! I am gone, now farewell!

I shall bring them into this hall, And come myself foremost of all, And of these revels be chief marshal, And order all things well.

IGN. Now, set thy heart on a merry pin, Against these l.u.s.ty bloods come in, And drive fantasies away.

HU. And so I will, by heaven's King!

If they either dance or sing, Have among them, by this day!

IGN. Then thou takest good and wise ways, And so shalt thou best please All this whole company; For the foolish arguing that thou hast had With that knave Experience, that hath made All these folk thereof weary; For all that they be now in this hall, They be the most part my servants all, And love princ.i.p.ally Disports, as dancing, singing, Toys, trifles, laughing, jesting; For cunning they set not by.

HU. I see well such company evermore, As Sensual Appet.i.te is gone for, Will please well this audience.

IGN. Yea, that I suppose they will; But peace, hark! I pray thee be still, I ween they be not far hence.

[_Then the dancers without the hall sing this wise, and they within answer, or else they may say it for need_.[24]]

THE DANCERS AND SENSUAL.

Peace, sirs, peace now! peace, sirs, all!

HUMANITY AND IGNORANCE.

Why, who is that so high doth call?