Volume I Part 21 (1/2)

What shall I call thee--what is thy name?”

_S._ ”Occlive[353] (Father mine), men callen me.”

_F._ ”Occlive? Son!”--_S._ ”Yes, Father, the same.”

_F._ ”Thou wert acquainted with Chaucer 'pardie?” (p. 402)

_S._ ”G.o.d save his soul! best of any wight.”

_F._ ”Syn thou mayst not be paid in the Exchequer, Unto my Lord the Prince make instance That thy patent unto the Hanaper May changed be.”--_S._ ”Father, by your sufferance, It may not so: because of the ordinance, Long after this shall no grant chargeable Over pa.s.s. Father mine, this is no fable.”

_F._ ”An equal charge, my Son, in sooth Is no charge, I wot it well indeed.

What! Son mine! Good heart take unto thee.

Men sayen, 'Whoso of every gra.s.s hath dread, Let him beware to walk in any mead.'

a.s.say! a.s.say! thou simple-hearted ghost; What grace is shapen thee, thou not wost.

----Now, syn me thou toldest My Lord the Prince is good Lord thee to; No maistery is to thee, if thou woldest To be relieved, wost thee what to do.

_Write to him a goodly tale or two_, _On which he may disport him by night_, And his free grace shall on thee light.

Sharp thy pen, and write on l.u.s.tily; Let see, my Son, make it fresh and gay, Utter thine art if thou canst craftily; _His high prudence hath insight very_ _To judge if it be well made or nay._ Wherefore, Son, it is unto thee need Unto thy work take thee greater heed.