Part 17 (2/2)

And round about him, as a wheel, Hang all in rumples to the heel, His kethat[14] for the nanis.[15]

Many proud trompour[16] with him tripped, Through scalding fire aye as they skipped, They girn'd[17] with hideous granis.[18]

IV.

Then Ire came in with sturt[19] and strife, His hand was aye upon his knife, He brandish'd like a beir; Boasters, braggers, and barganeris,[20]

After him pa.s.sed into pairis,[21]

All bodin in feir of weir.[22]

In jackis, scripis, and bonnets of steel, Their legs were chenyiet[23] to the heel, Froward was their affeir,[24]

Some upon other with brands beft,[25]

Some jaggit[26] others to the heft[27]

With knives that sharp could shear.

V.

Next in the dance follow'd Envy, Fill'd full of feud and felony, Hid malice and despite, For privy hatred that traitor trembled; Him follow'd many freik[28] dissembled, With feigned wordis white.

And flatterers into men's faces, And backbiters in secret places To lie that had delight, And rowneris[29] of false lesngs;[30]

Alas, that courts of n.o.ble kings Of them can never be quite![31]

VI.

Next him in dance came Covetice, Root of all evil and ground of vice, That never could be content, Caitiffs, wretches, and ockerars,[32]

Hood-pikes,[33] h.o.a.rders, and gatherers, All with that warlock went.

Out of their throats they shot on other Hot molten gold, methought, a fother,[34]

As fire-flaucht[35] most fervent; Aye as they tumit[36] them of shot, Fiends fill'd them new up to the throat With gold of all kind prent.[37]

VII.

Syne[38] Sweirness[39] at the second bidding Came like a sow out of a midding,[40]

Full sleepy was his grunyie.[41]

Many sweir b.u.mbard[42] belly-huddroun,[43]

Many s.l.u.te daw[44] and sleepy duddroun,[45]

Him served aye with sounyie.[46]

He drew them forth into a chenyie,[47]

And Belial with a bridle-rennyie,[48]

Ever lash'd them on the lunyie.[49]

In dance they were so slow of feet They gave them in the fire a heat, And made them quicker of counyie.[50]

VIII.

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