A Satire of the Three Estates, Play · Part 1

A Satire of the Three Estates · Play · Part 1

ANE SATYRE OF THE THRIE ESTAITS, in commendation of vertew and vituperation of vyce.

Maid be Sir Dauid Lindeſay of the Mont, alias, Lyon King of Armes.

IVSTITIA

SYVMOVIONES

RELIGIO.

DEVM COLE

HIS SVFFULTA DVRANT.

AT EDINBVRGH PRINTED BY. ROBERT CHARTERIS. 1602.

CVM PRIVILEGIO REGIS.

ANE Pleaſant Satyre of the thrie ESTAITIS IN COMMENDATIOVN of vertew and vituperatioun of vyce, as follovvis.

DILIGENCE.

THe Father and founder of faith and felicitie,

That ȝour faſſioun formed to his ſimilitude

And his Sone our Sauiour ſcheild in neceſſitie,

That bocht ȝow from baillis ranſon rude,

Repleadge and his preſonaris with his hart-blude

The halie Gaiſt gouernour and grounder of grace

Of wiſdome and weilfair baith fontaine and flude,

Gif ȝow all that I ſie ſeaſit in this place,

And ſcheild ȝow from ſinne.

And with his Spreit ȝow inſpyre

Till I hauehave ſhawin my deſyre

Silence Soueraine I requyre

For now I begin,

¶ TAk tent to me my freinds and hald ȝow coy,

For I am ſent to ȝow as meſſingeir,

From ane nobill and rycht redoubtit Roy:

The quhilk hes bene abſent this monie ȝeir.

p. 2Humanitie giuegive ȝe his name wald ſpeir:

Quha bade me ſhaw to ȝow but variance,

That he intendis amang ȝow to compeir,

VVith ane triumph and awfull ordinance:

VVith crown and ſword and ſcepter in his hand,

Temperit with merciemercy quhen penitence appeiris:

Howbeit that hee lang tyme hes bene ſleipand,

Quhairthrow miſreull hes rung thir monie ȝeiris:

That innocentis hes bene brocht on thair beiris,

Be fals reporteris of this natioun:

Thocht ȝoung oppreſſouris at the elder leiris,

Be now aſſurit of reformatioun.

¶ Sie no miſdoeris be ſa bauld,

As to remaine into this hauld:

For quhy be him that Iudas ſauld

Thay will be heich hang it.

Now faithfull folk for ioy may ſing:

For quhy it is the iuſt bidding

Of my ſoveraine lord the king

That na man be wrangit.

Thocht he ane quhyll into his flouris

Be gouernit be vylde trompouris:

And ſumtyme lufe his paramouris,

Hauld ȝe him excuſit.

For quhen he meittis with Correctioun,

VVith Veritie and Diſcretioun,

Thay will be baniſched aff the toun,

Quhilk hes him abuſit.

¶ And heir be oppin proclamatioun,

I wairne in name of his magnificence,

The thrie eſtaitis of this natioun,

That thay compeir with detfull diligence?

p. 3And till his grace mak thair obedience.

And firſt I wairne the Spritualitie,

And ſie the burgeſſis ſpair not for expence:

Bot ſpeid thame heir with Temporalitie.

Als I beſeik ȝow famous auditouris,

Conveinit in this congregatioun,

To be patient the ſpace of certaine houris,

Till ȝe hauehave hard our ſhort narratioun.

And als we mak ȝow ſupplicatioun,

That na man tak our wordis intill diſdaine:

Althocht ȝe hear be declamatioun,

The common-weill richt pitiouſlie complaine.

Rycht ſo the verteous ladie Veritie,

VVill mak ane pitious lamentatioun:

Als for the treuth ſho will impreſonit be,

And baniſchit lang tyme out of the toun:

And Chaſtitie will mak narratioun,

How ſho can get na ludging in this land,

Till that the heauinlie king Correctioun,

Meit with the king and commoun hand for hand.

¶ Prudent peopill I pray ȝow all,

Tak na▪ man greif in ſpeciall:

For wee ſall ſpeik in generall,

For paſtyme and for play.

Thairfoir till all our rymis berung,

And our miſtoinit ſangis be ſung,

Leteuerie man keip weill ane toung,

And euerie woman tway.

Rex Humanitas.

¶ O Lord of Lords and King of kingis all,

Omnipotent of power Prince but peir,

Euer ringand in gloir Celeſtial

p. 4Quha be great micht and haiſing na mateir

Maid heauin and eird, fyre, air and watter cleir:

Send me thy grace with peace perpetuall,

That I may rewll my realme to thy pleaſeir,

Syne bring my ſaull to ioy angelicall.

Sen thow hes giuin mee dominatioun

And rewll of pepill ſubiect to my cure,

Be I nocht rewlit be counſall and reſſoun,

In dignitie I may nocht lang indure.

I grant myſtait my ſelf may nocht aſſure

Nor ȝit conſerue my lyfe in ſickernes:

HaueHave pitie Lord on mee thy creature

Supportand me in all my buſines.

I thee requeiſt quha rent was on the Rude,

Me to defend from the deids of defame:

That my pepill report of mebot gude,

And be my ſaifgaird baith from ſin and ſhame▪

I knaw my day is induris bot as ane dreame,

Thairfoir O Lord I hairtlie the exhort,

To gif me grace to vſe my diadeame

To thy pleaſure and to my great comfort.

Wantonnes.

¶ My Soueraine Lord and Prince but peir,

Quhat garris ȝow mak ſic dreirie cheir▪

Be blyth ſa lang as ȝear heir,

And pas tyme with pleaſure:

For als lang leifis the mirrie man,

As the ſorie for ocht he can:

His banis full ſair Sir ſall I ban

That dois ȝow diſpleaſure.

Sa lang as Placebo and I,

Remaines into ȝour company,

p. 5Ȝour grace ſall leif richt mirrely:

Of this haif ȝe na dout.

Sa lang as ȝe hauehave vsus in cure▪

Ȝour grace ſir ſall want na pleaſure:

War Solace heir I ȝow aſſure,

He wald reioyce this rout.

Placebo.

Gude brother myne quhair is Solace

The mirrour of all mirrines,

I hauehave great meruell be the Mes

He taries ſa lang.

Byde he away wee ar bot ſhent,

I ferlie how he fra vsus went:

I trow he hes impediment

That lettis him nocht gang.

Wantonnes.

I left Solace that ſame greit loun

Drinkand into the burrows toun,

It will coſt him halfe of ane croun,

Althocht he had na mair.

And als he ſaid hee wald gang ſee

Fair ladie Senſualitie,

The buriall of all bewtie

And portratour preclair.

[]Placebo.

Be God I ſee him at the laſt

As he war chaiſt rynnand richt faſt,

He glowris euin as he war agaſt

Or fleyit of ane gaiſt.

Na, he is wod drunkin I trow,

Se ȝe not that he is wod fow:

I ken weill be his creiſchie mow

He hes bene at ane feaſt.

Solace.

p. 6Now quha ſaw euer ſic ane thrang?

Me thocht ſum ſaid I had gaine wrang,

Had I help I wald ſing ane ſang

With ane rycht mirrie noyſe.

I hauehave ſic pleaſour at my hart,

That garris me ſing the troubill pairt:

Waldſum gude fallow ſill the quart

It wald my hairt reioyce.

Howbeit my coat be ſhort and nippit,

Thankis be to God I am weill hippit

Thocht all my gold may ſhone be grippit

Intill ane pennie purſſe.

Thocht I ane ſeruand lang haif bene,

My purchais is nocht worth ane preine:

I may ſing Peblis on the greine

For ocht that I may turſſe.

Quhat is my name can ȝe not geſſe,

Sirs ken ȝe nocht Sandie ſolace?

Thay callit my mother bonie Beſſe

That dwelt betwene the bowis.

[] Of twelf ȝeir auld ſho learnit to ſwyfe,

Thankit be the great God on lyue:

Scho maid me fatheris four or fyue,

But dout this is na mowis.

Quhen ane was deid ſho gat ane vther,

Was never man had ſic ane mother:

Of fatheris ſho maid me ane futher,

Of law it men and leirit:

Scho is baith wyſe, worthie and wicht▪

For ſcho ſpairis nouther kuik nor knycht:

Ȝea four and twentie on ane nicht,

And ay thair eine ſchobleirit,

p. 7And gif I lie ſirs ȝe may ſpeir:

Bot ſaw ȝe nocht the King cum heir?

I am ane ſportour and playfeir

To that Royall ȝoung King:

He ſaid he wald within ſchort ſpace

Cum pas his tyme into this place:

I pray the Lord to ſend him grace,

That he lang tyme may ring.

Placebo.

Solace quhy taryit ȝe ſa lang?

Solace.

The feind a faſter I micht gang:

I micht not thriſt out throw the thrang,

Of wyfes fyftein fidder:

Then for to rin I tuik ane rink,

Bot I felt neuer ſik ane ſtink:

For our lordis luif gif me ane drink,

Placebo my deir brother.

Rex Hu.

My ſervant Solace quhat gart ȝow tarie?

Solace.

I wait not ſir be ſweit ſaint Marie,

I hauehave bene in ane feirie farie

Or ellis intill ane trance:

Sir I hauehave ſene I ȝow aſſure

The faireſt earthlie creature,

That ever was formit be nature

And maiſt for to advance▪

To luik on hir is great delyte,

With lippis reid and cheikis quhyte

I wald renunce all this warld quyte

For till ſtand in hir grace:

Scho is wantoun and ſcho is wyſe:

And cled ſcho is on the new gyſe,

It wald garall ȝour fleſche vp ryſe

To luik vponupon hir face.

p. 8War▪ I ane king it ſould be kend,

I ſould not ſpair on hir to ſpend:

And this ſame nicht for hir to ſend,

For my pleaſure:

Quhat rak of ȝour proſperitie▪

Gif ȝe want Senſualitie?

I wald nocht gif ane ſillie flie,

For ȝour treaſure.

¶ Rex.

Forſuith my freinds I think ȝe ar not wyſe,

Till counſall me to break commandement

Directit be the Prince of Paradyce:

Conſidering ȝe knaw that my intent

Is for till be to God obedient,

Quhilk dois forbid men to be lecherous:

Do I nocht ſa perchance I will repent,

Thairfoir I think ȝour counſall odious

¶ The quhilk ȝe gaif mee till.

Becaus I hauehave bene to this day

Tanquam tabula raſa:

That is als mekill as to ſay.

Redie for gude and ill.

Placebo.

Beleiue ȝe that we will begyll ȝow,

Or from ȝour vertew we will wyle ȝow,

Or with euill counſall overſeyll ȝow,

Both into gude and euill:

To tak ȝour graces part wee grant

In all ȝour deidis participant,

Sa that ȝe be nocht ane ȝoung ſanct

And ſyne ane auld deuill.

¶ Wanton.

Beleiue ȝe Sir that Lecherie be ſin,

Na, trow nocht that, this is my reſſoun quhy,

Firſt at the Romance Kirk will ȝe begin

p. 9Quhilk is the lemand lamp of lechery:

Quhair Cardinals and Biſchops generally

To luif Ladies thay think ane pleaſant ſport,

And out of Rome hes baneiſt Chaſtity

Quha with our Prelats can get na reſort.

¶ Solace.

Sir quhill ȝe get ane prudent Queine,

I think ȝour Maieſtie ſerein

Sould hauehave ane luſtie Concubein,

To play ȝow withall:

For I knaw be ȝour qualitie,

Ȝe want the gift of chaſtitie

Fall to in nomine Domini,

This is my counſall.

I ſpeik Sir vnderunder proteſtatioun,

That nane at me haif indignatioun:

For all the Prelats of this natioun,

For the maiſt part:

Thay think na ſchame to hauehave ane huir,

And ſum hes thrie vnderunder thair cuir:

This to be trew Ile ȝow aſſuir

Ȝe ſall heir efterwart.

¶ Sir knew all the mater throch

To play ȝe wald begin

Speir at the Monks of Bamirrinoch,

Giflecherie be ſin.

¶ Placebo.

Sir ſend ȝe for Sandie ſolace▪

Orells ȝour monȝeoun Wantonnes,

And pray my Ladie Priores,

The ſuith till declair:

Gif it be ſin to tak Kaity,

Or to leif like ane bummill baty

The buik ſayis Omnia probate

And nocht for to ſpair.

Senſualitie.

¶ Luifers awalk behald the fyrie ſpheir,

Behauld the naturall dochter of Venus:

Behauld luifers this luſtie Ladie cleir

The freſche fonteine of Knichtis amorous

Repleit with ioyis dulce and delicious·

Or quha wald mak to Venus obſervance.

In my mirthfull chalmer melodious?

Thair ſall thay find all paſtyme and pleaſance.

Behauld my heid behauld my gay attyre,

Behauld my halſe luſum and lilie quhite:

Behauld my viſage flammand as the fyre

Behauld my papis of portratour perfyte.

To luke on mee lufferis hes greit delyte,

Rycht ſa hes all the Kinges of Chriſtindome:

To thame I haif done pleaſouris infinite,

And ſpeciallie vntounto the Court of Rome.

¶Ane kis of me war worth in ane morning

A milȝioun of gold to Knicht or King.

And ȝit I am of nature ſa towart

I lat no luiffer pas with ane ſair hart.

Of my name wald ȝe wit the veritie,

Forſuith thay call me Senſualitie.

I hauld it beſt now or we farther gang,

To Dame Venus let vsus go ſing ane ſang.

Hamlines.

¶Madame but tarying,

For to ſerue Venus deir,

We ſall fall to and ſing,

Siſter Danger cum neir.

Danger.

p. 17Siſter I was nocht ſweir

To Venus obſervance,

Howbeit I mak Dangeir:

Ȝit be continuance,

Men may hauehave thair pleaſance:

Thairfoir let na man fray,

We will tak it perchance,

Howbeit that wee ſay nay.

Hamelines.

Siſter cum on ȝour way,

And let vsus nocht think lang:

In all the haiſt wee may,

To ſing Venus ane ſang.

¶Danger.

Siſter ſing this ſang I may not,

Without the help of gude Fund-Ionet:

Fund-Ionet, hoaw cum tak a part.

Fund-Ionet.

That ſall I do with all my hart:

Siſter howbeit that I am hais,

I am content to beir a bais.

Ȝe twa ſould luif me as ȝour lyfe,

[]Ȝe knaw I lernit ȝow baith to ſwyfe:

In my chalmer ȝe wait weill quhair,

Sen ſyne the feind ane man ȝe ſpair.

Hamelines.

Fund-Ionet, fy, ȝe ar to blame,

To ſpeik foull wordis think ȝe not ſchame?

Fund Ionet.

Thair is ane hundreth heir ſitand by

[]That luifis geaping als weill as I,

Micht thay get it in priuitie:

Bot quha begins the ſang let ſe.

Rex.

Vp Wantonnes thow ſleipis to lang,

Me thocht I hard ane mirrie ſang:

I the command in haiſt to gang

Se quhat ȝon mirth may meine.

p. 12Wantonnes.

I trow Sir be the Trinitie

Ȝon ſame is Senſualitie,

Gif it be ſcho ſune ſall I ſie

That Soverance ſereine.

¶Rex.

Qu hat war thay ȝon to me declair?

Want.

Dame Senſuall baith gude and fair.

¶Placebo.

Sir ſcho is mekill to avance,

For ſcho can baith play and dance:

That perfyt patron of pleſance

Ane perle of pulchritude:

Soft as the ſilk is hir quhite lyre,

Hir hair is like the goldin wyre:

My hart burnis in ane flame of fyre

I ſweir ȝow be the Rude.

I think ſcho is ſa wonder fair,

That in earth ſcho hes na compair,

War ȝe weill leirn it at luifis lair

And ſyne had hir anis ſene:

I wait be cokis paſſioun,

Ȝe wald mak ſupplicatioun,

And ſpend on hir ane millioun

Hir lufe for till obteine.

Solace.

Quhat ſay ȝe ſir ar ȝe content,

That ſcho cum heir incontinent:

Quhat vails ȝour kingdome and ȝour rent,

And all ȝour great treaſure:

Without ȝe haif ane mirrie lyfe,

And caſt aſyde all ſturt and ſtryfe▪

And ſa lang as ȝe want ane wyfe,

Fall to and tak ȝour pleaſure.

¶Rex.

Gif that be trew quhilk ȝe me tell,

I will not langer tarie:

p. 13Bot will gang preif that play my ſell,

Howbeit the warld me warie.

¶Als faſt as ȝe may carie,

Speid with all diligence:

Bring Senſualitie,

Fra-hand to my preſence.

¶Forſuth I wait not how it ſtands,

Bot ſen I hard of ȝour tythands,

My bodie trimblis feit and hands

And quhiles is hait as fyre:

I trow Cupido with his dart,

Hes woundit me out▪ throw the hart

My ſpreit will fra my bodie part,

Get I nocht my deſyre.

Pas on away with diligence,

And bring hir heir to my preſence:

Spair nocht for trauell nor expence▪

I cair not for na coſt:

Pason ȝour way ſchone Wantonnes,

And tak with ȝow Sandie ſolace,

And bring that Ladie to this place,

Or els I am bot loſt.

Commend me to that ſweiteſt thing,

And preſent hir with this ſame Ring▪

And ſay I ly in languiſching,

Except ſcho mak remeid:

With ſiching ſair I am bot ſchent,

Without ſcho cum incontinent,

My heauie lang our to relent,

And ſaif me now fra deid.

Wantonnes.

Or ȝe tuik skaith be Gods goun,

[]I leuer thair war not vp nor doun

Ane tume cunt into this toun,

Nor twentie myle about.

Doubt ȝe nocht Sir, bot wee will get hir,

Wee ſall be feirie for till fetch hir,

Bot faith wee wald ſpeid all the better,

Till gar our purſſes rout▪

Solace.

Sir let na ſorrow in ȝow ſink,

Bot gif vsus Ducats for till drink:

And wee ſall never ſleip ane wink

Till it be back or eadge:

Ȝe ken weill Sir wee hauehave no cunȝe,

Rex.

Solace, ſure that ſall be no ſunȝie,

Beir ȝe that bag vponupon ȝour lunȝie,

Now ſirs win weill ȝour wage;

I pray ȝow ſpeid ȝow ſone againe

Wantonnes.

Ȝe of this ſang ſir wee ar faine,

Wee ſall nether ſpair wind nor raine▪

Till our days wark be done:

Fairweill for wee ar at the flicht,

Placebo rewll our Roy at richt:

We ſall be heir man or midnicht,

Thocht wee marche with the Mone.

¶Wā.

Paſtyme with pleaſāce & greit proſperitie

Be to ȝow Soveraine Senſualitie,

Sen.

Sirs ȝe ar welcum quhair go ȝe? eiſt or weſt?

Wantonnes.

In faith I trow we be at the farreſt.

Senſ.

Quhat is ȝour name I pray ȝou Sir declair?

Wan.

Marie Wantonnes the Kings ſecretair,

Senſ.

Quhat King is that quhilk hes ſa gay a boy?

Wan.

Humanitie that richt redoutit Roy,

Quhilk dois commend him to ȝow hartfullie

And ſends ȝow heir ane ring with ane Rubie

In takin that abuife all creatour

He hes choſen ȝow to be his Paramonr:

He bade me ſay that he will be bot deid,

Without that ȝe mak haiſtelie remeid.

Sēſ.

How can I help him althocht he ſuld for fair▪

Ȝe ken richt weill I am na Medcinair.

Sol.

Ȝes luſtie ladie thocht he war never ſa ſeik,

I wait ȝe beare his health into ȝour breik:

Ane kis of ȝour ſweit mow in ane morning,

Till his ſeiknes micht be greit comforting,

And als he maks ȝow ſupplicatioun,

This nicht to mak with him collatioun.

¶Sēſualitie.

I thank his grace of his benevolēce,

Gude ſirs I ſall be reddie evin fra hand:

In me thair …all be fund …a negligence,

Baith nicht & day quhen his grace will demand,

Pas ȝe befoir and ſay I am cummand,

And thinks richt lang to haif of him ane ſicht:

And I to Venus do mak ane faithfull band,

That i… his arms I think to ly all nicht.

Want.

That ſal be done, bot ȝit or I hame pas,

Heir I proteſt for Hamelynes ȝour las.

Senſ.

Scho ſalbe at command ſir quhen ȝe will

I traiſt ſcho ſall find ȝow flinging ȝour fill.

¶Want.

Now hay for ioy and mirth I dance,

Tak thair ane gay gamond of France:

Am I nocht worthie till avance?

That am ſa gude a page:

And that ſa ſpedelie can rin,

To tyſt my maiſter vntounto ſin,

The feind a penny he will win

Of this his mariage.

p. 19[]I rew richt ſair be ſanct Michell,

Nor I had pearſt hir my awin ſell:

For quhy ȝon King be Bryds bell

Kennis na mair of ane cunt:

Nor dois the noueis of ane freir:

It war bot almis to pull my eir,

That wald not preif ȝon gallant geir:

Fy that I am ſa blunt.

I think this day to win greit thank,

Hay, as ane brydlit cat I brank:

Alace I hauehave wreiſtit my ſchank,

Yit gangis be ſanct Michaell.

Quhilk of my leggis Sirs as ȝe trow▪

Was it that I did hurtevin now?

Bot quhairto ſould I ſpeir at ȝow

I think thay baith ar hiall.

¶Gude morrow Maiſter be the Mes,

Rex.

Welcum my menȝeon Wantonnes,

How hes thow ſped in thy trauell?

Wanton.

Rycht weill be him that herry it hell:

Ȝour erand is weill done.

Rex.

Then VVantonnes how weill is mee,

Thow hes deſeruit baith meit and fie,

Be him that maid the Mone:

¶Thair is anething that I wald ſpeir,

Quhat ſall I do quhen ſcho cums heir?

For I knaw nocht the craft perqueir

Of luifers gyn:

Thairfoir at lenth ȝe mon me leir▪

How to begin.

¶ Wan.

To kis hir & clap hir ſir be not affeard,

Sho will not ſchrink thocht ȝe kis hir ane ſpan wthin the baird

p. 17Gif ȝe think that ſho thinks ſhame thē hyd ye bairnseine

[] With hir taill, & tent hir weil, ȝe wait quhat I meine:

Will ȝe leif me Sir firſt for to go to,

And I ſall leirne ȝow all kewis how to do.

Rex.

God forbid Wantonnes that I gif the leife,

Thou art ouer perillous ane page ſic practiks to preife.

Wan.

Now Sir preife as ȝe pleis, I ſe hir cumand,

Vſe ȝour ſelf grauelie, wee ſall by ȝow ſtand.

¶ Senſuall.

O Queene Venus vntounto thy Celſitude,

I gif gloir, honour, laud and reuerence:

Quha grantit me ſic perfite pulchritude,

That Princes of my perſone hauehave pleaſance.

I mak ane vow with humbill obſeruance,

Richt reuerentlie thy Tempill to viſie,

With ſacrifice vntounto thy Dyoſie.

Till everie ſtait I am ſo greabill,

That few or nane refuſes me at all:

Paipis, Patriarks or Prelats venerabill,

Common pepill and Princes temporall,

Ar ſubiect all to me Dame Senſuall.

Sa ſall it be ay quhill the warld indures

And ſpeciallie quhair ȝouthage hes the cures.

¶ Quha knawis the contrair▪

I traiſt few in this companie,

Wald thay declair the veritie,

How thay vſe Senſualitie:

Bot with me maks repair.

And now my way I man auance,

VntoUnto ane Prince of great puiſſance,

Quhom ȝoung men hes in gouernance

Rolland into bis rage:

I am richt glaid I ȝow aſſure,

That potent Prince to get in cure:

Quhilk is of luſtines the luir,

And greiteſt of curage.

¶O potent Prince of pulchritude preclair,

God Cupido preſerue ȝour celſitude:

And Dame Venus mot keip ȝour court frō cair

As I wald ſho ſuld keip my awin hart-blud:

Rex.

Welcum to me peirles in pulchritude,

Welcum to me thow ſweiter nor the Lamber,

Quhilk hes maid me of all dolour denude,

Solace, convoy this Ladie to my chamber.

Senſua.

I gang this gait with richt gude will,

Sir Wantonnes tarie ȝe ſtil:

And Hamelines the cap ȝeis fill

And beir him cumpanie.

That ſall I do withoutin dout,

And he and I ſall play cap'out,

Wan.

Now Ladie len me that batye tout

Fill in for I am dry.

¶[] Ȝour dame be this trewlie,

Hes gotten vponupon the gumis

Quhat rak thocht ȝe and I

Go iunne our iuſting Lumis,

Hamelines.

Content I am with gude will,

Quhen euer ȝe ar reddie:

Ȝour pleaſure to fulfill,

Wantonnes.

Now weill ſaid be our Ladie,

He bair my Maiſter cumpanie,

Till that I may indure:

Gif ȝe be quiſland wantounlie,

We ſall fling on the flure.

Gude Counſall.

¶Immortall God maiſt of magnificence,

Quhais Maieſtie na Clark can comprehend:

Muſt ſaue ȝow all that giuis ſic audience,

And grant ȝow grace him never till offend,

Quhilk on the Croce did willinglie aſcend,

And ſched his pretious blude on everie ſide:

Quhais pitious paſſioun from danger ȝow defend,

And be ȝour gratious governour and gyde.

Now my gude freinds conſidder I ȝow beſeik

The caus maiſt principall of my cumming,

Princis or Poteſtatis ar nocht worth ane leik,

Be thay not gydit be my gude gouerning:

Thair was never Empriour, Conquerour nor King,

Without my wiſdome that micht thair wil avance,

My name is Gude Counſall without feinȝeing,

Lords for lack of my lair ar brocht to miſchance.

¶Finallie for concluſioun,

Quha halds me at deluſioun:

Sall be brocht to confuſioun:

And this I vnderſtand,

For I hauehave maid my reſidence,

With hie Princes of greit puiſſance,

In Ingland, Italie and France,

And monie vther Land.

Bot out of Scotland wa alace,

Ihaifbene fleimit lang tyme ſpace,

That garris our gyders all want grace

And die befoir thair day:

Becaus thay lychtlyit gude counſall,

Fortune turnit on thame hir ſaill,

Quhilk brocht this Realme to meikill baill,

Quha can the contrair ſay?

My Lords I came nocht heir to lie:

Wais me for King Humanitie,

Ov erſet with Senſualitie,

In th'entrie of his ring:

Throw vicious counſell inſolent,

Sa thay may get riches or rent,

To his weilfair thay tak na tent,

Nor quhat ſal be th'ending.

¶Ȝit in this Realme I wald mak ſum repair,

Gif I beleifit my name ſuld nocht forfair,

For wald this King be gydit ȝit with reſſoun,

And on miſdoars mak punitioun:

Howbeit I haif lang tyme bene exyllit,

I traiſt in God my name ſall ȝit be ſtyllit.

Sa till I ſe God ſend mair of his grace,

I purpois tilrepois me in this place.

Flatterie.

¶Mak roume ſirs hoaw, that I may rin,

Lo ſe quhair I am new cum,

…egaryit all with ſindrie hewis:

Let be ȝour din till I begin,

And I ſall ſchaw ȝow of my newis.

Throuchout all Chriſtindome I hauehave paſt,

And am cum heir now at the laſt,

Toſtit on ſea ay ſen Ȝuill day:

That wee war faine to hew our Maſt,

Nocht half an e myle beȝond the May.

Bot now amang ȝow I will remaine,

I purpois never to ſail againe:

To put my lyfe in chance of watter:

Was never ſene ſic wind and raine,

Nor of Schipmen ſic clitter clatter.

Sum bade haill and ſum bade ſtandby,

On ſteirburd hoaw aluiff fy fy:

Quhill all the raipis beguith to rattil:

Was never Royſa fleyd as I,

Quhen all the ſails playd brittill brattill.

To ſe the waws it was ane wonder,

And wind that raif the ſails in ſunder,

Bot I lay braikand like ane Brok:

And ſhot ſa faſt aboue and vnderunder,

The Deuill durſt not cum neir my dok.

Now am I ſcapit fra that effray,

Quhat ſay ȝe ſirs am I nocht gay?

Se ȝe not Flatterie ȝour awin fuill?

That ȝeid to mak this new array,

Was I not heir with ȝow at Ȝuill?

Ȝes be my faith I think on weill.

Quhair ar my fallows that wald nocht fail?

We ſuld hauehave cum heir for ane caſt.

Hoaw Falſet hoaw.—

Falſet.

—Wa ſair the Deuill

Quha is that that cryis for meſa faſt

Flat.

Quhy Falſet brother knawis thou not me?

Am I nocht thy brother Flattrie?

Falſet.

Now welcome be the Trinitie

This meitting cums for gude

Now let me breſſe the … my armis,

Quhen freinds meits harts warmis:

Quod Iok that frelie fud:

How happinit ȝow into this place?

Flatterie.

Now be my ſaul evin on a cace.

I come in ſleipand at the port,

p. 22Or ever I wiſt amang this ſort.

Quhair is Diſſait that limmer loun?

Falſet.

I left him drinkand in the toun,

He will be heir incontinent.

Flatterie.

Now be the haly Sacrament,

Thay tydingis comforts all my hart:

I wait Diſſait will tak my part.

He is richt craftie as ȝe ken,

And counſallour to the Merchand-men:

Let vsus ly doun heir baith and ſpy,

Gif wee perſaue him cummand by.

Diſſait.

¶Stand by the gait that I mayſteir,

Aiſay Koks bons, how cam I heir?

can not mis to tak ſum feir,

Into ſa greit ane thrang:

Marie heir ane cumlie congregatioun,

Quhat ar ȝe ſirs all of ane natioun?

Maiſters I ſpeik be proteſtatioun,

In dreid ȝe tak me wrang.

Ken ȝe not ſirs quhat is my name?

Gude faith I dar not ſchawit for ſchame:

Sen I was clekit of my Dame,

Ȝit was I never leill:

For Katie vnſell was my mother,

And common theif my father-brother:

Offic freindſhip I had ane fither,

Howbeit I can not ſteill.

Bot ȝit I will borrow and len,

As be my cleathing ȝe may ken;

That I am cum of nobill men,

And als I will debait,

p. 23That querrell with my feit and hands:

And I dwell amang the merchands,

My name gifonie man demands,

Thay call me Diſſait▪

¶Bon-iour brother with all my hart,

Heir I am cum to tak ȝour part,

Baith into gude and euill:

I met Gude counſall be the way,

Quha pat me in ane felloun fray,

I gif him to the Deuill.

¶Falſet.

How chaipit ȝe I pray ȝow tell?

Diſſait.

I ſlipit into ane bordell:

And hid me in ane bawburds bed:

[]Bot ſuddenlie hir ſchankis I ſched▪

With hoch hurland amang hir howis▪

God wait gif wee maid monie mowis:

How came ȝe heir I pray ȝow tell me?

Falſet.

Marie to ſeik King Humanitie.

Diſſait.

Now be the gude Ladie that me bair,

That ſamin hors is my awin Mair:

Now with our purpois let vsus mell,

Quhat is ȝour counſall I pray ȝow tell?

Sen we thrie ſeiks ȝon nobill King,

Let vsus deuyſe ſum ſubtill thing:

And als I pray ȝow as my brother,

That we ilk ane be trew to vther.

I mak ane vow with all my hart,

In gude and euill to tak ȝour part▪

I pray to God nor I be hangit,

Bot I ſall die or ȝe be wrangit.

Falſet.

Quhat is thy counſall that wee do?

p. 24Marie ſirs this is my counſall lo,

Till tak our tyme quhill wee may get it,

For now thait is na man to let it:

Fra tyme the King begin to ſteir him,

Marie gude counſall I dreid cum neir him,

And be wee knaw in with Correctioun.

It will be our confuſioun:

Thairfoir my deir brother deuyſe

To find ſum toy of the new gyſe.

Flat.

Marie I ſall finde ane thouſand wyles,

Wee man turne our claithis & change our ſtiles:

And diaſagyſe vsus that na man ken vsus,

Hes na man Clarkis cleathing to len vsus:

And let vsus keip graue countenance,

As wee war new cum out of France.

Diſſait.

Now be my ſaull that is weill deuyſit▪

Ȝe ſall ſe me ſone diſagyſit,

Falſet.

And ſa ſall I man be the Rude,

Now ſum gude fallow len me ane hude.

Diſſait.

Now am I buskit and quha can ſpy,

The Deuill ſtik me gif this be I:

If this be I or not, I can not weill ſay,

Or hes the Feind or Fatie-folk borne me away,

Falſet.

And gif my hair war vp in ane how,

The feind ane man wald ken me I trow:

Quhat ſayis thou of my gay garmoun▪

Diſſait.

I ſay thou luiks euin like ane loun:

Now brother Flatterie quhat do ȝe,

Quhat kynde of man ſchaip ȝe to be?

Flattrie.

Now be my faith my brother deir,

I will gang counterfit the Freir,

Diſſait.

A Freir, quhairto ȝe can nor preiche.

p. 25Flattrie.

Quhat rak man I can richt weill fleich?

Perchance Ile cum that honour,

To be the Kings confeſſour.

Pure Freirs ar free at any fealt,

And marchellit ay amang the beſt.

Als God to hes lent them ſic graces,

That Biſchops puts them in thair places:

Out-throw thair Dioceis to preiche,

Bot ferlie nocht howbeit thay fleich:

For ſchaw thay all the veritie,

Thaill want the Biſchops charitie.

And thocht the corne war never ſa skant,

The gudewyfis will not let Freirs want:

For quhy thay ar thair confeſſours,

Thair heauinlie prudent counſalours.

Thairfoir the wyfis plainlie taks thair parts,

And ſhawis the ſecreits of thair harts,

To Freirs with better will I trow,

Nor thay do to thair bed-fallow.

Diſſait, And I reft anis ane Freirs coull,

Bvtuix Sanct-Iohneſtoun and Kinnoull:

I ſall gang fetch it, gif ȝe will tarie.

Flattrie.

Now play me that of companarie.

Ȝe faw him nocht this hundreth ȝeir,

That better can counterfeit the Freir.

Diſſait.

Heir is th… gaining all and ſum,

That is ane koull of Tullilum.

Flattrie.

Quha hes ane portouns for to len me?

The feind ane ſaull I trow will ken me.

Falſet.

Now gang thy way quhair euer thow will,

Thow may be fallow to freir Gill:

Bot with Correctioun gif wee be kend,

p. 26I dreid wee mak ane ſchamefull end.

Flattrie.

For that mater I dreid nathing,

Freiris ar exemptit fra the King:

And Freiris will reddie entries get,

Quhen Lords ar haldin at the ȝet.

Falſet.

Wee man do mair ȝit be Sanct Iames,

For wee mon all thrie change our names

Hayif me, and Iſall baptize thee:

Diſſait.

Be God and thair-about may it be.

How will thou call me I pray the tell?

Falſet.

I wait not how to call my ſell.

Diſlait.

Bot ȝit anis name the bairns name,

Falſet.

Diſcretioun, Diſcretioun in Gods name.

Diſlait.

I neid nocht now to cair for thrift,

Bot quhat ſalbe my God bairne gift?

Falſet.

I gif ȝow all the Deuilis of hell,

Diſſait.

Na brother hauld that to thy ſel.

Now ſit doun let me baptize the

I wait not quhat thy name ſould be:

Falſet.

Bot ȝit anis name the bairns name.

Diſſait Sapience in ane warlds-ſchame.

Flatrie.

Brother Diſſait cum baptize me,

Diſſait.

Then ſit doun lawlie on thy kne.

Flatrie.

Now brother name the bairns name,

Diſſait.

Devotioun the Deuillis name,

Flattrie.

The deuill reſaue the lurdoun loun,

Thow hes weat all my new ſchawin croun.

Diſſait.

Devotioun, Sapience and diſcretioun,

Wee thre may rewll this Regioun.

Wee sall find monie craftie things,

For to begyll are hundreth Kingis.

For thow can richt weil crak and clatter,

p. 27And I ſall feinȝe, and thow ſall flatter.

Flattrie.

Bot I wald hauehave or wee depairtit,

Ane drink to mak vsus better hartit.

Now the King ſall cum fra his chamber.

Diſſait.

Weill ſaid be him that herryit hell,

I was euin thinkand that my ſell.

Now till wee get the Kings preſence,

Wee will ſit down and keip ſilence:

Iſe ane ȝeoman quhat ever be,

Ile wod my lyfe ȝon ſame is he.

Feir nocht brother, bot hauld ȝow ſtill,

Till wee hauehave hard quhat is his will.

Rex.

Now quhair is Placebo and Solace?

Quhair is my minȝeoun Wantonnes?

Wantonnes hoaw, cum to me ſone,

Wantonnes.

Quhy cryit ȝe ſir till I had done?

Rex.

Quhat was ȝe doand tell me that?

Wantonnes.

Mary leirand how my father me gat.

I wait nocht how it ſtands but doubt.

Me think the warld rinnis round about.

Rex.

And ſa think I man be my thrift

I ſe fyteine Mones in the lift.

Hamelin.

Gat ȝe nocht that quhilk ȝe deſyrit?

Sir I beleif that ȝe ar tyrit.

Danger.

Bot as for Placebo and Solace

I held them baith in mirrines,

¶Solace.

Now ſchaw me ſir I ȝow exhort▪

How ar ȝe of ȝour luif content

Think ȝe not this ane mirrie ſport:

Rex.

Ȝea that I do in verament.

Quhat bairnis ar ȝon vponupon the bent,

I did nocht ſe them all this day.

p. 28Wantonnes.

Thay will be heir incontinent,

Stand ſtill and heir quhat thay will ſay.

Now the vycis cums and maks ſalutatioun, ſaying.

¶Diſſait.

Laud honor, gloir, triumph & victory

Be to ȝour maiſt excellent Maieſtie.

Rex.

Ȝe ar welcum gude freinds be the Rude,

Appeirandlie ȝe ſeime ſum men of gude,

Quhat ar ȝour names tell me without delay,

Diſſait.

Diſcretioun Sir, is my name perfay.

Rex.

Quhat is ȝour name ſit with the clipit croū

Flattrie.

But dout my name is callit Devotioun.

Rex.

Welcum Devotioun be Sanct Iame:

Now ſi…ray tell quhat is ȝour name?

Falſet.

Marie ſir thay call me, quhat call thay me?

Rex.

Can ȝe nocht tell quhat is ȝour name?

Falſet.

I kend it quhen I cam fra hame.

Rex.

Quhat gars ȝe can nocht ſchawit now?

Falſet.

Marie thay call me thin-drink I trow?

Rex.

Thin-drink▪ quhat lynde of name is that?

Diſſait.

Sapiens thou ſeruis to beir ane plat▪

Me think thow ſchawis the not weill wittit;

Falſet.

Sypeins, ſir ſypeins, marie now ȝe hit it.

Flattrie.

Sir gif ȝe pleis to let him ſay,

His name is SAPIENTIA.

Falſet.

That ſame is it be Sanct Michell▪

Rex.

Quhy could thou not tell it thy ſell?

Falſet.

I pray ȝour grace appardoun me,

And I ſall ſchaw the veritie:

I am ſa full of Sapience,

That ſumtyme I will tak ane trance.

My ſpreit wes reft fra my bodie,

Now heich aboue the Trinitie.

p. 29Rex.

Sapience ſuld be ane man of gude:

Falſet.

Sir ȝe may ken that be my hude.

Rex.

Now hauehave I Sapience and Diſcretioun,

How can I faill to rewll this Regioun?

And Devotioun to be my confeſſour,

Thir thrie came in ane happie hour,

Heir I mak the my ſecretar,

And thow ſalbe my theſaurar:

And thow ſalbe my counſallour,

In ſpriruall things and confeſſour

¶Flattrie.

I ſweir to ȝow ſir be ſanct An,

Ȝe met never with ane wyſer man,

For monie a craft ſir do I can,

VVar thay weill knaw in▪

Sir I hauehave na feill of flattrie,

Bot foſterit with Philſophie,

Ane ſtrange man in Aſtronomie,

Quhilk ſalbe ſchawin.

Falſet.

And I hauehave greit intelligence

In quelling of the quinteſſence:

Bot to preif my experience,

Sir len me fourtie crownes:

To mak multiplicatioun,

And tak my obligatioun,

Gifwee mak fals narratioun,

Hauld vsus for verie lownes.

¶Diſſait.

Sir I ken be ȝour Phyſnomie,

Ȝe ſall conqueis, or els I lie,

Danskin, Denmark, and Almane,

Spittelfeild and the Realme of Spane.

Ȝe ſall hauehave at ȝour governance.

Ranfrow and all the Realme of France.

p. 30Ȝea Rugland and the toun of Rome,

Caſtorphine and al chriſtindome.

Quhairto ſir be the Trinitie,

Ȝe ar ar ane verie Aperſie.

Flattrie.

Sir quhen I dwelt in Italie,

I leirit the craft of Palmiſtrie,

Schaw me the lufe Sir, of ȝour hand,

And I ſall gar ȝow vnderſtand,

Gif ȝour grace be infortunat,

Or gif ȝe be predeſtinat.

I ſee ȝe will hauehave fyfteine Queenes

And fyfteine ſcoir of Concubeines:

The Virgin Marie ſaife ȝour grace,

Saw ever man ſa quhyte ane face:

Sa greit ane arme, ſa fair ane hand,

Thairs nocht ſic ane leg in al this land.

War ȝe in armis I think na wonder,

Howbeit ȝe dang doun fyfteine hunder.

Diſſait.

Now be my ſaull thats trew thow ſayis

Wes never man ſet ſa weill his clais:

Thair is na man in Chriſtintie,

Sa meit to be ane King as ȝe,

Falſet.

Sir thank the haly Trinitie:

That ſend vsus to ȝour cumpanie:

For God nor I gaip in ane gallows,

Gif ever ȝe fand thrie better fallows.

Rex.

Ȝe ar richt welcum be the Rude,

Ȝe ſeime to be thrie men of gude. Heir ſall Gude-counſell ſchaw himſelf in the feild

Bot quha is ȝon that ſtands ſa ſtill?

Ga ſpy and ſpeir quhat is his will.

And gif he ȝearnis my preſence,

p. 31Bring him to mee with Diligence.

[] Diſſait.

That ſall wee do be Gods breid:

We's bring him eather quick or deid.

Rex.

I will ſit ſtill heir and repois,

Speid ȝow agane to me my Iois,

¶Falſet.

Ȝe hardlie Sir, keip ȝow in clois

And quyet till wee cum againe:

Brother I trow be coks toes,

Ȝon bairdit bogill cums fra ane traine.

Diſſait.

Gif he dois ſa he ſalbe ſlaine,

I doubt him nocht, nor ȝit ane vther:

Trowit I that he come for ane traine,

Of my freindis I ſould rais ane futher.

¶Flattrie.

I doubt full ſair be God him ſell,

That ȝon auld churle be Gude-counſell:

Get he anis to the Kings preſence,

We thrie will get na audience.

Diſſait.

That matter I ſall tak on hand,

And ſay it is the Kings command,

That he anone devoyd this place,

And cum nocht neir the Kings grace:

And that vnderunder the paine of treſſoun:

Flattrie.

Brother I hauld ȝour counſell reſſoun.

Now let vsus heir quhat he will ſay,

Auld lyart beard, gude day, gude day.

Gude-counſall.

Gude day againe ſirs be the rude

The Lord mot mak ȝow men of gude.

Diſſait.

Pray nocht for vsus to Lord nor Ladie,

For we ar men of gude alreadie,

Sir ſchaw to vsus quhat is ȝour name?

Gude-counſall.

Gude-counſell thay call me at hame,

Falſet.

Quhat ſays thow carle, ar thow Gude-counſell?

p. 32Swyith pak the ſone vnhappie vnſell.

Gif ever thou cum this gait againe,

I vow to God thou ſall be ſlaine.

Gude-counſall.

I pray ȝow ſirs, gif me licence,

To cum anis to the Kings preſence:

To ſpeik bot twa words to his grace,

Flattrie.

Swyith horſune carle, devoyd this place.

Gude-counſell.

Brother I ken ȝow weill aneuch,

Howbeit ȝe mak it never ſa teuch:

Flattrie, Diſſait and Fals-report,

That will not ſuffer to reſort:

Gude-Counſall to the Kings preſence.

Diſſait.

Suyith hurſun carle gang pak the hence,

Gif ever thou cum this gait agane,

I vow to God thouſall be ſlane. Heir ſall thay hurle away Gude-Counſall.

Sen at this tyme I can get na preſence,

Is na remeid bot tak in patience.

Howbeit Gude-counſall haiſtelie be nocht hard

With ȝoung Princes ȝit ſould thay noch be skard.

Bot quhen ȝouthheid hes blawin his wanton blaſt,

Then fall Gude-counſall rewll him at the laſt.

Now the Vycis gangs to ane counſall.

Flattrie.

Now quhill Gude-Counſall is abſent,

Brother wee mon be diligent:

And mak betwix vsus ſikker bands,

Quhen vacadns fallis in onie Lands.

That everie man help weill his fallow,

Diſſait.

I had deir brother be Alhallow.

Sa ȝe fiſche nocht within our bounds,

[] Flattrie.

That ſall I noch be Gods wounds▪

Bot I ſall plainlie tak ȝour partis,

p. 33Falſet.

Sa ſall wee thyne with all our hartis.

Bot haiſt vsus quhill the King is ȝoung,

Let everie man keip weill ane toung.

And in ilk quarter hauehave ane ſpy,

VsUs till adverteis haiſtelly,

Quhen ony caſualities,

Sall happin into our countries,

And let vsus mak proviſioun,

Or he cum to diſcretioun▪

Na mair he waits now nor ane ſant,

Quhat thing it is to haif or want,

Or he cum till his perfyte age,

We ſall be ſikker of our wage:

And then let everie carle craif vther.

Di.

Yat mouth ſpcik mair my awin deir brother.

For God nor I rax in ane raip,

Thow may gif counſall to the Paip.

Now thay returne to the King.

¶Rex.

Quhat gart ȝou bid ſa lang fra my preſēce?

I think it lang ſince ȝe depairtit thence.

Quhat man was ȝon with an greit boſtous beird

Me thocht he maid ȝow all thrie very feard.

¶Diſſait.

It was ane laidlie lurdan loun,

Cumde to break buithis into this toun:

Wee hauehave ga…t bind him with ane poill,

And ſend him to the theiſis hoill:

Rex.

Let him ſit thair with ane miſchance,

And let vsus go to our paſtance.

Wantonnes.

Better go reuell at the rackat,

Or ellis go to the hurlie hackat,

Or then to ſchaw our curtlie corſſes,

Ga ſe quha beſt can rin thair horſſes.

p. 34Solace.

Na ſoveraine or wee farther gang

Gar Senſualitie ſing ane ſang.

Heir ſall the Ladies ſing ane ſang▪ the King ſall ly doun amang the Ladies and then Veritie ſall enter.

Veritie.

Diligite Iuſtitiam qui iudicatis terram.

¶ Luif Iuſtice ȝe quha hes ane Iudges cure,

In earth and dried the awfull Iudgement,

Of him that ſall cum iudge baith rich and pure,

Rycht terribilly with bludy wounds rent.

That dreidfull day into ȝour harts imprent:

Beleuand weill▪ how and quhat maner ȝe

Vſe Iuſtice heir til vthers, thair at lenth

That day but doubt ſa ſallȝe iudgit be.

Wo than and duill be to ȝow Princes all,

Suffer and the pure anes for till be oppreſt:

In everlaſting burn and fyre ȝe ſall

With Lucifer richt dulfullie be dreſt.

Thairfoir in tyme for till eſchaip that neſt,

Feir God, do law and Iuſtice equally,

Till everie man: ſe that na puir oppreſt

Vp to the hevin on ȝow ane vengence cry.

Be iuſt iudges without fauour or fead,

And hauld the Ballance euin till everie wicht:

Let not the fault be left into the head,

Then ſall the members reulit be at richt.

For quhy ſubiects do follow day and nicht

Thair governours in vertew and in vyce.

Ȝe ar the lamps that ſould ſchaw them the licht

Lo leid them on this ſliddrie rone of yce.

Mobile mutatur ſemper cum principe vulgus.

And gif ȝe wald ȝour ſubiectis war weill geuin,

Then verteouſlie begin the dance ȝour ſell:

p. 35Going befoir▪ then they anone I wein,

Sall follow ȝow, eyther till heuin or hell:

Kings ſould of gude exempils be the well▪

Bot gif that ȝour ſtrands be intoxicate,

In ſteid of wyne thay drink the poyſon fell:

Thus pepill follows ay thair principate.

Sic luceat lux vestra coram hominibus, vt videant opera veſtra bona.

And ſpeciallyȝe Princes of the Preiſts,

That of peopill hes ſpiritual cuir,

Daylyȝe ſould revolue into ȝour breiſtis,

How that thir haly words ar ſtill maiſt ſure

In verteous lyfe gif that ȝe do indure

The pepill wil tak mair tent to ȝour deids

Then to ȝour words: and als baith rich and puir

Will follow ȝow baith in ȝour warks and words. Heir ſal Flattrie ſpy Veritie with ane dum countenance.

Gif men of me wald hauehave intelligence,

Or knaw my name, thay call me VERITIE.

Of Chriſtis law I hauehave experience,

And hes over ſaillit many ſtormie ſey.

Now am I ſeikand King Humanitie,

For of his grace I hauehave gude eſperance,

Fra tyme that he acquaintit be with mee,

His honour and heich gloir I ſall avance.

Heir ſall Veritie pas to hir ſait.

Diſſait.

Gude day father, quhair hauehave ȝe bene?

Declair till vsus of ȝour nouels.

Flattrie Thair is now lichtit on the grene,

Dame Veritie, be Buiks and bels.

Bot cum ſcho to the Kings preſence

Thair is na buit for vsus to byde.

p. 36Thairfoir I red vsus all go hence.

Falſet.

That will we nocht ȝit be Sanct Bryde

Bot wee ſall ather gang or ryde,

To Lords of Spritualitie,

And gar them trow ȝon bag ofpryde,

Hes ſpokin manifeſt hereſie.

Heir thay cum to the Spiritualitie.

Flattrie.

O reverent fatheris of the Sprituall ſtait,

Wee counſall ȝow be wyſe and vigilant:

Dame Veritie hes lychtit now of lait,

And in hir hand beirand the Newteſtament▪

Be ſcho reſſauit but doubt wee ar bot ſchent,

Let hir nocht Iudge thairfoir into this Land,

And this wee reid ȝow do incontinent,

Now quhill the King is with his luif ſleipand.

Spritualitie.

Wee thank ȝow freinds of ȝour benevolence,

It ſall be done evin as ȝe hauehave devyſit:

Wee think ȝe ſerue ane gudlie recompence,

Defendand vsus that wee be nocht ſuppryſit.

In this mater wee man be weill aduyſit,

Now quhill the King misknawis the veritie,

Be ſcho reſſauit then wee will be depryſit,

Quhat is ȝour counſell brother now let ſe?

Abbot.

I hauld it beſt that wee incontinent,

Gar hauld hir faſt into Captivitie:

VntoUnto the thrid day of the Parlament

And then accuſe hir of hir heriſie:

Or than baniſche hir out of this cuntrie,

For with the King gif Veritie be knawin▪

Of our greit gloir wee will degradit be

p. 37And all our ſecreits to the commouns ſchawin.

Perſone.

Ȝeſe the King is ȝit effeminate,

And gydit be Dame Senſualitie,

Rycht ſa with ȝoung counſall intoxicate,

Swa at this tyme ȝe haif ȝour libertie.

To tak ȝour tyme I hauld it beſt for me,

And go diſtroy all thir Lutherians:

In ſpeciall ȝon ladie Veritie,

Spirituali.

Schir Perſone ȝe ſall be my commiſſair,

To put this mater till executioun▪

And ȝe ſir Freir, becaus ȝe can declair

The haill proceſſe, pas with him in commiſſioun,

Pas all togidder with my braid benniſoun,

And gifſcho ſpeiks againſt our libertie,

Then put hir in perpetuall preſoun,

That ſcho cum nocht to King Humanitie.

Heir ſall thay pas to Verity.

Perſone.

Luſtie Ladie we wald faine vnderſtand,

Quhat earand ȝe haif in this Regioun?

To preich or teich quha gaif to ȝow command,

To counſall Kingis how gat ȝe commiſſioun?

I dreid without ȝe get ane remiſſioun,

And ſyne renunce ȝour new opiniones

The ſprituall ſtait ſall put ȝow to perditioun

And in the fyre will burne ȝow fleſche and bones.

Veritie.

I will recant nathing that I hauehave ſchawin,

I hauehave ſaid nathing bot the veritie:

Bot with the King fra tyme that I be knawin

I dreid ȝe ſpaiks of Spritualitie▪

Sall rew that ever I came in this cuntrie

p. 38For gifthe Veritie plainlie war proclamit,

And ſpeciallie to the Kings Maieſtie,

For ȝour traditions ȝe wilbe all defamit.

Flattrie.

Quhat buik is that harlot into thy hand,

Out walloway, this is the New Test'ment,

In Engliſch toung, and printit in England,

Heriſie, heriſie, fire, fire incontinent.

Verity.

Forſuith my freind ȝe hauehave ane wrāg iudgement,

For in this Buik thair is na hereſie:

Botour Chriſts word, baith dulce and redolent,

Ane ſpringing well of ſinceir veritie.

Diſſait.

Cum on ȝour way for all ȝour ȝealow locks

Ȝour vantoun words but doubt ȝe ſall repent:

This nicht ȝe ſall forfair ane pair of ſtocks,

And ſyne the morne be brocht to thoill Iudgment.

Veritie.

For our chriſts ſaik I am richt weill content

To ſuffer all thing that ſall pleis his grace,

Howbeit ȝe put ane thouſand to torment,

Ten hundreth thowſand ſall riſe into thair place. Veritie ſits doun on hir knies and ſayis.

Get vp, thow, thow ſleipis all too lang, O Lord,

And mak ſum reſſonabill reformatioun

On them that dois tramp doun thy gracious word,

And hes ane deidlie indignatioun

At them quha maks maiſt trew narratioun:

Suffer me not Lord mair to be moleſt,

Gude Lord, I mak the ſupplicatioun

With thy vnfreinds let me nocht be ſuppreſt:

¶Now Lords do as ȝe liſt,

I hauehave na mair to ſay.

Flattrie.

Sit doun and tak ȝow reſt,

All nicht till it be day.

p. 39Thay put Veritie in the ſtocks and returne to Spritualite.

Diſſait.

My Lord wee hauehave with diligence

Bucklit vp weill ȝon bledrand baird:

Spritualitie.

I think ȝe ſerue gude recompence,

Tak thirten crowns for ȝour rewaird.

¶Verity.

The Propheſie of the Propheit Eſay

Is practickit alace, on mee this day:

Quha ſaid the veritie ſould be trampit doun

Amid the ſtreit, and put in ſtrang preſoun.

His fyue and fyftie chapter quha liſt luik,

Sall find thir words writtin in his Buik.

Richt ſa Sanct Paull wrytis to Timothie,

That men ſall turne thair earis from veritie.

Bot in my Lord God I hauehave eſperance,

He will provide for my deliverance.

Bot ȝe Princes of Spiritualitie,

Quha ſould defend the ſinceir veritie,

I dreid the plagues of Iohnes Revelatioun

Sall ſal vponupon ȝour generatioun.

I counſall ȝow this miſſe t'amend,

Sa that ȝe may eſchaip that fatall end.

Chaſtitie.

How lang ſall this inconſtant warld indure,

That I ſould baneiſt be ſa lang alace:

Few creatures or nane takis on me cure,

Quhilk gars me monie nicht ly harbrieles.

Thocht I hauehave paſt all ȝeir fra place to place,

Amang the Temporal and Spirituall ſtaits:

Nor amang Princes I can get na grace,

Bot bouſtuouſlie am halden at the ȝetis.

Diligence.

Ladie I pray ȝow ſchaw me ȝour name,

It dois me noy ȝour lamentatioun,

p. 40Chaſ.

My freind thair of I neid not to think ſhame,

Dame Chaſtitie baneiſt from town to town.

Diligence.

Then pas to ladies of Religioun,

Quhilk maks thair vow to obſerue Chaſtitie:

Lo quhair thair ſits ane Priores of renown,

Amangs the reſt of Spritualitie.

Chaſtitie.

I grant ȝon Ladie hes vowit Chaſtitie,

For hir profeſſioun thairto ſould accord:

Scho maid that vow for ane Abeſie,

Bot nocht for Chriſt Ieſus our Lord.

Fra tyme that thay get thair vows, I ſtand for'd,

Thay baniſche hir out of thair cumpanie,

With Chaſtitie thay can mak na concord

Bot leids thair lyfis in Senſualitie,

I ſall obſerue ȝour counſall gif I may,

Cum on and heir quhat ȝon Ladie will ſay? Chaſtitie paſſis to the Ladie Priores and ſayis.

My prudent luſtie Laſtie Priores,

Remember how ȝe did vow Chaſtitie:

Madame I pray ȝow of ȝour gentilnes,

That ȝe wald pleis to haif of me pitie:

And this ane nicht to gif me harberie,

For this I mak ȝow ſupplicatioun

Do ȝe nocht ſa Madame I dreid perdie,

It will becaus of depravatioun.

Priores.

Pas hynd Madame, be Chriſt ȝe cum nocht heir,

Ȝe ar contrair to my cumplexioun:

Gang ſeik ludging at ſum auld Monk or Freir,

Perchance thay will be ȝour protectioun.

Or to Prelats mak ȝour progreſſioun,

Quhilks ar obleiſt to ȝow als weill as I:

p. 41Dame Senſuall hes geuin directioun

Ȝow till exclude out of my cumpany.

Chaſtitie.

Gif ȝe wald wit mair of the veritie,

I ſall ſchaw ȝow be ſure experience,

How that the Lords of Sprituality,

Hes baneiſt me, alace, fra thair preſence. Chaſtitie paſſes to the Lords of Spritualitie,

My Lords, laud, gloir, triumph and reverence,

Mot be vntounto ȝour halie Sprituall ſtait:

I ȝow beſeik of ȝour benevolence,

To harbry mee that am ſa deſolait▪*

* Lords I hauehave paſt throw mony vncouth ſchyre,

Bot in this Land I can get na ludgeing

Of my name gif ȝe wald haif knawledging,

Forſuith my Lords thay call me Chaſtitie,

I ȝow beſeik of ȝour graces bening.

Gif me ludging this nicht for charitie.

¶Spritualitie.

Pas on Madame we knaw ȝow nocht

Or be him that the warld wrocht,

Ȝour cumming ſall be richt deir co…t

Gif ȝe mak langer tarie.

Abbot.

But doubt wee will baith leif and die

With our luif Senſualitie,

Wee will haif na mair deall with the,

Then with the Queene of Farie.

Perſone.

Pas hame amang the Nunnis and dwell,

Quhilks ar of Chaſtitie the well:

I traiſt thay will with Buik and bell,

Reſſaue ȝow in thair Cloſter.

Chaſtitie.

Sir, quhen I was the Nunnis amang,

Out of thair dortour thay mee dang,

And wald nocht let me bide ſa lang,

p. 42To ſay my Pater noſter.

I ſe na grace thairfoir to get,

I hauld it beſt or it be lait,

For till go proue the Temporall ſtait

Gif thay will mee reſaif:

Gud-day my Lord Temporalitie,

And ȝow merchant of gravitie:

Ful faine wald I hauehave harberie,

To ludge amang the laif.

Tempora.

Forſuith wee wald be weil content,

To harbie ȝow with gude intent,

War nocht we haif impediment:

For quhy we twa ar maryit:

Bot wiſt our wyfis that ȝe war heir,

Thay wald mak all this town on ſteir:

Thairfoir we reid ȝow rin areir,

In dreid ȝe be miſcaryit.

Chaſtitie.

Ȝe men of craft of greit ingyne▪

Gif me barbrie for Chriſtis pyne:

And win Gods benneſone and myne,

And help my hungrie hart:

Sowtar.

Welcum be him that maid the Mone,

Till dwell with vsus till it be Iune:

We ſall mend baith ȝour hois and ſchone,

And plainlie tak ȝour part.

Taylour.

Is this fair Ladie Chaſtitie?

Now welcum be the Trinitie:

I think it war ane great pitie

That thou ſhould ly thairout:

Ȝour great diſpleaſour I forthink,

p. 43Sit doun Madame and tak ane drink:

And let na ſorrow in ȝow ſink,

Bot let vsus play cap'out.

¶Sowtar.

Fill in and play cap'out,

For I am wonder dry:

[]The Deuill ſnyp aff thair ſnout,

That haits this company.

Iennie.

Hoaw mynnie, mynnie, mynnie.

Taylours wyfe.

¶ Quhat wald thow my deir dochter Iennie?

Iennie my Ioy, quhair is thy dadie?

Ienny.

Mary drinkand with ane luſtie Ladie,

Ane fair ȝoung mayden cled in quhyte,

Of quhom my dadie taks delyte,

Scho hes the the faireſt forme of face,

Furniſchit with all kynd of grace:

I traiſt gif I can reckon richt,

Scho ſchaips to ludge with him all nicht.

Sowt. wyfe.

Quhat dois the Sowtar my gudman?

Iennie.

Mary fillis the cap and turnes the can.

Or he cum hame be God I trow

He will be drunkin lyke ane ſow.

Taylours wyfe.

This is ane greit diſpyte I think,

For to reſaue ſic ane kow-clink:

Quhat is ȝour counſell that wee do?

Sowtars wyfe.

Cummer this is my counſall lo▪

Ding ȝe the tane, and I the vther.

Taylours wyfe.

I am content be Gods mother.

I think for mee thay huirſone ſmaiks,

Thay ſerue richt weill to get thair paiks.

p. 44Quhat maiſter feind neids all this haiſt▪

For it is half ane ȝeir almaiſt

[] Sen ever that loun laborde my ledder,

Sowters wyfe.

God nor my trewker mence ane ledder,

For it is mair nor fourtie dayis,

[] Sen ever he cleikit vp my clayis:

And laſt quhen I gat chalmer glew,

That foull Sowter began till ſpew.

And now thay will ſit doun and drink,

In company with ane kow-clink.

Gif thay haif done vsus this diſpyte

Let vsus go ding them till thay dryte.

Heir the wifis ſall chaſe away Chaſtitie.

Tayl. wyfe.

Go hence harlot▪ how durſt thow be ſa bauld

To ludge with our gudemen but our licence:

I mak ane vow to him that Iudas ſauld,

This rock of myne ſall be thy recompence.

Schaw me thy name dudron with diligence:

Chaſtitie.

Marie Chaſtitie is my name be Sanct Blais.

Taylour wyfe.

I pray God nor he work on the vengence.

For I luifit never Chaſtitie all my dayes.

¶Sowt. wyfe.

Bot my gudeman the treuth I ſall the tell,

Gars mee keip Chaſtitie ſair agains my will:

Becaus that Monſtour hes maid ſic ane mint

With my bedſtaf that daſtard beirs ane dint.

And als I vow cum thow this gait againe,

Thy buttoks ſalbe beltit be Sanct Blaine.

Heir ſall thay ſpeik to thair gudemen and ding them.

Tayl. wyfe.

Fals hurſon carle, but dout thou ſall forthink,

That evar thow eat or drink with ȝon kow-clink.

Sowtars wyfe.

I mak ane vow to Sanct Criſpine▪

Iſe be revengit on that graceles grume:

p. 45And to begin the play tak thair ane flap.

Sowtar.

The feind re…laue the hands that gaif mee that.

Sowt. wyfe.

Quhat now huirſun, begins thow for til ban?

Tak thair ane vther vponupon thy peild harne-pan.

Quhat now cummer, will thow nocht tak my part?

Taylours wyfe.

That ſal I do cummer with all my hart.

Heir ſall thay ding thair gudemen, with ſilence.

Taylour.

Alace goſſop, alace how ſtands with ȝow▪

Ȝon cankart carling alace hes brokin my brow.

Now weils ȝow Preiſts, now weils ȝow all ȝour lifes▪

That ar nocht weddit with ſic wickit wyfes.

Sowtar.

Biſchops ar bliſt howbeit that thay be waryit,

[] For thay may fuck thair fill and be vnmaryit.

Goſſop alace, that blak band we may wary,

That ordanit ſic puir men as vsus to mary.

Quhat may be done bot tak in patience?

And on all wyfis we'ill cry ane loud vengence.

Heir ſall the wyfis ſtand be the watter ſyde and ſay.

Sowtars wyfe.

Sen of our cairls we hauehave the victorie,

Quhat is ȝour counſell cummer that be done:

Tayl. wyfe.

Send for gude wine & hald our ſelfis merie,

I hauld this ay beſt cummer be Sanct Clone.

Sowt. wyfe.

Cūmer will ȝe draw aff my hois & ſchone,

To fill the Quart I ſall rin to the toun.

Taylours wyfe.

That ſal I do be him that maid the Mone

Withall my hart, thairfoir cummer ſit doun.

¶Kilt vp ȝour claithis abone ȝour waiſt,

And ſpeid ȝow hame againe in haiſt

And I ſall provyde for ane paiſt,

Our corſſes to comfort.

Sowtars wyfe.

Then help me for to kilt my clais,

Quhat gif the padoks nip my tais.

p. 46I dreid to droun heir be Sanct Blais,

Without I get ſupport. Sho lifts vp hir clais aboue hir waiſt & enters in ye water▪

¶Cummer I will nocht droun my ſell,

Go eaſt about the nether mill:

Taylours wyfe.

I am content be Bryds bell,

To gang with ȝow quhair ever ȝe will.

Heir ſall thay depairt and pas to the Palȝeoun.

Diligence

to Chaſtitie.

¶Madame quhat gars ȝow gang ſa lait?

Tell me how ȝe hauehave done debait,

With the Temporall and Spirituall ſta it?

Quha did ȝow maiſt kyndnes▪

Chaſtitie.

In faith I fand bot ill and war,

Thay gart mee ſtand fra thame askar:

Evin lyk ane begger at the bar,

And fleimit mair and leſſe.

Diligence.

I counſall ȝow but tarying,

Gang tell Humanitie the King:

Perchance hee of his grace bening

Will mak to ȝow ſupport:

Chaſtitie.

Of ȝour counſell I am content,

To pas to him in continent,

And my ſervice till him preſent,

In hope of ſum comfort.

Heir ſall thay pas to the King.

¶Dil.

Hoaw Solace, gentil Solace declair vntounto the king

How thair is heir ane Ladie fair of face:

That in this cuntrie can get na ludging,

Bot pitifullie flemit from place to place▪

Without the king of his ſpeciall grace,

p. 47As ane ſervand hir in his court reſaif:

Brother Solace tell the king all the cace▪

That ſcho may-be reſavit amang the laif.

Solace.

Soverane get vp and ſe ane hevinlie ſicht

Ane fair Ladie in quhyt abuilȝement:

Scho may be peir vntounto ane king or knicht,

Moſt lyk ane Angell be my iudgment.

Rex.

I ſall gang ſe that ſicht incontinent▪

Madame behauld gif ȝe hauehave knawledging

Of ȝon Ladie, or quhat is hir intent,

Thairefter wee ſall turne but tarying.

Senſua.

Sir let me ſe quhat ȝon mater may meine

Perchance that I may knaw hir be hir face:

But doubt this is Dame Chaſtitie I weine,

Sir I and ſcho cannot byde in ane place,

But gif it be the pleaſour of ȝour grace,

That I remaine into ȝour company:

This woman richt haiſtelie gar chaſe,

That ſcho na mair be ſene in this cuntry.

Rex.

As ever ȝe pleis ſweit hart ſa ſall it be,

Diſpone hir as ȝe think expedient:

Evin as ȝe liſt to let hir liue or die,

I will refer that thing to ȝour Iudgement.

Senſualitie.

I will that ſcho be flemit incōtinent,

And never to cum againe in this cuntrie:

And gif ſcho dois but doubt ſcho ſall repent,

As als perchance a duilfull deid ſall die.

Pas on ſir Sapience and Diſcretioun,

And baniſche hir out of the kings preſence.

[]Diſ.

That ſall we do Madame be gods paſſioun,

Wee ſall do ȝour command with diligence.

And at ȝour hand ſerue gudely recompence,

p. 48Dame Chaſtitie cum on, be not agaſt,

Wee ſall rycht ſone vponupon ȝour awin expence,

Into the ſtocks ȝour bony fute mak faſt,

Heir ſall thay harll Chaſtitie to the ſtoks and ſcho ſall ſay▪

¶ I pray ȝow ſirs be patient,

For I ſall be obedient

Till do quhat ȝe command,

Sen I ſe thair is na remeid,

Howbeit it war to ſuffer deid,

Or flemit furth of the land.

¶ I wyte the Empreour Conſtantine,

That I am put to ſic ruine,

And baneiſt from the Kirk:

For ſen he maid the Paip ane King,

In Rome I could get na ludging;

Bot heidlangs in the mirk.

Bot Ladie Senſualitie,

Senſyne hes gydit this cuntrie,

And monie ef the reſt:

And now ſcho reulis all this land,

And hes decryit at hir command,

That I ſuld be ſuppreſt.

¶ Bot all comes for the beſt,

Til him that louis the Lord:

Thocht I be now moleſt,

I traiſt to be reſtorde.

Heir ſall they put hir in the ſtocks.

¶ Siſter alace, this is ane cairful cace,

That we with Princes ſould be ſa abhorde:

Verity.

Be blyth ſiſter, I truſt within ſchort ſpace,

That we ſall be richt honorablie reſtorde:

And with the King we ſall be at concorde,

p. 49For I heir tell divyne Correctioun

Is new landit thankit be Chriſt our Lord,

I wait hee will be our protectioun.

Hir ſall enter Corrections Varlet.

Varlet.

¶ Sirs ſtand abak and hauld ȝow coy,

I am the King Correctiouns boy,

Cum heir to dres his place:

Se that ȝe mak obedience

Vntill his no bill excellence,

Fra tyme ȝe ſe his face.

For he maks reformatiouns,

Out-throw all Chriſtin Natiouns,

Quhair he finds great debaits.

And ſa far as I vnderſtand▪

He ſall reforme into this Land,

Evin all the thrie eſtaits.

God furth of heavin hes him ſend,

To puniſche all that dois offend

Againſt his Maieſtie

As lyks him beſt to tak vengence,

Sumtyme with Sword and Peſtilence

With derth and povertie.

Bot quhen the peopill dois repent,

And beis to God obedient,

Then will he gif them grace:

Bot thay that will nocht be correctit,

Rychtſudanlie will be deiectit,

And fleimit from his face.

Sirs thocht wee ſpeik in generall,

Let na man into ſpeciall

Tak our words at the warſt:

Quhat ever wee do quhat ever wee ſay

I pray ȝow tak it all in play▪

And iudg ay to the beſt.

¶ For ſilence I proteſt

Baith of Lord, Laird and Ladie:

Now I will rin but reſt,

And tell that all is ready.

¶Diſſait.

Brother heir ȝe ȝon proclamatioun,

I dreid full ſair of reformatioun,

Ȝon meſſage maks me mang it:

Quhat is ȝour counſell to me tell,

Remaine wee heir be God him ſell

Wee will be all thre hang it.

Flattrie.

Ile gang to Spiritualitie,

And preich out-throw his dyoſie,

Quhair I will be vnknawin.

Or keip me cloſſe into ſum cloſter,

With mony piteous Pater noſter,

Till all thir blaſts be blawin.

Diſſait.

Ile be weill treitit as ȝe ken,

With my maiſters the merchand men;

Quhilk can mak ſmall debait:

Ȝe ken richt few of them that thryfes,

Or can begyll the landwart wyfes,

But me thairman Diſſait.

Now Falſet quhat ſall be thy ſchift?

Falſet.

Na cuir thow nocht man for my thrift

Trows thou that I be daft:

Na I will leif ane luſtie lyfe▪

Withoutin ony ſturt and ſtryfe

Amang the men of craft.

Flattrie.

I na mair will remaine beſyd ȝow,

Bot counſell ȝow rycht weill to gyde ȝow▪

Byd nocht on Correctioun.

Fair-weil, I will na langer tarie,

I pray the alrich Queene of Farie,

To be ȝour protectioun.

Diſſait.

Falſet I wald wee maid ane band,

Now quhill the King is ȝit ſleipand,

Quhat rack to ſteill his Box?

Falſet.

Now weill ſaid be the Sacrament,

I ſall it ſteill incontinent

Thocht it had twentie lox. Heir ſall Falſet ſteill the Kings Box with ſilence.

Lo heir the Box now let vsus ga,

This may ſuffice for our rewairds:

Diſſait.

Ȝea that it may man be this day,

It may weill mak of landwart lairds.

Now let vsus caſt away our clais,

In dreid ſum follow on the chaſe▪

Falſet.

Rycht weill deuyſit man be Sanct Blais,

Wald God wee war out of this place.

¶Diſſait.

Now ſen thair is na man to wrang vsus

I pray ȝow brother with my hart,

Let vsus ga part this pelf amang vsus,

Syne haiſtely we ſall depart.

Falſet.

Trows thou to get als mekill as I▪

That ſall thow nocht, I ſtaw the Box:

Thou did nathing bot luikit by.

Ay lurke and lyke ane wylie Fox.

Diſſait.

Thy heid ſall beir ane cuppill of knox

Pellour without I get my part:

Swyith huirſun ſmaik ryfe vp the lox,

Or I ſall ſtick the throuch the hart.

Heir ſall thay fecht with ſilence.

Falſet.

Alace for ever my eye is out,

Walloway will na man red the men?

Diſſait.

VponUpon thy craig tak thair ane clout,

To be courteſſe I ſall the ken.

Pair-weill, for I am at the flicht,

I will nocht byde on ma demands,

And wee twa meit againe this nicht,

Thy feit ſalbe with fourtie hands.

Heir ſal Diſſait rin away with the Box throuch the wate….

Divyne Correctioun.

Beati qui eſuriunt & ſitiunt Iustitiam.

¶Thir ar the words of the redoutit Roy,

The Prince of peace aboue all Kings King:

Quhilk hes me ſent all cuntries to convoye,

And all miſdoars dourlie to doun thring.

I will do nocht without the conveining

Ane Parleament of the eſtaits all,

In thair preſence I ſall but feinȝeing

Iniquitie vnderunder my Sword doun thrall.

Thair may no Prince do acts honorabill,

Bot gif his counſall thairto will aſſiſt:

How may he knaw the thing maiſt profitabil,

To follow vertew and vycis to reſiſt:

Without he be inſtructit and ſoliſt:

And quhen the King ſtands at his counſell ſound,

Then welth ſall wax and plentie as he liſt,

And policie ſall in his Realme abound.

Gif ony liſt my name for till inquyre,

I am callit Divine CORRECTIOVN▪

I fled throch mony vncouth land & ſchyre,

To the greit profit of ilk Natioun.

Now am I cum into this Regioun,

To teill the ground that hes bene lang vnſawin:

To puniſche tyrants for thair tranſgreſſioun,

And to caus leill men liue vponupon thair awin.

Na Realme nor Land but my ſupport may ſtand

For I gar Kings liue into Royaltie:

To rich and puir I beir ane equall band,

That thay may liue into thair awin degrie.

Quhair I am nocht is no tranqullitie

Be me tratours and tyrants ar put doun:

Quha thinks na ſchame of thair iniquitie

Till thay be puniſched be mee Correctioun,

Quhat is ane King nocht bot ane officiar,

To caus his Leiges liue in equitie:

And vnderunder God to be ane puniſcher,

Of treſpaſſours againſt his Maieſtie.

Bot quhen the King dois liue in tyrannie,

Breakand Iuſtice for feare or affectioun:

Then is his Realme in weir and povertie,

With ſchamefull ſlauchter but correctioun.

I am ane Iudge richt potent and ſeveir,

Cum to do Iuſtice monie thowſand myle:

I am ſa conſtant baith in peice and weir,

Na bud nor fauour may my ſicht overſyle.

Thair is thairfoir richt monie in this Ile,

Of my repair but doubt that dois repent:

Bot verteous men I traiſt ſall on me ſmyle,

And of my cumming ſall be richt weill content.

Gu. coūſ.

Welcum my Lord welcum ten thouſand tyms

Till all faithfull men of this Regioun,

Welcum for till correct all falts and cryms:

Amang this cankerd congregatioun.

Louſe Chaſtitie I mak ſupplicatioun,

p. 54Put till fredome fair Ladie Veritie:

Quha be vnfaithfull folk of this Natioun,

Lyis bund full faſt into Captivitie.

Correctioun.

I mervel Gude-counſell how that may be,

Ar ȝe nocht with the King familiar?

Gude-counſell.

That I am nocht my Lord, full wais me,

Bot lyke ane beggeram halden at the bar:

Thay play bo-keik evin as I war ane skar:

Thair came thrie knaues in cleithing counterfeit

And fra the King thay gart me ſtand affar.

Quhais names war Flattrie, Falſet and Diſſait.

Bot quhen thay knaues hard tell of ȝour cumming,

Thay ſtaw away ilk ane ane ſindrie gait.

And cuiſt fra them thair counterfit cleithing,

For thair leuing full weill thay can debait:

The merchandmen thay haif reſauit Diſſait.

As for Falſet, my Lord, full weill I ken,

He will be richt weill treitit air and lait,

Amang the maiſt part of the crafts men.

Flattrie hes taine the habite of ane Freir

Thinkand to begyll Spiritualitie.

Correctioun.

But dout my freind and I liue half ane ȝeit

I ſall ſearch out that great iniquitie.

Quhair lyis ȝon Ladyes in Captiuitie?

How now Siſters quha hes ȝow ſa diſgyſit?

Veritie.

Vnfaithfull members of iniquitie,

Diſpytfullie, my Lord, hes vsus ſuppryſit.

Correctioun.

Gang put ȝon Ladyis to thair libertie

Incontinent and break doun all the ſtocks:

But doubt thay ar full deir welcum to mee,

Mak diligence, me think ȝe do bot mocks

Speid hand and ſpair nocht for to break the locks▪

p. 55And tenderlie tak them vp be the hand

Had I them heir thay knaues ſuld ken my knocks

That them oppreſt and baneiſt aff the land.

Thay tak the Ladyis furth of the ſtocks, and Veritie ſall ſay.

Veritie.

Wee thank ȝou ſir of ȝour benignitie,

Bot I beſeik ȝour maieſtie Royall:

That ȝe wald pas to King Humanitie.

And fleime from him ȝon Ladie Senſuall,

And enter in his ſervice Gude-counſell,

For ȝe will find him verie counſalabill.

Correctioun.

Cum on Siſters as ȝe haif ſaid, I ſall,

And gar him ſtand with ȝow thrie firme and ſtabill,

Correctioun paſſis towards the King with Veritie Chaſtitie and Gude-counſell.

¶Wantonnes.

Solace knawis thou not quhat I ſe?

Ane knicht or ellis ane king thinks me,

With wantoun wings as he wald fle,

Brother quhat may this meine?

I vnderſtand nocht be this day,

Quhidder that he be freind or fay:

Stand ſtill and heare quhat he will ſay,

Sic ane I haif nocht ſeine.

Solace.

Ȝon is ane ſtranger I ſtand forde,

He ſemes to be ane luſtie Lord:

Be his heir-cumming for concorde,

And be kinde till our King:

He ſall be welcome to this place,

And treatit with the Kingis grace:

Be it nocht ſa, we ſall him chace,

And to the diuell him ding.

Placebo.

I reid vsus put vponupon the King;

And walkin him of his ſleiping:

Sir riſe and ſe ane vncouth thing.

p. 56Get vp, ȝe ly too lang.

Senſualitie.

Put on ȝour hude Iohne-Fule, ȝe raif,

How dar ȝe be ſo pertſir knaif

To tuich the King? ſa Chriſt me ſaif,

Fals huirſone thow ſall hang.

Correction.

Get vp ſir King, ȝe haif ſleipit aneuch

Into the armis of Ladie Senſual.

Be ſuit that mair belangis to the pleuch,

As efterward perchance rehears I ſall.

Remember how the King Sardanapall,

Amang fair Ladyes tuke his luſt ſa lang,

Sa that the maiſt pairt of his Leiges al

Rebeld, and ſyne him duilfully doun thrang.

Remember how into the tyme of Noy,

For the foull ſtinck and ſin of lechery,

God be my wande did al the warld deſtroy,

Sodome and Gomore richt ſa full rigorouſly,

For that vyld ſin war brunt in maiſt cruelly.

Thairfoir I the command incontinent,

Baniſche from the that huir Senſualitie,

Or els but doubt rudlie thow ſall repent.

Rex.

Be quhom hauehave ȝe ſa greit authoritie?

Quha dois preſume for til correct ane King?

Knaw ȝe nocht me greit King Humanitie?

That in my Regioun Royally dois ring.

Correct.

I hauehave power greit Princes to doū thring▪

That liues contrair the Maieſtie Divyne

Againſt the treuth quhilk plainlie dois maling,

Repent they nocht I put them to ruyne.

I will begin at thee quhilk is the head,

And mak on the firſt reformatioun,

Thy Leiges than will follow the but pleid,

p. 57Swyith harlot hence without dilatioun.

Senſualitie.

My Lord I mak ȝow ſupplicatioun,

Gif melicence to pas againe to Rome:

Amang the Princes of that Natioun,

I lat ȝow wit my freſche beautie will blume

Adew Sir King I may na langer tary,

I cair nocht that, als gude luife cums as gais,

I recommend ȝow to the Queene of Farie.

I ſe ȝe will be gydit with my fais,

As for this king I cure him nocht twa ſtrais:

War I amang Biſchops and Cardinals,

I wald get gould, ſilver and precious clais,

Na earthlie ioy but my preſence avails.

Heir ſall ſcho pas to Spiritualitie.

¶My Lords of the Sprituall ſtait,

Venus preſerue ȝow air and lait:

For I can mak na mair debait,

I am partit with ȝour king:

And am baneiſcht this Regioun,

Be counſell of Correctioun:

Be ȝe nocht my protectioun,

I may ſeik my ludgeing.

¶Spiritualitie.

Welcum our dayis darling,

Welcum with all our hart:

Wee all but feinȝeing,

Sall plainly tak ȝour part.

Heir ſal the Biſhops, Abbots and Perſons kis the Ladies.

Correctioun.

Sen ȝe ar quyte of Senſualitie,

Reſaue into ȝour ſervice Gude-counſall:

And richt ſa this fair Ladie Chaſtitie,

Till ȝe mary ſum Queene of blude-royall.

Obſerve then Chaſtitie matrimoniall,

p. 58Richt ſa reſaue Veritie be the hand,

Vſe thair counſell ȝour fame ſall never fall,

With thame thairfoir mak ane perpetuall band.

Heir ſall the King reſaue counſell Veritie & Chaſtitie.

¶Now ſir tak tent quhat I will ſay,

Obſerve thir ſame baith nicht and day,

And let them never part ȝow fray.

Or els withoutin doubt:

Turne ȝe to Senſualitie,

To vicious lyfe and rebaldrie,

Out of ȝour Realme richt ſchamefullie,

Ȝe ſall be ruttit out.

As was Tarquine the Romane King,

Quha was for his vicious living

And for the ſchamefull raviſching

Of the fair chaiſt Lucres,

He was digraidit of his croun,

And baneiſt aff his Regioun:

I maid on him correctioun,

As ſtories dois expres.

¶Rex.

I am content to ȝour counſall t'inclyne

Ȝe beand of gude conditioun.

At ȝour command ſall be all that is myne,

And heir I gif ȝow full commiſſioun,

To puniſche faults and gifremiſſioun,

To all vertew I ſalbe conſociabill,

With ȝow I ſall confirme ane vnioun,

And at ȝour counſall ſtand ay firme and ſtabill.

The king imbraces Correction with a humbil countenance▪

¶Correctioun.

I counſall ȝow incontinent,

To gar proclame ane Parliament,

Of all the thrie eſtaits.

p. 59That thay be heir with diligence,

To mak to ȝow obedience,

And ſyne dres all debaits.

Rex.

That ſalbe done but mair demand,

Hoaw Diligence cum heir fra hand,

And tak ȝour informatioun:

Gang warne the Spiritualitie,

Rycht ſa the Temporalitie,

Be oppin proclamatioun,

In gudlie haiſt for to compeir

In thair maiſt honorabill maneir,

To gif vsus thair counſals:

Quha that beis abſent to them ſchaw,

That thay ſall vnderly the law,

And puniſcht be that fails.

Diligence.

Sir I ſall baith in bruch and land,

With diligence do ȝour command,

VponUpon my awin expens:

Sir I hauehave ſervit ȝow all this ȝeir,

Bot I gat never ane dinneir

Ȝit for my recompence.

Rex.

Pas on and thou ſalbe regairdit,

And for thy ſervice weill rewairdit,

For quhy with my conſent,

Thou ſall hauehave ȝeirly for thy hyre,

The teind muſſellis of the ferrie myre,

Confirmit in Parliament.

Diligence.

I will get riches throw that rent,

Eſter the day of Dume:

Quhen in the colpots of Tranent,

Butter will grow on brume.

All nicht I had ſa meikill drouth,

p. 60I micht nocht ſleip ane wink

Or I proclame ocht with my mouth,

But doubt I man haif drink.

¶Correctioun.

Cum heir Placebo and Solace,

With ȝour companȝeoun Wantonnes,

I knaw weill ȝour conditioun:

For tyſting King Humanitie,

To reſaue Senſualitie,

Ȝe man ſuffer punitioun.

Wanton.

We grant my lord we hauehave done ill,

Thairfoir wee put vsus in ȝour will,

Bot wee haife bene abuſit:

For in gudefaith Sir wee beleifit,

That lecherie had na man greifit,

Becaus it is ſa vſit.

Placebo.

Ȝe ſe how Senſualitie,

With Principals of ilk cuntrie,

Bene glaidlie lettin in:

And with our Prelatis mair and les,

Speir at my Ladie Priores,

Giflechery be ſin.

Solace.

Sir wee ſall mend our conditioun,

Sa ȝe giuegive vsus remiſſioun,

Bot giuegive vsus liue to ſing:

To dance, to play at Cheſſe and Tabils,

To reid Stories and mirrie fabils,

For pleaſure of our King.

Correctioun.

Sa that ȝe do navther cryme,

Ȝe ſall be pardon it at this tyme,

For quhy▪ as I ſuppois

Princes may ſumtyme ſeik ſolace,

With mirth and lawfull mirrines,

p. 61Thair ſpirits to reioyis.

And richt ſa Halking and Hunting,

Ar honeſt paſtimes for ane King,

Into the tyme of peace:

And leirne to rin ane heavie ſpear▪

That he into the tyme of wear,

May follow at the cheace.

Rex.

Quhair is Sapience and Diſcretioun?

And quhy cums nocht Devotioun nar?

Veritie.

Sapience ſir was ane verie loun,

And Diſcretioun was nathing war:

The ſuith Sir, gif I wald report,

Thay did begyle ȝour Excellence:

And wald not ſuffer to reſort

Ane of vsus thrie to ȝour preſence.

Chaſtitie.

Thay thrie war Flattrie and Diſſait,

And Falſet that vnhappie loun:

Againſt vsus thrie quhilk maid debait,

And baneiſcht vsus from town to town.

Thay gart vsus twa fall into ſowne,

Quhen thay vsus lockit in the ſtocks:

That daſtart knaue Diſcretioun,

Full thifte ouſlie did ſteill ȝour Box.

Rex.

The Deuill tak them ſen thay ar gane,

Me thocht them ay thrie verie ſmaiks,

I mak ane vow to Sanct Mavane,

Quhen I them finde thays bear thair paiks,

I ſe thay hauehave playit me the glaiks,

Gude-counſall now ſchaw me the beſt▪

Quhen I fix on ȝow thrie my ſtaiks,

How I ſall keip my Realme in reſt.

Initium ſapientiae eſt timor Domini.

p. 62Gud-coun.

Sir, gif ȝour hienes ȝearnis lang to ring,

Firſt dread ȝour God abuif all vther thing.

For ȝe ar bot ane mortall inſtrument,

To that great God and King Omnipotent.

Preordinat be his divine Maieſtie,

To reull his peopill intill vnitie,

The principall point Sir of ane kings office,

Is for to do to euerilk man iuſtice.

And for to mix his iuſtice with merciemercy,

But rigour, fauour or parcialitie.

Forſuith it is na littill obſeruance,

Great Regions to hauehave in gouernance?

Quha euer taks on him that kinglie cuir,

To get ane of thirtwa he ſuld be ſuir:

Great paine and labour, and that continuall,

Or ellis to hauehave defame perpetuall.

Quha guydis weill they win immortall fame,

Quha the contrair, they get perpetuall ſchame,

Efter quhais death but dout ane thouſand ȝeir

Thair life at lenth rehearſt ſall be perqueir.

The Chroniklis to knaw Iȝow exhort,

Thair ſall ȝe finde baith gude and euill report:

For euerie Prince efter his qualitie,

Thocht he be deid, his deids ſall neuer die.

Sir gif ȝe pleaſe for to vſe my counſall,

Ȝour fame and name ſall be perpetuall.

Heir ſall the meſſinger Diligence returne and cry a Hoyȝes, a Hoyȝes, a Hoyȝes, and ſay.

¶ At the command of King Humanitie,

I wairne and charge all members of Parliament:

Baith ſprituall ſtait and Temporalitie,

That till his Grace thay be obedient,

p. 63And ſpeid them to the Court incontinent,

In gude ordour array it royally,

Quha beis abſent or inobedient

The Kings diſpleaſure they ſall vnderly.

And als I mak ȝow exhortatioun,

Sen ȝe haifheard the firſt pairt of our play:

Go tak ane drink, and mak Collatioun,

Ilk man drink till his marrow, I ȝow pray.

Tarie nocht lang, it is lait in the day,

Let ſum drink Ayle and ſum drink Claret wine:

Be great Doctors of Phyſick I heare ſay,

That michtie drink comforts the dull ingine.

¶[] And ȝe Ladies that liſt to piſch,

Lift vp ȝour taill, plat in ane diſch:

And gif that ȝour mawkine cryis quhiſch,

Stop in ane wuſp of ſtray.

Let nocht ȝour bladder burſt I pray ȝow,

For that war euin aneuch to ſlay ȝow:

For ȝit thair is to cum, I ſay ȝow,

The beſt pairt of our Play.

The END of the firſt part of the SATYRE.