Begins on page 1030 of Medieval Drama, ed. Bevington, and was submitted by Prof. Ian Lancashire, April 1987. Scanning Notes: <1 >2 denotes font #1, italics <2 >2 denotes font #2, Bold -------*****-------- <2Wit and Science>2 <1By John Redford>1 [THE NAMES OF THE ACTORS WIT, a student TEDIOUSNES LADY SCIENCE, whom he IDLENES seeks to wed INGNORANCE REASON, her father SHAME EXPERIENCE, her mother COMFORT INSTRUCCION QUICKNES STUDY STRENGTH DILIGENCE FAME HONEST RECREACION RICHES CONFIDENCE FAVOR WOORSHIP] [ <1The manuscript lacks the beginning of the play. Evidently Wit>1 <1 has sought the hand in marriage of Lady Science from her father,>1 <1 Reason. Reason has consented on the condition that young Wit>1 <1 overcome Tediousness and mahe a journey to Mount Parnassus.>1 <1 As our scene opens, Reason is presenting Wit with the glass of>1 <1 Reason in which to understand himself more clearly.]>1 REASON. Then in remembrance of Reson, hold yee A glas of Reson, wherein beholde yee Youresealfe to youreselfe. Namely when ye Cum neere my dowghter Science, then see |p That all thinges be cleane and tricke abowte ye, Least of sum sloogishnes she might dowte Ye. <1[Gives him a mirror.]>1 This glas of Reaso)n shall show ye all; While Ye have that. ye have me, and shall. Get ye foorth, now! Instruccion. farewell. INSTRUCCION. Sir, God keepe ye. REASON. And Ye all, from parell. <1Heere all go out save Resone.>1 lf anye man now maryvell that I Woolde bestowe my dowghter thus baselve, Of truth I, Reson, am of this minde:. Where parties together be enclin'de By giftes of graces to love ech other, There let them joine the tone with the toother. This Wit such giftes of graces hath in him That mak'th my dowghter to wish to win him: Yoong, painefull, tractable, and capax-- Thes[e] be Wites giftes which Science doth axe. And as for her, as soone as Wit sees her, for all the world he woold not then leese her. Wherfore, sins[e] they both be so meete matches To loye ech other, strawe for the patches Of wo[r]ldly mucke! S[c]ience hath inowghe For them both to live. If Wit be throw[g]he Striken in love, as he si[g]nes hath show'de, l dowte not my dowghter welbestow'de. Th'ende of his jornay will aprove all: If Wit hold owte, no more proofe can fall. And that the better hold out he may, To refresh my soone Wit now by the way Sum solas for him I will provide. An honest woman dwell'th here beside Whose name is cal[l]'d Honest Recreacion. As men report, for Wites consolacion She hath no peere; if Wit were halfe deade, She cowld revive him--thus is it sed. Wherfore, if monye or love can hire her, To hie after Wir I will desire her. [Exit.] <1Confdence cum'th in with a picture of Wit.>1 [CONFIDENCE.] Ah, sir, what time of day is't, who can tell? The day is not far past, I wot well, For l have gone fast, and yet I see |p I am far from where as I wold be. Well, I have day inowgh yet. I spye. Wherfore, or I pas hens[e], now must I See this same token heere, a plaine case, What Wit hath sent to my ladyes grace. <1[Holds the piclure up to the audience.]>1 Now, will ye see a goodly picture Of Wit himsealfe? His owne image sure-- Face, bodye, armes, legges, both lim[b] and joints-- As like him as can be in every point. It lak'th but life. Well I can him thanke, This token indeede shall make sum cranke! For, what with this picture so well faver'de, And what with those sweete woordes so well saver'd Distilling from the mowth of Confidence, Shall not this ap[p]e[a]se the hart of Science? Yes, I thanke God, I am of that nature Able to compas this matter sure, As ye shall see now, who list to marke it, How neately and feately I shall warke it. [Exit.] <1Wit cum'th in, without instruccion, with Study, etc.>1 [WIT.] Now sirs, cum on. Whiche is the way now, This way or that way? Studye, how say you? <1[Study ponders.]>1 Speake, Diligence, while he hath bethoywghte him. DILIGENCE. That way, belike; most usage hath wrow[g]ht him. STUDY. Ye[a], hold your pease. Best we here now stay For Instruccion. I like not that waye. WIT. Instruccion? Studye, I weene we have lost him. <1Instruccion cum'th in.>1 [INSTRUCCION.] Indeade, full gently abowte ye have tost him! What me[a]ne you, Wit, still to delighte Runninge before thus, still owt of sighte, And therby out of your way now quighte? What doo ye here excepte ye woold fighte? Cum back againe, Wit; for I must choose ye An esier way then this, or ells loose ye. |p WIT. What aileth this way? parell here is none. INSTRUCCION. But as much as your life stand'th upon! Youre en[e]mye, man, lieth heere before ye:. Tediousnes, to braine or to gore ye! WIT. Tediousnes? Doth that tyrant rest In my way now? Lord, how am I blest That occacion so nere me sturres, for my dere hartes sake to winne my spurres! Ser, woold ye fere me with that fowle theeafe, With whome to mete my desire is cheafe? INSTRUCCION. And what woold ye doo, you having nowghte for your defence? for 1howgh ye have cawghte Garmentes of Science upon your backe, Yet wepons of Science ye do la[c]k. WIT. What wepons of Science shuld I have? INSTRUCCION. Such as all lovers of ther looves crave: A token from Ladye Science, wherbye Hope of her favor may spring, and therbye Comforte, which is the weapon dowteles That must serve you against Tediousnes. WIT. If Hope Or Comfort may be my weapen, Then never with Tediousnes mee threten. for, as for hope of my deere hartes faver And therby comfort, inowghe I gather. INSTRUCCION. Wit, he[a]re me. Till I see Confidence Have browght sum token from Ladye Science That I may feele that she favor'th you, Ye pas not this way, I tell you trew. WIT. Which way, than? INSTRUCCION. A plainer way I told ye, Out of danger from youre foe to hold ye. WIT. Instruccion, he[a]re me. Or my swetehart Shall he[a]re that Wit from that wreche shall start One foote, this bodye and all shall cracke! Foorth I will, sure, whatever I lacke. DILIGENCE. If ye lacke weapon, sir, here is one. WIT. Well saide, Diligence; thowe art alone. How say ye, sir, is not here [a] weapon? INSTRUCCION. With that weapon your en[e]my never threton! For, withowt the returne of Confidence Ye may be slaine sure, for all Diligence. DILIGENCE. God, sir! and Diligence, I tell you plaine, Will play the man or my master be slaine. INSTRUCCION. Ye[a]; but what, saith Studye no wurde to this? |p WIT. No, sir. Ye knowe Studyes ofice is Meete for the chamb?er, not for 1he feeld. But 1ell me, Studye, wilt thow now yeld? STUDY. My hed ak'th sore; I wold wee return'd. WIT. Thy hed ake now? I wold it Were burn'd! Cum on, walking may hap to ese the[e]. INSTRUCCION. And will ye be gone, then, without mee? WIT. Ye[a], by my faith; except ye hi[e] ye after, Reson shall know ye are but an hafter. <1Exeat Wit, Study, and Diligenc[e].>1 INSTRUCCION. Well, go your way. Whan your father Reson Heer'th howye obay me at this season, I thinke he will thinke his dowghter now May ma[r]ry another man, for you. When wit[t]es stand so in ther owne conceite, Best let them go, till pride at his heighte Turne and cast them downe hedlong againes-- As ye shall see provyd by this Wit plaine. If Reson hap not to cum the rather, Hi, Owne di,truccion he will sure ga1her. Wherefore to Reson will I now get me, Leving that charge whereabowt he set mee. <1Exeat instruccion.>1 <1Tediousnes cum'th in with a viser over his hed [and a club in his>1 <1 hand].>1 [TEDIOUSNES.] Oh, the bodye of me! What kaitives be those That will not once flee From Tediousnes, nose, Bu1 thus disese me Out of my nest, When I shoold ese mee This body to rest? That Wit, that vilaine, That wrech--A shame take him!-- It is he, plaine, That thus bold doth make him, Withowt my licence To stalke by my doore To that drab, S[c]ience, To wed that whore. |p But I defye her! And for that drab[b]es sake, Or Wit cum ny her, The knaves hed shall ake. Thes[e] bones, this mall, Shall bete him to dust Or that drab shall Once quench that knaves lust. But hah! mee thinkes I am not halfe lustye; Thes[e] jo[i]ntes, thes[e] linkes, Be ruffe and halfe rustye. I must go shake them, Supple to make them. <1[He swings his club.]>1 Stand back, ye wrechys! Beware the fechys Of Tediousnes, Thes[e] kaitives to bles. Make roome, I say, Rownd ev'ry way! This way! That way! What care I what way? Before me, behind me, Rownd abowt wind me! Now I begin To swete in my skin. Now am I nemble To make them tremble. Pash hed! pash braine! The knaves are slaine-- All that I hit. Where art 1how, Wit? Thow art but deade; Of[f] go'th thy hed A' the first blo[w]. Ho, ho, ho, ho! <1[Sits down.]>1 <1Wit spekith at the doore.>1 (WIT.] Studye? STUDY. Here, sir. WIT. How? doth thy hed ake? STUDY. Ye[a], God wot, sir, much paine I do take. WIT. Diligens? DILIGENCE. Here, sir, here! WIT. How, dost thow? |p Doth thy stoma[c]k serve the[s] to fight now? DILIGENCE. Ye[a], sir, with yonder wrechs--a veng[e]ans on him!-- That thret'neth you thus. Set evyn upon him! STUDY. Upon him, Diligence? Better nay. DILIGENCE. Better nay, Studye? Why shoold we fray? STUDY. For I am wery; my hed ak'th sore. DILIGENCE. Why, fo[o]lish Studye, thow shalt doo no more But aide my master with thy presens. WIT. No more shalt thow ne[i]ther, Diligence. Aide me with your presence, both you tWaine, And for my love, myselfe shall take paine. STUDY. Sir, we be redye to aide you so. WIT. I axe no more, Studye. Cum then, goe! <1[They advance.] Tediousnes risith up.>1 [TEDIUSNES.] Why, art thow cum? WIT. Ye[a], wrech, to thy paine! TEDIOUSNES. Then have at the[e]! WIT. Have at the[e] againe! <1Here Witfallith downe and dieth.>1 TEDIGUSNES. Lie thow there. Now have at ye, kaitives! [ <1The others Ree.]>1 Do ye fle[e], i'faith? A, [w]horeson theves! By Mahowndes bones, had the wreches tary'd, Ther neckes withowt hedes they showld have cary'd. Ye[a], by Mahowndes nose, might I have patted thern, In twenty gobbetes I showld have squatted them, To teche the knaves to cum neere the snowte - Of Tediousnes. Walke furder abowte, I trow, now they will. And as for thee <1[indicating Wit],>1 Thow wilt no more now troble mee. Yet, lest the knave be not safe inowghe, The [w]horeson shall bere me another kuffe. <1[Strikes Wit again.]>1 Now li[e] still, kaitiv[e], and take thy rest, While I take mine in mine owne nest. <1Exeat Tedi[ousnes].>1 <1Here cum'th in Honest Recreacion, Cumfort, Quicknes, and>1 <1Strength, and go and knele abowt Wit, [singing as>1 follows].. When travelles grete in matters thicke Have dul[l]'d your wittes and made them sicke, What med'son than your wittes to quicke? If ye will know, the best physicke Is to geve place to Honest Recreacion. Give place, We say, now for thy consolacion. Where is that Wit that we seeke than? Alas, he lieth here pale and wan! Helpe him at once, now, if we can. O Wit, how doest thow? Looke up, man! O Wit, geve place to Honest Recreacion. Give place, we say, noW for thy consolacion. After place givyn, let eare obay. Give an eare, O Wit, now we the[e] pray; Give eare to that We sing and say; Give an eare, and healp will cum straighteway. Give an eare to Honest Recreacion. Give an e[a]re, now, for thy consolacion. After eare givyn, now give an eye. Behold thy freendes abowte the[e] lie: Recreacion, I, and Comfort, I, Quicknes am I, and Strength herebye. Give an eye to Honest Recreacion. Give an eye, now, for thy consolacion. After eye givyn, an hand give ye. Give an hand, O Wit, feele that ye see: Recreacion feele, feele Comfort fre, feele Quicknes here, feale Strength to the[e]. Give an hand to Honest Recreacion. Give an hand, now, for thy consolacion. Upon his feete woold God he were! To raise him now We neede not fere. Stay you his handes, while we him bere.. Now all at once upright him rere. O Wit, give place to Honest Recreacion. Give place, we say, now for thy consolacion. <1And at the last verce reisith him up upon his feete, and so make>1 <1 an end. And than Honest Recreacion saith asfolowith.:>1 HONEST RECREACION. Now Wit, how do ye? Will ye be lustye? WIT. The lustier for you needes be must I. |p HONEST RECREACION. Be ye all [w]hole yet after your fall? WIT. As ever I was, thankes to you all. <1Reson cumm'th in and saith asfolowith:>1 [REASON.] Ye might thanke Reson that sent them to ye;, But sins[e] the[y] have done that the[y] shoold do ye, Send them home soonne, and get ye forwarde. WIT. Oh, Father Reson, I have had an hard Chance since ye saw me! REASON. I wot well that. The more to blame ye, when ye WoId not Obay Instruccion as Reson wil[l]'d ye. What marvell thowgh Tediousnes had kil[l]'d ye? But let pas. Now since ye ar well againe, Set forward againe S[c]ience to attaine. WIT. Good Father Reson, be not to[o] hastye. In honest cumpany no time wast I; I shall to youre dowghter all at leiser. REASON. Ye[a], Wit, is that the grete love ye raise her? I say if ye love my dowg[h]ter Science, Get ye foorth at once, and get ye hence. <1Here Comfort, Quiknes, and Strength go out.>1 WIT. Nay, by Saint George, they go not all yet! REASON. No? Will ye disobey Reson, Wit? WIT. Father Reson, I pray ye content ye; For we parte not yet. REASON. Well, Wit, I went ye Had bene no such man as now I see. Farewell. <1Exeat.>1 HONEST RECREACION. He is angry. WIT. Ye[a], let him be; I doo not passe. Cum now, a basse. HONEST RECREACION. Nay, sir; as for bassys, From hence none passys But as in gage Of mariage. WIT. Mar[r]y, evyn so; A bargaine, lo. HONEST RECREACION. What, without lisence Of Ladye Science? WIT. Shall I tell you trothe? I never lov'de her. HONEST RECREACION. The common voice go'th That mariage Ye mov-d her. WIT, promise hath She none. IF We shal be Wone, Without mo Wurdes graWnt! HONEST RECREACION. What, upon this soodaine? Then mighte ye plaine Bid me avawnt. NaY, let me see In honest$e What ye can doo To Win Recreacion. Upon that probacion I grawnt therto. WIT. Small be my dooinges; But apt to all thinges I am, I trust. HONEST RECREACION. Can ye dawnce, than? WIT. Evyn as I can, Prove me ye must. HONEsT RECREACION. Then for a While Ye must excile This garment cumb'ring. WIT. Indcede, as ye say, This cumb'rus aray Woold make Wit slumb'ring. HONEST RECREACION. It is gay geere; Of Science cleere, It seem'th her aray. WIT. Whoseyever it were, It li'the now there. <1[Throws off his gown.]>1 HONEST RECREACION. Go to, my men, play! <1Here they dawnce, and in the menewhite idellnes cum'th in and>1 <1 sit'th downe. And when the galiard is doone, Wit saith as>1 <1 folowith, and so fal[l]ith doune in idellnes' lap.>1 WIT. Sweetehart, gramercys. HONEsT RECREACION. Why, whether now? Have ye doone since? WIT. Ye[a], in faith; With Wery bones ye have posses't me. Among the,[e] damselles now will I rest me. |p ? HONEST RECREATION. What, there. WIT. Ye[a], here I wil be so bold IDLENES. Ye[a], and wellcum, by him that God sold. HONEST REACTION. It is an harlot, may ye not see? IDLENES. As honest a Woman as ye be! HONEST RECREACION. Her name is Idlenes. Wit, What mene you? IDLENES. Nay, What meane you to scolde thus. you quene, You? WIT. Ther[e], go to! Lo now, for the best game! Whille I take my ese, youre toonges noyw frame. <1[Wit prcpares to enjoy watching the women fight.]>1 HONEST RECREACION. Ye[a], Wit, by youre faith, is that youre fac[h]ion? Will ye leave me, Honest Recreacion, For that common strumpet Idellnes, The verye roote of all viciousnes? WIT. She saith she is as honest as ye. Declare yourselves both noW as ye be. HONEST RECREACION. What Woolde ye more for my declaracion Then evyn my name, Honest Recreacion? And what Wold ye more her to expres Then evyn her name, to[o], Idlenes-- Distruccion of all that With her tarye? Wherfore, curn away, Wit; she will mar ye! IDLENES. Will I mar him, drabb--thow calat, thow!s-- When thow hast mar[r]'d him allredye now? Cawlist thow thysealfe Honest Recreacion? Ord'ring a poore man after this fac[h]ion, To lame him thus and make his limmes faile Evyn With the swinging there of thy taile! The divill set fire on the[e]! For now must I. Idlenes, hele him againe, I spye. I must now lull him, rock him, and frame him To his lust againe, Where thow didst lame him. Am I the roote, sayst thow, of viciousnes? Nay, thow art roote Of all vice dowteles. ThoW art occacion, lo, of more evill Then I, poore gerle---nay, more then the divill. The divill and his damm cannot devise More dev'lishnes then by the[e] doth rise. Under the name of Honest Recreacion, She, lo, bring-th in her abhominacion. Mark her dawnsing, her masking, and mumming-- Where more concupiscence then ther cumming?-- Her carding, her dicing daily and nightlye,; Where find ye more falcehod then there? Not lightly! With lyeng and swering by no poppetes, But tering God in a thowsand gobbetes. As for her,inging, piping, and fid'ling; What unthriftines therin is twid'ling! Serche the tavernes, and ye shall he[a]re cleere Such bawdry as bestes wold spue to heere. And yet this is kal[l]'d Honest Recreacion, And I, poore Idlenes, abhominacion! But Which is wurst of us twaine? Nowjud[ge], Wi[t]. WIT. By'r ladye, not thow, wench, I judge yet. [ <1While Honest Recreation exhorts him, Wit falls asleep in idle->1 <1ness' lap.]>1 HONEST RECREACION. No? Is yourejudgment such then that ye Can neither pe[r]seve that best, how she Go'th abowte to dyce[i]ve you, nor yet Remembre how I savyd youre life, Wit? Thinke you her meete with mee to compare, By whome so manye wit[t]es curyd are? When Will she doo such an act as I did, Savinge your life when I you revived? And as I savyd you, so save I all That in like jeoperdy chance to fall. When TediOusnes to grownd hath smitten them, Honest Recreacion up doth qui[c]ken them With such honest pastimes, sportes, or games As unto mine honest nature frames; And not, as she saith, With pastimes suche As be abusyd, litell or muche. For where honest pastimes be abusyd, Honest Recreacion is refused. Honest Recreacion is present never But where honest pastimes be Well usyd ever. But indeede Idlenes, she, is cawse Of all such abuses. She, lo, drawes Her sort to abuse mine honest games, And therby full falsly my name defames. Under the name of Honest Recreacion She bring'th in all her abominacion, Distroy(i]ng all Wit[t]es that her imbrace, |p As youreselfe shall see Within short space. She will bring you to shamefull end, Wit, Except the sooner from her ye flit. Wherefore cum away, Wit, out of her pawse! Hence, drabb! Let him go out of thy clawse! IDLENES. Will ye get ye hence? or, by the mace, Thes[e] clawes shall clawe you, by youre drabbes face! HONEST RECREACION. Itshall not neade. Sins[el Wit liethe as wone That neither heer'th nor see'th, I am gone. <1EFeat.>1 IDLENES. Ye[a], so? farewell! and well fare thow, roonge! Of a short pe[a]le this pe[a]le Was Well roongs-- To ring her hence and him fast asleepe, As full of sloth as the knave can kreepe! How, Wit, awake! HoW doth my babye? <1Neque vox neque sensus,>1 by'r Ladye. A meete man for Idlenes, no doWte. Hark, my pigg! How the knave dooth rowte! Well, while he sleep'th in Idlenes' lappe, Idlenes' marke on him shall I clappe. Sum say that Idlenes cannot warke; But those that so say, now let them marke. I trowe they shall see that Idlenes Can set hersealfe aboWt sum busines,; Or at the lest, ye shall see her tri'de Nother idle nor yet well oc[c]upi'de. <1[She blackens his face.]>1 Lo, sir, yet ye la[c]k another toye. Wher is my whistell to call my boye? <1Here she whistleth and ingnorance cum'th in>1 [in <1a fool"s coat,>1 <1with ass's ears and a coxcomb]. .>1 [INGNORANCE.] I cum, I cum. IDLENES. Coomme on, ye foole. All this day or ye can cum to scoole? INGNORANCE. Um, Mother will not let me cum. IDLENES. I woold thy mother had kis't thy bum! She will never let the[e] thrive, I tro. Cum on, goose. Now, lo, men shall knoW That Idlenes can do sumwhat; Ye[a], And play the scoolemistres, to[o], if neade bee. Mark what doctrine by Idlenes cummes. |p Say thy lesson, foOle. INGNORANCE. Upon my thummes? IDLENES. Ye[a], upon thy thummes. Is not there tliy name? INGNORANCE. Yeas. IDLENES. Go to, than; spell me thilt same. Wher Was thou borne? INGNORANCE. 'ChWas ibore in Ingland, Mother sed. IDLENES. In Ingland? INGNORANCE. Yea. IDLENES. And what's half "Inglande"? <1[Pointing to his thumb andfirstfinger.]>1 idaia. INGNORANCE. What t'is? IDLENES. What's t'is, (W]horeson, What,s t,is? Heere's "Ing" and heere's "and.'' What's t'is? INGNORANCE. T is my thum. IDLENES. Thy thum! "Ing," [W]horeson, "Ing," "Ing." INGNORANCE. Ing, ing, ing, ing. IDLENES. Foorth! Shal I bete thy narse now? INGNORANCE. Ummm. IDLENES. Shall I not bete thy narse now? INGNGRANCE. Ummm. IDLENES. Say "no," foole, say "no!" INGNORANCE. No-o, no-o, no-o, noyo, no o. IDLENES. Go to, put together: Ing. INGNORANCE. Ing. IDLENES. No. INGNORANCE. No-o. IDLENES. Forth now! What saith the dog? INGNORANCE. Dog barke. IDLENES. Dog barke! Dog ran, [w]horeson, dog ran. INGNORANCE. Dog ran, [w]horson, dog ran, dog ran. IDLENES. Put together: Ing. INGNORANCE. Ing. IDLENES. No. INGNORANCE. No-o. IDLENES. Ran. INGNORANCE. Ran. IDLENES. Foorth now! What seyth the goose? INGNORANCE. Lag, lag. IDLENES. His, [W]horson, his.'' INGNORANCE. His, his-s-sys-s. IDLENES. Go to, put together: Ing. INGNORANCE. Ing. IDLENES. No. INGNORANCE. No-o. |p IDLENES. Ran. INGNORANCE. Ran. IDLENES. His. INGNORANCE. His-s-s-s-s-s-s. IDLENES. No[w], who is a good boy? INGNORANCE. I, I, I, I, I, I. IDLENES. Go to, put together: Ing. INGNORANCE. Ing. IDLENES. No. INGNORANCE. No-o. IDLENES. Ran. INGNORANCE. Ran. IDLENES. His. IDLENES. I. INGNORANCE. I. IDLENES. Ing-no-ran-his, I. INGNORANCE. Ing no-ran-his s-s-s. IDLENES. I. INGNORANCE. I. IDLENES. Ing. INGNORANCE. Ing. IDLENES. Foorth! INGNORANCE. His-s-s-s. IDLENES. Ye[a]? No, [W]horeson, "no." INGNORANCE. No o, no-o, no-o, no-o. IDLENES. Ing-no. INGNGRANCE. Ing-no-o. IDLENES. Forth now! INGNORANCE. His-s-s-s-s-s. IDLENES. Yet againe! "Ran," [w] horson, "ran," "ran." INGNORANCE. Ran, [w]horson, ran, ran. IDLENEs. Ran, say! INGNORANCE. Ran say. IDLENES. "Ran," [W]horson. INGNORANCE. Ran, [w]horeson. IDLENES. "Ran." INGNORANCE. Ran. IDLENES. Ing-no-ran. INGNORANCE. Ing-no-ran. IDLENES. Foorth now! What said the goose? INGNORANCE. Dog barke. IDLENES. Dog Barke! "His," [W]horson, his-s-s-s-s-s. INGNORANCE. His-sys-s-s-s-s. IDLENES. I. INGNORANCE. I. |p IDLENES. Ing-no-ran-his, I. INGNORANCE. Ing-no-ran-his-s-s-s-s. IDLENES. I. INGNORANCE. I. IDLENES. How'ayst now, foole? Is not there thy name? INGNORANCE. Yea. IDLENES. Well than, con me that same. What hast thow lern'd? I[N]GNORANCE. Ich cannot tell. IDLENES. "Ich cannot tell"! Thow sayst evyn very well; For if thow cowldst tell, then had not I well Towght the[e] thy lesson, which must be tawghte:. To tell all, When thow canst tell righte no[u]ght. INGNGORANCE. Ich can my lesson. IDLENES. Ye[a], and therfore Shalt have a new cote, by God I swore. INGNORANCE. A new cote? IDLENES. Ye[a], a new cote by and by. Of[f] with this old cote; "a neW cote," crye. INGNORANCE. A new cote! A new cote! A new cote! IDLENES. Pease, [w]horson foole! Wilt thow wake him now? Unbuttun thy cote, foole! Canst thow do nothing? INGNORANCE. I note how choold be. IDLENES. "I note how'choold be"! A foole betide the[e], So wis[e]Iy hit spekith! Cum on now. Whan! put ba[c]k thine ardie, foole. INGNGRANCE. Put backe? <1[She removes thefool's coatfrom ignorance.] .>1 IDLENES. So. Lo now, let me see how this geere Will trim this jentleman that lieth heeres-- Ah, God save hit, so sweetly hit doth sleepe!--- While on your back this gay cote can creepe, As feete as can be for this one arme. INGNORANCE. Oh,'cham a-cold! <1(She put Wit's gown of learning on ignorance.]>1 IDLENES. Hold, foole; keepe the[e] warme, And cum hither. Hold this hed here;softe now, for waking. Ye shallsee wone here browgght in such takinge |p That he shall soone scantlye knowe himsealfe. Heere is a cote as fit for this elfe As it had bene made evyn for this bodye. <1[She puts the fool's coat on Wit. ignorance is having trouble>1 <1 keeping his new coat on him.]>1 So, it begin'th to looke like a noddye. INGNORANCE. Ummmm. IDLENES. What ailest now, foole? INGNORANCE. New cote is gone! IDLENES. And why is it gone? INGNORANCE. Twooll not bide on. IDLENES. "Twool not bide on" Twoold if it cowlde, But marvell it were that bide it shoold, Sciens' garment on Ingnorance' ba[c]k. <1[Looking at Wit.]>1 But now let's se, sir; what do ye la[c]k? Nothing but evin to bu[c]kell heere this throte, So well this Wit becum'the a fooles cote. INGNORANCE. He is I now IDLENES. Ye[a], how lik'ste him now? Is he not a foole as Well as thow? INGNORANCE. Yeas. IDLENES. Well than, won[e] foole keepe another! Geve me this, and take thow that brother. <1[She changes the caps of ignorance and Wit.]>1 INGNORANCE. Umm. IDLENES. Pike the[e] home; go! INGNORANCE. Chill go tell my moother. IDLENES. Yea, doo! [Exit <1ignorance.]>1 But yet to take my leve of my deere, lo, With a skip or tWaine heere, lo, and heer[e], lo, And heere againe; and now this heele To bles this weake braine! Now are ye weele, By vertu of Idellnes' blessing toole, Cunjur'd from Wit unto a starke foole. <1[Exeat.>1 <1Wit remains on stage, asleep.]>1 |p <1confidence cum'th in with a sword by his side, and saith as>1 <1 folowith.>1 [CONFIDENCE.] I Seake and seake as won(e] on no grownde Can rest, but like a masterles hownde Wand'ring all abowt, seaking his master. Alas,jentle Wit, I feare the fasster That my tru[e] service clev'th unto thee, The slakker thy mind cleev'th unto mee. I have doone thye message in such sorte That I, not onlye for thy comfort To vanquishe thine en[e]my, haye browght heere A swoord of comfort from thy love deere, But also, furder, I have so enclin'd her That upon my wurdes she hath assin'd her In her owne parson halfway to meete thee, And hitherward she came for to greete thee. And sure, except she be turned againe, Hither will she cum or be long, plaine, To seake to meate the[e] heere in this cost. But now, alas, thyselfe thow hast lost,; Or, at the least, thow wilt not be fownd. Alas, jentle Wit, how doost thow woonde Thy trusty and tru[e] servant, Confidence, To lease my credence to Ladye Science! Thow lesist me, to[o]. For if I cannot find the[e] shortly, lenger live I ma[y] not, But shorrly get me evyn into a corner And die for sorowe throw[g]he such a scorner! <1Exeat.>1 <1Here the[y] cum in with violes.>1 FAME. Cum sirs, let us not disdaine to do That the World hath apointed us too. FAVOR. Sins[e] to serve Science the World hath sent us, As the World wil[l]'th us, let us content us. RICHES. Content us we may, since we be assin'de To the fairest lady that liv'th, in my minde. WOORSHIP. Then let us not stay here muet and mum, But tast[e] We thes[e] instrumentes till she cum. <1Here the[y] sing "Excedinge Mesure" [while Experience and>1 <1 Science enter].>1 Exceeding mesure With paine, continewall, Langueshing in absens, alas, What,hall I doe?-- Infortunate wretch, devoide Ofjoyes all, |p Sighes upon sighes redoobling my Woe, And teres downe falling Fro mine eyes toe. Bewty with truth so doth me constraine Ever to s[er]ve Where I may not attsine. Truth bindith me ever to be true, HoW so that fortune faver'th my chance. During my life none other but you Of my tru[e] hart shall have the governance. O good swetehart, have you remembrance Now of your owne, which for no smart Exile shall yow Gro my tru[e] hart. EXPERIENCE. Dowghter, what meanith that ye did not sing? SCIENCE. Oh, Mother, for heere remain'th a thinge. frecndes, we thanke you for thes[e] your plesures, Takyn on us as chance to us measures. WOORSHIP. Ladye, thes[e] our plesures, and parsons too, Ar sente to you, you service to doo. FAME. Ladye Science, to set foorth your name, The World to waite on you hath sent me, Farne. FAVOR. Ladye Science, for your vertues most plentye, The World, to cherish you, favor hath sent ye. RICHES. Lady Science, for youre benefites knowne, The World, to maintaine you, Riches hath thrown. WOORSHIP. And, as the World hath sent you thes[e] three, So he send'th mee, Woorshipp, to avawnce your degre[e]. SCIENCE. I thank the World, but cheefiy God be praised That in the World such love to Science hath raised. But yet, to tell you plaine, ye four ar suche As Science look'th for litell nor muche;, For being as I am a lone wooman, Neede of your service I ne[i]ther have nor can. But, thanking the world and you for your pain, I send ye to the world evyn now againe. WOORSHIP. Why, ladye, set ye no more store by mee, Woorshipp? Ye set nowght by yourselfe, I se[e]. FAME. She set'th nowght by Fame, wherby I spye her: |p She carethe not what the world saith by her. FAVOR. She set'the nowght by favor, wherby I trye her: She carith not what the World saith or dooth by her. RICHES. She set'th nowght by Riche,. which dooth showe She careth not for the world. Cum, let us goe. <1[Exeunt Woorship, Fame, Favor, and Riches.]>1 SCIENCE. Indeede, smalle cawse gevyn to care for the Worldes favering Seeing the wittes of Worlde be so wavering. EXPERIENCE. What is the matter, dowghter, that ye Be so sad? Open your mind to mee. SCIENCE. My marvell is no les, my good moother, Then my greefe is greate: to see of all other The prowde scorne of Wit, soone to Dame Nature, Who sent me a picture of his stature With all the shape of himselfe there opening, His amorous love therby betokening, Borne toward me in abundant fac[h]ion. And also, furder to make right relacion Of this his love, he put in commishion Such a messenger as no suspicion Cowld growe in mee of him: Confidence. EXPERIENCE. Um. SCIENCE. Who, I ensure ye, with such vehemence And faithfull behavoure in his movinge Set foorth the pith of his master's lovinge, That no living creature cowld conjecte But that pure love did that Wit direct. EXPERIENCE. So? SCIENCE. Now, this beinge, since the space Of three times' sending from place to place Betwene Wit and his man, I he[a]re no more, Ne[i]ther of Wit nor his love so sore. HoW think you by this, my nowne deere mother? EXPERIENCE. Dowghter, in this I can thinke none oother But that it is true, this proverbe old: "Hastye love is soone hot and soone cold.'' Take hede, dowghter, hoW yOu put youre trust To light lovers to[o] hot at the forst. For had this love of Wit bene growndyd And on a sure fowndashion fowndyd, |p Litell voide time wold have bene betwene ye, But that this Wit wolde have sent or seene ye. SCIENCE. I thinke so. EXPERIENCE. Ye[a], thinke ye so or no, Youre mother, Experience, proofe shall showe That Wit hath set his loves--I daresay And make ye warrantises--another way. <1Wit cum'th before [in ignorance's clothing, with his face>1 <1 blachened].>1 [WIT.] But your warrantise warrant no trothe! Faire ladye, I praye you, be not wrothe Till you he[a]re more. For, deere Ladye Science, Had your lover Wits--ye[a], or Confidence His man--bene in helth all this time spent, Long or this time, Wit had cumme or sent. But the trothe is, they have bene both sicke, Wit and his man; ye[a], and with paines thicke Bothe stay'de by the way, so that your lover Could neither cum nor send by none other. Wherefore blame not him, but chance of siknes. SCIENCE. Who is this? EXPERIENCE. Ingnorance, or his likenes. SCIENCE. What, the common foole? EXPERIENCE. It is much like hirn. SCIENCE. By rny soothe, his toong sery'th him now trim! What sayst thow, Ingnorance? Speak again. WIT. Nay, ladye, I am not Ingnorance, plaine, But I am your owne deere lover, Witt, That hath long lov'd you and lov'th you yet. Wherefore I pray the[e] now, my nowne sweting Let me have a kis at this our meeting. <1[Tries to kiss her.]>1 SCIENCE. Ye[a], so ye shall anone, but not yet. Ah,sir, this foole here hath got sum wit! Fall you to kissing, sir, nowadayes? Your mother shall charme you. Go your wayes. WIT. What ne[e]d'th all this, my love of long growne? Will ye be so Strang[e] to me, your owne? Youre aquaintance to me was thow[g]ht esye; |p But now your woordes make my harte all quesye, Youre dartes at me so strangely be shott. SCIENCE. Heere ye what termes this foole here hath got? WIT. Well. I perse[i]ve my foolishnes now; Indeede, ladies no dasterdes alowe. I wil be bolde with my nowne darling. Cum now, a bas, my nowne proper sparling! <1Again tries to kiss her.]>1 SCIENCE. What wilt thow, arrand foole? WIT. Nay, by the mas, I will have a bas or I hence pas. SCIENCE. What wilt thow, arrande foole? Hence, foole, I say! WIT. What, nothing but "foole" and "foole" all this day? By the mas, madam, ye can no good. SCIENCE. Art a-swering, to[o]? Now, by my hood, Youre foolishe knaves breeche six stripes shall bere. WIT. Ye[a]? Godes bones! "Foole" and "knave," to[o]! Be ye there? By the mas, call me "foole" once againe And thow shalt sure call a blo[w] or twaine! EXPERIENCE. Cum away, dowghter. The foole is mad. WIT. Nay, nor yet ne[i]ther hence ye shall gad! We will'gre better or ye pas hence. I praye the[e] now, good swete Ladye Science, All this strange maner now hide and cover, And play the good felowe with thy lover. SCIENCE. What good felowshippe wold ye of me, Whome ye knowe not, ne[i]ther yet I knowe ye? WIT. Know ye not me? SCIENCE. No, how shoold I know ye? WIT. Dooth not my picture my parson shoow ye? SCIENCE. Your picture? WIT. Ye[a], my picture, ladye, That ye spake of. Who sent it but I? SCIENCE. If that be youre picture, then shall we Soone se how you and your picture agree. Lo, here; the picture that I named is this. <1[She displays the picture of Wit.]>1 WIT. Ye[a], mar[r]y, mine Owne likenes this is. You having this, ladye, and so lothe To knowe me, which this so plaine show'the? SCIENCE. Why, you are nothing like, in mine eye. WIT. No? <1[To Experience.]>1 How say ye? EXPERIENCE. As she sa;th, so say I. WIT. By the mas, than are ye both starke blinde! What diference betwene this and this can ye find? EXPERIENCE. Mar[r]ye, this is fayer, plesant, and goodlye;, And ye are fowle, displesant, and uglye. WIT. Mar[r]y, avawnt, thow fowle ugly whoore! SCIENCE. So! Lo, now I perse[i]ve ye more and more. WIT. What, perse[i]ve you me as ye wold make me, A naturall foole? SCIENCE. Nay, ye mistake me; I take ye for no foole naturall, But I take ye thus--shall I tell all? WIT. Ye[a], mar[r]ye; tell me youre mind, I pray ye, Wherto I shall trust. No more delay ye. SCIENCE. I take ye for no naturall foole Browght up among the innocentes scoole, But for a nawg[h]ty, vicious foole Browght up with Idellnes in her scoole. Of all arrogant fooles, thow art one. WIT. Ye[a]? Goges bodye! EXPERIENCE. Cum, let us be gone. <1[Exeunt Experience and Science.]>1 WIT. My swerd! Is it gone? A vengeance on them! Be they gone, to[o], and ther hedes upon them? But, prowde quenes, the divill go with you both! Not one point of curtesye in them go'the. A man is well at ease by sute to paine him For such a drab, that so doth disdaine him! So mo[c]k'te, so lowted, so made a sot--s Never was I erst since I was begot! Am I so fowle as those drab[b]es Wold make me? Where is my glas that Reson did take me? Now shall this glas of Reson soone trye me A, faire as thOse drab[b]es that so doth belie me. <1[He looks in his mirror.]>1 Hah, Goges sowle! What have we here, a divill? This glas, I se well, hath bene kept evill. <1[He cleans the mirror and looks again.]>1 Goges sowle, a foole! A foole, by the mas! What a very vengeance ail'th this glas? Other this glas is shamefully spotted, Or els am I to[o] Shamefully blotted. Nay. by Goges armes, I am so, no dowte. How looke ther facis heere rownd abowte? <1(He hold, the mirror up to the audience.]>1 All faire and cleere, they, ev'rychone; And I, by the mas, a foole alones-- Deck't, by Goges hones, like a very asse! Ingnorance' cote, hoode, eares--ye[a], by the masse, Kokscom[b]e and all. I la[c]k but a bable. And as for this face, [it] is abhominable, As black as the devill. God for his Passion, Where have I bene'ray'de aff-ter this fassion? This same is Idlenes'--sa shanie take her!--s This same is her wurke. The devill in hell rake her! The whoore hath sham'd me forever, I trow. I trow? Nay verely, I knowe Now it is so. The stark foole I playe Before all people. Now se it I maye, Ev'rye man I se law[g]he me to scorne. Alas, alas, that ever I was borne! It was not for nowght, now well I se, That those t[w]oo ladies disdained me. Alas, Ladye Science, of all oother-- How have I rail'd On her and her moother! Alas, that lady I have now lost Whome all the world lov'th and honorith most. Alas, from Reson had I not vari'd, Ladye Science or this I had mar[r]i,d. And those fower giftes which the World gave her I had woon to[o], had I kept her favor. Wher now, instede of that lady bright With all those gallantes seene in my sight-- favor. Riches, ye[a], Worship, and fame--s I have ywoone Hatred, Begg'ry, and Open Shame. <1Shame cum'th in with a whippe [accompanied by Reason].>1 Out upon the[e], Shame! What doost thowe heere? REASON. Mar[r]y, I, Reason, bad[e] him heere appeere. Upon him, Shame, with strippes inow smitten, While I reherce his fawtes herein written:. <1lHe reads.]>1 first, he hath broken his promise formerly |p Made to me, Reson, my dowghter to mar[r]ye. Nexte, he hath broken his promise promisyd To obay Instruccion, and him dispised. Thurdlye, my do,ghter Science to reprove, Upon Idlenes he hath set his love. forthlye, he hath folowed Idellnes' scoole Till she hath made him a verye stark foole. Lastlye, offending both God and man, Swering grete othes as any man can, He hath abused himselfe to the grete shame Of all his kinred and los of his good name. Wherfore spare him not, Shame, bete him well there! He hath deservyd more then he can beare. <1Wit knelith downe.>1 [WIT.] Oh, Father Reson, be good unto me! Alas, thes[e] stripes of Shame will undo mee. REASON. Be still a while, Shame. Wit, what sayst thow? WIT. Oh, sir, forgeve me, I beseech you! REASON. If I forgeve the[e] thy ponishment, Wilt thow than folow thy first entent And promise made, my dowghter to mar[r]ye? WIT. Oh, sir, I am not woorthy to car[r]ye The dust out where your dowghter shoold sit. REASON. I wot well that. But if I admit The[e], unwoorthy, againe to her wooer, Wilt thow then fol[l]ow thy sewte unto her? WIT. Ye[a], sir, I promise you; While life endurith. REASON. Cum neere, masters. Heere is wone ensurith In woordes to becum an honest man. <1Here cum'th instruc[c]ion, Studye, and Diligens in.>1 Take him, Instruccion; do what ye can. INSTRUCCION. What, to the purpose he went before? REASON. Ye[a], to my dowghter prove him once more. Take him and trim him in new aparell And geve that to Shame, there, to his farewell. INSTRUCCION. Cum on your way, Wit. Be of good cheere; After stormy clowdes cum'th wether clere. <1instruc[c]ion, Study, Wit, and Diligens So out [with Shame].>1 REASON. Who list to marke now this chance heere doon May se what Wit is without Reson. What was this Wit better then an asse, Being from Reson stray'de as he was? But let pas now, since he is welI poonishyd, And therby, l trust, meetely,ell monishyd. Ye[a], and I like him never the wurs, I, Thowgh Shame hath handled him shamefullye. For, like as if Wit had prowdly bent him To resist Shame, to make Shame absent him, I wold have thowght than that Wit had bene-- As the sayeng is, and dailye seene-- "Past shame once, and past all amendment" So, contrarye, sins[e] he did relent To Shame when Shame ponish't him evyn ill, I have, I say, good hope in him still; And thinke as I thowght, ifjoine they can, My dowg[h]ter wel bestow'd on this man. But all the dowte now is to thinke how My dowghter tak'th this. For I may tell yow I think she knew this Wit, evyn as weele As she seem'd heere to know him no deele; for la[c]k of kno[w]ledge in Science there is none. Wherfore, she knew him; and therupon His misbehaver, perchance evyn striking Her hart against him, she now misliking-- As women oft times wil be hard-hartyd-- Wil be the stranger to be revertyd. This must I helpe. Reson must now walke On Wit[t]es part with my Science to talke. A neere way to her know I, wherebye My soonnes cumming prevent now must I. Perchance I may bring my dowghter hither. If so, I dowght not to joine them together. <1Exeat Reson. Confidence cum'th in.>1 [CONFIDENCE.] I thanke God, yet at last I have fownd him! I was afraide sum mischance had drown'd him-- My master, Wit--with whome I have spoken, Ye[a], and deliver'd token for token, And have anoother to Science againe: A hart of gold, singnifyeng plaine That Science hath wun Wit[t]es hart forever. Whereby, I trust, by my good endever To that good ladye, so sweete and so sortly, A mariage betwene them ye shall see shortlye. <1Confiens exeat.>1 <1instruccion cum'th in with Wit, Study, and Diligence.>1 |p [INSTRUCCION.] Lo, sir, now ye be ent'ryd againe Toward that passage where dooth remaine Tediousnes, your mortall en[e] my. Now may ye choose whether ye Will trye Your handes againe on that tyrant stowte, Or els walking a litell abowte-- WIT. Nay, for Godes Pashion, sir, let me meete him! Ye se I am able now for to greete him. This sword of Cumfort, sent fro my love, Upon her en[e]my needes must I proove. INSTRUCCION. Then foorth, there, and turne on your right hand Up that mownt before ye shall see stand. But heere ye, if your en[e]mye chance to rise, Folowe my coWncell in anye wise: Let Studye and Diligence flee ther towche, The stroke of Tediousnes, and then cowche Themselves as I told ye. Ye wot how. WIT. Ye[a], sir; for that "how"' marke the proofe now. [ <1Wit, Study, and Diligence advance on the mount.]>1 INSTRUCCION. To mark it indeede, heere will I abide To see what chance of them will betide. For heere cum'th the pith, lo, of this jornaye. That mowntaine before which they must assaye Is cal[l]'d in Laten,Mons <1Pernassus,;>1 Which mowntaine, as old auctors discus, Who attain'th ones to sleepe on that mownt, Ladye Science his oWne he may cownt. But, or he cum there, ye shall see fowght A fight with no les policye wrowght Then strenghth, I trow--if that may be praised. TEDIOUSNES <1[within his lair].>1 Oh, ho, ho INSTRUCCION. Hark! TEDIOUSNES <1[entering].>1 Out, ye kaitives! INSTRUCCION. The feend is raisyd! TEDIOUSNES. Out, ye vilaines! Be ye cum againe? Have at ye, wretches! WIT. fle, sirs, ye twaine! <1 [Study and Diligece flee>1 |p TEDIOUSNES. They fle not far hens[e]! [ <1Tediousnes pursues them, but is ambushed. They turn on him.]>1 DILIGENCE. Turne againe, Studye! STUDY. Now, Diligence! INSTRUCCION. Well saide; holde fast now. STUDY. He fleeth. DILIGENCE. Then folowe! <1[They beat Tediousness into his lair, where Wit is ready for him.]>1 INSTRUCCION. With his owne weapon now wurke him sorow! Wit li'th at reseite. TEDIOUSNES <1[within].>1 Oh, ho, ho! <1Dieth.>1 INSTRUCCION. Hark, he dieth! Where strength lack'th, policye supplieth. <1Heere Wit cum-th in and bring'th in the hed upon his swoorde,>1 <1 and saith as folowith:>1 WIT. I can ye thanke, sirs; this was well doone. STUDY. Nay, yours is the deede. DILIGENCE. To you is the thank. INSTRUCCION. I can ye thank all; this was well doone. WIT. How say ye, man? Is this feelde well woonne? <1Confidence cum'th running in.>1 [CONFIDENCE.] Ye[a], by my faith, so saith your deere hart. WIT. Why, where is she, that here now thow art? CONFIDENCE. Upon yonder mowntaine on hye;, She saw ye strike that hed from the bodye, Wherby ye have woonne her, bodye and all. In token whereof, rese[i]ve heere ye shall A gowne of kno[w]ledge, wherin you must Rese[i]ve her here straight. WIT. But sayst thow just? [CONFIDENCE.] So just I say that, except ye hie ye, Or ye be redye, she wil be by ye. WIT. Holde; present unto her this hed heere And give me Warning when she cum'th ne[e]re. <1[Exit Confidence with the head of Tediousness.]>1 Instruccion, will ye helpe to devise To trim this geere now, in the best wise? INSTRUCCION. Geve me that gowne; and cum with me, all. DILIGENCE. Oh, how this gere to the purpose dooth fall! |p <1Confidens cum'th running in.>1 [CONFIDENCE.] How, master, master! Where be ye now? WIT. Here, Confidence; what tidinges bring'st thow? CONFIDENCE. My ladye at hand heere dooth abide ye,; Bid her wellcum. What, do ye hide ye? <1Here Wit, instruccion, Studye, and Diligence sing "Wellcum,>1 <1 my nowne"; and S[c]ience, Experience, Reson, and Confidence>1 <1 cum in at "As" and answer ev're second verse:>1 WIT AND HIS CUMPANYE: O ladye deere, Be ye so neere To be knowne? My hart yow cheere Your voice to he[a]re. Welcum, mine owne. SCIENCE AND HIR CUMPANYE: As ye rejoise To he[a]re my voice Fro me thus blowne, So in my choice I show my voice To be your owne. WIT AND HIS COMPANYE: Then drawe we neere To see and heere My love long growne! Where is my deere? Here I apeere To see mine owne. SCIENCE AND HIR CUMPANYE: To se and try Your love truly Till deth be flowne, Lo, here am I That ye may spye I am your owne. WIT AND His CUMPANYE: Then let us meete, My love so sweete, Halfeway heere throwne! SCIENCE AND HIR CUMPANYE: I will not fleete, My love to greete. Welcum, mine owne! WIT AND HIS CUMPANYE: Welcum, mine owne! ALL SING: Welcum, mine Owne! <1And when the song is doone, Reson sendith instruccion, Studye,>1 <1 and Diligence, and Confidens out,; and then, standing in the>1 <1 middell of the place, Wit saith asfolowithz;1>1 WIT. Wellcum, mine Owne, with all my [w]hole harte, Which shal be your owne till deth us depart. I trust, ladye, this knot evyn sins[e] knit. SCIENCEE I trust the same for sins[e] ye have smitt Downe my grete en[e]mye, Tediousnes, Ye have woon me forever, dowghtles-- Allthowgh ye have woon a clogg withall. WIT. A clogg, sweetehart? What? SCIENCE. Such as doth fall To all men that joine themselves in mariage In keping ther wives--a carefull cariage. WIT. Carefull? Nay, ladye, that care shall implove No clogg, but a key of my mostjoye. To kepe you, swetehart, as shall be fit, Shal be no care, but most joy to Wit. SCIENCE. Well, yet I say--mark well what I saye-- My presence bringh'th you a clogg, no naye, Not in the kepinge of me onelye, But in the use of Science cheeflye. For I, Science, am in this degree As all or most part of woomen bee: If ye use me well in a good sorte, Then shall I be youre joy and comfort; But if ye use me not well, then dowt me, For sure ye were better then without me. WIT. Why, ladye, thinke you me such a Wit As being avansyd by you, and yet Wold misuse ye? Nay, if ye dowt that, Heere is wone lov'th thee more then sumwhat. If Wit mi[s]use ye at any season, Correct me then your owne father Reson. REASON. Lo, dowghter, can ye desire any more? What neede thes[e] dowtes? Avoide them, therfore. EXPERIENCE. By'r Lakyn, sir, but under your favor, This dowt our dowghter doth well to gather For a good warning now at beginninge What Wit in the end shall looke for in winning. Which shal be this, sir: if Science here, Which is Godes gift, wilI be usyd meere Unto Gods honor and profit, both Of you and your neybowre--which go'th ln her of kind, to do good to all-- Set you forth, Wit, by her to imploye Doble encrece to your doble joye. But if you use her contrariwise To her good nature, and so devise To evill effectes to wrest and to wry her, Ye[a], and cast her of[f] and set nowght by her, Be sure I, Experience, shall than Declare you so before God and man That this talent from you shal be taken And you ponish't for your gaine forsaken. WIT. "Once warn'd, half arm'd," folk say; namely whan Experience shall warne a man, than Time to take heede. Mother Experience, Towching youre dowghter, my deere hart, S[c]iens, As I am sertaine that to abuse her I brede mine owne sorow, and well to use her I encrece myjoys--and so to make it Godes grace is redye, if I will take it--- Then, but ye cownt me no Wit at all, Let never thes[e] dowtes into your hed fall; But, as yourselfe, Experience, clering All dowtes at lenght, so, till time apering, Trust ye with me in God. And, swetehart, While your father Reson tak'th Wit's parte, To rese[i]ve Godes grace as God shall send it, Dowte ye not ourjoy till lives end end it. SCIENCE. Well than, for the end of all dowtes past And to that end whiche ye spake of last, Among our wedding matters heere rend'ring, Th'end of our lives wold be in rememb'ring; Which remembrance, Wit, shall sure defend ye From the misuse of Science, and send ye The gaine my mother to mind did call: Joy without end--that wish I to all. |p REASON. Well said; and as ye, dowghter, wishe it, That joy, to all folke in generall, So wish I, Reson, the same. But yet First in this life wish I here to fall To our most noble king and quene in especiall, To ther honorable cowncell, and then to all the rest, Such joy as long may rejoise them all best! ALL SAY. Amen. <1Heere cum'th in fowre with violes and sing "Remembreance";>1 <1 and at the last quere all make cur[t]sye and so goe forth singing>1 <1 Thus endith The play of Wit and Science made by Master John>1 <1 Redford.>1