THE SPIDER and the Flie.  
A parable of the Spider and the Fly, made by john Heywood. ♣  
IMPRINTED AT LONDON IN FLETE street BY THO. powel. ❧  
ANNO. 1556.  
T. P.   


I H   portrait of John Heywood   

The preface.  

A Parable: is properly one thing,  
That of an other doth conceiving bring.  
Yea: (oftentims (as parables are scanned,  
One score of things: by one, be understand.  
Each one of all: scanned and used well,  
May teach the scanner good: to take & tell.  
contrarily: scanned and used ill,  
Like ill likewise, the fruit a mounteth until.  
Wherefore, before entrance to scanning here:  
In present parable here to appear,  
First to induct (for to conduct) the way:  
How readers and scanners: readily may:  
Right scanning (in right reading) here purchase,  
Good readers: read and scan (rightly) this case.  
There chanced at once: at one fair glass to be,  
Themselves tatire at once, fair women three.  
Where one an other envied: till all were dressed,  
Who might (when all wear dressed) seem dressed best.  
But in the time of trimming of their gear:  
There foreheads striking up: broyding their hear:  
Lacing and laying it: with every thing:  
Looked in the glass: directing trim trimming,  
In all this time: these women everichone,  
Beheld each other: but themselves not one:  
That in the glass: upon herself cast eye,  
Good or ill tiring (in herself) tespie.  
One hear ley low: one other lay to high:  
On this side: or on that side: clean awry.  
But hereupon: when each had other espied:  
In tire attired: all a wry or wide,  
Lord in all three: what inward sport there was,  
Each one to see an other, in that glass.  
All three sore swelled: but be it best or worst:  
Twain must vent upward straight: or both must burst,  
While margret went a side: her pins to fet,  
Marian and margery: back they both get.  
To touch thattire, of margaret thus worn.  
Between them twain, to laugh that third to scorn.  
Marion said to Margery: see you not,  
How Meg is dressed, yes Madge (quoth she) god wots.  
Might not a beetill blind beast: bring to pass:  
To dress herself as well at any glass,  
Yes madge: and with one jin: I can now see:  
What spots (unseen to her) in her face be.  
Ye Mall (quoth Madge) I think I should il high me:  
To dress myself so ill: the glass so nigh me,  
God hath done his part: she hath a good face,  
Which gift of God, herself doth ill disgrace,  
Marion at this: stepping fro margery,  
Margaret to Margery: stepth by and buy.  
And straight of Marion: margret falleth in hand:  
How far from frame: Marions a tire both stand.  
Madge and Meg finding fault: at marion more,  
Then Madge and Marion: found at Meg before.  
The third corpse was: that madge did start a side:  
Whearwith Marion to Meg: hastily hide.  
And Margeries attire: they set a brooch,  
As ill (or worse (the world her to reproach,)  
Then she was tierde in deed. Thus all these three:  
Divided thrice in twain, did thrice agree:  
Each twain, the third to mock and geste upon:  
Till every one, had mocked everyone.  
Each mocking others fault: they faulty all,  
Each mockers mock, most on herself did fall.  
This done, one of these three to the glass went:  
No face but hers, then being represent.  
Where: when she did herself only behold,  
Her silent sight: her fore folly so told:  
That marking first herself, herself she a tierde.  
And then the rest, (in their attire) desierde,  
That each upon herself: would set sure eye,  
Ere she cast eye on other, low or high.  
They doing so: all wear attired so,  
That whether a part, or they together go:  
Had they been willing: they had been unable,  
Spark or spek to spy: discommendable:  
Each in others attire. Which women and glass,  
Are a glass, this book, and readers to compass,  
In scanning sense to touch men in this book:  
As glass lookers looked: if book readers look:  
He upon him: and he on him: to scan:  
Sense most and best, nay most and worst they can:  
Scanning who is the spider: who the fly:  
Neither of either: to himself taplie:  
Scanning no whit: by scanning here to see:  
In case spiders: in case flies: all scanned may be,  
Glass looking: and book reading: in such wise,  
May well be scanned, one like vain exercise.  
Who that this parable doth thus define,  
This parable thus, is his and not mine,  
To this, this one thing I must mind you to mind.  
Concerning spiders, flies, and eke thants kind.  
Where I: their natural operation:  
With the largest enlarge: tenlarge foundation:  
Whereon I frame this top story: here to see,  
As both: both in length and breadth: may most agree,  
This (for this cause) stretched the more long and wide,  
I pray you bear with me: where it is spied.  
Wherein: my fault may seem somewhat the less,  
That wiser men than I (in like process,)  
Have done the like and late: one wise and old:  
In an old book did read (as he me told,)  
That when so ever spiders, flies, and ants speak,  
Their approprid properties, they likewise break.  
Which if themselves do: ye will grant I hope:  
That I (doing it for them) may have like scope.  
Thus wishing wishinglie: in reading this,  
Readers: to read and scan: all sentencis:  
As we first mark and mend ourselves: and then,  
To mark: to mend: the faults of other men:  
Without more scanning here: I now herein,  
End circumstance, the substance to begin.   
FINIS.  
 ornament   

THE TABLE.  

THe Introduction to the matter, showing how the fly chanced to fall in the spider's copweb. Cap. primum,  
¶ The lamentation of the fly, with declaration (partly) of the property of Fortune, and of his own estate past and present. Cap. 2.  
¶ The dreadful wonder of the spider, at sudden shaking of his copweb. Cap. 3.  
¶ The spider taking comfort, entereth in quarrel with the fiie. Cap. 4.  
¶ The spider starting into his house to comfort his shoushold, the fly deviseth what way to escape the danger of the spider. Cap. 5.  
¶ The spider being returned to the fly, after a few words between them had, the fly sewth to the spider to be herd speak which he granteth. Cap. 6.  
¶ The oration of the fly to the spider, commending justice, and just justicers, requiring to have his cause heard throughlie and adjudged justly. Cap. 7.  
¶ The spider granteth the fly both to here and adjudge this case, as may most agreeably stand with reason, law, custom, and conscience. Cap. 8.  
¶ They stand both in hope to convince each other by just cause, the fly praying the spider's pardon, of such rude speech and all behaviour, as he may chance to overshoot himself in, the which the spider doth grant. Cap. 9  
¶ They enter into the principal argument. The fly supposing no lawful proof by wintesse of any ill there against him: the spider allegeth the contrary. The fly (upon occasion,) requiring to be bailed under surety, the spider denieth it. Cap. 10.  
¶ The spider chargeth the fly, first with burglary, which the fly answereth unto: than the spider chargeth him with single felony, which the fly reasoneth unto. Cap. 11.  
¶ The spider (in a manner) granteth, that the fly came into the copweb against the flies own will. which the spider so granteth, for such policy forthwith appearing: as seemeth to wei sore against the fly. Cap. 12.  
¶ The fly herewith is abashed. but a none he gathereth himself to a stay showing a reason, that maketh a manifest show clearly to overthrow the spider's foresaid policy. Cap. 13.  
¶ The spider checketh the fly for his comparing above the spider in knowledge of law and custom. which the fly meynteyneth by one reason comunlie reported. Whereupon the spider perseyving the policy for which he seemed to grant the fly to come against his will: taketh little or no place, that much weakeniug his part he driveth the fly to draw back that grant. Chapter. 14.  
¶ They reason a fresh to try whether the fly came in to the spider's copweb with or against his will. Cap. 15  
¶ They continue in pursewte of trial whether the fly came thither willingly or unwyllynglie so far, that the Fly at length offereth to take a book oath, that he came against his will. Cap. 16.  
¶ The spider not admitting the fly to his oath, the fly bringth in the strength of the affirmative for his part: against the negative on the spider's side. Whereunto adjoined his other reasons laid in discharge of charge past, he hopeth according to justice promised, to be straight discharged. Cap. 17  
¶ The spider upon a case in law touching thaffirmative, taketh hold to detain the fly still in possession: but yet under promise of justice before promised. Cap. 18.  
¶ The spider, seeing that he cannot take full hold of the fly in case of burglary, nor felony: he chargeth him now with trespass, to which the fly reasoneth. Cap. 19  
¶ The spider (at the flies answering him to a question) chargeth the fly with procuring of other flies to disturb him in his cobwebs: which the fly denithe. Cap. 20.  
¶ They fall in comparison touching their evidence written or unwritten. Whereunto the fly layeth prescription of custom: which he before (alleged) supposing thereby, that the spider ought both to deliver him, and make him amends. Cap. 21.  
¶ The spider denith the flies description of custom, alleging the saying of ancient spiders for his interest by custom. wherein anon both showing each to give small credit to other, the fly moveth to put the matter in arbitrement: which. (as yet,) the spider doth not grant. Cap. 22  
¶ The fly (after a few words concerning a peal) doth briefly recapitulate, the effect passed in the principal case. Cap. 23.  
¶ The spider putteth a case in a peal ill (in a parence) for the fly: as the spider drawth it, and a none, he by example of the Lords will had in cortes of copy hold, seeming to lean toward will: the fly laboureth to qualify that will. Cap. 24.  
¶ The fly cleymeth all hooles in all windows to be flies in freehold: & that spiders should build by the sides or in the tops: which case to be tried by law or custom, they in manner agree: but the fly moving it to be tried at the common law, the spider refuseth it. whereupon ariseth matter of digression, in which the fly commendeth the spider for expedite hearing hereof, briefly defining the properties of justice, mercy, and tyranny. Cap. 25.  
¶ The fly (for cause here appearing) desireth to repeat his distinction of justice, mercy, and tyranny, which the spider denieth. Wherewith the fly layeth to the spider, breach of promise made to him before. In discharge whereof, the spider answereth. Cap. 26.  
¶ The spider (reducing the fly to the principal matter) moveth the trial to be had in his own lordship. which the fly misliketh. Whereon ensueth a glance at the diversity of government, between one spider and twelve flies. Cap. 27.  
¶ They agree to be tried by arbitrement, whether all or how many hooles in all windows belong to spiders, and how many to flies. The spider choosing for his part, the ant or pismere, the fly choosing for his side, the butterfly. Whereupon they, th'one couple in one part, and tother couple in an other part, talk together forthwith. Cap. 28.  
¶ The spider to the ant, and fly to butterlie (after words of greeting) declare, that they are chosen their arbiters here in: wherein the ant and butterlie promise to do their best. And they then anon draw all four together in (or at) the copweb. Cap. 29.  
¶ The spider declareth, and the fly granteth the issue to be, that all flies claim (in freehoolde) all hooles in all windows to be theirs by custom. And spiders claim all hooles with all parts of all windows to be their freehold by custom. And after talk between them therein had, the ant requireth full instruction of the two parties to them two arbiters. Cap. 30.  
¶ They (in couples separate again) declare each how he would have his arbiter handle his part: and first is here told the tale of the spider to the ant. Cap. 31.  
¶ The tale of the fly to the butterfly how he shall use the flies part: which done, the arbiters withdraw themselves toward the top of the window. Cap. 32.  
¶ The ant & the butterfly met together in the top of the window, certain spiders on their one side: and certain flies on their other side, Tharbiters command them to stand back while they two talk together. Cap. 33.  
¶ Thant declaring the cause of that meeting, the spiders and flies acknowledging the same, and that they come to give evidence, the flies are appointed to departed while the spider's first show, what they can say for their part. Cap. 34.  
¶ After a few words between the ant and the butterfly, one spider as mought be for all, declareth to those two th'arbiters, all evidence that all spiders for their part can devise. And that done, the spiders are commanded away, and the flies bidden to approach. Cap. 35.  
¶ Upon a short talk between the arbiters, one fly: spokes fly for all flies, discloseth all evidence for their part: wherewith the flies at commandment depart aside. Cap. 36.  
¶ The arbiters (in debating thevidence on both parts given) can not otherwise agree, but that the same weyth even as much for the tone part as for the t'other. At end whereof, they call again all the said sort. Cap. 37.  
¶ The ant showeth to them all, that thevidence weyth to one effect on both sides. So that all resteth now upon knowledge which part to credit moste: and upon that motion, one spider and one fly fall in argument to try the same: wherein is touched (partly) the properties of credence, worship, and honesty. They agreeing that credence standth upon honesty: as thus. as every spider or fly is honest, so is he credible. Which talk ended; they are all again sequestered. Cap. 38.  
¶ By thantꝭ provocation the butterfly repeateth th'argument before made: in his gross terms, not far from full. And they twain seeming to agree upon the point herein, they command the spiders and flies back again. Cap. 39  
¶ Thant telleth them, that where thevidence for both sides goth to one effect, and that in debating which side is most credible to award the window unto, it is concluded, that credence standth upon honesty: and that as all spiders and flies are honest, so are they credible: now must it first be tried, which side is most honest: thereon to iu●ge which side is most credible. Cap. 40.  
¶ One spider and one fly reasoning which side is most honest agreeing (in conclusion) that thonesty on both sides appeareth to them too: to be one, that fly requireth the arbiters to ponder the case as they shall think good. Cap. 41.  
¶ Tharbiters commanding all to go apart again, they fall in talking somewhat at large touching both credence and honesty in both these sides. which done, to show therein their minds, they call all before them again. Cap. 42.  
¶ The ant telleth them, that they two determine thonesty o● both sides to be one. Willing them to go forth in the matter. wherewith one tart taunting spider: and one sharp saucy fly, forbearing till this time (with much pain) speaking or rather railing, stand now forth (upon tip toes) to ●hop logic each with other in rude reasoning of this case. Cap. 43▪  
¶ Where an other spider and fly reasoned late before to prove which side of both is most honest, this said quarreling spider and cocking fly, labour to prove which part of both is most dishonest: in words and deeds. As by usurpation in windows and other misbehaviour. At end whereof infurious fumes, thence month the spider one way, and the fly flingth an other. Cap. 44.  
¶ After a few words, which the ant speaketh to the rest of both sorts there, they are assigned to stand back again: while th'arbiters gather out of this railing, ●uche reasons as they can. Cap. 45.  
¶ Tharbiters consider in this said taunting talk, that sundry dishonest abuses there are in s●dry parties on b●th sides. vp● their agreement of conclusion wherein, they have before them those other spiders and flies again. Cap. 46.  
¶ Thant declarth to those spiders and flies, that the tales of the pearte spider & fly before told, do charge each others part in such sort, that they cannot say which side is most dishonest. but they two adjudge clereli in dishonest things, both sides of like dishonesty. Wherewith they all avoided back again, th'arbiters talk to fall to appoint between themselves what report finally and fully to make. Cap. 47.  
¶ Tharbiters being agreed on their report, they call to them again the spiders and the flies. Cap. 48.  
¶ Thant showeth them, that the butterfly and he are at point what to report. devising it to be reported before the head spider and the fly in the copweb: the two principal parties. And to have with them to here and witness their report, two spiders and two flies, witty and discrete. And the rest to stay there till their return. Which being agreed, they set forth straight to the said copweb. Cap. 49.  
¶ The ant associete with the said sort pronounceth at length (to the spider and fly in the copweb) this brief effect. That in as much as on both sides the evidence is one, and that the credence is one, by thonesty being one, they two can (in reason) no way try how to lay thaccustomed right more on th'one side then on tother, they finally leave the case even at liberty, as they found it. And so depart to the place of abitrement again. Cap. 50.  
¶ Thant and butterfly set where they had sit, thant repeateth to those spiders and flies, the report made by him at the said copweb. At end whereof, the spiders and flies, seeing that time spent all in vain, each side among themselves fall in mourmuring. Cap. 51.  
¶ Upon the spiders and the flies mutring murmuring, suddenly there come nigh about them: a wonderful number of all manner of flies: in their warlike manner. Whereat with twynke of an eye (as it were) the head spider (with a great number of spiders,) hath builded a strong castle in that copweb. With ordinance and weapons and spiders ready in order of defence. Cap. 52▪  
¶ This huge heap of flies light about th'arbiters. Apprehending thant, casting a halter about his neck: drawing him to their tree of reformation (as they call it) to hang him straight. But at his suit to be hard speak ere he die, on fli fleeth into the tree, wherewith the captain commandeth silence. Cap. 53.  
¶ The fly in the tree: to perswarde the flies to here the ant speak, wadeth honestly, politiklie to a lewre them, to quiet hearing of the ant before they put him to death. His which tale told, he removeth to his place again. Cap. 54.  
The flies former fine tale, nowh●t stirreth the gross flies to the hearing of the ant. Whereupon the butterfly (that was an arbiter) fleeth into the tree: labouring the flies to have the ant heard speak ere he die. Cap. 55.  
¶ The butterfly (to get thant to be heard) telleth his tale in such rude manner and matter, that anon he setth them all (wellnigh) together by the ears. But upon his gross tale grossly told, (much more liked then the flies fine● tale) they grant to hers the fly speak. Cap. 56.  
¶ The ant prayeth to be herd speak thoroughly before any part of his tale be adjudged. And then they to adjudge the whole as standth with equity. First alleging matter to clear himself from offending the flies. Finally giving them (as it seemeth) freendli counsel, (touching this strife) grounded upon this common saying: before thou ought begin, have an eye to the end. Cap. 57  
¶ Thant hath set the flies in such fear of the spiders, that most are ready to run away, whom to stay, the captain fly deviseth thant to set the spiders in like fear of them: by a tale told on the same ground that he told this: in pain of hanging at his return. Cap. 58.  
¶ Thant after enter in talk (before the head spider) he to him, and all the spiders (upon this said ground: ere thou ought begin: have a eye to the end,) inveyth what he can to set the spiders in fear of the flies. Cap. 59  
¶ Thant having brought the spiders in great fear of the multitude of flies, the head spider taking great displeasure with the ant for th● same, he answereth thantes' tale so that he bringeth all the spiders in courage again. giving (in his own name and all theirs,) defiance to the flies. Cap. 60.  
¶ Upon defiance given by the spider to the flies, the ant brought again to the flies, maketh full report of all said at the copweb. At end whereof, two flies argue wether thant have deserved life or death. By keeping or breaking former comnant to bring the spiders in fear of the flies. Cap. 61.  
¶ At end of this last argument. The captain asking the ant what he can say? why he should not die, the ant after a few words submitteth him to their order. Whereupon the captain going to the question, the ant is condemned by the voice of the most number. The captain then willing him to make his last prayers, he doth so. Cap. 62.  
¶ While the ant saith his prayers on the ladder, two ●lies thinking him to be wrongfully cast a way, pitting the case, They touch (in talk) three sorts of flies seen there then. Wherein is touched sum part of properties of new●er flies. Cap. 63.  
¶ The ant having now made his prayers, being at point to be turned from the ladder, a fly, a far of, crieth hold. Who (lighting in the tree) bringeth such a message from the head spider, as the Ant (thereby) is repride, and carried to prison. Cap. 64.  
¶ The captain fly, inveith upon matter before past: in such sort so encouraging the flies again, that anon they all crying to the captain to march forward, they bravely set forth. And laying their ordinance to the copweb castle, they besiege it round. Cap. 65.  
¶ The flies give onset in assault upon the castle: the spiders defending it in furious fight. And upon the slaughter on both sides, the flies retire to their camp. The spider's wife and children on knese to him beseeching him to take peace with the flies. Cap. 66.  
¶ The spider having compassion on his wife and children as on himself, he saith that he will: with the advice of his council, in their suit do all that may be done for the best. Cap. 67.  
¶ The spider set with twelve of his counsel, declareth his wives and children's suit (adjoining thereunto conciderations of his own) for peace to be taken with the flies. Requiring those counsellors while he depart and return) to determine what way he shall take. Cap. 68  
¶ Strait as the spider is gone, the rest arise withdrawing a sunder in three plumps four in a plump, no one knot knowing what the rest saith, which done: they all set down again against the spider's return. Cap. 69.  
¶ The spider set again with his cownsaile, in those three said sorts, arise three divers ways to take herein. The best one whereof to choose, the spider departeth to devise upon. Willing them to cause all corners of that castle to be cleansed and all battered places made strong again. Cap. 70.  
¶ The flies in camp be at counsel: desirously devising: by what mean to get peace best. Whereupon the captain inventing a mean to drive thant to sew for peace if they will be ruled by him, they thereunto agree. And thereupon the ant is brought before the flies. Cap. 71.  
¶ The captain telleth the ant that the flies have retired from thassault: (where many spiders are slain) to see whether the spiders will sew for peace, for which since they sew not, the flies will assault them again. But the ant they will hang straight before they go. Cap. 72.  
¶ The Ant upon sudden short warning of his death: being much dismayed, laying all that he can for his life, and yet can get no grace, he prayeth respite: while he be brought to the spider to see whether he will grow to any peace to saus the ants life. Which granted, the ant is brought before the spider. Cap. 73.  
¶ Thant (in way of petition) sewing to the spider for peace laying considerations to provoke him the rather thereto, the spider doth attentively, give the ant herring. Cap. 74.  
¶ The spider (upon th'ant's tale told to him) alegith certain things by which he ●emeth in doubt much to grant peace to the flies. Wherein the ant and he traversing somewhat: anon he granteth peace to them under condition expressed, wherewith thant is brought to the flies again. Cap. 75.  
¶ Thant declaring peace: as it is granted, the flies in much joy set the ant thankfully at liberty, and home goeth he. Whereupon the captain commandeth all flies to draw near to hear him speak ere they depart. But they flee all away a few except. Cap. 76.  
¶ Upon a little talk had between the captain and the few flies there left, touching the rewdnesse and lightness of the common sort of flies, misliking their former light lewd demenure, they depart. The camps on both sides, clear brooken up. Cap. 77.  
¶ Thant being cum to the molehill, solemnly received of his wife, and children: and a great numbered of ants, he telleth (to them all a tale discorsinge th'effect of all his trouble, had among the spiders and flies. Willing them diligently to mark, what he saith. Cap. 78.  
¶ Thant having said: what he will say, willeth all ants to note why he said, that he said. Which is to warn them by his arms to beware, how they meddle in matters between spiders and flies. Cap. 79.  
¶ Four flies (in the name of all ●lies) at the copweb, thanking the spider for pardon and peace, declaring the conditions and the performance on their part) ●ew to the spider on his part, to perform his grant: in laying out and possessing them of their limits with half the hooles in the window, which he granteth bidding them a little time stay. in which while: he sendth the youngest spider of his twain to the ant, praying him to come to him again. To divide and deliver the hooles to the flies as the spider will appoint them. Cap. 80.  
¶ Upon this message done, thant feinth a let of his coming: by a hurt mischansing him that morning. with which answer, the young spider returneth to the old. Cap. 81  
¶ The spider after a few words to the four flies, assineth to them all the small holes beneath. Half the holes in numbered: but scant the sixth part of the room. At which they somewhat grudge. But they must take them or none. Cap. 82.  
¶ The four flies flown thence, the spider to the fly in prison leith: that in all kinds of trial that day on both parts laid, he thinketh his own part approved best. as he thinketh the flis would think were he a spider, contrary judgement whereof, the fly thinketh in the spider were he a fly. whereupon they agree to change places (each for the time) to imagine and set forth others part the best they can. Cap. 83.  
¶ They having Changed places: they allege each for his dissembled side. Wherein the fly anon is so allured to pride and ambyssyon in occupying (for the while) the spider's stately place, that he at last with an oath affirmeth that spiders are owners of all windows. The spider granting it true, sterteth to the fly, seeming to ●ake end upon the flies own judgement. Cap. 84.  
¶ The fly out of that chair fallen flat before the spider, perseyving his oversight and danger therein, he declareth how change of place changed his affection. In discoorsing of which case, he partly toucheth the commodity of adversity, and the discommodity of prosperity. Beseeching the spider to relinquish all advantage therein to be taken against him. Which the spider granteth. Cap. 85.  
¶ The sp●der upon a glance given at his desert of thank to be had at the flies hand, allegeth custom to be his warrant to destroy the fly: which the fly can not deny. Whereupon he desireth that the case may be reasoned in conscience. Which the spider now granteth. Cap. 86.  
¶ They both lay sundry sharp reasons in conscience for the spider's life and death. But the spider in conclusion draweth these four principles (reason, law, custom, and conscience, which he at beginning granted to try all by) so to combine that he maketh thereby an aparence, to show the fli convinst. & straight by custom: he giveth judgement of the flies death. To which the fly yieldeth. Praying to speak with twelve flies before he die. And it is granted. Cap. 87  
¶ The fly (to twelve grave flies for all flies) giveth his advice for a voiding their parels by their strife had in windows against spiders. the great ground of which tale standeth most upon consideration of these three things. Wherefore they strive, with whom they strive, and how they strive. Cap. 88  
¶ As the spider is about to kill the fly, the maid of the house cometh in and striketh down the copweb and the spider to the ground. Cap. 89.  
¶ The maid being at poinet to tread the spider to death: the spider prayeth her to hear him speak ere he die: and then to adjudge him justly. The maid granting to use him (as he did use the fly) as may best stand with reason, law, custom, and conscience. She at his request (for the time) withdrawing her foot, they fall to reasoning of the case. Cap. 90.  
¶ In reasoning of both sides, the maid driveth the spider to grant himself convinst (by custom eyded with the other principles erst said) as he convinst and adjudged the fly before. Whereupon she (by custom) decreth the spider to die. He then desiring to speak with his son and his counsel. Which the maid granteth. Cap. 91.  
¶ The spider to his son and twelve spiders giveth his best advise for most quiet and best governance. His tale standing, most upon these three terms. First a declaration of himself, second an exhortation to them, the third a submission for himself. Whereunto he desireth licence to take his child in his arms: now at their departing, which the maid granteth. Cap. 92.  
¶ After a few woeful words of the spider had to his son (they both clasping each other in arms very naturally) he kisseth and blisseth him. Wherewith that son with all the twelve spiders dolefully depart from the spider. Cap. 93.  
¶ The maid (appearing as woe to destroy the spider as he is to be dystroyde) with her foot presseth him to death. Cap. 94.  
¶ The maid hath before her the twelve spiders and the twelve flies that had been before in place. And upon her show that all harms done by those generations is grown by misorder, she finally deviseth full redress in pointing them to grow to order. Cap. 95.  
¶ The twelve spiders and twelve flies having heard their order set by the maid, they thankfully receive it. And upon her commandment to them, to put this order in ure among all spiders and flies, they joyfully depart that commandment to fulfil. Cap. 96.  
¶ The spiders and flies being now absent, The maid sweepyth the window clean in every place. As far as her breme and arm will stretch, which done she departeth. Cap. 97  
¶ The maid being gone, the auctor cometh in. And upon his beholding the window fair and clean swept without any combirus cobwebs or excessif flocks of flies he departeth. Cap. 98.   
FINIS TABULAE.  ornament   


I H   portrait of John Heywood   

¶ The Introduction to the matter, showing how the fly chanced to fall in the spider's copweb. Cap. primum.  
 depiction of spider and fly story  

IN season what time every growing thing  
That ripeth by root, hath lively taken heart  
Grass, leaf, and flower, in field so flourishing  
That wintered withered stalkꝭ, stand in covart  
Though weary withered hartis, play than like part  
Covertly couched in bed, themselves to hide  
Yet hartis of lust, the bed can not abide.   

But up they must, proof of that lust to make  
In which like cheerful time, it chanced me  
From sleep one night, so timely to awake  
That how far night, or how nigh day might be  
It past my reach, of search, sure sine to see  
But straight, the search of nature wrought the crow  
Of dawning of the day, warning to show.   

Upon which admonision I arose,  
But by the time, that I could get me out,  
The day apeereth and so broad breaketh lose,  
Leading mine eye, at large to look about  
The fieldꝭ, so fresh, that be ye out of doubt  
For savour, sight, and hearing each byrdis voyse  
No change could chance, to choose the better choyst.   

Which I (reioysynglie) heard and beheld  
Till such time as the son, was come in sight,  
So that the dew (drawn by his power) must yield  
From th'earth to th'air, from whence it fell that night  
And having herein had mine appetight  
I made return (temprately to remain)  
Out of hot son, to temprate house again.   

Where as (anon) a book I took in hand  
Some thing to read, to food forth fantasy  
And stepping to a window, there to stand,  
In at a lattes' hole, right suddenly  
Even at a fling, fast flew there in a fly  
That sang as shrill, and freshly in my mind,  
As any bird could do, bred of that kind.   

About the parlour flew this fly full round,  
And as apeerde: he sought for food in deed,  
But when in no wise, aught would there be found,  
In to the buttery (hastily) he yeede  
And stolen in to the almerie to feed,  
Where he (at pleasure) triumphed uncontrolled,  
Till he had there (at will) wrought what he would.   

From whence (anon) courageously he flung  
Now here, now there, of wing he made no store,  
But for a fly oh lord how he then sang  
Two notes above his highest note before,  
Wherein, increased his courage more and more,  
He flew, he friskt, he tossed, he turned about,  
The fly of flies, no fly I trow so stout   

But as the firmament most clear and blue  
The golden sonbeames bend to beautify  
The courtaine drawn of cloudy weeping hue  
Withdraweth and changeth, that crystal azure ski●  
From blue to black: so fareth it with the fly.  
Amid whose joy, at window to have past,  
A copweb maskth his wings and maketh him fast.   

Thus chance hath (by exchange) the fly so trapped,  
That suddenly he lost his liberty:  
The more he wrang, the faster was he wrapped  
And all to th'increase of his ieoberdee,  
Which apparel, when he did conceive and see  
Such was his rage in haste from thence to flit  
As made him seem, welnie out of his wit   

He wafted his wings, he wagged his tail  
He shook his head, he frounde, he stared wide,  
He spurned, he kickte, but when nought would avail  
To rid him thence, but there he must abide,  
As breath and breast would bear, loudly he cried  
And woefully as any one fly can  
In following form, this woeful fly began.   
 ornament   

¶ The lamentation of the fly, with declaration (partly) of the property of Fortune, and of his own estate past and present. Cap. 2  
 depiction of spider and fly story  

ALas, alas, alas and welawaie,  
To cry aloud alas, what cause have I  
Alas (I say) that ever I saw this day,  
My whole estate in twinkling of an eye  
Is here transformed from mirth to misery,  
For froward fortune hath led my miss hap  
To lay and lock me in mine enemies lap.   

Oh sudden sorrow, from settled solas,  
For so sat I in solas: as me thought.  
Oh fortune, false flatterer that ever was,  
In one moment, and in an other wrought  
So furious, that both thaffertꝭ forth brought,  
Fury, or flattery, which is worst in thee  
Hard for a fly, to judge the certeintee.   

Namely for me, who all my life have been  
Lapped in lap of thy fair flattering flowers,  
Till from those roses, now thou castest me clean  
Into these nettles, of thy furious showers,  
Wherein my lack of practice, lacketh powers.  
(My whole time having been spent in the tone)  
To judge in these two, which is the worst one.   

I lack (I mean) judgement to judge at full,  
Both these said sides: Howbeit here to declare,  
Somewhat in both parts, I both can and will  
Mine entry now, in change from joy to care,  
Hath in this instant taught me to compare  
Flattery with fury, truth in both to try,  
When Fortune telleth truth: and when Fortune doth lie.   

Who while she was (or rather seemed) my friend,  
Thapparaunce of her pleasant countenance  
Promised me, my wealth should have none eende,  
But swifter than the star doth seem to glance  
That assemblaunce: turneth to dissemblaunce,  
Mine ended wealth, now turned to endless woe,  
Amid 'mong her false flattery, proveth so.   

And putting now her fewrie here in ure  
Threatniug the danger of my life present,  
Performance thereof doth appear as sure  
As it in manner had experiment,  
Her fewrie is a glass right excellent  
Between fewrie and flattery to devise  
To take her threats true, and her promise liese   

Flattery, and fewrie, thus in her this goose,  
When she speaketh fair, then hath she lust to lie.  
When she speaketh foul, than truth she will disclose,  
Which thing showth somewhat strange, but commenlie  
In man to man, man's use doth verify,  
In love, and hate, disclosing truth and liese  
The self show showed in daily exercise.   

In sundry things experience doth tell,  
No friend, with friend (in friendship) will be plain,  
As foe, with foe, will in his fewrie fell.  
Love, to tell truth, doth oft for love refrain,  
Hate hideth no jot untold for to remain.  
Love, lockth in truth, lest truth might friendis displease,  
Hate, lashth out truth, foes to displease and disease.   

Friends (in this case) will hide truth, and show liese.  
Foes (in this case) will hide lies and show truth,  
Of truth that toucheth in displeasant wise.  
Hate hideth nought, that memory endewth  
In man, and fortune, who that fully vewth,  
How use of truth, and lies herein hath gone,  
Shall see in both, small difference save this one.   

Love causeth friends to hide displeasant trowth,  
To keep their friends in quiet while they may.  
By love in friends to friends, a loathness growth,  
In thing extreme, the truth extreme to say,  
Where hiding of the truth, harmeth no way  
Or that the truth, is better hid then told  
There friend, to friend, by love will truth with hold.   

But those respects, fortune doth nought attend,  
Her hidden truth, in pleasant present show,  
Is to beguile, such as on her depend,  
When from her grace, their grief unknown shall grow  
By fore purposed, following overthrow.  
In quiet calm, she shadoweth shipwreck rocks,  
To make her mariners her mocking stocks.   

And noting here (from her proclaimed calm)  
How suddenly her stolen storms, do arise  
Of joy long sought, late had, the sudden qualm  
I judge to be her great joy, to devise  
By her which joy: my sorrow in this wise,  
teathe me (I say) to say that I have said,  
And so much more, as is next after laid,   

What is long liking life, the time once past,  
Except the same, have been orderly spent  
Thaccounted audite day, must come at last,  
When word, and deed, with thought of each intent,  
Shall have a just account, with like judgement  
Would god for all which dreadful doubtful doubts  
That I had died even in my swaddling clouts.   

For live we never so long a time here,  
The time determined once that hence must we,  
Then doth all worldly pleasure past, apere  
Even as in deed it is, all vanity,  
Which pleasure hath been long possessed in me  
I think in no creature living more  
That ever lived here, a fly before.   

Full many a night, have I escaped harm,  
When many a fly, to harm was bought and sold  
And many a night have I lain close and warm  
When many a fly abroad hath died for cold,  
And many a fly the flap hath iobde and iolde,  
When I have safely kept from ieobardee,  
Myself, and all the flies, that folowde me.   

Whereby (with flies) I was then so esteemed  
That few things passed without my council  
And where I past: there was no danger deemed  
Nor no cause why, for in all things that fell  
My work did then approve my wit so well  
That nowhit cared I, what fly did know it,  
Nor yet how far or broad all flies did blow it.   

I have been (ere this day) these many days,  
By mine experience and mother wit,  
Highly in estimation many ways,  
And where I was present, no filie would sit,  
Nor pertly press, to blow or bite one bit  
Till I were set, for where were flesh or fish,  
The choice of both was mine in every dish.   

And I suppose as long as present tense,  
May keep possessed possession peaceably,  
To stand in place and case of reverence,  
Is thing much pleasant, to all flies wellnigh,  
But once in changed, case as now am I,  
The preter tense, presently taking place,  
Then hath the present tense lost all his grace.   

Alas my joyful joy of yesterday,  
How can it cure my careful care present,  
Of pleasure past, remembrance doth alway  
The pinch of present pain, right much augment.  
Then in this present case this consequent,  
Conclewdeth (I say) all pleasure past to be  
Nought else, but vanished vain vanity.   

Thus lithe there now in charge of my repreefe,  
Those things, which I have long time gloried in.  
Which glory past, increaseth present grief,  
And as my worthy wit did worship win,  
So shall show of my folly, never blind  
To bruit defame, report of this distress,  
Shall toss and turn my wit to foolishness.   

As thus, the simplest fly which by my school,  
Is taught (ere this) of cobwebs to beware,  
And seeth his master play so far the fool,  
To be myself now tripped in the same snare,  
Shall by report my folly full declare,  
Which surely shall among all flies survive  
As long as any one fly is alive.   

And though, this fall, I take to be as clean  
Without my fault, as without remedy,  
And parience the medicinable mean,  
To take all faultless falls, reioisinglie.  
And eke where no help, helpeth malady,  
To make a virtue, of necessity,  
Yet those two points, are points to high for me.   

For be I faulty, or be I faultless,  
Sins I, this dreadful danger must endure,  
I am not mortified to bear distress,  
And being clear remediless from cure  
Of all my pains, that putteth most pain in ure,  
From step, to step, stretched on this straining staier,  
No step like that, straineth danger of despair.   

For where as if remedy, any wear,  
Hope (out of hand) should set me there about,  
As hope of help is drowned, so I for bear  
All diligens, that hence might help me out,  
Thus though the caged bird (with stomach stout:  
And voice right sweet) can sing his songꝭ by rote,  
Yet can the fettered fly, so: sing no note,   

Example of myself, whose weeping eiese,  
With sobbing sighing heart, bewaileth my pain,  
Appearing such, by aught I can surmiese,  
As doth (in manner) show my death certain,  
Namely if so the spider now remain  
In this his manshion, set here presently,  
Then dread I doubtless, here, forthwith to die.   

Of such a death as most abhorth us flies,  
Which, flies have felt, and folk have seen to plain,  
Of property the spider hath the gise,  
First to suck out, and so eat up our brain,  
To his small gain: and our most loss and pain,  
Thus hath it been, thus is it, and thus shallbe,  
Till pity may mitigate thextremity.   
 ornament   

¶ The dreadful wonder of the spider at sudden shaking of his copweb. Cap. 3.  
 depiction of spider and fly story  

What time the fly, this to himself had said,  
About the house he cast a doleful look,  
Wherewith (to break away) he made abraide,  
With such a thrust, that all the copweb shook,  
At which the spider start, and straight awoke  
Out of sound sleep, full fast trembling for fear,  
And feintlie spoke (anon) as ye shall hear.   

Alas where am I: alas whence came I?  
Or whither shall I? whatꝭ this an earth quake?  
Or cometh the day of doom now suddenly?  
Nought else (I trow) but that, my house could make  
In every place to shatter and to shake,  
What is this buzzing blumberinge trow we: thunder?  
Hold house, alas my ceiling riveth a sunder,   

No part hath rest, in all parts of this frame,  
From roof to groundsel, within any room.  
Is it the devil? or is it our dame?  
Or is it the page? or is it the groom?  
Or is it our maid with her birthin broom?  
Between the devil, and all these, last and furst,  
The devil take me, if I can choose the worst.   

But ill, worse, and worst, devil, and all together  
Do me assault as it (to me▪ doth seem,  
Hath fortune wrought my foes at this time hither,  
And not so much as warned me to misdeem,  
Now fie on fickle fortune thus extreme,  
And I defy the guard of such a guider,  
Alas (this day) I am but a dead spider.   

These words thus spoken, down anon he sank.  
Kneeling a while, devoutly on his knee,  
And then round on a heap, to ground he shrank  
Like an urchin under an apple tree.  
No fellow, fast in fetters for his fee,  
Nor ape in chain, that ever looked more pale,  
Then look this spider, after this told tale.   

So that these twain, stand now in one estate,  
For in like languor, both be now here led,  
And of their lives, both like desperate,  
For now the spider, is as far in dread,  
And by that dread he is even as near dead,  
As is the fly. Who thinketh he seeth at eye,  
His death approaching him, aparantlie.   
 ornament   

¶ The spider taking comfort, entereth in quarrel with the fly. Cap. 4.  
 depiction of spider and fly story  

Howbeit anon, the spider well espied  
That enemies were there none save only one:  
And him he saw so safe, and surely tied,  
That up he stood to stretch him, and anon  
(His former fear from him now being gone)  
To the top of his copweb, he stepped boldly,  
And in these words: began to common coldly.   

Who are you that lithe there? speak if ye can?  
Forsooth (said then the fly) sir it is I,  
I, be you I (quoth he) I pray you than  
What I be you? tell me that by and by.  
What I am I? forsooth sir a poor fly:  
What thou false thief, art thou here quoth the spider  
Thou shalt feel cause, to wish thou hadst gone wider.   

And therewithal full furiously he flung  
Toward the fly, but what time he espied him,  
Oh lord how his feat feet and hands he wrang,  
Beseeching his great god, that day to guide him,  
And from his mortal enemy to divide him:  
With out whose aid, from which his foe: to flit,  
He saw it past a flies poor power and wit.   

And his dreadful despair, was much the more  
To see how speedily the spider span,  
All round about his house each side to shore,  
No weaving workman in this world that can  
weave that like web of that like stuff woven than,  
In each weak place is woven a weaving cast,  
By ward, in ward, to ward the fly more fast.   

Which done, these woordis the spider sewrely said,  
Thou ancient enemy and arrant thief.  
Whose lineage alway hath showed banner splayed  
Against my parentage to their great grief,  
And now thyself renewing their mischief  
With malice of thine own in ure to put,  
Art stolen in to my house, my throat to cut.   

And never had my house, and household harm  
By any fly, so much as now by thee,  
I shrew thy naked heart, I was full warm  
Naked a bed, a sleep so mo●e I thee,  
There as my wife: and all my children be,  
Where god knoweth what they do, or how they do,  
By fear which thou at this time bringest them to.   
 ornament   

¶ The spider starting into his house to comfort his household, the fly deviseth what way to escape the danger of the spider. Cap. 5.  
 depiction of spider and fly story  

ANd with these words aside the spider start,  
Where his said bedfellow and offspring were.  
Saying these words: now good mine own sweet heart  
And my two babes be ye all of good there,  
The present cause of all your present fere  
Is past, I have the caiteffe fast in snare,  
That was the cause of all your fearful care.   

What whoreson is it husband, (quoth he) wife  
A flesh fly as big as a humble be,  
That shall (if I live) surely lose his life.  
The youngest spider there, at this cried he,  
Oh, father father I hertelie pray ye  
Remember when ye shall return again,  
To bring me some part of that flesh flies brain.   

How say ye to this babe (quoth the mother)  
Will ye here this urchin of eight weeks old,  
It is a babbling brat above all ●ther,  
Ye (quoth the father) child hardly be bold.  
Thorns prick young, that shallbe sharp folk have told,  
Which showeth in thee, in that thou art inclined  
To crave (thus young) according to thy kind.   

And while the spider dallied in this wise,  
The fly (considering this extremity)  
Did with himself, advisedly devise,  
To scape with life, what might his best mean be,  
Softly, as I might here, saying, I see  
Like as much contension can nought prevail,  
So: to much cowardice might all quail.   

Between these two, cowardice and contension,  
The spider's ire the rather to assuage,  
I temprately must temper mine invension,  
To plead my right in reason not in rage,  
And since my body lieth in jail forgage,  
My jailer fair and gently to beseech,  
That is (in flies) no flattery but fair speech.   

From desperate fear: hope maketh me now suppose,  
If I may obtain hearing reasonably,  
I neither life nor liberty shall lose,  
But be let louse from bondage by and by,  
And hereupon the spider suddenly  
From where he was, returned back again,  
And straight to gripe the fly began to strain,   
 ornament   

¶ The spider being returned to the fly, after a few words between them had, the fly sewth to the spider to be herd speak which he granteth. Cap. 6.  
 depiction of spider and fly story  

THe fly (to him) lift up both heart and hands,  
And in most mild behaviour humblelie  
Said: sir, sins I am bound here in your bands,  
Under commandment thus assuredly,  
What brute might breed to you more infamy  
Than here (in hucker mucker) me to murder,  
The cause wherefore I die, published no further.   

Fly: (quoth the spider) I dare say: the cause  
Is open enough, for a thousand mark  
Will not repair that, which against all lause  
Thou hast here broken: behold thine own work,  
Wherein to answer all: that at me bark,  
To whom thy doleful death shallbe apparent,  
To them thy devilish deed shallbe my warrant.   

Sir (said the fly) if it in deed so be  
That this my deed, apparently appear,  
So far my fault, that it may warrant ye,  
To give me death therefore with consciens clear,  
Then as my body is in prison here,  
So with my body yield my will, will I,  
Unto your will, at will to live or die.   

But sir, before we shallbe so far forth,  
I you beseech right humbly as I may,  
Allow my sewte, for such: and so much worth,  
To win your grant (ere I be cast away)  
To here, what I can in this matter say,  
So thou with speed show what thou hast to break,  
I (quoth the spider) grant to here the speak.   

I thank you humbly (quoth the fly) but sur  
Of a goose with garlic sauste: so late I eete,  
That my breath stinketh, and sins I may not stur  
From you, for you I think it very meet,  
To step from me: a loof: to air more sweet,  
The spider stepping back a little way,  
The fly therewith (somewhat lightened) did say.   
 ornament   

¶ The oration of the fly to the spider, commending justice, and just justicers, requiring to have his cause herd thoroughly and adjudged justly. Cap. 7.  
 depiction of spider and fly story  

Master spider, note (I beseech you) this,  
Ye know right well, the virtue of justice,  
In every creature here living, is,  
Both in you spiders, and eke in us flise,  
And in every other wight being wise,  
The thing: which is generally pretended,  
And where it is in deed, highly commended:   

And where that virtue, lacketh in any wight,  
All other virtues, there do bid adieu,  
What virtue can (in place) take place of right,  
In such as to show Justice, do eschew:  
Who lacketh justice, he can not be true:  
And who in judging all things, justly judgeth,  
To choost that judge his judge, no wise wight grudgeth.   

Great lettis wherein are four, love, hate, meed, and dread,  
In all which judgements given, adiudgeing geines,  
Love, judgth the loved, more, than justice showeth decreed.  
Hate, judgth the hated, less, than justice constreines:  
meed, judgth the meeder, more, than justice conteinse.  
Dred, in dread of the dreddid, the dredder drives  
To judge, more or less, as the dreddid contrives.   

And tavoyde parshall judgement between partise,  
Though th'one party for judge, I wish none of them,  
Yet change of mind or matter, doth oft so rise,  
That the judge, is judge, and party one of them,  
As you seem judge here, being the tone of them,  
Self love in which judge, he tother partly hating,  
May judge much judgement, of much unjust rating:   

Ye though the judge, hate tother party no deal,  
That self judge, himself, loving more than enough,  
Less right then enough, tother partly may soon feel,  
Self love, to himself tender, to the rest tough,  
Is, of just justice, neither root, branch, nor bough.  
Love (namely self love) corruptibly growing,  
Is chief lodester of letis, in justice showing.   

For though corrupt love, and hate: contrarise mere,  
Work one like wrong, both in one like degree linked,  
Yet that love, worse than that hate: Jadiudge here,  
It is more hard, love to ourselves to extinct,  
Then hate to other, to pluck from tharts presinkt,  
Thus, of justice no let leadeth intruption,  
Like this love (named self love) grown of corruption.   

But to the point, judges that justice use,  
In all, between themselves and all the reff,  
To claim or hold, by will who doth refuse,  
Things, whereof they would be, or be possessed,  
And even as justice, justly hath adresf,  
Both give and take the dew extended rate,  
Those are (for judgement) worthy moste esfate.   

sins justice that sweet flower full fair doth grow,  
In persons such as of most base sort be,  
That flower more fair and sweet must needily show  
In those that stand, above the mean degree,  
Being thereto knit unto autcoritee,  
As more or less, who may command at will,  
So more or less, he may do good or ill.   

And in our case, were just justice clean reject,  
What injuries might thereby here arise.  
Offlies' facts, if spiders wills weighed, th'effect  
Right soon, might wilful will, without justice,  
Draw unto death, a hundredth thousand flise,  
Which: will may do (if will shall knit the knot)  
Whether that we flies, offend or offend not.   

Howbeit I hope ye will do justice, such  
As may with this just justice join justly,  
In mine account your wisdom is to much,  
To blot or blur your fame, for any fly,  
Whereby I stand in trust assuredly,  
Just judgement in this matter, now to have,  
And other thing then that, I do none crave.   

Save that this case, may be first fully hard:  
And fully perceived, by reasoning likewise,  
Which done, as equytee, best afterward  
Shall you advise, my judgement to devise,  
Without further appeal in enterprise,  
I shall (as I say) other to live or die,  
Into your hands, yield me contentedly,   
 ornament   

¶ The spider granteth the fly both to here and adjudge this case, as may most agreeably stand with Reason, Law, Custom, and Conscience. Cap. 8.  
 depiction of spider and fly story  

Fly (quoth the spider) I espy right well,  
Thy brain is much, which I right much set by,  
By which thy present sewte, the truth to tell,  
Thou showest here wittily and honestly,  
Request wherein, showeth such conveniensy,  
Full hearing and reasoning, to win me to:  
That reason bidth me grant, and so I do.   

And for the rest, behold me now (quoth he)  
Wherewith, his feet to his mouth he tossis,  
Saying these woordis, now fly here unto the  
I swear a solemn oath, by all these crossis,  
Thou shalt have justice, though I sustain lossis,  
As reasonably may stand, for thy defence,  
In reason, law, custom, and conscience.   

In cumpas of which four principles towcht,  
All debates, discoursed, and discussed should be,  
Reason, to perceive, man's great ground is vowcht:  
Law, on reason: must take ground to agree:  
Custom, standeth (or should) on reason's decree:  
Conscience, with reason concurth: to withdraw  
Thextremitees of custom, and of law.   

Upon these four (each one) one corner post,  
The stinting of debate, taketh standing stay,  
Whereon this building, shallbe so enboste,  
That as I swore, again I swear I say,  
Without coruption on my part, this day,  
Thou shalt be used herein, at my hand,  
As most with reason, and this rest may stand,    

¶ They stand both in hope to convince each other by just cause, the fly praying the spider's pardon, of such rude speech and all behaviour, as he may chance to over shoot himself in, the which the spider doth grant. Cap. 9  
 depiction of spider and fly story  

THere never was Friar limiter, that ducked  
So low, where begging won him twenty theeses,  
As is the fly now to the spider ruckte,  
He maketh him sewer to win, who ever leeses,  
And here with all (by chance) the spider sneezes,  
Now (quoth the fly) chance I to win or lose.  
Christ help, and long in health well moat ye sneeses.   

The spider herefore, gave the fly such thank,  
As hath in usage, course of courtesy,  
But note these twain, so lately so like blank  
And both now, in like mirth immediately,  
Me thought, that chanced very pretyly,  
The fly thinketh, reason shall sure make his way,  
The spider, thinketh in reason, surely nay.   

Sir (quoth the fly) I must you here beseethe,  
To ratify your pardon my protection  
In my behaviour, namely in such speech  
As may (by rudeness) rightly crave correction,  
If I shall lark your aid, to this election,  
Then may my reasoning, for my libertee,  
Leese my liberty, and win my ieoberdee,   

This is included (fly) in my sworn oath,  
By which jerst have promysde the justice,  
Such speech as in thy case directly goeth,  
So that thou rail not, to far out of size,  
For which thou seemest a fly, as far to wise,  
Spare not to speak thy mind: and unto me  
(So said) say what thou wilt: I pardon the.   

That pardon I receive, with hearty heart,  
And heartily thank your granting of the same,  
The shalt now of this nut, shelled clear apart,  
The cracking of this nut: to put in frame,  
For winning of the carnill of this game,  
To your pardon had, your patience praying,  
To here for further searching, further saying,   

Here stood they both, a while in silent stay:  
The fly devising warily what to speak:  
The spider likewise, warily watched at bay,  
What great words, out of his mouth, small and weak,  
Of challenge or defence, should there then break,  
Wherewith at courtesy, low and reverent,  
From circumstance, to substance, the fly went,   
 ornament   

¶ They enter into the principal argument, the fly supposing no lawful proof by witness of any ill there against him: the spider allegeth the contrary, the fly (upon occasion) requiring to be bailed under surety, the spider denieth it. Cap. 10.  
 depiction of spider and fly story  

Master spider, the pith now to advance:  
I pray you declare plainly (quoth the fly,  
How can (by law) in reason this mischance  
Support in you: to keep me cruelly,  
To lie in prison, here thus piteously,  
And with your fetters fettring me thus fast,  
No lawful proof of cause, by witness past.   

No lawful proof (quoth he) fly sayst thou so?  
What proof can reason show in law more clear,  
Then sight of him that one inch can not go,  
From present place: where plainly doth appear,  
Such an act done: as thou hast now done here.  
I think the falsest fly, of all thy kin,  
Would judge for heinous, thy thus breaking in.   

But put the case, that I atached you,  
In this my lordship, fast in jail to sit,  
But as suspect, no act approved now,  
Yet might I keep ye fast, lest ye might fly,  
Till ye were found guilty, or else a quit,  
Except this case run right, the law runth wrong,  
For this is law, and law it hath been long.   

Keep (quoth the fly) I pray you in suspense,  
The first aleged ease: of these last twain,  
Till in this last, law ley experience,  
Whereby it may apeere, ye may detain,  
A fly: suspect of crime, not proved plain,  
But under surety, out of common jail,  
The prisoner shall at suit, be let to bail,   

Let flies to bail: friend fly (quoth the spider)  
Nay by my father's soul, that will not be,  
Except he here, willbe such a byder,  
That he will sit fast by the feet for thee.  
And take thy turn: him will I take surety,  
Nay (quoth the fly) that trieth a friend to much,  
I have good friends, but sure I have none such,   

To bind a fly herein, body for body,  
Were bond sufficient: for a thing thus sleight.  
Well (quoth) the spider, fly call thou me noddy,  
Except I prove this a thing of much weight,  
But thou alluredst me in way of reseight,  
Of one fly here, now fastened fast in jail,  
To go lay salt on another flies tail,   
 ornament   

¶ The spider chargeth the fly, first with burglary, which the fly answereth unto: than the spider chargeth him with single felony, which the fly reasoneth unto. Cap. 11.  
 depiction of spider and fly story  

THis reason driveth us now (quoth the fly)  
Straight to your reason, before suspensed,  
Wherein mine act, apeering evidently  
So huge, and heinous offence commenced,  
As by that reason, it is precensed.  
Then law and reason both, will that I fail,  
Oflight surety, to borrow me to bail.   

But in mine act apparently committed,  
Although the deed, I nowhit do deny,  
Yet how can law, by any wight well witted,  
Lay in my fault, offensive fáct thereby.  
Fly (quoth the spider) that can (and will) I,  
And thy reproach, to brooch forthwith at large,  
I lay (in law) burglary to thy charge.   

That charge is soon discharged, sir said he,  
The breach of houses, in the time of night,  
showeth evidence where those offenders be.  
But not only: the son doth shine full bright,  
Ere flies a morningꝭ, come abroad in sight,  
But also at eve, ere the son be set,  
Each fly to his lodging, again will g●●,   

By this, this breath, can be no burglary,  
And ere I now came here, all men might see  
The son apeering universally,  
Though it (at thy coming) were day with thee,  
Yet was it night (quoth the spider) with me,  
I was a sleep, and no day yet had seen  
These two long hours, had not this mischance been.   

Sir (quoth the fly) admit that ye now were  
A sleep, till that the son were six hours high,  
Could any reason, show reason to bear,  
You to affirm, or firmly verify,  
The day for night, till time ye day espy,  
So were it a thing, easy to be done,  
With a wink, to make it midnight at noon.   

Why fly, at noon: midnight is it with me,  
If I at noon be a sleep: ye (quoththe fly)  
But if ye against one noon sleeper shall see,  
Ten thousand noon wakers, night from noon to try,  
Ye shall poorly prove, this night noon burglary,  
And slept ye till noon: yet in course of the sun,  
Ye are not ignorant, how the day doth run.   

Well said (said the spider) and put the case,  
That I in this case, yield thee the mastery,  
Yet shall this other case (I trow) take please,  
I here arrest thee fly, of felony,  
Which cause of arrest thou canst not deny,  
For breaking in here thus, and never knock,  
As good or better, were to pick the lock.   

I broke into this house now (quoth the fly,  
Like as a thief doth break into newgate,  
Saving that the thief, doth most commonly  
Pretend at his entry there, more estate,  
For break a thief in there: early or late,  
He hath as many leaders as a bride,  
With weyters, attendant on every side.   

And yet no thief is there of all the rout,  
That into that house breakth so willingly,  
But he would rather go ten mile about,  
To shun this vanities of vain glory,  
Then be reseived so honourably.  
Acounting his life: no day the shorter,  
In taking pain to be his own porter.   

And as the thief, full far against his will.  
Doth break in there, so broke I now in here,  
For thief or fly, what one hath wit so ill,  
To press to rob where he hath knowledge clear,  
By robbery: to steal aught, nought can apeere,  
Nor no commodity there consequent,  
But death, or perpetual prisonment.   
 ornament   

¶ The spider (in a manner) granteth, that the fly came into the copweb against the flies own will, which the spider so granteth, for such policy forthwith appearing: as seemeth to weigh sore against the fly. Cap. 12.  
 depiction of spider and fly story  

So moat I thee good fellow fly (said he)  
That allegation reacheth here, so sir and near,  
That in appearance, it concludeth me,  
For glad or willingly, who would come where  
As he should clearly know, his coming were  
An evident and undoubted induction,  
To his infallible fall of destruction,   

Whereby it seemeth, I can no way avoid  
Thy coming here, to be against thy will,  
But now the fly, so far is over joyed,  
That by no manner mean, he can sit still,  
He stretched, and fet a hem right sharp and shrill,  
Whereat the spider, smirk, and smothlie smiled,  
To see the silly fly, so far beguiled,   

And yet showed he, semblance of falsity,  
So as it might apeere, that he did smile  
(For joy) upon the flies behalf, that he  
So wittily wound out of this exile,  
Which set the fly, in glory for the while,  
In sight whereof: the spider's pleasure had,  
From laughing look, to lowering look full sad.   

These woordis he sourly said, though I now yield,  
Granting that thou camest here unwillingly,  
Yet shall the fly (at one stroke) lose the field,  
In all the rest hereof immediately.  
Even with the same weapon, thou wanst this by,  
As thus, by the danger that flies here find,  
Thou provest to come hither against thy mind.   

This well excuseth thy coming hither,  
But (quoth the spider) for thy going hence,  
When we have scanned these woordis together,  
Thy reason is hardly worth forty pence.  
It is a perfect proof in evidence,  
For my part, and encludeth brief conclusion,  
Of condemnation, to thy confusion.   

For though thy coming, were against thy will,  
What hope to help thee hence: doth that imply,  
Sins death here had: or imprisonment still,  
Is all thy proof, thy so coming to try,  
Now (quoth the spider) speak out good man fly,  
This verdict thus given by your own consent,  
Who can blame me, thereon to give judgement.   
 ornament   

¶ The fly herewith is abashed, but a none he gathereth himself to a stay showing a reason, that maketh a manifest show clearly to overthrow the spiders for esaide policy. Cap. 13.  
 depiction of spider and fly story  

THe fly at this, ●et such a piercing sigh,  
As made the heart in his poor carcase quake,  
And clapped his hand, so hard upon his thigh,  
That of that copweb, every part did shake,  
And time it was for him, now to awake,  
Such a choking check, to a fly in cloister,  
A mean wit may deem, it was a choking oyster.   

The spider yielding to the flies fore saying,  
Was a cast beyond the flies expectation▪  
Whereon the fly spring the spiders invaiing,  
Thus far against the fly, in aprobation,  
He seemed to take great discontentation,  
With himself, to see his own woordis give state,  
To the spider, to give him this blind matr.   

Howbeit anon, stay in himself he took,  
saying these words, both with good heart and wit,  
Good master spider, if ye rightly look,  
In all yet past, all knottꝭ between us knit,  
judgement with justice: shall fear me nowhit  
Fly (quoth the spider) tell me that tale soon,  
We have well begun, but nothing nigh done.   

And yet even now: for all thy bragging b●st,  
Ta●ounte this case, if we now condescend,  
The pa●ment of thaccount willbe thy cost,  
For though thou burglary do here defend,  
And felony, that doth hereon depend,  
Yet of my purpose, thine own confession  
Hath peaceably, put me in possession.   

What though thou didst unwillingly this deed,  
Yet thyself confessing as thou dost here,  
Death or deadly prisonment to proseede,  
What helpeth I say, thy proof to stand clear,  
Sins not with standing though that proof apeere,  
Thyself hast confessed here thyself to be,  
Dead, or dead prisoner, at least: with me.   

In deed sir (said the fly) even as ye say,  
Except my woordis for my now hither coming,  
May have expoci●ion sum other way,  
Than it seemeth they shall have, after your suming,  
Better for me were to exercise mumming,  
Then that my speech should show me such an el●e,  
To make mine own words condemn mine own self.   

But sins my reason, joined with your consent,  
Approveth my cummige here against my will,  
By foreknown death (I say) or prisonment,  
Then is my reason, to the point not ill,  
For as ye have granted, and must grant still,  
Discharge me (at full) it doth and must do,  
Of burglary, and felony, both two.   

And thus this one reason of mine (ye see)  
Answereth all your reasons (save one) whereby,  
Ye lay to me, that I acknowledge me  
(In manner) by agreement here to die,  
Or till I die, here in prison to lie,  
But once mine answer to those woordis spoken,  
If justice hold, this prison is broken.   

For though I acknowledge to know before,  
Such danger, as witnesseth my confession,  
Yet lieth the right or the wrong, still in store,  
The which must try, whether your possession,  
Of me here be lawful, or oppression,  
But have I known parels here, never so long,  
Doth that knowledge prove you to do no wrong.   

If that were true, every thief might say,  
In place where as robberies accustomed were,  
That he might by custom rob there always,  
Be cause custom avouchth that thieves rob there,  
I see this example offendeth your ere,  
And so it may: for it proveth by proof clear,  
That I am imprisoned wrongfully here.   
 ornament   

¶ The spider checketh the fly, for his comparing above the spider in knowledge of law and custom, which the fly maintaineth by one reason commonly reported: Whereupon the spider perceiving the policy, for which he seemed to grant the fly to come against his will, taketh little or no place, that much weaking his part, he driveth the fly to draw back that grant. Cap. 14.  
 depiction of spider and fly story  

THis is a good brag, ●●ie (quoth the spider,  
To set in the fore frunt of thy battle,  
And a meet reason, for an out rider,  
That would by facing, his enemies expel,  
And be ye sure it doth wondrously well,  
To see a fly, think himself presumptuously,  
Better seen: in law and in custom: then I.   

For soothe (quoth the fly) no displeasure taken,  
My learning of reason, aught to pass yours,  
In westminster hall, I am not forsaken,  
But may be a ●ermer all ●ymes and hours,  
And that in appearance, passeth your powers,  
For as common report, may be a proof,  
There never cometh copweb, in that hall roof.   

The buzzing being in westminster hall  
Of a flesh ●●ie, every man may forbear  
As well as my presence. And sure I shall  
Prove it as hard, for thee to get out here,  
As thou wouldst prous for me to get in there:  
And ere we depart, I shall turn that journey,  
From personal aparence to attorney.   

And which of our learnings also is best,  
Shall come to trial when we come to end,  
And my replication as yet shall rest,  
Unto your answer, by which ye pretend  
To prove me: by extortion to offend,  
Wherein in effect, ye say that I lay,  
No reason of right, your body to stay,   

In which, what matter I have to allege,  
By reason, conciens, custom and law,  
Not only to keep you here as in pledge,  
But also your body to death to draw,  
That corsie would curstly your stomach gnaw.  
How be it for an ease to your panting heart,  
I shall (for a season) set that apart.   

And partly peruse, by way of retret,  
Sum part of this matter granted before.  
Nay sir (quoth the ●lie) that were but a let,  
Let us here retret, or repeat no more,  
Till time that judgement do try our hole store.  
By gis fly, thou speakest like a fool (quoth he)  
The sooner we take end, the worse for the.   

But I perceive thou wouldst pass over this,  
Thereby to win, all between us yet passed,  
Wherein I grant thine advantage grown is,  
By mean of my granting, in over much haste  
That thou arthere against thy will now placed,  
Which grant I granted, to make thine own grounds  
Prove thee, in prison here rightfully bound.   

And yet my words in this grant thoroughly weighed,  
Weigh not this absolutely granted to be.  
To thy words for coming against thy will laid,  
I said they (in appearance) concluded me.  
And that as it seemed I must grant it to thee,  
Which words import not full power to be able,  
To bind this thus granted, irevocable.   

But sins thou hast found this ●eate s●ertyng holes,  
To hide thy head in, thus promptly provided,  
I will yet once again, quicken this coal,  
Whether will or not will, the hither guided.  
Why sir (quoth the fly) then am I derided.  
Not a whit (quoth the spider) be content,  
And old tale, misreckning is no payment.   

And if thou think it an hindrance to thee,  
This part of process to call back again,  
When thou canst take like advantage of me,  
I graun● thee, like liberty to obtain.  
Agreed (quoth the fly) for when he saw plain●,  
The spider, thus bend determinately,  
●e thought it ●oly him to contrary.   
 ornament   

¶ They reason a fresh, to try whether the fly came into the spider's cop web against his will or not. Cap. 15.  
 depiction of spider and fly story  

Fly (quoth the spider) go we to the pith,  
Thou sayst thou camest hither against thy will.  
And thy only reason to prove it with,  
Is, fore knowledge of death, or this as ill,  
Perpetual prisoner, here to lie still.  
Concluding as no wight were so unwise,  
Willingly to come, where known parels arise.   

Contrary whereof is seen every day,  
In seeing daily that thieves every th'one,  
Committing robries in any high way,  
Do know assuredly twenty to one,  
If they be had, they shall hang therupone,  
And yet if they totter twenty together,  
Still do thieves rob there, now who leadth them thither.   

That do themselves (quoth the fly) and cause why,  
Each thief thinketh to scape thence, as hath scaped more.  
Think they so (said he) then why may not I  
Think, that thou thoughtst likewise from hence to go.  
Nay sir (quoth the fly) I could not think so,  
Never was there fly in this net, thus masked,  
That ever scaped, as far as I have asked.   

Well fly (qoth he) if thou this part wilt save,  
Answer well these questions that follow here.  
Hast thou had free will: as other flies have?  
Ye sir. Is not (quoth he) thine eye sight clear?  
Yes sir. Did ever frenzy in the apeere?  
Nay sir. Be thy wings good and each other limb?  
Ye sir. And all thy body lusty and trim?   

Ye sir. Then (quoth the spider) it should seem  
Thou art thine own leader? Ye (quoth the fly)  
Did any wight (quoth he) use means extreme  
To bring thee? None that I can verify.  
Did I send for thee? Nay sir verily.  
And yet thou art here, art thou not quo●th he?  
Yes sir. Against my will, I assure ye.   

Well then (quoth the spider) thou grauntst to have had  
Free will, and that thou hast good sight of eye,  
Lusty limbs to lead thee, and never wast mad,  
Compelled to cum, as who say forsyblye,  
Or to be sent for, thyself dost deny,  
And yet thorough facing, thou feignest here,  
To come now hither, against thy will clear.   

Which false demeanour, consider who will,  
Doth well approve the a crafty kind thief.  
Lying and stealeng, will together still.  
Oh (quoth the fly) this augmenteth my grief,  
Thus to be charged, with desertless repreefe,  
I am a true fly, sure I can no false knackꝭ,  
Alas master spider ye be to capackꝭ.   

As by this example may well be tried,  
Put case free will, and your limbs led you now,  
To pass sum narrow bridge by sum high ways side,  
And in that passage, should chance (god save you)  
To slip into the ditch, and break your brow,  
Or else (in a good hour be it spoken)  
Ye were in peril your neck to be broken.   

And that while ye were in that ditch scralling,  
And scratting in the mire to save your life,  
The lord of that soil, would in that falling  
Attach you of theft, and then would be rife  
To charge you, as ye charge me, in this strife,  
Against your will, ye were not thither brought,  
But your will itself: brought yourself unsought.   

How would ye answer this sir (quoth the fly)  
I would (quoth the spider) say that my will  
Led me not to fall in, but to pass by,  
What if that saying liked him so ill,  
That he would say, he might call ye thief still,  
In that for your passing, under or over,  
Ye were of your will, let in neither nother.   

Then were I driven (quoth the spider) to move,  
Sum part of the difrens between these three,  
Will, power, and chance, wherein I might soon prove,  
That although my will be never so free,  
Yet in active things, will can not bring me,  
To accomplish those acts, for power or chance,  
Must join with will, ere outward act avaunse.   

For would I never so willingly will,  
To wear pole's steeple for a turkey hat,  
Yet sins I might in deed, eat a horse mill,  
As soon as have power, so to prank with that,  
That will were as wise, as will of a wat,  
My will: may will freely, this to obtain.  
But will above power, thus wild, is in vain.   

Will without power, as in things actual.  
Can work nought, and where power and will both be,  
Chance doth right oft, both power and will appall,  
Above power and against will, oft we see,  
That contrary to powers and wills decree,  
Chance chanceth so, as when by power and will  
We are priest forth, chance charmith us to stand still.   

example hereof, let us here now make.  
By the said bridge and ditch, that you erst laid,  
At which though power and will, would untertake  
To bring me over, chance might see me steyde,  
And both from power and will, so far conveyed,  
In going over that bridge, that chances trip,  
Might pop me in to that ditch: even at a whip.   
 ornament   

¶ They continue in pursuit of trial, whether the fly came thither willingly or unwillingly, so far, that the fly (at length) offereth ●o take a book oath, that he came against his wil C. 16.  
 depiction of spider and fly story  

THis is unanswearable (quoth the fli●)  
And a reason for my part worth a pike,  
As chance against will might make you there lie,  
Why might not chance even aswell in case like  
Ley me in this copweb, as you in that dyke.  
Fly (quoth the spider) thou art not asked  
Whether chance so might, but whether chance so did,   

What (quoth the fly) if this man did purpose.  
That question to you, I could (quoth he) well  
Make apparent proof, on my part disclose,  
That into that ditch, chance did me compel.  
For nought is there to steal, but apparel,  
And all men know I nought desire nor need  
Those staring garmentis of mire and green weed.   

In faith (quoth the ●●ie) and I love as ●ll  
To be in these russetꝭ at whitsuntide,  
I wear your grey garment with as ill will  
As ye would the green, at the ditches side,  
Wherefore this reason is as well aplyde,  
For my delivery out of this place,  
As for yours (god sau● you) were ye in case.   

Ye (quoth the spider) but our two cases  
Be as unlike, as our grey and our green,  
ditches be common and open places.  
Wherein to spiders, and all folk is seen,  
That neither now is, nor never hath been,  
For spiders in ditches, aught to desire,  
By stealth, gift, borrowing, buying or hire.   

But what commodity here is for thee.  
That is to thee: and to all the world hidden,  
This house is to close thou seest, in to see,  
And also all flies that herein have slidden,  
They have (as thou sayst) so long here abidden,  
That by return of any messengere,  
Tydyngis from hens (I know) thou couldst none here.   

Wherefore although thou find nought here in deed,  
Yet I think thou thoughtst sure, to have found better,  
Sir though ye think, I thought better to speed.  
Shall thinking lead you, without word or letter,  
To cast me away thus, the proof no greater,  
Remember (quoth he) and began to tremble,  
The peril of your soul, if ye dissemble.   

For by the way that my soul shall goto,  
I came hither against my will unfeigned,  
Which clearly declareth, I thought to do  
No robbery here, but fain would have refrained,  
Any part of this house, to have constrained,  
Which to be true (quoth the fly) if ye look  
To have me sworn, I will swear on a book.   
 ornament   

¶ The spider not admitting the fly to his oath, the fly bringth in the strength of the affirmative for his part: against the negative on the spider's side. Whereunto adjoined his other reasons laid in discharge of charge past, he hopeth according to justice promised, to be straight discharged. Cap. 17.  
 depiction of spider and fly story  

Why hast thou (quoth he) thou unhappy hooks,  
No conscience to be a peri●rde wretch,  
That oath (quoth he) by the way that god took,  
Should: of my conscience neither make bretch●.  
Nor yet any part of my conscience stretch.  
Well (quoth the spider) yet would I be loath,  
In this case, to trust a fly by an oath.   

Sir mine affirmaunce in thaffirmative,  
In law and reason, is much more credible  
Than your denial, in the negative,  
Your nay, to my you, must needs be fallible.  
And in case present, it is impossible,  
To approve your part, for how can it be,  
That you, the secretis of my breast can see.   

It is as certain, that you know them not,  
As it is certain they are known to me.  
Then: if I swear that chance me hither got,  
Against my will, were it reason if ye,  
Swore the contrary, believed should be,  
As well as myself, when truth can apeere,  
To none but myself, as apeereth clear,   

I make myself sewer, yourself thinketh not so:  
Which considered, let us now consider,  
Sum part of this past, ere we further go,  
Wherein proof proveth my coming hither  
To be against my will, all together.  
Which sqwyre shall sqware me, a scantlin well bend,  
For a right rule, to show me innocent.   

And in the ears, of all that aught can skill,  
Shall discharge me, in all that hath been lay●e.  
Or ●an be laid, coming against my will,  
How can burglary, against me be weighed.  
And in this felony, what can be said.  
Thanky●g my truth. I may here truly say,  
This wisp, hath wiped all this work away.   

That wisp of yours (quoth the spider) showth uva 〈…〉  
Of cleanly s●owring, when all cometh together,  
Proof of your tale, I take it very srant,  
To make me take your present ●ummyng hither  
To be against your will, for how or whither,  
Could ye thus ●um, but ye might soon deny,  
To come with will, as long as ye can lie.   

Though I can lie, that is yet no trial  
That I have lied, in which sir (quoth the ●●ie)  
Only except sliffe or s●erne denial,  
Ye can allege no reason to bide buy,  
Wherein I have allegde aprobately  
Your nay, against myye, can in this case,  
By no reasonable mean, rightly take place.   

Now sins this part, we have not only brought,  
To ye, and nay, and that mine affirmaunce  
Hath fully brought, your negative to nought,  
So that the same by grounded sure substance,  
Dischargeth (in effect) this charged chance,  
Perfoormed promise of justice I ●rist,  
Shall from this court, now see me straight dismiss▪    

¶ The spider upon a case in law touching thaffirmative, taketh hold to detain the fly still in possession: but yet under promise of justice before promised. Cap. 18.  
 depiction of spider and fly story  

Would ye trudge in post hast fly, nay not so.  
Ye may report in me small courtesy,  
Except I make ye drink once ere ye go,  
I thank you (quoth the fly) but verily,  
I will not drink, for I am now not dry.  
Though ye will not tarry to drink (quoth he)  
Yet must ye tarry of necessity,   

Put case your allegasions match with mine,  
And further set your you, above my nay,  
Yet will I not permute nor yet resine.  
Possession of your body here this day,  
For your affirmative which ye do lay,  
Against my negative, for without witness,  
Thaffirmative doth no ty●●e dispossess.   

Thus: though possession fully not suffice  
To be a bar, against your affirmatives,  
Yet bryngth possession clause of warantise,  
By which, I here may keep you in these gives,  
(You lacking witness) sum part of our lives,  
But (quoth the spider) truth, truly to tell,  
Thou hast (for a fly) said exceeding well.   

Concerning coming here against thy will,  
Whereon (as yet) our matter all doth stay,  
Both parts apeere, of so pure perfect skill,  
That we have brought each other, to the bay.  
I thee to ye, and thou me to nay,  
And as in law: thy you, seemth to seem greater,  
Then doth my nay, which showth thy part the better.   

For that ye, once: by witness well approved,  
That thou against thy will dost here apere,  
Then hast thou won the whole (as yet) here moved,  
Aproving thyself clearly to stand clear  
Of burglary and felony laid here.  
For by what mean, can any wight make proof,  
That any wight without will is a thief.   

But for asmuch, as that point is not yet  
lawfully proved, I intend to keep  
The in possession, a while here to sit,  
Till we this matter weigh, sum what more deep,  
Nay fear not fly, thou art unwise to weep,  
For I will not all only not destroy thee,  
(Vnrightfully) but further: not annoy thee.   

Nor of or on, give judgement any way.  
Till time thyself (if thou reasonable Bee)  
Shalt see, that I may justly do and say,  
By justice erst promised unto thee,  
All that shallbe said, or done here by me.  
Which justice shall prove me so just a judge,  
That thou nor no fly, shall have cause to grudge.   
 ornament   

¶ The spider, seeing that he can not take full hold of the flse in case of burglary, nor felony: he chargeth him now with trespass, to which the fly reasoneth: Cap. 19  
 depiction of spider and fly story  

HEreunto for entry toward an end,  
Admit for time, thou camest against thy mind,  
Declaring thy defence, well to defend  
Burglary and felony, of each kind,  
Yet thou nor no fly, is so beetle blind,  
But thou and they, apparently may see,  
That at the least, thou hast trespassed me.   

I say and thou dost see, a thousand mark,  
Framthe not this frame, as it framed ere this fill,  
Were it then meet, in such a peer of work,  
I cry you mercy I thought you none ill,  
Or else, I came hither against my will,  
Should be full restitution for the act,  
Without a more amends made in compact,   

In case it is, and in case it is not,  
As by example (quoth the fly) put case  
That in sum high way, it should be my lot  
To drive a cart, in sum one such a please,  
As from that ways side, within little spase,  
There were standing a house on a fair green,  
And I perceiving that way much more clean   

Than the high way, straight to that way I coast,  
And as I drive, the said house to pass buy,  
My cart wheel catchth hold of the corner post  
Against my will. and by violency,  
Asunder crusheth it, to which haply  
The rest of that house, is so bend and bound,  
That in default thereof, all falleth to the ground,   

In this case: master spider (quoth the fly)  
Chance the chance by day, or chance it by night.  
And chance it never so unwillingly,  
Yet law and lawful reason, showth it right,  
That recompense punish mine oversight,  
Law maintainth no man, with or against will,  
To do an act so, to any man's ill.   

But now put case, that within this high way,  
This house were set, where as my cart should go,  
Which did so crush the same, that there it lay,  
For houses in high ways encroaching so,  
Cast I down one house, or a thousand more,  
There am I bound by reason nor by law,  
To recompense, the value of a straw.   

Weyth not the law (fly) these cases for such,  
As both in the tone case, and in the t'other,  
The owner's hurt to be fully as much  
In one of these cases, as in an other,  
His hurt is (quoth the fly) in th'one and tother,  
Hurtful a like, for be he lief or loath,  
Down cometh his house, in either case of both.   

But the doing differeth, for the first fact  
I did against the law, as law doth tell,  
And every wight is charged with every act,  
Of his own doing, at his own apparel.  
Whereby the law provideth very well,  
Drining my cart, by adventure at lage,  
The hurt in th'adventure I must discharge.   

But in this last fact, the fault (quoth the fly)  
Is wholly turned unto the suffrers' side,  
For himself did an act unlawfully,  
His house to set up there, which deed so tried,  
Myself and eke my cart, law doth provide  
Harmless to save, for sir the law is strong,  
In taking such hurts, for hurts without wrong.   

And in this last case (quoth the fly) stand we,  
In all this hurt here done, I do no wrong,  
But all the hurt ye have, is (ye may see)  
By your wrong doing, on yourself a long,  
What can you spiders, show yourselves among,  
By any kind of law, what weigh ye may  
Lawfully build, within this my high way.   
 ornament   

¶ The spider (at the flies answering him to a question) chargeth the fly with procuring of other flies to disturb him in his cobwebs, which the fly denithe. Cap. 20.  
 depiction of spider and fly story  

THy high way (fly) art thou lord of this soil?  
A poor lord sir. but if truth may be found,  
I stand in case to defend this spoil.  
What is thy name (quoth the spider) speak round?  
Buzz (quoth the fly) with curtsy to the ground.  
That name of buzz (quoth the spider) doth show thee,  
Even for a ringleader, to make me know thee.   

Of all the flies, that herein have been stayed,  
Never was there one in my conscience,  
But the first word that ever he hath said  
Was buz. which is apparent evidence,  
That all flies have thee in great reverence,  
Thinking the policy or power of thee,  
Shall set them all from hens at liberty.   

Whereby I may (and do) take occasion,  
To think: that thou hast been the soole procurer,  
Of every fly, that hath made invasion  
Into my house, and such alewde allurer,  
Ought by good reason, to be kept much surer  
Than forty flies, such as thou hast before  
Entiste hither: and then laughed them to scorn!   

Sir (quoth the fly) truth is my true record,  
I am guiltless of this suspected blame,  
I have enciste in earnest nor in board  
Any fly hither, nor it is no game,  
One fly to mock at an others harm or shame,  
Nor by enticement to bring a fly, where  
As the entiser doth stick, to cum there.   

And though (as I said) I can prove it such,  
That this high way, is mine for free passage,  
And that every fly hath right here as much,  
Yet was I never so set in dotage,  
To set any fly (by undescreete courage)  
To put possession of his right in ure,  
To his destruction, and your displeasure.   

If ye can prove that ever I provoked  
Any fly hither, by word or writing,  
Or by sine of purpose craftily cloaked,  
To possession here, any fly erighting,  
Then, without more words by mouth or endighting,  
In our hole case much doubtful how to try,  
I yield myself condemned undoubtedly.   
 ornament   

¶ They fall in comparison touching their evidence written or unwritten, whereunto the fly leith prescripcton of custom, (which he before alleged) supposing thereby, that the spider ought both to deliver him, and make him aniendes. Cap. 21.  
 depiction of spider and fly story  

Well (quoth the spider) though this suspicion  
Were clearly cleared: yet hast thyself clear,  
Brought in an other of worse condition,  
As thus: thy claim to have thy high way here,  
Bringth thee suspected, a thief to apere.  
This is th'old use alway: all the world knows,  
True men: in at doors, thieves in at windows.   

Master spider: harp no more on that string.  
I come the same way that your mastership doth,  
There is small melody in that harping.  
Conferring presidentꝭ with present sooth,  
Chaungth oft, the barking tongue to biting tooth.  
Bark or bite who will, fly I dare abide  
To see title present, by precedent tried.   

Sir: so dare I then: and shall be well able,  
To void your suspicion. and prove my guise,  
Not only lawful: but thereto laudable.  
What evidence have you contrary wise.  
But gnatꝭ, bees, wasps, hornetꝭ, and all we flyse,  
At crevice, and windows, with bag and baggage,  
Have had egress and regress by old usage.   

This weith as (who say) therenone evidence  
Showth contrary, but this way thine may be,  
Which is no proof, for thy part worth two pence  
So might I claim every thing that I see  
Which were in writing: not forbidden me  
But it is not enough, not to be denied,  
For titles must specially be specifyde.   

Sir (quoth the fly) specialties in writing  
Specially to specify: yours and mine,  
Should we be driven: to show such enditinge  
That would (I fear) blank both our parts in fine,  
Our chief evidence that we can asine,  
For proof or disprofe: by any decrees,  
Standth in virtue, of unwritten verities.   

Fly, this tale weith not a fly tail (quoth he)  
Canst thou show aught: of proof or disprofe clear  
By written or unwritten words to see.  
But that our possession: shall clear apere,  
As ancient as thy succession here.  
Sir (quoth the fly) I stick not to agree  
Ye have been posseste, here: as long as we.   

And long moat be. For by the god of might,  
I never knew fly: but was with the same,  
●artely content as fer as by right  
Your own ground might bear, to enlarge your frame.  
But to be plain, this is the thing we blame,  
That ye thus of will, without our consent,  
Us 〈…〉 pe on us: by mean of encrochement.   

Good honest flies a thousand that I know,  
Will say and swear: it was tharustomde gise,  
That spiders builded in every window,  
In the top: or by the sides in such wise,  
As the rest of the latesse for all flise,  
By common known custom, when we would jet,  
stood free at liberty: from any let.   

But this is building of an other size  
How may any fly: this way easily get,  
By any way that his wit can devise  
Here is a frame: in such a ●acion set,  
As all were fish: that might come to the net.  
So far this latesse is over covered.  
I marvel yourself will see it suffered.   

The case of the cart: in law laid e● this  
(Custom adjoinde) this way mine own to try)  
Auouchth for me that you have done amiss  
To encroach or usurp unlawfully,  
In my high way, then of reason think I,  
●e aught: in law, custom, and conscience,  
Both let me pass: and make me recompense.   
 ornament   

¶ The spider denith the flies description of custom, allegeing the saying of ancient spiders for his interest by custom. wherein anon vothe showing each to give small credit to other, the fly moveth to put the matter in arbitrement, which (as yet) the spider doth not grant. Cap. 22.  
 depiction of spider and fly story  

Law and custom, those twain of thy laid three  
(Namely law) some what reasoned here have been  
But of conscience (save that name, named we)  
No word was touched, since we did first begin.  
Time cometh not yet, to bring conscience in.  
Oflawe and custom: to ease rigours force  
Conscience at last course: procureth remorse.   

But thy cart case: and all cases last laid,  
In charge of trespass thy part to defend  
May be determined (for aught here yet weighed)  
As they on law and custom do depend  
which thou dost allege, with me to contend.  
But thy description of prescription here  
In our acustemde rights, I deny clear.   

Fly: I can bring forth spiders true and old,  
More worshipful than thou canst bring forth flyse  
To swear that to them, their forefathers told  
Time far beyond mind, customs exercise  
Approved us to build in as large size,  
As I have builded here. and in thy plat,  
Ten or twelve holes, to creep in and out at.   

touching custom, thoath of ten thousand flyse  
Can (by wale of witness) bring nought to ease  
In flies credence, to spiders, there doth rise  
No dyffrence in oath, the worth of a pease  
Between a thowsond flies, and a thousand fleas.  
Nay fly (quoth he) and shaken him by the neb  
There shall no flies oaths, minish this copweb,   

Where ye (quoth the fly) think flies partial,  
For witness herein, that challenge may be  
In spiders and flies in this case equal,  
Sins spiders be parties as well as we,  
Why should not we fear percialitee,  
As much in you: as you think it in us,  
And trust you as little, this standing thus.   

But reason (said the spider) ye so do.  
Then can this trespass not be tried this way:  
We are at ye and nase again both two.  
For you no credence give, to that I sase  
And I as little credit that you lay  
nought granting each to other: but denial,  
How can we twain determine then this trial.   

If (quoth the spider) I would condissende  
To build in corners: at thine assignment,  
And straight let the pass, we were straight at end  
So were we (quoth the fly) were I content,  
At your only word, my life to relent  
Of which two ways, if the tone nor the t'other  
Be reasonable, let us look out an other.   

What way (fly) by thy faith canst thou espy  
That may seem meet: to make us twain agree,  
If I be the deviser (quoth the fly)  
Then shall you choose one, whom it pleaseth ye,  
And I an other whom it pleaseth me.  
And as they two award upon the whole,  
We two to bide, happy man, happy dole.   

So might I haply be happy (quoth he)  
But I could not be: both bappie and wise,  
This proverb proveth this a fools decree,  
A thing assuerde, to hazard at the dice.  
It bought and had, to buy at a new price  
Or bring a certainty for any saying,  
To an uncertainty: by douwtfull daying.   

All things considered in this time and place  
What were wy wit: to put this thing in ure,  
What could I win by that cast in this case  
And what couldst thou here lose sms thou art sure,  
at will, in my hand to die or endure.  
The worst of this weigh were hurteles to thee,  
And the best of this way: fruitless to me.   
 ornament   

¶ The fly (after a few words concerning appeal) doth briefly recapitulate th'effect passed in the principal case. Ca 23.  
 depiction of spider and fly story  

SYr: if ye consider nothing but winning,  
No doubt (quoth the fly) it is so in deed.  
But by your promise: made me at beginning,  
Of justice here. I hope no haste of speed,  
For greedy getting shall make ye proceed,  
Contrary thereto in hope of which dealing,  
I did at beginning renoke apealing.   

But if your dealing: deal dole otherwise  
Contrarying justice erst granted here,  
My revocation of appeal likewise  
I will revoke, and as things now apere,  
I must revoke that revocation clear.  
Or else that justice here: although ye would,  
Can not (according to your promise, hold.   

For so is now this matter brought about  
That it to judge: neither can you nor I,  
We both be parties so partial that this doubt  
Must be discussed and judged indifferently,  
By folk indifferent. which if ye deny,  
In such form as I have here erst devised,  
Then by the justice which ye erst promised,   

I claim three common law. where I am sure,  
To save me safe from harm, that law hath ground.  
For if your evidence, be put in ure,  
That is so sleight, I shall be gilteles found.  
And being silent, if no witness sound  
Then this bondage of prison to discharge  
Proclamation straight, shall set me at large.   

Nay sir: ye must pay your fees ere ye go.  
But goth my part, fly in thine opinion,  
No near unto the pith? for sooth sir no.  
Your case in law: is not worth an inion.  
Well fly (quoth he) sins thou art a minion,  
Of so large learning: I pray the teach me,  
Sum lesson: in this tale to believe the.   

That lesson showeth here, not so far behind  
In lack of learning as of remembrance,  
For if it like you, here to call to mind  
By brief recital: the very substance,  
Argude (as yet) between us in this chance,  
I doubt not in the same yourself to see  
Cause, in my former words to credit me.   

As thus. ye remember our matter paste  
Yourself hath divided into parts three,  
Burglary, felony, and trepas last.  
And first: for burglary ye saw: and must see,  
That flies: by nature no night thieves can be.  
And though we could: yet might yourself in sight,  
Witness with me: to cum now by day light.   

And unto this: touching the second charge,  
Which chargeth me with single felony,  
I am assured: you searching at large,  
Remembering my coming unwillingly,  
Shall well perceive, my pure innocency.  
In talk whereof: the truth must make us sai●,  
That we at length: were driven to ye and nay.   

Wherein I prove, that mine affirmative:  
Your negative, so crerely doth confute,  
That I dare say, any jewry alive:  
(You letting not the case fall to nonsute,  
But stand to trial, in that we dispute,  
Shall, (upon hearing: what this mounth until)  
give verdict with coming against my will.   

And thirdly: in trespass you charging me  
With the hurt of your house: I nothing donte  
The cart case shall make jewry and judge see,  
This trespass on my side clean scraped out.  
And this debate at end so brought about  
That in this lates: law shall well approve,  
The holes all mine, and you to build above.   

Now sins of us twain: no one can be judge.  
Because we be both extreme partial partise  
I wonder what cause: doth cause you to grudge,  
At the arbiterment that I devise.  
In these three said cases there can arise,  
In your recovery by the common law,  
None advantage, to the value of a straw.   
 ornament   

¶ The spider puth a case in appeal, ill (in appearance) for the fly, as the spider drawth it: and anon he by example of the lords will: had in courts of copy hold, seeming to lean to, ward will: the fly laboureth to qualify that will. Cap. 24.  
 depiction of spider and fly story  

THou shalt (quoth the spider) in this strife all  
Answer thyself by thy answering me,  
To one question: which now demand I shall.  
My fellow fly, I put this case to the.  
That this same day, at London chaunste to be,  
Some man committing such a heinous deed,  
That death (by law in London) should proceed.   

The which deed: being at Louane committed,  
Law (there) for that deed no death doth provide.  
The faughter herein, so wilily witted,  
To save his life, apealth to be repride.  
From London to Louane, there to be tried.  
Were it (fly quoth he) reason in this case,  
That this man's appeal should take any please.   

I think sir (quoth the fly) it were no reason  
To grant request of such appeal in race  
Of trymes, deserving death, at any season.  
But thottender being taken in place,  
Where he hide the deed, to stand to the grace,  
Of lawful law, in that precinkte present.  
Which: so judging him, I take just judgement.   

Ouoth the spider god have mercy on the.  
A men (quoth the fly) but why speak you that?  
I speak (and pray) it even of charity.  
Never was there yet, any lark or wat,  
Before hawk or dog, flatter dared or squat  
Then by this answer: all thy matter is,  
Thou haste condemned thyself, now in all this,   

How so (quoth the fly) thus (quoth the spider)  
Thou grantst, where faughters do an enterprise,  
Which, worthy death the law doth cosider  
Thenterpriser shall appeal in no wise  
But take such chance, as by law there doth rise  
Adieu arbitrement: and nisi prius,  
In stead of twelve or twain: one shall now try us.   

What one shall that be? myself quoth he.  
Thy deed done here: hath by law here, death sure,  
Alonely to be tried at will of me.  
At mine erst sewte, (said the fly) here in ure,  
Ye promised justice to be so pure,  
That with or against me, ye would nought do,  
But as myself in reason must 'gree to.   

Wherein we being coming toward the point  
In performance of promise: to see trial,  
Now is just justice, so iotted out of ieinte,  
That ye here unjustly, stand at denial,  
To do me justice and would by power rial:  
Sirecte mine acquittal or condemnation,  
Even as will in both: weith your acceptation.   

Fly: dost thou way my will herein thus light?  
In every petty court of copy hold,  
All grants that pass, passing in their most might  
Pass to hold at lords will, and so enrolled.  
Sir (quoth the fly) copy holder's of old,  
Hold to them and theirs, at will of the lord,  
As with custom of the manner doth accord.   

But this term custom: standeth not here idle  
Custom (in many cases) seemeth to me,  
To tenants a buckler. to lords a bridle.  
From trespassing wherein if tenants see,  
(On their parts) customs kept as they should be,  
The will of the lord most wilfully bent,  
Winthe nought worth a bent, by custom's extents.   

Were this window your manner in freehold  
And flies here your copy holder's known clear.  
And that I: being your tenant, ye would  
Ley in me, breach of custom to apere.  
Yet should not your only will be judge here.  
For as thomage (upon their oath) present,  
So custom bindthe the lords will in judgement.   

Fly: thinkst thou this case a buckler for thee?  
This case: to our case (quoth the fly) being scanned  
Is neither sword to you: nor buckler to me.  
With sword and buckler we may go or stand,  
Between both cases and touch neither hand.  
This case: to lords and tenants: is concurrant.  
But you are not my lord, nor I your tenant.   
 ornament   

¶ The ●●ie claimeth all holes in all windows to be ●●●es in behold: and that spiders should build by the sides or in the ●oppe●: which case to be ●ride by law or custom, they in manner agree: but the fly moving it to be tried at the common law, the spider reposes it: whereupon ariseth matter of d●gression, in which the fly commendeth the spider for expedite hearing hereof, briefly defining the property of justice, mercy, and tyranny. Cap. 25.  
 depiction of spider and fly story  

I take not myself appointed to pates,  
As you will set limits and bounds far or near  
But clearly I claim: all holes in all lates,  
To be flies freehold. as may right well apere,  
Where I distribed when I prescribed here.  
Your auntiters building: the sides and the top.  
As ●●ise at libertee, in and out might chop.   

And as law and custom or the tone of them,  
Shall judge this point: wherein standth much part of all,  
To that will I stand: refusing none of them.  
Standing with your pleasure this case so stand shall,  
Then quoth the spider take custom: let law fall.  
●awe can ●ittle say herein. Law must refar,  
The judgement, to custom to make or mar.   

For ●rew trying of custom. Sir (quoth the fly),  
The law (please it you) may try how custom weith,  
What law fly? the common law sir think I,  
Where shall we try fly: what that law herein saith?  
In west minster hall sir. Why fly by thy faith,  
Wold●●e thou place this case: whereon hangeth the sum,  
Where (thou saist) I nor no spider may ●um?   

How far art thou from the quite toward me,  
That thou desirest in me toward the to grow  
Thou woldste bring forth a thousand flise for thee,  
Where no one spider: for me may make show.  
And so by stealth woldste win mine overthrow.  
The law is one ground of four (quoth the fly,)  
Which your former grant, graunth to t●ie all by.   

And though custom (as who say) in respect  
Of trial in this case: is itself law.  
Yet (I say) la●e, for form in pleding direct,  
Aparence of that trial for the to draw,  
Is meet to be had. I grant thee that, daw.  
But not without this, that we both do agree,  
The pleding to be: where both present may be,   

It is meet (quoth the fly) and by you well we●de.  
(Vrgente cause except) where matter shall proceed,  
Against any person: or persons laid,  
That he or they answer presently in deed.  
And in greatest crimes, this hath greatest need.  
For in crimes most criminal: that law is pain  
The charged party: shall no counsel obtain.   

Which shouth that law: in most need, lest helpè ●alow.  
Whereto: if the party be kept in absence,  
So that he: nor no man for him may avow,  
Any word in plea: pleadid for his defence,  
This law is somewhat sore, in my conscience.  
Though fair tales in mine ear, peinte this a feire race,  
Yet in mine jie: this case hath a crabbed face.   

Sins ye deny me not law: but ye deny,  
To plead this plea: where ye present may not be,  
Of that denial: apeerth so good cause why,  
That I shall not only most gladly agree,  
To have it pleaded where we both shall decree,  
But also I rejoice: that yourself espieth,  
This gall in this case: and what ill therein lieth.   

One other joy (with many sorowse) I have.  
The cause whereof, commendth you unspecablie.  
In less time (in manner) than myself could crave,  
After I am brought ●ere: in prison to lie,  
It stanth with your pleasure: most charitably,  
To here, ye and determine out of hand.  
How my case standth, and whereto myself shall stand.   

Oh (master spider (the self deeds done in this,  
Commend you more, then may pen or tongue of man,  
Thatachid of suspicion: or fact amiss,  
Enquerie at full had, quickly as ye can,  
As justice judgeth, straight to dispatch him than,  
Not letting him lie: till his limbs rot or lame,  
justice and mer●ie: both concur in the same.   

Fly (quoth the spider) favour is not all lost,  
showed unto the for thou canst consider it.  
But many other flise therebe in the cost,  
In having like favour: the devil speed the whit,  
The● do ponder it: wherefore it is not fit,  
When chance or desert: flows into prison strike.  
To use froward and flexibill flise: a like,   

justice (quoth the fly) weith what, and why to do.  
Not to whom to do, by favour, meed, or frey,  
The man is not the mark: that justice shooteth to,  
The man's matter: justice shooteth at alweie.  
Between god: and the devil: justice doth displey,  
His banner indifferently. yielding each part,  
In all dew dewtise, the very dew desert▪   

Mercy: joined with justice doth either remit  
Or qualify pains, that dew by justice seem.  
tryanny not with justice, but against it:  
Not weighing desert, awardth peines most extreme.  
Tyranny, and mercy, thus may we here dems  
Tyranny: not with but against justice showth,  
Mercy with: and not against justice growth.   

justice place I here, in the mids as who say.  
Mercy on the right hand of justice to stand.  
tryanny on the left hand. now if we sweie,  
From the straight line of justice: to either hand,  
That sweie must needs bring our sweiing to be scanned,  
As we may apere to sweie apparently,  
Either toward mercy, or toward tyranny.   

But in leaning to any hand of these twain,  
From sole justice: when we incline to decline,  
As common wealth in this case may us maintain,  
From corrupt construction, this case to define,  
I wish that we: each as our callings asine,  
May lean to that hand with meet strength, or vigour,  
That mercy leanth unto: rather than rigour.   
 ornament   

¶ The fly (for cause here appearing) desireth to repeat his distinction of justice, mercy, & tryanny, which the spider denith, wherewith the fly leith to the spider, breach of a promise made to him before in discharge, whereof the spider answereth. C. 26.  
 depiction of spider and fly story  

THe spider hung down both his head and his lip.  
Like one that had nought: or witted nought: what to speak.  
Wherewith thought the fly: I have given him a nyp,  
These distinctions: have showed his part so week,  
That studying for matter: he findth none to break.  
But where he thought the spider in study deep,  
He was deceived: the spider was a sleep.   

And herwith starting awake, fie sloth quoth he.  
I had forgot myself. I heard myself rout.  
Nay sir (quoth the fly) ye had forgotten me,  
The best part (for my part) ye have slept quite out.  
Nay not all fly: for I put the out of doubt.  
Of all thy words had: in my commendation,  
I heard every word: and can make relation.   

But thine entre: to matter more serious,  
Brought me a sleep: but I pray the hertelie,  
Whatthe point of that case so imperious,  
The pith is the distinction: quoth the fly,  
Between justice, mercy, and tyranny.  
Which: sins you heard not: and it much meet to here  
I shall repeat to you in form brief and clear.   

That would (quoth the spider) make me sleep again.  
And physic forbidth me to sleep twice a day,  
Repetition hereof I deny thee plain.  
Reason, law, custom, and conscience: ye say,  
Shall (quoth the fly) all our present matter way.  
But touching reason, law, custom, and conscience,  
Two of those four principles: are gone even since.   

Which two (quoth the spider?) these two (quoth the fly)  
Reason, and conscience as how fly quoth he?  
as thus quoth the fly. Ye retreted lately,  
And revokte a case: which ye had granted me,  
Touching coming here: against my will to be.  
At which: when I grudged: ye made me promise,  
To have in the like case, lybertee likewise.   

And now when I would (not revoke) but repeat  
This pe●e: for my part, ye plainly that deny.  
What reason or conscience is here to get,  
Good reason: and good conscience: fellow fly.  
But since reason is sufficient this to try,  
Let conscience (I say) stay: till the last instant.  
Least narrow conscience, reasons wide scope might scant.   

And upon perusing: let reason straight judge,  
How far fled from reason: thyself herein art.  
My retreted case (whereat thou didst erst grudge)  
Is: of matter present: a principal part.  
Between which: and thy case thou mayst drive a cart.  
Distinction of terms: in our main matter mente,  
Is (at next) a very far fet incidente.   

But though thou wilt say, thou canst draw this thy case.  
To stand with (or within) our gronnde principal.  
Yet is it needles, to be brought here in place.  
Distinction of these terms: and other all.  
I know: and can weigh: as well as a fly shall,  
This degression: in telling: lost time before,  
And now in repeating: it would lose time more,   

Sir: it may length time: but not lose time: friend fly,  
Length of time: is no loss of time to the in ded●.  
Length of time is thy geine: but I lose thereby.  
Long time winth the long life. And loseth my quick speed.  
Which I should quickly have: wear this quickly decreed,  
Of this my frewtles walk: avoiding the way,  
To win weigh more frewtfull: this way lets asaie.   

From pith of this process (fly) where we fled out,  
Thither retreat we: more loss of time to flee.  
This repetition which thou woldste bring about,  
As winnig thereof winth nought at length to thee,  
So losing thereof loseth nought at length by me.  
Sins repetition, the fly could not recover,  
He shaken his head, and so let it pass over.   
 ornament   

¶ The spider (reducing the ●ly to the principal matter) moveth the trial to be had in his own lordship: which the fly misliketh. whereon eusueth a glance at the diversity of government, between one spider and twelve flise. Cap. 27.  
 depiction of spider and fly story  

Ere while (by prescripsion) of old fleece thou leydst,  
All holes in lattes: to be other flies and thine.  
In which prescription against us: as thou seydst,  
accustomed right in windows doth define,  
In the top and sides: our building to assine,  
Which I denied: saying our forefathers old,  
Prescribed for us, to build here: where we would.   

Upon this issue thou sheudst thyself content,  
That custom should (being pleaded in law)  
judge how the case standeth by custom's extent.  
Pleading whereof: to common law thou didst draw.  
Pleading wherein: as thou saidst: and I saw,  
Should be in such place as I could not come to:  
I denied trial there, and deny it I do.   

Which denial to be reason, thyself told,  
And here: from purpose principal: out fled we  
By thy digressing. But again to take hold,  
And go forth therein, now let us further see,  
(Sins the common law) is as unmeet for me  
As meet for thee (to plead custom herein)  
What other meet mean: for us both, we may win.   

What think you (quoth the fly) friend fly this think I,  
Sins I will not: and thou canst not, go hence,  
So that we both shall remain here presently,  
To here and answer in personal presence,  
Law, in my lordship: must try customs defence.  
Be ye there again (quoth the fly) by my faith  
We shall catch bydres to morrow: and flies to day.   

Will is now cum in again: and must be called law,  
By thy ground laid for copy hold at will,  
It seemth: thou needst not care for my will a straw,  
As thomage presenteth (saidst thou) good or ill,  
So doth the lords will, in judgement save or spill.  
So should the lords will do sir, I therein meant,  
But here goth the hare away: right to prevent,   

I: being neither spider, nor spider's peer,  
Nor spiders tenant, nor spider's friend (ye say)  
I may have quick speed: and fail of good speed here.  
Though thomage should uprightly the verdict lay,  
And the lord (in judgement) with the right likewise way,  
Yet sum say, sumtime, that the law is eended,  
In sum case, in sum place: as folk are freended.   

And I (quoth the spider) being neither fly,  
Nor to any fly, of alliance or kin,  
Nor taken any flies friend: why may not I  
In any pleading place: save that we be in,  
dow there (as thou dredst hear) good speed to win.  
This case shall keep our case: as the case now falls,  
Both from westminster hall: and all such law halls.   

Thou being abroad, buzzing in every place,  
Where thou hast more friendship, or les enmity  
Than I have: thou mayst in every place purchase  
Friends against me: more then I against thee.  
And when we in pleading, joined in issue be,  
Thou mayst find friendship, to impanel the quest,  
Of twelve such friendly flies, as seem for thee best.   

Which kind of trial (for my part) I like nat.  
Wise lernde counsel, costly fine pleas first devise,  
With cost and pain long folowde. And after that,  
Twelve unlearned rude ignorant corrupt flise,  
Shall strike the stroke, as blind affection doth rise.  
By excellent wits: law is ever begun,  
And by ignorant wits: end of law oft won.   

Which to help, were I one of the procurers,  
I would think it far better to breed up in brood,  
One wise true judge: then twelve foolish false jurors,  
It is (quoth the fly) as old flise understood,  
Not more hard (for spiders) to spy twelve flise good,  
Then easy (for flise) to find one spider nought,  
And now note we here: to what end this is brought,   

In place of twelve flise: were one spider placed,  
To give verdict and judgement: of matters clear,  
Yet might that change bring small good speed: in great haste,  
One wily lernde spider might hurt as much here,  
As twelve unlernde blunt flise: by aught doth apere,  
And twelve good flise should (for all flise are not ill,)  
Do more good than one ill spider: weigh who will.   

Between one good spider: and twelne ill flise,  
Or those twelve flise good: and that one spider ill,  
Apt comparison (quoth the spider) doth not here rise,  
But that one: and those twelve: draw we here until.  
(To work good or ill) of one good or ill will  
And so then best or worst, twelve or one: let us try,  
Thone best sort of two: to govern windows by.   

And the one spider's part (in this part) I'll take.  
And i'll take part with the twelve flise (quoth the fly)  
I'll ley first (quoth the spider your part to shake,)  
Reasons: leide by a learned clerk formerly.  
For the rule of one ruler capitally.  
Whose arch articles here together to weigh,  
In these next words here together: I will lay.   

Exampling the government of one most high,  
He puth the three persons: which three, are god one.  
And further he bringth in (this texemplifie)  
The ship, on one keel all parts stand: eurychone.  
The house: standth under one top rafter alone.  
Thoste, under one captain. Bese under one be.  
The crane's one crane. the herd one shepherd saith he.   

To this (quoth the fly) an other clerk answereth.  
Similitude of god and man. To man and man,  
As far wide: as far fet: the matter varith.  
And liberty (being gods great gift to scan)  
To take from all, no one by authority can.  
As who say: any one man's authority,  
Shall not or should not, lose all men's liberty.   

Further (he saith) one man's judgement is subdued,  
To ill affects, sooner than many can be.  
As one booket of water (in reason viewed)  
May sooner be poisoned: we in reason see,  
Then may a pool or a pond, and more saith he,  
Though one crane guide all, where ever crane's range,  
Yet: now this one: then that one: they oft times change,   

Which exsaumple partly doth your part appall.  
For it as much may a senate signify.  
As one: one time chosen, all times to rule all,  
And where all bees follow one be: unchangeably,  
Yet is that be: of a more exelensy.  
And of an other kind: than tother beeses are.  
As the shepherd above the herd: he did declare.   

This last sample moveth choice of one ruler in place,  
Of a more excellent kind, than the rest be.  
The said lernde man (quoth the spider) in this race,  
replying to your clerks reasons, this saith he,  
First where your clerk saith: one wights authority  
Can not take all from libertee, this man saith.  
'tis not liberty, to live as man's will weith,   

But to live in th'ordinance of good laws.  
And the order of nature (saith he) assinthe,  
Sum to serve, sum to rule, as aptness draws.  
The weak wit: strong of body, to service enclinthe.  
The witty lernde head, reason toward rule combinthe,  
And a king called in scripture gods anointed,  
Hath (of god) gifts above the rest appointed.   

God promiseth to rule the hearts of kings,  
Which gift showth a king above the rest,  
And where it is more hard (by your clerks sayings)  
To corrupt many: than one, so our clerk witnes●e,  
More easy to find one good, than many, thus self,  
th'rgument of these two, and our clerk anon,  
Chokte your clerk with one reason joined herupone.   

These three kinds of common wealth, he tried.  
Of a king, of the peers, and of commons last.  
In which as there may be: three good rulinges weide,  
So may be in these three, three ill rulinges cast.  
In rule of a king, tryanny may blow blast.  
In peers, usurping. In few commons governance,  
All to be governors: may themselves advance.   

Now: whose contrary is worst (saith he) thatꝭ best.  
But tyrane is worst of these three, ergo,  
Rule or reign of a king is best: manifest.  
This is the conclusion of our clerk: and so,  
th'rgument (in effect) endth without word more.  
Which: for rule preferred in a senate or prince,  
For one or many rulers, doth thy part convince.   

Sir (quoth the fly) these old clerks clerkly saying,  
The repeating thereof let us leave of quite.  
And fall we to reason: of weighty weighing,  
Experience, herein seen in our own sight.  
On whose side these or these like cases run right.  
Beet (quoth the spider) but ere we enter that,  
Here me clear a case: that might displease somewhat.   

In that we (in this case) draw near to compare,  
A spider to a king: and flise to a senate,  
Contectors that capacious or curious are,  
(If cause shall: to them: our talk communicate)  
May chance to conject: that we two derogate,  
Those two estates, in that we two do devise,  
To cowple kings and peers, with spiders and flise.   

But witness thou with me, as I will with the.  
That for my part I know: and for thine I trow,  
We no whit mean those states: Embased to be.  
By our talk, as a king in property to show.  
Like a spider: or comparison to grow.  
In flise and a senate. For property of flise.  
Most rude of us. Not so rude: that tenterprise.   

Sir (quoth the fly) as you here for yourself say,  
So may you here assuredly for me swear.  
This example mean I: to respect no way,  
But only th'order of rule: that those states bear.  
And so resembling them and us, I while ear,  
Intended, by way of example, to treat.  
And do so (quoth the spider, an end to beat.   

Then (with your favour) have at it (quoth the fly.)  
Passing from all former clarkly argument,  
To our own experience familiarly.  
For flise government, I'll show good reason bent.  
By sample of a senate. Standing in extent,  
At this present day. From hundreds of years paste,  
To this day prospering, and so like to last.   

Itself being but a city, Doth yet possess,  
Kingdoms: far from it: in civil order such,  
As no king hath one realm in more quietness.  
just justice goth forth there, who ever gruche.  
Their people obedient, few other so much.  
This sample of senate: for flyse rule I say,  
Against one spider, or one king here I lay.   

The most (quoth the spider) that this maketh for thee,  
Is that, that senate: rewith as well as a king.  
To which one senate (for more there none be)  
Many kings, in many realms: have sole governing.  
Each one of whose governance, all (or most,) proving.  
In both kinds of common wealth: since they began,  
As good as that one ●enate, scan who can scan.   

One kings rule as good: as one senates rule is,  
Compareth herein (For rule) both our parts even.  
And many kings ruling so, the number in this,  
Shouth thy side, to the worst shore to be driven.  
And by one reason more, more weakness is given.  
Unto thy part: which plainly shall apere,  
In these my next words, now following here.   

Although those senators in sundry respects,  
Seem equal for governance in open show,  
Yet in other sundry respects proof directs,  
Show: of one among all: above all to grow.  
One hath of all, these place, and reverence we know,  
In whose estate: stay of the rest doth most stand.  
Having voice, as much as twain: in his own hand.   

In many and most things. pre-eminence he hath,  
Most like to kingly superiority.  
Two parts of three: in senates guiding path.  
Are drawn out of kingly rule, in property.  
Without which: to govern well, it will not be.  
Thus a senates rule. wherein ye your brag brought,  
Backing aid of a kings tewle (ye see) doth nought,   

I could (quoth the fly) say more but I will not.  
This case standth not in our case principally,  
This law: or that law: what law stand, it skill not.  
So the law and ministers: give justice justly,  
My cause is so just, that no just law fear I,  
Nor for every fault in laws: or lawyers geste,  
To remove laws or lawyers, I think not best.   

Corruption in laws: or ministers of laws,  
I wish us to redress: rather than remove,  
Either laws or lawyers: without weighty cause,  
The case: upon light cause: if we should oft prene,  
Where it should ease one: it might twenty aggrieve,  
devisers in such things: may sooner devise,  
To show ten mischiefs: then shape two remedise.   

Thou sayst well (said the spider) but to revolve,  
Thimpediment in law of fond fly jurers,  
I can no way other way resolve  
But with them: and all pelting procurers,  
To be quite cut of. As lawless enurers,  
Of verdites false or foolish: in this or that,  
sometimes they care not: moste times they know not what.   

And sure (I think) this sore might be salved soon.  
Or the smart much eased, did discretion devise,  
And diligence put in ure: things meet to be done,  
But to lords: laws lawyers homage and iurise,  
Corrupt friendship: thou leydst erst here in such wise.  
As it generally appeareth to repine.  
Against all courts: as much as against mine,   

As much? ye and so much more sir that except,  
Your own self, no wight in your court I there touched.  
Your court of all officers is so clean swept,  
That none officer in that court can be couchte,  
But yourself. For yourself hath yourself avouchte,  
plaintiff, pleader, juror, judge, and jailer.  
Stop fly (what) from a reasoner to a railer?   

I cry you mercy. Sir if this do displease,  
I reverse and revoke it straight, for I have:  
As small apetight, as I shall have small ease,  
To move you. Well since thou forgiveness dost crave,  
Stand up fly. I forgive even as god forgave.  
And how our said case (by custom) shallbe tried,  
Let us yet once again search how to provide.   

Concerning that provision sir (quoth the fly)  
If we here (in this your present court) did make,  
Agreement: to try this determinately.  
Though I hope (as I hope) I should no wrong take,  
Yet humbly I beseech you: for my minds sake.  
Sins my heartless heart against this trial swells,  
To grant to try this case sum way, sum where else.   
 ornament   

¶ They agree to be tried by arbiterment, whether all or how many holes in all windows belong to spiders, and how many to flies, the spider choosing for his part, the ant or pismere. the fly choosing for his side, the butterfly. whereupon they, th'one couple in one part, and tother couple in an other part, talk together forthwith. Cap. 28.  
 depiction of spider and fly story  

NOw (quoth the spider) by this cross of ten bonse,  
There liveth not thy like (for a fly) I trow,  
For tongue wit: thou art the fly for the nonse.  
But go to: let us toward end sum weigh grow.  
I should my mind last: wherefore thy mind now show.  
What way (as thou thinkst) we may yet best purvey,  
To knit up this knot, without further deley.   

The best way in my mind when all waise are cast,  
Is that one (quoth the fly) that I touched twice.  
To have been our trial, in all cases passed.  
Which was: to put the whole in compromise.  
Fly: this last one case: to be tried in that wise.  
I grant thee. I thank you (quoth the fly) praying,  
That we may name our daisemen in this daiing.   

I name (quoth the spider) a cousin of mine.  
Perce pismere. called antony aunt otherwise.  
Of person small, of wit great upright and fine.  
And I (quoth the fly) what ever hap shall rise,  
My grand sire Bartilmew butterfly devise.  
Ofbody big: of wit and speech blunt, and plain.  
Well (quoth the spider) agree we on these twain.   

They did so: and forthwith there lighted by chance,  
Hard by the cobwebs side, the butterfly.  
Wherewith one of the young spiders did advance,  
At th'old spider's commandment, in haste to high,  
For the ant to repair to him by and by.  
Speed came so to pass, that at th'old spider's hand,  
The young spider out of hand, brought thante to stand.    

¶ The spider to the ant, and fly to butterfly (after words of greeting) declare, that they are chosen their arbiters herein, wherein the ant and butterfly promise to do their best, and they then anon draw all four together in (or at) the copweb. C. 29.  
 depiction of spider and fly story  

THe ant to the spider made curtsy low.  
wherewithal the spider to the ant did draw,  
Smiling and becking on him, in most loving show.  
They shaken hands: mannerly as ever I saw.  
But for flise, as Stans puer ad mensam showth law,  
For making of curtsy: or shaking of hands,  
Butterflise pardon flise. bound h●●●e and foot in bands,   

The spider: as of use in talk new entry,  
(Friends are of friends: the state of their friends friendly,)  
Axte how his cousins (thantꝭ father and mother) did.  
His brother's sisters with all kin and aly.  
Thant said they did well. And in like words hearty,  
Axte him how his aunt spider and all theirs fared.  
The spider with thanks to thant, their healths declared.   

The fly of the butterfly, with tears tender,  
Axte: to know his grandam butterflise estate.  
With all uncles and aunts, of their engender.  
The butterfly said well. And did him animate,  
To be of good ●here. False heart to captivate.  
Reason then ebbing: tears of natures flowing,  
To show their griefs as reason might make showing,   

The spider to th ant. And fly to butterfly,  
Discourste their griefs a part: and how they therein,  
Refusing sundry weise of end: finally,  
Chose them twain for arbiters: sum end to win.  
And since th'one twain: and tother twain: are of kin,  
Thone chooseth thou, tother chooseth tother.  
Both promised their best, the tone and the t'other.    

¶ The spider declareth, and the fly granteth thissue to be, that all flies claim (in freehold) all holes in all windows to be theirs by custom: and spiders claim all holes with all parts of all windows to be their freehold by custom: and after talk between them therein had, thant requireth full instruction of the two parties to them two arviters. Cap. 30.  
 depiction of spider and fly story  

THe spider and fly thanking the other both,  
Thei●oure thereupon drawing together all,  
The spider: directly to the matter goth.  
Cousin an't: and fellow buterfly: ye shall,  
Understand: that we twain do you twain now call,  
Not to weigh all cases in which we contend,  
But one. on which one, all seem to depend.   

The fly claimth by common custom beyond mind,  
All holes in all lates: flies freehold to be.  
And spiders (saith he) by custom are asinde,  
To build at sides or in top: whereto mark ye,  
I say that custom awardthe all windows free,  
At spider's wills without that: that any flise,  
Have any such right, by custom's warantise.   

That this is our issue, we do both agree.  
And upon this issue. we be both agreed,  
That you two: by arbitrement shall decree,  
What custom hath herein: directly decreed.  
Is it thus ●●ie (quoth thant) yea (quoth the fly) in deed.  
As conscience in you twain: for us twaive shall try,  
How custom doth stand, so (for my part) stand I.   

Thou semste (quoth the spider) a costerde monger.  
Conscience every handwhile thou dost cry.  
I must (quoth the fly) se sum token stronger.  
Ere I can suppose you of that mystery.  
I call not for conscience more commonly.  
Then you speak of it seld, fly I told the erst.  
Cause why: that conscience at last end should be perste.   

Thatꝭ now (quoth the fly) if these two now take end,  
As I hope they shall, but here me thinketh I smell,  
That your cast is: conscience thus to suspend,  
first till th'end. And then at th'end fair and well,  
Cut conscience of: conscience so to expel,  
As when all is done, conscience may safely say,  
And swear: that conscience came not here this day.   

Then conscience or I: the tone shallbe forsworn.  
Reason, law, custom, and conscience, these four,  
To be our grounds in trial: I swore before.  
Then (quoth the fly) in last end: of this last hour,  
Let conscience cum in: to save that oath of your.  
What thing can conscience do here fly sayst thou?  
Three things sir (said the fly) which I will tell you.   

first conscience as even balance may evenly weigh,  
What custom yeldth to spiders, and what to flise.  
second, conscience may weigh: what reason can ley,  
What good and what ill, custom doth exercise:  
In either part. Thirdly conscience may devise.  
To allow the good: and disallow the ill.  
Whereon: these two may award: as conscience will.   

These two fly (as my meaning was to take them,)  
We chose daisemen: to try this by reason clear.  
But, (not arbiters,) chancellors thou dost make them.  
By conscience to judge, how much custom doth here.  
And what good or ill, in custom doth apere.  
last case of which twain (by thee craftily couchte,)  
In thissue that we join on: is no whit touched.   

The point that we pitch on: to try out the sooth,  
By reason (not scrupulous conscience,) is this.  
Not what custom is, but what custom doth.  
How good or how ill: custom itself is,  
Is an other farther case. (Which fly, I wis,  
When we shall try (by conscience with reason)  
It will bring small brag for thy side to season.   

For fine: cousin an't, and good man butterfly,  
What entreste custom doth give to him and me,  
How much or how little: in windows low or by,  
As you by reason agree, so I agree.  
To this axte the butterfly (fly) what say ye?  
Since: who may not as he will, must as he may,  
I say (said the fly) as master spider doth say.   

There saidst thou wisely (said the spider) and note.  
Thou shalt by that saying no damage sustain.  
If reason win thee this case every jot,  
Conscience (by reason) must me straight constrain,  
jobey reasons award, at hands of these twain.  
And pass they with me, I promise mine assent,  
To use the gain, as conscience yeldth extent.   

So said and so done (quoth the butterfly) in faith,  
(Son fly) this is of master spider well weighed.  
Yea sir (quoth the fly) I here well what he saith,  
God reward his mastership: it is well said.  
Pleaseth you (quoth thant evidence may be laid.  
By yourselves or other: whereby we twain may,  
Perceive (in reason) whereto custom doth way.   

Ye (quoth the spider) cousin cum we hither.  
They as far as they list: withdrew themselves quite.  
The butterfly and fly: drawing together,  
As far, not as they list, as far as they might,  
They two telling their tales, as I shall recite.  
Which two tales though I: as in one time hid here,  
Yet first th'one: and then tother: must here apere.   

Though two ears in one instant two tales here may,  
One tongue: in one instant: two tales can not tell,  
Since th'one of these two tales: must stand here in stay,  
Till tother be told, I think it will do well,  
The flise and the butterflise talk to expel,  
Or suspend. till the spiders talk with the ant,  
Ye may understand: which is next apparent.   
 ornament   

¶ They (in couples separate again) declare each how he would have his arbiter handle his part: and first is here told in Their persons the tale of the spider to the ant. Cap. 31.  
 depiction of spider and fly story  

Cousin ant (quoth the spider) that ye be wise,  
It is to me known. Whereto all folk do know  
That unto the wise, few words at full suffice.  
And to your wisdom: I doubt not your show  
Of friendship, naturally to me to grow.  
For ye know: as we differ far in stature,  
So we in kindred: join nigh by nature.   

Precedent wherein sought, what old records carry,  
Shall show no record of solemn solemnity,  
That ever spider and ant: did yet marry,  
Which growth (I say) of kindred. not of emnitee  
Did I (in you) by ingrate endemnitee  
Doubt here: wisdoms judgement: or nature's kindness,  
I were a beast: of beetill heeded blindness.   

Which two: in their workings: to give or take right,  
Nature workth friendly, wisdom workth surely.  
Though right in each cause: seem the post of most might,  
Yet want of wisdom (whose policy purely)  
In sentence or semblance: stern or demurely  
Should set forth that right, might in conclusion quick,  
Thwighte that mill post of right: to a poding prick.   

As if Crossum caput, like an ass in a case.  
Setting forth a right, homely in rued terms bare.  
A witty lernde head: that right in that place,  
Did finely pronounce: those two tales should declare,  
Forty pence difference, in right to compare.  
One tale in two tellers: with one intent told,  
May differ in show: as doth brass and fine gold.   

And wisdoms sure drifts had: if nature's friendship lack,  
To take, here, and tell, that tale: in friendly wise,  
That right with that wisdom: may yet run to wrack  
Thus: wisdom to work surely: by polisise  
And nature: to work friendly: both must arise,  
To join in one: in friends by friends required,  
To obtain things: at hands of friends desired.   

Which policy and friendship: where they are knit,  
Against partise: to try things in strife growing  
They call craft: and corrupsion every whit.  
But policy and friendship: with partise showing.  
Those partise praise both: with open mouth blowing.  
Both standing against folks: folks daily accuse them.  
Both standing with folks, folks hourly use them.   

But to show our case: out of accusation.  
In putting policy and friendship: in ure,  
Mark this short circumstance: in aprobation.  
compromise, the end of causes to allure,  
Two sorts of election: in course doth procure.  
In choice of the chosen partise: (here mean I,)  
To arbitrate all debates indifferently.   

One is: that the two partise in strife moved  
Do choose arbyters: to them both indifferent.  
Tother is: that either party grieved,  
Doth chose for himself: such as he knoweth bent,  
To take end: or leave end, as he will assent.  
The first way of both (though it the besfe way be)  
It can not be had: between the fly and me,   

In this case present, among spiders and flise  
We all: can no one: indifferent provide.  
affinity, or affection, doth so devise,  
That all be partise: on th'one or tother side.  
but might (and should) this case this first weigh be tried,  
Then might ye honestly: lean partially  
To neither side, by friendship nor policy.   

Howbeit this other case, bringth this other cause.  
The fly, for himself. And myself, for me.  
This choice have chosen: so that this thus drawfe  
Another myself: I choose you here to be.  
Whereby: in all friendly polisy (ye see,)  
Of honesty to stick to my side just,  
Not only ye may, but also ye must.   

And (as I said) I doubt not but ye will,  
And pray ye do. But promise formerly,  
Of known reward at end, to flee the ill  
Of suspect bribry: though I presently,  
Rate not reward: yet if hereafter I,  
May you requite: in pleasure one or other,  
Then think yourself, as me it as another.   

Sir said the ant: your rated rewlde reward,  
Now: or at end: if I herein appease you,  
Is not the thing: that I so much regard,  
But at the end as ye see how I ease you,  
I say no more: but use me as it please you.  
Cousin: well said (said then the spider) and sith  
This point is paste, pass we now to the pith.   

All holes in all windows (as the fly saith,)  
Are flyse freehold. And that we spiders hold,  
Right nought by right, but sides and tops on heith.  
And we (say I) hold all, thus to be told.  
Holes, sides, and tops, broad, narrow, deep, and should.  
Upon which issue: you two must first hear,  
And after judge which side bringth proof most clear.   

Wherein for me, of ancient parentage,  
Ye shall here spiders speak: both sage and wise.  
And on the flies behalf: here now in gage,  
There will come forth a sort of forkte tailed flise  
That will not stick to tell, a hundred thousand lise.  
And say: and swear that they say true: howbeete,  
Ye will (I doubt not) trust them as is meet.   

And when ye herein: have done what ye may  
To make our evidence shine clear in show.  
And darkened theirs, your wisdom shall sure weigh,  
The gross rude butterfly: to end to grow,  
What way ye will. And thus for high and low.  
After words great and many: where few might seem fit,  
Into your hands, this matter I commit.   

Uncle (quoth the ant) I perceive your mind,  
At full. And shall at full: do all my best.  
Wherein to do you good: if I can nought find,  
Yet shall ye (for me) stand harmless at lest.  
Upon this conclusion these twain did rest.  
And now: between the fly and the butterfly,  
What way was had: ensueth ensuingly.    

¶ The tale of the fly to the butterfly how he shall use the flyse part: which done the arbiters withdra we themselves toward the top of the window. Cap. 32.  
 depiction of spider and fly story  

GOod grandfather: since we two (said the fly)  
One flesh and blood: by nature's working are,  
In that I: from you: desende lineally  
As in degrees: our petigrees declare,  
And that nature: naturally taketh care,  
To see sucsesse: of her sucseded birds,  
I will not length this piece: with painted words.   

But nature's zeal I set: to intersesse  
To you, for me, without more words of me,  
To do your best: in this my deep distress.  
Wherein: what way to work: as I best see,  
That shall I show. But ere we so far be,  
Hear me disclose (for our purposed cause,)  
A necessary brief conceived clause.   

We here and see: gifts of nature are divers.  
Sum be fair, sum tall, sum have strength, sum wit.  
Sum: in science: excellent contrivers.  
Sum have small wit, and have much truth with it.  
With many more: then now: to move were fit.  
And this move I: to move here only now,  
Difference in gifts: between the ant and you.   

The ant hath gift of right good wit (no doubt.)  
And thereto (for an ant) lernde excellently.  
And you have gift: of pleines stern and stout.  
Not being given so much ingeniously:  
To learned judgement: and yet this know I  
No wight can prove: from hence to England's eende,  
That ever ye broke promise with your friend.   

But that ye walled (and durst perform the same,  
And this: to this: in you right well is known.  
A ground once in your head, fastened in frame,  
Let learned lawyers pipe up trumpets blown  
Of rules in law: to rule you as their own.  
Yet shall their reasons no whit make ye start,  
From that ground on your (or on your friends) part.   

Which property: is worth ten thousand mark.  
In you to me, in case of compromise,  
For which: against the ant that cunning clerk,  
Mine arbiter: I did you here devise.  
To hold your hold: in blunt assured wise.  
Either this matter wholly to recover,  
Or save (at least) my side from giving over.   

The ant is sharp and fine. As ye are blunt and gross.  
The ant hath circumspection: ye have nane.  
You pacstaffe plain: the ant crafty and close.  
The ant scivile, you sturdy as the stone.  
This said brief blunt and sharp comparison:  
Shall show who shouth most brag to stint this strife,  
The blunt whetting whetstone, or sharp whetted knife.   

To this the butterfly said: fly son mine.  
The gross blunt whetting whetstone: fear thou not,  
To match this whetted pen knife: sharp and fine,  
Tell thou to me plainly: what is the knot  
That I shall knit or unknit in this plot.  
And thant shall with a tabor take a wat,  
As soon as make me shrink from thee: in that.   

Sir (said the fly) our issue which ye heard  
To ripe remembrance, here yet once again.  
I say all holes in windows, are referde,  
In tenure of freehold, to us tapertaine.  
All spiders: in fides and in tops to remain.  
Which he denith: affirming they and he,  
Hold all parts in all windows: in tenure free.   

In which two sides, you two the truth must try,  
And then determine, as reason can decree.  
Upon which side: this shall by custom lie.  
Wherein ye shall have flies: to speak for me  
Sage, wise, lernde, and well spoken as can be.  
And for the spider's part, it is no doubt,  
Of spiders there will be: a spiteful rout.   

The knot herein: which I would have you knit,  
Is this. Either do me good, or do none ill.  
If: in this matter ye can win no whit,  
Then lose right nought: but let it stand even still.  
As it erst stood. And if thante no way will.  
give any place, cum hearken in your ear.  
Wherein he whispered words, what I witted near.   

Whereat the spider cast eye, to them both.  
Wherewith: the butterfly from the fly flieth,  
And the ant from the spider away goth.  
Each one of whom (anon) the other espieth,  
And each of both to other hastily hieth.  
The spider: straight into his house stepped stoutly,  
The fly: fell on kneeze to his book devoutly.   

Thanf and the butterfly, fogether drew.  
To th'extreme part of the window: on the top side.  
And after saluting in their manner dew,  
Both studying: how thentry should be first aplide.  
They both: casting their eyes about espied.  
On th'one side: spiders aproching: six or seven.  
And on tother side, flise ten or a leaven.   

Neither sort the other: ought saluted they,  
But both sorts to th'arbiters: made curtsy low.  
The aunt prayed both parts in their approach to steel,  
Till the butterfly and he (in talk) might know,  
And agree: what way of proceeding should grow.  
With this they all, stepped back and there staid.  
Whereupon: thant to the butterfly said.   
 ornament   

¶ The ant and the butterfly being met in the top of the window, certain spiders on their one side, and certain flies on their other side, whom th'arbiters cause to stand back while they two talk together. Cap. 33.  
 depiction of spider and fly story  

BEfore we further wade master butterfly,  
No master sir: I am but a yeoman (quoth he)  
Thatꝭ no matter (said thante) as the case doth lie,  
But: gentleman or yeoman: what ever ye be,  
Since we two come hither: these two to agree,  
Let us be agreed: on the next and best way,  
To bring them agreed, in matter here to sale.   

Our wase wherein (as thinketh me) is this.  
We both must banish all parcialitee,  
That by corrupt affection, engendered is.  
By affinity, or consanguinitee,  
So that we clearly cleave unto equity.  
As of these two: neither of either shall,  
drove us: or either of us: unequal.   

Nay (by my father's soul) said the butterfly,  
I will play no whit of venum mecum his part,  
Hold with the hare and run with the hound: will not I,  
Such reasons: as out of this blunt brain may start,  
For my friend, run they right: run they overtharte,  
Out will I power them: and in god's name,  
For your friend, as ye see cause, do you the same.   

These two tales (in these two persons) seemed here told,  
In th'one of plainness: in tother of policy.  
The buttehfly spoke his thought (as he much would.)  
Thant contrary talked dissimilately.  
His moving the butterfly tendiffrency,  
(Him self showing a show to be indifferent,  
seemed moved, for this crafty covert intent.   

The ants drift was: the butterfly to drive,  
From affectionate standing: on the flies side,  
Indifferently to stand. While himself contrive,  
To be partial with the spider. which aplide,  
Might (thought the ant) to the butterfly unspied,  
Draw him to withdraw: sum part of affection,  
Fore bent in his breast, for the flies protection.   

But when the butterfly: like a stiff nekte cur,  
(As ye have herd) made answer unto the ant,  
So that this way would not: the butterfly stur,  
Thant (on this plain song having shift of descant,)  
Axed the butterfly: cum we this instant?  
To help the spider and fly to take end,  
Ye sir (said the butterfly:) that I intend.   

If I: for the spider: and you for the fly:  
Show ourselves: not arbiters but partise,  
Reasoning: each for each: affectionately,  
What end between us twain: for them can rise:  
More than themselves: in themselves can devise:  
I cannot tell (quoth the butterfly) howbeit,  
Hark what way is best, we take (after my wit.)   

You, reasoning for your friend: and I for my friend,  
Upon our evidance: to this issue laid,  
If my reasons seem better than yours at eende,  
You: allowing them above your own, here weide,  
Or your the better reasons: in my head steide.  
I allowing them likewise: above mine own,  
Reason may set end, and time show end, well grown:   

Upon this: they both were agreed anon.  
The spiders and flies on both sides: to call near.  
Both being agreed: that the ant should propone,  
The spiders: Now standing on the right hand to here,  
The flies: on the left side, as nigh did apere.  
Both ant and butterfly (each in a chair set)  
To declare the case, the ant his tongue hath whet.   
 ornament   

¶ Thant declaring the cause of that meeting, the spiders and flies acknowlageing the same, and that they come to give evidence, the flies are appointed to depart while the spider's first show, what they can say for their part. Cap. 34.  
 depiction of spider and fly story  

Kinsfolk spiders: and friends files: I doubt no whit▪  
But in this terrible trembling tragedy,  
Between the spider: and fly: in copweb knit.  
Ye know: the mischance mischaunced lately,  
And how those chances chanced to chance. whereby,  
The spiders palesse is deeply perished,  
And the flies person deadly perilled.   

Also (I suppose) ye know that we twain,  
I for the spider: and he for the fly,  
Are chosen arbiters. Such end tobteine:  
As evidence shall show: both sides to try.  
Which to show (I dame) ye apere presently.  
Said one spider first: and than one fly: all this,  
We know, and to give evidence: our coming is.   

This known (quoth thant) doubting whether ye know.  
How far our authority stretcheth here,  
To meddle in this matter, hear me show.  
Number and weight of strifes cloudy and clear,  
Between these twain: many and great apers.  
Of all which: aurtoritee have we none,  
To touch in this talk, save only this one.   

The fly claimeth all holes in all windows,  
To pass and repas: to be free for flies all.  
Alegeing that spiders (by all old show.)  
In tops and sides: have place especial.  
The spider claimth the whole: in general.  
To hearing whereof, we our award would knit,  
What part: each part shall have: from all to nowhit.   

Sir (said the spider and fly) that erst had said,  
This know we, and have purueide evidence:  
As clear for each part, as each part can see weide.  
Then (quoth the ant) for our intelligence,  
Will ye friend butterfllie: that the flies go hence?  
While we here the spiders speak: ye (quoth he)  
Cousins flies: stand back till ye called be.   

The flies stepped back: the spiders forward drew.  
Standidg before those two: in their cheires set  
Declaration: to whom: what they herein knew,  
Was devised: and determined. Ere they there met.  
Wherein: for entry to let longer let,  
The butterfly: straight entering as here enseuth.  
Thant provoketh the spiders to speak the truth.   
 ornament   

¶ After a few words between the ant & butterfly, one spider as mought be for all, declareth to those two th'arbiters all evidence that all spiders for their part can devise: and that done, the spiders are commanded away, and the flies bidden to approach. Cap. 35.  
 depiction of spider and fly story  

Masters (or lords) spiders: what shall I call ye?  
In things here now to talk: hark well this one thing:  
At my blunt behaviour, bark ye or ball ye.  
If ye bring in sovistry: or book larning,  
To blind mine eyes with: I give you plain warning,  
Tom troth will not be wownde that way. And thereby,  
Be warned: to talk truly and homlily.   

They will do so (quoth the ant) I dare say  
So will the flies than (quoth tother) I dare swear.  
Then (quoth thant) without more delated delay,  
What ye spiders can speak, speak while we give ear.  
With this, one spider (as all agreed wear,)  
Standing foremost, and as a bolt upright,  
Soberly said, with curtsy low as he might.   

May it (masters) like you: a spider am I,  
Of such years, as no living flies years may,  
Witness (by remembrance) my full age for why?  
I took life in this world, (old spiders would say)  
just in the leap year: before the ill may day.  
My parents (as I am) wear black nebde and bald.  
The long lived stock: of spiders they were called.   

By part: of my which parents, this I gather,  
In their times, worshipful spiders (though I say it,)  
My father: grandfather: and great grandfather:  
Would say: as they hard elder spider's wei it,  
That every window: hung it, stood it, or lay it.  
All parts of the same: in lowest and highest,  
Were spiders freehold, both farthest and niest.   

And ever have been (said they) at will to beelde,  
In part: or in all: and that they could not know:  
That ever fly (of right) any part there holded.  
These few words of forefathers spiders: make show,  
In all parts: of all windows: the right to grow,  
On our part. The contrary whereof to wafe,  
No spider: hath herd any spider: ought say.   

Say all ye spiders thus (quoth thant?) ye (quoth they.)  
Have ye herd (quoth the butterfly) any wight  
Say aught herein: saving spiders? quoth they, neigh.  
Have ye (quoth thant) ought else in this to recighte?  
Ye (quoth one spider) standing behind all quite.  
I have a counter verse to sing: in this place  
Which shallbe countred, with the flies face to face.   

Ye shall (quoth the butterfly) sing that verce anon.  
But we must here the flies indifferently.  
As we have heard you. Till which time, be ye gone.  
They stepping back: the flies forthwith soberly,  
Stood in their place. Tharbiters glaunsingly,  
Ere the flies aught said, in their repairing near,  
Had between themselves: these woordis, which ye shall here,   
 ornament   

¶ Upon a short talk between the arbiters, one fly: spokes fly for all flies, discloseth all evidence for their part: where with the flies at commandment depart aside. Cap. 36.  
 depiction of spider and fly story  

THe spider's tale (ꝙ thant) semth a choking choke plum  
Against flies. Ere ye (quoth the butterfly) gruche,  
Against any part, audum altum paltum.  
This term fet far from the latin: and more such,  
Lernde in the school of ignorance, he spoke much:  
And understood little. But this being staid,  
An ancient fly: stood forth, and thus to them said.   

My masters arbiters I am a fly,  
Of such age, as spiders few or none may boast.  
My father's hand writing (for witness) have I,  
That I was bred, in the year of the great frost,  
Before the great sweat. When many flies were crossed,  
Out of the book of life. Who by extreme cold,  
Were frozen to death: midaged, young, and old.   

In all which days: to this day, I have herd flies say:  
All holes in all windows, where they stood or stand.  
Have been (and be) flies freehold: as their high way,  
To pass and repas. And that the spider's band,  
Owners of the sides and tops only: are scanned.  
Whereto, I nor no fly (I dare verify),  
Ever heard any fly, say contrary.   

Flies (quoth the butterfly) take ye this tale true?  
Ye (quoth they. know ye ought (quoth thant) but by flise?  
Nay (quoth they.) Forth (quoth the butterfly) pursue.  
Can you (or any of you) ought else devise:  
Whereby further light in your right, may arise?  
Ye sir: said one fly: then standing all behind,  
To the spider's teeths: anon, I'll tell my mind.   

That shall ye do (quoth thant) but friend butterfly,  
Will ye first require them to withdraw aside?  
While you and I: sum part of this paste may try.  
Hence (quoth the butterfly) wherewith thence they hide,  
They twain then only there, themselves they aplide.  
Each one with other: together to consowlt,  
What frewt: out of this erst said, their brains could bowlt,   

Ere either of other: did herein ought break,  
Thant devised, what way best to enter it.  
The butterfly studied not what words to speak,  
But to speak with voice clear, he coughed and he spit:  
Till his voice was much more clear than his wit.  
And yet far from witless: but plain blunt grossness,  
showed his words: oft times to show witless looseness.   
 ornament   

¶ The arbiters (in debating thevidence on both parts given) can not otherwise agree, but that the same weith even as much for the tone part as for the t'other, at end whereof they call again all the said sort. Cap. 37.  
 depiction of spider and fly story  

SAy (said thant) your opinion uprighfly:  
What weith this evidence on both sides think you?  
To try which side showth best (quoth the butterfly,)  
These words as much matter: for flise do allow,  
As for spiders, so do they (quoth thant) avow,  
As much matter in words to allow, in likewise,  
In spiders for spiders, as in flise for flise.   

And more (for th'one half: wellnigh that spider's claim.  
The flise do grant. But spiders grant unto flise,  
No part of theirs, which is to the flise a maim.  
The slies own tale: sides: and tops of windows trise:  
To be the spiders, by custom's warantise.  
Whereto: the spider's tale for the flise part weighed,  
Weith no hear breed in windows for the flies aid,   

Spiders (quoth the butterfly) show themselves here,  
More siding to their side: then flies to their are.  
As flies indiffrantly make custom to apere,  
Sides: and tops of windows: for spider's share,  
And that flies (by custom) the holes: theirs do clare  
So should spiders: endiffrantly consither,  
To leie (as flies do) both customs together.   

Spiders (quoth thant) take those customs far unlike.  
Theirs to grow of right, flies: of usurpation.  
If (quoth the butterfly) the flies do here pike:  
That quarrel to spiders, in custom's usation.  
That is tit for tat, in this altercation.  
So that for any thing: any part can get,  
Both parts in all things yet, on even hand are set.   

But to try: how good or how ill: custom is,  
Is no part of our charge. ye know we must tri:  
How much or how little: custom doth in this.  
Perferring or debarring: cleime of each parti  
Wherein, for all laid here yet again say I  
Flies leie (where reason and equalness be giders,)  
As much for flies, as spider's leie for spiders.   

Well (quoth thant) as we both heard both parts aparté,  
So now let us both: both parts together here.  
How we both: between both partis: can the hare start.  
Both agreed that all on both partis should apere.  
They did so. And all on both sides settled near,  
The ant declaring the pith: of all yet wrought,  
Entre to matter more, thant induction brought.   
 ornament   

¶ Thant showeth to them all, that thevidence weith to one effect on both sides, so that all resteth now upon knowledge which part to credit most: and upon that motion, one spider and one fly fall in argument to try the same: wherein is touched (partly) the properties of credence, worship, and honesty: they agreeing that credence standth upon honesty, as thus, as every spider or fly is honest, so is he credible. Which talk ended, they are all again sequestered. Cap. 38.  
 depiction of spider and fly story  

Friends all: ye all erst assembled in parts twain,  
Before us twain here for both parts have declared:  
By the mouths of twain, two tales: which two contain,  
One effect. For the matter self in regard,  
The only difference in both: being confarde,  
Is this. What one spider for all spider's laith,  
The self same sentence, one fly: for all flies saith.   

As thus: that spider said all spiders have laid,  
All holes in all windows: to be spiders freehold.  
Which self saying: that said fly (for all flies) said.  
In few words at full then, theffect to unfold,  
Both parts present, to this tale is to be told,  
Sum matter to try: what appearance may rise,  
Which part we shall credit most, spiders or flise.   

With this, a well spoken spider stepped in place.  
saying: if comparison in credence grow,  
Then must ye with us spiders rule this case,  
Spiders have been and be worshipful ye know.  
And flies honest (quoth a witty fly) I trow?  
And of credence: the property or majesty,  
Stanth not more by worship: then by honesty,   

Nor so much neither: as all kinds of flies think,  
No: no colour of cause of credence: can stand,  
Where as worship with honesty: doth not link,  
And honesty without worship (skilfully skande.)  
May have: and must have: credence at every hand.  
If ye spiders worships: for credence do here lay,  
Flies honesties: shall spiders woorshippes' outwey   

Wear this gay couchte case (quoth the spider) granted,  
More credence for flies: then for spiders might be geste,  
Which shouth you to dame: as you it avaunted,  
That no spider: but all flies, are honest.  
And all spiders worshipful: wherein ye express:  
Cause of credence: in flies honesties: to grow,  
Much more, then in spider's worships: there may show.   

Credence, honesty, and worship, thus take I.  
Credence in this word trust: plainly term we may  
Honesty, virtue morally and civilly.  
Worship, reverence, or estimation to say.  
Honour: is also reverence: as use doth way.  
Honour and worship: both one in use take we,  
Save: honour is reverence, in the higher degree.   

Now note: that the full cause of credence or trust,  
Springth and spreadth out of virtue or honesty.  
And honour, or worship: is duly discussed,  
Dew, where virtue or honesty is. then see.  
Who is not honest, worshipful: he can not be.  
For: worship: and honesty: th'one and tother,  
The tone of the twain, dependth on the t'other.   

What (quoth the fly) meaneth this circumquaquie,  
This (quoth the spider) where ye (in your last saying,)  
Separate in sunder: worship and honesty,  
Worship: to spiders, and honesty: to flies laying.  
Flies credence above spiders, tavaunce in weighing.  
Worship: and honesty: I join so: that here,  
Worshipful spiders: be honest spiders clear.   

Honest spiders are worshipful (quoth the fly.)  
By honesty. And credible to, no nay.  
But where spider's honesty standeth awr●e,  
Worship and credence, stand awry to I say.  
So (quoth the spider) be honesty away,  
The flies credit: standth a crook even as far,  
As the spiders. But let us touch this case nar.   

Grant: hers a spider of honesty no whit,  
To whom: admit a fly of great honesty.  
The spider (not the fly) to authority knit.  
Is not that spider: in authorized degree,  
More worshipful and credible taken to be,  
Then that inferior fly? (quoth the fly no.  
Which ye shall here, but first here how your words go.   

Credence. honour. worship, or reverence,  
To virtue or honesty, ye first avoucht due.  
last, authority ye bring in assistance.  
Thunhonest authorized, thereby tensue,  
In worship and credence. Ye (quoth he thatꝭ true.  
And in touching that first of these two cases,  
I forgot this last, but both must have their plases.   

As honour, or worship, and credence do depend,  
Upon all that are honest: by honesty,  
So worship and credence: in like case to bend,  
On all in authority, by authority.  
Nay (quoth the fly) (quoth the spider) friend tell me,  
Is not authority, to be woorshippid?  
Yes master (quoth the fly) or else god forbidden.   

All authority: not against the great god,  
In spiders under him placed: as potentates:  
In them and their substitutes, that god hath bod:  
To be woorshipt and obeyed, in humble rates.  
But authority: and authorized states,  
cause of worship due to both. differ as far,  
As jerico and jersei, in joining jar.   

authority, for itself, woorshippid is.  
Thauctorised, for good ufe of authority,  
Are duly reverenst▪ which good use if they mis.  
Worship or reverence, to them given none should be.  
Yet there is (quoth the spider) we daily see.  
Before thauthorized: curtsy made as low,  
To the ill as to the good, and more low sum trow.   

That curtsy. (quoth the fly (rightly directed,  
Runth to thauthority: in the auctorisid.  
Not the authorized person, respected:  
Thauthority in the person: here reverensid.  
Thauthority for the person, not woorshippid.  
Nor the person for himself: lacking honesty,  
Because he lackth honest use of authority.   

Spiders in authority: without honesty,  
No worship in themselves (I say) is tavouche:  
Flies in honesty, without authority:  
By that honesty, worship in themselves▪ doth couch.  
And credence in both these parts: is tried by like touch.  
Thus unhonest spiders: being authorized,  
Be: (for themselves) woorshiped, nor credited.   

Beet (quoth the spider) but then to this pu●ea●e  
One spider: and one fly, of one honesty are.  
Thonest spider placed: in authorized place,  
Thonest fly not. Doth not that spider's state declare,  
More worship and credit: then that fly can compare:  
More worship? yes: but more credence, no say I,  
Proof whereof ensueth, (quoth the fly) by and by.   

Honesty (I say as yourself erst here said.)  
Is the root: that credence and worship: both twaine●  
Grow on. So that our worship and credence weighed,  
O● worshipful authority, do not remain.  
But on our honest use thereof: thus our chain  
That lingth us to credence: is not authority,  
But good use of authority: by honesty.   

Wherein I conclude: flies of most base degree;  
Having like honesty: to spiders most high,  
Have in like wise: like credence of equity.  
Not like reverent worship (I say) for why,  
Spiders using authority honestly,  
For place and person both: where case so infuse,  
Flies: to spiders, humble reverence must use.   

What is (quoth the spider) the difference in show,  
Of one degree of credence: in these two told?  
This (quoth the fly.) By this exsaumple to know.  
Two spiders webs woven: admit here to be sold.  
For stuff and all thing, both as one to behold.  
Save th'one: above tother, more fair gloss doth bears.  
More pleasant to the eye, both one to the wear.   

Yet hath that glossy web estimation more  
Than tother though both webꝭ of one weaving Bee  
And so for one credence: in the two before  
Spider's authority: used with honesty  
They shine: in beauty: of a double degree.  
So that though credence self, be one in these both,  
Yet that gloss in that one, that other out goth.   

Then (quoth the spider) it serveth for somewhat,  
Honest spiders: in authority to stand:  
Above honest flies, ye: but it serveth not:  
(Quoth the fly) for your part of the point in hand,  
To prove more credence, in honest spiders scanned:  
Then in honest flies: for in equal honesty  
Standeth equal credits, on both sides: ye see.   

Which: you (my masters) having seen; being wise,  
And that: which part hath credence more: which hath less,  
Of spiders or flies: is the thing to devise,  
We pray you: your judgement there in to express.  
If we (quoth th'arbiters) in this case address,  
Ourselves to give judgement: will ye that abide?  
Ye ye (in pilates voice) all on both sides cried.   

Let them all (to the butterfly said the ant)  
Depart. while we herein seek an end to find.  
Content (quoth the butter fly) at your instant:  
Trudge hence ye flies (quoth he) as ye are asinde.  
At wink of the ant: away the spider's wind.  
They all here upon being gone forth forthwith,  
They two: herein proceeded as followeth.    

¶ By thantꝭ provocation the butterfly repeateth th'argument before made, in his gross terms, not far from full and they twain seeming to agree upon the point herein, they command the spiders and flies back again. Cap. 39  
 depiction of spider and fly story  

Will ye (quoth the ant) repeat us this talk last?  
I would: but I will not (quoth the butterfly)  
For I can not: though my heart for it should braced.  
I forbade here: all spouting in sovostrie.  
Now they speut: in speuting who may spent most high  
Save now a word and tan a word: here and tere,  
Vengeance the whit, I am for their words the near.   

Tell (quoth the ant) as ye perceive even in gross:  
What the pith is. As I (quoth he) had a glance,  
Beginning of their comnicashin arose,  
Wherein they argde: and fell at arging stance,  
In comparson, who should have most credance:  
Of spiders of flies. The fly. flies honest rate,  
took more credible, than spiders worshipful state.   

The spider: then cast a compass round about,  
That honestnes, is vertousnes, and woorshipfulnes,  
Due where honestnes: or vertusnes, birth rout.  
So that woorshipfulnes: and honestnes,  
Do pend each on other, by that spider's ges.  
Of spiders and flies: by his almashin guessed,  
Honest are worshipful, worshipful are honest.   

The fly to this: said spiders: by honesty,  
Be worshipful and credible to. And than,  
The spider brought in: a toy of toritie.  
Thunhonest spider therein: thereby to scan,  
In credance and worship: each where and when,  
More: then the fly: he being an honest one:  
Haning to that honesty, toritee none.   

The fly to this: for worship and credance: said,  
Though toritee for itself: worshipful Bee,  
Yet winth it no worship (in any wight laid:)  
To himself: for himself, outsepted that he:  
Use therein usashin of said honesty.  
But in misuse of toritee: the fly told,  
Worship or credance: no wight self can hold.   

Then the spider legde, one spider: and fly one:  
They both, in one gree: of honesty being.  
That spider in toritee, that fly in none.  
Whether worship: and credance were not greeing:  
More to that spider: then to that fly fleeing.  
More worship, he granted: because honesty,  
And toritee ●●inde. But more credance, no said he.   

For honesty: and not noritee, is root,  
Said he● whereon all branches of credance spring.  
Then no honesty, no credance: had in boot.  
Like honesty, like credance: in every thing.  
The spider then axte, what diffrance: in showing:  
Of one gree of credance: in these fore told twain  
Which by a web saumple, the fly answered plain.   

Two spiders webs of one stuff and workmanship:  
Save th'one above tother hath gloss more gay:  
To the eye. but for wear, they differ not a chip.  
Yet doth that glossie web: bear the bell away.  
And so the spider: to his honesty in stay:  
Having toritee above like honest fly,  
Credance shinth in the spider, more bewteoussie.   

Well said (said the ant) though these terms be but base:  
Yet approve they well: that you perceive the pith:  
Which: concerning credence, concludth in this case:  
That the worst fly, and the best spider therewith:  
Where one degree of honesty concurith,  
There one degree of credence, concurth likewise.  
Whereon, hark here what a strange case doth arise.   

Put case a duke of estate honourable.  
Affirming a tale, on his honour for true:  
A duck stepth forth: and saith it is a fable.  
Were it not a case (trow you) as strange as new:  
That dewke: and that duck: of one credit to view?  
The dewkes and duckꝭ honesty (quoth he) being one,  
Their credence is one: by granted ground erst gone.   

From which ground (master an't) by my fatherkin.  
I will not start, but stand and stick even fast:  
As unto this my body, sticketh this skin:  
Well (quoth thant) being at this point: with this past,  
further to proceed in this case: what way to cast,  
Let us have these spiders: and flies: again here.  
At bek of both, all before both did apere.   
 ornament   

¶ Thant telleth them, that where thevidence for both sides goth to one effect, and that in debating which side is most credible to award the window unto, it is concluded, that credence standth upon honesty: and that as all spiders and flies are honest, so are they credible: now must it first be ●ride, which side is most honest, thereon to judge which side is most credible. Cap. 40.  
 depiction of spider and fly story  

AT your last standing here, (ꝙ thant) the case stood:  
On trial in credence: of spiders and flise.  
Thevidence for both: being one: and like good,  
On which part of both, most credence might arise.  
Wherein determinate trial to devise,  
One cowple of you: one spider and one fly,  
Reasoned (birlakin) prettily wittily.   

Bre●e pith, whereof (to present purpose,) was this.  
Honesty ye agreed: of credence is the ground.  
Concluding for all: as each wights honesty is  
More or less, so more or les credence: is bownde.  
All spiders and flies, of one honesty found,  
Are of one credence. In that credence doth bend,  
All wholly upon honesty to depend.   

Then: as thevidence: on which side to ley best:  
Where credence lithe most, we thought best to have tried,  
So must we now, for credence: see sum wei gest:  
Which side bringth most honesty testifide,  
And thereby most credit. To this, or that side.  
Beit (quoth the butterfly) now let us see surs:  
Who shall here win boot, in winning here his spurs.   

Another spider and fly, to the helm stood.  
A comely cowple: as were of these two kinds,  
Their manner showed their bringing up? to be good.  
Curtsy low: to th'arbiters, as curtsy binds.  
Behavir most descent: in uttering their minds:  
As their talk was: of honesty: to devise,  
So devised they their talk, honestly likewise.    

¶ One spider and one fly reasoning which side is most honest, agreeing in conclusion, that thonesty on both sides apeereth to them two, to be one, that fly requireth th'arbiters to ponder the case as they shall think good. Cap. 41.  
 depiction of spider and fly story  

TO speak (quoth this spider) truth honestly here,  
Briefly: in honesty: both partis to compare,  
equality doth therein: to me apere.  
As right many spiders: right honest there are,  
So right many flies: right honesty declare.  
As honesty (it self) is one quality,  
So both parts qualifide like, like honest be.   

Sir (said this fly) this is of you qualifide,  
Right honestly. Whereupon (with your assent,  
(Under reformation) I would see here tried,  
One thing: herein to try: what different extent,  
Standth in one degree, of honesty here meant.  
In both us foresaid partise, spiders and flise.  
Which: in few words, I shall now to you devise.   

Flies: more then spiders, twenty to one there are.  
Put then in each one person, like honesty:  
In one spider, and ten flies: to compare.  
Showth not here: that most number: in quantity,  
To show here: the most show of that quality?  
It showth most (quoth the spider) and to show how,  
Mark this short example that I shall show you.   

One flower: before two mirrors: being set here.  
Thone mirror cracked: in ten pieces sundry:  
Thother whole. This flower in these glasses shall apere,  
At the whole glass, as it is: one flower only.  
The cracked glass, showth ten flowers aparently.  
For of those ten pieces of glass everichone,  
Each one piece, (in itself) showth one flower alone.   

So: this feire flower honesty: in one spider placed:  
And ten flies, each one possessed of like fame.  
For honesty self, there is no more purchased:  
In the ten flies, then in th'one spider to name.  
The only difference (I say) in show doth frame:  
Ten flowers in the crack glass: as thus to respekt:  
Ten flowers in form, and one flower in effect.   

That whole glass doth show one flower: and is no more:  
That crack glass: making show of flowers: half a score  
thereyet but one flower, at both these glasses lo.  
As in both these parts, one honesty: no more.  
Well (quoth the fly) yet as I have said before:  
One honesty: in one spider, and in ten flise.  
Most show of that honesty: in those flise rise.   

Which show showth (thonesty in all being one)  
A beauty: shining of more exelensy:  
In those ten flies, then in th'one spider alone.  
Sir (said the spider) to speak indifferently,  
Even so take it I: and even so grant it I.  
My masters (to th'arbiters) the fly then said,  
Wey you: how honesty: is here to be weide.   
 ornament   

¶ Tharbiters commanding all to go apart again, they fall in talking somewhat at large touching both credence and honesty in both these sides, which done to show therein their minds, they call all before them again. Cap. 42.  
 depiction of spider and fly story  

th'arbiters: willing both partis to step back straight,  
Brother butterfly (said the ant) here ye see:  
Honesty on both these partis: to poise in weight,  
If more honest flies then honest spiders be:  
Yet of both partis: each one like of honest,  
The number more and les: as these two declare,  
Both numbers: of one honesty, they compare.   

For thonestnes self, (quoth he) to that they grew.  
But thonestnes in those flies: showeth more exalent:  
As twenty flowers in the broken glass: to ●ew:  
Show of th'one flower in the whole glass: far out went  
Ye, in show (quoth thant) with you I do consent.  
But by their equal degree of that quality,  
This spider, and these flies, equally honest be.   

Well then good master an't (quoth the butterfly,  
We gre: that the show, of one honestnes here:  
Upon the ten flies part: showth more shininglie:  
Then on the one spider's side: in show can peer.  
And for thonesty self, to draw to end near,  
You answering one demand: demanded by me,  
Best part to sprinspall purpose, we shall soon see.   

Is not this argnicashin of honestnes,  
Tose who are most honest, spiders or flies?  
To try thereby the side most credabill to ges,  
In th'one evidence: that both sides did devise,  
Each side for itself? yes (quoth thant that none devise.  
But graunth it. Since (quoth the butterfly) thatꝭ trowth,  
Dark what proof to purpose: upon this case growth.   

Let us here demit: one spider and ten flise.  
All like honest: who seeing two sew at law,  
That one spider, for th'one side, a witness lise,  
Those ten flise, to tother side: witnesses draw.  
I never witted wight: that ever heard or saw:  
But such ten flies evidance: more credibly weide,  
Then such one spiders evidance weide in eide.   

Not so (quoth thant) for put case this foresaid sort:  
In witnessing one word: in one tale erst told:  
To them all: th'one spider doth after report,  
That word was there and then said. And flies hold,  
It was not said: in this case knoweth young and old:  
This one spider must have in t● afirmative,  
More credit than ten ●lies in the negative.   

Master an't: Flies want of credance: standth not here,  
In the weakness of credance in the flise,  
But in weakness of credance in the case clear.  
Negentive, against firmentive, weakly lise.  
Forgetting, and remembering, thus this case trise:  
We may sooner forget: that we heard last day,  
Then remember that we hard not, anyway.   

But for both parts here: put afirmentive case.  
This one spider affarmth here: firmentively.  
That I lay (last night) in Northumberland place.  
These ten flies say: in Westmurland place lay I.  
In this affarmashin: deemashin to try,  
Which part hath here: most credance in your deming?  
The flies (quoth the ant) aparently seeming.   

But since honesty and not credence: is now,  
The thing: to touch here in place and case present,  
And that (for thonesty self,) I prove to you:  
One degree of honesty: in both sides bend,  
That one: and those ten: have one honest extent.  
Agree we for that part: thus to resolve.  
Which resolution, let me to them revolve.   

Beit (quoth he) but when talk of credance cometh 〈◊〉,  
I'll arg as I did now: for credance again.  
Do (quoth thant) if ye see thereby aught to win,  
All oft erst called, they called again to them twain.  
To whom the ant (as aptly did appertain.)  
In words: for the matter briefly couched and caff,  
Pronounced to all, what they two there passed last.   
 ornament   

¶ Thant telleth them, that they two determine honesty on both sides to be one. Willing them to go forth in the matter, wherewith one tart taunting spider, and one sharp saucy fly, forbearing till this time (with much pain) speaking or rather railing, stand now forth (upon tip toes) to chop logic each with other in rude reasoning of this case. Cap. 43.  
 depiction of spider and fly story  

OF spiders and flies: which part is most honest,  
The trial: is the thing: we now stand upon.  
Wherein: for flies, one: his opinion expressed.  
That as flies in number are twenty to one:  
Above spiders, all on both sides everichone:  
Being like honest, most honesty doth rise,  
To the flies part: where the most number lise.   

To this one spiders tale: of the two glasses touched,  
Thexample showing more show of honesty:  
In the more: then in the les number avoucht,  
Yet both parts being honest in one degree,  
Both parts of like honesty, they took to be.  
And so to adjudge: we two having agreed,  
Agree you: how herein further to proceed.   

With this, before all these spiders and flies here flocked,  
Up stood and out start: that cowple of hare breins:  
The spider and fly, that erst there bragde and corked.  
Upon both their forheds: so swelled the veins:  
That their thus long silence: was seen their great peins.  
In cocking currish countenance: nowhit to seek,  
Staring each on other, they stood cheek to cheek.   

authority they took, none was to them geevin,  
Of good manner void: in taunting smart smatrers.  
Plainness: without honesty, they used eevin.  
They both: to side against side, wear no flatrers:  
But like jaise: in cheritrese such chatrers,  
That being now bend to chat, their tongues to stop,  
With an are: as soon: their heads of, ye may chop.   

Their talk, whether to repeat or to repress.  
Rude railing therein, brought me somewhat to doubt,  
But finally, upon my show to profess:  
The show of this matter: thus far gone about,  
I thought it meet: to show the show throughout,  
Namely the case framed no more far nor hy:  
Then of a poor spider, and a more poor fly.   

These all (I say) standing before these two set,  
Both bending their browse: in case rehearsed erst,  
This foremost spider and fly: in furius fret,  
Frowning each on other, this profess they pierced.  
And vengeable venumly, each other versed.  
Before they came to end, howbeit they began,  
In cownterfet coldness: this matter to skan.   
 ornament   

¶ Where another spider and fly reasoned late before to prove which side of both is most honest, this said quarreling spider and cocking fly, labour to prove which part of boch is most dishonest, in words and deeds. as usurpation in windows and other misbehaviour. at end whereof in furious fumes, thence renth the spider one way, and the fly flingth an other. Cap. 44.  
 depiction of spider and fly story  

Masters (quoth the spider) without circumstance:  
At reasoning on which part most honesty life:  
Of spiders or of flies, in continuance,  
Your judgement: both partis of like honesty trise.  
Which honesty so tried, now contrariwise.  
For a pithy purpose: let us here now see,  
On which side of both: lieth most dishonesty.   

Dishonesty: dare ye stir that, (quoth this fly?)  
What dishonesty know you by fly's sur?  
More than flies know by spiders. Fly what know I?  
Woordis and deeds. Such and so many will I stir,  
As shall: by dishonesty, flies honesty blur.  
And first for words, honesty: honestly to scan,  
Honesty speakth well. Ye (quoth the fly what than?   

This than (quoth the spider) take flies ten thousand:  
Where so ever they flee, go, stand, lie, or sit.  
Few of the number have taken upon hand:  
To give any good spider any good word yeet,  
Except in flattery: which words show every whit:  
As much dishonesty: in false feire semblance,  
As showth in fury, fowl words of more grievance.   

When flies flocked together, upon their ale bench  
Begin to hizes or bizes, in their kind of talk,  
No lords, no laws, can their bizsing babble quenthe.  
And so many words, so many lies: still walk.  
If one devil with an other: for lies should calk:  
They could never find the like, oh (quoth the fly:  
Your mastership talkth wonderfoole honestly.   

If ye gave ear to yourself, ye might soon know:  
Spider to fly: who speakth most ill of us twain.  
Speak not spiders as ill of flies: as ye trow,  
As flies speak of spiders: yes it shouth to plain.  
Wherein these terms must we use: upon great pain.  
When either of other papt: talk out of measure,  
The knave fly 〈…〉 spider speakth his pleasure.   

But grant: dishonest words each part of other,  
Do speak a like much: which showth like dishonesty,  
In both these parts: the tone part to the t'other.  
Of flies dishonest words, the cause is to see:  
The dishonest deeds, of you spiders to be.  
Example whereof: to prove this case most clear,  
Doth in this window (for all windows) apere.   

All holes wherein: being ours in common right.  
Late commonly ours, now severally yours.  
Look where ye set in foot, by right or by might,  
Like as the devil saith: so say you: all is ours.  
For: as this window showth your usurped pours:  
So: in all windows where so ever ye come,  
Ye grasp up all: and flies may sai nought: but mum.   

Thus when we speak (I say) if our speech ill be,  
Of your ill deeds: come our ill words: everichone.  
Do you ●one ill deeds: to us good sir (quoth he?)  
Yes sit (quoth the fly) flies to spiders do one,  
In our curtsy made to you: down to ground gone:  
Most sinfully we commit idolatry.  
For we therein, worship false imagery.   

Falls imagery (quoth he?) ye are a falls knave.  
A right livery (quoth he) turned on the wrong side.  
But liverey and wages: that spiders vouchsafe:  
To give flies, of one substance are verifide.  
Knave up: or take up fly: thy wandering words wide.  
Truly to try: how truth the touch stone may touch,  
On whose side: most dishonesty, is tavouch.   

All dishonest words: in flies of spiders had,  
Come of dishonest deeds: in spiders to flise.  
Thus sayst thou, which saying showth thee drunk or mad,  
What ill or wrong deeds: do we to you devise?  
Our own windows to use, as our own will aplise.  
Your deeds were not ill: were all windows your own,  
But no words: save your own, show windows so known.   

The tops: and top sides: of all windows all yours:  
We have granted and would grant: wear ye content,  
To grant likewise all holes in all windows ours,  
But spiders must have all, ye may nought relent,  
And in your having all: mark thexperiment.  
How the world before went, and since how it goth:  
(For common wealth) in spiders: and in flies both.   

When you in tops and sides there: kept your estate:  
And we in the holes: as stood with our degree,  
Spiders and flies: in all windows situate,  
Dwelled each by other in wealth and unite.  
But since (like a sort of rake hells as ye be)  
Ye lift each at other: and all at us lift,  
There is in you, nor us: either love or thrift.   

But you: we: and our windows to: all go to wrackè.  
By you covetous cutthroats: the devil choke ye.  
Wilt thou wrech (quoth he) lay all this on our back?  
Grown by our strives, nay fly and flies: I'll yoke ye:  
With more than half part of the ill: to smoke ye.  
It is and hath been said: thereno good accord:  
In place, where as every knave will be a lord.   

Which is terbox to your side: for out of doubt,  
Your cockapert pride: and your covetous hearts.  
Have brought: more than three parts of our ills about.  
Your rude rebelins disobedient parts:  
Much unto our (and much more to your own) smarts:  
Ricking and wincing at every good order,  
Hath distroide good order in every border.   

Good order: lost by pride and covetousness,  
In grant. but how: lost by us? nay lost by you,  
Flies may be covetous, but as for riches:  
Flies get none: Except here and there one tallow:  
Yes (quoth the spider) many flies are rich now:  
In occupying in windows under us,  
By price of things reisde there: in fowl overplus.   

Whereflies: of spiders (by wrong quoth he) are driven:  
To hire our own: kept from us (we say) by might.  
Fines incums: and rents, so great and many given,  
With such straight restraint: of our accustomed right,  
That one of those or all, eat up our geins quite.  
Which exact exactions: in spiders began,  
Ere flies in sale of any wares, from thold rate ran.   

As I am true gentleman, thou list on us.  
As ye are a true gentleman: even so I lie.  
But as ye are a falls ientil manto discus,  
Your falsehood and my truth, may join jollily.  
I'll prove straight (quoth the spider) that thou liest, I,  
For rentis: and wars reisde, thou sayst spiders begone.  
But mark how unhonestly that lie doth run.   

Five foot to two: in windows of this reme:  
Ye flies hold yet, in lease at unreised rent.  
All holder's whereof: sell their wares: as extreme,  
As though their fermes at the most raised rent went.  
Now who beginth here: the first extort extent?  
The flies (quoth the fly) but yet spiders begun:  
To raise rentis before: as leases did out run.   

And as leases fall still, so raise they rend still.  
And still (of their goodness) will raise: I doubt not.  
In new leases: of such covenantꝭ to fulfil,  
As the flies geins: no great privi tithes shall lot.  
The lewd lords: their landlords: in reckoning the shot,  
The lot of allowance: in both parts to ley,  
The spiders have the cream, the flies have the whey.   

But spiders: letting farms, and flies holding farms.  
Thone letting farms high, tother selling victuals dear.  
And of all aware sellers: each shifteth from harms.  
By raising his ware, as other wares apere.  
But all that on their pensions (or pence) live mere:  
In windows: without land to let, or ware to sell,  
Where ever they dwell: may think they dwell in hell.   

Well (quoth the spider) for leases not run out,  
Fly farmers holding fermes yet: as old rent gave,  
Why raise they their wares: with tother polling rout?  
They take time (quoth the fly) while they the time have.  
For when your time cometh, you will so poll and shave:  
By raised rents: turning head farmers to herds.  
That they know: ye will flit the fat from their beards.   

And ye hie head spiders: in a conspiracy:  
Conspire in all windows, to keep fermes at heith.  
Or keep them in your own hands, to keep things high:  
Where a fly (quoth the spider) double rend peith:  
More than he hath paid. There experience saith:  
Look what wares: at what price: that flies sold before,  
Those or worse wares he selth for triple price more.   

So that if spiders raise rentis, two pounds from one.  
Three pounds from one: at lest flies raise their wares straight  
Their which robbery, hearing any rumour upon,  
Of the fault, on us spiders they ley the weight  
Roaring: in raging: how we our landis do height:  
Making them beggars (when they with that they win,  
Are able to purchase the fermes they dwell in.   

Well lied: well said: (said the fly) I would have said.  
But now to our ground: on which our saying arose.  
For dishonesty, on both partis to be laid.  
Covetous and pride: being chief grounds in gross:  
To prove on which part: most dishonesty goose,  
Dishonesty by covetousness doth rise,  
At the least: as much in spiders as in flise.   

And as much in flies, as in spiders say I,  
But what remedy fly: to remove this grief?  
Look they that list: they shall for me (quoth the fly)  
We talk not now of grief: to devise relief,  
By honesty, but by dishonest mischief:  
To charge which part most dishonest we can ges  
In all ills, namely pride and covetousness.   

Wherein: as we in covetousness have said,  
Let us now: each part appose other in pride.  
The which vice for both our sides uprightly weide,  
Dishonesty therein, shallbe verifide.  
To lie altogether, on the spider's side.  
Spiders, are of flies: always curtsy takers:  
And flies to spiders, always curtsy makers.   

And yet (I say) in bending our knees to ball:  
Flies looking like lams: spiders like lions look.  
As though poor flies, were made for rich spiders all.  
Of which: though foolish flies: the sufferance may brook:  
Wise flies can not brook it: for they find in book:  
This demand written. When Adam dolue and Eve span,  
Who was in those golden days, a gentleman.   

None as who say. And were there none now (say we)  
The world should be as good now, as it was then.  
If yeomen flies: were put in authority,  
We would rule as well, as spider's gentlemen:  
Shall Jack sauce rule now fly? sir by these bones ten:  
We shall sure be ruled: in all kinds of laws,  
As well by jak sauce: as by master john dawse,   

What wit: or what wealth▪ winneth your estate stout,  
Looke●ily: speak lordly: command all, and do nought.  
Gai gear, goodly cobwebs: to revel with the rout,  
Without any households. For the poor flies wrought.  
But with dishes dainty: far fet and dear bought.  
One fat spider: an other feedth in fine feast:  
More to set out himself, then to feast his jest,   

These proud peacocks propertise: wholly remain,  
In you proud spiders. And not in us poor ●●ise,  
But most proud, most fool. As flies proverbs contain.  
Flies (quoth the spider) in their proud exercise,  
Are to far unlike lords: lords looks tenterprise.  
Lordlyke to look, flies countenance can not brook:  
But though flies look not lordlyke: knave like they look:   

Shall we not find a knave fly: not worth two straws:  
Look more proudly, the the best lord in a shear?  
Yes. And take upon him in chop logik laws:  
To control us, and our households far and near.  
So that by pride, les dishonesty showth here:  
In lordly looks: of spider's lordlike bravery,  
Then in flies knavish deeds, by knavelyke knavery.   

Of which sort of sauce malapert minions,  
Thou art captain hastif: against us to kick.  
And sure: thou hold'st perilous opinions.  
Wear thou aposed pithily to the quick,  
I durst ley my life, thou art an heretic.  
I defy (quoth the fly) the wrech that so saith.  
Hark: I will even in your ear: confess my faith.   

The f●ie: blowing a while, in the spider's ear:  
The spider: that while: breathing in the flies neck,  
Both cried out, as they had been stung on a spear.  
I am killed (quoth the spider) death cometh at beck.  
This fly hath blown fliblowse in mine ear a peck.  
I am poisoned (quoth the fly, death rydth in the road.  
This spider's breath, maketh me swell like a toad.   

treacle cried th'one, an ear pike: cried tother.  
The fly flew, the spider crept, quite out of sight.  
The fly flung one way: the spider ran an other.  
Fume of siry fury, in both was seen right.  
But both being anon gone out of sight quite,  
Thant: in reproach of their communication,  
Told them all, part of his imagination.   
 ornament   

¶ After a few words, which thant speakth to the rest of both sorts there, they are assigned to stand back again, while th'arbiters gather out of this railing, such reason as they can. Cap. 45.  
 depiction of spider and fly story  

IT is commonly said, and commonly seen.  
Where as any number: of any sort be:  
Of all sorts there be, and evermore have been.  
And as in most base sort: sum right good we see,  
So in the best sort: as ill to decree.  
Example whereof: no better proof ensurth,  
In no one example, than this one procurth.   

Of you: both sorts spiders and flies: present here:  
You use yourselves honestly. Many and most,  
But yet thereto s● we: that here doth apere,  
On each one side: one so brimly brag and boast,  
That they prove on both sides: sum knaves in the cost:  
I mean these twain gone. Whom upon inquering,  
Are: in honest audience, not worth the herring.   

Forsooth (said a sober spider) even in deed:  
They are unworthy herring: in any place.  
true (quoth a wise fly) but since it was agreed:  
By common counsels on both sides: to purchase:  
Or provide: them to join with us in this case,  
It seemeth unseemly for us to reject:  
Such: as our electors to us have elect,   

It semth so (said the ant) and I take it so.  
Brother butterfly: will ye that they depart:  
While we twain, to groping of this matter go.  
Ye master an't (quoth he) with all my heart.  
They all (once again) from them twain revart.  
While they two devise: sum way of availing,  
To gather right reason, out of rude railing.    

¶ Tharbiters consider in this taunting talk, that so●●ry d●● honest abuses there are in sundry parties on both sides. upon their agreement of conclusion wherein, they have before them those other spiders and ●lies again. Cap. 46.  
 depiction of spider and fly story  

TO pass this last case (quoth thant) as in award,  
Which part is most dishonest, the case erst weighed:  
Reasoning which is most honest part: to regard:  
Is a plain plat: to prove this likekise leid.  
As honesty there is: equally displeid,  
To show the tone part: as honest as the t'other,  
So show both here, like dishonest: th'one and t●other.   

What kinds of ●auts: we may in the spiders find,  
The same (or the like) we may find in the flise.  
So that (I say) as equity hath asinde,  
One degree of dishonesty, in both lise.  
Where our former talk (quoth the butterfly) trise:  
Thonestie one: in both the sides: yet ye know:  
That honesty in the flies, shinth most in show.   

For that (which I told you I would in mind bear)  
Flies: far more in number, than spiders apere.  
true (quoth thant) and as most number winth flies there,  
Most show of honesty, so most number here:  
Most show of dishonesty: showth in flies clear.  
As most number of thonest: shine most in fame,  
Most number of dishonest, shine most in shame.   

Then (quoth the buterflie) as flies here nought get,  
So lose they nought: wherein let us be content:  
To set the hare's head, against the goose ieblet.  
Both sides: to adjudge like honest: I assent.  
And I (quoth the ant) do give the same judgement.  
Hereupon they called all again to stand near,  
To whom wherein, thant declared as ensueth here.    

¶ Thant declarth to those spiders & flies, that the tales of the pearte spider and ●lie before told, do charge each others part in such sort, that they can not sai which side is most dishonest: but they two adjudge clearly in dishonest things: both sides of like dishonesty. wherewith they all avoided back again, th'arbiters talk to fall to a point between themselves what report finally and fully to make. Cap. 47.  
 depiction of spider and fly story  

ALthough the railing of those railers late gone:  
For itself: or themselves, unmeet may be thought.  
Either to be talked upon: or thought upon.  
Yet since the matter of their talk: such talk brought:  
That as one ground of our talk, talk hath it wrought,  
We have wrought thereto: conciderate consent,  
To conclude therein, this extended extent.   

Dishonesty in spiders and in flies both,  
appeareth approved: so indifferently,  
That on which side the most dishonesty goth:  
We can not know: nor otherwise verify,  
But like dishonesty, on both sides doth lie.  
So that out of hand: to declare our decree,  
Both parts: in dishonesty, have one degree.   

But for as much: as dishonesty here touched:  
Was: to prove or disprove honesty before:  
Which part of both: most or least honesty auou●ht,  
And that dishonesty: doth decide no more:  
Then honesty did, leave dishonesties lore.  
And by former talk: in honesty alone,  
Take honesty on both parts here, judged one.   

The grave number on both sides agreed to this.  
Whereupon: thant axt who had further to say:  
Concerning evidence: in the premissis.  
They all said: they had to say no fuder, they,  
Well said they both: ye all yet again away.  
Which done, they both: each to other their minds broke,  
What end (now at end) they finally might take,    

¶ Tharbiters being agreed on their report, they call to them again the spiders and the flies. Cap. 48.  
 depiction of spider and fly story  

BRother butterfly (quoth shan't) how think ye now?  
What maketh all this evidence for either side?  
All alich for both (quoth he) now how say you?  
I sei the same (quoth thant) wherein is specified,  
To hard a trial: to judge the best side tried.  
The best side of both: since doubt hath thus drowned it,  
Letis at last, leave it, as we at first found it.   

Agreed (quoth the butterfly) by my good sooth:  
They herewith called again, the spiders and flise.  
Each hoping to here a tale, for his own tooth.  
But thant being (for an ant) learned and wise:  
Otherwise weighing, otherwise did devise.  
Of this process past, where to report the pith.  
For which (unto them all,) he made wei forthwith.   
 ornament   

¶ Thant showeth them, that the butterfly and he are at point what to report, devising it to be reported before the head spider and the fly in the copweb the two principal parties. and to have with them to here and witness their report, two spiders and two flies: witty and discrete. and the rest to stay there till their return. Which being agreed, they set forth straight to the said copweb. Cap. 49.  
 depiction of spider and fly story  

KNow ye all: that we two being full agreed:  
What we shall say, we must now full agree:  
Where we shall say. Which saying must be decreed,  
Before those two: that did us two decree,  
As friends of trust: in this authority.  
The spider and fly (mean I) which two are,  
Chief grounds in the case, that we must now declare.   

The butterfly: and all the rest there: said.  
For that report, that was the place most fit.  
Let us, with us, (quoth thant) have forth in eide,  
Two spiders and two flies: of credence and wit.  
And all the rest, till our return here to sit.  
They two with the two twose: following in order,  
Past on: till they came to the cobwebs border.   

The fly in copweb stood up, and prayer left.  
Longing for meed: of preier preide ere than.  
With deadly look: as death had life bereft.  
But when the spider: into place came than,  
Alas poor fly: how he looked pale and wan.  
All those without: unto the spider within.  
At their low curtsy done, thant did thus begin.   
 ornament   

¶ The ant associate with the said sort pronounceth at length (to the spider and sly in the copweb) this brief effect; that in as much as on both sides the evidence is one, and that the credence is one, by shonestie being one, they two can (in reason) no way ●rie, how to lay thaccustomed right more on th'one side then on tother: they finally leave the case even at liberty, as they sound it: and so depart to the place of abitrement again. Cap. 50.  
 depiction of spider and fly story  

MY great good uncle, and little good friend: ●●ie.  
Where you two: chose us two: your arbytres late,  
To adjudge (by reason) the custom rightly:  
Of spiders and flies, in all windows situate,  
Which part should have all: or what part we should rates  
To either part, what hath thereon risin sith,  
And what in fine for fine doth rise, here the pith.   

In the first talk between you twain: and us tweine,  
Thissew to try was (as ye said unto us,)  
How right in all windows (I say) doth remain,  
To both sides, as reason may custom discus.  
You: for you and all spiders, a leging thus.  
All parts in all windows (none except) said ye,  
Are yours: and all spiders, as in tenure free.   

Wherein you fly, as ye then affirmed) hold,  
All holse in all windows, are flies free of old.  
Toys and sides, being spiders hold free: to beelde.  
Head houses or tenantrees or what ye would.  
So that for the hoist only: is all the hold,  
Which (upon further evidence, to consither,  
We (as ye wild us to go,) went together.   

Where: spiders and flies, a certain number met.  
Before a pointed: evidence to disclose.  
And first for all spiders, one to us there set,  
Said. As report of spiders: hath gone and goose.  
All holse in all windows: are theirs to dispose.  
The ●lies then called, one fly for all verifide,  
All holse: by all flies words long to flies side.   

These two: in their two tales: showing difference none,  
In matter: nor in words, save only that they:  
Leid the same: each on the side: he stanth upon,  
They both: and they all: strangers to us (to say,  
This one sentence: on which of both sides to ley,  
Both showing a like credible, to us too,  
That was thing difficult: for us two to do.   

Whereupon: both partis (before us both) called we.  
To try on which part, most credence might apere.  
Wherein one spider: and one fly: of gravity.  
Reasoning on which side most credence should show here,  
They both: at last granted this, for a ground clear.  
As every wights count: in honesty doth mount,  
So every wights credence: amounth in account.   

For: honesty agreed they, to be the ground:  
(Or ground cause) of credence. Then were we drever▪  
To search on which side, most honesty was found.  
Wherein (on both sides) when all reasons were given,  
T honesty on both sides, in our judgement was even.  
And so: for credence, (it on honesty growing)  
One honesty, one credence: in both parts showing.   

Thus: their evidence being one: whereunto:  
Their credence one: by being of honesty one,  
To try the wrong doers: which we came to do,  
What weigh can we (in reason) take? for sooth none.  
Wherein lacking power, since our goodwill alone:  
Can do nought, honestly this charge to discharge,  
As we this case found here, we leave here, at large.   

Friend butterfly (said the spider) how sai you?  
As master an't hath said (said he) so sai I.  
Then (quoth the spider) with thank to you both now.  
We both discharge you. Sir (quoth the butterfly)  
My poor kins●lie here: that in durance doth lie.  
For charge or discharge: in every condeshin,  
I beseech your maship handle him with screshin.   

I will (quoth the spider) use him no wars.  
Then standth with reason, law, custom, and conscience:  
If (quoth the fly) those granted grounds not revarse.  
As: till I see them reversed, in experience:  
I see no cause: to conceive lack of credence,  
Then shall I (and all flies) laud your equity.  
Vndoutfull trust whereof, much comforteth me.   

Fear not that fly (quoth he) and the fly (of trowth)  
From dangerous dread: that he drooped in ear,  
Hoppeth now in hope: as all outward show showth.  
But yet for all thoutward brag: that he did bear:  
Me thought he seemed inwardly, not without fear:  
Lest fair faithful promise of present pleasance,  
Might have fowl feithles displeasant performance.   

But between hope and dread, he lying there still,  
Thant: and butterfly: the four spiders and flise,  
took leave and departed. The same place until,  
That they last ram fro. Where their company life.  
To repeat their doing, in this compromise.  
The spider in copweb, gone that to declare,  
In thuper part of his house, where his flock are.    

¶ Thant and butterfly set where they had sit, thant repeateth to those spiders and flies the report made by him at the said copweb, at end whereof the spiders and flies, seeing that time spent all in vains, each side among themselves fall in mourmuring. Cap. 51.  
 depiction of spider and fly story  

¶ THant and butterfly: set where they erst had sit,  
Those spiders & flies: standing where they erst stood  
Thant repeating this, they perceiving in it:  
Much time spent on all parts: and no part take good,  
They began generally: to change their mood.  
The spiders, together clustering and cluttring,  
The flies, together in murmuring muttering.   
 ornament   

¶ Upon the spiders and the flies mutring murmuring, suddenly there come nigh about them: a wonderful number of all manner of flies: in their warlike manner. Whereat with twynke of an eye (as it were) the head spider (with a great number of spiders,) hath builded a strong castle in that copweb. With ordinance and weapons and spiders ready in order of defence. Cap. 52  
 depiction of the army of flies  
 depiction of the army of spiders  

HErewith (even suddenly: at twink of aniye,)  
came such a flight of flies: in scattered ray,  
As shadowed the son: from th'earth to the sky.  
No kind of fly a live, but was there that day.  
Tag and rag, like lions: raging now rage they.  
Fleshflies, butterflies, land flies, water flies.  
Bees, humblebees, wasps, hornets, gnats of all sies.   

The grand Captain, standing: amid 'mong this wrought,  
Was the fly, that flang from thence in fewrie erst told.  
Seld hath been seen such a sort. And all so stought,  
Except here and there one: temprate to behold.  
staves, bats, clubs, pichforks, most begerlie most bold.  
Wherewith the spiders that erst gave evidence,  
In the copweb, took sentuary for defence.   

Where: whether this proud spider gave word before:  
Who with that pert fly: had before there prated:  
Or that spiders: of ordinary: have store:  
Of all munition: for wars ready rated,  
I wots not. But without more time delated:  
Ordnance of all sorts round the copweb was laid,  
And all spiders with all weapons, priest in eyed.   

Daggs, handgoons, hakse, hagbussers, culverins, slings:  
Potgoons, sakirs, cannons, double and demie.  
Field pieces, of all sewts, with all belonging things.  
Byls, bows, partisance, pikes, to push far or nigh,  
And to occupy all, spiders placed aptly.  
Each of them: harnessed meet for his property,  
The rest, all in bright harness capa pe.   

The flies, of all ordnance were not destitute,  
Nor furnished: like as the spiders wear:  
Rusty rotten pieces: their terror to brewte,  
They shalt of, and shot wide, of marks every where.  
Drums, fi●●es, flags, and wi●●ers, none wanted there,  
Banners displayed on both sides: all arms bearing,  
In heralds' books a vowed, for both sides wearing.   

The flies, in number, a 'bove the spiders far.  
The spiders, in order, far better then thaie.  
The flies, will adventure to make or to mar,  
The spiders, (not suddenly) sobreli way:  
To defend or offend, the flies as they may.  
The spiders, in copweb will bide this ieobertie.  
The flies, in field will besiege them at liberty.   
 ornament   

¶ This huge heap of flies light about th'arbiters. Apprehending thant, casting a halter about his neck: drawing him to their tree of reformation (as they call it) to hang him straight. But at his suit to be hard speak ere hedie, on fli fleeth into the tree, where with the captain commandeth silence. Cap. 53.  
 depiction of the army of flies  
 depiction of the army of spiders  

THis innumerable flock of flies: are now,  
Marched unto th'arbiters. And they there lighted,  
They took thant prisoner: with an unadvised vow,  
To spite the spiders, who had flies long spyghted,  
That he should straight be hanged, and then indited.  
Of selonie: against flies: as an adherent,  
To spiders, in their usurpation urgent.   

Hang him up (quoth one) with wild words and wide wit.  
A falls wretch he is. And well known every where.  
And would be known no where: where ever he flit.  
He hath two names: one name here, an other there.  
In this place called an't. In that place called pismeare.  
And one susspected varlet: two names to have,  
Is (in common judgement,) judged a false knave.   

Then stepped forth a sort of fell flies, fewriouslie.  
Who: having cast a halter about th'ant's neck,  
To their tree of reformation standing by,  
They felly forced him, with many a chorlish check.  
A ladder to that tree was set, at a beck.  
Where he in haste halde up: and the halter tide,  
Turn the thief of the ladder: thousands cried.   

Small was the marvel: though thant were much abashed:  
To see this sore sooden importable chance,  
Who liveth in nature: but he must be dashed:  
Both out of courage, and out of countenance.  
That should straight: be dashed out of continuance,  
〈◊〉 none (or few) being forewarned of death's hour,  
Can 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 feeling thought, of that sharp shower.   

Fight now in worship set high: as a judge:  
Euin now, standing in shame to be hanged high,  
It w●● to him, a feeling grief of grudge:  
Unknown to all: that have not felinglie:  
Felt of the same, in their experiensie,  
His look and hue now, and late: so unlike,  
I hat to the heart: a jew that sight must strike.   

In which agony: calling to him his wit:  
One wise fly: at all former talk present,  
Seeming with all flies present in good credit,  
He prayed to persuade all there: to be content,  
To hear him speak, ere he his life should relent.  
But reason (quoth that fly) and therewithal, he,  
To get thant that grace, got him in to that tree.   

The fly there bend to speak, the captain grand,  
By mouth of an harolo: at trumpet sownid,  
In proclamation, did silence straight command.  
Whereat: a few words here and there in ears rownid,  
To here that fly speak, their speech was all drownid.  
Whereupon the captain bidding that fly say,  
These or these like few words, he said straight way.   
 ornament   

¶ The fly in the tree: to perswarde the flies to here the any speak, wadeth honestly, politiklie to a lewre them, to quiet hearing of the ant before they put him to death. His which tale told, he removeth to his place again. Cap. 54.  
 depiction of the army of flies  
 depiction of the army of spiders  

BRothers (and brotherly friends) all: I doubt not:  
Ye know me a fly: and take me such a fly,  
As for ant: or spider: in any what:  
Will not be false, to the stock that naturally:  
I ought to be true unto: to live or die:  
For this ant and all ants: what I shall say now,  
Shall approus me none of them, but one of you.   

Of whom: each one: an other myself to say.  
And each one to other: (I hope,) likewise knit.  
Let us all as one: entering this one journey,  
Enter the path, as we may pass thorough it.  
One deep enduction whereto: judged in my wife,  
Is to flee rash deeds rashly done here. For such,  
Have undone all: in our like case, very much.   

One of which danngerous deeds (under correction,)  
We do in this deed: thant thus to death to draw.  
Without accusation or detection:  
Whereby might appear any colour of law:  
To kill him. This lo doth my conscience gnaw.  
And yet more: the number here in ire so stirred,  
That they would have him hanged, and not speak one word.   

Which deed: if we do, where are our like monsturs?  
First to apprehend an ant undetected:  
By any colour, that any word consturs.  
To be either detected, or susspected:  
And not only straight unto death, directed:  
But die, not suffered to speak, defame of us:  
That perpetual tromp, will blow: in shame of us.   

Wherefore for us (and not for him) as I said:  
I sew to you, as he hath sewde to me.  
To hear him speak, Which speech of you herd and weyde,  
As you shallbe a greed, so shall I agree.  
To hang him: or save him, as we cause shall see.  
This tale thus told, down the fly again flitth,  
And where he erst did sit, there he again sitth.   
 ornament   

The flies former fine tale, nowhit stirreth the gross flies to the hearing of the ant. Whereupon the butterfly (that was an arbiter) fleeth into the tree: labouring the flies to have the ant heard speak ere he die. Cap. 55.  
 depiction of the army of flies  
 depiction of the army of spiders  

With this: a chirme in mumering there fell:  
amongst them all. They in flocks flocking anon,  
Here and there a flock: like sort to like. To tell,  
Their minds. And sum preysde▪ sum dispreysde the tale gone  
This tale showth this fly honest and wise (saith one)  
He is a false flattering fly (saith another)  
He said well: but he meant ill (said some other)   

Thant hath bribid him: (quoth one) he is corrupt sewer.  
An ant bribe a fly (quoth an other) wherewith?  
With one of his eggs, that is a sore alewre.  
To tempt a fly, nay▪ quoth one) this is the pith:  
He is a spy: for the spiders (I see even sith)  
I herd no word (quoth one) to suspect him by.  
(Quoth one) all his words sound susspiciously.   

So many heads, so many wits. There were seen.  
Thonest flies: that flies tale, honestly did broo 〈…〉 e.  
The contrary took ●is tale contrary clean.  
I herd by sum 〈…〉 s words: and saw by their look.  
That thill sort: the good sort: against their wills took.  
Good flies would have suffered: and have sit even still:  
Rather than have risin: by force of thyll,   

But forth he must (they say) that the devil doth drive,  
Things are not wrought: by wisdom in such a rout:  
Will: and not wisdom, must such matters contrive.  
All surety of saved, to bring in a doubt.  
Or to set saved undoubtedly Quite out,  
In which saved: such flies: as sat fast before,  
Must leave hold: to take hold, on contrary shore.   

They being now driven, they must do as they shall,  
And not as they would, and for this case in hand,  
Hang the ant forthwith: cried the most number all.  
The blunt butterfly: that arbiter had stand,  
Whipped into the tree: as fierce as a fire brand.  
And at silence had: upon the trumpets blast,  
He must blow his blast. Or else his heart must braced,   
 ornament   

¶ The butterfly (to get thant to beheard) telleth his tale in such rude manner and matter, that anon he setth them all (wellnigh) together by the ears. But upon his gross tale grossly told, (much more liked then the flies finer tale) they grant to here the ant speak. Cap. 56.  
 depiction of the army of flies  
 depiction of the army of spiders  

VHhat a sort of captain cobblers have we here:  
Under our grand captain, I charge everyone:  
Keep silence, and obediance all in fere.  
In the circumcision that we go upon,  
Think you: the victory lithe on your hands, not one.  
Sharmysh ye may: and like capon cockers cock,  
But we butterflies must hear bide the shock,   

And why not we wasps (quoth one) as well as you:  
Why not we dors as well as both (quoth one dor)  
Why not flies: and gnats? (quoth one) of each sort now:  
Being a hewge heap: exeding all nombor,  
To overcum yonder spider signior:  
As well as fewer great luburs. Mark this mark:  
The old proverb saith, many hands make light wark.   

So light wark their light heads, for light hands made:  
That each once light fist was bend to others ear,  
Sort again sort: they anon entered such trade,  
That I thought they would all have gone by therethere,  
Till their captain: with cap in hand, to forbear:  
In beseeching entreated them. Which heat gone,  
Let the butterfly speak: they cried everyone.   

The butterfly blontlie thus entered again.  
What devil flies be you friends be you so hastise?  
That your friends may not speak their wills: plat & pleine  
A devils name (I say) your chating tongues chastise.  
I ween you eat no skins meat but daw pastise.  
Peace dawpates: while I tell a thing now reiounst,  
An my head, which to utter I am compounst.   

Ye would have the ant hanged, before he be hard.  
For that think you most policy. As scons my dear:  
Ye may not hear him first: and hang him afterward:  
But every fly thinking himself stood now here,  
Where this ant standth, and at hanging even as near,  
Should it not sting him like stang of an adder?  
To think to be turned without speech from this ladder,   

wise flies say: it is sin to lie on the devil  
Then here the troth told, of this present poor an't.  
Who that can cause him, let him lege the evil.  
But my soul from savashin: slide to hell a slant:  
If he in our bitterment, showed any want:  
Of conshinable diffrancie. In his words dolt:  
But between both parts stood upright as a belt.   

You all; weing this thing in ponderashin,  
In hearing of him what equaltie ye show:  
And in not hearing him: what slaunderashin:  
To us all: shall grow, that since ye all do know,  
Weigh it quickly, and your minds therein out blow.  
Down he flew: whereupon the flies said they would,  
Here thant speak And thereupon this tale he told.   
 ornament   

¶ The ant prayeth to be herd speak thoroughly before any part of his tale be adjudged. And then they to adjudge the whole as standth with equity. First alleging better to clear himself from offending the flies. Finally giving them (as it seemeth) freendli counsel, (touching this strife) grounded upon this common saying: before thou ought begin, have an eye to the end, Cap. 57  
 depiction of the army of flies  
 depiction of the army of spiders  

MY masters flies here all in general:  
And each one particularly: I humbly pray,  
What things I shall touch, general or special:  
To take to the best. And first that I may:  
As remembrauncer of your remembrance, ley  
One special mean forth here: remembered to be,  
Drawing hearers in all things to equity.   

And equity, in all things: to give or to take:  
(Among other virtues) is a virtue pewre.  
Inequite, for wrong, no way can make.  
Where equity, is set and settled sewer,  
For equity in no wise may endure:  
Balance, to any one side, cast or drevine.  
equity, equally: kepth the balance even.   

Which mean: for which equity to be obtained,  
Is: that hearers: in hereing this mi case,  
See: that definitive judgement be refreynd,  
In any part thereof: to take any place,  
Till the whole be herd. Which hearing to purchase,  
Is my great sewt. Beseeching all to susspende:  
judgement in every part: till all parts take end.   

First for me: next for you and me: last for you:  
I sew to be hard. And first for me, mark all.  
From all offence by me done: to you here now,  
sins I came, in this case that doth here fall,  
I am clearde. By one unspert for parshall,  
I mean that worshipful master butterfly:  
Who trieth me: to have dealt here indiffrentlie.   

He cleerth me sins I came. And before I came,  
If any fly (justly) to my charge can lay:  
In any thing weighing the weight of a dram,  
By word, or deed: either open or privy:  
That ever I hurt fly: any manner weigh,  
Then let my punishment here: be so ample,  
That all ants may thereby take an example.   

But being clear sins I came: and more tavow:  
Being clear till I came: from word and deed ill,  
Alas: why will ye ●●ll me, who hurth not you.  
Nor never did hurt you, nor never will.  
Nor never can: though will would ill fulfil.  
This: for myself laid, (as for myself proved,  
I hope myself sure: from harm by you moved.   

Secondly: for you and me both, this mean I.  
If ye draw the blood of me: (thus innosent,)  
As the los is small, so nought win ye thereby.  
But (as is said) infamy of endless extent,  
Which pain fro me: and shame from you to prevent,  
The safe salve for both sides: is this to decree,  
Save you my life, and that saveth your honest.   

Third: and last point: nought for me, all for you:  
Proving me, not only: you no whit to hate,  
But much to love: a tale I'll tell and a vow,  
Which: you hearing and following: in steady state,  
Shall stedilie stay you, from harm in debate:  
That hangth over your heads: much more than ye see,  
Wherein for you and not for me, (I say) hear me.   

Among many presepts philosoficall:  
Given to all persons: to take profit by,  
For time: place: and case present, above all.  
One serveth in sentence most singularly.  
The words short: the matter long: the reason high.  
Which words and matter, on these words do depends▪  
Ere thou ought begin, have an eye to the end.   

This pure presept: as all oft in words say it:  
If all did do it, in effectual deed,  
So that our deeds did it: as our words wei it,  
Oh: what commodity thereby should proceed.  
Our full felicity: should thereupon breed.  
As contrarily breedth: in contrary show,  
Infelicitee: as we feelingly know.   

Who would begin a fray: and his so therein kill?  
If he looked to th'end, that should hang him therefore.  
I ween all the world, should be kept from all ill:  
Kept we this lesson well, in practised lore:  
To th'end of beginning: to look evermore:  
Before we begin, for when we have begun,  
The leaving of lightly, is not lightly won.   

Small things begun: without looking to their end,  
Cum oft to ill end: great loss, and ieoperdee.  
Great things: began then: none jie on th'end tatend,  
At (or ere) their beginning: we must agree:  
To be our much more discommoditee.  
As things: greater and smaller: differ in size,  
So differeth here: discommoditee likewise.   

And of all our great things: no one of more weight,  
Nor thereby more meet: th'end therein to weigh:  
At beginning, then is that bitter beyght:  
Of wretched war. The very lock and key,  
That lacheth and lockth us all, from quiet stay.  
Who that (in rash roof) beginneth to contend,  
Be repenth beginning, ere he come to end.   

It is a thing: right far be yond an ants reach:  
To blaze the plat of poison: generally:  
Set a brooch by war, but short sum to fetch:  
Wars harm: and good, stand both unspeakably.  
Both are (I say) unspeakable for why,  
War hath done more harm: then tale of tongue can hold,  
War hath done no good, and nought can not be told.   

War hath wrought such woe: that all flies commonly,  
And spyderseke. Of which two sorts I speak:  
Having in all times had experiensy,  
Of rash beginning of war: the peace to break,  
They seeing (in their war) their winning weak,  
Would lose half the good they had: to peace to fall:  
Rather then ieberd in war: goods life and all,   

And of both sorts in this case, wearied in war,  
Flies have had ever cause: to mislike war most.  
When spiders and flies: have fallen at this like jar,  
For quarrels: wherein flies, might most their right boast:  
Who ever had the right, the flies the field lost.  
To one score spiders slay, flies slain, twentyscore.  
And much of their offspring, lost for evermore.   

Which showth (as spider's calte, that no sedition:  
Can have good sucses. In flies inferior:  
By stubborn war, but by humbyll petition:  
For thing interior, or exterior.  
Fly's must sew: to the spider superior.  
They take this as a full hold: not to be remist,  
Well framid flies, will suffer and not resist.   

Fly's wreks in wars: in time past: if flies revolve,  
How spiders cobwebs: flies sepultures have been,  
Your wise quiet retire, shall this war dissolve.  
But if smart of time past: be forgoton clean,  
Cast jye to apparel, at jye presently seen.  
Uew yonder copweb castle: with endifrent eye:  
And mark whether ye be matched endifrentlye.   

Behold: the batilments in every loop:  
How th'ordinance lieth: flies far and near to fach.  
Behold: how every piece: that lithe there in groope:  
Hath a spider gonner: with ready fired mach.  
Behold: on the walls: spiders waking aware wach.  
The wach spider: in the tower a alarm to strike,  
At a proch of any number, showing war like.   

See thenprenabill for't: in every border.  
How every spider: with his weapon doth stand,  
So thoroughly harnessed: in so good order:  
The capital spider: with weapon in hand.  
For that sort of sowdiers: so manfully manned.  
With cobwebs: like casting nets: all flies to quell,  
My heart shaketh at the sight: be hold: it is hell,   

Against whose strength there, your weakness here behold.  
Sum have harness: most have none: all out of rey.  
Captains: practised: politic and bold,  
Few or none have ye: this army to convey.  
But each in others neck: as sheep start a stray.  
Ordinance meet for the ship, ye bring to the field.  
But force without order: winth victory seld.   

And put case: that of you forty thousand flise:  
Thirty thousand: shall scape, and his window win.  
Yet: if each one of you: in himself surmise:  
That he shallbe one: that shall die entering in,  
What one fly (of all flies) will thassault begin?  
No one. but that one that from home now come,  
Shall think himself wisest, that soonest goth home.   

But to die all: and in this window nought geyne:  
Of that: said practice of time past: assewrth ye.  
To venture life: and suffer death, are things twain.  
Venturing of life, tobteyne right, oft see we.  
But to benter life: where death hath certente,  
For these kinds of right: to die: while ye may live,  
No wise fly will: but right rather over give.   

But if your harms of time past: be forgotten,  
Warning of present harms: at present time take.  
Of which two measures: if none may be moten,  
Time past, nor time present, (of which two I spoke,)  
Let the third: time to cum: be mean, th'end to make.  
Weighing that in time to cum. The end must come:  
To one end of four, which follow here in sum.   

After this war began, either both parts shall:  
Take end with condision: as both partis can 'gree,  
Or continue in war, time perpetual:  
Or the flies (by the spiders) conquered shallbe,  
Or the spiders conquered by the flies. Now see:  
How: in each one end of these four: shall a rise,  
Painful perelus penuries, to all flies.   

First: if ye after a time had in conflickt:  
Take end with the spider: by composition,  
Beside the flies: that to death shallbe addickt:  
The survivors: shall receive such condition:  
At the spider's hand: as the distribition:  
Shall make flies at end: bid fie on their winning,  
And after that end: repent their beginning.   

Second: this war: continuing continually,  
Every year, month, week, day, hour, every minute:  
Many flies shall die. and all may fear to die:  
What fly can besure: one hours life texecute:  
At points of all weapons, ever had in pursuit.  
In undoughted death: and doubtful deadly life,  
This end showeth small difrens, where reason is rife:   

Thirdly: if the spider do conquer you flise,  
What so ever fly then: himself best be haves:  
The best and the worst: all in one rate shall rise.  
Now frank free franklin flies, than all vile bond slaves.  
Now fly in light windows, then sit in dark caves.  
Flies beginning war: ending thus, they shall clear,  
Their hell or purgatory, begin even here.   

The fourth: if you flies shall the spider conqueare,  
Then shall all spiders go to wrack first: no doubt.  
And after shall the flies follow: every where.  
When flies have killed spiders: that stay the rued rout,  
Then fly against fly: comun cuthrote most stout.  
Four ends: in this one war: show (th'one and tother,  
The last being worst,) each end worse than other.   

In time past: time present: and in time to come:  
Sins ye have won: do win: nor shall win here aught,  
better wend your ship a loof: and take sea room:  
Then run here on rocks, and to shipwrak be brought:  
It is to far fet: and ferder to dear bought:  
To fet: and buy things: with no les los in strives:  
But with los: both of all your livings and lives.   

Here have I said my mind: under principles few.  
First: desiring you to hear me thoroughly.  
Ere ye judge any part, of what I should show.  
And then to judge me, by equity equally.  
Whereunto: for hereing in this case sewde I,  
First for me, next for you and me, last for you.  
Of which proses a bridged, brief pith aprochth now.   

For me: the flies and butterflies tales: I weyde:  
To my discharge. Sins I came: of all offence.  
And before I came, my discharge myself laid.  
Wherein: my case being guiltless inosence,  
For you and me, both in reason and consiens.  
To save both sides upright, this counsel I gave.  
You to save my life, your honesty to save.   

For you and not me: in your present quarrel,  
On this principle, my hole talk did depend.  
Ere we ought begin: namely thing of apparel,  
Wisdom wilth us, to have an eye to the end.  
In parelus quarelus case: to contend:  
Chiefly this: in time past: present: and to come,  
How ye sped: and be like to speed, I should the sum.   

But to end at beginning: you casting jye,  
At this poor counsel: of poor Antony ant,  
Of shap and good wit small: of good will great and high,  
I shall rejoice. Hoping here shall be no want:  
Of equity: in my discharge this instant.  
Which I humbly pray: and so to end to fall,  
I say no more: but the great God save you all.   

This done: a noise began of such a huzzing,  
Each one fly blowing in an other flies ear,  
As if ten millions of flies had been buzzing.  
And all: by this tale so astonide in fear,  
That most of them: their weapons could scantly bear.  
Thant's persuasions: in dread of death: struck them so,  
That hundreds cried out, home a gain let us go.   

With this mounser grand captain the great bragger:  
Was much a mased, and vengeably vexed.  
To see these flies now: so unsteadily stagger,  
So late so ready: to bring their foose perplexed.  
This time (thought he) should give warning to the next.  
If he scaped this: at all times to be ware,  
With faint fond flies, to fiske again a warfare.   

☞ He be 'gan to cast: that in common known gise:  
In all like tumults: that flies do thus procure:  
Of simple flies, most are pardoned that thus rise.  
But captain flies (as he is now) are hanged sure.  
Of which present danger, to put delay in ure.  
He wound into that tree: and silence won,  
The flies tencorage again, this he be gone.   
 ornament   

¶ Thant hath set the flies in such fear of the spiders, that most are ready to run away. whom to stay, the captain fly deviseth thant to set the spiders in like fear of them: by a tale told on the same ground that he told this: in pain of hanging at his return. Cap. 58.  
 depiction of the army of flies  
 depiction of the army of spiders  

SIrs: I see well this tale of this ant here told,  
To pass this seen parel, putth you in such dread,  
That many are minded to leave of their hold.  
As though leaving of now, should your safgard breed.  
As it should not. Nor for that it should in deed,  
His tale is told nowhit. But all told for this.  
To save himself, and those spider's friends of his.   

He seeth what and why he saith. Which you see nat.  
He foreseeth: if fear drive us to run away,  
That we shall not only lose this window plat,  
But in fleeing, like fleas killed in chase from ray.  
Which shallbe (he knoweth well) our leyserlesse day:  
To be jailers to ants, and he thereupon,  
(Being his own jailer) breakth jail and is gone.   

This way: our enemies win all, and we lose all.  
They laugh, and we weep. They live, and we die.  
They in fame, we in shame. Perpetual.  
And without cost, pain, or danger, by and by,  
This ant at liberty, immediately.  
Thus: where thants words show him to be your great friend,  
Pythias of th'ant's words: prove him to be your great fiend.   

Sum clarks (of whom this little ant not lest clerk)  
Can: fine lies: as finely as fine true tales, tell.  
Right side: or wrong side: they can turn in each work,  
And make flies take either side, true as gospel.  
Which turn in this tale: to appear in sequel,  
I have devised a way: (having your consent,)  
Here it: and speak to it as your breasts are bend.   

As this ant clarklie (or craftily here,)  
Hath cast many masing mists before your iyse:  
Of much dread by much danger, here to a peer,  
So: upon his life or death, let him devise,  
Upon the same ground: that your fear doth a rise,  
A speech to the spiders. To show what deep dreads,  
He can draw or drive, in to their hearts and heads.   

Which ground is this. Ere any wight ought begin,  
Have an eye to th'end. The wise wight saith: (saith he,)  
Wherein: (to mach the fear that you be now in,)  
If he bring spiders: in as much fear of ye:  
As he hath brought you in fear of them to be,  
Then at return pardon him. Goods, life, and land.  
Which if ye do not, then hang him out of hand.   

Be it so cried all: then said this one that all leads,  
Choose forty flies: to guard this ant that here stands.  
Twenty: whose hands we trust more than their heads.  
And twenty: whose heads we trust more than their hands.  
All of heart trusty: both power and polisis bands▪  
And for fear of false measures: among all these,  
Send sum, that somewhat leave behind: loath to lose.   

This said, and thant sworn, his best here to be bend,  
An harold with trumpet: and truce banner spleyde:  
For their safe conduckt, to the spider they sent.  
The spider: warned watch, to see their cuming steyde.  
It should (to his honour,) be reproach he said.  
To treat with traitors: in order of arms,  
But of grace, he graunth them to come without harms.   

The harold and that rest: to the captain fly:  
And all flies, the spider's pleasure did declare.  
Wherewith: to guard thant, they chose out flies forty.  
Whom: while they were choosing, one couple there:  
Two flies of bysie wit: as sundry flies are,  
Fell to devining: by conjecture to show,  
What should: in this message, and messenger, grow.   

How seist thou my friend (quoth thoue fly) to this gere●  
What wouldest thou give to have the Aunt's office now?  
give (quoth tother fly,) not paring of a Pere.  
Nor I (quoth he) but would rather make a vow,  
Toleave all that I have, and live at the plough:  
Then take it. Whatthy mind therein (quoth tother?)  
That shalt thou here (hearing this, quoth he) brother.   

If so fall: that thant bring not spiders in fear,  
Then seth he himself hanged: at cuming again.  
And bringing spiders in fear: when he cometh there,  
He is in danger, of the head spider's disdain.  
Which is another death. And to scape both twain,  
I take it to be, a bisie, piece of work.  
And to shoot at, a crooked crabid mark.   

For both these cases (quoth tother fly) put case:  
In either case of both, thantꝭ death do ensue.  
Yet in which case of both: death shall first take place,  
That will thant labour, first and most, to eschew.  
Whose first apparel: in hands of us flies to view,  
It shall enfors the an't: in all the force he may,  
For fear of death by flies: the spiders to fray.   

Note (quoth tother fly) to this, this objection,  
Nature in the spiders and the ant: joineth nigh.  
Which: shall make thant ieperd much: by affection.  
In spiteful words: to comfort spiders spitefully.  
Rather than discomfort them: thus fearingly,  
I have seen sum, that for this like cause upstood,  
Whose crafty couched tales, have done more harm than good.   

They have done so (quoth tother) and they do so.  
Where fear is small, by penalty being small:  
But where penalty (as here) to death doth go,  
In the ants like tales: few trip: or none at all.  
Many say oft, hunger pierceth the stone wall.  
But hunger and fear: where both cum in like ure,  
Fear pierceth: as deep as hunger, make ye sewer.   

The father his son: and the son his father:  
The wife her husband: and the husband his wife:  
The brother, his brother, all these we gather:  
To have seen: (compelled by fear,) where fear was rife,  
Bewrey, and be trey echother. In fear of life,  
Seeled see we: so natural a foolish kind elf,  
But he will hang his father: to save himself,   

Oft (quoth tother) 'tis so, sum times otherwise.  
Of flies condemned, the father and son, both have:  
Upon their knees: sewde with flowing watered jyse:  
Each himself to be hanged: the other to save.  
That suit (quoth tother fly) is no common slave:  
But in his appearance: so strange a stranger,  
That his presence (this time) will bring no danger.   

But contrary: in these like storms we see oft,  
Where Aunts, spiders, or flies, thants like tale must tell,  
Or they in authority: forced up a fit,  
Not for that their setters up: trust their truths well,  
But (as this ant) made instruments at apparel:  
There shall fear force them: for fear of suspicion,  
To stick fast, to their forsers disposition.   

They wet (or they ween,) that they be watched so,  
That if they be but suspect: to wring a wry,  
They be undone: I would rather choose my foe,  
To be my judge: in case judicially:  
Then my friend. in this fearful forced state: for why,  
Fear of forcers shall force him: more eide to rate,  
To his foe: whom they love, them his friend: whom they hate.   

Ye say well (said tother) but I say to this,  
Said suspected sorts: in fear of authority,  
Not withstanding: suspicion danngerus is:  
Yet sum, in faction or affection we see,  
Or other corruption, so affected be,  
Though life lie upon it: yet by mean direct,  
Or indirect, they work their affections effect,   

And so for this ant: our soole cause of talk now.  
What ever oath in promise: he for fear make,  
To bring spiders in fear: to bring them to bow.  
Yet: either for natures: or affections sake,  
I fear, he will wililie the wrong way take.  
And I hope (quoth tother) his present apparel,  
Shall stitlie strain him, to strengthen our quarrel.   

☜ But between you and me: in fine thus is it.  
You fear here the worst, and I hope here the best.  
You in which fear: and I in which hope, let us sit,  
Silently till practice by proof have expressed,  
In what scope (for what escape,) the ants tale shall rest.  
The other fly being a greed unto this,  
To see this end, both attend as meet now is.   

This talk done, forty flies (and thant with them flew  
Straight to the spider: before whom thant now stands.  
But how thant fleeth now, that shall eftsoon ensue.  
The spider was guarded: round about with bands.  
Saving: a lane, made with tipstaffs: and other wand 〈…〉  
That thant to the spider: in herring and show,  
Might say (as he did say) at curtsy made low.   
 ornament   

¶ Thant after enter in talk (before the head spider) he to him, and all the spiders (upon this said ground: ere thou ought begin: have a eye to the end,) inveyth what he can to set the spiders in fear of the flies. Cap. 59  
 depiction of the army of flies  
 depiction of the army of spiders  

Honourable sir may it your honour like:  
To consider: that in affairs mere mundeine,  
policy: and power: do not the stroke so strike:  
That strife (at staves end) for victory or gain:  
Winth alway the strong, on the weak tobteyne:  
But sumtime we see: fortune, hap, or chance,  
The weaker: above the stenger, in strife a vance.   

Whereof: myself here mirror to behold,  
Sum policy, politic heads think I have.  
And of your power at hand. Might have been bold.  
But policy and power: myself now to save,  
Chance would not suffer: but chance both away drove.  
suddenness of chance: this change in me hath wrought,  
From liking lively life, to doleful death brought.   

With halter here about my neck, as ye see.  
Respite have I won, to see you ere I die,  
For two things. One to pray all to pray for me.  
An other, (as I am bound naturally:)  
To warn all: of deep danger here presently.  
At eye, in hand. But ye your heads draw near,  
To here and use my counsel following here.   

This sage saying, the wise have said and say.  
Have an eye to the end, ere thou ought begin.  
Of this debate: begun then, th'end here way.  
What small or no pleasure, ye can therein win.  
And what great displeasure, ye may be brought in.  
Proving you: (at best) nought to win by this war,  
And proving you: (at worst) utterly to mar.   

One point of four, this strife cometh to of need.  
Either: after strife: tagree by a greement,  
Or ever to strive and never be a greed,  
Or you to subdue the flies: by the swords dent,  
Or the fllies to conquer you, by force fervent.  
Now: if this beginning. shall further begin,  
Last a line to th'end, and meet what ye shall win.   

First: tagree after time of strife tasted,  
In mean time: on both sides the mortality,  
Your cobwebs, their cottages, worn and wasted,  
All windows vacant: of most fertilytee.  
All from good order, to sinful civility.  
The best end (for both sides, being extented,  
The beginning (on both sides) shallbe repent.   

Next: to continue in perpetual strife.  
Purgatory that (nay that is hell say I,)  
Better dead. then ever live in fear to lose life,  
As both sides shall live: evermore dyingly.  
Still starting from sleep, all slept with waking eye.  
I better like mine end: looking for end straight,  
Then thus upon this endless end: still to weight.   

Third: if you in subjection the flies subdue,  
Thacount bringth small gain: to that end wedded:  
All flies ye can not kill: What shall then ensue?  
As many as ye keep in dread, to be headed,  
So many you dread: than who is most dredded.  
One fly put in fear, putth you in fear of ten.  
Tell here your cards, and tell what ye win then.   

Fourth: if the flies conquer you, oh dreadful day.  
Dead in half a day: ye shallbe every one.  
Of the three other ways: in every one way,  
Both sides (in effect) like ill: end upon.  
But in this fourth, (fear whereof is my most moan)  
Where all flies shall win all: and bravely boast all,  
All spiders shall lease all, and spiders be lost all.   

If ye reply here: and say flies (to this day)  
Never won this way: but ever in loss leapt:  
In rejoiner: rejoining with you, this I say.  
Hit hapth in one hour, that before never happed.  
As it hapth me this hour: with flies to be trapped.  
And that this is more like to hap this present,  
Than it erst hath been, mark this present bend bend.   

See (I say) eachone his death here (as who say.  
Five thousand spiders: on th'one side to fight,  
Against fifty thousand flies, (oh fearful fray)  
A heap to a handful. The more side so light:  
The less side so heavy: 'tis a heavy sight:  
In sundry respects. Wherein no one of any.  
Fearthe me so much, as so few: to so many.   

Were they all cowards, as they are hardy flise.  
Not the least fly there: but he dare bite his bit,  
On the greatest Ox: that in the shambles lise.  
No weapon but the flap, shall make him thence flit.  
Of the which weapon: spiders can skill no wit.  
But though flies: but cowardly stack to the helm,  
Yet must the numbered: this copweb overwhelm.   

❧ Ten to one (in war) an unmeet matched match.  
They will march on, as thick, as motes in the soon.  
Ten thousand (in a moment) if ye dipache,  
Twenty thousand more, upon spear point will run,  
The desperate, dreadth: neither bill, bow, nor gone.  
And what gain you? to kill flies thick as motes?  
The rest entering on you straight, and cut your throats.   

And though they guess: that many of them shall die.  
Yet: if each one think sure that scape he shall,  
As I think, all so think: assewredlie.  
Then that persuasion, shall persuade them all.  
eachone with other, straight in strife to fall.  
Who may be foremost fly: with courage haught,  
Thonset to give, this castle to assault.   

Your wisdom: and your wisdoms all: I know.  
Much more: can here consider. Then I can  
How beit good will, wilth me: warning to show,  
Of harm to come: in this began to scan.  
Before the end, what th'end may be, and than,  
To flee the worst, to fall (as you think best,)  
At sum point with the flies, to be at rest.   
 ornament   

¶ Thant having brought the spiders in great fear of the multitude of flies, the head spider taking great displeasure with the ant for the same, he answereth thantes' tale so that he bringeth all the spiders in courage again. giving (in his own name and all theirs,) defiance to the flies. Cap. 60.  
 depiction of the army of flies  
 depiction of the army of spiders  

THe spiders at th'ant's tale, wear much abashed.  
The flies (as thant set them out) feared the spider's sore  
Their weapons fell from hand: they wear quite quashed.  
Take peace with flies, they cried. At which rumorus roar,  
The head spider (with wheat tusks foamed like a bore)  
In that rage: had not his honour line therone,  
Had thant had a thousand lives, he had been gone.   

At this hurly burly, that spider le grand:  
In his cheyre fretting fewriouslie he frownith.  
His look was commission: silence to command.  
Whereupon: stately and sternelie he entrith:  
A discors. The ants last told tale to meetwith.  
But first: thant to discredit, to thants dispraise,  
On th'ant's properties, this spider thus inveyse.   

Friends: I perceive the ants tale (more false than fine,)  
maketh you: your own shadows to dread (as it wear:)  
To proceed in war. But stay a little tine:  
Lift up your hearts all, and each one lend one ear:  
Till ye have hard: how I this tale shall answer.  
But ere I touch the pith: of thantes' tale in this,  
Hear of what property, thant himself is.   

The Ant (cumne into the world out of the shell,)  
For a time (in his time) creepith on the ground.  
As we spiders creep here: and his piss as fell  
In stinging as our poison (wellnigh is found.)  
Which properties, work him toward our nature wound.  
Whereby Ants be and have been taken: in all age,  
Our half cousins: a lied in side half lineage.   

This time, is the Ant, the creeping ant named.  
In time after this time, he to more time grown,  
Wings doth he gather. And those in him framed,  
The flying ant: thenceforth he is called and known.  
Then dispersth his nature, in two natures thrown.  
He pertisipateth, with both these in this wise.  
A creeper with spiders, and a flier with flise.   

When he crept hither first (at my request hear,)  
I was diseyved in his age. (As the devil would.)  
I thought him to young to have wings, by a year.  
But now, he winged with flies, his flying tale told,  
Doth show him old enough: and a year to old.  
Mark this creeping Ant: sins wings wownd him a fit,  
How he pleyth on both hands: as jugglers do oft.   

He corageth the flies now, discoraging us.  
But didst thou not erst, promise me otherwise?  
Here: is thant brought to a narrow straight, as thus,  
If thant tell the spiders: how he frayed the flies,  
Then seeth he his death, at flies hands: straight a rise.  
And if he say he coragde the flies, that lie,  
Shall make the spiders hate him, without cause why.   

Thant: having to this demand: good answer none,  
None answer made he: but stood still silently.  
To (quoth the spider) is not thant a good one?  
Were he charged in law herwith: by and by,  
This obstinate silence, should show him guilty.  
But thant himself now: thus far forth disclosed,  
Go we now to th'ant's matter: erst preposed.   

His great ground is this: (whereon the whole dèpendth,  
View th'end of all, ere the beginning be won.  
Wherein: if he a ledge here charge: that extendth:  
To us spiders, that we this war first began,  
That charge is wrong charged, for that charge must run;  
Unto the flies: for they enuaders here be.  
And we but defenders: as all eyes may see.   

And for the four points: whereof one must th'end make:  
In three of which: he laid loss indiffrentlie,  
To lot on both sides a like: I under take,  
In few words: to prove that tale a loud lewd lie.  
First: war here taken up condisionallie,  
Flies never won end of us: after beginning,  
But flies (at end) ever bad fie on their winning.   

The second: concerning war contiwall:  
In wet open field they, in dry warm house we.  
Between these two plaits, though the distance be small,  
The biffrence is great. Of the years four parts: three,  
Or two parts at least,) they can not trouble ye.  
In winter, summer flies no windows keep.  
Under men's house eaves: like eavis droppers they creep.   

The third point: in our conquering of the flies:  
For fearing of all flies: that we make afraid,  
The fool, or the infant, that his shadow spies:  
Will oftimes cry out in fear: calling for eyed.  
But wiser foolk weing this, thus is it weighed.  
Like fear to be had: on their conquered knaves,  
As hath the great Turk: fear of his galie slaves.   

Last, to the fourth: if flies shall spiders conquer:  
Then are all spiders lost: as the ant saith sure.  
And flies to (say I) but as touching that fear:  
For time past, of practice: put memory in ure.  
For time to come, let liklihod you allure.  
To search that kind of conquest: and ye shall see,  
It never was, nor is, nor never like to be.   

From the beginning: it is in books to show.  
When flies (against spiders) have thus rebelled,  
They: either had miserable over throw:  
In rebelling, or straight after refelled.  
Namely one: the which generally swelled.  
In flies against spiders, the time past sir year,  
Which one (were there no more) showth this case clear,   

This time: sundry. But chiefly, two flocks of flise.  
For religion: with sum other thing to that,  
One sort by east, an other by west: did rise.  
Of opinion, contrary: as far and flat,  
As in distance, each far from other in plat,  
●hone sort of both: to be in right faith elect,  
All flies (faithfully) did believe or conject▪   

Those flies did much harm: six or eight weeks annoying▪  
Which time: spiders had small rest, and those flies less.  
Spider's cobwebs: went to wrack. by destroying:  
And flies wealth wasted: to begerie from richesses  
Forestore lashed out, in execrable excess.  
Fruits then grown, much lost for help to get them in.  
How looked flies here? to th'end ere they did begin.   

But what was the end of this? for soothe even this.  
The captains, most hanged. Soldiers, many slain.  
The rest (aught worth) given in pray for pilagis.  
So that (to this day,) they bid fie on the gain.  
Thus were these two sorts: of opinions twain,  
One of the twain: in the right way to be thought,  
Both brought to one end, and both brought to nought.   

Which showth: that where flies in matter of most right:  
Attempt tataine matter right: in manner wrong,  
There: their wrong manner, march their right matter quite.  
For spiders against flies, great God's law standth strong.  
Which law (in leading flies) hath willed this long.  
You base inferiors to work your lords will,  
Obey your superiors, be they good or ill.   

Thus: were their matter as good, as it is bad.  
And we as weak, as the ant hath made you deem.  
Yet should thill manner: in flies here now had,  
Set that God upon them, to strike strokes extreme.  
As by th'example told, the show doth well seem.  
Thus: for the flies conquering of us this day,  
Gods eyed all days before: taketh all fear away.   

But put case we had not (as we have) the Gods eide:  
But both sides: according to force of our powers,  
Should conquer or be conquered, or (as thant said)  
Hap hapth in one hour, as hath happed in no hours.  
Which he last a leaged, to schape our sharp showers.  
With other his framed fears, of our confusion.  
Yet: thant here to confute, here my conclusion.   

In the later part of his saying (I say)  
He saith we may be distroide: as hap may fall.  
And it must be granted: that hap so fall may,  
But grant that hap so may: ergo hap so shall,  
That argument hath strength, like a paper wall.  
May fall: and shall fall, are far diferent marks:  
To shoot at. But when the sky faith we shall have larks.   

For the fear, that his tongtromp (to you did sown:)  
By thus many flies: to thus few spiders seen,  
Setten flies with ten axes, one oak to hue down.  
That Oak shall be hacked at: a good while I ween,  
Ere it will shrink for flies: be it sear or green.  
And the least twig: that out of that Oak can fall,  
(The Oak standing still:) shall slay those ten flies all.   

And so we Oak spiders: against these twig flise.  
Were they all great flies: as most of them be gnatts.  
And to one of us, forty of them do rise.  
Yet as the giants paws: pat down dandipratts,  
So shall we put down: these dandiprat brag brats.  
Their most number: with our most strength to compare,  
●ooding prikes they, mylposts we: compared are.   

And where he saith: though flies think many shall die:  
Yet: each fly thinking himself shall scape with life,  
They will strive: who shall set on first: here say I,  
At end of that strife: they entered in this strife,  
The fool hardy flies: now most ready or rife:  
To come with the first: shall feel the taste so tough,  
That: who cometh last: shall think he cometh time enough.   

Thant's tale (from point to point) now full answered.  
All force of our fear here: it wiping a way,  
Tenforce you from fear: further encouraged,  
Hear: and bear a way: what I shall herein say.  
A few words, hilie to your comfort this day,  
Which shall set you all: as far out of all fear,  
As the antꝭ tale set you all in fear: while ear.   

Mark: all you: that in marking your enemies,  
Their force (and not your own) do only behold,  
A deadly dreadful sight it is: in your eyes.  
But on your own force: your eyes being round rolled:  
The self sight of this force: shall you so enbold,  
That had you no weapons here: but hasill wands,  
Yet might ye count, your enemies now in your hands.   

Mark more: that your foes: in beholding you:  
Are strikin in as deep dread: your force to view,  
As you are of theirs: which setth both sides even. now:  
Mark yet more: they have the wrong part, you have the true,  
Against gods and man's law: this wrong they pursue.  
Both which: so strike them: when they would prevail,  
That their attempt, ever hath quailed, and shall quail.   

So coward a spider: where can be seen one?  
That will not live and die: in this his known right,  
Should all spiders die: (as few shall or none)  
Yet in this quarrel, spiders go to bliss quite,  
And flies to bale, without respect of respite.  
Wherefore let the flies, the ants lesson attend:  
At their this beginning, to have eye to th'end,   

⋆ ♣ And now (at end) dear friends all, pluck up your hearts.  
Take your weapons in hand: and stand up again.  
Stick to your tackling: in this plat on all parts.  
And as for the flies, (their fare to show them plain)  
When ever they come, they shall come to their pain.  
Stand stiff to me, and stand stiff to you I shall.  
Flies and flies kin, we defy you traitors all.   

The spider thus answering thants tale at length:  
From point to point: no point thereof omitted,  
All spiders: agains in full courage and strength:  
Those flies to their flock: with thant again flitted.  
Two of them (to the captain known well witted:  
Tostie into the tree: he straight commandeth,  
And thant unto the ladder again, forthwith.   
 ornament   

¶ Upon defiance given by the spider to the flies, the ant brought again to the flies, maketh full report of all said at the copweb. At end whereof, two flies argue wether thant have deserved life or death. By keeping or breaking former comnant to bring the spiders in fear of the flies. Cap. 61.  
 depiction of the army of flies  
 depiction of the army of spiders  

THat Captain willed one of those flies to declare,  
What had (since they parted) passed in this case.  
And if he ought added: or minished there,  
The Captain wild tother, tentrupt him in place,  
That truth: truely, might appear without deface.  
Whereupon the fly: assigned to say than,  
In a solemn order, the process began.   

First: th'ant's tale told the spiders: he did repeat.  
And the fear: that that tale brought the spiders in,  
Then in repeat, the spider's tale he did treat.  
And what recoorage that did the spiders win.  
With defiance given flies, their alley, and kin.  
The captain then axt: you that went forth tell me.  
Is this tale true and the whole truth? all said ye.   

Two things (quoth the captain) are to touch here on.  
First: whether thant have deserved to live or die.  
The second, apiece of the spider's tale gone.  
Which I shall touch soon: but first thantes' case let's try,  
Upon his life or death, standing presently.  
To see that case: by agreement fully scanned,  
It being (I say) first case to take in hand.   

It is so in deed (quoth one fly) in the tree.  
Wherein: whsle memory keepeth matter in mind,  
I pray you all patiently to hear me:  
Uprightly declare (as equity doth bind.)  
Without affection: any wrong way to wind.  
But enin as conscience: to speak: doth me compel,  
So shall I speak this tale, which I shall now tell.   

Where I have heard wise flies talk: I have herd l 〈…〉,  
In weighty cause: weighty considerasion.  
And thereno matter: more weighty to be weide  
Then that: in which: upon consultasion  
●ithe life or death: in determinasion.  
And presently present this Aunt's case: mean I:  
To wa●e considerately, and indifferently.   

Whose life: or whose death: before we determine:  
Which of both to determine: meet is to weigh,  
Your late determined condition, pith wherein,  
Mass: that thant should bring spiders in such like ●rey:  
Of us, as he brought us of them. and I sa●e:  
Behath done so. So that in my conscience,  
Life and liberty must he have, to go hence.   

And I say nay (quoth the fly) in the tree by:  
He hath not performed that condision at full:  
To have his life, hath he not (quoth tother fly?  
To make proof a peer here: to wits quick and dull:  
That performance will we reason, if ye will,  
Beet (quoth tother fly,) but all flies give an ear,  
To one thing good for all: away to bear.   

My brother fly, (and I seeming here to vary:  
Both being on one part: seeming on parts twain:  
In that in this one point, we are contrary:  
Each one to other: it may make you retain:  
And detain a doubt, whether we both remain:  
Constant, on that part that we profess: or no.  
But here me further here: ere we further go.   

th'rgument of us tweine, is only this one.  
Concerning the condision touched formerly:  
Either by performance: or performance none,  
How the ants desert standth, to live or to die.  
Thant should live saith he, thant should die (say 1)  
Now consider: that this present argument,  
Is: to principal case, but an incident.   

Our chief cuming is: on spiders to make war.  
By cause we no way else, can obtain our right.  
Wherein: we join with you, without jot of jar.  
This remember I you of: to scrape out quite,  
All doughtes of our truth: in judgement of heads light.  
For this case: or like case in case: used thus,  
Showth mistrust in no wight: any case to discus.   

And now we tweine to satisfy (as we can)  
Ourselves: and to see you the rest satisfied,  
Aleage brother fly: what ye can herein scan.  
Whereto, mine answer shall forthwith be applied.  
Thant's life or death: in our judgements to see tried.  
That shall (quoth the other fly without delay,  
Come in ure: as briefly, as it fully may.   

Thant (in his charged tale) to spiders told erst,  
Grounded thus: ere ought begin: have eye to th'end.  
At end of th'ant's talk, spider's hearts it so pierced,  
That it stagard and stonide all that hole bend.  
Weapons fallen to ground. this out cry they extend.  
Shaking of their heads: and casting up their eyes.  
Take peace with the flies, take peace with the flies.   

Thant made spiders of flies: as much afraid tho,  
As he made flies of spiders, in tale erst told.  
I grant (quoth tother fly) in deed he did so.  
Whereto you must grant: that that fear did not hold,  
For spiders (forthwith) were again brag and bold.  
Though they so were (quoth he) thant performed cumnaunt,  
That (quoth tother fly) for true, I can not grant.   

There is (in th'ant's cumnant) further meaning meant:  
Then the very words therein fully express:  
To bring spiders: in fear of flies: by bond bend:  
Is not all, that all flies look fore: in sucsesse:  
But to bring and keep them in that fearfulness.  
Bringing them in fear: not keeping them in fear,  
As fruitful to flies, as paring of a pear.   

To answer this quidite (quoth tother fly)  
You can have no more of the fox but the skin,  
The ant hath done all that he can possibly,  
To bring spiders in fear: and keep them therein,  
Whose good will not wanting, though power cannot win,  
Thing that good will would win: yet is it not ill,  
Rather than blame lack of power, to thank good will.   

Put case (quoth tother) thant outh you forty pound,  
Bound in obligation, to pay at a day.  
At which day, he cometh to you (as he is bound:)  
And where he should bring power: forty pound to pay,  
He bringth good will: and will pay you when he may.  
Whether would ye more: (in this case, of your)  
Accept thants good will, or blame thants lack of pour.   

What I would do (quoth the other) I know nat.  
But what I should do, that right well I know.  
Thant showing full good will, to pay me that:  
And that lack of pour: without his fault did grow,  
I would in trobling thant: in consciens show:  
A rigur. ye (quoth tother fly) but in law,  
To what end: would thants good will without pour draw:   

In this case (quoth he) commun law condemth thant.  
In that the words of the bond, are fulfilled no whit.  
Performance whereof: in th'ant's case, hath no want.  
Which may a peer to flies, of most simple wit.  
In marking these words: of this cumnant here knit:  
Thant (pain of death) shall bring spiders in like fear:  
Of flies, as he brought flies, of spiders: here care.   

These are (in thanis cumnant) the words in effect:  
Which bind the ant: the spiders in fear to bring:  
But to keep them in fear, no word runth direct.  
And common law: commonly in every thing,  
Constrewth words, in their common plain se 〈…〉 lying.  
And that thant made spiders a frayed, ye do grant.  
Ergo, thant (by common law) hath kept cummant.   

Now: to bring this case in court of conscience:  
Declaring our meaning in these words: to be:  
That thant should keep spiders in fearful suspense,  
Thant answering to this: that never meant he:  
To be bound: to that inconvenient decree,  
The judge (in this case and place) must needs assent,  
With th'ant's meaning (against ours) to give judgement.   

‡ * ‡ In law, conscience, and reason, as thinketh me,  
The desert of this ant, doth his pardon crave.  
Lands, goods, bag, baggage, life, and liberty.  
Friends (quoth tother fly) I have a soul to save:  
Whereupon I proteast: I no malice have:  
To thant. But in reason, I think he should die.  
This said, those flies to their place again did fly.   
 ornament   

¶ At end of this last argument. The captain asking the ant what he can say? why he should not die, the ant after a few words submitteth him to their order. Whereupon the captain going to the question, the ant is condemned by the voice of the most number. The captain then willing him to make his last prayers, he doth so. Cap. 62.  
 depiction of the army of flies  
 depiction of the army of spiders  

THe captain (to this) axt thant how sayest thou?  
What hast thou to say, why thou shouldst not die here  
The talk (quoth he) for me, by the fly had now.  
In reason, law, and conscience, doth me clear.  
Whose which tale, doth much more pithily appear.  
For myself, then if myself had told it.  
And as he told it, I pray all to hold it.   

Wherein: as I have kept comnant at the full,  
So crave I of you, to keep cumnant with me.  
Here stand I: to live or die now, as ye will.  
But in killing me (a poor an't) what win ye:  
Or what lose I: neither profit nor honest,  
Honest death, in honest fame, shall persever.  
Unhonest life, unhonest shame shall have ever.   

Then said the captain: friends though I now at will:  
Only by virtue of mine authority:  
Might give judgement here: this ant to save or spill:  
Yet will I not give it: but grant to agree,  
To see this case decreed, by common decree.  
Which shallbe tried, by these two words: ye, and no.  
And straight to the question herein, let us go.   

All you that will have the ant live, say ye.  
Ye, ye: (with a loud voice) cried a great number tho.  
Now (quoth the captain) on tother side: let's see:  
All that will not have the ant to live, say no.  
No, no: cried out many, and showed many more:  
Then wear on tother part. Then said the captain,  
Ant: of thine own death, thou hearest here judgement plain.   

I commit me (quoth thant) to the great gods will.  
Say thy prayers (quoth the captain) ere thou die.  
On the ladder, down on knees half dead he fill.  
Forthwith saying his devotion devoutly.  
In which while, two flies together wondringlie:  
Thinking thant: to be wrongfully cast away,  
In talk between themselves, as followeth did say.   
 ornament   

¶ While the ant saith his prayers on the ladder, two flies thinking him to be wrongfully cast a way, pitting the case, they touch (in talk) three sorts of flies seen there then. Wherein is touched sum part of the properties of neuter flies. Cap. 63.  
 depiction of the army of flies  
 depiction of the army of spiders  

OH friend (quoth the tone fly) what a chance is this?  
An innosent ant: among fllies to be cast:  
The deed in deed (quoth tother) damnable is.  
I thought sure, we should with th'ant's life have past.  
For where fortié flies irefullie: on thant frowned fast,  
Three score, piteously looked: as they thant would save.  
And yet thant cast by voice, great wonder I have.   

To the two sorts, that ye speak of (quoth the t'other)  
Thone sort given to save thant: tother thant to kill,  
A third: sort indifferent to th'one part or tother.  
Did here (and do else where) most part of all ill.  
Whose mischievous manners, partli show I will.  
Cumming (comunlie) in practised exercise,  
Both among spiders, and also among flise.   

These indiffrentes (or neuters) that part most take,  
That strongest is, or strongest like to be.  
And which side they lean to, such number they make,  
That they bear the bell away: and most apt we see,  
To cleave to the ill part, even of property.  
Which property proveth (in sorts last or furst,)  
That of all sorts, this last said sort is worst.   

And yet oft: estemid with the best. For why,  
They fashion themselves: to follow ever more:  
Those that be (or like to be (I say the most high.  
But to all: late a fit: now laid on low shore,  
To whom: they have made curtsy most low before:  
They either see them not, or over look them.  
If chance once embase them, they may not brook them.   

Two buckets in a well, thou up and tother down,  
They stand on the bucket, that standth on the brim.  
Which bucket descending, they begin to srowne.  
The bucket ascending: midway they meet him.  
And bucket for bucket: strait thexchange made trim,  
For among all buckets (take this a plain matter)  
They bide with no bucket: thatdriven to drink water.   

They must have wine: with fare and cheer of the best.  
Which: where and while it lasteth: in any place,  
Who may show gratitude in semblance fairest:  
Therein contend they: to give gloss of good grace,  
To their viander: who may him most embrace.  
Where they may win aught: by fair disimilate show,  
There they flickar, and flatter, in saver to grow.   

But their entertainment once drawing to end,  
They make none a count: of thanks from beginning:  
th'end of their cheer, endth the thanks of that bend.  
Straight from that place: they are speedily spinning,  
To an other host, good cheer: good cheap winning.  
But to pay for board, where ever this flock boards,  
Their currant coin: is low curtsy, and fair words.   

Which coin (to them) not costly: and yet so scant,  
That where and when soever their there fail,  
Then doth all courtesy, and thanks for there had, want,  
And not only good words: in most of them quail,  
But some of the worst sort, that are given to rail,  
To turn recompense on the wrong side or shore,  
give ill words, for good deeds, of friends had before.   

These folike friends: otherwise feendlike foes,  
Are much like mermaids: th'one half flesh tother fish.  
On all texts: for all sides, they do give such gloze,  
As may seem to serve all sides, as wit would wish.  
By which desimulation double devilish,  
They wind: in and out: here and there: to and fro.  
As the Reed with the wind, every way they go.   

And like as we see the Oak: in stought storm of wind:  
Standing stiff against the wind: overthrown,  
And the Reed: waving with the wind, still we find:  
Saving itself, in all our blasts of wind blown,  
So in spiders and flies: like lot oftims grown.  
True stiff standers against the wind: overthrow,  
Falls stattring followers with the wind, stand and grow.   

Of our open known friends, we may be sure.  
Of our open known foes, we may be ware.  
But these unnatural neuters: here in ure,  
Neither sure of, nor ware of, any wights are.  
Either flattering lies: they sotlelie declare:  
Or when they say true (if ever they say true.)  
That sale they: for false or ill purpose tensew.   

They are friends to no man. But in respect,  
Themselves to take good: or to avoid harm:  
Or to do harm: of revenging effect,  
They will attempt: by corrupsion to charm,  
Those: under whose wings, they may sit close and warm.  
To cool and control: such as make any show,  
To bend any way: from the bent of their bow.   

♣ To regard a right, a dog hath devocson:  
As much as they. But be it right or wrong:  
For love, hate, dread, or meed, in promotion,  
If it serve their turn: to make the wrong part strong,  
That part will they sing, in all their sung song.  
As these indifferent neuter flies: have done here,  
Whose wrongful cleaving to the wrong, kilth thant clear.   

This (quath tother (your saying hath made me see.  
Wherein: I pray to the great god heartily,  
Be we spiders, be we flies, what ever we be,  
That we all may (by his grace) cut of clearly,  
All unkindness, of newterlike indiffrencie.  
Thant now at point: from the ladder to be rolled,  
A file far of flinging toward them, cried hold hold.   
 ornament   

¶ The ant having now made his prayers, being at point to be turned from the ladder, a fly, a far of, crieth hold. Who (lighting in the tree) bringeth such a message from the head spider, as the Ant (thereby) is repride, and carried to prison. Cap. 64.  
 depiction of the army of flies  
 depiction of the army of spiders  

Upon lighting in the tree, this said this fly:  
Being in scoutwatch: a spider spring me.  
In the head spider's name: wild me speedily.  
To tell this to you all: if so be that ye:  
But this ant to death: by currysh crewelte,  
He proteastith: that his prisoner flies head,  
Shall stand on a stake, before thant be all dead.   

The spider's favour to thant, made sum flies doubt:  
How it came to pass, whether the spider then thought:  
In fearing spiders before. Thantes' tale so stout,  
Was: more to save his life, among flies then caught:  
Then to fear spiders: for which, the flies thant brought,  
And that the taunts: that the spider thant gave,  
Wear to cloak mistrust, that flies to thant might have.   

Or that the spider's wife: pitting thants case,  
Obteynd it by suit, or that the spider would:  
Use the occasion, offered there then in place.  
To rid the fly, by that colour: and not hold,  
His bond. By promise made to the fly, erst told.  
Which was: to charge and discharge him of offence,  
As standth with reason, law, custom, and conscience.   

With this, a formal fly into the tree flew.  
Beginning thus: friends: wise flies say (and have said)  
Of two inconveniences, the worst eschew.  
The worst of which two here: a side to be laid,  
The best of these two: is here first to be weighed.  
To save this poor ant: to save that pure fly,  
Or to slay thant, and both ant and fly slain thereby.   

Considerations herein are so great,  
And so many: and most of such weight,  
That they are: in counsel more meet to treat:  
Then to make an alebench talk of: to bebeight:  
For babbling tongues to babble on, wherefore straight:  
Mine advice is: that six or eight flies most wise,  
closely consult here, the best way to devise.   

Nay nay, (cried a thousand) we will none of that.  
We will be of counsel all. Yea will quoth he?  
That kind of counsel: is more meet to hollow at:  
Then to talk in. for if all of counsel be,  
Yecan in that counsel: have no secrese,  
But (in counsel) where secrets lacketh any,  
There is (an't least) one counselor to many.   

Werefuse that way: cried the gross flies again.  
Lest great wise flies, by and sell foolish flies small,  
If ye (quoth he) take to counsel all this train,  
Then: nought being secret: all your enemies shall,  
Be of your counsel: and buy and sell you all.  
But sins ye will have counsel cried at the cross,  
I will disclose: that I would have had kept close.   

The fly in copweh: with the spider deteinde,  
We know what he is: we need not here to boast him.  
To kill thant: and have that fly killed, what is gained?  
That shall all flies feel: after we have lost him.  
But sins the spider: in such sort will host him:  
As we host the ant, our best way doth apere,  
To keep thant (as gage for gage) prisoner here.   

For though thant (truth being fold before his face)  
Be far to base: that fine fly to counterpoise:  
Yet if the spider esteem thant: in like case:  
Above the fly: as we him above thant praise,  
Then for delivery of both (without steise,  
The spider will (in exchange) change as gladly,  
The fly for thant, as we will thant for the fly.   

Briefly: the best way is here (in my mind)  
To keep thant prisoner in stocks fettered fast.  
Under guard of certain flies, to be asinde,  
I ill we see somewhat of this war, further passed.  
And if we see cause, we may kill him at last.  
Or change him, for sum fly that spiders may take,  
To this mine advice, show yours, an end to make.   

At this: much bumbling among them all: there was.  
Many words, little matter, and to no purpose.  
Nombre of sentences here, I may let pas.  
As things not worth the herring here to disclose.  
And pass they must: for neither in rhyme nor prose:  
I can win memory well to write with pen,  
The tenth sentence given there, against that then.   

And though: memory might the number, have contained.  
Yet was all confused so: in such bibble babble,  
All a like loud, and all to loud, in voice constreind,  
That all parts of best wit: had been unable:  
To catch, keep, and make, thaccount explicable:  
Of all sayings there said, Wherefore (as I say:)  
Not only they may, but they must pa●●e away.   

But finally: all their that chatted: anon,  
To the flies last tale: they all did so agree,  
That thant (guarded) went to prison. Whereupon,  
Ouoth the captain: sins this is passed by decree,  
Being one point of two: erst moved by me:  
To be moved to you, in tother point now,  
Conseive, and reseive the thing I shall show you.   
 ornament   

¶ The captain fly, inveith upon matter before past: in such sort so encouraging the flies again, that anono they all crying to the captain to march forward, they bravely set forth. And laying their ordinance to the copweb castle, they besiege it round. Cap. 65.  
 depiction of the army of flies  
 depiction of the army of spiders  

THis thing I mean which brought spiders in ●ere  
Thant moved all the spiders: to cast their eyes,  
Upon us their enemies. Whose show of strength there,  
showed so puissant (by huge number of us flies,)  
That they (much by that sight) gave up thenterprises.  
Whereon the spider, three inventions inveide.  
reviving the spirits of the spiders in eide.   

First: the spider to this wild the spiders all,  
To cast eye from our force. And behold their own.  
Which sight, such strength (he said) to their hearts must call,  
That a heartless hearted spider: should be grown:  
Hardy to fight, till we flies be overthrown.  
Hasill wands in their hands: to hawberds in ours,  
He matched: to over match us, in our most powers.   

secondly: he bade them think: that we do dread:  
The sight of them, as much as they do fear us.  
thirdly: to set cock on hope and run on head,  
Their right seen (saith he) to fight in: to death thus,  
The most coward will fight. And by his discus,  
Straight to bliss go they, straight to bale go we.  
But: here me part the stake: in these casis three.   

First: we them beholding: and they us viewing,  
The fear falleth indiffrentlie: on either side.  
Next: each side viewing itself hath ensuing:  
Of like courage: to both sides to be a plied.  
thirdly: he labouring right by fight to be tried:  
With clear conscience on their side, let that be weighed:  
Upon this my next saying: when I have saide.   

The spider to thant: in this told tale: erst said,  
Laid to us flies rebellion. He laying,  
Example of plagues past. Where flies disobaide,  
The great gods commandment. Which disobeying,  
Hath plagued such flies, according to his saying.  
Upon his which saying: here me somewhat say,  
How case of rebellion from our case doth way.   

All subjects: in violent variance grown:  
Against the high powers, they by that great god plaffe,  
His work hath showed his will, to bring overthrown.  
Suffer, and not resist, that must be here enbras●e:  
And sulfild. Or else as such flies, in time paste:  
Have been scourged: for resisting, so shall we.  
And so to be scourged, well worthy we be.   

But perceive: thesehie powers: must take high place,  
As standth with law of the great god: rightfully.  
For otherwise, it falsifith in this case:  
Their said defence at gods hand. and contrary:  
Where extort pour: usurpeth place wronfullie,  
The god doth right oft: in such usurpation,  
Put miraculus pour, to thexturpation.   

Oft: making thinffrumentes of the overthrow:  
As far to compare: under the overthrown,  
As flies under spiders: in comparison show.  
And how this spider hath usurpedlie grown,  
To potentate state, that is to us unknown.  
Inever herd fly yet, that ever could tell:  
Ground of title, why his state should thus exsell.   

And he: an usurper: as I think he is:  
You thinking so to, can we think that he?  
Breaking the God's law (as he doth doing this)  
Shall in thil deed: by good god, defended be:  
Whom he and his offend: offending his decree,  
Nay: hazel wands in our hands: the gods pour leads,  
To beat back their hawberds, to break their own heads.   

And where he alegith: that the spider's right:  
I● a safe warrant: with safe conscience to die,  
For all such spiders: as shall die in that fight,  
And that flies dying therein: die damnably,  
That loud lusty lie: for a lie warrant I.  
With safe conscience (in this case) courage a rise:  
To bale go all spiders: to bliss go all flies.   

The flies: upon herring and doing of this,  
All start up, and stood up, most coragiouslie:  
With one voice all cried: sir captain our mind is,  
To give saute to the copweb even by and buy.  
Wherewith: much more wilfully then wittily,  
(And yet not witless) into a ray they got,  
Marching toward the copweb, within gone shot.   

The watch tower struck a alarm: thenmyes'enemies discrieng  
The goonners gave fire: and first at raundon, they:  
Shot of, the goonstones among the flies flying.  
Which galled the flies curstly: coming on the way.  
But forth flying the flies now: as fast as they may.  
Without trenching: or such defensife forstalles,  
Ordnance they ley, to batter that castle walls.   

¶ ‡ Great shot, and grievous slaughter of flies, there was  
Ere they could: any piece of the walls batter:  
To make it sawtable, but so came to pass:  
That in short time, that wall they did so shatter:  
That their waielaie plain, and straight to the matter:  
(For which they came. (they went. To such a fears fight.  
As never fought spiders and flies, in man's sight.   
 ornament   

¶ The flies give onset in assault upon the castle: the spiders defending it in furious fight. And upon the slaughter on both sides, the flies retire to their camp. The spider's wife and children on knese to him beseeching him to take peace with the flies. Cap. 66.  
 depiction of the army of flies  
 depiction of the army of spiders  

IN anli battered bracks: flies raging in a rank,  
Ferstie flew in, all black as the cloudy sky.  
Spider's defending them. Spider nor fly shrancke,  
Hundreds strikin with goules, in peeses twenty.  
There a leg, here an arm, there a head doth fly.  
And piece from piece: by violence flown round,  
A flight shoot a sunder, and as fer from ground.   

Both sides to see: so busily occupied,  
With polaxis, partisans, hawberds, bills goons:  
trumpets on both sides: each tencoorage their side.  
The avoyans of the noise: through my head roons.  
The soonlesse flies fathers: the fatherless flies soons:  
With this thing, above all thing (a lack alack)  
Oh what woeful widow flies, go now in black.   

Three quarters of an hour, this fight endewred.  
Which time, I imagined domes day present.  
And that all the dammed souls: had been procured,  
To come with the devil thither: in his band hent.  
There to set up hell, to suffer their tornment.  
For dewring the time, I think no worldly sight,  
More like hell, then was sight of that hellie fight.   

Terror whereof, was to be witnessed well:  
To see so many alive so late, now dead.  
thousands setting on that copweb (with heart fell)  
Hang now there (like hearings in nets) by the head.  
And spiders for their part: not scorfree lead:  
Here sum, and there sum, snatched up a mid the rour:  
That were within half a hour afore, full stout.   

At end of this fray, no part saw cause to boast:  
Five thousand flies, and five hundred spiders slay.  
Wherewith the flies: seeing so many flies lost,  
And of their purpose: could yet no part obtain,  
At retret of trumpet, they retired a main.  
Where they before had campt. There to take a breath,  
To save their honesti, and keep them from death.   

The spiders were as glad to see the flies backs,  
As flies were to show them. For what time they:  
(Beholding dead spiders) each seeth his friend lacks,  
Few spiders (or none) saw cause to joy that day.  
The spider's wife: and children: near dead in fray:  
On knees besought him, in way of petistion,  
With the flies to take peace, on sum condistion:   
 ornament   

¶ The spider having compassion on his wife and children as on himself, he saith that he will: with the advice of his council, in their suit do all that may be done for the best, Cap. 67.  
 depiction of the army of flies  
 depiction of the army of spiders  

THe spider: in hearing of this their request,  
Seeing them in such fear: as he saw them there,  
That sight and herring, may at first sight: be gest:  
In husband, and fathers: that any zeal bear,  
To their dear wives: and sweet babes, at eye and ere:  
The sight showth, and hearing soundth such sight and sound,  
As may their zelus hearts, to death wellnigh wound.   

What kind hearted husband: can see his kind wife,  
In like careful case, without woe at his heart.  
What natural father can see: for his life,  
His natural children, in dread quake and start.  
Without his heart smarting, in most smartfull smart.  
I think, ye think none: and even so think I.  
Marvel not then: though the spider be touched nigh.   

He tenderly tendereth his children and wife:  
Refusing to stand up: when he bade them rise,  
Till he would grant them (his grace) to stint this strife,  
His sight of fear in them: and fury in flies,  
Added his more perplexite: to devise:  
To use pity to them: as nature drove him,  
And policy to flies, as reason gave him.   

To this: he said my dear wife: and sweet babes two.  
Great wear the thing: by you of me desired:  
That I could deny, in what I can do.  
But for this treason, spightfullie conspired,  
And so put in ure: by flies now retired,  
Your suit therein: if I should grant out of hand,  
As the case standth: I doubt how that grant should stand.   

This case: touching me and ill spiders most nigh,  
In me and my counsel, shall forthwith be scanned.  
Go in, and be cheerful: and fear not: but I,  
Will favour and further your suit: as may stand:  
With most saved of us, and all our whole band.  
They race and made curtsy: forthwith wherupone,  
(They and he weeping) they (from him) thence are gone.   
 ornament   

¶ The spider set with twelve of his counsel, declareth his wives and children's suit (adjoining thereunto eociderations of his own) for peace to be taken with the flies. Requiring those counsellors (while he depart and return) to determine what way he shall take. Cap. 68  
 depiction of the army of flies  
 depiction of the army of spiders  

THe spider: with his counsel, to counsel got.  
The flies: stocking together, as was then need,  
In consultation: full besilie sat,  
Each side for themselves, best way to see decreed.  
I gave ear to both sides: to here them proseede,  
Stretching my memory: to a double charge,  
To hold (upon herring) both th'effects at large.   

And first: what I gathered on the spider's side.  
That shall ye have: and then the talk of the flise.  
The spiders: at a board: themselves did divide,  
Sir on th'one: six on tother side. To devise:  
(And diside, (such matter as should there arise.  
The head spider: in a cheyre at the boards end,  
Enter: as followeth here after penned.   

Dear friends: our present apparel in words to dilate:  
It in deed: in heart felt: and at eye here seen,  
Should show folly. Our case is now to debate,  
Our best way: to wind out of this danger clean:  
To stay our state, as before stayed hath been.  
Wherein: between two things: I doutfullie doubt,  
To which one: I shall undoubtedly, stand stout.   

My wife and children: upon their knees all three:  
With dead hearts: as death in their faces: did show,  
As I love their lives: humbly be sought me,  
By some mean forthwith, to peace with flies to grow.  
For should they (said they) see the like overthrow:  
That they had seen: between our enemies and us,  
Of their present deaths, they felt feeling discus.   

This perplexth me: what one way to take of twain:  
Nature prokth me (in pitting those three)  
To take peace with the flies, to run a main.  
Reason provokth me: politiklie to flee,  
The show of desire: in peace with flies to be.  
Which pity to use: and policy to refuse,  
How cruel flies will cock with us, thatno news.   

Now: on tother side: if I pity omit,  
Nought weighing my wife: and offspring in this case,  
But do bend upon policy, everywhit:  
To out face the flies: to stand face to face,  
And these three (by dread) to die in the mean space,  
Then am I double dead. Thone: that they death have,  
T'other to see them die, whom myself might save.   

I pray this whole board: this case first to revolve,  
Each in himself, and then all together speak.  
Devising your best. Wherein while ye resolve:  
Your full minds, to me (at my return) to break,  
I'll go, to cheer my wife and babes, woe and weak.  
They prayed him to do so: which rang in mine ear,  
That they were more glad, to have him thence then theart.   
 ornament   

¶ Strait as the spider is gone, the rest arise withdrawing a sunder in three plumps four in a plump, no one knot knowing what the rest saith, which done: they all sit down again against the spider's return. Cap. 69.  

THe spiders back turned, straight these twelve a rose  
By four, four, and four, flocking into flocks three.  
Every flock talking, and standing together close.  
Each flock unto other (by aught I could see,)  
As strange, and as loath that their talk herd should be,  
As all could have been: that that spider that season,  
Should have heard their talk, had they all talked treason.   

All showed one manner, which showed them all meevid:  
Beating their fifth, bending their brows shaking their heads  
In fear and fewrie, all were greatly greevid,  
Talk of two: of which three flocks: whereto it leads,  
I could not yet know: soft wispring, not far spreads.  
But talk of the third flock (standing somewhat near,)  
hearkening somewhat to them,) somewhat did I here.   

Friends (quoth one of those four) we four being one,  
We may talk (and let us talk) frankly our minds.  
This spider (our ring leader) to his flock gone,  
In debate of this case: to which he us binds,  
Is to me not un jest: how he with us winds.  
But first, not to teach: but to tell what he is,  
And then what he meanth here, here me say in this.   

The spider is of wit, wonderus dark and deep.  
And double as double, as he is deep and dark.  
Louvre where he loveth, laugh wear he hateth to creep.  
To botum of bosum: for to spy what spark,  
Kindled: with or against him, he may there mark.  
Much for which purpose: he giveth us now a bone,  
Of pity: and pollisie, to gnaw upon.   

But exepf: we spice pity and policy both:  
As the sesoning may saver in taste to stand:  
As in his taste and saver: saverlie goth,  
He will gnaw our bones out of taste: out of hand.  
Which ye shall see: when I this scantlin have scanned,  
Between his politikelesse pity (erst said)  
And his pitteles policy, (here erst laid)   

This dought: to bring out of doubt, he hath us set.  
Whether (by pity) to save his babes and wife:  
He shall seek to flies: sum peace of them to get,  
Or by policy: to stand stiff still in strife,  
And lose: both his babes, and also his wives life.  
First case: showing our danger in general,  
Last case: showing his danger in special.   

This trap (not for mice) for spiders is baighted.  
To see what bitten we bite: or on what string we harp.  
If his pity here: be restreynd or straighted,  
And that (on his policy) our tongues do earp:  
More to save ourselves: from danger of death sharp:  
Then to save him and his, we playing those parts,  
He will sure suspect, that we have traitors hearts.   

And if we leave policy: and pity take:  
Concluding: that we will bide all jeoberdie:  
Rather than see: of him or his: one finger ache,  
I'll hold a hundred pound (to an halfpenny)  
That he will take all that talk: for flattery.  
Though his eye on us thereat pleasantly pink,  
Yet will he think, that we say not as we think,   

These two: two edged cases: take I for such,  
That they may be taken: a two edged sword.  
Each side of both cutteth, where ever it touch.  
But when we shall resolve: at yonder board,  
Leaving these two ways: I have devised a thoord.  
Wherewith, a tale he told them: so silently,  
That (till he told it at board,) no word herd I.   

But in taking end, I herd him to them say:  
The spider will: our minds, severally know.  
And I the youngest, shall speak first, (no nay.)  
And so each other following: sitting a row.  
Wherein: as you in course to speak (after me) grow:  
Say you: in this deep case: upon deep weighing,  
Ye have nought to say, but taffirme my saying.   

And so shall we (said he) save our four lives.  
They agreed. And to touch the second sort now,  
Ancients to the first, one of them four contrives:  
To conclude. In matter what: or manner how,  
From hearing I was yet kept (as I told you)  
But the talker to that flock at end, spoke out:  
These words. This way shall save our four lives: no doubt.   

Of the third and most ancient flock likewise,  
One at end of his talk: these words a loud spoke.  
This way shall save our four lives. Or at least size:  
Our honesties, and honest spiders undertake:  
Life much rather: then honesty, to forsake.  
Ye say truth (said the three) and we three agree,  
With you to lose life, rather than honesty.   

With this, they all at the board sat down again.  
That they (at the solders return) might appear,  
Set as he left them: all as one to remain.  
(While he went to (and came fro) his stock most dear.)  
Who (so finding them,) with sad and sober cheer:  
Sat down in his cheyre: where he had sit erst.  
And this profess to his purpose, promptly pierced.   
 ornament   

¶ The spider set again with his counsasle, in those three said sources, arise three divers ways to take herein. The be 〈…〉 one where of to choose, the spider departeth to devise upon. Willing them to cause all corners of that castle to be cleansed and all ●attred places made strong again. Cap. 70.  
 depiction of the army of flies  
 depiction of the army of spiders  

AS I told you I would go, so have I gone  
To comfort my wife and mine: in your names all.  
Assuring them: of your good hearts everyone:  
To pity and relieve their dread. As may fall:  
In your most portable apparel, come what cum shall.  
Which hath (and nought else could (comforted them so,  
That quiet they hark to here, how th'end shall go.   

Now: in case of pity and pollici: erst laid,  
Touching the two doughtes: which I was, and am in,  
I require fully to here: what ye have weighed.  
Wherein: your sentences severally to win,  
You shall severally speak: and the youngest begin.  
Wherewith that youngest (as he erst said he would,)  
In words next following here, his tale he told.   

In these two cases: bolted, sifted, and found,  
To sew for peace: in pity of you and your,  
Or (by policy) to war stiffly to stand,  
The doubts debated here, in most might of our,  
Require this demand: judged in my most pour.  
Whether to take no peace, or what peace to take.  
Labour wherein, I think vain: all that we make.   

If I be worthy in your counsel to live,  
My counsel is: that all your study shallbe:  
Not what peace ye shall take, what peace ye will give:  
The flies being frayed: as much or more than we,  
Will not they seek for peace▪ yes I warrant ye:  
Trust not my wit: except ye have out of hand,  
Flies, sewing to take peace, as your will shall stand.   

Wherein: what your will shallbe ere the flies cum,  
Good is to dream: to what point in peace to wade.  
And not when they come: to stand mute or mum:  
In lark of an answer (by you or yours made.)  
Needful haste in this case, doth me full persuade:  
From needles hasty device: in tother cases:  
Both which (this taking place) they take no places.   

This (under your correction,) is my full mind.  
And mine (quoth the second) and mine (quoth the thurd.)  
And mine (quoth the fourth: quoth the fift) I am inclined,  
Of an other mind: then this tale hath now stirred.  
For two causes. th'one: for that this touchth no word:  
Of the case proponde, which is our charge to touch,  
Tother, for that I have other matter tavouch.   

The pith of these two cases: I take to consist,  
Whether (by pity: your fearful flock to save,)  
We shall take peace with the flies: as the flies list,  
To our common danger: by pride of flies brave)  
Or politicly show: that we no peace will have.  
To fear flies, and save us: yours and you: in apparel,  
By their fear of wars continual quarrel.   

I hold: the best one way of these both: to be,  
To save your wife: and children: your succession.  
And thereby you. For lacking you, what are we?  
Who can (like you) save us: from oppression?  
Our benefits (by you) enforce confession:  
For notable governance in governors,  
Never was felt our like governance: to yours.   

Your offspring so toward: to rule after you:  
As you rule before them: to their erudition:  
For our inestimable wealth now, and after now.  
No spider hath the contrary suspicion:  
But all spiders, in most humble submition:  
Submit them whole to you: so loved or dread,  
As never was ruler, that ever spiders had.   

Our commodities: won by you: being huge,  
Huge were our loss likewise: by your being lost.  
You: and yours: appearing here our whole refuge,  
Pity: or policy: which shallbe the post:  
In this case to stick to: my sentence bendth most,  
Ere danger (by bread): to you or yours shall rise,  
To cleave here to pity, and take peace with flise.   

So say I (saith second) of that second sort.  
And we said the third (and fourth) which said: a none,  
The first of most ancient four: his report  
Beginth. but first: this tale last gone,  
He seemeth to commend (in part) where upon,  
He showth his mind. But first (I say) in words fair,  
He saith as followeth next, of this last sayer.   

Said (this said ancient spider) this tale told last.  
somewhat to touch (under pardon) I intend.  
The tellers mind, I dispreyse in no part past.  
But in sundry parts, I can his mind commend.  
Namely: in that his mind is bend to defend:  
You and yours, from the death: as he ought to do.  
As far as duty deulie drawth, and we to.   

But as these two doubtful dangers touch our state:  
From top to toe, (as woe say: hie, mean, and low.)  
So: from brim to bottom: them both to debate,  
In faithful plain manner: (as in heart may grow:  
All dark dissimilasion, to overthrow.  
Sotellie sounding to sense depraved,  
That trace shall I tread, under pardon craved.   

In these two tossed terms: pity, and policy,  
To turn and toss, recital: of this whole case,  
No need. After recital so sondrilie,  
The terms but named, where memory is most base:  
Remembrance of the whole, those terms bring to place.  
Which pity: is here aplide, to save you and yours,  
And policy: here aplide, to save us and ours.   

Beseeching you: and all you before I say,  
Till all my saying be said: judge therein no part.  
But throughlie here me without stop or stay,  
And take in good part, my plain true meaning heart.  
Good tales: ill taken, may make the teller smart.  
But here, I pray herring. And having expressed,  
In following the effect, do as semth you best.   

But first: these two terms: pity, and policy,  
(As I understand them) hear me, them define,  
Pity: is an affect of all clemency  
That doth always: most clementlie incline,  
To have regard, to remittible disipline.  
In matter of justice: or any case else,  
All displeasant sufferance, pity it expels.   

Policy: is the thing that circumspectly weith●.  
Wisely (and warely) to put things in ure.  
As reasons farthest fetch: in foresight purueithe,  
An over: reach above the weak wits cure.  
So to put things in ure, that they may endure:  
As no light blast of wind: do over blow them,  
Nor lack of firm foundation, over throw them.   

And policy: (right taken (as I take it)  
In good part is taken, and construed ever.  
Policy: is not as sum spiders make it:  
Witty wretched wile, that doth all endeavour:  
In wrongful ill, to invent to persever:  
The name of policy there, is to be haft:  
And to be named falsehood: otherwise false craft.   

Pity: wrong named, and wrong used also:  
May be and hath been. As where it is aplide,  
To help one: or few, to the hurt of many more.  
The pittide part: being deep offenders tried,  
Thother part innosent. This (clear to disside:)  
Is either not pity: or peevish pity:  
Which (as thold saying sayith) march the city.   

But the right use of pity is (as I guess)  
To pity part, as pity may pity all:  
Without wrongful hurt, any one to oppress.  
This mean I: in use of pity general:  
But touching case (namely yours) especial,  
How it and such, from this general case swar●●,  
shallbe touchit anon: as my mean wit may serve,   

But: policy, and pity, pictured thus,  
I take man and wife. and temperance (as who sa●●)  
Minister in this marriage, I discus.  
Knitting this couple: in steady stinted stay,  
Policy to command, and pity to obey.  
Policy her husband: and pity his wife,  
politicly to keep all, from pittelesse strife:   

Where policis may bring pity: promptly placed,  
That husband will not keep that wife: out of place:  
And that wife (that husbands assent not purchased,)  
Will not presume to take place, both to disgrace:  
Her husband: and also herself to deface:  
Thus policy and pity: in case general,  
join (for common wealth) in common governal.   

But now: to grow toward specialitee,  
Where I laid misuse of pity before:  
To stand: in not pitting generalitee:  
By pitting the less number before the more,  
Though that rule: lean rightly to the right shore:  
In case of pity: much misused generally:  
It may (and doth) feyle: in sum case specially,   

Sum three or four: are in pity to be weide:  
More, than sum other three or four thousand are,  
In sundry cases: which policy doth eide.  
Namely, and properly, new here to declare:  
In particular case, of your present care.  
To save us and ours, and lose you and yours,  
Or lose you and yours, and save us and ours.   

The loss of four thousand of mean spiders now:  
Touching dangerous disturbance of thestate,  
Were less loss than were you four: and chiefly you.  
But the loss of the whole corpse, of us to rate:  
With loss of you four: the most loss to debate.  
This case: to our case: presently directed,  
Is needless: or bootless, to be respected.   

Needless I take the talk: as in this respect.  
first our case rechith not: determinately:  
To death of you, or us, but it doth direct:  
A dread of death in yours: and in you thereby.  
Or danger of death in us: not death clearly:  
But dread: or danger of death: and death out right,  
Are oft (and now I hope) far distant in sight.   

Yours in dread, and we in danger, of death much:  
All may be brought: and death yet follow no whit.  
Neither in yours, nor ours. And this case is such,  
As if ye will therein: policy admit.  
To out face flies, the corpse of spiders to knit:  
In courageous countenance, then shall ye see,  
The flies in fear, and your fear nedlesse to be,   

As the talk is nedlesse: to compare the loss:  
Of us all, with you four: for none shallbe lost.  
And otherwise, bootless, in this talk to toss:  
In matter on this side or that side to boast.  
The most or least loss: for all least and most:  
Shall die. if ye shrink and seek peace, flies will none.  
Then we being first slain, you and yours are gone.   

Will they slay us and save you, seeing this war:  
Against you: is chiefly or only begun?  
Nay make ye sure. Ye are the principal bar:  
Or beam, in their eyes: as the quarrel doth run,  
Wherein, I perceive no way: ought to be won,  
But politiclie tencorage all our whole rout,  
A fresh a 'gainst the flies, in ray to stand stout.   

We in courage, out of courage the flies are.  
And we out of courage, in courage are they.  
We spiders presing forward, back the flies bare.  
Spider's drawing back, forth press flies without stay.  
Thus ye see: policy here must make the way,  
If any way may be made, by possible pours:  
To preserve all, both you and yours, us and ours.   

This: under pardon of you and yours: erst prayed:  
Is: both my conscience, and my counsel plain.  
And mine (quoth the next of the three) with him steide.  
And like wise ours also (quoth those other twain.)  
The spider's outward words, showed show to retain:  
All their sayings: and all a like: to like well.  
But how he liked inwardly, I could not tell.   

But: on these three divers tales: a part to muse,  
Which one to take: or which to leave of all three,  
He said he would (and did) depaxt to peruse.  
Willing them in mean time, an order to see.  
That castle in warlike case, again to be.  
Whereupon he: to his inner mansion gone,  
To the soldiers spiders, they went a none.   

To whom, that most ancient spiders repeated:  
Such part hereof, as was meet for them to here.  
But first, he invented in that he treated:  
To encourage them all, to be of good cheer.  
And pluck up their hearts, if flies again march near.  
Matter of which rule such: and the tale so told,  
That it brought the spiders again, brag and bold.   

Then entered he: into repetition,  
Of commandment given, for that sort renewing.  
For cleansing and strengthing: in each condition,  
As it was, before former saute in viewing,  
The apparel of a second saute, eschewing:  
To lay down their weapons: and set to their hands,  
To scour: and to repair, all there, that in need stands.   

The whole number (saving reserved to watch)  
The watch in the watch tower: and upon the walls,)  
Ley by their weapons: each one his place to catch:  
To strengthin weak places, each one to work falls.  
Strongly they stop up, all gone hole galls.  
All places spied: in any kind of fauting,  
Made strong in defence of a second sauting.   

The dead spiders they buried: in the castle close.  
The dead flies hanged out in jebets openly.  
But to see the spiders: how they turn and toss:  
Sum making of graves: sum the spiders bury:  
Sum making iebets: sum hangin flies on high:  
Sum spinning threads: to repeir that castle wall.  
Xnever saw the like, nor I think never shall.   

¶ ¶ Which: while they bring in pre estate, now to here:  
What the flies (in common counsel (not private)  
Be in devising: what way may best a peer:  
On their part, each party to save his own pate.  
They: being set in counsel: it to debate:  
In a troup: be side the reformation tree,  
th'rder and th'end followeth here, to here and see.   
 ornament   

¶ The flies in camp be at counsel: desirously devising: by what mean to get peace best. Whereupon the captain inventing a mean to drive thant to sew for peace if they will be ruled by him, they thereunto agree. And thereupon the ant is brought before the flies. Cap. 71.  
 depiction of the army of flies  
 depiction of the army of spiders  

THe flies discoragid (as erst disclosed,)  
They all cried to take peace sum manner of way,  
A warfare to far: that far them disposed:  
Rather to fast, and to far full hard (that day:)  
Then sharp sauts, with sour sauce: to taste more in say,  
Their bumbling buzzing: at their captains cry sest,  
This advised advice, to them he expressed.   

Friends all: that ye all would have peace, ye all show.  
But what way to come to peace, none of you tell.  
Two plain ways there be, to provoke peace to grow.  
One: to submit us on knees (to our foes fell,)  
An other, to offer them talk, war to expel.  
By taking peace: under condistion such,  
As may extinct (in both parts) all cause of gruch.   

But first: if we submit us, all are undone.  
Mean mercy, nay main misery: shallbe our end,  
Flies knees: to furious spiders, win no boon.  
The second, and the best way is, to extend:  
Sum talk as I told: which if ye condescend:  
To follow, we must enter talk in the same:  
By sum other buy mean: then in our own name,   

If we sew directly, spiders willbe proud.  
And we either get no peace: or such a peace,  
As between war and that peace, small choice a vowed.  
Exactions, raunsums, or fines, shall never cease.  
Bonds of good abearing: shall have no release.  
Fly's lands, flies goods, flies lives, and flies liberty,  
Many clearly lost, and all in ieoberde,   

But you following (as ye ought) my counsel,  
I will drive thant to make suit: this suit to sew:  
By a tale told to him here. Which I will tell:  
If ye will here it and soothe it, the flies grew:  
To agree. Wherewith certain flies for thant flew,  
Who: fet and set at ladder foot by the flise,  
The Captain (to thant:) did this tale devise.   
 ornament   

¶ The captain telleth the ant that the flies have retired from thassault: (where many spiders are slain) to see whether the spiders will sew for peace, for which since they sew not, the flies will assault them again, But the ant they will hang straight before they go, Cap. 72  
 depiction of the army of flies  
 depiction of the army of spiders  

Ant's (plain and true, short and sharp) a tale of me:  
Told to thee, thou must here. Thus standeth the case.  
A great conflict (even now) the spiders and we,  
Have had: which slew spiders a piteous pace.  
Till pity wrought our retire, to see what grace:  
Might a peer in them: to sew to us for peace,  
In giving us our right, this war to sursease.   

And: that they do us wrong intolerable,  
I durst make thee (their friend) our judge (for my part)  
The abomination is enscrewtable:  
To pronounce at full, how they (by will pervert,)  
Have wrongfully wrong us, to wrongs of most smart.  
Which we have borne: and never thereon wrokun,  
Till the burden, our backs and necks hath brokun.   

And when we hope (if we at any time hope:)  
That our breakbacke burdens: shall come to end,  
Then showth thincrease of our burdens: so large scope,  
That they seem but be gone. None end seen tentende.  
Wherein, their force forsith us, to band in bend.  
Rather: then bide their perpetual shakling,  
To stand against them, and stick to our tackling.   

As we have stikt now here (I say) to their pain.  
And to avoid their more pain (I say and said:)  
Being loath: to set a broach their blood again,  
We have trained a long time (endiffrentlie weighed:)  
To keep them: from th'extreme extremity stayed,  
To see their sewt for peace: us to peace tatempt.  
Which: thorough their own fault, (we say) is exempt.   

But since they sew not, we will set on a gain.  
To leave no spider (or else no fly, (alive.  
But ere we go: we have made decree certain:  
To hang thee straight. Ant: it booteth not to strive,  
Get a gostlifather: that can shortly shrive.  
Dispatch hangman. Sum fly go: sum bell to toll.  
That spiders and flies, may pray for th'ant's soul.   
 ornament   

¶ The Ant upon sudden short warning of his death: being much dismayed, laying all that he can for his life, and yet can get no grace, he prayeth respite: while he be brought to the spider to see whether he will grow to any peace to save the ants life. Which granted, the ant is brought before the spider. Cap. 73.  
 depiction of the army of flies  
 depiction of the army of spiders  

Never was there an't, (I ween) so assonsde:  
As was this ant upon this chief flies tale told:  
Had he been an ant plenteously ●●onide,  
He would have given sacks full of silver and gold:  
To have been safe thence, but he preide them to hold:  
And hear him speak once again before he die.  
Which granted, this began the ant by and buy.   

Master Captain (and all (my masters) here flise:)  
I beseech you consider, consideratlie.  
Not only: that none enmity doth a rise:  
In me to ward you: proved aprobatlie,  
Before nor since my sufferance, captivatlie:  
But friendship in advising you peace to keep,  
Where war hath sins, brought many flies in dead flepe.   

Also to view: I humbly you instant,  
What time ye have hanged me, what thing ye have won.  
The carcase of a poor wretched seely ant.  
Not worth the rope that it hangth by: in the soon.  
Way well (with yourselves) what a thread this were spoo●  
An innosent: by tryanny: to death to draw,  
No sty thereby winner, the worth of a straw.   

Note more: this thing once done, can never be undone.  
And till it be done, may be done when ye will.  
Which being now done: and repented as soon,  
To late cometh that repentance: to avoid thill.  
Mark more. If you in this fury: me here kill,  
Then the feyre flower of flies (as ye take him) dieth,  
As from the spider, threatening therein erst lieth.   

Quoth the captain turn the ladder: thant cried stay.  
If all this afore said: my life will not save,  
Here this device: devised an other way.  
That is: it may like you: I your grant to have:  
Of one poor petission, which I last here crave.  
Let me go: gardid to the spiders again,  
To prove: what peace I can for my life, obtain.   

Beete so cried the flies: who made a harold go:  
To make most humble suit: in behalf of thant,  
That he and (save forty flies with him) no more,  
Might be admitted to his speech: that instant.  
The spider (seeming to grant it: hard and scant,)  
Bade him cum. Wherewith away the harold went,  
Showing the flies and ant, the spider's assent.   

Forty flies guarding the ant, flew forth bravely.  
The spider's fort, renewed and furnished again.  
The head spider in the mids: standing gravely:  
And (for terror) on jebets and gallows remain,  
Flies thousands hanging: sum in rope sum in chain.  
Thant: being brought before the spider to speak  
His mind (as followeth) forthwith he did break.   
 ornament   

¶ Thant (in way of petition) sewing to the spider for peace laying considerations to provoke him the rather thereto, the spider doth attentively, give the ant herring, Cap. 74.  
 depiction of the army of flies  
 depiction of the army of spiders  

Right excellent hunkill, if I woeful wretch:  
To call you mine unkill: may here be so bold,  
Two things: to pronounce plainly without far fetch,  
Is my present purpose. First of which doth hold:  
Thanks, for saving my life. second to be told,  
Standth upon a request by petistion:  
For apparel, like the first in condistion.   

As thus: of life: I am in like danger now,  
As I was then▪ (except your merciful eyed:)  
The flies: being bend to live and die on you,  
To sawt this castle a fresh, they have purveyed.  
And had been here ere this: saving that they steyde:  
To hang me first, which hath no longer stay:  
But till I (of peace) bring them word, yea, or nay,   

Nowhit at their suit: but all together at mine.  
They respite my life: till my return: to try,  
What good luck: your good love, to me may a sine:  
By inclination to peace, charitably:  
At my suit, for my sake. Both to save thereby,  
My life: and as many of yours: as shall,  
In this fierce force, be clapped in the necks withal.   

And since: your own estate ye can better weigh:  
What way is best: (for you and yours) than I can,  
And that ye know: the worst peace: (as wise wights say:)  
Is better than is the best war, to scan,  
As proof showth partly here, since this war began:  
This considered: considering of your part here,  
I lean of to consider mine own part clear.   

first: beseeching you with me, and for me now.  
To consider: I am in this apparel brought,  
By myself, for myself, nay by you for you:  
Without my seeking: by your own request wrought.  
And stinted reward, coruptlie to be bought,  
None ye offered, none I asked, nor none I have:  
Nor none I sought: but your favour to vowsave,   

Secondar●lie: your case erst arbitrated:  
I forthered: (as far as my wit might force pour:)  
Which showed so, when I the same Iterated,  
That I had words of thank: from the mouth of your,  
thirdly: where chance of war: was to me so sour:  
That I (for you) was captive and should have died,  
What (and how) things grew thereon, here them specified.   

At the flies first approach: toward this assa●t,  
To a tree they drew me: straight to hang me there.  
asking of me, or laying to me: no fault,  
But that I was your friend. In which deadly fere,  
One fly: erst at tharbitrement (as other were.)  
I prayed to speak, that I might speak ere I died.  
Which was at last granted: but first long denied.   

My tale there, stood on two intents in effect.  
One: to save my self, an other to save you▪  
And yours. And therein to scape unsuspect.  
first for myself, I laid that no fly could add 〈…〉:  
That ever I offended fly: ere naw or now.  
praying them (thereupon) to here and adjudge m●  
As might most equally stand with equity.   

And for the safety of you: and of yours here:  
To qualify the fierce fury of the flies,  
All trembling terror: that I could make apere,  
That might discourage the flies: in any wise,  
That did I at the full: to the flies device.  
Which wrought such effect: and did their hearts so pall,  
That they cried for peace: and would have fled nigh all.   

But the chief fly steying them: then against me,  
Spoke his pleasure there, as you did after here.  
He saw and said to the flies: that they might see:  
My counsel given them, was against them clear.  
And that I put them in fear to come here mere:  
Only for the love: that I to spider's bare,  
And to set myself at liberty, from flies snare.   

Whereupon he moved, and they did consent:  
That I should be sent hither as sent was I,  
To tell a tale, to abate your fury bend.  
Wherein: if I brought you all as fearfully:  
To fear them: as I had brought them formerly:  
To fear you, than should I be set frank and free.  
Or else (at my return,) hanged straight should I be.   

Here: to prolong my life, nature provoked me:  
To make you afraid of them, somewhat to say.  
But yet again to that: affection yoked  
To reason so fayntlie, when that I did inveigh,  
That you (by reason) straight wiped that fear away.  
For which, I was no sooner returned uneath,  
Ere I had (at the flies hands) judgement of death.   

☞ ☜ first at your request, for you: and not for me:  
I came: craving no reward: but your good will.  
Second: in tharbitrate case I wrought decree,  
To the best for you. As far as I could skill,  
thirdly, for your sake: to death most vile or ill,  
I was then drawn: and am now drawing again,  
Except my grief: sum grace, of you obtain.   

That is: that it may like you, to flies to grant,  
Peace. Such as despair give no cause to refuse,  
And pride give no cause, it proudly to avaunt.  
But as measurable mean: measure endewse:  
So (of your grace) graciously them to use.  
This love toward my life: please it you to show,  
No reward else (at your hands) crave I to grow.   

This ended: the ant made curtsy to the ground.  
At which the spider gave him a beck low boude.  
But: before he any word: to thant did sound,  
He paused solemnly, as any spider could.  
Which done: very lovingly: but not very loud,  
In manner assured. And in words right grave,  
First th'entry: and then th'end of answer he gave.   
 ornament   

¶ The spider (upon th'ant's tale cold to him) alegith certain things by which he seemeth in doubt much to grant peace to the flies. Wherein the ant and he traversing sum what: anon he granteth peace to them under condition expressed, wherewith thant is brought to the flies again. Cap. 75.  
 depiction of the army of flies  
 depiction of the army of spiders  

Cousin an't: a long matter in short speech here,  
Ye have (as ye can) right wisely declared.  
Which: as ye grounded on three things to apere,  
To draw me to pity you, in case thus snared,  
So: this mine answer to those three prepared:  
Hath in it: other three things. Two of which three,  
Stand sore against ye: and the third standth with ye.   

First the harm (by wrong) that flies have done me.  
Second: my will to be revenged on the same.  
Third: the pity I have of you. I promise ye:  
Of two things: between these three: which one to name,  
I can (as yet) no determination frame.  
Which is: one of these two: to determine at eende,  
Whether to slay all my foes, or save one friend:   

Nay: whether to slay or to save: foes and friend both,  
And whether to slay or save: both you and yours,  
On this question (quoth thant) this case rightly goth:  
But peace sveth them and theirs: us and ours.  
War sleath (or daungerth) all: in short sharp showers.  
Ye save all: in pitting me: the least one,  
Not pitting me, ye slay (as semth everichone.   

But two of your three points last touched: here me touch.  
Omitting the third, till I them have touched.  
Of your harm: your will to revenge: as ye a vouch:)  
To th'one ill past: tother ill to cum, couched:  
When all is revoluid, that can be a vouched.  
Your revengement to come: of the flies ill passed,  
May bring you more harm: and the flies away cast.   

Yea: cast you and yours away to, (I say) it may:  
And (under your pardon) to speak my mind plain,  
Your desire of further revengement: to way,  
Declarth much crewelte: in you to remain.  
The least flies raunsum hath been loss of his brain,  
That in time past hath touched here: and now in sight,  
Thousands of flies slain, and hanged in present fight.   

Thus for their ill, and your will: thill to revenge:  
Your pointing of those two points: dispointed be.  
In that quarrel: charity doth you challenge:  
In deadly defiance: of all enmity.  
Then passing these two points, to this third pass we.  
Pity: whereby charity here to enbrase,  
A 'bove all cases, pity this pitiful case.   

And pity: in you showed here now unto me,  
commodity is yourself: I think shall gain.  
If you (in this respect of pity) agre:  
To take peace with the flies, though ye loss sustain:  
My life to save: in recompense of my pain:  
Hands and hearts of Aunts: old and young: great and small,  
To serve you in your need, ye are sure of all.   

And contrariwise: if I here now go to wrack,  
Where you shall me slay: in that ye may me save,  
Not only friendship: of all ants ye shall lack,  
But all creatures living: shall you deprave:  
And abhor. where they: speech or thought of you have:  
Against you (in this case) lest mite in a cheese,  
In his most might: will fight, in blood to his knees.   

To this (all that I can say) what ye will do,  
I humbly beseech you (forthwith) to declare.  
Life, or death, which one of two to trust unto,  
Is my deep desire. That I may now prepare,  
My stomach ready, according to my fare.  
My mind I mean to die: or else to live,  
As your pleasure is, my death or life to give.   

Cousin an't (quoth the spider (pity toward you:  
And anger toward them, wreastleth in me sore.  
The flies spite to spiders: to show what and how:  
They have spited us: from long before:  
Laying their fauts on our backs. and evermore:  
By claiming our commons and such other like,  
Slandering our titles: quarrels still they pike.   

Sir (quoth the fly) fauts on both sides I have herd,  
Which on both parts, I wish to be mendid.  
The next way whereto, is peace to be preferred.  
By war, no part mended, all parts offended.  
War wasteth all things: where war is thus bendid.  
In pity whereof, by peace all ills to mend,  
Peace to all parts: I wish still an end.   

Well cousin: chiefly: yea only for your sake:  
In recompense of your pains: at my desire,  
Pardon I give flies: and peace thus shall they take,  
I will all flies, out of hand hence to retire.  
And that they in tumult, no further conspire.  
But that they clear dissolve this conspirasie,  
And every fly flee home, to live pesablie.   

‡ They shall now: set you at liberty also  
Bag, and baggage: to go straight home frank and free.  
And in this window and all, (where my powers go:)  
Half the hooles for theirs, I grant to them fro me.  
And the fly that this began, still here to be.  
Standing upon his trial in consequence,  
As standth with reason, law, custom, and conscience.   

Which (as I promised him, (I will perform.  
This is your end. And flies warn your fellows flise:  
To be ware henceforth, of these deeds enorm.  
And by their harm here present, to war so wise:  
That they never attempt more, thus to arise:  
Against their beggars or betters: such as be,  
Placed thus, above files in authority.   

Great god save you (quoth thant) quoth those flies amen.  
Low curtsy they made, and away they flew:  
To the camp of flies: and there and then,  
Presenting thant to them, about thant they drew.  
With panting hearts. To perceive, what would ensue.  
Wherewith: the ant at curtsy with knees low boude,  
These sweet words he began, in voice right loud.   
 ornament   

¶ Thant declaring peace: as it is granted, the flies in much jove set the ant thankfully at liberty, and home goeth he. Whereupon the captain commandeth all flies to draw near to hear him speak ere they depart. But they flee all away a few except. Cap. 76.  
 depiction of the army of flies  
 depiction of the army of spiders  

PEace: and pardon: I bring now into your laps.  
Upon these words spoken, there was such a shrill shout  
Holding up their hands: casting up their caps,  
Such joying and rejoicing: the whole camp about:  
As seld hath been heard and scene, in such a rout.  
Long was it: ere silence would fully be won.  
But at last it was won: which done thant began.   

Peace to pronounce, in form as it was granted.  
And that it was granted only for his sake.  
When he at end (to them) had it a vaunted,  
And that he: of his guard thither: did witness take:  
They all of the same: affirmation did make.  
Straight way: the halter taken from the ants neck,  
The captain fly gave thant, a lovely low beck.   

Praying him: to let all hard handling past, pas.  
And to consider: that in number so great,  
All be not one flies brood: and we he was,  
That he had showed himself so ill: him tentreate.  
Desiring him, it to forgive, and forgeate.  
(Sir quoth thant) forgiven and forgotten, all is:  
For my part, and ever shallbe after this.   

And such flies as erst, had frowninglie fast him:  
Lovingly they then, on him did smothlie smile.  
The captain and chief flies: having embraced him,  
They giving him thanks, in words of pleasant style:  
Discharging him thence, I let him pass a while:  
Most ●ocund and joyfully: homeward to flee,  
While ye: the flies conclusion have by me.   

The ant being gone, the captain forthwith:  
Made proclamation, to be herd there say.  
But thousands (after hundreds) are gone even sith.  
Till all: within forty, wear noun quite away.  
The rest, most against their will: forced to this fray,  
Gathering about the captain: to hear him speak,  
He to them: and they to him, their minds did break.   
 ornament   

¶ Upon a little talk had between the captain and the few flies there left, touching the rewdnesse and lightness of the common sort of flies, misliking their former light l●wde demenure, they depart. The camps on both sides, clear brooken up. Cap. 77.  
 depiction of the army of flies  
 depiction of the army of spiders  

HOw like ye this rudeness of these flies (quoth he?)  
As ill as any sight I have seen (quoth one)  
Well (quoth an other) it is no novelty:  
Common sort of flies (in manner everyone)  
As gidds cum and go, so flies cum and are gone.  
Oitimes' when strivis are (by wrangling flies) begone,  
In the mids of the matter, away they run.   

Leaving flies in the briars: whom they forced thereto,  
As they forced me. But I am this time taught:  
Against an other time: what I shall do.  
And we (quoth other) thither forsiblie wrought.  
My mind (quoth the captain) was to have brought:  
Our camp in order dissolved. Sir (quoth one)  
Ye know they that know none order, can keep none.   

I told at first (those flies that forced me out)  
Though I took (as I took and take) our claim right:  
Yet against our superiors, to be stout:  
To attain our right: by force of furious fight,  
A blind fly might see that out of the way quite.  
Which would not be heard: but ere I again stir:  
As I vow stirred, I le be hanged at mine own dur.   

And we (quoth the rest). Friends (quoth the captain)  
I was not forced at beginning: to cum forth.  
I rather foreced other: but to be plain,  
The gain in this io: neigh seen: what it is worth,  
And what danger this and like enterprise stoorth  
I'll not stur thus again, if I may sit still:  
And foorst to stur thus, I'll stur with an ill will:   

Better snioth words to give: then smart stripes to take.  
Namely where stripes win nought: & words may will all,  
Against the stream, strife again I will not make.  
But take at spider's hands, as in peace may fall.  
I see what it is: to spurn against the wall,  
Home will I in peace. and in peace a bide there,  
Wishing peace thinstrument, right to try each where.   

We wish the same (said the rest) all taking flight:  
From thence: nothing there left: but thempty place,  
Whereupon: the spider, broke up his camp quite.  
Which done, I sterted up a speedy pace.  
Looking out at the window: there to purchase:  
A sight (if I could) of the ant: cume home new,  
What solemn salutasions, should there ensue.   
 ornament   

¶ Thant being cum to his molehill: solemnly reseived of his wife, and children, and a great numbered of ants, he telleth (to them all a tale discoorsinge th'effect of all his trouble, had among the spiders & flies, willing them diligently to mark, what he saith. Cap. 78.  
 depiction of spider and fly story  

Out at a lates hole, casting mine eye,  
A molhill I spied: as the emerod green.  
The grass low laid: and unto the window nigh,  
Thant new entering the same: who when he was seen,  
On so sudden warning, never was (I ween)  
Such a number of ants, as were on that hill.  
To show outward tokens, of inward goodwill.   

At thants first entre, a lane of ants was made.  
Every ant by the way, shaking that ants fist.  
And somewhat more than the midwaye of that glade,  
His wife met him: whom he full sweetly kissed.  
His babes fell on knees. Whom he devoutly blessed.  
Whereupon: all ants having that ant embraced,  
These words said he to them: amid 'mong them placed,   

Dear kinsfolks: and allies many: and friends all.  
What ye have herd of me: sins I from you went,  
That know I not. But myself here report shall:  
Of my trobulus tragedy, theffeets fervent.  
In telling which tale, mine effectual intent:  
Is: that ye all shall now mark much: what I say:  
And all mark much more, why I say: that I say.   

But what I say: mark first. I think ye know all.  
That my young cousin spider was with me here:  
To come to his father: my hunkle: at call,  
But the cause wherefore he willed me to appear:  
Whether ye know or not: that know I not clear.  
My knowledge whereof: to witness that ye know,  
In full and few words, (as I can) I shall show.   

A notable fly: hath late chanced to light,  
In that spider's copweb. the spider by that,  
Charging the fly: with desert of death: by right.  
The fly: to deserve to die, denying flat.  
Beseeching the spider, to hear him speak somewhat.  
He granting him speech. and to judge his offence,  
Standing with reason, law, custom, and conscience.   

The spider's challenge to the fly, gave great charge.  
Whereto (as far as I could there understand,  
The flies defence, was very lusty and large.  
In which challenge and defence: when all was scanned,  
To come to end, they two could not take in hand.  
But being driven to choose arbiters tagre,  
The fly choose a butterfly, the spider cheese me.   

This one: of their many matters tarbitrate.  
At trial (by custom) on which side to lay,  
All holes, in that and all windows in each state.  
The flies claiming freehold: for free passing way.  
The spiders for spiders said: so, all hold they.  
Whereon: we hearing all sides what could be laid,  
We could not agree, how the case might be weide.   

To any one side of both: so that at end,  
In our report, (to that spider and that fly,)  
The case as we first found, we left it to depend.  
The spider and fly in copweb: th'end to try,  
Whereupon the flies: in a fume by and buy,  
Were suddenly up: in a wrought, on a roar.  
Such a flock, as I have never seen before.   

Nonede to ask them wherefore their cuming was,  
Their warlike fashion: showed them bend to fight:  
But in a moment, a bout me they compass.  
And withoutworde of cause declared, wrong or right.  
They drew me to a tree: standing nigh in sight.  
Where: with halter about my neck: on ladder set,  
Turn the ladder they cried, none other glace to get,   

Saving the foresaid arbitter butterfly,  
Upon great and long suit, at last obtained.  
Of them to hear me speak: before I fhoule die.  
But ere I spoke (what to speak) seeing unfaynd  
Life or death lie before me,) I was constrained:  
(As that short time would serve) to premeditate,  
How to conserve myself, and the spider's state.   

As affection natural: moved me more:  
To lean to the spiders: then toward the flies,  
And of my tale: the very carnel or core,  
Must stand on two points (me thought in any wise.  
Thone, to persuade no fault in me to surmise:  
Against them. Tother to make them to relent,  
By enforsing the force, of spider's force bend.   

In first part of which tale, my faults I cleared:  
That they (to touch me with) could any way late.  
And where: by the rest of my tale, appeared,  
Their deaths plain: (as I there fooes force did displase.)  
They thereupon all: weinie ronning away  
I handling the tale so, from first part to eende,  
That the most part (simple flies) took me their friend.   

But the crafty fly: capital captiteyne,  
Opening (to the flies) my politic intent,  
Unseen to the flies: till he made them see it plain,  
Himself seeing his danger above all bent,  
If the flies did flee, their flight then to prevent,  
He inveyde such matter to them: that a none,  
He coraged them to stand, all former fear gone.   

Whereupon: with their consent, he awarded,  
That I: before the spiders, a tale to tell,  
Should be sent forwith, with forty flies guarded.  
Wherein: if I made spiders fear flies: as well:  
Or as much (in my saying serius or fell:)  
As I brought flies of spiders before in fear,  
I should go quite. If not, at return hang there.   

I said I would do my best. and therewithal,  
Standing on the ladder, my two wings start out.  
As in a time of our time, is natural.  
Which had: I flew guarded with this guarded rout,  
Before the spider, having look strange and stout.  
But what of that: my curtsy once low made,  
I used words: my matter to persuade.   

Where: although I would have told an other tale:  
Yet who may not as he will, must as he may.  
Life was sweet, death was sour: nature did me hale  
To save my life, while my life in my tongue lay:  
Short tale to make, in tale so did I there say:  
That spiders in fear of flies, had agony  
As much, as fly's of spiders had formerly.   

Wherewith: the head spider fell in fell fury.  
I feared he would (with his weapon) have killed me:  
And sure: all my friends from jersey to jury:  
Had not saved my life: but he would have spilled me:  
Had not his fore grant: waranted and willed me:  
To cum and go safe, but this passing over.  
He entered a talk, the spiders to recover:   

And encourage again. Which in fine he did.  
Bringing me in much disdain, and more distrust.  
He said, that one both those parts, I disemblid.  
Creeping with spiders: at times when I lust,  
And flying with flies: othertimes, even as Just.  
Where I to him, meant nothing but honestly.  
He reported my meaning, clean contrary.   

Ensampled, by my creeping with spiders furst:  
And last exampled: by my fleeing with flise.  
In rest of his tale told, he telling the worst:  
Against me and my tale: that he could devise,  
He such matter laid, and laid it in such wise,  
That in courage (I say) were the spiders again.  
We with his defiance, returning a main.   

To the flies: by one fly: all past repeated,  
Which: declaring me: the spiders to have frayed,  
As I was wild to do, straight was it treated:  
(Upon demand) whether in that I there said,  
I should have my life or not. which to be weighed:  
Between two flies: a serius argument:  
Whether I should live or die, was biglie bend.   

The one said: that I by cumnant, aught to line.  
Nai said tother: by cumnant he ought to die:  
The first said: as words of cumnant do give:  
To bring the spider in fear, evine so did I.  
Thother said, that fear heeled not permanentlie  
And: the words fulfilled: the meaning not fulfilled,  
The cumnant is not kept, In judgement well skilled,   

This argument they turned and tossed till at last,  
The friend, quite overthrew thadversary.  
And yet against me, the most number straight passed.  
As though th'argument had run, clean contrary.  
On the ladder I stood, straight to miscarry:  
From which: at turning of, by the fly hangman,  
Hold: cried a fly far of, flinging toward us then.   

Which fly said: the spider had made a decree:  
The fly in close prison with him deteind:  
Should straight lose his life, if the flies did kill me:  
Whereupon they repryede me to prison cheind.  
With harnessed flies watched: and in stocks remeinde.  
Between hope and dread, whether to live or die,  
As this side, or that side, should win victory.   

Forthwith herewith, on the spider they gave saute.  
Where five hundredth spiders: and five thousand flies,  
Wear slain. Abating on both sides courage haute,  
The flies retired: peace sum way to devise.  
The spiders: wear desirus of peace, likewise.  
But which part should begin suit: that peace to move,  
Both parts showed as much curtsy, as little love,   

The flies had me before them bragging in boast.  
That sins spiders to them: for peace would not sew,  
Spiders: or flies one part of both should be crossed:  
Quite out of this life, none left alive to view.  
And straight to the ladder, again they me drew.  
Protesting that I should die: ere they marched thence,  
I praying them, my life might hang in suspense,   

While I wear guarded again, to the spider.  
To sew to the spider, all in mine own name.  
To see: of what peace, hap might be provider.  
At mine humble suit: unto him for the same,  
They granted, and sent me. to whom when I came,  
I sewde for peace. beseeching it the rather,  
For certain respects, which I then did gather.   

Such as showed then: high time: peace to give and take.  
As: danger to him and his: and then for me:  
Most Innosentlie cast away, for his sake.  
Having, or looking, for no commodity:  
But only his favour: and hereupon he:  
(Seeming loath to grant: and glad to grant in deed,  
Granted peace, in form as forwith shall proseede.   

Under general pardon: for all faults past,  
The flies must all away: and all war sursease.  
I: set at liberty: no longer to lie fast.  
Flies in windows, to have half the holes in pease,  
The fly with him in prison, not to release:  
But to take an end at his hands. there or thence,  
As standth with reason, law, custom, and conscience.   

But note: I must take this done all for my love.  
In recompense of pain and apparel had there:  
This done, I and the flies there, as did behove:  
giving thanks: and taking leave, thence gone we wear:  
To the flies. who flocked about me giving ear:  
To here of peace. Which when I there had declared,  
With thanks I was discharged, of all captive guard.   

From whence I am (as you see) hither now cum.  
The one half of my whole tale: having displayed.  
For: of what I have to say: this is the sum.  
But now wherefore this what (now said) is said:  
As I: at beginning wild this what: well weighed,  
So wish I this wherefore: to be weighed as well.  
For safety of all ants, which I shall now tell,   
 ornament   

¶ Than thaving said: what he would say, willeth all ants to note why he said, that he said. Which is to warn them by his arms to beware, how they meddle in matters between spiders and flies. Cap. 79.  
 depiction of spider and fly story  

Wise ants are warned: by other ants harms (ants say)  
And you: avoiding your harms: by harms of mine,  
The why: of my former tale, ye then well way.  
For of the what, that is the why: in fine.  
Your hearing and following: of which displine  
(With hearing and following: my next words here set,)  
Defence fro my like harms, I hope ye shall get,   

My which harms: though they show outwardly to grow:  
By wars froward chance: without fault of mine own.  
Yet the high god knoweth, and my conscience doth me show:  
That these my harms, of these my two fauts are grown,  
Pride, and covetousness: by corrupt blast blown.  
Into my heart inculked: by fancy fond,  
Which to warn you of, I'll make you understand.   

Though the spider sent for me: ere I hence went,  
Yet when I was sent fore, proud was I to go:  
Where: I thought to grow: in state more excellent,  
Then any ant before had grown, and so:  
Pearking with spiders: in top of the windo,  
I thought there: with the spider's equal to be,  
And here, in anthils, ants a god should take me.   

And for the maintenance: of that proud estate,  
I covetously cast, what way to find mean.  
Being above all ants, in place situate,  
By preferment (at the spider's hand, (to glean.  
Office, fee, all that I could, to gather up clean.  
Low curtsy, great riches, mirth, ease, love, and laud.  
I thought all should be offered, me to a plawde.   

But in fine, this was the fruit of this vain hope:  
Love, or laud, on no side: on all, hate and blame.  
For goldin chain at my neck, an hempen rope.  
For reverence and praise, disdain and defame.  
Looking to win much, lease all. As in the same:  
Showed my reward: at end of all, at hands all.  
namely at spider's hands, who did me thither call.   

As he: in granting peace to the flies, showed plain.  
Which peace he said, (I say) with flies he did take,  
To save my life, and to recompense of my pain.  
And for no cause else. But let us here make,  
As it in deed: had been done all my sake.  
Yet: the head and tail of this tale: joined nigh,  
Shall show: that I right nought did win thereby.   

What if: to save my life, that peace he then gave:  
My life was out of apparel: till I came there,  
Brought by him: for him, to the brink of my grave,  
Had I kept me here, neither apparel nor fear:  
Had my heart wounded, as it did there while ear,  
This gift is like as if a these (by false train,)  
Robo me of my good, and gave it me again.   

I lost my time there, and I lost my thrift here.  
In summer (ye know) we ants work busily:  
For winter to pravide, our food every year.  
But: lack of this summer's days diligentsie,  
May make me fast two days in winter (happy,)  
And drive me (per haps) ere winter all done be,  
To beg of ants, that might else have beggde of me.   

In all my which punishment: at all whose hands,  
I take them: but as the great gods instruments.  
His judgement are secret: he useth his wands,  
Sum times: in appearance of outward intents,  
To one purpose. when his high wisdom assents,  
To use them for an other. And sure,  
I think he now put so, my trouble in ure.   

For my two said fantes. willing you to beware,  
Of all ambitius: and covetus desire.  
In a voiding (for my like offence) my like rare.  
Which if ye do, fleeing desire to aspire,  
Then can ye this lesson: as I would require.  
And not doing it: upon this warning geevene,  
Ye will thereto (by my like plague) to be dreevene.   

And did we consider, but this present life.  
Yet must we live in an order here (perdie:)  
The god hath placed us all: to live out of strife:  
Spiders, flies, and ants, each sort in their degree.  
Spiders, in head parts of windows: the heads be.  
Flies, in the mids: the body as it wear.  
Aunts at the low part: the feet, accounted there.   

And as a spider: over matcheth a fli,  
So is a fly, as far to big for an ant.  
Which seemeth wrought by divine providence (think I,)  
As our degrees (are in order) distant,  
So the degrees of our strengths, are discrepant.  
And where all three sorts: keep quietly their please,  
All live together, in quiet wealthy case.   

But if they (for change of place) begin to strive,  
As spiders and flies (two parts of three) did now,  
They may hastily strive, and sloulie thrive.  
And to the spider: in our alegeant vow:  
In all leeful things, all we ants alway bow.  
Without grief or grudge. but if war again rise,  
What should ants meddle: between spiders and flies.   

Be warned here again (by my harm) of meddling.  
Meddle we in things, of our vocation.  
One flies finger thrusth ten ants, down headlong.  
Aunts are not made: to walk in wars station:  
Nor to meddle in severe consultation.  
Meddle we in our molehills: at the windows feet:  
And let spiders and flies do: as they think meet.   

They shall for me, (quoth he) and for us cried thaie.  
And to their business, busily they went.  
Wherewith come four flies fleeing, fast as they may.  
And at low part of the window: by assent,  
They lighted. and the spider than himself bend,  
From his house to his their: and I forwith,  
Set in my place: of their words, to note the pith.   
 ornament   

¶ Four flies (in the name of all flies) at the copweb, thanking the spider for pardon and peace, declaring the conditions and the performance on their part) sew to the spider on his part, to perform his grant, in laying out & possessing them of their limits with half the holes in the window, which he granteth bidding them a little time stay, in which while: he sendth the youngest spider of his twain to the ant, praying him to come to him again. To divide and deliver the holes to the flies as the spider will apoinet them. Cap 80.  
 depiction of spider and fly story  

ONe fly of those four (made the mouth for all,  
At curtsy to the spider had) these words had.  
Framed in manner (to the matter) formal.  
Right honourable sir: most dear and most dread.  
All flies, (they of your prosperus estate most glad,)  
Have commanded us: to commend them: to you,  
Humbly, and duly as duty bidth them bow.   

So thanking your gifts to them, pardon and peace.  
Upon these conditions: as they understand,  
Wars: and conspiracies, on their part to cease.  
Than to be set free, out of their captive band.  
The fly here in prison: to have end at your hand,  
As standth with reason, law, custom and conscience.  
Half holes in windows theirs: all times from hence.   

Which cumnants they receive, and put in ure.  
In what they should do, and in what they shall have,  
They thereupon send us, to know your pleasure.  
What time: and what way: ye will take to vouchsafe,  
To point and possess them, in that ye them gave.  
Binding them: (by indifferent divided rate,)  
To wish contenuance, of your present state.   

At their curtsy made, to this: the spider said:  
This suit I grant: tarry my return again.  
In he went: and herein to have the ants aid,  
To thant, he sent the least spider of his twain.  
Praying thant to come to him: and take the pain,  
To be his deputy: tenfette the flies in fine,  
With half the holes where as the spider would a sine.   

Thant spying his cousin coming, liked it not.  
Sum thankless office was toward again (thought he:)  
Thorough the window, I saw he quickly got:  
One leg, and his waste, in swadeband rolled to be.  
And crutches by his side, a two or a three,  
That spider coming to thant: where as he lay,  
These: or these like words, that spider did first say.   
 ornament   

¶ Upon this message done, thant fiend a let of his coming: by a hurt mischansing him that morning. with which answer, the yongespider returneth to the old. Cap. 81  
 depiction of spider and fly story  

Cousin an't, rest you merry. Cousin (quoth thant)  
Ye be welcum. what good tidings do ye bring.  
My father prayeth you (quoth he) at this instant,  
To come to him: and for the holes delivering,  
Which he in windows granted: at wars ending,  
To be therein, his deputy of trust:  
To see flies possessed, of their number just.   

Good cousin (quoth the ant) it will not be.  
In a dark house (right now) where candle was light,  
The light dasling mine eyes: it so blinded me,  
That against the snuff of a candle: burning bright,  
I flew▪ force of which fire and snuff: in which flight,  
Mischance (that all misaduentours' alway brings,)  
Broke one of my legs, and burnt one of my wings.   

So that I now: can neither creep nor fli.  
The which: for mine own harm grieveth me right sore.  
And as sore for his sake: that now can not I  
In this case, serve him as I have done before.  
Thus commend me cousin: I can say no more.  
That spider took his leave: and to his father straight,  
Told what answer he had, at thant in reseight.   

Who seeing the ant did not cum. forth he went:  
With a long rod in his hand: taking his cheyre.  
Which when I saw, to see further what he meant,  
To my cheyre in my place: I did then repair.  
The four flies before him, stood in order feyre.  
Whearwith (in few words) a brief tale there told he,  
Which done he possessed them, in plat here to see.    

¶ The spider after a few words to the four flies, assineth to them all the small holes beneath. Half the holes in numbered: but scant the sixth part of the room. At which they somewhat grudge. But they must take them or none. Cap. 82.  
 depiction of spider and fly story  

friends sties: friends I say: if ye friendly use me,  
You four, and all flies: your friend shall find me.  
And to make you unable to accuse me,  
In lack to perform: as promise doth bind me,  
Upon your present suit, I have inclined me:  
To assine and possess you: here and else where,  
Of half the holes in windows: where I pour bear.   

Exampled: by these holes: just half, as they stand.  
Them: and none but them: to have and to hold.  
Wherewith: he pointed beneath with his wand,  
To all the small holes▪ saying what fly that would:  
Touch any hole there: but those to them then told,  
He should die therefore: which plat thus disposed,  
One fly (to the spider) these words disclosed.   

Sir (may it like you) the meaning of all flies,  
Was to have: with half the holes, half the plat here.  
And I fly (quoth the spider) meant otherwise.  
Without further pleding: take as doth appear.  
And think yourselves well handled: for this is clear.  
I might (if I would,) my grant again withdraw.  
And that withdrawing, Justify well by law.   

At time of this grant, I was (as who say.)  
Stressed by you: you prisoner (as it wear)  
And all bonds so forced, of no force are they:  
Be answered: and warned, rebellion to for bear.  
As every fly: had had a flea: in his ear,  
At curtsy low made, from the spider they slank.  
They meruelus blank, and the spider as crank.   

What have we won now, (quoth one) as they took wing.  
Wise flies say: as good sit still: as rise and fall.  
But what a fall have we now: by our rising?  
Before, we had sum part: now we have lost all.  
In effect, yea (quoth one) this hath been and shall.  
Where flies (with spiders) in this kind of strife strive,  
We win nought but wrechidnesse, the craft will not thrine.   
 ornament   

¶ The four flies flown thence, the spider to the fly in prison leith: that in all kinds of trial that day on both parts laid, he thinketh his own part approved best. as he thinketh the fly would think were he a spider contrary judgement whereof. the fly thinketh in the spider were he a fly. whereupon they agree to change places (each for the time) to imagine and set forth others part the best they can. Cap. 83.  
 depiction of spider and fly story  

THey being thus gone: the spider sitting still,  
The fly fast before him: as he erst had been,  
To draw to end, in hand with the fly he fill.  
Fly (quoth he) now hast thou in this matter seen,  
All kinds of trial, that can be seen I wine.  
Reason, law, and custom, full resoned and cast.  
arbitrement, and rebellion at last.   

Which rebellion (I think) thou didst devise,  
When thou didst rowne the butterllie in the ear.  
Nay (quoth the fly) the truth is clear otherwise.  
I prayed him to pray flies: all war to forbear,  
Which he will say. fly (quoth he) say he or swear:  
I trust none of you. This trithe truth like in proof,  
As to axe my fellow, whether I be a thief.   

But wear it so: or not: I forgive it thee.  
In all this bybble babble: had here this day:  
What hast thou won thereby: that let us see.  
All cases passed here: indifferently to way:  
Way more on my side: then on thine, I dare say.  
I say and think nay (quoth he) and so think would you:  
Wear ye a fly, in case as I am here now,   

And wear thou a spider: as I am bear pla●●e,  
I think thou wouldst think as I think: and to grow:  
Sum way to end, one trial more to taste,  
Lest us change places a while: for to know,  
What change of opinion, that change may show.  
I●maginning myself, to be a ●ie.  
Thou: thinking thyself, a spider unfeignedly.   

Thou the spider: and I the fly: to be named.  
Thou reasoning for the spider, all that thou may.  
And I for the fly: in like case will be framed.  
This take I (quoth the fly) a very good way.  
Place and case (in appearance) forthwith change they.  
The fly: solemnly set in the spider's cheyre,  
The spider: to the flies base place did repair.   
 ornament   

¶ They having Changed places: they allege each for his dissembled side. Wherein the fly anon is so allured to pride and ambyssyon in occupying (for the while) the spider's stately place, that he at last with an oath affirmeth that spiders are owners of all windows. The spider granting it true, sterteth to the fly, seeming to take end upon the flies own judgement. Cap. 84.  
 depiction of spider and fly story  

THe fly: being once set in the spider's place,  
Advanced himself, setting hands under his side.  
The spider crouched in countenance mild and base:  
Looking pale and wan, as though he should have died.  
Which change (upon this sudden) when I espied,  
It prinnted in me: a wonderful wonder,  
To see partise (from their parts) so a sunder.   

New matter they laid small. But that most touched:  
That had been erst alegde. Both parts growing:  
Little and little, stoughtlie to be couched,  
Each to others: against his own part now showing.  
namely the fly: for the spider's part crowing.  
With spiderlike: spiteful words: as hot and high,  
As he had been the spider, and tother the fly.   

He was from the flies part: so carried a way,  
By being suddenly: there thus elivate,  
That: all cleyme laid by the spider there: that day,  
The fly ruled, for right of most lawful right rate.  
So farforth he forgot: where and how he sat:  
That upon the cheyreboll: hard beating his fist,  
Spiders own all windows, he swore by gods blessed.   

The spider granted it true starting out streyfe:  
To the fly. saying sir ye have said right well.  
We need no longer (for judge or judgement) weyte.  
Our chief point in judgement, yourself doth here tell.  
Oh sir (quoth the fly, and flat to ground he fell.  
I beseech you here how (by pride here now had)  
I was stricken beetill blind, and bedlam mad.    

¶ The fly out of that chair fallen flat before the spider, perseyving his oversight and danger therein, he declareth how change of place changed his affection. In discoorsing of which case, he partly toucheth the commodity of adversity, and the discommodity of prosperity. Beseeching the spider to relinquish all advantage therein to be taken against him. Which the spider granteth. Cap. 85.  
 depiction of spider and fly story  

THe spider leaning to his cheyre, said: say on.  
Sir (said the fly) by veynglorious pride,  
It stealing: sly and suddenly: me upon,  
I was so puffed up here: so blindly myself to guide,  
That I neither saw yours, nor yet mine own side.  
I: once but set, in place of your authority:  
took myself straight, in case of your prosperity.   

Which place and case: how they may right judgement blind,  
That see I now, and never till now could see.  
Whearin: I being but a shadow assigned:  
For this time to sit. yet mark (I beseech ye,)  
How from a flies state, to a spider's degree:  
I (at moment) avaunst myself to proseede.  
Not with flies, but with spiders: all I decreed.   

My which blindness (in sum respect) doth stretch,  
To those: in places passed, as debiteese.  
They keeping countenance: of my like high reach:  
Looking each as high, when he his suitor cheese,  
As his head master, offer higher degrees.  
Which flock (as I am now) where ever it flocks.  
All made (in reason,) reason's mocking stocks.   

See more: how beastly blindness, did my bent bend:  
Life, and liberty of me, and of all flies.  
Here lying and bleeding, except I it defend,  
All that not withstanding: pride blearde both mine eyes,  
Against them and myself, sentence to devise.  
I was a spider I. I took flies as fleas.  
Pride goth before, shame cometh after: me to seize.   

But pride had here, a sotell fly a lurer.  
Which, the countenance of prosperity was.  
vain liking of which state: was my procurer,  
To pride and blindness thereby, that here did pass.  
Which pride to present, prosperity is a glass.  
As doth (on the other part (adversity,  
first procure: and then present, humility.   

prosperity (we see) made me forget clear:  
Myself, my matter, all flies, and also you.  
Which in adversity, I heeled in mind here.  
To you, as duty required: I could there bow:  
Reasons for me: and all flies: I could a vow:  
Our perfect sight: from blindness: standth not (I see)  
In prosperity, but in adversity.   

Which showth in this one change: of our two places,  
My place of adversity: gave you such sight,  
That: in our reasoning of both our cases,  
Your saying showed you, to see the very right.  
Your place of prosperity, blinded me quite.  
As I perceive) it doth blind all (in like case.  
Save such as therein, have especial grace,   

In lack whereof: I (thus graceless a minion,  
Thus loudly and lewdly to lie,) humbly pray:  
Neither my judgement, nor yet mine opinion.  
any word to be judged, that I here did say.  
But (as all lies should) let these vanish away.  
Thou art (quoth the spider) a monster now wox.  
In mine eye a fly, and in mine ear a fox.   

Like a fox: wililise thou dost here devise,  
For helping of thy part: and hurting of mine,  
To take my life true tales, and thy true tales life.  
And further slandering me: and my state: in fine,  
Thou haste here set forth, this devilsh discipline.  
Pride hideth knowledge (sayst thou) by prosperity,  
humility showth knowledge, by adversity.   

As though captife caitiffs: saw all in misery,  
And prosperus princes, saw nought. But I see:  
Thou art in a wrong box: for case presently,  
The fly (seeing rightnought won hereby would be,  
But danger of displeasure, thereupon he:)  
Past over this argument: and upon that,  
Said this to the spider, at his foot laid flat.   

Sir: I beseech you: my blindness showed here last,  
For give: and none advantage on me take.  
In any word of mine, against me there past.  
Fly (quoth he) I forgive thee: for pities sake.  
To change places again, a sunder they broke.  
Wherewith the spider: in form● formal and cold,  
These words following, to the fly forthwith told.   
 ornament   

¶ The spider upon a glance given at his desert of thank to be had at the flies hand, alegeth custom to be his warrant to destroy the fly. Which the fly can not deny. Whereupon he desireth that the case may be reasoned in conscience. Which the spider now granteth. Cap. 86.  
 depiction of spider and fly story  

F●ie: if thou canst use the reason that th●n has●e,  
Thou canst (and wilt) thank me in many respects  
Never was there fly: in copweb thus placed,  
That ●ad the like favour: in the like effects:  
That thou hast had: but nesessite directs,  
This to be ●rew: in the day most long here past,  
Yet they (evermore) ring to evensong at last.   

As who say: things most long after beginning:  
Yet must they (at last) nedde cum to an end,  
Which (after long time) wrought to have in winning,  
We now shall win which end shall briefly depend,  
Upon one brief reason that I shall extend.  
Which reason to confute thee, shallbe so plain,  
That straight to yield thee, reason shall the constrain.   

Which lurkth (and I all this time have let it lurk:)  
In custom: one principle of the four,  
On which pillars, I promised should stand all this work.  
Which in vinsible reason: I (to this hour)  
Have kept: to here (as I have herd) bran and flower:  
Of all that thou couldst (this day) for thy part lay.  
Which (for full conclusion, here me to thee say.   

Custom: one chief post principal (as erst said)  
Declarth: and hath declared this six thousand year,  
All flies (or any s●●e) 〈◊〉 cobwebs (or copweb) staid:  
How ever they come there, if they there appear:  
No reason: in reason and law: allege here:  
Can discharge them thence, but straight there cunth a main,  
A spider: who sleath him and suckth out his brai●e.   

Here seest thou thy life lost: to begin with all:  
By custom: and for windows claimed in entresse:  
For flies general, agreement general.  
(With their resceiving it) an end hath expres●e.  
th'end had I mean, upon rebellion se●●e.  
But for thy life (by custom) canst thou ought say:  
Why thou should by custom live? sir (said he) nay.   

Well (quoth the spider) thou seest reason and law:  
So yield to custom here, that in any trial:  
Those twain to conquer custom here: we never saw,  
I have to this (quoth the fly) no denial.  
What thing (quoth the spider) hast thou in sepciall:  
To help thee: by side law, custom, and reason:  
Conscience (quoth the ●●ie) I hope cometh in season.   

true (quoth the spider) now at end it hath place.  
What hast thou (in conscience) for thy life to lay:  
Against accustomed custom in this case.  
Enough (quoth he) if conscience bear any sway,  
Yes (quoth the spider) be bold of that ye may:  
That fourth: shall have full place, as firm as those three,  
I thank you (quoth the ●●ie) this showth charity.   
 ornament   

¶ They both lay sundry sharp reasons inconscience for the spider's life and death. But the spider in conclusion draweth these four principles (reason, law, custom, and conscience, which he at beginning granted to try all by) so to combine that he maketh thereby an aparence, to show the fly convinst & straight by custom: he giveth judgement of the flies death to which the fly yieldeth. Praying to speak with twelve flies before he die. And it is granted. Cap. 87  
 depiction of spider and fly story  

BY conscience I claim here now (quoth the fly)  
In this place (till now place of mine inprisonment,)  
Not to be in prison, but in seyntuarie.  
Where as charged parties be inosent,  
Of all such charged crimes: as to them are bend,  
There doth conscience in every place defend,  
Those charged parties: discharging them at end.   

If (quoth the spider) there were no difference:  
Between a fly inosent: and arogant,  
Then must I discharge thee (even of conscience.)  
But if innosensie on your part here want,  
Then is this clause (for your discharge) no warrant,  
But go to: make proof approbatlie appear:  
How ye prove yourself, an inosent now here.   

Sir: prof: that I inosentlie hither came,  
Appeerth in my known coming, against my will.  
And sins I came, that I an inosent am,  
I hope your conscience: and I know your skill,  
Will judge: my fact here not ill: or not so ill:  
Whereby ye (with conscience) can rightfully:  
●ither kill me, or keep me here thus to lie.   

What have I done: in conscience straight or large:  
To make reason, law, or custom, bite or bark.  
I leie and laid (quoth the spider) to thy charge,  
Breach of my house: not made with a thousand mark,  
No (quoth he) but one quarter of one hours' wark,  
Without one penny cost: or one pins worth pain,  
Reaedifithe your house, in prime state again,   

Which yourself may do: and must naturally.  
That work, is your talon: given for exercise.  
In lack whereof, (by idilenesse) ye straight die.  
But put case custom, my fact a wrong here trise:  
Yet how can conscience: death or pain devise.  
To me, for that I to you: occasion give,  
To work the work: lacking which, ye can not live.   

Though (quoth the spider) by nature work we must.  
Yet is't neither conscience, nor our avail:  
To work in cobwebs: have we lust or no lust,  
At wagging (in cobwebs) of every flies tail,  
So doth it (quoth the fly) conscience likewise quail.  
To hang a fly: by the neck or by the neb,  
For wagging his tail, in a spider's copweb.   

This case is (in conscience) very much like,  
As a fish breaking a fishers set net:  
It set to take the fish. and the fisher did pike,  
A quarrel to him: and would conscience set,  
To kill the poor fish. This were far and foul fet,  
And no fouler fet: then conscience set to be:  
To kill me. for breach of this net: set for me,   

But did I (maliciously, do you much wrong:  
And sum harm: as harm (or wrong) here ye have none.  
Yet shall your revengement, show malice more strong:  
If ye both detain: and kill me therupone:  
Cum that wrong here in ure: conscience is gone:  
As for from you: as from him: that had now sworn  
The death of an inosent, but last might borne.   

You not offended (as ye will not I hope)  
This last principle of these four: conscience:  
(It giving me (above tother three) full scope)  
Of advantage: as custom giveth assistance.  
To your part, in present charge of mine offence:  
I must make my shoot anchor: to make my way,  
As you make (and I grant) custom yours (no nay.)   

Spare not (quoth the spider) that anchor shoot aught:  
The best thou canst therewith to take ankerhold.  
I thank you (quoth he) and would crave (if I mought,)  
Your answer in conscience: full to unfold,  
To one question of me: in few words told.  
Thy question (quoth the spider) propone thou,  
And mine answer to it, thou shalt have even now.   

This is then sir: I put case quoth the fly:  
My young master spider your son: went a stray:  
wandering here and there (at adventure mean I,)  
Wherewith: slily: one laid a thing in the way:  
Whereat the babe fell, and it thus brought to bay,  
Thother: for falling there, killed it out of hand.  
Think ye: conscience would warrant this deed to stand?   

Nay (quoth he) conscience is the doer of right.  
Mittigacing fierce force of extremities,  
That giveth or taketh right: by rigorous might.  
Conscience (quoth the fly) my judgement so decrees.  
And my case: with this case: in all points a grease.  
No difference between them: to be lost or won,  
Saving: that I am not your masterships soon,   

For in like case put: I wanderid about here:  
Inosentlie, as that inosent there did.  
And by these cobwebs: cast in my way thus near,  
In this babe exampling, I am examplid.  
Inosentlie as he was, I am maskid.  
Think if I wear your child: what ye could think than:  
Conscience, or no conscience this to scan.   

In saith fly (quoth the spider) to tell the troth,  
No conscience (or hard conscience) I take this.  
Nay no conscience (quoth the fly) troth so showth.  
So that conciens, on my side clerlie is:  
As custom is of yours: and ye know I wis:  
That custom alone: doth oft, and may ever:  
Use judgement of abuse: and conscience never.   

Well said fly (said he) had I no more to say:  
To this that thou now seist: then I have yet said,  
Then hadst thou here won the victory this day.  
But reason, law, custom, and conscience, erst laid:  
How I granted thee hearing: in those four weide,  
Thou shalt here in few words, and we there upon,  
Shall the more clerli, conclude this case anon.   

The words of my grant tadiudge thee: thus they draw.  
As standth with reason, law, custom, and conscience,  
Not with reason, custom, conscience, or law:  
This, and, and this or, fly: make much difference.  
That and, implith all four placed: in assistance.  
That or, importh one: or ante one of all.  
And here is the gap fly: wherein lithe the gall,   

And a point for flies learning: at spider's hand.  
Though ye: flies learning above spider's compare:  
But here learn of me fly: this contunctive and,  
Conjointh: these four said terms: jointly to prepare,  
Trial in this case: as they all may declare:  
The tone with the t'other: all in property,  
Knit best in knot, of conjoined unite.   

Well (quoth the fly) than conscience shallbe one,  
Ye (quoth the spider) and custom another.  
Sir then will those two, fall at a fray a none.  
If they do: reason shall stikill them brother:  
To make them agree. Where each impoungth other:  
But bring conscience: thy champion armed compleete:  
How conscience chalength custom: let us weet.   

Sir: I cuming (as I came) unwillingly,  
And none offensife harm: in me doth appear,  
Conscience chargeth custom, with tyranny.  
In killing (or keeping) me: inosent here.  
Which case, reason recordith for case clear.  
This charge (quoth the spider) to discharge plain,  
Here what custom saith, to conscience again.   

Custom saith: all windows are spiders of right.  
Then conscience must say: that flies have done wrong,  
Through windows (without leave) to take their flight,  
To make conscience grant this, reason is strong.  
Till spiders (quoth he) time present, and passed long.  
Do prove windows theirs: as they never did yeet,  
Conscience and reason, denith this every wheet,   

But admit we: that all windows were your own:  
Flies (without your leave) passing offensiflie.  
Though custom a league: for th'offence: death here grown.  
yet conscience (in this case) seethe death tyranny.  
Reason granting it, to show tiranniouslie.  
It wear to much here: to fine by the purse.  
But to fine by the poll, what fiend could poll wurs?   

Thou thinkest (quoth the spider) conscience thinketh it strange:  
That flies: by custom, should die for this offence.  
But conscience: with reason ranging in range,  
In cause of custom's usage: as conscience:  
May have with reason herein: full conference,  
Reasonably reasoning: this present case,  
Conscience (by reason) shall give custom please.   

I say (as I erst said) when a fly or flies:  
In this: or any window: in cobwebs light,  
any spider: that within that window lies,  
Shall kill him, and suck out his (or their) brain quite.  
Which: begun by nature, custom followeth right.  
Nature conseiving: but for this her sharp law,  
Flies would have marred all: for lack of orderly awe.   

And as nature in spiders: wrought this defence,  
So reason in man: was driven to work the same.  
Caims generation making resistance:  
Against all men: that quiet order would frame,  
(as you against us do) then those men to tame:  
And defend the quiet: in their quiet cause,  
Reason to th'unquietunquiet, gave our like sharp lause.   

But reason to them wrought not this: to th'intent:  
To catch them: and kill them: tyrannously,  
But to save them: by terror in their eyes bend:  
To provoke them to flee th'occasion: whereby:  
They might flee their ill, felt thereby formerly.  
Which: as reason in man did (and doth) consither,  
So did nature in us, both concur together.   

Nature in us, reason (I say) so loud,  
That this law of nature in us, laid on flies,  
Reason: to man: for order in man, hath vowed,  
For breaking a wall by night: man as soon dise,  
As fly's for cobwebs breach by day, which exercise:  
Conscience (by reason) not kicking at: for man  
Conscience (by reason) kickth not at. for flies than:   

Reason in man: woorkth man to work (quoth the fly)  
Sharp laws: more to save the good: then to slay thill,  
Nature in spiders, woorkth sharp laws: cruelly:  
Not to save the good, but good and ill to kill,  
Only killing all: on all, to feed their fill.  
Thou liest (quoth he) we work cobwebs every where,  
To save flies by fear, cobwebs to for bear.   

Thus: reason hath conscience and custom agreed.  
Whereto: law not repungnant, all the world knows.  
Whereupon (without more parting) to proceed,  
Concordance of these principles: here so shows,  
That here, here thine end fly: for here thine end grows.  
By custom (it eidid with these other said three,)  
Thy present death, I presently here decree.   

The fly fared as though he would have spoken more.  
But: his heart wunderlie fainted, and failed.  
His judgement of death: astonide him so sore,  
(In that he sew his speech: right nought prevailed:  
To be (from death) delivered or bailed,)  
That down he sank upon his knees and hands.  
Requesting the spider, in case as next stands.   

Good master spider: sins the case stands thus,  
That die I must, folly were it for me here:  
To plead this cass further: it passed by discus:  
All pleading: or reasoning, I give over clear.  
Submitting and committing: my life most dear,  
Into your hands. beseeching you ere I di,  
To grant me: one petission: more crave not I:   

That is that I (before you) my mind may say,  
To twelve flies, which speech I promise faithfully:  
Either with you, or not against you shall way.  
I grant (quoth the spider) and by and buy,  
I know not whether by chance, or purpostie.  
A dozen flies: about the cobwebs side placed wear,  
To whom: this following, the fly said then and there.   
 ornament   

¶ The fly (to twelve grave flies for all flies) giveth his advice for a voiding their parels by their strife had in windows against spiders. the great gronnde of which tale standeth most upon consideration of these three things. wherefore they strive, with whom they strive, and how they strive Cap. 88  
 depiction of spider and fly story  

Cousins and country flies: each one of you all,  
Another myself: as each of all flies are.  
I have (at suit) obtained, you hither to call,  
Minding: my conscience to you to declare,  
In such a time: and such a thing, to prepare,  
As the time, most meet to make you credit me,  
And the thing, most meet to you: told to be.   

First: as touching time, no time in my time past.  
When I was more prosperous (and so more frail:)  
Then I this time am: yet all times first and last:  
Your trust in my truth, did not any time fail.  
But what time should credence: set up so his sail?  
As this time: when life time shall no more time hold.  
But till time this my tale (to be told) be told.   

In all sorts of seckts: of civil discipline:  
Of all times in life: of any fly I trow,  
In time of his known death: coming straight like mine,  
Credence of his word (he fiend nor fool in show)  
To credit his matter: must that time most grow.  
What vanity wear this: in aught to devise:  
pieing now a dieing, to lie and devise lise.   

Of all times: for credit (I say none like this.  
And secondly: touching the thing, here to tell:  
Hearing thereof, no doubt most meet for you is.  
Which thing, is the strife of furius force fell:  
Between spiders and flies. wherein to exepell:  
And kill all occasions in time to come,  
Of my last will (in my last words) here the sum.   

What way is herein best: for spiders to take:  
That can themselves tell: much better than can I,  
I am a fly: no spider nor spiders make:  
To control the spider's part, but heartily,  
I pray the great God: their hearts to mollify:  
As temperance may temper their cleime: touching this,  
To give right, and take right, as most rightful is.   

But: in right of either part: to determine aught:  
What they for their part: or you for yours should have,  
Shift that among you: for it forsith me nought.  
Me semth, I here the matok digging my grave.  
The crown of the whole world: who it me now gave.  
His good will must I thank: but for aught to win,  
I take not the gift, worth the point of a pin.   

And where you (and all flies) are as sure to die,  
As am I now: your times to you unknown sure.  
Advantage of you: in my known death have I,  
In having some time of remorse: to procure,  
forgiveness of former life, led in lewd lure.  
Where you may (without remorse) suddenly go:  
And where the tree faith, there lithe it: clarks say so.   

But: for profitable purpose toward you:  
In purpose purposed to you here by me,  
Your imaginasions: I pray: to draw you now,  
Into my person: as in my case to be.  
To work affection: to win effect in ye:  
To consceive and receive things: that I shall move.  
Which: to your behoof, behovinglie behove.   

Three principles, Whereon my tale to contrive:  
And to proseede upon, are these to prepose.  
Wherefore we strive: with whom we strive: how we strive.  
Wherefore we strive: ye know the cause thereof goose,  
For hooles in windows. which quarrels to disclose:  
Our coming to them: and going from them sought,  
Shall show our winning small: or rather rightnought.   

First for our coming to them: who can disscrive:  
How many flies have preaste: possession to win,  
That never could get possession alive.  
But maimed and killed down right: at their entre in.  
And such as do cum in (where spiders do spin)  
Most wise fly: devising to sit there most fast,  
May think his first hour (or each hour) there: his last.   

Few flies (I think) have scaped longer here than I,  
My which time being spent: between hope and fear,  
Yet at last (for all my shifts) lo where I lie.  
Where no raunsum: my redemption, may rear.  
But my life, remediless I must forbear.  
Cum with danger, bide with fear, depart with death.  
To hasty a journey to take with one breath.   

In this said first principle: what we strive fore,  
commodity therein: proof doth thus witness:  
The more flies have of it: flies danger the more.  
The less flies have of it: flies danger the less.  
Then is nowhit best: for who doth aught possess:  
Each pennyworth of pleasure: of such possessed ware,  
Bringth more than counterpoise: of danger and care.   

beggars flies: before theevis fly's may 〈◊〉 (we say)  
Rich flies before tr●w flies here, do weep (we see)  
The richest winning fly: in windows to way:  
If any winning there: any riches be,  
As the best thing won there is but flies liberto  
What is the winning: won and kept with such strife,  
That hourly winth death: or deadly fear of life.   

It is a winning: better lost then won.  
And so: these windows are: wherefore we strive.  
With whom we strive now: secondli to run:  
With our biggers to contend: we here contrive,  
A mach: as much unmeet for us to thrive,  
As may be matched. for two things here to try.  
First thing their pour, most thing their pollisie,   

To their much pour: our pour oftimes thought more▪  
By number: many small making a great.  
There pollisie (keeping their pour in store:)  
Hath most times erst, brought us ourselves to beat.  
What winning is in this matched manche to get?  
None. Wherefore with whom we strive (I think it best;)  
To leave of strife: and live by loss in rest.   

Now: thirdly: how or in what manner we strive:  
To tell plain troth: in my worst time to lie,  
Spice of rebellion our strife showth to contrive  
Spiders are placed a 'bove superiorlie  
And flies beneath them placed inferiorlie.  
Then may it seem, as they above us have please,  
So have they above us like rule in like case.   

Which case granted: in striving against them thus:  
Our matter: standing in state of most right:  
Yet is our manner wrong: and sedicius.  
No law alowth flies: to win their right by fight,  
Between private flies. and law inibbitih quite;  
any flies to fight: against their high heads,  
But rather suffer, as obedience leads.   

Wherefore we strive: ye see trifils they are.  
With whom we strive: their pollisie passeth our pour.  
How we strive: doth sedition declare.  
Three parts without melody, in the part of our.  
Our part hath a face here: no crab more sour.  
To move flies (hens forward) to turn their fares,  
From strife with spiders, in quarreling cases.   

To which: you drawing your imagination:  
As though ye stood in my state: at this present,  
Your own consent must give confirmation:  
My words herein past, to have a true extent.  
And further the shoot anchor: experiment:  
What ye lost at spider's hands: late before this,  
A full ratificasion, of my tale: that is.   

And if that any fly: will demand of me:  
What mean flies may use best: their right to obtain,  
Mine answer is: not in harness capa pe:  
Besieging (stead of beseeching) to constrain:  
Nor stir: with every fly: stirred by bedlam brain,  
Sturdilie standing: with bills in foul fighting,  
But humbly sewing, with bills of fair writing.   

By aught (in any law) that ever I witted:  
Thus may flies sew, for right and not only male,  
But sew so: flies must: forbiddin to resist:  
Their higher powers: by violence (any way)  
Which way not helping flies: their way is to pray:  
Unto the great god. To work spider's consent,  
To give and take right: in right rated extent.   

But further (in this case) where any flies go:  
Of long time: of late time: and this time is seen:  
Yea: seen, hard and felt: in our present wrought woe:  
That we are wrong doers, and ever have been.  
Our works herein witnessing so: that I ween:  
No fly so foolish: but he doth understand,  
Our harm: for wrong working: we have at god's hand.   

This to be true I think and have thought  
Which (master spider) may suspicion clear,  
In your susspecting me, for late tumult wrought,  
But on my death I take (which I shall take here)  
I never a vowed (nor a loud) to draw near:  
any number: by lawless usurped powers,  
But as peasablie stood, with god's peace and yours.   

But for fine: friends: in your beholding my death:  
As th'image of your own deths: plainly to purport,  
In that: one hours quarter: ye are sure uneath:  
To scape the same: to get aught by pour extort,  
Or get or keep aught: in any wrongful sort,  
That sight: with thinking of my words in the rest,  
May: henceforth of strife here: bring your side surfeste.   

Behold your deths in me, by uncertain life.  
Behold your dread in me: your lives a count: to make.  
Behold wherefore ye strive: and that doth endth your strife,  
Behold with whom and how ye strive: (as I spoke.)  
Behold the losing gain, that winth loss to take,  
Beholding these winnings: with the i●berdees,  
Showth holes in windows (to behold) vanities.   

And: so all holes in windows: to take and use:  
That none offensife strife: flies abuse procure,  
But peasablie: as due obedience enduse:  
To put (having or craving of right) in ure,  
This crave I of you: for love to you most pure.  
And thus (paying you to pray for me at end,)  
To the almighty lord, my spirit I commend.   

The flies (unto these words) no word could speak.  
But yielded tears: like drops in April showers.  
Saving in●outerie: as they thence did break,  
They cried farewell: (of flies) the flower of flowers.  
But well: the last hour hath no following hours  
The hour is cum: wherein the fly must die.  
For which: he weitth, at spider's foot prostratlie.   
 ornament   

¶ As the spider is about to kill the fly, the maid of the house cometh in and striketh down the copweb and the spider to the ground. Cap. 89.  
 depiction of spider and fly story  

THe spider toward the fly, furiously draws.  
And being stepped to the fly: staying in step,  
As he would have pierced the flies head: with his pause,  
The maid of the house, to the window did chop.  
Setting her broom, hard to the cobwebs top.  
Where: at one stroke with her broom: stricken round,  
The copweb and spider, the struck to the ground.   
 ornament   

¶ The maid being at poinet to tread the spider to death: the spider prayeth her to hear him speak ere he die: and then to adjudge him justly. the maid granting to use him (as he did use the fly) as may best stand with reason, law, custum, and conscience. She at his request (for the time) withdrawing her foot, they fall to reasoning of the case. Cap. 90.  
 depiction of spider and fly story  

THe maid (by mine absence) to be the more bold,  
To work her will, as she came in, I went out.  
And looked in at the window: her to behold.  
She swept down the copweb: the fly flew about  
The parlour round. Never more lusty nor stout.  
The spider on the ground: under the maids foot,  
To tread him to death, and was about to doote.   

But the spider (on knees (lift up his hands hie.  
Beseeching her (of mild maidenly pity,  
To be consent to hear him speak ere he die:  
And to declare. First what he had done, and then why:  
He did these deeds: and so to judge him justly.  
And that she would (in mean time) her foot withdraw,  
Sight whereof: made his head ache, and his stomock gnaw.   

To banish (quoth the maid) all pershall pretence,  
I'll hear and judge thee, as thou didst the fly heert.  
As standth with reason, law, custom, and conscience,  
So shalt thou have good, bad, high, low, far or near.  
And since: fear of my foot: abateth thy cheer,  
Lest thou mightst take harm: of thine own conceight,  
That I withdraw: and so withdrew it straight.   
 ornament   

¶ In reasoning of both sides, the maid driveth the spider to grant himself convinst (by custom eyded with the other principles erst said) as he convinst and adjudged the fly before. Whereupon she (by custom) decreth the spider to die. He then desiring to speak with his son and his counsel. Which the maid granteth. Cap. 91.  
 depiction of spider and fly story  

FEyre and good masters maidinlie maid (quoth he)  
Leaving the brim: to the botum to wade,  
What deeds I have done here: you have seen and see.  
Which are: the cobwebs in windows here made.  
Of all spiders, the natural trase to trade.  
Which to be impungde, we never heard nor saw,  
In reason, custom, conscience, nor law.   

Spider (quoth the maid) know ye that I hard:  
All: this day between you and the fly here said.  
Wherein I saw: the cause wherefore ye iard:  
Was not for that ye: cobwebs here wrought and laid,  
But for the place ye wrought them in: as thus weighed:  
You: to beelde in top and top side: the fly hold,  
You hold the whole yours: in all places to beelde.   

The fly hold: that all flies hold all holes in freehold.  
You (for all spiders) hold that frehold all yours.  
In reason, law, and custom, each to other told,  
Your minds in this matter: (at least) five long hours.  
At end whereof, it passed both your wits and pours:  
To take end yourselves, but wear drivine to devise,  
Arbiters: to take an end by compromise.   

Which matter: as both sides writhed it and wound it,  
Your arbiters there: the ant and butterfly,  
Wear driven to leave it, at large as they found it.  
Whereupon ye finally: burdenuslie:  
Burdened the fly, with custom: thereby to die.  
Which he could not deny: and for his defence,  
He got the case to be reasoned, in conscience.   

Wherein (by nature in you: and reason in man,)  
Ye fet a discoorse: reasonabli sounding,  
With reason: and conscience: that custom to scan.  
Whearupon appeerde: infallible grounding,  
To bring the fly justly, to his confounding.  
And: had not been your usurping: in this please,  
Conscience: with custom: had stand in this case.   

Custom granteth: and conscience not denithe:  
Disturbing your cobwebs: wrought in top post,  
The fly (for th'offence) accustomable dithe.  
But cobwebs upon cobwebs: pirld in each cost:  
All parts of windows to be so enboste:  
That no fly can pass: without deths' entrupsion.  
Conscience construth that custom: corrupsion.   

In taking the flies part here: I take mine own.  
I: being maid of the house, my charge it is:  
To see cobwebs corrected. Thus over grown,  
And so will I do (spider) be sure of this,  
Well (quoth the spider) if I have done a mis,  
Redress mine ill doing: and let me go free.  
Nay nay spider (quoth the maid) that may not be.   

Swept I these superfluus cobwebs now hence:  
●etting thee pass: in this window to remain,  
Custom: hath so corrupted thy conscience:  
That where is now one copweb, there should be twain.  
Well (quoth he) sins ye like not (as apperth pleine)  
What I have done, yet here why: I have done it.  
Which shall (I hope) appease your Ire everiwhit.   

The why (or wherefore) I did that I have done,  
Was: that flies (beyond number) did here resort:  
Blowing meat here (raw and roast) beyond the moan.  
Which wrought your master and masters in speech short:  
To rebuke you sore, to your deep discomfort.  
Which to redress: I, in pitting of you,  
Set nets to catch flies: as I do now.   

Here is (quoth the maid) one truth told, and one lie,  
That flies have my meat here outrageouslie blown,  
That is truly said: and it for true grant I.  
But that thou didst set nets here: all overgrown:  
Ought for my pleasure: and not all for thine own,  
Thata false tale. To which: pollisie thee draws,  
To win favour at my hands, clear without cause.   

But wear it as true as it is false: yet thou:  
And thy family: do me displeasure more:  
Then pleasure in this: for your nigh approach now,  
Is: to my master and masters: an eye sore.  
Above the flies blowing: by degrees a score.  
They both: loath less to have (be it flesh or fish,  
Ten flies in their meat, than one spider in their dish.   

And in their dish wouldst thou and thine sureli be:  
If I (rather to late then in time dew)  
took thee not up: as is my charge in duty:  
Executing mine office, did I eschew:  
To correct such pride in thee: as never grew:  
In spider erst, than my master and masters:  
Of my rebuke, had just cause of increases.   

And hast thou been never so serviceable:  
In doing thy duty: in many things right.  
Yet: this thy usurppation abominable,  
Hath drowned thy thank of those dew done deeds: quite.  
Which is to be witnessed, in all the world's sight.  
All reasons: in law, custom, and conscience weide,  
Against the fly, are now against thyself laid.   

And as thou madest custom thy shootanker chief,  
(Conjoining thereto: reason, law, and conscience,)  
Of the flies death (by right) to make perfect proof,  
From first age of the world: had in consequence,  
So bring I custom: fet like far time from hence.  
Custom: is thy warrant: to such the flies brain,  
Whereto: mark how custom warrantth me again.   

From the beginning: it is th'accustomed gies.  
When spiders in windows their cobwebs so make:  
That they to far offend: their beholder's eyes,  
The maid of the house with her broom: at a struck,  
Swepth down those cobwebs, and those spiders take.  
Under her foot. And for any intersesse,  
Those spiders (with her foot) to doth she doth press.   

Which custom is underpropped (as I said)  
With reason, with law, and with conscience: for me,  
As strongly in my case, as for thee in thine laid.  
Now speak spider canst thou deni this (quoth she?)  
Nay for sooth: I can not deny it (quoth he)  
But am driven to grant it: and even so I do.  
Your merciful hands, I commit me into.   

Thou shalt have (quoth she) mercy even as much:  
At my hands, as the fly should have had at thine.  
Cast of all vein hope: sins thy fortune is such,  
Thyself framing fortune: to thy this ruin,  
Make patience thy salve, for this sore in fine.  
And make thee ready spider: for finally,  
I assuredly assure thee, thou shalt die.   

The change of his cheer at these words made me see,  
How the dread of death, could lambs of lions make.  
This lionlike spider: erst fierce as could be,  
Fear, did all his fury: full far then aslake.  
His heart: in a pursnet was easy to take.  
Change (by chance) brought him) at twink of an eye,)  
From twig top of the tree, at the rote to lie.   

These two things are meet things (as me thinketh) to note.  
The spider right now so high: even now so low.  
The fly right now at ebb, even now a float.  
The tromp of his fame, never so high did blow.  
Thothers tromp of shame, as high in sound doth show.  
Which blasts of which tromps (in mine ear) blew this blast:  
Fickill fortune, will never leave her old cast.   

But to the matter: the spider prayed the maid,  
To speak with his son and heir: before he died:  
And with his counsel. She was content (she said)  
Chance being messenger, chance thither straight hide:  
His son: and twelve counsellors, hard by his side.  
Whereupon: he there and then discoorst his mind,  
In matter such, as ye next this may find.    

¶ The spider to his son and twelve spiders giveth his best abvise for most quiet and best governance. His tale standing most upon these three terms, first a decleration of himself, second an exhortation to them, the third a submission for himself, whereunto he desireth licenre to take his child in his arms: now at their departing, which the maid granteth. Cap. 92.  
 depiction of spider and fly story  

MY dear chslde, my near friends, and councillors late:  
My short time: not a lowing long talk with you,  
When I would most long: and most deeply debate:  
(Mine estate past and present) with you all now:  
My talk most short: and thereby most sleight talow:  
I must: and (sins I must) will device to tell.  
Charging my child: and praying you, to way it well.   

This short tale: shortened by short time (as I say,)  
For a ground: of farm framed foundation:  
Upon these three principles, I will here lay.  
The first: of myself, a declaration.  
The second: to you, an exhortation.  
The third, for myself: a submission:  
For remission, of my ill condission.   

First: I declare and confess my former life,  
Chief: in time and place of mine authority:  
To wring to the worse (by right or wrong in strife)  
All flies or spiders: that would stand against me:  
Their destruction, was my felicity.  
My displeasure: (as I used it in quarrel,)  
Was: as judgement of death. or dethlike apparel,   

Mine ambicius desire, here to declare:  
In winning in windows, no one so nigh all.  
(Which I might have kept: quietly to my share.)  
When my winning was most, I thought it to small.  
The shooting at all: was my mark principal,  
And now: shooting at all, I have lost all quite.  
The mean: is the merry part: being song right,   

And of the two extreme parts: (as I take it)  
The base: is better than the triple: to sing.  
Triple prosperity, reason doth make it:  
Worse than base adversity, it approving:  
In the flies base: and my triple state: erst moving.  
prosperity, (as that fly said) maketh us blind.  
adversity, (I feel) giveth sight by kind.   

When I had all: that could welnie begof,  
restraint of liberty, had been my hell paint.  
Now I have nought, I wear content with lot:  
To sit and beg: fast locked in a chain.  
I never to obtain: more estate or gain:  
But only life and living: such as would,  
Maintain a beggars life, basely to hold.   

But life, liberty, lands and all, must I lose.  
And I confess me to lose all, worthili.  
Every wight is worthy to have: as he doose.  
Lands, life, and goods, of many flies: had have I.  
And now must I leave life, lands, and goods, semblably.  
This long learned leason, I late had forgottun.  
Our mesurs met to other, shall to us be mottun.   

But in this measure, hear me measure right.  
How wrong judgers, wrong judgements: in this text lay.  
Sum expound it so largely, that in their sight:  
Where authorized judges: punishment way:  
measuring harm: to harm doers: thill to stay:  
If any ill: cum to those judges: eft soon,  
That judge thill to be done, for thill to them done.   

But: those judgements grow of this condission:  
Malice arogant, or ingnorance insolent.  
Mother's: of erroneous exposission.  
This text hath a limit: how far it hath bend:  
Such harms as chance judges: or such as assent:  
To procure punishment: to such as are nought,  
Those harms: unto them: for that, are not wrought.   

judgements of the great god, are secret (we know:)  
A judge using justice: of just true dealing:  
The god may punish, for other things that grow.  
Which he knoweth, and we know not: (by revealing)  
And oftimes the good: (their glory ensealing:  
He ponishth sum here, as standeth with his will.  
Whose measures he knoweth, (of man's mesurs) least ill.   

But: for such false mesurers: as I have been:  
This measure is made, and duly put in ure.  
At hands of the great god, oft directly seen.  
Right measure motun, for wrong motun measure.  
And (oftimes) he doth his instruments procure  
As now this maid: right mesurer to me is,  
As I to other, have mesurde wrong ere this.   

This declaration: one part of these three,  
What I have partly been, hath made you here.  
Whereby: what case I am in, here you see.  
Which sight and hereing, may be mirror clear:  
To look in: all times of the day and the year.  
For spiders hie: and spiders underneath.  
To keep with life, that I have lost with death:   

And so to do, I shall you all exhort.  
And first my son, mark mine advice to thee,  
(That shall succeed me straight in place of such port,  
As I first began: in superiority.)  
In few words (which smart small time limitth me.  
For the which while (my child to me most dear:)  
Thy weeping leave, and ley thine ear to here.   

Those things: that thou hast herd me here declare,  
By which: thou seest thy father cast away,  
To save thyself (my child) see thou prepare:  
To flee the same: by temperate steady stay.  
The contrary of my demenure ay:  
Shall aye defend thee so in every case,  
As thou both loved and dread, shall keep thy please.   

Against my sotletee, use thou simplicity.  
Against my wrong usurping, use thou right.  
Against my pride, use thou humility.  
Against my wrath, use charity: in sight.  
Against my hate, in love have thou delight.  
Against these ills: and other following me,  
Note these next ills: not to follow, but to flee.   

Where truth is taken treason: and traitors in trust:  
Where faith is framed fancy: and fancy fiend faith:  
Where losels over lords: ley laws at their lust:  
Where witless: as wiseste: the witty out weith:  
Where mercy to the meek: mere malice dismeith:  
Where dawcocks: in doctrine: have domination,  
There doth division, bring desolation.   

Let truth be the vage, in whom thou trust dost take.  
Let not firm faith be left: for fikill fancy,  
Let rewld lords: rule rewlesie losels, when they crack.  
Let wise wisdom, over weigh witless folly.  
Let malice pass: use measurable mercy.  
Let thunlearnd: in doctrine: to the learned: give please.  
Let pastors be placed, as I place them in case.   

In place of a shepherd, place not a sheep.  
In place of a sheep, place not a shepherd.  
In no place: place a wolf, the flock to keep:  
The sheep or the wolf, to the shepherds place preferred:  
By faintness: or fercenesse, the flock must be marred.  
Place thou thy shepherds: such shepherds to be,  
As from the sheep: and wolf, use the mean decree.   

Offenders penitent (for offences past,  
Saving of whom: offendth not the standing state,  
Nor encourageth other: to offend the more fast)  
Correct, as mercy may rigour moderate.  
But to this, make this a ground inviolate.  
Upon sturdy stiff standers: in violensie,  
Draw thy sword of justice, sharpened sharply.   

And mark (my son) these points that I now come to:  
In common order, of thy governing.  
Who: honestly doth, as other honest do:  
And saith as those honest say: or saith nothing,  
Are him not what he thinketh, for mark this othing:  
Whose deed and his thought: repungnantlie vary,  
His word and his thought: jar likewise contrary.   

Love to be loved, and hate to be hated.  
Of those that love good: and hate ill, otherwise,  
Having hate of thill: for justice justly rated,  
Hate so, be thou glad to have, and by justice,  
Continue that hate: in insessant size.  
In whom (by their fauts) to thee faultless it draws:  
To continue: by their continued cause,   

Touching right or wrong: of both must thou choose one,  
As thus: either to do wrong: or to take wrong,  
Rather take it then do it: see thou do none.  
The wrong that I have done (the flies here among)  
Of mine ill: their ill: hath been partly a long.  
Answer mine ill all (alas) strength must I do.  
And as much of theirs, as mine hath forced them to.   

Of spider or fly: sewde to: for aught in grant,  
Ere thou grant, look what, where, & why thou grantest it  
But grants once past thee (at suitors suits instant,)  
Perform them full: without restraint any whit.  
Performance of promise, perfectly doth knit:  
Such credence: to all: (they performing the same)  
As winth them fast friendship, and perpetual fame.   

Thy council choose, in these condistions bend.  
Few, wise, secret, expert, temperate, and true.  
Satiffide with sufficiency, and diligent.  
All sale of justice: and all offers teschew:  
That shall to thee, or common wealth hindrance brew.  
Their taking whereof: seeming winning to be:  
May lose them with all theirs, and all thine with thee.   

Here have I given thee son: such exhortation,  
As weak wit: and short time will suffer in me.  
Which: if thou use, at thy father's contemplation,  
Behold then (my son) thine own prosperity.  
Yfnot, behold thy father's adversity.  
As rightly and rightfully on thee to light,  
As on thy father, thou seest it now light right.   

Now: to you of his counsel: mark what I devies.  
In you, lithe the putting in ure of all this.  
You are his hands, his feet, his ears, and his eyes:  
Hearing, feeling, or seeing, in him small is:  
To walk or to work with: you working amiss:  
You are the myrrors: that all lookers look in.  
As you work, they work: but you must first begin,   

In which work, this walk, I exhort you to take.  
Walk in amity, work in unite.  
The answer of suitors, expeditelie make.  
Search their subiestions: how they may agree:  
To be granted, with honourable honest.  
Offenders against you, when ye will challenge,  
Never draw his sword: your quarrels to revenge.   

These be the great grounds: presently brought in mind,  
They passing two parts: of my promised three.  
Me to declare, you to exort, in such kind,  
As may show cause of repentance in me,  
For ills passed: and for thills to come: in ye,  
Warning to a void. thirdli and lastly now,  
To witness my submission, I shall pray you.   

First to the great god, I humbly and wholly:  
Submit me: evine so beseeching his mercy:  
For all my great sin: and all offensife folly:  
Against him committed. secondarily:  
Of all the whole world here: I generally,  
Are forgiveness. Where: and in what: mine offence:  
To crave forgiveness: chargith my conscience,   

thirdly (and specially) good masters maid:  
Your displeasure toward me: to bring appeased,  
I pray: your beningnite to be displayed,  
To forgive my gilt: which hath you displeased.  
And not only displeased, but diseased.  
Namely now: in straining your arms long and small,  
To cleanse your window, of uncumlie cobwebs all.   

fourthly and finally, remission sought:  
By submission, to all spiders and flise:  
That I in this window have offended aught:  
In taking or giving the hooles in such size:  
Or stretched my cobwebs here: in such wide wise:  
As straightened any part: of their lawful right,  
Of them, on knees: I pray forgiveness in sight.   

Here end I: saving six words here to be said:  
Unto my child: I: (him in mine arms hane:)  
pronounced in your herring (good maistres maid:)  
Your licence whereto, is mine humble craving.  
Without word of any ill, in depraving.  
Content (quoth she) whet with in arms he took him,  
Saying these words, while she did over look him.    

¶ After a few woeful words of the spider had to his son (they both clasping each other in arms very naturally) he ●ysseth and blisseth him. Wherewith that son with all the twelve spiders dolefully depart from the spider. Cap. 93.  
 depiction of spider and fly story  

OH deep desired sight, of thee my child dear:  
Behold thy father, how he beholdeth thee.  
To thy mother, and brother, thou shalt appear:  
After this weeping time: worn out of you three,  
To your comforts oftimes: but no time more to me,  
Our departings differ, nothing more (uneath)  
You fro me to life, I from you to death.   

Now here in sight, as I should never be hence.  
Straight hence from sight, as I had never been here.  
Well: farewell: use to thy mother obedience.  
To thy brother, let brotherly love appear.  
Commend me to them both (my jewels dear)  
I bliss thee: kiss thou me: they did so: and so,  
Lothlie he loosed his arms, and leete him go.   
 ornament   

¶ The maid (appearing as woe to destroy the spider as he is to be dystroyde) with her foot presseth him to death. Cap. 94.  
 depiction of spider and fly story  

The water ran down the cheeks, of them both two:  
The maid pitting both, wept as fast thaie.  
But for that she must do: more than she would do,  
The spider had been forgiven, and gone his way.  
But they gone weeping away, (without delay:)  
The spider laying prostrate: she thereupon,  
Seiting her foot on him, he was forthwith gone.   
 ornament   

¶ The maid hath before her the twelve spiders and the twelve flies that had been before in place. And upon her show that all harms done by those generations is grown by misorder, she finally deviseth full redress in pointing them to grow to order. Cap. 95.  
 depiction of spider and fly story  

Upon this execution done, she hath now:  
Before her, these twelve spiders with those twelve 〈◊〉  
That erst wear there: they erst mensioned to you.  
Unto which number, she did the are devise,  
Certain precepts geeven: in words weighty and wise,  
Which to repeat: as rightly as I can,  
I will. And in this wise her tale began.   

To train the time and tarry you (quoth she)  
In talk of your forefauts, folli it wear.  
The smart: both doth and will, still tell it ye.  
But what thing brought that smart: each when and where)  
That: hear to here, each one lay to his care.  
Which thing briefly to tell: brief end to further,  
Was only in you all, this thing: misorder.   

As god orderly created creatures all:  
So wear they treated, to orderly intent.  
To use themselves, each creature in his call.  
Of which created sort: the creator ment,  
Spiders and flies twain, to order to relent.  
The lack whereof on your sides: witnesseth we'll,  
To have wrought displeasure on all sides, everideele,   

On all sides I say: meaning these sides thereby.  
Your sides, my side, my master and master's side.  
First for your sides: the smart showth feelingly.  
On my side: ●uch rebukes as I a bide,  
Of them for you, seeming your fauts to hide.  
And on their sides: their most displeasant sight,  
To see spiders and flies, out of order quite.   

Spider's spinning in windows wellnigh, in their faris.  
Spightfullie have spun. And flies innumerablie:  
To blow their meat: have made their common traces,  
Thus: lack of order on your two sides prove I:  
To have brought all sides: to live displesantlie.  
To my masters and masters grief, greatli grown.  
Whose which grief: to me, is more than mine own.   

By whose appointment under them as now:  
I (having here the cure,) must have the care.  
To assine redress: for which I sent for you.  
To you: and to all yours in you, to declare:  
Order, to ease all spiders and flies that are.  
And all other: such as have been anoide,  
By lack of order, which ye ere this distroide.   

That spiders and flies: are the creatures of god,  
And all his creatures: in their creation good,  
I know and acknowledge. Or else gods forbade.  
I hate neither the spiders: nor the flies brood.  
I love all: as behoveth maidenly mood.  
All his creatures in an order, we must love:  
That orderly use themselves: as doth behove.   

And such as be ill: yet may we not hate:  
The persons, but the ill in the persons seen.  
This learned I of a preacher: that preached late:  
And of myself (I thank god) I have not been:  
So much given to hate (any person I mean  
Be they spiders: be they flies: what ever they be:)  
But I can use all, as standth with charity.   

And charitably such an order to set:  
To set you in rest: and the said rest thereby,  
All fauts in all past: to forgive and forget,  
That will I you all to do. And orderly:  
Ethone to use himself ordinarily:  
And each use other: in every kind of cause,  
As thold known well ordered custom, dewli draws.   

And that is this: ye spiders in tip of top:  
Or in top sides of windows: cobwebs shall make  
Above the reach of my broom: to crush or crop  
any part thereof: not set like an ale stake,  
Proudly to brag yourselves: and bring flies in brake,  
But in place to lie: most high and most hiddin.  
Spider's thus placed, custom's order hath biddin.   

Flies in the body of the window shall pass.  
Not by thousands at once: sediciouslie,  
But through hooles of lattes: or broken glass:  
Not blowing henceforth (so sawsmalapertlie:)  
My masters and masters meat: as years lately:  
They have dane, but pass and repass in number  
And usage such as shall no house accombre.   

This ancient order (in few words) here geevene,  
Is all that I axe: in you to be used.  
In lack whereof, in all sorrow you are dreevene,  
In use thereof, in solace you in clused.  
Mysorder: bringing you thus confused,  
Let order: by your leaving of misorder,  
Quietness on your sides, and all sides further.   

By order (from misorder) you to redeem,  
(From sorrows of all sorts to solace so sorted,)  
Is cause of my cuming. Not by means extreme,  
But by most mild means: that may be imported:  
In order to set you: and see you comforted  
To keep order. Wherein you obeying me,  
We may live in love all: each in his degree.   

Each in his degree (I say) mark that point well.  
Your lack of living so, (ye see) marred you all.  
Chiefly you spiders: usurping to excel:  
In governance: out of your place natural.  
Which for few years past, brought and kept flies so thrall,  
That you (wellnigh) brought flies: to grant to agree.  
You: as head governous general be.   

In which usurpation: ye offended,  
Nature, reason, my master, masters, and me.  
Governors, nature hath commonly bended:  
Over such kinds to govern, as themselves be.  
Beast over beasts, foul over fowls, as we see  
Man over men. And in fear and awe is than,  
Thunreasonable beast, to reasonable man.   

Nature ye offend: in planted plain proof here,  
To take rule of other kinds, than your kind is,  
Reason: ye offend, in that ye here appear,  
To take upon you, the use of mine offis.  
Me: ye offend in the same: and unto this.  
My master and maistres ye offend. As thus.  
Head rule here, is their gift by customs discus,   

But leave this, and take that: mine order erst told.  
Keep you your places, and let me keep mine.  
As nature: and custom: willeth you of old.  
While reason: and custom: do me clear incline:  
My masters and masters will: to work in fine:  
As I under them: and you under me,  
May lovely live (I say) each in due degree.   

The spiders and flies: perceiving by her stay:  
That she (in this matter) had said what she would,  
All rejoicing, one spider assigned to say:  
In such manner: as good manner: might him bold,  
This effect in these words, to this maid he told.  
At beginning of whose talk she set her eye,  
And laid her ear toward him diligently.   
 ornament   

¶ The twelve spiders and twelve flies having heard their order set by the maid, they thankfully receive it. And upon her commandment to them, to put this order in ure among all spiders and flies, they joyfully depart that commandment to fulfil. Cap. 96.  
 depiction of spider and fly story  

MOst excellent maid, and masters of ours.  
Your mild and motherly precepts: given us thus,  
In order old: revived now: at hand of yours,  
Lack whereof (as ye said) the sorrows in us:  
Have witnessed that, of them, the cause in discus.  
Your words wherein told: to our deeds therein felt,  
Do instruct us, with a double witness dealt.   

And double or freble (yea quatreble) cause:  
With many causes more: then I can now tell:  
Have we: to keep order as your will us draws,  
Spiders and fllies have lived, like as in hell.  
Sins new misorder: did thold order expel,  
Thus: our bond duty obaiing your precept,  
Is your pleasure, but our profits, to see kept.   

Which: I promise for us, and all spiders else:  
To be observed. As ferfoorth as we may,  
And I (quoth one fly) for all flies as he tells:  
Promise: for order to walk the same way.  
Rejoicing all, that ever we saw this day.  
Praying the great god: for you now and ever,  
In prosperus prosperity, to persever.   

Well friends (quoth the maid) to enter order now:  
Depart. And plant this in all spiders and flies.  
In top of windows, spiders exercise you.  
And flies the hooles: moderateli excercise.  
In most joyful joy, that both sorts can devise.  
From thence most joyfully: they all flung and flew,  
While the maid used her will there, as doth ensue,    

¶ The spiders and flies being now absent, The maid sweepyth the window clean in every place. As far as her broom and arm will stretch, which done she departeth. Cap. 97  
 depiction of spider and fly story  

THe spiders and flies (for the time) being gone,  
The maid swept that window, clean in all places.  
In all corners: that her broom might light upon,  
Each copweb (with her broom) she full defaces:  
No wem seen: in casemunds, nor casemund cases.  
Upon her clear cleansing whereof: out went she,  
And in came I, her workmanship there to see.   
 ornament   

¶ The maid being gone, the auctor cometh in. And upon his beholding the window fair and clean swept without any comberus cobwebs or excessive flocks of flies he departeth. Cap. 98.  
 depiction of spider and fly story  

BEholding the window: seeing every room:  
Clean and empty, save three flies amid that plat:  
And in the top (without reach of the maid's broom)  
Corners of cobwebs uneath seen, and to that:  
All things in quiet case: so that I could not  
Of any matter: be any further winner,  
I went from the window, to the board to dinner.   
FINIS.  depiction of the author beholding flies   

The conclusion with an exposission of the Auctor touching one piece of the latter part of this parable.  

I Have, (good readers) this parable here pend:  
(After old beginning) newly brought to end.  
The thing, years more than twenty since it began.  
To the thing: years more than nineteen, nothing done.  
The frewte was green: I durst not gather it than,  
For fear of rotting: before riping began.  
The loss, (it on the frewterers' hand lying:)  
Had (in that mystery) marred his occupying.  
This work (among my poor works) thus hath it past:  
Begun with the first, and ended with the last.  
At end whereof (as at beginning) I pray.  
All readers that read it (in all that we may.)  
Each one reader: to scan this parable so,  
As our most scanning: diligently may go:  
(In speech of spiders and flies faults: here shown:)  
To considerate weighing, of faults of our own.  
And them (by grace) t'amend, for concord growing,  
As spiders and flies: grow to, here in showing.  
But, fauts and fauters: erst repent, and past,  
Which fauts (I hope) none: on himself can now cast:  
Figured here in the spider's cruelty:  
Touching deeds and deaths of those: that so passed be:  
Let us rather (when memory them to mind calls,)  
Lament their false facktes: then rejoice their foul falls,  
And pray for them, as we hope they pray for us,  
That they and we: by god's merciful discus,  
May (after strife together in life carnal,)  
Live and love together: in life eternal.  
And for the chief spider and fly: understand:  
Spider that died: and fly that scaped, at maids hand,  
As in that figure: both: most charitably:  
Thone in deed dieing: tother ready to die,  
So should we: not only die, but also live.  
As gods preseptes, (pain of endless death) do give.  
Ye see also: that this figure here implies,  
For strife in windows: between spiders and flies,  
The plat of all the world, and people therein.  
In which world: which people: if all now begin:  
And henceforth: endeavour them deuring their lives:  
By counsel of those two: to cut of all strives:  
By cutting of: all cause of strife: in all parties:  
As they both: (each in his last tale) did devise,  
The first tale: in chapter four score and eight here:  
The second: in four score and twelve; doth a peer:  
Thadvice in both turned to: it to here and hold:  
Turning their persons to ours (in those tales told,)  
Then shall we first see, and after feel: what frewte,  
Our right doing (against wrong) shall execute.  
Which: since ye may turn: and behold as a glass,  
Tedius Iteration thereof I let pass.  
As I (for tediousness and other causes,)  
Omit (to remit) the number of clauses.  
To those: learned and given (in interpretation,)  
More them am I, unto moralisation.  
I leave to the learned: the corpse of this matter:  
howbeit (as I can) I crave leave to smatter:  
In uttering my fancy: under submission,  
Touching the taking of one exposission:  
In one piece hereof: one sense tenterpretate:  
Of apt application to sense literate:  
In this the last said part, of this said figure.  
That maid I mean: putting her office in ure.  
Sweping down cobwebs in every border,  
That she (in that window) saw set out of order.  
Setting all flies at their lawful liberty,  
And spiders also, tavoyde all ieobertie.  
They bilding in windows: without her broms reach,  
(Where bilding within it: brought much of this breach)  
Keeping themselves within their bounds: as they ought,  
Harm she none did them, none said, nor none thought.  
But spiders: having past their bounds: as they had,)  
And flies: having flown more broad: then order bad,  
Thone: to nigh her masters and masters eye showing:  
Tother: her masters and masters meat blowing:  
She thought it her duty: it being her charge,  
To do sum execution: for warning large:  
Both to spiders and flies: the flocks everyone,  
By executing of spiders, only one.  
And: save custom of justice: forced her thereto,  
Both was she: execution on him to do.  
Her broom not sword of rigour, (double edgid blade)  
But the branch of mercy: that mild maiden made.  
Finally: upon her benign behaviour:  
Appeasing all this fury: with all this favour,  
In spiders and flies: without stripes to stint strife,  
All placed in right place: to place prosperus life,  
Each one in himself: in most joyful joy joyed,  
And each one to other, their joys they employed.  
All loying in her: as their redempsion,  
Of rest, long erst had in exsempsion.  
All bend (as all wear bound) in all that they may,  
That maid (in her office) to love and obey.  
Wherewith: as this parable here taketh end,  
So I: (with a few words therein) an end intend.  
Of this last piece: pleine interpretation,  
Lighteth in the lap of imagination.  
Which: of force, in weighing the sense literal,  
clearly conveithe the sense alligoricall,  
To our sovereign Lady, Queen Marie, and maid.  
At gods bringing whom to her crown, may be laid:  
Our like strife risen: and more than like to rise,  
Then showth here risen: between spiders and flies.  
Whose sword like a broom: that swepth out filth clean:  
Not a sword that fileth the house: by bloody mean,  
This merciful maiden took in hand to sweep,  
Her window: this realm. Not to kill, but to keep:  
All in quiet. On her bringing us thereto,  
As that maid (all spiders and flies) showth to do.  
And as under that maid: spider died but one,  
So under this maid: save one, (in effect) none.  
And as that one: under that one maid did die:  
repentant, so this other repentauntlie:  
Under this other maid: the death meekly took.  
All sin: with all sinful errors, he forsook,  
Of god: craving forgiveness principally,  
And then of the world. And most specially:  
Of this maid his masters. Who (clerlie) him forgave,  
As that maid did that spider, when he did crave.  
And as that maid: lothlie forced by just custum:  
Was drevin to bring that one: texcution to cum,  
So this maid: save like that maid: by force was drevine,  
Was with that maid: (for pity) more than even.  
And as that maidins most quarrel was addikt:  
For that: spiders and flies: in that window kikt:  
Against the will of her master and maistres,  
So did this maid: her chief quarrel address:  
To us (or to such of us) as the presept:  
Of her master and masters: had not kept,  
And as that maid took those faults much more to heart:  
In respect of her masters and masters part:  
Then for her own part, (her part being not small:  
In that the redress: she was charged with all,)  
So: under her master and maistres, this meyde:  
Being their like instrument: to see things weyde,  
She weyde that. With more grief to see them offended,  
Then for aught: that on her own part dependid.  
Her master Christ, the head master principal.  
Her masters, mother holly church catholical.  
And as that one maid: with that one stroke of her broom:  
Cleansed her window clear in every room:  
Setting flies at liberty: in their right rate:  
Plasing spiders likewise in accustumd state:  
Pointing both parts: path of direct direction:  
To trace and tread in: as wealths protection,  
So this one maid: with this one stroke of her sword:  
From long thrall thraldom, hath set us clear a board.  
Pointing us our places (and paths) of old known:  
Great gides, both to ghostly and worldly wealth grown.  
Thus far goth this figure: and this exposistion:  
Between that maid, and this maid. The condistion,  
On her part fulfilled. Whereupon let us here  
Play our parts in this part: all parts to apere:  
To this maid, as spiders and flies to that maid.  
Let our banners of obedience be displayed.  
Of love, the bag. of rejoicing, the right root.  
And of our own welthiss, the right and full boot.  
Love we her, and obey we her, as we ought:  
And also our suffrayne Lord: Philip: to her brought:  
By god: as god brought her to us. Which twain:  
Conjoined one: in matrimonial train:  
Both one also: in authority regal:  
These two thus made one: both one here we call.  
Which two thus one, rejoice we everiechone.  
And these two thus one, obey we all as one.  
Effectually: as those spiders and flies,  
figuratively, that one recongnies,  
Beseeching god that brought them, to keep them here:  
In long prosperus reign. And of his mercy mere:  
So to bliss us: that on this blessed stock,  
He bring such imps: as over their faithful flock:  
As their progenitors do reign presently,  
They (after them) may reign perpetually.  
And for gift of these two thus one: to us gevine,  
●o yield the three and one thanks: (as we are drevine,  
And also them, conclude we this even thus.  
Thank we god for them, and god and them for us,   
FINIS,   

♣ IMPRINTED AT LONDON ♣ IN FLEETSTREET, BY THO. powel. ♣ Cum privilegio ad imprimendum solum.