〈◊〉   
  

¶ Here followeth the interpretation of the names of goddies and goddesses as is rehearsed in this treatise following as poets write.  
Phoebus 
is as much to say as the Son  Apollo 
is the same or else God of sight  Morpleus 
Shewer of dreams  Pluto 
God of hell  Minos 
judge of hell  Cerberus 
Porter of hell  Colus 
the wind or God of the Eyre  Dyana 
Goddess of wood and Chase  Phebe 
the Moon or Goddess of wateres  Aurora 
Goddess of the morrow or the spring of the day  Mars 
God of battle  jupiter 
God of wisdom  juno 
Goddess of richesse  Saturn 
God of cold  Ceres' 
Goddess of corn  cupid 
God of love  Othea 
Goddess of wisdom  Fortune 
The varyaunt Goddess  Pan 
God of shepardis  isis 
Goddess of fruit  Neptunus 
God of the see  minerve 
Goddess of the battle or of harvest  Bacchus 
God of wine  Marcuryus 
God of language  Venus' 
Goddess of love  discord 
Goddess of debate and strife  Atropos 
death   
¶ Here endeth the Interpretacy on of the names of Goddys and Goddesses as is rehearsed in the treatise following as poets write.   


When Phoebus in the crab had near his course run  
And toward the Leon his journey 'gan take  
To look on Pyctagoras spear I had bgonne  
sitting all solitary alone beside a lake  
Musing on a maneer how that I might make  
Reason and sensuality in one to accord  
But I could not bring about that monacorde   

For long ere I might sleep me 'gan oppress  
So ponderously I could make none obstacle  
In mine heed was fall such an heaviness  
I was fain to draw to mine habitacle  
To rowne with a pylow me seemed best tryacle  
So laid I me down my disease to relieve  
Anon came in Morpleus & took me by the sleeve   

And as I so lay half in a trance  
Tween sleeping and waking he bade me arise  
For he said I must give attendance  
To the great Court of Minos the justice  
Me nought availed again him to sylogyse  
For hit is oft said by 'em that yet lives  
He must needs go that the devil drives   

When I see no better▪ but I must go  
I said I was ready at his commandment  
whether that he would me lead to or fro  
So up I arose and forth with him went  
Till he had me brought to the parliament  
where Pluto sat and kept his estate  
And with him Minos the judge desperate   

But as we thitherward went by the way  
I him besought his name me to tell  
Morpleus he said thou me call may  
A sir said I than where do ye dwell  
In heaven or to earth either else in hell  
Nay he said mine abiding most commonly  
Is in a little corner called fantasy   

And as soon as he these words had said  
Cerberus the porter of hell with his chain  
Brought thither Colus in rags evil arrayed  
Again whom Neptunus & Dyana did complain  
Saying thus O Minos thou judge sovereign  
give thy cruel judgement again this traitor so  
That we may have cause to praise thy lord Pluto   

Then was there made a proclamation  
In Plutoos name commanded silence  
Upon the pain of straight correction  
That Dyana & Neptunus might have audience  
To declare her grief of the great offence  
To them do by Colus whereon they compleyned  
And to begin Dyana was constrained   

which thus began as ye shall here  
Saying in this wise. O thou lord Pluto  
with thy Inge Minos sitting with the in fere  
Execute your fury upon Colus so  
According to the offence that he to me hath do  
That I have no cause further to apele  
which if I do shall not be for your we'll   

Remember first how I a goddess pure  
Over all deserts. forests and chases  
Have take the guiding and under my cure  
This traitor Colus hath many of my places  
Destroyed with his blasts & daily me menaces  
where any wood is he shall make it pleyne  
If he to his liberty may resort again   

The greatest trees that any man may find  
In forest to shade the dear for her comfort  
He breaketh hem asunder or rendeth hem rote & rind  
Out of the earth this is his disport  
So that the dear shall have no resort  
within short time to no manner shade  
where thorough the game is likely to fade   

which to mine name a reproach singular  
Should be for ever while the world last  
And to all the gods an high dyspleser  
To see the game so destroyed by his blast  
wherefore a remedy purvey in haste  
And let him be punished after his offence  
Consider the crime. and give your sentence   

And when thus Dyana had made her compleynt  
To Minos the judge in Plutoos presence  
Came forth Neptunus with visage pale & feign  
desiring of favour to have audience  
Saying thus Pluto to thy magnificence  
I shall rehearse what this creature  
Colus hath done me out of measure   

Thou knowest well that I have the charge  
Over all the see. and thereof god I am  
No ship may sail. keruell boot nor barge  
great karyke. nor hulk with any living man  
But if he have my save conduit than  
who me offendeth within my jurysdiccyon  
Oweth to submit him to my correction   

But in asmekyll as it is now so  
That ye him here have as your prisoner  
I shall you show. my complaint loo  
wherefore I pray you that ye will hit here  
And let him not escape out of your daungere  
Till he have made full seeth and recompense  
For hurt of my name through this great offence   

first to begin. this Colus hath oft  
Made me to return my course again nature  
with his great blasts when he hath be a loft  
And charged me to labour far out of measure  
That it was great marvel how I might endure  
The come of my sweet will it testify  
That on the see banks lieth beaten full high   

Secondly where as my nature is  
Both to ebb & flow and so my course to keep  
Oft of mine intent hath he made me miss  
where as I should have filled dykes deep  
At a full water I might not thither creep  
Before my season came to return again  
And than went I faster than I would certain   

Thus he hath me driven again mine intent  
And contrary to my course natural  
where I should have be he made me be absent  
To my great dishonour & in especial  
Do thing he used that worst was of all  
For where as I my safeguard granted  
Ay in that cost he commonly haunted   

Of very pure malice and of self will  
them to destroy in despite of me  
To whom I promised both in good and ill  
To be her protector in all adversity  
That to them should fall upon the see  
And even suddenly ere they could beware  
with a sudden pyry he lapped 'em in care   

And full oft sith with his boisterous blast  
Ere they might be ware. he drofe him on the sand  
And otherwhile he broke toop sail & mast  
which caused them to perish ere they came to lan de  
Then cursed they the time that ever they me fande  
Thus among the people lost is mine name  
And so by his labour put I am to shame   

Consider this matter and ponder my cause  
Tender my complaint as rigour requireth  
Show forth your sentence with a brief clause  
I may not long tarry the time fast expyreth  
The offence is great wherefore hit desireth  
The more grievous pain and hasty judgement  
For offence done wilfully will none advisement   

And when the god Pluto a while had him be thought  
He rouned w● Minos to know what was to do  
Then he said openly look thou fail nought  
Thy sentence to give without favour so  
Like as thou hast herd the causes moved the to  
And so evenly deal between these parties tweyn  
That none of hem have case on the other compleyn   

Then said Minos full indifferently  
To Dyana & Neptunus. is there any more  
That ye will declare again him openly  
Nay in deed they said we keep none in store  
we have said enough to punish him fore  
If ye in this matter be not partial  
Remember your name was wont to be equal   

well than said Minos now let us here  
what this boisterous Colus for himself can say  
For here Prima fancy. to us doth apere  
That he hath offended no man can say nay  
wherefore thou Colus without more delay  
Shape us an answer to thine accusement  
And else I must proceed upon thy judgement   

And even as Colus was on ward to have said  
For his excuse. came in a messengere  
from god Apollo. to Pluto and him prayed  
On his behalf that he without daungere  
would to him come & bring with him in fere  
Dyana and Neptunus unto his banquet  
And if they dysdeyned himself he would hem f●●   

Moreover he said to the god Apollo  
Desired to have respite of the judgement  
Of Colus both of Minos and Pluto  
So Dyana & Neptunus were therewith content  
And if they were disposed to assent  
That he might come unto his presence  
He hit desired to know his offence   

what say ye herto said Pluto to 'em tweyn  
will ye both assent that it shall be thus  
ye said the goddess for my part certain  
And I also said this Neptunus  
I am well pleased quod this Colus  
And when they had a while thus together spoke  
Pluto commanded the court to be broke   

And than together went they in fere  
Pluto and Neptunus leading the goddess  
whom followed Cerberus with his prisoner  
And alder last with great heaviness  
Came I and Morpleus to the fortress  
Of the god Apollo unto his banquet  
where many goddies and goddesses met   

when Apollo see that they were come  
He was right glad and prayed 'em to sit  
Nay said Dyana this is all and some  
ye shall me pardon I shall not sit yet  
I shall first know why Colus abyte  
And what execution shall on him be do  
For his offence. well said Apollo   

Madam ye shall have all your pleysere  
Sith that it will none otherwise be  
But first I you pray let me the matter here  
why he is brought in this perplexite  
well said Pluto. that shall ye soon see  
And 'gan to declare even by and by  
Both her complaints ordinately   

And when Apollo had heard the report  
Of Pluto in a manner smiling he said  
I see well Colus. thou haste small comfort  
Thyself to excuse thou mayst be dismayed  
To here so great complayntiss again the laid  
That notwithstanding if thou can say aught  
For thine one weal. say and tarry nought   

Forsooth said Colus if I had respite 
Nota   
Her to an answer could I counterfeit  
But to have her grace more is my delight  
wherefore I pray you all for me entrete  
That I may by your request her good grace get  
And what pain or grief ye for me provide  
without any grudging I shall hit abide   

Loo good Madam said god Apollo  
what may he do more but sew to your grace  
Behold how the tears from his eyen go  
Hit is satisfaction half for his trespass  
Now glorious goddess show your piteous face  
To this poor prisoner at my request  
All we for your honour think thus is best   

And if it like you to do in this wise  
And to foryeve him clearly his offence  
One thing surely I will you promise  
If he oft rebel and make resistance  
Or disobey unto your sentence  
For every tree that he maketh fall  
Out of the earth. an hundred arise shall   

So that your game shall not dyscrease  
For lack of shade I dare undertake  
well sir Apollo said she than will I cease  
Of all my rancour and mercy with you make  
And than god Neptunus of his matter spoke  
Saying thus Apollo though Dyana him release  
Yet shall he sue to me to have his pese   

A said Apollo ye wend I had foryete  
you for my lady Dyana the goddess  
Nay think not so. for I will you entrete  
As well as her without long process  
will ye agree that Phoebus your mistress  
May have the guiding of your variance  
I shall abide quod he. her ordinance   

well than quoth Apollo. I pray you God's all 
Nota   
And goddesses eke that be here present  
That ye companably will a board fall  
Nay than said Othea. it is not convenient  
A dew order in every place is expedient  
To be had wherefore ye may not let  
To be your own marchall at your own banquet   

And when Apollo see it would none other be  
He called to him Aurora the goddess  
And said though ye weep yet shall ye before me  
Ay keep your course and put yourself in press  
So he her set first at his own mess  
with her moist clothes with tears all be sprained  
The medewes in may show thereof her compleynt   

Next her sat Mars mighty god and strong  
with a flame of fire enuyrounde all about  
A crown of iron on his heed a spear in his hand  
Hit seemed by his cheer as he would have fought  
And next unto him as I perceive mought  
Sat the goddess Dyana in a mantel fine  
Of black silk purfyly with powdered hermyne   

Like as he had take the mantel and the ring▪  
And next unto her arrayed royally  
Sat the god jupiter in his demeaning  
Full sad and wise he seemed sickerly  
A crown of tin stood on his heed  
And that I record of all philosophers  
That little store of Coin keep in her cofres   

joins to him in sitting next there was  
The goddess juno full richly beseen  
In a sercote that shone as bright as glass  
Of goldsmytthes' work with spangles wrought be done  
Of royal richesse wanted she none I ween  
And next by her sat the god Saturn  
That oft sith causeth many one to morn   

But he was clad. me thought strangely  
For of frost and snow was all his array  
In his hand he held a falchion all bloody  
Hit seemed by his cheer as he would make a fray  
A bawdryk of Isykles about his neck gay  
He had. and above an high on his heed  
couched with hail stones he wered a crown of lead   

And next in order was set by his side  
Ceres the goddess in a garment  
Of sack cloth made with sleeves large & wide  
Embrowdered with sheves and sykelies bent  
Of all manner greynes she sealed the patent  
In token that she was the goddess of corn  
Old poets say she beareth the harvest horn   

Then was there set the god cupido  
All fresh and galant and costly in array  
with ouches and rings he was beset so  
The palace thereof shone as though bit had be day  
A kerchyfe of pleasance stood over his helm ay  
The goddess Ceres he looked in the face  
And with one arm he her died embrace   

Next to C●●●do in order by and by  
Of worldly wisdom sat the fortress  
Called Othea chref ground of policy  
Rewler of knighthood of prudence the goddess  
Clad all in purpur was she more and less  
Saaf on her heed a crown there stood  
couched with pearls orient fine and good   

And next to her was god Pluto set  
with a dark mist enuyronde all about  
His clothing was made of a smoky net  
His colour was both within and without  
Fowl dark and dim his eyen great & stout  
Of fire and sulphur all his odour wase  
That woe was me while I beheld his face   

Fortune the goddess with her party face  
was unto Pluto next in order set  
variant she was ay in short space  
Her wheel was ready to turn without let  
Her gown was of gaudy green chamelet  
changeable of sundry diverse colours  
To the conditions according of her showers   

And by her sat though he unworthy were  
The rued god Pan of sheperdies the guide  
Clad in russet frcse and breched like a bear  
with a great tarboxe hanging by his side  
A shepecrook in his hand he spared for no pride  
And at his feet lay a prickered cur  
He rateled in the throat as he had the murr   

isis the goddess bore him company  
For at the table next she sat by his side  
In a close kirtle enbrowdered curyously  
with branches and leaves brood large & wide  
Grene as any grass in the summer tide  
Of all manner fruit she had the governance  
Of savours odoriferous was her su●ynaūce   

Next her than was god Neptunus set  
He savoured like a fisher of him I spoke before  
Hit seemed by his clothes as they had be wet  
About him in his gyrdelstede hang fishes many a score  
Of his strange array marveled I sore  
A ship with a top and sail was his crest  
Me thought he was gaily disguised at that fest   

Than took minerve the goddess her seat  
jointly to Neptunus' all in curas clad  
Gaunclettis on her hands & sabatouns on her feet  
She looked ever about as though she had be mad  
An hamer and a sith on her heed she had  
She wered two bokelers one by her side  
That other ye wot were this was all her pride   

Than came the god Bachus & by her set him down  
Holding in his hand a cup full of wine  
Of green vine leaves he wered a jolly crown  
He was clad in clustres of grapes good & fine  
A garland of ivy he chose for his sign  
On his heed he had. a thredebare kendal hood  
A gymlot and a fauset thereupon stood   

Next him sat Phoebus with her colour pale  
Fat she was of face but of complexion faint  
She said she reuled Neptunus & made him to avail  
And once in the moaneth with Phebus was she meynt  
Also ne were she. Ceres were ateynt  
Thus she sat & told the might of her nature  
And on her heed she wered a crown of silver pure   

jointly to her Marcuryus took his see  
As came to his course witness the zodiac  
He had a gylden tongue as fill for his degree  
In eloquence of language he passed all the pake  
For in his talking noman could find lake  
A box with quicksilver he had in his hand  
Multyplyers know it well in every land   

By him sat dam Venus with colour crystallyne  
whose long here shone as wire of gold bright  
Cryspe was her skin her eyen columbine  
ravished mine heart her cheer was so light  
Patroness of pleasance be named well see might  
A smock was her weed garnished curyously  
But above all other she had a wanton eye   

On her heed she wered a reed copper crown  
A nosegay she had made full pleasantly  
Between her & Aurora. Apollo set him down  
with his beams bright he shone so fervently  
That he therewith gladded all the company  
A crown of pure gold was on his heed set  
In sign that he was master & lord of that banquet   

Thus was the table set round about 
Nota   
with gods & goddesses as I have you told  
Awaiting on the board was a great rout  
Of sage philosophers & poets many fold  
There was sad Sychero and Arystotyll old  
Tholome Dorothy with Dyogenes  
Plato Messehala and wise Socrates'   

Sorts & Saphyrus with hermes stood behind  
avicen and Autroys with hem were in fere  
Galyen & hippocras that physic have in mind  
with help of Esculapyon toward hem drow near  
Virgyle Orace ovid and Omere  
Euclyde and Albert gave her attendance  
To do the goddies and goddesses pleasance   

Whore berd Orpheus was there with his harp  
And as a poet musykall made he melody  
Other mynstral had they non safe Pan 'gan to carp  
Of his lewd bagpyp which caused that company  
To law yet many mother were if I should notly  
Some young some old both better and worse  
But more of her names can I not rehearse   

Of all manner deyntees there was abundance  
Of meats & drinks foison plenteous  
In came discord to have made variance  
But there was no room to set her in that house  
The goddies remembered the schism odious  
Among the three goddesses that he had wrought  
At the fest of Peleus wherefore they thought   

They would not with her deal in adventure  
Lest she them brought to some inconvenient  
She seeing this was wroth out of measure  
And in that great wrath out of the palace went  
Saying to her self that cheer should they repent  
And anon with Atropos happened she to meet  
As he had been a ghost came in winding sheet   

She took him by the hand & rouned in his ear  
And told him of the banquet that was so delicate  
How she was received & what cheer she had there  
And how every god sat in his estate  
Is it thus qd Atropos what in the devyllis date  
well he said I see well how the game goeth  
Ones yet for your sake shall I make hem wroth   

And when she had him all together told  
From her he departed and of her took his leave  
Saying that for her sake his way take he would  
In to the palace his matters to move  
And ere he thence went he trowed 'em to grieve  
with such tidings as he should 'em tell  
So forth in he went and spoke words fell   

when he came in the presence of the goddies all  
As he had be wood he looked him about  
His sheet from his body down he let fall  
And on a rued manner he saluted all the rout  
with a bold voice carping words stout  
But he spoke all hollow as it had be one  
Had spoke in another world that had woebegone   

He stood forth boldly with grim countenance  
Saying on this wise as ye shall here  
All ye great goddies give attendance  
Unto my words without all daungere  
Remember how ye made me your officer  
All though with my dart finally to chastise  
That you disobeyed or would your law despise   

And for the more surety ye sealed my patent  
giving me full power so to occupy  
whereto I have employed mine intent  
And that can dame Nature well testify  
If she be examined she will it not deny  
For when she forsaketh any creature  
I am ay ready to take him to my cure   

Thus have I duly with all my diligence  
Executed the office of old antiquity  
To me by you granted by your common sentence  
For I spared none high nor low degree  
So that on my part no default hath be  
For as soon as any to me committed wase  
I smote him to the heart he had none other graze   

Ector of Troy for all his chyvalry  
Alexander the great & mighty conqueror  
julyus Cesar with all his company  
david nor joshua nor worthy Artour  
Charles the noble that was so great of honour  
Nor judas Machabee for all his true heart  
Nor Godfery of Boleyn could me not astart   

Nabugodonozor for all his great pride  
Nor the king of Egypte cruel Pharaoh  
jason ne Hercules went they never so wide  
Cosdras Hanyball nor gentle Sypyo  
Cyrus Achilles nor many another more  
For teyre or foul got of me no grace  
But all be at the last. I sesed hem with my mace   

Thus havy brought every creature  
To an end both man fish foul and best  
And every other thing in whom dame nature  
Hath any jurisdiction either most or lest  
Except only one in whom your behest  
Is to me broke for ye me promised  
That my might of none should have be despised   

whereof the contrary dare I well avow  
Is true for one there is that will not apply  
Unto my correction nor in nowise bow  
To the dint of my dart for dole nor destiny  
what comfort he hath nor the cause why  
That he so rebelleth I can not think of right  
But if ye have him granted your alders safecondyghe   

And if ye so have than do ye not as goddies  
For a God's writing may not reversed be  
If it should I would not give two pesecoddies  
For grant of your patent of office near of fee  
wherefore in this matter do me equytee  
According to my patent. for till this be do  
ye have no more my service nor my good will loo   

And when all the goddies had Atropos hered  
As they had be wood they brayed up atones  
And said they would not rest till he were conquered  
Taken & destroyed body blood & bones  
And that they swear great oaths for the nonce  
Her law to dyspyce that was so malapert  
They said he should be taught for to be so pert   

well said Apollo if he on earth be  
with my brenning char I shall him confound  
In faith quoth Neptunus & if he keep the see  
He may be full sure. he shall soon be drowned  
A sir said Mars this have we well found  
That any disobeyed our godly precept  
we may well think we have to long slept   

But nevertheless where I may him find  
with thunder & lightening about I shall him chase  
And I quoth Saturnus before and behind  
with my bitter cold shall show him hard graze  
well said Mercuryus if I may see his face  
For ever of his speech I shall him deprive  
So that him were better be deed than a live   

ye quod Othea yet may he well be  
In the air where he will & axe you no leave  
wherefore my counsel is that all we  
May entreat Neptunus his rancour to foryeve  
And then I doubt not Colus will him mischief  
So may ye be sure he shall you not escape  
And else of all your anger will he make but aiape   

But for to tell you how Colus was brought  
In danger of Pluto yet had I forget  
wherefore on this matter further will I nought  
proceed till I thereof have knowledge you let  
Hit fell on a day the weather was wete  
And Colus thought he would on his desporte  
Go to rejoice his spirits and comfort   

He thought he would see what was in the ground  
And in a kravers forth he 'gan him dress  
A drowthe had the earth late before found  
That caused it to chine & kravy more & less  
suddenly by weet constrained by duresse  
was the ground to close his superfycyall face  
So straight that to scape Colus had no space   

This seeing Colus he still within abode  
Seeking where he might have gone out far ornere  
Anon he was alpyed & one to Plutorode  
And told him how Colus was in his danger  
Then said he to Cerberus fet me that prisoner  
Till I have him seen let him not go at large  
As thou wilt answer of him I give the charge   

Thus was this Colus take prisoner  
Than happened it so that the same day  
Pluto had prefixed for a great matter  
Minos to sit in his roob of Ray  
wherefore Cerberus took the next way  
And led him to the place where the court shallbe  
whether as I told you Morpleus brought me   

So thither came Dyana carried in a car  
To make her complaint as I told you all  
And so did Neptunus that doth both make & mar  
walewing with his waves & tomblyng as a ball  
Her matters they moved fall what may befall  
There was the first sight that ever I them saw  
And if I never do eft I reck not a straw   

But now to my matter to return again  
And to begin. new where I left  
when all the gods had done her busy pain  
They weigh to contrive how he should be reft  
Of his life that Atropos had no cause eft  
To complain than Phoebus' start upon her feet  
And said I pray you let me speak a word yet   

Othea meaneth well to say on this wise  
But all to entrete Neptunus I hope shall not need  
Me seemeth I alone durst take that enterprise  
ere I am beguiled or else I shall speed  
How say ye Neptunus shall I do this deed  
will ye your rancour seize at my request  
Madame quod he rule me as ye liketh best   

Gramercy said she of your good will  
That it pleaseth you to show me that favour  
wherefore the God's high pleasure to fulfil  
Perform my desire. & leave all old rancour  
For our alders weal & saving of our honour  
Again this Colus that ye long have had  
Hit is done quo● he forsooth than am I glad   

Said he now than Colus be thou to us true  
Keep well the eyr and our great rebel  
May we than soon ever to us subdue  
yes and that quod Colus shall ye here tell  
Nowhere in the air shall he rest nor dwell  
If he do thereof put me in the fault  
with my bitter blasts. so shall I him asaute   

what said the god Pluto what is his name  
That thus presumeth again us to rebel  
Virtue quoth Attropes that have he mickle shame  
He is never confounded. thus of him here I tell  
A said this Pluto. in deed I know him well  
He hath be ever mine utter enemy  
wherefore this matter again him take will I   

For all the bayties that ye for him have laid  
without mine help be not worth a peer  
For though ye all the countrarye had said  
Yet would he breed right nigh your althries ear  
No manner of thing can him hurt nor dear  
Save only one a son of my bastard  
whose name is vice he keepeth my vaward   

wherefore you Cerberus now I the discharge  
Of Colus. and will that thou hither fet  
My deer son Vice & say that I him charge  
That he to me come without any let  
Armed all points. for a day is set  
That he with virtue for all the God's sake  
In our defence. must on him battle take   

Forth then went Cerberus with his fiery chain  
And brought thither Vice as he commaunden was  
Again noble Virtue that battle to dereygne  
On a gliding serpent riding a great pas  
formed like a dragon scaled hard as glass  
whose mouth flammed fire without fail  
wings had it serpentine and a long tail   

Armed was Vice all in cure boil  
Hard as any horn blacker far than soot  
An ungodly sort followed him pard  
Of unhappy captains of mischief crop & root  
Pride was the first. the next him rood god wot  
On a roaring lion. next whom came Envy  
sitting on a wolf he had a scornful eye   

wrath bestrode a wild boar & next him ganryde  
In his hand he bore a bloody naked sword  
Next whom came covetise that gooth so far & wide  
Riding on a Olyfaunt as he had been afeard  
After whom rood gluttony with his fat beard  
sitting on a bear with his great belly  
And next him on a good followed Lechery   

sloth was so sleepy. he came all behind  
On a dull ass a full weary pace  
these were the captains that Vice could find  
Best to set his field and follow on the chase  
As for petty captains many more there wase  
As sacrylege simony and dissimulation  
Manslaughter murder theft and extortion   

arrogance presumption with contumacy  
contemption contempt and inobedience  
Malice frowardness great jelacy  
woodness hate strife and impatience  
unkindness oppnssyon with woeful negligence  
mumur myscheef falsehood and detraction  
Usury perjury lie and adulation   

wrong ravin sturdy violence  
False judgement with obstinacy  
deceit drunkenness and Improvydence  
Boldness in ill with foul and rybaudy  
fornication Incest and adultery  
Vnshamefastnes with prodygalyte  
Blaspheme vainglory and worldly vanity   

Agnoraunce diffidence with Ipocrysy  
schism rancour debate and offence  
Heresy error with idolatry  
New fangylnesse and subtle false pretence  
Inordynat desire of worldly excellense  
Feigned poverty with apostasy  
disclander scorn and unkind jealousy   

Hoordome bawdry false maintenance  
Treason abusion. and petty brybry  
usurpation with horribly vengeance  
Came alder last of that company  
All these petty captains followed by and by  
Showing themself in the palace wide  
And said they were ready that battle to abide   

jolynesse set the commons in array  
without the palace on a fair field  
But there was an host for to make a fray  
I crow such another never man beheld  
Many was the wepyn among hem that they weld  
what people they were that came to that disport  
I shall you declare of many a sundry sort   

There were boasters hraghers and brybores  
Praters fasers' stretchers and wrythers  
Shameful shakerles sullen shaveldores  
Oppressors of people and mighty crackers  
maintainers of quarrels horrible liars  
thieves traitors with false heretics  
Charmers sorcerers and many schismatics   

privy symonyakes with false usurers  
Multyplyers coin wasshers and clippers  
wrong usurpers with great extortioners  
backbiters glosers and fair flatterers  
malicious murmurers with great claterers  
Tregetours triphelers feyners of tales  
Lastyvous lurdeyns and pykers of males   

Rowners' vagaboundys' forgers and losings  
Robbers revers ravenous ryfelers  
Choppers of churches finders of tidings  
Marrers of matters and money makers  
Stalkers by night with eavesdroppers  
fighters brawlers brekers of lofedayes  
Getters chyders causers of frays   

Ty●yuylles tyrants with tormentoures  
Cursed apostatis religious dyssymulers  
Closshers carders with common hasardoures  
Tyburn coloppies and pursekytters  
Pylary knights double tolling millers  
Gay jolly tapsters with hostelers of the stews  
Hoores and bawds that many bale brews   

Bold blasphemers with false hypocrites  
Brothellers brokers abominable swearers  
Dryvelles dastards dyspysers of rights  
homicides poisoners and common morderers  
Skoldes caytyffes cumbrous clappers  
idolaters enchauntours with false renegates  
subtle ambydextres and sekers of debates   

Pseudo prophets false sodemytes  
Quesmers of children with fornicators  
wetewoldiss that suffer sin in her sights  
Auouterers and abominable avauntours  
Of sin great clappers & makers of clamours  
Vnthrystes & unlustes came also to that game  
with luskes & losels that might not thrive for sha' me   

These were the commons came thither that day  
Ready bown in battle Virtue to abide  
Apollo them beholding began for to say  
To the gods & goddesses being there the tide  
Me seemeth convenient an herald to ride  
To Virtue & bid him to battle make him bone  
Himself to defend forsooth it shall be soon   

And let him not be sodeyuly take  
All dyspurueyde or than he beware  
For than should our dishonour awake  
If he were cowardly take in a snare  
Be quod Vice for that have I no care  
I will advantage take where I may  
That hearing Morpleus privily stale away   

And went to warn Virtue of all this afray  
And bade him awake & make himself strong  
For he was like to endure that day  
A great mortal shower ere it were evesong  
with Vice wherefore he bade him not long  
Tarry to send after more succour  
If he deed it should turn him to dolour   

And briefly the matter to him he declared  
Like as ye have herd beginning and end  
well quoth Virtue he shall not be spared  
To the field I will wend how it wend  
But gramercy Morpleus mine own dear frend●  
Of your true heart & faithful intent  
That ye in this matter to me ward have meant   

This done Morpleus departed away  
from Virtue to the palace returning again  
None him espied that I dare well say  
In which time Virtue died his busy pain  
People to raise his quarrel to mentayn  
imagination was his messengere  
He went to warn people both far & near   

And bad hem come in all the haste they might  
For to strength Virtue for without fail  
He said he should have long or it were night  
with Vice to do a mighty strong battle  
Of ungracyoꝰ gastes he bringeth a long tail  
wherefore it behoveth to help at this need  
And after this shall Virtue reward your meed   

when ymagyvacyon had gone his circuit  
To virtues friends thus all about  
within short time many men of might  
gathered to Virtue in all that they moute  
They him comforted & bade him put no doubt  
His utter enemy Vice to overthrow  
Though he with him brought never so great arrow   

And when Virtue see the sustance of his host  
He prayed all the commons to the field hem high  
with her petty captains both lest and most  
And with his captains should follow readily  
For he said he knew well that Vice was full nigh  
And who might first of the field recover the centre  
would keep out that other he should not easily entre   

Than sent he forth baptism to the field before  
And prayed him heartily it to oversee  
That nomaner train nor caltrop therein wore  
To noy nor hurt him nor his main  
And when he thither came he began to see  
How Vice his pursuivant crime original  
was entered before and had seized up all   

But as soon as hereof baptism had a sight  
He fled fast away & left the field alone  
And anon baptism entered with his might  
searching all about where this crime had gone  
But the field was clean default fond he none  
Than came Virtue after with his great host  
And his mighty captains both jest & most   

But to inform you how he thither came  
And what manner capiteyns he to the field brought  
Himself sekerly was the first man  
Of all his great boost the thitherward sought  
sitting in a char that richly was wrought  
with gold and peerless & gems precious  
Crowned with laurer as lord victorious   

Four doughty knights about the char went  
At every corner one it for to guide  
And convey according to Virtue his intent  
At the first corner was rightwiseness that tide  
Prudence at the second was set to abide  
At the third strength the fourth kept temperance  
These the char guided to Virtue his pleasance   

Next to the char seven captains there rood  
Echone after other in order by and by  
humility was the first a lamb he bestroode  
with countenance demure he rood full soberly  
A falcon gentle stood on his helm on hy  
And next after him came there charity  
Riding on a tiger as fill to his degree   

Roody as a roose ay he kept his cheer  
On his helm on high a pellycan he bore  
Next whom came patience that no where hath no peer  
On a camel riding as void of all care  
A fenix on his helm stood so forth 'gan he far  
who next him followed but liberality  
sitting on a dromedary that was both good & free   

On his helm for his crest he bore on ospray  
And next after him followed abstinence  
Riding on an heart was trapure and gay  
He seemed a lord of right great excellence  
A popyniay was his crest he was of great dyffence  
Next him followed chastity on an unicorn  
Armed at all points behind and before   

A tortyldove he bore on high for his crest  
Than came good business last of though seven  
Riding on a panter a sundry coloured best  
Gloriously beseen as he had come from heaven  
A crane on his heed stood his crest for to steven  
All these. seven. captains had standardis of price  
Each of 'em according after his devise   

Many petty captains after these went  
As true faith and hope mercy pease & pity  
Right troth meekness with good intent  
Goodness concord and perfit unite  
Honest true love with simplicity  
Prayer fasting privy almsdeed  
joined with the articles of the creed   

confession contrition and satisfaction  
with sorrow for sin and great repentance  
forgiveness of trespass with good disposition  
resistance of wrong performing of penance  
Holy devotion with good continuance  
priesthood them followed with the sacraments  
And sadness also with the commandments   

suffrance in trouble with innocency  
cleanness continence and virgynyte  
kindness reverence with courtesy  
Content & pleased with piteous poverty  
Intending well ministering equity  
Tween right & wrong hole Indyfferency  
And labouring the service of god to multiply   

Refuse of richesse & worldly vainglory  
perfection with perfit contemplation  
religion profession well kept in memory  
Verrey dread of god with holy predication  
celestial sapience with ghostly inspiration  
Grace was the guide of all this great meinie  
whom followed konning with his genealogy   

That is to say Grammar and sophistry  
Philosophy natural logic & Rethoryke  
Arsmetryke Geometry with astronomy  
Canon and civil melodious music  
Noble theology and corporal physic  
moralization of holy scripture  
Profound Poetry and drawing of picture   

These followed konning & thither with him came  
with many one more offering her service  
To Virtue at the need but notwithstanding than  
Some he refused and said in nowise  
They should with him go & as I could advise  
These were her names first nigromancy  
Geomansy magic and gluttony   

Adryomancy Ornomancy with Pyromancy  
Fysenomy also and Pawmestry  
And all her sequelies if I shall not lie  
Yet cunning prayed Virtue he would not deny  
them for to know nor disdain with his eye  
On 'em to look whereto Virtue granted  
How be it in his wars he would not they haunted   

So had they cunning lightly to depart  
From Virtue his field and they seeing this  
By common assent hired them a cart  
And made 'em be carried toward Vice I iwis  
from thence forth to serve him they would not miss  
Full loath they were to be maysterles  
In stead of the better the worse there they chose   

But forth to release all the remnant  
Of petty captains that with Virtue were  
Moderate diet and wisdom avenant  
Even wight & measure ware of contagyous gear  
Loath to offend and loving ay to lere  
worship and profit with mirth in manner  
These petty captains with Virtue were in fere   

Commons hem followed a great multitude  
But in come pyson to that other side  
I trow there was not briefly to conclude  
The ten man that battle to abide  
yet nevertheless I shall not fro you hide  
what manner people they were & of what sect  
As near as my wit thereto will me direct   

There were notable and famous doctors  
Example yevers of living gracious  
Perpetuell priests and discrete confessors  
Of holy scripture declarers fructuous  
Rebukers of sin & mischiefs odious  
fishers of souls & lovers of cleanness  
Dyspysers of vain and worldly riches   

peaceable prelate's justycyall governors  
Founders of churches with merciful peers  
Roformers of wrong of her progenitors  
On painful poor piteous compassyoneres  
well meaning merchaunces with true artifyceres  
Virgins pure and also Innocentes  
Holy matrons with chaste contynentes   

Pylgryms & palmers with true labourers  
Holy hermits God's solycytours  
Monasteryall monks & well disposed freres  
Canons and nuns teythfull professors  
Of worldly people true coniugatours  
Lovers of christ confounders of ill  
And all that to godward give her good will   

maintainers of right very penytentis  
Dystroyers of error causers of unity  
true active livers that set her ententis  
The deeds to perform of mercy and pity  
contemplative people that desire to be  
solitary servants unto god alone  
Rather than to abound in richesses everichone   

These with many more than I rehearse can  
were come thither ready that battle to abide  
And take such part as fill to Virtue than  
Vice to overcome they hoped for all his pride  
All though that he had more people on his side  
For the men that Virtue had were full sure  
To trust on at need & cunning in armure   

Macrocosm was the name of the field  
where this great battle was set for to be  
In the mids thereof stood conscience & beheld  
which of hem should be brought to captivity  
Of that noble triumph judge would he be  
Synderesys sat him within closed as in a park  
with his tables in his hand her deeds to mark   

To come in to the field were high ways five  
Free to both parties large brood and wide  
Virtue would not tarry but highed him thither belive  
lest he were by vice deceived at that tide  
Long out of the field loath he was to abide  
In adventure that he out of it were not kept  
For than would he have thought he had to long slept   

In this mean time while Virtue thus provided  
For him & his people the field for to win  
He charged every man by grace to be guided  
And all that ever might the field to enter in  
In all that season went original sin  
To let Vice know how baptism with his host  
Had entered Macrocosm & searched every coost   

A said vice than I see well it is time  
Banners to display & standards to advance  
All most to long hadst thou tarried crime  
To let us have knowledge of this purveyance  
yet I trow I shall learn 'em a new dance  
where fore I command you all without delay  
Toward the field draw in all the haste ye may   

Than said the god Pluto that all men might here  
Vice I the charge as thou wilt eschew  
Our hevyous indignation thou draw not arere  
But put the forth boldly to overthrow virtue  
In faith quoth Atropos & I shall after sew  
For if he escape your hands this day  
I tell you my service have lost for ay   

Forth than road Vice with all his hole strength  
On his stead serpentine as I told you before  
The host that him followed was of a great length  
Among whom were penouns & gnytors many a score  
But as he went thedward I shall tell you more  
Of his petty captains he made many a knynht  
For they should not i'll but manly with him fight   

He doubled falsehood with dissimulation  
Simony vsure wrong and rybawdy  
Malice deceit lie without extortion  
Perjury diffidence and apostasy  
with boldness in ill to bear 'em company  
These xiiii knyngtes made Vice that day  
To win their spurs they said they would asay   

In like wise Virtue doubled on his side  
Of his petty captains other fourteen  
which made her avow with him to abide  
Her spurs would they win that day it should be seen  
These were her names if it be as I ween  
Feythe hope and mercy truth & also right  
with resistance of wrong a full hardy wight   

confession contrition with satisfaction  
Verrey dread of god performing of penance  
perfection konning and good disposition  
And all knit to Virtue they were by alliance  
wherefore to him they made assurance  
That field to keep as long as they might  
And in his quarrel again Vice to fight   

The lord of Macrocosm and ruler of that fee  
was called free-will changer of the chance  
To whom Virtue sent ambassadors three  
Reason discretion & good remembraunse  
And prayed him be favourable his honour to enhaunse  
For but he had his favour at that point of need  
He stood in great doubt he could not lightly speed   

In like wise Vice ambassadors three  
For his party unto free-will sent  
temptation folly and sensuality  
praying him of favour that he would assent  
To him as he would at his commandment  
Have him eftsoons when he list to call  
On him for any thing that afterward might fall   

Answer gave he none to neither party  
Save only he said the battle would he see  
To weet which of hem should have the victory  
Hit hang in his balance the ambyguyte  
He said he would not restrain his liberty  
when he come where sorrow should awake  
Than it should be know what part he will take   

when Virtue & Vice be her ambassadors  
Knew of this answer they stood in great doubt  
Neutheles they said they would endure though showers  
And make an end shortly of that they went about  
So forth came Vice with all his great rout  
Ere he came at the field he sent yet privily  
sensuality before in manner of a spy   

which sew the field with his unkind seed  
That caused Virtue after mickle woe to feel  
For thereof grew nought but all only weed  
which made the ground as sleper as an yele  
He went again to Vice & told him every deal  
How he had done and bade him come away  
For he had so purveyed that Vice should have the day   

So as it happened at the field they meet  
free-will Virtue and Vice as trypartyte  
Saaf Virtue a little before the field had get  
And else his advantage forsooth had be full light  
Not for then encumbered so was never wight  
As Virtue & his men were with the rank weed  
That in the field grew of sensualytees sede   

But as soon as Vice of Virtue had a sight  
He 'gan suage gonnes as he had be wood  
That hearing Virtue commanded every wight  
To pavyse him under the sign of the road  
And bad hem not dread. but keep still where they stood  
It was but a shower should soon confound  
wherefore he commanded them stand & keep her ground   

And when Vice came nearer to the field  
He called sore for bows & bad hem shoot fast  
But Virtue & his meinie bare of with the shield  
Of the blessed trinity ay till shot was past  
And when shot was done Vice came forth at last  
Purposing the field with assault to win  
But virtue kept it long he might not enter therein   

All that time free-will stood & him bethought  
To which he might leave & what part he would take  
At last sensuality had him so far brought  
That he said plainly he dtu would forsake  
And in Vice his quarrel all his power make  
iwis quoth reason that is not for the best 
Nota   
Noforse said free-will I will do as my list   

Virtue was full heavy when he see free-will  
Take part with Vice but yet nevertheless  
He died that he might the field to keep still  
Till Vice with free-will so sore 'gan him oppress  
That he was constrained clearly by duresse  
A little tyne aback to make abew retret  
All thing considered it was the best feet   

first to remember how Vices part was  
Ten again one stronger by likeliness  
And than how free-will was with him alas  
who could dame Virtue but in heaviness  
Moreover to think how that slipper grass  
That of sensuality his unkind seed grew  
Under foot in standing encumbered virtue   

yet notwithstanding Virtue his men all  
Nobelly them bare and fought mightily  
How be it that sleper grass made many of hem fall  
And from thence in manner depart suddenly  
That seeing Vice his host began to shout & cry  
And said on in Pluto name on & all is our  
For this day shall Vice be made a conqueror   

Thus Virtue was by might of Vice & free-will  
Dreven out of the field it was the more pity  
How be it yet baptism kept his ground still  
And with him abode faith hope & unite  
And konning also with commons a great main  
confession contrition were ready at her hand  
And satisfaction Vice to withstand   

But all the time while Virtue was away  
A mighty conflict kept they with Vice his rout  
And yet nevertheless for all that great affray  
Hope stood up right & faith would neverloute  
And evermore said baptism sires put no doubt  
Virtue shall return & have his intent  
This field shall be our & else let me be shent de   

And while these petty captains sustained thus the fell  
with Virtue his reward came good perseverance  
An hogy mighty host & when he beheld  
How Virtue him withdrew he took displeasance  
And when he to him came he said ye shall your chance  
Take as it falleth wherefore return ye must  
Yet once for your sake with Vice shall I Just   

Alas that ever ye should lose thus your honour  
And therewith also the high perpetual crown  
which is for you kept in the celestial tour  
wherefore be ye called Crystis champyone  
How is it that ye have no compassyone  
On baptism faith & hope konning & unity  
That stand so hard bestead & fight as ye may see   

All the treasure earthly under the firmament  
That ever was made of God's creation  
To reward them evenly were not equivalent  
For her noble labour in his affliction  
wherefore take upon you your jurisdyccyon  
Rescu yonder knights & recontynu fight  
And else a dew your crown for all your great might   

with these & such words as I have you told  
By good perseverance uttered in this wise  
Virtue him remembered & 'gan to wax bold  
And said give true knights to rescue I advise  
Let us no longer tarry from this enterprise  
Again to the field so Virtue returned  
That caused hem be merry that long afore had mourned   

Avaunt banner qd he in the name of Ihesu  
And with that his people set up a great shout  
And cried with a loud voice a Virtue a Virtue  
Then began Vice his host for to look about  
But I trow perseverance was not long without  
He bathed his sword in his foos blood  
The boldest of 'em all not once him withstood   

constance him followed & brought him his spear  
But when perseverance saw Vice on his stead  
Noman could him let till he came there  
For to bid him ride I trow it was no need  
All Virtue his host prayed for his good speed  
Again Vice he road with his great shaft  
And him overthrew for all his subtle craft   

That seeing free-will came to conscience  
And 'gan him to repent that he with him had be  
praying him of counsel for his great offence  
That he again Virtue had made his arm  
what was best to do to humility  
Qd conscience must thou go so he him thither sent  
disguised that he were not known as he went   

And when he thither came humility him took  
A token & bade him go to confession  
And show him his matter with a piteous look  
which done he him sent to contrition  
And fro thensforthe to satisfaction  
Thus fro poost to pillar was he made to dance  
And at the last he went forth to penance   

But now for to tell you when vice was outhrow  
A great part of his host about him 'gan resort  
But he was so feeble that he could noman know  
And when they see that they knew no comfort  
But carried him a way be a privy port  
And as they him carried despair with him met  
with Vice his reward he came them for to fet   

Then came there down goodly ladies tweyn  
From the high heaven above the firmament  
And said the great Alpha & Oo most sovereign  
For that noble triumph had 'em thither sent  
One of 'em to drive Vice to great torment  
with a fiery strong that she bore in her hand  
And so he deed despair & all his hole band   

The name of this lady was called Prestyence  
She never left Vice ne none that would him follow  
Till they were committed by the divine sentence  
All to pain perpetual & infinite sorrow  
rightwiseness went to see that noman should hem borrow  
Thus all entreated sharply were they till Cerberus  
Had 'em beshut within his gates tenebrus   

And all the while the Prestyence with her scourge smart  
To reward Vice 'gan her thus occupy  
with all his hole bend after her desert  
That other glorious lady that came fro heaven on hy  
Having in her hand the palm of victory  
Came down to Virtue & took him to the present  
Saying thus that Alpha & Oo hath him sent   

And as far as I a right could understand  
That ladies name was predestination  
Virtue & his host she blessed with her hand  
And in heaven granted 'em habitation  
where to each of 'em reserved was a crown  
She said in token that they inheritors  
Of the glory were & gracious conquerors   

which done the ladies again together met  
And toward heaven up they 'gan to sty  
Embraced in arms as they had be knet  
together with a girdle but so suddenly  
As they were vanished saw I never thing with ey  
And anon Virtue with all his company  
kneeled down & thanked god of that victory   

Yet had I foryete when Vice was overthrow  
To have told you how many of Vice his host  
'Gan to seek pease & darked down full low  
And besought mercy what so ever hit cost  
To be her mean to Virtue else they were but lost  
And some in like wise to faith & hope sought  
what to do for pease they said they ne wrought   

Some also to baptism sewed to be her mean  
Some to one some to other as they hem get might  
But all to confession went to make 'em clean  
And as they came to conscience he them bade go light  
ere than old Atropos of hem had a sight  
For if he so them took lost they were for ever  
He said Vice to forsake is better late than never   

Some eke for succour drew to circumcision  
But by him could they get but small favour  
For he in that company was had but in derision  
Nevertheless to faith he bad hem go labour  
praying them for old acqueyntance them succour  
well qd faith for his sake I shall do that I may do  
But first for the best way baptism go ye to   

For by him soonest shall ye recover grace  
which shall to Virtue bring you by process  
wherefore in any wise look ye make good face  
And let noman know of your heaviness  
So they were by bapty brought out of distress  
Turned all to Virtue & when this was done  
Virtue commanded free-will before him come   

To whom thus he said I have great marvel  
ye durst be so bold Vices part to take  
who bade you do so & gave you that counsel  
justly unto that ye shall me privy make  
Then said free-will & swemfully spoke  
kneeling on his knee with a cheer benign  
I pray you sir let pity your e●res to me incline   

And I shall you tell the very sooth of all  
How it was & who made me that way draw  
Forsooth sensuality his proper name they call  
A said reason than I know well that fellow  
wild he is & wanton of me stant him none awe  
Is he so qd Virtue well he shall be taught  
As a player should to draw another draft   

And with that came sadness with his sober cheer  
bringing sensuality being full of thought  
And said that he had take him prisoner  
A welcome said Virtue now have I that I sought  
blessed be that good lord as thou would is it nought  
why art thou so wanton & wild he said for shame  
ere thou go at large thou shalt be made more tame word   

But stand a part a while till I have spoke a  
with free-will a little & then shalt thou know  
what shallbe thy finance & then he said in board  
Unto free-will the been of your bow  
beginneth to slake but such as ye have sow  
Must ye needs reap there is none other way  
Not withstanding that let see what ye can say   

what is your ability me to recompense  
For the great harm that ye to me have do  
Forsooth said free-will in open audience  
But only Macrocosm more have I not lo  
Take that if it please you I will that it be so  
If I may understand ye be my good lord  
In deed said Virtue to that will I accord   

Then made Virtue Reason his lyeftenaunt  
And gave him a great charge Macrocosm to keep  
That done sensuality yield him recreant  
And began for to anger bitterly to weep  
For he deemed surely his sorrow should not sleep  
Then made Virtue free-will bayll under Reason  
The field for to occupy to his behove the season   

And then said Virtue to sensuality  
Thou shalt be rewarded for thy business  
Under this form all fragility  
Shalt thou forsake both more & less  
And under the guiding shalt thou be of sadness  
All though it somewhat be again thy heart  
Thy judgement is yeven thou shalt it not astart   

And even with that came in dame Nature  
Saying thus to Virtue sir ye do me wrong  
By duresse & constraint to put this creature  
gentle sensuality that hath me served long  
clearly from his liberty & set him among  
them that love him not to be her undlowte  
As it were a cast away or a shoe clout   

And pard ye know well a rule have I must  
within Macrocosm forsooth I say not nay  
Qd Virtue but sensuality shall not perform your lust  
Like as he hath do before this if I may  
therefro him restrayn sadness shall assay  
How be it ye shall have your hole liberty  
within Macrocosm as ye have had free   

And when Virtue had to Nature said thus  
A little tyne his eye casting him beside  
He see in a corner standing Morpleus  
That him before warned of the verryly tied  
A sires said Virtue yet we must abide  
Here is a friend of our may not be foryete  
After his desert we shall him entreat   

Morpleus said Virtue I thank you heartily  
For your true heart & your great labour  
That ye list to come to me so readily  
when ye understood the coming of the shower  
I thank god & you of saving of mine honour  
wherefore this privilege now to you I grant  
That within Macrocosm ye shall have your haunt   

And of five posterns the keys shall ye keep  
Letting in & out at 'em whom ye list  
As long as in Macrocosm your fad will creep  
Blere whose eye ye will hardly with your mist  
And keep your works close there as in a chest  
Saaf I would desire you spare pollution  
For no thing may me please that soundeth to corruption   

And when he had thus said the keys he him took  
And toward his castle with his people went  
Bidding reason take good heed & about look  
That sensuality by Nature were not shent  
Keep him short he said till his lust be spent  
For better were a child to be unborn  
Than let him have the will & for ever be lore   

And when old Atropos had seen & heard all this  
How Virtue had obtained astonied as he stood  
He said to himself somewhat there is amiss  
I trow well my patent be not all good  
And ran to the palace as he had be wood  
Saying to the goddies I see ye do but jape  
After a worthy whew have ye made me gape   

How a devil way should I Virtue overthrow  
when he dreadeth not all your hole rout  
How can ye make good your patent would I know  
Hit is to impossible to bring that about  
For strike him may I not that is out of doubt  
A good Atropos said god Apollo  
An answer convenient shalt thou have hereto   

The words of thy patent dare I well say  
stretch to no ferther but were dame Nature  
Hath jurysdiccyon there to have thy way 
Nota   
And largesse to strike as longeth to thy cure  
And as for Virtue he is no creature  
Under the predycament contained of quantity  
wherefore his destruction longeth not to the   

A ha' said Atropos then I see well  
That all ye goddies be but counterfeit  
For oo God there is that can everydeal  
Turn as him list both dry & wheat  
In to whose service I shall assay to get  
And if I may once to his service come  
your names shall be put to oblyvyone   

Thus went Atropos fro the palace wrooth  
But in the mean time while that he there was  
Gliding by the palace recidivation goeth  
Toward Macrocosm with a painted face  
Clad like a pilgrim walking a great pace  
In the form as he had been a man of ynde  
He wend have made reason & sadness both blind   

With sensuality was he soon aqueynted  
To whom he declared his matter privily  
yet he was espied for all his face painted  
Then reason hy commanded pike him thence lightly  
For his ease qd sadness so counsel him will I  
So was sensuality ay kept under foot  
That to recidivation might he do no boot   

Then went he to Nature & asked her advise  
His intent to obtain what was best to do  
She said ever sith Virtue of Vice won the prise  
Reason with sadness hath ruled the field so  
That I & sensuality may little for the do  
For I may no more but only keep my course  
And yet is sensuality stronger kept & wours   

Thus hearing resydivaconn fro thence he went again  
Full of thought & sorrow that he might not speed  
Than reason & sadness took wedehokes twain  
And all wild wantonness out of the field 'gan weed  
With all the slipper grass that grew of the seed  
That sensuality before therein sew  
And fro thence forth kept it clean for virtue   

Than began new grass in the field to spring  
All unlike that other of colour fair & bright  
But than I espied a marvelous thing  
For the ground of the field 'gan wax hoar & white  
I could not conceive how that be might  
Till I was informed & taught it to know  
But where Virtue occupieth must needs well grow   

yet in the mean time while the field thus grew  
And reason with sadness thereof had governance  
Many a privy messenger thither sent virtue  
To know if it were guided to his pleasance  
Now prayer eft fasting & often time penance  
And when he might go privily almsdeed  
And bad him to his power help where he see need   

while the field thus ruled reason with sadness  
Maugre dame Nature for all her carnal might 
Nota   
Came thither Atropos void of all gladness  
wrapped in his sheet & axed if any wight  
Coude wish him the weigh to the lord of light  
Or elliss where men might find ryghwysnesse  
Forsooth said reasan I trow as I guess   

At Virtue his castle ye may soon him find  
If ye list the labour thither to take  
And there shall ye know if ye be not blind  
The next weigh to the lord of light I undertake  
So thither went Atropos petition to make  
To rightwiseness praying that he might  
Be take in to the service of the lord of light   

what said rightwiseness thou old doting fool  
whom hast thou served sith the world began  
But only him where hast thou go to school  
whether art thou double or else the same man  
That thou were first a sir said he than  
I pray you heartily hold me excused  
I am old & febell my wits are dysused   

well said rightwiseness for as much as thou  
knowest not thy master thy name shall I change  
death shalt thou be called from hens forward now  
Among all the people that shall be had strange  
But when thou begynnest to make thy chalaunge  
dread shalt thou be where so thou become  
And to no creature shalt thou be welcome   

And as for them whom thou didst serve  
For as much as they presume on 'em to take  
That high name of god they shall as they deserve  
Therefore be rewarded I dare undtake  
with pain perpetuell among fiends black  
And her names shall be put to oblivion  
Among men but it be in derision   

A ha' said Atropos now begin I wax glad  
That I shall thus avenged of 'em be  
Sith they so long time have made me so mad  
ye qd rightwiseness here what I say to the  
The lord of light sent the word by me  
That in Macrocosine sesyne shalt thou take  
wherefore thy dart ready look thou make   

And as soon as Virtue that understood  
He said he was pleased that it should so be  
And even forthwith he commanded preesthood  
To make him ready the field for to see  
So thither went priesthood with benignity  
Conueyentg thither the blessed sacrament  
Of Eukaryst but first were thither sent   

confession contrition and satisfaction 
Nota   
Sorrow for sin and great repentance  
Holy devotion with good disposition  
All these thither came and also penance  
As her duty was to make purveyance  
Again the coming of that blessed lord  
faith hope & charity thereto were accord   

Reason with sadness died his diligence  
To cleanse the field within and without  
And when they see the bodily presence  
Of that holy Eukaryst lowly 'gan they lout  
So was that lord received out of doubt  
with all humble cheer debonair & benign  
likely to his pleasure it was a great sign   

Then came to the field the minister final  
Called holy unction with a crysmatory  
The five high ways in especial  
Thereof he anointed & made hit sanctuary  
whom tolowed death which would not carry  
His fervent power there to put in ure  
As he was commanded granting dame Nature 
Nota    

He took his dart called his mortal lance  
And bend his stroke toward the fields heart  
That seeing priesthood bade good remembrance  
Toward the field turn him & advert  
For except him all virtues thence must start  
And even with that death there sesyne took  
And then all the company clearly hit forsook   

And as soon as death thus had sesyne take  
The colour of the field was changed suddenly  
The grass therein sere as though it had be bake  
And the five high ways were mured upon hy  
That fro thensforward none enter should thereby  
The posterns were also without let  
Both inward & outward fine fast shut   

which done suddenly death vanished away  
And Virtue exalted was above the firmament  
where he coke the crown of glory that is ay  
Preparate by Alpha & oo omnipotent  
The sweet fruit of macrocosm thither with hem went  
And on all this matter as I stood musing thus  
Again fro the field to me came Morpleus   

Saying thus what cheer how liketh that this fight  
Haste thou seen enough or will thou see more  
Nay sir I said my truth I you plight  
This is sufficient if I knew wherefore  
This was to me showed for theroft he lore  
covet I to have if I get might  
Follow me quoth he and have thy delight   

So I him followed till he had me brought  
To a foresquare herber walled round about  
Loo qd Morpleus here mayst thou that thou sought  
find if thou will I put the out of doubt  
A little while we stood ●●yll there without  
Till wit chief porter of that herber gate  
Required by study let us in there ate   

But when I came in I marveled greatly  
Of that I beheld & heard there report  
For first in a chair appareled royally  
There sat dame doctrine her children to exhort  
And about her was many a sundry sort  
Some willing to learn diverse science  
And some for to have perfit intelligence   

Crowned she was like an Empress  
with iii crowns standing on her heed on hy  
All thing about her an infinite process  
were to declare I tell you certainly  
Nevertheless some in mind thereof have I  
which I shall to you as god will give me grace  
As I saw & heard tell in short space   

Fast by Doctrine on that one side  
As I remember sat holy Text  
That opened his mouth to the people wide  
But not in comparison to Gloze that sat next  
moralization with a cloak context  
Sat & scripture was scribe to them all  
He sat ay writing of that that should fall   

These were though that I there knew  
By no manner way of old acquaintance  
But as I before saw them with virtue  
Company in field & having dalliance  
And as I thus stood half in a trance  
while they were occupied in her business  
About the walls mine eye 'gan I dress   

where I beheld the marvelous story  
That ever I yet saw in any picture  
For on though walls was made memory  
singularly of every creature  
That there had been both form & stature  
whose names rehearse I will as I can  
Bring them to mind in order every man   

first to begin there was in portraiture  
Adam & Eve holding an appell round  
Noah in a ship & Abraham having sure  
A flyntstone in his hand & Isaac lay bound  
On an high mount jacob sleeping sound  
And a long ladder stood him beside  
joseph in a Cysterne was also there that tide   

Next whom stood Moses with his tables two  
Aaron & Vrre his arms supporting  
Ely in a brenning char was there also  
And Elyze stood clad in an hermytis clothing  
david with an harp & a stone sling  
isaiah jeremy and Ezechyell  
And closed with lions holy Danyell   

Abacuc Mychee with Malachy  
And jonas out of a whales body coming  
Samuel in a Temple & holy zachary  
Beside an altar all bloody standing  
Ozee with Judith stood there conspiring  
The death of Oloferne & Solomon also  
A child with his sword dyvyding in two   

Many more ꝓphetis certainly there were  
whose names now come not to my mind  
Melchysedech also espied I there  
Brede & wine offering as fill to his kind  
joachim and Anna stood all behind  
Embraced in arms to the golden gate  
And holy johan baptist in a desert sat   

And now cometh to my remembrance  
I am advised I saw Sodechy  
And Amos also with sober countenance  
Standing with her faces toward Sophony  
Neemye & Esdras bore 'em company  
The holy man job as an Impotent  
Then followed in picture with Thoby patient   

These with many more on that one side  
Of that green herber portrayed were  
A said Morpleus a little time abide  
Turn thy face where thy back was ere  
And behold well what thou seest there  
Than I me turned as he me bad  
with heart steadfast & countenance sad   

where I saw Peter with his keys stand  
paul with a sword james also  
with a scalop & Thomas holding in his hand  
A spear & Phylyp approached him to  
james the less next hem in picture lo  
Stood with Barthylmew which was all flayn  
Simon & Thadee showed how they were slain   

Mathy & Barnaby drawing lots stood  
Next whom was Mark a lion him by  
His book holding & Matthew in his mode  
Resemblyd an Angel with wings gloriously  
Luke had a calf to hold his book on hy  
And johan with a cup & palm in his hand  
An Eagle bore his book thus saw I hem stand   

Gregory & Jerome Austyne & Ambrose  
with pylyons on her heads stood like doctors  
bernard with Anselme and as I suppose  
Thomas of alquyne & Domynyk confessors  
Benet & Hue religious governors  
Martyne & johan with bishops twain  
were there also & Crysostome certain   

Behind all these was worshipful Bede  
All behind & next him stood Orygene  
Hiding his face as he of his deed  
Had 'em a shamed ye wot what I mean  
For of error was he not all clean  
And on that side stood there last of all  
The noble prophetyssa Sybyll men her call   

Let me remember now I you pray  
My barren is so thin I dame in mine heart  
Some of the fellowship that I there say  
In all this while have I overstert  
A benedycyte none ere could I advert  
To think on Andrew the apostle with his cross  
whom to forget were a great loss   

Many one more were painted on that wall  
whose names now come not to my remembrance  
But these I marked in especial  
And more could I tell in continuance  
Of time but forth to show you the substance  
Of this matter in the mids of that herbere  
Sat Doctrine coloured as any crystal clear   

Crowned as I told you late here before  
whose apparel was worth treasure infinite  
All earthly richesse count I no more  
To that in comparison valuing then a mite  
Over her heed honyd a culver fair & white  
Out of whose bill proceeded a great leme  
Downward to Doctrine like a son beam   

The words of Doctrine gave great redolence  
In sweetness of savour to her disciples all  
Hit far exceeded myrrh and frankincense  
Or any other tree spice or else gall  
And when she me espied anon she 'gan me call  
And commanded Morpleus that he should bring me near  
For she would me show the effect of my desire   

She said I know the cause of thy coming  
Is to understand be mine information  
sensibly the matter of Morpleus his showing  
As he hath the led about in vision  
wherefore now I apply thy natural reason  
Unto my words & ere thou hens wend  
Thou shalt it know beginning and end   

first where Colus to Pluto was brought  
By his own negligence taken prisoner  
within the earth for he to far sought  
signified is no more be that matter  
But only to show the how it doth apere  
That wealth unbridled daily at thine eye  
Increaseth misrule and oft causeth folly   

For like as Colus being at his large  
Streyted himself through his own lewdness  
For he would deal where he had no charge  
Right so wantonness by her wildness  
Oft sith bring himself in distress  
Be cause they sometime to largely deal  
what may worse be suffered than overmykell we'll   

By Minos the judge of hell desperate  
May be understand goddies rightwiseness  
That to every wight his pain deputate  
assigneth according to his wickedness  
wherefore he is called judge of cruelness  
And as for Dyana & Neptunus' complaint  
figured may be fools reason faint   

For like as they made her suggestion  
To have me Colus from course of his kind  
which was impossible to bring to correction  
For evermore his liberty have will the wind  
In like wise fools otherwhile be blind  
weening to subdue with her one hand  
That is overmykell for all an hole land   

But what followeth thereof that shall thou here  
when they were come to the bankete  
The great Apollo with his sad cheer  
So fair & courteously 'gan them entrete  
That he made her beerdies on the new getes  
Loo what wisdom doth to a fool  
wherefore are children put to school   

Oft is it seen with sober countenance  
That wise men fools overcome ay  
turning as hem list & all her variance  
Change from earnest in to merry play  
what were they both amendeth that day  
when they were driven to her wits end  
were they not fain to grant to be his friend   

Right so fools when they have done  
All that they can than he they feign  
give up her matter to oblyvyone  
without reward they have no more brain  
And yet full oft hath it be sayne  
when they it have foryete & set at nought  
That they full dear have afterward it bought   

And as for all though that represent  
To be called goddies at that banquet  
Resemble false idols but to this intent  
was Morpleus commanded thither the to fet  
That thou shouldest know the manner & the get  
Of the paynim law and of her believe  
How false idolatry leadeth 'em by the sleeve   

For soon upon the Worlds creation  
when Adam and Eve had broke the precept  
which clerks call the time of deviation  
The worldly people in paynim law slept  
Till moyses under god the tables of stone kept  
In which time poets feigned many a fable  
To discrete Reason right acceptable   

And to the intent that they should sound  
To the ●eres of 'em the more pleasantly  
That them should read or here they gave them a ground  
And added names unto them naturally  
Of whom they spoke & called hem gods hy  
Some for the strength & might of her nature  
And some for her subtle witty conjecture   

By nature thus as the seven planets  
Have her proper names by Astronomeres  
But goddies were they called by old poets  
For her great fervency of working in her spears  
Experience proveth this at all years  
And for as other that goddies called be  
For subtle wit that shall I teach thee   

How they by that high name of god came  
In this said time the people was so rude  
That what manner creature man or woman  
Loud any newelte contrive and conclude  
For the common weal all the multitude  
Of the common people a god should him call  
Or a goddess after it was fall   

Of the same thing that was so new found  
As Ceres for she the craft of tithe fond  
whereby more plentovously corn did abound  
The people her called through out every land  
Goddess of corn weening in her hand  
Had lain all power of corns abundance  
Thus were the paynims deceived by ignorance   

In like manner isis was called the goddess  
Of fruit for she tyrst made it multiply  
By the name of gryffing & so by process  
The name of Pan 'gan to deyfy  
For he first found the mean sheep to guy  
Some took it also by her condition  
As Pluto Fortune and such other done   

Thus all that poets put under coverture  
Of fable the rural people hit took  
Properly as act refusing the figure  
which error some of 'em never forsook  
Oft a false mirror deceiveth a man's look  
As thou mayst daily prive at thine eye  
Thus were the paynims deceived generally   

That seeing the deadly enemy of mankind  
By his power permyssyve entered the images  
within the Temples to make the people blind  
In her idolatry standing on high stagys'  
In so much who used dangerous passagys'  
Only manner way by water or be land  
when hid his sacrifice his answer ready fond   

Thus during the time of deviation  
From Adam to Moses was idolatry  
thorough the world used in common opinion  
These were the goddies that thou there sy  
And as for the a waiters that stood 'em by  
They politic Philosophers & poets were  
which feigned the fables that I speak of here   

Then seized the time of deviation  
when Moses received that tables of stone  
Entering the time of revocation  
On the mount of Synay standing alone  
God gave him might ayene all his fone  
And then began the old testament  
which to the people by Moses was sent   

And that time dured the incarnation  
Ot christ and then began it to sese  
For then came the time of reconciliation  
Of man to god I tell the doutlese  
when the son of man put him in press  
wilfully to suffer death for mankind  
In holy scripture this mayst thou find   

This reconciliation was the time of grace  
when founded was the church upon the fair stone  
And to holy Peter the key delivered was  
Of heaven then hell despoiled was anon  
Thus was mankind delivered from his font  
And then began the new testament  
That the christian people believe in present   

which iii times a sundry divided  
Mayst thou here see if thou list behold  
The first behind the in picture in provided  
The second of the life hand show prophet old  
The iii on the right hand here it is to y● told  
Thus haste thou in vision the very figure  
Of these iii times here showed in purtrayture   

That is to say first of deviation  
From Adam to Moses recording scripture  
second fro Moses to the incarnation  
Of christ keepeth revocacyons cure  
And as for the third thou mayst be very sure  
will dure from thence to the worlds end  
But now the four must thou have in mind   

which is called properly the time of pilgrimage  
After some & some named it otherwise  
And call it the time of dangerous passage  
And some time of were that fully hit despise  
But what so it be named I will the advice  
Remember it well and print it in thy mind  
whereof the figure mayst thou me behind   

And else remember thyself in thine heart  
How Vice & Virtue daily them occupy  
In manner one of hem him to pervert  
Another to bring him to endless glory  
Thus they continue fight for the victory  
Hit is no need hereof to tell the more  
For in this short vision thou hast seen it before   

And as for Atropos grievous complaint  
Unto the goddies betokeneth no more  
But only to show the how friendly constraint  
On a steadfast heart weigheth full sore  
Good will requireth good will again therefore  
discord to death hath ay been a friend  
For discord bringeth many to her end   

wherefore death thought he would avenged be  
On his friends quarrel if that he might  
For her great unkindness in so much as she  
was among 'em all had so in despite  
And at that banquet made of so light  
which caused him among hem to cast in a bone  
That found them gnawing enough everichone   

Thus oft is seen oo friend for another  
will say & do and some time matters feign  
And also kynnysmen a cousin or a brother  
will for his aly ere he have cause complain  
And where that he loveth do his busy pain  
His friends matter as his own to take  
which oft sith causeth mochyll sorrow awake   

Be hit right or wrong he chargeth not a mite  
As toward that point he taketh little heed  
So that he may have his froward appetite  
Performed he careth not how his soul speed 
Nota   
Of God or devil have such little dread  
How be it one there is that lord is of all  
which to every wight at last reward shall   

And as for the battle between Vice & Virtue hold  
So plainly appeareth to the inwardly  
To make exposition thereof new or old  
were but superfluity there fore refuse hit I  
In man shall thou find that were kept daily  
Like as thou hast seen it fowtyne before thy face  
The picture me behind showeth it in little space   

And as for Macrocosm it is no more to say  
But the less world to the common intent  
which applied is to man both night & day  
So is man the field to which all were sent  
On both parties & they that thither went  
signify no more but after the condition  
Of every manes opinion   

And as for the noble knight perseverance  
which gate the field when it was almost gone  
Betokeneth nomere but the continuance  
Of virtuous living till death hath overgone  
who so will do rewarded is anon  
As Virtue was with the crown on hy  
which is no more but everlasting glory   

And as for Prestyence & predestination  
That each of 'em rewarded after his desert  
Is to understand no more but damnation  
To vicious people is the very scourge smart  
Reward for they fro Virtue would pervert  
And endless joy is to 'em that be elect  
Rewarded & to all that follow the same sect   

And as for the keys of the posterns five  
which were to Morpleus rewarded for his labour  
signify not else but while man is on live  
His five inward wits shall be every hour  
In his sleep occupied in hele & in languor  
with fantasies trifles illusions & dreams  
which poets call Morpleus streams   

And as for recidivation is no more to say  
But after confession turning again to sin  
which to every man returneth sanuz delay  
To vicious living again him to win  
while any man liveth will it never blin  
That cursed conclusion for to bring about  
But Reason with Sadness keep it still out   

Here hast thou properly the very sentence  
Heard now declared of this vision  
The picture also giveth clear intelligence  
Thereof beholden with good discretion  
Look well about and take consyderasyon  
As I have declared whether it so be  
A sir quoth Morpleus what told I the   

Hast thou not now thine hearts desire  
Look on you wall yonder before  
And all that time stood I in a wire  
which way first mine heart would give more  
To look in a study stood I therefore  
Nevertheless at last as Morpleus me bad  
I looked forward with countenance sad   

where I beheld in portraiture  
The manner of the field even as it was  
showed me before & every creature  
On both sides being drawing in small space  
So curyously in so little a compass  
In all this world was never thing wrought  
Hit were impossible in earth to be thought   

And when I had long behold that picture  
what qd Morpleus how long shalt thou look  
Daring as a dastard on you portraiture  
Come of for shame thy wit stant a croak  
I hearing that mine heart to me took  
Toward the fourth wall turning my visage  
where I saw poets & Philosophers sage   

Many one more than at the banquet  
Screwed the gods as I laid before  
Some were made standing & some in chayris set  
Some looking on books as they had studied sore  
Some drawing almenakis & in her hands bore  
Astyrlabes taking the altitude of the son  
Among whom Dyogenes sat in a ton   

And as I was looking on that fourth wall  
Of Dyogenes beholding the image  
suddenly Doctrine began me to call  
And bade me turn toward her my visage  
And so then I died with humble courage  
what thinkest thou she said hast thou not th'intent  
yet of these four walls what they represent   

The picture on the first that standeth at my bake  
showeth the the present time of pilgrimage  
Of which before I unto the spoke  
which is the time of dangerous passage  
The second dyscrettly again my visage  
The time expresseth of deviation  
while paynim law had the domination   

The third wall standing on my lift hand  
The time representeth of revocation  
And the fourth standing on my right hand  
determineth the time of reconciliation  
This is the effect of thy vision  
wherefore the needeth no more thereon to muse  
Hit were but vain thy wits to dysuse   

But during the time of reconciliation  
Thy time of pilgrimage look well thou spend 
Nota   
And then well gracious predestination  
Bring the to glory at thy last end  
And even with that came to my mind  
My first conclusion that I was about  
To have driven ere sleep made me to lout   

That is to say how sensuality  
with Reason to accord might be brought about  
which caused me to kneel down on my knee  
And beseek Doctrine determine that doubt  
Do lord god said Doctrine canst thou not without  
Me that conclusion bring to an end  
Far is fro the wit & ferther good mend   

And even with that death 'gan appear  
Showing himself as though that he would  
His dart have occupied within that herbere  
But there was none for him young nor old  
Save only I Doctrine him told  
And when I heard her with him common thus  
I me withdrew behind Morpleus   

Dreading full sore least he with his dart  
thorough doctrines words any entresse  
In me would have had or claimed any part  
which should have caused me great heaviness  
within which time & short process  
Came thither Reason and sensuality  
A quoth Doctrine right welcome be ye   

Hit is not long sith we of you spoke  
Ye must ere ye go determine a doubt  
And even with that she the matter broke  
To them & told it every where about  
I would have be thence if I had moute  
For fere I looked as black as a coal  
I would have cropen in a mouse hole   

what quoth Doctrine where is he now  
That moved this matter strange & dyffuse  
He is a coward I make mine avow  
He hided his heed his motion to refuse  
Blame him not qd Reason always that to use  
when he seeth death so near at his hand  
Yet is his part him to withstand   

Or at the lest way else fro him flee  
As long as he may who doth otherwise  
Is an idiot quoth Sensualytee  
who dreadeth not death wise men him despise  
what said Doctrine how long hath this guise  
Be holden & used thus a twixe you twain  
ye were not wont to accord certain   

yes quoth Reason in this point always  
To every man have we yeven our counsel  
death for to flee as long as they may  
All though we otherwise have done our travail  
Each other to repress yet without fail  
In that point only discordeth we never  
Thus condescended therein be we for ever   

A ha' said Doctrine then is the conclusion  
clearly determined of the great doubt  
That here was moved & half in derision  
She me then called & bade me look out  
Come forth she said & fear not this rout  
And even with that Reason & sensuality  
And death fro thence were vanished all three   

Then looked I forth as Doctrine me bad  
when death was gone me thought I was bold  
To show myself but yet was I sad  
Me thought my doubt was not as I would  
clearly and openly declared & told  
Hit swooned to me as a parable  
dark as a mist or a feigned fable   

And Doctrine my conceit 'gan espy  
wherefore said she standest thou so still  
wherein is thy thought art thou in study  
Of thy question hast thou not thy fill  
To the declared tell me thy will  
heardest thou not Reason & sensuality  
Declared thy doubt here before the   

For sooth quoth I. I heard what they said  
But nevertheless my wit is so thin  
And also of death I was so afraid  
That hit is out where it went in  
And so that matter can I not win  
without your help & benevolence  
Thereof to express the verray sentence   

well quoth Doctrine then give attendance  
Unto my words & thou shalt here  
Openly declared the concordance  
At ween sensuality & Reason in fere  
If thou take heed it clearly doth apere  
How they were knit in one opinion  
Both again death held contradiction   

which concordance no more syguyfyeth  
To plain understanding but in every mane  
Both sensuality & Reason applieth  
Rather death to flee then with it to be ta'en  
Loo in that point accord they holly then  
And in all other they clearly discord  
Thus is truly set thy doubtful monacorde   

I hearing that kneeled on my knee  
And thanked her lowly for her discipline  
That she wouchesafe of her benygnyce  
Of though great doubts me to enlumyne  
well was she worthy to be called Doctrine  
If it had be no more but for the solution  
Of my demand & of this strange vision   

And as I with mine heed began for to bow  
As me well ought to do her reverence  
She thence departed I can not tell how  
But within a moment gone was she thence  
Then said Morpleus let us go hens  
what should we here tarry lengere  
Hast thou not heard a general answer   

To all thy matters that thou list to move  
My time draweth near that I must rest  
And even therewith he took me by the sleeve  
And said go we hens for that should I best  
As good is enough as a great fest  
Thou hast seen enough hold the content  
And even with that forth with him I went   

Till he had me brought again to my bed  
where he me found and then privily  
He stolen away I could not understand  
where he became but suddenly  
As he came he went I tell you verily  
which done fro sleep I 'gan to awake  
My body all in sweat began for to shake   

For dread of the sight that I had seen  
weening to me all had be true  
Actuelly done where I had been  
That battle hold between Vice & virtue  
But when I see it. it was but a whew  
A dream a fantasy & a thing of nought  
To study thereon I had no more thought   

Till at the last I 'gan me bethink  
For what cause showed was this vision  
I knew not wherefore I took pen & ink  
And paper thereof to make mention  
In writing taking consideration  
That no default were found in me  
whereon accused I ought for to be   

For sloth that I had left hit untold  
Neither by mouth nor in remembrance  
Put it in writing where thorough manifold  
ways of accusation might torn me to grievance  
All this I saw as I lay in a trance  
But whether it was with mine eye bodily  
Or not in certain god knoweth & not I   

That to discern I purpose not to deal  
So large by my will it longeth not to me  
were hit dream or vision for your own weal  
All that shall it read here rad or see  
Take thereof the best & let the worst be  
Try out the corn clean from the chaff  
And then may ye say ye have a sure staff   

To stand by at need if ye will it hold  
And walk by the way of Virtue his lore  
But alway beware be ye young or old  
That your free-will ay to Virtue more  
Apply than to Vice the easier may be boar  
The burden of the field that ye daily fight  
Again your. three enemies for all her great might   

That is to say the devil & the Flesh  
And also the world with his glozing cheer  
which on you looketh ever new & fresh  
But he is not as he doth apere  
Look ye keep you ay out of his daungere  
And so the victory shall ye obtain  
Vice fro you exiled & Virtue in you rain   

And then shall ye have the triumphal guerdon  
That god reserved to every creature  
Above in his celestial mansion  
joy & bliss infinite eternally to endure  
whereof we say we would fain be sure  
But the way thitherward to hold be we loath  
That oft sith causeth the good lord to be wroth   

And by our desert our habitation changeth  
From joy to pain & woe perpetuelly  
From his glorious sight thus he us estraungeth  
For our vicious living thorough our own folly  
wherefore let us pray to that lord of glory  
while we in earth be that he will give us grace  
So us here to guide that we may have a place   

According to our regeneration  
with heavenly spirits his name to mahnyfy  
which down descendeth for our redemption  
Offering himself on the cross to his fad on hy  
Now benign Ihesu that born was of Mary  
All that to this vision have given her audience  
Grant eternal joy after thy last sentence   
AMEN   

¶ Here endeth a little Tratyse named Le assemble de dyeus  
 printer's device of Wynkyn de Worde