A new Interlude, never before this time imprinted, entreating of the Life and Repentance of Marie Magdalene: not only godly, learned and fruitful, but also well furnished with pleasant mirth and pastime, very delectable for those which shall hear or read the same. Made by the learned clerk Lewis Wager.  
The names of the Players.  

Infidelity the Vice.  
Marry Magdalene.  
Pride of life.  
cupidity.  
Carnal Concupiscence.  
Simon the Pharisie.  
Malicious judgement.  
The Law.  
Knowledge of sin.  
Christ jesus.  
faith.  
Repentance.  
justification.  
love.   
Four may easily play this Interlude.  
Imprinted at London, by john Charlewood, dwelling in Barbican, at the sign of the half Eagle and the Key. Anno. 1566.   

The Prologue.  
Nulla tam modesta felicitas est  
Quae malignantis dentes vitare possit.  
NO state of man, he it never so modest,  
Never so unrebukable and blameless,  
No person, be he never so good and honest▪  
Can escape at any season now harmless,  
But the wicked teeth of such as be shameless,  
Are ready most maliciously him for to bite,  
Like as Ualerius in his fourth book doth write.  
We and other persons have exercised  
This comely and good faculty a long season,  
Which of some have been spitefully despised,  
Wherefore I think they can allege no reason,  
Where affect ruleth, there good judgement is geason.  
They never learned the verse of Horace doubtless,  
Nec tua laudabis ●●●dia, aut aliena reprehends,  
Thou shalt neither praise thine own industry,  
Nor yet the labour of other men reprehend,  
The one proceedeth of a proud arrogancy,  
And the other from envy, which doth discommend,  
All things that virtuous persons do intend.  
For evil will never said well, they do say,  
And worse tongues were never heard before this day.  
I marvel why they should detract our faculty:  
We have ridden and gone many sundry ways,  
Yea, we have used this feat at the university,  
Yet neither wise nor learned would it dispraise:  
But it hath been perceived ever before our days.  
That fools love nothing worse than fools to be called,  
A horse will kick if you touch where he is galled.  
Doth not our faculty learnedly extol virtue?  
Doth it not teach, God to be praised above all thing▪  
What faculty doth vice more earnestly subdue?  
Doth it not teach true obedience to the king?  
What godly sentences to the mind doth it bring?  
I say, there was never thing invented  
More worth, for man's solace to be frequented,  
Hypocrites that would not have their faults revealed  
Imagine slander our faculty to let,  
feign would they have their wickedness still concealed  
Therefore maliciously against us they be set,  
O (say they) much money they do get.  
Truly I say, whether you give halfpence or pence,  
Your gain shallbe double, before you depart hence.  
Is wisdom no more worth than a penny trow you?  
Scripture calleth the price thereof incomparable.  
Here may you learn godly Sapience now,  
Which to body and soul shall be profitable▪  
To no person truly we covet to be chargeable,  
For we shall think to have sufficient recompense,  
If ye take in good worth our simple diligence.  
In this matter which we are about to recite,  
The ignorant may learn what is true believe,  
Whereof the Apostles of Christ do largely write,  
Whose instructions here to you we will give,  
Here an example of penance the heart to grieve,  
May be learned, a love which from Faith doth spring,  
Authority of Scripture for the same we will bring.  
Of the Gospel we shall rehearse a fruietfull story,  
Written in the vii of Luke with words plain  
The story of a woman that was right sorry  
For that she had spent her life in sin vile and vain,  
By Christ's preaching she was converted again,  
To be truly penitent by her fruits she declared,  
And to show herself a sinner she never spared.  
Her name was called Mary of Magdalene,  
So named of the title of her possession,  
Out of her Christ rejected vii spirits unclean,  
As Mark and Luke make open profession.  
Doctors of high learning, wit, and discretion,  
Of her divers and many sentences do write,  
Which in this matter we intent now to recite.  
Of the place aforesaid, with the circumstance,  
Only in this matter (God willing) we will treat.  
Where we will show that great was her repentance,  
And that her love towards Christ was also as great.  
Her sin did not her conscience so grievously fret,  
But that Faith erected her heart again to believe,  
That God for Christ's sake would all her sins forgive.  
We desire no man in this point to be offended,  
In that virtues with vice we shall here introduce,  
For in men and women they have depended:  
And therefore figuratively to speak, it is the use.  
I trust that all wise men will accept our excuse.  
Of the Preface for this season here I make an end,  
In godly mirth to spend the time we do intend.  
The end of the Preface.   

An Interlude of the Repentance  Here entereth Infidelity the vice. Infidelity. 
WIth heigh down down and down a down a,  
salvator mundi Domine, Kyrieleyson,  
Ite Missa est, with pipe up hallelujah.  
Sed libera nos à malo, and so let us be at one.  
Then every man brought in his own dish,  
Lord God we had wonderful good fare,  
I warrant you there was plenty of flesh and fish,  
Go to, I beshrew your heart and if you spare.  
A gods name I was set up at the high deace,  
Come up sir, said every body unto me:  
Like an honest man I had the first meace,  
Glad was he that might my proper person see.  
When we had dined, every man to horseback,  
And so up unto the mount of calvary,  
I trow you never heard of such a knack,  
Much woe had some of us to scape the pillory.  
But when we came to high jerusalem,  
Who then but I master Infidelity?  
Marry I was not so called among them,  
No, I have a name more nigher the verity.  
In jury, mosaical justice is my name,  
I would have them justified by the law,  
It is plain infidelity to believe the same,  
What then? from the faith I do them withdraw.  
There is one come into the country of late,  
Called Christ the son of God, the jews Messiah  
Of the kingdom of God he beginneth to prate,  
But he shall never bring his purpose to pass,  
No, I Infidelity stick so much in the jews hearts,  
That his doctrine and wonders they will not believe,  
I warrant that the chief rulers in these parts,  
Will devise somewhat his body to mischief.  
Infidelity, no beware of me Infidelity,  
Like as Faith is the root of all goodness,  
So am I the head of all iniquity,  
The well and spring of all wickedness.  
Marry sir, yet I convey my matters clean,  
Like as I have a viso of virtue,  
So my imps, which unto my person do lean,  
The viso of honesty doth endue.  
As these, Pride I use to call cleanliness,  
Envy I colour with the face of prudence,  
Wrath putteth on the coat of manliness,  
Covetise is profit in every man's sentence.  
Sloth or idleness I paint out with quiet,  
Gluttony or excess I name honest cheer,  
Lechery used for many men's diet,  
I set on with the face of love both far and near.  
How say you to Infidelity once again?  
Infidelity all men's hearts do occupy:  
Infidelity now above true Faith doth remain,  
And shall do to the worlds end, I think verily.  
Yea, that same Messiah doth many things,  
Yet I will so occupy the ruler's minds,  
Both of bishops, pharisees, elders and kings,  
That few or none of them shallbe his friends.  Here entereth Mary Magdalene, trifling with her garments. Marry Magdalene. 
I beshrew his heart naughty foolish knave,  
The most bungarliest tailors in this country,  
That be in the world I think, so God me save,  
Not a garment can they make for my degree.  
Have you ever seen an overbody thus sit?  
Now a mischief on his drunken knaves ear▪  
The knaves drink till they have lost their wit,  
And then they mar utterly a body's gear.  
I had liefer than twenty shillings by this light  
That I had him here now in my fume and heat.  
What, I am ashamed to come in any man's sight,  
Think you in the waste I am so great?  
Nay by gis twenty shillings I dare hold,  
That there is not a gentlewoman in this land,  
More proper than I in the waste I dare be bold,  
They be my garments that so bungarly do stand.  
Beshrew his heart once again with all my heart,  
Is this gear no better than to cast away?  
Let him trust to it, I will make him to smart.  
For marring of my gear he shall surely pay.  Infidelity. 
God forbid mistress Mary, & you so tender & young  
For marring of your gear he is greatly to blame.  Mary. 
What have you to do, hold your babbling tongue,  
Have you any thing to do with the same?  Infidelity. 
These unhappy tailors I trow be accursed,  
Most commonly when they make gentlewomen's gear  
In the mids they set the piece that is worst.  
Yea that is the fashion of them every where.  
The worst piece is in the midst of your garment,  
And it is pieced into it so unhappily,  
That by my truth it is past amendment,  
Meddle with it, and you spill it utterly.  Mary. 
Speak you in earnest, or I pray you do you mock▪  
Trow you that my garment can not be amended?  Infidelity. 
Mock? I know that you come of a worshipful stock  
He that mocketh you ought to be reprehended.  
Of tailors craft I tell you I have some skill,  
And if I should meddle with the piece that is in the midst,  
I should make it worse or at the least as ill:  
Therefore to let it alone as it is, I judge it best,  
nought it is, and so you may wear it out,  
Though it be new, it will be soon worn.  Mary. 
It were almose to hang such a foolish lout,  
All they that see me now, will laugh me to scorn,  
No gentlewoman is ordered in this wise,  
My maidens on the other side are such sluts,  
That if I should not for mine own clothes devise,  
Within a while they would not be worth a couple of nuts  Infidelity. 
Of my troth it were pity in mine opinion  
But that your gear should be well trimmed,  
For you are well favoured, and a pretty minion,  
Feat, clean made, well compact, and aptly limbed.  
In jerusalem there is not I dare say,  
A sweeter countenance, nor a more loving face,  
Fresh and flourishing as the flowers in May,  
I have not seen a gentlewoman of a more goodly grace  
Your parents I know, were very honourable,  
Which have left you worshipfully to live here,  
And certainly I judge it very commendable.  
That with your own you can make good cheer.  Mary. 
I thank you for your good word gentle friend,  
And forasmuch as you did know my parents,  
I can no less do than love you with all my mind,  
Ready to do you pleasure at your commandements.  Infidelity. 
Verba puellatum foliis leviora caducis,  
The promise of maidens, the Poet doth say,  
Be as stable as a weak leaf in the wind,  
Like as a small blast bloweth a feather away,  
So a fair word truly changeth a maiden's mind.  
Forsooth I thank you, O loving worm, good lord,  
Yea, I knew your father's state and condition,  
The nobility of jury can bear me record,  
That he was a man of a worshipful disposition.  
I wis mistress Marie, I had you in mine arms,  
Before you were iii years of age without doubt,  
I preserved you many times from sore harms,  
Which in your childhood your enemies went about.  
A gentlewoman of noble birth as I do think  
Should have servants always at her commandment,  
You are able to give to many both meat and drink,  
Yea honest wages, and also necessary raiment.  Mary. 
I perceive right well that you own me good will,  
Tendering my worshipful state and dignity:  
You see that I am young and can little skill  
To provide for mine own honour and utility.  
Wherefore I pray you in all things counsel to have,  
After what sort I may lead a pleasant life here,  
And look what it pleaseth you of me to crave,  
I will give it you gladly, as it shall appear.  Infidelity. 
Say you so mistress Mary, will you put me in trust  
In faith I will tell you, you can not trust a wiser,  
You shall live pleasantly, even at your heart's lust,  
If you make me your counsellor and deviser.  
Remember that you are young and full of dalliance  
Lusty, courageous, fair, beautiful and wise.  
I will have you to attempt all kinds of pastance,  
Using all pleasure at your own hearts devise.  
Do you think that it is not more than madness,  
The lusty and pleasant life of a man's youth,  
Miserably to pass away in study and sadness,  
It is extreme folly mistress Mary for a truth.  
Be ye merry, and put away all fantasies,  
One thing is this, you shall never be younger in deed,  
Your bodily pleasure I would have you to exercise,  
Sure you are of worldly substance never to need.  Mary. 
Certainly my parents brought me up in childhood,  
In virtuous qualities, and godly literature,  
And also they bestowed upon me much good  
To have me nourtred in noble ornature.  
But evermore they were unto me very tender,  
They would not suffer the wind on me to blow,  
My requests they would always to me render,  
Whereby I knew the good will that to me they did owe.  
At their departing, their goods they distributed  
Among us their children, whom they did well love.  
But me as their darling, they most reputed,  
And gave me the greatest part, as it did behove.  Infidelity. 
Puellae pestis, indulgentia parentum,  
Of parents the tender and carnal sufferance,  
Is to young maidens a very pestilence.  
It is a provocation and furtherance,  
Unto all lust and fleshly concupiscence.  
O mistress Mary, your parents did see,  
That you were beautiful and well favoured:  
They did right well as it seemeth me,  
That so worshipfully they have you furthered.  
As I understand, you have in your possession  
The whole castle of Magdalene, with the purtenance,  
Which you may rule at your discretion,  
And obtain thereby riches in abundance.  
O what worldly pleasure can you want,  
What commodities have you of your own?  
About jerusalem is not such a plant,  
As to me and many other is well known,  
It were decent I say, to use the fruition  
Of such richesse as is left you here,  
You never heard in any erudition,  
But that one with his own should make good cheer.  Mary. 
By my troth so would I, if I perfectly knew  
Which way I should good cheer making begin,  
A lusty disposition from me doth ensue:  
But without council, I am not worth a pin.  Infidelity. 
Council? in you shall want no council in deed,  
I know where a certain company is,  
Which can give such council in time of need,  
That you following them can never speed amiss.  Mary. 
Now I pray you help me to that company,  
And look what I am able to do for your pleasure,  
You shall have it I promise you verily,  
Yea, whether it be lands, gold, or treasure.  Infidelity. 
The truth is so, they whom now I speak of,  
Are persons of great honour and nobility,  
Fellows that love neither to dally nor scoff,  
But at once will tell you the verity.  Mary. 
Men of honour say you? tell me I you desire,  
Can you cause them trow you shortly to be here?  
I will go and provide some other attire,  
That according to my birth I may appear.  Infidelity. 
Birth? faith of my body, you are well arrayed,  
I warrant you with these clothes they will be content  
They had liefer have you naked, be not afraid,  
Then with your best holy day garment.  Mary. 
You are a merry man in deed, you are a wanton,  
I will go and return again by and by,  
As I am, I would with all my heart be known,  
So that I might be pleasant to every man's eye.  Infidelity. 
I pray you hearty that I may be so bold  
To have a kiss or two before you do departed,  Mary. 
If a kiss were worth a hundred pound of gold,  
You should have it even with my very heart. Exit.  Infidelity. 
I thank you mistress Mary by my maydenhood,  
Lord what a pleasant kiss was this of you?  
Take her with you, I warrant you will never be good  
She is given to it, I make God avow.  
And I trow I shall help to set her forward.  
Shortly my offspring and I shall her so dress,  
That neither law nor prophets she shall regard,  
No though the son of God to her them express.  
Infidelity is my name, you know in deed,  
properly I am called the Serpent's seed,  
Look in whose heart my father Satan doth me sow  
There must all iniquity and vice needs grow,  
The conscience where I dwell is a receptacle,  
For all the devils in hell to have their habitacle,  
You shall see, that Mary's heart within short space,  
For the devil himself shall be a dwelling place,  
I will so dress her, that there shall not be a worse.  
To her the devil at pleasure shall have his recourse.  
I will go and prepare for her such a company,  
As shall poison her with all kinds of villainy.  Here entereth Pride of life, cupidity, and Carnal Concupiscence. Pride. 
Whether art thou going now Infidelity▪  Infidelity. 
Pride of Life now welcome, the spring of iniquity,  
O pride of life, thou never usest to go alone,  
give me your hands also I pray you one by one.  
Welcome pride of life with my whole heart & mind,  
And thou art welcome cupidity mine own friend:  
What, mynikin carnal concupiscence,  
Thou art welcome hearty by my conscience.  Pride. 
To see thee merry Infidelity I am right glad.  Cupiditi 
When Infidelity is in health, I can not be sad.  Carnal concupiscence. 
infidelity? O Infidelity, mine own infidelity,  
I am glad to see thee merry now for a surety,  
I marvel what thou dost in this place alone,  
I thought that out of jury thou hadst been gone.  Infidelity. 
Out of jury? no carnal lust to thee I may tell  
That with the chief princes now I do dwell:  
The bishops, priests and pharisees do me so retain,  
That the true sense of the law they do disdain.  Pride of life. 
In faith there is some knavery in mind,  
That here by thyself alone we do thee find.  Cupiditi 
Infidelity in our father's cause is occupied,  
As within a while it shall be verified.  Infidelity. 
Am I▪ you would say so if ye knew all,  
I was going forth you to call,  
Know you not a wench called Mary Magdalene?  Pride. 
Do I know her? she is a pretty wench and a clean.  
Since she had discretion her have I known,  
Marry Magdalen (quoth he) in deed she is mine own  
It is as proud a little girl truly I think,  
As ever men saw in this world eat or drink.  Cupiditi 
And somewhat to do with her now and then I have  
I allure her for her own profit always to save.  
I have dressed her so well truly I believe,  
That already for God's sake nothing she will give.  Earnall concu. 
For my part in her I have kindled such a fire,  
That she beginneth to burn in carnal desire.  Infidelity. 
Tush, as yet you have but her mind moved,  
Whom she may forsake if she be reproved:  
But I would have her cleave unto you so fast.  
That she shall not forsake you while her life doth last  Pride. 
If thou be once rooted within the heart,  
Then mayst thou make an entrance by thy craft & art  
So that we may come into her at pleasure,  
Filling her with wickedness beyond all measure.  
In us tour without fail be contained  
As many vices as ever in this world reigned.  
Now if we by thy means may in her remain,  
She shall be sure all kinds of vices to contain.  Car. con 
Within myself you know that I contain a sort,  
Which by name before you here I will report.  
My name is carnal concupiscence or desire,  
Which all the pleasures of the flesh doth require.  
First the flesh to nourish with drink and meat  
Without abstinence like a beast always to eat,  
To quasse and drink when there is no necessity,  
joying in excess, belly cheer, and ebriety.  
I contain in myself all kind of lechery,  
Fornication, whoredom, and wicked adultery,  
Rape, incest, sacrilege, softness, and bestiality,  
Blindness of mind, with every such quality,  
Inconstancy, headiness, and inconsideration,  
After the hearts poison and filthy communication,  
So then to the hate of God I do them bring,  
Causing a love in himself inordinately to spring.  
These and such like I contain in my person.  
Thus you see that carnal lust goeth never alone.  Infidelity. 
Thou hast reckoned an abominable rabble,  
Where thou dwellest, the devil may have a stable.  Cupiditi 
With thee I may boldly compare I trow,  
For as many vices in me as in thee do grow.  
You know that my name is called cupidity,  
Whom Scripture calleth the root of all iniquity,  
Infidelity in deed is the seed of all sin,  
But cupidity openeth the gate, and letteth him in:  
I contain theft, deceit in selling and buying,  
Perjury, rapine, dissimulation, and lying.  
Hardiness of heart otherwise called inhumanity,  
Inquietnesse of mind falsehood and vanity,  
In me is all vengeance envy rancour and ire.  
Murder, war, treason, and greedy desire.  
I contain the wicked vices of usury,  
Dice and card playing with all kind of injury.  
What mischief was there ever yet or sin,  
But that cupidity did it first of all begin?  Infidelity. 
There can not be a more filthy place in hell,  
Than that is, where as cupidity doth dwell.  Cupiditi 
Yea, there is impiety, the contempt of God's law,  
His word is no more regarded than a vile straw.  Pride of life. 
You contain vices very wicked in deed,  
But how wicked is he, from whom all sin doth proceed:  
The beginning of sin, which doth man from god divide  
Scripture calleth it nothing else but pride.  
For I myself not only contain you three,  
But all vices in you, and that in every degree,  
Pride despiseth God, and committeth idolatry  
To God and man Pride is a very adversary,  
I am full of boasting, arrogancy, and vainglory,  
Envious, and of all other men's wealth right sorry:  
Pride causeth obstinacy, and disobedience,  
Yea, it engendereth idleness and negligence,  
The truth of God's prophets through tyrants of pride  
Hath ever unto this day been cast aside:  
The men of God pride hath spitefully reputed,  
And with tyrants always the same persecuted.  
Pride would never suffer any virtue to reign,  
But oppressed it with great malice and disdain.  
In a short sum & few words you shall know all,  
Pride caused Lucifer from heaven to hell to fall.  
Yea pride lost mankind, and did him so infect,  
That God from his favour did him away reject,  
Where as pride is, a token it is evident,  
That all other vices be even there resident.  Infidelity. 
Where as you and all your offspring doth dwell,  
There is a place for all the devils in hell:  
And plain it is, where as is such filthy sin,  
There even in this world their hell doth begin.  
By such time as with us Mary be furnished,  
With the devil himself she shall be replenished.  Pride. 
In our tragedy we may not use our own names,  
For that would turn to all our rebukes and shames.  Infidelity. 
Pride with all thy abominable store,  
At this time must be called Nobility and honour.  Cupiditi 
Very well, for these women that be vicious,  
Are always high minded and ambitious.  Concupiscence. 
Never woman that could play a harlot's part,  
Was either humble, or yet meek in heart.  Infidelity. 
Yea and the same loved always cupidity,  
Therefore thy name shall be called Utility.  Pride. 
For him a better name you could not express,  
For ill disposed women are always merciless.  Car. concupiscence 
They are always scraping, clawing, & gathering,  
To maintain their lives in wickedness and sin.  Infidelity. 
Carnal concupiscence shallbe called pleasure,  
And that pretty Marie loveth beyond all measure.  Pride. 
Infidelity may not be called infidelity.  Infidelity. 
No, we will work with a little more austerity,  
Infidelity for divers respects hath names divers,  
Of the which some of them to you I purpose to rehearse  
With bishops, priests, scribes, seniors and pharisees,  
And with as many as be of the jews degrees,  
I am called Legal justice commonly:  
For why by the law themselves they do justify.  
It is plain Infidelity so to believe:  
Therefore there, such a name to myself I do give.  
I have a garment correspondent to that name,  
By the which I walk among them without blame.  
With publicans and sinners of a carnal pretence,  
I am sometime called counsel, and sometime Prudence.  
I cause them the wisdom of God to despise,  
And for the flesh and the world wittily to devise,  
Prudence before Marie my name I will call.  
Which to my suggestions will cause her to fall:  
A vesture I have here to this garment correspondent,  
Lo here it is, a gown I trow convenient.  Pride. 
For our honour I pray thee hearty do it wear.  Infidelity. 
Marry did talk with me before in this gear,  
But because she shall the sooner to me apply,  
put on a gown & a cap. I will dress me in these garments even by and by.  
How think you by me now in this array?  
Mary loveth them I tell you, that use to go gay.  Cupiditi 
Then hadst thou need to mend thy foolish countenance  
For thou lookest like one that hath lost his remembrance  Car. concupiscece 
With the one eye overmuch thou usest to wink,  
That thou meanest some fraud thereby they will think  
He that looketh with one eye, & winketh with an other,  
I would not trust (say they) if he were my brother.  Infidelity. 
Like obstinate Friars I temper my look,  
Which had one eye on a wench, and an other on a book  
Passion of God, behold, yonder cometh Marie.  
See that in your tales none from other do vary.  Pride. 
It is a pretty wench that it is in deed,  
Much to entreat her, I think we shall not need.  Cupiditi 
No, for I think she is ill enough of herself,  
She seemeth to be a proud little elf.  Car. concupiscence 
I pray you behold how she trimmeth her gear?  
She would have all well about her every where.  Mary. 
Maidens (quoth she?) there is no gentlewoman I ween  
So accumbred as I am, for such were never seen:  
Fie on them in good faith they are to bad,  
They would make some gentlewoman stark mad.  
Like as I put of my gear, so I do it find,  
And I can not tell how oft I have told them my mind,  
By the faith of my body if they do not amend,  
To lay them on the bones surely I do intend.  Infidelity. 
Maxima quaequae domus, servis est plena superbis,  
Every great house, as the Poet doth say,  
Is full of naughty servants both night and day.  Mary 
You say truth sir in deed, what old acquaintance?  
Now forsooth you were out of my remembrance:  
You have changed your array since I was here,  
I am glad to see you merry and of a good cheer.  Infidelity. 
And I of yours mistress Mary with heart & mind  
It is a joy to see a gentlewoman so loving and kind  
Shall I be so bold to kiss you at our meeting?  Mary. 
What else? it is an honest manner of greeting.  Infideli. 
Pleaseth it you to bid these gentlemen welcome?  Mary. 
Yea forsooth, are they hearty all and some.  
I will kiss you all for this gentleman's sake,  
He is a friend of mine as I do him take.  Pride. 
He is in deed, you may be sure mistress Mary,  
There is no man living can say the contrary.  Cupiditi 
He hath been diligent to seek us together,  
And for your sake he hath caused us to come hither.  Car. concupiscence 
I dare say thus much, that he is your friend,  
For he loveth you with his whole heart and mind.  
He hath been diligent about your cause,  
As it had been his own, and would never pause,  
Till he had performed his desired request.  Mary. 
Which I am able to say is very honest.  
A gentle friend at so little acquaintance,  
Will you looke so much unto my furtherance?  
It seemeth then if by me you had been benefited,  
You would have my kindness gently requited.  Infidelity. 
Quo magis tegitur, magis aestuat ignis  
The more closely that you keep fire, no doubt  
The more fervent it is when it breaketh out.  Mary. 
Well friend, I know what you mean by that verse  
What I will do for you at this time I will not rehearse  
But in one thing truly I am much to blame,  
That all this time I have not inquired your name.  Infidelity. 
Sweet mistress Mary, I am called Prudence,  
Or else Counsel, full of wisdom and science,  
Here unto you, honourable Honour I have brought,  
A person always to be in your mind and thought,  
And this person is named Utility,  
Very profitable for your commodity,  
Pleasure is the name of this Minion,  
Convenient for you forsooth in mine opinion.  Mary. 
Prudence, Honour, Utility, and Pleasure,  
Oh who would desire in this world more treasure,  
Gramercy heart of gold for your great pain,  
Truly of necessity, I must kiss you once again.  Infidelity. 
Will you so? that is the thing that have I would,  
Every kiss to me is worth a crown of gold.  Pride. 
Leave kissing, & treat we of matters more earnest.  
Let us reason of things concerning your request.  
Honour is my name, a quality for you requisite,  
Or rather of honour I am an appetite:  
On the which must be all your meditation,  
With the heart's courage and minds elevation:  
I tell you this desire must be ever next your heart.  Infidelity. 
Nay hoa there, backare, you must stand apart,  
You love me best I trow, mistress Mary.  Mary. 
For a hundred pound I would not say the contrary  
And in token Prudence that I love you best,  
Here I join you next unto my heart and breast.  Cupiditi 
If ye embrace one, you must all embrace,  
For our use is to dwell all in one place.  Concupiscence. 
Tush from our purpose always we do digress,  
Let every one of us his qualities express.  Infidelity. 
Agreed, mistress Mary hear you my counsel.  
First, all thought from your heart you must expel.  
Trouble not yourself with any fantasies,  
Never attend you to the law nor prophecies.  
They were invented to make fools afraid,  
Hear them not, for they will make you dismayed.  
God? tush, when was God to any man seen,  
I had not been now alive, if any God had been.  Pride. 
Homo homini Deus.  
Man, is God to man this matter is plain,  
And believe you that none other God doth reign.  Cupiditi 
Man is the beginning of his own operation:  
Ergo then of none other god's creation,  
Man is his own God therefore with utility,  
Let him labour here to live in felicity.  Concupiscence: 
Of many ladies I am certain you have hard,  
Which the people as goddesses did regard:  
And why▪ this was the cause truly in my judgement,  
They had all pleasure here at their commandment,  
So that they lived in joy wealth and prosperity,  
Using all pleasures for their own commodity.  Infidelity. 
To be a goddess yourself truly you must believe,  
And that you may be so, your mind thereto you must give  
All other gods beside yourself you must despise,  
And set at nought their Scripture in any wise.  Pride. 
How say you M. Marry do we not 'gree all in one?  Infideli. 
Surely M. Marry we will make you a Goddess anon.  Mary. 
You please me exceedingly well verily,  
Persons you are of great wit and policy.  Pride. 
You must be proud, lofty, and of high mind,  
Despise the poor, as wretches of an other kind:  
Your countenance is not ladylike enough yet.  
I see well that we had need to teach you more wit.  
Let your eyes roll in your head, declaring your pride,  
After this sort you must cast your eyes aside.  Mary. 
How think you by this manner of countenance?  Pride. 
Convenient for such as be not of your acquaintance.  Cupiditi 
I doubt not but she will do right well her part,  
By that time that all we be fast within her heart,  Carnal concu. 
Mark the garments of other in any wise,  
And be you sure of one of the newest guise.  
Your hair me think is as yellow as any gold,  
Upon your face laid about have it I would.  
Sometime on your forehead the breadth of an hand,  
Sometime let your attire upon your crown stand,  
That all your hair for the most part may be in sight,  
To many a man a fair hair is a great delight.  Infidelity. 
In summer time now and then to keep away flies,  
Let some of that fair hair hang in your eyes:  
With a hot needle you shall learn it to crisp,  
That it may curl together in manner like a wisp.  Mary. 
By my troth you are a merry gentleman,  
I will follow your counsel as much as I can.  Pride. 
By your ears sometimes with pretty tusks & toys  
You shall fold your hair like Tomboys.  
It becometh a young gentlewoman be ye sure,  
And young men unto your love it will allure.  Cupiditi 
If the colour of your hair beginneth for to fade,  
A craft you must have▪ that yellow it may be made,  
With some goldsmith you may yourself acquaint,  
Of whom you may have water your hair for to paint.  Concupiscence. 
Besides goldsmiths water, there is other gear,  
Very good also to colour again the hear,  
Yea, if you were not beautiful of your visage,  
A painter could make you to apere with a lusty courage  
And though you were as aged as any creature,  
A Painter on your face would set such an ornature,  
That you should seem young and very fair,  
And like one whose beauty doth never despair.  Infide. 
M. Marry, had you never the small pox in your youth?  Pride. 
You are a mad fellow Prudence, of a truth.  Marie. 
I pray you M. Prudence▪ wherefore ask you that?  Pride. 
It is like that in you he hath spied somewhat  Car. con 
Alas good gentlewoman, she blushes like coals.  Infidelity. 
In deed about her nose there be little pretty holes,  
Therefore I think that she hath had the pocks,  
I mean good faith without any gauds or mocks.  Mary. 
If there be any faults in my face verily,  
For money I trust shortly to have remedy.  Pride. 
Mistress Mary there is not a fairer in this town.  Infideli. 
Yea by saint Anne she is lovely in colour, but brown.  Car. concupiscence 
If she be not content with that native colour,  
A painter will set on one of more honour.  Infidelity. 
I have known painters that have made old crones  
To appear as pleasant as little pretty young jones.  Pride. 
Let us return again to our ornaments,  
I would have you pleasant always in your garments  
Upon your forehead you must wear a bon grace,  
Which like a penthouse may come far over your face,  
And an other from your nose unto your throat,  
Of velvet at the least, without spot or moat,  
Your garments must be so worn always,  
That your white paps may be seen if you may.  Cupiditi 
If young gentlemen may see your white skin,  
It will allure them to love, and soon bring them in.  Concupiscence. 
Both damsels and wives use many such feats,  
I know them that will lay out their fair teats,  
Purposely men to allure unto their love,  
For it is a thing that doth the heart greatly move.  
At such sights of women I have known men in deed  
That with talking & beholding their noses will bleed▪  
Through great courage moved by such goodly sights▪  
Labouring the matter further with all their mights.  Mary. 
Your words do not only provoke my desire,  
But in pleasure they set my heart on fire.  Infideli. 
Sometime for your pleasure you may wear a past▪  
But above all th●n is gird yourself in the waste,  
Upon your over body you may nothing else wear,  
But an unlived garment without any other gear.  
Let your body be penned, and together strained,  
As hard as may be, though thereby you be pained.  Pride 
Use will make the thing easy there is no doubt.  〈◊〉 
Yea pardie gentlewomen use it now all about.  Infi●●●litie 
Your neither garments must go by gymmes & joints  
Above your buttocks they must be tied on with points.  
Some women a doublet of fine linen use to wear  
Unto the which they tie their other neither gear,  
With wires & hoops your garments must be made,  
Pleasure your minion shall show you in what trade.  〈◊〉 
In the waist I will have ye as small as a wand.  
Yea so small, that a man may span you with his hand.  Infideli 
It skilleth not though in the buttocks you be great  Car. con 
No for there she is like many times to be beat.  Marie. 
Well wantonness well, are ye not ashamed?  Pride. 
In deed mistress, they are worthy to be blamed.  
You must rejoice in your richesses and good,  
And set much by your kindred and noble blood:  
Boast of them, and when of them you do talk,  
Of their commendations let your tongue evermore walk.  
Daily thus, my lord my father, or mi lady my mother  
My lord my uncle, and my master my brother.  Mary. 
I promise you I come of a stock right honourable,  
Therefore my talk of them can not be to commendable.  Infidelity. 
It is a stock (they say) right honourable and good,  
That hath neither these nor whore in their blood.  
No more words: how say you M. here by pleasure?  Mary. 
Forsooth sweet heart. I love him beyond all measure.  Infideli 
Body of god, for this all this while have I wrought?  
By your smirking look ofttimes on him so I thought  
What do you love him better than you love me?  Mary. 
Which of you I should love best truly I can not se.  Infidelity. 
This is a true proverb, and no feigned fable,  
Few women's words, be honest, constant, and stable.  Concupiscence. 
Truly M. Marry if ye love me, there is nothing lost,  
Love they say, ieopardeth all, and spareth for no cost.  
Voluptas autem est sola quae nos vocet ad se,  
Et aliciat suapte natura,  
Pleasure saith one man, of his own nature,  
Allecteth to him every human creature:  
Now what person soever doth pleasure hate,  
As a beast is to be abjected both early and late.  
Let me have a word or two in your ear.  
How say you by that, like you not that pretty gear?  Mary. 
Ha, ha, ha, you are a fond body pleasure verily.  Infidelity. 
Doth he not move you to matrimony?  
Take heed that he bring you not to such dotage,  
For many incommodities truly be in marriage.  Cupiditi 
Semper habent lights, alterque iurgia lectus,  
In quo nupta jacet minimum dormitur in illo,  
The bed wherein lieth any married wife,  
Is never without chiding, brawling, and strife,  
That woman shall never sleep in quiet,  
Which is married contrary to her diet.  Pride. 
Of all bondage truly this is the ground,  
A gentlewoman to one husband to be bound.  Car. con 
Tush mistress Mary, be ye not in subjection,  
Better it is to be at your own election.  
What thing in this world excelleth liberty?  
Neither gold nor treasure for a surety.  
Take you now one, and then an other hardly,  
Such as for the time will to you lovingly apply.  Mary. 
That will be a mean truly to lose my good name.  
And so among the people I shall suffer blame.  Infidelity. 
Ye shall not keep my counsel, if ye can not keep your own  
Can you not make good cheer, but it must be known?  Concupiscence. 
As touching that, I will be to you such a mean,  
As shall teach you always to convey the matter clean  Pride. 
Take you none but gentlemen with velvet coats,  
It is to be thought, that they are not without groats  Cupiditi 
In any wise see that your lovers be young and gay,  
And such fellows as be well able to pay.  Mary. 
Nay truly if I should attempt any such gear,  
I would take where I loved always here and there.  Concupiscence: 
Spoken like a worthy sweet girl by the mass,  
I warrant all this gear will well come to pass.  Infidelity. 
You must ever have a tongue well filed to flatter,  
Let your garments be sprinkled with rose water.  
Use your civet, pommander, musk, which be to sell,  
That the odor of you a mile of, a man may smell,  
With sweet ointments such as you can appoint,  
Use you evermore your proper body to anoint.  Concupiscence. 
With fine meats & pure wines do your body nourish  
That will cause you in all pleasure to flourish:  
And when one for your mind you can espy,  
Use a smiling countenance and a wanton eye.  Pride. 
Upon all such as ye mind not, look you aloft,  
To them that be not of your diet be you not soft.  Mary. 
Ha, ha, ha, laugh▪ now I pray God I die if ever I did see,  
Such pleasant companions as you all be.  
You speak of many things here of pleasure,  
Which to use truly requireth much treasure.  Car. con 
If you can wisely occupy this pretty gear,  
I will warrant you to get an hundred pound a year.  Infidelity. 
Hold up the market, and let them pay for the ware,  
Be ever catching and taking, do you not spare.  Mary. 
I may use dalliance and pastime a while,  
But the courage of youth will soon be in exile.  
I remember yet since I was a little fool,  
That I learned verses when I went to school,  
Which be these: 
Forma bona fragilis est, quantum acce●●t ad anno●▪  
●●t minor, & spacio carpitur illa suo,  
Nec semper viola, nec semper lilia florent,  
Et riget amissa spina relicta rosa.   
The pleasure of youth is a thing right frail,  
And is yearly less, so that at length it doth fail,  
The sweet violets and lilies flourish not always:  
The rose soon drieth, and lasteth not a day.  
I see in other women by very experience,  
That the time of youth hath no long permanence.  Infidelity. 
In good faith when ye are come to be an old maude,  
Than it will be best for you to play the bawd.  
In our country there be such old mother bees,  
Which are glad to cloak bawdry for their fees.  
This is the order, such as were harlots in their youth  
May use to be bawds evermore for a truth.  Pride. 
When the courage of them is altogether past,  
In age they use to get their living with such a cast.  Cupiditi 
Tush, your friends have left you honest possessions,  
Which you may employ after such discretions,  
That a worshipful state you may maintain,  
Besides that, with the other feat you may gain.  
Oppress your tenants, take fines, and raise rents,  
Hold up your houses and lands with their contents.  
Buy by great measure, and sell by small measure,  
This is a way to amplify your treasure:  
Sell your ware for double more than it is worth,  
Though it be stark nought, yet put it forth.  
A thousand casts to enrich you I can tell,  
If you be content to use always my counsel.  Mary. 
Yes by the faith of my body, else I were not wise,  
For my profit is your counsel and devise.  Infidelity. 
How say you mistress Mary, tell us your mind,  
To embrace us & love us can you in your heart find?  Mary. 
Truly heart rote I love you all four with all my heart,  
Trusting that none of us from other shall departed.  
In token whereof, I embrace you in mine arms,  
Trusting that you will defend me from all harms.  Pride. 
Will we? yea we will see so for your prosperity,  
That you shall live in joy and felicity.  Cupiditi 
I will see that you shall have good in abundance,  
To maintain you in all pleasure and dalliance.  Concupiscence. 
And new kinds of pastime I will invent,  
With the which I trust ye shall be content.  Infideli. 
Mistress Mary can you not play on the virginals?  Mary. 
Yes sweet heart that I can, and also on the regals,  
There is no instrument but that handle I can,  
I think as well as any gentlewoman.  Infidelity. 
If that you can play upon the recorder,  
I have as fair a one as any is in this border,  
Truly you have not seen a more goodly pipe,  
It is so big that your hand can it not gripe.  Pride. 
Will you be so good as to play us a dance?  
And we will do you as great pleasure it may chance.  Mary 
Alas we have no such instrument here.  
I know where you may have all such gear.  
No instruments nor pastime that you can require,  
But I can bring you unto it at your desire.  Cupiditi 
Will you take the pain to go before thither?  
And mistress Mary and we will come together.  Infideli. 
How say you mistress Mary, are you content?  Mary. 
Look what you will do, I will thereto assent.  Pride. 
I think it best that we iii departed hence,  
And let mistress Mary come thither with Prudence.  Infidelity. 
Be it so, than you and I will come alone,  
I trust that by the way we will make one,  
Nay M. Marry we must have a song of four parts  
At your departing to rejoice our merry hearts.  Cupiditi 
The triple you shall master Pleasure sing  
So freshly that for joy your heart shall spring.  
Utility can sing the base full clean,  
And Noble Honour shall sing the mean.  Infide. 
Mistress Mary will you help to sing a part?  Mary. 
Yea sweet heart with you with all my heart.  
In faith we will have a song of your name.  Infideli. 
Come sirs, help I pray you to sing the same.  

The song  

hay dery, dery, with a lusty dery,  
Hoigh mistress Mary, I pray you be merry.   

Your pretty person we may compare to Lais,  
A morsel for princes and noble kings,  
In beauty you excel the fair lady Thais,  
You exceed the beautiful Helen in all things,  
To behold your face who can be weary?  
Hoigh mistress Mary, I pray you be merry.  
The hair of your head shineth as the pure gold,  
Your eyes as grey as glass and right amiable,  
Your smiling countenance so lovely to behold,  
〈…〉 all is most pleasant and delectable,  
Of your commendations who can be weary?  
Huffa mistress Mary, I pray you be merry.  
Your lips as ruddy as the red Rose,  
Your teeth as white as ever was the whales bone,  
So clean, so sweet, so fair, so good, so fresh, so gay,  
In all jury truly at this day there is none.  
With a lusty voice sing we hay dery dery.  
Huffa mistress Mary, I pray you be merry.    Mary. 
Such pleasant companions I have not seen before,  
Now I pray you let us dwell together evermore.  Pride. 
To your heart we are so fast conglutinate,  
That from thence we shall never be separate.  Cupidit. 
Yet from your sight at this time we will departed,  
Assuring you to remain still in our heart.  Car. concupiscence 
We three will go before some thing to prepare,  
That shallbe to your commodity and welfare.  Mary. 
Far you well my hearts joy, pleasure, and bliss.  
It is good manner at our departing to kiss. Exeunt All three:  Infide. 
I must kiss to, if I tarry still.  Marie. 
You shall have kisses enough, even when you will.  Infidelity. 
Gramercy in deed mine own good loving jug  
It doth me good in mine arms you to hug,  
How say you now by these minions?  Mary. 
I say as you say in deed they are minions,  
And such persons as long time I have desired,  
I thank you, that for me you have them inquired.  Infidelity. 
You must think on the counsel that they did give,  
They will perform their sayings you shall believe.  Mary. 
I am not oblivious I warrant you my friend,  
For I have printed all their words in my mind,  
I have determined by them to direct my life,  
So that no man shallbe able to set us at strife.  Infidelity. 
Will you resort with me unto jerusalem?  
There we shall be sure in a place to find them.  
A banquet they have prepared for you I dare say,  
Such a one as hath not been seen before this day.  Mary. 
Alas why do they such great cost on me bestow?  Infidelity. 
Truly because you their good hearts should know.  
There is nothing lost that is done for such a friend,  
I wis mistress Mary, I would you knew all my mind  Mary. 
Gentle Prudence if you have any thing to say,  
Break your mind boldly to me as you go by the way.  Infidelity. 
Will you come? you had need to go but softly,  
Take heed, for the way is foul and slippery:  
If never so little backward you chance to slip,  
Up into your saddle forsooth I am ready to skip.  Mary. 
Go wanton, get you forth with sorrow,  
We shall be at jerusalem I think to morrow. Exeunt.  Here entereth Simon the Pharisie, and Malicious judgement. Simon the pharisee. 
I thought surely that here we should have found him,  
It was showed me that he was here about in deed.  Malicious judgement 
The last week he was at the City of Naim,  
And from thence I wot not whether he did proceed.  Simon. 
He did a marvelous act there, as we heard say,  
For the which the people do him greatly praise:  
Marvels he worketh almost every day.  
At Naim a dead child again he did raise.  Malicious judge. 
All things he doth by the power of the great devil,  
And that you may see by his conversation,  
He keepeth company with such as be evil,  
And with them he hath his habitation:  
A friend of sinners, and a drinker of wine,  
Never conversant with such as be honest,  
Against the law he teacheth a doctrine,  
All holy Religion he doth detest,  
The reverend bishops and you the pharisees,  
He calleth hypocrites, and doth you revile,  
So he doth the doctors and scribes of all degrees▪  
Beside that, the Saboth also he doth defile.  
He useth as great blasphemy as ever was,  
The son of the living God he doth himself call,  
He saith that he is the very same Messiah,  
Prophesied before of the Prophets all.  
I promise you right worshipful Simon,  
Your temple, law, and people shall be made captive,  
If in this sort he be suffered alone,  
And you shall lose all your prerogative.  Simon 
We the fathers of the clergy divers seasons,  
About him have consulted together,  
To destroy him we have alleged reasons,  
But many things therein we do consider.  
His doctrine is marvelous this is true,  
And his works are more marvelous doubtless,  
If as yet we should chance him to pursue,  
Much inconvenience might chance and distress,  
The people do him for a great Prophet take,  
He doth so much good among them that be sick,  
That they wot not what on him to make,  
For he healeth both the mad and the lunatic.  Malicious judge. 
Me think verily, that it doth you behove,  
Which are men of learning and intelligence,  
His doctrine and miracles wisely to prove,  
And whence he had them to have experience.  Simon. 
By my faith I will tell you what was my pretence,  
To have bidden him to dinner this day I thought,  
Where we would have examined his science,  
And by what power such wonders he wrought.  
But if I can not have him in my house this day,  
I will appoint an other day for the same cause.  
Then will we appoint for him some other way  
If we find him contrary to our laws.  Malicious judge. 
Ne credas tempori, trust not the time he doth say,  
I fear that you will permit him to long:  
There is ever peril in much delay,  
Never suffer you to reign aught that is wrong.  Simon. 
Well, seeing that at this time he doth not appear,  
I will return hence as fast as I may,  
Take you the pain a while to tarry here  
To see if he chance at any time to come this way,  
Or if you here where he is resident,  
Let us have word as fast as ever you can.  Malicious judge. 
As concerning your request I will be diligent,  
To do you pleasure evermore I am your man.  
It shall cost me a fall I promise him truly,  
Except I bring him shortly to an end.  
Watch for him will I, in all places duly,  
I will know what the merchant doth intend.  
A beggarly wretch, that hath not of his own,  
One house or cabin wherein he may rest his head:  
His parents for poor labouring folks are well known,  
And have not the things which should stand then in stead  
No man knoweth where he learned & went to school  
And yet he taketh upon him to teach men doctrine.  
But within a while he will prove himself a fool,  
And come to utter destruction and ruin.  
Is he able, think you, to withstand,  
So many bishops, priests, and pharisees,  
Great learned men, and seniors of the land,  
With other people that be of their affinites?  
His folly by his presumption he doth declare,  
A while we are content that he doth reign.  
But I trust to make him weary of his welfare,  
If I may see him in this country again.  Infidelity. 
Ha, ha, ha, laugh quod he? laugh I must in deed,  
I never saw a bolder harlot in my life,  
To prompt her forward we shall not need,  
No point of sin but that in her is rife.  Malicious iugem●t 
Infidelity? what a devil dost thou here?  
I had not known thee but by thy voice.  Infidelity. 
Malicious judgement I pray thee what cheer,  
To see thee merry at my heart I do rejoice.  Malicious judge. 
What a devil meanest thou by this gear?  
This garment is not of the wont fashion.  Infidelity. 
For every day I have a garment to wear,  
According to my work and operation,  
Among the pharisees, I have a pharisees gown,  
Among publicans and sinners an other I use,  
I am best I tell thee now, both in city and town,  
And chief among the people of the jews.  
This is the cause their Messiah, whom Christ they call  
Is come into the world, sinners to forgive.  
Now my labour is both with great and small,  
That none of them do him nor his words believe.  
The bishops & pharisees I make the more hard hearted  
The sins of them that are disposed to sin,  
I augment, so that they can not be converted,  
So that hard it will be any grace to win.  Malicious judge: 
Among them Malicious judgement is not my name  
The true intellection of the law they do me call,  
Carnally I cause them to understand the same,  
And according to their own malice to judge all.  Infidelity. 
Thou knowest that among them I am justice lega.  
For by the deeds of the law they will be justified,  
So that the doctrine of the Messiah evangelical,  
Shallbe despised, and he therefore crucified.  Malicious judgement 
The reverend father Simon the Pharisie,  
To have spoken with him, even now was here:  
Under the pretence of friendship and amity,  
He would bid him to dinner, and make him good cheer,  
Not for any goodwill that to him he doth owe,  
But to prove his fashion, learning, and power.  
Good will quoth he▪ No, no that I do know.  Infidelity. 
For if they durst, he should die within this hour.  
But let this pass, I will tell thee what I have done,  
Knowest thou not a wench called Mary Magdalene  Malicious judge. 
Yes marry, I did see her yesterday at noon.  
A pretty wench she is in deed and a clean.  Infidelity. 
I have brought her now into such a case,  
That she is past the fear of God and shame of man,  
She worketh privily in every place,  
Yea and provoketh other thereto now and than,  
I would thou didst see her disposition,  
Thou hast not seen her like I think in thy days.  Malicious judge. 
If she have tasted of thy erudition,  
I doubt not but she knoweth all wicked ways,  
To see her fashion I would bestow my forty pence,  
But at this time I can no longer tarry here,  
About my business I must departed hence,  
Seeking for the same Christ both far and near.  Infideli. 
Very little I hope for his commodity.  
To do him any good dost thou intend?  
Thou knowest my mind right well Infidelity▪  
What need we any more time to spend?  
Farewell, thou wilt come to ●●●er to day,  
Master Simon will have him if it be possible.  Infidelity. 
Thou knowest that I dwell with such men always,  
For in his heart I am even now invisible.  
Well remembered, yet I must provide a garment  
Against that I come to my master Simon,  
About the which the precepts of the testament  
Must be written in order one by one.  
Now will I return to my minion again  
I may not from her be away absent.  
If her company I should a little refrain,  
I know well that she would not be content.  Mary 
Whoreson, I beshrew your heart, are you here?  
I may do what I will for you.  Infidelity. 
Huffa mistress Mary, are you so near?  
I thought otherwise I make God avow.  
I pray you let me have a word in your ear,  
I promise you he is a minion fellow.  
By my faith I thought that you had been there,  
For I saw when you did him follow.  Mary. 
By my faith Prudence you have a false eye▪  
A body can never so secretly work,  
But that their dalliance you will espy,  
I trow for the nonce you lie in corners and lurk.  
But sirrah, how say you to him in the flaren beard?  
That is a knave that whoreson, wot you what he did▪  
In my life was I never worse afraid,  
When I came to bed, I found him there hid.  
Out alas, quoth I, here is some ill spirit,  
A sweet savour of musk and civet I smelled,  
Come and lie with me Mary quoth he, this night,  
Then I knew who it was, when his beard I felt.,  Infidelity. 
I beshrew your hearts, whore & thief were agreed  
You knew the spirit well enough before you came there  
I am sure, that so honestly he had you feed,  
That the reward did put away the fear.  Mary. 
Good lord, who is this that yonder doth come?  
What mean the tables that be in his hand?  Infidelity. 
Come aside a little, and give him room,  
And what he is anon we shall understand.  The Law. 
The Law of God at this time I do represent,  
Written with the finger of God in tables of stone,  
Whereby the people might know their lord omnipotent  
And how that he is the Lord God alone.  
A peculiar people to himself he had elected,  
Coming of the stock of faithful Abraham,  
Whom by the law he would have directed,  
After that out of Egypt from Pharaoh they came.  
In me as in a glass it doth plainly appear,  
What God of his people doth require,  
What the people's duty is, they may see here,  
Which they own unto God in pain of hell fire.  
In me is declared the same justice,  
Which unto God is acceptable,  
Man's sin is here showed, and proud enterprise,  
Whereby he is convicted to pains perdurable.  
It was necessary and it did behove,  
Considering man's pride and temerity,  
Which was drunk and blind in his own love,  
To make a law to show his imbecility.  
Except the law had rebuked his vanity,  
So much he would have trusted in his own strength  
And believed, that through the power of his humanity,  
He might have obtained salvation at length.  
Wherefore as I said to a glass compared I may be,  
Wherein clearly as in the sun light,  
The weakness and sin of himself he may see,  
Yea and his own damnation as it is right.  
For the curse of God followeth sin always,  
And damnation followeth malediction:  
By this it appeareth as clear as the day,  
That my office is to fill the mind with affliction,  
I am a ministration of death working ire,  
I show God's request, and man's unability,  
I condemn him for sin unto eternal fire,  
I find not one just of man's fragility.  Mary. 
O Prudence, hear you not what the law doth say,  
Exceedingly it pricketh my conscience.  
I may cry out alas now and wellaway,  
For I am damned by Gods own sentence.  Infidelity. 
Prick of conscience, quoth she? it pricketh you not so sore  
As the young man with the flaxen beard did I think  
What a devil about him here do you pore.  
If ever I see any such, I pray God I sink.  
The more you look on him, the worse like him you shall.  
Come away, come away from him for very shame.  
And in deed will you be gazing on him still?  
If you repent not this, let me suffer blame.  Mary. 
O friend Prudence, do you see yonder glass?  
I will tell what therein I do see:  
I can not speak for sorrow, now out alas,  
All men for sin by God's sentence damned be.  
The spirit of God speaketh by king Solomon,  
That no man on earth liveth without sin.  
David saith there is none good, no not one,  
No not a child that this day doth his life begin.  
Now sin I see requireth eternal damnation,  
If a child be damned that is but a day old,  
Alas, where then shall be my habitation?  
Which hath done more sins than can be told.  
The Law. Yea woman, God doth not only prohibit the deed,  
But he forbiddeth the lust and concupiscence,  
Therefore thy heart hath great occasion to bleed,  
For many lusts and deeds hath defiled thy conscience.  Infidelity. 
Body of God, are you so mad him to believe▪  
These things are written to make folks afraid,  
Will ye to him or to me credence give?  
Or to your friends, by whom you were never dismayed▪  
And I put case that the words now were true,  
He speaketh of men, but no women at all,  
Women have no souls, this saying is not new,  
Men shall be damned, and not women which do fall.  
the Law By this term man, truly in holy Scripture,  
Is undertake both man, woman, and child in deed,  
Yea as many of both kinds as be of man's nature,  
Which proceed of Adam the first parent's seed.  
Enter knowledge of sin.. By the Law cometh the knowledge of sin,  
Which knowledge truly here I represent,  
Which fret and bite the conscience within,  
Causing the same evermore to lament.  
I am evermore before the conscience sight,  
Showing before him his condemnation,  
So that by the deeds of the law, or by his own might  
He can not attain unto salvation.  Infidelity. 
Lo Mary, have ye not spun a fair thread?  
Here is a pocky knave, and an ill favoured,  
The deulll is not so evil favoured I think in deed,  
Corrupt, rotten, stinking, and ill savoured.  
It is not possible truly to declare here, Knowledge of sin.  
The horrible, loathsome, and stinking vility,  
Which before the eyes of God doth appear,  
Committed by this wretched woman's iniquity.  Mary. 
Now woe be to the time that ever I was borne,  
I see that I am but a damned devil in hell,  
I know that there with devils I shall be torn,  
And punished with more pains than my tongue can tell  
O blessed Law show me some remedy,  
The Prophet calleth thee immaculate and pure,  
Thou of thyself in many places dost testify,  
That the keepers of thee are always safe and sure.  
He that observeth all things written in me, the Law  
Shall live in them, as Moses doth express:  
But never man yet in this world I did see,  
Which did not the contents in me transgress.  
It is beyond all man's possibility,  
To observe any commandment in me required,  
Thereby appeareth his weakness and fragility,  
Happened through sin, that against God he conspired.  
The power of the law is man's sin to declare, Knowledge of sin.  
And to show his damnation for the same,  
But to give salvation for the soul's welfare,  
The law doth no such promise any time proclaim.  Mary 
If there be no more comfort in the law than this,  
I wish that the law had never been made:  
In God I see is small mercy and justice,  
To entangle men, and snarl them in such a trade.  Infidelity. 
I can you thank for that Mary in deed:  
Well spoken, an unjust God do you esteem.  
Even from the heart that sentence did proceed,  
Fear not, their unjust God do you blaspheme:  
You see no remedy but utter damnation.  
Follow my counsel, and put care away,  
Take here your pleasure and consolation,  
And make you merry in this world while you may.  
Of one hell I would not have you twain to make:  
Be sure of a heaven while you dwell here,  
Refresh yourself, and all pleasure do you take,  
Pluck up a lusty heart, and be of a good cheer.  Mary. 
O this knowledge of sin is so in my sight,  
That if I should die truly I can not be merry.  Infidelity. 
We will rid the knave hence anon by this light.  
Or else of his life I will soon make him weary.  
the Law O sinner, from thy heart put that infidelity,  
Which hath drowned thee already in the pit of hell,  
Trust thou in God's might and possibility,  
Whereof neither angel nor man is able to tell.  
Knowledge of sin. That thing in deed, which to man is impossible,  
Is a small thing for God to bring to pass,  
This mercy to all senses is comprehensible,  
Which he will declare by his holy Messiah.  
the Law That thing which I can not do through my infirmity  
God is able by his son to perform in time appointed,  
All my contents be shadows of his majesty,  
Whom now in this time God hath anointed.  
Knowledge of sin. That Messiah alone only shall the law fulfil,  
And his fulfilling shall be in such acceptation,  
That God for his sake shall pardon mankyndes ill,  
Accepting his offering for a full contentation.  
the Law That Messiah is the stone spoken of before,  
Which of vain builders should be refused,  
Yet he shall be the corner stone of honour,  
Which in the building of god's temple shall be used.  
And all that trust in him with true believe, Knowledge of sin..  
That he is very God and man, into this world sent,  
God will all their sins for his sake forgive,  
So that they can be contrite and repent.  Mary. 
I ever believed yet unto this day,  
That God was able of nothing all things to make,  
And as well I believe also that he may,  
forgive, and mercy upon sinners take,  
But seeing that he hath made a determination,  
By a law that none shall be saved good or bad,  
Then he that would look for any salvation,  
Truly I take him ten times for worse than mad.  Infidelity. 
He that will not the keepers of the law save,  
Which observe diligently his commandments,  
Much less truly on them mercy he will have,  
Which have contemned all his words & judgements.  
Well Mary, I have condemned thee unto hell fire, the Law  
Yet not so condemned thee, but if thou canst believe  
In that Messiah, which for thee doth inquire,  
There is no doubt but thy sins he will forgive.  
Thy sore is known, receive thy salve and medicine,  
I have the sick to the leech, give good ear,  
Hearken diligently unto his good discipline,  
And he will heal thee, do nothing fear. Exit.  
Let me feel your pulses mistress Mary be you sick  Infidelity. 
By my troth in as good temper as any woman can be  
Your veins are full of blood, lusty and quick,  
In better taking truly I did you never see.  
The body is whole, but sick is the conscience, Knowledge of sin.  
Which neither the law nor man is able to heal,  
It is the word of God received with penitence,  
Like as the book of wisdom doth plainly reveal.  Infidelity. 
Conscience? how doth thy conscience little Mall?  
Was thy conscience sicked, alas little fool?  
Whoreson fools, set not a pin by them all,  
Wise enough in deed, to follow their foolish school,  
You bottle nosed knave, get you out of place,  
Avoid stinking whoreson, a poison take thee,  
Hence, or by God I will lay thee on the face,  
Take heed that hereafter I do you not see.  
Though I appear not to her carnal sight,  Knowledge of sin. 
Yet by the means that she knoweth the law,  
I shall trouble her always both day and night,  
And upon her conscience continually gnaw.  Infidelity. 
What cheer? now is here but we twain alone,  
Be merry mistress Mary, and away the mare,  
A murrain go with them, now they be gone,  
Pluck up your stomach, and put away all care.  Mary. 
O master Prudence, my heart is sore vexed,  
The knowledge of sin is before me always:  
In my conscience I am so grievously perplexed,  
That I wot not what to do truly nor say.  Here entereth Christ jesus Infidelity. 
Benedicite, art thou come with a vengeance▪  
What wilt thou do? Marry, do you love me?  
My words print well in your remembrance,  
To yonder fellows saying do you never 'gree.  Christ jesus. 
Into this world God hath sent his own,  
Not to judge the world, or to take vengeance,  
But to preach forgiveness and pardon,  
Through true faith in him, and perfect repentance.  
The son of man is come to seek and save,  
Such persons as perish and go astray,  
God hath promised them life eternally to have,  
If they repent, and turn from their evil way,  
The kingdom of heaven is at hand, therefore repent,  
amend your lives, and the Gospel believe,  
The son of God into this world is sent,  
To have mercy on men, and their sins to forgive.  Mary. 
O here is the Messiah, of whom we have hard,  
What say you Prudence is not this same he?  Infidelity. 
A Mary, do you my words no more regard,  
You have a wavering wit now well I do see,  
Is not this a like person, the son of God to be,  
And the Messiah which the world should save?  
He is a false harlot you may believe me,  
Whom you shall see one day handled like a knave.  
If the law of God published by Moses,  
Be not able to bring men to salvation,  
Much less such a wretched man doubtless,  
Can do aught for your soul's consolation.  
Tush take one heaven in this present world here,  
You remember what before to you I have said:  
Pluck up your heart wench, and be of good there,  
Never regard his words, tush, be not afraid.  Mary. 
The law hath set my sins before my sight,  
That I can not be merry, but am in despair:  
I know that God is a judge, equal and right,  
And that his law is true, pure, clean and fair,  
By this law am I condemned already to hell.  
The words he hath spoken must be fulfilled:  
Of mirth and joy it is but folly to tell,  
For I perceive that both body and soul be spilled.  Christ 
Like as the father raiseth the dead again,  
And unto life doth them mercifully restore:  
So the son quickeneth the dead it is plain,  
And giveth them a life to live evermore,  
verily verily I say, he that heareth my voice,  
And believeth on him that hath me sent,  
Shall have everlasting life therein to rejoice,  
And shall not come into damnable torment.  
But the same pass from death unto life,  
Repent, and trust in God's mercy for my sake.  
With the sins of the world be at debate and strife,  
And unto grace my heavenly father will you take.  
All they whom the law condemneth for sin,  
By faith in me, I save and justify,  
I am come sinners by repentance to win,  Christ speaketh to Mary 
Like as the Prophet before did prophecy.  
Thou woman, with mercy I do thee prevent,  
If thou canst in the Son of God believe,  
And for thy former life be sorry and repent,  
All thy sins and offences I do forgive.  Infidelity. 
Who is the son of God sir, of whom do ye talk?  
Which hath this power whereof you do boast,  
It is best for you out of this country to walk,  
And never more be seen after in this coast.  
The son of God quoth he? This is a pride in deed.  
Trowest thou that the father can suffer this?  
They come of Abraham's stock and holy seed,  
And thou sayest that they believe all amiss.  Christ. 
Avoid out of this woman thou Infidelity,  
With the vii devils which have her possessed,  
I banish you hence by the power of my divinity,  
For to salvation I have her dressed.  Infidelity runneth away. Mary falleth flat down. Cry all thus without the door, and roar terribly. Devils. 
O jesus the Son of God ever living,  
Why comest thou before the time us to torment?  
In no person for thee we can have any abiding,  
Out upon thee the son of God omnipotent.  Christ. 
Arise woman, and thank the father of heaven,  
Which with his mercy hath thee prevented,  
By his power I have rejected from the spirits seven,  
Which with unbelief have thy soul tormented.  Mary. 
Blessed be thy name O father celestial,  
Honour and glory be given to thee world without end,  
O Lord, dost thou regard thus a woman terrestrial?  
To thee what tongue is able worthy thanks to repend?  
O what a sinful wretch Lord have I been?  
Have mercy on me Lord, for thy name's sake,  
So grievous a sinner before this day was never seen  
Vouchsafe therefore compassion on me to take.  jesus Christ. 
Canst thou believe in God, the maker of all thing,  
And in his only son, whom he hath sent?  Mary. 
I believe in one God, Lord and heavenly king,  
And in thee his only son with hearty intent.  
Good Lord I confess that thou art omnipotent,  
Help my slender belief and infirmity:  
My faith Lord is wavering and insufficient,  
Strength it I pray the with the power of thy majesty.  
No man can come to me, that is, in me believe, Christ▪ Faith: repentance entereth.  
Except my father draw him by his spirit.  
Behold Faith and Repentance to thee here I give,  
With all other virtues to thy health requisite.  
Note well the power of God's omnipotency:  Faith. 
That soul which of late was a place of devils,  
He hath made a place for himself by his clemency,  
Purging from thence the multitude of evils.  Repentance. 
The mercy of Christ thought it not sufficient,  
To forgive her sins, and devils to purge,  
But giveth her grace to be penitent,  
That is, her soul ever after this day to scourge.  
The virtue of Repentance I do represent,  
Which is a true turning of the whole life and state,  
Unto the will of the lord God omnipotent,  
sorrowing for the sins passed with displeasure & hate.  
That is to say, all the inward thoughts of the heart  
And all the imaginations of the mind,  
Which were occupied evil by Satan's art,  
Must hence forth be turned after an other kind.  
David my father on his sins did always think,  
How horrible they were in God almighty's sight,  
Tears were his sustenance, yea both meat & drink,  
His hole meditation was in heaven both day & night  
So that Repentance is described in Scripture,  
To be a returning from sin with all the soul & heart,  
And all the life time in repenting to endure,  
Declaring the same with the senes in every part.  
As thus, like as the eyes have been vainly spent  
Upon worldly and carnal delectations,  
So henceforth to weeping and tears must be bend,  
And wholly given to godly contemplations.  
Likewise as the ears have been open always  
To here the blaspheming of God's holy name,  
And filthy talking evermore night and day,  
Now they must be turned away from the same.  
And glad to hear the Gospel of salvation,  
How God hath mercy on them that do call,  
And how he is full of pity and miseration:  
Raising up such again as by sin did fall.  
The tongue which blasphemy hath spoken,  
Yea and filthily, to the hurt of soul and body:  
Whereby the precepts of God have been broken,  
Must hence forth praise God for his mercy daily.  
Thus like as all the members in times past,  
Have been servants of unrighteousness and sin,  
Now Repentance doth that service away cast,  
And to mortify all his lusts doth begin.  
True repentance never turneth back again:  
For he that layeth his hand on the plough, & looketh away,  
Is not apt in the kingdom of heaven to reign,  
Nor to be saved with my saints at the last day.  Mary. 
O Lord without thy grace I do here confess,  
That I am able to do nothing at all,  
Where it pleaseth thee my misery to redress,  
Strength me now that hence forth I do not fall.  
Grant me Lord such a perfect repentance,  
And that I look no more back, but go forward still,  
Put my misery evermore into my remembrance,  
That I may forethink my life that hath been so ill.  faith. 
The holy virtue of Faith I do represent,  
joined continually with repentance:  
For where as the person for sin is penitent,  
There I ascertain him of health and deliverance.  
Wherefore I am a certain and sure confidence,  
That God is merciful for Christ jesus sake:  
And where as is a turning or penitence,  
To mercy he will the penitent take:  
Faith therefore is the gift of God most excellent,  
For it is a sure knowledge and cognition  
Of the good will of God omnipotent,  
Grounded in the word of Christ's erudition,  
This faith is founded on God's promission,  
And most clearly to the mind of man revealed,  
So that of Gods will he hath an intuition,  
Which by the holy ghost to his heart is sealed.  Repentance. 
This Faith with the word hath such propinquity,  
That properly the one is not without the other,  
Faith must be tried with the word of verity,  
As the child is by the father and mother.  jesus Christ. 
Yea truly, if this faith do from God's word decline,  
It is no faith, but a certain incredulity,  
Which causeth the mind to wander in strange doctrine  
And so to fall at length into impiety.  Faith. 
The word to a glass compare we may,  
For as it were therein, Faith God doth behold,  
Whom as in a cloud we look upon always,  
As hereafter more plainly it shall be told.  Mary. 
My heart doth believe, and my mouth doth publish.  
That my lord jesus is the son of God eternal.  
I believe that my soul shall never perish,  
But reign with him in his kingdom supernal.  Repentance. 
The operation of Faith is not to inquire  
What God is as touching his proper nature,  
But how good he is to us to know faith doth desire,  
Which thing appeareth in his holy Scripture.  Faith. 
It is not enough to believe that God is true only,  
Which can never lie, nor deceive, nor do ill:  
But true faith is persuaded firmly and truly,  
That in his word he hath declared his will.  
And also what soever in that word is spoken,  
Faith believeth it as the most certain verity,  
Which by his spirit he doth vouchsafe to open  
To all such as seek him with all humility.  Repentance. 
Christ the son of God here hath promised,  
Forgiveness of sins to you sister Mary,  
Of his own mercy this to do he hath devised,  
And not of your merits, thus you see plainly.  
If in this promise you be certain and without doubt.  
believing that the word of his mouth spoken  
He is able, and also will do and bring about,  
Then that you have Faith it is a token.  Mary 
O jesus, grant me this true faith and believe,  
Lord I see in myself as yet imperfection:  
Vouchsafe to me thy heavenly grace to give,  
That it may be my governance and direction.  Christ 
Marry my grace shall be for thee sufficient,  
Go thy way forth with faith and repentance,  
To hear the Gospel of health be thou diligent,  
And the words thereof bear in thy remembrance.  Faith. 
Though in person we shall no more appear,  
Yet invisibly in your heart we will remain.  Repentance. 
The grace of God shall be with you both far & near,  
Whereby from all wickedness I shall you detain.  Mary. 
Honour, praise, and glory to the father eternal,  
Thanks to the son, very god and very man,  
Blessed be the holy ghost, with them both coequal,  
One god, which hath saved me this day from Satan Exeunt.  Christ 
I thank thee O father, O lord of heaven, earth, & of all  
That thou hast hidden these things from the sapient,  
And hast revealed them to the little ones and small,  
Yea so it pleased thee O father omnipotent.  
All things of my father are committed unto me,  
And who the son is, none but the father doth known  
No man but the son knoweth who the father should be,  
And he to whom the son will reveal and show.  
Come unto me all you that with labour are oppressed,  
And are heavy laden, and I will you comfort,  
Despair not for that you have transgressed,  
But for mercy do you boldly to me resort.  
My yoke upon your necks do you gladly take,  
And learn of me, for I am low and meek in heart,  
And you shall find rest for your souls never to slake,  
My yoke and burden is light in every part.  
I came not into the world, the righteous to call,  
But the sinful persons unto repentance:  
The whole have no need of the physician at all,  
But the sick have need of deliverance.  
verily I say unto you, that the angels,  
Have more joy in one sinner that doth repent,  
Than in many righteous persons else,  
Which are no sinners in their judgement.  Here entereth Simon the Pharisie, and malicious judgement, Simon biddeth Christ to dinner. Simon. 
God speed you sir hearty, and well to far,  
I rejoice much that I chance you here to find,  
In good sooth I was sorry, and took much care  
That I had no time to declare to you my mind.  
We know that you do much good in the country here  
Wherefore the living God is glorified:  
You heal the sick persons both far and near,  
Like as it hath been credibly testified:  Christ. 
My father even unto this time worketh truly,  
And I work according to his commandment & will,  
The son can do nothing of himself duly,  
But that he seeth the father doing always still.  
Whatsoever the Father doth, the son doth the same,  
For the father doth the son entirely love,  
And showeth him all things to the praise of his name,  
And shall show him greater works than these as you shall prove  Malicious judge. 
Lo sir, what need you have more testimony  
You hear that he doth himself the son of God call,  
Doth not the law condemn that blasphemy:  
Commanding such to be slain great and small?  Simon. 
For a season it behoveth us to have patience,  
I showed you the reason wherefore of late:  
At this season I pray you do your diligence,  
And semble rather to love him than to hate.  
Shall it please you sir, this day to take pain  
With me at my house to take some repast,  
You shall be welcome doubtless I tell you plain,  
No great puruiance for you I intend to make.  Christ. 
My meat is to do his will that hath me sent,  
But sir I thank you of your great courtesy,  
To come to you I shall be very well content,  
So that you will appoint the hour steadyly.  Simon. 
All things be in manner ready I think verily,  
In the mean season in my garden we will walk.  
Take the pains to go with me, I pray you hearty,  
Till dinner be ready, of matters we will talk.  Christ 
With a good will I will wait upon you,  
Pleaseth it you to go before, you know the way.  Simon. 
Sirr●, you see how that we are appointed now,  
Make all things ready without delay.  Malicious judge. 
Sir I will go about as fast as I may,  
In good faith I would that I might have my will:  
I would prepare for him a gallows this day,  
Upon the which I desire his blood to spill.  Infidelity. 
A vengeance take him thief, is he gone?  
From Mary Magdalene he did me chase:  
From Simon the Pharisie he will drive me anon,  
So that no where I shall be able to show my face.  Malicious judge. 
Nay, we are so surely fixed in the pharisees mind,  
That his blasphemous words can not drive us thence  
women's hearts turn oft as doth the wind,  
And again of the law they know not the sense,  
In malice I have made them all so blind,  
That they judge nothing in Christ aright:  
To the letter of the law so fast I do them bind,  
That of the spirit they have no manner of light.  Infidelity. 
I will tell thee Malicious judgement,  
His words be of such strength and great power,  
That the devil himself and all his rabblement,  
He is able to expel, and utterly to devour.  Malicious judge. 
Tush hide thyself in a pharisees gown,  
Such a one as is bordered with the commandments  
And then thou mayst dwell both in city and in town.  
Being well accepted in all men's judgements.  Infidelity. 
As for a gown, I have one convenient,  
And lo here is a cap agreeing to the same.  Malicious judge. 
As thou sayest, that gear is very ancient,  
I warrant thee now to escape all blame,  
Mary of one thing thou must take good heed,  
As near as thou canst let him not behold thy face,  
Doubt thou not, but he shall have his meed,  
If I remain with the jews any space.  Infidelity. 
And as for the reverend bishop Cayphas,  
With all the Aldermen of jerusalem.  
Will help to bring that matter to pass,  
For I am like for ever to dwell with them.  Malicious judgement 
The same Christ dineth with Simon to day,  
Who commanded to prepare the table in all haste,  
Help to make all ready, and the cloth to lay,  
For surely here he purposeth to take his repast.  Infidelity. 
By God he shall have sour sauce it may hap,  
Do thy part, and surely I purpose to watch,  
It shall be hard, but we will take him in a trap,  
He shall find him here that will him match.  Malicious judge. 
Go and fetch trenchers, spoons, salt and bread,  
See whether the cooks be ready also I pray thee.  
They will come to dinner I dare lay my head,  
Before that all things prepared well shall be.  Infidelity. 
A straw, all this gear will quickly be done,  
The cooks be ready also I am sure.  
Let me see, by'r lady it is almost noon,  
I marvel that they can so long fasting endure.  Malicious judge. 
Yonder they come, turn thy face out of sight,  
Thou must make courtesy down to the ground.  Infidelity. 
I would he were hanged by God and by this light.  
For never before this day was I thus bound.  Simon. 
Sir now are you welcome, I pray you come near,  
Fetch in meat sirs, I pray you quickly.  
I promise you I bid you for no good cheer,  
But such as it is, you are welcome heartily.  Infidelity. 
Pleaseth it you to wash sir, here is water,  
Let not yonder beggarly fellow wash with you,  Simon. 
Can you not a while dissemble the matter?  
It is no time to talk of such gear now.  
Will you sit sir, bring hither a cushion and a stool.  
Set it down I say there, there at the table's end.  Infideli. 
Here is a business with a beggarly fool.  
It grieveth me the time about him to spend.  
Go to, you are welcome hitherto my master Simon  
Think yourself at home in your own place.  Christ. 
I thank you sir, I will sit down even anon,  
But first we will praise God, and say our grace.  
Blessed art thou heavenly father, which of thy mercy  
Hast made man to thine own image and similitude  
Which through Satan's wicked malice and envy  
Was spoiled of thy grace and of ghostly fortitude.  
But at this time of thy mercy appointed,  
Thou hast looked on man, of thy compassion,  
And sent thine own son with thy spirit anointed,  
Which for his sin shall make satisfaction.  
Let all creatures praise thee for their creation,  
Glory to thy name for their preservation,  
Laude and honour to thee for their restoration,  
All thanks to thee for eternal salvation,  Simon. 
I pray you sit down, I pray you hearty,  
You are welcome, I pray you eat such as is here,  
Go to, I would not have you to make any courtesy,  
I am sorry that for you I have no better cheer.  Infidelity. 
It is simple cheer as you say in deed,  
It is to good for him by the Mass,  
Hay is good enough for him thereon to feed,  
Or for any such foolish ass.  Malicious judge. 
Mark you not what in his grace he did say?  
Thou hast sent thy son anointed with the holy ghost  
By these words evidently understand we may,  
That to be the son of God of himself he doth boast.  Simon. 
Whereof do you ii talk what is the matter,  
Is there any thing that doth grudge your conscience?  Malicious judgement 
This is the truth of our talk yea I will not flatter,  
Your gest said a word whereof I would have intelligence  
He thanked God at this time now appointed,  
That on men's sins he had pity and compassion,  
And hath sent his son with his spirit anointed,  
Which for his sin should make satisfaction.  
Hath God into this world sent his own son?  
Or who is the son of God I would be glad to know  
Like as now he speaketh, so oft times he hath done,  
The time and place I am able to show.  Simon. 
I pray you my guest his mind do you satisfy,  
It is said, that the son of God you do yourself call.  Christ. 
I am come into this world the truth to testify,  
Whereof the scripture and the Prophets do witness all  
If I of myself should bear testimony,  
My witness of you should not be taken as true,  
But there is an other that witnesseth of me verily.  
And I know that his testimony is true.  
Of man truly no testimony do I take:  
But I speak these words that saved you might be.  
The son of God is sent hither for your sake,  
Whom in the glory of his majesty you shall se.  
The works which to me the father doth give,  
That I may do them, those works to you I say,  
Bear witness, if you have the grace to believe,  
That the father hath sent me into the world this day.  
Besides these works, the father that hath me sent,  
Hath by many scriptures of me testified:  
By the which the matter is evident,  
That my words spoken before are verified.  
But the father you have never heard speaking,  
And what he is by faith you have never seen:  
His word you have not in you remaining.  
Therefore to him whom he hath sent faithful you have not been  
Search that scriptures, for you think in your mind  
That in them you shall obtain life eternal,  
Them to bear witness of me you shall find,  
How I am the son of the living God immortal.  Simon. 
Well sir, you are welcome, I would not have you to think  
That I did bid you hither to tempt or to prove,  
But that I would have you both to eat and drink,  
Even as my entire friend, and for very love.  
Wherefore any thing that is here done or said,  
Shallbe laid under foot, and go no further,  
For surely if your words should be betrayed,  
As a blasphemer the people would you murder,  Christ. 
You know that there is xi hours in the day  
And night cometh not till the xii hours be expired  
It is not in man's power my life to take away,  
Till the hour cometh of my father required.  Infidelity. 
Under the foot quoth he if I keep counsel,  
I would I were hanged up by the very neck.  
Fie on him whoreson traitor and very rebel,  
Hear you not how god himself he beginneth to check?  Malicious judge. 
Though master Simon doth but few words say  
Yet I warrant you he beareth this gear in mind,  
Doubt thou not but he will find such way,  
That he shall be rid and as many as be of his kind.  Simon. 
Go to I pray you, alack you eat no meat:  
You see that at this time we have but plain fare.  Christ 
When we have sufficient before us to eat,  
Let us thank God, and put away all care.  Marry Magdalen sadly appareled. 
The more that I accustom myself with repentance,  
The more I see mine own sin and iniquity,  
The more knowledge thereof, the more grievance,  
To a soul that is converted from her impiety.  
To all the world an example I may be,  
In whom the mercy of Christ is declared,  
O Lord, what goodness didst thou in me see?  
That thus mercifully thou hast me spared.  
What goodness? nay rather what a rabble of evils,  
Full of wickedness, like one past all grace,  
Replenished with a multitude of devils,  
Which as in hell in my soul had their place.  
These were the merits and deeds that I had,  
Only thy unspeakable mercy did me prevent:  
And though that my life hath been so bad,  
Yet thou wilt no more but that I should repent.  
O who shall give me a fountain of tears,  
That I may shed abundantly for my sin?  
This voice of the Lord always soundeth in mine ears  
Repent, repent, and thou shalt be sure heaven to win  
He saith also, do the fruits of Repentance.  
O Lord, who is able those worthy fruits to do?  
I am not able to do sufficient penance,  
Except thy grace good Lord, do help me thereto.  
But like as the parts of my body in times past,  
I have made servants to all kind of iniquity,  
The same iniquity away for ever I do cast,  
And will make my body servant to the verity.  
This hair of my head which I have abused,  
I repute vile and unworthy to wipe my lords feet,  
No obsequy therewith of me shallbe refused,  
To do my Lord jesus service, as it is most meet.  
These fleshly eyes which with their wanton looks,  
Many persons to sin and vice have procured.  
They have been the devils volumes and books,  
Which from the service of God have other alured.  
Now you sinful eyes shed out tears and water,  
Wash the Lords feet with them whom you have offended  
To show such obsequy to him it is a small matter,  
Which by his grace hath my sinful life amended.  
O wretched eyes can you weep for a thing temporal,  
As for the loss of worldly goods and parents,  
And can you not weep for the lord celestial?  
Which loss incomparably passeth all detriments.  
With this ointment most pure and precious,  
I was wont to make this carcase pleasant and sweet  
Whereby it was made more wicked and vicious,  
And to all unthriftiness very apt and meet.  
Now would I gladly this ointment bestow,  
About the innocent feet of my saviour,  
That by these penitent fruits my lord may know  
That I am right sorry for my sinful behaviour.  
All my worldly substance abused before,  
And through unbelief of sin made instruments,  
Now will I bestow them only to his honour,  
In helping him, and for his sake other innocents.  
I shall not cease to seek till my lord I have found,  
He is in the house of Simon I heard say,  
The house standeth on yonder same ground:  
It was told me that he dineth there to day.  
I was not ashamed to sin before the lords sight  
And shall I be ashamed before man the same to confess?  
To my Lord jesus, now forth will I go right,  
Acknowledging to him my penitent heart doubtless  Let Marie creep under the table, abiding there a certain space behind, and do as it is specified in the Gospel. Then Malicious judgement speaketh these words to Infidelity. Malicious judgement 
Lo sir, what a fellow this is, it doth appear,  
If he were such a prophet, as of himself he doth say,  
He would know what manner of woman this same is here.  
A sinner she is, he can not say nay.  Infidelity. 
A sinner quod he? yea she is a wicked sinner in deed  
This is she, from whom he did me expel,  
Behold, how boldly after him she doth proceed,  
A harlot she is truly I may tell you in counsel.  Malicious judge. 
Yea and yet to touch him he doth her permit,  
Which is against the law for persons defiled,  
Ought not among the just to intromit,  
But from their company should be exiled.  Malicious judge. 
I pray you see, how busy about him she is,  
She washeth his feet with tears of her eyes,  
Heigh, marry yonder is like to be nothing amiss.  
Behold, she anointeth him to drive away flies.  
Trow you the master Simon thinketh not somewhat?  
Yes I hold you a groat, though he say nothing.  Malicious judge. 
He is not content I warrant you that,  
Which thing you may see by his looking.  Simon. 
Sirs, take away here, we will no more now,  
This first: Are you in such things to be taught?  
What mean you, whereabout do you look,  
I marvel whereabout you do occupy your thought.  jesus Christ. 
Simon, the truth is so, I have a thing in my mind  
Which unto you I must needs express and say.  Simon. 
Master, say what you will, words are but wind,  
I will hear you truly, as patiently as I may.  Christ 
There were two debtors, whom I did well know,  
Which were in debt to a lender that was thrifty:  
The one five hundred pence truly did owe,  
And the other ought not above fifty:  
Neither of these debtor had wherewith to pay,  
Wherefore the lender forgave both, as it did behove.  
Now according to your judgement I pray you say,  
Which of these debtors ought the lender most love▪  Simon. 
Marry, he to whom most was forgiven I suppose,  
In few words truly you have heard my sentence.  Christ. 
You have rightly judged, and to the purpose.  
Absolving my question like a man of science,  
See you this woman? I know that in your hearts  
You condemn her as a sinner very unmeet  
To enter among you, and to touch any parts,  
Of my body, yea either head or feet:  
Saying among yourselves, if this were a Prophet,  
He would know what manner a woman this is  
Which thus cometh in while we be at meat,  
A sinner she is, and hath done greatly amiss.  
I say unto you, that into this world▪ I am come  
To call such great debtors unto repentance,  
The just, which in their conceits own but a small sum  
Have no need of their creditors deliverance.  Infidelity. 
What a thief is this? he judgeth our master's thought,  
If we destroy him not, he will surely mar all.  Malicious judge. 
I ever said that he was worse than nought,  
But among us purvey for him we shall.  Simon. 
Sir, you take upon you very presumptuously,  
I have bidden you unto my house here of good will,  
And you reason of matters here contemptuously:  
But take your pleasure, it shall not greatly skill.  Christ. 
I say unto you, that for this cause was I borne,  
To bear witness unto the verity,  
I see who be hypocrites full of dissembling scorn,  
And who be persons of faith and simplicity.  
Where as you think you have done me pleasure,  
In bidding me to eat and drink with you here,  
Your intent was to show your richesses and treasure,  
And that your holiness might to me appear.  
But this woman hath showed to me a little obsequy:  
For these gestures which she showeth to me,  
proceed from a true meaning heart verily,  
As by her humility plainly you may see.  
When I came into your house the truth to say,  
You gave me no water to wash my feet withal,  
This woman hath washed them here this day,  
With the tears of her eyes which on them did fall,  
With the hair of her head she hath wiped the same,  
Thinking all other clothes thereto over vile,  
Horrible in her fight is her sin and blame,  
Thinking herself worthy of eternal exile.  
You gave me no kiss as the manner of the country is  
But this woman since the time that I came in,  
Would not presume my head or mouth to kiss,  
But my feet, lamenting in her heart for her sin.  
My head you did not anoint with oil so sweet,  
As men of this country do their guests use,  
But with most precious balm she anointed my feet,  
No cost about that ointment she doth refuse.  
Blessed are they, as the Prophet doth say,  
Whose sins are forgiven & covered by God's mercy,  
Not by the deeds of the law as you think this day.  
But of God's good will, favour and grace freely.  
At this woman's sin you do greatly grudge,  
As though yourselves were just holy, and pure,  
But many sins are forgiven her, because she loved much  
And of the mercy of God she is sure.  
He to whom but a little is remitted in deed,  
loveth but a little, we see by experience:  
All have sinned, and of God's glory have need.  
Therefore humble yourselves with penitence.  
I say to thee woman, thy sins are forgiven all,  
God for my sake will not them to thee impute:  
For strength to continue, to him do thou call,  
And see that thanks thou do to him attribute.  Mary. 
The mercy of God is above all his works truly,  
What is it that God is not able to bring to pass?  
I thank thee Lord jesus for thy great mercy,  
Thou art the son of the living God, our Messiah.  Malicious judge. 
Now say you by this, here is a greater matter yet,  
He forgiveth sins, as one with God equal.  Infidelity. 
And he may perceive truly, that hath any wit,  
That he is but a man wretched and mortal.  Christ. 
Woman I say, thy faith hath saved thee go in peace:  
Now art thou pacified in thy conscience,  
Through thy faith, I do all thy sins release,  
Assuring thee to have mercy for thy negligence.  Mary. 
O joyful tidings, O message most comfortable,  
Let no sinner be he never in so great despair.  
Though he were sinful and abominable,  
Let him come, and he will make him fair.  
Blessed be the Lord of such compassion and pity,  
Praise we his name with glory and honour,  
I shall declare his mercy in town and city.  
Thanks be to thee my Lord now and evermore.  Simon. 
I see the words which I have heard, proved true.  
Men say that you are new-fangled, and frivolous,  
Going about the law and our rulers to subdue,  
Introducing sects perilous and seditious.  Malicious judge. 
I can no longer contain, but must say my mind,  
In deed it is so, for by his devilish erudition,  
Which he soweth among the people of our kind,  
At length they will make a tumult and sedition.  
Such blasphemy since the beginning was not heard,  
That, a man shall call himself Gods natural son,  
To condemn the law of God he is not afeard,  
Despising all things that our fathers have done.  Infidelity. 
Pleaseth it you reverend father, to give me licence  
To say my mind to this blasphemerand thief,  
In few words you shall have my sentence:  
Of all heretics I judge him to be the chief.  
Perceive you not how he doth begin?  
He cometh to none of the princes and governors,  
But a sort of sinners he goeth about to win:  
As publicans, whores, harlots, and unjust occupiers.  
Them he preferreth before such men as you be,  
Saying, that they before you shall be saved.  
An honest man in his company you shall not see,  
But even them, which have themselves ill behaved.  
Much good do it you, here is sauce for your meat.  
Master Simon, look upon this fellow in season,  
For in continuance he will work such a feat,  
That you shall not release with all your reason.  Christ. 
O Simon, put away that Malicious judgement,  
Which in your heart you do stubbornly contain,  
You shall not perceive God's commandment,  
As long as he in your conscience doth remain.  Malicious judgement 
Lo sir now that God he hath blasphemed,  
Now his law he doth contemn and despise,  
The justice thereof of him is nothing esteemed,  
To destroy the same utterly he doth devise.  Simon. 
Think you us ignorant of god's law and will,  
Which upon our garments do them wear.  
Who but we do the law of God fulfil,  
For his precepts with us in all places we bear.  Christ. 
To fulfil the law requireth God's spirit,  
For the law is holy, just, and spiritual,  
Of love to be observed it is requisite,  
And not of these observances external.  
As long as you have this malicious judgement.  
Accompanied with Infidelity,  
I say you can not keep God's commandment,  
Though you show an outward sanctity.  Infidelity. 
Lo sir here he calleth me Infidelity,  
And you know that I am called Legal justification  
You hear that it was spoken by God's majesty,  
That a man shall live by the laws observation.  
An honest guest, come out dog, yea marry,  
Good manners thus to taunt a man at his table:  
But with fools it is folly to vary,  
His words be taken but as a tale or a fable.  Simon. 
Away with this gear, how long shall we sit here?  
At once: We have somewhat else to do I think.  Christ. 
Thanks be to thee O Father, for this cheer,  
Thanks be to thee for our repast of meat & drink.  
Now sir, you shall licence me to departed,  
And the heavenly Father might illumine your mind  
Expelling this infidelity from your heart,  
Which with Malicious judgement keepeth you blind.  Simon. 
Far ye well: for me you shall no counts render,  
All shall be laid under the feet that is here spoken.  Infide. 
Though you forget it, yet we purpose to remember  
Exit. You know the way, go I pray you, the door is open.  Malicious judge. 
For God's sake sir, you and such as you be,  
Look upon this fellow by mine advise:  
For what he goth about all you may see,  
Yea you have had warning of him twice or thrice.  Infidelity. 
All the multitude beginneth after him to run,  
You see him and know his doctrine and opinion,  
If you suffer him till more people he hath won,  
Strangers shall come and take our dominion.  
Have you not heard his open blasphemy?  
The son of God he presumeth himself to name,  
The justice of the law he condemneth utterly,  
To suffer him to live will turn to your shame.  Simon. 
It shall behove you to dog him from place to place,  
Note whether openly he teach such doctrine:  
If he do, accuse him before his face,  
For I will cause the bishops him to examine.  
And where as he willeth you us to expel,  Infidelity. 
Calling us wicked nicknames at his pleasure,  
He goeth about to make you to rebel  
Against God & his laws, as he doth without measure  Malicious judgement 
For my part I will watch him so narrowly,  
That a word shall not scape me that doth sound  
Against you the fathers, that live so holily,  
But to accuse him for it a way shallbe found.  Simon. 
Well the time of our evening service is at hand,  
We must departed, the sacrifice to prepare.  Infideli. Exeunt. 
If you depart, we may not here idle stand,  
For to wait upon you at all times ready we are.  
At my being here even now of late,  
It pleased my Lord jesus of his great mercy Mary: entereth with justification  
To speak sentences here in my presence.  
Of the which I have no perfect intelligence,  
The first is: Many sins are forgiven her said he,  
Because she hath loved much, meaning me,  
I pray you most holy justification,  
Of this sentence to make a declaration.  justificaion. 
A question right necessary to be moved,  
For thereby many errors shall be reproved,  
It were a great error for any man to believe  
That your love did deserve that Christ should forgive  
Your sins or trespasses, or any sin at all:  
For so to believe is an error sanaticall.  
And how can your love desire forgiveness of your ill  
Seeing that the law it is not able to fulfil?  
The law thus commandeth as touching love:  
Thou shalt love thy Lord God as it doth behove,  
With all thy heart, with all thy soul, & with all thy strength,  
And thy neighbour as thyself. He saith also at length:  
There was never man borne yet that was able,  
To perform these precepts just, holy, and stable,  
Save only jesus Christ, that lamb most innocent  
Which fulfilleth the law for such as are penitent:  
But love followeth forgiveness of sins evermore,  
As a fruit of faith, and goth not before,  
In that parable which unto you he recited,  
Wherein he declared your sins to be acquitted,  
He called you a debtor not able to pay.  
Then your love paid not your debts perceive you may  
The forgiveness of your sins you must refer,  
Only to Christ's grace, than you shall not err.  
Of this thing plain knowledge you may have  
In these words go in peace thy faith doth thee save.  
So by faith in Christ you have justification  
Freely of his grace, and beyond man's operation,  
The which justification here I do represent,  
Which remain with all such as be penitent.  
Here cometh love a special fruit of Faith,  
As touching this, hear meekly what he saith.  Mary. 
O how much am I unto jesus Christ bound,  
In whom so great mercy & goodness I have found?  
Not only my sinful life he hath renewed.  
But also with many graces he hath me endued,  Love entereth. 
I am named love, from true faith proceeding,  
Where I am, there is no virtue needing,  
Love coming of a conscience immaculate,  
And of a faith not feigned nor simulate,  
Is the end of the law as Scripture doth say,  
And unto eternal felicity the very path way:  
This love grounded in Faith, as it is said,  
Hath caused many evils in men to be laid.  
For where as the love of God in any is perfit,  
There in all good works is his whole delight.  
This true love with Mary was present verily,  
When to Christ she showed that obsequy,  
But this love did proceed from believe,  
When Christ of his mercy did her sins forgive,  
Love deserved not forgiveness of sins in deed,  
But as a fruit thereof truly it did succeed.  justification. 
Of this matter we might tarry very long,  
But then we should do our audience wrong,  
Which gently hath heard us here a long space,  
Wherefore we will make an end now by God's grace,  
Praying God that all we example may take  
Of Mary, our sinful lives to forsake:  
And no more to look back, but to go forward still  
Following Christ as she did and his holy will.  Love. 
Such persons we introduce into presence,  
To declare the conversion of her offence.  
first, the law made a plain declaration,  
That she was a child of eternal damnation:  
By hearing of the law came knowledge of sin,  
Then for to lament truly she did begin.  
Nothing but desperation did in her remain,  
Looking for none other comfort but for hell pain.  
But Christ whose nature is mercy to have,  
Came into this world sinners to save,  
Which preached repentance sins to forgive,  
To as many as in him faithfully did believe.  
By the word came faith, Faith brought penitence,  
But both the gift of God's magnificence.  
Thus by Faith only, Marie was justified,  
Like as before it is plainly verified,  
From thence came love, as a testification  
Of God's mercy and her justification.  Mary. 
Now God grant that we may go the same way,  
That with joy we may rise at the last day,  
To the salvation of soul and body evermore,  
Through Christ our Lord, to whom be all honour.  
FINIS.