Ane satyre of the thrie estaits in commendation of vertew and vituperation of vyce. / Maid be Sir Dauid Lindesay of the Mont, aliàs, Lyon King of Armes.

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

DILIGENCE.

THe Father and founder of faith and felicitie, That ʒour fassioun formed to his similitude And his Sone our Sauiour scheild in necessitie, That bocht ʒow from baillis ranson rude, Repleadge and his presonaris with his hart-blude The halie Gaist gouernour and grounder of grace Of wisdome and weilfair baith fontaine and flude, Gif ʒow all that I sie seasit in this place, And scheild ʒow from sinne. And with his Spreit ʒow inspyre Till I haue shawin my desyre Silence Soueraine I requyre For now I begin,

¶ TAk tent to me my freinds and hald ʒow coy, For I am sent to ʒow as messingeir, From ane nobill and rycht redoubtit Roy: The quhilk hes bene absent this monie ʒeir.

Humanitie giue ʒe his name wald speir: Quha bade me shaw to ʒow but variance, That he intendis amang ʒow to compeir, VVith ane triumph and awfull ordinance: VVith crown and sword and scepter in his hand, Temperit with mercie quhen penitence appeiris: Howbeit that hee lang tyme hes bene sleipand, Quhairthrow misreull hes rung thir monie ʒeiris: That innocentis hes bene brocht on thair beiris, Be fals reporteris of this natioun: Thocht ʒoung oppressouris at the elder leiris, Be now assurit of reformatioun.

¶ Sie no misdoeris be sa bauld, As to remaine into this hauld: For quhy be him that Iudas sauld Thay will be heich hang it.

Now faithfull folk for ioy may sing: For quhy it is the iust bidding Of my soveraine lord the king That na man be wrangit.

Thocht he ane quhyll into his flouris Be gouernit be vylde trompouris: And sumtyme lufe his paramouris, Hauld ʒe him excusit.

For quhen he meittis with Correctioun, VVith Veritie and Discretioun, Thay will be banisched aff the toun, Quhilk hes him abusit.

¶ And heir be oppin proclamatioun, I wairne in name of his magnificence, The thrie estaitis of this natioun, That thay compeir with detfull diligence?

And till his grace mak thair obedience. And first I wairne the Spritualitie, And sie the burgessis spair not for expence: Bot speid thame heir with Temporalitie. Als I beseik ʒow famous auditouris, Conveinit in this congregatioun, To be patient the space of certaine houris, Till ʒe haue hard our short narratioun. And als we mak ʒow supplicatioun, That na man tak our wordis intill disdaine: Althocht ʒe hear be declamatioun, The common-weill richt pitiouslie complaine. Rycht so the verteous ladie Veritie, VVill mak ane pitious lamentatioun: Als for the treuth sho will impresonit be, And banischit lang tyme out of the toun: And Chastitie will mak narratioun, How sho can get na ludging in this land, Till that the heauinlie king Correctioun, Meit with the king and commoun hand for hand.

¶ Prudent peopill I pray ʒow all, Tak na▪ man greif in speciall: For wee sall speik in generall, For pastyme and for play.

Thairfoir till all our rymis berung, And our mistoinit sangis be sung, Leteuerie man keip weill ane toung, And euerie woman tway.

Rex Humanitas.

¶ O Lord of Lords and King of kingis all, Omnipotent of power Prince but peir, Euer ringand in gloir Celestial

Quha be great micht and haising na mateir Maid heauin and eird, fyre, air and watter cleir: Send me thy grace with peace perpetuall, That I may rewll my realme to thy pleaseir, Syne bring my saull to ioy angelicall. Sen thow hes giuin mee dominatioun And rewll of pepill subiect to my cure, Be I nocht rewlit be counsall and ressoun, In dignitie I may nocht lang indure. I grant mystait my self may nocht assure Nor ʒit conserue my lyfe in sickernes: Haue pitie Lord on mee thy creature Supportand me in all my busines. I thee requeist quha rent was on the Rude, Me to defend from the deids of defame: That my pepill report of mebot gude, And be my saifgaird baith from sin and shame▪ I knaw my day is induris bot as ane dreame, Thairfoir O Lord I hairtlie the exhort, To gif me grace to vse my diadeame To thy pleasure and to my great comfort.

Wantonnes.

¶ My Soueraine Lord and Prince but peir, Quhat garris ʒow mak sic dreirie cheir▪ Be blyth sa lang as ʒear heir, And pas tyme with pleasure:

For als lang leifis the mirrie man, As the sorie for ocht he can: His banis full sair Sir sall I ban That dois ʒow displeasure.

Sa lang as Placebo and I, Remaines into ʒour company,

Ʒour grace sall leif richt mirrely: Of this haif ʒe na dout.

Sa lang as ʒe haue vs in cure▪ Ʒour grace sir sall want na pleasure: War Solace heir I ʒow assure, He wald reioyce this rout.

Placebo.

Gude brother myne quhair is Solace The mirrour of all mirrines, I haue great meruell be the Mes He taries sa lang.

Byde he away wee ar bot shent, I ferlie how he fra vs went: I trow he hes impediment That lettis him nocht gang.

Wantonnes.

I left Solace that same greit loun Drinkand into the burrows toun, It will cost him halfe of ane croun, Althocht he had na mair.

And als he said hee wald gang see Fair ladie Sensualitie, The buriall of all bewtie And portratour preclair.

[]Placebo.

Be God I see him at the last As he war chaist rynnand richt fast, He glowris euin as he war agast Or fleyit of ane gaist.

Na, he is wod drunkin I trow, Se ʒe not that he is wod fow: I ken weill be his creischie mow He hes bene at ane feast.

Solace.

Now quha saw euer sic ane thrang? Me thocht sum said I had gaine wrang, Had I help I wald sing ane sang With ane rycht mirrie noyse.

I haue sic pleasour at my hart, That garris me sing the troubill pairt: Waldsum gude fallow sill the quart It wald my hairt reioyce.

Howbeit my coat be short and nippit, Thankis be to God I am weill hippit Thocht all my gold may shone be grippit Intill ane pennie pursse.

Thocht I ane seruand lang haif bene, My purchais is nocht worth ane preine: I may sing Peblis on the greine For ocht that I may tursse.

Quhat is my name can ʒe not gesse, Sirs ken ʒe nocht Sandie solace? Thay callit my mother bonie Besse That dwelt betwene the bowis.

[] Of twelf ʒeir auld sho learnit to swyfe, Thankit be the great God on lyue: Scho maid me fatheris four or fyue, But dout this is na mowis.

Quhen ane was deid sho gat ane vther, Was never man had sic ane mother: Of fatheris sho maid me ane futher, Of law it men and leirit:

Scho is baith wyse, worthie and wicht▪ For scho spairis nouther kuik nor knycht: Ʒea four and twentie on ane nicht, And ay thair eine schobleirit,

And gif I lie sirs ʒe may speir: Bot saw ʒe nocht the King cum heir? I am ane sportour and playfeir To that Royall ʒoung King:

He said he wald within schort space Cum pas his tyme into this place: I pray the Lord to send him grace, That he lang tyme may ring.

Placebo.

Solace quhy taryit ʒe sa lang?

Solace.

The feind a faster I micht gang: I micht not thrist out throw the thrang, Of wyfes fyftein fidder:

Then for to rin I tuik ane rink, Bot I felt neuer sik ane stink: For our lordis luif gif me ane drink, Placebo my deir brother.

Rex Hu.

My servant Solace quhat gart ʒow tarie?

Solace.

I wait not sir be sweit saint Marie, I haue bene in ane feirie farie Or ellis intill ane trance:

Sir I haue sene I ʒow assure The fairest earthlie creature, That ever was formit be nature And maist for to advance▪

To luik on hir is great delyte, With lippis reid and cheikis quhyte I wald renunce all this warld quyte For till stand in hir grace:

Scho is wantoun and scho is wyse: And cled scho is on the new gyse, It wald garall ʒour flesche vp ryse To luik vpon hir face.

War▪ I ane king it sould be kend, I sould not spair on hir to spend: And this same nicht for hir to send, For my pleasure:

Quhat rak of ʒour prosperitie▪ Gif ʒe want Sensualitie? I wald nocht gif ane sillie flie, For ʒour treasure.

¶ Rex.

Forsuith my freinds I think ʒe ar not wyse, Till counsall me to break commandement Directit be the Prince of Paradyce: Considering ʒe knaw that my intent Is for till be to God obedient, Quhilk dois forbid men to be lecherous: Do I nocht sa perchance I will repent, Thairfoir I think ʒour counsall odious ¶ The quhilk ʒe gaif mee till. Becaus I haue bene to this day

Tanquam tabula rasa:

That is als mekill as to say. Redie for gude and ill.

Placebo.

Beleiue ʒe that we will begyll ʒow, Or from ʒour vertew we will wyle ʒow, Or with euill counsall overseyll ʒow, Both into gude and euill:

To tak ʒour graces part wee grant In all ʒour deidis participant, Sa that ʒe be nocht ane ʒoung sanct And syne ane auld deuill.

¶ Wanton.

Beleiue ʒe Sir that Lecherie be sin, Na, trow nocht that, this is my ressoun quhy, First at the Romance Kirk will ʒe begin

Quhilk is the lemand lamp of lechery: Quhair Cardinals and Bischops generally To luif Ladies thay think ane pleasant sport, And out of Rome hes baneist Chastity Quha with our Prelats can get na resort.

¶ Solace.

Sir quhill ʒe get ane prudent Queine, I think ʒour Maiestie serein Sould haue ane lustie Concubein, To play ʒow withall:

For I knaw be ʒour qualitie, Ʒe want the gift of chastitie Fall to in nomine Domini, This is my counsall.

I speik Sir vnder protestatioun, That nane at me haif indignatioun: For all the Prelats of this natioun, For the maist part:

Thay think na schame to haue ane huir, And sum hes thrie vnder thair cuir: This to be trew Ile ʒow assuir Ʒe sall heir efterwart.

¶ Sir knew all the mater throch To play ʒe wald begin Speir at the Monks of Bamirrinoch, Giflecherie be sin.

¶ Placebo.

Sir send ʒe for Sandie solace▪ Orells ʒour monʒeoun Wantonnes, And pray my Ladie Priores, The suith till declair:

Gif it be sin to tak Kaity, Or to leif like ane bummill baty The buik sayis Omnia probate

And nocht for to spair.

Sensualitie.

¶ Luifers awalk behald the fyrie spheir, Behauld the naturall dochter of Venus: Behauld luifers this lustie Ladie cleir The fresche fonteine of Knichtis amorous Repleit with ioyis dulce and delicious· Or quha wald mak to Venus observance. In my mirthfull chalmer melodious? Thair sall thay find all pastyme and pleasance. Behauld my heid behauld my gay attyre, Behauld my halse lusum and lilie quhite: Behauld my visage flammand as the fyre Behauld my papis of portratour perfyte. To luke on mee lufferis hes greit delyte, Rycht sa hes all the Kinges of Christindome: To thame I haif done pleasouris infinite, And speciallie vnto the Court of Rome. ¶Ane kis of me war worth in ane morning A milʒioun of gold to Knicht or King. And ʒit I am of nature sa towart I lat no luiffer pas with ane sair hart. Of my name wald ʒe wit the veritie, Forsuith thay call me Sensualitie. I hauld it best now or we farther gang, To Dame Venus let vs go sing ane sang.

Hamlines.

¶Madame but tarying, For to serue Venus deir, We sall fall to and sing, Sister Danger cum neir.

Danger.

Sister I was nocht sweir To Venus observance, Howbeit I mak Dangeir: Ʒit be continuance, Men may haue thair pleasance: Thairfoir let na man fray, We will tak it perchance, Howbeit that wee say nay.

Hamelines.

Sister cum on ʒour way, And let vs nocht think lang: In all the haist wee may, To sing Venus ane sang.

¶Danger.

Sister sing this sang I may not, Without the help of gude Fund-Ionet: Fund-Ionet, hoaw cum tak a part.

Fund-Ionet.

That sall I do with all my hart: Sister howbeit that I am hais, I am content to beir a bais. Ʒe twa sould luif me as ʒour lyfe, []Ʒe knaw I lernit ʒow baith to swyfe: In my chalmer ʒe wait weill quhair, Sen syne the feind ane man ʒe spair.

Hamelines.

Fund-Ionet, fy, ʒe ar to blame, To speik foull wordis think ʒe not schame?

Fund Ionet.

Thair is ane hundreth heir sitand by []That luifis geaping als weill as I, Micht thay get it in priuitie: Bot quha begins the sang let se.

Rex.

Vp Wantonnes thow sleipis to lang, Me thocht I hard ane mirrie sang: I the command in haist to gang Se quhat ʒon mirth may meine.

Wantonnes.

I trow Sir be the Trinitie Ʒon same is Sensualitie, Gif it be scho sune sall I sie That Soverance sereine.

¶Rex.

Qu hat war thay ʒon to me declair?

Want.

Dame Sensuall baith gude and fair.

¶Placebo.

Sir scho is mekill to avance, For scho can baith play and dance: That perfyt patron of plesance Ane perle of pulchritude: Soft as the silk is hir quhite lyre, Hir hair is like the goldin wyre: My hart burnis in ane flame of fyre I sweir ʒow be the Rude. I think scho is sa wonder fair, That in earth scho hes na compair, War ʒe weill leirn it at luifis lair And syne had hir anis sene: I wait be cokis passioun, Ʒe wald mak supplicatioun, And spend on hir ane millioun Hir lufe for till obteine.

Solace.

Quhat say ʒe sir ar ʒe content, That scho cum heir incontinent: Quhat vails ʒour kingdome and ʒour rent, And all ʒour great treasure: Without ʒe haif ane mirrie lyfe, And cast asyde all sturt and stryfe▪ And sa lang as ʒe want ane wyfe, Fall to and tak ʒour pleasure.

¶Rex.

Gif that be trew quhilk ʒe me tell, I will not langer tarie:

Bot will gang preif that play my sell, Howbeit the warld me warie. ¶Als fast as ʒe may carie, Speid with all diligence: Bring Sensualitie, Fra-hand to my presence. ¶Forsuth I wait not how it stands, Bot sen I hard of ʒour tythands, My bodie trimblis feit and hands And quhiles is hait as fyre: I trow Cupido with his dart, Hes woundit me out▪ throw the hart My spreit will fra my bodie part, Get I nocht my desyre. Pas on away with diligence, And bring hir heir to my presence: Spair nocht for trauell nor expence▪ I cair not for na cost: Pason ʒour way schone Wantonnes, And tak with ʒow Sandie solace, And bring that Ladie to this place, Or els I am bot lost. Commend me to that sweitest thing, And present hir with this same Ring▪ And say I ly in languisching, Except scho mak remeid: With siching sair I am bot schent, Without scho cum incontinent, My heauie lang our to relent, And saif me now fra deid.

Wantonnes.

Or ʒe tuik skaith be Gods goun, []I leuer thair war not vp nor doun

Ane tume cunt into this toun, Nor twentie myle about. Doubt ʒe nocht Sir, bot wee will get hir, Wee sall be feirie for till fetch hir, Bot faith wee wald speid all the better, Till gar our pursses rout▪

Solace.

Sir let na sorrow in ʒow sink, Bot gif vs Ducats for till drink: And wee sall never sleip ane wink Till it be back or eadge: Ʒe ken weill Sir wee haue no cunʒe,

Rex.

Solace, sure that sall be no sunʒie, Beir ʒe that bag vpon ʒour lunʒie, Now sirs win weill ʒour wage; I pray ʒow speid ʒow sone againe

Wantonnes.

Ʒe of this sang sir wee ar faine, Wee sall nether spair wind nor raine▪ Till our days wark be done: Fairweill for wee ar at the flicht, Placebo rewll our Roy at richt: We sall be heir man or midnicht, Thocht wee marche with the Mone.

¶Wā.

Pastyme with pleasāce & greit prosperitie Be to ʒow Soveraine Sensualitie,

Sen.

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

Wantonnes.

In faith I trow we be at the farrest.

Sens.

Quhat is ʒour name I pray ʒou Sir declair?

Wan.

Marie Wantonnes the Kings secretair,

Sens.

Quhat King is that quhilk hes sa gay a boy?

Wan.

Humanitie that richt redoutit Roy, Quhilk dois commend him to ʒow hartfullie And sends ʒow heir ane ring with ane Rubie

In takin that abuife all creatour He hes chosen ʒow to be his Paramonr: He bade me say that he will be bot deid, Without that ʒe mak haistelie remeid.

Sēs.

How can I help him althocht he suld for fair▪ Ʒe ken richt weill I am na Medcinair.

Sol.

Ʒes lustie ladie thocht he war never sa seik, I wait ʒe beare his health into ʒour breik: Ane kis of ʒour sweit mow in ane morning, Till his seiknes micht be greit comforting, And als he maks ʒow supplicatioun, This nicht to mak with him collatioun.

¶Sēsualitie.

I thank his grace of his benevolēce, Gude sirs I sall be reddie evin fra hand: In me thair ••all be fund ••a negligence, Baith nicht & day quhen his grace will demand, Pas ʒe befoir and say I am cummand, And thinks richt lang to haif of him ane sicht: And I to Venus do mak ane faithfull band, That i•• his arms I think to ly all nicht.

Want.

That sal be done, bot ʒit or I hame pas, Heir I protest for Hamelynes ʒour las.

Sens.

Scho salbe at command sir quhen ʒe will I traist scho sall find ʒow flinging ʒour fill.

¶Want.

Now hay for ioy and mirth I dance, Tak thair ane gay gamond of France: Am I nocht worthie till avance? That am sa gude a page: And that sa spedelie can rin, To tyst my maister vnto sin, The feind a penny he will win Of this his mariage.

[]I rew richt sair be sanct Michell, Nor I had pearst hir my awin sell: For quhy ʒon King be Bryds bell Kennis na mair of ane cunt: Nor dois the noueis of ane freir: It war bot almis to pull my eir, That wald not preif ʒon gallant geir: Fy that I am sa blunt. I think this day to win greit thank, Hay, as ane brydlit cat I brank: Alace I haue wreistit my schank, Yit gangis be sanct Michaell. Quhilk of my leggis Sirs as ʒe trow▪ Was it that I did hurtevin now? Bot quhairto sould I speir at ʒow I think thay baith ar hiall. ¶Gude morrow Maister be the Mes,

Rex.

Welcum my menʒeon Wantonnes, How hes thow sped in thy trauell?

Wanton.

Rycht weill be him that herry it hell: Ʒour erand is weill done.

Rex.

Then VVantonnes how weill is mee, Thow hes deseruit baith meit and fie, Be him that maid the Mone: ¶Thair is anething that I wald speir, Quhat sall I do quhen scho cums heir? For I knaw nocht the craft perqueir Of luifers gyn: Thairfoir at lenth ʒe mon me leir▪ How to begin.

¶ Wan.

To kis hir & clap hir sir be not affeard, Sho will not schrink thocht ʒe kis hir ane span wthin the baird

Gif ʒe think that sho thinks shame thē hyd ye bairnseine [] With hir taill, & tent hir weil, ʒe wait quhat I meine: Will ʒe leif me Sir first for to go to, And I sall leirne ʒow all kewis how to do.

Rex.

God forbid Wantonnes that I gif the leife, Thou art ouer perillous ane page sic practiks to preife.

Wan.

Now Sir preife as ʒe pleis, I se hir cumand, Vse ʒour self grauelie, wee sall by ʒow stand.

¶ Sensuall.

O Queene Venus vnto thy Celsitude, I gif gloir, honour, laud and reuerence: Quha grantit me sic perfite pulchritude, That Princes of my persone haue pleasance. I mak ane vow with humbill obseruance, Richt reuerentlie thy Tempill to visie, With sacrifice vnto thy Dyosie. Till everie stait I am so greabill, That few or nane refuses me at all: Paipis, Patriarks or Prelats venerabill, Common pepill and Princes temporall, Ar subiect all to me Dame Sensuall. Sa sall it be ay quhill the warld indures And speciallie quhair ʒouthage hes the cures. ¶ Quha knawis the contrair▪ I traist few in this companie, Wald thay declair the veritie, How thay vse Sensualitie: Bot with me maks repair. And now my way I man auance, Vnto ane Prince of great puissance, Quhom ʒoung men hes in gouernance Rolland into bis rage: I am richt glaid I ʒow assure,

That potent Prince to get in cure: Quhilk is of lustines the luir, And greitest of curage. ¶O potent Prince of pulchritude preclair, God Cupido preserue ʒour celsitude: And Dame Venus mot keip ʒour court frō cair As I wald sho suld keip my awin hart-blud:

Rex.

Welcum to me peirles in pulchritude, Welcum to me thow sweiter nor the Lamber, Quhilk hes maid me of all dolour denude, Solace, convoy this Ladie to my chamber.

Sensua.

I gang this gait with richt gude will, Sir Wantonnes tarie ʒe stil: And Hamelines the cap ʒeis fill And beir him cumpanie. That sall I do withoutin dout, And he and I sall play cap'out,

Wan.

Now Ladie len me that batye tout Fill in for I am dry. ¶[] Ʒour dame be this trewlie, Hes gotten vpon the gumis Quhat rak thocht ʒe and I Go iunne our iusting Lumis,

Hamelines.

Content I am with gude will, Quhen euer ʒe ar reddie: Ʒour pleasure to fulfill,

Wantonnes.

Now weill said be our Ladie, He bair my Maister cumpanie, Till that I may indure: Gif ʒe be quisland wantounlie, We sall fling on the flure.

Gude Counsall.

¶Immortall God maist of magnificence, Quhais Maiestie na Clark can comprehend: Must saue ʒow all that giuis sic audience, And grant ʒow grace him never till offend, Quhilk on the Croce did willinglie ascend, And sched his pretious blude on everie side: Quhais pitious passioun from danger ʒow defend, And be ʒour gratious governour and gyde. Now my gude freinds considder I ʒow beseik The caus maist principall of my cumming, Princis or Potestatis ar nocht worth ane leik, Be thay not gydit be my gude gouerning: Thair was never Empriour, Conquerour nor King, Without my wisdome that micht thair wil avance, My name is Gude Counsall without feinʒeing, Lords for lack of my lair ar brocht to mischance. ¶Finallie for conclusioun, Quha halds me at delusioun: Sall be brocht to confusioun: And this I vnderstand, For I haue maid my residence, With hie Princes of greit puissance, In Ingland, Italie and France, And monie vther Land. Bot out of Scotland wa alace, Ihaifbene fleimit lang tyme space, That garris our gyders all want grace And die befoir thair day: Becaus thay lychtlyit gude counsall, Fortune turnit on thame hir saill, Quhilk brocht this Realme to meikill baill, Quha can the contrair say?

My Lords I came nocht heir to lie: Wais me for King Humanitie, Ov erset with Sensualitie, In th'entrie of his ring: Throw vicious counsell insolent, Sa thay may get riches or rent, To his weilfair thay tak na tent, Nor quhat sal be th'ending. ¶Ʒit in this Realme I wald mak sum repair, Gif I beleifit my name suld nocht forfair, For wald this King be gydit ʒit with ressoun, And on misdoars mak punitioun: Howbeit I haif lang tyme bene exyllit, I traist in God my name sall ʒit be styllit. Sa till I se God send mair of his grace, I purpois tilrepois me in this place.

Flatterie.

¶Mak roume sirs hoaw, that I may rin, Lo se quhair I am new cum, ••egaryit all with sindrie hewis: Let be ʒour din till I begin, And I sall schaw ʒow of my newis. Throuchout all Christindome I haue past, And am cum heir now at the last, Tostit on sea ay sen Ʒuill day: That wee war faine to hew our Mast, Nocht half an e myle beʒond the May. Bot now amang ʒow I will remaine, I purpois never to sail againe: To put my lyfe in chance of watter: Was never sene sic wind and raine, Nor of Schipmen sic clitter clatter.

Sum bade haill and sum bade standby, On steirburd hoaw aluiff fy fy: Quhill all the raipis beguith to rattil: Was never Roysa fleyd as I, Quhen all the sails playd brittill brattill. To se the waws it was ane wonder, And wind that raif the sails in sunder, Bot I lay braikand like ane Brok: And shot sa fast aboue and vnder, The Deuill durst not cum neir my dok. Now am I scapit fra that effray, Quhat say ʒe sirs am I nocht gay? Se ʒe not Flatterie ʒour awin fuill? That ʒeid to mak this new array, Was I not heir with ʒow at Ʒuill? Ʒes be my faith I think on weill. Quhair ar my fallows that wald nocht fail? We suld haue cum heir for ane cast. Hoaw Falset hoaw.—

Falset.

—Wa sair the Deuill Quha is that that cryis for mesa fast

Flat.

Quhy Falset brother knawis thou not me? Am I nocht thy brother Flattrie?

Falset.

Now welcome be the Trinitie This meitting cums for gude Now let me bresse the •••• my armis, Quhen freinds meits harts warmis: Quod Iok that frelie fud: How happinit ʒow into this place?

Flatterie.

Now be my saul evin on a cace. I come in sleipand at the port,

Or ever I wist amang this sort. Quhair is Dissait that limmer loun?

Falset.

I left him drinkand in the toun, He will be heir incontinent.

Flatterie.

Now be the haly Sacrament, Thay tydingis comforts all my hart: I wait Dissait will tak my part. He is richt craftie as ʒe ken, And counsallour to the Merchand-men: Let vs ly doun heir baith and spy, Gif wee persaue him cummand by.

Dissait.

¶Stand by the gait that I maysteir, Aisay Koks bons, how cam I heir? can not mis to tak sum feir, Into sa greit ane thrang: Marie heir ane cumlie congregatioun, Quhat ar ʒe sirs all of ane natioun? Maisters I speik be protestatioun, In dreid ʒe tak me wrang. Ken ʒe not sirs quhat is my name? Gude faith I dar not schawit for schame: Sen I was clekit of my Dame, Ʒit was I never leill: For Katie vnsell was my mother, And common theif my father-brother: Offic freindship I had ane fither, Howbeit I can not steill. Bot ʒit I will borrow and len, As be my cleathing ʒe may ken; That I am cum of nobill men, And als I will debait,

That querrell with my feit and hands: And I dwell amang the merchands, My name gifonie man demands, Thay call me Dissait▪ ¶Bon-iour brother with all my hart, Heir I am cum to tak ʒour part, Baith into gude and euill: I met Gude counsall be the way, Quha pat me in ane felloun fray, I gif him to the Deuill.

¶Falset.

How chaipit ʒe I pray ʒow tell?

Dissait.

I slipit into ane bordell: And hid me in ane bawburds bed: []Bot suddenlie hir schankis I sched▪ With hoch hurland amang hir howis▪ God wait gif wee maid monie mowis: How came ʒe heir I pray ʒow tell me?

Falset.

Marie to seik King Humanitie.

Dissait.

Now be the gude Ladie that me bair, That samin hors is my awin Mair: Now with our purpois let vs mell, Quhat is ʒour counsall I pray ʒow tell? Sen we thrie seiks ʒon nobill King, Let vs deuyse sum subtill thing: And als I pray ʒow as my brother, That we ilk ane be trew to vther. I mak ane vow with all my hart, In gude and euill to tak ʒour part▪ I pray to God nor I be hangit, Bot I sall die or ʒe be wrangit.

Falset.

Quhat is thy counsall that wee do?

Marie sirs this is my counsall lo, Till tak our tyme quhill wee may get it, For now thait is na man to let it: Fra tyme the King begin to steir him, Marie gude counsall I dreid cum neir him, And be wee knaw in with Correctioun. It will be our confusioun: Thairfoir my deir brother deuyse To find sum toy of the new gyse.

Flat.

Marie I sall finde ane thousand wyles, Wee man turne our claithis & change our stiles: And diasagyse vs that na man ken vs, Hes na man Clarkis cleathing to len vs: And let vs keip graue countenance, As wee war new cum out of France.

Dissait.

Now be my saull that is weill deuysit▪ Ʒe sall se me sone disagysit,

Falset.

And sa sall I man be the Rude, Now sum gude fallow len me ane hude.

Dissait.

Now am I buskit and quha can spy, The Deuill stik me gif this be I: If this be I or not, I can not weill say, Or hes the Feind or Fatie-folk borne me away,

Falset.

And gif my hair war vp in ane how, The feind ane man wald ken me I trow: Quhat sayis thou of my gay garmoun▪

Dissait.

I say thou luiks euin like ane loun: Now brother Flatterie quhat do ʒe, Quhat kynde of man schaip ʒe to be?

Flattrie.

Now be my faith my brother deir, I will gang counterfit the Freir,

Dissait.

A Freir, quhairto ʒe can nor preiche.

Flattrie.

Quhat rak man I can richt weill fleich? Perchance Ile cum that honour, To be the Kings confessour. Pure Freirs ar free at any fealt, And marchellit ay amang the best. Als God to hes lent them sic graces, That Bischops puts them in thair places: Out-throw thair Dioceis to preiche, Bot ferlie nocht howbeit thay fleich: For schaw thay all the veritie, Thaill want the Bischops charitie. And thocht the corne war never sa skant, The gudewyfis will not let Freirs want: For quhy thay ar thair confessours, Thair heauinlie prudent counsalours. Thairfoir the wyfis plainlie taks thair parts, And shawis the secreits of thair harts, To Freirs with better will I trow, Nor thay do to thair bed-fallow. Dissait, And I reft anis ane Freirs coull, Bvtuix Sanct-Iohnestoun and Kinnoull: I sall gang fetch it, gif ʒe will tarie.

Flattrie.

Now play me that of companarie. Ʒe faw him nocht this hundreth ʒeir, That better can counterfeit the Freir.

Dissait.

Heir is th•• gaining all and sum, That is ane koull of Tullilum.

Flattrie.

Quha hes ane portouns for to len me? The feind ane saull I trow will ken me.

Falset.

Now gang thy way quhair euer thow will, Thow may be fallow to freir Gill: Bot with Correctioun gif wee be kend,

I dreid wee mak ane schamefull end.

Flattrie.

For that mater I dreid nathing, Freiris ar exemptit fra the King: And Freiris will reddie entries get, Quhen Lords ar haldin at the ʒet.

Falset.

Wee man do mair ʒit be Sanct Iames, For wee mon all thrie change our names Hayif me, and Isall baptize thee:

Dissait.

Be God and thair-about may it be. How will thou call me I pray the tell?

Falset.

I wait not how to call my sell.

Dislait.

Bot ʒit anis name the bairns name,

Falset.

Discretioun, Discretioun in Gods name.

Dislait.

I neid nocht now to cair for thrift, Bot quhat salbe my God bairne gift?

Falset.

I gif ʒow all the Deuilis of hell,

Dissait.

Na brother hauld that to thy sel. Now sit doun let me baptize the I wait not quhat thy name sould be:

Falset.

Bot ʒit anis name the bairns name. Dissait Sapience in ane warlds-schame.

Flatrie.

Brother Dissait cum baptize me,

Dissait.

Then sit doun lawlie on thy kne.

Flatrie.

Now brother name the bairns name,

Dissait.

Devotioun the Deuillis name,

Flattrie.

The deuill resaue the lurdoun loun, Thow hes weat all my new schawin croun.

Dissait.

Devotioun, Sapience and discretioun, Wee thre may rewll this Regioun. Wee sall find monie craftie things, For to begyll are hundreth Kingis. For thow can richt weil crak and clatter,

And I sall feinʒe, and thow sall flatter.

Flattrie.

Bot I wald haue or wee depairtit, Ane drink to mak vs better hartit.

Now the King sall cum fra his chamber.

Dissait.

Weill said be him that herryit hell, I was euin thinkand that my sell. Now till wee get the Kings presence, Wee will sit down and keip silence: Ise ane ʒeoman quhat ever be, Ile wod my lyfe ʒon same is he. Feir nocht brother, bot hauld ʒow still, Till wee haue hard quhat is his will.

Rex.

Now quhair is Placebo and Solace? Quhair is my minʒeoun Wantonnes? Wantonnes hoaw, cum to me sone,

Wantonnes.

Quhy cryit ʒe sir till I had done?

Rex.

Quhat was ʒe doand tell me that?

Wantonnes.

Mary leirand how my father me gat. I wait nocht how it stands but doubt. Me think the warld rinnis round about.

Rex.

And sa think I man be my thrift I se fyteine Mones in the lift.

Hamelin.

Gat ʒe nocht that quhilk ʒe desyrit? Sir I beleif that ʒe ar tyrit.

Danger.

Bot as for Placebo and Solace I held them baith in mirrines,

¶Solace.

Now schaw me sir I ʒow exhort▪ How ar ʒe of ʒour luif content Think ʒe not this ane mirrie sport:

Rex.

Ʒea that I do in verament. Quhat bairnis ar ʒon vpon the bent, I did nocht se them all this day.

Wantonnes.

Thay will be heir incontinent, Stand still and heir quhat thay will say.

Now the vycis cums and maks salutatioun, saying.

¶Dissait.

Laud honor, gloir, triumph & victory Be to ʒour maist excellent Maiestie.

Rex.

Ʒe ar welcum gude freinds be the Rude, Appeirandlie ʒe seime sum men of gude, Quhat ar ʒour names tell me without delay,

Dissait.

Discretioun Sir, is my name perfay.

Rex.

Quhat is ʒour name sit with the clipit croū

Flattrie.

But dout my name is callit Devotioun.

Rex.

Welcum Devotioun be Sanct Iame: Now si••ray tell quhat is ʒour name?

Falset.

Marie sir thay call me, quhat call thay me?

Rex.

Can ʒe nocht tell quhat is ʒour name?

Falset.

I kend it quhen I cam fra hame.

Rex.

Quhat gars ʒe can nocht schawit now?

Falset.

Marie thay call me thin-drink I trow?

Rex.

Thin-drink▪ quhat lynde of name is that?

Dissait.

Sapiens thou seruis to beir ane plat▪ Me think thow schawis the not weill wittit;

Falset.

Sypeins, sir sypeins, marie now ʒe hit it.

Flattrie.

Sir gif ʒe pleis to let him say, His name is SAPIENTIA.

Falset.

That same is it be Sanct Michell▪

Rex.

Quhy could thou not tell it thy sell?

Falset.

I pray ʒour grace appardoun me, And I sall schaw the veritie: I am sa full of Sapience, That sumtyme I will tak ane trance. My spreit wes reft fra my bodie, Now heich aboue the Trinitie.

Rex.

Sapience suld be ane man of gude:

Falset.

Sir ʒe may ken that be my hude.

Rex.

Now haue I Sapience and Discretioun, How can I faill to rewll this Regioun? And Devotioun to be my confessour, Thir thrie came in ane happie hour, Heir I mak the my secretar, And thow salbe my thesaurar: And thow salbe my counsallour, In spriruall things and confessour

¶Flattrie.

I sweir to ʒow sir be sanct An, Ʒe met never with ane wyser man, For monie a craft sir do I can, VVar thay weill knaw in▪ Sir I haue na feill of flattrie, Bot fosterit with Philsophie, Ane strange man in Astronomie, Quhilk salbe schawin.

Falset.

And I haue greit intelligence In quelling of the quintessence: Bot to preif my experience, Sir len me fourtie crownes: To mak multiplicatioun, And tak my obligatioun, Gifwee mak fals narratioun, Hauld vs for verie lownes.

¶Dissait.

Sir I ken be ʒour Physnomie, Ʒe sall conqueis, or els I lie, Danskin, Denmark, and Almane, Spittelfeild and the Realme of Spane. Ʒe sall haue at ʒour governance. Ranfrow and all the Realme of France.

Ʒea Rugland and the toun of Rome, Castorphine and al christindome. Quhairto sir be the Trinitie, Ʒe ar ar ane verie Apersie.

Flattrie.

Sir quhen I dwelt in Italie, I leirit the craft of Palmistrie, Schaw me the lufe Sir, of ʒour hand, And I sall gar ʒow vnderstand, Gif ʒour grace be infortunat, Or gif ʒe be predestinat. I see ʒe will haue fyfteine Queenes And fyfteine scoir of Concubeines: The Virgin Marie saife ʒour grace, Saw ever man sa quhyte ane face: Sa greit ane arme, sa fair ane hand, Thairs nocht sic ane leg in al this land. War ʒe in armis I think na wonder, Howbeit ʒe dang doun fyfteine hunder.

Dissait.

Now be my saull thats trew thow sayis Wes never man set sa weill his clais: Thair is na man in Christintie, Sa meit to be ane King as ʒe,

Falset.

Sir thank the haly Trinitie: That send vs to ʒour cumpanie: For God nor I gaip in ane gallows, Gif ever ʒe fand thrie better fallows.

Rex.

Ʒe ar richt welcum be the Rude, Ʒe seime to be thrie men of gude.

Heir sall Gude-counsell schaw himself in the feild

Bot quha is ʒon that stands sa still? Ga spy and speir quhat is his will. And gif he ʒearnis my presence,

Bring him to mee with Diligence.

[] Dissait.

That sall wee do be Gods breid: We's bring him eather quick or deid.

Rex.

I will sit still heir and repois, Speid ʒow agane to me my Iois,

¶Falset.

Ʒe hardlie Sir, keip ʒow in clois And quyet till wee cum againe: Brother I trow be coks toes, Ʒon bairdit bogill cums fra ane traine.

Dissait.

Gif he dois sa he salbe slaine, I doubt him nocht, nor ʒit ane vther: Trowit I that he come for ane traine, Of my freindis I sould rais ane futher.

¶Flattrie.

I doubt full sair be God him sell, That ʒon auld churle be Gude-counsell: Get he anis to the Kings presence, We thrie will get na audience.

Dissait.

That matter I sall tak on hand, And say it is the Kings command, That he anone devoyd this place, And cum nocht neir the Kings grace: And that vnder the paine of tressoun:

Flattrie.

Brother I hauld ʒour counsell ressoun. Now let vs heir quhat he will say, Auld lyart beard, gude day, gude day.

Gude-counsall.

Gude day againe sirs be the rude The Lord mot mak ʒow men of gude.

Dissait.

Pray nocht for vs to Lord nor Ladie, For we ar men of gude alreadie, Sir schaw to vs quhat is ʒour name?

Gude-counsall.

Gude-counsell thay call me at hame,

Falset.

Quhat says thow carle, ar thow Gude-counsell?

Swyith pak the sone vnhappie vnsell. Gif ever thou cum this gait againe, I vow to God thou sall be slaine.

Gude-counsall.

I pray ʒow sirs, gif me licence, To cum anis to the Kings presence: To speik bot twa words to his grace,

Flattrie.

Swyith horsune carle, devoyd this place.

Gude-counsell.

Brother I ken ʒow weill aneuch, Howbeit ʒe mak it never sa teuch: Flattrie, Dissait and Fals-report, That will not suffer to resort: Gude-Counsall to the Kings presence.

Dissait.

Suyith hursun carle gang pak the hence, Gif ever thou cum this gait agane, I vow to God thousall be slane.

Heir sall thay hurle away Gude-Counsall.

Sen at this tyme I can get na presence, Is na remeid bot tak in patience. Howbeit Gude-counsall haistelie be nocht hard With ʒoung Princes ʒit sould thay noch be skard. Bot quhen ʒouthheid hes blawin his wanton blast, Then fall Gude-counsall rewll him at the last.

Now the Vycis gangs to ane counsall.

Flattrie.

Now quhill Gude-Counsall is absent, Brother wee mon be diligent: And mak betwix vs sikker bands, Quhen vacadns fallis in onie Lands. That everie man help weill his fallow,

Dissait.

I had deir brother be Alhallow. Sa ʒe fische nocht within our bounds,

[] Flattrie.

That sall I noch be Gods wounds▪ Bot I sall plainlie tak ʒour partis,

Falset.

Sa sall wee thyne with all our hartis. Bot haist vs quhill the King is ʒoung, Let everie man keip weill ane toung. And in ilk quarter haue ane spy, Vs till adverteis haistelly, Quhen ony casualities, Sall happin into our countries, And let vs mak provisioun, Or he cum to discretioun▪ Na mair he waits now nor ane sant, Quhat thing it is to haif or want, Or he cum till his perfyte age, We sall be sikker of our wage: And then let everie carle craif vther.

Di.

Yat mouth spcik mair my awin deir brother. For God nor I rax in ane raip, Thow may gif counsall to the Paip.

Now thay returne to the King.

¶Rex.

Quhat gart ʒou bid sa lang fra my presēce? I think it lang since ʒe depairtit thence. Quhat man was ʒon with an greit bostous beird Me thocht he maid ʒow all thrie very feard.

¶Dissait.

It was ane laidlie lurdan loun, Cumde to break buithis into this toun: Wee haue ga••t bind him with ane poill, And send him to the theisis hoill:

Rex.

Let him sit thair with ane mischance, And let vs go to our pastance.

Wantonnes.

Better go reuell at the rackat, Or ellis go to the hurlie hackat, Or then to schaw our curtlie corsses, Ga se quha best can rin thair horsses.

Solace.

Na soveraine or wee farther gang Gar Sensualitie sing ane sang.

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

Veritie.

Diligite Iustitiam qui iudicatis terram.

¶ Luif Iustice ʒe quha hes ane Iudges cure, In earth and dried the awfull Iudgement, Of him that sall cum iudge baith rich and pure, Rycht terribilly with bludy wounds rent. That dreidfull day into ʒour harts imprent: Beleuand weill▪ how and quhat maner ʒe Vse Iustice heir til vthers, thair at lenth That day but doubt sa sallʒe iudgit be. Wo than and duill be to ʒow Princes all, Suffer and the pure anes for till be opprest: In everlasting burn and fyre ʒe sall With Lucifer richt dulfullie be drest. Thairfoir in tyme for till eschaip that nest, Feir God, do law and Iustice equally, Till everie man: se that na puir opprest Vp to the hevin on ʒow ane vengence cry. Be iust iudges without fauour or fead, And hauld the Ballance euin till everie wicht: Let not the fault be left into the head, Then sall the members reulit be at richt. For quhy subiects do follow day and nicht Thair governours in vertew and in vyce. Ʒe ar the lamps that sould schaw them the licht Lo leid them on this sliddrie rone of yce.

Mobile mutatur semper cum principe vulgus.

And gif ʒe wald ʒour subiectis war weill geuin, Then verteouslie begin the dance ʒour sell:

Going befoir▪ then they anone I wein, Sall follow ʒow, eyther till heuin or hell: Kings sould of gude exempils be the well▪ Bot gif that ʒour strands be intoxicate, In steid of wyne thay drink the poyson fell: Thus pepill follows ay thair principate.

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

And speciallyʒe Princes of the Preists, That of peopill hes spiritual cuir, Daylyʒe sould revolue into ʒour breistis, How that thir haly words ar still maist sure In verteous lyfe gif that ʒe do indure The pepill wil tak mair tent to ʒour deids Then to ʒour words: and als baith rich and puir Will follow ʒow baith in ʒour warks and words.

Heir sal Flattrie spy Veritie with ane dum countenance.

Gif men of me wald haue intelligence, Or knaw my name, thay call me VERITIE. Of Christis law I haue experience, And hes over saillit many stormie sey. Now am I seikand King Humanitie, For of his grace I haue gude esperance, Fra tyme that he acquaintit be with mee, His honour and heich gloir I sall avance.

Heir sall Veritie pas to hir sait.

Dissait.

Gude day father, quhair haue ʒe bene? Declair till vs of ʒour nouels. Flattrie Thair is now lichtit on the grene, Dame Veritie, be Buiks and bels. Bot cum scho to the Kings presence Thair is na buit for vs to byde.

Thairfoir I red vs all go hence.

Falset.

That will we nocht ʒit be Sanct Bryde Bot wee sall ather gang or ryde, To Lords of Spritualitie, And gar them trow ʒon bag ofpryde, Hes spokin manifest heresie.

Heir thay cum to the Spiritualitie.

Flattrie.

O reverent fatheris of the Sprituall stait, Wee counsall ʒow be wyse and vigilant: Dame Veritie hes lychtit now of lait, And in hir hand beirand the Newtestament▪ Be scho ressauit but doubt wee ar bot schent, Let hir nocht Iudge thairfoir into this Land, And this wee reid ʒow do incontinent, Now quhill the King is with his luif sleipand.

Spritualitie.

Wee thank ʒow freinds of ʒour benevolence, It sall be done evin as ʒe haue devysit: Wee think ʒe serue ane gudlie recompence, Defendand vs that wee be nocht supprysit. In this mater wee man be weill aduysit, Now quhill the King misknawis the veritie, Be scho ressauit then wee will be deprysit, Quhat is ʒour counsell brother now let se?

Abbot.

I hauld it best that wee incontinent, Gar hauld hir fast into Captivitie: Vnto the thrid day of the Parlament And then accuse hir of hir herisie: Or than banische hir out of this cuntrie, For with the King gif Veritie be knawin▪ Of our greit gloir wee will degradit be

And all our secreits to the commouns schawin.

Persone.

Ʒese the King is ʒit effeminate, And gydit be Dame Sensualitie, Rycht sa with ʒoung counsall intoxicate, Swa at this tyme ʒe haif ʒour libertie. To tak ʒour tyme I hauld it best for me, And go distroy all thir Lutherians: In speciall ʒon ladie Veritie,

Spirituali.

Schir Persone ʒe sall be my commissair, To put this mater till executioun▪ And ʒe sir Freir, becaus ʒe can declair The haill processe, pas with him in commissioun, Pas all togidder with my braid bennisoun, And gifscho speiks against our libertie, Then put hir in perpetuall presoun, That scho cum nocht to King Humanitie.

Heir sall thay pas to Verity.

Persone.

Lustie Ladie we wald faine vnderstand, Quhat earand ʒe haif in this Regioun? To preich or teich quha gaif to ʒow command, To counsall Kingis how gat ʒe commissioun? I dreid without ʒe get ane remissioun, And syne renunce ʒour new opiniones The sprituall stait sall put ʒow to perditioun And in the fyre will burne ʒow flesche and bones.

Veritie.

I will recant nathing that I haue schawin, I haue said nathing bot the veritie: Bot with the King fra tyme that I be knawin I dreid ʒe spaiks of Spritualitie▪ Sall rew that ever I came in this cuntrie

For gifthe Veritie plainlie war proclamit, And speciallie to the Kings Maiestie, For ʒour traditions ʒe wilbe all defamit.

Flattrie.

Quhat buik is that harlot into thy hand, Out walloway, this is the New Test'ment, In Englisch toung, and printit in England, Herisie, herisie, fire, fire incontinent.

Verity.

Forsuith my freind ʒe haue ane wrāg iudge∣ment, For in this Buik thair is na heresie: Botour Christs word, baith dulce and redolent, Ane springing well of sinceir veritie.

Dissait.

Cum on ʒour way for all ʒour ʒealow locks Ʒour vantoun words but doubt ʒe sall repent: This nicht ʒe sall forfair ane pair of stocks, And syne the morne be brocht to thoill Iudgment.

Veritie.

For our christs saik I am richt weill content To suffer all thing that sall pleis his grace, Howbeit ʒe put ane thousand to torment, Ten hundreth thowsand sall rise into thair place.

Veritie sits doun on hir knies and sayis.

Get vp, thow, thow sleipis all too lang, O Lord, And mak sum ressonabill reformatioun On them that dois tramp doun thy gracious word, And hes ane deidlie indignatioun At them quha maks maist trew narratioun: Suffer me not Lord mair to be molest, Gude Lord, I mak the supplicatioun With thy vnfreinds let me nocht be supprest: ¶Now Lords do as ʒe list, I haue na mair to say.

Flattrie.

Sit doun and tak ʒow rest, All nicht till it be day.

Thay put Veritie in the stocks and returne to Spritualite.

Dissait.

My Lord wee haue with diligence Bucklit vp weill ʒon bledrand baird:

Spritualitie.

I think ʒe serue gude recompence, Tak thirten crowns for ʒour rewaird.

¶Verity.

The Prophesie of the Propheit Esay Is practickit alace, on mee this day: Quha said the veritie sould be trampit doun Amid the streit, and put in strang presoun. His fyue and fyftie chapter quha list luik, Sall find thir words writtin in his Buik. Richt sa Sanct Paull wrytis to Timothie, That men sall turne thair earis from veritie. Bot in my Lord God I haue esperance, He will provide for my deliverance. Bot ʒe Princes of Spiritualitie, Quha sould defend the sinceir veritie, I dreid the plagues of Iohnes Revelatioun Sall sal vpon ʒour generatioun. I counsall ʒow this misse t'amend, Sa that ʒe may eschaip that fatall end.

Chastitie.

How lang sall this inconstant warld indure, That I sould baneist be sa lang alace: Few creatures or nane takis on me cure, Quhilk gars me monie nicht ly harbrieles. Thocht I haue past all ʒeir fra place to place, Amang the Temporal and Spirituall staits: Nor amang Princes I can get na grace, Bot boustuouslie am halden at the ʒetis.

Diligence.

Ladie I pray ʒow schaw me ʒour name, It dois me noy ʒour lamentatioun,

Chas.

My freind thair of I neid not to think shame, Dame Chastitie baneist from town to town.

Diligence.

Then pas to ladies of Religioun, Quhilk maks thair vow to obserue Chastitie: Lo quhair thair sits ane Priores of renown, Amangs the rest of Spritualitie.

Chastitie.

I grant ʒon Ladie hes vowit Chastitie, For hir professioun thairto sould accord: Scho maid that vow for ane Abesie, Bot nocht for Christ Iesus our Lord. Fra tyme that thay get thair vows, I stand for'd, Thay banische hir out of thair cumpanie, With Chastitie thay can mak na concord Bot leids thair lyfis in Sensualitie, I sall obserue ʒour counsall gif I may, Cum on and heir quhat ʒon Ladie will say?

Chastitie passis to the Ladie Priores and sayis.

My prudent lustie Lastie Priores, Remember how ʒe did vow Chastitie: Madame I pray ʒow of ʒour gentilnes, That ʒe wald pleis to haif of me pitie: And this ane nicht to gif me harberie, For this I mak ʒow supplicatioun Do ʒe nocht sa Madame I dreid perdie, It will becaus of depravatioun.

Priores.

Pas hynd Madame, be Christ ʒe cum nocht heir, Ʒe ar contrair to my cumplexioun: Gang seik ludging at sum auld Monk or Freir, Perchance thay will be ʒour protectioun. Or to Prelats mak ʒour progressioun, Quhilks ar obleist to ʒow als weill as I:

Dame Sensuall hes geuin directioun Ʒow till exclude out of my cumpany.

Chastitie.

Gif ʒe wald wit mair of the veritie, I sall schaw ʒow be sure experience, How that the Lords of Sprituality, Hes baneist me, alace, fra thair presence.

Chastitie passes to the Lords of Spritualitie,

My Lords, laud, gloir, triumph and reverence, Mot be vnto ʒour halie Sprituall stait: I ʒow beseik of ʒour benevolence, To harbry mee that am sa desolait▪* * Lords I haue past throw mony vncouth schyre, Bot in this Land I can get na ludgeing Of my name gif ʒe wald haif knawledging, Forsuith my Lords thay call me Chastitie, I ʒow beseik of ʒour graces bening. Gif me ludging this nicht for charitie.

¶Spritualitie.

Pas on Madame we knaw ʒow nocht Or be him that the warld wrocht, Ʒour cumming sall be richt deir co••t Gif ʒe mak langer tarie.

Abbot.

But doubt wee will baith leif and die With our luif Sensualitie, Wee will haif na mair deall with the, Then with the Queene of Farie.

Persone.

Pas hame amang the Nunnis and dwell, Quhilks ar of Chastitie the well: I traist thay will with Buik and bell, Ressaue ʒow in thair Closter.

Chastitie.

Sir, quhen I was the Nunnis amang, Out of thair dortour thay mee dang, And wald nocht let me bide sa lang,

To say my Pater noster. I se na grace thairfoir to get, I hauld it best or it be lait, For till go proue the Temporall stait Gif thay will mee resaif: Gud-day my Lord Temporalitie, And ʒow merchant of gravitie: Ful faine wald I haue harberie, To ludge amang the laif.

Tempora.

Forsuith wee wald be weil content, To harbie ʒow with gude intent, War nocht we haif impediment: For quhy we twa ar maryit: Bot wist our wyfis that ʒe war heir, Thay wald mak all this town on steir: Thairfoir we reid ʒow rin areir, In dreid ʒe be miscaryit.

Chastitie.

Ʒe men of craft of greit ingyne▪ Gif me barbrie for Christis pyne: And win Gods bennesone and myne, And help my hungrie hart:

Sowtar.

Welcum be him that maid the Mone, Till dwell with vs till it be Iune: We sall mend baith ʒour hois and schone, And plainlie tak ʒour part.

Taylour.

Is this fair Ladie Chastitie? Now welcum be the Trinitie: I think it war ane great pitie That thou should ly thairout: Ʒour great displeasour I forthink,

Sit doun Madame and tak ane drink: And let na sorrow in ʒow sink, Bot let vs play cap'out.

¶Sowtar.

Fill in and play cap'out, For I am wonder dry: []The Deuill snyp aff thair snout, That haits this company.

Iennie.

Hoaw mynnie, mynnie, mynnie.

Taylours wyfe.

¶ Quhat wald thow my deir dochter Iennie? Iennie my Ioy, quhair is thy dadie?

Ienny.

Mary drinkand with ane lustie Ladie, Ane fair ʒoung mayden cled in quhyte, Of quhom my dadie taks delyte, Scho hes the the fairest forme of face, Furnischit with all kynd of grace: I traist gif I can reckon richt, Scho schaips to ludge with him all nicht.

Sowt. wyfe.

Quhat dois the Sowtar my gudman?

Iennie.

Mary fillis the cap and turnes the can. Or he cum hame be God I trow He will be drunkin lyke ane sow.

Taylours wyfe.

This is ane greit dispyte I think, For to resaue sic ane kow-clink: Quhat is ʒour counsell that wee do?

Sowtars wyfe.

Cummer this is my counsall lo▪ Ding ʒe the tane, and I the vther.

Taylours wyfe.

I am content be Gods mother. I think for mee thay huirsone smaiks, Thay serue richt weill to get thair paiks.

Quhat maister feind neids all this haist▪ For it is half ane ʒeir almaist [] Sen ever that loun laborde my ledder,

Sowters wyfe.

God nor my trewker mence ane ledder, For it is mair nor fourtie dayis, [] Sen ever he cleikit vp my clayis: And last quhen I gat chalmer glew, That foull Sowter began till spew. And now thay will sit doun and drink, In company with ane kow-clink. Gif thay haif done vs this dispyte Let vs go ding them till thay dryte.

Heir the wifis sall chase away Chastitie.

Tayl. wyfe.

Go hence harlot▪ how durst thow be sa bauld To ludge with our gudemen but our licence: I mak ane vow to him that Iudas sauld, This rock of myne sall be thy recompence. Schaw me thy name dudron with diligence:

Chastitie.

Marie Chastitie is my name be Sanct Blais.

Taylour wyfe.

I pray God nor he work on the vengence. For I luifit never Chastitie all my dayes.

¶Sowt. wyfe.

Bot my gudeman the treuth I sall the tell, Gars mee keip Chastitie sair agains my will: Becaus that Monstour hes maid sic ane mint With my bedstaf that dastard beirs ane dint. And als I vow cum thow this gait againe, Thy buttoks salbe beltit be Sanct Blaine.

Heir sall thay speik to thair gudemen and ding them.

Tayl. wyfe.

Fals hurson carle, but dout thou sall forthink, That evar thow eat or drink with ʒon kow-clink.

Sowtars wyfe.

I mak ane vow to Sanct Crispine▪ Ise be revengit on that graceles grume:

And to begin the play tak thair ane flap.

Sowtar.

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

Sowt. wyfe.

Quhat now huirsun, begins thow for til ban? Tak thair ane vther vpon thy peild harne-pan. Quhat now cummer, will thow nocht tak my part?

Taylours wyfe.

That sal I do cummer with all my hart.

Heir sall thay ding thair gudemen, with silence.

Taylour.

Alace gossop, alace how stands with ʒow▪ Ʒon cankart carling alace hes brokin my brow. Now weils ʒow Preists, now weils ʒow all ʒour lifes▪ That ar nocht weddit with sic wickit wyfes.

Sowtar.

Bischops ar blist howbeit that thay be waryit, [] For thay may fuck thair fill and be vnmaryit. Gossop alace, that blak band we may wary, That ordanit sic puir men as vs to mary. Quhat may be done bot tak in patience? And on all wyfis we'ill cry ane loud vengence.

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

Sowtars wyfe.

Sen of our cairls we haue the victorie, Quhat is ʒour counsell cummer that be done:

Tayl. wyfe.

Send for gude wine & hald our selfis merie, I hauld this ay best cummer be Sanct Clone.

Sowt. wyfe.

Cūmer will ʒe draw aff my hois & schone, To fill the Quart I sall rin to the toun.

Taylours wyfe.

That sal I do be him that maid the Mone Withall my hart, thairfoir cummer sit doun. ¶Kilt vp ʒour claithis abone ʒour waist, And speid ʒow hame againe in haist And I sall provyde for ane paist, Our corsses to comfort.

Sowtars wyfe.

Then help me for to kilt my clais, Quhat gif the padoks nip my tais.

I dreid to droun heir be Sanct Blais, Without I get support.

Sho lifts vp hir clais aboue hir waist & enters in ye water▪

¶Cummer I will nocht droun my sell, Go east about the nether mill:

Taylours wyfe.

I am content be Bryds bell, To gang with ʒow quhair ever ʒe will.

Heir sall thay depairt and pas to the Palʒeoun.

Diligence

to Chastitie.

¶Madame quhat gars ʒow gang sa lait? Tell me how ʒe haue done debait, With the Temporall and Spirituall sta it? Quha did ʒow maist kyndnes▪

Chastitie.

In faith I fand bot ill and war, Thay gart mee stand fra thame askar: Evin lyk ane begger at the bar, And fleimit mair and lesse.

Diligence.

I counsall ʒow but tarying, Gang tell Humanitie the King: Perchance hee of his grace bening Will mak to ʒow support:

Chastitie.

Of ʒour counsell I am content, To pas to him in continent, And my service till him present, In hope of sum comfort.

Heir sall thay pas to the King.

¶Dil.

Hoaw Solace, gentil Solace declair vnto the king How thair is heir ane Ladie fair of face: That in this cuntrie can get na ludging, Bot pitifullie flemit from place to place▪ Without the king of his speciall grace,

As ane servand hir in his court resaif: Brother Solace tell the king all the cace▪ That scho may-be resavit amang the laif.

Solace.

Soverane get vp and se ane hevinlie sicht Ane fair Ladie in quhyt abuilʒement: Scho may be peir vnto ane king or knicht, Most lyk ane Angell be my iudgment.

Rex.

I sall gang se that sicht incontinent▪ Madame behauld gif ʒe haue knawledging Of ʒon Ladie, or quhat is hir intent, Thairefter wee sall turne but tarying.

Sensua.

Sir let me se quhat ʒon mater may meine Perchance that I may knaw hir be hir face: But doubt this is Dame Chastitie I weine, Sir I and scho cannot byde in ane place, But gif it be the pleasour of ʒour grace, That I remaine into ʒour company: This woman richt haistelie gar chase, That scho na mair be sene in this cuntry.

Rex.

As ever ʒe pleis sweit hart sa sall it be, Dispone hir as ʒe think expedient: Evin as ʒe list to let hir liue or die, I will refer that thing to ʒour Iudgement.

Sensualitie.

I will that scho be flemit incōtinent, And never to cum againe in this cuntrie: And gif scho dois but doubt scho sall repent, As als perchance a duilfull deid sall die. Pas on sir Sapience and Discretioun, And banische hir out of the kings presence.

[]Dis.

That sall we do Madame be gods passioun, Wee sall do ʒour command with diligence. And at ʒour hand serue gudely recompence,

Dame Chastitie cum on, be not agast, Wee sall rycht sone vpon ʒour awin expence, Into the stocks ʒour bony fute mak fast,

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

¶ I pray ʒow sirs be patient, For I sall be obedient Till do quhat ʒe command, Sen I se thair is na remeid, Howbeit it war to suffer deid, Or flemit furth of the land. ¶ I wyte the Empreour Constantine, That I am put to sic ruine, And baneist from the Kirk: For sen he maid the Paip ane King, In Rome I could get na ludging; Bot heidlangs in the mirk. Bot Ladie Sensualitie, Sensyne hes gydit this cuntrie, And monie ef the rest: And now scho reulis all this land, And hes decryit at hir command, That I suld be supprest. ¶ Bot all comes for the best, Til him that louis the Lord: Thocht I be now molest, I traist to be restorde.

Heir sall they put hir in the stocks.

¶ Sister alace, this is ane cairful cace, That we with Princes sould be sa abhorde:

Verity.

Be blyth sister, I trust within schort space, That we sall be richt honorablie restorde: And with the King we sall be at concorde,

For I heir tell divyne Correctioun Is new landit thankit be Christ our Lord, I wait hee will be our protectioun.

Hir sall enter Corrections Varlet.

Varlet.

¶ Sirs stand abak and hauld ʒow coy, I am the King Correctiouns boy, Cum heir to dres his place: Se that ʒe mak obedience Vntill his no bill excellence, Fra tyme ʒe se his face. For he maks reformatiouns, Out-throw all Christin Natiouns, Quhair he finds great debaits. And sa far as I vnderstand▪ He sall reforme into this Land, Evin all the thrie estaits. God furth of heavin hes him send, To punische all that dois offend Against his Maiestie As lyks him best to tak vengence, Sumtyme with Sword and Pestilence With derth and povertie. Bot quhen the peopill dois repent, And beis to God obedient, Then will he gif them grace: Bot thay that will nocht be correctit, Rychtsudanlie will be deiectit, And fleimit from his face. Sirs thocht wee speik in generall, Let na man into speciall Tak our words at the warst:

Quhat ever wee do quhat ever wee say I pray ʒow tak it all in play▪ And iudg ay to the best. ¶ For silence I protest Baith of Lord, Laird and Ladie: Now I will rin but rest, And tell that all is ready.

¶Dissait.

Brother heir ʒe ʒon proclamatioun, I dreid full sair of reformatioun, Ʒon message maks me mang it: Quhat is ʒour counsell to me tell, Remaine wee heir be God him sell Wee will be all thre hang it.

Flattrie.

Ile gang to Spiritualitie, And preich out-throw his dyosie, Quhair I will be vnknawin. Or keip me closse into sum closter, With mony piteous Pater noster, Till all thir blasts be blawin.

Dissait.

Ile be weill treitit as ʒe ken, With my maisters the merchand men; Quhilk can mak small debait: Ʒe ken richt few of them that thryfes, Or can begyll the landwart wyfes, But me thairman Dissait. Now Falset quhat sall be thy schift?

Falset.

Na cuir thow nocht man for my thrift Trows thou that I be daft: Na I will leif ane lustie lyfe▪ Withoutin ony sturt and stryfe Amang the men of craft.

Flattrie.

I na mair will remaine besyd ʒow,

Bot counsell ʒow rycht weill to gyde ʒow▪ Byd nocht on Correctioun. Fair-weil, I will na langer tarie, I pray the alrich Queene of Farie, To be ʒour protectioun.

Dissait.

Falset I wald wee maid ane band, Now quhill the King is ʒit sleipand, Quhat rack to steill his Box?

Falset.

Now weill said be the Sacrament, I sall it steill incontinent Thocht it had twentie lox.

Heir sall Falset steill the Kings Box with silence.

Lo heir the Box now let vs ga, This may suffice for our rewairds:

Dissait.

Ʒea that it may man be this day, It may weill mak of landwart lairds. Now let vs cast away our clais, In dreid sum follow on the chase▪

Falset.

Rycht weill deuysit man be Sanct Blais, Wald God wee war out of this place.

¶Dissait.

Now sen thair is na man to wrang vs I pray ʒow brother with my hart, Let vs ga part this pelf amang vs, Syne haistely we sall depart.

Falset.

Trows thou to get als mekill as I▪ That sall thow nocht, I staw the Box: Thou did nathing bot luikit by. Ay lurke and lyke ane wylie Fox.

Dissait.

Thy heid sall beir ane cuppill of knox Pellour without I get my part: Swyith huirsun smaik ryfe vp the lox, Or I sall stick the throuch the hart.

Heir sall thay fecht with silence.

Falset.

Alace for ever my eye is out, Walloway will na man red the men?

Dissait.

Vpon thy craig tak thair ane clout, To be courtesse I sall the ken. Pair-weill, for I am at the flicht, I will nocht byde on ma demands, And wee twa meit againe this nicht, Thy feit salbe with fourtie hands.

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

Divyne Correctioun.

Beati qui esuriunt & sitiunt Iustitiam.

¶Thir ar the words of the redoutit Roy, The Prince of peace aboue all Kings King: Quhilk hes me sent all cuntries to convoye, And all misdoars dourlie to doun thring. I will do nocht without the conveining Ane Parleament of the estaits all, In thair presence I sall but feinʒeing Iniquitie vnder my Sword doun thrall. Thair may no Prince do acts honorabill, Bot gif his counsall thairto will assist: How may he knaw the thing maist profitabil, To follow vertew and vycis to resist: Without he be instructit and solist: And quhen the King stands at his counsell sound, Then welth sall wax and plentie as he list, And policie sall in his Realme abound. Gif ony list my name for till inquyre, I am callit Divine CORRECTIOVN▪ I fled throch mony vncouth land & schyre, To the greit profit of ilk Natioun. Now am I cum into this Regioun,

To teill the ground that hes bene lang vnsawin: To punische tyrants for thair transgressioun, And to caus leill men liue vpon thair awin. Na Realme nor Land but my support may stand For I gar Kings liue into Royaltie: To rich and puir I beir ane equall band, That thay may liue into thair awin degrie. Quhair I am nocht is no tranqullitie Be me tratours and tyrants ar put doun: Quha thinks na schame of thair iniquitie Till thay be punisched be mee Correctioun, Quhat is ane King nocht bot ane officiar, To caus his Leiges liue in equitie: And vnder God to be ane punischer, Of trespassours against his Maiestie. Bot quhen the King dois liue in tyrannie, Breakand Iustice for feare or affectioun: Then is his Realme in weir and povertie, With schamefull slauchter but correctioun. I am ane Iudge richt potent and seveir, Cum to do Iustice monie thowsand myle: I am sa constant baith in peice and weir, Na bud nor fauour may my sicht oversyle. Thair is thairfoir richt monie in this Ile, Of my repair but doubt that dois repent: Bot verteous men I traist sall on me smyle, And of my cumming sall be richt weill content.

Gu. coūs.

Welcum my Lord welcum ten thousand tyms Till all faithfull men of this Regioun, Welcum for till correct all falts and cryms: Amang this cankerd congregatioun. Louse Chastitie I mak supplicatioun,

Put till fredome fair Ladie Veritie: Quha be vnfaithfull folk of this Natioun, Lyis bund full fast into Captivitie.

Correctioun.

I mervel Gude-counsell how that may be, Ar ʒe nocht with the King familiar?

Gude-counsell.

That I am nocht my Lord, full wais me, Bot lyke ane beggeram halden at the bar: Thay play bo-keik evin as I war ane skar: Thair came thrie knaues in cleithing counterfeit And fra the King thay gart me stand affar. Quhais names war Flattrie, Falset and Dissait. Bot quhen thay knaues hard tell of ʒour cumming, Thay staw away ilk ane ane sindrie gait. And cuist fra them thair counterfit cleithing, For thair leuing full weill thay can debait: The merchandmen thay haif resauit Dissait. As for Falset, my Lord, full weill I ken, He will be richt weill treitit air and lait, Amang the maist part of the crafts men. Flattrie hes taine the habite of ane Freir Thinkand to begyll Spiritualitie.

Correctioun.

But dout my freind and I liue half ane ʒeit I sall search out that great iniquitie. Quhair lyis ʒon Ladyes in Captiuitie? How now Sisters quha hes ʒow sa disgysit?

Veritie.

Vnfaithfull members of iniquitie, Dispytfullie, my Lord, hes vs supprysit.

Correctioun.

Gang put ʒon Ladyis to thair libertie Incontinent and break doun all the stocks: But doubt thay ar full deir welcum to mee, Mak diligence, me think ʒe do bot mocks Speid hand and spair nocht for to break the locks▪

And tenderlie tak them vp be the hand Had I them heir thay knaues suld ken my knocks That them opprest and baneist aff the land.

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

Veritie.

Wee thank ʒou sir of ʒour benignitie, Bot I beseik ʒour maiestie Royall: That ʒe wald pas to King Humanitie. And fleime from him ʒon Ladie Sensuall, And enter in his service Gude-counsell, For ʒe will find him verie counsalabill.

Correctioun.

Cum on Sisters as ʒe haif said, I sall, And gar him stand with ʒow thrie firme and stabill,

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

¶Wantonnes.

Solace knawis thou not quhat I se? Ane knicht or ellis ane king thinks me, With wantoun wings as he wald fle, Brother quhat may this meine? I vnderstand nocht be this day, Quhidder that he be freind or fay: Stand still and heare quhat he will say, Sic ane I haif nocht seine.

Solace.

Ʒon is ane stranger I stand forde, He semes to be ane lustie Lord: Be his heir-cumming for concorde, And be kinde till our King: He sall be welcome to this place, And treatit with the Kingis grace: Be it nocht sa, we sall him chace, And to the diuell him ding.

Placebo.

I reid vs put vpon the King; And walkin him of his sleiping: Sir rise and se ane vncouth thing.

Get vp, ʒe ly too lang.

Sensualitie.

Put on ʒour hude Iohne-Fule, ʒe raif, How dar ʒe be so pertsir knaif To tuich the King? sa Christ me saif, Fals huirsone thow sall hang.

Correction.

Get vp sir King, ʒe haif sleipit aneuch Into the armis of Ladie Sensual. Be suit that mair belangis to the pleuch, As efterward perchance rehears I sall. Remember how the King Sardanapall, Amang fair Ladyes tuke his lust sa lang, Sa that the maist pairt of his Leiges al Rebeld, and syne him duilfully doun thrang. Remember how into the tyme of Noy, For the foull stinck and sin of lechery, God be my wande did al the warld destroy, Sodome and Gomore richt sa full rigorously, For that vyld sin war brunt in maist cruelly. Thairfoir I the command incontinent, Banische from the that huir Sensualitie, Or els but doubt rudlie thow sall repent.

Rex.

Be quhom haue ʒe sa greit authoritie? Quha dois presume for til correct ane King? Knaw ʒe nocht me greit King Humanitie? That in my Regioun Royally dois ring.

Correct.

I haue power greit Princes to doū thring▪ That liues contrair the Maiestie Divyne Against the treuth quhilk plainlie dois maling, Repent they nocht I put them to ruyne. I will begin at thee quhilk is the head, And mak on the first reformatioun, Thy Leiges than will follow the but pleid,

Swyith harlot hence without dilatioun.

Sensualitie.

My Lord I mak ʒow supplicatioun, Gif melicence to pas againe to Rome: Amang the Princes of that Natioun, I lat ʒow wit my fresche beautie will blume Adew Sir King I may na langer tary, I cair nocht that, als gude luife cums as gais, I recommend ʒow to the Queene of Farie. I se ʒe will be gydit with my fais, As for this king I cure him nocht twa strais: War I amang Bischops and Cardinals, I wald get gould, silver and precious clais, Na earthlie ioy but my presence avails.

Heir sall scho pas to Spiritualitie.

¶My Lords of the Sprituall stait, Venus preserue ʒow air and lait: For I can mak na mair debait, I am partit with ʒour king: And am baneischt this Regioun, Be counsell of Correctioun: Be ʒe nocht my protectioun, I may seik my ludgeing.

¶Spiritualitie.

Welcum our dayis darling, Welcum with all our hart: Wee all but feinʒeing, Sall plainly tak ʒour part.

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

Correctioun.

Sen ʒe ar quyte of Sensualitie, Resaue into ʒour service Gude-counsall: And richt sa this fair Ladie Chastitie, Till ʒe mary sum Queene of blude-royall. Observe then Chastitie matrimoniall,

Richt sa resaue Veritie be the hand, Vse thair counsell ʒour fame sall never fall, With thame thairfoir mak ane perpetuall band.

Heir sall the King resaue counsell Veritie & Chastitie.

¶Now sir tak tent quhat I will say, Observe thir same baith nicht and day, And let them never part ʒow fray. Or els withoutin doubt: Turne ʒe to Sensualitie, To vicious lyfe and rebaldrie, Out of ʒour Realme richt schamefullie, Ʒe sall be ruttit out. As was Tarquine the Romane King, Quha was for his vicious living And for the schamefull ravisching Of the fair chaist Lucres, He was digraidit of his croun, And baneist aff his Regioun: I maid on him correctioun, As stories dois expres.

¶Rex.

I am content to ʒour counsall t'inclyne Ʒe beand of gude conditioun. At ʒour command sall be all that is myne, And heir I gif ʒow full commissioun, To punische faults and gifremissioun, To all vertew I salbe consociabill, With ʒow I sall confirme ane vnioun, And at ʒour counsall stand ay firme and stabill.

The king imbraces Correction with a humbil countenance▪

¶Correctioun.

I counsall ʒow incontinent, To gar proclame ane Parliament, Of all the thrie estaits.

That thay be heir with diligence, To mak to ʒow obedience, And syne dres all debaits.

Rex.

That salbe done but mair demand, Hoaw Diligence cum heir fra hand, And tak ʒour informatioun: Gang warne the Spiritualitie, Rycht sa the Temporalitie, Be oppin proclamatioun, In gudlie haist for to compeir In thair maist honorabill maneir, To gif vs thair counsals: Quha that beis absent to them schaw, That thay sall vnderly the law, And punischt be that fails.

Diligence.

Sir I sall baith in bruch and land, With diligence do ʒour command, Vpon my awin expens: Sir I haue servit ʒow all this ʒeir, Bot I gat never ane dinneir Ʒit for my recompence.

Rex.

Pas on and thou salbe regairdit, And for thy service weill rewairdit, For quhy with my consent, Thou sall haue ʒeirly for thy hyre, The teind mussellis of the ferrie myre, Confirmit in Parliament.

Diligence.

I will get riches throw that rent, Ester the day of Dume: Quhen in the colpots of Tranent, Butter will grow on brume. All nicht I had sa meikill drouth,

I micht nocht sleip ane wink Or I proclame ocht with my mouth, But doubt I man haif drink.

¶Correctioun.

Cum heir Placebo and Solace, With ʒour companʒeoun Wantonnes, I knaw weill ʒour conditioun: For tysting King Humanitie, To resaue Sensualitie, Ʒe man suffer punitioun.

Wanton.

We grant my lord we haue done ill, Thairfoir wee put vs in ʒour will, Bot wee haife bene abusit: For in gudefaith Sir wee beleifit, That lecherie had na man greifit, Becaus it is sa vsit.

Placebo.

Ʒe se how Sensualitie, With Principals of ilk cuntrie, Bene glaidlie lettin in: And with our Prelatis mair and les, Speir at my Ladie Priores, Giflechery be sin.

Solace.

Sir wee sall mend our conditioun, Sa ʒe giue vs remissioun, Bot giue vs liue to sing: To dance, to play at Chesse and Tabils, To reid Stories and mirrie fabils, For pleasure of our King.

Correctioun.

Sa that ʒe do navther cryme, Ʒe sall be pardon it at this tyme, For quhy▪ as I suppois Princes may sumtyme seik solace, With mirth and lawfull mirrines,

Thair spirits to reioyis. And richt sa Halking and Hunting, Ar honest pastimes for ane King, Into the tyme of peace: And leirne to rin ane heavie spear▪ That he into the tyme of wear, May follow at the cheace.

Rex.

Quhair is Sapience and Discretioun? And quhy cums nocht Devotioun nar?

Veritie.

Sapience sir was ane verie loun, And Discretioun was nathing war: The suith Sir, gif I wald report, Thay did begyle ʒour Excellence: And wald not suffer to resort Ane of vs thrie to ʒour presence.

Chastitie.

Thay thrie war Flattrie and Dissait, And Falset that vnhappie loun: Against vs thrie quhilk maid debait, And baneischt vs from town to town. Thay gart vs twa fall into sowne, Quhen thay vs lockit in the stocks: That dastart knaue Discretioun, Full thifte ouslie did steill ʒour Box.

Rex.

The Deuill tak them sen thay ar gane, Me thocht them ay thrie verie smaiks, I mak ane vow to Sanct Mavane, Quhen I them finde thays bear thair paiks, I se thay haue playit me the glaiks, Gude-counsall now schaw me the best▪ Quhen I fix on ʒow thrie my staiks, How I sall keip my Realme in rest.

Initium sapientiae est timor Domini.

Gud-coun.

Sir, gif ʒour hienes ʒearnis lang to ring, First dread ʒour God abuif all vther thing. For ʒe ar bot ane mortall instrument, To that great God and King Omnipotent. Preordinat be his divine Maiestie, To reull his peopill intill vnitie, The principall point Sir of ane kings office, Is for to do to euerilk man iustice. And for to mix his iustice with mercie, But rigour, fauour or parcialitie. Forsuith it is na littill obseruance, Great Regions to haue in gouernance? Quha euer taks on him that kinglie cuir, To get ane of thirtwa he suld be suir: Great paine and labour, and that continuall, Or ellis to haue defame perpetuall. Quha guydis weill they win immortall fame, Quha the contrair, they get perpetuall schame, Efter quhais death but dout ane thousand ʒeir Thair life at lenth rehearst sall be perqueir. The Chroniklis to knaw Iʒow exhort, Thair sall ʒe finde baith gude and euill report: For euerie Prince efter his qualitie, Thocht he be deid, his deids sall neuer die. Sir gif ʒe please for to vse my counsall, Ʒour fame and name sall be perpetuall.

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

¶ At the command of King Humanitie, I wairne and charge all members of Parliament: Baith sprituall stait and Temporalitie, That till his Grace thay be obedient,

And speid them to the Court incontinent, In gude ordour array it royally, Quha beis absent or inobedient The Kings displeasure they sall vnderly. And als I mak ʒow exhortatioun, Sen ʒe haifheard the first pairt of our play: Go tak ane drink, and mak Collatioun, Ilk man drink till his marrow, I ʒow pray. Tarie nocht lang, it is lait in the day, Let sum drink Ayle and sum drink Claret wine: Be great Doctors of Physick I heare say, That michtie drink comforts the dull ingine. ¶[] And ʒe Ladies that list to pisch, Lift vp ʒour taill, plat in ane disch: And gif that ʒour mawkine cryis quhisch, Stop in ane wusp of stray. Let nocht ʒour bladder burst I pray ʒow, For that war euin aneuch to slay ʒow: For ʒit thair is to cum, I say ʒow, The best pairt of our Play.

The END of the first part of the SATYRE.

Now sall the pepill mak Collatioun, then beginnis the Interlude, the Kings, Bischops and principall players be∣ing out of their seats.

Pauper, the pure man.

OF ʒour almis gude folks for Gods luife of heavin, For I haue motherles bairns either sax or seavin: Gif ʒe'ill gif me na gude for the luife of Iesus, Wische me the richt way till Sanct-Androes.

Diligence.

Quhair haue wee gottin this gudly compan∣ʒeoun? Swyith out of the feild fals raggit loun. God wait gif heir be ane weill keipit place, Quhen sic ane vilde begger Carle may get entres. Fy on ʒow officiars that mends nocht thir failʒies, [] I gif ʒow all till the deuill baith Provost and Bailʒies Without ʒe cum and chase this Carle away The Deuill a word ʒe'is get mair of our play. Fals huirsun raggit Carle, quhat Deuil is that thou rugs

Pauper.

Quha Devil maid the ane gentill man that wald cut not thy lugs?

Dili.

Quhat now? me thinks the carle begins to crack, Swyith carle away or be this day Ise break thy back.

Heir sall the Carle clim vp and sit in the Kings tchyre.

Cum doun, or be Gods croun fals loun I sall slay the.

Pauper.

Now sweir be thy brunt schinis the Deuill ding them fra the. Quhatsay ʒe till thir court dastards be thay get hail clais Sa sune as thay leir to sweir and trip on thair tais.

Di.

Me thocht the carle callit me knaue evin in my face Be Sanct Fillane thou salbe slane, bot gif thou ask grace: Loup doun or be the gude Lord thow sall los thy heid.

Paup.

I sal anis drink or I ga thocht thou had sworne my deid.

Heir Diligence castis away the ledder.

Dili.

Loup now gif thou list for thon hes lost the ledder▪

Paup.

It is full weil thy kind to loup and licht in a ledder.

Thou sal be faine to fetch agane ye ledder or I loup I sall sit heir into this tcheir till I haue tumde the stoup.

Heir sall the Carle loup aff the scaffald.

Swyith begger bogill haist the away, Thow art over pert to spill our play.

Pauper.

I wil not gif for al ʒour play worth an sowis fart, For thair is richt lytill play at my hungrie hart.

Diligence.

Quhat Devill ails this cruckit carle?

Pauper.

Marie meikill sorrow: I can not get, thocht I gasp to beg nor to borrow.

Diligence.

Quhair deuill is this thou dwels or quhats thy intent?

Pauper.

I dwell into Lawthiane ane myle fra Tranent.

Dil.

Quhair wald thou be carle, the suth to me schaw?

Pauper.

Sir evin to Sanct-Androes for to seik law.

Dili.

For to seik law in Edinburgh was the neirest way,

Pauper.

Sir I socht law thair this monie deir day. Bot I cold get nane at Sessioun nor Seinʒe, Thairfoir the mekill din Deuill droun all the meinʒe.

Dil.

Shaw me thy mater man with al the circumstances▪ How that thou hes happinit on thir vnhappie chances.

Pauper.

Gude-man will ʒe gif me of ʒour Charitie And I sall declair ʒow the black veritie. My father was ane auld man and ane hoir, And was of age fourscoir of ʒeirs and moir. And Mald my mother was fourscoir and fyfteine, And with my labour I did thame baith susteine. Wee had ane Meir that caryit salt and coill, And everie ilk ʒeir scho brocht vs hame ane foill. VVee had thrie ky that was baith fat and fair, Nane tydier into the toun of air.

My father was sa waik of blude and bane, That he deit, quhairfoir my mother maid great maine Then scho deit within ane day or two, And thair began my povertie and wo. Our gude gray Meir was baittand on the feild, And our Lands laird tuik hir for his hyreild The Vickar tuik the best Cow be the head, Incontinent quhen my father was deid. And quhē the Vickar hard tel how that my mother▪ VVas dead, fra▪ hand he tuke to him ane vther, Then Meg my wife did murne both evin & morow Till at the last scho deit for verie sorow: And quhen the Vickar hard tell my wyfe was dead, The thrid Cow he cleikit be the head. Thair vmest clayis that was of rapploch gray, The Vickar gart his Clark bear them away. Quhen all was gaine I micht mak na debeat Bot with my bairns past for till beg my meat. Now haue I tald ʒow the blak veritie, How I am brocht into this miserie.

Dil.

How did ye person, was he not thy gude freind?

[] Pau.

The devil stick him, he curst me for my teind And halds me ʒit vnder that same proces That gart me want the Sacrament at Pasche. In gudefaith sir, thocht he wald cut my throt, I haue na geir except ane Inglis grot. Quhilk I purpois to gif ane man of law.

Diligence.

Thou art the daftest fuill that ever I saw▪ Trows thou man be the law to get remeid, Of men of kirk▪ na nocht till thou be deid.

Paup.

Sir be quhat law tell me quhairfoir or quhy? That ane Vickar sould tak fra me thrie ky.

Diligence.

Thay haue na law except and consuetude, Quhilk law to them is sufficient and gude.

Paup.

Ane consuetude against the common weill, Sould be na law I think besweit Sanct Geill. Quhair will ʒe find that law tell gif ʒe can? To tak thrie ky fra ane pure husband man. Ane for my father, and for my wyfe ane vther, And the thrid Cow he tuke fra Mald my mother.

Diligence.

It is thair law all that thay haue in vse Thocht it be Cow, Sow, Ganer, Gryse or Guse,

Pauper.

Sir I wald speir at ʒow ane questioun, Behauld sum Prelats of this Regioun, Manifestlie during thair lustie▪ lyfis, [] Thay swyfe Ladies, Madinis and vther mens wyfis. And sa thair cunts thay haue in consuetude, Quhidder say ʒe that law is evill or gude?

Dil.

Hald thy toung man, it seims that thou war mangit, Speik thou of Preists but doubt thou will be hangit.

Pauper.

Be him that buir the cruell Croun of thorne, I cair nocht to be hangit evin the morne.

Diligence.

Be sure of Preistis thou will get na support,

Pauper.

Gif that be trew the seind resaue the sort. Sa sen I se I get na vther grace, I will ly doun and rest mee in this place.

Pauper lyis doun in the feild, Pardoner enters.

Pardoner.

Bona dies, Bona dies,

¶Devoit peopill, gude day I say ʒow, Now tarie ane lytill quhyll I pray ʒow, Till I be with ʒow knawin: Wait ʒe weill how I am namit? Ane nobill man and vndefamit Gif all the suith war schawin.

I am sir Robert Rome-raker, Ane perfite publike pardoner Admittit be the Paip: Sirs I sall schaw ʒow for my wage My pardons and my pilgramage, Quhilk ʒe sall se and graip: I giue to the deuill with gude intent, This vnsell wickit New-testament. With them that it translait it: Sen layik men knew the veritie, Pardoners gets no charitie, Without that thay debait it. Amang the wiues with wrinks and wyles, As all my marrowis, men begyles, With our fair fals flattrie: Ʒea all the crafts I ken perqueir, As I was teichit be ane Freir, Callit Hypocrisie. Bot now allace, our greit abusioun Is cleirlie knawin till our confusioun, That we may sair repent: Of all credence now I am quyte, For ilk man halds me at dispyte, That reids the New-test'ment. Duill fell the braine that hes it wrocht, Sa fall them that the Buik hame brocht: Als I pray to the Rude That Martin Luther that fals loun, Black Bullinger and Melancthoun, Had bene smorde in their cude. Be him that buir the crowne of thorne, I wald Sanct Paull had neuer bene borne,

And als I wald his bulks: VVar never red in the kirk, Bot amangs freirs into the mirk, Or riuen amang ruiks.

Heir sall he lay doun his geir vpon ane buird and say▪

My patent pardouns ʒe may se, Cumfra the Caue of Tartarie, VVeill seald with oster-schellis. Thocht ʒe haue na contritioun; Ʒe sall haue full remissioun VVith help of Buiks and bellis. Heir is ane relict lang and braid, Of fine Macoull the the richt chaft blaid, VVith teith and al togidder: Of Collings cow heir is ane horne, For eating of Makconnals corne, Was slaine into Baquhidder. Heir is ane coird baith great and lang, Quhilk hangit Iohne the Armistrang, Of gude hemp soft and sound: Gude halie peopill I stand for'd, Quha ever beis hangit with this cord, Neids never to be dround. The culum of Sanct Bryds kow, The gruntill of Sanct Antonis sow, Quhilk buit his haly bell: Quha ever he be heiris this bell clinck, Gif me ane ducat for till drink, He sall never gang to hell. VVithout he be of Baliell borne, Maisters trow ʒe that this bescorne? Cum win this pardoun, cum:

Quha luifis thair wyfis nocht with thair hart I haue power them for till part, Me think ʒow deif and dum. Hes naine of ʒow curst wickit wyfis, That halds ʒow into sturt and stryfis, Cum tak my dispensatioun: Of that cummer I sall mak ʒow quyte, How be it ʒour selfis be in the wyte, And mak ane fals narratioun. Cum win the pardoun now letse, For meill, for malt or for monie, For cok, hen, guse or gryse: Of relicts heir I haue ane hunder, Quhy cum ʒe nocht this is ane wonder? I trow ʒe be nocht wyse.

Sowtar.

Welcum hame Robert Rome-raker, Our halie patent pardoner: Gif ʒe haue dispensatioun, To pairt me and my wickit wyfe, And me deliver from sturt and stryfe, I mak ʒow supplicatioun.

Pardoner.

I sall ʒow pairt but mair demand, Sa I get mony in my hand, Thairfoir let se sum cunʒe:

Sowtar.

I haue na silver be my lyfe, Bot fyue schillings and my schaipping knyfe, That sall ʒe haue but sunʒe.

Pardoner.

Quhat kynd of woman is thy wyfe,

Sowtar.

Ane quick Devill Sir, ane storme of stryfe, Ane Frog that fyles the winde: []Ane fistand flag, a flagartie fuffe, At ilk ane pant scho lets ane puffe,

And hes na ho behind. All the lang day scho me dispyts, And all the nicht scho flings and flyts, Thus sleip I never ane wink: That Cockatrice, that commoun huir, The mekill Devill may nocht in duir Hir stuburnnes and stink.

Sowtars wife.

Theif carle thy words I hard rycht weill In faith my freindschip ʒe sall feill, And I the fang:

Sowtar.

Gif I said ocht Dame be the Rude, Except ʒe war baith fair and gude, God nor I hang.

Pardoner.

Fair dame gif ʒe wald be ane wower, To part ʒow twa I haue ane power, Tell on ar ʒe content?

Sowtars wyfe.

Ʒe that I am with all my hart Fra that fals huirsone till depart, Gif this theif will consent. Causses to part to part I haue anew, []Becaus I gat na chamber-glew, I tell ʒow verely I meruell nocht, sa mot I lyfe, []Howbeit that swingeour can not swyfe, He is baith cauld and dry.

Pard.

Quhat wil ʒe gif me for ʒour part▪ Ane cuppill of sarks with all my hart, The best claith in the land:

Pardoner.

To part sen ʒe ar baith content, I sall ʒow part incontinent, Bot ʒe mon do command. My will and finall sentence is,

Ilk ane of ʒow vthers arsse kis: Slip doun ʒour hois, me thinkis the carle is glaikit, Set thou not by howbeit scho kisse and slaik it,

Heir sall scho kis hir arsse with silence.

Lift vp hir clais, kis hir hoill with ʒour hart,

Sowtar.

I pray ʒow sir forbid hir for to fart.

Heir sall the Carle kis hir arsse with silence.

Pardoner.

Dame pas ʒe to the east end of the toun, And pas ʒe west evin lyke ane cuckald loun, Go hence ʒe baith with Baliels braid blissing, Schirs saw ʒe ever mair sorrowles pairting?

Heir sall the boy cry aff the hill.

Wilkin.

¶Hoaw maister, hoaw, quhair ar ʒe now?

Pardonner.

I am heir Wilkin widdie fow.

Wilkin.

Sir I haue done ʒour bidding, For I haue fund ane great hors bane, Ane fairer saw ʒe never nane, Vpon Dame Fleschers midding. Sir, ʒe may gar the wyfis trow, It is ane bane of Sanct Bryds cow, Gude for the feuer quartane: Sir will ʒe reull this relict weill, All the wyfis will baith kis and kneill, Betuixt this and Dumbartane,

Pardoner.

Quhat say thay of me in the toun?

Wilkin.

Sum sayis ʒe ar ane verie loun: Sum sayis, Legatus natus: Sum sayis ʒ'ar ane fals Saracene, And sum sayis ʒe ar for certaine Diabolus incarnatus. Bot keip ʒow fra subiectioun, Of the curst King Correctioun.

For be ʒe with him fangit: Becaus ʒe ar ane Rome-raker, Ane commoun publick cawsay-paker, But doubt ʒe will be hangit.

Pardoner.

Quhair sall I ludge into the toun?

Wilkin.

With gude kynde Cristiane Anderson, Quhair ʒe will be weill treatit. Gif ony li nmer ʒow demands, Scho will defend ʒow with hir hands, And womanlie debait it. Bawburdie says be the Trinitie, That scho sall beir ʒow cumpanie, Howbeit ʒe byde ane ʒeir.

Pardoner.

Thou hes done weill be Gods mother Tak ʒe the taine and I the t'other: Sa sall we mak greit cheir.

¶Wilkin.

I reid ʒow speid ʒow heir, And mak na langer tarie: Byde ʒe lang thair but weir, I dreid ʒour weird ʒow warie.

Heir sall pauper rise and rax him.

¶Paup.

Quhat thing was ʒon that I hard crak & cry? I haue bene dreamand and dreueland of myky. With my richt hand my haill bodie I saine, Sanct Bryd, Sanct Bryd, send me my ky againe, I se standand ʒonder ane halie man, To mak me help let me se gif he can. Halie maister, God speid ʒow and gude morne,

Pard.

Welcum to me thocht thou war at the horne, Cum win the pardoun and syne I sall the saine,

Pauper.

Wil that pardoun get me myky againe?

Pardoner.

Carle of thy ky I haue nathing ado,

Cum win my my pardon and kis my relicts to.

Heir sall he saine him with his relictis▪

Pard.

Now lows thy pursse & lay doun thy offrand, And thou sall haue my pardon euin fra-hand. With raipis and relicts I sall the saine againe, Of Gut or grauell thou sall neuer haue paine. Now win the pardon limmer, or thou art lost:

Pauper.

My haly father quhat wil that pardon cost?

Pard.

Let se quhat mony thou bearest in thy bag:

Paup.

I haue ane grot heir bund into ane rag.

Pard.

Hes thou na vther siluer bot ane groat?

Pauper.

Gif I haue mair sir cum and rype my coat▪

Pard.

Gif me that grot man, gif thou hest na mair,

Pauper.

With all my heart maister lo tak it thair: Now let me se ʒour pardon with ʒour leif.

Pardoner.

Ane thousand ʒeir of pardons I the geif▪

Pauper.

Ane thousand ʒeir? I will not liue sa lang, Delyuer me it maister and let me gang.

Pardoner.

Ane thousand ʒeir I lay vpon thy head, With tetiens quotiens: now mak me na mair plead: Thou hast resaifit thy pardon now already.

Pauper.

Bot I can se na thing sir be our Lady: Forsuith maister, I trow I be not wyse: To pay ere I haue sene my marchandryse. That ʒe haue gottin my groat full sair I rew: Sir, quhidder is ʒour pardon black or blew? Maister, sen ʒe haue taine fra me my cunʒie, My marchandryse schaw me withouttin sunʒie. Or to the Bischop I sall pas and pleinʒie In Sanct-Androis, & summōd ʒow to the Seinʒie▪

Par.

Qi hat craifis the carle'me thinks thou art not wise.

Pauper.

I craif my groat or ellis my marchandrise.

Pardoner.

I gaif the pardon for ane thowsand ʒeir,

Pauper.

How sall I get that pardon let me heir?

Pardoner.

Stand still and I sall tell the haill storie: Quhen thow art deid and gais to Purgatorie, Being condempit to paine a thowsand ʒeir: Then sall thy pardoun the releif but weir, Now be content▪ ʒe ar ane mervelous man:

Pauper.

Sall I get nathing for my grot quhill than?

Pardoner.

That sall thou not I mak it to ʒow plaine▪

Pauper.

Na than gossop, gif me my grot againe. Quhat say ʒe maisters call ʒe this gude resoun? That he sould promeis me ane gay pardoun: And he resaue my money in his stead, Syne mak me na payment till I be dead: Quhen I am deid I wait full sikkerlie, My sillie saull will pas to Purgatorie: Declair me this? now God nor Baliell bind the, Quhen I am thair curst carle, quhair sall I find the? Not into heavin, bot rather into hell: Quhen you art thair thou can not help thy sel. Quhen will thou cum my dolours till abait? Or I the find my hippis will get ane hait. Trowis thou butchour that I will by blind lambis: []Gif me my grot the devill dryte in thy gambis.

Par.

Suyith stand abak, I trow this man be mangit: Thou gets not this carle, thocht you suld be hangit

Pauper.

Gif me my grot weill bund into ane clout, []Or be Gods breid Robin sall beir ane rout.

Heir sal thay fecht with silence and Pauper sal cast doun the buird, and cast the relicts in the water

Diligence.

Quhat kind of dassing is this al day? Suyith smaiks out of the the feild, away.

Into ane presoun put them sone, Syne hang them quhen the play is done.

Heir sall Diligence mak his proclamatioun.

¶Diligence.

Famous peopill tak tent and ʒe sall se The thrie estaits of this natioun: Cum to the Court with ane strange gravitie, Thairfoir I mak ʒow supplicatioun: Till ʒe haue heard our haill narratioun, To keip silence and be patient I pray ʒow, Howbeit we speik be adulatioun, Wee sall say nathing bot the suith I say ʒow. Gude verteous men that luifis the veritie, I wait thay will excuse our negligence: Bot vicious men denude of charitie, As feinʒeit fals flattrand Saracens. Howbeit thay cry on vs ane loud vengence, And of our pastyme mak ane fals report. Quhat may wee do bot tak in patience? And vs refer vnto the faithfull sort. ¶Our Lord Iesus Peter nor Paull, Culd nocht compleis the peopill all▪ Bot sum war miscontent: Howbeit thay schew the veritie, Sum said that it war herisie, Be thair maist fals iudgement.

Heir sall the thrie estaits cum fra the palʒeoun gang∣and backwart led be thair vyces.

Wantonnes.

Now braid benedicite, Quhat thing is ʒon that I se? Luke Solace my hart:

Solace.

Brother Wantonnes quhat thinks thow? Ʒon ar the thrie estaits I trow:

Gangand backwart.

Wantonnes.

Backwart, backwart, out wallaway? It is greit schame for them I say, Backwart to gang: I trow the King Correctioun, Man mak ane reformatioun: Or it be lang. Now let vs go and tell the King,

Pausa.

Sir wee haue sene ane mervelous thing Be our iudgement: The thrie estaits of this Regioun, Ar cummand backwart throw this toun, To the Parlament▪

Rex.

Backwart, backwart, how may that be? Gar speid them haistelie to me: In dreid that thay ga wrang:

Placebo.

Sir I se them ʒonder cummand, Thay will be he heir evin fra hand, Als fast as thay may gang.

Gude-coun.

Sir hald ʒou stil & skar them nocht▪ Till ʒe persaue quhat be thair thocht, And se quhat men them leids: And let the King Correctioun, Mak ane scharp inquisitioun, And mark them be the heids. Quhen ʒe ken the occasioun, That maks them sic persuasioun; Ʒe may expell the caus: Syne them reforme as ʒe think best, Sua that the Realme may liue in rest▪ According to Gods lawis.

Heir sall the thrie estaits cum and turne thair faces to the King.

¶Spir.

Gloir, honour, laud triumph and victorie Be to ʒour michtie prudent excellence: Heir ar we cum all the estaits thrie, Readie to mak our dew obedience. At ʒour command with humbill observance, As my pertene to Spiritualitie. With counsell of the Temporalitie.

Temp.

Sir we with michtie curage at command Of ʒour superexcellent Maiestie, Sall mak seruice baith with our hart and hand, And sall not dreid in thy defence to die: Wee ar content but doubt that wee may se That nobill heavinlie King Correctioun, Sa he with mercie mak punitioun.

Merchand.

Sir we ar heir ʒour Burgessis and Merchands, Thanks be to God that we may se ʒour face: Traistand wee may now into divers lands, Convoy our geir with support of ʒour grace. For now I traist wee sall get rest and peace, Quhē misdoars ar with ʒour sword overthrawin Then may leil-merchands liue vpon thair awin.

Rex.

Welcum to me my prudent Lords all, Ʒe ar my members suppois I be ʒour head: Sit doun that we may with ʒour iust counsall, Aganis misdoars find soveraine remeid. Wee sall nocht spair for fauour nor for feid, With ʒour avice to mak punitioun: And put my sword to executioun.

Cor.

My tender freinds I pray ʒow with my hart, Declair to me the thing that I wald speir, Quhat is the caus that ʒe gang all backwart?

The veritie thair of faine wald I heir.

Spiri.

Soveraine we haue gaine sa this mony a ʒeir Howbeit ʒe think we go vndecently, VVee think wee gang richt wonder pleasantly.

Dil.

Sit doun my Lords into ʒour proper places: Syne let the King consider all sic caces. Sit doun sir scribe, and sit doun dampster to: And fence the Court as ʒe war wont to do.

Thay ar set doun & Gud-counsell sal pas to his seat.

¶Rex.

My prudent Lords of the thrie estaits, It is our will abuife all vther thing, For to reforme all them that maks debaits, Contrair the richt quhilk daylie dois maling. And thay that dois the Common-weil doun thring With help and counsell of King Correctioun, It is our will for to mak punisching: And plaine oppressours put to subiectioun.

Spiritu.

Quhat thing is this sir, that ʒe haue devysit Schirs ʒe haue neid for till be weill advysit Be nocht haistie into ʒour executioun, And be nocht our extreime in ʒour punitioun. And gif ʒe please to do sir, as wee say, Postpone this Parlament till ane vther day. For quhy? the peopill of this Regioun, May nocht indure extreme correctioun.

Correct.

Is this the part my Lords that ʒe will tak▪ To mak vs supportatioun to correct: It dois appeir that ʒe ar culpabill, That ar nocht to Correctioun applyabill. Suyith Diligence gaschaw it is our will, That everilk man opprest geif in his Bill.

Dili.

All maneir of men I wairne that be opprest,

Cum and complaine and thay salbe redrest. For quhy, it is the nobill Princes will, That ilk compleiner sall gif in his Bill.

Iohne the Common-weill.

Out of my gait, for Gods saik let me ga▪ Tell me againe gude maister quhat ʒe say.

Diligence.

I warne al that be wrangouslie offendit, Cum and complaine and thay sall be a nendit.

Iohn.

Thankit be christ yat buir the croun of thorne For I was never sa blyth sen I was b••••ne▪

Diligen▪

Quhat is thy name follow▪ that wald I feil?

Iohn.

Forsuith thay call me Iohne the cōmon-weil. Gude maister I wald speir at ʒou ane thing, Quhair traist ʒe I sall, find ʒon new cumde King?

Dili.

Cum over, and I sall schaw the to his grace, Iohne▪ Gods bennesone licht on that luckie face. Stand by the gait, let se gif I can loup, I man rin fast incace I get ane coup.

Heir sall Iohne loup the stank or els fall in it.

Dili.

Speid the away, thou taryis all to lang:

Iohne.

Now be this day I may na faster gang.

Iohne to the King.

Gude day, gud day, grit God saif baith ʒour graces Wallie, wallie fall thay twa weill fairde faces.

Rex.

Shaw me thy name gude man I the command,

Io.

Marie Iohne the common-weil of fair Scotland

Rex.

The commoun weill hes bene amang his fais:

Ioh.

Ʒe sir that gars the commoun-weil want clais.

Rex.

Quhat is the caus the common weil is crukit?

Ioh.

Becaus the common-weill hes bene overlukit

Rex.

Quhat gars the luke sa with ane dreirie hart?

Ioh.

Becaus the thrie estaits gangs all backwart.

Rex.

Sir cōmon weill knaw ʒe the limmers that thē leids?

Iohne.

Thair canker cullours I ken them be the heads▪ As for our reverent fathers of Spiritualitie, Thay ar led be Couetice and cairles Sensualitie. And as ʒe se Temporalitie hes neid of correctioun▪ Quhilk hes lang tyme bene led be publick oppressioun▪ Loe quhair the loun lyis lurkand at his back, Get vp I think to se thy craig gar ane raip crack. Loe heir is Falset and Dissait weill I ken, Leiders of the merchants and sillie crafts-men. Quhat mervell thocht the thrie estaits backwart gang? Quhen sic an vyle cumpanie dwels them amang. Quhilk hes reulit this rout monie deir dayis, Quhilk gars Iohn the cōmon-weil want his warme clais Sir call them befoir ʒow and put them in ordour, Or els Iohn the common-weil man beg on the bordour. []Thou feinʒeit Flattrie the feind fart in thy face, Quhen ʒe was guyder of the Court we gat litill grace. Ryse vp Falset and Dissait without ony sunʒe, I pray God nor the devils dame dryte on thy grunʒe. Behauld as the loun lukis evin lyke a theif, Monie wicht warkman thou brocht to mischeif. My soveraine Lord Correction I mak ʒow supplication, Put thir tryit truikers from Christis congregation.

Correctioun.

As ʒe haue devysit but doubt it sa be done Cum heir my Sergeants and do ʒour debt sone. Put thir thrie pellours into pressoun strang, Howbeit ʒe sould hang them ʒe do them na wrahg.

First Sergeant.

Soverane Lords wee sall obey ʒour commands: Brother vpon thir limmers lay on thy hands. Ryse vp sone loun thou luiks evin lyke ane lurden:

Ʒour mouth war meit to drink an wesche iurden.

Secund Sergeant.

¶Cum heir gossop, cum heir, cum heir, Ʒour rackles lyfe ʒe sall repent: Quhen was ʒe wont to be sa sweir? Stand still and be obedient.

First Sergeant.

Thair is nocht in all this toun, Bot I wald nocht this taill war tald▪ Bot I wald hang him for his goun, Quhidder that it war Laird or laid. I trow this pellour be spur-gaid, Put in thy hand into this cord, Howbeit I se thy skap skyre skaid: Thou art ane stewat I stand foird.

Heir sall the vycis be led to the stocks.

Secund Ser.

Put in ʒour leggis into the stocks, For ʒe had never ane meiter hois: Thir stewats stinks as thay war Broks, Now ar ʒe sikker I suppois.

Pausa.

My Lords wee haue done ʒour commands, Sall wee put Covetice in captivitie?

Correction.

Ʒe hardlie lay on them ʒour hands, Rycht sa vpon Sensualitie,

Spi.

This is my Grainter and my Chalmerlaine, And hes my gould and geir vnder hir cuiris: I mak ane vow to God I sall complaine, Vnto the Paip how ʒe do me iniuris.

Covence.

¶My reverent fathers tak in patience, I sall nocht lang remaine from ʒour pesence Thocht for ane quhyll I man from ʒow depairt,

I wait my spreit sall remaine in ʒour hart. And quhen this King Correctioun beis absent, Then sall we twa returne incontinent. Thairfoir adew.—

—Spiritualitie.

Adew be Sanct Mavene, Pas quhair ʒe will we ar twa naturall men.

Sensualitie.

Adew my Lord—

Spiritualitie.

—Adew my awin sweit hart. Now duill fell me that wee twa man depart.

Sensuali.

My Lord howbeit this parting dois me paine, I traist in God we sal meit sone agane.

Spiri.

To cum againe I pray ʒow do ʒour cure, Want I ʒow twa I may nocht lang indure.

Heir sal the Sergeants chase them away, and they sal gang to the seat of Sensualitie.

¶Tempor.

My Lords ʒe knaw the thrie estaits, For Common-weill suld mak debaits: Let now amang vs be devysit, Sic actis that with gude men be praysit. Conforming to the common law, For of na man we sould stand aw. And for till saif vs fra murmell, Schone Diligence fetch vs Gude-counsell For quhy he is ane man that knawis, Baith the Cannon and Civill lawis.

Diligence.

Father ʒe man incontinent, Passe to the Lords of Parliament. For quhy thay ar determinat all, To do na thing by ʒour counsall.

Gude-counsal.

That sal I do within schort space, Praying the Lord to send vs grace: For till conclude or wee depart,

That thay may profeit esterwart, Baith to the Kirk and to the King, I sall desyre na vther thing.

Pausa.

My Lords God glaid the cumpanie, Quhat is the caus ʒe send for me?

Merchand.

Sit doun and gif vs ʒour counsell, How we sall slaik the greit murmell, Of pure peopill, that is weill knawin, And as the Common-weill hes schawin. And als wee knaw it is the Kings will, That gude remeid be put thairtill. Sir Common-weill keip ʒe the bar, Let nane except ʒour self cum nar.

Iohne.

That sall I do as I best can, I sall hauld out baith wyfe and man▪ Ʒe man let this puir creature, Support me for till keip the dure. I knaw his name full sickerly, He will complaine als weill as I.

Couns.

My worthy Lords sen ʒe haue taine on hand Sum reformatioun to mak into this land: And als ʒe knaw it is the Kings mynd, Quha till the Common-weil hes ay bene kynd: Thocht reif and thift wer stanchit weill aneuch, Ʒit sumthing mair belangis to the pleuch. Now into peace ʒe sould provyde for weirs, And be sure of how mony thowsand speirs, The King may be quhen he hes ocht ado, For quhy my Lords this is my ressoun to. The husband men and commons thay war wont, Go in the battell formest in the front▪ Bot I haue tint all my experience,

Without ʒe mak sum better diligence: The Common-weill mon vther wayis be styllit▪ Or be my faith the King wilbe begyllit. Thir pure commouns daylie as ʒe may se, Declynisdoun till extreme poverrie: For sum ar hichtit sa into thair maill, Thair winning will nocht find them water kaill. How Prelats heichts thair teinds it is weill knawin, That husband-men may not weill hald thair awin. And now begins ane plague amang them new, That gentill men thair steadings taks in rew. Thus man thay pay great ferme or lay thair steid, And sum ar plainlie harlit out be the heid, And ar distroy it without God on them rew.

[] Paup.

Sir be Gods breid that taill is verie trew. It is weill kend I had baith nolt and hors, Now all my geir ʒe se vpon my cors. Correction, Or I depairt I think to mak ane ordour

Iohne.

I pray ʒow sir begin first at bordour. For how can we send vs aganis Ingland Quhen we can nocht within our natiue Land, Destroy our awin Scots, common trator theifis, Quha to leill laborers daylie dois mischeifis. [] VVar I ane King my Lord be Gods wounds, Quha ever held cōmon theifis within thair bounds: Quhairthrow that dayly leilmen micht be wrangit Without remeid thair chiftanis suld be hangit, Quhidder he war ane knicht, ane Lord or Laird The Devill draw me to hell and he war spaird.

Tempora.

Quhat vther enemies hes thou let vs ken?

Iohne.

Sir I compleine vpon the idill men: For quhy sir it is Gods awin bidding

All Christian men to wirk for thair living. Sanct Paull that pillar of the Kirk, Sayis to the wretchis that will not wirk And bene to vertews laith

Qui non laborat non manducet.

This is in Inglische toung or leit: Quha labouris nocht he sall not eit. This bene against the strang beggers, Fidlers, pypers, and pardoners: Thir Iugglars, Iestars, and idill cuitchours, Thir carriers and thir quintacensours: Thir babil-beirers and thir bairds, Thir sweir swyngeours with Lords and Lairds: Ma then thair rents may susteine, Or to thair profeit neidfull bene, Quhilk bene ay blythest of discords, And▪deidly feid amang thar Lords. For then they sleutchers man be treatit▪ Or els thair querrels vndebaitit. This bene against thir great fat Freiris, Augustenes, Carmleits and Cordeleirs: And all vthers that in cowls bene cled, Quhilk labours nocht and bene weill fed. I mein nocht laborand Spirituallie, Nor for thair living corporallie: Lyand in dennis lyke idill doggis I them compair to weil fed hoggis▪ I think they do them selfis abuse, Seing that thay the warld refuse: Haifing profest sic povertie, Syne fleis fast fra necessitie. Quhat gif thay povertie wald professe?

And do as did Diogenes, That great famous Philosophour, Seing in earth bot vaine labour, Alutterlie the warld refusit, And in ane tumbe him self inclusit, And leifit on herbs and water cauld, Of corporall fude na mair he wald. He trottit nocht from toun to toun, Beggand to feid his carioun. Fra tyme that lyfe he did profes, The wald of him was cummerles. Rycht sa of Marie Magdalene, And of Mary th'Egyptiane: And of auld Paull the first Hermeit, All thir had povertie compleit. Ane hundreth ma I micht declair, Bot to my purpois I will fair: Concluding sleuthfull idilnes, Against the Common-weill expresse.

Correctioun.

Quhom vpon ma will ʒe compleine?

Iohne.

Marie on ma and ma againe. For the pure peopill cryis with cairis, The infetching of Iustice airis: Exercit mair for couetice, Then for the punisching of vyce. Ane peggrell theif that steillis ane kow, Is hangit▪ bot he that steillis ane bow With als meikill geir as he may turs, That theif is hangit be the purs. Sic pykand peggrall theifis ar hangit, Bot he that all the warld hes wrangit, Ane cruell tyrane ane strang transgressour,

Ane common publick plaine oppressour, By buds may he obteine fauours Of Tresurers and compositours. Thocht he serue greit punitioun, Gets easie compositioun: And throch laws consistoriall Prolixt, corrupt and perpetuall. The common peopill ar put sa vnder, Thocht thay be puir it is na wonder.

Correction.

Gude Iohne I grant all that is trew▪ Ʒour infortoun full sair I rew: Or I pairt aff this Natioun, I sall mak reformatioun. And als my Lord Temporalitie, I ʒow command in tyme that ʒe Expell oppressioun aff ʒour lands. And als I say to ʒow merchands, Gif ever I find be land or sie, Dissait be in ʒour cumpanie: Quhilk ar to Common-weill contrair, I vow to God I sall not spair To put my sword to executioun, And mak on ʒow extreme punitioun. Mairover my Lord Spiritualitie, In gudlie haist I will that ʒe Set into few ʒour temporall lands. To men that labours with thair hands. Bot nocht to ane gearking gentill man, That nether will he wirk, nor can: Quhair throch the policy may incresse.

Temporalitie.

I am content sir be the messe: Swa that the Spiritualitie,

Sets thairs in few als weill as wee.

Correctioun.

My Spirituall Lords ar ʒe content?

Spiritualitie.

Na, na, wee man tak advysement In sic maters for to conclude, Ouir haistelie, wee think nocht gude.

Cor.

Conclude ʒe nocht with the Comon-weil Ʒe salbe punischit be Sanct Geill.

Heir sall the Bischops cum with the Freir.

Spiritualitie.

Schir we can schaw exemptioun, Fra ʒour temporall punitioun: The quhilk wee purpois till debait.

Correction.

Wa than, ʒe think to stryue for stair. My Lords quhat say ʒe to this play?

Temporalitie.

My soverane Lords we will obay, And tak ʒour part with hart and hand, Quhat ever ʒe pleis vs to command.

Heir sal the Temporal stait sit doun on thair knies, & say.

Bot wee beseik ʒow Soveraine, Of all our cryms that ar bygaine To gifvs ane remissioun, And heir wee mak to ʒow conditioun, The Common-weill for till defend From hence-forth till our liues end.

Correctioun.

On that conditioun I am content Till pardon ʒow sen ʒe repent, The Common-weill tak be the hand, And mak with him perpetuall band.

Heir sall the temporal staits, to wit, the Lords and merch∣ands imbreasse Iohne the Common-weill.

Iohne haue ʒe ony ma debaits Against the Lords of Spirituall staits? Iohne, Na sir I dar nocht speik ane word

To plaint on Preistis it is na bourd:

Correctioun.

Flyt on thy fow fill I desyre the: Swa that thou schaw bot the veritie.

Iohne.

Grandmerces then I sall nocht spair, First to compleine on the Vickair. The pure Cottar being lyke to die, Haifand ʒoung infants twa or thrie: And hes twa ky but ony ma, The Vickar most haif ane of thay: With the gray frugge that covers the bed, Howbeit the wyse be purelie cled, And gif the wyfe die on the morne, Thocht all the bairns sould be forlorne, The vther kow he cleiks away With the pure cot of raploch gray. Wald God this custome war put doun, Quhilk never was found it be ressoun.

Temporal.

Ar all thay tails trew that thou telles?

[] Pauper.

Trew sir, the Divill stick me elles▪ For be the halie Trinitie, That same was practeisit on me. For our Vickar God giue him pyne, Hes ʒit thrie tydie kye of myne. Ane for my father and for my wyfe ane vther, And the thrid cow he tuke for Mald my mother.

Iohne.

Our Persone heir he takis na vther pyne, Bot to ressaue his teinds and spend them syne. Howbeit he be obleist be gude ressoun, To preich the Evangell to his parochoun. Howbeit thay suld want preiching sevintin ʒeir. Our Persoun will not want ane scheif of beir.

Pau.

Our bishops with thair lustie rokats quhyte,

Thay flow in riches royallie and delyte Lyke Paradice bend thair palices and places, And wants na pleasour of the fairest faces. Als thir Prelates hes great prerogatyues, For quhy thay may depairt ay with thair wyues: Without ony correctioun or damnage, Syne tak ane vther wantoner but mariage▪ But doubt I wald think it ane pleasant lyfe, Ay on quhen I list to part with my wyfe. Syne tak ane vther of far greiter bewtie, Bot ever alace my Lords that may not be, For I am bund alace in mariage, Bot thay lyke rams rudlie in thair rage. Vnpysalt rinnis amang the sillie ʒowis, Sa lang as kynde of nature in them growis.

Person.

Thou lies fals huirsun raggit loun, Thair is na Preists in all this toun, That ever vsit sic vicious crafts.

Iohne.

the feind ressaue thay flattrand chafts: Sir Domine I trowit ʒe had be dum. Quhair Devil gat we this ill fairde blaitie bum?

Pers.

To speik of Preists be sure it is na bourds: Thay will burne men now for rakles words, And all thay words ar herisie in deid,

Iohn.

The mekil feind resaue the saul that leid. All that I say is trew thocht thou be greifit, And that I offer on thy pallet to preif it.

Spr.

My lords quhy do ʒe thoil that lurdun loun, Of Kirk-men to speik sic detractioun. I let ʒow wit my Lords it is na bourds, Of Prelats for till speik sic wantoun words.

Heir Spritualitie fames and rages.

Ʒon villaine puttis me out of Charitie.

Tompo.

Quhy my Lord▪ sayis he ocht bot verity Ʒe can nocht stop ane pure man for till pleinʒe Gif he hes faltit, summond him to ʒour Seinʒe.

Spritual.

Ʒea that I sall, I mak greit God a vow He sall repent that he spak of the kow. I will not suffer sic words of ʒon villaine.

Pauper.

I han gar gif me my thrie fat ky againe.

Spr.

Fals carle to speik to me stands thou not aw?

Pau.

The feind resaue them that first devysit that law Within an houre efter my dade was deid The Vickar had my kow hard be the heid.

Person.

Fals huirsun carle I say that law is gude, Becaus it hes bene lang our consuetude:

Pauper.

Quhen I am Paip that law I sal put doun It is ane sair law for the pure commoun.

Spritu.

I mak an vow thay words thou sal repent.

Counsall.

I ʒow requyre my Lords be patient. Wee came nocht heir for disputatiouns, Wee came to make gude reformatiouns. Heirfoir of this ʒour propositioun, Conclude and put to executioun.

Mer.

My Lords conclud that al the tēporal lands Be set in few to laboreris with thait hands. With sic restrictiouns as sall be devysit, That thay may liue and nocht to be supprysit. With ane ressonabill augmentatioun, And quhen thay heir ane proclamatioun: That the Kings grace dois mak him for the weit, That thay be reddie with harneis, bow and speir. As for my self my Lord this I conclude.

Coun.

Sa say we all ʒour ressoun be sa gude.

To mak ane Act on this we ar content:

Iohne.

On that sir Scribe I tak ane instrument. Quhat do ʒe of the corspresent and kow?

Counsall.

I wil conclude nathing of that as now Without my Lord of Spiritualitie, Thairto consent with all this haill cleargie. My Lord Bischop will ʒe thairto consent?

Spri.

Na, na, never till the day of Iudgement. Wee will want nathing that wee haue in vse, Kirtil nor kow, teind lambe, teind gryse nor guse.

Tem.

Forsuith my lord I think we suldconclude, Seing this kow ʒe haue in consuetude: Wee will decerne heir that the Kings grace, Sall wryte vnto the Paipis holines: With his consent be proclamatioun, Baith corspresent and cow wee sall cry doun.

Spiri.

To that my Lords wee plainlie disassent, Noter thair of I tak ane instrument.

Tē.

My lord be him that al the warld hes wrocht, Wee set nocht by quhider ʒe consent or nocht: Ʒe ar bot ane estait and we ar twa,

Et vbi maior pars ibi tota.

Ioh.

My lords ʒe haif richt prudentlie concludit, Tak tent now how the land is clein denudit: Of gould and silver quhilk daylie gais to Rome, For buds, mair then the rest of Christindome. War I ane King sir be coks passioun, I sould gar mak ane proclamatioun. That never ane penny sould go to Rome at all, Na mair then did to Peter nor to Paull. Da ʒe nocht sa, heir for conclusioun I gif ʒow all my braid black malesoun.

Merchant.

It is of treuth sirs, be my christindome, That mekil of our money gais to Rome. For we merchants I wait within our bounds, Hes furneist Preists ten hundreth thowsand punds. For thair finnance, nane knawis sa weill as wee: Thairfoir my Lords devyse sum remedie. For throw thir playis and thir promotioun, Mair for denners nor for devotioun. Sir Symonie hes maid with them ane band, The gould of weicht thay leid out of the land. The Common-weil, thair throch bein sair opprest Thairfoir devyse remeid as ʒe think best.

Counsell.

It is schort tyme sen ony benefice, VVas sped in Rome except greit Bischopries. Bot now for ane vnworthie Vickarage, Ane Preist will rin to Rome in Pilgramage. Ane cavell quhilk was never at the scule, Will rin to Rome and keip ane Bischops mule: And syne cum hame with mony colorit crack, With ane buirdin of benefices on his back. Quhilk bene against the, law ane man alane, For till posses ma benefices norane. Thir greit commends I say withoutin faill, Sould nocht be giuen bot to the blude Royall: Sa I conclude my Lords and sayis for me, Ʒe sould annull all this pluralitie.

Spritualitie.

The Paip hes giuen vs dispensatiouns:

Counsall.

Ʒea that is be ʒour fals narratiouns. Thocht the Paip for ʒour pleasour will dispence, I trow that can nocht cleir ʒour conscience. Advysemy Lords quhat ʒe think to conclude,

Temporalitie.

Sir be my faith I think it verie gude,

That fra hence furth na Preistis sall pas to Rome. Becaus our substance thay do stillconsume. For pleyis and for thair profeit singulair, Thay haif of money maid this realme bair. And als I think it best be my advyse, That ilk Preist sall haif bot ane benefice. And gif thay keip nocht that fundatioun, It sall be caus of deprivatioun.

Merchant.

As ʒe haif said my Lord we wil consent, Scribe mak ane act on this incontinent.

Couns.

My Lords, thair is ane thing ʒit vnproponit How Prelats and Preistis aucht to be disponit: This beand done wee haue the les ado; Quhat say ʒe sirs▪ this is my counsall lo: That or wee end this present Parliament, Of this mater to tak rype advysement. Mark weill my Lords, thair is na benefice Giuen to ane man, bot for ane gude office. Quha taks office and syne thay can nocht vsit, Giuer and taker I say ar baith abusit. Ane Bischops office is for to be ane preichour, And of the law of God ane publick teachour. Rycht sa the Persone vnto his parochoun, Of the Evangell sould leir them ane lessoun. Thair sould na man desyre sic dignities, Without he be abill for that office. And for that caus, I say without leising, Thay haue thair teinds, and for na vther thing.

Sp.

Friend quhair find ʒe that we suld prechours be

Coun.

Luik quhat Sanct Paul wryts vnto Timothie Tak thair the Buik let se gif ʒe can spell.

Spritual.

I never red that, thairfoir reid it ʒour sel.

Counsall sall read thir wordis on ane Buik.

¶ Fidelis sermo, siquis Episcopatum desiderat, bonum opus desi∣derat, oportet eum irreprehensibilem esse, vnius vxoris virum, sobri∣um, prudentem, ornatum, pudicum, hospitalem, doctorem: non vine∣lentum, non percussorem: sed modestum.

That is

¶ This is a true saying, If any man desire the office of a Bishop, he desireth a worthie worke: A Bishop therefore must be vnreproue∣able, the husband of one wife, &c.

Spiritualitie.

Ʒe temporall men be him that heryit hell, Ʒe ar ovir peart with sik maters to mell.

Temporalitie.

Sit still my Lord, ʒe neid not for til braull, Thir ar the verie words of th'Apostill Paull.

Spir.

Sum sayis be him that woare the croun of thorne, It had bene gude that Paull had neir bene borne.

Counsal.

Bot ʒe may knaw my Lord Sanct Pauls intent, Schir red ʒe never the New testament?

Spiritualitie.

Na sir, be him that our Lord Iesus sauld, I red never the New testament nor auld. Nor ever thinks to do sir be the Rude, I heir freiris say that reiding dois na gude.

Counsell.

Till ʒow to reid them I think it is na lack, For anis I saw them baith bund on ʒour back: That samin day that ʒe was consecrat, Sir, quhat meinis that?

[] Spiritualitie.

The feind stick them that wat.

Merchant.

Then befoir God how can ʒe be excusit? To haif ane office and waits not how to vs it. Quhairfoir war gifin ʒow all the temporal lands? And all thir teinds ʒe haif amang ʒour hands. Thay war giuin ʒow for vther causses I weine, Nor mummil matins and hald ʒour clayis cleine. Ʒe say to the Appostils that ʒe succeid, Bot ʒe schaw nocht that into word nor deid.

The law is plaine▪ our teinds suld furnisch teichours:

Couns.

Ʒea that it sould, or susteine prudent preichours.

Pauper.

Sir God nor I be stickit with ane knyfe, Gif ever our Persoun preichit in all his lyfe.

Persone.

Quhat devil raks the of our preiching vndocht?

Pauper.

Think ʒe that ʒe suld haue the teinds for nocht?

Persone.

Trowis thou to get remeid carle of that thing?

[] Pauper.

Ʒea be Gods breid richt sone war I ane King.

Persone.

Wald thou of Prelats mak deprivatioun?

Pauper.

Na I suld gar them keip thair fundatioun, Quhat devill is this, quhom of sould Kings stand aw? To do the thing that thay sould be the law. War I ane King be coks deir passioun, I sould richt sone mak reformatioun. Failʒeand thairof ʒour grace sould richt sone finde, That Preists sall leid ʒow lyke ane bellie blinde▪

Iohne.

Quhat gif King David war leiuand in thir dayis? The quhilk did found sa mony gay Abayis: Or out of heavin quhat gif he luikit doun? And saw the great abominatioun: Amang thir Abesses and thir Nunries, Thair publick huirdomes and thair harlotries, He wald repent he narrowit sa his bounds, Of ʒeirlie rent thries coir of thowsand pounds. His successours maks litill ruisse I ges, Of his devotioun or of his holines.

Abbasse.

How dar thou carle presume for to declair, Or for to mell the with sa heich a mater? For in Scotland thair did ʒit never ring, I let the wit ane mair excellent King. Of holines he was the verie plant,

And now in heavin he is ane michtfull Sanct. Becaus that fyftein Abbasies he did found, Quhair throw great riches hes ay done abound Into our Kirk and daylie ʒit abunds, Bot kings now I trow few Abbasies founds. I dar weill say thou art condempnit in hel, That dois presume with sic maters to mell. Fals huirsun carle thou art ovir arrogant, To iudge the deids of sic ane halie Sanct.

Iohne.

King Iames the first Roy of this Regioun, Said that he was ane sair Sanct to the croun. I heir men say that the was sumthing blind, That gaue away mair nor he left behind. His successours that halines did repent, Quhilk gart them do great inconvenient.

Abbas.

My Lord Bishop I mervel how that ʒe, Suffer this carle for to speik heresie? Forbe my faith my Lord will ʒe tak tent, He servis for to be brunt incontinent. Ʒe can nocht say bot it is heresie, To speik against our law and libertie.

Spritualitie.

Sancte pater I mak ʒow supplicatioun, Exame ʒon carle, syne mak his dilatioun: I mak ane vow to God omnipotent, That bystour salbe brunt incontinent. Venerabill father I sall do ʒour command, Gif he seruis deid I sall sune vnderstand.

Pausa.

Fals huirsun carle schaw furth thy faith,

Iohne.

Me think ʒe speik as ʒe war wraith, To ʒow I will nathing declair, For ʒe ar nocht my ordinair▪

Elat.

Quhom in trowis thou fals monster mangit?

Iohne.

I trow to God to se the hangit: War I ane King be coks passioun, I sould gar mak ane congregatioun, Of all the freirs of the four ordouris, And mak ʒow vagers on the bordours, Schir will ʒe giue me audience, And I sall schaw ʒour excellence: Sa that ʒour grace will giue me leife How into God that I beleife.

Corr.

Schaw furth ʒour faith and fein ʒe nocht.

Iohne.

I beleife in God that all hes wrocht, And creat everie thing of nocht. And in his Son our Lord Iesu, Incarnat of the Virgin trew: Quha vnder Pilat tholit passioun, And deit for our Salvatioun. And on the thrid day rais againe, As halie scriptour schawis plane. And als my Lord it is weill kend, How he did to the heavin ascend: And set him doun at the richt hand, Of God the father I vnderstand. And sall cum iudge on Dumisday, Quhat will ʒe mair sir that I say?

Correctioun

Schaw furth the rest, this is na game.

Iohne.

I trow Sanctam Ecclesiam, Bot nocht in thir Bischops nor thir Freirs, Quhilk will for purging of thir neirs. [] Sard vp the ta raw and doun the vther, The mekill Devill resaue the fidder.

Correctioun.

Say quhat ʒe will sirs be Sanct Tan, Me think Iohne ane gude Christian man.

Temporalitie.

My Lords let be ʒour disputatioun, Conclude with firme deliberaioun. How Prelats fra thyne sall be disponit:

Merch.

I think for me evin as ʒe first proponit. That the Kings grace sall gif na benefice, Bot till ane peichour that can vse that office. The sillie sauls that bene Christis scheip, Sould nocht be givin to gormand wolfis to keip. Quhat bene the caus of all the heresies, Bot the abusioun of the prelacies? Thay will correct and will nocht be correctit: Thinkand to na prince thay will be subiectit. Quhairfoir I can find na better remeid, Bot that thir kings man take it in thair heid. That thair be giuen to na man bischopries, Except thay preich out throch thair diosies. And ilk persone priech in his parochon, And this I say for finall conclusion.

Tempora.

Wee think ʒour counsall is verie gude, As ʒe haue said wee all conclude. Of this conclusioun Noter wee mak ane act:

Scrybe.

I wryte all day bot gets never ane plack.

Pauper.

Och, my Lords for the halie Trinitie, Remember to reforme the consistorie, It hes mair neid of reformatioun, Nor Ploutois court sir be coks passioun.

Pers.

Quhat caus hes thou fals pellour for to plein∣ʒe Quhair was ʒe ever summond to thair seinʒe?

Pa.

Marie I lent my gossop my mear to fecth hame coills And he hir drounit into the querrell hollis. And I ran to the Consistorie for to pleinʒe,

And thair I happinit amang ane greidie meinʒe. Thay gaue me first ane thing thay call citandum, Within aucht dayis I gat bot lybellandum▪ Within ane moneth I gat ad opponendum, In half ane ʒeir I gat interloquendum, And syne I gat, how call ʒe it? ad replicandum: Bot I could never ane word ʒit vnderstand him. And than thay gart me cast out many plackis, And gart me pay for four and twentie actis. Bot or thay came half gait to concludendum, The feind ane plack was left for to defend him. Thus thay postponit me twa ʒeir with thair traine, Syne hodie ad octo bad me cum againe. And than thir ruiks thay roupit wonder fast, For sentence silver thay cry it at the last. Of pronunciandum thay maid me wonder faine, Bot I gat never my gude gray meir againe.

Temp.

My Lords we mon reforme thir consistory lawis, Quhais great defame aboue the heavins blawis. I wist ane man in persewing ane kow, Or he had done he spendit half ane bow. Sa that the kings honour wee may avance, Wee will conclude, as thay haue done in France. Let Sprituall maters pas to Spritualitie, And Temporall maters to Temporalitie. Quha failʒeis of this sall cost them of thair gude, Scribe mak ane act, for sa wee will conclude.

Spritualitie.

That act my Lords plainlie I will declait, It is again is our profeit singulair. Wee will nocht want our profeit be Sanct Geill. Temporalitie Ʒour profeit is against the Common weil It salbe done my Lords as ʒe haue wrocht,

We cure nocht quhidder ʒe consent or nocht. Quhairfoir servis then all thir Temporall Iudges? Gif temporall maters sould seik at ʒow refuges. My Lord ʒe say that ʒe ar Sprituall, Quhairfoir mell ʒe than with things temporall? As we haue done conclude sa sall it stand, Scribe put our Acts in ordour evin fra hand.

Spritualitie.

Till all ʒour acts plainlie I disassent, Notar thairof I tak ane instrument.

Heir sall Veritie and Chastitie mak thair plaint at the bar.

Veritie.

My Soverane I beseik ʒour excellence, Vse Iustice on Spritualitie: The quhilk to vs hes done great violence, Becaus we did rehers the veritie. Thay put vs close into Captivitie, And sa remanit into subiectioun: Into great langour and calamitie, Till we war fred be King Correctioun.

Chast.

My lord I haif great caus for to complaine, I could get na ludging intill this land: The Spirituall stait had me sa at disdane, With Dame Sensuall thay haue maid sic ane band. Amang them all na freindschip sirs I fand, And quhen I came the nobill innis amang, My Iustie Ladie Priores fra hand: Out of hir do rtour durlie scho me dang.

Veritie.

With the advyse sir of the Parliament, Hairtlie we mak ʒow supplicatioun: Cause King Correctioun tak incontinent, Of all this sort examinatioun. Gif thay be digne of deprivatioun, Ʒe haue power for to correct sic cases:

Chease the maist cunning Clerks of this natioun, And put mair prudent pastours in thair places. My prudent Lords I say that pure craftsmen, Abufe sum Prelats ar mair for to commend: Gar exame them and sa ʒe sall sune ken, How thay in vertew Bischops dois transcend.

Scribe.

Thy life and craft mak to thir Kings kend, Quhat craft hes thow declair that to me plaine?

Tail.

Ane tailʒour sir that▪can baith mak and mend, I wait nane better into Dumbartane.

¶Scri.

Quhairfoir of tailʒeours beirs thou the styl?

Tailʒeour.

Becaus I wait is nane within ane myll, Can better vse that craft as I suppois: For I can mak baith doublit coat and hois.

Scri.

How cal thay ʒou sir with the schaiping knife?

Sowtar.

Ane sowtar sir, nane better into Fyfe.

Scribe.

Tel me quhairfoir ane sowtar ʒe ar namit?

Sowtar.

Of that surname I neld nocht be aschamit. For I can mak schone brotekins and buittis, Gif me the coppie of the Kings cuittis. And ʒe sall se richt sune quhat I can do: Heir is my lasts and weill wrocht ledder lo▪

Couns.

O Lord my God this is an mervelous thing How sic misordour in this Realme sould ring. Sowtars and tailʒe ours thay ar far mair expert In thair pure craft and in thair handie art, Nor ar our Prelatis in thair vocatioun: I pray ʒow sirs mak reformatioun.

Verit.

Alace, alace, quhat gars thir temporal Kings Into the Kirk of Christ admit sic doings? My Lords for lufe of Christs passioun, Of thir ignorants mak depriuatioun.

Quhilk in the court can▪do bot flatter and fleich, And put into thair places that can preich. Send furth and seik sum devoit cunning Clarks, That can steir vp the peopill to gude warks.

Correctioun.

As ʒe haue done, Madame I am content, Hoaw Diligence pas hynd incontinent. And seik out throw all towns and cities: And visie all the vniversities. Bring vs sum Doctours of Divinitie. VVith licents in the law and Theologie. VVith the maist cunning Clarks in all this land, Speid sune ʒour way and bring them heir fra hand.

Diligence.

Quhat gif I find sum halie provinciall? Or minister of the gray freiris all? Or ony freir that can preich prudentlie, Sall I bring them with me in cumpanie?

Correction.

Cair thou nocht quhat estait sa ever he be, Sa thay can teich and preich the veritie, Maist cunning Clarks with vs is best beluifit, To dignitie thay salbe first promuifit. Quhidder thay be Munk, Channon, Preist or Freir, Sa thay can preich faill nocht to bring them heir.

Diligence.

Than fair-weill sir, for I am at the flicht, I pray the Lord to send ʒow all gude nicht.

Heir sall Diligence pas to the palʒeoun.

¶Temporalitie.

Sir we beseik ʒour soverane celsitude, Of our dochtours to haue compassioun: Quhom wee may na way marie be the Rude, Without wee mak sum alienatioun Of our land for thair supportatioun, For quhy? the markit raisit bene sa hie That Prelats dochtours of this natioun,

Ar maryit with sic superfluitie: Thay will nocht spair to gif twa thowsand pound, With thair dochtours to ane nobill man: In riches sa thay do superabound. Bot we may nocht do sa be Sanct Allane, Thir proud Prelats our dochters sair▪ may ban; That thay remaine at hame sa lang vnmaryit: Schir let ʒour Barrouns do the best thay can, Sum of our dochtours I dreid salbe miscaryit.

¶Correct.

My Lord ʒour complaint is richt ressonabill, And richt sa to our dochtours profitabill: I think or I pas aff this natioun, Of this mater till mak reformatioun.

Heir sall enter common thift.

Thift.

¶Ga by the gait man, let me gang, [] How Devill came I into this thrang: With sorrow I may sing my sang, And I be taine: For I haue run baith nicht and day, Throw speid of fut I gat away, Gif I be kend heir, wallaway I will be slaine.

Pauper.

Quhat is thy name man be thy thrift?

Thift.

Huirsun thay call me common thift: For quhy I had na vther schift, Sen I was borne, In Eusdaill was my dwelling place, Mony ane wyfe gart▪ I cry alace: At my hand thay gat never grace, Bot ay for lorne. Sum say is ane king is cum amang vs,

That purposis to head and hang vs: Thair is na grace gif he may fang vs Bot on an pin. Ring he, we theifiswill get na gude, I pray God and the halie Rude, He had bene smoird into his cude, And all his kin. Get this curst King me in his grippis, My craig will wit quhat weyis my hippist The Devill I gif his toung and lippis, That of me tellis: Adew I dar na langer tarie: For be I kend thay will me carie, And put me in ane sierie farie, I se nocht ellis. I raife be him that herryit hell, I had almaist forʒet my sell: Will na gude fallow to me tell, Quhair I may finde The Earle of Rothus best haiknay, That was my earand heir away: He is richt starck as I heir say And swift as winde. Heir is my brydill and my spurris, To gar him lance ovir land and furris: Micht I him get to Ewis durris, I tak na cuir: Of that hors micht I get ane sicht, I haife na doubt ʒit or midnicht, That he and I sould tak the flicht Throch Dysert mure. Of cumpanarie tell me brother, Quhilk is the richt way to the Strother,

I wald be welcum to my mother, Gif I micht speid: I wald gif baith my coat and bonet, To get my Lord Lindesay is broun Ionet: War he beʒond the watter of Annet, We sould nocht dreid. Quhat now Oppressioun my maister deir? Quhat mekill Devill hes brocht ʒow heir? Maister tell me the caus perqueir, Quhat is that ʒe haue done?

Oppressioun.

Forsuith the kings maiestie, Hes set me heir as ʒe may se: Micht I speik Temporalitie, He wald me releife sone. I beseik ʒow my brother deir, Bot halfe ane houre for to sit heir: Ʒe knaw that I was never sweir, Ʒow to defend: Put in ʒour leg into my place, And heir I sweir be Gods grace, Ʒow to releife within schort space, Syne let ʒow wend.

Thift.

Than maister deir gif me ʒour hand, And mak to me ane faithfull band, That ʒe sall cum agane fra hand Withoutin faill:

Oppressioun.

Tak thair my hand richt faithfullie Als I promit the verelie, To gif to the ane cuppill of kye In Liddisdaill.

Thift puts his legs in the stockis.

Haif I nocht maid ane honest schift, That hes betrasit common Thift?

For thair is nocht vnder the lift, Ane curster cors: I am richt sure that he and I, Within this halʒeir craftely Hes stolne ane thowsand scheip and ky, By meiris and hors. Wald God I war baith sound and haill, Now liftit into Liddisdaill The Mers sould find me beif and kaill, Quhat rak of bread: War I thair liftit with my lyfe, The Devill sould stick me with ane knyfe And ever I come againe to Fyfe, Quhill I war dead. Adew I leife the Devill amang ʒow, That in his fingers he may fang ʒow: With all leill men that dois belang ʒow, For I may rew: That ever I came into this land, For quhy ʒe may weill vnderstand, I gat na geir to turne my hand: Ʒit anis adew.

Heir sall Diligence conuoy the thrie Clarks.

¶Dilig.

Sir, I haue brocht vnto ʒour Excellence, Thir famous Clarks of greit intelligence: For to the common peopill thay can preich, And in the Scuilis in Latine toung can teich▪ This is ane Doctour of Divinitie, And thir twa Licents men of gravitie. I heare men say thair conversatioun, Is maist in Divine Contemplatioun,

Doctour.

Grace, peace and rest from the hie Trinitie, Mot rest amang this godlie cumpanie: Heir ar we cumde as ʒour obedients, For to fulfill ʒour iust commandements. Quhat euir it please ʒour Grace vs to command, Sir, it sall be obeyit euin fra-hand.

Rex.

Gud freinds ʒe ar richt welcome to vs all, Sit doun all thrie and geif vs ʒour counsall.

¶Cor.

Sir I giue ʒow baith counsal & cōmand, In ʒour office vse exercitioun: First that ʒe gar search out throch all ʒour land, Quha can nocht put to executioun Thair office efter the institutioun, Of godlie lawis, conforme to thair vocatioun: Put in thair places men of gude conditioun, And this ʒe do without dilatioun. Ʒe ar the head sir of this congregatioun, Preordinat be God omnipotent: Quhilk hes me send to mak ʒow supportatioun, Into the quhilk I salbe diligent. And quha saever beis inobedient, And will nocht suffer for to be correctit, Thay salbe all deposit incontinent, And from ʒour presence they sall be deiectit.

Counsall.

Begin first at the Spritualitie, And tak of them examinatioun, Gif they can vse their divyne dewetie, And als I mak ʒow supplicatioun, All thay that hes thair offices misvsit, Of them make haistie depriuatioun: Sa that the peopill be na mair abusit.

¶Correctioun.

Ʒe ar ane Prince of Spritualitie. How haue ʒe vsit ʒour office now let se?

Spi.

My lords quhen was thair ony Prelats wont, Of thair office till ony King mak count? Bot of my office gif ʒe wald haue the feill, I let ʒow wit I haue it vsit weill. For I tak in my count twyse in the ʒeir, Wanting nocht of my teind ane boll of beir. I gat gude payment of my Temporall lands, My buttock-maill, my coattis and my offrands, With all that dois perteine my benefice, Consider now my Lord gif I be wyse. I dar nocht marie contrair the common law, Ane thing thair is my Lord that ʒe may knaw. Howbeit I dar nocht plainlie spouse ane wyfe, Ʒit Concubeins I haue had four or fyfe. And to my sons I haue giuin rich rewairds, And all my dochters maryit vpon lairds. I let ʒow wit my Lord I am na fuill, For quhy I ryde vpon ane amland Muill. Thair is na Temporall Lord in all this land, That makssic cheir I let ʒow vnderstand. And als my Lord I gif with gude intentioun, To divers Temporall Lords ane ʒeirlie pensioun To that intent that thay with all thair hart, In richt and wrang sal plainlie tak my part. Now haue I tauld ʒow sir on my best ways, How that I haue exercit my office.

Cor.

I weind ʒour office had bene for til preich, And Gods law to the peopill teich, Quhairfoir weir ʒe that mytour ʒe me tell?

Spiritu.

I wat nocht man be him that herryit hel

Cor.

That dois betakin that ʒe with gude intent, Sould teich & preich the auld & New testament

Spritu.

I haue ane freir to preiche into my place, Of my office ʒe heare na mair quhill Pasche.

Chastitie.

My Lords this Abbot and this Priores Thay scorne thair gods, this is my reason quhy, Thay beare an habite of feinʒeit halines, And in thair deid thay do the contrary: For to liue chaist thay vow solemnitly, Bot fra that thay be sikker of thair bowis Thay liue in huirdome and in harlotry, Examine them Sir, how thay obserue thair vowis.

Correctioun.

Sir Scribe ʒe sall at Chastities requeist Pas and exame ʒon thrie in gudlie haist.

Scribe.

Father Abbot this counsall bids me speir, How ʒe haue vsit ʒour Abbay thay wald heir. And als thir Kings hes giuin to me commissioun, Of ʒour office for to mak inquisitioun.

Abbot.

Tuiching my office I say to ʒow plainlie, My Monks and I, we leif richt easelie: Thair is na Monks from Carrick to Carraill That fairs better and drinks mair helsum Aill. My Prior is ane man of great devotioun, Thairfoir daylie he gets ane double portioun.

Scribe.

My Lords how haue ʒe keipt ʒour thrie vows

Abbas.

Indeid richt weill till I gat hame my bows. In my Abbay quhen I was sure professour, Then did I leife as did my predecessour. My paramours is baith als fat and fair, As ony wench into the toun of Air. I send my sons to Pareis to the scullis, I traist in God that thay salbe na fuillis,

And all my douchters I haue weill providit, Now iudge ʒe gif my office be weill gydit.

Scr.

Maister Person schaw vs gif ʒe can preich?

Per.

Thocht I preich not I can play at the caiche: I wait thair is nocht ane amang ʒow all, Mair ferilie can play at the fut ball: And for the carts the tabils and the dyse, Aboue all persouns I may beir the pryse. Our round bonats we mak them now four nuickit Of richt fyne stuiff gif ʒow list cum and luikit. Of my office I haue declarit to the, Speir quhat ʒe pleis, ʒe get na mair of me.

Scribe.

Quhat say ʒe now my Ladie Priores? How haue ʒe vsit ʒour office can ʒe ges? Quhat was the caus ʒe refusit harbrie? To this ʒoung lustie Ladie Chastitie.

Prio.

I wald haue harborit hir with gude intent, Bot my complexioun thairto wald not assent: I do my office efter auld vse and wount, To ʒour Parliament I will mak na mair count.

Veritie.

Now caus sum of ʒour cunning Clarks Quhilk ar expert in heavinlie warks, And men fulfill it with charitie That can weill preiche the veritie, And gifto sum of them command Ane sermon for to make fra-hand.

Correction.

As ʒe haue said I am content, To gar sum preich incontinent,

Pausa.

Magister noster I ken how ʒe can teiche, Into the scuillis and that richt ornatlie: I pray ʒow now that ʒe wald please to preiche, In Inglisch toung, land folk to edifie.

Doctour.

Soverane I sall obey ʒow humbillie, With ane schort sermon presentlie in this place: And schaw the word of God vnfeinʒeitlie, And sinceirlie as God will giue me grace.

Heir sall the Doctour pas to the pulpit and say.

Si vis ad vitam ingredi serva mandata.

Devoit peopill Sanct Paull the preichour sayis, The fervent luife and father lie pitie, Quhilk God almichtie hes schawin mony wayis To man in his corrupt fragilitie, Exceids all luife in earth, sa far that we May never to God mak recompence conding As quhasa lists to reid the veritie, In halie Scripture he may find this thing.

Sic Deus dilexit mundum.

Tuiching nathing the great prerogatiue, Quhilk God to man in his creatioun lent: How man of nocht creat superlatiue Was to the Image of God omnipotent Let vs consider that speciall luife ingent, God had to man quhen our foir-father fell, Drawing vs all in his loynis immanent, Captive from gloir in thirlage to the hel. Quhen Angels fell, thair miserabil ruyne Was never restorit: bot for our miserie, The Sun of God secund persone divyne, In ane pure Virgin tuke humanitie: Syne for our saik great harmis suffered he In fasting, walking, in preiching, cauld and heit, And at the last ane schamefull death deit he, Betwix twa theifis on Croce he ʒeild the Spreit: And quhair an drop of his maist precious blude

Was recompence sufficient and conding, Ane thowsand warlds to ransoun from that wod Infernall feind, Sathan, notwithstanding He luifit vs sa, that for our ransoning, He sched furth all the blude of his bodie, Riven rent and sair wondit quhair he did hing, Naild on the Croce on the Mont Calvary.

Et copiosa apud eum redemptio.

O cruell death, be the the venemous Dragon, the Devill infernall lost his pray: Be the the stinkand, mirk, contageous, Deip pit of hell mankynd escaipit fray. Be the the port of Paradice alsway Was patent maid vnto the heavin sa hie: Opinnit to man and maid ane reddie way, To gloir eternall with th'haly Trinitie. And ʒit for all thisluife incomparabill, God askis na rewaird fra vs againe Bot luife for luife: in his command but fabill, Conteinit ar all haill the lawis ten: Baith ald and new and commandements ilk ane, Luife bene the ledder quhilk hes bot steppis twa: Be quhilk we may clim vp to lyfe againe, Out of this vaill of miserie and wa.

Diliges Dominum Deum tuum ex toto corde tuo & proxi∣mum tuum sicut teipsum: in his duobus mandatis. &c.

The first step suithlie of this ledder is, To luife thy God as the fontaine and well Of luife and grace: and the secund I wis, To luife thy nichtbour as thou luifis thy sell, Quha tynis ane stop of thir twa gais to hel, Bot he repent and turne to Christ anone,

Hauld this na fabill, the halie Evangell Bears in effect thir words everie one.

Si vis ad vitam ingredi serva mandata Dei.

Thay tyne thir steps all thay quha ever did sin In pryde, invy, in ire and lecherie: In covetice or ony extreme win, Into sweirnes or into gluttonie. Or quha dois nocht the deids of mercie, Gif hungrie meit and gif the naikit clayis.

Pers.

Now walloway thinks thou na schame to lie▪ [] I trow the Devill a word is trew thou sayis: Thou sayis thair is bot twa steppis to the heavin Quha failʒeis them man backwarts fall in hell, I wait it is ten thowsand mylis and sevin Gif it be na mair, I do it vpon thy sell. Schort leggit men I se be Bryds bell, Will nevir cum thair, thay steppis bene sa wyde: Gif thay be the words of the Evangell, The Sprituall men hes mister of ane gyde.

Abbot.

And I beleif that cruikit men and blinde, Sall neuer get vp vpon sa hich ane ledder: By my gude faith I dreid to ly behinde, Without God draw me vp into ane tedder. Quhat and I fal, than I will break my bledder: [] And I cum thair this day the Devill speid me: Except God make me lichter nor ane fedder, Or send me doun gude Widcok wingis to flie.

Persone.

Cum doun dastart and gang sell draiff, I vnderstand nocht quhat thow said. Thy words war nather corne nor caiff, I wald thy toung againe war laide▪ Quhair thou sayis pryde is deidlie sin,

I say pryde is bot honestie. And Covetice of warldlie win Is bot wisdome, I say for me. Ire, hardines and gluttonie, Is nathing ellis but lyfis fude: The naturall sin of lecherie Is bot trew luife, all thir ar gude.

Doctor.

God and the Kirk hes giuin command, That all gude Christian men refuse them:

Persone.

Bot war thay sin I vnderstand, We men of Kirk wald never vse them.

Doctour.

Brother I pray the Trinitie, Ʒour faith and charitie to support: Causand ʒow knaw the veritie, That ʒe ʒour subiects may comfort. To ʒour prayers peopill I recommend, The rewlars of this nobill regioun: That our Lord God his grace mot to them send, On trespassours to mak punitioun. Prayand to God from feinds ʒow defend, And of ʒour sins to gif ʒow full remissioun: I say na mair, to God I ʒow commend.

Heir Diligence spyis the freir roundand to the Prelate

¶ Dili.

My lords, I persaue that the Sprituall stait, Be way of deid purpois to mak debait: For be the counsall of ʒon flattrand freir, Thay purpois to mak all this toun on steir.

First Licent.

Traist ʒe that thay wilbe inobedient, To that quhilkis▪ decreitit in Parliament?

Diligen.

Thay se the Paip with awfull ordinance Makis weir against the michtie King of France:

Richt sa thay think that prelats suld nocht sunʒie Be way of deid defend thair patrimonie.

First Lice.

I pray the brother gar me vnderstand, Quhair ever Christ possessit ane fut of land.

Diligence.

Ʒea that he did father withoutin fail, For Christ Iesus was King of Israell.

Fir. Li.

I grant that christ was king abuse al kings Bot he mellit never with temporall things: As he hes plain lie done declair him sell, As thou may reid in his halie Evangell. Birds hes thair nests, and tods hes thair den, Bot Christ Iesus the Saviour of men In all this warld hes nocht ane penny braid, Quhair on he may repois his heavinlie head.

Diligence.

And is that trew?— —Ʒes brother be Alhallows: Christ Iesus had na propertie bot the gallows. And left not quhen he ʒeildit vp the Spreit, To by himself ane simpill winding scheit.

Diligence.

Christs successours I vnderstand, Thinks na schame to haue temporall land. Father thay haue na will I ʒow assure, In this warld to be indigent and pure: Bot sir sen ʒe ar callit sapient, Declair to me the caus with trew intent▪ Quhy that my lustie Ladie Veritie, Hes nocht bene weill treatit in this cuntrie?

Batcheler.

¶ Forsuith quhair Prelats vses the counsall Of beggand freirs in monie regioun, And thay Prelats with Princes principall, The veritie but doubt is trampit doun.

And Common-weill put to confusioun. Gif this be trew to ʒow I me report: Thairfoir my Lords mak reformatioun, Or ʒe depart hairtlie I ʒow exhort: Sirs, freirs wald never I ʒow assure, That ony Prelats vsit preiching: And Prelats tuke on them that cure, Freirs wald get nathing for thair fleiching. ¶Thairfoir I counsall ʒow fra hand, Banische ʒon freir out of this land, And that incontinent: Do ʒe nocht sa withoutin weir, He will mak all this toun on steir, I knaw his fals intent. Ʒon Priores withoutin fabill, I think scho is nocht profitabill, For Christis regioun. To begin reformatioun, Mak of them deprivatioun, This is my opinioun.

First Serge.

Sir pleis ʒe that we twa invaid them, And ʒe sall se vs sone degraid them, Of coill and chaplarie?

Correctioun.

Pas on Iam richt weill content, Syne banische them incontinent Out of this cuntrie.

First Sergeant.

Cum on sir freir and be nocht fleyit, The King our maister mon be obeyit, Bot ʒe sall haue na harme: Gif ʒe wald travell fra toun to toun, I think this hude and heauie goun Will hald ʒour wambe ovir warme▪

Flat.

Freir Now quhat is this that thir monster meins? I am exemptit fra Kings and Queens, And fra all humane law:

Secund Sergeant.

Tak ʒe the hude and I the gown, This limmer luiks als lyke ane lown, As any that ever I saw.

First Sergeant.

Thir freirs to chaip punitioun, Haulds them at their exemptioun, And na man will obey: Thay ar exempt I ʒow assure, Baith fra Paip, kyng and Empreour, And that maks all the pley.

¶Secund Sergeant.

On Dumisday quhen Christ sall say

Venite benedicti:

The Freirs will say without delay

Nos sumus exempts.

Heir sall thay spuilʒe Flattrie of the Freirs habite.

Gude-counsell.

Sir be the halie Trinite, This same is feinʒeit Flattrie, I ken him be his face: Beleiuand for to get promotioun, He said that his name was Devotioun, And sa be gylit ʒour grace,

¶First Sergeant.

Cum on my Ladie Priores, We sall leir ʒow to dance: And that within ane lytill space, Ane new pavin of France.

Heir sall thay spuilʒe the Priores and scho sall haue ane kirtill of silk vnder hir habite.

Now brother be the Masse, Be my iudgement I think This halie Priores

Is turnit in ane cowclink.

¶Priores.

I gif my freinds my malisoun, That me compellit to be ane Nun And wald nocht let me marie: It was my freinds greadines, That gart me be ane Priores, Now hartlie them I warie. Howbeit that Nunnis sing nichts and dayis, Thair hart waitis nocht quhat thair mouth sayis The suith I ʒow declair: Makand ʒow intimatioun, To Christis congregatioun, Nunnis ar nocht necessair▪ Bot I sall do the best I can, And marie sum gude honest man, And brew gude aill and tun: Mariage be my opinioun, It is better Religoun, As to be freir or Nun.

Flat. fre.

My Lords for Gods saik let not hang me Howbeit that widdiefows wald wrang me I can mak na debait: To win my meat at pleuch nor harrowis, Bot I sall help to hang my marrowis, Baith Falset and Dissait.

Correct.

Than pas thy way & greath the gallous Syne help for to hang vp thy fellow is, Thou gets na vther grace: Of that office I am content, Bot our Prelates I dread repent, Be I fleimde from thair face.

Heir sall Flattrie sit besyde his marrowis.

Dissait.

Now Flattrie my auld companʒeoun, Quhat dois ʒon King Correctioun? Knawis thou nocht his intent? Declair to vs of thy novellis: Ʒe'ile all be hangit, I se nocht ellis, And that incontinent.

Dissait.

Now walloway will ʒe gar hang vs? [] she Devill brocht ʒon curst king amang vs, For mekill sturt and stryfe:

Flattrie.

I had bene put to deid amang ʒow, War nocht I tuke on hand till hang ʒow, And sa I saisit my lyse. I heir them say thay will cry doun, All freirs and Nunnis in this Regioun, Sa far as I can feill: Becaus thay ar nocht necessair, And als thay think thay ar contrair, To Iohne the common-weill.

Heir sal the Kings and the temporal stait round togider.

Correcti.

With the advice of King Humanitie, Heir I determine with rype advysement, That all thir Prelats sall deprivit be, And be decreit of this present Paliament, That thir thrie cunning Clarks sapient Immediatlie thair places sall posses: Becaus that thay haue bene sa negligent, Suffring the word of God for till decres.

¶Rex Hu.

As ʒe haue said but dout it salbe done, Pas to and mak this interchainging sone.

The Kings servants lay hands on the thrie prelats & says.

Wanton.

My Lords we pray ʒow to be patient, For we will do the Kings commandement.

Spritualitie.

I mak ane vow to God and ʒe vs handill, Ʒe sallbe curst and gragit with buik and candill: Syne we sall pas vnto the Palp and pleinʒie, And to the Devill of hell condemne this meinʒe▪ For quhy sic reformatioun as I weine Into Scotland was never hard nor seine.

Heir sal thay spuilʒe them with silence and put thair habite on the thrie Clarks.

Merchant.

We mervell of ʒow paintit sepulturis, That was sa bauld for to accept sic cuiris. VVith glorious habit rydand vpon ʒour Muillis, Now men may se ʒe ar bot verie fuillis.

Sprituali.

We say the Kings war greiter fuillis nor we That vs promovit to sa greit dignitie.

Abbot.

Thair is ane thowsand in the kirk but doubt, Sic fuillis as'we gif thay war weill socht out, Now brother sen it may na better be, Let vs gasoup with Sensualitie.

Heir sall thay pas to Sensualitie.

Spritua.

Madame I pray ʒow mak vs thrie gude cheir, We cure nocht to remaine with ʒow all ʒeir.

Sensualitie.

Pas fra vs fuillis be him that hes vs wrocht Ʒe ludge nocht heir, becaus I knaw ʒow nocht.

Spritualitie.

Sir Covetice will ʒe also misken me? I wait richt weill ʒe wil baith gif and len me: Speid hand my freind spair nocht to break the lockis, Gif me ane thowsand crouns out of my box.

Covetice.

Quhairfoit sir fuil gif ʒow ane thowsand crowns▪ Ga hence ʒe seime to be thrie verie lowns.

Spritualitie.

I se nocht els brother withoutin faill, Bot this fals warld is turnit top ouir taill: Senall is vaine that is vnder the lift,

To win our meat we man make vther schift. With our labour except we mak debait, I dreid full sair we want baith drink and meat.

Persone.

Gif with our labour we man vs defend, Then let vs gang quhair we war never kend.

Spritualitie.

I wyte thir freirs that I am thus abusit, For by thair counsall I haue bene confusit. Thay gart me trow it suffysit▪ allace, To gar them plainlie preich into my place.

Abbot.

Allace, this reformatioun I may warie, For I haue ʒit twa dochters for to marie▪ And thay ar baith contractit be the Rude, And waits nocht how to pay thair tocher-gude.

[] Pers.

The Devill mak cair for this vnhappie chance, For I am ʒoung and thinks to pas to France. And tak wages amang the men of weir, And win my living with my sword and speir.

The Bischop, Abbot, persone, and Priores depaires altogidder.

Gude-counsall.

Or ʒe depairt sir aff this Regioun, Gif Iohne the Common-weill ane gay garmoun: Becaus the Common-weill hes bene overluikit, That is the caus that Common-weill is cruikit. With singular profeit he hes bene sa supprysit, That he is baith cauld, naikit and disgysit.

Correctioun.

As ʒe haue said father I am content, Sergeants gif Iohne ane new abuilʒement. Of Sating, Damais or of the Velvot fyne, And gif him place in our Parliament syne.

Heir sal thay cleith Iohne the common-weil gorgeouslie and set him doun amang them in the Parliament.

¶All verteous peopil now may be reioisit, Sen Common-weill hes gottin ane gay garmoun:

And ignorants out of the Kirk deposit, Devoit Doctours and Clarks of renoun Now in the Kirk sall haue dominioun: And Gude-counsall with Ladie Veritie Ar profest with our kings Maiestie. Blist is that Realme that hes ane prudent King, Quhilk dois delyte to heir the veritie, Punisching tha me that plainlie dois maling, Contrair the Common-weill and equitie. Thair may na peopill haue prosperitie, Quhair ignorance hes the dominioun, And cōmon-weil be tirants trampit doun.

Pausa.

Now maisters ʒe sall heir incontinent, At great leysour in ʒour presence proclamit The Nobill Acts of our Parliament, Of quhilks we neid nocht for to be aschamit▪ Cum heir trumpet & sound ʒour warning tone That every man may knaw quhat he haue done.

Heir sall Diligence with the Scribe and the trumpet pas to the pulpit and proclame the Actis.

The first Act.

IT is devysit be thir prudent Kings, Correctioun and King Humanitie, That thair Leigis induring all thair Ringis, With the avyce of the estaits thrie Sall manfullie defend and fortifie The Kirk of Christ and his Religioun, Without dissimulance or hypocrisie: Vnder the paine of thair punitioun.

2.

Als thay will that the Acts honorabill, Maid be our Prince in the last Parliament, Becaus thay ar baith gude and profitabill,

Thay willl that everie man be diligent Them till observe with vnseinʒeit intent. Quha disobey is inobedientlie Be thair law is but doubt thay sall repent▪ And painis conteinit thairin sall vnderly.

3.

And als the Common-weil for til advance, It is statute that all the Temporall lands, Be set in few efter the forme of France Til verteous men that labours with thair hands▪ Resonabillie restrictit with sic bands, That thay do service nevertheles And to besubiect ay vnder the wands: That riches may with policie incres.

4.

Item this prudent Parliament hes devysit, Gif Lords halds vnder thair dominioun Theifis, quhair throch puir peopil bein supprisit: For them thay sall make answeir to the croun, And to the pure mak restitutioun: Without thay put them in the iudges hands▪ For thair default to suffer punitioun, Sa that na theifis remaine within thair lands.

5.

To that intent that Iustice sould incres It is concludit in this Parliament, That into Elgin or into Innernesse Sall be ane sute of Clarks sapient, Togidder with ane prudent Precident To do iustice in all the Norther Airtis, Sa equallie without impediment, That thay neid nocht seik iustice in thir pairts.

6.

With licence of the Kirks halines, That iustice may be done continuallie, All the maters of Scotland mair and les,

To thir twa famous saits perpetuallie Salbe directit, becaus men seis plainlie, Thir wantoun Nunnis ar na way necessair, Till Common-weill nor ʒit to the glorie Of Christs Kirk, thocht thay be fat and fair. And als that fragill ordour feminine, Will nocht be missit in Christs Religioun, Thair rents vsit till ane better fyne: For Common-weill of all this Regioun. Ilk Senature for that erectioun, For the vphalding of thair gravitie Sall haue fyue hundreth mark of pensioun. And also bot twa sall thair nummer be Into the North saxteine sall thair remaine, Saxtein rycht sa in our maist famous toun Of Edinburgh to serve our Soveraine: Chosen without partiall affectioun Of the maist cunning Clarks of this Regioun: Thair Chancellar chosen of ane famous Clark, Ane cunning man of great perfectioun, And for his pensioun haue ane thowsand mark.

7.

It is devysit in this Parliament, From this day furth na mater Temporall Our new Prelats thairto hes done consent Cum befoir Iudges consistoriall, Quhilk hes bene sa prolixt and partiall: To the great hurt of the communitie: Let Temporall men seik Iudges Temporall▪ And Sprituall men to Spritualitie.

8.

Na benefice beis giffin in tyme cumming, Bot to men of gude eruditioun: Expert in the halie Scripture and cunning,

And that thay be of gude conditioun: Of publick vices but suspitioun, And qualefiet richt prudentlie to preich, To thair awin folk baith into land and toun Or ellis in famous scuillis for to teich: Als becaus of the great pluralitie Of ignorant Preists ma then ane Legioun. Qi hair throch of Teicheouris the heich dignitie, Is vilipendit in ilk Regioun▪ Thairfoir our Court hes maid provisioun, That na Bshops mak teichours in tyme cumming: Except men of gude eruditioun, And for Preistheid qualefeit and cunning▪ Siclyke as ʒe se in the borrows toun Ane Tailʒeour is nocht sufferit to remaine, Without he can mak doublet, coat and gown, He man gang till his prenteischip againe: Bischops sould nocht ressaue me think certaine, Into the Kirk except ane cunning Clark: Ane idiot preist Esay compaireth plaine, Till ane dum dogge that can nocht byte nor bark.

10.

From this day furth se na Prelats pretend, Vnder the paine of inobedience At Prince or Paip to purchase ane command Againe the kow becaus it dois offence: Till ony Preist we think sufficience And benefice for to serve God withall, Twa Prelatssall na man haue from thence, Without that he be of the blude Royall.

11.

Item this prudent counsall hes concludit, Sa that our haly Vickars be nocht wraith From this day furth thay salbe cleane denudit

Baith of corspresent cow and vmest claith. To pure commons becaus it hath done skaith And mairouer we think it lytill force, Howbeit the Barrouns thairto will be laith, From thine-furth thay sall want thair hyrald hors.

12.

It is decreit that in this Parliament Ilk Bischop▪ Minister, Priour and Persoun▪ To the effect thay may tak better tent To saulis vnder thair dominioun, Efter the forme of thair fundatioun, Ilk Bischop in his Diosie sall remaine: And everilk Persone in his parachoun, Teiching thair folk from vices to refraine.

13.

Becaus that clarks our substance dois cōsume For bils and proces of thair prelacies: Thairfoir thair sall na money ga to Rome From this day furth or any benefice: Bot gif it be for greit Archbischopries, As for the rest na money gais at all: For the incressing of thair dignities, Na mair nor did to Peter nor to Paull.

14.

Considering yat our Preists for the maist part Thay want the gift of Chastitie wese: Cupido hes sa perst them throch the hart, We grant them licence and frie libertie, That thay may haue fair Virgins to thair wyfis: And sa keip matrimoniall Chastitie, And nocht in huirdome for to leid thair lyfis.

15.

This Parliament richt sa hes done conclude From this day forth our Barrouns temporall, Sall na mair mix thair nobil ancient blude With bastard bairns of Stait Spirituall:

Ilk stait amang thair awin selfis marie sall, Gif Nobils marie with the Spritualitie, From thyne subiect thay salbe, and all Sal be degraithit of thair Nobilitie. And from amang the Nobils cancellit: Vnto the tyme thay by thair libertie, Rehabilit be the ciuill magistrate And sa sall marie the Spiritualitie. Bichops with bischops sall mak affinitie, Abbots and Priors with the Priores: As Bischop Annas in Scripture we may se, Maryit his dochter on Bischop Caiphas. ¶Now haue ʒe heard the Acts honorabill, Devysit in this present Parliament, To Common-weill we think agreabill: All faithfull folk sould heirof be content, Them till observe with hartlie trew intent, I wait nane will against our Acts rebell, Nor till our law be inobedient, Bot Plutois band the potent prince of hell.

Heir sall Pauper cum befoir the King and say.

¶Pauper.

I gif ʒow my braid bennesoun, That hes givin Common-weill a goun: I wald nocht for ane pair of plackis, Ʒe had nocht maid this nobill Actis. I pray to God and sweit Sanct Geill, To gif ʒow grace to vse them weill: Wer thay weill keipit I vnderstand, It war great honour to Scotland. It had bene als gude ʒe had sleipit, As to mak acts and be nocht keipit: Bot I beseik ʒow for Alhallows,

To heid Dissait and hang his fellows. And banische Flattrie aff the toun, For thair was never sic ane loun. That beand done I hauld it best, That everie man ga to his rest. Correctioun▪ As thou hes said it salbe done, Suyith Sergeants hang ʒon swingeours sone.

Heir sal the Sergeants lous the presoners out of the and stocks leid them the to gallows.

Frst Ser.

Cum heir sir Theif, cum heir, cum heir Quhen war ʒe wont to be sa sweir? To hunt Cattell ʒe war ay speidie Thairfoir ʒe sall weaue in ane widdie.

Thift.

Man I be hangit▪ allace, allace, Is thair nane heir may get me grace? Ʒit or I die gif me ane drink.

First Sergeant.

Fy huirsun carle I feil ane stink▪

Thift.

Thocht I wald nocht that it wittin []Sir in gude faith I am bedirtin: To wit the veritie gif ʒe pleis Louse doun my hois▪ put in ʒour neis.

First Segeant.

Thou art ane limmer I stand foird Slip in thy head into this coird: For thou had never ane meiter tippit,

Thift.

Allace this is ane fellon rippit.

Pausa.

The widdifow wairdanis tuke my geir, And left me nether hors nor meir: Nor earthlie gude that me belangit, Now walloway I man be hangit. ¶Repent ʒour lyfis, ʒe plaine oppressours, All ʒe misdoras and transgreslours: Or ellis gar chuse ʒow gude confessours,

And mak ʒow forde: For gif ʒe tarie in this land, And cum vnder Correctiouns hand: Ʒour grace salbe I vnderstand, Ane gude scharp coird. ¶Adew my bretheren common theifis, That helpit me in my mischeifis. Adew Grosars, Nicksons and Bellis Oft haue we run out-thoart the fellis. Adew Robsonis, Haues and Pyslilis That in our craft hes mony wyllis. Lytils Trumbels and Armestrangs, Adew all theifis that me belangs▪ Tailʒeours, Curwings and Elwands, Speidie of fut and wicht of hands. The Scottis of Ewisdaill and the Graimis I haue na tyme to tell ʒour namis: With King Correctioun and ʒe be fangit, Beleif richt weill ʒe wilbe hangit.

Fi. Serg.

Speid hand man with thy clitter clatter.

Thift.

For Gods saik sir let me mak watter. Howbeit I haue bene cattel-gredie It schamis to pische into ane widdie.

Heir sal Thift be drwin vp, or his figour.

Secu. Serge.

Cum heir Dissait my companʒeoun Saw ever ane man lyker ane loun? To hing vpon ane gallows:

Dissait.

This is aneuch to make me mangit, Duill fell me, that I man be hangit, Let me speik with my fallows. ¶I trow wan-fortune brocht me heir Quhat mekill feind maid me sa speidie?

Sen it was said it is sevin ʒeir, That I sould weaue into ane widdie▪ I leirit my maisters to be gredie, Adew, for I se na remeid: Luke quhat it is to be evil-deidie.

Secund Sergeant.

Now in this halter slip thy hand, Stand still, me think ʒe draw aback:

Dissait.

Allace maister ʒe hurt my crag,

Secund Sergeant.

It will hurt better I woid an plak, Richt now quhen ʒe hing on ane knag.

¶Dissait.

Adew my maisters merchant men, I haue ʒow servit as ʒe ken: Truelie baith air and lait: I say to ʒow for conclusioun, I dreid ʒe gang to confusioun, Fra tyme ʒe want Dissait. I leirit ʒow merchants mony ane wyle, Vpalands wyfis for to begyle, Vpon ane markit day: And gar them trow ʒour stuffe was gude, Quhen it was rottin be the Rude, And sweir it was nocht sway. I was ay roundand in ʒour ear, And leirit ʒow for to ban and sweir, Quhat ʒour geir cost in France: Howbeit the Devill ane word was trew, Ʒour craft gif King Correctioun knew, Wald turne ʒow to mischance. I leirit ʒow wyllis many fauld, To mix the new wyne and the auld, That faschioun was na follie: To sell richt deir and by gude▪chaip,

And mix Ry-meill amang the saip, And Saiffrone with Oyl-dolie. Forʒet nocht ocker I counsall ʒow, Mair then the vicker dois the kow, Or Lords thair doubill maill: Howbeit ʒour elwand be too skant, Or ʒour pound wecht thrie vnces want, Think that bot lytill faill. Adew the greit Clan Iamesone, The blude Royal of Clappertoun, I was ay to ʒow trew: Baith Andersone and Patersone, Above them all Thome Williamsone, My absence ʒe will rew. Thome Williamsone it is ʒour pairt, To pray for me with all ʒour hairt, And think vpon my warks: How I leirit ʒow ane gude lessoun, For to begyle in Edinburgh toun, The Bischop and his Clarks. Ʒe ʒoung merchants may cry allace, For wanting of ʒour wonted grace, Ʒon curst King ʒe may ban: Had I leifit bot halfe ane ʒeir I sould haue leirit ʒow crafts perqueir, To begyle wyfe and man. How may ʒe merchants mak debait? Fra tyme ʒe want ʒour man Dissait, For ʒow I mak great cair: Without I ryse fra deid to lyfe, I wait weill ʒe will never thryfe, Farther nor the fourth air.

Heir sal Dissait be drawin vp or ellis his figure.

First Ser.

Cum heir Falset & mence the gallows, Ʒe man hing vp amang ʒour fallows, For ʒour cankart conditioun: Monie ane trew man haue ʒe wragnit, Thairfoir but doubt ʒe salbe hangit, But mercie or remissioun.

Falset.

Allace, man I be hangit to? Quhat mekill Devil is this ado? How came I to this cummer? My gude maisters ʒe crafts men, Want ʒe Falset full weill I ken, Ʒe will all die for hunger. Ʒe men of craft may cry allace, Quhen ʒe want me ʒe want ʒour grace: Thairfoir put into wryte: My lessouns that I did ʒow leir, Howbeit the commons eyne ʒe bleir, Count ʒe nocht that ane myte. Find me ane Wobster that is leill, Orane Walker that will nocht steill, Thair craftines I ken: Or ane Millair, that is na falt, That will nather steill meall nor malt, Hauld them for halie men. At our fleschers tak ʒe na greife, Thocht thay blaw leane mutton and beife, That thay seime fat and fair: Thay think that practick bot ane mow, Howbeit the Devill a thing it dow, To thame I leirit that lair. I leirit Tailʒeours in everie toun,

To schaip fyue quarters in ane goun, In Angus and in Fyfe: To vplands Tailʒeours I gaue gude leife, To steill ane sillie stump or sleife, Vnto kittok his wyfe. My gude maister Andro Fortoun, Of Tailʒeours that may weir the croun, For me he will be mangit: Tailʒeour Baberage my sone and air, I wait for me will rudlie rair, Fra tyme he se me hangit. The barfit Deacon Iamie Ralfe, Quha never ʒit bocht kow nor calfe, Becaus he can nocht steall: Willie Cadʒeoch will make na plead, Howbeit his wyfe want beife and bread, Get he gude barmie aill. To the brousters of Cowper toun, I leife my braidblack malesoun, Als hardie as I may: To make thinne aill thay think na falt, Of mekill barme and lytill malt, Agane the market day. And thay can mak withoutin doubt, Ane kynde of aill thay call Harns-out, Wait ʒe how thay mak that? Ane curtill queine ane laidlie lurdane, Of strang wesche scho will tak ane iurdane, And settis in the gyle-fat. Quha drinks of that aill, man or page It will gar all his harnis rage, That iurdane I may rew:

It gart my heid rin hiddie giddie, Sirs God nor I die in ane widdie, Gif this taill be nocht trew. Speir at the Sowtar Geordie Sillie, Fra tyme that he had fild his bellie, With this vnhelthsum aill: Than all the Baxters will I ban, That mixes bread with dust and bran, And fyne flour with beir maill. Adew my maisters Wrichts and Maissouns, I haue neid to leir ʒow few lessouns, Ʒe knaw my craft perqueir: Adew blak-Smythis and Lorimers, Adew ʒe craftie Cordiners, That sellis the schone over deir▪ Gold Smythis fair-weill aboue them all, Remember my memoriall, With mony ane sittill cast: To mix set ʒe nocht by twa preinis Fyne Ducat gold with hard Gudlingis, Lyke as I leirnit ʒow last. Quhen I was ludgit vpaland, The Schiphirds maid with me ane band, Richt craftelie to steill: Than did I gif ane confirmatioun, To all the Schiphirdis of this Natioun, That thay sould never be leill. And ilk ane to reser ane vther, I knaw fals Schiphirds fyftie fidder, War thair canteleinis kend: How thay mak in thair conventiouns, On montans far fra ony touns,

To let them never mend. Amang crafts men it is ane wonder, To find ten leill amang ane hunder The treuth I to ʒow tell: Adew I may na langer tarie, I man pas to the King of Farie, Or ellis the rycht to hell▪

Heir sall he luke vp to his fallows hingand.

Wais me for the gude common thift, Was never man maid ane mair honest schift, His leifing for to win: Thair was nocht ane in all Lidsdaill, That ky mair crastelie culd staill, Quhair thou hings on that pin. Sathan ressaue thy saull Dissait, Thou was to me ane faithfull mait, Andals my father brother: Duill fell the sillie merchant men, To mak them service weill I ken, Thaill never get sic ane vther.

Heir sall thay festin the coard to his neck with ane dum countenance thairefter he sall say.

Gif any man list for to be my mait, Cum follow me for I am at the gait: Cum follow me all catyfe covetous Kings, Reauers but richt of vthers Realmis and Rings. Togidder with all wrangous conquerours. And bring with ʒow all publick oppressours. With Pharao King of Egiptians With him in hell salbe ʒour recompence. All cruell schedders of blude innocent, Cum follow me or ellis rin and repent▪ Prelats that hes ma benefeits nor thrie,

And will nocht teich nor preiche the veritie▪ Without at God in tyme thay cry for grace, In hiddeous hell I sall prepair thair place. Cum follow me all fals corruptit Iudges, With Pontius Pilat I sall prepair ʒour Iudges All ʒe officials that parts men with thair wyfis, Cum follow me or els gang mend ʒour lyfis: With all fals leiders of the constrie law, With wanton Scribs and Clarks intill ane raw. That to the puir maks mony partiall traine, Syne hodie ad octo bids them cum againe. And ʒe that taks rewairds at baith the hands, Ʒe sall with me be bund in Baliels bands. Cum follow me all curst vnhappie wyfis, That with ʒour gudemen dayly flytis and stryfis, And quyetlie with rybalds makes repair, And taks na cure to make ane wrangous air. Ʒe sal in hel rewairdit be I wein, With Iesabell of Israell the Queene. I haue ane curst vnhappie wyfe my sell, Wald God scho war befoir me into hell: That Bismair war scho thair withoutin doubt, Out of hell the Devill scho wald ding out. Ʒe maryit men evin as ʒe luife ʒour lyfis, Let never preists be hamelie with ʒour wyfis. My wyfe with preists sho doith me greit onricht And maid me nine tymes cuckald on ane nicht. Fairweil for I am to the widdie wend, For quhy falset maid never ane better end.

Heir sal he be heisit vp, and not his figure and an Craw or ane Ke salbe castin vp as it war his saull.

¶Flattrie.

Haue I nocht chaipit the widdie weil? Ʒea that I haue haue be sweit Sanct Geill, For I had nocht bene wrangit: Becaus I servit be Alhallows, Till haue bene merchellit amang my fellowis: And heich aboue them hangit. I maid far ma falts nor my maits, I begylde all the thrie estaits, With my hypocrisie: Quhen I had on my freirs hude All men beleifit that I was gude▪ Now iudge ʒe gif I be. Tak mean rackles rubyatour, Ane theif ane tyrane or ane tratour, Of everie vyce the plant. Gif him the habite of ane freir, The wyfis will trow withoutin weir, He be ane verie Saint. I knaw that cowle ane skaplarie, Genners mair hait nor charitie, Thocht thay be blak or blew: Quhat halines is thair within, Ane wolfe cled in ane wedders skin, Iudge ʒe gif this be trew. Sen I haue chaipit this firie farie, Adew I will na Langer tarie, To cumber ʒow with my clatter: Bot I will with ane humbill spreit, Gang serve the Hermeit of Lareit: And leir him for till flatter.

Heir sal enter Foly

Foly.

¶Gude day my Lords and als God saine, Dois na man bid gude day againe? Quhen fuillis ar fow then ar thay faine, Ken ʒe nocht me? How call thay me can ʒe nocht tell? Now be him that herryit hell, I wait nocht how thay call my sell, Bot gif I lie.

Diligen.

Quhat brybour is this that maks sic beiris?

Foly.

The feind ressaue that mouth that speirs: Gude-man ga play ʒow with ʒour feiris, With muck vpon ʒour mow:

Diligence.

Fond fuill quhair hes thou bene sa lait?

Foly.

Marie cummand throw the Schogait. Bot thair hes bene ane great debait▪ Betwixt me and ane Sow. The Sow cryit guff and I to ga, Throw speid of fute I gat awa, Bot in the midst of the cawsa, I fell into ane midding: Scho lap vpon me with ane bend, Quha ever the midings sould amend, God send them ane mischevous end, For that is bot Gods bidding. As I was pudlit thair God wait, Bot with my club I maid debait: Ise never cum againe that gait, I sweir ʒow be Alhallows I wald the officiars of the toun, That suffers sic confusion▪ That thay war harbreit with Mahown,

Or hangit on ane gallows. Fy fy that sic ane fair cuntrie, Sould stand sa lang but policie: I gif them to the Devill hartlie. That hes the wyte: I wald the Provost wald tak in heid, Of ʒon midding to make remeid, Quhilk pat me and the Sow at feid, Quhat may I do bot flyte?

¶Rex.

Pas on my servant Diligence, And bring ʒon suill to our presence.

Diligence.

That sall be done but tarying, Foly ʒe man ga to the King.

Foly.

The King, quhat kynde of thing is that? Is ʒon he with the goldin Hat?

Diligence.

Ʒon same is he, cum on thy way:

Foly.

Gif ʒe be King God ʒow gude day, I haue ane plaint to make to ʒow:

Rex.

Quhom on Folie?—

—Folie.

Marie on ane Sow. Sir scho hes sworne that scho sall sla me, Or ellis byte baith my balloks fra me: Gif ʒe be King be Sanct Allan, Ʒe sould do Iustice to ilk man. Had I nocht keipit me with my club, The Sow had drawin me in ane dub. I heir them say thair is cum to the toun, Ane King callit Correctioun. I pray, ʒow tell me quhilk is he:

Diligence.

Ʒon with the wings, may hocht se?

Folie.

Now wallie fall that weill fairde mow, Sir I pray ʒow correct ʒon Sow: 〈1 page duplicate〉〈1 page duplicate〉

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Quhilk with hir teith but sword or knyfe, Had maist haue reft me of my lyfe: Gif ʒe will nocht mak correctioun, Than gif me ʒour protectioun Of all Swyne for to be skaithles Betuix this toun and Innernes.

Dili,

Foly hes thou ane wyfe at hame?

Foly.

Ʒea that I haue, God send hir schame: Itrow be this scho is neir deid, I left ane wyfe bind and hir heid, To schaw hir seiknes I think schame, Scho hes sic rumbling in hir wambe: That all the nicht my hart overcasts, With bocking and with thunder-blasts,

Diligence.

Peradventure scho be with bairne:

Folie.

Allace I trow scho be forfairne. Scho sobbit and scho feil in sown, And than thay rubbit hir vp and doun: Scho riftit, routit and maid sic stends, Scho ʒeild and gaid at baith the ends. Till scho had castin ane cuppill of quarts Syne all turn it to ane rickill of farts. Scho blubert, bockit and braik it still, Hir arsse gaid evin lyke ane wind mill. Scho stumblit and stutterit with sic stends, That scho recanti at baith the ends. Sik dismell drogs fra hir scho schot, Quhill scho maid all the fluir on flot. Of hir hurdies scho scho had na hauld, Quhill scho had twmed hir monyfauld:

¶Dilig.

Better bring hir to the Leitches heir:

Folie.

Trittill trattill, scho may nocht steir,

Hir verie buttoks maks sic beir, It skars baith foill and fillie: Scho bocks sik bagage fra hir breist, He wants na bubbils that sittis hir neist, And ay scho cryis a preist a preist, With ilk a quhillie lillie.

Diligence.

Recoverit scho nocht at the last?

Folie

Ʒea bot wit ʒe weil scho fartit fast. Bot quhen scho sichis my hart is sorie,

Diligence.

Bot drinks scho ocht?—

—Folie.

Ʒe be Sanct Marie, Ane quart at anis it will nocht tarie, And leif the Devill a drap: Than sic flobbage scho layis fra hir, About the wallis, God wait sic wair, Quhen it was drunkin I gat to skair, The lickings of the cap.

¶Diligence.

quhat is in that creill I pray the tell?

Folie.

Marie I haue Folie Hats to sell.

Dili.

I pray the sell me ane or tway: Folie Na tarie quhill the market day▪ I will sit doun heir be Sanct Clune, And gif my babies thair disiune. Cum heir gude Glaiks my dochter deir Thousalbe maryit within ane ʒeir, Vpon ane freir of Tillilum, Na thou art nather deaf nor dum: Cum hidder Stult my sone and air, My ioy thou art baith gude and fair: Now sall I efnd ʒow as I may Thocht ʒe cry lyke ane Ke all day.

Heir sal the bairns cry keck lyke ane Kae and he sal put meat in thair mouth.

Diligence.

Get vp Folie but tarying, And speid ʒow haistelie to the King Get vp me think the carle is dum.

Folie.

Now bum baleriebum bum.

¶Diligence.

I trow the trucour lyis in ane trance Get vp man with ane mirrie mischance: Or be Sanct Dyonis of France, Ise gar the want thy wallet: Its schame to se man how thow lyis,

Folie.

Wa ʒit againe now this is thryis: [] The Devill wirrie me and I ryse, Bot I sall break thy pallet. Me think my pillok will nocht ly doun, Hauld doun ʒour head ʒe lurdon loun, Ʒon fair las with the Sating goun Gars ʒow thus bek and bend: Take thair ane neidill for ʒour cace Now for all the hiding of ʒour face, Had I ʒow in ane quyet place. Ʒe wald nocht waine to flend. Thir bony armis that ar cled in silk, Ar evin als wantoun as any wilk, I wald forbeir baith bread and milk To kis thy bony lippis: Suppois ʒe luke as ʒe war wraith, War ʒe at quyet behind ane claith, Ʒe wald not stick to preife my graith, With hobling of ʒour hippis.

Diligence.

Suyith harlot haist the to the King And let allane thy trattilling. Lo heir is Folie sir alreadie, Ane richt sweir swingeour be our Ladie.

Folie.

Thou art not half sa sweir thy sell, Quhat meins this pulpit, I pray the tell?

Dili.

Our new Bischops hes maid ane preiching, Bot thou heard never sic pleasant teiching: Ʒon Bischop wil preich throch the coast,

Folie.

Than stryk ane hag into the poast, For I hard never in all my lyfe, Ane Bischop cum to preich in Fyfe. Gif Bischops to be preichours leiris, Wallaway quhat sall word of freiris? Gif Prelats preich in brugh and land, The sillie freirs I vnderstand Thay will get na mair meall nor malt, Sa I dreid freirs sall die for falt. Sen sa is that ʒon nobill King, Will mak men Bischops for preiching: Quhat say ʒe sirs, hauld ʒe nocht best? That I gang preich amang the rest. Quhen I haue preichit on my best wayis, Then will I sell my merchandise, To my bretherin and tender maits, That dwels amang the thrie estaits. For I haue heir gude chaifery, Till any fuill that lists to by.

Heir sall Foly hing vp his hattis on the pulpet and say.

¶God sen I had ane Doctours hude.

Rex.

Quhy Folie wald thou mak ane preiching?

Folie.

Ʒea that I wald sir be the Rude, But eyther flattering or fleiching.

Rex.

Now brother let vs heir his teiching, To pas our tyme and heir him raise.

Dili.

He war far meiter for the kitching,

Amang the pottis sa Christ me saife. Fond Foly sall I be thy Clark, And answeir the ay with amen:

Foly.

Now at the beginning of my wark, The feind ressaue that graceles grim.

Heir sal Folie begin hir sermon, as followis.

Stultorum numerus infinitus.

¶Salomon the maist sapient King In Israell quhan he did ring, Thir words in effect did write, The number of fuillis ar infinite. I think na schame sa Christ me saife, To be ane fuill amang the laife, Howbeit ane hundreth stands heir by, Preventure als great fuillis as I.

Stultorum.

¶I haue of my Genelogie, Dwelland in everie cuntrie, Earles, Duiks, Kings, and Empriours, With mony guckit Conquerours: Quhilk dois in Folie perseveir, And hes done sa this many ʒeir. Sum seiks to warldlie dignities, And sum to sensuall vanities Quhat vails all thir vaine honours, Nocht being sure to leife twa houris? Sum greidie fuill dois fill ane box, Ane vther fuill cummis and breaks the lox: And spends that vther fuillis hes spaird, Quhilk never thocht on them to wairde. Sum dois as thay sould never die, Is nocht this folie, quhat say ʒe?

Sapientia huius mundi stultitia est apud Deum.

Becaus thair is sa many fuillis, Rydand on hors and sum on muillis: Heir I haue bocht gude chafery, Till ony fuill that lists to by. And speciallie for the thrie estaits, Quhair I haue mony tender maits: Quhilk causit them as ʒe may se, Gang backwart throw the haill cuntrie. Gif with my merchandise ʒe list to mell, Heir I haue Folie Hattis to sell. Quhairfoir is this Hat wald ʒe ken? Marie for insatiabill merchant men. Quhen God hes send them abundance Ar nocht content with sufficiance. Bot saillis into the stormy blastis, In Winter to get greater castis: In mony terribill great torment, Against the Acts of Parliament. Sum tynis thair geir, and sum ar drounde, With this sic merchants sould be crounde.

Dili.

Quhom to schaips thou to sell that hude? I trow to sum great man of gude.

Folie.

This hude to sell richt faine I wald, Till him that is baith auld & cald: Reddie till pas to hell or heavin, And hes fair bairns sax or seavin: And is of age fourscoir of ʒeir, And taks ane lasse to be his peir: Quhilk is nocht fourteine ʒeir of age, And ioynis with hir in mariage: Geifand hir traist that scho nocht wald,

Rycht haistelie mak him cuckald▪ Quha maryes beand sa neir thair dead, Set on this Hat vpon his head.

Dili.

Quhat Hude is that tell me I pray the?

Folie.

This is ane haly Hude I say the, This Hude is ordanit I the assure, For Sprituall fuillis that taks in cure, The saullis of great Diosies, And regiment of great Abesies, For gredines of warldlie pelfe, Than can nocht iustlie gyde them selfe. Vthers sauls to saife it settis them weill, Syne sell them a win saullis to the Deuil. Quha ever dois sa, this I conclude, Vpon his heid set on this Hude: Diligence, Foly is thair ony sic men Now in the Kirk that thou can ken? How sall I ken them?—

—Folie.

Na keip that clois,

Ex operibus eorum cognoscetis eos.

And fuillis speik of the Prelacie, It will be hauldin for herisie.

¶Rex.

Speik on hardlie I gif the leife:

Foly.

Than my remissioun is in my sleife. Will ʒe leife me to speik of Kings?

Rex.

Ʒea hardlie speik of all kin things. Conforming to my first narratioun, Ʒe ar all fuillis be Coks passioun.

Dili.

Thou leis, I trow thisfuill be man git.

Folie.

Gif I lie God nor thou behangit. For I haue heir I to the tell Ane nobill cap imperiell,

Quhilk is nocht ordanit bot for doings, Of Empreours, of Duiks and Kings. For princelie and imperiall fuillis, Thay sould haue luggis als lang as Muillis. The pryde of Princes without in faill, Gars all the warld rin top ovir taill. To win them warldlie gloir and gude, Thay cure nocht schedding of saikles blude. Quhat cummer haue ʒe had in Scotland, Be our auld enemies of Ingland? Had nocht bene the support of France, We had bene brocht to great mischance. Now I heir tell the Empreour, Schaippis for till be ane Conquerour. And is muifing his ordinance, Against the Nobill King of France. Bot I knaw nocht his iust querrell, That he hes for till mak battell. All the Princes of Almanie, Spainʒe, Flanders and Italie. This present ʒeir ar in ane flocht: Sum sall thair wages find deir bocht. The Paip with bombard, speir and scheild, Hes send his armie to the feild. Sanct Peter, Sanct Paull nor Sanct Androw, Raisit never sic ane Oist I trow. Is this fraternall charitie, ▪Or furious folie, quhat say ʒe? Thay leird nocht this at Christis Scuillis: Thairfoir I think them verie fuillis. I think it folie be Gods mother, Ilk Christian Prince to ding doun vther:

Becaus that this hat sould belang them, Gang thou and part it evin amang them, The Prophesie withouttin weir, Of Merling beis compleit this ʒeir: For my gudame the Gyre Carling, Leirnde me the Prophesie of Marling: Quhairof I sall schaw the sentence, Gif ʒe will gif me audience. Flan Fran resurgent, simul Hispan viribus vrgent, Dani vastabunt, Vallones valla parabunt. Sic tibi nomen in a mulier cacauit in olla: Hoc epulum comedes—

Diligence.

Marie that is ane il sauorit dische.

Folie.

Sa be this Prophesie plainlie appeirs, That mortall weirs salbe amang freirs: Thay sall nocht knaw weill in thair closters. To quhom thay sall say thair Pater nosters. Wald thay fall to and fecht with speir and sheild The feind mak cuir quhilk of them win the feild. Now of my sermon haue I maid ane end, To Gilly-mouband I ʒow all commend. And I ʒow all beseik richt hartfullie: Pray for the saull of gude Cacaphatie: Quhilk laitlic drownit himself into Loch leavin, That his sweit saull may be aboue the heavin.

¶Diligen.

Famous peopil hartlie I ʒow requyre, This lytill sport to tak in patience, We traist to God and we leif ane vther ʒeir, Quhair we haue failit we sall do diligence, With mair pleasure to mak ʒow recompence: Becaus we haue bene sum part tedious With mater rude, denude of eloquence, Likewyse perchance, to sum men odious.

¶Now let ilk man his way avance, Let sum ga drink and sum ga dance: Menstrell, blaw vp ane brawll of France, Let se quha hobbils best: For I will rin incontinent, To the Tavern or ever I stent: And pray to God omnipotent, To send ʒow all gude rest.

Rex sapiens aeterne Deus genitorque benigne, Sit tibi perpetuo gloria, laus & honor.