No More Learning

Betwene the honest only; for, Amicitia inter bonos”, saith learned man.
Carisophus. Yet evell men use frindship things unhonest, wher fancy doth serve.
Aristippus.
Aristippus. That lastes but
Carisophus. What
frindship, but lewde likeing while.
the perfectst frindship among
What linke
that? faine would
Honestie.
Carisophus. Doth honestie knit the perfect knot
men that ever grew
Aristippus. Where men love one another, not for
profit, but for vertue.
*bonos] bonus. Both 4tos.
it
a is
is no 2
in I ?
7a
us is
a
no in
is, so it I
;
to
to I I it,
to
is 2
it, to
so
is so
it in I
no of in
in
no
A
I
246 DAMON AND PITIIIAS.
Carisophus. Are such frindes both alike in joy and
also in smarte?
-
Aristippus. They must needs; for in two bodies they have but one harte.
Carisophus. Friend Aristippus, deceave me not with sophistrie :
Is there no perfect frindship, but where is vertue and honestie 7
Aristippus. What a devell then ment Carisophus
To joyne in frindship with fine Aristippus :
In whom is as much vertue, trueth and honestie,
As there are true fethers in the three Craines of the
Vintree *:
Yet their “fethers have the shadow of lively fethers, the truth to scan,
But Carisophus hath not the shadowe of an honest man. To be playne, because I know thy villany,
In abusinge Dionisius to many mens injury,
Under the cloke of frindship I playd with his head,
And sought meanes how thou with thine owne fancy might be lead. .
My frindship thou soughtest for thine owne commoditie,
As worldly men doo, by profite measuring amitie:
Which I perceaving, to the lyke myselfe I framed,
Wherein, I know, of the wise I shall not be blamed:
If you ask me, Quare 2 I answer, Quia prudentis est mul tum dissimulare.
wyll speake 1 not
o:three Craines Vintree] Sometimes called New Queen Street, where there seems have been the sign the three
Jonson mentions this place The Devil Ass,
To speake more playner, as the proverb doth go,
In faith Carisophus, cum Cretense cretiso.
Yet a perfect frinde Ishew myselfe to thee in one thing,
I doo not dissemble, now I say thee the king
then
“From thence shoot the bridge child, the Cranes the Vintry, “And see there the gimblets how they make their entry
Stow says was place some account for the Costermongers who had ware-houses there; and appears from Dekkar's Belman
London, Sign. that the beggars his time called one their places rendezvous this name.
their] these, 1st edit.
*of * the
of
it E
2
it
2,
a
by
of to:
of
to
in
of
for
of
‘’’
an
of is
of the
to
DAMON AND PIT : I. A. S.
24:
Therfore sinke in thy sorrow, I doo not deceave thee,
o:
Which seeing me in distresse, unfainedly goes his wayes.
Loe this is the perfect frindship among men now a daies;
Which kinde of frindship toward him I used secretly; And he with me the like hath requited me craftly.
It is the Gods judgment, I see it playnely,
A false knave I found thee, a false knave I leave thee. Exit.
Carisophus. He is gone is this frindship
his friend in the plaine fielde? Well, I see now I myselfe have beguyeld,
In matching with that false fox in amitie, Which hath me used to his owne commoditie:
For Well,
Until
the worlde may know, Incidi foveam quam feci.
must content my selfe, none other helpe knowe,
merier gale winde may happe
Enter EUBULUs.
blowe. [Erit.
great
Eubulus. Who deals with kinges matters waight,
When froward wyll doth beare the chefest sway,
Must yeld force; there neede Ne paynted” speach the matter
No prayer can move when kindled
The more quench, the more increased the fire. This thinge prove Pithias’ woful case,
Whose heavy hap with teares doo lament:
The day come, when Damon's place,
fully spent. Nought can my words now with the king prevaile,
Must lose his life: the time
Against the wind and strivinge stream sayle:
For die thou must, alas thou sely Greeke. Ah, Phithas, now come thy dolefull houre: perfect friend, none such world seeke.
paynted] vaunted, edit. streams, 2d edit.
subtile sleight, convay.
the ire,
*
A
2d
in is in I
a *7
to
is to no
in
is ! he
of
”I
in
is
ye of
I
is
of
to
I
a
I
all
248 DAM ON AN id PITH I. A. S.
Though bitter death shall geve thee sauce full sower, Yet for thy faith enrold shall be thy name,
Among the gods, within the booke of fame.
Who knoweth his case, and will not melt in teares? His giltless bloud shall trickle downe anon.
THEN THE MUSES SING E.
Alas, what happe hast thou, poore Pithias, now to die!
Wo worth the man which for his -death hath geven us cause to crie.
Eubulus. Methinke I heare, with yelow rented heares, The Muses frame their notes, thy" state to mone: Among which sorte, as one that morneth with harte,
In doleful tunes myself wyll beare a parte.
Muses. Wo worth the man which for his death, &c.
Eubulus. With yelow rented heares, come on you * Muses nine; *,
Fyll now my breast with heavy tunes, to me your plaints resigne :
For Pithias I bewayle, which presently must die,
Wo worth the man which for his death hath geven us
-
Eubulus. Was ever such a man, that would die for friend
cause, &c.
Muses. Wo worth the man which for his, &c.
thinke even from the heavens above, the gods did him
-
shew true friendshipp's power, which forst thee now
downe sende
-
Eubulus. What tigar's whelp was he, that Damon dyd accuse
What faith hast thou, which for thy friend thy death doth not refuse?
Both the old copies have “my state mone” which may
right, and the substitution should not have been made without notice.
to die.
Wo worth the man which for thy death, &c.
Muses. Wo worth the man, &c.
* To
I
it
to
be
his
2? .
DAM ON AND PIT H IAS. 249
0 heavy happe hadst thou to play this tragidie
Wo worth the man which for thy death, &c. Muses. Worth the man, &c.
Eubulus. Thou young and worthy Greeke, that showest such perfect love,
The gods receave thy simple ghost into the heavens above: Thy death we shall lament with many a weepinge eye. Wo worth the man, which for his death, &c.
Muses. Wo worth the man, which for thy death hath geven us cause to crie. [Finis.
Eubulus. Eternall be your fame, ye Muses, for that In mlSerle
Ye did vouchsafe to strayne your notes to walke.
My harte is rent in two with this miserable case,
Yet am I charged by Dionisius' mouth, to se this place
At poynts ready for the execution Neede hath law wyll”
Pithias.
must done,
But loe, the bloodie minister Gronno, came hether now
even here understand,
hande.
thinges are well appoynted for the execution Pithias.
The kinge him selfe wyll done here Gronno. Sir, thinges are ready, here here the hand, here the sword Here lacketh non but Pithias, whose head
were present, coulde finely strike You may reporte that thinges are ready.
this place. the place,
worde.
Ah, -
Eubulus. with heavy harte
report
woful Pithias'
Full neare now thy misery.
-
[Exit. Gronno. marvell very much, under what constilation
All hangmen are borne, for they are hated all, beloved ofnone
Which hatred showed this poynt evidently:
The hangman alwayes dwelles the vilest place the citie.
*wyll
the Collier Croydon, vol. XI.
Whether will not. See Note Grim --
of I,
or II nil
is
I. is is go all
no :
I
or in
I : anall
23 to
of
of
it.
be of
by
se
-
I,
it of
to
If he
If all
all I
isit toisI, or
of. at: isin a
at
nil
250 DAMON a n d PITH I. A. S.
That such spight should be, I know no cause why, Unlesse it be for their offices sake, which is cruel and
bloody.
Yet some men must do execute lawes.
Me thinke they hate me without any just cause.
But must looke my toyle; Pithias must lose his
head one blow,
Els the boyes wyll stone me death the streat O.
But hao, the prisoner cometh, and the kinge also:
see there help, Pithias his life must forgo. Here entreth Dion 1s1Us and EUBULUs.
Bring forth Pithias, that pleasant companion,
Which tooke mee my worde, and became pleadge for Damon.
injurie, now lose his head, for requested me,
pricketh fast upon noone, doo him
Damon returne not, which now Greece full metW
Therfore shall Pithias pay his death, and that and by, He thought belike, Damon were out the citie,
would not put him death for some foolishe pitie: But seeing was his request, wyll not mockt,
shall die; Bring him forth.
Here entreth SNAP. ”
Snap. Geve place, the prisoner come by; give place.
Dionisius. How say you, sir; where Damon, your trustie friend?
You have playd wise part, make God vow:
You know what time day make you ready. Pithias. Most ready am, mightie king, and most
ready also
For my true friend Damon this lyfe forgo, Even your pleasure.
-
pricketh] i. e. rideth fast upon noon. The word used
Spenser and many
With Pithias the rest the scene.
our ancient writers.
his custody, and Stephano, evident from
C.
* of
*
at
IfIfIt
in of it a
as is
is a
be
no
is by
by
is
to
in of
in
it
-
* is no
at
I
he
I
I
a toif at to
I let it,
itI I soI to
to
is,
he
he
as I
DAMON AND PITH IAS. 251
Dionisius. A true frend a false traytor, that so breaketh his oth.
Thou shalt lose thy life, though thou be never so loth. Pithias. I am not loth to doo what so ever I sayde,
Ne at this present pinch of death am I dismayde:
The Gods now I know have heard my fervent prayer,
That they have reserved me to this passynge great honour,
To die for my frend, whose faith even now I doo not mistruste;
My frinde Damon is no false traytour, he is true and Juste:
Butsithheis noGod,butaman, hemustdooashe may,
The womy be contrary, sicknes may him
some misadventure the way,
Which the eternall Gods tourne
That fame may resound how Pithias for Damon did die:
can, His minde heare, hath some let, but man.
He breaketh no oth which doth much
That might not returne the Gods did require,
Which now my joy "graunt my desire.
But why doo. I stay any longer, seing that one man's
death
May suffise, king, pacifie thy wrath?
thou minister justice, doo thyne office and by, Let not thy hand tremble, for tremble not die. Stephano, the right patrone true fidelitie,
Commend me thy master, my sweet Damon, and him crave libertie
When am dead, my name; for thy trustie services Hath well deserved gift farre better than this.
Oh my Damon, farewell now for ever, true friend,
me most deare;
Whyles lyfe doth laste, my mouth shall styll talke thee,
And when am dead, my simple ghost, true witnes amitie,
Shall hoover about the place wheresoever thou bee. him, i. e. hinder him. dol doth. Both 4tos.
my glorie,
99 let
O
he
91
as all
I
I
O
is
of of
to
of
*, or
a
he
is as
to a in
to of
of I
of all
by to
to by
he a
to
he do
I
let
252 DAM ON AN D PITH IAS.
Dionisius. Eubulus, this geare is straunge; and because
Damon hath falst his faith, Pithias shall have the lawe, Gronmo, dispoyle hym, and eke dispatch him quickly.
Gronno. shal done; since you came into this place,
might have stroken off seven heades this space. Ber lady, here are good garments, these are myne
the roode
evyll winde that bloweth man good.
Now Pithias kneele downe, aske me blessyng like pretie boy,
And with trise, thy head from thy shoulders wyll convay,
Here entreth DAMon running, and stayes the sword. Damon. Stay, stay, stay for the kinges advantage
stav
Within the compasse myne houre, loe here come at last.
life owe, and life will you pay:
Oh! my Pithias, my noble pledge, my constant friend!
Ah! wo me! for Damon's sake, how neare were thou thy ende!
migong, myne appointed time not yet fully past;
Geve place me, this rowme myne,
this stage
Dionisius his
Gronno. Are you come, sir? you might have - taried
you had bene wyse:
For your hastie comming you are lyke know the tlSe.
Damon
must blood
play. pay.
-
the man, none ought but
Puš. thou cruel minnister, why didst not thou
thine office?
Did not bidde thee make hast
Hast thou spared kill me once, that may die twyse Not die for my frend, present death me; and
alas
Shall see my sweet Damon slaine before my face
-
any wyse?
I to
AO ItI is
I !
if
I is to is
an
2
?
I
a by yet
to is
a I
of
!
be
in I
is
O Ito | a to
It 1
to
to to on
is I
-
he
no
in
DAMON AND P : Tri i As. 253
What double death is this 2 but, O mightie Dionisius,
Doo true justice now: way this aright, thou noble Eubulus;
Let mee have no wronge as now standes the case, Damon ought not to die, but Pithias:
By misadventure, I,not by his wyll, his howre is past;
boo
therefore
came not at his just tyme, ought justly to -
le :
So was my promise, so was thy promise, O kynge, All this courte can beare witnesse of this thinge.
Damon. Not contrarie,
mightie kynge: justice
That for another man's faulte the innocent should die: Ne yet my time playnly expirde, not fully noone Of this my day appointed, the clockes the
towne.
--
Pithias. Beleeve clocke, the houre past the SOnne.
Damon. Ah, my Pithias, shall, we now breake the bondes ofamities?
Will you now overthwart mee, which heretofore well did agree?
Pithias. My Damon, the Goddes forbid but wee should agree;
Therefore agree this, made for thee.
mee perfourme the promise
Let mée die for thee; doomee not that injurie,
Both breake my promise, and suffer me see thee
die,
- dearly love: this small request graunt mee,
Whome
shall never aske thee more, my desire but frindly.
Doo me this honour, that fame may reporte trium phantly,
That Pithias for his friende Damon was contented die.
Damon. That you were contented for me die fame cannot denie;
Yet fame shall never touch me with such
villanie,
To reporte that Damon did suffer his frind Pithias for him giltles die;
a
to
to
to
so by in
it is
I
to so
is
I
let
-to so, to noO
*
to
all it
*
is
is isto
-
by
254
DAMON AND PITH IAS.
Therfore content thyselfe, the Gods requite thy con stant faith,
None but Damon's bloud can appease Dionisius' wrath. And now, O mightie kinge, to you my talke I convay, Because you gave me leave my worldly thinges to stay,
To requite that good tourne ere I die, for your behalfe
this Isay,
-
Although your regall state dame Fortune decketh That like kinge worldly wealth abondantly
floe,
Yet fickle the grounde whereon tirrants treade, thousand sundrie cares and feares doo haunt their
restlesse head:
No trustie band, faithfull friendes doo garde thy hatefull state,
And why? whom men obey for deadly feare, sure them
-
Wyll never fayle, this counsell geves poore Damon his death
Friendes are the surest garde for kinges, gold time
doos wear away,
And other precious thinges doo fade, frindship wyll
never decay.
Have friendes store therefore, shall you safely sleape;
Have friends home, forraine foes neede you
keepe.
Abandon flatring tongues, whose clackes truth never tels;
Abase the yll, advance the good, whome dame ver tue dwels;
doos] doo, 1st edit.
The reading both the old copies this place
“golden time doos wear away,”
they deadly hate.
That you may safely raigne, love get friends, whose
constant faith -
take
were worth while
doos, might have been without notice, although
remark the difference between doo and
well not make the change the text probably right.
* it it
A
is a
it as to is
no
in
to
in
of in
by
If
C.
is
so so
all -
in
in -
of
no at
o in
/
at
ye so,
:
DAM ON AN ID PITH IAS.
255
Let them your play felowes be: but O, you earthly kinges,
Your sure defence and strongest garde stands chifly in faithfull friendes:
Then get you friends by liberall deedes; and here I make an ende:
Accept this counsell, mightie king, of Damon, Pithias friende.
Oh, my Pithias I now farewell for ever, let me kisse
I
My soule shall honour thee, thy constant faith above the heavens shall flie.
Come Gronno, doo thine office now ; why is thy colour so dead?
My
cause why
constant friend Pithias for Damon's sake should
die.
or] ere, My neck
thee or 98
die,
My neck is so short, that thou wylt never have honestie in striking of this head “.
Dionisius. Eubulus, my spirites are sodenly ap pauled, my limes waxe weake;
This straunge friendship amaseth me so, that I can scarse speake.
Pithias. O mightie kinge, some pittie your noble harte meeve;
You require but one man's death, take Pithias, let Da mon live.
unspeakable frindship
Damon. Not so, hath not offended, there
Eubulus.
-
edit.
shorte that thou wilt never have homestie striking
thou wilt derive credit from striking off head
this head. . ]
disadvantageously placed for the purpose decollation. Hon
netete, Fr. antiently signified fame reputation the dextrous
execution any undertaking, whether honourable the contrary. Honesty seems here used with the French meaning.
this instance the Author appears speech which Sir Thomas More made his Chronicle tempore Henry VIII.
“man kneled doun him askyng him forgevenes his death (as the manner is), whom sayed forgeve thee, but promise
thee that thou shalt never have honestie the strykyng my “head, my necke short. ”
have had before him the his execution. Hall,
226, says, “Also the hang
is so
to to
he
Ip. or
O he
““
In
soof**
of
of or in
of
to be
of
i. is 2d e. so
no at to
-
let !
I S. in a
is no
of
in
256 DAM ON AND PITH IAS.
Alas, he is but young, he may do good to many.
Thou cowarde minister, why doest thou not let mee die? -
Gronno. My hand with soden feare quivereth. Pithias. O noble kinge, shewe mercy upon Damon,
let Pithias die.
Dionisius. Stay Gronno my flesh trembleth. Eubu
lus, what shall I doo?
Were there ever such, frindes on earth as were these
two 2
What harte is 'so cruell that would devide them asun
der 2
O noble friendship, I must yeld; at thy force I wonder. My hart this rare frindship, hath pearst to the roote,
And quenched my fury:- this sight hath brought this about,
Which thy grave counsell, Eubulus, and learned per swasion could never doo.
noble gentlemen, the immortal Gods above
Hath made you play this tragidie, think, for my be
hove:
- Before this day ment.
My cruell mind bente
My feareful life
But now see there garde unto Which wyll not spare lyfe time
never knew what perfect friendship bloody deedes was full and wholly
thought with terrour
defende,
faithfull friend, present neede:
happie kinges who in" your courtes have two such frinds indeed
honour friendship now, which that you may playnly See,
Damon, have thou thy lyfe, from death pardon thee;
For which good tourne, crave this honour doe me lend, -
Oh frindly hart, me linke with you, you make me the thirde friende.
The two old copies have
“O happie kinges within your courtes,” &c.
you] two to, 2d edit.
*
I
. . . OO
* to
it I
is hisno
I C.
at of a
I to
let
'
to -
to 9”
-
I
I
: . I
all
-
DAMON AND PITH IAS.
257
My courte is yours; dwell here with mee, by my com mission large,
Myself, my realme, my welth, my health, I commit to your charge :
Make me a thirde friend, more shall I joye in that thing,
Then to be tled as I am, Dionisius the mightie kinge.
Damon. O mightie king, first for my lyse most hum ble thankes I geve,
And next, I prayse the immortall Gods that did your harte so meve,
That you would have respect to friendships heavenly lore,
Forseing wel he need not feare which hath true friends
in tru equalitie.
Dionisius. Unequall though I be in great possessions,
Yet full equall shall you finde me in my changed con ditions.
Tirrannie, flatterie, oppression, loe, hear I cast away; Justice, truth, love, frindship, shall be my joy:
True friendship wyl I honour unto my lives end;
My greatest glorie shall be to be counted a perfect
friende.
Pithias. For this your deede, most noble king, the
Gods advance your name,
And since to friendship's lore you list your princely
harte to frame,
With joyfull hart, O kinge, most wellcome now to me,
in store.
-
For my part, most noble king, as a third frind, welcom
to our friendly societie;
-
But you must forget you ar a king, for frindship stands
With you wyll I knit the perfect knot of amitie:
Wherein I shall enstruct you so, and Damon here your friend,
That you may know of amitie the mighty force, and eke the joyful end:
And how that kinges doo stand uppon a fickle ground, Within whose realme at time of need no faithfull friends
are founde. wOL's Is
s
258 DAMON AND PIthIAS.
Dionisius. . . Your instruction wyll I folow; to you myself I doo commite.
Eubulus, make haste to set new apparell, fitte For my new friends.
Eubulus. I go with joyful hart. O happie day ! Exit.
Gronno. I am glad to heare this word. lives they doo not leese,
It is no reason 9" the hangman should lose his fees: These are mine, I am gone with a trise. [Erit.
Here entreth EUBULUs with new garmentes.
Dionisius. Put on these garmentes now; goe in with me, the jewelles of my court.
Damon and Pithias. We go with joyfull harts. Stephano. Oh, Damon, my deare master, in this
joy remember me.
Dionisius. My friend Damon, asketh reason. Damon. Stephano, for thy good service thou free.
[Ereunt Dion. ” Stephano. most happie, pleasant, joyfull, and
triumphant day
Poore Stephano now shall live continuall joy:
Vive roy, with Damon and Pithias, perfect amitie. Vive Stephano, thy pleasant liberalitie:
Wherein joy much that hath conquest wonne,
am free man, none mery now under the SOnne.
Farewel my lords, nowe the Gods graunt you the
no
their
perfect amitie,
And me longe enjoy my longe desired libertie. [Erit.
Here entreth EUBULUs beatyng CARIsoPHUs. Away villaine! away, you flatringe parasite!
others
- out, excepting Stephano,
som
Away the plague this courte: thy filed tongue, that forged lies,
-
-
not reason] no reason, 1st edit.
This direction means that Dionisius, Damon, Pithias, and all
o
so
as
* °s go
I a
tu le
C.
he
in
he
to of
as
in
I of
O
al
all
as I
in
be
a
!
DAMON AND PITH IAS. 259
No more here shall doo hurt: away, false sicophant wilt thou not?
Carisophus. I am gone, sir, seeing it is the kinges pleasure.
Why whyp ye me alone? a plague take Damon and Pithias, since they came hither
I am driven to seeke releefe abrod, alas! I know not whither.
Yet, Eubulus, though I be gone, hereafter time shall trie,
There shall be found even in this court as great flat terers as I.
Well, for a while I wyll forgo the court, though to my great payne:
I doubt not but to spie a time when I may creepe in
[Exit. Eubulus. The serpent that eates men alive, flattery,
with all her broode,
Is whipte away in princes courtes, whiche yet did never
good.
What force, what mighty power true friendship may
possesse,
To the worlde, Dionisius' courte now playnly doth expresse;
Who since faithfull friendes he gave his willyngeare,
againe. ,
Most safely sitteth feare.
Pourged the court
Tirannie quailes, to win
his seate, and sleepes devoid
vice, since friendship entred studieth now with love eche hart
Vertue had price, and hath his just rewarde;
And painted speache, that gloseth for gayne, from gifts
quite debard.
One loveth another now for vertue, not for gayne; Where vertue doth not knit the knot, there friendship
cannot raigne;
Without the whiche, house, land, kingdome
can endure,
As necessarie for man's lyfe, water, ayre, and fier,
as
no
no
ne
is is
is
to
in :
he of
in
in, of
all
260 o DAMON AND PITHIAS.
Which
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Unhonest thinges friendshippe craveth, yet con sents thereto,
the minde of man, honest thinges
o doo
wealth doublejoye, sweete compagnion
alway:
sure defence for kinges,
woe present stay,
each state true friendship
perfect trustie bande,
force assayle, shield defende the enemies cruell hande;
rare, and yet the greatest gift that God can geve Imall
So rare, that scarce four couple faithfull frends have ben since the worlde began.
gift strange, and such price, wish kyngs have
But chiefely yet, duetie bindeth, humbly crave, True friendship and true friendes, full fraught with
constant faith,
The gever friends, the Lord, grant her, most noble
Queene Elizabeth.
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DAMON AND PIT. H. I. A. S. 261
THE LAST SONGE.
The strongest garde that kynges can have, Are constant friends their state to save:
True friendes are constant both in word and deede, True friendes are present, and helpe at each neede: True friendes talke truely, they glose for no gayne, When treasure consumeth, true frindes wyll remayne:
True frindes for their tru prince refuseth not their death: The Lord graunt her such frindes, most noble Queene
Elizabeth.
-
Longe may she governe in honour and wealth, Voyde of all sicknesse, in most perfect health: Which health to prolonge, as true friends require, God graunt she may have her owne hartes desire: Which friendes wyll defend with most stedfast faith,
The Lorde graunt her such friendes, most noble Queene Elizabeth.
FINIS,
262
EDITIONS.
(1. ), “The excellent Comedie of two the moste faith
“fullest Freendes Damon and Pithias. Newly im “printed as the same was shewed before the Queenes
“Majestie, by the Children of her Graces Chappell, “except the Prologue, that is somewhat altered “proper use them that hereafter shall have occasion “to plaie either Private open Audience. Made “by Maister Edwards, then beynge Maister the
“Children 1571.
“by Richarde Johnes, and are
“joyning the Southwest doore 4to. Black Letter.
(2) Another Edition 4to, Mr. Garrick's Collection.
solde his Shop Paule's Churche. "
1582. * Both
Imprinted London, Fleetelane,
The following imprint the only variation the titles the two copies. “Imprinted London, Richarde Jones: dwelling
“neere unto Holborne Bridge, over against the syne the Faulcon. “Anno 1582. ” C.
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NEW C US TOME.
\
I Have not been able to discover who was the Author
of this Piece. But I think it is one of the most re
markable of our ancient Moralities, as it was wrote
purposely to vindicate and promote the Reformation.
It was print d in 1573, and contrived so that four people might act this was frequently done, have
observed the Preface, for the convenience such were disposed divert improve themselves, by
representing these kinds Entertainments their own
houses. This, and God's Promises Bishop Bale,
will serve specimens the ancient Mysteries and Moralities.
in as
of
of or
by
in
of as I
to
it:
as
THE PLAYERS NAMES IN THIS ENTERLUDE BE THESE.
THE PROLOGUE.
PERVERSE DocTRINE, and old popishe Priest. IGNOFAUNce, an other, but elder.
NEw Custom E, a Minister.
LIGHT OF THE Gospell, a Minister. HYPocR1s. IE, an olde Woman. CREwelt1e, a Ruffler'.
AvAR Ice, a Ruffler. EDIFICATION, a Sage.
Assu RAUNCE, a Vertue. GoDDEs FELIcITIE, a Sage.
FOWER MAY PLAY THIS ENTERLUDE.
1 Perverse Doctrine.
IGNoHAUNcE. 2. HYPocRIsIE,
and EDIFICATION. -
NEw Custom E. 33 Avance.
Assur AN ce.
LIGHT of THE Gos Ş PELL.
4-8. CREw ELTIE. GoDDEs FELIcITIE. THE PRolog UE.
* Creweltie a Ruffler. ] i. e. a cheating bully, so called in several Acts of Parliament during the reign of King Henry the Eighth. S.
THE PROLOGUE.
Al thinges be not soe as in sight they doe seeme, What so ever they resemble, or what ever men deeme.
For if our senses in their owne objects us do fayle Sometimes, then our judgemente shall but little availe In some thinges, as such, where doubt geveth deniall
Ofthem in the best wise to make any triall. Which sayinge is evident, as well shall appeare
In this little Enterlude whiche we present heare; Whereby we may learn how grossly we erre,
Taking one thinge for another, which differ so farre As good dothe from badde. Example therefore
You may take by these persons ifyou marke no more. For the primitive constitution, whiche was fyrst appointed Even by God himself, and by Christ his annoynted;
Confirmed by appostles, and great antiquitie:
See howe perverted manne's wicked iniquitie, To called newe Custome, newe Constitucion,
Surely name much ungodly abusion.
Which our author indifferently scanninge his minde,
his simple opinion this cause hee doth finde
That reason ignorance which beareth great swaie,
And also stubberne doctrine, which shutteth the waie To all good instruction, and knowledge right:
No marvell was, though the trueth we were igno raunt quight.
For truely suche case, the matter was but small, To make the ignorant sowle credite them all, What ever they saide, were trueth lye.
For man able was then prove them the contrarie. Wherefore their owne fansies they sette great prise,
Neglectinge the trewe waye, like men farre unwise.
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268
Making semblant of antiquitie in all that they did,
To intent that their subtiltie suche meanes might hid.
Newe Custome also hath named this matter verilie, consideration that the people speaketh commonlie,
Confuting the same reasons most manifest,
Whiche consequent order talke are exprest.
This sence hath our Author followed herein, we saide,
For other meaning, moreover hee will not have But diverse may invent muche distant from this, Whiche wise will have prejudiciall his, Nor his unto theirs, whatsoever they bee,
For many heades, many wittes, wee doo plainely see. Onely hee desireth this the worshipfull audience,
To take good parte without manner offence.
denaide,
Whatsoever shall Interpreting
And for us, Wee are readie
spoken, marking the intent,
otherwise but was ment. pacience you list attende,
declare you the matter the ende. FINIS PRolog1.
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NEW CUSTOME.
ACTUS I. SCENA I.
-
PERVERse DocTRINE and IGN or ANce enter. Perverse Doctrine. It is even so in deede, the worlde
was never in so evyll a state.
But this is no time for us of these matters to debate.
It were good wee invented some politike waie Our matters to addresse in good orderly staie. And for us, reason would we loked to ourselves.
/ Do you not see howe these newe fangled pratling elses Prinke up so pertly of late in every place,
And go about us auncients flatly to deface?
As who shoulde say in shorte time, as well learned as wee,
As wise to the worlde, as good they mighte accomptid bee,
Naye, naye, if many yeers and graie heares do knowe no more,
But that every pewishe boye hath even as muche witte in Store :
By the masse then have I lyved to long, and I would I were dead,
If I have not more knoweledge then a thousande of them in my head,
For how should they have learning that were borne but even now? -
As sighte were see goose shodde, sadled cowe,
hear the pratlinge
any soche Jack Strawe.