_Glut._ Commandeth you to him, I would have said.
_Glut._ By God! for he is afraid; And lieth sick in his bed. He took such a conceit when he heard of this gear That for thought and very fear
[_A line is shaved away at the foot of the page._]
_Wrath._ And he were hanged it were no reck: I pray God, the devil break his neck! And all such as he is.
_Man._ Well, let us suffer for awhile; I will go walk hence half a mile; And for all this, Happily, all this gear shall not need Howbeit that I doubt and dread The worst, as wise men do. Manhood! come thyself with me.
_Man._ Yea, parde! Wouldst thou be prayed thereto?
_Then goeth out_ MAN, GLUTTONY _and_ WRATH.
_Envy._ Now, he that would have war or strife I pray God send him a shrewd wife; And then shall he have enow. But, I shall tell you, sirs! as for me, I am none of them; so mot I thee! I may say to you I will no such reckonings abide. God's body! here cometh Pride As crank as a peacock! As soon as he and I meet, Without he stand right upon his feet, He shall bear me a proud mock. [PRIDE _entereth._]
_Pride._ What tidings, sirs? can any man tell?
_Envy._ Yea, marry! that can I do as well As any that was in field; Ye have tarried so long about your gay gear That the field is done or ye come there.
_Envy._ It is done without fail; But which of them hath won the battle I cannot tell you certain.
_Pride._ Thou were not there it seemeth thereby!
_Envy._ Not I there, quod a? yes, hardely! And that to my great pain; But, as soon as the battles joined together, I came my way straight hither For to tell tidings.
_Pride._ What the devil tidings canst thou tell?
_Envy._ Marry! I can show you nothing of the battle, But of many other tidings. Ye are out of conceit, I tell you, for ever; Because ye did not you[r] endeavour At this great voyage; Insomuch that ye are like to lese, Both your office and all your fees, And put clean out of wages.
_Envy._ Sir! and it be not, take my nose And my head also! Your office was given or I came thence.
_Pride._ Marry! that was a very short sentence; And I not called thereto. Now, Envy, what counsel wilt thou give me?
_Envy._ By my troth, Pride! thou mayst believe me, If I were in thy case I would withdraw me for a season; Though it be neither felony, nor treason, Nor yet wilful trespass. Yet the same is worst of all; For every knave will thee call A coward to thy face.