_Sens._ By God! one that loveth not thee, Nor me neither.
_Pride._ I pray thee tell me What manner of man he is, And I shall give him a lift, as I guess.
_Pride._ Yea, and that within a short process-- In faith! I will not miss.
_Sens._ Surely I cannot spy the ways how!
_Pride._ Let me alone; I shall do well enow. Acquaint me with that man, and care not thou! The matter shall speed.
_Sens._ Hark, cousin! first speed this matter, And if yonder man make thee not good cheer As any man that ever came here Let me, therefore, be dead!
_Pride._ Sir! I shall tell thee how when I am in To thy master's service; I will first begin To set his heart on a merry pin, And bid him make good cheer. I will bid him think how he is create To be a worthy potestate, And eke that he is predestinate To be a prince's peer. And other things more than this: I shall bring that heart of his To be more haut than it is By a deuce ace. Specially, I will commend his wit That no man can amend it; And that he is able thereby to sit As a judge in common pleas; And when I praise him this wise I think his heart will begin to rise And after that utterly despise Any opray counsel to hear; He shall trust all to his own brain; And then would Reason never so fain, Though he come and such opry twain: He shall be never thee near.
_Sens._ Surely this conceit is well found! I shall bring thee in service for twenty pound.
_Pride._ Gramercy, brother! I think me much bound To thee for thy courtesy. But, sir! abide here one thing-- I will not be known that it is my seeking.
_Sens._ No more would I, for forty shilling: Let me alone hardely! [MANKIND _comes forward_.
_Sens._ Sir! if it please you, here is come a stranger That never was acquainted with you ere; Somewhat shamefaced, and half in fear To put himself in prese; A goodly person, be ye sure, Both of countenance and of feature If he were drawn in portraiture; And a good man, doubtless! Yea, and a wise man at all-- Will it please you that I him call To speak with you?
_Sens._ I shall. Sir! will ye come near? [_To_ MANKIND. Sir! bid him welcome for the manner sake; Another day I am sure he will crake And say, such a gentleman did him make Very great cheer. Desire him for to dwell with you; I tell you he is a man for your prow, And knoweth the world well; I know No man better than he.