[_Conf._] I thank God, yet at last I have found him; I was afraid some mischance had drowned him, My master, Wit, with whom I have spoken; Yea, and delivered token for token, And have another to Science again-- A heart of gold, signifying, plain, That Science hath won Wit's heart forever-- Whereby, I trust, by my good endeavour, To that good lady, so sweet and so sortly, A marriage between them ye shall see shortly.
INSTRUCTION _cometh in with_ WIT, STUDY, _and_ DILIGENCE.
[_Inst._] Lo, sir! now ye be entered again Toward that passage where doth remain Tediousness, your mortal enemy; Now may ye choose whether ye will try Your hands again on that tyrant stout, Or else walking a little about.
_Wit._ Nay; for God's passion, sir, let me meet him! Ye see I am able now for to greet him: This sword of comfort, sent from my love, Upon her enemy needs must I prove!
_Inst._ Then, forth there! and turn on your right hand Up that mount, before ye shall see stand. But hear ye! If your enemy chance to rise, Follow my counsel in anywise; Let Study and Diligence flee their touch-- The stroke of Tediousness--and then couch Themselves, as I told ye: ye wot how.
_Wit._ Yea, sir! for that how, mark the proof now!
_Inst._ To mark it, indeed, here will I abide, To see what chance of them will betide; For here cometh the pith, lo! of this journey. That mountain, before which they must assay, Is called in Latin _Mons Parnassus_; Which mountain, as old authors discuss, Who attaineth once to sleep on that mount, Lady Science his own he may count. But or he come there ye shall see fought A fight with no less policy wrought Than strength, I trow, if that may be praised.
_Ted._ Out, ye villains! be ye come again? Have at ye, wretches!
_Inst._ With his own weapon now work him sorrow! Wit lieth at receipt!
_Inst._ Hark! he dieth! Where strength lacketh, policy supplieth.
_Here_ WIT _cometh in and bringeth in the head_ _upon his sword, and sayeth as followeth:_
[_Wit._] I can ye thank, sirs! this was well done!
_Inst._ I can ye thank, all; this was well done!
_Wit._ How say ye, man? Is this field well won?
[_Conf._] Yea, by my faith, so sayeth your dear heart.
_Wit._ Why, where is she, that here now thou art?