_Rea._ As for mine avoidance, how soon soever it be, It shall not skill as for this intent; But he that first fleeth or forsaketh me He shall have greatest occasion to repent. It shall be to his great trouble and torment That he hath left Reason, and sued his own folly, That thereby is fallen to wretched penury.
But now, as touching the honour and degree That I am ordained to, I will thou understand That Almighty God, of His grace and bounty, Of thee and such hath given me the overhand; And will that I use thee as a servant, To advise thee and reform thee when thou ginst to err; And to clepe thee homeward if thou rail too far.
And, where thou sayst thou art so necessary That man without thee can have no living, As in that point we shall not much vary: I wot thou art necessary to his being. But, be thou sure that is not the very thing That maketh him to appear so wondrous; And to be, in his nature, so noble and precious.
It is a thing that doth right far exceed All other perfections and virtues natural. For sensuality, in very deed, Is but a mean which causeth him to fall Into much folly, and maketh him bestial; So that there is no difference, in that at the least, Betwixt man and an unreasonable beast.
But this other cometh of great tenderance And spiritual love that God oweth to mankind, Whom He hath created to His own semblance; And endued with a wondrous mind Whereby he may well discern and find Sufficient difference betwixt good and bad: Which is to be left, and which is to be had.
Lo! this is it that doth him dignify; And causeth him to be reputed so excellent. And of all this the chief doer am I, Which from Heaven into earth by God am sent, Only for that cause and final intent That I should this, His creature, demean and guide For the season that he doth in this world abide.
Now, compare thy virtues and mine together, And say which is the worthier of them two.
_Sens._ Which is the worthier? forsooth! I trow neither; We be good fellows.
_Rea._ Nay, my friend, not so! Thou ought to obey me wheresoever I go.
_Sens._ Nay! that shall I never do; for, to-day I shall thy fellow be, look thou never so high.
And, therefore, hardely be somewhat fellow-like; Leave thy haut conceits, and take a meetly way. For shame of the world, man! let us not stick At a matter of right nought, and traverse here all day. Have me in few words, man! and hark what I say: Meddle thou in no point that belongeth to me, And I shall promise thee never to meddle with thee.