_Nat._ My friend! as I said to you before, A room shall ye have: no man saith nay; But Reason must be preferred evermore. For he can best lead him to the way Of virtue and grace, whereby he may Longest continue to God's high pleasure; To the which end God hath ordained this His creature. Content thyself now with Reason, my friend! And meddle thee no further than thou hast to do. Thou has brought many a man to a wretched end And so thou wouldst spoil His creature also. But whatsoever he say take no heed thereto Without that Reason will allow the same; For whoso doth the contrary deserveth much blame. God and I, Nature, have set thee in better case Than any creature under the firmament. Abuse not, Man! abuse not thy grace Of God Almighty that from above is sent! Thou shalt be the first that shall repent If ever thou flee Reason and sue folly, When once thou feelest the smart of misery. But, be of comfort! hardely God shall send Both ghostly aid and worldly help also; And I shall never fail, unto thy life's end, To minister unto thee as me oweth to do. Lo! yonder the world which thou must needs to: Now, shape thee thither; there is no more to say-- Thy Lord and mine guide thee in thy way!
_Sen_. Well, lady Nature! leave ye me in this case? Shall I have of you none other comfort? By Christ! yet will I not hide my face; For, as soon as we shall to the world resort, I put no doubt he will me support. He hath been my good master many a day; And he will not see me thus cast away.
_Rea._ Siker thyself, man! I advise thee hardely. Be not so passionate, nor yet so furious; Thou tormentest thyself and wottest not why. No well-advised body will demean him thus; Be sure thy mind is all erroneous; Thou takest a self will and wrong opinion Which shall be thine and others confusion.
_Sen._ Yea, Reason! sir, ye speak like a noble man; But yet are ye taken with a point oversight. What, would ye make me stand as a lurdan, And not speak one word for mine own right? I see it well that if your lordship might, By means possible, once bring it about Yourself should be a ruler, and I but a cast-out.
_Rea._ A ruler? certes! and so I ought to be; And a lord also, though ye say it in scorn.
_Sens._ Nay, so mote I thee! Thou liest! it may no longer be forborne; Thou camest but to-night and mayst hap go to-morn. For, if thou be as haughty as thou beginnest, Thou shalt avoid much sooner than thou weenest.