FOLLY. Marry, master, ye shall have in haste. Ah, ah, sirs, let the cat wink,[257] For all ye wot not what I think, I shall draw him such a draught of drink, That Conscience he shall away cast. Have, master, and drink well And let us make revel, revel, For I swear by the church of Saint Michael, I would we were at stews: For there is nothing but revel rout. And we were there, I had no doubt I should be knowen all about, Where Conscience they would refuse.
MANHOOD. Peace, Folly, my fair friend, For, by Christ, I would not that Conscience should me here find.
FOLLY. Tush, master, thereof speak no thing, For Conscience cometh no time here.
MANHOOD. Peace, Folly, there is no man that knoweth me.
FOLLY. Sir, here my troth I plight to thee, And thou wilt go thither with me, For Knowledge have thou no care.
MANHOOD. Peace, but it is hence a great way.
FOLLY. Pardè, sir, we may be there on a day. Yea, and we shall be right welcome, I dare well say, In Eastcheap for to dine: And then we will with lombards[258] at passage[259] play, And at the Pope's-Head sweet wine assay, We shall be lodged well a-fine.
MANHOOD. What sayest thou, Folly, is this the best?
FOLLY. Sir, all this is Manhood, well thou knowest.
MANHOOD. Now, Folly, go we hence in haste. But fain would I change my name: For well I wot, if Conscience meet me in this tide, Right well I wot, he would me chide.
FOLLY. Sir, for fear of you his face he shall hide: I shall clepe you Shame.
MANHOOD. Now gramercy, Folly, my fellow infere,[260] Go we hence, tarry no lenger here. Till we be gone, methink it seven year: I have gold and good to spend.
FOLLY. Ah, ah! master, that is good cheer, And ere it be passed half a year, I shall thee shear right a lewd frere, And hither again thee send. [_Aside_.
MANHOOD. Folly, go before, and teach me the way.
FOLLY. Come after, Shame, I thee pray, And Conscience clear ye cast away. Lo, sirs, this Folly teacheth aye: For where Conscience cometh with his cunning, Vet Folly full featly shall make him blind. Folly before, and Shame behind. Lo, sirs, thus fareth the world alway.
MANHOOD. Now, I will follow Folly, for Folly is my man: Yea, Folly is my fellow, and hath given me a name: Conscience called me Manhood, Folly calleth me Shame. Folly will me lead to London to learn revel; Yea, and Conscience is but a flattering brothel; For ever he is carping of care: The world and Folly counselleth me to all gladness, Yea, and Conscience counselleth me to all sadness; Yea, too much sadness might bring me into madness. And now have good day, sirs, To London to seek Folly will I fare.
