O good Lord, it is a pitiful case,
Sith God hath lent man wit and grace
To choose of good and evil,
That man should voluntarily
To such things himself apply,
That his soul should spill.
HUMILITY.
Christ that was crucified, and crowned with thorn,
And of a virgin for man was born,
Some knowledge send to me
Of my brother Charity.
CHARITY.
Dear brother Humility,
Ye be welcome unto me;
Where have ye be so long?
HUMILITY.
I shall do you to understand,
That I have said mine evensong;
But, sir, I pray you tell me now,
How this case happened to you?
CHARITY.
I shall tell you anon;
The fellows that I told you on,
Have me thus arrayed.
HUMILITY.
Sir, I shall undo the bands
From your feet and your hands.
Sir, I pray you tell me anon
Whither they be gone,
And when they come again.
CHARITY.
Sir, to the tavern they be gone,
And they will come again anon,
And that shall you see.
HUMILITY.
Then will we them exhort
Unto virtue to resort,
And to forsake sin.
CHARITY.
I will help you that I can
To convert that wicked man.
YOUTH.
Aback! gallants, and look unto me,
And take me for your special,
For I am promoted to high degree,
By right I am king eternal;
Neither duke ne lord, baron ne knight,
That may be likened unto me,
They be subdued to me by right,
As servants to their masters should be.
HUMILITY.
Ye be welcome to this place here;
We think ye labour all in vain;
Wherefore your brains we will stir,
And keel[16] you a little again.
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