Christ that was christened, crucified, and crowned, In his bosom true love was gaged with a spear, His veins brast and bruised, and to a pillar bound, With scourges he was lashed, the knots the skin tare, On his neck to Calvary the great cross he bare, His blood ran to the ground, as Scripture doth tell: His burden was so heavy, that down under it he fell, Lo, I am kin to the Lord, which is God's son; My name is written foremost in the book of life, For I am perfect Contemplation, And brother to holy church that is our Lord's wife. John Baptist, Anthony, and Jerome, with many mo, Followed me here in holt,[111] heath, and in wilderness; I ever with them went where they did go, Night and day toward the way of rightwiseness: I am the chief lantern of all holiness, Of prelates and priests I am their patron; No armour so strong in no distress, Habergeon, helm, ne yet no Jeltron, To fight with Satan am I the champion, That dare abide, and manfully stand: Fiends flee away, where they see me come; But I will show you why I came to this land For to preach and teach of God's sooth saws, Ayenst vice that doth rebel ayenst him and his laws. PITY. God speed, good brother; fro whence came you now? CONTEMPLATION. Sir, I came from Perseverance to seek you. PITY. Why, sir, know you me? CONTEMPLATION. Yea, sir, and have done long; your name is Pity. PITY. Your name fain would I know. CONTEMPLATION. Indeed I am called Contemplation, That useth to live solitarily; In woods and in wildness[112] I walk alone, Because I would say my prayers devoutly; I love not with me to have much company: But Perseverance oft with me doth meet, When I think on thoughts that is full heavenly; Thus he and I together full sweetly doth sleep. PITY. I thank God that we be met together. CONTEMPLATION. Sir, I trust that Perseverance shortly will come hither. PITY. Then I think to hear some good tiding. CONTEMPLATION. I warrant you, brother, that he is coming. PERSEVERANCE. The eternal God, that named was Messias, He give you grace to come to his glory, Wherever is joy in the celestial place, When you of Satan winneth the victory, Everyman ought to be glad to have in company, For I am named good Perseverance, That ever is guided by virtuous governance; I am never variable, but doth continue, Still going upward the ladder of grace, And lode in me planted is so true, And from the poor man I will never turn my face: When I go by myself oft I do remember The great kindness that God showed unto man, For to be born in the month of December, When the day waxeth short, and the night long, Of his goodness that champion strong Descended down fro the Father of rightwiseness, And rested in Mary the flower of meekness. Now to this place hither come I am To seek Contemplation my kinsman. CONTEMPLATION. What, brother Perseverance? ye be welcome. PERSEVERANCE. And so be you also, Contemplation. CONTEMPLATION. Lo, here is our master Pity. PERSEVERANCE.