Yea, and that is seen by my brains; For, ere I came there, I was as wise as a woodcock, And, I thank God, as witty as a haddock. Yet I trust to recover, as other does, For, and I had once as much wit as a goose, I should be merchant of the bank; Of gold then I should have many a frank, For if I might make three good voyages to Shooter's Hill,[153] And have wind and weather at my will, Then would I never travel the sea more: But it is hard to keep the ship fro the shore, And if it hap to rise a storm, Then thrown in a raft, and so about borne On rocks or brachs[154] for to run, Else to strike aground at Tyburn, That were a mischievous case, For that rock of Tyburn is so perilous a place, Young gallants dare not venture into Kent; But when their money is gone and spent, With their long boots they row on the bay,[155] And any man of war[156] lie by the way, They must take a boat and throw the helm ale;[157] And full hard it is to scape that great jeopardy, For, at Saint Thomas of Watering and they strike a sail, Then must they ride in the haven of hemp without fail; And were not these two jeopardous places indeed, There is many a merchant that thither would speed: But yet we have a sure channel at Westminster, A thousand ships of thieves therein may ride sure; For if they may have anchor-hold and great spending, They may live as merry as any king. PERSEVERANCE. God wot, sir, there is a piteous living, Then ye dread not the great Master above: Son, forsake thy miss[158] for His love, And then mayst thou come to the bliss also. FREEWILL. Why, what would you that I should do? CONTEMPLATION. For to go toward heaven. FREEWILL. Marry, and you will me thither bring, I would do after you.[159] PERSEVERANCE. I pray you, remember my words now: Freewill, bethink thee that thou shalt die, And of the hour thou are uncertain, Yet by thy life thou mayest find a remedy; For, and thou die in sin, all labour is in vain, Then shall thy soul be still in pain. Lost and damned for evermore; Help is past, though thou would fain, Then thou wilt curse the time that thou were bore. FREEWILL. Sir, if ye will undertake that I saved shall be, I will do all the penance that you will set me. CONTEMPLATION. If that thou for thy sins he sorry, Our Lord will forgive thee them. FREEWILL. Now of all my sins I axe God mercy; Here I forsake sin, and trust to amend: I beseech Jesu that is most mighty To forgive all that I have offend. PERSEVERANCE. Our Lord now will show thee His mercy, A new name thou need none have; For all that will to heaven high, By his own freewill he must forsake folly, Then is he sure and safe. CONTEMPLATION. Hold here a new garment, And hereafter live devoutly, And for thy sins do ever repent: Sorrow for thy sins is very remedy: And, Freewill, ever to virtue apply, Also to sadness[160] give ye attendance, Let him never out of remembrance. FREEWILL.