IMAGINATION. By the mass, I cannot show you, For he and I never drank together, Yet I know many an ale stake;[164] Neither at the stews, i-wis, he never came thither: Goeth he arrayed in white or in black? For, and he out of prison had holp me, I know well once I should him see, What gown weareth he, I pray you? PERSEVERANCE. Sir, he halp you out by his might. IMAGINATION. I cannot tell you, by this light; But methought that I lay there too long, And the whoreson fetters were so strong, That had almost brought my neck out of joint. PERSEVERANCE. Amend, son, and thou shall know him, That delivered thee out of prison; And if thou wilt forsake thy miss, Surely thou shalt come to the bliss, And be inheritor of heaven. IMAGINATION. What, sir, above the moon? Nay, by the mass, then should I fall soon; Yet I keep not to climb so high; But to climb for a bird's nest, There is none between east and west, That dare thereto venter better than I: But to venter to heaven--what, and my feet slip? I know well then I should break my neck, And, by God, then had I the worse side; Yet had I liever be by the nose tied In a wench's arse somewhere, Rather than I would stand in that great fear, For to go up to heaven--nay, I pray you, let be. FREEWILL. Imagination, wilt thou do by the counsel of me? IMAGINATION. Yea, sir, by my troth, whatsomever it be. FREEWILL. Amend yet for my sake, It is better betime than too late; How say you? will you God's hests fulfil? IMAGINATION. I will do, sir, even as you will; But, I pray you, let me have a new coat, When I have need, and in my purse a groat, Then will I dwell with you still. FREEWILL. Beware, for when thou art buried in the ground, Few friends for thee will be found, Remember this still. IMAGINATION. No thing dread I so sore as death, Therefore to amend I think it be time; Sin have I used all the days of my breath, With pleasure, lechery, and misusing,[165] And spent amiss my five wits; therefore I am sorry: Here of all my sins I axe God mercy. PERSEVERANCE. Hold, here is a better clothing for thee, And look that thou forsake thy folly; Be steadfast, look that thou fall never. IMAGINATION. Now here I forsake my sin for ever. FREEWILL. Sir, wait thou now on Perseverance, For thy name shall be called Good Remembrance; And I will dwell with Contemplation, And follow him wherever he become. CONTEMPLATION. Well, are ye so both agreed? IMAGINATION. Yea, sir, so God me speed. PERSEVERANCE.