CONSCIENCE. Christ, as he is crowned king, Save all this comely company, And grant you all his dear blessing, That bonnerly bought you on the rood-tree. Now pray you prestly on every side To God omnipotent, To set our enemy sharply on side, That is the devil and his covent: And all men to have a clear knowing Of heaven bliss, that high tower, Methink it is a nessary[229] thing For young and old, both rich and poor, Poor Conscience for to know, For Conscience clear it is my name. Conscience counselleth both high and low, And Conscience commonly beareth great blame, Yea, and oftentimes set in shame: Wherefore I reed you men, both in earnest and in game, Conscience that ye know, For I know all the mysteries of man. They be as simple as they can, And in every company where I come Conscience is out-cast: All the world doth Conscience hate, Mankind and Conscience been at debate, For if mankind might Conscience take My body would they brast: Brast, yea, and wark me much woe. MANHOOD. Say how, fellow, who gave thee leave this way to go? What! weenest thou I dare not come thee to? Say, thou harlot,[230] whither in haste? CONSCIENCE. What! let me go, sir; I know you nought. MANHOOD. No, bitched brothel, thou shalt be taught, For I am a knight, and I were sought; The world hath avanced me. CONSCIENCE. Why, good sir knight, what is your name? MANHOOD. Manhood, mighty in mirth and in game, All power of pride have I tane:[231] I am as gentle as jay on tree. CONSCIENCE. Sir, though the world have you to manhood brought, To maintain manner ye were never taught; No, Conscience clear, ye know right nought, And this longeth[232] to a knight. MANHOOD. Conscience! what the devil man is he? CONSCIENCE! Sir, a teacher of the spirituality. MANHOOD. Spirituality! what the devil may that be? CONSCIENCE. Sir, all that be leaders into light. MANHOOD. Light! yea, but hark, fellow, yet light fain would I see. CONSCIENCE! Will ye so, sir knight, then do after me. MANHOOD. Yea, and it to pride's pleasing be; I will take thy teaching. CONSCIENCE. Nay, sir, beware of pride, and you do well. For pride Lucifer fell into hell: Till doomsday there shall he dwell, Withouten any outcoming; For pride, sir, is but a vain glory. MANHOOD. Peace, thou brothel, and let those words be, For the world and pride hath avanced me To me men lewt[233] full low. CONSCIENCE. And to beware of pride, sir, I would counsel you; And think on King Robert of Sicile,[234] How he for pride in great poverty fell, For he would not Conscience know. MANHOOD. Yea, Conscience, go forth thy way, For I love pride, and will go gay: All thy teaching is not worth a stra',[235] For pride clepe I my king. CONSCIENCE. Sir, there is no king but God alone, That bodily bought us with pain and passion, Because of man's soul's redemption: In Scripture thus we find.