RIOT. A wife? nay, nay, for God avow, He shall have flesh enou', For, by God that me dear bought, Over-much of one thing is nought; The devil said he had liever burn all his life Than once for to take a wife; Therefore I say, so God me save, He shall no wife have: Thou hast a sister fair and free, I know well his leman she will be; Therefore I would she were here, That we might go and make good cheer At the wine somewhere. YOUTH. I pray you hither thou her do bring, For she is to my liking. PRIDE. Sir, I shall do my diligence To bring her to your presence. YOUTH. Hie thee apace, and come again; To have a sight I would be fain Of that lady free. RIOT. Sir, in faith I shall tell you true, She is fresh and fair of hue, And very proper of body; Men call her Lady Lechery. YOUTH. My heart burneth, by God of might, Till of that lady I have a sight. (_Intret Superbia cum Luxuria et dicat Superbia_.) PRIDE. Sir, I have fulfilled your intent, And have brought you in this present, That you have sent me for. YOUTH. Thou art a ready messenger; Come hither to me, my heart so dear, Ye be welcome to me as the heart in my body. LECHERY. Sir, I thank you, and at your pleasure I am; Ye be the same unto me. YOUTH. Masters, will ye to tavern walk? A word with you here will I talk, And give you the wine. LECHERY. Gentleman, I thank you verily, And I am all ready To wait you upon. RIOT. What, sister Lechery? Ye be welcome to our company. LECHERY. Well, wanton, well, fie for shame! So soon ye do express my name: What! if no man should have known, I-wis I shall you beat! well, wanton, well! RIOT. A little pretty niset,[14] Ye be well nice, God wot! Ye be a little pretty pye! i-wis, ye go full gingerly. LECHERY. Well, I see your false eye Winketh on me full wantonly; Ye be full wanton, i-wis. YOUTH. Pride, I thank you of your labour That you had to fetch this fair flow'r. PRIDE. Lo, youth, I told thee That I would bring her with me. Sir, I pray you tell me now, How she doth like you? YOUTH. Verily, well she pleaseth me, For she is courteous, gentle, and free. How do you, fair lady? How fare you, tell me. LECHERY. Sir, if it please you, I do well enou', And the better that you will wit. YOUTH. Riot, I would be at the tavern fain, Lest Charity us meet and turn us again: Then would I be sorry, because of this fair lady. RIOT. Let us go again betime, That we may be at the wine, Ere ever that he come. PRIDE. Hie thee apace, and go we hence; We will let for none expense. YOUTH. Now we will fill the cup and make good cheer; I trust I have a noble here. Hark, sirs, for God Almighty, Hearest thou not how they fight? In faith we shall them part. If there be any wine to sell, They shall no longer together dwell; No, then I beshrew my heart.