IGNORANCE. Where have I been, quod you? marry, even there I was, Whereas I would have given an hundred pound, by the mass, To have been here; for never, since the day I was born, Was I so near-hand in pieces for to have been torn. For as I was going up and down in the street, To see if I could with Hypocrisy meet, Behold, afar off I began to espy That heretic New Custom, with another in his company. As soon as they saw me, they hied them apace, Came towards, and met me full in the face. I am glad we have found you then, quod this heretic knave, For you and your fellow this day sought we have In every place, and now cannot you fly; And with these words both they came very nigh. Whereat I so feared, I may tell you plain, That I thought at that hour I should have been slain. This is he, quod the varlet, of whom I told you of late, An enemy of the truth, and incensed with hate Against God and his church, and an imp of Hypocrisy, A foe to the gospel and to true divinity. Thou liest, heretic, quod I, and nought else could I say, But brake quickly from them, and hither came away. PERV. DOC. Who is he that was with him, Simplicity, canst thou tell? IGNORANCE. Not I, sure, but some call him the Light of the Gospel. A good personable fellow, and in countenance so bright, That I could not behold him in the visage aright. PERV. DOC. God's precious wounds, that slave! marry, fie on him, fie! Body of our Lord, is he come into the country? I think all the heretics in the world have taken in hand By some solemn oath to pester this land, With their wicked schisms and abhominable sects, Now a vengeance on them all, and the devil break their necks! Light of the Gospel! light of a straw! yet whatever he be, I would he were hanged as high as I can see. IGNORANCE. What, have you heard of him before this? PERV. DOC. Heard of him? yea, that have I often, i-wis. If there be any in the world, it is this whoreson thief, Believe me, Simplicity, that will work us the mischief. Hath that same new Jack got him such a mate? Now with all my heart a pestilence on his pate! I would they were both hanged fairly together, Or else were at the devil, I care not much whether. For since these Genevan doctors came so fast into this land, Since that time it was never merry with England. First came New Custom, and he gave the onsay.[24] And sithens things have gone worse every day. But, Simplicity, dost thou know what is mine intent? IGNORANCE. Tell me, and I shall know what you have meant.