_Man._ Go, and do your labour! God let you never thee! Or, with my spade, I shall you ding, by the holy Trinity! Have ye none other man to mock, but ever me? Ye would have me of your set? Hie you forth, lively! for hence I will you driffe! [MANKIND _belabours them with his spade_. _New G._ Alas, my jewels! I shall be shent of my wife! _Now._ Alas! and I am like never for to thrive; I have such a buffet! _Man._ Hence, I say, New Guise, Now-a-days, and Nought! It was said beforn: all the means shall be sought To pervert my conditions and bring me to nought-- Hence, thieves! ye have made many a leasing! _Nought._ Marred I was for cold, but now am I warm! Ye are evil advised, sir! for ye have done harm. By Cock's body sacred! I have such a pain in my arm I may not change a man a farthing! _Man._ Now, I thank God, kneeling on my knee: Blessed be His name! He is of high degree. By the aid of His grace, that He hath sent me, Three of mine enemies I have put to flight; [_Shows his spade._ Yet this instrument, sovereigns! is not made to defend-- David saith: _Nec in hasta, nec in gladio, saluat Dominus._ _Nought._ No, marry! I beshrew you! it is in spadibus! Therefore, Christ's curse come on your headibus, To send you less might! [_They go out._ _Man._ I promit you, these fellows will no more come here; For some of them, certainly, were somewhat too near! My father, Mercy, advised me to be of a good cheer, And again my enemies manly for to fight. I shall convict them, I hope, every one-- Yet I say amiss; I do it not alone-- With the help of the grace of God I resist my fone And their malicious heart. With my spade I will depart, my worship[f]ul sovereigns! And live ever with labour, to correct my insolence. I shall go fet corn for my land; I pray you of patience; Right soon I shall revert. [_Exit._ [_Enter_ MISCHIEF.] _Mis._ Alas, alas! that ever I was wrought! Alas! the while I [am] worse than nought! Sithen I was here, by Him that me bought! I am utterly undone! I, Mischief, was here, at the beginning of the game, And argued with Mercy; God give him shame! He hath taught Mankind, while I have be vane, To fight manly again his fone; For, with his spade--that was his weapon-- New Guise, Now-a-days, Nought hath [he] all to-beaten: I have great pity to see them weeping. Will ye list? I hear them cry! [NEW GUISE, NOW-A-DAYS, _and_ NOUGHT _enter_.] Alas, alas! come hither! I shall be your borrow. Alack, alack! _veni, veni!_ Come hither, with sorrow! Peace, fair babies! ye shall have a napple to-morrow: Why greet you so, why? _New G._ Alas, master! alas my privity!