To speak with Mankind I will tarry here this tide, And assay his good purpose for to set aside; The good man, Mercy, shall no longer be his guide: I shall make him to dance another trace! Ever I go invisible--it is my jet-- And before his eye, thus, I will hang my net To blench his sight; I hope to have his foot met. To irk him of his labour I shall make a frame: This board shall be hid under the earth, privily; His spade shall enter, I hope, unreadily. By then he hath assayed he shall be very angry, And lose his patience, pain of shame! I shall menge his corn with drawk and with darnel; It shall not be like to sow nor to sell-- Yonder he cometh: I pray of counsell; He shall ween grace were wane. [_Enter_ MANKIND.] _Man._ Now, God, of His mercy, send us of His sonde! I have brought seed here to sow with my lond; While I over-delve it, here it shall stond. _In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus sancti!_ now I will begin. This land is so hard, it maketh unlusty and irk; I shall sow my corn at winter, and let God work. Alas! my corn is lost; here is a foul work! I see well, by tilling, little shall I win; Here I give up my spade, for now and for ever. [_Here_ TITIVILLUS _goes out with the spade_. To occupy my body, I will not put me in dever; I will hear my evensong here or I dissever. This place I assign as for my kirk; Here, in my kirk, I kneel on my knees: _Pater noster, qui es in celis_-- [_Enter_ TITIVILLUS.] _Titi._ I promise you I have no lead on my heels; I am here again to make this fellow irk. Whist! peace! I shall go to his ear and tittle therein-- [_Goes to_ MANKIND. A short prayer thirleth heaven--of thy prayer blin! Thou art holier than ever was any of thy kin: Arise, and avent thee! nature compels! _Man._ I will into thi[s] yard, sovereigns! and come again soon; For dread of the colic, and eke of the stone, I will go do that needs must be done; My beads shall be here for whosomever will come. [MANKIND _goes out_.