_Evil Counsel._ By your leave, let me come near. What doth all this company here? Whereafter is your gaping? By our lady and master! I have sought nigh and far; For sith I came from Rochester I have spent all my winning. By our lady! I will no more go to Coventry, For there knaves set me on the pillory, And threw eggs at my head So sore that my nose did bleed Of white wine gallons thirty. Some time in London did I dwell; I was prentice with Evil Counsel, And so men calleth me. I hope again to go thither, If summer were come and fair weather, And live full merrily. I have sought England through and through, B4,_r._ Village, town, city, and borough; With many a thousand bequainted I am, As ill-tongued churls and many a proud gentleman, That shrewdly roundeth many a pistle When they in young wives' ears doth whistle Of matters pertaining to Venus' acts; With fair flattering words and pretty knacks Both men and women they bring to lechery, Through me, Evil Counsel, to live in advoutry. In Cornwall I have been and in Kent, Westminster, St. Catherine's, and in Unthrift's Rent, There I rested very lately. Now fain would I have a master [_Enter_ IDLENESS. That would do by my counsel, For though he spend and be a waster To get money I can teach him the craft well. _Idleness._ What art thou, tell me, that speaketh this? _Evil C._ Marry, sir, a man that would have a service; Great need have I thereto. _Idle._ Why, what service canst thou do? _Evil C._ Both steal and lie, and on your errand go To fet another man's wife to your bed. _Idle._ If I of such things may be sped, I am glad that we be met. _Evil C._ In England shall nothing me let. With you will I bide for ever. B4,_v._ But master, have ye any wife? _Idle._ Yea, more than twenty-five, by my life; But some other men keepeth them for me. _Evil C._ Marry, sir, no force; it costeth you the less money, But you have good cheer when you come. _Idle._ Yea, at meat I am merry, and at bed if I list to play. _Evil C._ Then their husbands be out of the way, Or else ye come not there. _Idle._ Yes, yes, daily! and make good cheer, And not spied at all, I have such policy. _Evil C._ I am glad that ye be so witty; And sir, if you will have a fresh lusty trull I will get her you, or a house-wife that can spin a pound of wool. _Idle._ Then will we drink wine at the full, In one place if thou canst help me. _Evil C._ I pray you tell me; what is she? _Idle._ An artificer's wife--a pretty woman. _Evil C._ Sir, I will go to my brother Temptation And then to Wanton Youth I will make a station; For between us three Of her your pleasure ye shall have hardely.