And man! as for you, ye shall not take that way; That manner of observance is too hard and strait. Ye must attempt the world; and, therein assay Whether ye can live after that endrait. These two folk harp both on refrait; And ever enbusieth them to rebuke you of sin That never was spotted, nor found guilty therein. Take no heed of them! their words be but wind; And, as for this time, I command them to silence. And let us see now how prately ye can find, By sage policy and worldly prudence, To maintain the state, in honour and reverence, That ye shall be in while ye in the world dwell. Speak of this matter and ponder it well! First, meseemeth necessary to provide What manner folks your servants shall be; For, surely, ye are nothing accompanied According to a man of your degree: Ye have here with you two persons or three That pleaseth you happily, in the best wise; Yet it appeareth not so to every man's guise. What man is this? _Man._ Reason, sir! my chief counsellor; And this Innocency, my nourice hitherto; And Sensuality that other, by whom I have power To do as all sensate beasts do. But Reason and Innocency, chiefly these two, Have the whole rule and governy of me; To whom eke is subdued my Sensuality. _Sens._ For certain, sir! Reason hath done me wrong; More than ever he shall be able to recompense. God knoweth, sir! I thought the season very long Till we were brought unto your presence. But now, I pray you to annul the sentence That Nature gave unto me by Reason's advice, To my great hurt and utter prejudice. And sir! I ask none amends earthly, But that Reason may have a checkmate; A little knack, a little pretty congy, His haut courage some thing to abate. For, hitherto, he hath kept great estate; And had of me the over hand and stronger: But be not displeased! I will suffer it no longer. _Mun._ Thou hast had great wrong, and that is pity; For, if thou be the person that I take thee for, Thou should'st be as honourable as he. * * * * * _Sens._ Lord! ye say well; but would God ye would see Some manner help and remedy for this evil; And let me not alway live thus like a drivel. _Mun._ Sir! ye know well that if so it were A man should suddenly come to a strange place, Wherein he is but alien and stranger, He must needs be compelled, in that case, To put himself in the favour and grace Of some singular person, that can show him the way Of all the behaviour and guise in that country.