_Man._ He prayed me so, in very deed, Within these two days. He said he would serve me with a good will; But of the wars he could no skill, Nor knew thereof the ways: Howbeit I gave him thereof none answer. _Envy._ No! but I am sure he will not come there; And now may ye see That no man is so much to blame As yourself. _Man._ I? _Envy._ Yea, by Saint Jame! No man but even ye. For, I am well assured of one thing, Ye gave him better clothing Than ye did me; And better wages and fees also; And though I said but little thereto, But suffered evermore, Yet I disdained it ever in my mind; And though[t] that ye were to me unkind To set so great store By such a knave as he was-- I would I had him here, by the mass! And no man but we twain. _Man._ By my troth! this is ever thy guise: Look! by whom I set any prize Him thou wilt most disdain. _Wrath._ By Christ! he can do none otherwise. But now, sir! is there any service That ye will command me? _Man._ Yea, marry is there! but my company Dresseth them forward, passing slowly; I trow it will not be. Manhood! thou art good I know for one. _Wrath._ Yea, by Christ! and they came everyone I will not greatly fear. _Envy._ By my troth! because he saith so I shall tell you what I saw him do. I was present there-- Sir! it happened in Westminster Hall, Even before the judges all-- His hands were bound fast; And, never upon him, that ever God made, Dagger, sword, nor knife he had. And yet, at the last, He drave twelve men into a corner; And an hour after durst they not appear. How say ye hereto? And his hands had been at liberty He would have put them in great jeopardy-- It is to suppose so. _Man._ Marry! there he quit him well-- But where be mine other folk, can ye tell? _Then cometh in_ GLUTTONY _with a cheese and a bottle._ _Wrath._ Marry! here cometh one-- Good Fellowship meseemeth it should be. _Glut._ Sirs, God speed ye! _Man._ What tidings with thee? _Glut._ I shall tell you anon [_A line has been shaved away at the foot of the page._] Marry, sir! I am come here For to attend upon you; We shall a warfare it is told me. _Man._ Yea, where is thy harness? _Glut._ Marry! here may ye see-- Here is harness enow. _Wrath._ Why, hast thou none other harness but this? _Glut._ What the devil harness should I miss, Without it be a bottle? Another bottle I will go purvey Lest that drink be scarce in the way; Or happily none to sell. _Wrath._ Thou must have other harness than this, man! _Glut._ Other harness? nay, I shrew me then! I can no skill thereon-- Why, trowest thou that I will fight? _Envy._ Yea, so I trow!