But do as I shall tell thee, and have no dread; And, for to give thee medicines most according Ayenst thy sores, do by my rede. Look! what disease is hot and brenning Take ever such a medicine as is cold in working; So that the contrary, in all manner of wise, Must heal his contrary, as physic doth devise. Right so whoso lusteth from sin to arise, Where he hath in pride done any offence, He can be helpen thereof none otherwise But only by meekness: that is the recompense. Again wrath and envy, take charity and patience; Take alms deed again the sin of covetise. And, to repress gluttony, acquaint ye with abstinence; Again foul lust of body, take chastity and continence. Much sin groweth by sloth and by idleness, And that must be eschewed by men of good business. Lo! these be preparatives, most sovereign, Against thy sores, which be mortal Unless that these medicines to them be lain. When thou hast received these preparatives all I will come again, if thou me call, And order thee further after my mind. _Man._ Yea, but where shall I these preparatives find? _Rea._ Thou shalt them find within thine own breast. Of thee it must come; it must be thy deed; For voluntary sacrifice pleaseth God best. Thou canst not thereof have help or meed But if this gear of thine own heart proceed. _Man._ Well, I shall endeavour me to the uttermost; And till I have found them I shall never rest. But how shall I know them? that wot I ne'er; I pray you show me that before your departing. _Rea._ It needeth not thereof to inquire: Thou shalt know them at the first meeting. Of two contraries there is but one learning; That is to say, when thou knowest well that one The other contrary is known anon. _Then he goeth out and_ MEEKNESS _cometh in._ _Meekness._ Whoso wotteth histories of scripture well Shall find that for pride and presumption Lucifer, which sometime was a glorious angel-- For that his offence had such correction That both he, and eke many a legion Of his order--was cast down to hell By rightful Justice, perpetually there to dwell. Remember also Adam, the first of our line, What pain he suffered for pride and disobedience! Causeth he not a great decay and ruin, In all the progeny, for the same offence? In suchwise that he, and all that were born since, Be utterly disherited and put from paradise; And so we be made thrall unto sin and vice. And lost should we be all, of very justice, Ne had be that God of His merciful goodness Did us, soon after, with His own blood mainprize And us redeemed from pains endless; So that we do not disobey or transgress His high commandments, but demean us well After His laws while we here dwell.