_Wit._ Instruction, Study? I ween we have lost him. [INSTRUCTION _cometh in_. [_Inst._] Indeed, full gently about ye have tossed him! What mean you, Wit, still to delight Running before thus, still out of sight; And, thereby, out of your way now quite. What do ye here except he would fight? Come back again, Wit! for, I must choose ye An easier way than this, or else lose ye. _Wit._ What aileth this way? Peril here is none. _Inst._ But as much as your life standeth upon; Your enemy, man! lieth here before ye: Tediousness, to brain or to gore ye! _Wit._ Tediousness? Doth that tyrant rest In my way now? Lord! how am I blest That occasion so near me stirs, For my dear heart's sake, to win my spurs! Sir! would ye fear me with that foul thief, With whom to meet my desire is chief? _Inst._ And what would ye do, you having nought For your defence? for, though ye have caught Garments of Science upon your back, Yet weapons of Science ye do lack! _Wit._ What weapons of Science should I have? _Inst._ Such as all lovers of their loves crave: A token from Lady Science whereby Hope of her favour may spring, and thereby Comfort; which is the weapon doubtless That must serve you against Tediousness. _Wit._ If hope or comfort may be my weapon, Then never with Tediousness me threaten; For, as for hope of my dear heart's favour-- And thereby comfort--enough I gather. _Inst._ Wit, hear me! Till I see Confidence Have brought some token from Lady Science, That I may feel that she favoureth you, Ye pass not this way, I tell you true. _Wit._ Which way then? _Inst._ A plainer way, I told ye, Out of danger from your foe to hold ye. _Wit._ Instruction, hear me! Or my sweetheart Shall hear that Wit from that wretch shall start One foot, this body and all shall crack! Forth I will, sure, whatever I lack! _Dil._ If ye lack weapon, sir, here is one! _Wit._ Well said, Diligence, thou art alone! How say ye, sir? is not here weapon? _Inst._ With that weapon your enemy never threaten; For without the return of Confidence Ye may be slain, sure, for all Diligence! _Dil._ Good, sir! and Diligence, I tell you plain, Will play the man or my master be slain! _Inst._ Yea, but what? saith Study no word to this? _Wit._ No, sir! ye know Study's office is Meet for the chamber, not for the field-- But tell me, Study, wilt thou now yield? _Study._ My head acheth sore; I would we return. _Wit._ Thy head ache now? I would it were burn! Come on! walking may hap to ease thee. _Inst._ And will ye be gone, then, without me? _Wit._ Yea, by my faith, except ye hie ye after, Reason shall know ye are but an hafter. _Exeat_ WIT, STUDY _and_ DILIGENCE.