_Mer._ Christ send you good comfort! ye be welcome, my friend! Stand up on your feet! I pray you, arise! My name is Mercy; ye be to me full hend: To eschew vice I will you advise. _Man._ O, Mercy! of all grace and virtue ye are the well: I have heard tell, of right-worshipful clerks, Ye be approximate to God and near of His counsel; He hath institute you above all His works-- Oh! your lovely works to my soul are sweeter than honey. _Mer._ The temptation of the flesh ye must resist, like a man; For, there is ever a battle betwixt the soul and the body: _Vita hominis est milicia super terram._ Oppress your ghostly enemy, and be Christ's own knight; Be never a coward again your adversary; If ye will be crowned, ye must needs fight! Intend well; and God will be you[r] adjutory! Remember, my friend! the time of continuance; So, help me God! it is but a chery-time. Spend it well! serve God with heart's affiance! Distemper not your brain with good ale, nor with wine! Measure is treasure; I forbid you not the use; Measure yourself! ever beware of excess! The superfluous guise, I will that ye refuse: When nature is sufficed, anon that ye cease. If a man have an horse, and keep him not too high, He may then rule him at his own desire; If he be fed over well he will disobey; And, in hap, cast his master in the mire. _New G._ Ye say true, sir! ye are no faitour; I have fed my wife so well till she is my master. I have a great wound on my head; lo! and thereon layeth a plaster; And another--there! I piss my peson. And my wife were your horse, she would you all to-samne. Ye feed your horse in measure: ye are a wise man! I trow and ye were the king's palfry-man, A good horse should be gesumme. _Man._ Where speaks this fellow? will he not come near? _Mer._ All too soon, my brother! I fear me for you. He was here right now--by Him that bought me dear!-- With other of his fellows; they can much sorrow. They will be here right soon, if I out depart. Think on my doctrine! that shall be your defence; Learn while I am here! set my words in heart! Within a short space I must needs hence. [NOW-A-DAYS _and_ NOUGHT _return._] _Now._ The sooner the liever; and that be even anon! I trow your name is Do-little--ye be so long from home; If ye would go hence we shall come, everyone, Mo than a good sort! Ye have liever, I dare well say! To them ye will go forth your way-- Men have little dainty of your play Because ye make no sport.