_Inst._ Then, forth there! and turn on your right hand Up that mount, before ye shall see stand. But hear ye! If your enemy chance to rise, Follow my counsel in anywise; Let Study and Diligence flee their touch-- The stroke of Tediousness--and then couch Themselves, as I told ye: ye wot how. _Wit._ Yea, sir! for that how, mark the proof now! _Inst._ To mark it, indeed, here will I abide, To see what chance of them will betide; For here cometh the pith, lo! of this journey. That mountain, before which they must assay, Is called in Latin _Mons Parnassus_; Which mountain, as old authors discuss, Who attaineth once to sleep on that mount, Lady Science his own he may count. But or he come there ye shall see fought A fight with no less policy wrought Than strength, I trow, if that may be praised. _Ted._ Oh! ho! ho! _Inst._ Hark! _Ted._ [_entering_]. Out, ye caitiffs! _Inst._ The fiend is raised! _Ted._ Out, ye villains! be ye come again? Have at ye, wretches! _Wit._ Flee, sirs! ye twain! _Ted._ They flee not far hence! _Dil._ Turn again, Study! _Study._ Now, Diligence! _Inst._ Well said! Hold fast now! _Study._ He fleeth! _Dil._ Then follow! _Inst._ With his own weapon now work him sorrow! Wit lieth at receipt! _Ted._ (_dieth_). Oh! ho! ho! _Inst._ Hark! he dieth! Where strength lacketh, policy supplieth. _Here_ WIT _cometh in and bringeth in the head_ _upon his sword, and sayeth as followeth:_ [_Wit._] I can ye thank, sirs! this was well done! _Study._ Nay, yours is the deed! _Dil._ To you is the thank! _Inst._ I can ye thank, all; this was well done! _Wit._ How say ye, man? Is this field well won? CONFIDENCE _cometh running in._ [_Conf._] Yea, by my faith, so sayeth your dear heart. _Wit._ Why, where is she, that here now thou art? _Conf._ Upon yonder mountain, on high, She saw ye strike that head from the body; Whereby ye have won her, body and all; In token whereof receive here ye shall A gown of knowledge, wherein you must Receive her here straight. _Wit._ But sayest thou just? [_Conf._] So just I say that, except ye hie ye, Or ye be ready, she will be by ye. _Wit._ Hold! Present unto her this head here, And give me warning when she cometh near. [_Exit_ CONFIDENCE. Instruction! will ye help to devise To trim this gear now in the best wise? _Inst._ Give me that gown, and come with me, all! _Dil._ Oh, how this gear to the purpose doth fall! CONFIDENCE _cometh running in._ [_Conf._] How, master, master! Where be ye now?