1 There, where. One thing he promises, that he will so follow up Mak as never to sleep two nights in the same place until he find him. Then all three, after excited running about, are supposed to come to Mak's door, at which they listen. Within, Mak, as his wife bade him, is singing lullaby, and one shepherd says,

* Will ye hear how they hack? (First-English "haccan," to cut, hash), that is, sing out of tune. Sir Thomas More applied the term to hesitating speech, and we still speak in vulgar Euglish of "hacking and hammering" at words, also of a hacking cough. "Will ye hear how they hack? It pleases our sir to eroon."

Disease, uneasiness, disturbance of ease.

Yode, went. Mak, having admitted the searchers, affects friendly hospitality, and would have them dine before they go. Is sorry to see the state they are in.

Sme men think that you were, and that gives us mistrust First English" treowian," to trust or believe; "forthencan," t misthink, mistru:t, disdain.

13 Forspoken, bewitched.

11 Gar, make.

12 Lagh, laugh.

14 Feft, in right possession; sam in a stede, together in one place. "You are well matched couple to live together."

15 Do them to dede, put them to death. Mak is willing to have his head struck off if he trespasses again, and submits himself to the shepherds. Then the (rede) counsel of the First Shepherd is that they neither (ban ne flyte) curse nor scold, fight nor chide, but have done with the matter (as tyte) as soon as possible, and settle with Mak by tossing him in a blanket, casting him in canvas. This they do till they are tired, and then lie down to rest. Upon their rest breaks the Angel's song.

16 Mene, meditate. First-English "mænan," consider, have in mind. 17 Tene, vex yourself. First-English "tynan," to irritate, vex. 18 The Angel sings "Glory to God in the highest:" afterwards he shall say:

Moralities began to be acted among us in the reign of Henry VI., and, like the Miracle Plays, survived until the reign of Elizabeth. In a Morality some lesson of duty was taught by personified qualities, without artful development of a story. Take for example

HYCKE-SCORNER,

of which the old black-letter copy, printed by Wynkyn de Worde, gave woodcuts of the characters. These were engraved in Thomas Hawkins' "Origin of the English Drama," and are here repeated. First enters Pity, who blesses the audience, tells his name,

PITY,

says that he sprang from the bosom of Christ and lived in the heart of Mary, and on the cross made man's errand to be sped, "or elles man for ever should have been forlorn."

Charity and I of true love leads the double reign,
Whoso me loveth damnéd ne'er shall be.

Of some virtuous company I would be fain,
For all that will to heaven needs must come by me,
Chief porter I am in that heavenly citý.
And now here will I rest me a little space,
Till it please Jesu of his grace

Some virtuous fellowship for to send.

Then enters Contemplation, and describes himself.
His name is written foremost in the Book of Life,
and he is "brother to Holy Church that is our
Lordés wife."

John Baptist, Antony, and Jerome, with many mo,
Followed me here in holt, heath, and in wilderness;
I, ever with them, went where they did go,
Night and day toward the way of rightwiseness;

I am the chief lantern of all holiness;
Of prelatés and priestés, I am their patrón;
No armuré so strong in no distress,

Habergón, helmé, ne yet no jeltron.
To fight with Satan, I am the champión
That dare abide and manfully stand;

Fiends fly awayé where they see me come.

But I will shew you why I came to this land;

For to preach and teach, of Goddés truth saws
Against Vice that doth rébel 'gainst Him and His laws.

Pity.

God speed, good brother! from whence came you now?

Contemplation.

Sir, I came from Perseverance to seek you.

Pity.

Why, sir, know you me ?

Contemplation.

Yea, sir, and have done long; your name is Pity,

Pity.

Your name fain would I know.

Contemplation.

Indeed I am called Contemplatión,

That uses to live solitarily;

In woods and in wilderness I walk alone,
Because I would say my prayers devoutly:
I love not with me to have much company.
But Perseverance oft with me doth meet
When I think on thoughts that is full heavenly.

Pity.

Sir, such as I can I shall shew you:

I have heard many men complain piteously.

They say they be smitten with the sword of poverty,

In every placé where I do go:

Few friends povertý doth find,
And these rich men ben unkind;

For their neighbours they will nought do.

Other tidings of ill times are added, Contemplation is told that there are few or none left-even of the priests who will meddle with him. Contemplation then parts from his friends; he has a great errand elsewhere, and must be gone, but he hopes to come again. Immediately upon the departure of Conemplation, one of the Vices-Freewill-comes upon the scene, with much pretension. Room must be made for him:

What, sirs, I tell you my name is Freewill,

I may choose whether I do good or ill;

But for all that I will do as me list.

My condition ye know not perdé,

I can fight, chide, and be merry;

Full soon of my company ye would be weary An ye knew all.

What, fill the cup and make good cheer,

I trow I have a noble here!

Who lent it me?

And so Freewill proceeds to lively picturing of his dissolute life with Imagination for his comrade, after

IMAGINATION AND FREEWILL.

his misdeeds, and suffered under the lash of a catchpole who had taken also his purse.

By'r leave he left me ne'er a penný:
So, nought have I but a buckle,
And yet I can imagine things subtle
For to get money plenty.

In Westminster Hall every term I am,
To me is kin many a great gentlemán,

I am knowen in every countré.

An I were dead, the lawyer's thrift were lost,
For this will I do if men would do cost,
Prove right wrong, and all by reason;
And make men lose both house and land,
For all that they can do, in a little season.
'Peach men of treason privily I can;
And when me list to hang a true man,
If they will me money tell
Thieves I can help out of prison,
And into lord's favour I can get me soon,
And be of their privý counsél.
But, Freewill, my dear brother,
Saw you nought of Hicke-scorner?
He promised me to come hither.

Freewill.

Why, sir, knowest thou him?

Imagination.

Yea, yea, man; he is full nigh of my kin,

And in Newgate we dwelled together,
For he and I were both shackled in a fetter.

Then follow suggestions of the much hanging of thieves on the 66 great frame" that standeth at