For that ’tis wounds them to the quick,
Excites their anger, and doth prick
Them on to vengeance.
False-Seeming’s fears
If they heard
Their condemnation through the word
Of holy Scripture, I’ll engage
’Twould rouse them into furious rage.11460
For mad are they in their despite,
With bitter wrath and venom dight.
And well I ken that should I bring
Before you the most trifling thing,
How close soe’er your court may be,
These men would know it presently.
But among good men none would take
To heart whatever words I spake
As touching them; for if one took
My words in evil part, ’twould look11470
As though his life must mingled be
With Falsehood and Hypocrisy,
Who gave me life and nourriture.
Love.
A fair performance to be sure.
Cried Love, their work was on a level
With that of nurturing the devil.
But howsoe’er that be, straightway
’Tis needful thou before us lay.
Without a lie, where thou dost dwell,
And also thou at full may’st tell
Thy way of life with nimble tongue;
The mischief wrought since thou wert young
Discover, nor thy evil work,
Now thou art with us, seek to shirk.
