godde's pre ciouse sowle, I am out of my wittes;
He is possessed of some devyll, or of some evill sprites.
He is possessed of some devyll, or of some evill sprites.
Dodsley - Select Collection of Old Plays - v1
let me alone with
for have not
lyttle wit,
But have practised this alreadie, and minde also do
Yet further devise have, think, not amisse. Hearken mee, Ignorance, for the matter this: For the better accomplishing our subtiltie pretended,
were expedient that bothe our names were amended; Ignorance shall Simplicitie, for that comes very nie; And for Perverse Doctrine will be called Sounde
Doctrine,
And nowe that wee are both suche sorte named,
Wee may goe any place and never blamed. See then you remembre your name, sir, Simplicitie,
And mee every worde Sounde doctrine be; Beware tripping, but look minde that you beare
Your fayned name, and what before you weare. But who this that hitherwarde doth walke?
Let stande still heare what wyll talke.
ACTUs scENA
New Custome entreth alone.
New Custome. When cons*
ider the auncient times That have ben these eyght hundred yeeres and more,
before,
-
in .
I
so
-
us
It
aI
to
in all
If to ye
to
I. be
I -
is
of at
to
it. I
in
to
of
I. . I of
in in. I - .
. he . or
. . I
.
II.
be .
to ,
is
. . . to is.
.
to
sc. II. ]
NEW CUSTOME. 275
And those conferre with these our later dayes, My mind do these displease a thousand waies. For sure hee that hath bothe perceaved aright,
Wyll say they differ as darkenes dothe from light. For then playne-dealing beare away the price,
All thinges were ruled by men of good advise,
Conscience prevayled muche, even every where,
No man deceived his neybour, and eke a thing full rare ~.
It was to finde a man you might not trust:
But looke what once they promised, they did that well and just.
If neighbours were at variance they ran not streight to lawe,
Daiesmen 9 tooke up the matter, and cost them not a strawe,
Suche delight they had to kyll debate and strife;
And surely even in those dayes was there more godlier life:
Howbeit men of ages are wonted dispraise
The wickednesse time that florished their daies,
As well hee may discerne who for that but lightly lookes -
every leafe almost their bookes;
For for Christ our maister, what hee thought Jewes,
And after hym apostles, think newes. Perverse Doctrine. Harke, Simplicitie, hee some
preacher, wyll lay my gowne,
He mindeth make sermon within this towne:
Daiesman] i. e. umpires. —— For what art thou
So Spenser:
That makst thyself his daysman, prolong
- The vengeance past 1–Faerie Queen.
dayes-man, says Ray, his Collection North Country
Words, 25. “an arbitrator, umpire judge. For Dr. Hammond observes, his Annotation Heb. 25. 752, the
“word day, languages and idioms, signifies judgment.
“Man’s Day, Cor. iii. 13, the judgement men. So diem dicere
“in Latin
implead. ”
p. is
to1 in all
is
to
th
-
p.
is
of
in is
I a
ofall
of
or S.
of -at
*
9
In as
in an
I
of all
A
to on
it
x.
no
as So
is to
[Act. I.
Hee speaketh honestly yet, but surely if hee rayle at mee,
I may not abide him, by the masse, I promise thee.
New Custome. Paule to the Corinthians plainely doth tell -
That their behaviour pleased him not well.
All our forefathers likewise have ben offended
With diverse faultes at their time, that might have ben amended.
The doctours of the churche, great faulte they dyd
fynde,
In that men lived not after their mynde: First with the rulers as examples of sinne,
Then with the people as continuing therin:
So that of them both this one thing they thought,
That the people was not good, but the rulers were naught.
But in comparison of this time of miserie,
In those daies men lyved in perfecte felicitie.
Saincte Paule prophecied that worse tymes should ensue,
In novissimis venient quidam, saith hee, this is trewe, Folowinge mischiefe, ungodlinesse and evyll,
Leaning wickednesse and doctrine the devyll; And spake hee not these daies, thinke you, praye? The proofe playne that man can denaye:
For this sure, that never any age before, Naughtiness and sinne hath ben practised more,
276 NEW CUSTOME.
As nowe (God amende all) this present daye: Sinne nowe no sinne, faultes no faultes whit,
God, seest thou this, and yet wylt suffer hit?
Surely thy mercie
Are great, that beare.
great, but yet our sinnes feare justice with them thou canst not
thinge rife",
with another manne's wyse:
common, such plenty.
vice, stale jest nowe,
Adulterie
"so rife] i. e.
o
Or halfe
muche, all, respecte saye,
in
at in
in
no
S.
I
AO so
is
no
so is to
to it ofis so lieis
or of a at
so
a
so I
of I
is all all so
sc. II. ]
NEW CUSTOM E.
277
For what is that but daliaunce 2 call
Covetousnesse
they
Good husbandrie, when one man would faine have all.
And eke alike to that is unmerciful extorcion,
A sinne in sight of God, of great abhomination: For pride, that is now a grace; for rounde about .
The humble sprited is termed a foole or a lowte.
Who so will bee so drunken that he scarsly knoweth his waye,
Oh, hee is a good fellowe, so now a daies they saye
Gluttonie is hospitalitie, while they meate and drinke spill, -
Whiche As
relieve diverse whom famine doth kill.
charitable deedes, they gone, God knoweth
old
Some pretende lacke, but the chiefe cause slowth, vice most outragiouse others sure,
Right hatefull Scarse bloud So make they
God, and contrarie nature. punished, but even for very shame,
murther but trifling game.
how manie examples that horrible vice
Do dayly among nowe spring and arise?
But thankes God that such rulers doth sende, Whiche earnestly studie that fault amende;
As the sharpe punishement that wicked crime Wee may see that committed was but late time. God direct their heartes they may alwaies continue Suche just execution sinne ensue;
So shall saved the life
many man,
And God wyll withdrawe his sore plagues from than.
Theft but pollicie, perjurie but face,
Suche now the worlde, farre men from grace. But what shall say religion, and knowledge
Of God, whiche hath ben indifferent eache age Before this? howbeit his faltes then had,
And some poyntes then was culpable and bad. Surely this one thinge may say aright,
God hath rejected away from him quight,
in
I
is is
be
OA by
for all
usI
of
on of
so
of
of a all
to of
it a to
in be
of
to
a
us
be
ofis to
to us
;
be is
278
NEW CUSTOMEs
[ACT 1.
And geven us up whollie unto our owne thought, Utterly to destroy us, and bring us to nought:
For do they not followe the inventions of men 2 Looke on the primitive churche, and tell mee then Whether they served God in this same wise,
J Or whether they followed any other guyse?
For since Godde's feare decayed, and hypocrisie crept 1I],
In hope of some gaines and lucre to win, Crueltie bare a stroke, who with fagot and fier, Braught thinges passe that hee did desier;
Next avarice spilt all, whiche lest should spide,
Hypocrisie ensued the matter hide.
Then brought they their monsters, their masses, their
light,
Their torches noone, darken our sight:
Their Popes and their pardones, their purgatories for
sowles,
Their smoking the church, and flinging cooles.
Ignoraunce. Stay yet whyle, and heare more COmmunication.
cannot, godde's sowle, might have this nation.
Shall suffer knave thus rayle and prate? . Nay, then pray God, the devyll breake my pate.
will revenged, hee depart away,
Ah, surrah, you have made feire speake heere to-day, Do you looke for any rewarde for your deede
were good beate thee till thy head bleede,
Or scourge thee welfavouredlie carte's tayle, To teache suche horeson blaspheme and rayle
Perverse Doctrine.
At suche holie misteries, and matters As thou speakest nowe, and rayledst
New Custome. What meane ye, sir, you speake?
Art you minded mee your anger
hie
latelie.
whom
wreake, knowe
Whiche have not offended, Perverse Doctrine. speak
farre
thee, knave, thou a-rt
madde
trowe; or]
before.
l"
on of an
in
i. e.
a to
I
to
a
of at
-
Iorso
all I itI
as to
to
to
-
at asto a
to
it
?
*.
if I
to at
so 2
* let -
do
It
I
-
to
be
I I
or
to
a
by
*
us of
be
all
NEW CUSTO ME. 279
sc. I. ]
What meanest thou to raile right nowe so contemp tuously
At the chefest secretes of all divinities?
New Custome. Verilie I railed not, so farre as I can tell,
I spake, but advisedly, I knowe very well;
For I wyll stand to whatsoever sayde.
Perverse Doctrine. Wilt thou soe? but will make
the well apaide
To recant thy woordes, holde thee pounde,
Before thou departe hence out this grounde.
New Custome. No, that shall you not do, die therefore.
Perverse Doctrine. Thou shalt see anone, too, prattle more,
But tell mee effect the woordes whiche were sayde.
agayn, New Custome. To recite them -
afrayde:
not that,
every age.
Now, preciouse horeson, thou
New Custome. needeth small profe, the effect doth appere,
Neither this any place for argue here. And for my saying holde the negative, lyeth you upon prove the affirmative;
sayde that the Masse, and suche trumperie
Popery, purgatorie, pardons, were flatt
Against Godde's woorde and primitive constitution, Crept through covetousnesse and superstition,
Of late yeeres, through blindnes, and men know
ledge;
Even suche have ben Perverse Doctrine.
lie;
hast made
How canst thou prove that, tell me and by.
To shewe that such thinges were used
antiquitie,
And then can easely prove you the contrarie.
Perverse Doctrine. Stand'st thou with mee on schole
poyntes? dost thou indeede
Thou hadst best prove mee whether can reede;
well apaide] well content. Psalm lxxxiii. ver, we have And Assur eke well apaid,
With them league be.
am
to
In
so
to
**
It
I in
I2 8.
by
:
as I
in
I
is as
th'
to It no to a
it, io,
in I of
I
is
in
of no
I as
if I
go
of a
I
~In
your procedinges, and matters religion. Perverse Doctrine. By what speakest thou that, let
me here thy judgment?
New Custome. Not any gesse, but by that whiche evident.
280
. NEW CUSTOME.
-
[ACT i.
Thinkest thou I have no logique, in deede thinkest thou soe 7
Yes, prinkockes, that I have ; for fortie yeares agoe
I coulde smatter in a Duns” pretelie; I do not jeste,
Better I am sure then an hundred of you, whosoever is the best.
New Custome. Trulie I beleve you, for in suche fonde bookes
You spent idellie your time and weried your lookes: More better it had ben in bookes of holie scripture, Where as vertue is expressed, and religion pure,
To have passed your youth, as the Bible and suche, Then in these trifles to have dolted so muche;
Not more to have regarded a Duns or a Questionist,
Then you would the woordes of the holie evangelist. Perverse Doctrine. What! for a childe to meddle
with the Bible 7
New Custome. Yeasure, more better then so to be idle. Perverse Doctrine. Is studie then idlenes? that is a
new terme. -
New Custome. harme.
They say better to be idle then to do -
Perverse Doctrine. What harme dothe knowledge? I pray thee, tell mee.
New Custome. Knowledge puffeth up, in Saincte Paule you may see,
Perverse Doctrine. Yee, but what knowledge meaneth hee? tell me that.
New Custome. Even such knowledge as yee professe flat;
For the truthe and the gospell you have in contempt, And followe suche toyes as your selves do invent: Forsaking Godde's lawes, and th’ appostle's institution,
Duns] the theological writings Duns Scotus, who obtained the title Doctor Subtilis. S.
See also Note The Revenger's Tragedy, vol. IV.
i. 25 ofe.
**
in a
all
to
by
-
in
is
of of
sc. II. ]
NEW CUST. O. M. E. 281
As for the scriptures, you have abolished cleane;
New fashions you have constitute in religion; agayne, Abuse of the sacraments then hath ben tofore,
Have you brought, and in nombre have you made them more
Then Christ ever made: wherfore shew your auctoritie, Or els have you done to the churche great injurie.
Th' appostles never taught your transubstantiation
Of bread into fleshe, or any suche fashion;
Howe be it they were conversant every day and howre, And received that sacrament of Christ our saviour.
You feigne also that Peter was bishop of Rome,
And that hee first instituted the seate of your Popedome: But, perverse nation, howe dare you for shame,
Your fansies on Christ, and th appostles to frame? Perverse Doctrine. Marie avaunt, Jackesauce, and
I will conjure thy cote if thou leave not to rave. With my harte, and vengeance, come and
pratling knave,
nought,
see wee shall have heretike
thee, thought.
These things were approved thou wast born, dost thou not see
And shall when thou art hanged, warrant thee.
New Custome. Ere was borne nay sure that not trewe,
For comparison mee they but newe. Perverse Doctrine. Of thee! ha, ha, ha! what
thee? thou art mad.
New Custome. Surely my sorte am both sober and sad.
Perverse Doctrine. Whie, how olde art thou? tell mee, pray thee hartely.
New Custome. Elder than you, perceive.
Perverse Doctrine. What, older than
The younge knave, the masse, not fully thirtie, Would elder than that am above sixties
New Custome. thousande and halfe, that surely my age
Ask and enquire men knowlage.
is
be
I in all be
of: A all
I by
of
I
?
an
2 of
in
a
a
Il
I
I
I
be
or of
is of
be
I
as I
up
282 NEW Custo M. E.
[Act I.
Perverse Doctrine. A thousand yeares?
godde's pre ciouse sowle, I am out of my wittes;
He is possessed of some devyll, or of some evill sprites.
Why thou art a young knave of that sorte, I saye, That brought into this realme but the other daye
learning, heresies,
This new and these - and such other
things moe,
-
With strange guises invented not long agoe “
And I pray thee tell me, is not thy name New Cus tome? - -
New Custome, Trewly so I am called of some,
As of suche as wante both witte and understanding, As you do nowe, I knowe by your talking : " .
But woe be to those that make no distinction
Betweene many thinges of diverse condition; As naught to be good, and hotte to be colde,
And old to be newe, and new to be olde. Wherefore these disceytes you dayly invent,
The people to seduce unto your advertisement,
While with tales you assay, and with lies you begyn The truth to deface, and your credite to wyn.
Perverse Doctrine. What is thy name, then? I pray thee make declaration.
New Custome. In faith, my name is Primitive Con
-
Perverse Doctrine. Who? who 2 Prava Constitutio?
Steevens,
336. Again,
that passage, Edition Shakspeare, 1778, vol. 10,
This play the words was very common. The Humourous Lieutenant, A.
“Shall then that thing that honours thee
stitution.
even so I thought,
- I wist that it was some suche thinge of nought
The original copy reads
“With strange guises invented now long agoe. ”
but the sense seems require the negative, which former editors substituted for now. C.
suche thinge nought. ] Hamlet, “The king thing “nothing. ” See the Notes Dr. Johnson, Dr. Farmer, and Mr.
'"
.
thing soever, yet thing still, “And, tho' thing nothing, thy thing ever. ”
“How miserable
of
a
of
a
.
in
* on
. S. 6.
p.
14
of
a to
on
of
So
is a
of
14.
sc. II. ]
NEW CUSTOME, 283
Like lettuse like lippes; scab'd horse for scald squire.
New Custome. Primitive Constitution heare,
saide,
you
Suche orders the primitive churche heretofore Were used, but not nowe, the more pittie therefore.
Perverse Doctrine. Ah, good time, sir, well might you fare, Primitive Constitution,
That your trewe name, you say, without delution.
Primitive Constitution (quodes stowe) muche my sleeve, -
The devill on him which will such liers beleeve;
For my parte, credite such hearie mowle,
The fowle fende hell fetche mee, bodie and sowle.
New Custome. Trueth can not prevaile where Igno
place.
Ignoraunce. Peace, will lay my beades thie
rance
face.
Hast thou nothing raile but Ignorance,
New Custome. You may use me even pleasure, know;
trowe your
For Perverse Doctrine, that rooted soe fast, That may not changed heavenlie blast,
May not heare the contrarie, but beginneth kicke,
Like jade when hee feleth the spurre for pricke. Perverse Doctrine. Yee saist thou soe, thou mis
creant villaine
little thing would make mee knocke out thy
brayne.
thistle sallet for “signify that things happen
-
my sight, away, packing, trudge, Thou detestable heretike, thou caytife, thou drudge;
Hence out
Like lettuse, like lippes. ] “Similes habent labra lactucas.
ass's mouth. We use when we would
“Dignum patella operculum. Like priest, like people, and the
contrary. These Proverbs are always taken the worst sense. “Tal carne, tal cultello, Ital. Like flesh, like knife. ” Ray's
Proverbs, 1742,
people, which are suitable them, when dull scholar happens stupid ignorant master, froward wife peevish husband, &c.
which they deserve
180.
**-
p.
is
a of
is
beIinofI in
io,
““““* A or or
in
as I all
a: to
to a
as
an
7
or
to a
I
to
a to
at
on as if
a
on
A
a it
is
to to
I ?
at is no
at aha !
if
as
an
in
284 NEW CUSTOME,
If I may take thee, it were as good thou weare deade,
"I
Thoughe I hang therefore, I care not, I,
thy
For even with this portuse
will battre
heade. [Erit.
So I be revenged on a slave ere I die.
Sacrament of God who hath hearde suche a knave 2 Who after hee had done at Ignorance to rave,
Perverse Doctrine (quod hee) is also rooted so fast, That hee may be changed by no heavenly blast.
No, Godde's sowle, I warrant him, I will see him
rotten,
-
Of New Custome and his mates ", meaning to deface Our auncient rightes, and religion, and to place
Before that my doctrine I shall have forgotten: Wherefore it behoveth us some councell to take,
Howe wee the stronger our matters may make, Against the surprise of this newe invasion,
Begunne of late by this strange generation,
[ACT 11.
Their develishe doctrine the Gospell, and soe - Our gaines to debate, and ourselves to undoe.
I thinke it best therefore that our sister Hypocrisie Do understand fully of this matter by and by.
Let us go and seeke her, the case for to shewe, That wee her good councell may spedely knowe.
Ignoraunce. I am readie; in following I will not be
mates. ] Makes
The 4to reads makes. The alteration Mr. Dodsley.
the true reading. Make used for mate throughout the
slowe.
[Exeunt.
* portuse. . ] Sometimes written portas, or portos, i. e. breviary. l)u Cange, in Portiforium. “Portuasses, Mr. Tyrwhitt observes “ (Notes on Chaucer, ver, 13061), are mentioned among other “prohibited books in the Stat. 3 and 4 Edw. VI. c. 10. And, in “the Parliament Roll of 7 Edw. IV. n. 40. there is a petition, that “the robbing of-Porteous—Grayell, Manuell, &c. should be made
“felonie without clergy; to which the King answered, La Roy “s'avisera. ”
The portuse is mentioned in Green's History of Fryer Bacon and Fryer Bungay, vol. VIII. p. 200.
“—— I’le hamper up the match,
“I’le take my portace forth, and wed you here. ”
works Gower. Shakspeare
likewise, am not mistaken,
employs
one his sonnets.
it ofis in
17
. . .
of
S.
is
if I
by
sc. I. ]
NEW CUSTOME. 285
ACTUS II. SCENA I.
LIGHT OF THE GosPELL and New CUsToME enter.
Light of the Gospell. Doubt you nothing at all, for God will so provide,
Who leaveth not his elect to defende and to guide;
That where ever I come suche grace you may finde,
As shall in each poynte content well your minde,
And admit that they call you New Custome, what then 2
Attribute that follie to the ignorance of men,
That followe their fansies, and know not the right.
Well, you knowe where I come once, the light
Of the Gospell, whose beames do glister so cleare,
Then Primitive Constitution in each place you appeare; And as else where you have ben, so do not mistrust But in this place hereafter be receved you must.
New Custome. According to your nature, so do you
very well
To put mee in good hope, bright light of the gospell. And seing you be trewe, I may in no wise
Misdeeme you the father or aucthour of lies:
For if trust to the gospell do purchase perpetuance
Of life unto him who therein hath confidence,
What shall the light doe? whose beames be sobright, That in eache respect thinges else light
Are but very darkenes, and eke terrestriall,
So the light the Gospell overshineth them all. Wherefore with great comforte receive your counsell. With hartie thanks unto you, the light the Gospell.
Light the Gospell. Do so, and faith, then shall
you obtaine
Whatsoever you desire, the scripture saith plaine For quicquid petieritis nomine meo,
It must of trueth needes be understode soe:
That without faith, whatsoever wee fortune crave,
Wee may not looke for our desire have.
Faith moveth mountains, pure faith indeede,
By fayth wee obtaine whatsoever wee neede:
it so
in
all I
it be
to
by of
of
to
:
of
of
286 NEW CuSTOME.
[Act i.
Then faith shall restore to you more thinges then this, Beleve me, Primitive Constitution, whatsoever is amisse. But where be those reprobates, devoyde of grace,
Who lately misused you,
New Custome. They well whether,
you saide, this place? sodenly departed, wote not
-
For left them right now bothe heere together: They cannot farre hence, know very well,
Where they be, there none wee ask, but can tell. Light the Gospell. Do you knowe them agayne,
you meete them aright?
New Custome. Yea, sir, that do, even the first sight.
Light the Gospell. Then let not tarie, but seek them straite.
New Custome. hande am readie you for
wayte.
[Ereunt.
ACTUS II. SCENA II.
HYPocrisi PER ERSE DocTRINE, and No RAUNCE enter.
Hypocrisie. Perverse Doctrine, say, take heede
any sorte
That thou never beleve whatsoever they reporte, Though they the gospell never muche preache,
Every man will not credite whatsoever they teache. They will not say, beleeve, when they not, pro
mise thee:
For that time will never come, Tushe, tushe, thou busied
contrarie;
And that scripture for thy place thou have readie,
To discredite their preachinge
they teache them one thing, then teache thou the
- woordes that supplie, whiche wanteth reason,
thinges applied, somtime, good season,
For
As better eftsones do importe the wayte.
they well ordered good pollicie and slayght.
this world, trust mee.
any case every place.
So
of ill
In If if
I
be
of of
by
II in in in I if
be as
no
be of E,
be
all
At
v is
in soI us
in
do I
do onat Iall Ig
in togoif
in
sc. II. ]
NEW CUSTOME. 287
Howbeit their doctrine be sounde; yet their vices fynd out,
As this is a sloven, or this is a lowte:
Hee speaketh on envie, such a one for neede;
This saith it in woordes, but hee thinketh it not in deede Upon greatter occasion they sticke not to rave,
Saying, this is a whooremaster, villaine, hee an heretike knave,
An extorcioner, a theefe, a traytour, a murtherer,
A covetous person, a common userer.
This hee doth for my mistresse his wyve's sake, by the roode, , , -
The beiter to maintaine and supporte the frenchehoode. Remember also, that it weare a great shame,
For thee for to have forgotten thy owne name.
Perverse Doctrine, of right, must the trueth so perverte, That hee never sinke into any manne's harte,
As farre can, with diligence withstande,
For ever, behoveth thee readie hande,
To strenthen thine owne, partes, and disprove other doctrine,
Whatsoever shall taught that contrarie thine: Still pretende religion, whatsoever you say,
And that shall get thee good credite alway, Pleasing the multitude with suche kinde gear”,
As with them the whiche most enclined they are. Square cappes, longe gownes, with tippettes silke, Brave coopes the churche, surplices white
-- milke,. . . ,
Beades, and suche like, these beare the price;
To these thinges applie thy attendant devise: And other likewise, which well you knowe,
Whiche all great holinesse set forthe ashewe.
Though some them doubtlesse, indifferent, what matter,
They furnishe our businesse never the latter. For these antiquitie, since that they smell,
Our cause must commend right wonderful well:
"gear] The 4to reads, grace. The alteration Mr. Dodsley.
-
bydo- *
. of. . as
of
of
of
.
it as he
-
. is. . . . .
do
. . .
* be do *
-
at
. all
. . .
to be
*
-? .
*into . let . be. it
. of to as
288 - New custom E.
[Act II.
And these be the thinges wherof thou hast neede, The better of thy wyl and purpose to speede. Then geve thy attendance, and so be sure of this,
That I will be readie and never wyll misse
To assist thee still in workinge thy purpose,
To th’ advauncing of thee, and depressing thy foes.
Perverse Doctrine. Gramercie, good sister, even with my hearte,
For this your good councell; and for my parte, Whatsoever this case may bee possibly donne,
shall followe your preceptes natural sonne.
For the matter standes wee looke not well about, That we quite perishe out doubt,
Unlesse some such way wee take out hande, Whereby wee may able our foes withstande. And for this cause my brother Ignorance and Lest should chaunce fall into jeoperdie, Through envie our names any manne's eare: For this intent, say, wee did diligently care,
Our names counterfaite such maner sorte,
That where ever wee goe wee may win good reporte.
Hypocrisie. Of my faith that very well done deede,
God sende thee good wit still thy neede.
And that thy doinges such successe thou maist fynde,
That thinges may chaunce thee after thy minde. My brother, thou have ought else for say,
Speake on, that departe hence away.
Perverse Doctrine. Great thankes for your councel, and yee chaunce go thyther,
You may meete with Ignorance,
Hypocrisie. Farewel shall even anon.
for have not
lyttle wit,
But have practised this alreadie, and minde also do
Yet further devise have, think, not amisse. Hearken mee, Ignorance, for the matter this: For the better accomplishing our subtiltie pretended,
were expedient that bothe our names were amended; Ignorance shall Simplicitie, for that comes very nie; And for Perverse Doctrine will be called Sounde
Doctrine,
And nowe that wee are both suche sorte named,
Wee may goe any place and never blamed. See then you remembre your name, sir, Simplicitie,
And mee every worde Sounde doctrine be; Beware tripping, but look minde that you beare
Your fayned name, and what before you weare. But who this that hitherwarde doth walke?
Let stande still heare what wyll talke.
ACTUs scENA
New Custome entreth alone.
New Custome. When cons*
ider the auncient times That have ben these eyght hundred yeeres and more,
before,
-
in .
I
so
-
us
It
aI
to
in all
If to ye
to
I. be
I -
is
of at
to
it. I
in
to
of
I. . I of
in in. I - .
. he . or
. . I
.
II.
be .
to ,
is
. . . to is.
.
to
sc. II. ]
NEW CUSTOME. 275
And those conferre with these our later dayes, My mind do these displease a thousand waies. For sure hee that hath bothe perceaved aright,
Wyll say they differ as darkenes dothe from light. For then playne-dealing beare away the price,
All thinges were ruled by men of good advise,
Conscience prevayled muche, even every where,
No man deceived his neybour, and eke a thing full rare ~.
It was to finde a man you might not trust:
But looke what once they promised, they did that well and just.
If neighbours were at variance they ran not streight to lawe,
Daiesmen 9 tooke up the matter, and cost them not a strawe,
Suche delight they had to kyll debate and strife;
And surely even in those dayes was there more godlier life:
Howbeit men of ages are wonted dispraise
The wickednesse time that florished their daies,
As well hee may discerne who for that but lightly lookes -
every leafe almost their bookes;
For for Christ our maister, what hee thought Jewes,
And after hym apostles, think newes. Perverse Doctrine. Harke, Simplicitie, hee some
preacher, wyll lay my gowne,
He mindeth make sermon within this towne:
Daiesman] i. e. umpires. —— For what art thou
So Spenser:
That makst thyself his daysman, prolong
- The vengeance past 1–Faerie Queen.
dayes-man, says Ray, his Collection North Country
Words, 25. “an arbitrator, umpire judge. For Dr. Hammond observes, his Annotation Heb. 25. 752, the
“word day, languages and idioms, signifies judgment.
“Man’s Day, Cor. iii. 13, the judgement men. So diem dicere
“in Latin
implead. ”
p. is
to1 in all
is
to
th
-
p.
is
of
in is
I a
ofall
of
or S.
of -at
*
9
In as
in an
I
of all
A
to on
it
x.
no
as So
is to
[Act. I.
Hee speaketh honestly yet, but surely if hee rayle at mee,
I may not abide him, by the masse, I promise thee.
New Custome. Paule to the Corinthians plainely doth tell -
That their behaviour pleased him not well.
All our forefathers likewise have ben offended
With diverse faultes at their time, that might have ben amended.
The doctours of the churche, great faulte they dyd
fynde,
In that men lived not after their mynde: First with the rulers as examples of sinne,
Then with the people as continuing therin:
So that of them both this one thing they thought,
That the people was not good, but the rulers were naught.
But in comparison of this time of miserie,
In those daies men lyved in perfecte felicitie.
Saincte Paule prophecied that worse tymes should ensue,
In novissimis venient quidam, saith hee, this is trewe, Folowinge mischiefe, ungodlinesse and evyll,
Leaning wickednesse and doctrine the devyll; And spake hee not these daies, thinke you, praye? The proofe playne that man can denaye:
For this sure, that never any age before, Naughtiness and sinne hath ben practised more,
276 NEW CUSTOME.
As nowe (God amende all) this present daye: Sinne nowe no sinne, faultes no faultes whit,
God, seest thou this, and yet wylt suffer hit?
Surely thy mercie
Are great, that beare.
great, but yet our sinnes feare justice with them thou canst not
thinge rife",
with another manne's wyse:
common, such plenty.
vice, stale jest nowe,
Adulterie
"so rife] i. e.
o
Or halfe
muche, all, respecte saye,
in
at in
in
no
S.
I
AO so
is
no
so is to
to it ofis so lieis
or of a at
so
a
so I
of I
is all all so
sc. II. ]
NEW CUSTOM E.
277
For what is that but daliaunce 2 call
Covetousnesse
they
Good husbandrie, when one man would faine have all.
And eke alike to that is unmerciful extorcion,
A sinne in sight of God, of great abhomination: For pride, that is now a grace; for rounde about .
The humble sprited is termed a foole or a lowte.
Who so will bee so drunken that he scarsly knoweth his waye,
Oh, hee is a good fellowe, so now a daies they saye
Gluttonie is hospitalitie, while they meate and drinke spill, -
Whiche As
relieve diverse whom famine doth kill.
charitable deedes, they gone, God knoweth
old
Some pretende lacke, but the chiefe cause slowth, vice most outragiouse others sure,
Right hatefull Scarse bloud So make they
God, and contrarie nature. punished, but even for very shame,
murther but trifling game.
how manie examples that horrible vice
Do dayly among nowe spring and arise?
But thankes God that such rulers doth sende, Whiche earnestly studie that fault amende;
As the sharpe punishement that wicked crime Wee may see that committed was but late time. God direct their heartes they may alwaies continue Suche just execution sinne ensue;
So shall saved the life
many man,
And God wyll withdrawe his sore plagues from than.
Theft but pollicie, perjurie but face,
Suche now the worlde, farre men from grace. But what shall say religion, and knowledge
Of God, whiche hath ben indifferent eache age Before this? howbeit his faltes then had,
And some poyntes then was culpable and bad. Surely this one thinge may say aright,
God hath rejected away from him quight,
in
I
is is
be
OA by
for all
usI
of
on of
so
of
of a all
to of
it a to
in be
of
to
a
us
be
ofis to
to us
;
be is
278
NEW CUSTOMEs
[ACT 1.
And geven us up whollie unto our owne thought, Utterly to destroy us, and bring us to nought:
For do they not followe the inventions of men 2 Looke on the primitive churche, and tell mee then Whether they served God in this same wise,
J Or whether they followed any other guyse?
For since Godde's feare decayed, and hypocrisie crept 1I],
In hope of some gaines and lucre to win, Crueltie bare a stroke, who with fagot and fier, Braught thinges passe that hee did desier;
Next avarice spilt all, whiche lest should spide,
Hypocrisie ensued the matter hide.
Then brought they their monsters, their masses, their
light,
Their torches noone, darken our sight:
Their Popes and their pardones, their purgatories for
sowles,
Their smoking the church, and flinging cooles.
Ignoraunce. Stay yet whyle, and heare more COmmunication.
cannot, godde's sowle, might have this nation.
Shall suffer knave thus rayle and prate? . Nay, then pray God, the devyll breake my pate.
will revenged, hee depart away,
Ah, surrah, you have made feire speake heere to-day, Do you looke for any rewarde for your deede
were good beate thee till thy head bleede,
Or scourge thee welfavouredlie carte's tayle, To teache suche horeson blaspheme and rayle
Perverse Doctrine.
At suche holie misteries, and matters As thou speakest nowe, and rayledst
New Custome. What meane ye, sir, you speake?
Art you minded mee your anger
hie
latelie.
whom
wreake, knowe
Whiche have not offended, Perverse Doctrine. speak
farre
thee, knave, thou a-rt
madde
trowe; or]
before.
l"
on of an
in
i. e.
a to
I
to
a
of at
-
Iorso
all I itI
as to
to
to
-
at asto a
to
it
?
*.
if I
to at
so 2
* let -
do
It
I
-
to
be
I I
or
to
a
by
*
us of
be
all
NEW CUSTO ME. 279
sc. I. ]
What meanest thou to raile right nowe so contemp tuously
At the chefest secretes of all divinities?
New Custome. Verilie I railed not, so farre as I can tell,
I spake, but advisedly, I knowe very well;
For I wyll stand to whatsoever sayde.
Perverse Doctrine. Wilt thou soe? but will make
the well apaide
To recant thy woordes, holde thee pounde,
Before thou departe hence out this grounde.
New Custome. No, that shall you not do, die therefore.
Perverse Doctrine. Thou shalt see anone, too, prattle more,
But tell mee effect the woordes whiche were sayde.
agayn, New Custome. To recite them -
afrayde:
not that,
every age.
Now, preciouse horeson, thou
New Custome. needeth small profe, the effect doth appere,
Neither this any place for argue here. And for my saying holde the negative, lyeth you upon prove the affirmative;
sayde that the Masse, and suche trumperie
Popery, purgatorie, pardons, were flatt
Against Godde's woorde and primitive constitution, Crept through covetousnesse and superstition,
Of late yeeres, through blindnes, and men know
ledge;
Even suche have ben Perverse Doctrine.
lie;
hast made
How canst thou prove that, tell me and by.
To shewe that such thinges were used
antiquitie,
And then can easely prove you the contrarie.
Perverse Doctrine. Stand'st thou with mee on schole
poyntes? dost thou indeede
Thou hadst best prove mee whether can reede;
well apaide] well content. Psalm lxxxiii. ver, we have And Assur eke well apaid,
With them league be.
am
to
In
so
to
**
It
I in
I2 8.
by
:
as I
in
I
is as
th'
to It no to a
it, io,
in I of
I
is
in
of no
I as
if I
go
of a
I
~In
your procedinges, and matters religion. Perverse Doctrine. By what speakest thou that, let
me here thy judgment?
New Custome. Not any gesse, but by that whiche evident.
280
. NEW CUSTOME.
-
[ACT i.
Thinkest thou I have no logique, in deede thinkest thou soe 7
Yes, prinkockes, that I have ; for fortie yeares agoe
I coulde smatter in a Duns” pretelie; I do not jeste,
Better I am sure then an hundred of you, whosoever is the best.
New Custome. Trulie I beleve you, for in suche fonde bookes
You spent idellie your time and weried your lookes: More better it had ben in bookes of holie scripture, Where as vertue is expressed, and religion pure,
To have passed your youth, as the Bible and suche, Then in these trifles to have dolted so muche;
Not more to have regarded a Duns or a Questionist,
Then you would the woordes of the holie evangelist. Perverse Doctrine. What! for a childe to meddle
with the Bible 7
New Custome. Yeasure, more better then so to be idle. Perverse Doctrine. Is studie then idlenes? that is a
new terme. -
New Custome. harme.
They say better to be idle then to do -
Perverse Doctrine. What harme dothe knowledge? I pray thee, tell mee.
New Custome. Knowledge puffeth up, in Saincte Paule you may see,
Perverse Doctrine. Yee, but what knowledge meaneth hee? tell me that.
New Custome. Even such knowledge as yee professe flat;
For the truthe and the gospell you have in contempt, And followe suche toyes as your selves do invent: Forsaking Godde's lawes, and th’ appostle's institution,
Duns] the theological writings Duns Scotus, who obtained the title Doctor Subtilis. S.
See also Note The Revenger's Tragedy, vol. IV.
i. 25 ofe.
**
in a
all
to
by
-
in
is
of of
sc. II. ]
NEW CUST. O. M. E. 281
As for the scriptures, you have abolished cleane;
New fashions you have constitute in religion; agayne, Abuse of the sacraments then hath ben tofore,
Have you brought, and in nombre have you made them more
Then Christ ever made: wherfore shew your auctoritie, Or els have you done to the churche great injurie.
Th' appostles never taught your transubstantiation
Of bread into fleshe, or any suche fashion;
Howe be it they were conversant every day and howre, And received that sacrament of Christ our saviour.
You feigne also that Peter was bishop of Rome,
And that hee first instituted the seate of your Popedome: But, perverse nation, howe dare you for shame,
Your fansies on Christ, and th appostles to frame? Perverse Doctrine. Marie avaunt, Jackesauce, and
I will conjure thy cote if thou leave not to rave. With my harte, and vengeance, come and
pratling knave,
nought,
see wee shall have heretike
thee, thought.
These things were approved thou wast born, dost thou not see
And shall when thou art hanged, warrant thee.
New Custome. Ere was borne nay sure that not trewe,
For comparison mee they but newe. Perverse Doctrine. Of thee! ha, ha, ha! what
thee? thou art mad.
New Custome. Surely my sorte am both sober and sad.
Perverse Doctrine. Whie, how olde art thou? tell mee, pray thee hartely.
New Custome. Elder than you, perceive.
Perverse Doctrine. What, older than
The younge knave, the masse, not fully thirtie, Would elder than that am above sixties
New Custome. thousande and halfe, that surely my age
Ask and enquire men knowlage.
is
be
I in all be
of: A all
I by
of
I
?
an
2 of
in
a
a
Il
I
I
I
be
or of
is of
be
I
as I
up
282 NEW Custo M. E.
[Act I.
Perverse Doctrine. A thousand yeares?
godde's pre ciouse sowle, I am out of my wittes;
He is possessed of some devyll, or of some evill sprites.
Why thou art a young knave of that sorte, I saye, That brought into this realme but the other daye
learning, heresies,
This new and these - and such other
things moe,
-
With strange guises invented not long agoe “
And I pray thee tell me, is not thy name New Cus tome? - -
New Custome, Trewly so I am called of some,
As of suche as wante both witte and understanding, As you do nowe, I knowe by your talking : " .
But woe be to those that make no distinction
Betweene many thinges of diverse condition; As naught to be good, and hotte to be colde,
And old to be newe, and new to be olde. Wherefore these disceytes you dayly invent,
The people to seduce unto your advertisement,
While with tales you assay, and with lies you begyn The truth to deface, and your credite to wyn.
Perverse Doctrine. What is thy name, then? I pray thee make declaration.
New Custome. In faith, my name is Primitive Con
-
Perverse Doctrine. Who? who 2 Prava Constitutio?
Steevens,
336. Again,
that passage, Edition Shakspeare, 1778, vol. 10,
This play the words was very common. The Humourous Lieutenant, A.
“Shall then that thing that honours thee
stitution.
even so I thought,
- I wist that it was some suche thinge of nought
The original copy reads
“With strange guises invented now long agoe. ”
but the sense seems require the negative, which former editors substituted for now. C.
suche thinge nought. ] Hamlet, “The king thing “nothing. ” See the Notes Dr. Johnson, Dr. Farmer, and Mr.
'"
.
thing soever, yet thing still, “And, tho' thing nothing, thy thing ever. ”
“How miserable
of
a
of
a
.
in
* on
. S. 6.
p.
14
of
a to
on
of
So
is a
of
14.
sc. II. ]
NEW CUSTOME, 283
Like lettuse like lippes; scab'd horse for scald squire.
New Custome. Primitive Constitution heare,
saide,
you
Suche orders the primitive churche heretofore Were used, but not nowe, the more pittie therefore.
Perverse Doctrine. Ah, good time, sir, well might you fare, Primitive Constitution,
That your trewe name, you say, without delution.
Primitive Constitution (quodes stowe) muche my sleeve, -
The devill on him which will such liers beleeve;
For my parte, credite such hearie mowle,
The fowle fende hell fetche mee, bodie and sowle.
New Custome. Trueth can not prevaile where Igno
place.
Ignoraunce. Peace, will lay my beades thie
rance
face.
Hast thou nothing raile but Ignorance,
New Custome. You may use me even pleasure, know;
trowe your
For Perverse Doctrine, that rooted soe fast, That may not changed heavenlie blast,
May not heare the contrarie, but beginneth kicke,
Like jade when hee feleth the spurre for pricke. Perverse Doctrine. Yee saist thou soe, thou mis
creant villaine
little thing would make mee knocke out thy
brayne.
thistle sallet for “signify that things happen
-
my sight, away, packing, trudge, Thou detestable heretike, thou caytife, thou drudge;
Hence out
Like lettuse, like lippes. ] “Similes habent labra lactucas.
ass's mouth. We use when we would
“Dignum patella operculum. Like priest, like people, and the
contrary. These Proverbs are always taken the worst sense. “Tal carne, tal cultello, Ital. Like flesh, like knife. ” Ray's
Proverbs, 1742,
people, which are suitable them, when dull scholar happens stupid ignorant master, froward wife peevish husband, &c.
which they deserve
180.
**-
p.
is
a of
is
beIinofI in
io,
““““* A or or
in
as I all
a: to
to a
as
an
7
or
to a
I
to
a to
at
on as if
a
on
A
a it
is
to to
I ?
at is no
at aha !
if
as
an
in
284 NEW CUSTOME,
If I may take thee, it were as good thou weare deade,
"I
Thoughe I hang therefore, I care not, I,
thy
For even with this portuse
will battre
heade. [Erit.
So I be revenged on a slave ere I die.
Sacrament of God who hath hearde suche a knave 2 Who after hee had done at Ignorance to rave,
Perverse Doctrine (quod hee) is also rooted so fast, That hee may be changed by no heavenly blast.
No, Godde's sowle, I warrant him, I will see him
rotten,
-
Of New Custome and his mates ", meaning to deface Our auncient rightes, and religion, and to place
Before that my doctrine I shall have forgotten: Wherefore it behoveth us some councell to take,
Howe wee the stronger our matters may make, Against the surprise of this newe invasion,
Begunne of late by this strange generation,
[ACT 11.
Their develishe doctrine the Gospell, and soe - Our gaines to debate, and ourselves to undoe.
I thinke it best therefore that our sister Hypocrisie Do understand fully of this matter by and by.
Let us go and seeke her, the case for to shewe, That wee her good councell may spedely knowe.
Ignoraunce. I am readie; in following I will not be
mates. ] Makes
The 4to reads makes. The alteration Mr. Dodsley.
the true reading. Make used for mate throughout the
slowe.
[Exeunt.
* portuse. . ] Sometimes written portas, or portos, i. e. breviary. l)u Cange, in Portiforium. “Portuasses, Mr. Tyrwhitt observes “ (Notes on Chaucer, ver, 13061), are mentioned among other “prohibited books in the Stat. 3 and 4 Edw. VI. c. 10. And, in “the Parliament Roll of 7 Edw. IV. n. 40. there is a petition, that “the robbing of-Porteous—Grayell, Manuell, &c. should be made
“felonie without clergy; to which the King answered, La Roy “s'avisera. ”
The portuse is mentioned in Green's History of Fryer Bacon and Fryer Bungay, vol. VIII. p. 200.
“—— I’le hamper up the match,
“I’le take my portace forth, and wed you here. ”
works Gower. Shakspeare
likewise, am not mistaken,
employs
one his sonnets.
it ofis in
17
. . .
of
S.
is
if I
by
sc. I. ]
NEW CUSTOME. 285
ACTUS II. SCENA I.
LIGHT OF THE GosPELL and New CUsToME enter.
Light of the Gospell. Doubt you nothing at all, for God will so provide,
Who leaveth not his elect to defende and to guide;
That where ever I come suche grace you may finde,
As shall in each poynte content well your minde,
And admit that they call you New Custome, what then 2
Attribute that follie to the ignorance of men,
That followe their fansies, and know not the right.
Well, you knowe where I come once, the light
Of the Gospell, whose beames do glister so cleare,
Then Primitive Constitution in each place you appeare; And as else where you have ben, so do not mistrust But in this place hereafter be receved you must.
New Custome. According to your nature, so do you
very well
To put mee in good hope, bright light of the gospell. And seing you be trewe, I may in no wise
Misdeeme you the father or aucthour of lies:
For if trust to the gospell do purchase perpetuance
Of life unto him who therein hath confidence,
What shall the light doe? whose beames be sobright, That in eache respect thinges else light
Are but very darkenes, and eke terrestriall,
So the light the Gospell overshineth them all. Wherefore with great comforte receive your counsell. With hartie thanks unto you, the light the Gospell.
Light the Gospell. Do so, and faith, then shall
you obtaine
Whatsoever you desire, the scripture saith plaine For quicquid petieritis nomine meo,
It must of trueth needes be understode soe:
That without faith, whatsoever wee fortune crave,
Wee may not looke for our desire have.
Faith moveth mountains, pure faith indeede,
By fayth wee obtaine whatsoever wee neede:
it so
in
all I
it be
to
by of
of
to
:
of
of
286 NEW CuSTOME.
[Act i.
Then faith shall restore to you more thinges then this, Beleve me, Primitive Constitution, whatsoever is amisse. But where be those reprobates, devoyde of grace,
Who lately misused you,
New Custome. They well whether,
you saide, this place? sodenly departed, wote not
-
For left them right now bothe heere together: They cannot farre hence, know very well,
Where they be, there none wee ask, but can tell. Light the Gospell. Do you knowe them agayne,
you meete them aright?
New Custome. Yea, sir, that do, even the first sight.
Light the Gospell. Then let not tarie, but seek them straite.
New Custome. hande am readie you for
wayte.
[Ereunt.
ACTUS II. SCENA II.
HYPocrisi PER ERSE DocTRINE, and No RAUNCE enter.
Hypocrisie. Perverse Doctrine, say, take heede
any sorte
That thou never beleve whatsoever they reporte, Though they the gospell never muche preache,
Every man will not credite whatsoever they teache. They will not say, beleeve, when they not, pro
mise thee:
For that time will never come, Tushe, tushe, thou busied
contrarie;
And that scripture for thy place thou have readie,
To discredite their preachinge
they teache them one thing, then teache thou the
- woordes that supplie, whiche wanteth reason,
thinges applied, somtime, good season,
For
As better eftsones do importe the wayte.
they well ordered good pollicie and slayght.
this world, trust mee.
any case every place.
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sc. II. ]
NEW CUSTOME. 287
Howbeit their doctrine be sounde; yet their vices fynd out,
As this is a sloven, or this is a lowte:
Hee speaketh on envie, such a one for neede;
This saith it in woordes, but hee thinketh it not in deede Upon greatter occasion they sticke not to rave,
Saying, this is a whooremaster, villaine, hee an heretike knave,
An extorcioner, a theefe, a traytour, a murtherer,
A covetous person, a common userer.
This hee doth for my mistresse his wyve's sake, by the roode, , , -
The beiter to maintaine and supporte the frenchehoode. Remember also, that it weare a great shame,
For thee for to have forgotten thy owne name.
Perverse Doctrine, of right, must the trueth so perverte, That hee never sinke into any manne's harte,
As farre can, with diligence withstande,
For ever, behoveth thee readie hande,
To strenthen thine owne, partes, and disprove other doctrine,
Whatsoever shall taught that contrarie thine: Still pretende religion, whatsoever you say,
And that shall get thee good credite alway, Pleasing the multitude with suche kinde gear”,
As with them the whiche most enclined they are. Square cappes, longe gownes, with tippettes silke, Brave coopes the churche, surplices white
-- milke,. . . ,
Beades, and suche like, these beare the price;
To these thinges applie thy attendant devise: And other likewise, which well you knowe,
Whiche all great holinesse set forthe ashewe.
Though some them doubtlesse, indifferent, what matter,
They furnishe our businesse never the latter. For these antiquitie, since that they smell,
Our cause must commend right wonderful well:
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288 - New custom E.
[Act II.
And these be the thinges wherof thou hast neede, The better of thy wyl and purpose to speede. Then geve thy attendance, and so be sure of this,
That I will be readie and never wyll misse
To assist thee still in workinge thy purpose,
To th’ advauncing of thee, and depressing thy foes.
Perverse Doctrine. Gramercie, good sister, even with my hearte,
For this your good councell; and for my parte, Whatsoever this case may bee possibly donne,
shall followe your preceptes natural sonne.
For the matter standes wee looke not well about, That we quite perishe out doubt,
Unlesse some such way wee take out hande, Whereby wee may able our foes withstande. And for this cause my brother Ignorance and Lest should chaunce fall into jeoperdie, Through envie our names any manne's eare: For this intent, say, wee did diligently care,
Our names counterfaite such maner sorte,
That where ever wee goe wee may win good reporte.
Hypocrisie. Of my faith that very well done deede,
God sende thee good wit still thy neede.
And that thy doinges such successe thou maist fynde,
That thinges may chaunce thee after thy minde. My brother, thou have ought else for say,
Speake on, that departe hence away.
Perverse Doctrine. Great thankes for your councel, and yee chaunce go thyther,
You may meete with Ignorance,
Hypocrisie. Farewel shall even anon.
