Pastime with Good Company

Pastime with good company

I love and shall unto I die.

Grudge whoso will, but none deny,

So God be pleased, this live will I.

For my pastance

Hunt, sing, and dance.

My heart is set

All godely sport

To my comfort.

Who shall me let?

Youth will have needs daliance,

Of good or ill some pastance.

Company me thinketh then best

All thoftes and fantasies to digest.

For idleness

Is chief mistress

Of vices all.

Than who can say

But “pass the day”

Is best of all?

Company with honesty

Is virtue, and vice to flee.

Company is good or ill

But every man hath his free will.

The best ensue,

The worst eschew,

My mind shall be.

Virtue to use,

Vice to refuse,

I shall use me.