XXII

In greene vine leaves he was right fitly clad; 190
  For other clothes he could not weare for heat,
  And on his head an yvie girland had,
  From under which fast trickled downe the sweat: 
  Still as he rode, he somewhat still did eat,
  And in his hand did beare a bouzing can, 195
  Of which he supt so oft, that on his seat
  His dronken corse he scarse upholden can,
In shape and life more like a monster, then a man.

XXIII

Unfit he was for any worldly thing,
  And eke unhable once to stirre or go, 200
  Not meet to be of counsell to a king,
  Whose mind in meat and drinke was drowned so,
  That from his friend he seldome knew his fo: 
  Full of diseases was his carcas blew,
  And a dry dropsie[*] through his flesh did flow:  205
  Which by misdiet daily greater grew: 
Such one was Gluttony, the second of that crew.

XXIV

And next to him rode lustfull Lechery,
  Upon a bearded Goat, whose rugged haire,
  And whally eyes (the signe of gelosy), 210
  Was like the person selfe, whom he did beare: 
  Who rough, and blacke, and filthy did appeare,
  Unseemely man to please faire Ladies eye;
  Yet he of Ladies oft was loved deare,
  When fairer faces were bid standen by:  215
O who does know the bent of womens fantasy?

XXV

In a greene gowne he clothed was full faire,
  Which underneath did hide his filthinesse,
  And in his hand a burning hart he bare,
  Full of vaine follies, and new fanglenesse, 220
  For he was false, and fraught with ficklenesse;
  And learned had to love with secret lookes;
  And well could daunce, and sing with ruefulnesse,
  And fortunes tell, and read in loving bookes,
And thousand other wayes, to bait his fleshly hookes. 225

XXVI

Inconstant man, that loved all he saw,
  And lusted after all that he did love;
  Ne would his looser life be tide to law,
  But joyd weak wemens hearts to tempt and prove,
  If from their loyall loves he might them move; 230
  Which lewdnesse fild him with reprochfull paine
  Of that fowle evill, which all men reprove,
  That rots the marrow and consumes the braine: 
Such one was Lecherie, the third of all this traine.

XXVII

And greedy Avarice by him did ride, 235
  Upon a Camell[*] loaden all with gold;
  Two iron coffers hong on either side,
  With precious mettall full as they might hold;
  And in his lap an heape of coine he told;
  For of his wicked pelfe his God he made, 240
  And unto hell him selfe for money sold;
  Accursed usurie was all his trade,
And right and wrong ylike in equall ballaunce waide.