Thanne is it wysdom, as thynketh me,
To maken vertu of necessite,
And take it weel, that read more

Thanne is it wysdom, as thynketh me,
To maken vertu of necessite,
And take it weel, that we may not eschu,
And namely that that to us alle is due.

The art of our necessities is strange, That can make vile things precious.

The art of our necessities is strange, That can make vile things precious.

Make yourself necessary to somebody.

Make yourself necessary to somebody.

Necessity makes even the timid brave.
[Lat., Necessitas etiam timidos fortes facit.]

Necessity makes even the timid brave.
[Lat., Necessitas etiam timidos fortes facit.]

Necessity when threatening is more powerful than device of man.
[Lat., Efficacior omni arte imminens necessitas.]

Necessity when threatening is more powerful than device of man.
[Lat., Efficacior omni arte imminens necessitas.]

So spake the Fiend, and with necessity,
The tyrant's plea, excused his devilish deed.

So spake the Fiend, and with necessity,
The tyrant's plea, excused his devilish deed.

Now we sit close about this taper here
And call in question our necessities.

Now we sit close about this taper here
And call in question our necessities.

No, rather I abjure all roofs, and choose
To wage against the emnity o' th' air,
To read more

No, rather I abjure all roofs, and choose
To wage against the emnity o' th' air,
To be a comrade with the wolf and owl,
Necessity's sharp pinch.

It is necessity and not pleasure that compels us.
[It., Necessita c'induce, e non diletto.]

It is necessity and not pleasure that compels us.
[It., Necessita c'induce, e non diletto.]