THE TRIAL OF TREASURE

EDITION.

A New and Mery Enterlude called the Triall of Treasure, newly set foorth, and neuer before this tyme imprinted.

First,Sturdiness, Contentation, Visitation, Time.The Second,Lust, Sapience, Consolation.The Third, thePreface, Just, Pleasure, Greedy-gut.The Fourth,Elation; Trust, a Woman; andTreasure, a Woman.The Fifth,Inclination, the Vice.

Imprinted at Londǒ in Paules Churcheyarde, at the signe of the Lucrece, by Thomas Purfoote. 1567. 4º. Black letter.

The interlude, presented to the modern reader for the first time in the following pages, was printed from a copy formerly in the possession of Steevens, the eminent Shakspearian critic, before it was noticed that a copy in the British Museum contained several variations and superior readings.[315]These were the more important, settling in some places the distribution of the speeches with greater accuracy than they were arranged in the exemplar we used. Perhaps, indeed, this may in some measure have arisen from the one last mentioned havingbeen what booksellers technically term "cropped," but we have noticed all variations of importance in the notes, and some of them seem incompatible with any supposition, except that there were two different impressions in the same year,[316]or that the Museum copy had been corrected while the work was in the press.

Mr Collier conjectures that the "Trial of Treasure" was written some years before it was printed, but subsequently to the composition of "Lusty Juventus," which is, he says, "mentioned in it." But it appears to me that the allusion to "Lusty Juventus" [p. 263], is merely a generic proverbial title, and has no reference whatever to the old play so called. Mr Collier ("Hist. Dram. Poet." ii., 330), has given a brief analysis of the interlude now reprinted.

December21, 1849.

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Do all things to edify the Congregation.

Diogenes, which used a barrel for his house,Being fled from his father to the city of Athens,Comforted himself much in beholding the mouse,Which desired neither castle nor hold for her defence;Concerning sustentation she made no difference,But ate whatsoever to her did befall,And, touching her apparel, she had least care of all;This poor mouse's property noted Diogenes,Which oftentimes also he would have in sight,And though he were disciple unto Antisthenes,Yet he learned of the mouse as much as he might;In the science of 'sophy he had great delight,But concerning his state and outward condition,The most can declare, if you make inquisition.On a time he chanced accompanied to beWith Alexander, which stood between him and the sun:What requirest thou to have, Diogenes (quod he)?Is there any thing that by me may be done?I pray thee stand aside, and make a little room(Quod Diogenes), that the sun upon me may shine,Nought else require I of that that is thine.He used to say, that as servants be obedientTo their bodily masters, being in subjection,Even so evil men, that are not content,Are subjects and slaves to their lusts and affection;This lesson unto us may be a directionWhich way our inclination to bridle and subdue,Namely, if we labour the same to eschew.Thus see you how little this philosopher esteemedThe abundant possessions of this mundane treasure,Which yet, notwithstanding, at these days is deemedTo be the original and fountain of pleasure;This causeth lust to reign without measure,To the which men are subjects, Diogenes doth say,Yet both lust and treasure in time weareth away.A philosopher is he that wisdom doth love,Which before Pythagoras wise men were named.Now, Diogenes being wise, this doth approveThat some men of this age ought as fools to be blamed.For where the one with treasure-lack his life framed,The other travail, care, and labour with greedinessThe same by all means to enjoy and possess.As lust with the lusts converteth to dust,And leaveth of force his pleasant prosperity,So treasure in time is turned to rust,As St James, in his epistle, showeth the verity;Hereof we purpose to speak without temerity,Therefore our matter is named theTrial of Treasure,Which time doth expel with all mundane pleasure.Both merry and short we purpose to be,And therefore require your pardon and patience;We trust in our matter nothing you shall see,That to the godly may give any offence;Though the style be barbarous, not fined with eloquence,Yet our author desireth your gentle acceptation,And we the players likewise with all humiliation.

Diogenes, which used a barrel for his house,

Being fled from his father to the city of Athens,

Comforted himself much in beholding the mouse,

Which desired neither castle nor hold for her defence;

Concerning sustentation she made no difference,

But ate whatsoever to her did befall,

And, touching her apparel, she had least care of all;

This poor mouse's property noted Diogenes,

Which oftentimes also he would have in sight,

And though he were disciple unto Antisthenes,

Yet he learned of the mouse as much as he might;

In the science of 'sophy he had great delight,

But concerning his state and outward condition,

The most can declare, if you make inquisition.

On a time he chanced accompanied to be

With Alexander, which stood between him and the sun:

What requirest thou to have, Diogenes (quod he)?

Is there any thing that by me may be done?

I pray thee stand aside, and make a little room

(Quod Diogenes), that the sun upon me may shine,

Nought else require I of that that is thine.

He used to say, that as servants be obedient

To their bodily masters, being in subjection,

Even so evil men, that are not content,

Are subjects and slaves to their lusts and affection;

This lesson unto us may be a direction

Which way our inclination to bridle and subdue,

Namely, if we labour the same to eschew.

Thus see you how little this philosopher esteemed

The abundant possessions of this mundane treasure,

Which yet, notwithstanding, at these days is deemed

To be the original and fountain of pleasure;

This causeth lust to reign without measure,

To the which men are subjects, Diogenes doth say,

Yet both lust and treasure in time weareth away.

A philosopher is he that wisdom doth love,

Which before Pythagoras wise men were named.

Now, Diogenes being wise, this doth approve

That some men of this age ought as fools to be blamed.

For where the one with treasure-lack his life framed,

The other travail, care, and labour with greediness

The same by all means to enjoy and possess.

As lust with the lusts converteth to dust,

And leaveth of force his pleasant prosperity,

So treasure in time is turned to rust,

As St James, in his epistle, showeth the verity;

Hereof we purpose to speak without temerity,

Therefore our matter is named theTrial of Treasure,

Which time doth expel with all mundane pleasure.

Both merry and short we purpose to be,

And therefore require your pardon and patience;

We trust in our matter nothing you shall see,

That to the godly may give any offence;

Though the style be barbarous, not fined with eloquence,

Yet our author desireth your gentle acceptation,

And we the players likewise with all humiliation.

EnterLust,like a gallant, singing this song.

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