Adul.Do but whistle for me, and I come forth withal.Avar.That is well spoken; I love such a toward twig.
Adul.Do but whistle for me, and I come forth withal.
Avar.That is well spoken; I love such a toward twig.
[He whistleth.
Adul.I come, founder!Avar.That is mine own good spaniel, Rig—And come on! back again, all three! come back again!Insol.Our founder calleth us back.Oppr.Return then, amain.
Adul.I come, founder!
Avar.That is mine own good spaniel, Rig—And come on! back again, all three! come back again!
Insol.Our founder calleth us back.
Oppr.Return then, amain.
Avarice. Adulation. Insolence. Oppression.
Avar.Come on, sirs, all three! And first to you, best be trust:What, is your brainpan stuffed withal? wool or sawdust?Adul.Why so?Avar.What is your name?Adul.Flattery!Avar.E'en so, just!Adul.Yea! or else Adulation, if you so lust:Either name is well known to many a body.Avar.An honest mome! ah, ye dolt! ye lout! ye noddy!Shall Respublica hear your commendationBy the name of Flattery or Adulation?Or, when ye commend me to her, will ye say this:Forsooth! his name is Avarice or Covetise?And you, that should have wit, is't your discretionBluntly to go forth, and be called Oppression?And you, Insolence! do ye think it would well frameIf ye were presented to her under that name?Insol.I thought nothing thereupon, by my halidom!Oppr.My mind was another way, by my christendom!Adul.That thing was le[a]st part of my thought, by Saint Denis!Avar.No marry! your minds were all on your halfpenny.But, my masters! I must on mine honesty pass,And not run on 'head, like a brute beast or an ass.For is not Oppression eachwhere sore hated?And is not Flattery openly rebated?And am not I, Avarice, still cried out upon?Adul.Yes! I could have told you that, a great while agone;But I would not displease you.Avar.And you, Insolence!I have heard you ill-spoken of a great way hence.Adul.In my conscience! the devil himself doth love you.Avar.But changing your ill-name, fewer shall reprove you—As I, mine ownself, where my name is knownAm right sore assailed, to be overthrown.But doing, as I will now, counterfeit my name,I speed all my purposes, and yet escape blame.Insol.Let us then have new names, each man, without delay.Avar.Else will some of you make hanging stuff one day.Oppr.Thou must new christen us.Insol.First, what shall my name be?Avar.Faith, sir! your name shall be Mounsire Authority.Oppr.And, for me, what is your determination?Avar.Marry, sir! ye shall be called Reformation.Adul.Now, I pray you, devise for me an honest name.Avar.Thou art such a beast, I cannot, for very shame!Adul.If ye think good, let me be called Policy.Avar.Policy—a rope ye shall! nay, Hypocrisy!Adul.Fie! that were as slanderous a name a[s] Flattery.Avar.And I keep for myself the name of Policy.But, if I devise for thee, wilt thou not shame me?Adul.Nay! I will make thee proud of me; or, else, blame me!Avar.Well, then, for this time, thy name shall be Honesty.Adul.I thank you, Avarice! Honesty, Honesty!Avar.Avarice, ye whoreson! Policy, I tell thee!Adul.I thank you, Policy! Honesty, Honesty!How say you, Insolence? I am now Honesty.Avar.We shall at length have a knave of you, Honesty!Said not I, he should be called Mounseer Authority?Adul.Oh, friend Oppression! Honesty, Honesty!Avar.Oppression? ha! is the devil in thy brain?Take heed! or, in faith! ye are Flattery again.Policy! Reformation! Authority!Adul.Hypocrisy! Defamation! and Authority!Avar.Hypocrisy? ha! Hypocrisy? ye dull ass!Adul.Thou named'st Hypocrisy even now, by the Mass!Avar.Policy, I said; Policy! knave Policy!Now say as I said.Adul.Policy, knave! Policy!Avar.And what callest thou him here?Adul.Defamation!Avar.I told thee he should be called Reformation.Adul.Very well!Avar.What is he now?Adul.Deformation!
Avar.Come on, sirs, all three! And first to you, best be trust:What, is your brainpan stuffed withal? wool or sawdust?
Adul.Why so?
Avar.What is your name?
Adul.Flattery!
Avar.E'en so, just!
Adul.Yea! or else Adulation, if you so lust:Either name is well known to many a body.
Avar.An honest mome! ah, ye dolt! ye lout! ye noddy!Shall Respublica hear your commendationBy the name of Flattery or Adulation?Or, when ye commend me to her, will ye say this:Forsooth! his name is Avarice or Covetise?And you, that should have wit, is't your discretionBluntly to go forth, and be called Oppression?And you, Insolence! do ye think it would well frameIf ye were presented to her under that name?
Insol.I thought nothing thereupon, by my halidom!
Oppr.My mind was another way, by my christendom!
Adul.That thing was le[a]st part of my thought, by Saint Denis!
Avar.No marry! your minds were all on your halfpenny.But, my masters! I must on mine honesty pass,And not run on 'head, like a brute beast or an ass.For is not Oppression eachwhere sore hated?And is not Flattery openly rebated?And am not I, Avarice, still cried out upon?
Adul.Yes! I could have told you that, a great while agone;But I would not displease you.
Avar.And you, Insolence!I have heard you ill-spoken of a great way hence.
Adul.In my conscience! the devil himself doth love you.
Avar.But changing your ill-name, fewer shall reprove you—As I, mine ownself, where my name is knownAm right sore assailed, to be overthrown.But doing, as I will now, counterfeit my name,I speed all my purposes, and yet escape blame.
Insol.Let us then have new names, each man, without delay.
Avar.Else will some of you make hanging stuff one day.
Oppr.Thou must new christen us.
Insol.First, what shall my name be?
Avar.Faith, sir! your name shall be Mounsire Authority.
Oppr.And, for me, what is your determination?
Avar.Marry, sir! ye shall be called Reformation.
Adul.Now, I pray you, devise for me an honest name.
Avar.Thou art such a beast, I cannot, for very shame!
Adul.If ye think good, let me be called Policy.
Avar.Policy—a rope ye shall! nay, Hypocrisy!
Adul.Fie! that were as slanderous a name a[s] Flattery.
Avar.And I keep for myself the name of Policy.But, if I devise for thee, wilt thou not shame me?
Adul.Nay! I will make thee proud of me; or, else, blame me!
Avar.Well, then, for this time, thy name shall be Honesty.
Adul.I thank you, Avarice! Honesty, Honesty!
Avar.Avarice, ye whoreson! Policy, I tell thee!
Adul.I thank you, Policy! Honesty, Honesty!How say you, Insolence? I am now Honesty.
Avar.We shall at length have a knave of you, Honesty!Said not I, he should be called Mounseer Authority?
Adul.Oh, friend Oppression! Honesty, Honesty!
Avar.Oppression? ha! is the devil in thy brain?Take heed! or, in faith! ye are Flattery again.Policy! Reformation! Authority!
Adul.Hypocrisy! Defamation! and Authority!
Avar.Hypocrisy? ha! Hypocrisy? ye dull ass!
Adul.Thou named'st Hypocrisy even now, by the Mass!
Avar.Policy, I said; Policy! knave Policy!Now say as I said.
Adul.Policy, knave! Policy!
Avar.And what callest thou him here?
Adul.Defamation!
Avar.I told thee he should be called Reformation.
Adul.Very well!
Avar.What is he now?
Adul.Deformation!
[A line is probably lost.
Avar.Was ever the like ass born, in all nations?Adul.A pestle on him, he comes of the Asians.Avar.Come on! ye shall learn to solfe Reformation!Sing on now:Re.Adul.Re.Avar.Refor.Adul.Reformation.Avar.Policy, Reformation, Authority!Adul.Policy, Reformation, and Honesty!Avar.In faith, ye ass! if your tongue make any mo trips,Ye shall both be Flattery and have on the lips.And now, Mounsire Authority! against, I you call;Ye must have other garments; and so must ye all—Ye must, for the season, counterfeit gravity.Insol. and Oppr.Yes! what else?Adul.And I must counterfeit honesty.Avar.And I must turn my gown in and out, I ween;For these gaping purses may in no wise be seen.I will turn it e'en here—come help me, Honesty!Adul.Here, at hand!Avar.Why, how now? play the knave, Honesty!Help! what doest thou now?Adul.I counterfeit Honesty.Avar.Why, then, come thou! help me, my friend Oppression!What help call you that?Oppr.Fit for your discretion!Avar.Oh, I should have said: help, sir Reformation!Oppr.Yea, marry, sir! that is my nomination.Avar.And when you are [in] your robe, keep it afore close.Oppr.I pray you, Master Policy! for what purpose?Avar.All folk will take you, if they peep under your gown,For the veriest caitiff in country or town.Now, go! and when I call, see that ye ready be!Insol.I will.Oppr.And I will.Adul.And so will I, Honesty!
Avar.Was ever the like ass born, in all nations?
Adul.A pestle on him, he comes of the Asians.
Avar.Come on! ye shall learn to solfe Reformation!Sing on now:Re.
Adul.Re.
Avar.Refor.
Adul.Reformation.
Avar.Policy, Reformation, Authority!
Adul.Policy, Reformation, and Honesty!
Avar.In faith, ye ass! if your tongue make any mo trips,Ye shall both be Flattery and have on the lips.And now, Mounsire Authority! against, I you call;Ye must have other garments; and so must ye all—Ye must, for the season, counterfeit gravity.
Insol. and Oppr.Yes! what else?
Adul.And I must counterfeit honesty.
Avar.And I must turn my gown in and out, I ween;For these gaping purses may in no wise be seen.I will turn it e'en here—come help me, Honesty!
Adul.Here, at hand!
Avar.Why, how now? play the knave, Honesty!Help! what doest thou now?
Adul.I counterfeit Honesty.
Avar.Why, then, come thou! help me, my friend Oppression!What help call you that?
Oppr.Fit for your discretion!
Avar.Oh, I should have said: help, sir Reformation!
Oppr.Yea, marry, sir! that is my nomination.
Avar.And when you are [in] your robe, keep it afore close.
Oppr.I pray you, Master Policy! for what purpose?
Avar.All folk will take you, if they peep under your gown,For the veriest caitiff in country or town.Now, go! and when I call, see that ye ready be!
Insol.I will.
Oppr.And I will.
Adul.And so will I, Honesty!
[Exeant.
Avar.Well, now will I depart hence, also, for a space;And, to bourd Respublica, wait a time of grace.Wherever I find her a time convenient,I shall say and do that may be expedient!
Avar.Well, now will I depart hence, also, for a space;And, to bourd Respublica, wait a time of grace.Wherever I find her a time convenient,I shall say and do that may be expedient!
[ExeatAvarice.
[Respublica.]
Resp.Lord! what earthly thing is permanent or stable?Or, what is all this world but a lump mutable?Who would have thought that I, from so florent estate,Could have been brought so base as I am made of late?But, as the waving seas do flow and ebb by course,So all things else do change to better and to worse.Great cities and their fame, in time, do fade and pass;Now is a champion field where noble Troy was.Where is the great Empire of the Medes and Persians?Where be th' old conquests of the puissant Grecians?Where Babylon? where Athens? where Corinth so wide?Are they not consumed with all their pomp and pride?What is the cause hereof? man's wit cannot discuss;But, of long continuance, the thing is found thus.Yet, by all experience, thus much is well seen:That, in commonweals, while good governors have been,All thing hath prospered; and, where such men do lack,Commonweals decay, and all things do go back.What marvel then, if I, wanting a perfect stay,From most flourishing wealth be fallen in decay?But, like as by default, quick ruin doth befall,So may good government at once recover all.
Resp.Lord! what earthly thing is permanent or stable?Or, what is all this world but a lump mutable?Who would have thought that I, from so florent estate,Could have been brought so base as I am made of late?But, as the waving seas do flow and ebb by course,So all things else do change to better and to worse.Great cities and their fame, in time, do fade and pass;Now is a champion field where noble Troy was.Where is the great Empire of the Medes and Persians?Where be th' old conquests of the puissant Grecians?Where Babylon? where Athens? where Corinth so wide?Are they not consumed with all their pomp and pride?What is the cause hereof? man's wit cannot discuss;But, of long continuance, the thing is found thus.Yet, by all experience, thus much is well seen:That, in commonweals, while good governors have been,All thing hath prospered; and, where such men do lack,Commonweals decay, and all things do go back.What marvel then, if I, wanting a perfect stay,From most flourishing wealth be fallen in decay?But, like as by default, quick ruin doth befall,So may good government at once recover all.
[IntratAvar[ice]cogitabundus et ludibundus.
Avaricia. Respublica.
Avar.Alas, my sweet bags! how lank and empty ye be;But, in faith and troth, sirs! the fault is not in me.Resp.Well, my help and comfort, oh Lord! must come from Thee.Avar.And my sweet purses here, I pray you all, see, see!How the little fool[s] gasp and gape for gromwell-seed!Resp.If it be Thy will, Lord! send some redress with speed.Avar.But, in faith, good sweet fools! it shall cost me a fall.But I will shortly fill you, and stop your mouths all.Resp.Oh, that it were my hap, on friendly friends to light!Avar.Ha, ha! who is that same, that speaketh yonder in sight?Who is't? Respublica? yea, by the Mary mass!Resp.Then might I be again as well as ere I was.Avar.Hide up these pipes! now, I pray God she be blind;I am half afraid lest she have an eye behind.We must now change our copy: oh, Lord! how I fray,Lest she saw my toys, and heard what I did say!Resp.Is there no good man that on me will have mercy?Avar.Remember now: my name is Master Policy:All thing, I tell you, must now go by Policy.Resp.Hark! methink I hear the name of Policy.Avar.Who calleth Conscience? here am I, Policy!Resp.I pray you come to me, if you be Policy!Avar.Yea, forsooth! yea, forsooth! my name is Policy.Resp.I am sore decayed through default of Policy.Avar.Yea, most noble Respublica! I know that well;And do more lament it than any tongue can tell.For, an if good Policy had had you in hand,Ye had now been the wealthiest in any land:But good Policy hath long been put to exile.Resp.Yea, God wot! ye have been barred from me a great while.Avar.Yea! I have been put back, as one clean off-shaken;And, what can a man do till he be forth taken?Resp.Well, I feel the lack of your helping hand, by the rood!Avar.Alack, noble lady! I would I could do you good.Resp.Yes, Policy! ye might amend all, if you lust.Avar.Yea, faith! I durst put myself to you of trust.But, there be enough that, for you, could shift make.Resp.Yet, none like to you! if you would it undertake—And I will put myself wholly into your hands:Metal, grain, cattle, treasure, goods and lands—Avar.Well! I will take some pain; but this to you be known:I will do it, not for your sake, and not for mine own.Resp.How say ye that, Policy?Avar.This to you be known:I will do all for your sake, and not for mine own.Resp.I thank you, Policy!Avar.Nay, I thank you, lady!And I trust ere long to ease all our malady—Well, ye put yourself now wholly into my hands?Resp.Order me as you will.Avar.Treasure, goods, and lands?Resp.Yea, every whit!Avar.Well! I thank you once again.But, now that you may think my dealing true and plain,And, because one cannot do so well as many,Ye must associate me with mo company:And first, by my will, ye shall set up Honesty.Resp.Marry! with all my very heart—but where is he?Avar.Very hard to find: but I think I could fet him.Resp.Call him straightways hither! see that nothing let him!Avar.It were best if I shall go fet men for the nonce;To make but one viage, and bring them all at once.Resp.Whom more than him?Avar.Ye must stablish Authority.Resp.That must needs be done.Avar.And eke Reformation—We four will rule things of another fashion.Resp.Policy! I pray you go fet all these straightway.Avar.Yes! for this your present case may bide no delay.I will go and come with all festination.[Exeat.Resp.I like well this trade of Administration:Policy for to devise for my commodity;No person to be advanced but Honesty;Then Reformation, good wholesome laws to make;And Authority see the same effect may take;What commonweal shall then be so happy as I?For this, (I perceive), is the drift of Policy.
Avar.Alas, my sweet bags! how lank and empty ye be;But, in faith and troth, sirs! the fault is not in me.
Resp.Well, my help and comfort, oh Lord! must come from Thee.
Avar.And my sweet purses here, I pray you all, see, see!How the little fool[s] gasp and gape for gromwell-seed!
Resp.If it be Thy will, Lord! send some redress with speed.
Avar.But, in faith, good sweet fools! it shall cost me a fall.But I will shortly fill you, and stop your mouths all.
Resp.Oh, that it were my hap, on friendly friends to light!
Avar.Ha, ha! who is that same, that speaketh yonder in sight?Who is't? Respublica? yea, by the Mary mass!
Resp.Then might I be again as well as ere I was.
Avar.Hide up these pipes! now, I pray God she be blind;I am half afraid lest she have an eye behind.We must now change our copy: oh, Lord! how I fray,Lest she saw my toys, and heard what I did say!
Resp.Is there no good man that on me will have mercy?
Avar.Remember now: my name is Master Policy:All thing, I tell you, must now go by Policy.
Resp.Hark! methink I hear the name of Policy.
Avar.Who calleth Conscience? here am I, Policy!
Resp.I pray you come to me, if you be Policy!
Avar.Yea, forsooth! yea, forsooth! my name is Policy.
Resp.I am sore decayed through default of Policy.
Avar.Yea, most noble Respublica! I know that well;And do more lament it than any tongue can tell.For, an if good Policy had had you in hand,Ye had now been the wealthiest in any land:But good Policy hath long been put to exile.
Resp.Yea, God wot! ye have been barred from me a great while.
Avar.Yea! I have been put back, as one clean off-shaken;And, what can a man do till he be forth taken?
Resp.Well, I feel the lack of your helping hand, by the rood!
Avar.Alack, noble lady! I would I could do you good.
Resp.Yes, Policy! ye might amend all, if you lust.
Avar.Yea, faith! I durst put myself to you of trust.But, there be enough that, for you, could shift make.
Resp.Yet, none like to you! if you would it undertake—And I will put myself wholly into your hands:Metal, grain, cattle, treasure, goods and lands—
Avar.Well! I will take some pain; but this to you be known:I will do it, not for your sake, and not for mine own.
Resp.How say ye that, Policy?
Avar.This to you be known:I will do all for your sake, and not for mine own.
Resp.I thank you, Policy!
Avar.Nay, I thank you, lady!And I trust ere long to ease all our malady—Well, ye put yourself now wholly into my hands?
Resp.Order me as you will.
Avar.Treasure, goods, and lands?
Resp.Yea, every whit!
Avar.Well! I thank you once again.But, now that you may think my dealing true and plain,And, because one cannot do so well as many,Ye must associate me with mo company:And first, by my will, ye shall set up Honesty.
Resp.Marry! with all my very heart—but where is he?
Avar.Very hard to find: but I think I could fet him.
Resp.Call him straightways hither! see that nothing let him!
Avar.It were best if I shall go fet men for the nonce;To make but one viage, and bring them all at once.
Resp.Whom more than him?
Avar.Ye must stablish Authority.
Resp.That must needs be done.
Avar.And eke Reformation—We four will rule things of another fashion.
Resp.Policy! I pray you go fet all these straightway.
Avar.Yes! for this your present case may bide no delay.I will go and come with all festination.[Exeat.
Resp.I like well this trade of Administration:Policy for to devise for my commodity;No person to be advanced but Honesty;Then Reformation, good wholesome laws to make;And Authority see the same effect may take;What commonweal shall then be so happy as I?For this, (I perceive), is the drift of Policy.
[IntratAvarice,adducensInsolence,Oppression,andAdulation.
And, behold! where he is returned again since:He showeth himself a man of [much] diligence.
And, behold! where he is returned again since:He showeth himself a man of [much] diligence.
Adulation. Avarice. Respublica. Insolence. Oppression.
Adul.I will do her double service to another!Avar.Ye double knave, you! will ye never be other?Adul.She shall have triple service of me, Honesty.Avar.Ye quadrible knave! wi[ll] ye ne'er use modesty?Thou drunken whoreson! dost thou not see nor perceiveWhere Respublica stands, ready us to receive?Resp.What talk have they yonder, among themselves together?Adul.I have spied her now, shall I first to her thither?Avar.Soft! let me present you.Resp.I ween they be in fear—Policy, approach! and bring my good friends near.Avar.Come on, my dear friends! and execute with good willSuch office as each of you shall be put until.Dame Respublica it is that for you hath sent.Come on, friends! I will you unto her grace present.Insol. [and] Oppr.To serve her, we are pressed with heart and whole intent.Avar.Madame! I have brought you these men for whom I went.Resp.Policy! I thank you; ye have made speedy speed;Therefore, ye be double welcome, and welcome friends, indeed!Avar.Madame! your grace to serve we all are fully bent.Adul.And, Madame! ye shall find me double diligent.Resp.That is spoken of a good heart: but who be ye?Adul.Forsooth, Madame! my name is Master Honesty.Resp.Honesty? well said!Avar.Madame! this is Honesty.Adul.Yea, forsooth! and please your grace, I am Honesty.Avar.Madame, he is for you: on my word, regard him!Resp.Yes, and with large preferment I will reward him.Adul.I thank your grace; and, I will, for you, take such painThat, ere I deserve one, ye shall give me twain.Avar.Honesty! your tongue trippeth!Resp.How said ye? take such pain—Adul.That ere ye give me one, I will deserve twain—By your licence, Madame! to take away this mote.Avar.Nay! Honesty will not see a wem on your coat.Now unto you I commend Reformation.Resp.Of him is no small need now, in this nation.Oppr.Well, now that ye bid me abuses to redress,I doubt not all enormities so to repress,As shall redound to your wealth and honour at length.Resp.Thereto shall authority aid you with his strength.Avar.Yea! for Authority to govern is most fit.Insol.If ye, Dame Respublica! do me so admit,I doubt not to hamper the proudest of them all.Resp.And among you, destroy Avarice!Adul.Hem!Insol. and Oppr.We shall!Resp.Vanquish Oppression and Adulation!For those three have nigh wrought my desolation.Avar.Hem, sirs! hem! there, keep your gowns close afore, I say!Have ye forgotten now what I told you one day?There is another, too, that would be chased hence.Resp.Who is that?Avar.Lucifer's son, called Insolence.Resp.Ye say truth, and many naughty ones mo than he.Insol. and Oppr.If ye dare trust us!Insol.All!Oppr.All shall reformed be!Resp.I thank you; and, I trust you for my maintenance,To be administere[d] for your good governance.Insol.Then, without fear or care, ye may yourself repose.Oppr.And let us alone with all such matters as those.Resp.Then, I leave you here, on our affairs to consult.
Adul.I will do her double service to another!
Avar.Ye double knave, you! will ye never be other?
Adul.She shall have triple service of me, Honesty.
Avar.Ye quadrible knave! wi[ll] ye ne'er use modesty?Thou drunken whoreson! dost thou not see nor perceiveWhere Respublica stands, ready us to receive?
Resp.What talk have they yonder, among themselves together?
Adul.I have spied her now, shall I first to her thither?
Avar.Soft! let me present you.
Resp.I ween they be in fear—Policy, approach! and bring my good friends near.
Avar.Come on, my dear friends! and execute with good willSuch office as each of you shall be put until.Dame Respublica it is that for you hath sent.Come on, friends! I will you unto her grace present.
Insol. [and] Oppr.To serve her, we are pressed with heart and whole intent.
Avar.Madame! I have brought you these men for whom I went.
Resp.Policy! I thank you; ye have made speedy speed;Therefore, ye be double welcome, and welcome friends, indeed!
Avar.Madame! your grace to serve we all are fully bent.
Adul.And, Madame! ye shall find me double diligent.
Resp.That is spoken of a good heart: but who be ye?
Adul.Forsooth, Madame! my name is Master Honesty.
Resp.Honesty? well said!
Avar.Madame! this is Honesty.
Adul.Yea, forsooth! and please your grace, I am Honesty.
Avar.Madame, he is for you: on my word, regard him!
Resp.Yes, and with large preferment I will reward him.
Adul.I thank your grace; and, I will, for you, take such painThat, ere I deserve one, ye shall give me twain.
Avar.Honesty! your tongue trippeth!
Resp.How said ye? take such pain—
Adul.That ere ye give me one, I will deserve twain—By your licence, Madame! to take away this mote.
Avar.Nay! Honesty will not see a wem on your coat.Now unto you I commend Reformation.
Resp.Of him is no small need now, in this nation.
Oppr.Well, now that ye bid me abuses to redress,I doubt not all enormities so to repress,As shall redound to your wealth and honour at length.
Resp.Thereto shall authority aid you with his strength.
Avar.Yea! for Authority to govern is most fit.
Insol.If ye, Dame Respublica! do me so admit,I doubt not to hamper the proudest of them all.
Resp.And among you, destroy Avarice!
Adul.Hem!
Insol. and Oppr.We shall!
Resp.Vanquish Oppression and Adulation!For those three have nigh wrought my desolation.
Avar.Hem, sirs! hem! there, keep your gowns close afore, I say!Have ye forgotten now what I told you one day?There is another, too, that would be chased hence.
Resp.Who is that?
Avar.Lucifer's son, called Insolence.
Resp.Ye say truth, and many naughty ones mo than he.
Insol. and Oppr.If ye dare trust us!
Insol.All!
Oppr.All shall reformed be!
Resp.I thank you; and, I trust you for my maintenance,To be administere[d] for your good governance.
Insol.Then, without fear or care, ye may yourself repose.
Oppr.And let us alone with all such matters as those.
Resp.Then, I leave you here, on our affairs to consult.
[ExeatResp[ublica.
Insol.When you please, in God's name!Oppr.We must both sift and bolt.Adul.She is gone.Avar.Well then, sirs! let us make no delay;But, about our market depart, each man his way.Adul.Nay! first let us sing a song to lighten our hearts.Avar.Then are ye like, for me, to sing but of three parts.Can Avarice['s] heart be set on a merry pin,And see no gain, no profit at all coming in?Insol.We shall have enough to drive away all sorrow.Avar.Then sing weOn bowne viage!andSaint George thee borrow![Cantent: "Bring ye to me and I to ye," etc. et sic exeant.
Insol.When you please, in God's name!
Oppr.We must both sift and bolt.
Adul.She is gone.
Avar.Well then, sirs! let us make no delay;But, about our market depart, each man his way.
Adul.Nay! first let us sing a song to lighten our hearts.
Avar.Then are ye like, for me, to sing but of three parts.Can Avarice['s] heart be set on a merry pin,And see no gain, no profit at all coming in?
Insol.We shall have enough to drive away all sorrow.
Avar.Then sing weOn bowne viage!andSaint George thee borrow!
[Cantent: "Bring ye to me and I to ye," etc. et sic exeant.
[Respublica.]
Resp.The good hope, that my masters have put me in,To recover ruin that in me doth begin,Hath so recomforted my spirits and mine heart,That I feel much easement of my great grief and smart,Now, I do less wonder that lost men, life to save,Far from land do labour, against the roaring wave;For hope, I see, hath mighty operationAgainst the mortal sting of drooping desperation.Now, if I might but hear what Policy hath wrought,Or some one good thing that my friends to pass had brought,I would put no doubts but all thing should soon be well—Lo! where cometh Honesty: he will the truth tell.
Resp.The good hope, that my masters have put me in,To recover ruin that in me doth begin,Hath so recomforted my spirits and mine heart,That I feel much easement of my great grief and smart,Now, I do less wonder that lost men, life to save,Far from land do labour, against the roaring wave;For hope, I see, hath mighty operationAgainst the mortal sting of drooping desperation.Now, if I might but hear what Policy hath wrought,Or some one good thing that my friends to pass had brought,I would put no doubts but all thing should soon be well—Lo! where cometh Honesty: he will the truth tell.
Adulation. Respublica.
Adul.Three hundred pound by year, and a good manor place—Well, it is metely well, in so short time and space!More will come right shortly; this gear doth gaily walk.Bones! here is Respublica, what use I such ta[l]ke?I seek lady Respublica!Resp.Lo, I am here!And welcome, Honesty! what do my friends most dear?Adul.Certes, Madame! we rest nor day, nor night, nor hour,[To] practise and travail for your wealth and honour.But, O Lord! what a prudent man is Policy!What a deep head he hath to devise and to spy!Resp.He is fine, indeed!Adul.Also Reformation—How earnest he is in his operation!Resp.I think of him no less.Adul.Now, then, Authority,The stoutest in his office that ever I did see—I will no farther praise them, Madame! for, doubtless,They far surmount all praise that my tongue can express:Ye may bless the time ye met with such as they be;And I do my poor part.Resp.I doubt not, Honesty!And condign reward shall ye all have for your pain.Adul.I have scarce an house wherein myself to maintain.Resp.Honesty shall not lack.Adul.I do not crave nor care;We shall take but scraps and refuse, that ye may spare;We will not encroach the people's commodity;We shall take only that may come with honesty.Resp.Christ's blessing have ye! but, lo! yonder cometh People.Adul.I had thought as soon to have met here Paul's steeple!
Adul.Three hundred pound by year, and a good manor place—Well, it is metely well, in so short time and space!More will come right shortly; this gear doth gaily walk.Bones! here is Respublica, what use I such ta[l]ke?I seek lady Respublica!
Resp.Lo, I am here!And welcome, Honesty! what do my friends most dear?
Adul.Certes, Madame! we rest nor day, nor night, nor hour,[To] practise and travail for your wealth and honour.But, O Lord! what a prudent man is Policy!What a deep head he hath to devise and to spy!
Resp.He is fine, indeed!
Adul.Also Reformation—How earnest he is in his operation!
Resp.I think of him no less.
Adul.Now, then, Authority,The stoutest in his office that ever I did see—I will no farther praise them, Madame! for, doubtless,They far surmount all praise that my tongue can express:Ye may bless the time ye met with such as they be;And I do my poor part.
Resp.I doubt not, Honesty!And condign reward shall ye all have for your pain.
Adul.I have scarce an house wherein myself to maintain.
Resp.Honesty shall not lack.
Adul.I do not crave nor care;We shall take but scraps and refuse, that ye may spare;We will not encroach the people's commodity;We shall take only that may come with honesty.
Resp.Christ's blessing have ye! but, lo! yonder cometh People.
Adul.I had thought as soon to have met here Paul's steeple!
People. Adulation. Respublica.
People.Where's Rice-Puddingcake? I pray God she be in heal.Adul.Who? Rice-Puddingcake?People.Yea! alise dicts commonweal.Adul.I know her not.People.Mass! you liest valeslie in your heart!She is this way, che wa'r't—a false harlot you art!Adul.I know Respublica.People.Yea, marry! where is she?Adul.She is busy now.People.Mass! ere ich go, chill her zee,For this way she came.Resp.Let my people come to me!Adul.God forbid, else! Come on, People! is this same she?People.Yea, malkin is't!Resp.People! what would you with me now?People.Marry, mustress, madame, my lady! how do you?Resp.Even so so, People! I thank you with all my heart:And I hope for better.People.Then let poor volk ha zome part;Vor we ignoram people, whom itch do perzent,Wer ne'er zo i-polld, zo wrong, and zo i-torment.Lord Jhese Christ, when he was i-pounst and i-pilate,Was ner zo i-trounst, as we have been of years late.Adul.How so? who hath wrought to you such extremity?People.Nay! to tell how zo passeth our captivity.Resp.It passeth any man's imagination.People.You zai zouth; it passeth any man's madge mason;Vor we think ye love us well as e'er ye did.Resp.My love towards you, my people, cannot be hid.People.And we think ye would we zelie poor volk did well.Resp.And better than e'er ye did; if how, I could tell.People.And we think ye would we zelie poor volk should thrive.Resp.Yea, doubtless, as any like creature alive!Adul.What need ye of her good will, towards you, to doubt?People.Peace, thou, with zorow! and let me tell my tall owt.Resp.Say on, my good People! let me hear your mind.People.Bum vai! we ignoram people beeth not zo blindBut we passeive there falleth of corn and cattle,Wull, sheep, wood, lead, tin, iron and other metal,And of all things, enough vor good and bad,And as commediens vor us, as e'er we had;And yet, the price of everything is zo dear,As though the ground did bring vorth no such, nowhere.Resp.Indeed! I have enough, if it be well ordered;But few folk the better, if I be misordered.People.Nay! now you zai zouth; e'en this same way goeth the hare:Ill ordering 'tis hath made both you and we threadbare.Adul.What naughty folks were they? can you their names read?People.Yea! that I scan; a whole mess of om for a need.There is vorst and vormost Flattery—ill a thee!A slipper, sugar-mouthed whorecop, as can be.He fleareth on you, and beareth us fair in hand;And, therewhile, robbeth both you and we of our land.Then cometh the sour, rough, crabbed child Oppression:He tumbleth whom a lust out of possession.Then is there the third—I scannot member his name—What call ye this same, fellows!—God give them a shame—That beeth still climbing up aloft for promidence,And cannot be content with their state!Adul.Insolence?People.Yea, this same is he, Zoriless!Resp.Nay, Insolence!People.Well, he'll roil all the roast alone, cha hard it zaid;Or else, make the best of them aghast and afraid.And zuch good men as could, and would, order you well,He is so copped, he will not suffer to mell.If they will not be rold, then hence, out of favour;[Yea, and per]haps corrupt om zore vor their labour!Yet he, and th' other twain work all after the viceOf cha-forget-tone-name, t'other is Covetise.This hungry whorecop hath such a policate wit,That he teacheth them to rake and scrape up each whit.And zo these vowre—but it shall never come out for me—Volk think will never cease to spoil both you and me.Vor, sometime they face us, and call us peason knaves;And zwareth: God's bones! they will make us all slaves.Therevore, chwas besirance your ladydom to zee,And to give you warning.Resp.Hear ye this, Honesty?People.Well, and God amend all, and a be zo good a clerk—Resp.Hear ye this, Honesty?People.—though tinkers should lack work.Resp.I am put in comfort all shall shortly amend—Adul.It is in good way already; else, God defend!Resp.Lo, People! hearest thou this? be of good cheer!People.Yea! ich hear his vair words: but what beeth we the near?Resp.People! understand ye that this is Honesty?People.Where a be, trow? mass! cha zeen zome as zmothe as he,Have be a trial, be vound valse flatterers to be.Resp.I take this man for no such: this is Honesty!People.A gay smoult smirking whorecop 'tis; zo mot I thee!Resp.Well, credit my words, People! this is Honesty.People.When Is[e] find it, chil believe it!Resp.'Tis Honesty!People.I scry him mercy, then!Resp.He and Authority,Joining with Policy and Reformation,Travail to restore th' old wealth to this nation.People.Whough! then chil wa'r't all within two years as plentyAs 'twas any time within these years twice twenty:But how may we know, and see, that this thing is true?Adul.Ye shall prove, at length, by th' effect that shall ensue.People.Nay! and we shall alway be served but with shales;Then chil believe, e'en still, that vain words beeth but tales.Adul.The thing, already, to such forwardness is brought,That much to your benefit is already wrought.People.Yea? what any good act have ye already done?Adul.It is but young days yet; things are but now begun:The fruit of our doings cannot so soon appear.But, People! ye shall feel it within seven year:Ye know it is no small work, from so great decay—Resp.People! he saith truth.Adul.—to set all in good stay.Therefore, be ye quiet, and hope for a good end!People.Yes! chil tarry laisure, and take what God shall send.Resp.Then, People! let us twain depart in quietness;For, this talking here may hinder their business.People.Come on! I chil wait avore you, and be your man.
People.Where's Rice-Puddingcake? I pray God she be in heal.
Adul.Who? Rice-Puddingcake?
People.Yea! alise dicts commonweal.
Adul.I know her not.
People.Mass! you liest valeslie in your heart!She is this way, che wa'r't—a false harlot you art!
Adul.I know Respublica.
People.Yea, marry! where is she?
Adul.She is busy now.
People.Mass! ere ich go, chill her zee,For this way she came.
Resp.Let my people come to me!
Adul.God forbid, else! Come on, People! is this same she?
People.Yea, malkin is't!
Resp.People! what would you with me now?
People.Marry, mustress, madame, my lady! how do you?
Resp.Even so so, People! I thank you with all my heart:And I hope for better.
People.Then let poor volk ha zome part;Vor we ignoram people, whom itch do perzent,Wer ne'er zo i-polld, zo wrong, and zo i-torment.Lord Jhese Christ, when he was i-pounst and i-pilate,Was ner zo i-trounst, as we have been of years late.
Adul.How so? who hath wrought to you such extremity?
People.Nay! to tell how zo passeth our captivity.
Resp.It passeth any man's imagination.
People.You zai zouth; it passeth any man's madge mason;Vor we think ye love us well as e'er ye did.
Resp.My love towards you, my people, cannot be hid.
People.And we think ye would we zelie poor volk did well.
Resp.And better than e'er ye did; if how, I could tell.
People.And we think ye would we zelie poor volk should thrive.
Resp.Yea, doubtless, as any like creature alive!
Adul.What need ye of her good will, towards you, to doubt?
People.Peace, thou, with zorow! and let me tell my tall owt.
Resp.Say on, my good People! let me hear your mind.
People.Bum vai! we ignoram people beeth not zo blindBut we passeive there falleth of corn and cattle,Wull, sheep, wood, lead, tin, iron and other metal,And of all things, enough vor good and bad,And as commediens vor us, as e'er we had;And yet, the price of everything is zo dear,As though the ground did bring vorth no such, nowhere.
Resp.Indeed! I have enough, if it be well ordered;But few folk the better, if I be misordered.
People.Nay! now you zai zouth; e'en this same way goeth the hare:Ill ordering 'tis hath made both you and we threadbare.
Adul.What naughty folks were they? can you their names read?
People.Yea! that I scan; a whole mess of om for a need.There is vorst and vormost Flattery—ill a thee!A slipper, sugar-mouthed whorecop, as can be.He fleareth on you, and beareth us fair in hand;And, therewhile, robbeth both you and we of our land.Then cometh the sour, rough, crabbed child Oppression:He tumbleth whom a lust out of possession.Then is there the third—I scannot member his name—What call ye this same, fellows!—God give them a shame—That beeth still climbing up aloft for promidence,And cannot be content with their state!
Adul.Insolence?
People.Yea, this same is he, Zoriless!
Resp.Nay, Insolence!
People.Well, he'll roil all the roast alone, cha hard it zaid;Or else, make the best of them aghast and afraid.And zuch good men as could, and would, order you well,He is so copped, he will not suffer to mell.If they will not be rold, then hence, out of favour;[Yea, and per]haps corrupt om zore vor their labour!Yet he, and th' other twain work all after the viceOf cha-forget-tone-name, t'other is Covetise.This hungry whorecop hath such a policate wit,That he teacheth them to rake and scrape up each whit.And zo these vowre—but it shall never come out for me—Volk think will never cease to spoil both you and me.Vor, sometime they face us, and call us peason knaves;And zwareth: God's bones! they will make us all slaves.Therevore, chwas besirance your ladydom to zee,And to give you warning.
Resp.Hear ye this, Honesty?
People.Well, and God amend all, and a be zo good a clerk—
Resp.Hear ye this, Honesty?
People.—though tinkers should lack work.
Resp.I am put in comfort all shall shortly amend—
Adul.It is in good way already; else, God defend!
Resp.Lo, People! hearest thou this? be of good cheer!
People.Yea! ich hear his vair words: but what beeth we the near?
Resp.People! understand ye that this is Honesty?
People.Where a be, trow? mass! cha zeen zome as zmothe as he,Have be a trial, be vound valse flatterers to be.
Resp.I take this man for no such: this is Honesty!
People.A gay smoult smirking whorecop 'tis; zo mot I thee!
Resp.Well, credit my words, People! this is Honesty.
People.When Is[e] find it, chil believe it!
Resp.'Tis Honesty!
People.I scry him mercy, then!
Resp.He and Authority,Joining with Policy and Reformation,Travail to restore th' old wealth to this nation.
People.Whough! then chil wa'r't all within two years as plentyAs 'twas any time within these years twice twenty:But how may we know, and see, that this thing is true?
Adul.Ye shall prove, at length, by th' effect that shall ensue.
People.Nay! and we shall alway be served but with shales;Then chil believe, e'en still, that vain words beeth but tales.
Adul.The thing, already, to such forwardness is brought,That much to your benefit is already wrought.
People.Yea? what any good act have ye already done?
Adul.It is but young days yet; things are but now begun:The fruit of our doings cannot so soon appear.But, People! ye shall feel it within seven year:Ye know it is no small work, from so great decay—
Resp.People! he saith truth.
Adul.—to set all in good stay.Therefore, be ye quiet, and hope for a good end!
People.Yes! chil tarry laisure, and take what God shall send.
Resp.Then, People! let us twain depart in quietness;For, this talking here may hinder their business.
People.Come on! I chil wait avore you, and be your man.
[Exeant.
Adul.And I will to my fellows as fast as I can.Be they gone? farewell, they! God send them both the pip!But, in faith, People! I will have you on the hip;I will be even with you for your broad carping—Ah, ye peasant wretch! on us four to be harping!And yet, must we our matters handle discreetly;Or else, I fear, it will end not very sweetly.But now, I would Avarice, or else Insolence,Or Oppression were here rather than sixpence.And lo, where Avarice cometh! a wolf in the tale,(As the proverb saith)—what doth he after him hale?
Adul.And I will to my fellows as fast as I can.Be they gone? farewell, they! God send them both the pip!But, in faith, People! I will have you on the hip;I will be even with you for your broad carping—Ah, ye peasant wretch! on us four to be harping!And yet, must we our matters handle discreetly;Or else, I fear, it will end not very sweetly.But now, I would Avarice, or else Insolence,Or Oppression were here rather than sixpence.And lo, where Avarice cometh! a wolf in the tale,(As the proverb saith)—what doth he after him hale?
Avarice. Adulation. Oppression.