A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 06

NUNTIUS. O joyful news which I report, and bring into your ears! Philologus, that would have hanged himself with cord, Is now converted unto God with many bitter tears: By godly...

CARDINAL. Where have you been from me so long absent? I appointed to have been here three hours ago, In my consistory to have sat in judgment Of that wretched schismatic that do...

THEOLOGUS. O, say not so, Philologus, for God is gracious, And to forgive the penitent his mercy is plenteous. Do you not know that all the earth with mercy doth abound, And tho...

HYPOCRISY. O loving Father and merciful God! We through our sins thy punishment deserve, And have provoked to beat with thy rod Us stubborn children, which from thee do swerve....

[CONSCIENCE.] Alas, alas! thou woful wight, what fury doth thee move So willingly to cast thyself into consuming fire? What Circe hath bewitched thee thy worldly wealth to love...

[223] See Shakespeare's "Love's Labour's Lost," edit. Collier, ii. 306 and 360; Beaumont and Fletcher's "Monsieur Thomas," edit. Dyce, vii. 364. Thomas Nash, in his "Strange New...

[CACONOS.] In[40] gude feth, sir, this newis de gar me lope, Ay is as light as ay me wend, gif that yo wol me troth, Far new agen within awer loud installed is the Pope, Whese l...

[MATHETES.] My mind doth thirst, dear friend Philologus, Of former talk to make a final end: And where before we 'gan for to discuss The cause why God doth such afflictions send...

[PHILOLOGUS.] Come on, my children dear, to me, and let us talk awhile Of worldly goods, which I have got, and of my pleasant state Which fortune hath installed me, who on me ch...

High time it is for me to stir about, And do my best my kingdom to maintain, For why I see of enemies a rout, Which all my laws and statutes do disdain; Against my state do figh...

[TYRANNY.] Put me before, for I will shift for one, [_Push_ AVARICE _backward_. So long as strength remaineth in this arm: And pluck up thy heart, thou faint-hearted mome: As lo...

HYPOCRISY. God speed you all that be of God's belief: The mighty Jehovah protect you from ill. I beseech the living God, that he would give To each of you present a hearty good-...

None dare reprove me, of that I am sure, So long as authority on my side endure. But to thy words a while I will list; Therefore in brief say on what you will.

[SPIRIT.] Philologus, Philologus, Philologus, I say, In time take heed, go not too far, look well thy steps unto: Let not suggestion of thy flesh thy conscience thee betray, Who...

PHILOLOGUS. Too true, alas, too true, I say, was our divination, The which Mathetes did foresee, when last we were in place; For now indeed we feel the smart and horrible vexati...

HYPOCRISY. Ha, ha, ha! marry, now the game begins. Hypocrisy throughout this realm is had in admiration, And by my means both Avarice and Tyranny crept in, Who in short space wi...

HYPOCRISY. Such chopping cheer as we have made, the like hath not been seen. And who so pleasant with my lord as is Philologus? His recantation he hath made, and is despatched c...