Part 12

_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.

[_Intrat_ AVARICE, _adducens_ INSOLENCE, OPPRESSION, _and_ ADULATION.

And, behold! where he is returned again since: He showeth himself a man of [much] diligence.

ACTUS SECUNDI, SCENA TERTIA.

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 perceive Where 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 will Such 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 pain That, 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.

[_Exeat_ RESP[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 we _On bowne viage!_ and _Saint George thee borrow!_

[_Cantent: "Bring ye to me and I to ye," etc. et sic exeant._

ACTUS TERTIA, SCENA PRIMA.

[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 operation Against 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.

ACTUS TERTII, SCENA SECUNDA

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!

ACTUS TERTII, SCENA TERTIA.

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 blind But 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 vice Of 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 plenty As '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?

ACTUS TERTII, SCENA QUARTA.

AVARICE. ADULATION. OPPRESSION.

_Avar._ Come on, sweet bags of gold! come on, with a good will! I, on you so tender, and ye so froward still? Come forward, I pray you, sweet bags! ah, will ye so? Come! or I must draw you, whether ye will or no. I know your desire; ye would fain be in my chest-- When the belly is full, the bones would be at rest! Be content, awhile! I will couch you all up soon Where ye shall not be spied, neither of sun nor moon. What now, brother Honesty! what pry ye this way? Is there anything here that is yours--can ye say? Look off from my bags! it is a pretty matter: Ye can see no green cheese but your teeth will water!

_Adul._ _In nomine Patris_, hast thou got all this sens?

_Avar._ Why, thinkest thou I have sat idle since I went hence? Nay! I have filled my little purses too, each one.

_Adul._ Hast thou so indeed? thou art a fellow alone.

_Avar._ With old angelots and Edwardes I think I have. Come forth! how say ye, sir? peep out, ye little knave! How think you by this bunting? is he full or no? And his fellows all, doth not their skin stretch for woe? Now these little buttons, no bigger than two nuts, Have they not played gluttons, and filled well their guts?

_Adul._ But look! who cometh yonder, puffing and tuffing?

_Avar._ Come the devil, if him lust, staring and snuffing!

ACTUS TERTII, SCENA QUINTA.

OPPRESSION. AVARICE. ADULATION.

_Oppr._ In all my whole life was I never wearier.

_Avar._ Come near, on God's half! the mo knaves, the merrier! Where have ye lost your breath? in some coffer diving?

_Oppr._ Shouldering among them for a piece of a living.

_Adul._ And what, are you now in any good hope to thrive?

_Oppr._ Faith! if I lust, I may wear mitres four or five; I have so many half bishoprics, at the least.

_Adul._ By th' arms of Calais! then am I a very beast.

_Avar._ Why, what hast thou gotten to thy share in this space?

_Adul._ Three hundred pound by the year, and one manor place.

_Avar._ Ah, the passion of God! three hundred pound! and no more?

_Adul._ Is not that fair for him that had nothing before?

_Avar._ What, three hundred pound by years! call thee Honesty? Call thee a knave! thou shamest our fraternity! Three hundred pound! if some man had been in thy room, A thousand pound a year, ere this time, might have come. Three hundred pound a year! against our next meeting Get more! or, I shall give a homely greeting.

_Adul._ He here hath flitched the bishoprics already.

_Avar._ Yea! I can him thank; he hath been somewhat speedy.

_Oppr._ But yet have I left many a good gobbet loose: Change thou for the rest! give a feather for a goose!

_Adul._ Didst thou with any one of them make such exchange?

_Oppr._ Yea! I almost left them never a farm nor grange. I told them, Respublica at their wealth did grutch; And, the fifth penny they had was, for them, too much. So Authority and I, did with them so chop That we left the best of them a threadbare bishop. To some we left one house, to some we left none; The best had but his see place, that he might keep home. We informed them, and we deformed them; We conformed them, and we reformed them!

_Adul._ And what gave ye them in your permutations?

_Oppr._ Bare parsonages of appropriations, Bought from Respublica, and first emprowed; Then at the highest extent to bishops allowed, Let out to their hands for fourscore and [nineteen] year.

_Avar._ Lo, cousin Honesty! lo! do ye hear this gear? Faith! your marsship will thrive at the latter Lammas!

_Adul._ I now grant myself to have been a very ass; But all is not yet gone, in case I have good luck.

_Oppr._ No! there is yet enough left for a better pluck. For some of them were aged, and yet would not die; And some would, in nowise, to our desires apply. But we have rods in piss for them everyone, That they shall be fleeced, if we reign, one by one.

_Avar._ And how did all frame with our Mounsire Authority?

_Oppr._ At length he won the full superiority.

_Adul._ But the rude gross People at him repineth sore; And against us, all four, with a wide throat doth he roar. But soft! peace! methinketh I hear him hem and hake; If we meet here, all four, we shall some order take.

ACTUS TERTII, SCENA SEXTA.

INSOLENCE. ADULATION. OPPRESSION. AVARICE.

_Insol._ What, mine old friends, all three? by my truth, sirs, well found!

_Adul. and Oppr._ Faith, sir! most heartily welcome into this ground.

_Insol._ Bones! what have we here?

_Avar._ Aha!

_Insol._ Bags of money, I trow!

_Avar._ Have we? Nay! I have; but none for you, that I know! Lo, sir! thus might an honest man come to his harms; I will lie down on them, and keep them in mine arms.

_Insol._ Hast thou got all this? I myself have not so much.

_Avar._ Then have ye whole towns and castles; I have none such. Yet will ye not deny, I judge, in my fancy, That ye got them by the drift of me, Policy.

_Insol._ I confess that.

_Oppr._ All my lands are scarce so much worth.

_Avar._ They were less when I, Policy, first set you forth.

_Adul._ He hath purses with gold; would I had so many!

_Avar._ It were pity that such a goose should have any. Your good marsship appointed me to crumbs and scraps; But Policy will live by his neighbours, perhaps! But thus, I see, you would poll me, an ye wist how; Therefore, I will go hoard it, I make God a vow! I will make it sure under mine doors and mine locks; And, who but looketh that way, shall sit in nine stocks!

_Insol._ Nay! first declare to us how thou didst all this get.

_Avar._ For your learning I will you a spectacle set; But first get ye from me, and stand a good way hence; This shall not lie within your reach, by your licence! Nay, yet farther! lest ye take my bags for bloodings; For, such hungry dogs will slab up sluttish puddings.

_Adul._ Is it well now?