Part 13

_Avar._ Yea! now hardely stand there still, And the names of my bags to you declare I will. First and foremost, this bag is my very clear gain Of leases encroached, and forthwith sold again. This bag is mine interest of this year's usury; And this is of matters bolstered up with perjury. This is bribes above my stipend in office; This fifth I have by selling of benefices. This is my rents that my clerks yearly render me, To be and continue in office under me. This same I got by sectorship of my mother-- A vengeance on her, old witch, for such another! This bag have I kept of other sectorships whole, Which the mad knaves would have scattered by penny dole. This is of church goods, scraped up without a law; For which was as quick scambling as ever I saw: Of their plate, their jewels, and copes, we made them louts, Stopping People's barking with linen rags and clouts. They had th' altar cloths, th' albs, and amices, With the sindons in which were wrapt the chalices. This ninth hath beguiled the king of his custom; This tenth of selling counterfeit wares hath come. Now this eleventh is of tallow, butter, cheese, Corn, rawcloths, leather--by stealth sent beyond seas. This twelfth is of grain, bell-metal, tin and lead-- Conveyed out by creeks when Respublica was in bed. This thirteenth I filled through facing out of daws, Both from lands and goods, by pretence of the laws. Thus, these thirteen small jobs are mine by Policy; All men must shift for a poor living honestly. If e'er I bestow them it shall be, the next Lent, To the prior of Prickingham and his co[n]vent.

_Adul._ Well now, we may come near; may we not, if we lust?

_Avar._ Ye are near enough: out of my reach I dare you trust.

_Adul._ Well now, let us sing, if it please Authority; To refresh our spirits it is restority.

_Insol._ I reck not, for company sake, to sing once [more].

_Avar._ I have less mind to sing now than I had before: Then had I no lust to sing, because I was bare; And now, how to keep that I have got, I do care.

_Oppr._ Solace we must needs have, when that we are weary.

_Adul._ It prolongeth life of man to be merry.

_Avar._ An if ye sing so much, Honesty! without fail, Christ and you, at length, I fear, will make a battle. But go to! sing on! if there be no remedy-- An ye look at my bags ye mar my melody.

_Cantent: "Hey, nony, nony, ho for money!" etc._

_Oppr._ Now, about profit devise we ourselves abroad.

_Avar._ Yea, and hear ye, masters! while time is, lay on load! Consider! ye have but a time of haymaking; And harvest is not mowed without painstaking. Now, time will not tarry; and, therefore, take good heed! Despatch while time serveth, and all your matte[r]s speed! Time hath no rein nor bridle, but renneth apace!

_Insol._ Mark Policy's words, sirs! excellent in our case.

_Avar._ And time hath this one ungracious property: To blab at length, and open all that he doth see. Then, a daughter eke he hath, called Verity; As unhappy a long-tongued girl as can be: She bringeth all to light; some she bring[eth] to shame; She careth not a groat what man hath thank or blame. If men be praiseworthy, she doth so declare them; And, if otherwise, in faith! she doth not spare them.

_Oppr._ We will feather our nests ere time may us espy; Or Verity have power, our doings to descry.

_Avar._ Remember this verse: _Ut sint omnia salva,_ _Fronte capillata, post hec occasio calva._

_Oppr._ Make me understand that fine rag of rhetoric!

_Avar._ Lo! here a fine fellow to have a bishopric! A verse of Latin he cannot understand; Yet, dareth he presume, boldly to take in hand, Into a deanery or archideaconry to chop; And to have the livelood away from a bishop!

_Oppr._ A mercy! show thy verse, and leave this persuasion!

_Avar._ Forsooth, sir! it was of the goddess Occasion! She weareth a great long tuffet of hair before; And, behind, hath not one hair, neither less nor more! Whereby is taught you that, when Occasion is, Ye must take it betime, or of your purpose miss.

_Adul._ Then, while Occasion doth now serve so well, I pray you, give ear to one thing that I must tell.

_Insol. and Oppr._ What is that?

_Adul._ Mounsire! if ye hear People mumbling, Ye must storm, and sharply take him up for stumbling. Ye would not think what he said, a little while since, Of us, to Respublica, in mine own presence!

_Insol._ When I meet them next I shall tell them both my mind.

_Avar._ And Policy, to help you, will not be behind.

_Adul._ Gentle Respublica was soon pacified; But People was sturdy, and would not be qualified.

_Avar._ Alas! good, poor, silly soul! bear her fair in hand, And ye may win her, as you lust, to use her land.

_Oppr._ But of goddess Occasion one little more.

_Avar._ Marry, sir! even as I would have said before: She standeth with winged feet on a rolling wheel, To take flight or any grass may grow on her heel. And, even while we stand, jangling in this presence, I dare say she is flown twice twenty score mile hence.

_Oppr._ Yea? Cock's bones! then adieu!

_Insol._ Farewell!

_Adul._ And I am gone!

[_Exeant currentes._

_Avar._ Faith! and have after, as fast as I can, anon! Now, my godamighties! as I did hither tug you, So will I, on my back, to your lodging lug you; And sure, if ye can be quiet there, and lie still, I will shortly bring you mo fetlows; so I will. I have a good benefice of an hundred marks: It is small policy to give such to great clerks: They will take no benefice but they must have all-- A bare clerk can be content with a living small! Therefore, Sir John Lack-Latin, my friend, shall have mine; And, of him, may I farm it for eight pounds or nine. The rest may I reserve to myself for mine own share; For, we are good feeders of the poor, so we are! And we patrons are bound to see, (I do you tell), The church patrimony to be bestowed well. Other odd corners, besides these, I have many; Which, with all good speed shall increase your comp[any]. Come on now, therefore! in faith! I do great wrong To promise you lodging, and keep you thence so long. [_Exeat._

ACTUS QUARTI, SCENA PRIMA.

[RESPUBLICA.]

_Resp._ O, Lord! what may it mean to be thus borne in hand; And yet, none amendment to feel, nor understand? People doth daily and hourly to me resort, Challenging my promise of relief and comfort. I report to him, as my rulers do to me: People still affirmeth that they devourers be. The more I do him cheer, the more he doth despair. I say, his wealth doth mend; he saith, it doth appair, What should I judge of this? may it be credible, Or, by any reason, may it be possible That such four as those, in whom I have put my trust, Showing such face of friendship, should be men unjust? I will know if People feel yet any redress Of his former sores, and of his rueful distress. We shall meet soon, I doubt not, and talk together.

[_Intrat_ PEOPLE.

And lo! as I would wish, he approacheth hither.

ACTUS QUARTI, SCENA SECUNDA.

RESPUBLICA. PEOPLE.

_Resp._ Well met, People! what place go ye now unto?

_People._ I cham at the farthest to zee how you do. We twain must oftwhiles come physic either other; Vor, we beeth your children, and you beeth our mother.

_Resp._ And how do you mend now, in your thrift and your purse?

_People._ As zour ale in summer; that is, still worse and worse!

_Resp._ People, what should I say?

_People._ Nay, mass! I scannot tell: But we ignorams all would fain ye should do well. And how feel you yourself? better than ye did, trow?

_Resp._ Till God send better hap, rather decay than grow: This bringeth me in a conceipt of jealousy-- Rather than much good would I speak with Policy.

_People._ Was not he drowned, trow, last year, when Conscience was?

_Resp._ I see him yonder appear; this cometh well to pass.

_People._ Is this same he?

_Resp._ Yea!

_People._ An ich heard not you zo zai Chould zware a had be dead, or else clean run away!

ACTUS QUARTI, SCENA TERTIA.

[AVARICE.] RESPUBLICA. PEOPLE.

_Avarice._ O most noble lady! that I have not, of late, Made to you relation how ye stand in state, Hath not been of negligence, nor to wo[r]k by stealth; But of my deep studies, devising for your wealth.

_Resp._ To hear the truth thereof, I wished you to see.

_People._ Doth you stud your brains, mas gentman!--pray you tell me!-- For our lady Ricepudding-cake's commodity?

_Avar._ I devise what I can for the prosperity Of this Lady Respu[b]lica and her people.

_People._ That lie, ere this, is flown as far hence as Poule steeple! I spray God, ye stud not, as cha hard of zome elves That study for the common profit of their own selves!

_Avar._ To study for both your wealths, I am a debtor.

_People._ Vay, then! as good ne'er a whit, as ne'er the better.

_Avar._ I do nothing but compass therefore, without doubt.

_People._ I vay, then! thee vent too far a compass about, Vor zome good might ha' be doon in all this season.

_Avar._ So there is, if to perceive it ye had reason!

_Resp._ Truly! I feel myself, hitherto, worse and worse.

_People._ And I svele the same, both in my ground and my purse; Vive or zix year ago chad vowre kine to my pale; And, at this prezent hour, cham scarce worth a good cow tail; And that time chad a widge, and her vole and ten sheep; Now, I scan geat nothing, myzelf and my wife to keep. Then an chad, I be with the king's mass constable, Chould zet myself vorth prettily, and zo chwas able; Now, vor lack of a sallet, when my liege hath need, Cham vain to take an hat of God's good on my head. And vor God!--my dame, this is but small amendment! I scomport me to you: how thinketh your judgment? Compassing? ka! gentman! call ye this same compassing? And, whom shall we twain thank? you, for this compassing?

_Avar._ No, sir!

_People._ Now, by the compass that God compassed!

_Resp._ Blame have they of God and man, that this compassed!

_People._ A small compass more, now, may zoon compass, by th' rood! To make fowerty thousand volks hair grow through their hood!

_Avar._ That is their own fault; not the fault of Policy.

_Resp._ God above, He knoweth whose fault it is, and not I.

_People._ But did not ich, daily, give you warning?

_Resp._ Doubtless!

_People._ And did not ich plain me to you?

_Resp._ I grant no less!

_People._ And when ich made my mone, what would [ye] me tell?

_Resp._ As my hope was; that, at length, all thing should be well.

_People._ Compassing? ka!

_Resp._ People! I put trust in other.

_People._ Valse bezeivers of zembity, by God's mother!

_Avar._ Well, suffer me then, for my declaration, To set Authority and Reformation; That ye may both hear, and charge them as well as me.

_Resp._ With all my heart, good Policy! let it so be. I pray you call them hither, if they may be got.

_People._ Anch hear om; I scan tell whe'er they say true or not!

ACTUS QUARTI, SCENA QUARTA.

AVARICE. INSOLENCE. RESPUBLICA. OPPRESSION. PEOPLE.

_Avar._ The foulest open-mouthed wretch that e'er ye heard!

_Insol._ Could thou, by no means, make the peasant afeard?

_Avar._ No! but anon, I trow! we shall his masship trim-- Convey her away; and then all we three chide him. But, whist! and come apace!

_Resp._ I hear Policy's voice.

_Avar._ That I met you, so well, I do much rejoice: Lady Respublica! would you come her before?

_Insol._ Madame, God ye save!

_Oppr._ And preserve for ever more!

_Resp._ This is happy hap ye come so soon together?

_Avar._ As I went I met them, both twain, hasting hither.

_Resp._ Never in better time!

_Insol._ Madame! what is your will?

_Oppr._ Is there any thing that you would say us until?

_Resp._ People crieth out, and I am much aggrieved That we feel ourselves in nothing yet relieved.

_Oppr._ No? that is not true; many declare I can--

_Resp._ Even in brief words, I pray you, do it than.

_People._ Pray you let me spose with this same new come gentman.

_Insol._ No, sir!

_People._ Mass! but chil speak anch can spy my time whan?

_Oppr._ First, your priests and bishops have not as they have had.

_Resp._ [When] they had their livings, men were both fed and clad.

_Oppr._ Yea! but they ought not, by scripture, to be called lords.

_Resp._ That they rule the church, with scripture well accords.

_Oppr._ They were proud and covetous, and took much upon them.

_People._ But they were not covetous that took all from them!

_Oppr._ The coin also is changed.

_People._ Yea! from silver to dross-- 'Twas told us vor the best: but poor we bear the loss! When chad with zwet of brows got up a few small crumbs, At paying of my debts ich could not make my sums. My landlord, vor my corn, paid me zuch sums and zuch; When he should ha't vor rent, it was but half zo much. Zix pence in each shilling was i-strike quite away; Zo, vor one piece ich took, che was vain to pay him tway. One would think 'twere brass, and zorow have I else; But, ich ween most part on't was made of our old bells!

_Insol._ Yet, if ye mark it well, for one piece ye have three; Which, for your People is no small commodity.

_People._ Well, I will meddle in this same matter no more; But Is reck not an 'twere zilver, as 'twas avor.

_Oppr._ People! ye shall, at length, find it all for the best.

_People._ Cha hard our parish clerk say: _Diuum este, justlum weste_.

_Resp._ Undoubtedly, I feel many things are amiss!

_People._ Yea! I scan tell more things yet, an me lust, by Jis! They have all the woods throughout the realm destroyed, Which might have served long years, being well employed. And then, the great cobs have zo take the rest to hire, That poor volk cannot get a stick to make a fire. Then their great grazing hath made flesh so dear, I wot, That poor volk, at shambles, cannot bestow their groat.

_Resp._ I lament it, People! Alack! what may I do? I, myself, I fear, shall come to ruin too. Policy! what comfort? when will you ease my smart?

_Avar._ Ye are as safe, even now, but for your false heart, As any lady of your name in Christendom.

_People._ If ich had zo zaid, chad lied, by my halidom!

_Resp._ Ye hear what People saith, which feeleth as I do?

_Avar._ But rude People's words, will ye give credit unto? Will ye judge yourself after his foolish [jangling?] Ye were well enough till he began his wrangling.

_Insol._ Will ye believe People, that hath no manner of skill To judge, or to discern what thing is good or ill? He is so headstrong, he must be bridled with laws.

_People._ Though zome be stark bedlams, yet wise volks beeth no daws!

_Insol._ We have oft found People most disobedient To orders most requisite and expedient. Who such a maintainer of wrong opinions As People, in all countries and dominions? Ye ought, therefore, to rebuke him, at all hours, For discouraging any minister of yours.

_Oppr._ Ye must tarry time, ere we can your purpose serve.

_People._ Ye[a], and then, while the grass shall grow, the horse shall sterve.

_Insol._ Do ye not see this, by all experience plain, That men, from diseases recover[ed] again Do, after sickness passed, remain a long time weak?

_Resp._ People, hark! Authority doth good reason speak.

_Insol._ So ye, though oppressed with long adversity, Yet, doubt not! are toward wealth and prosperity.

_Resp._ Lo! People! to hope a while longer shall be best.

_People._ Well, then cham perswaged to do at your inquest.

_Insol._ Madame! mistrust not us, your painful ministers!

_Avar._ Never had lady more watchful officers!

_Oppr._ For my part, I will swear the gospel book upon, That if the laws I have made should, everyone, Redound to mine own singular commodity, They could not be friendlier framed than they be.

_Insol._ Therefore, repose yourself, Madame, awhile, and wink! Ye are in better case toward than you can think.

_Avar._ We shall here remain, and give People good counsel; Quiet for to be, till Policy may prevail.

_Resp._ He will do well with your good informations.

_People._ Yea, vay! chil volow their good exaltations.

_Resp._ Then I leave you all here to God: I will depart.

[_Exeat_ RESP[UBLICA].

_People._ Now, ho! destructions to member in my heart?

_Avar._ Destructions? ye miser!

_Insol._ Ye peasant!

_Oppr._ Ye lout!

_Insol._ [Can ye naught] else do but rage, and rave, and cry out?

_Oppr._ And cannot tell on whom?

_Avar._ No more than can a daw!

_Oppr._ Crow against your betters!

_Insol._ And murmur against the law! Let me hear thee prate as thou hast done heretofore!

_Avar._ Or trouble Lady Respublica any more!

_Oppr._ Thou canst not see, thou wretch! canst thou, when thou art well?

_Avar._ Is't part of thy play with such high matters to mell?

_Insol._ Doth it become thee to bark with such a wide throat?

_Avar._ And to have an oar in everybody's boat?

_Insol._ If thou do so again, it shall with thee be worse.

_Oppr._ We shall wring and pinch thee, both by belly and purse.

_Insol._ I would advise you, friend! to grunt and groan no more.

_Oppr._ Do the like again, and thou shalt rue it full sore!

_Avar._ It were best for you, friend! all murmuring to cease.

_People._ Bum vay, then! chil e'en go home, and vair hold my peace.

_Insol._ Do so by my rede, and fall to honest labour.

_Avar._ Hence home, and be quiet! and thou shalt find favour.

_People._ Then chil bid you varewell!

_Oppr._ No words, but hence, apace! This was done as should be.

_Avar._ This was done in right place.

_People._ But ho! one word erch go; ye'll give volk leave to think?

_Oppr._ No, marry! will we not, nor to look, but wink!

_People._ Yes, by Gis! but chil lo[ok]; nay, lo there! thought is free, And a cat, they zaith, may look on a king, pardy! [_Exeat._

_Insol._ Now, where do we be come? I, home! [_Exeat._

_Oppr._ And I abroad! [_Exeat._

_Avar._ And I must see what feet about my door have trod.

[_Exeat._

ACTUS QUINTI, SCENA PRIMA.

[MISERICORDIA.]

_Miser._ Wherein appeareth the graciousness of God More than, infinitely to exceed man's goodness, But that He keepeth back the sharp stroke of His rod When man would rage in most furious woodness?

Scarce any amends may man's eagerness appease; Yea, and though he forgive, he will not soon forget; Towards true penitence God's wrath forthwith doth cease, And He, their past sins, behind His back doth set.

Of long sufferance He is with weakness to bear, While any hope of amendment doth remain; And though He plague sinners, to call them home by fear, Yet His mercy and grace are aye ready again.

His grievous displeasure dureth not for ever. And why? _quia miserationes ejus_; Which to show He chiefly delighteth ever, _Manent super omnia opera ejus_.

It grieveth Him sore when He must needs take vengeance; His delight and glory is mercy to practise; His tender compassion, on true repentance, He hath still, from the beginni[n]g, sought t' exercise.

The mass of this world in His mercy did He frame: The sky, earth, and sea His mercy replenished; In His mercy did He after redeem the same, When else, remediless, it must have perished.

In His mercy was Israel delivered From the 'gyptian thraldom and captivity; In His mercy the same through the Red Sea was led; And through wilderness to a land of liberty.

Sith that time all commonwealths He hath protected; And to such as, with earnest prayer, have made moan, Me, Compassion, He hath amically directed To revive and recover them every one.

Now, lastly, hath he heard the most doleful lament Of woeful Respublica, his darling most dear! Therefore me, Compassion, with speed he hath sent, Her most sorrowful heart to recomfort and cheer.

I tarry her coming that I may her salute: And lo! methinketh I see her appear in place; Of friendship devoid, and of succour destitute-- I will hear her, and then give words of solace.

ACTUS QUINTI, SCENA SECUNDA.

RESPUBLICA. MISERICORDIA. AVARICE. ADULATION.

_Resp._ O Lord! hast Thou for ever closed up Thine ear? Wilt Thou never more the desolate's prayer hear? Wilt Thou still turn away Thy face from my distress? Wilt Thou clean forsake me and leave me comfortless? The secret sighs, and sobs, and prayers of mine heart, Shall they not forever Thine eyes to me convert? I grant that mine offences have so much deserved; But for whom, save sinners, is this mercy reserved? [Thou reservst it] so, which hitherto hath been just; Despair, Lord! I will not; nor Thy goodness mistrust. Lo[ok] down on my distress! and for Thy glory sake, Though I be ill worthy it, mercy on me take!

_Miser._ Now will I speak to her.

_Resp._ Who maketh me afeard?

_Miser._ No, I will thee comfort: God hath thy prayer heard; And now, Respublica, be of good hope and trust!

_Resp._ O Lord! now do I see that Thou art ever just.

_Miser._ I am sent to recomfort thee, Respublica!

_Resp._ O Lady Compassion! Misericordia!

_Miser._ What say ye to me? What, woman! can ye not speak? I am come down, all your sorrows at once to break. Speak, woman!

_Resp._ Misericordia!

_Miser._ Out, comfortably! Ye shall have now no more cause to speak despairably.

_Resp._ My heart, in God's mercy, is so dilated, That my very spirit to heaven is elated. O Lady Compassion! welcome, verament! Ever be God praised that you, to me, hath sent!

_Miser._ Now that I have put you in sure hope of relief, I must go fet Verity to try out all your grief. Verity shall oper how your decay hath grown; And then, the causers thereof shall be overthrown.

_Resp._ Who be the causers thereof I cannot discern: But yond cometh one of them that do me govern.

_Miser._ What is his name?

_Resp._ Policy!

_Miser._ Policy is good; He doth work you many good things of likelihood.

_Avar._ A vengeance upon him! and God give him His curse! I am besieged now of every cutpurse; I can go nowhere now; in city, neither town, But Piers Pickpurse playeth at organs under my gown.

_Miser._ What talketh he?

_Avar._ Who speaketh yond, Respublica?

_Resp._ What of the pickpurse?

_Avar._ Forsooth, dame Respublica! I said, an we had two pillories mo, 'twere no the worse; For it is a light thing now to meet Piers Pickpurse. God preserve you, right fair lady! and Christ you save! Who are you? and what would ye in this country have?

_Resp._ This same is the Lady Misericordia, Sent from God purposely.

_Avar._ Unto you, Respublica?

_Miser._ Yea!