Part 19

_Peace._ It is better to forsake them betime than too late.

_Mis._ This knave would have a broken pate; Let me alone, by God's bread! This same sword shall strike off his head.

_Pros._ I pray you, hence that he were rid-- Shortly have him out of my sight!

_Peace._ A little while give me respite, And take heed what I do say: Remember in what condition thou was When I first met thee in this place-- Full simple, in poor array. B1,_r._ Now, by the grace of God and counsel of me, Thou art come to great prosperity; And so mayst continue, until thou die, If thou wisely take heed. Let not sensuality lead the bridle; Be occupied in virtue, and be not idle; The better shalt thou proceed. These wretches will thy goods spend and waste; Then shalt thou be taken for an outcast, And mocked and scorned with most and least; Then will no man thee help at need.

_Envy._ A, sir, evil mote thou speed, That so can read his destiny!

_Mis._ Will ye suffer this knave in your company? Then God be with you! I will forsake you.

_Pros._ Go hence! or in faith I shall make you!

_Peace._ Then to almighty God I betake you.

_Envy._ Let me come to that bragger! I shall thrust him through the arse with my dagger.

[_And here they face_ PEACE _out of the place_.

How say ye? was not this a good face, To drive a knave out of the place?

_Mis._ In faith, thou made him run apace! Thou looked as thou had been mad.

_Pros._ Now, by my troth! my heart is glad; Some minstrel now I would we had, To revel and dance; for, by saint Chad! I am so light methink I flee!

_Envy._ Yea, marry! so should it be; For now I hold you wise.

_Mis._ Sir, and ye will do mine advice, Let us go straight to the Fleur de Lys; There shall ye find a man will play at dice D1,_v._ With you for an hundred pound.

_Pros._ What man is he?

_Mis._ Colhazard; came late from beyond the sea, Ragged and torn, in a garded coat; And, in his purse, never a groat; And now he goeth like a lord!

_Pros._ I pray thee tell me at one word-- Is he a gentleman bore?

_Envy._ Tush! take no thought therefore! For be he gentleman, knave, or boy, If he come hither with trifle or a toy, He can no money lack.

_Pros._ Now by the bread that God brake! I think long till I him see! Mirth! go before and ordain a good dish; One of flesh and another of fish.

_Envy._ Nay, let all be flesh! A young pullet, tender and nesh, That never came on broach--have with thee or thou go!

_Mis._ What shall I have?

_Envy._ Four quarters of a knave, Roasted upon a spit! [_Exit_ MISRULE.

_Pros._ Now, by my troth! and Colhazard will sit, I will play as long as an hundred pound will last.

_Envy._ And ye will play an hundred pound at a cast, He will keep you play.

_Pros._ Then let us go our way; I sit on thorns till I come there.

_Envy._ That shall make your thrift full bare.

_Pros._ What will it do?

_Envy._ I say, we shall have good cheer When we come there. [_Exeunt ambo._

[PEACE _entereth_.

_Peace._ When Phebus draweth into the occidental, D2,_r._ And obscured with clouds misty and dark, Then trees, herbs, and grass, by course natural, Want their chief comfort: thus saith many a clerk. And, likewise, that a man in his wark Is destitute of reason following sensual operation. The last time I was in this place Prosperity unto Misrule put his whole confidence. He regarded not my counsel; he lacked grace; Which, in time coming, shall turn him to inconvenience. With hazarders and rioters he keepeth residence At clash and cards, with all unthrifty game; Which, in continuance, shall bring him shame. To him yet I will resort: If he be brought in poverty I shall do him all the comfort And all the help that lieth in me; I will never rest till I him see. But seek about, from place to place, And bring him to some better grace. [_Exit._

[_Enter_ MISRULE.]

_Mis._ Colhazard! art thou there? Whoreson knave! wilt thou no appear? By my troth! I had went to have found him here; I hold him gone some other way. And where is Envy? I cannot him espy: I trow he is with Prosperity. [_Enter_ ENVY. Prosperity? Nay! I may call him Foolish Poverty, As wise as a drake. I have brought him to dice, cards, and clash; And ever on his side ran the loss, That he is not worth a handful of moss, Neither hath not a whole brat to his back!

_Envy._ Passion of God! is it come to that? D2,_v._ These tidings maketh my heart glad.

_Mis._ In faith! he has neither gold, silver, ne plate: Colhazard and I be both at one. He promised me to have half the game; That everything shall be divided in twain-- He to have the one half, and I the other.

_Envy._ Then let us be partners, as brother and brother.

_Mis._ I cannot say till Colhazard come; Then shall we know, both all and some.

[_Enter_ COLHAZARD.

_Col._ Here is a bag of gold so round, Herein is two thousand pound; Of Prosperity me it won. What man is able with me to make comparison? Now shall I take a merchant's place To occupy; I trust, within short space, To be in credence with English men; And when I am so well betrust, I may borrow so much as me lust. A subtle craft then find I must To convey under colour, like free men.

_Envy._ Hark, this knave! so proud and stout, That had not to his arse a whole clout When he came to this land; and now hath brought about To compare with a state.

_Mis._ Now must I have half money, and half plate.

_Col._ Nay, by God! there thou spake too late; None thereof from me shall scape: Then had I lived too long.

_Mis._ Thou promised me, when thou began, Half thy winning I should have.

_Col._ Hold thy peace, lewd knave! Knowest thou to whom thou dost speak?

_Mis._ A, whoreson, thy head shall I break! D3,_r._

_Envy._ For the passion of God, sober your mood! I fear shedding of knave's blood.

_Here they fight and run all out of the place,_ _and then entereth_ PROSPERITY _poorly [clad]_ _and saith_.

_Pov._ O Jesu! what may this mean? My goods are spent and wasted away! Also my men are from me clean; I see them not this seven nights' day. As long as I might spend and pay, They held me up with false dissimulation; And now they forsake me in my most tribulation.

[ENVY _returneth followed by_ MISRULE.

_Envy._ Come! for Cock's bones! why tarry ye so long?

_Mis._ In faith! I come as fast as I can; I am so angry, I wot not what to do, That yonder knave scaped from me so.

_Envy._ What knave is this? I hold him some spy.

_Pov._ I am your master; know ye not me?

_Envy._ Thou art come alate out of Marshalsea.

_Mis._ Methink his hair groweth through his hood!

_Pov._ Alas! Colhazard hath won all my good, And left me never a groat.

_Envy._ Marry! so methink; ye have changed your coat; But now ye have one vantage.

_Pov._ What is that?

_Envy._ Your executors shall not strive for your goods another day; Nor thieves shall not rob you, going by the way: Thus ye shall stand out of doubt.

_Mis._ Hence, ragged knave! or thou shall bear me a clout: His clothes smell all of the smoke.

_Envy._ Now, by saint Hugh, that holy bishop! This matter is well brought to pass: He is now a knave as he was-- First a knave, and then a man; D3,_v._ And now he is a knave again.

_Pov._ Why say ye so? ye be to blame: I am your master, Prosperity!

_Mis._ Avaunt, lorel! and evil to thee! Get thee out of this company! Beginnest thou now to make comparison?

_Envy._ Let him be your under page; Give him meat and drink, but no wage; Go! brush his gown and make clean his shoon!

_Mis._ Well, knave! canst thou no courtesy?

_Envy._ He hath such a disease in his knee He cannot chance a main groat: It is not as ye ween.

_Mis._ Come and see my shoon made clean!

_Envy._ By my faith! he shall wipe mine.

_Mis._ This knave is not meet for me; It grieveth my heart when I him see; I will go hence, and leave you twain; For Envy, thou mayest with Poverty reign.

[_Exit._

_Envy._ Nay, I had liever he were slain: I am gone as soon as ye. [_Exit._

_Pov._ Abide still with me, gentle Charity! O, to whom should I sue, to whom should I plette? O mortal worm, wrapped all in woe! As a man all mortified, and mased in my wit, I, a captive in captivity, lo, fortune is my foe! I am in endless sorrow; alas! what shall I do? These caitiffs, through their counsel and false imagination, Have brought me to nought that was of great reputation. Woe worth the time that I them knew! I may well sigh, and say Alas! For now I find these words full true That Peace showed me here in this place. D4,_r._ I regarded not his counsel; I lacked grace; Wherefore needy poverty on me doth blow his horn, That every man and woman doth laugh me to scorn. Example to all young men, when they take in hand To occupy in the world: for your behoof Look wisely before, and also understand Evil company destroyeth man--on me ye see the proof. Make a sure foundation or ye set up the roof. Of a good and virtuous beginning cometh a good ending; And evermore beware of unmeasurable spending!

[_Here entereth the_ SUMNER.

_Sumner._ I ascite you in our court to appear!

_Pov._ I pray you tell me wherefore?

_Sum._ Ye be great slanderer, and full of envy.

_Pov._ There will no man say so but ye.

_Sum._ What wilt thou give me and thou shalt go quit?

_Pov._ By my troth, I have not one mite!

_Sum._ Then open penance and thou art like.

_Pov._ By my troth, I slander no man!

_Sum._ Then come and secule thyself as well as thou can.

[_They go out._

ABUNDANCE _entereth._

_Abun._ What man is he that can me dismay? For I obtain all thing at my will. Or who dare anything against me say, Whatsoever I do, be it good or ill? For if he do, he were better be still; I shall him punish be it right or wrong, For with my purse I can both save and hang. To repugn against me he were better be still. I have a proper trull for my pastance; In my chamber I her keep, both night and day; My neighbours therewith taketh great grievance; Yet I keep her still, whosoever say nay. D4,_v._ Howbeit, there is one, a poor caitiff, I hear say, Hath me accused in the court spiritual. And it cost me a hundred pound, punish him I shall.

[_The_ SUMNER _returneth_.

_Sum._ Open sin must have open penance; God speed, my master Abundance!

_Abun._ What knave art thou, with a very mischance, That cometh in so homely?

_Sum._ Sir! I pray you be not angry. I am an officer of the spiritualty. There is upon you a great slande[r]; Ye keep another man's wife in your chamber, And live in great advoutry.

_Abun._ What wretches doth so say by me?

_Sum._ It is openly known everywhere. Before my master I charge you to appear; Upon a book there shall ye swear Whether it be so, or no.

_Abun._ What is the best for me to do? Rather than I to the court will go I had liever spend twenty pound.

_Sum._ Sir! of such a way may be found To excuse you; what will ye then say?

_Abun._ Now thereof heartily I thee pray!

_Sum._ Ye shall come home to my master's place And say that ye be put up of malice; Thrust money in his hand apace; And so shall ye go quit away.

_Abun._ For thy counsel, gramercy! Hold! here is forty pence!

_Sum._ Come on, sir! I will do my diligence.

_Exeunt ambo._

_Here entereth the_ SUMNER _again, and_ POVERTY _followeth him with a candle in his hand_ _doing penance about the place. And then_ _sayeth the_ SUMNER:

_Sum._ Room, sirs! avoidance! That this man may do his penance. E1,_r._

_Pov._ Now have I my penance done.

_Sum._ Nay! thou shalt about once again.

_Pov._ The poverty and trouble that I endure I cannot to you in few words express. If it should be unto God no displeasure I would desire death, my pain to release; Such is my penury and troublesome heaviness, That I could, in no wise, suffer it patiently But that I trust to win heaven thereby.

[PEACE _entereth_.

_Peace._ What man art thou that maketh such lamentation?

_Pov._ Master Peace! I desire you of pardon; I am your servant, sometime called Prosperity.

_Peace._ How came thou to this perplexity?

_Pov._ Colhazard, Misrule, and false Envy Brought me to this distress.

_Peace._ I showed thee before, plain, express: Then of my words thou haddest disdain?

_Pov._ Therefore now it is to me great pain.

_Peace._ What persons are those that did him accuse?

_Sum._ Sir! he is put up by suit of office.

_Peace._ Suit of office? then it is so There hath been credible persons, three or two, Such articles to the judge did show. He ought thereto to have good respect; And do swear these persons upon a book-- For love, ne dread, they say but true-- For it is not leeful for a callet, a caitiff, or a knave Against honest persons such matters for to have, To put a man to open penance, without due proof.

_Sum._ Sir! when I entered mine office this was my oath: To hearken about and hear For backbiters, slanderers, and false jurors, Schismatics, homicides, and great usurers, E1,_v._ Bawds, advouterers, fornicators, and escheaters: All such must penance do.

_Pov._ I know one such came never thereto.

_Peace._ Who is that?

_Pov._ His name is called Abundance, Which hath done many a great offence; For he keepeth another man's wife. No manner of penance ye make him do, But redeemeth with money, and let him go; So in advoutry still he leadeth his life.

_Sum._ He made his purgation upon a book, Or else redeemed with the silver hook.

_Peace._ Silver hook? that I deny! For it is a plain decree That open sin must do open punishment; There can be no such judgment That money shall stop the law.

_Pov._ Nay, there stop, and lay a straw! Where see ye any man a substance Put to open penance, But punished by the purse? A poor man, that hath nought to pay, He shall be punished: this ye see every day; But if he be obstinant, and will not obey, Anon they will him curse.

_Sum._ Well, for thy saying another day thou shall fare the worse.

[_Exit_ SUMNER.

_Pov._ Sir, I beseech you comfort me with some solace!

_Peace._ Thou art well punished for thy trespass. By thine own sensual and undiscreet operation Hath brought thee to all this tribulation. Stand up! with this vesture I shall thee renew.

_Pov._ Sir! I thank you, and will do at your reformation; E2,_r._ And for my time mispent I am sore ashamed.

_Peace._ If ye do as I you bid, ye shall not be blamed. Forsake Envy and Misrule with all their old peers; Be conversant with good men; goodness thereof will grow. Follow the saying of David: _Cum sancto sanctus eris_; For wicked men evermore wicked seed do sow. What cometh of evil company, now thyself doth know; Print it well in thy memory, and do it not forget: Many a man doth decay for lack of good forewit.

_Pros._ Sir! your sayings is full true; I have perceived it; And for the virtuous counsel that ye to me have give, I shall be your orator while I have a day to live.

_Peace._ Sovereigns! here may ye see proved, before you all, Of this wanton world the great fragility; Ever mutable of the turning, as a ball. Now, flood of riches; now, ebb of poverty: What should men set by this world's vanity? Think on this lesson, and do it not forget: The gayest of us all is but worms' meat.

_Pros._ With the supportation of this noble audience, We have here showed this simple interlude; Beseeching you of your benevolence to take patience. It is but a mirror vice to exclude. The maker hereof, his intent was good, No man to displease, old nor young; If any fault be therein we desire you of pardon.

_Peace._ Let us pray all to that Lord of great magnificence To send among us rest, peace, and unity. And Jesu preserve our sovereign Queen of preclair pre-eminence, With all her noble consanguinity; And to send them grace to the issue to obtain, After them to rule this most Christian realm. E2,_v._ O good Lord! as Thou art omnipotent, Have regard unto my petition! Conserve this noble realm, and all that are present, Of thy eternal Deity grant them all thy fruition; And from our mortal enemies be our protection. Jesu! as Thou us redeemed, bring us to the bless Thereas angels sing: _Gloria in excelsis._ AMEN.

_Thus endeth the interlude called Impatient Poverty._

[_Here follow two ornaments and between them_ _the colophon as on page_ 312.]

THE INTERLUDE OF

JOHN THE EVANGELIST

[#The Names of the Players:#

ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST EUGENIO ACTIO IRISDISION EVIL COUNSEL IDLENESS]

Imprinted at London, in Foster Lane, by JOHN WALEY

[SAINT JOHN THE EVANGELIST.]

A2,_r._ ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST.

_Domine, ante te omne desiderium meum,_ _Et a te gemitus meus non est absconditus._ The sweetest life, Sovereign, in this world with some Is to have meditation of our Lord Jesus, Very contemplative God worshipped thus, Bethinking in the soul without any speech. God tendeth right more the prayer with the heart of us Than the prayer of the mouth. The text doth teach In meditation whoso hath forfence, The mouth cannot express the thoughts of the heart. That holiest fruition is of so high intelligence As it ravisheth the soul into a blessèd desert; It feeleth no earthly thing unto the time it revert. Thus fared Magdalen when Martha complained: She heard her not, in God her heart was so expert; Nor the angel at the sepulchre, love so her constrained-- The cause why I rehearse you, the holy meditation, For it is mine exercise express. Whoso will labour in this must see His habitation, Be solitary in soul, of great quietness. Therefore ever to the church I do me dress; Rest, reverence, and worship therein should be, With crying on Christ, and our sins confess. _Beati qui habitant in domo tua, Domine!_

_Eugenio._ _Qui cum Deo Patri_--granted by the pope A thousand four hundred, and never a day less-- That hath heard this noble sermon, and thereon doth hope, _A poena et culpa_ here I them release. Is it not pity such a pulpit man to lose? I pray you, sir, let us hear more of your pope holiness, For methink I have heard you preach on this at Paul's Cross. A2,_v._

_Irisdision._ Whom call you pope-holy?

_Eug._ Such a fool as thou art, that clappest ever in divinity.

_Iris._ All virtuous people to commend is my property.

_Eug._ Then is Caton false, and that he indites, For he saith _"Nec te collaudas nec te culpaberis ipse."_ Great laudations loveth these hypocrites! _Qui se collaudat_, etc. No more to you at this time. But understand you this Latin?

_Iris._ Yea, sir, I trow.

_Eug._ _Responde, tunc, domine, doctor clericorum._ But sir, know you any justice of quorum?

_Iris._ Why so?

_Eug._ A fellow of mine was take[n] with a cuculorum For a couple horses he stole in an evening.

_Iris._ What would ye have me do in that case?

_Eug._ _Sursum corda_ for him to sing, Ye should have [? known] well why.

_Iris._ I cannot sing.

_Eug._ No, sir, ye should but make a spring A3,_r._ Under a perch looking up toward the sky.

_Iris._ Without God be thy friend, that same death thou shalt die.

_Eug._ Marry, I beshrew his heart that so can prophesy!

_Iris._ What is thy name?

_Eug._ A, read!

_Iris._ Eugenio, I trow; the same!

_Eug._ A, sir; the devil strike off thy head! Whoreson, who taught thee so right to read? I trow some evil spirit be within thee.

[_The continuation seems imperfect._]

_Iris._ In the city of Jerusalem, that is so called. I fear thou wilt never come to that holy Sion That with twelve precious stones is surely walled. Full strait is the way thither to gone, And into that castle entering is none Without thou acquaint thee with two porters before: Hope is the first, and Faith the other one.

_Eug._ Lo! so ghostly he prateth evermore; Ye dare not cough, your conscience is so holy! But I pray you show me before Which is the way to yonder castle ye praise so greatly?

_Iris._ Over the Mead of Meekness mark thou the way; Then to the Path of Patience shalt thou pass Into the Land of Largeness; hold for the lay, A3,_v._ And in the Lane of Business look thou not bash; Then measure in a marsh a fair manor hasse; Rest there hardely, and abide all night.

_Eug._ Nay, that I will not, by this light! But what callest thou this way?

_Iris._ _Via recta_, leading to life; So David named it in his day-- _Spes mea stetit in via recta._

_Eug._ Passeth all men by this journey?

_Iris._ Nay, and the more pity, verily, I say.

_Eug._ What be they that go that way most?

_Iris._ They that be inspired with the Holy Ghost, As innocents and virgins.

_Eug._ Marry, I know none such in all this coast!

_Iris._ They that go thither must be _gratia electi_.

_Eug._ Why, is there no other way but this?

_Iris._ Yes, on the left side another there is, That is called _via obliqua et via circularis_.

_Eug._ And whither draweth this?

_Iris._ Even right to death; A4,_r._ Whoso walks that way, himself he slayeth.

_Eug._ Sir, who goeth that way so ill?

_Iris._ All they that worketh the devil's will, As _omnes iniquo in circuitu impii ambulantes_.

_Eug._ Thou art a lowler, by my troth, I warrants! How many by-paths be in that way?

_Iris._ Six score and odd, I say.

_Eug._ Then one cannot fail where he go by night or day. But may a man go to the stews that way At his pleasure, if he list to play?

_Iris._ It brings men to the seat of rueful array; The lady of confusion lieth therein, That Babylon is called; she is the end of all sin.

_Eug._ Which way coasteth that country?

_Iris._ To an isle in the north, I say; _Ab aquilone pandetur omne malum._

_Eug._ That is the first place that men should assay, Whether it be hedged or walled.

_Iris._ With boughs and trees it is marvellously paled. There groweth the elders of envy, Staked with pride full high, And the briars of backbiting with wrath wreathed about, A4,_v._ Full of slouthy bushes and lecherous thorns dry, With gluttonous posts and covetise railed throughout, And at Mischief's Gate many doth in run.

_Eug._ And where do they all become?