Of such things as ye shall eschew.
First, your soul look that ye keep clean;
Beware of misrule in any wise;
Play not at cailes, cards, nor dice;
Also from miswomen, for by them mischief may rise,
As it doth often; this daily is seen;
Haunt no taverns, nor sit not up late;
Let not hassard nor rioter with you be checkmate;
For then will Envy come, and make debate,
The which shall cause great trouble. B1,_v._
Be plentiful of such as God hath sent;
Unto the poor people give with good intent;
For every penny that so is spent
God will send thee double--
Take heed and do as I have said.
_Pros._ Sir! therewith I hold me well apaid;
As ye have commanded me, it shall be done.
_Peace_. Then let us depart for a season;
If ye need, I will be your protection.
[_Exeunt ambo._
[_Enter_ ABUNDANCE _and_ CONSCIENCE.]
_Abundance._ Joy and solace be in this hall!
Is there no man here that knoweth me at all?
I am beloved, both with great and small;
Abundance is my name.
I have all things as me list:
Meat, drink, and cloth of the best;
Gold and silver, full is every chest--
In faith! I will not layne.
I think ye know not my ways,
How I get goods, now-a-days,
By a proper mean.
Think you that I wold
Lend either silver or gold?
That day shall not be seen.
But I will lend them ware,
That shall be both bad and dear,
Not worth the money he shall pay;
And if he can no surety get,
Of my ware he getteth right nought
Without a good pledge he lay.
Then will I, for mine avail,
He shall make a bill of sale;
To me full bought and sold.
If the day be expired and past, B2,_r._
Then will I hold it fast;
He shall not have it though he would.
Thus, craft I have long used;
And some men do not yet refuse it:
This is be openly known.
What is he, in all this town,
That will lend without singular commodum?
Should I lend without a profit?
Nay, then I hold nought worth my wit.
_Conscience._ All this ye say is against Conscience.
_Abun._ Conscience, quod a? Nay, then shall we never thrive!
For I know him not alive
By conscience that cometh to substance.
I have all manner of marchandy;
I sell for long days to them that are needy,
And for the payment I have good surety,
Bound in statute marchant.
Because I may forbear,
I sell my ware so dear;
I make forty of twenty in half a year:
Other men do so as well as I.
_Cons._ Evensine very shame! marry, fie!
These goods are gotten untruly;
Many a man is undone thereby,
To take this ware so dear.
_Abun._ They seek to me both far and near;
Methink it is a good deed
To help a man at his need.
Yet have I other means
Whereby I get great gains:
I think ye know not that.
_Cons._ I? no, God wot!
_Abun._ No, ye are but an idiot! B2,_v._
I sold a man as much ware as came to forty pound,
And in an obligation I had him bound
To pay me at a certain day;
And when the bargain was made plain,
Mine own servant bought the same ware again
For the third penny it cost--ye wot what I mean!
But was not this a wise way?
_Cons._ Thou shalt repent it another day;
I charge thee, as far as I may,
Such false ways never begin.
_Abun._ Wherefore? this is no sin:
It is plain buying and selling;
Lawful it is for a man to win,
Else rich shall he never be.
_Cons._ Winning, to be had with due sufficiance,
In true buying and selling is not to discommend;
But for thy false usury thou art cursed in the sentence.
I pray God give thee grace for to amend.
_Abun._ Is every man accursed that doth buy and sell?
Then shall no man with merchandise mell:
How shall the world then be uphold?
_Cons._ Nay, sir, amiss ye do understand me:
All those that occupy false usury,
And transgresseth the laws of God by iniquity,
All such are accursed I you told;
As for buying and selling needs must be;
And God commandeth to lend to them that are needy,
So it be not to their injury
For lucre to them sold.
_Abun._ How should I sell? show me your ways!
_Cons._ Ye may not sell the dearer, for days;
If ye do, it is contrary to God's laws.
_Abun._ It is used in our country. B3,_r._
_Cons._ It is the more pity;
One such is able to destroy a city.
And God show not His great mercy,
All such are damned by His equity.
_Abun._ God forfend that should be!
How shall men do that be of great reputation,
Which kept their goods on this same fashion,
By usury, deceit, and by extortion?
I do so myself: wherefore should I lie?
_Cons._ Thou mayst be the more sorry.
_Abun._ It is so now--what remedy?
_Cons._ To make restitution.
_Abun._ What call ye restitution?
_Cons._ Restore such goods as ye have gotten
Wrongfully, by oppression.
_Abun._ Then shall I have little in my possession:
I will make God amends another way.
I will fast, and I will pray,
And I will give alms every day,
That I have done amiss, I am sorry, therefore.
_Cons._ This is not sufficient; thou must restore;
_Quia non dimittitur peccatum_
_Nisi restituatur ablatum:_
Ye must restore to them ye have offended unto.
_Abun._ Then I shall show you what I shall do!
I will put it in my testament
That my executors shall pay and content;
For while I live I will not have my good spent,
For if I do, I am but spilt.
_Cons._ Make amends, man, for thy guilt;
Rather spoil thy body than spoil thy soul.
_Abun._ Men of substance are ashamed to fall.
_Cons._ That causeth them to rest in their sin. B3,_v._
_Abun._ Yet ever with thy strongest part renneth the ball.
_Cons._ Yesterday thou canst not again call.
When thou art dead the gate of mercy is shut; you cannot come in.
_Abun._ Then let him stand without.
_Cons._ So of thy soul thou hast no doubt?
_Abun._ When thou seest my soul torn, set on a clout.
If falsehood, usury, and extortion should not rout,
Thousands in this realm should be put out;
The third part should not bide, by Saint Paul!
_Cons._ Yet often falsehood hath a great fall:
An example, by King Achab, which is soth,
Desired the vineyard of that poor man Naboth,
By counsel of Jezebel that king's wife.
Because he would not sell his possession,
Of two false witnesses he was peached of high treason;
And, through the mouth of a false quest, it rave;
Which caused the poor man to lose both land and life.
After that, of God's own bidding,
Came Helias the prophet to Achab the King;
Saying he should have evil ending.
And so he had; for by the way as he rode,
He fell and brake his neck where dogs lapped his blood.
This example, to all usurers and oppressors, as thinketh me,
Should cause them of God sore adread to be.
_Abun._ Sir, ye preach very holily, but our deeds be often contrary;
Ye be so acquainted with covetise and simony
That maketh us to take the same way.
_Cons._ So every evil disposed person doth say.
The frailty of man doth often offend;
Then call for grace, and shortly amend;
Therefore I counsel thee to pretend
To repent, and be sorry for thy misdeed.
_Abun._ Yet thus I will my life lead; B4,_r._
For of your saying I take no heed.
Ye will mucker up both gold and treasure;
Ye have riches without measure;
And of the flesh ye have your pleasure;
Ye can find no ways to amend yourself, I you insure.
Therefore rebuke not me for my sin ne good:
God be with you! ye shall not rule me.
_Cons._ O dull wit! plunged by ignorance,
Regarding nothing of ghostly instruction,
Setting more his mind on worldly substance
Than on the everlasting life that is to come!
God will strike when He list; ye know not how soon.
Therefore to every man this counsel I give:
To be sorry for your sin and do penance while ye live.
_Here cometh_ ENVY _running in, laughing,_ _and saith to_ CONSCIENCE.
_Envy._ Now, in faith! I would ye had be there.
_Cons._ Where should I have be?
_Envy._ A better sport ye never see.
_Cons._ Whereat laugh ye so fast?
_Envy._ He to go, and she after;
And, within a while, he caught her.
He took of her an incroke,
And chopt her on the heel with his foot;
Anon he whipt her on the back.
A, whoreson! quod she; playest thou me that?
And with her heel she gave him a spat,
That he was fain to go back again.
_Cons._ Good fellow, thou art to blame
Such words to have: no good thou can.
_Envy._ I said it to make you sport and game.
I cry you mercy! I was to blame:
I see ye are some virtuous man. B4,_v._
_Cons._ Shortly hence, that way thou came!
For here thou shalt not be.
_Envy._ Good Lord! some succour Thou send me,
That I be not outcast!
_Cons._ What is thy name? shortly, show me!
_Envy._ I dare not, sir, by Christ Jesu,
Except ye keep it privily.
_Cons._ Fear not; say on, heartily!
_Envy._ Sir, my right name is Charity.
Sometime beloved I was with the spiritualty;
But now covetise and simony doth them so avance
That good institution is turned to other ordinance;
And _bonum exemplum_ is put to such hindrance
That here I dare not appear.
_Cons._ Simony is not now in the spiritualty:
_Bonus pastor ovium_ thereto will see;
Therefore methink this is a lie:
In holy church simony cannot abide.
_Envy._ He goeth in a cloak, he cannot be espied;
And coveteous so craftily doth provide
That _bonus pastor ovium_ is blind, and will not see.
_Cons._ This that ye speak is upon Envy;
Therefore, I think ye be not Charity,
For Charity alway will say the best.
_Envy._ Amongst them can I have no rest.
_Cons._ How do ye with the temporalty?
_Envy._ There is pride, sloth, and lechery,
Which putteth me from that place.
_Cons._ Then be ye with the commonalty?
_Envy._ They despise me utterly.
One of them love not another;
The sister cannot love the brother;
Ne the child the father, ne mother: C1,_r._
There I dare not show my face.
_Cons._ This is to me a strange case:
What hear ye by Conscience?
_Envy._ Spiritual and temporal set against him, marvellously;
Merchants, men of law, and artificers of every degree;
They will hang him and they him espy.
Such exclamation goeth through this realm, round.
_Cons._ Why what fault have they found
With him, so to do?
_Envy._ His wit is nought, they say; also,
Every man putteth his will thereto,
To banish him for ever.
_Cons._ I know well it is not as ye say;
For I am Conscience, the high judge of the law.
_Envy._ Be ye Conscience? alas! that ever I this day saw!
If ye be taken, ye shall be hanged and draw;
For they have utterly put you down,
And set Covetise in your room,
Subtilty the scribe, his own cousin,
And Falsehood the Sumner, for the Court's promotion.
_Cons._ I marvel wherefore this was done.
_Envy._ When riches came before you, that much will pay--
There he had lived in sin many a day--
Ye should for money let him go quit away,
And put him to no shame.
Let poverty do penance for a little offence:
He is not able to promote you of twenty pence.
Then should ye have kept your residence,
And gotten yourself a good name.
_Cons._ Who so doeth they are to blame
In misordering them in such wise.
[_Envy._] Y-wys, cousin! I show you as now is the guise;
For by covetise much people doth uprise, C1,_v._
Which is against both you and me.
_Cons._ Charity, I pray you show what remedy
In this matter, for me, may be found.
_Envy._ Shortly, get you to wilderness, or some other region;
For they will hang you up at the Tyborn
If they find you in this place;
And I must depart also.
_Cons._ This is to me much sorrow and woe;
I will go into some far country.
Farewell, gentle cousin, Charity!
_Envy._ I shall pray for you: pray ye for me!
This is an heavy departing, [_Et plora._
I can in no wise forbear weeping.
Yet kiss me or ye go;
For sorrow my heart will break in two.
Is he gone? then have at laughing!
A, sir! is not this a jolly game
That Conscience doth not know my name?
Envy, in faith! I am the same:
What needeth me for to lie?
I hate Conscience, Peace, Love and Rest;
Debate and Strife, that love I best,
According to my property.
When a man loveth well his wife,
I bring them at debate and strife--
This is seen daily;
Also, between sister and brother;
There shall no neighbour love another
Where I dwell by.
And now I tell you plain,
Of one man I have disdain;
Prosperity men do him call.
He is nigh of my blood; C2,_r._
And he to have so much worldly good,
That grieveth me worst of all.
_Pros._ Jesus, that is both steadfast and stable,
Ever perseverant, and never mutable--
He save this congregation!
_Envy._ Welcome, Poverty! by Cock's passion!
How have ye done this many a day?
_Pros._ I thank God, as well as any may.
Ye call me wrong: my name is Prosperity.
_Envy._ Prosperity, with an evil hap!
How the devil fortunest that?
I knew thee Impatient Poverty.
_Pros._ Whatsoever I was, let that matter pass,
And take me as I am.
_Envy._ I cry you mercy! I was to blame
To call you by your old name;
Yet all these people think ye are the same
Impatient Poverty, as I said before.
_Pros._ Avaunt! I tell thee, I am gentleman bore;
If I hear thee report such words any more,
Thou shalt be punished like a knave.
_Envy._ A knave, quod a? by Cock's passion!
I am your own cousin,
And nigh of your consanguinity.
_Pros._ Thou and I are not of one affinity.
_Envy._ If I were a rich man ye would not say so by me;
Ye would then say, I were your next kinsman on live.
_Pros._ I say, go hence, and make no more strife;
I set not by such a poor haskard.
_Envy._ Sir, do not ye know my name?
_Pros._ I know thee not, by Saint Jame.
_Envy._ Charity, in faith! I am the same:
What needeth me for to lie? C2,_v._
I am your cousin, and so will I die;
Ye may be glad such a kinsman to have.
_Pros._ Shall we have more ado yet, thou knave?
I charge thee, never know me for your kin!
_Envy._ I pray you, one word or I go.
_Pros._ Say on, shortly; then have I do.
_Envy._ Sir, I have of gold three hundred pound,
In a bag fast i-bound,
At home locked in my chest.
I purpose to go to Jerusalem;
Ye shall keep it till I come again:
I put you best in trust.
_Pros._ Cousin, I would fain do the best
Because ye are near of my blood.
_Envy._ What! are ye now in that mood?
Now I am your kinsman, because of my good;
Before of me he had disdain!
_Pros._ As for that, I was to blame;
I knew you not--be not angry.
Ye are welcome to me, cousin Charity.
_Envy._ Then all these matters let be!
I come hither with you to dwell;
Ye must have more servants, I do you tell,
Such as were necessary for your person.
_Pros._ I am content after your provision;
In every thing let it be done
As ye think most expedient.
_Envy._ Sir, I shall do mine intent
To get you servants mo.
_Pros._ I pray you heartily it may be so:
A little season I will from you go,
To solace me with some recreation. [_Exit._
_Envy._ He that sitteth above the moon C3,_r._
Evermore be in your protection!
Aha! here is sport for a lord,
That Prosperity and I be well at accord!
I shall bring his thrift under the board,
I trust, within short space.
For it grieveth my heart right sore
He hath so much treasure in store,
And I have never the more.
I must find some proper shift
That from his good he may be lift;
To bring him to Misrule I hold it best,
For he can soon bring it to pass.
_Here_ MISRULE _singeth, without coming in._
How! what rutterkin have we here?
I would he were our subchanter
Because he can so well sing. [_Enter_ MISRULE.
_Misrule._ _Venir avecque vous gentyl compaygnon_
_Faictes bone chere pour lamour de sainct John_
_Mon coeur iocund is set on a merry pin_--
By my troth! I am disposed to revelling.
_Envy._ So methinketh, by your coming in.
What, Misrule! where hast thou been many years?
_Mis._ By my troth, even amongst my peers.
I came now straight from the stews,
From little pretty Jone--
Lord! that she is a pretty one!
_Envy._ Hold thy peace; let that alone.
Hark! a word or twain to thee:
I dwell now with Prosperity,
Which hath much worldly treasure;
If thou can contrive, in thy thought,
How that he may be brought to nought,
In all this world I desire no more.
_Mis._ Tush! take no thought therefore; C3,_v._
I can provide for that in the best wise.
_Envy._ Then let me hear thy device.
_Mis._ I will bring him to clash, cards, and dice,
And to proper trulls, that be wanton and nice,
Which will not be kept with a small price.
How thinkest thou? will not this do well?
_Envy._ Yes; but hearken in counsel;
Thou must change thy name.
_Mis._ I will say I hight Mirth.
_Envy._ And I will say the same.
Peace! whist! I see him come. [_Enter_ PROSPERITY.
_Pros._ God save all this honourable company.
_Envy._ Sir, you be welcome, by our blessed lady!
I have thought for you full long.
Here is a gentleman; I pray you, for my sake,
Say he is welcome, and into your service him take,
For great courtesy he can.
_Pros._ Sir, you be welcome; give me your hand,
And show me what is your name.
_Mis._ Sir, my name is Mirth;
Beloved with lords and ladies of birth,
At every triumph I am them with:
They can me not once forbear.
_Envy._ And ye had sought this thousand year
Such another ye shall not find;
Wherefore I counsel you, in my mind,
Let him dwell with you for one year.
_Pros._ At your request, I am content;
Such a pretty man for me were expedient;
And of his counsel fain would I hear.
_Mis._ Ye must sing and dance, and make good cheer:
I would ye had some proper wench
That were young and lusty; at a pinch, C4,_r._
Her heel were not so broad as an inch,
She would quicken your courage.
_Pros._ Peace hath forbid all that outrage.
_Envy._ He would set you at dotage
Because he is old, and nature is past;
He would now every man should fast.
If ye do so ye do but waste,
And unto you no meed.
_Mis._ A straw for him! ye have no need
Of him to stand in awe or dread;
A merrier life now may ye lead:
Therefore, be at your own liberty.
_Pros._ By my troth! I may say to thee
Sith I to him did assent
Had I never merry day;
But lived in fear and dread alway,
Nothing to mine intent.
Another while I will me sport,
Sing and dance, to my comfort.
_Envy._ And among merry company do resort;
For that shall length your life.
_Mis._ Spare neither maid, ne wife;
Take both and they come in your way.
_Envy._ Off with this lewd array!
It becometh you nought, by this day!
_Pros._ By my troth! even as ye say.
Yea, marry! now am I well apaid;
Methinketh I am properly arrayed.
If I had a proper trull, she should be assayed
In the worship of the new year.
_Envy._ Rush up mutton, for beef is dear!
Have, and revel, and chance!
_Mis._ Now let us both sing and dance. C4,_v._
Will ye have a French round?
_Pros._ And thou shalt see me bounce above the ground:
Hey, with revel dash!
PEACE _entereth._
_Peace._ What, Prosperity! is it come hereto?
_Pros._ What devil of hell hast thou to do?
Shall I not make merry when me list?
_Peace._ Yet I say, beware of Had I wist!
_Envy._ Hence, ye knave! or else thou shalt lick my fist:
I trow thy head would have some knocks.
_Pros._ Go, set him in a pair of stocks,
That I him no more see.
_Peace._ Yet, man! I say, remember thee,
And think what I to thee have said:
Eschew evermore these rioters' company,
And be ruled by reason, as I thee bade.
Put from thee these two persons, by whom thou art lade--
Envy and Misrule, with their sinful and great abusion,
Which, if thou wilt not forsake, will be thy confusion.
_Pros._ Avaunt, lorel! and take this for a conclusion:
These men from me thou shalt not separate.
Go! out of my sight! or, by Cock's passion!
I shall lay thee fast in Newgate.
_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?