Enter Worldly man stout and frolike . Worldly man : BEcause I am a man indewed with treasure , Therfore a worldly man men doo me call : In deed I haue riches and money at my pleasure , Yea , and I wil haue more in spight of them all . A common saying better is enuy then rueth , I had rather they should spite then pitty me : For the olde saying now a dayes proueth trueth , Naught haue naught set by as dayly we see . I wis I am not of the minde as some men are , Which look for no more then wil serue necessitie : No against a day to come I doo prepare , That when age commeth I may liue merily . Oh saith one inough is as good as a feast , Yea , but who can tel what his end shal be ? Therfore I count him wurse then a Beast , That wil not haue that in respect and sée . As by mine owne Father an example I may take , He was belooued of all men and kept a good house : Whilst riches lasted , but when that did slake , There was no man that did set by him a Louse . And so at such time as as he from the world went , I mene when he dyed he was not worth a grote : And they that all his substance had spent , For the value of xij . pence would haue cut his throte . But I trowe I wil take héed of such , They shall go ere they drink when they come to me : It dooth me good to tel the chinks in my hutch , More then at the Tauern or ale house to be be . ¶ Heauenly man . God careth for his as the Prophet Dauid dooth say , And preserueth them vnder his merciful wing : The Heauenly I mene , that his wil doo obay , and obserue his holy commaundements in all thing . Yet not for our sakes , nor for our deseruing . But for his owne name sake openly to declare : that all men héer on Earth ought to liue in his feare . Worldly man . This same is one of our iolly talkers , That prattleth so much of Heauen and Hel : Oh , I tel you these are godly walkers , Of many straunge things they can tel . They passe men yea Angels they excel , Sir , are you not called the Heuenly man ? I haue been in your company ere now but I cannot tel whan Heuenly man . Yes certainly Sir , that is my name , Vnworthy of any such title I doo confesse : God graunt that I may deserue the same , And that my faults I may amend and redresse . Therfore now the trueth doo you héer expresse , Is not the Worldly man your name ? Worldly man . Yea in déed Sir , I am the very same . Contentation . From the Heauenly man I cannot be long absent , Which in Gods promises hath his consolation : Considering that he alwaies is content , Patiently to suffer Gods visitation . For vnderstand you ? my name is Contentation . Whome the worldly man dooth mock and deride : And wil not suffer him once in his minde to abide . Worldly man . This same is the Grandsire of them all , This is he that will through water and fire : Good reasoning betwixt vs now hear you shall , For to folowe him he wil me ernestly require , But he shal be hanged or he haue his desire . You are welcome Sir , sauing my quarrel in déed : You haue reported of me much more then you néed . Contentation . Nothing but trueth Sir , certainly I haue said , Oft times I haue councelled you your couetousnes to leue But my woords as fethers in the winde you haue waid , And stuck to them as Glue to the water dooth cleaue . But take héed the rewarde therof you shall receiue . Once again I aduertise thée to be content : And giue thanks to God for that he hath thée sent . Worldly man . I pray you be you content for I am pleased , And meddle you no more with me then I doo with you : Heauenly man . To be angry without a cause , without mends must be eased We wil be more ernest then euer we were now . Wo ( saith our Sauiour ) to those that are rich , Which therin onely haue their consolation : He curseth them not be cause they haue much , but because they receiue it not with contentation . Building therwith to them selues a good foundation , That is to lay héer on Earth treasure great store : to purchace a kingdome that lasteth euer more . Worldly man . Passion of me maisters , what would you haue me to doo ? You are fond fellowes indéed as euer I knew : If I should not take paines , ride , run and go For my liuing , what therof would insue ? A begger should I dye , maisters this is true , Then my wife and children that I leaue behinde : I fear me at your hands , small reléef should finde . Heauenly man . I haue béen yung ( saith Dauid ) and now am olde , Yet the righteouse forsaken I neuer did sée : Nor their seed begging Bread I did not beholde , Therfore your minde to the Prophets dooth not agrée , Cast all thy burden and care ( saith Christe ) on me . And I wil prouide to kéep thée from daunger and strife : Onely seek thou to liue a godly and good life . Contentation . When Solon was asked of Cressus the King , What man was moste happy in this vale terestrial : To the end he séemed to attribute that thing , When men be assosiate with treasures selestiall . Worldly man . By the beginning no man can iudge the same Solon dooth say , That any man is happy that beareth breath : But yet by the end partely iudge we may , For true happines ( saith he ) consisteth after death . Heauenly man . If this be true as vndoutedly it is , What men are more wicked , wretched and miserable : Then those that in riches account their blisse , Béeing infected with Ambition that sicknes vncurable . Contentation . The treasure of this world we may wel compare , To Circes the Witch with her crafty cawtilitie : Wherwith many mens mindes so poysoned are , That quite they are caryed to all infidelitie , They are coniured so in déed and bewitched so sore , That treasure is their trust , yea , hope and delight : Inough serueth them not til that they haue more , So against Contentation they stil striue and fight . Heauenly man . Though the Worldly man doo folowe their lust , Crying on Earth is our felicitie and pleasure : Yet God dooth so rule the harts of the Iust , That their study is , cheefly to get Heauenly treasure . Worldly man . Fréends I take you bothe for honest men , I promise you I would be glad to doo for the best : Mary then I take care which way and when , I may get treasure therewith to liue in rest . Oh , me thinks it is a very pleasant thing , To sée a great heap of olde Angels and Crownes : When I haue store of money I can be mery and sing , For money as men say winneth bothe Citties and townes . Heauenly man . Alas why should you not haue that in estimation , Which God hath prepared for his déer elect : Should not our mindes rest in ful contentation , Hauing trust in that treasure moste high in respect , Saint Paule whome the Lord so high dooth erect . Saith , it passeth the sence , our memoryes and minde : Much lesse can our outwarde eyes the same finde . As for the treasure that you possesse héer , Through ficklenes of Fortune soon fadeth away : The greatest of renown and moste worthy Peer , Somtime in the end falleth to misery and decay . Recorde of Dionisius a King of much fame , Of the valiant Alexander , and Ceaser the strong : Recorde of Tarquinus which Superbus had to name : And of Heliogabalus that ministred with wrong , To resite them all it would be very long . But these be sufficient plainly to prooue : How soon and vncertainly riches dooth remooue . Contentation . It is true , and therfore a minde wel content , Is great riches as wise king Salomon dooth say : For we haue séen of late dayes this canker pestilent Corrupting our Realme to our vtter decay . Ambition I mene which chéefly dooth reign , Amongst those who should haue béen example to other : Yea we sée how the Bréethern they did disdain , And burned with fire , the Childe with the mother . It is often séen that such monstrous Ambition , As spareth not to spil the blood of the innocent : Wil not greatly stick to fall to sedition , The determinations of God therby to preuent , But God I trust shall disapoint their intent . And ouerthrowe the power of fading treasure : And cause vs al to wish for the heauenly pleasure . Heauenly man . O you ancient men whome God hath furnished with fame , Be ye alwaies mindeful to walke in the waies of the Iust , And ad euer more vertue to your honest name , And at no hand be ouer come with couetouse or lust , But in Gods holy promise put confidence and trust . And then double felicitie at the last we shall possesse : And then in all Earthly dooings God shall giue good successe Ye poor men and commons walke in your vocation , Banish fond fantasyes which are not conuenient : Settle your mindes with inough to haue contentation , Considering that that leadeth to treasures moste excellent , For these are vncertain , but they are moste parmanent . Your necessitie apply with treasure , faith and trust : And you shall haue inough alwaies among the Iust . Worldly man . And indéed inough is as good as a feast , Good Lord how your woords haue altred my minde : A new hart me thinks is entred in my brest , For no thought of mine olde in me I can finde . I would to God you would take me in your company , And learne me how I may be an heauenly man : For now I perceiue this world is but vanitie , Let a man therfore make of it asmuch as he can . Contentation . Doo you speak as you think ? and as you minde doo you say ? Could you be content to lead the rules of a godly life ? Worldly man . I doo mean it truly and I wil study them night and day , For I regarde neither treasure , Children nor wife . Heauenly man . Giue me your hand then togither let vs departe : Worldly man . And I wil wait on you sir , with all my hart . Exeunt Ambo. ¶ Enter Temeritie , Inconsideration , and Precipitation singing this Song . When Couetouse is busy , Then we three be all mery , for he dooth trimly inuent : To make vs fine frolike chéer Be vitailes neuer so déer , and all our money clene spent Therfore we spare for no cost We can be trusted of our hoste For shillings xx . and one : Couetouse hath a good wit , He findeth a mene to pay it , when all our money is gone . Therfore trole the boule to me , With huf childe & haue to thee , the longest liuer pay all : Our trust is in Couetise , For he is prudent and wise , therfore money cannot fall . Oh Couetouse prudent Prince , All strong walles thou doost conuince and rulest them euery one : Thou doost driue many a drift , And makest for vs much shift , when all our money is gone . ¶ Enter Couetouse the Vice alone . AT Black heath feeld where great Golias was slain , The Moon lying in childe bed of her last Sonne : The Tiborne at warwick was then King of Spain , By whome the land of Canaan then was wun . It hapned betwéen Peterborow and Pentecost , About such time as Iuy was made of Wormwood : That Childes woork in Basil wood with fire was lost , And all through the treason of false Robin Hood . That saw Sir Guy of Warwick , and Colebrand , Which fought against the Sun and stopped his light : Yea ( quoth Hobgoblin ) let me take them in hand , Children , children not able to resist my might A wunderful bloodshed was in those dayes , For Saint Steephen fought against the golden Knight : In so much that Peeter was fain to giue his Keyes , To those God knowes that had to them no right . With the greef of that , all the Saints in Heauen , Proclamed open warres at Barnard in the feeld : They fought from six of the clock to eleuen , Or euer the Traitors would giue ouer and yéeld . But to say there was triumph , in faith there was , Saint Steephen the yunger was made Captain of the Garde : Wunderful it was to see such things he brought to passe , As I am sure the like of them ye neuer heard . By gisse ( quoth Saint Steephen ) it was time to trudge , Fryer Francis took his flight to Paules stéeple : In faith he was euen with them for an olde grudge , For he caried away the Wethercock in spight of the people . Then was I dubbed Knight at Kinistone , And made Officer of all Courts and lawes : I gaue Offices and liuings many a one , Mary in déed you may say , it was for a cause . In faith the same day that Midsommer was maried , I neuer laughed better in my life : For euen sudainly away Saint Vncumber caried , Bothe the Bridgroome and the Bride his wife . No remedy on Gods name but I must beare them company , Chéer , in faith there was , chéer in houles : And who was minstrel but Saint Anthony , He made melodye for all Christen soules . A quarter of a yéer we taried there in the tent , Wherin we had Capricorne baked like red Déer : I taried so long til I was shent , Iesu how they cryed out of me there . Wel , I must abrode among my fréends , Euery houre til I come they think a day : I wil go among then to fulfil their mindes , Fare ye wel Gossip I must needs away . Temeritie . What brother Couetouse ? whether away so fast ? I sawe you not by the Masse , til I was almoste past . Couetouse . What mine owne Brother Temeritie : I reioice to see you , I swere by the Trinitie . Inconsideration . For thée we thrée haue taken great thought , Precipitation . Lord , how far about for you we haue sought ? Couetouse . And I pray you where haue you thrée sought for mée ? Precipitation . In the Kings bench and in the Marshalsée . Yea , and in all the Countees , and at Newgate : For these are places meet for thine estate . Couetouse . I perceiue wel it must be my chaunce : Abooue all your kinsfolke you to inhaunce . Your place is at Saint Thomas awatrings : Or els at Wapping beyond Saint Katherins . There wil I dub you Knights of the Halter : Among your mates there strongly to talter . Inconsideration . You are to blame in faith Precipitation : For you began this fond communication . Couetouse . You are Knaues to vse such salutation : Temeritie . Why Brother we speke for your consolation . Couetouse . Speak what you wil , euen with you I can make . Speak you in mirth , and in mirth I doo it take . But by the mas and if you go about me to flowt : I wil make the better of all you thrée a Lout . Precipitation . No Sir , no , we came not hether you to molest : Our busines I tel you is very ernest . Inconsideration . By Gods ares true , if now we make not shift : We are all foure like to haue a great lift . Temeritie . If euer Couetouse were in daunger of punishment : He standeth now at the point of banishment . Couetouse . Sancte Blaci , you make me much to muse : Passion of me Sirs , why what newes ? Precipitation . I think the day of Iudgement be now at hand : For it was neuer thus since the worlde did stand . The worldly man hath forsaken Couetouse clene : And vnto Contentation , and Inough he dooth lene . Couetouse . What dooth he ? Benidicite is this true ? Inconsideration . Yea faith , he is quite becommen a new . More ouer with the heauenly man he is associate : Where he studieth the rules of godly life erly & late . Couetouse . Body of me Precipitation , fetch me my gown : My Cap , and my Chain , I wil to the Town . Mary Sir , in deed it is time to stir Coles : I wil go neer to fetch some of them out of their holes . Temeritie . Haste maketh waste Brother Couetouse ye wot : No loo●●e so soon colde , as that is moste hot . I warrant you the worldly man wil soon be wery : For they wil not suffer him once to be mery . And verily he is inclined to be nought : therfore think not that by them he wil long be taught Couetouse . Now by the masse , of one that should haue sapience , I neuer heard none vtter such a foolish sentence . Knowe you not that when so euer a Sinner dooth repent : That God forgiueth him his wickednes incontinent . Inconsideration . True in déed as héer tofore hath béen séen : Many haue been made heauenly that worldly haue béen . Precipitation . Héer is your Gown , your Chain and your Cap : Couetouse . Body of me , but for shame thou shouldst beare me a rap . Whorson théef , the Deuil in Helthée choke : What meanest thou foolish knaue to bring my Cloke . Temeritie , Why my brother is blinde , I holde you a Crown : Body of me he knoweth not a Cloke from a Gown . Inconsideration . Tush maisters he was stirring in the morning betime : At foure of the Clock in a S●ller he was saying of Prime . Precipitation . I blame him not though betimes he stéer : For he is made Ale cunner in our Parish this yéer . His paines is so great in tasting of drink : That many times his eyes into his hed doo sink . And then he looketh prestly as narow as a Crowe : I tel you he can scarce reed the letters of his Crosrowe . Couetouse . Body of me , you are Knaues all thrée : Take Gown , Chain , Cap and all for me . I wil be euen with you all I swere by Gods mother : Chuse you shift how you can one for an other . Be going out . I warrant you I shal be able to shift for my self : Or els you may say I were a foolish elf . Temeritie . Holde him . Why brother , you said you would all things wel take : Couetouse . Yea but I would not haue you your fool me to make . Come in again For you knowe wel inough that of you all thrée : I am worthy the gouernour and Ruler to be . Couetouse ( saith the wise man ) is the root of all euil : Therfore Couetouse is the cheefest that commeth from the deuil . But this is that Knaue I mene Precipitation : But I wil be euen with him I swere by the Passion . Precipitation . Cumin . I am sory by my trueth that you are so sore offended : What Sir , if a fault be made it shal be amended . Couetouse . Nay faith I am an Ale cunner , or some drunken fool : I am no better but your courage I wil coole . He fighteth with them bothe with his Daggar . That witlesse knaue to , Inconsideration , He was beginner of this disputation . But it is no matter once or Christmas day : I wil be euen with you , be as be may . Inconsideration . Lay holde on him What worshipful M. Couetouse are you angry with me ? I am sory for it man , what can I more be ? hang me vp by the neck like a strong théef : If euer I speak any woord that shall put you to gréef . Couetouse . I would doo for you Sirs , for I looue you all thrée , Mary then I look that as I am you should accept me Temeritie . By my troth Brother , I dare say none of vs all : But that to doo as you bid vs , redy finde you shall . Couetouse . Mary then on good feloship let vs like fréends agrée : All. Why abooue all things that desire we . Couetouse . Wil you help then to make me gay ? Temeritie As you wil wish it , so we wil you aray . Couetouse . Wil you concent to showe vnto me reuerence ? Precipitation . Yea , at all times we wil showe to you our obedience Couetouse . Wil you take me for your maister and hed ? Inconsideration . Yea mary Sir , for so it standeth vs in sted . Couetouse . And doo you say as you think in very déed ? Temeritie . Yea , that shall you prooue in all time of néed . Couetouse . First to help on my gown some paines doo you take And then I wil see what curtsie you can make . Inconsideration . It is trim indéed , by the masse in that Gown : Me thinks you be worthy to be Mayor of a town . Couetouse . Say you so ? then how like you this countenaunce ? Precipitation . Very comely and like a person of great gouernaunce Couetouse . Then all is wel , come , come doo your dutye : All three . O worthy Prince Couetouse we humbly salute ye . Couetouse . Body of me , that same wil marre all : When in company I come if Couetouse you doo me call Temeritie . Therfore it is best for vs all to chaunge our names : Precipitation . Or els paraduenture we shall come to shames . Couetouse . Wel , holde your peace , then let me alone : And I wil deuise names for you euery one , study Sira , nay you gape at me : Temeritie . What shall my name be ? Couetouse . You wil haue it or I haue it , wil ye ? Sira , thy name shal be . study . Precipitation . What I pray you ? Couetouse . A shame take thée vnmannerly Lout : Thou camest so hastely thou hast put me out , Nay , that maid looks on me : study Come hether Inconsideration , I haue a name for thee Inconsideration . Haue you Sir ? I pray you what shall it be ? Couetouse . Nay by the masse , it is gone again : Inconsideration . And I would knowe it I tel you very fain . Couetouse . Yea , but you must tary til I haue it : Temeritie , I tel you my Brother hath a braue wit . Couetouse . A shame take them I haue them now all thrée : speak to Inconsideration Come hether brother I wil tel you what your name shal be . You knowe the men now a dayes to reason doo trust : Therfore Reason , your self from hence foorth name you must . Temeritie , I knowe wel thy qualitie : Thou art heady , thou shalt be called Agilitie . I study a name for Precipitation if it may hit : Let me see , by my trueth , that shalt be called Redy wit . Precipitation . An excellent name in déed , for I am redy & quick with a pen : For before I see one I can condemne ten . I passe not for any mans matters or cause : money and wit shall gouern the Lawes . Couetouse . Wel maisters I haue chosen names for eche one of you : But mine owne name I knowe not I make God a vow . How if I call my name Wit or Policy ? Temeritie . Mary Sir , that agréeth to your nature excéedingly . Couetouse . Trueth , for what shall the worldly man doo with you thrée ? Except to maintain you , he take in mée . Little worth is Reason , redy wit and Agillitie : Except to maintain them there be a Policy . Sirs you tel me the worldly man is conuerted : Precipitation . Yea faith that for euer from vs he is departed . Couetouse . For euer ( quoth he ) ha , ha , ha , no , no I warrant thée I What this geer meaneth ful wel I doo espye . Tush he purposeth to go bothe to heauen and to hel : And feth newes from thence to the people to tel . He wil be a Prophet that was wunt to be a deuil : Temeritie . But his prophecy I think wil prooue but euil . Inconsideration . Wel no more woords , inough is as good as a feast : They say it is perelouse with edge tooles to iest . Couetouse . Now Sirs I wil tel you , this is all my drift , To get the worldly man hether by some shift . Temeritie thou shalt with him thy self acquaint : And what thou canst doo , to him foorth thou shalt paint Vertue is made an errour by Temeritie : For stoutly he standeth against the veritie . For Temeritie learned men doo say : Is a qualitie to doo all things without delay . So that if thou maist get into his habitation : He wil soon be wery of inough and contentation . Then with him shall woork Precipitation : Who is of this propertie and inclination . To see and to doo all with out forecast : Not thinking of things to come or of things past . Therfore after that Temeritie dooth once enter : Thou shalt put thy seruice in aduenter . Then Inconsideration shall get into his minde Who is a qualitie much of the same kinde . He waieth neither the time , person nor place : Neither ( as they say ) the taile nor the the face Thus if you three within him once be placed : You shall see that Inough of him shall soon be disgraced Vnder the name of Policy to enter I doo not dout : And I béeing entred Inough shal be cast out . For wher Couetouse in any place dooth remain : There content with inough cannot abide certain . So that he shall run hedling into the pit : Dooing all things hedling without modestie or wit . Lo , heer to you my minde I haue disclosed : All haue I said that I haue now purposed . Temeritie . By the faith of my body it is worthyly deuised : Couetouse . In all the haste go thou and be thou disguised . Mary now there commeth an other thing to my remembraunce Are none of you acquainted with ghostly Ignoraunce ? Inconsideration . What he pardy ? he is my ghostly Father : Couetouse . I would speak with him so much the rather . For diuers causes that I doo consither : My brother and thou shall departe hence togither . Look you make you trim as fast as you can : And then in haste séek to speak with the worldly man . Inconsideration to ghostly Ignorance , thou shalt resorte : And this message from me to him thou shalt reporte . First that he name him self deuotion : And we wil help him to dignitie and promotion . Charge him not to be out of the way : For we porpose to send for him this present day . Temeritie . For asmuch as you put your trust & confidence in me : What I can doo for you , or it be long you shall sée . Inconsideration . Where to finde ghostly Ignorance I am sure : Seldome or neuer at home at his owne cure . Precipitation . No , the Sermons that ghostly ignorance hath made : Hath almoste brought all the Parishes in England out of trade Couetouse . Wel , hye you a pace , that you were gone : Precipitation and I wil tary heer alone . Temeritie . Fare wel Couetouse til we méet again : Inconsideration . That shall not be long if our purpose we obtain . Couetouse . Nay hear you ? God be with you , wil you begone ? Body of me you are no better then knaues euery one . Fare wel Couetouse ? nay fare wel good Lob : Be going out You haue euen asmuch maners as hath a Dog. Come in Plain Couetouse ? this is according to promise is it not ? Wel what I intend to doo for it , I wot what I wot . Temeritie . I cry you mercy right worshipful Maister couetise , Moste prudent , politick , sapient and wise . Inconsideration . Pardon vs by my trueth , it was but forgotten : Couetouse . Nay I take it euen thus , soon ripe soon rotten . I am no body with you , but by him I swere : I look the greatest stroke amongst you to bere . Temeritie . Inough is as good as a feast , we are warned I trowe From hence foorth our duties I warrant ye we wil showe , We take our leaue of you noble prince Couetise : The King , Emperour , yea the God of all vice . Inconsideration . Oh worthy visage , and body wel compact : Oh goodly man in wit , work and fact . We simple creatures doo showe to you obedience : Beeing minded to departe vnder your patience . Couetouse . Yea mary , this is some what like the matter : Precipitation . Crafty knaues , how they can a foole flatter . Couetouse . Exeunt Ambo Fare ye wel bothe , giue me your hands one after an other : I looue ye as déerly as the Children of my mother . How saist thou Precipitation ? how likest thou this matter ? Precipitation . By my trueth I wil tel the trueth , Yea and not flatter . I perceiue wel inough what heer in you doo mene : You wil not leaue til you haue marred him clene . Not onely riches singuler and priuate : But also publike weales you wil spolyate . For I perceiue by your former monition : That through ghostly Ignorance you wil destroy deuotion . I meane true faith , in Gods looue and hope : And cause him in cleer Sun shine , for light to grope . Couetouse . Thou thinkest as trueth is in very déed : I intend no lesse if my deuice may likely spéed . There wil I begin and if errour once rage in religion : I warrant thee in publike wele wil soon be deuision . Precipitation . Wel , what you intend to me dooth not appertain : My nature is to rage where haste dooth reign . And what causeth haste ? but onely Temeritie : That maketh fooles hardy with Securitie . Precipitation foorth dooth this worldly man leade : So that all his affaires be doon rudely on hed . Then Inconsideration bothe night and day : Shall promp him forward nothing at all to wey . Neither to consider his beginning : Neither at the end what shall be the winning . So that if all we doo our proper nature and kinde : He shall not regarde who shall the profit finde . Couetouse . Lupus est in fabula , no more woords . Precipitation . I neuer fear any such kinde of burdes . This is the worldly man I suppose indéed : Enter the Worldly man and Inough , let the worldly man stand a far of in a straunge attire . Couetouse . To woork wisely with him I see we had need : Worldly man . I finde it true as the wise king Saloman dooth say , It is better to haue a little with the fear of the Lord Then to haue much treasure and yet go astray , I mene to decline from Gods holy word . The prouerbe saith inough is as good as a feast , He that hath inough and cannot be content : In my iudgement is worse then a Beast , For he wanteth a good conscience minde & intent . Poorly arayed Inough . The Chariot of Couetouse as Barnard dooth write , On foure wheeles of vices is caried away : And these be the foure vices that he dooth resite , Contempt of God , forgetfulnes of death eche day . Faint courage , and vngentlenes he dooth say . These be the wheeles that to aduersityes cart dooth belong : These haue perswations to begile men many and strong . The same Chariot hath two horses which dooth it draw , The one named Raueny and the other nigardship : Their Carter is Desire to haue , who alwaies dooth claw , By fraude or guile one an other to nip , This Carter hath two cordes to his Whip . The one is Appititite and felicitie for to get : The other is called Dread and fear to forlet . Worldly man . When this Chariot gone in the ground of mans minde , He is not once able to think a good thought : For Couetouse dooth the hart so much to lucre binde , That he iudgeth all things to be vain and nought , Except some gain or profit therby be brought . I my self am able to say it , for I doo it knowe : To haue gotten money I studyed to deceiue high and lowe But thanks be to God the Father of all might , Which wil not the death of Sinners as Scripture dooth say It hath pleased him to open vnto me the the true light , Wherby I perceiue the right path from the brode way , Therfore I am content my self for to stay . With Inough which bringeth me to quiet in body & minde : Yea. and all other commodityes there with I doo finde , Inough . Godlines is great riches if a man can be content , When God hath sent him plenty and Inough : Let vs praise him for our food and raiment , And liue godlyly all our liues through , For we must tread the paths of death so sharp and rough . And then shall we be sure to cary as little away : As we brought with vs thus Saint Paule dooth say . Couetouse . Body of me he is meruelouse forgone : We shall haue somwhat to doo with him anon . Precipitation . It was il luck that he came not alone . I would that beggerly knaue in Hel were . Couetouse , Wel let me alone I wil go néer , To cause him of his company to be wery : I haue doon as great acts thrise this yeer , I am not to learne to rowe in Illirans Fery . I wil go to him and thou shalt wait vpon me , Thou shalt hear what a take to him I wil tel : Precipitation . If thou spéed wel now I dare promise the , The Deuil wil giue thée the Crown of hel . Couetouse , God spéed you Sir , I pray you might I be so bolde , As to haue a woord or two with you in your eare ? Inough . Yea , hardely my fréend say what you would . Your minde vnto me you may boldely declare . Couetouse . I pray you are you not acquainted with this gentleman ? I would fain speak with him a word or twain alone : I beseech you help me to my request if you can , For I haue haste on my way I must needs be gone . Inough . If you had required a greater thing of me , I would haue doon it for you I tel you certain : Sir , one of yonder men which you doo see , Would speak with you alone very fain . Worldly man . I wil go to him and knowe his minde : is it you that would speak with me my fréend ? Couetouse . Yea forsooth sir ? Worldly man . What say you to me ? Couetouse . Oh Sir , oh good Sir , oh , oh , oh my hart wil breke : Oh , oh , for sorow God wot I cannot speak . Weep Worldly man . What is the matter ? wherfore wéep you thus ? Precipitation . Weep Pure looue causeth him , Sir I wus . I am sure that be looues you at the hart . Worldly man . I thank him truely it is vndeserued on my parte . Gentle freend I pray you ceasse your lamentation : Sure it is a straunge thing to see a man wéep on this fasion . Couetouse , Let the Vice weep & houle & make great lamentation to the Worldly man . I cannot chuse , oh , oh , I cannot chuse : Whow ? I cannot chuse if my life I shuld loose . To hear that I hear , oh wel it is no matter : Oh , oh , oh , I am not he that any man wil flatter . Worldly man . To hear what you héer , why what hear you of me ? Precipitation . Mary sir he heareth the wunderfully chaunged you be Worldly man . I am so in déed , for that I giue God the glory : And if you be my fréend for my chaunge you are not sory . I trust I haue chosen all for the best : For my former wickednes I hate and detest . Couetouse . Whow , nay I would to God that were the worst : But I shall haue il wil , I think I am accurst . Worldly man . I iudge him not to be of a discrete minde : That for the trueth wil be angry with his fréend . The talke of talkers tungs I doo not much way : Yet I pray you hartely tel me what they say . Couetouse . Couetouse , couetouse , euery man saith you be : A shame take them all pratling knaues for me . I am of such a nature as no man is but I : To hear my freend il spoken of I had rather dye . Yea wisse man , you are called euen so : All the cuntrey of you speak bothe shame and wo. He was wunt ( saith one ) to kéep a good house : but now ( saith an other ) thereis no liuing for a mouse Worldly man . If this be the wurst , for their talke I doo not care : Let them say so stil hardely and doo not spare . I trust I haue chosen with Mary the better parte : Precipitation . Oh yet good Sir , this gréeueth him to the hart . Couetouse . Yea God wot , it is none other , it is none other : I looue you as wel as mine owne borne brother . Think you that it gréeueth me not to hear eche boy and Girle : To say that the worldly man is become a Churle ? Worldly man . He had néed to liue very sircumspectly : That would take vpon him to please all men directly Beholde Inough . Go towards him . Couetouse . Nay hear you , this gréeueth me worst so God me saue : pluck him back . They say you keep company with euery beggerly knaue Worldly man . Wher I kéep company they haue nought to doo : As neer as I can into none but honest company I go . See you , I pray you Inough . Couetouse . Nay but hear you , is Inough his name ? Worldly man . Yea in déed , it is euen the very self same . Couetouse . Saint Dunstone , a man would not iudge it by his cote : Now truely I would not take him to be worth a grote , Hark you , hark you , in faith knowe you not me ? Worldly man . No truely that I wot of , I did you neuer sée . Precipitation . That is maruail in déed the trueth for to tel : I dare say your father knew vs bothe very wel . Couetouse . Did you neuer hear him speak of one Policy ? Worldly man . Yes that I haue sure an hundred times verily . Couetouse . I am he verily and this your fréend Redy wit : With whome to be acquainted for you it is fit . Precipitation . Trueth in déed as Seneca saith wittily : The wise man and not the rich is void of misery . Worldly man . Policy and redy wit : now the trueth is so , There is no man liuing that can spare you two . I trust God worketh for me happily in deed : To send me all such things wherof I haue néed . For without a redy wit , who can answere make ? Without a policy all commodityes wil slake . A redy wit wil soon gather and conceiue : What he shall forsake and what he shall receiue . Teuely now I remember a saying of Tully the deuine : Where he dooth bothe wisdome and learning define . Learning maketh yung men sober ( saith he ) And it causeth olde men of good comfort to be . Policy is the riches and possession of the poore : Yea , it garnisheth the rich with goodly adore . So that there is no frate calling or degree : That may conueniently without you be . Giue me your hands for you are welcome hartely . I am excéeding ioyful of your good company . Inough , I beséech you bid my fréends welcome hether : For from hensfoorth we must dwel all togither . Inough . Be not rash in taking of a fréend Aristotle dooth say : Nor when thou haste taken him , cast him not away . Admit not thy fréend either high or lowe : Except his behauiour to others thou doost knowe . For look how before he hath serued his other fréend : Euen so wil he serue thée also in the end . Vorldly man . Your parables truely I doo not wel vnderstand : Except you mene I shuld haue no freendis but you by me to stand Inough . Inough is as good as a feast , wel you wot : More then inough : a man needeth not . Whether it be lands , money , freends or store : if he haue inough : what néedeth he any more ? Couetouse . I perceiue that against vs two you doo grutch : Can a man of policy and redy wit haue to much ? The noble king Salomon was rich & had wisdome great store Yet he seassed not dayly to pray to God for more . Precipitation . Get thée store of fréends ( saith Cicero ) for it is déemed : A true freend more then Kinsfolke is to be estéemed . Inough . It is an olde prouerbe and of an ancient time : Which saith , it is not all Golde , that like Golde dooth shine . No more are all fréends that freendship pretend : As it approoued with many in the end . Worldly man . Yea inough , but I am sure that this policy : And this redy wit are my fréends verely . Couetouse . Are we ? ye faith there of you may be sure : We are they which your welth shall procure . Inough is not inough without vs two : For hauing not vs , what can inough doo ? Inough is maintained by wisdome and policy : Which is contained of a redy wit naturally . Precipitation . Hauing a redy wit and of polycy the skil : You need not to care for this inough except you wil. There is another inough which is inuisible : Which inough , to want is impossible . As for this Inough is inough I cannot deny : But this inough serueth but euen competently . You haue no more now then dooth your self serue : So that your poor Bréethern for all you may sterue But inough that commeth by vs twain : Is able your self and many other to sustain . Worldly man . Your words are euen as true as the Gospel : As one named Reason of late to me did tel . You may be more heauenly saith he hauing riches : Then if you had nothing the trueth to expresse . & I finde his wordis true for when almes I wold giue I haue not wherwith the néedy to releeue . Inough I haue for my self I cannot say nay : But I would I had more to succour the néedy alway Inough . These woords procéed from a couetouse minde : And from a worldly lust which dooth you blinde . was not the poor widdow for her offring praised more Then all they that offred of their superfluitie & store . The sacrifice of God as the prophet Dauid dooth say Is a broken hart and a good minde alway . Couetouse . He sayes wel by Lady , yea and like an honest man , But yet Sir , riches to be good , wel prooue I can . For euery man is not called after one sorte : But some are called to prophecy , some to preach & exhorte . And he by that meanes Heauen ioyes to win : But euery man knoweth not that way to walke in . Therfore euery man ( as his vocation is ) must walke : I am sure that against this you wil not talke . Inough . The greatest bosters are not the best giuers : Nor the ernest preachers are the best liuers . As sucre increaseth riches and honor , So couetouse inlargeth dayly more and more . I knowe some in this realme which once were content With poorely inough which God to them had sent . Wishing of a good conscience as they said verily : That God would once again restore the veritie . If it please thee good Lord ( said they ) thy woord to vs again send And then truely our Couetouse liues we wil amend . But since it hath pleased God , them to welth to restore : They are ten times more Couetouse then they were before . Yea hedling without all consideration : They for Couetouse make some lawes in that nation . Such bying and selling of Leaces and benifices : Such doubling of wares to extreme prices . So shamefully Gods ministers they poule & shaue : That not half inough to liue vpon they haue . But it is an olde saying and a true certainly : it wil not out of the flesh that is bred in the bone verily . The worldly man wil needs be a worldly man stil : Wel chuse you I wil let you alone doo what you wil. I cannot think but those that of me holde scorne : Wil be glad of me or euer the yéer be half worne . Exit Worldly man . Mary fare wel ? adieu to the deuil : Body of me , he would make me his driuil . Couetouse . You may sée what a trusty freend he is : Worldly man . A beggerly knaue I warrant you by the blisse . And euen so he and they went about me to make : Within a while I should haue gone to the hedge for a stake . Precipitation . I warrant you that you should haue proued shortly : They would not haue lost you one grote nor peny . I maruail you would tary with them any time or season : You are olde inough I trowe to be ruled by reason . Worldly man . A shame take them all , I haue spent on them xx . pound : That I had of money and of mine owne good ground . I am a shamed of my self so God me saue : Because I haue solde almoste all that euer I haue . My freends and companions when I go in the street : So God help me , I am a shamed with them to meet . Couetouse . Passion of me it was time to look about : They would quite haue vndoon you , or els without dout . But I trowe , I trowe , if you wil be ruled by me : What I wil doo for you , or ere it be long you shall sée . A thousand , thousand , thousand waies I can inuent : To fetch in double asmuch as you haue spent . Worldly man . Be ruled by you ? yes héer I doo you bothe imbrace : As mine owne minde to folowe all my liues space . For I tel you plain I am wery of their Schole : Precipitation . It is time for you , els they would haue made you a fool . Worldly man . I perceiued no lesse in deed by the talke of Reason : But so it should haue come to passe in season . Couetouse . And doo you my brother Reason perfitly knowe ? Worldly man . Yea , and with him one called Agililitie I trowe . Reason came to me , and mihi flectere mentem he said : Sola solet ratio dux sida sophorn est it cannot be denaid . To nature and Reason he dooth open iniury , Which of other men councel dooth seek : God hath giuen men Reason and their wits Policy , To forsake that is il , and to take that he dooth like . Precipitation . And beléeue you not these words to be very true ? Worldly man . Yes , and I haue thought on them xx . times since I tel you . Oh Sirs me thinks if I had money and treasure again : In faith I would be a liuely lad I tel you plain . Heauenly man ( quoth he ) let them be heauenly for me : The best heauen is me thinks is rich for to be . Couetouse , In faith it shall cost me and my fréends a fall , But you shal be twise as rich as you were before : We wil doo it to spite them euen with all , Though we doo hundreds wrong therfore . I haue set some aloft in a high place , Which had rather dye I dare wel say : Then one inch of their state should fall or abace , But rather to clime vp higher if they may . Whow , of this world I rule the whole state , Yea faith I gouern all lawes , rites and orders : I , at my pleasure raise war , strife and debate , And again I make peace in all Costes and borders Nay , yet a much more maruail then that , Beholde , sée you this little pretty hand ? This is an Arme of stéele for it ouerthroweth flat , The strongest walles and towers in a whole land , Power I haue lawes to alter and make , And all lawes made are guided by me : All that is doon , is doon wholly for my sake , What strength I haue by this you may see . More ouer I haue in this little hand , The harts of all men & women vpon Earth : I rule them bothe by Sea and by land , Plenty I make and I make also derth . Whow , it is wunderful that is doon by policy , While you liue take héed striue not aginst policy : The best of them all are glad of Policy , Yea in Westminster hall they vse much policy . Wordly man . Prudentia noset omnia , saith the noble man Tully Policy knoweth all things bothe good and il truly . Oh Policy , what ment I from reason & thee to stray ? Neuer wil I forsake you nor yours after this day . Oh help me Policy , help me to some money : Whose taste I looue better then the taste of hony . Precipitation . Sith worthy policy you haue intertained : Now none of his instruments must be disdained . Worldly man . Disdained ? no faith let him teache me what he wil : And I wil doo it , if it were mine owne father to kil . Couetouse . Say you so ? by the masse giue me your hand : Come go with me , let vs no longer idle stand . go out al. iii , togither and make you redy straight waies . Enter Heauenly man . Oh how hard a thing and difficult it is , For them that in their riches doo trust : To enter into the kingdome of Heauen or blis , The words of our Sauiour to be true graunt we must , it is as easy for a Cammel through an Nedles eye to thrust ? As for him that on riches hath fixed his minde : The way to eternall saluation to finde . Example héerof you see with your eyes , Of the worldly man giuen to vain pleasure : He promised you heard , from sin to arise . And said he would not looue neither money nor treasure . But as he ought to looue it , that is in a due measure . But beholde how quickly his promise he hath broke : Wherby he kindleth Gods wrath against him to smoke . For now hath he entertained to him Temeritie Precipitation and heady Inconsideration : These cause him to woork all things hedely , And couet to be had in reputation . Then couetouse disguiseth him self on such a fashion . That as Seneca saith , he dooth good to no man : But hurt , & moste to him self as time shall prooue whan . Exit . Tenant . Enter an olde man Tenant and speak Co●osolde speech Alaz , alaz , to whome should I make my mone ? For euer and a day c ham quite vndoon . My Londlord is zo couetouse as the deuil of hel : Except I hil giue him such a shameful rent . As c ham not able , away ich must incontinent . Chaue dwelt there this zix and therty yeer : Yea these vorty , ich may tel you wel neer . And ich neuer paid abooue yéerly viue pound : And by our Lady , that to be inough ch aue vound . Wel , now I must giue him euen as much more : Or els ich must void the next quarter or bevore . Oh masters , is not this euen a lamentable dhing ? To zee how Londlords their poor tenants doo wring . And they are not zo couetouse to ask nother , ich beleeue : But a zorte of vooles are as ready to giue . And espetially Straungers , ye a shameful zorte : Are placed now in England and that in euery Porte . That we , our wiues and Children , no houses can get : Wherin we may liue , such price on them is zet . Chad thought a while a go my Londlord would not haue doon thus For he said he would be a heauenly man I wus . But zoule , the Deuil is as Heauenly as he : Three times wurse then he was bevore as var as I can zée . Enter poorly Seruant . Body of me , this would make a man to swere : A shame take them mary , that euer they came there . Nay by gisse I thought he would not be heauenly long : For that to his nature were clene contrary and wrong . Yonder are such a sorte of Ruterkins liuely and ioly : That all that can be gotten is little inough for their belly . Soule we woork , we labour , and that night and day : Yet can we scant haue meat and drink the trueth to say . And that which we haue , is il inough for Dogges : And we are serued with all , like a many of Hogges . Tenant . What seruant ? I pray thée what newes with thée ? Seruant . By my trueth Father Tenant euen as you sée . Kept like no mans seruant , but rather like a slaue : That I am wery of my life I tel you so God me saue . My maister taketh on like the Deuil of hel : There was neuer one so hasty , cruel and fel. But so couetouse Lord , Lord you wil not beleeue : I think all his minde and study to bribery he dooth giue . Enter Hireling . Now a pestlence take him , vile cankard Churle : He is neither good to man , women , boy nor girl . Is this the heauenly man ? a shame take him els : Body of me , in all wickednes he now excelles . And if a thing come in his hed be it good or il : Without all wit or reason , doo it he wil. But so couetouse , Lord I think if he might chuse : The dropping of his nole he would not loose . Euery week truely , nay then euery day : He must haue account how many Egges his hens lay Why ? there was neuer seen such a miser as he : That the plague cut the throte of him for me . I haue wrought for him this half yéer by the wéek : And now my work is doon my money is to seek . If I and all mine should starue for money : Of him I dare say I should not get one peny . A shame take him , how wel the Scripture of him is waid : Which saith sleep not til the Hireling thou hast paid . Tenant . I sée wel that I complain not of him alone : But others as wel as I , haue good cause to mone . Wel Seruant , weeping wil not help this geer : But God wil plague him for it , I doo not fear . Seruant I tolde you Hireling how you should be serued : Hireling . What Seruant , thou lookest as though thou were starued . Tenant . He looketh as lustely , freshly and as wel : As all the Seruants that with his maister doo dwel . Hireling . His maister ? why ? he is no better then a théef : For so that he may haue it , he cares not who suffer gréef . Tenant . Nay by the masse that woords is but to true : So that his riches encreaseth he careth not who rue . Seruant . I knowe the occasion of all this géer : But I would not for twenty pound it should come to his eare He saith , that he wil neuer leaue his extorsion : Til of riches he haue gotten an innumerable portion . He wil builde , plant , set , and sowe : Til such a fame of him abrode there growe . That there is none like to him in all the Countrey : And so by that meanes he shall come to authoritie . Hireling . But lightly those that come to authoritie after that rate : Doo end their liues in some miserable and vnhappy state . Tenant thou foole ( saith Christ ) this night wil I fetch thy soule from thée : And then who shall haue the things that thine be ? Wel , let him alone , I hope all wil prooue for the best : Euen as he leadeth his life so shall he finde rest . Seruant . Peace , peace for Gods sake , look where the Steward comes : Body of me Sirs , which way shall I run ? run out Enter Couetouse . God spéed you , what mean you ? would you speak with me ? Tenant . Yea Sir , euen to desire your worship my vréend vor to to be . Ich haue a zertain petition to your maship to mooue : And ich desire you to be my vréend in it vor Gods looue . Couetouse . What is the matter ? let me knowe it at once : I haue somwhat els to doo then hear to tread the stones . Tenant . By my trueth Sir I beséech you vor me to speak a good woord : To your good maister and my Londlord : Ich haue dwelt in his house this vorty yéeres almoste , And thervpon ch aue bestowed much money and cost . And now ich hear zay ich must double my rent : Or els void out of it and that incontinent . I beséech you vor Gods sake on me take some pitty and bone : If I be put out for euer I cham vndoon . Oh good Sir , I knowe that you may doo much : Couetouse . By my trueth I can doo nothing héer in : And so God help me I estéeme no such matters worth a pin . Ber Lady Sir you haue had it a fair season : And that a man should make what he can of his owne it is reason I warrant you , ther be inow that that rent wil giue : Tenant . But they shall neuer thriue on it then I beléeue . Ich knowe what he may doo with the house and ground : He may chaunce to vinde rent inough of viue pound . Couetouse . Wel , care not you for that , if you he a wise man : You were best to get one better chepe where you can For I knowe that so much for it , haue he may : Yea , if it stood empty euen this present day . Tenant . Wel Sir , yet me thinks there should be a conscience I think God hateth such couetouse , sir by your patience . Couetouse . Thou art a foolish felowe , héer of to me to complain : For I medle with no such matters I tel you plain . Hireling . make much curtsey Good gentleman , God saue your life I pray to our lord : May I be so bolde to speak with you ( gentleman ) one word : Couetouse . Whether the Deuil wilt thou ? into mouth me think . Fo Gods ames , how he smelles all of drink . Hireling . Nay by my trueth Sir , I drink none other drink to day : But a little fléet milk mingled with whay . For so God help me if for drink or meat I should dye : I haue not one farthing , any therwith to bye . And by my trueth Sir , this is my sute at this time : I serued your maister in making Brick and lime . Halfe a yeer togither not missing one day : And by my trueth all my wages is yet for to pay . And if it please you heerin to showe me some pleasure : The same to my power with like I wil measure . Couetouse . Body of me , what a beggerly knaue is heear ? Why , canst thou not forbere thy money one yéer ? Hireling . No by my trueth Sir , for I haue no lands : Nor nothing to liue vpon , but onely my hands . I beseech you be good to me . Couetouse . Why ? I meddle not with such things that doost knowe Hireling . Yes Sir , you are maister Steward I trowe . Couetouse . No faith I am but maister receiuer : I take in all , but by gisse I am no payer . Hireling . Your maister hath a great sort of receiuers in déed : But not one to pay the Hireling his true meed . All braue Worldly man . What worthy policy ? what make you héer to day ? Couetouse . About your affaires I haue busines this way . And beholde Sir as I traueled the Stréet : With these two fellowes I chaunced for to méet . Who tolde me that they had an ernest sute to you One for his house that he dwelleth in now . Wherin ( he saith ) you go about to doo him much wrong : For he saith that he hath dwelt in it very long . The other said , you owe him a peece of money : he wrought with you half a yeer & had neuer a peny And thus they took on with me before you did come : And now haue I showed you the whole circumstance & some . Worldly man . Mary hang them Villains haue I nought to doo : But to stand and reason matters with them two ? Hear you tenant , in few woordis you knowe my minde According as I haue tolde you , so you shall me finde . Other prouide money your lease to renue : Or els you shall out incontinent this t s true . Tenant . Oh Londlord me thinks this is to much extremitie : Alas vpon mine age take you some pittye . Ch am olde & haue many Children and much charge : I trust lendlord ich shall vinde you better at large . Worldly man . I cannot tel what I should doo more beléeue me : Many Landlords would not doo as I doo by thée . For I am content for money that shouldst haue it before an other : I can doo no more for thee if thou wert my brother . Couetouse . Thou must be answerd father , there is no remedy : By Saint Anne me think he speaketh very resonably . Tenant . This resonable speaking commeth from an vnreasonable minde : Wo be to him that to such inconueniences shall a man binde . Hireling . If it please you Sir , help me to my money if you may : Worldly man . No by my faith Sir , you get it not to day . You thall tary my leisure , I wil pay you when I sée cause : Hireling You are happy Sir , in your hands you haue the lawes . But by gisse if I had any thing that would doo you pleasure : You should haue it when you would and not tary my leasure . Wel I beléeue verely that the prayers of the poor & his cry : Shall ascend into the eares of the Lord God on hye . And he wil plague all those that righteousnes withstand : And as the Prophet saith , root their posteritie out of the land . Tenant . Wel Hireling , let vs departe this place : It preuaileth not vs of him to craue any grace . Hireling . No more shall it preuail him the Scripture saith in déed : To ask mercy of the Lord when he standeth in need . Exeunt Worldly man . Ha , ha , ha , I must laugh , so God me saue : To see what a sort of suters now a dayes we haue . Couetouse . I warrant you if you wil be ruled by Reason and policy : You shall haue all the worlde to sue to you shortly . Vorldly man . A common saying the Fox fareth the better and not the worse : When that the good wife dooth him ban and cursse . So what care I though to cursse me the people doo not ceasse ? As long as by them my riches dooth increace . Oh policy , how glorious my buildings doo shine ? No gentlemans in this contrey like vnto mine . Sira what shall I doo ? I must make my barnes more great : For I haue not rowme inough to lay in my Rye and whete . Couetouse . Set men a woork with it as soon as ye can : If you lack rowme , make more you may than . Worldly man . By gisse I wil , they shall in hand to morrow : I thank you policy I need nothing to borowe . Sirra , the little tenament that by my house dooth stand : I would I could get that to , euen out of hand . I want a little buttrye to lay in my drink : And that would serue the turn handsomly I think . And to say the trueth it is not meet that such a begger as he : Should dwel so néer vnder the nose of me . Couetouse . Who the Deuil put that into your minde ? Worldly man . Mary euen that did reason my trusty fréend . Couetouse , I haue béen about it my self all this wéek : Redy wit all the Lawes for to delay dooth séek . We wil haue it I warrant you by hook or by crook : Tush I warrant you for such od ends dayly we look . Prophet without . O thou Earth , Earth , earth , hear the woord of the Lord : Knowe thy self to be no better then Clay or dust : Let the Worldly man looke sudenly about him . Se that thy life to Gods trueth doo alwaies accorde : For from earth thou cammest and to earth thou must . What is the matter ? why what aile ye ? why look you so about Worldly man . I heard a terible noise , surely without dout . Which pronounced the woords of the Prophet Ieremy : Saying Earth , Earth , turn thee speedyly . Couetouse . Why , and are you afraid , and amased at that ? I see wel you haue a hart like a Gnat. Prophet . That Seruant that diligently dooth fulfil , And watcheth at all times for the comming of his maister : And dooth in the mean season apply his wil , Of his masters goods , there be no spoile nor waster . That seruant shal be sure to be a Taster . Of Gods blessings and ioyes euerlasting : Where as is all consolation and nothing wanting . But that seruant that liueth idlely without care , And looketh not diligently vpon his Office : His maister shall come sudenly or he be aware , And shall minister to him according to iustice . The portion of Ipocrites shal be his . Into vtter darknes cast him out wil he : Where as weeping and gnashing of téeth shal be . Exit . Couetouse . Oh Sira , mary Gods blessing on his hart : Ful honestly he teacheth you Sir , their parte . Worldly man . These be the woords of the holy Scripture : Declaring the difference between the iust and vnpure Good Lord I wold know what those woordis doo mene Couetouse Your Chaplain can tel you , for he is very wel seen . Worldly man . I pray you policy , call him to me hether : But look that you come again bothe togither . Couetouse . Yes that we wil I warrant , you need not to feare : We wil be heer again or a Horse can lick his eare . Worldly man . By my trueth me thinks I begin to war sick : In sending away my counceller , I was somwhat to quick . Wel , I wil sit me down and say to sleep heer : Til they into this place again doo appeer . Oh my hed . Enter Gods plague and stand behinde him a while before he speak . It is euen I that vpon thee dooth blowe , Filling thee with plagues and sundry disease : What I am , indéed I wil learne thée to knowe , For I am not afraid thée to displease . Thou shalt departe from thy house and land , Thy wife and Children beggers thou shalt leaue : Thy life thou shalt loose euen out of hand , And after death thy iust rewarde receiue . Thy il gotten goods shall not thée deliuer . Thyne costly buildings shall nothing preuail , Thy odours , thy swéet smelles and thou shalt perish togither , Thy rings , thy bracelets , and Golde chaines shall fall . Straungers and those whome thou didst neuer knowe , Shall possesse that , whiche by frawd thou hast got : Thy seed from of thy ground God wil ouerthrowe , Because at his Prophets preaching thou amenddest not . Thou sleepest in death as the Prophet Dauid dooth say , Out of which sléep when thou shalt awake : Thou shalt perceiue thou must needs away , And that on thée God wil no mercy take . I am the plague of God properly called , Which commeth on the wicked sudainly : I go through all townes and Cittyes strongly walled , Striking to death and that without all mercy . Heer thou wicked couetouse person I doo strike , Which once on the plowe hadst taken holde : But willingly again thou rannest in the Dike : Therfore thy plague shal be doubled seuen folde . Go out and stand at the door Couetouse . Come Sir Nicolas , come sir Nicolas , come Sir Nicolas come Ignorance . Ch am faint by gisse , would ich had a little more buni . Couetouse . A pestilence take thée , haste thou not inough yet ? Ignorance . No , I can drink a Galon and eat neuer a bit . Couetouse . Come in the knaues name you must expound a matter Ignorance . I can expound good ale from fair water . Couetouse . Tush felow thou must expound a péece of Scripture Ignorance . I can doo it as wel as any Bishop I am sure . I haue spouted with the Geneuians xx . on a rowe : Couetouse . And thou wert to good for them all I trowe . Ignorance Was I ? yea faith that I was you shall vnder stand With a peece of Lattin I set them all one dry land . Couetouse . And I pray thée hartely what was it ? let me hear : Ignorance . Thou shalt if thou wilt promise to giue me a pot of béer Magistrorum clericium inkepe miorum Totus perus altus yongus et oldus Multus knauoribus et quoque fasorum Pick pursus omnius argentus shauus & polus . Let me sée what they are all able to say to this . Couetouse . For out of deut a worthy peece of learning it is . Ignorance , A man may as much edyfying out of my lattin take : As ye may out of exposicions that many ministers make Couetouse . Euen as thou saist , in faith much of a kinde : For they place the scriptures as fethers in the winde . Peace body of me , our maister is a sleep : Ignorance . Mary it was time indeed for vs silence to kéep . Worldly man . Oh I would if I could , but now it is to late : Hold thy peace I pray thee and doo me no more rate . Couetouse . To whome speak you to Sir ? to him or to me ? Worldly man . There is no remedy now man , & that thou doost sée . Ignorance . Passion of me Sira , he dreameth me think : Worldly man . Is there no remedy , but to hel I must néeds sink ? Couetouse . For my life Deuosion he is haunted with the Mare : Ignorance . Nay it is some wurser thing truly I feare . Couetouse . I holde a Crown he is not very wel : Ignorance . So me thinks for he dreameth of going to Hel. Couetouse . We wil wake him out of that troublesome sleep : Ignorance . Good Lord séest thou not ? beholde how he dooth wéep Couetouse . How doo you good maister ? is he a sléep or a wake ? Worldly man . Oh good Lord , how my hart dooth ake . Oh sick , sick , neuer so sick in my life berfore : Good Lord , policy I think I shall neuer go home more . Ignorance . Mary God forbid , why where is your gréef ? Worldly man . All the partes of my body wanteth reléef . Oh Deuotion , I haue such paines in my head : That truely , truely , I wish my self euen dead . Couetouse . Me thought you dremed , for to your self you did talk Worldly man . In deed Sir , I dreamed I had a great iourney to walke . Oh what great paines and torments I thought my self in : Lying in fire which to burn did neuer lin. And me thought before me the plague of God did stand : Redy to strike me with a Sworde in his hand . And euer I asked him what was the cause : He answerd that I was a transgressor of Gods Lawes . But Lord how sick I am , and how terible is my pain : No place in my body , but sicknes therin dooth reign . I like not these foolish dreames , policy my freend : Couetouse . Tush a straw , vpon them neuer set your minde . He that to dreames giueth any confidence or trust : Without dout very vnquietly liue he must . Worldly man . Oh sick , sick , sick , oh my hed , oh my back : Couetouse . What would you haue Sir ? tel vs what you lack . Ignorance . Is it not best that I call hether a Phisicion ? That he may of your sicknes declare the disposition . Worldly man . Oh yea , yea , doo soo good deuotion , I pray thée deuotion Gods blessing on thy hart , for thy witty motion . Departe I pray thee with asmuch haste as may be : Ignorance . It shall not be long or he be héer , you shall sée . Exit . Worldly man . Oh policy sick , neuer so sick , oh holde my head : Oh sira , what shal be come of all my goods when I am dead ? Couetouse . Dead ? body of me , doo you rocken to dye this yéer ? Holde your peace I warrant you , ye need not to feare . Lo , see you not how the worldly man showeth his kinde ? As sick as he is , on his goods is all his minde . Worldly man . Oh policy if I might not dye , what a felow wold I be In all this contrey should be none like vnto me . S●ca , what a goodly Warret haue I made in my hall ? But yet my banquiting house pleaseth me best of all . Oh , oh , alas what a pang is this at my hart ? Couetouse . Body of me Aqua vitae , Vinagre , needs help he wil departe . Saint Vncumber be with vs , and the blessing of S. Anthony : Help , help our Lady of Walsingham and all her holy company Enter Ignorance . Why ? how now ? what is the matter ? how dooth he Policy ? Couetouse . Body of me help , he is gone els and that verily Ignorance . Stand away foolish knaue and let maister Phisicion come : Couetouse . Maister Flebishiten , should I say , M. Phisicion , I pray you look in his bum Phisicion . By your leaue my maisters , me thinks it is no time to iest : Stand back I pray you , and doo not me molest . Passion of me maisters , count you this a play ? One of you quickly bring me hether a Key . Some drink , Aqua vitae , if it may be got : With speed let vs haue some drink that is hot . Couetouse . Nay , I tolde you before he was past remedy . Phisicion . No there is life in him , yet I see verily . Run I pray you and fetch such things as we lack : Some drink and a pillow to lay at his back . Ignorance . Héer is drink and all things redy at hand : Phisicion . Giue me rowme I pray you , out of my light stand . Couetouse . Iesu mercy , lo how busy maister Phesicion is : Be besy and dawe him as though he were at dying . Heer you Sir ? is it not best you look on his pis . Phisicion . Good felow be content , I pray thée hartely : Thou art disposed to iest me think verily . Couetouse . Good felow ? goodman whoball , I wil make you chaunge your note Before that for your labour you get the value of a grote . Phisicion . What howe worldly man , in Gods name I say : Look vp for the looue of God , doo not like a beast decay . Worldly man . Who is there ? what art thou that callest me ? Couetouse . Mary Sir , maister Flebishiten , Phisicion is come & it was he Worldly man . Oh sirs , sirs , I fear me all this labour is in vain : You might haue let me go , I was wel out of my pain . Oh maister Phisicion , how think you ? what say you to me ? Phisicion . By my trueth there is no remedy but one , that I can sée . You must put your wil to Gods wil I can say no more : Couetouse . Why ? foolish Phisicion he knew that wel inough before . Worldly man . What saist thou ? is there no remedy but I must dye ? Phisicion . No Sir by my trueth , as far as I can sée or espye . God may doo much , for he is omnipotent : But you are past help in this world in mans iudgement . Couetouse . What the deuil doost thou héer ? then get thée away : Worldly man . Departe Phisicion , and thou haste no more to say . Phisition . I trust then , Sir you wil content me for my paines taking : Couetouse You shall haue a new lofe , at the maids next baking . Vorldly man . Go thy waies I pray thée and trouble not my minde : For these newes , to giue thée any thing , in my hart I cannot finde Phisicion . Good Lord haue mercy on thée , belike it is to late to amend : In wickednes thou hast liued , euen so thou wilt end . Gentleman , I trust you wil not see me loose my labour : Couetouse . Gentleman go as you came , you are not so much in my fauour Phisicion . A common saying in déed , that is like vnto like : A wicked M. for wicked seruants , God must néeds strike Exit . Worldlyman . Oh Sirs , is there no remedy ? what shall I say ? Is it not best I set all things at a stay ? Couetouse , Yes make sure woork of that while as you be héer : Ignorance . It is time in déed , for death in you dooth appéer . Worldly man . Once you knowe that I am greatly in def: And now euery one wil striue , their owne for to get . Bid my wife therfore get a letter of administration , as soon as she may And then as she listeth , my Criditors she may pay . In déed I haue inough to pay euery man his : But by Lady I cannot tel what mine owne shall mis. Commend me to her , and bid her take no thought : But in any wise let her ( as neer as she can ) for go nought . Couetouse . By my trueth this is wunderfully wel inuented : As you haue said , I warrant you it shal be frequented . Ignorance . Your minde in this thing vndouted is not il : Now as for other things it is best you make a wil. Worldly man . It shal be ( Deuotion ) euen as thou haste said : Write quickly for of my life I am afraid . Oh must I needs dye ? oh must I needs away ? Ignorance . Héer is Ink and Paper , what shall I write ? Worldlyman . In the name , first of all doo thou in dite . Ignorance . In the name , in , in , in , in the name , what more ? Vorldly man . Of , of , of , of , what more ? fall down , Couetouse . Body of me , down with the paper , away with the Ink : Ignorance . Passion of me Couetouse he is gone me think . Holde , holde him , let vs see if any life in him be : Couetouse . Nay holde him that wil , the Deuil holde him for me : Ignorance . Passion of me he is dead , how shall we doo now ? Couetouse . Canst thou not tel ? no more can I , I make God auow . Sira heer was a trim end that he did make : Thou neuer heardst him the name of God in his mouth take . Ignorance . Tush , God : a strawe , his minde was other waies occupyed : All his study was who should haue his goods when he dyed . Indeed all men may perceiue his minde to be corrupt and il : For God would not suffer him to name him in his wil. A straunge matter , when men haue giuen ouer God : They may be sure to be scurged with his sharp rod . Couetouse . This is the end alwaies wher I begin : For I am the root of all wickednes and sin . I neuer rest to teach and instruct men to euil : Til I bring them bothe body and soule to the Deuil . As we haue doon this worldly man héer as you sée : Come therfore Ignorance , wait thou vpon me . The Deuil and I , thou shalt sée wil not leaue : Til we haue made the greatest parte to vs to cleue . Come , let vs go hence , heer is no more to be said : Farewel my masters our partes we haue playd . Enter heer Sathan . Oh , oh , oh , oh , all is mine , all his mine , My kingdome increaseth euery houre and day : Oh , how they seek my magestie deuine , To come to me they labour all that they may . The worldly man ( quoth he ) nay the diuilish man than , For more wickednes and mischeef then he did vse : I my self indéed neuer deuise can , Oh at his ioly wisdome I must néeds muse . How cunningly put he his mony to vsury ? Yea , and that without offence of any law : He was not to learne any kinde of bribery , Wherby wicked gaines to him he might draw . An abhominable drunkard , a stinking Lecherer , A filthy Sodomit , a corrupt canscience within : A priuy slanderer , and a suttle murtherer , To be short , a very dunghil and sink of sin . Oh my boy Couetouse , I may thank thee of all this Thou nousledst him in all mischeef and vice : Therfore shalt thou be sure to haue my blisse : For abooue all other thou indeed art moste wise . Thou teachest the worldly man , a leacemonger to be , To oppresse the poore and of his riches him to defraud : Wickedly to vse the lawes he learned of thee , Therfore indeed thou art worthy of much lawd . All you worldly men , that in your riches doo trust , Be mery and iocond , builde Palaces and make lusty chéer : Put your money to Vsury , let it not lye and rust , Occupye your selues in my lawes while ye be heer . Spare not , nor care not , what mischeef you frequent , Vse drunkennes , deceit , take other mens wiues : Passe of nothing ; one houre is inough to repent , Of all the wickednes you haue doon in your liues . Oh if you wil thus after my Lawes behaue , You shall haue all things as this worldly man had : Be bolde of me , what you wil to craue , And dout you not but with you I wil play the loouing lad . Yea , and after death I wil prouide a place , For you in my kingdome for euer to reign : You shall tare no wurse then dooth mine owne grace , That is to lye burning for euer in pain . Come on mine owne Boy , go thou with me , Thou hast serued me duely , and hatest me neuer : Therfore now for thy paines rewarded shalt thou be : In euer lasting fire that burneth for euer . Bear him out vp on his back . Contentation . He that toucheth pitch , shal be defiled with the same , And he that keepeth company with those that be vicious : Shall at the length growe like vnto the same , Working things wicked and pernicious , Euen so it is also to be associate with the righteous . For he that haunteth and kéepeth honest company : Cannot chuse but liue according to the same actually . Example , the Iewes beeing conuersant with the Heathen , Drank of their superstition and idolatry : And by that meanes fel from the true God of Heauen , To worshipping of Blocks which was meer blasphemy . Likewise it is at this day verily , Christen men are seduced by keeping of il company : And brought from the very trueth to hypocricy . And who are those that are thus deceiued ? Euen such as are not content when to are wel : They be not thankful for that they haue receiued , But euer they think stil more and more to excel , Contentation from their mindes they doo expel . And vnder the pretence of reason , wit and policy : They couet to run to mischeef and sin hedely . Heuenly man . Like as Golde and siluer is tried in the fire , So faithful men in the fornace of aduersitie be prooued : The heauenly must not liue as flesh and lust dooth desire , But heauenly things of heauenly men be looued . With no kinde of temptation he must be mooued . Be it sicknes or pouertie , or what so euer of God is sent : The heauenly must take it patiently and be therwith content Inough , Inough is as good as a feast , where contentation dooth dwel , For where he remaineth is the spirit of God with rest : The vnquiet minde of the couetouse dooth grutch and swel , And to liue with inough he dooth abhorre and detest . The greedy gasping of Couetouse dooth him so molest . That to be rich he all his whole minde dooth set : Nothing regarding how the same he dooth get . Contentation . Pithagoras saith , that a man of Couetouse desire , Cannot be contented nether with abundance : For the more he hath , the more stil he dooth require , Wherfore such persons prouoke God to vengeance , Example of the worldly man , late of remembrance . Whose wicked life offended the Lord so excedingly . That his heauy plagues came vpon him sudenly . Heauenly man . God graunt his ende , example may be , To all men how their riches they shall vse : Make not that thy God , which should be seruant vnto thée , For in so dooing thou doost it greatly abuse . I pray God ( I say ) that our couetouse we may refuse , And one of vs to looue an other , for that pleaseth God dest : So shall we be sure to inheret the good land of rest . Rest . By Gods great goodnes I am sent vnto thée , Rest is my name wherin the heauenly shal abide : Happy are those persons that come vnto me , For I beeing present all troubles I doo deuide . With ioyes I am adorned , yea on euery side , Which are prepared for the heauenly from the beginning : And giuen vnto them for a rewarde of their godly liuing . Heauenly man . Thanks be giuen to thée O Father omnipotent , Thy mercyes Lord , and not my deserts truely : Hath caused those ioyes to me to be sent , Graunt me grace therfore to praise thy name duely . Thy goodnes appéereth to me euery day newly . Whilest breath and life prolong my dayes : My mouth shall not ceasse thy holy name to praise : Inough . Inough is as good as a feast , heer let vs stay , We haue troubled our audience , that let vs remember : Let vs conclude therfore , but first let vs pray , That it wil please God in mercy our good mistres to tender , Our faith to stablish wherin we be slender . That at the last day when the trump shall blowe : For to be heauenly men the Lord may vs al knowe Contentation . First let vs call to God for Iesu Christes sake , Long to preserue Elizabeth our moste noble Quéen Good Lord graunt her highnes the heauenly path to take , And that all bye waies , of her highnes may be seen . Encreace her welth , prolong her helth , preserue her life : That long she may rule this realme , without debate or strife . ¶ Finis .