read I le tel this this is Tarltons picture didst thou neuer know Tarlton Wil. No what was that Tarlton I neuer knew him Sim. What was be a prentice in his youth of this honorable city God be with him when he was yoong he was leaning to the trade that my wife vseth nowe and I haue vsed vide lice shirt water-bearing I wis he hath tost a Tankard in Cornehil er nowe if thou knewest him not I wil not cal thée ingram but if thou knewest not him thou knewest no body I warrant her 's two crackropes knew him Wit I dwelt with him Sim. Didst thou now giue me thy hand I loue thée the better Wil. And I too sometime Sim. you child did you dwel with him sometime wit dwelt with him indeed as appeared by his rime And serued him well and wil was with him now than but soft thy name is wealth I think in earnest he was litle acquainted with thee O it was a fine fellow as ere was borne there will neuer come his like while the earth can corne O passing fine Tarlton I would thou hadst lined yet Wea. He might haue some but thou showest smal wit there is no such finenes in the picture that I see sim. And thou art no Cinque Port man thou art not wit free the finenes was within for without he was plaine But it was the merriest fellow and had such iestes in store that if thou hadst seene him thou wouldst haue laughed thy hart sore weal, Because of thy praise what 's the price of the picture sim. I le tell thee my lad come hether if thou wilt be ruled by me thou shalt pay nothing I le giue it thée if thou wilt dwell with mee and I promise thee this counsell is for thy prefarming hadst not thou better serue a free man of the Citie and learne a trade to liue another day than to be a seruing boy in thy youth and to haue no occupation in thine age I can make thee free if thou wilt be my prontice wea. Why wealth is free euery where what néed I serue you My Lord is a freeman if that may doo me good sim. I cry ye mercy M. boy then your maister is frée of the lords company and you serue him that ye may be a Lord when ye come out of your yeares wit Wealth is a proud boy gaffar what say you to mée sim. Thy name is wit wilt thou dwell with me wit If I like your name and science perchance wee 'il agree simp. Nay my name mine honestie is al one it is wel knowen He 's a very foole that cannot beguile me for my name is simplicity Wil. Coads gaffar wer not you a meal-man once and dwelt with Lady Conscience sim. Yes for want of a better wil What a better man sim. No for want of a better mistresse she was as very a foole as I We dwelt so long together that we went both on begging Wit Indeed they that vse a good conscience cannot sodainly be rich But I le not dwel with ye you are too simple a maister for me Wil. Nor I le not dwell with you for all this worlds treasure sim. No why whom serue you Wil Wil. I serue my Lord pleasure sim. And whom serue you wit Wit I serue my Lord pollicie· simp. And whom serue you wealth wea. I serue my Lord pompe sim. You should be serued al with my Lord Birchley if you wer wel serued these lads are so lordly that louts care not for them for wealth serues Pomp Wit serues pollicy and wil serues pleasure welth wil you buy this picture for your Lord Shew Tarltons picture wea. No it 's too hase a Present for pomp Wit And pollicy seldom regardes such a trifle Wil. Come on gaffar come on I must be your best chapman I le buy it for pleasure hold there is a great sim. Gramercie good wil my wife shal loue thee still And since I can neither get Wit nor wealth Let my wife haue her wil and let me haue my health God forgiue me I thinke I neuer name her but it coniures her look where she comes be mannerly boies that she knocke ye not with her staffe kéepe your owne counsell and I le make ye laugh What doo yee lacke what lacke ye Stand away these boies from my wares Get ye from my stall or I le wring you by the eares Let my customers sée the wares what lack ye what would ye haue bought Enter painfull Penurie attired like a waterbearing woman with her Tankard Pen. You haue customers inow and if they were ought What do ye with these boies here to filtch away your ware You show all your wit you 'il ne'er haue more care Wil. Content ye good wife we doo not filtch but buy Pen. I meant not you yoong maister Gods blessing on your heart You haue bought indeed sir I see for your part Be these two yoong Gentlemen of your companie Buy Gentlemen buy ballads to make your friends merrie wit To stand long with your burden me thinks you shuld be weary Pen. True Gentlemen but you may sée poore painful penury Is faine to carry thrée Tankerds for a penie But husband I say come not home to dinner its Ember day You must eate nothing till night but fast and pray I shall loose my draught at Conduit and therefore I le away Yoong Gentlemen God be with ye sim. Wife must I not dine to day Pen. No sir by my say Exit Penurie sim. If I must not eat I meane to drinke the more What I spare in bread in ale I le set on the skore How say ye my lade And doo I not speake wisely Wit Me thinks ye doo and it 's prety that simplicity Hath gotten to his wife plaine painfull Penury sim. Yea I thanke God though she be poore and scarse cleanly yet she is homely careful and comely One cal within Wit wealth and wil come to your Lords quickly wil Must the Scutchions hang still One within yea let them alone wit Farewel Maister simplicity Exeunt sim. Farewel good M. boies ene hartily ene hartily hartily And heare ye wil I thanke you for your hansel truly Prety lads heark ye sirs how wil wit wealth Enter VVit wit What 's the matter you call vs backe so sodainly sim. I forgot to aske you whither your thrée Lords of London be courtiers or Cittiners wit Citizens borne and courtiers brought vp Is this all Farewell Exit sim. Citizens borne and Courtiers brought vp I thinke so for they that be borne in London are halfe Courtiers before they see the Court for finesse and manerlinesse oh passing my maners and misbehauiour is mended halfe in halfe since I gaue ouer being a meal-man and came to dwell in London ye may see Time dooth much Time weares out yron horshooes Time teares out milstones Time seasons a pudding well and Time hath made mee a frée man as free to beare water and sell Ballades as the best of our
I to loue am sent with no lesse cost then could be got for coin Which with my message I deliuer would Could I discerne which of these Dames were shee Loue Friend I am Loue what bringest thou there to me Con. Beware good Loue from whom and what thou takest Ne. No whispering friend but shew it openly The matter good you need not be ashamed From whom commest thou D. Dea. That I conceile from any but from loue Ne. From whom come you sir Falsh. That shal lucre know and none but she Ne. Then speak aloud for whispering here is barr'd Falsh. Then neither wil I do nor speak at al Ne. Then I wil speake and tel what you are both Thy selfe art Falshood and art sent from Fraud To compasse Lucre with a cloake of craft With lawne of lies and calle of golden guile Pol. Packe you my friend for if you stay a while You shal returne no more to him that sent you Ne. Thou from Dissimulation art sent And bring'st a gown of glosing liu'd wish lust A Vardingale of haine boast and fan of flatterie A Ruffe of riot and a cap of pride And double dealing is thy name and office both D. Dea. Falshood let 's go we are disciphered Falsh. Lucre thou loosest here a princely gift Exeunt ambo Ne. lucre censumes being won by Fraud or shift Thus Lords you sée how these are qualified And how these Ladies shun that sharp rebuke Which some deserue by taking of such toies As women weake are tempted soone with giftes But here they come that must these Ladies deck lucre arise come from the stone of Care Enter honest Industrie pure Zeale Sincerity ho. Indust. Fair lucre lo what honest Industry To thée hath brought to decke thy daintie self Lucre by honest Industrie atchieu'd Shall prosper flourish and continue long Exit Lucre with ho Industrie Come to thy chamber to attire thée there Ne. Thou maiest depart with honest Industrie P. Zeal And Loue arise from Charities cold Flint Pure Zeale hath purchas'd roabes to couer Loue Whiles loue is single Zeale shal her attire With kind affection mortifying lust Come loue with me these garments to put on Ne. loue follow zeal and take his ornaments Exit Loue with p. zeale Sincer. Rise Conscience from that Marble of Remorse That wéeping stone that scaldes thy partched skinne sincerity such roabes for thée hath brought As best beséemes good Conscience to adorne Come follow that thou maist goe put them on For Conscience cloathed by sinceritie Is armed wel against the enemie Ne. Follow him Consc feare not thou art right Exit Con. with Si. pol. Most reuerend Nemo thanks for this good sight lucre is cloathed by honest Industrie Pom. loue by pure zeale plea. And Conscience by sincerity Ne. Lordings thus haue you séene them at the first And thus you sée them trust me at the worst Depart we now come hence a day or two And sée them deckt as daintie Ladies should And make such choice as may content you al pol. Thanks righteous Nemo we the London Lordes Only to thée our selues acknowledge bound Exeunt omnes Enter painful Penury and Simplicity pen. Come on gentle husband let vs lay our heades together our purses together and our reckonings together to sée whether wee win or loose thriue or not goe forward or backward doo you keepe a booke or a skore Sim. A skore wife you meane for the Alehouse doo you not I would haue her examine me thereof no further for I am in too farre there more then I would she should know Pen. I meane no alehouse skore but a note of your wares let me sée First you began to set vp with a Roiall how much money haue ye what ware and what gaine Sim. I haue fiue shillings in money two shillinges in wares or thereabout and I owe two shillings and eight pence vppon the skore how much is that fiue shillings two shillings and two shillings and eight pence pen. That is nine shillings and eight pence so we are worse by a a groat then when we began wel once again I le set ye vp here is four groates I haue got by bearing water this weeke make vp your stock and run no more behind Who comes here Enter Fraud like an Artificer Simp. What lacke ye What doe ye lack Frau. Me lacke da moones pour de frene verie seene Franche knack da feene gold buttoone de braue bugla lace a da feene gold ringe you be free man mee vn Fortiner you buy a me ware you gaine teene pownd by lay out téene shellengs Sim. Wife what hard luck haue we that cannot make x. shillings now to gain x. pound why x. pound would set vs vp for euer pen. Husband sée the ware if ten shilling wil buy it it shal go hard but we wil make that money Friend show my husband your wares Frau. Looke you dere mastra de seene buttoone de la gold de ringe de gold de bugla sheane two shelleng vne doozen de buttoone vne shellinga vne Ring t is worth x shelleng but mastra matressa mee mussa make money to go ouer in my owne countrey but mee loose teen◠pownd pour hast to goe next tyde or to morrow pen. Here is fiue shillings buy them of this straunger simp. Friend you haue not stolne them but you make them well I le buy them i the open market and then I care not here is ten shillings deliuer me the wares Frau. Déer mastra oh pouer necessitee maka mee selpour graund graund losse you shal gein x. pound at least gor boye simp. What 's your name Frau. Mechant I think I am euen with ye now for calling me Ostler you 'il thriue wel with such bargaines if ye buy yee knowe not what Fraud hath fitted ye with worse than your ballades pen. You 'il warrant them gold sirra Frau. Wee so good goll as you pay for Adieu Mounster Exit simp. Adieu Mounster Adieu foole sel such gold buttons ringes for so litle money good Lord what peniworths these strangers can afford now wife let me see x. pound when we haue ten pound we 'il haue a large shop and sell all maner of wares and buy more of these and get ten pound more and then ten pound and ten pound and twenty pound then thou shalt haue a taffata hat and a garded gown and I a gown and a new cap and a stik doublet and a faire house Pen. I thanke ye husband wel till then looke wel to your wares and I le ply my waterbearing and saue and get and get and saue till we be rich but bring these wares home euery night with ye simp. Tush I shall sel them afore night for ten pound gow wife gow I may tel you I am glad this French fellowe came with these wares we had falne to eramining the Ale-skore els and then wee had falne cut and the ale wife and my wife had scolded Wel a
in his shield his blacke disordered beast Scaling the skies scornfull to tread the ground And both his words proud words prooue perfectly Action his page to be but Treachery Euer attendant on Ambition but to the third Sheal. The third ground Caualiero is Gouernment Seuere in Iustice and in iudgment déepe His ympreze is a naked Infant goar'd Vpon a Lance signifing seueritie His word pour sangue for blood of enemies He bendes his sorces on his pendent is A Lyger licking of a bleeding heart And Cura Cruor is the word thereon His care 's for blood of those that dare resist Yet hight his Page that followes him Regard and he for Conscience to this conquest comes pol. The Gouernment of spaine is Tyrannie as doo his ympreze and his words declare His Page is Terror for a Tyrant feares His death in diet in his bed in sleepe In conscience Spight the Spanish tyrannie Hath shed a sea of most vnguilty blood Wel what 's the end Shea. The end is best you yeeld submitting you to mercy of these Lords Pom. Before we fight soft sic ye braue too fast Castilians know that Englishmen wil knock but say Dooth Spanish Pride for Londons Lucre gape ple. And would their Tyranny Conscience captiue haue pol: Doth their Ambition Londons loue affect sheal. All this they will and pray vpon your towne And giue your landes away before your face alas what 's England to the power of spaine a Molehil to be placed where it pleaseth them pom. But in this Molehil many Plsmyres be All which will sting before they be remoou'd What is thy name sheal. Shealty pol. An Irish word signifieng liberty rather remisnes loosnes if ye wil why hath thy coat a burning ship behind shea. to signify the burning of your fléet by vs Castilliās pol: It rather means your common wealth 's on fire about your eares and you were best looke home a common wealth 's compared to a ship If yours do flame your countrey is hot beware Feal. I see Castilians that you maruel much at this same Embleme of the Oliue tree Vpon my backe Lo this it signifies Spaine is in warres but London liues in peace Your natiue fruit dooth wither on your soile and prospers where it neuer planted was This Londons Fealty dooth auouch for trueth Herald of war and Porter of their peace Commaund ye me no seruice to my Lords S. Pride Quid tibi cum domini mox seruient miseri nobis diseede Feal. Quid mihi cum dominis seruietis miseri meis pom. shealty say vnto yen Thrasos thrée The Lordes of London dare them to the field Wittieng their pride and their Ambition Scerning their Tiranny and yet fearing this That they are come from home and dare not fight But if they dare in ioint or seueral armes Battaile or combat him that Lucre seekes Your Spanish pride him dare I from the rest ple. That bloodie curre your Spanish Tyranny That Londons Conscience would force with crueltie I challenge him for Conscience sake to fight a Lord of London and I pleasure hight And shealty when Citizens dare them thus Iudge what our Nobles and our courtiers dare Pol. Say if thou wilt that Londons pollicy Discernes that proud Ambition of spaine And for he comes enflamde with Londons loue In combat let him conquere me and haue her this is Loues fauour I her seruant am pom. This Lucres fauour Pomp for her will fight Plea this Conscience fauour she my mistresse is shea. You crauen English in your donghils crowe Pom. You Spanish Fesants crow vpon your pearch But when we fire your coates about your eares And take your shippes before your walled townes We make a donghill of your rotten boanes And cram our chickens with your graines of gold shea. You will not yéeld ple, Yes the last moneth shea. Farewel Retire Heraldes with the pages to their places S. Pride Vade pol. Herald how now Fea. Yen proud Castillians looke for your seruice Pom. So do we for theirs but Fealtie canst thou declare to me the cause why all their pages follow them when ours in showes do euer goe before Fea. In war they followe and the Spaniard is warring in mind pol. But that 's not now the cause yen three are Pride Ambition Tyranny shame followes pride as we a prouerbe haue pride goes before and shame comes after Treachery euer attendes vpon Ambition And Terrour alwaies with a fearfull watch Doth wait vpon il conscienced Tyranny But why stay we to giue them space to breath Come Courage let vs charge them all at once Let the three Lordes passe towards the Spaniards and the Spaniardes make show of comming forward and sodainly depart Pom. What brauing cowards these Castillians be My Lordes let 's hang our Scutchens vp againe And shroud our selues but not farre off vnséene To prooue if that may draw them to some deed Be it but to batter our ymprezed shieldes plea. Agréed here Fealty hang them vp a space They hang vp their shieldes and step out of sight The Spaniardes come and flourish their rapiers neer them but touch them not thē hang vp theirs which the Lords of London perceiuing take their owne and batter theirs The Spaniards making a litle showe to rescue do sodenly slippe away and come no more pol. Facing faint-hearted proud and insolent That beare no edge within their painted sheaths That durst not strike our sillie patient shieldes Pom. Vp haue they set their owne sée if we dare Batter on them and beat their brauing Lordes ple. Let them not yonder hang vnbackt my Lords Pol. With good aduise that we be not surprised and good enough pom. My selfe wil onset giue on Prides at your Peacocke sir plea. At Tyrannies wil I bestow my blow wishing the maister Pol. I at Ambitions strike haue at his pampered Iade Enter S. Pride S. Pride Fuoro Viliagos fuoro Lutheranos Angleses fuoro sa sa sa Pom. Their shieldes are ours they fled away with shame But Lordings whiles the stratageum is fresh And memorie of thir misfortune greene Their hartes yet fainting with the nouell griefe Let vs pursue them flieng if you say it Haply we may preuent their passage yet pol. With spéed and héede the matter must be done ple. Therefore you Pollicie shall our leader be Exeunt omnes Enter three Ladies and Nemo Ne. The day is ours faire Ladies let vs ioy The ioyfull day that all men may reioice Yet onely I am thankfull for this good And your good day at hand approcheth fast Wherein you shall be ioinde to thrée such Lordes As all the cities vnder heauens bright cope Cannot with all their glorie match in worth Lucre Lord Pomp a victor comes to thee Loue looke thou for Lord pollicy aswell And Conscience for her well reformed Fere pleasure that onely made his choice of her Vpon that day triumphant shall we feast Wherein Madames your honors nil be least Lucre Against their comming might my read be hard Prepare
Loue twixt them and you And to perpetuall prison they were doom'd From whence I onelie might deliuer them Which at the suit of three most matchlesse Lordes Their countrimen in London bred as they I haue perfourm'd and freed them from their bonds And yet haue bound them in their freedome too To Pollicie to pleasure and to pomp Three Lords of London whose they are in right Contracted wiues and done by my consent And euen to morrow is the mariage day Except your comming stay or break it off I wil go call their Lords to answere you The pvnder couert Baron medle not Exit Desire Fetch them Lord Nemo we will here attend Delight Attend we may but vnto litle end The Ladies are in hucksters handling now Deuo. I would I had my time in praieng spent That I in woing Conscience did consume Enter the three Lordes of London and Nemo Desire Here come the Lords let 's show good countenance man Pom. Yet more adoe before we can inioy The ioies of mariage with our mistresses Be these the Lords that tytle doo pretend My Lords of Lincolne so we heare you be What are your names Del. Deuotion Desire and Delight pom. Which comes for Lucre Desire I Desire ple. Which for Conscience Deuo. I Deuotion pol. Which for Loue Del. I Delight pol. You shall be answered straight ple. I can answere them quickly ye cannot haue them nor ye shall not haue them pol. Stay pleasure soft My Lord Desire you Lucre séeke Desire of lucre be it without reproch to you my Lord is couetousnes which cannot be seperated long from that read my Lord Point to the stone of Care Desire In golden letters on this stone is written Care pol. Care with desire of lucre well agrees the rather for that Londons Lucre may not be seperated from Londons Pompe so you may take that stone if ye will but the Lady you cannot haue Desire And a stone is a cold comfor in steed of Lucre pol. Deuotion to Conscience I speake now to you my Lord that are learned is sorrow for sinne or in one word read point to the stone of Remorse Deuot. On this sweating stone in brasse is set Remorse pol. And that is your portion for Conscience is bestowed on Londons Pleasure because London maks a conscience what pleasure they vse and admit and what time they bestowe therein and to what end so my Lord Deuotion either that or nothing Deuo. A stone is a hard lot in stod of a Ladie pol. My Lord Delight that to delight in Loue you must I loue for making choice of mine Loue is my portion and that Flint is yours Del. Here in lead is written Charitie and what of this pol. If you be as I doubt not honest delight in loue then in the best sense you can haue but Charitie if you be which I suspect not other Delight in Loue you must be noted for Concupiscence and that you will blush to be wel Charitie is your best then that is your portion For marke ye Londons pollicy ioines with Londons Loue to shew that all our pollicie is for loue of Londons common wealth and so our loue cannot be seprte from our pollicy you beare this Delight A Flint 's a hard change for so faire a wife pol. And thus Lords Desire of Lucre may take Care Deuotion of Conscience may haue Remorse and Delight of Loue may haue Charitie other recompence none ple. And so we thrée leaue you three with Care Remorse charity Exeunt Desire With Care and Remorse I sweare ye doo leaue vs but what charitie I cannot tell Deuot. Wel yet must we vse Charity though we faile of our desire and we are answered with such reason as is not to be gainsaid Del. Indeed my Lord your calling is to perswade to Charity but if I vse patience it shall be perforce Deuo. Yet being so wisely warn'd me thinks wée should be arm'd And take this in worth that the world wonder no further I wil take vp my hard burden of Remorse and be gone Exit Desire It is good to follow examples of good I le take this heauy burden of Care and follow as I may Exit Del. Because I le not be slagular I le frame my selfe to follow taking this cold portion of Charitie as my share exit Enter Simplicity with Diligence Simp. Come on M. Didligence I haue bene seeking ye as a man should seek a load of hay in a néedles eie Dil. And why hast thou sought me I pray thee so earnestly simp. Why For this ointment these shels these plesure do ye not know this Countua mountus cum this da mihi Dil. What money why Do I owe thee any money Simp. Owe me Tush no man what do ye talke of owing Come and yet I must haue some certaine sigillatum deliberatum in praesentia Doo you not vnderstand sir Fourty pence and furniture by my Lord pompes pointment against the wedding day to bee one of the show-makers I doe not say shoo-makers and yet they be honest men Dil. I vnderstand thée now and thou shalt want neither mony nor furniture for that sawest thou not Fraud lately Sim. No a For ferit him for if I could find him I would make him fast ynough for cosoning me of ten shillings for certain copper buttons and rings I thought to haue bene a haberdasher and he hath made me worse than a hay-maker Dil. I may say to thee in counsell but I le haue no words of it hee hath ouerreacht me too but if thou spie him first let me vnderstand and if I see him first thou shalt haue knowledge for I le tell thee but laugh not he shewed me a purse with a hūdred pound in Angels which he would deliuer me in pawne to be my true prisoner because for his credite he was loth to goe with me through the stréetes to Newgate I refused it at first but at last by his intreatie I was content to take his pawne and thinking he had giuen me the right purse of golde he had another like it which he gaue me with counters and so went away I neuer did see him since but mum no words of it simp. No words quoth a that 's a state test would you be coson'd so Dil. Wel so it is now come follow me for thy furniture and money exeunt Enter Dissimulation and Fraud in caps and as the rest must be for the showe Dis. The coast is cleare come follow Fraud and feare not for who can discipher vs in this disguise thus may we shuffle into the showe with the rest and see and not be seene doing as they doo that are attired like our selues Fra. That is to stand amongst them and take as they take torches or any thing to furnish the showe now if we we can passe but this day vnseene let to morrow shift for it selfe as it may I promise thee Dissimulation thou art verie formall Dis. Not more than thy self Fraud I would thou sawest thy
for thou canst wel defend plea. Wil can do something too when pleaseth him Wit Wil is a good boy where better is none Exeunt the 5 Lordes Wil. Nay Wit were the best boy if wil were gone Wea. Nay wealth is the best boy sirs let that alone VVit I wisse he saith true wil this wealth 's a gay lad Wil. I care not for him curmudgenly Swad Wea. Wel misse me a while you 'll go neer to be sad VVit Wil ye are wil foole if of him ye be not glad VVil Nay wit if thou want him thou'ilt go neer to be mad VVea. To keepe vs still quiet I would other talke we had VVit I hope we 'll not fall out being none but we three Wea. If Wealth were away Wit and Wil would agree Wil. Nay Wit and wil are at strife when ther 's no body but we VVit Let passe and of our shields sirs let 's make a litle glee Wil what giues thy maister here a Buzzard or a Ryte wil Wit you showe your selfe a Gentleman by gessing so right A Buzzard thou Buzyard Wit hast no more skil Then take a Faulcon for a Buzzard Wit O be quiet good Wil It was but for sport for I know the bird els Wea. Thou mightest see it was no Buzzard man by the bels wit What 's the reason of this Faulcon I pray thee Will show Wil. Thou knowst that a Faulcon wares hie and stoupes low So doeth pleasure Wit And what 's the word Wil. Pour temps for time Wit A verie pretie one I would it were in rime Wea. In rime VVit why so Wit Because it wantes reason Wil. Looke for my fist VVit if ye rap out such treason VVit Treason to what boy Wil. To my maisters bird Wit Now Wil my thombe wags it was but to his word Wil. T is a pleasant Gentleman this yoong mast Wit Your maister hath samething too I pray ye what 's it VVit Looke wil and gesse Wil. T is a Load in a shell Wea. I had as léeue ye had said a Frog in a well VVit Is 't not a great Butterfly Wil canst thou tell Wil. What is it in sadnesse VVit A Tortoys my boy whose shell is so hard that a loaden cart may goe ouer and not breake it and so she is safe within and wheresoeuer shee goes she beares it on her backe needing neither other succour or shilter but her shell the woord vnderneath her is Prouidens securus the prouident is safe like to the Tortoys armed with his owne defence and defended with his owne armour in shape somewhat rounde signifying compasse wherein alwaies the prouident forsee to keepe themselues within their owne compasse my boy wil wittily spoken now wealths maist hath got a Daffadowndilly VVea. If VVill had not bene wilfull now he might haue saide a Lilly whose glorie is without comparison and beautie matchlesse for Salomon the most sumptuous King that euer was was neuer comparable in glorie with the Lilly neither is ther any citties matchable with the pomp of London mistake me not good boies that this pompe tendes to pride yet London hath ynough but my Lord pomp doeth rightly represent the statelie magnificence and sumptuous estate without pride or vaine glorie to London accomodate and therefore the woord is well applied to the ympreze Glorie sauns peere for that the Lillie is neither proud of the beautie nor vainglorious of the pompe No more is London but if it be ioyful of any thing it is of the peace and plentie both flowing from two such fountaines as becomes not vs to name Now therefore my good boies know that my Maister is rather Magnificence than pompe in bad sense and rather pomp than Pride in the best sense wil And my Lord is not pleasure sprong of Voluptuousnes but of such honorable and honest kind conceit as heauen humanitie wel brookes and allowes pleasure pleasing not pernicious wit Who would haue thought that wil had bene philosophous But what means the word pour temps in the shield for time wil Wit shal I cal thee foole the best pleasure of al lasts but a time For of all pleasures most pleasing to sight Mee thinks there is none to the Faulcons hie slight Yet diseases end it the breach of a wing Nay the breach of a fether spoiles that sweet thing wit And so my maister hath the vantage wil ye or no pomp and pleasure may be il Wil. May not pollicy be bad weal. Wit wel ouertaken by VVil that craftie Lad wit A craftie Goose the Gander giues him health Bad pollici 's seldome found in so Christian a common wealth As London is I trust where my maister is a Lord wil And ours so too wea. Wel let vs accord for wit 's a good thing yet may be il appli'd wit and so may wealth be it imploied in pride And wil worst of all when it disdaines a guide wil A Jack an Apes hath wit Wit And so he hath Wil Wea. But he neuer hath wealth now ye are both still Wit Yes he weares a chaine Wil. Well spoke and like a bearward Wea. If ye be Non plus let the matter fall Wil. Wit dost thou see thus goes wealth away with al Wit Let 's reason no further for we shal haue glee Here is a challenger to our shields step we aside Enter Simplicitie in bare blacke like a poore Citizen Wil. He will eate them I thinke for he gapes verie wide Wea. Say nothing to him and ye shal see the foole goe by Wil. Sirra gape not so wide for feare of a flie Simp. Fly flam flurt why Can a flie doo hurt Wit Yea haue ye not heard that the fly hath her spleene And the Ant her gall Sim. My Vncle hath so I weene for it s an angrie old fellow When his gall runs ouer children good day Whose pretie lads are you three Wit Three are ye sure Sim. I le not sweare till I haue told you one two three Wil. I beshrew thee Sim. Mee boy why I am beshrewed already for I am maried Wea. Then thou hast a wife Sim. Yea I would thou hadst her if thou couldst stay her tongue Wea. I thy wise man Why I am too yoong Sim. And I am too old but in good ernest good boies be not angry that I cal you boies for ye are no men yet ye haue no beardes And yet I haue séene boies angrie for being called boies Forsooth they would be called youths wel yet a boy is a boy And a youth is a youth wel if ye be not ashamed of the boy Good boyes whose eyes are ye VVit No whit ashamed sir of that that we are nor ashamed at all of those whom we serue for boyes we be and as we be we serue the three Lordes of London to weet pollicie pompe and pleasure Sim. A pretie spoken Child and of a prety wit VVil VVit 's his name indeed are ye one of his Godfathers yee hit it so right Sim. It is more then I know
picture Frau. Picture here picture there let 's follow our busines Exeunt Enter a Wench singing Strowe the faire flowers and herbes that be greene To grace the gaiest wedding that euer was seene If London list to looke the streetes were nere so cleene Except it was when best it might in welcome of our Queene Three louely Lords of London shall three London Ladies wed Strowe sweetest flowers vpon the stones perfume the bridall bed Strowe the faire flowers c. Enter first Diligence with a Truncheon then a boy with Pollicies Launce and shield then Pollicie and Loue hand in hand then Fraud in a blew gowne red cap and red sleeues with Ambitions Lance and shield then a boy with Pomps Launce and shield then Pompe and Lucre hand in hand then Dissimulation with Prides Launce and shield then a boy with Pleasures Lance and shield then Pleasure and Conscience hand in hand then Simplicitie with Tirannies Lance and shield they al going out Nemo staies and speakes Ne. These Lordes and Ladies thus to church are gone An honoured action to solemnize there With greater ioy wil they return anone Than Caesar did in Rome his Laurell weare Lord pollicy hath Loue vnto his Fere Lord pompe hath Lucre to maintaine his port Lord pleasure Conscience to direct his sport Vsury is marked to be knowen Dissimulation like a shadow fléetes And Simony is out of knowledge growen And Fraud vnfound in London but by fits Simplicity with painefull penurie sits For Hospitality that was woont to feed him Was slaine long since and now the poore doo néed him That Hospitality was an honest man But had few friendes alas if he had any But Vsury which cut his throat as than Was succoured and sued for by many Would Liberality had bene by thy side Then Hospitality thou hadst neuer died But what meane I one of the mariage traine To mourne for him wil nere be had againe His Ghost may walke to mocke the people rude Ghostes are but shadowes and doe sense delude I talke too long for soe this louelie crue Are comming backe and haue perfourm'd their due Returne as they went sauing that the blew gownes that bare shields must now beare torches Simplicity going about spies Fraud and falleth on his knees before Pleasure and Conscience saieng Simp. O Lady Conscience that art maried to Lord pleasure Help thy seruant simplicity to recouer his lost treasure A boone my Lords all for Loue and Lucre sake Euen as you are true Lordes help a false lout to take plea. Thou shalt haue helpe speake what is the matter simp. Sée you yen fellow with the torch in his hand One the falsest villaine that is in this land Let him be laid hold on that he run not away And then yee shall heare what I haue to say ple. Diligence bring him hether good Lordes and Ladies stay simp. O Maister Fraud welcome to the buts Now I le haue my ten shillings in spite of your guts The French Tanker consume ye you were an old Frenchman Da goll buttoone goll renga bugla lase you coson'd me than My Lords I beseech ye that at tyborne he may totter For in steed of gold the villaine sold me copper plea. Is this true M. Skil Fra. It is true in a sort my Lord I thought to bee pleasant with him being my old acquaince and disguis'd my selfe like an old French Artificer and hauing a few copper knacks I sold them to him to make sport for ten shillings which money I am content to pay him againe so shall he haue no losse though he haue made a litle sport ple. First giue him an Angell before my face Simplicity art thou pleased Sim. Truly I am pleas'd to take a good Angell for ten shillinges speciouslie of such a debter as M. Fraud but now I am to bee pleas'd otherwise that is to see him punished I promise yee the people loue him wel for they would leaue work and make halfe holiday to see him hanged ple. That his punishment may please thee the better thou shalt punish him thy selfe he shall be bound fast to yen post and thou shalt bee blindfold and with thy torch shalt run as it were at tilt charging thy light against his lips and so if thou canst burne out his tongue that it neuer speake more guile Sim. O Singulariter Nominatiuo wise Lord pleasure Genetiuo bind him to that poste Datiuo giue me my torch Accusat For I say he 's a cosoner Vocat O giue me roome to run at him Ablat take and blind me Pluraliter per omnes casus Laugh all you to see mee in my choller adust to burne and to broile that false Fraud to dust Bind Fraud blind Simplicity turne him thrise about set his face towards the contrarie post at which he runnes and all to burnes it Dis. standing behind Fraud vnbindes him and whiles all the rest behold Simp. they two slip away Pleasure missing Fraud saith plea. Wisely perfourm'd but soft sirs where is Fraud O noble villaine gone whiles we beheld the other Who loosed him Who let him slip wel one day he wil pay for all vnblind Simplicity Simp. How now Haue I beated his lips haue I warm'd his nose and scortched his face Let me see how lookes the villaine Haue I burned him Dil. Thou hast done more for thou hast quite consumed him into nothing looke here is no signe of him no not so much as his ashes Simp. Verie few ashes if there be any ye may see what a hot thing anger is I thinke that the Torch did not waste him so much as my wrath wel al London nay all England is beholding to me for putting Fraud out of this world I haue consum'd him brought him to nothing I le tread his ashes vnder my feet that no more Frauds shal euer spring of them But let me sée I shal haue much anger for the Tanners wil misse him in their lether the Tailors in cutting out of garments the Shoo-maker in closing the Tapsters in filling pots and the verie oistermen to mingle their oisters at Billinsgate yet it is no matter the world is well rid of such a craftie knaue plea. Well now thou art satisfied I wish all here as wel contented And we my Lords that praise this happie day Fall wee on knees and humbly let vs pray pom. First that from heauen vpon our gratious Queene All maner blessings may be multiplied That as her raigne most prosperous hath bene During worlds length so may it stil abide And after that with saintes be glorified· Lord graunt her here health hearts-ease ioy and mirth And heauen at last after long life on earth pol, Her counsel wise and Nobles of this land Blesse and preserue O Lord with thy right hand plea. On all the rest that in this Land doo dwell Chiefly in London Lord poure downe thy grace Who liuing in thy feare and dying well In heauen with Angels they may haue a place FINIS
copulation I would haue thought once my horse should haue bene frée as soon as my selfe and sooner too for he would haue stombled with a sacke of meale and lien along in the channell with it when hee had done and that some cals fréedome but it 's but a durtie fréedome but ye may sée bad horses were but iades in those daies But soft here comes customers What lacke ye what is 't ye lack what lacke ye Come along and buy nothing fine Ballades new Ballades what lack ye Enter Nemo and the three Lordes Ne. My Lordes come on what suits haue you to me Pol. Renowmed Nemo the most onelie one That drawes no breath but of th' eternal aire That knowest our suit before we bound to speak For thou art the very Oracle of thoughts Whose vertues doo encompasse thee about As th' aire surroundes this massie globe of earth Who hast in power what euer pleaseth thee And canst bestow much more than we may craue To thee we seeke to thée on knées we sue That thou wilt deigne from thraldom to release Those louely Dames that London Ladies are Ne. What those thrée caitiefs long agoe condemn'd Loue Lucre Conscience wel deseruing death Being corrupt with all contagion The spotted Ladies of that stately towne pom. Loue Lucre Conscience we of thée desire Which in thy self hast all perfection Accomplished with all integritie And needest no helpe so doe what pleaseth thee Who holdest Fame and Fortune both thy slaues And doest compell the Destinies draw the coatch To thée we sue sith power thou hast thereto To set those Ladies at their libertie plea. At libertie thou spotlesse Magistrate That of the cause doost carie all regard Carelesse of bribes of birth and parentage Because thy selfe art onely borne to blisse Blesse vs so much that Lordes of London are That those thrée Ladies borne and bred with vs May by our suites release of thraldome send Ne. Release my Lords why seeke ye their relase That haue perpetuall prison for their doome pol. But Nemo can from thence redéeme them all Ne. Their deeds were cause not Nemo of their thral Pom. Yet Nemo was the Iudge that sentence gaue Ne. But Nemo neuer spill'd whom he could saue plea. Thou from perpetuall prison maist reuoke Pol. Death hath no power gainst him to strike a strok Pom. Thou onlie milde and curteous sir vouchsafe To graunt our suit and set those Ladies free Ne. What 's your purpose in this earnest suit Plea To marie them and make them honest wiues Ne. But may it be that men of your regard Lords of such fortune and so famous place Wil linke your selues with Ladies so forlorne And so disteined with more then common crimes Pol. Mariage doth make amends for many amisse Pom. And loue doth couer hears of combrous euils plea. And doth forget the faults that were before Ne. Meane as you say ye neede to say no more pol. In token that we meane what we haue said Lo here our shieldes the prizes of our loue To challenge all except thy selfe that dare Denie those Ladies to be ours by right Ne. Woo them win them win them wear thē too I shal both comfort and discourage you my Lords The comfort 's this of all those former crimes· Wherwith the world was wont those dames to charge I haue them cléer'd and made them all as free As they were borne no blemish left to sée But the discourage gentle Lords is this The time of their indurance hath bene long Whereby their cloathes of cost and curious stuffe Are worne to rags and giue them much disgrace Pom. Alas good Ladies was there none that sued For their release before we took 't in hand Ne. Yes diuers for fair Lucre sought release And some for Loue would faine haue paid the fées But sillie Conscience sat without regard In Sorrowes dungeon sighing by her selfe Which when I saw that some did sue for Loue And most for Lucre none for Conscience A vow I made which now I shall perfourme Til some should sue to haue release for all Iudg'd as they were they should remaine in thrail But you that craue their fréedomes all at once Shal haue your suit and see them here ere long A litle while you must haue patience And leaue this place go in my Lordes before Pom. Becommeth vs to waite on Nemo still Ne. Not so but Lordings the condition more You promise me sith they are in my power I shall dispose them when they are releas'd Vpon you three as I shall thinke it best Pom. Doe but commaund and we shall all subscribe Ne. Then goe your ways for I haue here to do Exeunt 3. Lorde Enter Sorrow Sorrow draw neere to morrow bring thou foorth Loue Lucre Conscience whom thou hast in thrall Vpon these stones to sit and take the aire But set no watch or spyall what they doo Exeunt ambo Enter Fraud Vsurie Dissimulation Simony and Simplicity Frau. How happie may we call this merie day my mates Wherein we meet that once were desperate I thinke euer to haue seene one another when Nemo that vpright Iudge had by imprisoning our Mistresses banished vs by setting such diligēt watch for vs out of London and almost out of the world But liue we yet And are we met and neere our old seat Vsury is it thou Let me see or hath some other stolne thy face Speakest thou man Vsu. No Fraud though many haue counterfeited both thee me We are our selues yet and no changlings I see And why shouldst thou aske me man if I liue The silly Asse can not feed on harder forrage than vsurie She vpon thistles and I vpon a browne crust of a moneth old simp. So that Vsury and an asse are two of the profitablest beasts that a man can kéepe yet th' one hath sharper teeth than th' other Frau. But what meanes Dissimulation He droopes me thinks What cheere man Why cousen frolick a fit art thou not glad of this meeting What 's the cause of thy melancholy Dis. Not melancholike but musing how it comes to passe that we are thus fortunate to méet as we doo simo. I le tell thee why we met because we are no mountaines simp. But ye are as ill for ye are monsters simo. And men may meete though mountaines cannot Frau, In token that this meeting is ioyfull to vs all Let vs embrace altogether with harts ioy and affection simp. I see many of these old prouerbes prooue true t is merrie when knaues meet Frau. How sir what 's that Sim. If a man had a casting net he might catch all you Frau. Art not thou Simplicity Simp. Goodman Simp for I am maried it like your maistership And you are mast Fraud too a pox on your worship I sée a fox and a false knaue haue all one luck the better for banning And many of you crafty knaues liue merilyer than we honest men Frau. Sirra bridle your tongue if you 'il be welcom to our
company No girdes nor old grudges but congratulate this méeting And sirs if you say it let 's tel how we haue liued since our parting simp. O it is great pity Vsu. What to tell how we haue liued simp. No that ye doo liue Frau. Yet againe sirra Vsury as for thée it were folly to aske for thou liuest but too wel but Dissimulation and simony how haue you two liued discourse I pray you hartily simp. Faith euen like two mice in an amberie that eat vp all the meat and when they haue done gnaw holes in the cupbord Dis. Fraud after my scaping away at the Sessions where I shifted as thou knowest in thrée sundry shapes one of a Frier and they can dissemble another like a woman and they doo litle else the third as a Saint and a Deuill and so is a woman I was banished out of London by Nemo to the countrie went I amongst my olde friendes and neuer better loued than among the russet coates once in a moneth I stole in othe market day to Leaden-hall and about and sometime to VVestminster hall Now hearing some speach that the Ladies should be sued for for I ame come in hope of my old intertaiment supposing my selfe not knowen of many and hoping the three Lords wil preuaile in their suit and I to serue one of them simp. He shall doo well that giues thee a coat but he should do better that could take of thy skinne simo. And I haue bene a traueiler abroad in other realms for here I am so cried out against by preachers and yet some ministers that be none could be content to vse me that I was glad to be gone nowe in some other landes and not verie far of I am secretly fostered sauing in Scotland and the low Countries they are refourmed they can not abide me Wel now and then hither I came stealing ouer sea and hearing as you here intend as you doo Frau. And for mine owne part amongst artificers and amongst a few bad conscienced Lawyers I haue found such entertainment as dooth passe yet would I with Lucre faine be as I was simp. Fraud is as ill as a cut-purse by the masse Vsu. And for Vsury the longer I liue the greater loue I find Yet would I be with Lucre again to please my mind Frau. Heer 's a good fellow too one of our acquaintance how hast thou liued Simplicity simp. More honestly then all the rest of thy company for when I might beg no longer as begging was but bad for you coson'd me once of an alms I fel to tankard bearing so â—os a wife of the same science painful penury then got I my fréedom and feeling my shoulder grow wearie of the tankard set vp an easier trade to sel ballads Frau. Hadst thou a stock to set vp withal Simp Wise inough to tell you I yonder 's my stal but beware I loose nothing for if I do I le lay it straight to some of you for I saw none so like theiues I promise you since I set vp Frau. Ye are a wiseman when your nose is in the cup but soft who comes here step wee close aside for these be the three Ladies for my life brought out of prison by their keeper let vs be whist and we shall heare and see all Sirra you must say nothing Enter Sorrow and the three Ladies he sets them on three stones on the stage simp. not til ye speak for I am affraid of him that 's with the woman Con. O Sorrow when when sorrow wilt thou cease To blow the sparke that burnes my troubled soule To féede the worme that stings my fainting breast And sharp the stéele that goares my dieng heart My thoughtes are thornes my teares hot drops of lead I plaine I pine I die yet neuer dead If world would end my woe should but begin Loe this the case of Conscience for her sin And sin the food wherewith my worme was fed That stings me now to death yet neuer dead Loue Yet neuer dead and yet Loue doeth not thâ—â— Loue that to losse in life her follie lent Folly the food whereon her frailtie fed Frailtie the milke that Natures breast did giue Life losse and follie frailtie foode and kinde Worme sting thornes fire and torment to the mind Life but a breath and follie but a flower Frailtie claie dust the foode that fancie scornes Loue a sweet bait to couer losses sower Flesh breedes the fire that kindles lustfull thornes Lust fire bait scorne dust flower and feeble breath Die quench deceiue flie fade and yeeld to death To death O good if death might finish all We die each day and yet for death we cal Lucre For death we call yet death is stil in sight Lucre doth seald in drops of melting gold Accusing Rust cals on eternal might Where flames consume and yet we fréeze with cold Sorrow addes Sulphur vnto Furies heat And chops them yee whose chattering teeth do beat But sulphur snow flame frost nor hideous crieng Can cause them die that euer are in dying Nor make the paine diminish or increase sorrow is slacke and yet wil neuer cease Sor. When Sorrow ceaseth Shame shal then begin With those that wallow sencelesse in their sin But Ladies I haue drawen you from my Den To open aire to mittigate some mone Conscience sit downe vpon that sweating stone And let that Flint loue serue thee for a seate And Ladie Lucre on that stone rest you And Ladies thus I leaue you here alone Mourne ye but moane not I shal absent be Yet good it were sometime to thinke on me Exit Con. Comfort it is to thinke on Sorrow past Loue Sorrow remaines when ioy is but a blast Luc. A blast of wind is worldes felicitie Con. A blasting wind and full of miserie Loue O Conscience thou hast most tormented me Luc. Me hath thy worm O Conscience stong too déep Con. But more my selfe my thoughtes tormented haue Than both of you in sorrowes sullen caue From whence drawen foorth I find but litle rest A seat vneasie wet and scalding hot On this hard stone hath sorrow me assignde Loue and on my seat my selfe I frozen find No flint more harde no yce more cold then this Lucre I think my seat some mineral stone to be I cold from it it drawes heat from me Ladies consent and we our seates will view Con. Dare we for shame our stained faces shew Loue My double face is single growen againe Lucre My spots are gone my skin is smooth and plain Con, Doffe we our veiles and greet this gladsom light The chaser of glome sorrowes heauie might Loue Haile cheerful aire and clearest christal skie Lucre Haile shining sunne and fairest firmament Comfort to those that time in woe haue spent Con. Vpon my weeping stone is set remorse in brazen letters Loue And on this Flint in lead is Charity Lucre In golden letters on my stone is Care Con. Then Lucre fits vpon the stone of care
man may see he that 's ordained to be rich shal be rich gow woman Exeunt Enter Nemo and the three Lordes as though they had bene chyding Ne. From whence good Lordes grew this hot argument pol. Thou knowest alreadie yet if thou wilt heare For this we striue fond pleasure makes account Somming his bils without an auditorie That Ladie Lucre ought of right be his plea. So I affirme and so I wil maintaine That Ladie Lucre ought of right be his plea. So I affirme and so I wil maintaine That pleasure ought by right Dame Lucre haue To beare the charge of sportes and of delightes pom. Nay to support the haughty magnificence And lordly Pompe of Londons excellence Befits it rather Lucre ioine with me By whom her honor shal be most aduanced pol. More fit for pomp than pleasure but most fit That Pollicie with Lucre should be matched As guerdon of my studies and my cares And high employments in the common wealth plea. What pleasure can be fostered without cost pom, What Pompe or port without respect of gaine pol, What pollicie without preferment liues ple. Pleasure must haue Lucre pom. pomp hath need of Lucre pol, pollicy merits lucre ple, Pleasure dies without Lucre pom, Pomp decaies without Lucre pol, pollicy droopes without lucre Ne, Thus Lordes you showe your imperfections Subiect to passions straining honours boundes Be wel aduisde you promised to be rulde And haue those Dames by me disposed to you But since I see that humaine humors oft Makes men forgetfull of their greater good Be here a while Dame lucre shal be brought By me to choose which Lord she liketh best So you allow her choice with patience Exit Plea Go we abide thy doome til thy returne Pom. If lucre be not mad she wil be mine Pol. If she regard her good she wil be mine Plea If she loue happie life she wil be mine Women loue Pleasure pom. Women loue Pompe pol. Women vse Pollicie and here she comes that must decide the doubt Enter Nemo with Conscience al in white Ne. Conscience content thee with a queint conceit Conceile thy name to work a speciall good Thou art not knowne to any of these Lordes By face or feature til they heare thy name Which must be lucre for a fine deuice And Conscience cleare indeed 's the greatest gaine Lo Lordings here faire lucre whom ye loue lucre the choice is left vnto thy selfe Which of these three thou wilt for husband choose Con. The modestie that dooth our sex beseeme Forbids my tongue therin to tell my thought But may it please my Lordes to pardon me Which of you three shall deigne to make such choice Him shall I answere to his owne content pol, If lucre please to match with Pollicie She shall be mistresse ouer many men Pom. If lucre like to match with Londons Pomp In stately port all others she shall passe plea. If pleasure may for wife faire lucre gaine Her life shall be an earthly Paradice Ne. Lo Lucre men and port and plesant life Are here propounded Which wilt thou accept Con. Lord pollicie Loue were the only choice Me thinks for you that all your cares imploy And studies for the loue of common wealth For you Lord pleasure Conscience were a wife To measure your delightes by reasons rule In recreation Conscience helpe to vse plea, Were Conscience halfe so sweete as is thy selfe Her would I seek with suites and seruices Ne, No lesse accomplisht in perfection Is Conscience then this Ladie I protest plea, But on this Dame hath pleasure fixt his hart And this or death the period of his loue Con. Lucre with pompe most aptly might combine ple. Lucre or Loue if case thou wilt be mine Let passe thy name thy selfe doe I desire Thee will I haue except thy selfe denie With thee to liue or els for thee to die Ne. What if I denie ple. Then wil I haue her pol If we denie ple. So much the rather pom. The rather in despight of vs Not so Ne. My Lords no quarrell let this Lady goe And if ye trust me I le content ye both pleasure this is not lucre ple She 's Lucre vnto me but be she Loue or Consciēce this is she pol. Whom you wil haue ple. Spight of the Deuil I wil Con, Must it not be my Lord if I agrée ple. Agree Con. Some further proofe it fits of you to sée ple, Receiue a pawn my hart my hand and oth To be thy owne in loue in faith and troth Con. Thus you are fast and yet my selfe am frée ple. I know in ruth thou wilt me not refuse Con. I know not that but other I le not choose Ne. It is inough Lord pleasure do not feare Conscience will vse you as becomes her best plea. And art thou Conscience welcommer to me than either loue or Lucre Con. God send grace I be Ne. My Lords be pleasde ere long shal you be sped As much to your contents as pleasure is Say but the word my selfe shall soone present Lucre and loue wel worthy such as you pol, Right thankfully those fauors we 'il receiue Enter Diligence in hast Dil. My Lords if your affaires in present be not great Greater than any saue regard of life Yea euen the greatest of the common wealth Prepare ye to withstand a stratagem Such as this Land nor London euer knew The Spanish forces Lordings are prepar'd In brauerie and boast beyond all boundes T' inuade to win to conquer all this land They chieflie aime at Londons stately pompe At Londons pleasure wealth and pollicy Intending to dispoile her of them all And ouer all those louelie Ladies three Loue lucre Conscience peerlesse of the rarest price to tyrannize and carie hardest hand From Spain they come with Engine and intent to slay subdue to triumph and torment My selfe so heauen would spiall of them had And Diligence deere Lords they call my name If you vouchsafe to credit my report You do me right and to your selues no wrong Prouided that you arme you being warn'd pol. Diligence thy seruice shall be knowen and well rewarded Nemo for a time Conceale this Dame and liue secure vnséene Let vs alone whom most it dooth concerne to meete and match our euer wéening foes Pom. Nemo keepe cloase and Conscience pray for vs Bée gone and recommend vs to our God Con. My Lordes if euer show your honors now Those proud vsurping Spanish tyrants come To reaue from you what you doo most regard to take away your credit and your fame to race and spoile our right renowmed towne And if you loue or lucre doo regard Or haue of Conscience any kind of care The world shall witnesse by this action And of the loue that you to vs pretend In this your valour shall assurance giue More would I speake but daunger 's in delay You know my mind and heauens record my thoughtes When I with praiers for you will penitrate And will in heart be present in your
fight Now pleasure show what you wil doo for me ple. I wil be turn'd to paine for thy sweet sake pol. Faire Conscience feare not but assure thy selfe What kind affection we so euer beare to Loue and Lucre in this action Chiefly for thée our seruice shall be done pom. For Conscience sake more than for Lucre now pol, For Loue and Consciēce not dispising Lucre ple. Onely for Conscience will I hazard all Ne. And I from hence will her conuey a space Till you return with happy victory Exeunt Ne Con. Con. Farewel my Lords for me my Lords for me pol. Diligence what number may there be Dil. A mighty hoste and chieflie led by three Who braue it out in show as men assured Of victorie sauns venture or repulse pol. How néere be they Dil. So néere my Lords that ech delay is death Stand on your guard they come as challengers to bruise your shieldes and beare away your prize Mounting the seas and measuring the land With strong imaginations of successe pol. Wel Diligence go get in readines Men and munition bid our pages plie To see that all our furniture be wel Wit Wealth and Wil to further wars be fit Exit Dilli. My Lords I would I might aduise ye now To carrie as it were a carelesse regard Of these Castilians and their accustomed brauado Lord Pomp let nothing that 's magnificall Or that may tend to Londons graceful state Be vnperfourm'd As showes and solemne feastes Watches in armour triumphes Cresset-lightes Bonefiers belles and peales of ordinance And pleasure see that plaies be published Mai-games and maskes with mirth and minstrelsse Pageants and school-feastes beares and puppit plaies My selfe wil muster vpon Mile-end gréene As though we saw and fear'd not to be séene Which wil their spies in such a woonder set To see vs recke so litle such a foe Whom all the world admires saue onely we And we respect our sport more than his spite That Iohn the Spaniard wil in rage run mad To see vs bend like Oakes with his vain breath pom. In this deuice such liking I conceiue As London shall not lack what pomp can doe And well I know that worthy Citizens Doe carie mindes so franke and bountiful As for their honor they will spare no cost Especially to let their enemie know Honor in England not in Spaine doth grow ple. And for the time that they in pleasure spend T is limmitted to such an honest end Namely for recreatien of the mind With no great cost yet liberall in that kind That pleasure vowes with all delightes he can To doe them good till death to be their man pol. Of pollicy they triall haue at large pom. Then let vs go and each man to his charge Exeunt the three Lords Enter Simplicity led in by Vsurie simp. I sir Why alas I bought them of a stranger an old French man for good gold and to be worth ten pound for so be told me I haue good witnesse for my owne wife was by and lent mee part of the money Vsu. And what did they cost you Simp. Ten shillings euery penny Vsu. That argues you are guilty Why could ye buy so many rings and buttons of gold thinke ye for ten shillings Of whome did ye buy them simp. Of an olde French man the olde French disease take him Vsu. And where dwels that old French man simp. In Fraunce I thinke for he told me he was to goe ouer the next tide or the next day my wife can tell as wel as I if ye thinke I lie for she was by Vsu. A good answere he dwels in Fraunce and you dwel here and for uttering copper for gold you are like to loose both your eares vpon the pillorie and besides loose your freedome simp. Nay if I loose my eares I care not for my fréedome kéepe you my freedome so I may kéepe my eares is there no remedy for this M. Vsury vsurie None except you can find out that old French man simp. Peraduenture I can if you 'il let mee go into Fraunce to seeke him Vsu, So we may loose you and neuer see him nay that may not be simp, You haue a good pawne there good maister Vsury be good vnto me Vsu Nay now I le pinch ye you villaine ye know how ye haue euer vsed me but now off goes your eares at least Sim. Nay good maister Vsurie take all my goodes and let me go Enter Fraude Dissimulation Simonie in canuas coates like Sailers Frau. What 's the matter Vsurie that this poore knaue cries so Simp. O Maister Fraud speake to him to let me goe Frau. Fraud Ye villaine cal me not by my name and ye shall sée I wil speak to him to let ye goe free Vsury of al old fellowship let this poore knaue packe if the matter be not too hainous Vsu. No sir his fault is odious look here what stuffe hee would vtter for gold flat copper he saith he bought them of an old frenchman Frau. But thou didst not sel them didst thou Sim. No sir I would haue but laid them to pawne for fiue pounds to him Frau. That was more than they be woorth I promise thée a foule matter wel thou must loose thy ware and be glad to escape so Vsurie at my request ye shal let the poore man goe Vsu. Wel for this once I will sirra get ye packing and take héede of such a peece of worke againe while ye liue simp. There is diuers péeces of work in that box pray ye giue me some of my goods againe a ring or something Vsu. Not an inch and be glad ye scape as ye doe Simp. Alas I am vndone ther 's al the wealth stock I haue Fra. Do ye long to loose your eares be gone ye foolish knaue Sim. I thanke ye Maister Fraud I le not goe so far but I le be néere to heare and see what the meaning of these fellowes in this canuas should be for I know Fraud Dissimulation and simony to be those thrée here I think I am vnséene Simplicity hides him neer them Frau. Vsury thanke me for this good bootie for it is I that holy ye to it for I sould them to him for gold indéed in the shape of an old French artificer come giue me halfe for I deserue it for my part was the first beginning of this Comedie I was euer affraid least the foole should haue knowne me for ye see now though disguisde hee calme by my name simp. Did a so I am glad I haue found the french man now I le raise the street but I le haue my wares again prooue ye as ye were euer both false knaues I beleeue Exit sim. Frau. Kil him stab him out villaine he wil betray vs all Vsu. What a foole were you to speake before he was gone now you haue lost your part of this too for he will goe complaine you will bee sought for and I made to restore these things againe Fra. Not
if thou be wise thou wilt not tarie the reckoning for seest thou not vs three Dissimulation simony and my selfe Vsu. Yes What meanes these canuas suites Will yee be Sailers Fra. Vsury make one this is our intent let 's sée that none heare vs now the Spaniards are comming thou hearest with great power here is no liuing for vs in London men are growen so full of conscience and religion that Fraud Dissimulation and Simony are disciphered and being disciphered are also dispised and therefore wee will slip to the sea and meet and ioine with the enemie and if they conquere as they may for they are a great armie by report our credite may rise againe with them if they faile and retire we may either goe with them and liue in Spaine where we and such good fellowes are tollerated and vsed or come fitly again hether so long as none knows but friends Vsu. But wil you do thus you two Dis. And thou too I hope why what should we do Vsu. Whatsoeuer ye doe be not traitors to your natiue countrie Simo. T is not our natiue countrie thou knowest I Simony am a Roman Dissimulation a Mongrel half an Italian halfe a Dutchman Fraud so too halfe French and halfe Scottish and thy parentes were both Iewes though thou wert borne in London and here Vsury thou art cried out against by the preachers ioine with vs man to better thy state for in Spain preaching toucheth vs not Vsu. To better my state nay to alter my state for here where I am I know the gouernment here can I liue for all their threatning if strangers preuaile I know not their lawes nor their vsage they may bée oppressore take al I haue and it is like they are so for they seek that 's not their owne Therfore here will I stay sure to keepe what I haue rather than be a traitor vpon hap and had I wist and stay you if ye be wise and pray as I pray that the preachers and all other good men may die and then we shall flourish but neuer trust to strangers curtesie Fra. We shal trust but to our friends kin yo 'il not go with vs yet for old acquaintance keep counsel betray vs not for we 'il be gone to sea I am affraid yen foolish knaue haue belaied the stréets for vs Vsu. Let me go afore ye if any such thing be I le giue ye inkling Exit Fra. Do farewel Vsury and as he goes one way we 'il go another follow sirs neuer trust a shrinker if he be your owne brother Exeunt omnes Enter the three Lordes with their Pages and Fealtie a Herald before them his coat hauing the armes of London before and an Oliue tree behind pol: Fealty thou faithfull Herald of our towne Thou true truce-kéeper and sure friend in peace Take downe our shields and giue them to our boies Now Fealty prepare thy wits for war he deliuers them To parlie with the proud Castillians Approching fast the frontiers of our coast Wit here my Page in euerie message shall Attend on thee to note them and their déedes I néed not tel thée they are poore and proud Vaunters vaineglorious tyrants truce-breakers Enuious irefull and ambitious For thou hast found their facing and their brags Their backes their coffers and their wealth their rags But let me tell thee what we craue of thée To scanne with iudgment what their leaders be To note their presence and obserue their grace And truly to aduertise what they seeme Whether to be experienced in armes Or men of name those three that lead the rest the rest referre we to thy owne conceit Feal, I hope in this my dutie to discharge as heretofore Simplicity make a great noise within and enter with three or four weaponed Simp. Clubs clubs nay come neighbours come for here they bee here I left them arrant theeues rogues cosoners I charge ye as you wil answere prebend them for they haue vndone me and robb'd me and made me the poorest free man that euer kept a ballad stall A Constable I charge ye keepe the peace and lay downe your weapons To the three Lords pomp Who rais'd this tumult Speake what meanes this stir simp. O I am vndone robb'd spoil'd of all my stocke let me see where be they Keepe euerie street and doore samine all that comes for Fraud that cosoner pol, Maisters what meane you in these troublous times to keepe this coile Const, Alas my Lord her 's a poore man rob'd or cosoned simp. I am rob'd O my boies my pretie boies I am vndone saw ye no theeues nor no craftie knaues what be all these Wit Simplicity away these be our Lordes offend them not for feare Simp. I séeke not them I séeke for Fraud that rob'd me plea. Go seeke els where for here 's no place for such Pol. My friends depart and qualifie this stir And see peace kept within the walles I charge ye Const. I wil my Lord come Simp. we came too late to find your losses Exeunt simp. Pray for me my boies I think I shal hang my selfe I come euer too late to speed pol. Now Lordes let Honors fire enflame on thoughtes And let vs arme our courage with our cause And so dispose our selues to welcome them Doe me the fauour if I may intreat To be the first to front the foe in face The Vauntgard let be Pollicies this once Pompes the maine baitaile pleasures the Rereward And so bestow vs if you thinke it good Pom. I think it good and time that it were done Plea I think it good and wish the enemie come Enter Diligence Dil. And here they come as braue as Philips sonne And his Ephestion woont to be arraied In glittering gold and party coloured plumes With curious pendents on their Lances Ext Their shieldes Ymprez'd with gilt copertiments Their Pages carelesse plaieng at their backes As if with conquest they triumphing came Pol. If they be conquer'd greater is their shame But Diligence go post alongst the coast To tell the newes and looke to welcome them Let vs alone My Lords you heare the newes More words were vaine I know ye wel resolu'd Exit Dil. Pom. And here they come Oh proud Castillians Enter first Shealty the Herald then Pride bearing his shield himself his ympreze a Peacocke the worde Non par illi His Page Shame after him with a Launce hauing appendent gilt with this word in it Sur lé Ciel Ambition his ympreze a blacke Horse salliant with one hinder foote vpon the Globe of the earth one fore foote stretching towards the cloudes his woorde Non sufficit orbis His page Treacherie after him his pendent Argent and Azure an armed Arme catching at the Sun beames the woorde in it Et gloriam Phoebi Last Tyrannie His ympreze a naked Childe on a speares point bleeding his woord Pour sangue His page Terrour his pendent rules in it a Tygers head out of a cloud licking a bloody heart The
would we garlands of Laurell greene To welcome them more for the common good Than for affection priuate that we beare Loue To meet them comming wil not be amisse But what know we how they will take such work Con. Report may be much more than there is cause We may them méete and gréet with ioyfull heartes And make them garlands when we know their mindes Enter the three Lords with the Spanish Shieldes and Diligence Ne. And here they come with new ymprezed shields My Lords wel met and welcome from your foes Lucre Lord pomp wel met and welcome home againe Loue Lord pollicy wel met and welcome home againe Con. Lord pleasure welcome with vnfained heart ple. Faire ioy and Lady xx. thousand thankes pol. Faire Loue and Lady twise as many thankes· Pom. Faire and beloued Lucre though I speake last As kindly I thy welcome do accept As heart can thinke pen write or tongue can tell Ne. Now speak my Lords how haue ye sped pol. Right wel thanks vnto him that gaue the day to vs The pride of Spaine was cloak'd with Maiestie And Shame his page nicknamed Modestie Spanish Ambition Honor would be cal'd And Treacherie his page term'd Action Their Tyranny was cleped Gouernment Terror his page was falsly nam'd Regard But God aboue hath giuen them their reward They with dishonor left their shields behind The onely prises purchast by vs now And those faire Ladies we present to you Loue this is thine and he that giues it thee Ne. In lieu whereof your gift and her I giue Againe to you that merite more than both pol. The greatest gift and good could me befall pom. Fair lucre loe my present and my self Lucre Which I with Nemos license gladly take Ne. Take her Lord pomp I giue her vnto thee Wishing your good may ten times doubled be pom. the wished good this world could giue to me ple. Of dutie I my deere must giue thee this that art my comfort and my earthly blisse Ne. Now Lords I hope you are contented all pomp with his Lucre pollicie with Loue pleasure with Conscience ioy fall you from aboue And thus to you my promise is perfourm'd And I expect that yours aswell be kept That present preparation may be made to honour those with holy mariage rites that I in presence of the world may giue these as my daughters vnto you my sonnes Pol. By my consent one day shal serue vs all Which shall be kept for euer festiuall pom. And on that day in honor of these Dames these shields in triumph shall be borne about Plea with pageants plates and what delights may be to entertaine the time and companie Ne. So it please you Lordings me thinks it were méet that the Ladies tooke care to prouide their owne toies My selfe néede to helpe them who know their mindes well For I can kéepe women both quiet and constant pol. It pleaseth vs well that you wil take the paines Faire ones for a while we betake you to your busines Pom. Ladies adue the Lords bring thē to the doore they go out Ne ple. Beloued farewel Fra. giues Pol. a paper which he reads then saies pol. It seemes by this writing sir you would serue me Is your name Skil whom did you serue last Frau. An ill maister my Lord I serued none but my selfe pol. Haue ye neuer serued any heretofore Fra. Yes diuers my Lord both beyond sea and here with your patience my good Lord not offending the same I thinke I am your poore kinsman your Lordship pollicy and I Skil if it like ye pol. You say verie well and it is verie like I will answere yee anon Diss. giues Plea a paper which he reades and saies ple. Is your name faire semblance that wish to serue me Dis. Please it your Lordship fair semblance I am wel séen though I say it in sundry languages méet for your Lordship or any noble seruice to teach diuers tongues and other rare things Plea I like ye verie well stay a while for your answere Enter Vsurie and giues a paper to Pompe which he reades and saith pom. Maister Vsury I thanke ye that ye offer me your seruice it séemes to be for your old maistresse sake Lady lucre stay but a while I will answere you with reason The three Lords go together and whisper and call Diligence Diligence goes out for a marking yron and returnes Frau. How now my hearts think ye we shal spéed pol. Diligence Come hether Vsu. I cannot tell what you shal but I am sure I shal Dis. I am as like as anie of ye both Vsu. Fraud Dis. Whist man he 's Skil Vsu. Skil Why doest thou séeke to serue Lady Loue What profite wil that he Fra. Cut hold thée content I le serue but a while and serue mine owne turne and away pom. Maister Vsury come hether you desire to serue me you haue done Lady Lucre good seruice you say but it was against God and Conscience you did it neither euer in your life did ye anie thing for Loue Well to be short serue me you shall not and I would I could banish you from London for euer or keepe you cloase prisoner but that is not in me but what is or may be that strait you shall see By pollicies counsell this shall be done Diligence bring that yron helpe me my Lords Enter Diligence pol. Giue me the yron Pomp Cosen Skil help to hold him Fraud laies hold on him but Diss. slip away Sirra pollicy giues you this marke doo you sée A litle x. standing in the midd'st of a great C Meaning thereby to let all men vnderstand that you must not take aboue bare x. pound in the hūdred at any hand And that too much too and so be packing quietly And know that Londons Pomp is not sustained by vsury But by well ventured marchandize and honest industrie Vsu. I would I had neuer seene ye if this be your curtesie Exit Vsurie pol, Now Cosen Skil alias filthy Fraud No kinsman to Pollicie nor friend to the state In steed of seruing me Diligence take him to Newgate Aske not whie sir but Diligence if he doe striue Raise the street he 's vnweaponed and thou hast a weapon on And now Lordes when ye wil about our affaires let 's be gone ple. Agréed but what 's become of faire semblance my man pom. A craftie villaine perceiuing how we meant to Vsurie slipt away Enter Simplicitie in hast and giue the Lords a paper to read Simp. All hail all raine all frost all snow be to you thrée Lordes of London on a row Read my supplantation and my suit yee shall know Euen for Gods sake aboue and three Ladies sakes below Frau. M. Diligence Do me fauour you know I am a gentleman Dil. Step aside til my Lordes be gone I le doo for you what I can slip aside pom. What 's here my boy what 's here pleasure this suit is sure to you for it 's mad