A Select Collection of Old English Plays Volume Vi Part 47

Come, let's go to dinner, cousin, for the gentleman, I think, hath almost din'd, But, and I do get victuals enough, I'll warrant you, I will not be behind.

SINCERITY.

What, if thou canst not get it then, how wilt thou eat?

SIMPLICITY.

Marry, on this fashion; with both hands at once; ye shall see, when I get meat.

SINCERITY.

Why, his name was Nemo, and Nemo hath no being.

SIMPLICITY.

I believe, cousin, you be not hungry, that you stand prating.

Faith, I'll go do him a pleasure, because he hath need.

Why, and he will needs have meat eat, a' shall see how I'll feed.

I believe he will not bid me come again to him: Ma.s.s, and he do, a' shall find a fellow that has his eating.

[_Exeunt ambo_.

_Enter_ USURY _and_ CONSCIENCE.

USURY.

Lady Conscience, is there anybody within your house, can you tell?

CONSCIENCE.

There is n.o.body at all, be ye sure: I know certainly well.

USURY.

You know, when one comes to take possession of any piece of land, There must not be one within, for against the order of law it doth stand.

Therefore I thought good to ask you; but I pray you think not amiss, For both you and almost all others knows, that an old custom it is.

CONSCIENCE.

You say truth: take possession, when you please; good leave I render ye.

Doubt you not; there is neither man, woman, nor child, that will or shall hinder ye.[184]

USURY.

Why, then, I will be bold to enter.

[_Exit_.

CONSCIENCE.

Who is more bold than Usury to venter?

He maketh the matter dangerous, where is no need at all, But he thinks it not perilous to seek every man's fall.

Both he and Lucre hath so pinch'd us, we know not what to do: Were it not for Hospitality, we knew not whither to go.

Great is the misery that we poor ladies abide, And much more is the cruelty of Lucre and Usury beside, O Conscience, thou art not accounted of; O Love, thou art little set by, For almost every one true love and pure conscience doth deny: So hath Lucre crept into the bosom of man, woman and child, That every one doth practise his dear friend to beguile.

But G.o.d grant Hospitality be not by them overprest, In whom all our stay and chiefest comfort doth rest: But Usury hates Hospitality, and cannot him abide, Because he for the poor and comfortless doth provide.

Here he comes that hath undone many an honest man, And daily seeks to destroy, deface, and bring to ruin, if he can-- Now, sir, have you taken possession, as your dear lady will'd you?

_Enter_ USURY.

USURY.

I have done it, and I think you have received your money.

But this to you: my lady will'd me to bid you provide some other house out of hand, For she would not by her will have Love and Conscience to dwell in her land.

Therefore I would wish you to provide ye; So ye should save charges, for a less house may serve ye.

CONSCIENCE.

I pray you heartily, let us stay there, and we will be content To give you ten pound a year, which is the old rent.

USURY.

Ten pound a year! that were a stale jest, If I should take the old rent to follow your request.

Nay, after forty pound a year you shall have it for a quarter, And you may think, too, I greatly befriend ye in this matter: But no longer than for a quarter to you I'll set it, For perhaps my lady shall sell it, or else to some other will let it.

CONSCIENCE.

Well, sith we are driven to this hard and bitter drift, We accept it, and are contented to make bare and hard shift.

USURY.

Then, get you gone, and see at a day your rent be ready.

CONSCIENCE.

We must have patience perforce, seeing there is no remedy.

[_Exit_ CONSCIENCE.

USURY.

What a fool was I! it repents me I have let it so reasonable.

I might so well have had after threescore as such a trifle; For, seeing they were distressed, they would have given largely.

I was a right sot; but I'll be overseen no more, believe me.

_Enter_ MERCATORE.

MERCATORE.

Ah, my good a friend Master Usury! by my trot', you be very well-met.

Me be much beholden unto you for your goodwill; me be in your debt.

But a me take a your part so much against a scald old churl, call'd Hospitality, Did speak against you, and says you bring good honest men to beggary.

USURY.

I thank you, sir. Did he speak such evil of me, as you now say?

I doubt not but to reward him for his treachery one day.

MERCATORE.

But, I pray, tell a me how fare a my lady all dis while?

USURY.

Marry, very well,[185] sir; and here she comes, if myself I do not beguile.

_Enter_ LUCRE.

LUCRE.

What, Signer Mercatore! I have not seen you many a day: I marvel what is the cause you kept so long away.

MERCATORE.

Shall me say you, Madonna, dat me have had much business for you in hand, For send away good commodities out of dis little country England: Me have now sent over bra.s.s, copper, pewter, and many oder ting, And for dat me shall ha for gentlewomans fine trifles, that great profit will bring.