A Select Collection of Old English Plays Volume Vi Part 59

Such terror doth affright me, that living I wish to die: I am afraid there is no spark left for me of G.o.d's mercy.

JUDGE.

Conscience, where hadst thou this letter?

CONSCIENCE.

It was put into my bosom by Lucre, Willing me to keep secret our lascivious living.

I cannot but condemn us all in this thing.

JUDGE.

How now, malapert; stand you still in defence or no?

This letter declares thy guilty Conscience: how sayest thou, is it not so?

Tell me, why standest thou in a maze? speak quickly.

Hadst thou thy tongue so liberal, and now stand to study?

LUCRE.

O Conscience! thou hast kill'd me; by thee I am overthrown.

JUDGE.

It is happy that by Conscience thy abhomination is known: Wherefore I p.r.o.nounce judgment against thee on this wise: Thou shalt pa.s.s to the place of darkness, where thou shalt hear fearful cries; Weeping, wailing, gnashing of teeth, and torment without end; Burning in the lake of fire and brimstone, because thou canst not amend.

Wherefore, Diligence, convey her hence: throw her down to the lowest h.e.l.l, Where the infernal sprites and d.a.m.ned ghosts do dwell; And bring forth Love!

[_Exit_ LUCRE _and_ DILIGENCE.

_Let_ LUCRE _make ready for_ LOVE _quickly, and come with_ DILIGENCE.

Declare the cause, Conscience, at large how thou comest so spotted, Whereby many by thee hath been greatly infected; For under the colour of Conscience thou deceived'st many, Causing them to defile the temple of G.o.d, which is man's body.

A clean conscience is a sacrifice, G.o.d's own resting-place: Why wast thou then corrupted so, and spotted on thy face?

CONSCIENCE.

When Hospitality had his throat cut by Usury, He oppressed me with cruelty and brought me to beggary, Turning me out of house and home; and in the end My gown to pay my rent to him I did send.

So, driven to that extremity, I have fallen to that you see; Yet after judgment I hope of G.o.d's mercy.

JUDGE.

O Conscience, shall cankered coin corrupt thy heart?

Or shall want in this world cause thee to feel everlasting smart?

O Conscience, what a small time thou hast on earth to live: Why dost thou not, then, to G.o.d all honour give?

Considering the time is everlasting that thou shalt live in bliss, If by thy life thou rise from death to judgment, mercy, and forgiveness.

_Enter_ LOVE _with_ DILIGENCE.

Stand aside, Conscience. Bring Love to the bar.

What sayest thou to thy deformity: who was the cause.

LOVE.

Lady Lucre----

JUDGE.

Did Lucre choke thee so, that thou gavest thyself over unto l.u.s.t?

And did prodigal expenses cause thee in Dissimulation to trust?

Thou wast pure (Love), and art thou become a monster, Bolstering thyself upon the lasciviousness of Lucre?

Love, answer for thyself: speak in thy defence.

LOVE.

I cannot choose but yield, confounded by Conscience.

JUDGE.

Then judgment I p.r.o.nounce on thee, because thou followed Lucre, Whereby thou hast sold thy soul, to feel like torment with her Which torments comprehended are in the worm of Conscience, Who raging still shall ne'er have end, a plague for thine offence.

Care shall be thy comfort, and sorrow thy life sustain, Thou shalt be dying, yet never dead, but pining still in endless pain.

Diligence, convey her to Lucre: let that be her reward.

Because unto her cankered coin she gave her whole regard.

But as for Conscience, carry her to prison, There to remain until the day of the general session.

Thus we make an end-- Knowing that the best of us all may amend: Which G.o.d grant to his goodwill and pleasure, That we be not corrupted with the unsatiate desire of vanishing earthly treasure; For covetousness is the cause of 'resting man's conscience: Therefore restrain thy l.u.s.t, and thou shalt shun the offence.

FINIS.

THE THREE LORDS & THREE LADIES OF LONDON

_EDITION

The pleasant and Stately Morall of the three Lordes and three Ladies of London. With the great Joy and Pompe, Solemnized at their Mariages: Commically interlaced with much honest Mirth, for pleasure and recreation, among many Morall observations, and other important matters of due Regard. By R.W. London, Printed by R. Thones, at the Rose and Crowne neere Holburne Bridge_. 1590. 4. Black letter. With an engraving on the t.i.tle.

_Enter, for the Preface, a Lady very richly attired, representing London, having two Angels before her, and two after her, with bright rapiers in their hands_.

LONDON _speaketh_.

Lo, gentles, thus the Lord doth London guard, Not for my sake, but for his own delight; For all in vain the sentinels watch and ward, Except he keep the city day and night.

Now may my foes in vain both spurn and spite, My foes, I mean, that London represent, Guarded from heaven by angels excellent.

This blessing is not my sole benefit: All England is, and so preserv'd hath been, Not by man's strength, his policy and wit.

But by a power and Providence unseen; Even for the love wherewith G.o.d loves our Queen, In whom, for whom, by whom we do possess More grace, more good, than London can express.

And that hath bred our plenty and our peace, And they do breed the sports you come to see; And joy it is that I enjoy increase.

My former fruits were lovely Ladies three;[230]

Now of three Lords to talk is London's glee: Whose deeds I wish may to your liking frame, For London bids you welcome to the same.

FINIS.

THE ACTORS' NAMES.