A Select Collection of Old English Plays Volume Viii Part 64

PROD. Nay, nay, send her rather to me: If she be a pretty wench, we shall soon agree.

POST. Now a bots[381] on him and his wife both for me! [_Aside_.

HOST. Then you would have lodgings belike, sir?

PROD. Yea, I pray thee come quickly.

HOST. What's your name, and please you?

PROD. Prodigality.

HOST. And will you indeed spend l.u.s.tily?

PROD. Yea, that I will.

HOST. And take that ye find patiently?

PROD. What else?

HOST. And pay what I ask willingly?

PROD. Yea, all reckonings unreasonably.

HOST. Well, go too; for this once I am content to receive ye: come on, sir, I daresay you are almost weary.

PROP. Thou may'st swear it.

[_Exeunt_.

SCENE III.

_Enter_ VIRTUE _and_ EQUITY.

VIR. O most unhappy state of reckless humane kind!

O dangerous race of man, unwitty, fond and blind!

O wretched worldlings, subject to all misery, When fortune is the prop of your prosperity!

Can you so soon forget, that you have learn'd of yore The grave divine precepts, the sacred wholesome lore, That wise philosophers with painful industry Have[382] written and p.r.o.nounc'd for man's felicity?

Whilome [it] hath been taught, that Fortune's hold is tickle; She bears a double face, disguised, false and fickle, Full fraughted with all sleights, she playeth on the pack; On whom she smileth most, she turneth most to wrack.

The time hath been, when Virtue had[383] the sovereignty Of greatest price, and plac'd in chiefest dignity; But topsy-turvy now the world is turn'd about: Proud Fortune is preferr'd, poor Virtue clean thrust out.

Man's sense so dulled is, so all things come to pa.s.s, Above the ma.s.sy gold t'esteem the brittle gla.s.s.

EQ. Madam, have patience, Dame Virtue must sustain, Until the heavenly powers do otherwise ordain.

VIR. Equity, for my part, I envy not her state, Nor yet mislike the meanness of my simple rate.

But what the heavens a.s.sign, that do I still think best: My fame was never yet by Fortune's frown opprest: Here, therefore, will I rest in this my homely bower, With patience to abide the storms of every shower.

[_Exeunt_.

SCENE IV.

_Enter_ TENACITY _and_ VANITY [_severally, and not seeing each other at first_.[384]]

TEN. By Gog's bores, these old stumps are stark tired.

Chave here roundabout for life conquired, Where any posting nags were to be hired, And can get none, would they were all vired![385]

Cham come too late for Money, I hold a penny, Suitors to Fortune there are so many; And all for Money, chill gage a round sum: Money is gone, before Tenacity come.

Then am I dress'd even to my utter shame: A fool return'd, like as a fool I came.

Cham sure chave come vorty miles and twenty, With all these bags you see and wallets empty: But when chave sued to Vortune vine and dainty, Ich hope to vill them up with money plenty: But here is one, of whom ich will conquire, Whilk way che might attain to my desire.

G.o.d speed, my zon.

VAN. What, father Crust, whither post you so fast?

TEN. Nay, bur lady, zon, ich can make no haste, Vor che may say to thee, cham tired clean.

VAN. More shame for you, to keep your a.s.s so lean!

But whither go you now?

TEN. To a goodly lady, whom they call her Vortune.

VAN. And wherefore?

TEN. For money, zon, but ich vear che come too late.

VAN. Indeed, it seemeth by thy beggar's state, Thou hast need of money; but let me hear, How or by whom think'st thou to get this gear?

TEN. Chill speak her vair, chill make low cursy.

VAN. That's somewhat; but how wilt thou come at her?

TEN. Bur lady, zon, zest true; there lies the matter: Chill make some friend.

VAN. Whom?

TEN. Some man of hers, that near her doth attend.

VAN. Who is that?

TEN. Ich know not; chud that[386] inqueer of thee: And therefore, if thou knowest, tell it me.

VAN. What, in such haste, forsooth, so suddenly: And so good cheap, without reward or fee?

TEN. Poor men, dear zon, must crave of courtesy: Get I once money, thou shalt rewarded be.

VAN. Go to, then, I'll tell thee: his name is Vanity.