A Select Collection of Old English Plays Volume Viii Part 66

It shall be seen, when Virtue cannot bide, But shrink for shame, her silly face to hide.

Then Fortune shall advance herself before, All harms to help, all losses to restore.

But why do I myself thus long restrain From executing this I do intend?

Time posts away, and words they be but vain; For deeds (indeed) our quarrel now must end.

Therefore in place I will no longer stay But to my stately throne myself convey.

_Reverence, due reverence, &c_.

ACT II, SCENE I.

_Enter_ LIBERALITY.

How seldom is it seen, that Virtue is regarded, Or men of virtuous sort for virtuous deeds rewarded!

So wonts the world to pamper those that nought deserve, Whiles such as merit best, without relief do starve.

Great imperfections are in some of greatest skill, That colours can discern [not], white from black, good from ill.

O blind affects of men, how are you led awry, To leave a.s.sured good, to like frail Vanity!

If some of Virtue's train, for prince and country's good, To show their faithful hearts, shall hazard life and blood, And guerdonless depart, without their due reward, Small is th'encouragement, the example very hard.

Where any well deserve, and are rewarded well, Where prince and people both in safety sure do dwell, Where he that truly serves, hath nothing for his pain, More hearts are lost, than pecks of gold can ransom home again.

Let states therefore, that wish to maintain stately dignity, Seek to acquaint themselves with Liberality; For that is it which wins the subjects' faithful love, Which faithful love all harms from them and theirs remove.

Liberality am I, Virtue's steward here, Who for the virtuous sort do nothing hold too dear.

But few to Virtue seek: all sorts to Fortune fly, There seeking to maintain their chief prosperity.

But whoso marks the end, shall be enforc'd to say: O Fortune, thou art blind! let Virtue lead the way.

But who comes here? It seemeth, old Tenacity.

I must away; for contraries cannot agree.

[_Exit_.

SCENE II.

_Enter_ TENACITY.

TEN. Well, since che see there is none other boot, Chill now take pains to go the rest afoot; For Brock mine a.s.s is saddle-pinch'd vull sore, And so am I even here--chill say no more.

But yet I must my business well apply, For which ich came, that is, to get money.

Chwas told that this is Lady Vortune's place: Chill go boldly to her, that's a vlat case; Vor, if che speed not now at this first glance, Cham zure to be dash'd quite out of countenance By certain l.u.s.ty gallon lads hereby, Seeking Vortune's favour as well as I.

O, knew I where to find Mast. Fanity, Vortune's servant! Of mine honesty, Look where he comes in time as fine and trim, As if che held him all this while by the chin.

SCENE III.

VANITY _and_ TENACITY.

VAN. 'Tis he indeed: what say you to him?

TEN. Marry, sir, cham now come for money.

VAN. For money, man? what, still so hastily?

TEN. Yea[388], by gis, sir, 'tis high time, che vore ye; Cham aveard another will ha' 't afore me.

VAN. Why so? who is it thou fearest? tell me.

TEN. Marry, sir, they call him Mast. Prodigality.

VAN. Prodigality, is it true? young, wasteful, roisting Prodigality, To encounter old, sparing, covetous, n.i.g.g.ard Tenacity?

Sure, such a match as needs must yield us sport: Therefore, until the time that Prodigality resort, I'll entertain this crust with some device-- [_aside_.

Well, father, to be sped of money with a trice, What will you give me?

TEN. Cha vore thee, son, do rid me quickly hence, Chill give thee a vair piece of three-halfpence.

VAN. Indeed?

TEN. Here's my hand.

VAN. Now, sir, in sooth you offer so bountifully, As needs you must be us'd accordingly.

But tell me, know you him that cometh here?

TEN. c.o.c.k's bores, 'tis Prodigality; 'tis he I did fear.

Cham afraid che may go whistle now for money.

VAN. Tush, man, be of good cheer, I warrant thee; He speedeth best, that best rewardeth me.

SCENE IV.

_Enter_ PRODIGALITY, VANITY, TENACITY, HOST, FORTUNE, _and_ MONEY.

HOST. Sir, now your reckoning is made even: I'll trust no more.

PROD. No?

HOST. No, sure.

PROD. Set c.o.c.k-on-hoop then; by some means, good or bad, There is no remedy, but money must be had.

By the body of an ox, behold here this a.s.s, Will be my familiar, wheresoever I pa.s.s.

Why, goodman Crust, tell me, is there no nay, But where I go, you must forestal my way?

TEN. By Gog's flesh and his flounders, sir, che hope the Queen's highway is free for euery man! for thee as me, for me as thee, for poor Tenacity as for proud Prodigality! chill go, in the Queen's peace, about my business.

PROD. This way?