WIT. But you laugh a great while, and you laugh very loud.

SIMPLICITY. Then, I owe you nothing for laughing, and you hear me the better.

WEALTH. But now laugh not we.

SIMPLICITY. No, you may be maddle-coddle.[236] Well, here's three passing fine lads, if a man were able to keep them all. Let me see: Wealth! O, that's a sweet lad: then Wit! O, that's a fine lad: Will: O, that's a pretty lad. Will, Wit, and Wealth, God lend ye health. I would I could guile their masters of two of them. If I had Fraud here, that served Lady Lucre, he would teach me: he would teach me to 'tice one of them from his master. Which of them, now, if a man should steal one? Will? nay, I care not for Will, outsep[237] he be good-will. Wit? a pretty child, but a man cannot live by wit. Wealth? Yea, marry, sir, I would I could win that Wealth, for then I need neither Will nor Wit; nor I need sell no ballads, but live like a mouse in a mill, and have another to grind my meal for me. I'll have a fling at one of them anon.

WEALTH. Do you not forget yourself, gaffer?

WIT. Have ye not wares to sell, gaffer?

WILL. When do you show, gaffer?

SIMPLICITY. Well-rememb'red, pretty lad: ye may see children can teach old folks. I am an unthrift, indeed. Well, my wares shall out now. But, sirs, how sell you your wares? How many of these for a groat?

WEALTH. Our wares are not to be sold.

SIMPLICITY. Not for silver nor gold? Why hang they, then, in the open market?

WILL. To be seen, not bought.

SIMPLICITY. Then they are like ripe plums upon a rich man's tree, that set men's teeth a-watering, when they are not to be bought. But what call you these things?

WIT. Scutcheons.

SIMPLICITY. Cushions? Alas! it were pity to sit on such fine cushions. But come, my boys, if you'll buy any of my wares, here's my stall, and I'll open and show straight.

WEALTH. What dainty fine ballad have you now to be sold?

SIMPLICITY. Marry, child, I have Chipping-Norton, a mile from Chapel o' th' Heath —a lamentable ballad of burning the Pope's dog; the sweet ballad of the Lincolnshire bagpipes[238]; and Peggy and Willy:—But now he is dead and gone: Mine own sweet Willy is laid in his grave. La, la, la, lan ti dan derry, dan da dan, lan ti dan, dan tan derry, dan do.

WIT. It is a doleful discourse, and sung as dolefully.

SIMPLICITY. Why, you cannot mend it, can ye?

WIT. What will you lay on that? for I myself dare lay six groats to six of your bald ballads, that you yourself shall say I sing better than you.

SIMPLICITY. What a brag-boy is this, to comparison with a man! But, boy, boy, I will not lay six ballads to six groats, but I will lay six ballads to six jerks at your buttocks, that you shall not sing so well as I.

WIT. That I shall not? No! possible, you will not let me sing?

SIMPLICITY. I not let you! Is that spoken like Wit? It is spoken like a woodcock: how can I stay thee, if thou wilt sing out thy throat?

WIT. Well, then, to our bargain: six ballads to six stripes, and who shall keep stakes?

SIMPLICITY. Neither of your companions; for that's, ask my fellow, if I be a thief.

WILL. Will you keep the stakes yourself?

SIMPLICITY. Best of all, for I mean plainly, and will pay, if I lose. Here's my six ballads: they be ready. Now, how shall I come by your six stripes, boy?

WIT. Down with your breeches, I'll fetch a rod and deliver them straight.

SIMPLICITY. Nay, then, I care not, if thou keep stakes.

WIT. You speak too late, gaffer, having challenged preheminence.

SIMPLICITY. Then, let's lay no wager, but sing for good fellowship.

WIT. Agreed. Who shall begin?

SIMPLICITY. O boy! who is the elder? Hast thou not heard, give flounders to thy elder?

WIT. You mistake the fish: trust me, I am sure 'tis give plaice; but begin with a good grace.

[Here SlMP. sings first and WIT after, dialoguewise: both to music, if ye will.

WIT. Now, sirs, which sings best?

SIMPLICITY. Tush, your copesmates shall not judge. Friend, what say you? which of us sings best? [To one of the auditory.

WILL. To say truth, there's but a bad choice. How will you sell the ballad you sang, for I'll not buy the voice?

SIMPLICITY. Why wilt thou not buy my voice?

WILL. Because it will cost me more money to buy sallet-oil to keep it from rusting, than it is worth. But, I pray ye, honest man, what's this?

SIMPLICITY. Read, and thou shalt see.

WILL. I cannot read.

SIMPLICITY. Not read, and brought up in London! Went'st thou never to school?

WILL. Yes, but I would not learn.

SIMPLICITY. Thou wast the more fool. If thou cannot read, I'll tell thee. This is Tarlton's picture. Didst thou never know Tarlton?[239]

WILL. No: what was that Tarlton? I never knew him.

SIMPLICITY. What was he? A prentice in his youth of this honourable city, God be with him. When he was young, he was leaning to the trade that my wife useth now, and I have used, vide lice shirt,[240] water-bearing. I-wis, he hath toss'd a tankard in Corn-hill ere now: If thou knew'st him not, I will not call thee ingram;[241] but if thou knewest not him, thou knewest nobody. I warrant, here's two crack-ropes knew him.

WIT. I dwelt with him.

SIMPLICITY. Didst thou? now, give me thy hand: I love thee the better.

WILL. And I, too, sometime.

SIMPLICITY. You, child! did you dwell with him sometime? Wit dwelt with him, indeed, as appeared by his rhyme, And served him well; and Will was with him now and then. But, soft, thy name is Wealth: I think in earnest he was little acquainted with thee. O, it was a fine fellow, as e'er was born: There will never come his like, while the earth can corn. O passing fine Tarlton! I would thou hadst lived yet.

WEALTH. He might have some, but thou showest small wit. There is no such fineness in the picture that I see.[242]

SIMPLICITY. Thou art no Cinque-Port man; thou art not wit-free. The fineness was within, for without he was plain; But it was the merriest fellow, and had such jests in store That, if thou hadst seen him, thou would'st have laughed thy heart sore.

WEALTH. Because of thy praise, what's the price of the picture?

SIMPLICITY. I'll tell thee, my lad. Come hither: if thou wilt be ruled by me, thou shalt pay nothing; I'll give it thee, if thou wilt dwell with me; and, I promise thee, this counsel is for thy prefarmin'.[243] Hadst not thou better serve a freeman of the City, and learn a trade to live another day, than to be a serving-boy in thy youth, and to have no occupation in thine age. I can make thee free, if thou wilt be my prentice.

WEALTH. Why, Wealth is free everywhere: what need I serve you? My lord is a freeman, if that may do me good.

SIMPLICITY. I cry you mercy, master boy: then, your master is free of the Lord's Company, and you serve him, that you may be a lord, when you come out of your years.

WIT. Wealth is a proud boy, gaffer: what say you to me?

SIMPLICITY. Thy name is Wit: wilt thou dwell with me?

WIT. If I like your name and science, perchance we'll agree.

SIMPLICITY. Nay, my name and mine honesty is all one: it is well known. He's a very fool that cannot beguile me, for my name is Simplicity.

WILL. Goads,[244] gaffer! were you not a mealman once, and dwelt with Lady Conscience?

SIMPLICITY. Yes, for want of a better.

WILL. What, a better man?

SIMPLICITY. No; for want of a better mistress: she was as very a fool as I. We dwelt so long together, that we went both on begging.

WIT. Indeed, they that use a good conscience cannot suddenly be rich. But I'll not dwell with ye: you are too simple a master for me.

WILL. Nor I'll not dwell with you for all this world's treasure.

SIMPLICITY. No? Why, whom serve you, Will?

WILL. I serve my Lord Pleasure.

SIMPLICITY. And whom serve you, Wit?

WIT. I serve my Lord Policy.

SIMPLICITY. And whom serve you, Wealth?

WEALTH. I serve my Lord Pomp.

SIMPLICITY. You should be served all with my Lord Birchley, if you were well served. These lads are so lordly that louts care not for them; for Wealth serves Pomp, Wit serves Policy, and Will serves Pleasure. Wealth, will you buy this picture for your lord? [Shew Tarlton's picture.

WEALTH. No: it is too base a present for Pomp.

WIT. And Policy seldom regards such a trifle.

WILL. Come on, gaffer, come on; I must be your best chapman: I'll buy it for Pleasure. Hold, there is a groat.

SIMPLICITY. Gramercy, good Will, my wife shall love thee still; And since I can neither get Wit nor Wealth, Let my wife have her Will, and let me have my health. God forgive me, I think I never name her, but it conjures her: look where she comes! Be mannerly, boys, that she knock ye not with her staff: Keep your own counsel, and I'll make ye laugh. What do ye lack? What lack ye? Stand away, these boys, from my wares: Get ye from my stall, or I'll wring you by the ears: Let my customers see the wares. What lack ye? What would ye have bought?

Enter PAINFUL-PENURY, attired like a water-bearing woman, with her tankard.

PENURY. You have customers enou', and if they were ought. What do you with these boys here, to filch away your ware? You show all your wit: you'll ne'er have more care.

WILL. Content ye, good wife: we do not filch, but buy.

PENURY. I meant not you, young master, God's blessing on your heart: You have bought indeed, sir, I see, for your part. Be these two young gentlemen of your company? Buy, gentlemen, buy ballads to make your friends merry.

WIT. To stand long with your burden, methinks, you should be weary.

PENURY. True, gentlemen; but you may see, poor Painful-Penury Is fain to carry three tankards for a penny. But, husband, I say, come not home to dinner; it's Ember-day: You must eat nothing till night, but fast and pray. I shall lose my draught at Conduit, and therefore I'll away. Young gentlemen, God be with ye.

SIMPLICITY. Wife, must I not dine to-day?

PENURY. No, sir, by my fay. [Exit PENURY.

SIMPLICITY. If I must not eat, I mean to drink the more: What I spare in bread, in ale I'll set on the score. How say ye, my lads, and do I not speak wisely?

WIT. Methinks ye do; and it's pretty that Simplicity Hath gotten to his wife plain Painful-Penury.

SIMPLICITY. Yea, I thank God, though she he poor and scarce cleanly, Yet she is homely, careful, and comely.

One call within.

Wit, Wealth, and Will, come to your lords quickly.

WILL. Must the scutcheons hang still?

One within.

Yea, let them alone.

WIT. Farewell, Master Simplicity.

[Exeunt.

SIMPLICITY. Farewell, good master boys, e'en heartily, e'en heartily, heartily. And, hear ye, Will, I thank you for your hansel[245] truly. Pretty lads! hark ye, sirs, how? Will, Wit, Wealth!

[Re-]enter WIT.

WIT. What's the matter, you call us back so suddenly?

SIMPLICITY. I forgot to ask you whether your three lords of London be courtiers or citizens?

WIT. Citizens born, and courtiers brought up. Is this all? Farewell. [Exit.

SIMPLICITY. Citizens born and courtiers brought up! I think so; for they that be born in London are half courtiers, before they see the court: for fineness and mannerliness, O, passing! My manners and misbehaviour is mended half in half, since I gave over my mealman, and came to dwell in London: ye may see time doth much. Time wears out iron horseshoes: time tears out milstones: time seasons a pudding well; and time hath made me a free man, as free to bear water and sell ballads as the best of our copulation. I would have thought once my horse should have been free as soon as myself, and sooner too, for he would have stumbled with a sack of meal, and lien along in the channel with it, when he had done; and that some calls freedom. But it's but a dirty freedom, but, ye may see, bad horses were but jades in those days. But soft: here comes customers. What lack ye? What is't ye lack? What lack ye? Come along, and buy nothing. Fine ballads! new ballads! What lack ye?

Enter NEMO and the three Lords.

NEMO. My lords, come on. What suits have you to me?

POLICY. Renowned Nemo, the most only one That draws no breath but of th'eternal air, That knowest our suit before we bound to speak, For thou art the very Oracle of thoughts; Whose virtues do encompass thee about, As th'air surrounds this massy globe of earth; Who hast in power whatever pleaseth thee, And canst bestow much more than we may crave, To thee we seek; to thee on knees we sue, That thou wilt deign from thraldom to release Those lovely dames, that London ladies are.

NEMO. What, those three caitiffs, long ago condemn'd? Love, Lucre, Conscience? well-deserving death, Being corrupt with all contagion: The spotted ladies of that stately town?

POMP. Love, Lucre, Conscience, we of thee desire, Which in thyself hast all perfection, Accomplished with all integrity, And needest no help to do what pleaseth thee; Which holdest fame and fortune both thy slaves, And dost compel the Destinies draw the coach, To thee we sue, sith power thou hast thereto, To set those ladies at their liberty.

PLEASURE. At liberty, thou spotless magistrate, That of the cause dost carry all regard, Careless of bribes, of birth and parentage, Because thyself art only born to bliss. Bless us so much, that lords of London are, That those three ladies, born and bred with us, May by our suits release of thraldom find.

NEMO. Release, my lords! why seek ye their release, That have perpetual prison for their doom?

POLICY. But Nemo can from thence redeem them all.

NEMO. Their deeds were cause, not Nemo, of their thrall.

POMP. Yet Nemo was the judge that sentence gave.

NEMO. But Nemo never spill'd, whom he could save.

PLEASURE. Thou from perpetual prison may'st revoke.

POLICY. Death hath no power 'gainst him to give a stroke.

POMP. Thou only mild and courteous sir, vouchsafe To grant our suit, and set those ladies free.

NEMO. What is your purpose in this earnest suit?

PLEASURE. To marry them, and make them honest wives.

NEMO. But may it be, that men of your regard, Lords of such fortune and so famous place, Will link yourselves with ladies so forlorn, And so distained with more than common crimes?

POLICY. Marriage doth make amends for many a miss.

POMP. And love doth cover heaps of cumbrous evils.

PLEASURE. And doth forget the faults that were before.

NEMO. Mean as you say: you need to say no more.

POLICY. In token that we mean what we have said, Lo, here our shields, the prizes of our love, To challenge all, except thyself, that dare Deny those ladies to be ours by right.

NEMO. Woo them and win them, win them and wear them too: I shall both comfort and discourage you, my lords. The comfort's this: of all those former crimes, Wherewith the world was wont these dames to charge, I have them clear'd, and made them all as free As they were born, no blemish left to see. But the discourage, gentle lords, is this: The time of their endurance hath been long, Whereby their clothes of cost and curious stuff Are worn to rags, and give them much disgrace.

POMP. Alas. good ladies! was there none that sued For their release, before we took't in hand?

NEMO. Yes, divers for fair Lucre sought release. And some for Love would fain have paid the fees; But silly Conscience sat without regard In sorrow's dungeon, sighing by herself. Which when I saw that some did sue for Love, And most for Lucre, none for Conscience, A vow I made, which now I shall perform: Till some should sue to have release for all, Judg'd as they were, they should remain in thrall. But you, that crave their freedoms all at once. Shall have your suit, and see them here ere long. A little while you must have patience, And leave this place. Go in, my lords, before.

POMP. Becometh us to wait on Nemo still.

NEMO. Not so; but, lordings, one condition more. You promise me, sith they are in my power, I shall dispose them, when they are releas'd, Upon you three, as I shall think it best.

POMP. Do but command, and we shall all subscribe.

NEMO. Then go your ways, for I have here to do.

[Exeunt Three Lords.

Enter SORROW.

Sorrow, draw near; to-morrow bring thou forth Love, Lucre, Conscience, whom thou hast in thrall, Upon these stones to sit and take the air, But set no watch or spial[246] what they do.

[Exeunt Ambo.

Enter FRAUD, USURY, DISSIMULATION, SIMONY, and SIMPLICITY.

FRAUD. How happy may we call this merry day, my mates, wherein we meet, that once were desperate, I think, ever to have seen one another, when Nemo, that upright judge, had, by imprisoning our mistresses, banished us (by setting such diligent watch for us) out of London, and almost out of the world. But live we yet and are we met, and near our old seat? Usury, is it thou? Let me see, or hath some other stolen thy face? Speakest thou, man?

USURY. No, Fraud: though many have counterfeited both thee and me, We are ourselves yet, and no changelings, I see And why shouldst thou ask me, man, if I live? The silly ass cannot feed on harder forage than Usury: she upon thistles, and I upon a brown crust of a month old.

SIMPLICITY. So that Usury and an ass are two of the profitablest beasts that a man can keep; yet th'one hath sharper teeth than th'other.

FRAUD. But what means Dissimulation? He droops, methinks. What cheer, man? Why, cousin, frolic a fit. Art thou not glad of this meeting? What's the cause of thy melancholy?

DISSIMULATION. Not melancholic, but musing how it comes to pass that we are thus fortunate to meet, as we do?

SIMONY. I'll tell thee why we met: because we are no mountains.[247]

SIMPLICITY. But ye are as ill, for ye are monsters.

SIMONY. And men may meet, though mountains cannot.

FRAUD. In token that this meeting is joyous to us all, let us embrace altogether with heart's joy and affection.

SIMPLICITY. I see many of these old proverbs prove true; 'tis merry when knaves meet. [Aside.

FRAUD. How, sir! what's that?

SIMONY. If a man had a casting-net, he might catch all you.

FRAUD. Art thou not Simplicity?

SIMPLICITY. Goodman Simplicity, for I am married, and it like your mastership. And you are Master Fraud, too; a pox on your worship. I see a fox and a false knave have all one luck, the better for banning; and many of you crafty knaves live merrilier than we honest men.

FRAUD. Sirrah, bridle your tongue, if you'll be welcome to our company. No girds nor old grudges, but congratulate this meeting. And, sirs, if you say it, let's tell how we have lived since our parting.

SIMPLICITY. O, it is great pity.

USURY. What, to tell how we have lived?

SIMPLICITY. No; that ye do live.

FRAUD. Yet again, sirrah? Usury, as for thee, it were folly to ask, for thou livest but too well; but Dissimulation and Simony, how have you two lived? Discourse, I pray you heartily.

SIMPLICITY. Faith, even like two mice in an ambery,[248] that eat up all the meat, and when they have done gnaw holes in the cupboard.

DISSIMULATION. Fraud, after my 'scaping away at the Sessions, where I shifted, as thou knowest, in three sundry shapes: one of a friar, and they can dissemble; another like a woman, and they do little else; the third as a saint and a devil—and so is a woman—I was banished out of London by Nemo. To the country went I amongst my old friends, and never better loved than among the russet-coats. Once in a month I stole in o' th' market-day to Leadenhall and about, and sometime to Westminster Hall. Now, hearing some speech that the ladies should be sued for, I am come in hope of my old entertainment, supposing myself not known of many, and hoping the three lords will prevail in their suit, and I to serve one of them.

SIMPLICITY. He shall do well that gives thee a coat, but he should do better that could take off thy skin. [Aside.

SIMONY. And I have been a traveller 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 use me) that I was glad to be gone: now, in some other lands, and not very far off, I am secretly fostered—saving in Scotland and the Low-Countries, [where] they are reformed, they cannot abide me. Well, now and then hither I came stealing over sea, and hearing as you hear, intend as you do.

FRAUD. And for mine own part, among artificers, And amongst a few bad-conscienced lawyers, I have found such entertainment as doth pass, Yet would I with Lucre fain be as I was.

SIMPLICITY. Fraud is as ill as a cut-purse, by the mass. [Aside.

USURY. And for Usury, the longer I live the greater love I find; Yet would I be with Lucre again, to please my mind.

FRAUD. Here's a good fellow, too, one of our acquaintance. How hast thou lived, Simplicity?

SIMPLICITY. More honestly than all the rest of thy company; for when I might beg no longer, as begging was but bad, for you cosen'd me once of an alms, I fell to tankard-bearing, and so got a wife of the same science, Painful-Penury: then got I my freedom, and feeling my shoulder grow weary of the tankard, set up an easier trade—to sell ballads.

FRAUD. Hadst thou a stock to set up withal?

SIMPLICITY. Wise enough to tell you, I!—and yonder's my stall: but beware I lose nothing, for if I do, I'll lay it straight to some of you; for I saw none so like thieves, I promise you, since I set up.

FRAUD. You are a wise man, when your nose is in the cup. But soft, who comes here? step we close aside, for these be the three ladies, for my life, brought out of prison by their keeper. Let us be whist, and we shall hear and see all. Sirrah, you must say nothing.

Enter SORROW and the three Ladies: he sets them on three stones on the stage.

SIMPLICITY. Not till ye speak, for I am afraid of him that's with the women.

CONSCIENCE. O Sorrow, when, when, Sorrow, wilt thou cease To blow the spark that burns my troubled soul, To feed the worm that stings my fainting breast, And sharp the steel that gores my bleeding heart? My thoughts are thorns, my tears hot drops of lead: I plain, I pine, I die, yet never dead. If world would end, my woe should but begin: Lo, this the case of Conscience for her sin; And sin the food, wherewith my worm was fed, That stings me now to death, yet never dead.

LOVE. Yet never dead, and yet Love doth not live, Love, that to loss in life her folly led[249], Folly the food whereon her frailty fed, Frailty the milk that Nature's breast did give: Life, loss, and folly: frailty, food, and kind, Worm, sting, thorns, fire, and torment to the mind; Life but a breath, and folly but a flower, Frailty, clay, dust, the food that fancy scorns; Love a sweet bait to cover losses sour, Flesh breeds the fire that kindles lustful thorns; Lust, fire, bait, scorn, dust, flower and feeble breath, Die, quench, deceive, flie, fade, and yield to death. To death? O good! if death might finish all: We die each day, and yet for death we call.

LUCRE. For death we call, yet death is still in sight. Lucre doth scald in drops of melting gold Accusing rust calls on eternal night[250], Where flames consume, and yet we freeze with cold. Sorrow adds sulphur unto fury's heat, And chops them ice whose chattering teeth do beat; But sulphur, snow, flame, frost, nor hideous crying Can cause them die that ever are in dying, Nor make the pain diminish or increase: Sorrow is slack, and yet will never cease.

SORROW. When Sorrow ceaseth, Shame shall then begin With those that wallow senseless in their sin. But, ladies, I have drawn you from my den To open air, to mitigate some moan. Conscience, sit down upon that sweating stone, And let that flint, Love, serve thee for a seat; And, Lady Lucre, on that stone rest you. And, ladies, thus I leave you here alone. Mourn ye, but moan not I shall absent be; But good it were sometime to think on me. [Exit.]

CONSCIENCE. Comfort it is to think on sorrow past.

LOVE. Sorrow remains, where joy is but a blast.

LUCRE. A blast of wind is world's felicity.

CONSCIENCE. A blasting wind, and full of misery.

LOVE. O Conscience, thou hast more tormented me.

LUCRE. Me hath thy worm, O Conscience, stung too deep.

CONSCIENCE. But more myself my thoughts tormented have, Than both of you, in Sorrow's sullen cave; From whence drawn forth, I find but little rest: A seat uneasy, wet, and scalding hot, On this hard stone hath Sorrow me assign'd.

LOVE. And on my seat myself I frozen find: No flint more hard, no ice more cold than this.

LUCRE. I think my seat some mineral stone to be; I cold from it, it draw[eth] heat from me. Ladies, consent, and we our seats will view.

CONSCIENCE. Dare we for shame our stained faces shew?

LOVE. My double face is single grown again.

LUCRE. My spots are gone: my skin is smooth and plain.

CONSCIENCE. Doff we our veils, and greet this gladsome light; The chaser of gloom, Sorrow's heavy night[251].

LOVE. Hail, cheerful air, and clearest crystal sky.

LUCRE. Hail, shining sun and fairest firmament, Comfort to those that time in woe have spent.

CONSCIENCE. Upon my weeping stone is set REMORSE in brazen letters.

LOVE. And on this flint in lead is CHARITY.

LUCRE. In golden letters on my stone is CARE.

CONSCIENCE. Then Lucre sits upon the stone of Care.

LUCRE. And Conscience on the marble of Remorse.

LOVE. Love on the flint of frozen Charity. Ladies, alas, what tattered souls are we.

CONSCIENCE. Sorrow our hearts, and time our clothes hath torn.

LUCRE. Then sit we down like silly souls forlorn, And hide our faces that we be not known; For Sorrow's plagues tormenteth[252] me no more, Than will their sight, that knew me heretofore.

LOVE. Then will their sight, that knew us heretofore, Draw ruth and help from them for our relief.

CONSCIENCE. For our relief? for Conscience and for Love No help, small ruth that our distress may move.

LOVE. O Conscience, thou wouldst lead me to despair, But that I see the way to hope is fair, And hope to heaven directs a ready way, And heaven to help is prest to them that pray.

LUCRE. That pray with faith, and with unfeign'd remorse, For true belief and tears make prayer of force.

CONSCIENCE. Then veil ourselves, and silent let us stay, Till heaven shall please to send some friends this way.

[Sit all down.

[Enter FRAUD, DISSIMULATION, &c.]

FRAUD. Ladies, unmask[253]! blush not for base attire: Here are none but friends and servants all. Dear Lady Lucre, Dearer unto us than daily breath we draw from sweetest air, Dearer than life, dearer than heaven itself, Deign to discover those alluring lamps, Those lovely eyes more clear than Venus' star, Whose bright aspects world's wonder do produce. Unveil, I say, that beauty more divine Than Nature (save in thee) did ever paint, That we, sworn slaves unto our mistress, may Once more behold those stately lovely looks, And do those duties which us well beseems, Such duties as we all desire to do.

CONSCIENCE. I know that tongue. Lucre, beware of Fraud.

LUCRE. Of Fraud! Indeed by speech it should be he. Fraud, what seekest thou?

FRAUD. Lucre, to honour thee with wit, with worth, with all I have; To be thy servant, as I was before, To get thee clothes, and what thou wantest else.

LUCRE. No, Fraud, farewell: I must be won no more To keep such servants as I kept before.

SIMONY. Sweet Lady Lucre, me thou mayest accept.

LUCRE. How art thou called?

SIMONY. Simony.

LUCRE. Aye? No, sir; Conscience saith.

CONSCIENCE. No; Lucre now beware, false not thy faith, For Simony's subject to perpetual curse.

DISSIMULATION. As you two have sped, I would desire to speed no worse.

FRAUD. Make you a suit: you may chance to speed better.

DISSIMULATION. Not I, for of all my tongue is best known; But if I speak, it shall be to her that was once mine own. Good Lady Love, thou little knowest the grief That I, thy friend, sustain for thy distress, And less believest what care I have of thee. Look up, good Love, and to supply thy wants Ask what thou wilt, and thou shalt have of me, Of me, that joy more in thy liberty Than in this life or[254] light that comforts me.

LOVE. O gall in honey, serpent in the grass! O bifold fountain of two bitter streams, Dissimulation fed with viper's flesh, Whose words are oil, whose deeds, the darts of death! Thy tongue I know, that tongue that me beguil'd, Thyself a devil mad'st me a monster vild. From the[e] well known well may I bless myself: Dear-bought repentance bids me shun thy snare.

CONSCIENCE. O happy Love, if now thou can beware.

SIMPLICITY. Marry, but hear ye, motley-beard. I think this blindfold buzzardly hedge-wench spoke to ye; she knows ye, though she see thee not. Hark ye, you women, if you'll go to the alehouse, I'll bestow two pots on ye, and we'll get a pair of cards[255] and some company, and win twenty pots more; for you play the best at a game, call'd smelling of the four knaves, that ever I saw.

USURY. Four! soft, yet they have not smell'd thee.

SIMPLICITY. No? I am one more than is in the deck, but you'll be smell'd as soon as ye begin to speak. I'll see what they'll say to me. Hear ye, you women, wives, widows, maids, men's daughters, what shall I call ye? These four fellows (hark ye, shall I call ye crafty knaves?) make me believe that you are the three that were the three fair ladies of London.

CONSCIENCE. Gentle Simplicity, we are unhappy they.

SIMPLICITY. Now, ye bad fellows, which of ye had such a word as gentle Sim?

USURY. Bad fellows, ye rascal! If e'er you bring me pawn, I'll pinch ye for that word.

SIMPLICITY. I cry you mercy, Master Inquiry—Master Usury: I meant not you.

FRAUD. If you mean us, we may be even with ye too.

SIMPLICITY. Tut! I knew ye an ostler, and a thief beside: You have rubb'd my horse-heels ere now for all your pride. But, ladies, if ye be the three ladies, which of ye dwelt in Kent Street? One of you did, but I know not which is she, ye look all so like broom-wenches. I was once her servant: I'll ne'er be ashamed of her, though I be rich and she be poor; yet if she that hath been my dame, or he that hath been my master, come in place, I'll speak to them, sure: I'll do my duty. Which is Lady Conscience?

CONSCIENCE. Even I am she, Simplicity.

SIMPLICITY. I am glad ye are out of prison. I thought ye had forgot me: I went a-begging for[256] you, till the beadles snapp'd me up: now I am free, and keep a stall of ballads. I may buy and sell. I would you had as good a gown now, as I carried once of yours to pawn to Usury here.

CONSCIENCE. Gramercy, good Simplicity. Wilt thou be with me now?

SIMPLICITY. No, I thank you heartily; I'll beg no more. I cannot with ye, though I would, for I am married to Painful-Penury. Look now, my proud stately masters, I may if I will; and you would, if ye might.

FRAUD. No, not dwell with such a beggar as Conscience.

SIMPLICITY. No, Fraud ne'er lov'd Conscience, since he was an ostler.

USURY. Who cares for Conscience but dies a beggar?

SIMPLICITY. That will not Usury do: he will first take threescore pound in the hundred.

DISSIMULATION. Love, look on me, and I will give thee clothes.

LOVE. I will no more by thee be so disguised.

SIMPLICITY. Ye do the wiser, for his face looks like a cloak-back.

DISSIMULATION. In thy affections I had once a place.

LOVE. Those fond affections wrought me foul disgrace.

DISSIMULATION. I'll make amends, if ought amiss were done.

LOVE. Who once are burn'd, the fire will ever shun.

DISSIMULATION. And yet once burn'd to warm again may prove.

LOVE. Not at thy fire; I will be perfect Love.

SIMPLICITY. I promise you, the wenches have learn'd to answer wittily. Here's many fair proffers to Lucre and Love, But who clothes poor Conscience? she may sit long enough.

USURY. I will clothe her straight.

[USURY takes FRAUD'S cloak, and casts it on CONSCIENCE.

SIMPLICITY. Will you, Master Usury? that's honestly spoke. Ha! that's no gramercy to clothe her with another man's cloak; But I see you have a craft in the doing, Master Usury: Usury covers Conscience with Fraud's cloak very cunningly.

CONSCIENCE. Alas! who loads my shoulders with this heavy weed? Fie! how it stinks: this is perfum'd indeed.

FRAUD. Marry, gup, Goody Conscience! indeed I do you wrong, But I'll quickly right it; my cloak shall not cumber you long.

USURY. All this while Lucre knows not I am here, But now will I to her; mark how I speed! Lady, the fairest that Nature ever form'd, Loadstone of love, that draws affection's darts, The only object of all humane eyes, And sole desired dainty of the world, Thy vassal here, a virtue in thy need, Whom thou by licence of the law may'st use, Tenders himself and all his services To do thy will in duty as 'tofore, Glad of thy freedom as his proper life.

SIMPLICITY. Lady Lucre, you love an apple: take heed the caterpillar consume not your fruit.

LUCRE. Who is it that maketh this latest suit?

SIMPLICITY. 'Tis Usury. [Aloud in her ear.

LUCRE. Great is the service he hath done for me; But, Usury, now I may not deal with thee.

USURY. The law allows me, madam, in some sort.

CONSCIENCE. But God and I would have thy bounds cut short.

USURY. For you I reck not; but if God me hate, Why doth the law allow me in some rate?

CONSCIENCE. Usury slanders both law and state. The law allows not, though it tolerate, And thou art sure be shut out at heaven-gate.

USURY. You were ever nice: no matter what you prate.

SIMPLICITY. Then it will be with him, as it is with a great man's house in dinner-time! he that knocks, when the door is shut, comes too late.

LUCRE. Well, Usury, Fraud, and Simony, Dissimulation, hearken unto me. My tongue (although in memory it be green) Cannot declare what horrors I have seen; Ne can it enter into mortal ears Unmortified: the furies' fires and fears, The shrieks, the groans, the tortures, and the pains, That any soul for each of you sustains— No pen can write, how Conscience hath me scourg'd, When with your faults my soul she ever urg'd: Arithmetic doth fail to number all The plagues of Sorrow in the den of thrall. Then tempt me not, nor trouble me no more; I must not use you as I did before. If you be found within fair London's gate, You must to prison, whence we came of late. Conscience will accuse ye, if ye be in sight.

FRAUD. That scurvy Conscience works us all the spite.

Enter NEMO.

USURY. Well, Lucre, yet in thee we have delight.

DISSIMULATION. Yonder come some: we must take our flight.

[Exeunt OMNES.

SIMPLICITY. Birds of a feather will fly together; but when they be taken, then are they baken. Yonder comes a customer: I'll to my stall. Love, Lucre, and Conscience, blindman-buff to you all.

NEMO. Conscience, Love, Lucre, ladies all, what cheer? How do ye like the seats you sit upon?

CONSCIENCE. O pure unspotted Nemo, sole paragon Of Love, of Conscience and perfection; The marble of remorse I sit upon Sweats scalding drops, like bitter brinish tears.

NEMO. So should remorse, when Conscience feels her guilt. But, gentle Love, how feelest thou thy flint?

LOVE. O, sharp and cold: I freeze unto my seat: The flint holds fire, and yet I feel no heat. But am benumb'd and frozen every joint.

NEMO. O Love, so cold is charity in these times. Lucre, how sit you?

LUCRE. Upon a heavy stone, not half so cold, not half so hot as theirs, But of some secret power, for I do find and sensibly feel, That I from it exhale an earthly cold, And it from me doth draw a kindly heat.

NEMO. Such force hath care of Lucre in itself To cool the heart and draw the vital spirits; And such the true condition of you three; Remorse of Conscience, Charity of Love, And Care of Lucre; such your uses be. But, ladies, now your sorrow lay aside: Frolic, fair dames; an unexpected good Is imminent through me unto you all. Three lords there be, your native countrymen, In London bred, as you yourselves have been, Which covet you for honourable wives, And presently will come to visit you. Be not abashed at your base attire, I shall provide you friends to deck you all. If I command, stand up, else sit you still. Lo, where they come.

Enter the three Lords.

My lords, the dames be here.

POLICY. Why are they wimpled?[257] Shall they not unmask them?

NEMO. It is for your sake; for Policy they do it.

POMP. Much may their fortune and their feature be, But what it is we cannot thus discern.

NEMO. You shall in time. Lord Pomp; be yet content.

PLEASURE. Their fame is more than cause or reason would. May one of these be Pleasure's paragon?

NEMO. Pleasure, be pleas'd and use no prejudice. Mesdames, stand up. Mislike not their attire; That shall be mended as yourselves desire.

POLICY. Their port and their proportion well contents.

POMP. Right stately dames, if they were well attir'd.

PLEASURE. May we not see their beauty, what it is?

NEMO. Yes, lordings, yes. Lucre, lift up thy veil.

POLICY. Of beauty excellent!

POMP. Of rare perfection!

PLEASURE. A dainty face!

NEMO. Unmask, Love.

POLICY. Sweet Love indeed!

POMP. A lovely face!

PLEASURE. A gallant grace!

NEMO. Conscience, uncover.

POLICY. Beauty divine!

POMP. A face angelical!

PLEASURE. Sweet creature of the world!

NEMO. Enough for once; ladies, sit down again. As cunning chapmen do by curious wares, [To the audience. Which seldom shown do most inflame the mind, So must I deal, being dainty of these dames, Who seldom seen shall best allure these lords. Awhile, my lords, I leave you with these three: Converse, confer on good conditions. I will right soon return with such good friends As it concerns to clothe these dainty ones. If any in my absence visit them, Know their intent, and use your skill therein. [Exit.

POLICY. Ladies, to call to mind your former lives, Were to recount your sorrows on a row. Omitting, then, what you have been or be, What you may be I'll speak, so it please you; Wives to us three, ladies to London lords, Pomp, Pleasure, Policy, men of such regard, As shall you guard from evil, once matched with us: And Policy presents this good to you.

POMP. With London's Pomp may one of you be join'd, Possessing more than Fortune can afford: Fortune's a fool, but heavenly providence Guards London's Pomp and her that shall be his.

PLEASURE. And London's Pleasure, peerless in delights, Will deign to make one of these dames his own, Who may with him in more contentment live, Than ever did the Queen of Oethiop.

CONSCIENCE. Though silence, lords, our modesty enforce, Nemo can tell the secrets of our thoughts: Nemo, that womens' minds can constant keep, He shall for us you answer, good my lords. I speak for all, though ill-beseeming me.

Enter FALSEHOOD and DOUBLE-DEALING.

POLICY. You speak but well. My lords, step we aside To note these fellows, what they do intend.

Enter NEMO.

POMP. Nemo can tell, for he doth follow them.

FALSEHOOD. Ladies, to you—to some of you—we come, Sent from such friends as much affect your good, With garments and with compliments of cost, Accordant well to dames of such degree— I come to Lucre.

DOUBLE-DEALING. I to Love am sent, With no less cost than could be got for coin, Which with my message I deliver would, Could I discern which of these dames were she.

LOVE. Friend, I am Love: what bringest thou there to me?

CONSCIENCE. Beware, good Love, from whom, and what, thou takest.

NEMO. No whispering, friend, but show it openly: The matter good, you need not be ashamed. From whom comest thou?

DOUBLE-DEALING. That I conceal from any but from Love.

NEMO. From whom come you, sir?

FALSEHOOD. That shall Lucre know, and none but she.

NEMO. Then speak aloud, for whispering here is barr'd.

FALSEHOOD. Then neither will I do, nor speak at all.

NEMO. Then I will speak, and tell what you are both. Thyself art Falsehood, and are sent from Fraud, To compass Lucre with a cloak of craft, With lawn of lies, and cauls of golden guile.

POLICY. Pack you, my friend; for if you stay a while, You shall return no more to him that sent you.

NEMO. Thou from Dissimulation art sent, And bring'st a gown of glosing, lin'd with lust, A vardingale[258] of vain boast and fan of flattery, A ruff of riot and a cap of pride; And Double-dealing is thy name and office both.

DOUBLE-DEALING: Falsehood, let's go: we are deciphered.

FALSEHOOD. Lucre, thou losest here a princely gift.

[Exeunt ambo.

NEMO. Lucre consumes, being won by Fraud or shift. Thus, lords, you see how these are qualified, And how these ladies shun that sharp rebuke, Which some deserve by taking of such toys, As women weak are tempted soon with gifts. But here they come, that must these ladies deck. Lucre, arise; come from the stone of Care.

Enter HONEST INDUSTRY, PURE ZEAL, and SINCERITY.

HONEST INDUSTRY. Fair Lucre, lo, what Honest Industry To thee hath brought, to deck thy dainty self. Lucre, by Honest Industry achiev'd, Shall prosper, nourish, and continue long. Come to thy chamber, to attire thee there.

NEMO. Thou mayest depart with Honest Industry.

[Exit LUCRE with HONEST INDUSTRY.

PURE ZEAL. And, Love, arise from Charity's cold flint: Pure Zeal hath purchas'd robes to cover Love. Whiles Love is single, Zeal shall her attire, With kind affection mortifying lust. Come, Love, with me these garments to put on.

NEMO. Love, follow Zeal, and take his ornaments.

[Exit LOVE with PURE ZEAL.

SINCERITY. Rise, Conscience, from that marble of Remorse, That weeping stone that scalds thy parched skin: Sincerity such robes for thee hath brought, As best beseems good Conscience to adorn. Come, follow, that thou may'st go put them on; For Conscience, clothed by Sincerity, Is armed well against the enemy.

NEMO. Follow him, Conscience: fear not; thou art right.

[Exit CONSCIENCE with SINCERITY.

POLICY. Most reverend Nemo, thanks for this good sight. Lucre is clothed by Honest Industry.

POMP. Love by Pure Zeal.

PLEASURE. And Conscience by Sincerity.

NEMO. Lordings, thus have you seen them at the first, And thus you see them, trust me, at the worst. Depart we now: come hence a day or two, And see them deck'd as dainty ladies should, And make such choice as may content you all.

POLICY. Thanks, righteous Nemo. We, the London lords, Only to thee ourselves acknowledge bound.

[Exeunt omnes.

Enter PAINFUL PENURY and SIMPLICITY.

PENURY. Come on, gentle husband; let us lay our heads together, our purses together, and our reckonings together, to see whether we win or lose, thrive or not, go forward or backward. Do you keep a book or a score?

SIMPLICITY. A score, wife? you mean for the alehouse, do you not? I would have her examine me thereof no further, for I am in too far there, more than I would she should know. [Aside.

PENURY. I mean no alehouse-score, but a note of your wares. Let me see: first you began to set up with a royal. How much money have ye? What ware, and what gain?

SIMPLICITY. I have five shillings in money, two shillings in wares, or thereabout, and I owe two shillings and eightpence upon the score; how much is that? Five shillings, two shillings, and two shillings and eightpence?

PENURY. That is nine shillings and eightpence: so we are worse by a groat than when we began. Well, once again I'll set ye up: here is four groats I have got by bearing water this week: make up your stock, and run no more behind. Who comes here?

Enter FRAUD, like [a foreign] artificer.

SIMPLICITY. What lack ye? What do ye lack?

FRAUD. Me lack-a de monish pour de feene—very feene—French knack, de feene gold button, de brave bugla lace, a de feene gold ring-a. You be free man, me un' foreigner: you buy a me ware, you gain teene pownd by lay out teene shellengs.

SIMPLICITY. Wife, what hard luck have we, that cannot make ten shillings now to gain ten pound. Why, ten pound would set us up for ever.

PENURY. Husband, see the ware; and if ten shilling will buy it, it shall go hard but we will make that money. Friend, show my husband your wares.

FRAUD. Look you dere, mastra, de feene buttoon de la gold, de ring-a de gold, de bugla shean: two shelleng un doozen de buttoon, un shelleng-a un ring. 'Tis worth ten shelleng, but, mastra and mastressa, me muss a make money to go over in my own countrey, but me lose teen pound pour hast to go next tide, or to-morrow.

PENURY. Here is five shillings; buy them of this stranger.

SIMPLICITY. Friend, you have not stolen them, but you make them? Well, I'll buy them in the open market, and then I care not; here is ten shillings; deliver me the wares.

FRAUD. Dere, mastra! O, pover necessity mak a me sell pour grand, grand loss: you shall gain ten pound at least. Go'boy[259].

SIMPLICITY. What's your name?

FRAUD. Merchant, I think I am even with ye now for calling me ostler. You'll thrive well with such bargains, if ye buy, ye know not what. Fraud hath fitted you with worse than your ballads. [Aside.

PENURY. You'll warrant them gold, sirrah?

FRAUD. Oui; so good gol' as you pay for. [Aside.] Adieu, mounsier. [Exit.

SIMPLICITY. Adieu, mounsier. Adieu, fool: sell such gold buttons and rings for so little money. Good Lord! what pennyworths these strangers can afford. Now, wife, let me see: ten pound! when we have ten pound, we'll have a large shop, and sell all manner 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 have a taffata hat and a guarded gown, and I a gown and a new cap, and a silk doublet, and a fair hose[260].

PENURY. I thank ye, husband. Well, till then look well to your wares, and I'll ply my waterbearing, and save and get, and get and save, till we be rich. But bring these wares home every night with ye.

SIMPLICITY. Tush! I shall sell them afore night for ten pounds. Gow, wife, gow; I may tell you[261], I am glad this French fellow came with these wares: we had fall'n to examining the ale-score else, and then we had fall'n out, and the ale-wife and my wife had scolded. [Aside.] Well, a man may see, he that's ordained to be rich shall be rich: gow, woman.

[Exeunt.

Enter NEMO and the three LORDS as though they had been chiding.

NEMO. From whence, good lords, grew this hot argument?

POLICY. Thou knowest already; yet, if thou wilt hear, For this we strive: fond Pleasure makes account, Summing his bills without an auditor[262], That Lady Lucre ought of right be his.

PLEASURE. So I affirm, and so I will maintain, That Pleasure ought by right Dame Lucre have, To bear the charge of sports and of delights.

POMP. Nay, to support the haughty magnificence And lordly Pomp of London's excellence Befits it rather Lucre join with me, By whom her honour shall be more advanced.

POLICY. More fit for Pomp than Pleasure; but most fit That Policy with Lucre should be matched, As guerdon of my studies and my cares, And high employments in the commonwealth.

PLEASURE. What pleasure can be fostered without cost?

POMP. What pomp or port without respect of gain?

POLICY. What policy without preferment lives?

PLEASURE. Pleasure must have Lucre.

POMP. Pomp hath need of Lucre.

POLICY. Policy merits Lucre.

PLEASURE. Pleasure dies without Lucre.

POMP. Pomp decays without Lucre.

POLICY. Policy droops without Lucre.

NEMO. Thus, lords, you show your imperfections, Subject to passions, straining honour's bounds. Be well-advis'd: you promised to be rul'd, And have those dames by me disposed to you, But since I see that human humours oft Makes men forgetful of their greater good, Be here a while: Dame Lucre shall be brought By me to choose which lord she liketh best, So you allow her choice with patience.

PLEASURE. Go: we abide thy doom till thy return. [Exit.

POMP. If Lucre be not mad, she will be mine.

POLICY. If she regard her good, she will be mine.

PLEASURE. If she love happy life, she will be mine: Women love Pleasure.

POMP. Women love Pomp.

POLICY. Women use Policy: and here she comes that must decide the doubt.

Enter NEMO, with CONSCIENCE all in white.

NEMO. Conscience, content thee with a quaint conceit: Conceal thy name to work a special good. Thou art not known to any of these lords By face or feature: till they hear thy name, Which must be Lucre for a fine device, And Conscience clear indeed's the greatest gain. [Aside. Lo, lordings, here fair Lucre whom ye love. Lucre, the choice is left unto thyself, Which of these three thou wilt for husband choose.

CONSCIENCE. The modesty that doth our sex beseem Forbids my tongue therein to tell my thought; But may it please my lords to pardon me, Which of you three shall deign to make such choice, Him shall I answer to his own content.

POLICY. If Lucre please to match with Policy, She shall be mistress over many men.

POMP. If Lucre like to match with London's Pomp, In stately port all others she shall pass.

PLEASURE. If Pleasure may for wife fair Lucre gain, Her life shall be an earthly paradise.

NEMO. Lo, Lucre! men, and port, and pleasant life, Are here propounded. Which wilt thou accept?

CONSCIENCE. Lord Policy, Love were the only choice, Methinks, for you, that all your cares employ, And studies for the love of commonwealth. For you, Lord Pleasure, Conscience were a wife To measure your delights by reason's rule: In recreation Conscience' help to use.

PLEASURE. Were Conscience half so sweet as is thyself, Her would I seek with suits and services.

NEMO. No less accomplished in perfection Is Conscience than this lady, I protest.

PLEASURE. But on this dame hath Pleasure fix'd his heart, And this or death the period of his love.

CONSCIENCE. Lucre with Pomp most aptly might combine.

PLEASURE. Lucre or Love, if case thou wilt be mine, Let pass thy name: thyself do I desire. Thee will I have, except thyself deny; With thee to live, or else for thee to die.

NEMO. What, if I deny?

PLEASURE. Then will I have her.

POLICY. If we deny?

PLEASURE. So much the rather.

POMP. The rather in despite of us? Not so.

NEMO. My lords, no quarrel: let this lady go; And if ye trust me, I'll content ye both. Pleasure, this is not Lucre.

PLEASURE. She's Lucre unto me; But be she Love or Conscience, this is she—

POLICY. —whom you will have?

PLEASURE. Spite of the devil, I will.

CONSCIENCE. Must it not be, my lord, if I agree?

PLEASURE. Agree.

CONSCIENCE. Some further proof of it fits[263] you to see.

PLEASURE. Receive in[264] pawn my heart, my hand, and oath To be thy own in love, in faith, and troth.

CONSCIENCE. Thus you are fast, and yet myself am free.

PLEASURE. I know in ruth thou wilt not me refuse.

CONSCIENCE. I know not that; but other I'll not choose.

NEMO. It is enough: Lord Pleasure, do not fear: Conscience will use you as becomes her best.

PLEASURE. And art thou Conscience? welcomer to me Than either Love or Lucre.

CONSCIENCE. God send grace I be!

NEMO. [Addressing POMP and POLICY.] My lords, be pleas'd: ere long shall you be sped, As much to your contents as Pleasure is. Say but the word, myself shall soon present Lucre and Love, well worthy such as you.

POLICY. Right thankfully those favours we'll receive.

Enter DILIGENCE in haste.

DILIGENCE. My lords, if your affairs in present be not great, Greater than any, save regard of life, Yea, even the greatest of the commonwealth, Prepare ye to withstand a stratagem, Such as this land nor London ever knew. The Spanish forces[265], lordings, are prepar'd In bravery and boast beyond all bounds, T'invade, to win, to conquer all this land. They chiefly aim at London's stately Pomp, At London's Pleasure, Wealth, and Policy, Intending to despoil her of them all, And over all these lovely ladies three, Love, Lucre, Conscience, of the rarest price[266], To tyrannise and carry hardest hand. From Spain they come with engine and intent To slay, subdue, to triumph and torment: Myself (so heaven would) espial of them had, And Diligence, dear lords, they call my name. If you vouchsafe to credit my report, You do me right, and to yourselves no wrong, Provided that you arm you, being warn'd.

POLICY. Diligence, thy service shall be knowen, And well rewarded. Nemo, for a time Conceal this dame, and live secure, unseen; Let us alone, whom most it doth concern, To meet and match our overweening foes.

POMP. Nemo, keep close, and Conscience, pray for us. Begone, and recommend us to our God.

CONSCIENCE. My lords, if ever, show your honours now. Those proud, usurping Spanish tyrants come, To reave from you what most you do regard: To take away your credit and your fame: To raze and spoil our right-renowned town; And if you Love or Lucre do regard, Or have of Conscience any kind of care, The world shall witness by this action; And of the love that you to us pretend, In this your valour shall assurance give. More would I speak, but danger's in delay: You know my mind, and heavens record my thoughts, Which[267] I with prayers for you will penetrate, And will in heart be present in your fight. Now, Pleasure, show what you will do for me.

PLEASURE. I will be turn'd to Pain for thy sweet sake.

POLICY. Fair Conscience, fear not, but assure thyself, What kind affection we soever bear To Love and Lucre in this action, Chiefly for thee our service shall be done.

POMP. For Conscience' sake more than for Lucre now.

POLICY. For Love and Conscience, not despising Lucre.

PLEASURE. Only for Conscience will I hazard all.

NEMO. And I from hence will her convey a space, Till you return with happy victory.

CONSCIENCE. Farewell, my lords: for me, my lords, for me!

[Exeunt NEMO and CONSCIENCE.

POLICY. Diligence, what number may there be?

DILIGENCE. A mighty host, and chiefly led by three, Who brave it out in show, as men assured Of victory, sans venture or repulse.

POLICY. How near be they?

DILIGENCE. So near, my lords, that each delay is death. Stand on your guard: they come as challengers To bruise your shields and bear away your prize, Mounting the seas, and measuring the land With strong imaginations of success.

POLICY. Well, Diligence, go get in readiness Men and munition: bid our pages ply, To see that all our furniture be well: Wit, Wealth, and Will to further wars be fit. [Exit DILIGENCE. My lords, I would I might advise ye now To Carry, as it were, a careless regard Of these Castilians and their accustomed bravado. Lord Pomp, let nothing that's magnifical, Or that may tend to London's graceful state, Be unperform'd; as shows and solemn feasts, Watches in armour, triumphs, cresset-lights[268], Bonfires, bells, and peals of ordnance. And, Pleasure, see that plays be published, May-games and masques, with mirth and minstrelsy, Pageants and school-feasts, bears and puppet plays. Myself will muster upon Mile-end Green, As though we saw, and fear'd not to be seen; Which will their spies in such a wonder set, To see us reck so little such a foe, Whom all the world admires, save only we. And we respect our sport more than his spite. That John the Spaniard will in rage run mad, To see us bend like oaks with his vain breath.

POMP. In this device such liking I conceive, As London shall not lack what Pomp can do. And well I know that worthy citizens Do carry minds so frank and bountiful, As for their honour they will spare no cost: Especially to let their enemy know, Honour in England, not in Spain, doth grow.

PLEASURE. And for the time that they in pleasure spend, 'Tis limited to such an honest end, Namely, for recreation of the mind, With no great cost, yet liberal in that kind, That Pleasure vows with all delights he can To do them good—till death to be their man.

POLICY. Of Policy they trial have at large.

POMP. Then, let us go, and each man to his charge.

[Exeunt the three Lords.

Enter SIMPLICITY led by USURY.

SIMPLICITY. I, sir? Why, alas! I bought them of a stranger, an old Frenchman, for good gold, and to be worth ten pound, for so he told me. I have good witness, for my own wife was by, and lent me part of the money.

USURY. And what did they cost you?

SIMPLICITY. Ten shillings, every penny.

USURY. That argues you are guilty. Why, could ye buy so many rings and buttons of gold, think ye, for ten shillings? Of whom did ye buy them?

SIMPLICITY. Of an old Frenchman, the old French disease take him!

USURY. And where dwells that old Frenchman?

SIMPLICITY. In France, I think, for he told me he was to go over the next tide or the next day: My wife can tell as well as I, If ye think I lie. For she was by.

USURY. A good answer: he dwells in France, and you dwell here; and for uttering copper for gold you are like to lose both your ears upon the pillory, and besides lose your freedom.

SIMPLICITY. Nay, if I lose my ears, I care not for my freedom: keep you my freedom, so I may keep my ears. Is there no remedy for this, Master Usury?

USURY. None, except you can find out that old Frenchman.

SIMPLICITY. Peradventure I can, if you'll let me go into France to seek him.

USURY. So we may lose you, and never see him. Nay, that may not be.

SIMPLICITY. Nay, good Master Usury, take all my goods, and let me go.

Enter FRAUD, DISSIMULATION, SIMONY, in canvas coats like sailors.

FRAUD. What's the matter, Usury, that this poor knave cries so?

SIMPLICITY. O Master Fraud! speak to him to let me go.

FRAUD. Fraud, ye villain! call me not by my name, and ye shall see I will speak to him to let you go free. [Aside.] Usury, of all old fellowship, let this poor knave pack, if the matter be not too heinous.

USURY. No: fie! his fault is odious. Look here what stuff he would utter for gold: flat copper; and he say'th he bought them of an old Frenchman.

FRAUD. But thou didst not sell them, didst thou?

SIMPLICITY. No, sir; I would have but laid them to pawn for five pounds to him.

FRAUD. That was more than they were worth. I promise thee, a foul matter. Well, thou must lose thy ware, and be glad to escape: so, Usury, at my request ye shall let the poor man go.

USURY. Well, for this once I will. Sirrah, get ye packing, and take heed of such a piece of work again, while ye live.

SIMPLICITY. There is divers pieces of work in that box: pray ye, give me some of my goods again, a ring, or something.

USURY. Not an inch, and be glad to 'scape as ye do.

SIMPLICITY. Alas! I am undone: there's all the wealth and stock I have.

FRAUD. Do ye long to lose your ears? be gone, ye foolish knave.

SIMPLICITY. I thank ye, Master Fraud. I'll not go far, but I'll be near to hear and see what the meaning of these fellows in this canvas should be; for I know Fraud, Dissimulation, and Simony to be those three. Here, I think, I am unseen. [SIMPLICITY hides him near them.

FRAUD. Usury, thank me for this good booty, for it is I that holp ye to it, for I sold them to him for gold indeed, in the shape of an old French artificer; come, give me half, for I deserve it, for my part was the first beginning of this comedy. I was ever afraid lest the fool should have known me; for ye see now, though disguis'd, he called me by my name.

SIMPLICITY. Did I so? I am glad I have found the Frenchman. Now, I'll raise the street, but I'll have my wares again, and prove ye, as ye were ever, both false knaves, I believe. [Exit SIMPLICITY[269].

FRAUD. Kill him, stab him! Out, villain! he will betray us all.

USURY. What a fool were you to speak before he was gone: now you have lost your part of this, too; for he will go complain, you will be sought for, and I made to restore these things again.

FRAUD. Not if thou be wise: thou wilt not tarry the reckoning, for seest thou not us three, Dissimulation, Simony, and myself?

USURY. Yes: what means these canvas suits? Will ye be sailors?

FRAUD. Usury, make one: this is our intent. Let's see that none hear us now. The Spaniards are coming, thou hearest, with great power: here is no living for us in London; men are growen so full of conscience and religion, that Fraud, Dissimulation, and Simony are deciphered, and being deciphered are also despised, and therefore we will slip to the sea, and meet and join with the enemy; and if they conquer, as they may, for they are a great army by report, our credit may rise again with them: if they fail and retire, we may either go with them and live in Spain, where we and such good fellows are tolerated and used, or come slyly again hither, so long as none knows but friends.

USURY. But will you do thus, you two?

DISSIMULATION. And thou too, I hope: why, what should we do?

USURY. Whatsoever ye do, be not traitors to your native country.

SIMONY. 'Tis not our native country, thou knowest. I, Simony, am a Roman: Dissimulation, a mongrel—half an Italian, half a Dutchman: Fraud so, too—half French and half Scotish; and thy parents were both Jews, though thou wert born in London, and here, Usury, thou art cried out against by the preachers. Join with us, man, to better thy state, for in Spain preaching toucheth us not.

USURY. To better my state? Nay, to alter my state, for here, where I am, I know the government: here I can live for all their threat'ning. If strangers prevail, I know not their laws nor their usage: they may be oppressors, and take all I have; and it is like they are so, for they seek that's not their own. Therefore here will I stay, sure to keep what I have, rather than be a traitor upon 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 never trust to strangers' courtesy.

FRAUD. We shall trust but to our friends and kin. You'll not go with us, yet for old acquaintance keep counsel; betray us not, for we'll be gone to sea. I am afraid yon foolish knave have belaid the streets for us.

USURY. Let me go afore ye: if any such thing be, I'll give ye inkling. [Exit.

FRAUD. Do: farewell, Usury: and as he goes one way, we'll go another. Follow, sirs: never trust a shrinker, if he be your own brother.

[Exeunt omnes.

Enter the three Lords with their Pages and FEALTY, a Herald, before them, his coat having the arms of London before, and an olive tree behind.

POLICY. Fealty, thou faithful herald of our town, Thou true truce-keeper and sure friend in peace, Take down our shields, and give them to our boys. [He delivers them. Now, Fealty, prepare thy wits for war, To parley with the proud Castilians, Approaching fast the frontiers of our coast. Wit here, my page, in every message shall Attend on thee, to note them and their deeds. I need not tell thee, they are poor and proud: Vaunters, vainglorious, tyrants, truce-breakers: Envious, ireful, and ambitious. For thou hast found their facings and their brags, Their backs their coffers, and their wealth their rags; But let me tell thee what we crave of thee— To scan with judgment what their leaders be, To note their presence and observe their grace, And truly to advertise what they seem; Whether to be experienced in arms, Or men of name—those three that lead the rest— The rest refer we to thy own conceit.

FEALTY. I hope in this my duty to discharge, As heretofore——

SIMPLICITY make a great noise within, and enter with three or four weaponed.

SIMPLICITY. Clubs! clubs![270] Nay, come, neighbours, come, for here they be: here I left them, arrant thieves, rogues, coseners. I charge ye, as you will answer, 'prehend them; for they have undone me, and robb'd me, and made me the poorest freeman that ever kept a ballad-stall.

A CONSTABLE. I charge ye keep the peace, and lay down your weapons. [To the three Lords.

POMP. Who rais'd this tumult? Speak, what means this stir?

SIMPLICITY. O, I am undone, robb'd, spoil'd of all my stock! Let me see, where be they? Keep every street and door: 'xamine all that comes for Fraud that cosener.

POLICY. Masters, what mean you in these troublous times To keep this coil?

CONSTABLE. Alas! my lord, here's a poor man robb'd or cosened.

SIMPLICITY. I am robb'd.—O my boys, my pretty boys, I am undone! Saw ye no thieves, nor no crafty knaves? What be all these?

WIT. Simplicity, away! these be our lords; offend them not for fear.

SIMPLICITY. I seek not them: I seek for Fraud that robb'd me.

PLEASURE. Go, seek elsewhere, for here's no place for such.

POLICY. My friends, depart, and qualify this stir, And see peace kept within the walls, I charge ye.

CONSTABLE. I will, my lord. Come, Simplicity, we came too late to find your losses.

SIMPLICITY. Pray for me, my boys; I think I shall hang myself. I come ever too late to speed.

[Exeunt.

POLICY. Now, lords, let honour's fire inflame our thoughts, And let us arm our courage with our cause, And so dispose ourselves to welcome them. Do me the favour (if I may entreat) To be the first to front the foe in face: The vanguard let be Policy's this once, Pomp's the main battle, Pleasure's the rearward; And so bestow us, if you think it good.

POMP. I think it good, and time that it were done.

PLEASURE. I think it good, and wish the enemy come.

Enter DILIGENCE.

DILIGENCE. And here they come, as brave as Philip's son And his Hephaestion wont to be array'd, In glittering gold and party-coloured plumes; With curious pendants on their lances fix'd, Their shields impress'd with gilt copartiments; Their pages careless playing at their backs, As if with conquest they triumphing came.

POLICY. If they be conquer'd, greater is their shame. But, Diligence, go post alongst the coast To tell the news; and look, to welcome them, Let us alone. My lords, you hear the news: More words were vain; I know ye well resolv'd.

[Exit DILIGENCE.

POMP. And here they come. O proud Castilians!

Enter first, SHEALTY the Herald; then PRIDE, bearing his shield himself, his impress a Peacock; the word Nonpareil; his Page, SHAME, after him with a lance, having a pendant gilt, with this word in it, Sur le Ciel. AMBITION, his impress a black horse saliant, with one hinder-foot upon the globe of the earth, one fore-foot stretching towards the clouds, his word Non sufficit orbis; his Page, TREACHERY, after him, his pendant argent and azure, an armed arm catching at the sunbeams, the word in it Et gloriam Phoebi. Last, TYRANNY, his impress a naked child on a spear's-point, bleeding; his word Pour sangue; his Page, TERROR, his pendant gules, in it a tiger's head out of a cloud, licking a bloody heart; the word in it Cura cruor. March once about the stage, then stand and view the Lords of London, who shall march towards them, and they give back, then the Lords of London wheel about to their standing, and th' other come again into their places. Then POLICY sends FEALTY; their Herald's coat must have the arms of Spain before, and a burning ship behind.

POLICY. My lords, what mean these gallants to perform? Come these Castilian cowards but to brave? Do all these mountains move to breed a mouse? Fealty, go fetch their answer resolute, How they dare be so bold, and what They dare do here.

[As FEALTY is going toward them, they send forth SHEALTY.

SHEALTY. What wouldst thou, herald?

FEALTY. Parley with those three, herald.

SHEALTY. They scorn to grace so mean a man as thou With parley or with presence.

FEALTY. Do they scorn? What, are thy masters monarchs every one? Or be they gods? or rather be they devils? Scorn they a herald's presence and his speech? Name them, that I may know their mightiness, And so avoid of duties some neglect.

SHEALTY. Monarchs in minds, and gods in high conceits, That scorn you English as the scum of men, Whom I ne dare without their licence name, 'Fore whom thy duties all are few and base.

FEALTY. Imperious Spaniard, do a herald right: Thyself art one; their trouchman[271] if thou be, Be thou my trump[272], that I my message may Through thee convey to them from London lords.

SHEALTY. Base English groom, from beggars sent belike, Who for their mate thee malapert account, Dare I (think'st thou) these lords magnificent, Without their special pleasure understood. Once move with message or with show of speech?

FEALTY. More servile thou to lose a herald's due, That is in field a king's companion. But if thou dare not my ambassage do, Stand by, and stop not my access to them.

SHEALTY. Rather will I return, and know their minds.

[When SHEALTY goes to them, WIT goes to the three Lords of London.

POLICY. Now, boy, what news?

WIT. The fearful herald of yon famous crew Durst not your message to his masters tell, Till Fealty with contumelious words (Yet was the Spaniard brave and hot in terms) Enforced him for their answer resolute.

[The Spaniards whisper with their Herald.

POMP. Which now, belike, our herald shall receive; For theirs comes to him.

SHEALTY. It pleaseth them to be magnifical, And of their special graces to vouchsafe A counterview of pages and of shields, And countermessage by us heralds done; A favour which they seldom grant to foes. Go thou for those; I meet thee will with these.

FEALTY. My lords, yon braving Spaniards wish A counterview of pages and of shields, But what they mean or be, I know not yet. Haply you may by their impresses view, Or I by parley some conjecture give, So please it you your pages and your shields With me to send: their herald comes with theirs.

POLICY. Our shields I reck not, but to send our Wealth—

FEALTY. Accompanied with Wit and Will—no peril.

POMP. It is my Wealth; but keep him, if they dare: I'll fetch him double, if they do, my lords.

PLEASURE. Boys, take our shields and spears, for they come on.

WIT. Vail, Spaniard: couch thy lance and pendant both. Knowest where thou art? Here will we bear no braves.

[When the English boys meet the other, cause them to put down the tops of their lances, but they beat up theirs.

WEALTH. Down with your point: no loft-born lances here By any stranger, be he foe or friend.

WILL. Well dost thou note the couching of thy lance; Mine had, ere this, else gor'd your Spanish skin.

FEALTY. Well done, my boys; but now all reverence—

SHEALTY. Advance again your lances now, my boys. [Hold up again.

S. PRIDE. Dicito nobis ideo, qui ades, quid sibi velint isthaec emblemata? Dicito (inquam) lingua materna: nos enim omnes belle intelligimus, quamvis Anglice loqui dedignamur.

FEALTY. Then know, Castilian cavalieros, this: The owners of these emblems are three lords, Those three that now are viewing of your shields: Of London, our chief city, are they lords; Policy, Pomp, and Pleasure be their names; And they, in honour of their mistresses, Love, Lucre, Conscience, London ladies three, Emblazoned these scutcheons, challenging Who durst compare or challenge one of them. And Policy a tortoise hath impress'd, Encompass'd with her shell, her native walls, And Providens securus is his word: His page is Wit, his mistress Lady Love. Pomp in his shield a lily hath portray'd, As paragon of beauty and boon-grace: Glorie sans peere his word, and true it is; With London's Pomp Castile cannot compare: His page is Wealth, his mistress Lucre hight. Pleasure, the dainty of that famous town, A falcon hath emblazon'd, soaring high, To show the pitch that London's Pleasure flies: His word Pour temps, yet never stops to train, But unto Conscience, chosen for his dear: His page is Will; and thus th'effect you hear.

S. PRIDE. Buena, buena, per los Lutheranos Ingleses.

FEALTY. Mala, mala, per Catholicos Castellanos.

POLICY. Loqueris Anglice?

SHEALTY. Maxime, Domine.

POLICY. Agendum: go to, then; and declare Thy lords their shields, their pages and their purpose. Speak, man; fear not: though Spain use messengers ill, 'Tis England's guise to entreat them courteously.

SHEALTY. Three cavalieros Castilianos here, Without compeers in compass of this world, Are come to conquer, as full well they shall, This molehill isle, that little England hight, With London, that proud paltry market-town, And take those dames, Love, Lucre, Conscience, Prisoners, to use or force, as pleaseth them. The first (now quake) is Spanish Majesty, That for his impress gives Queen Juno's bird, Whose train is spang'd with Argus' hundred eyes; The Queen of Gods scorns not to grace him so: His word is Nonpareil, none his like; Yet is his page or henchman Modesty, Lucre the lady that shall be his prize: And in his pendant on his lance's point Sur le Ciel his word, Above the heavens.

POLICY. Whilome, indeed, above the heavens he was, Could he have kept him in that blessed state. From thence for pride he fell to pit of pain; And is he now become the pride of Spain? And to his page, not Modesty, but Shame. Well, on, the rest——

SHEALTY. Don Honour is the next grand peer of Spain, Whose impress is a courser saliant, Of colour sable, darkening air and earth, Pressing the globe with his disdainful foot, And sallying to aspire to rolling skies: Non sufficit orbis is his haughty word, The world sufficeth not high Honour's thoughts; And on the pendant, fixed on his lance, A hand is catching at the sunny beams: Et gloriam Phoebi, and the sun's bright coach Honour would guide, if he might have his will. His page is Action, tempering still with state.

POLICY. Himself Ambition, whom the heavens do hate.

SHEALTY. And Love the lady that he hopes to gain.

POLICY. His thoughts, distract from foul-distempered brain, Proves him the very firebrand[273] of Spain: And in his shield his black disordered beast, Scaling the skies, scornful to tread the ground, And both his words—proud words—prove perfectly Action his page to be but Treachery, Ever attendant on Ambition. But to the third——

SHEALTY. The third grand cavaliero is Government, Severe in justice and in judgment deep: His impress is a naked infant, gor'd Upon a lance, signifying Severity. His word Pour sangue; for blood of enemies He bends his forces: on his pendant is A tiger, 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 follows him, Regard, And he for Conscience to this conquest comes.

POLICY. The Government of Spain is Tyranny, As do his impress and his words declare: His page is Terror; for a tyrant fears His death in diet, in his bed, in sleep. In Conscience' spite, the Spanish tyranny Hath shed a sea of most unguilty blood. Well, what's the end?

SHEALTY. The end is, best you yield, Submitting you to mercy of these lords.

POMP. Before we fight? soft, sir; ye brave too fast. Castilians, know that Englishmen will knock. But say, Doth Spanish Pride for London's Lucre gape?

PLEASURE. And would their Tyranny Conscience captive have?

POLICY. Doth their Ambition London's Love affect?

SHEALTY. All this they will, and prey upon your town, And give your lands away before your face. Alas! what's England to the power of Spain? A molehill, to be placed where it pleaseth them.

POMP. But in this molehill many pismires be, All which will sting, before they be remov'd. What is thy name?

SHEALTY. Shealty.

POLICY. An Irish word, signifying liberty; Rather remissness, looseness, if ye will. Why hath thy coat a burning ship behind?

SHEALTY. To signify the burning of your fleet By us Castilians.

POLICY. It rather means your commonwealth's on fire About your ears, and you were best look home. A commonwealth's compared to a ship: If yours do flame, your country is hot; beware.

FEALTY. I see, Castilians, that you marvel much At this same emblem of the olive-tree Upon my back; lo, this it signifies. Spain is in wars; but London lives in peace: Your native fruit doth wither on your soil, And prospers where it never planted was. This London's Fealty doth avouch for truth. Herald of war, and porter of their peace, Command ye me no service to my lords?

S. PRIDE. Quid tu cum dominis mox servietis miseri nobis[274]: discede.

FEALTY. Quid mihi cum dominis servietis miseri meis!

POMP. Shealty, say unto yon Thrasoes three, The Lords of London dare them to the field, Pitying their pride and their ambition, Scorning their tyranny, and yet fearing this, That they are come from home and dare not fight; But if they dare—in joint or several arms, Battle or combat—him that Lucre seeks, Your Spanish Pride, him dare I from the rest.

PLEASURE. That bloody cur, your Spanish Tyranny, That London's Conscience would force with cruelty, I challenge him for Conscience' sake to fight A Lord of London, and I Pleasure hight. And, Shealty, when citizens dare them thus, Judge what our nobles and our courtiers dare.

POLICY. Say, if thou wilt, that London's Policy Discerns that proud Ambition of Spain; And for he comes inflam'd with London's Love, In combat let him conquer me, and have her. This is Love's favour; I her servant am.

POMP. This Lucre's favour: Pomp for her will fight.

PLEASURE. This Conscience' favour: she my mistress is.

SHEALTY. You craven English on your dunghills crow.

POMP. You Spanish pheasants crow upon your perch: But when we fire your coats about your ears, And take your ships before your walled towns, We make a dunghill of your rotten bones, And cram our chickens with your grains of gold.

SHEALTY. You will not yield?

PLEASURE. Yes, the last moneth.

SHEALTY. Farewell.

[Retire Heralds with the Pages to their places.

S. PRIDE. Vade.

POLICY. Herald, how now?

FEALTY. Yon proud Castilians Look for your service.

POMP. So do we for theirs. But, Fealty, canst thou declare to me The cause why all their pages follow them, When ours in show do ever go before?

FEALTY. In war they follow, and the Spaniard is Warring in mind.

POLICY. But that's not now the cause. Yon three are Pride, Ambition, Tyranny: Shame follows Pride, as we a proverb have; Pride goes before, and Shame comes after. Treachery ever attends upon Ambition; And Terror always with a fearful watch Doth wait upon ill-conscienced Tyranny. But why stay we to give them space to breathe? Come, Courage! let us charge them all at once.

[Let the three Lords pass towards the Spaniards, and the Spaniards make show of coming forward and suddenly depart.

POMP. What braving cowards these Castilians be? My lords, let's hang our 'scutcheons up again, And shroud ourselves, but not far off, unseen, To prove if that may draw them to some deed, Be it to batter our impressed shields.

PLEASURE. Agreed. Here, Fealty, hang them up a space.

[They hang up their shields, and step out of sight. The Spaniards come, and flourish their rapiers near them, but touch them not, and then hang up theirs; which the Lords of London perceiving, take their own and batter theirs. The Spaniards, making a little show to rescue, do suddenly slip away and come no more.

POLICY. Facing, faint-hearted, proud, and insolent, That bear no edge within their painted sheaths, That durst not strike our silly patient shields!

POMP. Up have they set their own: see, if we dare Batter on them, and beat their braving lords.

PLEASURE. Let them not yonder hang unhack'd, my lords.

POLICY. With good advice, that we be not surprised.

POMP. And good enough myself will onset give[275] On Pride's. At your Peacock, sir.

PLEASURE. At Tyranny's will I bestow my blow, Wishing the master.

POLICY. I at Ambition's strike. Have at his pampered jade!

Enter S. PRIDE.

S. PRIDE. Fuoro Viliagos! fuoro Lutheranos Ingleses! fuoro, sa, sa, sa!

POMP. Their shields are ours: they fled away with shame. But, lordings, whiles the stratagem is fresh, And memory of their misfortune green, Their hearts yet fainting with the novel grief, Let us pursue them flying: if you say it, Haply we may prevent their passage yet.

POLICY. With speed and heed the matter must be done.

PLEASURE. Therefore you, Policy, shall our leader be.

[Exeunt omnes.

Enter [the] three Ladies and NEMO.

NEMO. The day is ours: fair ladies, let us joy The joyful day that all men may rejoice; Yet only I am thankful for this good, And your good day at hand approacheth fast, Wherein you shall be join'd to three such lords, As all the cities under heaven's bright cope Cannot with all their glory match in worth. Lucre, Lord Pomp a victor comes to thee: Love, look thou for Lord Policy as well; And Conscience for her well-reformed phere, Pleasure, that only made his choice of her. Upon that day triumphant shall we feast, Wherein, mesdames, your honours nill be least.

LUCRE. Against their coming, might my reed be heard[276], Prepare would we garlands of laurel green, To welcome them; more for the common good, Than for affection private that we bear.

LOVE. To meet them coming will not be amiss; But what know we, how they will take such work?

CONSCIENCE. Report may be much more than there is cause. We may them meet and greet with joyful hearts, And make them garlands, when we know their minds.

Enter the three Lords, with the Spanish shields, and DILIGENCE.

NEMO. And here they come with new-impressed shields.— My lords, well-met, and welcome from your foes.

LUCRE. Lord Pomp, well-met, and welcome home again.

LOVE. Lord Policy, well-met, and welcome home again.

CONSCIENCE. Lord Pleasure, welcome with unfeigned heart.

PLEASURE. Fair joy and lady, twenty thousand thanks.

POLICY. Fair Love and lady, twice as many thanks.

POMP. Fair and beloved Lucre, though I speak last, As kindly I thy welcome do accept, As heart can think, pen write, or tongue can tell.

NEMO. Now speak, my lords, how have ye sped?

POLICY. Right well; thanks unto Him that gave the day to us. The Pride of Spain was cloak'd with majesty, And Shame, his page, nicknamed Modesty: Spanish Ambition Honour would be call'd, And Treachery, his page, term'd Action: Their Tyranny was cleped Government; Terror, his page, was falsely nam'd Regard; But God above hath given them their reward. They with dishonour left their shields behind, The only prizes purchas'd by us now, And those, fair ladies, we present to you. Love, this is thine, and he that gives it thee.

NEMO. In lieu whereof your gift and her I give Again to you, that merit more than both.

POLICY. The greatest gift and good could me befall.

POMP. Fair Lucre, lo, my present and myself.

LUCRE. Which I, with Nemo's license, gladly take.

NEMO. Take her, Lord Pomp; I give her unto thee, Wishing your good may ten times doubled be.

POMP. The richest[277] good this world could give to me.

PLEASURE. Of duty I, my dear, must give thee this: That art my comfort and my earthly bliss.

NEMO. Now, lords, I hope you are contented all: Pomp with his Lucre, Policy with Love, Pleasure with Conscience: joy fall you from above. And thus to you my promise is perform'd, And I expect that yours as well be kept, That present preparation may be made To honour those with holy marriage rites, That I, in presence of the world, may give These as my daughters unto you my sons.

POLICY. By my consent one day shall serve us all, Which shall be kept for ever festival.

POMP. And on that day, in honour of these dames, These shields in triumph shall be borne about.

PLEASURE. With pageants, plays, and what delights may be, To entertain the time and company.

NEMO. So it please you, lordings, methinks it were meet, That the ladies took care to provide their own toys. Myself need to help them, who know their minds well, For I can keep women both quiet and constant.

POLICY. It pleaseth us well that you will take the pains. Fair ones, for a while ye[278] betake you to your business.

POMP. Ladies, adieu.

PLEASURE. Beloved, farewell.

[The Lords bring them to the door, and they go out [FRAUD and DISSIMULATION enter disguised], and FRAUD[279] gives POLICY a paper, which he reads, and then says:

POLICY. It seems by this writing, sir, you would serve me. Is your name Skill? whom did you serve last?

FRAUD. An ill master, my lord: I served none but myself.

POLICY. Have ye never served any heretofore?

FRAUD. Yes, divers, my lord, both beyond sea and here. With your patience, my good lord, not offending the same, I think I am your poor kinsman: your lordship, Policy, and I Skill, if it like ye.

POLICY. You say very well, and it is very like. I will answer ye anon.

[DISSIMULATION gives PLEASURE a paper, which he reads, and says:

PLEASURE. Is your name Fair Semblance, that wish to serve me?

DISSIMULATION. Please your lordship, Fair Semblance. I am well-seen, though I say it, in sundry languages meet for your lordship, or any noble service, to teach divers tongues and other rare things.

PLEASURE. I like ye very well; stay a while for your answer.

Enter USURY, and gives a paper to POMP, which he reads, and saith:

POMP. Master Usury, I thank ye that ye offer me your service; it seems to me to be for your old mistress' sake, Lady Lucre. Stay but a while; I will answer you with reason.

[The three Lords go together and whisper, and call DILIGENCE. DILIGENCE goes out for a marking-iron, and returns.

FRAUD. How now, my hearts, think ye we shall speed? [Aside.

POLICY. Diligence, come hither.

USURY. I cannot tell what you shall, but I am sure I shall. [Aside.

DISSIMULATION. I am as like as any of ye both.

USURY. Fraud!

DISSIMULATION. Whist, man; he's Skill. [Aside.

USURY. Skill, why dost thou seek to serve Lady Love? What profit will that be?

FRAUD. Tut, hold thee content: I'll serve but a while, and serve mine own turn, and away.

POMP. Master Usury, come hither. You desire to serve me: you have done Lady Lucre good service, you say, but it was against God and Conscience you did it: neither ever in your life did ye anything for Love. Well, to be short, serve me you shall not; and I would I could banish you from London for ever, or keep you close prisoner; but that is not in me; but what is, or may be, that straight you shall see. By Policy's counsel this shall be done. Diligence, bring that iron. Help me, my lords[280].

POLICY. Give me the iron. Pomp, Cousin Skill, help to hold him.

[FRAUD lays hold on him, but DISSIMULATION slip away.

Sirrah, Policy gives you this mark, do you see; A little x standing in the midst of a great C, Meaning thereby to let men understand, That you must not take above bare ten pound in the hundred at any hand: And that too much too; and so be packing quietly, And know that London's Pomp is not sustained by Usury, But by well-ventured merchandise and honest industry.

USURY. I would I had never seen ye, if this be your courtesy. [Exit USURY.

POLICY. Now, Cousin Skill, alias Filthy Fraud, No kinsman to Policy, nor friend to the state: Instead of serving me, Diligence, take him to Newgate. Ask me not why, sir: but, Diligence, if he do strive, Raise the street: he's unweaponed, and thou hast a weapon on.— And now, lords, when ye will, about our affairs let's be gone.