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[Transcriber's Notes:
This early English text was printed in a black-letter font. Some of the letters used are not found on a typewriter. In the e-text those letters that have no modern equivalent are transcribed with their meaning. For example, there is a letter that looks like a "w" with a "t" over it. This means with. You will find this in the text as [with]. Others you will find are [per], [the], [that], and [thou]. You will also find the suffix [us].
All typos were kept as close as possible to the original. This e-text is based on the 1907 edition which included a long list of these typos and some of their possible meanings along with the editor's note. This list had many letters typeset upside down. For this e-text they were righted.
Long s has been changed to standard short s.
In the plain text version, letters with a macron over them are denoted by placing them in brackets with an = beside them, such as ē for an e with a macron over it. For smoother reading, a and o are shown with tilde.
Speaker names are surrounded by + like Health.
For those that wish to consult the original, black and white pngs have been included in the archive.]
PRINTED FOR THE MALONE SOCIETY BY
CHARLES WHITTINGHAM & CO.
AT THE CHISWICK PRESS
THE INTERLUDE OF WEALTH AND HEALTH
THE MALONE SOCIETY
REPRINTS
1907
This reprint of Wealth and Health has been prepared by the General Editor and checked by Percy Simpson.
March 1907. W.W. Greg.
Early in the craft year which began on 19 July 1557, and was the first of the chartered existence of the Stationers' Company, John Waley, or Wally, entered what was no doubt the present play on the Register along with several other works. The entry runs as follows:
To master John wally these bokes Called Welth and helthe/the treatise of the ffrere and the boye / stans puer ad mensam another of youghte charyte and humylyte an a b c for cheldren in englesshe with syllabes also a boke called an hundreth mery tayles ij^s [Arber's Transcript, I. 75.]
That Waley printed an edition is therefore to be presumed, but it does not necessarily follow that the extant copy, which though perfect bears neither date nor printer's name, ever belonged to it. Indeed, a comparison with a number of works to which he did affix his name suggests grave doubts on the subject. Though not a high-class printer, there seems no reason to ascribe to him a piece of work which for badness alike of composition and press-work appears to be unique among the dramatic productions of the sixteenth century.
'Wealth and health' appears among the titles in the list of plays appended to the edition of Goffe's Careless Shepherdess, printed for Rogers and Ley in 1656. The entry was repeated with the designation 'C[omedy].' in Archer's list of the same year, and, without the addition, in those of Kirkman in 1661 and 1671. In 1691 Langbaine wrote 'Wealth and Health, a Play of which I can give no Account.' Gildon has no further information to offer, nor have any of his immediate followers. Chetwood, in 1752, classes it among 'Plays Wrote by Anonymous Authors in the 16th [by which he means the seventeenth] Century,' calls it 'an Interlude' and dates it 1602. This invention was only copied in those lists which depended directly on Chetwood's, such as the Playhouse Pocket-Companion of 1779. Meanwhile, in his Companion to the Play-House of 1764, D.E. Baker, relying upon Coxeter's notes, gave an essentially accurate description of the piece, except that he asserted it to be 'full of Sport and mery Pastyme,' and described it as an octavo. This entry has been copied by subsequent bibliographers, none of whom have seen the original.
The play was among those discovered in Ireland in the spring of 1906 and sold at Sotheby's on 30 June, when it was purchased for the British Museum at the price of one hundred and ninety-five pounds. Its press-mark is C. 34. i. 25.
The extremely careless typography of the original makes the task of reprinting a difficult one. Ordinary misprints abound, and these have been scrupulously retained, a list of irregularities being added below. It has, however, proved impossible to arrive at any satisfactory method of distinguishing between 'n' and 'u.' In the first hundred lines, which are by no means the worst printed, there are thirty-two cases in which the letter is indistinguishable, eighteen cases of an apparent 'u' which should be 'n,' and seven cases of an apparent 'n' which should be 'u.' When it is further remembered that there are few cases in which it is possible to say for certain that a letter really is what it appears to be, and none in which it may not be turned, some idea of the difficulty in the way of reprinting will be obtained. To have followed the original in this matter would have been to introduce another misprint into at least every fourth line, while even so several hundred cases would have remained which could only have been decided according to the apparent sense of the passage. The only rational course was to treat the letters as indistinguishable throughout, and to print in each instance whichever the sense seemed to require. Again, as the superscript letters 'c,' 'e,' 't,' are seldom distinguishable, the printer has been given the benefit of the doubt. Another difficulty arose in connection with the speakers' names. In the original these have often dropt from their proper places, which can now only be ascertained from the sense and the not very regular indentation. With some hesitation it has been decided to restore them to the positions they should apparently occupy, noting all cases in which they are a line or more out in the original. Lastly it may be remarked that in the speeches which aim at imitating foreign languages the apparent readings of the very indistinct original have been scrupulously reproduced, and no attempt has been made, even in the subjoined list, to suggest any corrections.
In the last sheet some of the pages are cropt at the foot. In most cases nothing more than the catchword has disappeared, and although between lines 768 and 769 something seems to be lost, it is doubtful whether this is due to the cropping, since D1^v has already one line too many.
The original is printed in the ordinary black letter of the period, of the body known as English (20 ll. = 94 mm.).
Irregular and Doubtful Readings.
Tit. att his 5. tcowe 7. fleepe(?) 13. nof 24. Weith 25. Iam 27. ofcomparison 29. so (too?) 38. yeth 41. dyspayre (dysprayse) 50. marualufly 52. iu 54. ts 57. stander ... nowe 58. selte 62. Inlykewise 63. Wh en (?) (no catchword) 66. desyred 70. thouart 74. answerrd 75. wellh 76. thou' fagetyue (or ?tagetyue) 80. Thai 84. benefites 95. welth hatg ... freasure 98. stands (the 's' doubtful) 100. cempetent 105. Ye 107. otherwelth 109. Euerywise 110. dtsposicions 127. saue (the 'e' doubtful) 134. woth 137. stealeth 144. hit 149. a wreke 150. nf 159. (no catchword) 164. nhw indifferenily 165. me 168. Weith 177. tryasure 178. yfthey 191. (no catchword) 195. please youto 197. libert 201. werwhy (me, why?) 207. feloweh 214. shalde 216. crow 224. beholde (be bolde) 234. wyse (the 's' doubtful) ifye (if he?) 237. yllibert 238. notfore 249. lubstaunce 250. werr 251. whyce 253. lust (lusty) 257. lybertye 258. H elth (?) 267. ran 270. loboure 275. ofliberty ... suter 278. alytle 286. acquanted 289. Dryue (the 'y' doubtful) 290. Wy ll (?) ... C (I) 294. [H]ealth 306. Christ 312. kindes 315. Arquaintance 318. fo 319. lybertyeis 320. lyberfye, wili bebolde (be bolde) 322. Thyrfore 324. lybrtye 328. ano 337. pas (past) 364. ther 367. let hym (hem) 373. Wytte (Will) 379. felfe 383. caa 386. thought (sought) 391. srhon (?) 397. be gins 398. sleminge 400. slemminges wilmar (?) 405. icvell 408. lonck 410. ic compte hore 414. Nae 424. ssaunders 425. sleminges 426. theris 433. deuose 440. ftyll (?) 443. shred wet 445. Wyll ... cun 447. thing 450. geeat actortty 452. hach 453. lust (iust) ... indifference 460. shalbe (the 's' doubtful) 470. berter 473. mayay (or ? nayay, reading very doubtful; may say?) 475. Forfoth ... vrother 479. in (the 'n' doubtful) 485. wel ... slye (flyt?) 498. you 501. vegyled 502. councelll 507. Wy ll (?) 508. fhe (?) 509. chat ... alw ay 511. meaneth (the 't' doubtful) 520. [Liberty?] 531. oardon 534. am be(?) ... well 545. Gngland 547. renlmes 548. thy (they) 551. rm 553. apart ... aceoritie 554. R[e]md[i] 558. for (the 'f' doubtful) 561. prefercing (?) 567. ehis 568. percelue 596. b e (?) 600. yoor (?) 601. tohether 605. exchewe ... Ill 607. tēp 609. sach 613. [(]wil 616. apare 618. larye 622. chat 624. afryde 629. Hew 630. p=omise (the '=' doubtful) 631. sstyest (spyest?) 632. lok e 633. crooke (the 'e' doubtful) 636. Wyll. (below l. 637) tor 653. euey 654. ofhell(?) 662. falfe 666. libertidespise 667. mateer 668. wet, ler ... [Will.] 669. a none 675. thiag 676. Afirr (After) 685. I tis 686. ihe 693. with ... conoenient 695. Wyll. (opposite l. 696) angey 699. tor 705. he 711. Wytte (opposite l. 712) 716. rhe 719. Wyll. (opposite l. 718) 724. wich 731. welco me health (opposite l. 730) 734. (no catchword) 735. her (hert ?) 736. v s (?) 740. .abor 742. sha me (?) 753. H ance (?) 755. Hance (the 'e' doubtful) 756. nothin 757. H ance (?) 760. allaunts ... reale 764. selfeloue (?) descone (?) 766. subtel tiget 768. (catchword cut off?) 769. [Remedy.] (but a whole line probably missing) 772. Ic ... Remdi (the 'i' doubtful) 773. i (I or ī) 776. fleming (the 'f' doubtful) ... lenger 780. tiberty 782. Health (opposite l. 781) 785. nof (?) 787. affirmity 790. Health (opposite l. 791) 791. maladi (the 'l' doubtful) 796. ye t 798. people (the second 'e' doubtful) ... detelt 799. theroffor (?) 801. A mendes (catchword cropt) 803. doone (the 'd' doubtful) 804. helfe a mendes 807. neceslitie (?) 820. thinketh (the second 't' doubtful) 821. herc 822. ve 823. eafe ano 826. warre 828. boyde 830. weae ... uhat hrlth 831. saw saw 833. tste 834. (catchword cropt) 836. liuingl 838. abouf (?) 841. blam 842. Co staunder vndesrrued 843. drpart 846. spy&nardo 847. folse chefe ... Health 849. wiltel 850. ia 851. peca (the 'e' doubtful) 853. meae 856. fhese 861. contra 863. three 864. I Iyfgo ... them (there is no lead between Wyll. and Wytte.; the speakers' names to ll. 862-3 are half a line too low, those to ll. 865-7 half a line too high) 866. Remd[i] 867. abd ... (signature and catchword cut off?) 868. ful 871. fpeake 873. feason 881. Remdt 882. thete (?) 887. in continent 888. wif 889. lake 891. behanged 893. shals 901. shrew de 903. althre 907. shaibe ... warding alonge 909. wel 912. remabre ... a nother 917. displesur 918. vngrocious 919. dissulation 923. devyl 924. liberty= (the '=' doubtful; opposite l. 923) 925. ymanginacien 927. myscef 928. prison 933. (catchword cropt) 940. yfye (?) 941. rcstore 954. Thar (?) 955. remdy 956. deuer 958. riagne 960. rontinue 961. w ([with])
FACSIMILES BY HORACE HART, M.A., AT THE OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS
An enterlude of Welth, and Helth, very mery and full of Pastyme, newly att his tyme Imprinted
The Names of the players.
Welth. Helth, Lybertie. Ilwyll. Shrowdwyt. Hance. Remedy
Foure may easely play this Playe.
Here entreth Welth, and Helth synging together a balet of two partes, and after speaketh Welth.
Why is there no curtesy, now I am come I tcowe that all the people be dume Or els so god helpe me and halydum They were almost a fleepe. No wordes I harde, nor yet no talking No instrument went nor ballattes synging What ayles you all thus to syt dreaming 10 Of whom take ye care? Of my coming ye may be glad Therefore I pray you be nof sad For all your desyre shall be had I can amende your cheare By God I thinke ye haue forgotten me I am welth of this realme looke upon me For I am to euery man louing and freendly For welth hath no pere.
Helth. Brother welth haue ye not yet doone? 20 ye prayse your selfe aboue the moone Euery man may perceyue therby soone That you lacke discresyon
Weith. Wherfore, by god I cannot say to much Iam so welthy of substaunce and rych In all the worlde where is one such As I am ofcomparison.
Helth. Welth is good I cannot denay Yet prayse your selfe so muche ye may For welth oftentimes doth decay 30 And welth is nothing sure.
Welth. Welth hath ben euer in this countrey And here I purpose styll for to be For this is the lande most mete for me And here I wyll endure.
Health Therin ye speake full louingle For in this realme welth should be yeth no displeasure I pray you hartely But in the way of communicacion. And for pastyme I would speake some wayes 40 Of no comparison, nor to you no dyspayre, I doo not intende that maner alwayes, But for a recreation,
Wealth Brother what soeuer ye say to me. I wyll heare you paciently I am content and I thanke you hartely Begyn and say your pleasure
Health I thanke you hartely then wyll I Some what unto my purpose apply Though welth be praised marualufly 50 Yet to myne understanding. Welth is mutable, and that iu shame And welth is hauty and proude of name Welth is cruell, and in great blame For welth ts euer wauerynge.
Wealth. To whom haue I doone any harme can ye say, Ye stander me nowe, yet I trust I may Aunswere for my selte in euery maner way Ye wyl not deny that?
Health God forbyd but ye should do so 60 And ye may doo it whether I wyl or no Inlykewise, I must answer you also Wh en ye say not true. Though I be but to you a poore man yet helth I height, the same I am That is desyred vniuersally than Some calles me as good as you
Welth. As I, mary ther in deede ye do compare. Such wordes myght brynge you soone in care Lewde parson, thouart not ware 70 Of what substaunce I am
Health. Yes I can tell what you are, be not dyspleased welth is of great substaunce, that cannot be denyed yet shew your comodities, and ye shalbe answerrd I promyse you wellh is fugitiue.
wealth What sayst thou, am I a fagetyue I was neuer so taken vp in my lyfe Nor called vnsure, well I wyll make no stryfe yet where as thou dost say, Thai I should show my commodityes alwayes 80 The best for my selfe wherof I aske prayse yf I shoulde stand her all my lyfe dayes yet I coulde not say. Nor halfe the benefites that commeth of me yt cannot be tolde nor resyted shortly Welth is the floure of althing earthly That you cannot denye. Ferste god saue, our soueraine Ladye the Queene With all the counsel and all that with them bene Am not I welth with them euer at ene 90 Who should be there but I? Men of the lawe, and ioly rych marchauntes There be welthy both of goodes and lands, Without comparyson is in their handes I welth hatg all freasure.
Health. O good syr, of whom commeth all this Of god only, to you no thanke Iwys And yet mans welth stands not all in ryches I dare saye that boldly, Whan a man hath a cempetent liuing 100 with the grace of god that passeth all thyng Loue of his neyghbour, and good reporting Then is he welthy, Welth of goodes is but a fame Ye is welthy that hath a good name Euery wyse man wyll coueyte the same For otherwelth I not reche yf a man haue neuer so much good name Euerywise man wyll coueyte the same if his dtsposicions be nought and wood 110 Then he is but a wretch,
Welth. Nay thou art a wretch, and a foole vnwyse welth of ryches thus to despyse Doest thou not se all the worlde aryse By goodes and substaunce He that hath plenty of syluer and golde May haue all thyng whatsoeuer he woulde Whan can welth lacke, seing all thing is solde And welth is of assuraunce.
Health I denye that, your saying is nought 120 Grace, heauen, nor cunning, cannot be bought without great paine, ad good dedes wrought Els man cannot them haue.
wealth Stop thereat, and hold thy peace May not men by heauen with richesse As to bylde churches and make bye wayes Such deedes mans soule doth saue
Health Yea, but yet ye must marke one thynge yf these goodes came with wronge doyng Shall ye haue heauen for so spendynge 130 Or yet any mede. Nay nay except that man himselfe doo meeke And make resystance the ryght honour to seeke Els all such good dedes is not woth a leeke welth hereof take heede.
wealth. Why thinkest thou that all men which hath welth Getteth theyr goodes with brybry and stealeth Thy reporte is nought therfore Helthe I counsell thee to say the best.
Health So I wyll, but yet I must say true 140 And now a lyttle more I wyll say to you Much sorowe and care welth doth brewe He is seldome in rest. when a man is a lyttle hit and welthy And hath in his cheste treasures plentye Then wyl he wrangle, and do shreudly By his power and might. With his neighboures he wyll go to lawe And a wreke his malyce for valew of strawe welth is fykle and out nf awe 150 wylfull in wronge or ryght
Welth. Thou speakest with a slaunderous tonge All of euyll wyll, and yet it is wronge welth in this realme hath bin longe Of me commeth great honour. Because that I welth hath great porte All the worlde, hyther doth resorte Therfore I welth, am this realmes comfort, And here I wyll indure.
Helth. So I wold ye should, and I shall do the same 160 Helth I am called, and that is my name If I would not abyde heare I were to blame For here I am well cherished Yet say your selfe, nhw indifferenily And if euery man doo not loue me Helth as well as welth, yes verely Therof I dare be reported
Weith. Why should they loue thee? that woulde I knowe As wel as me, I pray you showe I am the superiour of hie and lowe 170 No man may compare with me.
Helth. To shew why I wyll not be afraied For I can bide by that I haue sayde Yf welthy men be very well apayd Or muche they set you by. But of welth, if they haue neuer so much Goodes, tryasure and golde, and be called rych Yet yfthey lacke helth, there payne is suche That they were better dye. A man to were golde, and be in payne 180 What ioy hath he? none, but would be fayne To giue all his treasure for helth playne Or els he were very mad: For if a man be neuer so poure Yet if he haue helth, that is a treasure, Then for his liuing, he may laboure And in his harte be glad,
Welth. I neuer marked thus muche, nor vnderstood That Helth was such a treasure, and to man so good Wherfore I am sory, and I wil chaunge my moode 190 Now I pray you forgiue me.
Health I will forgiue or els I were to blame And I pray you to forgiue me the same I loue you hartly, and wyll prayse your name yf it please youto keepe my company.
Here entreth lyberty with a song & after speaketh
libert Why tary syrs whether are ye going I see well ye looked not for my comming Loe, out of syght out of remembryng Absence is cause of straungnes, 200 What looke ye on werwhy are ye so straunge From your fellow liberty, doth your minds chaūge In your company I was wont to range What nedes all this busines,
wealth By liberty now I doo not set Seyng that helth and I am met As feloweh together no man shall let Me for to loue hym best.
liberty. Let me heare what ye do say Then ye are about to cast me away 210 How happes this? mary then I may Goe pyke strawes and take me rest. I pray you tell me whom I haue offended yf I haue made a faute it shalde amended with so shorte warning let me not be voyded I crow yet ye do but iest.
Helth. Why do ye make this cauelacion we entende to make no alteracyon welth and I haue had communication He is my freende of olde. 220
liberty What was the matter, I pray you tell Me thinkes I ought to be of counsel Or els I promyse you ye doo not well With you I should beholde.
Welth. The matter is doone we are agreed To reason it more it shall not neede O brother helth, thou art in deede More preciouser than golde.
liberty. Gods bodi how commeth this gere to pas I am cast out at the cartes arse 230 The worlde is nothing as it was For I am here refused
Health Why be you angry that we doo agree Then are ye not wyse, for ifye loue me I will loue hym agayne, so it should be Or els I were mysaduised
yllibert Then of my loue ye set no store My company I see well ye looked notfore Farewell I wyll get me out of the doore yet I am your betters and so am I called. 240
wealth Such presumptuouse wordes wyll haue a fall your comparyson is but feble and small What can ye do nothyng at all As you haue reputed.
liberti. What were ye both two, were not I. Wretches and caytyfes, looke not so hye Thinke no scorne hardly For I may be your peare yf welth haue neuer so much lubstaunce Lacking Libertye and werr in durance 250 Within a whyce, I am in assurance ye woulde pray me come nere. Yf Helth be neuer so lust and stronge yet if Lyberty were kept from him longe Then sorow and care wolde be his songe. yt would abate your cheare. Fye of welth which lacketh lybertye Fye of H elth and be in captiuitie Fye of riches and lack good company Lyberty hath no pere, 260
Helth. Wyll ye heare how he doth clatter? What neede ye to rehearse all this matter. ye know that we twayne afore any other. Lyberty must nedes haue styll. Lybertie on vs is glade to wayte ye stande to farre in your owne conceyte I wys lybertye ye ran make no bayte To catche vs at your will.
liberty. Now there ye lye, I can suffer no longer Welth for Lybertye doth loboure euer 270 And helth for Libertye is a great store Therfore set me not so lyght
wealth Libertye I pray the reason no more ye are welcome to vs as ye were before In dede ofliberty it is great suter Therfore welcome by this lyght
liberty, Now I thanke you both full kindly your strange wordes alytle did greue me And now at your comaūdement I am redy And at your owne wyll. 280
Here entreth with some iest yllwyll
Wyll.. Mary I am come at the first call Wyll, your owne man haue me who shall For I am will seruaunt to you al Ye shall not neede to sende for me.
Welth. Who is acquanted with this man He is very homely and lytle good he can To come in here so boldly, then Dryue him away quickly,
Wy ll. Why, I cam not tyll I was called 290 your owne wyll openly ye named Then I came a pace lest I should be blamed Therfore I pray you let me byde styll,
ealth Whole wyll, or what wyll, doth he meane Thou art not my wyl, I forsake thee cleane My wyl and their wylles is often sene Our wylles can none yll
Wyll. Alas good masters I can none yll yet by my trouth I am your euyll wyll your wil, & your will, & your will, therfore keepe me 300 I loue ye by goddes mother,
liberty. This is a straunge saying vnto me My wyl, your wyll, and his wyll, this cannot be For in our wyles is a great diuersitie For one is not lyke another,
Wyll. Yet by Christ your owne wyl I am The maddest wyl, and the meriest, than For goddes sake now, let me be your man Tyl ye haue better acquaintaunce.
wealth I perceyue this felow is kynde 310 And oweth to vs good wyl and mynde Some kindes agayne then let hym finde Let him haue some furderaunce
Wyll. By god sir and I durst be so bolde Arquaintance of this man clayme I would and kynred to, yf the trouth were tolde we be of one consanguynitie
Health How fo? let me here that I pray thee hartly
Wyll. Wyl and lybertyeis, of aunciterie olde with out lyberfye, wili dare not bebolde 320 And where wyl lacketh, lybertye is full colde Thyrfore wyl and lybertye must nedes be of kyn.
liberti. In dede as he saythe it may well be For wyl euer longeth vnto lybrtye Therfore good freende welcome to me I praye you al be good to him And goeth out
Welth. For your sake he is welcome to vs all Let him come to our place ano than he shall Haue succoure of vs and helpe withal & now we wil depart. And welth & helth goth out. 330
Wyll. Wyl ye go hence. I thanke ye masters with al my hert I wyl seke you out I warrant you feare not Now they be gone I am glad by saint mary A lyttel while heare I purpose to tary How to deceyue welth, helth, and libertie Now must I deuyse. For I am a chylde that is pas grace Ilwyll I am called that in euery place Doth much mischiefe this is a playne case Uertue I doo vtterly dispise, 340 But if they wyst what I were Then of my purpose I should be neuer [the] nere I wyl kepe my tonge leste that I mar My whole intent and wyll. But now I meruayle by this day Where shrewd wit is gone a stray Some crafty touche is in his way I here him, peace, stand styll.
Entreth shrewd wyt with a songe.
Dieu vous garde playsaunce 350 On seuen or no mumchaunce, what yonkers dare auaunce To playe a grote or twaine. Loe heare I haue in store Two or three grotes and no more I take great thought therfore For to kepe it, it is much payne I come now out of a place where is a company of small grace Theues and hores that spendes a pace They were dronken all the sorte. 360 One of their purces I did aspy Out of his sleue where it dyd lye And one wynked on me with his eye But ther began the sporte Their false falsehode, and I crafty wyt got the purse loe, heare I haue it I ran my way and let hym syt Smoke and shitten arse together. And yf that I had yll wyll here with this money we wolde make good chere 370 Gentle brother wyll, I pray the apeare For thou art in some corner.
Wytte I woulde come in but I am a fearde Least that I be taken by the bearde Wyth some catchepol, I haue heard How thou haste stollen a purse
wylle Thou horson art thou mad, cum in I say This is not the fyrste hazard that I haue scaped yf I make an hand to decke my felfe gay what am I the worse. 380
wyll From thy company I cannot abyde I must nedes holde upon thy syde yllwyll and shrewdwit who caa hyde For they will be together.
wytte. Now welcome wyll and what cheare: By god I thought for thee a thousand yere Peace for gods body who cummeth there Hance bere pot Ascon router.
Entreth Hance with a dutch songe
Gut nynen scone rutters by the moder got 390 It heist owne srhon, for staue ye nete De qusteker mau iche bie do do Uau the groate bnmbarde well ic wete Dartyck dowsant van enheb it mete Ic best de mauikin van de koining dangliler De grot keyser kind ic bene his busketer
Wyll. Here ye not dronkē hance how he be gins to prate The malowperte sleminge is a little to cheke mate
wytte Let the knaue alone, for his name is war. Such dronken slemminges your company wil mar 400
Hance. Ic best nen emond, ic best in soche ye secte nete vell ic forstaue ye in doche
Wyll. Cumpt hore leyf with your gound stand nere yt becummes you better to handle a potte of beare
Hance Dat maght icvell dan, ic can skynke frelyck Tab bers frow, ic briuges brore, begotts nemerick
wytte. The horsen knaue by the masse is dronke A winking for depe his eyen be cleane lonck
Hance Ic foraue ye vell ye seg dac ic slope Nenike, nenike, ic compte hore for an andor cope 410
Wyll. Wel coppin I pray the hartly tell vs trew Wherfore comest thou hether for any thing to sew
Hance yeicke feger, en būbardere va de koyning wei it be Heb twe skelling de dagh ic con scote de culueryn
wytte. Nay ye shall walke a fleming knaue, wyl ye not see We haue English gunners ynow, there is no rome empty
Hance Ic best en bomberde mot ye to me spreken what segye ye bones, it sal ye yode flaen
Wyll. We speake not to thee thou art a scone man But goe thy way they be not here that promot [the] ca 420
Hance Caut ye me a de house dragen van degrot here.
wytte. Hance ye must go to [the] court & for welth inquire
Hance What segre ye welth nenyke he is net hore welth best in ssaunders, it my self brought him dore
Wyll. Beshrew your horson sleminges hert therfore. in dede as he saith, by war in flaūders theris welth store
Hance Segt ye dat brower, by the moder got dan Gut naught it mot wast, to sent cafrin to mi lanma & goeth out
wyll. Is be gone, farewel hanykin bowse I pray god giue him a hounded drouse 430 For I trow a knaue brought hym to house But now brother wyt. We must deuose how that we may Be in seruice with welth alwaye Let me here what thou canst do or say To helpe for to contryue it.
wytte. For thy pleasure that I shall This wyll I doo first of all Flatter and lye, and euermore call Them my good maysters ftyll. 440 Then with swering, lying and powlinge Brybry, theft, and preuy pyking Thus I shred wet, wyll euer be doinge I warrant ther yllwyll.
Wyll. I cun thee thanke, this is well deuysed And I yll wil, wolde haue euery man dispised But now another thing must be contriued Or els al wilbe nought There is one they call good remedy In this realme, he hath geeat actortty 450 He is a noble man and much worthy Many thinges he hach wrought He is called lust, discreete and indifference Willing to fulfil his soueraines commaundement He is not fraide to do right punishment Therfore of him I am afrayde
wytte. So am I to this maketh me very sadde Yet oftentymes I haue bene harde bestadde Now [that] I am warned of him I am very glad Sum crafty wyle for him shalbe hade 460
Wyll. Peace no mo wordes but mum My think I heare mast welth cum Knele downe and say sum deuout orison That they may heare vs pray Now Iesu saue Welth, Helth, and Lybertie.
Liberty and helth returneth back with welth
Wealth Syrs you shall haue both gods blessing So are ye worth for your praying ye are wel disposed and of good liuing I wyll loue you the berter alway 470
Wyll. Sir this do we vse euery day For welth helth and liberty to pray This same is my brother, to you I mayay He is an hard honest man.
wytte. Forsoth mayster I am his vrother To be your seruant, was my cūming hether As longe as we two be to gether ye shall not peryshe than
Health To haue you both in seruyce I am content How say you libertie wil you therto consent 480 Wyll and wit, god hath vs lent We may be glade of them
liberti. Yf we sholde refuse wyl and wyt we were to blame for they be fyt Therfore by my wel they shal not slye They be welcome to me,
Wyll. God thanke you maisters all three ye shal finde vs pore but true we cannot be My tonge stombles, I cry you mercy We wyll be true I should say, 490
wealth Syrs go your way home vnto one place And we wyl hye vs after apace And when we come we shall set you in case To haue a lyuing alway.
Health Then loke ye do both truely and iust For we must put you in great trust All our houshoulde guide ye must Behaue you selfe well.
wytte Maisters feare not for I haue wit inough To beguyle my selfe, and to beguyle you 500 I haue vegyled many one I may say to you I pray you kepe that in councelll
liberty. Beware of that, what doth he say? Beguyle vs all, yet I charge ye nay Ye shall not beguile vs yf I may I wyl beware betyme.
Wyll. Syr be not angry I you praye fhe foole woteth not he doth say He meneth chat he wil be profitable alw ay And saue you many thinges. 510
Health What he meaneth I cannot tell But his saying is not well Depart hence syrs by my councell And tary vs at our lodging.
wytte. Now and it please ye, wyll ye here any synging Therein I tell you I am somwhat connyng ye shall heare and ye list.
liberty Syr I pray you sing and ye can
wyll. Now wil I begin like a lusty bloud tha. thei sing & go out Sirs now go your way of you I am glad 520 As of any seruauntes that euer I had For these can do both good and bad We must needes haue such men What were we yf we lacked wyll: And without wyt we shoulde lyue yll Therfore wyll and wit I wyll kepe styll. I promise you I loue them
Here commeth remedy in and to him saith
Welth. Syr your maystership is hartely welcome Take your place here aboue as it is reason. 530
Health I pray you oardon vs, we know not what ye be ye seme a man of honour, and of great auctority
liberty Syr to know wherfore ye come we are desyrous
Remdi I am he that ought for to be well knowen Of you thre specially, and of duetie Great payne and busines as for mine owne For you I haue taken because I loue you hartely To maintaine you is all my desyre and faculty yet hard it is to doo, the people be so variable And many be so wilfull, they will not be reformable. 540
wealth Syr I pray you pardon vs of our ignoraunce now I se well ye know vs better than we do you
Remdi I pardon you, for I doo know you wel both welth, and helth, is your right names The which Gngland to forbere were very loth For by welth and helth commeth great fames Many other renlmes for our great welth shames That they dare not presume, nor thy dare not be bold To stryue againe England, or any right with holde.
Health Sir ye be welcom, I besech you show vs your name 550
remedi Good remedy forsouth I rm the same.
liberti. yf I durst be so bolde I wolde pray you hartely To shewe vs apart of your great aceoritie,
R md My actoritie is geuen to me most speciall To maintaine you three, in this realme to be What mine intent is. I wyl tel, but not all For that were to longe to reherse of a surety And I desyre you all for to be louing to me For your owne ease, come welth and profyt
Wealth Good remedy, then we must desyre your aydyng 560 For by good remedy cometh all our prefercing.
Remdi All that I doo intende, if ye wil therto agree And to be reformable for your owne ease It is not the thynge that lieth only in me But my good wyl, therfore I wyl not cease To haue your loue and fauour, and therby to please Al the worlde ouer, and to promote ehis realme That you thre may prosper, ye percelue what I mene The chiefe parte of all welth lyeth in great estates Theyr substance and landes. is right commendable 570 Prelates of the churche is welthy of ryches Merchaūtes hath marchaūdise & goods incoperable Mē of law & franklins is welthy which is laudable Thus welth of riches is deuided diuerse wayes And to these many charges, come now a dayes
Health My hert reioyseth to here your good reporting Much are we bound to god, which prouideth althing
Remdi Forsoth here is not halfe that I could reherse The benefits of god that be sheweth to you welth Consider Englyshmen, how valiant they be & ferce 580 Of al nacions none such, when they haue their helth No land can do vs harme, but wyth falsehod or stelth remēbre what nobre of mē, or artilerie & good ordinace Specially [the] grace of god, which is our chief forderace If there be any that wyll grudge, surmyce or doo Againe welth, helth & libertie, then must I for [the] same Shew mine auctorite and power, for to remedy it so That none of you shall diminishe, nor amisse be tane I good remedy therfore may & will speake [with]out blae For the comen welth, & helth both of the soule & body 590 [that] is mi office & power, & therfore I haue my actorite
wealth Our lorde continue ye, & we thanke you hartly Both for your good instruction, and for your kindnes That you intende so wel for vs good remedy when we haue nede we will desyre your goodnes
Health When we be infect in the soule or body Then will I seke good remedy for succour As yet I thanke god I haue no nede greatly yf I haue then wyll I seke to haue your fauour
liberty Syr now we wyl departe hence with your licence 600 For other divers busines that we must haue tohether
Remdi Sirs I am content, now when ye wyll depart To god I commyt you I wyll not make you tary But yet I pray with all my minde and heart Take hede in any wise exchewe yl & shrewd compani yf a ma be neuer soo good & vse [with] thē [that] be vnthrifti He shal lese his name, & to some vice they wil him tēp therfore beware of such people, & from thē be exempt
Health yes yes I warrant you of sach I wyll beware. Farewel good remedy & wel to fare. & goth out 610
Remdi I pray god be your spede & preserue you fro paine it is mi mind ye shold prosper I wold haue it so fain.
Wyll. Here is none of our acquaintaūce wil retourneth we haue made to longe tariaunce that wyll ye say perchaunce And they begone home come away apare
Wytte. Nay by god not so hastie A lytle whyle we wyll larye Good euen syr to you mary Dwell ye in this place? 620
Remdi Nay good fellowe I dwel not heare Wherefore doest thou chat inquire: Woldest thou ought with any heare Speake be not afryde
Wyll. By God I would I had your gowne And were a myle without the towne Theron & woulde borowe a crowne It is I that so sayde
Wytte. Hew lookest thou one him halfe a scorne I p=omise you he is a scant gentylman borne 630 What sstyest thou in his face
Remdi For somwhat in his face I lok e In dede his mastership standes a crooke For false shrewes both of you I tooke And chyldren that be past grace.
Wyll. I wyll swere for hym, as tor this yeares twenty that he hath ben euer as true as I yet sometyme he will steale and make a lye He is of my alyaunce.
Remdi In good fayth the same thinke I 640 That ye be both lyke, full unthrifty Syrs how do ye lyue, shew me quickly Or I shall put you in duraunce
wytte. How liue we? mary our meate Cummest thou hether for to threte: So lowly syr wittam doth speake From whence doth he come can ye shewe
Wyll. What dost thou ayle canst thou tell? Hast thou any thing with vs to mell? By the masse thy handes doth tykell 650 Thou shalt beare me a blowe.
remedi you false theues I know ye well I shall let your purpose euey deale yllwyll, and shrewd wit, the deuyll of hell Take ye both for me.
wytte. Mary thou lyest, our names be not so Call vs but wit, and wyll, adde no more thereto, yf thou doest thou were as good no We shall handle you shrewdly
Remdi Syrs farewell here I wil no longer abide 660 For you both shortly I wyll prouide That all your falfe craft shalbe out tryed And our subtillitie knowen and goeth out.
wytte. To go so soone the horson was wyse therfore some now I must deuise that each man may welth, helth and libertidespise Or els he wyll marre all our mateer. Brother wet, ler me alone When they come you shal see me a none Complayne of him, vnto them echone 670 And put him out of fauour
Wytte Peace no mo wordes, for they come yonder
wealth Syrs I am glade that you be heare How doth all our houshold, with them what chere? Is euery thiag in order there Afirr our intente?
wyll. ye syr they be all mery and glad With reuell and rout somtime they be mad Pipe whore hop theef, euery knaue and drabe Is at our commaundement. 680
Helth turneth hym.
What do ye say, then ye are to blame And we put you in trust for the same To kepe such rule, it is a shame I tis not for our honour.
wytte. By the masse ihe horson doth lye There is no such rule by gods body A man may breke his neck as lyghtly As his fast in your kechin, or seller truly.
Liberty turneth him 690
With that nother I am not content I wolde there should be liberalitie competēt And with honesti it is conoenient That our neighbour fare the better
Wyll. you be angey with all that we haue done Cum away brother let us go hens soone I know a new maister wher we shalbe welcume God be with you gentyl maister
Welth. Why wil ye begone tor a worde Peraduenture we did but boorde 700 Me thinke ye should your mayster foorde For to speake my minde.
wytte Nay nay, I can tel what was the matter Remedy was here, and he dyd flatter ye trust he more than vs and better But marke the ende, what ye shal find
Health With good remedy we spake in dede To folow his counsel we had neede He warned vs that we should take hede Of excesse and prodigalitie. 710
Wytte I meruayle ye speake so of good remedy It is I that can do more than he Wyt can make shyft at necessity When Remedi cannot be hearde I know some that hath this thousand yere Sought god remedy and yet neuer rhe nere wit can put remedy by, yea this is cleare For wit is a crafty lad.
Wyll. And wyl is an vngracious stay Wyl hath doone many thinges men say 720 And yf ye let wit and wil goe his way ye wil repent it soone.
liberty Why what cause haue you to go your way ye shall abyde wich vs though you say nay I wyl folow wyl, and wit alway And so I haue euer done
wytte. yf I wist al my masters wolde so do Then from your seruyce I wolde not goo Speake now whether ye wyl or no And let vs know your minde 730
Health Syrs ye be welco me to me playne And for your company I am full fayne I had leuer suffer great payne Then to leue my wit and wyl,
Wyll. Then let vs go hence, with kindnes my her ye do kyll
Health I pray you let vs go, wherfore do we byde styll.
and goeth out
Remdi As touching my first purpose hither I am com again I trow ye know me, good remedy is my name That euery day doth take great .abor or payne 740 To amende all faultes, I am chosen to the same yf any mans conscience here doth grudge or shame Hauing in him self remorse, & mendes in tyme & space I am good remedy, and god is ful of mercy and grace Therfore I wyl stand asyde, & a lyttel whyle remaine Of welth, Helth and Lybertye, for to inquire How they be ordred, and yf any man complayne I wil be glad to shew me remedy, my think I se one a peare.
Hance Begots drowse ic my selfe bin cūpt heye sco lansma 750 Ic mot in ander land lopen, al is quade dan
Remdi Thou fleming fro whēce comest [thou] & what dost [thou] here.
Hance Ic my self cumt fro sent Katryns dore mot ic skyne de ca beer
Remdi Get [the] thether againe, & tary here no loger
Hance Syr ic mot mid ye spreken ic my self be en scomaker
Remdi What and thou be therwith I haue nothin a doo.
Hance Ic dest al forlore, copin is dod, ic maght aot do therto
Remdi I pray thee go hence, for thou dost trouble me yll.
Hance Nen ic seker, ic wyl not gon, ic wold fain liue hore stil
Remdi There is to mainy allaunts in this reale, but now I 760 good remedy haue so provided that English men shall lyue the better dayly.
Hance What segt ye by gots drowse, dai is de quade man Be de moro goi, ic my selfe loue de scone Englishman.
Remdi Fie on [the] flattering knaue, fie on you aliaūts al I say ye can [with] craft & subtel tiget englishmēs welth away
Hance O skon mester, ic heb hore bin, this darten yeore ic canskote de coluerin, & ic can be dr beare broer, trust see so prouide that welth from you haue I shall
Hance Ic seg to you dat welth is lopen in an ander contry 770 wat hebegy dar brough, forstan ye net, segt me
Remdi Ic vnderstand the wel, yet thou liest lyke a knaue welth is here ī Englad, & welth stil i trust we shal haue
Hance Ic ment no quad ic loue de english man by min here Cūp vp sent Katrin and ic shal ye geuē twe stope bere,
Remdi Get [the] hence drokē fleming [thou] shalt tary no lenger here
Hance Mor it net mare herebin, woder sal ic gewest kiskin Ic wil to de Kaizer gan, dar fall ic wal skinkin
& goth out
Remdi Is he gon? I pray god the deuyll go with him wher is welth, helth & tiberty. I wold see thē come in 780
Helth commeth in with a kercher on his head.
Health O good lorde helpe me, by your licence my souerain I am homely to com her in your presēce thus diseased Nede constraineth me, for remedy I wold haue faine I am īfect both body & soul, I prai you be not displesed
Remdi Why what aile you shew me, yet you I do not know Glad I am to remedy any man, that is affirmity I perceiue by your phisnamy, [that] ye ar veri weke feble & low yet show me your griefe, & I wil help you gladly.
Health Gracio[us] remedi I thank you, yet I am half ashamed 790 to shew you mi maladi & mi name, I was called helth Therfore I am wel worthi to be punished & blamed Because I haue not folowed your coūsel, but al thing may be suffered saue welth.
Remdy Are you helth, this maketh me very pensife and sad ye t be of good chere, & show how you were infect To remedy you and succour you I wold be very glad For god wyl punish the people when they be detelt
Health Syr I thanke god therof for wel worthy I am My conscience doth iudge, some trouble haue I must 800 A mendes I wyl make to god and if I can Wil ad wit hath deceiued me in them I put my trust.
Remdi yf thou haue doone amisse, and be sory therfore Then helfe a mendes is made, for that is contrission Let that passe, now wil I axe you one thyng more Wher be welth ad Libertie, be they of good disposicio
Health As for welth is fallen in decay, and neceslitie By wast & war, thorow ytt wyll, and shrewdwit And lybertie is kept in duraunce and captiuite God helpe vs all, and sende vs good remedy for it 810
Remdi For to heare this tale it maketh my hart heauie yet be of good cofort, god is ful of grace, & I am good
Health Sir, thē I besech you help vs in the way of charity
Remdi I would fayne but I cannot tel which way to begin Except I might catch wil & wit, then I trow I could Tye thē shorter, for they destroy welth, helth & liberty bi sin yf I had [the] theues, punish thē extremly I wole.
Health You may soone catch them, if ye wil stande a syde From this place they two, wyl not longe abide.
Remdi Me thinketh I here them com, helpe to holde thē fast 820
will turneth
Wyll. Cum in wit for herc is no body We may ve bolde and talke largely Our hartes to eafe ano shew plainly What we haue doone.
wytte I must nedes laugh I cannot forbeare To remember warre that knaue wil ye heare The horson fleming was beshitten for feare Because he should boyde so soone.
Wyll. Herke now do I meruayle by this bread For I weae surely uhat hrlth be dead 830 I saw saw him go with a kercher on his head As he should go at hangyng.
wytte Harke in thine Eare, yf tste horson hap To complayne to him that weres the red cap I feare then shortly he wyl us clap By the heles from our liuingl
Wyll. Nay nay, there is no doubt By hym I haue reported all about That he doth not wel, his good name to put out ylwyl cannot say wel, 840
remedi. Frende therin thou art the more to blam Co staunder me wrongfully, and vndesrrued But or thou drpart thou shalt answere for the same, wher is Welth & liberty, how hast thou thē ordred?
Wyll Qury cicis quest is vn malt ombre Me is vn spy&nardo compoco parlauere.
Health Thou folse chefe is thine English tonge gone as mischeuo[us] il wil & shrewdwit, ye haue destroyd ma ni on
Wytte. Sir hurt not me, & I wiltel you trouth anone This same ia as false a knaue as euer cam [with]in saint Iohēs 850
wyll. Per amor de my as peca vn poco Eo queris and ar pour lagraunt creae so
Remdy I can not tel what thou dost meae blabbler But [thou] shalt speake English & confesse an other mater,
Health Syr I besech your lordship, in the way of charity Let not fhese thefes escape your hands they haue destroyed us utterly.
wytte: Syr, beleue hym not he speakes but of malice onely we be true men, therof we shall fetch good witnes An honest man that shalbe bound for him and me 860 The law sayth plaine, nulla fides contra testes
Remdi that is trouth, but who wilbe witnes or boūd for the
Wyll. There is three amonge you in this howse I Iyfgo to fetch them quickly
Wytte. They wil come vnsēd for I warant you if they wyst
Remd what be theyr names, tel me what they be,
Wyll. That on is Iohn Irische abd Iohn sholer But ful these be honest men all three
Health Trust not their wordes they wyll dessemble styll They are so false and crafty, all theyr intent is yll. 870
Wyll. ye lye falsely I fpeake but right and reason And by the law of armes ye must nedes be tane you are called good remedy which at al feason Sholde leaue to mans lyfe, and maintaine the same we be here both your prisoners wrongfully accused bi defame Kepe one of vs fast let him lye for all That other for frendes and wytnes goo shall.
wytte, Syr let hym not goo and leue me behynde He wyl euer be a false knaue, for I know his mynde
Wyll. Holde thy tonge folish knaue I do not meane so 880
Remdt I here now ye cannot agre, which of you should go
Wyll. No by gods body there shall none go but I
Wytte. Thou playest the knaue it must nedes be I
Health Kepe them safe I pray you for yf they scap againe Many men shal repent it, it shalbe to our payne
Remdi They be here yet, to kepe them fast is myne intent, Haue them away both to prison in continent.
wyll. Lo false knaue this is for thy crafty wif. Now fast by the heeles we are lake to syt.
Wytte. I am content so that I may haue compeny 890 yf I shold behanged, I wold be haged honest
& goth out
Remdi Go hence with them & bring welth & liberty.
helth, Com away ye theues, now I shals kepe you surely,
& goth out
Wyll. Lock vs vp & kepe vs as fast as ye can yet yll wyl and shrewdwit shalbe with many a man.
Remdi I am halfe ashamed, that long it hath ben sayd That noble men by such wretches hath ben deceiued they did reioyce and iest, and were very well apaide Trusting to scape cleare, and styl for to haue rained But now they shall not so, let them be wel assured 900 That ylwyl and shrewde wyt shal haue but yl rest For wheresoeuer they be I wyll breake theyr nest
wealth In the honour of god we aske you forgeuenes althre we ought to be ashamed to looke you in the face By our foly & negligence, we haue done so vnwisely we were fowle deceyued, we put vs to your grace Thys shaibe a good warding for vs alonge space whan man is wel punished then he wyl beware who that knoweth what nede is, wel after drede care
Remdi I may not blame you gretly for by mine owne reaso 910 I know ylwyl and shrewdwit deceiueth great & smal yf ye can remabre thys. and beware a nother season This is a good example and lerning to you all Now serue god and loue him, & for grace euer call And ylwyl and shrewdewyt, from you I shall abstaine ye haue vsed them to longe to your domage and pain.
health. Forsoth syr ye sai trouth, they did vs great displesur Full hard it is to vanquishe the vngrocious ylwyl He is so croked, by flattery, dissulation & such other Mannes mynd is so variable, & glad to report yl 920 I feare many one yet wolde haue him raine styll For some vnto their owne wyl hath so much affection yet the devyl and yl wyl is both of one complexion
liberty= yll wyll is nought, but worse is shrewdwyt For he contryueth al subtil ymanginacien yt were vnpossyble for a man els to doo it shrewdwyt breweth myscef, & false conspyracion He hath put me lyberty in prison, ad great tribulacion if it had not bene for your good remedi & forberaūce I & other [that] hath libertie, shold haue bē in duraunce. 930
Remdi Be al of good chere, and haue no mistrust The ende of yl wyl and shrewd wyt is but shame Though they reygne a while, wrongfully and uniust yet truth wyll appeare and their misdedes blame Then wronge is subdued, and good remedy tane Though falsehod cloke, and hide his matters all Craft wyll out and disceite wyll haue a fall Whereas ye are now, in distresse all three Neare were ye brought in case lyke to marre Now haue ye no doubt, yf ye wyll be ruled after me 940 I shal rcstore ye agayne as well as euer ye were Welth kepe styll this realme, looke ye stray not farre And Helth be of good chere, your disease I can soone mēde Liberty now ye be released do no more offend,
wealth Now let vs al thake god [that] good remedy hath sende Trust to hym only for his grace and goodnes we are forgiuenes of our trespas I trust we wil amēd And cleane forsake syn, foly, and unthriftines th[us] we wil here coclude, soueraine of your graciousnes we besech you to remyt our negligence, & misbehauor 950 There we haue sayd amis, we comit al to your fauor
Health And for your preseruacion hartely we wyl pray your realme to increase, with ioy and tranquility That welth, helth & liberty, may continue here alway By the ouersight and aide of him that is good remdy which willingly doth his deuer, vnder your actoritye As parte here apereth your purpose to maintaine God rontinue his goodnes, that longe he may riagne
Remdi Iesu preserue quene Elizabeth, [that] noble prīcis worthy Iesu continue her helth long for to endure 960 Iesu indue her w vertue grace & honour Iesu maintaine the lords of [the] coūsel to execute good remedi euer Iesu spede and helpe al them gods honour to further Iesu increase the comunaltie to prosper and doo wel.
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