Mer. The sad petitions
Of the scorn'd son of earth, the god-like Anthropos,
He that has swell'd your sacred fires with incense,
And pil'd upon your Altars a thousand heifers;
He that (beguil'd by Vanity and Pleasure,
Desire, Craft, Flattery, and smooth Hypocrisie)
Stands now despis'd and ruin'd, left to Poverty.
Jup. It must not be; he was not rais'd for ruine;
Nor shall those hands heav'd at m[ine] Altars, perish:
He is our noblest creature. Flee to Time,
And charge him presently release the bands
Of Poverty and Want this suitor sinks in:
Tell him, among the Sun-burnt Indians,
That know no other wealth but Peace and pleasure,
She shall find golden Plutus, god of riches,
Who idly is ador'd, the innocent people
Not knowing yet what power and weight he carries:
Bid him compell him to his right use, honor,
And presently to live with Anthropos.
It is our Will. Away.
Mer. I do obey it. [Jupiter and Mercury ascend again.
Musick. Enter Plutus, with a troop of Indians, singing and dancing wildly about him, and bowing to him: which ended, Enter Time.
Time. Rise, and away; 'tis Joves command.
Plut. I will not:
Ye have some fool to furnish now; some Midas
That to no purpose I must choak with riches.
Who must I go to?
Time. To the son of earth;
He wants the god of wealth.
Plut. Let him want still:
I was too lately with him, almost torn
Into ten thousand pieces by his followers:
I could not sleep, but Craft or Vanity
Were filing off my fingers; not eat, for fear
Pleasure would cast her self into my belly,
And there surprize my heart.
Time. These have forsaken him:
Make haste then, thou must with me: be not angry,
For fear a greater anger light upon thee.
Plut. I do obey then: but change my figure;
For when I willingly befriend a creature,
Goodly, and full of glory I shew to him;
But when I am compell'd, old, and decrepid,
I halt, and hang upon my staff. Farewell, friends,
I will not be long from ye; all my servants
I leave among ye still, and my chief riches.