JUDGE.
Tell me, when have you heard of Simony?
DILIGENCE. He was seen this day walking in Paul's, having conference and very great familiarity with some of the clergy.
JUDGE.
Fetch Lucre and Conscience to the bar.
DILIGENCE.
Behold, worthy judge, here ready they are.
Enter LUCRE and CONSCIENCE.
JUDGE.
Stand forth. Diligence, divide them asunder.
CLERK.
Lucre, thou art indicted by the name of Lucre,
To have committed adultery with Mercatore the merchant and
Creticus the lawyer.
Thou art also indicted for the robbery of Mercatore:
Lastly and chiefly, for the consenting to the murder of Hospitality.
What sayest thou, art thou guilty or not in these causes?
LUCRE.
Not guilty. Where are mine accusers? they may shame to show their faces:
I warrant you, none comes, nor dare, to discredit my name.
In despite of the teeth of them that dare, I speak in disdain.
JUDGE.
Impudent! canst thou deny deeds so manifestly known?
LUCRE.
In denial stands trial: I shame not; let them be shown.
It grinds my gall they should slander me on this sort:
They are some old-cankered currish corrupt carls, that gave
me this report.
My soul craves revenge on such my secret[228] foes,
And revengement I will have, if body and soul I lose.