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.