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.