HOST. Then, neighbour, let us here no longer stay,
But hence and lay the country roundabout:
They shall be quickly found, I have no doubt.
[Exeunt.
SCENE III.
Enter VIRTUE and EQUITY, with other attendants.
VIR. My lords, you see how far this worldly state perverted is;
From good declin'd, inclined still to follow things amiss:
You see but very few that make of Virtue any price:
You see all sorts with hungry wills run headlong into vice.
EQ. We see it oft, we sorrow much, and heartily lament,
That of himself man should not have a better government.
VER. The very beasts that be devoid of reason, dull and dumb,
By nature learn to shun those things whereof their hurt may come.
If man were then but as a beast, only by nature taught,
He would also by nature learn to shun what things are nought.
But man with reason is endued: he reason hath for stay;
Which reason should restrain his will from going much astray.
EQ. Madam, 'tis true:
Where reason rules, there is the golden mean.
VER. But most men stoop to stubborn will,
Which conquereth reason clean.
EQ. And will again to fancy yields,
Which twain be special guides,
That train a man to tread ill paths,
Where ease and pleasure bides.