ACTUS PRIMI, SCENA TERTIA.
Avarice. Insolence. Oppression. Adulation.
Avarice. It was a fair grace that I was not undone clean;
Yet my key was safe locked under mine locks, I ween.
But e'en, as against such a thing my heart will throb,
I found knaves about my house, ready me to rob.
There was such tooting, such looking, and such prying;
Such hearkening, such stalking, such watching, such spying.
"What would ye, my masters?" "We look after a cat."
"What make ye hereabout?" "We have smelled a rat."
Now, a weal on such noses! thought I, by and by,
That so quickly can scent where hidden gold doth lie.
But had I not come when I did, without all fails,
I think they had digged up my walls with their nails!
Insol. Let us speak to him, and break his chafing talk.
Avar. Such greediness of money among men doth walk
That, have it they will, either by hook or by crook!
Oppr. Let us call to him that he may this way look.
Avar. Whether by right, or by wrong, in faith! some care not:
Therefore, catch that catch may, hardely, and spare not!
Adul. All hail our founder and chief, Master Avarice!
Avar. The devil is a knave, an I catch not a flyce.
Adul. When ye see your time, look this way, your friends upon!