Respublica. Avarice.
Resp. O Lord! Thy mercies shall I sing evermore
Which dost so tenderly Thy handmaid restore.
But what creature would suspicion have had
That my late administers had been men so bad?
Or, who would have thought them counterfeits to have been
That had heard their words, and their countenance seen?
And chiefly Avarice, which did the matter break?
Avar. That word toucheth me: now is time for me to speak.
Resp. I thought him Policy, as just and true as steel.
Avar. I am glad that by me ye do such goodness feel.
Resp. And that my wealth did grow, as it hath grown of late.
Avar. I ever told ye you should grow to this estate.
Resp. Thou tell me?
Avar. Yea! I told you so in very deed;
And highly I rejoice it doth so well succeed.
And salva festa dies upon you, Madame!
I am glad ye have got a new robe, so I am:
What saint in the calendar do we serve to-day,
That ye be so gorgeously decked, and so gay?
Resp. In rejoicing that I shall be clean rid of thee.