Wit. Hance! ye must go to the court, and for Wealth inquire.
Hance. What segte ye, Wealth? nenyke he is net hore;
Wealth best in Flanders; ic myself brought him dore.
Ill-W. Beshrew your whoreson Fleming's heart, therefore!
Indeed, as he saith, by war in Flanders there is wealth.
Hance. Segt ye dat brower? by the moder Got dan!
Gut naught ic mot watt, to sent Cafrin, to mi lamnan store.
[And goeth out.
Ill-W. Is he gone? farewell, Hanijkin Bowse!
I pray God give him a hounded drouse;
For I trow a knave brought him to house.
But now, Brother Wit!
We must devose how that we may
Be in service with Wealth alway;
Let me hear what thou canst do, or say,
To help for to contrive it.
Wit. For thy pleasure that I shall.
This will I do first of all:
Flatter and lie, and evermore call
Them my good masters still.
Then with swearing, lying, and polling,
Bribery, theft, and privy picking,
Thus I, Shrewd Wit, will ever be doing,
I warrant thee, Ill-Will!
Ill-W. I can thee thank; this is well devised;
And I, Ill-Will, would have every man despised.
But now, another thing must be contrived, C1,r.
Or else all will be nought.
There is one they call Good Remedy
In this realm; he hath great authority;
He is a noble man, and much worthy:
Many things he hath wrought.
He is called lust, discreet, and indifferent,
Willing to fulfil his sovereign's commandment;
He is not 'fraid to do right punishment;
Therefore of him I am afraid!
Wit. So am I, too; this maketh me very sad.
Yet, oftentimes, I have been hard bestrad;
Now that I am warned of him I am very glad:
S[ome crafty wile] for him [shall ye] had.
Ill-W. Peace! no mo words; but mum!
Methink I hear mast Wealth come.
Kneel down and say such devout orison
That they may hear us pray.
Now, Jesu save Wealth, Health, and Liberty!