Wealth. In the honour of God we ask you forgiveness, all three;
We ought to be ashamed to look you in the face.
By our folly and negligence we have done so unwisely;
We were foully deceived; we put us to your grace:
This shall be a good warning for us a long space;
When man is well punished then he will beware;
Who that knoweth what need is, will after dread care.
Rem. I may not blame you greatly, for by mine own reason
I know Ill-Will and Shrewd Wit deceiveth great and small.
If ye can remember this, and beware another season,
This is a good example and learning to you all:
Now serve God and love Him, and for grace ever call,
And Ill-Will and Shrewd Wit from you I shall abstain:
Ye have used them too long to your damage and pain.
Health. Forsooth, sir! ye say truth; they did us great displeasure;
Full hard it is to vanquish the ungracious Ill-Will,
He is so crooked by flattery, dissimulation, and such other.
Man's mind is so variable, and glad to report ill,
I fear many one yet would have him reign still;
For some unto their own will hath so much affection:
Yet the devil and Ill-Will is both of one complexion.
Lib. Ill-Will is nought, but worse is Shrewd Wit;
For he contriveth all subtle imagination;
It were unpossible for a man else to do it.
Shrewd Wit breweth mischief, and false conspiration;
He hath put me, Liberty, in prison and great tribulation;
If it had not been for your good remedy and furtherance,
I, and other that hath liberty, should have been in durance.
Rem. Be all of good cheer, and have no mistrust!
The end of Ill-Will and Shrewd Wit is but shame.
Though they reign awhile, wrongfully and unjust,
Yet Truth will appear, and their misdeeds blame; D4,v.
Then wrong is subdued, and good remedy tane;
Though falsehood cloak and hide his matters all,
Craft will out, and deceit will have a fall.
Whereas ye are now in distress, all three,
Near were ye brought in case like to mar;
Now, have ye no doubt! if ye will be ruled after me
I shall restore ye again as well as ever ye were.
Wealth! keep still this realm; look ye stray not far!
And Health! be of good cheer! your disease I can soon mend.
Liberty! now ye be released, do no more offend!
Wealth. Now let us all thank God, that Good Remedy hath send;
Trust to Him only for His grace and goodness.
We axe forgiveness of our trespass; I trust we will amend,
And clean forsake sin, folly, and unthriftiness.
Thus we will here conclude. Sovereign! of your graciousness,
We beseech you to remit our negligence and misbehaviour:
There we have said amiss, we commit all to your favour.
Health. And for your preservation heartily we will pray;
Your realm to increase with joy and tranquillity;
That Wealth, Health, and Liberty may continue here alway,
By the oversight and aid of him that is Good Remedy;
Which willingly doth his duty under your authority,
As part here appeareth, your purpose to maintain:
God continue his goodness, that long he may reign.
Rem. Jesu! preserve Queen Elizabeth, the noble princess worthy!
Jesu! continue her health long for to endure!
Jesu! endue her in virtue, grace, and honour!
Jesu! maintain the Lords of the Council to execute good remedy ever!
Jesu! speed and help all them God's honour to further!
Jesu! increase the commonalty to prosper and do well!
Finis.