Imp. Pov. Sir, gramercy that ye have brought me to this estate;
By your advertisement I am willing to live in Christ's law;
Thereas I have offended Him, both early and late;
I served Him not for love, nor for awe;
Therefore, now right well I know
That poverty and misery that I my life inlead
It is but only punishment for my misdeed.
Peace. Now, or we any further proceed,
Hold this vesture, and put it on thee;
From henceforth thou shalt be called Prosperity.
Prosperity. I thank God, and you! I am in felicity.
Peace. Now, unto you I shall here shew
Of such things as ye shall eschew.
First, your soul look that ye keep clean;
Beware of misrule in any wise;
Play not at cailes, cards, nor dice;
Also from miswomen, for by them mischief may rise,
As it doth often; this daily is seen;
Haunt no taverns, nor sit not up late;
Let not hassard nor rioter with you be checkmate;
For then will Envy come, and make debate,
The which shall cause great trouble. B1,v.
Be plentiful of such as God hath sent;
Unto the poor people give with good intent;
For every penny that so is spent
God will send thee double—
Take heed and do as I have said.
Pros. Sir! therewith I hold me well apaid;
As ye have commanded me, it shall be done.
Peace. Then let us depart for a season;
If ye need, I will be your protection.
[Exeunt ambo.
[Enter Abundance and Conscience.]
Abundance. Joy and solace be in this hall!
Is there no man here that knoweth me at all?
I am beloved, both with great and small;
Abundance is my name.
I have all things as me list:
Meat, drink, and cloth of the best;
Gold and silver, full is every chest—
In faith! I will not layne.
I think ye know not my ways,
How I get goods, now-a-days,
By a proper mean.
Think you that I wold
Lend either silver or gold?
That day shall not be seen.
But I will lend them ware,
That shall be both bad and dear,
Not worth the money he shall pay;
And if he can no surety get,
Of my ware he getteth right nought
Without a good pledge he lay.
Then will I, for mine avail,
He shall make a bill of sale;
To me full bought and sold.
If the day be expired and past, B2,r.
Then will I hold it fast;
He shall not have it though he would.
Thus, craft I have long used;
And some men do not yet refuse it:
This is be openly known.
What is he, in all this town,
That will lend without singular commodum?
Should I lend without a profit?
Nay, then I hold nought worth my wit.