Conscience. All this ye say is against Conscience.
Abun. Conscience, quod a? Nay, then shall we never thrive!
For I know him not alive
By conscience that cometh to substance.
I have all manner of marchandy;
I sell for long days to them that are needy,
And for the payment I have good surety,
Bound in statute marchant.
Because I may forbear,
I sell my ware so dear;
I make forty of twenty in half a year:
Other men do so as well as I.
Cons. Evensine very shame! marry, fie!
These goods are gotten untruly;
Many a man is undone thereby,
To take this ware so dear.
Abun. They seek to me both far and near;
Methink it is a good deed
To help a man at his need.
Yet have I other means
Whereby I get great gains:
I think ye know not that.
Cons. I? no, God wot!
Abun. No, ye are but an idiot! B2,v.
I sold a man as much ware as came to forty pound,
And in an obligation I had him bound
To pay me at a certain day;
And when the bargain was made plain,
Mine own servant bought the same ware again
For the third penny it cost—ye wot what I mean!
But was not this a wise way?
Cons. Thou shalt repent it another day;
I charge thee, as far as I may,
Such false ways never begin.
Abun. Wherefore? this is no sin:
It is plain buying and selling;
Lawful it is for a man to win,
Else rich shall he never be.
Cons. Winning, to be had with due sufficiance,
In true buying and selling is not to discommend;
But for thy false usury thou art cursed in the sentence.
I pray God give thee grace for to amend.
Abun. Is every man accursed that doth buy and sell?
Then shall no man with merchandise mell:
How shall the world then be uphold?