Recently Recovered "Lost" Tudor Plays with some others

by Unknown

Abun. When thou seest my soul torn, set on a clout.
If falsehood, usury, and extortion should not rout,
Thousands in this realm should be put out;
The third part should not bide, by Saint Paul!

Cons. Yet often falsehood hath a great fall:
An example, by King Achab, which is soth,
Desired the vineyard of that poor man Naboth,
By counsel of Jezebel that king's wife.
Because he would not sell his possession,
Of two false witnesses he was peached of high treason;
And, through the mouth of a false quest, it rave;
Which caused the poor man to lose both land and life.
After that, of God's own bidding,
Came Helias the prophet to Achab the King;
Saying he should have evil ending.
And so he had; for by the way as he rode,
He fell and brake his neck where dogs lapped his blood.
This example, to all usurers and oppressors, as thinketh me,
Should cause them of God sore adread to be.

Abun. Sir, ye preach very holily, but our deeds be often contrary;
Ye be so acquainted with covetise and simony
That maketh us to take the same way.

Cons. So every evil disposed person doth say.
The frailty of man doth often offend;
Then call for grace, and shortly amend;
Therefore I counsel thee to pretend
To repent, and be sorry for thy misdeed.

Abun. Yet thus I will my life lead; B4,r.
For of your saying I take no heed.
Ye will mucker up both gold and treasure;
Ye have riches without measure;
And of the flesh ye have your pleasure;
Ye can find no ways to amend yourself, I you insure.
Therefore rebuke not me for my sin ne good:
God be with you! ye shall not rule me.

Cons. O dull wit! plunged by ignorance,
Regarding nothing of ghostly instruction,
Setting more his mind on worldly substance
Than on the everlasting life that is to come!
God will strike when He list; ye know not how soon.
Therefore to every man this counsel I give:
To be sorry for your sin and do penance while ye live.

Here cometh Envy running in, laughing, and saith to Conscience.

Envy. Now, in faith! I would ye had be there.

Cons. Where should I have be?

Envy. A better sport ye never see.