Cons. Why what fault have they found
With him, so to do?
Envy. His wit is nought, they say; also,
Every man putteth his will thereto,
To banish him for ever.
Cons. I know well it is not as ye say;
For I am Conscience, the high judge of the law.
Envy. Be ye Conscience? alas! that ever I this day saw!
If ye be taken, ye shall be hanged and draw;
For they have utterly put you down,
And set Covetise in your room,
Subtilty the scribe, his own cousin,
And Falsehood the Sumner, for the Court's promotion.
Cons. I marvel wherefore this was done.
Envy. When riches came before you, that much will pay—
There he had lived in sin many a day—
Ye should for money let him go quit away,
And put him to no shame.
Let poverty do penance for a little offence:
He is not able to promote you of twenty pence.
Then should ye have kept your residence,
And gotten yourself a good name.
Cons. Who so doeth they are to blame
In misordering them in such wise.
[Envy.] Y-wys, cousin! I show you as now is the guise;
For by covetise much people doth uprise, C1,v.
Which is against both you and me.
Cons. Charity, I pray you show what remedy
In this matter, for me, may be found.
Envy. Shortly, get you to wilderness, or some other region;
For they will hang you up at the Tyborn
If they find you in this place;
And I must depart also.