[Peace entereth.
Peace. What man art thou that maketh such lamentation?
Pov. Master Peace! I desire you of pardon;
I am your servant, sometime called Prosperity.
Peace. How came thou to this perplexity?
Pov. Colhazard, Misrule, and false Envy
Brought me to this distress.
Peace. I showed thee before, plain, express:
Then of my words thou haddest disdain?
Pov. Therefore now it is to me great pain.
Peace. What persons are those that did him accuse?
Sum. Sir! he is put up by suit of office.
Peace. Suit of office? then it is so
There hath been credible persons, three or two,
Such articles to the judge did show.
He ought thereto to have good respect;
And do swear these persons upon a book—
For love, ne dread, they say but true—
For it is not leeful for a callet, a caitiff, or a knave
Against honest persons such matters for to have,
To put a man to open penance, without due proof.