Peace. Thou art well punished for thy trespass.
By thine own sensual and undiscreet operation
Hath brought thee to all this tribulation.
Stand up! with this vesture I shall thee renew.
Pov. Sir! I thank you, and will do at your reformation; E2,r.
And for my time mispent I am sore ashamed.
Peace. If ye do as I you bid, ye shall not be blamed.
Forsake Envy and Misrule with all their old peers;
Be conversant with good men; goodness thereof will grow.
Follow the saying of David: Cum sancto sanctus eris;
For wicked men evermore wicked seed do sow.
What cometh of evil company, now thyself doth know;
Print it well in thy memory, and do it not forget:
Many a man doth decay for lack of good forewit.
Pros. Sir! your sayings is full true; I have perceived it;
And for the virtuous counsel that ye to me have give,
I shall be your orator while I have a day to live.
Peace. Sovereigns! here may ye see proved, before you all,
Of this wanton world the great fragility;
Ever mutable of the turning, as a ball.
Now, flood of riches; now, ebb of poverty:
What should men set by this world's vanity?
Think on this lesson, and do it not forget:
The gayest of us all is but worms' meat.
Pros. With the supportation of this noble audience,
We have here showed this simple interlude;
Beseeching you of your benevolence to take patience.
It is but a mirror vice to exclude.
The maker hereof, his intent was good,
No man to displease, old nor young;
If any fault be therein we desire you of pardon.
Peace. Let us pray all to that Lord of great magnificence
To send among us rest, peace, and unity.
And Jesu preserve our sovereign Queen of preclair pre-eminence,
With all her noble consanguinity;
And to send them grace to the issue to obtain,
After them to rule this most Christian realm. E2,v.
O good Lord! as Thou art omnipotent,
Have regard unto my petition!
Conserve this noble realm, and all that are present,
Of thy eternal Deity grant them all thy fruition;
And from our mortal enemies be our protection.
Jesu! as Thou us redeemed, bring us to the bless
Thereas angels sing: Gloria in excelsis.
Amen.
Thus endeth the interlude called Impatient Poverty.
[Here follow two ornaments and between them the colophon as on page [312].]