Man. Well, I assent gladly thereto;
As in that one point I am fully taught:
Wit is nothing worth till it be dear bought!
But what other amends shall I make,
The foul sin of avarice to suage and a-slake?
Lib. Thou must have compassion, and also be liberal
Unto thy neighbour at his necessity.
Man. I trow ye would have me to give away all,
And leave myself nought!
Lib. I mean not so, pardy!
For that is waste and sinful prodigality.
Take the midway, betwixt them two,
And flee the extremities howsoever thou do.
Thou must thy worldly goods so employ,
In charitable deeds with due compassion,
That thou mayest buy everlasting joy
For the good intent of that distribution.
Thou mayest also give them to thy damnation;
As when thou doest it to win thereby
Praising of the people, or some other vain glory.
For, trust it well! thou must give a reckoning
Of all the goods that come to thine use.
The high Judge that knoweth all thing,
To whom thou shalt thyself accuse,
Without any appeal or feigned excuse
... in this case
From whom thou canst not hide thy face.
There shalt thou openly show and confess
How that goods came to thy possession;
What mind and pleasure thou had'st in riches;
And why thou had'st therein such affection;
What alms-deed or other good distribution;
Or how thou hast these goods wasted or abused—
There it shall be known: it cannot be refused.
Then, as I said to thee before,
Thou shalt receive after thy deserving:
Joy or else pain to endure evermore.
Man. Truly this is a fearful thing!
Lib. Therefore, remember well my saying;
Mark well my counsel, and follow the same.
Man. If I did not I were greatly to blame!
Then Liberality goeth out and Abstinence and Chastity come in.
Abst. The remedy of Gluttony I can well teach:
I am ordained only for that intent.
Man. And I have great need of such a leech;
Your counsel to me is right expedient.