Title: The Interlude of Wealth and Health
Author: Anonymous
Editor: Percy Simpson
Release date: December 9, 2005 [eBook #17270]
Most recently updated: December 13, 2020
Language: English
Original publication: The Malone Society
Credits: Produced by Jason Isbell and the Online Distributed
Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was
produced from images generously made available by The
Internet Archive/Canadian Libraries)
Transcriber's Notes:
This early English text was printed in a black-letter font. Some of the letters used are not found on a typewriter. In the e-text those letters that have no modern equivalent are transcribed with their meaning. For example, there is a letter that looks like a "w" with a "t" over it. This means with. You will find this in the text as [with]. Others you will find are [the], [that], and [thou]. You will also find the suffix [us].
All typos were kept as close as possible to the original. This e-text is based on the 1907 edition which included a long list of these typos and some of their possible meanings along with the editor's note. This list had many letters typeset upside down. For this e-text they were righted.
Long s's are used as the html entity ſ and look like this: ſ. If that character does not look right, your font does not support long s's and you may want to try a more complete font.
In the original most of the stage directions were not set apart from the rest of the text. I separated the stage directions from the text and put them in italics.
Early in the craft year which began on 19 July 1557, and was the first of the chartered existence of the Stationers' Company, John Waley, or Wally, entered what was no doubt the present play on the Register along with several other works. The entry runs as follows:
To master John wally these bokes Called Welth and helthe/the treatise of the ffrere and the boye / stans puer ad mensam another of youghte charyte and humylyte an a b c for cheldren in englesshe with syllabes also a boke called an hundreth mery tayles ijs [Arber's Transcript, I. 75.]
That Waley printed an edition is therefore to be presumed, but it does not necessarily follow that the extant copy, which though perfect bears neither date nor printer's name, ever belonged to it. Indeed, a comparison with a number of works to which he did affix his name suggests grave doubts on the subject. Though not a high-class printer, there seems no reason to ascribe to him a piece of work which for badness alike of composition and press-work appears to be unique among the dramatic productions of the sixteenth century.
'Wealth and health' appears among the titles in the list of plays appended to the edition of Goffe's Careless Shepherdess, printed for Rogers and Ley in 1656. The entry was repeated with the designation 'C[omedy].' in Archer's list of the same year, and, without the addition, in those of Kirkman in 1661 and 1671. In 1691 Langbaine wrote 'Wealth and Health, a Play of which I can give no Account.' Gildon has no further information to offer, nor have any of his immediate followers. Chetwood, in 1752, classes it among 'Plays Wrote by Anonymous Authors in the 16th [by which he means the seventeenth] Century,' calls it 'an Interlude' and dates it 1602. This invention was only copied in those lists which depended directly on Chetwood's, such as the Playhouse Pocket-Companion of 1779. Meanwhile, in his Companion to the Play-House of 1764, D.E. Baker, relying upon Coxeter's notes, gave an essentially accurate description of the piece, except that he asserted it to be 'full of Sport and mery Pastyme,' and described it as an octavo. This entry has been copied by subsequent bibliographers, none of whom have seen the original.
The play was among those discovered in Ireland in the spring of 1906 and sold at Sotheby's on 30 June, when it was purchased for the British Museum at the price of one hundred and ninety-five pounds. Its press-mark is C. 34. i. 25.
The extremely careless typography of the original makes the task of reprinting a difficult one. Ordinary misprints abound, and these have been scrupulously retained, a list of irregularities being added below. It has, however, proved impossible to arrive at any satisfactory method of distinguishing between 'n' and 'u.' In the first hundred lines, which are by no means the worst printed, there are thirty-two cases in which the letter is indistinguishable, eighteen cases of an apparent 'u' which should be 'n,' and seven cases of an apparent 'n' which should be 'u.' When it is further remembered that there are few cases in which it is possible to say for certain that a letter really is what it appears to be, and none in which it may not be turned, some idea of the difficulty in the way of reprinting will be obtained. To have followed the original in this matter would have been to introduce another misprint into at least every fourth line, while even so several hundred cases would have remained which could only have been decided according to the apparent sense of the passage. The only rational course was to treat the letters as indistinguishable throughout, and to print in each instance whichever the sense seemed to require. Again, as the superscript letters 'c,' 'e,' 't,' are seldom distinguishable, the printer has been given the benefit of the doubt. Another difficulty arose in connection with the speakers' names. In the original these have often dropt from their proper places, which can now only be ascertained from the sense and the not very regular indentation. With some hesitation it has been decided to restore them to the positions they should apparently occupy, noting all cases in which they are a line or more out in the original. Lastly it may be remarked that in the speeches which aim at imitating foreign languages the apparent readings of the very indistinct original have been scrupulously reproduced, and no attempt has been made, even in the subjoined list, to suggest any corrections.
In the last sheet some of the pages are cropt at the foot. In most cases nothing more than the catchword has disappeared, and although between lines 768 and 769 something seems to be lost, it is doubtful whether this is due to the cropping, since D1v has already one line too many.
The original is printed in the ordinary black letter of the period, of the body known as English (20 ll. = 94 mm.).
Tit. att his
5. tcowe
7. fleepe(?)
13. nof
24. Weith
25. Iam
27. ofcompariſon
29. ſo (too?)
38. yeth
41. dyſpayre (dyſprayſe)
50. marualufly
52. iu
54. ts
57. ſtander ... nowe
58. ſelte
62. Inlykewiſe
63. Wh en (?) (no catchword)
66. deſyred
70. thouart
74. anſwerrd
75. wellh
76. thou' fagetyue (or ?tagetyue)
80. Thai
84. benefites
95. welth hatg ... freaſure
98. ſtands (the 'ſ' doubtful)
100. cempetent
105. Ye
107. otherwelth
109. Euerywiſe
110. dtſpoſicions
127. ſaue (the 'e' doubtful)
134. woth
137. ſtealeth
144. hit
149. a wreke
150. nf
159. (no catchword)
164. nhw indifferenily
165. me
168. Weith
177. tryaſure
178. yfthey
191. (no catchword)
195. please youto
197. libert
201. werwhy (me, why?)
207. feloweh
214. ſhalde
216. crow
224. beholde (be bolde)
234. wyſe (the 'ſ' doubtful)
ifye (if he?)
237. yllibert
238. notfore
249. lubſtaunce
250. werr
251. whyce
253. luſt (luſty)
257. lybertye
258. H elth (?)
267. ran
270. loboure
275. ofliberty ... ſuter
278. alytle
286. acquanted
289. Dryue (the 'y' doubtful)
290. Wy ll (?) ... C (I)
294. [H]ealth
306. Chriſt
312. kindes
315. Arquaintance
318. fo
319. lybertyeis
320. lyberfye, wili
bebolde (be bolde)
322. Thyrfore
324. lybrtye
328. ano
337. pas (paſt)
364. ther
367. let hym (hem)
373. Wytte (Will)
379. felfe
383. caa
386. thought (ſought)
391. ſrhon (?)
397. be gins
398. ſleminge
400. ſlemminges
wilmar (?)
405. icvell
408. lonck
410. ic compte hore
414. Nae
424. ſſaunders
425. ſleminges
426. theris
433. deuoſe
440. ftyll (?)
443. ſhred wet
445. Wyll ... cun
447. thing
450. geeat actortty
452. hach
453. luſt (iuſt) ... indifference
460. ſhalbe (the 'ſ' doubtful)
470. berter
473. mayay (or ? nayay, reading very doubtful; may ſay?)
475. Forfoth ... vrother
479. in (the 'n' doubtful)
485. wel ... ſlye (flyt?)
498. you
501. vegyled
502. councelll
507. Wy ll (?)
508. fhe (?)
509. chat ... alw ay
511. meaneth (the 't' doubtful)
520. [Liberty?]
531. oardon
534. am be(?) ... well
545. Gngland
547. renlmes
548. thy (they)
551. rm
553. apart ... aceoritie
554. R[e]md[i]
558. for (the 'f' doubtful)
561. prefercing (?)
567. ehis
568. percelue
596. b e (?)
600. yoor (?)
601. tohether
605. exchewe ... Ill
607. tēp
609. ſach
613. [(]wil
616. apare
618. larye
622. chat
624. afryde
629. Hew
630. p=omiſe (the '=' doubtful)
631. ſſtyeſt (ſpyeſt?)
632. lok e
633. crooke (the 'e' doubtful)
636. Wyll. (below l. 637)
tor
653. euey
654. ofhell(?)
662. falfe
666. libertideſpiſe
667. mateer
668. wet, ler ... [Will.]
669. a none
675. thiag
676. Afirr (After)
685. I tis
686. ihe
693. with ... conoenient
695. Wyll. (opposite l. 696)
angey
699. tor
705. he
711. Wytte (opposite l. 712)
716. rhe
719. Wyll. (opposite l. 718)
724. wich
731. welco me
health (opposite l. 730)
734. (no catchword)
735. her (hert ?)
736. v s (?)
740. .abor
742. ſha me (?)
753. H ance (?)
755. Hance (the 'e' doubtful)
756. nothin
757. H ance (?)
760. allaunts ... reale
764. ſelfeloue (?)
deſcone (?)
766. ſubtel tiget
768. (catchword cut off?)
769. [Remedy.] (but a whole line probably missing)
772. Ic ... Remdi (the 'i' doubtful)
773. i (I or ī)
776. fleming (the 'f' doubtful) ... lenger
780. tiberty
782. Health (opposite l. 781)
785. nof (?)
787. affirmity
790. Health (opposite l. 791)
791. maladi (the 'l' doubtful)
796. ye t
798. people (the second 'e' doubtful) ... detelt
799. theroffor (?)
801. A mendes
(catchword cropt)
803. doone (the 'd' doubtful)
804. helfe a mendes
807. neceſlitie (?)
820. thinketh (the second 't' doubtful)
821. herc
822. ve
823. eafe ano
826. warre
828. boyde
830. weae ... uhat hrlth
831. ſaw ſaw
833. tſte
834. (catchword cropt)
836. liuingl
838. abouf (?)
841. blam
842. Co ſtaunder
vndeſrrued
843. drpart
846. ſpy&nardo
847. folse chefe ... Health
849. wiltel
850. ia
851. peca (the 'e' doubtful)
853. meae
856. fheſe
861. contra
863. three
864. I Iyfgo ... them
(there is no lead between Wyll. and Wytte.; the speakers' names to ll. 862-3 are half a line too low, those to ll. 865-7 half a line too high)
866. Remd[i]
867. abd ... (signature and catchword cut off?)
868. ful
871. fpeake
873. feason
881. Remdt
882. thete (?)
887. in continent
888. wif
889. lake
891. behanged
893. ſhalſ
901. ſhrew de
903. althre
907. ſhaibe ... warding
alonge
909. wel
912. remābre ... a nother
917. diſpleſur
918. vngrocious
919. diſſulation
923. devyl
924. liberty= (the '=' doubtful; opposite l. 923)
925. ymanginacien
927. myſcef
928. priſon
933. (catchword cropt)
940. yfye (?)
941. rcſtore
954. Thar (?)
955. remdy
956. deuer
958. riagne
960. rontinue
961. w ([with])
FACSIMILES BY HORACE HART, M.A., AT THE OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS
¶ The Names of the players.
Welth.
Helth,
Lybertie.
Ilwyll.
Shrowdwyt.
Hance.
Remedy
Foure may eaſely play this Playe.
¶ Here entreth Welth, and Helth ſynging together
a balet of two partes, and after ſpeaketh
Welth.
Why is there no curteſy, now I am come
I tcowe that all the people be dume
Or els ſo god helpe me and halydum
They were almost a fleepe.
No wordes I harde, nor yet no talking
No inſtrument went nor ballattes ſynging
What ayles you all thus to ſyt dreaming 10
Of whom take ye care?
Of my coming ye may be glad
Therefore I pray you be nof ſad
For all your deſyre ſhall be had
I can amende your cheare
By God I thinke ye haue forgotten me
I am welth of this realme looke upon me
For I am to euery man louing and freendly
For welth hath no pere.
Helth. Brother welth haue ye not yet doone? 20
ye prayſe your ſelfe aboue the moone
Euery man may perceyue therby ſoone
That you lacke diſcreſyon
Weith. Wherfore, by god I cannot ſay to much
Iam ſo welthy of ſubſtaunce and rych
In all the worlde where is one ſuch
As I am ofcompariſon.
Helth. Welth is good I cannot denay
Yet prayſe your ſelfe ſo muche ye may
For welth oftentimes doth decay 30
And welth is nothing ſure.
Welth. Welth hath ben euer in this countrey
And here I purpoſe ſtyll for to be
For this is the lande moſt mete for me
And here I wyll endure.
Health Therin ye ſpeake full louingle
For in this realme welth ſhould be
yeth no diſpleaſure I pray you hartely
But in the way of communicacion.
And for paſtyme I would ſpeake ſome wayes 40
Of no compariſon, nor to you no dyſpayre,
I doo not intende that maner alwayes,
But for a recreation,
Wealth Brother what ſoeuer ye ſay to me.
I wyll heare you paciently
I am content and I thanke you hartely
Begyn and ſay your pleaſure
Health I thanke you hartely then wyll I
Some what unto my purpoſe apply
Though welth be praiſed marualufly 50
Yet to myne underſtanding.
Welth is mutable, and that iu ſhame
And welth is hauty and proude of name
Welth is cruell, and in great blame
For welth ts euer wauerynge.
Wealth. To whom haue I doone any harme can ye ſay,
Ye ſtander me nowe, yet I truſt I may
Aunſwere for my ſelte in euery maner way
Ye wyl not deny that?
Health God forbyd but ye ſhould do ſo 60
And ye may doo it whether I wyl or no
Inlykewiſe, I muſt anſwer you alſo
When ye ſay not true.
Though I be but to you a poore man
yet helth I height, the ſame I am
That is deſyred vniuerſally than
Some calles me as good as you
Welth. As I, mary ther in deede ye do compare.
Such wordes myght brynge you ſoone in care
Lewde parſon, thouart not ware 70
Of what ſubſtaunce I am
Health. Yes I can tell what you are, be not dyſpleaſed
welth is of great ſubſtaunce, that cannot be denyed
yet ſhew your comodities, and ye ſhalbe anſwerrd
I promyſe you wellh is fugitiue.
wealth What ſayſt thou, am I a fagetyue
I was neuer ſo taken vp in my lyfe
Nor called vnſure, well I wyll make no ſtryfe
yet where as thou doſt ſay,
Thai I ſhould ſhow my commodityes alwayes 80
The beſt for my ſelfe wherof I aſke prayſe
yf I ſhoulde ſtand her all my lyfe dayes
yet I coulde not ſay.
Nor halfe the benefites that commeth of me
yt cannot be tolde nor reſyted ſhortly
Welth is the floure of althing earthly
That you cannot denye.
Ferſte god ſaue, our ſoueraine Ladye the Queene
With all the counſel and all that with them bene
Am not I welth with them euer at ene 90
Who ſhould be there but I?
Men of the lawe, and ioly rych marchauntes
There be welthy both of goodes and lands,
Without comparyſon is in their handes
I welth hatg all freaſure.
Health. O good ſyr, of whom commeth all this
Of god only, to you no thanke Iwys
And yet mans welth ſtands not all in ryches
I dare ſaye that boldly,
Whan a man hath a cempetent liuing 100
with the grace of god that paſſeth all thyng
Loue of his neyghbour, and good reporting
Then is he welthy,
Welth of goodes is but a fame
Ye is welthy that hath a good name
Euery wyſe man wyll coueyte the ſame
For otherwelth I not reche
yf a man haue neuer ſo much good name
Euerywiſe man wyll coueyte the ſame
if his dtſpoſicions be nought and wood 110
Then he is but a wretch,
Welth. Nay thou art a wretch, and a foole vnwyſe
welth of ryches thus to deſpyſe
Doeſt thou not ſe all the worlde aryſe
By goodes and ſubſtaunce
He that hath plenty of ſyluer and golde
May haue all thyng whatſoeuer he woulde
Whan can welth lacke, ſeing all thing is ſolde
And welth is of aſſuraunce.
Health I denye that, your ſaying is nought 120
Grace, heauen, nor cunning, cannot be bought
without great paine, ād good dedes wrought
Els man cannot them haue.
wealth Stop thereat, and hold thy peace
May not men by heauen with richeſſe
As to bylde churches and make bye wayes
Such deedes mans ſoule doth ſaue
Health Yea, but yet ye must marke one thynge
yf theſe goodes came with wronge doyng
Shall ye haue heauen for ſo ſpendynge 130
Or yet any mede.
Nay nay except that man himſelfe doo meeke
And make reſyſtance the ryght honour to ſeeke
Els all ſuch good dedes is not woth a leeke
welth hereof take heede.
wealth. Why thinkeſt thou that all men which hath welth
Getteth theyr goodes with brybry and ſtealeth
Thy reporte is nought therfore Helthe
I counſell thee to ſay the beſt.
Health So I wyll, but yet I muſt ſay true 140
And now a lyttle more I wyll ſay to you
Much ſorowe and care welth doth brewe
He is ſeldome in reſt.
when a man is a lyttle hit and welthy
And hath in his cheſte treaſures plentye
Then wyl he wrangle, and do ſhreudly
By his power and might.
With his neighboures he wyll go to lawe
And a wreke his malyce for valew of ſtrawe
welth is fykle and out nf awe 150
wylfull in wronge or ryght
Welth. Thou ſpeakest with a ſlaunderous tonge
All of euyll wyll, and yet it is wronge
welth in this realme hath bin longe
Of me commeth great honour.
Because that I welth hath great porte
All the worlde, hyther doth resorte
Therfore I welth, am this realmes comfort,
And here I wyll indure.
Helth. So I wold ye ſhould, and I ſhall do the ſame 160
Helth I am called, and that is my name
If I would not abyde heare I were to blame
For here I am well cheriſhed
Yet ſay your ſelfe, nhw indifferenily
And if euery man doo not loue me
Helth as well as welth, yes verely
Therof I dare be reported
Weith. Why ſhould they loue thee? that woulde I knowe
As wel as me, I pray you ſhowe
I am the ſuperiour of hie and lowe 170
No man may compare with me.
Helth. To ſhew why I wyll not be afraied
For I can bide by that I haue ſayde
Yf welthy men be very well apayd
Or muche they ſet you by.
But of welth, if they haue neuer ſo much
Goodes, tryaſure and golde, and be called rych
Yet yfthey lacke helth, there payne is ſuche
That they were better dye.
A man to were golde, and be in payne 180
What ioy hath he? none, but would be fayne
To giue all his treaſure for helth playne
Or els he were very mad:
For if a man be neuer so poure
Yet if he haue helth, that is a treaſure,
Then for his liuing, he may laboure
And in his harte be glad,
Welth. I neuer marked thus muche, nor vnderſtood
That Helth was ſuch a treaſure, and to man ſo good
Wherfore I am ſory, and I wil chaunge my moode 190
Now I pray you forgiue me.
Health I will forgiue or els I were to blame
And I pray you to forgiue me the ſame
I loue you hartly, and wyll prayſe your name
yf it pleafe youto keepe my company.
¶ Here entreth lyberty with a ſong & after ſpeaketh
libert Why tary ſyrs whether are ye going
I ſee well ye looked not for my comming
Loe, out of ſyght out of remembryng
Abſence is cauſe of ſtraungnes, 200
What looke ye on werwhy are ye ſo ſtraunge
From your fellow liberty, doth your minds chaūge
In your company I was wont to range
What nedes all this buſines,
wealth By liberty now I doo not ſet
Seyng that helth and I am met
As feloweh together no man ſhall let
Me for to loue hym beſt.
liberty. Let me heare what ye do ſay
Then ye are about to caſt me away 210
How happes this? mary then I may
Goe pyke ſtrawes and take me reſt.
I pray you tell me whom I haue offended
yf I haue made a faute it ſhalde amended
with ſo ſhorte warning let me not be voyded
I crow yet ye do but iest.
Helth. Why do ye make this cauelacion
we entende to make no alteracyon
welth and I haue had communication
He is my freende of olde. 220
liberty What was the matter, I pray you tell
Me thinkes I ought to be of counſel
Or els I promyſe you ye doo not well
With you I ſhould beholde.
Welth. The matter is doone we are agreed
To reſaon it more it ſhall not neede
O brother helth, thou art in deede
More preciouſer than golde.
liberty. Gods bodi how commeth this gere to pas
I am caſt out at the cartes arſe 230
The worlde is nothing as it was
For I am here refuſed
Health Why be you angry that we doo agree
Then are ye not wyſe, for ifye loue me
I will loue hym agayne, ſo it ſhould be
Or els I were myſaduised
yllibert Then of my loue ye ſet no ſtore
My company I ſee well ye looked notfore
Farewell I wyll get me out of the doore
yet I am your betters and ſo am I called. 240
wealth Such preſumptuouſe wordes wyll haue a fall
your comparyſon is but feble and ſmall
What can ye do nothyng at all
As you haue reputed.
liberti. What were ye both two, were not I.
Wretches and caytyfes, looke not ſo hye
Thinke no ſcorne hardly
For I may be your peare
yf welth haue neuer ſo much lubſtaunce
Lacking Libertye and werr in durance 250
Within a whyce, I am in aſſurance
ye woulde pray me come nere.
Yf Helth be neuer ſo luſt and ſtronge
yet if Lyberty were kept from him longe
Then ſorow and care wolde be his ſonge.
yt would abate your cheare.
Fye of welth which lacketh lybertye
Fye of Helth and be in captiuitie
Fye of riches and lack good company
Lyberty hath no pere, 260
Helth. Wyll ye heare how he doth clatter?
What neede ye to rehearſe all this matter.
ye know that we twayne afore any other.
Lyberty muſt nedes haue ſtyll.
Lybertie on vs is glade to wayte
ye ſtande to farre in your owne conceyte
I wys lybertye ye ran make no bayte
To catche vs at your will.
liberty. Now there ye lye, I can ſuffer no longer
Welth for Lybertye doth loboure euer 270
And helth for Libertye is a great ſtore
Therfore ſet me not ſo lyght
wealth Libertye I pray the reaſon no more
ye are welcome to vs as ye were before
In dede ofliberty it is great ſuter
Therfore welcome by this lyght
liberty, Now I thanke you both full kindly
your ſtrange wordes alytle did greue me
And now at your cōmaūdement I am redy
And at your owne wyll. 280
¶ Here entreth with ſome iest yllwyll
Wyll.. Mary I am come at the firſt call
Wyll, your owne man haue me who ſhall
For I am will ſeruaunt to you al
Ye ſhall not neede to ſende for me.
Welth. Who is acquanted with this man
He is very homely and lytle good he can
To come in here ſo boldly, then
Dryue him away quickly,
Wyll. Why, I cam not tyll I was called 290
your owne wyll openly ye named
Then I came a pace leſt I ſhould be blamed
Therfore I pray you let me byde ſtyll,
ealth Whoſe wyll, or what wyll, doth he meane
Thou art not my wyl, I forſake thee cleane
My wyl and their wylles is often ſene
Our wylles can none yll
Wyll. Alas good maſters I can none yll
yet by my trouth I am your euyll wyll
your wil, & your will, & your will, therfore keepe me 300
I loue ye by goddes mother,
liberty. This is a ſtraunge ſaying vnto me
My wyl, your wyll, and his wyll, this cannot be
For in our wyles is a great diuerſitie
For one is not lyke another,
Wyll. Yet by Chriſt your owne wyl I am
The maddeſt wyl, and the merieſt, than
For goddes ſake now, let me be your man
Tyl ye haue better acquaintaunce.
wealth I perceyue this felow is kynde 310
And oweth to vs good wyl and mynde
Some kindes agayne then let hym finde
Let him haue ſome furderaunce
Wyll. By god ſir and I durſt be ſo bolde
Arquaintance of this man clayme I would
and kynred to, yf the trouth were tolde
we be of one conſanguynitie
Health How fo? let me here that I pray thee hartly
Wyll. Wyl and lybertyeis, of aunciterie olde
with out lyberfye, wili dare not bebolde 320
And where wyl lacketh, lybertye is full colde
Thyrfore wyl and lybertye muſt nedes be of kyn.
liberti. In dede as he ſaythe it may well be
For wyl euer longeth vnto lybrtye
Therfore good freende welcome to me
I praye you al be good to him And goeth out
Welth. For your ſake he is welcome to vs all
Let him come to our place ano than he ſhall
Haue ſuccoure of vs and helpe withal
& now we wil depart. And welth & helth goth out. 330
Wyll. Wyl ye go hence. I thanke ye maſters with al my hert
I wyl ſeke you out I warrant you feare not
Now they be gone I am glad by ſaint mary
A lyttel while heare I purpoſe to tary
How to deceyue welth, helth, and libertie
Now muſt I deuyſe.
For I am a chylde that is pas grace
Ilwyll I am called that in euery place
Doth much miſchiefe this is a playne caſe
Uertue I doo vtterly diſpiſe, 340
But if they wyſt what I were
Then of my purpoſe I ſhould be neuer [the] nere
I wyl kepe my tonge leſte that I mar
My whole intent and wyll.
But now I meruayle by this day
Where ſhrewd wit is gone a ſtray
Some crafty touche is in his way
I here him, peace, ſtand ſtyll.
¶ Entreth ſhrewd wyt with a ſonge.
¶ Dieu vous garde playſaunce 350
On ſeuen or no mumchaunce, what yonkers dare auaunce
To playe a grote or twaine.
Loe heare I haue in ſtore
Two or three grotes and no more
I take great thought therfore
For to kepe it, it is much payne
I come now out of a place
where is a company of ſmall grace
Theues and hores that ſpendes a pace
They were dronken all the ſorte. 360
One of their purces I did aſpy
Out of his ſleue where it dyd lye
And one wynked on me with his eye
But ther began the ſporte
Their falſe falſehode, and I crafty wyt
got the purſe loe, heare I haue it
I ran my way and let hym ſyt
Smoke and ſhitten arſe together.
And yf that I had yll wyll here
with this money we wolde make good chere 370
Gentle brother wyll, I pray the apeare
For thou art in ſome corner.
Wytte I woulde come in but I am a fearde
Leaſt that I be taken by the bearde
Wyth ſome catchepol, I haue heard
How thou haſte ſtollen a purſe
wylle Thou horſon art thou mad, cum in I ſay
This is not the fyrſte hazard that I haue ſcaped
yf I make an hand to decke my felfe gay
what am I the worſe. 380
wyll From thy company I cannot abyde
I must nedeſ holde upon thy ſyde
yllwyll and ſhrewdwit who caa hyde
For they will be together.
wytte. Now welcome wyll and what cheare:
By god I thought for thee a thouſand yere
Peace for gods body who cummeth there
Hance bere pot Aſcon router.
¶ Entreth Hance with a dutch ſonge
Gut nynen ſcone rutters by the moder got 390
It heiſt ōwne ſrhon, for ſtaue ye nete
De quſteker mau iche bie do do
Uau the groate bnmbarde well ic wete
Dartyck dowſant van enheb it mete
Ic beſt de mauikin van de koining dangliler
De grot keyſer kind ic bene his buſketer
Wyll. Here ye not dronkē hance how he be gins to prate
The malowperte ſleminge is a little to cheke mate
wytte Let the knaue alone, for his name is war.
Such dronken ſlemminges your company wil mar 400
Hance. Ic beſt nen emond, ic beſt in ſoche
ye ſecte nete vell ic forſtaue ye in doche
Wyll. Cumpt hore leyf with your gound ſtand nere
yt becummes you better to handle a potte of beare
Hance Dat maght icvell dan, ic can ſkynke frelyck
Tab bers frow, ic briuges brore, begotts nemerick
wytte. The horſen knaue by the maſſe is dronke
A winking for depe his eyen be cleane lonck
Hance Ic foraue ye vell ye ſeg dac ic ſlope
Nenike, nenike, ic compte hore for an andor cope 410
Wyll. Wel coppin I pray the hartly tell vs trew
Wherfore comeſt thou hether for any thing to sew
Hance yeicke feger, en būbardere vā de koyning wei it be
Heb twe ſkelling de dagh ic con ſcote de culueryn
wytte. Nay ye ſhall walke a fleming knaue, wyl ye not ſee
We haue Engliſh gunners ynow, there is no rome empty
Hance Ic beſt en bomberde mot ye to me ſpreken
what ſegye ye bones, it ſal ye yode flaen
Wyll. We ſpeake not to thee thou art a ſcone man
But goe thy way they be not here that promot [the] cā 420
Hance Caut ye me a de houſe dragen van degrot here.
wytte. Hance ye muſt go to [the] court & for welth inquire
Hance What ſegre ye welth nenyke he is net hore
welth beſt in ſſaunders, it my ſelf brought him dore
Wyll. Beſhrew your horſon ſleminges hert therfore.
in dede as he ſaith, by war in flaūders theris welth ſtore
Hance Segt ye dat brower, by the moder got dan
Gut naught it mot wast, to ſent cafrin to mi lanmā
wyll. Is be gone, farewel hanykin bowſe & goeth out
I pray god giue him a hounded drouſe 430
For I trow a knaue brought hym to houſe
But now brother wyt.
We muſt deuoſe how that we may
Be in ſeruice with welth alwaye
Let me here what thou canſt do or ſay
To helpe for to contryue it.
wytte. For thy pleaſure that I ſhall
This wyll I doo first of all
Flatter and lye, and euermore call
Them my good mayſters ftyll. 440
Then with ſwering, lying and powlinge
Brybry, theft, and preuy pyking
Thus I ſhred wet, wyll euer be doinge
I warrant ther yllwyll.
Wyll. I cun thee thanke, this is well deuyſed
And I yll wil, wolde haue euery man diſpiſed
But now another thing muſt be contriued
Or els al wilbe nought
There is one they call good remedy
In this realme, he hath geeat actortty 450
He is a noble man and much worthy
Many thinges he hach wrought
He is called luſt, diſcreete and indifference
Willing to fulfil his ſoueraines commaundement
He is not fraide to do right puniſhment
Therfore of him I am afrayde
wytte. So am I to this maketh me very ſadde
Yet oftentymes I haue bene harde beſtadde
Now [that] I am warned of him I am very glad
Sum crafty wyle for him ſhalbe hade 460
Wyll. Peace no mo wordes but mum
My think I heare maſt welth cum
Knele downe and ſay ſum deuout oriſon
That they may heare vs pray
Now Iesu ſaue Welth, Helth, and Lybertie.
Liberty and helth returneth back with welth
Wealth Syrs you ſhall haue both gods bleſſing
So are ye worth for your praying
ye are wel diſpoſed and of good liuing
I wyll loue you the berter alway 470
Wyll. Sir this do we vſe euery day
For welth helth and liberty to pray
This ſame is my brother, to you I mayay
He is an hard honeſt man.
wytte. Forfoth mayſter I am his vrother
To be your ſeruant, was my cūming hether
As longe as we two be to gether
ye ſhall not peryſhe than
Health To haue you both in ſeruyce I am content
How ſay you libertie wil you therto conſent 480
Wyll and wit, god hath vs lent
We may be glade of them
liberti. Yf we ſholde refuſe wyl and wyt
we were to blame for they be fyt
Therfore by my wel they ſhal not ſlye
They be welcome to me,
Wyll. God thanke you maiſters all three
ye ſhal finde vs pore but true we cannot be
My tonge ſtombles, I cry you mercy
We wyll be true I ſhould ſay, 490
wealth Syrs go your way home vnto one place
And we wyl hye vs after apace
And when we come we ſhall ſet you in caſe
To haue a lyuing alway.
Health Then loke ye do both truely and iuſt
For we muſt put you in great truſt
All our houſhoulde guide ye muſt
Behaue you ſelfe well.
wytte Maiſters feare not for I haue wit inough
To beguyle my ſelfe, and to beguyle you 500
I haue vegyled many one I may ſay to you
I pray you kepe that in councelll
liberty. Beware of that, what doth he ſay?
Beguyle vs all, yet I charge ye nay
Ye ſhall not beguile vs yf I may
I wyl beware betyme.
Wyll. Syr be not angry I you praye
fhe foole woteth not he doth ſay
He meneth chat he wil be profitable alw ay
And ſaue you many thinges. 510
Health What he meaneth I cannot tell
But his ſaying is not well
Depart hence ſyrs by my councell
And tary vs at our lodging.
wytte. ¶ Now and it pleaſe ye, wyll ye here any ſynging
Therein I tell you I am ſomwhat connyng
ye ſhall heare and ye liſt.
liberty Syr I pray you ſing and ye can
wyll. Now wil I begin like a luſty bloud thā.
thei ſing & go out
Sirs now go your way of you I am glad 520
As of any ſeruauntes that euer I had
For theſe can do both good and bad
We muſt needes haue ſuch men
What were we yf we lacked wyll:
And without wyt we ſhoulde lyue yll
Therfore wyll and wit I wyll kepe ſtyll.
I promiſe you I loue them
¶ Here commeth remedy in and to him ſaith
Welth. Syr your mayſterſhip is hartely welcome
Take your place here aboue as it is reaſon. 530
Health I pray you oardon vs, we know not what ye be
ye ſeme a man of honour, and of great auctority
liberty Syr to know wherfore ye come we are deſyrous
Remdi I am he that ought for to be well knowen
Of you thre ſpecially, and of duetie
Great payne and buſines as for mine owne
For you I haue taken becauſe I loue you hartely
To maintaine you is all my deſyre and faculty
yet hard it is to doo, the people be ſo variable
And many be ſo wilfull, they will not be reformable. 540
wealth Syr I pray you pardon vs of our ignoraunce now
I ſe well ye know vs better than we do you
Remdi I pardon you, for I doo know you wel both
welth, and helth, is your right names
The which Gngland to forbere were very loth
For by welth and helth commeth great fames
Many other renlmes for our great welth ſhames
That they dare not preſume, nor thy dare not be bold
To ſtryue againe England, or any right with holde.
Health Sir ye be welcom, I beſech you ſhow vs your name 550
remedi Good remedy forſouth I rm the ſame.
liberti. yf I durſt be ſo bolde I wolde pray you hartely
To ſhewe vs apart of your great aceoritie,
R md My actoritie is geuen to me moſt ſpeciall
To maintaine you three, in this realme to be
What mine intent is. I wyl tel, but not all
For that were to longe to reherſe of a ſurety
And I deſyre you all for to be louing to me
For your owne eaſe, come welth and profyt
Wealth Good remedy, then we muſt deſyre your aydyng 560
For by good remedy cometh all our prefercing.
Remdi All that I doo intende, if ye wil therto agree
And to be reformable for your owne eaſe
It is not the thynge that lieth only in me
But my good wyl, therfore I wyl not ceaſe
To haue your loue and fauour, and therby to pleaſe
Al the worlde ouer, and to promote ehis realme
That you thre may proſper, ye percelue what I mene
The chiefe parte of all welth lyeth in great eſtates
Theyr ſubſtance and landes. is right commendable 570
Prelates of the churche is welthy of ryches
Merchaūtes hath marchaūdiſe & goods incōperable
Mē of law & franklins is welthy which is laudable
Thus welth of riches is deuided diuerſe wayes
And to theſe many charges, come now a dayes
Health My hert reioyſeth to here your good reporting
Much are we bound to god, which prouideth althing
Remdi Forſoth here is not halfe that I could reherſe
The benefits of god that be ſheweth to you welth
Consider Englyſhmen, how valiant they be & ferce 580
Of al nacions none ſuch, when they haue their helth
No land can do vs harme, but wyth falſehod or ſtelth
remēbre what nōbre of mē, or artilerie & good ordināce
Specially [the] grace of god, which is our chief forderāce
If there be any that wyll grudge, ſurmyce or doo
Againe welth, helth & libertie, then muſt I for [the] ſame
Shew mine auctorite and power, for to remedy it ſo
That none of you ſhall diminiſhe, nor amiſſe be tane
I good remedy therfore may & will ſpeake [with]out blāe
For the comen welth, & helth both of the ſoule & body 590
[that] is mi office & power, & therfore I haue my actorite
wealth Our lorde continue ye, & we thanke you hartly
Both for your good inſtruction, and for your kindnes
That you intende ſo wel for vs good remedy
when we haue nede we will deſyre your goodnes
Health When we be infect in the ſoule or body
Then will I ſeke good remedy for ſuccour
As yet I thanke god I haue no nede greatly
yf I haue then wyll I ſeke to haue your fauour
liberty Syr now we wyl departe hence with your licence 600
For other divers buſines that we muſt haue tohether
Remdi Sirs I am content, now when ye wyll depart
To god I commyt you I wyll not make you tary
But yet I pray with all my minde and heart
Take hede in any wiſe exchewe yl & ſhrewd compani
yf a mā be neuer ſoo good & vse [with] thē [that] be vnthrifti
He ſhal leſe his name, & to ſome vice they wil him tēp
therfore beware of ſuch people, & from thē be exempt
Health yes yes I warrant you of ſach I wyll beware.
Farewel good remedy & wel to fare. & goth out 610
Remdi I pray god be your ſpede & preſerue you frō paine
it is mi mind ye ſhold proſper I wold haue it ſo fain.
Wyll. Here is none of our acquaintaūce wil retourneth
we haue made to longe tariaunce
that wyll ye ſay perchaunce
And they begone home come away apare
Wytte. Nay by god not ſo haſtie
A lytle whyle we wyll larye
Good euen ſyr to you mary
Dwell ye in this place? 620
Remdi Nay good fellowe I dwel not heare
Wherefore doeſt thou chat inquire:
Woldeſt thou ought with any heare
Speake be not afryde
Wyll. By God I would I had your gowne
And were a myle without the towne
Theron & woulde borowe a crowne
It is I that ſo ſayde
Wytte. Hew lookeſt thou one him halfe a ſcorne
I p=omiſe you he is a ſcant gentylman borne 630
What ſſtyeſt thou in his face
Remdi For somwhat in his face I lok e
In dede his maſterſhip ſtandes a crooke
For falſe ſhrewes both of you I tooke
And chyldren that be paſt grace.
Wyll. I wyll ſwere for hym, as tor this yeares twenty
that he hath ben euer as true as I
yet ſometyme he will ſteale and make a lye
He is of my alyaunce.
Remdi In good fayth the ſame thinke I 640
That ye be both lyke, full unthrifty
Syrs how do ye lyue, ſhew me quickly
Or I ſhall put you in duraunce
wytte. How liue we? mary our meate
Cummeſt thou hether for to threte:
So lowly ſyr wittam doth ſpeake
From whence doth he come can ye ſhewe
Wyll. What doſt thou ayle canſt thou tell?
Haſt thou any thing with vs to mell?
By the maſſe thy handes doth tykell 650
Thou ſhalt beare me a blowe.
remedi you falſe theues I know ye well
I ſhall let your purpoſe euey deale
yllwyll, and ſhrewd wit, the deuyll of hell
Take ye both for me.
wytte. Mary thou lyeſt, our names be not ſo
Call vs but wit, and wyll, adde no more thereto,
yf thou doeſt thou were as good no
We ſhall handle you ſhrewdly
Remdi Syrs farewell here I wil no longer abide 660
For you both ſhortly I wyll prouide
That all your falfe craft ſhalbe out tryed
And our ſubtillitie knowen and goeth out.
wytte. To go ſo ſoone the horſon was wyſe
therfore ſome now I muſt deuiſe
that each man may welth, helth and libertideſpiſe
Or els he wyll marre all our mateer.
Brother wet, ler me alone
When they come you ſhal ſee me a none
Complayne of him, vnto them echone 670
And put him out of fauour
Wytte Peace no mo wordes, for they come yonder
wealth Syrs I am glade that you be heare
How doth all our houſhold, with them what chere?
Is euery thiag in order there
Afirr our intente?
wyll. ye ſyr they be all mery and glad
With reuell and rout ſomtime they be mad
Pipe whore hop theef, euery knaue and drabe
Is at our commaundement. 680
Helth turneth hym.
What do ye ſay, then ye are to blame
And we put you in truſt for the ſame
To kepe ſuch rule, it is a ſhame
I tis not for our honour.
wytte. By the maſſe ihe horſon doth lye
There is no ſuch rule by gods body
A man may breke his neck as lyghtly
As his faſt in your kechin, or ſeller truly.
Liberty turneth him 690
With that nother I am not content
I wolde there ſhould be liberalitie competēt
And with honeſti it is conoenient
That our neighbour fare the better
Wyll. you be angey with all that we haue done
Cum away brother let us go hens ſoone
I know a new maiſter wher we ſhalbe welcume
God be with you gentyl maiſter
Welth. Why wil ye begone tor a worde
Peraduenture we did but boorde 700
Me thinke ye ſhould your mayſter foorde
For to ſpeake my minde.
wytte Nay nay, I can tel what was the matter
Remedy was here, and he dyd flatter
ye truſt he more than vs and better
But marke the ende, what ye ſhal find
Health With good remedy we ſpake in dede
To folow his counſel we had neede
He warned vs that we ſhould take hede
Of exceſſe and prodigalitie. 710
Wytte I meruayle ye ſpeake ſo of good remedy
It is I that can do more than he
Wyt can make ſhyft at neceſſity
When Remedi cannot be hearde
I know ſome that hath this thouſand yere
Sought god remedy and yet neuer rhe nere
wit can put remedy by, yea this is cleare
For wit is a crafty lad.
Wyll. And wyl is an vngracious ſtay
Wyl hath doone many thinges men ſay 720
And yf ye let wit and wil goe his way
ye wil repent it ſoone.
liberty Why what cauſe haue you to go your way
ye ſhall abyde wich vs though you ſay nay
I wyl folow wyl, and wit alway
And ſo I haue euer done
wytte. yf I wiſt al my maſters wolde ſo do
Then from your ſeruyce I wolde not goo
Speake now whether ye wyl or no
And let vs know your minde 730
Health Syrs ye be welco me to me playne
And for your company I am full fayne
I had leuer ſuffer great payne
Then to leue my wit and wyl,
Wyll. Then let vs go hence, with kindnes my her ye do kyll
Health I pray you let vs go, wherfore do we byde ſtyll.
and goeth out
Remdi As touching my firſt purpoſe hither I am com again
I trow ye know me, good remedy is my name
That euery day doth take great .abor or payne 740
To amende all faultes, I am choſen to the ſame
yf any mans conſcience here doth grudge or ſhame
Hauing in him ſelf remorſe, & mendes in tyme & ſpace
I am good remedy, and god is ful of mercy and grace
Therfore I wyl ſtand aſyde, & a lyttel whyle remaine
Of welth, Helth and Lybertye, for to inquire
How they be ordred, and yf any man complayne
I wil be glad to ſhew me remedy, my think I ſe one a peare.
Hance Begots drowſe ic my ſelfe bin cūpt heye ſcō lanſmā 750
Ic mot in ander land lopen, al is quade dan
Remdi Thou fleming frō whēce comeſt [thou] & what doſt [thou] here.
Hance Ic my ſelf cumt frō ſent Katryns dore mot ic ſkyne de cā beer
Remdi Get [the] thether againe, & tary here no lōger
Hance Syr ic mot mid ye ſpreken ic my ſelf be en ſcomaker
Remdi What and thou be therwith I haue nothin a doo.
Hance Ic deſt al forlore, copin is dod, ic maght aot do therto
Remdi I pray thee go hence, for thou doſt trouble me yll.
Hance Nen ic ſeker, ic wyl not gon, ic wold fain liue hore ſtil
Remdi There is to mainy allaunts in this reale, but now I 760
good remedy haue ſo provided that Engliſh men ſhall
lyue the better dayly.
Hance What ſegt ye by gots drowſe, dai is de quade man
Be de moro goi, ic my ſelfe loue de ſcone Engliſhman.
Remdi Fie on [the] flattering knaue, fie on you aliaūts al I ſay
ye can [with] craft & ſubtel tiget engliſhmēs welth away
Hance O ſkon meſter, ic heb hore bin, this darten yeore
ic canſkote de coluerin, & ic can be dr beare broer,
truſt ſee ſo prouide that welth from you haue I ſhall
Hance Ic ſeg to you dat welth is lopen in an ander contry 770
wat hebegy dar brough, forſtan ye net, ſegt me
Remdi Ic vnderſtand the wel, yet thou lieſt lyke a knaue
welth is here ī Englād, & welth ſtil i truſt we ſhal haue
Hance Ic ment no quad ic loue de engliſh man by min here
Cūp vp ſent Katrin and ic ſhal ye geuē twe ſtope bere,
Remdi Get [the] hence drōkē fleming [thou] ſhalt tary no lenger here
Hance Mor it net mare herebin, woder ſal ic geweſt kiſkin
Ic wil to de Kaizer gan, dar fall ic wal ſkinkin
& goth out
Remdi Is he gon? I pray god the deuyll go with him
wher is welth, helth & tiberty. I wold ſee thē come in 780
Helth commeth in with a kercher on his head.
Health ¶ O good lorde helpe me, by your licence my ſouerain
I am homely to com her in your preſēce thus diſeaſed
Nede conſtraineth me, for remedy I wold haue faine
I am īfect both body & sſul, I prai you be not diſpleſed
Remdi Why what aile you ſhew me, yet you I do not know
Glad I am to remedy any man, that is affirmity
I perceiue by your phiſnamy, [that] ye ar veri weke feble & low
yet ſhow me your griefe, & I wil help you gladly.
Health Gracio[us] remedi I thank you, yet I am half aſhamed 790
to ſhew you mi maladi & mi name, I was called helth
Therfore I am wel worthi to be puniſhed & blamed
Becauſe I haue not folowed your coūſel, but al thing
may be ſuffered ſaue welth.
Remdy Are you helth, this maketh me very penſife and ſad
ye t be of good chere, & ſhow how you were infect
To remedy you and ſuccour you I wold be very glad
For god wyl puniſh the people when they be detelt
Health Syr I thanke god therof for wel worthy I am
My conſcience doth iudge, ſome trouble haue I muſt 800
A mendes I wyl make to god and if I can
Wil ād wit hath deceiued me in them I put my truſt.
Remdi yf thou haue doone amiſe, and be ſory therfore
Then helfe a mendes is made, for that is contriſſion
Let that paſſe, now wil I axe you one thyng more
Wher be welth ād Libertie, be they of good dispoſiciō
Health As for welth is fallen in decay, and neceſſitie
By waſt & war, thorow ytt wyll, and ſhrewdwit
And lybertie is kept in duraunce and captiuite
God helpe vs all, and ſende vs good remedy for it 810
Remdi For to heare this tale it maketh my hart heauie
yet be of good cōfort, god is ful of grace, & I am good
Health ¶ Sir, thē I beſech you help vs in the way of charity
Remdi I would fayne but I cannot tel which way to begin
Except I might catch wil & wit, then I trow I could
Tye thē ſhorter, for they deſtroy welth, helth & liberty bi ſin
yf I had [the] theues, puniſh thē extremly I wole.
Health You may soone catch them, if ye wil ſtande a yde
From this place they two, wyl not longe abide.
Remdi Me thinketh I here them com, helpe to holde thē fſat 820
will turneth
Wyll. Cum in wit for herc is no body
We may ve bolde and talke largely
Our hartes to eafe ano ſhew plainly
What we haue doone.
wytte I muſt nedes laugh I cannot forbeare
To remember warre that knaue wil ye heare
The horſon fleming was beſhitten for feare
Becauſe he ſhould boyde ſo ſoone.
Wyll. Herke now do I meruayle by this bread
For I weae ſurely uhat hrlth be dead 830
I ſaw ſaw him go with a kercher on his head
As he ſhould go at hangyng.
wytte Harke in thine Eare, yf tſte horſon hap
To complayne to him that weres the red cap
I feare then ſhortly he wyl us clap
By the heles from our liuingl
Wyll. Nay nay, there is no doubt
By hym I haue reported all about
That he doth not wel, his good name to put out
ylwyl cannot ſay wel, 840
remedi. Frende therin thou art the more to blam
Co ſtaunder me wrongfully, and vndeſrrued
But or thou drpart thou ſhalt anſwere for the ſame,
wher is Welth & liberty, how haſt thou thē ordred?
Wyll Qury cicis queſt is vn malt ombre
Me is vn ſpy&nardo compoco parlauere.
Health Thou folſe chefe is thine Engliſh tonge gone
as miſcheuo[us] il wil & ſhrewdwit, ye haue deſtroyd ma ni on
Wytte. Sir hurt not me, & I wiltel you trouth anone
This ſame ia as falſe a knaue as euer cam [with]in ſaint Iohēs 850
wyll. Per amor de my as peca vn poco
Eo queris and ar pour lagraunt creae ſo
Remdy I can not tel what thou doſt meae blabbler
But [thou] ſhalt ſpeake Engliſh & confeſſe an other mater,
Health Syr I beſech your lordſhip, in the way of charity
Let not fheſe thefes eſcape your hands they haue dſstroyed
us utterly.
wytte: Syr, beleue hym not he ſpeakes but of malice onely
we be true men, therof we ſhall fetch good witnes
An honeſt man that ſhalbe bound for him and me 860
The law ſayth plaine, nulla fides contra teſtes
Remdi that is trouth, but who wilbe witnes or boūd for the
Wyll. There is three amonge you in this howſe
I Iyfgo to fetch them quickly
Wytte. They wil come vnſēd for I warant you if they wyſt
Remd what be theyr names, tel me what they be,
Wyll. That on is Iohn Iriſche abd Iohn ſholer
But ful theſe be honeſt men all three
Health Truſt not their wordes they wyll deſſemble ſtyll
They are ſo falſe and crafty, all theyr intent is yll. 870
Wyll. ye lye falſely I fpeake but right and reaſon
And by the law of armes ye muſt nedes be tane
you are called good remedy which at al feaſon
Sholde leaue to mans lyfe, and maintaine the ſame
we be here both your priſoners wrongfully accuſed bi defame
Kepe one of vs faſt let him lye for all
That other for frendes and wytnes goo ſhall.
wytte, Syr let hym not goo and leue me behynde
He wyl euer be a falſe knaue, for I know his mynde
Wyll. Holde thy tonge foliſh knaue I do not meane ſo 880
Remdt I here now ye cannot agre, which of you ſhould go
Wyll. No by gods body there ſhall none go but I
Wytte. Thou playeſt the knaue it muſt nedes be I
Health Kepe them ſafe I pray you for yf they ſcap againe
Many men ſhal repent it, it ſhalbe to our payne
Remdi They be here yet, to kepe them faſt is myne intent,
Haue them away both to priſon in continent.
wyll. Lo falſe knaue this is for thy crafty wif.
Now faſt by the heeles we are lake to ſyt.
Wytte. I am content ſo that I may haue compeny 890
yf I ſhold behanged, I wold be hāged honeſt
& goth out
Remdi Go hence with them & bring welth & liberty.
helth, Com away ye theues, now I ſhalſ kepe you ſurely,
& goth out
Wyll. Lock vs vp & kepe vs as faſt as ye can
yet yll wyl and ſhrewdwit ſhalbe with many a man.
Remdi I am halfe aſhamed, that long it hath ben ſayd
That noble men by ſuch wretches hath ben deceiued
they did reioyce and ieſt, and were very well apaide
Truſting to ſcape cleare, and ſtyl for to haue rained
But now they ſhall not ſo, let them be wel aſſured 900
That ylwyl and ſhrewde wyt ſhal haue but yl reſt
For whereſoeuer they be I wyll breake theyr neſt
wealth In the honour of god we aſke you forgeuenes althre
we ought to be aſhamed to looke you in the face
By our foly & negligence, we haue done ſo vnwiſely
we were fowle deceyued, we put vs to your grace
Thys ſhaibe a good warding for vs alonge ſpace
whan man is wel puniſhed then he wyl beware
who that knoweth what nede is, wel after drede care
Remdi I may not blame you gretly for by mine owne reaſō 910
I know ylwyl and ſhrewdwit deceiueth great & ſmal
yf ye can remābre thys. and beware a nother ſeaſon
This is a good example and lerning to you all
Now ſerue god and loue him, & for grace euer call
And ylwyl and ſhrewdewyt, from you I ſhall abſtaine
ye haue vſed them to longe to your domage and pain.
health. Forſoth ſyr ye ſai trouth, they did vs great diſpleſur
Full hard it is to vanquiſhe the vngrocious ylwyl
He is ſo croked, by flattery, diſſulation & ſuch other
Mannes mynd is ſo variable, & glad to report yl 920
I feare many one yet wolde haue him raine ſtyll
For ſome vnto their owne wyl hath ſo much affection
yet the devyl and yl wyl is both of one complexion
liberty= yll wyll is nought, but worſe is ſhrewdwyt
For he contryueth al ſubtil ymanginacien
yt were vnpoſſyble for a man els to doo it
ſhrewdwyt breweth myſcef, & falſe conſpyracion
He hath put me lyberty in priſon, ād great tribulacion
if it had not bene for your good remedi & forberaūce
I & other [that] hath libertie, ſhold haue bē in duraunce. 930
Remdi Be al of good chere, and haue no miſtruſt
The ende of yl wyl and ſhrewd wyt is but ſhame
Though they reygne a while, wrongfully and uniuſt
yet truth wyll appeare and their miſdedes blame
Then wronge is ſubdued, and good remedy tane
Though falſehod cloke, and hide his matters all
Craft wyll out and diſceite wyll haue a fall
Whereas ye are now, in diſtreſſe all three
Neare were ye brought in caſe lyke to marre
Now haue ye no doubt, yf ye wyll be ruled after me 940
I ſhal rcſtore ye agayne as well as euer ye were
Welth kepe ſtyll this realme, looke ye ſtray not farre
And Helth be of good chere, your diſeaſe I can ſoone mēde
Liberty now ye be releaſed do no more offend,
wealth Now let vs al thāke god [that] good remedy hath ſende
Truſt to hym only for his grace and goodnes
we are forgiuenes of our treſpas I truſt we wil amēd
And cleane forſake ſyn, foly, and unthriftines
th[us] we wil here cōclude, ſoueraine of your graciouſnes
we beſech you to remyt our negligence, & miſbehauor 950
There we haue ſayd amis, we cōmit al to your fauor
Health And for your preſeruacion hartely we wyl pray
your realme to increaſe, with ioy and tranquility
That welth, helth & liberty, may continue here alway
By the ouerſight and aide of him that is good remdy
which willingly doth his deuer, vnder your actoritye
As parte here apereth your purpoſe to maintaine
God rontinue his goodnes, that longe he may riagne
Remdi Ieſu preſerue quene Elizabeth, [that] noble prīcis worthy
Ieſu continue her helth long for to endure 960
Ieſu indue her w vertue grace & honour
Ieſu maintaine the lords of [the] coūſel to execute good remedi euer
Ieſu ſpede and helpe al them gods honour to further
Ieſu increaſe the comunaltie to proſper and doo wel.