A Select Collection of Old English Plays Volume Vi Part 77

Thou art not known to any of these lords By face or feature: till they hear thy name, Which must be Lucre for a fine device, And Conscience clear indeed's the greatest gain. [_Aside_.

Lo, lordings, here fair Lucre whom ye love.

Lucre, the choice is left unto thyself, Which of these three thou wilt for husband choose.

CONSCIENCE.

The modesty that doth our s.e.x beseem Forbids my tongue therein to tell my thought; But may it please my lords to pardon me, Which of you three shall deign to make such choice, Him shall I answer to his own content.

POLICY.

If Lucre please to match with Policy, She shall be mistress over many men.

POMP.

If Lucre like to match with London's Pomp, In stately port all others she shall pa.s.s.

PLEASURE.

If Pleasure may for wife fair Lucre gain, Her life shall be an earthly paradise.

NEMO.

Lo, Lucre! men, and port, and pleasant life, Are here propounded. Which wilt thou accept?

CONSCIENCE.

Lord Policy, Love were the only choice, Methinks, for you, that all your cares employ, And studies for the love of commonwealth.

For you, Lord Pleasure, Conscience were a wife To measure your delights by reason's rule: In recreation Conscience' help to use.

PLEASURE.

Were Conscience half so sweet as is thyself, Her would I seek with suits and services.

NEMO.

No less accomplished in perfection Is Conscience than this lady, I protest.

PLEASURE.

But on this dame hath Pleasure fix'd his heart, And this or death the period of his love.

CONSCIENCE.

Lucre with Pomp most aptly might combine.

PLEASURE.

Lucre or Love, if case thou wilt be mine, Let pa.s.s thy name: thyself do I desire.

Thee will I have, except thyself deny; With thee to live, or else for thee to die.

NEMO.

What, if I deny?

PLEASURE.

Then will I have her.

POLICY.

If we deny?

PLEASURE.

So much the rather.

POMP.

The rather in despite of us? Not so.

NEMO.

My lords, no quarrel: let this lady go; And if ye trust me, I'll content ye both.

Pleasure, this is not Lucre.

PLEASURE.

She's Lucre unto me; But be she Love or Conscience, this is she--

POLICY.

--whom you will have?

PLEASURE.

Spite of the devil, I will.

CONSCIENCE.

Must it not be, my lord, if I agree?

PLEASURE.

Agree.

CONSCIENCE.

Some further proof of it fits[263] you to see.

PLEASURE.

Receive in[264] p.a.w.n my heart, my hand, and oath To be thy own in love, in faith, and troth.

CONSCIENCE.

Thus you are fast, and yet myself am free.

PLEASURE.

I know in ruth thou wilt not me refuse.

CONSCIENCE.

I know not that; but other I'll not choose.

NEMO.

It is enough: Lord Pleasure, do not fear: Conscience will use you as becomes her best.

PLEASURE.

And art thou Conscience? welcomer to me Than either Love or Lucre.

CONSCIENCE.

G.o.d send grace I be!

NEMO. [_Addressing_ POMP _and_ POLICY.]

My lords, be pleas'd: ere long shall you be sped, As much to your contents as Pleasure is.

Say but the word, myself shall soon present Lucre and Love, well worthy such as you.