A Select Collection of Old English Plays Volume Viii Part 70

SCENE VI.

_Enter to_ LIBERALITY _a_ COURTIER.

COUR. Sir, I humbly beseech you help to prefer my suit.

LIB. What is it?

COUR. There is an office fall'n, which I would gladly execute.

LIB. Who be you?

COUR. A servant here in court.

LIB. Do you serve the prince?

COUR. No, and please you.

LIB. Whom then?

COUR. A n.o.bleman near about her majesty.

LIB. In what degree?

COUR. Forsooth, sir, as his secretary.

LIB. How long have you served?

COUR. A year or twain.

LIB. And would you so soon be preferred?

In sooth, my friend, I would be glad, as I may, To do you any good: but this I say: Who seeks by virtue preferment to attain, In virtuous proceeding must take more pain, Than can be well taken in a year or twain.

For time gives experience of every man's deeds, And each man by merit accordingly speeds.

Go forward, my friend, in virtue with diligence, And time, for your service, shall yield you recompence.

Your lord and master is very honourable, And him in your suits you shall find favourable: And as for my part, as erst I did say, I never will hinder, where further I may.

Let this for this time be your answer.

COUR. Sir, with my boldness, I beseech you to bear.

LIB. G.o.d be with you. [_Exit_ COURTIER.

Some men deserve, and yet do want their due; Some men, again, on small deserts do sue, It therefore standeth princes' officers in hand, The state of every man rightly to understand, That so by balance of equality Each man may have his hire[397] accordingly.

Well, since dame Virtue unto me doth charge of many things refer, I must go do that best beseems a faithful officer.

[_Exit_.

ACT IV., SCENE I.

_Enter_ MONEY.

MON. _Liberty, liberty_! now I cry _liberty_!

Catch me again, when you can, Prodigality!

Never was there poor soul so cruelly handled.

I was at the first, like a c.o.c.kney[398] dandled, Strok'd on the head, kiss'd and well cherished, And so thought surely I should have continued: But now, how my case is altered suddenly!

You would not believe, unless you saw it apparently.

I'faith, since ye saw me, I have been turmoiled From post to pillar: see how I am spoiled.

The villains among them provided the roast; But Money was forced to pay for the cost Both of their feasting and of their chamber cheer.

Yea, in every place they have fleec'd me so near: He a fleece, and she a fleece, that nothing could I keep, But glad to run away like a new-shorn sheep.

And though I have been pinched very near, I am glad to see you in good health, every one here: And now I have escaped the traitorous treachery Of such a thriftless, roisting company, To my mother in haste again I will get me, And keep at home safely: from thence let them fet me.

[_Exit_.

SCENE II.

_Enter_ VANITY _and_ MONEY.

VAN. What, Master Money, how goeth the world with you?

MON. Look but upon me, thou may'st quickly judge how.

VAN. Why, where the vengeance, where the devil hast thou been?

Among brambles or briars? or spirits, sure, I ween.

MON. Both ween it and wot it! I have pa.s.s'd a wilderness Of most mischievous and miserable distress; Sharp brambles, sharp briars, and terrible scratchers, Bears, wolves, apes, lions, most ravening s.n.a.t.c.hers, Thorns, thistles, and nettles, most horrible stingers, Ravens, gripes and griphons. O vengeable wringers, Yea through my whole pa.s.sage such d.a.m.nable sights, As I cannot but judge them most d.a.m.nable sprites.

VAN. Ha, ha, ha, ha!

MON. Laugh ye, my friend? It is no laughing toy.

VAN. But who did guide you in this labyrinth of joy?

MON. Who, sir? your minion, sir; Prodigality, The captain elected of all roisting knavery; He will be hang'd, I warrant him, shortly.

VAN. Ha, ha, ha, ha!

MON. Yet go to, laugh on!

VAN. Are you not a cuck--cuck-cold?

MON. I may be indeed; my clothes be but thin, And therefore I will even go get me in, That Fortune, my mother, may clothe me anew. [_Exit_.

VAN. Do so, you had need so, I may say to you.

Now, sure, it is a world of worlds to see, How all the world inclines to Vanity; Men seek at first--that is but Vanity, And lose at last--that was but Vanity, And yet continue still to follow Vanity, As though it were a thing of certainty.

And I, that bear the name of Vanity, And see the world's exceeding Vanity, In following so the tracks of Vanity, Do triumph still amid my empery, And laugh at their simplicity, That will be so misled by Vanity.