Chapter XXII: Act VI: Scene Last (6)

USURY. All this while Lucre knows not I am here, But now will I to her; mark how I speed! Lady, the fairest that Nature ever form'd, Loadstone of love, that draws affection's darts, The only object of all humane eyes, And sole desired dainty of the world, Thy vassal here, a virtue in thy need, Whom thou by licence of the law may'st use, Tenders himself and all his services To do thy will in duty as 'tofore, Glad of thy freedom as his proper life.

SIMPLICITY. Lady Lucre, you love an apple: take heed the caterpillar consume not your fruit.

LUCRE. Who is it that maketh this latest suit?

SIMPLICITY. 'Tis Usury. [_Aloud in her ear_.

LUCRE. Great is the service he hath done for me; But, Usury, now I may not deal with thee.

USURY. The law allows me, madam, in some sort.

CONSCIENCE. But God and I would have thy bounds cut short.

USURY. For you I reck not; but if God me hate, Why doth the law allow me in some rate?

CONSCIENCE. Usury slanders both law and state. The law allows not, though it tolerate, And thou art sure be shut out at heaven-gate.

USURY. You were ever nice: no matter what you prate.

SIMPLICITY. Then it will be with him, as it is with a great man's house in dinner-time! he that knocks, when the door is shut, comes too late.

LUCRE. Well, Usury, Fraud, and Simony, Dissimulation, hearken unto me. My tongue (although in memory it be green) Cannot declare what horrors I have seen; Ne can it enter into mortal ears Unmortified: the furies' fires and fears, The shrieks, the groans, the tortures, and the pains, That any soul for each of you sustains-- No pen can write, how Conscience hath me scourg'd, When with your faults my soul she ever urg'd: Arithmetic doth fail to number all The plagues of Sorrow in the den of thrall. Then tempt me not, nor trouble me no more; I must not use you as I did before. If you be found within fair London's gate, You must to prison, whence we came of late. Conscience will accuse ye, if ye be in sight.

FRAUD. That scurvy Conscience works us all the spite.

_Enter_ NEMO.

USURY. Well, Lucre, yet in thee we have delight.

DISSIMULATION. Yonder come some: we must take our flight.

[_Exeunt_ OMNES.

SIMPLICITY. Birds of a feather will fly together; but when they be taken, then are they baken. Yonder comes a customer: I'll to my stall. Love, Lucre, and Conscience, blindman-buff to you all.

NEMO. Conscience, Love, Lucre, ladies all, what cheer? How do ye like the seats you sit upon?

CONSCIENCE. O pure unspotted Nemo, sole paragon Of Love, of Conscience and perfection; The marble of remorse I sit upon Sweats scalding drops, like bitter brinish tears.

NEMO. So should remorse, when Conscience feels her guilt. But, gentle Love, how feelest thou thy flint?

LOVE. O, sharp and cold: I freeze unto my seat: The flint holds fire, and yet I feel no heat. But am benumb'd and frozen every joint.

NEMO. O Love, so cold is charity in these times. Lucre, how sit you?

LUCRE. Upon a heavy stone, not half so cold, not half so hot as theirs, But of some secret power, for I do find and sensibly feel, That I from it exhale an earthly cold, And it from me doth draw a kindly heat.

NEMO. Such force hath care of Lucre in itself To cool the heart and draw the vital spirits; And such the true condition of you three; Remorse of Conscience, Charity of Love, And Care of Lucre; such your uses be. But, ladies, now your sorrow lay aside: Frolic, fair dames; an unexpected good Is imminent through me unto you all. Three lords there be, your native countrymen, In London bred, as you yourselves have been, Which covet you for honourable wives, And presently will come to visit you. Be not abashed at your base attire, I shall provide you friends to deck you all. If I command, stand up, else sit you still. Lo, where they come.

_Enter the three Lords_.

My lords, the dames be here.

POLICY. Why are they wimpled?[257] Shall they not unmask them?

NEMO. It is for your sake; for Policy they do it.

POMP. Much may their fortune and their feature be, But what it is we cannot thus discern.

NEMO. You shall in time. Lord Pomp; be yet content.

PLEASURE. Their fame is more than cause or reason would. May one of these be Pleasure's paragon?

NEMO. Pleasure, be pleas'd and use no prejudice. Mesdames, stand up. Mislike not their attire; That shall be mended as yourselves desire.

POLICY. Their port and their proportion well contents.

POMP. Right stately dames, if they were well attir'd.

PLEASURE. May we not see their beauty, what it is?

NEMO. Yes, lordings, yes. Lucre, lift up thy veil.

POLICY. Of beauty excellent!

POMP. Of rare perfection!

PLEASURE. A dainty face!

NEMO. Unmask, Love.

POLICY. Sweet Love indeed!

POMP. A lovely face!

PLEASURE. A gallant grace!

NEMO. Conscience, uncover.

POLICY. Beauty divine!

POMP. A face angelical!

PLEASURE. Sweet creature of the world!

NEMO. Enough for once; ladies, sit down again. As cunning chapmen do by curious wares, [_To the audience_. Which seldom shown do most inflame the mind, So must I deal, being dainty of these dames, Who seldom seen shall best allure these lords. Awhile, my lords, I leave you with these three: Converse, confer on good conditions. I will right soon return with such good friends As it concerns to clothe these dainty ones. If any in my absence visit them, Know their intent, and use your skill therein. [_Exit_.

POLICY. Ladies, to call to mind your former lives, Were to recount your sorrows on a row. Omitting, then, what you have been or be, What you may be I'll speak, so it please you; Wives to us three, ladies to London lords, Pomp, Pleasure, Policy, men of such regard, As shall you guard from evil, once matched with us: And Policy presents this good to you.

POMP. With London's Pomp may one of you be join'd, Possessing more than Fortune can afford: Fortune's a fool, but heavenly providence Guards London's Pomp and her that shall be his.

PLEASURE. And London's Pleasure, peerless in delights, Will deign to make one of these dames his own, Who may with him in more contentment live, Than ever did the Queen of Oethiop.

CONSCIENCE. Though silence, lords, our modesty enforce, Nemo can tell the secrets of our thoughts: Nemo, that womens' minds can constant keep, He shall for us you answer, good my lords. I speak for all, though ill-beseeming me.

_Enter_ FALSEHOOD _and_ DOUBLE-DEALING.

POLICY. You speak but well. My lords, step we aside To note these fellows, what they do intend.

_Enter_ NEMO.

POMP. Nemo can tell, for he doth follow them.

FALSEHOOD. Ladies, to you--to some of you--we come, Sent from such friends as much affect your good, With garments and with compliments of cost, Accordant well to dames of such degree-- I come to Lucre.

DOUBLE-DEALING. I to Love am sent, With no less cost than could be got for coin, Which with my message I deliver would, Could I discern which of these dames were she.

LOVE. Friend, I am Love: what bringest thou there to me?

CONSCIENCE. Beware, good Love, from whom, and what, thou takest.

NEMO. No whispering, friend, but show it openly: The matter good, you need not be ashamed. From whom comest thou?

DOUBLE-DEALING. That I conceal from any but from Love.

NEMO. From whom come you, sir?

FALSEHOOD. That shall Lucre know, and none but she.

NEMO. Then speak aloud, for whispering here is barr'd.

FALSEHOOD. Then neither will I do, nor speak at all.

NEMO. Then I will speak, and tell what you are both. Thyself art Falsehood, and are sent from Fraud, To compass Lucre with a cloak of craft, With lawn of lies, and cauls of golden guile.

POLICY. Pack you, my friend; for if you stay a while, You shall return no more to him that sent you.

NEMO. Thou from Dissimulation art sent, And bring'st a gown of glosing, lin'd with lust, A vardingale[258] of vain boast and fan of flattery, A ruff of riot and a cap of pride; And Double-dealing is thy name and office both.

DOUBLE-DEALING: Falsehood, let's go: we are deciphered.

FALSEHOOD. Lucre, thou losest here a princely gift.

[_Exeunt ambo_.

NEMO. Lucre consumes, being won by Fraud or shift. Thus, lords, you see how these are qualified, And how these ladies shun that sharp rebuke, Which some deserve by taking of such toys, As women weak are tempted soon with gifts. But here they come, that must these ladies deck. Lucre, arise; come from the stone of Care.

_Enter_ HONEST INDUSTRY, PURE ZEAL, _and_ SINCERITY.

HONEST INDUSTRY. Fair Lucre, lo, what Honest Industry To thee hath brought, to deck thy dainty self. Lucre, by Honest Industry achiev'd, Shall prosper, nourish, and continue long. Come to thy chamber, to attire thee there.

NEMO. Thou mayest depart with Honest Industry.

[_Exit_ LUCRE _with_ HONEST INDUSTRY.

PURE ZEAL. And, Love, arise from Charity's cold flint: Pure Zeal hath purchas'd robes to cover Love. Whiles Love is single, Zeal shall her attire, With kind affection mortifying lust. Come, Love, with me these garments to put on.

NEMO. Love, follow Zeal, and take his ornaments.

[_Exit_ LOVE _with_ PURE ZEAL.

SINCERITY. Rise, Conscience, from that marble of Remorse, That weeping stone that scalds thy parched skin: Sincerity such robes for thee hath brought, As best beseems good Conscience to adorn. Come, follow, that thou may'st go put them on; For Conscience, clothed by Sincerity, Is armed well against the enemy.

NEMO. Follow him, Conscience: fear not; thou art right.

[_Exit_ CONSCIENCE _with_ SINCERITY.

POLICY. Most reverend Nemo, thanks for this good sight. Lucre is clothed by Honest Industry.

POMP. Love by Pure Zeal.

PLEASURE.
And Conscience by Sincerity.

NEMO. Lordings, thus have you seen them at the first, And thus you see them, trust me, at the worst. Depart we now: come hence a day or two, And see them deck'd as dainty ladies should, And make such choice as may content you all.

POLICY. Thanks, righteous Nemo. We, the London lords, Only to thee ourselves acknowledge bound.

[_Exeunt omnes_.

_Enter_ PAINFUL PENURY _and_ SIMPLICITY.

PENURY. Come on, gentle husband; let us lay our heads together, our purses together, and our reckonings together, to see whether we win or lose, thrive or not, go forward or backward. Do you keep a book or a score?

SIMPLICITY. A score, wife? you mean for the alehouse, do you not? I would have her examine me thereof no further, for I am in too far there, more than I would she should know. [_Aside_.

PENURY. I mean no alehouse-score, but a note of your wares. Let me see: first you began to set up with a royal. How much money have ye? What ware, and what gain?

SIMPLICITY. I have five shillings in money, two shillings in wares, or thereabout, and I owe two shillings and eightpence upon the score; how much is that? Five shillings, two shillings, and two shillings and eightpence?

PENURY. That is nine shillings and eightpence: so we are worse by a groat than when we began. Well, once again I'll set ye up: here is four groats I have got by bearing water this week: make up your stock, and run no more behind. Who comes here?

_Enter_ FRAUD, _like [a foreign] artificer_.

SIMPLICITY. What lack ye? What do ye lack?

FRAUD. Me lack-a de monish pour de feene--very feene--French knack, de feene gold button, de brave bugla lace, a de feene gold ring-a. You be free man, me un' foreigner: you buy a me ware, you gain teene pownd by lay out teene shellengs.

SIMPLICITY. Wife, what hard luck have we, that cannot make ten shillings now to gain ten pound. Why, ten pound would set us up for ever.

PENURY. Husband, see the ware; and if ten shilling will buy it, it shall go hard but we will make that money. Friend, show my husband your wares.

FRAUD. Look you dere, mastra, de feene buttoon de la gold, de ring-a de gold, de bugla shean: two shelleng un doozen de buttoon, un shelleng-a un ring. 'Tis worth ten shelleng, but, mastra and mastressa, me muss a make money to go over in my own countrey, but me lose teen pound pour hast to go next tide, or to-morrow.

PENURY. Here is five shillings; buy them of this stranger.

SIMPLICITY. Friend, you have not stolen them, but you make them? Well, I'll buy them in the open market, and then I care not; here is ten shillings; deliver me the wares.

FRAUD. Dere, mastra! O, pover necessity mak a me sell pour grand, grand loss: you shall gain ten pound at least. Go'boy[259].

SIMPLICITY. What's your name?

FRAUD. Merchant, I think I am even with ye now for calling me ostler. You'll thrive well with such bargains, if ye buy, ye know not what. Fraud hath fitted you with worse than your ballads. [_Aside_.

PENURY. You'll warrant them gold, sirrah?

FRAUD. Oui; so good gol' as you pay for. [_Aside_.] Adieu, mounsier. [_Exit_.

SIMPLICITY. Adieu, mounsier. Adieu, fool: sell such gold buttons and rings for so little money. Good Lord! what pennyworths these strangers can afford. Now, wife, let me see: ten pound! when we have ten pound, we'll have a large shop, and sell all manner of wares, and buy more of these, and get ten pound more, and then ten pound, and ten pound, and twenty pound. Then thou shalt have a taffata hat and a guarded gown, and I a gown and a new cap, and a silk doublet, and a fair hose[260].

PENURY. I thank ye, husband. Well, till then look well to your wares, and I'll ply my waterbearing, and save and get, and get and save, till we be rich. But bring these wares home every night with ye.

SIMPLICITY. Tush! I shall sell them afore night for ten pounds. Gow, wife, gow; I may tell you[261], I am glad this French fellow came with these wares: we had fall'n to examining the ale-score else, and then we had fall'n out, and the ale-wife and my wife had scolded. [_Aside_.] Well, a man may see, he that's ordained to be rich shall be rich: gow, woman.

[_Exeunt_.

_Enter_ NEMO _and the three_ LORDS _as though they had been chiding_.

NEMO. From whence, good lords, grew this hot argument?

POLICY. Thou knowest already; yet, if thou wilt hear, For this we strive: fond Pleasure makes account, Summing his bills without an auditor[262], That Lady Lucre ought of right be his.

PLEASURE. So I affirm, and so I will maintain, That Pleasure ought by right Dame Lucre have, To bear the charge of sports and of delights.

POMP. Nay, to support the haughty magnificence And lordly Pomp of London's excellence Befits it rather Lucre join with me, By whom her honour shall be more advanced.

POLICY. More fit for Pomp than Pleasure; but most fit That Policy with Lucre should be matched, As guerdon of my studies and my cares, And high employments in the commonwealth.

PLEASURE. What pleasure can be fostered without cost?

POMP. What pomp or port without respect of gain?

POLICY. What policy without preferment lives?

PLEASURE. Pleasure must have Lucre.

POMP. Pomp hath need of Lucre.

POLICY. Policy merits Lucre.

PLEASURE. Pleasure dies without Lucre.

POMP. Pomp decays without Lucre.

POLICY. Policy droops without Lucre.

NEMO. Thus, lords, you show your imperfections, Subject to passions, straining honour's bounds. Be well-advis'd: you promised to be rul'd, And have those dames by me disposed to you, But since I see that human humours oft Makes men forgetful of their greater good, Be here a while: Dame Lucre shall be brought By me to choose which lord she liketh best, So you allow her choice with patience.

PLEASURE. Go: we abide thy doom till thy return. [_Exit_.

POMP. If Lucre be not mad, she will be mine.

POLICY. If she regard her good, she will be mine.

PLEASURE. If she love happy life, she will be mine: Women love Pleasure.

POMP. Women love Pomp.

POLICY. Women use Policy: and here she comes that must decide the doubt.

_Enter_ NEMO, _with_ CONSCIENCE _all in white_.

NEMO. Conscience, content thee with a quaint conceit: Conceal thy name to work a special good. 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 sex 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 pass.

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 pass 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] pawn 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.
God 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.

POLICY. Right thankfully those favours we'll receive.

_Enter_ DILIGENCE _in haste_.

DILIGENCE. My lords, if your affairs in present be not great, Greater than any, save regard of life, Yea, even the greatest of the commonwealth, Prepare ye to withstand a stratagem, Such as this land nor London ever knew. The Spanish forces[265], lordings, are prepar'd In bravery and boast beyond all bounds, T'invade, to win, to conquer all this land. They chiefly aim at London's stately Pomp, At London's Pleasure, Wealth, and Policy, Intending to despoil her of them all, And over all these lovely ladies three, Love, Lucre, Conscience, of the rarest price[266], To tyrannise and carry hardest hand. From Spain they come with engine and intent To slay, subdue, to triumph and torment: Myself (so heaven would) espial of them had, And Diligence, dear lords, they call my name. If you vouchsafe to credit my report, You do me right, and to yourselves no wrong, Provided that you arm you, being warn'd.

POLICY. Diligence, thy service shall be knowen, And well rewarded. Nemo, for a time Conceal this dame, and live secure, unseen; Let us alone, whom most it doth concern, To meet and match our overweening foes.

POMP. Nemo, keep close, and Conscience, pray for us. Begone, and recommend us to our God.

CONSCIENCE. My lords, if ever, show your honours now. Those proud, usurping Spanish tyrants come, To reave from you what most you do regard: To take away your credit and your fame: To raze and spoil our right-renowned town; And if you Love or Lucre do regard, Or have of Conscience any kind of care, The world shall witness by this action; And of the love that you to us pretend, In this your valour shall assurance give. More would I speak, but danger's in delay: You know my mind, and heavens record my thoughts, Which[267] I with prayers for you will penetrate, And will in heart be present in your fight. Now, Pleasure, show what you will do for me.

PLEASURE. I will be turn'd to Pain for thy sweet sake.

POLICY. Fair Conscience, fear not, but assure thyself, What kind affection we soever bear To Love and Lucre in this action, Chiefly for thee our service shall be done.

POMP. For Conscience' sake more than for Lucre now.

POLICY. For Love and Conscience, not despising Lucre.

PLEASURE. Only for Conscience will I hazard all.

NEMO. And I from hence will her convey a space, Till you return with happy victory.

CONSCIENCE. Farewell, my lords: for me, my lords, for me!

[_Exeunt_ NEMO _and_ CONSCIENCE.

POLICY. Diligence, what number may there be?

DILIGENCE. A mighty host, and chiefly led by three, Who brave it out in show, as men assured Of victory, sans venture or repulse.

POLICY. How near be they?

DILIGENCE. So near, my lords, that each delay is death. Stand on your guard: they come as challengers To bruise your shields and bear away your prize, Mounting the seas, and measuring the land With strong imaginations of success.

POLICY. Well, Diligence, go get in readiness Men and munition: bid our pages ply, To see that all our furniture be well: Wit, Wealth, and Will to further wars be fit. [_Exit_ DILIGENCE. My lords, I would I might advise ye now To Carry, as it were, a careless regard Of these Castilians and their accustomed bravado. Lord Pomp, let nothing that's magnifical, Or that may tend to London's graceful state, Be unperform'd; as shows and solemn feasts, Watches in armour, triumphs, cresset-lights[268], Bonfires, bells, and peals of ordnance. And, Pleasure, see that plays be published, May-games and masques, with mirth and minstrelsy, Pageants and school-feasts, bears and puppet plays. Myself will muster upon Mile-end Green, As though we saw, and fear'd not to be seen; Which will their spies in such a wonder set, To see us reck so little such a foe, Whom all the world admires, save only we. And we respect our sport more than his spite. That John the Spaniard will in rage run mad, To see us bend like oaks with his vain breath.

POMP. In this device such liking I conceive, As London shall not lack what Pomp can do. And well I know that worthy citizens Do carry minds so frank and bountiful, As for their honour they will spare no cost: Especially to let their enemy know, Honour in England, not in Spain, doth grow.

PLEASURE. And for the time that they in pleasure spend, 'Tis limited to such an honest end, Namely, for recreation of the mind, With no great cost, yet liberal in that kind, That Pleasure vows with all delights he can To do them good--till death to be their man.

POLICY. Of Policy they trial have at large.

POMP. Then, let us go, and each man to his charge.

[_Exeunt the three Lords_.

_Enter_ SIMPLICITY _led by_ USURY.

SIMPLICITY. I, sir? Why, alas! I bought them of a stranger, an old Frenchman, for good gold, and to be worth ten pound, for so he told me. I have good witness, for my own wife was by, and lent me part of the money.

USURY. And what did they cost you?

SIMPLICITY. Ten shillings, every penny.

USURY. That argues you are guilty. Why, could ye buy so many rings and buttons of gold, think ye, for ten shillings? Of whom did ye buy them?

SIMPLICITY. Of an old Frenchman, the old French disease take him!

USURY. And where dwells that old Frenchman?

SIMPLICITY. In France, I think, for he told me he was to go over the next tide or the next day: My wife can tell as well as I, If ye think I lie. For she was by.

USURY. A good answer: he dwells in France, and you dwell here; and for uttering copper for gold you are like to lose both your ears upon the pillory, and besides lose your freedom.

SIMPLICITY. Nay, if I lose my ears, I care not for my freedom: keep you my freedom, so I may keep my ears. Is there no remedy for this, Master Usury?

USURY. None, except you can find out that old Frenchman.

SIMPLICITY. Peradventure I can, if you'll let me go into France to seek him.

USURY. So we may lose you, and never see him. Nay, that may not be.

SIMPLICITY. Nay, good Master Usury, take all my goods, and let me go.

_Enter_ FRAUD, DISSIMULATION, SIMONY, _in canvas coats like sailors_.

FRAUD. What's the matter, Usury, that this poor knave cries so?

SIMPLICITY. O Master Fraud! speak to him to let me go.

FRAUD. Fraud, ye villain! call me not by my name, and ye shall see I will speak to him to let you go free. [_Aside_.] Usury, of all old fellowship, let this poor knave pack, if the matter be not too heinous.

USURY. No: fie! his fault is odious. Look here what stuff he would utter for gold: flat copper; and he say'th he bought them of an old Frenchman.

FRAUD. But thou didst not sell them, didst thou?

SIMPLICITY. No, sir; I would have but laid them to pawn for five pounds to him.

FRAUD. That was more than they were worth. I promise thee, a foul matter. Well, thou must lose thy ware, and be glad to escape: so, Usury, at my request ye shall let the poor man go.

USURY. Well, for this once I will. Sirrah, get ye packing, and take heed of such a piece of work again, while ye live.

SIMPLICITY. There is divers pieces of work in that box: pray ye, give me some of my goods again, a ring, or something.

USURY. Not an inch, and be glad to 'scape as ye do.

SIMPLICITY. Alas! I am undone: there's all the wealth and stock I have.

FRAUD. Do ye long to lose your ears? be gone, ye foolish knave.

SIMPLICITY. I thank ye, Master Fraud. I'll not go far, but I'll be near to hear and see what the meaning of these fellows in this canvas should be; for I know Fraud, Dissimulation, and Simony to be those three. Here, I think, I am unseen. [SIMPLICITY _hides him near them_.

FRAUD. Usury, thank me for this good booty, for it is I that holp ye to it, for I sold them to him for gold indeed, in the shape of an old French artificer; come, give me half, for I deserve it, for my part was the first beginning of this comedy. I was ever afraid lest the fool should have known me; for ye see now, though disguis'd, he called me by my name.

SIMPLICITY. Did I so? I am glad I have found the Frenchman. Now, I'll raise the street, but I'll have my wares again, and prove ye, as ye were ever, both false knaves, I believe. [_Exit_ SIMPLICITY[269].

FRAUD. Kill him, stab him! Out, villain! he will betray us all.

USURY. What a fool were you to speak before he was gone: now you have lost your part of this, too; for he will go complain, you will be sought for, and I made to restore these things again.

FRAUD. Not if thou be wise: thou wilt not tarry the reckoning, for seest thou not us three, Dissimulation, Simony, and myself?

USURY. Yes: what means these canvas suits? Will ye be sailors?

FRAUD. Usury, make one: this is our intent. Let's see that none hear us now. The Spaniards are coming, thou hearest, with great power: here is no living for us in London; men are growen so full of conscience and religion, that Fraud, Dissimulation, and Simony are deciphered, and being deciphered are also despised, and therefore we will slip to the sea, and meet and join with the enemy; and if they conquer, as they may, for they are a great army by report, our credit may rise again with them: if they fail and retire, we may either go with them and live in Spain, where we and such good fellows are tolerated and used, or come slyly again hither, so long as none knows but friends.

USURY. But will you do thus, you two?

DISSIMULATION. And thou too, I hope: why, what should we do?

USURY. Whatsoever ye do, be not traitors to your native country.

SIMONY. 'Tis not our native country, thou knowest. I, Simony, am a Roman: Dissimulation, a mongrel--half an Italian, half a Dutchman: Fraud so, too--half French and half Scotish; and thy parents were both Jews, though thou wert born in London, and here, Usury, thou art cried out against by the preachers. Join with us, man, to better thy state, for in Spain preaching toucheth us not.

USURY. To better my state? Nay, to alter my state, for here, where I am, I know the government: here I can live for all their threat'ning. If strangers prevail, I know not their laws nor their usage: they may be oppressors, and take all I have; and it is like they are so, for they seek that's not their own. Therefore here will I stay, sure to keep what I have, rather than be a traitor upon hap and had-I-wist: and stay you, if ye be wise, and pray as I pray, that the preachers and all other good men may die, and then we shall flourish; but never trust to strangers' courtesy.

FRAUD. We shall trust but to our friends and kin. You'll not go with us, yet for old acquaintance keep counsel; betray us not, for we'll be gone to sea. I am afraid yon foolish knave have belaid the streets for us.

USURY. Let me go afore ye: if any such thing be, I'll give ye inkling. [_Exit_.

FRAUD. Do: farewell, Usury: and as he goes one way, we'll go another. Follow, sirs: never trust a shrinker, if he be your own brother.

[_Exeunt omnes_.

_Enter the three Lords with their Pages and_ FEALTY, _a Herald,
before them, his coat having the arms of London before, and an
olive tree behind_.

POLICY. Fealty, thou faithful herald of our town, Thou true truce-keeper and sure friend in peace, Take down our shields, and give them to our boys. [_He delivers them_. Now, Fealty, prepare thy wits for war, To parley with the proud Castilians, Approaching fast the frontiers of our coast. Wit here, my page, in every message shall Attend on thee, to note them and their deeds. I need not tell thee, they are poor and proud: Vaunters, vainglorious, tyrants, truce-breakers: Envious, ireful, and ambitious. For thou hast found their facings and their brags, Their backs their coffers, and their wealth their rags; But let me tell thee what we crave of thee-- To scan with judgment what their leaders be, To note their presence and observe their grace, And truly to advertise what they seem; Whether to be experienced in arms, Or men of name--those three that lead the rest-- The rest refer we to thy own conceit.

FEALTY. I hope in this my duty to discharge, As heretofore----

SIMPLICITY _make a great noise within, and enter with
three or four weaponed_.

SIMPLICITY. Clubs! clubs![270] Nay, come, neighbours, come, for here they be: here I left them, arrant thieves, rogues, coseners. I charge ye, as you will answer, 'prehend them; for they have undone me, and robb'd me, and made me the poorest freeman that ever kept a ballad-stall.

A CONSTABLE. I charge ye keep the peace, and lay down your weapons. [_To the three Lords_.

POMP. Who rais'd this tumult? Speak, what means this stir?

SIMPLICITY. O, I am undone, robb'd, spoil'd of all my stock! Let me see, where be they? Keep every street and door: 'xamine all that comes for Fraud that cosener.

POLICY. Masters, what mean you in these troublous times To keep this coil?

CONSTABLE. Alas! my lord, here's a poor man robb'd or cosened.

SIMPLICITY. I am robb'd.--O my boys, my pretty boys, I am undone! Saw ye no thieves, nor no crafty knaves? What be all these?

WIT. Simplicity, away! these be our lords; offend them not for fear.

SIMPLICITY. I seek not them: I seek for Fraud that robb'd me.

PLEASURE. Go, seek elsewhere, for here's no place for such.

POLICY. My friends, depart, and qualify this stir, And see peace kept within the walls, I charge ye.

CONSTABLE. I will, my lord. Come, Simplicity, we came too late to find your losses.

SIMPLICITY. Pray for me, my boys; I think I shall hang myself. I come ever too late to speed.

[_Exeunt_.

POLICY. Now, lords, let honour's fire inflame our thoughts, And let us arm our courage with our cause, And so dispose ourselves to welcome them. Do me the favour (if I may entreat) To be the first to front the foe in face: The vanguard let be Policy's this once, Pomp's the main battle, Pleasure's the rearward; And so bestow us, if you think it good.

POMP. I think it good, and time that it were done.

PLEASURE. I think it good, and wish the enemy come.

_Enter_ DILIGENCE.

DILIGENCE. And here they come, as brave as Philip's son And his Hephaestion wont to be array'd, In glittering gold and party-coloured plumes; With curious pendants on their lances fix'd, Their shields impress'd with gilt copartiments; Their pages careless playing at their backs, As if with conquest they triumphing came.

POLICY. If they be conquer'd, greater is their shame. But, Diligence, go post alongst the coast To tell the news; and look, to welcome them, Let us alone. My lords, you hear the news: More words were vain; I know ye well resolv'd.

[_Exit_ DILIGENCE.

POMP. And here they come. O proud Castilians!

_Enter first_, SHEALTY _the Herald; then_ PRIDE, _bearing his
shield himself, his impress a Peacock; the word_ Nonpareil;
_his Page_, SHAME, _after him with a lance, having a pendant gilt,
with this word in it_, Sur le Ciel. AMBITION, _his impress a black
horse saliant, with one hinder-foot upon the globe of the earth,
one fore-foot stretching towards the clouds, his word_ Non sufficit
orbis; _his Page_, TREACHERY, _after him, his pendant argent and
azure, an armed arm catching at the sunbeams, the word in it_ Et
gloriam Phoebi. _Last_, TYRANNY, _his impress a naked child on a
spear's-point, bleeding; his word_ Pour sangue; _his Page_, TERROR,
_his pendant gules, in it a tiger's head out of a cloud, licking
a bloody heart; the word in it_ Cura cruor. _March once about the
stage, then stand and view the Lords of London, who shall march
towards them, and they give back, then the Lords of London wheel
about to their standing, and th' other come again into their
places. Then_ POLICY _sends_ FEALTY; _their Herald's coat must
have the arms of Spain before, and a burning ship behind_.

POLICY. My lords, what mean these gallants to perform? Come these Castilian cowards but to brave? Do all these mountains move to breed a mouse? Fealty, go fetch their answer resolute, How they dare be so bold, and what They dare do here.

[_As_ FEALTY _is going toward them, they send forth_ SHEALTY.

SHEALTY. What wouldst thou, herald?

FEALTY. Parley with those three, herald.

SHEALTY. They scorn to grace so mean a man as thou With parley or with presence.

FEALTY. Do they scorn? What, are thy masters monarchs every one? Or be they gods? or rather be they devils? Scorn they a herald's presence and his speech? Name them, that I may know their mightiness, And so avoid of duties some neglect.

SHEALTY. Monarchs in minds, and gods in high conceits, That scorn you English as the scum of men, Whom I ne dare without their licence name, 'Fore whom thy duties all are few and base.

FEALTY. Imperious Spaniard, do a herald right: Thyself art one; their trouchman[271] if thou be, Be thou my trump[272], that I my message may Through thee convey to them from London lords.

SHEALTY. Base English groom, from beggars sent belike, Who for their mate thee malapert account, Dare I (think'st thou) these lords magnificent, Without their special pleasure understood. Once move with message or with show of speech?

FEALTY. More servile thou to lose a herald's due, That is in field a king's companion. But if thou dare not my ambassage do, Stand by, and stop not my access to them.

SHEALTY. Rather will I return, and know their minds.

[_When_ SHEALTY _goes to them_, WIT _goes to the
three Lords of London_.

POLICY. Now, boy, what news?

WIT. The fearful herald of yon famous crew Durst not your message to his masters tell, Till Fealty with contumelious words (Yet was the Spaniard brave and hot in terms) Enforced him for their answer resolute.

[_The Spaniards whisper with their Herald_.

POMP. Which now, belike, our herald shall receive; For theirs comes to him.

SHEALTY. It pleaseth them to be magnifical, And of their special graces to vouchsafe A counterview of pages and of shields, And countermessage by us heralds done; A favour which they seldom grant to foes. Go thou for those; I meet thee will with these.

FEALTY. My lords, yon braving Spaniards wish A counterview of pages and of shields, But what they mean or be, I know not yet. Haply you may by their impresses view, Or I by parley some conjecture give, So please it you your pages and your shields With me to send: their herald comes with theirs.

POLICY. Our shields I reck not, but to send our Wealth--

FEALTY. Accompanied with Wit and Will--no peril.

POMP. It is my Wealth; but keep him, if they dare: I'll fetch him double, if they do, my lords.

PLEASURE. Boys, take our shields and spears, for they come on.

WIT. Vail, Spaniard: couch thy lance and pendant both. Knowest where thou art? Here will we bear no braves.

[_When the English boys meet the other, cause them to put
down the tops of their lances, but they beat up theirs_.

WEALTH. Down with your point: no loft-born lances here By any stranger, be he foe or friend.

WILL. Well dost thou note the couching of thy lance; Mine had, ere this, else gor'd your Spanish skin.

FEALTY. Well done, my boys; but now all reverence--

SHEALTY. Advance again your lances now, my boys. [_Hold up again_.

S. PRIDE. Dicito nobis ideo, qui ades, quid sibi velint isthaec emblemata? Dicito (inquam) lingua materna: nos enim omnes belle intelligimus, quamvis Anglice loqui dedignamur.

FEALTY. Then know, Castilian cavalieros, this: The owners of these emblems are three lords, Those three that now are viewing of your shields: Of London, our chief city, are they lords; Policy, Pomp, and Pleasure be their names; And they, in honour of their mistresses, Love, Lucre, Conscience, London ladies three, Emblazoned these scutcheons, challenging Who durst compare or challenge one of them. And Policy a tortoise hath impress'd, Encompass'd with her shell, her native walls, And _Providens securus_ is his word: His page is Wit, his mistress Lady Love. Pomp in his shield a lily hath portray'd, As paragon of beauty and boon-grace: _Glorie sans peere_ his word, and true it is; With London's Pomp Castile cannot compare: His page is Wealth, his mistress Lucre hight. Pleasure, the dainty of that famous town, A falcon hath emblazon'd, soaring high, To show the pitch that London's Pleasure flies: His word _Pour temps_, yet never stops to train, But unto Conscience, chosen for his dear: His page is Will; and thus th'effect you hear.

S. PRIDE. Buena, buena, per los Lutheranos Ingleses.

FEALTY. Mala, mala, per Catholicos Castellanos.

POLICY. Loqueris Anglice?

SHEALTY. Maxime, Domine.

POLICY. Agendum: go to, then; and declare Thy lords their shields, their pages and their purpose. Speak, man; fear not: though Spain use messengers ill, 'Tis England's guise to entreat them courteously.

SHEALTY. Three cavalieros Castilianos here, Without compeers in compass of this world, Are come to conquer, as full well they shall, This molehill isle, that little England hight, With London, that proud paltry market-town, And take those dames, Love, Lucre, Conscience, Prisoners, to use or force, as pleaseth them. The first (now quake) is Spanish Majesty, That for his impress gives Queen Juno's bird, Whose train is spang'd with Argus' hundred eyes; The Queen of Gods scorns not to grace him so: His word is _Nonpareil_, none his like; Yet is his page or henchman Modesty, Lucre the lady that shall be his prize: And in his pendant on his lance's point _Sur le Ciel_ his word, Above the heavens.

POLICY. Whilome, indeed, above the heavens he was, Could he have kept him in that blessed state. From thence for pride he fell to pit of pain; And is he now become the pride of Spain? And to his page, not Modesty, but Shame. Well, on, the rest----

SHEALTY. Don Honour is the next grand peer of Spain, Whose impress is a courser saliant, Of colour sable, darkening air and earth, Pressing the globe with his disdainful foot, And sallying to aspire to rolling skies: _Non sufficit orbis_ is his haughty word, The world sufficeth not high Honour's thoughts; And on the pendant, fixed on his lance, A hand is catching at the sunny beams: _Et gloriam Phoebi_, and the sun's bright coach Honour would guide, if he might have his will. His page is Action, tempering still with state.

POLICY. Himself Ambition, whom the heavens do hate.

SHEALTY. And Love the lady that he hopes to gain.

POLICY. His thoughts, distract from foul-distempered brain, Proves him the very firebrand[273] of Spain: And in his shield his black disordered beast, Scaling the skies, scornful to tread the ground, And both his words--proud words--prove perfectly Action his page to be but Treachery, Ever attendant on Ambition. But to the third----

SHEALTY. The third grand cavaliero is Government, Severe in justice and in judgment deep: His impress is a naked infant, gor'd Upon a lance, signifying Severity. His word _Pour sangue_; for blood of enemies He bends his forces: on his pendant is A tiger, licking of a bleeding heart; And _Cura cruor_ is the word thereon: His care's for blood of those that dare resist. Yet hight his page, that follows him, Regard, And he for Conscience to this conquest comes.

POLICY. The Government of Spain is Tyranny, As do his impress and his words declare: His page is Terror; for a tyrant fears His death in diet, in his bed, in sleep. In Conscience' spite, the Spanish tyranny Hath shed a sea of most unguilty blood. Well, what's the end?

SHEALTY. The end is, best you yield, Submitting you to mercy of these lords.

POMP. Before we fight? soft, sir; ye brave too fast. Castilians, know that Englishmen will knock. But say, Doth Spanish Pride for London's Lucre gape?

PLEASURE. And would their Tyranny Conscience captive have?

POLICY. Doth their Ambition London's Love affect?

SHEALTY. All this they will, and prey upon your town, And give your lands away before your face. Alas! what's England to the power of Spain? A molehill, to be placed where it pleaseth them.

POMP. But in this molehill many pismires be, All which will sting, before they be remov'd. What is thy name?

SHEALTY. Shealty.

POLICY. An Irish word, signifying liberty; Rather remissness, looseness, if ye will. Why hath thy coat a burning ship behind?

SHEALTY. To signify the burning of your fleet By us Castilians.

POLICY. It rather means your commonwealth's on fire About your ears, and you were best look home. A commonwealth's compared to a ship: If yours do flame, your country is hot; beware.

FEALTY. I see, Castilians, that you marvel much At this same emblem of the olive-tree Upon my back; lo, this it signifies. Spain is in wars; but London lives in peace: Your native fruit doth wither on your soil, And prospers where it never planted was. This London's Fealty doth avouch for truth. Herald of war, and porter of their peace, Command ye me no service to my lords?

S. PRIDE. Quid tu cum dominis mox servietis miseri nobis[274]: discede.

FEALTY. Quid mihi cum dominis servietis miseri meis!

POMP. Shealty, say unto yon Thrasoes three, The Lords of London dare them to the field, Pitying their pride and their ambition, Scorning their tyranny, and yet fearing this, That they are come from home and dare not fight; But if they dare--in joint or several arms, Battle or combat--him that Lucre seeks, Your Spanish Pride, him dare I from the rest.

PLEASURE. That bloody cur, your Spanish Tyranny, That London's Conscience would force with cruelty, I challenge him for Conscience' sake to fight A Lord of London, and I Pleasure hight. And, Shealty, when citizens dare them thus, Judge what our nobles and our courtiers dare.

POLICY. Say, if thou wilt, that London's Policy Discerns that proud Ambition of Spain; And for he comes inflam'd with London's Love, In combat let him conquer me, and have her. This is Love's favour; I her servant am.

POMP. This Lucre's favour: Pomp for her will fight.

PLEASURE. This Conscience' favour: she my mistress is.

SHEALTY. You craven English on your dunghills crow.

POMP. You Spanish pheasants crow upon your perch: But when we fire your coats about your ears, And take your ships before your walled towns, We make a dunghill of your rotten bones, And cram our chickens with your grains of gold.

SHEALTY. You will not yield?

PLEASURE. Yes, the last moneth.

SHEALTY. Farewell.

[_Retire Heralds with the Pages to their places_.

S. PRIDE. Vade.

POLICY. Herald, how now?

FEALTY. Yon proud Castilians Look for your service.

POMP. So do we for theirs. But, Fealty, canst thou declare to me The cause why all their pages follow them, When ours in show do ever go before?

FEALTY. In war they follow, and the Spaniard is Warring in mind.

POLICY. But that's not now the cause. Yon three are Pride, Ambition, Tyranny: Shame follows Pride, as we a proverb have; Pride goes before, and Shame comes after. Treachery ever attends upon Ambition; And Terror always with a fearful watch Doth wait upon ill-conscienced Tyranny. But why stay we to give them space to breathe? Come, Courage! let us charge them all at once.

[_Let the three Lords pass towards the Spaniards, and the
Spaniards make show of coming forward and suddenly depart_.

POMP. What braving cowards these Castilians be? My lords, let's hang our 'scutcheons up again, And shroud ourselves, but not far off, unseen, To prove if that may draw them to some deed, Be it to batter our impressed shields.

PLEASURE. Agreed. Here, Fealty, hang them up a space.

[_They hang up their shields, and step out of sight. The Spaniards
come, and flourish their rapiers near them, but touch them not, and
then hang up theirs; which the Lords of London perceiving, take
their own and batter theirs. The Spaniards, making a little show to
rescue, do suddenly slip away and come no more_.

POLICY. Facing, faint-hearted, proud, and insolent, That bear no edge within their painted sheaths, That durst not strike our silly patient shields!

POMP. Up have they set their own: see, if we dare Batter on them, and beat their braving lords.

PLEASURE. Let them not yonder hang unhack'd, my lords.

POLICY. With good advice, that we be not surprised.

POMP. And good enough myself will onset give[275] On Pride's. At your Peacock, sir.

PLEASURE. At Tyranny's will I bestow my blow, Wishing the master.

POLICY. I at Ambition's strike. Have at his pampered jade!

_Enter_ S. PRIDE.

S. PRIDE. Fuoro Viliagos! fuoro Lutheranos Ingleses! fuoro, sa, sa, sa!

POMP. Their shields are ours: they fled away with shame. But, lordings, whiles the stratagem is fresh, And memory of their misfortune green, Their hearts yet fainting with the novel grief, Let us pursue them flying: if you say it, Haply we may prevent their passage yet.

POLICY. With speed and heed the matter must be done.

PLEASURE. Therefore you, Policy, shall our leader be.

[_Exeunt omnes_.

_Enter [the] three Ladies and_ NEMO.

NEMO. The day is ours: fair ladies, let us joy The joyful day that all men may rejoice; Yet only I am thankful for this good, And your good day at hand approacheth fast, Wherein you shall be join'd to three such lords, As all the cities under heaven's bright cope Cannot with all their glory match in worth. Lucre, Lord Pomp a victor comes to thee: Love, look thou for Lord Policy as well; And Conscience for her well-reformed phere, Pleasure, that only made his choice of her. Upon that day triumphant shall we feast, Wherein, mesdames, your honours nill be least.

LUCRE. Against their coming, might my reed be heard[276], Prepare would we garlands of laurel green, To welcome them; more for the common good, Than for affection private that we bear.

LOVE. To meet them coming will not be amiss; But what know we, how they will take such work?

CONSCIENCE. Report may be much more than there is cause. We may them meet and greet with joyful hearts, And make them garlands, when we know their minds.

_Enter the three Lords, with the Spanish shields, and_ DILIGENCE.

NEMO. And here they come with new-impressed shields.-- My lords, well-met, and welcome from your foes.

LUCRE. Lord Pomp, well-met, and welcome home again.

LOVE. Lord Policy, well-met, and welcome home again.

CONSCIENCE. Lord Pleasure, welcome with unfeigned heart.

PLEASURE. Fair joy and lady, twenty thousand thanks.

POLICY. Fair Love and lady, twice as many thanks.

POMP. Fair and beloved Lucre, though I speak last, As kindly I thy welcome do accept, As heart can think, pen write, or tongue can tell.

NEMO. Now speak, my lords, how have ye sped?

POLICY. Right well; thanks unto Him that gave the day to us. The Pride of Spain was cloak'd with majesty, And Shame, his page, nicknamed Modesty: Spanish Ambition Honour would be call'd, And Treachery, his page, term'd Action: Their Tyranny was cleped Government; Terror, his page, was falsely nam'd Regard; But God above hath given them their reward. They with dishonour left their shields behind, The only prizes purchas'd by us now, And those, fair ladies, we present to you. Love, this is thine, and he that gives it thee.

NEMO. In lieu whereof your gift and her I give Again to you, that merit more than both.

POLICY. The greatest gift and good could me befall.

POMP. Fair Lucre, lo, my present and myself.

LUCRE. Which I, with Nemo's license, gladly take.

NEMO. Take her, Lord Pomp; I give her unto thee, Wishing your good may ten times doubled be.

POMP. The richest[277] good this world could give to me.

PLEASURE. Of duty I, my dear, must give thee this: That art my comfort and my earthly bliss.

NEMO. Now, lords, I hope you are contented all: Pomp with his Lucre, Policy with Love, Pleasure with Conscience: joy fall you from above. And thus to you my promise is perform'd, And I expect that yours as well be kept, That present preparation may be made To honour those with holy marriage rites, That I, in presence of the world, may give These as my daughters unto you my sons.

POLICY. By my consent one day shall serve us all, Which shall be kept for ever festival.

POMP. And on that day, in honour of these dames, These shields in triumph shall be borne about.

PLEASURE. With pageants, plays, and what delights may be, To entertain the time and company.

NEMO. So it please you, lordings, methinks it were meet, That the ladies took care to provide their own toys. Myself need to help them, who know their minds well, For I can keep women both quiet and constant.

POLICY. It pleaseth us well that you will take the pains. Fair ones, for a while ye[278] betake you to your business.

POMP. Ladies, adieu.

PLEASURE. Beloved, farewell.