Volume Vi Part 10 (2/2)

AVARICE.

Were it not better for you to live at ease, And spend that merrily which earst you have got, Than by your own folly yourself to disease, And bring you to trouble, which other men seek not?

HYPOCRISY.

In faith, Philologus, your zeal is too hot, Which will not be quench'd, but with your heart-blood; If I were so zealous, I would think myself wood.

CARDINAL.

Tus.h.!.+ it will not be: he thinks we do but jest.

Wherefore, that some trial of my mind he may have, That Careful Provision should go I think best Into the town, and there a.s.sistance crave, His house for to enter, and his goods for me save: Lest when his wife know that they be confiscate, Into other men's keeping the same she doth dissipate.

HYPOCRISY.

You speak very wisely in my simple judgment: Therefore you were best to send him away.

CARDINAL.

Go to, Careful Provision, depart incontinent, And fulfil the words which I to you say.

AVARICE.

Of pardon herein I do your lords.h.i.+p pray.

You doubt not, I trust, of my willing mind, Which herein is most ready, you always shall find: For who is more ready by fraud to purloin Other men's goods than I am each where?

But lest some man at me should chance to foin, And kill me at once, I greatly do fear.

I had rather persuade him his folly to forbear.

CARDINAL.

Prove then, if thou canst do him any good: He shall not say that we seek his blood.

AVARICE.

Ah, Master Philologus! you see your own case, That both life and goods are in my lord's will: Therefore you were best to sue for some grace, And be content his words to fulfil.

If you neglect this, hence straightway I will, And all your goods I will sure confiscate: Then will you repent it, when it is too late.

PHILOLOGUS.

My case indeed I see most miserable, As was Susanna betwixt two evils placed; Either to consent to sin most abhominable, Or else in the world's sight to be utterly disgraced; But as she her chast.i.ty at that time embraced, So will I now spiritual wh.o.r.edom resist, And keep me a true virgin to my loving spouse Christ.

AVARICE.

Wilt thou then neglect the provision of thy household?

Thou art therefore worse than an infidel is.

PHILOLOGUS.

That you abuse G.o.d's word, to say I dare be bold, And the saying of Paul you interpret amiss.

CARDINAL.

I never saw the like heretic that this is.

Away, Careful Provision, about your business.

AVARICE.

Sith there is no remedy, I am here in readiness.

[_Exit_ AVARICE.

PHILOLOGUS.

I beseech your lords.h.i.+p, even from the heart-root, That you would vouchsafe, for my contentation, To approve unto me by G.o.d's holy book Some one of the questions of our disputation: For I will hear you with heart's delectation, Because I would gladly to your doctrine consent, If that I could so my conscience content.

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