Volume Vi Part 53 (2/2)

But only see thy rooms be neat, when I shall thither resort, With familiar friends to play, and[213] pa.s.s the time in sport; For the deputy, constable and spiteful neighbours do spy, pry, and eye about my house, That I dare not be once merry within, but still mute like a mouse.

CONSCIENCE.

My good Lady Lucre, I will fulfil your mind in every kind of thing, So that you shall be welcome at all hours, whomsoever you do bring: And all the dogs in the town shall not bark at your doings, I trow; For your full pretence and intent I do throughly know, Even so well as if you had opened the very secrets of your heart, For which I doubt not but to rest in your favour by my desert.

But here comes your man, Usury.

_Enter_ USURY.

LUCRE.

I'll send him home for the money--Usury, step in, And bring me the box of all abhomination, that stands in the window: It is little and round, painted with divers colours, and is pretty to the show.

USURY.

Madam, is there any superscription thereon?

LUCRE.

Have I not told you the name? for shame; get you gone.

[_Exit_ USURY.]

Well, my wench, I doubt not but our pleasures shall excel, Seeing thou hast got a corner fit, where few neighbours dwell, And they be of the poorest sort, which fits our turn so right, Because they dare not speak against our sports and sweet delight: And if they should, alas! their words would nought at all be weigh'd, And for to speak before my face they will be all afraid.

_Enter_ USURY, _with a painted box of ink in his hand_.

USURY.

Madam, I deem this same to be it, so far as I can guess.

LUCRE.

Thou sayest the truth; 'tis it indeed: the outside shows no less, But, Usury, I think Dissimulation hath not seen you since your coming home; Therefore go see him: he will rejoice, when to him you are shown.

It is a busy time with him: help to further him, if you can.

USURY.

You may command me to attend at board to be his man.

[_Exit_ USURY.

_Here let_ LUCRE _open the box, and dip her finger in it, and spot_ CONSCIENCE' _face, saying as followeth_.

LUCRE.

Hold here, my sweet; and then over to see if any want.

The more I do behold this face, the more my mind doth vaunt.

This face is of favour, these cheeks are reddy and white; These lips are cherry-red, and full of deep delight: Quick-rolling eyes, her temples high, and forehead white as snow; Her eyebrows seemly set in frame, with dimpled chin below.

O, how beauty hath adorned thee with every seemly hue, In limbs, in looks, with all the rest proportion keeping due.

Sure, I have not seen a finer soul in every kind of part: I cannot choose but kiss thee with my lips, that love thee with my heart.

CONSCIENCE.

I have told the crowns, and here are just so many as you to me did say.

LUCRE.

Then, when thou wilt, thou may'st depart, and homewards take thy way.

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