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 1
 
 RSITY OF CALIFORNIA 
 AT LOS ANGELES
 
 gbe Cuaot 1Reprlnte& an& parallel Cests 
 
 impatient i&otoertp 
 
 1560
 
 Zhe ffu&or IRcprintefr anfr parallel geyte 
 
 Under the Supervision and Editorship of 
 JOHN S. FARMER 
 
 3fmpattent ^obertj) 
 
 1560 
 
 Privately Printed for Subscribers 
 
 MCMIX 
 
 > * » 
 
   
 
 > > 
 
 • > > 
 
 > . . 
 
 < , . , 
 
 » » > * > 
 
   , : ; ' ; • • 
 
 » *
 
 PRINTED BY 
 HAZELt , WATSON AND V1NEY, ID, 
 LONDON AND AYLESBURY. 
 
 I i
 
 * 
 
 impatient i&otoertp 
 
 Until recently this play was known by mention only. 
 
 A copy, however, turned up in the notable Irish 
 
 "find" sold at Sotheby's in July, igo6. It was 
 
 then bought for the nation for £/J>0, and is now 
 
 in the British Museum (Press-mark, C. j^, /. 26). 
 
 " Impatient Poverty " is in black-letter, the 
 
 leaf-measurement being y\ inches by 5 inches, 18 
 
 leaves. The margins in some places are badly 
 
 ^ shaved : lacunae are supplied in this reprint between 
 
 00 brackets — " [ ]." On some leaves the names of 
 
 & the speakers are a little lower and on some a little 
 2; 
 
 higher than the commencing line of a speech : no 
 
 notice has here been taken of these "faults " {but see 
 
 "Obvious Errors" at end of play). 
 
 The black-letter of the original has been replaced 
 
 , by a modern roman fount ; and as in the original the 
 
 ^V^stage directions show no change of type, the same rule 
 
 ^J has now been followed.
 
 vi IMPATIENT POVERTY 
 
 My choice of good, clear modern type for the old 
 black-letter will, I hope, be justified and approved 
 by subscribers and readers. It is generally held, 
 I believe, that the modern imitation of black-letter 
 is merely a nuisance for practical purposes of study, 
 however nice it may look on a drawing-room table. 
 It takes much longer to read than ordinary modern 
 type, and fills more space (an important consideration 
 for a student with limited shelf-room), and commands 
 ?io t a jot more confidence as to its accuracy. In fact, 
 it is " neither fish, flesh, fowl, nor good red herring." 
 For those whose needs and tastes run in the other 
 direction, there are, if originals are not available, 
 the first series, now nearly complete, of fifty volumes 
 of The Tudor Facsimile Texts. 
 
 'The title-page and the ornaments at the end are 
 facsimiles, the former slightly reduced. 
 
 This reprint has been compared with the original f 
 by Mr. J. A. Herbert, of the Manuscript Department 
 of the British Museum. 
 
 JOHN S. FARMER. '
 
 ti . ; :--t > r- .. ' - -_J - 
 
 P$»*S 
 
 > saw,:: 
 
 terlud? of Tmpacpente pouerte 
 
 Cfottwttiefrmavtwefland ea ^' 
 Ire plapedftj&gintetUtDe. 
 
 t&cace am CbK natfaroe an& Co j 
 ftyencr,fojomman. 
 
 fca&otmBaunce antf rapftule fojt* 
 anottjet man. 
 
 : gittpacfente pouette , ybtofpetp* 
 1 te»ano youerte,fo? one wan, 
 
 <Cnu?eanft tljc fommer.fo? ano- 
 ther man/- 
 
 
 "J21: 
 
 t?e 
 
 
 [Facsimile of Title-page of '" Impatient Po-zierty" slightly reduced, from 
 a copy now in tlie British Museum. The hack in original is blank.]
 
 d Peace begynneth, 
 
 THe puifaut prynce and innocent mod: pure 
 whych humbly defcended fro the fete fepiternal 
 Illumyne hys beames of grace to euery creature 
 To wythftand the conflicte of our enemyes mortall 
 The deuyll, the world, & the fiefhe, thefe .iii. in fpecyal 
 whych fetteth dyuifion betwene the foule & the body 
 In like wife enuy fetteth debate betwene party & par 
 
 I fpeake for this caufe, dayly ye may fe (tye 
 
 Howe that by enuy and malyce, many be deftroyed 
 which yf they had lyued in peace w pacyent humilite 
 Ryches and profperite with them had ben employed 
 For there as is peace, no man is annoyed 
 For by peace men growe to great rycheffe 
 And by peace men lyue in greate quyetneffe 
 
 I am named peace whych enuye doeth expel 
 Enuy wyth me ihall neuer reft 
 For enuye is one of the paynes of hell 
 when that he foiourneth within a mans breft 
 Lyke the burnynge Fenix in her owne neft 
 Though flie can none other hurte ne greue 
 yet flie doth not ceafe her felfe to myfcheue 
 
 A fyr here was a longe predication Enuye[.] 
 
 Me though ye fayd in your commnnicatyon 
 To euery man peace was moft behoued. 
 
 Forfoth and fo fayde I. Peace. 
 
 That fhalbe proued contrary e by and by Enuyej".] 
 
 For by peace moche people are vndone 
 
 What people are tho. Peace. 
 
 The armurer, the fletcher, and the bowyer Enuye[.] 
 
 Maryners, gonners, and the poore fowdyer 
 yea and alfo many an other artyfycer 
 which I do not reherfe by name 
 
 [ 3 ]
 
 Peace. I fay the vnyuerfall people doth beft obtayne 
 
 Where as peace is eucr abydynge 
 Enuye. Thou lyeit fo god me helpe and haly dome 
 
 For then were furgyons cleane vndone 
 
 Of them that wyll fyght and breake a pate 
 
 They gete good lyuynge both erly and late 
 
 And what fayeft thou by men of lawe 
 
 Theyr lyuyng were not worth a ftrawe 
 
 And euery man fhulde lyue in peace. 
 Peace. That is not for the commons encreafe 
 
 For by peace they profyte in many a thynge 
 
 Peace fetteth amyte bet wen e kynge and kynge 
 
 In tyme of peace marchauntes haue theyr courfe 
 
 To paffe and repaffe 
 Enuye. Thou lyeft knaue by the maffe (wroughte 
 
 For vnder colour of peace moch futtelte hathe bene 
 
 And fhyps are taken y marchautes dere haue boughte 
 
 was that for theyr promocyon 
 
 Nay in tyme of war 
 
 Suche a knaue durft not ftere 
 
 By y maffe were it not for lhame thou fhuls bere me 
 [Pjeace. Holde thy handes thou lewde felow (a blow 
 
 Thou arte of euyl dyfpoficyon 
 
 Thus agaynft peace to repugne 
 
 The whyche from heauen defcended downe 
 
 To bryngd man out of captiuite 
 [E]nuye. A horfon why doeft thou lye 
 
 when were thou in heauen tell me by and by 
 
 How cameft thou downe with a ladder or a rope 
 [Pjeace. It were no fynne to hange the by throte 
 
 Thy wordes be enuyous, not grounded on charyte. 
 [EJnuye. Syr one thynge I praye you tell me. 
 [Pjeace. What is that 
 
 [4 ]
 
 Haue ye any wyfe or no 
 
 Wherfore afke ye fo 
 
 Bycaufe ye faye peace is mofte expedyent 
 yf your wife made you cuckolde you beyng prefent 
 what wolde ye do 
 
 Geue her foche puniffliement as longeth thereto 
 
 A falfe flatterynge horson loo 
 Novve thou fay eft agaynft thyne owne declaracyon 
 yf thou fyght where is then peace become. 
 
 I breake not peace with doynge due correctyon 
 For correctyon fhuld be done charitably 
 Irafcemini et nolite peccare 
 
 I ihall mete that at omnium quare 
 Peace fhuld forgeue, and not be reuenged 
 Hens horfon by our lady of wolpit 
 I fhall rappe the of the pate 
 
 Go hence wretche, thou make bate 
 It were almes to fet the in newcate 
 
 o 
 
 Howe mayfter con liable come nere 
 Here is a wretche wythout reafon 
 Take and put hym in pryfon 
 with as many yrons as he may beare 
 
 By our lady I wyll come no nere 
 A conftable, quod ha, nay that wyll I not abyde 
 For I am lothe to go fhorter tyde 
 yet longe horfon for al thy pryde 
 I fhall mete wyth the another daye 
 when one of vs two fhall goo a knauc aw aye 
 
 O thou wretche thou ought to rcmordc 
 That fo farrc arte exiled from chary te 
 Lo he thynketh not, how mekcly his maker & Lorile 
 Suffered reprefe and dyed vpon a tic 
 Geuynge vs example that wythe humyly 
 
 Enuy[e.] 
 
 Peace[.] 
 
 Enuy[e.] 
 
 Peace[.] 
 Enuy[e.] 
 
 Peace[.] 
 
 Enuy[e.] 
 
 Peace[.] 
 
 Enuy[e.J 
 
 reac[e.] 
 
 [ 5 ]
 
 Eueri man fhulde folowe his trace 
 That in heauen vvyl clayme a place 
 Impacyient pouerte. 
 Kepe kepe for coxs face. 
 Peace. why arte thou fo out of pacyence 
 
 [I]mpaci- A knaue wolde haue refted me I owe him but .xl. 
 
 [e]nt po. He (hall abyde by goddes dere bleft. (pens 
 
 Peace. Take hede my frende thus fayth the texte 
 In lyttle medlynge ftandeth great reft 
 Therfore paye thy duetye well and honeftly 
 with fewe wordes dyfcretelye 
 Another tyme ye fliall be the better trufte 
 
 [I]mpaci- That wil I neuer do while I Hue let him do his beft 
 
 [e]nt po. I had leuer laye all my good to pledge 
 To gete a wryte of pryueledge 
 So may I go by his nofe at large 
 Spyte of hys tethe who fo euer faye naye 
 
 [P]eace. This is but a wilful mynde, yf thou wilt not paye 
 They very duety, whych can not be denayde 
 Getynge of thy wryte and expence in the lawe 
 wyl coft more then thy duety, thys wyll I knawe 
 Thy dette therwith can not be payde 
 It is onely a deferringe of the paymente. 
 
 [I]mpaci. yet the knawe fhall not haue hys entent. 
 
 [P]eace. Thou fhalt paye by ryghtfull iudge^ient 
 For the lawe is indifferent to euery perfon 
 
 [I]mpaci- I fe thou holdeft on his opynion 
 
 [e]nt po. Yet I fet not by you both a ryfflie 
 
 And I mete the knawe I fhal hewe his flefhe 
 Helpe hym thou olde chorle and thou can 
 
 [P]eace. I fe thou arte an euyldyfpofed man. 
 I vtterly forfake thy condycyon 
 
 [I]mpaci. Mary auaunt longe precyous horfon 
 
 [ 6 ]
 
 I fet not by the nor him, I make God auowe 
 
 I am as good a man, as thou for all thy good 
 
 Let it be tryet by mahode, and thertho I geue the my 
 
 Al foch warryours I do reproue (gloue Peace. 
 
 For peace loueth not to fyght 
 
 No olde foole, thou haft lofte thy myghtc impaci- 
 
 For in age is noughte els but cowardyfe ent po. 
 
 Youth wyth hys courage lyghte Peace. 
 
 Nor ftrenght wyth multitude I do the plyght 
 Are not onely the caufe of victory 
 
 No good fyr, what then. impaci. 
 
 Grace and good goueruaunce of man Peace. 
 
 For wyth good difcretion thei began. 
 That were the greate winners of victory 
 
 Then victory is gotten by dyfcretion impaci- 
 
 I praye your fyr fhewe me thys leffon tnt po. 
 
 Howe to come to rycheffe, for that is all my care 
 For I am euer in greate neceffyte 
 Meate and drinke with me is fcarfite 
 No man will trufte me of a peny 
 And alfo my clothes are but bare 
 Good fyr what faye you therm 
 
 I holde it puniffhmente for thi finne Peace. 
 
 Shewe me what is thy name 
 
 I am named Impacyente pouerte impac. 
 
 Forfoth that maye full well be Peace. 
 
 Thou arte fo full of wrath and enuye 
 In the can growe no grace 
 But yf thou wylte forfake fenfualyte 
 And be gouerned by reafon as I lhall cnducc the 
 Thou fhaltc come to rycheffe, wythin fhorte fpace 
 
 Shewe me that nowe in thys place impaci[.] 
 
 And therto I wyll agree 
 
 [ 7 ]
 
 [P]eace. Thou mufte loue thy neyghboure wyth charyte 
 
 Do vnto hym, no maner of dyfeafe 
 
 Lokc how thou wolde he dyd to the 
 
 Do to hym no worfe in no degree 
 
 And then thou ihalt oure lorde pleafe. 
 [I]mpaci- Shall I loue hym that loueth not me ? 
 [e]nt po. Thofe that trouble and rebuke me fhamefully 
 
 That wyll I neuer do whyle I lyue. 
 [P]eace. Thou muft charitably al fautes forgeue 
 
 What foeuer any man to the faye 
 
 Let as thou harde it not, turne thyne eare awaye 
 
 Thou lhalte pleafe god, yf thou fo do, 
 [IJmpaci- Naye by good there hoo 
 [e]nt po. What is he in all thys place 
 
 That wyll do as thys man fayde 
 
 Shevve me or I go 
 
 yf a man do you a greate offence 
 
 Wyll ye kepe your pacyence 
 
 Naye by god not fo 
 
 I put cafe I breake your heed 
 
 wyll ye fuffre that in verye dede. 
 [P]eace. To fuffer for Chriftes fake I fhall haue mede 
 [IJmpaci. That shal I knowe by Goddes brede. 
 Peace. Holde thy hande and kepe pacyence 
 
 Thynke what Chryfte fuffered for oure offence 
 
 He was beaten, fcourged, & fpytte on wyth vyolence 
 
 And fuffered death for our fake 
 
 yet he toke it pacyentlye 
 
 He forgaue hys death, and prayed for his enemyes 
 
 Pater dimitie illis, hys fayinge was truelye 
 
 An example for vs to take 
 
 To be meke in harte: beaty pauperes fpiritu 
 Shal Chryfte faye full euen 
 
 [ 3 ]
 
 Et venitc benediciti come my bleffed chyldren 
 To the kyngdom of heauen. 
 
 Syr I thanke you, for your ghoftly inftruction impac[i-] 
 
 Unto your faying, I can make no delayaunce ent po[.] 
 
 I putte me vnder youre gouernacion 
 And for myfdedes, I take greate repentaunce 
 
 Then to my fainge, take good remembraunce Peace[.] 
 
 Exercyfe youre felfe in vertue, from this tyme hence 
 And vnto peace euermore be obediente 
 Set before euery fharpe worde, a fhylde of fuffraunce 
 And when tyme is of youre concupiffaunce 
 Then pacifie it with benynge refyftaunce 
 
 Syr gramercy, y ye haue brought me to thys eftate impac[i-] 
 By your aduertifmet I am wylllg to lyue in chryfles ent p[o.] 
 Ther as I haue offended him both erly & late (law 
 I ferued hym not for loue nor for awe 
 Therfore nowe ryghte well I knowe 
 That pouerte and miferye that I my lyfe in lede 
 It is but onely punifhemente for my myfdede 
 
 Nowe or we any further procede Peace[.] 
 
 Holde thys vefture and put it on the 
 From hence forth thou fhalte be called profperite 
 
 I thancke God and you, I am in felicite Profp[e.] 
 
 Nowe vnto you I mail here fhewe Peace[.] 
 
 Of foche thynges as ye fhall efchewe 
 Fyrfte youre foule loke that ye kepe cleane 
 Beware of myfrule in any wyfe 
 Playe not at cay lies, cardes nor dyfe 
 Alfo from mifwomen, for by them mifchefe may ryfe 
 As it doeth often, this daylye is fene 
 Haunte no tauernes, nor fytte not vp late 
 Let not haffarde nor riotour, w you be checke mate 
 For then wyll enuy come, and make debate 
 
 B.i. 
 
 [9 ]
 
 The vvhiche fliall caufe greate trouble 
 
 Be plentifull of foch as god hath fetit 
 
 Unto the poore people, geue wyth good intente 
 
 For euerye peny that fo is fpente 
 
 God wyll fende the double. 
 
 Take hede and do as I haue fayde 
 Frofpe. Syr therwith I holde me well apayed 
 
 As ye haue commaunded me it fliall be done 
 Peace. Then let vs departe for a feafon 
 
 yf ye nede I wyll be your protection. Exiut ambo 
 Habou. Ioye and folace be in this hall 
 
 is there no man here, that knoweth me at al 
 
 I am beloued both wyth greate and fmall 
 
 Haboundaunce is my name 
 
 I haue all thynges as me lyft 
 
 Meate dryncke, and clothe of the beft 
 
 Golde and fyluer full is euery cheft 
 
 In fayth I wyll not layne 
 
 I thynke ye knowe not my wayes 
 
 Howe I gette goodes nowe a dayes 
 
 By a propre meane 
 
 Thynke you that I wolde 
 
 Lende eyther fyluer or golde 
 
 That daye fliall not bee fene 
 
 But I wyll lende them ware 
 
 That fhall be bothe badde and deare 
 
 Not worthe the monye he fhall paye 
 
 And yf he can no fuerte gette 
 
 Of my ware he getteth ryghte nought 
 
 Wythout a good pledge he laye 
 
 Then wyll I for myne auayle 
 
 He fhall make a byll of fayle 
 
 To me full bought and folde 
 
 [ 10]
 
 Yf the daye be expyred and pafte 
 
 Then wyll I holde it fade 
 
 He fhall not haue it thought he woulde 
 
 Thus crafte I haue longe vfed 
 
 And fome men do not yet refufe it 
 
 This is he openlye knowne 
 
 what is he in all thys towne 
 
 That wyll lende wythout fynguler commodum 
 
 Shoulde I lende wythoute a profite 
 
 Naye then I holde noughte worthe my wytte. 
 
 All this ye faye, is agaynfte confcience Confc[i.] 
 
 Confcience quod a, naye the fhall we neuer thryue Habo[u.] 
 For I knowe hym not a lyue 
 By confcience that commeth to fubftaunce 
 I haue all maner of marchandy 
 I fell for longe dayes to theym that are nedy 
 And for the paymente I haue good fuertye 
 Bounde in ftatute marchaunte 
 Bycaufe I maye forbeare 
 I fell my ware fo deare 
 I make .xl. of .xx. in hafle a yeare 
 Other men do fo as well as I. 
 
 Euen fynne, very fhame marye fye Confc[i.] 
 
 thefe goodes are gotten vntrewelye 
 Many a man is vndone thereby 
 To take thys ware fo deare 
 
 They feke to me bothe farre and neare Habo[u.] 
 
 Me thincke it is a good dede 
 To helpe a man at hys nede 
 Yet haue I other meanes 
 whereby I gette great gaynes 
 I thyncke ye knowe not that. 
 
 I, no God wote Confci[.] 
 
 [II]
 
 [Hjaboii. No ye are but an ydyote 
 
 I folde a man as moche ware, as came to .xl. pound 
 
 And in an oblygacyon, I hadde hym bounde 
 
 To paye me at a certayne daye 
 
 And when the bargayne was made playne 
 
 Myne owne feruaunt, bought the fame ware agayn 
 
 For the thyrde penny it cofte, ye wote what 1 meane 
 
 But was not thys a wyfe waye? 
 
 [C]onfci. Thou fhalte repente it another daye 
 I charge the as farre as I maye 
 Soche falfe wayes neuer begynne 
 
 [H]abou. Wherfore this is no fynne 
 
 It is playne byenge and fellynge 
 Lawfull it is for a man to wynne 
 Els ryche fliall he neuer be. 
 
 [C]onfci. Wynnyn'ge to be hadde, with due fufficyence 
 
 In true byenge and fellynge, is not to dyfcomende 
 But for thi falfe vfury thou art curfed in the fentece 
 I praye God geue the grace for to amende. 
 
 [HJaboCi. Is euery man accurfed, that doeth bye and fell 
 Then fhall no man wyth marchaundyfe mell 
 Howe fhall the worlde then be vpholde 
 
 [Cjonfci. Naye fyr, amyffe ye do vnderftande me 
 All thofe that occupye falfe vfurye 
 And tranfgreffeth the lawes of God by iniquitie 
 All foche are accurfed I you tolde 
 As for byenge and fellynge, nedes muft be 
 And God comaundeth to lende to them that are nedy 
 So it be not to theyr iniurye 
 For luker to theym folde. 
 
 [H]abou. Howe fhoulde I fel, fhewe me youre wayes 
 
 [Cjonfci. ye maye not fell the dearer for dayes 
 yf ye doo, it is contrarye to Goddes lawes 
 
 [12]
 
 It is vfed in oure Countrye 
 
 It is the more pytye 
 One foche is able to deftroye a Cytye 
 And God fhewe not hys greate mercye 
 All foche are dampned by hys equite 
 
 God forfende that fhoulde be 
 Howe fhall men doo that be of greate reputacyon 
 Whyche kepte theyr goodes on this fame fafhyon 
 By vfury, dyfceypte, and by extorcyon 
 I doo fo my felfe, wherfore fhoulde I lye 
 
 Thou mayfte be the more forye 
 
 It is fo nowe, what remedye 
 
 Doo make reftytucyon 
 
 What call ye reftytucyon 
 
 Reftore foche goodes as ye haue gotten 
 wrongefully by oppreffyon 
 
 Then fhall I haue lyttle in my poffeffyon 
 I wyll make God amendes, another waye 
 I wyll fafte, and I wyll praye 
 And I wyl geue almes euery daye 
 That I haue done amyffe, I am fory therfore 
 
 This is not fuffycyente, thou mufte reftore 
 Quia non dimittitur peccatum 
 Nifi reftituatur ablatum 
 ye mufte reftore to theym, ye haue offended vnto 
 
 Then I fhall fhewe you what I fhall doo 
 I wyll putte it in my Teftamente 
 That myne executours fhall paye and contente 
 For whyle I lyue, I wyll not haue my good fpente 
 For yf I do I am but fpyltc 
 
 Mke amendes man for thy gyltc 
 Rather fpyll thy bodye, then fpyll thy foule 
 
 Men of fubftaunce are afhamed to fall 
 
 Hab[ou.] 
 Conf[ci.] 
 
 Habo[u.] 
 
 Confc[i.] 
 Habo[u.] 
 Confc[i.] 
 Habo[u.] 
 Confc[i.] 
 
 Haboju.] 
 
 Confc[i.] 
 
 Habou[.] 
 
 Confci[.] 
 Habou. 
 
 [13 3
 
 [C]onfci. That caufeth them to reft in theyr fynne 
 [H]abou. Yet euer with thy ftrongest part renneth the ball 
 [C]onfci. Yefterdaye thou canfl not agayne call 
 
 When y art dead y gate of mercy is fhut y can not co- 
 [H]abou. Then let hym ftande wythout (me in 
 
 [C]onfci. So of thy foule thou hafte no doute 
 [H]abou. When thou feed my foule torne fet on a cloute 
 yf falfhode, vfury, and extorcyon fhoulde not route 
 Thoufandes in thys realme fhoulde be put out 
 The thyrde parte fhoulde not byde by faynt Paule 
 [CJonfci. Yet often falfhode hath a greate fall 
 
 An example by kynge Achab whych is fothe 
 Defyred the vyneyarde of that poore man Nabothe 
 By counfell of Iezabell that Kynges wyfe 
 Bycaufe he wolde not fell hys poffeffyon 
 Of two falfe witneffes he was peached of hye trafon 
 And through the mouth of a falfe queft it raue 
 which caufed the poore man to lefe both land & lyfe 
 After that of goddes owne byddinge 
 Came Helias the prophet to Achab the kynge 
 Sayinge he fhoulde haue euyll endynge 
 And fo he had, for by the waye as he rode 
 He fel & brake his neck, wher dogs lapped his blode 
 thys exaple to al vfurers & oppreffours as thlketh me 
 Shuld caufe the of god fore a dred to be. (cotrary 
 [H]abou. Syr ye preache very holily, but our dedes be often 
 ye be fo acquaynted wyth couetoufe and fymony 
 That maketh vs to take the fame waye 
 [Cjonfci. So euery euyll dyfpofed perfon doeth faye 
 The fraylte of man doeth often offende 
 Then call for grace, and fhortely amende 
 Therfore I counfell the to pretende 
 To repente and be forye for thy myfdede 
 
 [14]
 
 Yet thus I wyll my lyfe lede Habo[u.] 
 
 For of your fayinge I take no hede 
 
 ye wyll mucker vp bothe golde and treafure 
 
 ye haue ryches wythout meafure 
 
 And of the fleffhe ye haue youre pleafure 
 
 ye ca fynde no wayes to amend your felf I you insure 
 
 Therfore rebuke not me for my fynne ne good 
 
 God be wyth you, ye fhall not rule me 
 
 Odulle vvyte plunged by ygnoraunce Confc[i.] 
 
 Regardynge nothynge of ghoftly inftructyon 
 
 Settynge more hys minde on worldly fubftaunce 
 
 Then on the euerlaftynge lyfe that is to come 
 
 God wyl ftryke when he lyft, ye know not how fone 
 
 Therefore to euery man thys counfell I geue 
 
 To be fory for your fine, & do penauce while ye lyue 
 
 ^Here cometh enuye runnynge in 
 
 Laughyng, & fayth to confcyence. 
 
 Nowe in fayte I wolde ye had be there Enuye[.] 
 
 Where fhuldc I haue be. Confci[.] 
 
 A better fporte ye neuer fe. Enuye[.] 
 
 Whereat laughe ye fo fade Confci[.] 
 
 He to go and fhe after. Enuye[.] 
 
 And wythin a while he caughte her 
 
 He toke of her an incroke 
 
 And chopte her on the hele wyth hys fote 
 
 Anone he whypte her on the backe 
 
 A horfone quod fhe, playeft thou me that 
 
 And with her hele fhe gaue hym a fpat 
 
 That he was fayne to go backe agayne 
 
 Good felowe thou arte to blame Confci[.] 
 
 Soche wordes to haue, no good thou can. 
 
 I fayde it to make you fporte and game Enuye. 
 
 I crye you mercye, I was to blame 
 
 [15]
 
 I fe ye are fome vertuous man 
 
 Confci. Shortely hence that waye thou came 
 For here thou fhalte not be 
 
 Enuye. Good Lorde fome fuccour thou fende me 
 That I be not oute cafte 
 
 Confci. What is thy name, fhortely fhewe me 
 
 Enuye. I dare not fyr, By Chrifhe Iefu 
 Excepte ye kepe it preuelye 
 
 Confci. Feare not faye on hardelye 
 
 Enuye. Syr, my ryghte name is charitie 
 
 Sometyme beloued I was vvyth the fpyritualtye 
 But now coueteoufe & fymony doeth them fo auauce 
 That good inftitutyon is turned to other ordynaunce 
 And bonum exemplum is put to fuche hynderaunce 
 That here I dare not apeare 
 
 Confci. Symony is not nowe in the fpyritualtie 
 Bonus paftor ouium, therto wyll fee 
 Therfore me thyncke thys is a lye 
 In holy Church fymony can not abyde 
 
 Enuye. He goeth in a clocke, he can not be efpyde 
 And coueteoufe fo craftely doeth prouyde 
 That bonus paftor ouium, is blynde and wyl not fee 
 
 Confci. Thys that ye fpeake is vppon enuy 
 
 Therfore I thincke ye be not charytye 
 For charytie alwaye wyll faye the befte 
 
 Enuye. Amonges theym can I haue no refte 
 
 Confci. Howe do ye wyth the themporaltye 
 Enuye. There is pryde, flewth and lechery 
 
 whych putteth me from that place 
 Confci. Then be ye wyth the communaltye 
 Enuye. They defpyfe me vtterlye 
 
 One of theym loue not another 
 the fyfter can not loue the brother 
 
 [16]
 
 Ne the chylde the father ne mother 
 There I dare not fhewe my face. 
 
 This is to me a ftraunge cafe Confci. 
 
 What heare ye by confcyence. 
 
 Spiritual & teporal fet agaynft him maruailoufly Enuye. 
 Marchautes, men of law, & artificers of euery degre 
 They wyl hange hym and they hym efpye 
 Soch exclamacio goeth through this realme round 
 
 Why what faute haue they founde Confci. 
 
 wyth hym fo to do 
 
 Hys wytte is noughte, they faye alfo Enu)'e. 
 
 Euerye man putteth hys wyll thereto 
 To banyfhe hym for euer. 
 
 I knowe well it is not as ye faye Confci. 
 
 For I am confcyence the hye iudge of the lawe 
 
 Be ye confcience , alas that euer I thys day fawe Enuye. 
 yf ye be taken, ye fhalbe hanged and drawe 
 For they haue vtterly put you downe 
 And fet couetyfe in youre rowme 
 Subtylte the fcrybe hys owne cofyn 
 And falffhed the fomner for the courtes promocyon. 
 
 I maruayle wherfore thys was done Confci. 
 
 When ryches came before you that moch wyl paye Enuye. 
 There he had lyued in fynne many a daye 
 ye fhulde for money lette hym go quite awaye 
 And put hym to no fhame 
 Let pouerte do penaunce for a lyttle offence 
 He is not able to promote you of .xx. pence 
 Then fhulde ye haue kepte your refydence 
 And gotten your felfe a good name. 
 
 Who fo doeth they are to blame Confci. 
 
 In myforderynge them in foche wyfe 
 yvvys cofyn I fhewe you as nowe is the guyfe 
 
 C.i. 
 
 [17]
 
 For by couetyfe moche people doeth vp ryfe 
 whych is agaynft both you and me 
 Confci. Charyte I praye you ihewe what remedye 
 
 In thys matter for me may be founde 
 Enuye. Shortely get you to wyldernes, or fome other regy5 
 
 For they wyll hange you vp at the Tyborne 
 
 yf they fynde you in thys place 
 
 And I mufte departe alfo 
 Confci. Thys is to me moche forowe and woo 
 
 I wyll go into fome fane countre 
 
 Farwell gentyll cofyn charyte 
 Enuye. I fhall praye for you, praye ye for me. 
 
 Thys is an heauy departynge Et plora 
 
 I can in no wyfe forbeare wepynge 
 
 Yet kyffe me or ye go 
 
 For forowe my harte wyll breke in two. 
 
 Is he gone, then haue at laughynge 
 
 A fyr is not thys a ioly game 
 
 That confcience doeth not knowe my name 
 
 Enuy in fayth I am the fame 
 
 what nedeth me for to lye 
 
 I hate confcience, peace loue and refte 
 
 Debate and ftryfe that loue I befte 
 
 Accordyng to my properte 
 
 when a man louethe well hys wyfe 
 
 I brynge theym at debate and ftryfe 
 
 This is fene daylye 
 
 Alfo betwene fyfher and brother 
 
 There fhall no neyghboure loue an other 
 
 where I dwell bye 
 
 And nowe I tell you playne 
 
 Of one man I haue dyfdayne 
 
 Profperyte men do hym call 
 
 [18]
 
 He is nye of my blood 
 
 And he to haue fo mochc worldly good 
 
 That greueth me worfte of all 
 
 Iefus that is bothe fledfafte and liable Profpe[.] 
 
 Euer perfeneraunt and neuer mutable 
 He faue thys congregacyon 
 
 Welcome pouerte by coxs paffyon Enuye[.] 
 
 Howe haue ye done thys many a daye 
 
 I thanke god as well as any may Profpe[.] 
 
 ye call me wrong my name is profperyte 
 
 Profperyte wyth an euyll happe Enuye[.] 
 
 Howe the deyuil fortunefte that 
 I knewe the impacyent pouertye 
 
 what fo euer I was let that matter pas Profpe[-] 
 
 And take me as I am ryte. 
 
 I crye you mercye I was to blame Enuye[.] 
 
 To call you by your olde name 
 yet all thefe people thynke ye are the fame 
 impacyent pouertye as I fayd before 
 
 Auant I tell the. I am gentylman bore Profpe[-] 
 
 Vf I heare the reporte fuche wordes any more ryte. 
 
 Thou fhalt be punyffhed like a knaue. 
 
 Aknaue quod a, by coxs paffyon Enuye[.] 
 
 I am youre owne cofyn 
 And nye of your confanguynite, 
 
 Thou and I are not of one affynyte Profpe[.] 
 
 Yf I were a ryche man, ye wold not faye fo by me Enuye[.] 
 ye wold then fay I were your next kynfman on lyue 
 
 I faye go hence and make no more ftryfe Profpe[-] 
 
 I fet not by fuche a pore hafkarde, ryte. 
 
 Syr do not ye knowe my name Enuye[.] 
 
 I knowe the not by faynt lame, Profpe[.] 
 
 Charyte in fath I am the fame Enuye[.] 
 
 C.ii. 
 
 [19]
 
 What ncdcth mc for to lye 
 
 I am youre cofin and fo wyll I dye 
 
 ye maye be gladde foche a kynfman to haue 
 Profpe. Shall we haue more a doo yet thou knaue 
 
 I charge the, neuer knowe me for thy kynne 
 Enuye. I praye you one worde or I goo 
 
 Profpe. Saye on fhortelye then haue I doo 
 
 Enuye. Syr, I haue of golde thre hundreth pounde 
 
 In a bagge fafle ybounde 
 
 At home locked in my chefte 
 
 I purpofe to goo to Ierufalem 
 
 ye fhall kepe it tyll I come agayne 
 
 I putte you befte in trufte. 
 Profpe. Cofyn I woulde fayne doo the belle 
 
 Bycaufe ye are nere of my bloode 
 Enuye. What, are ye nowe in that moode 
 
 Nowe I am youre kyngman becaufe of my good 
 
 Before of me he hadde dyfdayne 
 Profpe- As for that I was to blame 
 
 ryte. I knewe you not, be not angrye 
 
 ye are welcome to me cofyn charytye 
 Enuye. Then all thefe matters lette be 
 
 I come hyther wyth you to dwell 
 
 ye mufte haue moo feruauntes I do you tell 
 
 Soche as were neceffarye for youre perfon 
 Profpe- I am contente after youre prouyfyon 
 
 [r]yte. In euery thynge lette it be done 
 
 As ye thyncke mofte expedyende 
 [E]nuye. Syr I fhall do myne entente 
 
 To gette you feruauntes moo 
 Profpe- I praye you hertelye it maye be fo 
 
 [r]yte. Alyttle feafon I wyll from you goo 
 
 To folace me wyth fome recreacyon 
 
 [20]
 
 He that fytteth aboue the mone Enuy[e.] 
 
 Euermore be in you re protection 
 A ha here is fporte for a Lorde 
 That profperite and I be well at accorde 
 I fhall brynge hys thryfte vnder the borde 
 I trufte wythin fhorte fpace 
 For it greueth my harte ryghte fore 
 He hath fo moche treafure in ftorc 
 And I haue neuer the more 
 I mufte fynde fome proper fhyftc 
 That from hys good he maye be lyfte 
 To brynge hym to myfrule I holde it befte 
 For he can foone brynge it to paffe Here myfrule 
 
 How what rutterkyn haue we here fyngeth wout 
 
 I wolde he were oure fubchauntere comminge in. 
 
 Bycaufe he can fo well fynge 
 
 Uenir auecquc vous gentyl compaygnon Myfr[ule.] 
 
 Faictes bone chere pour lamour de fainct Iohn 
 Mon coeur iocunde is fette on a mery pynne 
 By my trouth I am difpofed to reuelynge 
 
 So me thinketh by youre commynge in Enuy[e.] 
 
 What myfrule where hafte thou bene manye yeares 
 
 By my trouth euen amonges my peres Myfr[ule.] 
 
 I came nowe ftrayghte from the ftewes 
 From lyttle pretye lone 
 Lorde that fhe is a pretye one 
 
 Holde thy peace, lette, that alone Enuye[.] 
 
 Harke a worde or twayne to the 
 I dwell nowe wyth profperitye 
 which hath moche worldly treafure 
 yf thou can contryue in thy thoughte 
 Howe that he maye be broughte to noughte 
 In all thys worlde I defyre nomorc 
 
 [21]
 
 Myfru. Tufhe take no though therfore 
 
 I can prouyde for that in the bell wyfe. 
 Enuye. Then let me heare thy deuyce 
 
 Myfru. I vvyll brynge hym to claffhe, cardes and dyfe 
 
 And to propre trullcs that be wanton and nyce 
 vvhych wyll not be kepte wyth a fmall pryce 
 Howe thynkeft thou, wyl not thys do well 
 Enuye. yes but harken in counfell 
 
 Thou muft chaunge thy name 
 mifrule I wyll faye I hyght myrth 
 
 Enuye. And I wyl faye the fame 
 
 Peace why ft I fe hym come 
 Profpe. God faue al thys honourable companye 
 
 Enuye. Syr you be welcome by our bleffed ladye 
 
 I haue thought for you full longe 
 Here is a gentyl man, I pray you for my fake 
 Say he is welcome, and into youre feruyce hym take 
 For greate courtefye he can 
 Profpe- Syr you be welcome, geue me youre hande 
 
 rite. And fhewe me what is youre name 
 
 mifrule. Syr my name is myrth 
 
 Beloued wyth lordes & ladyes of byrthe 
 At euery tryumphe I am them with 
 They can me not ones forbere 
 Enuye. And ye had fought thys thoufande yere 
 
 Suche another ye fhall not fynde 
 wherfore I councell you in my mynde 
 Let hym dwell wyth you for one yere. 
 Profpe. At youre rcqueft I am content 
 
 Suche a prety man for me were expedyent 
 And of hys councell fayne wolde I here 
 mifrule. Syr ye muft fynge and daunce & make good chere 
 
 I wolde ye had fome propre wenche 
 
 [22]
 
 That were yonge and luitye at apynche 
 Her hele were not fo brode as an ynche 
 She wolde quycken your courage 
 
 Peace hath forbyde al that outrage Profp[e.] 
 
 He wolde fet you at dotage Enuy[e.] 
 
 Bycaufe he is olde and nature is pafte 
 He wolde nowe euery man fhulde fafte 
 yf ye do fo, ye do but wafte 
 And vnto you no mede 
 
 A ftrawe for him ye haue no ncde Myfr[u.] 
 
 Of hym to ftande in awe or drede 
 A meryer life nowe may ye lcde 
 Therfore be at your owne lybertye. 
 
 By my trouth I may faye to the Profp[e-] 
 
 Sith I to him dyd affent ryte. 
 
 Had I neuer merye daye 
 But liued in fcare and drede alwaie 
 Xothynge to mine entente 
 Another while I wyll me fporte 
 Synge and daunce to my com forte. 
 
 And amonge merye company do reforte Enuy[e.] 
 
 For that ihal lenghte your lyfe. 
 
 Spare neyther mayde ne wyfe Myfr[u.] 
 
 Take bothe and they come in youre waie 
 
 Of wyth this lewde araye Enuy[e.] 
 
 It becommcth you nought by this daye. 
 
 By my trouth euen as ye faye Profp[e.] 
 
 Ye maryc nowe am I well apayde 
 Me thynkcth I am properly araide: 
 yf I had a proper trull fhe fhulde be affayde 
 In the worfhyp of the newe yere 
 
 Rufflie vp mutton, for beefe is deare Enuye[.] 
 
 Haue and reuell and chaunce: 
 
 [23]
 
 Myfru. 
 
 [Pjrofpe. 
 
 [P]eace. 
 [Pjrofpe. 
 
 [Pjcace. 
 [EJnuye. 
 
 [PJrofpe- 
 
 [ri]te. 
 
 [P]eace. 
 
 [Pjrofpe. 
 
 [PJeace. 
 Myfru. 
 
 [PJrofpe- 
 [ri]te. 
 
 [PJeace. 
 
 Nowe let vs bothe fynge and daunce 
 wyll ye haue a frenihe rouude 
 
 And thou fhalt fe me bounce abouc the groude 
 Mey with reuell dafhe Peace entreth 
 
 What profperitc is it come hereto 
 
 What deuyll of hel haft thou to do 
 Shall I not make mery when me lyft. 
 
 Yet I faye beware of had I wyft 
 
 Hens ye knaue or els thou fhalt lycke my fyft 
 I trowe thy heede wolde haue fome knockes 
 
 Go fet hym in a payre of flockes 
 That I hym no more fe. 
 
 Yet man I faye remembre the 
 And thynke what I to the haue fayde. 
 Efcheue cuermore thefe ryatours company 
 And be ruled by reafon as I the badde 
 Put fr5 the thefe two perfons by who thou art lade 
 Enuy & myfrule with theyr fynful & great abufyon 
 whych yf thou wylt not forfake, wyl be thy confufion 
 
 Auaunt lorel, and take thys for a conclufyon 
 Thefe men from me thou fhalt not feperate 
 Go out of my fyght or by coxs paffyon 
 I fhall laye the faft in newgatc 
 
 It is vetter to forfake them betyme then to late 
 
 This knaue wolde haue a broken pate 
 Let me alone by goddes breade 
 This fame fwerde fhall ftryke of hys head. 
 
 I praye you hens that he were rydde 
 Shortly haue hym out of my fyght 
 
 A lytle whyle geue me refpyte 
 And take hede what I do faye 
 Remembre in what condycyon thou was 
 when J fyrft mette the in this place 
 
 [24]
 
 Full fymple in poore araye 
 
 Nowe by the grace of god and counfcll of me 
 
 Thou arte come to great profperyte 
 
 And fo mayft continue vntyll thou dye 
 
 yf thou wyfelye take hede 
 
 Let not fenfualyte lede the brydell 
 
 Be occupyed in vertue, and be not ydell 
 
 The better flialte thou procede 
 
 Thefe wretches wyll thy goodes fpende and waft 
 
 Then flialte thou be taken for an out cafte 
 
 And mocked and fcorned wyth mod and leeft 
 
 Then wyll no man the helpe at nede. 
 
 A fyr euyll mote thou fpede Enuye. 
 
 That fo can rede hys deflanye. 
 
 Wyl ye fuffre thys knaue in youre company Myfru. 
 
 Then God be wyth you I wyll forfake you 
 
 Go hence or in fayth I (hall make you. Profpe. 
 
 Then to almyghty god I betake you. Peace. 
 
 Let me come to that braggar. Enuye. 
 
 I flial thruft hym thorowe the ars with my dagger 
 (And here they face Peace out of the place) 
 Howe fay ye, was not thys a good face 
 To dryue a knaue out of the place. 
 
 In fayth thou made hym runne a pace Myfru. 
 
 Thou loked as thou hadde bene madde 
 
 Nowe by my trouth my harte is glad Profpe. 
 
 Some mynftrell nowe I wolde we hadde 
 To reuell and daunce, for by faynt Chadde 
 I am fo lyght me thinke I flee. 
 
 ye mary fo fhulde it be Enuye. 
 
 For nowe I holde you wyfe. 
 
 Syr and ye wyll do myne aduyfe mifrule[.] 
 
 Let vs go ftrayght to the floure delyce 
 
 D.i. 
 
 [25]
 
 There (hall ye fyndc a man wyll playe at dyce 
 
 with you for an hundreth pounde. 
 Profpe. What man is he ? 
 Myfru. Colehaffarde came late from be yonde the fee 
 
 Ragged and torne in a garded cote 
 
 And in hys purfe neuer a grote 
 
 And nowe he goeth lyke a lorde 
 Profpe. I pray the tell me at our worde 
 
 Is he a gentylman bore. 
 Enuye. Tuffhe take no thought therfore 
 
 For be he gentylman, knaue, or boye 
 
 If he come hether with try fie, or a toye 
 
 He can no money lacke. 
 Profpe- Now by the breade that god brake 
 ryte. I thyncke longe tyll I hym fe 
 
 Myrth go before and ordayne a good dyffhe 
 
 One of fleffhe, and an other of fyffhe 
 Enuye. Nay let all be flefhe 
 
 A yonge pullet tender and neffhe 
 
 That neuer came on broche, haue with y or thou go 
 Myfru. What flia.ll I haue ? 
 Enuye. Foure quarters of a knaue. 
 
 Rofted vpon a fpytte. Exit myfrule. 
 
 Profpe. Nowe by my trouth and colehaffarde wyll fyt 
 
 I wyll play as long as an hundreth pound wyll laft. 
 Enuye. And ye wyl play an hundreth pounde at a caft 
 
 He wyll kepe you playe. 
 Profpe- Then let vs go our waye 
 ryte. I fyt on thornes tyll I come ther 
 Enuye. That fhall make your thyrfte full bare 
 Profpe. What wyll it do ? 
 Enuye. I fay we fhall haue good chere 
 
 When we come there. Exut ambo. 
 
 [26]
 
 When phebus draweth into the occidental! Peace. 
 
 And obferued wyth clowdes myfty and darke 
 Then trees, herbes, and graffe, by courfe naturall 
 want theyr chefe cofort, thus fayth many a clarke. 
 And lyke wyfe that a man in hys warke 
 Is dyftytute of reafon, folowyng fenfual operacyon 
 
 The lafte tyme I was in thys place 
 Profperite vnto myfrule put hys hole confidence 
 He regarded not my counfell, he lacked grace 
 which in time coming, fhal turne him to incduenyece 
 wyth haffarders, and ryotters, he kepeth refydence 
 At claffhe and cardes, with al vnthryftye game 
 whych in contynaunce fhall brynge hym to fhame 
 To hym yet I wyl reforte 
 Yf he be brought in pouertye 
 I fhall do hym al the comforte 
 And all the helpe that lyeth in me 
 I wyl neuer refte tyl I hym fe 
 But feke about from place to place 
 And bryng hym to fome better grace Exit. 
 
 Coll haffarde arte thou there mifrul[e.] 
 
 Horefon knaue wylt thou no appere 
 By my trouth I had wente to haue founde hym here 
 I holde hym gone fome other waye 
 And where is enuye I can not hym efpye 
 I trowe he is wyth profperytye 
 Profperyte, nay, I maye cal hym folyffhe pouerte 
 As wyfe as a drake 
 
 I haue brought hym to dyce, cardes, and claffhe 
 And euer on hys fyde ranne the loffe 
 That he is not worthe a handfull of moffe 
 Neyther hath not a hole brat to hys backe 
 
 D.ii. 
 
 [27]
 
 Enuye. Paffyon of god, is it come to that 
 
 Thefe tydynges maketh my hart glade. 
 
 Myfru. In fayth he hath neyther golde, fyluer, ne plate 
 Col haffarde and I be both at one 
 He promyfed me to haue halfe the game 
 That euery thynge fhall be deuyded in twayne 
 He to haue the one halfe and I the other 
 
 Enuye. Then lette vs be parteners as brother and brother 
 
 Myfru. I can not faye, tyll Coll haffarde come 
 Then fhall we knowe, bothe all and fome 
 
 Colhaf- Here is a bagge of golde fo rounde 
 
 farde. Here in is two thoufande pounde 
 Of profperyte me it wonne 
 
 What man is able wyth me to make comparifon 
 Nowe fhall I take a marchauntes place 
 To occupye I trufte wythyn fhorte fpace 
 To be incredence wyth Englyfh men 
 And when I am fo well be trufte 
 I maye borowe fo moche as me lufte 
 A fubtyll crafte then fynde I mufte 
 To conuaye vnder coloure lyke free men 
 
 Enuye. Harke thys knaue fo proude and ftoute 
 That hadde not to hys arfe a hole cloute 
 Whe he came to this land, & now hath brought about 
 To compare wyth a ftate 
 
 mifrule. Nowe mufte I haue halfe money and halfe plate 
 
 Colhaf. Naye by God there thou fpake to late 
 None therof from me fhall fcape 
 Then hadde I lyned to longe 
 
 mifrule Thou promifed me, when thou beganne 
 
 Halfe thy wynnynge I fhoulde haue 
 Colhaf. Holde thy peace lewde knaue 
 
 Knoweft thou to whom thou doeft fpeake 
 
 [28]
 
 A horefon thy head fhal I breake mifru[le.] 
 
 For the paffyon of god fobre you mode Enuy[e.] 
 
 I feare fhedynge of knaues bloude 
 
 {[ Here they fyght and runne all out of the place 
 And then entreth profperite poorely and fayeth. 
 
 Iefu what maye thys meane Poue[r.] 
 My goodes are fpent and wafted away 
 
 Alfo my men are from me clene 
 
 I fe them not this feuen nyghtes daye 
 
 As longe as I myght fpende and paye 
 
 They helde me vp with falfe diffymulacyon 
 
 And now they forfake me in my mod trybulacyon 
 
 Come for coxs bones, why tary ye fo longe Enuy[e.] 
 
 In fayth I come as fafte as I can mifru[le.] 
 
 I am fo angrye I wote not what to do 
 
 That yonder knaue fcaped from me fo 
 
 What knaue is thys I holde hym fome fpye Enuy[e.] 
 
 1 am youre mayfter, knowe ye not me Poue[r.] 
 Thou arte eome a late oute of marfhallfee Enuy[e.] 
 Me thynke hys hayre groweth thorow his hode mifru[le.] 
 Alas Coll haffarde hath wome all my good Poue[r.] 
 
 And lefte me neuer a groate 
 
 Mary fo me thinke, ye haue channged your coate Enuye[.] 
 But nowe ye haue one vauntage. 
 
 What is that. (nother daye Pouer[.] 
 
 your executors fhal not ftriue for your goodes a- Enuye[.] 
 Nor theues (hall not robbe you goynge by the waye 
 Thus ye mall ftande oute of doute 
 
 Hens ragged knaue or thou fhal beare me a cloute mifrul[e.] 
 Hys clothes fmell all of the fmoke 
 
 Nowe by faynt Hewe that holy byfflioppe Enuye[.] 
 
 Thys matter is well brought to paffe 
 He is nowe a knawe as he was 
 
 D.iii. 
 
 [29]
 
 Fyrft a knaue and then a man 
 
 And nowe he is a knaue agayne 
 Pouer. Why faye ye fo ye be to blame 
 
 I am youre mayfter profperyte 
 mifrule Auaunt lorell and euyll to the 
 
 Get the out of thys companye 
 
 begynneft thou now to make comparyfon 
 Enuye. Let hym be your vnder page 
 
 Geue hym meate and drynke, but no wage 
 
 Go brufhe hys gowne & make clene hys (hone 
 mifrule Wei knaue canft thou no courteyfye 
 Enuye. He hath foche a dyfeafe in hys knee 
 
 He can not chaunce a man groate 
 
 It is not as ye wene 
 mifrule Come and fe my fhone made clene 
 Enuye. By my fayth he fhall wype mine 
 mifrule Thys knaue is not mete for me 
 
 It greueth my harte when I hym fe 
 
 I wyl go hence and leue you twayne 
 
 For enuy thou mayft with pouertye rayne. Exit 
 
 Enuye. Naye I had leuer he were flayne 
 
 I am gone as fone as ye. 
 Pouer. Abyde ftyll wyth me gentyll charyte 
 
 O to whome fhulde I fewe, to whom fhuld I plette 
 
 mortall worme wrapped all in wo 
 
 as a man all mortified, and mafed in my wytte 
 
 1 a captyfe in captyuite, lo fortuue is my foo 
 I am in endleffe forowe, alas what fhall I do 
 
 thefe captiues thorow theyr coufel & fals imaginacyo 
 
 haue brought me to nought y was of great reputaciS 
 
 wo worth the tyme that I them knew 
 
 I maye well fyghe aud faye alas 
 
 For nowe I fynde thefe wordes full trewe 
 
 [30]
 
 That peace ihewed me here in this place 
 I regarded not hys councell. I lacked grace 
 wherfore nedy pouerte on me doth blowe hys home 
 That euery man and woma doth laugh me to fcorne 
 Example to all yonge men when they take in hand 
 To occupye in the worlde for your behofe 
 Loke wyfely before and alfo vnderftande 
 Euyll compani deftroyeth man on me ye fe the profe 
 Make a fure foundacyon, or ye fet vp the rofe 
 Of a good & vertuous beglning cometh a good endig 
 And euermore beware of vnmeafurable fpendynge 
 ^[Here entreth the Somner. 
 I a fyte you in our court to appeare Som. 
 
 I praye you tell me wherefore Pouer[.] 
 
 Ye be greate fclaunderer and full of enuy Soner[.] 
 
 There wyll no man faye fo but ye Pouer[.] 
 
 what wylt thou geue me and thou fhalt go quyte. Soner[.] 
 By my trouth I haue not one myte Pouer[.] 
 
 Then open penaunce & thou art like Som. 
 
 By my trouth Ifclaunder no man Pouer[.] 
 
 Then come & fecule thy felf as well as thou can Som. 
 
 ^jHaboundance entreth. 
 What man is he that can me difmaye Habou[.] 
 
 For I optayne all thynge at my wyll 
 Or who dare any thynge agaynft me faye 
 what fo euer I do be it good or yll 
 For yf he do he were better be ftyll 
 I fhall hym punifhe be it ryghte or wronge 
 For wyth my purfe I can. both faue and hange 
 To repugne agaynft me : he were better be ftyll 
 I haue a propre trull for my paftaunce 
 In my chamber I her kepe, bothe nyght and daye 
 My neyghbours therwith, taketh great greuaunce 
 
 [31]
 
 yet I kepe her Mill, who fo euer fay nay- 
 How be it there is one a poore caytyfe I heare faye 
 
 Hath me accufed in the courte fpirituall 
 
 And it cofte me a, C.li. punifhe him I fhall 
 Som. Open fynne muft haue open penaunce 
 
 God fpede my mayfter haboundaunce 
 Habou. What knaue arte thou with a very myfchaunce 
 
 That cometh info homely. 
 Soner. Syr I praye you be not angrye 
 
 I am an offycer of the fpiritualtye 
 
 Ther is vpon you a great fclaunde 
 
 ye kepe another mannes wyfe in your chambre 
 
 And lyue in great aduantrye. 
 Habou. What wretches doeth fo fay by me. 
 Som. It is openly knowen euery where 
 
 Before my mayfter I charge you to appere. 
 
 Upon a boke there fhall ye fwere 
 
 Whether it be fo or no 
 Habou. What is the befte for me to do 
 
 Rather then I to the courte wyll goo 
 
 I had leuer fpende twentie pounde 
 Soner. Syr of foche a way may be founde 
 
 To excufe you, what wyll ye thed faye 
 Habou. Now therof hartely I the praye 
 Som. ye fhall come home to my mayfters place 
 
 And faye that ye be put vp of malyce 
 
 Thruft mony in his hande apace 
 
 And fo fhal ye go quyte away 
 Habou. For thy coufel gamercy, hold here is .xl. pence. 
 Som. Come on fir I wyll do my dylygence. exiut ambo. 
 
 ^[Here entreth y fomner agayne, & pouerte foloweth 
 
 him with a candell in his hade doyng penauce aboute 
 the place. And them fayth the fomuer. 
 Som. Rowme fyrs auoydaunce 
 
 [32]
 
 That thys man maye do hys pennaunce 
 
 Now haue I my penaunce done Pouer[.] 
 
 Nay thou fhalt aboute ones agayne S5ner[.] 
 
 The pouerte and trouble that I endure Pouer[.] 
 
 I cannot to you in fewe wordes expreffe 
 Yf it fhulde be into god no dyfpleafure 
 I wolde defyre death my payne to releffe. 
 Soche is my penurye and troublefome heuyneffe 
 That I coude in no wyfe, fuffre it paciently 
 But that I trufte to wynne heauen thereby 
 
 What ma art thou that maketh foch lamentacyon Peace. 
 
 Mayfter peace, I defyre you of pardon Pouer. 
 
 I am youre feruaunt, fome tyme called profperyte 
 
 Howe came thou to thys perplexyte Peace. 
 
 Coll haffarde, myfrule, and falfe enuy Pouer. 
 
 Brought me to hys deftreffe 
 
 I fhewed the before playne expreffe Peace. 
 
 Then of my wordes thou haddeft dyfdayne 
 
 Therfore nowe it is to me greate payne Pouer. 
 
 What perfons are thofe that dyd him accufe Peace. 
 
 Syr he is put vp by fute of offyce. Som. 
 
 Sute of offyce, then it is fo Peace. 
 
 Ther hath ben credable perfons thre or two 
 Soche artycles to the iudge dyd fhewe 
 He oughte therto to haue good refpecte 
 And do fwere thefe perfons vpon a boke 
 For lone ne dred they fay but trewe 
 For it is not lefull for a called, a caytyfe, or a knaue 
 Agaynft honeft perfons foch matters for to haue 
 To put a man to open penaunce without deue profe 
 
 Syr whe I entred mine office this was mine othe Soner[.] 
 To herken about and heare 
 For backekyters, fclaunderers, and falfe iurers 
 
 E.i. 
 
 [33 3
 
 Syfmatykes, homyfedes, and great vfures 
 Bandes, aduouterers. fornycatours, and echeters 
 All foch muft penaunce do 
 Pouer. I knowe one foche came neuer thereto. 
 Peace. Who is that? 
 Pouer. His name is called haboundaunce 
 
 Whych hath done manye a great offence 
 For he kepeth another mannes wyfe 
 No maner of penaunce ye make hym do 
 But redemeth wyth money and let hym go 
 So in aduoutrye ftyl he ledeth hys lyfe 
 Som. He made is purgacyon vpon a boke 
 
 Or els redemed wyth the fyluer hoke 
 Peace. Syluer hoke, that I denye 
 For it is a playne decree 
 That open fynne mufte do open punifhemete 
 There can be no foche iudgemente 
 That money fhall flop the lawe. 
 Pouer. Naye there ftoppe and laye a ftrawe 
 Where fe ye anye man a fubftaunce 
 Put to open penaunce 
 But punyffhed by the purfe 
 A poore man that hath nought to paye 
 He fhalbe punyffhed thys ye fe euery daye 
 But yf he be obftynaunt and wyll not obeye 
 Anone they well hym curfe. 
 Som. Wei for thy faying another day y fhal fare y worfe. 
 
 Exyt fomner. 
 Pouer. Syr I befeche you comfort me with fome folace. 
 Peace. Thou art well punyfhed for thy trefpaffe 
 
 By thyne owne fenfuall and vndyfcrete operacyon 
 Hath brought the to all thys trybulacyon 
 Stande vp, wyth thys vefture I fhal the renewe, 
 
 [34]
 
 Syr I thanke you, & wyll do at your reformacyon Pouer. 
 And for my tyme myffpent I am fore afhamed 
 Yf ye do as I you bydde ye mail not be blamed Peace. 
 
 Forfake enuy and, myfrule with al their olde perers 
 Be cSuerfaunt w good me goodnes therof wyl grow 
 Folow the fayenge of Dauid : cu fancto fanctus erys 
 For wycked men euermore wycked feed do fowe 
 what cometh of euil copany now thy felf doth know 
 Prynt it well in thy memory and do it not forgette 
 Many a man doth decay for lacke of good forewitte 
 
 Syr your fayenges is ful true I haue perceyued it Profpe- 
 
 And for the vertuous c5ufell that ye to me haue geue ryte. 
 
 I fhall be your oratour whyle I haue a day to lyue 
 
 Soueraynes here may ye fe proued before you al Peace. 
 
 Of thys wanton worlde the great fragilyte 
 
 Euer mutable of the turnyng as a bal 
 
 Nowe flode of ryches nowe ebbe of pouerte 
 
 What fhulde men fet by this worldes vanyte 
 
 Thynke on this leffon and do it not forget 
 
 The gayeft of vs al is but wormes meate 
 
 Withe the fupportacyon of thys noble audyence Profpe- 
 
 we haue here fhewed thys fymple enterlude ryte. 
 
 Befechyng you of your benyuolence to take pacyence 
 
 It is but a myrrour vice to exclude 
 
 The maker hereof his entent was good 
 
 No man to dyfpleafe olde nor yonge 
 
 Yf any faute be therin we defyre you of pardon 
 
 Let vs pray al to that lorde of great magnificence Peace. 
 
 To fend amonge vs peace reft and vnyte 
 
 And Iefu preferue our foueraigne Quene of preclare 
 
 preeminence 
 
 with al her noble confanguynyte 
 
 And to fende them grace fo the yffue to obtayne 
 
 E.ii. 
 
 [35]
 
 After them to rule this moft chryften realme 
 
 O good Lord as thou arte onypotent 
 Haue regarde vnto my petycyon 
 Conferue thys noble realme, and all that are prefent 
 Of thy eternall deyte graunt them al thy fruycyon 
 And from our mortall enemies be oure protectyon 
 Iefu as thou vs redemed, bryng vs to the bleffe 
 There as aungels fynge, Glorya in excelfis 
 
 Amen. 
 
 ^[Thus endeth the enterlute called 
 Impacyente pouertye. 
 
 $Q) Imprinted at London, in Paules 
 Churche yearde at the Sygne of 
 the Swane by Iohn Kynge. 
 
 \In the original this second tail-piece is very blurred and indistinct, the 
 first design being ultra sharp, hard, and black.] 
 
 [36]
 
 [Obvious Errors will be found as follows: 
 
 A.ii., recto, line 24, Commnnicatyon for Commnnicatyon. 
 A.ii., verso, line 26, bryngd for brynge. 
 A.iii., recto, last . line, humyly for humylity. 
 A.iv., recto, line 3, thertho for therto. 
 
 line 12, goueruaunce for gouernaunce. 
 
 line 16, jw.t for you. 
 
 Ibid., /«/ for £«/. 
 B.ii., recto, line 3, thought for thoughe. 
 
 line 21, /fcayfi? for halfe. 
 B.iii., recto, line 31, Mke for 3/a&?. 
 B.iv., recto, line ig, Jhu/dc for JJiulde. 
 
 C.i., recto, the names of players on this page are throughout 
 set in the original half a line lower than the first 
 line of the speech to which they belong. 
 C.ii., verso, line 17, kyngman for kynsman. 
 C.iii., verso, line 1, though for thought. 
 
 line 31, fayne for fay tie. 
 Civ., recto, lines 10, 14, and 15, the names of the players are 
 in each case in the original set half a line 
 higher. 
 Civ., verso, line 24, vetter for better. 
 D.ii., verso, line 29, lyned for lyued. 
 D.iii., recto, line 12, forfake for forfake. 
 
 line 19, eome for come. 
 
 line 21, ze/0Z»e for wonnc. 
 
 38123
 
 D.iii., verso, line 30, y for y. 
 
 D.iv., verso, line 11, fclaunde for fclaundre. 
 
 line 13, aduantrye for aduoutrye. 
 
 line 23, thed for then. 
 
 line 29, gamercy for gramercy. 
 
 line 33, /aj//^ for yay//£. 
 
 Ibid., fomner for fomner. 
 E.i., recto, line 16, ^ for Afcyj. 
 
 line 33, backekyters for backebyters. 
 E.i., verso, line 1, vfitres for ST/wr^.]
 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT LOS ANGELES 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 
 This book is DUE on the last date stamped below 
 
 Form L-9 
 20m-l,'42(S519) 
 
 UNIVERSITY of CALIFORNIA 
 
 
 LOS ANGELES
 
 2411 
 134 
 
 Impatient 
 Poverty. 
 
 1909 
 
 
 DEMCO 234N 
 
 
 
 
 
 PP. 
 
 2411 
 
 134 
 1909 
 
 u f SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY 
 
 A A 000 345 677