University of Virginia Library

ACT II.

SCENE I.

Enter Liberalitie.
How seldome is it seene, that Vertue is regarded,
Or men of vertuous sort, for vertuous deeds rewarded?
So wonts the world to pamper those that nought deserue,
Whiles such as merit best, without reliefe do sterue.
Great imperfections are in some of greatest skill,
That colours can discerne, white from blacke, good from ill.
O blind affects of men, how are you led awry,
To leaue assured good, to like frayle Vanity!
If some of Vertues traine, for Prince and Countries good,
To shew their faithfull hearts, shall hazard life and blood,
And guerdonlesse depart, without their due reward,
Small is th'encouragement, th'example verie hard.
Where any well deserue, and are rewarded well,
There Prince and people both, in safety sure do dwell.
Where he that truly serues, hath nothing for his paine,
More hearts are lost, then pecks of gold can ransome home agayne.
Let States therefore that wish to maintayne stately dignity,
Seeke to acquaint themselues with Liberalitie:
For that is it which winnes the subiects faithfull loue,
Which faithfull loue, all harmes from them and theirs remoue.
Liberalitie am I, Vertues Steward heere,
Who for the vertuous sort, do nothing hold too deere.
But few to Vertue seeke, all sorts to Fortune flye,
There seeking to maintaine their chiefe prosperity.
But who so markes the end, shall be enforst to say,
O Fortune, thou art blind: let Vertue lead the way.
But who comes here? It seemeth old Tenacitie.
I must away; for contraries cannot agree.

Exit.

SCENE II.

Enter Tenacitie.
Ten.
Well, since the see there is none other boote,
Chill now take paines to goe the rest afoote:
For Brocke mine Asse is saddle-pincht vull sore,
And so am I, euen here: chill say no more.
But yet I must my businesse well apply,
For which ich came, that is, to get mony.
Chos told that this is Lady Vortunes place:
Chil goe boldly to her, that's a vlat case;
Vor if che speed not now at this first glaunce,
Cham zure to be dasht quite out of countenance
By certaine lustie gallone lads hereby,
Seeking Vortunes fauour as well as I.
Oh knew I where to finde Mast Fanity,
Vortunes seruant. Of mine honesty,
Looke where he comes in time as fine and trim,
As if che held him all this while by the chin.

SCENE III.

Vanity and Tenacitie.
Van.
Tis he in deed: what say you to him?

Ten.
Marry sir, cham now come for mony.

Van.
For mony man? what, still so hastily?

Ten.
Yoo by gisse, sir, tis high time che vore ye,
Cham averd another will hate afore me.

Van.
Why so? who is it thou fearest? tell me.

Ten.
Marry sir, they call him Mast Prodigality.

Van.
Prodigality, is it true? yong, wastfull, roysting Prodigality,
To encounter old, sparing, couetous niggard, Tenacity!
Sure such a match as needs must yeeld vs sport:
Therefore vntill the time that Prodigalitie resort,
Ile entertaine this Croust, with some deuice.
Well, father, to be sped of money with a trice,
What will you giue me?

Ten.
Cha vore thee, sonne, do rid me quickly hence,
Chill giue thee a vaire peece of threehalpence.

Van.
Indeed?

Ten.
Here's my hand.

Van.
Now, sir, in sooth you offer so bountifully,
As needs you must be vs'd accordingly.
But tell me, know you him that commeth here?

Ten.
Cocks bores, tis Prodigality; tis he I did feare.
Cham afraid che may goe whistle now for money.

Van.
Tush man, be of good cheare, I warrant thee,
He speedeth best, that best rewardeth me.

SCENE IIII.

Enter Prodigalitie, Vanitie, Tenacitie, Hoste, Fortune, and Money.
Host.
Sir, Now your reckoning is made euen, ile trust no more.

Prod.
No?

Host.
No, sure.

Prod.
Set cock on hoope then: by some meanes, good or bad,
There is no remedie but money must be had.
By the body of an Oxe, behold here this Asse,
Will be my familiar, wheresoeuer I passe.
Why, goodman Croust, tell me, is there no nay,
But where I goe, you must forestall my way?

Ten.

By gogs flesh and his flounders, sir, che hope the Queenes
highway is free for euery man, for thee as me, for me as thee, for
poore Tenacity, as for proud Prodigality; chill go in the Queenes
peace about my businesse.

Prod.
This way?

Ten.
Yea.

Prod.
To whom?

Ten.
To Vortune my mustrisse.

Prod.
Wherefore?

Ten.
That's no matter to you.

Prod.
No matter, sir? but by your Croustship, ere you goe,
Tis a plaine case, Prodigality will know:
And therefore be round, come of, and tell me quickly.

Ten.
And thou'dst so vaine know, che goe for money.

Prod.
Out vpon thee, villaine, traitour, theefe, pickpurse,
Thou penurious knaue, caterpiller, and what's worse?
Hast thou heard me say, that for money I went,
And couldst thou creep so closely my purpose to preuent?
By the life I liue, thou shalt die the death.
Where shall I first begin? aboue or beneath?
Say thy prayers, slaue.

Van.
How now, my friends, what needs this variance?
Money comes not by force, money comes by chance:
And sith at one instant, you both seeke for money,
Appeale both to Fortune, and then shall you trie,
Whether eyther or neyther may hit to haue money.

Prod.
Gentleman, you say well, I know not your name,
But indeed for that purpose to Fortune I came,
For furtherance whereof if I might obtaine
Your friendly help, I would quite your paine.

Ten.
I am your old acquaintance, sir, remember me.

Van.
Thee, quoth a, for thy large offers I may not forget thee.
You be both my friends, and therefore indifferently,
I will commend you both to Fortunes curtesie.
Ladie most bright, renowmed goddesse faire,
Vnto thy stately throne, here doe repaire
Two suiters of two seuerall qualities,
And qualities indeed that be meere contraries;
That one is called, wastefull Prodigality;
That other cleaped, couetous Tenacity;
Both at once vnto your royall maiestie,
Most humbly make their suites for money.

Fortune.
Let's heare what they can say.

Prod.
Diuine Goddesse, behold, with all humilitie,
For money I appeale vnto thy deitie;
Which in high honour of thy maiestie.
I meane to spend abroad most plentifully.

Ten.
Sweet mustrisse, graunt to poore Tenacity,
The keeping of this golden darling money:
Chill vow to thee, so long as life shall dure,
Vnder strong locke and key, chil keep him vast & sure,

Van.
Nay, pleaseth then your pleasant fantasie,
To heare them plead in musicall harmonie?

For.
It liketh me.

Pro.
None better.

Ten.
Well, though my singing be but homely,
Chill sing and spring to, e're chud lose money.

Van.
Well, to it a Gods name, let saying goe than,
And eche sing for himselfe the best he can.

The Song.
Prod.

Ten.

Van.
Hola, satis disputatum.

Ten.
Nay, by my fathers soule, friend, now chaue one begun,
Lett'ym too't, che passe not when che done.

Prod.
Lo, Lady, you haue heard our reasons both exprest,
And thereby are resolu'd, I hope, who merits best.

For.
Dame Fortune dealeth not by merit, but by chance:
He hath it but by hap, whom Fortune doth aduance;
And of his hap as he hath small assurance:
So in his hap likewise is small continuance.
Therefore at a venture, my deare sonne Money,
I doe commit you vnto Prodigalitie.

Ten.
To Prodigality? ah poore Money, I pittie thee;
Continuall vnrest must be thy destinie:
Ech day, ech houre, yea, euery minute tost,
Like to a tennis ball, from piller to post.

Money.
I am where I like.

Ten.
And is there then no other remedy?
Must poore Tenacity put vp the iniury?

Van.
Your time is not yet come.

Ten.
When will it come, trow yee?

Van.
At the next turning water happely.

Ten.
And che wift that, chud the more quietly depart,
And keepe therewhile a hungry hoping heart.
How sayest thou vrend Fanitie?

Van.
No doubt but tis best.

Ten.
Then varewell to all at once.

Exit.
Prod.
Good night, and good rest.
And now will I likewise with my sweete Money,
Go hunt abroad for some good company.
Vanitie, for thy paines I will not greaze thy fist,
Peltingly with two or three crownes: but when thou list,
Come boldly vnto Prodigalities chist,
And take what thou wilt, it's euer open.

Van.
I thanke you, sir, tis honourably spoken.

Prod.
The Song.
Et exeunt.

Exeunt.