University of Virginia Library

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.