❧ A MORAL AND PITIFUL comedy, Entitled, All for Money.  
Plainly representing the manners of men, and fashion of the world nowadays.  
Compiled by T. Lupton.  
The names of them that play this Comedy.  

Theology.  
Science.  
Art.  
Money.  
Adulation.  
Mischievous help.  
Pleasure.  
priest for pleasure.  
Sin.  
Swift to sin.  
Damnation.  
Satan.  
Pride.  
Gluttony.  
Learning with money.  
Learning without money  
Money without learning.  
All for money.  
Neither money nor learning.  
moneyless and friendless.  
gregory graceless.  
moneyless.  
William with the two wives.  
Nychol.  
S. Laurence.  
Mother Croote.  
judas.  
dives.  
Godly admonition.  
Virtue.  
Humility.  
Charity.   
❧ AT LONDON. Printed by Roger Ward and Richard Mundee, dwelling at Temple Bar. Anno. 1578.   

The Prologue.  
WHat good gift of God but may be misused?  
Nay what good thing new but to evil is applied  
How is the Scripture with many abused  
With mouth it is talked, but with living denied  
What jewel it is the just have well tried  
For if that be a jewel that comforts in care  
Than this is a jewel of other most rare.  
It is the consolation of the repentant sinner  
It is the chief comfort of Christ's persecuted  
The faithful and wronged person have therein pleasure  
The penitent which are with poverty oppressed  
Thereby are made richer than the covetous and wicked  
For it is our Evidence of all our joy and salvation  
Whereby we are certified that Christ hath paid our ransom.  
Thereby many godly sciences needful be studied  
Whereof the body hath only the fruition  
As the Physical art whereby the sick are cured.  
Music through whose harmony the mind hath consolation.  
Cosmographi which describes the country, city and Nation.  
Geometri, through whose subtle art and measuring  
At this day there is much costly and sumptuous building.  
The pleasant science of Astrology whereby Gods wonderful works  
Are rather to be marked then mused on, or marveled:  
Which art is not hid from the Sarisons, Pagans and Turks  
Whereby such stars and heavens they may know were not created  
But by a mighty God, whose name for ever be honoured.  
And the moving of the Planets to be learned very strange  
With the swift course of the Moon who monthly keeps her change.  
Yet all other sciences with these before delated  
Shall vanish as the smoke, and be nothing at length  
Yet heavenly Theology, God's word before declared  
Hath been, is now, and ever of such force and strength  
That though heaven and earth perish, as Christ's words meaneth  
Yet his word shall abide and remain for ever:  
The following whereof God grant we endeavour.  
Notwithstanding Epicures and belly gods so swarm  
Farced, and flowing with all kind of evil  
That they fear not to do any kinds of harm  
So much they favour their father the devil  
The Scripture is taken with them as no jewel  
Their minds are so much on their riches and goods  
That the learned they esteem less than fools that wear hoods.  
But if the learned be rich, then be they esteemed:  
Not for their learning but for their goods sake.  
Such power have riches and money obtained  
That the rich are held up, the poor fools in the lakes  
God give them grace not so much on goods to make:  
dives methinks might be to them a warning,  
For pleasure therein, lieth now in hell burning.  
What metal is this money that makes men so mad?  
What mischief is it thereby is not wrought?  
What earthly thing is not therefore to be had?  
What hath been so loved but money hath bought?  
What virtue or goodness of us so much sought,  
Who doth not wish for money, and that every day:  
I would I had thus much money each one doth say.  
how many for money have been robbed and murdered?  
how many false witness and for money perjured?  
how many wives from their husbands have been enticed?  
how many maidens to folly for money allured?  
how many for money have spirits and devils conjured?  
how many friends for money have been mortal foes?  
Mo mischiefs for money than I can disclose.  
how many Kings and Princes for money have been poisoned,  
How many betrayers of their country for money every day,  
How many with money from true judgement are led:  
Did not the prophet Balam curse gods people for money?  
Did not judas for money his master Christ betray?  
Whereof he had no joy, when he the same had done,  
But like a damned wretch hung himself full soon.  
One asked Diogenes why gold did look so wan:  
No marvel said he it is though he so pale do look,  
For every one lays wait to catch him if they can.  
Few will take the pains to catch hold on God's book:  
Money ill used is the devils snare and hook.  
Whereby many are brought to endless damnation:  
But the godly do bestow it to their salvation.  
Fire is the good gift and creature of God,  
Whereby we may do good and also wickedly:  
We may warm the poor therewith as charity hath us bode,  
And also seethe the meat wherewith to feed the hungry:  
We may keep houses therewith, as many have done truly:  
And we may cut our necessaries and meat with our knife  
Wherewith many have cut their own throats & bereaved them of their life.  
Thus the creature of God is not evil of himself,  
But through our misuse from good to evil converted:  
Even so money ill used is a most wicked pelf.  
And also as good where well it is, bestowed.  
Let all people take heed lest it of them be hoarded:  
For at the last day against them it will witness,  
And then that they had not done it, too late for to wish.  
And because that every man of money is so greedy  
Our Author a pleasant Tragedy with pains hath now made,  
Whereby you may perceive, All thing is for money:  
For Omnia pecunia effici possunt, as in Tully's sentence is said.  
In hearing us attentively we crave but your aid,  
Beseeching God, the hearers that thereby shallbe touched,  
May rather amend their faults, then therewith be grieved.  
The end of the Prologue.   

Theology cometh in a long ancient garment like a Prophet, and speaketh as doth follow.  theology. 
WHat felicity can man have more than in me?  
Wherein ought he to have more joy and consolation?  
What thing will make his conscience more quiet to be  
Then to study that thing which is his salvation?  
I pass all the Sciences, it needeth small probation:  
And if you be desirous my name for to know,  
Theology I am called the knowledge of God's law.  
But who doth not study me chiefly for lucre and gain,  
And also thereby to have rich and easy living:  
But who to preach poorly in studying me is fain,  
And thereby to salvation the sinful wretch to bring.  
Nay they had rather to be paid here then to abide gods rewarding:  
But such do not remember or believe Daniel  
Saying, The converting of a soul shall shine above the Angels,  
So many would not study me but for money  
And thereby to live Lordly and in wealth:  
The Bishop, the Priest, and the Doctor of divinity  
Would give over their study, not regarding their soul's health,  
And use some other things, for as it appeareth,  
The artificer doth leave his art and occupying  
And becomes a minister for money and easy living.  
Such as do study, having living by me,  
Ought to be a lantern and a spectacle to other,  
Whereby they may be allured all sinfulness to fly:  
But many of them do use an unchristianly order.  
For money they will handle full cruelly their neighbour:  
Is not this an hindrance to the knowledge of God's word,  
Without they amend, God will strike them with his sword.  Here cometh in Science clothed like a Philosopher. Science. 
Many do embrace and study me daily:  
But will you know why, and also to what end,  
forsooth for great living, and also for money:  
Not to help the needy therewith they do intend,  
But vainly on their carcases to consume and spend,  
And the rest to revenge malice wickedly they do spare:  
Thus to live at pleasure is their delight and care.  
But the most part care not for me, neither me regard  
So much they are led with the blind love of money:  
Vile money before science and knowledge is preferred.  
All good science and knowledge I represent truly.  
Which doth heal the mind, as medicines do the body,  
Quemadmodum corpus medicina, sic animum curat Philosophia  
Et vita sine literis, mors est, & hominis sepultura.  
What worthy Theology I am glad to see you hear,  
I must needs confess you are my head and pear,  
For as man through me hath necessary living  
Even so both body and soul to heavenly joys you bring.  theology. 
¶ Your argument from mine doth not much disagree,  
For nothing is almost done unless it be for money,  
For the wicked rich man and the lover of money  
Regard but for gain, neither you nor me.  
Terence the unlearned briefly describeth  
Homine imperito nunquam iniustius  
Qui nisi quod ipse fecit, nihil rectum putat:  
So they have money they care not for us a gnat.  Art cometh in with certain tools about him of divers occupations. Art. 
art's bonae ubique sunt in praecio, nec possunt à fortuna eripi,  
Good arts are everywhere esteemed, and had in price  
And can not be taken away by Fortune truly.  
My name is called Art, wherein is used much vice:  
All occupations and arts which daily now are wrought  
By me are represented throughout the whole earth,  
Every one for money me daily have sought:  
And all for private gain as plainly appeareth,  
Who doth embrace me, thereby to suppress death,  
For a common wealth few use me in deed  
And to bring up their household godly, and the poor to feed.  
What husband man is he that abates the price of corn?  
Nay he rather buys and keeps his own in store.  
Many merchant man that is right simple borne,  
With unsatiable gains increaseth more and more:  
He will not abate his price for helping of the poor.  
Who will not prevent his neighbour with buying things over his head,  
All this is for money, so that love and charity are dead.  
But do I not see here the most worthy Theology,  
And also Science, and knowledge next him in degree?  Science. 
¶ To us you are welcome Art most necessary  
No good order in the land can be without us three.  theology. 
¶ Even as I at the first lamented the inordinate love  
Of money which now of every one is esteemed,  
The same to be too true, you both I have heard prove.  
O judas, judas, thereby thyself thouhast damned:  
Thou hadst been better money never have handled,  
And also such as have had in money their consolation  
Without the mercy of God shall have everlasting damnation.  Science. 
¶ dives vix bonus, a pretty saying and true,  
The rich man is scant good, this is the meaning:  
And money makes pleasures, this sentence doth show  
Pecunia effectrix multarum & magnarum voluptatum.  Art. 
¶ And again it is written the second de finibus,  
Pecunia voluptatis perimitur maximae,  
The meaning whereof I may thus discuss  
Most great pleasures be brought forth for money:  
Then if money bring pleasure, pleasure brings forth sin  
And sin brings damnation unless God's grace we win.  theology. 
¶ Well, seeing every one is so far out of frame,  
And gives themselves so much to the love of money,  
Let us walk as we ought in praising God's name,  
Beseeching God to send them his favour and mercy:  
O Lord bless thy people from everlasting misery.  
Christ had but twelve Apostles and one betrayed his master,  
Even judas, the bag carrier, for money he played the traitor.  Science. 
¶ According to your godly will I am content likewise,  
Let us not with money commit (O Lord) any vice.  Art. 
¶ And as you both have said, I am pleased therewith:  
O Lord keep thy people in thy faith, love and truth.  ¶ These three going out, Money cometh in, having the one half of his gown yellow, and the other white, having the coin of silver and gold painted upon it, & there must be a chair for him to sit in, and under it or near the same there must be some hollow place for one to come up in. Money speaketh. 
Hoyghe, hoyghe for money, more sweeter than honey:  
Who will not for me take pain:  
Each Lord and Knight for me will fight  
And hazard to be slain.  
I wax of such force that no earthly corpse  
But embraceth me out of measure:  
The Doctor, the draper, the ploughman, the carter  
In me have their joy and pleasure.  
Money is my name, all over is my fame:  
I dwell with every degree:  
Though great be their living, yet can they do nothing,  
Without the presence of me.  
Many for my sake work while their hearts ache,  
Yet never think themselves weary:  
The Smith and the Shoemaker, the minstrel, the dancer  
With me will drink and be mearie:  
But the churl and the covetous of me are so jealous  
That I can not get out of their sight.  
But the serving man, the spender, the usurer and the lender  
Do send me abroad day and night.  
I am worshipped and honoured, and as a god am esteemed:  
Yea many loves me better than God,  
No sooner come I to town, but many bow down  
And comes if I hold up the rod.  
What need I further show that every one doth know.  
I do but waste my wind,  
For servants and prentices will privily rob their masters,  
To me they have such a mind.  Here Money sitteth down in a chair, and Adulation cometh in and speaketh. Adulation. 
¶ O worthy Money, thine absence hath been long,  
My sorrow in thine absence can not be spoken with tongue:  
For you money is only the pain I do take,  
Would I flatter or dissemble, unless it were for your sake?  
¶ What Adulation or flattery more welcome to me  Money. 
Than any man this month that I did hear or see.  
A true saying no doubt, Blandiloquio nihil nocentim,  
Then fair speaking or flattery nothing is more pernicious.  
Nemo svam turpitudinem perspicit, sed sibi quisque adulator est  
No man, to see his filthiness is priest,  
But every one to himself is a very flatterer,  
And thou wilt flatter also to have money for thy labour.  Adulation. 
¶ Do you think I will flatter or fain any man,  
Unless for your sake? nay, beshrew me then,  
Such as love themselves, and love their own ways best,  
Must needs be flattered therein, and then they be at rest.  
They must be holden up, and flattered in their evil,  
And for you I care not how many I send to the devil.  Here money feigneth himself to be sick. Money. 
¶ oh, what pain is this that I feel at my heart,  
My pain is as great, as though I were smitten with a dart.  
What ails me, what ails me thus suddenly to be sick?  
I think I shall die without remedy of physic.  Adulation. 
¶ Be of good cheer Sir, of this I am sure,  
You cannot die so long as the world doth endure.  
Come hither Mischievous help, Money is almost dead,  
Come quickly in the mischief, and help to hold his head.  Mischievous help cometh in. Mischievous help. 
¶ What need you call thus hastily, unless you had more need?  
Money may be sick, but he will never be dead:  
But to help at a mischief I am as quick as the best,  
O my lord and master to help you I am priest.  
¶ Welcome Mischievous help, I was never so sick before,  Money. 
Help to hold my stomach, I swell now more and more:  
I must either vomit, or else I shall burst in two,  
What wicked disease is this, that troubleth me so?  Mischi. help 
¶ None can make me believe it is any thing else,  
But Pleasure, the occasion that thus your belly swells:  
You are so fraught with pleasures that I do perfectly know,  
You will never be in quiet till he be rid from your maw:  
Therefore provoke yourself to vomit him quickly,  
And than you will be at quiet, even by and by.  Money. 
¶ Now I believe truly, that pleasure is the occasion  
Of all my great sickness, malady and passion:  
Therefore as thou hast said certain and true it is  
For money brings all pleasures that any can wish.  
Now I will assay to vomit if I can,  
Therefore either of you play now the pretty man.  Adulation. 
¶ Let him hold your head, and I will hold your stomach,  
And I hope with speed you shall have very good luck.  Here money shall make as though he would vomit and with some fine conveyance pleasure shall appear from beneath and lie there appareled. 
I hope he is coming, for I feel him at my throat,  Money speaketh. 
Great sorrow pain and grief it is to me god wot:  
I would not for all the world be in such pains again,  
As many as loves me of him willbe glad and fain.  Pleasure. 
¶ I must needs take money for the father of me pleasure,  
The most part I am sure will love me out of measure.  Money. 
¶ Well my son, well forget not to do thy feat,  
I must needs get me hence, my pains do make me sweat.  Adulation. 
¶ Money is to me such a sure friend,  
That seeing he is gone, I will not tarry behind.  Pleasure. 
¶ In what case were the world were it not for money  
Without joy and pleasure better be dead then alive:  
To live like dome gods who would not be weary?  
To satisfy man's nature with pleasures I can contrive,  
But I contain them at this time and hour,  
Hawking and hunting, shouting and fishing,  
Eating and drinking, dicing and carding,  
Riding and running, swimming and singing,  
Dancing and leaping with all kind of playing,  
Banqueting with fine meats, and wine of all sorts,  
Dallying with fair women, with other kind of sports:  
All fine apparel that makes the heart joy,  
With musical instruments, both with man and boy.  
Thus no sport or joy wherein man hath solace  
But I do contain them, though money bring them to pass.  Mischievous help. 
¶ You say true Pleasure, no tongue can express,  
What comfort and joy in you contained is.  Pleasure feigns himself sick, and speaketh sitting in a chair. Pleasure. 
What thing is this that makes me thus to swell?  
I promise you even now I was perfectly well:  
I am in a strange case whatever the matter be,  
There is no other way but shortly I must die.  Adulation. 
¶ There will none believe I dare jeopard my hand,  
That pleasure shall die so long as the world doth stand  
Therefore take no care, nor yet lament or moan,  
For suddenly it came, and suddenly it willbe gone.  pleasure. 
¶ I am never able to abide it if it last long,  
I fry in my fits the pains be so strong.  Adulation. 
¶ Even as you were the occasion of the sickness of your father,  
So is your son Sin to you I am sure:  
So that you would I think be soon easied of your pains  
If you could avoid sin from you by any means.  Pleasure. 
¶ None in the world I think could guess better.  
For as Money is to me, even so am I sins father:  
Therefore to be at ease and to be rid of that lobber,  
Help now all my friends for love of money and pleasure.  Here cometh in priest for pleasure. priest for pleasure. 
¶ I cannot choose but help, you have so conjured us now,  
For Money and Pleasure none but will take pains I trow:  
He is not worthy to live I make god a vow,  
That will not work his heart out for both you.  Pleasure. 
¶ oh, help, help quickly, I never stood in more need,  
I am so full of sin I shall burst without quick speed.  Here he shall make as though he would vomit, and Sin being the vice shallbe conveyed finely from beneath as pleasure was before. Sin. 
I was afraid of nothing but only of my dagger,  
lest in the time of my birth it would have sticked my father,  
And then for my grandfather few would have cared:  
If you my father Pleasure had been slain or killed.  
Yea marry Sir now my thinks I am more at liberty,  
I could not once turn me in my father's belly,  
My father need not care in what company he doth eat,  
I have made his throat so wide he can not be choked with meat.  Pleasure. 
¶ Although my pains were great yet now I may be glad,  
That I have to my son such a pretty fine lad.  Sin. 
¶ If I be now a lad, what be you then?  
A boy of my age will never make man:  
And although I be young yet am I well grown,  
No child of six year old is so big in all this town.  Pleasure. 
¶ Well my son Sin according to thy nature and name,  
All that loves money and me see that you do frame  
To all sinful living and all other wickedness  
I need not bid thee for I know well thy goodness.  Adulation. 
¶ I have ever to you Pleasure borne such love,  
That to depart with you my heart doth me move.  Here Pleasure and Adulation goeth forth. Sin. 
¶ He hath as much need to bid me do this,  
As to make a dog hold up his leg when he doth piss:  
And as Sin is the child of pleasure in every nation,  priest for pleasure. 
even so my son and heir is endless damnation.  
¶ By the mass I care not what sin I commit  
So that thereby I may purchase pleasure and profit.  
It is a hard thing that I would not do for money,  
I would cut my father's throat if I might get money thereby.  Sin. 
¶ That is my boy that I need not teach thee more,  
Or ever he have money he committeth sin before.  
Out alas masters, what thing is in my belly?  
Such pains as these will quickly make me weary:  
Who, who is able to abide this grief or pains,  
Even now in my belly, but now in my reins,  
Now in my buttocks, and now at my heart,  
The pains are so great that I suffer grievous smart.  
I hold twenty pound it will turn to the gout,  
Even now at my heart and now at the sole of my foot:  
Out alas my neck, my sides, and my back,  
Out alas, my head asunder begins to crack.  priest for pleasure. 
¶ I pray you Sin be quiet and be content a while,  
For I do think verily yourself you do beguile:  
Your pains are none other I dare be bold to say  
But only Damnation whereof you are so full:  
Therefore to avoid him you must take pains to assay  
And to help you therein with all my power I will:  
Do not make such moan Sin, for your child Damnation  
Is the only occasion of all your grief and passion.  Sin. 
¶ The whoreson's head is so great, and he so ill favoured made,  
That I must needs be ripped I am greatly afraid.  Pre for ple. 
¶ Be content Sin I will call for more aid:  
Ho Swift to sin come away in haste,  
Sin is so sick I am afraid he will burst.  swift to sin 
¶ Even as your grandfather did, and your father by you also,  
We will have with speed your son Damnation I trow.  Sin. 
¶ That ill favoured knave is like none of us,  
No more than a sow to a cow, or a sheep to a goose.  
Now for a midwife I would give twenty pound,  
Hold me up Sirs, for now I begin to sound.  Here shall damnation be finely conveyed as the other was before, who shall have a terrible vizard on his face, & his garment shallbe painted with flames of fire. Sin. 
It is the heaviest lobber that ever man did bear,  
They say Sin is heavy, but he is heavier I swear:  
How say you masters is not this a well favoured baby  
That I Sin have brought forth so painfully?  
He is the worst favouredst knave that ever was borne,  
It must needs be good ground that brings forth such good corn:  
When I look on him methinks him to be to evil favoured,  
Yet the crow thinks her black birds of all other the fairest:  
But I can not love him if I should be hanged:  
Thou art never like (son) of me to be kissed.  Damnation 
¶ I am fearful Damnation through sin procreated,  
To such as in sin have all their felicity  
And dies without repentance I shallbe annexed:  
But the repentant sinner that obtains God's mercy,  
Shall enjoy the heavens far separate from me:  
Therefore father Sin to thee be due honour,  
That in bringing forth of me thou tookest such pains and labour.  Sin. 
¶ In faith much good do it you, and them to whom you shallbe married,  
I wis they were better marry a sow that her pigs hath new farrowed.  swift to sin 
¶ Now farewell Sin, of me you stand no more in need,  
Do but beck when you lack me, and I will come with all speed.  priest for pleasure. 
¶ In your necessity I am glad that we were here,  
I cannot be long out of your company I swear.  Damnation 
¶ Fare well most sweet father, I am loath to depart,  
So soon to be trudging, it grieves me at the heart.  Here they three go forth. Sin. 
¶ Now fair evil most sour soon to be sorry I cannot chose,  
Your going grieves me so much that the snot drops out of my nose  
Had I not seen and felt the bearing of him myself,  
I would have thought surely he had been some changeling or else.  
Happy are they that are matched with my son Damnation,  
They were better lie all their life in a dungeon or prison:  
He is so sure a companion as I know but few,  
Who happeneth once in his company shall it never eschew:  
My grandfather Money hath hatched a goodly litter,  
An honester kindred can nowhere be found,  
Pleasure, Sin, and Damnation of all other most bitter:  
Who doth not love us, that with the love of money is drowned.  
None but is my servant that lives, and treads on ground.  
The greatest power that is, the lowest state of all  
To be my servants can not choose, and also still shall.  
And is it any marvel why I so many servants have?  
None with fine qualities with me can compare,  
Therefore in my sight every one is but a slave.  
What of with your caps sirs, it becomes you to stand bare,  
None can forswear themselves in trading for ware.  
No picking of purses can be at market or fair,  
No theft or robbery, no murder or killing  
Can be without me, x yet whoredom or swearing,  
No pride, no sloth, no gluttony can be used,  
No perjury without me, neither envy nor hatred,  
As my qualities be good, so my parsonage is proper.  
I am neither too high nor too low, to great nor so small,  
No thicker no thinner, no shorter no longer  
They decently appertain, as you may see all.  
If I were higher I were the worst to fall:  
If I were lower they would take me for a boy,  
Therefore to behold my person, you can not choose but joy.  Here cometh in Satan the great devil as deformedly dressed as may be. Satan 
¶ oh, oh, oh, oh, my friend Sin I was never so merry  
In hearing thy qualities I can not be weary:  
In thy genealogy (Sin) I do more rejoice  
Then can be thought with heart or spoke with tongue or voice:  
But my chiefest comfort is thy son, man's Damnation  
Whereby they are excluded from eternal salvation.  Sin. 
¶ Why you evil fast knave, how came your friendship in?  
They be well favoured babes that be of your kin.  satan. 
¶ oh Sin, oh to see thee it doth me good,  
Thy words Sin, oh thy words do comfort my heart blood.  
Through money and pleasure my kingdom doth increase,  
Therefore to be merry why should I cease?  Sin. 
¶ Then I and my son damnation be nobody with you,  
Sin and Damnation belike bring a man to heaven:  
Is thy kingdom diminished through us thinkest thou?  
You bottle nosed knave, I will see your nose eauen.  
I wis you had been as good to have set me in the number,  
I did not so much pleasure you but I will work you as much cumber:  
For I did never increase thy kingdom so much before  
But now I will diminish it twenty times more.  
how can Money and Pleasure bring men unto hell  
Without Sin and Damnation, Sir good face me tell?  
Nay I willbe gone, I will tarry no longer here,  
I will turn all your mirth into sorrowful cheer.  Here Satan shall cry and roar. Sin. 
¶ I knew I would make him soon change his note,  
I will make him sing the black sanctus, I hold him a groat.  Satan. 
¶ oh my friend Sin do not leave me thus,  
For without thee and thine own son Damnation:  
My kingdom will decay through my ancient enemy jesus,  
For without man's company I can have no consolation  
All had been mine own but for Christ's death and passion.  
Therefore without thy help and thy son Damnation,  
Without company in hell I shall for ever make my moan.  Here he roareth and crieth: Sin. 
¶ You may laugh well enough that Sin & the Devil be fallen out,  
But we will fall in again or ever it be long:  
Stand back in the mischief, or I will hit you on the snout,  
It is high time that you had ended your song.  Satan. 
¶ Come hither my sons Gluttony and Pride,  
Persuade my friend Sin with me to stick and abide.  Here cometh in Gluttony and Pride dressed in devils apparel, & stays Sin that is going forth. Pride. 
Our Lord and master I pray you turn back again,  
Our father can not be merry, if you his company refrain.  
Thou canst thy lery pope to call me Lord and master,  
For I am thy chief head and thou art of me a member.  Gluttony. 
¶ I pray thee for our sakes once back again to turn,  
For thy departing will cause him still to mourn.  Sin. 
¶ Thou thy dogs and cats thou evil favoured knave,  
Use me so again, and your nose from your face I will have.  Pride. 
¶ We pray you most heartily to forgive that is past,  
And we never hereafter will misuse you again:  
If you forsake our father for sorrow he will braced,  
Therefore from your fury we hope ye will abstain.  Sin. 
¶ Of all the three devils thou hast the most manner,  
For thy sake once again I will comfort thy father  
snottynose Sathanas, disable me no more  
lest you hath more ado than you had before:  
Well Satan's kingdom by me shallbe increased,  
And through my son Damnation that it shall near be empty.  Pride. 
¶ I would not have you to take all the pains alone,  
I myself will entice many to pride,  
That in hell (our habitation) they continually may groan:  
To help you at all times I willbe at your side.  Gluttony. 
¶ And I will allure them to fine fare and gluttony,  
That their delight may be filling the belly:  
Early up at drinking and late up at banqueting,  
So that all their joy shallbe in drunkenness and surfeiting:  
They shall spend on their own bellies more than shall suffice,  
But the poor from their doors hungry shall arise.  Satan. 
¶ oh, oh, oh my babes, my chickens, and my friend Sin,  
Many one through thee the kingdom of hell shall win:  
oh, for joy and gladness I can not stand or sit,  
Upon these cheerful words I must needs dance a fit.  Sin. 
¶ Yea, but one thing snotty nose willbe very hard,  
Where shall we get a pipe to play the devil a galliard?  Satan 
¶ Before you turned back I did both cry and weep,  
But now through thy comfort I can dance without a pipe:  
I do now perceive Money is so beloved,  
That of many above god he is esteemed and honoured,  
And the world is given so much to delicacy and pleasure,  
That Sin and Damnation increase out of measure.  Gluttony. 
¶ We give you most hearty thanks, O Sin our master,  
Whose return again hath comforted our father.  Pride. 
¶ If you had not returned for aught we could have done  
Our father without doubt would have fallen in a sown.  Sin. 
¶ If the devil had died, who should have been his heir?  Satan. 
¶ No my friend, no, none can possess my chair,  
For as God is without end and his joys endless,  
Even so am I king of everlasting darkness.  Sin. 
¶ Now if they be wise they will care for no such a friend,  
To procure them to pains that never shall have end.  Satan. 
¶ Even as the joys of heaven do pass all other pleasure,  
Even so the pains of hell exceeds all other be sure:  
The greatest torments and pains that be on the earth  
Is joy and pleasure in respect of pains of hell,  
The Scripture maketh mention thereof as plainly appeareth,  
There is gnawing and gnashing of teeth, as the damned shall tell.  Sin. 
¶ Much good do it you snotty nose, I long not for your cheer:  
I beshrew you and your babes if thereof you spare:  
It is better be poor and after in heaven to dwell  
Then to be rich on the earth and after live in hell.  Pride. 
¶ Well let us talk no more of the pains and sorrow,  
But seeing we are prepared in that place to dwell,  
Let us take pains both even and morrow:  
To enlarge our dominion the kingdom of hell.  
I am so esteemed throughout the world wide,  
That they had rather dwell in hell then lay me aside.  Gluttony. 
¶ And I begin with many to be in such favour  
That the preacher can not allure them what so he doth say,  
In their throat and belly is all their joy and pleasure,  
No whit regarding the last fearful day.  Sin. 
¶ As either of you contain one sin particularly,  
Even so I contain all sins generally:  
Therefore goodman snotty nose if you reward me well  
I and my son Damnation shall send enough to hell.  Satan. 
¶ Whatsoever thou wilt have, I will not thee deny.  Sin. 
¶ Then give me a piece of thy tail to make a flap for a fly:  
For if I had a piece thereof I do verily believe,  
The humble bees stinging should never me grieve.  Satan. 
¶ No my friend no, my tail I can not spare,  
But ask what thou wilt besides and I will it prepare.  Sin. 
¶ Then your nose I would have to stop my tail behind,  
For I am cumbered with colic and letting out of wind:  
And if it be too little to make thereof a case,  
Than I would be so bold to borrow your face.  Satan. 
¶ Now I perceive well you are disposed to be merry,  
But ask me any thing that is meet for to give,  
And in satisfying you thereof I will not tarry  
To make you my chief officer, it would not me grieve,  
Sure you are thereof you may me believe,  
Besides if any friend of yours of me do stand in steed,  
The best thing in hell shallbe his in his need.  Sin. 
¶ Woe be to my friends if they stand need of you,  
Or any thing you have in that most pleasant place,  
I would not wish that friendship to either horse or cow,  
For there they should be sure of small favour or grace:  
Is not here masters (think you) an amiable face?  
Happy may they be which with him shall dwell always,  
But thrice happier than which godly end their days.  Satan. 
¶ Now my friend Sin seeing I have seen you,  
Take here my blessing, and so I bid thee adieu.  Here all the devils depart. Sin. 
¶ Are not they think you of all other most happy,  
Which shall for ever and ever be in the devils company?  
It were better be a post-horse that rests night nor day,  
Or else to be a galley slave then with the devils to play.  
Well I am sure I have yet much to do,  
For if my father Pleasure have much work in hand  
I must needs travail through every land:  
I can not well tell what thing to do first,  
My head is so full of toys wherewith I think it will burst.  
If I go to my grandfather first, than my father willbe angry,  
And if I see my father before I see my son  
Than he will take the matter I tell you sorrowfully:  
Therefore give me counsel what is best to be done.  
If I should go to my grandfather where should I find him  
In the poor man's purse he doth seldom abide,  
But in the beggars cloak I might chance to have him.  
I shall not find where he is unless I have a guide:  
I am a wise young man that fears to find money  
In the covetous churls coffer I shall have him by and by,  
I am sure to find him at the goldsmiths stall:  
If there I miss him I shall never find him at all.  Here Sin goeth out And Learning with money cometh in richly appareled. Learning with mon. 
¶ Who may be compared to me in degree?  
Who is more happy than Learning with money?  
Learning at the first to riches me preferred:  
And money is the cause that I am now honoured,  
Learning with money I am of all men called  
Who is not desirous my favour to win,  
For my money and riches my learning is esteemed:  
Very few or none but at my table have been.  
The learned Seneca these words hath expressed  
Iners malorum remedium ignorantia est.  
Then if you counterpoise me Learning with money,  
Of all evils and mischief I am the best remedy.  Here cometh Learning without money appareled like a scholar. Learning without money. 
Learning may aswell counsel where money doth want,  
But riches causeth the common sort to esteem counsel best:  
For if a rich man well appareled have a fine tongue to descant,  
He shallbe taken for learned though he know never a letter.  
My learning as good as yours I dare be bold to compare,  
Yet there is great difference between our estimations,  
But if your attire, as mine is, were course and as bare,  
Than he should be best esteemed that had best conditions.  
My name is Learning without money in poor degree, god wot,  
I have not to help my need, either penny or groat.  
And though I have no money at this time present  
Yet I thank God, through my knowledge and learning  
I ever have enough wherewith I am content,  
So that contentation makes me as rich as a king.  
The difference between our two livings is this only,  
You live idly in pleasure, and I in study take pain  
Which you can not away with but think it a misery:  
But if with labour I have sufficient I am right glad and fain,  
Who will not be content with poverty to have sufficient gain?  
Surely to live godly with poverty I had rather  
Than be damned in sin with continual pleasure.  
¶ I will not say but that riches be a great occasion  Learning with money 
That we do live wanton and out of God's fear,  
But learning doth cause us to bridle our affection:  
Therefore learning rules my riches everywhere.  Learning without money. 
¶ Who so is rich doth fall into many annoysome lust,  
But the godly poor always in God doth put his trust:  
If you do rule your goods and bestow them as you ought,  
Few fellows you have as I by proof have tried,  
Of many learned rich I craved but could get nought,  
But the poor sort unlearned have given me to feed:  
Many that be learned and riches have withal  
Are more out of frame then some who nothing have at all.  
Their learning makes them think with their riches to be so strong,  
That they will oppress their neighbour be it never so wrong.  Learning with mon. 
¶ Well, if you lack living be bold to come to me  
For I can be content to bestow where is need:  
And especially upon such as godly learned be,  
I thank God I have wherewith the poor to feed.  Here cometh in Money without learning, appareled like a rich churl, with bags of money by his sides and speaketh: 
What Learning with money I am glad to see you here,  
I stand need of your counsel in divers cases:  
Wherefore if you will help me I will recompense you I swear  
I have many froward matters in hand in sundry places  
I have money enough to defend me in maugre their faces  
Many beggarly knaves have good matters against me,  
But here is one will do well enough, mine old friend money.  Lear. without money. 
¶ Quisque sua ducitur natura as here it may appear,  
For the evil is wrought by the instrument according to nature:  
This man is given naturally to oppress the poor  
And money is the instrument that maketh him so bold:  
Many are given naturally to consume in keeping a whore:  
Some naturally in drinking to spend their gold.  
Nihil est tam munitum quod auro non expugnetur.  
Thou thinks thou lacks nothing seeing thou art full of treasure:  
Who in marrying their children have any respect  
To learning and honesty but only to riches:  
Nay the one they do embrace the other they neglect.  
Well hereof a pretty answer was made by Themistocles,  
One asked him whether it was better his daughter to mary  
To a rich man not honest, or to an honest poor man,  
And he answered again both quickly and wisely  
Ego inquit malim virum qui pecunia, quàm quae egeat viro pecuniā  
I had rather saith he to have if I can  
A man that lacks money, than money that lacks a man.  Mon. without learn. 
¶ What prattling fellow is this that is so talkative,  
It seems he is learned but yet he can not thrive.  Learning with money 
¶ Yea surely he is learned of whom it is great pity,  
He hath no certain living nor yet any money.  Mon. without learn. 
¶ In faith then he may dance amongst beggars well enough,  
Thou wert best give up thy learning and help to hold the plunge  Lear. without mon. 
¶ Do you set so little by my knowledge and learning?  
¶ Who will esteem thee unless thou have living?  Mon. without learn. 
¶ The example of the philosopher may well be applied  
That kissed his gown for coming into the emperors chamber:  Lear. without money. 
This gentleman of thee should not be esteemed  
Unless he had riches if thy words may be believed:  
For even now thou saidest, I am not deaf of hearing  
Who would esteem me unless I had a living:  
There is none other difference between this gentleman and me,  
But that he doth abound in riches and I in poverty:  Mon. without lear. 
¶ Believe him not Sir for you were ever a good gentleman,  
If you stood need of me you should find me your friend  
There is nothing but I will do it for you if I can:  
Nay try me when ye list ye shall me faithful find.  Lear. without mon. 
¶ As long as he needeth not thou wilt help him at an inch,  
But if in poverty he fall, than friendship will quench:  
For it is the nature of the churlish rich man  
To be friend to such as of him stands no need:  
But if his riches fail farewell friendship than,  
He will not then bid him with him once to feed:  
If I had your estate Sir, by proof you should see  
All the crouching you have had should then be done to me.  Learning with mon. 
¶ Your wise words have brought this sentence to mind  
Written in terrio Tusculanorum where you may it find,  
Omnes, cum secundae, tum maximè secum meditari oporter, quo pacto adversam aerumnam ferant.  
It is meet for all men when they be in prosperity  
To meditate how to suffer trouble in adversity.  Lear. without mon. 
¶ If you mark it as well as here you have it placed,  
They willbe the less grievous to you come they never so fast:  
I promise you I would not change my estate with this man's living  Mon. without learn. 
To have his riches and money for my knowledge and learning.  
¶ Marry I am agreed I intend not to change it,  Lear. without money. 
To make such a bargain I were out of my wit.  
¶ I have in my learning more perfect consolation  
Than thou hast or canst have in all thy gold and riches,  
For I may carry it with me in any country or nation:  
And the more I spend thereof the more it will increase,  
But the more thou spendest the more it doth diminish:  
Thus no man that heareth us but may perceive well  
That my learning thy riches and treasure doth excel.  Money without learning. 
¶ I may carry money enough with me wherever I go,  
Which will me help and succour both in well and woe.  
¶ You can not carry your money but it must needs consume,  Learning without money. 
And perhaps be stolen or lost before it be half done:  
Many one of their money as they have travailed  
Have been spoiled, some hurt therefore, and some also murdered.  Mon. without learn. 
¶ I can have meat and drink in every place for money,  
But if I had none at all I should go to bed hungry.  Learning with mon. 
¶ For that I am partaker with either of you both,  
To disallow any of you I would be very loath:  
But learning before riches ought to be preferred,  
Although the most part money more regard.  Mon. without learn. 
¶ I am the better esteemed as every one doth know,  
I am taken for an honest man wherever I go:  
And he shallbe for an abject rascal and slave,  
To whom each one will say, pack hence thou beggarly knave  Lear. without money. 
¶ Some that doth not know me perhaps will say so,  
But where I am known (I trust) my usage is such  
That they are very sorry when thus I do go:  
And when I come again of me they make much:  
But thou amongst thy neighbours art so beloved  
And though they flatter thee for fear to thy face,  
They will curse thee assoon as thy back from them is turned  
And call thee cankered churl in every place.  Mon. without learn. 
¶ I would I knew them which speak such words of me,  
They are but beggarly knaves I durst lay a wager,  
I would hoist them at the next term & they should not know why  
Then should you see the villains begin to crouch and flatter:  
But yet for all that my money and my riches  
Get me all the pleasures I can desire or wish.  Lear. without money 
¶ These words of pleasures are written by Cato,  
Malorum esca voluptas qua homines capiuntur vt pisces hamo:  
Pleasure is the meat of evil men thus means the text and book  
Wherewith men be catched as fishes with the hook.  
And again he hath written, read the same who list  
Nulla capitalior pestis, quam corporis voluptas, hominibus à natura data est  
There is no greater plague given to man by nature  
Then is of the body the desire or pleasure.  Learning with mon. 
¶ And Sallust in few words thereof writeth thus,  
In regno voluptatis, virtuti non est locus:  
In the kingdom of pleasure there is no place for virtue,  
For pleasure bringeth loathsomeness as pliny doth show,  
Nulla est adeo quae non assiduitate sui fastidium pariat voluptas.  Money without learning. 
No pleasure but with much use brings loathsomeness.  
¶ Nay that is not true, for the more money I have  
The more I desire so god me help and save.  Lear. without money 
¶ Juvenalis' words herein doth thee rightly hit,  
Crescit amor nummi quantum ipsa pecunia crescit:  
The love of money increaseth as much as money itself  
To what mischief bringeth us this vile and wicked pelf.  
Money makes no man rich unless there be contentation,  
But the poor man contented is richer I say  
As in ultimo paradoxo I find a good probation,  
Contentum suis rebus esse, maximae sunt certissimaeque divitiae:  
The most great and certain riches that is  
Hath he that is content with that which is his:  
Therefore thou art most poor as I may well define,  
For thou art not content with that which is thine.  
Egens est qui non satis habet, & is cvi nihil satis potest esse:  
He is poor that hath not enough or whom nothing will satisfy:  
And in primo paradoxo thou art trimly painted,  
And such as thou art as be never satisfied.  
Nunquam expletur nec satiatur cupiditatis sitis,  
Neque solum ea quae habent libidine augendi cruciantur, sed etiam amittendi metu:  
The thirst of desire is never satisfied nor filled,  
And these goods they have to increase their desire  
Whereby they are not only grievously tormented,  
But also to lose them they have as great a fear.  Learning with mon. 
¶ Horace doth verify your saying I am sure  
Saying, Crescentem pecuniam cura sequitur.  
And eloquent Cicero sayeth in this phrase  
Virtuti qui pra diti sunt soli sunt divites:  
They are only rich that with virtue are adorned,  
So that without virtue a man can not be enriched:  
Were it not for my learning I should be more covetous,  
Therefore learning is to be preferred before any thing,  
Literae pulcherrimae sunt divitiae hominis:  
The most fair riches of man is knowledge and learning.  Lear. without mon. 
¶ Opes eiusmodi parandae quae navi fracta simul cum Dno quaeant enatare:  
These riches of men are chiefly to be gotten  
Which may swim to land with his master when the ship is broken.  Mon. without learnin. 
¶ Well I have no learning to defend my cause withal,  
But here is a friend will plead my matter in Westminster hall.  Here he shall clap his hands on his bags. Here cometh in Neither money nor learning, clothed like a beggar and speaketh: 
By the old proverb every man may not wear a fourde hood,  
But if my coat were furred it would do me more good:  
When I was able I laboured but now I wax old,  
If I had sufficient meat to feed my body,  
And also necessary cloth to keep away the cold  
There is none of you would be so merry as I:  
I have neither learning nor money myself to maintain,  
Therefore to beg for my living I am both glad and fain.  Lear. without mon. 
¶ Godliness is great riches if a man be therewith content,  
God for the godly will prepare that he shall have sufficient.  Mon. without learn. 
¶ Thou art unhappy and borne in an evil hour,  
That hast no money, nor for any canst labour.  
¶ Do you see how he esteems this poor and simple wight,  Lear. without mon. 
Perhaps he is more accepted than thou in God's sight:  
He thinks none is happy but such as have money  
I will prove this man richer than thou by and by,  
For he would be content with sufficient cloth and food,  
And thou art not satisfied with twenty men's good.  
In opiae nauca desunt, avaritiae omnia, saith Horacius:  
Few things to the needy but all wanting to the covetous,  
Thou represents dives who had all his pleasure here,  
But he represents Lazarus who now hath heavenly cheer:  
Beware lest through thy riches thou have not endless pain,  
The faithful and contented wight in th'end shall heaven attain.  Neither learning nor money. 
¶ For Christ's sake I suffer this poverty meekly,  
The cross of Christ I embrace most willingly:  
The rich for the most part be so hard hearted  
That nothing I can get wherewith to be relieved,  
Yet God doth open the hearts of the poor sort  
That I have always sufficient myself to comfort:  
It is a world to see how greedy they be of money,  
For having an hundredth pound they will not part with a penny  
But they will not stick vainly to consume and spend  
A noble at a shot upon a feigned friend:  
God's grace I fear me from such hard hearts is passed  
That will not give the four score part of that they spend in waste.  
Neither learning nor money I am called wherever I go,  
Whereby I do suffer much pain, hunger and woe:  
Therefore good gentleman I beseech you of your goodness  
Give me your charity my body to refresh:  
And though I be not able God will pay it certain  
At the last day with treble fold again.  Learning with mon. 
¶ God forbid I should from the poor withdraw my hand,  
For then I should not be able before the Lord to stand:  
What we give to the poor that we give to Christ,  
To give to the needy poor God grant us always priest.  Here he shall give him something. Lear. without mon. 
¶ You take yourself I perceive in this case to be afterward,  
Therefore you shallbe to higher office preferred.  Here he shall ask his alms of Money without learning. Neit. learn. nor mon. 
¶ Good honest man, relieve me I ask it for Christ's sake,  
If you knew my need you would then some pity take:  
Give me of your abundance but one groat or penny  
And you shall receive it with gain at the last truly.  Mon. without learn. 
¶ God help thee, god help thee, mine own neighbours be very poor  
Never a day but one or other is ever at my door:  
I had never so much to do with money in my life,  
God help thee good man, I have a household and a wife.  Lear. without mon. 
¶ Duae res sunt quae maxime homines ad maleficium impellunt, luxuries & avaritia:  
Two things chiefly doth man to mischief bring,  
Lechery and covetousness, O vile and sinful sting:  
Thou hadst even now enough thy neighbours to oppress,  
But thou hast not one penny on this poor man to spare:  
If thou shouldest give him twelve pence what hadst thou the less,  
God hath hardened thy heart and cast thy up I fear.  Mon. without learnin. 
¶ If I should diminish my money but one groat,  
I should not be quiet these two days I wot:  
Well come to my house tonight or to morn,  
And I will see if I can spare thee a dish full of corn.  Here Money without learning goeth out. Lear. without mon. 
¶ Of money, pleasure and sin he is now enticed,  
I pray god with Damnation he be not infected:  
Well, walk thou in thy vocation whatever thou hast,  
Praise thy God so long as life doth last.  Neither learning nor money. 
¶ What pains and troubles soever we bide here,  
I pray God we be patient, and the living God fear:  
No pains we do suffer of heaven can be worthy,  
The joys be so great no tongue can express:  
Therefore I care not for living never so painfully,  
For repenting in Christ I shall have joys endless:  
God reward you good gentleman for your good almose deeds,  
I have sufficient three days my hungry corpse to feed.  Here he goeth out. Lear. without mon. 
¶ For that I know God hath sent you riches,  
Great knowledge, wisdom and learning withal:  
Beware of pleasures the mother of Sin doubtless,  
For if she once catch you to sin you shallbe thrall,  
It is written in the second de finibus,  
Nemo est dignus nomine hominis, qui unum totum diem velit esse is voluptate.  
He is not worthy the name of a man be sure,  
Which spends the whole day in voluptuousness and pleasure.  Learning with mon. 
¶ I thank God of such riches as I have,  
But so long as I live it shallbe my servile slave:  
To lend to the needy, to give to the poor,  
To suffer none go empty that comes to my door.  
To bring up my household in gods fear and faith  
And to be an example to such as like hath:  
And if you willbe content hear with me to come,  
You shall not want living as long as I have some.  Lear. without mon. 
¶ I thank you most heartily of your large promise,  
I will wait upon you as my bounden duty is.  Here he goeth forth and money cometh in passing. Money. 
I was never so weary since the hour I was borne,  
There is none at all but do crave me even and morn:  
I never rest night nor day,  
I am ever busy when every one doth play:  
Few blind matters but I must be at their daying,  
If I speak the word it is done without praying.  
Since I was here last, I swear by this light,  
I have made many a crooked matter straight:  
The thief that all night was robbing and stealing,  
If I bear him witness was all night in his bed sleeping.  
A man's wife that was taken in bed with another,  
Could have no harm when I did excuse her:  
When I spoke she was taken to be of good behaviour,  
And they that found her were set by the heels for their labour.  
There was a man killed and twenty witnesses by,  
But I said he killed himself with his own dagger truly:  
And when I had spoken every one held his peace,  
And then the officers the murderer did release.  
So that I have been to many so friendly,  
That well is he can get me on his side to be:  
I have so many suits and matters in hand,  
That I would fain have an helper by me fast to stand.  Here cometh in Sin the vice. Sin. 
¶ I have been since I was here in many a nation,  
So that I could not come to any town nor city  
But I and my kindred are in great estimation:  
If I hold up my finger you may trust me,  
It is a great matter that makes me to lie.  
And as I came homeward I told these news to the devil,  
Who was very glad to see us bear such rule.  Money. 
¶ May I be so bold to know of what kindred,  
Or else from what stock you are proceeded.  Sin. 
¶ The last stocks I was in was even at Banbury,  
They be worm eaten which shows them ancient to be:  
If they were mine because they be so old,  
I would burn them in winter to keep me from the cold.  Money. 
¶ I meant of what degree you were descended.  Sin. 
¶ I promise you I am come of an high and mighty kindred:  
I know not my grandfather, for I never yet saw him,  
But Pleasure is my father, Sir, do not you know him?  Money. 
¶ What my son Sin I never saw thee before,  
I am thy grandfather Money which sets by thee great store.  Sin. 
¶ Marry Sir it is time on my marry bones to kneel,  
Blessing, blessing grandfather of you I do ask:  
But take heed that none of it hit my left heel,  
For I promise you I have a great and fervent lask.  Money. 
¶ I am glad to see thee so merry my child Sin,  
It doth rejoice me to see such one of my kin.  Sin. 
¶ Nay, than the fairest bird of all the generation  
Is mine own son and heir, my fair son Damnation:  
Such a one as he is you have seen but a few,  
Never trust me again if I tell you not true:  
His face doth shine as bright as the buttock of a bear,  
He hath a beautiful face in the night when the moon shines not clear  Money. 
¶ I pray thee when didst thou see my son Pleasure thy father?  Sin. 
¶ I did not see him of late but I heard from him by the carrier,  
In faith father Money to put you out of doubt,  
There is no place in the world but he bears a great rout:  
But methinks I heard you complain very lately,  
That through great pains and travail you were very weary.  Money. 
¶ I would I had a special friend that for me would take pain,  
He should for his pains be sure of too much gain.  Sin. 
¶ Marry Sir I have a special friend in store  
That will not for any man than for you do more,  
For he hath such a mind and great love to money,  
That he will do any thing for you by and by.  Money. 
¶ What is his name, and then I shall know  
Whether he be able to do for me or no.  
¶ A man he is to whom nothing can come a miss,  Sin. 
In every kind of thing he hath experience doubtless:  
All for money is his name, you know him full well,  
For this your business all other he doth excel.  Money. 
¶ Marry that is he that I wish for only,  
There is nothing at all but he will do it for me:  
I pray you call him for he will not long tarry,  
If he wist I were here, so to me is he friendly.  Sin. 
¶ What all for money come hither with all speed,  
My grandfather money tarries for you to help him at need.  Here cometh in All for money in haste, appareled like a ruler or magistrate. 
marry that is well, should Money tarry for me,  
Nay it is meet I wait on him both with cap and knee.  
What would you with me my lord and master Money?  
Command what you will and I will do it speedily.  Money. 
¶ I have taken such pain as sure hath made me weary,  
Wherefore I have sent for you my room to supply:  
What suitors soever come to crave your aid,  
If they come from me let them not be delayed:  
whatever their matter be have thereto no regard,  
For if they come from me they will you well reward.  All for mon. 
¶ whatever I do for you I take it for no pain,  
At midnight I would ride for you in hail, snow or rain.  Sin. 
¶ Let there come a thousand if they do bring game,  
There can not come so many, but he'll them entertain.  Money. 
¶ Farewell all for Money, in thee is all my trust,  
You may both make and mar, you may do what you lust.  Here Money goeth out & All for money sitting in a chair, speaketh: All for mon. 
¶ Now my friend Sin a proclamation make,  
None but shallbe heard that comes for moneys sake.  Sin. 
¶ What be the words that I shall now proclaim?  All for mon. 
¶ I have them written here I will recite them by name:  
Say after me and then you can not miss,  
You must speak a loud that they may know what it is.  Sin. 
¶ Shall I in my man's voice or in my boy's voice it declare?  All for mon. 
¶ So that it be heard I do not greatly care.  Here the vice shall turn the proclamation to some contrary sense at every time all for money hath read it, and here followeth the proclamation: 
All manner of men that have either matter or suit,  
Let them come hither between nine & ten, & none against them shall dispute:  
So they come from money then they shallbe heard quickly,  
Be their matter never so wrong, they shallbe sped and not tarry:  
And that they make speed, he heartily them prays,  
For he can not tarry past two or three days.  All for mon. 
¶ Do you think I shall have any suitors at all,  
I think my market willbe very small.  Sin. 
¶ If you have no suitors on you for to call,  
I am sure shortly the heavens will fall:  
They will not stand I think all in this hall,  
Which will come right shortly and still hereafter shall.  All for mon. 
¶ Marry Sir the more the better for me,  
If they be ten thousand they shall speed for money.  Here shall one knock at the door. Sin. 
¶ What good fellow is that which knocks so boldly?  gregory graceless. 
¶ Marry I am a suitor that comes from money,  
My name if you list to know, is gregory graceless  
That can cut a man's purse and look in his face.  Sin. 
¶ If your parsonage be as handsome as your qualities be good.  
The hemp for your hanging begins for to bud.  All for mon. 
¶ Let him in I pray thee, let me see what he is,  
If he come from money he shall not speed amiss.  Here cometh in gregory graceless like a ruffian & speaketh. 
God save you my lord, I am come from money,  
Who wills you to help me out of my troubles quickly.  All for mon. 
¶ What is the matter rehearse it in brief:  Greg grac. 
¶ Mine neighbours say they will hang me because I am a thief.  
The last night I chanced to take a budget with two hundredth pound,  
And maimed also the party that they think he will die,  
The budget with money I did hide in the ground:  
So that they missed it although they took me,  
Therefore for your aid to you now I fly:  
And the one half shall you have for saving my life,  
And the other must keep my house, my children and my wife.  All for mon. 
¶ Deliver the money to this my friend Sin,  
And take this token to show that with me thou hast been.  Here he shall deliver him a paper, and Sin and he goeth forth. All for mon. 
¶ This is good luck at the first beginning,  
To have so much money it is an honest living:  
methinks suitors in coming are very slack,  
Such as this first was I think I shall lack:  
I could sit in the cold a good while I swear,  
Or I would be weary such suitors to hear.  Sin cometh in and saith: 
My Lord, All for money, here is another cheat,  
It is better than the first, yea or else as great.  All for mon. 
¶ Let them come in whoever they be,  
If your grandfather sent them, mine old friend money.  Sin. 
¶ Nay, the party doth lie now sore sick in her bed,  
But my father doth will you that she may be sped:  
And she hath given me for you an hundred pound and more,  
Shall her neighbours be able to hurt her therefore?  All for mon. 
¶ Nay, let them do to her the worst that they can,  
Tell me her matter and I will release her then.  Sin. 
¶ She is a fair young woman and very full of favour,  
She began to be coltish, so that one must ride her:  
And the thing she played for did after so prosper,  
That her belly was full as lately did appear:  
And she fearing lest thereby she should be slandered  
Killed her child after she was delivered.  
But as she conveyed it by some it was spied,  
And so it was found whereby the truth was tried.  All for mon. 
¶ What, this matter is not so great, well, for moneys sake,  
That she have no harm, myself will undertake:  
They that should give evidence shallbe all tongue tied,  
And the twelve men shall find her guiltless, let her not be afraid.  Sin. 
¶ For a whore to have a child it is but a small matter,  
And after it is borne the same to kill and murder.  
Is not my grandfather money of great power and might,  
That such a crooked matter so quickly can make straight?  Now moneyless and friendless knocketh at the door. Sin. 
¶ Who is that, that knocks in such great post haste?  moneyless. 
¶ One that without my Lords help away is like to be cast.  All for mon. 
¶ Let him come in, let me hear his matter,  
If he come from money he shall not lose his labour.  moneyless. 
¶ O my Lord, as I came by an hedge the last night,  
Of a few rags and clothes I chanced to have a sight:  
Which when I had viewed with me I them took,  
Which were not worth a crown I dare swear on a book:  
And I have a rich neighbour that threats me very sore,  
That I shallbe hanged right shortly therefore.  All for mon. 
¶ Be merry good fellow and be not afraid,  
It were pity thou were hanged for such a trifle:  
Who will do thee hurt if I be on thy side?  
They were as good nay as once thy goods to rifle.  Sin. 
¶ His goods be soon rifled I think he hath none at all,  
It appears he is simple the robbery was so small:  
To come hither for help who put it in thy mind?  moneyless. 
¶ By my troth myself, for I have none other friend.  Sin. 
¶ Did not my grandfather money in haste send thee hither?  moneyless. 
¶ I am not acquainted with him, I will not be found a liar.  Sin. 
¶ What art thou called whereabouts thou dost dwell?  moneyless. 
¶ I am moneyless and friendless as many one can tell.  Sin. 
¶ Alas poor soul what didst thou coming hither,  
I think for all thy comfort thou art never the better.  All for mon. 
¶ I can do thee no good I did mistake thy matter,  
Thou art come hither in vain, thou hast lost thy labour.  moneyless. 
¶ You promised me that I should not be troubled,  All for mon. 
¶ By my troth for all that thou art like to be hanged.  
If the law should not be executed of thieves and robbers,  
Men should not live in quiet for loitering lubbers.  Sin. 
¶ Shall I tell thee one thing in thine care sirrah,  
Thou art sure shortly to play sursome corda.  moneyless. 
¶ I trust Sir you will not go against your word.  All for mon. 
¶ Get thee hence prating knave, I can do thee no good.  moneyless. 
¶ God have mercy on us without a man have money  
He shallbe cast away for a trifle we see:  
But the thieves and robbers that with money be stored  
Escape well enough, but the poor thieves be hanged.  Here he goeth forth. All for mon. 
¶ Ahe Serra, here was a suitor that was not for my profit,  
None such were appointed to come by the proclamation:  
We should make a wise market if for such we should sit,  
They shall starve and hang before of such I have compassion.  Sin. 
¶ Through him you shall see none after will come,  
Unless they have money either more or some.  
Is not my grandfather Money think ye of great power  
That could save from hanging such abominable whore,  
That against all nature her own child did kill?  
Thus you may do for money what mischief you will.  
And yonder poor knave that did steal for his need  
A few sort of rags, and not all worth a crown,  
Because he lacks money shallbe hanged for that deed,  
You may see my Grandsire is a man of renown:  
It were meet when I named him that you all kneeled down.  
Nay, make it not so strange, for the best of you all,  
Do love him so well, you will come at his call.  One other shall knock now at the door. All for mon. 
¶ methinks I do hear one knock at the door,  
He shall find me his good master if he be not too poor.  Sin. 
¶ Knock softly in the mischief, who made you so bold?  William with the li. wives. 
¶ I am William with the two wives, I have brought my lord gold.  
¶ Let him in, let him in, I will his matter hear,  
I will dispatch him quickly he need not to fear.  All for mon. Here cometh in William with the two wives, dressed like a country man, & speaketh: 
My Lord from Money I have brought you such a token  
That I trust from my trouble I shall soon be holpen:  
forty old angels I trust will you please,  
Beseeching you therefore my matter to ease.  Here he shall reach him a purse. All for mon. 
¶ I have felt thee already, now let me hear thee  
whatever thy matter be I will soon speed thee.  Sin. 
¶ Marry he hath two wives, and I think he would have another.  All for mon. 
¶ He shall have two more if it be his pleasure.  William. &c. 
¶ I have two wives I must needs confess,  
I have to many by one I had rather have less:  
To say truth to my first wife I have most right,  
But I can not love her I swear by this light:  
I married her only for her goods and riches.  
She is an old crust none would mary her for love,  
Her mouth would slaver ever when I did her kiss,  
Therefore to take another my mind did me move  
Who is both young and honest as her deeds do well prove:  
But the Bishop doth trouble me whereby I know well,  
He will have me again with that old jade to dwell.  Sin. 
¶ A tired jade by thee I think she hath not been,  
For she is properly a jade that hath been over riden:  
And because thou hast spared her now she is fresh and lusty.  
Therefore higher her out for an hackney, and she will bring thee money.  William, &c. 
¶ The devil shall ride her if I set her out to hire,  
I would she were with him in the midst of hell fire.  Sin. 
¶ haddest thou any riches by her, any lands or woods?  William. &c. 
¶ I had three hundredth pounds by her besides her other goods.  Sin. 
¶ She may be very glad that on thee her goods did spare  
That would let her forth to be the devils hackney mare.  William, &c. 
¶ So I were rid on her I cared not where she were.  All for mon. 
¶ Thou shalt be sped herein even as thou dost require:  
I will find means with witness to be proved  
That she before her marriage to another was betrothed.  
Whereby with thy young wife thou shalt live at ease:  
Thou mayst thank Money my old friend I wiss,  
Or else thou mayst trust me I would not have done this.  William, &c. 
¶ I thank you Sir heartily for the pains you have taken,  
I will remember you every year with a christmas capon.  Here he goeth forth. Sin. 
¶ These be goodly old angels take heed you do not lose them,  
Have not they pretty wings that could fly into your bosom?  All for mon. 
¶ I will keep them safe enough, I must needs love them,  
It is a crooked matter that I will not make straight for them.  Nichol never out of law knocks at the door. Sin. 
¶ There is some jolly suitor, do not you hear him knock?  
Softer Sir, softer, lest you break the lock.  All for mon. 
¶ Let him in quickly whatsoever he be.  
If Money have sent him he is welcome to me.  Here cometh in Nichol never out of the law, like a rich franklin, with a long bag of books by his side. Sin. 
¶ Come near to my Lord and tell him your matter,  
Did my grandfather Money will you come hither?  Nicholl. 
¶ I think I had come in vain unless he had sent me,  
Sir here is a dozen Portuguese if you will help me.  Here he reacheth him something in a bag. All for mon. 
¶ Now I am ready to hear thee tell it out along,  
I will help thee without doubt, be it right or wrong.  Sin. 
¶ Either right or wrong thy matter must needs be,  
Therefore thou mayst speak, thou speed'st I'll warrant thee I.  Nichol. 
¶ There is a poor knave by me hath a piece of ground,  
Not worth by year past three or four pound,  
And I have at the villain such hate and spite  
That I would have it from him although it be his right:  
The land lieth so handsomely at the back side of my house,  
That I am as greedy thereof as cat of a mouse.  All for mon. 
¶ By what right and title do you the same claim?  Nicholl. 
¶ His name is Nicholas, we are both of one name:  
But no kin at all I am sure he is to me.  
Yet though my title be nought I will weary him with money:  
The law is open I am sure for every man:  
Marry let him make his plea as well as he can:  
Do not many give over their titles in a year,  
Some for want of money, and some for very fear.  Sin. 
¶ Is here all the title you have good man Nicholl?  
Thou carest not so thou hast it what becomes of thy fall.  Nicholl 
¶ So that I have it I care not for hereafter,  
When I am dead and rotten, it willbe good for my children.  Sin. 
¶ It is a good wind that blows no man to evil,  
But happy are those children whose father goes to the devil:  
No good plea herein I think thou canst invent.  Nicholl. 
¶ Do you not think that I have feigned a dissent,  
And thereby claim a right that never was before,  
The rich may soon overcome the moneyless and the poor:  
And yet that I shall lose it, I surely am afraid,  
Unless you cause judgement the next term to be stayed.  
¶ I will get it stayed, I have thee now promised:  All for mon. 
But in the mean space see that you have writings forged,  
And also false witnesses two or three at the lest,  
Who may swear if need be thou hast bought his interest.  
And this way thou art sure to have thy desire,  
Go about thy business, dry wood soon catcheth fire.  Nicholl. 
¶ Marry Sir this is the way that must needs prevail,  
I thank you Sir heartily for telling me this tale.  Here he goeth out. All for mon. 
¶ I wis Sin my purse begins to fill,  Sin. 
¶ Nay, it willbe fuller if you may have your will.  Here another knocketh. 
another suitor there is I hear him knock amain,  
Shall he come in Sir to tell his grief and pain?  All for mon. 
¶ To come to me quickly see that he do not spare,  
If he comes from Money, well falls out his share.  Here cometh in Sir Laurence livingles, like a foolish Priest, and speaketh. Sir Laurence. 
¶ Sir I have a petition to your Lordship to make,  
Trusting you willbe good to me for master moneys sake.  All for money 
¶ Thou canst not come for any thing to me  
But I will do it gladly for the love of money.  Sir Laurence. 
¶ I have a present here not worthy for you to receive,  
But I give you with all my heart even such as I have:  
An hundredth Dirige groats, they be good silver and old,  
I have kept them so long they begin for to mould.  Here he reacheth him something. 
¶ It is very near day when such birds fly,  Sin. 
You were wont to say mass for a groat, but now they are dearer to by.  
I pray thee what is thy name, art thou either vicar or parson?  sir Laurence 
¶ Sir Laurence livingles, without either living or mansion.  Sin. 
¶ By the mass I thought thou wast even such another,  
I knew by thy countenance thou wast never Doctor,  
But thou hast been a doctor at the ducking of women,  
He hath ever had a good zeal to kerchiefs and linen:  
I promise you he is very well learned if you list to appose him,  
But it must not be in Greek, Ebrewe, nor Latin:  
A cure he is able sufficiently to discharge,  
He can read very well upon a pair of cards.  sir Laurence 
¶ I am none of the best learned it is but a folly to flatter,  Sin. 
¶ In faith Sir Laurence I think you must play the carter,  
Or else you must be a hedge priest, beggars to mary,  
Which is an easy living but you must fare hardly.  
how didst thou with the Bishop when he did appose thee?  sir Laurence 
¶ Marry I did so answer him that he did depose me  
From all my benefices and livings with his power and might,  
He would not once suffer me to serve a cure by this light:  
Therefore good my Lord I heartily you require  
To help me to some living according to my desire.  All for mon. 
¶ Do not fear my priest for wanting of any living,  
I have devised already which way it shall come in:  
My chaplain thou shalt be, for here I do thee make  
A benefice thou shalt have none shall from thee it take.  sir Laurence 
¶ Now God reward your Lordship in heaven may you it find,  
But one thing I had forgotten which now comes to my mind:  
At every visitation when I shallbe aposed,  
For want of sufficient learning I shallbe then discharged.  All for mon. 
¶ Before every visitation be sure to come for my letter,  
Which when the Chancellor sees, straight ways thou shalt have favour.  sir Laurence 
¶ The proudest of them all shall not make me now to shrink,  
The pots shall walk anon, I will full merely drink.  Sin. 
¶ How many Planets Sir Laurence is there in the third heaven?  sir Laurence 
¶ Nay I know how many cards I have when I have played all seven.  Sin. 
¶ How say you by Sir Laurence, is not he well skilled  
In the Science of arithmetic when the cup is new filled:  
How many chapters in the Gospel did Saint Matthew write?  sir Laurence 
¶ Marry one and all his fellows, that I can quickly recite.  Sin. 
¶ I pray thee tell me truly, how many did he write in all?  sir Laurence 
¶ Would you fain know the truth, you were best ask that wall,  Sin. 
¶ Thou hast not very much studied that Gospel  
Because the number of the chapters thou canst not tell.  sir Laurence 
¶ No nor the other Gospels but a little I have studied,  
In other things much more I have been occupied.  Sin. 
¶ How many Epistles did Paul write after he was converted?  sir Laurence 
¶ By the mass he writ to many, I would they were all burned,  
For had not they been and the new Testament in English,  
I had not lacked living at this time I wiss:  
Before the people knew so much of the Scripture  
Then they did obey us and loved us out of measure:  
And now we can not go in the streets without a mock,  
The little boys will say, Yonder goes Sir john smell smock.  
A boy called me so once amongst twenty people and more,  
And in deed I smelled his mothers not two hours before.  
another boy called a priest so, and the priest spoke again quickly,  
I never smelled thy mother's smock but when I begat thee.  Sin. 
¶ Of truth Sir Laurence in thy time thou hast been good  
For lack of winter liveries, thou hast given many a christmas hood.  All for mon. 
¶ Well my friend Sin, carry Sir Laurence home,  
He shallbe also my steward which is an honest man's room.  Sin. 
¶ In deed the honesty of the man may make the room better,  
But the room cannot make sir Laurence the honester.  Here the Priest and the vice goeth out. All for mon. 
¶ I have filled my purse meetly well this day,  
I do not intend much longer for suitors to stay:  
One other good cheat would make me pack up and be gone.  
It is marvel without suitors I am so long alone,  
methink it is no trouble for all my long sitting  
As long as money thereby I may be fingering.  Sin cometh in and speaketh. 
It is marvel that no suitors have been here all this while,  
There is coming to seek you that dwells many a mile.  Here one other doth knock. All for mon. 
¶ There is one other doth knock whatever he be,  
If he come from Money he shallbe welcome to me.  
To me they do come, therefore let him in,  
Open the door quickly I pray thee good Sin.  Here cometh in mother Croote dressed evil favoured like an old woman: She shallbe muffled and have a staff in her hand and go stooping, and she speaketh. 
God save all, God save all, and our blessed Lady,  
Who is this gentleman that will do all things for Money?  Sin. 
¶ Come hither mother mable your terms you do misuse,  
To see you come so far my thinks it is strange news:  
But what is your name mother my Lord would have you tell:  Mother croote. 
¶ Marry Ihill my life son but iche do not hear you well.  
Every one that knows me do call me mother Croote,  
Chaman hundredth years old cha can scantly go on foot.  All for mon. 
¶ What is your matter mother tell me and do not spare,  
If Money sent you hither the better shall you fare.  Mo. croote. 
¶ He did send me to you, and I may say to you,  
chave brought you hither the price of a good vat cow:  
Have here is four old rials, iche would they were a score,  
Before yesterday cha did not see them this twenty year and more.  Here she giveth him the money. All for mon. 
¶ Yea marry mother Croote they be four good rials of gold,  
If you knew them not this twenty year it is marvel they did not mould.  Mo. croote. 
¶ When ych put my hand in my coffer, ych might then feel them,  
But chaue been blind this thirty year, so that ych could not see them:  
Therefore Ihill conclare the cause of my coming hither.  Sin. 
¶ Declare you should say mother, for that is the right speaking.  Mo. croote. 
¶ You can conclout the matter much better than I.  Sin. 
¶ You should say conclude mother, but it is not much awry,  Mo. croote. 
¶ chave you may see be brought up amongst swine and kye.  
Ihill now declare the cause of my coming,  All for mon. 
¶ Go too then mother Croote, and I will give you the hearing.  Mo. croote. 
¶ Because c'm rich and have something to take too,  
There came of late a young springal me to woo:  
Nay he is a wholesome young man, of twenty year old and three,  
It does me good to think on him by our blessed lady.  
He made full much on me, and loved me god wot,  
And cha love him again even at the heart root:  
So that we plight our troths each to other.  
And so at pervenient time to mary together.  Sin. 
¶ It is convenient mother Croote, but it makes no great matter.  Mo. croote. 
¶ You may see Sir, old women have much clitter clatter.  
But I pray you good Sir bear with my burdens,  Sin. 
¶ I know mother Croote your meaning is rudeness.  Mo. croote. 
¶ whatsoever ich say my meaning is no less,  
But my husband, my husband was so well favoured,  
That a young drab of him was enamoured,  
Who said unto him that it was a great shame  
For him to mary such an old beldame:  
And thus this young drab my husband enticed,  
To whom she doth hope right shortly to be married.  
But chad rather the young whore were quick at the devil  
Than she should have my husband, my sweet heart and jewel.  
My love in my youth was never so fervent  
As it is on my sweetheart, now at this present:  
Shall I never buss my sweet heart again,  
Nothing in the world would make me so fain.  Sin. 
¶ Goop with a gaulde back come up to supper,  
Gill my old mare must have a new crupper:  
A meeter marriage than this did I never see,  
For she is not passed four score years elder than he.  Mo. croote. 
¶ I wish but one night with him for to lie,  
oh, he would make me look young by and by.  Sin. 
¶ When I was a boy it was an old saying,  
That an old sack would lack much clouting and patching.  
Oh, it doth mother Croote much good to have her bones rattled,  
And especially by her lover, and then her mind were settled:  
When you be with your husband you willbe as good as a charm,  
If my wife were of your age, he would do her little harm.  Mo. croote. 
¶ Yea, but he is good in my bed to keep my back warm,  
And now and then Ihill kiss him and clip him in my arm:  
Therefore my Lord for your friend money's sake,  
That I may have my husband I pray you undertake.  Sin. 
¶ He is more meet your son than your husband to be,  Mo. croote. 
¶ Yea, but the younger he is, the better he is for me,  Sin. 
¶ Yea, but you are the worse for him the elder you are,  
Therefore he will labour other and you for holidays spare.  
I pray you my Lord mother Croote help to speed,  
For of this young man she standeth very great need.  All for mon. 
¶ A couple of false witnesses must therefore be hired  
Which must say they heard when you were betrothed,  
And then will he, nill he, he must be compelled  
To forsake the other and to you to be married.  Mo. croote. 
¶ There will no such be got my dear heart root,  All for mon. 
¶ Enough for money I warrant you mother Croote.  Mo. croote. 
¶ Now God's dear blessing light on that soot face of yours,  
chave tarried too long by two or three hours.  
Now Ihill desire from hence to depart.  Here mother Croote goeth forth. All for mon. 
¶ Now farewell mother Croote, even with all my heart.  Sin. 
¶ Do you not see yonder, old mother Croote  
Would as fain be trod as a younger pullet:  
How will her husband do when he should kiss her,  
Her nose and her chin meets almost together.  
Oh, she willbe a trim bride that day she is wed,  
One would think she smiled if her teeth were in her head.  All for mon. 
¶ I have had this day a trim sort of suitors:  
How many sent I away with money in their purses?  
My purse is now full even unto the brink:  
Now it is high time for me to eat and drink.  
Have not I been friendly to your grandfather money?  
All such as he sent, they were dispatched quickly.  Sin. 
¶ Many such days you may have when you will,  
Whereby all your bags and coffers may be full still.  All for mon. 
¶ I intend again shortly to sit in commission,  
I pray God I speed no worse then, then now I have done.  Here All for money goeth out. Sin. 
¶ Do you not see how all is for money, masters?  
He helps to make good all wrong and crooked matters:  
He cares not though at length he go to the devil,  
So that with money he may his bags fill.  
His money brings him to pleasure, and pleasures sends him to me,  
And I send him to Damnation, and he sends him to hell quickly.  
And when he is there he hath got a proper place,  
Let him cry while his heart aches, he shall have no grace.  
Oh, it is a goodly house it is bigger than a grange,  
It passeth see simple for the title doth never change:  
Therefore if any willbe married to my fair son Damnation  
They shallbe sure straight ways thereof to have possession.  
Therefore if any chance to mary my son hereafter,  
Let them not blame me for I have told his behaviour:  
Before you proceed therefore in this marriage  
Weigh well with yourself the danger and charge.  
It is now high time methinks to depart,  
Will none of you speak to comfort my heart?  
I would have sworn that you had been more mannerly,  
To match my son with such I passed not of a fly.  
My throat for want of drink begins to be dry,  
Who is it that calls me to drink some good ale,  
Forsooth I willbe with you by and by.  
It is Sir Laurence livingles, twenty pound to a:  
He will tipple at it solemnly as long as it is stale.  
And the rather I think it is he because of his talk,  
For he said before his going, that all the pots should walk.  Here the vice goeth out. judas cometh in like a damned soul, in black painted with flames of fire, and with a fearful vizard, & speaketh as followeth. 
O woe, woe, that ever on the earth I lived,  
Woe be to that hour when I first was delivered.  
My guilty conscience pricks me day by day,  
judas I was called that did my master betray.  
I did see Christ's miracles and heard his predication:  
Oh that I had had grace to be with the rest in salvation.  
I wanted God's grace and his especial favour,  
Whereby I hanged myself and died in despair.  
And now the time is past any mercy to crave,  
One half hour to live I would desire but to have.  
Well it will not be, nothing will help me now,  
wherever I do go Damnation doth me follow.  
Woe worth that money, that ever it was made  
By which occasion my master was betrayed.  
But had I had grace to have asked mercy therefore  
And repented my fault as Peter did before,  
I should have been pardoned as other summers be,  
And accounted no sinner, God will have mercy,  
So that they ask mercy so long as they do live,  
All which time he is ready their sins to forgive.  
Woe therefore to me, and to all that have so died,  
For without remedy now I am for ever damned.  Here cometh in dives with such like apparel and vizard as judas hath, who speaketh as followeth. 
O what hath belly pleasure brought me unto,  
To hell torments to a place of everlasting woe.  
Woe, woe, and woe again to me for evermore,  
That consumed so much on myself and nothing on the poor:  
Poor Lazarus was at my door, whose hunger was so great  
That he therewith soon died not having for to eat.  
When I with all fine fare like a glutton was served  
And like a greedy cormorant with belly full farced:  
Not suffering one morsel to Lazarus to be given,  
And yet was there more spoiled than an hundredth would eat certain.  
To feed the dogs therewith I was much better content,  
Or else some relief to him I would have sent.  
The silly and dumb dogs did him more good than I,  
For they licked his sores, O woe therefore to me.  
And then he died full soon, whose death pleased God so well  
That in Abraham's bosom he aye shall rest and dwell:  
And I then died also without any repentance,  
Whereby I have got God's wrath and heavy vengeance.  
For I am a damned soul for ever in torment and pain,  
My pleasures on the earth hath brought me to this gain.  
And though the torments be so vehement and the fiery flames so great,  
Yet I cannot have a drop of water to quench and cool my heat.  
I denied poor Lazarus to give him meat and food,  
And now he denies me to help, or do me good.  
A woeful change to me, to him it is not so,  
For he from pain to pleasure past, and I from weal to woe:  
For if I were on the earth as I was once before  
I would spare from myself and give it to the poor.  
What am I the better now for all my joy and pleasure?  
And what is he worse now for all his pain and hunger?  
If having all my pleasure at the last I had been saved,  
My former pleasures had been vain, none doth them there regard.  
And if in cruel torments all my life I had lain,  
Yet in respect they all are joys to this eternal pain.  
Damnation, Damnation is coming, woe to us therefore,  
Alas, alas, that we had this foreseen before.  Here cometh in Damnation. Damnation 
¶ Come, come you woeful wights, 'tis folly now to prate,  
To speak, complain, or else of matters to debate:  
Away unto that doleful place whereas the devil lieth,  
The best cheer that you shall have there, is groan and gnash of teeth.  Here he speaketh to judas. 
Of money thou so greedy wast thy master to betray,  
And after in despair thou madest thyself away.  Here he speaketh to dives. 
And thou didst pamper up thy gorge, and poor didst not regard,  
Wherefore thy last assured hope is hell for thy reward.  Here he speaketh to judas. 
Where is now thy money, wherefore sold'st thou thy master?  Here he speaketh to dives. 
Where is now thy fare wherein thou haddest thy pleasure  
You would not take heed while that you were living,  
Therefore you must pay for it in hell without ending.  
I think if on the earth you were alive again  
You would not from your pleasures for all this refrain:  
For the most part on the earth do live so wickedly  
That they think there is no hell to punish sin truly:  
In money they have great love, in pride they do exceed,  
In gluttony and lechery their lives they do still lead.  juda 
¶ O if I were on the earth and were alive again  
I would be a spectacle to all that there remain:  
O vain love of money, O most stinking pride,  
The remembrance of such sins I can not now abide.  dives. 
¶ If I had but one hour in flesh and blood to live  
I would a thousand turn from sin I certainly believe.  
Woe worth the pleasures past that works me now such care  
Whereby I am a damned soul, good folk of me beware.  Damnation 
¶ Away, away you wretched souls to hell you must needs go,  
And such as die as you have done, shall dwell with you also.  Here Damnation drives them out before him, and they shall make a pitiful noise. ¶ Here cometh in Godly admonition. Godly admonition. 
What heart but must lament  
To hear the rueful dolour of those two damned wights?  
What hard and stony heart but will hereat repent,  
And pray continually, yea both days and nights.  
Who dies without repentance thus damnation them dites.  
Therefore happy are they what trouble soever they have  
Which trust and die in jesus Christ through whom God will them save.  
Here have you had inordinate love  
Which man hath to money although it work his woe:  
But such as have any grace, this will them stir and move  
To cast their love from money and other pleasures also  
For fear they dwell with the devil, their cruel and mortal foe.  
To late then to repent as judas and dives did  
There is no help in hell for then God's mercy is hid.  
Therefore I am come, called Godly Admonition,  
Warning you to repent before your breath be gone,  
For fear you bring yourself to endless damnation:  
But then there is no hope although you cry and groan,  
Therefore how happy are they that have time to make their move.  
Now cast away your pride and also the love of money,  
For fear you shalt not when you would, as lately you did see.  Virtue. 
¶ I am to the godly a precious jewel and virtue,  
Who can without me virtue be in good favour?  Humility. 
¶ Humility, or Clemency is my name truly,  
Blessed (sayth Christ) are the meek, for they shall obtain mercy:  
We may learn Humility of Christ our master and head,  
Who bore his cross meekly, whereon he was killed.  Charity. 
¶ Who can live without Charity to God's honour and glory?  
Who without me can die in God's favour?  
Charity is enemy to all hatred and fury:  
I cause the rich to help the needy and the poor.  Godly admonition. 
¶ For that you are all three the especial gifts of God,  
Without whom none can be a perfect and godly wight:  
Let us pray therefore the sins that God forbade  
We may cast away with speed, most wicked in his sight.  
The inordinate love of money and pride in which many delight,  
And all other sins which lead us to damnation  
And that we repent and die in Christ whereby we have salvation.  Virtue. 
¶ Let us pray for the queen's Majesty our sovereign governor,  
That she may reign quietly according to Gods will:  
Whereby she may suppress vice and set forth God's glory and honour,  
And as she hath begun godly, so to continue still.  Humility. 
¶ Let us not forget to pray for the honourable Counsel,  
That they maintain justice and all wrong to expel.  Charity. 
¶ And all the high Estates and Commons of this region.  
With all that be here present, to have everlasting salvation.  
FINIS,  
per T. Lupton.   

❧ IMPRINTED AT London, by Roger Ward and Richard Mundee, dwelling at Temple Bar.