A Select Collection of Old English Plays Volume Vi Part 4

ACT II., SCENE 3.

HYPOCRISY.

O loving Father and merciful G.o.d!

We through our sins thy punishment deserve, And have provoked to beat with thy rod Us stubborn children, which from thee do swerve.

We loathed thy word, but now we shall sterve; For Hypocrisy is placed again in this land, And thy true gospel as exile doth stand.

This is thy just judgment for our offence, Who having the light in darkness did stray, But now, if thou wouldest of thy fatherly benevolence Thy purposed judgments in wrath for to stay, The part of the prodigal son we would play; And with bitter tears before thee would fall, And in true repentance for mercy would call.

In our prosperity we would not regard The words of the preachers, who threat'ned the same, But flattering ourselves, thought thou wouldest have spared Us in thy mercy, and never us blame: But so much provoked thee by blaspheming thy name, Indeed to deny that in words we maintain, That from thy justice thou could'st not refrain.

So that Romish Pharaoh, a tyrant most cruel, Hath brought us again into captivity, And instead of the pure flood of thy gospel, Hath poisoned our souls with devilish Hypocrisy, Unable to maintain it, but by murthering Tyranny; Seeking rather the fleece than the health of the sheep, Which are appointed for him for to keep.

[_Re-enter_ AVAR. _and_ TYR.]

TYRANNY.

Lo, Avarice, hark what a traitor is here,

[HYP. [aside.] He speaketh to you, Syra.]

Against our holy Father this language to use!

I might have heard more, if I would him forbear, But for grief my ears burn to hear him abuse His tongue in this manner: wherefore no excuse Shall purchase favour, but that with all speed By sword I will render to him his due meed.

Wherefore, thou miscreant, while thou hast time, Pray to the saints thy spokesman to be, That at G.o.d's hand from this thy great crime By their intercession thou may be set free.

AVARICE.

Nay, hearest thou, Tyranny? be ruled by me: First cut off his head, and then let him pray, So shall he be sure us not to bewray.

HYPOCRISY.

O wicked Tyranny! thou imp of the devil, Too joyful tidings to thee have I brought, For now thou art emboldened to practise all evil.

TYRANNY.

Marry, thou shalt not give me thy service for nought, But for thy pains to please thee I thought.

HYPOCRISY.

Thou art nothing so ready to do any good, As thou art to shed poor innocents' blood.

AVARICE.

Nay, Tyranny, suffer this rascal to prate,

[HYP. [_aside_.] On your face, sir.]

Till some man come by, and then he is gone.

Then wilt thou repent it, when it is too late: Despatch him, therefore, while we are alone.

HYPOCRISY.

Well may the covetous be likened to a drone, Which of the bee's labours will spoil and waste make, And yet to get honey no labour will take.

The covetous likewise from poor men extort, Their gains to increase they only do seek; And so they may have it, of them a great sort What means they use for it they care not a leek: Yet will these misers scarce once a week Have one good meal at their own table: So by Avarice to help themselves they are unable.

Avarice to a fire may well compared be, To the which the more you add, the more still it crave: So likewise the covetous mind we do see, Though riches abound, do wish still more to have And to be short, your reverences to save, To a filthy swine such misers are comparable, Which, while[30] they be dead, are nothing profitable.

AVARICE.

Nay, farewell, Tyranny: I came hither too soon, I perceive already I am too well known.

I were not best in their claws for to come, Unless I were willing to be clean overthrown.

TYRANNY.

By the preaching of G.o.d's word all this mischief is grown, Which if Hypocrisy might happily expel, All we in safety and pleasure might dwell.

Stay, therefore, while from Hypocrisy we hear.

AVARICE.

Despatch then this merchant,[31] lest our counsel he tell.

HYPOCRISY.

I am content for G.o.d's cause this cross for to bear.

TYRANNY.

It is best killing him now his mind is set well.

HYPOCRISY.

Your scoffing and mocking G.o.d seeth each deal.

TYRANNY.

Yea, dost thou persist us still thus to check?

Thy speech I will hinder by cutting off thy neck.

HYPOCRISY.

Nay, hold thy hand, Cadby, thou hast kill'd me enough.

What! never the sooner for a merry word.

I meant not good earnest, to your mas.h.i.+p I vow.

I did but jest, and spake but in bord: Therefore of friends.h.i.+p put up again thy sword.

TYRANNY.

Nay, caitiff, presume not that thou shalt go scot-free; Therefore, hold still, and I will soon despatch thee.

HYPOCRISY.

What! I pray thee, Tyranny, know first who I am.

Ye purblinded fools, do your lips blind your eyes?

Why, I was in place long before you came; But you could not see the wood for the trees.

But, in faith, father Avarice, I will pay you your fees, For the great good-will which you to me bear, [HYPOCRISY _fighteth_.

And in time will requite it again, do not fear.

AVARICE.

Content yourself, good Master Hypocrisy: The words which I spake, I spake unaware.

TYRANNY.

Hold thy hand, Hypocrisy, I pray thee heartily: So like a madman with thy friends do not fare.

HYPOCRISY.

For neither of you both a pin do I care: Go, shake your ears both, like slaves as you be, And look not in your need to be holpen of me.

TYRANNY.

What, Master Hypocrisy, will you take snuff so soon?