_Health._ What do ye say? then ye are to blame, And we put you in trust for the same; To keep such rule, it is a shame; It is not for our honour.
_Wit._ By the mass! the whoreson doth lie; There is no such rule, by God's body! A man may break his neck as lightly As his fast in your kitchen or cellar, truly!
_Lib._ With that neither I am not content; I would there should be liberality competent; And, with honesty, it is convenient That our neighbour fare the better.
_Ill-W._ You be angry with all that we have done? Come away, brother! let us go hence soon; I know a new master where we shall be welcome. God be with you, gentle master!
_Wealth._ Why, will ye be gone for a word? Peradventure, we did but bord; Methink ye should your master ford For to speak my mind. D1,_r_.
_Wit._ Nay, nay! I can tell what was the matter: Remedy was here, and he did flatter; Ye trust he more than us, and better; But, mark the end! what ye shall find.
_Health._ With Good Remedy we spake, indeed; To follow his counsel we had need. He warned us that we should take heed Of excess and prodigality.
_Wit._ I marvel ye speak so of Good Remedy: It is I that can do more than he. Wit can make shift at necessity When Remedy cannot be heard. I know some that hath, this thousand year, Sought Good Remedy, and yet never the near; Wit can put Remedy by, yea, this is clear; For Wit is a crafty lad.
_Ill-W._ And Will is an ungracious stay; Will hath done many things men say; And if ye let Wit and Will go his way, Ye will repent it soon.
_Lib._ Why, what cause have you to go your way? Ye shall abide with us, though you say, Nay; I will follow Will and Wit alway; And so I have ever done.
_Wit._ If I wist all my masters would so do, Then from your service I would not go; Speak now! whether ye will or no, And let us know your mind.
_Health._ Sirs! ye be welcome to me, plain; And for your company I am full fain; I had liever suffer great pain Than to leave my Wit and Will.
_Ill-W._ Then, let us go hence; with kindness my heart do kill. D1,_v._
_Health._ I pray you, let us go; wherefore do we bide still?
_Rem._ As touching my first purpose, hither I am come again. I trow ye know me; Good Remedy is my name; That every day doth take great labour or pain To amend all faults: I am chosen to the same. If any man's conscience here doth grudge or shame, Having in himself remorse, and mends in time and space, I am Good Remedy, and God is full of mercy and grace. Therefore I will stand aside, and a little while remain, Of Wealth, Health, and Liberty for to inquire How they be ordered; and if any man complain I will be glad to show my remedy--methink I see one appear!