_Ill-W._ Peace! no mo words; but mum! Methink I hear mast Wealth come. Kneel down and say such devout orison That they may hear us pray. Now, Jesu save Wealth, Health, and Liberty!
[LIBERTY _and_ HEALTH _returneth back_ _with_ WEALTH.
_Wealth._ Sirs! you will have both God's blessing; So are ye worth for your praying; Ye are well disposed, and of good living-- I will love you the better alway.
_Ill-W._ Sir! this do we use every day; For Wealth, Health, and Liberty to pray. This same is my brother to you I [say]: He is an hard honest man!
_Wit._ Forsooth, master! I am his brother; To be your servant was my coming hither; As long as we could be together Ye shall not perish than.
_Health._ To have you both to service I am content. C1,_v._ How say you, Liberty? will you thereto consent? Will and Wit God hath us lent: We may be glad of them.
_Lib._ If we should refuse Will and Wit We were to blame; for they be fit. Therefore, by my will they shall not flit: They be welcome to me.
_Ill-W._ God thank you, masters, all three! Ye shall find us poor, but true we cannot be-- My tongue stumbles, I cry you mercy!-- We will be true, I should say.
_Wealth._ Sirs, go your way home, unto one place! And we will hie us after a-pace; And when we come, we shall set you in case To have a living alway.
_Health._ Then look ye do both truly and just; For we must put you in great trust; All our household guide ye must: Behave you[r]self well.
_Wit._ Masters, fear not! for I have wit enough To beguile myself, and to beguile you; I have beguiled many one, I may say to you: I pray you keep that in counsel.
_Lib._ Beware of that! what doth he say? Beguile us all? yet I charge thee, Nay! Ye shall not beguile us: if I may, I will beware betime.
_Ill-W._ Sir, be not angry! I you pray; The fool wotteth not he doth say; He meaneth that he will be profitable alway, And save you many things.
_Health._ What he meaneth I cannot tell, C2,_r._ But his saying is not well. Depart hence, sirs! by my counsel, And tarry us at our lodging.
_Wit._ Now and it please ye, will ye hear any singing? Therein, I tell you, I am somewhat conning; Ye shall hear and ye list.
_Ill-W._ Now will I begin like a lusty blood than.
[_Health._] Sirs! now go your way, of you I am glad As of any servants that ever I had; For these can do both good and bad: We must needs have such men. What were we if we lacked Will? And without Wit we should live ill; Therefore, Will and Wit I will keep still: I promise you I love them.