But shall boys, (saith some now), of such high matters play? No! not as discussers; but yet, the book doth say: _Ex ore infantium perferisti laudem._ For, when Christ came riding into Jerusalem, The young babes, with th' old folk, cried out all and some: "Blessed be the man that in the Lord's name doth come!" So, for good England's sake, this present hour and day, In hope of her restoring from her late decay, We children, to you old folk, both with heart and voice, May join all together to thank God, and rejoice That He hath sent Mary, our sovereign and queen, To reform th' abuses which hitherto hath been; And that ills which long time have reigned uncorrect Shall now, for ever, be redressed with effect. She is our most wise and most worthy Nemesis; Of whom our play meaneth, t' amend that is amiss; Which, to bring to pass, that she may have time and space, Let us, both young and old, to God commend her grace! Now, if you so please, I will go and hither send That shall make you laugh well, if ye abide th' end.
_Avarice._ Now, godigod! everyone, both great and small, From highest to lowest, Godigod to you all! Godigod! what should I say? even or morn, If I mark how the day goeth--God give me sorrow! But, godigod! each one, twenty and twenty score Of that ye most long for--what would ye have more? Ye must pardon my wits, for I tell you, plain, I have a hive of humble bees swarming in my brain; And he that hath the compass to fetch that I must fetch, I may say, in counsel, had need his wits to stretch.
But now, what my name is, and what is my purpose-- Taking you all for friends--I fear not to disclose. My very true, unchristian name is Avarice, Which I may not have openly known, in no wise; For, though to most men I am found commodious, Yet, to those that use me, my name is odious. For, who is so foolish that the evil he hath wrought For his own behoof, he would to light should be brought? Or, who had not rather, his ill doings to hide, Than to have the same bruited on every side? Therefore, to work my feat, I will my name disguise; And call my name Policy instead of Covetise. The name of Policy is praised of each one; But, to rake gromwell-seed, Avarice is alone; The name of Policy is of none suspected-- Policy is ne'er of any crime detected. So that, under the name and cloak of Policy, Avarice may work facts, and scape all jealousy. And, now is the time come that--except I be a beast, E'en to make up my mouth, and to feather my nest-- A time that I have waited for, a great long space; And now may I speed my purpose, if I have grace.