No, yet if you be troublesome I shall take Away the Bag, and then beat you.

Well, I will not be quieted untill I know who this is.

Well, because thou art in my esteeme the most Faithful and secret [...], to hide, used here sceptically for the craft of a thief, for [...] had used [...] before also, which had been enough. of all my Family, I will not Conceal this from thee, thou knowest I have lived [Page 2] Religiously with both Gods and Men, and yet alwayes have Lived poor and miserable.

'Tis very True.

And yet they that Rob the very [...] and [...], Jerosolu­mitas, and thence Israeli­tas, I wonder at the Etymo­logy. Churches, the Rethoricians, Sycophants, every Rascal grows rich.

I grant you.

I went therefore to consult the Oracle about my Son, that since my own miserable life is now almost Spent, [...]. An arrow shot out of a bow, so Psal. 127. v. 5. Chil­dren like ar­rows in the hands of Gy­ants. and past redress, whether it were not best for him To change his manners betimes, shake off his honour, and Learn to be as cunning a knave as he can; For 'tis that onely conduces to living well.

And what said Phaebus to this?

And this I warrant was he.

The very same.

You need not have obeyed the Oracles Counsel, you [...]. Left handed, or, Mal droite, as the French have it. simple fellow in this; for the words carry enough in Them, for follow the man you first met, implies As much, as let your Son live by the ordinary customes [...]. Manners of his Country. And crafts he sees others use, that I warrant you Was Apollo his meaning.

How conjecture you this?

Come Sir, let us know who you are.

Yes, and tell us quickly too.

I say to the Parish. [...]. Coloss. 1.10. Fruitful to every good work.

Do you hear him?

I say unto thee [...] to weep. lament.

Is this all the [...], sig­nifies a Bird the ancient wa [...] of Augury be­ing by Birds. Oracle will do for us.

I say leave me, get you gone.

By no means.

do so.

Hold, hold.

Will you speak then?

Wee'l promise you the contratry, if you will speak.

Lay your hands off me then first.

Well said, 'tis done.

Yes surely.

Thou the man?

Even very he.

I come from the house of [...], is here mea [...] bathing, us [...] much among the Greeks. Patroclus, one that Never since he was born could afford himself water.

But how comest thou to suffer all this misery.

'Tis true.

For certain.

And live amongst honest men?

Did not I tell you what trouble you would give me?

Let me intreat you to give your self into my hands For ever, and when you know me, though I say it, you will Not find an honester man.

Yes, so you all say, but when you have injoyed me And grown rich, then you mind nothing but mischief and Malice.

'Tis true, but we are not all alike.

By Jove all one.

A good deed to cudgel him.

Not of all things, I dare not see again.

How is this?

This fellow is certainly born to be Miserable.

If Jupiter should know I were about such a business, He would destroy me.

Can he hurt thee worse then to let thee go wandring Up and down thus?

I do not know what it is, but I fear him monstrously.

Is it possible? thou greatest of all [...]. cowards, Why dost thou think Jove or his thunder would be valued At a straw [...]. if thou hadst thy eyes again never so little A while.

O be not so profane.

Who me?

By [...] [...], properly silver, because more used then gold in adorning their Temples, Herodotus Di­odorus Siculus. mony, of which he hath abundance.

Pray where hath he the mony?

Of this fellow.

How can that be?

Because no body can sacrifice Oxen or Sheep if You forbid them.

Wherefore?

Why, how can he buy any thing to sacrifice with-Out thee, so that you see, if Jove be troublesome, You know what to do with him.

Is it with me and for me, say you then, that men Sacrifice?

I say so by Jove, and moreover, whatever is famous Or esteemed amongst men, thou art Author of, For money rules all.

And you know the Corinthian Women when poverty

What do they seek else?

Why, a good horse or [...], Most elegant baw­dery in the Greek, it signi­fies to stir or wrigle the tail. hounds is a tempting present.

What makes the King of Persia From [...], a Wall, [...], signifies him that commits all manner of thefts or Bur­glaries. triumph so Think you?

What are all [...], to pluck or shake, thence [...], the Adulterers formerly were condemned to have the hairs torn from the privy parts, and he means none shut for mony would under­take such an office. Conventions and Sects of men Gathered for?

Or what sustaines the great Corinthian Armies?

And gives The word is [...], a Metaphor taken from the setting out of hair. Pamphilus such cause of sorrow?

Yes, and Belonopolus his partner.

What makes Argyrius I pray you fart as he goes Up and down?

And 'tis thou that aidest the Egyptians.

And for thee Lais An Historiographer whose works he calls [...] fal [...] A famous Courtesan often named by the Poets. loves Philonides.

You set your shoulder against Timotheus his Tower And threw it down.

Good and bad, all things are done for thy sake.

And in war, on that side the mony lies, there goes The Victory.

Can I do all this?

Yes, by Jove, and more, of all other things there Is an end, But of enjoying thee, and that hath no saciety.

Of bread.

Of Banqueting.

Of Musick

Of Ambition.

Of Rule.

But he that hath ten Talents of thee, would then Have twenty, then forty, and still if he have not more Thinks he lives but languishingly.

What I prethee.

That I shall not be able to exercise all this power You give me.

I see, 'tis a good saying, that mony is a Coward.

How can you do this, being but a mortal man?

Hope well from what I haebus but now said to me, And shook his Lawrel at me too.

Hast thou him of thy Counsel also.

For certain?

Have a care what you do?

And I mine too.

We will have help enough too of all those, who Because they are honest men, scarce have bread to eat.

Those are but pitiful friends though me thinks.

They will not be so thought when we have made Them rich again; but Carion make hast, run.

What to do?

I am gone; but who will take care of this victuals Here, which I have bought for Dinner.

Leave that to me, and now Plutus the most excellent Amongst all the Gods, enter here with me, this is my House, which this day thou shalt make rich.

I beseech you excuse me, 'tis very troublesome to Me to go into another mans house, especially one that I am Not acquainted with; for I never have any good by it; if I happen into a mans house, why then I am thrust presently Under ground, and stifled, and if any of his friends come In necessity, and ask for me to help him, he denies me, and Sweares he saw me not of I know not how long, And if I fall into a prodigal mans hands, why then I am Divided amongst Whores, or lost at Dice in a moment, And so we are both turned naked out of dores.

You have not met with moderate men, I am one That on occasion can spend, and then again spare, but pray You enter, I long till my Wife and my Son see you, who Are two, next to thee, I love best of all the World.

That I easily believe.

Why should I not speak truth?

ACTUS SECUNDUS.

You, all friends and neighbours, poor and laborious That have lived with us upon [...], or leeks. Onions and hard fare, I Now make hast and make use of the present occasion Whilest it is offered.

We are ready you see, and make what hast we can, Considering we are men toyled with labour and oppressed VVith Age, you cannot expect we should keep pace with You, therefore tell us first why your master sends for us?

I have told you this good while, but cannot get you To lift up your long Ears to it, that my master bid me tell You, that you shall all leave this sorrowful careful life that You now lead, and exchange it for a pleasant one.

By what means, or from whence does he hope this

[...] here goes for laborious plow­men, [...] with onely the change of ac­cent signifies a wicked man, a man of ill for­tune and men of ill manners go divers times under one name. Neighbours, my master will be here presently And brings with him an old, crooked, ill-faced, unlucky, Bald, and I think, I may say The words used here are all proper to the figure it self of Money, [...] of [...] or [...] to defile, [...], to bow or make crooked, [...] miserable, in respect to those it makes so, [...] wrin­kled in respect of the stamp upon Coin, [...] of [...] to wax bald in respect to its age, wearing smooth, [...] and [...] without teeth, [...] Erasm. Adag. Curt [...] or Circumcisus, somewhere likewise I remember Judaeus Curtus a circumcisd Jew suffering to clip Mony. curtailed fellow.

O thou art a golden messenger, what brave new Is this? by thy description this must needs be a heap of [...], used for a heap of seed in a Cranary. Gold that's coming to us.

Or rather a heap of all the old [...] old evils, or the first evils of the world. worldly evils.

VVell, do not think you shall go unpunished▪ You bring us thus far upon our Crutches for nothing but to Delude us.

We shall make your bones ake by and by, you knave

Yes, when you have took your lots out of the The wit here lies in the history and manner of chusing Judges in Athens, who were as ma [...] as letters in the Alphabet, and governed in the same order that letter stood whi [...] they drew out of the Urne, and then had given them the [...], a wand, by whi [...] be jests at [...] a cudgel in every one of their hands, he plays with [...] word Caron and Carion his own name. Urne, and are Judges in Athens, and these Cudgels you have In your hands, your wands, but (g) Charon will have you in His boat before that day comes.

Come, you are a prating fellow to delude us thus [...] this while; in not telling plainly why your Master sent For us, especially knowing what business we have, and yet The hast we have made over hedge and ditch to get hither.

Well, I will no longer conceal the busines, my Master hath got Plutus into his house, and you are all sent For to be made rich.

Is that possible we can be all made rich?

As rich as you would wish, every one a Midas and Such goodly asses as he was, so you shall have.

How I am delighted with this! I could dance for Joy if I thought this were true.

Do so, you shall follow dancing like my Sheep, my Kids, or rather like my gray Bearded lascivious The story of Polyphemus and Gathea., Goats, And I before you will represent the Cyclops.

And we in like manner will follow you our Cyclops; But if we catch you eating the best Sallats and hearbs From us, as you go, and then when your belly is full fall Asleep by the way, we shall order you with these Cudgels.

Then will I imitate [...], sig­nifies crude or rawness. [...], to imi­tate a Goat, thence he calls them [...] Goates with their Pizels hanging out of their sheaths. circen, and feed you with Hearbs that will metamorphose you into Swine, and then (as Ulysses did) feed you with See Homet the story of Circean Odyss. [...], is used by the Greeks, Proverbially when the un­learned follow one another. Sir reverence, and you shall Go grunting on, and like See Odyss. Malanthius so used by Ulysses, hoggs follow one another.

And we seeing our Circen go about to poyson us, Will imitate Aristillus, a Poet of that Age noted to be full of those kind of Jests [...] is again turned upon Carion. Ulysses, and hang you up by your two Stones, and slit your Nose, and then 'noint it with a Sir reverence, and you like Aristillus shall laugh and cry, Piggs follow your mother.

Well, let us leave our Jests, and now we are at our Journies end, every one put himself into his own shape Again; I'le go in a private way first, and fill my belly, And then wee'l to the great work in hand.

Neighbours, to say you are wellcome, is in my Opinion an old dull complement, therefore I will salute You after a new manner, and with open armes, tell you, That to recompence the haste and pains you have taken In coming, if you will be still as diligent in your own Good, you shall enjoy Plutus with me.

Never fear, we will be as laborious and indefatigable [Page 10] As Mars, and sure if we should stick at Trifles in this Busi­ness, we were worthy to have Plutus slip out of our Fingers.

I see Blapsidamus coming yonder, who by his hast Me thinks comes as if he knew something of this business That hath hapned to me.

What is the matter I pray thee? how comes it to Pass my Cramulus, thou shouldst be so soon be grown rich? I could not believe it, though it was all the news At the [...], a place of resort for newes: Theoprastus cals it [...], meetings or clubs without wine. Barbers, by every one as soon as he Was set down in his Chair. Its newes to me if you be so fortunate to see you call all Your friends thus about you to partake with you, and against Our Countries custome I am sure.

Blapsidamus, I will keep nothing from thee, 'Tis true, the World is otherwise with me to day then it was Yesterday, and you shall find it so, because you are my friend.

Are you then so rich as it is said?

I shall be presently if it please [...]. God; but there Is some hazard alwayes in such great works.

What's the danger?

'Tis thus.

Speak On freely as you have begun.

If the matter hit right, we are all Made; if not, all Undone.

That's sad, and pleases me not by no means, For to be so marvellous rich, and so mavellously affraid is Not the custome of those that get it honestly.

How, not honestly?

I fear. you have robb'd Apollo's Temple, And now repent you.

Apollo forbid! I never did such a trick yet.

Come, never triffle with me, 'tis so I know.

Prethee do not think so ill of me.

O Gods! there is nothing but villany in the world, The hearts [...], little hearts, or, as we use, narrow hearts. [...]. of men are set upon nothing but Avarice.

Why, I think you are wild.

How different is this from the manners of the rest Of his Life.

By Heaven! thou art [...], crocitas, as one crow doth to another that hath got the Ca­rion before him. mad.

A man may see by the uncertainty of his countenance, And the rowling of his eyes, the villany he hath done.

Now I know why all this is, [...], share with me▪ if I had stole any Thing, by this way you think to get half, [...]. is it not so?

How? I rob a thief, what's this?

Well, there is no theft in the business, what I am About is quite of another kind I assure you.

May be you will say it was not stole but took [...], stealing pri­vately, [...] of [...] or [...] to take by force. Away.

Thou art possessed with a [...]. Divel surely to Talk thus.

No certainly.

Why, then I know not which way to get the truth Out, unless you will confess.

Why, will you then condemne me before you Hear me?

Not I friend, but on the contrary would have brought You out of your danger with little cost, and before the Matter had been known amongst the people, we would Have stopped the Orators [...], he alludes here perhaps to the story of De­mosthenes, who was ac­cused for being bribed with a silver cup the night before he was to plead, and so came muffled up and excused himself with a sore throat and horseness. mouths with a little mony.

You are a kind friend to me, that for the laying Out of a shilling would look to get twelve.

Methinks I see thee now with thy Olive branch in Thy hand, and thy wife and children sitting about thee Miserably prostrate before the Tribunal, We want Pamphilles to draw this Picture methinks.

I tell thee I am so far from taking any thing from Others, that my design is to make all honest frugal men Richer then they are.

Say you so, have you stole such abundance indeed?

Will you destroy me with talking thus.

Nay, it seems you will destroy your self.

With what, I tell thee I have Plutus himself at My house.

You Plutus, what Plutus?

Why, the very god Himself.

Where is he?

Why, within there.

Where?

Why, I tell thee at my house.

Plutus in thy house, go hang thy self, I'le never Believe it.

By the gods 'tis true.

Wilt thou swear by Vesta?

And by Neptune too.

What Neptune, of the Seas?

Yes, and by the other too, if there be one.

Soft, yea, it is not come to that yet.

Say you so, must he not stir out of your house?

Somewhat is first to be done.

VVhat is that?

Is he then blind for certain?

Nothing so Sure.

All in good time, he will be there now godwilling Shortly.

Were we not best get a Physitian to him?

VVhat Physician is here in this City? here is no art Understood here, because there (a) is no reward.

Let us consider.

You have said well, therefore let us make no delay.

I am just now going

O the [...], hot, and thence in latine for inconsiderate­ness calidum is used. impudent wickedness that you pitiful Men have undertaken! whither do you fly?

Hercules, what have we here?

Nay, I will be the destruction of you both, for You have undertaken that which neither God nor Man Durst go about.

VVhat art thou that lookest so pale and lean?

May be it is [...], contention by Esculapius. Erinnis, one of the furies presented In the [...], he ren­ders it a Ta­vern Keeper, Tragedies, by her face she should.

No, she wants a torch in her hand.

Nay, then wee'l be bold with her.

Whom do you take me for.

Is it no injury (think you) to throw me out of Every house where I come?

What punishment do you deserve (think you) for Seeking to take me that am innocent out of the VVorld Thus.

VVhat will you say if this be a neighbour of mine That keeps a Here [...] is used. Victualling house, and poysons me and all The street with base wine.

By no means, not I.

Prethee stay.

By Jove not I.

Nay, but let me tell you 'twill be a shamful thing For us to forsake yonder God within, and run I know not VVhither for fear of this old VVitch, let us stand to it.

VVith what armes I pray you can we defend our Selves, what breast-plate [...] of [...], pig­nus capio, to take pledge, se­curity. will not she pierce, and what Spear did ever keep her off?

Take courage, our God will give us [...], Trophaeum e­riget, a custome by a heap of stones, or a Wall set up where a victory was got. victory Against this wicked VVoman, I warrant you.

Dare you take of holy [...], Piaculum, or an Antidote a­gainst the plague. things that have such A wickedness in hand?

VVhat do you raile at us for thus, that have done You no injury, you old Divel?

What good will it bring to men think you?

First of all, we shall throw you out of Greece.

Throw me out? why, what greater hurt can you do In the World.

Then before you go any further I will shew you the Reason of this matter, and demonstrate that I am the cause Of all good to you, and that by my help onely you subsist In this life, if I do not proceeed as you will, And use me as you please.

What an impudent creature art thou to talk thus!

O for the Pillory or the [...], the first from [...], whēce those clubs they beat offenders with so called, still used in Turky on the feet, [...] to make crooked, thence the punishment called [...], a disease in the back, Galen. stocks to deliver me Of thee!

You ought not to complain before you have heard Me.

Who can forbear to cry out miserably that hears This?

No wise man makes such a Noise.

But will you submit to punishment, if you do not Make this good?

Do what you can invent.

'Tis well.

But if I have the better of you, you shall pay for it.

Yes, twenty lives if we had them.

Our two is enough for us to lose I warrant you.

I were too blame to ask more.

Let us now fall to the matter in hand, and decide The controversy by true reason, laying all jests and Scurrility aside.

In the first place then I think it plain to all men, That it is equity that [...] A­theists. honest men ought to be happiest, And the unjust [...], as they say now the saints. only to be opprest with ill fortune; The which things considered, we are now taking the way To it that is most probable, for if Plutus can recover his eyes Again, and not go groping up and down thus; He will live Onely amongst honest men, and such as are [...], grown Children. Piously Given: now judge you whether there can be a better Counsel then this.

I'le be witness, no body can complain of this.

For if we will but consider, the lives of Mankind, as Things now stand, we shall find it madness to see how for the Most part the wicked abound with riches unjustly gotten Whilest honest men are ready to starve, and spend their Dayes with this Lady; There is therefore no good to [...] Done, without Plutus have his eyes again.

O ye most vain and Credulous [...] of [...], re­lating to the first life of Mankind in common, poverty maintains the life of propriety against it. of all mankind Companions in Dotage and trifles; If that you desire Should come to pass, what good would it be to you? fo [...] If Plutus should see again, he would (f) distribute [Page 15] Equally to all men: and then I pray you who would care To study Arts or Trades? who would build your Ships or Your Coaches? Nay, you must even mend your own shooes Your selves, and plow, and sow, and reap, or else you must Not eat, you thought I warrant you to live at ease and out Of care.

You deceive your self, we will keep servants to do All this you have recorded.

Who will serve you, or whence will you have them?

Wee'l buy them with our mony.

Who will sell them you, when they have as Much mony as you?

May this misery fall upon thine own head for Belying us thus.

Neither shall you sleep any more upon your fine Beds and Carpets, for indeed you shall have none to lie on, Who will make them? for as you say every body shall have Mony enough: where will you get rich perfumes? you Must not think then to walk in such pomp in the streets When you bring your [...], very properly, be­cause it signifies the place where the virginity lies. Brides home; and now if you Want all these things, judge you whether any body will Account you rich, what will Plutus do you good, and yet From me you enjoy all this and all else you have need of, I am the imperious Mistris of all Artists, and stand by them Untill they are glad to find any way to support their lives.

Prethee what canst thou do for any body, but help Them to Biles [...], it seems rather that we call Kibes got by coming sud­dainly out of the cold to the fire, which is seems was the custome for the poor to get about the fire that made the baths. and Botches, and starve them with vineger, fill them with lice and gnats without number, with A dreadful noise, driving away their sleep, bidding them Arise, and try some means to prevent starving.

besides this, instead of a whole Cloak thou givest them half one, and instead of a bed to sleep in, a Mat to lie awake on, for curtaines and coverlids, rags, and for a pillow a [...]ne, Mallows for bread, and grass instead of Sallets, and [...]r an easy seat, an old barrel with the head beaten out; [Page 16] Have not I now shewed at large the good you do?

No, these are not of my evils, these belong to [...] grabbatum, our Saviour to the man healed in the Gospel tolle grabba­tum, [...] Perrot­tus lectucam. Beggery, not Poverty.

Yet we count poverty and beggery are sisters.

You do perhaps, and it may be you compare Dionysius [...], it seems there was a custome of drying them, as in the Indies and other pla­ces they use roots for bread. with Thrasibulus; but my life hath none of This in it, it is the begger that hath nothing to live upon The poor live sparingly upon what they have, And order so their affairs, that though they may be said In effect to have [...] and [...], are not one, no more than wan­ting and beg­ging; two very unlike, for Thrasybulus stood for the democracy in Athens, and Dionysius was a Tyrant in Sy­cily, this al­ludes to the doctrine of the Cynick Philoso­phy, and that of St. Paul, 1 Cor. 2.6, 10. [...], having nothing and yet possessing all things. nothing, yet they want nothing.

O what a happy life is this! you tell us of poverty If after all our time spent in labour to get and To keep, there scarce remain enough to bury us.

You spend your time in cavilling and jests, and Not seriously weigh the matter, nor do you seriously cons [...] That I give men better wits and persons too then Plutus Can; for what does he give, but gouty legs, fat bellies But with me men are active, and slender-bodied, and of Warlike shape.

And all this they get by being farnished with Hunger.

Moreover, for what concernes the modesty a [...] Vertue of living, I can say more that they onely belongs To me, and that from Plutus comes nothing but riots a [...] Injuring of others.

What is your modesty, to steal and break [...], a Metaphor taken from birds pening their wings when they do not fly. house

Nay, the modesty lies in hiding himself when I Hath done.

Do but observe the Orators and Rethoricians when They are poor, how equally and justly they carry them selves between the People and the Citizens, but then Are no sooner rich, but they lay Plots presently to be [...] The lower Sort, and cause Wars among them.

Though I do not love thee, I cannot but confess this to be true of thee, but yet you shall not scape us, Going about to prove Poverty better then Wealth.

Yet you disprove it not methinks, but wrangle, Jest and talk Idly.

Why, tell us then if thou beest so excellent; Does every body fly from thee so?

Why? because I would make them better Honester, as Children do that avoid their Parents, because [Page 17] They give them good Counsell and Correction; 'tis a hard Thing for any body to distinguish good from bad.

Do you think then that Jove doth not distinguish? You see he is rich, and gives it to us too as a blessing.

O ye dull Saturnine wits! why Jove himself is A begger, and that I'le prove to you; For if he were rich, when he institutes his Olimpick Games in Greece, sure he would never reward the Conquerors with an Olive branch and a large oration, But he would give them Gold.

This shews rather how Jupiter loves Gold, by his Parting with it so sparingly; he gives away things of less Value, and keeps that for himself.

If it be so, you lay a worse fault to him then Poverty Gives any body, having so much wealth notwithstanding To be still so greedy.

I think Jove will have cause to crown you with That Olive brance you spoke off for this victory ouer us.

Well, these jests contradict nothing of what I say, Namely that all good comes of Poverty.

Ask [...], three names for the Moon, Sa­crificium, In­sriviis: see Mu­logy. Hecate then if it be not best to be rich; For the rich make her a feast, but the poor do nothing but come in and eat it, therefore let's talk no more, for I am resolved never to yield, though thou shouldest over­come me.

Then Argos Argos e­steemed the poorest Town in Greece. do thou hear and take compassion of me.

Nay, rather call upon Pausonus thy [...], spoke of before sufficiently. companion.

Miserable creature what will become of me!

Get thee from me, and I care not.

Whether shall I go, into what Country?

Into the Stocks, or to the Gallows; come away.Proverbial [...], poorer then Pausonus.

The time will come you'l wish for me.

Well, when I am once rich, I'le keep jovial com­pany, feast, and bath, and sit in plenty, and fart at Poverty.

At length we are got quit of this old Woman, and now Blapsidamus let it be our business as soon as we [...], to carry Plutus unto Esculapius his Temple.

We had need dispatch, lest some body come in and interrupt us.

Within there's Carion, make every thing Ready and bring Plutus to the Temple, with the usual Ceremonies.

ACTUS TERTIUS.

Come all you happy in your old age Who in the dayes of Thesius Thesius, the first Col­lector of the Athenians into a City from small villages. lived in Poverty and Scarcity of bread, this is the day that I pronounce all Honest men happy.

O the blessed news, that thou art the messenger to thy poor companions!

Marry, this is pleasant news.

'Twill make you rejoyce whether you will or no.

Praised be the Son of Apollo. high-born powerful Esculapius Thou great glory to Mankind.

Come Mistris, fetch some wine quickly, for I know First 'tis that you love; and then next, because I bring you such a heap of good newes, I deserve some.

Where is it?

I am about to tell it you.

Dispatch in few words.

Hearken well, & I will tell you all from head to foot

So it do not trouble my head, I care not.

As soon as we came to the God Esculapius Carrying with us (then the most unhappy, and now most happy) Plutus if any one were ever so, first of all threw him into the sea Hejests here with the cu­stome in use then for any pollution or di­sease to wash in the Sea. Pla­to reports of Eutipides his companion in his journey to Egypt cured so of the Falling-sickness. and washed him well.

Afterwards when he came before Esculapius, And had laid our Sacrifices on the Altar, with several Musicks playing, we made Plutus lie down every one assisting in the Ceremony.

Were there any more that sought help from Esculapius?

There was one A Rhetori­cian in Athens, who was trou­bled with rheum in his eyes. Heoclides, who though blind 'tis thought in robbing and cozenage can exceed the theefes that see best, besides many others troubled with all sorts of evils: now after a little [...] used for any kind of ser­vant. I think from [...] or [...], an out­ward room where such use to wait: but it is here [...]. Priest that waited upon the Ceremonies had put out all the lights, and we were laid to Sleep, and a general silence commanded; I was only kept Awake by a pleasant favour that came into my nose of a Hot Pudding, that the old Woman was eating behind me; At which I crept towards her, to see if I could steal some: And at length, lifting my head a little up, I saw a Priest go round every Altar in order, and take all the fruit and nuts, and things that was good, and put them in his wallet; Thought I, sure there is some great Sanctity in this kind of Theft, so I fell faster on upon the Pudding.

Thou wretched fellow, wast not thou afraid Of the God when thou didst this?

Yes, I was afraid he would have come with his Robe and his [...] Garland and gravely have stole my Pudding from me; for that his Priest had taught me: But when the old Woman heard the noise of my chops Going, she began to reach out her hand as she lay and feel For her Pudding, the which I had now almost made an End off, but she feeling the pot there, thought her Pudding Safe, and I crept away as silent as a Snake, and with my Belly full layed my self to sleep.

And did not Esculapius yet appear to you?

Not yet: but when he did come, it was my ill luck, my belly growing now burdened with pudding to fall into such a fit of farting.

Was not that enough to make him destroy thee?

No, only Two of Esculapius his Children, from [...], a curing or healing the other from [...] and [...] a dart or arrow. Jaso that followed the Gods blushed at it, and [...]. Parocaea stopping her nose, turned aside: For I must tell you though it were in the Church, I could not fart (e) frankinsence.

But what said the God?

Just nothing.

Is he so [...], Country bred. coursly bred?

Alas, he is not only a devourer of farts, but feeds Upon Spoken both in respect to the offering the en­trailes, and likewise jesting at Hypocrates, who used the excrements of his patients; likewise it re­lates to a Phy­sician his living upon purges. excrements, eats any thing.

Thou wicked fellow.

After this was all past being in great fear of the God still, I hid my self, whilst with great gravity he admi­nistred to all the diseased according to their several ne­cessities, his boy having brought him a little stone mortar, And a box of Instruments of Surgery.

Was the box The jest of this is, that the Agative Cari­on useth [...] stony re­lates both to [...] a Box, and [...] a Mortar. stone too?

Not the box stone.

What a lover of the Common-wealth this god is, And how wife.

Next to him he went to Plutus, and wiping first his Eyes, and covering his head and face, he gave a sign with A whisper, and out came two mighty Snakes.

O monstrous!

[...]. the statue of Esculapius, sometimes with serpents, or whether from the proverb [...], serpents eyes. These crept under the cloath to his Eyes, as I take it and licked them, and Mistris, before you Can drink half a dozen glasses of wine, Plutus arose up with His eye-sight perfect; I in the mean time clapped My hands for joy, and took my Master up in my arms, The God and the Serpents vanished into the Temple, And all that were about Plutus fell to imbrace him, And no man could sleep any longer for joy; I all the while magnified the God that had made Plutus see perfectly, and Neoclide's quite blind.

What a power this Esculapius hath, but where is Plutus?

He is coming this way with a number of honest People about him, that formerly lived very poorly, [Page 21] But now Mistris Plutus shakes them all by the hands, but Those that had got wealth unjustly he looks awry upon; But 'tis a wonder to see how he makes the old fools Leap and frisk before him that can hardly go; And now let us all dance for no man can now say to us Our Hogheads are empty of wine, or our Barns of corn.

By Haccata I will crown thee too for thy news.

Well; dispatch quickly, for by this the company is At our Gates.

I'le go home that these eyes of mine may see him.

First of all we salute the Sun and next this happy Soil of So called from Pallas [...]. Pallas, together with all the land of Cecrops one of the At­tikes. Cereopis That hath thus kindly received me. It grieves us much to think of our former misery, And the ill company we have kept, and how we have Wandered up and down; but all this shall be amended And the world shall see it was much against my will To be kept in the hands of bad men.

Out upon't, what creatures men are that are friends To a man only according to his succcess, every one I meet Now smiles on me, and my hands are almost shaked off: Who hath met me in the street to day without a com­plement? and all the old fools get about me and frisk.

Right worthy man, blessing attend thee, and us all, According to our Countries custome I have brought A small banquet to refresh thee with.

No sure, the first house I go with my eye sight into, Ought to receive from me, and not I from it.

Will you despise our good will.

Within by the fire side, when we are rid of this Rabbel of company, we shall have more leisure.

Indeed you say well, for they had like to have had Me down for my Nuts and Apples but now.

ACTUS QUARTUS.

What a pleasure there is in living rich, especially to such as we that spend what we will; have still [...], the Sco­lio renders this from [...] to us that carry nothing but of our house; but there is I think a better mean­ing in it, which is, because there is a god in the house, every thing is by Mi­racle replenish­ed still as it wastes; so the Prophet 2 King. 4. of the cruse of Oyle. never the less left for it, fetch in nothing, but every thing runs in as it were of it self; our barns are full of corn, our Hogsheads full of wine, the jars full of oyle, pots full of Spicknard, and our purses full of mony, our rotten earthen Pots are now all silver, and the kitchin shines like Ivory. We servants now in stead of Counters play at [...] of [...], e­ven equal in parts. even or odd with [...], Attick Coin, half a dram. Gold, nor do we now wipe our tailes [...], stones, or rather shels. with Pibbles, but choice herbs most delightfully.

The worst is, my Master yonder within with his golden crown On, is sacrificing [...], garleek; and therfore I think it is [...] a Medicinal hearb, and good for the tenderness of those parts. [...], from [...], sacrificing a Bull. a hog, a ram and a goat within, and There is such smoak and stink in the house, I was fain to Come crying out.

Come child, follow me, and let us go to this God.

VVho have we here making such hast towards us?

A man formerly miserable, but now happy.

He hath a good honest face.

Yes sure, and am that I seem.

VVell, what's thy business?

I would speak with your god a word or two, for I have received a great deal of good from him; I was left well by my Father, and supplied my friends In their necessities, and thought that they might be useful To me again in time of need.

And what you fell into want, I warrant presently.

Most certain, I did so.

How did you do then, I warrant you were miserably Used?

Ye hit it right; for I was strongly perswaded That they that had so liberally tasted of my kindness in My prosperity, would make some return when my turn Of suffering came, but they all looked awry upon me.

And laughed at thee I warrant.

They did so, when they saw me [...] to dry [...], dryness of pots. wither away.

They'l do so no more, I warrant thee now.

I am therefore come to thank Plutus for it.

But prethee, what is the reason thy Boy carries this Old torn Cloak after thee?

I come to consecrate this to the memory of Plutus.

'Tis the Cloak I warrant thou wert first [...] of [...] and thence [...] and [...], it was the cu­stome to hang up the cloaths in Ceres Temple, that thou first came thither in. initiated In amongst the gods.

No, not so; but I have suffered cold in it this Thirteen years I am sure,

And what are these old shooes for?

Why, these are a year old too.

And so these are sacred too.

By Jupiter, I think so.

You'l bring him a brave gift.

O [...] fearful, the Greeks use that often for Mi­serable fear, being the grea­test of Miseries to Mankind. miserable man that I am, thrice miserable, Nay, a hundred times over miserable!

O Apollo and the rest of ye, what doth this fellow aile?

Why, I am undone in this one day, and have lost All, and all by this god of yours; but if there be any Law left, I'le have him made blind again as he was.

Let him deservedly then perish like a thief as he is.

Where is he that hath promised to make us all Equally rich in one day, upon condition he might have his Eyes again, and hath in doing so, made us ten times more Miserable then we were before, I'm sure some of us at least.

'Tis because thou art a fool and a wicked fellow.

None of you were counted wise I'm sure till you got mony.

How fierce this Sycophant is? his profession now will not get him [...] of [...] adverb and [...] fa­mine. bread, and that's it.

You shall never scape me this day, I will have you Before the Justice, and hear you upon the wrack [...], from [...] stretched out from [...], all of [...] to turn the same way by which men afflict one another, now it seems were formerly used. con­fess the horrible mischiefs you have done.

Alas, go and lament thy own condition.

And by Jove [...], used in Holy Sripture for Saviour, Salvation. let Plutus be acknowledged of all Greece this day for throwing out all of your profession.

O wretch that I am, what must I make you sport too? I pray you, where had you that new Cloak you have on? Yesterday, one [...] from [...], to rub or crumble away. thred-bare served your turn.

I fear thee not, I have got now a ring ofThe Anci­ents had great superstition to rings made and constilated for several things, as that of Gy­gas; Eudamꝰ a Phylosopher made some good against flattery. Eudam [...] That I wear here as a charm against thee.

But yet against the biting of a Sycophant, I doubt Man hath no remedy of prevention.

Are these scorns to be endured! what do you stay here for, for no good to any body I am sure?

Not to do you any good I am sure.

No, but to live upon me, and sup to night of that Which should have For lately he was the only man in Greece at other mens Tables. been mine

O then thou wilt split with malice, for thou art Like now to have nothing else in thy guts.

You say nothing, but all this while I smell a good Supper within of all manner of The Latine interprets it so, but the word is [...] fruit, from [...] to cut. fish and flesh.

What's this he smels?

I believe 'tis rather hunger and cold that's coming Towards him, that he smels through the holes of his torn Cloak, then any thing else.

You a lover of your Country?

Yes, no man more.

Answer me then.

Well.

Are you a husband-man?

Do you think me mad to lead such a painful life?

Are you a Merchant then?

I can counterfeit one, if need be.

Do you then profess any art?

O Jove not I!

Which way dost thou live then, that hast nothing To do?

Why, I take all business both publick and private Upon me.

Who entrusts you?

Nay, 'tis my own pleasure.

Thou art alwayes medling where thou hast nothing To do, and art hated of all men: with what confidence Canst thou then profess thy self an honest man?

Ye [...] or [...], a leagull. fool, do not I deserve well enough of the Common-wealth, think you, according to my place and Power?

Yes, if medling with other mens business, and having none of ones own, be a good quality.

'Tis every mans business to see the Lawes obeyed, and punish those that offend.

The City appoints Judges for that purpose.

Yes, but who shall find them work? that is, bring in Offenders.

He that will for me, for 'tis an Office bad enough.

Well, I am that man, and therefore judge if the whole business of the Common-wealth runs not through my hands.

This City had an evil But for spies and false witnesses Courts of Ju­stice could not stand. instrument of thee; But wert not thou better live without this trouble, in peace?

O no, 'tis a sheepish [...], presidente. life to live without exer­cising our wits.

And wilt thou never change this mind?

Not, if you will give me your Plutus that you have got, [...]. and Battus his Sylphium to boot.

Come, Battus built the City Cyre­nes, for the which the Af­fricans sacri­ficed [...]. I think the hearb Benzoin, and it was af­terwards the reverse of his coin, and I be­lieve there lies most of the fancy. give me your Cloak.

Friend, he speaks to you.

And next your (f) shooes.

Again he speaks to you.

Will no body help me?

Yes, I am ready to help you off with them.

I am undone.

See now what you get by medling with others Business is all so just lost again.

Take heed what you do, I have witness here by How I am used.

Nay, your false witness have now forsaken you.

Wo is me, if I am left alone to you too!

Now howl and roar, dost hear Justus? now give me thy old Cloak, and wee'l put it upon the Sycophants back.

That cannot be, man; I have, you know, consecrated it to Plutus.

By no means, 'twill become this fellow much better, and wee'l get a better Cloak for Plutus.

But what shall I do with my old shooes?

Wee'l hang those in his fore-head.

Well, I see I must for the present be gone, for ye are too strong for me, but I'le return and be revenged upon you and your god, for altering the government of Man­kind, thus without asking the Senate or the Towns advice.

Now you are got into my [...] rather my Ar­mour or my instruments, so in Holy Scri­ptures, [...], instruments of unrighteousnes. cloaths, run betimes, and get my place about the bath [...] and [...], to take or bind by the stones. and keep you warm; It hath been my place this many years I am sure.

'Tis his best if he can, but the Bath-keeper will quickly take hold [...], a she Sy­cophant or bawde. of him and throw him out of dores, I warrant you, come let us in and salute our Plutus.

Good honest old Gentlemen, tell me if this be the way to the new god they talk of.

Ye are now come to the very house, good young Gentlewoman.

May I be so bold to call to speak with some of the House?

That's needless, for I am going in; but what's your business?

I am under a great deal of misery, and have been so ever since this god first began to have his sight again.

What's the matter, sure this is something amongst the [...] of [...], to play at lots, [...], you drink by letters; it was it seems as was noted, a custome to chuse Judges by letters put into a Box, and the drinkers get the trick to do so. women, that the Sycophant is amongst men and of the same calling.

Alas not I!

Then thou art some she [...], I am burned up, and therefore his reply is [...], whence is this burning up, of [...]. drunkard.

You jest with my afflictions, and that's worst of all, I am withered away (e) with love.

Prethee who hath withered thee?

You must know, there was a young fellow with an honest good face, but poor, yet the truth is he gave me what I wanted, and I supplied him with his necessities.

What were they?

Why, truely he was not very importunate, only sometimes he wanted mony to buy him a Cloak, and some­times a pair of Shooes, and sometimes his Sister and his Mother wanted cloaths, and sometimes bread.

Call you this nothing, this was love indeed.

Yes indeed, for he said he asked these things not for their value, but as they were mine, and so wore my very shooes for my sake, and to put him in mind of me.

This was a wonderful lover.

But now alas, his love is quite vanished, for but now I sent him Cheescakes, and bad the messenger tell him I would see him to night.

And what said he, prethee?

Truly, he sent me my Cheescakes again, and bid me be sure never to come to him more, and withal added this proverb, that once the [...], the story is Polycrates K. of Samia, being to make war, counselled the Oracle whi­ther he should take the Mile­sians help, but he was an­swered, they were once strong; so it grew prover­bial to all that were worsted. Milesii indeed were Powerful.

A crafty fellow, he scorns ordinary [...], sig­nifieth lenti­les. fair now, but would have devoured any thing when he was poor.

And yet heretofore this man would be at my Chamber dore every day.

To see what he could steal, I warrant.

No, he swore it was onely to here my voice.

By which he thought to hear some gift was coming.

And when he saw me sad, he would call me his [...], words of fondness. Minion, his Deer.

This was when he had got thy shooes on, I warrant.

And at Ceres feast, when we were in the coach to­gether, if any body did but give me a look, I was beaten for it all day, so jealous he was of me.

He would have no body enjoy your goods but he.

He would tell me I had such fine white hands.

When they were reaching him out mony.

He said my skin [...], wine of a famous Island in Greece. naturally smelt sweet.

Then thou hadst some trick to sweat wine.

He said I had lovely [...], a good look. eyes.

This fellow is no fool, he knows how to stir up an Old [...] of [...], the sow's grunting for the bore. womans lust, this was the right food to it.

Now gentlemen consider, whether your god, do not do unjustly, to see a poor woman under these afflictions, and not help her.

Say what thou wouldest have him do, and wee'l send for him.

'Tis just that he should make this young fellow deserve as well of me, as I have done of him.

Why, he pays thee all at night still I hope.

Alas, he promis'd whilst he lived he would never forsake me.

He hath kept his word, for I warrant he doth not believe thou art now fit to be called a living creature.

Indeed I am [...] of [...], to extend, I am wasted. wasted with sorrow.

Or rather dryed up with it and shrunk.

You may draw me through a ring.

That ring must be as big as the hoop of a Sive.

See yonder he comes of whom I complain thus, Hee's going to some feast I warrant.

It seems so, for he is very [...], Co­ronā & facem. fine.

Save ye Gentlemen.

Let's here what he will say.

O Mistris mine! how suddenly are you altered? Grown gray I protest, since I saw you.

O miserable woman that I am, how I am abused!

What, is it such a long time since he saw you?

How long think you? he was with me but yesterday.

Then this man differs from all others, for the More drunk he is, the quicker his senses are.

O no, this is of late his usual humour.

O Neptune, what waves, what wrinkles hast thou got in thy forehead!

Prethee do not bring the light so near.

She says well, for if one spark should chance to fall upon thee, thou wouldst burn and crack like a piece of an Olive tree.

How sayest, wilt thou have a bout with me?

Where thou foolish fellow.

Here.

At what game?

At even or odd, how many teeth hast in thy head?

I can devine that, not above three or four, I warrant you.

Still thou art able to crack nuts, for a Mill hath but one tooth.

You are uncivil thus to [...] from [...], to wash, or a pri­vy-house, or common-shore. empty all your villany and ill language upon me thus.

You must get some body to make you clean again then.

O wash her not by any means, for if her [...], that we call Ceres, and the same used now adaies. paint were washed off, we should see a face would fright us.

For a man of your age you seem not to be very wise methinks.

He hath been [...], put his hands in thy neck. tempting thee, and playing with thee I believe, and thou findest he is old and can do nothing and so thou despisest him.

By Venus! never touched me, thou wicked fellow.

No no, I were mad to offer it, that were to make a Quarrel between you and your Mistris.

Alas, I defie you for that, I love her so it's impossible.

She accuses you though.

Me, of what?

Of all manner of reproaches, and that you hit her in the teeth with that proverb, that once the Milesii were strong.

Well, you strive to win my girle from me, I see, But I will not contend with you for her.

You slight her, I see.

No, I reverence her age, or else no man should carry her from me, and so I give you joy Sir, and farewell.

He's weary of her company.

And yet who is fitter for it then I am?

I'le change no more words with such an old divel, that hath been [...] de­filed, lain with. a whore this ten thousand years.

Yes, but as they say, now you have drunk the wine, methinks you should be content with the lees.

Yes, but this lees is fowler and more corrupted then ordinary.

What remedy?

We'l try, I am going in to sacrifice to Plutus.

I have a word or two to say to him too.

Nay, then I'le not go in.

Have a good heart man, she cannot ravish thee.

No, I have [...], the Metaphor here is taken from stopping a ves­sel that the wine may not fly, from [...] to stop a hole with pitch. tam'd her pretty well.

Go when you will, I'le follow you step by step.

O Jupiter! how this old woman sticks to him Like an Oyster to a stone.

ACTUS QUINTUS.