_Pov._ Sir! I thank you, and will do at your reformation; E2,_r._ And for my time mispent I am sore ashamed.
_Peace._ If ye do as I you bid, ye shall not be blamed. Forsake Envy and Misrule with all their old peers; Be conversant with good men; goodness thereof will grow. Follow the saying of David: _Cum sancto sanctus eris_; For wicked men evermore wicked seed do sow. What cometh of evil company, now thyself doth know; Print it well in thy memory, and do it not forget: Many a man doth decay for lack of good forewit.
_Pros._ Sir! your sayings is full true; I have perceived it; And for the virtuous counsel that ye to me have give, I shall be your orator while I have a day to live.
_Peace._ Sovereigns! here may ye see proved, before you all, Of this wanton world the great fragility; Ever mutable of the turning, as a ball. Now, flood of riches; now, ebb of poverty: What should men set by this world's vanity? Think on this lesson, and do it not forget: The gayest of us all is but worms' meat.
_Pros._ With the supportation of this noble audience, We have here showed this simple interlude; Beseeching you of your benevolence to take patience. It is but a mirror vice to exclude. The maker hereof, his intent was good, No man to displease, old nor young; If any fault be therein we desire you of pardon.
_Peace._ Let us pray all to that Lord of great magnificence To send among us rest, peace, and unity. And Jesu preserve our sovereign Queen of preclair pre-eminence, With all her noble consanguinity; And to send them grace to the issue to obtain, After them to rule this most Christian realm. E2,_v._ O good Lord! as Thou art omnipotent, Have regard unto my petition! Conserve this noble realm, and all that are present, Of thy eternal Deity grant them all thy fruition; And from our mortal enemies be our protection. Jesu! as Thou us redeemed, bring us to the bless Thereas angels sing: _Gloria in excelsis._ AMEN.
_Thus endeth the interlude called Impatient Poverty._
[_Here follow two ornaments and between them_ _the colophon as on page_ 312.]
[Illustration: [_Reduced Facsimile of the Title-page of "John the Evangelist"_ _from a unique copy, recently recovered, now in the British Museum._]]