DISSIMULATION. Please your lordship, Fair Semblance. I am well-seen, though I say it, in sundry languages meet for your lordship, or any noble service, to teach divers tongues and other rare things.
PLEASURE. I like ye very well; stay a while for your answer.
_Enter_ USURY, _and gives a paper to_ POMP, _which he reads, and saith_:
POMP. Master Usury, I thank ye that ye offer me your service; it seems to me to be for your old mistress' sake, Lady Lucre. Stay but a while; I will answer you with reason.
[_The three Lords go together and whisper, and call_ DILIGENCE. DILIGENCE _goes out for a marking-iron, and returns_.
FRAUD. How now, my hearts, think ye we shall speed? [_Aside_.
USURY. I cannot tell what you shall, but I am sure I shall. [_Aside_.
DISSIMULATION. I am as like as any of ye both.
DISSIMULATION. Whist, man; he's Skill. [_Aside_.
USURY. Skill, why dost thou seek to serve Lady Love? What profit will that be?
FRAUD. Tut, hold thee content: I'll serve but a while, and serve mine own turn, and away.
POMP. Master Usury, come hither. You desire to serve me: you have done Lady Lucre good service, you say, but it was against God and Conscience you did it: neither ever in your life did ye anything for Love. Well, to be short, serve me you shall not; and I would I could banish you from London for ever, or keep you close prisoner; but that is not in me; but what is, or may be, that straight you shall see. By Policy's counsel this shall be done. Diligence, bring that iron. Help me, my lords[280].
POLICY. Give me the iron. Pomp, Cousin Skill, help to hold him.
[FRAUD _lays hold on him, but_ DISSIMULATION _slip away_.
Sirrah, Policy gives you this mark, do you see; A little x standing in the midst of a great C, Meaning thereby to let men understand, That you must not take above bare ten pound in the hundred at any hand: And that too much too; and so be packing quietly, And know that London's Pomp is not sustained by Usury, But by well-ventured merchandise and honest industry.
USURY. I would I had never seen ye, if this be your courtesy. [_Exit_ USURY.
POLICY. Now, Cousin Skill, _alias_ Filthy Fraud, No kinsman to Policy, nor friend to the state: Instead of serving me, Diligence, take him to Newgate. Ask me not why, sir: but, Diligence, if he do strive, Raise the street: he's unweaponed, and thou hast a weapon on.-- And now, lords, when ye will, about our affairs let's be gone.