_Health._ So I would ye should, and I shall do the same. A4,_v._ Health I am called, and that is my name; If I would not abide here I were to blame, For here I am well cherished. Yet say yourself now, indifferently, And if every man do not love me, Health, as well as Wealth? yes, verily! Thereof I dare be reported.
_Wealth._ Why should they love thee--that would I know-- As well as me? I pray you, show! I am the superior of high and low; No man may compare with me.
_Health._ To show why, I will not be afraid; For, I can bide by that I have said: If wealthy men be very well apaid, Or much they set you by. But of wealth, if they have never so much-- Goods, treasure, and gold--and be called rich, Yet, if they lack health, their pain is such That they were better die. A man to wear gold and be in pain, What joy hath he? None! but would be fain To give all his treasure for health, plain; Or else he were very mad. For, if a man be never so poor, Yet if he have health, that is a treasure; Then, for his living, he may labour, And in his heart be glad.
_Wealth._ I never marked thus much, nor understood That health was such a treasure, and to man so good; Wherefore, I am sorry, and will change my mood: Now, I pray you, forgive me!
_Health._ I will forgive, or else I were to blame; B1,_r._ And I pray you to forgive me the same; I love you heartily, and will praise your name If it please you to keep my company.
_Here entereth_ LIBERTY _with a song_, _and after speaketh._
_Liberty._ Why tarry, sirs! whither are ye going? I see well ye looked not for my coming. Lo! out of sight, out of remembering; Absence is cause of strangeness. What look ye on? wherewhy are ye so strange? From your fellow, Liberty, doth your minds change? In your company I was wont to range; What needs all this business?
_Wealth._ By Liberty, now, I do not set Seeing that Health and I am met, As felloweth together; no man shall let Me for to love him best.
_Lib._ Let me hear what ye do say: Then ye are about to cast me away! How haps this? Marry! then I may Go pick straws and take me rest. I pray you, tell me whom I have offended; If I have made a fau[l]t it shall be amended; With so short warning let me not be voided: I trow yet ye do but jest.