SIMPLICITY. Come, let's go to dinner, cousin, for the gentleman, I think, hath almost din'd, But, and I do get victuals enough, I'll warrant you, I will not be behind.
SINCERITY. What, if thou canst not get it then, how wilt thou eat?
SIMPLICITY. Marry, on this fashion; with both hands at once; ye shall see, when I get meat.
SINCERITY. Why, his name was Nemo, and Nemo hath no being.
SIMPLICITY. I believe, cousin, you be not hungry, that you stand prating. Faith, I'll go do him a pleasure, because he hath need. Why, and he will needs have meat eat, a' shall see how I'll feed. I believe he will not bid me come again to him: Mass, and he do, a' shall find a fellow that has his eating.
USURY. Lady Conscience, is there anybody within your house, can you tell?
CONSCIENCE. There is nobody at all, be ye sure: I know certainly well.
USURY. You know, when one comes to take possession of any piece of land, There must not be one within, for against the order of law it doth stand. Therefore I thought good to ask you; but I pray you think not amiss, For both you and almost all others knows, that an old custom it is.
CONSCIENCE. You say truth: take possession, when you please; good leave I render ye. Doubt you not; there is neither man, woman, nor child, that will or shall hinder ye.[184]
USURY. Why, then, I will be bold to enter. [_Exit_.
CONSCIENCE. Who is more bold than Usury to venter? He maketh the matter dangerous, where is no need at all, But he thinks it not perilous to seek every man's fall. Both he and Lucre hath so pinch'd us, we know not what to do: Were it not for Hospitality, we knew not whither to go. Great is the misery that we poor ladies abide, And much more is the cruelty of Lucre and Usury beside, O Conscience, thou art not accounted of; O Love, thou art little set by, For almost every one true love and pure conscience doth deny: So hath Lucre crept into the bosom of man, woman and child, That every one doth practise his dear friend to beguile. But God grant Hospitality be not by them overprest, In whom all our stay and chiefest comfort doth rest: But Usury hates Hospitality, and cannot him abide, Because he for the poor and comfortless doth provide. Here he comes that hath undone many an honest man, And daily seeks to destroy, deface, and bring to ruin, if he can-- Now, sir, have you taken possession, as your dear lady will'd you?