_Health._ O good sir! of whom cometh all this? A3,_v._ Of God only: to you no thank, I wis. And yet man's wealth stands not all in riches: I dare say that boldly. When a man hath a competent living, With the grace of God that passeth all thing, Love of his neighbour, and good reporting: Then is he wealthy. Wealth of goods is but a fame; He is wealthy that hath a good name; Every wise man will covet the same: For other wealth I not rech. If a man have never so much good name Every wise man will covet the same; If his dispositions be nought and wood, Then he is but a wretch.
_Wealth._ Nay! thou art a wretch, and a fool unwise, Wealth of riches thus to despise; Dost thou not see all the world arise By goods and substance? He that hath plenty of silver and gold May have all thing, whatsoever he would. When can Wealth lack, seeing all thing is sold, And Wealth is of assurance?
_Health._ I deny that; your saying is nought: Grace, heaven, nor cunning cannot be bought Without great pain, and good deeds wrought; Else man cannot them have.
_Wealth._ Stop thereat, and hold thy peace! May not men buy heaven with richesse, As to build churches and make by-ways? Such deeds man's soul doth save.
_Health._ Yea! but yet ye must mark one thing, A4,_r._ If these goods came with wrong-doing Shall ye have heaven for so spending, Or yet any meed? Nay, nay! except that man himself do meek, And make resistance the right honour to seek, Else all such good deeds is not worth a leek. Wealth! hereof take heed!
_Wealth._ Why thinkest thou that all men which hath wealth Getteth their goods with bribery and stealth? Thy report is nought; therefore, Health, I counsel thee to say the best.
_Health._ So I will; but yet, I must say true. And now a little more I will say to you: Much sorrow and care wealth doth brew; He is seldom in rest. When a man is a little hite and wealthy, And hath in his chest treasures plenty, Then will he wrangle, and do shrewdly By his power and might. With his neighbours he will go to law; And a-wreak his malice for value of straw: Wealth is fickle and out of awe, Wilful in wrong or right.
_Wealth._ Thou speakest with a slanderous tongue, All of evil will; and yet, it is wrong: Wealth in this realm hath been long; Of me cometh great honour. Because that I, Wealth, hath great port, All the world hither doth resort; Therefore I, Wealth, am this realm's comfort, And here I will endure.