_People._ Chil 'liver him to the constable, and come again.
_Nem._ Now, Justice, for these two that do here remain: Because the fault of Insolence is heinous and great-- Lucifer's own fault t' aspire to the highest seat-- And because Oppression hath wronged men so sore That he spoiled innocents of all they had and more, People shall deliver them unto safe custody, Where they may no farther annoy anybody. When the time may serve t' examine and try their cause, Call them both before you, and judge them by the laws.
_People._ And shalche carry away these same two men also?
_Nem._ Yea; go deliver them to an officer, go! Now, darling Respublica! ye are in th' old good estate; And they taken away that spoiled you of late. Now cleave to these ladies, from heaven to you direct; They from all corruption will you safe protect. Well, I must go hence to another count[r]y now, That hath of redress the like case that was in you. I leave you for this time, immortal thanks to give To God, and your Sovereign, which do you thus relieve.
_Resp._ Thanks be to Thee, O Lord! which hast this world wrought, And hast me to this state from utter ruin brought.
_Pax._ Now let us all together, both with heart and voice, In God and in Queen Mary most joyfully rejoice.
_Ver._ Praying that her reign, most graciously begun, [May] long years endure, as hitherto it hath done.
_Just._ Pray we for her Council, to have long life and health, Their sovereign to serve.
[Illustration: [_A reduced Facsimile of the Title-page of "Wealth and Health"_ _from the unique recently recovered copy of the Play now in_ _the British Museum_.]]
VERY MERRY AND FULL OF PASTIME, NEWLY AT THIS TIME IMPRINTED
WEALTH HEALTH LIBERTY ILL-WILL SHREWD WIT HANCE REMEDY
EXTRACT FROM THE STAT. REG. 1557 [ARBER I. 75]
To master John wally these bokes Called _Welth and_ _helthe / the treatise of the ffrere and the boye / stans puer_ _ad mensam_ another of _youghte charyte and humylyte_ an _a b c for cheldren_ in englesshe _with syllabes_ also a boke called _an hundreth mery tayles_.... ij^s
_A2,r. Here entereth_ WEALTH _and_ HEALTH _singing together a ballat of two parts, and after speaketh_ WEALTH.
_Wealth._ Why is there no courtesy now I am come? I trow that all the people be dumb; Or else, so God help me and halidom! They were almost asleep. No words I heard, nor yet no talking; No instrument went, nor ballats singing; What ails you all, thus to sit dreaming? Of whom take ye care? Of my coming ye may be glad; Therefore, I pray you be not sad, For all your desire shall be had: I can amend your cheer. By God! I think ye have forgotten me. I am Wealth of this realm; look upon me! For I am to every man loving and friendly: For Wealth hath no peer.