_Adul._ Then, while Occasion doth now serve so well, I pray you, give ear to one thing that I must tell.
_Adul._ Mounsire! if ye hear People mumbling, Ye must storm, and sharply take him up for stumbling. Ye would not think what he said, a little while since, Of us, to Respublica, in mine own presence!
_Insol._ When I meet them next I shall tell them both my mind.
_Avar._ And Policy, to help you, will not be behind.
_Adul._ Gentle Respublica was soon pacified; But People was sturdy, and would not be qualified.
_Avar._ Alas! good, poor, silly soul! bear her fair in hand, And ye may win her, as you lust, to use her land.
_Oppr._ But of goddess Occasion one little more.
_Avar._ Marry, sir! even as I would have said before: She standeth with winged feet on a rolling wheel, To take flight or any grass may grow on her heel. And, even while we stand, jangling in this presence, I dare say she is flown twice twenty score mile hence.
_Avar._ Faith! and have after, as fast as I can, anon! Now, my godamighties! as I did hither tug you, So will I, on my back, to your lodging lug you; And sure, if ye can be quiet there, and lie still, I will shortly bring you mo fetlows; so I will. I have a good benefice of an hundred marks: It is small policy to give such to great clerks: They will take no benefice but they must have all-- A bare clerk can be content with a living small! Therefore, Sir John Lack-Latin, my friend, shall have mine; And, of him, may I farm it for eight pounds or nine. The rest may I reserve to myself for mine own share; For, we are good feeders of the poor, so we are! And we patrons are bound to see, (I do you tell), The church patrimony to be bestowed well. Other odd corners, besides these, I have many; Which, with all good speed shall increase your comp[any]. Come on now, therefore! in faith! I do great wrong To promise you lodging, and keep you thence so long. [_Exeat._
_Resp._ O, Lord! what may it mean to be thus borne in hand; And yet, none amendment to feel, nor understand? People doth daily and hourly to me resort, Challenging my promise of relief and comfort. I report to him, as my rulers do to me: People still affirmeth that they devourers be. The more I do him cheer, the more he doth despair. I say, his wealth doth mend; he saith, it doth appair, What should I judge of this? may it be credible, Or, by any reason, may it be possible That such four as those, in whom I have put my trust, Showing such face of friendship, should be men unjust? I will know if People feel yet any redress Of his former sores, and of his rueful distress. We shall meet soon, I doubt not, and talk together.