[_Intrat_ AVAR[ICE] _cogitabundus et ludibundus_.
_Avar._ Alas, my sweet bags! how lank and empty ye be; But, in faith and troth, sirs! the fault is not in me.
_Resp._ Well, my help and comfort, oh Lord! must come from Thee.
_Avar._ And my sweet purses here, I pray you all, see, see! How the little fool[s] gasp and gape for gromwell-seed!
_Resp._ If it be Thy will, Lord! send some redress with speed.
_Avar._ But, in faith, good sweet fools! it shall cost me a fall. But I will shortly fill you, and stop your mouths all.
_Resp._ Oh, that it were my hap, on friendly friends to light!
_Avar._ Ha, ha! who is that same, that speaketh yonder in sight? Who is't? Respublica? yea, by the Mary mass!
_Resp._ Then might I be again as well as ere I was.
_Avar._ Hide up these pipes! now, I pray God she be blind; I am half afraid lest she have an eye behind. We must now change our copy: oh, Lord! how I fray, Lest she saw my toys, and heard what I did say!
_Resp._ Is there no good man that on me will have mercy?
_Avar._ Remember now: my name is Master Policy: All thing, I tell you, must now go by Policy.
_Resp._ Hark! methink I hear the name of Policy.
_Avar._ Who calleth Conscience? here am I, Policy!
_Resp._ I pray you come to me, if you be Policy!
_Avar._ Yea, forsooth! yea, forsooth! my name is Policy.
_Resp._ I am sore decayed through default of Policy.
_Avar._ Yea, most noble Respublica! I know that well; And do more lament it than any tongue can tell. For, an if good Policy had had you in hand, Ye had now been the wealthiest in any land: But good Policy hath long been put to exile.
_Resp._ Yea, God wot! ye have been barred from me a great while.
_Avar._ Yea! I have been put back, as one clean off-shaken; And, what can a man do till he be forth taken?
_Resp._ Well, I feel the lack of your helping hand, by the rood!
_Avar._ Alack, noble lady! I would I could do you good.
_Resp._ Yes, Policy! ye might amend all, if you lust.
_Avar._ Yea, faith! I durst put myself to you of trust. But, there be enough that, for you, could shift make.
_Resp._ Yet, none like to you! if you would it undertake-- And I will put myself wholly into your hands: Metal, grain, cattle, treasure, goods and lands--
_Avar._ Well! I will take some pain; but this to you be known: I will do it, not for your sake, and not for mine own.
