ests from hence are clean exil'd.
Thus once you see, that Wily is beguil'd.

[_Exit the_ JUGGLER.

Now, kind spectators, I dare boldly say,
You all are welcome to our author's play:
Be still awhile, and, ere we go,
We'll make your eyes with laughter flow.
Let Momus' mates judge how they list.
We fear not what they babble;
Nor any paltry poet's pen
Amongst that rascal rabble.
But time forbids me further speech,
My tongue must stop her race;
My time is come, I must be dumb,
And give the actors place.

[_Exit_.

DRAMATIS PERSONAE.

GRIPE, _an Usurer_.
PLOD-ALL, _a Farmer_.
SOPHOS, _a Scholar_.
CHURMS, _a Lawyer_.
ROBIN GOODFELLOW.
FORTUNATUS, _Gripe's son_.
LELIA, _Gripe's daughter_.
_Nurse_.
PETER PLOD-ALL, _Plod-all's son_.
PEG, _Nurse's daughter_.
WILL CRICKET.
MOTHER MIDNIGHT.
_An Old Man_.
SYLVANUS.
_Clerk_.

WILY BEGUILED.[140]

_Enter_ GRIPE, _solus_.

A heavy purse makes a light heart. O, the consideration of this pouch,
this pouch! Why, he that has money has heart's ease, and the world in a
string. O, this rich chink and silver coin! it is the consolation of the
world. I can sit at home quietly in my chair, and send out my angels by
sea and by land, and bid--_Fly, villains, and fetch in ten in the
hundred_. Ay, and a better penny too. Let me see: I have but two
children in all the world to bestow my goods upon--Fortunatus, my son,
and Lelia, my daughter. For my son, he follows the wars, and that which
he gets with swaggering he spends in swaggering. But I'll curb him; his
allowance, whilst I live, shall be small, and so he shall be sure not to
spend much: and if I die, I will leave him a portion that, if he will be
a good husband, and follow his father's steps, shall maintain him like a
gentleman, and if he will not, let him follow his own humour till he be
weary of it, and so let him go. Now for my daughter, she is my only joy,
and the staff of my age; and I have bestowed good bringing-up upon her,
by'r Lady. Why, she is e'en modesty itself; it does me good to look on
her. Now, if I can hearken out some wealthy marriage for her, I have my
only desire. Mass, and well-remembered: here's my neighbour Plod-all
hard by has but one only son; and let me see--I take it, his lands are
better than five thousand pounds. Now, if I can make a match between his
son and my daughter, and so join his land and my money together--O,
'twil