And this is the daily exercise and practise of their schools, And not among them only, but also among all others: The stronger to compel, and make poor simple fools To say as they command them in all manner matters. I woll name none particular, but set them all together Without any exception; for I pray you show me one Amongst all in the world that seeth not such fashion. He that is stronger and more of power and might, If he be disposed to revenge his cause, Woll soon pick a quarrel, be it wrong or right, To the inferior and weaker for a couple of straws, And woll against him so extremely lay the laws, That he woll put him to the worse, either by false injury, Or by some craft and subtlety, or else by plain tyranny. As you saw right now by example plain Another fellow, being a counterfeit page, Brought the gentleman's servant out of his brain, And made him grant that himself was fallen in dotage Bearing himself in hand that he did rage, And when he could not bring that to pass by reason, He made him grant it, and say by compulsion. Therefore happy are they, that can beware Into whose hands they fall by any such chance; Which if they do, they hardly escape care, Trouble, misery, and woeful grievance, And thus I make an end, committing you to his guidance, That made and redeemed us all, and to you that be now here I pray God grant and send many a good new year! FINIS.[211] A PRETTY INTERLUDE CALLED NICE WANTON. [Of this interlude only two copies have hitherto been discovered, one in the Devonshire collection, the second in the King's Library, British Museum, from the Roxburghe sale. An account of the piece, which has never been reprinted before, is given by Collier ("History of Dramatic Poetry," ii. 381-3). Considering its rarity, early date, and curiosity, it is remarkable that "Nice Wanton" should have escaped Dodsley and his editors.] A PRETTY INTERLUDE, CALLED NICE WANTON. Wherein ye may see Three branches of an ill tree: The mother and her children three, Two naught, and one godly. Early sharp, that will be thorn, Soon ill, that will be naught: To be naught, better unborn, Better unfed than naughtily taught. _Ut magnum magnos, pueros puerilia doctus_. * * * * * PERSONAGES. _The Messenger. Barnabas. Iniquity. Ismael. Baily errand. Dalilah. Xantippe. Eulalia. Worldly Shame. Daniel the Judge_. Anno Domini, M.D.LX. THE PROLOGUE. THE MESSENGER. The prudent Prince Solomon doth say, He that spareth the rod, the child doth hate, He would youth should be kept in awe alway By correction in time at reasonable rate: To be taught to fear God, and their parents obey, To get learning and qualities, thereby to maintain An honest quiet life, correspondent alway To God's law and the king's, for it is certain,