A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 06
General
A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 06
English drama
SINCERITY.
Good Simplicity, content thee: I am never the better for this,
But must of force leave off, for I see how vain it is.
It boots not Sincerity to sue for relief:
So few regard [me,] that to me is a grief.
This was Nicholas Nemo, and No-Man hath no place:
Then how can I speed well in this heavy case?
And no man bid me to dinner, when shall I dine?
Or how shall I find him--where, when, and at what time?
Wherefore the relief I have had, and shall have, is small;
But to speak truth, the relief is nothing at all.
But come, Simplicity, let us go see what may be had.
Sincerity in these days was, sure, born to be sad.
SIMPLICITY.
Come, let's go to dinner, cousin, for the gentleman, I think,
hath almost din'd,
But, and I do get victuals enough, I'll warrant you, I will
not be behind.
SINCERITY.
What, if thou canst not get it then, how wilt thou eat?
SIMPLICITY.
Marry, on this fashion; with both hands at once; ye shall see,
when I get meat.
SINCERITY.
Why, his name was Nemo, and Nemo hath no being.
SIMPLICITY.
I believe, cousin, you be not hungry, that you stand prating.
Faith, I'll go do him a pleasure, because he hath need.
Why, and he will needs have meat eat, a' shall see how I'll feed.
I believe he will not bid me come again to him:
Mass, and he do, a' shall find a fellow that has his eating.
[_Exeunt ambo_.
_Enter_ USURY _and_ CONSCIENCE.
USURY.
Lady Conscience, is there anybody within your house, can you tell?
CONSCIENCE.
There is nobody at all, be ye sure: I know certainly well.
USURY.
You know, when one comes to take possession of any piece of land,
There must not be one within, for against the order of law it doth stand.
Therefore I thought good to ask you; but I pray you think not amiss,
For both you and almost all others knows, that an old custom it is.
CONSCIENCE.
You say truth: take possession, when you please; good leave I render ye.
Doubt you not; there is neither man, woman, nor child, that will or
shall hinder ye.[184]
USURY.
Why, then, I will be bold to enter.
[_Exit_.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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