HYPOCRISY. O loving Father and merciful God! We through our sins thy punishment deserve, And have provoked to beat with thy rod Us stubborn children, which from thee do swerve. We loathed thy word, but now we shall sterve; For Hypocrisy is placed again in this land, And thy true gospel as exile doth stand. This is thy just judgment for our offence, Who having the light in darkness did stray, But now, if thou wouldest of thy fatherly benevolence Thy purposed judgments in wrath for to stay, The part of the prodigal son we would play; And with bitter tears before thee would fall, And in true repentance for mercy would call. In our prosperity we would not regard The words of the preachers, who threat'ned the same, But flattering ourselves, thought thou wouldest have spared Us in thy mercy, and never us blame: But so much provoked thee by blaspheming thy name, Indeed to deny that in words we maintain, That from thy justice thou could'st not refrain. So that Romish Pharaoh, a tyrant most cruel, Hath brought us again into captivity, And instead of the pure flood of thy gospel, Hath poisoned our souls with devilish Hypocrisy, Unable to maintain it, but by murthering Tyranny; Seeking rather the fleece than the health of the sheep, Which are appointed for him for to keep. [_Re-enter_ AVAR. _and_ TYR.] TYRANNY. Lo, Avarice, hark what a traitor is here, [HYP. [aside.] He speaketh to you, Syra.] Against our holy Father this language to use! I might have heard more, if I would him forbear, But for grief my ears burn to hear him abuse His tongue in this manner: wherefore no excuse Shall purchase favour, but that with all speed By sword I will render to him his due meed. Wherefore, thou miscreant, while thou hast time, Pray to the saints thy spokesman to be, That at God's hand from this thy great crime By their intercession thou may be set free. AVARICE. Nay, hearest thou, Tyranny? be ruled by me: First cut off his head, and then let him pray, So shall he be sure us not to bewray. HYPOCRISY. O wicked Tyranny! thou imp of the devil, Too joyful tidings to thee have I brought, For now thou art emboldened to practise all evil. TYRANNY. Marry, thou shalt not give me thy service for nought, But for thy pains to please thee I thought. HYPOCRISY. Thou art nothing so ready to do any good, As thou art to shed poor innocents' blood. AVARICE. Nay, Tyranny, suffer this rascal to prate, [HYP. [_aside_.] On your face, sir.] Till some man come by, and then he is gone. Then wilt thou repent it, when it is too late: Despatch him, therefore, while we are alone.