HYPOCRISY. Well may the covetous be likened to a drone, Which of the bee's labours will spoil and waste make, And yet to get honey no labour will take. The covetous likewise from poor men extort, Their gains to increase they only do seek; And so they may have it, of them a great sort What means they use for it they care not a leek: Yet will these misers scarce once a week Have one good meal at their own table: So by Avarice to help themselves they are unable. Avarice to a fire may well compared be, To the which the more you add, the more still it crave: So likewise the covetous mind we do see, Though riches abound, do wish still more to have And to be short, your reverences to save, To a filthy swine such misers are comparable, Which, while[30] they be dead, are nothing profitable. AVARICE. Nay, farewell, Tyranny: I came hither too soon, I perceive already I am too well known. I were not best in their claws for to come, Unless I were willing to be clean overthrown. TYRANNY. By the preaching of God's word all this mischief is grown, Which if Hypocrisy might happily expel, All we in safety and pleasure might dwell. Stay, therefore, while from Hypocrisy we hear. AVARICE. Despatch then this merchant,[31] lest our counsel he tell. HYPOCRISY. I am content for God's cause this cross for to bear. TYRANNY. It is best killing him now his mind is set well. HYPOCRISY. Your scoffing and mocking God seeth each deal. TYRANNY. Yea, dost thou persist us still thus to check? Thy speech I will hinder by cutting off thy neck. HYPOCRISY. Nay, hold thy hand, Cadby, thou hast kill'd me enough. What! never the sooner for a merry word. I meant not good earnest, to your maship I vow. I did but jest, and spake but in bord: Therefore of friendship put up again thy sword. TYRANNY. Nay, caitiff, presume not that thou shalt go scot-free; Therefore, hold still, and I will soon despatch thee. HYPOCRISY. What! I pray thee, Tyranny, know first who I am. Ye purblinded fools, do your lips blind your eyes? Why, I was in place long before you came; But you could not see the wood for the trees. But, in faith, father Avarice, I will pay you your fees, For the great good-will which you to me bear, [HYPOCRISY _fighteth_. And in time will requite it again, do not fear. AVARICE. Content yourself, good Master Hypocrisy: The words which I spake, I spake unaware. TYRANNY. Hold thy hand, Hypocrisy, I pray thee heartily: So like a madman with thy friends do not fare. HYPOCRISY. For neither of you both a pin do I care: Go, shake your ears both, like slaves as you be, And look not in your need to be holpen of me. TYRANNY. What, Master Hypocrisy, will you take snuff so soon? Marry, then you had need to be kept very warm. AVARICE. I swear to your mastership, by the man in the moon, That to your person I intended no harm.