HYPOCRISY. But that I am weary, I would both your tongues charm. See how to my face they do me deride [_Aside_]; I will not therefore in your companies abide. AVARICE. Why, Master Hypocrisy, what would you that I do? For my offence of mercy I you pray. HYPOCRISY. With thee I am at one; but of that merchant too I look for some amends, or else I will away. TYRANNY. The presumptuous fool's part herein thou dost play. What! of thy master dost thou look for obeisance? I will not once entreat thee: if thou wilt, get thee hence. HYPOCRISY. _Nimia familiaritas parit contemptum_, The old proverb by me is verified, By too much familiarity contemned be some: Even so at this present to me it betide. For of long time Hypocrisy hath ruled as guide, While now, of later days, through heretics' resistance, I retained Tyranny to yield me assistance; But through overmuch levity he thinks himself checkmate With me his good patron, Master Hypocrisy. TYRANNY. List, I pray thee, Avarice, how this rascal can prate, And with me Tyranny doth challenge equality; Where he of himself hath neither strength nor hability; But thou to him riches, and I strength, do give, So that I must be his master, though it doth him grieve. AVARICE. Two dogs oftentimes one bone would fain catch, But yet the third do them both deceive. Even so Hypocrisy for the pre-eminence doth snatch, Which Tyranny gapes for, ye may perceive: But I must obtain it; for of me they retain All kind of riches, their states to maintain, To yield to me, therefore, they must be both fain. [_Aside_. HYPOCRISY. Was Judas Christ's master, because he bare the purse? Nay, rather of all he was least regarded, Have not men of honour stewards to disburse All such sums of money wherewith they be charged? Yet above their master their honour is not enlarged: Even so thee, Avarice, my steward I account, To pay that whereto my charges amount. And to thee, Tyranny, this one word I object: Whether was Joab or David the king? When Joab was glad his ease to reject, The Ammonites in Rabah to confusion to bring, When David with Bathsheba at home was sleeping, Was not Joab, his servant, in warfare to fight? And so art thou mine, mine enemies to quite. TYRANNY. Nay, then, at the whole God give you good night, Shall Tyranny to Hypocrisy in any point yield? HYPOCRISY. With this one word I will vanquish thee quite, That thou shalt be glad to give me the field. The end to be preferred all learned men wield: Sith therefore Hypocrisy of Tyranny is end, I must have the preferment for which I contend. [AVA. Indeed you say troth.] TYRANNY. I will make you both grant that I am the chief, Or else with my sword your sides I will pierce. HYPOCRISY. That were sharp reasoning indeed, with a mischief! AVARICE. I will yield him my right, if that he be so fierce.