_Avar._ God give grace that they twain also come not hither! _Adul._ As Mercy and Truth _sibi obviaverunt_, So _Justicia et Pax osculatae sunt_. _Avar._ Is it true? are they come? _Adul._ And have kissed together. _Avar._ Then carry in apace for fear of foul weather. Have they kissed together? _Adul._ Yea! _Avar._ What needeth that? Men should kiss women--and what point be they at? _Adul._ All the four sisters, I do you t' understand, Have already taken Respublica in hand. They four progress with her in every border, And mar all that ever we have set in order. _Avar._ And what doth Insolence, or what saith he to that? _Adul._ He stampeth, he stareth, and snuffeth sore thereat. _Avar._ I advise him to storm, and to show himself stout: They be women and perchance may be faced out; And Peace is an honest lady and a quiet. _Adul._ Verity and Justice are not for our diet. _Avar._ Then Mercy is a good one; I like her well. _Adul._ Yet oft turneth she her face away, and will not mell. _Avar._ Well--fall back, fall edge--I am once at a point, If Respublica come, t' adventure a joint. _Adul._ She is fresh and gay and flourisheth; who but she? _Avar._ Who brought it to such pass, will I tell her, but we? Or else, making these new ladies of her weary, We should triumph and reign. _Adul._ Oh, never so merry! _Avar._ Well, go to our company, I will remain here; I may perhaps see Dame Respublica appear: I will in hand with her, and make a good face. _Adul._ And what shall I do? _Avar._ Give warning, in the mean space, That Insolence shrink not, but play the stout man. _Adul._ That I know, he will do; for once I know he can. _Avar._ And that you, all three, be pressed to come hither; When need shall require, we lay our heads together. Why, art thou here yet? _Adul._ I am gone with all my might. [_Exeat._ _Avar._ And, lo! where Respublica appeareth in sight. [_Intrat_ RESP[UBLICA]. She is now at [hand,] her nymphs bearing up her train; I will stand aside, and listen a word or twain. ACTUS QUINTI, SCENA SEXTA. RESPUBLICA. AVARICE. _Resp._ O Lord! Thy mercies shall I sing evermore Which dost so tenderly Thy handmaid restore. But what creature would suspicion have had That my late administers had been men so bad? Or, who would have thought them counterfeits to have been That had heard their words, and their countenance seen? And chiefly Avarice, which did the matter break? _Avar._ That word toucheth me: now is time for me to speak. _Resp._ I thought him Policy, as just and true as steel.