[IMPATIENT POVERTY.] PEACE _beginneth_. A2,_r._ _Peace._ The puissant Prince and Innocent most pure, Which humbly descended from the seat sempiternal, Illumine his beams of grace to every creature; To withstand the conflict of our enemies mortal; The devil, the world, and the flesh, these three in special, Which setteth division between the soul and the body; In like wise envy setteth debate between party and party. I speak for this cause: daily ye may see How that, by envy and malice, many be destroyed; Which, if they had lived in peace with patient humility, Riches and prosperity with them had been employed. For thereas is peace, no man is annoyed; For by peace men grow to great richesse; And by peace men live in great quietness. I am named Peace, which Envy doth expel. Envy with me shall never rest; For Envy is one of the pains of hell. When that he sojourneth within a man's breast, Like the burning Phoenix in her own nest, Though she can none other hurt, ne grieve, Yet she doth not cease herself to mischieve _Envy._ A, sir! here was a long predication: Methought ye said, in your communication, To every man peace was most behoved. _Peace._ Forsooth! and so said I. _Envy._ That shall be proved contrary, by and by; For by peace much people are undone. _Peace._ What people are tho[se]? _Envy._ The armourer, the fletcher, and the bowyer, Mariners, gunners, and the poor sowdyer; Yea, and also many another artificer Which I do not rehearse by name. _Peace._ I say the universal people doth best obtain A2,_v._ Whereas Peace is ever abiding. _Envy._ Thou liest! so God me help and halidom! For then were surgeons clean undone. Of them that will fight, and break a pate, They get good living, both early and late; And what sayest thou by men of law? Their living were not worth a straw And every man should live in peace! _Peace._ That is not for the commons increase; For by peace they profit in many a thing. Peace setteth amity between king and king; In time of peace merchants have their course To pass and repass. _Envy._ Thou liest, knave! by the mass! For under colour of peace much subtlety hath been wrought; And ships are taken the merchants dear have bought-- Was that for their promotion? Nay, in time of war, Such a knave durst not stir. By the mass! were it not for shame thou shouldst bear me a blow. _Peace._ Hold thy hands, thou lewd fellow! Thou art of evil disposition Thus against peace to repugne; The which from heaven descended down To bring man out of captivity. _Envy._ A, whoreson! why dost thou lie? When were thou in heaven? tell me by and by! How camest thou down? with a ladder or a rope?