_Abun._ Is every man accursed that doth buy and sell? Then shall no man with merchandise mell: How shall the world then be uphold? _Cons._ Nay, sir, amiss ye do understand me: All those that occupy false usury, And transgresseth the laws of God by iniquity, All such are accursed I you told; As for buying and selling needs must be; And God commandeth to lend to them that are needy, So it be not to their injury For lucre to them sold. _Abun._ How should I sell? show me your ways! _Cons._ Ye may not sell the dearer, for days; If ye do, it is contrary to God's laws. _Abun._ It is used in our country. B3,_r._ _Cons._ It is the more pity; One such is able to destroy a city. And God show not His great mercy, All such are damned by His equity. _Abun._ God forfend that should be! How shall men do that be of great reputation, Which kept their goods on this same fashion, By usury, deceit, and by extortion? I do so myself: wherefore should I lie? _Cons._ Thou mayst be the more sorry. _Abun._ It is so now--what remedy? _Cons._ To make restitution. _Abun._ What call ye restitution? _Cons._ Restore such goods as ye have gotten Wrongfully, by oppression. _Abun._ Then shall I have little in my possession: I will make God amends another way. I will fast, and I will pray, And I will give alms every day, That I have done amiss, I am sorry, therefore. _Cons._ This is not sufficient; thou must restore; _Quia non dimittitur peccatum_ _Nisi restituatur ablatum:_ Ye must restore to them ye have offended unto. _Abun._ Then I shall show you what I shall do! I will put it in my testament That my executors shall pay and content; For while I live I will not have my good spent, For if I do, I am but spilt. _Cons._ Make amends, man, for thy guilt; Rather spoil thy body than spoil thy soul. _Abun._ Men of substance are ashamed to fall. _Cons._ That causeth them to rest in their sin. B3,_v._ _Abun._ Yet ever with thy strongest part renneth the ball. _Cons._ Yesterday thou canst not again call. When thou art dead the gate of mercy is shut; you cannot come in. _Abun._ Then let him stand without. _Cons._ So of thy soul thou hast no doubt? _Abun._ When thou seest my soul torn, set on a clout. If falsehood, usury, and extortion should not rout, Thousands in this realm should be put out; The third part should not bide, by Saint Paul!