_Envy._ Let him be your under page; Give him meat and drink, but no wage; Go! brush his gown and make clean his shoon! _Mis._ Well, knave! canst thou no courtesy? _Envy._ He hath such a disease in his knee He cannot chance a main groat: It is not as ye ween. _Mis._ Come and see my shoon made clean! _Envy._ By my faith! he shall wipe mine. _Mis._ This knave is not meet for me; It grieveth my heart when I him see; I will go hence, and leave you twain; For Envy, thou mayest with Poverty reign. [_Exit._ _Envy._ Nay, I had liever he were slain: I am gone as soon as ye. [_Exit._ _Pov._ Abide still with me, gentle Charity! O, to whom should I sue, to whom should I plette? O mortal worm, wrapped all in woe! As a man all mortified, and mased in my wit, I, a captive in captivity, lo, fortune is my foe! I am in endless sorrow; alas! what shall I do? These caitiffs, through their counsel and false imagination, Have brought me to nought that was of great reputation. Woe worth the time that I them knew! I may well sigh, and say Alas! For now I find these words full true That Peace showed me here in this place. D4,_r._ I regarded not his counsel; I lacked grace; Wherefore needy poverty on me doth blow his horn, That every man and woman doth laugh me to scorn. Example to all young men, when they take in hand To occupy in the world: for your behoof Look wisely before, and also understand Evil company destroyeth man--on me ye see the proof. Make a sure foundation or ye set up the roof. Of a good and virtuous beginning cometh a good ending; And evermore beware of unmeasurable spending! [_Here entereth the_ SUMNER. _Sumner._ I ascite you in our court to appear! _Pov._ I pray you tell me wherefore? _Sum._ Ye be great slanderer, and full of envy. _Pov._ There will no man say so but ye. _Sum._ What wilt thou give me and thou shalt go quit? _Pov._ By my troth, I have not one mite! _Sum._ Then open penance and thou art like. _Pov._ By my troth, I slander no man! _Sum._ Then come and secule thyself as well as thou can. [_They go out._ ABUNDANCE _entereth._