_Abun._ What man is he that can me dismay? For I obtain all thing at my will. Or who dare anything against me say, Whatsoever I do, be it good or ill? For if he do, he were better be still; I shall him punish be it right or wrong, For with my purse I can both save and hang. To repugn against me he were better be still. I have a proper trull for my pastance; In my chamber I her keep, both night and day; My neighbours therewith taketh great grievance; Yet I keep her still, whosoever say nay. D4,_v._ Howbeit, there is one, a poor caitiff, I hear say, Hath me accused in the court spiritual. And it cost me a hundred pound, punish him I shall. [_The_ SUMNER _returneth_. _Sum._ Open sin must have open penance; God speed, my master Abundance! _Abun._ What knave art thou, with a very mischance, That cometh in so homely? _Sum._ Sir! I pray you be not angry. I am an officer of the spiritualty. There is upon you a great slande[r]; Ye keep another man's wife in your chamber, And live in great advoutry. _Abun._ What wretches doth so say by me? _Sum._ It is openly known everywhere. Before my master I charge you to appear; Upon a book there shall ye swear Whether it be so, or no. _Abun._ What is the best for me to do? Rather than I to the court will go I had liever spend twenty pound. _Sum._ Sir! of such a way may be found To excuse you; what will ye then say? _Abun._ Now thereof heartily I thee pray! _Sum._ Ye shall come home to my master's place And say that ye be put up of malice; Thrust money in his hand apace; And so shall ye go quit away. _Abun._ For thy counsel, gramercy! Hold! here is forty pence! _Sum._ Come on, sir! I will do my diligence. _Exeunt ambo._ _Here entereth the_ SUMNER _again, and_ POVERTY _followeth him with a candle in his hand_ _doing penance about the place. And then_ _sayeth the_ SUMNER: _Sum._ Room, sirs! avoidance! That this man may do his penance. E1,_r._ _Pov._ Now have I my penance done. _Sum._ Nay! thou shalt about once again. _Pov._ The poverty and trouble that I endure I cannot to you in few words express. If it should be unto God no displeasure I would desire death, my pain to release; Such is my penury and troublesome heaviness, That I could, in no wise, suffer it patiently But that I trust to win heaven thereby. [PEACE _entereth_. _Peace._ What man art thou that maketh such lamentation? _Pov._ Master Peace! I desire you of pardon; I am your servant, sometime called Prosperity. _Peace._ How came thou to this perplexity? _Pov._ Colhazard, Misrule, and false Envy Brought me to this distress.