_Peace._ I showed thee before, plain, express: Then of my words thou haddest disdain? _Pov._ Therefore now it is to me great pain. _Peace._ What persons are those that did him accuse? _Sum._ Sir! he is put up by suit of office. _Peace._ Suit of office? then it is so There hath been credible persons, three or two, Such articles to the judge did show. He ought thereto to have good respect; And do swear these persons upon a book-- For love, ne dread, they say but true-- For it is not leeful for a callet, a caitiff, or a knave Against honest persons such matters for to have, To put a man to open penance, without due proof. _Sum._ Sir! when I entered mine office this was my oath: To hearken about and hear For backbiters, slanderers, and false jurors, Schismatics, homicides, and great usurers, E1,_v._ Bawds, advouterers, fornicators, and escheaters: All such must penance do. _Pov._ I know one such came never thereto. _Peace._ Who is that? _Pov._ His name is called Abundance, Which hath done many a great offence; For he keepeth another man's wife. No manner of penance ye make him do, But redeemeth with money, and let him go; So in advoutry still he leadeth his life. _Sum._ He made his purgation upon a book, Or else redeemed with the silver hook. _Peace._ Silver hook? that I deny! For it is a plain decree That open sin must do open punishment; There can be no such judgment That money shall stop the law. _Pov._ Nay, there stop, and lay a straw! Where see ye any man a substance Put to open penance, But punished by the purse? A poor man, that hath nought to pay, He shall be punished: this ye see every day; But if he be obstinant, and will not obey, Anon they will him curse. _Sum._ Well, for thy saying another day thou shall fare the worse. [_Exit_ SUMNER. _Pov._ Sir, I beseech you comfort me with some solace! _Peace._ Thou art well punished for thy trespass. By thine own sensual and undiscreet operation Hath brought thee to all this tribulation. Stand up! with this vesture I shall thee renew. _Pov._ Sir! I thank you, and will do at your reformation; E2,_r._ And for my time mispent I am sore ashamed. _Peace._ If ye do as I you bid, ye shall not be blamed. Forsake Envy and Misrule with all their old peers; Be conversant with good men; goodness thereof will grow. Follow the saying of David: _Cum sancto sanctus eris_; For wicked men evermore wicked seed do sow. What cometh of evil company, now thyself doth know; Print it well in thy memory, and do it not forget: Many a man doth decay for lack of good forewit.