But now, of th' argument to touch a word or twain: The name of our play is Respublica, certain. Our meaning is--I say not, as by plain story, But as it were in figure by an allegory-- To show that all commonweals ruin and decay From time to time hath been, is, and shall be alway, When Insolence, Flattery, Oppression, And Avarice have the rule in their possession. But, though these vices, by cloaked collusion, And by counterfeit names hidden their abusion, Do reign for a while to commonweals' prejudice, Perverting all right, and all order of true justice; Yet time trieth all, and time bringeth truth to light; That wrong may not ever still reign in place of right. For, when pleaseth God such commonweals to restore To their wealth and honour, wherein they were afore, He sendeth down His most tender compassion, To cause truth go about in visitation. Verity, the daughter of sage old Father Time, Sheweth all as it is, be it virtue or crime; Then doth Justice, all such as commonwealth oppress-- Tempered with mercy--endeavour to suppress; With whom, anon, is linked tranquillity and peace, To commonweals' joy and perpetual increase. But shall boys, (saith some now), of such high matters play? No! not as discussers; but yet, the book doth say: _Ex ore infantium perferisti laudem._ For, when Christ came riding into Jerusalem, The young babes, with th' old folk, cried out all and some: "Blessed be the man that in the Lord's name doth come!" So, for good England's sake, this present hour and day, In hope of her restoring from her late decay, We children, to you old folk, both with heart and voice, May join all together to thank God, and rejoice That He hath sent Mary, our sovereign and queen, To reform th' abuses which hitherto hath been; And that ills which long time have reigned uncorrect Shall now, for ever, be redressed with effect. She is our most wise and most worthy Nemesis; Of whom our play meaneth, t' amend that is amiss; Which, to bring to pass, that she may have time and space, Let us, both young and old, to God commend her grace! Now, if you so please, I will go and hither send That shall make you laugh well, if ye abide th' end. FINIS. [Illustration] RESPUBLICA. ACTUS PRIMI, SCENA PRIMA. [AVARICE.]