_Resp._ Lord! what earthly thing is permanent or stable? Or, what is all this world but a lump mutable? Who would have thought that I, from so florent estate, Could have been brought so base as I am made of late? But, as the waving seas do flow and ebb by course, So all things else do change to better and to worse. Great cities and their fame, in time, do fade and pass; Now is a champion field where noble Troy was. Where is the great Empire of the Medes and Persians? Where be th' old conquests of the puissant Grecians? Where Babylon? where Athens? where Corinth so wide? Are they not consumed with all their pomp and pride? What is the cause hereof? man's wit cannot discuss; But, of long continuance, the thing is found thus. Yet, by all experience, thus much is well seen: That, in commonweals, while good governors have been, All thing hath prospered; and, where such men do lack, Commonweals decay, and all things do go back. What marvel then, if I, wanting a perfect stay, From most flourishing wealth be fallen in decay? But, like as by default, quick ruin doth befall, So may good government at once recover all. [_Intrat_ AVAR[ICE] _cogitabundus et ludibundus_. ACTUS SECUNDI, SCENA SECUNDA. AVARICIA. RESPUBLICA. _Avar._ Alas, my sweet bags! how lank and empty ye be; But, in faith and troth, sirs! the fault is not in me. _Resp._ Well, my help and comfort, oh Lord! must come from Thee. _Avar._ And my sweet purses here, I pray you all, see, see! How the little fool[s] gasp and gape for gromwell-seed! _Resp._ If it be Thy will, Lord! send some redress with speed. _Avar._ But, in faith, good sweet fools! it shall cost me a fall. But I will shortly fill you, and stop your mouths all. _Resp._ Oh, that it were my hap, on friendly friends to light! _Avar._ Ha, ha! who is that same, that speaketh yonder in sight? Who is't? Respublica? yea, by the Mary mass! _Resp._ Then might I be again as well as ere I was. _Avar._ Hide up these pipes! now, I pray God she be blind; I am half afraid lest she have an eye behind. We must now change our copy: oh, Lord! how I fray, Lest she saw my toys, and heard what I did say! _Resp._ Is there no good man that on me will have mercy? _Avar._ Remember now: my name is Master Policy: All thing, I tell you, must now go by Policy. _Resp._ Hark! methink I hear the name of Policy. _Avar._ Who calleth Conscience? here am I, Policy! _Resp._ I pray you come to me, if you be Policy! _Avar._ Yea, forsooth! yea, forsooth! my name is Policy. _Resp._ I am sore decayed through default of Policy.