Passages from this character's speech that contain the most distinguishing words for Cluster 1 (nony, tailors, butler, mall, jesu, massinissa…). Matches are highlighted.
great, as though I were smitten with a dart. What ails me, what ails me thus suddenly to be sick? I think I shall die without remedy of physic. Help to hold my stomach, I swell now more and more: I must either vomit, or else I shall burst in two, What wicked disease is this, that troubles me so? ¶ Now I believe truly, that
Full speech
Than any man this month that I did hear or see. A true saying no doubt, Blandiloquio nihil nocentim, Then fair speaking or flattery nothing is more pernicious. Nemo suam turpitudinem perspicit, said sibi quisque adulator es No man, to see his filthiness is pressed, But every one to him self is a very flatterer, And thou wilt flatter also to have money for thy labour. ¶ Ohe, what pain is this that I feel at my heart, My pain is as great, as though I were smitten with a dart. What ails me, what ails me thus suddenly to be sick? I think I shall die without remedy of physic. Help to hold my stomach, I swell now more and more: I must either vomit, or else I shall burst in two, What wicked disease is this, that troubles me so? ¶ Now I believe truly, that pleasure is the occasion Of all my great sickness, malady and passion: Therefore as thou hast said certain and true it is For money brings all pleasures that any can wish. Now I will assay to vomit if I can, Therefore either of you play now the pretty man. ¶ Well my son, well forget not to do thy feat, I must needs get me hence my pains do make me sweat. I was never so weary since the hour I was born, There is none at all but do crave me even and morn: I never rest night nor day, I am ever busy when every one doth play: Few blind matters but I must be at their daying, If I speak the word it is done without praying. Since I was here last, I swear by this light, I have made many a crooked matter straight: The thief that all night was robbing and stealing, If I bear him witness was all night in his bed sleeping. A men wife that was taken in bed with and other, Could have no harm when I did excuse her: When I spoke she was taken to be of good behaviour, And they that found her were set by the heals for their labour. There was a man killed and twenty witnesses by, But I said he killed him self with his own dagger truly: And when I had spoken every one held his peace, And then the officers the murderer did release. So that I have be to many so friendly, That well is he can get me on his side to be: I have so many suits and matters in hand, That I would fain have and helper by me fast to stand. ¶ May I be so bold to know of what kindred, Or else from what stock you are proceeded. ¶ I meant of what degree you were descended. ¶ What my son Sin I never saw thee before, I am thy grandfather Money which sets by thee great store. ¶ I am glad to see thee so merry my child Sin, It doth rejoice me to see such one of my kin. ¶ I pray thee when ̄ didst thou see my son Pleasure thy father? ¶ I would I had a special friend that for me would take pain He should for his pains be sure of to much gain. ¶ What is his name, and then I shall know Whither he be able to do for me or no. ¶ A man he is to whom nothing can come a miss, ¶ Marry than is he that I wish for only, There is nothing at all but he will do it for me: I pray you call him for he will not long tarry, If he wist I were here so to me is he friendly. ¶ I have taken such pain as sure hath made me weary, Wherefore I have sent for you my room to supply: What suitors so ever come to crave your aid, If they come from me let them not be delayde: What ever their matter be have thereto no regard, For if they come from me they will you well reward. ¶Farewell all for Money, in thee is all my trust, You may both make and mar, you may do what you lust. Hoyghe, hoyghe for money, more sweeter then honey: Who will not for me take pain: Each Lord and Knight for me will fight And hazard to be slain. I wax of such force that no earthly corpse But embraceth me out of measure: The Doctor, the draper, the plowman, the carter In me have their joy and pleasure. Money is my name, all over is my fame: I dwell with every degree: Though great be their living, yet can they do nothing, Without the presence of me. Many for my sake work while their hearts ache, Yet never think them selves weary: The Smith and the Shoemaker, the minstrel, the dancer With me will drink and be meary: But the churl and the covetous of me are so jealous That I can not get out of their sighed. But the Serving man, the spender, the usurer and the lender Do send me abroad day and night. I am worshipped and honoured, and as a God am esteemed: Yea many loves me better then God, No sooner come I to town, but many bow down And comes if I hold up the rod. What need I further show that every one does know. I do but wast my wind, For servants and prentices will privily rob their masters, To me they have such a mind. Great sorrow pain and grief it is to me God woote: I would not for all the world be in such pains again, As many as loves me of him will be glad and fain.
Plot summary
Plot — All for Money
The play satirizes the domination of money in a sequence of discrete episodes. Theology, Science, and Art lament that they are now primarily studied out ofa desire for money. Money becomes ill and vomits up Pleasure, who in turn gives birth to Sin in the same manner, whose progeny in turn is Damnation. Satan is pleased that Money’s wide popularity will consign so many souls to hell, and asks Sin to assist in the process. The relative values of money and learning are assessed in an encounter between four characters who have or lack them in various permutations: learning is shown to be superior to money, and poverty in this world carries the promise of a heavenly reward in the next; the clinching point is that Learning with Money gives alms to the poor where Money without Learning refuses. Money feels overworked and Sin gives him an associate, All for Money, who presides over a corrupt court: he pardons theft and assault, infanticide, and bigamy, but hangs a poor thief who is unable to bribe him. He also advises two suitors to procure false witnesses to support their causes, and protects a corrupt and incompetent cleric. Judas and Dives, two souls damned for monetary sins, lament their situation; Damnation drives them off to hell. Godly Admonition warns the audience not to repent too late, and to give up cupidity.