DISSIMULATION

Nay no less than a farmer, a right honest man, but my to ng cannot stay me to tell what I am: Nay, who is it that knows me not by my party coloured head? They may well think that see me, my honesty is fled. Tush, a fig for honesty, tut let that go. Sith men, women, and children my name and doings do know. My name is Dissimulation, and no base mind I bear, For my outward effects my inward zeal do declare: For men do dissemble with their wives, & their wives with them again, So that in the hearts of them I always remain: The child dissembles with his father, the sister with her brother, the maiden with her mistress, and the youngman with his lover, There is Dissimulation between neighbour and neighbour, friend and friend, one with another. Between the servant and his master, between brother and brother, then why make you it strange that ever you knew me, Seeing so often I range throughout every degree? But forget my baseness, isle towards London as fast as I can, to get entertainment of one of the three Ladies, Like and honest man. Whither away good fellow? I pray thee declare. What if I did, would it be better for thee? Agreed, there is a bargen, but what shall I call thee? A name agreeing to thy nature, but stay here comes more come pany. What Fraud well met, whither travelest thou this way? Y say you go to London, in faith have with you than. And for the self same matter even thither we go. Sirs, he was at us erewhile too, it is no matter, it is a simple soul called Simplicity. But here come two of the Ladies, therefore make ready. Marry let Simony do it, for he finely can flatter. Mass Fraud, thou hast a doughty heart to make a hangman of, For thou hast good skill to help men from the cough, But we were arrantly flouted, yet I thought she had not known me, But I perceive though Dissimulatio ̄ do disguise him, Conscience can see. What though Conscience perceive it, all the world cannot beside? Tush there be a thousand places where we our selves may provide: But look sirs, here comes a lusty Lady towards us in haste, But speak to her if you will, that we may be all placed. Why then isle to it with a stomach in hope of good speed, Fair Lady, all the Gods of good fellowship kiss you (I would say bless you) Lady you took me at the worst, I beseech you therefore, To pardon my boldness offending no more. I am called Dissimulation, and my earnest request, Is to crave entertainment for me and the rest, Whose names are Fraud, Usury, and Simony, Great caters for your health, wealth and prosperity. Yes sir, my self am he, and what would you withal? I commend you wit Sir, but here comes my Lady. Well sir I think you, I will go speak for you. Such a one Madam that unto your state hath great care: And surely in my mind the Gentleman is worthy To be well thought on for his liberality, bounty, & great care to seek ye. I marry Sir, these bribes have welcome been, Good says I perceive, Dissimulation, Fraud, Simony and Usury shall live In spite of Love and Conscience, though their hearts it does grieve. Mass masters, he that cannot lie, cog, dissemble and flatter now a days, Is not worthy to live in the world, nor in the Court to have praise. What, consider me dost thou think that I am a bribe taker? Faith it lies not in me to further thy matter. Faith I cannot help thee, 'tis my fellow Fraud must pleasure thee Here comes my fellow Fraud, speak to him, and isle do what I can. Good fellow Fraud do so much for I see he is very willing to live And some piece of work to thee for thy pains he will give. Fellow Fraud, here comes a Citizen as I deem. Sir, upon this condition that yowl keep men in law, Ten or twelve years for matters not worth a straw: And that you will make and ill matter seem good and firmable in deed, Faith I am content for me partly that you shall speed. By my honesty well remembered, I had quite forgotten, 'Tis about that, a fortnight ago fell cut the matter I wot. Marry I Like him well, he is a cunning Clarke, and one of our profession. But come sir, go with us and we will prefer you. Thou art too importunate and greedy. Where hadst thou it tell me? Madam, isle tell you what you may give, Not hurting your self whereby he may live, And without my fellow Simonies consent, If to follow my mind you are any whit bent. Why, have not you the parsonage of S. Nihal to bestow? if you give him that, Simony shall never know. Simplicity, now of mine honesty very heartily well met, Pray thee leave prating Simplicity, and tell me what thou hast there? Alas poor lady Love, art thou driven so low? Some little pittance on thee isle bestow. Hold Simplicity, carry her three or four Ducats from me, And commend me to her even very heartily. Tush thou knowest not what I mean, take this, 'tis gold. And , carry lady Loves gown back again, for my fell low Usury Shall not have her gown, I am sure so much he will befriend me. Nay, let Conscience gown and skin to Usury go. If no body cared for Conscience more than I, They would hang her up Like bacon in a chimney to dry. Nay isle High me after, that I may send back lady Loves gown. For I would not have Love bought quite out of town. Marry for Conscience tut, I care not two straws, Why I should take care for her, I know no kind of cause. Who is that calls for help so hastily? Nay good lady send my fellow Simony, For I have and earnest suit to you. Good lady grant that Love be your waiting maid, For I think being brought so low, she will be well paid. Lady, though my name be Dissimulation, yet I speak bon side now, If it please you my petitions to allow. Thanks to you lady, and I doubt not but she With a little intreaty will thereto agree. Rich I am, but as for knave keep to thy self. Come give me my Ladies gown thou ass headed self. Pack hence away, acke Drum entertainment, she will none of thee. Indeed thou sayest true, for Coggin is a kinsman to Dissimu lation. But tell me have you taken the names of the guests? Let me hear after what fashion. Stay, Fornication & Frissit false-measure are often familiar with my Lady Lucar, and one of them she accounts her friend: Therefore they shall fit with the bride in the midst, and the men a each end: Let me see, there are sixteen, even as many as well near is able: to dine in the summer parlour at the playing table: Beside my fellow Fraud, and you fellow Simony, But I shall have a great miss of my fellow Usury. Now of my troth it is a pretty jest, hath he made true friend ship hide his head? Sure if it be so, good neighbourhood and liberality for fear are fled. Marry that shall and old friend of mine M. Doctor Hypocrisy. Indeed sir peter is a good Priest, but Doctor Hypocrisy is most ancient. But Eoggin, I pray you go to invite the guess, And tell them that they needs not disturb their quietness: Desire them to come at dinner time, and it shall suffice. ecause I know they will be loath so early to rise. But at any hand will Doctor Hypocrisy, That he meet us at the Church very early: For I would not have all the world to wonder at our match. It is and old proverb, 'tis good having a hatch before the door, but isle have a door before the hatch. Tush tush, you are a merry man, I warrant I know what I And can yield a good reason for it I may say unto you. What and if the world should change, and run all on her side? Then might I by her means still in good credit abide. Thou knowest Love is ancient, and lives peaceably without any strifs, Then sure the people will think well of me because she is my wife. Then for to make them long enough I pray thee what did he? Now I can him thank, he could his occupation: My fellow Fraud would laugh to hear one dressed of such a fashion, But fellow Simony, I thank you heartily for comparing the Taylor to me, As who should say his knavery and my policy did agree. My good friend Fraud refrain, and care not therefore, 'tis Simplicity that patch, he knoweth not good from bade, And to stand in contention with him, I would think you were ma But tell me Fraud tell me, hast thou been and Ostler in thy days? Why I have nothing to do in it, 'tis not to me thou should come I have not to do with Sincerities matters, 'tis my fellow Simonies room. Why, and I am not bound to thee so far as knave go, And therefore in despite of thee and thy coossen, there thy letters be, What, thinkest thou by captious words to make me do it? Let them deliver your letters that hath a stomach to it