GERONTUS

But seneor Mercadorus tell me, did you serve me well or no? That having got my money would seem the country to forgo: You know I lent you two thousand ducats for three m nthes space, And ere the time came you God another thousand by flattery, and thy smooth face. So when the time came that I should have received my money, You were not to be found, but were fled out of the country, Surely if we that be Jews should deal so one with and other, We should not be trusted again of our own brother But many of you Christians make no conscience to falsify your faith and break your day. I should have been paid at three months end, and now it is two year you have been away. Well I am glad you be come again to Turkey now I trust I shall re ceiue the interest of you so well as the principal Seneor Mercadore, I know no reason why, because you have dealt with me so ill, Sure you did it not for needs, but of set purpose and will: And to bear with you four or five days goes soar against my mind, Least you should steal away, and forget to leave my money behind. I'll take your faith and troth once more, & trust to your honesty In hope that for my long tarrying you will eale well with me. Tell me what good beware for England you do lack. I understand you sir, but keep touch with me, and isle bring you to great store, Such as I know you came to this country for As Musk, mber, sweet Powders, fine odours pleasant perfumes, and many such toys, Wherein I perceive consisteth that country Gentlewoman's joys. Beside I have Diamonds, Rubies, Emerodes, Saphires, Smara dines, Opalles Onacles, Iacynthes, Aggattes, Turkasir, and almost of all kind of precious stones: And many fit things to suck money from such green headed wantons. Well, see you hold your promise, and another tune you shall command me. Come, go we home, where our commodities you may at pleasure see, New brooms, green brooms, will you buy any, Come maidens, come quickly, let me take a penny. My brooms are not steeped, but very well bound: My brooms be not crooked, out smooth cut and round. I wish it should please you to buy of my broom, Then would it well case me, if market were done. Have you any lde boots, or any old shoes: Pouch rings or But inns, to cope for new broom. If so you have maidens, I pray you bring hither: Than you and I friendly may argen together. New brooms, green brooms, will you buy any: Come Maidens, come quickly, let me take a penny. Thus am I driven to make a virtue of necessity, And seeing God almighty will have it so. I embrace it thankfully Desiring God to mollify and lesten Usuries hard heart, That the poor people feel not the Like penury and smart: But Usury to made tolerable amongst Christians as a necessary thing So that going beyond the limits of our law, they extort, and many to misery bring. But if we should follow Gods law, we should not receive above that we lend. For if we lend for reward how can we say we are our neighbours fren Oh how blessed shall that man be that lends without abuse: But thrice accursed shall he be that greatly covets use: For he that covets over much insaciate is his mind, So that to per urie and cruelty he wholly is inclined: Wherewith they soar oppress the poor, by diverse sundry ways, Which makes them cry unto the Lord to shorten cutthroats days: Paul calls them thieves that does not give the needy of their store, And thrice accursed are they that take one penny from the poor, But while I stand reasoning thus I forget my market clean, And sith God hath ordained this way, I am to use the mean, Have you any old shoes, or have you any boots, have you any bus inns, or w you buy any broom. Who bargens or chops with Conscience, what will no customer come? Seneor Mercadore, why do you not pay me? think you I will be mocked in this sort? This is three times you have flouted me, it seems you make thereat a sport. Truly pay me my money and that even now presently, Or by mighty Mahomet I swear, I will forthwith arrest ye. Tush this is not my matter, I have nothing therewith to do, Pay me my money or isle make you, before to your lodging you go. I have officers stand watching for you, so that you cannot pass by, Therefore you were best to pay me, or else in prison you shall lie. This is but your words, because you would defeat me, I cannot think you will forsake your faith so lightly. But seeing you driven me to doubt, isle try your honesty: Therefore be sure of this, isle go about it presently. Then learned Judge attend; this Mercadorus, whom you see in place, Did borrow two thousand ducats of me, but for a five weeks space. Then sir, before the day came, by his flattery he obtained one thousand more, And promised me at two months end I should receive my store: But before the time expired, he us closely fled away, So that I never herd of him, at least this two years day, till at the last I met with him, and did the money did demand, Who sware to me at five days end he would pay me out of hand. The five days came, and three days more, then one day he requested: I perceiving that he flouted me, have God him thus arrested: And now he comes in Turkish weeds to defeat me of my money, But I trow he will not forsake his faith, I deem he hath more honesty. most true (reverend judge) we may not, nor I will not against our Laws grudge. Not for any devotion, but for Lucars sake of my money. Stay there most puissant judge. Senior mercadorus, consider what you worser , Pay me the principal, as for the interest, I forgive it you: And yet the interest is allowed amongst you Christians, as well as in Turkey Therefore respect your faith, and do not seem to deceive me. Then pay me the one half, if you will not pay me all. Well seeing it is so, I would be loath to hear the people say, it was long of me Thou forsakest thy says, wherefore I forgive thee frank and free: Protesting before the judge, and all the world, never to demand penny nor halfpenny. Much good may it do you sir, I repent it not for my partly. But yet I would not have this held you to serve another so, Seek to pay & keep day with men so a good name on you will go.