MONEY

AS light as a fly, In pleasant jollity: With mirth and melody, Sing money, money, money. Money, the minion, the spring of all joy, Money, the medicine that heals each annoy, Money, the lewell that man keeps in store, Money, the Idol that women adore. That money am I, the fountain of bliss, Whereof who so , does never amiss. Money, money, money: Sing money, money, money. I am where I Like. Be as lusty as you will, I'll be as lusty as you. Liberty, liberty, now I cry liberty: Catch me again when you can, Prodigality. Never was there poor soul so cruelly handled: I was at the first, Like a Cockney dandled, Stroked on the head, kissed and well cherished, And so thought surely I should have continued: But now how my case is altered suddenly; You would not believe, unless you saw it apparently. I'faith you saw me, I turmoiled From post to pillar: see how I am spoiled. The villains among them provided the roft, But Money was forced to pay for the cost, Both of their feasting, and of their chamber cheer, Yea in every place, they have fleeced me so near, He a fleece and she a fleece; that nothing could I keep, But glad to run away Like a new shorn . And though I have pinched very near, I am glad to see you in good health every one here: And now I have escaped the traitorous treachery Of such a thriftless Roisting company, To my mother in haste again I will get me, And keep at home safely: from thence let fetched me. Look but upon me, thou quickly judge how. Both ween it, and wot it, I have passed a wilderness Of most mischievous and miserable distress; Sharp brambles, sharp briers, and terrible scratchers, Bears, Wolves, Apes, Lyons, most ravening snatchers, Thorns, thistles, and nettles most horrible stingers, Ravens, gripes, and gryfon, o vengible wringers, Yea through my whole passage such damnable sights, As I cannot but judge them most damnable sprites. Laugh you, my friend? It is no laughing toy. Who your minion sir, , The Captain elected of all roisting knavery, He will be hanged, I warrant him shortly. Yet go to, laugh on. I may be indeed, my clothes be but thin, And therefore I will even go get me in, That Fortune my mother may cloth me anew. For money? ho there: money finds himself well: Money now hath no liking from Fortune to dwell. Yea, and be used as before with Prodigality. So did he. So did not he. Go to then, seeing that my mother's will is such, To put it in adventure I may not grutch. Prodigality, if thou lovest me, let us here stay: For sure I can do no more then I may. I am out of breath as weary as a dog, I must needs, Prodigality, there is no nay: For if I should stir me one inch from the ground, I think I shall die, sure, or fallen in a found. Prodigality. I am sick. Faith, here, in my belly. It swells, I assure you, out of all measure. And if it do, what is the danger then? A consumption, marry, God forbid, man. Ah, that wretch Tenacity hath brought me to all this woe, 'Twas he indeed that sought to destroy me, In that he would never use to employ me: But , sweet Prodigality, Help to provide some present remedy: Let me not be thus miserably spilled, Ease me of this, and use me as thou wilt. Yet had I rather live in state bore and thin, Then in this monstrous plighted that now I am in: So fatty, so foggy, so out of all measure, That in my self, I take no kind of pleasure. Friends, you must help me. I cannot rise alone. The sooner the better. He would never let me abroad to go, But locked me up in coffers, or in bags bound me fast, That Like a Boar in a sty, he fed me at last. Thus Tenacity did spoil me, for want of exercise: But Prodigality, clean contrariwise, Did toss me, and fleece me, so bore and so thin, That he left nothing on me, but very bone and skin. Who is that? Sir, I Like you well, and therefore willingly, I am contented with you to remain, So as you protect me from the other twain, Thanks and obedience I yield, & vow to Liberality. I have none other cause: who would not sing merrily, Being as I am, in such felicity, The God of this world, so mighty of power, As makes men, and mars men, and all in and hour? Yea where I am, is all prosperity, And where I want, is nought but misery. Marry sir, of purpose I hither came, To let thee know she will forthwith be here: And lo, already see she does appear. How now? what mean you by this, Tenacity? What with ropes? what needs that? I say, that I Like it: go to it, I pray you. Yea. Drawn, or hanged, all is one: For I cannot stir me, my breath is clean gone. Surely, sir, by the old chuff, that miser Tenacity.