Volume Vi Part 104 (1/2)

PRIEST.

I have been this morning with a friend of mine, That would borrow a small sum of money of me; But I have learn'd the best a.s.surance a man can have In such a matter is a good p.a.w.n of twice the value, Or bonds sufficient for five times the quant.i.ty.

He is my near kinsman, I confess, and a clergyman, But fifty s.h.i.+llings is money; and though I think I might trust him simply with it for a twelvemonth, Where he craves it but for a month, yet simply I Will not be so simple; for I will borrow His gelding to ride to the term, and keep away a just fortnight.

If then he pay me money, I will deliver him his horse.

I would be loth to lose my money, or crave a.s.surance of my kinsman, But this may be done to try me, and I mean likewise to try him.

This is plain, though truly, brethren, something subtle.

But here comes one would fain take my house of me.

NEIGHBOUR.

Sir, I am a poor man, and I will give you thirty s.h.i.+llings a year: if I may have it, you shall be sure of your money.

PRIEST.

Truly, brother in Christ, I cannot afford it of the price; A must let my house to live, I ask no gains. But who comes here?

_Enter_ HONESTY _and a_ BEGGAR.

BEGGAR.

I beseech you, good master, for G.o.d's sake, give one penny to the poor, lame, and blind; good master, give something.

PRIEST.

Fie upon thee, lazy fellow, art thou not ashamed to beg? Read the blessed saying of St Paul, which is, Thou shalt get thy living with the sweat of thy brows, and he that will not labour is not worthy to eat.

HONESTY.

Ay, but he remembers not where Christ saith, He that giveth a cup of cold water in my name shall be blessed.

[_Aside_.]

BEGGAR.

Alas, sir, you see I am old.

PRIEST.

But that's no reason you should beg.

BEGGAR.

Alas, sir, age coming on me, and my sight being gone, I hope, sir, you will pardon me, though I beg; and therefore, for G.o.d's sake, one penny, good master.

PRIEST.

Why, I tell thee no, for the Spirit doth not move me thereunto.

And in good time, look in the blessed Proverb of Solomon, which is, Good deeds do not justify a man; therefore, I count it sin to give thee anything.

HONESTY.

See how he can turn and wind the Scripture to his own use; but he remembers not where Christ say'th, He that giveth to the poor lendeth unto the Lord, and he shall be repaid sevenfold: but the Priest forgets that, or at leastwise he will not remember it. [_Aside_.]

BEGGAR.

Now, fie upon thee, is this the pureness of your religion?

G.o.d will reward you, no doubt, for your hard dealing.

PRIEST.

Care not thou for that. Well, neighbour, if thou wilt have my house, friend and brother in Christ, it will cost you forty s.h.i.+llings--'tis well worth it truly, provided this, I may not stay for my rent: I might have a great deal more, but I am loth to exact on my brother.

HONESTY.