POLICY, POMP, _The three Lords of London_.
PLEASURE,
WIT, WEALTH, _Their Pages_.
WILL,
NEMO, _a grave old man_.
LOVE, LUCRE, _Three Ladies of London_.
CONSCIENCE,
HONEST INDUSTRY, PURE ZEAL, _Three Sages_.
SINCERITY,
PRIDE, AMBITION, _Three Lords of Spain_.
TYRANNY,
SHAME, TREACHERY, _Their Pages_.
TERROR,
DESIRE, DELIGHT, _Three Lords of Lincoln_.
DEVOTION,
SORROW, _a Jailor_.
SIMPLICITY, _a poor Freeman of London_.
PAINFUL PENURY, _his Wife_.
DILIGENCE, _a Post or an Officer_.
FEALTY, _Two Heralds-at-Arms_.
SHEALTY,
FRAUD, USURY, _Four Gallants_.
DISSIMULATION, SIMONY,
FALSEHOOD, _Two that belong to_ FRAUD _and_ DISSIMULATION.
DOUBLE-DEALING.
THE PLEASANT AND STATELY MORAL
OF
THE THREE LORDS OF LONDON.
_Enter the three Lords and their Pages: first_ POLICY, _with his Page_ WIT _before him, bearing a shield; the impress a tortoise, the word_ Providens securus: _next_ POMP, _with his Page_ WEALTH _bearing his shield, the word_ Glory sans peere; _the impress a lily; last_, PLEASURE, _his Page_ WILL, _his impress a falcon; the word_ Pour Temps. POLICY _attired in black_, POMP _in rich robes, and_ PLEASURE _in colours_.
POLICY Here I advance my shield and hang it up, To challenge him who ever dare deny That one of those three London ladies rare Ought not of right be match'd with Policy, A London lord, the which I represent.
POMP.
And Pomp provides his challenge in his word, _Glory sans peere_, claiming the one of them, Not by compulsion, but by common right.
Yet, maugre men, my shield is here advanc'd For one matchless. A London lady best Beseemeth Pomp, a London lord, to have.
PLEASURE.
Pleasure hath soar'd, as doth his impress show, To look aloof on earthly ladies all.
And never could my curious eye discern A dame of worth for London Pleasure's love, But one, and she doth shine as silver dove.
Of self-bred soil, of London is her race; For whom in challenge I my shield advance.
POLICY.
Thus each in honour of his mistress, And in regard of his well-daring mind, Hath here empris'd the challenge of his right.
But, lordships both and brethren bred and sworn, A caution must be had in this conceit, That all our thoughts aspire not to one heaven, Nor all our ships do sail for one self haven; I mean, that all our suits and services We tend and tender to one only dame, All choosing one, refusing th'other two.
POMP.
A great mislike amongst us that might breed.
PLEASURE.
I seek but one, and her unto myself.
POMP.
And one I wish sans partner of my love.
POLICY.
It stands with honour to be sole or none.
POMP.
Whom lovest thou, Pleasure?
PLEASURE.
Hark ye. [_Whisper in his ear_.
POMP.
Tush! ye lie.
WILL.
If my master were a soldier, that word would have the stab.
WIT.
Well, Will, still you'll be a saucy scab.
POMP.
Why, Pleasure, hath Pomp[231] chosen Lucre's love?
PLEASURE.
Why, Pomp, but [because] Pleasure honours Lucre most.
POLICY.