[Exit.

ACT IV., SCENE I.

Enter MONEY.

MON. 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[398] dandled,
Strok’d on the head, kiss’d 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, since ye saw me, I have been turmoiled
From post to pillar:  see how I am spoiled. 
The villains among them provided the roast;
But Money was forced to pay for the cost
Both of their feasting and of their chamber cheer. 
Yea, in every place they have fleec’d me so near: 
He a fleece, and she a fleece, that nothing could I keep,
But glad to run away like a new-shorn sheep. 
And though I have been 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 them fet me.
          
                                    [Exit.

SCENE II.

Enter VANITY and MONEY.

VAN.  What, Master Money, how goeth the world with you?

MON.  Look but upon me, thou may’st quickly judge how.

VAN.  Why, where the vengeance, where the devil hast thou been? 
Among brambles or briars? or spirits, sure, I ween.

MON.  Both ween it and wot it!  I have pass’d a wilderness
Of most mischievous and miserable distress;
Sharp brambles, sharp briars, and terrible scratchers,
Bears, wolves, apes, lions, most ravening snatchers,
Thorns, thistles, and nettles, most horrible stingers,
Ravens, gripes and griphons.  O vengeable wringers,
Yea through my whole passage such damnable sights,
As I cannot but judge them most damnable sprites.

VAN.  Ha, ha, ha, ha!

MON.  Laugh ye, my friend?  It is no laughing toy.

VAN.  But who did guide you in this labyrinth of joy?

MON.  Who, sir? your minion, sir; Prodigality,
The captain elected of all roisting knavery;
He will be hang’d, I warrant him, shortly.

VAN.  Ha, ha, ha, ha!

MON.  Yet go to, laugh on!

VAN.  Are you not a cuck—­cuck-cold?

MON.  I may be indeed; my clothes be but thin,
And therefore I will even go get me in,
That Fortune, my mother, may clothe me anew. [Exit.