Anonymous - The Interlude of Wealth and Health
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Anonymous >> The Interlude of Wealth and Health
[Transcriber's Notes:
This early English text was printed in a black-letter font. Some of
the letters used are not found on a typewriter. In the e-text those
letters that have no modern equivalent are transcribed with their
meaning. For example, there is a letter that looks like a "w" with a
"t" over it. This means with. You will find this in the text as
[with]. Others you will find are [per], [the], [that], and [thou].
You will also find the suffix [us].
All typos were kept as close as possible to the original. This
e-text is based on the 1907 edition which included a long list of
these typos and some of their possible meanings along with the
editor's note. This list had many letters typeset upside down. For
this e-text they were righted.
Long s has been changed to standard short s.
In the plain text version, letters with a macron over them are
denoted by placing them in brackets with an = beside them, such as
[=e] for an e with a macron over it. For smoother reading, a and o
are shown with tilde.
Speaker names are surrounded by + like +Health+.
For those that wish to consult the original, black and white pngs
have been included in the archive.]
PRINTED FOR THE MALONE SOCIETY BY
CHARLES WHITTINGHAM & CO.
AT THE CHISWICK PRESS
THE INTERLUDE OF WEALTH AND HEALTH
THE MALONE SOCIETY
REPRINTS
1907
This reprint of _Wealth and Health_ has been prepared by the General
Editor and checked by Percy Simpson.
_March 1907._ W.W. Greg.
Early in the craft year which began on 19 July 1557, and was the first
of the chartered existence of the Stationers' Company, John Waley, or
Wally, entered what was no doubt the present play on the Register along
with several other works. The entry runs as follows:
To master John wally these bokes Called Welth and helthe/the
treatise of the ffrere and the boye / stans puer ad mensam another
of youghte charyte and humylyte an a b c for cheldren in englesshe
with syllabes also a boke called an hundreth mery tayles ij^s
[Arber's Transcript, I. 75.]
That Waley printed an edition is therefore to be presumed, but it does
not necessarily follow that the extant copy, which though perfect bears
neither date nor printer's name, ever belonged to it. Indeed, a
comparison with a number of works to which he did affix his name
suggests grave doubts on the subject. Though not a high-class printer,
there seems no reason to ascribe to him a piece of work which for
badness alike of composition and press-work appears to be unique among
the dramatic productions of the sixteenth century.
'Wealth and health' appears among the titles in the list of plays
appended to the edition of Goffe's _Careless Shepherdess_, printed for
Rogers and Ley in 1656. The entry was repeated with the designation
'C[omedy].' in Archer's list of the same year, and, without the
addition, in those of Kirkman in 1661 and 1671. In 1691 Langbaine wrote
'_Wealth and Health_, a Play of which I can give no Account.' Gildon has
no further information to offer, nor have any of his immediate
followers. Chetwood, in 1752, classes it among 'Plays Wrote by Anonymous
Authors in the 16th [by which he means the seventeenth] Century,' calls
it 'an Interlude' and dates it 1602. This invention was only copied in
those lists which depended directly on Chetwood's, such as the
_Playhouse Pocket-Companion_ of 1779. Meanwhile, in his _Companion to
the Play-House_ of 1764, D.E. Baker, relying upon Coxeter's notes, gave
an essentially accurate description of the piece, except that he
asserted it to be 'full of Sport and mery Pastyme,' and described it as
an octavo. This entry has been copied by subsequent bibliographers, none
of whom have seen the original.
The play was among those discovered in Ireland in the spring of 1906 and
sold at Sotheby's on 30 June, when it was purchased for the British
Museum at the price of one hundred and ninety-five pounds. Its
press-mark is C. 34. i. 25.
The extremely careless typography of the original makes the task of
reprinting a difficult one. Ordinary misprints abound, and these have
been scrupulously retained, a list of irregularities being added below.
It has, however, proved impossible to arrive at any satisfactory method
of distinguishing between 'n' and 'u.' In the first hundred lines, which
are by no means the worst printed, there are thirty-two cases in which
the letter is indistinguishable, eighteen cases of an apparent 'u' which
should be 'n,' and seven cases of an apparent 'n' which should be 'u.'
When it is further remembered that there are few cases in which it is
possible to say for certain that a letter really is what it appears to
be, and none in which it may not be turned, some idea of the difficulty
in the way of reprinting will be obtained. To have followed the original
in this matter would have been to introduce another misprint into at
least every fourth line, while even so several hundred cases would have
remained which could only have been decided according to the apparent
sense of the passage. The only rational course was to treat the letters
as indistinguishable throughout, and to print in each instance
whichever the sense seemed to require. Again, as the superscript letters
'c,' 'e,' 't,' are seldom distinguishable, the printer has been given
the benefit of the doubt. Another difficulty arose in connection with
the speakers' names. In the original these have often dropt from their
proper places, which can now only be ascertained from the sense and the
not very regular indentation. With some hesitation it has been decided
to restore them to the positions they should apparently occupy, noting
all cases in which they are a line or more out in the original. Lastly
it may be remarked that in the speeches which aim at imitating foreign
languages the apparent readings of the very indistinct original have
been scrupulously reproduced, and no attempt has been made, even in the
subjoined list, to suggest any corrections.
In the last sheet some of the pages are cropt at the foot. In most cases
nothing more than the catchword has disappeared, and although between
lines 768 and 769 something seems to be lost, it is doubtful whether
this is due to the cropping, since D1^v has already one line too many.
The original is printed in the ordinary black letter of the period, of
the body known as English (20 ll. = 94 mm.).
Irregular and Doubtful Readings.
Tit. att his
5. tcowe
7. fleepe(?)
13. nof
24. Weith
25. Iam
27. ofcomparison
29. so (too?)
38. yeth
41. dyspayre (dysprayse)
50. marualufly
52. iu
54. ts
57. stander ... nowe
58. selte
62. Inlykewise
63. Wh en (?) (no catchword)
66. desyred
70. thouart
74. answerrd
75. wellh
76. thou' fagetyue (or ?tagetyue)
80. Thai
84. benefites
95. welth hatg ... freasure
98. stands (the 's' doubtful)
100. cempetent
105. Ye
107. otherwelth
109. Euerywise
110. dtsposicions
127. saue (the 'e' doubtful)
134. woth
137. stealeth
144. hit
149. a wreke
150. nf
159. (no catchword)
164. nhw indifferenily
165. me
168. Weith
177. tryasure
178. yfthey
191. (no catchword)
195. please youto
197. libert
201. werwhy (me, why?)
207. feloweh
214. shalde
216. crow
224. beholde (be bolde)
234. wyse (the 's' doubtful)
ifye (if he?)
237. yllibert
238. notfore
249. lubstaunce
250. werr
251. whyce
253. lust (lusty)
257. lybertye
258. H elth (?)
267. ran
270. loboure
275. ofliberty ... suter
278. alytle
286. acquanted
289. Dryue (the 'y' doubtful)
290. Wy ll (?) ... C (I)
294. [H]ealth
306. Christ
312. kindes
315. Arquaintance
318. fo
319. lybertyeis
320. lyberfye, wili
bebolde (be bolde)
322. Thyrfore
324. lybrtye
328. ano
337. pas (past)
364. ther
367. let hym (hem)
373. Wytte (Will)
379. felfe
383. caa
386. thought (sought)
391. srhon (?)
397. be gins
398. sleminge
400. slemminges
wilmar (?)
405. icvell
408. lonck
410. ic compte hore
414. Nae
424. ssaunders
425. sleminges
426. theris
433. deuose
440. ftyll (?)
443. shred wet
445. Wyll ... cun
447. thing
450. geeat actortty
452. hach
453. lust (iust) ... indifference
460. shalbe (the 's' doubtful)
470. berter
473. mayay (or ? nayay, reading very doubtful; may say?)
475. Forfoth ... vrother
479. in (the 'n' doubtful)
485. wel ... slye (flyt?)
498. you
501. vegyled
502. councelll
507. Wy ll (?)
508. fhe (?)
509. chat ... alw ay
511. meaneth (the 't' doubtful)
520. [Liberty?]
531. oardon
534. am be(?) ... well
545. Gngland
547. renlmes
548. thy (they)
551. rm
553. apart ... aceoritie
554. R[e]md[i]
558. for (the 'f' doubtful)
561. prefercing (?)
567. ehis
568. percelue
596. b e (?)
600. yoor (?)
601. tohether
605. exchewe ... Ill
607. t[=e]p
609. sach
613. [(]wil
616. apare
618. larye
622. chat
624. afryde
629. Hew
630. p=omise (the '=' doubtful)
631. sstyest (spyest?)
632. lok e
633. crooke (the 'e' doubtful)
636. Wyll. (below l. 637)
tor
653. euey
654. ofhell(?)
662. falfe
666. libertidespise
667. mateer
668. wet, ler ... [Will.]
669. a none
675. thiag
676. Afirr (After)
685. I tis
686. ihe
693. with ... conoenient
695. Wyll. (opposite l. 696)
angey
699. tor
705. he
711. Wytte (opposite l. 712)
716. rhe
719. Wyll. (opposite l. 718)
724. wich
731. welco me
health (opposite l. 730)
734. (no catchword)
735. her (hert ?)
736. v s (?)
740. .abor
742. sha me (?)
753. H ance (?)
755. Hance (the 'e' doubtful)
756. nothin
757. H ance (?)
760. allaunts ... reale
764. selfeloue (?)
descone (?)
766. subtel tiget
768. (catchword cut off?)
769. [Remedy.] (but a whole line probably missing)
772. Ic ... Remdi (the 'i' doubtful)
773. i (I or [=i])
776. fleming (the 'f' doubtful) ... lenger
780. tiberty
782. Health (opposite l. 781)
785. nof (?)
787. affirmity
790. Health (opposite l. 791)
791. maladi (the 'l' doubtful)
796. ye t
798. people (the second 'e' doubtful) ... detelt
799. theroffor (?)
801. A mendes
(catchword cropt)
803. doone (the 'd' doubtful)
804. helfe a mendes
807. neceslitie (?)
820. thinketh (the second 't' doubtful)
821. herc
822. ve
823. eafe ano
826. warre
828. boyde
830. weae ... uhat hrlth
831. saw saw
833. tste
834. (catchword cropt)
836. liuingl
838. abouf (?)
841. blam
842. Co staunder
vndesrrued
843. drpart
846. spy&nardo
847. folse chefe ... Health
849. wiltel
850. ia
851. peca (the 'e' doubtful)
853. meae
856. fhese
861. contra
863. three
864. I Iyfgo ... them
(there is no lead between Wyll. and Wytte.; the speakers' names to
ll. 862-3 are half a line too low, those to ll. 865-7 half a line
too high)
866. Remd[i]
867. abd ... (signature and catchword cut off?)
868. ful
871. fpeake
873. feason
881. Remdt
882. thete (?)
887. in continent
888. wif
889. lake
891. behanged
893. shals
901. shrew de
903. althre
907. shaibe ... warding
alonge
909. wel
912. remabre ... a nother
917. displesur
918. vngrocious
919. dissulation
923. devyl
924. liberty= (the '=' doubtful; opposite l. 923)
925. ymanginacien
927. myscef
928. prison
933. (catchword cropt)
940. yfye (?)
941. rcstore
954. Thar (?)
955. remdy
956. deuer
958. riagne
960. rontinue
961. w ([with])
FACSIMILES BY HORACE HART, M.A., AT THE OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS
An enterlude of Welth, and Helth, very mery and full of Pastyme, newly
att his tyme Imprinted
¶ The Names of the players.
Welth.
Helth,
Lybertie.
Ilwyll.
Shrowdwyt.
Hance.
Remedy
Foure may easely play this Playe.
¶ Here entreth Welth, and Helth synging together
a balet of two partes, and after speaketh
Welth.
Why is there no curtesy, now I am come
I tcowe that all the people be dume
Or els so god helpe me and halydum
They were almost a fleepe.
No wordes I harde, nor yet no talking
No instrument went nor ballattes synging
What ayles you all thus to syt dreaming 10
Of whom take ye care?
Of my coming ye may be glad
Therefore I pray you be nof sad
For all your desyre shall be had
I can amende your cheare
By God I thinke ye haue forgotten me
I am welth of this realme looke upon me
For I am to euery man louing and freendly
For welth hath no pere.
+Helth.+ Brother welth haue ye not yet doone? 20
ye prayse your selfe aboue the moone
Euery man may perceyue therby soone
That you lacke discresyon
+Weith.+ Wherfore, by god I cannot say to much
Iam so welthy of substaunce and rych
In all the worlde where is one such
As I am ofcomparison.
+Helth.+ Welth is good I cannot denay
Yet prayse your selfe so muche ye may
For welth oftentimes doth decay 30
And welth is nothing sure.
+Welth.+ Welth hath ben euer in this countrey
And here I purpose styll for to be
For this is the lande most mete for me
And here I wyll endure.
+Health+ Therin ye speake full louingle
For in this realme welth should be
yeth no displeasure I pray you hartely
But in the way of communicacion.
And for pastyme I would speake some wayes 40
Of no comparison, nor to you no dyspayre,
I doo not intende that maner alwayes,
But for a recreation,
+Wealth+ Brother what soeuer ye say to me.
I wyll heare you paciently
I am content and I thanke you hartely
Begyn and say your pleasure
+Health+ I thanke you hartely then wyll I
Some what unto my purpose apply
Though welth be praised marualufly 50
Yet to myne understanding.
Welth is mutable, and that iu shame
And welth is hauty and proude of name
Welth is cruell, and in great blame
For welth ts euer wauerynge.
+Wealth.+ To whom haue I doone any harme can ye say,
Ye stander me nowe, yet I trust I may
Aunswere for my selte in euery maner way
Ye wyl not deny that?
+Health+ God forbyd but ye should do so 60
And ye may doo it whether I wyl or no
Inlykewise, I must answer you also
Wh en ye say not true.
Though I be but to you a poore man
yet helth I height, the same I am
That is desyred vniuersally than
Some calles me as good as you
+Welth.+ As I, mary ther in deede ye do compare.
Such wordes myght brynge you soone in care
Lewde parson, thouart not ware 70
Of what substaunce I am
+Health.+ Yes I can tell what you are, be not dyspleased
welth is of great substaunce, that cannot be denyed
yet shew your comodities, and ye shalbe answerrd
I promyse you wellh is fugitiue.
+wealth+ What sayst thou, am I a fagetyue
I was neuer so taken vp in my lyfe
Nor called vnsure, well I wyll make no stryfe
yet where as thou dost say,
Thai I should show my commodityes alwayes 80
The best for my selfe wherof I aske prayse
yf I shoulde stand her all my lyfe dayes
yet I coulde not say.
Nor halfe the benefites that commeth of me
yt cannot be tolde nor resyted shortly
Welth is the floure of althing earthly
That you cannot denye.
Ferste god saue, our soueraine Ladye the Queene
With all the counsel and all that with them bene
Am not I welth with them euer at ene 90
Who should be there but I?
Men of the lawe, and ioly rych marchauntes
There be welthy both of goodes and lands,
Without comparyson is in their handes
I welth hatg all freasure.
+Health.+ O good syr, of whom commeth all this
Of god only, to you no thanke Iwys
And yet mans welth stands not all in ryches
I dare saye that boldly,
Whan a man hath a cempetent liuing 100
with the grace of god that passeth all thyng
Loue of his neyghbour, and good reporting
Then is he welthy,
Welth of goodes is but a fame
Ye is welthy that hath a good name
Euery wyse man wyll coueyte the same
For otherwelth I not reche
yf a man haue neuer so much good name
Euerywise man wyll coueyte the same
if his dtsposicions be nought and wood 110
Then he is but a wretch,
+Welth.+ Nay thou art a wretch, and a foole vnwyse
welth of ryches thus to despyse
Doest thou not se all the worlde aryse
By goodes and substaunce
He that hath plenty of syluer and golde
May haue all thyng whatsoeuer he woulde
Whan can welth lacke, seing all thing is solde
And welth is of assuraunce.
+Health+ I denye that, your saying is nought 120
Grace, heauen, nor cunning, cannot be bought
without great paine, ad good dedes wrought
Els man cannot them haue.
+wealth+ Stop thereat, and hold thy peace
May not men by heauen with richesse
As to bylde churches and make bye wayes
Such deedes mans soule doth saue
+Health+ Yea, but yet ye must marke one thynge
yf these goodes came with wronge doyng
Shall ye haue heauen for so spendynge 130
Or yet any mede.
Nay nay except that man himselfe doo meeke
And make resystance the ryght honour to seeke
Els all such good dedes is not woth a leeke
welth hereof take heede.
+wealth.+ Why thinkest thou that all men which hath welth
Getteth theyr goodes with brybry and stealeth
Thy reporte is nought therfore Helthe
I counsell thee to say the best.
+Health+ So I wyll, but yet I must say true 140
And now a lyttle more I wyll say to you
Much sorowe and care welth doth brewe
He is seldome in rest.
when a man is a lyttle hit and welthy
And hath in his cheste treasures plentye
Then wyl he wrangle, and do shreudly
By his power and might.
With his neighboures he wyll go to lawe
And a wreke his malyce for valew of strawe
welth is fykle and out nf awe 150
wylfull in wronge or ryght
+Welth.+ Thou speakest with a slaunderous tonge
All of euyll wyll, and yet it is wronge
welth in this realme hath bin longe
Of me commeth great honour.
Because that I welth hath great porte
All the worlde, hyther doth resorte
Therfore I welth, am this realmes comfort,
And here I wyll indure.
+Helth.+ So I wold ye should, and I shall do the same 160
Helth I am called, and that is my name
If I would not abyde heare I were to blame
For here I am well cherished
Yet say your selfe, nhw indifferenily
And if euery man doo not loue me
Helth as well as welth, yes verely
Therof I dare be reported
+Weith.+ Why should they loue thee? that woulde I knowe
As wel as me, I pray you showe
I am the superiour of hie and lowe 170
No man may compare with me.
+Helth.+ To shew why I wyll not be afraied
For I can bide by that I haue sayde
Yf welthy men be very well apayd
Or muche they set you by.
But of welth, if they haue neuer so much
Goodes, tryasure and golde, and be called rych
Yet yfthey lacke helth, there payne is suche
That they were better dye.
A man to were golde, and be in payne 180
What ioy hath he? none, but would be fayne
To giue all his treasure for helth playne
Or els he were very mad:
For if a man be neuer so poure
Yet if he haue helth, that is a treasure,
Then for his liuing, he may laboure
And in his harte be glad,
+Welth.+ I neuer marked thus muche, nor vnderstood
That Helth was such a treasure, and to man so good
Wherfore I am sory, and I wil chaunge my moode 190
Now I pray you forgiue me.
+Health+ I will forgiue or els I were to blame
And I pray you to forgiue me the same
I loue you hartly, and wyll prayse your name
yf it please youto keepe my company.
¶ Here entreth lyberty with a song & after speaketh
+libert+ Why tary syrs whether are ye going
I see well ye looked not for my comming
Loe, out of syght out of remembryng
Absence is cause of straungnes, 200
What looke ye on werwhy are ye so straunge
From your fellow liberty, doth your minds cha[=u]ge
In your company I was wont to range
What nedes all this busines,
+wealth+ By liberty now I doo not set
Seyng that helth and I am met
As feloweh together no man shall let
Me for to loue hym best.
+liberty.+ Let me heare what ye do say
Then ye are about to cast me away 210
How happes this? mary then I may
Goe pyke strawes and take me rest.
I pray you tell me whom I haue offended
yf I haue made a faute it shalde amended
with so shorte warning let me not be voyded
I crow yet ye do but iest.
+Helth.+ Why do ye make this cauelacion
we entende to make no alteracyon
welth and I haue had communication
He is my freende of olde. 220
+liberty+ What was the matter, I pray you tell
Me thinkes I ought to be of counsel
Or els I promyse you ye doo not well
With you I should beholde.
+Welth.+ The matter is doone we are agreed
To reason it more it shall not neede
O brother helth, thou art in deede
More preciouser than golde.
+liberty.+ Gods bodi how commeth this gere to pas
I am cast out at the cartes arse 230
The worlde is nothing as it was
For I am here refused
+Health+ Why be you angry that we doo agree
Then are ye not wyse, for ifye loue me
I will loue hym agayne, so it should be
Or els I were mysaduised
+yllibert+ Then of my loue ye set no store
My company I see well ye looked notfore
Farewell I wyll get me out of the doore
yet I am your betters and so am I called. 240
+wealth+ Such presumptuouse wordes wyll haue a fall
your comparyson is but feble and small
What can ye do nothyng at all
As you haue reputed.
+liberti.+ What were ye both two, were not I.
Wretches and caytyfes, looke not so hye
Thinke no scorne hardly
For I may be your peare
yf welth haue neuer so much lubstaunce
Lacking Libertye and werr in durance 250
Within a whyce, I am in assurance
ye woulde pray me come nere.
Yf Helth be neuer so lust and stronge
yet if Lyberty were kept from him longe
Then sorow and care wolde be his songe.
yt would abate your cheare.
Fye of welth which lacketh lybertye
Fye of H elth and be in captiuitie
Fye of riches and lack good company
Lyberty hath no pere, 260
+Helth.+ Wyll ye heare how he doth clatter?
What neede ye to rehearse all this matter.
ye know that we twayne afore any other.
Lyberty must nedes haue styll.
Lybertie on vs is glade to wayte
ye stande to farre in your owne conceyte
I wys lybertye ye ran make no bayte
To catche vs at your will.
+liberty.+ Now there ye lye, I can suffer no longer
Welth for Lybertye doth loboure euer 270
And helth for Libertye is a great store
Therfore set me not so lyght
+wealth+ Libertye I pray the reason no more
ye are welcome to vs as ye were before
In dede ofliberty it is great suter
Therfore welcome by this lyght
+liberty,+ Now I thanke you both full kindly
your strange wordes alytle did greue me
And now at your coma[=u]dement I am redy
And at your owne wyll. 280
¶ Here entreth with some iest yllwyll
+Wyll..+ Mary I am come at the first call
Wyll, your owne man haue me who shall
For I am will seruaunt to you al
Ye shall not neede to sende for me.
+Welth.+ Who is acquanted with this man
He is very homely and lytle good he can
To come in here so boldly, then
Dryue him away quickly,
+Wy ll.+ Why, I cam not tyll I was called 290
your owne wyll openly ye named
Then I came a pace lest I should be blamed
Therfore I pray you let me byde styll,
+ealth+ Whole wyll, or what wyll, doth he meane
Thou art not my wyl, I forsake thee cleane
My wyl and their wylles is often sene
Our wylles can none yll
+Wyll.+ Alas good masters I can none yll
yet by my trouth I am your euyll wyll
your wil, & your will, & your will, therfore keepe me 300
I loue ye by goddes mother,
+liberty.+ This is a straunge saying vnto me
My wyl, your wyll, and his wyll, this cannot be
For in our wyles is a great diuersitie
For one is not lyke another,
+Wyll.+ Yet by Christ your owne wyl I am
The maddest wyl, and the meriest, than
For goddes sake now, let me be your man
Tyl ye haue better acquaintaunce.
+wealth+ I perceyue this felow is kynde 310
And oweth to vs good wyl and mynde
Some kindes agayne then let hym finde
Let him haue some furderaunce
+Wyll.+ By god sir and I durst be so bolde
Arquaintance of this man clayme I would
and kynred to, yf the trouth were tolde
we be of one consanguynitie
+Health+ How fo? let me here that I pray thee hartly
+Wyll.+ Wyl and lybertyeis, of aunciterie olde
with out lyberfye, wili dare not bebolde 320
And where wyl lacketh, lybertye is full colde
Thyrfore wyl and lybertye must nedes be of kyn.
+liberti.+ In dede as he saythe it may well be
For wyl euer longeth vnto lybrtye
Therfore good freende welcome to me
I praye you al be good to him And goeth out
+Welth.+ For your sake he is welcome to vs all
Let him come to our place ano than he shall
Haue succoure of vs and helpe withal
& now we wil depart. And welth & helth goth out. 330
+Wyll.+ Wyl ye go hence. I thanke ye masters with al my hert
I wyl seke you out I warrant you feare not
Now they be gone I am glad by saint mary
A lyttel while heare I purpose to tary
How to deceyue welth, helth, and libertie
Now must I deuyse.
For I am a chylde that is pas grace
Ilwyll I am called that in euery place
Doth much mischiefe this is a playne case
Uertue I doo vtterly dispise, 340
But if they wyst what I were
Then of my purpose I should be neuer [the] nere
I wyl kepe my tonge leste that I mar
My whole intent and wyll.
But now I meruayle by this day
Where shrewd wit is gone a stray
Some crafty touche is in his way
I here him, peace, stand styll.