[Gives the orb to Lawyer.
So will it thrive as thy intent is just.
Dec. Pity your trampler,[265] sir, your poor solicitor.
Law. Thee? infamy to our profession,
Which, without wrong to truth, next the divine one,
Is the most grave and honourable function
That gives a kingdom blest: but thou, the poison,
Disease that grows close to the heart of law,
And mak’st rash censurers think the sound part perish’d;
Thou foul eclipse, that, interposing equity,
As the dark earth the moon, mak’st the world judge
That blackness and corruption have possess’d
The silver shine of justice, when ’tis only
The smoke ascending from thy poisonous ways,
Cozenage, demurs, and fifteen-term delays:
Yet hold thee, take the muck on’t, that’s thine own,
The devil and all; but the fair fame and honour
Of righteous actions, good men’s prayers and wishes,
Which is that glorious portion of the world
The noble lawyer strives for,—that thy bribery,
Thy double-handed gripe, shall never reach to:
With fat and filthy gain thy lust may feast,
But poor men’s curses beat thee from the rest.
Dec. I’ll feed upon the muck on’t, that awhile
Shall satisfy my longings; wealth is known
The absolute step to all promotion.
King. Let this be call’d the sphere of harmony,
In which, being met, let’s all move mutually.

Law.
Flam., &c. bracket Fair love is i’ the motion, kingly love!

[In this last dance, as an ease to memory, all the former removes come close together; the Devil entering, aims with Deceit at the world; but the world remaining now in the Lawyer’s possession, he, expressing his reverend and noble acknowledgment to the absolute power of majesty, resigns it loyally to its royal government; Majesty to Valour, Valour to Law again, Law to Religion, Religion to Sovereignty, where it firmly and fairly settles, the Law confounding Deceit, and the Church the Devil.

Flam. Times suffer changes, and the world has been
Vex’d with removes; but when his glorious peace
Firmly and fairly settles, here’s his place,
Truth his defence, and majesty his grace.—
We all acknowledge it belongs to you.

Law.
S.-Cap., &c. bracket Only to you, sir.

[They all deliver the orb up to the King.
Flam. Regis ad exemplum totus componitur orbis,
Which shews,
That if the world form itself by the king,
’Tis fit the former should command the thing.
Dec. This is no place for us.
Devil. Depart, away!
I thought all these had been corrupted evils,
No court of virtues, but a guard of devils.
[Exeunt Deceit and the Devil.
King. How blest am I in subjects! here are those
That make all kingdoms happy,—worthy Soldier,
Fair Churchman, and thou, uncorrupted Lawyer,
Virtue’s great miracle, that hast redeem’d
All justice from her ignominious name.
Sim. You forget me, sir.
King. What, Simplicity!
Who thinks of virtue cannot forget thee.

Sim. Ay, marry, my masters, now it looks like a brave world indeed: how civilly[266] those fair ladies go yonder! by this hand, they are neither trimmed, nor trussed, nor poniarded;[267] wonderment! O, yonder’s a knot of fine, sharp-needle-bearded gallants,[268] but that they wear stammel[269] cloaks, methinks, instead of scarlet: ’slid, what’s he that carries out two custards now under the porter’s long nose? O, he leaves a bottle of wine i’ the lodge, and all’s pacified; cry mercy.

King. Continue but thus watchful o’er yourselves,
That the great cunning enemies, Deceit,
And his too-mighty lord, beguile you not,
And ye’re the precious ornaments of state,
The glories of the world, fellows to virtues,
Masters of honest and well-purchas’d fortunes,
And I am fortunate in your partnership;
But if you ever make your hearts the houses
Of falsehood and corruption, ugliness itself
Will be a beauty to you, and less pointed at:
Spots in deformèd faces are scarce noted,
Fair cheeks are stain’d if ne’er so little blotted.

Law.
Flam., &c. bracket Ever the constant servants to great virtue!

King. Her love inhabit you!

[Exeunt all except Jupiter, Pallas, Soldier,
and Scholar.
Jup. Now, sons of vexation,
Envy, and discontent, what blame lay you
Upon these times now? which does merit most
To be condemn’d, your dulness or the age?
If now you thrive not, Mercury shall proclaim
You’re undeservers, and cry down your fame.
Be poor still, scholar, and thou, wretch despis’d,
If in this glorious time thou canst not prosper,
Upon whose breast noble employments sit,
By honour’s hand in golden letters writ;
Nay, where the prince[270] of nobleness himself
Proves our Minerva’s valiant’st, hopefull’st son,
And early in his spring puts armour on,
Unite your worths, and make of two one brother,
And be each one perfection to the other;
Scholar and soldier must both shut in one,
That makes the absolute and complete man:
So, now into the world; which, if hereafter
You ever tax of foul, ingrateful crimes,
Your dulness I must punish, not the times.

Sol.
Scho. bracket Honour to mighty Jupiter!

[Jupiter and Pallas ascend.
Sol. The world
Is in a good hand now, if it hold, brother.
Scho. I hope, for many ages.
Sol. Fare thee well, then;
I’ll over yonder[271] to the most glorious wars
That e’er fam’d Christian kingdom.
Scho. And I’ll settle
Here, in a land of a most glorious peace
That ever made joy fruitful, where the head
Of him that rules, to learning’s fair renown,
Is doubly deckt with laurel[272] and a crown,
And both most worthily.
Sol. Give me thy hand,
Prosperity keep with thee!
Scho. And the glory
Of noble actions bring white hairs upon thee!
Present our wish with reverence to this place,
For here’t must be confirm’d, or ’t has no grace.
[Exeunt severally.

EPILOGUE.

Gentlemen,

We must confess that we have vented ware
Not always vendable: masques are more rare
Than plays are common; at most but twice a-year
In their most glorious shapes do they appear;
Which, if you please accept, we’ll keep in store
Our debted loves, and thus entreat you more;
Invert the proverb now, and suffer not
That which is seldom seen be soon forgot.