Lupton, Thomas · published 1578 · first performed or written 1577 [1559-1577] (Annals) moral T37 Riches, poverty and covetousness typicality 0.76 · 462 words
Marked words are the most distinguishing words of T37: wealth, riches, money, god, rich, poverty, men, learning, poor, ic.
What mischief is it thereby is not wrought? What earthly thing is not therefore to be had? What hath been so loved but money hath bought? What virtue or goodness of us so much sought, Who doth not wish for money, and that every day: I would I had thus much money each one doth say. how many for money have been robbed and murdered? how many false witness and for money perjured? how many wives from their husbands have been enticed? how many maidens to folly for money allured? how many for money have spirits and devils conjured? how many friends for money have been mortal foes? Mo mischiefs for money than I can disclose. how many Kings and Princes for money have been poisoned, How many betrayers of their country for money every day, How many with money from true judgement are led: Did not the prophet Balam curse gods people for money? Did not Iudas for money his master Christ betray? Whereof he had no joy, when he the same had done, But like a damned wretch hung himself full soon. One asked Diogenes why gold did look so wan: No marvel said he it is though he so pale do look, For every one lays wait to catch him if they can. Few will take the pains to catch hold on God's book: Money ill used is the devils snare and hook. Whereby many are brought to endless damnation: But the godly do bestow it to their salvation. Fire is the good gift and creature of God, Whereby we may do good and also wickedly: We may warm the poor therewith as charity hath us bode, And also seethe the meat wherewith to feed the hungry: We may keep houses therewith, as many have done truly: And we may cut our necessaries and meat with our knife Wherewith many have cut their own throats & bereaved them of their life. Thus the creature of God is not evil of himself, But through our misuse from good to evil converted: Even so money ill used is a most wicked pelf. And also as good where well it is, bestowed. Let all people take heed lest it of them be hoarded: For at the last day against them it will witness, And then that they had not done it, to late for to wish. And because that every man of money is so greedy Our Author a pleasant Tragedy with pains hath now made, Whereby you may perceive, All thing is for money: For Omnia pecunia effici possunt, as in Tully's sentence is said. In hearing us attentively we crave but your aid, Beseeching God, the hearers that thereby shallbe touched, May rather amend their faults, then therewith be grieved.
seed 43: T35 · seed 44: T34 — topic numbers are assigned independently in each run; equal or different numbers say nothing by themselves
Original spelling (EEBO-TCP, unregularized)
What mischiefe is it thereby is not wrought? What earthly thing is not therefore to be had? What hath bene so loued but money hath bought? What vertue or goodnes of vs so much sought, Who doth not wishe for money, and that euery day: I would I had thus much money eache one doth say. Howe many for money haue bene robbed and murthered? Howe many false witnes and for money periured? Howe many wyues from their husbands haue bene enticed? Howe many maydens to folly for money allured? Howe many for money haue spirites and deuilles coniured? Howe many friends for money haue bene mortall foes? Mo mischieues for money then I can disclose. Howe many Kings and Princes for money haue bene poysoned, Howe many betrayers of their countrey for money euery day, Howe many with money from true iudgement are led: Did not the prophete Balam curse gods people for money? Did not Iudas for money his master Christ betraye? Whereof he had no ioye, when he the same had done, But like a damned wretch honge him selfe full soone. One asked Diogenes why golde did looke so wan: No marueill said he it is though he so pale doe looke, For euery one layes wayte to catche him if they can. Fewe will take the paynes to catche holde on gods booke: Money ill vsed is the diuels snare and hooke. Whereby many are brought to endles damnation: But the godly doe bestowe it to their saluation. Fyer is the good gift and creature of God▪ Whereby we may do good and also wickedly: We may warme the poore therewith as charitie hath vs bode, And also seeth the meate wherewith to feede the hungrie: We may keepe houses therewith, as many haue done truely: And we may cut our necessaries and meate with our knyfe Wherewith many haue cut their owne throtes & bereued thē of their life. Thus the creature of God is not euill of him selfe, But through our misuse from good to euill conuerted: Euen so money ill vsed is a most wicked pelfe. And also as good where well it is, bestowed. Let all people take heede lest it of them be hoarded: For at the last day against them it will witnes, And then that they had not done it, to late for to wishe. And because that euery man of money is so greedie Our Authour a pleasant Tragedie with paynes hath now made, Whereby you may peceyue, All thing is for money: For Omnia pecunia effici possunt, as in Tullies sentence is said▪ In hearing vs attentiuely we craue but your ayde, Beseeching God, the hearers that thereby shalbe touched, May rather amend their faultes, then therewith be grieued.