Wager, William · published 1570 · first performed or written 1560 [c.1559-c.1570] (Annals) moral T37 Riches, poverty and covetousness typicality 0.77 · 500 words
Marked words are the most distinguishing words of T37: wealth, riches, money, god, rich, poverty, men, learning, poor, ic.
I find it true as the wise king Saloman doth say, It is better to have a little with the fear of the Lord Then to have much treasure and yet go astray, I mean to decline from God's holy word. The proverb saith enough is as good as a feast, He that hath enough and cannot be content: In my judgement is worse than a Beast, For he wanteth a good conscience mind & intent. The Chariot of Covetous as Barnard doth writ, On four wheels of vices is carried away: And these be the four vices that he doth recite, Contempt of God, forgetfulness of death each day. Faint courage, and ungentleness he doth say. These be the wheels that to adversities cart doth belong: These have persuasions to beguile men many and strong. The same Chariot hath two horses which doth it draw, The one named Raveny and the other nigardship: Their Carter is Desire to have, who always doth claw, By fraud or guile one an other to nip, This Carter hath two cords to his Whip. The one is Appititite and felicity for to get: The other is called Dread and fear to forlet. When this Chariot gone in the ground of man's mind, He is not once able to think a good thought: For Covetous doth the heart so much to lucre bind, That he judgeth all things to be vain and naught, Except some gain or profit thereby be brought. I myself am able to say it, for I do it know: To have gotten money I studied to deceive high and low But thanks be to God the Father of all might, Which will not the death of Sinners as Scripture doth say It hath pleased him to open unto me the the true light, Whereby I perceive the right path from the broad way, Therefore I am content myself for to stay. With Enough which bringeth me to quiet in body & mind: Yea. and all other commodities there with I do find, Godliness is great riches if a man can be content, When God hath sent him plenty and Enough: Let us praise him for our food and raiment, And live godlily all our lives through, For we must tread the paths of death so sharp and rough. And then shall we be sure to carry as little away: As we brought with us thus Saint Paul doth say. Body of me he is marvelous foregone: We shall have somewhat to do with him anon. It was ill luck that he came not alone. I would that beggarly knave in Hell were. Well let me alone I will go near, To 'cause him of his company to be weary: I have done as great acts thrice this year, I am not to learn to row in Illirans Ferry. I will go to him and thou shalt wait upon me, Thou shalt hear what a take to him I will tell:
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)
I finde it true as the wiſe king Saloman dooth ſay, It is better to haue a little with the fear of the Lord Then to haue much treaſure and yet go aſtray, I mene to decline from Gods holy word. The prouerbe ſaith inough is as good as a feaſt, He that hath inough and cannot be content: In my iudgement is worſe then a Beaſt, For he wanteth a good conſcience minde & intent. The Chariot of Couetouſe as Barnard dooth write, On foure wheeles of vices is caried away: And theſe be the foure vices that he dooth reſite, Contempt of God, forgetfulnes of death eche day. Faint courage, and vngentlenes he dooth ſay. Theſe be the wheeles that to aduerſityes cart dooth belong: Theſe haue perſwations to begile men many and ſtrong. The ſame Chariot hath two horſes which dooth it draw, The one named Raueny and the other nigardſhip: Their Carter is Deſire to haue, who alwaies dooth claw, By fraude or guile one an other to nip, This Carter hath two cordes to his Whip. The one is Appititite and felicitie for to get: The other is called Dread and fear to forlet. When this Chariot goe in the ground of mans minde, He is not once able to think a good thought: For Couetouſe dooth the hart ſo much to lucre binde, That he iudgeth all things to be vain and nought, Except ſome gain or profit therby be brought. I my ſelf am able to ſay it, for I doo it knowe: To haue gotten money I ſtudyed to deceiue high and lowe But thanks be to God the Father of all might, Which wil not the death of Sinners as Scripture dooth ſay It hath pleaſed him to open vnto me the the true light, Wherby I perceiue the right path from the brode way, Therfore I am content my ſelf for to ſtay. With Inough which bringeth me to quiet in body & minde: Yea. and all other commodityes there with I doo finde, Godlines is great riches if a man can be content, When God hath ſent him plenty and Inough: Let vs praiſe him for our food and raiment, And liue godlyly all our liues through, For we muſt tread the paths of death ſo ſharp and rough. And then ſhall we be ſure to cary as little away: As we brought with vs thus Saint Paule dooth ſay. Body of me he is meruelouſe forgone: We ſhall haue ſomwhat to doo with him anon. It was il luck that he came not alone. I would that beggerly knaue in Hel were. Wel let me alone I wil go néer, To cauſe him of his company to be wery: I haue doon as great acts thriſe this yeer, I am not to learne to rowe in Illirans Fery. I wil go to him and thou ſhalt wait vpon me, Thou ſhalt hear what a take to him I wil tel: