A pox on him, a fellow that pretends only to learning, buys titles, and nothing else of books in him.

CLE. The world reports him to be very learned.

TRU. I am sorry the world should so conspire to belie him.

CLE. Good faith, I have heard very good things come from him.

TRU. You may. There's none so desperately ignorant to deny that: would they were his own. God b'w'you, gentlemen.

 

Exit

 

CLE. This is very abrupt!

 

Scene 3

DAU. Come, you are a strange open man, to tell everything, thus.

CLE. Why, believe it, Dauphine, Truewit's a very honest fellow.

DAU. I think no other: but this frank nature of his is not for secrets.

CLE. Nay, then, you are mistaken, Dauphine: I know where he has been well trusted, and discharged the trust very truly and heartily.

DAU. I contend not, Ned, but with the fewer a business is carried, it is ever the safer. Now we are alone, if you'll go thither, I am for you.

CLE. When were you there?

DAU. Last night: and such a decameron of sport fallen out! Boccace never thought of the like. Daw does nothing but court her; and the wrong way. He would lie with her, and praises her modesty; desires that she would talk and be free, and commends her silence in verses: which he reads and swears are the best that ever man made. Then rails at his fortunes, stamps, and mutinies, why he is not made a counsellor, and called to affairs of state.

CLE. I pray thee, let's go. I would fain partake this. Some water, boy.

Exit Boy

 

DAU. We are invited to dinner together, he and I, by one that came thither to him, Sir La Fool.

CLE. Oh, that's a precious manikin!

DAU. Do you know him?

CLE. Aye, and he will know you too, if e'er he saw you but once, though you should meet him at church in the midst of prayers. He is one of the Braveries, though he be none o' the Wits. He will salute a judge upon the bench, and a bishop in the pulpit, a lawyer when he is pleading at the bar, and a lady when she is dancing in a masque, and put her out. He does give plays and suppers, and invites his guests to 'em aloud, out of his window, as they ride by in coaches. He has a lodging in the Strand for the purpose.