ASO. A poison of all! I think I was forespoke, I.
AMO. No, I must tell you, you are not audacious enough; you must
frequent ordinaries a month more, to initiate yourself: in which
time, it will not be amiss, if, in private, you keep good your
acquaintance with Crites, or some other of his poor coat; visit his
lodging secretly and often; become an earnest suitor to hear some
of his labours.
ASO. O Jove! sir, I could never get him to read a line to me.
AMO. You must then wisely mix yourself in rank with such as you
know can; and, as your ears do meet with a new phrase, or an acute
jest, take it in: a quick nimble memory will lift it away, and, at
your next public meal, it is your own.
ASO. But I shall never utter it perfectly, sir.
AMO. No matter, let it come lame. In ordinary talk you shall play
it away, as you do your light crowns at primero: it will pass.
ASO. I shall attempt, sir.
AMO. Do. It is your shifting age for wit, and, I assure you, men
must be prudent. After this you may to court, and there fall in,
first with the waiting-woman, then with the lady. Put case they do
retain you there, as a fit property, to hire coaches some pair of
months, or so; or to read them asleep in afternoons upon some
pretty pamphlet, to breathe you; why, it shall in time embolden you
to some farther achievement: in the interim, you may fashion
yourself to be careless and impudent.
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