th 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.

ASO. How if they would have me to make verses? I heard Hedon
spoke to for some.

AMO. Why, you must prove the aptitude of your genius; if you find
none, you must hearken out a vein, and buy; provided you pay for
the silence as for the work, then you may securely call it your
own.

ASO. Yes, and I'll give out my acquaintance with all the best
writers, to countenance me the more.

AMO. Rather seem not to know them, it is your best. Ay, be wise,
that you never so much as mention the name of one, nor remember it
mentioned; but if they be offer'd to you in discourse, shake your
light head, make between a sad and a smiling face, pity some, rail
at all, and commend yourself: 'tis your only safe and unsuspected
course. Come, you shall look back upon the court again to-day, and
be restored to your colours: I do now partly aim at the cause of
your repulse--which was ominous indeed--for as you enter at the
door, there is opposed to you the frame of a wolf in the hangings,
which, surprising your eye suddenly, gave a false alarm to the
heart; and that was it called your blood out of your face, and so
routed the whole rank of your spirits: I beseech you labour to
forget i