Page:Biographical and critical studies by James Thomson ("B.V.").djvu/209

BEN JONSON 193 Drug. Troth, sir, I was speaking, Just as your worship came here, of your worship : I pray you speak for me to master doctor. Face. He shall do anything. Doctor, do you hear ? This is my friend Abel, an honest fellow ; He lets me have good tobacco, and he does not Sophisticate it with sack-lees or oil, Nor washes it in muscadel and grains. Nor buries it in gravel, under ground, Wrapped up in greasy leather, or pissed clouts : But keeps it in fine lily pots, that, opened, Smell like conserve of roses, or French beans, He has his maple block, his silver tongs, Winchester pipes, and fire of juniper : A neat, spruce, honest fellow, and no goldsmith. [In the sense of money-lender, usurer.] Sub. He is a fortunate fellow, that I am sure on. Face. Already, sir, have you found it ? Lo thee, Abel ! Sub. And in right way toward riches Face. Sir ! Sub. This summer He will be of the clothing of his company. And next spring called to the scarlet ; spend what he can. Face. What, and so little beard ? Sub. Sir, you must think, He may have a receipt to make hair come : But he'll be wise, preserve his youth, and fine for't. His fortune looks for him another way. Face. 'Slid, doctor, how canst thou know this so soon ? I am amused [amazed] at that. Sub. By a rule, captain. In metoposcopy, which I do work by ; A certain star in the forehead, which you see not. Your chesnut or your olive-coloured face Does never fail : and your long ear doth promise. I knew't by certain spots, too, in his teeth, And on the nail of his Mercurial finger. Face. Which finger's that ? Sub. His little finger. Look. You were born upon a Wednesday ? Drug. Yes, indeed, sir, N