The Devil is an Ass

by Ben Jonson

Ev. Tye vp your wit, Doe, and prouoke me not—

Mer. Will you, Sir, helpe, To what I ſhall prouoke another for you?

Ev. I cannot tell; try me: I thinke I am not 50 So vtterly, of an ore vn-to-be-melted, But I can doe my ſelfe good, on occaſions.

They ioyne.

Mer. Strike in then, for your part. M^r. Fitz-dottrel If I tranſgreſſe in point of manners, afford mee Your beſt conſtruction; I muſt beg my freedome 55 From your affayres, this day.

Fit. How, S^r.

Mer. It is In ſuccour of this Gentlemans occaſions, My kinſ-man— Mere-craft pretends buſineſſe.

Fit. You’ll not do me that affront, S^r.

Mer. I am ſory you ſhould ſo interpret it, But, Sir, it ſtands vpon his being inueſted 60 In a new office, hee has ſtood for, long: [133]

Mere-craft describes the office of Dependancy.