The Devil is an Ass

by Ben Jonson

Eve. So you doe meane to make’t, a perfect Buſineſſe.

Fit. Nay, I’ll doe that, aſſure you: ſhew me once.

Mer. S^r, it concernes, the firſt be a perfect Buſineſſe, For his owne honour!

Eve. I, and th’ reputation Too, of my place.

Fit. Why, why doe I take this courſe, elſe? 115 I am not altogether, an Aſſe, good Gentlemen, Wherefore ſhould I conſult you? doe you thinke? To make a ſong on’t? How’s your manner? tell vs.

Mer. Doe, ſatisfie him: giue him the whole courſe.

Eve. Firſt, by requeſt, or otherwiſe, you offer 120 Your Buſineſſe to the Court: wherein you craue: The iudgement of the Maſter and the Aſsiſtants.

Fit. Well, that’s done, now, what doe you vpon it?

Eve. We ſtreight S^r, haue recourſe to the ſpring-head; Viſit the ground; and, ſo diſcloſe the nature: 125 If it will carry, or no. If wee doe finde, By our proportions it is like to proue A ſullen, and blacke Bus’neſſe That it be Incorrigible; and out of, treaty; then. We file it, a Dependance!

Fit. So ’tis fil’d. 130 What followes? I doe loue the order of theſe things.