The Devil is an Ass

by Ben Jonson

Fit. Diuell! How like you him, Sir. Pace, go a little. Let’s ſee you moue.

Mer. He’ll ſerue, S^r, giue it him: And let him goe along with mee, I’ll helpe To preſent him, and it.

Fit. Looke, you doe ſirah, 25 Diſcharge this well, as you expect your place. Do’you heare, goe on, come off with all your honours. Giues him inſtructions. I would faine ſee him, do it.

Mer. Truſt him, with it;

Fit. Remember kiſſing of your hand, and anſwering With the French-time, in flexure of your body. 30 I could now ſo inſtruct him—and for his words—

Mer. I’ll put them in his mouth.

Fit. O, but I haue ’hem O’ the very Academies.

Mer. Sir, you’ll haue vſe for ’hem, Anon, your ſelfe, I warrant you: after dinner, When you are call’d.

Fit. S’light, that’ll be iuſt play-time. 35 He longs to ſee the play. It cannot be, I muſt not loſe the play!

Mer. Sir, but you muſt, if ſhe appoint to ſit. And, ſhee’s preſident.