Printers are the most lawless men in the kingdom, because they commit faults with license.
Why should men think there is a world in the moon? Because they are lunatic.
(This refers to the book, "A Discovery of a New World," by Bishop Wilkins, which had just appeared in 1638.)
It was asked of one who wore a threadbare coat, whether his coat were not sleepy. "Why do you ask?" queried the owner. "Because," was the reply, "I think it hath not had a nap this seven year."
One remarked "that it was a good fashion that was worn nowadays" (1639), "because the tailors had so contrived that there was little or no waste in a whole suit."
The philosopher's stone had need turn all metals to gold because the study of it turns all a man's gold to other metal.
A Gallant with a galloping wit was mounted upon a running horse toward a town named Tame, within ten miles of Oxford, and, riding at full speed, he met an old man, and asked him, 'Sirrah, is this the way to Tame?' 'Yes, sir,' he replied, 'your horse, I'll warrant you, if he were as wild as the devil.'
"This is a riddle to a fool, methinks,
And seems to want an Œdipus or Sphinx,
But, Reader, in my book I hold it fit[3]
To find you lines, yourself must find you wit."
[3] Sufficient.