[Footnote: This kind of literature, in which one attempted to write a portrait of one's self or of others, was then very much in fashion. La Bruyere and de Saint-Simon in France, as well as Dryden and Pope in England, have shown what a literary portrait may become in the hands of men of talent.]
MAD. I must acknowledge that I dote upon portraits; I think there is nothing more gallant.
MASC. Portraits are difficult, and call for great wit; you shall see some of mine that will not displease you.
CAT. As for me, I am awfully fond of riddles.
MASC. They exercise the intelligence; I have already written four of them this morning, which I will give you to guess.
MAD. Madrigals are pretty enough when they are neatly turned.
MASC. That is my special talent; I am at present engaged in turning the whole Roman history into madrigals.
[Footnote: Seventeen years after this play was performed, Benserade published les Métamorphoses d' Ovide mises en rondeaux.]
MAD. Goodness gracious! that will certainly be superlatively fine; I should like to have one copy at least, if you think of publishing it.
MASC. I promise you each a copy, bound in the handsomest manner. It does not become a man of my rank to scribble, but I do it only to serve the publishers, who are always bothering me.