PHANTASTES, a swart-complexioned fellow, but quick-eyed, in a white satin doublet of one fashion, green velvet hose of another, a fantastical hat with a plume of feathers of several colours, a little short taffeta cloak, a pair of buskins cut, drawn out with sundry-coloured ribbands, with scarfs hung about him after all fashions and of all colours, rings, jewels, a fan, and in every place other odd complements.[218] HEURESIS, a nimble-sprited page in the newest fashion, with a garland of bays, &c.
PHANTASTES, HEURESIS.
PHA. Sirrah boy! Heuresis! boy! how now, biting your nails?
HEU. Three things have troubled my brain this many a day, and just now, when I was laying hold on the invention of them, your sudden call made them, like Tantalus's apples, fly from my fingers.
PHA. Some great matters, questionless; what were they?
HEU. The quadrature of a circle, the philosopher's stone, and the next way to the Indies.
PHA. Thou dost well to meditate on these three things at once, for they'll be found out altogether—ad Graecas Calendas; but let them pass, and carry the conceit I told you this morning to the party you wot of. In my imagination 'tis capricious; 'twill take, I warrant thee.
HEU. I will, sir. But what say you to the gentleman that was with you yesterday?
PHA. O, I think thou meanest him that made nineteen sonnets of his mistress's busk-point.[219]
HEU. The same, the same, sir. You promised to help him out with the twentieth.