Johns. Sir, I confess I am not able to answer you in this new way; but if you please to lead, I shall be glad to follow you, and I hope my friend will do so too.
Smith. Sir, I have no business so considerable as should keep me from your company.
Bayes. Yes, here it is. No, cry you mercy: this is my book of Drama Commonplaces, the mother of many other plays.
Johns. Drama Commonplaces! pray what's that?
Bayes. Why, sir, some certain helps that we men of art have found it convenient to make use of.
Smith. How, sir, helps for wit?
Bayes. Ay, sir, that's my position. And I do here aver that no man yet the sun e'er shone upon has parts sufficient to furnish out a stage, except it were by the help of these my rules.[2]
Johns. What are those rules, I pray?
Bayes. Why, sir, my first rule is the rule of transversion, or Regula Duplex; changing verse into prose, or prose into verse, alternativè as you please.
Smith. Well; but how is this done by a rule, sir?