Sir Sim. Nay, I am sure Dapperwit and I have been partners in many an intrigue, and he uses to serve me so.
Mrs. Joyn. He is an ill man to intrigue with, as you call it.
Sir Sim. Ay, so are all your wits; a pox! if a man's understanding be not so public as theirs, he cannot do a wise action but they go away with the honour of it, if he be of their acquaintance.
Mrs. Joyn. Why do you keep such acquaintance then?
Sir Sim. There is a proverb, Mrs. Joyner, "You may know him by his company."
Mrs. Joyn. No, no, to be thought a man of parts, you must always keep company with a man of less wit than yourself.
Sir Sim. That's the hardest thing in the world for me to do, faith and troth.
Mrs. Joyn. What, to find a man of less wit than yourself? Pardon my raillery, Sir Simon.
Sir Sim. No, no, I cannot keep company with a fool:—I wonder how men of parts can do't, there's something in't.