32 TWO KINDS OF COMEDY

wrong3 as to prepare your apprehension: I'll leave him to the
mercy of your search; if you can take him, so!

WEL. Well, captain Bobadill, master Mathew, pray you know
this gentleman here; he is a friend of mine., and one that will
deserve your aifection. I know not your name., sir, [to STEPHEN]
but I shall be glad of any occasion to render me more familiar
to you.

STEP. My name is master Stephen, sir; I am this gentleman's own
cousin, sir; his father is mine uncle., sir; I am somewhat
melancholy, but you shall command me, sir, in whatsoever is
incident to a gentleman.

BOB. Sir, I must tell you this, I am no general man; but for
master Wellbred's sake, (you may embrace it at what height of
favour you please), I do communicate with you, and conceive
you to be a gentleman of some parts; I love few words.

E. KNOW. And I fewer, sir; I have scarce enough to thank you.

MAT. But are you, indeed, sir, so given to it?

STEP. Ay, truly, sir, I am mightily given to melancholy.

MAT. Oh, it's your only fine humour, sir: your true melancholy
breeds your perfect fine wit, sir. I am melancholy myself,
divers times, sir, and then do I no more but take pen and paper,
presently, and overflow you half a score, or a dozen of sonnets
at a sitting.

E. KNOW. Sure he utters them then by the gross. [Aside.

STEP. Truly, sir, and I love such things out of measure.

E. KNOW. Ffaith, better than in measure, I'll undertake.

MAT. Why, I pray you, sir, make use of my study, it's at your
service.

STEP. I thank you, sir, I shall be bold, I warrant you; have you a
stool there to be melancholy upon?

MAT. That I have, sir, and some papers there of mine own doing,
at idle hours, that you'll say there's some sparks of wit in 'em,
when you see them.

WEL. Would the sparks would kindle once, and become a fire
amongst them! I might see self-love burnt for her heresy.

[Aside.