Sir William Lilly, a famous painter in the reign of king Charles I. had
at a certain agreement drawn the picture of a rich citizen of London to
the life, that was not indebted to nature either for face or proportion
of body; but when the citizen came to fetch it away, he refused to give
Sir William so much money, as they had agreed for, because, as he
alleged, if the owner did not buy it, it would lie upon his hands.
“That’s your mistake,” says the painter, “for I can sell it for double
the price I demand.” “How can that be,” says the citizen, “for ’tis like
nobody but myself?” “’Tis true,” says Sir William, “but I will draw a
tail to it, and then it will be the best piece for a monkey in England.”
Upon which the citizen rather than be exposed, paid down his money and
took away his picture.
* * * * *