A COURTIER,

To all men's thinking, is a man, and to most men the finest; all things

else are defined by the understanding, but this by the senses; but his

surest mark is, that he is to be found only about princes. He smells,

and putteth away much of his judgment about the situation of his

clothes. He knows no man that is not generally known. His wit, like the

marigold, openeth with the sun, and therefore he riseth not before ten

of the clock. He puts more confidence in his words than meaning, and

more in his pronunciation than his words. Occasion is his Cupid, and he

hath but one receipt of making love. He follows nothing but inconstancy,

admires nothing but beauty, honours nothing but fortune: Loves nothing.

The sustenance of his discourse is news, and his censure, like a shot,

depends upon the charging. He is not, if he be out of court, but

fish-like breathes destruction if out of his element. Neither his motion

or aspect are regular, but he moves by the upper spheres, and is the

reflection of higher substances.

If you find him not here, you shall in Paul's, with a pick-tooth in his

hat, cape-cloak, and a long stocking.

Character Writings of the Seventeenth Century · 第 41 / 429 题