Ben Jonson
The Devil Is an Ass Act 1 Scene 7
Pug, Fitz-Dottrel, Ingine.

Here is one Ingine, Sir, desires to speak with you.

Fit.
I thought he brought some news of a Bro-
ker! Well,
Let him come in, good Devil; fetch him else.
O, my fine Ingine! what's th' affair? More Cheats?

Ing.
No, Sir, the Wit, the Brain, the great Projector,
I told you of, is newly come to Town.

Fit.
Where, Ingine?

Ing.
I ha' brought him (H' is without)
E're he pull'd off his Boots, Sir, but so follow'd,
For businesses.

Fit.
But what is a Projector?
I would conceive.

Ing.
Why, one, Sir, that projects
Ways to enrich Men, or to make 'em great,
By Suits, by Marriages, by Undertakings:
According as he sees they humour it.

Fit.
Can he not conjure at all?

Ing.
I think he can, Sir,
(To tell you true.) But you do know, of late,
The State hath tane such note of 'em, and compell'd 'em
To enter such great Bonds, they dare not practice.

Fit.
'Tis true, and I lie fallow for't the while!

Ing.
O, Sir! you'll grow the richer for the rest.

Fit.
I hope I shall: but, Ingine, you do talk
Somewhat too much o' my Courses.
My Cloak-Cu-stomer
Could tell me strange particulars.

Ing.
By my means?

Fit.
How should he have 'em else?

Ing.
You do not know, Sir,
What he has: and by what Arts! A money'd Man, Sir,
And is as great with your Almanack-Men as you are!

Fit.
That Gallant?

Ing.
You make the other wait too long here:
And he is extream punctual.

Fit.
Is he Gallant?

Ing.
Sir, you shall see: He' is in his Riding Suit,
As he comes now from Court. But hear him speak:
Minister Matter to him, and then tell me.