Character 32. Of an Excellent Companion.

HE is the life and spirit of the Company, and sparkling liquor, whilst others are but dregs and lees. He is never dry nor pumping, Page  50 but alw•yes full and flowing; every thing af∣fording him matter of merriment; and for a need he can extract it out of nothing too. He differs from the Buffoon, as an excellent Comedy does from the Farse; and is all wit, t'other onely▪ foolery. He is neither scurrulous nor prophane, but a good man as well as a good companion; and so far a good fellow, to take a chearful cup or two, (for wine's a good whet∣ter of a fine edg'd wit, so with too much they whet it not quite away) and though to men of business he seems to confer but little to the se∣riouser part of life; yet he whets the knife of the serious man, and makes them more apt for business afterwards, (as Musick makes them apter for Devotion) and those who are dis∣pleas'd with his mirth, are just like Saul dis∣pleas'd with Davids musick, possest with •ome melancholly devil, or other, which onely such as he can cast out; for which they send for him farther, then they did for Dr. Butler, and every one loves and cherishes him, he being the Darling of all the nobler sort, the Fa∣vourite of Kings, and Companion for any Prince.