MER. Crites. A creature of a most perfect and divine temper: one, in whom the humours and elements are peaceably met, without emulation of precedency; he is neither too fantastically melancholy, too slowly phlegmatic, too lightly sanguine, or too rashly choleric; but in all so composed and ordered; as it is clear Nature went about some full work, she did more than make a man when she made him. His discourse is like his behaviour, uncommon, but not unpleasing; he is prodigal of neither. He strives rather to be that which men call judicious, than to be thought so; and is so truly learned, that he affects not to shew it. He will think and speak his thought both freely; but as distant from depraving another man's merit, as proclaiming his own. For his valour, 'tis such, that he dares as little to offer any injury, as receive one. In sum, he hath a most ingenuous and sweet spirit, a sharp and season'd wit, a straight judgment and a strong mind. Fortune could never break him, nor make him less. He counts it his pleasure to despise pleasures, and is more delighted with good deeds than goods. It is a competency to him that he can be virtuous. He doth neither covet nor fear; he hath too much reason to do either; and that commends all things to him. CUP. Not better than Mercury commends him. MER. O, Cupid, 'tis beyond my deity to give him his due praises: I could leave my place in heaven to live among mortals, so I were sure to be no other than he. CUP. 'Slight, I believe he is your minion, you seem to be so ravish'd with him. MER. He's one I would not have a wry thought darted against, willingly. CUP. No, but a straight shaft in his bosom I'll promise him, if I am Cytherea's son. MER. Shall we go, Cupid? CUP. Stay, and see the ladies now: they'll come presently. I'll help to paint them. MER. What lay colour upon colour! that affords but an ill blazon. CUP. Here comes metal to help it, the lady Argurion. [ARGURION PASSES OVER THE STAGE.] MER. Money, money.