A FLATTERER

Is the shadow of a fool.  He is a good woodman, for he singleth out none but the wealthy.  His carriage is ever of the colour of his patient; and for his sake he will halt or wear a wry neck.  He dispraiseth nothing but poverty and small drink, and praiseth his Grace of making water.  He selleth himself with reckoning his great friends, and teacheth the present how to win his praises by reciting the other gifts; he is ready for all employments, but especially before dinner, for his courage and his stomach go together.  He will play any upon his countenance, and where he cannot be admitted for a counsellor he will serve as a fool.  He frequents the Court of Wards and Ordinaries, and fits these guests of Togae viriles with wives or worse.  He entereth young men into aquaintance with debt-books.  In a word, he is the impression of the last term, and will be so until the coming of a new term or termer.

AN IGNORANT GLORY-HUNTER

Is an insectum animal, for he is the maggot of opinion; his behaviour is another thing from himself, and is glued and but set on.  He entertains men with repetitions, and returns them their own words.  He is ignorant of nothing, no not of those things where ignorance is the lesser shame.  He gets the names of good wits, and utters them for his companions.  He confesseth vices that he is guiltless of, if they be in fashion; and dares not salute a man in old clothes, or out of fashion.  There is not a public assembly without him, and he will take any pains for an acquaintance there.  In any show he will be one, though he be but a whiffler or a torch-bearer, and bears down strangers with the story of his actions.  He handles nothing that is not rare, and defends his wardrobe, diet, and all customs, with intituling their beginnings from princes, great soldiers, and strange nations.  He dare speak more than he understands, and adventures his words without the relief of any seconds.  He relates battles and skirmishes as from an eyewitness, when his eyes thievishly beguiled a ballad of them.  In a word, to make sure of admiration, he will not let himself understand himself, but hopes fame and opinion will be the readers of his riddles.

A TIMIST

Is a noun adjective of the present tense.  He hath no more of a conscience than fear, and his religion is not his but the prince’s.  He reverenceth a courtier’s servant’s servant; is first his own slave, and then whosesoever looketh big.  When he gives he curseth, and when he sells he worships.  He reads the statutes in his chamber, and wears the Bible in the streets; he never praiseth any, but before themselves or friends; and mislikes no great man’s actions during his life.  His New Year’s gifts are ready at Allhallowmas, and the suit he meant to meditate before them.  He pleaseth the children