"A leading figure of Restoration drama, William Congreve (1690-1729) is considered the outstanding practitioner of the English comedy of manners during its formative period. ... This play is considered to be his masterpiece. He was not prolific and only wrote five full-length plays -this was his last and not a success when first performed. " ....Congreve's comedies are notable for their extreme verbal wit and for the precision with which they dismantle the pretentions of the courtly society of their day." iii

I got this book because he is the same author who wrote the libretto for Handel's Semele, which I liked.
"....thou are an epitomizer of words.
Petulant: Witwood - you are an annihilator of sense
Witwood: Thou cut a retailer of phrases; and dost deal in a ...ACT IV Scene I, p. 54