Alchemist, The

By Ben Jonson

Act I Scene IV. The same.

Act I

Scene IV. The same.

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Scene IV. The same.

Face. Subtle. [Enter] Dol

Sub. What says my dainty Dolkin?

Dol. Yonder fish-wife
Will not away. And there`s your giantess,
The bawd of Lambeth.

Sub. Heart, I cannot speak with `em.

Dol. Not afore night, I have told `em in a voice,
Thorough the trunk, like one of your familiars.
But I have spied Sir Epicure Mammon -

Sub. Where?

Dol. Coming along, at far end of the lane,
Slow of his feet, but earnest of his tongue
To one that`s with him.

Sub. Face, go you and shift.

Dol, you must presently make ready too.

[Exit Face]

Dol. Why, what`s the matter?

Sub. O, I did look for him
With the sun`s rising: marvel he could sleep.
This is the day I am to perfect for him
The magisterium, our great work, the stone;
And yield it, made, into his hands: of which
He has, this month, talk`d as he were possess`d.
And now he`s dealing pieces on`t away.
Methinks I see him ent`ring ordinaries,
Dispensing for the pox, and plaguy houses,
Reaching his dose, walking Moorfields for lepers,
And off`ring citizens` wives pomander^1 - bracelets,
As his preservative, made of the elixir;
Searching the spittle, to make old bawds young;
And the highways, for beggars, to make rich.
I see no end of his labours. He will make
Nature asham`d of her long sleep: when art,
Who`s but a step-dame, shall do more than she,

[Footnote 1: A ball of perfume carried against infection.]

In her best love to mankind, ever could.
If his dream last, he`ll turn the age to gold.

[Exeunt.]


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