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The Alchemist

Overview

Show Type
Play
Age Guidance
Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
Genders
  • Female: 1
  • Male: 3
Playing Age
Adult
Style
Comedic
Length
Medium
Time Period
Classical
Time/Place
London, Seventeenth Century
Act/Scene
Act 3, Scene 4

Context

Text

FACE. Come on, master Dapper, You see how I turn clients here away, To give your cause dispatch; have you perform'd The ceremonies were enjoin'd you?

DAP. Yes, of the vinegar, And the clean shirt.

FACE. 'Tis well: that shirt may do you More worship than you think. Your aunt's a-fire, But that she will not shew it, t' have a sight of you. Have you provided for her grace's servants?

DAP. Yes, here are six score Edward shillings.

FACE. Good!

DAP. And an old Harry's sovereign.

FACE. Very good!

DAP. And three James shillings, and an Elizabeth groat, Just twenty nobles.

FACE. O, you are too just. I would you had had the other noble in Maries.

DAP. I have some Philip and Maries.

FACE. Ay, those same Are best of all: where are they? Hark, the doctor.

[ENTER SUBTLE, DISGUISED LIKE A PRIEST OF FAIRY, WITH A STRIPE OF CLOTH.]

SUB [IN A FEIGNED VOICE]. Is yet her grace's cousin come?

FACE. He is come.

SUB. And is he fasting?

FACE. Yes.

SUB. And hath cried hum?

FACE. Thrice, you must answer.

DAP. Thrice.

SUB. And as oft buz?

FACE. If you have, say.

DAP. I have.

SUB. Then, to her cuz, Hoping that he hath vinegar'd his senses, As he was bid, the Fairy queen dispenses, By me, this robe, the petticoat of fortune; Which that he straight put on, she doth importune. And though to fortune near be her petticoat, Yet nearer is her smock, the queen doth note: And therefore, ev'n of that a piece she hath sent Which, being a child, to wrap him in was rent; And prays him for a scarf he now will wear it, With as much love as then her grace did tear it, About his eyes, [THEY BLIND HIM WITH THE RAG,] to shew he is fortunate. And, trusting unto her to make his state, He'll throw away all worldly pelf about him; Which that he will perform, she doth not doubt him.

FACE. She need not doubt him, sir. Alas, he has nothing, But what he will part withal as willingly, Upon her grace's word -- throw away your purse -- As she would ask it; -- handkerchiefs and all -- [HE THROWS AWAY, AS THEY BID HIM.] She cannot bid that thing, but he'll obey. -- If you have a ring about you, cast it off, Or a silver seal at your wrist; her grace will send Her fairies here to search you, therefore deal Directly with her highness: if they find That you conceal a mite, you are undone.

DAP. Truly, there's all.

FACE. All what?

DAP. My money; truly.

FACE. Keep nothing that is transitory about you. [ASIDE TO SUBTLE.] Bid Dol play music. -- [DOL PLAYS ON THE CITTERN WITHIN.] Look, the elves are come. To pinch you, if you tell not truth. Advise you.

[THEY PINCH HIM.]

DAP. O! I have a paper with a spur-ryal in't.

FACE. Ti, ti. They knew't, they say.

SUB. Ti, ti, ti, ti. He has more yet.

FACE. Ti, ti-ti-ti. [ASIDE TO SUB.] In the other pocket.

SUB. Titi, titi, titi, titi, titi. They must pinch him or he will never confess, they say.

[THEY PINCH HIM AGAIN.]

DAP. O, O!

FACE. Nay, pray you, hold: he is her grace's nephew, Ti, ti, ti? What care you? good faith, you shall care. -- Deal plainly, sir, and shame the fairies. Shew You are innocent.

DAP. By this good light, I have nothing.

SUB. Ti, ti, ti, ti, to, ta. He does equivocate she says: Ti, ti do ti, ti ti do, ti da; and swears by the LIGHT when he is blinded.

DAP. By this good DARK, I have nothing but a half-crown Of gold about my wrist, that my love gave me; And a leaden heart I wore since she forsook me.

FACE. I thought 'twas something. And would you incur Your aunt's displeasure for these trifles? Come, I had rather you had thrown away twenty half-crowns. [TAKES IT OFF.] You may wear your leaden heart still. -- [ENTER DOL HASTILY.] How now!

SUB. What news, Dol?

DOL. Yonder's your knight, sir Mammon.

FACE. 'Ods lid, we never thought of him till now! Where is he?

DOL. Here hard by: he is at the door.

SUB. And you are not ready now! Dol, get his suit. [EXIT DOL.] He must not be sent back.

FACE. O, by no means. What shall we do with this same puffin here, Now he's on the spit?

SUB. Why, lay him back awhile, With some device. [RE-ENTER DOL, WITH FACE'S CLOTHES.] -- Ti, ti, ti, ti, ti, ti, Would her grace speak with me? I come. -- Help, Dol!

[KNOCKING WITHOUT.]

FACE [SPEAKS THROUGH THE KEYHOLE]. Who's there? sir Epicure, My master's in the way. Please you to walk Three or four turns, but till his back be turned, And I am for you. -- Quickly, Dol!

SUB. Her grace Commends her kindly to you, master Dapper.

DAP. I long to see her grace.

SUB. She now is set At dinner in her bed, and she has sent you From her own private trencher, a dead mouse, And a piece of gingerbread, to be merry withal, And stay your stomach, lest you faint with fasting: Yet if you could hold out till she saw you, she says, It would be better for you.

FACE. Sir, he shall Hold out, an 'twere this two hours, for her highness; I can assure you that. We will not lose All we have done. --

SUB. He must not see, nor speak To any body, till then.

FACE. For that we'll put, sir, A stay in's mouth.

SUB. Of what?

FACE. Of gingerbread. Make you it fit. He that hath pleas'd her grace Thus far, shall not now crincle for a little. -- Gape, sir, and let him fit you.

[THEY THRUST A GAG OF GINGERBREAD IN HIS MOUTH.]

SUB. Where shall we now Bestow him?

DOL. In the privy.

SUB. Come along, sir, I now must shew you Fortune's privy lodgings.

FACE. Are they perfumed, and his bath ready?

SUB. All: Only the fumigation's somewhat strong.

FACE [SPEAKING THROUGH THE KEYHOLE]. Sir Epicure, I am yours, sir, by and by.

[EXEUNT WITH DAPPER.]

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