3 Avoc. 'Tis true; He is a man of great estate, now left. 4 Avoc. Go you, and learn his name; and say, the court Entreats his presence here; but, to the clearing Of some few doubts. 2 Avoc. This same's a labyrinth! 1 Anoc. Stand you unto your first report? Coro. Are at the stake. 1 Avoc. Is your's too? Corb. The advocate's a knave: And has a forked tongue2 Avoc. Speak to the point. Corb. So is the parasite too. 1 Avoc. This is confusion. Volt. I do beseech your fatherhoods, read but those. Corv. And credit nothing the false spirit hath writ; It cannot be, but he is possess'd, grave fathers. SCENE XI. VOLPONE, NANO, ANDROGINO, and CASTRONE. Volp. To make a snare for mine own neck, and run My head into it wilfully! with laughter! What? to buy ginger-bread? or to drown kitlings? Volp. Did master Mosca take the keys? why so? I am farther in. These are my fine conceits! Unscrew my advocate upon new hopes; 3 Avoc. Did not the notary meet him? Volp. Not that I know. 4 Avor. His coming will clear all. 2 Avoc. Yet it is misty. Volt. May't please your fatherhoods- Will'd me to tell you, that his master lives; see! He vomits crooked pins! his eyes are set, Corv. Ay, the devil! Corn. Ay, I perceive it plain. Vop. 'Twill out, 'twill out; stand clear. See where it flies! In shape of a blue toad, with bat's wings! Do not you see it, sir? Corb. What? I think I do. Corv. 'Tis too manifest. Volp. Look, he comes t' himself! Volt. Where am I? Volp. Take good heart, the worst is past, sir. You are dispossest. 1 Avoc. What accident is this? 2 Avoc. Sudden, and full of wonder! 3 Acoc. If he were Possest, as it appears, all this is nothing. Cord. He has been often subject to these fits. 1 Avoc. Shew him that writing; do you know it, sir? Volp. Deny it, sir, forswear it, know it not. Volt. Yes, I do know it well, it is my hand: But all that it contains is false. Had betray'd all; but now it is recover'd : I sooner had attended your grave pleasures, Mos. Whom I intend to bury like a gentle. man. Volp. Ay, quick, and cozen me of all. 2 Avoc. Still stranger! More intricate! 1 Avoc. What say you? Volt. The officer told me. Volp. I did, grave fathers, And will maintain he lives, with mine own life, And that this creature told me.-I was born With all good stars my enemies! Mos. Most grave fathers, If such an insolence as this must pass 2 Avoc. Take him away. Volp. Mosca! 3 Avoc. Let him be whipp'd. Volp. Wilt thou betray me! cozen me? 3 Avoc. And taught to bear himself Toward a person of his rank. 4 Avoc. Away! fatherhoods. Mos. I humbly thank your And lose all that I have? If I confess, It cannot be much more. 4 Avoc. Sir, are you married? Volp. They'll be allied, anon; I must be re solute: The fox shall here uncase. Mos. Patron! Volp. Nay, now, My ruin shall not come alone: your match [He puts off his disguise I'll hinder sure: my substance shall not glew you, Nor screw you into a family. Mos. Why, patron? Volp. I am Volpone, and this is my knave; E This, his own knave; this avarice's fool; Coru. May it please your fatherhoods !— 1 Avoc. The knot is now undone, by miracle! 3 Avoc. Or can more prove these innocent. 1 Avoc. Give 'em their liberty. Bon. Heav'n could not long let such gross crimes be hid. 2 Avoc. If this be held the highway to get riches, May I be poor. 3 Anoc. This's not the gain, but torment. Which trulier may be said to possess them. Corv. Mos. Most honour'd fathers! Volp. This is call'd mortifying of a fox. 1 Avoc. Thou Voltore, to take away the scan. Thou hast giv'n all worthy men of thy profession, Where, since thou knew'st not how to live well hou shalt be learn'd to die well. Com. You shall know anon, sir. Be straight embark'd from thine own house, and Round about Venice, through the grand canal, 1 Avoc. Can you plead aught to stay the Wearing a cap, with fair long ass's ears course of justice? If you can, speak Coro Volt Cel. And mercy. og favour. 1 Avoc. You hurt your innocence, suing for Stand forth; and first the parasite. You appear Mos. Bane to thy wolfish nature! 1 Avoc. Deliver him to the Saffi. Thou, Vol Instead of horns; and so to mount, a paper Coro. Yes, And have mine eyes beat out with stinking fish, Bruis'd fruit, and rotten eggs-'Tis well. I'm glad I shall not see my shame yet. 1 Avoc. And to expiate Thy wrongs done to thy wife, thou art to send VOLPONE. The seas'ning of a play is the applause. If not, fare jovially, and clap your hands! THE ALCHEMIST. BY BEN JONSON. PROLOGUE. Did never aim to grieve, but better men; They are so natural follies, but so shown, THE ARGUMENT. The sickness hot, a master quit, for fear, Enter FACE, SUBTLE, and DOL COMMON. Face. BELIEV'T, I will. Sub. Thy worst. I fart at thee. Dol. Ha you your wits? Why, gentlemen! for love Face. Sirrah, I'll strip you Sub. What to do? lick figs out at my- Sub. O, let the wild sheep loose. I'll gum your silks With good strong water, an' you come. Dol. Will you have The neighbours hear you? will you betray all? Hark, I hear somebody. Sub. Since, by my means, translated suburb captain. Face. By your means, doctor Dog? All this I speak of. Face. Why, I pray you, have I Been countenanced by you? or you by me? Face. Not of this, I think it, But I shall put you in mind, sir: at Pye-Corner, Face. When you went pinned up in the seve You'd raked, and picked from dung-hills, before day, Your feet in mouldy slippers, for your kibes, Face. When all your alchemy, and your al- Your minerals, vegetals, and animals, |