JONSON, Ben

The Alchemist

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Methinks I see him entering ordinaries,

Dispensing for the pox; and plaguy houses,

Reaching his dose; walking Moorfields for lepers;

And offering citizens’ wives pomander-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 ashamed of her long sleep, when art,

Who’s but a stepdame, shall do more than she,

In her best love to mankind, ever could.

If his dream last, he’ll turn the age to gold.
…..
Face…. Believe 't, I will.

Subtle .Thy worst. I fart at thee.

Dol ……Have you your wits? why, gentlemen! for love -

Face ….Sirrah, I'll strip you... out of all your sleights.

Dol…… Nay, look ye, sovereign, general, are you mad-men?

Subtle.. O, let the wild sheep loose. I'll gum your silks

With good strong water, an you come.

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Volpone

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O, sir, the wonder,

The blazing star of Italy! a wench

Of the first year, a beauty ripe as harvest!

Whose skin is whiter than a swan all over,

Than silver, snow, or lilies; a soft lip,

Would tempt you to eternity of kissing!

And flesh that melteth in the touch to blood!

Bright as your gold, and lovely as your gold!

…..
First, I will have this bawdy light damm'd up;

And till 't be done, some two or three yards off,

I'll chalk a line; o'er which if thou but chance

To set thy desp'rate foot, more hell, more honor,

More wild remorseless rage shall seize on thee,

Than on a conjuror that had heedless left

His circle's safety ere his devil was laid.

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