Alchemists -- Drama; City and town life -- Drama; English drama (Comedy); English drama -- 17th century; London (England) -- Drama
DAP. Who! that I am?
Believe it, no such matter--
FACE. Yes, and that
You were born with a cawl on your head.
DAP. Who says so?
FACE. Come,
You know it well enough, though you dissemble it.
DAP. I'fac, I do not; you are mistaken.
FACE. How!
Swear by your fac, and in a thing so known
Unto the doctor? How shall we, sir, trust you
In the other matter? can we ever think,
When you have won five or six thousand pound,
You'll send us shares in't, by this rate?
DAP. By Jove, sir,
I'll win ten thousand pound, and send you half.
I'fac's no oath.
SUB. No, no, he did but jest.
FACE. Go to. Go thank the doctor: he's your friend,
To take it so.
DAP. I thank his worship.
FACE. So!
Another angel.
DAP. Must I?
FACE. Must you! 'slight,
What else is thanks? will you be trivial?--Doctor,
[DAPPER GIVES HIM THE MONEY.]
When must he come for his familiar?
DAP. Shall I not have it with me?
SUB. O, good sir!
There must a world of ceremonies pass;
You must be bath'd and fumigated first:
Besides the queen of Fairy does not rise
Till it be noon.
FACE. Not, if she danced, to-night.
SUB. And she must bless it.
FACE. Did you never see
Her royal grace yet?
DAP. Whom?
FACE. Your aunt of Fairy?
SUB. Not since she kist him in the cradle, captain;
I can resolve you that.
FACE. Well, see her grace,
Whate'er it cost you, for a thing that I know.
It will be somewhat hard to compass; but
However, see her. You are made, believe it,
If you can see her. Her grace is a lone woman,
And very rich; and if she take a fancy,
She will do strange things. See her, at any hand.
'Slid, she may hap to leave you all she has:
It is the doctor's fear.
DAP. How will't be done, then?
FACE. Let me alone, take you no thought. Do you
But say to me, captain, I'll see her grace.
DAP. "Captain, I'll see her grace."
FACE. Enough.
[KNOCKING WITHIN.]
SUB. Who's there?
Anon.
[ASIDE TO FACE.]
--Conduct him forth by the back way.--
Sir, against one o'clock prepare yourself;
Till when you must be fasting; only take
Three drops of vinegar in at your nose,
Two at your mouth, and one at either ear;
Then bathe your fingers' ends and wash your eyes,
To sharpen your five senses, and cry "hum"
Thrice, and then "buz" as often; and then come.
[EXIT.]
FACE. Can you remember this?
DAP. I warrant you.
FACE. Well then, away. It is but your bestowing
Some twenty nobles 'mong her grace's servants,
And put on a clean shirt: you do not know
What grace her grace may do you in clean linen.
[EXEUNT FACE AND DAPPER.]
SUB [WITHIN]. Come in! Good wives, I pray you forbear me now;
Troth I can do you no good till afternoon--
[RE-ENTERS, FOLLOWED BY DRUGGER.]
What is your name, say you? Abel Drugger?
DRUG. Yes, sir.
SUB. A seller of tobacco?
DRUG. Yes, sir.
SUB. Umph!
Free of the grocers?
DRUG. Ay, an't please you.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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