Alchemists -- Drama; City and town life -- Drama; English drama (Comedy); English drama -- 17th century; London (England) -- Drama
ANA. I will tell
This to the elders and the weaker brethren,
That the whole company of the separation
May join in humble prayer again.
SUB. And fasting.
ANA. Yea, for some fitter place. The peace of mind
Rest with these walls!
[EXIT.]
SUB. Thanks, courteous Ananias.
FACE. What did he come for?
SUB. About casting dollars,
Presently out of hand. And so I told him,
A Spanish minister came here to spy,
Against the faithful--
FACE. I conceive. Come, Subtle,
Thou art so down upon the least disaster!
How wouldst thou ha' done, if I had not help't thee out?
SUB. I thank thee, Face, for the angry boy, i'faith.
FACE. Who would have look'd it should have been that rascal,
Surly? he had dyed his beard and all. Well, sir.
Here's damask come to make you a suit.
SUB. Where's Drugger?
FACE. He is gone to borrow me a Spanish habit;
I'll be the count, now.
SUB. But where's the widow?
FACE. Within, with my lord's sister; madam Dol
Is entertaining her.
SUB. By your favour, Face,
Now she is honest, I will stand again.
FACE. You will not offer it.
SUB. Why?
FACE. Stand to your word,
Or--here comes Dol, she knows--
SUB. You are tyrannous still.
[ENTER DOL, HASTILY.]
FACE. Strict for my right.--How now, Dol!
Hast [thou] told her,
The Spanish count will come?
DOL. Yes; but another is come,
You little look'd for!
FACE. Who's that?
DOL. Your master;
The master of the house.
SUB. How, Dol!
FACE. She lies,
This is some trick. Come, leave your quiblins, Dorothy.
DOL. Look out, and see.
[FACE GOES TO THE WINDOW.]
SUB. Art thou in earnest?
DOL. 'Slight,
Forty of the neighbours are about him, talking.
FACE. 'Tis he, by this good day.
DOL. 'Twill prove ill day
For some on us.
FACE. We are undone, and taken.
DOL. Lost, I'm afraid.
SUB. You said he would not come,
While there died one a week within the liberties.
FACE. No: 'twas within the walls.
SUB. Was't so! cry you mercy.
I thought the liberties. What shall we do now, Face?
FACE. Be silent: not a word, if he call or knock.
I'll into mine old shape again and meet him,
Of Jeremy, the butler. In the mean time,
Do you two pack up all the goods and purchase,
That we can carry in the two trunks. I'll keep him
Off for to-day, if I cannot longer: and then
At night, I'll ship you both away to Ratcliff,
Where we will meet to-morrow, and there we'll share.
Let Mammon's brass and pewter keep the cellar;
We'll have another time for that. But, Dol,
'Prythee go heat a little water quickly;
Subtle must shave me: all my captain's beard
Must off, to make me appear smooth Jeremy.
You'll do it?
SUB. Yes, I'll shave you, as well as I can.
FACE. And not cut my throat, but trim me?
SUB. You shall see, sir.
[EXEUNT.]
ACT 5. SCENE 5.1.
BEFORE LOVEWIT'S DOOR.
ENTER LOVEWIT, WITH SEVERAL OF THE NEIGHBOURS.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account