Mam. I hope my lord your brother be in health, lady. Dol. My lord my brother is, though I no lady, sir. "Face. Well said, my Guiny bird."

Mam. Right, noble madam

"Face. Oh, we shall have most fierce idolatry." Mam. 'Tis your prerogative.

Dol. Rather your courtesy.

Mam. Were there nought else t' enlarge your virtues to me,

These answers speak your breeding and your blood. Dol. Blood we boast none, sir; a poor baron's

daughter.

Mam. Poor! and gat you? Profane not. Had your father

Slept all the happy remnant of his life

After that act,

He had done enough to make himself, "his issue,"

And his posterity noble.

"Face. I'll in, and laugh."

Mam. Sweet madam, let me be particular

Dol. Particular, sir? I

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pray you, know your distance.

Mam. In no ill sense, sweet lady, but to ask How your fair graces pass the hours? I see Yo'are lodg'd here i' the house of a rare man, An excellent artist; but what's that to you? Dol. Yes, sir, I study here the mathematics, And distillation.

Mam. Oh, I cry you pardon.

He's a divine instructor.

Dol. Ay, and for his physick, sir

Mam. Above the art of Æsculapius,

That drew the envy of the thunderer l

I know all this, and more.

Dol. Troth, I am taken, sir,

Whole with these studies that contemplate nature.

Mam. It is a noble humour: but this form

Was not intended to so dark a use.

I muse, my lord your brother will permit it!
You should spend half my land first, were I he.
Does not this diamond look better on my finger
Than i' the quarry ?

Dol. Yes.

Mam. Why, you are like it.

You were created, lady, for the light!

Here, you shall wear it; take it, the first pledge
Of what I speak to bind you to believe me.
Dol. In chains of adamant ?

Mam. Yes, the strongest bands.

And take a secret too: here, by your side,

Doth stand, this hour, the happiest man in Europe. Dol. You are contented, sir?

Mam. Nay, in true being,

The envy of princes, and the fear of states.

Dol. Say you so, sir Epicure?

Mam. Yes, and thou shalt prove it,

Daughter of honour. I have cast mine eye
Upon thy form, and I will rear this beauty
Above all stiles.

Dol. You mean no treason, sir?

Mam. No; I will take away that jealousy.

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100

I am the lord of the philosopher's stone,

And thou the lady.

Dol. How, sir! ha' you that?

Mam. I am the master of the mastery.

This day the good old wretch here o' the house
Has made it for us: now he's at projection.
Think therefore thy first wish now; let me hear it;
And it shall rain into thy lap, no shower,
But floods of gold, whole cataracts, a deluge,
To get a nation on thee.

Dol. "I could well consent, sir,

"But in a monarchy, how will this be?

"The prince will soon take notice, and both seize "You and your stone, it being a wealth unfit "For any private subject.

"Mam. 'Tis no idle fear :

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"We'll therefore go with all, my girl, and live "In a free state, where we will eat our mullets "Sous'd in high-country wines, sup pheasants eggs, "And have our cockles boil'd in silver shells, "Our shrimps to swim again, as when they liv'd, "In a rare butter, made of dolphin's milk, "Whose cream does look like opals: and with these "Delicate meats set ourselves high for pleasure, "And take us down again, and then renew "Our youth and strength, with drinking the elixir, "And so enjoy a perpetuity of life and lust."

Enter FACE.

Face. Sir, you're too loud, I hear you every word

Into the laboratory. Some fitter place;

The garden, or great chamber above. How like

you her?

Mam. Excellent! Lungs. There's for thee.

Face. But do you hear?

[Gives Money.

Good sir, beware no mention of the Rabbins.

Mam. We think not on 'em. [Exit Mam. and Dol. Face. "Oh, it is well, sir." Subtle!

Enter SUBTLE.

Face. Dost thou not laugh?

Sub. Yes. Are they gone?

Face. All's clear.

Sub. The widow is come.

V

Face. And your quarrelling disciple?
Sub. Ay.

Face. I must to my captainship again then.

Sub. Stay, bring 'em in first.

Face. So I meant.

A bonny belle ?

Sub. I know not.

What is she?

Face. We'll draw lots.

You'll stand to that?

Sub. What else?

To the door, man.

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Face. You'll have the first kiss, 'cause I am not ready. Sub. Yes, and perhaps hit you thro' both the nostrils.

Enter KASTRIL and PLIANT.

Face. Who would you speak with?

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Kas. Where's the captain?

Face. Gone, sir,

About some business.

Kas. Gone!

Face. He'll return straight.

But master doctor, his lieutenant, is here.

Sub. Come near, my worshipful boy, my Terræ Fili, That is, my boy of land; make thy approaches. Welcome: I know thy lust, and thy desires, And I will serve and satisfy 'em. Begin, Charge me from thence, or thence, or in this line; Here is my centre: ground thy quarrel.

Kas. You lie ?

Sub. How, child of wrath and anger! the loud lie! For what, my sudden boy?

Kas. Nay, that look you to,

I am afore-hand.

Sub. O, this's no true grammar,

And as ill logick! You must render causes, child, Your first and second intentions, know your canons, And your divisions, moods, degrees, and differences, And ha' your elements perfect

Kas. What is this

The angry tongue he talks in ?

Sub. That false precept

Of being afore-hand, has deceiv'd a number,
And made 'em enter quarrels, oftentimes,
Before they were aware; and afterward,
Against their wills?

Kas. How must I do then, sir?

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