Ben Jonson (1572–1637). The Alchemist.
The Harvard Classics. 1909–14. |
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| Argument |
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| THE SICKNESS hot, 1 a master quit, for fear, | |
| His house in town, and left one servant there; | |
| Ease him corrupted, and gave means to know | |
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| A Cheater and his punk; 2 who now brought low, | |
| Leaving their narrow practice, were become | 5 |
| Coz’ners 3 at large; and only wanting some | |
| House to set up, with him they here contract, | |
| Each for a share, and all begin to act. | |
| Much company they draw, and much abuse, 4 | |
| In casting figures, 5 telling fortunes, news, | 10 |
| Selling of flies, 6 flat bawdry, with the stone, 7 | |
| Till it, and they, and all in fume 8 are gone. | |
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