← The Alchemist · Contents

The Alchemist · 1610 (first printed 1612)

The Argument

by Ben Jonson 1572-1637


The sickness hot, a master quit, for fear,
His house in town, and left one servant there;
Ease him corrupted, and gave means to know
A Cheater, and his punk; who now brought low,
Leaving their narrow practice, were become
Cozeners 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,
In casting figures, telling fortunes, news,
Selling of flies, flat bawdry with the stone,
Till it, and they, and all in fume are gone.

MLA

Jonson, Ben. The Alchemist, The Argument. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/work/alchemist-jonson/1/.

Chicago

Jonson, Ben. The Alchemist, The Argument. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/work/alchemist-jonson/1/.

Read this with the Codex →