The Alchemist: Act 4, Scene 5 Summary & Analysis

Doll enters, in a “fit,” and Mammon follows close behind. Doll is talking frantically. “Perdiccas and Antigonus were slain,” she says, and that left only “Seleuc’ and Ptolemy.” Mammon tries to interrupt her and stop her incessant talking, but Doll keeps rambling. “We all the Rabbins, and the heathen Greeks,” she says. Face enters and asks Mammon what is wrong. He tells Face that Doll is “in a fit,” and Face feigns shock and fear. Subtle is sure to hear her rantings, Face says, and he asks Mammon how Doll became so undone. Mammon says he talked about the “fifth monarchy,” and Doll went on about the other four. “Out of Broughton!” Face cries.

The sound of Subtle’s voice can be heard in the next room, and Face grabs Doll and runs off. Mammon asks where he should hide just as Subtle enters. He asks what is going on, and Mammon swears there was “no unchaste purpose.” Subtle isn’t convinced. Why else would Mammon try to hide, he asks? Subtle says that Mammon is guilty because he has undoubtedly behaved lustfully with Doll, which will set back their work by a month at least. Suddenly, Face enters in a panic. The philosopher’s stone, he says, has exploded in flames.

There is a knock at the door, and Face tells Subtle and Mammon it is Doll’s brother, and he is angry that she has been driven into a fit. Mammon asks Face if the stone is really lost, and Face confirms there is little left. Mammon curses his punishment, but, he says, he has sinned. Mammon says it is time he go, and Face agrees it is indeed a good idea for Mammon to atone at home. Mammon asks Face again if he is sure that the stone is lost, and Face says there is very little to be salvaged. Face tells Mammon he will contact him if anything can be saved and closes the door behind him. Face turns to Subtle. On to the Spaniard, Face says.