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VOLPONE:

OR, THE

FOX.

A

COMEDY,

First Acted in the YEAR 1605.

By the KING'S MAJESTY'S Servants,

WITH THE

Allowance of the Master of Revels.

The Author BEN. JOHNSON.

Simul & jucunda, & idonea dicere vitæ. Horat.

LONDON:

Printed for D. Midwinter, J. and P. Knapton, H. Kпар-
lock, A. Ward, A. Bettesworth and C. Hitch,
H. Lintot, J. and R. Tonson, W. Innys, T. Longman,
R. Robinson, T. Wotton, S. Birt, B. Motte,
C. Corbet and G. Conyers.

M DCC XXXIX.

4

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The ARGUMENT.

V olpone, Childless, Rich, feigns Sick, Despairs.
Offers his State to Hopes of feveral Heirs,
Lies languishing: His Parafite receives
Presents of all, assures, deludes; then weaves
Other cross Plots, which of themselves, are told.
NewTricks for fafety are fought, they thrive: When bold
E ach tempts the other again, and all are fold.
ben bold

PROLOGUE.

little Wit

NOW, Luck yet fend us, and a Will ferve, to make our Play hit; (According to the Palates of the Season) Here is Rhyme, not empty of Reason. This we were bid to credit, from our Poet, Whose true scope, if you would know it, In all his Poems till hath been this Measure, To mix Profit with your Pleasure; And not as fome (whose Throats ther Envy failing) Cry boarsly, All he writes is Railing : And when his Plays come forth, think they can flout them, With Saying, He was a Year about them. To these there needs no Lie, but this his Creature, Which was two Months fince no Feature; And, though he dares give them five Lives to mend it, 'Tis known, Five Weeks fully penn'd it; From his own Hand, without a Co-adjutor, Novice, Fourney-men, or Tutor. Yet thus much I can give you, as a Token Of his Plays worth, No Eggs are broken, Nor quaking Custards with fierce Teeth affrighted, Wherewith your Rout are so delighted; Nor hales he in a Gull, old Ends reciting, To ftop Gaps in his loose Writing; With such a deal of monstrous and fore'd Action,

As might make Beth'lem a Faction :

A 3

Nor

Nor made be his Play for Jests stol'n from each Table,
But makes fests to fit his Fable;

And so presents quick Comedy Refined,
As best Criticks have defigned:

The Laws of Time, Place, Persons be obferveth,
From no needful Rule be fowerveth:
All Gall and Coppress from his Ink be draineth,
Only a little Salt remaineth,

Wherewith he'll Rub your Cheeks, till (Red with Laughter)
They shall look fresh a Week after.

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Fine Madam Would-be, the Knight's Wift.

Celia, the Merchant's Wife.

Commandadori, Officers.

Mercatori, three Merchants.

Androgyno, a Hermaphrodite.

Servitore, a Servant.

WOMEN.

The SCENE VENICE.

The Principal COMEDIANs were,

RIC. BURBADGE.

HEN. CONDEL.

WIL. SLY.

JOH. HEMINGS.

JOH. LOWIN.

ALEX. COOKE.

VOLPONE.

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