The Alchemist: Act 4, Scene 1 Summary & Analysis

Mammon enters and immediately asks where Subtle is. Face tells Mammon that Subtle is busy bringing forth “projection,” after which he will begin transforming Mammon’s metal. “Into gold?” Mammon asks. Yes, Face confirms, into gold and silver. Mammon says he is only concerned with gold and wants no silver, but Face suggests he give a little to the poor. Mammon asks where Doll is, and Face says she will be along shortly. He has told Doll the most wonderful things about Mammon, Face says; however, Mammon must not mention “divinity” in her company “For fear of putting her in a rage.”

Face reminds Mammon that he must be very quiet in his visit with Doll. If Subtle senses Mammon is behaving in a lustful way, he will never agree to give him the philosopher’s stone. Mammon may talk to Doll about mathematics or poetry—they can even talk “bawdry”—but “no word of controversy,” Face reminds him. Face exits to fetch Doll, leaving Mammon alone. Mammon readies himself to meet Doll. He will “talk to her, all in gold,” Mammon says. He will have the stone soon enough, and when he does, Doll “shall feel gold, taste gold, hear gold, [and] sleep gold”

Face returns with Doll, and Mammon bows to kiss her hem, but she stops him. Instead, Doll brings her lips to Mammon’s and kisses him. Face exits.  Mammon instantly takes to flattering Doll, talking about her “breeding” and “blood,” but Doll claims she is but the daughter of a poor baron. “Sweet madam,” Mammon says to Doll, “let me be particular—.” Doll interrupts. “Particular, sir? I pray you, know your distance,” she says.

Mammon continues sweet talking Doll and asks her how she spends her time, living in a house with such a “rare man.” Doll says she passes the time studying mathematics and “distillation,” and Mammon remark that it must be wonderful to study under such a “divine instructor.” Doll says it is wonderful and tells Mammon that she is interested in all natural disciplines. It is a shame, Mammon says, that Doll should live like a shut-in, studying all the while, as if she is a nun. Mammon is surprised Doll’s brother permits it, and he claims that if he was her brother, he would lavish her with diamonds. He says Doll herself is like a diamond—“created” for the “light”—and he takes off his diamond ring and gives it to her.  

Mammon tells Doll that he is “the lord of the philosopher’s stone,” and she is “the lady.” Doll feigns shock and asks if Mammon really has the stone. He says Subtle is busy “at projection” now, and the stone will soon be in his possession. He tells Doll that living like a recluse in the Friars is no place for her, and he will take her to live the most luxurious life of unimagined wealth. Doll asks Mammon what he will do when the prince finds out about the stone; the prince is sure to notice and take the stone for himself. Not if he doesn’t know, Mammon says. Doll warns him to be careful—he could end up dying in a prison cell.

Mammon tells Doll they will take the stone and run away to a “free state,” where they will live together and “enjoy a perpetuity / Of life and lust.” Suddenly, Face enters. They are much too loud, he says. Their talk can be heard all the way in the laboratory, so Face suggests they go to a more private place, like the garden or a room upstairs. “Excellent! Lungs,” Mammon says to Face, handing him more money. “There’s for thee.” Face thanks him and reminds him again not to speak of religion. Mammon and Doll exit, and Face yells to Subtle.