Ben Jonson

Act III, Scene 1. Tribulation Wholesome, a hypocritical Puritan pastor, justifies working with the alchemist Subtle by arguing that even the 'children of perdition' can be instruments of God. He lectures his companion on the need for patience and the necessity of obtaining the philosopher's stone to restore their religious sect to power.

Sir Epicure Mammon attempts to seduce Dol Common with promises of infinite wealth and luxury derived from the legendary philosopher's stone.

Voltore, a manipulative lawyer, delivers a scathing and deceitful speech to the Venetian senate to discredit Celia and Bonario.

The manipulative servant Mosca convinces the elderly, greedy Corbaccio to disinherit his own son in a convoluted scheme to become Volpone's heir.

Mosca delivers a self-congratulatory soliloquy, praising his own cunning and defining the 'fine elegant rascal' as a superior breed of parasite.

Sir Epicure Mammon describes his hedonistic fantasies of extreme wealth and gluttony to Face, anticipating the success of the philosopher's stone.

Volpone and his servant Mosca celebrate their wealth, priding themselves on their cunning deception rather than honest labor or cruel usury.

The boastful Sir Epicure Mammon attempts to convince the skeptical Surly of the alchemical wonders and infinite wealth he is about to acquire.

Sir Epicure Mammon boastfully describes the immense wealth and hedonistic lifestyle he intends to enjoy once he possesses the philosopher's stone.