How we cite our quotes: (Act.Scene.Line)
Quote #1
"Infuse vinegar,
To draw his volatile substance and his tincture:
And let the water in glass E be filt'red,
And put into the gripe's egg. Lute him well;
And leave him clos'd in balneo." (2.2.49-53)
Subtle is playing the part of the wise alchemist…by spouting nonsense. But what does this have to do with theater? Well, it could be alluding to the fact that while many of Jonson's contemporaries (*cough, Shakespeare, *cough) were writing plays about fancy important subjects like suicidal princes of Denmark, Jonson was writing about everyday people. This alchemy gibberish is probably just as confusing (and just as made up) as certain plays' detailed language concerning noblemen from far-off lands.
Quote #2
DOL. For after Alexander's death—
MAM. Good lady—
DOL. That Perdiccas and Antigonus were slain,
The two that stood, Seleuc' and Ptolomy—MAM. Madam—
DOL. Make up the two legs, and the fourth beast,
That was Gog-north and Egypt-south: which after
Was call'd Gog-iron-leg and South-iron-leg—MAM. Lady—
DOL. And then Gog-horned. So was Egypt, too:
Then Egypt-clay-leg, and Gog-clay-leg—MAM. Sweet madam— (4.5.1-13)
The part of a lifetime. Doll Common is pretending to be an insane religious woman…and she's so good she totally freaks Mammon out. But that's not the only role in Doll's repertoire. She's also appeared as the Fairy Queen. Sigh. If only women had been allowed onstage in 1610…Doll could have had a better career.
Quote #3
"Alchemy is a pretty kind of game, / Somewhat like tricks o' the cards, to cheat a man / With charming." (2.3.180-182)
Preach, Surly. Everything you're saying is 100% true. But the fact that he mentions that alchemy is "pretty" and "charming" seems to reference that other pretty, charming way to trick a man—by showing him a play and letting him believe (for a few hours, at least) that it's real. Alchemy, like theater, is a lot of fun.