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Volp.: See, here, a rope of pearl; and each, more orient Than the brave Egyptian queen caroused: Dissolve, and drink 'em. See, a carbuncle, May put out both the eyes of our St. Mark; A diamond would have bought Lollia Paulina, When she came in, like star-light, hid with jewels That were the spoils of provinces; take these, And wear, and lose 'em: yet remains an ear-ring To purchase them again, and this whole state.

These lines, again spoken in Act III, scene vii, might be considered Volpone's apotheosis. This is high point the play, and the fullest expression of his system of values. He offers Celia a life full of constant, yet expendable, pleasures; pearls one can drink, jewels one can lose, without a thought; unbridled hedonism without any care for the future. But when he runs up against Celia's steadfast Christian virtue, Volpone reacts with angry violence. But Bonario rescues Celia; Volpone panics, knowing he has been discovered, and begs Mosca to help him. It is the beginning of his downfall, for the increasingly dominant Mosca will eventually come to challenge Volpone for his estate.

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