Christopher Marlowe

The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus

Marlowe, Christopher. The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus (A-Text). [1604]. Edited by David Bevington and Eric Rasmussen for the EMOTHE collection. Valencia: ARTELOPE - EMOTHE Universitat de València, 2012.

Joan Oleza Simó (Investigador principal) Bautista Boned, Luis (Editor)

English · Verso · 175 versos

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) License

https://playcode.fly.dev/plays/EMOTHE0103_TheTragicalHistoryOfDoctorFaustus

Tiempo histórico: Siglo XVI
The action takes place during reign of Emperor Charles V (1519-56) plus anachronisms. See Wiggins and Richardson, Vol. 2, p. 423.
Datación: 1587–1589
desde 1587 y hasta 1589

Bibliografía

Ediciones modernas

Bevington, David, Eric Rasmussen, ed. The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus (A-Text). Marlowe, Christopher. In: Bevington, David, Eric Ramussen, ed. Cristopher Marlowe, Doctor Faustus and other plays. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1995. Text editor for EMOTHE Digital Library: Bautista Boned, Luis. Also available at: https://emothe.uv.es/biblioteca/textosEMOTHE/EMOTHE0103_TheTragicalHistoryOfDoctorFaustus.php.
Bevington, David, Eric Rasmussen, ed. The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus (B-Text). Marlowe, Christopher. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1995. Cristopher Marlowe, Doctor Faustus and other plays. Text editor for EMOTHE Digital Library: Bautista Boned, Luis.Available at: https://emothe.uv.es/biblioteca/textosEMOTHE/EMOTHE0106_TheTragedyOfDoctorFaustus.php.
Kastan, David S, ed. Doctor Faustus: A Two-Text Edition (A-Text, 1604; B-Text, 1616), Contexts and Sources, Criticism. Marlowe, Christopher. London and New York: Norton, 2005.
Menzer, Paul, ed. Doctor Faustus. Marlowe, Christopher. London: Methuen Drama, 2019.
Ormerod, David and Christopher Wortham, ed. Doctor Faustus. Marlowe, Christopher. 1985.

Bibliografía crítica

Alexander, Nigel. "The Performance of Christopher Marlowe’s Dr. Faustus". Proceedings of the British Academy. Vol. 57. 1957, p. 331-49.
Barber, C. L. "The Form of Faustus’ Fortunes Good or Bad". Tulane Drama Review. 1964, 8, p. 92-119.
Bevington, David. "Staging the A- and B-Texts of Doctor Faustus". Ed. Sarah Munson Deats and Robert A. Logan. Marlowe’s Empery: Expanding His Critical Contexts. U of Delaware P--Associated UP, 2002.
Bevington, David. From “Mankind” to Marlowe: Growth and Structure in the Popular Dama of Tudor England. Cambridge: Hardvard University Press, 1962.
Bluestone, Max. "Libido Speculandi: Doctrine and Dramaturgy in Contemporary Interpretations of Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus". Ed. Norman Rabkin. Reinterpretations of Elizabethan Drama: Selected Papers from the English Institute. New York: Columbia University Press, 1969, p. 33-88.
Bowers, Fredson. "The Text of Marlowe’s Faustus". Modern Philology. 1952, 49, p. 195-204.
Brooke, Nicholas. "The Moral Tragedy of Doctor Faustus". Cambridge Journal. 1952, 7, p. 662-87.
Brooks, Cleanth. "The Unity of Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus". Ed. Lawlor, J. and W. H. Auden. To Neville Coghill from Friends. London, 1966.
Brown, Constance Kuriyama. Christopher Marlowe: A Renaissance Life. New York: Cornell U Press, 2002.
Campbell, Lily B. "Doctor Faustus: A Case of Conscience". PMLA. 1952, 67, p. 219-39.
Cheney, Patrick. Marlowe’s Counterfeit Profession: Ovid, Spenser, Counter-Nationhood. Toronto, 1997.
Christopher Marlowe: The Critical Heritage. Ed. MacLure, Millar. London: Routledge and Kegan Paul, 1979.
Cole, Douglas. Suffering and Evil in the Plays of Christopher Marlowe. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1962.
Cox, John D. The Devil and the Sacred in English Drama, 1350-1642. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1962.
Craik, T. W. "Faustus’s Damnation Reconsidered". Renaissance Drama. 1969, 21, p. 189-96.
Critical Essays on Christopher Marlowe. Ed. Bartels, Emily C. New York: G. K. Hall, 1997.
Deats, Sara Munson. "Doctor Faustus: From Chapbook to Tragedy". Essays in Literature. Vol. 3. 1976, p. 3-16.
Dollimore, Jonathan. "Dr. Faustus (c. 1589-92): Subversion through Transgression". Radical Tragedy: Religion, Ideology, and Power in the Drama of Shakespeare. Duke University Press, 1984.
Ed. Downie, J. A. and J. T. Parnell. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2000. (Orig: Constructing Christopher Marlowe)
Ed. Farnham, Willard. Prentice-Hall, 1969. (Orig: Twentieth Century Interpretations of “Doctor Faustus”)
Faustus and the Censors: The English Faust-Book and Marlowe’s “Doctor Faustus”. Ed. Empson, William. Oxford: Blackwell, 1987.
Foster, Verna Ann. "Dr Faustus on the Stage". Theatre Research. 1974, 14, p. 18-44.
Gill, Roma. "“Such Conceits as Clownage Keeps in Pay”: Comedy and Dr. Faustus". Ed. Williams, Paul V.A. The Fool and the Trickster: Studies in Honour of Enid Welsford. 1979.
Gregg, W. W. "The Damnation of Faustus". Modern Language Review. 1946, 41, p. 97-107.
Hamlin, William M. "Casting Doubt in Marlowe’s Faustus". Studies in English Literature. 2001, 41, p. 257-75.
Hammil, William M. "Faustus’ Fortunes: Commodification, Exchange, and the Form of Literary Subjectivity". ELH. 1996, 63, p. 309-36.
Hattaway, Michael. "The Theology of Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus". Renaissance Drama. 1970, 3, p. 51-78.
Honigmann, Ernst. "Ten Problems in Dr. Faustus". Ed. Murray Biggs, Philip Edwards, Inga-Stina Ewbank, Eugene M. Waith. The Arts of Perfomance in Elizabethan and Early Stuart Drama. Edinburgh: Duke University Press, 1991, p. 173-91.
Hunter, G. K. "Five-Act Structure in Doctor Faustus". Tulane Drama Review. 1964, 8.4.
Jump, John. Ed. Jump, John. London: Macmillan Publishing Co. Inc., 1969. “Marlowe: Doctor Faustus”: A Casebook.
Levin, Harry. The Overreacher: A Study of Christopher Marlowe. Cambridge: Hardvard University Press, 1952.
Marcus, Leah. "Textual Instability and Ideological Difference: The Case of Doctor Faus-tus". Renaissance Drama. 20, p. 38-54.
Marlowe, Christopher. La trágica historia de la vida y muerte del Doctor Fausto. Ed. César Santoyo, Julio; Santama, José Miguel. Tra. César Santoyo, Julio; Santama, José Miguel. Madrid: Cátedra, 1984. Letras Universales.
Marlowe, History, and Sexuality: New Critical Essay on Christopher Marlowe. Ed. White, Paul Whitfield. New York, 1998.
Masinton, Charles G. Christopher Marlowe’s Tragic Vision. Athens, 1972.
Matalene, H. W. "Marlowe’s Faustus and the Comforts of Academicism". ELH. 1972, 39, p. 495-519.
Nuttall, A. "Raising the Devil: Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus". Alternative Trinity: Gnostic Heresy in Marlowe, Milton, and Blake. Oxford: Oxford Clarendon Press, 1998, p. 78-85.
Oliver, Leslie. "Rowley, Foxe, and the Faustus Additions". Modern Language Notes. 1945, 60, p. 391-45.
Ornstein, Robert. "Marlowe and God: The Tragic Theory of Doctor Faustus". PMLA. 1968, 83, p. 13.
Palmer, D. J. "Magic and Poetry in Doctor Faustus". Critical Quarterly. 1964, 6, p. 56-67.
Ricks, Christopher. "Doctor Faustus and Hell on Earth". Essay in Criticism. 1985, 35, p. 101-20.
Sanders, Wilbur. "Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus". Melbourne Critical Review. 1964, 7, p. 78-91.
Sinfield, Alan. Faultlines: Cultural Materialism and the Politics of Dissident Reading. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1992.
Snow, Edward. "Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus and the End of Desire". Ed. Alvin Kernan. Two Renaissance Mythmakers: Christopher Marlowe and Ben Jonon. Baltimore, 1997, p. 70-110.
Snyder, Susan. "Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus as an Inverted Saint’s Life". Studies in Philology. 1966, 63, p. 565-77.
Streete, Adrian. "“”Consummatum Est”: Calvinist Exegesis, Mimesis, and Doctor Faustus”". Literature and Religion. 2001, 15, p. 140-58.
Tydeman, William. “Doctor Faustus”: Text and Performance. London: Macmillan Press, 1984.
Warren, Michael J. "Doctor Faustus: The Old Man and the Text". English Literary Renaissance. 1981, 11, p. 111-47.
Waswo, Richard. "Damnation, Protestant Style: Macbeth, Faustus, and Christian Tragedy". Journal of Medieval and Renaissance Studies. 1974, 4, p. 63-99.
Webb, David C. "Damnation in Doctor Faustus: Theological Striptease and the Histrionic Hero". Critical Survey. 1999, 11, p. 31-47.
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Traducciones

Español

Marlowe, Christopher. Doctor Fausto. Tra. Heffermann, Julián. Abada Editores, S. L, 2006.
Marlowe, Christopher. Teatro. Tra. Coll, Aliocha. Madrid: Alfaguara, 1984.

Français

Marlowe, Christopher. "Le Docteur Faust". Tra. Ellrodt, Robert. Ed. Cottegnies, Line; Laroque, François; Maguin, Jean-Marie. Théâtre élisabéthain. Vol. 1. Paris: Gallimard, 2009.

[ Characters in the play

Faustus

Mephistopheles

Wagner

Valdes

Cornelius

Good Angel

Evil Angel

First Scholar

Second Scholar

Robin The Clown

Lucifer

Rafe

Pride

Covetousness

Wrath

Envy

Gluttony

Sloth

Lechery

Chorus

Pope

Friar

Cardinal of Lorraine

Vintner

Duke [of Vanholt]

Duchess [of Vanholt]

Horse-corser

Emperor

Knight

Old Man

All

([Prologue])

Chorus

Enter CHORUS. Not marching now in fields of Trasimene 1

Where Mars did mate the Carthaginians, 2

Nor sporting in the dalliance of love 3

In courts of kings where state is overturned, 4

Nor in the pomp of proud audacious deeds 5

Intends our muse to daunt his heavenly verse. 6

Only this, gentlemen: we must perform 7

The form of Faustus' fortunes, good or bad. 8

To patient judgements we appeal our plaud, 9

And speak for Faustus in his infancy. 10

Now is he born, his parents base of stock, 11

In Germany, within a town called Rhode. 12

Of riper years to Wittenberg he went, 13

Whereas his kinsmen chiefly brought him up. 14

So soon he profits in divinity, 15

The fruitful plot of scholarism graced, 16

That shortly he was graced with doctor's name, 17

Excelling all whose sweet delight disputes 18

In heavenly matters of theology; 19

Till, swoll'n with cunning of a self-conceit, 20

His waxen wings did mount above his reach, 21

And melting heavens conspired his overthrow. 22

For, falling to a devilish exercise, 23

And glutted more with learning's golden gifts, 24

He surfeits upon cursèd necromancy; 25

Nothing so sweet as magic is to him, 26

Which he prefers before his chiefest bliss. 27

And this the man that in his study sits. 28

(Exit.)

[I.i]

(Enter FAUSTUS in his study.)

Faustus

Settle thy studies, Faustus, and begin 1

To sound the depth of that thou wilt profess. 2

Having commenced, be a divine in show, 3

Yet level at the end of every art, 4

And live and die in Aristotle's works. 5

Sweet Analytics , 'tis thou hast ravished me! 6

([He reads.])

Bene disserere est finis logices . 7

Is to dispute well logic's chiefest end? 8

Affords this art no greater miracle? 9

Then read no more; thou hast attained the end. 10

A greater subject fitteth Faustus' wit. 11

Bid On kai me on farewell. Galen, come! 12

Seeing ubi desinit philosophus, ibi incipit medicus , 13

Be a physician, Faustus. Heap up gold, 14

And be eternised for some wondrous cure. 15

([He reads.])

Summum bonum medicinae sanitas : 16

The end of physic is our body's health. 17

Why Faustus, hast thou not attained that end? 18

Is not thy common talk sound aphorisms? 19

Are not thy bills hung up as monuments, 20

Whereby whole cities have escaped the plague 21

And thousand desp'rate maladies been eased? 22

Yet art thou still but Faustus, and a man. 23

Wouldst thou make man to live eternally, 24

Or, being dead, raise them to life again, 25

Then this profession were to be esteemed. 26

Physic, farewell! Where is Justinian? 27

([He reads.])

Si una eademque res legatur duobus , 28

Alter rem, alter valorem rei , etc. 29

A pretty case of paltry legacies! 30

([He reads.])

Exhaereditare filium non potest pater nisi — 31

Such is the subject of the Institute 32

And universal body of the Church. 33

His study fits a mercenary drudge 34

Who aims at nothing but external trash— 35

Too servile and illiberal for me. 36

When all is done, divinity is best. 37

Jerome's Bible, Faustus, view it well. 38

([He reads.])

Stipendium peccati mors est . Ha! 39

Stipendium , etc. 40

The reward of sin is death. That's hard. 41

([He reads.])

Si peccasse negamus, fallimur 42

Et nulla est in nobis veritas . 43

If we say that we have no sin, 44

We deceive ourselves, and there's no truth in us. 45

Why then belike we must sin, 46

And so consequently die. 47

Ay, we must die an everlasting death. 48

What doctrine call you this? Che serà, serà , 49

What will be, shall be? Divinity, adieu! 50

([He picks up a book of magic.])

These metaphysics of magicians 51

And necromantic books are heavenly, 52

Lines, circles, signs, letters, and characters— 53

Ay, these are those that Faustus most desires. 54

Oh, what a world of profit and delight, 55

Of power, of honour, of omnipotence 56

Is promised to the studious artisan! 57

All things that move between the quiet poles 58

Shall be at my command. Emperors and kings 59

Are but obeyed in their several provinces, 60

Nor can they raise the wind or rend the clouds; 61

But his dominion that exceeds in this 62

Stretcheth as far as doth the mind of man. 63

A sound magician is a mighty god. 64

Here, Faustus, try thy brains to gain a deity. 65

Wagner! 66

(Enter WAGNER)

Commend me to my dearest friends,

The German Valdes and Cornelius. 67

Request them earnestly to visit me. 68

Wagner

I will, sir. 69

(Exit.)

Faustus

Their conference will be a greater help to me 70

Than all my labours, plod I ne'er so fast. 71

(Enter the GOOD ANGEL and the EVIL ANGEL)

Good Angel

O Faustus, lay that damnèd book aside 72

And gaze not on it, lest it tempt thy soul 73

And heap God's heavy wrath upon thy head! 74

Read, read the Scriptures. That is blasphemy. 75

Evil Angel

Go forward, Faustus, in that famous art 76

Wherein all nature's treasury is contained. 77

Be thou on earth as Jove is in the sky, 78

Lord and commander of these elements. 79

(Exeunt [ANGELS].)

Faustus

How am I glutted with conceit of this! 80

Shall I make spirits fetch me what I please, 81

Resolve me of all ambiguities, 82

Perform what desperate enterprise I will? 83

I'll have them fly to India for gold, 84

Ransack the ocean for orient pearl, 85

And search all corners of the new-found world 86

For pleasant fruits and princely delicates. 87

I'll have them read me strange philosophy 88

And tell the secrets of all foreign kings. 89

I'll have them wall all Germany with brass 90

And make swift Rhine circle fair Wittenberg. 91

I'll have them fill the public schools with silk, 92

Wherewith the students shall be bravely clad. 93

I'll levy soldiers with the coin they bring 94

And chase the Prince of Parma from our land, 95

And reign sole king of all our provinces; 96

Yea, stranger engines for the brunt of war 97

Than was the fiery keel at Antwerp's bridge 98

I'll make my servile spirits to invent. 99

Come, German Valdes and Cornelius, 100

And make me blest with your sage conference! 101

(Enter VALDES and CORNELIUS.)

Valdes, sweet Valdes, and Cornelius, 102

Know that your words have won me at the last 103

To practise magic and concealèd arts. 104

Yet not your words only, but mine own fantasy, 105

That will receive no object, for my head 106

But ruminates on necromantic skill. 107

Philosophy is odious and obscure; 108

Both law and physic are for petty wits; 109

Divinity is basest of the three, 110

Unpleasant, harsh, contemptible, and vile. 111

'Tis magic, magic that hath ravished me. 112

Then, gentle friends, aid me in this attempt, 113

And I, that have with concise syllogisms 114

Gravelled the pastors of the German Church 115

And made the flow'ring pride of Wittenberg 116

Swarm to my problems as the infernal spirits 117

On sweet Musaeus when he came to hell, 118

Will be as cunning as Agrippa was, 119

Whose shadows made all Europe honour him. 120

Valdes

Faustus, these books, thy wit, and our experience 121

Shall make all nations to canonise us. 122

As Indian Moors obey their Spanish lords, 123

So shall the subjects of every element 124

Be always serviceable to us three. 125

Like lions shall they guard us when we please, 126

Like Almaine rutters with their horsemen's staves, 127

Or Lapland giants, trotting by our sides; 128

Sometimes like women, or unwedded maids, 129

Shadowing more beauty in their airy brows 130

Than in the white breasts of the Queen of Love. 131

From Venice shall they drag huge argosies, 132

And from America the golden fleece 133

That yearly stuffs old Philip's treasury, 134

If learnèd Faustus will be resolute. 135

Faustus

Valdes, as resolute am I in this 136

As thou to live. Therefore object it not. 137

Cornelius

The miracles that magic will perform 138

Will make thee vow to study nothing else. 139

He that is grounded in astrology, 140

Enriched with tongues, well seen in minerals, 141

Hath all the principles magic doth require. 142

Then doubt not, Faustus, but to be renowned 143

And more frequented for this mystery 144

Than heretofore the Delphian oracle. 145

The spirits tell me they can dry the sea 146

And fetch the treasure of all foreign wrecks— 147

Ay, all the wealth that our forefathers hid 148

Within the massy entrails of the earth. 149

Then tell me, Faustus, what shall we three want? 150

Faustus

Nothing, Cornelius. Oh, this cheers my soul! 151

Come, show me some demonstrations magical, 152

That I may conjure in some lusty grove 153

And have these joys in full possession. 154

Valdes

Then haste thee to some solitary grove, 155

And bear wise Bacon's and Albanus' works, 156

The Hebrew Psalter, and New Testament; 157

And whatsoever else is requisite 158

We will inform thee ere our conference cease. 159

Cornelius

Valdes, first let him know the words of art, 160

And then, all other ceremonies learned, 161

Faustus may try his cunning by himself. 162

Valdes

First I'll instruct thee in the rudiments, 163

And then wilt thou be perfecter than I. 164

Faustus

Then come and dine with me, and after meat 165

We'll canvass every quiddity thereof, 166

For ere I sleep I'll try what I can do. 167

This night I'll conjure, though I die therefore. 168

(Exeunt.)

[I.ii]

(Enter two SCHOLARS.)

First Scholar

I wonder what's become of Faustus, that was wont to make our schools ring with ' sic probo '.

Second Scholar

That shall we know, for see, here comes his boy.

(Enter WAGNER, [carrying wine].)

First Scholar

How now, sirrah, where's thy master?

Wagner

God in heaven knows.

Second Scholar

Why, dost not thou know?

Wagner

Yes, I know, but that follows not.

First Scholar

Go to, sirrah! Leave your jesting, and tell us where he is.

Wagner

That follows not necessarily by force of argument that you, being licentiate, should stand upon't. Therefore, acknowledge your error, and be attentive.

Second Scholar

Why, didst thou not say thou knew'st?

Wagner

Have you any witness on't?

First Scholar

Yes, sirrah, I heard you.

Wagner

Ask my fellow if I be a thief.

Second Scholar

Well, you will not tell us.

Wagner

Yes, sir, I will tell you. Yet if you were not dunces, you would never ask me such a question. For is not he corpus naturale ? And is not that mobile ? Then, wherefore should you ask me such a question? But that I am by nature phlegmatic, slow to wrath, and prone to lechery —to love, I would say—it were not for you to come within forty foot of the place of execution, although I do not doubt to see you both hanged the next sessions. Thus, having triumphed over you, I will set my countenance like a precisian and begin to speak thus: Truly, my dear brethren, my master is within at dinner with Valdes and Cornelius, as this wine, if it could speak, it would inform your worships. And so the Lord bless you, preserve you, and keep you, my dear brethren, my dear brethren.

(Exit.)

First Scholar

Nay, then, I fear he is fall'n into that damned art for which they two are infamous through the world.

Second Scholar

Were he a stranger, and not allied to me, yet should I grieve for him. But come, let us go and inform the Rector, and see if he, by his grave counsel, can reclaim him.

First Scholar

Oh, but I fear me nothing can reclaim him.

Second Scholar

Yet let us try what we can do.

(Exeunt.)

[I.iii]

(Enter FAUSTUS to conjure.)

Faustus

Now that the gloomy shadow of the earth, 1

Longing to view Orion's drizzling look, 2

Leaps from th'Antarctic world unto the sky 3

And dims the welkin with her pitchy breath, 4

Faustus, begin thine incantations, 5

And try if devils will obey thy hest, 6

([He draws a circle.])

Seeing thou hast prayed and sacrificed to them. 7

Within this circle is Jehovah's name, 8

Forward and backward anagrammatised, 9

The breviated names of holy saints, 10

Figures of every adjunct to the heavens, 11

And characters of signs and erring stars, 12

By which the spirits are enforced to rise. 13

Then fear not, Faustus, but be resolute, 14

And try the uttermost magic can perform. 15

Sint mihi dei Acherontis propitii! Valeat numen triplex Jehovae! Ignei, aerii, aquatici , terreni, spiritus, salvete! Orientis princeps Lucifer, Beelzebub, inferni ardentis monarcha, et Demogorgon, propitiamus vos, ut appareat et surgat Mephistopheles. Quid tu moraris? Per Jehovam, Gehennam, et consecratam aquam quam nunc spargo, signumque crucis quod nunc facio, et per vota nostra, ipse nunc surgat nobis dicatus Mephistopheles!

([Faustus sprinkles holy water and makes a sign of the cross.])

(Enter a Devil [MEPHISTOPHELES].)

I charge thee to return and change thy shape. 26

Thou art too ugly to attend on me. 27

Go, and return an old Franciscan friar; 28

That holy shape becomes a devil best. 29

(Exit Devil [MEPHISTOPHELES].)

I see there's virtue in my heavenly words. 30

Who would not be proficient in this art? 31

How pliant is this Mephistopheles, 32

Full of obedience and humility! 33

Such is the force of magic and my spells. 34

Now, Faustus, thou art conjurer laureate, 35

That canst command great Mephistopheles. 36

Quin redis, Mephistopheles, fratris imagine! 37

(Enter MEPHISTOPHELES [disguised as a friar].)

Mephistopheles

Now, Faustus, what wouldst thou have me do? 38

Faustus

I charge thee wait upon me whilst I live, 39

To do whatever Faustus shall command, 40

Be it to make the moon drop from her sphere 41

Or the ocean to overwhelm the world. 42

Mephistopheles

I am a servant to great Lucifer 43

And may not follow thee without his leave. 44

No more than he commands must we perform. 45

Faustus

Did not he charge thee to appear to me? 46

Mephistopheles

No, I came now hither of mine own accord. 47

Faustus

Did not my conjuring speeches raise thee? Speak. 48

Mephistopheles

That was the cause, but yet per accidens . 49

For when we hear one rack the name of God, 50

Abjure the Scriptures and his Saviour Christ, 51

We fly in hope to get his glorious soul, 52

Nor will we come unless he use such means 53

Whereby he is in danger to be damned. 54

Therefore, the shortest cut for conjuring 55

Is stoutly to abjure the Trinity 56

And pray devoutly to the prince of hell. 57

Faustus

So Faustus hath 58

Already done, and holds this principle: 59

There is no chief but only Beelzebub, 60

To whom Faustus doth dedicate himself. 61

This word 'damnation' terrifies not him, 62

For he confounds hell in Elysium. 63

His ghost be with the old philosophers! 64

But leaving these vain trifles of mens' souls, 65

Tell me what is that Lucifer thy lord? 66

Mephistopheles

Arch-regent and commander of all spirits. 67

Faustus

Was not that Lucifer an angel once? 68

Mephistopheles

Yes, Faustus, and most dearly loved of God. 69

Faustus

How comes it then that he is prince of devils? 70

Mephistopheles

Oh, by aspiring pride and insolence, 71

For which God threw him from the face of heaven. 72

Faustus

And what are you that live with Lucifer? 73

Mephistopheles

Unhappy spirits that fell with Lucifer, 74

Conspired against our God with Lucifer, 75

And are for ever damned with Lucifer. 76

Faustus

Where are you damned? 77

Mephistopheles

In hell. 78

Faustus

How comes it then that thou are out of hell? 79

Mephistopheles

Why, this is hell, nor am I out of it. 80

Think'st thou that I, who saw the face of God 81

And tasted the eternal joys of heaven, 82

Am not tormented with ten thousand hells 83

In being deprived of everlasting bliss? 84

O Faustus, leave these frivolous demands, 85

Which strike a terror to my fainting soul! 86

Faustus

What, is great Mephistopheles so passionate 87

For being deprivèd of the joys of heaven? 88

Learn thou of Faustus manly fortitude, 89

And scorn those joys thou never shalt possess. 90

Go bear these tidings to great Lucifer: 91

Seeing Faustus hath incurred eternal death 92

By desp'rate thoughts against Jove's deity, 93

Say he surrenders up to him his soul, 94

So he will spare him four-and-twenty years, 95

Letting him live in all voluptuousness, 96

Having thee ever to attend on me, 97

To give me whatsoever I shall ask, 98

To tell me whatsoever I demand, 99

To slay mine enemies and aid my friends 100

And always be obedient to my will. 101

Go and return to mighty Lucifer, 102

And meet me in my study at midnight, 103

And then resolve me of thy master's mind. 104

Mephistopheles

I will, Faustus. 105

(Exit.)

Faustus

Had I as many souls as there be stars, 106

I'd give them all for Mephistopheles. 107

By him I'll be great emperor of the world 108

And make a bridge through the moving air 109

To pass the ocean with a band of men; 110

I'll join the hills that bind the Afric shore 111

And make that land continent to Spain, 112

And both contributory to my crown. 113

The Emp'ror shall not live but by my leave, 114

Nor any potentate of Germany. 115

Now that I have obtained what I desire, 116

I'll live in speculation of this art 117

Till Mephistopheles return again. 118

(Exit.)

[I.iv]

(Enter WAGNER and [ROBIN,] the CLOWN.)

Wagner

Sirrah boy, come hither.

Robin

How, 'boy'? Swounds, 'boy'! I hope you have seen many boys with such pickedevants as I have. 'Boy', quotha?

Wagner

Tell me, sirrah, hast thou any comings in?

Robin

Ay, and goings out too, you may see else.

Wagner

Alas, poor slave, see how poverty jesteth in his nakedness! The villain is bare and out of service, and so hungry that I know he would give his soul to the devil for a shoulder of mutton, though it were blood raw.

Robin

How? My soul to the devil for a shoulder of mutton, though 'twere blood raw? Not so, good friend. By'r Lady, I had need have it well roasted, and good sauce to it, if I pay so dear.

Wagner

Well, wilt thou serve me, and I'll make thee go like Qui mihi discipulus ?

Robin

How, in verse?

Wagner

No, sirrah, in beaten silk and stavesacre.

Robin

Aye, I thought that was all the land his father left him.

Wagner

Sirrah, I say in stavesacre.

Robin

Oho, oho, 'stavesacre'! Why then, belike, if I were your man, I should be full of vermin.

Wagner

So thou shalt, whether thou beest with me or no. But sirrah, leave your jesting, and bind yourself presently unto me for seven years, or I'll turn all the lice about thee into familiars, and they shall tear thee in pieces.

Robin

Do you hear, sir? You may save that labour. They are too familiar with me already. 'Swounds, they are as bold with my flesh as if they had paid for my meat and drink.

Wagner

Well, do you hear, sirrah? Hold, take these guilders.

([Offering money.])

Robin

Gridirons? What be they?

Wagner

Why, French crowns.

Robin

Mass, but for the name of French crowns a man were as good have as many English counters. And what should I do with these?

Wagner

Why now, sirrah, thou art at an hour's warning whensoever or wheresoever the devil shall fetch thee.

Robin

No, no, here, take your gridirons again.

([He attempts to return the money.])

Wagner

Truly, I'll none of them.

Robin

Truly, but you shall.

Wagner

[To the audience.] Bear witness I gave them him.

Robin

Bear witness I give them you again.

Wagner

Well, I will cause two devils presently to fetch thee away.—Balioll and Belcher!

Robin

Let your Balio and your Belcher come here and I'll knock them. They were never so knocked since they were devils. Say I should kill one of them, what would folks say? 'Do ye see yonder tall fellow in the round slop? He has killed the devil.' So I should be called 'Kill devil' all the parish over.

(Enter two Devils, and [Robin] the Clown runs up and down crying.)

Wagner

Balioll and Belcher! Spirits, away!

(Exeunt [Devils].)

Robin

What, are they gone? A vengeance on them! They have vile long nails. There was a he devil and a she devil. I'll tell you how you shall know them: all he devils has horns, and all she devils has clefts and cloven feet.

Wagner

Well, sirrah, follow me.

Robin

But do you hear? If I should serve you, would you teach me to raise up Banios and Belcheos?

Wagner

I will teach thee to turn thyself to anything, to a dog, or a cat, or a mouse, or a rat, or anything.

Robin

How? A Christian fellow to a dog or a cat, a mouse or a rat? No, no, sir. If you turn me into anything, let it be in the likeness of a little, pretty, frisking flea, that I may be here and there and everywhere. Oh, I'll tickle the pretty wenches' plackets! I'll be amongst them, i'faith!

Wagner

Well, sirrah, come.

Robin

But do you hear, Wagner?

Wagner

How?—Balioll and Belcher!

Robin

Oh, Lord, I pray sir, let Banio and Belcher go sleep.

Wagner

Villain, call me Master Wagner, and let thy left eye be diametarily fixed upon my right heel, with quasi vestigiis nostris insistere .

(Exit.)

Robin

God forgive me, he speaks Dutch fustian. Well, I'll follow him, I'll serve him, that's flat.

(Exit.)

[II.i]

(Enter FAUSTUS in his study.)

Faustus

Now, Faustus, must thou needs be damned, 1

And canst thou not be saved. 2

What boots it then to think of God or heaven? 3

Away with such vain fancies and despair! 4

Despair in God and trust in Beelzebub. 5

Now go not backward. No, Faustus, be resolute. 6

Why waverest thou? Oh, something soundeth in mine ears: 7

'Abjure this magic, turn to God again!' 8

Ay, and Faustus will turn to God again. 9

To God? He loves thee not. 10

The god thou servest is thine own appetite, 11

Wherein is fixed the love of Beelzebub. 12

To him I'll build an altar and a church, 13

And offer lukewarm blood of new-born babes. 14

(Enter GOOD ANGEL and EVIL [ANGEL].)

Good Angel

Sweet Faustus, leave that execrable art. 15

Faustus

Contrition, prayer, repentance—what of them? 16

Good Angel

Oh, they are means to bring thee unto heaven. 17

Evil Angel

Rather illusions, fruits of lunacy, 18

That makes men foolish that do trust them most. 19

Good Angel

Sweet Faustus, think of heaven and heavenly things. 20

Evil Angel

No, Faustus, think of honour and wealth. 21

(Exeunt [ANGELS].)

Faustus

Of wealth? 22

Why, the seigniory of Emden shall be mine. 23

When Mephistopheles shall stand by me, 24

What god can hurt thee, Faustus? Thou art safe; 25

Cast no more doubts. Come, Mephistopheles, 26

And bring glad tidings from great Lucifer. 27

Is't not midnight? Come, Mephistopheles! 28

Veni, veni, Mephistophile! 29

(Enter MEPHISTOPHELES)

Now tell, what says Lucifer thy lord? 30

Mephistopheles

That I shall wait on Faustus whilst he lives, 31

So he will buy my service with his soul. 32

Faustus

Already Faustus hath hazarded that for thee. 33

Mephistopheles

But, Faustus, thou must bequeath it solemnly 34

And write a deed of gift with thine own blood, 35

For that security craves great Lucifer. 36

If thou deny it, I will back to hell. 37

Faustus

Stay, Mephistopheles, and tell me, what good 38

will my soul do thy lord? 39

Mephistopheles

Enlarge his kingdom. 40

Faustus

Is that the reason he tempts us thus? 41

Mephistopheles

Solamen miseris socios habuisse doloris . 42

Faustus

Have you any pain, that tortures others? 43

Mephistopheles

As great as have the human souls of men. 44

But tell me, Faustus, shall I have thy soul? 45

And I will be thy slave, and wait on thee, 46

And give thee more than thou hast wit to ask. 47

Faustus

Ay, Mephistopheles, I give it thee. 48

Mephistopheles

Then stab thine arm courageously, 49

And bind thy soul that at some certain day 50

Great Lucifer may claim it as his own, 51

And then be thou as great as Lucifer. 52

Faustus

[Cutting his arm.] Lo, Mephistopheles, for love of thee

I cut mine arm, and with my proper blood 54

Assure my soul to be great Lucifer's, 55

Chief lord and regent of perpetual night. 56

View here the blood that trickles from mine arm, 57

And let it be propitious for my wish. 58

Mephistopheles

But Faustus, thou must write it in manner of a deed of gift.

Faustus

Ay, so I will. 61

[He writes.] But Mephistopheles,

My blood congeals, and I can write no more. 62

Mephistopheles

I'll fetch thee fire to dissolve it straight. 63

(Exit.)

Faustus

What might the staying of my blood portend? 64

Is it unwilling I should write this bill? 65

Why streams it not, that I may write afresh? 66

'Faustus gives to thee his soul'—ah, there it stayed! 67

Why shouldst thou not? Is not thy soul thine own? 68

Then write again: 'Faustus gives to thee his soul.' 69

(Enter MEPHISTOPHELES with a chafer of coals.)

Mephistopheles

Here's fire. Come Faustus, set it on. 70

Faustus

So; now the blood begins to clear again, 71

Now will I make an end immediately. [He writes.] 72

Mephistopheles

Oh, what will not I do to obtain his soul? 73

Faustus

Consummatum est . This bill is ended, 74

And Faustus hath bequeathed his soul to Lucifer. 75

But what is this inscription on mine arm? 76

' Homo, fuge! ' Whither should I fly? 77

If unto God, he'll throw thee down to hell.— 78

My senses are deceived; here's nothing writ.— 79

I see it plain. Here in this place is writ 80

' Homo, fuge! ' Yet shall not Faustus fly. 81

Mephistopheles

I'll fetch him somewhat to delight his mind. 82

(Exit.)

(Enter [MEPHISTOPHELES] with Devils, giving crowns and rich apparel to Faustus, and dance and then depart.)

Faustus

Speak, What means this show? 83

Mephistopheles

Nothing, Faustus, but to delight thy mind withal 84

And to show thee what magic can perform. 85

Faustus

But may I raise up spirits when I please? 86

Mephistopheles

Ay, Faustus, and do greater things than these. 87

Faustus

Then there's enough for a thousand souls. 88

Here, Mephistopheles, receive this scroll, 89

A deed of gift of body and of soul— 90

But yet conditionally that thou perform 91

All articles prescribed between us both. 92

Mephistopheles

Faustus, I swear by hell and Lucifer 93

To effect all promises between us made. 94

Faustus

Then hear me read them. 95

'On these conditions following: First, that Faustus may be a spirit in form and substance. Secondly, that Mephistopheles shall be his servant, and at his command. Thirdly, that Mephistopheles shall do for him and bring him whatsoever. Fourthly, that he shall be in his chamber or house invisible. Lastly, that he shall appear to the said John Faustus at all times in what form or shape soever he please. I, John Faustus of Wittenberg, Doctor, by these presents do give both body and soul to Lucifer, Prince of the East, and his minister Mephistopheles; and furthermore grant unto them that four-and-twenty years being expired, the articles above written inviolate, full power to fetch or carry the said John Faustus, body and soul, flesh, blood, or goods, into their habitation wheresoever. By me, John Faustus'

Mephistopheles

Speak, Faustus, Do you deliver this as your deed?

Faustus

[Giving the deed.] Ay. Take it, and the devil give thee good on't.

Mephistopheles

Now, Faustus, ask what thou wilt. 121

Faustus

First will I question with thee about hell. 122

Tell me, where is the place that men call hell? 123

Mephistopheles

Under the heavens. 124

Faustus

Ay, but whereabout?

Mephistopheles

Within the bowels of these elements, 125

Where we are tortured and remain for ever. 126

Hell hath no limits, nor is circumscribed 127

In one self place, for where we are is hell, 128

And where hell is must we ever be. 129

And, to conclude, when all the world dissolves, 130

And every creature shall be purified, 131

All places shall be hell that is not heaven. 132

Faustus

Come, I think hell's a fable. 133

Mephistopheles

Ay, think so still, till experience change thy mind. 134

Faustus

Why, think'st thou then that Faustus shall be damned? 135

Mephistopheles

Ay, of necessity, for here's the scroll 136

Wherein thou hast given thy soul to Lucifer. 137

Faustus

Ay, and body too. But what of that? 138

Think'st thou that Faustus is so fond 139

To imagine that after this life there is any pain? 140

Tush, these are trifles and mere old wives' tales. 141

Mephistopheles

But, Faustus, I am an instance to prove the contrary, 142

For I am damned and am now in hell. 143

Faustus

How? Now in hell? Nay, an this be hell, I'll willingly be damned here. What? Walking, disputing, etc.? But leaving off this, let me have a wife, the fairest maid in Germany, for I am wanton and lascivious and cannot live without a wife.

Mephistopheles

How, a wife? I prithee, Faustus, talk not of a wife.

Faustus

Nay, sweet Mephistopheles, fetch me one, for I will have one.

Mephistopheles

Well, thou wilt have one. Sit there till I come. I'll fetch thee a wife, in the devil's name.

([Exit.])

(Enter [MEPHISTOPHELES] with a Devil dressed like a woman, with fireworks.)

Mephistopheles

Tell, Faustus, how dost thou like thy wife? 156

Faustus

A plague on her for a hot whore! 157

Mephistopheles

Tut, Faustus, marriage is but a ceremonial toy. 158

If thou lovest me, think no more of it. 159

([Exit Devil.])

I'll cull thee out the fairest courtesans 160

And bring them ev'ry morning to thy bed. 161

She whom thine eye shall like, thy heart shall have, 162

Be she as chaste as was Penelope, 163

As wise as Saba, or as beautiful 164

As was bright Lucifer before his fall. 165

([Presenting a book.])

Hold, take this book. Peruse it thoroughly. 166

The iterating of these lines brings gold; 167

The framing of this circle on the ground 168

Brings whirlwinds, tempests, thunder, and lightning. 169

Pronounce this thrice devoutly to thyself, 170

And men in armor shall appear to thee, 171

Ready to execute what thou desir'st. 172

Faustus

Thanks, Mephistopheles. Yet fain would I have a book wherein I might behold all spells and incantations, that I might raise up spirits when I please.

Mephistopheles

Here they are in this book.

(There turn to them.)

Faustus

Now would I have a book where I might see all characters and planets of the heavens, that I might know their motions and dispositions.

Mephistopheles

Here they are too.

(Turn to them.)

Faustus

Nay, let me have one book more—and then I have done—wherein I might see all plants, herbs, and trees that grow upon the earth.

Mephistopheles

Here they be.

(Turn to them.)

Faustus

Oh, thou art deceived.

Mephistopheles

Tut, I warrant thee.

([Exeunt.])

[II.ii]

(Enter ROBIN the ostler with a book in his hand.)

Robin

Oh, this is admirable! Here I ha' stol'n one of Doctor Faustus's conjuring books, and, i'faith, I mean to search some circles for my own use. Now will I make all the maidens in our parish dance at my pleasure stark naked before me, and so by that means I shall see more than e'er I felt or saw yet.

(Enter RAFE, calling ROBIN)

Rafe

Robin, prithee, come away. There's a gentleman tarries to have his horse, and he would have his things rubbed and made clean; he keeps such a chafing with my mistress about it, and she has sent me to look thee out. Prithee, come away.

Robin

Keep out, keep out, or else you are blown up, you are dismembered, Rafe! Keep out, for I am about a roaring piece of work.

Rafe

Come, what dost thou with that same book? Thou canst not read.

Robin

Yes, my master and mistress shall find that I can read—he for his forehead, she for her private study. She's born to bear with me, or else my art fails.

Rafe

Why, Robin, what book is that?

Robin

What book? Why the most intolerable book for conjuring that e'er was invented by any brimstone devil.

Rafe

Canst thou conjure with it?

Robin

I can do all these things easily with it: first, I can make thee drunk with hippocras at any tavern in Europe for nothing. That's one of my conjuring works.

Rafe

Our Master Parson says that's nothing.

Robin

True, Rafe; and more, Rafe, if thou hast any mind to Nan Spit, our kitchen maid, then turn her and wind her to thy own use as often as thou wilt, and at midnight.

Rafe

O brave Robin! Shall I have Nan Spit, and to mine own use? On that condition I'll feed thy devil with horse-bread as long as he lives, of free cost.

Robin

No more, sweet Rafe. Let's go and make clean our boots, which lie foul upon our hands, and then to our conjuring, in the devil's name.

(Exeunt.)

[II.iii.]

([Enter FAUSTUS in his study, and MEPHISTOPHELES])

Faustus

When I behold the heavens, then I repent 1

And curse thee, wicked Mephistopheles, 2

Because thou hast deprived me of those joys. 3

Mephistopheles

Why Faustus, 4

Think'st thou heaven is such a glorious thing? 5

I tell thee, 'tis not half so fair as thou 6

Or any man that breathes on earth. 7

Faustus

How provest thou that? 8

Mephistopheles

It was made for man; therefore is man more excellent. 9

Faustus

If it were made for man, 'twas made for me. 10

I will renounce this magic and repent. 11

(Enter GOOD ANGEL and EVIL ANGEL.)

Good Angel

Faustus, repent yet, God will pity thee. 12

Evil Angel

Thou art a spirit. God cannot pity thee. 13

Faustus

Who buzzeth in mine ears I am a spirit? 14

Be I a devil, yet God may pity me; 15

Ay, God will pity me if I repent. 16

Evil Angel

Ay, but Faustus never shall repent. 17

(Exeunt [ANGELS].)

Faustus

My heart's so hardened I cannot repent. 18

Scarce can I name salvation, faith, or heaven 19

But fearful echoes thunder in mine ears: 20

'Faustus, thou art damned!' Then swords and knives, 21

Poison, guns, halters, and envenomed steel 22

Are laid before me to dispatch myself; 23

And long ere this I should have slain myself 24

Had not sweet pleasure conquered deep despair. 25

Have not I made blind Homer sing to me 26

Of Alexander's love and Oenone's death? 27

And hath not he that built the walls of Thebes 28

With ravishing sound of his melodious harp 29

Made music with my Mephistopheles? 30

Why should I die, then, or basely despair? 31

I am resolved Faustus shall ne'er repent. 32

Come, Mephistopheles, let us dispute again 33

And argue of divine astrology. 34

Tell me, are there many heavens above the moon? 35

Are all celestial bodies but one globe, 36

As is the substance of this centric earth? 37

Mephistopheles

As are the elements, such are the spheres, 38

Mutually folded in each others' orb; 39

And, Faustus, all jointly move upon one axletree, 40

Whose terminè is termed the world's wide pole. 41

Nor are the names of Saturn, Mars, or Jupiter 42

Feigned, but are erring stars. 43

Faustus

But tell me, have they all one motion, both situ et tempore ?

Mephistopheles

All jointly move from east to west in four-and-twenty hours upon the poles of the world, but differ in their motion upon the poles of the zodiac.

Faustus

Tush, these slender trifles Wagner can decide. 49

Hath Mephistopheles no greater skill? 50

Who knows not the double motion of the planets? 51

The first is finished in a natural day, 52

The second thus, as Saturn in thirty years, 53

Jupiter in twelve, Mars in four, the Sun, Venus, and Mercury in a year, the moon in twenty-eight days. Tush, these are freshmen's suppositions. But tell me, hath every sphere a dominion or intelligentia ?

Mephistopheles

Ay.

Faustus

How many heavens or spheres are there?

Mephistopheles

Nine: the seven planets, the firmament, and the empyreal heaven.

Faustus

Well, resolve me in this question: why have we not conjunctions, oppositions, aspects, eclipses all at one time, but in some years we have more, in some less?

Mephistopheles

Per inaequalem motum respectu totius .

Faustus

Well, I am answered. Tell me who made the world.

Mephistopheles

I will not.

Faustus

Sweet Mephistopheles, tell me.

Mephistopheles

Move me not, for I will not tell thee.

Faustus

Villain, have I not bound thee to tell me anything?

Mephistopheles

Ay, that is not against our kingdom, but this is. Think thou on hell, Faustus, for thou art damned.

Faustus

Think, Faustus, upon God, that made the world.

Mephistopheles

Remember this.

(Exit.)

Faustus

Ay, go, accursèd spirit, to ugly hell! 76

'Tis thou hast damned distressèd Faustus' soul. 77

Is't not too late? 78

(Enter GOOD ANGEL and EVIL [ANGEL].)

Evil Angel

Too late. 79

Good Angel

Never too late, if Faustus can repent. 80

Evil Angel

If thou repent, devils shall tear thee in pieces. 81

Good Angel

Repent, and they shall never raze thy skin. 82

(Exeunt [ANGELS].)

Faustus

Ah, Christ, my Saviour, 83

Seek to save distressèd Faustus' soul! 84

(Enter LUCIFER, BEELZEBUB, and MEPHISTOPHELES.)

Lucifer

Christ cannot save thy soul, for he is just. 85

There's none but I have int'rest in the same. 86

Faustus

Oh, who art thou that look'st so terrible? 87

Lucifer

I am Lucifer, 88

And this is my companion prince in hell. 89

Faustus

O Faustus, they are come to fetch away thy soul! 90

Lucifer

We come to tell thee thou dost injure us. 91

Thou talk'st of Christ, contrary to thy promise. 92

Thou shouldst not think of God. Think of the devil, 93

And of his dame, too. 94

Faustus

Nor will I henceforth. Pardon me in this, 95

And Faustus vows never to look to heaven, 96

Never to name God or to pray to him, 97

To burn his Scriptures, slay his ministers, 98

And make my spirits pull his churches down. 99

Lucifer

Do so, and we will highly gratify thee. Faustus, we are come from hell to show thee some pastime. Sit down, and thou shalt see all the Seven Deadly Sins appear in their proper shapes.

Faustus

That sight will be as pleasing unto me as paradise was to Adam the first day of his creation.

Lucifer

Talk not of paradise nor creation, but mark this show. Talk of the devil, and nothing else.— [Calling offstage.] Come away! [Faustus sits.] Enter the SEVEN DEADLY SINS. Now, Faustus, examine them of their several names and dispositions.

Faustus

What art thou, the first?

Pride

I am Pride. I disdain to have any parents. I am like to Ovid's flea: I can creep into every corner of a wench. Sometimes like a periwig I sit upon her brow, or like a fan of feathers I kiss her lips. Indeed I do—what do I not? But fie, what a scent is here! I'll not speak another word except the ground were perfumed and covered with cloth of arras.

Faustus

What art thou, the second?

Covetousness

I am Covetousness, begotten of an old churl in an old leathern bag; and might I have my wish, I would desire that this house and all the people in it were turned to gold, that I might lock you up in my good chest. O my sweet gold!

Faustus

What art thou, the third?

Wrath

I am Wrath. I had neither father nor mother. I leaped out of a lion's mouth when I was scarce half an hour old, and ever since I have run up and down the world with this case of rapiers, wounding myself when I had nobody to fight withal. I was born in hell, and look to it, for some of you shall be my father.

Faustus

What art thou, the fourth?

Envy

I am Envy, begotten of a chimney-sweeper and an oyster- wife. I cannot read, and therefore wish all books were burnt. I am lean with seeing others eat. Oh, that there would come a famine through all the world, that all might die, and I live alone! Then thou shouldst see how fat I would be. But must thou sit and I stand? Come down, with a vengeance!

Faustus

Away, envious rascal!—What are thou, the fifth?

Gluttony

Who, I, sir? I am Gluttony. My parents are all dead, and the devil a penny they have left me but a bare pension, and that is thirty meals a day, and ten bevers— a small trifle to suffice nature. Oh, I come of a royal parentage. My grandfather was a gammon of bacon, my grandmother a hogshead of claret wine. My godfathers were these: Peter Pickle-herring and Martin Martlemas- beef. Oh, but my godmother, she was a jolly gentlewoman, and well beloved in every good town and city; her name was Mistress Margery March-beer. Now, Faustus, thou hast heard all my progeny, wilt thou bid me to supper?

Faustus

No, I'll see thee hanged. Thou wilt eat up all my victuals.

Gluttony

Then the devil choke thee!

Faustus

Choke thyself, glutton!—What art thou, the sixth?

Sloth

I am Sloth. I was begotton on a sunny bank, where I have lain ever since, and you have done me great injury to bring me from thence. Let me be carried thither again by Gluttony and Lechery. I'll not speak another word for a king's ransom.

Faustus

What are you, Mistress Minx, the seventh and last?

Lechery

Who, I, sir? I am one that loves an inch of raw mutton better than an ell of fried stockfish, and the first letter of my name begins with Lechery.

Lucifer

Away, to hell, to hell! Exeunt the SINS. Now, Faustus, how dost thou like this?

Faustus

Oh, this feeds my soul!

Lucifer

Tut, Faustus, in hell is all manner of delight.

Faustus

Oh, might I see hell and return again, how happy were I then!

Lucifer

Thou shalt. I will send for thee at midnight. [Presenting a book.] In meantime, take this book. Peruse it throughly, and thou shalt turn thyself into what shape thou wilt.

Faustus

[Taking the book.] Great thanks, mighty Lucifer.

This will I keep as chary as my life. 176

Lucifer

Farewell, Faustus, and think on the devil. 177

Faustus

Farewell, great Lucifer. Come, Mephistopheles. 178

(Exeunt omnes, [different ways].)

[III.Chorus]

(Enter WAGNER solus.)

Wagner

Learnèd Faustus, 1

To know the secrets of astronomy 2

Graven in the book of Jove's high firmament, 3

Did mount himself to scale Olympus' top, 4

Being seated in a chariot burning bright 5

Drawn by the strength of yoky dragons' necks. 6

He now is gone to prove cosmography, 7

And, as I guess, will first arrive at Rome 8

To see the Pope and manner of his court 9

And take some part of holy Peter's feast 10

That to this day is highly solemnised. 11

(Exit WAGNER.)

[III.i]

(Enter FAUSTUS and MEPHISTOPHELES)

Faustus

Having now, my good Mephistopheles, 1

Passed with delight the stately town of Trier, 2

Environed round with airy mountaintops, 3

With walls of flint and deep intrenchèd lakes, 4

Not to be won by any conquering prince; 5

From Paris next, coasting the realm of France, 6

We saw the river Maine fall into Rhine, 7

Whose banks are set with groves of fruitful vines. 8

Then up to Naples, rich Campania, 9

Whose buildings, fair and gorgeous to the eye, 10

The streets straight forth and paved with finest brick, 11

Quarters the town in four equivalents. 12

There saw we learnèd Maro's golden tomb, 13

The way he cut an English mile in length 14

Thorough a rock of stone in one night's space. 15

From thence to Venice, Padua, and the rest, 16

In midst of which a sumptuous temple stands 17

That threats the stars with her aspiring top. 18

Thus hitherto hath Faustus spent his time. 19

But tell me now, what resting place is this? 20

Hast thou, as erst I did command, 21

Conducted me within the walls of Rome? 22

Mephistopheles

Faustus, I have. And because we will not be unprovided, I have taken up his Holiness's privy chamber for our use.

Faustus

I hope his Holiness will bid us welcome.

Mephistopheles

Tut, 'tis no matter, man. We'll be bold with his good cheer.

And now, my Faustus, that thou mayst perceive 29

What Rome containeth to delight thee with, 30

Know that this city stands upon seven hills 31

That underprops the groundwork of the same. 32

Just through the midst runs flowing Tiber's stream, 33

With winding banks that cut it in two parts, 34

Over the which four stately bridges lean, 35

That makes safe passage to each part of Rome. 36

Upon the bridge called Ponte Angelo 37

Erected is a castle passing strong, 38

Within whose walls such store of ordnance are, 39

And double cannons, framed of carvèd brass, 40

As match the days within one complete year— 41

Besides the gates and high pyramides 42

Which Julius Caesar brought from Africa. 43

Faustus

Now, by the kingdoms of infernal rule, 44

Of Styx, Acheron, and the fiery lake 45

Of ever-burning Phlegethon, I swear 46

That I do long to see the monuments 47

And situation of bright splendent Rome. 48

Come, therefore, let's away! 49

Mephistopheles

Nay, Faustus, stay. I know you'd fain see the Pope 50

And take some part of holy Peter's feast, 51

Where thou shalt see a troupe of bald-pate friars 52

Whose summum bonum is in belly cheer. 53

Faustus

Well, I am content to compass then some sport, 54

And by their folly make us merriment. 55

Then charm me that I may be invisible, to do what I please unseen of any whilst I stay in Rome.

Mephistopheles

[Placing a robe on Faustus] So, Faustus, now do what thou wilt, thou shalt not be discerned.

(Sound a sennet. Enter the POPE and the CARDINAL OF LORRAINE to the banquet, with FRIARS attending.)

Pope

My lord of Lorraine, will't please you draw near?

Faustus

Fall to, and the devil choke you an you spare.

Pope

How now, who's that which spake? Friars, look about.

Friar

Here's nobody, if it like your Holiness.

Pope

My lord, here is a dainty dish was sent me from the Bishop of Milan.

([He presents a dish.])

Faustus

I thank you, sir. Snatch it.

Pope

How now, who's that which snatched the meat from me? Will no man look?— My lord, this dish was sent me from the Cardinal of Florence.

Faustus

[Snatching the dish.] You say true. I'll ha't.

Pope

What again?— My lord, I'll drink to your Grace.

Faustus

[Snatching the cup.] I'll pledge your Grace.

Lorraine

My lord, it may be some ghost, newly crept out of purgatory, come to beg a pardon of your Holiness.

Pope

It may be so. Friars, prepare a dirge to lay the fury of this ghost. Once again, my lord, fall to.

(The Pope crosseth himself.)

Faustus

What, are you crossing of yourself? 77

Well, use that trick no more, I would advise you. 78

([The Pope] cross[es himself] again.)

Well, there's a second time. Aware the third, I give you fair warning. [The Pope] cross[es himself] again, and Faustus hits him a box of the ear, and they all run away. Come on, Mephistopheles. What shall we do?

Mephistopheles

Nay, I know not. We shall be cursed with bell, book, and candle.

Faustus

How? Bell, book, and candle, candle, book, and bell, 84

Forward and backward, to curse Faustus to hell. 85

Anon you shall hear a hog grunt, a calf bleat, 86

and an ass bray, 87

Because it is Saint Peter's holy day. 88

(Enter all the FRIARS to sing the dirge)

Friar

Come, brethren, let's about our business with good devotion. The Friars sing this: Cursèd be he that stole away his Holiness's meat from the table.

Maledicat Dominus! 93

Cursèd be he that struck his Holiness a blow on the face. 94

Maledicat Dominus! 95

Cursèd be he that took Friar Sandelo a blow on the pate. 96

Maledicat Dominus! 97

Cursèd be he that disturbeth our holy dirge. 98

Maledicat Dominus! 99

Cursèd be he that took away his Holiness's wine. 100

Maledicat Dominus! 101

Et omnes sancti. Amen. 102

(FAUSTUS and MEPHISTOPHELES beat the FRIARS, and fling fireworks among them, and so exeunt.)

[III.ii]

(Enter ROBIN [with a conjuring book] and RAFE with a silver goblet.)

Robin

Come, Rafe, did not I tell thee we were for ever made by this Doctor Faustus's book? Ecce signum! Here's a simple purchase for horse-keepers. Our horses shall eat no hay as long as this lasts.

(Enter the VINTNER.)

Rafe

But Robin, here comes the Vintner.

Robin

Hush, I'll gull him supernaturally.—Drawer, I hope all is paid. God be with you. Come, Rafe.

([They start to go.])

Vintner

[To Robin] Soft, sir, a word with you. I must yet have a goblet paid from you ere you go.

Robin

I, a goblet? Rafe, I, a goblet? I scorn you, and you are but a etc. I, a goblet? Search me.

Vintner

I mean so, sir, with your favour.

([The Vintner searches Robin.])

Robin

How say you now?

Vintner

I must say somewhat to your fellow—you, sir.

Rafe

Me, sir? Me, sir? Search your fill. [He gives the goblet to Robin; then the Vintner searches Rafe] Now, sir, you may be ashamed to burden honest men with a matter of truth.

Vintner

Well, t'one of you hath this goblet about you.

Robin

You lie, drawer, 'tis afore me. Sirrah, you, I'll teach ye to impeach honest men. Stand by. I'll scour you for a goblet. Stand aside, you had best, I charge you in the name of Beelzebub. [Tossing the goblet to Rafe] Look to the goblet, Rafe.

Vintner

What me an you, sirrah?

Robin

I'll tell you what I mean. [He reads.] Sanctobulorum Periphrasticon! Nay, I'll tickle you, Vintner. Look to the goblet, Rafe. Polypragmos Belseborams framanto pacostiphos tostu Mephistopheles! etc.

(Enter to them MEPHISTOPHELES)

([Exit the VINTNER, running.])

Mephistopheles

Monarch of hell, under whose black survey 30

Great potentates do kneel with awful fear, 31

Upon whose altars thousand souls do lie, 32

How am I vexèd with these villains' charms! 33

From Constantinople am I hither come 34

Only for pleasure of these damnèd slaves. 35

Robin

How, from Constantinople? You have had a great journey. Will you take sixpence in your purse to pay for your supper and be gone?

Mephistopheles

Well, villains, for your presumption I transform thee [To Robin.] into an ape and thee [To Rafe] into a dog. And so, begone!

([Exit.])

Robin

How, into an ape? That's brave. I'll have fine sport with the boys; I'll get nuts and apples enough.

Rafe

And I must be a dog.

Robin

I'faith, thy head will never be out of the pottage pot.

([Exeunt.])

[IV.Chorus]

(Enter CHORUS.)

Chorus

When Faustus had with pleasure ta'en the view 1

Of rarest things and royal courts of kings, 2

He stayed his course and so returnèd home, 3

Where such as bear his absence but with grief— 4

I mean his friends and nearest companions— 5

Did gratulate his safety with kind words. 6

And in their conference of what befell, 7

Touching his journey through the world and air, 8

They put forth questions of astrology, 9

Which Faustus answered with such learnèd skill 10

As they admired and wondered at his wit. 11

Now is his fame spread forth in every land. 12

Amongst the rest the Emperor is one, 13

Carolus the Fifth, at whose palace now 14

Faustus is feasted 'mongst his noblemen. 15

What there he did in trial of his art 16

I leave untold, your eyes shall see performed. 17

([Exit.])

[IV.i]

(Enter EMPEROR, FAUSTUS, [MEPHISTOPHELES,] and a KNIGHT, with Attendants.)

Emperor

Master Doctor Faustus, I have heard strange report of thy knowledge in the black art—how that none in my empire, nor in the whole world, can compare with thee for the rare effects of magic. They say thou hast a familiar spirit by whom thou canst accomplish what thou list. This, therefore, is my request: that thou let me see some proof of thy skill, that mine eyes may be witnesses to confirm what mine ears have heard reported. And here I swear to thee, by the honour of mine imperial crown, that whatever thou dost, thou shalt be no ways prejudiced or endamaged.

Knight

I’faith, he looks much like a conjurer.

Faustus

My gracious sovereign, though I must confess myself far inferior to the report men have published, and nothing answerable to the honour of your Imperial Majesty, yet, for that love and duty binds me thereunto, I am content to do whatsoever your Majesty shall command me.

Emperor

Then, Doctor Faustus, mark what I shall say. 19

As I was sometime solitary set 20

Within my closet, sundry thoughts arose 21

About the honour of mine ancestors— 22

How they had won by prowess such exploits, 23

Got such riches, subdued so many kingdoms 24

As we that do succeed or they that shall 25

Hereafter possess our throne shall, 26

I fear me, never attain to that degree 27

Of high renown and great authority. 28

Amongst which kings is Alexander the Great, 29

Chief spectacle of the world's preeminence, 30

The bright shining of whose glorious acts 31

Lightens the world with his reflecting beams— 32

As when I hear but motion made of him, 33

It grieves my soul I never saw the man. 34

If, therefore, thou by cunning of thine art 35

Canst raise this man from hollow vaults below 36

Where lies entombed this famous conqueror, 37

And bring with him his beauteous paramour, 38

Both in their right shapes, gesture, and attire 39

They used to wear during their time of life, 40

Thou shalt both satisfy my just desire 41

And give me cause to praise thee whilst I live. 42

Faustus

My gracious lord, I am ready to accomplish your request, so far forth as by art and power of my spirit I am able to perform.

Knight

I'faith, that's just nothing at all.

Faustus

But if it like your Grace, it is not in my ability to present before your eyes the true substantial bodies of those two deceased princes, which long since are consumed to dust.

Knight

Ay, marry, Master Doctor, now there's a sign of grace in you, when you will confess the truth.

Faustus

But such spirits as can lively resemble Alexander and his paramour shall appear before your Grace in that manner that they best lived in, in their most flourishing estate—which I doubt not shall sufficiently content your imperial Majesty.

Emperor

Go to, Master Doctor. Let me see them presently.

Knight

Do you hear, Master Doctor? You bring Alexander and his paramour before the Emperor?

Faustus

How then, sir?

Knight

I'faith, that's as true as Diana turned me to a stag.

Faustus

Mephistopheles, begone!

(Exit MEPHISTOPHELES.)

Knight

Nay, an you go to conjuring, I'll be gone.

(Exit KNIGHT.)

Faustus

I'll meet with you anon for interrupting me so

(Enter MEPHISTOPHELES with ALEXANDER and his PARAMOUR.)

Emperor

Master Doctor, I heard this lady while she lived had a wart or mole in her neck. How shall I know whether it be so or no?

Faustus

Your Highness may boldly go and see.

([The Emperor makes an inspection, and then] Exit ALEXANDER [and his PARAMOUR].)

Emperor

Sure these are no spirits, but the true substantial bodies of those two deceased princes.

Faustus

Will't please your Highness now to send for the knight that was so pleasant with me here of late?

Emperor

One of you call him forth. [An Attendant goes to summon the Knight] Enter the KNIGHT with a pair of horns on his head. How now, sir knight? Why, I had thought thou hadst been a bachelor, but now I see thou hast a wife, that not only gives thee horns but makes thee wear them. Feel on thy head.

Knight

[To Faustus] Thou damnèd wretch and execrable dog, 81

Bred in the concave of some monstrous rock, 82

How dar'st thou thus abuse a gentleman? 83

Villain, I say, undo what thou hast done. 84

Faustus

Oh, not so fast, sir. There's no haste but good. Are you remembered how you crossed me in my conference with the Emperor? I think I have met with you for it.

Emperor

Good Master Doctor, at my entreaty release him. He hath done penance sufficient.

Faustus

Mephistopheles, transform him straight.

Emperor

Farewell, Master Doctor. Yet, ere you go, 99

Expect from me a bounteous reward. 100

(Exeunt EMPEROR, [KNIGHT, and Attendants].)

Faustus

Now, Mephistopheles, the restless course 101

That time doth run with calm and silent foot, 102

Short'ning my days and thread of vital life, 103

Calls for the payment of my latest years. 104

Therefore, sweet Mephistopheles, let us make haste 105

To Wittenberg. 106

Mephistopheles

What, will you go on horseback or on foot? 107

Faustus

Nay, till I am past this fair and pleasant green, 108

I'll walk on foot. 109

(Enter a HORSE-CORSER)

Horse-corser

I have been all this day seeking one Master Fustian. Mass, see where he is.—God save you, Master Doctor.

Faustus

What, Horse-corser! You are well met.

Horse-corser

[Offering money.] Do you hear, sir? I have brought you forty dollars for your horse.

Faustus

I cannot sell him so. If thou lik'st him for fifty, take him.

Horse-corser

Alas, sir, I have no more. [To Mephistopheles.] I pray you, speak for me.

Mephistopheles

[To Faustus.] I pray you, let him have him. He is an honest fellow, and he has a great charge, neither wife nor child.

Faustus

Well, come, give me your money. [He takes the money.] My boy will deliver him to you. But I must tell you one thing before you have him: ride him not into the water, at any hand.

Horse-corser

Why, sir, will he not drink of all waters?

Faustus

Oh, yes, he will drink of all waters, but ride him not into the water. Ride him over hedge, or ditch, or where thou wilt, but not into the water.

Horse-corser

Now am I a made man for ever. I'll not leave my horse for forty. If he had but the quality of hey, ding, ding, hey, ding, ding, I'd make a brave living on him; he has a buttock as slick as an eel.

Faustus

Away, you villain! What, dost think I am a horse-doctor?

(Exit HORSE-CORSER.)

What art thou, Faustus, but a man condemned to die? 141

Thy fatal time doth draw to final end. 142

Despair doth drive distrust unto my thoughts. 143

Confound these passions with a quiet sleep. 144

Tush! Christ did call the thief upon the cross; 145

Then rest thee, Faustus, quiet in conceit. 146

(Sleep in his chair.)

(Enter HORSE-CORSER all wet, crying.)

Horse-corser

Alas, alas! 'Doctor' Fustian, quotha! Mass, Doctor Lopus was never such a doctor. H'as given me a purgation, h'as purged me of forty dollars. I shall never see them more. But yet, like an ass as I was, I would not be ruled by him, for he bade me I should ride him into no water. Now I, thinking my horse had had some rare quality that he would not have had me known of, I, like a venturous youth, rid him into the deep pond at the town's end. I was no sooner in the middle of the pond but my horse vanished away and I sat upon a bottle of hay, never so near drowning in my life. But I'll seek out my doctor and have my forty dollars again, or I'll make it the dearest horse! Oh, yonder is his snipper-snapper.—Do you hear? You, hey-pass, where's your master?

Mephistopheles

Why, sir, what would you? You cannot speak with him.

Horse-corser

But I will speak with him.

Mephistopheles

Why, he's fast asleep. Come some other time.

Horse-corser

I'll speak with him now, or I'll break his glass windows about his ears.

Mephistopheles

I tell thee he has not slept this eight nights.

Horse-corser

An he have not slept this eight weeks, I'll speak with him.

Mephistopheles

See where he is, fast asleep.

Horse-corser

Ay, this is he.—God save ye, Master Doctor. Master Doctor, Master Doctor Fustian! Forty dollars, forty dollars for a bottle of hay!

Mephistopheles

Why, thou seest he hears thee not.

Horse-corser

[Holler in his ear.] So-ho, ho! So-ho, ho! No, will you not wake? I'll make you wake ere I go. Pull him by the leg, and pull it away. Alas, I am undone! What shall I do?

Faustus

O my leg, my leg! Help, Mephistopheles! Call the officers! My leg, my leg!

Mephistopheles

[Seizing the Horse-corser.] Come, villain, to the constable.

Horse-corser

O Lord, sir, let me go, and I'll give you forty dollars more.

Mephistopheles

Where be they?

Horse-corser

I have none about me. Come to my hostry, and I'll give them you.

Mephistopheles

Begone, quickly.

(HORSE-CORSER runs away.)

Faustus

What, is he gone? Farewell, he! Faustus has his leg again, and the Horse-corser, I take it, a bottle of hay for his labour. Well, this trick shall cost him forty dollars more. Enter WAGNER. How now, Wagner, what's the news with thee?

Wagner

Sir, the Duke of Vanholt doth earnestly entreat your company.

Faustus

The Duke of Vanholt! An honourable gentleman, to whom I must be no niggard of my cunning. Come, Mephistopheles, let's away to him.

(Exeunt.)

[IV.ii]

([Enter FAUSTUS with MEPHISTOPHELES] Enter to them the DUKE [OF VANHOLT] and the [pregnant] DUCHESS. The DUKE speaks.)

Duke

Believe me, Master Doctor, this merriment hath much pleased me.

Faustus

My gracious lord, I am glad it contents you so well.— But it may be, madam, you take no delight in this. I have heard that great-bellied women do long for some dainties or other. What is it, madam? Tell me, and you shall have it.

Duchess

Thanks, good Master Doctor. And, for I see your courteous intent to pleasure me, I will not hide from you the thing my heart desires. And were it now summer, as it is January and the dead time of the winter, I would desire no better meat than a dish of ripe grapes.

Faustus

Mephistopheles, begone!

([The Duchess tastes the grapes.])

Duke

Believe me, Master Doctor, this makes me wonder above the rest, that, being in the dead time of winter and in the month of January, how you should come by these grapes.

Faustus

If it like your Grace, the year is divided into two circles over the whole world, that when it is here winter with us, in the contrary circle it is summer with them, as in India, Saba, and farther countries in the East; and by means of a swift spirit that I have, I had them brought hither, as ye see.—How do you like them, madam? Be they good?

Duchess

Believe me, Master Doctor, they be the best grapes that e'er I tasted in my life before.

Faustus

I am glad they content you so, madam. 32

Duke

Come, madam, let us in, 33

Where you must well reward this learnèd man 34

For the great kindness he hath showed to you. 35

Duchess

And so I will, my lord, and whilst I live 36

Rest beholding for this courtesy. 37

Faustus

I humbly thank your Grace. 38

Duke

Come, Master Doctor, follow us and receive your reward. 39

(Exeunt.)

[V.i]

(Enter WAGNER solus.)

Wagner

I think my master means to die shortly, 1

For he hath given to me all his goods. 2

And yet methinks if that death were near 3

He would not banquet and carouse and swill 4

Amongst the students, as even now he doth, 5

Who are at supper with such belly-cheer 6

As Wagner ne'er beheld in all his life. 7

See where they come. Belike the feast is ended. 8

([Exit.])

(Enter FAUSTUS with two or three SCHOLARS [and MEPHISTOPHELES].)

First Scholar

Master Doctor Faustus, since our conference about fair ladies—which was the beautifullest in all the world—we have determined with ourselves that Helen of Greece was the admirablest lady that ever lived. Therefore, Master Doctor, if you will do us that favour as to let us see that peerless dame of Greece, whom all the world admires for majesty, we should think ourselves much beholding unto you.

Faustus

Gentlemen, 17

For that I know your friendship is unfeigned, 18

And Faustus' custom is not to deny 19

The just requests of those that wish him well, 20

You shall behold that peerless dame of Greece 21

No otherways for pomp and majesty 22

Than when Sir Paris crossed the seas with her 23

And brought the spoils to rich Dardania. 24

Be silent then, for danger is in words. 25

([MEPHISTOPHELES goes to the door.])

(Music sounds. [MEPHISTOPHELES returns,] and HELEN passeth over the stage.)

Second Scholar

Too simple is my wit to tell her praise, 26

Whom all the world admires for majesty. 27

Third Scholar

No marvel though the angry Greeks pursued 28

With ten years' war the rape of such a queen, 29

Whose heavenly beauty passeth all compare. 30

First Scholar

Since we have seen the pride of nature's works 31

And only paragon of excellence, 32

(Enter an OLD MAN.)

Let us depart; and for this glorious deed 33

Happy and blest be Faustus evermore. 34

Faustus

Gentlemen, farewell. The same I wish to you. 35

(Exeunt SCHOLARS.)

Old Man

Ah, Doctor Faustus, that I might prevail 36

To guide thy steps unto the way of life, 37

By which sweet path thou mayest attain the goal 38

That shall conduct thee to celestial rest! 39

Break heart, drop blood, and mingle it with tears— 40

Tears falling from repentant heaviness 41

Of thy most vile and loathsome filthiness, 42

The stench whereof corrupts the inward soul 43

With such flagitious crimes of heinous sins 44

As no commiseration may expel 45

But mercy, Faustus, of thy Saviour sweet, 46

Whose blood alone must wash away thy guilt. 47

Faustus

Where art thou, Faustus? Wretch, what hast thou done? 48

Damned art thou, Faustus, damned! Despair and die! 49

Hell calls for right, and with a roaring voice 50

Says, 'Faustus, come! Thine hour is come.' 51

(Mephistopheles gives him a dagger.)

And Faustus will come to do thee right. 52

([Faustus prepares to stab himself.])

Old Man

Ah, stay, good Faustus, stay thy desperate steps! 53

I see an angel hovers o'er thy head, 54

And with a vial full of precious grace 55

Offers to pour the same into thy soul. 56

Then call for mercy and avoid despair. 57

Faustus

Ah, my sweet friend, I feel thy words 58

To comfort my distressèd soul. 59

Leave me a while to ponder on my sins. 60

Old Man

I go, sweet Faustus, but with heavy cheer, 61

Fearing the ruin of thy hopeless soul. 62

([Exit.])

Faustus

Accursèd Faustus, where is mercy now? 63

I do repent, and yet I do despair. 64

Hell strives with grace for conquest in my breast. 65

What shall I do to shun the snares of death? 66

Mephistopheles

Thou traitor, Faustus, I arrest thy soul 67

For disobedience to my sovereign lord. 68

Revolt, or I'll in piecemeal tear thy flesh. 69

Faustus

Sweet Mephistopheles, entreat thy lord 70

To pardon my unjust presumption, 71

And with my blood again I will confirm 72

My former vow I made to Lucifer. 73

Mephistopheles

Do it then quickly, with unfeignèd heart, 74

Lest greater danger do attend thy drift. 75

([Faustus cuts his arm and writes with his blood.])

Faustus

Torment, sweet friend, that base and crooked age 76

That durst dissuade me from thy Lucifer, 77

With greatest torments that our hell affords. 78

Mephistopheles

His faith is great. I cannot touch his soul. 79

But what I may afflict his body with 80

I will attempt, which is but little worth. 81

Faustus

One thing, good servant, let me crave of thee 82

To glut the longing of my heart's desire: 83

That I might have unto my paramour 84

That heavenly Helen which I saw of late, 85

Whose sweet embracings may extinguish clean 86

These thoughts that do dissuade me from my vow, 87

And keep mine oath I made to Lucifer. 88

Mephistopheles

Faustus, this, or what else thou shalt desire, 89

Shall be performed in twinkling of an eye. 90

(Enter HELEN [brought in by MEPHISTOPHELES].)

Faustus

Was this the face that launched a thousand ships 91

And burnt the topless towers of Ilium? 92

Sweet Helen, make me immortal with a kiss. 93

([They kiss.])

Her lips sucks forth my soul. See where it flies! 94

Come, Helen, come, give me my soul again. 95

([They kiss again.])

Here will I dwell, for heaven be in these lips, 96

And all is dross that is not Helena. 97

(Enter OLD MAN.)

I will be Paris, and for love of thee 98

Instead of Troy shall Wittenberg be sacked, 99

And I will combat with weak Menelaus, 100

And wear thy colours on my plumèd crest. 101

Yea, I will wound Achilles in the heel 102

And then return to Helen for a kiss. 103

Oh, thou art fairer than the evening air, 104

Clad in the beauty of a thousand stars. 105

Brighter art thou than flaming Jupiter 106

When he appeared to hapless Semele, 107

More lovely than the monarch of the sky 108

In wanton Arethusa's azured arms; 109

And none but thou shalt be my paramour. 110

(Exeunt [FAUSTUS and HELEN].)

Old Man

Accursèd Faustus, miserable man, 111

That from thy soul exclud'st the grace of heaven 112

And fliest the throne of His tribunal seat! 113

(Enter the Devils. [They menace the Old Man.])

Satan begins to sift me with his Pride. 114

As in this furnace God shall try my faith, 115

My faith, vile hell, shall triumph over thee. 116

Ambitious fiends, see how the heavens smiles 117

At your repulse and laughs your state to scorn! 118

Hence, hell! For hence I fly unto my God. 119

(Exeunt [different ways].)

[V.ii]

(Enter FAUSTUS with the SCHOLARS.)

Faustus

Ah, gentlemen!

First Scholar

What ails Faustus?

Faustus

Ah, my sweet chamber-fellow! Had I lived with thee, then had I lived still, but now I die eternally. Look, comes he not? Comes he not?

Second Scholar

What means Faustus?

Third Scholar

Belike he is grown into some sickness by being over-solitary.

First Scholar

If it be so, we'll have physicians to cure him. [To Faustus.] 'Tis but a surfeit. Never fear, man.

Faustus

A surfeit of deadly sin that hath damned both body and soul.

Second Scholar

Yet, Faustus, look up to heaven. Remember God's mercies are infinite.

Faustus

But Faustus's offence can ne'er be pardoned. The serpent that tempted Eve may be saved, but not Faustus. Ah, gentlemen, hear me with patience, and tremble not at my speeches. Though my heart pants and quivers to remember that I have been a student here these thirty years, oh, would I had never seen Wittenberg, never read book! And what wonders I have done, all Germany can witness, yea, all the world, for which Faustus hath lost both Germany and the world, yea, heaven itself— heaven, the seat of God, the throne of the blessed, the kingdom of joy—and must remain in hell for ever. Hell, ah, hell for ever! Sweet friends, what shall become of Faustus, being in hell for ever?

Third Scholar

Yet, Faustus, call on God.

Faustus

On God, whom Faustus hath abjured? On God, whom Faustus hath blasphemed? Ah, my God, I would weep, but the devil draws in my tears. Gush forth blood instead of tears, yea, life and soul. Oh, he stays my tongue! I would lift up my hands, but see, they hold them, they hold them.

All

Who, Faustus?

Faustus

Lucifer and Mephistopheles. Ah, gentlemen! I gave them my soul for my cunning.

All

God forbid!

Faustus

God forbade it indeed, but Faustus hath done it. For vain pleasure of four-and-twenty years hath Faustus lost eternal joy and felicity. I writ them a bill with mine own blood. The date is expired, the time will come, and he will fetch me.

First Scholar

Why did not Faustus tell us of this before, that divines might have prayed for thee?

Faustus

Oft have I thought to have done so, but the devil threatened to tear me in pieces if I named God, to fetch both body and soul if I once gave ear to divinity. And now 'tis too late. Gentlemen, away, lest you perish with me.

Second Scholar

Oh, what shall we do to save Faustus?

Faustus

Talk not of me, but save yourselves and depart.

Third Scholar

God will strengthen me. I will stay with Faustus.

First Scholar

[To the Third Scholar.] Tempt not God, sweet friend, but let us into the next room and there pray for him.

Faustus

Ay, pray for me, pray for me! And what noise soever ye hear, come not unto me, for nothing can rescue me.

Second Scholar

Pray thou, and we will pray that God may have mercy upon thee.

Faustus

Gentlemen, farewell. If I live till morning, I'll visit you; if not, Faustus is gone to hell.

All

Faustus, farewell.

(Exeunt SCHOLARS.)

(The clock strikes eleven.)

Faustus

Ah, Faustus, 66

Now hast thou but one bare hour to live, 67

And then thou must be damned perpetually. 68

Stand still, you ever-moving spheres of heaven, 69

That time may cease and midnight never come! 70

Fair nature's eye, rise, rise again, and make 71

Perpetual day; or let this hour be but 72

A year, a month, a week, a natural day, 73

That Faustus may repent and save his soul! 74

O lente, lente currite noctis equi! 75

The stars move still; time runs; the clock will strike; 76

The devil will come, and Faustus must be damned. 77

Oh, I'll leap up to my God! Who pulls me down? 78

See, see where Christ's blood streams in the firmament! 79

One drop would save my soul, half a drop. Ah, my Christ! 80

Ah, rend not my heart for naming of my Christ! 81

Yet will I call on him. Oh, spare me, Lucifer! 82

Where is it now? 'Tis gone; and see where God 83

Stretcheth out his arm and bends his ireful brows! 84

Mountains and hills, come, come and fall on me, 85

And hide me from the heavy wrath of God! 86

No, no! 87

Then will I headlong run into the earth. 88

Earth, gape! Oh, no, it will not harbour me. 89

You stars that reigned at my nativity, 90

Whose influence hath allotted death and hell, 91

Now draw up Faustus like a foggy mist 92

Into the entrails of yon labouring cloud, 93

That when you vomit forth into the air, 94

My limbs may issue from your smoky mouths, 95

So that my soul may but ascend to heaven. 96

(The watch strikes.)

Ah, half the hour is past! 97

'Twill all be past anon. 98

O God, 99

If thou wilt not have mercy on my soul, 100

Yet for Christ's sake, whose blood hath ransomed me, 101

Impose some end to my incessant pain. 102

Let Faustus live in hell a thousand years, 103

A hundred thousand, and at last be saved. 104

Oh, no end is limited to damnèd souls. 105

Why wert thou not a creature wanting soul? 106

Or why is this immortal that thou hast? 107

Ah, Pythagoras' metempsychosis , were that true, 108

This soul should fly from me and I be changed 109

Unto some brutish beast. 110

All beasts are happy, for, when they die, 111

Their souls are soon dissolved in elements; 112

But mine must live still to be plagued in hell. 113

Curst be the parents that engendered me! 114

No, Faustus, curse thyself. Curse Lucifer 115

That hath deprived thee of the joys of heaven. 116

(The clock striketh twelve.)

Oh, it strikes, it strikes! Now, body, turn to air, 117

Or Lucifer will bear thee quick to hell. 118

(Thunder and lightning.)

O soul, be changed into little waterdrops, 119

And fall into the ocean, ne'er be found! 120

My God, my God, look not so fierce on me! 121

(Enter [LUCIFER, MEPHISTOPHELES, and other] Devils.)

Adders and serpents, let me breathe a while! 122

Ugly hell, gape not. Come not, Lucifer! 123

I'll burn my books. Ah, Mephistopheles! 124

([The Devils] exeunt with him.)

([Epilogue])

(Enter CHORUS.)

Chorus

Cut is the branch that might have grown full straight, 125

And burnèd is Apollo's laurel bough 126

That sometime grew within this learnèd man. 127

Faustus is gone. Regard his hellish fall, 128

Whose fiendful fortune may exhort the wise 129

Only to wonder at unlawful things, 130

Whose deepness doth entice such forward wits 131

To practise more than heavenly power permits. 132

([Exit.])

Terminat hora diem; terminat author opus .