Christopher Marlowe

The Tragedy of Doctor Faustus

The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus

Le Faust (Traducción) La trágica historia del Doctor Fausto (Traducción) The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus La tragica storia del Dottor Fausto (Traducción)

Christopher Marlowe, The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus (B-Text), in Cristopher Marlowe, Doctor Faustus and other plays, David Bevington y Eric Rasmussen (eds.), Oxford U.P., 1995

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

English · Verso · 1356 versos

https://playcode.fly.dev/plays/EMOTHE0106_TheTragedyOfDoctorFaustus

Datación: 1587–1589
=1587 - =1589

Both Cardinals

All

Act I

([Prologue])

(Enter CHORUS.)

Chorus

Not marching in the fields of Trasimene 1

Where Mars did mate the warlike Carthagens, 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 vaunt his heavenly verse. 6

Only this, gentles: we must now perform 7

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

And now to patient judgements we appeal, 9

And speak for Faustus in his infancy. 10

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

In Germany, within a town called Rhode. 12

At riper years to Wittenberg he went, 13

Whereas his kinsmen chiefly brought him up. 14

So much he profits in divinity 15

That shortly he was graced with doctor's name, 16

Excelling all, and sweetly can dispute 17

In th'heavenly matters of theology; 18

Till, swoll'n with cunning of a self-conceit, 19

His waxen wings did mount above his reach, 20

And, melting, heavens conspired his overthrow. 21

For, falling to a devilish exercise, 22

And glutted now with learning's golden gifts, 23

He surfeits upon cursèd necromancy; 24

Nothing so sweet as magic is to him, 25

Which he prefers before his chiefest bliss. 26

And this the man that in his study sits. 27

([Exit.])

[I.i]

(FAUSTUS in his study.)

Faustus

Settle thy studies, Faustus, and begin 28

To sound the depth of that thou wilt profess. 29

Having commenced, be a divine in show, 30

Yet level at the end of every art, 31

And live and die in Aristotle's works. 32

Sweet Analytics , 'tis thou hast ravished me! 33

([He reads.])

Bene disserere est finis logices. 34

Is to dispute well logic's chiefest end? 35

Affords this art no greater miracle? 36

Then read no more; thou hast attained that end. 37

A greater subject fitteth Faustus's wit. 38

Bid Oeconomy farewell, and Galen, come! 39

Be a physician, Faustus. Heap up gold, 40

And be eternised for some wondrous cure. 41

([He reads.])

Summum bonum medicinae sanitas : 42

The end of physic is our body's health. 43

Why Faustus, hast thou not attained that end? 44

Are not thy bills hung up as monuments, 45

Whereby whole cities have escaped the plague 46

And thousand desperate maladies been cured? 47

Yet art thou still but Faustus, and a man. 48

Couldst thou make men to live eternally, 49

Or, being dead, raise them to life again, 50

Then this profession were to be esteemed. 51

Physic, farewell! Where is Justinian? 52

([He reads.])

Si una eademque res legatur duobus, 53

Alter rem, alter valorem rei, etc. 54

A petty case of paltry legacies! 55

([He reads.])

Exhaereditare filium non potest pater nisi — 56

Such is the subject of the Institute 57

And universal body of the law. 58

This study fits a mercenary drudge 59

Who aims at nothing but external trash— 60

Too servile and illiberal for me. 61

When all is done, divinity is best. 62

Jerome's Bible, Faustus, view it well. 63

([He reads.])

Stipendium peccati mors est . Ha! 64

Stipendium, etc. 65

The reward of sin is death? That's hard. 66

([He reads.])

Si peccasse negamus, fallimur 67

Et nulla est in nobis veritas. 68

If we say that we have no sin, 69

We deceive ourselves, and there is no truth in us. 70

Why then belike we must sin, 71

And so consequently die. 72

Ay, we must die an everlasting death. 73

What doctrine call you this? Che serà, serà : 74

What will be, shall be. Divinity, adieu! 75

([He picks up a book of magic])

These metaphysics of magicians 76

And necromantic books are heavenly, 77

Lines, circles, letters, characters— 78

Ay, these are those that Faustus most desires. 79

O, what a world of profit and delight, 80

Of power, of honour, and omnipotence 81

Is promised to the studious artisan! 82

All things that move between the quiet poles 83

Shall be at my command. Emperors and kings 84

Are but obeyed in their several provinces, 85

But his dominion that exceeds in this 86

Stretcheth as far as doth the mind of man. 87

A sound magician is a demigod. 88

Here, tire my brains to get a deity. 89

Wagner! 90

(Enter WAGNER)

Commend me to my dearest friends,

The German Valdes and Cornelius. 91

Request them earnestly to visit me. 92

Wagner

I will, sir. 93

(Exit.)

Faustus

Their conference will be a greater help to me 94

Than all my labours, plod I ne'er so fast. 95

(Enter the [GOOD] ANGEL and SPIRIT, [the BAD ANGEL].)

Good Angel

O Faustus, lay that damnèd book aside 96

And gaze not on it, lest it tempt thy soul 97

And heap God's heavy wrath upon thy head! 98

Read, read the Scriptures. That is blasphemy. 99

Bad Angel

Go forward, Faustus, in that famous art 100

Wherein all nature's treasure is contained. 101

Be thou on earth as Jove is in the sky, 102

Lord and commander of these elements. 103

(Exeunt ANGELS.)

Faustus

How am I glutted with conceit of this! 104

Shall I make spirits fetch me what I please? 105

Resolve me of all ambiguities? 106

Perform what desperate enterprise I will? 107

I'll have them fly to India for gold, 108

Ransack the ocean for orient pearl, 109

And search all corners of the new-found world 110

For pleasant fruits and princely delicates. 111

I'll have them read me strange philosophy 112

And tell the secrets of all foreign kings. 113

I'll have them wall all Germany with brass 114

And make swift Rhine circle fair Wittenberg. 115

I'll have them fill the public schools with silk, 116

Wherewith the students shall be bravely clad. 117

I'll levy soldiers with the coin they bring 118

And chase the Prince of Parma from our land, 119

And reign sole king of all the provinces; 120

Yea, stranger engines for the brunt of war 121

Than was the fiery keel at Antwerp bridge 122

I'll make my servile spirits to invent. 123

Come, German Valdes and Cornelius, 124

And make me blest with your sage conference! 125

(Enter VALDES and CORNELIUS.)

Valdes, sweet Valdes, and Cornelius, 126

Know that your words have won me at the last 127

To practise magic and concealèd arts. 128

Philosophy is odious and obscure; 129

Both law and physic are for petty wits; 130

'Tis magic, magic that hath ravished me. 131

Then, gentle friends, aid me in this attempt, 132

And I, that have with subtle syllogisms 133

Gravelled the pastors of the German Church 134

And made the flow'ring pride of Wittenberg 135

Swarm to my problems as th'infernal spirits 136

On sweet Musaeus when he came to hell, 137

Will be as cunning as Agrippa was, 138

Whose shadow made all Europe honour him. 139

Valdes

Faustus, these books, thy wit, and our experience 140

Shall make all nations to canonise us. 141

As Indian Moors obey their Spanish lords, 142

So shall the spirits of every element 143

Be always serviceable to us three. 144

Like lions shall they guard us when we please, 145

Like Almaine rutters with their horsemen's staves, 146

Or Lapland giants, trotting by our sides; 147

Sometimes like women, or unwedded maids, 148

Shadowing more beauty in their airy brows 149

Than has the white breasts of the Queen of Love. 150

From Venice shall they drag huge argosies, 151

And from America the golden fleece 152

That yearly stuffed old Philip's treasury, 153

If learnèd Faustus will be resolute. 154

Faustus

Valdes, as resolute am I in this 155

As thou to live. Therefore object it not 156

Cornelius

The miracles that magic will perform 157

Will make thee vow to study nothing else. 158

Faustus may try his cunning by himself. 159

He that is grounded in astrology, 160

Enriched with tongues, well seen in minerals, 161

Hath all the principles magic doth require. 162

Then doubt not, Faustus, but to be renowned 163

And more frequented for this mystery 164

Than heretofore the Delphian oracle. 165

The spirits tell me they can dry the sea 166

And fetch the treasure of all foreign wrecks— 167

Yea, all the wealth that our forefathers hid 168

Within the massy entrails of the earth. 169

Then tell me, Faustus, what shall we three want? 170

Faustus

Nothing, Cornelius. O, this cheers my soul! 171

Come, show me some demonstrations magical, 172

That I may conjure in some bushy grove 173

And have these joys in full possession. 174

Valdes

Then haste thee to some solitary grove, 175

And bear wise Bacon's and Albanus' works, 176

The Hebrew Psalter, and New Testament; 177

And whatsoever else is requisite 178

We will inform thee ere our conference cease. 179

Cornelius

Valdes, first let him know the words of art, 180

And then, all other ceremonies learned, 181

Valdes

First I'll instruct thee in the rudiments, 182

And then wilt thou be perfecter than I. 183

Faustus

Then come and dine with me, and after meat 184

We'll canvas every quiddity thereof, 185

For ere I sleep I'll try what I can do. 186

This night I'll conjure, though I die therefore. 187

(Exeunt omnes.)

[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'.

(Enter WAGNER, [carrying wine].)

Second Scholar

That shall we presently know. Here comes

his boy.

First Scholar

How now, sirrah, where's thy master?

Wagner

God in heaven knows.

Second Scholar

Why, dost not thou know, then?

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 by force of argument, which

you, being licentiates, should stand upon. Therefore,

acknowledge your error, and be attentive.

Second Scholar

Then you will not tell us?

Wagner

You are deceived, for 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 but 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,

would inform your worships. And so the Lord

bless you, preserve you, and keep you, my dear

brethren.

(Exit.)

First Scholar

O Faustus, 188

Then I fear that which I have long suspected, 189

That thou art fall'n into that damnèd art 190

For which they two are infamous through the world. 191

Second Scholar

Were he a stranger, not allied to me, 192

The danger of his soul would make me mourn. 193

But come, let us go and inform the Rector. 194

It may be his grave counsel may reclaim him. 195

First Scholar

I fear me nothing will reclaim him now. 196

Second Scholar

Yet let us see what we can do. 197

(Exeunt.)

[I.iii]

(Thunder. Enter LUCIFER and four Devils [above], FAUSTUS to them with this speech. [He holds a book.])

Faustus

Now that the gloomy shadow of the night, 198

Longing to view Orion's drizzling look, 199

Leaps from th'Antarctic world unto the sky 200

And dims the welkin with her pitchy breath, 201

Faustus, begin thine incantations, 202

And try if devils will obey thy hest, 203

Seeing thou has prayed and sacrificed to them. 204

([He draws a circle.])

Within this circle is Jehovah's name 205

Forward and backward anagrammatised, 206

Th'abbreviated names of holy saints, 207

Figures of every adjunct to the heavens, 208

And characters of signs and erring stars, 209

By which the spirits are enforced to rise. 210

Then fear not, Faustus, to be resolute, 211

And try the utmost magic can perform. 212

((Thunder.))

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, in the shape of a] dragon.)

I charge thee to return and change thy shape. 213

Thou art too ugly to attend on me. 214

Go, and return an old Franciscan friar; 215

That holy shape becomes a devil best. 216

(Exit Devil [MEPHISTOPHELES].)

I see there's virtue in my heavenly words. 217

Who would not be proficient in this art? 218

How pliant is this Mephistopheles, 219

Full of obedience and humility! 220

Such is the force of magic and my spells. 221

(Enter MEPHISTOPHELES [disguised as a friar].)

Mephistopheles

Now, Faustus, what wouldst thou have me do? 222

Faustus

I charge thee wait upon me whilst I live, 223

To do whatever Faustus shall command, 224

Be it to make the moon drop from her sphere 225

Or the ocean to overwhelm the world. 226

Mephistopheles

I am a servant to great Lucifer 227

And may not follow thee without his leave. 228

No more than he commands must we perform. 229

Faustus

Did not he charge thee to appear to me? 230

Mephistopheles

No, I came now hither of mine own accord. 231

Faustus

Did not my conjuring raise thee? Speak. 232

Mephistopheles

That was the cause, but yet per accidens . 233

For when we hear one rack the name of God, 234

Abjure the Scriptures and his Saviour Christ, 235

We fly in hope to get his glorious soul, 236

Nor will we come unless he use such means 237

Whereby he is in danger to be damned. 238

Therefore, the shortest cut for conjuring 239

Is stoutly to abjure all godliness 240

And pray devoutly to the prince of hell. 241

Faustus

So Faustus hath 242

Already done, and holds this principle: 243

There is no chief but only Beelzebub, 244

To whom Faustus doth dedicate himself. 245

This word 'damnation' terrifies not me, 246

For I confound hell in Elysium. 247

My ghost be with the old philosophers! 248

But leaving these vain trifles of mens' souls, 249

Tell me, what is that Lucifer, thy lord? 250

Mephistopheles

Arch-regent and commander of all spirits. 251

Faustus

Was not that Lucifer an angel once? 252

Mephistopheles

Yes, Faustus, and most dearly loved of God. 253

Faustus

How comes it then that he is prince of devils? 254

Mephistopheles

O, by aspiring pride and insolence, 255

For which God threw him from the face of heaven. 256

Faustus

And what are you that live with Lucifer? 257

Mephistopheles

Unhappy spirits that fell with Lucifer, 258

Conspired against our God with Lucifer, 259

And are for ever damned with Lucifer. 260

Faustus

Where are you damned? 261

Mephistopheles

In hell. 262

Faustus

How comes it then that thou art out of hell? 263

Mephistopheles

Why, this is hell, nor am I out of it. 264

Think'st thou that I, that saw the face of God 265

And tasted the eternal joys of heaven, 266

Am not tormented with ten thousand hells 267

In being deprived of everlasting bliss? 268

O Faustus, leave these frivolous demands, 269

Which strikes a terror to my fainting soul! 270

Faustus

What, is great Mephistopheles so passionate 271

For being deprivèd of the joys of heaven? 272

Learn thou of Faustus manly fortitude, 273

And scorn those joys thou never shalt possess. 274

Go bear these tidings to great Lucifer: 275

Seeing Faustus hath incurred eternal death 276

By desperate thoughts against Jove's deity, 277

Say he surrenders up to him his soul, 278

So he will spare him four-and-twenty years, 279

Letting him live in all voluptuousness, 280

Having thee ever to attend on me, 281

To give me whatsoever I shall ask, 282

To tell me whatsoever I demand, 283

To slay mine enemies and to aid my friends 284

And always be obedient to my will. 285

Go and return to mighty Lucifer, 286

And meet me in my study at midnight, 287

And then resolve me of thy master's mind. 288

Mephistopheles

I will, Faustus. 289

(Exit.)

Faustus

Had I as many souls as there be stars, 290

I'd give them all for Mephistopheles. 291

By him I'll be great emperor of the world 292

And make a bridge through the moving air 293

To pass the ocean; with a band of men 294

I'll join the hills that bind the Afric shore 295

And make that country continent to Spain, 296

And both contributory to my crown. 297

The Emperor shall not live but by my leave, 298

Nor any potentate of Germany. 299

Now that I have obtained what I desired, 300

I'll live in speculation of this art 301

Till Mephistopheles return again. 302

(Exit [FAUSTUS below; exeunt LUCIFER and others Devils above].)

[I.iv]

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

Wagner

Come hither, sirrah boy.

Robin

'Boy'? O, disgrace to my person! Zounds, 'boy'

in your face! You have seen many boys with beards,

I am sure.

Wagner

Sirrah, hast thou no comings in?

Robin

Yes, and goings out too, you may see, sir.

Wagner

Alas, poor slave, see how poverty jests in his

nakedness! I know the villain's 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

Not so, neither. I had need to have it well roasted,

and good sauce to it, if I pay so dear, I can tell you.

Wagner

Sirrah, wilt thou be my man and wait on me? And

I will make thee go like Qui mihi discipulus .

Robin

What, in verse?

Wagner

No, slave, in beaten silk and stavesacre.

Robin

Stavesacre? That's good to kill vermin. Then

belike if I serve you, I shall be lousy.

Wagner

Why, so thou shalt be, whether thou dost it or no;

for, sirrah, if thou dost not presently bind thyself

to me for seven years, I'll turn all the lice about

thee into familiars and make them tear thee in pieces.

Robin

Nay, sir, you may save yourself a labour, for they

are as familiar with me as if they paid for their

meat and drink, I can tell you.

Wagner

Well, sirrah, leave your jesting, and take these

guilders.

([Offering money.])

Robin

Yes, marry, sir, and I thank you, too.

Wagner

So, now thou art to be at an hour's warning

whensoever and wheresoever the devil shall fetch thee.

Robin

Here, take your guilders. I'll none of 'em.

([He attempts to return the money.])

Wagner

Not I. Thou art pressed. Prepare thyself, for I

will presently raise up two devils to carry thee

away.— Banio! Belcher!

Robin

Belcher? An Belcher come here, I'll belch him.

I am not afraid of a devil.

(Enter two Devils.)

Wagner

[To Robin.] How now, sir, will you serve me now?

Robin

Ay, good Wagner. Take away the devil, then.

Wagner

Spirits, away!

([Exeunt Devils.])

Now, sirrah, follow me.

Robin

I will, sir. But hark you, master, will you teach

me this conjuring occupation?

Wagner

Ay, sirrah, I'll teach thee to turn thyself to a

dog, or a cat, or a mouse, or a rat, or anything.

Robin

A dog, or a cat, or a mouse, or a rat? O brave,

Wagner!

Wagner

Villain, call me Master Wagner, and see that you

walk attentively, and let your right eye be always

diametrally fixed upon my left heel, that thou mayst

quasi vestigias nostras insistere .

Robin

Well, sir, I warrant you.

(Exeunt.)

Act II

[II.i]

(Enter FAUSTUS in his study.)

Faustus

Now, Faustus, must thou needs be damned? 303

Canst thou not be saved? 304

What boots it then to think on God or heaven? 305

Away with such vain fancies, and despair! 306

Despair in God and trust in Beelzebub. 307

Now go not backward; Faustus, be resolute. 308

Why waver'st thou? O, something soundeth in mine ear: 309

' Abjure this magic, turn to God again!' 310

Why, he loves thee not. 311

The god thou serv'st is thine own appetite, 312

Wherein is fixed the love of Beelzebub 313

To him I'll build an altar and a church, 314

And offer lukewarm blood of new-born babes. 315

(Enter the two ANGELS.)

Bad Angel

Go forward, Faustus, in that famous art. 316

Good Angel

Sweet Faustus, leave that execrable art. 317

Faustus

Contrition, prayer, repentance—what of these? 318

Good Angel

O, they are means to bring thee unto heaven. 319

Bad Angel

Rather illusions, fruits of lunacy, 320

That make them foolish that do use them most. 321

Good Angel

Sweet Faustus, think of heaven and heavenly things. 322

Bad Angel

No, Faustus, think of honour and of wealth. 323

(Exeunt ANGELS.)

Faustus

Wealth? 324

Why, the seigniory of Emden shall be mine. 325

When Mephistopheles shall stand by me, 326

What power can hurt me? Faustus, thou art safe; 327

Cast no more doubts. Mephistopheles, come, 328

And bring glad tidings from great Lucifer. 329

Is't not midnight? Come, Mephistopheles! 330

Veni, veni, Mephistophile! 331

(Enter MEPHISTOPHELES.)

Now tell me what saith Lucifer thy lord. 332

Mephistopheles

That I shall wait on Faustus whilst he lives, 333

So he will buy my service with his soul. 334

Faustus

Already Faustus hath hazarded that for thee. 335

Mephistopheles

But now thou must bequeath it solemnly 336

And write a deed of gift with thine own blood, 337

For that security craves Lucifer. 338

If thou deny it, I must back to hell. 339

Faustus

Stay, Mephistopheles, and tell me, 340

What good will my soul do thy lord? 341

Mephistopheles

Enlarge his kingdom. 342

Faustus

Is that the reason why he tempts us thus? 343

Mephistopheles

Solamen miseris socios habuisse doloris. 344

Faustus

Why, have you any pain, that torture other? 345

Mephistopheles

As great as have the human souls of men. 346

But tell me, Faustus, shall I have thy soul? 347

And I will be thy slave, and wait on thee, 348

And give thee more than thou hast wit to ask. 349

Faustus

Ay, Mephistopheles, I'll give it him. 350

Mephistopheles

Then, Faustus, stab thine arm courageously, 351

And bind thy soul that at some certain day 352

Great Lucifer may claim it as his own, 353

And then be thou as great as Lucifer. 354

Faustus

[Cutting his arm.] Lo, Mephistopheles, for love of thee 355

Faustus hath cut his arm, and with his proper blood 356

Assures his soul to be great Lucifer's, 357

Chief lord and regent of perpetual night. 358

View here this blood that trickles from mine arm, 359

And let it be propitious for my wish. 360

Mephistopheles

But Faustus, 361

Write it in manner of a deed of gift. 362

Faustus

Ay, so I do. [He writes.] But Mephistopheles, 363

My blood congeals, and I can write no more. 364

Mephistopheles

I'll fetch thee fire to dissolve it straight. 365

(Exit.)

Faustus

What might the staying of my blood portend? 366

Is it unwilling I should write this bill? 367

Why streams it not, that I may write afresh? 368

'Faustus gives to thee his soul'—O, there it stayed! 369

Why shouldst thou not? Is not thy soul thine own? 370

Then write again: 'Faustus gives to thee his soul.' 371

(Enter MEPHISTOPHELES with the chafer of fire.)

Mephistopheles

See, Faustus, here is fire. Set it on. 372

Faustus

So. Now the blood begins to clear again. 373

Now will I make an end immediately. 374

([He writes.])

Mephistopheles

What will not I do to obtain his soul? 375

Faustus

Consummatum est . This bill is ended, 376

And Faustus hath bequeathed his soul to Lucifer. 377

But what is this inscription on mine arm? 378

' Homo, fuge! ' Whither should I fly? 379

If unto heaven, he'll throw me down to hell.— 380

My senses are deceived; here's nothing writ.— 381

O, yes, I see it plain. Even here is writ 382

' Homo, fuge! ' Yet shall not Faustus fly. 383

Mephistopheles

I'll fetch him somewhat to delight his mind. 384

(Exit.)

(Enter Devils, giving crowns and rich apparel to Faustus, they dance, and then depart.)

(Enter MEPHISTOPHELES.)

Faustus

What means this show? Speak, Mephistopheles. 385

Mephistopheles

Nothing, Faustus, but to delight thy mind 386

And let thee see what magic can perform. 387

Faustus

But may I raise such spirits when I please? 388

Mephistopheles

Ay, Faustus, and do greater things than these. 389

Faustus

Then Mephistopheles, receive this scroll, 390

A deed of gift of body and of soul— 391

But yet conditionally that thou perform 392

All covenants and articles between us both. 393

Mephistopheles

Faustus, I swear by hell and Lucifer 394

To effect all promises between us both. 395

Faustus

Then hear me read it, Mephistopheles. 396

'On these conditions following:

First, that Faustus may be a spirit in form and

substance.

Secondly, that Mephistopheles shall be his servant,

and be by him commanded.

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 shape and form 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, and these articles

above written being inviolate, full power to fetch or

carry the said John Faustus, body and soul, flesh,

blood, 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 of it.

Mephistopheles

So. Now, Faustus, ask me what thou wilt. 397

Faustus

First I will question thee about hell. 398

Tell me, where is the place that men call hell? 399

Mephistopheles

Under the heavens. 400

Faustus

Ay, so are all things else. But whereabouts? 401

Mephistopheles

Within the bowels of these elements, 402

Where we are tortured and remain for ever. 403

Hell hath no limits, nor is circumscribed 404

In one self place, but where we are is hell, 405

And where hell is there must we ever be. 406

And, to be short, when all the world dissolves, 407

And every creature shall be purified, 408

All places shall be hell that is not heaven. 409

Faustus

I think hell's a fable. 410

Mephistopheles

Ay, think so still, till experience change thy mind. 411

Faustus

Why, dost thou think that Faustus shall be damned? 412

Mephistopheles

Ay, of necessity, for here's the scroll 413

In which thou hast given thy soul to Lucifer. 414

Faustus

Ay, and body too. But what of that? 415

Think'st thou that Faustus is so fond to imagine 416

That after this life there is any pain? 417

No, these are trifles and mere old wives' tales. 418

Mephistopheles

But I am an instance to prove the contrary, 419

For I tell thee I am damned and now in hell. 420

Faustus

Nay, an this be hell, I'll willingly be damned.

What? Sleeping, eating, walking, and disputing?

But leaving this, let me have a wife, the fairest

maid in Germany, for I am wanton and lascivious

and cannot live without a wife.

Mephistopheles

Well, Faustus, thou shalt have a wife.

(He fetches in a woman devil.)

Faustus

What sight is this? 421

Mephistopheles

Now, Faustus, wilt thou have a wife? 422

Faustus

Here's a hot whore indeed! No, I'll no wife. 423

Mephistopheles

Marriage is but a ceremonial toy. 424

An if thou lovest me, think no more of it. 425

([Exit Devil.])

I'll cull thee out the fairest courtesans 426

And bring them every morning to thy bed. 427

She whom thine eye shall like, thy heart shall have, 428

Were she as chaste as was Penelope, 429

As wise as Saba, or as beautiful 430

As was bright Lucifer before his fall. 431

([Presenting a book.])

Here, take this book and peruse it well. 432

The iterating of these lines brings gold; 433

The framing of this circle on the ground 434

Brings thunder, whirlwinds, storm, and lightning. 435

Pronounce this thrice devoutly to thyself, 436

And men in harness shall appear to thee 437

Ready to execute what thou command'st. 438

Faustus

Thanks, Mephistopheles, for this sweet book. 439

This will I keep as chary as my life. 440

(Exeunt.)

[II.ii]

(Enter [ROBIN] the CLOWN [with a conjuring book].)

Robin

[Calling offstage.] What, Dick, look to the horses

there till I come again.—I have gotten one of Doctor

Faustus's conjuring books, and now we'll have such

knavery as't passes.

(Enter DICK.)

Dick

What, Robin, you must come away and walk the horses.

Robin

I walk the horses? I scorn't, 'faith. I have

other matters in hand. Let the horses walk themselves

an they will. [He reads.] 'A' per se ; ’a’ 't', 'h',

'e', 'the'; 'o' per se 'o'; 'deny orgon, gorgon'.—

Keep further from me, O thou illiterate and unlearned

ostler.

Dick

'Snails, what hast thou got there, a book? Why,

thou canst not tell ne'er a word on't.

Robin

That thou shalt see presently.

([He draws a circle.])

Keep out of the circle, I say, lest I send you into

the hostry, with a vengeance.

Dick

That's like, 'faith! You had best leave your foolery,

for an my master come he'll conjure you, 'faith.

Robin

My master conjure me? I'll tell thee what: an my

master come here, I'll clap as fair a pair of horns

on's head as e'er thou sawest in thy life.

Dick

Thou need'st not do that, for my mistress hath done it.

Robin

Ay, there be of us here that have waded as deep into

matters as other men, if they were disposed to talk.

Dick

A plague take you! I thought you did not sneak up

and down after her for nothing. But I prithee tell me

in good sadness, Robin, is that a conjuring book?

Robin

Do but speak what thou'lt have me to do, and I'll

do't. If thou'lt dance naked, put off thy clothes,

and I'll conjure thee about presently. Or if thou'lt

go but to the tavern with me, I'll give thee white wine,

red wine, claret wine, sack, muscadine, malmsey, and

whippincrust, hold belly hold, and we'll not pay one

penny for it.

Dick

O brave! Prithee let's to it presently, for I am

as dry as a dog.

Robin

Come, then, let's away.

(Exeunt.)

[II.iii]

(Enter FAUSTUS in his study, and MEPHISTOPHELES.)

Faustus

When I behold the heavens, then I repent 441

And curse thee, wicked Mephistopheles, 442

Because thou hast deprived me of those joys. 443

Mephistopheles

'Twas thine own seeking, Faustus. Thank thyself. 444

But think'st thou heaven is such a glorious thing? 445

I tell thee, Faustus, it is not half so fair 446

As thou or any man that breathes on earth. 447

Faustus

How prov'st thou that? 448

Mephistopheles

'Twas made for man; then he's more excellent. 449

Faustus

If heaven was made for man, 'twas made for me. 450

I will renounce this magic and repent. 451

(Enter the two ANGELS.)

Good Angel

Faustus, repent! Yet God will pity thee. 452

Bad Angel

Thou art a spirit. God cannot pity thee. 453

Faustus

Who buzzeth in mine ears I am a spirit? 454

Be I a devil, yet God may pity me; 455

Yea, God will pity me if I repent. 456

Bad Angel

Ay, but Faustus never shall repent. 457

(Exeunt ANGELS.)

Faustus

My heart is hardened; I cannot repent. 458

Scarce can I name salvation, faith, or heaven. 459

Swords, poison, halters, and envenomed steel 460

Are laid before me to dispatch myself; 461

And long ere this I should have done the deed, 462

Had not sweet pleasure conquered deep despair. 463

Have not I made blind Homer sing to me 464

Of Alexander's love and Oenone's death? 465

And hath not he that built the walls of Thebes 466

With ravishing sound of his melodious harp 467

Made music with my Mephistopheles? 468

Why should I die, then, or basely despair? 469

I am resolved, Faustus shall not repent. 470

Come, Mephistopheles, let us dispute again 471

And reason of divine astrology. 472

Speak. Are there many spheres above the moon? 473

Are all celestial bodies but one globe, 474

As is the substance of this centric earth? 475

Mephistopheles

As are the elements, such are the heavens, 476

Even from the moon unto the empyreal orb, 477

Mutually folded in each others' spheres, 478

And jointly move upon one axletree, 479

Whose terminè is termed the world's wide pole. 480

Nor are the names of Saturn, Mars, or Jupiter 481

Feigned, but are erring stars. 482

Faustus

But have they all one motion, both situ et tempore ? 483

Mephistopheles

All move from east to west in four-and-

twenty hours upon the poles of the world, but

differ in their motions upon the poles of the zodiac.

Faustus

These slender questions Wagner can decide. 484

Hath Mephistopheles no greater skill? 485

Who knows not the double motion of the planets? 486

That the first is finished in a natural day, 487

The second thus: Saturn in thirty years, 488

Jupiter in twelve, Mars in four, the Sun, Venus, and 489

Mercury in a year, the moon in twenty-eight days. 490

These are freshmen's questions. 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

But is there not coelum igneum et crystallinum ?

Mephistopheles

No, Faustus, they be but fables.

Faustus

Resolve me then in this one question: why are

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. Now tell me who made the world.

Mephistopheles

I will not.

Faustus

Sweet Mephistopheles, tell me.

Mephistopheles

Move me not, Faustus.

Faustus

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

Mephistopheles

Ay, that is not against our kingdom.

This is. Thou art damned. Think thou of hell.

Faustus

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

Mephistopheles

Remember this.

(Exit.)

Faustus

Ay, go, accursèd spirit, to ugly hell! 491

'Tis thou hast damned distressèd Faustus' soul. 492

Is't not too late? 493

(Enter the two ANGELS.)

Bad Angel

Too late. 494

Good Angel

Never too late, if Faustus will repent. 495

Bad Angel

If thou repent, devils will tear thee in pieces. 496

Good Angel

Repent, and they shall never raze thy skin. 497

(Exeunt ANGELS.)

Faustus

O Christ, my Saviour, my Saviour, 498

Help to save distressèd Faustus' soul! 499

(Enter LUCIFER, BEELZEBUB, and MEPHISTOPHELES.)

Lucifer

Christ cannot save thy soul, for he is just. 500

There's none but I have int'rest in the same. 501

Faustus

O, what art thou that look'st so terribly? 502

Lucifer

I am Lucifer, 503

And this is my companion prince in hell. 504

Faustus

O, Faustus, they are come to fetch thy soul! 505

Beelzebub

We are come to tell thee thou dost injure us. 506

Lucifer

Thou call'st on Christ, contrary to thy promise. 507

Beelzebub

Thou shouldst not think on God. 508

Lucifer

Think on the devil. 509

Beelzebub

And his dam, too. 510

Faustus

Nor will Faustus henceforth. Pardon him for this,

and Faustus vows never to look to heaven.

Lucifer

So shalt thou show thyself an obedient servant,

and we will highly gratify thee for it.

Beelzebub

Faustus, we are come from hell in person to show

thee some pastime. Sit down, and thou shalt behold the

(Seven Deadly Sins appear to thee in their own proper shapes and likeness.)

Faustus

That sight will be as pleasant to me as

paradise was to Adam the first day of his creation.

Lucifer

Talk not of paradise or creation, but mark

the show. Go, Mephistopheles, fetch them in.

([Faustus sits.])

([MEPHISTOPHELES fetches the SINS.]Enter the SEVEN DEADLY SINS.)

Beelzebub

Now, Faustus, question them of their names and

dispositions.

Faustus

That shall I soon.—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; next, like a necklace I hang about her neck;

then, like a fan of feathers I kiss her, and then, turning

myself to a wrought smock, do what I list. But fie,

what a smell is here! I'll not speak a word more

for a king's ransom, unless the ground be perfumed

and covered with cloth of arras.

Faustus

Thou art a proud knave, indeed.—What art thou, the

second?

Covetousness

I am Covetousness, begotten of an old churl

in a leather bag; and might I now obtain my wish,

this house, you, and all should turn to gold, that I might

lock you safe into my chest. O my sweet gold!

Faustus

And what art thou, the third?

Envy

I am Envy, begotten of a chimney-sweeper and an oyster-

wife. I cannot read, and therefore wish all books

burnt. I am lean with seeing others eat. O,

that there would come a famine over all the world,

that all might die and I live alone! Then thou

shouldst see how fat I'd be. But must thou sit

and I stand? Come down, with a vengeance!

Faustus

Out, envious wretch!— But what are thou, the fourth?

Wrath

I am Wrath. I had neither father nor mother. I leaped

out of a lion's mouth when I was scarce an hour old,

and ever since have run up and down the world with these

case of rapiers, wounding myself when I could get

none to fight withal. I was born in hell, and look to

it, for some of you shall be my father.

Faustus

And what art thou, the fifth?

Gluttony

I am Gluttony. My parents are all dead, and the

devil a penny they have left me but a small pension,

and that buys me thirty meals a day, and ten bevers—

a small trifle to suffice nature. I come of a royal

pedigree. My father was a gammon of bacon, and my

mother was a hogshead of claret wine. My godfathers

were these: Peter Pickled-herring and Martin Martlemas-

beef. But my godmother, O, she was an ancient gentlewoman;

her name was Margery March-beer. Now, Faustus, thou

hast heard all my progeny, wilt thou bid me to supper?

Faustus

Not I.

Gluttony

Then the devil choke thee!

Faustus

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

Sloth

Heigh-ho. I am Sloth. I was begotten on a sunny bank.

Heigh-ho. I'll not speak a word more for a king's ransom.

Faustus

And what are you, Mistress Minx, the seventh and last?

Lechery

Who, I? 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, away! On, piper!

(Exeunt the SEVEN SINS.)

Faustus

O, how this sight doth delight my soul!

Lucifer

But Faustus, in hell is all manner of delight.

Faustus

O, might I see hell and return again safe, how

happy were I then!

Lucifer

Faustus, thou shalt. At midnight I will send

for thee. [Presenting a book.] Meanwhile, peruse

this book, and view it throughly, and thou shalt

turn thyself into what shape thou wilt.

Faustus

[Taking the book.] Thanks, mighty Lucifer.

This will I keep as chary as my life.

Lucifer

Now, Faustus, farewell.

Faustus

Farewell, great Lucifer. Come, Mephistopheles.

(Exeunt omnes, several ways.)

Act III

(Enter the CHORUS.)

Chorus

Learnèd Faustus, 511

To find the secrets of astronomy 512

Graven in the book of Jove's high firmament, 513

Did mount him up to scale Olympus' top, 514

Where, sitting in a chariot burning bright 515

Drawn by the strength of yokèd dragons' necks, 516

He views the clouds, the planets, and the stars, 517

The tropics, zones, and quarters of the sky, 518

From the bright circle of the hornèd moon 519

Even to the height of Primum Mobile ; 520

And, whirling round with this circumference 521

Within the concave compass of the pole, 522

From east to west his dragons swiftly glide 523

And in eight days did bring him home again. 524

Not long he stayed within his quiet house 525

To rest his bones after his weary toil, 526

But new exploits do hale him out again, 527

And, mounted then upon a dragon's back, 528

That with his wings did part the subtle air, 529

He now is gone to prove cosmography, 530

That measures coasts and kingdoms of the earth, 531

And, as I guess, will first arrive at Rome 532

To see the Pope and manner of his court 533

And take some part of holy Peter's feast, 534

The which this day is highly solemnised. 535

(Exit.)

[III.i]

(Enter FAUSTUS and MEPHISTOPHELES.)

Faustus

Having now, my good Mephistopheles, 536

Passed with delight the stately town of Trier, 537

Environed round with airy mountaintops, 538

With walls of flint and deep intrenchèd lakes, 539

Not to be won by any conquering prince; 540

From Paris next, coasting the realm of France, 541

We saw the river Maine fall into Rhine, 542

Whose banks are set with groves of fruitful vines. 543

Then up to Naples, rich Campania, 544

Whose buildings, fair and gorgeous to the eye, 545

The streets straight forth and paved with finest brick. 546

There saw we learnèd Maro's golden tomb, 547

The way he cut an English mile in length 548

Through a rock of stone in one night's space. 549

From thence to Venice, Padua, and the east, 550

In one of which a sumptuous temple stands 551

That threats the stars with her aspiring top, 552

Whose frame is paved with sundry coloured stones, 553

And roofed aloft with curious work in gold. 554

Thus hitherto hath Faustus spent his time. 555

But tell me now, what resting place is this? 556

Hast thou, as erst I did command, 557

Conducted me within the walls of Rome? 558

Mephistopheles

I have, my Faustus, and for proof thereof 559

This is the goodly palace of the Pope; 560

And 'cause we are no common guests 561

I choose his privy chamber for our use. 562

Faustus

I hope his Holiness will bid us welcome. 563

Mephistopheles

All's one, for we'll be bold with his venison. 564

But now, my Faustus, that thou mayst perceive 565

What Rome contains for to delight thine eyes, 566

Know that this city stands upon seven hills 567

That underprop the groundwork of the same. 568

Just through the midst runs flowing Tiber's stream, 569

With winding banks that cut it in two parts, 570

Over the which two stately bridges lean, 571

That make safe passage to each part of Rome. 572

Upon the brid ge called Ponte Angelo 573

Erected is a castle passing strong, 574

Where thou shalt see such store of ordinance 575

As that the double cannons, forged of brass, 576

Do match the number of the days contained 577

Within the compass of one complete year— 578

Beside the gates and high pyramides 579

That Julius Caesar brought from Africa. 580

Faustus

Now, by the kingdoms of infernal rule, 581

Of Styx, of Acheron, and the fiery lake 582

Of ever-burning Phlegethon, I swear 583

That I do long to see the monuments 584

And situation of bright splendent Rome. 585

Come, therefore, let's away! 586

Mephistopheles

Nay stay, my Faustus. I know you'd see the Pope 587

And take some part of holy Peter's feast, 588

The which this day with high solemnity 589

This day is held through Rome and Italy 590

In honour of the Pope's triumphant victory. 591

Faustus

Sweet Mephistopheles, thou pleasest me. 592

Whilst I am here on earth, let me be cloyed 593

With all things that delight the heart of man. 594

My four-and-twenty years of liberty 595

I'll spend in pleasure and in dalliance, 596

That Faustus' name, whilst this bright frame doth stand, 597

May be admirèd through the furthest land. 598

Mephistopheles

'Tis well said, Faustus. Come, then, stand by me, 599

And thou shalt see them come immediately. 600

Faustus

Nay, stay, my gentle Mephistopheles, 601

And grant me my request, and then I go. 602

Thou know'st within the compass of eight days 603

We viewed the face of heaven, of earth, and hell. 604

So high our dragons soared into the air 605

That, looking down, the earth appeared to me 606

No bigger than my hand in quantity. 607

There did we view the kingdoms of the world, 608

And what might please mine eye I there beheld. 609

Then in this show let me an actor be, 610

That this proud pope may Faustus' cunning see. 611

Mephistopheles

Let it be so, my Faustus. But first stay 612

And view their triumphs as they pass this way, 613

And then devise what best contents thy mind, 614

By cunning in thine art, to cross the Pope 615

Or dash the pride of this solemnity— 616

To make his monks and abbots stand like apes 617

And point like antics at his triple crown, 618

To beat the beads about the friars' pates 619

Or clap huge horns upon the cardinals' heads, 620

Or any villainy thou canst devise, 621

And I'll perform it, Faustus. Hark, they come. 622

This day shall make thee be admired in Rome. 623

([They stand aside.])

(Enter the CARDINALS [of France and Padua] and BISHOPS [of Lorraine and Rheims], some bearing crosiers, some the pillars; MONKS and FRIARS singing their procession. Then the POPE [ADRIAN] and RAYMOND, KING OF HUNGARY, with BRUNO [the rival Pope] led in chains. [Bruno's papal crown is borne in.])

Pope

Cast down our footstool. 624

Raymond

Saxon Bruno, stoop,

Whilst on thy back his Holiness ascends 625

Saint Peter's chair and state pontifical. 626

Bruno

Proud Lucifer, that state belongs to me! 627

But thus I fall to Peter, not to thee. 628

([He kneels in front of the throne.])

Pope

To me and Peter shalt thou grovelling lie 629

And crouch before the papal dignity. 630

Sound trumpets, then, for thus Saint Peter's heir 631

From Bruno's back ascends Saint Peter's chair. 632

(A flourish while he ascends.)

Thus, as the gods creep on with feet of wool 633

Long ere with iron hands they punish men, 634

So shall our sleeping vengeance now arise 635

And smite with death thy hated enterprise. 636

Lord Cardinals of France and Padua, 637

Go forthwith to our holy consistory 638

And read amongst the statutes decretal 639

What, by the holy council held at Trent, 640

The sacred synod hath decreed for him 641

That doth assume the papal government 642

Without election and a true consent. 643

Away, and bring us word with speed. 644

First Cardinal

We go, my lord. 645

(Exeunt CARDINALS.)

Pope

Lord Raymond— 646

([Pope Adrian and Raymond converse apart.])

Faustus

Go haste thee, gentle Mephistopheles. 647

Follow the cardinals to the consistory, 648

And as they turn their superstitious books 649

Strike them with sloth and drowsy idleness, 650

And make them sleep so sound that in their shapes 651

Thyself and I may parley with this Pope, 652

This proud confronter of the Emperor, 653

And in despite of all his holiness 654

Restore this Bruno to his liberty 655

And bear him to the states of Germany. 656

Mephistopheles

Faustus, I go. 657

Faustus

Dispatch it soon. 658

The Pope shall curse that Faustus came to Rome. 659

(Exeunt FAUSTUS and MEPHISTOPHELES.)

Bruno

Pope Adrian, let me have some right of law. 660

I was elected by the Emperor. 661

Pope

We will depose the Emperor for that deed 662

And curse the people that submit to him. 663

Both he and thou shalt stand excommunicate 664

And interdict from Church's privilege 665

And all society of holy men. 666

He grows too proud in his authority, 667

Lifting his lofty head above the clouds, 668

And like a steeple overpeers the Church 669

But we'll pull down his haughty insolence. 670

And as Pope Alexander, our progenitor, 671

Trod on the neck of German Frederick, 672

Adding this golden sentence to our praise, 673

'That Peter's heirs should tread on emperors 674

And walk upon the dreadful adder's back, 675

Treading the lion and the dragon down, 676

And fearless spurn the killing basilisk', 677

So will we quell that haughty schismatic 678

And by authority apostolical 679

Depose him from his regal government. 680

Bruno

Pope Julius swore to princely Sigismund, 681

For him and the succeeding popes of Rome, 682

To hold the emperors their lawful lords. 683

Pope

Pope Julius did abuse the Church's rights, 684

And therefore none of his decrees can stand. 685

Is not all power on earth bestowed on us? 686

And therefore, though we would, we cannot err. 687

Behold this silver belt, whereto is fixed 688

Seven golden keys fast sealed with seven seals 689

In token of our sevenfold power from heaven, 690

To bind or loose, lock fast, condemn, or judge, 691

Resign, or seal, or whatso pleaseth us. 692

Then he and thou and all the world shall stoop, 693

Or be assurèd of our dreadful curse 694

To light as heavy as the pains of hell. 695

(Enter FAUSTUS and MEPHISTOPHELES, [dressed] like the cardinals.)

Mephistopheles

Now tell me, Faustus, are we not fitted well? 696

Faustus

Yes, Mephistopheles, and two such cardinals 697

Ne'er served a holy pope as we shall do. 698

But whilst they sleep within the consistory, 699

Let us salute his reverend Fatherhood. 700

Raymond

[To the Pope] Behold, my lord, the cardinals are returned. 701

Pope

Welcome, grave fathers. Answer presently: 702

What have our holy council there decreed 703

Concerning Bruno and the Emperor, 704

In quittance of their late conspiracy 705

Against our state and papal dignity? 706

Faustus

Most sacred patron of the Church of Rome, 707

By full consent of all the synod 708

Of priests and prelates, it is thus decreed: 709

That Bruno and the German Emperor 710

Be held as Lollards and bold schismatics 711

And proud disturbers of the Church's peace. 712

And if that Bruno by his own assent, 713

Without enforcement of the German peers, 714

Did seek to wear the triple diadem 715

And by your death to climb Saint Peter's chair, 716

The statutes decretal have thus decreed: 717

he shall be straight condemned of heresy 718

And on a pile of faggots burnt to death. 719

Pope

It is enough. Here, take him to your charge, 720

And bear him straight to Ponte Angelo, 721

And in the strongest tower enclose him fast. 722

Tomorrow, sitting in our consistory 723

With all our college of grave cardinals, 724

We will determine of his life or death. 725

Here, take his triple crown along with you 726

And leave it in the Church's treasury. 727

([Bruno's papal crown is given to Faustus and Mephistopheles.])

Make haste again, my good lord cardinals, 728

And take our blessing apostolical. 729

Mephistopheles

So, so, was never devil thus blest before! 730

Faustus

Away, sweet Mephistopheles, begone. 731

The cardinals will be plagued for this anon. 732

(Exeunt FAUSTUS and MEPHISTOPHELES [with BRUNO].)

Pope

Go presently and bring a banquet forth, 733

That we may solemnise Saint Peter's feast 734

And with Lord Raymond, King of Hungary, 735

Drink to our late and happy victory. 736

(Exeunt.)

[III.ii]

(A sennet while the banquet is brought in. [Seats are provided at the banquet. Exeunt Attendants,] and then enter FAUSTUS and MEPHISTOPHELES in their own shapes.)

Mephistopheles

Now, Faustus, come, prepare thyself for mirth. 737

The sleepy cardinals are hard at hand 738

To censure Bruno, that is posted hence 739

And on a proud-paced steed, as swift as thought, 740

Flies o'er the Alps to fruitful Germany, 741

There to salute the woeful Emperor. 742

Faustus

The Pope will curse them for their sloth today, 743

That slept both Bruno and his crown away. 744

But now, that Faustus may delight his mind 745

And by their folly make some merriment, 746

Sweet Mephistopheles, so charm me here 747

That I may walk invisible to all 748

And do whate'er I please, unseen of any. 749

Mephistopheles

Faustus, thou shalt. Then kneel down presently, 750

([Faustus kneels.])

Whilst on thy head I lay my hand 751

And charm thee with this magic wand. 752

([Presenting a magic girdle.])

First wear this girdle; then appear 753

Invisible to all are here. 754

The planets seven, the gloomy air, 755

Hell, and the Furies' forkèd hair, 756

Pluto's blue fire, and Hecate's tree 757

With magic spells so compass thee 758

That no eye may thy body see. 759

([Faustus rises.])

So, Faustus, now, for all their holiness, 760

Do what thou wilt, thou shalt not be discerned. 761

Faustus

Thanks, Mephistopheles. Now, friars, take heed 762

Lest Faustus make your shaven crowns to bleed. 763

Mephistopheles

Faustus, no more. See where the cardinals come. 764

(Enter POPE and all the lords: [RAYMOND, KING OF HUNGARY, the ARCHBISHOP OF RHEIMS, etc., Friars and Attendants.] Enter the [two] CARDINALS [of France and Padua] with a book.)

Pope

Welcome, lord cardinals. Come, sit down. 765

([They sit.])

Lord Raymond, take your seat. Friars, attend, 766

And see that all things be in readiness, 767

As best beseems this solemn festival. 768

First Cardinal

First, may it please your sacred Holiness 769

To view the sentence of the reverend synod 770

Concerning Bruno and the Emperor? 771

Pope

What needs this question? Did I not tell you 772

Tomorrow we would sit i'th'consistory 773

And there determine of his punishment? 774

You brought us word even now, it was decreed 775

That Bruno and the cursèd Emperor 776

Were by the holy council both condemned 777

For loathèd Lollards and base schismatics. 778

Then wherefore would you have me view that book? 779

First Cardinal

Your Grace mistakes. You gave us no such charge. 780

Raymond

Deny it not. We are all witnesses 781

That Bruno here was late delivered you, 782

With his rich triple crown to be reserved 783

And put into the Church's treasury. 784

Both Cardinals

By holy Paul, we saw them not. 785

Pope

By Peter, you shall die 786

Unless you bring them forth immediately.— 787

Hale them to prison. Lade their limbs with gyves!— 788

False prelates, for this hateful treachery 789

Curst be your souls to hellish misery. 790

([Exeunt Attendants with the two CARDINALS.])

Faustus

So, they are safe. Now, Faustus, to the feast. 791

the Pope had never such a frolic guest. 792

Pope

Lord Archbishop of Rheims, sit down with us. 793

Archbishop

[Sitting.] I thank your Holiness. 794

Faustus

Fall to. The devil choke you an you spare. 795

Pope

Who's that spoke? Friars, look about. 796

Lord Raymond, pray fall to. I am beholding 797

To the Bishop of Milan for this so rare a present. 798

Faustus

[Snatching the meat.] I thank you, sir. 799

Pope

How now? Who snatched the meat from me? 800

Villains, why speak you not?— 801

My good Lord Archbishop, here's a most dainty dish 802

Was sent me from a Cardinal in France. 803

Faustus

[Snatching the dish.] I'll have that, too. 804

Pope

What Lollards do attend our Holiness, 805

That we receive such great indignity? 806

Fetch me some wine. 807

([Wine is brought.])

Faustus

Ay, pray do, for Faustus is adry. 808

Pope

Lord Raymond, I drink unto your Grace. 809

Faustus

[Snatching the cup.] I pledge your Grace. 810

Pope

My wine gone, too? Ye lubbers, look about 811

And find the man that doth this villany, 812

Or by our sanctitude you all shall die!— 813

I pray, my lords, have patience at this troublesome

banquet.

Archbishop

Please it your Holiness, I think it be some

ghost crept out of purgatory and now is come unto

your Holiness for his pardon.

Pope

It may be so. 814

Go, then, command our priests to sing a dirge 815

To lay the fury of this same troublesome ghost. 816

([Exit one.])

([The Pope crosses himself.])

Faustus

How now? Must every bit be spicèd with a cross? 817

([The Pope crosses himself again.])

Nay, then, take that! 818

([Faustus gives the Pope a blow on the head.])

Pope

O, I am slain! Help me, my lords. 819

O, come and help to bear my body hence. 820

Damned be this soul for ever for this deed! 821

(Exeunt the POPE and his train.)

Mephistopheles

Now, Faustus, what will you do now? For I

can tell you you'll be cursed with bell, book, and candle.

Faustus

Bell, book, and candle; candle, book, and bell, 822

Forward and backward, to curse Faustus to hell. 823

(Enter the FRIARS with bell, book, and candle, for the dirge.)

First Friar

Come, brethren, let's about our business with

good devotion.

([The Friars chant.])

Cursèd be he that stole his Holiness' meat from the table. 824

Maledicat Dominus! 825

Cursèd be he that struck his Holiness a blow on the face. 826

Maledicat Dominus! 827

Cursèd be he that struck Friar Sandelo a blow on the pate. 828

Maledicat Dominus! 829

Cursèd be he that disturbeth our holy dirge. 830

Maledicat Dominus! 831

Cursèd be he that took away his Holiness' wine. 832

Maledicat Dominus! 833

([FAUSTUS and MEPHISTOPHELES] beat the FRIARS, fling firework among them, and exeunt.)

[III.iii]

(Enter CLOWN [ROBIN], and DICK with a cup.)

Dick

Sirrah Robin, we were best look that your devil can

answer the stealing of this same cup, for the Vintner's

boy follows us at the hard heels.

Robin

'Tis no matter. Let him come. An he follow us, I'll

so conjure him as he was never conjured in his life,

I warrant him. Let me see the cup.

(Enter VINTNER.)

Dick

[Giving the cup to Robin.] Here 'tis. Yonder he comes. Now, Robin, now or never show thy cunning.

Vintner

O, are you here? I am glad I have found you. You

are a couple of fine companions! Pray, where's the

cup you stole from the tavern?

Robin

How, how? We steal a cup? Take heed what you say.

We look not like cup-stealers, I can tell you.

Vintner

Never deny't, for I know you have it, and I'll

search you.

Robin

Search me? Ay, and spare not.

Hold the cup, Dick.

([To the Vintner])

Come, come, search me, search me.

([The Vintner searches Robin.])

Vintner

[To Dick.] Come on, sirrah, let me search you now.

Dick

Ay, ay, do, do.

Hold the cup, Robin.

([The Vintner searches Dick.])

Vintner

Never outface me for the matter, for sure the cup

is between you two.

Vintner

A plague take you! I thought 'twas your knavery

to take it away. Come, give it me again.

Robin

Ay, much! When, can you tell? Dick, make me a

circle, and stand close at my back, and stir not for thy

life. [Dick makes a circle.] Vintner, you shall have your

cup anon. Say nothing, Dick. 'O' per se 'o', Demogorgon,

Belcher, and Mephistopheles!

(Enter MEPHISTOPHELES.)

([Exit the VINTNER, running.])

Robin

[Brandishing the cup.] Nay, there you lie. 'Tis beyond us both.

Mephistopheles

You princely legions of infernal rule, 834

How am I vexèd by these villains' charms! 835

From Constantinople have they brought me now 836

Only for pleasure of these damnèd slaves. 837

Robin

By Lady, sir, you have had a shrewd journey of it.

Will it please you to take a shoulder of mutton to

supper and a tester in your purse, and go back again?

Dick

Ay, I pray you heartily, sir, for we called you but

in jest, I promise you.

Mephistopheles

To purge the rashness of this cursèd deed, 838

[To Dick.] First, be thou turnèd to this ugly shape, 839

For apish deeds transformèd to an ape. 840

Robin

O brave, an ape! I pray, sir, let me have the

carrying of him about to show some tricks.

Mephistopheles

And so thou shalt. Be thou transformed

to a dog, and carry him upon thy back. Away, begone!

Robin

A dog? That's excellent. Let the maids look well

to their porridge pots, for I'll into the kitchen

presently. Come, Dick, come.

(Exeunt the two CLOWNS [with Dick on Robin's back].)

Mephistopheles

Now with the flames of ever-burning fire 841

I'll wing myself and forthwith fly amain 842

Unto my Faustus, to the Great Turk's court. 843

(Exit.)

Act IV

[IV.i]

(Enter MARTINO and FREDERICK [with other Officers and Gentlemen] at several doors.)

Martino

What ho, officers, gentlemen! 844

Hie to the presence to attend the Emperor. 845

Good Frederick, see the rooms be voided straight; 846

His Majesty is coming to the hall. 847

Go back, and see the state in readiness. 848

([Exeunt some.])

Frederick

But where is Bruno, our elected pope, 849

That on a Fury's back came post from Rome? 850

Will not his Grace consort the Emperor? 851

Martino

O, yes, and with him comes the German conjurer, 852

The learnèd Faustus, fame of Wittenberg, 853

The wonder of the world for magic art; 854

And he intends to show great Carolus 855

The race of all his stout progenitors, 856

And bring in presence of his Majesty 857

The royal shapes and warlike semblances 858

Of Alexander and his beauteous paramour. 859

Frederick

Where is Benvolio? 860

Martino

Fast asleep, I warrant you. 861

He took his rouse with stoups of Rhenish wine 862

So kindly yesternight to Bruno's health 863

That all this day the sluggard keeps his bed. 864

Frederick

See, see, his window's ope. We'll call to him. 865

Martino

What ho, Benvolio! 866

(Enter BENVOLIO above at a window, in his nightcap, buttoning.)

Benvolio

What a devil ail you two? 867

Martino

Speak softly, sir, lest the devil hear you; 868

For Faustus at the court is late arrived, 869

And at his heels a thousand Furies wait 870

To accomplish whatsoever the doctor please. 871

Benvolio

What of this? 872

Martino

Come, leave thy chamber first, and thou shalt see 873

This conjurer perform such rare exploits 874

Before the Pope and royal Emperor 875

As never yet was seen in Germany. 876

Benvolio

Has not the Pope enough of conjuring yet? 877

He was upon the devil's back late enough; 878

An if he be so far in love with him, 879

I would he would post with him to Rome again. 880

Frederick

Speak, wilt thou come and see this sport? 881

Benvolio

Not I.

Martino

Wilt thou stand in thy window and see it, then? 882

Benvolio

Ay, an I fall not asleep i'th'meantime. 883

Martino

The Emperor is at hand, who comes to see 884

What wonders by black spells may compassed be. 885

Benvolio

Well, go you attend the Emperor. I am

content for this once to thrust my head out at a

window, for they say if a man be drunk overnight

the devil cannot hurt him in the morning. If

that be true, I have a charm in my head shall

control him as well as the conjurer, I warrant you.

(Exeunt [FREDERICK and MARTINO BENVOLIO remains at his window].)

(A sennet. [Enter] CHARLES THE GERMAN EMPEROR, BRUNO, [THE DUKE OF] SAXONY, FAUSTUS, MEPHISTOPHELES, FREDERICK, MARTINO, and Attendants. [The Emperor sits in his throne.])

Emperor

Wonder of men, renowned magician, 886

Thrice-learnèd Faustus, welcome to our court. 887

This deed of thine, in setting Bruno free 888

From his and our professèd enemy, 889

Shall add more excellence unto thine art 890

Than if by powerful necromantic spells 891

Thou couldst command the world's obedience. 892

For ever be beloved of Carolus. 893

And if this Bruno thou hast late redeemed 894

In peace possess the triple diadem 895

And sit in Peter's chair, despite of chance, 896

Thou shalt be famous through all Italy 897

And honoured of the German Emperor. 898

Faustus

These gracious words, most royal Carolus, 899

Shall make poor Faustus to his utmost power 900

Both love and serve the German Emperor 901

And lay his life at holy Bruno's feet. 902

For proof whereof, if so your Grace be pleased, 903

The doctor stands prepared by power of art 904

To cast his magic charms, that shall pierce through 905

The ebon gates of ever-burning hell 906

And hale the stubborn Furies from their caves 907

To compass whatsoe'er your Grace commands. 908

Benvolio

Blood, he speaks terribly.

But for all that, I do not greatly believe him. He

looks as like a conjurer as the Pope to a costermonger.

Emperor

Then, Faustus, as thou late didst promise us, 909

We would behold that famous conqueror 910

Great Alexander and his paramour 911

In their true shapes and state majestical, 912

That we may wonder at their excellence. 913

Faustus

Your Majesty shall see them presently.— 914

Mephistopheles, away, 915

And with a solemn noise of trumpet's sound 916

Present before this royal Emperor 917

Great Alexander and his beauteous paramour. 918

Mephistopheles

Faustus, I will. 919

([Exit.])

Benvolio

[At the window.] Well, Master Doctor, an your

devils come not away quickly, you shall have me asleep

presently. Zounds, I could eat myself for anger to

think I have been such an ass all this while, to stand

gaping after the devil's governor and can see nothing.

Faustus

I'll make you feel something anon, if my

art fail me not.—

([To Emperor])

My lord, I must forewarn your Majesty 920

That when my spirits present the royal shapes 921

Of Alexander and his paramour, 922

Your Grace demand no questions of the king, 923

But in dumb silence let them come and go. 924

Emperor

Be it as Faustus please. We are content. 925

Benvolio

[At the window.] Ay, ay, and I am content too.

An thou bring Alexander and his paramour before the

Emperor, I'll be Actaeon and turn myself to a stag.

Faustus

And I'll play Diana and send you the horns

presently.

([Enter MEPHISTOPHELES])

(A sennet. Enter at one [door] the Emperor ALEXANDER, at the other DARIUS. They meet; Darius is thrown down. Alexander kills him, takes off his crown, and, offering to go out, his PARAMOUR meets him. He embraceth her and sets Darius' crown upon her head; and, coming back, both salute the [German] Emperor, who, leaving his state, offers to embrace them, which Faustus seeing suddenly stays him.)

(Then trumpets cease and music sounds.)

My gracious lord, you do forget yourself. 926

These are but shadows, not substantial. 927

Emperor

O, pardon me. My thoughts are so ravishèd 928

With sight of this renownèd emperor 929

That in mine arms I would have compassed him. 930

But Faustus, since I may not speak to them 931

To satisfy my longing thoughts at full, 932

Let me this tell thee: I have heard it said 933

That this fair lady, whilst she lived on earth, 934

Had on her neck a little wart or mole. 935

How may I prove that saying to be true? 936

Faustus

Your Majesty may boldly go and see. 937

Emperor

[Making an inspection.] Faustus, I see it plain, 938

And in this sight thou better pleasest me 939

Than if I gained another monarchy. 940

Faustus

[To the spirits.] Away, begone! 941

(Exit Show.)

See, see, my gracious lord, what strange beast is

yon, that thrusts his head out at window.

([Benvolio is seen to have sprouted horns.])

Emperor

O wondrous sight! See, Duke of Saxony, 942

Two spreading horns most strangely fastenèd 943

Upon the head of young Benvolio. 944

Saxony

What, is he asleep, or dead?

Faustus

He sleeps, my lord, but dreams not of his horns.

Emperor

This sport is excellent. We'll call and wake him.—

What ho, Benvolio!

Benvolio

A plague upon you! Let me sleep a while.

Emperor

I blame thee not to sleep much, having such a

head of thine own.

Saxony

Look up, Benvolio. 'Tis the Emperor calls.

Benvolio

The Emperor? Where? O, zounds, my head!

Emperor

Nay, an thy horns hold, 'tis no matter for thy

head, for that's armed sufficiently.

Faustus

Why, how now, sir knight? What, hanged by the

horns? This is most horrible. Fie, fie, pull in

your head, for shame. Let not all the world wonder

at you.

Benvolio

Zounds, doctor, is this your villainy? 945

Faustus

O, say not so, sir. The doctor has no skill, 946

No art, no cunning to present these lords 947

Or bring before this royal emperor 948

The mighty monarch, warlike Alexander. 949

If Faustus do it, you are straight resolved 950

In bold Actaeon's shape to turn a stag.— 951

And therefore, my lord, so please your Majesty, 952

I’ll raise a kennel of hounds shall hunt him so 953

As all his footmanship shall scarce prevail 954

To keep his carcass from their bloody fangs. 955

Ho, Belimoth, Argiron, Ashtaroth! 956

Benvolio

Hold, hold! Zounds, he'll raise up a kennel of

devils, I think, anon.—Good my lord, entreat for me.—

([Benvolio is attacked by devils.])

'Sblood, I am never able to endure these torments.

Emperor

Then, good Master Doctor, 957

Let me entreat you to remove his horns. 958

He has done penance now sufficiently. 959

Faustus

My gracious lord, not so much for injury done to

me as to delight your Majesty with some mirth hath

Faustus justly requited this injurious knight; which

being all I desire, I am content to remove his horns.—

Mephistopheles, transform him.

([Mephistopheles removes the horns.])

And hereafter, sir, look you speak well of scholars.

Benvolio

Speak well of ye? 'Sblood, an scholars

be such cuckold-makers to clap horns of honest men's

heads o' this order, I'll ne'er trust smooth faces and

small ruffs more. But, an I be not revenged for this,

would I might be turned to a gaping oyster and drink

nothing but salt water.

([Exit from the window.])

Emperor

Come, Faustus. While the Emperor lives, 960

In recompense of this thy high desert 961

Thou shalt command the state of Germany 962

And live beloved of mighty Carolus. 963

(Exeunt omnes.)

[IV.ii]

(Enter BENVOLIO, MARTINO, FREDERICK, and Soldiers.)

Martino

Nay, sweet Benvolio, let us sway thy thoughts 964

From this attempt against the conjurer. 965

Benvolio

Away! You love me not, to urge me thus. 966

Shall I let slip so great an injury 967

When every servile groom jests at my wrongs 968

And in their rustic gambols proudly say, 969

'Benvolio's head was graced with horns today'? 970

O, may these eyelids never close again 971

Till with my sword I have that conjurer slain! 972

If you will aid me in this enterprise, 973

then draw your weapons and be resolute. 974

If not, depart. Here will Benvolio die 975

But Faustus' death shall quit my infamy. 976

Frederick

Nay, we will stay with thee, betide what may, 977

And kill that doctor if he come this way. 978

Benvolio

Then, gentle Frederick, hie thee to the grove, 979

And place our servants and our followers 980

Close in an ambush there behind the trees. 981

By this, I know, the conjurer is near; 982

I saw him kneel and kiss the Emperor's hand 983

And take his leave, laden with rich rewards. 984

Then, soldiers, boldly fight. If Faustus die, 985

Take you the wealth; leave us the victory. 986

Frederick

Come, soldiers, follow me unto the grove. 987

Who kills him shall have gold and endless love. 988

(Exit FREDERICK with the Soldiers.)

Benvolio

My head is lighter than it was by th'horns, 989

But yet my heart's more ponderous than my head 990

And pants until I see that conjurer dead. 991

Martino

Where shall we place ourselves, Benvolio? 992

Benvolio

Here will we stay to bide the first assault. 993

O, were that damnèd hellhound but in place, 994

Thou soon shouldst see me quit my foul disgrace. 995

(Enter FREDERICK.)

Frederick

Close, close! The conjurer is at hand 996

And all alone comes walking in his gown. 997

Be ready, then, and strike the peasant down. 998

Benvolio

Mine be that honour, then. Now, sword, strike home! 999

For horns he gave, I'll have his head anon. 1000

(Enter FAUSTUS, with the false head.)

Martino

See, see, he comes. 1001

Benvolio

No words. This blow ends all

Hell take his soul! His body thus must fall 1002

([He strikes Faustus.])

Faustus

[Falling.] O! 1003

Frederick

Groan you, Master Doctor? 1004

Benvolio

Break may his heart with groans! Dear Frederick, see, 1005

Thus will I end his griefs immediately. 1006

Martino

Strike with a willing hand. 1007

([Benvolio strikes off Faustus's false head.])

His head is off!

Benvolio

The devil's dead. The Furies now may laugh. 1008

Frederick

Was this that stern aspect, that awful frown, 1009

Made the grim monarch of infernal spirits 1010

Tremble and quake at his commanding charms? 1011

Martino

Was this that damnèd head whose heart conspired 1012

Benvolio's shame before the Emperor? 1013

Benvolio

Ay, that's the head, and here the body lies, 1014

Justly rewarded for his villainies. 1015

Frederick

Come, let's devise how we may add more shame 1016

To the black scandal of his hated name. 1017

Benvolio

First, on his head, in quittance of my wrongs, 1018

I'll nail huge forkèd horns and let them hang 1019

Within the window where he yoked me first, 1020

That all the world may see my just revenge. 1021

Martino

What use shall we put his beard to? 1022

Benvolio

We'll sell it to a chimney-sweeper. It will

wear out ten birchen brooms, I warrant you.

Frederick

What shall his eyes do?

Benvolio

We'll put out his eyes, and they shall serve for

buttons to his lips to keep his tongue from catching cold.

Martino

An excellent policy. And now, sirs, having

divided him, what shall the body do?

([Faustus rises.])

Benvolio

Zounds, the devil's alive again! 1023

Frederick

Give him his head, for God's sake! 1024

Faustus

Nay, keep it. Faustus will have heads and hands, 1025

Ay, all your hearts, to recompense this deed. 1026

Knew you not, traitors, I was limited 1027

For four-and-twenty years to breathe on earth? 1028

And had you cut my body with your swords, 1029

Or hewed this flesh and bones as small as sand, 1030

Yet in a minute had my spirit returned, 1031

And I had breathed a man made free from harm. 1032

But wherefore do I dally my revenge? 1033

Ashtaroth, Belimoth, Mephistopheles! 1034

(Enter MEPHISTOPHELES and other Devils [BELIMOTH and ASHTAROTH].)

Go horse these traitors on your fiery backs, 1035

And mount aloft with them as high as heaven; 1036

Thence pitch them headlong to the lowest hell. 1037

Yet stay. The world shall see their misery, 1038

And hell shall after plague their treachery. 1039

Go, Belimoth, and take this caitiff hence, 1040

And hurl him is some lake of mud and dirt. 1041

([To Ashtaroth.])

Take thou this other; drag him through the woods 1042

Amongst the pricking thorns and sharpest briers, 1043

Whilst with my gentle Mephistopheles 1044

This traitor flies unto some steepy rock 1045

That, rolling down, may break the villain's bones 1046

As he intended to dismember me. 1047

Fly hence. Dispatch my charge immediately. 1048

Frederick

Pity us, gentle Faustus. Save our lives! 1049

Faustus

Away! 1050

Frederick

He must needs go that the devil drives. 1051

(Exeunt Spirits with the KNIGHTS [on their backs].)

(Enter the ambushed SOLDIERS.)

First Soldier

Come, sirs. Prepare yourselves in readiness; 1052

Make haste to help these noble gentlemen. 1053

I heard them parley with the conjurer. 1054

Second Soldier

See where he comes. Dispatch, and kill the slave. 1055

Faustus

What's here? An ambush to betray my life? 1056

Then, Faustus, try thy skill. Base peasants, stand! 1057

([Trees come between Faustus and the Soldiers.])

For lo, these trees remove at my command 1058

And stand as bulwarks 'twixt yourselves and me 1059

To shield me from your hated treachery. 1060

Yet to encounter this your weak attempt, 1061

Behold an army comes incontinent. 1062

(FAUSTUS strikes the door, and enter a Devil playing on a drum, after him another bearing an ensign, and divers with weapons; MEPHISTOPHELES with fireworks. They set upon the SOLDIERS and drive them out.)

([Exit FAUSTUS.])

[IV.iii]

(Enter at several doors BENVOLIO, FREDERICK, and MARTINO, their heads and faces bloody and besmeared with mud and dirt, all having horns on their heads.)

Martino

What ho, Benvolio! 1063

Benvolio

Here. What, Frederick, ho!

Frederick

O, help me, gentle friend. Where is Martino? 1064

Martino

Dear Frederick, here, 1065

Half smothered in a lake of mud and dirt 1066

Through which the Furies dragged me by the heels. 1067

Frederick

Martino, see! Benvolio's horns again. 1068

Martino

O misery! How now, Benvolio? 1069

Benvolio

Defend me, heaven. Shall I be haunted still? 1070

Martino

Nay, fear not, man. We have no power to kill. 1071

Benvolio

My friends transformèd thus! O hellish spite! 1072

Your heads are all set with horns. 1073

Frederick

You hit it right.

It is your own you mean. Feel on your head. 1074

Benvolio

[Feeling his head.] Zounds, horns again! 1075

Martino

Nay, chafe not, man, we all are sped. 1076

Benvolio

What devil attends this damned magician, 1077

That, spite of spite, our wrongs are doublèd? 1078

Frederick

What may we do, that we may hide our shames? 1079

Benvolio

If we should follow him to work revenge, 1080

He'd join long asses' ears to these huge horns 1081

And make us laughing-stocks to all the world. 1082

Martino

What shall we then do, dear Benvolio? 1083

Benvolio

I have a castle joining near these woods, 1084

And thither we'll repair and live obscure 1085

Till time shall alter this our brutish shapes. 1086

Sith black disgrace hath thus eclipsed our fame, 1087

We'll rather die with grief than live with shame. 1088

(Exeunt omnes.)

[IV.iv]

(Enter FAUSTUS, and the HORSE-CORSER, and MEPHISTOPHELES.)

Horse-corser

[Offering money.] I beseech your worship, accept

of these forty dollars.

Faustus

Friend, thou canst not buy so good a horse for so

small a price. I have no great need to sell him, but if

thou likest him for ten dollars more, take him, because

I see thou hast a good mind to him.

Horse-corser

I beseech you, sir, accept of this. I am a

very poor man and have lost very much of late by

horseflesh, and this bargain will set me up again.

Faustus

Well, I will not stand with thee. Give me the

money. [He takes the money.] Now, sirrah, I must

tell you that you may ride him o'er hedge and ditch,

and spare him not. But do you hear? In any case ride

him not into the water.

Horse-corser

How, sir, not into the water? Why, will he

not drink of all waters?

Faustus

Yes, he will drink of all waters. But ride him

not into the water. O'er hedge and ditch, or where

thou wilt, but not into the water. Go bid the

ostler deliver him unto you, and remember what I say.

Horse-corser

I warrant you, sir. O, joyful day! Now am I

a made man for ever.

(Exit.)

Faustus

What art thou, Faustus, but a man condemned to die? 1089

Thy fatal time draws to a final end. 1090

Despair doth drive distrust into my thoughts. 1091

Confound these passions with a quiet sleep. 1092

Tush! Christ did call the thief upon the cross; 1093

Then rest thee, Faustus, quiet in conceit. 1094

(He sits to sleep.)

(Enter the HORSE-CORSER, wet.)

Horse-corser

O, what a cozening doctor was this! I,

riding my horse into the water, thinking some hidden

mystery had been in the horse, I had nothing under me

but a little straw and had much ado to escape drowning.

Well, I'll go rouse him and make him give me my forty

dollars again.—Ho, sirrah doctor, you cozening scab!

Master Doctor, awake, and rise, and give me my money

again, for your horse is turned to a bottle of hay.

Master Doctor! (He pulls off his leg.) Alas, I am

undone! What shall I do? I have pulled off his leg.

Faustus

O, help, help! The villain hath murdered me.

Horse-corser

Murder or not murder, now he has but one leg

I'll outrun him and cast this leg into some ditch or

other.

([Exit with the leg.])

Faustus

Stop him, stop him, stop him!— Ha, ha, ha! Faustus

hath his leg again, and the Horse-corser a bundle of hay

for his forty dollars.

(Enter WAGNER)

How now, Wagner, what news with thee?

Wagner

If it please you, the Duke of Vanholt doth earnestly

entreat your company and hath sent some of his men to

attend you with provision fit for your journey.

Faustus

The Duke of Vanholt's an honourable gentleman,

and one to whom I must be no niggard of my cunning.

Come away.

(Exeunt.)

[IV.v]

(Enter CLOWN [ROBIN], DICK, HORSE-CORSER, and a CARTER)

Carter

Come, my masters, I'll bring you to the best beer

in Europe.—What ho, Hostess!—Where be these whores?

(Enter HOSTESS.)

Hostess

How now, what lack you? What, my old guests,

welcome!

Robin

Sirrah Dick, dost thou know why I

stand so mute?

Dick

No, Robin, why is't?

Robin

I am eighteen pence on the score.

But say nothing. See if she have forgotten me.

Hostess

[Seeing Robin] Who's this that stands so solemnly

by himself? [To Robin.] What, my old guest?

Robin

O, Hostess, how do you? I hope my score stands still.

Hostess

Ay, there's no doubt of that, for methinks you make

no haste to wipe it out.

Dick

Why, Hostess, I say, fetch us some beer.

Hostess

You shall, presently.—Look up into th' hall

there, ho!

(Exit.)

Dick

Come, sirs, what shall we do now till mine Hostess

comes?

Carter

Marry, sir, I'll tell you the bravest tale how a

conjurer served me. You know Doctor Fauster?

Horse-corser

Ay, a plague take him! Here's some on's have

cause to know him. Did he conjure thee, too?

Carter

I'll tell you how he served me. As I was going to

Wittenberg t'other day with a load of hay, he met me

and asked me what he should give me for as much hay as

he could eat. Now, sir, I thinking that a little

would serve his turn, bade him take as much as he would

for three farthings. So he presently gave me my money

and fell to eating; and, as I am a cursen man, he never

left eating till he had eat up all my load of hay.

All

O monstrous! Eat a whole load of hay!

Robin

Yes, yes, that may be, for I have heard of one that

has eat a load of logs.

Horse-corser

Now, sirs, you shall hear how villainously he

served me. I went to him yesterday to buy a horse of

him, and he would by no means sell him under forty

dollars. So, sir, because I knew him to be such a

horse as would run over hedge and ditch and never tire,

I gave him his money. So when I had my horse, Doctor

Fauster bade me ride him night and day and spare him no 40

time. 'But', quoth he, 'in any case ride him not into

the water.' Now, sir, I, thinking the horse had had

some quality that he would not have me know of, what

did I but rid him into a great river? And when I came

just in the midst, my horse vanished away, and I sat

straddling upon a bottle of hay.

All

O brave doctor!

Horse-corser

But you shall hear how bravely I served him

for it. I went me home to his house, and there I found

him asleep. I kept a halloing and whooping in his ears,

but all could not wake him. I, seeing that, took him

by the leg and never rested pulling till I had pulled

me his leg quite off, and now 'tis at home in mine

hostry.

Robin

And has the doctor but one leg, then? That's

excellent, for one of his devils turned me into the

likeness of an ape's face.

Carter

Some more drink, Hostess!

Robin

Hark you, we'll into another room and drink a while,

and then we'll go seek out the doctor.

(Exeunt omnes.)

[IV.vi]

(Enter the DUKE OF VANHOLT, his [pregnant] DUCHESS, FAUSTUS and MEPHISTOPHELES [and Servants].)

Duke

Thanks, Master Doctor, for these pleasant sights. Nor

know I how sufficiently to recompense your great deserts

in erecting that enchanted castle in the air, the sight

whereof so delighted me as nothing in the world could

please me more.

Faustus

I do think myself, my good lord, highly recompensed

in that it pleaseth your Grace to think but well of that

which Faustus hath performed.—But, gracious lady, it may

be that you have taken no pleasure in those sights.

Therefore, I pray you tell me what is the thing you

most desire to have; be it in the world, it shall be yours.

I have heard that great-bellied women do long for things

are rare and dainty.

Duchess

True, Master Doctor, and, since I find you so kind,

I will make known unto you what my heart desires to

have. And were it now summer, as it is January, a dead

time of the winter, I would request no better meat than

a dish of ripe grapes.

Faustus

This is but a small matter.

Go, Mephistopheles, away!

(Exit MEPHISTOPHELES.)

Madam, I will do more than this for your content.

(Enter MEPHISTOPHELES again with the grapes.)

Here. Now taste ye these. They should be good, for

they come from a far country, I can tell you.

([The Duchess tastes the grapes.])

Duke

This makes me wonder more than all the rest, that at

this time of the year, when every tree is barren of

his fruit, from whence you had these ripe grapes.

Faustus

Please it your Grace, the year is divided into two

circles over the whole world, so that, when it is winter

with us, in the contrary circle it is likewise summer

with them, as in India, Saba, and such countries that

lie far east, where they have fruit twice a year. From

whence, by means of a swift spirit that I have, I had

these grapes brought, as you see.

Duchess

And, trust me, they are the sweetest grapes that

e'er I tasted.

(The CLOWN[S] bounce at the gate, within.)

Duke

What rude disturbers have we at the gate? 1095

Go pacify their fury. Set it ope, 1096

And then demand of them what they would have. 1097

(They knock again and call out to talk with Faustus.)

([A Servant goes to the gate.])

Servant

Why, how now, masters, what a coil is there!

What is the reason you disturb the duke?

Dick

[Offstage.] We have no reason for it. Therefore, a

fig for him!

Servant

Why, saucy varlets, dare you be so bold?

Horse-corser

[Offstage.] I hope, sir, we have wit enough to

be more bold than welcome.

Servant

It appears so. Pray be bold elsewhere, and

trouble not the Duke.

Duke

[To the Servant.] What would they have?

Servant

They all cry out to speak with Doctor Faustus.

Carter

[Offstage.] Ay, and we will speak with him.

Duke

Will you, sir?—Commit the rascals.

Dick

[Offstage.] Commit with us? He were as good commit

with his father as commit with us.

Faustus

I do beseech your Grace, let them come in.

They are good subject for a merriment.

Duke

Do as thou wilt, Faustus. I give thee leave.

Faustus

I thank your Grace.

([The Servant opens the gate.])

(Enter the CLOWN [ROBIN], DICK, CARTER, and HORSE-CORSER.)

Why, how now, my good friends?

'Faith, you are too outrageous. But come near;

I have procured your pardons. Welcome all!

Robin

Nay, sir, we will be welcome for our money, and we

will pay for what we take.—What ho! Give's half a

dozen of beer here, and be hanged.

Faustus

Nay, hark you, can you tell me where you are?

Carter

Ay, marry, can I. We are under heaven.

Servant

Ay, but, sir saucebox, know you in what place?

Horse-corser

Ay, ay, the house is good enough to drink in.

Zounds, fill us some beer, or we'll break all the barrels

in the house and dash out all your brains with your

bottles.

Faustus

Be not so furious. Come, you shall have beer.—

My lord, beseech you give me leave a while.

I'll gage my credit 'twill content your Grace.

Duke

With all my heart, kind doctor. Please thyself.

Our servants and our court's at thy command.

Faustus

I humbly thank your Grace.—Then fetch some beer.

Horse-corser

Ay, marry, there spake a doctor indeed, and,

'faith, I'll drink a health to thy wooden leg for that

word.

Faustus

My wooden leg? What dost thou mean by that?

Carter

Ha, ha, ha! Dost hear him, Dick? He has forgot

his leg.

Horse-corser

Ay, ay. He does not stand much upon that.

Faustus

No, 'faith, not much upon a wooden leg.

Carter

Good Lord, that flesh and blood should be so frail

with your worship! Do not you remember a Horse-corser

you sold a horse to?

Faustus

Yes, I remember I sold one a horse.

Carter

And do you remember you bid he should not ride

into the water?

Faustus

Yes, I do very well remember that.

Carter

And do you remember nothing of your leg?

Faustus

No, in good sooth.

Carter

Then, I pray, remember your curtsy.

Faustus

[Making a curtsy.] I thank you, sir.

Carter

'Tis not so much worth. I pray you tell me one

thing.

Faustus

What's that?

Carter

Be both your legs bedfellows every night together?

Faustus

Wouldst thou make a Colossus of me, that thou

askest me such questions?

Carter

No, truly, sir, I would make nothing of you. But

I would fain know that.

(Enter HOSTESS with drink.)

Faustus

Then, I assure thee, certainly they are.

Carter

I thank you. I am fully satisfied.

Faustus

But wherefore dost thou ask?

Carter

For nothing, sir. But methinks you should have

a wooden bedfellow of one of 'em.

Horse-corser

Why, do you hear, sir? Did not I pull off one

of your legs when you were asleep?

Faustus

But I have it again now I am awake. Look you

here, sir.

([He shows them his legs.])

All

O, horrible! Had the doctor three legs?

Carter

Do you remember, sir, how you cozened me and eat up

my load of—

(Faustus charms him dumb.)

Dick

Do you remember how you made me wear an apes's—

([Faustus charms him dumb.])

Horse-corser

You whoreson conjuring scab, do you remember

how you cozened me with a ho—

([Faustus charms him dumb.])

Robin

Ha' you forgotten me? You think to carry it away

with your 'hey-pass' and 'repass'. Do you remember

the dog's fa—

([Faustus charms him dumb.])

(Exeunt CLOWNS.)

Hostess

Who pays for the ale? Hear you, Master Doctor,

now you have sent away my guests, I pray, who shall pay

me for my a—

([Faustus charms her dumb.])

(Exit HOSTESS)

Duchess

[To the Duke] My lord,

we are much beholding to this learnèd man.

Duke

So are we, madam, which we will recompense 1098

With all the love and kindness that we may. 1099

His artful sport drives all sad thoughts away. 1100

(Exeunt.)

Act V

[V.i]

(Thunder and lightning. Enter Devils with covered dishes. MEPHISTOPHELES leads them into Faustus's study.)

(Then enter WAGNER.)

Wagner

I think my master means to die shortly. 1101

He has made his will and given me his wealth: 1102

His house, his goods, and store of golden plate, 1103

Besides two thousand ducats ready coined. 1104

I wonder what he means. If death were nigh, 1105

He would not frolic thus. He's now at supper 1106

With the scholars, where there's such belly-cheer 1107

As Wagner in his life ne'er saw the like. 1108

And see where they come. Belike the feast is done. 1109

(Exit.)

(Enter FAUSTUS, MEPHISTOPHELES, and two or three SCHOLARS.)

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

so much 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, 1110

For that I know your friendship is unfeigned, 1111

It is not Faustus' custom to deny 1112

The just request of those that wish him well: 1113

You shall behold that peerless dame of Greece, 1114

No otherwise for pomp or majesty 1115

Than when Sir Paris crossed the seas with her 1116

And brought the spoils to rich Dardania. 1117

Be silent then, for danger is in words. 1118

([MEPHISTOPHELES goes to the door.])

(Music sound. MEPHISTOPHELES brings in HELEN. She passeth over the stage.)

Second Scholar

Was this fair Helen, whose admirèd worth 1119

Made Greece with ten years' wars afflict poor Troy? 1120

Third Scholar

Too simple is my wit to tell her worth, 1121

Whom all the world admires for majesty. 1122

First Scholar

Now we have seen the pride of nature's work, 1123

We'll take our leaves, and for this blessèd sight 1124

Happy and blest be Faustus evermore. 1125

Faustus

Gentlemen, farewell. The same wish I to you. 1126

(Exeunt SCHOLARS.)

(Enter an OLD MAN.)

Old Man

O gentle Faustus, leave this damnèd art, 1127

This magic, that will charm thy soul to hell 1128

And quite bereave thee of salvation! 1129

Though thou hast now offended like a man, 1130

Do not persever in it like a devil. 1131

Yet, yet thou hast an amiable soul, 1132

If sin by custom grow not into nature. 1133

Then, Faustus, will repentance come too late; 1134

Then thou art banished from the sight of heaven. 1135

No mortal can express the pains of hell. 1136

It may be this my exhortation 1137

Seems harsh and all unpleasant. Let it not, 1138

For, gentle son, I speak it not in wrath 1139

Or envy of thee, but in tender love 1140

And pity of thy future misery; 1141

And so have hope that this my kind rebuke, 1142

Checking thy body, may amend thy soul. 1143

Faustus

Where art thou, Faustus? Wretch, what hast thou done? 1144

Hell claims his right, and with a roaring voice 1145

Says, 'Faustus, come! Thine hour is almost come.' 1146

(Mephistopheles gives him a dagger.)

And Faustus now will come to do thee right. 1147

([Faustus prepares to stab himself.])

Old Man

O, stay, good Faustus, stay thy desperate steps! 1148

I see an angel hover o'er thy head, 1149

And with a vial full of precious grace 1150

Offers to pour the same into thy soul. 1151

Then call for mercy and avoid despair. 1152

Faustus

O friend, I feel thy words to comfort my distressèd soul. 1153

Leave me a while to ponder on my sins. 1154

Old Man

Faustus, I leave thee, but with grief of heart, 1155

Fearing the enemy of thy hapless soul. 1156

(Exit.)

Faustus

Accursèd Faustus, wretch, what hast thou done? 1157

I do repent, and yet I do despair. 1158

Hell strives with grace for conquest in my breast. 1159

What shall I do to shun the snares of death? 1160

Mephistopheles

Thou traitor, Faustus, I arrest thy soul 1161

For disobedience to my sovereign lord. 1162

Revolt, or I'll in piecemeal tear thy flesh. 1163

Faustus

I do repent I e'er offended him. 1164

Sweet Mephistopheles, entreat thy lord 1165

To pardon my unjust presumption, 1166

And with my blood again I will confirm 1167

The former vow I made to Lucifer. 1168

Mephistopheles

Do it then, Faustus, with unfeignèd heart, 1169

Lest greater dangers do attend thy drift. 1170

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

Faustus

Torment, sweet friend, that base and agèd man 1171

That durst dissuade me from thy Lucifer, 1172

With greatest torment that our hell affords. 1173

Mephistopheles

His faith is great. I cannot touch his soul. 1174

But what I may afflict his body with 1175

I will attempt, which is but little worth. 1176

Faustus

One thing, good servant, let me crave of thee 1177

To glut the longing of my heart's desire: 1178

That I may have unto my paramour 1179

That heavenly Helen, which I saw of late, 1180

Whose sweet embraces may extinguish clear 1181

These thoughts that do dissuade me from my vow, 1182

And keep my vow I made to Lucifer. 1183

Mephistopheles

This, or what else my Faustus shall desire, 1184

Shall be performed in twinkling of an eye. 1185

(Enter HELEN again [brought in by MEPHISTOPHELES], passing over between two Cupids.)

Faustus

Was this the face that launched a thousand ships 1186

And burnt the topless towers of Ilium? 1187

Sweet Helen, make me immortal with a kiss. 1188

([They kiss.])

Her lips suck forth my soul. See where it flies! 1189

Come, Helen, come, give me my soul again. 1190

([They kiss again.])

Here will I dwell, for heaven is in these lips, 1191

And all is dross that is not Helena. 1192

I will be Paris, and for love of thee 1193

Instead of Troy shall Wittenberg be sacked, 1194

And I will combat with weak Menelaus, 1195

And wear thy colours on my plumèd crest. 1196

Yea, I will wound Achilles in the heel 1197

And then return to Helen for a kiss. 1198

O, thou art fairer than the evening's air, 1199

Clad in the beauty of a thousand stars. 1200

Brighter art thou than flaming Jupiter 1201

When he appeared to hapless Semele, 1202

More lovely than the monarch of the sky 1203

In wanton Arethusa's azure arms; 1204

And none but thou shalt be my paramour. 1205

(Exeunt.)

[V.ii]

(Thunder. Enter LUCIFER, BEELZEBUB, and MEPHISTOPHELES [above].)

Lucifer

Thus from infernal Dis do we ascend 1206

To view the subjects of our monarchy, 1207

Those souls which sin seals the black sons of hell, 1208

'Mong which as chief, Faustus, we come to thee, 1209

Bringing with us lasting damnation 1210

To wait upon thy soul. The time is come 1211

Which makes it forfeit. 1212

Mephistopheles

And this gloomy night

Here in this room will wretchèd Faustus be. 1213

Beelzebub

And here we'll stay 1214

To mark him how he doth demean himself. 1215

Mephistopheles

How should he, but in desperate lunacy? 1216

Fond worldling, now his heart-blood dries with grief; 1217

His conscience kills it, and his labouring brain 1218

Begets a world of idle fantasies 1219

To overreach the devil. But all in vain. 1220

His store of pleasures must be sauced with pain. 1221

He and his servant Wagner are at hand, 1222

Both come from drawing Faustus' latest will. 1223

See where they come. 1224

(Enter FAUSTUS and WAGNER.)

Faustus

Say, Wagner. Thou hast perused my will; 1225

How dost thou like it? 1226

Wagner

Sir, so wondrous well

As in all humble duty I do yield 1227

My life and lasting service for your love. 1228

(Enter the SCHOLARS.)

Faustus

Gramercies, Wagner.—Welcome, gentlemen. 1229

([Exit WAGNER.])

First Scholar

Now, worthy Faustus, methinks your looks

are changed.

Faustus

O gentlemen!

Second Scholar

What ails Faustus?

Faustus

Ah, my sweet chamber-fellow! Had I lived with thee,

then had I lived still, but now must die eternally.

Look sirs, comes he not? Comes he not?

First Scholar

O my dear Faustus, what imports this fear?

Second Scholar

Is all our pleasure turned to melancholy?

Third Scholar

[To the other Scholars.] He is not well with

being over-solitary.

Second Scholar

If it be so, we'll have physicians, and

Faustus shall be cured.

Third Scholar

[To Faustus.] 'Tis but a surfeit, sir. Fear nothing.

Faustus

A surfeit of deadly sin, that hath damned both

body and soul.

Second Scholar

Yet, Faustus, look up to heaven, and remember

mercy is infinite.

Faustus

But Faustus's offence can ne'er be pardoned. The

serpent that tempted Eve may be saved, but not Faustus.

O gentlemen, hear with patience, and tremble not

at my speeches. Though my heart pant and quiver to

remember that I have been a student here these thirty

years, O, 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, O, hell for ever! Sweet friends, what shall

become of Faustus, being in hell for ever?

Second Scholar

Yet, Faustus, call on God.

Faustus

On God, whom Faustus hath abjured? On God, whom

Faustus hath blasphemed? O my God, I would weep,

but the devil draws in my tears. Gush forth blood

instead of tears, yea, life and soul. O, he stays

my tongue! I would lift up my hands, but see, they

hold 'em, they hold 'em.

All

Who, Faustus?

Faustus

Why, Lucifer and Mephistopheles. O gentlemen,

I gave them my soul for my cunning.

All

O, God forbid!

Faustus

God forbade it indeed, but Faustus hath done it.

For the 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. This is the

time, 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 me body and soul if I once gave ear to divinity.

And now 'tis too late. Gentlemen, away, lest you

perish with me.

Second Scholar

O, what may 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 pray for him.

Faustus

Ay, pray for me, pray for me! And what noise

soever you 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.)

Mephistopheles

Ay, Faustus, now thou hast no hope of heaven; 1230

Therefore despair. Think only upon hell, 1231

For that must be thy mansion, there to dwell. 1232

Faustus

O thou bewitching fiend, 'twas thy temptation 1233

Hath robbed me of eternal happiness. 1234

Mephistopheles

I do confess it, Faustus, and rejoice. 1235

'Twas I that, when thou wert i'the way to heaven, 1236

Dammed up thy passage. When thou took'st the book 1237

To view the Scriptures, then I turned the leaves 1238

And led thine eye. 1239

What, weep'st thou? 'Tis too late. Despair, farewell! 1240

Fools that will laugh on earth must weep in hell. 1241

(Exit.)

(Enter the GOOD ANGEL and the BAD ANGEL at several doors.)

Good Angel

O Faustus, if thou hadst given ear to me, 1242

Innumerable joys had followed thee. 1243

But thou didst love the world. 1244

Bad Angel

Gave ear to me,

And now must taste hell's pains perpetually. 1245

Good Angel

O, what will all thy riches, pleasures, pomps 1246

Avail thee now? 1247

Bad Angel

Nothing but vex thee more,

To want in hell, that had on earth such store. 1248

(Music while the throne descends.)

Good Angel

O, thou hast lost celestial happiness, 1249

Pleasures unspeakable, bliss without end. 1250

Hadst thou affected sweet divinity, 1251

Hell or the devil had had no power on thee. 1252

Hadst thou kept on that way, Faustus, behold 1253

In what resplendent glory thou hadst set 1254

In yonder throne, like those bright shining saints, 1255

And triumphed over hell. That hast thou lost. 1256

And now, poor soul, must thy good angel leave thee. 1257

The jaws of hell are open to receive thee. 1258

([The throne ascends.] Exit [GOOD ANGEL].)

(Hell is discovered.)

Bad Angel

Now, Faustus, let thine eyes with horror stare 1259

Into that vast perpetual torture-house. 1260

There are the Furies tossing damnèd souls 1261

On burning forks; their bodies boil in lead. 1262

There are live quarters broiling on the coals, 1263

That ne'er can die. This ever-burning chair 1264

Is for o'er-tortured souls to rest them in. 1265

These that are fed with sops of flaming fire 1266

Were gluttons, and loved only delicates, 1267

And laughed to see the poor starve at their gates. 1268

But yet all these are nothing. Thou shalt see 1269

Ten thousand tortures that more horrid be. 1270

Faustus

O, I have seen enough to torture me! 1271

Bad Angel

Nay, thou must feel them, taste the smart of All. 1272

He that loves pleasure must for pleasure of All. 1273

And so I leave thee, Faustus, till anon; 1274

Then wilt thou tumble in confusion. 1275

(Exit.)

(The clock strikes eleven.)

Faustus

O Faustus, 1276

Now hast thou but one bare hour to live, 1277

And then thou must be damned perpetually. 1278

Stand still, you ever-moving spheres of heaven, 1279

That time may cease and midnight never come! 1280

Fair nature's eye, rise, rise again, and make 1281

Perpetual day; or let this hour be but 1282

A year, a month, a week, a natural day, 1283

That Faustus may repent and save his soul! 1284

O lente, lente currite noctis equi! 1285

The stars move still; time runs; the clock will strike; 1286

The devil will come, and Faustus must be damned. 1287

O, I'll leap up to heaven! Who pulls me down? 1288

One drop of blood will save me. O, my Christ! 1289

Rend not my heart for naming of my Christ! 1290

Yet will I call on him. O, spare me, Lucifer! 1291

Where is it now? 'Tis gone; 1292

And see a threat'ning arm, an angry brow. 1293

Mountains and hills, come, come and fall on me, 1294

And hide me from the heavy wrath of heaven! 1295

No? Then will I headlong run into the earth. 1296

Gape, earth! O, no, it will not harbour me. 1297

You stars that reigned at my nativity, 1298

Whose influence hath allotted death and hell, 1299

Now draw up Faustus like a foggy mist 1300

Into the entrails of yon labouring cloud, 1301

That when you vomit forth into the air, 1302

My limbs may issue from your smoky mouths, 1303

But let my soul mount and ascend to heaven. 1304

(The watch strikes.)

O, half the hour is past! 'Twill all be past anon. 1305

O, if my soul must suffer for my sin, 1306

Impose some end to my incessant pain. 1307

Let Faustus live in hell a thousand years, 1308

A hundred thousand, and at last be saved. 1309

No end is limited to damnèd souls. 1310

Why wert thou not a creature wanting soul? 1311

Or why is this immortal that thou hast? 1312

O, Pythagoras' metempsychosis , were that true, 1313

This soul should fly from me and I be changed 1314

Into some brutish beast. 1315

All beasts are happy, for, when they die, 1316

Their souls are soon dissolved in elements; 1317

But mine must live still to be plagued in hell. 1318

Curst be the parents that engendered me! 1319

No, Faustus, curse thyself. Curse Lucifer 1320

That hath deprived thee of the joys of heaven. 1321

(The clock strikes twelve.)

It strikes, it strikes! Now, body, turn to air, 1322

Or Lucifer will bear thee quick to hell. 1323

O soul, be changed into small waterdrops, 1324

And fall into the ocean, ne'er be found! 1325

(Thunder, and enter the Devils.)

O, mercy, heaven, look not so fierce on me! 1326

Adders and serpents, let me breathe a while! 1327

Ugly hell, gape not. Come not, Lucifer! 1328

I'll burn my books. O, Mephistopheles! 1329

(Exeunt.)

[V.iii]

(Enter the SCHOLARS.)

First Scholar

Come, gentlemen, let us go visit Faustus, 1330

For such a dreadful night was never seen 1331

Since first the world's creation did begin. 1332

Such fearful shrieks and cries were never heard. 1333

Pray heaven the doctor have escaped the danger. 1334

Second Scholar

O, help us, heaven! See, here are Faustus' limbs, 1335

All torn asunder by the hand of death. 1336

Third Scholar

The devils whom Faustus served have torn him thus. 1337

For, twixt the hours of twelve and one, methought 1338

I heard him shriek and call aloud for help, 1339

At which self time the house seemed all on fire 1340

With dreadful horror of these damnèd fiends. 1341

Second Scholar

Well, gentlemen, though Faustus' end be such 1342

As every Christian heart laments to think on, 1343

Yet, for he was a scholar, once admired 1344

For wondrous knowledge in our German schools, 1345

We'll give his mangled limbs due burial; 1346

And all the students, clothed in mourning black, 1347

Shall wait upon his heavy funeral. 1348

(Exeunt.)

(Enter CHORUS.)

Chorus

Cut is the branch that might have grown full straight, 1349

And burnèd is Apollo's laurel bough 1350

That sometime grew within this learnèd man. 1351

Faustus is gone. Regard his hellish fall, 1352

Whose fiendful fortune may exhort the wise 1353

Only to wonder at unlawful things, 1354

Whose deepness doth entice such forward wits 1355

To practise more than heavenly power permits. 1356

([Exit.])

Terminat hora diem; terminat author opus.