The chief Elizabethan dramatists, excluding Shakespeare

SCENE II.

Chapter 3216,280 wordsPublic domain

[_Enter_] TAMBURLAINE, _all in black and very melancholy_, TECHELLES, THERIDAMAS, USUMCASANE, _with others_.

_Tamb._ What, are the turtles fray’d[343] out of their nests? Alas, poor fools! must you be first shall feel The sworn destruction of Damascus? They knew my custom; could they not as well Have sent ye out when first my milk-white flags, 5 Through which sweet Mercy threw her gentle beams, Reflexing[344] them on your disdainful eyes, As now, when fury and incensed hate Flings slaughtering terror from my coal-black tents, 9 And tells for truth submission[345] comes too late?

_1 Virg._ Most happy King and Emperor of the earth, Image of honour and nobility, For whom the powers divine have made the world, And on whose throne the holy Graces sit; In whose sweet person is compris’d the sum 15 Of Nature’s skill and heavenly majesty; Pity our plights! O pity poor Damascus! Pity old age, within whose silver hairs Honour and reverence evermore have reign’d! Pity the marriage bed, where many a lord, 20 In prime and glory of his loving joy, Embraceth now with tears of ruth and blood The jealous body of his fearful wife, Whose cheeks and hearts, so punish’d with conceit To think thy puissant, never-stayed arm 25 Will part their bodies, and prevent their souls From heavens of comfort yet their age might bear, Now wax all pale and withered to the death, As well for grief our ruthless governor Hath thus refus’d the mercy of thy hand, 30 (Whose sceptre angels kiss and furies dread,) As for their liberties, their loves, or lives! O then for these, and such as we ourselves, For us, our infants, and for all our bloods, That never nourish’d thought against thy rule, Pity. O pity, sacred Emperor, 36 The prostrate service of this wretched town, And take in sign thereof this gilded wreath; Whereto each man of rule hath given his hand, And wish’d, as worthy subjects, happy means To be investers of thy royal brows 41 Even with the true Egyptian diadem!

_Tamb._ Virgins, in vain ye labour to prevent That which mine honour swears shall be perform’d. Behold my sword! what see you at the point?

_1 Virg._ Nothing but fear and fatal steel, my lord. 46

_Tamb._ Your fearful minds are thick and misty then; For there sits Death, there sits imperious Death Keeping his circuit[346] by the slicing edge. But I am pleas’d you shall not see him there; He now is seated on my horsemen’s spears, 51 And on their points his fleshless body feeds. Techelles, straight go charge a few of them To charge these dames, and show my servant, Death, Sitting in scarlet on their armed spears. 55

_Virgins._ O pity us!

_Tamb._ Away with them, I say, and show them Death. _They take them away._ I will not spare these proud Egyptians, Nor change my martial observations For all the wealth of Gihon’s golden waves, 60 Or for the love of Venus, would she leave The angry god of arms and lie with me. They have refus’d the offer of their lives, And know my customs are as peremptory As wrathful planets, death, or destiny. 65 _Re-enter_ TECHELLES. What, have your horsemen shown the virgins Death?

_Tech._ They have, my lord, and on Damascus’ walls Have hoisted up their slaughtered carcases.

_Tamb._ A sight as baneful to their souls, I think, As are Thessalian drugs or mithridate:[347] 70 But go, my lords, put the rest to the sword. _Exeunt_ [_all except_ TAMBURLAINE]. Ah, fair Zenocrate! divine Zenocrate! Fair is too foul an epithet for thee, That in thy passion[348] for thy country’s love, And fear to see thy kingly father’s harm, 75 With hair dishevell’d wip’st thy watery cheeks; And, like to Flora in her morning’s pride Shaking her silver tresses in the air, Rain’st on the earth resolved[349] pearl in showers, And sprinklest sapphires on thy shining face, 80 Where Beauty, mother to the Muses, sits And comments volumes with her ivory pen, Taking instructions from thy flowing eyes; Eyes when that Ebena steps to Heaven, In silence of thy solemn evening’s walk, 85 Making the mantle of the richest night, The moon, the planets, and the meteors, light; There angels in their crystal armours fight A doubtful battle with my tempted thoughts For Egypt’s freedom, and the Soldan’s life; 90 His life that so consumes Zenocrate, Whose sorrows lay more siege unto my soul, Than all my army to Damascus’ walls: And neither Persia’s sovereign, nor the Turk Troubled my senses with conceit of foil[350] 95 So much by much as doth Zenocrate. What is beauty, saith my sufferings, then? If all the pens that ever poets held Had fed the feeling of their masters’ thoughts, And every sweetness that inspir’d their hearts, Their minds, and muses on admired themes; 101 If all the heavenly quintessence they still[351] From their immortal flowers of poesy, Wherein, as in a mirror, we perceive The highest reaches of a human wit; 105 If these had made one poem’s period, And all combin’d in beauty’s worthiness, Yet should there hover in their restless heads One thought, one grace, one wonder, at the least, Which into words no virtue can digest. 110 But how unseemly is it for my sex, My discipline of arms and chivalry, My nature, and the terror of my name, To harbour thoughts effeminate and faint! Save only that in beauty’s just applause, 115 With whose instinct the soul of man is touch’d;— And every warrior that is rapt with love Of fame, of valour, and of victory, Must needs have beauty beat on his conceits: I thus conceiving and subduing both 120 That which hath stoop’d the [chiefest][352] of the gods, Even from the fiery-spangled veil of Heaven, To feel the lowly[353] warmth of shepherds’ flames, And mask[354] in cottages of strowed reeds,[355] Shall give the world to note, for all my birth, That virtue solely is the sum of glory, 126 And fashions men with true nobility.— Who’s within there? _Enter two or three_ [Attendants]. Hath Bajazeth been fed to-day?

_Atten._ Ay, my lord. 130

_Tamb._ Bring him forth; and let us know if the town be ransack’d. [_Exeunt_ Attendants.]

_Enter_ TECHELLES, THERIDAMAS, USUMCASANE, _and others_.

_Tech._ The town is ours, my lord, and fresh supply Of conquest and of spoil is offered us.

_Tamb._ That’s well, Techelles; what’s the news? 135

_Tech._ The Soldan and the Arabian king together, March on us with such eager violence, As if there were no way but one with us.

_Tamb._ No more there is not, I warrant thee, Techelles.

_They bring in the Turk_ [_and_ ZABINA].

_Ther._ We know the victory is ours, my lord; But let us save the reverend Soldan’s life, 141 For fair Zenocrate that so laments his state.

_Tamb._ That will we chiefly see unto, Theridamas, For sweet Zenocrate, whose worthiness Deserves a conquest over every heart. 145 And now, my footstool, if I lose the field, You hope of liberty and restitution? Here let him stay, my masters, from the tents, Till we have made us ready for the field. Pray for us, Bajazeth: we are going. 150

_Exeunt_ [_all except_ BAJAZETH _and_ ZABINA].

_Baj._ Go, never to return with victory! Millions of men encompass thee about, And gore thy body with as many wounds! Sharp, forked arrows light upon thy horse! Furies from the black Cocytus lake 155 Break up the earth, and with their firebrands Enforce thee run upon the baneful pikes! Volleys of shot pierce through thy charmed skin, And every bullet dipt in poisoned drugs! Or roaring cannons sever all thy joints, 160 Making thee mount as high as eagles soar!

_Zab._ Let all the swords and lances in the field Stick in his breast as in their proper rooms! At every pore let blood come dropping forth, That ling’ring pains may massacre his heart, 165 And madness send his damned soul to hell!

_Baj._ All, fair Zabina! we may curse his power, The heavens may frown, the earth for anger quake, But such a star hath influence in his sword, 169 As rules the skies and countermands the gods More than Cimmerian Styx or Destiny; And then shall we in this detested guise, With shame, with hunger, and with horror [stay,][356] Griping our bowels with retorqued[357] thoughts, And have no hope to end our ecstasies. 175

_Zab._ Then is there left no Mahomet, no God, No Fiend, no Fortune, nor no hope of end To our infamous, monstrous slaveries. Gape, earth, and let the fiends infernal view A hell as hopeless and as full of fear 180 As are the blasted banks of Erebus, Where shaking ghosts with ever-howling groans Hover about the ugly ferryman, To get a passage to Elysium! Why should we live? O, wretches, beggars, slaves! 185 Why live we, Bajazeth, and build up nests So high within the region of the air By living long in this oppression, That all the world will see and laugh to scorn The former triumphs of our mightiness 190 In this obscure infernal servitude?

_Baj._ O life, more loathsome to my vexed thoughts Than noisome parbreak[358] of the Stygian snakes, Which fills the nooks of hell with standing air, Infecting all the ghosts with cureless griefs! 195 O dreary engines[359] of my loathed sight, That sees my crown, my honour, and my name Thrust under yoke and thraldom of a thief, Why feed ye still on day’s accursed beams And sink not quite into my tortur’d soul? 200 You see my wife, my queen, and emperess, Brought up and propped by the hand of fame, Queen of fifteen contributory queens, Now thrown to rooms of black abjection, Smeared with blots of basest drudgery, 205 And villainess[360] to shame, disdain, and misery. Accursed Bajazeth, whose words of ruth, (That would with pity cheer Zabina’s heart, And make our souls resolve[361] in ceaseless tears;) Sharp hunger bites upon, and gripes the root 210 From whence the issues of my thoughts do break; O poor Zabina! O my queen! my queen! Fetch me some water for my burning breast, To cool and comfort me with longer date, That in the short’ned sequel of my life 215 I may pour forth my soul into thine arms With words of love, whose moaning intercourse Hath hitherto been stay’d with wrath and hate Of our expressless bann’d inflictions.

_Zab._ Sweet Bajazeth, I will prolong thy life, As long as any blood or spark of breath 221 Can quench or cool the torments of my grief. _She goes out._

_Baj._ Now, Bajazeth, abridge thy baneful days, And beat thy brains out of thy conquer’d head, Since other means are all forbidden me 225 That may be ministers of my decay. O, highest lamp of ever-living Jove, Accursed day! infected with my griefs, Hide now thy stained face in endless night, And shut the windows of the lightsome heavens! 230 Let ugly Darkness with her rusty coach, Engirt with tempests, wrapt in pitchy clouds, Smother the earth with never-fading mists, And let her horses from their nostrils breathe Rebellious winds and dreadful thunder-claps, 235 That in this terror Tamburlaine may live, And my pin’d soul, resolv’d in liquid air, May still excruciate his tormented thoughts! Then let the stony dart of senseless cold Pierce through the centre of my withered heart, And make a passage for my loathed life! 241 _He brains himself against the cage._

_Re-enter_ ZABINA.

_Zab._ What do mine eyes behold? My husband dead! His skull all riven in twain! His brains dash’d out, The brains of Bajazeth, my lord and sovereign! O Bajazeth, my husband and my lord! 245 O Bajazeth! O Turk! O Emperor! Give him his liquor? Not I. Bring milk and fire, and my blood I bring him again.—Tear me in pieces! Give me the sword with a ball of wildfire upon it.—Down with him! Down with (250) him!—Go to my child! Away! Away! Away! Ah, save that infant! save him, save him!—I, even I, speak to her.—The sun was down; streamers white, red, black, here, here, here!—Fling the meat in his face—Tamburlaine, Tamburlaine!—Let the soldiers be (256) buried.—Hell! Death! Tamburlaine! Hell!—Make ready my coach, my chair, my jewels. I come! I come! I come! _She runs against the cage and brains herself._

[_Enter_] ZENOCRATE _with_ ANIPPE.

_Zeno._ Wretched Zenocrate! that liv’st to see Damascus’ walls dy’d with Egyptians’ blood, 261 Thy father’s subjects and thy countrymen; Thy streets strow’d with dissevered joints of men And wounded bodies gasping yet for life: But most accurst, to see the sun-bright troop 265 Of heavenly virgins and unspotted maids, (Whose looks might make the angry god of arms To break his sword and mildly treat of love) On horsemen’s lances to be hoisted up And guiltlessly endure a cruel death: 270 For every fell and stout Tartarian steed, That stampt on others with their thund’ring hoofs, When all their riders charg’d their quivering spears, Began to check the ground and rein themselves, Gazing upon the beauty of their looks. 275 Ah Tamburlaine! wert thou the cause of this That term’st Zenocrate thy dearest love? Whose lives were dearer to Zenocrate Than her own life, or aught save thine own love. But see another bloody spectacle! 280 Ah, wretched eyes, the enemies of my heart, How are ye glutted with these grievous objects, And tell my soul more tales of bleeding ruth! See, see, Anippe, if they breathe or no.

_Anippe._ No breath, nor sense, nor motion in them both; 285 Ah, madam! this their slavery hath enforc’d, And ruthless cruelty of Tamburlaine.

_Zeno._ Earth, cast up fountains from thy entrails, And wet thy cheeks for their untimely deaths! Shake with their weight in sign of fear and grief! 290 Blush, Heaven, that gave them houour at their birth And let them die a death so barbarous! Those that are proud of fickle empery And place their chiefest good in earthly pomp, Behold the Turk and his great Emperess! 295 Ah, Tamburlaine! my love! sweet Tamburlaine! That fight’st for sceptres and for slippery crowns, Behold the Turk and his great Emperess! Thou, that in conduct of thy happy stars Sleep’st every night with conquests on thy brows, 300 And yet would’st shun the wavering turns of war, In fear and feeling of the like distress Behold the Turk and his great Emperess! Ah, mighty Jove and holy Mahomet, Pardon my love!—O, pardon his contempt 305 Of earthly fortune and respect of pity, And let not conquest, ruthlessly pursu’d, Be equally against his life incens’d In this great Turk and hapless Emperess! And pardon me that was not mov’d with ruth To see them live so long in misery! 311 Ah, what may chance to thee, Zenocrate?

_Anippe._ Madam, content yourself, and be resolv’d Your love hath Fortune so at his command, That she shall stay and turn her wheel no more, As long as life maintains his mighty arm 316 That fights for honour to adorn your head.

_Enter_ [PHILEMUS,] _a_ Messenger.

_Zeno._ What other heavy news now brings Philemus?

_Phil._ Madam, your father, and the Arabian king, The first affecter of your excellence, 320 Comes now, as Turnus ’gainst Æneas did, Armed with lance into the Egyptian fields, Ready for battle ’gainst my lord, the king.

_Zeno._ Now shame and duty, love, and fear presents A thousand sorrows to my martyred soul. 325 Whom should I wish the fatal victory When my poor pleasures are divided thus And rack’d by duty from my cursed heart? My father and my first-betrothed love Must fight against my life and present love; 330 Wherein the change I use condemns my faith, And makes my deeds infamous through the world: But as the gods, to end the Troyans’ toil, Prevented Turnus of Lavinia And fatally enrich’d Æneas’ love, 335 So, for a final issue to my griefs, To pacify my country and my love Must Tamburlaine by their resistless powers With virtue of a gentle victory Conclude a league of honour to my hope; 340 Then, as the Powers divine have pre-ordain’d, With happy safety of my father’s life Send like defence of fair Arabia.

_They sound to the battle_ [_within_]: and_ TAMBURLAINE _enjoys the victory. After,_ [_the_ KING _of_] ARABIA _enters wounded_.

_K. of Arab._ What cursed power guides the murdering hands Of this infamous tyrant’s soldiers 345 That no escape may save their enemies, Nor fortune keep themselves from victory? Lie down, Arabia, wounded to the death, And let Zenocrate’s fair eyes behold That, as for her thou bear’st these wretched arms, 350 Even so for her thou diest in these arms, Leaving thy blood for witness of thy love.

_Zeno._ Too dear a witness for such love, my lord, Behold Zenocrate! the cursed object, Whose fortunes never mastered her griefs; 355 Behold her wounded, in conceit, for thee, As much as thy fair body is for me.

_K. of Arab._ Then shall I die with full, contented heart, Having beheld divine Zenocrate, Whose sight with joy would take away my life As now it bringeth sweetness to my wound, 361 If I had not been wounded as I am. Ah! that the deadly pangs I suffer now, Would lend an hour’s licence to my tongue, To make discourse of some sweet accidents 365 Have chanc’d thy merits in this worthless bondage; And that I might be privy to the state Of thy deserv’d contentment, and thy love; But, making now a virtue of thy sight To drive all sorrow from my fainting soul, 370 Since death denies me farther cause of joy, Depriv’d of care, my heart with comfort dies, Since thy desired hand shall close mine eyes. [_He dies._]

_Re-enter_ TAMBURLAINE, _leading the_ SOLDAN, TECHELLES, THERIDAMAS, USUMCASANE, _with others_.

_Tamb._ Come, happy father of Zenocrate, A title higher than thy Soldan’s name; 375 Though my right hand have thus enthralled thee, Thy princely daughter here shall set thee free; She that hath calm’d the fury of my sword, Which had ere this been bath’d in streams of blood As vast and deep as Euphrates or Nile. 380

_Zeno._ O sight thrice welcome to my joyful soul, To see the king, my father, issue safe From dangerous battle of my conquering love!

_Sold._ Well met, my only dear Zenocrate, 384 Though with the loss of Egypt and my crown.

_Tamb._ ’T was I, my lord, that got the victory, And therefore grieve not at your overthrow, Since I shall render all into your hands, And add more strength to your dominions Than ever yet confirm’d th’ Egyptian crown. The god of war resigns his room to me, 391 Meaning to make me general of the world. Jove, viewing me in arms, looks pale and wan, Fearing my power should pull him from his throne. Where’er I come the Fatal Sisters sweat, 395 And grisly Death, by running to and fro, To do their ceaseless homage to my sword; And here in Afric, where it seldom rains, Since I arriv’d with my triumphant host, Have swelling clouds, drawn from wide-gasping wounds, 400 Been oft resolv’d in bloody purple showers, A meteor that might terrify the earth, And make it quake at every drop it drinks. Millions of souls sit on the banks of Styx, Waiting the back return of Charon’s boat; 405 Hell and Elysium swarm with ghosts of men, That I have sent from sundry foughten fields, To spread my fame through hell and up to Heaven. And see, my lord, a sight of strange import, 409 Emperors and kings lie breathless at my feet. The Turk and his great Empress, as it seems, Left to themselves while we were at the fight, Have desperately despatch’d their slavish lives; With them Arabia, too, hath left his life; All sights of power to grace my victory: 415 And such are objects fit for Tamburlaine; Wherein, as in a mirror, may be seen His honour, that consists in shedding blood, When men presume to manage arms with him.

_Sold._ Mighty hath God and Mahomet made thy hand, 420 Renowmed Tamburlaine! to whom all kings Of force must yield their crowns and emperies; And I am pleas’d with this my overthrow, If, as beseems a person of thy state, Thou hast with honour us’d Zenocrate. 425

_Tamb._ Her state and person wants no pomp, you see; And for all blot of foul inchastity I record Heaven her heavenly self is clear. Then let me find no further time to grace 429 Her princely temples with the Persian crown. But here these kings that on my fortunes wait, And have been crown’d for proved worthiness, Even by this hand that shall establish them, Shall now, adjoining all their hands with mine, Invest her here my Queen of Persia. 435 What saith the noble Soldan and Zenocrate!

_Sold._ I yield with thanks and protestations Of endless honour to thee for her love.

_Tamb._ Then doubt I not but fair Zenocrate Will soon consent to satisfy us both. 440

_Zeno._ Else should I much forget myself, my lord.

_Ther._ Then let us set the crown upon her head, That long hath ling’red for so high a seat.

_Tech._ My hand is ready to perform the deed; For now her marriage-time shall work us rest.

_Usum._ And here’s the crown, my lord; help set it on. 446

_Tamb._ Then sit thou down, divine Zenocrate; And here we crown thee Queen of Persia, And all the kingdoms and dominions That late the power of Tamburlaine subdu’d. As Juno, when the giants were suppress’d, 451 That darted mountains at her brother Jove, So looks my love, shadowing in her brows Triumphs and trophies for my victories; Or as Latona’s daughters, bent to arms, 455 Adding more courage to my conquering mind. To gratify the sweet Zenocrate, Egyptians, Moors, and men of Asia, From Barbary unto the western India, Shall pay a yearly tribute to thy sire; 460 And from the bounds of Afric to the banks Of Ganges shall his mighty arm extend. And now, my lords and loving followers, That purchas’d kingdoms by your martial deeds, Cast off your armour, put on scarlet robes, 465 Mount up your royal places of estate, Environed with troops of noblemen, And there make laws to rule your provinces. Hang up your weapons on Alcides’ post, For Tamburlaine takes truce with all the world. Thy first-betrothed love, Arabia, 471 Shall we with honour, as beseems, entomb, With this great Turk and his fair Emperess. Then, after all these solemn exequies, We will our[362] rites of marriage solemnise. 475 [_Exeunt._]

THE TRAGICAL HISTORY OF DR. FAUSTUS

BY CHRISTOPHER MARLOWE

[DRAMATIS PERSONAE

THE POPE. CARDINAL OF LORRAIN. EMPEROR OF GERMANY. DUKE OF VANHOLT. FAUSTUS. VALDES and CORNELIUS, Friends to FAUSTUS. WAGNER, Servant to FAUSTUS. Clown. ROBIN. RALPH. Vintner. Horse-Courser. Knight. Old Man. Scholars, Friars, and Attendants. DUCHESS OF VANHOLT. LUCIFER. BELZEBUB. MEPHISTOPHILIS. Good Angel. Evil Angel. The Seven Deadly Sins. Devils. Spirits in the shape of ALEXANDER THE GREAT, of his Paramour, and of HELEN OF TROY. CHORUS.]

_Enter_ CHORUS

_Chorus._ Not marching now in fields of Thrasimene, Where Mars did mate[363] the Carthaginians; Nor sporting in the dalliance of love, In courts of kings where state is overturn’d; Nor in the pomp of proud audacious deeds, 5 Intends our Muse to vaunt his heavenly verse: Only this, gentlemen,—we must perform The form of Faustus’ fortunes, good or bad. To patient judgments we appeal our plaud,[364] And speak for Faustus in his infancy. 10 Now is he born, his parents base of stock, In Germany, within a town call’d Rhodes;[365] Of riper years to Wittenberg he went, Whereas his kinsmen chiefly brought him up. So soon he profits in divinity, 15 The fruitful plot of scholarism grac’d,[366] That shortly he was grac’d with doctor’s name, Excelling all whose sweet delight disputes In heavenly matters of theology; Till swollen with cunning,[367] of a self-conceit, 20 His waxen wings[368] did mount above his reach, And, melting, Heavens conspir’d his overthrow; For, falling to a devilish exercise, And glutted [now] with learning’s golden gifts, He surfeits upon cursed necromancy. 25 Nothing so sweet as magic is to him, Which he prefers before his chiefest bliss. And this the man that in his study sits! _Exit._

[SCENE I.]

_Enter_ FAUSTUS _in his Study_

_Faust._ Settle my studies, Faustus, and begin To sound the depth of that thou wilt profess[369]; Having commenc’d, be a divine in show. Yet level[370] and at the end of every art, And live and die in Aristotle’s works. 5 Sweet Analytics,[371] ’tis thou hast ravish’d me, _Bene disserere est finis logices_. Is to dispute well logic’s chiefest end? Affords this art no greater miracle? Then read no more, thou hast attain’d the end; A greater subject fitteth Faustus’ wit. 11 Bid ὂν καὶ μὴ ὄν[372] farewell; Galen come, Seeing _Ubi desinit Philosophus, ibi incipit Medicus_;[373] Be a physician, Faustus, heap up gold, And be eternis’d for some wondrous cure. 15 _Summum bonum medicinæ sanitas_,[374] “The end of physic is our body’s health.” Why, Faustus, hast thou not attain’d that end? Is not thy common talk sound Aphorisms?[375] Are not thy bills[376] hung up as monuments, 20 Whereby whole cities have escap’d the plague, And thousand desperate maladies been eas’d? Yet art thou still but Faustus and a man. Wouldst thou make men to live eternally, Or, being dead, raise them to life again? 25 Then this profession were to be esteem’d. Physic, farewell.—Where is Justinian? [_Reads._] _Si una eademque res legatur duobus, alter rem, alter valorem rei, &c._[377] A pretty case of paltry legacies! [_Reads._] _Exhæreditare filium non potest pater nisi, &c._[378] 30 Such is the subject of the Institute[379] And universal Body of the Law.[380] His[381] study fits a mercenary drudge, Who aims at nothing but external trash; Too servile and illiberal for me. 35 When all is done, divinity is best; Jerome’s Bible,[382] Faustus, view it well. [_Reads._] _Stipendium peccati mors est._ Ha! _Stipendium, &c. “The reward of sin is death.”_ That’s hard. [_Reads._] _Si peccasse negamus, fallimur, et nulla est in nobis veritas._ 40 “If we say that we have no sin we deceive ourselves, and there’s no truth in us.” Why then, belike we must sin and so consequently die. Ay, we must die an everlasting death. What doctrine call you this, _Che sera sera_, 45 “What will be shall be?” Divinity, adieu! These metaphysics of magicians And necromantic books are heavenly; Lines, circles, scenes, letters, and characters, 49 Ay, these are those that Faustus most desires. O what a world of profit and delight, Of power, of honour, of omnipotence Is promis’d to the studious artisan! All things that move between the quiet poles Shall be at my command. Emperors and kings Are but obeyed in their several provinces, 56 Nor can they raise the wind or rend the clouds; But his dominion that exceeds[383] in this Stretcheth as far as doth the mind of man. A sound magician is a mighty god: 60 Here, Faustus, try thy[384] brains to gain a deity. Wagner! _Enter_ WAGNER. Commend me to my dearest friends, The German Valdes and Cornelius; Request them earnestly to visit me.

_Wag._ I will, sir. _Exit._ 65

_Faust._ Their conference will be a greater help to me Than all my labours, plod I ne’er so fast.

_Enter_ GOOD ANGEL _and_ EVIL ANGEL.

_G. Ang._ O Faustus! lay that damned book aside, And gaze not upon it lest it tempt thy soul, And heap God’s heavy wrath upon thy head. 70 Read, read the Scriptures: that is blasphemy.

_E. Ang._ Go forward, Faustus, in that famous art, Wherein all Nature’s treasure is contain’d: Be thou on earth as Jove is in the sky, Lord and commander of these elements. 75 _Exeunt_ [Angels.]

_Faust._ How am I glutted with conceit[385] of this! Shall I make spirits fetch me what I please, Resolve me of all ambiguities, Perform what desperate enterprise I will? I’ll have them fly to India for gold, 80 Ransack the ocean for orient pearl, And search all corners of the new-found world For pleasant fruits and princely delicates; I’ll have them read me strange philosophy And tell the secrets of all foreign kings; 85 I’ll have them wall all Germany with brass, And make swift Rhine circle fair Wittenberg; I’ll have them fill the public schools with [silk],[386] Wherewith the students shall be bravely clad; I’ll levy soldiers with the coin they bring, 90 And chase the Prince of Parma from our land,[387] And reign sole king of all the provinces; Yea, stranger engines for the brunt of war Than was the fiery keel[388] at Antwerp’s bridge, I’ll make my servile spirits to invent. 95 Come, German Valdes and Cornelius, And make me blest with your sage conference. _Enter_ VALDES _and_ CORNELIUS.[389] Valdes, sweet Valdes, and Cornelius, Know that your words have won me at the last To practise magic and concealed arts: 100 Yet not your words only, but mine own fantasy, That will receive no object, for my head But ruminates on necromantic skill. Philosophy is odious and obscure, Both law and physic are for petty wits; 105 Divinity is basest of the three, Unpleasant, harsh, contemptible, and vile: ’Tis magic, magic, that hath ravish’d me. Then, gentle friends, aid me in this attempt; And I that have with concise syllogisms 110 Gravell’d the pastors of the German church, And made the flow’ring pride of Wittenberg Swarm to my problems, as the infernal spirits On sweet Musæus,[390] when he came to hell, Will be as cunning as Agrippa was, 115 Whose shadows made all Europe honour him.

_Vald._ Faustus, these books, thy wit, and our experience Shall make all nations to canónise us. As Indian Moors[391] obey their Spanish lords, So shall the subjects[392] of every element 120 Be always serviceable to us three; Like lions shall they guard us when we please; Like Almain rutters[393] with their horsemen’s staves, Or Lapland giants, trotting by our sides; Sometimes like women or unwedded maids, 125 Shadowing more beauty in their airy brows Than have the white breasts of the queen of love: From Venice shall they drag huge argosies, And from America the golden fleece That yearly stuffs old Philip’s treasury; 130 If learned Faustus will be resolute.

_Faust._ Valdes, as resolute am I in this As thou to live; therefore object it not.

_Corn._ The miracles that magic will perform Will make thee vow to study nothing else. 135 He that is grounded in astrology, Enrich’d with tongues, well seen[394] in minerals, Hath all the principles magic doth require. Then doubt not, Faustus, but to be renowm’d, And more frequented for this mystery 140 Than heretofore the Delphian Oracle. The spirits tell me they can dry the sea, And fetch the treasure of all foreign wracks, Ay, all the wealth that our forefathers hid Within the massy entrails of the earth; 145 Then tell me, Faustus, what shall we three want?

_Faust._ Nothing, Cornelius! O this cheers my soul! Come show me some demonstrations magical, That I may conjure in some lusty grove, And have these joys in full possession. 150

_Vald._ Then haste thee to some solitary grove, And bear wise Bacon’s[395] and Albanus’s[396] works, The Hebrew Psalter and New Testament; And whatsoever else is requisite 154 We will inform thee ere our conference cease.

_Corn._ Valdes, first let him know the words of art; And then, all other ceremonies learn’d, Faustus may try his cunning by himself.

_Vald._ First I’ll instruct thee in the rudiments, And then wilt thou be perfecter than I. 160

_Faust._ Then come and dine with me, and after meat, We’ll canvass every quiddity[397] thereof; For ere I sleep I’ll try what I can do: This night I’ll conjure though I die therefore. _Exeunt._

[SCENE II.][398]

_Enter two_ SCHOLARS.

_1 Schol._ I wonder what’s become of Faustus that was wont to make our schools ring with _sic probo_?[399]

_2 Schol._ That shall we know, for see here comes his boy. 5

_Enter_ WAGNER.

_1 Schol._ How now, sirrah! Where’s thy master?

_Wag._ God in heaven knows!

_2 Schol._ Why, dost not thou know?

_Wag._ Yes, I know. But that follows not. 10

_1 Schol._ Go to, sirrah! Leave your jesting, and tell us where he is.

_Wag._ That follows not necessary by force of argument, that you, being licentiate, should stand upon ’t: therefore, acknowledge your 15 error and be attentive.

_2 Schol._ Why, didst thou not say thou knew’st?

_Wag._ Have you any witness on ’t?

_1 Schol._ Yes, sirrah, I heard you. 20

_Wag._ Ask my fellow if I be a thief.

_2 Schol._ Well, you will not tell us?

_Wag._ Yes, sir, I will tell you; yet if you were not dunces, you would never ask me such a question; for is not he _corpus naturale_?[400] and is not that _mobile_? Then wherefore should 26 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 (30) of execution, although I do not doubt to see you both hang’d the next sessions. Thus having triumph’d over you, I will set my countenance like a precisian,[401] and begin to speak thus:—Truly, my dear brethren, my master is within at dinner, with Valdes and Cornelius, as this 36 wine, if it could speak, would inform your worships; and so the Lord bless you, preserve you, and keep you, my dear brethren, my dear brethren. _Exit._ 40

_1 Schol._ Nay, then, I fear he has fallen into that damned Art, for which they two are infamous through the world.

_2 Schol._ Were he a stranger, and not allied to me, yet should I grieve for him. But come, let us go and inform the Rector, and see if he (46) by his grave counsel can reclaim him.

_1 Schol._ O, I fear me nothing can reclaim him.

_2 Schol._ Yet let us try what we can do. 50 _Exeunt._

[SCENE III.][402]

_Enter_ FAUSTUS _to conjure_.

_Faust._ Now that the gloomy shadow of the earth Longing to view Orion’s drizzling look, Leaps from th’ antarctic world unto the sky, And dims the welkin with her pitchy breath, Faustus, begin thine incantations, 5 And try if devils will obey thy hest, Seeing thou hast pray’d and sacrific’d to them. Within this circle is Jehovah’s name, Forward and backward anagrammatis’d, The breviated names of holy saints, 10 Figures of every adjunct[403] to the Heavens, And characters of signs and erring stars,[404] By which the spirits are enforc’d to rise: Then fear not, Faustus, but be resolute, And try the uttermost magic can perform. 15 _Sint mihi Dei Acherontis propitii! Valeat numen triplex Jehovae! Ignei, aerii, aquatani spiritus, salvete! Orientis princeps Belzebub, inferni ardentis monarcha, et Demogorgon, propitiamus vos, ut appareat et surgat Mephistophilis. (20) Quid tu moraris? Per Jehovam, Gehennam, et consecratum aquam quam nunc spargo, signumque crucis quod nunc facio, et per vota nostra, ipse nunc surgat nobis dicatus Mephistophilis!_[405] 25 _Enter_ [MEPHISTOPHILIS] _a_ Devil. I charge thee to return and change thy shape; Thou art too ugly to attend on me. Go, and return an old Franciscan friar; That holy shape becomes a devil best. _Exit Devil._ I see there’s virtue in my heavenly words; 30 Who would not be proficient in this art? How pliant is this Mephistophilis, Full of obedience and humility! Such is the force of magic and my spells. [Now,] Faustus, thou art conjuror laureate, 35 Thou canst command great Mephistophilis: _Quin regis Mephistophilis fratris imagine_.[406]

_Re-enter_ MEPHISTOPHILIS [_like a Franciscan Friar_].

_Meph._ Now, Faustus, what would’st thou have me do?

_Faust._ I charge thee wait upon me whilst I live, To do whatever Faustus shall command, 40 Be it to make the moon drop from her sphere, Or the ocean to overwhelm the world.

_Meph._ I am a servant to great Lucifer, And may not follow thee without his leave; No more than he commands must we perform. 45

_Faust._ Did he not charge thee to appear to me?

_Meph._ No, I came hither of mine own accord.

_Faust._ Did not my conjuring speeches raise thee? Speak:

_Meph._ That was the cause, but yet _per accidens_; For when we hear one rack[407] the name of God, Abjure the Scriptures and his Saviour Christ, 51 We fly in hope to get his glorious soul; Nor will we come, unless he use such means Whereby he is in danger to be damn’d: Therefore the shortest cut for conjuring 55 Is stoutly to abjure the Trinity, And pray devoutly to the Prince of Hell.

_Faust._ So Faustus hath Already done; and holds this principle, There is no chief but only Belzebub, 60 To whom Faustus doth dedicate himself. This word “damnation” terrifies not him, For he confounds hell in Elysium;[408] His ghost be with the old philosophers! But, leaving these vain trifles of men’s souls, 65 Tell me what is that Lucifer thy lord?

_Meph._ Arch-regent and commander of all spirits.

_Faust._ Was not that Lucifer an angel once?

_Meph._ Yes, Faustus, and most dearly lov’d of God.

_Faust._ How comes it then that he is Prince of devils? 70

_Meph._ O, by aspiring pride and insolence; For which God threw him from the face of Heaven.

_Faust._ And what are you that you live with Lucifer?

_Meph._ Unhappy spirits that fell with Lucifer, Conspir’d against our God with Lucifer, 75 And are for ever damn’d with Lucifer.

_Faust._ Where are you damn’d?

_Meph._ In hell.

_Faust._ How comes it then that thou art out of hell?

_Meph._ Why this is hell, nor am I out of it. 80 Think’st thou that I who saw the face of God, And tasted the eternal joys of Heaven, Am not tormented with ten thousand hells, In being depriv’d of everlasting bliss? O Faustus! leave these frivolous demands, 85 Which strike a terror to my fainting soul.

_Faust._ What, is great Mephistophilis so passionate[409] For being depriv’d of the joys of Heaven? Learn thou of Faustus manly fortitude, And scorn those joys thou never shalt possess. Go bear these tidings to great Lucifer: 91 Seeing Faustus hath incurr’d eternal death By desperate thoughts against Jove’s deity, Say he surrenders up to him his soul, So he will spare him four and twenty years, 95 Letting him live in all voluptuousness; Having thee ever to attend on me; To give me whatsoever I shall ask, To tell me whatsoever I demand, To slay mine enemies, and aid my friends, 100 And always be obedient to my will. Go and return to mighty Lucifer, And meet me in my study at midnight, And then resolve[410] me of thy master’s mind.

_Meph._ I will, Faustus. _Exit._ 105

_Faust._ Had I as many souls as there be stars, I’d give them all for Mephistophilis. By him I’ll be great Emperor of the world, And make a bridge through the moving air, To pass the ocean with a band of men; 110 I’ll join the hills that bind the Afric shore, And make that [country] continent to Spain, And both contributory to my crown. The Emperor shall not live but by my leave, Nor any potentate of Germany. 115 Now that I have obtain’d what I desire, I’ll live in speculation[411] of this art Till Mephistophilis return again. _Exit._

[SCENE IV.][412]

_Enter_ WAGNER and the CLOWN.

_Wag._ Sirrah, boy, come hither.

_Clown._ How, boy! Swowns, boy! I hope you have seen many boys with such pickadevaunts[413] as I have. Boy, quotha!

_Wag._ Tell me, sirrah, hast thou any comings in? 6

_Clown._ Ay, and goings out too. You may see else.

_Wag._ Alas, poor slave! See how poverty jesteth in his nakedness! The villain is bare and (10) 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.

_Clown._ How? My soul to the Devil for a shoulder of mutton, though ’twere blood-raw! (15) Not so, good friend. By ’r Lady, I had need have it well roasted and good sauce to it, if I pay so dear.

_Wag._ Well, wilt thou serve me, and I’ll make thee go like _Qui mihi discipulus_?[414] 20

_Clown._ How, in verse?

_Wag._ No, sirrah; in beaten silk and stavesacre.[415]

_Clown._ How, how. Knave’s acre![416] Ay, I thought that was all the land his father left (25) him. Do you hear? I would be sorry to rob you of your living.

_Wag._ Sirrah, I say in stavesacre.

_Clown._ Oho! Oho! Stavesacre! Why, then, belike if I were your man I should be full of vermin. 31

_Wag._ So thou shalt, whether thou beest with me or no. But, sirrah, leave your jesting, and bind yourself presently unto me for seven years, or I’ll turn all the lice about thee into familiars, and they shall tear thee in pieces. 36

_Clown._ Do you hear, sir? You may save that labour, they are too familiar with me already. Swowns! they are as bold with my flesh as if they had paid for [their] meat and (40) drink.

_Wag._ Well, do you hear, sirrah? Hold, take these guilders. [_Gives money._]

_Clown._ Gridirons! what be they?

_Wag._ Why, French crowns. 45

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

_Wag._ Why, now, sirrah, thou art at an (50) hour’s warning, whensoever and wheresoever the Devil shall fetch thee.

_Clown._ No, no. Here, take your gridirons again.

_Wag._ Truly I’ll none of them. 55

_Clown._ Truly but you shall.

_Wag._ Bear witness I gave them him.

_Clown._ Bear witness I give them you again.

_Wag._ Well, I will cause two devils presently to fetch thee away—Baliol and Belcher. 60

_Clown._ Let your Baliol and your Belcher come here, and I’ll knock them, they were never so knockt since they were devils. Say I should kill one of them, what would folks say? “Do you see yonder tall fellow in the round (65) slop?[417]—he has kill’d the devil.” So I should be call’d Kill-devil all the parish over.

_Enter two_ DEVILS: _the_ CLOWN _runs up and down crying_.

_Wag._ Baliol and Belcher! Spirits, away! _Exeunt_ Devils.

_Clown._ What, are they gone? A vengeance on them, they have vile long nails! There (70) was a he-devil, and a she-devil! I’ll tell you how you shall know them: all he-devils has horns, and all she-devils has clifts and cloven feet.

_Wag._ Well, sirrah, follow me.

_Clown._ But, do you hear—if I should serve you, would you teach me to raise up Banios (76) and Belcheos?

_Wag._ I will teach thee to turn thyself to anything; to a dog, or a cat, or a mouse, or a rat, or anything. 80

_Clown._ How! a Christian fellow to a dog or a cat, a mouse or a rat! No, no, sir. If you turn me into anything, let it be in the likeness of a little pretty frisky flea, that I may be here and there and everywhere. Oh, I’ll tickle (85) the pretty wenches’ plackets; I’ll be amongst them, i’ faith.

_Wag._ Well, sirrah, come.

_Clown._ But, do you hear, Wagner?

_Wag._ How!—Baliol and Belcher! 90

_Clown._ O Lord! I pray, sir, let Banio and Belcher go sleep.

_Wag._ Villain—call me Master Wagner, and let thy left eye be diametarily[418] fixt upon my right heel, with _quasi vestigias nostras insistere_.[419] _Exit._

_Clown._ God forgive me, he speaks Dutch (95) fustian. Well, I’ll follow him, I’ll serve him, that’s flat. _Exit._

[SCENE V.]

_Enter_ FAUSTUS _in his study_.

_Faust._ Now, Faustus, must Thou needs be damn’d, and canst thou not be sav’d: What boots it then to think of God or Heaven? Away with such vain fancies, and despair: Despair in God, and trust in Belzebub, 5 Now go not backward: no, Faustus, be resolute. Why waverest thou? O, something soundeth in mine ears “Abjure this magic, turn to God again!” Ay, and Faustus will turn to God again. To God?—He loves thee not— 10 The God thou serv’st is thine own appetite, Wherein is fix’d the love of Belzebub; To him I’ll build an altar and a church, And offer lukewarm blood of new-born babes.

_Enter_ GOOD ANGEL and EVIL [ANGEL]

_G. Ang._ Sweet Faustus, leave that execrable art. 15

_Faust._ Contrition, prayer, repentance! What of them?

_G. Ang._ O, they are means to bring thee unto Heaven.

_E. Ang._ Rather illusions, fruits of lunacy, That makes men foolish that do trust them most.

_G. Ang._ Sweet Faustus, think of Heaven, and heavenly things. 20

_E. Ang._ No, Faustus, think of honour and of wealth. _Exeunt_ [ANGELS.]

_Faust._ Of wealth! Why, the signiory of Emden[420] shall be mine. When Mephistophilis shall stand by me, What God can hurt thee, Faustus? Thou art safe; 25 Cast no more doubts. Come, Mephistophilis, And bring glad tidings from great Lucifer;— Is’t not midnight? Come, Mephistophilis; _Veni, veni, Mephistophile!_ _Enter_ MEPHISTOPHILIS. Now tell me, what says Lucifer thy lord? 30

_Meph._ That I shall wait on Faustus whilst he lives, So he will buy my service with his soul.

_Faust._ Already Faustus hath hazarded that for thee.

_Meph._ But, Faustus, thou must bequeath it solemnly, And write a deed of gift with thine own blood, For that security craves great Lucifer. 36 If thou deny it, I will back to hell.

_Faust._ Stay, Mephistophilis! and tell me what good Will my soul do thy lord.

_Meph._ Enlarge his kingdom.

_Faust._ Is that the reason why he tempts us thus? 40

_Meph. Solamen miseris socios habuisse doloris._[421]

_Faust._ Why, have you any pain that torture others?

_Meph._ As great as have the human souls of men. But tell me, Faustus, shall I have thy soul? And I will be thy slave, and wait on thee, 45 And give thee more than thou hast wit to ask.

_Faust._ Ay, Mephistophilis, I give it thee.

_Meph._ Then Faustus, stab thine arm courageously. And bind thy soul that at some certain day Great Lucifer may claim it as his own; 50 And then be thou as great as Lucifer.

_Faust._ [_stabbing his arm._] Lo, Mephistophilis, for love of thee, I cut mine arm, and with my proper blood Assure my soul to be great Lucifer’s, Chief lord and regent of perpetual night! 55 View here the blood that trickles from mine arm, And let it be propitious for my wish.

_Meph._ But, Faustus, thou must Write it in manner of a deed of gift.

_Faust._ Ay, so I will. [_Writes._] But, Mephistophilis, 60 My blood congeals, and I can write no more.

_Meph._ I’ll fetch thee fire to dissolve it straight. _Exit._

_Faust._ What might the staying of my blood portend? Is it unwilling I should write this bill? Why streams it not that I may write afresh? 65 _Faustus gives to thee his soul._ Ah, there it stay’d. Why should’st thou not? Is not thy soul thine own? Then write again, _Faustus gives to thee his soul_.

_Re-enter_ MEPHISTOPHILIS _with a chafer of coals._

_Meph._ Here’s fire. Come, Faustus, set it on.

_Faust._ So now the blood begins to clear again; 70 Now will I make an end immediately. [_Writes._]

_Meph._ O what will not I do to obtain his soul. [_Aside._]

_Faust. Consummatum est_:[422] this bill is ended, And Faustus hath bequeath’d his soul to Lucifer— But what is this inscription on mine arm? 75 _Homo, fuge!_[423] Whither should I fly? If unto God, he’ll throw me down to hell. My senses are deceiv’d; here ’s nothing writ:— I see it plain; here in this place is writ _Homo, fuge!_ Yet shall not Faustus fly. 80

_Meph._ I’ll fetch him somewhat to delight his mind. _Exit._

_Re-enter_ [MEPHISTOPHILIS] _with_ Devils, _giving crowns and rich apparel to_ FAUSTUS, _and dance, and then depart_.

_Faust._ Speak, Mephistophilis, what means this show?

_Meph._ Nothing, Faustus, but to delight thy mind withal, And to show thee what magic can perform.

_Faust._ But may I raise up spirits when I please? (85)

_Meph._ Ay, Faustus, and do greater things than these.

_Faust._ Then there’s enough for a thousand souls. Here, Mephistophilis, receive this scroll, A deed of gift of body and of soul: But yet conditionally that thou perform 90 All articles prescrib’d between us both.

_Meph._ Faustus, I swear by hell and Lucifer To effect all promises between us made.

_Faust._ Then hear me read them: _On these conditions following. First, that Faustus may (95) be a spirit in form and substance. Secondly, that Mephistophilis shall be his servant, and at his command. Thirdly, that Mephistophilis shall do for him and bring him whatsoever [he desires]. Fourthly, that he shall be in his chamber or (100) house invisible. Lastly, that he shall appear to the said John Faustus, at all times, in what form or shape soever he pleases. I, John Faustus, of Wittenberg, Doctor, by these presents do give both body and soul to Lucifer, Prince of the East, (105) and his minister, Mephistophilis; and furthermore grant unto them, that twenty-four years being expired, the articles above written inviolate, full power to fetch or carry the said John Faustus, body and soul, flesh, blood, or goods, into their (110) habitation wheresoever. By me, John Faustus._

_Meph._ Speak, Faustus, do you deliver this as your deed?

_Faust._ Ay, take it, and the Devil give thee good on’t.

_Meph._ Now, Faustus, ask what thou wilt. 114

_Faust._ First will I question with thee about hell. Tell me where is the place that men call hell?

_Meph._ Under the heavens.

_Faust._ Ay, but whereabout?

_Meph._ Within the bowels of these elements, Where we are tortur’d and remain for ever; 120 Hell hath no limits, nor is circumscrib’d In one self place; for where we are is hell, And where hell is there must we ever be: And, to conclude, when all the world dissolves, And every creature shall be purified, 125 All places shall be hell that is not Heaven.

_Faust._ Come, I think hell’s a fable.

_Meph._ Ay, think so still, till experience change thy mind.

_Faust._ Why, think’st thou then that Faustus shall be damn’d? 129

_Meph._ Ay, of necessity, for here’s the scroll Wherein thou hast given thy soul to Lucifer.

_Faust._ Ay, and body too; but what of that? Think’st thou that Faustus is so fond[424] to imagine That, after this life, there is any pain? Tush; these are trifles, and mere old-wives’ tales. 135

_Meph._ But, Faustus, I am an instance to prove the contrary, For I am damned, and am now in hell!

_Faust._ How! now in hell! Nay, an this be hell, I’ll willingly be damn’d here; What? walking, disputing, &c.? 140 But, leaving off this, let me have a wife, The fairest maid in Germany; For I am wanton and lascivious, And cannot live without a wife.

_Meph._ How—a wife? 145 I prithee, Faustus, talk not of a wife.

_Faust._ Nay, sweet Mephistophilis, fetch me one, for I will have one.

_Meph._ Well—thou wilt have one. Sit there till I come: I’ll fetch thee a wife in the Devil’s name. [_Exit._]

_Re-enter_ MEPHISTOPHILIS _with a_ Devil _dressed like a woman, with fireworks_.

_Meph._ Tell [me,] Faustus, how dost thou like thy wife? 150

_Faust._ A plague on her for a hot whore!

_Meph._ Tut, Faustus, Marriage is but a ceremonial toy; And if thou lovest me, think no more of it. I’ll cull thee out the fairest courtesans, 155 And bring them every morning to thy bed; She whom thine eye shall like, thy heart shall have, Be she as chaste as was Penelope, As wise as Saba,[425] or as beautiful As was bright Lucifer before his fall. 160 Here, take this book, peruse it thoroughly: [_Gives a book._] The iterating[426] of these lines brings gold; The framing of this circle on the ground Brings whirlwinds, tempests, thunder and lightning; Pronounce this thrice devoutly to thyself, 165 And men in armour shall appear to thee, Ready to execute what thou desir’st.

_Faust._ Thanks, Mephistophilis; yet fain would I have a book wherein I might behold all spells and incantations, that I might raise 170 up spirits when I please.

_Meph._ Here they are, in this book. _Turns to them._

_Faust._ Now would I have a book where I might see all characters and planets of the heavens, that I might know their motions and 175 dispositions.

_Meph._ Here they are too. _Turns to them._

_Faust._ Nay, let me have one book more,— and then I have done,—wherein I might see all plants, herbs, and trees that grow upon (180) the earth.

_Meph._ Here they be.

_Faust._ O, thou art deceived.

_Meph._ Tut, I warrant thee. _Turns to them._ [_Exeunt._]

[SCENE VI.[427]

_Enter_ FAUSTUS _and_ MEPHISTOPHILIS.]

_Faust._ When I behold the heavens, then I repent, And curse thee, wicked Mephistophilis, Because thou hast depriv’d me of those joys.

_Meph._ Why, Faustus, Thinkest thou Heaven is such a glorious thing? 5 I tell thee ’t is not half so fair as thou, Or any man that breathes on earth.

_Faust._ How provest thou that?

_Meph._ ’T was made for man, therefore is man more excellent.

_Faust._ If it were made for man, ’t was made for me; 10 I will renounce this magic and repent.

_Enter_ GOOD ANGEL _and_ EVIL ANGEL.

_G. Ang._ Faustus, repent; yet God will pity thee.

_E. Ang._ Thou art a spirit; God cannot pity thee.

_Faust._ Who buzzeth in mine ears I am a spirit? Be I a devil, yet God may pity me; 15 Ay, God will pity me if I repent.

_E. Ang._ Ay, but Faustus never shall repent. _Exeunt_ [ANGELS.]

_Faust._ My heart’s so hard’ned I cannot repent. Scarce can I name salvation, faith, or heaven, But fearful echoes thunder in mine ears 20 “Faustus, thou art damn’d!” Then swords and knives, Poison, gun, halters, and envenom’d steel Are laid before me to despatch myself, And long ere this I should have slain myself, Had not sweet pleasure conquer’d deep despair. Have I not made blind Homer sing to me 25 Of Alexander’s love and Œnon’s death? And hath not he that built the walls of Thebes With ravishing sound of his melodious harp, Made music with my Mephistophilis? 30 Why should I die then, or basely despair? I am resolv’d: Faustus shall ne’er repent. Come, Mephistophilis, let us dispute again, And argue of divine astrology. Tell me, are there many heavens above the moon? 35 Are all celestial bodies but one globe, As is the substance of this centric earth?

_Meph._ As are the elements, such are the spheres Mutually folded in each other’s orb, And, Faustus, 40 All jointly move upon one axletree Whose terminine is term’d the world’s wide pole; Nor are the names of Saturn, Mars, or Jupiter Feign’d, but are erring stars.

_Faust._ But tell me, have they all one motion, both _situ et tempore_?[428] 46

_Meph._ All jointly move from east to west in twenty-four hours upon the poles of the world; but differ in their motion upon the poles of the zodiac. 50

_Faust._ Tush! These slender trifles Wagner can decide; Hath Mephistophilis no greater skill? Who knows not the double motion of the planets? The first is finish’d in a natural day; 55 The second thus: as Saturn in thirty years; Jupiter in twelve; Mars in four; the Sun, Venus, and Mercury in a year; the moon in twenty-eight days. Tush, these are freshmen’s suppositions. But tell me, hath every sphere a dominion or _intelligentia_? 61

_Meph._ Ay.

_Faust._ How many heavens, or spheres, are there?

_Meph._ Nine: the seven planets, the firmament, and the empyreal heaven. 66

_Faust._ Well, resolve me in this question: Why have we not conjunctions, oppositions, aspects, eclipses, all at one time, but in some years we have more, in some less? 70

_Meph. Per inæqualem motum respecta totius._[429]

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

_Meph._ I will not.

_Faust._ Sweet Mephistophilis, tell me.

_Meph._ Move me not, for I will not tell thee.

_Faust._ Villain, have I not bound thee to tell me anything? 76

_Meph._ Ay, that is not against our kingdom; but this is. Think thou on hell, Faustus, for thou art damn’d.

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

_Meph._ Remember this. 80

_Faust._ Ay, go, accursed spirit, to ugly hell. ’T is thou hast damn’d distressed Faustus’ soul. Is’t not too late?

_Re-enter_ GOOD ANGEL _and_ EVIL ANGEL.

_E. Ang._ Too late.

_G. Ang._ Never too late, if Faustus can repent.

_E. Ang._ If thou repent, devils shall tear thee in pieces. 86

_G. Ang._ Repent, and they shall never raze thy skin. _Exeunt_ [ANGELS.]

_Faust._ Ah, Christ, my Saviour, Seek to save distressed Faustus’ soul.

_Enter_ LUCIFER, BELZEBUB, _and_ MEPHISTOPHILIS.

_Luc._ Christ cannot save thy soul, for he is just; 90 There’s none but I have interest in the same.

_Faust._ O, who art thou that look’st so terrible?

_Luc._ I am Lucifer, And this is my companion-prince in hell.

_Faust._ O Faustus! they are come to fetch away thy soul! 95

_Luc._ We come to tell thee thou dost injure us; Thou talk’st of Christ contrary to thy promise; Thou should’st not think of God: think of the Devil, And of his dam, too.

_Faust._ Nor will I henceforth: pardon me in this, 100 And Faustus vows never to look to Heaven, Never to name God, or to pray to him, To burn his Scriptures, slay his ministers, And make my spirits pull his churches down.

_Luc._ Do so, and we will highly gratify thee. Faustus, we are come from hell to show thee (106) some pastime. Sit down, and thou shalt see all the Seven Deadly Sins appear in their proper shapes.

_Faust._ That sight will be pleasing unto me, As Paradise was to Adam the first day 111 Of his creation.

_Luc._ Talk not of Paradise nor creation, but mark this show: talk of the Devil, and nothing else.—Come away! 115

_Enter the_ SEVEN DEADLY SINS.

Now, Faustus, examine them of their several names and dispositions.

_Faust._ What art thou—the first?

_Pride._ I am Pride. I disdain to have any parents. I am like to Ovid’s flea: I can (120) creep into every corner of a wench; sometimes, like a periwig, I sit upon her brow; or like a fan of feathers, I kiss her lips; indeed I do—what do I not? But, fie, what a scent is here! I’ll not speak another word, except the (125) ground were perfum’d, and covered with cloth of arras.

_Faust._ What art thou—the second?

_Covet._ I am Covetousness, begotten of an old churl in an old leathern bag; and might I (130) have my wish I would desire that this house and all the people in it were turn’d to gold, that I might lock you up in my good chest. O, my sweet gold!

_Faust._ What art thou—the third? 135

_Wrath._ I am Wrath. I had neither father nor mother: I leapt out of a lion’s mouth when I was scarce half an hour old; and ever since I have run up and down the world with this case[430] of rapiers wounding myself when I (140) had nobody to fight withal. I was born in hell; and look to it, for some of you shall be my father.

_Faust._ What art thou—the fourth?

_Envy._ I am Envy, begotten of a chimney (145) sweeper and an oyster-wife. I cannot read, and therefore wish all books were burnt. I am lean with seeing others eat. O that there would come a famine through all the world, that all might die, and I live alone! then thou (150) should’st see how fat I would be. But must thou sit and I stand! Come down with a vengeance!

_Faust._ Away, envious rascal! What art thou—the fifth?

_Glut._ Who, I, sir? I am Gluttony. My (155) parents are all dead, and the devil a penny they have left me, but a bare pension, and that is thirty meals a day and ten bevers[431]—a small trifle to suffice nature. O, I come of a royal parentage! My grandfather was a Gammon (160) of Bacon, my grandmother a Hogshead of Claret-wine, my godfathers were these, Peter Pickleherring, and Martin Martlemas-beef.[432] O, but my godmother, she was a jolly gentlewoman, and well beloved in every good town and (165) city; her name was Mistress Margery March-beer. Now, Faustus, thou hast heard all my progeny, wilt thou bid me to supper?

_Faust._ No, I’ll see thee hanged: thou wilt eat up all my victuals. 170

_Glut._ Then the Devil choke thee!

_Faust._ Choke thyself, glutton! Who art thou—the sixth?

_Sloth._ I am Sloth. I was begotten on a sunny bank, where I have lain ever since; and (175) you have done me great injury to bring me from thence: let me be carried thither again by Gluttony and Lechery. I’ll not speak another word for a king’s ransom.

_Faust._ What are you, Mistress Minx, the seventh and last? 180

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

_Luc._ Away to hell, to hell! (_Exeunt the_ SINS.) Now, Faustus, how dost thou like this? 186

_Faust._ O, this feeds my soul!

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

_Faust._ O might I see hell, and return again. How happy were I then! 190

_Luc._ Thou shalt; I will send for thee at midnight. In meantime take this book; peruse it throughly, And thou shalt turn thyself into what shape thou wilt.

_Faust._ Great thanks, mighty Lucifer! This will I keep as chary as my life. 195

_Luc._ Farewell, Faustus, and think on the Devil.

_Faust._ Farewell, great Lucifer! Come, Mephistophilis. _Exeunt omnes._

_Enter_ WAGNER.[433]

_Wagner._ Learned Faustus, To know the secrets of astronomy, Graven in the book of Jove’s high firmament, Did mount himself to scale Olympus’ top, 200 Being seated in a chariot burning bright, Drawn by the strength of yoky dragons’ necks. He now is gone to prove cosmography, And, as I guess, will first arrive at Rome, 205 To see the Pope and manner of his court, And take some part of holy Peter’s feast, That to this day is highly solemnis’d. _Exit._

[SCENE VII.][434]

_Enter_ FAUSTUS _and_ MEPHISTOPHILIS.

_Faust._ Having now, my good Mephistophilis, Past with delight the stately town of Trier,[435] Environ’d round with airy mountain-tops, With walls of flint, and deep entrenched lakes, Not to be won by any conquering prince; 5 From Paris next, coasting the realm of France, We saw the river Maine fall into Rhine, Whose banks are set with groves of fruitful vines; Then up to Naples, rich Campania, Whose buildings fair and gorgeous to the eye, 10 The streets straight forth, and pav’d with finest brick, Quarter the town in four equivalents. There saw we learned Maro’s[436] golden tomb, The way he cut, an English mile in length, Thorough a rock of stone in one night’s space; 15 From thence to Venice, Padua, and the rest, In one of which a sumptuous temple stands, That threats the stars with her aspiring top, Thus hitherto has Faustus spent his time: But tell me, now, what resting-place is this? 20 Hast thou, as erst I did command, Conducted me within the walls of Rome?

_Meph._ Faustus, I have; and because we will not be unprovided, I have taken up[437] his Holiness’ privy-chamber for our use. 25

_Faust._ I hope his Holiness will bid us welcome.

_Meph._ Tut, ’tis no matter, man, we’ll be bold with his good cheer. And now, my Faustus, that thou may’st perceive What Rome containeth to delight thee with, 30 Know that this city stands upon seven hills That underprop the groundwork of the same. [Just through the midst runs flowing Tiber’s stream, With winding banks that cut it in two parts:] Over the which four stately bridges lean, 35 That make safe passage to each part of Rome: Upon the bridge call’d Ponto Angelo Erected is a castle passing strong, Within whose walls such store of ordnance are, And double cannons, fram’d of carved brass, 40 As match the days within one cómplete year; Besides the gates and high pyramides, Which Julius Cæsar brought from Africa.

_Faust._ Now by the kingdoms of infernal rule, Of Styx, of Acheron, and the fiery Lake 45 Of ever-burning Phlegethon, I swear That I do long to see the monuments And situation of bright-splendent Rome: Come therefore, let’s away.

_Meph._ Nay, Faustus, stay; I know you’d fain see the Pope, 50 And take some part of holy Peter’s feast, Where thou shalt see a troop of bald-pate friars, Whose _summum bonum_ is in belly-cheer.

_Faust._ Well, I’m content to compass then some sport, And by their folly make us merriment. 55 Then charm me, [Mephistophilis,] that I May be invisible, to do what I please Unseen of any whilst I stay in Rome. [MEPHISTOPHILIS _charms him._]

_Meph._ So, Faustus, now 59 Do what thou wilt, thou shalt not be discern’d.

_Sound a sennet.[438] Enter the_ POPE _and the_ CARDINAL _of_ LORRAIN _to the banquet, with_ FRIARS _attending._

_Pope._ My Lord of Lorrain, wilt please you draw near?

_Faust._ Fall to, and the devil choke you an[439] you spare!

_Pope._ How now! Who’s that which spake?—Friars, look about.

_1 Friar._ Here’s nobody, if it like your Holiness. 64

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

_Faust._ I thank you, sir. _Snatches it._

_Pope._ How now! Who’s that which snatch’d the meat from me? Will no man look? My (69) Lord, this dish was sent me from the Cardinal of Florence.

_Faust._ You say true; I’ll ha’t. [_Snatches it._]

_Pope._ What, again! My lord, I’ll drink to your Grace.

_Faust._ I’ll pledge your Grace. [_Snatches the cup._] 75

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

_Pope._ It may be so. Friars, prepare a dirge to lay the fury of this ghost. Once again, my (80) lord, fall to. _The_ POPE _crosseth himself._

_Faust._ What, are you crossing of yourself? Well, use that trick no more I would advise you. [_The_ POPE] _crosses_ [_himself_] _again._ Well, there’s the second time. Aware the third. I give you fair warning. 85 [_The_ POPE] _crosses_ [_himself_] _again, and_ FAUSTUS _hits him a box of the ear; and they all run away._ Come on, Mephistophilis, what shall we do?

_Meph._ Nay, I know not. We shall be curs’d with bell, book, and candle.

_Faust._ How! bell, book, and candle,—candle, book, and bell, Forward and backward to curse Faustus to hell! Anon you shall hear a hog grunt, a calf bleat, and an ass bray, 90 Because it is Saint Peter’s holiday.

_Re-enter all the_ FRIARS _to sing the Dirge._

_1 Friar._ Come, brethren, let’s about our business with good devotion.

_They sing:_ Cursed be he that stole away his Holiness’ meat from the table! _Maledicat Dominus!_[440] Cursed be he that struck his Holiness a blow on the face! _Maledicat Dominus!_ 95 Cursed be he that took Friar Sandelo a blow on the pate! _Maledicat Dominus!_ Cursed be he that disturbeth our holy dirge! _Maledicat Dominus!_ Cursed be he that took away his Holiness’ wine! _Maledicat Dominus! Et omnes sancti![441] Amen!_

[MEPHISTOPHILIS _and_ FAUSTUS] _beat the_ FRIARS, _and fling fireworks among them: and so exeunt._

_Enter_ CHORUS.

_Chorus._ When Faustus had with pleasure ta’en the view Of rarest things, and royal courts of kings, 100 He stay’d his course, and so returned home; Where such as bear his absence but with grief, I mean his friends, and near’st companions, Did gratulate his safety with kind words, And in their conference of what befell, 105 Touching his journey through the world and air, They put forth questions of Astrology, Which Faustus answer’d with such learned skill, As they admir’d and wond’red at his wit. Now is his fame spread forth in every land; 110 Amongst the rest the Emperor is one, Carolus the Fifth, at whose palace now Faustus is feasted ’mongst his noblemen. What there he did in trial of his art, 114 I leave untold—your eyes shall see perform’d. _Exit._

[SCENE VIII.][442]

_Enter_ ROBIN _the Ostler with a book in his hand_.

_Robin._ O, this is admirable! here I ha’ stolen one of Dr. Faustus, conjuring books, and i’ faith I mean to search some circles for my own use. Now will I make all the maidens in our parish dance at my pleasure, stark naked (5) before me; and so by that means I shall see more than e’er I felt or saw yet.

_Enter_ RALPH _calling Robin_.

_Ralph._ Robin, prithee come away; there’s a gentleman tarries to have his horse, and he would have his things rubb’d and made clean. 10 He keeps such a chafing with my mistress about it; and she has sent me to look thee out. Prithee come away.

_Robin._ Keep out, keep out, or else you are blown up; you are dismemb’red, Ralph: keep (15) out, for I am about a roaring piece of work.

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

_Robin._ Yes, my master and mistress shall find that I can read, he for his forehead, she (20) for her private study; she’s born to bear with me, or else my art fails.

_Ralph._ Why, Robin, what book is that?

_Robin._ What book! Why, the most intolerable book for conjuring that e’er was invented by any brimstone devil. 25

_Ralph._ Canst thou conjure with it?

_Robin._ I can do all these things easily with it: first, I can make thee drunk with ippocras[443] at any tavern in Europe for nothing; that’s one of my conjuring works. 31

_Ralph._ Our Master Parson says that’s nothing.

_Robin._ True, Ralph; and more, Ralph, if them hast any mind to Nan Spit, our kitchenmaid, then turn her and wind her to thy own use 35 as often as thou wilt, and at midnight.

_Ralph._ O brave Robin, shall I have Nan Spit, and to mine own use? On that condition I’ll feed thy devil with horsebread as long as he lives, of free cost. 40

_Robin._ No more, sweet Ralph: let’s go and make clean our boots, which lie foul upon our hands, and then to our conjuring in the Devil’s name. _Exeunt._

[SCENE IX.][444]

_Enter_ ROBIN _and_ RALPH _with a silver goblet_.

_Robin._ Come, Ralph, did not I tell thee we were for ever made by this Doctor Faustus’ book? _Ecce signum,_ here’s a simple purchase[445] for horsekeepers; our horses shall eat no hay as long as this lasts. 5

_Enter the_ VINTNER.

_Ralph._ But, Robin, here comes the vintner.

_Robin._ Hush! I’ll gull him supernaturally. Drawer, I hope all is paid: God be with you. Come, _Ralph._

_Vint._ Soft, sir; a word with you. I must (10) yet have a goblet paid from you, ere you go.

_Robin._ I, a goblet, Ralph; I, a goblet! I scorn you, and you are but a[446] &c. I, a goblet! search me.

_Vint._ I mean so, sir, with your favour. [_Searches him._] 15

_Robin._ How say you now?

_Vint._ I must say somewhat to your fellow. You, sir!

_Ralph._ Me, sir! me, sir! search your fill. [VINTNER _searches him_.] Now, sir, you may be ashamed to burden honest men with a matter (21) of truth.

_Vint._ Well, t’ one of you hath this goblet about you.

_Robin._ [_Aside._] You lie, drawer, ’tis afore (25) me.—Sirrah you, I’ll teach ye to impeach honest men; stand by;—I’ll scour you for a goblet!—stand aside you had best. I charge you in the name of Belzebub. Look to the goblet, Ralph. [_Aside to_ RALPH.] 30

_Vint._ What mean you, sirrah?

_Robin._ I’ll tell you what I mean. _Reads_ [_from a book._] _Sanctobulorum, Periphrasticon_—Nay, I’ll tickle you, vintner. Look to the goblet, Ralph. [_Aside to_ RALPH.] (35) _Polypragmos Belseborams framanto pacostiphos tostu, Mephistophilis, &c._ [_Reads._]

_Enter_ MEPHISTOPHILIS, _sets squibs at their backs,_ [_and then exit_]. _They run about_.

_Vint. O nomine Domini!_[447] what meanest thou, Robin? Thou hast no goblet.

_Ralph. Peccatum peccatorum!_[448] Here’s (40) thy goblet, good vintner.

[_Gives the goblet to_ VINTNER, _who exit_.]

_Robin. Misericordia pro nobis!_[449] What shall I do? Good Devil, forgive me now, and I’ll never rob thy library more.

_Re-enter to them_ MEPHISTOPHILIS.

_Meph._ Monarch of hell, under whose black survey 45 Great potentates do kneel with awful fear, Upon whose altars thousand souls do lie, How am I vexed with these villains’ charms? From Constantinople am I hither come Only for pleasure of these damned slaves. 50

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

_Meph._ Well, villains, for your presumption, (55) I transform thee into an ape, and thee into a dog; and so begone. _Exit._

_Robin._ How, into an ape? That’s brave! I’ll have fine sport with the boys. I’ll get nuts and apples enow. 60

_Ralph._ And I must be a dog.

_Robin._ I’ faith thy head will never be out of the pottage pot. _Exeunt._

[SCENE X.][450]

_Enter_ EMPEROR, FAUSTUS, _and a_ KNIGHT _with attendants_.

_Emp._ Master Doctor Faustus, I have heard strange report of thy knowledge in the black art, how that none in my empire nor in the whole world can compare with thee for the rare effects of magic; they say thou hast a familiar (5) spirit, by whom thou canst accomplish what thou list. This, therefore, is my request, that thou let me see some proof of thy skill, that mine eyes may be witnesses to confirm what mine ears have heard reported; and here I (10) swear to thee by the honour of mine imperial crown, that, whatever thou doest, thou shalt be no ways prejudiced or endamaged.

_Knight._ I’faith he looks much like a conjuror. _Aside._ 15

_Faust._ My gracious sovereign, though I must confess myself far inferior to the report men have published, and nothing answerable[451] to the honour of your imperial majesty, yet for that love and duty binds me thereunto, I am content (20) to do whatsoever your majesty shall command me.

_Emp._ Then, Doctor Faustus, mark what I shall say. As I was sometime solitary set Within my closet, sundry thoughts arose 25 About the honour of mine ancestors, How they had won by prowess such exploits, Got such riches, subdued so many kingdoms, As we that do succeed, or they that shall Hereafter possess our throne, shall 30 (I fear me) ne’er attain to that degree Of high renown and great authority; Amongst which kings is Alexander the Great, Chief spectacle of the world’s pre-eminence, The bright shining of whose glorious acts 35 Lightens the world with his[452] reflecting beams, As, when I heard but motion[453] made of him, It grieves my soul I never saw the man. If, therefore, thou by cunning of thine art 40 Canst raise this man from hollow vaults below, Where lies entomb’d this famous conqueror, And bring with him his beauteous paramour, Both in their right shapes, gesture, and attire They us’d to wear during their time of life, Thou shalt both satisfy my just desire, 45 And give me cause to praise thee whilst I live.

_Faust._ My gracious lord, I am ready to accomplish your request so far forth as by art, and power of my Spirit, I am able to perform. 50

_Knight._ I’ faith that’s just nothing at all. _Aside._

_Faust._ But, if it like your Grace, it is not in my ability to present before your eyes the true substantial bodies of those two deceased princes, which long since are consumed to dust. 55

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

_Faust._ But such spirits as can lively resemble Alexander and his paramour shall appear before your Grace in that manner that they best (61) liv’d in, in their most flourishing estate; which I doubt not shall sufficiently content your imperial majesty.

_Emp._ Go to, Master Doctor, let me see them presently. 66

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

_Faust._ How then, sir? 70

_Knight._ I’ faith that’s as true as Diana turn’d me to a stag!

_Faust._ No, sir, but when Actæon died, he left the horns for you. Mephistophilis, begone. _Exit_ MEPHISTOPHILIS. 75

_Knight._ Nay, an you go to conjuring, I’ll begone. _Exit._

_Faust._ I’ll meet with you anon for interrupting me so. Here they are, my gracious lord. 80

_Re-enter_ MEPHISTOPHILIS _with_ [SPIRITS _in the shape of_] ALEXANDER _and his_ PARAMOUR.

_Emp._ Master Doctor, I heard this lady while she liv’d had a wart or mole in her neck: how shall I know whether it be so or no?

_Faust._ Your Highness may boldly go and see.

_Exeunt_ [SPIRITS.]

_Emp._ Sure these are no spirits, but the (85) true substantial bodies of those two deceased princes.

_Faust._ Will’t please your Highness now to send for the knight that was so pleasant with me here of late? 90

_Emp._ One of you call him forth.

[_Exit_ Attendant.]

_Re-enter the_ KNIGHT _with a pair of horns on his head_.

How now, sir knight! why I had thought thou had’st been a bachelor, but now I see thou hast a wife, that not only gives thee horns, but makes thee wear them. Feel on thy head. 95

_Knight._ Thou damned wretch and execrable dog, Bred in the concave of some monstrous rock, How darest thou thus abuse a gentleman? Villain, I say, undo what thou hast done!

_Faust._ O, not so fast, sir; there’s no haste; (100) but, good, are you rememb’red how you crossed me in my conference with the Emperor? I think I have met with you for it.

_Emp._ Good Master Doctor, at my entreaty release him; he hath done penance sufficient. 105

_Faust._ My gracious lord, not so much for the injury he off’red me here in your presence, as to delight you with some mirth, hath Faustus worthily requited this injurious knight; (109) which, being all I desire, I am content to release him of his horns: and, sir knight, hereafter speak well of scholars. Mephistophilis, transform him straight. [MEPHISTOPHILIS _removes the horns_.] Now, my good lord, having done my duty I humbly take my leave. 115

_Emp._ Farewell, Master Doctor; yet, ere you go, Expect from me a bounteous reward. _Exeunt._

[SCENE XI.][454]

[_Enter_ FAUSTUS _and_ MEPHISTOPHILIS.]

_Faust._ Now, Mephistophilis, the restless course That Time doth run with calm and silent foot, Short’ning my days and thread of vital life, Calls for the payment of my latest years; Therefore, sweet Mephistophilis, let us 5 Make haste to Wittenberg.

_Meph._ What, will you go on horseback or on foot?

_Faust._ Nay, till I’m past this fair and pleasant green, I’ll walk on foot.

_Enter a_ HORSE-COURSER.

_Horse-C._ I have been all this day seeking (10) one Master Fustian: mass, see where he is! God save you. Master Doctor!

_Faust._ What, horse-courser! You are well met.

_Horse-C._ Do you hear, sir? I have brought (15) you forty dollars for your horse.

_Faust._ I cannot sell him so: if thou likest him for fifty, take him.

_Horse-C._ Alas, sir, I have no more.—I pray you speak for me. 20

_Meph._ I pray you let him have him, he is an honest fellow, and he has a great charge, neither wife nor child.

_Faust._ Well, come, give me your money. [HORSE-COURSER _gives_ FAUSTUS _the money_.] (25) My boy will deliver him to you. But I must tell you one thing before you have him; ride him not into the water at any hand.

_Horse-C._ Why, sir, will he not drink of all waters? 30

_Faust._ O yes, he will drink of all waters, but ride him not into the water: ride him over hedge or ditch, or where thou wilt, but not into the water.

_Horse-C._ Well, sir.—Now I am made man (35) forever. I’ll not leave my horse for forty. If he had but the quality of hey-ding-ding, hey-ding-ding, I’d make a brave living on him: he has a buttock as slick as an eel. [_Aside._] Well, God b’ wi’ ye, sir, your boy will deliver him me: but (40) hark ye, sir; if my horse be sick or ill at ease, if I bring his water to you, you’ll tell me what it is?

_Exit_ HORSE-COURSER.

_Faust._ Away, you villain; what, dost think I am a horse-doctor? What art thou, Faustus, but a man condemn’d to die? 45 Thy fatal time doth draw to final end; Despair doth drive distrust unto my thoughts: Confound these passions with a quiet sleep: Tush, Christ did call the thief upon the cross; Then rest thee, Faustus, quiet in conceit. 50

_Sleeps in his chair._

_Re-enter_ HORSE-COURSER, _all wet, crying_.

_Horse-C._ Alas, alas! Doctor Fustian, quotha? Mass, Doctor Lopus[455] was never such a doctor. Has given me a purgation has purg ’d me of forty dollars; I shall never see them more. But yet, like an ass as I was, I would not be ruled (55) by him, for he bade me I should ride him into no water. Now I, thinking my horse had had some rare quality that he would not have had me known of, I, like a venturous youth, rid him into the deep pond at the town’s end. I was (60) no sooner in the middle of the pond, but my horse vanish’d away, and I sat upon a bottle of hay, never so near drowning in my life. But I’ll seek out my Doctor, and have my forty dollars again, or I’ll make it the dearest horse!—O, (65) yonder is his snipper-snapper.—Do you hear? You hey-pass,[456] where’s your master?

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

_Horse-C._ But I will speak with him. 70

_Meph._ Why, he’s fast asleep. Come some other time.

_Horse-C._ I’ll speak with him now, or I’ll break his glass windows about his ears.

_Meph._ I tell thee he has not slept this (75) eight nights.

_Horse-C._ An he have not slept this eight weeks, I’ll speak with him.

_Meph._ See where he is, fast asleep. 79

_Horse-C._ Ay, this is he. God save you, Master Doctor! Master Doctor. Master Doctor Fustian!—Forty dollars, forty dollars for a bottle of hay!

_Meph._ Why, thou seest he hears thee not.

_Horse-C._ So ho, ho!—so ho, ho! (_Hollas in (85) his ear._) No, will you not wake? I’ll make you wake ere I go. (_Pulls_ FAUSTUS _by the leg, and pulls it away_.) Alas, I am undone! What shall I do?

_Faust._ O my leg, my leg! Help, Mephistophilis! (90) call the officers. My leg, my leg!

_Meph._ Come, villain, to the constable.

_Horse-C._ O lord, sir, let me go, and I’ll give you forty dollars more.

_Meph._ Where be they? 95

_Horse-C._ I have none about me. Come to my ostry[457] and I’ll give them you.

_Meph._ Begone quickly.

HORSE-COURSER _runs away_.

_Faust._ What, is he gone? Farewell he! (99) Faustus has his leg again, and the horse-courser, I take it, a bottle of hay for his labour. Well, this trick shall cost him forty dollars more.

_Enter_ WAGNER.

How now, Wagner, what’s the news with thee?

_Wag._ Sir, the Duke of Vanholt doth earnestly (105) entreat your company.

_Faust._ The Duke of Vanholt! an honourable gentleman, to whom I must be no niggard of my cunning. Come, Mephistophilis, let’s away to him. _Exeunt._ 110

[SCENE XII.][458]

_Enter the_ DUKE [_of_ VANHOLT], _the_ DUCHESS, [FAUSTUS, _and_ MEPHISTOPHILIS.]

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

_Faust._ My gracious lord, I am glad it contents you so well.—But it may be, madam, you take no delight in this. I have heard that great-bellied (5) women do long for some dainties or other. What is it, madam? Tell me, and you shall have it.

_Duchess._ Thanks, good Master Doctor; and for I see your courteous intent to pleasure (10) me, I will not hide from you the thing my heart desires; and were it now summer, as it is January and the dead time of the winter, I would desire no better meat than a dish of ripe grapes.

_Faust._ Alas, madam, that’s nothing! (15) Mephistophilis, begone. (_Exit_ MEPHISTOPHILIS.) Were it a greater thing than this, so it would content you, you should have it.

_Re-enter_ MEPHISTOPHILIS _with the grapes._

Here they be, madam; wilt please you taste on them? 20

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

_Faust._ If it like your Grace, the year is (25) divided into two circles over the whole world, that, when it is here winter with us, in the contrary circle it is summer with them, as in India, Saba, and farther countries in the East; and by means of a swift spirit that I have, (30) I had them brought hither, as ye see.—How do you like them, madam; be they good?

_Duchess._ Believe me. Master Doctor, they be the best grapes that I e’er tasted in my life before. 35

_Faust._ I am glad they content you so, madam.

_Duke._ Come, madam, let us in, where you must well reward this learned man for the great kindness he hath show’d to you.

_Duchess._ And so I will, my lord; and (40) whilst I live, rest beholding for this courtesy.

_Faust._ I humbly thank your Grace.

_Duke._ Come, Master Doctor, follow us and receive your reward. _Exeunt._

[SCENE XIII.][459]

_Enter_ WAGNER, _solus._

_Wag._ I think my master means to die shortly, For he hath given to me all his goods; And yet, methinks, if that death were near, He would not banquet and carouse and swill Amongst the students, as even now he doth, 5 Who are at supper with such belly-cheer As Wagner ne’er beheld in all his life. See where they come! Belike the feast is ended.

_Enter_ FAUSTUS, _with two or three_ SCHOLARS [_and_ MEPHISTOPHILIS.]

_1 Schol._ Master Doctor Faustus, since our conference about fair Ladies, which was the (10) beautifullest in all the world, we have determined with ourselves that Helen of Greece was the admirablest lady that ever lived, therefore, Master Doctor, if you will do us that favour, as to let us see that peerless dame of Greece, (15) whom all the world admires for majesty, we should think ourselves much beholding unto you.

_Faust._ Gentlemen, For that I know your friendship is unfeigned, And Faustus’ custom is not to deny 20 The just requests of those that wish him well, You shall behold that peerless dame of Greece, No otherways for pomp and majesty Than when Sir Paris cross’d the seas with her, And brought the spoils to rich Dardania. 25 Be silent, then, for danger is in words.

_Music sounds, and_ HELEN _passeth over the stage._

_2 Schol._ Too simple is my wit to tell her praise, Whom all the world admires for majesty.

_3 Schol._ No marvel though the angry Greeks pursu’d With ten years’ war the rape of such a queen, 30 Whose heavenly beauty passeth all compare.

_1 Schol._ Since we have seen the pride of Nature’s works, And only paragon of excellence,

_Enter an_ OLD MAN.

Let us depart; and for this glorious deed Happy and blest be Faustus evermore. 35

_Faustus._ Gentlemen, farewell—the same I wish to you. _Exeunt_ SCHOLARS [_and_ WAGNER].

_Old Man._ Ah, Doctor Faustus, that I might prevail To guide thy steps unto the way of life, By which sweet path thou may’st attain the goal That shall conduct thee to celestial rest! 40 Break heart, drop blood, and mingle it with tears, Tears falling from repentant heaviness Of thy most vile and loathsome filthiness, The stench whereof corrupts the inward soul With such flagitious crimes of heinous sins 45 As no commiseration may expel, But mercy, Faustus, of thy Saviour sweet, Whose blond alone must wash away thy guilt.

_Faust._ Where art thou, Faustus? Wretch, what hast thou done? Damn’d art thou, Faustus, damn’d; despair and die! 50 Hell calls for right, and with a roaring voice Says “Faustus! come! thine hour is [almost] come!” And Faustus [now] will come to do thee right. MEPHISTOPHILIS _gives him a dagger._

_Old Man._ Ah stay, good Faustus, stay thy desperate steps! I see an angel hovers o’er thy head, 55 And, with a vial full of precious grace, Offers to pour the same into thy soul: Then call for mercy, and avoid despair.

_Faust._ Ah, my sweet friend, I feel Thy words do comfort my distressed soul. 60 Leave me a while to ponder on my sins.

_Old Man._ I go, sweet Faustus, but with heavy cheer, Fearing the ruin of thy hopeless soul. [_Exit._]

_Faust._ Accursed Faustus, where is mercy now? I do repent; and yet I do despair; 65 Hell strives with grace for conquest in my breast: What shall I do to shun the snares of death?

_Meph._ Thou traitor, Faustus, I arrest thy soul For disobedience to my sovereign lord; Revolt, or I’ll in piecemeal tear thy flesh. 70

_Faust._ Sweet Mephistophilis, entreat thy lord To pardon my unjust presumption, And with my blood again I will confirm My former vow I made to Lucifer.

_Meph._ Do it now then quickly, with unfeigned heart, 75 Lest danger do attend thy drift. [FAUSTUS _stabs his arm and writes on a paper with his blood._]

_Faust._ Torment, sweet friend, that base and crooked age,[460] That durst dissuade me from my Lucifer, With greatest torments that our hell affords.

_Meph._ His faith is great, I cannot touch his soul; 80 But what I may afflict his body with I will attempt, which is but little worth.

_Faust._ One thing, good servant, let me crave of thee, To glut the longing of my heart’s desire,— That I might have unto my paramour 85 That heavenly Helen, which I saw of late, Whose sweet embracings may extinguish clean These thoughts that do dissuade me from my vow, And keep mine oath I made to Lucifer.

_Meph._ Faustus, this or what else thou shalt desire 90 Shall be perform’d in twinkling of an eye.

_Re-enter_ HELEN.

_Faust._ Was this the face that launch’d a thousand ships, And burnt the topless[461] towers of Ilium? Sweet Helen, make me immortal with a kiss. [_Kisses her._] Her lips suck[462] forth my soul; see where it flies!— 95 Come, Helen, come, give me my soul again. Here will I dwell, for Heaven be in these lips, And all is dross that is not Helena. _Enter_ OLD MAN. I will be Paris, and for love of thee, Instead of Troy, shall Wittenberg be sack’d; 100 And I will combat with weak Menelaus, And wear thy colours on my plumed crest; Yea, I will wound Achilles in the heel, And then return to Helen for a kiss. Oh, thou art fairer than the evening air 105 Clad in the beauty of a thousand stars; Brighter art thou than flaming Jupiter When he appear’d to hapless Semele: More lovely than the monarch of the sky In wanton Arethusa’s azur’d arms: 110 And none but thou shalt be my paramour. _Exeunt._

_Old Man._ Accursed Faustus, miserable man, That from thy soul exclud’st the grace of Heaven, And fly’st the throne of his tribunal seat! _Enter_ DEVILS. Satan begins to sift me with his pride: 115 As in this furnace God shall try my faith, My faith, vile hell, shall triumph over thee. Ambitious friends I see how the heavens smiles At your repulse, and laughs your state to scorn! Hence, hell! for hence I fly unto my God. _Exeunt._ 120

[SCENE XIV.][463]

_Enter_ FAUSTUS _with the_ SCHOLARS.

_Faust._ Ah, gentlemen!

_1 Schol._ What ails Faustus?

_Faust._ Ah, my sweet chamber-fellow, had I lived with thee, then had I lived still! but now I die eternally. Look, comes he not, comes he not? 5

_2 Schol._ What means Faustus?

_3 Schol._ Belike he is grown into some sickness by being over solitary.

_1 Schol._ If it be so, we’ll have physicians to (10) cure him. ’T is but a surfeit. Never fear, man.

_Faust._ A surfeit of deadly sin that hath damn’d both body and soul.

_2 Schol._ Yet, Faustus, look up to Heaven; remember God’s mercies are infinite. 15

_Faust._ But Faustus’ offences can never be pardoned: the serpent that tempted Eve may be sav’d, but not Faustus. Ah, gentlemen, hear me with patience, and tremble not at my speeches! Though my heart pants and quivers (20) to remember that I have been a student here these thirty years, oh, would I had never seen Wittenberg, never read book! And what wonders I have done, all Germany can witness, yea, the world; for which Faustus hath lost both (25) Germany and the world, yea Heaven itself, Heaven, the seat of God, the throne of the blessed, the kingdom of joy; and must remain in hell for ever, hell, ah, hell, for ever! Sweet friends! what shall become of Faustus being in hell for ever? 31

_3 Schol._ Yet, Faustus, call on God.

_Faust._ On God, whom Faustus hath abjur’d! on God, whom Faustus hath blasphemed! Ah, my God, I would weep, but the Devil draws (35) in my tears. Gush forth blood instead of tears! Yea, life and soul! Oh, he stays my tongue! I would lift up my hands, but see, they hold them, they hold them!

_All._ Who, Faustus? 40

_Faust._ Lucifer and Mephistophilis. Ah, gentlemen, I gave them my soul for my cunning!

_All._ God forbid!

_Faust._ God forbade it indeed; but Faustus (45) hath done it. For vain pleasure of twenty-four years hath Faustus lost eternal joy and felicity. I writ them a bill with mine own blood: the date is expired; the time will come, and he will fetch me. 50

_1 Schol._ Why did not Faustus tell us of this before, that divines might have prayed for thee?

_Faust._ Oft have I thought to have done so; but the Devil threat’ned to tear me in pieces if I nam’d God; to fetch both body and soul if I (55) once gave ear to divinity: and now ’t is too late. Gentlemen, away! lest you perish with me.

_2 Schol._ Oh, what shall we do to save Faustus?

_Faust._ Talk not of me, but save yourselves, and depart. 60

_3 Schol._ God will strengthen me. I will stay with Faustus.

_1 Schol._ Tempt not God, sweet friend; but let us into the next room, and there pray for him.

_Faust._ Ay, pray for me, pray for me! and (65) what noise soever ye hear, come not unto me, for nothing can rescue me.

_2 Schol._ Pray thou, and we will pray that God may have mercy upon thee.

_Faust._ Gentlemen, farewell! If I live till (70) morning I’ll visit you: if not—Faustus is gone to hell.

_All._ Faustus, farewell!

_Exeunt_ SCHOLARS. _The clock strikes eleven._

_Faust._ Ah, Faustus, Now hast thou but one bare hour to live, 75 And then thou must be damn’d perpetually! Stand still, you ever-moving spheres of Heaven, That time may cease, and midnight never come; Fair Nature’s eye, rise, rise again and make Perpetual day; or let this hour be but 80 A year, a month, a week, a natural day, That Faustus may repent and save his soul! _O lente, lente, currite noctis equi!_[464] The stars move still,[465] time runs, the clock will strike, The Devil will come, and Faustus must be damn’d. 85 O, I’ll leap up to my God! Who pulls me down? See, see where Christ’s blood streams in the firmament! One drop would save my soul—half a drop: ah, my Christ! Ah, rend not my heart for naming of my Christ! 89 Yet will I call on him: O spare me, Lucifer!— Where is it now? ’T is gone; and see where God Stretcheth out his arm, and bends his ireful brows! Mountain and hills come, come and fall on me, And hide me from the heavy wrath of God! No! no! 95 Then will I headlong run into the earth; Earth gape! O no, it will not harbour me! You stars that reign’d at my nativity, Whose influence hath allotted death and hell, Now draw up Faustus like a foggy mist 100 Into the entrails of yon labouring clouds, That when they vomit forth into the air, My limbs may issue from their smoky mouths, So that my soul may but ascend to Heaven. _The watch strikes_ [_the half hour_]. Ah, half the hour is past! ’T will all be past anon! 105 O God! If thou wilt not have mercy on my soul, Yet for Christ’s sake whose blood hath ransom’d me, Impose some end to my incessant pain; Let Faustus live in hell a thousand years— 110 A hundred thousand, and at last be sav’d! O, no end is limited to damned souls! Why wert thou not a creature wanting soul? Or why is this immortal that thou hast? Ah, Pythagoras’ metempsychosis! were that true, 115 This soul should fly from me, and I be chang’d Unto some brutish beast! All beasts are happy, For, when they die, Their souls are soon dissolv’d in elements; 119 But mine must live, still to be plagu’d in hell. Curst be the parents that engend’red me! No, Faustus: curse thyself: curse Lucifer That hath depriv’d thee of the joys of Heaven. _The clock striketh twelve._ O, it strikes, it strikes! Now, body, turn to air, Or Lucifer will bear thee quick to hell. 125 _Thunder and lightning._ O soul, be chang’d into little water-drops, And fall into the ocean—ne’er be found. My God! my God! look not so fierce on me! _Enter_ DEVILS. Adders and serpents, let me breathe awhile! Ugly hell, gape not! come not, Lucifer! 130 I’ll burn my books!—Ah Mephistophilis! _Exeunt_ [DEVILS _with_ FAUSTUS.]

_Enter_ CHORUS.

[_Cho._] Cut is the branch that might have grown full straight, And burned is Apollo’s laurel bough, That sometimes grew within this learned man. Faustus is gone; regard his hellish fall, 135 Whose fiendful fortune may exhort the wise Only to wonder at unlawful things, Whose deepness doth entice such forward wits To practise more than heavenly power permits. [_Exit._] _Terminat hora diem, terminat author opus._ 140

THE JEW OF MALTA

BY CHRISTOPHER MARLOWE

[DRAMATIS PERSONAE.

BARABAS, a wealthy Jew. FERNEZE, Governor of Malta. DON LODOWICK, his Son. SELIM CALYMATH, Son of the Grand Seignior. MARTIN DEL BOSCO, Vice-Admiral of Spain. DON MATHIAS, a Gentleman. ITHAMORE, slave of Barabas. JACOMO, } BARNARDINE, } Friars. PILIA-BORSA, a Bully. Two Merchants. Three Jews. Knights, Bassoes, Officers, Reader, Guard, Messengers, Slaves, and Carpenters.

KATHERINE, mother of MATHIAS. ABIGAIL, Daughter of BARABAS. BELLAMIRA, a Courtesan. Abbess. Two Nuns.

MACHIAVEL, Speaker of the Prologue.

Scene.—_Malta_.]

[THE PROLOGUE.]

MACHIAVEL.

Albeit the world think Machiavel is dead, Yet was his soul but flown beyond the Alps, And, now the Guise[466] is dead, is come from France To view this land and frolic with his friends. To some perhaps my name is odious, 5 But such as love me guard me from their tongues; And let them know that I am Machiavel, And weigh not men, and therefore not men’s words. Admir’d I am of those that hate me most. Though some speak openly against my books, 10 Yet will they read me, and thereby attain To Peter’s chair; and when they cast me off, Are poison’d by my climbing followers. I count religion but a childish toy, And hold there is no sin but ignorance. 15 “Birds of the air will tell of murders past!” I am asham’d to hear such fooleries. Many will talk of title to a crown: What right had Cæsar to the empery?[467] Might first made kings, and laws were then most sure 20 When, like the Draco’s, they were writ in blood. Hence comes it that a strong-built citadel Commands much more than letters can import; Which maxim had [but] Phalaris observ’d, He had never bellowed, in a brazen bull, 25 Of great ones’ envy. O’ the poor petty wights Let me be envi’d and not pitied! But whither am I bound? I come not, I, To read a lecture here in Britain, But to present the tragedy of a Jew, 30 Who smiles to see how full his bags are cramm’d, Which money was not got without my means. I crave but this—grace him as he deserves, And let him not be entertain’d the worse Because he favours me. [_Exit._] 35

[ACT I