 | The Tragicall History of D. Faustus |  |
Not marching now in fields of Thracimene,
Where Mars did mate the Carthaginians,
Nor sporting in the dalliance of loue,
In courts of Kings where state is ouerturnd,
Nor in the pompe of prowd audacious deedes,
Intends our Muse to daunt his heauenly verse:
Onely this (Gentlemen) we must performe,
The forme of Faustus fortunes good or bad.
To patient Iudgements we appeale our plaude,
And speake for Faustus in his infancie:
Now is he borne, his parents base of stocke,
In Germany, within a towne calld Rhodes:
Of riper yeeres to Wertenberg he went,
Whereas his kinsmen chiefly brought him vp,
So soone hee profites in Diuinitie,
The fruitfull plot of Scholerisme grac't,
That shortly he was grac't with Doctors name,
Excelling all, whose sweete delight disputes
In heauenly matters of Theologie,
Till swolne with cunning of a selfe conceit,
His waxen wings did mount aboue his reach,
And melting heauens conspirde his ouerthrow.
For falling to a diuelish exercise,
And glutted more with learnings golden gifts,
Nothing so sweete as magicke is to him
Which he preferres before his chiefest blisse,
And this the man that in his study sits.
Exit.
Enter Faustus in his Study.
Faustus
Settle thy studies Faustus, and beginne
To sound the deapth of that thou wilt professe:
Hauing commencde, be a Diuine in shew,
Yet leuell at the end of euery Art,
And liue and die in Aristotles workes:
Sweete Anulatikes tis thou hast rauisht me,
Bene disserere est finis logicis,
Is, to dispute well, Logickes chiefest end
Affords this Art no greater myracle:
Then reade no more, thou hast attaind the end:
A greater subiect fitteth Faustus wit,
Bid Oncaymæon farewell, Galen come:
Seeing, vbi desinit philosophus, ibi incipit medicus.
Be a physition Faustus, heape vp golde,
And be eternizde for some wondrous cure,
Summum bonum medicinæ sanitas,
The end of physicke is our bodies health:
Why Faustus, hast thou not attaind that end?
Is not thy common talke sound Aphorismes?
Are not thy billes hung vp as monuments,
whereby whole Citties haue escapt the plague,
And thousand desprate maladies beene easde,
Yet art thou still but Faustus, and a man.
wouldst thou make man to liue eternally?
Or being dead, raise them to life againe?
Then this profession were to be esteemd.
Physicke farewell, where is Iustinian?
Si vna eademque, res legatus duobus,
Alter rem alter valorem rei, &c.
A pretty case of paltry legacies:
Ex hæreditari filium non potest pater nisi:
Such is the subiect of the institute
His study fittes a mercenary drudge,
who aimes at nothing but externall trash,
The deuill and illiberall for me:
when all is done, Diuinitie is best.
Ieromes Bible, Faustus, view it well.
Stipendium peccati mors est: ha, Stipendium, &c.
The reward of sinne is death: thats hard.
Si peccasse negamus, fallimur, & nulla est in nobis veritas.
If we say that we haue no sinne,
We deceiue our selues, and theres no truth in vs.
Why then belike we must sinne,
And so consequently die.
I, we must die an euerlasting death:
What doctrine call you this, Che sera, sera,
What wil be, shall be? Diuinitie, adieu,
These Metaphisickes of Magicians,
And Negromantike bookes are heauenly
Lines, circles, sceanes, letters and characters:
I, these are those that Faustus most desires.
O what a world of profit and delight,
Of power, of honor, of omnipotence
Is promised to the studious Artizan?
All things that mooue betweene the quiet poles
Shalbe at my commaund, Emperours and Kings,
Are but obeyd in their seuerall prouinces:
Nor can they raise the winde, or rend the cloudes:
But his dominion that exceedes in this,
Stretcheth as farre as doth the minde of man.
A sound Magician is a mighty god:
Heere Faustus trie thy braines to gaine a deitie.
Enter Wagner.
Wagner, commend me to my deerest friends,
The Germaine Valde, and Corneliu ,
Request them earnestly to visite me.
Wag.
I wil sir.
exit.
Fau.
Their conference will be a greater help to me,
Enter the good Angell and the euill Angell.
Good.A.
O Faustus, lay that damned booke aside,
And gaze not on it, lest it tempt thy soule,
And heape Gods heauy wrath vpon thy head,
Reade, reade the scriptures, that is blasphemy.
Euill An.
Go forward Faustus in that famous art,
Wherein all natures treasury is containd:
Be thou on earth as Ioue is in the skie,
Lord and commaunder of these Elements.
Exeunt.
Fau.
How am I glutted with conceit of this?
Shall I make spirits fetch me what I please,
Resolue me of all ambiguities,
Performe what desperate enterprise I will?
Ile haue them flye to India for gold,
Ransacke the Ocean for orient pearle,
And search all corners of the new found world
For pleasant fruites and princely delicates:
Ile haue them reade mee straunge philosophie,
And tell the secrets of all forraine kings,
Ile haue them wall all Iermany with brasse,
And make swift Rhine circle faire Wertenberge,
Ile haue them fill the publike schooles with skill.
Wherewith the students shalbe brauely clad:
Ile leuy souldiers with the coyne they bring,
And chase the Prince of Parma from our land,
And raigne sole king of all our prouinces:
Yea stranger engines for the brunt of warre,
Then was the fiery keele at Antwarpes bridge,
Ile make my seruile spirits to inuent:
Come Germaine Valdes and Cornelius,
And make me blest with your sage conference,
Valdes, sweete Valdes, and Cornelius,
Enter Valdes and Cornelius.
Know that your words haue woon me at the last,
Yet not your words onely, but mine owne fantasie,
That will receiue no obiect for my head,
But ruminates on Negromantique skill,
Philosophy is odious and obscure,
Both Law and Phisicke are for pettie wits,
Diuinitie is basest of the three,
Unpleasant, harsh, contemptible and vilde,
Tis Magicke, Magicke that hath rauisht mee,
Then gentle friends ayde me in this attempt,
And I that haue with Consissylogismes
Graueld the Pastors of the Germaine Church,
And made the flowring pride of Wertenberge
Swarme to my Problemes as the infernall spirits
On sweet Musæus when he came to hell,
Will be as cunning as Agrippa was,
Whose shadowes made all Europe honor him.
Vald.
Faustus these bookes thy wit and our experience
Shall make all nations to canonize vs,
As Indian Moores obey their Spanish Lords,
So shall the subiects of euery element
Be alwaies seruiceable to vs three,
Like Lyons shall they guard vs when we please,
Like Almaine Rutters with their horsemens staues,
Or Lapland Gyants trotting by our sides,
Sometimes like women, or vnwedded maides,
Shadowing more beautie in their ayrie browes,
Then in their white breasts of the queene of Loue:
For Venice shall they dregge huge Argoces,
And from America the golden fleece,
That yearely stnffes olde Philips treasury
If learned Faustus will be resolute.
Fau.
Valdes as resolute am I in this
As thou to liue, therefore obiect it not.
Corn.
The myracles that Magicke will performe,
Will make thee vow to studie nothing else,
He that is grounded in Astrologie,
Hath all the principles Magicke doth require,
Then doubt not (Faustus) but to be renowmd,
And more frequented for this mystery,
Then heretofore the Dolphian Oracle.
The spirits tell me they can drie the sea,
And fetch the treasure of all forraine wrackes,
I, all the wealth that our forefathers hid
Within the massie entrailes of the earth.
Then tell me Faustus, what shal we three want?
Fau.
Nothing Cornelius, O this cheares my soule,
Come shewe me some demonstrations magicall,
That I may coniure in some lustie groue,
And haue these ioyes in full possession.
Val.
Then haste thee to some solitary groue,
And beare wise Bacons and Albanus workes,
The Hebrew Psalter, and new Testament,
And whatsoeuer else is requisit
Wee will enforme thee ere our conference cease.
Cor.
Valdes, first let him know the words of art,
And then all other ceremonies learnd,
Faustus may trie his cunning by himselfe.
Val.
First Ile instruct thee in the rudiments,
And then wilt thou be perfecter then I.
Fau.
Then come and dyne with me, and after meate
Weele canuas euery quidditie thereof:
For ere I sleepe ile trie what I can do,
This night Ile coniure though I die therefore.
Exeunt.
Enter two Schollers.
1. Sch.
I wonder whats become of Faustus, that was
wont to make our schooles ring with, sic probo.
2. Sch.
That shall we know, for see here comes his boy.
Enter Wagner.
1. Sch.
How now sirra, wheres thy maister?
Wag.
God in heauen knowes.
2.
Why, dost not thou know?
Yes I know, but that followes not.
1.
Go too sirra, leaue your ieasting, and tell vs where
hee is.
Wag.
That follows not necessary by force of argument,
that you being licentiate should stand vpon't, therefore acknowledge
your error, and be attentiue.
2.
Why, didst thou not say thou knewst?
Wag.
Haue you any witnesse on't?
1.
Yes sirra, I heard you.
Wag.
Aske my fellow if I be a thiefe.
2.
Well, you will not tell vs.
Wag.
Yes sir, I will tell you, yet if you were not dunces
you would neuer aske me such a question, for is not he corpus
naturale, and is not that mobile, then wherefore should
you aske me such a question: but that I am by nature flegmaticke,
slowe to wrath, and prone to leachery, (to loue I
would say) it were not for you to come within fortie foote of
the place of execution, although I do not doubt to see you
both hang'd the next Sessions. Thus hauing triumpht ouer
you, I will set my countnance like a precisian, and begin to
speake thus: truly my deare brethren, my maister is within
at dinner with Valdes and Cornelius, as this wine if it could
speake, it would enforme your worships, and so the Lord
blesse you, preserue you, and keepe you my deare brethren,
my deare brethren.
exit.
1.
Nay then I feare he is falne into that damned art, for
which they two are infamous through the world.
2.
Were he a stranger, and not alied to me, yet should
I grieue for him: but come let vs go and informe the Rector,
and see if hee by his graue counsaile can reclaime him.
1.
O but I feare me nothing can reclaime him.
2.
Yet let vs trie what we can do.
Exeunt.
Enter Faustus to coniure.
Fau.
Now that the gloomy shadow of the earth,
Longing to view Orions drisling looke,
And dimmes the welkin with her pitchy breath:
Faustus, begin thine incantations,
And trie if diuels will obey thy hest,
Seeing thou hast prayde and sacrific'd to them.
UUithin this circle is Iehouahs name,
Forward and backward, and Agramithist,
The breviated names of holy Saints,
Figures of euery adiuuct to the heauens,
And characters of signes and erring starres.
By which the spirits are inforst to rise,
Then feare not Faustus, but be resolute,
And trie the vttermost Magicke can performe.
Sint mihi dei acherontis propitij, valeat numen triplex Iehouæ, ignei,
aërij Aquatani spiritus saluete, Orientis princeps Belsibub, inferni
ardentis monarcha & demigorgon, propitiamus vos, vt apariat &
surgat Mephastophilis, quòd tumeraris, per Iehouam gehennam &
consecratam aquam quam nunc spargo, signúmque crucis quod nunc
facio, & per vota nostra ipse nunc surgat nobis dicatis Mephastophilis.
I charge thee to returne and chaunge thy shape,
Thou art too vgly to attend on me,
Goe and returne an old Franciscan Frier,
That holy shape becomes a diuell best.
Exit diuell.
I see theres vertue in my heauenly words,
Who would not be proficient in this art?
How pliant is this Mephastophilis?
Full of obedience and humilitie,
Such is the force of Magicke and my spels,
No Faustus, thou art Coniurer laureate
That canst commaund great Mephastophilis,
Quin regis, Mephastophilis fratris imagine.
Enter Mephostophilis.
Me.
Now Faustus, what wouldst thou haue me do?
Fau.
I charge thee wait vpon me whilst I liue,
Be it to make the Moone drop from her spheare,
Or the Ocean to ouerwhelme the world.
Me.
I am a seruant to great Lucifer,
And may not follow thee without his leaue,
No more then he commaunds must we performe.
Fau.
Did not he charge thee to appeare to mee?
Me.
No, I came now hither of mine owne accord.
Fau.
Did not my coniuring speeches raise thee? speake.
Me.
That was the cause, but yet per accident,
For when we heare one racke the name of God,
Abiure the scriptures, and his Sauiour Christ,
Wee flye, in hope to get his glorious soule,
Nor will we come, vnlesse he vse such meanes
Whereby he is in danger to be damnd:
Therefore the shortest cut for coniuring
Is stoutly to abiure the Trinitie,
And pray deuoutly to the prince of hell.
Fau.
So Faustus hath already done, & holds this principle
There is no chiefe but onely Belsibub,
To whom Faustus doth dedicate himselfe,
This word damnation terrifies not him,
For he confounds hell in Elizium,
His ghost be with the olde Philosophers,
But leauing these vaine trifles of mens soules,
Tell me what is that Lucifer thy Lord?
Me.
Arch-regent and commaunder of all spirits.
Fau.
Was not that Lucifer an Angell once?
Me.
Yes Faustus, and most dearely lou'd of God.
Fau.
How comes it then that he is prince of diuels?
Me.
O by aspiring pride and insolence,
For which God threw him from the face of heauen.
Fau.
and what are you that liue with Lucifer?
Me.
Unhappy spirits that fell with Lucifer,
Conspir'd against our God with Lucifer,
And are for euer damnd with Lucifer.
Fau.
UUhere are you damn'd?
In hell.
Fau.
How comes it then that thou art out of hel?
Me.
Why this is hel, nor am I out of it:
Thinkst thou that I who saw the face of God,
And tasted the eternal ioyes of heauen,
Am not tormented with ten thousand hels,
In being depriv'd of euerlasting blisse:
O Faustus, leaue these friuolous demaunds,
which strike a terror to my fainting soule.
Fau.
What, is great Mephastophilis so passionate,
For being deprivd of the ioyes of heauen?
Learne thou of Faustus manly fortitude,
And scorne those ioyes thou neuer shalt possesse.
Go beare those tidings to great Lucifer,
Seeing Faustus hath incurrd eternall death,
By desprate thoughts against Ioues deitie:
Say, he will surrenders vp to him his soule,
So he will spare him 24. yeeres,
Letting him liue in al voluptuousnesse,
Hauing thee euer to attend on me,
To giue me whatsoeuer I shal aske,
To tel me whatsoeuer I demaund,
To slay mine enemies, and ayde my friends,
And alwayes be obedient to my wil:
Goe and returne to mighty Lucifer,
And meete mee in my study at midnight,
And then resolue me of thy maisters minde.
Me.
I will Faustus.
exit.
Fau.
Had I as many soules as there be starres,
Ide giue them al for Mephastophilis:
By him Ile be great Emprour of the world,
And make a bridge through the moouing ayre,
To passe the Ocean with a band of men,
Ile ioyne the hils that binde the Affricke shore,
And make that land continent to Spaine,
And both contributory to my crowne:
The Emprour shal not liue but by my leaue,
Now that I haue obtaind what I desire,
Ile liue in speculation of this Art,
Til Mephastophilis returne againe.
exit.
Enter Wagner and the Clowne.
Wag.
Sirra boy, come hither.
Clo.
How, boy? swowns boy, I hope you haue seene many
boyes with such pickadevaunts as I haue. Boy quotha?
Wag.
Tel me sirra, hast thou any commings in?
Clo.
I, and goings out too, you may see else.
Wag.
Alas poore slaue, see how pouerty iesteth in his nakednesse,
the vilaine is bare, and out of seruice, and so hungry,
that I know he would giue his soule to the Diuel for a
shoulder of mutton, though it were blood rawe.
Clo.
How, my soule to the Diuel for a shoulder of mutton
though twere blood rawe? not so good friend, burladie I
had neede haue it wel roasted, and good sawce to it, if I pay so
deere.
Wag.
wel, wilt thou serue me, and Ile make thee go like
Qui mihi discipulus?
Clo.
How, in verse?
Wag.
No sirra, in beaten silke and staues acre.
Clo.
how, how, knaues acre? I, I thought that was al
the land his father left him: Doe yee heare, I would be sorie
to robbe you of your liuing.
Wag.
Sirra, I say in staues acre.
Clo.
Oho, oho, staues acre, why then belike, if I were
your man, I should be ful of vermine.
Wag.
So thou shalt, whether thou beest with me, or no:
but sirra, leaue your iesting, and binde your selfe presently
vnto me for seauen yeeres, or Ile turne al the lice about thee
into familiars, and they shal teare thee in peeces.
Clo.
Doe you heare sir? you may saue that labour, they
are too familiar with me already, swowns they are as bolde
with my flesh, as if they had payd for my meate and drinke.
Wag.
wel, do you heare sirra? holde, take these gilders.
Clo.
Gridyrons, what be they?
Why french crownes.
Clo.
Mas but for the name of french crownes a man
were as good haue as many english counters, and what
should I do with these?
Wag.
UUhy now sirra thou art at an houres warning
whensoeuer or wheresoeuer the diuell shall fetch thee.
Clo.
No, no, here take your gridirons againe.
Wag.
Truly Ile none of them.
Clo.
Truly but you shall.
Wag.
Beare witnesse I gaue them him.
Clo.
Beare witnesse I giue them you againe.
Wag.
UUell, I will cause two diuels presently to fetch
thee away Baliol and Belcher.
Clo.
Let your Balio and your Belcher come here, and Ile
knocke them, they were neuer so knockt since they were diuels,
say I should kill one of them what would folkes say? do
ye see yonder tall fellow in the round slop, hee has kild the diuell,
so I should be cald kill diuell all the parish ouer.
Enter two diuells, and the clowne runnes vp and downe crying.
Wag
Balioll and Belcher, spirits away.
Exeunt.
Clow.
what, are they gone? a vengeance on them, they
haue vilde long nailes, there was a hee diuell and a shee diuell,
Ile tell you how you shall know them, all hee diuels has
hornes, and all shee diuels has clifts and clouen feete.
Wag.
Well sirra follow me.
Clo.
But do you hear? if I should serue you, would you
teach me to raise vp Banios and Belcheos?
Wag.
I will teach thee to turne thy selfe to anything, to
a dogge, or a catte, or a mouse, or a ratte, or any thing.
Clo.
How? a Christian fellow to a dogge or a catte, a
mouse or a ratte? no, no sir, if you turne me into any thing,
let it be in the likenesse of a little pretie frisking flea, that I
may be here and there and euery where, O Ile tickle the pretie
wenches plackets Ile be amongst them ifaith.
Wel sirra, come.
Clo.
But doe you heare Wagner?
Wag.
How Balioll and Belcher.
Clo.
O Lord I pray sir, let Banio and Belcher go sleepe.
Wag.
Uilaine, call me Maister Wagner, and let thy left
eye be diametarily fixt vpon my right heele, with quasi vestigias
nostras insistere.
exit
Clo:
God forgiue me, he speakes Dutch fustian: well,
Ile folow him, Ile serue him, thats flat.
exit
Enter Faustus in his Study.
Fau.
Now Faustus must thou needes be damnd,
And canst thou not be saued?
what bootes it then to thinke of God or heauen?
Away with such vaine fancies and despaire,
Despaire in God, and trust in Belsabub:
Now go not backeward: no Faustus, be resolute,
why wauerest thou? O something soundeth in mine eares:
Abiure this Magicke, turne to God againe,
I and Faustus wil turne to God againe.
To God? he loues thee not,
The god thou seruest is thine owne appetite,
wherein is fixt the loue of Belsabub,
To him Ile build an altare and a church,
And offer luke warme blood of new borne babes.
Enter good Angell, and Euill.
Good Angel
Sweet Faustus, leaue that execrable art.
Fau.
Contrition, prayer, repentance: what of them?
Good Angel
O they are meanes to bring thee vnto heauen.
Euill Angel
Rather illusious fruites of lunacy,
That makes men foolish that do trust them most.
Good Angel
Sweet Faustus thinke of heauen, and heauenly
things.
Euill Angel
No Faustus, thinke of honor and wealth.
Fau.
Of wealth,
exeunt.
Why the signory of Emden shalbe mine,
when Mephastophilus shal stand by me,
Cast no more doubts, come Mephastophilus,
And bring glad tidings from great Lucifer:
Ist not midnight? come Mephastophilus,
Veni veni Mephastophile
enter Meph:
Now tel, what sayes Lucifer thy Lord?
Me:
That I shal waite on Faustus whilst I liue,
So he wil buy my seruice with his soule.
Fau:
Already Faustus hath hazarded that for thee.
Me:
But Faustus, thou must bequeathe it solemnely,
And write a deede of gift with thine owne blood,
For that security craues great Lucifer:
If thou deny it, I wil backe to hel.
Fau:
Stay Mephastophilus, and tel me, what good wil
my soule do thy Lord?
Me:
Inlarge his kingdome.
Fau:
Is that the reason he tempts vs thus?
Me:
Solamen miseris socios habuisse doloris.
Fau:
Haue you any paine that tortures others?
Me:
As great as haue the humane soules of men:
But tel me Faustus, shal I haue thy soule,
And I wil be thy slaue, and waite on thee,
And giue thee more than thou hast wit to aske.
Fau:
I Mephastophilus, I giue it thee.
Me:
Then stabbe thine arme couragiously,
And binde thy soule, that at some certaine day
Great Lucifer may claime it as his owne,
And then be thou as great as Lucifer.
Fau:
Loe Mephastophilus, for loue of thee,
I cut mine arme, and with my proper blood
Assure my soule to be great Lucifers,
Chiefe Lord and regent of perpetual night,
Uiew heere the blood that trickles from mine arme,
And let it be propitious for my wish.
Meph:
But Faustus, thou must write it in manner of a
deede of gift.
Fau.
I so I will, but Mephastophilis my bloud conieales
Me.
Ile fetch thee fier to dissolue it straight.
Exit.
Fau.
What might the staying of my bloud portend?
Is it vnwilling I should write this bill?
Why streames it not, that I may write afresh?
Faustus giues to thee his soule: ah there it stayde,
Why shouldst thou not? is not thy soule thine owne?
Then write againe, Faustus giues to thee his soule.
Enter Mephastophilis with a chafer of coles.
Me.
Heres fier, come Faustus, set it on.
Fau.
So now the bloud begins to cleare againe,
Now will I make an ende immediately.
Me.
O what will not I do to obtaine his soule?
Fau.
Consummatum est, this Bill is ended,
And Faustus hath bequeath'd his soule to Lucifer.
But what is this inscription on mine arme?
Homo fuge, whither should I flie?
If vnto God hee'le throwe thee downe to hell,
My sences are deceiu'd, here's nothing writ,
I see it plaine, here in this place is writ,
Homo fuge, yet shall not Faustus flye.
Me.
Ile fetch him somewhat to delight his minde.
exit.
Enter with diuels, giuing crownes and rich apparell to Faustus, and daunce, and then depart.
Fau.
Speake Mephastophilis, what meanes this shewe?
Me.
Nothing Faustus, but to delight thy minde withall,
And to shewe thee what Magicke can performe.
Fau.
But may I raise vp spirits when I please?
Me.
I Faustus, and do greater things then these.
Fau.
Then theres inough for a thousand soules,
Here Mephastophilis receiue this scrowle,
A deede of gift of body and of soule:
But yet conditionally, that thou performe
All articles prescrib'd betweene vs both.
Faustus, I sweare by hel and Lucifer
To effect all promises betweene vs made.
Fau.
Then heare me reade them: on these conditions following.
First, that Faustus may be a spirit in forme and substance.
Secondly, that Mephastophilis shall be his seruant, and at
his commaund.
Thirdly, that Mephastophilis shall do for him, and bring
him whatsoeuer.
Fourthly, that hee shall be in his chamber or house inuisible.
Lastly, that hee shall appeare to the said Iohn Faustus at all
times, in what forme or shape soeuer he please.
I Iohn Faustus of Wertenberge, Doctor, by these presents, do
giue both body and soule to Lucifer prince of the East, and his
minister Mephastophilis, and furthermore graunt vnto them,
that 24. yeares being expired, the articles aboue written inuiolate,
full power to fetch or carry the said Iohn Faustus body
and soule, flesh, bloud, or goods, into their habitation wheresoeuer.
By me Iohn Faustus.
Me.
Speake Faustus, do you deliuer this as your deede?
Fau.
I, take it, and the diuell giue thee good ont.
Me.
Now Faustus aske what thou wilt.
Fau.
First will I question with thee about hell,
Tel me, where is the place that men call hell?
Me.
Under the heauens.
Fau.
I, but where about?
Me.
Within the bowels of these elements,
Where we are tortur'd and remaine for euer,
Hell hath no limits, nor is circumscrib'd
In one selfe place, for where we are is hell,
And where hell is, must we euer be:
And to conclude, when all the world dissolues,
And euery creature shalbe purified,
All places shall be hell that is not heauen.
Come, I thinke hell's a fable.
Me.
I, thinke so still, till experience change thy minde.
Fau.
Why? thinkst thou then that Faustus shall bee
damn'd?
Me.
I of necessitie, for here's the scrowle,
Wherein thou hast giuen thy soule to Lucifer.
Fau.
I, and body too, but what of that?
Thinkst thou that Faustus is so fond,
To imagine, that after this life there is any paine?
Tush these are trifles and meere olde wiues tales.
Me.
But Faustus I am an instance to proue the contrary
For I am damnd, and am now in hell.
Fau.
How? now in hell? nay and this be hell, Ile willingly
be damnd here: what walking, disputing, &c. But
leauing off this, let me haue a wife, the fairest maid in Germany,
for I am wanton and lasciuious, and can not liue
without a wife.
Me.
How, a wife? I prithee Faustus talke not of a wife.
Fau.
Nay sweete Mephastophilis fetch me one, for I will
haue one.
Me.
UUell thou wilt haue one, sit there till I come, Ile
fetch thee a wife in the diuels name.
Enter with a diuell drest like a woman, with fier workes.
Me:
Tel Faustus, how dost thou like thy wife?
Fau:
A plague on her for a hote whore.
Me:
Tut Faustus, marriage is but a ceremoniall toy, if
thou louest me, thinke more of it.
And bring them eu'ry morning to thy bed,
She whome thine eie shall like, thy heart shal haue,
Be she as chaste as was Penelope,
As wise as Saba, or as beautiful
As was bright Lucifer before his fall.
Hold, take this booke, peruse it thorowly,
The iterating of these lines brings golde,
Brings whirlewindes, tempests, thunder and lightning.
Pronounce this thrice deuoutly to thy selfe,
And men in armour shal appeare to thee,
Ready to execute what thou desirst.
Fau:
Thankes Mephastophilus, yet faine would I haue
a booke wherein I might beholde al spels and incantations,
that I might raise vp spirits when I please.
Me:
Here they are in this booke.
There turne to them
Fau:
Now would I haue a booke where I might see al
characters and planets of the heauens, that I might knowe
their motions and dispositions.
Me:
Heere they are too.
Turne to them
Fau:
Nay let me haue one booke more, and then I haue
done, wherein I might see al plants, hearbes and trees that
grow vpon the earth.
Me,
Here they be.
Fau:
O thou art deceiued.
Me:
Tut I warrant thee.
Turne to them
Fau:
When I behold the heauens, then I repent,
And curse thee wicked Mephastophilus,
Because thou hast depriu'd me of those ioyes.
Me:
why Faustus,
Thinkst thou heauen is such a glorious thing?
I tel thee tis not halfe so faire as thou,
Or any man that breathes on earth.
Fau:
How proouest thou that?
Me:
It was made for man, therefore is man more excellent.
Fau:
If it were made for man, twas made for me:
I wil renounce this magicke, and repent.
Enter good Angel, and euill Angel.
Good An:
Faustus, repent yet, God wil pitty thee.
euill An:
Thou art a spirite, God cannot pitty thee.
Fau:
who buzzeth in mine eares I am a spirite?
Be I a diuel, yet God may pitty me,
I God wil pitty me, if I repent.
I but Faustus neuer shal repent.
exeunt
Fau:
My hearts so hardned I cannot repent,
Scarse can I name saluation, faith, or heauen,
But feareful ecchoes thu nders in mine eares,
Faustus, thou art damn'd, then swordes and kniues,
Poyson, gunnes, halters, and invenomd steele
Are layde before me to dispatch my selfe,
And long ere this I should haue slaine my selfe,
Had not sweete pleasure conquerd deepe dispaire.
Haue not I made blinde Homer sing to me,
Of Alexanders loue, and Enons death,
And hath not he that built the walles of Thebes,
With rauishing sound of his melodious harp
Made musicke with my Mephastophilis,
Why should I dye then, or basely dispaire?
I am resolu'd Faustus shal nere repent,
Come Mephastophilis, let vs dispute againe,
And argue of diuine Astrologie,
Tel me, are there many heauens aboue the Moone?
Are all celestiall bodies but one globe,
As is the substance of this centricke earth?
Me:
As are the elements, such are the spheares,
Mutually folded in each others orbe,
And Faustus all iointly moue vpon one axletree,
Whose terminine is tearmd the worlds wide pole,
Nor are the names of Saturne, Mars, or Iupiter
Faind, but are erring starres.
Fau.
But tell me, haue they all one motion? both situ &
tempore.
Me.
All ioyntly moue from East to West in 24. houres
vpon the poles of the world, but differ in their motion vpon
the poles of the Zodiake.
Fau.
Tush, these slender trifles Wagner can decide,
Hath Mephastophilus no greater skill?
UUho knowes not the double motion of the plannets?
The first is finisht in a naturall day,
The second thus, as Saturne in 30. yeares, Iupiter in 12.
Moone in 28. dayes. Tush these are fresh mens suppositions,
but tell me, hath euery spheare a dominion or Intelligentij?
Me.
I.
Fau.
How many heauens or spheares are there?
Me.
Nine, the seuen planets, the firmament, and the imperiall
heauen.
Fau.
UUell, resolue me in this question, why haue wee
not coniunctions, oppositions, aspects, eclipsis, all at one
time, but in some yeares we haue more, in some lesse?
Me.
Per inæqualem motum respectu totius.
Fau.
Well, I am answered, tell me who made the world?
Me.
I will not.
Fau.
Sweete Mephastophilus tell me.
Me.
Moue me not, for I will not tell thee.
Fau.
Uillaine, haue I not bound thee to tel me any thing?
Me.
I, that is not against our kingdome, but this is,
Thinke thou on hell Faustus, for thou art damnd.
Fau.
Thinke Faustus vpon God that made the world.
Me.
Remember this.
Exit.
Fau.
I, goe accursed spirit to vgly hell,
Tis thou hast damn d distressed Faustus soule:
Ist not too late?
Enter good Angell and euill.
euill A.
Too late.
good A.
Neuer too late, if Faustus can repent.
euill A.
If thou repent diuels shall teare thee in peeces.
good A.
Repent, & they shal neuer race thy skin.
Exeunt.
Fau.
Ah Christ my Sauiour, seeke to saue distressed Faustus
soule.
Enter Lucifer, Belsabub, and Mephastophilus.
Lu.
Christ cannot saue thy soule, for he is iust,
Theres none but I haue intrest in the same.
Fau:
O who art thou that lookst so terrible?
Lu:
I am Lucifer, and this is my companion Prince in
hel.
Fau:
O Faustus, they are come to fetch away thy soule.
we come to tell thee thou dost iniure vs,
Thou talkst of Christ, contrary to thy promise
Thou shouldst not thinke of God, thinke of the deuil,
And of his dame too.
Fau:
Nor will I henceforth: pardon me in this,
And Faustus vowes neuer to looke to heauen,
Neuer to name God, or to pray to him,
To burne his Scriptures, slay his Ministers,
And make my spirites pull his churches downe.
Lu:
Do so, and we will highly gratifie thee:
Faustus, we are come from hel to shew thee some pastime:
sit downe, and thou shalt see al the seauen deadly sinnes appeare
in their proper shapes.
Eau:
That sight will be as pleasing vnto me, as paradise
was to Adam, the first day of his creation.
Lu:
Talke not of paradise, nor creation, but marke this
shew, talke of the diuel, and nothing else: come away.
Now Faustus, examine them of their seueral names and
dispositions.
Fau:
What art thou? the first.
Pride
I am Pride, I disdaine to haue any parents, I am
like to Ouids flea, I can creepe into euery corner of a wench,
sometimes like a periwig, I sit vpon her brow, or like a fan
of feathers, I kisse her lippes, indeede I doe, what doe I not?
but fie, what a scent is here? Ile not speake an other worde,
except the ground were perfumde and couered with cloth of
arras.
Fau:
What art thou? the second.
Coue:
I am Couetousnes, begotten of an olde churle, in
an olde leatherne bag: and might I haue my wish, I would
desire, that this house, and all the people in it were turnd to
golde, that I might locke you vppe in my good chest, O my
sweete golde
Fau:
What art thou? the third.
Wrath
I am Wrath, I had neither father nor mother, I
leapt out of a lions mouth, when I was scarce half an houre
with this case of rapiers wounding my selfe, when I had no
body to fight withal: I was borne in hel, and looke to it, for
some of you shalbe my father.
Fau:
what art thou? the fourth.
Enuy.
I am Enuy, begotten of a Chimney-sweeper, and
an Oyster wife, I cannot reade, and therefore wish al bookes
were burnt: I am leane with seeing others eate, O that
there would come a famine through all the worlde, that all
might die, and I liue alone, then thou shouldst see how fatt I
would be: but must thou sit and I stand? come downe with
a vengeance.
Fau:
Away enuious rascall: what art thou? the fift.
Glut:
who I sir, I am Gluttony, my parents are al dead,
and the diuel a peny they haue left me, but a bare pention,
and that is 30. meales a day, and tenne beauers, a small
trifle to suffice nature, O I come of a royall parentage, my
grandfather was a gammon of bacon, my grandmother a
hogs head of Claret-wine: My godfathers were these, Peter
Pickle-herring, and Martin Martlemas-biefe, O but
my godmother she was a iolly gentlewoman, and welbeloued
in euery good towne and Citie, her name was mistresse
Margery March-beere: now Faustus, thou hast heard all my
Progeny, wilt thou bid me to supper?
Fau.
No, Ile see thee hanged, thou wilt eate vp all my
victualls.
Glut.
Then the diuell choake thee.
Fau.
Choake thy selfe glutton: what art thou? the sixt.
Sloath.
I am sloath, I was begotten on a sunny banke,
where I haue laine euer since, and you haue done me great
iniury to bring me from thence, let me be carried thither againe
by Gluttony and Leachery, Ile not speake an other
word for a Kings raunsome.
Fau.
What are you mistresse minkes? the seauenth
and last.
Lechery
Who I sir? I am one that loues an inch of raw
Mutton better then an ell of fride stock-fish, and the first
Away, to hel, to hel.
exeunt the sinnes.
Lu.
Now Faustus, how dost thou like this?
Fau:
O this feedes my soule.
Lu.
Tut Faustus, in hel is al manner of delight.
Fau.
O might I see hel, and returne againe, how happy
were I then?
Lu.
Thou shalt, I wil send for thee at midnight, in mean
time take this booke, peruse it throwly, and thou shalt turne
thy selfe into what shape thou wilt.
Fau.
Great thankes mighty Lucifer, this wil I keepe as
chary as my life.
Lu.
Farewel Faustus, and thinke on the diuel.
Fau.
Farewel great Lucifer, come Mephastophilis.
exeunt omnes.
enter Wagner solus.
Wag.
Learned Faustus,
To know the secrets of Astronomy,
Grauen in the booke of Ioues hie firmameut,
Did mount himselfe to scale Olympus top,
Being seated in a chariot burning bright,
Drawne by the strength of yoky dragons neckes,
He now is gone to prooue Cosmography,
And as I guesse, wil first ariue at Rome,
To see the Pope, and manner of his court,
And take some part of holy Peters feast,
That to this day is highly solemnizd.
exit Wagner
Enter Faustus and Mephastophilus.
Fau.
Hauing now, my good Mephastophilus,
Past with delight the stately towne of Trier,
Inuirond round with ayrie mountaine tops,
With walles of flint, and deepe intrenched lakes,
Not to be wonne by any conquering prince,
From Paris next coasting the Realme of France,
Wee sawe the riuer Maine fall into Rhine,
UUhose bankes are set with groues of fruitful vines.
Then vp to Naples, rich Campania,
The streetes straight forth, and pau'd with finest bricke,
Quarters the towne in foure equiuolence.
There sawe we learned Maroes golden tombe,
The way he cut an English mile in length,
Thorough a rocke of stone in one nights space.
From thence to Venice, Padua, and the rest,
In midst of which a sumptuous Temple stands,
That threats the starres with her aspiring toppe.
Thus hitherto hath Faustus spent his time,
But tell me now, what resting place is this?
Hast thou as erst I did commaund,
Conducted me within the walles of Rome?
Me.
Faustus I haue, and because we wil not be vnprouided,
I haue taken vp his holiuesse priuy chamber for
our vse.
Fau.
I hope his holinesse will bid vs welcome.
Me.
Tut, tis no matter man, weele be bold with his good cheare,
And now my Faustus, that thou maist perceiue
What Rome containeth to delight thee with,
Know that this Citie stands vpon seuen hilles
That vnderprops the groundworke of the same,
Ouer the which foure stately bridges leane,
That makes safe passage to each part of Rome.
Upon the bridge call'd Ponto Angelo,
Erected is a Castle passing strong,
Within whose walles such store of ordonance are,
And double Canons, fram'd of carued brasse,
As match the dayes within one compleate yeare,
Besides the gates and high piramides,
Which Iulius Cæsar brought from Affrica.
Fau.
Now by the kingdomes of infernall rule,
Of Styx, Acheron, and the fiery lake
Of euer-burning Phlegiton I sweare,
That I do long to see the monuments
And scituation of bright splendant Rome,
Come therefore lets away.
Nay Faustus stay, I know youd faine see the Pope,
And take some part of holy Peters feast,
Where thou shalt see a troupe of bald-pate Friers,
Whose summum bonum is in belly-cheare.
Fau.
Well, I am content, to compasse then some sport,
And by their folly make vs merriment,
Then charme me that I may be inuisible, to do what I
please vnseene of any whilst I stay in Rome.
Me.
So Faustus, now do what thou wilt, thou shalt not
be discerned.
Sound a Sonnet, enter the Pope and the Cardinall of Lorraine to the banket, with Friers attending.
Pope
My Lord of Lorraine, wilt please you draw neare.
Fau.
Fall too, and the diuel choake you and you spare.
Pope
How now, whose that which spake? Friers looke
about.
Fri.
Heere's no body, if it like your Holynesse.
Pope.
My Lord, here is a daintie dish was sent me from
the Bishop of Millaine.
Fau.
I thanke you sir.
Snatch it.
Pope.
How now, whose that which snatcht the meate
from me? will no man looke?
My Lord, this dish was sent me from the Cardinall of Florence.
Fau.
You say true, Ile hate.
Pope.
What againe? my Lord Ile drinke to your grace
Fau.
Ile pledge your grace.
Lor.
My Lord, it may be some ghost newly crept out of
Purgatory come to begge a pardon of your holinesse.
Pope
It may be so, Friers prepare a dirge to lay the fury
of this ghost, once againe my Lord fall too.
The Pope crosseth himselfe.
Fau.
What, are you crossing of your selfe?
UUell vse that tricke no more, I would aduise you.
Crosse againe.
Fau.
UUell, theres the second time, aware the third,
I giue you faire warning.
Fau:
Come on Mephastophilis, what shall we do?
Me.
Nay I know not, we shalbe curst with bell, booke,
and candle.
Fau.
How? bell, booke, and candle, candle, booke, and bell,
Forward and backward, to curse Faustus to hell.
Anon you shal heare a hogge grunt, a calfe bleate, and an
asse braye, because it is S. Peters holy day.
Enter all the Friers to sing the Dirge.
Frier.
Come brethren, lets about our businesse with good
deuotion.
maledicat dominus.
Cursed be hee that strooke his holinesse a blowe on the face.
maledicat dominus.
Cursed be he that tooke Frier Sandelo a blow on the pate.
male, &c.
Cursed be he that disturbeth our holy Dirge.
male, &c.
Cursed be he that tooke away his holinesse wine.
maledicat dominus.
Beate the Friers, and fling fier-workes among them, and so Exeunt.
Enter Chorus.
UUhen Faustus had with pleasure tane the view
Of rarest things, and royal courts of kings,
Hee stayde his course, and so returned home,
Where such as beare his absence, but with griefe,
I meane his friends and nearest companions,
Did gratulate his safetie with kinde words,
And in their conference of what befell,
Touching his iourney through the world and ayre,
They put forth questions of Astrologie,
As they admirde and wondred at his wit.
Now is his fame spread forth in euery land,
Amongst the rest the Emperour is one,
Carolus the fift, at whose pallace now
Faustus is feasted mongst his noblemen.
UUhat there he did in triall of his art,
I leaue vntold, your eyes shall see performd.
Exit.
Enter Robin the Ostler with a booke in his hand
Robin
O this is admirable! here I ha stolne one of doctor
Faustus coniuring books, and ifaith I meane to search some
circles for my owne vse: now wil I make al the maidens in
our parish dance at my pleasure starke naked before me, and
so by that meanes I shal see more then ere I felt, or saw yet.
Enter Rafe calling Robin.
Rafe
Robin, prethee come away, theres a Gentleman
tarries to haue his horse, and he would haue his things rubd
and made cleane: he keepes such a chafing with my mistris
about it, and she has sent me to looke thee out, prethee come
away.
Robin
Keepe out, keep out, or else you are blowne vp, you
are dismembred Rafe, keepe out, for I am about a roaring
peece of worke.
Rafe
Come, what doest thou with that same booke thou
canst not reade?
Robin
Yes, my maister and mistris shal finde that I can
reade, he for his forehead, she for her priuate study, shee's
borne to beare with me, or else my Art failes.
Rafe
Why Robin what booke is that?
Robin
What booke? why the most intollerable booke for
coniuring that ere was inuented by any brimstone diuel.
Rafe
Canst thou coniure with it?
Robin
I can do al these things easily with it: first, I can
make thee druncke with ipocrase at any taberne in Europe
for nothing, thats one of my coniuring workes.
Rafe
Our maister Parson sayes thats nothing.
Robin
True Rafe, and more Rafe, if thou hast any mind
to thy owne vse, as often as thou wilt, and at midnight.
Rafe
O braue Robin, shal I haue Nan Spit, and to mine
owne vse? On that condition Ile feede thy diuel with horse-bread
as long as he liues, of free cost.
Robin
No more sweete Rafe, letts goe and make cleane
our bootes which lie foule vpon our handes, and then to our
coniuring in the diuels name.
exeunt.
Enter Robin and Rafe with a siluer Goblet.
Robin
Come Rafe, did not I tell thee, we were for euer
made by this doctor Faustus booke? ecce signum, heeres a simple
purchase for horse-keepers, our horses shal eate no hay as
long as this lasts.
enter the Vintner.
Rafe
But Robin, here comes the vintner.
Robin
Hush, Ile gul him supernaturally: Drawer, I
hope al is payd, God be with you, come Rafe.
Vintn.
Soft sir, a word with you, I must yet haue a goblet
payde from you ere you goe.
Robin
I a goblet Rafe, I a goblet? I scorne you: and you
are but a &c. I a goblet? search me.
Vintn.
I meane so sir with your fauor.
Robin
How say you now?
Vintner
I must say somewhat to your felow, you sir.
Rafe
Me sir, me sir, search your fill: now sir, you may be
ashamed to burden honest men with a matter of truth.
Vintner
Wel, tone of you hath this goblet about you.
Ro.
You lie Drawer, tis afore me: sirra you, Ile teach ye
to impeachhonest men:stand by, Ile scowre you for a goblet,
stand aside you had best, I charge you in the name of Belzabub:
looke to the goblet Rafe.
Vintner
what meane you sirra?
Robin
Ile tel you what I meane.
Sanctobulorum Periphrasticon: nay Ile tickle you Uintner,
looke to the goblet Rafe, Polypragmos Belseborams framanto pacostiphos
tostu Mephastophilis, &c.
Enter Mephostophilis: sets squibs at their backes: they runne about.
O nomine Domine, what meanst thou Robin? thou
hast no goblet.
Rafe
Peccatum peccatorum, heeres thy goblet, good Uintner.
Robin
Misericordia pro nobis, what shal I doe? good diuel
forgiue me now, and Ile neuer rob thy Library more.
Enter to them Meph.
Meph.
Uanish vilaines, th'one like an Ape, an other like
a Beare, the third an Asse, for doing this enterprise.
Great Potentates do kneele with awful feare,
Upon whose altars thousand soules do lie,
How am I vexed with these vilaines charmes?
From Constantinople am I hither come,
Onely for pleasure of these damned slaues.
Robin
How, from Constantinople? you haue had a great
iourney, wil you take sixe pence in your purse to pay for your
supper, and be gone?
Me.
wel villaines, for your presumption, I transforme
thee into an Ape, and thee into a Dog, and so be gone.
exit.
Rob.
How, into an Ape? thats braue, Ile haue fine sport
with the boyes, Ile get nuts and apples enow.
Rafe
And I must be a Dogge.
exeunt.
Robin
Ifaith thy head wil neuer be out of the potage pot.
Enter Emperour, Faustus, and a Knight, with Attendants.
Em.
Maister doctor Faustus, I haue heard strange report
of thy knowledge in the blacke Arte, how that none in
my Empire, nor in the whole world can compare with thee,
for the rare effects of Magicke: they say thou hast a familiar
spirit, by whome thou canst accomplish what thou list, this
therefore is my request, that thou let me see some proofe of thy
skil, that mine eies may be witnesses to confirme what mine
eares haue heard reported, and here I sweare to thee, by the
honor of mine Imperial crowne, that what euer thou doest,
thou shalt be no wayes preiudiced or indamaged.
Knight
Ifaith he lookes much like a coniurer.
aside.
My gratious Soueraigne, though I must confesse
my selfe farre inferior to the report men haue published, and
nothing answerable to the honor of your Imperial maiesty,
yet for that loue and duety bindes me therevnto, I am content
to do whatsoeuer your maiesty shall command me.
Em.
Then doctor Faustus, marke what I shall say, As
I was sometime solitary set, within my Closet, sundry
thoughts arose, about the honour of mine auncestors, howe
they had wonne by prowesse such exploits, gote such riches,
subdued so many kingdomes, as we that do succeede, or they
that shal hereafter possesse our throne, shal (I feare me) neuer
attaine to that degree of high renowne and great authoritie,
amongest which kings is Alexander the great, chiefe
spectacle of the worldes preheminence,
Lightens the world with his reflecting beames,
As when I heare but motion made of him,
It grieues my soule I neuer saw the man:
If therefore thou, by cunning of thine Art,
Canst raise this man from hollow vaults below,
where lies intombde this famous Conquerour,
And bring with him his beauteous Paramour,
Both in their right shapes, gesture, and attire
They vsde to weare during their time of life,
Thou shalt both satisfie my iust desire,
And giue me cause to praise thee whilst I liue.
Fau:
My gratious Lord, I am ready to accomplish your
request, so farre forth as by art and power of my spirit I am
able to performe.
Knight
Ifaith thats iust nothing at all.
aside.
Fau.
But if it like your Grace, it is not in my abilitie to
present before your eyes, the true substantiall bodies of those
two deceased princes which long since are consumed to dust.
Knight
I mary master doctor, now theres a signe of grace
in you, when you will confesse the trueth.
aside.
Fau:
But such spirites as can liuely resemble Alexander
and his Paramour, shal appeare before your Grace, in that
which I doubt not shal sufficiently content your Imperiall
maiesty.
Em
Go to maister Doctor, let me see them presently.
Kn.
Do you heare maister Doctor? you bring Alexander
and his paramour before the emperor?
Fau.
How then sir?
Kn.
Ifaith thats as true as Diana turnd me to a stag.
Fau:
No sir but when Acteon died, he left the hornes for
you: Mephastophilis be gone.
exit Meph.
Kn.
Nay, and you go to coniuring, Ile be gone.
exit Kn:
Fau.
Ile meete with you anone for interrupting me so:
heere they are my gratious Lord.
Enter Meph: with Alexander and his paramour.
emp.
Maister Doctor, I heard this Lady while she liu'd
had a wart or moale in her necke, how shal I know whether
it be so or no?
Fau:
Your highnes may boldly go and see.
exit Alex:
emp:
Sure these are no spirites, but the true substantiall
bodies of those two deceased princes.
Fau:
wilt please your highnes now to send for the knight
that was so pleasant with me here of late?
emp:
One of you call him foorth.
Enter the Knight with a paire of hornes on his head.
emp.
How now sir Knight? why I had thought thou
hadst beene a batcheler, but now I see thou hast a wife, that
not only giues thee hornes, but makes thee weare them, feele
on thy head.
Kn:
Thou damned wretch, and execrable dogge,
Bred in the concaue of some monstrous rocke:
How darst thou thus abuse a Gentleman?
Uilaine I say, vndo what thou hast done.
O not so fast sir, theres no haste but good, are you
remembred how you crossed me in my conference with the
emperour? I thinke I haue met with you for it.
emp:
Good Maister Doctor, at my intreaty release him,
he hath done penance sufficient.
Fau:
My Gratious Lord, not so much for the iniury hee
offred me heere in your presence, as to delight you with some
mirth, hath Faustus worthily requited this iniurious knight,
which being all I desire, I am content to release him of his
hornes: and sir knight, hereafter speake well of Scholers:
Mephastophilis, transforme him strait. Now my good Lord
hauing done my duety, I humbly take my leaue.
emp:
Farewel maister Doctor, yet ere you goe, expect
from me a bounteous reward.
exit Emperour.
Fau:
Now Mephastophilis, the restlesse course that time
doth runne with calme and silent foote,
Calls for the payment of my latest yeares,
Therefore sweet Mephastophilis, let vs make haste to Wertenberge.
Me:
what, wil you goe on horse backe, or on foote?
Fau:
Nay, till I am past this faire and pleasant greene, ile
walke on foote.
enter a Horse-courser
Hors:
I haue beene al this day seeking one maister Fustian:
masse see where he is, God saue you maister doctor.
Fau:
What horse-courser, you are wel met.
Hors:
Do you heare sir? I haue brought you forty dollers
for your horse.
Fau:
I cannot sel him so: if thou likst him for fifty, take
him.
Hors:
Alas sir, I haue no more, I pray you speake for
me.
Me:
I pray you let him haue him, he is an honest felow,
and he has a great charge, neither wife nor childe.
Fau:
Wel, come giue me your money, my boy wil deliuer
him to you: but I must tel you one thing before you haue
Hors:
why sir, wil he not drinke of all waters?
Fau:
O yes, he wil drinke of al waters, but ride him not
into the water, ride him ouer hedge or ditch, or where thou
wilt, but not into the water.
Hors:
Wel sir, Now am I made man for euer, Ile not
leaue my horse for fortie: if he had but the qualitie of hey
ding, ding, hey, ding, ding, Ide make a braue liuing on him;
hee has a buttocke as slicke as an Ele: wel god buy sir, your
boy wil deliuer him me: but hark ye sir, if my horse be sick, or
ill at ease, if I bring his water to you youle tel me what it is?
Exit Horsecourser.
Fau.
Away you villaine: what, doost thinke I am a horse-doctor?
what art thou Faustus but a man condemnd to die?
Dispaire doth driue distrust vnto my thoughts,
Confound these passions with a quiet sleepe:
Tush, Christ did call the thiefe vpon the Crosse,
Then rest thee Faustus quiet in conceit.
Sleepe in his chaire.
Enter Horsecourser all wet, crying.
Hors.
Alas, alas, Doctor Fustian quoth a, mas Doctor
Lopus was neuer such a Doctor, has giuen me a purgation,
has purg'd me of fortie Dollers, I shall neuer see them more:
but yet like an asse as I was, I would not be ruled by him,
for he bade me I should ride him into no water; now, I thinking
my horse had had some rare qualitie that he would not
haue had me knowne of, I like a ventrous youth, rid him into
the deepe pond at the townes ende, I was no sooner in the
middle of the pond, but my horse vanisht away, and I sat vpon
a bottle of hey, neuer so neare drowning in my life: but
Ile seeke out my Doctor, and haue my fortie dollers againe,
or Ile make it the dearest horse: O yonder is his snipper
snapper, do you heare? you, hey, passe, where's your
maister?
why sir, what would you? you cannot speake
with him.
Hors.
But I wil speake with him.
Me.
Why hee's fast asleepe, come some other time.
Hors.
Ile speake with him now, or Ile breake his glasse-windowes
about his eares.
Me.
I tell thee he has not slept this eight nights.
Hors.
And he haue not slept this eight weekes Ile speake
with him.
Me.
See where he is fast asleepe.
Hors.
I, this is he, God saue ye maister doctor, maister
doctor, maister doctor Fustian, fortie dollers, fortie dollers
for a bottle of hey.
Me.
Why, thou seest he heares thee not.
Hors.
So, ho, ho: so, ho, ho.
Hallow in his eare.
No, will you not wake? Ile make you wake ere I goe.
Pull him by the legge, and pull it away.
Alas, I am vndone, what shall I do:
Fau.
O my legge, my legge, helpe Mephastophilis, call the
Officers, my legge, my legge.
Me.
Come villaine to the Constable.
Hors.
O Lord sir, let me goe, and Ile giue you fortie dollers
more.
Me.
Where be they?
Hors.
I haue none about me, come to my Oastrie and Ile
giue them you.
Me.
Be gone quickly.
Horsecourser runnes away.
Fau.
What is he gone? farwel he, Faustus has his legge
againe, and the Horsecourser I take it, a bottle of hey for his
labour; wel, this tricke shal cost him fortie dollers more.
How now Wagner, what's the newes with thee?
Sir, the Duke of Vanholt doth earnestly entreate
your company.
Fau.
The Duke of Vanholt! an honourable gentleman,
to whom I must be no niggard of my cunning, come Mephastophilis,
let's away to him.
exeunt.
Enter to them the Duke, and the Dutches, the Duke speakes.
Du:
Beleeue me maister Doctor, this merriment hath
much pleased me.
Fau:
My gratious Lord, I am glad it contents you so
wel: but it may be Madame, you take no delight in this, I
haue heard that great bellied women do long for some dainties
or other, what is it Madame? tell me, and you shal haue
it.
Dutch.
Thankes, good maister doctor,
And for I see your curteous intent to pleasure me, I wil not
hide from you the thing my heart desires, and were it nowe
summer, as it is Ianuary, and the dead time of the winter, I
would desire no better meate then a dish of ripe grapes.
Fau:
Alas Madame, thats nothing, Mephastophilis, be
gone:
exit Meph.
were it a greater thing then this, so
it would content you, you should haue it
enter Mephasto: with the grapes.
here they be madam, wilt please you taste
on them.
Du:
Beleeue me master Doctor, this makes me wonder
aboue the rest, that being in the dead time of winter, and in
the month of Ianuary, how you shuld come by these grapes.
Fau:
If it like your grace, the yeere is diuided into twoo
circles ouer the whole worlde, that when it is heere winter
with vs, 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 haue, I had them brought hither, as ye
see, how do you like them Madame, be they good?
Dut:
Beleeue me Maister doctor, they be the best grapes
Fau:
I am glad they content you so Madam.
Du:
Come Madame, let vs in, where you must wel reward
this learned man for the great kindnes he hath shewd
to you.
Dut:
And so I wil my Lord, and whilst I liue,
Rest beholding for this curtesie.
Fau:
I humbly thanke your Grace.
Du:
Come, maister Doctor follow vs, and receiue your
reward.
exeunt.
enter Wagner solus.
Wag.
I thinke my maister meanes to die shortly,
For he hath giuen to me al his goodes,
And yet me thinkes, if that death were neere,
He would not banquet, and carowse, and swill
Amongst the Students, as euen now he doth,
who are at supper with such belly-cheere,
As Wagner nere beheld in all his life.
See where they come: belike the feast is ended.
Enter Faustus with two or three Schollers
1. Sch.
Maister Doctor Faustus, since our conference about
faire Ladies, which was the beutifulst in all the world,
we haue determined with our selues, that Helen of Greece
was the admirablest Lady that euer liued: therefore master
Doctor, if you wil do vs that fauor, as to let vs see that peerelesse
Dame of Greece, whome al the world admires for maiesty,
wee should thinke our selues much beholding vnto
you.
Fau.
Gentlemen, for that I know your friendship is vnfained,
and Faustus custome is not to deuie the iust requests
of those that wish him well, you shall behold that pearelesse
dame of Greece, no otherwaies for pompe and maiestie, then
when sir Paris crost the seas with her, and brought the spoiles
to rich Dardania. Be silent then, for danger is in words.
2. Sch.
Too simple is my wit to tell her praise,
Whom all the world admires for maiestie.
3. Sch.
No maruel tho the angry Greekes pursude
With tenne yeares warre the rape of such a queene,
Whose heauenly beauty passeth all compare.
1.
Since we haue seene the pride of natures workes,
And onely Paragon of excellence,
Enter an old man.
Let vs depart, and for this glorious deed
Happy and blest be Faustus euermore.
Fau.
Gentlemen farwel, the same I wish to you.
Exeunt Schollers.
Old.
Ah Doctor Faustus, that I might preuaile,
To guide thy steps vnto the way of life,
By which sweete path thou maist attaine the gole
That shall conduct thee to celestial rest.
Breake heart, drop bloud, and mingle it with teares,
Teares falling from repentant heauinesse
Of thy most vilde and loathsome filthinesse,
The stench whereof corrupts the inward soule
With such flagitious crimes of hainous sinnes,
As no commiseration may expel,
But mercie Faustus of thy Sauiour sweete,
Whose bloud alone must wash away thy guilt.
Fau.
Where art thou Faustus? wretch what hast thou done?
Damnd art thou Faustus, damnd, dispaire and die,
Hell calls for right, and with a roaring voyce
Sayes, Faustus come, thine houre is come,
Mepha. giues him a dagger.
And Faustus will come to do thee right.
Old.
Ah stay good Faustus, stay thy desperate steps,
I see an Angell houers ore thy head,
And with a violl full of precious grace,
Offers to powre the same into thy soule,
Then call for mercie and auoyd dispaire.
Fau.
Ah my sweete friend, I feele thy words
Leaue me a while to ponder on my sinnes.
Old.
I goe sweete Faustus, but with heauy cheare,
fearing the ruine of thy hopelesse soule.
Fau.
Accursed Faustus, where is mercie now?
I do repent, and yet I do dispaire:
Hell striues with grace for conquest in my breast,
What shal I do to shun the snares of death?
Me.
Thou traitor Faustus, I arrest thy soule
For disobedience to my soueraigne Lord,
Reuolt, or Ile in peece-meale teare thy flesh.
Fau:
Sweete Mephastophilis, intreate thy Lord
To pardon my vniust presumption,
And with my blood againe I wil confirme
My former vow I made to Lucifer.
Me.
Do it then quickely, with vnfained heart,
Lest greater danger do attend thy drift.
Fau:
Torment sweete friend, that base and crooked age,
That durst disswade me from thy Lucifer,
With greatest torments that our hel affoords.
Me:
His faith is great, I cannot touch his soule,
But what I may afflict his body with,
I wil attempt, which is but little worth.
Fau:
One thing, good seruant, let me craue of thee
To glut the longing of my hearts desire,
That I might haue vnto my paramour,
That heauenly Helen which I saw of late,
Whose sweete imbracings may extinguish cleane
These thoughts that do disswade me from my vow,
And keepe mine oath I made to Lucifer.
Me.
Faustus, this, or what else thou shalt desire,
Shalbe performde in twinckling of an eie.
enter Helen.
Fau:
Was this the face that lancht a thousand shippes?
And burnt the toplesse Towres of Ilium?
Sweete Helen, make me immortall with a kisse:
Her lips suckes forth my soule, see where it flies:
Here wil I dwel, for heauen be in these lips,
And all is drosse that is not Helena:
enter old man
I wil be Pacis, and for loue of thee,
Insteede of Troy shal Wertenberge be sackt,
And I wil combate with weake Menelaus,
And weare thy colours on my plumed Crest:
Yea I wil wound Achillis in the heele,
And then returne to Helen for a kisse.
O thou art fairer then the euening aire,
Clad in the beauty of a thousand starres,
Brighter art thou then flaming Iupiter,
when he appeard to haplesse Semele,
More louely then the monarke of the skie
In wanton Arethusaes azurde armes,
And none but thou shalt be my paramour.
Exeunt.
Old man
Accursed Faustus, miserable man,
That from thy soule excludst the grace of heauen,
And fliest the throne of his tribunall seate,
Enter the Diuelles.
Sathan begins to sift me with his pride,
As in this furnace God shal try my faith,
My faith, vile hel, shal triumph ouer thee,
Ambitious fiends, see how the heauens smiles
At your repulse, and laughs your state to scorne,
Hence hel, for hence I flie vnto my God.
Exeunt.
Enter Faustus with the Schollers.
Fau:
Ah Gentlemen!
1. Sch:
what ailes Faustus?
Fau:
Ah my sweete chamber-fellow! had I liued with
thee, then had I liued stil, but now I die eternally: looke,
comes he not? comes he not?
2. Sch:
what meanes Faustus?
3. Scholler
Belike he is growne into some sickenesse, by
1. Sch:
If it be so, weele haue Physitians to cure him,
tis but a surffet, neuer feare man.
Fau:
A surffet of deadly sinne that hath damnd both body
and soule.
2. Sch.
Yet Faustus looke vp to heauen, remember gods
mercies are infinite.
Fau.
But Faustus offence can nere be pardoned,
The Serpent that tempted Eue may be sau'd,
But not Faustus: Ah Gentlemen, heare me with patience,
and tremble not at my speeches, though my heart pants and
quiuers to remember that I haue beene a student here these
thirty yeeres, O would I had neuer seene Wertenberge, neuer
read booke: and what wonders I haue done, al Germany
can witnes, yea all the world, for which Faustus hath lost
both Germany, and the world, yea heauen it selfe, heauen the
seate of God, the throne of the blessed, the kingdome of ioy,
and must remaine in hel for euer, hel, ah hel for euer, sweete
friends, what shall become of Faustus, being in hel for euer?
2. Sch.
Yet Faustus call on God.
Fau.
On God whome Faustus hath abiurde, on God,
whome Faustus hath blasphemed, ah my God, I woulde
weepe, but the diuel drawes in my teares, gnsh foorth bloud,
insteade of teares, yea life and soule, Oh he stayes my tong,
I would lift vp my hands, but see, they hold them, they hold
them.
All
Who Faustus?
Fau.
Lucifer and Mephastophilis.
Ah Gentlemen! I gaue them my soule for my cunning.
All
God forbid.
Fau.
God forbade it indeede, but Faustus hath done it:
for vaine pleasure of 24. yeares, hath Faustus lost eternall
ioy and felicitie, I writ them a bill with mine owne bloud,
the date is expired, the time wil come, and he wil fetch mee.
1. Schol.
why did not Faustus tel vs of this before, that
Diuines might haue prayed for thee
Oft haue I thought to haue done so, but the diuell
threatned to teare mee in peeces, if I namde God, to fetch
both body and soule, if I once gaue eare to diuinitie: and
now tis too late: Gentlemen away, lest you perish with me.
2. Sch.
O what shal we do to Faustus?
Faustus
Talke not of me, but saue your selues, and depart.
3. Sch.
God wil strengthen me, I wil stay with Faustus.
1. Sch.
Tempt not God, sweete friend, but let vs into the
next roome, and there pray for him.
Fau.
I pray for me, pray for me, and what noyse soeuer
yee heare, come not vnto me, for nothing can rescue me.
2. Sch.
Pray thou, and we wil pray that God may haue
mercy vpon thee.
Fau.
Gentlemen farewel, if I liue til morning, Ile visite
you: if not, Faustus is gone to hel.
All
Faustus, farewel.
Exeunt Sch.
The clocke strikes eleauen.
Fau.
Ah Faustus,
Now hast thou but one bare hower to liue,
And then thou must be damnd perpetually:
Stand stil you euer moouing spheres of heauen,
That time may cease, and midnight neuer come:
Faire Natures eie, rise, rise againe, and make
Perpetuall day, or let this houre be but a yeere,
A moneth, a weeke, a naturall day,
That Faustus may repent and saue his soule,
O lente lente curite noctis equi:
The starres mooue stil, time runs, the clocke wil strike,
The diuel wil come, and Faustus must be damnd.
O Ile leape vp to my God: who pulles me downe?
See see where Christs blood streames in the firmament,
One drop would saue my soule, halfe a drop, ah my Christ,
Ah rend not my heart for naming of my Christ,
Yet wil I call on him, oh spare me Lucifer!
And see where God stretcheth out his arme,
And bends his irefull browes:
Mountaines and hilles, come come, and fall on me,
And hide me from the heauy wrath of God.
No no, then wil I headlong runne into the earth:
Earth gape, O no, it wil not harbour me:
You starres that raignd at my natiuitie,
whose influence hath alotted death and hel,
Now draw vp Faustus like a foggy mist,
Into the intrailes of yon labring cloude,
That when you vomite foorth into the ayre,
My limbes may issue from your smoaky mouthes,
So that my soule may but ascend to heauen:
Ah, halfe the houre is past:
The watch strikes.
Twil all be past anone:
Oh God, if thou wilt not haue mercy on my soule,
Yet for Christs sake, whose bloud hath ransomd me,
Impose some end to my incessant paine,
Let Faustus liue in hel a thousand yeeres,
A hundred thousand, and at last be sau'd.
O no end is limited to damned soules,
Why wert thou not a creature wanting soule?
Or, why is this immortall that thou hast?
Ah Pythagoras metem su cossis were that true,
This soule should flie from me, and I be changde
Unto some brutish beast: al beasts are happy, for when they die,
Their soules are soone dissolud in elements,
But mine must liue still to be plagde in hel:
Curst be the parents that ingendred me:
No Faustus, curse thy selfe, curse Lucifer,
That hath depriude thee of the ioyes of heauen:
The clocke striketh twelue.
O it strikes, it strikes, now body turne to ayre,
Or Lucifer wil beare thee quicke to hel:
Thunder and lightning.
And fal into the Ocean, nere be found:
My God, my God, looke not so fierce on me:
Enter diuels.
Adders, and Serpents, let me breathe a while:
Ugly hell gape not, come not Lucifer,
Ile burne my bookes, ah Mephastophilis.
exeunt with him
Enter Chorus.
Cut is the branch that might haue growne ful straight,
And burned is Apolloes Laurel bough,
That sometime grew within this learned man:
Faustus is gone, regard his hellish fall,
Whose fiendful fortune may exhort the wise,
Onely to wonder at vnlawful things,
whose deepenesse doth intise such forward wits,
To practise more than heauenly power permits.
| The Tragicall History of D. Faustus | |