University of Virginia Library

SCENE I.

Interior of a Prison.
Faustus alone.
Faus.
And is it come to this? and must I die—
Die like a felon midst the rabble's curse?
When the sun sets—the sun has almost set!
Is there no hope? Have heaven and hell renounc'd me?
That I were dead! That I had never been!
Curs'd be the womb that bore me! curs'd be the hour
That gave me being! curs'd be the fiend
Who thus betrays me! doubly curs'd myself
Who could be so betray'd!

Mephistophiles rises through the earth.
Meph.
You curse it bravely!

Faus.
You here! then I am safe! I shall not die!
You come to free me. Quick! Off with these chains!

Meph.
They're off!

[Touching the chains which drop off.
Faus.
Now lead me hence.

Meph.
On one condition—
A trifle merely, but the devil, my friend,
Has his own whims, as well as man.

Faus.
Quick—name it.

Meph.
In good time, Domine; but what is this?
Dry bread and water!—excellent provision!

Faus.
Dost mock my anguish?

Meph.
Who I—mock my friend?
That were too like a man; I'm but the devil.

Faus.
Name your condition—quick.

Meph.
'Tis but to cut
The throat of some dull sleeper.

Faus.
What! Do murder?

Meph.
Well, fool, and what of murder? Tut! a name!
Your hangman murders, for the law commands it;
Your doctor murders, for his art allows it;
Your soldier murders, for his honour bids it;
And why should you, when your own neck's in question,
Pause for a little blood? Come, you shall do it.

Faus.
No! Never! Never!

Meph.
As you please, my friend;
'Tis but a little racking, screwing, bruising,
And after burning at a gentle fire.

Faus.
Have I no power? was that charm illusion?
Is he no more my slave?

Meph.
Why, thou dull fool,
Dost thou not see I play'd with thee? But, hark!
I hear them coming. Fare thee well.

Faus.
Stay! stay!

Meph.
Wilt do the deed?

Faus.
Oh, wretched, wretched Faustus!

Meph.
Hark! they unbar the bolts! another minute,
And e'en the devil can't save you. Quick! Decide!
The last chain falls! the last bolt is removing!
Wilt do the deed?

Faus.
Shame on thee, Faustus! coward!
I will not do it, fiend!

Meph.
They come!

Faus.
I care not.
I will not be thy fool; the worst is death,
And in me is a power to brave that death
In its worst form; I do defy thee, fiend.

Meph.
'Tis bravely said. I like thee all the better;
I will requite thee for't. Pass—pass, I say!
Music—The Scenechanges to the Ante-Room of the Royal Bed-chamber.
Thou'lt do no murder—that is, vulgar murder—
Not for a purse—not for a few poor ducats.
Thou'rt right, my friend. But in the way of honour,
Or for a woman—or, perhaps, a crown—

Faus.
A crown! what mean'st thou? By that fearful smile
Thou think'st thou art my master.

Meph.
No, thy slave.
Look, Faustus, there he sleeps; the King of Naples.
Put him aside—one thrust will do the bus'ness,
And thou shalt wear his form—be Naples' monarch.
Dost hear? Thou hast thy choice: a regal throne,
Or death upon the scaffold. Canst thou doubt?

Faus.
Speak not so loudly!

Meph.
(Aside.)
Is it so! I see.
(To Faustus.)
You need not fear his waking; I have set
A spell upon his slumber.

Faus.
Not that I
Need care about his slumber.

Meph.
No, indeed.
But wilt thou be a king?—a king, my Faustus?
Within that name lies all that earth can give;
Snatch the crown bravely: thou hast swell'd with wealth,
Hast rioted in pleasures; but to rule
The destinies of men is more than wealth—
Is more than pleasure: why the name alone
Inspires the very devil. Thou must do it.

Faus.
Hush! hark! I hear him stirring.

Meph.
Why, then, put
Three inches of cold steel here in his breast,
And that will cure his stirring; but be quick.

Faus.
Pray'r may do much, and penance more, to wash
The stain of blood away.

Meph.
Aye, to be sure;
Repent at any time (and cheat the devil— aside.)

Come, let us seal our compact.

Faus.
No!
I'll make no bond with thee.

Meph.
Who talk'd of bonds!
I hate all bonds—would have all men be free
From ev'ry curb, whatever you may call it,
Law, moral, or religion.

Faus.
But I meant—

Meph.
You mean as I do, and I love you for it.
Arise! arise!
[Music. A banquet rises.
Here's to the future king.
Will you not pledge me?

Faus.
No, dull tempter, no;
That which I do, I'll do it like myself;
Not from vain terror or more vain temptation.
Does he sleep still?

Meph.
It seems so.

Faus.
Aye, it seems so!
All is but seeming; virtue is but seeming;
There's nothing true but self. I'd be a king!

Meph.
Well, be so, then.

Faus.
Is there no other price?

Meph.
He'll wake anon.

Faus.
Is there no other price?

Meph.
Not if you buy of me.

Faus.
Give me the dagger.

Meph.
You will not do it; no, I see you will not.

Faus.
Give me the dagger.

Meph.
Why, I gave it now;
Has your fear blinded you?

Faus.
I'll snatch the crown,
Tho' it were bound upon his head with iron.

Meph.
But will you do it? Are you sure—quite sure
You've heart to look on blood? at midnight, too?
I almost quake myself.

Faus.
Eternal scoffer!
Thine own hell swallow thee!

[Faustus rushes into the inner room.
Meph.
All in good time—
And this is man! and this his boasted reason!
Rejoice, ye spirits of darkness! he is our's!
Chorus below.
Rejoice! rejoice! rejoice!
[Wild Music. The lights go out; the banquet sinks.
You understand me; in those tones I hear
Your many voices. He is long about it—
A bungler in the trade—half saint, half sinner.

[Faustus re-enters with a bloody dagger.
Faus.
Where art thou, Mephistophiles?

Meph.
(Ascending the staircase.)
I'm here.

[As Mephistophiles speaks, his figure becomes tall and dark, as on his first appearance.
Faus.
What dreadful change is this?

[Knocking at the door.
Meph.
Thy subjects call.

Faus.
I charge thee stay!

[Rushing up the stairs.
Meph.
Back, King of Naples, back!

[Music. As Faustus approaches Mephistophiles, a vivid flash of lightning passes between them; Faustus utters a loud cry of terror, and rushes back; at the same moment the door is burst open, and Montolio and Attendants enter with lights; Faustus appears in regal attire; corresponding music during the whole of the action.
Mon.
We heard your voice, most gracious king, and fear'd—

Faus.
Whom call'd you king?

Mon.
Whom but your majesty?

Faus.
I'm King of Naples?

Mon.
Sire!

Faus.
And nothing chang'd?

Mon.
My liege, I understand you not.

Faus.
'Tis like—
'Tis very like—I doubt—Search yonder room,
And tell me what you see.
[Montolio enters the inner room.
His hand of fire
Was on my brow, and shot thro' all my being,
Like summer lightning through the leafy oak.
But am I, then, that king? And can it be
I wear a form that yet does not belong
To mine own consciousness? I am not chang'd;
My mind's not chang'd—and yet—here comes the proof.

Montolio enters.
Mon.
My liege, I found—

Faus.
Thou hast found nothing, knave;
What could'st thou find?

Mon.
If you will hear me, sire.

Faus.
I will not hear thee, man; thou hast found nothing.

Mon.
'Tis that which I would say; I have found nothing.

Faus.
Nor was there any blood upon the floor.

Mon.
My liege?

Faus.
I say there was no blood upon the floor.
Wilt dare deny my word?

Mon.
Such rebel thought
Was never in my heart—no blood has stained
The floor of yonder room.

Faus.
Then I'm a king.
[Music without.
What means that music, sir?

Mon.
The morn is up,
And those glad voices welcome in the day
Which gave your highness birth.

Faus.
It is, indeed,
The birthday of my sovereignty—you're right.

[Music. Nobles and Ladies enter and kneel before Faustus, presenting their offerings. The Scene closes.