Doctor Faustus


Dramatis Personæ

[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.  Mephisophilis.
 
Good Angel, Evil Angel, The Seven Deadly Sins, Devils, Spirits in the shape of Alexander the Great, of his Paramous, and of Helen of Troy.
Chorus.]

Chorus
   
 
   
 
   
Enter CHORUS

Chorus

NOT marching now in fields of Trasimene,
      
Where Mars did mate 1 the Carthaginians;
      
Nor sporting in the dalliance of love,
      
In courts of kings where state is overturned’d;
           5
   
Nor in the pomp of proud audacious deeds,
      
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, 2
           10
   
And speak for Faustus in his infancy.
      
Now is he born, his parents base of stock,
      
In Germany, within a town call’d Rhodes; 3
      
Of riper years to Wittenberg he went,
      
Whereas his kinsmen chiefly brought him up.
           15
   
So soon he profits in divinity,
      
The fruitful plot of scholarism grac’d, 4
      
That shortly he was grac’d with doctor’s name,
      
Excelling all those sweet delight disputes
      
In heavenly matters of theology;
           20
   
Till swollen with cunning, 5 of a self-conceit,
      
His waxen wings 6 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,
           25
   
He surfeits upon cursed necromancy.
      
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
   
 
   
 
   
FAUSTUS [discovered] in his Study

 
   
  Faust.  Settle my studies, Faustus, and begin
      
To sound the depth of that thou wilt profess; 1
      
Having commenc’d, be a divine in show,
      
Yet level 2 and at the end of every art,
           5
   
And live and die in Aristotle’s works.
      
Sweet Analytics, 3 ’tis thou hast ravish’d me,
      
Bene disserere est finis logices. 4
      
Is to dispute well logic’s chiefest end?
      
Affords this art no greater miracle?
           10
   
Then read no more, thou hast attain’d the end;
      
A greater subject fitteth Faustus’ wit.
      
Bid [Greek] 5 farewell; Galen come,
      
Seeing Ubi desinit Philosophus ibi incipit Medicus; 6
      
Be a physician, Faustus, heap up gold,
           15
   
And be eternis’d for some wondrous cure.
      
Summum bonum medicinæ sanitas, 7
      
“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? 8
           20
   
Are not thy bills 9 hung up as monuments,
      
Whereby whole cities have escap’d the plague,
      
And thousand desperate maladies been eas’d?
      
Yet art thou still but Faustus and a man.
      
Couldst thou make men to live eternally,
           25
   
Or, being dead, raise them to life again,
      
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. 10
      
A pretty case of paltry legacies!  [Reads.]
           30
   
Ex hæreditare filium non potest pater nisi, &c. 11
      
Such is the subject of the Institute 12
      
And universal Body of the Law. 13
      
His 14 study fits a mercenary drudge,
      
Who aims at nothing but external trash;
           35
   
Too servile and illiberal for me.
      
When all is done, divinity is best;
      
Jerome’s Bible, 15 Faustus, view it well.  [Reads.]
      
Stipendium peccati mors est. Ha! Stipendium, &c.
      
“The reward of sin is death.” That’s hard.  [Reads.]
           40
   
Si peccasse negamus fallimur et nulla est in nobis veritas.
      
“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,
      
“What will be shall be?” Divinity, adieu
           45
   
These metaphysics of magicians
      
And necromantic books are heavenly;
      
Lines, circles, scenes, letters, and characters,
      
Ay, these are those that Faustus most desires.
      
O what a world of profit and delight,
           50
   
Of power, of honour, of omnipotence
      
Is promised to the studious artisan!
      
All things that move between the quiet poles
      
Shall be at my command. Emperor and kings
      
Are but obeyed in their several provinces,
           55
   
Nor can they raise the wind or rend the clouds;
      
But his dominion that exceeds 16 in this
      
Stretcheth as far as doth the mind of man.
      
A sound magician is a mighty god:
      
Here, Faustus, try thy 17 brains to gain a deity.
           60
   
Wagner!
      
 
   
Enter WAGNER

        Commend me to my dearest friends,
      
The German Valdes and Cornelius;
      
Request them earnestly to visit me.
           65
   
  Wag.  I will, sir.  Exit.
      
  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,
           70
   
And gaze not upon it lest it tempt thy soul,
      
And heap God’s heavy wrath upon thy head.
      
Read, read the Scriptures: that is blasphemy.
      
  E. Ang.  Go forward, Faustus, in that famous art,
      
Wherein all Nature’s treasure is contain’d:
           75
   
Be thou on earth as Jove is in the sky,
      
Lord and commander of these elements.  [Exeunt Angels.]
      
  Faust.  How am I glutted with conceit 18 of this!
      
Shall I make spirits fetch me what I please,
      
Resolve me of all ambiguities,
           80
   
Perform what desperate enterprise I will?
      
I’ll have them fly to India for gold,
      
Ransack the ocean for orient pearl,
      
And search all corners of the new-found world
      
For pleasant fruits and princely delicates;
           85
   
I’ll have them read me strange philosophy
      
And tell the secrets of all foreign kings;
      
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, 19
           90
   
Wherewith the students shall be bravely clad;
      
I’ll levy soldiers with the coin they bring,
      
And chase the Prince of Parma from our land, 20
      
And reign sole king of all the provinces;
      
Yea, stranger engines for the brunt of war
           95
   
Than was the fiery keel 21 at Antwerp’s bridge,
      
I’ll make my servile spirits to invent.
      
 
   
Enter VALDES and CORNELIUS 22

Come, German Valdes and Cornelius,
      
And make me blest with your sage conference.
           100
   
Valdes, sweet Valdes, and Cornelius,
      
Know that your words have won me at the last
      
To practise magic and concealed arts:
      
Yet not your words only, but mine own fantasy
      
That will receive no object, for my head
           105
   
But ruminates on necromantic skill.
      
Philosophy is odius and obscure,
      
Both law and physic are for petty wits;
      
Divinity is basest of the three,
      
Unpleasant, harsh, contemptible, and vile:
           110
   
’Tis magic, magic, that hath ravish’d me.
      
Then, gentle friends, aid me in this attempt;
      
And I that have with concise syllogisms
      
Gravell’d the pastors of the German church,
      
And made the flowering pride of Wittenberg
           115
   
Swarm to my problems, as the infernal spirits
      
On sweet Mus&aeig;us, 23 when he came to hell,
      
Will be as cunning as Agrippa was,
      
Whose shadows made all Europe honour him.
      
  Vald.  Faustus, these books, thy wit, and our experience
           120
   
Shall make all nations to canònise us.
      
As Indian Moors 24 obey their Spanish lords,
      
So shall the subjects 25 of every element
      
Be always serviceable to us three;
      
Like lions shall they guard us when we please;
           125
   
Like Almain rutters 26 with their horsemen’s staves
      
Or Lapland giants, trotting by our sides;
      
Sometimes like women or unwedded maids,
      
Shadowing more beauty in their airy brows
      
Than have the white breasts of the queen of love:
           130
   
From Venice shall they drag huge argosies,
      
And from America the golden fleece
      
That yearly stuffs old Philip’s treasury;
      
If learned Faustus will be resolute.
      
  Faust.  Valdes, as resolute am I in this
           135
   
As thou to live; therefore object is not.
      
  Corn.  The miracles that magic will perform
      
Will make thee vow to study nothing else.
      
He that is grounded in astrology,
      
Enrich’d with tongues, as well seen 27 in minerals,
           140
   
Hath all the principles magic doth require.
      
Then doubt not, Faustus, but to be renown’d,
      
And more frequented for this mystery
      
Than heretofore the Delphian Oracle.
      
The spirits tell me they can dry the sea,
           145
   
And fetch the treasure of all foreign wrecks,
      
Ay, all the wealth that our forefathers hid
      
Within the massy entrails of the earth;
      
Then tell me, Faustus, what shall we three want?
      
  Faust.  Nothing, Cornelius! O this cheers my soul!
           150
   
Come show me some demonstrations magical,
      
That I may conjure in some lusty grove,
      
And have these joys in full possession.
      
  Vald.  Then haste thee to some solitary grove,
      
And bear wise Bacon’s 28 and Albanus’ 29 works,
           155
   
The Hebrew Psalter and New Testament;
      
And whatsoever else is requisite
      
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,
           160
   
Faustus may try his cunning by himself.
      
  Vald.  First I’ll instruct thee in the rudiments,
      
And then wilt thou be perfecter than I.
      
  Faust.  Then come and dine with me, and after meat,
      
We’ll canvass every quiddity thereof;
           165
   
For ere I sleep I’ll try what I can do:
      
This night I’ll conjure though I die therefore.  [Exeunt.

Scene II
   
 
   
 
   
[Before FAUSTUS’S House]

Enter two SCHOLARS

 
   
  1st Schol.  I wonder what’s become of Faustus that was wont to make our schools ring with sic probo? 1
      
  2nd Schol.  That shall we know, for see here comes his boy.
      
 
   
Enter WAGNER

  1st Schol.  How now, sirrah! Where’s thy master?
           5
   
  Wag.  God in heaven knows!
      
  2nd Schol.  Why, dost not thou know?
      
  Wag.  Yes, I know. But that follows not.
      
  1st 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 error and be attentive.
           10
   
  2nd Schol.  Why, didst thou not say thou knew’st?
      
  Wag.  Have you any witness on’t?
      
  1st Schol.  Yes, sirrah, I heard you.
      
  Wag.  Ask my fellow if I be a thief.
      
  2nd Schol.  Well, you will not tell us?
           15
   
  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? 2 and is not that mobile? Then wherefore should you ask me such a question? But that I am by nature phlegmatic, slow to wrath, and prone to lechery (to love, I would say), it were not for you to come within forty feet of the place 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, 3 and begin to speak thus:—Truly, my dear brethren, my master is within at dinner, with Valdes and Cornelius, as this wine, if it could speak, would inform your worships; and so the Lord bless you, preserve you, and keep you, my dear brethren, my dear brethren.
      
  1st Schol.  Nay, then, I fear he has fallen into that damned Art, for which they two are infamous through the world.
      
  2nd 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 by his grave counsel can reclaim him.
      
  1st Schol.  O, but I fear me nothing can reclaim him.
      
  2nd Schol.  Yet let us try what we can do.  [Exeunt.

Scene III
   
 
   
 
   
[A Grove.]

Enter FAUSTUS to conjure

 
   
  Faust.  Now that the gloomy shadow of the earth
      
Longing to view Orion’s drizzling look,
      
Leaps from the antarctic world unto the sky,
      
And dims the welkin with her pitchy breath,
           5
   
Faustus, begin thine incantations,
      
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,
           10
   
The breviated names of holy saints,
      
Figures of every adjunct to the Heavens,
      
And characters of signs and erring 1 stars,
      
By which the spirits are enforc’d to rise:
      
Then fear not, Faustus, but be resolute,
           15
   
And try the uttermost magic can perform.
      
  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. 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! 2
      
 
   
Enter [MEPHISTOPHILIS] a DEVIL

I charge thee to return and change thy shape;
      
Thou art too ugly to attend on me.
           20
   
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;
      
Who would not be proficient in this art?
      
How pliant is this Mephistophilis,
           25
   
Full of obedience and humility!
      
Such is the force of magic and my spells.
      
[Now,] Faustus, thou art conjuror laureat,
      
Thou canst command great Mephistophilis:
      
Quin regis Mephistophilis fratris imagine. 3
           30
   
 
   
Re-enter MEPHISTOPHILIS [like a Franciscan Friar]

  Meph.  Now, Faustus, what would’st thou have me to do?
      
  Faust.  I charge thee wait upon me whilst I live,
      
To do whatever Faustus shall command,
      
Be it to make the moon drop from her sphere,
           35
   
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.
      
  Faust.  Did not he charge thee to appear to me?
           40
   
  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 4 the name of God,
      
Abjure the Scriptures and his Saviour Christ,
           45
   
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
      
Is stoutly to abjure the Trinity,
           50
   
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,
      
To whom Faustus doth dedicate himself.
           55
   
This word “damnation” terrifies not him,
      
For he confounds hell in Elysium; 5
      
His ghost be with the old philosophers!
      
But, leaving these vain trifles of men’s souls,
      
Tell me what is that Lucifer thy lord?
           60
   
  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?
      
  Meph.  O, by aspiring pride and insolence;
           65
   
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,
      
And are for ever damn’d with Lucifer.
           70
   
  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.
      
Think’st thou that I who saw the face of God,
           75
   
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,
      
Which strike a terror to my fainting soul.
           80
   
  Faust.  What, is great Mephistophilis so passionate
      
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:
           85
   
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,
      
Letting him live in all voluptuousness;
           90
   
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,
      
And always be obedient to my will.
           95
   
Go and return to mighty Lucifer,
      
And meet me in my study at midnight,
      
And then resolve 6 me of thy master’s mind.
      
  Meph.  I will, Faustus.  Exit.
      
  Faust.  Had I as many souls as there be stars,
           100
   
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:
      
I’ll join the hills that bind the Afric shore,
           105
   
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.
      
Now that I have obtain’d what I desire,
           110
   
I’ll live in speculation 7 of this art
      
Till Mephistophilis return again.  Exit.

Scene IV
   
 
   
 
   
[A Street.]

Enter WAGNER and CLOWN

 
   
  Wag.  Sirrah, boy, come hither.
      
  Clown.  How, boy! Swowns, 1 boy! I hope you have seen many boys with such pickadevaunts 2 as I have. Boy, quotha!
      
  Wag.  Tell me, sirrah, hast thou any comings in?
      
  Clown.  Ay, and goings out too. You may see else.
           5
   
  Wag.  Alas, poor slave! See how poverty jesteth in his nakedness! The villain is bare and out of service, and so hungry that I know he would give his soul to the devil for a shoulder of mutton, though it were blood-raw.
      
  Clown.  How? My soul to the Devil for a shoulder of mutton, though ’twere blood-raw! Not so, good friend. By’r Lady, I had need have it well roasted and good sauce to it, if I pay so dear.
      
  Wag.  Well, wilt thou serve me, and I’ll make thee go like Qui mihi discipulus? 3
      
  Clown.  How, in verse?
      
  Wag.  No, sirrah; in beaten silk and stavesacre. 4
           10
   
  Clown.  How, how, Knave’s acre! 5 Ay, I thought that was all the land his father left 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.
      
  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.
      
  Clown.  Do your 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 drink.
           15
   
  Wag.  Well, do you hear, sirrah? Hold, take these guilders.  [Gives money.]
      
  Clown.  Gridirons! what be they?
      
  Wag.  Why, French crowns.
      
  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 hour’s warning, whensoever and wheresoever the Devil shall fetch thee.
           20
   
  Clown.  No, no. Here, take your gridirons again.
      
  Wag.  Truly I’ll none of them.
      
  Clown.  Truly but you shall.
      
  Wag.  Bear witness I gave them him.
      
  Clown.  Bear witness I gave them you again.
           25
   
  Wag.  Well, I will cause two devils presently to fetch thee away—Baliol and Belcher.
      
  Clown.  Let your Baliol and your Belcher come here, and I’ll knock them, they were never so knock’d since they were devils. Say I should kill one of them, what would folks say? “Do you see yonder tall fellow in the round slop 6 —he has kill’d the devil.” So I should be called 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 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.
           30
   
  Wag.  Well, sirrah, follow me.
      
  Clown.  But, do you hear—if I should serve you, would you teach me to raise up Banios 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.
      
  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 the pretty wenches’ plackets; I’ll be amongst them, i’ faith.
      
  Wag.  Well, sirrah, come.
           35
   
  Clown.  But, do you hear, Wagner?
      
  Wag.  How! Baliol and Belcher!
      
  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 7 fixed upon my right heel, with quasi vestigias nostras insistere. 8 Exit.
      
  Clown.  God forgive me, he speaks Dutch fustian. Well, I’ll follow him, I’ll serve him, that’s flat. Exit.

Scene V
   
 
   
 
   
FAUSTUS [discovered] 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:
           5
   
Despair in God, and trust in Belzebub.
      
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.
           10
   
To God?—He loves thee not—
      
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.
           15
   
 
   
Enter GOOD ANGEL and EVIL ANGEL

  G. Ang.  Sweet Faustus, leave that execrable art.
      
  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,
           20
   
That makes men foolish that do trust them most.
      
  G. Ang.  Sweet Faustus, think of Heaven, and heavenly things.
      
  E. Ang.  No, Faustus, think of honour and of wealth.  [Exeunt ANGELS.
      
  Faust.  Of wealth!
      
What the signiory of Embden 1 shall be mine.
           25
   
When Mephistophilis shall stand by me,
      
What God can hurt thee, Faustus? Thou art safe;
      
Cast no more doubts. Come, Mephistophilis,
      
And bring glad tidings from great Lucifer;—
      
Is’t not midnight? Come, Mephistophilis;
           30
   
Veni, veni, Mephistophile!
      
 
   
Enter MEPHISTOPHILIS

Now tell me, what says Lucifer thy lord?
      
  Meph.  That I shall wait on Faustus whilst he lives,
      
So he will buy my service with his soul.
           35
   
  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.
      
If thou deny it, I will back to hell.
           40
   
  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?
      
  Meph.  Solamen miseris socios habuisse doloris. 2
           45
   
  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,
      
And give thee more than thou hast wit to ask.
           50
   
  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;
      
And then be thou as great as Lucifer.
           55
   
  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!
           60
   
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,
           65
   
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?
           70
   
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.
           75
   
  Faust.  So now the blood begins to clear again;
      
Now will I make an end immediately.  [Writes.]
      
  Meph.  O what will not I do to obtain his soul.  [Aside.]
      
  Faust.  Consummatum est: 3 this bill is ended,
      
And Faustus hath bequeath’d his soul to Lucifer—
           80
   
But what is this inscription on mine arm?
      
Homo, fuge! 4 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
           85
   
Homo, fuge! Yet shall not Faustus fly.
      
  Meph.  I’ll fetch him somewhat to delight his mind.  [Exit.
      
 
   
Re-enter [MEPHISTOPHILIS] with Devils, giving crowns and rich apparel to FAUSTUS, dance, and depart

  Faust.  Speak Mephistophilis, what means this show?
      
  Meph.  Nothing, Faustus, but to delight thy mind withal,
           90
   
And to show thee what magic can perform.
      
  Faust.  But may I raise up spirits when I please?
      
  Meph.  Ay, Faustus, and do greater things than these.
      
  Faust.  Then there’s enough for a thousand souls.
      
Here, Mephistophilis, receive this scroll,
           95
   
A deed of gift of body and of soul:
      
But yet conditionally that thou perform
      
All articles prescrib’d between us both.
      
  Meph.  Faustus, I swear by hell and Lucifer
      
To effect all promises between us made.
           100
   
  Faust.  Then hear me read them: On these conditions following. First, that Faustus may 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 house invisible. Lastly, that he shall appear to the said John Faustus, at all times, and 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, 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 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.
      
  Faust.  First will I question with thee about hell.
           105
   
Tell me where is the place that men call hell?
      
  Meph.  Under the Heaven.
      
  Faust.  Ay, but whereabout?
      
  Meph.  Within the bowels of these elements,
      
Where we are tortur’d and remain for ever;
           110
   
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,
           115
   
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?
      
  Meph.  Ay, of necessity, for here’s the scroll
           120
   
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 5 to imagine
      
That, after this life, there is any pain?
      
Tush; these are trifles, and mere old wives’ tales.
           125
   
  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.?
           130
   
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?
           135
   
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
        140
   
  Meph.  Tell me, Faustus, how dost thou like thy wife?
      
  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.
           145
   
I’ll cull thee out the fairest courtesans,
      
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, 6 or as beautiful
           150
   
As was bright Lucifer before his fall.
      
Here, take this book peruse it thoroughly:  [Gives a book.]
      
The iterating 7 of these lines brings gold;
      
The framing of this circle on the ground
      
Brings whirlwinds, tempests, thunder and lightning;
           155
   
Pronounce this thrice devoutly to thyself,
      
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 up spirits when I please.
      
  Meph.  Here they are, in this book.  Turns to them.
           160
   
  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 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 the earth.
      
  Meph.  Here they be.
      
  Faust.  O, thou art deceived.
           165
   
  Meph.  Tut, I warrant thee.  Turns to them. Exeunt.

Scene VI
   
 
   
 
   
[The Same.]

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,
           5
   
Thinkest thou Heaven is such a glorious thing?
      
I tell thee ’tis not half so fair as thou,
      
Or any man that breathes on earth.
      
  Faust.  How Provest thou that?
      
  Meph.  ’Twas made for man, therefore is man more excellent.
           10
   
  Faust.  If it were made for man, ’twas made for me:
      
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 can not pity thee.
           15
   
  Faust.  Who buzzeth in mine ears I am a spirit?
      
Be I a devil, yet God may pity me;
      
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.
           20
   
Scarce can I name salvation, faith, or heaven,
      
But fearful echoes thunder in mine ears
      
“Faustus, thou art damn’d!” Then swords and knives,
      
Poison, gun, halters, and envenom’d steel
      
Are laid before me to despatch myself,
           25
   
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
      
Of Alexander’s love and Oenon’s death?
      
And hath not he that built the walls of Thebes
           30
   
With ravishing sound of his melodious harp,
      
Made music with my Mephistophilis?
      
Why should I die then, or basely despair?
      
I am resolv’d: Faustus shall ne’er repent.
      
Come, Mephistophilis, let us dispute again,
           35
   
And argue of divine astrology.
      
Tell me, are there many heavens above the moon?
      
Are all celestial bodies but one globe,
      
As is the substance of this centric earth?
      
  Meph.  As are the elements, such are the spheres
           40
   
Mutually folded in each other’s orb,
      
And, Faustus,
      
All jointly move upon one axletree
      
Whose terminine is termed the world’s wide pole;
      
Nor are the names of Saturn, Mars, or Jupiter
           45
   
Feign’d but are erring stars.
      
  Faust.  But tell me, have they all one motion, both situ et tempore? 1
      
  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.
      
  Faust.  Tush!
      
These slender trifles Wagner can decide;
           50
   
Hath Mephistophilis no greater skill?
      
Who knows not the double motion of the planets?
      
The first is finish’d in a natural day;
      
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?
      
  Meph.  Ay.
           55
   
  Faust.  How many heavens, or spheres, are there?
      
  Meph.  Nine: the seven planets, the firmament, and the empyreal heaven.
      
  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?
      
  Meph.  Per inæqualem motum respectu totius. 2
      
  Faust.  Well, I am answered. Tell me who made the world.
           60
   
  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?
      
  Meph.  Ay, that is not against our kingdom; but this is.
           65
   
Think thou on hell, Faustus, for thou art damn’d.
      
  Faust.  Think, Faustus, upon God that made the world.
      
  Meph.  Remember this.
      
  Faust.  Ay, go, accursed spirit, to ugly hell.
      
’Tis thou hast damn’d distressed Faustus’ soul.
           70
   
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.
           75
   
  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;
           80
   
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!
           85
   
  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,
           90
   
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 some pastime. Sit down, and thou shalt see all the Seven Deadly Sins appear in their proper shapes.
           95
   
  Faust.  That sight will be as pleasing unto me,
      
As Paradise was to Adam the first day
      
Of his creation.
      
  Luc.  Talk not of Paradise nor creation, but mark this show: talk of the Devil, and nothing else.—Come away!
      
 
   
Enter the SEVEN DEADLY SINS.
        100
   
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 creep into every corner of a wench; sometimes, like a periwig, I sit upon her brow; or like a fan of feathers, I kiss her lips; indeed I do—what do I not? But, fie, what a scent is here! I’ll not speak another word, except the ground were 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 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!
           105
   
  Faust.  What art thou—the third?
      
  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 3 of rapiers, wounding myself when I had nobody to fight withal. I was born in hell; and look to it, for some of you shall be my father.
      
  Faust.  What art thou—the fourth?
      
  envy.  I am Envy, begotten of a chimney sweeper and an oyster-wife. I cannot read, and therefore wish all books were burnt. I am lean with seeing others eat. O that there would come a famine through all the world, that all might die, and I live alone! then thou 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?
           110
   
  Glut.  Who, I, sir? I am Gluttony. My parents are all dead, and the devil a penny they have left me, but a bare pension, and that is thirty meals a day and ten bevers 4 —a small trifle to suffice nature. O, I come of a royal parentage! My grandfather was a Gammon of Bacon, my grandmother a Hogshead of Claret-wine; my godfathers were these, Peter Pickleherring, and Martin Martlemas-beef.  5 O, but my godmother, she was a jolly gentlewoman, and well beloved in every good town and city; her name was Mistress Margery Marchbeer. 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.
      
  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 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.
           115
   
  Faust.  What are you, Mistress Minx, the seventh and last?
      
  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!—Now, Faustus, how dost thou like this?  [Exeunt the SINS.
      
  Faust.  O, this feeds my soul!
      
  Luc.  Tut, Faustus, in hell is all manner of delight.
           120
   
  Faust.  O might I see hell, and return again,
      
How happy were I then!
      
  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.
           125
   
  Faust.  Great thanks, mighty Lucifer!
      
This will I keep as chary as my life.
      
  Luc.  Farewell, Faustus, and think on the Devil.
      
  Faust.  Farewell, great Lucifer! Come, Mephistophilis.  [Exeunt.
      
 
   
Enter CHORUS
        130
   
  Chorus.  Learned Faustus,
      
To know the secrets of astronomy,
      
Graven in the book of Jove’s high firmament,
      
Did mount himself to scale Olympus’ top,
      
Being seated in a chariot burning bright,
           135
   
Drawn by the strength of yoky dragons’ necks.
      
He now is gone to prove cosmography,
      
And, as I guess, will first arrive at Rome,
      
To see the Pope and manner of his court,
      
And take some part of holy Peter’s feast,
           140
   
That to this day is highly solemnis’d.  [Exit.

Scene VII
   
 
   
 
   
[The Pope’s Privy-chamber.]

Enter FAUSTUS and MEPHISTOPHILIS

 
   
  Faust.  Having now, my good Mephistophilis,
      
Passed with delight the stately town of Trier, 1
      
Environ’d round with airy mountain-tops,
      
With walls of flint, and deep entrenched lakes,
           5
   
Not to be won by any conquering prince;
      
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,
           10
   
Whose buildings fair and gorgeous to the eye,
      
The streets straight forth, and pav’d with finest brick,
      
Quarter the town in four equivalents.
      
There saw we learned Maro’s 2 golden tomb,
      
The way he cut, an English mile in length,
           15
   
Thorough a rock of stone in one night’s space;
      
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:
           20
   
But tell me, now, what resting-place is this?
      
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 his Holiness’ privy-chamber for our use.
      
  Faust.  I hope his Holiness will bid us welcome.
           25
   
  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,
      
Know that this city stands upon seven hills
      
That underprop the groundwork of the same.
           30
   
[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,
      
That make safe passage to each part of Rome:
      
Upon the bridge called Ponte Angelo
           35
   
Erected is a castle passing strong,
      
Within whose walls such store of ordnance are,
      
And double cannons fram’d of carved brass,
      
As match the days within one complete year;
      
Besides the gates and high pyramides,
           40
   
Which Julius Cæsar brought from Africa.
      
  Faust.  Now by the kingdoms of infernal rule,
      
Of Styx, of Acheron, and the fiery lake
      
Of ever-burning Phlegethon, I swear
      
That I do long to see the monuments
           45
   
And situation of bright-splendent Rome:
      
Come therefore, let’s away.
      
  Meph.  Nay, Faustus, stay: I know you’d see the Pope,
      
And take some part of holy Peter’s feast,
      
Where thou shalt see a troop of bald-pate friars,
           50
   
Whose summum bonum is in belly-cheer.
      
  Faust.  Well, I’m content to compass then some sport,
      
And by their folly make us merriment.
      
Then charm me, [Mephistophilis,] that I
      
May be invisible, to do what I please
           55
   
Unseen of any whilst I stay in Rome.  [MEPHISTOPHILIS charms him.]
      
  Meph.  So, Faustus, now
      
Do what thou wilt, thou shalt not be discern’d.
      
 
   
Sound a sennett. 3 Enter the POPE and the CARDINAL of LORRAIN to the banquet, with FRIARS attending

  Pope.  My Lord of Lorrain, wilt please you draw near?
           60
   
  Faust.  Fall to, and the devil choke you an 4 you spare!
      
  Pope.  How now! Who’s that which spake?—Friars, look about.
      
  First Friar. Here’s nobody, if it like your Holiness.
      
  Pope.  My lord, here is a dainty dish was sent me from the Bishop of Milan.
      
  Faust.  I thank you, sir.  [Snatches the dish.]
           65
   
  Pope.  How now! Who’s that which snatched the meat from me? Will no man look? My lord, this dish was sent me from the Cardinal of Florence.
      
  Faust.  You say true; I’ll ha’t.  [Snatches the dish.]
      
  Pope.  What, again! My lord, I’ll drink to your Grace.
      
  Faust.  I’ll pledge your Grace.  [Snatches the cup.]
      
  C. of Lor.  My lord, it may be some ghost newly crept out of purgatory, come to beg a pardon of your Holiness.
           70
   
  Pope.  It may be so. Friars, prepare a dirge to lay the fury of this ghost. Once again, my lord, fall to.  The POPE crosses 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.  The POPE crosses himself again, and Faustus hits him a box ’f the ear; and they all run away.
           75
   
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,
           80
   
Because it is Saint Peter’s holiday.
      
 
   
Re-enter all the FRIARS to sing the Dirge

  1st 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! 5
      
Cursed be he that struck his Holiness a blow on the face! Maledicat Dominus!
           85
   
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! 6 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
           90
   
Of rarest things, and royal courts of kings,
      
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,
           95
   
And in their conference of what befell,
      
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.
           100
   
Now is his fame spread forth in every land;
      
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,
           105
   
I leave untold—your eyes shall see perform’d.  [Exit.]

Scene VIII
   
 
   
 
   
[An Inn-yard.]

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 come circles for my own use. Now will I make all the maidens in our parish dance at my pleasure, stark naked before me; and so by that means I shall see more than e’er I felt or saw yet.
      
 
   
Enter 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. 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 out, for I am about a roaring piece of work.
           5
   
  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 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.
      
  Ralph.  Canst thou conjure with it?
           10
   
  Robin.  I can do all these things easily with it: first, I can make thee drunk with ippocras 1 at any tabern 2 in Europe for nothing; that’s one of my conjuring works.
      
  Ralph.  Our Master Parson says that’s nothing.
      
  Robin.  True, Ralph; and more, Ralph, if thou hast any mind to Nan Spit, our kitchenmaid, then turn her and wind her to thy own use 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.
      
  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.