The Tragicall History of the Life and Death of Doctor Faustus

Front matter

The Tragicall History of the Life and Death of Doctor Faustus.

With new additions.

Written by Ch. Mar.

Scene 1

Doctor Faustus.

Enter Chorus.

NOt marching in the fields of Tharsimen, Where Mars did mate the warlike Carthagens, Nor sporting in the dalliance of love, In Courts of Kings, where state is over-turn'd: Nor in the pompe of proud audacious deeds, Intends our Muse to vaunt his heavenly verse: Onely this (Gentles) we must now performe, The forme of Faustus fortunes, good or bad: And now to patient judgements we appeale, And speak for Faustus in his infancy. Now is he borne of parents base of stocke, In Germany, within a towne cal'd Rhodes. At riper yeares to Wittenberge he went, Whereas his kinsmen chiefly brought him up. So much he profits in Divinity, That shortly he was grac'd with Doctors name, Excelling all, and sweet can dispute In th'heavenly matters of Theologie: Till swolne with cunning, and a selfe conceit, His waxen wings did mount above his reach, And melting, heavens conspir'd his overthrow: For falling to a devilish exercise, And glutted now with learnings golden gifts, He surfets on the curst Necromancy.

Nothing so sweet, as Magicke is to him, Which he prefers before his chiefest blisse, And this the man that in his study sits.

Faustus in his Study.

Faust. Settle thy studies Faustus, and begin To sound the depth of that thou wilt professe. Having commenc'd be a divine in shew, Yet levell at the end of every Art, And live and dye in Aristotles workes. Sweet Analitickes, 'tis thou hast ravisht me, Bene disserere est finis Logices. Is to dispute well Logickes chiefest end? Affords this Art no greater miracle? Then read no more, thou hast attain'd that end: A greater subject fitteth Faustus wit: Bid Oeconomy farewell, and Galen come, Be a physician Faustus, heape up gold, And be eterniz'd for some wondrous cure: Summum bonum medicinæ sanitas. The end of Physicke is our bodies health: Why Faustus hast thou not attain'd that end? Are not thy Bills hung up as monuments, Whereby whole Cities have escaped the plague, And divers desperate maladies beene cur'd? Yet art thou still but Faustus, and a man. Couldst thou make men to live eternally, Or being dead raise men to life againe, Then this profession were to be esteem'd. Physicke farewell: where is Justinian? Si una eademque res legatus duobus, Alter rem, alter valorem rei, &c. A petty case of paltry Legacies, Exhereditari filium non potest Pater, nisi, &c. Such is the subject of the institute, And universall body of the Law. This study fits a mercenary drudge, Who aymes at nothing but externall trash, Too servile and illiberall for me.

When all is done Divinity is best: 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 have no sinne We deceive our selves, and there is no truth in us. Why then belike we must sinne, And so consequently die. I, we must die an everlasting death. What doctrine call you this? Che sera, sera: What will be, shall be: Divinity adieu. These Metaphysicks of Magicians, And negromanticke bookes are heavenly, Lines, circles, Letters, Characters: I, these are those that Faustus most desires. O what a world of profit and delight, Of power, of honour, and omnipotence Is promis'd to the studious Artisan! All things that move betweene the quiet Poles, Shall be at my command: Emperors and Kings Are but obey'd in their severall Provinces: But his dominion that exceeds in this, Stretcheth as far as doth the minde of man: A sound Magician is a Demi-god, Here tire my braines to gaine a Deity.

Enter Wag.

Wagner commend me to my dearest friends, The Germane Valdes and Cornelius, Request them earnestly to visit me.

Wag. I will sir.

Exit.

Faust. Their conference will be a greater helpe to me, Than all my labours, plod I nere so fast.

Enter the Angell and Spirit.

Good Ang. O Faustus, lay that damned booke aside, And gaze not on it, lest it tempt thy soule, And heape Gods heavy wrath upon thy head.

Read, read the Scriptures: that is blasphemy.

Bad An. Goe forward Faustus in that famous Art Wherein all Natures treasure is contain'd: Be thou on earth as Jove is in the skie, Lord and Commander of these Elements.

Exit Ang.

Faust. How am I glutted with conceit of this? Shall I make spirits fetch me what I please? Resolve me of all ambiguities? Performe what desperate enterprises I will? Ile have them flye to India for gold, Ransacke the Ocean for Orient Pearle, And search all corners of the new found World For pleasant fruits, and Princely delicates. Ile have them reade me strange Philosophy, And tell the secrets of all forraine Kings: Ile have them wall all Germany with brasse, And with swift Rhine circle all Wittenberge: Ile have them fill the publike Schooles with skill, Wherewith the Students shall be bravely clad. Ile leavy Souldiers with the coyne they bring, And chase the Prince of Prama from our Land, And reigne sole King of all the Provinces. Yea stranger Engines for the brunt of War, Then was the fiery keele at Antwerp Bridge, Ile make my servile spirits to invent. Come Germane Valdes and Cornelius,

Enter Valdes

And make me wise with your sage conference.

and Cornel.

Valdes, sweet Valdes and Cornelius, Know that your words have won me at the last, To practice Magicke and concealed Arts. Philosophy is odious and obscure: Both Law and Physicke are for petty wits, Tis Magicke, Magicke that hath ravisht me. Then gentle friends aid me in this attempt, And I that have with subtile Syllogismes Gravel'd the Pastors of the Germane Church, And made the flowring pride of Wittenberge Swarme to my Problemes, as th'infernall spirits

On sweet Musæus when he came to hell, Will be as cunning as Agrippa was, Whose shadow made all Europe honour him.

Val. Faustus, these bookes, thy wit, and our experience, Shall make all nations canonize us, As Indian Moores obey their Spanish Lords: So shall the Spirits of every Element, Be alwaies serviceable to us three: Like Lions shall they guard us when we please. Like Almaine Rutters with their horsemens staves, Or Lopland Gyants trotting by our sides. Sometimes like women or unwedded maids, Shadowing more beauty in their ayrie browes Than have the white brests of the Queene of Love. From Venice they shall drag whole Argosies, And from America the golden Fleece, That yearely stuffes old Philips treasury, If learned Faustus will be resolute.

Faust. Valdes, as resolute am I in this, As thou to live: therefore object it not.

Corn. The miracles that Magicke will performe, Will make thee vow to study nothing else. He that is grounded in Astrologie, Enricht with tongues, well seene in Minerals, Hath all the Principles Magicke doth require: Then doubt not Faustus but to be renown'd, And more frequented for this mystery, Then heretofore the Delphian Oracle. The spirits tell me they can drie the Sea, And fetch the treasure of all forraine wreckes: Yea, all the wealth that our fore-fathers hid Within the massie intrailes of the earth: Then tell me Faustus, what shall we three want?

Faust. Nothing Cornelius, O this cheeres my soule: Come, shew me some demonstrations Magicall, That I may conjure in some bushie grove, And have these joyes in full possession.

Vald. Then haste thee to some solitary grove,

And beare wise Bacons and Albanus workes, The Hebrew Psalter, and new Testament, And whatsoever else is requisite, We will inform thee ere our conference cease.

Cor. Valdes, first let him know the words of Art, And then all other ceremonies learn'd, Faustus may trie his cunning by himselfe.

Val. First Ile instruct thee in the rudiments, And then wilt thou be perfecter than I.

Faust. Then come and dine with me, and after meat, Weel'e canvase every quidditie thereof: For ere I sleepe Ile trie what I can doe, This night Ile conjure though I die therefore.

Exeunt omn.

Scene II.

Enter two Schollers.

1. Scho. I wonder whats become of Faustus that was wont To make our Schooles ring with sic probo.

Enter Wag.

2. Sch. That shall we presently know, here comes his boy.

1. Sch. How now sirra, where's thy Master?

Wag. God in heaven knowes.

2. Sch. Why, dost not thou know then?

Wag. Yes I know, but that followes not.

2. Sch. Go to sirra, leave your jesting, & tell us where he is.

Wag. That followes not by force of argument, which you being Licentiats should stand upon, therefore acknowledge your errour, and be attentive.

2. Sch. Then you will not tell us?

Wag. You are deceived, for I will tell you: yet if you were not dunces, you would never aske me such a question. For is he not Corpus naturale? and is not that mobile? Then wherefore should you aske me such a question? but that I am by nature flegmaticke, slow to wrath, and prone to letchery (to love I would say) it were not for you to come within forty foot of the place of execution, although I doe not doubt but to see you both hanged the next Sessions. Thus having triumpht over you, I will set my countenance like a Precision, and beginne to speake thus: Truly my deare Brethren, my Master

is within at dinner, with Valdes and Cornelius, as this Wine if it could speake would informe your worships: and so the Lord blesse you, preserve you, and keepe you my deare brethren.

Exit.

1. Sch. O Faustus then I fear yt which I have long suspected, That thou art fallen into that damned Art, For which they two are infamous thorow the world.

2. Sch. Were he a stranger not allied to me, The danger of his soule would make me mourne: But come let us goe, and informe the Rector, It may be his grave counsell may reclaime.

1. Sch. I fear mee nothing will reclaime him now.

2. Sch. Yet let us see what wee can doe.

Exeunt.

Scene III.

Thunder. Enter Lucifer and Four devils, Faustus to them with this speech.

Faust. Now that the gloomy Shadow of the Night, Longing to view Orions drisling looke, Leapes from the Antarticke World unto the skie, And dims the Welkin with his pitchy breath: Faustus begin thine Incantations, And try if Devils will obey thy Hest, Seeing thou hast prai'd and sacrific'd to them. Within this circle is Jehova's name, Forward and backward Annagrammatiz'd: Th'abreviated names of holy Saints, Figures of every adjunct to the heavens, And Characters of Signes and erring Starres, By which the spirits are inforc'd to rise: Then feare not Faustus to be resolute, And trie the utmost Magicke can performe:

Thunder. Sint mihi Dii acherontis propitii, valeat numen triplex Jehovæ ignei Aerii, Aquitani spiritus salvete: Orientis Princeps Belzebub, inferni ardentis Monarcha & Demigorgon, propitiamus vos, ut appareat, & surgat Mephostophilis Dragon, quod tumeraris: per Jehovam, gehennam &

consecratam aquam, quam nunc spargo; signumque crucis quod nunc facio; & per vota nostra ipse nunc surgat nobis dicatus Mephostophilis.

Enter Devill.

I charge thee to returne and change thy shape,

Thou art too ugly to attend on me: Goe and returne an old Franciscan Frier; That holy shape becomes a Devill best.

Exit Devill.

I see there's vertue in my heavenly words. Who would not be proficient in this Art? How plyant is this Mephostophilis? Full of obedience and humility, Such is the force of Magicke and my spels.

Enter Mephostophilis.

Meph. Now Faustus what wouldst thou have me doe?

Faust. I charge thee wait upon me whilst I live, To do whatever Faustus shall command: Be it to make the moone drop from her Spheare, Or the Ocean to overwhelme the world.

Meph. I am a servant to great Lucifer, And may not follow thee without his leave: No more then he commands must we performe.

Faust. Did not he charge thee to appeare to me?

Meph. No, I came hither of mine owne accord.

Faust. Did not my conjuring raise thee? speake.

Meph. That was the cause, but yet per accidens: For when we heare one racke the name of God, Abjure the Scriptures, and his Saviour Christ; We flye, in hope to get his glorious soule: Nor will we come unlesse he use such meanes, Whereby he is in danger to be damn'd: Therefore the shortest cut for conjuring Is stoutly to abjure all godlinesse, And pray devoutly to the Prince of Hell.

Faust. So Faustus hath already done and holds this principle, There is no chiefe but onely Belzebub:

To whom Faustus doth dedicate himselfe. This word damnation terrifies not me, For I confound Hell in Elizium: My Ghost be with the old Philosophers, But leaving these vaine trifles of mens souls, Tell me, what is that Lucifer, thy Lord:

Meph. Arch-regent and Commander of all Spirits.

Faust. Was not that Lucifer an Angell once?

Meph. Yes Faustus, and most dearely lov'd of God.

Faust. How comes it then that he is Prince of Devils?

Meph. O: by aspiring pride and insolence, For which God threw him from the face of heaven.

Faust. And what are you that live with Lucifer?

Meph. Unhappie spirits that live with Lucifer, Conspir'd against our God with Lucifer, And are for ever damn'd with Lucifer.

HeroLeanderpxxxiiiFaust. 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. Thinkst thou that I, that saw the face of God, And tasted the eternall joyes of Heaven, Am not tormented with ten thousand Hels, In being depriv'd of everlasting blisse? O Faustus, leave those frivolous demands, Which strike a terror to my fainting soule.

Faust. What is great Mephostophilis so passionate, For being deprived of the joyes of Heaven? Learne thou of Faustus manly fortitude, And scorn those joyes thou never shalt possesse. Goe beare these tidings to great Lucifer, Seeing Faustus hath incurr'd eternal death, By desperate thoughts against Joves Deitie, Say he surrenders up to him his soule, So he will spare him foure and twentie yeares, Letting him live in all voluptuousnesse, Having thee ever to attend on me, To give me whatsoever I shall aske, To tell me whatsoever I demand:

To slay mine enemies and to aid my friends, And alwayes be obedient to my will. Go and return to mightie Lucifer, And meet mee in my studie at midnight, And then resolve mee of thy masters minde.

Meph. I will Faustus.

Exit.

Faust. Had I as many soules as there be starres, I'd give them all for Mephostophilis. By him Ile be great Emperor of the World, And make a bridge thorow the moving Ayre, To passe the Ocean with a band of men. Ile joyne the hils that binde the Affricke shore, And make that Countrie continent to Spaine, And both contributary to my Crowne. The Emperor shall not live but by my leave, Nor any Potentate of Germanie. Now that I have obtaind what I desir'd Ile live in speculation of this Art, Till Mephostophilis returne again.

Exit.

Scene IV.

Enter Wagner and the Clowne.

Wag.

Come hither sirra boy.

Clo. Boy? O disgrace to my person: zounds boy in your face, you have seene many boyes with beards I am sure.

Wag. Hast thou no commings in?

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

Wag. Alas poore slave, see how povertie jests in his nakednesse: I know the villaine's out of Service, and so hungrie, that I know he would give his soule to the Devil for a shoulder of Mutton, though it were blood raw.

Clo. Not so neither, I had need to have it well rosted, and good sauce to it, if I pay so deare, I can tell you.

Wag. Sirra, wilt thou be my man and wait on mee? and I will make thee goe, like Qui mihi discipulus.

Clo. What in verse?

Wag. No slave in beaten silk, and staves-aker.

Clo. Staves-aker? that's good to kill Vermin: then be

if I serve you I shall be louzie.

Wag. Why so thou shalt bee, whether thou dost it or no: for sirra, if thou dost not presently bind thy selfe to me for seven yeeres, Ile turne all the lice about thee into Familiars and make them teare thee in peeces.

Clo. Nay sir you may save your selfe a labour, for they are as familiar with mee, as if they paid for their meat and drinke, I can tell you.

Wag. Well sirra, leave your jesting, and take these guilders.

Clo. Yes marry sir, and I thanke you too.

Wag. So, now thou art to be at an houres warning, whensoever and wheresoever the Devill shall fetch thee.

Clo. Here take your guilders againe, Ile none of 'em.

Wag. Not I, thou art prest, prepare thy selfe, for I will presently raise up two Devils to carry thee away, Banio, Belcher.

Clo. Belcher? and Belcher come here, Ile belch him: I am not afraid of a devill.

Enter two Devils.

Wag. How now sir, will you serve mee now?

Clo. I good Wagner, take away the Devill then.

Wag. Spirits away, now sirra follow me.

Clo. I will sir, but heark you Master, will you teach mee this conjuring occupation?

Wag. I sirra, Ile teach thee to turne thyself to a Dog, or a Cat, or a Mouse, or a Rat, or any thing.

Clo. A dogge, or a Cat, or a Mouse, or a Rat? O brave Wagner.

Wag. Villaine, call me Master Wagner, and see that you walke attentively, and let your right eye be alwaies Diametrally fixt upon my left heele, that thou maist, Quasi vestigias nostras insistere.

Clo. Well sir, I warrant you.

Exeunt.

Scene V.

Enter Faustus in his study.

Faust.

Now Faustus must thou needs be damn'd? Canst thou not be sav'd? What boots it then to thinke on God or Heaven?

Away with such vaine fancies and despaire, Despaire in God, and trust in Belzebub, Now go not backe Faustus, be resolute. Waverst thou? O something soundeth in mine eare, Abjure this Magicke, turne to God againe. Why he loves thee not: The God thou serv'st is thine owe appetite, Wherein is fixt the love of Belzebub: To him Ile build an Altar and a Church, And offer luke-warme blood of new-borne babes.

Enter the two Angels.

Evill An. Go forward Faustus in that most famous Art,

Good An. Sweet Faustus leave that execrable Art.

Faust. Contrition, Prayer, Repentance, What be these?

Good An. O, they are meanes to bring thee unto heaven.

Bad A. Rather illusions, fruits of lunacy, That make men foolish that doe use them most.

Good An. Sweet Faustus think of heaven and heavenly things.

Bad A. No Faustus thinke of honor & of wealth.

Exeunt An.

Faust. Wealth? Why the signory of Embden shall be mine. When Mephostophilis shall stand by me What power can hurt me? Faustus thou art safe: Cast no more doubts: Mephostophilis, come, And bring glad tydings from great Lucifer. Ist not midnight? Come, Mephostophilis. Veni, Veni, Mephostophilis.

Enter Meph.

Now tell me what saith Lucifer thy Lord?

Meph. That I shall wait on Faustus whilst he lives, So he will buy my service with his soule.

Faust. Already Faustus hath hazarded that for thee.

Meph. But now thou must bequeath it solemnly, And write a Deed of Gift with thine owne blood: For that security craves Lucifer. If thou deny it I must backe to Hell.

Faust. Stay, Mephostophilis, and tell me, What good will my soule do thy Lord?

Meph. Enlarge his Kingdome.

Faust. Is that the reason why he tempts us thus?

Meph. Solamen miseris socios habuisse doloris.

Faust. Why, have you any paine that torture others?

Meph. As great as have the humane soules of men. But tell me Faustus, shall I have thy soule? And I will be thy slave and wait on thee, And give thee more then thou hast wit to ask.

Faust. I Mephostophilis, Ile give it him.

Meph. Then Faustus stab thy arme couragiously, And bind thy soule that at some certaine day Great Lucifer may claime it as his owne: Then be thou as great as Lucifer.

Faust. Lo Mepho. for love of thee Faustus hath cut his arme, And wt his proper blood assures his soule to be great Lucifers: Chiefe Lord and regent of perpetuall night. View here this blood that trickles from mine arme, And let it be propitious for thy wish.

Meph. But Faustus, Write it in manner of a Deed of Gift.

Faust. I so I doe, but Mephostophilis, My blood conjeales and I can write no more.

Meph. Ile fetch thee fire to dissolve it straight.

Exit.

Faust. What might the staying of my blood portend? It is unwilling I should write this bill, Why streames it not that I may write a fresh? Faustus gives to thee his soule: O there it staid. Why shouldst thou not? is not thy soule thine owne? Then write againe: Faustus gives to thee his

Enter Mephostophilis, with the Chafer of fire.

Meph. See Faustus here is fire, set it on.

Faust. So now the blood begins to cleare againe, Now will I make an end immediatly.

Meph. What will not I doe to obtaine his soule?

Faust. 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 fly? If unto heaven, he'le throw mee down to hell. My senses are deceiv'd, he'res nothing writ: O yes, I see it plaine, even here is writ Homo fuge, yet shall not Faustus flye.

Meph. Ile fetch him somewhat to delight his minde.

Exit.

Enter Devils, giving Crownes and rich apparell to Faustus: they dance and then depart. Enter Mephostophilis

Faust. What meanes this shew? speake Mephostophilis.

Meph. Nothing Faustus, but to delight thy mind, And let thee see what Magicke can performe.

Faust. But may I raise such spirits when I please?

Meph. I Faustus, and doe greater things then these.

Faust. Then Mephostophilis receive A deed of Gift, of body and of soule: But yet conditionally, that thou performe All Covenants and Articles betweene us both.

Meph. Faustus, I sweare by Hell and Lucifer, To effect all promises betweene us both.

Faust. Then heare me read it Mephostophilis, On these conditions following.

First, that Faustus may be a spirit in forme and substance.

Secondly, that Mephostophilis shall be his servant, and bee by him commanded.

Thirdly, that Mephostophilis shall doe for him, and bring him whatsoever.

Fourthly, that he shall be in his chamber, or house invisible.

Lastly, that he shall appear to the said John Faustus at all times, in what shape and forme soever he please.

I John Faustus of Wittemberg, Doctor, by these presents, doe give both body and soule to Lucifer, Prince of the East, and his Minister, Mephostophilis, and furthermore grant unto them that foure and twenty yeares being expired, and these Articles above written being inviolate, full power to fetch or carry the said John Faustus body and soule, flesh and blood, into their habitation wheresoever.

By me John Faustus.

Meph. Speake Faustus, do you deliver this as your Deed?

Faust. I, take it, and the devill give thee good of it.

Meph. So now Faustus aske me what thou wilt.

Faust. First, I will question thee about Hell, Tell mee, where is that place that men call hell?

Meph. Under the Heavens.

Faust. I, so are all things else: but whereabouts?

Meph. Within the bowels of these Elements, Where we are tortur'd, and remaine for ever. Hell hath no limits, nor is circumscrib'd In one selfe place; but where we are is Hell, And where hell is there must we ever be. And to be short, when all the world dissolves, And every creature shall be purified, All places shall be hell that are not heaven.

Faust. I thinke hell's a meere fable.

Meph. I, thinke so still, till experience change thy minde.

Faust. Why dost thou thinke that Faustus shall be damnd?

Meph. I of necessity, for here's the scrowle In which thou hast given thy soule to Lucifer.

Faust. 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? No, these are trifles, and meere old wives tales.

Meph. But I am an instance to prove the contrary: For I tell thee I am damn'd, and now in hell.

Faust. Nay and this be hell, Ile willingly be damn'd: What sleeping, eating, walking and disputing? But leaving this, let me have a wife, the fairest Maid in Germany, for I am wanton and lascivious and cannot live without a wife.

Meph. Well Faustus, thou shalt have a wife.

He fetches in a Woman Devill.

Faust. What sight is this?

Meph. Now Faustus wilt thou have a wife?

Faust. Here's a hot whore indeed: no, Ile no wife.

Meph. Mariage is but a ceremoniall toy, And if thou lovest me thinke no more of it: Ile cull thee out the fairest Curtezans, And bring them every morning to thy bed: She whom thine eye shall like, thine heart shall have, Were she as chaste as were Penelope, As wise as Saba, or as beautiful As was bright Lucifer before his fall. Here, take this booke and peruse it well: The iterating of these lines brings gold. The framing of this circle on the ground, Brings Thunder, Whirlewinds, storm and lightning. Pronounce this thrice devoutly to thy selfe, And men in harnesse shall appeare to thee, Ready to execute what thou commandst.

Faust. Thanks Mephostophilis for this sweet booke: This will I keepe as chary as my life.

Exeunt.

Enter Wagner solus.

Wag. Learned Faustus To know the secrets of Astronomy Graven in the booke of Joves high firmament, Did mount himselfe to scale Olympus top. Being seated in a Chariot burning bright, Drawne by the strength of yoaky Dragons necks, He now is gone to prove Cosmography, And as I guesse, will first arive at Rome, To see the Pope and manner of his Court: And take some part of holy Peters feast, That on this day is highly solemnizd.

Exit Wagner.

Scene VI.

Enter Faustus in his study, and Mephostophilis.

Fau. When I behold the Heavens then I repent, And curse thee wicked Mephostophilis,

Because thou hast depriv'd me of those joyes.

Meph. Twas thine owne seeking Faustus, thanke thy selfe. But thinkst thou Heaven such a glorious thing? I tell thee Faustus, it is not halfe so faire As thou or any man that breaths on earth.

Faust. How prov'st thou that?

Meph. Twas made for man, then hee's more excellent.

Faust. If heaven was made for man, twas made for mee: I will renounce this Magicke and repent.

Enter the two Angels.

Good An. Faustus repent, yet God will pityy thee.

Bad A. Thou art a Spirit; God cannot pitty thee.

Faust. Who buzzeth in mine eares, I am a Spirit? Be I a Devill, yet God may pitty me. Yea, God will pitty me if I repent.

Bad A. I, but Faustus never shall repent.

Exeunt Ang.

Faust. My heart is hardned; I cannot repent. Scarce can I name salvation, Faith, or Heaven. Swords, poysons, haltars, and invenom'd steele, Are laid before me to dispatch my selfe: And long ere this I should have done the deed, Had not sweet pleasure conquerd deepe despaire. Have not I made blinde Homer sing to me Of Alexanders love, and Oenons death? And hath not he that built the wals of Thebes, With ravishing sound of his melodious Harpe, Made musicke with my Mephostophilis? Why should I dye then, or basely despaire? I am resolv'd Faustus shall not repent. Come Mephostophilis, let us dispute againe, And reason of Divine Astrology. Speake, are there many Spheares above the Moone? Are all Celestiall bodyes but one Globe, As is the substance of this Centricke Earth?

Meph. As are the Elements such are the Heavens, Even from the Moone unto the Emperiall Orbe, Mutually folded in each others Spheares, And jointly move upon one axle-tree, Whose termine is termed the worlds wide Pole. Nor are the names of Saturne, Mars, or Jupiter, Fain'd, but are Evening starres.

Faust. But have they all one motion, both situ & tempore?

Meph. All move from East to West in foure and twenty houres upon the Poles of the world, but differ in their motions upon the Poles of the Zodiacke.

Fau. These slender questions Wagner can decide: Hath Mephostophilis no greater skill? Who knowes not the double motion of the Planets? That the first is finisht in a naturall day? The second thus, Saturne in 30 yeares; Jupiter in 12. Mars in 4. the Sun, Venus and Mercury in a yeare: the Moone in twenty eight dayes. These are fresh mens questions: but tell me, hath every Spheare a Dominion, or Intelligentia?

Meph. I.

Fau. How many Heavens, or Spheares are there?

Meph. Nine, the seaven Planets, the firmament, and the Emperiall Heaven.

Fau. But is there not Cœlum Igneum et Chrystallinum?

Meph. No Faustus, they be but fables.

Fau. Resolve me then in this one question: Why are not Conjunctions, Oppositions, Aspects, Eclipses, al at one time, but in some yeares we have more, in some lesse?

Meph. Per inæqualem motum respectu totius.

Fau. Well, I am answear'd: now tell me who made the world?

Meph. I will not.

Fau. Sweet Mephostophilis tell me.

Meph. Move me not Faustus.

Fau. Villaine have not I bound thee to tell mee any thing?