Act V, Scene II…

Act V, Scene II

[Enter] TAMBURLAINE, all in black and very melancholy, TECHELLES, THERIDAMAS, USUMCASANE, with others.

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

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

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

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

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

Virgins. O pity us!

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

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

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

Atten. Ay, my lord. 130

Tamb. Bring him forth; and let us know if the town be ransack’d. [Exeunt Attendants.]

Enter TECHELLES, THERIDAMAS, USUMCASANE, and others.

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

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

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

Tamb. No more there is not, I warrant thee, Techelles.

They bring in the Turk [and ZABINA].

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

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

Exeunt [all except BAJAZETH and ZABINA].

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Re-enter ZABINA.

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

[Enter] ZENOCRATE with ANIPPE.

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

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

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

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

Enter [PHILEMUS,] a Messenger.

Zeno. What other heavy news now brings Philemus?

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

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

They sound to the battle [within]: and_ TAMBURLAINE enjoys the victory. After, [the KING of] ARABIA enters wounded.

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

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

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

Re-enter TAMBURLAINE, leading the SOLDAN, TECHELLES, THERIDAMAS, USUMCASANE, with others.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Zeno. Else should I much forget myself, my lord.

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

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

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

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

THE TRAGICAL HISTORY OF DR. FAUSTUS

BY CHRISTOPHER MARLOWE

[DRAMATIS PERSONAE

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

Enter CHORUS

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

[SCENE I.]

Enter FAUSTUS in his Study

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

Wag. I will, sir. Exit. 65

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

Enter GOOD ANGEL and EVIL ANGEL.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[SCENE II.][398]

Enter two SCHOLARS.

1 Schol. I wonder what’s become of Faustus that was wont to make our schools ring with sic probo?[399]

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

Enter WAGNER.

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

Wag. God in heaven knows!

2 Schol. Why, dost not thou know?

Wag. Yes, I know. But that follows not. 10

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

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

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

Wag. Have you any witness on ’t?

1 Schol. Yes, sirrah, I heard you. 20

Wag. Ask my fellow if I be a thief.

2 Schol. Well, you will not tell us?

Wag. Yes, sir, I will tell you; yet if you were not dunces, you would never ask me such a question; for is not he corpus naturale?[400] and is not that mobile? Then wherefore should 26 you ask me such a question? But that I am by nature phlegmatic, slow to wrath, and prone to lechery (to love, I would say), it were not for you to come within forty foot of the place (30) of execution, although I do not doubt to see you both hang’d the next sessions. Thus having triumph’d over you, I will set my countenance like a precisian,[401] and begin to speak thus:—Truly, my dear brethren, my master is within at dinner, with Valdes and Cornelius, as this 36 wine, if it could speak, would inform your worships; and so the Lord bless you, preserve you, and keep you, my dear brethren, my dear brethren. Exit. 40

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

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

1 Schol. O, I fear me nothing can reclaim him.

2 Schol. Yet let us try what we can do. 50 Exeunt.

[SCENE III.][402]

Enter FAUSTUS to conjure.

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

Re-enter MEPHISTOPHILIS [like a Franciscan Friar].

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

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

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

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

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

Faust. Did not my conjuring speeches raise thee? Speak:

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

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

Meph. Arch-regent and commander of all spirits.

Faust. Was not that Lucifer an angel once?

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

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

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

Faust. And what are you that you live with Lucifer?

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

Faust. Where are you damn’d?

Meph. In hell.

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

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

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

Meph. I will, Faustus. Exit. 105

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

[SCENE IV.][412]

Enter WAGNER and the CLOWN.

Wag. Sirrah, boy, come hither.

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

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

Clown. Ay, and goings out too. You may see else.

Wag. Alas, poor slave! See how poverty jesteth in his nakedness! The villain is bare and (10) out of service, and so hungry that I know he would give his soul to the devil for a shoulder of mutton, though it were blood-raw.

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

Wag. Well, wilt thou serve me, and I’ll make thee go like Qui mihi discipulus?[414] 20

Clown. How, in verse?

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

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

Wag. Sirrah, I say in stavesacre.

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

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

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

Wag. Well, do you hear, sirrah? Hold, take these guilders. [Gives money.]

Clown. Gridirons! what be they?

Wag. Why, French crowns. 45

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

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

Clown. No, no. Here, take your gridirons again.

Wag. Truly I’ll none of them. 55

Clown. Truly but you shall.

Wag. Bear witness I gave them him.

Clown. Bear witness I give them you again.

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

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

Enter two DEVILS: the CLOWN runs up and down crying.

Wag. Baliol and Belcher! Spirits, away! Exeunt Devils.

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

Wag. Well, sirrah, follow me.

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

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

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

Wag. Well, sirrah, come.

Clown. But, do you hear, Wagner?

Wag. How!—Baliol and Belcher! 90

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

Wag. Villain—call me Master Wagner, and let thy left eye be diametarily[418] fixt upon my right heel, with quasi vestigias nostras insistere.[419] Exit.

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

[SCENE V.]

Enter FAUSTUS in his study.

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

Enter GOOD ANGEL and EVIL [ANGEL]

G. Ang. Sweet Faustus, leave that execrable art. 15

Faust. Contrition, prayer, repentance! What of them?

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

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

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

E. Ang. No, Faustus, think of honour and of wealth. Exeunt [ANGELS.]

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

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

Faust. Already Faustus hath hazarded that for thee.

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

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

Meph. Enlarge his kingdom.

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

Meph. Solamen miseris socios habuisse doloris.[421]

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

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

Faust. Ay, Mephistophilis, I give it thee.

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

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

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

Faust. Ay, so I will. [Writes.] But, Mephistophilis, 60 My blood congeals, and I can write no more.

Meph. I’ll fetch thee fire to dissolve it straight. Exit.

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

Re-enter MEPHISTOPHILIS with a chafer of coals.

Meph. Here’s fire. Come, Faustus, set it on.

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

Meph. O what will not I do to obtain his soul. [Aside.]

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

Meph. I’ll fetch him somewhat to delight his mind. Exit.

Re-enter [MEPHISTOPHILIS] with Devils, giving crowns and rich apparel to FAUSTUS, and dance, and then depart.

Faust. Speak, Mephistophilis, what means this show?

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

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

Meph. Ay, Faustus, and do greater things than these.

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

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

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

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

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

Meph. Now, Faustus, ask what thou wilt. 114

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

Meph. Under the heavens.

Faust. Ay, but whereabout?

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

Faust. Come, I think hell’s a fable.

Meph. Ay, think so still, till experience change thy mind.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Re-enter MEPHISTOPHILIS with a Devil dressed like a woman, with fireworks.

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

Faust. A plague on her for a hot whore!

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

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

Meph. Here they are, in this book. Turns to them.

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

Meph. Here they are too. Turns to them.

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

Meph. Here they be.

Faust. O, thou art deceived.

Meph. Tut, I warrant thee. Turns to them. [Exeunt.]

[SCENE VI.[427]

Enter FAUSTUS and MEPHISTOPHILIS.]

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

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

Faust. How provest thou that?

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

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

Enter GOOD ANGEL and EVIL ANGEL.

G. Ang. Faustus, repent; yet God will pity thee.

E. Ang. Thou art a spirit; God cannot pity thee.

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

E. Ang. Ay, but Faustus never shall repent. Exeunt [ANGELS.]

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

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

Faust. But tell me, have they all one motion, both situ et tempore?[428] 46

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

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

Meph. Ay.

Faust. How many heavens, or spheres, are there?

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

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

Meph. Per inæqualem motum respecta totius.[429]

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

Meph. I will not.

Faust. Sweet Mephistophilis, tell me.

Meph. Move me not, for I will not tell thee.

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

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

Faust. Think, Faustus, upon God that made the world.

Meph. Remember this. 80

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

Re-enter GOOD ANGEL and EVIL ANGEL.

E. Ang. Too late.

G. Ang. Never too late, if Faustus can repent.

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

G. Ang. Repent, and they shall never raze thy skin. Exeunt [ANGELS.]

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

Enter LUCIFER, BELZEBUB, and MEPHISTOPHILIS.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Enter the SEVEN DEADLY SINS.

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

Faust. What art thou—the first?

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

Faust. What art thou—the second?

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

Faust. What art thou—the third? 135

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

Faust. What art thou—the fourth?

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

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

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

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

Glut. Then the Devil choke thee!

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

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

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

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

Luc. Away to hell, to hell! (Exeunt the SINS.) Now, Faustus, how dost thou like this? 186

Faust. O, this feeds my soul!

Luc. Tut, Faustus, in hell is all manner of delight.

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

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

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

Luc. Farewell, Faustus, and think on the Devil.

Faust. Farewell, great Lucifer! Come, Mephistophilis. Exeunt omnes.

Enter WAGNER.[433]

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

[SCENE VII.][434]

Enter FAUSTUS and MEPHISTOPHILIS.

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

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

Faust. I hope his Holiness will bid us welcome.

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

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

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

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

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

Sound a sennet.[438] Enter the POPE and the CARDINAL of LORRAIN to the banquet, with FRIARS attending.

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

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

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

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

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

Faust. I thank you, sir. Snatches it.

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

Faust. You say true; I’ll ha’t. [Snatches it.]

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

Faust. I’ll pledge your Grace. [Snatches the cup.] 75

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

Pope. It may be so. Friars, prepare a dirge to lay the fury of this ghost. Once again, my (80) lord, fall to. The POPE crosseth himself.

Faust. What, are you crossing of yourself? Well, use that trick no more I would advise you. [The POPE] crosses [himself] again. Well, there’s the second time. Aware the third. I give you fair warning. 85 [The POPE] crosses [himself] again, and FAUSTUS hits him a box of the ear; and they all run away. Come on, Mephistophilis, what shall we do?

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

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

Re-enter all the FRIARS to sing the Dirge.

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

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

[MEPHISTOPHILIS and FAUSTUS] beat the FRIARS, and fling fireworks among them: and so exeunt.

Enter CHORUS.

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

[SCENE VIII.][442]

Enter ROBIN the Ostler with a book in his hand.

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

Enter RALPH calling Robin.

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

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

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

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

Ralph. Why, Robin, what book is that?

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

Ralph. Canst thou conjure with it?

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

Ralph. Our Master Parson says that’s nothing.

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

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

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

[SCENE IX.][444]

Enter ROBIN and RALPH with a silver goblet.

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

Enter the VINTNER.

Ralph. But, Robin, here comes the vintner.

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

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

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

Vint. I mean so, sir, with your favour. [Searches him.] 15

Robin. How say you now?

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

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

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

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

Vint. What mean you, sirrah?

Robin. I’ll tell you what I mean. Reads [from a book.] Sanctobulorum, Periphrasticon—Nay, I’ll tickle you, vintner. Look to the goblet, Ralph. [Aside to RALPH.] (35) Polypragmos Belseborams framanto pacostiphos tostu, Mephistophilis, &c. [Reads.]

Enter MEPHISTOPHILIS, sets squibs at their backs, [and then exit]. They run about.

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

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

[Gives the goblet to VINTNER, who exit.]

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

Re-enter to them MEPHISTOPHILIS.

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

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

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

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

Ralph. And I must be a dog.

Robin. I’ faith thy head will never be out of the pottage pot. Exeunt.

[SCENE X.][450]

Enter EMPEROR, FAUSTUS, and a KNIGHT with attendants.

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

Knight. I’faith he looks much like a conjuror. Aside. 15

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

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

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

Knight. I’ faith that’s just nothing at all. Aside.

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

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

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

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

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

Faust. How then, sir? 70

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

Faust. No, sir, but when Actæon died, he left the horns for you. Mephistophilis, begone. Exit MEPHISTOPHILIS. 75

Knight. Nay, an you go to conjuring, I’ll begone. Exit.

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

Re-enter MEPHISTOPHILIS with [SPIRITS in the shape of] ALEXANDER and his PARAMOUR.

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

Faust. Your Highness may boldly go and see.

Exeunt [SPIRITS.]

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

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

Emp. One of you call him forth.

[Exit Attendant.]

Re-enter the KNIGHT with a pair of horns on his head.

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

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

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

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

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

Emp. Farewell, Master Doctor; yet, ere you go, Expect from me a bounteous reward. Exeunt.

[SCENE XI.][454]

[Enter FAUSTUS and MEPHISTOPHILIS.]

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

Meph. What, will you go on horseback or on foot?

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

Enter a HORSE-COURSER.

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

Faust. What, horse-courser! You are well met.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Exit HORSE-COURSER.

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

Sleeps in his chair.

Re-enter HORSE-COURSER, all wet, crying.

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

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

Horse-C. But I will speak with him. 70

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

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

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

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

Meph. See where he is, fast asleep. 79

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

Meph. Why, thou seest he hears thee not.

Horse-C. So ho, ho!—so ho, ho! (Hollas in (85) his ear.) No, will you not wake? I’ll make you wake ere I go. (Pulls FAUSTUS by the leg, and pulls it away.) Alas, I am undone! What shall I do?

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

Meph. Come, villain, to the constable.

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

Meph. Where be they? 95

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

Meph. Begone quickly.

HORSE-COURSER runs away.

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

Enter WAGNER.

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

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

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

[SCENE XII.][458]

Enter the DUKE [of VANHOLT], the DUCHESS, [FAUSTUS, and MEPHISTOPHILIS.]

Duke. Believe me, Master Doctor, this merriment hath much pleased me.

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

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

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

Re-enter MEPHISTOPHILIS with the grapes.

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

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

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

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

Faust. I am glad they content you so, madam.

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

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

Faust. I humbly thank your Grace.

Duke. Come, Master Doctor, follow us and receive your reward. Exeunt.

[SCENE XIII.][459]

Enter WAGNER, solus.

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

Enter FAUSTUS, with two or three SCHOLARS [and MEPHISTOPHILIS.]

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

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

Music sounds, and HELEN passeth over the stage.

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

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

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

Enter an OLD MAN.

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

Faustus. Gentlemen, farewell—the same I wish to you. Exeunt SCHOLARS [and WAGNER].

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Re-enter HELEN.

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

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

[SCENE XIV.][463]

Enter FAUSTUS with the SCHOLARS.

Faust. Ah, gentlemen!

1 Schol. What ails Faustus?

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

2 Schol. What means Faustus?

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

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

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

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

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

3 Schol. Yet, Faustus, call on God.

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

All. Who, Faustus? 40

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

All. God forbid!

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

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

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

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

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

3 Schol. God will strengthen me. I will stay with Faustus.

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

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

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

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

All. Faustus, farewell!

Exeunt SCHOLARS. The clock strikes eleven.

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

Enter CHORUS.

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

THE JEW OF MALTA

BY CHRISTOPHER MARLOWE

[DRAMATIS PERSONAE.

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

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

MACHIAVEL, Speaker of the Prologue.

Scene.—Malta.]

[THE PROLOGUE.]

MACHIAVEL.

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

[ACT I

Spotted a typo or a problem in this chapter? Tell us

Act V, Scene I — ]

Enter BARABAS in his counting-house, with heaps of gold before him.

Bar. So that of thus much that return was made: And of the third part of the Persian ships, There was the venture summ’d and satisfied. As for those Samnites,[468] and the men of Uz, That bought my Spanish oils and wines of Greece, 5 Here have I purs’d their paltry silverlings. Fie, what a trouble ’t is to count this trash! Well fare the Arabians, who so richly pay The things they traffic for with wedge of gold. Whereof a man may easily in a day 10 Tell[469] that which may maintain him all his life. The needy groom that never fing’red groat, Would make a miracle of thus much coin; But he whose steel-barr’d coffers are cramm’d full, And all his lifetime hath been tired, 15 Wearying his fingers’ ends with telling it, Would in his age be loth to labour so, And for a pound to sweat himself to death. Give me the merchants of the Indian mines, That trade in metal of the purest mould; 20 The wealthy Moor, that in the eastern rocks Without control can pick his riches up, And in his house heap pearl like pebble-stones, Receive them free, and sell them by the weight; Bags of fiery opals, sapphires, amethysts, 25 Jacinths, hard topaz, grass-green emeralds, Beauteous rubies, sparkling diamonds, And seld-seen[470] costly stones of so great price As one of them indifferently rated, And of a carat of this quantity, 30 May serve in peril of calamity To ransom great kings from captivity. This is the ware wherein consists my wealth; And thus methinks should men of judgment frame Their means of traffic from the vulgar trade, 35 And as their wealth increaseth, so inclose Infinite riches in a little room. But now how stands the wind? Into what corner peers my halcyon’s bill?[471] Ha! to the east? Yes. See, how stands the vanes? 40 East and by south: why, then, I hope my ships I sent for Egypt and the bordering isles Are gotten up by Nilus’ winding banks; Mine argosy from Alexandria, Loaden with spice and silks, now under sail, 45 Are smoothly gliding down by Candy shore To Malta, through our Mediterranean sea. But who comes here? How now?

Enter a Merchant.

Merch. Barabas, thy ships are safe. Riding in Malta-road: and all the merchants 50 With other merchandise are safe arriv’d, And have sent me to know whether yourself Will come and custom[472] them.

Bar. The ships are safe thou say’st, and richly fraught?

Merch. They are.

Bar. Why then go bid them come ashore, And bring with them their bills of entry. 56 I hope our credit in the custom-house Will serve as well as I were present there. Go send ’em threescore camels, thirty mules, And twenty waggons to bring up the ware. 60 But art thou master in a ship of mine, And is thy credit not enough for that?

Merch. The very custom barely comes to more Than many merchants of the town are worth, And therefore far exceeds my credit, sir. 65

Bar. Go tell ’em the Jew of Malta sent thee, man: Tush! who amongst ’em knows not Barabas?

Merch. I go.

Bar. So then, there’s somewhat come. Sirrah, which of my ships art thou master of?

Merch. Of the Speranza, sir.

Bar. And saw’st thou not Mine argosy at Alexandria? 71 Thou could’st not come from Egypt, or by Caire, But at the entry there into the sea, Where Nilus pays his tribute to the main, Thou needs must sail by Alexandria. 75

Merch. I neither saw them, nor inquir’d of them: But this we heard some of our seamen say, They wond’red how you durst with so much wealth Trust such a crazed vessel, and so far.

Bar. Tush, they are wise! I know her and her strength. 80 [But] go, go thou thy ways, discharge thy ship, And bid my factor bring his loading in. [Exit Merch.] And yet I wonder at this argosy.

Enter a second Merchant.

2 Merch. Thine argosy from Alexandria, Know, Barabas, doth ride in Malta-road, 85 Laden with riches, and exceeding store Of Persian silks, of gold, and orient pearl.

Bar. How chance you came not with those other ships That sail’d by Egypt?

2 Merch. Sir, we saw ’em not.

Bar. Belike they coasted round by Candy shore 90 About their oils, or other businesses. But ’t was ill done of you to come so far Without the aid or conduct of their ships.

2 Merch. Sir, we were wafted by a Spanish fleet, That never left us till within a league, 95 That had the galleys of the Turk in chase.

Bar. O! they were going up to Sicily.— Well, go, And bid the merchants and my men despatch And come ashore, and see the fraught discharg’d. 100

2 Merch. I go. Exit.

Bar. Thus trowls our fortune in by land and sea, And thus are we on every side enrich’d. These are blessings promis’d to the Jews, And herein was old Abram’s happiness. 105 What more may Heaven do for earthly man Than thus to pour out plenty in their laps, Ripping the bowels of the earth for them, Making the sea their servant,[473] and the winds To drive their substance with successful blasts? Who hateth me but for my happiness? 111 Or who is honour’d now but for his wealth? Rather had I, a Jew, be hated thus, Than pitied in a Christian poverty; For I can see no fruits in all their faith, 115 But malice, falsehood, and excessive pride, Which methinks fits not their profession. Haply some hapless man hath conscience, And for his conscience lives in beggary. They say we are a scatter’d nation: 120 I cannot tell, but we have scambled[474] up More wealth by far than those that brag of faith. There ’s Kirriah Jairim, the great Jew of Greece, Obed in Bairseth, Nones in Portugal, Myself in Malta, some in Italy, 125 Many in France, and wealthy every one; Ay, wealthier far than any Christian. I must confess we come not to be kings; That’s not our fault: alas, our number’s few, And crowns come either by succession, 130 Or urg’d by force; and nothing violent Oft have I heard tell, can be permanent. Give us a peaceful rule, make Christians kings, That thirst so much for principality. I have no charge,[475] nor many children, 135 But one sole daughter, whom I hold as dear As Agamemnon did his Iphigen; And all I have is hers. But who comes here?

Enter three Jews.[476]

1 Jew. Tush, tell not me; ’t was done of policy.

2 Jew. Come, therefore, let us go to Barabas, 140 For he can counsel best in these affairs; And here he comes.

Bar. Why, how now, countrymen! Why flock you thus to me in multitudes? What accident’s betided to the Jews?

1 Jew. A fleet of warlike galleys, Barabas, 145 Are come from Turkey, and lie in our road; And they this day sit in the council-house To entertain them and their embassy.

Bar. Why, let ’em come, so they come not to war; Or let ’em war, so we be conquerors:— 150 Nay, let ’em combat, conquer, and kill all! So they spare me, my daughter, and my wealth. Aside.

1 Jew. Were it for confirmation of a league, They would not come in warlike manner thus.

2 Jew. I fear their coming will afflict us all.

Bar. Fond[477] men! what dream you of their multitudes? 156 What need they treat of peace that are in league? The Turks and those of Malta are in league. Tut, tut, there is some other matter in ’t.

1 Jew. Why, Barabas, they come for peace or war. 160

Bar. Haply for neither, but to pass along Towards Venice by the Adriatic Sea; With[478] whom they have attempted many times, But never could effect their stratagem.

3 Jew. And very wisely said. It may be so.

2 Jew. But there’s a meeting in the senate-house, 166 And all the Jews in Malta must be there.

Bar. Hum; all the Jews in Malta must be there? Ay, like enough. Why, then, let every man Provide him, and be there for fashion-sake, 170 If anything shall there concern our state, Assure yourselves I’ll look—unto myself. Aside.

1 Jew. I know you will. Well, brethren, let us go.

2 Jew. Let’s take our leaves. Farewell, good Barabas.

Bar. Do so. Farewell, Zaareth; farewell, Temainte. [Exeunt Jews.] 175 And, Barabas, now search this secret out; Summon thy senses, call thy wits together: These silly men mistake the matter clean. Long to the Turk did Malta contribute; Which tribute, all in policy, I fear, 180 The Turks have let increase to such a sum As all the wealth of Malta cannot pay; And now by that advantage thinks, belike, To seize upon the town: ay, that he seeks. Howe’er the world go, I’ll make sure for one, And seek in time to intercept the worst, 185 Warily guarding that which I ha’ got. Ego mihimet sum semper proximus.[479] Why, let ’em enter, let ’em take the town. [Exit.]

[SCENE II.][480]

Enter [FERNEZE,] Governor of Malta, Knights, [and Officers;] met by Bassoes of the Turk; CALYMATH.

Fern. Now, Bassoes,[481] what demand you at our hands?

1 Bas. Know, Knights of Malta, that we came from Rhodes, From Cyprus, Candy, and those other Isles That lie betwixt the Mediterranean seas.

Fern. What ’s Cyprus, Candy, and those other Isles 5 To us or Malta? What at our hands demand ye?

Cal. The ten years’ tribute that remains unpaid.

Fern. Alas! my lord, the sum is over-great. I hope your highness will consider us.

Cal. I wish, grave governor, ’t were in my power 10 To favour you, but ’t is my father’s cause, Wherein I may not, nay, I dare not dally.

Fern. Then give us leave, great Selim Calymath. [Consults apart with the Knights.]

Cal. Stand all aside, and let the knights determine, And send to keep our galleys under sail, 15 For happily[482] we shall not tarry here.— Now, governor, how are you resolv’d?

Fern. Thus: since your hard conditions are such That you will needs have ten years’ tribute past, We may have time to make collection 20 Amongst the inhabitants of Malta for ’t.

1 Bas. That’s more than is in our commission.

Cal. What, Callipine! a little courtesy. Let ’s know their time, perhaps it is not long; And ’t is more kingly to obtain by peace 25 Than to enforce conditions by constraint. What respite ask you, governors?

Fern. But a month.

Cal. We grant a month, but see you keep your promise. Now launch our galleys back again to sea, Where we’ll attend[483] the respite you have ta’en, And for the money send our messenger. 31 Farewell, great governor and brave Knights of Malta.

Fern. And all good fortune wait on Calymath! Exeunt [CALYMATH and Bassoes.] Go one and call those Jews of Malta hither: Were they not summon’d to appear to-day? 35

Off. They were, my lord, and here they come.

Enter BARABAS and three Jews.

1 Knight. Have you determined what to say to them?

Fern. Yes, give me leave:—and, Hebrews, now come near. From the Emperor of Turkey is arriv’d Great Selim Calymath, his highness’ son, 40 To levy of us ten years’ tribute past, Now then, here know that it concerneth us—

Bar. Then, good my lord, to keep your quiet still, Your lordship shall do well to let them have it.

Fern. Soft, Barabas, there’s more longs to ’t than so. 45 To what this ten years’ tribute will amount, That we have cast,[484] but cannot compass it By reason of the wars that robb’d our store; And therefore are we to request your aid.

Bar. Alas, my lord, we are no soldiers; 50 And what’s our aid against so great a prince?

1 Knight. Tut, Jew, we know thou art no soldier; Thou art a merchant and a monied man, And ’t is thy money, Barabas, we seek. 54

Bar. How, my lord! my money?

Fern. Thine and the rest. For, to be short, amongst you ’t must be had.

1 Jew. Alas, my lord, the most of us are poor.

Fern. Then let the rich increase your portions.

Bar. Are strangers with your tribute to be tax’d?

2 Knight. Have strangers leave with us to get their wealth? 60 Then let them with us contribute.

Bar. How! Equally?

Fern. No, Jew, like infidels. For through our sufferance of your hateful lives, Who stand accursed in the sight of Heaven, These taxes and afflictions are befall’n, 65 And therefore thus we are determined. Read there the articles of our decrees.

Reader. “First, the tribute-money of the Turks shall all be levied amongst the Jews, and each of them to pay one half of his estate.” 70

Bar. How, half his estate? I hope you mean not mine. [Aside.]

Fern. Read on.

Reader. “Secondly, he that denies[485] to pay shall straight become a Christian.”

Bar. How, a Christian? Hum, what’s here to do? [Aside.] 75

Reader. “Lastly, he that denies this shall absolutely lose all he has.”

All three Jews. O my lord, we will give half.

Bar. O earth-mettl’d villains, and no Hebrews born! And will you basely thus submit yourselves 80 To leave your goods to their arbitrament?

Fern. Why, Barabas, wilt thou be christened?

Bar. No, governor, I will be no convertite.[486]

Fern. Then pay thy half.

Bar. Why, know you what you did by this device? 85 Half of my substance is a city’s wealth. Governor, it was not got so easily; Nor will I part so slightly therewithal.

Fern. Sir, half is the penalty of our decree, Either pay that, or we will seize on all. 90

Bar. Corpo di Dio! stay! you shall have half; Let me be us’d but as my brethren are.

Fern. No, Jew, thou hast denied the articles, And now it cannot be recall’d.

[Exeunt Officers, on a sign from FERNEZE.]

Bar. Will you then steal my goods? 95 Is theft the ground of your religion?

Fern. No, Jew, we take particularly thine To save the ruin of a multitude; And better one want for the common good Than many perish for a private man. 100 Yet, Barabas, we will not banish thee, But here in Malta, where thou gott’st thy wealth, Live still; and, if thou canst, get more.

Bar. Christians, what or how can I multiply? Of naught is nothing made. 105

1 Knight. From naught at first thou cam’st to little wealth, From little unto more, from more to most. If your first curse fall heavy on thy head, And make thee poor and scorn’d of all the world, ’T is not our fault, but thy inherent sin. 110

Bar. What, bring you Scripture to your wrongs? Preach me not out of my possessions. Some Jews are wicked, as all Christians are; But say the tribe that I descended of Were all in general cast away for sin, 115 Shall I be tried by their transgression? The man that dealeth righteously shall live; And which of you can charge me otherwise?

Fern. Out, wretched Barabas! Sham’st thou not thus to justify thyself, 120 As if we knew not thy profession? If thou rely upon thy righteousness, Be patient and thy riches will increase. Excess of wealth is cause of covetousness: And covetousness, O, ’tis a monstrous sin. 125

Bar. Ay, but theft is worse. Tush! take not from me then, For that is theft; and if you rob me thus, I must be forc’d to steal and compass more.

1 Knight. Grave governor, list not to his exclaims. Convert his mansion to a nunnery; 130 Re-enter Officers. His house will harbour many holy nuns.

Fern. It shall be so. Now, officers, have you done?

Off. Ay, my lord, we have seiz’d upon the goods And wares of Barabas, which being valued, Amount to more than all the wealth in Malta. 135 And of the other we have seized half.

[Fern.] Then we’ll take order for the residue.

Bar. Well then, my lord, say, are you satisfied? You have my goods, my money, and my wealth, My ships, my store, and all that I enjoy’d; 140 And, having all, you can request no more; Unless your unrelenting flinty hearts Suppress all pity in your stony breasts, And now shall move you to bereave my life.

Fern. No, Barabas, to stain our hands with blood 145 Is far from us and our profession.

Bar. Why, I esteem the injury far less To take the lives of miserable men Than be the causers of their misery. You have my wealth, the labour of my life, 150 The comfort of mine age, my children’s hope, And therefore ne’er distinguish of the wrong.

Fern. Content thee, Barabas, thou hast naught but right.

Bar. Your extreme right does me exceeding wrong: But take it to you, i’ the devil’s name. 155

Fern. Come, let us in, and gather of these goods The money for this tribute of the Turk.

1 Knight. ’Tis necessary that be look’d unto; For if we break our day, we break the league, And that will prove but simple[487] policy. 160

Exeunt [all except BARABAS and the Jews.]

Bar. Ay, policy! that’s their profession, And not simplicity, as they suggest. The plagues of Egypt, and the curse of Heaven, Earth’s barrenness, and all men’s hatred Inflict upon them, thou great Primus Motor! 165 And here upon my knees, striking the earth, I ban their souls to everlasting pains And extreme tortures of the fiery deep, That thus have dealt with me in my distress.

1 Jew. O yet be patient, gentle Barabas. 170

Bar. O silly brethren, born to see this day, Why stand you thus unmov’d with my laments? Why weep you not to think upon my wrongs? Why pine not I, and die in this distress?

1 Jew. Why, Barabas, as hardly can we brook 175 The cruel handling of ourselves in this; Thou seest they have taken half our goods.

Bar. Why did you yield to their extortion? You were a multitude, and I but one; And of me only have they taken all. 180

1 Jew. Yet, Brother Barabas, remember Job.

Bar. What tell you me of Job? I wot his wealth Was written thus: he had seven thousand sheep, Three thousand camels, and two hundred yoke Of labouring oxen, and five hundred 185 She-asses: but for every one of those, Had they been valued at indifferent rate, I had at home, and in mine argosy, And other ships that came from Egypt last, As much as would have bought his beasts and him, 190 And yet have kept enough to live upon: So that not he, but I may curse the day, Thy fatal birth-day, forlorn Barabas; And henceforth wish for an eternal night, 194 That clouds of darkness may inclose my flesh, And hide these extreme sorrows from mine eyes: For only I have toil’d to inherit here The months of vanity and loss of time, And painful nights, have been appointed me.[488]

2 Jew. Good Barabas, be patient. 200

Bar. Ay; Pray, leave me in my patience. You that Were ne’er possess’d of wealth, are pleas’d with want; But give him liberty at least to mourn, That in a field amidst his enemies 205 Doth see his soldiers slain, himself disarm’d, And knows no means of his recovery. Ay, let me sorrow for this sudden chance; ’Tis in the trouble of my spirit I speak; Great injuries are not so soon forgot. 210

1 Jew. Come, let us leave him; in his ireful mood Our words will but increase his ecstasy.[489]

2 Jew. On, then; but trust me ’t is a misery To see a man in such affliction.— Farewell, Barabas! Exeunt [the three Jews.]

Bar. Ay, fare you well. 215 See the simplicity of these base slaves, Who, for the villains have no wit themselves, Think me to be a senseless lump of clay That will with every water wash to dirt. No, Barabas is born to better chance, 220 And fram’d of finer mould than common men, That measure naught but by the present time. A reaching thought will search his deepest wits, And cast[490] with cunning for the time to come: For evils are apt to happen every day.— 225 Enter ABIGAIL.[491] But wither wends my beauteous Abigail? O! what has made my lovely daughter sad? What, woman! moan not for a little loss: Thy father has enough in store for thee.

Abig. Not for myself, but aged Barabas; 230 Father, for thee lamenteth Abigail. But I will learn to leave these fruitless tears, And, urg’d thereto with my afflictions, With fierce exclaims run to the senate-house, And in the senate reprehend them all, 235 And rend their hearts with tearing of my hair, Till they reduce[492] the wrongs done to my father.

Bar. No, Abigail, things past recovery Are hardly cur’d with exclamations. Be silent, daughter, sufferance breeds ease, 240 And time may yield us an occasion Which on the sudden cannot serve the turn. Besides, my girl, think me not all so fond[493] As negligently to forego so much Without provision for thyself and me: 245 Ten thousand portagues,[494] besides great pearls, Rich costly jewels, and stones infinite, Fearing the worst of this before it fell, I closely hid.

Abig. Where, father?

Bar. In my house, my girl.

Abig. Then shall they ne’er be seen of Barabas: 250 For they have seiz’d upon thy house and wares.

Bar. But they will give me leave once more, I trow, To go into my house.

Abig. That may they not: For there I left the governor placing nuns, Displacing me; and of thy house they mean 255 To make a nunnery, where none but their own sect[495] Must enter in; men generally barr’d.

Bar. My gold! my gold! and all my wealth is gone! You partial heavens, have I deserv’d this plague? What, will you thus oppose me, luckless stars, 260 To make me desperate in my poverty? And knowing me impatient in distress, Think me so mad as I will hang myself, That I may vanish o’er the earth in air, And leave no memory that e’er I was? 265 No, I will live; nor loathe I this my life: And, since you leave me in the ocean thus To sink or swim, and put me to my shifts, I’ll rouse my senses and awake myself. 269 Daughter, I have it! Thou perceiv’st the plight Wherein these Christians have oppressed me. Be rul’d by me, for in extremity We ought to make bar of no policy.

Abig. Father, whate’er it be to injure them That have so manifestly wronged us, 275 What will not Abigail attempt?

Bar. Why, so; Then thus, thou told’st me they have turn’d my house Into a nunnery, and some nuns are there?

Abig. I did.

Bar. Then, Abigail, there must my girl Entreat the abbess to be entertain’d. 280

Abig. How, as a nun?

Bar. Ay, daughter, for religion Hides many mischiefs from suspicion.

Abig. Ay, but, father, they will suspect me there.

Bar. Let ’em suspect; but be thou so precise As they may think it done of holiness. 285 Entreat ’em fair, and give them friendly speech, And seem to them as if thy sins were great, Till thou has gotten to be entertain’d.

Abig. Thus, father, shall I much dissemble.

Bar. Tush! As good dissemble that thou never mean’st, 290 As first mean truth and then dissemble it. A counterfeit profession is better Than unseen hypocrisy.

Abig. Well, father, say [that] I be entertain’d. What then shall follow?

Bar. This shall follow then: There have I hid, close underneath the plank 296 That runs along the upper-chamber floor, The gold and jewels which I kept for thee. But here they come; be cunning, Abigail.

Abig. Then, father, go with me.

Bar. No, Abigail, in this It is not necessary I be seen; 301 For I will seem offended with thee for ’t. Be close,[496] my girl, for this must fetch my gold. [They retire.]

Enter Friars [JACOMO and BARNARDINE, Abbess,] and a Nun.

F. Jac. Sisters, 304 We now are almost at the new-made nunnery.

Abb. The better; for we love not to be seen. ’T is thirty winters long since some of us Did stray so far amongst the multitude.

F. Jac. But, madam, this house And waters[497] of this new-made nunnery 310 Will much delight you.

Abb. It may be so; but who comes here? [ABIGAIL comes forward.]

Abig. Grave abbess, and you, happy virgins’ guide, Pity the state of a distressed maid.

Abb. What art thou, daughter? 315

Abig. The hopeless daughter of a hapless Jew, The Jew of Malta, wretched Barabas; Sometimes the owner of a goodly house, Which they have now turn’d to a nunnery.

Abb. Well, daughter, say, what is thy suit with us? 320

Abig. Fearing the afflictions which my father feels Proceed from sin, or want of faith in us, I ’d pass away my life in penitence, And be a novice in your nunnery, To make atonement for my labouring soul. 325

F. Jac. No doubt, brother, but this proceedeth of the spirit.

F. Barn. Ay, and a moving spirit too, brother; but come, Let us entreat she may be entertain’d.

Abb. Well, daughter, we admit you for a nun. 329

Abig. First let me as a novice learn to frame My solitary life to your strait laws, And let me lodge where I was wont to lie. I do not doubt, by your divine precepts And mine own industry, but to profit much.

Bar. As much, I hope, as all I hid is worth. Aside.

Abb. Come, daughter, follow us. 336

Bar. [coming forward.] Why, how now, Abigail, what makest thou Amongst these hateful Christians?

F. Jac. Hinder her not, thou man of little faith, 339 For she has mortified herself.

Bar. How! mortified?

F. Jac. And is admitted to the sisterhood.

Bar. Child of perdition, and thy father’s shame! What wilt thou do among these hateful fiends? I charge thee on my blessing that thou leave These devils, and their damned heresy. 345

Abig. Father, give me— [She goes to him.]

Bar. (Whispers to her.) Nay, back, Abigail,— And think upon the jewels and the gold; The board is marked thus that covers it.— Away, accursed, from thy father’s sight.

F. Jac. Barabas, although thou art in misbelief, 350 And wilt not see thine own afflictions, Yet let thy daughter be no longer blind.

Bar. Blind friar, I reck not thy persuasions,— (The board is marked thus + that covers it.) [Aside to ABIGAIL in a whisper.] For I had rather die than see her thus. 355 Wilt thou forsake me too in my distress, Seduced daughter? (Go, forget not!) Aside. Becomes it Jews to be so credulous?— (To-morrow early I’ll be at the door.) Aside. No, come not at me; if thou wilt be damn’d, Forget me, see me not, and so be gone.— 361 (Farewell, remember to-morrow morning.)— Aside. Out, out, thou wretch!

[Exeunt, on one side BARABAS, on the other side Friars, Abbess, NUN, and ABIGAIL; as they are going out,]

Enter MATHIAS.

Math. Who’s this? Fair Abigail, the rich Jew’s daughter, Become a nun! Her father’s sudden fall 365 Has humbled her and brought her down to this. Tut, she were fitter for a tale of love, Than to be tired out with orisons; And better would she far become a bed, Embraced in a friendly lover’s arms, 370 Than rise at midnight to a solemn mass.

Enter LODOWICK.

Lod. Why, how now, Don Mathias! in a dump?

Math. Believe me, noble Lodowick, I have seen The strangest sight, in my opinion, That ever I beheld.

Lod. What was ’t I pritbee? 375

Math. A fair young maid, scarce fourteen years of age, The sweetest flower in Cytherea’s field, Cropt from the pleasures of the fruitful earth, And strangely metamorphos’d [to a] nun.

Lod. But say, what was she?

Math. Why, the rich Jew’s daughter.

Lod. What, Barabas, whose goods were lately seiz’d? 381 Is she so fair?

Math. And matchless beautiful, As, had you seen her, ’t would have mov’d your heart, Though countermin’d with walls of brass, to love, Or at the least to pity. 385

Lod. And if she be so fair as you report, ’T were time well spent to go and visit her. How say you, shall we?

Math. I must and will, sir; there ’s no remedy.

Lod. And so will I too, or it shall go hard. Farewell, Mathias.

Math. Farewell, Lodowick. 391 Exeunt [severally.]

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