The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus by Christopher Marlowe (chrome ebook reader .TXT) 📕

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 of truth.

Vintner Well, t’one of you hath this goblet about you. Robin You lie, drawer, ’tis afore me Aside. Sirrah you, I’ll teach you 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. Vintner 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. Reads. Polypragmos Belseborams framanto pacostiphos tostu, Mephistopheles, etc. Enter Mephistopheles, sets squibs at their backs, and then exit. They run about. Vintner O, nomine Domini! what meanest thou, Robin? thou hast no goblet. Ralph Peccatum peccatorum! Here’s thy goblet, good vintner. Gives the goblet to Vintner, who exit. Robin Misericordia pro nobis! What shall I do? Good Devil, forgive me now, and I’ll never rob thy library more. Re-enter Mephistopheles. Mephistopheles

Monarch of hell, under whose black survey
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.

Robin How, from Constantinople! You have had a great journey: will you take sixpence in your purse to pay for your supper, and begone? Mephistopheles Well, villains, for your presumption, 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. Ralph And I must be a dog. Robin I’faith, thy head will never be out of the pottage pot. Exeunt. Scene X Enter Emperor, Faustus, and a Knight, with Attendants.59 Emperor 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 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 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 conjurer. Aside. Faustus My gracious sovereign, though I must confess myself far inferior to the report men have published, and nothing answerable to the honour of your imperial majesty, yet for that love and duty binds me thereunto, I am content to do whatsoever your majesty shall command me. Emperor

Then, Doctor Faustus, mark what I shall say.
As I was sometime solitary set
Within my closet, sundry thoughts arose
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
(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 preeminence,
The bright shining of whose glorious acts
Lightens the world with his reflecting beams,
As when I hear but motion made of him
It grieves my soul I never saw the man.
If therefore thou by cunning of thine art,
Canst raise this man from hollow vaults below,
Where lies entombed this famous conqueror,
And bring with him his beauteous paramour,
Both in their right shapes, gesture, and attire
They used to wear during their time of life,
Thou shalt both satisfy my just desire,
And give me cause to praise thee whilst I live.

Faustus 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. Knight I’faith that’s just nothing at all. Aside. Faustus 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. Knight Ay, marry, Master Doctor, now there’s a sign of grace in you, when you will confess the truth. Aside. Faustus But such spirits as can lively resemble Alexander and his paramour shall appear before your grace in that manner that they both lived in, in their most flourishing estate; which I doubt not shall sufficiently content your imperial majesty. Emperor Go to, Master Doctor, let me see them presently. Knight Do you hear, Master Doctor? You bring Alexander and his paramour before the Emperor! Faustus How then, sir? Knight I’faith, that’s as true as Diana turned me to a stag. Faustus No, sir; but, when Actaeon died, he left the horns for you. Mephistopheles, begone. Exit Mephistopheles. Knight Nay, an you go to conjuring, I’ll begone. Exit. Faustus I’ll meet with you anon for interrupting me so. Here they are, my gracious lord. Re-enter Mephistopheles with Spirits in the shapes of Alexander and his Paramour. Emperor Master Doctor, I heard this lady while she lived had a wart or mole in her neck: how shall I know whether it be so or no? Faustus Your highness may boldly go and see. Emperor Sure, these are no spirits, but the true substantial bodies of those two deceased princes. Exeunt Spirits. Faustus Will’t please your highness now to send for the knight that was so pleasant with me here of late? Emperor 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. Knight

Thou damned