ACT THE THIRD.

Enter Chorus.

Learned Faustus, to find the secrets of Astronomy,

Graven in the book of Jove's high firmament,

Did mount him up to scale Olympus' top; Where sitting in a chariot burning bright, Drawn by the strength of yoked dragons' necks,

He views the clouds, the planets and the stars,

The tropic zones, and quarters of the sky,
From the bright circle of the horned moon,
Even to the height of Primum Mobile,
And whirling round with this circumference,
Within the concave compass of the pole,
From East to West his dragons swiftly
glide,

And in eight days did bring him home again :

Not long he stayed within his quiet house, To rest his bones after his weary toil;

But new exploits do hale him out again : And mounted then upon a dragon's back, That with his wings did part the subtle air, He now is gone to prove Cosmography, That measures coasts and kingdoms of the earth;

And as I guess will first arrive at Rome, To see the Pope and manner of his court, And take some part of holy Peter's feast, The which this day is highly solemnized.

SCENE I.

[Exit.

Enter Faustus and Mephistophilis. Faust. Having now, my good Mephistophilis,

Past with delight the stately town of Trier, Environed round with airy mountain tops, With walls of flint, and deep entrenched lakes,

Not to be won by any conquering Prince; From Paris next, coasting the realm of France,

We saw the river Maine fall into Rhine, Whose banks are set with groves of fruitful vines.

Then unto Naples; rich Campania, Whose buildings fair, and gorgeous to the eye,

The streets straight forth, and paved with finest brick

Quarter the town in four equivalents: There saw we learned Maro's golden tomb, The way he cut, an English mile in length, Thorough a rock of stone in one night's space.

From thence to Venice, Padua, and the East;

In one of which a sumptuous temple stands, That threats the stars with her aspiring top; Whose frame is paved with sundry coloured stones,

And rooft aloft with curious work in gold:
Thus hitherto hath Faustus spent his time.
But tell me now what resting place is this?
Hast thou, as erst I did command,
Conducted me within the walls of Rome?
Meph. I have, my Faustus, and for proof
thereof,

This is the goodly palace of the Pope :
And, 'cause we are no common guests,
I choose his privy chamber for our use.
Faust. I hope his holiness will bid us
welcome.

Meph. All's one, for we'll be bold with his venison.

But now, my Faustus, that thou may'st perceive,

What Rome contains for to delight thine eyes;

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 two stately bridges lean,
That make safe passage to each part of
Rome.

Upon the bridge, called Ponte Angelo,
Erected is a castle passing strong,
Where thou shalt see such store of ordnance,
As that the double cannons forged of brass,
Do match the number of the days contained
Within the compass of one complete year;
Beside the gates and high pyramedes,
That Julius Cæsar brought from Africa.
Faust. Now by the kingdoms of infernal
rule,

Of Styx, of Acheron, and the fiery lake
Of ever-burning Phlegethon, I swear ;
That I do long to see the monuments,
And situation of bright splendent Rome;
Come, therefore, let's away.

Meph. Nay, stay, my Faustus; I know you'd see the Pope,

And take some part of holy Peter's feast,
The which in state and high solemnity
This day is held through Rome and Italy,
In honour of the Pope's triumphant victory.
Faust. Sweet Mephistophilis, thou pleasest

me;

Whilst I am here on earth let me be cloyed With all things that delight the heart of

man:

Faust. Thanks, Mephistophilis; now, friars, take heed,

Lest Faustus make your shaven crowns to bleed.

Meph. Faustus, no more: see where the
Cardinals come.

Enter the Pope and Lords; then the
Cardinals with a book.

Pope. Welcome, Lord Cardinals; come, sit down; Lord Raymond, take your seat; friars, attend

And see that all things be in readiness,
As best beseems this solemn festival

I Card. First, may it please your sacred
holiness,

To view the sentence of the reverend synod, Concerning Bruno and the Emperor.

Pope. What needs this question? Did I not tell you,

To-morrow we would sit i' the consistory,
And there determine of his punishment?
You brought us word even now, it was
decreed,

That Bruno, and the cursed Emperor,
Were by the holy council both condemned.
For loathed Lollards, and base schismatics:
Then wherefore would you have me view
that book?

1 Card. Your grace mistakes, you gave
us no such charge.

Ray. Deny it not: we all are witnesses That Bruno here was late delivered you, With his rich triple crown to be reserved, And put into the church's treasury.

Both Card. By holy Paul we saw them not !

Pope. By Peter you shall die,

Unless you bring them forth immediately! Hale them to prison, lade their limbs with gyves:

False prelates, for this hateful treachery, Cursed be your souls to hellish misery! Faust. So they are safe; now, Faustus, to the feast;

The Pope had never such a frolic guest. Pope. Lord Archbishop of Rheims, sit down with us.

Arch. I thank your holiness.

Faust. Fall to; the devil choke you, an you spare.

Pope. Who's that spoke? Friars, look about.

Lord Raymond, pray fall to: I am beholding To the Bishop of Millaine for this so rare a present.

Faust. I thank you, sir.

[Snatches the dish.

Pope. How now! Who snatched the meat from me?

Villains! why speak you not?

My good lord archbishop, here's a most dainty dish,

Was sent me from a Cardinal in France.
Faust. I'll have that too.

[Snatches the dish. Pope. What Lollards do attend our holiness,

That we receive such great indignity?
Fetch me some wine.

Faust. Aye, pray do, for Faustus is a-dry. Pope. Lord Raymond, I drink unto your grace.

Faust. I pledge your grace.

[Snatches the cup. Pope. My wine gone too! Ye lubbers, look about

And find the man that doth this villainy,
Or by our sanctitude you all shall die.
I pray, my lords, have patience at this
Troublesome banquet.

Arch. Please it, your holiness; I think it be some ghost crept out of Purgatory, and now is come unto your Holiness for his pardon.

Pope. It may be so.

Go then, command our prests to sing dirge,

To lay the fury of this troublesome ghost.
[Exit Attendant.
The Pope
crosses himself.

Faust. How now !
Must every bit be spiced with a cross?
Nay, then, take that.

[Gives the Pope a buffet. Pope. O I am slain ! help me, my lords! O come and help to bear my body hence! Damned be his soul for ever for this deed!

[Exeunt Pope and his train.

Meph. Now, Faustus, what will you do now? For I can tell you you'll be cursed with bell, book, and candle.

Faust. Bell, book, and candle; candle, book, and bell,

Forward and backward, to curse Faustus to hell! .

Enter the Friars with bell, book, and candle,

for the dirge.

1 Friar. Come, brethren, let's about our business with good devotion. Cursed be he that stole his Highness' meat from the table.

Maledicat Dominus. Cursed be he that struck his Holiness a blow on the face.

Maledicat Dominus.

Dick. Aye, aye, do, do-Hold the cup, Robin-I fear not your searching; we scorn steal your cups, I can tell you.

[Vintner searches him. Vint. Never outface me for the matter; Or sure the cup is between you two.

Rob. Nay, there you lie, 'tis beyond us oth.

Vint. A plague take you, I thought 'twas our knavery to take it away: come, give it ne again.

Rob. Ah, much! when can you tell? Dick, make me a circle, and stand close t my back, and stir not for thy life. intner, you shall have your cup an n; say othing, Dick: [Reads from his book. 9 per se. 0; Demigorgon; Belcher and Mephistophilis !

Enter Mephistophilis.

Meph. You princely legions of infernal How am I vexed by these villains' charms! rule, From Constantinople have they brought me

now,

Only for pleasure of these damned slaves.

Rob. By'r lady, sir, you have had a shrewd journey of it! will it please you to take a shoulder of mutton to supper, and a tester in your purse, and go back again?

Dick. Aye, I pray you heartily, sir; for we called you but in jest, I promise you. Meph. To purge the rashness of this cursed deed,

First, be thou turned to this ugly shape;
For apish deeds transformed to an ape.

Rob. O brave! an ape! I pray, sir, let me have the carrying of him about to show some tricks.

Meph. And so thou shalt: be thou transformed to a dog, and carry him upon thy back; away! begone!

come.

Rob. A dog! That's excellent! let the maids look well to their porridge-pots, for I'll into the kitchen presently: come, Dick, [Exeunt the two Clowns. Meph. Now with the flames of ever-burnI'll wing myself, and forthwith fly amain ing fire, Unto my Faustus to the Great Turk's court. [Exit.

SCENE IV.

Enter Martino and Frederick at several doors.

Mart. What ho! officers, gentlemen! Hie to the presence to attend the Emperor; Good Frederick, see the rooms be voided straight,

His majesty is coming to the hall;
Go back, and see the state in readiness.
Fred. But where is Bruno, our elected
Pope,

That on a fury's back came post from
Rome?

Will not his grace consort the Emperor?

Mart. O yes: and with him comes the

German conjuror, The learned Faustus, fame of Wittenberg; The wonder of the world for magic art : And he intends to show great Carolus The race of all his stout progenitors; And bring in presence of his majesty, The royal shapes, and perfect semblances, Of Alexander and his beauteous para

mour.

Fred. Where is Benvolio?

SCENE II.

Enter Benvolio, Martino, Frederick, and Soldiers.

Mart. Nay, sweet Benvolio, let us sway thy thoughts

From this attempt against the conjuror. Benv. Away, you love me not to urge me thus ;

Shall I let slip so great an injury, When every servile groom jests at my wrongs,

And in their rustic gambols proudly say, "Benvolio's head was graced with horns to-day?"

O may these eyelids never close again,
Till with my sword I have that conjuror
slain :

If you will aid me in this enterprise,
Then draw your weapons and be resolute;
If not, depart; here will Benvolio die,
But Faustus' death shall quit my infamy.
Fred. Nay, we will stay with thee, betide
what may,

And kill that Doctor if he come this way. Benv. Then, gentle Frederick, hie thee to the grove,

And place our servants and our followers, Close in an ambush there behind the trees; By this I know the conjuror is near:

I saw him kneel, and kiss the Emperor's hand,

And take his leave, laden with rich rewards :

Then, soldiers, boldly fight; if Faustus die, Take you the wealth, leave us the victory. Fred. Come, soldiers, follow me unto the grove,

Who kills him shall have gold and endless love. [Exit Fred. with Soldiers. Benv. My head is lighter than it was by the horns,

But yet my heart's more ponderous than my head,

And pants until I see that conjuror dead. Mart. Where shall we place ourselves, Benvolio?

Benv. Here will we stay to hide the first assault;

O were that damnèd hell-hound but in place,

Benv. Mine be that honour then: now, sword strike home,

For horns he gave, I'll have his head anon. Enter Faustus, with a false head. Mart. See, see, he comes.

Benv. No words: this blow ends all; Hell take his soul, his body thus must fall. Faust. Oh !

Fred. Groan you, Master Doctor? Benv. Break may his heart with groans: dear Frederick, see,

Thus will I end his griefs immediately. Mart. Strike with a willing hand, his head is off.

[Benvolio strikes off Faustus's false head. Benv. The Devil's dead, the Furies now may laugh.

Fred. Was this that stern aspect, that awful frown,

Made the grim monarch of infernal spirits Tremble and quake at his commanding charms?

Mart. Was this that damned head, whose

art conspired

Benvolio's shame before the Emperor? Benv. Aye, that's the head, and here the body lies,

Justly rewarded for his villainies.

Fred. Come, let's devise how we may add more shame

To the black scandal of his hated name. Benv. First, on his head, in quittance of

my wrongs,

I'll nail huge forked horns, and let them hang

Within the window where he yoked me first,

That all the world may see my just revenge.

Mart. What use shall we put his beard to?

Benv. We'll sell it to a chimney-sweeper; it will wear out ten birchen brooms, I warrant you.

Fred. What shall his eyes do?

Benv. We'll put out his eyes; and they shall serve for buttons to his lips, to keep his tongue from catching cold.

Mart. An excellent policy: and now, sirs, having divided him, what shall the body [Faustus gets up.

Enter Frederick.

Fred. Close, close, the conjuror is at hand,

And all alone comes walking in his gown; Be ready then, and strike the peasant down.

Benv. Zounds, the Devil's alive again! Fred. Give him his head for God's sake. Faust. Nay, keep it: Faustus will have heads and hands,

And all your hearts to recompense this deed.

Knew you not, traitors, I was limited

For four-and-twenty years to breathe on

earth?

And had you cut my body with your swords,

Or hewed this flesh and bones as small as sand,

Yet in a minute had my spirit returned, And I had breathed a man, made free from harm.

But wherefore do I dally my revenge?
Asteroth, Belimoth, Mephistophilis !

Enter Mephistophilis, and other Devils. Go, horse these traitors on your fiery backs, And mount aloft with them as high as heaven;

Thence pitch them headlong to the lowest hell:

Yet, stay, the world shall see their misery, And hell shall after plague their treachery. Go, Belimoth, and take this caitiff hence, And hurl him in some lake of mud and

dirt:

Enter the ambushed Soldiers. Sold. Come, sirs, prepare yourselves in readiness;

Make haste to help these noble gentlemen, I heard them parley with the conjuror.

2 Sold. See, where he comes; despatch and kill the slave.

Faust. What's here? an ambush to betray my life!

Then, Faustus, try thy skill: base peasants, stand!

For lo, these trees remove at my command, And stand as bulwarks 'twixt yourselves and me,

To shield me from our hated treachery :

Enter at several doors, Benvolio, Frederick, and Martino, their heads and faces bloody, and besmeared with mud and dirt: all having horns on their heads. Mart. What ho! Benvolio !

Benv. Here; what, Frederick, ho!
Fred. O help me, gentle friend; where is
Martino?

Mart. Dear Frederick, here,

Half smothered in a lake of mud and dirt, Through which the Furies dragged me by the heels.

Fred. Martino, see Benvolio's horns again!

Mart. Oh, misery! how now, Benvolio? Benv. Defend me, heaven! shall I be haunted still?

Mart. Nay, fear not, man, they have no power to kill.

Benv. My friends transformed thus: oh, hellish spite !

Your heads are all set with horns.
It is your own you mean; feel on your head.
Fred. You hit it right,
Benv. Zounds! horns again!

Mart. Nay, chafe not, man, we all are sped.

Benv. What devil attends this damned magician,

That spite of spite our wrongs are doubled? Fred. What may we do that we may hide

our shames?