From Bruno's back ascends Saint Peter's chair. [A flourish while he ascends. Thus, as the gods creep on with feet of wool, 1 CARD. We go, my lord. POPE. Lord Raymond. [Exeunt Cardinals. FAUST. GO, haste thee, gentle Mephostophilis, Follow the cardinals to the consistory; And as they turn their superstitious books, Strike them with sloth and drowsy idleness; And make them sleep so sound, that in their shapes Thyself and I may parley with this Pope, This proud confronter of the emperor, And, in despite of all his holiness, Restore this Bruno to his liberty, And bear him to the states of Germany. MEPH. Faustus, I go. FAUST. Dispatch it soọn, The Pope shall curse, that Faustus came to Rome. [Exeunt Faust. and Meph. BRU. Pope Adrian, let me have right of law. I was elected by the emperor. POPE. We will depose the emp'ror for that deed, And curse the people that submit to him: Both he and thou shall stand excommunicate, And interdict from church's privilege, And all society of holy men : He grows too proud in his authority, Depose him from his regal government. BRU. Pope Julius swore to princely Sigismond, For him, and the succeeding popes of Rome, To hold the emperor their lawful lords. POPE. Pope Julius did abuse the church's rites, And therefore none of his decrees can stand. Is not all power on earth bestow'd on us? And therefore tho' we would we cannot err. Behold this silver belt, whereto is fix'd Seven golden seals, fast seal'd with seven seals, In token of our seven-fold power from heaven, Then he and thou, and all the world, shall stoop, To light as heavy as the pains of hell. Enter FAUSTUS and MEPHOSTOPHILIS, like the Cardinals. MEPH. Now tell me, Faustus, are we not fitted well? FAUST. Yes, Mephosto, and two such cardinals Ne'er serv'd a holy Pope, as we shall do. But whilst they sleep within the consistory, Let us salute his reverend fatherhood. RAY. Behold, my lord, the cardinals are return'd. POPE. Welcome, grave fathers; answer presently What have our holy council there decreed, Concerning Bruno and the emperor, In quittance of their late conspiracy, Against our state and papal dignity? FAUST. Most sacred patron of the church of Rome, By full consent of all the synod, Of priest and prelates, it is thus decreed: And by your death to climb St. Peter's chair, The statutes decretal have thus decreed: POPE. It is enough: here, take him to your charge, And bear him straight to Ponto Angelo, And in the strongest tower inclose him fast : To-morrow, sitting in our consistory, With all our college of grave cardinals, We will determine of his life and death. Here take this triple crown along with And leave it in the church's treasury. Make haste, again, my good lord cardinals, And take our blessing apostolical. you, MEPH. So, so; was never devil thus bless'd before. FAUST. Away, sweet Mephostophilis, begone; The cardinals will be plagu'd for this anon. [Exeunt Faustus and Mephostophilis. POPE. Go presently and bring a banquet forth, And with Lord Raymond, king of Hungary, SCENE II. [Exeunt. A senet while the banquet is brought in; and then enter FAUSTUS and MEPHOSTOPHILIS, in their own shapes. MEPH. Now, Faustus, come, prepare thyself for mirth; The sleepy cardinals are hard at hand, And on a proud pac'd steed, as swift as thought, There to salute the woeful emperor. FAUST. The Pope will curse them for their sloth to-day, That slept both Bruno and his crown away. And do whate'er I please unseen of any. MEPII. Faustus, thou shalt; then kneel down presently, Whilst on thy head I lay my hand, And charm thee with this magic wand: The planets seven, the gloomy air, So, Faustus, now for all their holiness, Do what thou wilt, thou shalt not be discern'd. FAUST. Thanks, Mephostophilis; now, friars, take heed, Lest Faustus make your shaven crowns to bleed. MEPH. Faustus, no more: see where the cardinals come. |