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Re-enter MEPHISTO PHILIS with DEVILS, who give crowns and rich apparel to FAUSTUS, dance, and then depart.

FAUST. Speak, Mephistophilis, what means this show?

MEPH. Nothing, Faustus, but to delight thy mind withal,

And to shew thee what magic can perform.

FAUST. But may I raise up spirits when I please? 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
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. [Reads] On these conditions following. First, that Faustus may 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,

*he desires] Not in any of the four 4tos. In the tract just cited, the 3d Article" stands thus, "That Mephostophiles should bring him any thing, and doe for him whatsoever." Sig. A 4, ed. 1648. A later ed. adds "he desired." Marlowe, no doubt, followed some edition of the History in which these words, or something equivalent to them, had been omitted by mistake. (2to 1661, which I consider as of no authority, has "he requireth.")

that he shall be in his chamber or house invisible. Lastly, that he shall appear to the said John Faustus, at all times, in what form or shape soever he please. I, John Faustus, of Wertenberg, Doctor, by these presents, do give both body and soul to Lucifer prince of the east, 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 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.

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:
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,
All places shall be hell that are + not heaven.

there] So the later 4tos.-Not in 4to 1604. tare] So two of the later 4tos.-2to 1604 "is."

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?

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* to imagine That, after this life, there is any pain?

Tush, these are trifles and mere old wives' tales. MEPH. But, Faustus, I am an instance to prove the contrary,

For I am damnn'd, 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. t.

But, leaving off this, let me have a wife,

* fond] i. e. foolish.

+ What! walking, disputing, &c.] The later 4tos have "What, sleeping, eating, walking, and disputing!" But it is evident that this speech is not given correctly in any of the old eds.

let me have a wife, &c.] The ninth chapter of The History of Dr. Faustus narrates " How Doctor Faustus would have married, and how the Devill had almost killed him for it," and concludes as follows. "It is no jesting [said Mephistophilis] with us: hold thou that which thou hast vowed, and we will performe as we have promised; and more than that, thou shalt have thy hearts desire of what woman soever thou wilt, be she alive or dead, and so long as thou wilt thou shalt keep her by thee. These words pleased Faustus wonderfull well, and repented himself that he was so foolish to wish himselfe married,

[blocks in formation]

The fairest maid in Germany;
For I am wanton and lascivious,
And cannot live without a wife.
MEPH. HOW! a wife!

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 drest like a WOMAN, with fire-works.

MEPH. Tell me§, Faustus, how dost thou like thy wife?

FAUST. A plague on her for a hot whore!
MEPH. Tut, Faustus,

Marriage is but a ceremonial toy;

If thou lovest me, think no* more of it.

I'll cull thee out the fairest courtezans,

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 †, or as beautiful

As was bright Lucifer before his fall.

Hold, take this book, peruse it thoroughly:

[Gives book.

that might have any woman in the whole city brought him at his command; the which he practised and persevered in a long time." Sig. B 3, ed. 1648.

§ me] Not in 4to 1604. (This line is wanting in the later 4tos.) *no] So the later 4tos.-Not in 4to 1604.

+ Saba] i. e. Sabea-the Queen of Sheba.

The iterating 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,

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 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 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 the earth.

MEPH. Here they be.

FAUST. Oh, thou art deceived!

MEPH. Tut, I warrant thee.

[Turns to them.

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?

I tell thee, 'tis not half so fair as thou,

Or any man that breathes on earth.

FAUST. How provest thou that?

iterating] i. e. reciting, repeating.

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