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 you, And leave it in the church's treasury. Make haste, again, my good lord cardinals, And take our blessing apostolical. 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, To censure Bruno, that is posted hence, 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. MEPH. 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. 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. 1 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, Were by the holy council both condemn'd. For lothed 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, And put into the church's treasury. Both CARD. By holy Paul we saw them not! Unless you bring them forth immediately! Hale them to prison, lade their limbs with gyves: Curs'd be your souls to hellish misery! FAUST. So, they are safe; now, Faustus, to the The feast; pope had never such a frolic guest. POPE. Lord Archbishop of Rheims, sit down with us. BISH. 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 beholden To the bishop of Millaine for this so rare a present. FAUST. I thank you, sir. POPE. How now! Who snatch'd 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. 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. 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. BISH. Please it, your holiness; I think it be some VOL. II. 11 ghost crept out of purgatory, and now is come unto your holiness for his pardon. POPE. It may be so, Go then, command our priests to sing a dirge, Nay, then, take that. POPE. O I am slain! help me, my lords! O come and help to bear my body hence! Damn'd 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 curs'd 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 holiness' meat from the table. Maledicat Dominus. Cursed be he that struck his holiness a blow on the face. Maledicat Dominus. Cursed be he that struck friar Sandelo a blow on the pate. |