any mind to Nan Spit, our kitchenmaid, then turn her and wind her to thy own use as often as thou wilt, and at midnight. 31 Ralph. O brave Robin, shall I have Nan Spit, and to mine own use? On that condition I'd feed thy devil with horsebread 1 as long as he lives, of free cost. 1 Robin. No more, sweet Ralph: let's go and make clean our boots, which lie foul upon our hands, and then to our conjuring in the devil's name. [Exeunt. SCENE IX. Enter 2 ROBIN and RALPH with a silver goblet. Robin. Come, Ralph, did not I tell thee we were for ever made by this Doctor Faustus' book? ecce signum, here's a simple purchase 3 for horsekeepers; our horses shall eat no hay as long as this lasts. Ralph. But, Robin, here comes the Vintner. Enter Vintner. Drawer, I hope all is paid: God be with you; come, Ralph. 1 It was a common practice among our ancestors to feed horses on bread. Nares quotes from Gervase Markham a recipe for making horse-loaves. 2 Dyce supposes that a scene has dropped out before the re-entrance of Robin and Ralph. Scene: an Inn-yard as before. (The text of ed. 1616 is given in the Appendix.) 3 See note 3, P. 42. VOL. 1. R Vint. Soft, sir; a word with you. goblet paid from you, ere you go. I must yet have a 10 Robin. I, a goblet, Ralph; I, a goblet! I scorn you, and you are but a1 &c. I, a goblet! search me. Vint. I mean so, sir, with your favour. [Searches him. Robin. How say you now? Vint. I 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. Vint. Well, t'one 2 of you hath this goblet about you. 20 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 [Aside to RALPH. goblet, Ralph. Vint. 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, Mephistophilis, &c. 31 1 The choice of abuse was left to the actor (who was no doubt equal to the occasion). In an old play, the Tryall of Chevalry (1605), we find the stage direction, "Exit Clown, speaking anything." 2 The one. Enter MEPHISTOPHILIS, sets squibs at their backs, and then exit. They run about. Vint. 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 MEPHISTOPHILIS. Meph.1 Monarch of Hell, under whose black survey Great potentates do kneel with awful fear, Upon whose altars thousand souls do lie, Only for pleasure of these damnèd slaves. 40 Robin. How from Constantinople? You have had a great journey will you take sixpence in your purse to pay for your supper, and begone? Meph. 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. 51 Ralph. And I must be a dog. 1 Eds. 1604, 1609, read :-" Meph. Vanish, villaines, th' one like an ape, another like a bear, the third an ass for doing this enterprise," then proceeding as in the text. The words that I have omitted are (as Dyce observed) quite unnecessary. Robin. I' faith thy head will never be out of the pottage pot. SCENE X. [Exeunt.1 Enter EMPEROR, FAUSTUS, and a Knight with Attendants. Emp. 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 can'st 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. II Knight. I'faith he looks much like a conjuror. [Aside. Faust. 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. Emp. Then, Doctor Faustus, mark what I shall say. 1 For what follows in ed. 1616 see Appendix. 2 Scene: the Emperor's palace at Innsbruck. The text of ed. 1616 is given in the Appendix. As I was sometime solitary set 20 30 40 And give me cause to praise thee whilst I live. Faust. 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. Faust. But, if it like your grace, it is not in my ability to present before your eyes the true substantial bodies |