x. 39. A inserts before Monarch of Hell, etc., the following words, which are obviously unnecessary, and are rightly not represented in B: Vanish Villains, th' one like an ape, another a bear, the third an ass, for doing this enterprise. xi. The Scene is not represented in A. xii. This Scene (as printed in the present edition) mainly follows Quarto B, with the important exception of the Emperor's speech, Then doctor Faustus, mark what I shall say, and the other passages printed in roman type. Lines 88-98 are not represented in A at all; so, too, Lines 113-122: in other respects the two versions represent different recensions. Lines 1-23 read as follows in A: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 canst 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, that shall be no ways prejudiced or endamaged. KNIGHT. I'faith, he looks much like a conjuror. [Aside.] FAUSTUS. 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 hereunto, I am content to do whatsoever your majesty shall command me. xii.-xiii. These Scenes (which might best be described as xii.a, xii.b, as Breymann prints them) are peculiar to B. These additions are from Chapter 35 of the Faustbuch. xiv. Quartos A and B vary considerably in this Scene, B being much condensed: it omits inter alia the opening six lines; the reference to 'Doctor Lopus'; and a considerable portion of Lines 48-90. xv. This Scene is only found in B. xvi. After Line 39 A reads: DUKE. Come, madam, let us in, where you must well reward this learned man for the great kindness he hath showed to you. DUCHESS. And so I will, my lord; and, whilst I live, rest beholding for his courtesy. FAUST. I humbly thank your grace. DUKE. Come, Master Doctor, follow us and receive your reward. And so the Scene ends: the expansion is peculiar to B. The earlier part of the Scene has also a few verbal discrepancies. xvii. The most important difference between the two versions in this Scene is to be found in the speech of the 'Old Man,' Lines 36-52. The passage in A corresponding to the passage printed in the text from B, runs as follows: Ah, Doctor Faustus, that I might prevail By which sweet path thou may'st attain the goal Of thy most vild and loathsome filthiness, But Mercy, Faustus, of thy Saviour sweet, In text B the opening lines of the Scene are in prose; Line 35 is omitted; and Lines 118-126 are not found. xviii. 56. Omitted in B. xviii. 57. B:-Hell claims his right. xviii. 58. almost, so B; omitted in A. xviii. 65. B-Ah, my sweet friend, I feel. I go, sweet Faustus; but with heavy cheer, xviii. 70. B: Accursed Faustus, wretch, what hast thou done? xviii. 76. In B the following line precedes sweet Mephistopholis:— I do repent I ere offended him. · xviii. 83. that base and crooked age, so A; B, that base and aged man. xviii. 97. the stage-direction, passing, etc., is from B. xviii. 98-99. cp. Troilus and Cressida, 11. ii.:— Why she is a pearl Whose price hath launch'd above a thousand ships. xviii. 102. suck, so B; A, suckes. xviii. 103. is, so B; A, be. xviii. 104. According to A, the 'Old Man' re-enters here. xviii. 116. asur'd, so A ; B, azure. xviii. 124. smile; A, smiles. xviii. 125. laugh; A, laughs. xviii.-xx. The italic passages in these Scenes are peculiar to B; the parts printed in roman type show very few discrepancies. xix. 60. to save Faustus, so B; A, to Faustus. xix. 134. to God, so A; B, to Heaven. xix. 135. omitted in B. xix. 136-7. B reads: One drop of blood will save me: O my Christ! xix. 142. God, so A; B, Heaven. xix. 145. Earth, gape, so A; B, gape, earth. xix. 149. clouds, Dyce's suggestion for cloud, A, B; the same scholar proposed to read : That when they vomit forth into the air, My limbs may issue from their smoky mouths. xix. 152. B: But let my soul mount, and ascend to heaven. xix. 154. B: O if my soul must suffer for my sin, Impose some end, etc. xix. 176. My God, my God, so A; B, O mercy, heavens! xx. This Scene, not found in A, may have belonged to the play as originally performed. The corresponding passage in the prose History tells how 'the students could not compose themselves to sleep, and lay awake, listening and fearful; and presently, the hall door flying open, he was heard to cry in a smothered voice, Murther murther! and all was still. But when, at daylight, the students went back into the hall, they found not Faustus, but his shattered and bloody remains,' etc. The Ballad of Doctor Faustus seems to echo the words of the Chorus, in its final exhortation : 'You conjurors and damned witches all, Give not your souls and bodies unto hell, Printed by T. and A. CONSTABLE, Printers to Her Majesty 21 |