Dr. Faustus (newer edition) | Page 8

obtain his soul? [Aside.]
FAUSTUS. Consummatum est; this bill is ended, And Faustus hath bequeath'd his soul to Lucifer. But what is this inscription on mine arm? Homo, fuge: whither should<56> I fly? If unto God,<57> he'll throw me down to hell. My senses are deceiv'd; here's nothing writ:-- O, yes, I see it plain; even here is writ, Homo, fuge: yet shall not Faustus fly.
MEPHIST. I'll fetch him somewhat to delight his mind. [Aside, and then exit.]
Enter DEVILS, giving crowns and rich apparel to FAUSTUS. They dance, and then depart.
Re-enter MEPHISTOPHILIS.
FAUSTUS. What means this show? speak, Mephistophilis.
MEPHIST. Nothing, Faustus, but to delight thy mind, And let thee see what magic can perform.
FAUSTUS. But may I raise such spirits when I please?
MEPHIST. Ay, Faustus, and do greater things than these.
FAUSTUS. Then, Mephistophilis, receive this scroll,<58> A deed of gift of body and of soul: But yet conditionally that thou perform All covenants and articles between us both!
MEPHIST. Faustus, I swear by hell and Lucifer To effect all promises between us both!
FAUSTUS. Then hear me read it, Mephistophilis. [Reads.] ON THESE CONDITIONS FOLLOWING. FIRST, THAT FAUSTUS MAY BE A SPIRIT IN FORM AND SUBSTANCE. SECONDLY, THAT MEPHISTOPHILIS SHALL BE HIS SERVANT, AND BE BY HIM COMMANDED. THIRDLY, THAT MEPHISTOPHILIS SHALL DO FOR HIM, AND BRING HIM WHATSOEVER HE DESIRES.<59> FOURTHLY, 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 SHAPE AND FORM SOEVER HE PLEASE. I, JOHN FAUSTUS, OF WITTENBERG, 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, FOUR-AND- TWENTY YEARS BEING EXPIRED, AND THESE ARTICLES ABOVE-WRITTEN BEING INVIOLATE, FULL POWER TO FETCH OR CARRY THE SAID JOHN FAUSTUS, BODY AND SOUL, FLESH AND<60> BLOOD, INTO THEIR HABITATION WHERESOEVER. BY ME, JOHN FAUSTUS.
MEPHIST. Speak, Faustus, do you deliver this as your deed?
FAUSTUS. Ay, take it, and the devil give thee good of it!
MEPHIST. So, now, Faustus, ask me what thou wilt.
FAUSTUS. First I will question with<61> thee about hell. Tell me, where is the<62> place that men call hell?
MEPHIST. Under the heavens.
FAUSTUS. Ay, so are all things else; but whereabouts?
MEPHIST. 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; but where we are is hell, And where hell is, there must we ever be: And, to be short, when all the world dissolves, And every creature shall be purified, All places shall be hell that are<63> not heaven.
FAUSTUS. I think hell's a fable.<64>
MEPHIST. Ay, think so still, till experience change thy mind.
FAUSTUS. Why, dost thou think that Faustus shall be damn'd?
MEPHIST. Ay, of necessity, for here's the scroll In which thou hast given thy soul to Lucifer.
FAUSTUS. Ay, and body too; and what of that? Think'st thou that Faustus is so fond to imagine That, after this life, there is any pain? No, these are trifles and mere old wives' tales.
MEPHIST. But I am an instance to prove the contrary, For I tell thee I am damn'd and now in hell.
FAUSTUS. Nay, an this be hell, I'll willingly be damn'd: What! sleeping, eating, walking, and disputing! But, leaving this, let me have a wife, The fairest maid in Germany; For I am wanton and lascivious, And cannot live without a wife.
MEPHIST. Well, Faustus, thou shalt have a wife.
[MEPHISTOPHILIS fetches in a WOMAN-DEVIL.]
FAUSTUS. What sight is this?
MEPHIST. Now, Faustus, wilt thou have a wife?
FAUSTUS. Here's a hot whore, indeed: no, I'll no wife.
MEPHIST. Marriage is but a ceremonial toy, And, if thou lov'st 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<65> eye shall like, thy<66> heart shall have, Were she as chaste as was<67> Penelope, As wise as Saba, or as beautiful As was bright Lucifer before his fall. Here, take this book, peruse it well: The iterating of these lines brings gold; The framing of this circle on the ground Brings thunder, whirlwinds, storm, and lightning; Pronounce this thrice devoutly to thyself, And men in harness<68> shall appear to thee, Ready to execute what thou command'st.
FAUSTUS. Thanks, Mephistophilis, for this sweet book: This will I keep as chary as my life. [Exeunt.]
Enter FAUSTUS, in his study, and MEPHISTOPHILIS.
FAUSTUS. When I behold the heavens,<69> then I repent, And curse thee, wicked Mephistophilis, Because thou hast depriv'd me of those joys.
MEPHIST. 'Twas thine<70> own seeking, Faustus; thank thyself. But, think'st thou heaven is<71> such a glorious thing? I tell thee, Faustus, it is not half so fair As thou, or any man that breathes<72> on earth.
FAUSTUS. How prov'st thou that?
MEPHIST. 'Twas made for man; then he's more excellent.
FAUSTUS. If