VINTNER. O, are you here? I am glad I have found you. You are
a couple of fine companions: pray, where's the cup you stole
from the tavern?
ROBIN. How, how! we steal a cup! take heed what you say: we look
not like cup-stealers, I can tell you.
VINTNER. Never deny't, for I know you have it; and I'll search you.
ROBIN. Search me! ay, and spare not.
--Hold the cup, Dick [Aside to DICK, giving him the cup].--
Come, come, search me, search me.
[VINTNER searches him.]
VINTNER. Come on, sirrah, let me search you now.
DICK. Ay, ay, do, do.
--Hold the cup, Robin [Aside to ROBIN, giving him the cup].--
I fear not your searching: we scorn to steal your [141] cups,
I can tell you.
[VINTNER searches him.]
VINTNER. Never out-face me for the matter; for, sure, the cup
is between you two.
ROBIN. Nay, there you lie; 'tis beyond us both.
VINTNER. A plague take you! I thought 'twas your knavery to take
it away: come, give it me again.
ROBIN. Ay, much! [142] when, can you tell?--Dick, make me a circle,
and stand close at my back, and stir not for thy life.--Vintner,
you shall have your cup anon.--Say nothing, Dick.--[Reads from
a book] O per se, O; Demogorgon; Belcher, and Mephistophilis!
Enter MEPHISTOPHILIS.
MEPHIST. You princely legions of infernal rule,
How am I vexed by these villains' charms!
From Constantinople have they brought me now,
Only for pleasure of these damned slaves.
[Exit VINTNER.]
ROBIN. By lady, [143] sir, you have had a shrewd journey of it!
will it please you to [144] take a shoulder of mutton to supper,
and a tester [145] in your purse, and go back again?
DICK. Ay, I pray you heartily, sir; for we called you but in jest,
I promise you.
MEPHIST. To purge the rashness of this cursed deed,
First, be thou turned to this ugly shape,
For apish deeds transformed to an ape.
ROBIN. O, brave! an ape! I pray, sir, let me have the carrying
of him about, to shew some tricks.
MEPHIST. And so thou shalt: be thou transformed to a dog, and
carry him upon thy back. Away! be gone!
ROBIN. A dog! that's excellent: let the maids look well to their
porridge-pots, for I'll into the kitchen presently.--Come, Dick,
come.
[Exeunt ROBIN and DICK.]
MEPHIST. Now with the flames of ever-burning fire
I'll wing myself, and forthwith fly amain(sic)
Unto my Faustus, to the Great Turk's court.
[Exit.]
Enter MARTINO and FREDERICK at several doors.
MARTINO. What, ho, officers, gentlemen!
Hie to the presence to attend the Emperor.--
Good Frederick, see the rooms be voided straight:
His majesty is coming to the hall;
Go back, and see the state [146] in readiness.
FREDERICK. But where is Bruno, our elected Pope,
That on a Fury's back came post from Rome?
Will not his grace consort the Emperor?
MARTINO. O, yes; and with him comes the German conjurer,
The learned Faustus, fame of Wittenberg,
The wonder of the world for magic art;
And he intends to shew great Carolus
The race of all his stout progenitors,
And bring in presence of his majesty
The royal shapes and perfect [147] semblances
Of Alexander and his beauteous paramour.
FREDERICK. Where is Benvolio?
MARTINO. Fast asleep, I warrant you;
He took his rouse [148] with stoops of Rhenish wine
So kindly yesternight to Bruno's health,
That all this day the sluggard keeps his bed.
FREDERICK. See, see, his window's ope! we'll call to him.
MARTINO. What, ho! Benvolio!
Enter BENVOLIO above, at a window, in his nightcap, buttoning.
BENVOLIO. What a devil ail you two?
MARTINO. Speak softly, sir, lest the devil hear you;
For Faustus at the court is late arriv'd,
And at his heels a [149] thousand Furies wait,
To accomplish whatsoe'er the doctor please.
BENVOLIO. What of this?
MARTINO. Come, leave thy chamber first, and thou shalt see
This conjurer perform such rare exploits,
Before the Pope and royal Emperor,
As never yet was seen in Germany.
BENVOLIO. Has not the Pope enough of conjuring yet?
He was upon the devil's back late enough:
An if he be so far in love with him,
I would he would post with him to Rome again!
FREDERICK. Speak, wilt thou come and see this sport?
BENVOLIO. Not I.
MARTINO. Wilt thou stand in thy window, and see it, then?
BENVOLIO. Ay, an I fall not asleep i' the mean time.
MARTINO. The Emperor is at hand, who comes to see
What wonders by black spells may compass'd be.
BENVOLIO. Well, go you attend the Emperor. I am content, for
this once, to thrust my head out at a [150] window; for they
say, if a man be drunk over night, the devil cannot hurt him
in the morning: if that be true, I have a charm in my head,
shall control him as well as the conjurer, I warrant you.
[Exeunt FREDERICK and MARTINO.]
A Sennet. Enter CHARLES the German Emperor, BRUNO,
DUKE OF SAXONY, FAUSTUS, MEPHISTOPHILIS, FREDERICK,
MARTINO, and Attendants.
EMPEROR. Wonder of men, renowm'd [151] magician,
Thrice-learned Faustus, welcome to our court.
This deed of thine, in setting Bruno free
From his and our professed enemy,
Shall add more excellence unto thine art
Than if by powerful necromantic spells
Thou couldst command the world's obedience:
For ever be belov'd of Carolus!
And if this Bruno, thou hast late redeem'd,
In peace possess the triple diadem,
And sit in Peter's chair, despite of chance,
Thou shalt be famous through [152] all Italy,
And honour'd of the German Emperor.
FAUSTUS. These [153] gracious words, most royal Carolus,
Shall make poor Faustus, to his utmost power,
Both love and serve the German Emperor,
And lay his life at holy Bruno's feet:
For proof whereof, if so your grace be pleas'd,
The doctor stands prepar'd by power of art
To cast his magic charms, that shall pierce through [154]
The ebon gates of ever-burning hell,
And hale the stubborn Furies from their caves,
To compass whatsoe'er your grace commands.
BENVOLIO. Blood, he speaks terribly! but, for all that, I do not
greatly believe him: he looks as like a [155] conjurer as the Pope
to a costermonger. [Aside.]
EMPEROR. Then, Faustus, as thou late didst promise us,
We would behold that famous conqueror,
Great Alexander, and his paramour,
In their true shapes and state majestical,
That we may wonder at their excellence.
FAUSTUS. Your majesty shall see them presently.--
Mephistophilis, away,
And, with a solemn noise of trumpets' sound,
Present before this [156] royal Emperor
Great Alexander and his beauteous paramour.
MEPHIST. Faustus, I will.
[Exit.]
BENVOLIO. Well, Master Doctor, an your devils come not away
quickly, you shall have me asleep presently: zounds, I could
eat myself for anger, to think I have been such an ass all this
while, to stand gaping after the devil's governor, and can see
nothing!
FAUSTUS.
I'll make you feel something anon, if my art fail me not.--
My lord, I must forewarn your majesty,
That, when my spirits present the royal shapes
Of Alexander and his paramour,
Your grace demand [157] no questions of the king,
But in dumb silence let them come and go.
EMPEROR. Be it as Faustus please; we are content.
BENVOLIO. Ay, ay, and I am content too: an thou bring Alexander
and his paramour before the Emperor, I'll be Actaeon, and turn
myself to a stag.
FAUSTUS. And I'll play Diana, and send you the horns presently.
Sennet. Enter, at one door, [158] the EMPEROR ALEXANDER, at
the other, DARIUS. They meet. DARIUS is thrown down;
ALEXANDER kills him, takes off his crown, and, offering to
go out, his PARAMOUR meets him. He embraceth her, and sets
DARIUS' crown upon her head; and, coming back, both salute
the EMPEROR, who, leaving his state, [159] offers to embrace
them; which FAUSTUS seeing, suddenly stays him. Then trumpets
cease, and music sounds.
My gracious lord, you do forget yourself;
These [160] are but shadows, not substantial.
EMPEROR. O, pardon me! my thoughts are so ravish'd
With sight of this renowmed [161] emperor,
That in mine arms I would have compass'd him.
But, Faustus, since I may not speak to them,
To satisfy my longing thoughts [162] at full,
Let me this tell thee: I have heard it said
That this fair lady, whilst [163] she liv'd on earth,
Had on her neck a little wart or mole;
How may I prove that saying to be true?
FAUSTUS. Your majesty may boldly go and see.
EMPEROR. Faustus, I see it plain;
And in this sight thou better pleasest me
Than if I gain'd [164] another monarchy.
FAUSTUS. Away! be gone! [Exit show.]--See, see, my gracious
lord! what strange beast is yon, that thrusts his head out at
window? [165]
EMPEROR. O, wondrous sight!--See, Duke of Saxony,
Two spreading horns most strangely fastened
Upon the head of young Benvolio!
SAXONY. What, is he asleep or dead?
FAUSTUS. He sleeps, my lord; but dreams not of his horns.
EMPEROR. This sport is excellent: we'll call and wake him.--
What, ho, Benvolio!
BENVOLIO. A plague upon you! let me sleep a while.
EMPEROR. I blame thee not to sleep much, having such a head of
thine own.
SAXONY. Look up, Benvolio; 'tis the Emperor calls.
BENVOLIO. The Emperor! where?--O, zounds, my head!
EMPEROR. Nay, an thy horns hold, 'tis no matter for thy head,
for that's armed sufficiently.
FAUSTUS. Why, how now, Sir Knight! what, hanged by the horns!
this is [166] most horrible: fie, fie, pull in your head, for
shame! let not all the world wonder at you.
BENVOLIO. Zounds, doctor, this is [167] your villany!
FAUSTUS. O, say not so, sir! the doctor has no skill,
No art, no cunning, to present these lords,
Or bring before this royal Emperor
The mighty monarch, warlike Alexander.
If Faustus do it, you are straight resolv'd,
In bold Actaeon's shape, to turn a stag:--
And therefore, my lord, so please your majesty,
I'll raise a kennel of hounds shall hunt him so
As [168] all his footmanship shall scarce prevail
To keep his carcass from their bloody fangs.--
Ho, Belimoth, Argiron, Asteroth! [169]
BENVOLIO. Hold, hold!--Zounds, he'll raise up a kennel of devils,
I think, anon.--Good my lord, entreat for me.--'Sblood, I am never
able to endure these torments.
EMPEROR. Then, good Master Doctor,
Let me entreat you to remove his horns;
He has [170] done penance now sufficiently.
FAUSTUS. My gracious lord, not so much for injury done to me,
as to delight your majesty with some mirth, hath Faustus justly
requited this injurious knight; which being all I desire, I am
content to remove his horns. [171]--Mephistophilis, transform him
[MEPHISTOPHILIS removes the horns]:--and hereafter, sir, [172]
look you speak well of scholars.
BENVOLIO. Speak well of ye! 'sblood, an scholars be such
cuckold-makers, to clap horns of [173] honest men's heads o' this
order, I'll ne'er trust smooth faces and small ruffs more.--But,
an I be not revenged for this, would I might be turned to a
gaping oyster, and drink nothing but salt water!
[Aside, and then exit above.]
EMPEROR. Come, Faustus: while the Emperor lives,
In recompense of this thy high desert,
Thou shalt command the state of Germany,
And live belov'd of mighty Carolus.
[Exeunt.]
Enter BENVOLIO, MARTINO, FREDERICK, and SOLDIERS.
MARTINO. Nay, sweet Benvolio, let us sway [174] thy thoughts
From this attempt against the conjurer. [175]
BENVOLIO. Away! you love me not, to urge me thus:
Shall I let slip so great an injury,
When every servile groom jests at my wrongs,
And in their rustic gambols proudly say,
"Benvolio's head was grac'd with horns today?"
O, may these eyelids never close again,
Till with my sword I have that [176] conjurer slain!
If you will aid me in this enterprise,
Then draw your weapons and be resolute;
If not, depart: here will Benvolio die,
But Faustus' death shall quit my [177] infamy.
FREDERICK. Nay, we will stay with thee, betide what may,
And kill that [178] doctor, if he come this way.
BENVOLIO. Then, gentle Frederick, hie thee to the grove,
And place our servants and our followers
Close in an [179] ambush there behind the trees.
By this, I know the conjurer is near:
I saw him kneel, and kiss the Emperor's hand,
And take his leave, laden with rich rewards.
Then, soldiers, boldly [180] fight: if Faustus die,
Take you the wealth, leave us the victory.
FREDERICK. Come, soldiers, follow me unto the grove:
Who kills him shall have gold and endless love.
[Exit FREDERICK with SOLDIERS.]
BENVOLIO. My head is lighter, than it was, by the horns;
But yet my heart's [181] more ponderous than my head,
And pants until I see that [182] conjurer dead.
MARTINO. Where shall we place ourselves, Benvolio?
BENVOLIO. Here will we stay to bide the first assault:
O, were that damned hell-hound but in place,
Thou soon shouldst see me quit my foul disgrace!
Re-enter FREDERICK.
FREDERICK. Close, close! the conjurer is at hand,
And all alone comes walking in his gown;
Be ready, then, and strike the [183] peasant down.
BENVOLIO. Mine be that honour, then. Now, sword, strike home!
For horns he gave I'll have his head anon.
MARTINO. See, see, he comes!
Enter FAUSTUS with a false head.
BENVOLIO. No words. This blow ends all:
Hell take his soul! his body thus must fall.
[Stabs FAUSTUS.]
FAUSTUS. [falling.] O!
FREDERICK. Groan you, Master Doctor?
BENVOLIO. Break may his heart with groans!--Dear Frederick, see,
Thus will I end his griefs immediately.
MARTINO. Strike with a willing hand.
[BENVOLIO strikes off FAUSTUS' head.]
His head is off.
BENVOLIO. The devil's dead; the Furies now [184] may laugh.
FREDERICK. Was this that stern aspect, that awful frown,
Made the grim monarch of infernal spirits
Tremble and quake at his commanding charms?
MARTINO. Was this that damned head, whose art [185] conspir'd
Benvolio's shame before the Emperor?
BENVOLIO. Ay, that's the head, and there [186] the body lies,
Justly rewarded for his villanies.
FREDERICK. Come, let's devise how we may add more shame
To the black scandal of his hated name.
BENVOLIO. First, on his head, in quittance of my wrongs,
I'll nail huge forked horns, and let them hang
Within the window where he yok'd me first,
That all the world may see my just revenge.
MARTINO. What use shall we put his beard to?
BENVOLIO. We'll sell it to a chimney-sweeper: it will wear out
ten birchen brooms, I warrant you.
FREDERICK. What shall his [187] eyes do?
BENVOLIO. We'll pull [188] out his eyes; and they shall serve for
buttons to his lips, to keep his tongue from catching cold.
MARTINO. An excellent policy! and now, sirs, having divided him,
what shall the body do?
[FAUSTUS rises.]
BENVOLIO. Zounds, the devil's alive again!
FREDERICK. Give him his head, for God's sake.
FAUSTUS. Nay, keep it: Faustus will have heads and hands,
Ay, all [189] your hearts to recompense this deed.
Knew you not, traitors, I was limited
For four-and-twenty years to breathe on earth?
And, had you cut my body with your swords,
Or hew'd this flesh and bones as small as sand,
Yet in a minute had my spirit return'd,
And I had breath'd a man, made free from harm.
But wherefore do I dally my revenge?--
Asteroth, Belimoth, Mephistophilis?
Enter MEPHISTOPHILIS, and other Devils.
Go, horse these traitors on your fiery backs,
And mount aloft with them as high as heaven:
Thence pitch them headlong to the lowest hell.
Yet, stay: the world shall see their misery,
And hell shall after plague their treachery.
Go, Belimoth, and take this caitiff hence,
And hurl him in some lake of mud and dirt.
Take thou this other, drag him through [190] the woods
Amongst [191] the pricking thorns and sharpest briers;
Whilst, with my gentle Mephistophilis,
This traitor flies unto some steepy rock,
That, rolling down, may break the villain's bones,
As he intended to dismember me.
Fly hence; despatch my charge immediately.
FREDERICK. Pity us, gentle Faustus! save our lives!
FAUSTUS. Away!
FREDERICK. He must needs go that the devil drives.
[Exeunt MEPHISTOPHILIS and DEVILS with BENVOLIO, MARTINO,
and FREDERICK.]