_The conference of Doctor Faustus with the Spirit Mephostophiles the
morning following at his own house_
Doctor Faustus having commanded the Spirit to be with him, at his hour
appointed he came and appeared in his chamber, demanding of Faustus
what his desire was: then began Doctor Faustus anew with him to conjure
him that he should be obedient unto him, and to answer him certain
Articles, and to fulfil them in all points.
1. That the Spirit should serve him and be obedient unto him in all
things that he asked of him from that hour until the hour of his death.
2. Farther, anything that he desired of him he should bring it to him.
3. Also, that in all Faustus his demands or Interrogations, the Spirit
should tell him nothing but that which is true.
Hereupon the Spirit answered and laid his case forth, that he had no
such power of himself, until he had first given his Prince (that was
ruler over him) to understand thereof, and to know if he could obtain
so much of his Lord: therefore speak farther that I may do thy whole
desire to my Prince: for it is not in my power to fulfil without his
leave. Shew me the cause why (said Faustus). The Spirit answered:
Faustus, thou shalt understand, that with us it is even as well a
kingdom, as with you on earth: yea, we have our rulers and servants,
as I my self am one, and we name our whole number the Legion: for
although that Lucifer is thrust and fallen out of heaven through his
pride and high mind, yet he hath notwithstanding a Legion of Devils at
his commandment, that we call the Oriental Princes; for his power is
great and infinite. Also there is an host in Meridie, in Septentrio, in
Occidente: and for that Lucifer hath his kingdom under heaven, we must
change and give ourselves unto men to serve them at their pleasure. It
is also certain, we have never as yet opened unto any man the truth of
our dwelling, neither of our ruling, neither what our power is, neither
have we given any man any gift, or learned him anything, except he
promise to be ours.
Doctor Faustus upon this arose where he sat,[14] and said, I will have
my request, and yet I will not be damned. The Spirit answered, Then
shalt thou want thy desire, and yet art thou mine notwithstanding: if
any man would detain thee it is in vain, for thine infidelity hath
confounded thee.
Hereupon spake Faustus: Get thee hence from me, and take Saint
Valentine’s farewell and Crisam[15] with thee, yet I conjure thee that
thou be here at evening, and bethink thyself on that I have asked thee,
and ask thy Prince’s counsel therein. Mephostophiles the Spirit, thus
answered, vanished away, leaving Faustus in his study, where he sat
pondering with himself how he might obtain his request of the Devil
without loss of his soul: yet fully he was resolved in himself, rather
than to want his pleasure, to do whatsoever the Spirit and his Lord
should condition upon.
[Footnote 14: A mistranslation of the German text, “entsetzt sich
darob,” i.e. “was terrified at this.”]
[Footnote 15: Saint Valentine’s sickness is epilepsy. Crisam is Gk.
_chrisma_, a composition of oil and balm.]