_How Doctor Faustus would have married, and how the Devil had almost
killed him for it_
Doctor Faustus continued thus in his Epicurish life day and night,
and believed not that there was a God, hell, or Devil: he thought
that body and soul died together, and had quite forgotten Divinity
or the immortality of his soul, but stood in his damnable heresy day
and night. And bethinking himself of a wife, called Mephostophiles to
counsel; which would in no wise agree: demanding of him if he would
break the covenant made with him, or if he had forgot it. Hast not thou
(quoth Mephostophiles) sworn thyself an enemy to God and all creatures?
To this I answer thee, thou canst not marry; thou canst not serve
two masters, God, and my Prince: for wedlock is a chief institution
ordained of God, and that hast thou promised to defy, as we do all, and
that hast thou also done: and moreover thou hast confirmed it with thy
blood: persuade thyself, that what thou dost in contempt of wedlock, it
is all to thine own delight. Therefore Faustus, look well about thee,
and bethink thyself better, and I wish thee to change thy mind: for if
thou keep not what thou hast promised in thy writing, we will tear thee
in pieces like the dust under thy feet. Therefore sweet Faustus, think
with what unquiet life, anger, strife, and debate thou shalt live in
when thou takest a wife: therefore change thy mind.
Doctor Faustus was with these speeches in despair: and as all that have
forsaken the Lord, can build upon no good foundation: so this wretched
Faustus having forsook the rock, fell in despair with himself, fearing
if he should motion Matrimony any more, that the Devil would tear him
in pieces. For this time (quoth he to Mephostophiles) I am not minded
to marry. Then you do well, answered his Spirit. But shortly and that
within two hours after, Faustus called his Spirit, which came in his
old manner like a Friar. Then Faustus said unto him, I am not able to
resist nor bridle my fantasy, I must and will have a wife, and I pray
thee give thy consent to it. Suddenly upon these words came such a
whirlwind about the place, that Faustus thought the whole house would
come down, all the doors in the house flew off the hooks: after all
this, his house was full of smoke, and the floor covered over with
ashes: which when Doctor Faustus perceived, he would have gone up the
stairs: and flying up, he was taken and thrown into the hall, that
he was not able to stir hand nor foot: then round about him ran a
monstrous circle of fire, never standing still, that Faustus fried as
he lay, and thought there to have been burned. Then cried he out to
his Spirit Mephostophiles for help, promising him he would live in all
things as he had vowed in his handwriting. Hereupon appeared unto him
an ugly Devil, so fearful and monstrous to behold, that Faustus durst
not look on him. The Devil said, what wouldst thou have Faustus? how
likest thou thy wedding? what mind art thou in now? Faustus answered,
he had forgot his promise, desiring him of pardon, and he would talk
no more of such things. The Devil answered, thou were best so to do,
and so vanished.
[Illustration: THE JOURNEY TO THE WITCHES’ SABBATH
After P. Cornelius]
After appeared unto him his Friar Mephostophiles with a bell in his
hand, and spake to Faustus: It is no jesting with us, hold thou that
which thou hast vowed, and we will perform as we have promised: and
more than that, thou shalt have thy heart’s desire of what women soever
thou wilt, be she alive or dead, and so long as thou wilt, thou shalt
keep her by thee.
These words pleased Faustus wonderful well, and repented himself that
he was so foolish to wish himself married, that might have any woman in
the whole City brought to him at his command; the which he practised
and persevered in a long time.