at Nuremberg, at Strasburg, and at Frankfort, in the night, taking very long credit for his pains. The same happened to the shoemakers, and numerous others among the operatives, who have all so strong a prejudice against this kind of sale of their articles during the night. And, in short, though they were stolen, they were always something excellent and good in their way; while Mephistopheles evaded all informations and pursuits. For these services his familiar was to receive twenty-five crowns per week, amounting to an annual income of thirteen hundred, with which Mephistopheles was quite content. Doctor Faustus now continued to lead the life of a confirmed epicurean both by day and night, until he lost all notion of heaven and hell, and flattered himself that life and soul would alike perish together. His familiar had long been persuading him to enter into a demoniacal association, previous to naturalizing himself in the infernal state; to which his master, heedless of everything but good cheer, and conceiving the whole little more than an idle imagination, or mere fudge, at length consented, and said, “Let my name be entered in your books, friend Mephistopheles, come what will, as soon as you please.” Mephistopheles next advised him to think of adding to his establishment by taking to himself a wife. “Stop,” cried Faustus, laughing," that is a more serious consideration, friend; it will require some more discussion.” And the demon joined heartily in his laugh. Scarcely, however, had he adopted his first proposal and finished these words, when a violent storm of wind shook the house, as if everything was about to fall topsy-turvy. The doors and windows sprang ajar, and there was so strong a smell of sulphur that any one would have thought the whole house was on fire. Doctor Faustus attempted to run downstairs, but found himself seized by a strong arm, and pushed back into the room with so much violence that he could move neither hand nor foot. A blaze of fire encircled him on all sides, as if ready to consume him, and he cried out for Mephistopheles with all his might, to assist, to save, and to obey him. Upon this the devil himself appeared, but in such grisly and savage forms as quite terrified the Doctor. “What is the meaning of all this,” exclaimed Satan, • howling like a dog? what think you now?” The Doctor, aware that he must have in some way infringed upon his compact with Mephistopheles, very humbly entreated the devil's pardon, to which the Prince of Darkness briefly replied, " Then see you better to it, and stick to your promise, I advise you !” and with this he disappeared. Mephistopheles now attended his master and said, “ As long, sir, as you continue true to your engagements, you may always rely upon my anticipating your wishes, in everything most agreeable; and in proof of this, you shall every evening be presented with a lady of such surprising beauty, as not to be exceeded by anything you have ever seen in this city. Cast your eye on all sides, choose where and whom you will, and the same shall be sure to attend upon your pleasure.” This proposal consoled and pleased Doctor Faustus exceedingly, and hegreatly regretted that he had so long continued in his single and unsociable state. Henceforward his head was full of nothing but beautiful women both day and night, insomuch that the devil had no further trouble in keeping him to his promise (for the Doctor had just before been plotting to save himself by retiring to a monastery and leading a chaste single life, which had so greatly enraged the devil), whereas he now considered the whole of his previous life, unenlivened by the charms of female society, as little better than lost. One favorite succeeded to another; he never dreamed of one and the same during four and twenty hours, and the devil triumphed in the success of his plan. FAUSTUS. BY CHRISTOPHER MARLOWE. (CHRISTOPHER MARLOWE, English dramatist and predecessor of Shakespeare, was the son of a shoemaker of Canterbury, where he was born 1563 or 1564. Having completed his studies in Cambridge, he settled in London and attached himself as dramatist to the “Lord Admiral's Company.” Of his subsequent career there is no definite information, but he is said to have led a dissipated life, and was killed by a serving man in a tavern brawl at Deptford (May, 1593). His principal dramatic works are: “Tamburlaine,” “Dr. Faustus,' “The Jew of Malta," and “Edward II." There are indications that he assisted in writing some of the earlier Shakespearian plays, particularly “Henry VI.” Included in his poetical works are the unfinished “ Hero and Leander" (completed by George Chapman), and the popular ditty, “Come, live with me and be my love,” frequently quoted and imitated by later writers. ] Scene: Faustus discovered in his Study. Faustus — Now, Faustus, must thou needs be damned: And canst thou not be saved ? What boots it, then, to think of God or heaven? Enter Good Angel and Evil Angel. Good Angel — Sweet Faustus, leave that execrable art. Faustus Contrition, prayer, repentance - what of them ? Good Angel — O, they are means to bring thee unto heaven! Evil Angel – Rather illusions, fruits of lunacy, That make men foolish that do trust them most. Sweet Faustus, think of heaven and heavenly things. [Exeunt Angels. Faustus Of wealth! Enter MEPHISTOPHILIS. Now tell me what sayeth Lucifer, thy lord ? Mephistophilis That I shall wait on Faustus whilst he lives, So he will buy my service with his soul. Faustus Already Faustus bath hazarded that or thee. Mephistophilis But, Faustus, thou must bequeath it solomnly, If thou deny it, I will back to hell. Stay, Mephistophilis, and tell me, what good Will my soul do thy lord ? Mephistophilis Enlarge his kingdon. Faustus Is that the reason why he tempts us thus ? Mephistophilis Solamen miseris socios habuisse doloris. Faustus Why, have you any pain that torture others ? As great as have the human souls of men. And give thee more than thou hast wit to ask. Ay, Mephistophilis, I give it thee. Then, Faustus, stab thine arm courageously, And then be thou as great as Lucifer. Lo, Mephistophilis, for love of thee, blood And let it be propitious for my wish. But, Faustus, thou must Write it in manner of a deed of gift. Faustus Ay, so I will. [Writes.] But, Mephistophilis, My blood congeals, and I can write no more. Mephistophilis — I'll fetch thee fire to dissolve it straight. What might the staying of my blood portend? Why streams it not, that I may write afresh ? Reënter MEPHISTOPHILIS with a chafer of coals. Mephistophilis — Here's fire; come, Faustus, set it on. So, now the blood begins to clear again; [Writes. Mephistophilis — 0, what will not I do to obtain his soul ? [Aside. Faustus Consummatum est, this bill is ended, Homo fuge: yet shall not Faustus fly. [Aside, and then exit. Enter WAGNER. I think my master means to die shortly, Enter Faustus with two or three Scholars, and MEPHISTOPHILIS. First Scholar — Master Doctor Faustus, since our conference about fair ladies, which was the beautifulest in all the world, we have determined with ourselves that Helen of Greece was the admirablest lady that ever lived; therefore, Master Doctor, if you will do us that favor, as to let us see that peerless dame of Greece, whom all the |
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