WAGNER. Sirrah,(38) hast thou no comings in?

CLOWN. Yes, and goings out too, you may see, sir.

WAGNER. Alas, poor slave! see how poverty jests in his nakedness! I know the villain's out of service, and so hungry, that I know he would give his soul to the devil for a shoulder of mutton, though it were blood-raw.

CLOWN. Not so neither: I had need to have it well roasted, and good sauce to it, if I pay so dear, I can tell you.

WAGNER. Sirrah, wilt thou be my man, and wait on me, and I will make thee go like Qui mihi discipulus?

CLOWN. What, in verse?

WAGNER. No, slave; in beaten silk and staves-acre.

CLOWN. Staves-acre! that's good to kill vermin: then, belike, if I serve you, I shall be lousy.

WAGNER. Why, so thou shalt be, whether thou dost it or no; for, sirrah, if thou dost not presently bind thyself to me for seven years, I'll turn all the lice about thee into familiars, and make them tear thee in pieces.

CLOWN. Nay, sir, you may save(39) yourself a labour, for they are as familiar with me as if they paid for their meat and drink, I can tell you.

WAGNER. Well, sirrah, leave your jesting, and take these guilders. [Gives money.]

CLOWN. Yes, marry, sir; and I thank you too.

WAGNER. So, now thou art to be at an hour's warning, whensoever and wheresoever the devil shall fetch thee.

CLOWN. Here, take your guilders again;(40) I'll none of 'em.

WAGNER. Not I; thou art pressed: prepare thyself, or(41) I will presently raise up two devils to carry thee away.--Banio! Belcher!

CLOWN. Belcher! an Belcher come here, I'll belch him: I am not afraid of a devil.

Enter two DEVILS.

WAGNER. How now, sir! will you serve me now?

CLOWN. Ay, good Wagner; take away the devil[s], then.

WAGNER. Spirits, away! [Exeunt DEVILS.] Now, sirrah, follow me.

CLOWN. I will, sir: but hark you, master; will you teach me this conjuring occupation?

WAGNER. Ay, sirrah, I'll teach thee to turn thyself to a dog, or a cat, or a mouse, or a rat, or any thing.

CLOWN. A dog, or a cat, or a mouse, or a rat! O, brave, Wagner!

WAGNER. Villain, call me Master Wagner, and see that you walk attentively, and let your right eye be always diametrally fixed upon my left heel, that thou mayst quasi vestigiis nostris(42) insistere.

CLOWN. Well, sir, I warrant you. [Exeunt.]

FAUSTUS discovered in his study.

FAUSTUS. Now, Faustus, Must thou needs be damn'd, canst thou not be sav'd. What boots it, then, to think on God or heaven? Away with such vain fancies, and despair; Despair in God, and trust in Belzebub: Now, go not backward,(43) Faustus; be resolute: Why(44) waver'st thou? O, something soundeth in mine ear, "Abjure this magic, turn to God again!" Why, he loves thee not; The god thou serv'st is thine own appetite, Wherein is fix'd the love of Belzebub: To him I'll build an altar and a church, And offer lukewarm blood of new-born babes.

Enter GOOD ANGEL and EVIL ANGEL.

EVIL ANGEL. Go forward, Faustus, in that famous(45) art.

GOOD ANGEL. Sweet Faustus, leave that execrable art.

FAUSTUS. Contrition, prayer, repentance--what of(46) these?

GOOD ANGEL. O, they are means to bring thee unto heaven!

EVIL ANGEL. Rather illusions, fruits of lunacy, That make men(47) foolish that do use them most.

GOOD ANGEL. Sweet Faustus, think of heaven and heavenly things.

EVIL ANGEL. No, Faustus; think of honour and of wealth. [Exeunt ANGELS.]

FAUSTUS. Wealth! Why, the signiory of Embden shall be mine. When Mephistophilis shall stand by me, What power can hurt me? Faustus, thou art safe: Cast no more doubts.--Mephistophilis, come, And bring glad tidings from great Lucifer;-- Is't not midnight?--come Mephistophilis, And bring glad tidings from great Lucifer;-- Is't not midnight?--come Mephistophilis, Veni, veni, Mephistophile!(48)

Enter MEPHISTOPHILIS.

Now tell me what saith Lucifer, thy lord?

MEPHIST. That I shall wait on Faustus whilst he lives, So he will buy my service with his soul.

FAUSTUS.

Christopher Marlowe
Classic Literature Library
Classic Authors

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