ay you,(222) remember your courtesy.
FAUSTUS. I(223) thank you, sir.
CARTER. 'Tis not so much worth. I pray you, tell me one thing.
FAUSTUS. What's that?
CARTER. Be both your legs bed-fellows every night together?
FAUSTUS. Wouldst thou make a Colossus of me, that thou askest me such questions?
CARTER. No, truly, sir; I would make nothing of you; but I would fain know that.
Enter HOSTESS with drink.
FAUSTUS. Then, I assure thee certainly, they are.
CARTER. I thank you; I am fully satisfied.
FAUSTUS. But wherefore dost thou ask?
CARTER. For nothing, sir: but methinks you should have a wooden bed-fellow of one of 'em.
HORSE-COURSER. Why, do you hear, sir? did not I(224) pull off one of your legs when you were asleep?
FAUSTUS. But I have it again, now I am awake: look you here, sir.
ALL. O, horrible! had the doctor three legs?
CARTER. Do you remember, sir, how you cozened me, and eat up my load of----
[FAUSTUS, in the middle of each speech, charms them dumb.]
DICK. Do you remember how you made me wear an ape's----
HORSE-COURSER. You whoreson conjuring scab, do you remember how you cozened me with a ho----
ROBIN. Ha'(225) you forgotten me? you think to carry it away with your hey-pass and re-pass: do you remember the dog's fa---- [Exeunt CLOWNS.]
HOSTESS. Who pays for the ale? hear you, Master Doctor; now you have sent away my guess,(226) I pray who shall pay me for my a---- [Exit HOSTESS.]
DUCHESS. My lord, We are much beholding(227) to this learned man.
DUKE. So are we, madam; which we will recompense With all the love and kindness that we may: His artful sport(228) drives all sad thoughts away. [Exeunt.]
Thunder and lightning. Enter DEVILS with covered dishes; MEPHISTOPHILIS leads them into FAUSTUS'S study; then enter WAGNER.
WAGNER. I think my master(229) means to die shortly; he has made his will, and given me his wealth, his house, his goods,(230) and store of golden plate, besides two thousand ducats ready-coined. I wonder what he means: if death were nigh, he would not frolic thus. He's now at supper with the scholars, where there's such belly-cheer as Wagner in his life ne'er(231) saw the like: and, see where they come! belike the feast is ended.(232) [Exit.]
Enter FAUSTUS, MEPHISTOPHILIS, and two or three SCHOLARS.
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 so much favour as to let us see that peerless dame of Greece, whom all the world admires for majesty, we should think ourselves much beholding unto you.
FAUSTUS. Gentlemen, For that I know your friendship is unfeign'd, It is not Faustus' custom to deny The just request of those that wish him well: You shall behold that peerless dame of Greece, No otherwise for pomp or majesty Than when Sir Paris cross'd the seas with her, And brought the spoils to rich Dardania. Be silent, then, for danger is in words.
Music sounds. MEPHISTOPHILIS brings in HELEN; she passeth over the stage.
SECOND SCHOLAR. Was this fair Helen, whose admired worth Made Greece with ten years' war(233) afflict poor Troy?
THIRD SCHOLAR. Too simple is my wit(234) to tell her worth, Whom all the world admires for majesty.
FIRST SCHOLAR. Now we have seen the pride of Nature's work, We'll take our leaves: and, for this blessed sight, Happy and blest be Faustus evermore!
FAUSTUS. Gentlemen, farewell: the same wish I to you. [Exeunt SCHOLARS.]
Enter an OLD MAN.
OLD MAN. O gentle Faustus, leave this damned art, This magic, that will charm thy soul to hell, And quite bereave thee of salvation! Though thou hast now offended like a man, Do not persever in it like a devil: Yet, yet thou hast an amiable soul, If sin by custom grow not into nature; Then, Faustus, will repentance come too late; Then thou art banish'd from the sight of heaven: No mortal can express the pains of hell. It may be, this my exhortation Seems harsh and all unpleasant: let it not; For, gentle son, I speak it not in wrath, Or envy of thee,(235) but in tender love, And pity of thy future misery; And so have hope that this my kind rebuke, Checking thy body, may amend thy soul.