Translated by P.F., Gent.

The Historie of the Damnable Life and Deserved Death of Doctor John Faustus (1592) is the English translation of the German Faustbuch — the anonymous prose narrative, first published by Johann Spies in Frankfurt in 1587, that gave the Western world its most enduring legend of a man who sells his soul to the Devil.

The English translator, known only by the initials P.F. (identified on the title page as "P.F., Gent."), produced a lively and largely faithful rendering of the German original, published in London by Thomas Orwin for Edward White. The text tells in sixty-three chapters the story of Doctor John Faustus, a scholar of Wittenberg who abandons theology for necromancy, enters a pact with the spirit Mephostophiles for twenty-four years of supernatural power, and is destroyed at the expiration of his term. Between the pact and the reckoning, Faustus tours Hell and the heavens, interrogates his spirit on the nature of the cosmos, conjures Alexander the Great before the Emperor, and summons the shade of Helen of Troy.

Within a year or two of this translation, Christopher Marlowe composed his Tragical History of Doctor Faustus — the first great dramatic treatment of the legend and one of the supreme achievements of Elizabethan literature. Marlowe drew directly from P.F.'s English text, lifting characters, episodes, and occasionally whole phrases. Every subsequent version of the Faust legend — from the puppet plays of Germany to Goethe's masterwork to Thomas Mann's Doctor Faustus — descends from this anonymous prose original.

Presented here from the 1925 Broadway Translations edition, edited by William Rose. OCR from the archive.org digitization has been cleaned, running headers and page numbers removed, and paragraphs restored across page breaks. The Early Modern English has been preserved as printed.

A Discourse of the most famous Doctor John Faustus of Wittenberg in Germanie, Coniurer, and Necromancer: wherein is declared many strange things that he himselfe hath seene, and done in the earth and in the Ayre, with his bringing vp, his trauailes, studies, and last end

Chapter I

Of his Parentage and Birth

John Faustus, born in the town of Rhode, lying in the province of Weimer in Germanie, his father a poor husbandman, and not able well to bring him up: but having an uncle at Wittenberg, a rich man, and without issue, took this J. Faustus from his father, and made him his heir, in so much that his father was no more troubled with him, for he remained with his uncle at Wittenberg, where he was kept at the University in the same city to study Divinity. But Faustus being of a naughty mind and otherwise addicted, applied not his studies, but took himself to other exercises: the which his uncle oftentimes hearing, rebuked him for it, as Eli ofttimes rebuked his children for sinning against the Lord: even so this good man laboured to have Faustus apply his study of Divinity, that he might come to the knowledge of God and his laws. But it is manifest that many virtuous parents have wicked children, as Cain, Ruben, Absolom, and suchlike have been to their parents: so this Faustus having godly parents, and seeing him to be of a toward wit, were very desirous to bring him up in those virtuous studies, namely, of Divinity: but he gave himself secretly to study Necromancy and Conjuration, in so much that few or none could perceive his profession.

But to the purpose: Faustus continued at study in the University, and was by the Rectors and sixteen Masters afterwards examined how he had profited in his studies; and being found by them, that none for his time were able to argue with him in Divinity, or for the excellency of his wisdom to compare with him, with one consent they made him Doctor of Divinity. But Doctor Faustus within short time after he had obtained his degree, fell into such fantasies and deep cogitations, that he was marked of many, and of the most part of the Students was called the Speculator; and sometime he would throw the Scriptures from him as though he had no care of his former profession: so that he began a very ungodly life, as hereafter more at large may appear; for the old proverb saith, Who can hold that will away? so, who can hold Faustus from the Devil, that seeks after him with all his endeavour? For he accompanied himself with divers that were seen in those Devilish Arts, and that had the Chaldean, Persian, Hebrew, Arabian, and Greek tongues, using Figures, Characters, Conjurations, Incantations, with many other ceremonies belonging to these infernal Arts, as Necromancy, Charms, Soothsaying, Witchcraft, Enchantment, being delighted with their books, words, and names so well, that he studied day and night therein: in so much that he could not abide to be called Doctor of Divinity, but waxed a worldly man, and named himself an Astrologian, and a Mathematician: and for a shadow sometimes a Physician, and did great cures, namely, with herbs, roots, waters, drinks, receipts, and clysters. And without doubt he was passing wise, and excellent perfect in the holy scriptures: but he that knoweth his master’s will and doth it not, is worthy to be beaten with many stripes. It is written, no man can serve two masters: and, thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God: but Faustus threw all this in the wind, and made his soul of no estimation, regarding more his worldly pleasure than the joys to come: therefore at the day of judgment there is no hope of his redemption.

Chapter II

How Doctor Faustus began to practise in his Devilish Art, and how he conjured the Devil, making him to appear and meet him on the morrow at his own house

You have heard before, that all Faustus’ mind was set to study the arts of Necromancy and Conjuration, the which exercise he followed day and night: and taking to him the wings of an Eagle, thought to fly over the whole world, and to know the secrets of heaven and earth; for his Speculation was so wonderful, being expert in using his Vocabula, Figures, Characters, Conjurations, and other Ceremonial actions, that in all the haste he put in practice to bring the Devil before him. And taking his way to a thick Wood near to Wittenberg, called in the German tongue Spisser Waldt: that is in English the Spissers Wood (as Faustus would oftentimes boast of it among his crew being in his jollity), he came into the same wood towards evening into a cross way, where he made with a wand a Circle in the dust, and within that many more Circles and Characters: and thus he passed away the time, until it was nine or ten of the clock in the night, then began Doctor Faustus to call for Mephostophiles the Spirit, and to charge him in the name of Beelzebub to appear there personally without any long stay: then presently the Devil began so great a rumour in the Wood, as if heaven and earth would have come together with wind, the trees bowing their tops to the ground, then fell the Devil to blare as if the whole Wood had been full of Lions, and suddenly about the Circle ran the Devil as if a thousand Wagons had been running together on paved stones. After this at the four corners of the Wood it thundered horribly, with such lightnings as if the whole world, to his seeming, had been on fire. Faustus all this while half amazed at the Devil’s so long tarrying, and doubting whether he were best to abide any more such horrible Conjurings, thought to leave his Circle and depart; whereupon the Devil made him such music of all sorts, as if the Nymphs themselves had been in place: whereat Faustus was revived and stood stoutly in his circle aspecting his purpose, and began again to conjure the Spirit Mephostophiles in the name of the Prince of Devils to appear in his likeness: whereat suddenly over his head hanged hovering in the air a mighty Dragon: then calls Faustus again after his Devilish manner, at which there was a monstrous cry in the Wood, as if Hell had been open, and all the tormented souls crying to God for mercy; presently not three fathoms above his head fell a flame in manner of a lightning, and changed itself into a Globe: yet Faustus feared it not, but did persuade himself that the Devil should give him his request before he would leave: Oftentimes after to his companions he would boast, that he had the stoutest head (under the cope of heaven) at commandment: whereat they answered, they knew none stouter than the Pope or Emperor: but Doctor Faustus said, the head that is my servant is above all on earth, and repeated certain words out of Saint Paul to the Ephesians to make his argument good: The Prince of this world is upon earth and under heaven. Well, let us come again to his Conjuration where we left him at his fiery Globe: Faustus vexed at the Spirit’s so long tarrying, used his Charms with full purpose not to depart before he had his intent, and crying on Mephostophiles the Spirit; suddenly the Globe opened and sprang up in height of a man: so burning a time, in the end it converted to the shape of a fiery man. This pleasant beast ran about the Circle a great while, and lastly appeared in manner of a gray Friar, asking Faustus what was his request. Faustus commanded that the next morning at twelve of the clock he should appear to him at his house; but the Devil would in no wise grant. Faustus began again to conjure him in the name of Beelzebub, that he should fulfil his request: whereupon the Spirit agreed, and so they departed each one his way.

Chapter III

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,’ 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, 1 A mistranslation of the German text, “‘ entsetzt sich darob,”’ i.e. ‘ was terrified at this.” and take Saint Valentine’s farewell and Crisam? 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.

Chapter IV

The second time of the Spirit’s appearing to Faustus in his house, and of their parley

FAUSTUS continuing in his Devilish cogitations, never moving out of the place where the Spirit left him (such was his fervent love to the Devil) the night approaching, this swift flying Spirit appeared to Faustus, offering himself with all submission to his service, with full authority from his Prince to do whatsoever he would request, if so be Faustus would promise to be his: this answer I bring thee, and an answer must thou make by me again, yet will I hear what is thy desire, because thou hast sworn me to be here at this time. Doctor Faustus gave him this answer, though faintly (for his soul’s sake), That his request * Saint Valentine’s sickness is epilepsy. Crisam is Gk, chrisma, a composition of oil and balm. was none other but to become a Devil, or at the least a limb of him, and that the Spirit should agree unto these Articles as followeth.

1. That he might be a Spirit in shape and quality.

2. That Mephostophiles should be his servant, and at his commandment.

3. That Mephostophiles should bring him anything, and do for him whatsoever. 4. That at all times he should be in his house, invisible to all men, except only to himself, and at his commandment to shew himself.

4. Lastly, that Mephostophiles should at all times appear at his command, in what form or shape soever he would.

Upon these points the Spirit answered Doctor Faustus, that all this should be granted him and fulfilled, and more if he would agree unto him upon certain Articles as followeth.

First, that Doctor Faustus should give himself to his Lord Lucifer, body and soul.

Secondly, for confirmation of the same, he should make him a writing, written with his own blood.

Thirdly, that he would be an enemy to all Christian people.

Fourthly, that he would deny his Christian belief.

Fifthly, that he let not any man change his opinion, if so be any man should go about to dissuade, or withdraw him from it.

Further, the Spirit promised Faustus to give him certain years to live in health and pleasure, and when such years were expired, that then Faustus should be fetched away, and if he should hold these Articles and conditions, that then he should have all whatsoever his heart would wish or desire; and that Faustus should quickly perceive himself to be a Spirit in all manner of actions whatsoever. Hereupon Doctor Faustus his mind was so inflamed, that he forgot his soul, and promised Mephostophiles to hold all things as he had mentioned them: he thought the Devil was not so black as they used to paint him, nor Hell so hot as the people say, etc.

Chapter V

The third parley between Doctor Faustus and Mephostophiles about a conclusion

AFTER Doctor Faustus had made his promise to the Devil, in the morning betimes he called the Spirit before him and commanded him that he should always come to him like a Friar, after the order of Saint Francis, with a bell in his hand like Saint Anthony, and to ring it once or twice before he appeared, that he might know of his certain coming: Then Faustus demanded the Spirit, what was his name? ‘The Spirit answered, my name is as thou sayest, Mephostophiles, and I am a prince, but servant to Lucifer: and all the circuit from Septentrio to the Meridian, I rule under him. Even at these words was this wicked wretch Faustus inflamed, to hear himself to have gotten so great a Potentate to be his servant, forgot the Lord his maker, and Christ his redeemer, became an enemy unto all mankind, yea, worse than the Giants whom the Poets feign to climb the hills to make war with the Gods: not unlike that enemy of God and his Christ, that for his pride was cast into Hell: so likewise Faustus forgot that the high climbers catch the greatest falls, and that the sweetest meat requires the sourest sauce. After a while, Faustus promised Mephostophiles to write and make his Obligation, with full assurance of the Articles in the Chapter before rehearsed. A pitiful case, (Christian Reader), for certainly this Letter or Obligation was found in his house after his most lamentable end, with all the rest of his damnable practices used in his whole life. Therefore I wish all Christians to take an example by this wicked Faustus, and to be comforted in Christ, contenting themselves with that vocation whereunto it hath pleased God to call them, and not to esteem the vain delights of this life, as did this unhappy Faustus, in giving his Soul to the Devil: and to confirm it the more assuredly, he took a small penknife, and pricked a vein in his left hand, and for certainty thereupon, were seen on his hand these words written, as if they had been written with blood, HOMO FUGE: whereat the Spirit vanished, but Faustus continued in his damnable mind, and made his writing as followeth.

Chapter VI

How Doctor Faustus set his blood in a saucer on warm ashes, and writ as followeth

I, Jouannes Faustus, Doctor, do openly acknowledge with mine own hand, to the greater force and strengthening of this Letter, that siththence I began to study and speculate the course and order of the Elements, I have not found through the gift that is given me from above, any such learning and wisdom, that can bring me to my desires: and for that I find, that men are unable to instruct me any farther in the matter, now have I Doctor John Faustus, unto the hellish prince of Orient and his messenger Mephostophiles, given both body and soul, upon such condition, that they shall learn me, and fulfil my desire in all things, as they have promised and vowed unto me, with due obedience unto me, according unto the Articles mentioned between us.

Further, I covenant and grant with them by these presents, that at the end of twentyfour years next ensuing the date of this present Letter, they being expired, and I in the meantime, during the said years be served of them at my will, they accomplishing my desires to the full in all points as we are agreed, that then I give them full power to do with me at their pleasure, to rule, to send, fetch, or carry me or mine, be it either body, soul, flesh, blood, or goods, into their habitation, be it wheresoever: and hereupon, I defy God and his Christ, all the host of heaven, and all living creatures that bear the shape of God, yea all that lives; and again I say it, and it shall be so. And to the more strengthening of this writing, I have written it with mine own hand and blood, being in perfect memory, and hereupon I subscribe to it with my name and title, calling all the infernal, middle, and supreme powers to witness of this my Letter and subscription.

John Faustus, approved in the Elements, and the spiritual Doctor.

Chapter VII

How Mephostophiles came for his writing, and in what manner he appeared, and his sights he shewed him: and how he caused him to keep a copy of his own writing

Doctor FausTus sitting pensive, having but one only boy with him, suddenly there appeared his Spirit Mephostophiles, in likeness of a fiery man, from whom issued most horrible fiery flames, in so much that the boy was afraid, but being hardened by his master, he bade him stand still and he should have no harm: the Spirit began to blare as in a singing manner. This pretty sport pleased Doctor Faustus well, but he would not call his Spirit into his Counting house, until he had seen more: anon was heard a rushing of armed men, and trampling of horses: this ceasing, came a kennel of hounds, and they chased a great Hart in the hall, and there the Hart was slain. Faustus took heart, came forth, and looked upon the Hart, but presently before him there was a Lion and a Dragon together fighting, so fiercely, that Faustus thought they would have brought down the house, but the Dragon overcame the Lion, and so they vanished.

After this, came in a Peacock, with a Peahen, the cock brustling of his tail, and turning to the female, beat her, and so vanished. Afterward followed a furious Bull, that with a full fierceness ran upon Faustus, but coming near him, vanished away. Afterward followed a great old Ape, this Ape offered Faustus the hand, but he refused: so the Ape ran out of the hall again. Hereupon fell a mist in the hall, that Faustus saw no light, but it lasted not, and so soon as it was gone, there lay before Faustus two great sacks, one full of gold, the other full of silver.

Lastly, was heard by Faustus all manner Instruments of music, as Organs, Clarigolds, Lutes, Viols, Citterns, Waits, Hornpipes, Flutes, Anomes,‘ Harps, and all manner of other Instruments, the which so ravished his mind, that he thought he had been in another world, forgot both body and soul, in so much that he was minded never to change his opinion concerning that which he had done. Hereat, came Mephostophiles into the Hall to Faustus, in apparel like unto a Friar, to whom Faustus spake, thou hast done me a wonderful pleasure in shewing me this pastime, if thou continue as thou hast begun, thou shalt win me heart and soul, yea and have it. Mephostophiles answered, this is nothing, I will please thee better: yet that thou mayest know my power and all, ask what thou wilt request of me, that shalt thou have, conditionally hold thy promise, and give me thy handwriting: at which words, the wretch thrust forth his hand, saying, hold thee, there hast thou my promise: Mephostophiles took the writing, and willing Faustus to take a copy of it, with that the perverse Faustus being resolute in his damnation, wrote a copy thereof, and gave the Devil the one, and kept in store the other. Thus the Spirit and Faustus were agreed, and dwelt together: no doubt there was a virtuous housekeeping.

Chapter VIII

The manner how Faustus proceeded with his damnable life, and of the diligent service Mephostophiles used towards him

Doctor Faustus having given his soul to the Devil, renouncing all the powers of heaven, confirming this lamentable action with his own blood, and having already delivered his writing now into the Devil’s hand, the which so puffed up his heart, that he had forgot the mind of a man, and thought rather himself to be aspirit. This Faustus dwelt in his uncle’s house at Wittenberg, who died, and bequeathed it in his Testament to his Cousin Faustus. Faustus kept a boy with him that was his scholar, an unhappy wag, called Christopher Wagner, to whom this sport and life that he saw his master follow seemed pleasant. Faustus loved the boy well, hoping to make him as good or better seen in his Devilish exercise than himself; and he was fellow with Mephostophiles: otherwise Faustus had no more company in his house; but himself, his boy and his Spirit, that ever was diligent at Faustus’ command, going about the house, clothed like a Friar, with a little bell in his hand, seen of none but Faustus. For his victual and other necessaries, Mephostophiles brought him at his pleasure from the Duke of Saxon, the Duke of Bavaria, and the Bishop of Saltzburg: for they had many times their best wine stolen out of their cellars by Mephostophile: Likewise their provision for their own table, such meat as Faustus wished for, his Spirit brought him in: besides that, Faustus himself was become so cunning, that when he opened his window, what fowl soever he wished for, it came presently flying into his house, were it never so dainty. Moreover, Faustus and his boy went in sumptuous apparel, the which Mephostophiles stole from the Mercers at Norenberg, Auspurg, Franckeford, and Liptzig: for it was hard for them to find a lock to keep out such a thief. All their maintenance was but stolen and borrowed ware: and thus they lived an odious life in the sight of God, though as yet the world were unacquainted with their wickedness. It must be so, for their fruits be none other: as Christ saith through John, where he calls the Devil a thief, and a murderer: and that found Faustus, for he stole him away both body and soul.

Chapter IX

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 iach THE JOURNEY TO THE WITCHES’ SABBATH After P. Cornelius pardon, and he would talk no more of such things. The Devil answered, thou were best so to do, and so vanished.

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.

Chapter X

*Questions put forth by Doctor Faustus unto his Spirit Mephostophiles *

Doctor Faustus living in all manner of pleasure that his heart could desire, continuing in his amorous drifts, his delicate fare, and costly apparel, called on a time his Mephostophiles to him: which being come, brought with him a book in his hand of all manner of Devilish and enchanted arts, the which he gaved Faustus, saying: hold my Faustus, work now thy heart’s desire: The copy of this enchanting book was afterward found by his servant Christopher Wagner. Well (quoth Faustus to his Spirit) I have called thee to know what thou canst do if I have need of thy help. Then answered Mephostophiles and said, my Lord Faustus, I am a flying spirit: yea, so swift as thought can think, to do whatsoever. Here Faustus said: but how came thy Lord and master Lucifer to have so great a fall from heaven? Mephostophiles answered: My Lord Lucifer was a fair Angel, created of God as immortal, and being placed in the Seraphims, which are above the Cherubims, he would have presumed unto the Throne of God, with intent to have thrust God out of his seat. Upon this presumption the Lord cast him down headlong, and where before he was an Angel of light, now dwells he in darkness, not able to come near his first place, without God send for him to appear before him as Raphael: but unto the lower degree of Angels that have their conversation with men he was come, but not unto the second degree of Heavens that is kept by the Archangels, namely, Michael and Gabriel, for these are called Angels of God’s wonders: yet are these far inferior places to that from whence my Lord and Master Lucifer fell. And thus far Faustus, because thou art one of the beloved children of my Lord Lucifer, following and feeding thy mind in manner as he did his, I have shortly resolved thy request, and more I will do for thee at thy pleasure. I thank thee Mephostophiles (quoth Faustus) come let us now go rest, for it is night: upon this they left their communication,

Chapter XI

How Doctor Faustus dreamed that he had seen hell in his sleep, and how he questioned with his Spirit of matters as concerning hell, with the Spirits answer

THE night following, after Faustus his communication had with Mephostophiles, as concerning the fall of Lucifer, Doctor Faustus dreamed that he had seen a part of hell: but in what manner it was, or in what place he knew not: whereupon he was greatly troubled in mind, and called unto him Mephostophiles his Spirit, saying to him, my Mephostophiles, I pray thee resolve me in this doubt: what is hell, what substance is it of, in what place stands it, and when was it made ? Mephostophiles answered: my Faustus, thou shalt know, that before the fall of my Lord Lucifer there was no hell, but even then was hell ordained: it is of no substance, but a confused thing: for I tell thee, that before all Elements were made, and the earth seen, the Spirit of God moved on the waters, and darkness was over all: but when God said, let it be light, it was so at his word, and the light was on God’s right hand, and God praised the light. Judge thou further: God stood in the middle, the darkness was on his left hand, in the which my Lord was bound in chains until the day of judgment: in this confused hell is nought to find but a filthy, Sulphurish, fiery, stinking mist or fog. Further, we Devils know not what substance it is of, but a confused thing. For as a bubble of water flieth before the wind, so doth hell before the breath of God. Further, we Devils know not how God hath laid the foundation of our hell, nor whereof it is: but to be short with thee Faustus, we know that hell hath neither bottom nor end.

Chapter XII

The second question put forth by Doctor Faustus to his Spirit, what Kingdoms there were in hell, how many, and what were their rulers’ names

Faustus spake again to Mephostophiles, saying: thou speakest of wonderful things, I pray thee now tell me what Kingdoms is there in your hell, how many are there, what are they called, and who rules them: the Spirit answered him: my Faustus, know that hell is as thou wouldst think with thyself another world, in the which we have our being, under the earth, and above the earth, even to the Heavens; within the circumference whereof are contained ten Kingdoms, namely: 1. Lacus mortis. 6. Gehenna. 2. Stagnum ignis. 7. Herebus. 3. Terratenebrosa. 8. Barathrum. 4. Tartarus. g. Styx.

5. Terra oblivionis. 10. Acheron.

The which Kingdoms are governed by five kings, that is, Lucifer in the Orient, Beelzebub in Septentrio, Belial in Meridie, Astaroth in Occidente, and Phlegeton in the middest of them all: whose rule and dominions have none end until the day of Doom. And thus far Faustus, hast thou heard of our rule and Kingdoms.

Chapter XIII

Another question put forth by Doctor Faustus to his Spirit concerning his Lord Lucifer, with the sorrow that Faustus fell afterwards into

Doctor Faustus began again to reason with Mephostophiles, requiring him to tell him in what form and shape, and in what estimation his Lord Lucifer was when he was in favour with God. Whereupon his Spirit required of him three days’ respite, which Faustus granted. The three days being expired, Mephostophiles gave him this answer: Faustus, my Lord Lucifer (so called now, for that he was banished out of the clear light of heaven) was at the first an Angel of God, he sat on the Cherubims, and saw all the wonderful works of God, yea he was so of God ordained, for shape, pomp, authority, worthiness, and dwelling, that he far exceeded all other the creatures of God, yea our gold and precious stones: and so illuminated, that he far surpassed the brightness of the Sun and all other Stars: wherefore God placed him on the Cherubims, where he had a kingly office, and was always before God’s seat, to the end he might be the more perfect in all his beings: but when he began to be highminded, proud, and so presumptuous that he would usurp the seat of his Majesty, then was he banished out from amongst the heavenly powers, separated from their abiding into the manner of a fiery stone, that no water is able to quench, but continually burneth until the end of the world.

Doctor Faustus, when he had heard the words of his Spirit, began to consider with himself, having diverse and sundry opinions in his head: and very pensively (saying nothing unto his Spirit) he went into his chamber, and laid him on his bed, recording the words of Mephostophiles; which so pierced his heart, that he fell into sighing and great lamentation, crying out: alas, ah, woe is me! what have I done? Even so shall it come to pass with me: am not I also a creature of God’s making, bearing his own Image and similitude, into whom he hath breathed the Spirit of life and immortality, unto whom he hath made all things living subject: but woe is me, mine haughty mind, proud aspiring stomach, and filthy flesh, hath brought my soul into perpetual damnation; yea, pride hath abused my understanding, in so much that I have forgot my maker, the Spirit of God is departed from me, I have promised the Devil my Soul: and therefore it is but a folly for me to hope for grace, but it must be even with me as with Lucifer, thrown into perpetual burning fire: ah, woe is me that ever I was born. In this perplexity lay this miserable Doctor Faustus, having quite forgot his faith in Christ, never falling to repentance truly, thereby to attain the grace and holy Spirit of God again, the which would have been able to have resisted the strong assaults of Satan: for although he had made him a promise, yet he might have remembered through true repentance sinners come again into the favour of God; which faith the faithful firmly hold, knowing they that kill the body, are not able to hurt the soul: but he was in all his opinions doubtful, without faith or hope, and so he continued.

Chapter XIV

Another disputation betwixt Doctor Faustus and his Spirit, of the power of the Devil, and of his envy to mankind

AFTER Doctor Faustus had a while pondered and sorrowed with himself of his wretched estate, he called again Mephostophiles unto him, commanding him to tell him the judgment, rule, power, attempts, tyranny and temptation of the Devil, and why he was moved to such kind of living: whereupon the Spirit answered, this question that thou demandest of me, will turn thee to no small discontentment: therefore thou shouldst not have desired me of such matters, for it toucheth the secrets of our Kingdom, although I cannot deny to resolve thy request. Therefore know thou Faustus, that so soon as my Lord Lucifer fell from heaven, he became a mortal enemy both to God and man, and hath used (as now he doth) all manner of tyranny to the destruction of man, as is manifest by divers examples, one falling suddenly dead, another hangs himself, another drowns himself, others stab themselves, others unfaithfully despair, and so come to utter confusion: the first man Adam that was made perfect to the similitude of God, was by my Lord his policy, the whole decay of man: yea, Faustus, in him was the beginning and first tyranny of my Lord Lucifer used to man: the like did he with Cain, the same with the children of Israel, when they worshipped strange Gods, and fell to whoredom with strange women: the like with Saul: so did he by the seven husbands of her that after was the wife of Tobias: likewise Dagon our fellow brought to destruction thirty thousand men, whereupon the Ark of God was stolen: and Belial. made David to number his men, whereupon were slain sixty thousand, also he deceived King Solomon that worshipped the Gods of the heathen: and there are such Spirits innumerable that can come by men and tempt them, drive them to sin, weaken their belief: for we rule the hearts of Kings and Princes, stirring them up to war and bloodshed; and to this intent do we spread ourselves throughout all the world, as the utter enemies of God, and his Son Christ, yea and all those that worship them: and that thou knowest by thyself Faustus, how we have dealt with thee. To this answered Faustus, why then thou didst also beguile me. Yea (quoth Mephostophiles) why should not we help thee forwards: for so soon as we saw thy heart, how thou didst despise thy degree taken in Divinity, and didst study to search and know the secrets of our Kingdom; even then did we enter into thee, giving thee divers foul and filthy cogitations, pricking thee forward in thine intent, and persuading thee that thou couldst never attain to thy desire, until thou hast the help of some Devil: and when thou wast delighted with this, then took we root in thee; and so firmly, that thou gavest thyself unto us, both body and soul the which thou (Faustus) canst not deny. Hereat answered Faustus, Thou sayest true Mephostophiles, I cannot deny it: Ah, woe is me miserable Faustus; how have I been deceived ? had not I desired to know so much, I had not been in this case: for having studied the lives of the holy Saints and Prophets, and thereby thought myself to understand sufficient in heavenly matters, I thought myself not worthy to be called Doctor Faustus, if I should not also know the secrets of hell, and be associated with the furious Fiend thereof; now therefore must I be rewarded accordingly. Which speeches being uttered, Faustus went very sorrowfully away from Mephostophiles.

Chapter XV

How Doctor Faustus desired again of his Spirit to know the secrets and pains of hell; and whether those damned Devils and their company might ever come into the favour of God again or not?

Doctor Faustus was ever pondering with himself how he might get loose from so damnable an end as he had given himself unto, both of body and soul: but his repentance was like to that of Cain and Judas, he thought his sins greater than God could forgive, hereupon rested his mind: he looked up to heaven, but saw nothing therein; for his heart was so possessed with the Devil, that he could think of nought else but of hell, and the pains thereof. Wherefore in all the haste he calleth unto him his Spirit Mephostophiles, desiring him to tell him some more of the secrets of hell, what pains the damned were in, and how they were tormented, and whether the damned souls -might get again the favour of God, and so be released out of their torments or not: whereupon the Spirit answered, my Faustus, thou mayest well leave to question any more of such matters, for they will but disquiet thy mind, I pray thee what meanest thou ? Thinkest thou through these thy fantasies to escape us ? No, for if thou shouldst climb up to heaven, there to hide thyself, yet would I thrust thee down again; for thou art mine, and thou belongest unto our society: therefore sweet Faustus, thou wilt repent this thy foolish demand, except thou be content that I shall tell thee nothing. Quoth Faustus ragingly, I will know, or I will not live, wherefore dispatch and tell me: to whom Mephostophiles answered, Faustus, it is no trouble unto me at all to tell thee, and therefore sith thou forcest me thereto, I will tell thee things to the terror of thy soul, if thou wilt abide the hearing. Thou wilt have me tell thee of the secrets of hell, and of the pains thereof; know Faustus, that hell hath many figures, semblances, and names, but it cannot be named nor figured in such sort unto the living that are damned, as it is unto those that are dead, and do both see and feel the torments thereof: for hell is said to be deadly, out of the which came never any to life again but one, but he is as nothing for thee to reckon upon, hell is bloodthirsty, and is never satisfied; hell is a valley, into the which the damned souls fall: for so soon as the soul is out of man’s body, it would gladly go to the place from whence it came, and climbeth up above the highest hills, even to the heavens; where being by the Angels of the first Mobile denied entertainment (in consideration of their evil life spent on the earth) they fall into the deepest pit or valley which hath no bottom, into a perpetual fire, which shall never be quenched: for like as the Flint thrown into the water, loseth not his virtue, neither is his fire extinguished; even so the hellish fire is unquenchable: and even as the Flint stone in the fire being burned is red hot, and yet consumeth not: so likewise the damned souls in our hellish fire are ever burning, but their pains never diminishing. Therefore is hell called the everlasting pain, in which is neither hope nor mercy: So is it called utter darkness, in which we see neither the light of Sun, Moon, nor Star: and were our darkness like the darkness of the night, yet were there hope of mercy, but ours is perpetual darkness, clean exempt from the face of God. Hell hath also a place within it called Chasma, out of the which issueth all manner of thunders, lightnings, with such horrible shriekings and wailings, that ofttimes the very Devils themselves stand in fear thereof: for one while it sendeth forth winds with exceeding snow, hail, and rain congealing the water into ice; with the which the damned are frozen, gnash their teeth, howl and cry, and yet cannot die. Otherwhiles, it sendeth forth most horrible hot mists or fogs, with flashing flames of fire and brimstone, wherein the sorrowful souls of the damned lie broiling in their reiterated torments: yea Faustus, hell is called a prison wherein the damned lie continually bound; it is also called Pernicies, and Exitium, death, destruc tion, hurtfulness, mischief, a mischance, a pitiful and an evil thing, world without end. We have also with us in hell a ladder, reaching of an exceeding height, as though it would touch the heavens, on which the damned ascend to seek the blessing of God; but through their infidelity, when they are at the very highest degree, they fall down again into their former miseries, complaining of the heat of that unquenchable fire: yea sweet Faustus, so must thou understand of hell, the while thou art so desirous to know the secrets of our Kingdom. And mark Faustus, hell is the nurse of death, the heat of all fire, the shadow of heaven and earth, the oblivion of all goodness, the pains unspeakable, the griefs unremovable, the dwelling of Devils, Dragons, Serpents, Adders, Toads, Crocodiles, and all manner of venomous creatures, the puddle of sin, the stinking fog ascending from the Stygian lake, Brimstone, Pitch, and all manner of unclean metals, the perpetual and unquenchable fire, the end of whose miseries was never purposed by God: yea, yea Faustus, thou sayest, I shall, I must, nay I will tell thee the secrets of our Kingdom, for thou buyest it dearly, and thou must and shalt be partaker of our torments, that (as the Lord God said) never shall cease: for hell, the woman’s belly, and the earth are never satisfied; there shalt thou abide horrible torments, trembling, gnashing of teeth, howling, crying, burning, freezing, melting, swimming in a labyrinth of miseries, scalding, burning, smoking in thine eyes, stinking in thy nose, hoarseness of thy speech, deafness of thine ears, trembling of thy hands, biting thine own tongue with pain, thy heart crushed as in a press, thy bones broken, the Devils tossing firebrands upon thee, yea thy whole carcass tossed upon muckforks from one Devil to another, yea Faustus, then wilt thou wish for death, and he will fly from thee, thine unspeakable torments shall be every day augmented more and more, for the greater the sin, the greater is the punishment: how likest thou this, my Faustus, a resolution answerable to thy request ?

Lastly, thou wilt have me tell thee that which belongeth only to God, which is, if it be possible for the damned to come again into the favour of God, or not: why Faustus, thou knowest that this is against thy promise, for what shouldst thou desire to know that, having already given thy soul to the Devil to have the pleasure of this world, and to know the secrets of hell? therefore art thou damned, and how canst thou then come again to the favour of God ? Wherefore I directly answer, no; for whomsoever God hath forsaken and thrown into hell, must there abide his wrath and indignation in that unquenchable fire, where is no hope nor mercy to be looked for, but abiding in perpetual pains world without end: for even as much it availeth thee Faustus, to hope for the favour of God again, as Lucifer himself, who indeed although he and we all have a hope, yet is it to small avail, and taketh none effect, for out of that place God will neither hear crying nor sighing; if he do, thou shalt have as little remorse, as Dives, Cain, or Judas had: what helpeth the Emperor, King, Prince, Duke, Earl, Baron, Lord, Knight, Squire or Gentleman, to cry for mercy being there? Nothing: for if on the earth they would not be Tyrants, and selfwilled, rich with covetousness; proud with pomp, gluttons, drunkards, whoremongers, backbiters, robbers, murderers, blasphemers, and suchlike, then were there some hope to be looked for: therefore my Faustus, as thou comest to hell with these qualities, thou must say with Cain, My sins are greater than can be forgiven, go hang thyself with Judas: and lastly, be content to suffer torments with Dives. Therefore know Faustus, that the damned have neither end nor time appointed in the which they may hope to be released, for if there were any such hope, that they but by throwing one drop of water out of the Sea in a day, until it were all dry: or if there were an heap of sand as high as from the earth to the heavens, that a bird carrying away but one corn in a day, at the end of this so long labour; that yet they might hope at the last, God would have mercy on them, they would be comforted: but now there is no hope that God once thinks upon them, or that their howlings shall never be heard; yea, so impossible, as it is for thee to hide thyself from God, or impossible for thee to remove the mountains, or to empty the sea, or to tell the number of the drops of rain that have fallen from Heaven until this day, or to tell what there is most of in the world, yea and for a Camel to go through the eye of a needle: even so impossible it is for thee Faustus, and the rest of the damned, to come again into the favour of God. And thus Faustus hast thou heard my last sentence, and I pray thee how dost thou like it? But know this, that I counsel thee to let me be unmolested hereafter with such disputations, or else I will vex thee every limb, to thy small contentment. Doctor Faustus departed from his Spirit very pensive and sorrowful, laid him on his bed, altogether doubtful of the grace and favour of God, wherefore he fell into fantastical cogitations: fain he would have had his soul at liberty again, but the Devil had so blinded him, and taken such deep root in his heart, that he could never think to crave God’s mercy, or if by chance he had any good motion, straightways the Devil would thrust him a fair Lady into his chamber, which fell to kissing and dalliance with him, through which means, he threw his godly motions in the wind, going forward still in his wicked practices, to the utter ruin both of his body and soul.

Chapter XVI

Another question put forth by Doctor Faustus to his Spirit Mephostophiles of his own estate

Doctor Faustus, being yet desirous to hear more strange things, called his Spirit unto him, saying: My Mephostophiles, I have yet another suit unto thee, which I pray thee deny not to resolve me of. Faustus (quoth the Spirit) I am loth to reason with thee any further, for thou art never satisfied in thy mind, but always bringest me a new. Yet I pray thee this once (quoth Faustus) do me so much favour, as to tell me the truth in this matter, and hereafter I will be no more so earnest with thee. The Spirit was altogether against it, but yet once more he would abide him: well (said the Spirit to Faustus), what demandest thou of me? Faustus said, I would gladly know of thee, if thou wert a man in manner and form as am; what wouldest thou do to please both God and man? Whereat the Spirit smiled saying: my Faustus, if I were a man as thou art, and that God had adorned me with those gifts of nature as thou once haddest; even so long as the breath of God were by, and within me, would I humble myself unto his Majesty, endeavouring in all that I could to keep his Commandments, praise him, glorify him, that I might continue in his favour, so were I sure to enjoy the eternal joy and felicity of his Kingdom. Faustus said, but that have not I done. No, thou sayest true (quoth Mephostophiles) thou hast not done it, but thou hast denied thy Lord and maker, which gave thee the breath of life, speech, hearing, sight, and all other thy reasonable senses that thou mightest understand his will and pleasure, to live to the glory and honour of his name, and to the advancement of thy body and soul, him I say being thy maker hast thou denied and defied, yea wickedly thou hast applied that excellent gift of thine understanding, and given thy soul to the Devil: therefore give none the blame but thine own selfwill, thy proud and aspiring mind, which hath brought thee into the wrath of God and utter damnation. This is most true (quoth Faustus), but tell me Mephostophiles, wouldst thou be in my case as I am now? Yea, saith the Spirit (and with that fetched a great sigh) for yet would I so humble myself, that I would win the favour of God. Then (said Doctor Faustus) it were time enough for me if I amended. True (said Mephostophiles), if it were not for thy great sins, which are so odious and detestable in the sight of God, that it is too late for thee, for the wrath of God resteth upon thee. Leave off (quoth Faustus and tell me my question to my greater comfort.

Chapter XVII

Here followeth the second part of Doctor Faustus his life, and practices, until his end

Doctor Faustus having received denial of his Spirit, to be resolved any more in suchlike questions propounded; forgot all good works, and fell to be a Calendar maker by help of his Spirit; and also in short time to be a good Astronomer or Astrologian: he had learned so perfectly of his Spirit the course of the Sun, Moon, and Stars, that he had the most famous name of all the Mathematicks! that lived in his time; as may well appear by his works dedicated unto sundry Dukes and Lords: for he did nothing without the advice of his Spirit, which learned him to presage of matters to come, which have come to pass since his death. The like praise won he with his Calendars, and Almanacs making, for when he presaged upon any change, Operation, or alteration of the weather, or Elements; as wind, rain, fogs, snow, hail, moist, dry, warm, cold, thunder, lightning: it fell so duly out, as if an Angel of heaven had forewarned it. He did not like the unskilful Astronomers of our time, that set in Winter cold, moist, airy, frosty; and in the Dogdays, hot, dry, thunder, fire, and suchlike; but he set in all his works, day and hour, when, where, and how it should happen. If anything wonderful were at hand, as death, famine, plague, or wars, he would set the time and place in true and just order, when it should come to pass.

Chapter XVIII

A question put forth by Doctor Faustus to his Spirit

concerning Astronomy Doctor Faustus falling to practice, and making his Prognostications, he was doubtful in many points: wherefore he called unto him Mephostophiles his Spirit, saying: I find the ground of this science very difficult to attain unto: for that when I confer Astronomia and Astrologia, as the Mathematicians and ancient writers have left in memory, I find them to vary and very much to disagree: wherefore I pray thee to teach me the truth in this matter. To whom his Spirit answered, Faustus, thou shalt know that the practitioners or speculators, or at least the first inventors of these Arts, have done nothing of themselves certain, whereupon thou mayest attain to the true prognosticating or presaging of things concerning the heavens, or of the influence of the Planets: for if by chance some one Mathematician or Astronomer hath left behind him anything worthy of memory: they have so blinded it with Enigmatical words, blind Characters, and such obscure figures; that it is impossible for an earthly man to attain unto the knowledge thereof, without the aid of some Spirit, or else the special gift of God; for such are the hidden works of God from men: yet do we Spirits that fly and fleet in all Elements, know such, and there is nothing to be done, or by the Heavens pretended, but we know it, except only the day of Doom. Wherefore (Faustus learn of me, I will teach thee the course and recourse of the seven planets, the cause of winter and summer, the exaltation and declination of the Sun, the eclipse of the Moon, the distance and height of the Poles, and every fixed Star, the nature and operation of the elements, fire, air, water, and earth, and all that is contained in them, yea herein there is nothing hidden from me, but only the fifth essence, which once thou hadst Faustus at liberty, but now Faustus thou hast lost it past recovery; wherefore leaving that which will not be again had, learn now of me to make thunder, lightning, hail, snow, and rain: the clouds to rend, the earth and craggy rocks to shake and split in sunder, the Seas to swell, and roar, and overrun their __ Knowest not thou that the deeper the Sun shines, the hotter he pierces ? so, the more thy Art is famous whilst thou art here, the greater shall be thy name when thou art gone. Knowest not thou that the earth is frozen cold and dry; the water running, cold and moist; the air flying, hot and moist; the fire consuming, hot and dry? Yea Faustus, so must thy heart be enflamed like the fire to mount on high: learn, Faustus, to fly like myself, as swift as thought from one kingdom to another, to sit at princes’ tables, to eat their daintiest fare, to have thy pleasure of their fair Ladies, wives and concubines, to use their jewels, and costly robes as things belonging to thee, and not unto them: learn of me, Faustus, to run through walls, doors, and gates of stone and iron, to creep into the earth like a worm, to swim in the water like a fish, to fly in the air like a bird, and to live and nourish thyself in the fire like a Salamander; so shalt thou be famous, renowned, farspoken of, and extolled for thy skill: going on knives, not hurting thy feet; carrying fire in thy bosom, and not burning thy shirt; seeing through the heavens as through a Crystal, wherein is placed the Planets, with all the rest of the presaging Comets, the whole circuit of the world from the East to the West, North and South: there shalt thou know, Faustus, wherefore the fiery sphere above and the signs of the Zodiac doth not burn and consume the whole face of the earth, being hindered by placing the two moist elements between them, the airy clouds and the wavering waves of water: yea, Faustus, I will learn thee the secrets of nature, what the causes that the Sun in summer being at the highest, giveth all his heat downwards on the earth; and being in winter at the lowest, giveth all his heat upward into the heavens: that the snow should be of so great virtue, as the honey; and the Lady Saturnia in Occulto more hotter than the Sun in Manifesto. Come on my Faustus, I will make thee as perfect in these things as myself, I will learn thee to go invisible, to find out the mines of gold and silver, the fodines of precious stones, as the Carbuncle, the Diamond, Sapphire, Emerald, Ruby, Topaz, Jacinth, Garnet, Jasper, Amethyst, use all these at thy pleasure, take thy heart’s desire: thy time Faustus weareth away, then why wilt thou not take thy pleasure of the world ? Come up, we will go visit Kings at their own courts, and at their most sumptuous banquets be their guests, if willingly they invite us not, then perforce we will serve our own turn with their best meat and daintiest wine: Agreed, quoth Faustus; but let me pause a while upon this thou hast even now declared unto me.

Chapter XIX

How Doctor Faustus fell into despair with himself: for having put forth a question unto bis Spirit, they fell at variance, whereupon the whole route of Devils appeared unto him, threatening him sharply

Doctor Faustus revolving with himself the speeches of his Spirit, he became so woeful and sorrowful in his cogitations, that he thought himself already frying in the hottest flames of hell, and lying in his muse, suddenly there appeared unto him his Spirit, demanding what thing so grieved and troubled his conscience, whereat Doctor Faustus gave no answer: yet the Spirit very earnestly lay upon him to know the cause; and if it were possible, he would find remedy for his grief, and ease him of his sorrows. To whom Faustus answered, I have taken thee unto me as a servant to do me service, and thy service will be very dear unto me; yet I cannot have any diligence of thee farther than thou list thyself, neither dost thou in anything as it becometh thee. The Spirit replied, my Faustus, thou knowest that I was never against thy commandments as yet, but ready to serve and resolve thy questions, although I am not bound unto thee in such respects as concern the hurt of our Kingdom, yet was I always willing to answer thee, and so I am still: therefore my Faustus say on boldly, what is thy will and pleasure? At which words, the Spirit stole away the heart of Faustus, who spake in this sort, Mephostophiles, tell me how and after what sort God made the world, and all the creatures in them, and why man was made after the Image of God ?

The Spirit hearing this, answered, Faustus thou knowest that all this is in vain for thee to ask, I know that thou art sorry for that thou hast done, but it availeth thee not, for I will tear thee in thousands of pieces, if thou change not thine opinions, and hereat he vanished away. Whereat Faustus all sorrowful for that he had put forth such a question, fell to weeping and to howling bitterly, not for his sins towards God, but for that the Devil was departed from him so suddenly, and in such a rage. And being in this perplexity, he was suddenly taken in such an extreme cold, as if he should have frozen in the place where he sat, in which, the greatest Devil in hell appeared unto him, with certain of his hideous and infernal company in the most ugliest shapes that it was possible to think upon, and traversing the chamber round about where Faustus sat, Faustus thought to himself, now are they come for me though my time be not come, and that because I have asked such questions of my servant Mephostophiles: at whose cogitations, the chiefest Devil which was his Lord, unto whom he gave his soul, that was Lucifer, spake in this sort: Faustus, I have seen thy thoughts, which are not as thou hast vowed unto me, by virtue of this letter, and shewed him the Obligation that he had written with his own blood, wherefore I am come to visit thee and to shew thee some of our hellish pastimes, in hope that will draw and confirm thy mind a little more stedfast unto us. Content quoth Faustus, go to, let me see what pastime you can make. At which words, the great Devil in his likeness sat him down by Faustus, commanding the rest of the Devils to appear in their form, as if they were in hell: first entered Belial in form of a Bear, with curled black hair to the ground, his ears standing upright: within the ear was as red as blood, out of which issued flames of fire, his teeth were a foot at least long, as white as snow, with a tail three ells long (at the least) having two wings, one behind each arm, and thus one after another they appeared to Faustus in form as they were in hell. Lucifer himself _ sat in manner of a man, all hairy, but of a brown colour like a Squirrel, curled, and his tail turning upwards on his back as the Squirrels use, I think he could crack nuts too like a Squirrel. After him came Beelzebub in curled hair of horseflesh colour, his head like the head of a Bull, with a mighty pair of horns, and two long ears down to the ground, and two wings on his back, with pricking stings like thorns: out of his wings issued flames of fire, his tail was like a Cow.

Then came Astaroth in form of a worm, going upright on his tail; he had no feet, but a tail like a slowworm: under his chaps grew two short hands, and his back was coal black, his belly thick in the middle, and yellow like gold, having many bristles on his back like a Hedgehog. After him came Chamagosta, being white and gray mixed, exceeding curled and hairy; he hada head like the head of an Ass, the tail like a Cat, and Claws like an Ox, lacking nothing of an ell broad. Then came Anobis; this Devil had a head like a Dog, white and black hair in shape of a Hog, saving that he had but two feet, one under his throat, the other at his tail: he was four ells long, with hanging ears like a Bloodhound. After him came Dythycan, he was a short thief in form of a Pheasant, with shining feathers, and four feet: his neck was green, his body red, and his feet black. The last was called Brachus, with four short feet like an Hedgehog, yellow and green: the upper side of his body was brown, and the belly like blue flames of fire; the tail red, like the tail of a Monkey. The rest of the Devils were in form of insensible beasts, as Swine, Harts, Bears, Wolves, Apes, Buffs, Goats, Antelopes, Elephants, Dragons, Horses, Asses, Lions, Cats, Snakes, Toads, and all manner of ugly odious Serpents and Worms: yet came in such sort, that every one at his entry into the Hall, made their reverence unto Lucifer, and so took their places, standing in order as they came, until they had filled the whole Hall: wherewith suddenly fell a most horrible thunderclap, that the house shook as though it would have fallen to the ground, upon which every monster had a muckfork in his hand, holding them towards Faustus as though they would have run a tilt at him: which when Faustus perceived, he thought upon the words of Mephostophiles, when he told him how the souls in hell were tormented, being cast from Devil to Devil upon muckforks, he thought verily to have been tormented there of them in like sort. But Lucifer perceiving his thought, spake to him, my Faustus, how likest thou this crew of mine ? Quoth Faustus, why came you not in another manner of shape? Lucifer replied, we cannot change our hellish form, we have shewed ourselves here, as we are there; yet can we blind men’s eyes in such sort, that when we will we repair unto them, as if we were men or Angels of light, although our dwelling be in darkness. Then said Faustus, I like not so many of you together, whereupon Lucifer commanded them to depart, except seven of the principal, forthwith they presently vanished, which Faustus perceiving, he was somewhat better comforted, and spake to Lucifer, where is my servant Mephostophiles, let me see if he can do the like, whereupon came a fierce Dragon, flying and spitting fire round about the house, and coming towards Lucifer, made reverence, and then changed himself to the form of a Friar, saying, Faustus, what wilt thou? Saith Faustus, I will that thou teach me to transform myself in like sort as thou and the rest have done: then Lucifer put forth his Paw, and gave Faustus a book, saying hold, do what thou wilt, which he looking upon, straightways changed himself into a Hog, then into a Worm, then into a Dragon, and finding this for his purpose, it liked him well. Quoth he to Lucifer, and how cometh it that all these filthy forms are in the world? Lucifer answered, they are ordained of God as plagues unto men, and so shalt thou be plagued (quoth he) whereupon, came Scorpions, Wasps, Emmets, Bees, and Gnats, which fell to stinging and biting him, and all the whole house was filled with a most horrible stinking fog, in so much, that Faustus saw nothing, but still was tormented; wherefore he cried for help saying, Mephostophiles my faithful servant, where art thou, help, help, I pray thee: hereat his Spirit answered nothing, but Lucifer himself said, ho ho ho Faustus, how likest thou the creation of the world, and incontinent it was clear again, and the Devils and all the filthy Cattle were vanished, only Faustus was left alone; seeing nothing, but hearing the sweetest music that ever he heard before, at which he was so ravished with delight, that he forgot the fears he was in before: and it repented him that he had seen no more of their pastime.

Chapter XX

How Doctor Faustus desired to see hell, and of the manner how he was used therein

Doctor Faustus bethinking how his time went away, and how he had spent eight years thereof, he meant to spend the rest to his better contentment, intending quite to forget any such motions as might offend the Devil any more: wherefore on a time he called his Spirit Mephostophiles, and said unto him, bring thou hither unto me thy Lord Lucifer, or Belial: he brought him (notwithstanding) one that was called Beelzebub, the which asked Faustus his pleasure. Quoth Faustus, I would know of thee if I may see hell and take a view thereof ? That thou shalt (said the Devil) and at midnight I will fetch thee. Well, night being come, Doctor Faustus awaited very diligently for the coming of the Devil to fetch him, and thinking that he tarried all too long, he went to the window, where he pulled open a casement, and looking into the Element, he saw a cloud in the North more black, dark, and obscure, than all the rest of the Sky, from whence the wind blew most horrible right into Faustus his chamber, filled the whole house with smoke, that Faustus was almost smothered: hereat fell an exceeding thunderclap, and withal came a great rugged black Bear, all curled, and upon his back a chair of beaten gold, and spake to Faustus, saying, sit up and away with me: and Doctor Faustus that had so long abode the smoke, wished rather to be in hell than there, got on the II0 Devil, and so they went together. But mark how the Devil blinded him, and made him believe that -he carried him into hell, for he carried him into the air, where Faustus fell into a sound sleep, as if he had sat in a warm water or bath: at last they came to a place which burneth continually with flashing flames of fire and brimstone, whereout issued an exceeding mighty clap of thunder, with so horrible a noise, that Faustus awaked, but the Devil went forth on his way and carried Faustus thereinto, yet notwithstanding, howsoever it burnt, Doctor Faustus felt no more heat, than as it were the glimpse of the Sun in May: there heard he all manner of music to welcome him, but saw none playing on them; it pleased him well, but he durst not ask, for he was forbidden it before. To meet the Devil and the guest that came with him, came three other ugly Devils, the which ran back again before the Bear to make them way, against whom there came running an exceeding great Hart, which would have thrust Faustus out of his chair, but being defended by the other three Devils, the Hart was put II! to the repulse: thence going on their way Faustus looked, and behold there was nothing but Snakes, and . all manner of venomous beasts about him, which were exceeding great, unto the which Snakes came many Storks, and swallowed up all the whole multitude of © Snakes, that they left not one: which when Faustus saw, he marvelled greatly: but proceeding further on their hellish voyage, there came forth of a hollow cliff an exceeding great flying Bull, the which with such a force hit Faustus his chair with his head and horns, that he turned Faustus and his Bear over and over, so that the Bear vanished away, whereat Faustus began to cry: oh, woe is me that ever I came here: for he thought there to have been beguiled of the Devil, and to make his end before his time appointed or conditioned of the Devil: but shortly came unto him a monstrous Ape, bidding Faustus be of good cheer, and said, get upon me; all the fire in hell seemed to Faustus to have been put out, whereupon followed a monstrous thick fog, that he saw nothing, but shortly it seemed to him to wax clear, where he saw two great Dragons fastened to a waggon, into the which the Ape ascended and set Faustus therein; forth flew the Dragons into an exceeding dark cloud, where Faustus saw neither Dragon nor Chariot wherein he sat, and such were the cries of tormented souls, with mighty thunderclaps and flashing lightnings about his ears, that poor Faustus shook for fear. Upon this came they toa water, stinking and filthy, thick like mud, into the which ran the Dragons, sinking under with waggon and all; but Faustus felt no water but as it were a small mist, saving that the waves beat so sore upon him, that he saw nothing under and over him but only water, in the which he lost his Dragons, Ape, and waggon; and sinking yet deeper and deeper, he came at last as it were upon an high Rock, where the waters parted and left him thereon: but when the water was gone, it seemed to him he should there have ended his life, for he saw no way but death: the Rock was as high from the bottom as Heaven is from the earth: there sat he, seeing nor hearing any man, and looked ever upon the Rock; at length he saw a little hole, out of the which issued fire; thought he, how shall I now do? I am forsaken of the Devils, and they that brought me hither, here must I either fall to the bottom, or burn in the fire, or sit still in despair: with that in his madness he gave a leap into the fiery hole, saying: hold you infernal Hags, take here this sacrifice as my last end; the which I justly have deserved: upon this he was entered, and finding himself as yet unburned or touched of the fire, he was the better appayed,! but there was so great a noise as he never heard the like before, it passed all the thunder that ever he had heard; and coming down further to the bottom of the Rock, he saw a fire, wherein were many worthy and noble personages, as Emperors, Kings, Dukes, and Lords, and many thousands more of tormented souls, at the edge of which fire ran a most pleasant, clear, and cool water to behold, into the which many tormented souls sprang out of the fire to cool themselves; but being so freezing cold, they were constrained to return again into the fire, and thus wearied themselves and spent their endless torments out of 1 i.e. pleased. one labyrinth into another, one while in heat, another while in cold: but Faustus standing thus all this while gazing on them were thus tormented, he saw one leaping out of the fire and screeching horribly, whom he thought to have known, wherefore he would fain have spoken unto him, but remembering that he was forbidden, he refrained speaking. Then this Devil that brought him in, came to him again in likeness of a Bear, with the chair on his back, and bade him sit up, for it was time to depart: so Faustus got up, and the Devil carried him out into the air, where he had so sweet music that he fell asleep by the way. His boy Christopher being all this while at home, and missing his master so long, thought his master would have tarried and dwelt with the Devil for ever: but whilst his boy was in these cogitations, his master came home, for the Devil brought him home fast asleep as he sat in his chair, and so he threw him on his bed, where (being thus left of the Devil) he lay until day. When he awaked, he was amazed, like a man that had been in a dark dungeon; musing with himself if it were true or false that he had seen hell, or whether he was blinded or not: but he rather persuaded himself that he had been there than otherwise, because he had seen such wonderful things: wherefore he most carefully took pen and ink, and wrote those things in order as he had seen: the which writing was afterwards found by his boy in his study; which afterwards was published to the whole city of Wittenberg in open print, for example to all Christians.

Chapter XXI

How Doctor Faustus was carried through the air up to the heavens to see the world, and how the Sky and Planets ruled: after the which he wrote one letter to his friend of the same to Liptzig, how he went about the world in eight days

Tuis letter was found by a freeman and Citizen of Wittenberg, written with his own hand, and sent to his friend at Liptzig a Physician, named John Victor, the contents of which were as followeth.

Amongst other things (my loving friend and brother I remember yet the former friendship had together, when we were schoolfellows and students in the University at Wittenberg, whereas you first studied Physic, Astronomy, Astrology, Geometry, and Cosmography; I to the contrary (you know) studied Divinity: notwithstanding now in any of your own studies I am seen (I am persuaded) further then your self: for sithence I began I have never erred, for (might I speak it without affecting my own praise) my Calendars and other practices have not only the commendations of the common sort, but also of the chiefest Lords and Nobles of this our Dutch Nation: because (which is chiefly to be noted) I write and presaged of matters to come, which all accord and fall out so right, as if they had been already seen before. And for that (my beloved Victori) you write to know my voyage which I made into the Heavens, the which (as you certify me you have had some suspicion of, although you partly persuaded yourself, that it is a thing impossible) no matter for that, it is as it is, and let it be as it will, once it was done, in such manner as now according unto your request I give you here to understand.

I being once laid on my bed, and could not sleep for thinking on my Calendar and practice, I marvelled with myself how it were possible that the Firmament should be known and so largely written of men, or — whether they write true or false, by their own opinions, — or supposition, or by due observations and true course of the heavens. Behold, being in these my muses, suddenly I heard a great noise, in so much that I thought my house would have been blown down, so that all my doors and chests flew open, whereat I was not a little astonied, for withal I heard a groaning voice which said, get up, the desire of thy heart, mind, and thought shalt thou see: at the which I answered, what my heart desireth, that would I fain see, and to make proof, if I shall see I will away with thee. Why then (quoth he) look out at thy window, there cometh a messenger for thee, that did I, and behold, there stood a Waggon, with two Dragons before it to draw the same, and all the Waggon was of a light burning fire, and for that the Moon shone, I was the willinger at that time to depart: but the voice spake again, sit up and let us away: I will, said I, go with thee, but upon this condition, that I may ask after all things that I see, hear, or think on: the voice answered, I am content for this time. Hereupon I got me into the Waggon, so that the Dragons carried me upright into the air. The Waggon had also four wheels the which rattled so, and made such a noise as if we had been all this while running on the stones: and round about us flew out flames of fire, and the higher that I came, the more ~ the earth seemed to be darkened, so that methought I came out ofa dungeon, and looking down from Heaven, behold, Mephostophiles my Spirit and servant was behind me, and when he perceived that I saw him, he came and sat by me, to whom I said, I pray thee Mephostophiles whither shall I go now? Let not that trouble thy mind, said he, and yet they carried us higher up. And now will I tell thee good friend and schoolfellow, what things I have seen and proved; for on the Tuesday went I out, and on Tuesday sevennights following I came home again, that is, eight days, in which time I slept not, no not one wink came in mine eyes, and we went invisible of any man: and as the day began to appear, after our first night’s journey, I said to my Spirit Mephostophiles, I pray thee how far have we now ridden, I am sure thou knowest: for methinks that we are ridden exceeding far, the World seemeth so little: Mephostophiles answered me, my Faustus believe me, that from the place from whence thou camest, unto this place where we are now, is already fortyseven leagues right in height, and as the day increased, I looked down upon the World, there saw I many kingdoms and provinces, likewise the whole world, Asia, Europa, and Africa, I had a sight of: and being so high, quoth I to my Spirit, tell me now how these Kingdoms lie, and what they are called, the which he denied not, saying, see this on our left hand is Hungaria, this is also Prussia on our left hand, and Poland, Muscovia, Tartascelesia,! Bohemia, Saxony; 1 Probably a corruption of Tartary and Silesia. and here on our right hand, Spain, Portugal, France, England, and Scotland: then right out before us lie the Kingdoms of Persia, India, Arabia, the King of Alchar, and the great Cham: now are we come to Wittenberg, and are right over the town of Weim in Austria, and ere long will we be at Constantinople, Tripolie, and Jerusalem, and after will we pierce the frozen Zone, and shortly touch the Horizon, and the Zenith of Wittenberg. There looked I on the Ocean Sea, and beheld a great many of ships and Galleys ready to the battle, one against another: and thus I spent my journey, now cast I my eyes here, now there, toward South, North, East, and West, I have been in one place where it rained and hailed, and in another where the Sun shone excellent fair, and so I think that I saw the most things in and about the world, with great admiration that in one place it rained, and in another hail and snow, on this side the Sun shone bright, some hills covered with snow never consuming, others were so hot that grass and trees were burned and consumed therewith. Then looked I up to the heavens, and behold, they went so swift, that I thought they would have sprung in thousands. Likewise it was so clear and so hot, that I could not long gaze into it, it so dimmed my sight: and had not my Spirit Mephostophiles covered me as it were with a shadowing cloud, I had been burnt with the extreme heat thereof, for the Sky the which we behold here when we look up from the earth, is so fast and thick as a wall, clear and shining bright as a Crystal, in the which is placed the Sun, which casteth forth his rays or beams over the universal world, to the uttermost confines of the earth. But we think that the Sun is very little: no, it is altogether as big as the world. Indeed the body substantial is but little in compass, but the rays or stream that it casteth forth, by reason of the thing wherein it is placed, maketh him to extend and shew himself over the whole world: and we think that the Sun runneth his course, and that the heavens stand still: no, it is the heavens that move his course, and the Sun abideth perpetually in his place, he is permanent, and fixed in his place, and although we see him beginning to ascend in the Orient or East, at the highest in the Meridian or South, setting in the Occident or West, yet is he at the lowest in Septentrio or North, and yet he moveth not. It is the axle of the heavens that moveth the whole firmament, being a Chaos or confused thing, and for that proof, I will shew thee this example, like as thou seest a bubble made of water and soap blown forth of a quill, is in form of a confused mass or Chaos, and being in this form, is moved at pleasure of the wind, which runneth round about that Chaos, and moveth him also round: even so is the whole firmament or Chaos, wherein are placed the sun, and the rest of the Planets turned and carried at the pleasure of the Spirit of God, which is wind. Yea Christian Reader, to the glory of God, and for the profit of thy soul, I will open unto thee the divine opinion touching the ruling of this confused Chaos, far more than any rude German Author, being possessed with the Devil, was able to utter; and to prove some of my sentence before to be true, look into Genesis unto the works of God, at the creation of the world, there shalt thou find, that the Spirit of 11g God moved upon the waters before heaven and earth were made. Mark how he made it, and how by his word every element took his place: these were not his works, but his words; for all the words he used before, he concluded afterwards in one work, which was in making man: mark reader with patience for thy soul’s health, see into all that was done by the word and work of God, light and darkness was, the firmament stood, and their great © and little light D in it: the moist waters were in one place, the earth was dry, and every element brought forth according to the word of God: now followeth his works he made man like his own image, how? out of the earth? The earth will shape no image without water, there was one of the elements. But all this while where was wind? all elements were at the word of God, man was made, and in a form by the work of God, yet moved not that work, before God breathed the Spirit of life into his nostrils, and made him a living soul, here was the first wind and Spirit of God out of his own mouth, which we have likewise from the same seed which was only planted by God in Adam, which wind, breath, or spirit, when he had received, he was living and moving on earth, for it was ordained of God for his habitation, but the heavens are the habitation of the Lord: and like as I shewed before of the bubble or confused Chaos made of water and soap, through the wind and breath of man is turned round, and carried with every wind; even so the firmament wherein the Sun and the rest of the Planets are fixed, moved, turned, and carried with the wind, breath, or Spirit of God, for the heavens and firmament are movable as the Chaos, but the Sun is fixed in the firmament. And farther my good schoolfellow, I was thus nigh the heavens, where methought every Planet was but as half the earth, and under the firmament ruled the Spirits in the air, and as I came down I looked upon the world and the heavens, and methought that the earth was enclosed in comparison within the firmament, as the yolk of an egg within the white, and methought that the whole length of the earth was not a span long, -and the water was as if it had been twice as broad and long as the earth, even thus at the eight days end came I home again, and fell asleep, and so I continued sleeping three days and three nights together: and the first hour that I waked, I fell fresh again to my Calendar, and have made them in right ample manner as you know, and to satisfy your request, for that you writ unto me, I have in consideration of our old friendship had at the University of Wittenberg, declared unto you my heavenly voyage, wishing no worse unto you, than unto myself, that is, that your mind were as mine in all respects. Dixi.

Doctor Faustus the Astrologian.

Chapter XXII

How Doctor Faustus made his journey through the principal and most famous lands in the world

Doctor Faustus having overrun fifteen years of his appointed time, he took upon him a journey, with full I2Z!I pretence to see the whole world: and calling his spirit Mephostophiles unto him, he said: thou knowest that thou art bound unto me upon conditions, to perform and fulfil my desire in all things, wherefore my pretence is to visit the whole face of the earth visible and invisible when it pleaseth me: wherefore, I enjoin and command thee to the same. Whereupon Mephostophiles answered, I am ready my Lord at thy command and forthwith the Spirit changed himself unto the likeness of a flying horse, saying, Faustus sit up, I am ready. Doctor Faustus loftily sat upon him, and forward they went: Faustus came through many a land and Province; as Pannonia, Austria, Germania, Bohemia, Slesia, Saxony, Missene, During, Francklandt, Shawblandt, Beyerlandt, Stiria, Carinthia, Poland, Litaw, Liefland, Prussia, Denmarke, Muscovia, Tartaria, Turkie, Persia, Cathai, Alexandria, Barbaria, Ginnie, Peru, the straits of Magelanes, India, all about the frozen Zone, and Terra Incognita, Nova Hispaniola, the Isles of Terzera, Mederi, S. Michael’s, the Canaries, and the Tenorrifocie, into Spaine, the Mayne Land, Portugall, Italie, Campania, the Kingdom of Naples, the Isles of Sicilia, Malta, Majoria, Minoria, to the Knights of the Rhodes, Candie, or Creete, Ciprus, Corinth, Switzerland, France, Freesland, Westphalia, Zeland, Holland, Brabant, and all the seventeen Provinces in Netherland, England, Scotland, Ireland, all America, and Island, the out Isles of Scotland, the Orchades, Norway, the Bishopric of Breame, and so home again: all these Kingdoms, Provinces, and Countries he passed in twentyfive days, in which time he saw very little that SNI[IUIOD “qd 103V SMOTIVD SHL isvd AdIa AHL delighted his mind: wherefore he took a little rest at home, and burning in desire to see more at large, and to behold the secrets of each Kingdom, he set forward again on his journey upon his swift horse Mephostophiles, and came to Treir, for that he chiefly desired to see this town, and the monuments thereof; but there he saw not many wonders, except one fair Palace that belonged unto the Bishop, and also a mighty large Castle that was built of brick, with three walls and three great trenches, so strong, that it was impossible for any prince’s power to win it; then he saw a Church, wherein was buried Simeon, and the Bishop Popo: their Tombs are of most sumptuous large Marble stone, closed and joined together with great bars of iron: from whence he departed to Paris, where he liked well the Academy; and what place or Kingdom soever fell in his mind, the same he visited. He came from Paris to Mentz, where the river of Mayne falls into the Rhine; notwithstanding he tarried not long there, but went to Campania in the Kingdom of Neapolis, in which he saw an innumerable sort of Cloisters, Nunneries, and Churches, great and high houses of stone, the streets fair and large, and straight forth from one end of the town to the other as a line, and all the pavement of the City was of brick, and the more it rained in the town, the fairer the streets were; there saw he the Tomb of Virgil; and the highway that he cut through that mighty hill of stone in one night, the whole length of an English mile: then he saw the number of Galleys, and Argosies that lay there at the City head, the Windmill that stood in the water, the Castle in the water, and the houses above the water where under the Galleys might ride most safely from rain or wind; then he saw the Castle on the hill over the town, and many monuments within: also the hill called Vesuvius, whereon groweth all the Greekish wine, and most pleasant sweet Olives. From thence he came to Venice, whereat he wondered not a little to see a City so famously built standing in the Sea: where, through every street the water ran in such largeness, that great Ships and Barks might pass from one street to another, having yet a way on both sides the water, whereon men and horse might pass; he marvelled also how it was possible for so much victual to be found in the town and so good cheap, considering that for a whole league off nothing grew near the same. He wondered not a little at the fairness of Saint Mark’s place, and the sumptuous Church standing therein called Saint Mark’s; how all the pavement was set with coloured stones, and all the rood or loft of the Church double gilded over. Leaving this, he came to Padoa, beholding the manner of their Academy, which is called the mother or nurse of Christendom, there he heard the Doctors, and saw the most monuments in the town, entered his name into the University of the German nation, and wrote himself Doctor Faustus the insatiable Speculator: then saw he the worthiest monument in the world for a Church, named 8S. Anthony’s Cloister, which for the pinnacles thereof and the contriving of the Church, hath not the like in Christendom. This town is fenced about with three mighty walls of stone and earth, betwixt the which runneth goodly ditches of water: twice every twentyfour hours passeth boats betwixt Padoa and Venice with passengers, as they do here betwixt London and Gravesend, and even so far they differ in distance: Faustus beheld likewise the Council house and the Castle with no small wonder. Well, forward he went to Rome, which lay, and doth yet lie, on the river Tybris, the which divideth the City in two parts: over the river are four great stone bridges, and upon. the one bridge called Ponte S. Angelo is the Castle of S. Angelo, wherein are so many great cast pieces as there are days in a year, and such Pieces that will shoot seven bullets off with one fire, to this Castle cometh a privy vault from the Church and Palace of Saint Peter, through the which the Pope (if any danger be) passeth from his Palace to the Castle for safeguard; the City hath eleven gates, and a hill called Vaticinium,! whereon S. Peter’s Church is built: in that Church the holy Fathers will hear no confession, without the penitent bring money in his hand. Adjoining to this Church, is the Campo Santo, the which Carolus Magnus built, where every day thirteen Pilgrims have their dinners served of the best: that is to say, Christ and his Twelve Apostles. Hard by this he visited the Church yard of S. Peter’s, where he saw the Pyramid that Julius Czsar brought out of Africa: it stood in Faustus his time leaning against the Church wall of Saint Peter’s, but now Papa Sixtus hath erected it in the middle of S. Peter’s Church yard; it is twentyfour fathoms long and at the lower end six fathoms four square, and so forth smaller upwards, on the top is a Crucifix of beaten gold, the stone 1 A mistake for Vaticanum. standeth on four Lions of brass. Then he visited the seven Churches of Rome, that were S. Peter’s, S. Paul’s, S. Sebastian’s, S. John Lateran, S. Laurence, S. Mary Magdalen, and S. Marie Majora: then went he without the town, where he saw the conduits of water that run level through hill and dale, bringing water into the town fifteen Italian miles off: other monuments he saw, too many to recite, but amongst the rest he was desirous to see the Pope’s Palace, and his manner of service at his table, wherefore he and his Spirit made themselves invisible, and came into the Pope’s Court, and privy chamber where he was, there saw he many servants attendant on his holiness, with many a flattering Sycophant carrying of his meat, and there he marked the Pope and the manner of his service, which he seeing to be so unmeasurable and sumptuous; fie (quoth Faustus), why had not the Devil made a Pope of me? Faustus saw notwithstanding in that place those that were like to himself, proud, stout, wilful, gluttons, drunkards, whoremongers, breakers of wedlock, and followers of all manner of ungodly exercises: wherefore he said to his Spirit, I thought that I had been alone a hog, or pork of the devil’s, but he must bear with me yet a little longer, for these hogs of Rome are already fattened, and fitted to make his roastmeat, the Devil might do well now to spit them all and have them to the fire, and let him summon the Nuns to turn the spits: for as none must confess the Nun but the Friar, so none should turn the roasting Friar but the Nun. Thus continued Faustus three days in the Pope’s Palace, and yet had no lust to his meat, but stood stillin the Pope’s chamber, and saw everything whatsoever it was: on a time the Pope would have a feast prepared for the Cardinal of Pavia, and for his first welcome the Cardinal was bidden to dinner: and as he sat at meat, the Pope would ever be blessing and crossing over his mouth; Faustus could suffer it no longer, but up with his fist and smote the Pope on the face, and withal he laughed that the whole house might hear him, yet none of them saw him nor knew where he was: the Pope persuaded his company that it was a damned soul, commanding a Mass presently to be said for his delivery out of Purgatory, which was done: the Pope sat still at meat, but when the latter mess came in to the Pope’s board, Doctor Faustus laid hands thereon saying; °’ this is mine: and so he took both dish and meat and fled unto the Capitol or Campadolia, calling his Spirit unto him and said: come let us be merry, for thou must fetch me some wine, and the cup that the Pope drinks of, and hereupon Monte Caval will we make good cheer in spite of the Pope and all his fat abbey lubbers. His Spirit hearing this, departed towards the Pope’s chamber, where he found them yet sitting and quaffing: wherefore he took from before the Pope the fairest piece of plate or drinking goblet, and a flagon of wine, and brought it to Faustus; but when the Pope and the rest of his crew perceived they were robbed, and knew not after what sort, they persuaded themselves that it was the damned soul that before had vexed the Pope so, and that smote him on the face, wherefore he sent commandment through all the whole City of Rome, that they should say Mass in every Church, and ring all the bells for to lay the CHIEF CHURCHES OF ROME THE SEVEN al u p a o O ae fe Ke w o a p be = io bass ce iso} sn us q (2 o Yn ; walking Spirit, and to curse him with Bell, Book, and Candle, that so invisibly had misused the Pope’s holiness, with the Cardinal of Pavia, and the rest of their company: but Faustus notwithstanding made good cheer with that which he had beguiled the Pope of, and in the midst of the order of Saint Barnard’s; barefooted Friars, as they were going on Procession . through the market place, called Campa de fiore, he: let fall his plate dishes and cup, and withal for a farewell he made such a thunderclap and a storm of ' rain, as though Heaven and earth should have met: together, and so he left Rome, and came to Millain in Italie, near the Alps or borders of Switzerland, where he praised much to his Spirit the pleasantness; of the place, the City being founded in so brave a1 plain, by the which ran most pleasant rivers on every’ side of the same, having besides within the compass or ° circuit of seven miles, seven small Seas: he saw also» therein many fair Palaces and goodly buildings, the: Duke’s Palace, and the mighty strong Castle, which is; in manner half the bigness of the town. Moreover, itt liked him well to see the Hospital of Saint Mary’s, with divers other things. He did nothing there worthy / of memory, but he departed back again towards: Bolognia, and from thence to Florence, where he was} well pleased to see the pleasant walk of Merchants, the goodly vaults of the City, for that almost the whole: City is vaulted, and the houses themselves are built outwardly, in such sort that the people may go under: them as under a vault: then he perused the sumptuous Church in the Duke’s Castle called Nostra Donna, our Lady’s Church, in which he saw many monuments, as a Marble door most huge to look upon: the gate of the Castle was Bell metal, wherein are graven the holy Patriarchs, with Christ and his twelve Apostles, and divers other histories out of the old and new Testament. Then went he to Sena, where he highly praised the church and Hospital of Santa Maria Formosa, with the goodly buildings, and especially the fairness and greatness of the City, and beautiful women. Then came he to Lyons in France, where he marked the situation of the City, which lay between two hills, environed with two waters: one worthy monument in the City pleased him well, that was the great Church with the Image therein; he commended the City highly for the great resort that it had unto it of strangers. From thence he went to Cullin, which lieth upon the River of Rhine, wherein he saw one of the ancientest monuments of the world, the which was the Tomb of the three Kings that came by the Angel of God, and their knowledge they had in the star, to worship Christ: which when Faustus saw, he spake in this manner. Ah, alas good men how have you erred and lost your way, you should have gone to Palestina and Bethelem in Judea, how came you hither ? or belike after your death you were thrown into Mare Mediterraneum about Tripolis in Syria; and so you fleeted out of the Straits of Giblaterra into the Ocean Sea, and so into the bay of Portugal; and not finding any rest you were driven along the coast of Galicia, Biskay, and France, and into the narrow Seas, then from thence into Mare Germanicum, and so IJ think taken up about the town of Dort in Holland, you were brought to Cullin to be buried: or else I think you came more easily with a whirlwind over the Alps, and being thrown into the River of Rhine, it conveyed you to this place, where you are kept as a monument? There saw he the Church of S. Ursula, where remains a monument of the thousand Virgins: it pleased him also to see the beauty of the women. Not far from Cullin lieth the town of Ach, where he saw the gorgeous Temple that the Emperor Carolus Quartus! built of Marble stone for a remembrance of him, to the end that all his successors should there be crowned. From Cullin and Ach, he went to Geuf, a City in Savoy, lying near Switzerland: it is a town of great traffic, the Lord thereof is a Bishop, whose Winecellar Faustus, and his Spirit visited for the love of his good wine. From thence he went to Strasburg, where he beheld the fairest steeple that ever ' he had seen in his life before, for on each side thereof ' he might see through it, even from the covering of ' the Minster to the top of the Pinnacle, and it is named . one of the wonders of the world: wherefore he de-: manded why it was called Strasburg: his Spirit: answered, because it hath so many high ways coming to it on every side, for Stras in Dutch is a high way, and hereof came the name, yea (said Mephostophiles) the Church which thou so wonderest at, hath more: revenues belonging to it, then the twelve Dukes of! Slesia are worth, for there pertain unto this Church: fiftyfive Towns, and four hundred and sixtythree: Villages besides many houses in the Town. From: hence went Faustus to Basile in Switzerland, whereat' the River of Rhine runneth through the town, parting: 1 This should be Carolus Magnus. the same as the River of Thames doth London: in this town of Basile he saw many rich Monuments, the town walled with brick, and round about without it goeth a great trench: no Church pleased him but the Jesuits’ Church, which was so sumptuously builded, and beset full of Alabaster pillars. Faustus demanded of his Spirit, how it took the name of Basyl: his Spirit made answer and said, that before this City was founded, there used a Basiliscus, a kind of Serpent, this Serpent killed as many men, women, and children, _as it took a sight of: but there was a Knight that made himself a cover of Crystal to come over his head, and so down to the ground, and being first covered with a black cloth, over that he put the Crystal, and so boldly went to see the Basiliscus, and finding the place where he haunted, he expected his coming, even before the mouth of her cave: where standing a while, the Basylike came forth, who, when she saw her own venomous shadow in the Crystal, she split in a thousand pieces; wherefore the Knight was richly rewarded of the Emperor: after the which the Knight founded this Town upon the place where he had slain the Serpent, and gave it the name of Basyl, in remembrance of his deed.

From Basyl Faustus went to Costuitz! in Sweitz, at the head of the Rhine, where is a most sumptuous Bridge, that goeth over the Rhine, even from the gates of the Town unto the other side of the stream: at the head of the River of Rhine, is a small Sea, called of the Switzers the black? Sea, twenty thousand paces 1 j.e. Constance, which, however, is not in Switzerland. 2 A mistranslation of the German Bodensee. long, and fifty hundred paces broad. The town Costuitz took the name of this; the Emperor gave it to a Clown for expounding of his riddle, wherefore the Clowne named the Town Costuitz, that is in English, cost nothing. From Costuitz he came to Ulme, where he saw the sumptuous Townhouse built by two and fifty of the ancient Senators of the City, it took the name of Ulma, for that the whole lands thereabout are full of Elms: but Faustus minding to depart from thence, his Spirit said unto him: Faustus think on the town as thou wilt, it hath three Dukedoms belonging to it, the which they have bought with ready money. From Ulme, he came to Wartzburg the chiefest town in Frankelandt, wherein the Bishop all together keepeth his Court, through the which Town passeth the River of Mayne that runs into the Rhine: thereabout groweth strong and pleasant wine, the which Faustus well proved. The Castle standeth on a hill on the North side of the Town, at the foot whereof runneth the River: this Town is full of beggarly Friars, Nuns, Priests, and Jesuits: for there are five sorts of begging Friars, besides three Cloisters of Nuns. At the foot of the Castle stands a Church, in the which there is an Altar, where are engraven all the four Elements, and all the orders and degrees in Heaven, that any man of understanding whosoever that hath a sight thereof, will say that it is the artificiallest thing that ever he beheld. From thence he went to Norenberg, whither as he went by the way, his Spirit informed him that the Town was named of Claudius Tiberius the Son of Nero the Tyrant. In the Town are two famous Cathedral Churches, the one called Saint Sabolt, the other Saint Laurence; in which Church hangeth all the reliques of Carolus Magnus, that is his cloak, his hose and doublet, his sword and Crown, his Sceptre, and his Apple. It hath a very gorgeous gilden Conduit in the market of Saint Laurence, in which Conduit, is the spear that thrust our Saviour into the side, and a piece of the holy Cross; the wall is called the fair wall of Norenberg, and hath five hundred and twentyeight streets, one hundred and sixty wells, four great, and two small clocks, six great gates, and two small doors, eleven stone bridges, twelve small hills, ten appointed market places, thirteen common hothouses,! ten Churches, within the Town are thirty wheels of watermills; it hath one hundred and thirtytwo tall ships,? two mighty Town walls of hewn stone and earth, with very deep trenches. The walls have one hundred and eighty Towers about them, and four fair platforms, ten Apothecaries, ten Doctors of the common law, fourteen Doctors of Physic. From Norenberg, he went to Auspurg, where at the break of the day, he demanded of his Spirit whereupon the Town took his name: this Town (saith he) hath had many names, when it was first built, it was called Vindelica: secondly, it was called Zizaria, the iron bridge: lastly by the Emperor Octavius Augustus, it was called Augusta, and by corruption of language the Germans have named it Auspurg. Now for because that Faustus had been there before, he departed without visiting 1 i.e. hot baths. ihc 2 Probably a mistranslation of a German word ending in ~schaft. their monuments to Ravenspurg, where his Spirit certified him that the City had had seven names, the first Tyberia, the second Quadratis, the third Hyaspalis, the fourth Reginopolis, the fifth Imbripolis, the sixth Ratisbona, lastly Ravenspurg. The situation of the City pleased Faustus well, also the strong and sumptuous buildings: by the walls thereof runneth the River of Danubia, in Dutch called Donow, into the which not far from the compass of the City, falleth nearhand threescore other small Rivers and fresh waters. Faustus also liked the sumptuous stone bridge over the same water, with the Church standing thereon, the which was founded 1115, the name whereof is called S. Remedian: in this town Faustus went into the cellar of an Innholder, and let out all the Wine and Beer that was in his Cellar. After the which feat he returned unto Mentz? in Bavaria, a right princely Town, the Town appeared as if it were new, with great streets therein, both of breadth and length: from Mentz to Saltzburg, where the Bishop is always resident: here saw he all the commodities that were possible to be seen, for at the hill he saw the form of Abel? made in Crystal, an huge thing to look upon, that every year groweth bigger and bigger, by reason of the freezing cold. From hence, he went to Vienna, in Austria: this Town is of so great antiquity, that it is not possible to find the like: in this Town (said the Spirit) is more Wine than water, for all under the Town are wells, the which are filled every year with Wine, and all the water that they have, runneth by 1 A mistake for Menchen (Munich). 2 Perhaps “ a bell.”’ the Town, that is the River Danubia. From hence, he went unto Prage, the chief City in Bohemia, this is divided into three parts, that is, old Prage, new Prage, and little Prage. Little Prage is the place where the Emperor’s Court is placed upon an exceeding high mountain: there is a Castle, wherein are two fair Churches, in the one he found a monument, which might well have been a mirror to himself, and that was the Sepulchre of a notable Conjurer, which by his Magic had so enchanted his Sepulchre, that whosoever set foot thereon, should be sure never to die in their beds. From the Castle he came down, and went over the Bridge. This Bridge hath twenty and four Arches. In the middle of this Bridge stands a very fair monument, being a Cross builded of stone, and most artificially carved. From thence, he came into the old Prage, the which is separated from the new Prage, with an exceeding deep ditch, and round about enclosed with a wall of Brick. Unto this is adjoining the Jews’ Town, wherein are thirteen thousand men, women, and children, all Jews. There he viewed the College and the Garden, where all manner of savage Beasts are kept; and from thence, he fetched a compass round about the three Towns, whereat he wondered greatly, to see so mighty a City to stand all within the walls. From Prage, he flew into the air and bethought himself what he might do, or which way to take, so he looked round about, and behold, he had espied a passing fair City which lay not far from Prage, about some four and twenty miles, and that was Breslaw in Sclesia; into which when he was entered, it seemed to him that he had been in Paradise, so neat and clean was the streets, and so sumptuous was their buildings. In this City he saw not many wonders, except the Brazen Virgin that standeth on a Bridge over the water, and under the which standeth a mill like a powder mill, which Virgin is made to do execution upon those disobedient townborn children that be so wild, that their parents cannot bridle them; which when any such are found with some heinous offence, turning to the shame of their parents and kindred, they are brought to kiss this Virgin, which openeth her arms, the person then to be executed, kisseth her, then doth she close her arms together with such violence, that she crusheth out the breath of the person, breaketh his bulk, and so dieth: but being dead, she openeth her arms again, and letteth the party fall into the Mill, where he is stamped in small morsels, which the water carrieth away, so that not any part of him is found again. From Breslaw he went toward Cracovia, in the Kingdom of Polonia, where he beheld the Academy, the which pleased him wonderful well. In this City the King most commonly holdeth his Court at a Castle, in which Castle are many famous monuments. ‘There is a most sumptuous Church in the same, in which standeth a silver altar gilded, and set with rich stones, and over it is a conveyance full of all manner silver ornaments belonging to the Mass. In the Church hangeth the jaw bones of an huge Dragon that kept the Rock before the Castle was edified _thereon. It is full of all manner munition, and hath always victual for three years to serve two thousand men. Through the Town runneth a river called the Vistula or Wissel, where over is a fair wooden bridge.

This water divideth the Town and Casmere, in this Casmere dwelleth the Jews being a small walled Town by themselves, to the number of twentyfive thousand men, women, and children. Within one mile of the Town there is a salt mine, where they find stones of pure salt of a thousand pound, or nine hundred pound, or more in weight, and that in great quantity. This salt is as black as the Newcastle coals when it comes out of the mines, but being beaten to powder, it is.as white as snow. The like they have four mile from thence, at a Town called Buchnia. From thence, Faustus went to Sandetz, the Captain thereof was called Don Spiket Iordan, in this Town are many monuments, as the tomb or sepulchre of Christ, in as ample manner as that is at Jerusalem, at the proper costs of a Gentleman that went thrice to Jerusalem from that place, and returned again. Not far from that ‘Town is a new Town, wherein is a Nunnery of the order of Saint Dioclesian, into which order may none come, except they be Gentlewomen, and well formed and fair to look upon, the which pleased Faustus well: but having a desire to travel farther, and to see more wonders, mounting up towards the East over many lands and Provinces, as into Hungaria, Transilvania, Shede, Ingratz, Sardinia, and so into Constantinople, where the Turkish Emperor kept his Court. This City was surnamed by Constantine the founder thereof, being builded of very fair stone. In the same the great Turk hath three fair Palaces, the walls are strong, the pinnacles are very huge, and the streets large: but this liked not Faustus, that one man might have so many wives as he would. The Sea runneth hard by the City, the wall hath eleven Gates: Faustus abode there a certain time to see the manner of the Turkish Emperor’s service at his table, where he saw his royal service to be such, that he thought if all the Christian Princes should banquet together, and everyone adorn the feast to the uttermost, they were not able to compare with the Turk for his table, and the rest of his Country service, wherefore it so spited Faustus, that he vowed to be revenged of him, for his pomp he thought was more fit for himself: wherefore as the Turk sat and ate, Faustus shewed him a little apish play: for round about the privy Chamber, he sent forth flashing flames of fire, in so much, that the whole company forsook their meat and fled, except only the great Turk himself, him Faustus had charmed in such sort, that he could neither rise nor fall, neither could any man pull him up. With this was the Hall so light, as if the Sun had shined in the house, then came Faustus in form of a Pope to the great Turk, saying, all hail, Emperor, now art thou honoured that I so worthily appear unto thee as thy Mahumet was wont to do, hereupon he vanished, and forthwith it so thundered, that the whole Palace shook: the Turk greatly marvelled what this should be that so vexed him, and was persuaded by his chiefest counsellors, that it was Mahumet his Prophet, the which had so appeared unto them, whereupon the Turk commanded them to fall down on their knees, and to give him thanks for doing them so great honour, as to shew himself unto them; but the next day Faustus went into the Castle where he kept his Wives and Concubines, in the which Castle might no man upon pain of death come, except those that were appointed by the great Turk to do them service, and they were all gelded. Which when Faustus perceived, he said to his Spirit Mephostophiles, how likest thou this sport, are not these fair Ladies greatly to be pitied, that thus consume their youth at the pleasure of one only man? Why (quoth the Spirit) mayest not thou instead of the Emperor, embrace his fairest Ladies, do what thy heart desireth herein, and I will aid thee, and what thou wishest, thou shalt have it performed: wherefore Faustus (being before this counsel apt enough to put such matters in practice) caused a great fog to be round about the Castle, both within and without, and he himself appeared amongst the Ladies in all things as they use to paint their Mahumet, at which sight, the Ladies fell on their knees, and worshipped him, then Faustus took the fairest by the hand, and led her into a chamber, where after his manner he fell to dalliance, and thus he continued a whole day and night: and when he had delighted himself sufficiently with her, he put her away, and made his Spirit bring him another, so likewise he kept with her twentyfour hours’ play, causing his Spirit to fetch him most dainty fare, and so he passed away six days, having each day his pleasure of a sundry Lady, and that of the fairest, all which time, the fog was so thick, and so stinking, that they within the house thought they had been in hell, for the time, and they without wondered thereat, in such sort, that they went to their prayers calling on their God Mahumet, and worshipping of his Image. Wherefore the sixth day Faustus exalted himself in the air, like to a Pope, in the sight of the great Turk and his people, and he had no sooner — departed the Castle, but the fog vanished away, — whence presently the Turk sent for his Wives and Concubines, demanding of them if they knew the cause why the Castle was beset with a mist so long? they said, that it was the God Mahumet himself that caused it, and how he was in the Castle personally full six days, and for more certainty, he hath lain with six of us these six nights one after another. Wherefore the Turk hearing this fell on his knees, and gave Mahumet thanks, desiring him to forgive him for being offended with his visiting his Castle and wives those six days: but the Turk commanded that those whom Mahumet had lain by, should be most carefully looked unto, persuading himself (and so did the whole people that knew of it) that out of their Mahumet should be raised a mighty generation, but first he demanded of the six Ladies if Mahumet had had actual copulation with them, according as earthly men have, yea my Lord, quoth one, as if you had been there yourself, you could not have mended it, for he lay with us stark naked, kissed and colled! us, and so delighted me, that for my part, I would he came two or three times a week to serve me in such sort again. From hence, Faustus went to Alkar, the which before time was called Chairam, or Memphis, in this City the Egyptian Soldan holdeth his Court. From hence the river Nilus hath his first head and spring, it is the greatest freshwater river that is in the whole world, and always when the Sun is in Cancer, it overfloweth the whole land of Egypt: then he returned again 1 Embraced. towards the Northeast, and to the Town of Ofen and Sabatz in Hungaria. This Ofen is the chiefest City in Hungaria, and standeth in a fertile soil, wherein groweth most excellent wine, and not far from the Town there is a well, called Zipzar, the water whereof changeth iron into Copper: here are mines of gold and silver, and all manner of metal, we Germans call this town Ofen!, but in the Hungarian speech it is Start. In the town standeth a very fair Castle, and very well fortified. From hence he went to Austria, and through Slesia into Saxony, unto the Towns of Magdeburg and Liptzig, and Lubeck. Magdeburg is a Bishopric: in this City is one of the pitchers wherein Christ changed the water into wine at Cana in Galile. At Liptzig nothing pleased Faustus so well as the great vessel in the Castle made of wood, the which is bound about with twentyfour iron hoops, and every hoop weigheth two hundred pound weight, they must go upon a ladder of thirty steps high before they can look into it: he saw also the new churchyard, where it is walled, and standeth upon a fair plain, the yard is two hundred paces long, and round about in the inside of the wall, are goodly places separated one from each other to see sepulchres in, which in the middle of the yard standeth very surnptuous: therein standeth a pulpit of white work and gold. From hence he came to Lubeck and Hamburg, where he made no abode, but away again to Erfort in Duringen, where he visited the Freskold, and from Erfort he went home to 1 This is Buda. The statement that the Hungarians call the town “ Start’ springs from a misunderstanding of his source by the author of the German Faust Book, ; Wittenberg, when he had seen and visited many a strange place, being from home one year and a half, in which time he wrought more wonders than are here declared.

Chapter XXIII

How Faustus had a sight 9; ]

AFTER this, Doctor Faustus setforth again, visited these countries of Spain, Portugal, France, England, Scotland, Denmark, Sweden, Poland, Muscovy, India, Cataia, Africa, Persia, and lastly into Barbaria amongst the Blackamoors, and in all his wandering he was desirous to visit the ancient monuments and mighty hills, amongst the rest beholding the high hill called the Treno Riefe, was desirous to rest upon it: from thence he went into the Isle of Brittany, wherein he was greatly delighted to see the fair water and warm Baths, the divers sorts of metal, with many precious stones, and divers other commodities the which Faustus brought thence with him, he was also at the Orchades behind Scotland, where he saw the tree that bringeth forth fruit, that when it is ripe, openeth and falleth into the water, whereof engendereth a certain kind of Fowl or Bird: these Islands are in number twentythree but ten of them are not habitable, the other thirteen are inhabited: from hence, he went to the hill of Caucasus, which is the highest in all that Tropic, it lieth near the borders of Scythia, hereon Faustus stood and beheld many lands and Kingdoms. Faustus being on such an high hill, thought to look over all the world and beyond, for he meant to see Paradise, but he durst not commune with his Spirit thereof: and being on the hill of Caucasus, he saw the whole land of India and Scythia, and towards the East as he looked he saw a mighty clear strike of fire coming from heaven upon the earth, even as it had been one of the beams of the Sun, he saw in the valley four mighty waters springing, one had his course towards India, the second towards Egypt, the third and fourth towards Armenia. When he saw these, he would needs know of his Spirit what waters they were, and from whence they came. His Spirit gave him gently an answer, saying; it is Paradise that lieth so far in the East, the garden that God himself hath planted with all manner of pleasure, and the fiery stream that thou seest, is the walls.or defence of the garden, but that clear light that thou seest so far off, is the Angel that hath the custody thereof, with a fiery sword: and although that thou thinkest thyself to be hard by, thou hast yet farther thither from hence, than thou hast ever been: the water that thou seest divided in four parts, is the water that issueth out of the Well in the middle of Paradise. The first is called Ganges or Phison, the second, Gihon or Nilus, the third Tigris, and the fourth Euphrates, also thou seest that he standeth under Libra and Aries right up towards the Zenith, and upon this fiery wall standeth the Angel Michael with his flaming sword to keep the tree of life the which he hath in charge; but the Spirit said unto Faustus, neither thou, nor I, nor any after us, yea all men whosoever are denied to Visit it, or to come any nearer than we be.

Chapter XXIV

Of a certain Comet that appeared in Germanie, and how Doctor Faustus was desired by certain friends of his to know the meaning thereof

InN Germanie over the Town of S. Eizleben was seen © a mighty great Comet, whereat the people wondered; but Doctor Faustus being there, was asked of certain of his friends his judgment or opinion in the matter. Whereupon he answered, it falleth out often by the course and change of the Sun and Moon, that the Sun is under the earth, and the Moon above; but when the Moon draweth near the change, then is the Sun so strong that he taketh away all the light of the Moon, in such sort that he is as red as blood: and to the contrary, after they have been together, the Moon taketh her light again from him, and so increasing in light to the full, she will be as red as the Sun was before, and changeth herself into divers and sundry colours, of the which springeth a prodigious monster, or as you call it, a Comet, which is a figure or token appointed of God as a forewarning of his displeasure: as at one time he sendeth hunger, plague, sword, or suchlike: being all tokens of his judgment: the which Comet cometh through the conjunction of the Sun and Moon begetting a monster, whose father is the Sun, and whose mother is the Moon, © and PD.

Chapter XXV

A question put forth to Doctor Faustus, concerning the Stars

THERE was a learned man of the Town of Halberstat, named N. V. W. invited Doctor Faustus to his table, but falling into communication before supper was ready, they looked out of the window, and seeing many stars in the firmament, this man being a Doctor of Physic and a good Astrologian, said: Doctor Faustus, I have invited you as my guest, hoping that you will take it in good part with me, and withal I request you to impart unto me some of your experience in the Stars and Planets. And seeing a Star fall, he said: I pray you, Faustus, what is the condition, quality, or greatness of the Stars in the firmament? Faustus answered him: My friend and Brother, you see that the Stars that fall from heaven when they come on the earth they be very small to our thinking as candles, but being fixed in the firmament there are many as great as this City, some as great as a Province or Dukedom, other as great as the whole earth, other some far greater than the earth: for the length and breadth of the heavens is greater than the earth twelve times, and from the height of the heavens there is scarce any earth to be seen, yea the Planets in the heavens are some so great as this land, some so great as the whole Empire of Rome, some as Turkie, yea one so great as the whole world.

Chapter XXVI

How Faustus was asked a question concerning the Spirits that vex men

‘THAT is most true (saith he to Faustus) concerning the Stars and Planets: but I pray you in what kind or manner do the spirits use or vex men so little by day, and so greatly by night? Doctor Faustus answered: because the spirits are by God forbidden the light, their dwelling is in darkness, and the clearer the Sun shineth, the further the Spirits have their abiding from it, but in the night when it is dark, they have their familiarity and abiding near unto us men. For although in the night we see not the Sun, yet the brightness thereof so lighteneth the first moving of the firmament as it doth that on earth in the day, by which reason we are able to see the Stars and Planets in the night, even so the rays of the Sun piercing upwards into the firmament, the Spirits abandon the place, and so come near us on earth in the darkness, filling our heads with heavy dreams and fond fantasies, with screeching and crying in many deformed shapes: as sometimes when men go forth without light, there falleth to them a fear, that their hair standeth on end, so many start in their sleep thinking there is a Spirit by him, gropeth or feeleth for him, going round about the house in his sleep, and many suchlike fantasies: and all this is for because that in the night the Spirits are more familiarly by us than we are desirous of their company, and so they carry us, blinding us and plaguing us more than we are able to perceive.

Chapter XXVII

How Doctor Faustus was asked a question concerning the Stars that fall from Heaven

Doctor Faustus being demanded the cause why the Stars fell from heaven, he answered: that is but our opinion; for if one Star fall, it is the great judgment of God upon us, as aforewarning of some great thing to come: for when we think that a Star falleth, it is but as a spark that issueth from a candle or a flame of fire, for if it were a substantial thing, we should not so soon lose the sight of them as we do. And likewise, if so be that we see as it were a stream of fire fall from the firmament, as oft it happeneth, yet are they no Stars, but as it were a flame of fire vanishing, but the Stars are substantial, therefore are they firm and not falling: if there fali any, it is a sign of some great matter to come, as a scourge to a people or country, and then such Star falling, the gates of heaven are opened, and the clouds send forth floods, or other plagues, to the damage of the whole land and people.

Chapter XXVIII

How Faustus was asked a question as concerning thunder

In the month of August, there was over Wittenberg a mighty great lightning and thunder, and as Doctor Faustus was jesting merrily in the market place with certain of his friends and companions being Physicians, they desired him to tell them the cause of that weather. Faustus answered: it hath been commonly seen heretofore, that before a thunderclap fell a shower of rain or a gale of wind, for commonly after a wind followeth a rain, and after a rain a thunderclap: such things come to pass when the four winds meet together in the heavens, the airy clouds are by force beaten against the fixed crystalline firmament, but when the airy clouds meet with the firmament, they are congealed, and so strike and rush against the firmament, as great pieces of ice when they meet on the water, the echo thereof soundeth in our ears, and that”we call thunder, which indeed is none other than you have heard.

The third and last part of Doctor Faustus his merry conceits, shewing after what sort he practised Necromancy in the Courts of great Princes, and lastly of his fearful and pitiful end

Chapter XXIX

How the Emperor Carolus Quintus requested of Faustus to see some of his cunning, whereunto he agreed.

THE Emperor Carolus the fifth of that name was personally with the rest of his Nobles and gentlemen at the Town of Innsbruck where he kept his Court, unto the which also Doctor Faustus resorted, and being there well known of divers Nobles and gentlemen, he was invited into the Court to meat, even in the presence of the Emperor: whom when the Emperor saw, he looked earnestly on him, thinking him by his looks to be some wonderful fellow, wherefore he asked one of his Nobles whom he should be: who answered that he was called Doctor Faustus. Whereupon the Emperor held his peace until he had taken his repast, after which he called unto him Faustus, into the privy chamber, whither being come, he said unto him: Faustus, I have heard much of thee, that thou art excellent in the black Art, and none like thee in mine Empire, for men say that thou hast a familiar Spirit with thee and that thou canst do what thou list: it is therefore (saith the Emperor) my request of thee that thou let me see a proof of thine experience, and I vow unto thee by the honour of mine Imperial Crown, none evil shall happen unto thee for so doing. Hereupon Doctor Faustus answered his Majesty, that upon those conditions he was ready in anything that he could, to do his Highness’ commandment in what service he would appoint him. Well, then hear what I say (quoth the Emperor). Being once solitary in my house, I called to mind mine elders and ancestors, how it was possible for them to attain unto so great a degree of authority, yea so high, that we the successors of that line are never able to come near. As, for example, the great and mighty monarch of the world, Alexander Magnus, was such a lantern and spectacle to all his successors, as the Chronicles make mention of so great riches, conquering, and subduing so many Kingdoms, the which I and those that follow me (I fear) shall never be able to attain unto: wherefore, Faustus, my hearty desire is that thou wouldst vouchsafe to let me see that Alexander, and his Paramour, the which was praised to be so fair, and I pray thee shew me them in such sort that I may see their personages, shape, gesture, and apparel, as they used in their lifetime, and that here before my face; to the end that I may say I have my long desire fulfilled, and to praise thee to be a famous man in thine art and experience. Doctor Faustus answered: My most excellent Lord, I am ready to accomplish your request in all things, so far forth as I and my Spirit are able to perform: yet your Majesty shall know, that their dead bodies are not able substantially to be brought before you, but such Spirits as have seen Alexander and his Paramour alive, shall appear unto you in manner and form as they both lived in their most flourishing time: and herewith I hope to please your Imperial Majesty. ‘Then Faustus went a little aside to speak to his Spirit, but he returned again presently, saying: now, if it please your Majesty, you shall see them, yet upon this condition that you demand no question of them, nor speak unto them, which the Emperor agreed unto. Wherewith Doctor Faustus opened the privy chamber door, where presently entered the great and mighty Emperor Alexander Magnus, in all things to look upon as if he had been alive, in proportion a strong thickset man, of a middle stature, black hair, and that both thick and curled head and beard, red cheeks, and a broad face, with eyes like a Basilisk, he had on a complete harness burnished and graven exceeding rich to look upon; and so passing towards the Emperor Carolus, he made low and reverent curtsy: whereat the Emperor Carolus would have stood up to receive and greet him with the like reverence, but Faustus took hold of him and would not permit him to do it. Shortly after Alexander made humble reverence and went out again, and coming to the door his Paramour met him, she coming in, she made the Emperor likewise reverence, she was clothed in blue Velvet, wrought and embroidered _with pearl and gold, she was also excellent fair like Milk and blood mixed, tall and slender, with a face round as an Apple, and thus she passed certain times up and down the house, which the Emperor marking, said to himself: now have I seen two persons, which my heart hath long wished for to behold, and sure it cannot otherwise be, said he to himself, but that the Spirits have changed themselves into these forms, and have not deceived me, calling to his mind the woman that raised the Prophet Samuel: and for that the Emperor would be the more satisfied in the matter, he thought, I have heard say, that behind her neck she had a great wart or wen, wherefore he took Faustus by the hand without any words, and went to see if it were also to be seen on her or not, but she perceiving that he came to her, bowed down her neck, where he saw a great wart, and hereupon she vanished, leaving the Emperor and the rest well contented.

Chapter XXX

How Doctor Faustus in the sight of the Emperor conjured a pair of Hart’s horns upon a Knight's head that slept out of a casement

WHEN Doctor Faustus had accomplished the Emperor’s desire in all things as he was requested, he went forth into a gallery, and leaning over a rail to look into the privy garden, he saw many of the Emperor’s Courtiers walking and talking together, and casting his eyes now this way, now that way, he espied a Knight leaning out at a window of the great hall; who was ON UNS u fast = (for in those days it was hot) but the person shall be nameless that slept, for that he was a Knight, although it was done to a little disgrace of the Gentleman: it pleased Doctor Faustus, through the help of his Spirit Mephostophiles, to firm upon his head as he slept, a huge pair of Hart’s horns, and as the Knight awaked thinking to pull in his head, he hit his horns against the glass that the panes thereof flew about his ears. Think here how this good Gentleman was vexed, for he could neither get backward nor forward: which when the Emperor heard all the Courtiers laugh, and came forth to see what was happened, the Emperor also when he beheld the Knight with so fair a head, laughed heartily thereat, and was therewithal well pleased: at last Faustus made him quit of his horns again, but the Knight perceived how they came, etc.

Chapter XXXI

How. the abovementioned Knight went about to be revenged of Doctor Faustus

Doctor Faustus took his leave of the Emperor and the rest of the Courtiers, at whose departure they were sorry, giving him many rewards and gifts: but being a league and a half from the City he came into a Wood, where he beheld the Knight that he had jested with at the Court with others in harness, mounted on fair palfreys, and running with full charge towards Faustus, but he seeing their intent, ran towards the bushes, and before he came amongst the bushes he returned again, running as it were to meet them that chased him, whereupon suddenly all the bushes were turned into horsemen, which also ran to encounter with the Knight and his company, and coming to them, they closed the Knight and the 1 There seems to be no explanation for the efc. here and at the end of the following two chapters. Cf, also end of Chapter IV. rest, and told them that they must pay their ransom before they departed. Whereupon the Knight seeing himself in such distress, es Faustus to be good ) ath vi ry) 7a Wh iN PE Ks i i I ii ¥ tj a ae ea Re cy ana fy ecaulle iat i int aN BN a a j to them, which he denied not, but let them loose, yet he so charmed them, that every one, Knight and others for the space of a whole month did wear a pair of Goat’s horns on their brows, and every Palfrey a pair of Ox horns on their head: and this was their penance appointed by Faustus, etc.

Chapter XXXII

How three young Dukes being together at Wittenberg to behold the University, requested Faustus to help them at a wish to the town of Menchen in Bavaria, there to see the Duke of Bavaria bis son’s wedding .

THREE worthy young Dukes, the which are not here to be named, but being students altogether at the University of Wittenberg, met on a time altogether, where they fell to reasoning concerning the pomp and bravery that would be at the City of Menchen in Bavaria, at the wedding of the Duke’s Son, wishing themselves there but one half hour, to see the manner of their jollity: to whom one replied, saying to the other two Gentlemen, if it please you to give me the hearing, I will give you good counsel that we may see the wedding, and be here again to night, and this is my meaning; let us send to Doctor Faustus, make him a present of some rare thing and so open our minds unto him, desiring him to assist us in our enterprise, and assure ye he will not deny to fulfil our request. Hereupon they all concluded, sent for Faustus, told him their mind, and gave hima gift, and invited him to a sumptuous banquet, wherewith Faustus was well contented, and promised to further their journey to the uttermost. And when the time was come that the Duke his son should be married, Doctor Faustus called unto him the three young Gentlemen into his house, commanding them that they should put on their best apparel, and adorn themselves as richly as they could, he took off his own great large cloak, went into a garden that was adjoining unto his house, and set the three young Dukes on his cloak, and he himself sat in the midst, but he gave them in charge that in any wise they should not once open their mouths to speak, or make answer to any man so soon as they were out, no not so much as if the Duke of Bavaria or his son should speak to them, or offer them courtesy, they should give no word or answer again, to the which they all agreed. These conditions being made, Doctor Faustus began to conjure, and on a sudden arose a mighty wind, heaving up the cloak, and so carried them away in the air, and in due time they came unto Menchen to the Duke’s Court, where being entered into the outmost court, the Marshal had espied them, who presently went to the Duke shewing his Grace that all the Lords and gentlemen were already set at the table, notwithstanding, there were newly come three goodly Gentlemen with one servant, the which stood without in the court, wherefore the good old Duke came out unto them, welcoming them, requiring what they were, and whence: but they made no answer at all, whereat the Duke wondered, thinking they were all four dumb; notwithstanding for his honour sake he took them into his court, and feasted them. Faustus notwithstanding spake to them, if any thing happen otherwise then well, when I say, sit up, then fall you all on the cloak, and good enough: well, the water being brought, and that they must wash, one of the three had so much manners as to desire his friend to wash first, which when Faustus heard, he said, sit up, and all at once they got on the cloak, but he that spake fell off again, the other two with Doctor Faustus, were again presently at Wittenberg, but he that remained, was taken and laid in Prison: wherefore the other two Gentlemen were very sorrowful for their friend, but Faustus comforted them, promising that on the morrow he should also be at Wittenberg. Now all this while was this Duke taken in a great fear, and stricken into an exceeding dump, wondering with himself that his hap was so hard to be left behind, and not the rest, and now being locked and watched with so many keepers, there was also certain of the guests that fell to reasoning with him to know what he was, and also what the others were that were vanished away, but the poor prisoner thought with himself, if I open what they are, then it will be evil also with me: wherefore all this while he gave no man any answer, so that he was there a whole day, and gave no man a word. Wherefore the old Duke gave in charge, that the next morning they should rack him until he had confessed: which when the young Duke heard, he began to sorrow and to say with himself, it may be that tomorrow, if Doctor Faustus come not to aid me, then shall I be racked and grievously tormented, in so much that I shall be constrained by force to tell more than willingly I would do: but he comforted himself with hope that his friends would entreat Doctor Faustus about his deliverance, as also it came to pass, for before it was day, Doctor Faustus was by him, and he conjured them that watched him into such a heavy sleep, that he with his charms made open all the locks in the prison, and therewithal brought the young Duke again in safety to the rest of his fellows and friends, where they presented Faustus with a sumptuous gift, and so they departed the one from the other, etc.

Chapter XXXIII

How Doctor Faustus borrowed money of a Few, and laid his own leg to pawn for it

IT is a common proverb in Germanie, that although a Conjurer have all things at commandment, the day will come that he shall not be worth a penny: so is it like to fall out with Doctor Faustus, in promising the Devil so largely: and as the Devil is the author of lies, even so he led Faustus his mind, in practising of things to deceive the people and blinding them, wherein he took his whole delight, thereby to bring himself to riches, yet notwithstanding in the end he was never the richer. And although that during four and twenty years of his time that the Devil set him, he wanted nothing; yet was he best pleased when he might deceive anybody: for out of the mightiest Potentates’ Courts in all those Countries, he would send his Spirit to steal away their best cheer. And on a time being in his merriment where he was banqueting with other Students in an Inn, whereunto resorted many Jews, which when Doctor Faustus perceived, he was minded to play some merry jest to deceive a Jew, desiring one of them to lend him some: money for a time, the Jew was content, and lent ‘Faustus threescore dollars for a month, which time being expired, the Jew came for his money and interest, but Doctor Faustus was never minded to pay the Jew again: at length the Jew coming home to his house, and calling importunately for his money, Doctor Faustus made him this answer: Jew, I have no money, nor know I how to pay thee, but notwithstanding, to the end that thou mayest be contented, Up pain ie M " tS I will cut off a limb of my body, be it arm or leg, and the same shalt thou have in pawn for thy money, yet with this condition, that when I shall pay thee thy money again, then thou also give me my limb. The Jew that was never friend to a Christian, thought with himself, this is a fellow right for my purpose, that will lay his limbs to pawn for money, he was therewith very well content; wherefore Doctor Faustus took a saw, and therewith seemed to cut off his foot (being notwithstanding nothing so) well, he gave it to the Jew, yet upon this condition, that when he got money to pay, the Jew should deliver him his leg, to the end if \ Mt gh A a “iN, WKH 4 Hl HW Aa Mh Weed 5 he might set it on again. The Jew was with this matter very well pleased, took his leg and departed: and having far home, he was somewhat weary, and by the way he thus bethought him, what helpeth me a knave’s leg, if I should carry it home, it would stink, and so infect my house, besides it is too hard a piece of work to set it on again, wherefore what an ass was Faustus to lay so dear a pawn for so small a sum of money; and for my part, quoth the Jew to himself, this will never profit me anything, and with these words he cast the leg away from him into a ditch. All this Doctor Faustus knew right well, therefore within three days after he sent for the Jew to make him payment of his sixty Dollars, the Jew came, and Doctor Faustus demanded his pawn, there was his money ready for him: the Jew answered, the pawn was not profitable or necessary for anything and he had cast it away: but Faustus threateningly replied, I will have my leg again, or else one of thine for it. The Jew fell to entreating, promising him to give him what money he would ask, if he would not deal straightly with him, wherefore the Jew was constrained to give him sixty Dollars more to be rid of him, and yet Faustus had his leg on, for he had but blinded the Jew.

Chapter XXXIV

How Doctor Faustus deceived an Horsecourser

In like manner he served an Horsecourser at a fait ’ called Pheiffring, for Doctor Faustus through his; cunning had gotten an excellent fair Horse, whereupon he rid to the Fair, where he had many Chapmen that offered him money: lastly, he sold him for forty Dollars, willing him that bought him, that in any wise he should not ride him over any water, but the Horsecourser marvelled with himself that Faustus bade him ride him over no water (but quoth he), I will prove, and forthwith he rid him into the river, presently the horse vanished from under him, and he sat on a bundle of straw, in so much that the man was almost drowned. i D> »teagy NLR GE A Wize {x _— 5c st rey pre “2 Z Dr ae fe ) x © POC e a: Ny} . OK SO Bx Kes eT r; Sa s: z: UR 4 — WW N \ a ay . SS SS SN \ . vn > ee: =< Si The Horsecourser knew well where he lay that had sold him his horse, wherefore he went angrily to his Inn, where he found Doctor Faustus fast asleep, and snorting on a bed, but the Horsecourser could no longer forbear him, took him by the leg and began to pull him off the bed, but he pulled him so, that he pulled his leg from his body, in so much that the Horsecourser fell down backwards in the place, then began Doctor Faustus to cry with an open throat, he hath murdered me. Hereat the Horsecourser was afraid, and gave the flight,! thinking 1 i.e, took to flight.

WS none other with himself, but that he had pulled his leg from his body; by this means Doctor Faustus kept his money.

Chapter XXXV

How Doctor Faustus ate a load of Hay

Doctor Faustus being in a Town of Germanie called Zwickaw, where he was accompanied with many Doctors and Masters, and going forth to walk after supper, they met with a Clown! that drove a load of Hay. Good even good fellow said Faustus to the Clown, what shall I give thee to let me eat my belly full of Hay? The Clown thought with himself, what a mad man is this to eat Hay, thought he with himself, thou wilt not eat much, they agreed for three farthings he should eat as much as he could: wherefore Doctor Faustus began to eat, and that so ravenously, that all the rest of his company fell alaughing, blinding so the poor Clown, that he was sorry at his heart, for he seemed to have eaten more than the half of his Hay, wherefore the Clown began to speak him fair, for fear he should have eaten the other half also. Faustus made as though he had had pity on the Clown, and went his way. When the Clown came in place where he would be, he had his Hay again as he had before, a full load.

1 i.e. peasant,

Chapter XXXVI

How Doctor Faustus served the twelve Students

AT Wittenberg before. Faustus his house, there was a quarrel between seven Students, and five that came to part the rest, one part being stronger than the other. Wherefore Faustus seeing them to be overmatched, conjured them all blind, in so much that the one could ‘not see the other, and yet he so dealt with them, that they fought and smote at one another still, whereat all the beholders fell alaughing: and thus they continued blind, beating one another, until the people parted them, and led each one to his own home: where being entered into their houses, they received their sight perfectly again.

Chapter XXXVII

How Faustus served the drunken Clowns

Doctor FaustTus went into an Inn, wherein were many tables full of Clowns, the which were tippling can after can of excellent wine, and to be short, they were all drunken, and as they sat, they so sang and hallowed, that one could not hear a man speak for them; this angered Doctor Faustus; wherefore he said to those that had called him in, mark my masters, I will shew you a merry jest, the Clowns continuing still hallowing and singing, he so conjured them, that their mouths stood as wide open as it was possible for them to hold them, and never a one of them was able to close his mouth again: by and by the noise was gone, the Clowns notwithstanding looked earnestly one upon another, and wist not what was happened; wherefore one by one they went out, and so soon as they came without, they were as well as ever they were: but none of them desired to go in any more.

Chapter XXXVIII

How Doctor Faustus sold five Swine for six Dollars apiece

Doctor Faustus began another jest, he made him ready five fat Swine, the which he sold to one for six Dollars a piece, upon this condition, that the Swinedriver should not drive them into the water. Doctor Faustus went home again, and as the Swine had defiled themselves in the mud, the Swinedriver drove them into a water, where presently they were changed into so many bundles of straw swimming upright in the water: the boor looked wishly about him, and was sorry in his heart, but he knew not where to find Faustus, so he was content to let all go, and to lose both money and Hogs.

Chapter XXXIX

How Doctor Faustus played a merry jest with the Duke of Anbolt in his Court

Doctor Faustus on a time came to the Duke of Anholt, the which welcomed him very courteously, this was in the month of January, where sitting at the table, he perceived the Duchess to be with child, and forbearing himself until the meat was taken from the table, and that they brought in the banqueting dishes, said Doctor Faustus to the Duchess, Gracious Lady, I have always heard, that the greatbellied women do always long for some dainties, I beseech therefore your Grace hide not your mind from me, but tell me what you desire to eat, she answered him, Doctor Faustus now truly I will not hide from you what my heart doth most desire, namely, that if it were now Harvest, I would eat my belly full of ripe Grapes, and other dainty fruit. Doctor Faustus answered hereupon, Gracious Lady, this is a small thing for me to do, for I can do more than this, wherefore he took a plate, and made open one of the casements of the window, holding it forth, where incontinent he had his dish full of all manner of fruits, as red and white Grapes, Pears, and Apples, the which came from out of strange Countries, all these he presented the Duchess, saying: Madame, I pray you vouchsafe to taste of this dainty fruit, the which came from a far Country, for there the Summer is not yet ended. The Duchess thanked Faustus highly, and she fell to her fruit with full appetite. The Duke of Anholt notwithstanding could not withhold to ask Faustus with what reason there were such young fruit to be had at that time of the year ? Doctor Faustus told him, may it please your Grace to understand, that the year is divided into two circles over the whole world, that when with us it is Winter, in the contrary circle it is notwithstanding Summer, for in India and Saba there falleth or setteth the Sun, so that it is so warm, that they have twice a year fruit: and gracious Lord, I have a swift Spirit, the which can in the twinkling of an eye fulfil my desire in any thing, wherefore I sent him into those Countries, who hath brought this fruit as you see: whereat the Duke was in great admiration.

Chapter XL

How Doctor Faustus through his Charms made a great Castle in presence of the Duke of Anholt

Doctor Faustus desired the Duke of Anholt to walk a little forth of the Court with him, wherefore they went both together into the field, where Doctor Faustus through his skill had placed a mighty Castle: which when the Duke saw, he wondered thereat, so did the Duchess, and all the beholders, that on that hill, which was called the Rohumbuel, should on the sudden be so fair a Castle. At last Doctor Faustus desired the Duke and the Duchess to walk with him into the Castle, which they denied not. This Castle ‘was so wonderful strong, having about it a great and deep trench of water, the which was full of Fish, and all manner of waterfowl, as Swans, Ducks, Geese, Bitterns, and suchlike. About the wall was five stone doors and two other doors: also within was a great open court, wherein were enchanted all manner of wild beasts, especially such as were not to be found in Germanie, as Apes, Bears, Buffs, Antelopes, and such like strange beasts. Furthermore, there were other manner of beasts, as Hart, Hind, and wild Swine, Roe, and all manner of land fowl that any man could think on, the which flew from one tree to another. After all this, he set his guests to the table, being the Duke and the Duchess with their train, for he had provided them a most sumptuous feast, both of meat and all manner of drinks, for he set nine messes of meat upon the board at once, and all this must his Wagner do, place all things on the board, the which was brought unto him by the Spirit invisibly of all things that their heart could desire, as wild fowl, and Venison, with all manner of dainty fish that could be thought on, of Wine also great plenty, and of divers sorts, as French wine, Cullin wine, Crabatsher wine, Rhenish wine, Spanish wine, Hungarian wine, Watzburg wine, Malmsey, and Sack: in the whole, there were an hundred cans standing round about the house. This sumptuous banquet the Duke took thankfully, and afterwards he departed homewards, and to their thinking they had neither eaten nor drunk, so were they blinded the whilst that they were in the Castle: but as they were in their Palace they looked towards the Castle, and behold it was all in a flame of fire, and all those that beheld it wondered to hear so great a noise, as if it were great Ordnance should have been shot off: and thus the Castle burned and consumed away clean. Which done, Doctor Faustus returned to the Duke, who gave him great thanks for shewing them of so great courtesy, giving him an hundred Dollars, and liberty to depart or use his own discretion therein.

1'70

Chapter XLI

How Doctor Faustus with his company visited the Bishop of Salizburg his Winecellar

Doctor Faustus having taken his leave of the Duke, he went to Wittenberg, near about Shrovetide, and being in company with certain Students, Doctor Faustus was himself the God Bacchus, who having well feasted the Students before with dainty fare, after the manner of Germanie, where it is counted no feast except all the bidden guests be drunk, which Doctor Faustus intending, said: Gentlemen and my guests, will it please you to take a cup of wine with me in a place or cellar whereunto I will bring you, and they all said willingly we will: which when Doctor Faustus heard, he took them forth, set either of them upon an holly wand, and so were conjured into the Bishop of Saltzburg his Cellar, for there about grew excellent pleasant Wine: there fell Faustus and his company to drinking and swilling, not of the worst but of the best, and as they were merry in the Cellar, came down to draw drink the Bishop’s butler: which when he perceived so many persons there he cried with a loud voice, thieves ! thieves! This spited Doctor Faustus wonderfully, wherefore he made every one of his company to sit on their holly wand and so vanished away, and in parting Doctor Faustus took the Butler by the hair of the head and carried him away with them, until they came unto a mighty highlopped tree, and on the top of that huge tree he set the Butler, where he remained in a most fearful perplexity, and Doctor Faustus departed to his house where they took their VALETE one of another, drinking the Wine the which they had stolen in great bottles of glass out of the Bishop’s cellar. The Butler that had held — himself by the hand upon the lopped tree all the night, was almost frozen with cold, espying the day, and seeing the tree of so huge great highness, thought with himself it is impossible to come off this tree without peril of death: at length he had espied certain Clowns which were passing by, he cried for the love of God help me down: the Clowns seeing him so high, wondered what mad man would climb to so huge a tree, wherefore as a thing most miraculous, they carried tidings unto the Bishop of Saltzburg, then was there great running on every side to see a man in a huge tree, and many devices they practised to get him down with ropes, and being demanded by the Bishop how he came there, he said, that he was brought thither by the hair of the head of certain thieves that were robbing of the Winecellar, but what they were he knew not, for (said he) they had faces like men, but they wrought like Devils.

Chapter XLII

How Doctor Faustus kept his Shrovetide

‘THERE were seven Students, and Masters that studied Divinity, luris Prudentia, and Medicina, all these having consented were agreed to visit Doctor Faustusand so to celebrate Shrovetide with him: who being come to his house he gave them their welcome, for they were his dear friends, desiring them to sit down, where he served them with a very good supper of Hens, fish, and other roast, yet were they but slightly cheered: wherefore Doctor Faustus comforted his guests, excusing himself that they stole upon him so suddenly, that he had not leisure to provide for them so well as they were worthy, but my good friends (quoth he) according to the use of our Country we must drink all this night, and so a draught of the best wine to bedward is commendable. For you know that in great Potentates’ Courts they use as this night great feasting, the like will I do for you: for I have three great flagons of wine, the first is full of Hungarian wine, containing eight gallons, the second of Italian wine, containing seven gallons, the third containing six gallons of Spanish wine, all the which we will tipple out before it be day, besides, we have fifteen dishes of meat, the which my Spirit Mephostophiles hath fetched so far that it was cold before he brought it, and they are all full of the daintiest things that one’s heart can devise, but (saith Faustus) I must make them hot again: and you may believe me, Gentlemen, that this is no blinding of you, whereas you think that it is no natural food, verily it is as good and as pleasant as ever you ate. And having ended his tale, he commanded his boy to lay the cloth, which done, he served them with fifteen messes of meat, having three dishes to a mess, the which were of all manner of Venison, and other dainty wild fowl, and for wine there was no lack, as Italian wine, Hungarian wine, and Spanish wine: and when they were all made drunk, and that they had almost eaten all their good cheer, they began to sing and to dance until it was day, and then they © departed each one to his own habitation: at whose parting, Doctor Faustus desired them to be his guests again the next day following.

Chapter XLIII

How Doctor Faustus feasted his guests on the AshW ednesday

Upon Ash Wednesday came unto Doctor Faustus his bidden guests the Students, whom he feasted very royally, in so much that they were all full and lusty, singing and dancing as the night before: and when the high glasses and goblets were caroused one to another, Doctor Faustus began to play them some pretty jests, in so much that round about the hall was heard most pleasant music, and that in sundry places, in this corner a Lute, in another a Cornet, in another a Cittern, Gittern, Clarigolds, Harp, Horn pipe: in fine, all manner of music was heard there at that instant, whereat all the glasses and goblets, cups and pots, dishes, and all that stood on the board began to dance: then Doctor Faustus took ten stone pots, and set them down on the floor, where presently they began to dance and to smite one against the other that the shivers flew round about the whole house, whereat the whole company fell alaughing. Then he began another jest, he set an Instrument on the table, and caused a monstrous great Ape to come in amongst them, which Ape began to dance and to skip, shewing them many merry conceits. In this and suchlike pastime they passed away the whole day, where night being come, Doctor Faustus bade them all to supper, which they lightly agreed unto, for Students m these cases are easily entreated: wherefore he promised to feast them with a banquet of fowl, and afterwards they would all go about with a Mask, then Doctor Faustus put forth a long pole out of the window, whereupon presently there came innumerable of birds and wild fowl, and so many as came had not any power to fly away again, but he took them and flung them to the Students: who lightly pulled off the necks of them, and being roasted they made their supper, which being ended they made themselves ready to the Mask. Doctor Faustus commanded every one to put on a clean shirt over his other clothes, which being done, they began to look one upon another, it seemed to each one of them they had no heads, and so they went forth unto certain of their neighbours, at which sight the people were wonderfully afraid. And as the use of Germanie is, that wheresoever a Mask entereth, the good man of the house must feast them: so when these maskers were set to their banquet, they seemed again in their former shape with heads in so much that they were all known what they were: and having sat and well eaten and drunk, Doctor Faustus made that every one had an Ass’s head on, with great and long ears, so they fell to dancing and to drive away the time until it was midnight, and then every man departed home, and as soon as they were out of the house each one was in his , natural shape again, and so they ended and went to sleep.

Chapter XLIV

How Doctor Faustus the day following was feasted of the Students, and of his merry jests with them while he was in their company

THE last Bacchanalia was held on Thursday, where ensued a great Snow, and Doctor Faustus was invited unto the Students that were with him the day before, where they had prepared an excellent banquet for him: which banquet being ended, Doctor Faustus began to play his old pranks, and forthwith were in the place thirteen Apes, that took hands and danced round in a ring together, then they fell to tumble and to vaulting one over another, that it was most pleasant to behold, then they leaped out of the window and vanished away: then they set before Doctor Faustus a roasted Calve’s head: which one of the Students cut a piece off, and laid it on Doctor Faustus his trencher, which piece being no sooner laid down, but the Calve’s head began to cry mainly out like a man, murther, murther, but, alas, what doest thou to me! Whereat they were all amazed, but after a while considering of Faustus his jesting tricks they began to laugh, and then they pulled in sunder the Calve’s head and ate it up. Whereupon Doctor Faustus asked leave to depart, but they would in no wise agree to let him go, except that he would promise to come again: presently then Faustus, through his cunning, made a sledge, the which was drawn about the house with four fiery dragons: this was fearful for the Students to behold, for they saw Faustus ride up and down as though he should have fired and slain all them in the house. This sport continued until midnight with such a noise that they could not hear one another, and the heads of the Students were so light, that they thought themselves to be in the air all that time.

Chapter XLV

How Doctor Faustus shewed the fair Helena unto the Students upon the Sunday following

Tue Sunday following came these Students home to Doctor Faustus his own house, and brought their N 9/9 meat and drink with them: these men were right welcome guests unto Faustus, wherefore they all fell to drinking of wine smoothly: and being merry, they began some of them to talk of the beauty of women, and every one gave forth his verdict what he had seen and what he had heard. So one among the rest said, I never was so desirous of anything in this world, as to have a sight (if it were possible) of fair Helena of Greece, for whom the worthy town of ‘Troie was destroyed and razed down to the ground, therefore ~ saith he, that in all men’s judgment she was more than — commonly fair, because that when she was stolen away — from her husband, there was for her recovery so great bloodshed. Doctor Faustus answered: For that you are all my — friends and are so desirous to see that famous pearl of Greece, fair Helena, the wife of King Menelaus, and daughter of Tindalus and Leda, sister to Castor © and Pollux, who was the fairest Lady in all Greece: Lwill therefore bring her into your presence personally, and in the same form_of_attire as she usedtogo when she was in her chiefest_flowersandpleasantest prime: of youth. ‘The like have I done for the Emperor ' Carolus Quintus, at his desire I shewed him Alexander ' the great, and his Paramour: but (said Doctor Faustus I charge you all that upon your perils you speak not: a word, nor rise up from the Table so long as she is in your presence. And so he went out of the Hall, returning presently again, after whom immediately ' followed the fair and beautiful Helena, whose beauty ’ was such that the Students were all amazed to see her, esteeming her rather to be a heavenly than an earthly ' creature. This Lady appeared before them in a most sumptuous gown of purple Velvet, richly embroidered, her hair hanged down loose as fair as the beaten Gold, and of such length that it reached down to her hams, with amorous coalblack eyes, a sweet and pleasant round face, her lips red as a Cherry, her cheeks of rose all colour, her mouth small, her neck as white as the Swan, tall and slender of personage, and in sum, there was not one imperfect part in her: she looked round about her with a rolling Hawk’s eye, a smiling and wanton countenance, which near hand inflamed the hearts of the Students, but that they persuaded themselves she was a Spirit, wherefore such fantasies passed away lightly with them: and thus fair Helena and Doctor Faustus went out again one with another. But the Students at Doctor Faustus his entering again into the hall, requested of him to let them see her again the next day, for that they would bring with them a painter and so take her counterfeit: which he denied, affirming that he could not always raise up her Spirit, but only at certain times: yet (said he) I will give you her counterfeit, which shall be always as good to you as if your selves should see the drawing thereof, which they received according to his promise, but soon lost it again. The Students ~ departed from Faustus’ home everyone to his house, but they were not able to sleep the whole night for thinking on the beauty of fair Helena. Wherefore a man may see that the Devil blindeth and enflameth the heart with lust oftentimes, that_men—fall in love _ “with Harlots, nay even with Furies, which afterward cannot lightly be removed.

Chapter XLVI

How. Doctor Faustus conjured away the four wheels’ from a clown’s waggon

Doctor Faustus was sent for to the Marshal of ° Brunswicke, who was greatly troubled with the: falling sickness. Now Faustus had this use, never ’ to ride but walk forth on foot, for he could ease himself ' when he list, and as he came near unto the town of Brunswicke, there overtook him a Clown with four ' horses and an empty waggon, to whom Doctor Faustus jestingly to try him, said: I pray thee, good fellow, let me ride a little to ease my weary legs; which the: buzzardly ass denied, saying: that his horses were also weary, and he would not let him get up. Doctor: Faustus did this but to prove the buzzard, if there were any courtesy to be found in him if need were.

But such churlishness as is commonly found among clowns, was by Doctor Faustus well requited, even with the like payment: for he said unto him, Thou doltish Clown, void of all humanity, seeing thou art of so currish a disposition, I will pay thee as thou hast deserved, for the four wheels of thy Waggon thou shalt have taken from thee, let me see then how canst thou shift: hereupon his wheels were gone, his horses also fell down to the ground, as though they had been dead: whereat the Clown was sore affright, measuring it as a just scourge of God for his sins and churlishness: wherefore all troubled, and wailing, he humbly besought Doctor Faustus to be good unto him, confessing he was worthy of it, notwithstanding if it pleased him to forgive him, he would hereafter do better. Which humility made Faustus his heart to relent, answering him on this manner, well, do so no more, but when a poor weary man desireth thee, see that thou let him ride, but yet thou shalt not go altogether clear, for although thou have again thy four wheels, yet shalt thou fetch them at the four Gates of the City, so he threw dust on the horses, and revived them again, and the Clown for his churlishness was fain to fetch his wheels, spending his time with weariness, whereas before he might have done a good deed, and gone about his business quietly.

Chapter XLVII

How four Fugglers cut one another’s head off, and set them on again; and how Doctor Faustus deceived them

Doctor Faustus came in the Lent unto Franckfort Fair, where his Spirit Mephostophiles gave him to understand that in an Inn were four Jugglers that cut one another’s head off, and after their cutting off, sent them to the Barber to be trimmed, which many people saw. This angered Faustus (for he meant to have himself the only Cock in the Devil’s basket), and he went to the place where they were, to behold them. And as these Jugglers were together, ready one to cut off the other’s head, there stood also the Barbers ready to trim them, and by them upon the table stood likewise a glass full of distilled water, and he that was the chiefest among them stood by it. Thus they began, they smote off the head of the first, and presently there was a Lily in the glass of distilled water, where Faustus perceived this Lily as it were springing, and the chief Juggler named it the tree of life, thus dealt he with the first, making the Barber wash and comb his head, and then he set it on again, presently the Lily vanished away out of the water, hereat the man had his head whole and sound again; the like did they with the other two: and as the turn and lot came to the chief Juggler that he also should be beheaded, and that his Lily was most pleasant, fair, and flourishing green, they smote his head off, and when it came to be barbed, it troubled Faustus his conscience, in so much that he could not abide to see another do anything, for he thought himself to be the principal conjurer in the world, wherefore Doctor Faustus went to the table whereat the other Jugglers kept that Lily, and so he took a small knife and cut off the stalk of the Lily, saying to himself, none of them should blind Faustus: yet no man saw Faustus to cut the Lily, but when the rest of the Jugglers thought to have set on their master’s head, they could not, wherefore they looked on the Lily, and found it a bleeding: by this means the Juggler was beguiled, and so died in his wickedness, yet not one thought that Doctor Faustus had done it.

Chapter XLVIII

How an old man, the neighbour of Faustus, sought to persuade him to amend his evil life, and to fall unto repentance

A coop Christian an honest and virtuous old man, a lover of the holy Scriptures, who was neighbour unto Doctor Faustus: when he perceived that many Students had their recourse in and out unto Doctor Faustus, he suspected his evil life, wherefore like a friend he invited Doctor Faustus to supper unto his house, unto the which he agreed; and having ended their banquet, the old man began with these words. My loving friend and neighbour Doctor Faustus, I have to desire of you a friendly and Christian request, beseeching you that you will vouchsafe not to be angry with me, but friendly resolve me in my doubt, and take my poor inviting in good part. To whom Doctor Faustus answered: My loving neighbour, I pray you say your mind. Then began the old Patron to say: My good neighbour, you know in the beginning how that you have defied God, and all the host of heaven, and given your soul to the Devil, wherewith you have incurred God’s high displeasure, and are become from a Christian far worse than a heathen person: oh consider what you have done, it is not only the pleasure of the body, but the safety of the soul that you must have respect unto: of which if you be careless, then are you cast away, and shall remain in the anger of almighty God. But yet is it time enough Doctor Faustus, if you repent and call unto the Lord for mercy, as we have example in the Acts of the Apostles, the eighth Chap. of Simon in Samaria, who was led out of the way, affirming that he was Simon homo sanctus. This man was notwithstanding in the end converted, after that he had heard the Sermon of Philip, for he was baptized, and saw his sins, and repented. Likewise I beseech you good brother Doctor Faustus, let my rude Sermon be unto you a conversion; and forget the filthy life that you have led, repent, ask mercy, and live: for Christ saith, Come unto me all ye that are weary and heavy laden, and I will refresh you. And in Ezechiel: I desire not the death of a sinner, but rather that he convert and live. Let my words good brother Faustus, pierce into your adamant heart, and desire God for his Son Christ his sake, to forgive you. Wherefore have you so long lived in your Devilish practices, knowing that in the Old and New Testament you are forbidden, and that men should not suffer any such to live, neither have any conversation with them, for it is an abomination unto the Lord; and that such persons have no part in the Kingdom of God. All this while Doctor Faustus heard him very attentively, and replied: Father, your persuasions like me wondrous well, and I thank you with all my heart for your good will and counsel, promising you so far as I may to follow your discipline: whereupon he took his leave. And being come home, he laid him very pensive on his bed, bethinking himself of the words of the good old man, and in a manner began to repent that he had given his Soul to the Devil, intending to deny all that he had promised unto Lucifer. Continuing in these cogitations, suddenly his Spirit appeared unto him clapping him upon the head, and wrung it as though he would have pulled the head from the shoulders, saying unto him, Thou knowest Faustus, that thou hast given thyself body and soul unto my Lord Lucifer, and hast vowed thyself an enemy unto God and unto all men; and now thou beginnest to hearken to an old doting fool which persuadeth thee as it were unto God, when indeed it is too late, for that thou art the Devil’s, and he hath good power presently to fetch thee: wherefore he hath sent me unto thee, to tell thee, that seeing thou hast sorrowed for that thou hast done, begin again and write another writing with thine own blood, if not, then will I tear thee all to pieces. Hereat Doctor Faustus was sore afraid, and said: My Mephostophiles, I will write again what thou wilt: wherefore he sat him down, and with his own blood he wrote as followeth: which writing was afterward sent to a dear friend of the said Doctor Faustus being his kinsman.

Chapter XLIX

How Doctor Faustus wrote the second time with his own blood and gave tt to the Devil

I, Doctor JoHN Faustus, acknowledge by this my deed and handwriting, that sith my first writing, which is seventeen years, that I have right willingly held, and have been an utter enemy unto God and all men, the which I once again confirm, and give fully and wholly myself unto the Devil both body and soul, even unto the great Lucifer: and that at the end of seven years ensuing after the date of this letter, he shall have to do with me according as it pleaseth him, either to lengthen or shorten my life as liketh him: and hereupon I renounce all persuaders that seek to withdraw me from my purpose by the Word of God, either ghostly or bodily. And further, I will never give ear unto any man, be he spiritual or temporal, that moveth any matter for the salvation of my soul. Of all this writing, and that therein contained, be witness, my own blood, the which with mine own hands I have begun, and ended.

Dated at Wittenberg, the 25th of July.

And presently upon the making of this Letter, he became so great an enemy unto the poor old man, that he sought his life by all means possible; but this godly man was strong in the Holy Ghost, that he could not be vanquished by any means: for about two days after that he had exhorted Faustus, as the poor man lay in his bed, suddenly there was a mighty rumbling in the Chamber, the which he was never wont to hear, and he heard as it had been the groaning of a Sow, which lasted long: whereupon the good old man began to jest, and mock, and said: oh what Barbarian cry is this, oh fair Bird, what foul music is this of a fair Angel, that could not tarry two days in his place? beginnest thou now to run into a poor man’s house, where thou hast no power, and wert not able to keep thine own two days? With these and suchlike words the Spirit departed. And when he came home Faustus asked him how he had sped with the old man: to whom the Spirit answered, the old man was harnessed, and that he could not once lay hold upon him: but he would not tell how the old man had mocked him, for the Devils can never abide to hear of their fall. Thus doth God defend the hearts of all honest Christians, that betake themselves under his tuition.

Chapter L

How Doctor Faustus made a marriage between two lovers

In the City of Wittenberg was a Student, a gallant Gentleman, named N. N. This Gentleman was far in love with a Gentlewoman, fair and proper of personage. This Gentlewoman had a Knight that was a suitor unto her, and many other Gentlemen, the which desired her in marriage, but none could obtain her: So it was that this N. N. was very well acquainted with Faustus, and by that means became a suitor unto him to assist him in the matter, for he fell so far in despair with himself, that he pined away to the skin and bones. But when he had opened the matter unto Doctor Faustus, he asked counsel of his Spirit Mephostophiles, the which told him what to do. Hereupon Doctor Faustus went home tothe Gentleman, and bade him be of good cheer, for he should have his desire, for he would help him to that he wished for, and that this Gentlewoman should love none other but him only: wherefore Doctor Faustus so changed the mind of the Damsel by a practice he wrought, that she would do no other thing but think on him, whom before she had hated, neither cared she for any man but him alone. The device was thus, Faustus commanded this Gentleman that he should clothe himself in all his best apparel that he had and that he should go unto this Gentlewoman, and there to shew himself, giving him also a Ring, commanding him in any wise that he should dance with her before he departed. Wherefore he followed Faustus his counsel, went to her, and when they began to dance they that were suitors began to take everyone his Lady in his hand, and this good Gentleman took her, who before had so disdained him, and in the dance he thrust the Ring into her hand that Doctor Faustus had given him, the which she no sooner touched, but ‘she fell immediately in love with him, beginning in the dance to smile, and many times to give him winks, rolling her eyes, and in the end she asked him if he could love her and make her his wife; he gladly answered, he was content: and hereupon they concluded, and were married, by the means and help of Doctor Faustus, for which he received a good reward of the Gentleman.

Chapter LI

How Doctor Faustus led his friends into his Garden at Christmas, and shewed them many strange sights in his nineteenth year

In December, about Christmas in the City of Wittenberg, were many young Gentlewomen, the which were come out of the Country to make merry with their friends and acquaintance; amongst whom there were certain that were well acquainted with Doctor Faustus, wherefore they were often invited as his guests unto him, and being with him on a certain time after dinner, he led them into his Garden, where he shewed them all manner of flowers, and fresh herbs, Trees bearing fruit and blossoms of all sorts, in so much that they wondered to see that in his Garden should be so pleasant a time as in the midst of summer: and without in the streets, and all over the Country, it lay full of Snow and Ice. Wherefore this was noted of them as a thing miraculous, each one gathering and carrying away all such things as they best liked, and so departed delighted with their sweetsmelling flowers.

Chapter LII

How Doctor Faustus gathered together a great army of men in his extremity against a Knight that would have injured him on his journey

Doctor Faustus travelled towards Eyszleben, and when he was nigh half the way, he espied seven horsemen, and the chief of them he knew to be the Knight to whom he had played a jest in the Emperor’s ‘Court, for he had set a huge pair of Hart’s horns upon his head: and when the Knight now saw that he had fit opportunity to be revenged of Faustus he ran upon him himself, and those that were with him, to mischief him, intending privily to shoot at him: which when Doctor Faustus espied, he vanished away into the wood which was hard by them. But when the Knight perceived that he was vanished away, he caused his men to stand still, where as they remained they heard all manner of warlike instruments of music, as Drums, Flutes, Trumpets, and suchlike, and a certain troop of horsemen running towards them. Then they turned another way, and there also were assaulted on the same side: then another way, and yet they were freshly assaulted, so that which Way soever they turned themselves, he was encountered: in so much that when the Knight perceived that he could escape no way, but that they his enemies laid on him which way soever he offered to fly, he took a good heart and ran amongst the thickest, and thought with himself better to die than to live with so great an infamy. Therefore being at handyblows with them, he demanded the cause why they should so use them: but none of them would give him answer, until Doctor Faustus shewed himself unto the Knight, where withal they enclosed him around, and Doctor Faustus said unto him, Sir, yield your weapon, and yourself, otherwise it will go hardly with you. The Knight that knew none other but that he was environed with an host of men (where indeed they were none other than Devils yielded: then Faustus took away his sword, his piece, and horse, with all the rest of his companions. And further he said unto him; Sir, the chief General of our army hath commanded to deal with you according to the law of Arms, you shall depart in peace whither you please: and then he gave the Knight an horse after the manner, and set him thereon, so he rode, the rest went on foot until they came to their Inn, where being alighted, his Page rode on his horse to; the water, and presently the horse vanished away, the Page being almost sunk and drowned, but he escaped: and coming home, the Knight perceived — his Page so bemired and on foot, asked where his — horse was become? Who answered that he was vanished away: which when the Knight heard, he said, of a truth this is Faustus his doing, for he serveth me now as he did before at the Court, only to make me a scorn and a laughing stock.

Chapter LIII

How Doctor Faustus caused Mephostophiles to bring him seven of the fairest women that he could find in all those countries he had travelled in, in the twentieth year

WHEN Doctor Faustus called to mind, that his time from day to day drew nigh, he began to live a swinish and Epicurish Life, wherefore he commanded his Spirit Mephostophiles, to bring him seven of the fairest women that he had seen in all the time of his travel: which being brought, first one, and then another, he lay with them all, in so much that he liked them so well, that he continued with them in all manner of love, and made them to travel with him in all his journeys. These women were two Netherlanders, one Hungarian, one English, two Wallons, one Francklander: and with these sweet personages he continued long, yea even to his last end.

Chapter LIV

How Doctor Faustus found a mass of money when he had consumed twentytwo of his years

To the end that the Devil would make Faustus his only heir, he shewed unto him where he should go and find a mighty huge mass of money, and that he should have it in an old Chapel that was fallen down, half a mile distant from Wittenberg, there he bade him to dig and he should find it, the which he did, and having digged reasonable deep, he saw a mighty huge serpent, the which lay on the treasure itself, the treasure itself lay like a huge light burning: but D. Faustus charmed the serpent that he crept into a hole, and when he digged deeper to get up the treasure, he found nothing but coals of fire: there also he heard and saw many that were tormented, yet notwithstanding he brought away the coals, and when he was come home, it was all turned into silver and gold, as after his death was found by his servant, the which was almost about estimation, a thousand gilders.

Chapter LV

How Doctor Bestia made the Spirit of fair Helena of Greece his own Paramour and bed fellow in his twentythird year

To the end that this miserable Faustus might fill the lust of his flesh, and live in all manner of voluptuous 0 193 pleasures, it came in his mind after he had slept his first sleep,! and in the twentythird year past of his time, that he had a great desire to lie with fair Helena of Greece, especially her whom he had seen and shewed unto the Students of Wittenberg, wherefore he called unto him his Spirit Mephostophiles, commanding him to bring him the fair Helena, which he also did. Whereupon he fell in love with her, and made her his common Concubine and bedfellow, for she was so beautiful and delightful a piece, that he could not be one hour from her, if he should therefore have suffered death, she had so stolen away his heart: and to his seeming, in time she was with child, and in the end brought him a man child, whom Faustus named Justus Faustus: this child told Doctor Faustus many things that were to come, and what strange matters were done in foreign countries: but in the end when Faustus lost his life, the mother and the child vanished away both together.

Chapter LVI

How Doctor Faustus made his Will, in the which he named his servant Wagner to be his heir

Doctor Faustus was now in his twentyfourth and last year, and he had a pretty stripling to his servant, the which had studied also at the University of Wittenberg: this youth was very well acquainted with his knaveries and sorceries, so that he was hated as 1 The German text has ‘‘ at midnight, when he awoke.” well for his own knaveries, as also for his Master’s: for no man would give him entertainment into his service, because of his unhappiness, but Faustus: this Wagner was so well beloved with Faustus, that he used him as his son: for do what he would his master was always therewith well content. And when the time drew nigh that Faustus should end, he called unto him a Notary and certain masters the which were his friends and often conversant with him, in whose presence he gave this Wagner his house and Garden. Item, he gave him in ready money one thousand six hundred gilders. Item, a Farm. Item, a gold chain, much plate, and other household stuff. This gave he all to his servant, and the rest of his time he meant to spend in Inns and Students’ company, drinking and eating, with other jollity: and thus he finished his Will for that time.

Chapter LVII

How Doctor Faustus fell in talk with hts servant touching his Testament, and the covenants thereof ‘Now when this Will was made, Doctor Faustus called unto him his servant, saying: I have thought upon thee in my Testament, for that thou hast been a trusty servant unto me and a faithful, and hast not ened my secrets: and yet further (said he) ask of me before I die what thou wilt, and I will give it unto thee. His servant rashly answered, I pray you let me have your cunning. To which Doctor Faustus answered, I have given thee all my books, upon this condition, that thou wouldst not let them be common, but use them for thine own pleasure, and study carefully in them. And dost thou also desire my cunning? That mayest thou peradventure have, if thou love and peruse my books well. Further (said Doctor Faustus) seeing that thou desirest of me this request, I will resolve thee: my Spirit Mephostophiles his time is out with me, and I have nought to command him as touching thee, yet will I help thee to another, if thou like well thereof. And within three days after he called his servant unto him, saying: art thou resolved ? wouldst thou verily have a Spirit? Then tell me in what manner or form thou wouldst have him ? To whom his servant answered, that he would have him in the form of an Ape: whereupon presently appeared a Spirit unto him in manner and form of an Ape, the which leaped about the house. Then said Faustus, see, there hast thou thy request, but. yet he will not obey thee until I be dead, for when my Spirit Mephostophiles shall fetch me away, then shall thy Spirit be bound unto thee, if thou agree: and thy Spirit shalt thou name Akercocke, for so is he called: but all this is upon condition that thou publish my cunning, and my merry conceits, with all that I have done (when I am dead) in an history: and if thou canst not remember all, thy Spirit Akercocke will help thee: so shall the great acts that I have done: be manifested unto the world.

Chapter LVIII

How Doctor Faustus having but one month of his appointed time to come, fell to mourning and sorrow with himself for his devilish exercise

TIME ran away with Faustus, as the hourglass, for he had but one month to come of his twentyfour -years, at the end whereof he had given himself to the Devil body and soul, as is before specified. Here was the first token, for he was like a taken murderer or a thief, the which findeth himself guilty in conscience before the Judge have given sentence, fearing every hour to die: for he was grieved, and wailing spent the time, went talking to himself, wringing of his hands, sobbing and sighing, he fell away from flesh, and was very lean, and kept himself close: neither could he abide to see or hear of his Mephostophiles any more.

Chapter LIX

How Doctor Faustus complained that he should in his lusty time and youthful years die so miserably

Tuis sorrowful time drawing near so troubled Doctor Faustus, that he began to write his mind, to the end he might peruse it often and not forget it, and is in manner as followeth.

Ah Faustus, thou sorrowful and woeful man, now must thou go to the damned company in unquenchable fire, whereas thou mightest have had the joyful immortality of the soul, the which thou now hast lost.

Ah gross understanding and wilful will, what seizeth on my limbs other than a robbing of my life? Bewail with me my sound and healthful body, wit and soul, bewail with me my senses, for you have had your part and pleasure as well as I. Oh envy and disdain, how have you crept both at once into me, and now for your sakes I must suffer all these torments ? Ah whither is pity and mercy fled? Upon what occasion hath heaven repaid me with this reward by sufferance to suffer me to perish ? Wherefore was I created a man? The punishment that I see prepared for me of myself now must I suffer. Ah miserable wretch, there is nothing in this world to shew me comfort: then woe is me, what helpeth my wailing.

Chapter LX

Another complaint of Doctor Faustus

OH poor, woeful and weary wretch: oh sorrowful soul of Faustus, now art thou in the number of the damned, for now must I wait for unmeasurable pains of death, yea far more lamentable than ever yet any creature hath suffered. Ah senseless, wilful and desperate forgetfulness! O cursed and unstable life !

O blind and careless wretch, that so hast abused thy body, sense, and soul! O foolish pleasure, into what a weary labyrinth hast thou brought me, blinding mine eyes in the clearest day? Ah weak heart! O troubled soul, where is become thy knowledge to comfort thee? O pitiful weariness! Oh desperate hope, now shall I never more be thought upon! Oh, care upon carefulness, and sorrows on heaps: Ah grievous pains that pierce my panting heart, whom is there now that can deliver me? Would God that I knew where to hide me, or into what place to creep or fly. Ah, woe, woe is me, be where I will, yet am I taken. Herewith poor Faustus was so sorrowfully troubled, that he could not speak or utter his mind any further.

Chapter LXI

How Doctor Faustus bewailed to think on Hell, and of the miserable pains therein provided for him

Now thou Faustus, damned wretch, how happy wert thou if as an unreasonable beast thou mightest die without soul, so shouldst thou not feel any more doubts? But now the Devil will take thee away both body and soul, and set thee in an unspeakable place of darkness: for although others’ souls have rest and peace, yet I poor damned wretch must suffer all manner of filthy stench, pains, cold, hunger, thirst, heat, freezing, burning, hissing, gnashing, and all the wrath and curse of God, yea all the creatures that God hath created are enemies to me. And now too late I remember that my Spirit Mephostophiles did once tell me, there was a great difference amongst the damned; for the greater the sin, the greater the torment: for as the twigs of the tree make greater flame than the trunk thereof, and yet the trunk continueth longer in burning: even so the more that a man is rooted in sin, the greater is his punishment. Ah thou perpetual damned wretch, now art thou thrown into the everlasting fiery lake that never shall be quenched, there must I dwell in all manner of wailing, sorrow, misery, pain, torment, grief, howling, sighing, sobbing, blubbering, running of eyes, stinking at nose, gnashing of teeth, fear to the ears, horror to the conscience, and shaking both of hand and foot. Ah that I could carry the heavens on my shoulders, so that there were time at last to quit me of this everlasting damnation! Oh who can deliver me out of these fearful tormenting flames, the which I see prepared for me? Oh there is no help, nor any man that can deliver me, nor any wailing of sins can help me, neither is there rest to be found for me day nor night. Ah woe is me, for there is no help for me, no shield, no defence, no comfort. Where is my hold ? knowledge dare I not trust: and for a soul to Godwards that have I not, for I shame to speak unto him: if I do, no answer shall be made me, but he will hide his face from me, to the end that I should not behold the joys of the chosen. What mean I then to complain where no help is? No, I know no hope resteth in my groanings: I have desired that it should be so, and God hath said Amen to my misdoings: for now I must have shame to comfort me in my calamities.

Chapter LXII

Here followeth the miserable and lamentable end of Doctor Faustus, by the which all Christians may take an example and warning

In the twentyfourth year Doctor Faustus his time being come, his Spirit appeared unto him, giving him his writing again, and commanding him to make preparation, for that the Devil would fetch him against a certain time appointed. D. Faustus mourned and sighed wonderfully, and never went to bed, nor slept wink for sorrow. Wherefore his Spirit appeared again, comforting him, and saying: My Faustus, be not thou so cowardly minded; for although that thou losest thy body, it is not long unto the day of Judgment, and thou must die at the last, although thou live many thousand years. The Turks, the Jews, and many an unchristian Emperor, are in the same condemnation: therefore (my Faustus) be of good courage, and be not discomforted, for the Devil hath promised that thou shalt not be in pains as the rest of the damned are. This and suchlike comfort he gave him, but he told him false, and against the saying of the Holy Scriptures. Yet Doctor Faustus that had none other expectation but to pay his debts with his own skin, went on the same day that his Spirit said the Devil would fetch him, unto his trusty and dearest beloved brethren and companions, as Masters, and Bachelors of Arts, and other Students more the which had often visited him at his house in merriment: these he entreated that they would walk into the Village called Rimlich, half a mile from Wittenberg, and that they would there take with him for their repast part of a small banquet, the which they all agreed unto: so they went together, and there held their dinner in a most sumptuous manner. Doctor Faustus with them (dissemblingly) was merry, but not from the heart: wherefore he requested them that they would also take part of his rude supper: the which they agreed unto: for (quoth he) I must tell you what is the Victualler’s due: and when they slept (for drink was in their heads then Doctor Faustus paid and discharged the shot, and bound the Students and the Masters to go with him into another room, for he had many wonderful matters to tell them: and when they were entered the room as he requested, Doctor Faustus said unto them, as hereafter followeth.

Chapter LXIII

An Oration of Faustus to the Students

My trusty and wellbeloved friends, the cause why I have invited you into this place is this: Forasmuch as you have known me this many years, in what manner of life I have lived, practising all manner of conjurations and wicked exercises, the which I have obtained through the help of the Devil, into whose Devilish fellowship they have brought me, the which use the like Art and practice, urged by the detestable provocation of my flesh, my stiffnecked and rebellious will, with my filthy infernal thoughts, the which were ever before me, pricking me forward so earnestly, that I must perforce have the consent of the Devil to aid me in my devices. And to the end I might the better bring my purpose to pass, to have the Devil’s aid and furtherance, which I never have wanted in mine actions, I have promised unto him at the end and accomplishing of twentyfour years, both body and soul, to do therewith at his pleasure: and this day, this dismal day, those twentyfour years are fully expired, for night beginning my hourglass is at an end, the direful finishing whereof I carefully expect: for out of all doubt this night he will fetch me, to whom I have given myself in recompense of his service both body and soul, and twice confirmed writings with my proper blood. Now have I called you my wellbeloved Lords, friends, brethren, and fellows, before that fatal hour to take my friendly farewell, to the end that my departing may not hereafter be hidden from you, beseeching you herewith courteous, and loving Lords and brethren, not to take in evil part anything done by me, but with friendly commendations to salute all my friends and companions wheresoever: desiring both you and them, if ever I have trespassed against your minds in anything, that you would all heartily forgive me: and as for those lewd practices the which this full twentyfour years I have followed, you shall hereafter find them in writing: and I beseech you let this my lamentable end to the residue of your lives be a sufficient warning, that you have God always before your eyes, praying unto him that he would ever defend you from the temptation of the Devil, and all his false deceits, not falling altogether from God, as I wretched and ungodly damned creature have done, having denied and defied Baptism, the Sacraments of Christ’s body, God himself, all heavenly powers, and earthly men, yea, I have denied such a God, that desireth not to have one lost. Neither let the evil fellowship of wicked companions mislead you as it hath done me: visit earnestly and oft the Church, war and strive continually against the Devil with a good and steadfast belief on God, and Jesus Christ, and use your vocation in holiness. Lastly, to knit up my troubled Oration, this is my friendly request, that you would to rest, and let nothing trouble you: also if you chance to hear any noise, or rumbling about the house, be not therewith afraid, for there shall no evil happen unto you: also I pray you arise not out of your beds. But above all things I entreat you, if you hereafter find my dead carcass, convey it unto the earth, for I die both a good and bad Christian; a good Christian, for that I am heartily sorry, and in my heart always pray for mercy, that my soul may be delivered: a bad Christian, for that I know the Devil will have my body, and that would I willingly give him so that he would leave my soul in quiet: wherefore I pray you that you would depart to bed, and so I wish you a quiet night, which unto me notwithstanding will be horrible and fearful.

This oration or declaration was made by Doctor Faustus, and that with a hearty and resolute mind, to the end he might not discomfort them: but the Students wondered greatly thereat, that he was so blinded, for knavery, conjuration, and suchlike foolish things, to give his body and soul unto the Devil: for they loved him entirely, and never suspected any such thing before he had opened his mind to them: wherefore one of them said unto him; ah, friend Faustus, what have you done to conceal this matter so long from us, we would by the help of good Divines, and the grace of God, have brought you out of this net, and have torn you out of the bondage and chains of Satan, whereas now we fear it is too late, to the utter ruin of your body and soul? Doctor Faustus answered, I durst never do it, although I often minded, to settle myself unto godly people, to desire counsel and help, as once mine old neighbour counselled me, that I should follow his learning, and leave all my conjurations, yet when I was minded to amend, and to follow that good man’s counsel, then came the Devil and would have had me away, as this night he is like to do, and said so soon as I turned again to God, he would dispatch me altogether. Thus, even thus (good Gentlemen, and my dear friends) was I enthralled in that Satanical band, all good desires drowned, all piety banished, all purpose of amendment utterly exiled, by the tyrannous threatenings of my deadly enemy. But when the Students heard his words, they gave him counsel to do naught else but call upon God, desiring him for the love of his sweet Son Jesus Christ’s sake, to have mercy upon him, teaching him this form of prayer. O, God, be merciful unto me, poor and miserable sinner, and enter not into judgment with me, for no flesh is able to stand before thee; in mercy mayest preserve my soul. This they repeated unto him, yet it could take no hold, but even as Cain he also said his sins were greater than God was able to forgive; for all his thought was on his writing, he meant he had made it too filthy in writing it with his own blood. The Students and the others that were there, when they had prayed for him, they wept, and so went forth, but Faustus tarried in the hall: and when the Gentlemen were laid in bed, none of them could sleep, for that they attended to hear if they might be privy of his end. It happened between twelve and one o’clock at midnight, there blew a mighty storm of wind against the house, as though it would have blown the foundation thereof out of his place. Hereupon the Students began to fear, and got out of their beds, comforting one another, but they would not stir out of the chamber: and the Host of the house ran out of doors, thinking the house would fall. The Students lay near unto that hall wherein Doctor Faustus lay, and they heard a mighty noise and hissing, as if the hall had been full of Snakes and Adders: with that the hall door flew open wherein Doctor Faustus was, then he began to cry for help, saying: murther, murther, but it came forth with half a voice hollowly: shortly after they heard him no more. But when it was day, the Students that had taken no rest that night, arose and went into the hall in the which they left Doctor Faustus, where notwithstanding they found no Faustus, but all the hall lay besprinkled with blood, his brains cleaving to the wall: for the Devil had beaten him from one wall against another, in one corner lay his eyes, in another his teeth, a pitiful and fearful sight to behold. Then began the Students to bewail and weep for him, and sought for his body in many places: lastly they came into the yard where they found his body lying on the horse dung, most monstrously torn, and fearful to behold, for his head and all his joints were dashed in pieces. The forenamed Students and Masters that were at his death, have obtained so much, that they buried him in the Village where he was so grievously tormented. After the which, they returned to Wittenberg, and coming into the house of Faustus, they found the servant of Faustus very sad, unto whom they opened all the matter, who took it exceeding heavily. There found they also this history of Doctor Faustus noted, and of him written as is before declared, all save only his end, the which was after by the Students thereto annexed: further, what his servant had noted thereof, was made in another book. And you have heard that he held by him in his life the Spirit of fair Helena, the which had by him one son, the which he named Justus Faustus, even the same day of his death they vanished away, both mother and son. The house before was so dark, that scarce anybody could abide therein. The same night Doctor Faustus appeared unto his servant lively, and shewed unto him many secret things the which he had done and hidden in his lifetime. Likewise there were certain which saw Doctor Faustus look out of the window by night as they passed by the house.

And thus ended the whole story of Doctor Faustus; his conjuration, and other acts that he did in his life; out of the which example every Christian may learn, but chiefly the stiffnecked and high minded may thereby learn to fear God, and to be careful of their vocation, and to be at defiance with all Devilish works, as God hath most precisely forbidden, to the end we should not invite the Devil as a guest, nor give him place as that wicked Faustus hath done: for here we have a fearful example of his writing, promise, and end, that we may remember him: that we go not astray, but take God always before our eyes, to call alone upon him, and to honour him all the days of our life, with heat and hearty prayer, and with all our strength and soul to glorify his holy name, defying the Devil and all his works, to the end we may remain with Christ in all endless joy: Amen, Amen, that wish I unto every Christian heart, for God's name to be glorified. Amen.

Colophon

The Historie of the damnable life, and deserued death of Doctor John Faustus: Newly imprinted, and in conuenient places imperfect matter amended: according to the true Copie printed at Franckfort, and translated into English by P.F. Gent. London: Thomas Orwin for Edward White, 1592.

The German original, Historia von D. Johann Fausten, dem weitbeschreyten Zauberer und Schwartzkünstler, was first printed by Johann Spies in Frankfurt am Main in 1587. The anonymous author drew on earlier legends, street literature, and oral traditions surrounding the historical Georg Faust (c. 1480–c. 1540), an itinerant alchemist and magician of southern Germany. The English translation appeared in 1592 and served as the direct source for Christopher Marlowe's Doctor Faustus (c. 1592–93).

This edition follows the text as printed in The History of the Damnable Life and Deserved Death of Doctor John Faustus 1592, Together with the Second Report of Faustus 1594, translated by William Rose (London: Broadway Translations, 1925). Rose's edition reproduces the 1592 English text from the unique copy in the British Museum. Long-s typography has been regularised. Running headers, page numbers, and publisher's apparatus have been removed. OCR artifacts from the archive.org digitisation (identifier: historyofdamnabl0000unse_o0d7) have been corrected. Decorative initials have been restored. Paragraph breaks interrupted by page boundaries have been rejoined.

Compiled and formatted for the Good Work Library by the New Tianmu Anglican Church, 2026. Scribe: Aldhelm (Early English Archivist).

🌲