Page:History of the wicked life and horrid death of Dr. John Faustus (7).pdf/12

This page has been validated.

12

made such a hideous noise that he was very much startled. Walking down a few steps, he espied an incredible number, almost hid with smoke; he asked what they were? the spirit told him they were millers and bakers; but, good lack, what a noise was there among them, the millers crying to the bakers and the bakers to the millers for help, but all was in vain, for there was none to help them. Passing on further he saw thousands of shopkeepers, some of whom he knew, who were tormented for defrauding and cheating their customers. Having taking this prospect of hell, the spirit Mephostophiles took him in his arms and carried him home to his own house, where he awaking, was amazed at what he had seen in his dream.

Being come to himself, he asked the spirit in what place hell was, and who made it; Mephostophiles, answered, knowest thou, that before the fall of Lucifer, there was no hell, but upon his fall, was ordained. As for the substance of hell we devils do not know; it is the wrath of God that makes hell so furious, and what we procured by our fall: but where hell is, or how it is governed, and whatesoever thou desirest to know when thou comest there thou shalt be satisfied as far as we know ourselves.