Page:The works of Christopher Marlowe - ed. Dyce - 1859.djvu/148

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And write a deed of gift with thine own blood;

    For that security craves great Lucifer.
    If thou deny it, I will back to hell.
    FAUSTUS. Stay, Mephistophilis, and tell me, what good will my soul
    do thy lord?
    MEPHIST. Enlarge his kingdom.
    FAUSTUS. Is that the reason why he tempts us thus?
    MEPHIST. Solamen miseris socios habuisse doloris.
    FAUSTUS. Why, have you any pain that torture others!
    MEPHIST. As great as have the human souls of men.
    But, tell me, Faustus, shall I have thy soul?
    And I will be thy slave, and wait on thee,
    And give thee more than thou hast wit to ask.
    FAUSTUS. Ay, Mephistophilis, I give it thee.
    MEPHIST. Then, Faustus, stab thine arm courageously,
    And bind thy soul, that at some certain day
    Great Lucifer may claim it as his own;
    And then be thou as great as Lucifer.
    FAUSTUS. [Stabbing his arm] Lo, Mephistophilis, for love of thee,
    I cut mine arm, and with my proper blood
    Assure my soul to be great Lucifer's,
    Chief lord and regent of perpetual night!
    View here the blood that trickles from mine arm,
    And let it be propitious for my wish.
    MEPHIST. But, Faustus, thou must
    Write it in manner of a deed of gift.
    FAUSTUS. Ay, so I will [Writes].  But, Mephistophilis,
    My blood congeals, and I can write no more.
    MEPHIST. I'll fetch thee fire to dissolve it straight.
         [Exit.]
    FAUSTUS. What might the staying of my blood portend?
    Is it unwilling I should write this bill?
    Why streams it not, that I may write afresh?
    FAUSTUS GIVES TO THEE HIS SOUL:  ah, there it stay'd!
    Why shouldst thou not? is not thy soul shine own?
    Then write again, FAUSTUS GIVES TO THEE HIS SOUL.
         Re-enter MEPHISTOPHILIS with a chafer of coals.
    MEPHIST. Here's fire; come, Faustus, set it on.
    FAUSTUS. So, now the blood begins to clear again;
    Now will I make an end immediately.
         [Writes.]
    MEPHIST. O, what will not I do to obtain his soul?
         [Aside.]
    FAUSTUS. Consummatum est; this bill is ended,
    And Faustus hath bequeath'd his soul to Lucifer.
    But what is this inscription on mine arm?
    Homo, fuge:  whither should I fly?
    If unto God, he'll throw me down to hell.
    My senses are deceiv'd; here's nothing writ:—
    I see it plain; here in this place is writ,
    Homo, fuge:  yet shall not Faustus fly.
    MEPHIST. I'll fetch him somewhat to delight his mind.
         [Aside, and then exit.]
         Re-enter MEPHISTOPHILIS with DEVILS, who give crowns
         and rich apparel to FAUSTUS, dance, and then depart.
    FAUSTUS. Speak, Mephistophilis, what means this show?
    MEPHIST. Nothing, Faustus, but to delight thy mind withal,
    And to shew thee what magic can perform.
    FAUSTUS. But may I raise up spirits when I please?
    MEPHIST. Ay, Faustus, and do greater things than these.
    FAUSTUS. Then there's enough for a thousand souls.
    Here, Mephistophilis, receive this scroll,
    A deed of gift of body and of soul:
    But yet conditionally that thou perform
    All articles prescrib'd between us both.
    MEPHIST. Faustus, I swear by hell and Lucifer
    To effect all promises between us made!
    FAUSTUS. Then hear me read them.  [Reads] ON THESE CONDITIONS
    FOLLOWING.  FIRST, THAT FAUSTUS MAY BE A SPIRIT IN FORM AND
    SUBSTANCE.  SECONDLY, THAT MEPHISTOPHILIS SHALL BE HIS SERVANT,
    AND AT HIS COMMAND.  THIRDLY, THAT MEPHISTOPHILIS SHALL DO FOR HIM,
    AND BRING HIM WHATSOEVER HE DESIRES.  FOURTHLY, THAT HE SHALL
    BE IN HIS CHAMBER OR HOUSE INVISIBLE.  LASTLY, THAT HE SHALL APPEAR
    TO