The Works of Christopher Marlowe

Dr. Faustus (A Text)

Act: 2 Scene: 5
Meph.
That I shall wait on Faustus whilst he
So he will buy my service with his soul.
Meph.
But, Faustus, thou must bequeath it solemnly,
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.
Meph.
Enlarge his kingdom.
Meph.
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.
Faust, 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.
Meph.
But, Faustus, thou must
Write it in manner of a deed of gift.
Meph.
I'll fetch thee fire to dissolve it straight. [Exit.
Meph.
O what will not I do to obtain his soul.
[Aside.
Faust. Consummatum est: this bill is ended,
And Faustus hath bequeathed 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 deceived; here's nothing writ:—
I see it plain; here in this place is writ
Homo, fuge! Yet shall not Faustus fly.
Meph, I'll fetch him somewhat to delight his mind.
[Exit.
Re-enter MEPHISTOPHILIS with Devils, who give crowns
and rich apparel to FAUSTUS, dance, and depart.
Meph.
Nothing, Faustus, but to delight thy mind withal,
And to show thee what Magic can perform.
Meph.
Ay, Faustus, and do greater things than these.
Meph.
Faustus, I swear by Hell and Lucifer
To effect all promises between us made.
Meph.
Speak, Faustus, do you deliver this as your deed?
Meph.
Now, Faustus, ask what thou wilt.
Meph.
Under the Heavens.
Meph.
Within the bowels of these elements,
Where we are tortured and remain for ever;
Hell hath no limits, nor is circumscribed
In one self place; for where we are is Hell,
And where Hell is there must we ever be:
And, to conclude, when all the world dissolves,
And every creature shall be purified,
All places shall be Hell that is not Heaven
Meph. Ay.
think so still, till experience change thy mind.
Meph.
Ay, of necessity, for here's the scroll
Wherein thou hast given thy soul to Lucifer.
Meph.
But, Faustus, I am an instance to prove the contrary,
For I am damned, and am now in Hell.
“Meph.
Well, Faustus, thou shall have a wife.
[MEPHISTOPHILIS fetches in a woman-devil,
Faust. What sight is this?
Meph.
Now, Faustus, wilt thou have a wife?
Meph.
Marriage is but,” &c.
Meph.
How — a wife?
I prithee, Faustus, talk not of a wife.
Meph.
Well — thou wilt have one. Sit there till I come: I'll fetch thee a wife in the devil's name. [Exit.
Re-enter MEPHISTOPHILIS with a Devil drest like a Woman, with fireworks.
Meph.
Tell me, Faustus, how dost thou like thy wife?
Meph.
Tut, Faustus,
Marriage is but a ceremonial toy;
And if thou lovest me, think no more of it.
I'll cull thee out the fairest courtesans,
And bring them every morning to thy bed;
She whom thine eye shall like, thy heart shall have,
Be she as chaste as was Penelope,
As wise as Saba, or as beautiful
As was bright Lucifer before his fall.
Here, take this book, peruse it thoroughly: [Gives a book.
The iterating of these lines brings gold;
The framing of this circle on the ground
Brings whirlwinds, tempests, thunder and lightning:
Pronounce this thrice devoutly to thyself,
And men in armour shall appear to thee,
Ready to execute what thou desir'st
Meph.
Here they are, in this book.
[Turns to them.
Meph.
Here they are too.
[Turns to them.
Meph.
Here they be.
Meph.
Tut, I warrant thee.
[Turns to them Exeunt.