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The Works of Christopher Marlowe

Dr. Faustus (B Text)

Act: 3 Scene: 2<<

A sennet while the banquet is brought in, and then enter Faustus and Mephistophilis in their own shapes.

Mephistophilis

Now, Faustus, come prepare thyself for mirth;

The sleepy cardinals are hard at hand,

To censure Bruno that is posted hence,

And on a proud paced steed, as swift as thought

Flies o'er the Alps to fruitful Germany,

There to salute the woeful Emperor.

Faustus

The Pope will curse them for their sloth today.

That slept both Bruno and his crown away.

But now that Faustus may delight his mind,

And by their folly make some merriment,

Sweet Mephistophilis, so charm me here,

That I may walk invisible to all,

And do what e'er I please, unseen of any.

Mephistophilis

Faustus, thou shalt. Then kneel down presently.

So , Faustus, now for all their holiness,

Do what thou wilt; thou shalt not be discerned.

Faustus

Thanks, Mephistophilis. Now, Friars, take heed,

Lest Faustus make your shaven crowns to bleed.

Mephistophilis

Faustus, no more. See where the cardinals come.

Enter Pope and all the Lords. Enter the Cardinals with a book.

Pope

Welcome, lord cardinals. Come sit down.

Lord Raymond, take your seat; Friars attend,

And see that all things be in readiness,

As best beseems this solemn festival.

1. Cardinal

First, may it please your sacred Holiness,

To view the sentence of the reverend synod,

Concerning Bruno and the Emperor.

Pope

What needs this question? Did I not tell you,

Tomorrow we would sit i'th'consistory,

And there determine of his punishment?

You brought us word even now, it was decreed,

That Bruno and the cursed Emperor

Were by the holy council both condemned

For loathed Lollords, and base schismatics.

Then wherefore would you have me view that book?

1. Cardinal

Your Grace mistakes; you gave us no such charge.

Raymond

Deny it not; we all are witnesses

That Bruno here was late delivered you,

With his rich triple crown to be reserved,

And put into the Church's treasury.

Both Cardinals

By holy Paul we saw them not.

Pope

By Peter, you shall die,

Unless you bring them forth immediately.

Hale them to prison, lade their limbs with gyves.

False prelates, for this hateful treachery,

Cursed be your souls to hellish misery.

Faustus

So, they are safe. Now, Faustus, to the feast,

The Pope had never such a frolic guest.

Pope

Lord Archbishop of Reams, sit down with us.

Bishop

I thank your Holiness.

Faustus

Fall to, the Devil choke you an you spare.

Pope

Who's that spoke? Friars, look about.

Lord Raymond, pray fall to; I am beholding

to the Bishop of Milan, for this so rare a present.

Faustus

I thank you sir. Snatches it

Pope

How now! Who snatched the meat from me?

Villains, why speak you not?

My good Lord Archbishop, here's a most dainty dish,

Was sent me from a cardinal in France.

Faustus

I'll have that too.

Pope

What Lollards do attend our Holiness

That we receive such great indignity? Fetch me some wine.

Faustus

Ay, pray do, for Faustus is a dry.

Pope

Lord Raymond, I drink unto your grace.

Faustus

I pledge your grace.

Pope

My wine gone too? Ye Lubbers look about

And find the man that doth this villainy,

Or by our sanctitude you all shall die.

I pray my lords have patience at this

Troublesome banquet.

Bishop.

Please it your holiness, I think it be some ghost

crept out of Purgatory, and now is come unto your Holi-

ness for his pardon.

Pope

It may be so.

Go then command our priests to sing a dirge,

To lay the fury of this same troublesome ghost.

Faustus

How now? Must every bit be spiced with a cross?

Nay, then, take that.

Pope

O, I am slain; help me my lords.

O, come and help to bear my body hence.

Damned be this soul forever for this deed.

Exeunt the Pope and his train.

Me.

Now, Faustus, what will you do now, for I can tell you

you'll be cursed with bell, book, and candle?

Faustus

Bell, book, and candle: candle, book, and bell;

Forward and backward to curse Faustus to hell.

Enter the Friars with bell, book, and candle, for the dirge.

1 Friar

Come, brethren, let's about our business with

good devotion.

Cursed be he that stole his Holiness' meat from the table.

Maledicat Dominus.

Cursed be he that struck his Holiness a blow the face.

Maledicat Dominus.

Cursed be he that struck Friar Sandelo a blow on the pate.

Maledicat Dominus.

Cursed be he that disturbeth our holy dirge.

Maledicat Dominus.

Cursed be he that took away his Holiness' wine.

Maledicat Dominus.

Beat the Friars, fling fireworks among them, and exeunt.

Nav.