TheStationersRegister

The Works of Christopher Marlowe

Dr. Faustus (B Text)

Act: 4 Scene: 7<<

Enter the Duke of Vanholt, his Duchess, Faustus, and Mephistophilis.

Thanks Master Doctor, for these pleasant sights.

Nor know I how sufficiently to recompense your great de-

serts in erecting that enchanted castle in the air, the

sight whereof so delighted me,

as nothing in the world could please me more.

I do think myself, my good lord, highly recom-

pensed, in that it pleaseth your grace to think but well of

that which Faustus hath performed. But, gracious lady, it

may be that you have taken no pleasure in those sights.

Therefore, I pray you tell me what is the thing you most de-

sire to have? Be it in the world, it shall be yours. I have heard

that great-bellied women do long for things are rare and

dainty.

True, Master Doctor, and since I find you so kind,

I will make known unto you what my heart desires to

have, and were it now summer, as it is January, a dead

time of the winter, I would request no better meat than

a dish of ripe grapes.

This is but a small matter. Go, Mephostophilis, away.

Exit Mephistophilis.

Madam, I will do more than this for your content.

Enter Mephistophilis again with the grapes.

Here, now taste ye these. They should be good

For they come from a far country, I can tell you.

Duke of Vanholt

This makes me wonder more than all the rest, that

at this time of the year, when every tree is barren of his

fruit, from whence you had these ripe grapes.

Please it, your grace, the year is divided into two

circles over the whole world, so that when it is winter with

us, in the contrary circle it is likewise summer with them,

as in India, Saba, and such countries that lie far east,

where they have fruit twice a year, from whence, by means

of a swift spirit that I have, I had these grapes brought as

you see.

And trust me, they are the sweetest grapes that e'er I tasted.

The Clowns bounce at the gate within.

Duke of Vanholt

What rude disturbers have we at the gate ?

Go, pacify their fury. Set it ope,

And then demand of them what they would have.

They knock again and call out to talk with Faustus.

Why, how now, masters? What a coil is there?

What is the reason you disturb the Duke?

We have no reason for it, therefore a fig for him.

Why, saucy varlets, dare you be so bold?

I hope, sir, we have wit enough to be more bold than welcome.

It appears so. Pray be bold elsewhere, And trouble not the Duke.

Duke of Vanholt

What would they have?

They all cry out to speak with Doctor Faustus.

Ay, and we will speak with him.

Duke of Vanholt

Will you, sir? Commit the rascals.

Commit with us! He were as good commit with his

father as commit with us.

I do beseech your grace let them come in.

They are good subject for a merriment.

Duke of Vanholt

Do as thou wilt, Faustus. I give thee leave.

I thank your grace. Enter theClown, Dick, Carter, and Horse-courser.

Why, how now, my goods friends?

'Faith you are too outrageous, but come near.

I have procured your pardons. Welcome all.

Nay, sir, we will be welcome for our money, and

we will pay for what we take. What ho! Give's half a do-

zen of beer here, and be hanged.

Nay, hark you, can you tell me where you are?

Ay, marry can I. We are under heaven.

Ay, but, sir sauce-box know you in what place?

Ay, ay, the house is good enough to drink in. Zounds,

fill us some beer, or we'll break all the barrels in the house,

and dash out all your brains with your bottles.

Be not so furious. Come, you shall have beer.

My lord, beseech you give me leave awhile.

I'll gage my credit; 'twill content your grace.

Duke of Vanholt

With all my heart, kind Doctor, please thyself,

Our servants, and our courts at thy command.

I humbly thank your grace. Then fetch some

beer.

Ay, marry. There spake a Doctor indeed, and 'faith I'll

drink a health to thy wooden leg for that word.

My wooden leg? What dost thou mean by that?

Ha, ha, ha! Dost hear him Dick? He has forgot his

leg.

Ay, ay, he does not stand much upon that.

No, faith. Not much upon a wooden leg.

Good Lord, that flesh and blood should be so frail

with your worship. Do not you remember a horse-courser

you sold a horse to?

Yes, I remember I sold one a horse.

And do you remember you bid he should not ride

into the water?

Yes, I do very well remember that.

And do you remember nothing of your leg?

No, in good sooth.

Then I pray remember your courtesy.

I thank you, sir.

'Tis not so much worth. I pray you, tell me one thing.

What's that?

Be both your legs bedfellows every night together?

Would'st thou make a colossus of me, that thou as-

kest me such questions?

No, truly, sir, I would make nothing of you, but

I would fain know that.

Enter Hostess with drink.

Then I assure thee certainly they are.

I thank you; I am fully satisfied.

But wherefore dost thou ask?

For nothing, sir, but methinks you should have a

wooden bedfellow of one of 'em.

Why do you hear, sir? Did not I pull off one of your

legs when you were asleep?

But I have it again now I am awake. Look you

here, sir.

O horrible! Had the Doctor three legs?

Do you remember, sir, how you cozened me and eat

up my load of ---

Faustus charms him dumb.

Do you remember how you made me wear an

ape's ---

You whoreson conjuring scab, do you remember

how you cozened me with a ho---

Ha'you forgotten me? You think to carry it away

with your hey-pass, and re-pass. Do you remember the

dogs fa--- Exeunt Clowns.

Who pays for the ale? Hear you, Master Doctor,

now you have sent away my guests, I pray who shall pay

me for my a---? Exit Hostess.

My Lord,

we are much beholding to this learned man.

Duke of Vanholt

So are we madam, which we will recompense

With all the love and kindness that we may.

His artful sport drives all sad thoughts away. Exeunt.

Nav.

Nav.