But what is this Inscription on my Arm?
_h.o.m.o fuge_: Whether shall I fly?
My Senses are deceiv"d, here"s nothing writ; O yes, I see it plain, even here is writ _h.o.m.o fuge_; yet shall not _Faustus_ fly, I"ll call up something to delight his Mind.
[_Song._ Mephostopholis _waves his Wand_. _Enter several Devils, who present Crowns to_ Faustus, _and after a Dance vanish_.
_Faust._ What means this then?
_Meph._ "Tis to delight thy Mind, and let thee see What Magick can perform.
_Faust._ And may I raise such Spirits when I please.
_Meph._ Ay, _Faustus_, and do greater Things than these.
_Faust._ Then, _Mephostopholis_ receive this Deed of Gift; But set Conditionally, that thou perform all Covenants and Articles herein subscribed.
_Meph._ I swear by h.e.l.l, and _Lucifer_, to effect all Promises between us both.
_Faust._ Then take it.
_Meph._ Do you deliver it as your Deed, and Gift?
_Faust._ Ay, and the Devil do you good on"t.
_Meph._ So, now, _Faustus_, ask what thou wilt.
_Faust._ Then let me have a Wife.
Faustus _waves his Wand, and a Woman Devil rises: Fire-works about whirles round, and sinks_.
_Faust._ What sight is this?
_Meph._ Now, _Faustus_ wilt thou have a Wife?
_Faust._ Here"s a hot Wh.o.r.e indeed, I"ll have no Wife.
_Meph._ Marriage is but a Ceremonial Toy; I"ll cull thee out the fairest Curtezans, And bring "em every Morning to thy Bed: She whom thy Eye shall like, thy Heart shall have.
_Faust._ Then, _Mephostopholis_, let me behold the Famous _h.e.l.len_, who was the Occasion of great _Troys"_ Destruction.
_Meph._ _Faustus_, thou shalt. [_Waves his Wand, enters._
_Faust._ O _Mephostopholis_! what would I give to gain a Kiss from off those lovely Lips.
_Meph._ _Faustus_, thou may"st. [_He kisses her._
_Faust._ My Soul is fled; come _h.e.l.len_, come, give me my Soul again; she"s gon. [_He goes to kiss her again, and she sinks._
_Meph._ Women are shy you know at the first Sight; but come, _Faustus_, command me somewhat else.
_Faust._ Then tell me, is h.e.l.l so terrible as Church-men write it.
_Meph._ No, _Faustus_ "tis Glorious as the upper World; but that we have Night and Day, as you have here: Above there"s no Night.
_Faust._ Why sighs my _Mephostopholis_, I think h.e.l.l"s a meer Fable.
_Meph._ Ay, think so still.
_Faust._ Tell me who made the World?
_Meph._ I will not.
_Faust._ Sweet _Mephos._
_Meph._ Move me no further.
_Faust._ Villain, have I not bound thee to tell me any Thing.
_Meph._ That"s not against our Kingdom, this is: Thou art Lost; think thou of h.e.l.l.
_Faust._ Think, _Faustus_, upon him that made the World.
_Meph._ Remember this. [_Sinks._
_Faust._ Ay, go accursed Spirit to ugly h.e.l.l, "Tis thou hast d.a.m.n"d distressed _Faustus_ Soul: I will Repent: Ha! [_Goes to his Books._ This Bible"s fast, but here"s another:
[_They both fly out of"s Hand, and a flaming Thing appears written_, &c.
Is"t not too late? [_Ring. Good and bad descend._
_Bad An._ Too late.
_Good An._ Never too late, if _Faustus_ will repent.
_Bad An._ _Faustus_, behold, behold thy Deed; if thou repent Devils will tear thee in Pieces.
_Good An._ Repent, and they shall never raze thy Skin.
[_Scene shuts, Ang. ascends._
_Scene changes to the Street._ _Enter_ Harlequin.
_Harl._ This must be Mr. Doctor"s House; I"ll make bold to knock: My Heart fails me already.
[Harlequin _opens the Door, peeps about, and shuts it_.
I begin to tremble at the Thoughts of seeing the Devil.
[_Knocks again._