Mediaeval Tales Part 27

Hereat came Mephistophiles into the hall to Faustus, in apparel like unto a friar, to whom Faustus spake: "Thou hast done me a wonderful pleasure in showing me this pastime; if thou continue as thou hast begun, thou shalt win my heart and soul, yea, and have it."

Mephistophiles answered: "This is nothing; I will please thee better; yea, that thou mayst know my power on all, ask what request thou wilt of me, that shalt thou have, conditionally hold thy promise, and give me thy handwriting." At which words the wretch thrust forth his hand, saying, "Hold thee, there hast thou my promise."

Mephistophiles took the writing and willed Faustus to take a copy of it.

With that the perverse Faustus being resolute in his d.a.m.nation, wrote a copy thereof, and gave the devil the one, and kept in store the other.

Thus the spirit and Faustus were agreed, and dwelt together; no doubt there was a virtuous house-keeping.

CHAPTER VIII.

_The manner how Faustus proceeded in this d.a.m.nable Life, and of the diligent Service that Mephistophiles used towards him._

Dr. Faustus having given his soul to the devil, renouncing all the powers of heaven, confirming all his lamentable action with his own blood, and having already delivered his writing now into the devil's hand, the which so puffed up his heart, that he forgot the mind of a man, and thought himself to be a spirit.

Thus Faustus dwelt at his uncle's house at Wittenburg, who died, and bequeathed it in his testament to his cousin Faustus.

Faustus kept a boy with him, that was his scholar, an unhappy wag, called Christopher Wagner, to whom this sport and life that he saw his master followed, seemed pleasant. Faustus loved the boy well, hoping to make him as good or better seen in his h.e.l.lish exercises than himself, and he was fellow with Mephistophiles. Otherwise Faustus had no company in his house but himself and boy, and spirit that ever was diligent at Faustus's command, going about the house, clothed like a friar, with a little bell in his hand, seen of none but Faustus.

For victuals and other necessaries, Mephistophiles brought him at his pleasure from the Duke of Saxony, the Duke of Bavaria, and the Bishop of Salisburg; and they had many times their best wine stolen out of their cellars by Mephistophiles, likewise their provisions for their own table. Such meat as Faustus wished for, his spirit brought him in.

Besides that, Faustus himself was become so cunning, that when he opened his window, what fowl soever he wished for, it came presently flying into the house, were it never so dainty. Moreover, Faustus and his boy went in sumptuous apparel, the which Mephistophiles stole from the mercers at Norenburg, Aspurg, Franckford, and Tipzig; for it was hard for them to find a lock to keep out such a thief. All their maintenance was but stolen and borrowed ware; and thus they lived an odious life in the sight of G.o.d, though as yet the world were unacquainted with their wickedness. It must be so, for their fruits be none other, as Christ saith in John, where he calls the devil a thief and murderer; and that found Faustus, for he stole him away both body and soul.

CHAPTER IX.

_How Dr. Faustus would have married, and how the Devil had almost killed him for it._

Dr. Faustus continued thus in this epicurish life day and night, believed not that there was a G.o.d, h.e.l.l, or devil: he thought that soul and body died together, and had quite forgot divinity, or the immortality of the soul, but stood in that d.a.m.nable heresy day and night, and bethinking himself of a wife, called Mephistophiles to council: which would in no case agree, demanding of him if he would break the covenant made with him, or if he had forgot it. "Hast thou,"

quoth Mephistophiles, "sworn thyself an enemy to G.o.d and to all creatures? To this I answer thee, Thou canst not marry, thou canst not serve two masters, G.o.d and my prince; for wedlock is a chief inst.i.tution ordained of G.o.d, and that thou hast promised to defy as we do all, and that hast thou not only done, but moreover thou hast confirmed it with thy blood, persuade thyself that what thou dost in contempt of wedlock, it is all to thy own delight. Therefore, Faustus, look well about thee, and bethink thyself better, and I wish thee to change thy mind, for if thou keep not what thou hast promised in thy writing, we will tear thee in pieces like the dust under thy feet. Therefore, sweet Faustus, think with what unquiet life, anger, strife, and debate thou shalt live in when thou takest a wife. Therefore change thy mind."

Dr. Faustus was with these speeches in despair; and as all that have forsaken the Lord can build upon no good foundation, so this wretched doctor having forsook the rock, fell into despair with himself, fearing, if he should motion matrimony any more, that the devil should tear him in pieces. "For this time," quoth he to Mephistophiles, "I am not minded to marry." "Then dost thou well," answered his spirit.

But within two hours after Faustus called again to his spirit, who came in his old manner like a friar. Then Faustus said unto him, "I am not able to resist or bridle my fancy; I must and will have a wife, and I pray thee give thy consent to it." Suddenly upon these words came such a whirlwind about the place that Faustus thought the whole house would have come down; all the doors of the house flew off the hooks. After all this his house was full of smoke, and the floor covered with ashes; which, when Dr. Faustus perceived, he would have gone upstairs, and flying up he was taken and thrown down into the hall, that he was not able to stir hand nor foot; then round about him ran a monstrous circle of fire, never standing still, that Faustus cried as he lay, and thought there to have been burned. Then cried he out to his spirit Mephistophiles for help, promising him he would live, for all this, as he had vowed by his handwriting. Hereupon appeared unto him an ugly devil, so dreadful and monstrous to behold, that Faustus durst not look on him. The devil said, "What wouldst thou have, Faustus? How likest thou thy wedding? What mind art thou in now?" Faustus answered, he had forgot his promise, desiring of him pardon, and he would talk no more of such things. "Thou art best so to do;" and so vanished from him.

After appeared unto him his friar Mephistophiles, with a bell in his hand, and spake to Faustus: "It is no jesting with us; hold thou that which thou hast vowed, and we will perform that which we have promised; and more than that, thou shalt have thy heart's desire of what woman soever thou wilt, be she alive or dead, and so long as thou wilt thou shalt keep her by thee." These words pleased Faustus wonderful well, and repented himself that he was so foolish to wish himself married, that might have any woman in the whole city brought him at his command, the which he practised and persevered in a long time.

CHAPTER X.

_Questions put forth by Dr. Faustus unto his Spirit Mephistophiles._

Dr. Faustus living in all manner of pleasure that his heart could desire, continuing of his amorous drifts, his delicate fare, and costly apparel, called on a time his Mephistophiles to him, who being come, brought him a book in his hand of all manner of devilish and enchanting arts, the which he gave Faustus, saying, "Hold, my Faustus; work now thy heart's desire." The copy of this enchanting book was afterwards found by his servant Christopher Wagner. "Well," quoth Faustus to his spirit, "I have called thee to know what thou canst do if I have need of thy help."

Then answered Mephistophiles, and said, "My lord Faustus, I am a flying spirit, yea, so swift as thought can think, to do whatsoever."

Here Faustus said, "But how came lord and master Lucifer to have so great a fall from heaven?"

Mephistophiles answered: "My lord Lucifer was a fair angel, created of G.o.d as immortal, and being placed in the Seraphims, which are above the Cherubims, he would have presumed upon the Throne of G.o.d, with intent to thrust G.o.d out of his seat; upon this presumption the Lord cast him down headlong, and where before he was an angel of light, now dwells in darkness, not able to come near his first place, without G.o.d send for him to appear before him; as Raphael, unto the lower degree of angels, that have their conversation with men, he may come, but not unto the second degree of the heavens, that is kept by the archangels, namely, Michael and Gabriel, for these are called Angels of G.o.d's wonders; these are far inferior places to that from whence my lord and master Lucifer fell; and thus far, Faustus, because thou art one of the beloved children of the lord Lucifer, following thy mind in manner as he did his, I have shortly resolved thy request, and more I will do for thee at thy pleasure."

"I thank thee, Mephistophiles," quoth Faustus, "come, let us now go to rest, for it is night;" upon this they left their communication.

CHAPTER XI.

_How Dr. Faustus dreamed that he had seen h.e.l.l in his Sleep, and how he questioned with the Spirit of matters concerning h.e.l.l, with the Spirit's answer._

The night following after Faustus's communication with Mephistophiles, as concerning the fall of Lucifer, Dr. Faustus dreamed that he had seen a part of h.e.l.l, but in what manner it was, or in what place, he knew not, whereby he was much troubled in mind, and called unto him Mephistophiles his spirit, saying unto him, "I pray thee resolve me in this doubt: What is h.e.l.l? What substance is it of? In what place stands it? And when was it made?"

Mephistophiles answered: "Faustus, thou shalt know, that before the fall of my lord Lucifer there was no h.e.l.l, but even then was h.e.l.l ordained.

It is no substance, but a confused thing; for I tell thee, that before all elements were made, or the earth seen, the spirit of G.o.d moved upon the waters, and darkness was over all; but when G.o.d said, 'Let there be light,' it was at his word, and the light was on G.o.d's right hand, and he praised the light. Judge thou farther, G.o.d stood in the middle, the darkness was on his left hand, in the which my Lord was bound in chains until the day of judgment. In this confused h.e.l.l is nought to find but a sulphurish fire, and stinking mist or fog. Farther, we devils know not what substance it is of, but a confused thing; for as the bubble of water flieth before the wind, so doth h.e.l.l before the breath of G.o.d.

Moreover, the devils know not how G.o.d hath laid the foundation of our h.e.l.l, nor where it is; but to be short, Faustus, we know that h.e.l.l hath neither bottom nor end."

CHAPTER XII.

_The second Question put forth by Dr. Faustus to his Spirit, what Kingdoms were in h.e.l.l, how many, and what were the Rulers' names._

Faustus spake again to his spirit, saying, "Thou speakest of wonderful things: I pray thee now tell me what kingdoms are there in your h.e.l.l?

How many are there? What they are called? And who rules them?"

The spirit answered him: "My Faustus, know that h.e.l.l is, as thou wouldst think with thyself, another world, in the which we have our being under the earth, even to the heavens; within the circ.u.mference whereof are contained ten kingdoms, namely, 1. Lacus Mortis. 2. Stagnum Ignis.

3. Terra Tenebrosa. 4. Tartarus. 5. Terra Oblivionis. 6. Gehenna.

7. Erebus. 8. Barathrum. 9. Styx. 10. Acheron. The which kingdoms are governed by five kings, that is, Lucifer in the Orient, Belzebub in Septentrio, Belial in Meredie, Ascheroth in the Occident, and Phlegeton in the midst of them all; whose rules and dominions have no end until the day of doom; and thus far, Faustus, hast thou heard of our rule and kingdom."

CHAPTER XIII.

_Another Question put forth by Dr. Faustus to his Spirit, concerning his Lord Lucifer, with the sorrow that Faustus fell afterwards into._

Dr. Faustus began again to reason with Mephistophiles, requiring him to tell in what form and shape, and in what estimation his lord Lucifer was, when he was in favour with G.o.d.