Scene
VII
Enter Chorus.
Chorus
Learned Faustus,
To know the secrets of astronomy,
Graven in the book of Jove’s high firmament,
Did mount himself to scale Olympus’ top,
Being seated in a chariot burning bright,
Drawn by the strength of yoky dragons’ necks.
He now is gone to prove cosmography,
And, as I guess, will first arrive at Rome,
To see the Pope and manner of his court,
And take some part of holy Peter’s feast,
That to this day is highly solemnised.
Exit.
Enter Faustus and Mephistopheles.
Faustus
Having now, my good Mephistopheles,
Passed with delight the stately town of Trier,
Environed round with airy mountaintops,
With walls of flint, and deep-entrenched lakes,
Not to be won by any conquering prince;
From Paris next, coasting the realm of France,
We saw the river Maine fall into Rhine,
Whose banks are set with groves of fruitful vines;
Then up to Naples, rich Campania,
Whose buildings fair and gorgeous to the eye,
The streets straight forth, and paved with finest brick,
Quarter the town in four equivalents:
There saw we learned Maro’s golden tomb,
The way he cut, an English mile in length,
Thorough a rock of stone, in one night’s space;
From thence to Venice, Padua, and the rest,
In one of which a sumptuous temple stands,
That threats the stars with her aspiring top.
Thus hitherto hath Faustus spent his time:
But tell me now what resting-place is this?
Hast thou, as erst I did command,
Conducted me within the walls of Rome?
Mephistopheles
Faustus, I have; and because we will not be unprovided, have taken up his Holiness’ privy-chamber for our use.
Faustus
I hope his Holiness will bid us welcome.
Mephistopheles
Tut, ’tis no matter, man, we’ll be bold with his good cheer.
And now, my Faustus, that thou may’st perceive
What Rome containeth to delight thee with,
Know that this city stands upon seven hills
That underprop the groundwork of the same:
Just through the midst runs flowing Tiber’s stream,
With winding banks that cut it in two parts:
Over the which four stately bridges lean,
That make safe passage to each part of Rome:
Upon the bridge called Ponte Angelo
Erected is a castle passing strong,
Within whose walls such store of ordnance are,
And double cannons framed of carved brass,
As match the days within one complete year;
Besides the gates and high pyramides,
Which Julius Caesar brought from Africa.
Faustus
Now by the kingdoms of infernal rule,
Of Styx, of Acheron, and the fiery lake
Of ever-burning Phlegethon, I swear
That I do long to see the monuments
And situation of bright-splendent Rome:
Come therefore, let’s away.
Mephistopheles
Nay, Faustus, stay; I know you’d fain see the Pope,
And take some part of holy Peter’s feast,
Where thou shalt see a troop of baldpate friars,
Whose summum bonum is in belly-cheer.
Faustus
Well, I’m content to compass then some sport,
And by their folly make us merriment.
Then charm me, Mephistopheles, that I
May be invisible, to do what I please
Unseen of any whilst I stay in Rome.
Mephistopheles charms him.
Mephistopheles
So, Faustus; now
Do what thou wilt, thou shalt not be discerned.
Sound a sonnet. Enter the Pope and the Cardinal of Lorrain to the banquet, with Friars attending.
Pope
My Lord of Lorrain, wilt please you draw near?
Faustus
Fall to, and the devil choke you an you spare!
Pope
How now! Who’s that which spake?—Friars, look about.
First Friar
Here’s nobody, if it like your Holiness.
Pope
My lord, here is a dainty dish was sent me from the Bishop Milan.
Faustus
I thank you, sir. Snatches the dish.
Pope
How now! Who’s that which snatched the meat from me? Will no man look? My lord, this dish was sent me from the Cardinal of Florence.
Faustus
You say true; I’ll ha’t. Snatches the dish.
Pope
What, again! My lord, I’ll drink to your grace.
Faustus
I’ll pledge your grace. Snatches the cup.
Cardinal of Lorrain
My lord, it may be some ghost, newly crept out of purgatory, come to beg a pardon of your Holiness.
Pope
It may be so. Friars, prepare a dirge to lay the fury of this ghost. Once again, my lord, fall to. The Pope crosses himself.
Faustus
What, are you crossing of yourself? Well, use that trick no more I would advise you.
The Pope crosses himself again.
Well, there’s the second time. Aware the third; I give you fair warning.
The Pope crosses himself again, and Faustus hits him a box of the ear; and they all run away.
Come on, Mephistopheles; what shall we do?
Mephistopheles
Nay, I know not. We shall be cursed with bell, book, and candle.
Faustus
How! bell, book, and candle—candle, book, and bell,
Forward and backward to curse Faustus to hell!
Anon you shall hear a hog grunt, a calf bleat, and an ass bray,
Because it is Saint Peter’s holiday.
Reenter the Friars to sing the Dirge.
1st Friar
Come, brethren, let’s about our business with good devotion.
They sing.
Cursed be he that stole away his Holiness’ meat from the table! Maledicat Dominus!
Cursed be he that struck his Holiness a blow on the face! Maledicat Dominus!
Cursed be he that took 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 Et omnes sancti! Amen!
Mephistopheles and Faustus beat the Friars, and fling fireworks among them: and so exeunt.