Faust Book

How Doctor Faustus would haue married, and how the Diuell had almost killed him for it. Chap. 9.

he thought that bodie and soule died together, and had quite forgotten Diuinitie or the immortalitie of his soule, but stoode in his damnable heresie day and night. And bethinking himselfe of a wife, called Mephostophiles to counsaile; which would in no wise agree: demanding of him if he would breake the couenant made with him, or if hee had forgot it. Hast not thou (quoth Mephostophiles) sworne thy selfe an enemy to God and all creatures': To this I answere thee, thou canst not marry; thou canst not serue two masters, God, and my Prince: for wedlock is a chiefe institution ordained of God, and that hast thou promised to defie, as we doe all, and that hast thou also done: and moreouer thou hast confirmed it with thy blood: perswade thy selfe, that what thou doost in contempt of wedlock, it is all to thine owne delight. Therefore Faustus, looke well about thee, and bethinke thy selfe better, and I wish thee to change thy minde: for if thou keepe not what thou hast promised in thy writing, we wil teare thee in peeces like the dust vnder thy feete. Therefore sweete Faustus, thinke with what vnquiet life, anger, strife, & debate thou shalt liue in when thou takest a wife: therefore change thy minde.

Doctor Faustus was with these speeches in despaire: and as all that haue forsaken the Lord, can build vpon no good foundation: so this wreched Faustus hauing forsooke the rock, fell in despaire with himself, fearing if he should motion¹ Matrimonie any more, that the diuell would teare him in peeces For this time (quoth he to Mephostophiles）

I am not minded to marry. Then you doe well, answered his spirite. But shortly & that within ² two houres after, Faustus called his spirit, which came in his old maner like a Frier. Then Faustus said vnto him, I am not able to resist nor bridle my fantasie, I must and will haue a wife, and I pray thee giue thy consent to it. Sodainlie vpon these words came such a whirle-winde about the place, that Faustus thought the whole house would come down, all the doores in the house flew off the hookes: after all this, his house was full of smoke, and the floore couered ouer with ashes: which when Doctor Faustus perceiued, he would haue gone Vp the staires: and flying Vp, he was taken and throwne into the hall, that he was not able to stir hand nor foote: then round about him ran a monstrous circle of fire, neuer standing still, that Faustus fried as hee lay, and thought there to haue been burned. Then cried hee out to his Spirit Mephostophiles for help, promising him hee would liue in all things as he had vowed in his hand-writing. Hereupon appeared vnto him an ougly Diuell, so fearefull and monstrous to beholde, that Faustus durst not looke on him. The Diuell said, what wouldst thou haue Faustus: how likest thou thy wedding? what minde art thou in now': Faustus answered, he had forgot his promise, desiring him of pardon, and he would talke no more of such things. The diuell answered, thou were best so to doe, and so vanished.

After appeared vnto him his Frier Mephostophiles with a bel in his hand, and spake to Faustus: It is no iesting with vs, holde thou that which thou hast vowed, and wee will performe as wee haue promised: and more than that, thou shalt haue thy hearts desire of what woman soeuer thou wilt, bee shee aliue or dead, and so long as thou wilt, thou shalt keepe her by thee.

These words pleased Faustus wonderfull³ well, and repented himselfe that hee was so foolish to wish himselfe married, that might haue any woman in the whole Citie brought to him at his command; the which he practised and perseuered in a long time.