About the year 1490 there was born at Roda, in the Duchy of Saxe-Weimar, a child whose fame was destined to fill the world of superstition, fable, and song. He was named John Faustus, or Faust.
He studied medicine, became an alchemist, and was possessed with a consuming desire to learn the secrets of life and of the spiritual world.
He studied magic, and his thirst for knowledge of the occult sciences grew. He wished to know how to prolong life, to change base metals to gold, to do things at once by the power of the will.
One night, as he was studying, the Evil One appeared before him.
“I will reveal to you all the secrets you are seeking, and will enable you to do anything you wish by the power of the will alone—”
Dr. Faustus was filled with an almost insane delight.
“—On one condition.”
“Name it.”
“That I shall have your soul in return.”
“When?”