'Philosophy is odious and obscure;
Both Law and Physic are for petty wits;
Divinity is basest of the three,
Unpleasant, harsh, contemptible, and vile;
'Tis magic, magic, that hath ravish'd me.'
Thus Doctor Faustus, the Gamaliel of those whose study are the arcana of nature and the world of shadows. Yet whether we be mystics or materialists what would not each one of us (not necessarily bibliophiles) give to possess the volume which Faustus had at the hands of Mephistophilis?
Meph. 'Hold, take this book, peruse it thoroughly:
The iterating of these lines brings gold;
The framing of this circle on the ground
Brings whirlwinds, tempests, thunder, and lightning;
Pronounce this thrice devoutly to thyself,
And men in armour shall appear to thee,
Ready to execute what thou desir'st.'
Faust. 'Thanks, Mephistophilis; yet fain would I have a book
wherein I might behold all spells and incantations, that I
might raise up spirits when I please.'
Meph. 'Here they are in this book.' [Turns to them.]
Faust. 'Now would I have a book where I might see all characters
and planets of the heavens, that I might know their
motions and dispositions.'
Meph. 'Here they are too.' [Turns to them.]
Faust. 'Nay, let me have one book more—and then I have done—wherein
I might see all plants, herbs, and trees, that
grow upon the earth.'
Meph. 'Here they be.'
Faust. 'Oh, thou art deceived.'