Presently, not three fathoms above his head, fell a flame in manner of lightning, and changed itself into a globe; yet Faustus feared it not, but did persuade himself that the devil should give him his request before he would leave. Oftentimes after to his companions he would boast that he had the stoutest head under the cope of heaven at command. Whereat they answered, They knew no stouter than the Pope or Emperor. But Dr. Faustus said, "The head that is my servant, is above all upon earth;" and repeated certain words out of St. Paul to the Ephesians, to make his argument good, "The Prince of the World is upon earth and under heaven." Well, let us come again to his conjuration, where we left him at the fiery globe; Faustus, vexed at his spirit's so long tarrying, used his charms, with full purpose not to depart before he had his intent; and crying on Mephistophiles the spirit, suddenly the globe opened, and sprung up in the height of a man, so burning a time, in the end it converted to the shape of a fiery man. This pleasant beast ran about the circle a great while, and lastly appeared in the manner of a Gray Friar, asking Faustus what was his request.
Faustus commanded, that the next morning at twelve of the clock, he should appear to him at his house; but the devil would in no wise grant it. Faustus began to conjure him again, in the name of Belzebub, that he should fulfil his request; whereupon the spirit agreed, and so they departed each on his way.
CHAPTER III.
The Conference of Doctor Faustus, with his Spirit Mephistophiles,
the Morning following at his own House.
Dr. Faustus, having commanded the spirit to be with him, at his hour appointed, he came and appeared in his chamber, demanding of Faustus what his desire was. Then began Dr. Faustus anew with him, to conjure him, That he would be obedient unto him, and to answer him certain articles, to fulfil them in all points:
1. That the spirit would serve him, and be obedient unto him in all things that he asked of him, from that hour until the hour of his death.
2. Further, anything that he desired of him, he should bring him.
3. Also that in all Faustus's demands and interrogations, the spirit should tell him nothing but that which was true.
Hereupon the spirit answered, and laid his case forth, that he had no such power of himself until he had first given his prince (that was ruler over him) to understand thereof, and to know if he could obtain so much of his lord: "Therefore speak farther, that I may do thy whole desire to my prince; for it is not in my power to fulfil without his leave."
"Show me the cause why?" said Faustus.