CHAPTER LVI.
How Dr. Faustus made his Will, in which he named
his Servant Wagner to be his Heir.
Dr. Faustus was now in his twenty-fourth and last year, and he had a pretty stripling to his servant, which had studied also at the university of Wittenburg. This youth was very well acquainted with his knaveries and sorceries, so that he was hated as well for his own knavery as also for his master's, for no man would give him entertainment into his service because of his unhappiness but Faustus. This Wagner was so well beloved of Faustus that he used him as his son, for do what he would, his master was always therewith contented.
And then when the time drew nigh that Faustus should end, he called unto him a notary and certain masters, the which were his friends and often conversant with him, in whose presence he gave this Wagner his house and garden. Item, he gave him in ready money sixteen thousand guilders. Item, one farm. Item, a gold chain, much plate, and other household stuff, that gave he to his servant, and the rest of his time he meant to spend in inns and students' company, drinking and eating, with other jollity. And thus he finished his will at that time.
CHAPTER LVII.
How Dr. Faustus fell in talk with his Servant, touching his Testament,
and the Covenants thereof.
Now when this will was made, Dr. Faustus called unto his servant, saying, "I have thought upon thee in my testament, for that thou hast been a trusty servant unto me, and faithful, and hast not opened my secrets. And yet farther," said he, "ask of me before I die what thou wilt, and I will give it unto thee."
His servant rashly answered, "I pray you, let me have your cunning."
To which Dr. Faustus answered, "I have given thee all my books, upon this condition, that thou wouldst not let them be common, but use them for thy own pleasure, and study carefully in them; and dost thou also desire my cunning? That thou mayst peradventure have, if thou love and peruse my books well."
"Farther," said Dr. Faustus, "seeing that thou desirest of me this request, I will resolve thee. My spirit Mephistophiles his time is out with me, and I have nought to command him, as touching thee. Yet I will help thee to another if thou like well thereof."