John Faustus, approved in the Elements,
and the spiritual Doctor.
CHAPTER VII
How Mephostophiles came for his writing, and in what manner he appeared, and his sights he shewed him: and how he caused him to keep a copy of his own writing
Doctor Faustus sitting pensive, having but one only boy with him, suddenly there appeared his Spirit Mephostophiles, in likeness of a fiery man, from whom issued most horrible fiery flames, in so much that the boy was afraid, but being hardened by his master, he bade him stand still and he should have no harm: the Spirit began to blare as in a singing manner. This pretty sport pleased Doctor Faustus well, but he would not call his Spirit into his Counting house, until he had seen more: anon was heard a rushing of armed men, and trampling of horses: this ceasing, came a kennel of hounds, and they chased a great Hart in the hall, and there the Hart was slain. Faustus took heart, came forth, and looked upon the Hart, but presently before him there was a Lion and a Dragon together fighting, so fiercely, that Faustus thought they would have brought down the house, but the Dragon overcame the Lion, and so they vanished.
After this, came in a Peacock, with a Peahen, the cock brustling of his tail, and turning to the female, beat her, and so vanished. Afterward followed a furious Bull, that with a full fierceness ran upon Faustus, but coming near him, vanished away. Afterward followed a great old Ape, this Ape offered Faustus the hand, but he refused: so the Ape ran out of the hall again. Hereupon fell a mist in the hall, that Faustus saw no light, but it lasted not, and so soon as it was gone, there lay before Faustus two great sacks, one full of gold, the other full of silver.
Lastly, was heard by Faustus all manner Instruments of music, as Organs, Clarigolds,[16] Lutes, Viols, Citterns,[17] Waits,[18] Hornpipes, Flutes, Anomes,[19] Harps, and all manner of other Instruments, the which so ravished his mind, that he thought he had been in another world, forgot both body and soul, in so much that he was minded never to change his opinion concerning that which he had done. Hereat, came Mephostophiles into the Hall to Faustus, in apparel like unto a Friar, to whom Faustus spake, thou hast done me a wonderful pleasure in shewing me this pastime, if thou continue as thou hast began, thou shalt win me heart and soul, yea and have it. Mephostophiles answered, this is nothing, I will please thee better: yet that thou mayest know my power and all, ask what thou wilt request of me, that shalt thou have, conditionally hold thy promise, and give me thy handwriting: at which words, the wretch thrust forth his hand, saying, hold thee, there hast thou my promise: Mephostophiles took the writing, and willing Faustus to take a copy of it, with that the perverse Faustus being resolute in his damnation, wrote a copy thereof, and gave the Devil the one, and kept in store the other. Thus the Spirit and Faustus were agreed, and dwelt together: no doubt there was a virtuous housekeeping.
Footnotes
[16] A stringed musical instrument, or clarichord.
[17] A kind of guitar.
[18] A wind instrument.
[19] This instrument is unknown.